#okay so this chapter is kinda gory

[maislovebot]

Top 10 bsd characters oral scenarios: Ryunosuke Akutagawa

Hello! Here’s the Ryu chapter! I did everything yesterday but I guess I forgot to hit publish or something?? Sorry about that, as an apology I’ll be posting the Chuuya chapter today as well:)

Contains: afab reader, no pronouns, face-sitting, overstim, kinda ooc, nipple play I think, orgasm delay, teasing, kinda angsty but like what do you expect it’s Aku, Rashoumon but like sexually, she’s used as light bondage

Check the original post out on ao3! (same user)

“ Can you come home? I want you. ”

“What?”

You were enjoying your day in some mall, spoiling yourself just a little. Of course, it would’ve been nice to invite your lovely boyfriend, Akutagawa, but he was busy with something involving the Port Mafia, he didn’t go into detail. He probably felt like saving you from the gory details. He was even kind enough to supply you with a fair amount of money, silently sliding it into your hand when you were about to leave. It’s crazy how much money he makes because of his jobs at the Port Mafia, and he’s only a part of the command unit.

Your day at the mall was cut short when you received a call from the one and only Akutagawa, and you assumed it had something to do with the money he gave you until you picked up the phone.

“Huh? I thought you had a job today.”

“I finished it early. I need you right now.”

You stood for a few seconds, confused and now slightly turned on. Understanding all too well what he wanted, you complied with his wishes.

“Alright, I’ll be there in about an hour, I have to check out at the store I’m at, and the drive is 45 minutes.”

Silence stood on the other line, then a short “hurry.” Was said before Akutagawa hung up abruptly.

Now that whatever Akutagawa was planning was on the schedule for tonight, you wanted to get home as soon as you could, bouncing your leg in line, waiting.

‘ Finally, that line was so long. ’

You fiddled with your keys, trying to get inside of your car, the desperate way you searched through your keys and wallet making it harder for you to actually get into the car.

‘ God, finally. ’ Once you made it into your car, you shifted uncomfortably in your seat.

‘ Damn it Ryuu, why’d you have to be so demanding when I’m so far away? ’ you kept thinking about whatever it was he wanted to do, and it made you more and more needy, picturing whatever it was he wanted you to do to you.

With you taking a considerable amount of shortcuts and speeding a bit more than what was ethical, you made it back in record time. Only 45 minutes.

Fiddling with your keys yet again, you were cut off by Akutagawa opening the door for you and pulling you inside hastily.

“Took you long enough.” Akutagawa commented, noticing how you were lightly rubbing your thighs together. You wanted to give some snarky response, but you were cut off by Akutagawa grabbing your hair and leaning into you, kissing you rather roughly.

You were embarrassed because you hadn’t even gotten a chance to shut the door yet, and you pushed it shut with your foot.

You pulled back, already desperate for air from how vigorous Akutagawa was with his kissing. You pulling away didn’t deter Akutagawa for even a second, and he instead brought his lips down to your neck and began kissing and licking at it intently.

“Aa—Ryuu—what’s gotten into y—ah!” You were cut off by him licking at your sensitive spot, and him lightly groping you. Noticing your reaction, he paused and asked if you were alright.

“Is this not okay?”

“No—it’s fine, it’s just.. this is different. You never act like this.”

“I finished work early so I wanted to spend some time with you.”

You have a puzzled look, then a small moan from Akutagawa reuniting his lips with your neck, slowly trailing down to the tops of your breasts, while bringing his right hand down to grasp your bottoms and underwear at the same time, pulling them down just enough for you to be on full display, this made the blood rush to your cheeks while you questioned him.

“And you being done with work early caused this? I mean, I’m not complaining but it’s different.”

He gave a sigh “can we talk about this later? I just want you right now. We can talk about work after.”

You looked at him and nodded. “Alright, but let’s at least get up the stairs before we go any farther.”

Akutagawa nodded, and pulled you up the stairs by your wrist and then walked to the closest room with a soft surface that he could lay on, which happened to be your front room.

He laid down on your couch, luckily it was fairly large, it could fit the both of you.

“Could you sit on my face?”

Your eyes widened, and Akutagawa rephrased his question.

“Would you be fine with sitting on my face?”

You laughed a little, and Akutagawa looked at you rather blankly.

“Well that was blunt.”

“I’m blunt.”

You nodded, “that you are.”

Akutagawa looked at you expectantly, awaiting your answer. “Well?”

You said nothing, and instead pulled your bottoms down, completely stepping out of them. You smiled then straddled his hips and leaned down, quickly giving a small and quick kiss to his neck, not wanting to make him wait much longer, he was clearly a little desperate after all.

“Of course I will.” You spoke into his collar bones. You moved yourself upwards until you hovered just too high for his mouth to reach. Akutagawa didn’t sit and wait, and instead pulled your hips down till your heat was touching the outside of his lips.

Akutagawa opened his mouth and darted his tongue out straight to your clit, licking a circle on it.

You gave a barely audible groan, and immediately ground your hips down onto his tongue, increasing the amount of friction on your clit, causing you to repeat the process over and over again. Akutagawa gave a cute small moan under you due to the slightly suffocating feeling that arose from you grinding yourself onto him. How was he already driving you crazy from just one small lick? I guess you had been waiting for this for almost an hour, and he went straight to your clit with no precautions. Akutagawa kept licking at your clit before eventually beginning to suck on it. As of right now, Akutagawa was gripping the couch harshly, although it was fruitless due to the fact there weren’t really any blankets to grip onto.

You being so desperate for release in the car made your orgasm arrive pretty quick, and you wanted to try and warn Akutagawa.

“I’m clo—se..!” With this warning, Akutagawa paused the movement of his tongue, and sat there silently.

“What? Why’d you stop??” You whined, trying to grind down on Akutagawa, but he grabbed your hips and pulled you down onto his upper chest.

“Beg for it.” He said, staring straight into your eyes. You sat there silently, not really wanting to get rid of your dignity so easily.

“Come on. I know you can do it.” Akutagawa repeated his command yet again with a straight face, although it was a little difficult to take him seriously with the bottom half of his face being covered in your precum. Akutagawa noticed this, and wiped it off, closing his eyes and covering his face in the process, clearly a little embarrassed. While his mouth was covered, he coughed once or twice before asking again, now having a dry face.

“Just ask me and I promise I’ll keep going.”

Feeling your orgasm just sitting there in your stomach, not going anywhere, you grew desperate and whined quietly before giving into his requests.

“Please, let me cum. Please.” Your begging almost came out as a whisper, and Akutagawa was clearly not satisfied.

“You can do better than that.”

You looked away from him, considering just doing what he wanted. You were still stuck in place, considering how Akutagawa’s patience was running rather thin, he moved his hands up to grip on your thighs tightly, his nails digging into your skin just a little.

What finally got you to give in was when he quickly moved you back up to the top of his face and kissed your clit, your sensitivity running wild, even the slightest bit of stimulation made you jerk your hips down into him, and beg like he wanted without even realizing it.

“Please! I-I wanna cum so bad, I wanna cum all over your face! Please, please..” you begged, feeling yourself beginning to tear up from the overwhelming need to cum, barely even acknowledging how lewd your statement was.

Akutagawa noticed this, and took your begging into account, deciding that he was now satisfied. Without another word, he moved his tongue between your folds, and sucked at your clit, still holding your thighs tightly.

“God, I’m—” you couldn’t even finish your sentence before you came, expecting to be able to calm down, you were shocked when he kept going, continuing to suck on your clit with absolutely zero shame.

“Ahnn.. why’re you still g-going?” You pleaded, and Akutagawa gave a muffled moan yet again, not responding to your question. The overstimulation was pleasurable right now, but at the rate Akutagawa was going, you were sure it would start to hurt at least a little bit very soon. What changed however, was Akutagawa’s grip on your left thigh was completely removed when he brought his index and middle finger to your hole and spread your precum quickly and slid inside of you. He rested his fingers inside allowing you to get used to the feeling, contrary to his lips that kept working on your clit. Already knowing what he was waiting for, you nodded your head letting him know he was fine to move if he so pleased. When he thrusted his fingers slowly, he sped up his work with his mouth, the contrasting feeling driving you to your next orgasm.

It was far too much, and you tried to pull yourself off of Akutagawa, but he quickly grabbed your thighs, removing his left hand from your hole in the process. Muffled under you, you heard him ask, “just a little more? Can’t you last a little longer?”

“Yes, I’ll try.” You said, grinding down onto his face slightly.

“Perfect. Just tell me to stop if it gets too much.”

Without another word, Akutagawa brought his tongue up to your hole, and grabbed the innermost part of your thigh to pull you down as far as he could, and slowly thrusted his tongue inside of you. Your eyes shot open much wider than before and you grabbed the top of the couch tightly, trying to ground yourself. Encouraged by this response, Akutagawa sped up the movements of his tongue. The feeling of your walls surrounding the small amount of his tongue he could bring inside of you made him buck into the air just a little, and he brought his left hand down to his hard on, gently palming himself. He felt a little ashamed of what he was doing, but he was desperate at this point. In order to make up for his dominant hand no longer holding you down, he lifted his head up so he could thrust his tongue impossibly deeper into your hole. You simultaneously ground your hips down onto his mouth, only increasing the intensity of his actions.

You could feel the familiar feeling of release yet again, and you warned Akutagawa.

“Please.. I’m close. Make me cum, please! Don’t—don’t stop!” Akutagawa nodded as much as he could under you, and you sighed with relief. What caught you off guard, however, was Akutagawa urgently pulling you off of him and resting you on his chest. You wanted to whine because he pulled you off after he promised , but you were met with a fit of coughs from Akutagawa, and you frowned slightly.

“Ugh—I apologize. I know you were close.”

“It’s fine. You’re clearly worn out, let’s just lay down for now.”

Akutagawa shook his head, and pulled himself up so he could lean against the back of the couch, and beckoned you to sit on top of him. Hesitantly, you complied, not wanting to take too much out of him.

“I’m gonna make you cum. I won’t let you stop until you come one more time.”

“Ryuu.. you really don’t have to.”

“I will.”

You sighed, knowing this was a battle you couldn’t win. You sat atop his lap, straddling him, making sure to not put too much weight onto him. Akutagawa grabbed at the hem of your shirt, and gave you a is this okay? look. You nodded, and to emphasize it, you pulled the shirt off yourself, leaving you in your bra.

Akutagawa reached his left hand to your back and unhooked the back of your bra with his hand, and watched it fall down your shoulders. You lifted your arms, and you were now completely naked, opposite to Akutagawa, with the only thing he wasn’t wearing being shoes. But he’s still wearing socks, of course.

At least he understood this, and decided that the jacket shouldn’t just be for show. He mumbled Rashoumon , and suddenly your hands were being held up, only not getting tired because they were being held up by his jacket. You jumped, and looked at him playfully.

“You could’ve warned me first! My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.”

“I assumed you’d be used to it by now.”

You shook your head, looking into his eyes and smirking just a little.

“Well, come on, if I can’t use my hands you better put that mouth of yours to good use. Again .”

Akutagawa decided to ignore your teasing and complied, reaching his mouth towards your chest, and taking one of your nipples into his mouth, licking around the tip of it. He slowly moved his right hand to your other nipple, pulling on it gently. After a few seconds, he brought his left hand down to your crotch, and entered you yet again. This time however, he went much faster, thrusting into you quickly.

You let out a loud moan and all the stimulation and brought your head down to the side of his head, closing your eyes tightly.

“G-god, Ryuu, you feel s-so good..” in response he hummed, and the vibrations against your burning skin made you jerk your hips forward. This made Akutagawa’s fingers pull out of you to just the tip, so he quickly thrusted them back in before moving his thumb to your clit. You tried to pull your hands forward to grip onto Akutagawa, but you were unable to pull your hands out of Rashoumon’s grasp.

“P-please, Ryuu, lemme hold you!” You cried out before Akutagawa looked away from you for a split second, and released Rashoumon from you, and you instantly grabbed Akutagawa’s shoulders so tightly he was sure you would leave some bruises behind, not that he cared.

You pulled your head back, and looked at Akutagawa, only to be met by his eyes staring right into yours. It looked so intense, so intimate, that it drove you over the edge, making you cum one last time.

You shook a little as you came, and Akutagawa pulled away from your nipples and kept fingering you slowly, helping you ride out your high. Once you were calmed down, he pulled out of you, and you whimpered quietly from the friction.

You breathed heavily for roughly thirty seconds, with your eyes shut tightly. Once you had caught your breath, you opened your eyes and looked at Akutagawa and smiled.

“That was nice. You did so well.”

Akutagawa looked away, embarrassed, before coughing a few times into his sleeve.

“Glad you liked it,” you stared at him. “Just one problem though.”

Akutagawa raised an eyebrow, and questioned you.

“And what might that be?”

You leaned down, and kissed Akutagawa intensely, grabbing the back of his head gently. After a few moments, Akutagawa reached back and grabbed your hand, trying to pull it away. You moved your hand and pulled away.

“I didn’t get to help you at all.”

Akutagawa instantly understood what you meant, and looked at you blankly.

“You don’t have to help me. Seeing you like this is enough to keep me content.”

You sighed playfully, and slid down onto the ground, reaching your hand under his jacket, you gently caressed his knee over his pants. Akutagawa’s eyes widened just a little, and he shifted from the uncomfortable tightness in his slacks.

“I want to help you out. Please?” You asked while slowly trailing your hand up until it met his belt. You teasingly grabbed the buckle, beginning to undo it.

“We can take as many breaks as you need. I just want to please you.” You looked into his eyes, and Akutagawa loosely grabbed your hair and moved his hand down himself to get the belt undone faster.

“ Do as you wish . ”

Poor guy doesn’t have the stamina to go for longD: I think his foreplay makes up for it though

Wc - 2.7k

Chuuya chapter will be released today!

#bungou stray dogs x reader #bungou stray dogs #bsd #bsd x reader #bsd smut #ryunosuke akutagawa #akutagawa ryunosuke x reader #bsd ryunosuke

[magicalblgirl]

Ayo, so I see people are interested with the TianShan fic I was looking for. Anyway, I got some insanely good recommendations for all of you. There's some amazing story telling and plot going on here so bear with me...

I LOVE THIS FIC TO BITS! 🤧 I would coddle it if it was my child. He Tian is a brat but Momo would not budge, he's just as determined and won't back down. A glorified babysitter to an overgrown man child (please I love the jabs here 😝). Momo just wants to do his job but He Tian's stubborness is getting in the way *cough cough*. Also, there's violence, guns and knives. Read HERE

THIS, I love this so much 😭. Somewhat dark and violent in the beginning. Come on, He Tian beat Momo up in place of Jian Yi. But Momo is strong in his own right and it left He Tian puzzled. Momo and Jian Yi are like bffs here. He Tian and Zhang Zhen Xi are friends/mafia bros. Read HERE

This is friggin PAINFUL. Like angsty, violent, heart-wrenching, punch in the gut painful. BUT it is also one of the most AMAZING fics I've read. 🤕⚠️ LIKE YOU JUST WANT THEM TO BE TOGETHER BUT WTF. Mo got trust issues, He Tian got a truck load of em. It's bloody and kinda graphic especially what happened to Momo (nothing too gory tho imo, okay but some parts are kskskskdjd but for me they are bearable) so reader discretion, check the tags. Read HERE

This is ongoing so I am thankful for the author for updating it on New Year's eve 🎆. A friggin emotional roller coaster. I love to suffer, kick me in th b4lls with the angst but I also like the moments of vulnerability. Like for the emotionally constipated people like me, this fic is GOLD. And yeah.. SMüT (almost in every chapter 😏). Read HERE

Anyways...

Look at the update date. Look at me. Did I tell y'all it's UNFINISHED fics?? Cuz if I suffer, you suffer with me 😝 Also, I've read almost all TianShan fics in AO3 except those less than 1500 words lol. I prefer longer fics 5-10k and above, if there's a 100k completed fic I will errect a statue in your honor.

Anyways, if you read it, show the author some love or leave a kudos.

#tianshan #mo guan shan #he tian #he tian x mo guan shan #19 days #19days #old xian #old先

[morningstargirl666]

TBBW NEWS

Okay, so, I hit 64k for the edit/rewrite of TBBW. It's fine. I've still got to add a scene to chapter 4 and rewrite the end scene but IT'S FINE 60-odd-k for just five bloody chapters is completely fine.

[distant sobbing]

ANYWAY I'm coming out here to say I'm in need of a beta reader.

Turns out when you rewrite the word equivalent of a novel in less than two months your brain starts to short circuit and the words kinda start blurring together. I need someone to proof read my edited chapters and point out any grammar, spelling or sentence structure mistakes I've missed. I'd also like feedback on the changes I've been making (is the character development I'm trying to implement coming across? is this scene too gory? etc). There's no deadline - I don't need these edited chapters reading over ASAP just whenever you've got time. You don't need any beta reading experience either but I would prefer you to be a writer yourself, with at least one fic on AO3/ffnet. Having read the TBBW prior to this isn't needed either, as you're essentially reading a new version anyway.

So yeah! Dm me on tumblr if you're interested!

#tbbw #the big bad wolf #klaroline #klaroline fanfiction #morningstar writes #fanfiction #klaus x caroline #i'm going a little insane reading over the same edits again and again #i need someone to reign me in and tell me its doing what i want it to do #that its WORKING #send help

[moon-spirit-yue]

It's Not Living (if it's Not With You)

Chapter 1: Raya Ran into Some Complications

(TW WARNING!!!!!! This mini series is based heavily on the show Criminal Minds so if murder mysteries and descriptions of that sort of thing are not for you, just don’t read this fic. It’s not like my other fics where I let you know of a small uncomfortable part. I really don’t want to make this fic too horrific and gory, but it will get dark. Basically, if you can get though an episode of Criminal Minds this fic will be fine. These sorts of topics are not for everyone so please just be aware of this if you choose to proceed)

“Please don’t hurt me this way! I have a wife! And a sweet baby boy! How could you be so cruel?!” Raya whimpered, turning her head away from the monster that was trying to torture her.

“God, you are so dramatic,” Noi snorted without looking up from her book. 

“Okay first of all, your “wife” does not count, and second, you don’t have any kids,” Tong began before getting cut off.

“Objection! Tuk Tuk is my beautiful son and I don’t appreciate you acting like he isn’t,” Raya huffed. “And I am married! Sisu and I have the certificate framed and everything! What’s with the judgement? Is it because we’re gay?” 

“I’m pretty sure the judgement is coming from the fact that you two only got married to get grant money for college,” Boun laughed.

“And who the hell asked you, twerp?” Raya glared.

“Your dog and sham marriage do not count,” Tong sighed.

“You know, you’re being awfully negative to someone who literally got shot at this morning,” Raya grumbled as she reluctantly opened her eyes.

“Yeah well, the unsub missed and honestly? I’m kinda wishing he met his mark. Now wake up,” the unit chief scowled. 

“Oh please! We’re the smallest unit in the BAU! If I get shot and go out of commission we’d literally have no choice but to dissolve and relocate to other units,” Raya scoffed. “And you know that Noi despises change.”

“It’s true. My mother used a different kind of cereal to feed me as kid because my usual stuff was out of stock and I protested by refusing to eat breakfast until I got my cereal back,” Noi confirmed.

“And you call me dramatic,” Raya laughed.

The bickering continued like it always did until they finally landed back in Quantico, their beloved home base. The quartet wearily got off the plane single file and entered the FBI building. It was long a flight and they were all ready to crash.

“Hello my dazzling little agents! How is everyone?” Sisu greeted them once they got on their floor.

“Feeling like I’m about to pass out. The guy was maniac. I mean, who carries three guns on their person at all times? Even for a serial killer, it’s a tad excessive,” Boun groaned.

“I do not envy any of you. It’s bad enough I have to see the crime photos, I could not imagine having to see the guy that caused them, let alone capture him,” Sisu shivered.

“This job is certainly not for the faint of heart,” Tong confirmed.

That was the understatement of the year. 

“Agreed. Hey Sisu, can you drive me? If I go behind the wheel I’m scared I’ll fall asleep,” Raya asked.

“Anything for the wife!” Sisu laughed. Boun and Noi had small smiles on their faces as Tong loudly sighed in displeasure.

“The sanctity of marriage is wasted on you people!” Tong declared.

“We’ll get a divorce one day, don’t worry sir,” Raya giggled.

“A man can only dream. Alright, before we all disperse, I do want to say that you all truly outdid yourselves this past week. The unsub did his damn hardest to shake us off, but we managed to pull through. I really am proud of how this team has grown,” Tong said.

The other four agents beamed at his words. As much as the whole team likes picking on each other at every possible opportunity, they really did care about each other and yearned for their boss’s approval. The next words he said were not nearly as uplifting.

“We’re going to need to get in here early tomorrow. We’re all behind on some important documents that have to get on my desk by the end of the month,” the unit chief stated with a stern look on his face. 

“Boooooo!” Boun groaned. 

“Dang it, I thought he forgot about that,” Noi mumbled.

Raya just decided to stick with her classic pout. She’s getting too tired to talk.

“On that note, I’m going home to my wife, that I married for the right reasons,” Tong said, shooting a look at Raya and Sisu. 

The other four then went their separate ways, mumbling some tired goodbyes and see you tomorrows. Sisu had to practically drag Raya to her car and shoved her in. 

“At least stay awake until we get home,” Sisu sighed while starting the car.

“Can we just go to your place for night? Tuk Tuk’s already there and it’s closer,” Raya mumbled.

Tuk Tuk always stayed with Sisu when Raya was out on assignments so she really didn’t feel like relocating him tonight. Plus, she had a good portion of her stuff at Sisu’s anyways.

“I had a feeling you’d say that. Your bed is already made,” Sisu laughed.

“Have I told you that I literally love you?” the agent yawned.

“It certainly wouldn’t hurt me to hear it more often,” Sisu laughed. 

“Oh, do you still need help dying your roots?” Raya asked. 

She was now vaguely remembering Sisu asking for her help at some point when she was out on her previous assignment. Considering the fact that some dude with mommy issues damn near killed her, the text was shoved in the back of Raya’s mind for a hot minute.  

“Yeah, but let’s save that for tomorrow. I don’t think you can be trusted with anything permanent right now,” her best friend said, side eyeing how Raya was nodding off.

It took everything in her to muster up the strength to give Sisu a thumbs up, so that’s probably for the best. Raya’s pretty sure she did fall asleep during the brief car ride because she blinked and bam! There was Sisu’s house.

“Carry me,” Raya demanded, slumped over.

“Oh my god,” Sisu groaned

After much pulling and tugging on Sisu’s part, they made it through the front door and was greeted by Tuk Tuk’s little yips of happiness. Raya grinned the second she saw her fluffy puppy and began pressing kisses on his furry face.

“I missed you, my beautiful baby! Oh yes I did! Yes I did!” Raya cooed as her precious pup licked her cheek.

“I’m gonna turn in. Anything you need?” Sisu asked her.

“Uh, can you drop Tuk and I off at our house before work? I just got the notification that my package got delivered and it is dangerously unsupervised right now. Other than that I’m good,” Raya explained.

“That’s fine. See you tomorrow, bestie. Love you! And I love you too Tuk!” Sisu said while scratching his fluffy ears.

“We love you too. Night!” Raya waved as she walked into her designated room.

She kicked off her shoes and changed her clothes before immediately flopping on the bed. Raya heard Tuk Tuk jump on the bed and snuggled right next to her. She multitasked by using one hand to pet her dog and the other to text her father she’s back in Quantico, safe and sound. 

One of the major downsides of this job is knowing her father is going into cardiac arrest whenever a case pops up. He tried to convince her for weeks not to take the job but alas, her mind was made up. So then Benja decided to force to send texts when she left for a case and when she came back. Raya carelessly tossed her phone on the other side of the bed once the message was sent and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

****************************

The best way to wake up is seeing Tuk Tuk’s adorable face right beside her. Man, she missed this dog. 

Raya had to speed through her morning routine to get out the door at a reasonable hour. Ushering Sisu to get moving, Raya and Tuk Tuk were already waiting in her car by the time she got in.

“You know, you’re a lot less pushy when you’re tired,” Sisu huffed while driving off.

“It’s not my fault someone’s stealing packages from people’s doorsteps!” Raya exclaimed.

“You’re a profiler, catch them!” Sisu snapped.

“Too busy tracking down serial killers, thank you,” Raya told her.

“I hope you have an extra load of paperwork to finish,” Sisu glared.

“You are so hateful in the morning,” Raya frowned. 

They made it to Raya’s front door with no serious injuries, so she grabbed Tuk Tuk and made her way home.

“Do you want me to wait for you?” Sisu yelled.

“I’m good! See you in the office!” Raya yelled back.

Her beloved wife nodded and proceeded to drive to work. Raya turned her attention to where her packages get dropped off at. 

She absolutely beamed at seeing her mail sitting there, unstolen by the neighborhood thief. Raya grabbed the package and tapped the passcode lock combo to let herself and Tuk in.

Raya awkwardly opened the door to let Tuk Tuk in first and kicked her package in the house. Stumbling in herself, she gave the house a quick clean from it’s lack of use. Once Raya finished eating cereal straight from the box, she was already back out the door.

“Tuk Tuk, take care of the house for me while I’m gone, will ya?” Raya asked the little pup. He gave a bark in response which in Raya’s mind meant he totally agreed to her task. 

“I love you bud! See you tonight!” Raya said before locking up her house and getting into her car.

The FBI building wasn’t that far away but of course it was far away enough to hit some major morning traffic. Patience isn’t exactly where Raya shines. She didn’t even have the time to go to her favorite coffee place.

Finally, she was able to make her exit and entered the building of her workplace. She walked up to her desk to be greeted with Boun and Noi arguing over what case they think will be chosen next.

“I’m telling you, those murders down in Texas have to be serial! There’s just too many gun related deaths!” Noi exclaimed. 

“No way, there’s several missing people in North Carolina that have never returned for the past couple weeks! Oh Raya, you’re here! Hey, which case do you think is the next one?” Boun asked as she plopped into her small cubicle.

“No clue. Have either of you guys started your paperwork just at a curiosity?” Raya asked, pulling over her papers. 

Noi and Boun looked at each other guiltily before scrambling to get their own papers out. Raya snorted and shook her head before focusing in on her own work. Those two remind her of actual kids and the fact that they’re both younger than her doesn’t help.

The day was an uncommonly quiet one. Tong summoned them all near the end of it to discuss the files they had to get through in one of the meeting rooms.

“We did make good progress on what we finished today, but there’s still a hell of a lot more to be done. I highlighted which ones are top priority and we need to-” Tong began but was cut off by a random voice.

“SSA Spine, I’m very sorry to interrupt, but someone needs to speak to one of your agents,” the person told them.

“Did any of you have plans for company?” Tong asked with a raised brow. 

The other four agents shook their head while giving each other looks. Who on earth could be looking for one of them? 

“Well which agent do they need? And who’s asking?” Tong questioned further.

“Oh, Virana Fang wanted to speak with Agent Heart,” the woman said.

Raya’s blood somehow chilled and boiled at the same time. Seriously, Virana? Of all the fucking people that could meet with her? 

“Isn’t she like, a big time attorney? Raya, did you get into someone legal trouble?” Boun asked with furrowed brows.

“No, no I did not get into legal troubles. We know each other from uh, I guess when I was in college. And let me tell you, she is not a fan of mine. The fact that she’s here is honestly making me feel rather nervous,” Raya frowned. 

“Oh my god, I remember her! Man, she did not like you,” Sisu scoffed.

“Did Mrs. Fang say what exactly she wanted?” Tong asked.

“No, all she said was that it was urgent,” the woman answered.

“Do you want to tell her you aren’t available? I’m not entirely sure what’s going on but I can see your hackles raised, Raya,” Tong said with concern. Raya stood up from her chair.

“There’s no point. The woman’s relentless. If she says she wants to see me, she will see me. I have a feeling I am not going to like this conversation,” the agent sighed as she reluctantly followed the woman.

“Do you want one of us to come with you?” Noi inquired.

“That’s fine. I can take her in a fight,” Raya joked as she left the room. 

Once the door got closed behind her, she allowed the dread to kick. Tong was right, her hackles were raised. What the hell could Virana possibly want with her? 

Raya’s arms were crossed and her jaw clenched as she approached Virana. Oh, how Raya loathed her regal, menacing face. The older woman looked professional and impeccable as Raya has always known her to be. Never a speck of dirt on her clothes nor a strand of her hair out place. Confidence and ferocity ooze from her every pore, ready to suffocate anyone that tries to challenge her. This is how Virana Fang presents herself. 

But the Virana Fang Raya is currently looking at doesn’t have the usual intensity she frequently possesses. Instead she looks around anxiously, like something terrible is about to happen. The agent can’t find it in herself to feel any sort of sympathy for this woman. 

“Virana Fang. Why have you come to haunt me on this otherwise peaceful afternoon?” Raya drawled. Mrs. Fang almost seemed startled to find Raya standing right in front of her.

“I do not have time for your typical unnecessary remarks. Look, I want to keep this as short as possible. The bottom line is, I need your help,” Virana whispered quickly.

“I’m sorry, you need my help? Me? Raya Heart? My help?” Raya asked, utterly baffled. Virana stiffly nodded in response. 

Raya blinked once. Twice. Three times. Then she smiled. A smile turned to a laugh. What kind of bullshit is she playing at?

“Does it sound like I’m joking? What punchline did I just deliver?” the woman hissed. 

“Oh come on, I’m sure even you can see the irony in this? I mean you asked for my help, Mrs. Fang! God that’s hilarious!” Raya laughed. She honestly can’t take this situation seriously. “You know, it’s probably best if you just go. I thought I could get through this conversation but I think I overestimated myself. Please, have the day you deserve.”

Raya shook her head and turned away but the other woman’s hand stopped Raya. The agent looked back and saw how desperate Virana really looked. Before the agent could respond, Virana decided to speak words that alarmed her even more.

“Listen, I am well aware that in a perfect world, we never see each other again, but this world is not perfect. In a perfect world, my daughter would not be in danger,” Virana hissed in a frenzy.

This conversation could not get any more insane. What on earth was going on with Namaari? If Raya had any doubts about helping the lawyer, they were all gone now.

While her and Namaari weren’t exactly having sleepovers and braiding each other’s hair, Raya still cares about her. Plus, Namaari was certainly in better standing with her than Virana. (Then again, the raccoon that dug around in Raya’s trash last week was in better standing with her than Virana so that didn’t really mean much.)

“Fine, I’ll bite. Why is Namaari in danger?” Raya asked with annoyance. 

“Because a serial killer is after her. That’s why I came to you, considering the fact that catching them is your job,” the older told her in a low voice.

The agent’s jaw dropped. A serial killer? After Namaari? Well, to be fair, Namaari is a lawyer so it’s entirely possible a client is out for revenge? 

“How can you be so sure? I assume you came with evidence because this is not something I can just take your word for,” Raya managed to ask.

“Of course I came with proof, but I would prefer to speak of this in a more private setting,” Virana requested. First reasonable thing she’s said since she got here.

“Follow me,” the agent relented. Raya spend up the stairs to the conference room her team was in with Virana hot on her heels. 

“Hey, sir, can I use your office really quickly? It’s important,” Raya asked while gesturing to Virana.

“Of course,” Tong nodded while giving the two of them a suspicious glance. She is so getting interrogated when this conversation is over.

Raya then walked to Tong’s office and closed the door behind her once Virana stepped in. The agent sat on the little couch in the office with crossed arms.

“Lay it on me, Fang. Why do you think a serial killer is coming for Namaari?” Raya asked. 

Virana opened her briefcase and pulled out two envelopes. She handed them both to Raya. 

“Just look at the cases with those two girls that have unfortunately passed away. I’m sure you’ll realize I’m right,” Virana said while sitting on the chair across from her.

The lawyer said it in such a haughty way that it made Raya really hope that there isn’t a case for more than just Namaari’s safety. The agent took the two envelopes from her and opened the first one.

The first girl’s name was Anchali Chakan. She was born in Nebraska, moved to New York when she was ten, then transferred to a college in Maryland where she’s lived ever since. She got married only three months ago to her long time girlfriend, now wife. Or, now widow. A relatively normal upbringing from what Raya can tell. She had dreams of being an artist and made some very impressive pieces before her passing. Now that Raya knows the basics about this girl, it’s time to get into the actual crime that was committed.

Yikes. That is the first word that comes into her mind when she saw the picture of this woman’s untimely death. Raya doesn’t care how many cases she comes across, she will never get over all the horrible ways people kill. 

The murder happened in her house on March 1st. The place where she’s meant to feel safest. There was bruises around Anchali’s neck, an obvious sign of strangulation. Medical reports say that her windpipe got crushed which was the cause of her death. But alas, the atrocities did not stop there. There was an arrow that went straight through her neck. The only thing that made that detail a little less horrific was the fact that the arrow was stabbed into her neck post mortem. Raya cringed, shook her head, and went on to the second case.

The second woman is Cai Lan. She grew up in New York and stayed there until her last days. Unlike Anchali, Cai was born into poverty and had to claw her way out. She had been a foster kid since she was five, homeless for a period time in her late teens, went into massive debt getting into college, and had to live in an RV until three years ago. Cai did manage to make her way into upper society by scoring a manager position at a financial firm.

Cai’s murder occurred exactly one month after the first one, April 1st. It took place in Cai’s home just like Anchali’s. Again, just like Anchali’s murder, Cai was also strangled to death and ended up with an arrow through her neck post mortem. Looking closer at the arrow, Raya was disturbed to find that there was a heart at the front of the arrow. She glanced back at Anchali’s crime scene and found the heart was at the front of her arrow as well. 

Was the killer trying to imitate cupid’s bow? Ah, shit. This case is one hundred percent serial. But Raya still can’t see the connection with Namaari.

“I will give credit where credit is due, this is a serial case. Even though it crosses state lines, the signature is way too specific to be the average murder. I still don’t understand what this has to do with Namaari, though,” Raya sighed, looking up at Virana.

“Both of these girls are Namaari’s ex-girlfriends. Their break ups were very friendly and the two of them stayed in contact with Namaari after their relationships had ended. It’s how she became aware of their passing,” Virana said. 

For the first time since she entered the office, Virana had a mournful look on her face. Raya may have actually found it in her to feel bad for her but there was a very serious problem at hand. Then the attorney handed Raya another envelope, though this one was much smaller.

The very stressed agent opened it up and felt all color drain from her face. There was two plastic baggies with strands of hair. One strand of hair was significantly lighter than the other.

“Please tell me these weren’t mailed to you,” Raya begged, looking up at her. Virana’s grim face told her everything she needed to know.

“Two days after Anchali was killed, we got this bag with the light brown hair. News of her death hadn’t reached us yet, so we weren’t quite sure what to make of it and sent it to the police for investigation and figured out who it belonged to. Same thing with Cai,” Virana told her.

Wordlessly, the agent pulled out her phone to check the date. All the color drained from her face when she saw that today’s date is May 1st. 

“Follow me, we don’t have much time,” Raya commanded.

Raya gathered all of the evidence presented and all but sprinted out of the room. The older woman quickly followed suit. The two of them barreled into the conference office where her teammates were sitting. They all flinched when Raya tossed all the information of this new case on the desk. 

“Listen up people, we have to get through this quickly. Here you see two girls going by the names of Anchali Chakan and Cai Lan. The connection between their murders is the fact that they were both in a romantic relationship with Namaari Fang. They both died from strangulation. Part of the unsub’s signature is to put an arrow through their victim’s neck after they passed,” Raya said, talking a mile a minute.

“So it’s personal. Is, is that a heart at the tip of the bow?” Noi frowned, pulling the photo closer to her.

“Yeah, I think it’s supposed to reference Cupid’s bow. Namaari also received a strand of both the women’s hair two days after they were killed. These murders occurred on the first of March and April. Considering the fact that today is May 1st...,” Raya trailed off.

“We need to act now. I don’t like the fact that she’s been getting gifts or that the unsub knows where she lives. No need to bother collaborating with any local PD, this crosses state lines so we have full jurisdiction,” Tong began, explaining what he’s read in the files. “It’s safe to say that the unsub is targeting those who have had a romantic relationship with Namaari. They’ve also been going in order of who Namaari dated. She was with Chakan from eighth to ninth grade and then Cai from eleventh to twelfth grade. Mrs. Fang, was Namaari with anyone in the time period between Ms. Chakan and Ms. Lan?”

“Uh, kind of. After her break up with Anchali, I got word she did date a couple of other girls but they were just attempts at forming a relationship. Her next real girlfriend was Cai,” Virana answered immediately.

“Okay, looks like the unsub focuses on official relationships. Who did Namaari date after Ms. Lan?” Tong asked.

Raya could have sworn that Virana eyes landed on her before returning to focus on Tong. Must have been a trick of the light.

“From what I’m aware of, the only other girlfriend she had is her now fiancé, Jintara Niran,” Virana told him.

“But you’re not sure?” Tong pressed.

“No, I’m not,” the lawyer confirmed.

“First, please write down your daughter’s address. I take it her and her fiancé live together?” Tong asked. Virana nodded and hastily wrote it down. 

“Perfect. Now I need you to call your daughter and ask if she has had any other serious girlfriend between Ms. Lan and her fiancé and that she needs to be completely honest. If we’re right, she could very well be killed tonight,” Tong instructed. 

Virana turned rather pale at the last statement but nodded nonetheless. She walked out of the room and grabbed her phone, calling her daughter outside. Tong turned to the rest of the group with a serious look in his eyes.

“Okay, Sisu, you head to the computers and start sending police to stand guard at Ms. Fang’s and Ms. Niran’s house right now. If Mrs. Fang is right, the unsub is going for Niran next,” Tong began, but Sisu was practically out the door by the time he was finished with his sentence.

“Boun, I want you to just get to their address and kick start the process of asking them questions. Plus, I want one of our people to be with them as soon as possible,” Tong told him.

“On it!” Boun confirmed, launching himself out of his seat.

“Noi, stay with Virana and get whatever else you can out of her while simultaneously giving her some comfort. I’ll head out to the local PD where they live. It’s only two hours away but we should set up shop there anyways. Two hours can easily be the difference between life and death,” the agent told the only girls left.

“You got it boss man!” Noi nodded.

“And Raya, you know those case files I had you look at for review?” Raya nodded, causing Tong to continue. “I want you to get those files then head to the local PD with Boun. There’s a case in there similar to this one so we can get a better idea of how to handle this.”

“Understood, sir. I’ve got it covered,” Raya told him while rushing to get out of the room. 

Holy shit. Someone has been killing Namaari’s ex girlfriends. This was not on Raya’s 2023 bingo card.

As Raya glided down the stairs, she passed by both Noi and Virana conversing. Before she could leave the floor, Virana spoke to her.

“Ms. Heart!” the lawyer exclaimed. 

“What is it?” Raya asked anxiously.

“Please, just be careful,” Virana almost begged. Ah hell, that is so weird.

“Of course. I always am,” Raya told her confidently. With that, Raya turned around and dashed out of there.

The agent all but sprinted to her car. Once the car started, she began driving like a bat out of hell to get to her house. Because what on god’s green earth is happening right now?

When Raya got back home, she didn’t even bother locking her car before throwing her front door open.

Raya stood at the door for a moment, completely forgetting where she put the files. Then her brain started working again and she remembered that she shoved them underneath the dryer.

As Raya walked towards the kitchen, something made her pause. Is, is something burning?

Side tracked from her original mission, she found that the stove was turned on. That shouldn’t be possible. It wasn’t turned on this morning when she first got here and Raya’s breakfast was cereal straight from the bag. She did not touch the oven.

Tuk Tuk then made his entrance by running right by Raya and her fears quickly disappeared. Her big old dog probably accidentally knocked into the stove and turned it on. It has happened before. 

“Hey bud. Were you trying to make some dinner for yourself while I was gone? I should probably feed you anyways,” Raya smiled, giving him a light scratch on the ears. Before Raya could blink, she was pinned against the wall by someone wearing a mask.

It took a couple seconds before she realized that this masked man now had their hands wrapped around Raya’s throat, slowly squeezing the life right out of her. 

#raya and the last dragon #ratld #rayaari #namaari #raya x namaari #namaari x raya #raya and namaari #ratld namaari #raya disney #ratld raya #rayamaari #raymaari #raya of heart #disney raya #raya namaari #namaari of fang #raya incorrect quotes #ratld incorrect quotes #disney ratld

[daz4i]

Top 5 Nikolai moments (I miss seeing you gush about him)

i miss gushing about him too ;-; so thank you for the opportunity >:3 it's unironically very good for my health. and sorry for the late reply hehehe 🥺

under a read more if it works bc it's. long (added pics and they take a lot of space :P) also tw for ig some slight gore and blood?? bc it's nikolai lol

1. one of my most favorite lines in the entire manga tbh:

he is the only one who gets me . also what happens next is extremely hot (he gets cut in half) (dw it's coming up later in this post)

2. bird speech:

he is the only one who gets me pt 2. also love seeing him be genuine. in the anime his voice acting is SOOOOOO good it's unreal. also he is so beautiful without his eye cover. look at him

3. the thing that came right before it:

1 god he is so hot when he stabs and goes insane (sorry for the horny on main it will happen again) 2 i just love the duality in this entire scene. this is my take but i think he does feel guilty for killing as he says afterwards, but part of his guilt is because he does enjoy killing and inflicting pain, so his words here^ are genuine, but are in fact his guilt speaking, he just exaggerates his enjoyment, and later expresses his guilt in a more direct way

(also this scene is so much better in the manga, i love his cartoonishness here, the blood splatters, the lines covering his face etc. the anime was very underwhelming in that regard)

4. arm moment (not in the manga yet ;0)

again. stellar voice acting. a very emotional moment, most emotional than we've ever seen him, and he seems so conflicted too! with the new context the most recent manga chapter added to what comes before this moment, it makes it clearer where some of his conflicted feelings come from, as well. i already wrote a whole analysis of this scene on the day the ep came out lol i won't get into it again

5. a two frame combo >:3 (easier to take from the anime. also i think they were well adapted!)

me when i'm normal and well adjusted. and gay

this is kind of a sequel. it was my original #5 bc i straight up forgot abt that^ somehow but it's the same scene so it counts. and i love this frame so so much you have no idea

along with fyodor's jesus imagery and nikolai essentially betraying him. what if i went insane and started biting people. this frame means so much to me you have no idea.......

also bonus frames that just don't have as much emotional impact but i wanna share them bc i love him and this is a post for me to gush about nikolai after all:

this entire page <3 he is such a good actor (unless you subscribe to that one theory that he actually died here and was written back into life with the page or smth. idk) (+ small cameo from my other main bsd f/o teeheehee :3)

unironically one of my fav frames in all of bsd just bc he's so pretty. and i love the ?. you're so right king keep on speaking your truth with no fear.

m. my cover photo. also one of my most favorite frames in the entire manga. also one of the most me coded frames that isn't dazai lol

my boy in his cryptid era

another moment i prefer in the manga sm and i had a very vivid image of how it'll look and sound in the anime and i was kinda disappointed it didn't end up happening (tbf. other nikolai scenes DID end up looking exactly the way i imagined they would lol)

me when i'm having an identity crisis and letting it out on my cat:

ok the last one ik you may be sensitive to bc it is the most gory thing here so i'm giving you a warning to stop scrolling here

(unless you wanna see anyway in which case this is just a warning to prepare you <3)

and another line to actually take up space

this is my equivalent of sfw sasuke

okay there we go:

i need to eat him so fucking bad

and that's all i have to share i think <3 might've ended up using like 80% of his screentime here ngl. worth it. i love him sm

#click read more to watch me go insane (and irredeemably horny) in real time

[madamefist]

About that sneak peek...

Okay I’m finally coughing up a sneak peek of the sequel to Choices, because this shit is taking me so long and I’m sorry, okay. Really, I am - I feel bad at how long this took me to post.

Butttt to make up for it I’m posting not one but two snippets from the first chapter of Prophecy - which is the name of the Choices sequel, evidently.

Here is sneak peak number one for Prophecy...

Title: Prophecy Rating: T Summary: In their final year of high school, Team X will face unavoidable highs and lows - the woes of being super powered, and teenage. They'll share firsts, lasts, and will have to navigate their way through deception, manipulation and inevitably heartbreak. Him is still an underlying threat in their lives, as are the mysterious prophecies he lives by..

Chapter 1: Is cloud sex a thing? snippet

“You know what,” Bubbles said as she reached for Boomer’s hand and held it tightly. “I’m so pleased, but also kinda shocked that we made it all the way through that entire meal without a callout or interruption of any kind.” 

They’d just left the restaurant, and were making their way down the sidewalk in Downtown Townsville, hand in hand. The street seemed pretty dead, which was a bit odd - it was Valentine's day after all - and only 9.30pm. She’d expected there to be a lot more people out, given that the night was still young and it was usually a pretty popular day for people to go out and do stuff together.

A loud screech in the background provided an answer for the basically vacant street; and within seconds a whoosh of air, followed by Butch being dangled upside down by a long, slimy tentacle. “Oh hey - wassup Blondies, how was your daaaaaate -” He asked them before being swung off into the distance by the large monster standing several blocks away.

From a quick glance, you could count at least 8 immensely long tentacles coming off of it. In the distance, Bubbles and Boomer could see red, pink and light green flashes of light zooming around it, attempting to defeat the beast.

“Okay, almost all the way through.” Boomer murmured, watching as the same tentacle that his brunette brother was coiled up in was whipped out their way once more, a green flash of light following it steadily a couple of minutes later.

“It was really nice - thank you!” Bubbles said, answering Butch’s original question now he was back and being bashed against the ground over and over by the frustrated cephalopod, a large crack in the road appearing with each hit. “Want us to suit up?” 

In a bright blaze of green Buttercup appeared, grabbing ahold of Butch’s hand and attempting to yank him out. But the octo-monster was stubborn and squeezed him tighter, eliciting yowls of pain from the very squished up Butch in it’s grips.

“Fine, we’ll do this the gory way then.” Buttercup relented, unleashing her laser beams from her eyes and slicing the tentacle clean off. It spurted monster gunk everywhere at the action; Butch being on the receiving end of most of it; Boomer had yanked Bubbles behind him so as not to get her new dress dirty - and Buttercup had thrown her shield up as promptly as she could to protect herself from any monster guts that came with the action.

Rolling on the floor and dripping slime, Butch groaned. Buttercup landed beside him. “Happy Valentine’s day sweetie.” She said dryly, with a wicked grin.

He grinned just as evilly back. “Thanks Cupcake - come here, like I can resist you, especially on this, the eve of love!” He lunged for her, goo dripping off of him as he managed to grab her by the waist and pull her onto the ground.

She squealed as he covered her in monster insides, being sure to kiss her face sloppily and get it all over her as much as possible.

“You suck!” She cried, ramming the edge of her palm into his jaw as he sniggered.

“Buttercup! Butch! A hand?!” Blossom yelled from the distance, as Butch and Buttercup finally stopped wrestling, both now covered in monster entrails.

Boomer sighed, turning to Bubbles. “We better suit up and help.”

...

Keep a look out for sneak peek number two - which I promise won’t take forever to be posted 🖤✨ 

#madamefist #madame fist #madamefist choices #madame fist choices #prophecy madame fist #prophecy fic #choices ppg #choices sequel #prophecy ppg #sneak peek #snippet

[treesap-blogs]

“Our Wives Under The Sea” by Julia Armfield review!

Hello, Tumblrians! It feels like significantly more time has gone by since my last review, although I have the browser history to prove otherwise! I think the last few weeks have just dragged on me. I haven’t read as much, which truth be told I do feel kinda bad about, and I was originally planning on putting up my review of The Outlaws Scarlett And Browne a week ago but didn’t get around to it. (I thought it was okay but I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much without having someone else get me into it and introduce me to the characters 🥲.) Anyhow, this book (the one in the title of the review, not the other 2 titles I mention in the first two paragraphs) was a library hold I’d had for a couple weeks but arrived recently, and it arrived during the Reading Void period which worked out nicely schedule-wise.

(P.S., I got ahold of The Wicked Bargain a few days ago!! I’ve been gleefully nibbling it up along with the audiobook. I figured I’d get that update out of the way because it’s been influencing my reading schedule for the last two weeks hafskjkdjlf might as well give the readers some closure.)

Our Wives Under The Sea takes place in two perspectives: one in the present, as told by Miri, a woman who’s processing and grieving the gradual loss of her wife’s self after she’s supernaturally altered during a submarine expedition gone wrong, and the other during flashbacks of the aforementioned event, through the journal entries of Miri’s wife, Leah. Here, queerness isn’t part of the horror; rather, it adds a layer of heart and tenderness to this otherwise creepy tale, which made it a worthwhile read.

Our Wives Under The Sea is probably tame compared to other kinds of horror stories, as Leah’s transformation can very much be interpreted as metaphor, and it’s more a psychological dissection of grief and loss than a story that intends to chill you to its very core with gory descriptions and shadowy, incomprehensible entities. (Although we do get something of the latter within Leah��s journal entries!) With that said though, it is still a creepy read. I felt the story’s tenseness through the words on its pages, it added an interesting atmosphere to it, especially with the inquisitive nature of Leah in her chapters. Leah’s changes through the book are both mental and physical, and the latter ones definitely read as body horror with their descriptions. It’s in those moments of grossness or general uncanniness that I remember “oh yeah! This is a horror novel”. Not that I can really compare the severity of its content to other books, though; this is my first true blue horror read! Whilst I’ve read horror fantasy novels like The Witchery and technically Cemetery Boys(but its elements of actual horror were few, it was mainly a paranormal romance), those were intended for a younger, teenage audience and often left me wondering what would happen if they could make things escalate a bit more. So I’d consider Our Wives to be a great first-time experience–perfect to dip my toes into the genre for real, and with the added bonus of having a mystery complex enough to be able to analyze. (Because in true horror fashion, some questions are left unanswered.)

I also forgot this was a debut novel several times as I was reading! I read in Julia Armfield’s acknowledgements after the end that apparently there were two editors for the book, which would normally have a strong chance of messing it up due to conflict in visions, but it worked out nicely here! Her writing was very polished, and it wasn’t just poetic or lyrically written for the sake of an aesthetic, but felt meaningful and weighed on my heart after I reached the end and placed my copy on my windowsill shelf until it’s time for it to be returned. I loved the additional research done on marine biology so it could be incorporated into the story, it added an extra layer to that and Leah’s flashbacks(ha. No pun intended with all the talk of sea levels)! We also got enough insight into Miri and Leah’s relationship to feel for Miri towards the end, how she obviously loves her and they worked out as a couple, but now she has to let go of her (BRIEF SPOILERS: quite literally actually, but I won’t elaborate on that without a designated Spoiler Section). 

Overall, this is a book I’d consider perfect reread material! I’m sure I’ll pick it up years from now, and pick up on additional bits I hadn’t before, in order to use it to understand the ending better(and possibly attempt to solve the mystery of Leah’s submarine expedition, specifically how the crew got to the bottom of the ocean and if that was planned without their knowledge). Perhaps I’ll also pick up on different aspects (and feels?) in Leah and Miri’s relationship too, when I get to an age closer to them.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars!

~Paz, signing off ^^!

(Book content/trigger warnings: Body horror, grief(loss of a loved one: a parent and technically a wife, latter is on page), technically some violence and attempted murder?, mentions of lesbophobic fetishization and homophobia.)

[audioaujom]

10: Stalked by Kizami Alt Ending [wrong end 2 ★4]

Corpse Party Hub, < prev, next >

This is an alternate ending of last week’s write of wrong end [2 ★4] from Chapter 5! I love Kizami, but to balance out all of the gory endings where he wins (or close enough), here’s one where he doesn’t. Enjoy!

Pairing: Ranboo, Tommy, Tubbo, Kizami

Word Count: 2559

Chapter TWs: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Torture, Blood and Injury

--

“We’ve already been down that way, so… looks like we’re headed up this way!” Tubbo pointed down halls almost excitedly, smiling as Tommy gave him a bewildered look.

"You seem awfully excited to explore this place, Tubbo.” 

Tubbo paused as he started to walk down the new hall, turning to look at Tommy. “What’s wrong with that?” 

“Um…” Tommy couldn’t really find the words he was looking for, gesturing around him wildly at their decaying surroundings.

“What? What is…?” Tubbo asked, trailing off as he attempted to recreate Tommy’s flailing.

“You know! Just the, the… the whole thing!” Tommy added unhelpfully, Tubbo shaking his head before brightening up again.

“Well, if we make a game out of exploring it’ll be less like that!” 

“You do make a good point.” Tommy finally agreed, albeit reluctantly. He glanced around as the two started to trek down the new hall, mumbling, “Okay, so how do we make it a game?”

“Um… first person to find… hmm…” Tubbo trailed off as he tapped at his chin thoughtfully, before triumphantly throwing his hand in the air. “First person to find another set of notes gets a piggyback!”

“What?! Man, I’d crush you!” Tommy complained, earning a scoff from his friend.

“Have you seen yourself lately, Mr. Twig-Man?” 

“Hey! That makes me sound like some lame-ass superhero!” Tommy complained loudly, before shaking his head. “So we’re just looking for the pages, then?”

“Yeah! Don’t have to read them or anything, unless they’re more of those relevant ones from that reporter lady. …Hmm, I don’t seem to remember her name.” 

“You mean—?” Tommy cut himself off as he realized that he didn’t really remember the woman’s name either. “...I don’t remember it, either.”

“Shame, she was almost kinda hot.”

“Tubbo!!”

“What?” Tubbo objected, giving Tommy an overexaggerated shrug. “I’m just sayin’!”

“That’s terrible! We’re stuck in a haunted school full of murderers and you’re thinking about a hot ghost reporter!” Feigning disgust, Tommy shoved Tubbo playfully as the two headed further down the hall.

“I call it staying positive.” Grinning, Tubbo shoved Tommy back as the two rounded a corner to yet another hallway. “Anyway, time to look for notes! I’ll—” 

Tubbo’s challenge was cut off by a loud, pained scream from somewhere else on the floor. It was quickly choked off, the two boys looking at each other in alarm.

“Wait, what?!” Tommy panicked, his eyes wide as Tubbo returned the expression.

“You heard that too, right?” 

“But that sounded like—” Tommy started, Tubbo frantically nodding as the two finished his sentence with a simultaneous, “Ranboo!”

The two ran in the direction of the noise, another piercing scream spurring them to run faster as they rounded corners and dodged weak spots in the floor. Spotting the decaying sign reading, ‘Science Lab’, above a slightly ajar door, Tubbo led the charge as they sprinted down the hall. Throwing open the door to the lab the rest of the way open, Tubbo and Tommy were practically clambering over each other in an attempt to get inside faster only to freeze in horror in the doorway.

Both of them immediately focused in on a bloody and bruised Ranboo, who was splayed on top of one of the lab desks, his hands bound together above his head while a guy neither of them recognized stood above him with a very bloody knife. The sleeves of Ranboo’s hoodie were in blood-soaked tatters with long, shallow cuts trailing up the length of his arms, an exposed section of his stomach not faring much better as blood bubbled up out of some deeper stab wounds. The man looked up with an amused expression, the hand holding the knife that was currently dragging a vertical cut down Ranboo’s throat stilling as he noticed the two uninvited guests. Ranboo’s eyes were glazed and he looked quite dazed, his gaze unfocused as his head sluggishly tilted to one side to see his friends standing in the doorway. “Gu…ys…?”

“Oh, are these your friends?” The guy turned his gaze back down to Ranboo, smirking as he pulled the knife away. “Care to introduce me?”

“Who the fuck are you?!” Tubbo finally exploded after a tense moment of silence, the blood continuing to pool on the desk around Ranboo only serving to make him more antsy.

“I can see why you needed me to replace them; so hostile.” The man chuckled, raising both of his hands up in defense before offering Ranboo a terrifying, empty smile. “Well? Are you going to introduce me?”

“Guys, pl— please get—!” Ranboo coughed a little, some blood starting to leak out of the side of his mouth as he attempted to plead with his friends to leave, before the man placed the knife back against his throat warningly. 

“That doesn’t sound like an introduction.” 

“...Kizami, these are Tubbo and Tommy.” A hand flew up to Tommy’s mouth as they watched the panic overtake Ranboo’s face at noticing the knife, his words slow and cautious as his eyes anxiously flickered between the guy above him and his friends in the doorway. “Guys, this is… Kizami.”

“It’s so nice to meet you two.” Kizami grinned, once again removing the knife before gesturing towards the two with it. “I appreciate you trying to look out for him, but I’ve got it from here.”

“You sick bastard.” Tubbo’s panic was quickly replaced with rage as he noticed Ranboo’s already shallow breathing pick up again. “Get away from him!”

“Please, guys… Go!” Ranboo tried again, Kizami setting the knife down to trail a hand across one of the cuts on his stomach. Ranboo’s whole body flinched from the contact as he winced, the two finally noticing that his legs were also tied down to the desk, limiting his movement almost completely and preventing him from moving away as Kizami let his hand rest over a particularly nasty wound.

“What have you done to him?!” Tommy demanded, stepping up beside Tubbo with his hands clenched at his sides.

“The two of us were just exploring the beauty of death, you see?” Kizami commented leisurely, Ranboo biting his lip to keep from screaming as Kizami started to dig two fingers into the wound. “And in the process, I was saving him from the cruel fate these spirits inflict on many.”

“Save the monologue for someone who cares, dickhead.” Tubbo tried not to look away as fresh streams of blood ran down the side of his stomach, keeping his voice steady. “Get away from him.”

“Tsk. Your friends don’t seem to have any manners. Perhaps I should attend to them first, what do you think?” Kizami’s voice was dangerously low, retracting his hand only to lick the dark blood from his fingers in one, slow motion.

“Don’t… don’t touch them.” Pained, exhausted, and panicked, Ranboo tried to steady his voice to address Kizami in a manner he hoped was at least a little assertive.

“Hmm? What was that? I’m afraid I can't hear you.” Kizami mockingly leaned down, cupping a hand around his ear and barely fighting back his smirk. “You want me to deal with them?”

“I said don’t touch them.” Ranboo’s voice was stronger, a brief look of surprise passing over Kizami’s face before it morphed into a giddy smile.

“Do you want me to kill you that badly?” Kizami picked up his knife again to spin it thoughtfully in his hand, before using his free hand to cup the side of Ranboo’s face. “Ah, you have been so delightful up until now. But I do wonder what kind of scream you’ll give me when I gut the blond just like I did Wilbur.” Ranboo’s look of horror devolved into a wince as Kizami dug his fingers into his face, twisting his head to force him to keep looking up at him.

“Wilbur’s… dead?” Tommy’s anger faded for a moment as cold fear washed over him, but it quickly was replaced by his anger as he watched Kizami place the sharp point of the knife against the underside of Ranboo’s jaw, starting to drag a new line down his throat. 

Due to Kizami’s grip on his face he couldn’t pull away, tears misting in Ranboo’s eyes as he tried to silently will the others into leaving before he killed them too. “Stop…!”

“Oh, how I love seeing you struggle. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of them quickly.” Kizami abruptly let go, setting his knife down to menacingly crack the knuckles in both of his hands as he turned to fully face Tommy and Tubbo. “Now, which of you would like to go first? If you can’t decide, I’ll just continue with what I was doing. I was almost done, anyway.”

Tommy glanced beside him as he realized Tubbo had fallen completely silent, almost flinching back as he took in the disgusted rage that had overtaken the entirety of Tubbo’s body. “I’ll volunteer.” Tubbo’s voice was uncharacteristically flat, both of his friends taken aback as Tubbo unhurriedly approached Kizami.

“Tubbo, don’t—!” Ranboo was cut off when Kizami hit him with a stinging backhand, stepping out around the table to meet Tubbo with a smile.

“Ah, ah! Your friend wants to try to be a hero!” Kizami bent down to look Tubbo in the eyes, jeering at him with an unconcerned grin. “Your resolve is cute, but… he’s mine. And that means I can do as I please, including being the one to watch as I extinguish the light from his eyes.”

Kizami didn’t even have a moment to blink before Tubbo swung a hard punch at his face, sending the taller boy crashing into the edge of the nearest desk. His shock was quickly replaced with intrigue, reaching a hand up to nurse the reddened spot on his cheek with a smile while he regained his balance. “You may be more fun than I took you for.”

“Shut up!” Tubbo launched himself forward, his next punch easily being caught by Kizami—despite the fact he stumbled back a few steps, surprised by Tubbo’s strength. Shaking off Kizami’s grasp and taking advantage of the moment he was off balance, Tubbo reached for the nearest faucet on the desk beside Ranboo that he noticed was loose when he came in, the metal cold in his hands as he ripped it from the sink to hold it tightly in both hands. Kizami let out a low whistle, but whatever comment he had was cut off by Tubbo swinging the broken faucet like a baseball bat at his stomach, him immediately doubling over with a wheezing cough. Another swing of the faucet landed before he could even reach to clutch at the wound, blood splattering out of his mouth as he tried to keep himself upright.

“Yeah! Beat his ass!” Tommy cheered from the doorway, pumping a fist in the air as Tubbo easily toppled a winded Kizami over. Even after hitting the floor—hard—Kizami managed to grab onto the makeshift weapon in Tubbo’s hands as he brought it down with startling accuracy for his face, him missing by an inch or less as Kizami fought to push him off. Tubbo wrenched the faucet from Kizami’s grasp, swinging it down again with a scream of rage. Kizami managed to twist his head to the side just in time, quickly reaching to grab onto Tubbo’s arms and throw him off to the side. Tubbo landed awkwardly on the floor beside him, huffing as the faucet skidded away from him and Kizami started to get back onto his feet. 

Before he could actually get up; however, Tommy threw himself into the fray by tackling him and pinning him back to the floor as Tubbo cheered and grabbed the faucet again. Tommy struggled to wrestle Kizami’s hands away from his face, but got them out of the way long enough for Tubbo to bring the faucet down and audibly break Kizami’s nose. The two then switched places, letting Tommy get up and land a few hard kicks to Kizami’s side as Tubbo swung the weapon to hit the side of Kizami’s head. Blood was quickly flowing, coating the floor and the faucet as Tubbo continued to swing at Kizami’s head until his eyes started blinking rapidly to stay open and he no longer had the strength to push Tubbo off of him or try and fend off Tommy’s attacks.

“Hey, did you hear that stuff he was spewing about ‘beauty of death’ by any chance?” Tommy randomly asked, Tubbo pausing to turn and look at him with a smirk.

“I think so… He said he wanted to experience it, if I heard him correctly.” Tubbo pretended to be thoughtful, Kizami dizzily watching the two from the floor.

“Yeah, that’s what I heard too!” Tommy stepped over the two, picking up Kizami’s knife from the desk, testing it in his hands. “I think we can help him with that.”

“Really?! That would be fantastic!” Tubbo dropped the faucet, grinning as Tommy passed the knife to him. “I’d ask how it feels to be on this side of it, but to be honest… I don’t really care.”

Instead of using it; however, Tubbo abruptly stood up and kicked the bleeding side of Kizami’s head until he was fully unconscious and rushed over to the lab desk Ranboo was on and used the knife to carefully cut his hands free. “Hey, it’s alright. You’re gonna be fine.”

The clear relief in Ranboo’s face wasn’t missed by the two, Tubbo passing the knife to Tommy so he could cut his legs free as he assessed the various cuts to try and pinpoint the worst ones.

“You’re… really here?” Ranboo asked quietly, Tubbo shushing him as he tore off an already ruined section of his hoodie sleeve and used it to put pressure on the worst of the stab wounds on his stomach.

“Save your strength, alright? We need to get you out of here before you either bleed out or that guy wakes up.” Tubbo smiled gently at him, worriedly guiding Ranboo’s hands to his bleeding stomach in order to keep pressure on it as Tommy moved to help him sit up.

“But—”

“You’re the priority right now, Ranboo.” Tommy cut him off this time, taking one of his arms over his shoulders as Tubbo helped support him from the other side. “We gotta get that bleeding to stop.”

“Here, we can use this.” Tubbo picked up a discarded jacket—belonging to Kizami—as the three headed out, quickly laying Ranboo down on a solid section of floor in the nearest classroom.

Ranboo was dizzy as the two tossed comments back and forth and began tearing the jacket to pieces in order to cover up most of his open wounds, a relieved sob suddenly breaking out of his throat.

“Ranboo? What’s wrong?!”

“What’s going on, are you okay?!”

“I was really sure he was going to kill me for a minute there.” He admitted, having to blink to stay awake as his adrenaline was no longer enough to keep him up. “I’m… lucky you were nearby.”

“Hey, stay awake! You’re gonna be fine, alright? We found Bill and Crumb and know how to get out of here, you just need to hold on a little longer!” Tubbo rushed out, Ranboo giving him an exhausted smile in return.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

#corpse party #corpse party au #fanfic #fanfiction #writing #cross posted on ao3 #whump #angst #ranboolive #ranboo #ranboo fanfic #tubbo #tubbo fanfic #tommyinnit #tommyinnit fanfic

[waybrights]

deep in the meadow - chapter 6 (hunger games au)

you can read it here! (tw: blood, death and a small panic attack)

tagging: @starstaiined and @moon-lit-willow

snippet under cut ↴

The corridor was darker than Adora remembered. At least there was a dim glow of the fire exit lights. Squinting, Adora ran a hand along a wall as she stumbled down the dark hall. About halfway down, she kicked something soft. Jumping back, she let out a strangled scream. In a flash, someone had a hand over her mouth and was pulling her to the floor. Adora flailed and licked the hand over her mouth. The person holding her groaned and pulled away. “Adora, what the fuck was that?” Catra growled, wiping her hand on Adora’s shoulder.

“You attacked me!” Adora cried, spinning around to glare at Catra.

“Because you kicked me!” Catra shot back.

“I can’t see in this light, I didn’t see you down there!” She grumbled, crossing her arms.

Catra huffed and Adora heard her drop to the floor. “Maybe you’re just blind.”

Adora hummed and felt around for Catra. A second later, she felt Catra’s head underneath her hand and smiled, sitting down. “Or maybe you just have night vision.”

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Catra asked, pushing Adora’s hand off her head.

#okay so this chapter is kinda gory?? #i mean i don't go into detail but blood is mentioned quite a bit in the last half #ditm #deep in the meadow #hunger games au #spop fanfic #adora spop #catra spop #catradora #bow spop #perfuma spop #castaspella spop #blood tw #death tw #srb

[keanureevesisbae]

But professor… - c.3

Summary: Penny goes to Walter's loft, so he could help her out with some school assignments

Professor!Walter Marshall x Penny Townsend (Asian ofc)

Wordcount: 3.3k

Warnings: None

Masterlist // But professor… masterlist // Previous chapter // Next chapter

Walter and I agreed that he would pick me up from the train station nearby and when I near the vacant parking lot, I can already see him waiting in his truck. He holds up his hand, a sign that he saw me too and I hurry towards the enormous vehicle. I barely see trucks this large here in New York, making me assume he actually brought this with him from Minnesota. Maybe he even moved here with this thing, the trunk stuffed with his belongings.

Though I highly believe this man actually didn’t bring a lot of stuff with him. He doesn’t seem like the type to be very materialistic.

When I open the door, I can’t possibly hide my smile.

Of course I thought about this for awhile (it’s all I thought about the entire class) and debated whether or not this would be a good idea. While this is definitely not a great idea, it doesn’t feel weird or scary. I mean, my mom certainly wouldn’t approve of this and I think my dad would have a stroke if he found out what I was doing.

Is this how people get murdered? Am I too naive?

I don’t think so. I trust Walter. He is a nice man and I’ve been with him alone in his office two times now. That wasn’t scary, he isn’t giving me bad vibes.

Going to his loft shouldn’t be that much different.

‘How were your classes, Penny?’ Walter asks.

A scoff leaves my lips. ‘It was horrid,’ I mumble, placing my backpack in-between my legs. ‘Professor Carter really likes hearing himself speak.’

‘That,’ he says, starting his car, ‘is true. I hate that guy.’

I chuckle. ‘Hate is such a strong word,’ I tell him. ‘I’d like to say he is simply hard to like.’

Walter smiles. ‘Of course.’

I fumble my thumbs as they are placed on my lap, taking in a breath. I’m really nervous, which is completely unnecessary. I feel safe around Walter, I feel noticed around him. It’s nice being noticed, especially by someone like Walter.

‘I didn’t know if you want something,’ Walter says, ‘so I got you some chocolate and cookies. If you don’t like that, please tell me. I can make a small detour to the grocery store.’

‘No, chocolate and cookies are perfect.’ I run my fingers through my hair, as Walter soars over the roads. His driving style fits him perfectly. He is impatient, quick and breaks abruptly, instead of slowly, a complete one eighty compared to my driving style. ‘You’re not gonna kill me, right?’

Walter starts to laugh and it’s the first time I actually see him putting his guard completely down. His eyes are smaller, the little crowfeet appear near them. ‘Of course not. I would lose my only student with sense.’

I lean back against the seat, as I watch how we get deeper into the city. I’m usually never in this part of town. I look to the side, admiring Walter’s beautifully sculptured face. The beard kinda hides it, but I know that his face is close to perfection.

‘You’re staring,’ he says, his eyes not once leaving the road.

Oh dear, I totally am. How incredibly rude of me. ‘I’m sorry,’ I quickly apologize.

‘It’s not a problem. Kinda cute actually.’

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘You always stare in class,’ he says. ‘When things get a little gore, you start to blink really fast, you scrunch up your nose and try to stare at your fingers, but you don’t want to be rude and miss something, so you look up again. Only this time you’re squinting and you make a pretty poor attempt of hiding your disgust.’

‘Wow,’ I chuckle. ‘That’s specific.’

‘Noticing the smallest details is important in my line of work. Tell me what I do during class.’

I swallow as I try to think about everything he does in class. ‘You never look at people when you call out their name. It usually takes around a second or two, before you tear your gaze away from whatever you’re looking at. You are quite insulting when it comes to stupid answers.’

‘I’m not.’

‘You either scoff or roll your eyes,’ I note. ‘Besides, you always look bored, even when someone makes a good point.’

‘That’s because I am,’ he retorts.

‘Teaching really isn’t your thing, is it?’

He snickers. ‘Oh no. You could say I hate it with a passion. But if I do this, I could one day maybe work in the force again. It’s just a little in between jobs.’

‘You miss it, don’t you?’

‘I do,’ he answers. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever missed something that much.’

‘You miss Minnesota?’

He shakes his head. ‘I mean, a little of course, but New York is great too.’

‘Are you married? Or do you have someone?’ I ask.

‘No.’

‘Why not?’

‘I haven’t met her yet,’ he says. ‘Besides, I’m picky. You got a boyfriend?’

I can’t even stop my laughter. ‘No, of course not,’ I answer. ‘There is no one that likes me anyways.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ he says in a pretty harsh tone. ‘You’re a lovely girl and any guy would be lucky to have you as their girlfriend.’

My cheeks burn up. ‘You think so?’

‘I know so, Penny. Let me tell you this: you are amazing, smart and the guy you end up with is gonna be one lucky man, since you’re probably out of his league anyway.’

He really thinks so?

Walter parks his car in the parking garage underneath the apartment building and he tells me to wait, as he gets out. He walks around the truck and opens the door for me.

‘I can open my own door, you know?’

‘I know,’ he chuckles, gesturing to hand over my bag. ‘But I couldn’t do it back at the station, so humor me for a second, okay?’

‘Of course.’ I grab his hand and he helps me out the car. Together we walk towards the elevator and I nervously roll my ankle, as we wait for the elevator to arrive at the right floor.

It abruptly stops and we walk out towards his door. He pushes it open, telling me to go in first.

His loft meets up to the expectations I had. Boring. Nearly empty. Only decorated with the necessities. ‘Right,’ I say. ‘This is exactly what I thought it would be.’

Walter hangs his coat over the back of the chair. ‘Is that so?’

I let the material of my own jacket slide off my shoulders. ‘Mhm, you have very little taste.’

‘I’d like to call it minimalistic,’ he retorts, as he takes my jacket from me hands. He tells me to sit and relax, while he makes us some tea.

I carefully take place on his couch, looking around me. Thankfully he removed all the eventual crime scene photos, files or anything related to the gory side of police work.

‘Here you go.’

‘Thank you,’ I say to Walter as he sits next to me, placing the tea on the coffee table. The couch cushion I’m sitting on, slightly dips to the right as he takes place. I have to tighten all my non existent muscles to not slide towards him, however I am not very strong, nor fit, so I bump against his side. ‘Sorry,’ I say.

‘It’s okay. Tell me, what are subjects that you struggle with.’

‘Everything,’ I admit.

He smiles. ‘Then I shall help you with everything.’

✎ ✎ ✎

My brain hurts from all the things Walter says to me and the way he answers all my questions. It’s so sweet and considerate of him to literally minimize everything to a level I could understand it. I take off my glasses as I rub my eyes. Walter has placed his arm on the armrest, our bodies closer than I’ve ever been to someone who I thought was attractive.

‘This isn’t working,’ Walter says, when it’s obvious I’m not registering anything anymore. ‘You need a break.’ He places my laptop and papers on the coffee table and stands up. He ushers me to follow him and I nearly run after him, since he’s taking such large strides.

‘Where are we going?’

He slides open the doors that lead to a little balcony. It’s just as boring as the rest of his place, but the view on the other hand is absolutely lovely. I walk towards the balustrade, holding the cold metal as I look over the city.

‘Wow,’ I say, ‘this is so beautiful.’

He smiles as he stands next to me. ‘It sure is.’

‘I’ve never saw the city like this,’ I say.

‘Where you’re from originally?’

‘Maryland,’ I answer. ‘But New York is really fun as well. Maybe even more so, if I’m being honest.’

‘I’ve never been there,’ Walter says, placing his underarms on the balustrade, so we’re around the same height. He looks to the side, at the same time the wind blows. He chuckles, when strands of my hair slap him across the face.

‘Sorry,’ I smile, as I try to contain the wild hairs.

He holds out his hand, pushing back a strand behind my ear. ‘That’s okay, Penny. You like it out here?’

‘Yes, I really do. It’s nice to take a bit of a breather. I’m sorry I am not really getting it.’

‘No, don’t be silly,’ he says, ‘you’re doing great. It’s my teaching skills that are lacking.’

I bite my lip as I take in his entire face. He is so close, just like he was back in the living room. He placed his arm on the backrest of the couch, his body so close near mine, that I could smell his lovely cologne.

‘You’re beautiful,’ he softly admits, almost as if he doesn’t want me to hear.

‘Oh,’ I whisper, slightly taken aback, ‘really?’

‘Really. You have your phone with you?’

I pull it out of my back pocket. ‘Yes, why?’

‘Allow me to memorize this moment for you.’

It’s a slightly odd request, but I give him the phone and he takes a few pictures of me. For some reason, I don’t feel awkward. Usually I take pictures by myself or I let my mom take one, but that’s only the case when she wants to make a picture for her friends to show me off.

With Walter behind the camera, I’m relaxed and not so nervous.

Which is strange. I keep forgetting he is my professor. With his head, he nods me over and I look over his arm to the phone screen. ‘They look good,’ I say.

‘Not just good,’ he says. ‘You look amazing.’

He hands me back my phone and at the same time, a slightly cold breeze causes me to tense up and shiver a bit. ‘You cold?’

‘A little,’ I admit.

‘Wait here.’

Walter walks back inside, leaving me be for a little while. I look over the city. The cars, the different type of houses. Dogs barking, young kids laughing and just people having fun in general.

‘Here you go,’ Walter says, ‘I got you a sweater and some tea.’

I look over my shoulder, to see him placing two steaming mugs of tea on the tiny table and indeed a thick sweater (one of his own) in his hands. ‘You’re really going out of your way for me,’ I admit. ‘That’s nice.’

He frowns. ‘No one’s ever gone out of their way for you before?’

I shake my head.

‘Let me be the first then.’ He actually helps me into the sweater and gently pulls out my hairs from the sweater.

I take place on the slightly uncomfortable chair. It’s a bit windy, but not unpleasant. Especially not when I’m wearing a sweater this warm.

‘What are you thinking?’ I ask Walter.

He shrugs. ‘Just something crossed my mind, but I don’t want to intrude.’

‘You could never. If someone is intruding, then it’s totally me. I mean, I literally am at your place, because school’s too hard for me. Seriously, you can ask me anything you want.’

‘When did you find out you were placed at the church?’

I wrap my fingers around my mug and say: ‘My mom always said that I was a special delivery from the stork. I knew I was adopted, but I never thought more of it. My parents were simply my parents, even though they didn’t look like me. One day a kid in my class thought it was stupid I had white parents, when I clearly wasn’t, I realized it maybe was a bit weird. So I asked them about it and they told me the entire story.’

‘Must’ve been hard,’ Walter says.

I shrug. ‘Kinda.’

‘Does it bother you to this day? In your day to day life?’

These are very intense questions. He really does want to get to know me better, right? ‘You kinda carry it with you all the time,’ I say. ‘Oh no, I’m gonna cry.’ I blink my eyes fast, as I try to redirect both my feelings and his attention. ‘This is stupid, I’m sorry.’

‘No, no, no,’ he says, in such a soft and caring tone, that it almost makes me cry a little more. When was the last time someone was this caring about me outside my family? ‘Don’t apologize for your feelings.’

It just doesn’t match. His uninterested appearance versus this hidden caring nature of his. He leans forward and places his hand on my knee. A simple gesture, enough however to stop my heart from working. ‘I’ll try,’ I say, wiping the tears from my cheeks. ‘I promise.’

✎ ✎ ✎

After the well needed break, I was in the right mindset and managed to get a lot of work done. Turns out: I’m not stupid, I’m just a bit slow from time to time. Having someone that helps me, gives me a better understanding of it all.

‘You know,’ I say, as I pack my stuff in my bag, ‘your hair is quite dry and frizzy.’

‘Is it?’ Walter asks with a chuckle. ‘You have some nerves, young lady, to tell me my hair is frizzy after I helped you out.’

‘Just want to give you a bit of advice in return,’ I snicker.

‘Well, since you want to go to cosmetology school so badly, you tell me next week what products I need to use and I’ll be your test subject, how about that?’

He wants to see me again? Or does he mean after school? Or simply through texts?

‘Really?’

‘Of course, Penny.’

‘Thank you again for helping me out,’ I say. ‘I know this isn’t exactly in your job description.’

‘I’m happy to help, if it’s in my job description or not.’ He grabs my coat and helps me in it. ‘You want a lift?’

I shake my head. ‘It’s still light outside and I can go by bus. I need to do some groceries anyway.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘I am sure,’ I say. ‘Really, it’s not a big deal.’

‘Just share your location with me, okay? I want to make sure you’re back safe.’

Walter is such a caring and loving man, though he tries to hide it underneath all that grumpiness.

‘Okay, will do,’ I say, after I put on my shoes. I place my bag on the floor, grab my phone and start sharing my location with him for the next four hours. ‘What’s wrong?’ I ask him, when I push my phone in my back pocket and the two of us lock eyes.

‘Nothing,’ he says. ‘I just really got to know you. That was nice.’

I smile. ‘It totally was,’ I say. ‘I’d like to get to know you a bit more next time.’

Next time? I’m really suggesting a next time?

Walter barely responds to it, only a small cocking of his eyebrow. ‘Next time,’ he says. ‘You’ll get to know plenty about me.’ He takes a step forward, only for me to be able to smell his cologne. Gosh, what does one say right now?

While I’m contemplating the best topics, Walter seemed to have no issue coming up with something. ‘You’re staring again,’ he notes.

‘No, I’m not,’ I say to him, way too quickly. ‘Okay, maybe I was.’

You have to ask me again later on how exactly, but somehow my back is pressed against the wall. Walter places his hand on my cheek, his calloused thumb brushing over my parted lips. I don’t know where to look, but my gaze stops at his kissable looking lips.

His body is pressed against mine and two slow seconds passes before I feel his lips on mine.

What is this? Is he truly kissing me? I can’t believe this. My first kiss. I hold onto his thick sweater, my fingers wrapping tightly on the fabric, almost solely because my knees start to wobble like crazy. It’s the first time I felt someone’s lips on mine. Someone’s beard scratching my chin. Never before did I feel someone’s tongue carefully over my bottom lip. He cages me in between his thick arms. He is so much more overpowering, dominant, but boy, is it a role that suits him so well.

Much to my dismay, he pulls back to flash me a tiny smile. ‘I’ve been thinking about doing this for quite some time now today.’

‘Why?’ I ask him.

He smiles. ‘Just because,’ he says.

‘Well, I’ve been thinking about it too,’ I whisper.

‘What stopped you from doing it?’

‘You’re my professor, Walter.’

He nods. ‘I know. That should’ve stopped me,’ he admits.

‘No, no,’ I say, placing my hands on both sides of his face. ‘Don’t let it stop you. Please don’t.’ It sounds slightly needy, but I can’t help it. It’s the first time in my entire life I feel this alive. With his understanding, I notice finally the ability for me to figure out who I am as a person. However, those words stay close to my heart. I bite my bottom lip and he interprets it as an invitation and I’m so thankful he does.

The kiss is less soft than the previous one, far more intense. I don’t want to stop kissing him. His lips part from mine, evading his way to my nape to press wet kisses on the delicate skin. My fingers run through his hair. ‘Walter,’ I say and he looks up. I always notice the shift in gazes when he is with me. So much softer, gentle and caring than he is in class or with others. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Sure about what?’

‘Me?’

A crooked smile appears on his lips. ‘I’ve never been so sure.’

✎ ✎ ✎

Once I got home, realization truly hit. I just kissed my professor.

Was it smart? No.

Will I do it again? Probably.

Oh my, I’m falling for him, aren’t I? I had this insanely goofy grin on my face as I sat in the bus, did my groceries and went to my dorm. I bet I looked like a moron, but I couldn’t help myself. Walter’s lips on mine felt so good.

Those lips will be all I am going to think about. I take off my coat, only to realize I’m still wearing his sweater. It smells like him, his wonderful cologne.

I’m this deep in thoughts and little dreams, that I yelp when I hear a text coming in.

Walter: You’re home safe, right?

Oh, that’s right. I was sharing my location with him.

Me: Yes, I just walked in

Walter: Did you lock your door?

Me: Yes

Walter: Okay good

Me: Thanks for your help btw

Walter: Of course, not a problem

Me: I think I’m gonna go get ready for bed

Walter: Alright, princess

Walter: Good night

✎ ✎ ✎

#henry cavill #henry cavill fanfic #henry cavill fanfiction #henry cavill fandom #henry cavill x penny townsend #henry cavill x asian ofc #asian ofc #penny townsend #walter marshall #walter marshall x asian ofc #walter marshall x ofc #walter marshall fanfiction #but professor #professor Walter Marshall

[chloelucia13]

Chapter 15: The Mall Rats and the Case of the Missing Lifeguard

Pairing: none for the moment (currently Jonathan Byers x (kinda) Platonic!Henderson!reader)

Prompt:  You always thought Hawkins was the most boring town of all, stuck in a vacuum void of excitement and entertainment. Well, it seems that way until the world decided to flip upside down, literally.

Chapter Summary: You felt... different. Whatever happened that night in that warehouse had changed you, but you feared telling anyone else about what had occurred. Or maybe... Maybe you couldn't.

Warnings: some fluff, some angst, mostly just going in depth with plot, language, kinda gory, discussions of not having control over your body (flashbacks in italics, separate perspective in bold)

Word Count: 3746

A/N: The series continues! The chapters for season three are gonna get pretty wild, so I hope everyone’s excited to see it! As always, my requests, inbox, and tag lists are open! 

Tags: @just-my-fandom​, @nightbu-g​

“Get the fuck up! We gotta go!” 

A harsh cough rattled your lungs as you awoke, blinking quickly to try and clear your vision and orient yourself. “Wh-” you grumbled, scrambling to get on your feet.

A hand grabbed your arm, pulling you to your feet. Your mind quickly caught up with your body and you began to sprint. Behind you, a snarl echoed through the empty warehouse, spurring you further forward and out of the building. “Get in the car!” Billy demanded, and you followed his instructions with no second thought. 

As soon as you both had sat down, Billy sped out of the lot and down the long stretch of road. “What the fuck was that?” he shouted, his voice strong despite the clear wooziness that plagued both of you.

It was familiar, that you knew. That presence, it was something that had left a large imprint on you. You thought it was gone. You thought you didn’t have to suffer any longer.

But whatever that thing was, it was more than you had ever seen. It was new, worse than anything you had ever experienced. It scared the shit out of you.

So you only half-lied when you responded, “I don’t know.”

Within moments, Billy screeched to a halt in front of a phone booth. You both stumbled out of the car and tucked yourselves away in the glass box, praying that it would be enough to shelter you from whatever that being was, if only for a few seconds. As you leaned against the wall to try and get a full breath of air int your lungs, Billy held the handset to his ear and dialed 911. From where you stood, you could hear a tinny female voice come through the speaker.

The single light above your head began to flicker, and any hope that you had in your mind that this was something completely foreign flew out the window. 

You and Billy exchanged a glance as the light died out, and he hung the handset up before hesitantly pulling the phone box’s door open and stepping out. You followed behind him, footsteps sounding in the distance as you stared out at the open road where the car’s headlights illuminated a path. A thick fog had settled over the air, ashen particles intermingling with the fog and creating an all-too-familiar dread in the pit of your stomach.

As the two of you walked forward, the silhouette of a crowd could be seen through the haze, their footsteps growing closer and closer to you.

“What do you want?” Billy huffed, standing his ground in the middle of the road. You stood beside him, but your fear was evident. “Hey! I said, what do you want!”

“Billy-” you attempted to stop him as a clash of thunder and flash of lightning streaked the red night sky.

“I said, what do you want!”

The crowd froze, and two individuals stepped forward, their features materializing through the fog.

Features you knew as well as your own. Features that were your own.

***

When you finally came to, you were already at the pool. You assumed you had just zoned out this morning, too wrapped up in whatever happened last night to realize what you were even doing.

But that was the thing. You couldn’t remember what happened last night. Sure, you remembered the crash, and that thing, those people. But that was it. Everything else was blank. 

You felt different. Like your skin was on fire and your insides were frozen solid. Every light was too bright, every brush of wind felt like you were being whipped, and every sound was far too loud. And you were so thirsty.

These new feelings made working at a pool more miserable than it already was. You tried your hardest to push through it, ignore the pain and just get through the day, but it proved to be much harder than you were anticipating. In order to live through the day without feeling like absolute shit, you had swapped shifts with Heather, allowing you to sit in the air-conditioned office and work at the entrance to the pool.

The day had gone smoothly for the most part, except for the lingering feeling of wrongness that had settled deep into your bones. It was that same feeling that had plagued you when you were stuck in the upside down, a sense fo familiarity in a completely unfamiliar place. But, at the same time, it was like nothing you had ever experienced, like your entire being was just a thought shoved in the brain of a body you didn’t own. 

You were about to get up and grab another bottle of water from the fridge when a figure appeared at the front counter. “How many?” you hummed, pulling your sunglasses over your eyes to block out the sunlight.

“Are you okay?” the person responded, and your shoulders slouched at the familiar voice. 

“Hey Steve. Sorry, I didn’t realize it was you.”

he scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. “Just a ‘hey, Steve?’ You didn’t call me last night! I drove over here and you weren’t here but your car was! And now you look like you’re dying and you didn’t even recognize me!” he shouted.

You winced at the volume of his voice, your head pounding. “Sorry, sorry. My car broke last night and I had to get a ride from Billy.”

Steve vividly stiffened. “He didn’t... Do anything, right?”

“No! God no! He- he just dropped me off and I fell asleep and forgot to call you. that’s all.”

“That’s all that happened last night?”

“I said, what do you want?” Billy’s voice roared, nearly matching the intensity of the thunder clapping in the sky.

You stood stock still as the mirror image of you stepped closer and closer until they were toe to toe with you. 

Your clone and Billy’s clone spoke simultaneously, a singular bellowing voice echoing out, “To build. I want you to build.”

“To build what?” you snapped, fingers curling into fists.

“What you see.”

Your brows furrowed in confusion and you stepped back. 

“I don’t understand,” Billy huffed. With a clap of thunder and a flash of lightning, the figures disappeared, leaving you and Billy alone on the deserted street. 

“Billy, we need to go-”

“I don’t understand!” he snarled, spinning in circles and taking in the dramatic change of atmosphere that happened in a split second. “What do you mean? I don’t understand!”

A startled gasp fell from your lips as you snapped out of your memories, eyes wide as you fixed your gaze back on Steve. 

“What the hell, Y/N? Are you sure you’re okay?” Steve urged, reaching forward to touch you.

You recoiled, stumbling out of your chair and onto your feet. “I’m fine,” you hissed, winding your jaw tight. 

“Y/N, you’re clearly not-”

“Steve!”

He jumped at the tone of your voice.

“I’m fine. Just drop it. I need to work. I’ll call you tonight.”

He mirrored your clenched jaw, but he nodded and walked away without another word.

You collapsed to your knees with a shuddering sigh. You weren’t okay, and you wanted to tell Steve. You wanted to beg for help, for him to take you to a hospital or something. But there was this weird switch in your mind, a defense mechanism of sorts, that turned you into a completely different person. It was like you were possessed.

Your reflection on your current state was cut short, though, when a guttural yell echoed from the showers. You sprung to your feet and rushed over to the showers, only to run into Heather who had heard the same thing. You two shared a look before hurrying over to the only running shower. 

However, as soon as Billy’s crumpled form came into view, your body began to move on that same autopilot that it did just moments ago, your mind and being possessed by an entity that you couldn’t hold back. Silently, you stood behind Heather as she called out Billy’s name, hoping to snap him out of his stupor. After a few tries, she was successful in catching his attention.

“Billy, are you hurt?” she asked, lowering to her knees in front of him.

“What?” he gasped, brow furrowed.

“I said, are you hurt?” She let out a huff when he continued to stare. “What’s going on? I heard screaming. Should I call an ambulance?” She glanced back at you, confusion further marring her features when she noticed the rigid-but-dazed state that you were in.

You watched as Billy’s eyes lifted up to yours, and then everything went black.

***

The bumpy road made you dizzy as you stared at the road ahead. The car was completely silent, except for the revving engine and the thunder, of which you couldn’t decipher if it was coming from outside or if it was inside your head.

The car rolled into the familiar gravel lot that sat outside the abandoned building. You and Billy robotically exited the car and as Billy opened the trunk, you began to slowly descend down the metal stairs that fed into the building’s basement. Once you were at the bottom, you sat on the concrete floor and stared into the deep black abyss that laid just feet from where you were.

Billy’s footsteps echoed throughout the building as he walked down the stairs, his figure and the limp body he was carrying coming into view. As he walked past you, nausea settled in the pit of your stomach and you were positive that you were going to vomit, but you couldn’t even move.

He gently laid Heather’s now-alert body on the cold concrete between you and the staring darkness. Her eyes locked with yours, silently begging for mercy, and your eyes began to well with tears along with hers. Billy whispered lowly in her ear before rising to his feet and standing next to you, both of you disturbingly still as a growl echoed through the humid air.

From the darkness emerged a creature created from limbs and blood and gore, its monstrous body crawling towards the sacrifice you had involuntarily placed before it.

Beside you, though, Billy was able to tear his eyes away from the sight, anger radiating off of him. You, however, couldn’t force your body to look away.

***

When Max said that Billy may be doing something weird, Eleven didn’t expect this. 

Through the empty expanse of black, a car sat feet away from her. BIlly’s car. The headlights glowed bright into the dark, illuminating the large shatter on the windshield as she walked over to the driver’s side and peered inside.

Soft whimpers reverberated through the empty air as she rounded the back of the car, glancing into the opened trunk before looking up and seeing Billy’s figure knelt on the ground.

“I found him,” El announced.

“What’s he doing?” Max inquired.

“I don’t know. He’s... on the floor... talking to someone.”

Billy’s voice mingled with the harsh whimpers from a disembodied voice as Eleven walked closer, anxiety gnawing at her lungs as she struggled to gasp in a breath.

As she walked, she nearly stumbled over another figure that sat on the floor, a few feet away from Billy. 

“Y/N,” Eleven breathed.

“Y/N?” Max nearly shouted, and Eleven imagined that her eyebrows had shot up to her hairline. “What is he doing to her?”

“Nothing, she’s just... sitting there.” Eleven knelt in front of you, examining your face. “She’s crying.”

Just as she was about to reach out and touch you, Billy rose to his feet, startling her attention back to him.

And he looked at her. He saw her.

With his eyes locked on hers, her heartbeat jumped to her throat. There was something off lurking behind his eyes, something disturbed. But as soon as she saw him, he was gone, evaporating into nothingness.

She gasped in terror and ripped the blindfold from her eyes, light flooding her vision as blood dripped from her nose.

“What is it? What happened?” Max urged, reaching forward and touching Eleven’s arm in an attempt to ground her back into reality.

***

By the time that you had left the Hargrove/Mayfield residence, exhaustion had settled deep into your bones. Silently, you trudged along the broken road that winded from Billy’s house to yours and reflected on everything that had taken place in the last eight hours. 

You felt... disgusting. Monstrous.

You couldn’t remember much of it, but what you do remember made you ponder who you really were. Were you actually you? Did you truly do those heinous things? Or were you just a pawn, a puppet forced to orchestrate these terrible acts to appease these beings?

You were so deeply entrenched in your own thoughts that you didn’t even notice the pair of girls walked towards you.

“Y/N?” Max voiced, startling you.

“Max! El! Hey! What are you guys doing over here?” you hummed, smacking a smile onto your face and acting like nothing was wrong.

The two girls exchanged a look. “We were, uh, walking to my house. What are you doing?”

You nodded, awkwardly crossing your arms over your chest. “Oh, I was just taking a walk. Needed to stretch my legs.”

“Right.”

“Right.” You pursed your lips and looked over to El who was staring at you with a strange look. “Well I should probably get going. It looks like it’s gonna start raining soon. You guys stay safe, okay?”

They both nodded, but their demeanors were unusual. They were usually so comfortable around you, and it made you worry that you had done something to them that you couldn’t remember. 

“Bye, Y/N,” El spoke finally, nodding at you before Max grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away.

***

With adrenaline coursing through their veins from what they found hidden under the bathroom sink, the two girls rushed to the heart of town to dig further.

As they exited the pool house, they noticed Jonathan and Nancy leaving the Hawkins Post. They ran over to the other pair, calling their names. 

“Hey, what’s going on?” Nancy asked the girls, her brows furrowed in confusion from their panicked states.

“Have either of you talked to Y/N recently?” Max inquired, leading the group under a large awning attached to one of the shops on the block to escape from the rain.

Nancy and Jonathan both shook their head. 

“Why? Is something wrong?” Jonathan spoke up.

“She didn’t show up to work today. Neither did Heather or Billy,” max explained.

“She probably didn’t feel good and she stayed home,” Nancy tried to reason, giving the girls a reassuring smile. “Besides, I doubt Billy and heather skipping work has anything to do with Y/N.”

Eleven vehemently shook her head. “She was with Billy,” she argued, anxiety evident in her voice.

That made Jonathan and Nancy exchange a look between each other before looking back at the girls. “What do you mean?” Nancy urged.

“Last night, we were messing with El’s powers and we decided to spy on Billy. We thought it was gonna be a bad idea, but we weren’t expecting...” Max trailed off, searching for the words. “El saw Y/N with Billy. She was sitting behind him, and she was crying, and he was talking to someone.”

“And this morning,” El broke in. “She was walking from Billy’s house.”

Max nodded. “We looked around and we found a whole bunch of lifeguard stuff hidden under the sink. We don’t know if it’s Y/N’s or someone else’s but-”

“It was bloody.”

The same panic that the girls felt began to invade Nancy and Jonathan’s systems, their hearts palpitating and their breathing becoming ragged. “Oh my god,” Nancy breathed out finally.

“Maybe it’s nothing,” Jonathan spoke, shaking his head. “Maybe we’re just reading into it too much. I’ll call her tonight and check in on her. It’ll be okay.”

The girls nodded, but that anxiety still lingered in the air. They hadn’t even mentioned what El had seen in the showers at the pool, but they thought that it wasn’t dire at the moment.

“Do you guys need a ride home?” Nancy asked, breaking the silence.

“No, we still need to do something,” Max stated vaguely before the two girls pulled their hoods over their heads and ran through the rain over to their bikes.

***

The rain was pouring outside as you tucked your hair behind your ear, a blank look on your face. In the dining room, Heather’s parents chatted idly with Billy while you and Heather meandered dazedly around the kitchen.

Some sort of bell or signal appeared to go off in your mind, as you slapped a smile on your face and made your way into the dining room, sitting in the chair besides Billy and joined in on the senseless chatter.

After a few moments, the chat fell silent, and you and Billy lifted your gaze to see Max and Eleven standing in the doorway of the dining room. You noticed both girls were taken aback by your presence, reeling for a moment.

“Max,” Billy stated plainly.

“We didn’t mean to... Barge in,” Max began to explain, finally finding her voice. “We tried to knock but maybe you didn’t hear us over the storm.”

“I’m sorry, but who is this dripping all over my living room right now?” Heather’s father spoke up, shifting to look at the two girls.

You and Billy both chuckled, exchanging a glance before you subtly gestured for him to introduce them. “I’m sorry,” Billy hummed. Janet, Tom, this... Is my sister, Maxine.”

“And her friend, El,” you added, following Billy as he stood up and walked over to the two girls.

“What on earth are you doing here?” he grumbled. “Is something wrong?”

“We just wanted to make sure everything is okay,” Max explained, quickly glancing over at you before returning her gaze to Billy.

“Okay? Why wouldn’t it be okay?” you spoke, looking between the two girls.

Max looked at you incredulously, as if that was a rhetorical question, before Eleven spoke up: “Where is she?”

“I’m sorry, where is who?” Billy hummed, a playful tone in his voice.

“Well, they’re a little burnt, I’m sorry-” Heather rambled as she brought a tray of cookies into the dining room, pausing when she saw the small group gathered between the living room and the dining room.

“Heather! This is my sister, Maxine! And I’m sorry, I did not quite catch your name...”

“El,” El stated plainly, fire in her eyes.

“El.”

“Now, what is it you were saying, El? You were looking for somebody?” you said sweetly, giving her a smile.

El’s brows furrowed confusedly as she looked over at Heather, stutters falling from her lips. I-I saw- I saw you-” El tried to formulate.

“Your manager,” Max cut in. “At the pool. He said you guys didn’t come into work today, so we got worried.”

“Heather wasn’t feeling so hot today, so we all thought we’d take the day off to nurse her back to health,” Billy explained, smiling at you and Heather. “But you’re feeling just fine right now, aren't you, Heather?”

“I’m feeling so much better,” Heather agreed, shaking her head emphatically. As Billy turned back to the girls, Heather offered the two girls a cookie. “They’re fresh out of the oven.”

“No, no, we should get going,” Max voiced, gripping onto El’s sleeve and giving you one last worried look. “Let’s go.”

“Billy, do you mind walking them out?” you asked, smiling at the two girls.

“Of course,” Billy nodded, walking behind the two girls as you made your way back to the table.

“Well, they’re quite lovely,” Janet noted. “So nice of them to check on you two, even if they dragged some mud in doing so.”

“They truly are the sweetest,” you agreed. “Sorry about all of that, though.”

As Heather’s mother began to go off on a tangent, a sharp pain began to course through your skull. Suddenly, visions of El sealing the gate closed flashed before your eyes, her screams piercing your ears. You gripped onto the table and watched black veins creep up your arms between flashes of the burning orange gate slowly web closed. It left as soon as it came though, though the veins still lingered on your skin and a heavy fog clouded your mind, inhibiting your thoughts.

The creature took over your mind, taking advantage of the fog to make you act as if nothing was wrong. You watched Billy walk into the room and sit beside you, him seemingly in that same daze.

“Is everything alright?” Heather questioned, brows knitted in concern.

“Yes,” Billy stated simply, and you took note of the black veins that snaked in his eyes when he glanced at you. “Everything’s fine.”

“Your sister really didn’t want to stay?” Janet asked, mirroring her daughter’s concern.

“No, she’s just not... you know, really a people person.”

“Well, I just don't like the idea of them out there in the storm like that.”

“Oh, they’ll be fine,” Tom huffed, clearly wanting to end the conversation.

Janet nodded hesitantly and reached for her wine, only for her hand to graze the glass and knock it over. “Oh!” she exclaimed, grabbing a cloth napkin and beginning to dab up the spilled liquid.

“I told you to slow down on that wine, Janet,” Tom grumbled, shoving another forkful of food into his mouth.

“Yes, darling.”

“Are you okay, mommy?” Heather asked, her brows furrowed once more.

“Yes, I’m- I’m just... Feeling a little lightheaded is all.”

As Tom made another comment about the wine, you and Heather and Billy exchanged a look, all of the emotion gone from your faces. Out of your peripheral, you watched as Heather’s mother rose from her seat, only for her to collapse to the ground.

Heather’s father shot to his feet to help his wife, all the while you three gripped your weapons in your hands. You handed Billy a bottle of chloroform and as he wet his cloth napkin with it, Heather carried her wine bottle into the living room. Silently, you both followed behind her and watched as she swung the bottle into her father’s skull. Billy handed her the napkin a moment later, and Heather quickly finished off the remaining half of her parents.

#stranger things #stranger things 3 #billy hargrove #billy Hargrove x reader #Jonathan byers #Jonathan x reader #Steve harrington #Dustin henderson #mike wheeler #eleven #max mayfield #will byers #joyce byers #Nancy wheeler #Lucas sinclair #jim hopper #platonic!reader #henderson!reader #stranger things x reader #st x reader #st imagine #st one shot #st series #fanfiction #fanfic

[charmspoint]

how was it ^-^

Let's seee. It was good, perfectly enjoyable, it reads fast and i was never really bored with it. I'd give most chapters like a 7/10 and then chapters 71-82 like 8 or 9/10 and then back to like 7/10 and the ending was weird but also kinda sweet in its own way.

Now to preface anything else: This isn't my type of manga. I can easily see it being a 10/10 for someone who really likes fight scenes and death and gore and what not. I'm not really into that, I'm a character and story driven person which is why the manga as a whole scored as just goodish to me while chapters 71-82 which kinda make a lot of emotional and psychological aspects of the chapters before them come to culmination scored a lot better. You know I don't GET fights. Chainsaw man was very gory but I didn't even really register it. Like because of all the gore I feel I heard people say it has horror aspects but I never really felt scared or off put or anything. It was just kinda like 'oh a lot of people are in pieces rn, okay, that's a thing that's happening'. So yeah that's why the score is the way it is, it simply isn't a manga that focuses on things I like and that's perfectly alright. I couldn't buy into the hype like I did with jjk and I certently didn't feel 'oh this is the best thing ever' like I felt with witch hat atelier.

With all that out of the way let me talk long and hard about Denji and sexual aspects of the series in a surprisingly positive light:

I like Denji as a character. I think he's still a bit rough around the edges but he's not a character made for introspection so that's fine, you really kinda have to take what he says and how he acts and think about it because the author won't do it for you. That being said, I think Denji is probably the most compelling shonen protagonist I've read so far. Like when I read bnha or jjk I see Izuku and Yuji and I'm like 'this is a shonen protagonist'. They are a likable character but they won't be your favorite character. They are largely made for japanese high school boys to project themselves on and I'm not a japanese high school boy. That being said, Denji feels like a character of his own and not something meant to be projected on to. Honestly if anyone projected on to Denji I'd be worried about them. But that makes him probably the most compelling shonen protagonist I've ever read. You just wanna dig a shovel into his skull and go 'man kid ur fucked up'.

I know when you first read csm you were off put by Denji because it felt like a manga put a pervert character as a protag which is naturally off putting and I can 100% see that. Now be it because I was warned about it first or something else, I didn't actually find fanservice jarring at all. It kinda was integrated into the world in a way that made me think 'yeah of course it's like this'. This is a very grim and rough and drty world and things in it would be just like that. It is a story about base desires and sex is one of those. These are people who expect they will die any day now and Denji is a person who's just now getting to experience a somewhat decent standard of living. Here's a thing I noticed though: even as Denji thinks many sexual things (which, he's a teenager, that's normal) he's actually very respectful. I don't think I've ever seen him touch anyone without their permission, in fact i think things like that mostly happen to him. Like example how Power comes in just as Denji is in the middle of his 'i wanna touch some boobs' phase. You would almost expect that what happens next is we see him try to grope Power as she's sleeping or something. But no, he doesn't do a thing until she asks him to help her save her cat and he gets to touch her boobs for it. And it's like this with p much every other sexual encounter through the series. Both partners are consenting and getting something out of the whole thing. Sexual aspects are used as normal bartering chips in a world where your whole body is a bartering chip. It's normal and no one is forced into it. I've told you before that my biggest misgiving with fanservice is that it's often based on embarrassment and unwilling participation of the girls. Like fanservice isn't fanservice because you saw a boob it's fanservice because you saw a boob when you weren't supposed to, when the girl didn't want you, when she's angry or scared or embarrassed because you did. A lot of fanservice feels very much like taking something from the girl, debasing and humiliating her for the sake of watchers/readers satisfaction.

Despite all it's sexual jokes and themes and everything else Chainsaw man never once made me feel like that. It never once made me feel like the author expected me to gain sexual satisfaction out of debasement of female cast. Which is why even though boobs and naked women are literally all over the manga I didn't mind it at all. It stopped being fanservice and became just a natural part of characters lives as sexuality and sex is a natural part of real world.

Back to Denji.

So I mussed a bit about Denji and Maslow before but here it is in total

Denji is 16 years old and at the beginning of the series he's just starting to have his physiological and safety needs met. Like he doesn't live like a human being at the start of the series and Makima recruiting him is A BIG CHANGE for him. Like for a good while Denji is like 'Now I have three meals a day and a place to sleep at so I'm good with whatever'. He's given reliable sources to fulfil his needs and he's given a way to keep those sources stable. He has a job, it's not a good job but he has it. He has a place to live and a theoretical safety net. He's immortal so there's nothing to fear in the death and injury department which means the otherwise unsafe job is perfectly fine for him. Now what Denji gets stuck on through most of the series is Love and Belonging. Because you can't just give someone love like you can give them food (not that Makima doesn't try). People are more complicated. Compromises need to be made and human connections are hard to establish, especially if you are someone like Denji who has no idea how to interact with others aside from obeying orders. This is why his need for love and belonging first manifests as a sexual need (that and he's an allo teenager). Human connections are hard but sexual contact doesn't have to come tied with connections so it's easier (if unsatisfactory as Denji finds out with Power) to achieve. A lot of Denji's personal growth is tied to him finding out that this need can be fulfilled by other things alongside sex. This is why I love chapters 71-82 so much because they are really a culmination of Denji's emotional journey in that category. Along the way along with sexual love he finds romantic one. He wants to spend time with girls he likes, he wants them to like him beyond the sexual. Of course sexuality is always an aspect of it but after that scene with Power it's never the only thing. Human connection, understanding the other person, knowing them, loving them, making them happy. And it all culminates in the familial love he finds with Aki and Power, taking care of someone and being taken care of for no other reason than they are your family and you love them, you care for them, you want them to be well and happy. There's this scene with Power later on when they are taking a bath together and Denji is like 'huh we are both naked but it doesn't feel naughty at all'. He's stopped seeing Power sexually because he started to see her as his sister and it's just really nice, those few chapters we get to see them as a family are really nice.

By the end of the series Denji starts checking off the esteem box too, by people accepting him and loving him and him feeling like he wants to respond to that, but I feel like that aspect and possible self actualization will be more explored in part 2.

There you have it, my essay about why Denji is the most compelling Shonen protagonist I've ever read :)

Also I really liked the girls in this series, it really isn't afraid of letting it's female characters be weird and gross and in Makima's case just plain evil and I appreciate it for that. I just wish Quanxi got more time and things to do but she's a side character and it's not her fault she's cooler than the whole main cast (Power best girl tho).

I feel like I talked a lot already about what was my most important take away from the whole thing but yeah, in general: pretty entertaining read, would probably be a complete blast for someone who's invested in fights, a little thin on psychology and emotion for my tastes but when it delivers them it delivers them good.

Also I like how it basically ended on 'you should give people more hugs' it was cute

Additionally I think the authors idea to basically release manga in seasons like you would an anime is straight up genius I hope that more mangakas start picking this up because it allows them more rest in between big arcs.

Ok now that's it for real this time.

#megacarapa #lucy rants #csm #chainsaw man #character analysis fanservice discussion sex and sexuality dicussion this baby has it all

[peachesandmilktea]

OKAY WRO HERE I COME TO ASK

1, 3, 14, 15 AND 21 <3

Besides that? i love you kajskdjkajsd

1. favorite fic you wrote this year

The Taste of Power! And I'm posting the ending tonight I'm SO EMOTIONAL about it right now dnskdnsk Now the reason it's my favorite is because it really dives into my comfort zone which is fantasy, all while kinda dabbling into original fiction since I crafted the whole AU and its world myself. I think it's the fic that best shows my skills for now jdnsjkndk

3. favorite line/scene you wrote this year

Omg this is so difficult. Maybe the Toga sneak peek that I'd sent you from Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, this one.

“She’s a woman”, you said in a breath at last, disbelief coating your tone as you looked at the tiny blonde girl with her cute little hair buns, the tips of some strands tainted crimson with blood. Red and gold suited her like sunset suited the sky, the colors made even brighter when she beamed, joyful smile pulling at her lips, the kind of happiness you’d never known and never would, the kind of happiness one could feel when they didn’t have to spend every minute of their lives lying, the kind of happiness that screamed that they could be themselves and be accepted and welcomed still. Would you have been able to grasp a glimpse at this forbidden bliss if you’d joined the pirates instead of the navy? Would you have been able to save your parents from their murderous fury if you’d learned battle and violence among them? “So what? Do you have anything against women, Commodore?” Shigaraki asked, a disgusted wince taking over his chapped lips when he spat your title like an insult. He mistook your envy for intolerance. Good.

I still could have written it better but I like it still!! Mostly because of the comparison between Toga's hair drenched in blood and sunset colors.

14. a fic you didn’t expect to write

The whole Squid Game AU because I didn't even really like Squid Game?? But you got a gory concept and a survival game and of course I'll have to make something with it hehe. (Alice in Borderland is way better though!!)

15. something you learned this year

I replied here!

21. most memorable comment/review

YOURS BECAUSE I WAS LIKE OMG I WAS NOTICED

Other than that, the comment @troubledinsomniac left on my third chapter to The Taste of Power:

"You wrote this series as if an angel whispered each word in your ear"

And every single one of @lavandercinnamon's reblogs and tags on the same fic!

LOVE YOU TOO!!!

#Peaches replies #asks #fanfic end of the year ask game #ask game #geri my darling wro

[whump-mania]

Barely Human: Chapter 1

TW: needles, body horror, gore, monsters, medical whump

Connie typed away at her computer, finishing up her studies for the night. She smiled with pride, proud of the research she had gotten done about the Noxes: the terrifying eldritch creatures that plagued the island Connie lived on.

She was getting closer and closer to finding something that could kill them. Everyone was counting on her: she WAS the renound scientist that figured out a cure for a Nox transformation, after all. Why wouldn’t they expect this of her?

Connie felt that she was just one puzzle piece away from finding the solution. All of the deaths and trauma caused by those monsters would finally cease, and the island would be itself again. Nox scientists could be scientists, Nox hunters could be hunters, Nox victims could be…well, not victims.

Connie closed her laptop when she finished up her last note, yawning deeply and rising from her office chair to get ready for bed. A full day of research could really tire someone out.

She made her way up to her bathroom, washed her face, and put pajamas on. Connie started pulling her long, black hair out of the messy bun she wore when—

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Connie jumped at the noise, almost screaming. That noise…that was the emergency tone. She checked her phone: it was 12:30 in the morning, who would be needing her so late?

She rushed to the small, silver communication device that was beeping loudly and violently on her work desk. She picked it up and pressed “answer”, effectively stopping the beeping.

Connie yawned. “Hey, who is th—”

“CONNIE!”

The scientist yelped and almost dropped the device. But she recognized that voice (of course she recognized it, she fantasized about it every day): it was Micah.

“O-Oh, Micah, hey, what’s—”

“C-Connie, are you—fuck, he’s BLEEDING, oh god—Connie a-are you free?”

Micah Saunders was the leader of the 3rd Nox Hunter team. He was confident, friendly, headstrong, and the most brilliant team leader Connie had ever met.

So it sent chills up her spine to hear such raw fear in his voice.

“Yes, I’m…I’m free, what do you—”

“C-Cameron, he’s…oh god…” Micah’s voice was muffled, as if his hand was covering his mouth. “A Nox, he got…he got bitten, Connie, he’s turning.”

“Oh, o-oh shit. Come here right away, I-I’ll get a room ready.” Connie started rushing down to her lab.

The call ended before she made it down the stairs to her laboratory. Connie hastily gathered the essentials for this kind of situation: a few syringes, leather restraints, and a beaker of light purple liquid: the serum that she herself had created.

Connie panted and waited down in her lab for the doorbell. She looked around her and sighed. “Cameron,” she whispered out loud. Cameron. Why was it always Cameron?

Cameron, the rookie. Cameron, the boy who joined Team 3 only two months ago. Cameron, the only member of all of the teams to never have sedated a Nox. Cameron, the “cute little readhead” that Micah was always raving about now.

Why. Did she always. Have to hear. About. Cameron.

Of course he got bitten, inexperienced little—

The doorbell shook Connie out of her thoughts. She pulled on a dirty lab coat, rushed up the stairs, and opened the door.

“Connie, thank god!” Connie was face to face with the fearless team leader, now with bloodshot eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Micah rushed inside, urging the rest of his team inside.

Connie was passed by Micah, then Yvonne, then Oliver, then Russell: and in Russell’s strong arms, was Cameron.

Cameron looked horrible.

His face was coated with sweat, eyes uncontrollably leaking with tears. His hair was matted, his uniform was dirty, and pained moans left his pale lips.

But the worst thing of all was Cameron’s arm. His uniform was torn through, and on his freckled skin was a deep gash, pulsing and leaking blood that was pure black. The wound was spreading to the rest of his arm, his veins turning black and swelling to the surface of his skin.

Connie wanted to throw up.

The scientist rushed the five of them down to her laboratory and quickly strapped Cameron into an examination chair with the leather restraints. The rest of the team did whatever they could to help.

As Connie filled a syringe with her serum, Micah leaned over Cameron’s chair.

“Cam, can you hear me? You’re gonna be okay, I promise, just—just stay with me, okay?” Micah’s voice rang in Connie’s ears. All of that fuss for him.

She shook her head. Don’t think about that right now, you have a job to do. The scientist strode over to the boy strapped in the chair, and without any hesitation, stabbed the pulsing wound with the needle.

Cameron’s scream was inhuman. It ripped from his throat, probably shredding it to pieces, and even Yvonne jumped back. Oliver screamed too, Russell covered his ears, and it took everything in Micah’s power not to rip Connie away from his teammate.

The syringe was finally pulled away when the serum had effectively seeped into Cameron’s wound. It stopped pulsing, and became slightly less swollen. His veins began to turn back to their normal color. Cameron took deep gasps of air, still hazy from the pain.

Connie stepped back, and turned to the rest of the team. “Um…yeah. First dose is done.” She gave them an awkward smile. She just wished they would stop looking at her like she just killed him.

Micah snapped out of whatever trance he was in and cleared his throat. “Thank you, Connie. Thank you so, so much, you’re a lifesaver.” Connie couldn’t hide the redness that formed st her cheeks, or the smile that crept onto her face. “O-Of course…”

Yvonne scoffed. “It’s her JOB, Micah, chill.” She turned to the scientist. “How long’s this gonna take?”

Connie shrunk a little at Yvonne’s harsh tone. The strong, stoic woman had always intimidated her. “Uh…probably, like, two? T-Two weeks? Maybe three.” She turned back to Cameron. “It’s…not as bad as it could be.”

“It’s late.” Russel’s deep voice filled the room. Oliver spoke up as well, wringing his hands nervously. “He’s right…our boss will get worried.”

“Then let’s go,” Yvonne snapped, turning to leave. Russel and Oliver quickly followed her up the stairs, and Micah trailed behind.

“You promise he’ll be okay?” Micah asked the scientist. Connie gave him the most reassuring smile she could.

“Promise.”

Micah returned the smile and ran up the stairs, leading his team home. Connie was alone again…no, not alone. He was still here.

Connie sighed and found her clipboard. The first dose was just given, the second would be tomorrow morning at 8, the third at 6…

Cameron’s pained whines broke Connie’s gaze from her clipboard. “C…Con…” His voice was raspy and weak, his attempt to say Connie’s name dying in a cough.

Connie put her clipboard down and walked in front of Cameron. “Do you need something?” She asked, keeping her distance even though he was tied down.

Cameron’s whole body shook. “H-Hurts…need…” Another cough. Connie tried not to roll her eyes as she sighed deeply.

“I can’t give you anything. The serum’s all you get. Sorry.”

She tried to block out Cameron’s whimpers as she packed up her supplies and headed back upstairs. “It just HAD to be him,” Connie whispered to herself before getting in bed.

She dreamed of Micah.

~

By the fourth dose, Cameron had improved. A little bit.

The wound was still gory, the pain was still intense. That wouldn’t change until about the tenth dose. But it wasn’t spreading anymore, and that’s all Connie really cared about. The world didn’t need anymore damn Noxes.

Connie made her way downstairs to deliver the fifth dose. She was irritated: she didn’t like having someone in her lab, it was her safe space. Her place to be alone with her thoughts. And now, it was occupied by the last person she wanted to think about.

Cameron let out a weak “Hey” when Connie came downstairs, which was promptly ignored. She wanted to get this stupid drug into this stupid kid and get this stupid situation done and over with.

“I’m glad you’re—” Cameron paused to cough. “—H-Here. It’s, um…it’s getting k-kinda… bad.” Silence. “How…are you?” Cameron tried again. He wanted to make conversation, to feel more like a patient and less like a test subject. But he was only ignored again as the syringe filled once more.

Connie made her way to the redhead strapped to the chair. She grimaced at his wound: the one thing keeping her from having a fairly peaceful week. Her eyes trailed up to Cameron’s: they weren’t that green, like Micah had said.

Connie’s heart fell a little when she thought about Micah. When she thought about how he constantly talked about Cameron, how he got so attached to the boy only days after meeting him when it took herself years to get close with Micah.

Connie looked at the syringe in her hand. Her finest work. The serum that had won her numerous awards, and endless praise, and that made her the one spark of hope for the island.

The serum that was being wasted on some boy.

Connie looked Cameron dead in the eye. Cameron’s eyes filled with confusion, and he laughed nervously. “Are you gonna…”

With that, Connie turned around. She strode to the trash can she kept near her work table, and opened it. Cameron strained his neck to watch her.

Their eyes met. Connie narrowed hers as she angled the tip of the syringe into the can. Cameron’s widened.

“W-What are you—”

SPLAT.

The rememants of the syringe landed in the bottom of the waste basket. Connie turned, and without a word, she placed the empty syringe on the counter with a clang and left.

Cameron’s breath quickened. He shot a look to his arm. He hadn’t lied: the wound was swelling, and leaking more than it should be. And the serum that was supposed to be in his arm was in the trash can.

“No…no, no, this can’t…” Cameron started to struggle. His stomach turned and he suppressed a gag when something began to creep out of the wound. A small, black tendril inched out, waving around before growing in length and slowly constricting around Cameron’s arm.

“Help! HELP! COME BACK, PLEASE!” Cameron cried desperately. He sobbed as more small tendrils broke their way through his skin. He was screaming at the top of his lungs for Connie, for ANYONE, to help him.

An hour passed.

Two. Three.

Seven. Eight.

An entire day.

Two days passed, and Cameron was still strapped to that chair.

Except it wasn’t exactly Cameron anymore.

Now, there was a Nox in that chair.

Next

#whump #whump blog #whump community #whump writing #whumpee #whumper #caretaker #female whumper #male whumpee #medical whump #tw needles #tw body horror #tw gore #monsters #Connie #Micah #Cameron #barely human

[minettestan]

Do you have a tag for games you recommend? I'm always looking for new games and my experience with point and click or 90s computer games is sorely lacking.

💕My favorite question💕 I took one of my old posts and updated it, so here!

💕 Personal Favorite

💀 Scary Content

👧 Female Protagonist

✨ Important to the genre’s history

📚 Tricky for new players, look up controls or a walkthrough to get started

❕  Difficult

👿 Potential insensitive content

The Colonel’s Bequest (1989) $5.99 💕✨👧💀❕📚

“It is the year 1925, and the roaring '20s are well underway. As Laura Bow, young college student, you've been invited to visit the Colonel's isolated estate. Watch as the Colonel announces his intention to bequeath his millions to all present!”

The classic Sierra murder mystery game, developed by the mother of the genre Roberta Williams. Laura Bow is a sorely overlooked female protagonist. The game works by navigating Laura and typing in commands, kinda of tricky at first. Tons of game overs are a hallmark of a Sierra adventure game so save often! If you play the GOG.com version you get the benefit of autosaves. This game runs a timer, the events of the night will unfold with or without you so stay on your toes and keep moving! The game can be found for free here, but imo the $5.99 is worth it for the easy of access.

The Dagger of Amon-Ra (1992) $5.99 👧✨❕📚👿💀

“Laura Bow, intrepid heroine of The Colonel's Bequest, is back! This time she's trapped in a huge, imposing museum in the dead of night, surrounded by socialites, miscreants, thieves...and a cold, relentless murderer.“

Roberta Williams is back! Iconic game, iconic heroine. It’s still a Sierra game so like TCB there are tons of (iconic) game overs, so save often. Solving puzzles in this one gives me a great serotonin rush. Unfortunately, this game has some racism issues, particularly with the characters Lo Fat and Ramses. While an important game in the genre take it with a huge grain of salt and maybe turn of the (kind of awful) voice acting and enable text-only mode and you’ll avoid some awful accents.

Sam & Max: Hit the Road (1993) $5.99 💕✨

“Sam (a canine shamus) and Max (a hyperkinetic rabbity thing) are hot on the trail of a runaway carnival bigfoot across America’s quirky underbelly in this deranged animated adventure!“

Sam & Max are truly my favorite characters in all of fiction. I have the box art to this game as my phone case. I have Sam & Max action figures, a plush Max on my bed, a print edition of Sam & Max Freeland Police Special #1 framed on my wall. From comics, to games, to cartoons I love these guys. Sam & Max: Hit the Road is a classic of the Lucasarts adventure games. That being said, it’s the least user-friendly of the Sam & Max adventure games and the slowest. I still love it to bits and it’s important to the genre’s history imo.  

Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers (1993) $5.99 💕💀👿

“The adventure of Gabriel Knight starts with gathering materials for his new book, and ends up becoming a fight for his very soul. He must now face countless dangers in New Orleans, Africa and Germany, each bringing him ever closer to unraveling the mystery behind suspicious voodoo murders. Haunted by nightmares, he won't give up until he reveals the truth. “

Another Sierra game directed by a woman, Jane Jenson. Gabriel Knight, voiced by Tim Curry, is one of my favorite adventure game protagonists of all time. This game is scary and gory so enter at your own risk! I love the gameplay in this one, I love the narrator, I love the puzzles. But it seems Sierra games have some problems with the representation of minorities. The game is set in New Orleans and focuses on a voodoo cult. Which means consequently the game's major antagonists are all black. Unlike the Dagger of Amon Ra, Sins of the Fathers actually employed black actors to play black characters. There’s a lot to be said about the ways in which white media demonizes voodoo and those who practice it. If you play this one, remain critical. And for the love of god, don’t play the 20th anniversary version.

Day of the Tentacle: Remastered (1993/2016) $14.99 ✨👧❕

“Originally released by LucasArts in 1993 as a sequel to Ron Gilbert’s ground breaking Maniac Mansion, Day of the Tentacle is a mind-bending, time travel, cartoon puzzle adventure game in which three unlikely friends work together to prevent an evil mutated purple tentacle from taking over the world!“

Another classic LucasArts game! This was the first game co-headed by Tim Schaffer who would go on to make the outstanding Grim Fandango! This one is exceedingly wacky and the remastered version has made it more user-friendly than ever.

Toonstruck (1996) $9.99 💕

“Drew Blanc is a cartoon animator and the original creator of the Fluffy Fluffy Bun Bun Show.. Drew's boss, Sam Schmaltz, sets him the task of designing more bunnies to co-star in the Fluffy Fluffy Bun Bun Show by the next morning. However, the depressed animator soon nods off, suffering from acute artist's block. He wakes early the next morning to inexplicably find his television switched on, announcing the Fluffy Fluffy Bun Bun Show. Suddenly, Drew is mysteriously drawn into the television screen and transported to an idyllic two-dimensional cartoon world populated by his own creations, among many other cartoon characters.“

If you’re a fan of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? you’ll love this. Christopher Lloyd is Drew Blanc (ha) trying to save a cartoon world through inventory item puzzles. Truly wacky, zany, and ani-mainy. I played Toontown as a kid so I’m predisposed to like this one. This is also the only game with Full Motion Video I’m putting on the list because FMV games can be an acquired taste.

Grim Fandango (1996/2015) $14.99 💕✨

“Something's rotten in the land of the dead, and you're being played for a sucker. Meet Manny Calavera, travel agent at the Department of Death. He sells luxury packages to souls on their four-year journey to eternal rest. But there's trouble in paradise. Help Manny untangle himself from a conspiracy that threatens his very salvation.“

Yesssssssss! I LOVE Grim Fandango! The iconic game directed by Tim Schaffer has received the best remaster I’ve seen a point n’ click receive. I cannot recommend Grim Fandango enough! Stick with it through the forest section, trust me.

The Last Express (1997) $5.99 ❕ 📚

“Paris, 1914. The world is on the brink of war and this train could push it over the edge. You are Robert Cath, a young American urgently summoned by your old friend Tyler Whitney to join him aboard the Paris-Constantinople express, departing from the Gare de l'Est on July 24th. Arriving late, you discover something has gone terribly wrong. Now you must untangle a complex web of political intrigue, suspense, romance, and betrayal. Every move you make could bring you closer to the truth or your own demise. Bon voyage! “

Ooooh I love a murder on a train! This game features rotoscope animation, which I love. Like The Colonel’s Bequest this game runs in real time, meaning the events of the game will unfold with or without you, depending on where you are at what time you’ll receive different information or see/miss different events. Very replayable with several different outcomes.

Sam & Max Save the World (Remastered) $19.99 💕

“ Sam is a six-foot canine detective with a love of justice. Max is a hyperkinetic rabbity-thing with a taste for mayhem. Together, they're the Freelance Police. And they're about to save the world.”

Sam & Max Save the World, originally released in episodes from 2006-2008 has been remastered and looks AMAZING! After LucasArts was shut down their game devs formed Tell Tale Games and produced three seasons of Sam & Max sequel games, all of which are great. But TellTale was shut down (and screwed over their employees) in 2018. Since then some of their devs have formed Skunkape Games and are currently remastering all of Tell Tale’s Sam & Max series (I’m thrilled). They’ve also adjusted some aspects of the game to make the game more inclusive and less **offensive. So imo it’s worth it to wait for the release of the other seasons to experience Sam & Max in pristine condition. Save the World is the only season out now, but you can get the non-remastered versions of Beyond Time and Space, and In The Devil’s Playhouse, here and here.

 **I should note the “offensive” material in the original is not as egregious as say, The Dagger of Amon-Ra, but it’s just a nice change to see especially in a game I hold dear.

Emerald City Confidential (2009) $9.99 👧

“Explore the underbelly of Oz as Emerald City's most cunning detective! As Petra, you'll be lured deep into mysteries involving new foes and familiar faces; Scarecrow, Lion, and Toto included! This is Oz as you've never seen it before! Solve the mystery and unravel a conspiracy of magic and intrigue! Follow a case through five chapters full of puzzles, witnesses, suspects, and allies in this twist on a timeless classic! “

We’re moving out of the 1990s now. Emerald City Confidential is the Wizard of Oz meets film noir. I played this as 13 year old and have revisited it as an adult and I still eat it up. Wadjet Eye makes consistently good adventure games so check this one out!

The Blackwell Series (2006) $14.99 💕👧

“Meet Rosangela Blackwell, an embittered writer who just found out that she is a medium and that it’s her mission, whether she likes it or not, to assist tormented spirits and investigate other supernatural goings-on. She is assisted by the sardonic Joey Mallone, a ghost from the 1930s.”

Another Wadjet Eye game! I’ve seen these games recommended amoungst the Clue Crew before and I’ll just throw my own endorsement on the pile. Yeah I’m in love with Joey Mallone. What about it?

The Charnel House Trilogy (2015) $5.99 👧💀

“Witness The Charnel House Trilogy, the chronicle of one fateful night aboard a train bound for Augur Peak. Three thrilling, horrifying adventure games in one, from the depths of the Sepulchre.”

Plays like Blackwell, has a Blackwell reference at the beginning, okay you got me. This is a good, if kinda short, game. It’s very creepy, involves murder and has some gore/violence so watch out! I’m still waiting on the sequel Owl Cave!

Thimbleweed Park (2017) $19.99 👧

“A haunted hotel, an abandoned circus, a burnt-out pillow factory, a dead body pixelating under the bridge, toilets that run on vacuum tubes... you’ve never visited a place like this before.“

Made by Ron Gilbert and  Gary Winnick the creators of the classic games Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island Thimbleweed Park is a love letter to the classics of the point and click adventure genre. Features 5 different playable characters, ala Maniac Mansion, who and how many you play is up to you! This one also has stand alone DLCs!

Unavowed (2018) $14.99 👧

“ A demon possessed you one year ago. Since that day, you unwillingly tore a trail of bloodshed through New York City. Your salvation comes in the form of the Unavowed – an ancient society dedicated to stopping evil.”

Okay I haven’t actually played this one, but I want to. Its a Wadjet Eye so you know it’s good. From the reviews I’ve seen this is the Blackwell Series meets Dragon Age. A point and click that incorporates RPG elements, I love that.

I also have a love of the more, strange, and unusual adventure games that I can't necessarily recommend with good conscience. So if you want bizarre 90s and early 2000s games of dubious quality hit me up.

[sunnyside-squirrel]

Fic Rec of the Week

HQSHDGAHGDJAG I MEANT TO ONLY MISS ONE UPDATE FOR A TEST SOMEHOW I SKIPPED THREE I AM SO SORRY

anyway-

okay, but seriously I am so sorry for missing updates this is what procrastination does to you DON’T PROCRASTINATE GUYS (but in my defense the last few weeks have been pretty busy and also I was reading a 70 chapter fic)

now that that’s done with, here’s this week’s recs! I’m only doing two this week because 1. the past weeks have been bust af, and 2. one of the fics is the 70 chapter one and the chapters are pretty long

Saudade by Stray_Anpanman (Teen And Up Audiences)

Seungmin can only remember the last 10 years of his life. Anything before the ‘incident’ is totally blank. But when chance encounter with people from that unfamiliar past drags him into a brand new world, will he finally be able to remember those missing years?

Additional tags: Lots of romance, angst, humour is there, some gore and violence, faeries, werewolves, vampires, Shadowhunters AU

10/10

vermillion bones (slither through my veins, make a liar out of me) by princepixel (Mature)

Note: First non SKZ recommendation! This is an NCT one :)

Taeyong brings NCT to a horror fest, only for things to go horribly wrong. 

Additional tags: Horror, blood, angst, major character death, choose your own adventure, supernatural elements, NCT OT18 times but cameos made by Xiaojun, Hendery, and Yang Yang

9/10

Personal notes: This is really good, but also kind of horrifying too. Kinda like dollhouse, but not just gory horror movie horror, but also psychological horror too. Not for the faint hearted.

#SKZ #stray kids #skz fanfics #stray kids fanfictions #NCT #nct fanfic #nct fanfictions #ao3 #fanfiction recommencations