#tentacles are an absolute joy to paint

[vaelyane]

🇬🇧  Here’s one of my enby merpeople I painted with watercolours for a trans rights charity zine earlier this year. I hope you’ll like it! :D Man, it’s hard to come back. I’ve always struggled getting my work seen before trying Instagram, and tumblr is where I’m feeling it most keenly! I’m clearly doing some things wrong. 🤔 I have to figure this out! ~~~~~~~~~ 🇫🇷  Voici une de mes sirène enby peinte à l’aquarelle pour un zine caritatif soutenant les personnes trans, plus tôt cette année. J’espère que vous l’aimerez ! :D Eh beh, c’est dur de revenir. Mon travail a toujours eu du mal en ligne avant Instagram, et je le sens tout particulièrement sur tumblr ! Il y a des choses à revoir.  🤔 Je vais plancher là-dessus !

#mermaid #watercolor #traditional art #merfolk #nonbinary #sea creatures #aquarelle #tentacles #fish person #trans rights #tentacles are an absolute joy to paint #any wiggly line can become a tentacle #my watercolours and ink tag

[gabessquishytum]

Burgess didn't summon Dream of the Endless in human form, he called to the Eldritch manifestation -- the "monster" with no human form and tentacles, that drives men crazy to look upon it.

Everything, human & animal, in the Burgess manse died the night of the summoning. Everyone in town or some miles from the actual house that didn’t die when Dream initally manifest went crazy. And unfortunately, Dream was trapped and couldn't free himself from Fawlty Rigg. The land and the house became a haunted and derelict, crumbling, with the Eldritch Dream trapped.

The crazy spread through the surrounding area slowly, but inexorably. With Dream forgotten, with his humanoid shape unknown,,,,,with the "story" of haunted land growing.

Hob, working on his first degree, on old architecture with haunted pasts goes to investigate for his thesis. Hob is old 😏 and has found that while most places, structures, have interesting histories, they are very rarely haunted.

Hob heard about the area around Fawlty Rigg being cursed, and certainly it was fodder for tales (Lovecraft's The Color Out of Space seemingly based on the area was published 30-ish years ago). But Hob has yet to find a place that drove him mad.

When he gets there a flock of ravens seem to be watching him - so at least animals are back?!? And creepy. Hob is only there for a few days when he thinks he hears his name being whispered on the air from the basement?? (a basement he hasn't been able to get into yet.) And every time he goes out to his car, there was a raven sitting on it,,,,,and today it spoke his name. So maybe this place is driving him crazy.

Jessamy: Hob Gadling! Thank dreaming. You can save Lord Morpheus!

Hob: I can save who now?

The raven tells him that his centennial stranger is trapped,,,,in the basement of this crumbling building. And that his presence has weaponized dreams and nightmares for the people in the surrounding area, driving every one mad! Hob as one of the only people who remembers, knows, Lord Morpheus's humanoid form, might be the only one who can help Jessamy's king back to himself.

Oooh this is a really interesting concept. Imagine what it's like for Hob as he goes through the crumbling house, into the basement, surrounded by the crushing feeling that something is just wrong in the air. Hob has felt a lot of weird stuff in his life but this is something else.

The thing contained in glass sphere is a squirming, pulsing, writhing. It's absolutely terrifying, and Hob nearly turns tail and runs. But at this point in his life he's not the type of man to just leave any kind creature locked up in a cage. He does as Jessamy told him, wipes away the paint around the sphere... and covers his eyes.

The sphere explodes, and Hob’s brain nearly explodes too. His consciousness is overwhelmed by an extreme burst of power. His nose is bleeding and he's still seeing terrible images in his brain when the explosion dies down and he manages to pry open his eyes.

There's his centennial stranger, sitting in the middle of the broken glass with sand seeming to pour around him. His eyes are glowing faintly and he's just looking at Hob.

And Hob isn't sure if he's gone mad like the rest of the people in the area, but he stumbles across the basement and scoops his stranger up in his arms, away from the glass. He's muttering that it's gonna be ok, and his stranger is clinging onto his and still leaking sand... its horrible. But Hob has never felt such pure joy in his heart.

He'd love to know what the hell he's holding in his arms! He's fascinated and, lets be real, kind of turned on by the idea of his stranger's power. He could swear that Jessamy winks at him on the way to the car.

Hob’s life just got hella fuckin weird... but hes going to do whatever it takes to nurse his stranger back to his natural self. However much sand he gets in the car.

#the sandman #dreamling #nsft

[katblu42]

Disney Princess Gordon

For TagMiniBang2023 @tagminibang and isnpired by wonderful art by @tippystreasurebox @godsliltippy Thanks @gumnut-logic for the read through!!

Main inspiration is this wonderful art.

It all started with that awesome painting Virgil did of Gordon sitting on the seabed, feeding the little fish that surrounded him. Gordon’s eyes had lit up the moment Virgil had revealed it to him, drinking in all the little details.  The colours, the beams of light, the bubbles, the illusion of movement in a still image, and the absolute joy of the moment all captured with brushstrokes.

“It’s amazing, Virg!”  Gordon had exclaimed in wonder, wrapping his big brother in one of his most clingy squid hugs to show his gratitude.  “Thanks!”

Then the discussion had begun with the entrance of his eldest and youngest brothers.

“Ooh, hey, cool painting.” Alan’s eyes wandered the expanse of canvas, trying to take it all in.

“Is this what you’ve been working on all this past week or so?”

Virgil nodded, and Gordon could see that little flicker of self-conscious doubt creep into his expression.  It was something that they all had, but it was only noticeable if you knew to look for it – that little niggling need for big brother approval.  The delighted pride that had sparkled in those deep brown eyes just moments ago faded momentarily until Scott’s hand landed on Virgil’s shoulder, and that famous dimpled smile spread across the eldest’s face as he studied the artwork.

“It’s fantastic, Virgil.  Really captures a moment that is so very Gordon.  I feel like I’m there with him.”

And the sparkle was back, the shoulders a little straighter, self-doubt chased away with a few words.

“Kinda reminds me of something, though.”  Alan stood with his head slightly tilted to one side, one hand reaching up to scratch absently at the back of his neck as he regarded the canvas.

He paused so long in silence the others had all begun picking out little details they liked, naming the types of fish, remarking on the colours and shading, then –

“He looks like a Disney princess!” Alan finally blurted out.

And suddenly they had all seen it.  The similarity to Snow White or Sleeping Beauty surrounded by woodland creatures, or Cinderella with the birds and mice. That was when John had joined the conversation by helpfully providing examples from the internet, holoprojected for comparison.

At the time Gordon had laughed along with his brothers.  After all, it was just harmless, good-natured fun, and it did kind of look a little like some of those old, animated movie scenes. 

“Are you suggesting Virgil should have given me a mermaid tail like Ariel?” he’d said with a laugh when images from the Little Mermaid were called up.

“Nah,” Scott had countered.  “You’re not a mermaid who wishes she could live on land, you’re a human who wishes he could live underwater.”

“Oh, yeah,” Alan chimed in.  “Like a reverse Little Mermaid.”

There had been more laughter, but little else said about it and they had all drifted away to other tasks soon after that.  Gordon had quickly put it out of his mind. Which is why it surprised him to now find himself startled awake by a rather vivid nightmare.  The dream had apparently made him restless enough to fall out of bed.  Head first.

[More inspirational art]

It took a moment for him to mentally orientate before he could physically right himself into a sitting position.  Heart still pounding, head beginning to throb and a brain full of images of a gigantic, tentacled monster with an evil grin and yellow glowing eyes who wanted too high a price in exchange for the ability to live underwater permanently.

[And another]

The dream itself was fading, but the fear of ending up “sleeping with the fishes” instead of living amongst them still gripped him tightly.

Gordon was sure Lady Penelope had been a part of his dream, and that somehow the deal he was making with KrakenHood involved leaving his brothers to be with her.  He almost called her to discuss his weird bad dream with her, wondering if she could help him makes sense of what it was all about and where it had sprung from.  Then he remembered the painting and the ensuing discussion the afternoon before.

He thought it seemed an odd thing to have sparked a nightmare like that.  And while he tried to put it all out of his mind as he climbed back into bed and tried to get back to sleep, that proved easier said than done.

The whole Disney princess discussion was replaying itself in his mind.  Over and over.  Snow White.  Sleeping Beauty. Cinderella. The Little Mermaid.  They’d all been mentioned and Gordon had laughed along with his brothers at the comparisons.  He hadn’t been bothered by it.  Or had he?

Something wasn’t sitting right with him, but he couldn’t put a finger on what exactly.  So, despite trying to put the whole thing out of his mind, he ended up spending another couple of sleepless hours tossing and turning.

When the glow of pre-dawn light summoned the dawn chorus the next morning Gordon roused himself and made his way down to the pool.  He stood in the shadows watching the sunrise paint the sky and barely registered Scott taking off for his morning run.  There was no greeting, so Gordon figured Scott hadn’t seen him.

His morning laps were lazier than normal – a contrast to an unrested and still churning mind.  He’d completed a little over half the normal number of laps by the time Scott returned and tossed a “Morning Fish!” in his direction.

Gordon returned the greeting with his normal chirpiness.  Or so he thought.

By the time Gordon had climbed out of the pool, made a half-hearted attempt at towelling off and headed into the kitchen, Scott was waiting for him at the kitchen table.  The waiting wasn’t particularly unusual, but the fact he was seated definitely was.  A glass of Gordon’s favourite breakfast juice was slid across the table, indicating a summons to sit.

“What’s up, Squid?”

Okay, so maybe his big brother was more observant than he’d like to admit right now.  It wasn’t going to stop Gordon from deflecting.

“The usual.  What’s up with you?”

An eyebrow was raised in response.

Gordon took a long sip of his drink in an effort to say nothing more until Scott spoke again.  This would not have worked with Virgil – he knew how to wait until you couldn’t stand it anymore and had to risk incriminating yourself by filling the horrible expanse of silence.  John was almost as bad but was more likely to use unavoidable questions rather than complete silence. But Scott didn’t have that level of patience, and Gordon knew he wouldn’t stay quiet for long.

“Really?” Right on cue.  Less than 30 seconds.  “You’re going to avoid the question and pretend I can’t see the dark circles under your eyes?  Next I suppose you’re going to tell me I imagined the fact that you were out by the pool earlier than normal, but too distracted to set your normal lap count and timer?”

Damn!  Gordon’s gaze fell to the table and his finger trailed through the little ring of water left by the condensation from his glass.

There was an implication that John might have had a word to Scott, a little heads-up that Gordon’s routine was a little off today.  Deep down Gordon knew that Scott probably didn’t need the tip-off, though.

“I’m fine, Scott.” He knew his slumped shoulders said otherwise.  “Just a bit distracted, like you said.”

“Something on your mind?”

“It’s nothing, really.”

Gordon didn’t need to look up from his condensation finger painting to know that piercing blue eyes were intently studying him.

“Distractions that cause a sleepless night can hardly be considered nothing.”  Scott’s hand reached across to Gordon’s, stilling the fidgeting.

Gordon heaved a sigh and raised his gaze to meet his brother’s.  “I had a really weird dream and it got me thinking.  That’s all.”

“Oh?”

How one tiny word could convey so much Gordon would never know, but that single uttered syllable actually translated to “Go on, I’m listening.  Spill your guts, Gordon.  I won’t judge you, I’m here for you and I’m not gonna let up until you talk to me, so you might as well just get it over with.”  Or words to that effect.

He wondered if it was a big brother thing.  John and Virgil could do it too.  That and the eyebrow thing.  They could all interrogate you using just their eyebrows.

Gordon resigned himself to his fate and sat up a little straighter, steeling himself for an awkward conversation.

“I dreamed I was in some kind of Little Mermaid AU, or whatever.  Like Alan said yesterday.”

There was a moment of silence.

“Gordon, if anything we said yesterday bothered you –“

“No!  It didn’t, I swear.” Gordon held a hand up in a Rescue Scout salute, then let it drop. “At least, I didn’t think it did at the time, but . . .”

The bright-eyed rush to reassure Scott that no offence had been taken ebbed away with a shrug and another sigh.

“I don’t really know what’s bugging me about it.”

“The painting?”

“No, I love the painting! It’s awesome.  Virgil did such an amazing job with it.  It looks kind of like I feel when I’m down there with the fish, you know?”

Scott’s crooked smile in reply suggested that he did, at least in some way know what Gordon was trying to say.

“He’ll be glad to hear that.  So, was it the way we compared you to a princess?”

“No . . .?” the uncertainty etched itself into Gordon’s frown.  “Not really.  Not if you mean misgendering, because I didn’t take it that way.  None of that matters to me.”  A wicked grin formed, and an eyebrow quirked upward.  “Besides, I’m not the only Tracy boy who’s dressed up as a princess on occasion!”

Scott’s own smile broke containment and became a chuckle.

“I think . . .” realisation dawning, the thoughts barely formed before Gordon spoke the words, “maybe it’s more about the specific princesses that were mentioned.”

“What about them?”

“They don’t fit me,” the words came faster now, the thought more fully formed.  “I mean, I’m not them. Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella.  I don’t fit those stories.  Not even the Little Mermaid.”

“Gordon –“

“Maybe that’s what the dream was?  My mind trying to fit me into Ariel’s story or something, and realising that’s just not the right Disney Princess for me to identify with.”

“You don’t have to identify with a Disney Princess.”  Scott’s brow furrowed before the confusion gave way to a frustrated eye-roll and a facepalm rolled into one.  “Why would you even put this much thought into it?

Gordon shrugged again, but this time the action was full of his regular jauntiness and accompanied by his trademark mischievous grin.  He no longer felt weighed down by his thoughts, knowing he was onto something.

“I dunno.  I kind of like the comparison, I guess.  I’ve just gotta find the right . . .“ Gordon’s eyes widened, lit with a fire of inspiration that had Scott’s Gordon’s-bright-ideas alarm bells ringing for a moment.

The two were so engrossed in the discussion, Virgil’s quiet entry into the room went unnoticed.  He paused in his journey toward the coffee pot, appearing to attempt to process what he was witnessing.

“So, which princess are you then?”

Gordon stood, striking a dramatic pose as he proudly sang “I am Moana!”

~~~

That evening, sitting alone in his room going over some recent statistics on the population and general health of various marine species he’d been helping to monitor, a piece of paper was quietly slipped under his door.

Wandering over and picking it up he immediately recognised it as a page from one of Virgil’s sketch books, and the image depicted on it had his face splitting into a wide grin.

[One more!]

I hope this little fic does the wonderful art justice.

I did want to add a little more - Gordon's lists of similarities and differences to each princess mentioned - but time got away from me, and I think the story flows okay without those. But if anyone's curious . . . let me know! :)

#tagminibang2023 #tagminibang #thunderbirds fanfiction #gordon tracy #thunderbirds are go #godsliltippy

[merakiui]

I LOVE THE IDEA OF DADS!OCTOTRIO. That one idea that you had of them all cuddling together for warmth I think about all the time. Can we hear more about each of their parenting styles/how they show their love. Also, how they would react if their kid wanted to go on land again?

:D a cuddle pile is always so sweet to think about with them. The moment their child even shows any signs of being cold they will be wrapped up in a comforting embrace! As for parenting styles…

under a cut because of length!

Azul is overly cautious. Too cautious, even. He just doesn’t want anything to happen to his precious baby, so he’ll do everything he can to ensure they’re safe. In the beginning, they aren’t allowed to stray too far from where the trio reside and they must be accompanied if they wish to go anywhere, where they must always hold hands or a tentacle. Azul has so much love and compassion to give; he ensures his child is always smiling and laughing and for a while he’s a little worried to let them make friends. He fears they’ll fall prey to bullies or mean-hearted mers who won’t accept them. Azul probably cries tears of relief and joy when his child fits in with the others.

He absolutely spoils his child! Anything they want they will get—that’s a promise with no strings attached. Azul wants to give them the world and everything in it. He can’t say no to their adorable face, and lots of trinkets will remind Azul of them. He’ll often bring them back as gifts, which is more often than usual for it to be surprising. It’s become somewhat of a routine now, but he doesn’t mind spoiling them. He’s probably very strict about certain things because he has a deep sense of fear from his own experiences as a child. So he makes sure his child can have and experience everything they want: delicious food, shiny things, constant praise and affection, and so on.

If they wanted to spend a day on land, Azul wouldn’t be opposed to it. They’d have to wait until they’re a little older, though, because he wants them to adjust to life in the sea before they return to land for a few hours. But he’ll definitely want to take them up there! He sees no reason in hiding the human world from them, but if they get too curious or rebellious he may become strict.

Jade has boundless love to shower their child in. He’s also strict about the way the child is raised, and he keeps a good balance between rewards and lessons. He often has to remind Azul to avoid spoiling them too much, but it can be hard not to when they’re just so sweet and deserving of it. He wants to teach the child all sorts of things about both worlds and he would be very happy if the child expressed curiosity in the things Jade finds interesting (mushrooms, tea, cooking). He’ll teach them self-defense alongside Floyd, and he’s very serious when it comes to their safety. If they try to be rebellious, he has no problem telling them of the terrible, malicious beasts that lurk in the darkness—sharpened teeth and razored claws just waiting to snatch up an unsuspecting meal. He’s good at painting a horrifying mental portrait—too good, actually, and the poor child had nightmares. It’s only meant to teach them to stay safe and not stray too far, but Jade admits he never intended to give them bad dreams.

He might default to how he was raised as a mer simply because it worked for him. But he’s not so certain he wants to let his child fend for themself, especially since the deep sea harbors plenty of dangers a child isn’t equipped to fend off. So for now he’ll protect them while informing them of self-defense methods and teaching them various life lessons that his father taught him.

If Azul’s content with it, then Jade is also more than happy to roam the land with their child. He’s done it plenty of times with Azul and Floyd, so he sees no issue with it. As long as the child stays with them and they visit less populated parts of the surface, it will be an enjoyable and informative experience for the child. He’ll want to take them foraging one day so that he can teach them all about the plants native to the human world.

Floyd is all about fun and he’s the most lenient of the three. If the child breaks something, he will also break something so that they can split the punishment fifty-fifty. His parenting method is very spontaneous and dependent on his mood, but for the most part he’s considerably happier around the child and he connects with them easily. Floyd loves to wrap around them and give them the best hugs in the world. He shows his love for them constantly; they’ll practically drown in it. He wants to do lots of fun things with them. From hunting to playing hide-and-seek to looking for pretty shells and stones, there are lots of interesting activities to do so neither of them will ever be bored. It’s usually Floyd who exhausts the child solely because of his boundless energy. They always sleep very deeply after a day spent playing with Floyd.

Despite the fact that he believes the child will learn best through play and trial and error, he still wants to teach them something useful like Jade and Azul. So he’ll also impart some self-defense techniques for their own benefit. He also teaches them the quickest way to subdue and kill prey, but those lessons are saved for when they’re older—courtesy of Jade and Azul wishing to protect the child’s innocence from unseemly things.

He’s actually all for a trip to the surface! In fact, he’s probably begging alongside the child when they bring it up to Azul and Jade. Ultimately it’s Azul who has the final say, but that doesn’t mean Jade can’t sway his decision. Floyd probably teaches the child how to be a bit of a menace like him and just as cutthroat. He wants them to grow up to be strong and smart like him, but he also doesn’t mind if they lean on him for support. Most of all, Floyd wants to keep their smile bright and filled with joy so he’ll show them the happier sides of life while he, Azul, and Jade deal with the darker aspects. He’d do anything for his child, even if it’s throwing himself in harm’s way just to protect them.

#twisted chit chat

[hawkland]

(Mostly) Destiel Fic Recs #5

This is a LONG recs post because it’s been a while since I did an update and I fell hard into reading one author’s work (DeanRH). In fact I could easily do a rec post just of their fics alone, but for this round I’m just going to pick out a handful of my absolute favorites so far, the ones I’d recommend to start out with, along with more other authors’ works I’ve especially enjoyed lately.

Absolution at the Five-and-Dime by DeanRH (125k)  - this is perhaps THEE DeanRH fic to start with if you want a good, long read with a little bit of everything (Roadtrips! Intriguing casefic! Americana! Tasty Dean/Cas pining! Wing!kink and unique angel lore! Kinky soul fisting and tentacles!) It’s kind of two of parallel stories in one: the first, a flashback to Dean and Sam's first year hunting on their own (as well as trying to avoid hunting, and John in general); the second on how Dean and Cas finally get together during an unusual case and when Dean is able to really let go of his past trauma and accept himself/accept love from Cas. 

What I love about DeanRH’s work is that they write from the unique point of view of a drifter, so they understand living on the road, traveling place to place, and the highs and lows of that life like no others I’ve encountered in SPN before. (The author’s notes are often as much fun to read as the stories themselves). They also write a kickass angel!Cas and never lose sight of his non-human traits and background. Their writing style is unique - almost poetic in nature, and I know some readers have found it difficult to get into. But it works really well for me in their SPN fic...gives it the flavor of oral story telling as might actually happen at a drifter’s camp (with one story written exactly as such). Be warned this particular fic does play up the idea of John Winchester being mentally abusive and Dean having to turn tricks when he was younger in order to support him and Sam, so there is some dark stuff. But as someone who grew up with mentally abusive parent, reading this was extremely cathartic to me and believably written (unlike some stories that go too over the top with abusive John, or just don't understand how that kind of abuse leaves lifetime psychological scars.)

The rest of this round’s recs below the cut.

Carnevale by DeanRH (18k) - Actually the first fic by this author I read, because I just couldn’t resist a story set in my favorite place in the world, Venice, Italy. Castiel is the Angel of Venice, banished there for so long he does not even know or remember the reasons why. But Carnevale season is the one time a year he can let his wings out - figuratively and literally. And during this particular Carnevale season, he meets an intriguing masked young American tourist there with his brother and their one night stand turns into something far more powerful than either expected. This one’s hot, romantic, and achingly sad at the end as it all ties together unexpectedly with canon-verse...though with a hint for the future so it’s definitely not totally sad. I loved how DeanRH clearly understands Venice as a fellow lover of the city, the side of it most tourists never see unless they spend a long time there. This story made me cry just from wanting to be back in Venice again.

Ice cream was sweeter, food more satisfying, everything was an epicurean delight. There was just something magical about Venice, and he had lived here in the city for hundreds of years, so the shine should have worn off by now.

But it didn't, and there was always something more, something wonderful to discover around the next corner. The painted eaves of a church. The beauty of two women dancing with flowers in their teeth across the Piazza San Marco one day, overcome by the sheer joy of just being there. The way the university students still created Venetian masks, like Castiel's extravagant volto mask and Dean's humble servetta muta, with crafts that had been handed down across the generations. The morning silence that lay against the stones.

Hard Landing by DeanRH (26.9k) - A bit similar in theme to Carnevale. A pre-series Dean and Sam are sight-seeing in Spain when an angel, struck by a babel-spell, crash lands right in front of Dean. A strange yet seriously hot encounter with the angel turns into something much more complicated when the brothers return home and realize something more serious is afoot and they are both trapped in the middle of it. This is another story where things are very much not as they seem at first (as fun as that is!) It features master strategist Cas at his best, with a side helping of delightful trickery care of Gabriel and Balthazar as they deal with Lucifer, Michael...and a few others along the way.

The Sacred Band of Thebes by DeanRH (14.5k) - The last DeanRH fic I’m gonna allow myself to include in this round up, because it’s just very soft and sweet and beautiful - for a story about Dean & Cas being magically transported back in time to ancient Sparta! This is another story infused with a great knowledge of place and history, with some wonderfully delightful original characters added in that make it all the more enjoyable to read.

And now on to some other authors, I promise!

IPAMIS OL OLPRIT by emmbrancsxx0 (56k). A really wonderful fic that take a different look at what might have happened with a temporarily resurrected John Winchester during Season 14. Dean & Cas are in an established relationship here, and John here isn’t too happy about it — though mostly because he sees Cas (and Jack) as monsters, the kind of monsters he spent his lifetime hunting. This is a great fic for the emotional complexity of how John, Dean and Cas are all handled. John isn’t a cardboard evil dad, Dean is struggling between his loyalty to his father and to Cas, and Cas is increasingly bitchy/frustrated at Dean still being so desperate for his father’s approval (and all the more complex for not just being a quietly suffering perfect supporting boyfriend.) There’s some great action sequences in this too along with the emotional angst and a delicious dose of hurt!Cas if that’s your thing (as it is for me :D)

Abrenuntio by Neonbat (51k). A very dark but compelling AU take on the/a apocalypse universe. Dean, Sam and John are all alive in this post-angel war-apocalyptic world. They are part of a group of human survivors fighting against the angel army when they manage to capture “Blue” — a particularly feared angel of death. Dean is tasked with bringing Blue in for interrogation and he becomes a prisoner in their camp after John is killed. As mentioned, this is a pretty dark/sad fic (with some rather gruesome torture scenes) but I still found it quite compelling as a look at how things could have gone in some other parallel universe. And somehow the author manages to make the Dean/Cas relationship come together despite them starting out as complete enemies. This is one of those AUs that works for me because the core of the characters really shine through despite the differences in the setting.

if it all fell to pieces tomorrow by spocklee (37k) - a gorgeous post-Empty rescue fic that takes an approach I haven’t really seen explored in detail before (despite being something I’ve actually thought about as something that could’ve happened.) What if Cas has spent so long denying himself happiness, and then trapped in regrets and false-rescue scenarios created by the Empty, that he can’t trust that his rescue is real? And so he runs off to be on his own - literally stealing the Impala because he can’t handle being in Dean’s presence one moment longer - and only slowly comes to terms with the idea that it’s over now and he can be happy with/around his friends and family. This one’s both deliciously angsty and at times funny/sweet, looking at Cas’s relationships not just with Dean but with Sam, Jack, Claire, even Eileen. It does some fun stuff with other returned angels and demons who now find themselves back on Earth (and human), and...I just really enjoyed this one a lot.

Both Saved and Lost by angelfishofthelord (13.7k) Gen Cas character study, absolutely gorgeous and sad and one of those fic I couldn’t stop thinking about the day after reading it. AU where Apocaverse!Cas isn’t immediately killed by our Cas during 13x22 but instead hitches a ride back to the main ‘verse. Dean and Sam want to keep him alive for information on Michael; Cas is torn and trying to figure out just how similar—or different—they really are. Some great angel stuff here (I also highly recommend this author’s Jack & Cas “dadstiel” fics, they’re equally lovely and heartbreaking at the same time.)

flesh of the mighty by Mudprophet (2.7k) - THEE “What exactly did Dean eat in Purgatory, anyway?” fic you’ve probably already heard about. *cough* I’ve been trying to work up the courage to read this one for a while and finally gave in and OH MY CHUCK I’m so glad I did. It’s perversely disturbing and beautiful at the same time, Cas is wonderfully DERANGED and ALIEN in that way that I love it when fics managed to convey just how much angels are NOT human. Do heed the tags.

Full of Grace by ilovehowyouletmefall (11k) - Another one for the weird-as-fuck-angel!Cas lovers’ list. Heaven/canon-compliant fic where Dean knows he should feel happy and at peace but he just...isn’t, even with Cas and all of his friends and family there. He finally goes looking for Cas when he’s been absent for a time and, for the first time, gets to not just see but experience his true form. Another one that hits some kinks I knew I had and others I didn’t...until now. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

don't ask me where i've been by saltwound / @1x06 (8k) - I can never resist a good 09x06 fiction gap fic! What makes this one really stand out is how well it captures Cas’s internal voice - his struggles adapting to human senses, limitations and emotions versus what/how he experienced things as an angel. The longing and feelings between Dean & Cas here are so achingly beautiful and I just wanted to cry when Cas says he misses hearing Dean’s prayers, so Dean, he...oh, I’m not going to spoil it. *happy sigh* Just read it.

this room is wrong by DarkHeartInTheSky (12k) - Sometimes I like torturing myself with some good 15x03 divorce arc angst and this fic hit that button just so. It’s an alternative take on where Cas might have ended up after leaving the bunker and features some great Cas & Sam friendship feels, when Sam sets out to try to bring Cas home. It’s all the stuff you’d wish the writers would’ve let them talk out in canon.

Well that’s more than enough for this round! Go forth, read and give some great writers some kudos & comment love!

#fic recs #my fic recs #destiel recs #destiel #deancas recs #my destiel recs

[jincherie]

tentacledipity | five

➛pairing: jimin x reader ➛genre: alien au, space au, soulmate au, wanted au, smut (coming) ➛rating: sfw ➛words: 9k ➛warnings: ➛notes: completely forgot that i hadn’t posted it on here yet !!! sorry !!!  Im also sorry for the blue balls!! There will be relief eventually!! I was actually going to have some at the end of this chapter but uhhh plans change,,, although now i can say there is definitely some relief in the next chapter since that’s the scene i cut off the end of this one

This tale starts, as any good fiction does, with a girl crash landing on a foreign planet. And, like any good fiction, it follows a theme of serendipitous happening, and tentacles. Behold, serendipity and tentacles— or dare we call it…. tentacledipity.

— posted; 01.12.2019 // ↞ prev. || five || next ↠

“What are you doing?”

If anyone asked, you would tell them that you were the picture of grace as you got the absolute life scared out of you. The reality was, however, that you let out a sharp, squeaky scream wherein your voice broke and you pretty much tumbled like a mannequin with recently oiled joints out of the tree you’d been climbing before you were so rudely startled.

You weren’t far enough from the ground to break anything with your fall, but you were far enough that you were pretty sure you bruised your ass from the impact. A whimper escaped you at the sharp, deep ache in your gluteus maximus that resulted, and when you looked up to see the cause of your startle you almost shat yourself once more. Of course, you’d heard his voice and subconsciously known who it was the second he spoke, but seeing Jimin looming over you with an expression that was a cross between concerned and incredibly amused really made the belated realisation sink in. Another fright doing harm to your poor, weak heart. Your time on this planet was going to come to an end due to someone scaring you to death, one day.

Wait just a second…

By thinking that, did you just subconsciously presume you weren’t ever going to leave, or…? You reeled for a moment, an odd feeling coming to life inside you. That was extremely out of character for you, and you probably needed to see a doctor or something. Or maybe go annoy Yoongi so you could get some sense knocked back into you.

The soft sound that resulted from Jimin shifting his weight from foot to foot on the grass brought you back to the present moment and you let out a pained, sheepish laugh. Right, he asked you a question. What were you doing? You didn’t really remember, to be honest. Possibly a cause for concern, but who could blame you for a little momentary memory loss when faced with a being as fine as Jimin was? The answer was absolutely no one and you’d defend that to your grave.

“Uhh…” you floundered for an answer that wouldn’t make you look like a complete idiot, and came up empty. Well, humiliating truth it was. “To be honest? I just wanted to climb the tree. I wasn’t stealing the fruits, I promise.”

Jimin’s brow rose, marks flushing soft periwinkle. “These trees are in the more open sectors of the royal gardens, taking one of the fruits wouldn’t be stealing. Although…”

He wrinkled his nose, directing his gaze to the incriminating fruit that hung, bulbous and bright pink, from one of the upper-middle branches, looking thoroughly disgusted. “I wouldn’t recommend it, unless you enjoy being violently sick for several days. They are kind of poisonous, for kelkie and humans alike.”

You made a face at that, giving the fruit the stink eye for the audacity it had to almost trick you with its pretty, appealing outside. How dare it—pink means yummy, not poison! The nerve.

“Noted,” you said, gulping. A beat passed before you turned to the male suddenly, eyes narrowed as you recalled something. “Wait, how did you know I was there? And how did you get over here so fast? If you’re going to flash-step over here and scare the shit out of me, you could at least catch me. I mean, I wouldn’t complain.”

Jimin’s head tilted, full lips tugging. “Noted,” he remarked, clowning you unabashedly. “I’ll be sure to save you the fall and yank you from the tree myself next time.”

At that, you couldn’t help the sudden laugh that tore out of you—the sound of it made his lips twitch further. He waited for you to calm a little before he continued.

“And if you must know, I was going for a brief walk. You’re actually in my gardens right now, petal.”

You balked, a flush of embarrassment rushing to heat your cheeks. Oh. So that’s what that short wall you’d jumped over while exploring had meant. Huh. Perhaps you were a little stupid; then again, that knowledge wasn’t really anything new.

Prior to this, you’d been a little preoccupied with your throbbing ass, but now, as you sat and gazed up at the magnetic form that was Jimin, you were suddenly reminded of the conversation from the other day with Joy and other raunchy parties. Your gaze flicked to his sides on instinct before you caught yourself and tore it away, averting it to the foliage to be safe. If you stare at his back he’s going to know you know, dumbass!

“O-oh, am I? Whoops, my bad,” you tried to distract yourself with a too-soon attempt at climbing back to your feet. You wobbled, voice shooting up in alarm, “To be fair though there’s no way to know these are your gardens, like, where’s the sign? You should reall—YAH OH MY!”

When you wobbled again a second time, barely a split second away from toppling off your wobbly legs and back onto your throbbing behind, Jimin’s hand shot to grasp your wrist and in one fell swoop he yanked you from your tentative crouch to standing. In the process he, overestimating your level of resistance, ended up hauling you straight into his chest. He barely stumbled as you knocked into him, your arms shooting out to wrap around him on instinct. An embarrassing instinct in actuality, but certainly not one you were about to complain about.

A beat of silence passed while you caught up to the sudden turn of events before you pulled your head back from where it had been resting over his shoulder. Utilising the fact your arms had ended up looped around his waist, you tightened your hold around him and pressed your hands firmly against his spine. You felt the hitch of his breath against your chest. When you grew brave enough to allow your eyes to stray to his face, they caught his own—deep, dark pools of molten cocoa, pupils almost swallowing his iris’ whole, hypnotised you for a moment. Even meeting his gaze like this made your lungs constrict and your heart jump in unison with your stomach. Giddy, excited—a sudden sense of shyness tickled the back of your neck but it was far overpowered by the deep, instinctive urge to push him a little. You wanted to play.

When he said nothing, you allowed your lips to twitch into a big, dumb grin— a courteous moment’s warning for what you were about to do—and then you moved your hands to his shoulder blades before pressing your fingertips in and dragging them down either side of his spine. He went rigid, yet the muscles of his back still yielded to the teasing pressure of your fingertips. Further down his back, about mid way, you felt your fingertips catch on something even through the shirt and Jimin jerked, a low rumble sounding in the back of his throat as a shudder ran through the entirety of his body.

You didn’t get all the way down his back before you pulled away, heart racing a little too fast from the sudden intensity of his gaze as it burned into you, as a result of your teasing. You hadn’t noticed his grip earlier but now you were painfully aware of the firm hold he had on your waist, fingers gripping with just enough pressure that your stomach flipped like you were a mere schoolgirl back on Earth.

As steamy as the moment was turning out to be, it was broken by a very sudden, very sharp and very loud noise—

One that sounded suspiciously like a dog.

Jerking away from Jimin at the sound of a rough bark, in either fear or surprise you didn’t really know, you spun to face the source. You were instantly rooted to the spot in shock.

Holy shit, that was a massive dog.

Well, calling it a dog might have been a bit of an insult. Whatever it was, with whatever canine resemblance it had, it was absolutely beautiful and nothing short of majestic. Instantly, you were in absolute awe and standing in a state of reverence.

The beast was over five feet tall and gave Jimin a run for his money, his entire coat the deepest space blue you’d ever seen that bled into a plethora of deep rose and cerulean that seemed to change as the strands shifted in the wind. It was incredibly canine in its features, resembling something between a wolf or a fox from earth but much, much bigger—the angled face, the mischievous eyes that hid an underlying danger. Around its eyes and down its muzzle, the same peculiar rose-aquamarine blend painted beautiful, mesmerising markings.

Something shifted out of the corner of your eyes, and when your gaze followed it, it took you a moment to realise you were looking at not one, but two big fluffy tails. Contrary to the dog-like appearance of the beast, the tails swayed playfully and in a much more feline manner. It was as though it was trying to hypnotise you with the movement, and you were only saved from falling into the trap by the sound of another soft yap.

You squeaked, jumping in what you were sure was a mixture of fright and excitement this time—although, to be fair, the line between the two emotions was awfully thin these days.

“Oh my god,” you choked, sounding very much like you were going to cry and honestly? You might have been about to. “Puppy!”

At the sound of the pure joy in your voice, it was as though a switch had been flipped in the creature that, until then, had just been standing there, looking incredibly majestic and incredibly intimidating. As though it could sense that you weren’t afraid, it immediately dropped into a crouch, behind wiggling and tongue hanging out of its mouth, before it pounced forward and you met the ground once more.

This time, with Jimin in tow.

The beast was so massive that instead of only tackling you, it had managed to catch both you and Jimin in one go. The aforementioned male was now pressed to the ground next to you as the two of you received a barrage of sloppy licks from the creature in between excited yapping and melodic trill noises. You couldn’t help the delighted squeal that escaped your lips, your hands coming up to scratch and rub behind the creature’s large, triangular ears. They flicked and vibrated instantly at your motions, and the beast moved its attention solely to you. Meaning, you got a face full of alien dog tongue and spit.

“Meanie!” Jimin gasped, attempting to sit up and somehow managing despite the incredible weight of the beast. “Off, now, Meanie! #$%#$!”

Jimin rattled something else off in kelkoe and to your complete and utter surprise, the canine creature pulled back immediately and sat down on its haunches, tongue still lolling out of its elongated maw as its head flicked between the two of you and its tails lashed excitedly behind it. Somewhat dazed and a little upset at the lack of happy dog-creature within arms reach, you struggled into a sitting position yourself, unable to tear your eyes from the animal before you.

“What is that? He’s so beautiful…” you found yourself asking before you even realised, eyes wide. You heard Jimin make a surprised noise, and turned to see him looking at you strangely.

“You are not afraid?” he queried, head tilting like he couldn’t make sense of your reaction. You watched as his marks swirled through several different colours before settling on light, playful blue.

“No?” you replied, equally as confused at his reaction. “Why would I be? I love dogs!”

“Dogs…” Jimin mumbled to himself for a moment, eyes unfocused, before he let out a soft noise and turned to you.  “Are dogs creatures on Earth? Do you have Ina there too?”

“Ina?” you repeated, turning your gaze back to the animal who was, by the way, still waiting patiently in place like the best boy you had ever seen. “Is that what this creature is?”

Jimin nodded, and after surveying you a moment longer he rose to his feet, dusting off his (very shapely) behind as he did so. A smile tugged his lips as he looked over at the animal in question. “This is Meanie, my Ina.”

He then parted from your side to move over to the creature, wrapping an arm over his massive shoulders and reaching up to scratch behind his ear. Meanie’s hind leg began thumping against the ground in glee at the movement, head rolling to press affectionately against the side of Jimin’s own. You watched on in awe, fingers absolutely itching to join Jimin in giving this good boy the pets he deserved.

“Your Ina? He’s your pet?” you asked, watching the interaction and the softness of Jimin’s countenance with increasing fondness. Even so, a part of you felt oddly betrayed. You’d been here how long and hadn’t known there were giant dogs roaming about willy nilly? An absolute travesty!

Meanie’s head whipped from where it was laying against Jimin’s, and to your complete and utter surprise he then proceeded to give you the stink eye. Jimin let out a loud, tinkling laugh.

“No, Meanie is not a pet. He is my companion.” Jimin’s smile didn’t leave as he turned his gaze from the creature, to you, then back again. “The people of my clan have very strong bonds with the Ina. From birth, we are paired with an Ina pup, and form a connection with them as we grow up.”

You rose to your feet as you listened to him, advancing slowly—although, it was more for just in case than anything, since Meanie seemed to have forgotten about your offense and had since resumed laying his head on Jimin. The creature seemed to be an absolute softie, and it tickled you that his name was Meanie when he seemed to be such a gentle soul.

“That’s so cool!” you said, mindful of not being too loud. “You two have a connection? Can you hear each other’s thoughts?”

Jimin shot you a look of surprise, smiling with something akin to pride. “Yes, actually. Although, I think that he is better attuned to my thoughts than I am to his—I mostly hear him when he is hungry, or lonely. Isn’t that right, pupa?”

The dog—you’d already resigned to recognising him as that in your head for convenience’s sake— had the nerve to roll his eyes, turning his oversized head to give you a look that had too much exasperation within it for you to take seriously. You snorted, and Jimin grinned. His eyes caught the way your fingers twitched, and he gestured to Meanie.

“You can pet him, he won’t mind. He is a sucker for it, actually. Don’t tell him that I told you.”

The dog huffed, but you caught his eye on you expectantly. Laughing once more, you sidled closer and allowed your fingers to sink into the long fur at the back of his neck. It was thick, downy, yet silken and smooth as you ran your fingers through it. It took more effort than expected to delve them deep enough to be able to deliver a good scratch, but when you finally made it the reaction Meanie gave was worth it. He wobbled, swaying towards Jimin before wobbling again at another scratch of your nails against his skin and swaying back towards you.

A surprised squeak escaped you as he sagged against you completely, your arms coming up to embrace him around his thick neck, hands still scratching where they could. “Meanie! You cutie! You’re so cute and handsome, wah, what are we gonna do with you?! I’ve never seen a puppy so handsome in my life…”

You pressed your face into his fur, feeling his resulting amused rumble and happy trill against your skin. “I’m—I don’t think I’m ever gonna let go. I can’t. You’ve beaten me, Meanie. I’m defeated. You have my heart.”

You didn’t know if these Ina creatures could laugh, but it sure felt like they could. Jimin, too, let out a soft chuckle. It was silent a moment before his smooth tone sounded in the air once more.

“Are you still hungry, petal?”

The pet name made heat blossom across your face, and you were thankful that the thick fur of the animal you currently had it buried in shielded it from view. Yes, you came onto Jimin on the daily, but that didn’t mean you weren’t allowed to have a little shame every now and then. Gotta keep yourself grounded, after all.

“I’m always hungry,” you said, trying not to voice how unreasonably embarrassed you were. Meanie made what sounded like a noise of agreement, and Jimin snorted in response.

“Then follow me,” he said, “You are already in my gardens, you may as well come further in for some lunch. I have some fruits that are actually edible.”

You pulled your face from Meanie’s fluffy neck, at first preparing to fire something sassy back but instead settling for a bright smile when you realised just how empty your stomach was feeling. Well, it was empty enough earlier that you’d attempted to climb a tree for some fruit, so you weren’t doing that great to begin with, arguably.

“Fine, since you insist,” you shot back playfully, hands still idly scratching the oversized pup before you. He was appreciative, if his happy rumbling was anything to go by. It was like there was a motor that thrummed to life deep in his chest, vibrating against your body where it was pressed to his. God, you loved animals. So easy to read and get along with.

Jimin’s lips pursed before being tugged into an amused smile, the male turning on his heel and beginning to walk away. “Well, if you’d be so kind as to follow—my rooms are right this way. Come, Meanie. If she tries to slip away, drag her back.”

Jimin was joking (you hoped), and Meanie seemed to realise so (you hoped), so you weren’t as alarmed as you might have been if anyone else directed a creature like Meanie to essentially prevent you from running away.

Which you weren’t going to do, by the way. You didn’t know if Jimin really thought you would, but you’d be surprised if it was the case since you were so open and vocal about your interest in him.

Meanie nudged his head into your shoulder, and it was only then that you realised you'd been staring absently at Jimin's retreating form a little too long. Taking the hint, you reached to rub behind one of the creatures tall, pointy ears and he gave an approving huff as he began to prompt you after his companion.

To be honest, you were expecting a longer trip than what you got; it was barely a minute later that you were emerging from the vibrant greens, blues and iridescent hues of the gardens and encroaching upon a path, and then the familiar material of the palace walls came into view. Jimin made a beeline for a gap in the wall, which you realised was actually a large doorway housing two large double-doors, each embedded with two large, glassy windows. It surprised you to see the material, since you'd noticed a lot of the windows in the palace had nothing at all guarding them, but you supposed that being on the ground floor and so close to gardens and forestry, you wouldn't want anything unsavoury crawling in.

Even though you followed the kelkie inside the room without question, it didn't click until you were several paces into it that it was his room. It was large, very spacious and somewhat minimally decorated. His bed was to the left wall adjacent to the doorway you'd just come through, mattress bigger than some of the ones you'd seen in the guest wing and blocked off by thin gossamer-looking material that spilt from the ceiling, partly obscuring the gleam of silken sheets and blankets. Jimin was the type to make his bed every day, it seemed, and it shouldn't have made you, a being that left a trail of mess and chaos behind you by accident everywhere you went, more attracted to him but it did. Somehow, it did. You thought that at this point you were honestly so far gone he could probably confess to sucking his thumb as he slept and you'd take it in stride without even so much as batting a lash.

"Woah," you muttered without realising, eyes sweeping over his room and taking in each and every detail you could. You were in his room, damn it, and it might not have been under the circumstances you really wished-- not to say they wouldn't hopefully come true one day-- but damn it if you were going to squander the opportunity for some more insight into who he really is. "Nice crib."

The alien shot you an odd, curious look at that, head tilting for a moment before he returned to whatever he was doing before you spoke-- which, it seemed, was taking a bowl of curiously coloured fruits and a jug from a table against the wall to the right of the room. He shook his head, evidently deciding he didn't need to know what the word 'crib' meant (you'd seen the question in his eyes), and turned from the table to begin making his way over. You hadn't realised before, but next to the doorway you'd come through was a small table of medium width, the obsidian-like stone polished and gleaming in the light from the doorway. Two plush cushions sat on the floor, and on top of the table was a small cube pot made of the same material as the table in a lighter shade, an endearingly flowering plant sprouting from the soil within.

Jimin moved and placed the bowl there, along with the jug, and gestured for you to take a seat while he went back to the other table to retrieve something else-- you realised after he pulled whatever he was looking for from a cupboard there that it was actually cups. Following his direction without even thinking, you plopped down on the cushion and narrowly avoided banging your knee on the edge of the table, thankful that Jimin's back was currently to you since you hadn't pulled the most attractive of expressions at your near-miss. There was a huff from behind you, reminding you of Meanie's presence, and you turned just in time to see the gigantic creature flopping down on the other side of the room; there was something there on the floor, like a thin mattress, that was covered in soft throws and blankets. The canine creature settled down and nestled into the fabrics, curling up endearingly and letting out a huff as he relaxed. He looked ready to sleep, but his lidded eyes remained open and flicked occasionally from you to the alien now approaching where you were seated.

"These are the fruits you can eat," he said, apparently still very tickled by what he'd caught you doing earlier. Fine, if it made him that happy then you supposed you'd just have to accept the blow to your pride. You were glad your limited brain cell count amused him.

“Excellent,” you said, wriggling in your seat somewhat excitedly. “I’m starving. They’ve banned me from the kitchens, you know. It’s only for a week and it’s only been a day but it’s rough, man.”

Jimin looked like he was trying very hard not to burst into laughter, a somewhat incredulous yet unsurprised expression morphing his features.  “You got banned from the kitchens? What on Kilkea did you do? You practically live there.”

“I know,” you sighed, scratching the back of your neck as you averted your gaze. “They got sick of me walking in all the time. Apparently it interrupts their groove.”

Jimin’s head tilted, but he looked like he wasn’t going to question it. Admittedly, you felt a bit insulted. You couldn’t tell him that the real reason you’d been banned was because you kept singing and nearly set the entire kitchen ablaze when you attempted to make earth cookies yesterday, though. So there you sat, accepting it as his opinion of you no doubt grew more comfortable where it sat at rock bottom.

Jimin placed the cups onto the table, taking his seat more gracefully than you anticipated after nearly falling and impaling your knee on the corner yourself. Well, some people were just born graceful, you supposed. You don’t know whether he saw the nervous way you eyed the fruits or whether he was just so used to you by now that he knew you were kind of useless, but he took a fruit—purple-tinged and very juicy looking—and went about peeling it much like you would a mandarin, before plopping it before you on the table and picking up one for himself.

Delighted and perhaps a little too eager to taste the fruit considering its insides were blue, you picked it up and broke it into the sections it naturally grew in. It wasn’t long before the first piece was in your mouth, teeth piercing it and causing tart, but overall sweet flavour to sink into your tongue. A surprised noise left you before you could stop it, quickly followed by a hum of approval in explanation. Jimin hid his smile by shoving a piece of the fruit in his mouth too.

“If that’s the case, I am surprised it took you this long to get banned,” he mused, poking fun at you once more. You sent him a half-hearted glare, popping another slice in your mouth to resist firing back too quickly. The flavour of this fruit was quite addictive, actually. The perfect balance of sweet and sour, with no unsavoury aftertaste.

“Excuse me?” you blurted as soon as you swallowed your mouthful. “They love me in there, they’ve practically adopted me at this point. Jeonghan says I’m like a daughter to him.”

Jimin rolled his eyes but couldn’t help his smile. It seemed both of you were well-aware of the pastry-chef’s—who you’d actually originally thought was younger than you— overdramatic tendencies. “If Jeonghan adopted everyone he said he would, then this whole castle would be under his care.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at that, even hearing Meanie huff in amusement in the corner. “You’re not wrong.”

You were expecting Jimin to stay silent a little longer, having seen him pick up another piece of fruit, but he surprised you and spoke in the next moment, the piece still uneaten in his grasp.

“On that note, there is something I have to discuss with you.” Jimin’s eyes met yours as he slipped the fruit into his mouth. When you sent him a questioning look, he continued. “Jongin and Jongdae are no longer watching you.”

Oh, that was something you knew already. Your first instinct was to believe you were about to get into trouble—which didn’t seem unlikely, since the two guards weren’t shy about blaming you and your many escape attempts for the relief of their duties in watching you.

“Oh. Yep,” you bit your lip, a bit of nervous laughter trickling out. You wondered whether it would be a safer bet to play dumb about it. “I haven’t seen them in a while? Are they alright? I almost miss them.”

Jimin’s lips quirked like he was trying not to smile. “They are no longer watching you because I relieved them of that duty.”

You paused, trying to follow where he was going with this. Ah, so it was his doing? Okay. But were you in trouble or not…? He had better tell you soon, because you were about to break into a nervous sweat.

“Uh, do you want an apology?” you asked, risking a shot in the dark. Jimin blinked at you for a moment before a sudden laugh came tumbling out of him.

“No, there’s no need for an apology,” he managed through his chuckles. “At least, not to me. I am only mentioning it because you are still going to be under someone’s care, it just will not be theirs.”

“Okay, well, in that case I feel I should tell you that I might have needed ‘monitoring’ when I first got here, yeah, maybe, but now I’m perfectly fine wandering on my own! If you want I’ll even promise to bother Namjoon or Yoongi if I need help or something, but I don’t think I need—” you paused mid-defensive-rant, another thought occurring to you that seemed to override the first—a shred of fear wormed its way into your tone as you sought to verify your sudden concerns. “Wait, whose care?”

Jimin plucked another piece of fruit from the rest, plopping it into his mouth and answering you somewhat nonchalantly and without so much as a blink. “Mine.”

“Well I don’t want Seokjin’s—wait, what?” You were thankful you didn’t have anything in your mouth just then because you definitely would have choked on it in your shock. “C-come again?”

“You heard me,” Jimin said, a sly look to his eyes. His marks were flushed an all-too-cheeky plum. “You’re too slippery for me to delegate the task to anyone else, so I will be the one watching you. We only have one kitchen, after all, we can’t afford to have it in flames.”

Your cheeks flushed suddenly with heat, the sensation of more of the humiliating type than the flustered. Oh, so he already knew of yesterday’s escapades. Oops. Still, that aside, you were already struggling to come to terms with what he’d told you. He was going to be watching you from now on? Like, in person? Or in a more ‘eyes in the walls’ kind of way? You didn’t know which was worse, to be honest. Was this the end of your freedom? Wait, but on the flip side…. More time spent with Jimin. Holy crap, you probably shouldn’t have been as excited as you were beginning to feel. Down, you swatted the butterflies in your stomach, down girls!

“O-oh,” you managed, still attempting to regulate the mess that had suddenly exploded in your brain. You didn’t have enough mental RAM for this. “I see. Well…”

In a desperate bid to claim back your cool and swagger, you plopped another piece of fruit in your mouth and raised your brows. Poor timing, but it seemed your dignity defence system had been activated.

“Good luck to you, then! I won’t be tied down! I will remain as slippery as ever and I’ll wish you luck in your efforts to catch me—fruitless, as they will be!”

And then you smacked your fingers on the table, grabbing the cup and taking a hearty sip. For all the bravado you’d just shown, you felt any semblance of normalcy you’d just mustered go flying out the window when you caught Jimin’s gaze and saw the challenge simmering in their depths, his marks tinted jade.

Well, maybe you should have waited until after tea time to challenge the Kelkie who was much, much faster and stronger than you.

x     x     x     x     x

 “So that’s what he said, right, and yet… here I am! I’m too good, I didn’t even leave a trail for him to follow! He should have known better than to think he could catch me… pfft.”

At the silence that followed your words, you paused in your current activity and turned to the male beside you, who in turn simply stood and blinked at you for a moment. Expectantly, you allowed him a moment to muster a response.

“So… you didn’t want to be stuck under my care and yet here you are, chatting away with me the second you slip free of Jimin’s watch?” Seokjin asked, expression telling you he was attempting to understand your reasoning and coming up blank. For a moment, you yourself were stumped for a response—you hadn’t thought of it that way! Your idiot was showing— you made a quick recovery though.

“That was the only thing you got from all I told you?” you queried, before shaking your head and clicking your tongue. “Why do I even bother? I should have gone to annoy Yoongi instead.”

Seokjin seemed to be ignoring you—or at least, what you were saying. He continued like you hadn’t just said anything at all.

“Also, as someone who, and this is a direct quote, ‘wants to climb Jimin like a tree’ at every possible opportunity, isn’t running from him somewhat counterintuitive? I mean, you currently have the perfect excuse to be near him and you are bragging about running away…?” Seokjin’s head tilted, eyes squinting at you as his fingers played with the decorations currently in his hold. He’d made far more progress with his side of the wall than you had, considering you’d spent more time talking than hanging. It was something your teachers had always commented on in school, so you weren’t that surprised in honesty.

You sputtered, several holes having been poked ruthlessly and mercilessly in your logic and your pride. Seokjin, the poker, seemed somewhat pleased at your current stuttering state.  As the pokee in this situation, you were anything but pleased.

“What? No! It’s not counterintuitive!” you warbled, grabbing one of the decorative pieces and slapping it onto some adhesive on the wall. You felt your cheeks heat, shoulders pinching up in embarrassment. “Shut up!”

Even while facing in another direction, you could feel Seokjin as he rolled his eyes.

“Always asking for the flame when she cannot even handle the heat, tsk tsk tsk,” Seokjin uttered, taking the opportunity to click his tongue at you. You bristled but couldn’t form a response, considering he was right. Humiliatingly, despite all your efforts to get closer to Jimin, now that you finally had the perfect excuse to be around him all the time, it was like too much all at once. You were just one woman! And a horny one at that. The people around here should know better than to take the randy things that come out of your mouth at face value.

“I CAN HANDLE IT!” Your outburst was somewhat indignant and left you feeling somewhat like a child, but you didn’t have time to dwell on it. “Just… after an adjustment period. I suddenly went from nothing of something to a lot of something! Give me a break, man, I’ve only got a few cells left up here and they’re on their last legs.”

Seokjin hummed, narrowing his eyes at your head. “I did think that I heard less rattling up there than usual.”

Resisting the urge to hiss at him, you soothed your hackles and decided to change the topic to something that didn’t threaten to give you a heart attack or death-by-shame. “Also, when am I going to be allowed to know about this all-secret event that’s taking place? It’s been so long! And I’m helping you set up, so it must be soon. Surely not all of these people are here helping set up without even knowing…?”

Seokjin didn’t even blink as he responded. “Oh, they know. Actually, you’ve been allowed to know for a while… I think at this point you’re the only one that doesn’t know.”

You blinked, squinting as his words sunk in. “Hey—what? That’s not fair! Why can’t I know? Seokjin! Tell me!”

Mirth played in the kelkie’s eyes as he shot you a look from the side, marks flushed playful lilac. “No way. It’s much more amusing letting you sit and wonder.”

You stared at him, mouth open in shock. This jerk was really just going to let you sit and rot, huh?! Something akin to betrayal began to fill you, a petulant glare slipping onto your face.

“Seokjin!” It was meant to be reprimanding but it came out more like a whine. “Come on, please tell me? I deserve to know! Especially considering it’s just—it’s only—how far away is it, again?”

“It’s in a little less than a week’s time,” Seokjin answered easily, adhering another of the decorations to the wall. They were pretty little things, thin and about the size of your palm but they felt like slices of crystal and glimmered as you would expect such an item to. “You’re actually expected to attend. I believe Joy has even procured a dress for you and has plans for your hair.”

“Oh, I’m invited?” Momentarily touched, you couldn’t help the turn your thoughts took, a smile slipping onto your face before you remembered your stance and wiped it off. “That’s so nice of y—wait! If I’m going then I need to know what the event actually is, Seokjin! Please tell me!”

As you might have predicted, the kelkie was having far too much fun teasing you to be anywhere close to telling you what you want to know. He snorted as he went about sticking another decoration up, pausing afterwards to scan the room and check up on the other decorating jobs being completed by palace workers. When his eyes got to you and looked over how behind you were, he frowned.

“Isn’t the element of the unknown such a thrilling thing, though?” he asked, clearly making fun of you still. “Besides, you don’t need to know to have fun—”

“Seokjinnnnn,” you were outright whining now, the remainder of your dignity having fled you where you stood on top of a stool in one of the great halls in the palace. You wanted to know so badly—for weeks you’d been wondering what was going on! By this point you were growing a little desperate. “Please? Please tell me? Oh please please please—”

Seokjin rolled his eyes and cut you off before your dramatic arm motions could make you fall off the stool. “What do I get out of telling you, though? Currently I’m getting a lot of entertainment out of not telling you, so why should I give that up?”

You gaped at him, bastard!

“You jerk!” you exclaimed, before quickly thinking better of it and backtracking. “Okay, fine. If you tell me I’ll… uh… I’ll stop visiting the kitchens and making a mess all the time.”

Seokjin gave you an amused look. “I know you’ve already been banned from there.”

With a groan of frustration, you threw your hands into the air, just barely catching your balance before you toppled. “Fine! I’ll—I’ll stop wasting your time and calling for you whenever I get bored! I’ll call, I don’t know… I’ll call Yoongi instead.”

Seokjin’s head tilted as he pondered the offer, mulling it over carefully. A moment later he flashed you a smile. “Not the best but it is a start! I will tell you something in exchange for that promise—I want you to promise me, by the way. Out loud. I know that you are slippery.”

You let out a huff, holding down the whines that wanted to escape. Something was better than nothing! If you had something to go off, you could just go and pressure someone else for the answer to the rest of it. With that in mind, you squashed down the minor offence that rose at the fact your reputation as ‘slippery’ had preceded you to such an extent, and forced out the words that would get you what you wanted.

“Do… I have to?” You let out a breath from the effort, wincing. It went against your nature to verbally trap yourself! You had a phobia of contracts!

“Yes.” Seokjin said, deadpan. “Repeat after me, ‘Seokjin, I promise that I will never again call you when—‘”

“Never?!” you interjected, appalled. “Isn’t that a bit hasty—”

“Do you want to know?” the male cut you off, brows raised. He rested a hand on his hip and the sudden movement of his body made the inky locks atop his head shift, flopping across his forehead. “If so, say it.”

Pushing down the remainders of your pride was more difficult than usual, but somehow you managed it. Grumbling, you smacked another decoration onto the wall, watching it fall to the floor in disdain because there wasn’t enough adhesive.

“Fine. Seokjin, I promise that I will never again call you when I am bored. I will… call someone else… instead…”

It might have been like he was trying to bleed water from a rock, but Seokjin couldn’t have looked more smug or pleased with himself—even despite how admittedly lacklustre your promise was.

“Excellent!” he cheered, smearing more adhesive on the wall and pasting a decoration where you had attempted to just moments ago. “Now, do know that if you go back on your word it is a punishable offence. I’m thinking…” He tapped his chin, eyes averted in thought as his marks shimmered blue. “No pudding for at least three months.”

Despite the fact it was only a threat and you weren’t actually being punished with that, you felt panic well up within you. Damn, he’s good. You gulped. “I-I won’t… Don’t you even know me, Seokjin? My honour… my integrity…. Renowned across the galaxy.”

Seokjin rolled his eyes so heavily you worried for a split second they were going to drop from his skull. “Of course. As we all know.”

You huffed, taking it in stride considering he was about to finally tell you what you’d been wanting to know for weeks now. Making a rare wise choice, you decided to clamp your mouth shut and wait for Seokjin to enlighten you. It seemed to work in your favour, as Seokjin too is a man that enjoys talking and the second you provided a conversational gap for him he was inclined to fill it.

“It’s for the King and Queen,” Seokjin said, placing some adhesive on the wall in front of you in an unspoken prompt to get back to work. “They’re back from their leave soon, but that’s not the only reason we are celebrating.”

Seokjin turned, meeting your gaze with a fond look in his eye coupled with a hint of excitement, both of which you presumed were directed at the royal couple. “They’re expecting, you see, and since the Queen is human, it has broken an unfortunate cycle that has plagued the royal line for centuries. After what happened to the King’s late parents… the people are overjoyed they won’t have to see that again.”

Curiousity instantly bubbled and burned within you, but at the same time…. You almost felt like it wasn’t your place to ask about whatever happened. It didn’t affect you, so you reasoned you should probably leave it for now. Besides, you felt like you’d find out eventually. Instead, you focused your thoughts onto the other parts of what he’d told you. Piece by piece, it sunk in.

“I almost forgot the Queen is human,” you muttered, filling space while your brain processed—it finished barely a moment later and you looked to Seokjin with wide eyes as realisation smacked you in the face several times. “Wait, she’s pregnant?! But they’re—so humans and kelkies can—?!”

Amused, and looking like he apparently expected a reaction like this from you, Seokjin snorted. “Well, we weren’t sure. But apparently so.”

“Huh. That’s really lovely, everyone must be super excited for them,” you said, a billion thoughts whirring through your mind at once. One made itself a little more known than the others, and an odd feeling filled your chest.

Seokjin seemed to tell you were attempting to try and word something, and gave you a moment to put it together. You couldn’t look him in the eye as you spoke, for once feeling oddly and uncharacteristically vulnerable.

“She chose to stay, then… Was it an easy choice?” You didn’t even know why you’d asked it, but it made it’s way out of your mouth nonetheless.

The kelkie gave you a curious look, but otherwise didn’t question you. “Well, for her… She wasn’t going to, at first. There were a few other crucial factors that influenced her decision, for a while. But ultimately, once they cleared… she chose what was going to make her happiest. I recall she once told me she felt surprisingly at home, here. Not long after arriving, she found herself wanting to stay.”

At his words, you weren’t sure how you were supposed to feel. Your entire life there has been something in a constant state of unrest within you. You’ve hopped from job to job, world to world, life to life. None have fit, and none have soothed that flighty feeling inside any better than the last. You almost grow tired of it; sometimes you’ve found yourself wondering if this is how you’re going to live the remainder of your years, never settling, never finding somewhere you feel truly at home. Earth was where you were born, but it wasn’t a home to you. None of the groups you’d ever found your way to had ever felt like the perfect fit. You’ve never once felt inclined to stay at the places you have been, or entertained the notion past that of a stray thought.

But his words gave you pause, because for the first time in your life the feeling inside you had changed, and you were beginning to realise its new form.

It was in such stark contrast to who you knew yourself to be, that it actually frightened you, a little. This feeling had a few names and you were afraid to utter any of them.

“You’ve been a lot of places across the galaxy, lived many different ways,” Seokjin’s head tilted, eyes soft, inquisitive. “Was there nowhere that you found yourself wishing to stay?”

Of course, it would be perfectly in character for you to fire back something witty and funny, but you felt oddly vacant, for the barest moment. You met his gaze without thinking, and wondered if he could see the vulnerability as it revealed itself bit by bit within you.

“No, there wasn’t anywhere I wanted to stay.” You paused, swallowing. “But, I mean, being capricious is kind of my thing, you know? I gotta stay on brand.”

Seokjin smiled, before shaking his head.

“It is okay to want to stay, you know. You don’t even have to have a reason.” The male’s eyes were kind as they met your own, and you felt your chest clench. “There is a place for you here, if you decide you want it.”

His words touched you, but in the process stirred up an entire storm of untouched thoughts and emotions within you, the type that blended in together and blurred the lines that bound them. You were nowhere near ready to delve into them right now. Ignoring the surprising prick in your eyes, you shot him a smile. “Thank you for that, Seokjin. I… I think I will just need to think on it.”

He nodded, soft look remaining before it took a different turn and his marks flushed playful blue. His gaze was on you, before it caught something over your shoulder and his eyes widened incrementally. He schooled his expression so quickly after that you weren’t sure if it had actually happened. “Don’t think too hard on it, though. You’ll overwork the few cells that you have left.”

At the return of the bickering air you were so familiar with, you slipped right back into it with ease—anything to distract from the thoughts he’d unearthed with his kind words. “Excuse me? There mightn’t be many of them but they pull their weight! My brain cells might be overworked and underpaid but damn it if they don’t get the job done—”

You were ready to keep going, you really were, you had about thirty seconds more content to burn through, but in the worst plot twist of the century you didn’t get to continue. So quickly you almost didn’t see it, Seokjin shifted in his stance on the floor, bracing one hand on the wall. You didn’t even have time to finish wondering why before you found out—the hard way.

Too quick to counter, Seokjin’s foot flew out, making harsh contact with the stool you were precariously perched on. Immediately, inevitably, you were sent tumbling and the bucket of adhesive and decorations on your arm was sent flying off to god knew where. Truly, your hubris in wanting to stand in a cool pose on the stool was to blame for how unsteady and ready to fall you were.

A few things happened rapidly; first, you fell through the air, narrowly saved from a humiliating death-by-head-bump by Seokjin’s lightning fast reflexes. He ended up catching you in a pose that reminded you of when you were dancing with someone and they dipped you—your hair was probably brushing the floor, and Seokjin’s face was much, much closer than you ever expected to see it. Second, there was the loud sound of your stool clattering onto the ground. Third, there was a round of gasps that you figured sounded because you fell.

Well, it wouldn’t be the first time you were wrong in assuming everything was about you.

You blinked, the realisation that Seokjin knocked you off the stool sinking in and instantly riling you up—you were about to open your mouth and chew him out when a third, and final, sound echoed through the room. A sharp CLANG, and then the distinct sound of hollow metal rolling across the floor. It gave you pause, the sound occurring much later than it should have—it should have dropped straight to the ground, right?

A sense of dread beginning to curl within you, you dared to turn your head and peer to the side, where your back had been facing earlier. At once, you realised you were dead.

The alien love of your life stood in the doorway to the room, a mere few metres away, which should make you either giddy or overjoyed, but it was the sight of gooey adhesive dripping thickly down his face from where it had pooled in his hair that prevented such a reaction. Your bucket rolled around by his feet, some decorations joining it on the ground and others stuck in the glue that was quickly becoming acquainted with Jimin’s entire front.

His eyes had been closed, presumably on reflex, but they opened after a hand rose to wipe the thick goo from them—thankfully, it hadn’t reached his actual eyes. The dark pools flitted about the room before landing on you; his marks stained dark, dark red, and after scanning your form and witnessing the debacle around you, turned deep, murky green.

You might have been stupid, but even you knew when death was about to grab you in its clutches. You scrambled, trying to get out of Seokjin’s grip but failing miserably—oh, so he’s your executioner, huh? Bastard. And right after you bonded, too.

“y/n.” You jolted like you’d been electrocuted, eyes whipping back to Jimin; something burned in his gaze that made your stomach drop and legs wobble, even while he was covered in goo. He took two slow, long steps until he was close enough that just the three of you could hear him speak—his voice when he did, low and raspy as it was, made you shiver. “My room. Midmoon, tonight. If you are not ready then the punishment for making such a mess of preparations for such an important event will worsen. Don’t force my hand on that, petal.”

His gaze bore into you for a long, potent moment after he spoke, before it flicked to where Seokjin had his hold on you, jaw clenching so hard you saw his temple shift. Eyes harder and burning more intensely than before, he delivered you one last look—a very decidedly pissed one—before he turned on his heel and stalked from the room, beginning to wipe away adhesive as he went.

For a few seconds after he disappeared, you simply hung in place, in a state of shock. The sound of Seokjin’s amused snort brought you back, however, and instantly you recalled exactly who was to blame for your newly scheduled death.

“You rat,” you hissed, glaring at him. “How could you?! Now I’m going to die! Oh you know what, if I hadn’t just promised yo—OW! SEOKJIN!”

Mercilessly, the male released his hold, you dropped, and an instant pain shot through your behind. Why was it that you were always falling on your ass in this palace?! God! It hurts so damn much!

“The day is coming to an end, y/n,” Seokjin said, straightening and looking very much unapologetic and entirely too humoured. “You better go get ready.”

Realising just how late into the afternoon it had gotten, you scrambled to your feet, panicked and affronted. Deciding you couldn’t afford to stay and bicker if you were going to flee the solar system in time, you settled for a glare and flipped Seokjin the bird, uncaring whether he understood it.

“I hate you!” you exclaimed as you turned and started to flee. “I’m ending this friendship, Seokjin! After this don’t even look at me, traitor!”

Seokjin’s rare, squeaky laughter breached the air as you left, the sound chasing you down the hall mockingly.

If you didn’t die tonight, you were going to kill him for trying to kill you.

↞ prev. || five || next ↠

::[ please lmk what you think! & pls consider buying me a kofi if you’d like to support me in some way! <3 ]::

#jimin x reader #jimin series #bts series #jimin smut #bts smut #jimin fic #bts fic #alien au #space au #bts au #alien jimin #alien jimin x reader #reader insert #my work #wanted #tentacledipity #soulmate au #fated mates au #fantasy au #sci fi au

[gravesofheirscog]

The update ignited my imagination!

1. When we first meet the revenant, he reminds me of an annoying sales manager, because he reduces everything to a broken soul.

Are you talking about vamir? Of course, it's because of a broken soul!

Are you shouting with joy? I'm almost 100% sure that a broken soul is involved!

Are you silent? A broken soul, no less.

2. When we choose the revenant name, I was amused by the moment with the choice of Excess.

"So, what noble name will you give me?"

Ms "of course": Excess

Excess : I think I've made a contract with the god of originality and creativity

3. When can we interact with Dit? When did Carmine start interacting with him and how did it happen?We will sign a contract with him, and he will give us strength? If he is a god, can he be worshipped by performing any rituals on virgin blood (ours)? Would it be possible to build any friendship with him, or at least the relationship of a faithful cultist and a benevolent god? And why, if Deet can manipulate time so freely, is the world still not in ruins?

4. Is it possible to emotionally manipulate Vitaly to create a sense of guilt in front of us and to cultivate a hero complex?

For example, I have a scene in my head.

Background:

Miss is a fragile child who, thanks to this and her acting abilities, plays a child younger than her age, calls Vitaly her brother and constantly shows signs of affection. All in order to create a sense of innocence and naivety, which must be protected. I decided to destroy the Academy day by day, and I interacted with Dit for a long time.

Ms "runs up to Vitaly and silently embraces him"

Vitaly: Something you are some silent today?

ms "still hides his eyes and says in a lost voice": Brother, do you want to escape from here?

Vitaly "pats the lady on the head": Of course, I want this more than anything in the world. But as long as that's not possible, don't worry, soon your big brother will grow up and be strong enough to get us out of here.

MS "brooding voice": More than anything else? "hugs him even tighter and leaves with a determined look"

Ms: Sorry, I have to go. "runs away"

Vialy " thoughtfully rubs his head, but does not attach any importance to this"

The next day.

Ms "runs up to Vitaly in a painfully depressed state and, without giving him time to recover, says:" Brother, I need you to be at the edge of the forest today in 30 minutes. It's a matter of life and death, I beg you, if you don't, something bad will happen.

Vitaly "worryingly": You were bullied again by high school students, do they want you to be there?

Ms "High spirits leave smnenya with fear and determination": Vitaly, please, I can't say. "runs away in tears"

Vitaly, angry and ready to fight, comes to the edge of the forest at the right moment, but there is no one there, before he has time to think about something, he is blinded by the brightest flash of light. After his eyes begin to see something, he turns around and sees the burning ruins at the academy site and a black dot above them that is rapidly approaching him. When the dot comes close enough, Vitaly realizes that it is Ms, but now blood is flowing from his eyes, nose and ears.

Ms "sobbing, talking in a frenzy": Sorry, sorry, sorry. I didn't know it would be like this. He told me he'd set you free, I didn't know ,I didn't know

, I didn't know, I didn't know. "At this moment, black tentacles break out from under the MK and drag it into the dark hole"

Vitaly shudders from the shock of everything that is happening and falls to his knees. Much later, he will add up all the hints and realize that some powerful dark entity has offered the MC a contract for his release. He realizes that he wasn't really at fault in that situation, there wasn't much he could have done. But a heartbreaking sense of guilt will forever settle in his heart.

Of course, in this imaginary scenario, there are a number of assumptions, for example, I do not know if Vitaly wants to escape, if I got at least partially into his character, if there is a forest edge in that academy, and much more. But my imagination persists in painting such a picture.

Ah, your questions always get me thinking! They’re so much fun to answer, so thank you for sending this in!

1. It’s been so much fun to read/see people’s reactions to the revenant. I totally see what you mean about a particularly bull headed salesman! I had a laugh imagining him trying to pawn off crappy used cars to people lmao. 

2. Haha, thanks! Growing up I had a pet clam named Clammy and people had similar reactions lol. 

3. Interactions with Deathe will be coming up in the next chapter, and his relationship/how he met Carmine will be explained as it affects the plot of the original novel quite a bit. You can choose to sign a contract with him, and he will give the MC powers in accordance with that contract. And yes, he is a god (elder god, to be precise) and as the story progresses you can build up a relationship with him. On the topic of rituals, there’s some in-universe debate over this but you will be able to ask him yourself in the next chapter! Also, his manipulation over time is a pretty overarching spoiler so I can’t say anything yet - sorry!

4. The MC can absolutely manipulate Vitalius/Astasus by pretending to be the meek girl Carmine used to be. There’s a few ways I plan to take this, so I hope you’ll enjoy it! Also, I feel like you really understood him well! I really enjoyed reading that!

Thank you so much for your ask!

#ask

[ask-endless]

FAQ

Endlesstale

Alternate Universe by ErroneousArtist The image used was created by Arctic_Mizikio

Endless!Sans is a character that belongs to a broken alternate universe of Undertale. Due to some leading factors in his backstory he is able to exist outside of these AUs and interact with them.

What is an Alternate Universe (AU)? An Alternate Universe (AU) is when someone creates a spin-off of the original storyline. Usually this means many possibilities, concepts, settings, abilities, personalities, even social differences or standings. Sometimes it has many inclusions of the original cast from Undertale or additions to those characters. The collection of these AUs are called the Multiverse.

Can Endless!Sans travel throughout the Multiverse? Endless!Sans can create portals in a digital fashion consisting of glitching and distortion to access other universes. Even some that are otherwise unreachable by normal means due to his code ability. However, due to the complications of some universes this may not be possible due to the interference of other creators.

Is Endless!Sans part of the Bad Sanses? Yes, because of his hatred for humans and resets he tends to work for Nightmare. This allows him to be able to execute his plans for all timelines to stop resetting even if the results are negative timelines.

What is Endless!Sans’ weapon of choice? Endless!Sans uses the knife that his Chara had when they completed their multiple Genocide Routes. This is mainly due to his low production of magic after his soul was shattered and corrupted by hatred. Still he has other abilities that will be explained further in this FAQ.

===============================================

Official Design Sheet

The image created by Kikyo_Tora

The following information is base on Endless!Sans’ backstory. This is simply a guide to his official outfit and character design.

Endless’ outfit is overall gray-scale due to a factor in his backstory which turns his clothes into gray-scale. This happens with all his clothes. On average it takes anywhere between 5mins to 60mins for clothes to completely turn gray-scale.

There is a hidden scarf that is extremely torn and near gone under all of his clothes that once belonged to his Papyrus. He is extremely attached and will not let anyone touch it.

Layers go as follows: Hidden torn Scarf of Papyrus, White T-Shirt, Black Shorts with white lines down the side, Vest-Hoodie with fluffy hood and pockets, sometimes wears White Socks, and his fluffy Slippers. 

Red rimmed glasses for when his left (red) eyelight is not active due to his poor vision. He hates wearing them in front of others so it is unlikely he is to wear them at all even if he is near completely blind without his left eyelight.

There are dust markings on his hands and feet do not come off. No matter what it is bound to him as a reminder of his sins; this is mainly due to the Karma (KR) that he has inflicted on himself in his battle with Frisk/Chara.

Endless!Sans has three tongues that are almost tentacle like in nature. However, he can force his magic to only summon one though it takes more magic to do this since he has to force it to make a singular tongue.

Any ecto-parts that are summoned are bright red to represent the determination he has within him. Very rarely can blue or yellow ecto be seen sparkling within it to represent the original Sans but this is an extremely rare occurrence. 

During times of stress or upon his death there will appear a “Death Slash” across his chest where Chara killed him on many Genocide runs. Often it will “leak” with determination.

Endless!Sans is also a glitch. Often a few white glitches will appear or he will randomly distort. This is due to his messed up coding.

Why are his eyelights two different colors? The right eyelight is white due to being the original Sans he use to be. However, it is often faded cause of his backstory which caused his right eye to become almost completely blind. His left eyelight is fully red with a black center. The red is due to Determination that fuels his magic. Sometimes on very rare occasions the blue or yellow from his original magic can shine in.

Is there a reason why his bones are black? Due to absorbing Chara/Frisk’s soul it turned his own soul black due to the hatred within Chara. Over time in his Save Screen his bones began to turn black and the dust stains on his hands became more noticeable.

Does this mean his blush is red? Endless!Sans’ blush is red. On rare occurrences it can have ‘freckles’ that appear throughout his face. His magic also smells like Chocolate covered Strawberries.

===============================================

✧ Personality and Traits ✧

Small Warning: Mental illness will be spoken about. Research has been done about these illness as well as the creator themselves suffers from a few of them. Please note that these are not used to insult anyone with these disabilities. The following are all canon personalities and traits for Endless!Sans:

Endless!Sans would be best described as socially awkward when it comes to others (this excludes any Papyruses/Papyri).

Endless!Sans is also a extremely passionate chef. There is few things that bring him joy in the multiverse and cooking is one of them. He is very proud of his cooking skills. Described by their creator as the Gordon Ramsey of Sans.

Endless!Sans is a hypocrite. Do as he says not as he does.

Endless!Sans constantly is under the effects of Karma (KR) which made him very hard to communicate rationally with.

Endless!Sans hates humans. There is nothing that can be said or done that will change his mind about such things. He blames mostly Frisk/Chara for everything which often leads him to tracking them down in each universe and killing them without mercy. 

Endless!Sans tends to avoid harming any Papyrus/Papyri in any universe.

Endless!Sans can sew and crochet. Though he isn’t very good at crocheting. He tends to rip his clothes a lot by accident so he has learned to sew them up without it looking like patchwork.

Endless!Sans absolutely hates Ink!Sans, and highly dislikes Killer!Sans (however is willing to work with him due to joining Nightmare!Sans’ crew).

Endless!Sans will glitch out or become distorted if he is stressed out.

Endless!Sans has mild Haphephobia, Chronic PTSD, Manic Depressive, and Anxiety. These are the confirmed disorders he suffers. However, he avoids seeking professional help and prefers to run away from his problems instead of facing it.

Endless!Sans will often visit surface worlds just to look at the cities and skies. This is due to never having a true Good Ending. He tends to hate going to the underground unless he is ordered too go there.

Endless!Sans cannot die permanently. Due to the high amounts of Determination he continues to absorb from many universes he persists even after death and will “respawn” back in his Save Screen in Endlesstale. However, it can take anywhere between an hour or a year before he is able to escape the Save Screen.

=============================================== Nightmare and Endless The image used was created by CoolCowboyCody. 

✧ Backstory Information ✧

The backstory is currently in the works. However, please refer to this guide.

What is the original name of Endless’ AU called? Endless and Endlesstale is not the original names that he had went by. However, it has not been revealed what these original names were.

What happened to Endless’ Soul? Is it really just a shard? When Endless absorbed the human soul of Chara it almost killed him. He managed to get to the Save Screen with his determination before he completely dusted. From there certain events occur before his his bones turn black.

How did he escape his Save Screen? Often Ink!Sans would visit to see if something new happened to Endless’ story. However, one day the artist spoke about a reset that happened in a universe he had visited which set Endless into a rage. They fought briefly before Ink tried to just run away. However, not realizing how quick Endless was Endless had tackled him at the moment of Ink using his paint for teleportation. From there he completely glitched out and ended up separated and in a part of the Mutliverse where he discovers his portal ability.

What happened to Endlesstale? Before Ink!Sans showed up Endless had shattered the Reset button completely. Destroying all chances of any new game to be played. The last save is the only save file which is after Endless killed the human.

===============================================

✧ Additional Information ✧

This is some additional facts and information. Please note that you are free to make your own Head-Canons.  All information provided is just his canon to Endlesstale.

When was Endless created? October 14th, 2019 was the official date of creation.

Is Endlesstale accessible to other Sanses? Only few of the AU Sanses have the ability required to get into this AU. Ink!Sans being one of them and unknown if anyone else has been able.

What is Endless’ birthday and age? August 1st is his official birthday. Endless is 23 years old canonically. However, he isn’t sure on his birthday this is just what he remembers.

Official height for Endless? Endless is slightly taller by the original Sans by an inch. 

What are some of Endless’ abilities in battle? Unfortunately, Endless lost most of his abilities that a normal Sans would have after absorbing the human soul. Such as he does not typically summon bone attacks. Either he cannot or he chooses not too. That has yet to be explained.  Endless is actually very quick. Faster than most Sanses due to glitching. He is not limited to one reality but he tends not to use his abilities due to being rather lazy. Unless it comes to human hunting. So, he rather just die and respawn back in his own AU if things are dire enough.  The ability to summon his Gaster Blasters is vastly cut short. He can choose to summon many at once that do little damage as well doesn’t have the KR ability attached, or one big one that is highly powerful. Both options slowly take away his magic usage over time. Instead he relies on his his weapon of choice; knives. Though he is outmatched by Killer!Sans when it comes to blades (except Endless’ knifework in the kitchen). Another reason he cannot stand him.

Is Endless ambidextrous? Yes, he is actually!

What are Endless’ hobbies other than working for Nightmare? Endless tends to enjoy cooking even though he is not so good at baking. He has gotten rather good at it and perfected many of the Papyruses/Papyri’s recipes.  Aside from cooking he enjoys memes, dark humor, sewing or crocheting, stargazing, or watching cooking shows. 

Does Endless sleep? No, he tends to be wired on coffee, whiskey, and pure will-power. This is due to his haunting nightmares. He will never get a restful sleep. Instead he just tends to busy himself with work.

What is Endless’ assigned font? https://www.dafont.com/endless-boss-battle.font

Is there a canon gender for Endless? Endless is male.

What is Endless’ canon sexual orientation? Endless is not romantically or sexually interested in anyone.

===============================================

✧ Bad Sanses ✧

This is some information about how he acts with the Bad Sanses. Please note that you are free to make your own Head-Canons. All information provided is just his canon to Endlesstale.

How did Endless become employed by Nightmare!Sans? When Nightmare was invading a timeline one day he came across Endless killing humans but leaving monsters alive. This generated much negativity, naturally, Nightmare was very curious about him. When Nightmare realized that Endless was a walking negativity emitter due to his constant state of Karma (KR) he and Endless struck up a deal.

What is Endless opinions of all the Bad Sanses? Going down the list... Killer!Sans - Endless dislikes him. His complete disregard for killing anyone and everyone makes him sick. The fact that Killer has no remorse about who he kills especially when it comes to a Papyrus makes Endless boil in rage. Dust!Sans - Even though Dust hurts Papyrus’ his remorse for killing his own brother still allows some tolerance of the matter. Though he still keeps his guard up at all times around him. Horror!Sans - These two actually get along fairly well. Due to Endless being a chef he tends to make food for Horror and even present it to Crooks (Horror’s Papyrus). This makes them get along fairly well. Especially after a few puns are shared. Cross!Sans - One of the only ones that Endless could become friends with to some degree. They both has the same taste in humor as well both are friends with Epic!Sans.  (bonus) Error!Sans - These two, while having similar goals and very much common interest, they do not seem to get along. It also depends if Error!Sans knows about Endless’ past. This would cause the destroyer to either hate him entirely or avoid him.

===============================================

✦ Can I use him with other information than what is listed above? Absolutely! As long as everyone understands the differences between canon and fanon then there is no harm in enjoying this character. However, please be respectful and do not force your opinions on others. If people have issues with how you use him please show them this FAQ page. ✦  Can I use him for things such as Roleplay, Drawings, Fanfics, etc? Absolutely! As long as everyone understands the differences between canon and fanon then there is no harm in enjoying this character. However, please be respectful and do not force your opinions on others. If people have issues with how you use him please show them this FAQ page.

✦ Can I use him to ship with others?

Absolutely! As long as everyone understands the differences between canon and fanon then there is no harm in enjoying this character. However, please be respectful and do not force your opinions on others. If people have issues with how you use him please show them this FAQ page.

===============================================

✧ Using Endless ✧

Please be sure to have read the above sections before reading this.

Must I tag you for credit every time Endless content is made?  Please do! I would much rather be tagged. He is still my original design and would not like anyone to misrepresent that. For all SFW credit please use the details below: @ErroneousArtist is my handle on most places. Such as the following: Tumblr, Twitter, Discord, Deviantart, etc. #Endlesstale #EndlessSans #ErroneousArtist For all NSFW credit please use the details below:  @ErroneousSins is my NSFW handle. Such as the following: Twitter #Endlesstail #NSFWEndlessSans #ErroneousSins

May I use him for things not related to Undertale? No, please do not do this. Endless is still my character and I would like to keep him within the Undertale community. Thank you.

Am I allowed to draw/write fanart of him? Please do! Please be sure to use the credit as listed above.

Am I allowed to add him to comics or interacting with other characters? Please do! Please be sure to use the credit as listed above.

Am I allowed to add him to Undertale related games? Please do! Please be sure to use the credit as listed above.

Am I allowed to pair him with my OCs or other characters? Please do! Please be sure to use the credit as listed above.

Am I allowed to design Endlesstale characters? Please do! Please be sure to use the credit as listed above.

Am I allowed to roleplay as him? Please do! Please be sure to use the credit as listed above.

Am I allowed to commission other people to draw him or am I allowed to accept commissions with him? Please do! Please be sure to use the credit as listed above.

Am I allowed to make merch (plushies, keychains, posters, etc) of him to sell? As of right now, please message me privately about it. If I allow it then please be sure to use the credit as listed above. ================================================ Credit to TheCrayonQueen for Aftertale and Errortale inspired stories. The characters Geno!Sans and Error!Sans belong to CQ. All inspiration is drawn from these characters and should be respected as such. Please understand that while the original concept and theme is being used with approval from CQ themselves via their FAQ... Endlesstale has an inspired theme but taken its own liberties to become its own story. Please respect the original concept artist and developer. Design layout of this FAQ credited to Comyet. It helped be able to properly set up everything needed.

#endless!sans #endless #endlesstale #ask-endless #endlesssans #erroneousartist

[steebharringt0n]

sanctuary - part 6

summary: Subject 001. That’s what you’ve been called your whole life. You’ve known nothing but pain, violence, and isolation. You were their greatest secret weapon, but when your final mission is to ensure the end of the universe, you escape to Hawkins, Indiana to team up with Eleven and to put an end to all this chaos, once and for all - you just never expected to fall in love with the resident bad boy along the way.

rating: m

pairing: billy hargrove x reader

warning: graphic violence, slurs, abuse, curse words.

A/N: this is basically a filler chapter. lots of billy fluff next chapter i promise! IF YOU ARE NOT TAGGED, IT’S BECAUSE I CAN’T TAG YOU :(

001. prologue 002. firestarter 003. spitfire 004. friend 005. sister

--- 006. plans

“Sir, it’s time”

The low humming of the large machine in front of him filled him with anticipation. He gripped the control panel tightly, his gaze focused on the large wall in front of him. The gate was closed - but not for much longer.

Everything was going to plan.

Brenner turned his neck, facing the Russian general commander - Dimitri. He curled his top lip into an evil smirk.

“Turn it on”

Dimitri hurriedly nodded at him. He screamed at the lab assistants in Russian, instructing them that this was now the time - their plan was now to be set in motion. One of the lab assistants quickly pressed a couple of buttons, and with a turn of 2 knobs, the humming of the machine turned into a loud roar as it sprung into life.

Brenner’s eyes were fixed on the wall, impatiently waiting for the gate to reopen. The machine suddenly emitted a large blue blast, hitting the center of the wall. Brenner felt goosebumps going down his body, his fingers twitching anxiously.

Then, a loud crack.

The wall split into two, a dark red light poking out from the other side, illuminating the whole control central room. Brenner walked towards the door that led out to the large machine, he gripped on the knob before the Dimitri shouted at him, “Brenner, no! You don’t know what that could be!”

Brenner turned to him, his eyes dark, “I know exactly what it is”

He twisted the knob, pushing the door, and walked towards the wall. His steps creaking loudly as he made his way down the metal stairs. He stood next to the machine, taking it all in its glory, a proud smile plastered on his face.

This was it, this his baby. This was what was going to lead him to world domination.

This was the thing that was going to destroy you, end you, make sure you never existed.

You were his one blip in his plan, but he wasn’t going to let it stop him. If you weren’t with him, then you were against him, and he wasn’t one to back down easily. His eyes narrowed at the thought of how he almost lost again Eleven, never again would that happen. If it meant taking her down as well, he would have no problem with it.

He watched in complete joy as a long, black tentacle slithered it’s way out of the crack, wriggling wildly in the air. But before Brenner could even blink, the tentacle whipped it’s way towards him with lighting speed. It wrapped itself around Brenner’s neck, squeezing tightly. His fingers gripping the tentacles, trying to fight back as the Russians watched in horror from the other room.

The large tentacle then shoved it’s way into Brenner’s mouth, making its way down his throat.

His body twitched, his chest was shaking violently in mid-air. His eyes rolling on the back of his head. His screams were muffled as black liquid oozed from his mouth. The tentacle then quickly pulled out of his mouth, dropping Brenner onto the hard ground with a loud thud. It slither back into the wall, it’s job was done.

Dimitri hurriedly ran down the stairs, panic was setting in as he crouched down to Brenner’s limp body.

“Brenner, Brenner!” He grabbed his shoulder, shaking him forcefully.

Brenner’s eyes then shot his eyes open, his pupils fully dilated. The Russian general looked down at him in horror.

“B-Brenner … what did - “

Before he could finish his sentence, Brenner’s arm reached out and gripped his neck, lifting him up in the air. Dimitri grabbed Brenner’s hand, trying to fight back, but it was no use. He gasped for air, turning purple before Brenner threw his body across the control room, slamming on the adjacent wall. Blood splatters painted the wall red as his body landed on the ground, motionless.

Brenner looked up at the terrified lab assistants, they were cowering in a corner from him. He slowly made his way back up into the control room, his body trying to adjust to the new parasite within him.

He felt stronger, more agile. Opening the door to the control room, he turned his gaze to the head lab assistant who was sobbing violently in a corner, fearing that his end might be near. Brenner chuckled darkly, “You have nothing to fear … you aren’t completely disposable … yet”

“P - Please … “ sobbed the lab assistant, his hands gripping the clipboard as if using it as a shield.

Brenner licked his lips, feeling the mind-flayer course through his veins as he walked over to the large window facing the crack on the wall. Inhaling deeply, his mouth morphed into a wicked smile.

Step 1 was complete. Step 2 was soon to be put in motion.

And step 3 was to finally end you and Eleven once and for all.

---

“Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure that’s what you saw?”

Eleven nodded swiftly, biting her bottom lip to the point where it was almost bleeding. The anxious feeling had not yet left her stomach but she was clear on what she saw. Billy Hargrove was with a girl, a girl with a similar tattoo on her left wrist, in the Wheeler’s basement. The scenario didn’t make any sense to her, nor did it make sense to Max either.

Max’s eyebrows furrowed, an unfocused gaze on her face as she tried to process what Eleven had told her.

“M-maybe she just has a similar tattoo? Maybe you just thought you saw it” Max weakly offered.

Eleven shook her head, “No Max, I saw it, it looked exactly like mine”

“But why was Billy with her?” Max cocked her head, “That doesn’t make any sense, what does Billy have to do with any of this?”

“He looked like he was about to kiss her” Eleven meekly added, her eyes looking up to meet Max’s.

An unsettling silence came between them. Neither girl knew exactly what to do - it was almost 1 AM and they were in the middle of nowhere - hours away from Hawkins. Hopper and the boys were probably fast asleep by now, so the only reasonable option was to wait till the morning.

“Okay. Listen, let's try to sleep, and we’ll tell Hopper first thing in the morning” Max decided, adjusting her sleeping bag and trying to let her body settle in. Eleven nodded silently at the redhead, pushing a strand of her hair behind her hair and following right behind her in settling in for the night.

Sleep however, would not come to Eleven. There were so many thoughts racing through her head, it was almost impossible for her. Who was that girl? Why was she in the Wheeler’s basement, and why did it look like Billy Hargrove was about to kiss her? Eleven tossed and turned all night - her mind wandered back to Kali … she knew that there were others like her, but why would they be here? Why would they be in Hawkins? Nothing made sense to her.

It wasn’t until she heard the soft snores coming from Max that her body was finally starting to give into sleep. Her mind slowly drifting away, dreaming about the sister she had never met.

---

“Hey, wake up”

You sleepily cracked open one eye to see Nancy hovering over you with a plate of food. You grunted, stretching out your hands and legs, becoming more awake as you sat up on the couch. Glancing over to the clock on the wall, it read 12 PM.

You blinked, rubbing your eyes then looking at the clock again. It still read 12 PM.

“Holy shit, is it that late?” you questioned incredulously. Nancy placed the plate of food on the coffee table, then took a seat next to you.

“Yeah, I came down earlier but you were deep in sleep. I figured you must have been exhausted so I let you sleep a little longer. Plus my parents have left the house for a couple of hours so we have the place to ourselves” She explained, watching you as you swung your legs over, now sitting fully upright on the couch. You looked down at the plate in front of you, your nose wrinkled in confusion.

“Is this any good?”

Nancy let out a laugh, “Yes, El loves them. I’m sure you will too”

You nodded, examining the food in front of you. You hesitantly reached down and grabbed the Eggo waffles. It was soft and warm, and it smelled delicious. You took a small bite, chewing thoughtfully.

“You like?” Nancy asked.

You swallowed, smacking your lips and letting the taste of the Eggo linger on your tongue. You quickly then perked up, taking another large bite. “This is really good, what is this?!” you questioned, your cheeks stuffed with waffle.

“They’re waffles, I’m glad you like them” Nancy said.

You continued to wolf down the rest of the waffles as Nancy watched you in silence. You paid no mind to her as you continued to scarf down your breakfast, your mind completely focused on the food in front of you.

“So uh, Billy Hargrove huh?” she suddenly questioned bemusedly, a small smirk on her face as she leaned back on the couch. You wiped your hands with the napkin that Nancy had brought down, you turned her head to meet her gaze, shrugging, “What about him?”

“How in the world did you end up meeting with Billy Hargrove? Out of all people in Hawkins” She questioned, a slight laugh escaped her lips.

“He almost hit me with his car.” you replied plainly, putting your attention back on the food in front of you.

Nancy blinked blankly, “Uh, what?”

You swallowed another piece of Eggo, “Yeah, he almost hit me with his car, then he took me out for a burger - have you ever had a burger before? They’re really great, especially with - “

“He almost hit you with his car” Nancy carefully repeated back the words you had just spoken to her.

Your eyes quickly shift around the room, nodding at her, “Uh-huh”

Nancy let out a laugh, “Wow, Billy Hargrove still continues to be the monster that he is”

Monster. That word was like a punch to your heart. Billy Hargrove was the farthest thing from a monster. You’ve dealt with monsters, you’ve killed monsters, but the blond, blue-eyed man who bought you food, drove you to a safe place, hell even defended you in front of his friends?

He was anything but that.

“Don’t call him that, he was kind enough to buy me food, and to drive me here ... hell I’d be lost without him. He’s not a monster Nancy, he’s the farthest thing from it”

Nancy stood quiet, taken aback from your words. “I - I’m sorry ... it’s just that he did some pretty terrible things to my friends a - and -”

“I’ve done some pretty awful things too Nancy, hell I’ve killed people. Does that make me a monster?” you snapped at her.

“No! No! God, no that wasn’t what I was getting at” Nancy sputtered. “What I meant to say, is that he’s ... just not the nicest person. That’s all”

You shoved the last piece of Eggo in your mouth, dusting your fingers together to get rid of the crumbs. 

“He is an asshole, I’ll give you that” you finally mumbled to her.

“You must really like him to get so worked up about him” she said, a playful tone in her voice.

You almost choke, “Like him? Nancy he’s my friend” 

“Suuure”

“Nancy”

“I won’t say anything”

“Nancy”

“Okay, okay I’ll drop it” she surrenders, putting her hands up. You give her a half-smile, “Thanks Nancy. The last thing on my mind right now is Billy. I need to figure out how to get to Eleven, and soon”

Nancy bites her bottom lip, her brows drew together in deep thought. “I know Jonathan is gonna try to reach them, but other than that, there’s no way we can. They should be back by tomorrow”

You sigh, letting your shoulders slump. You knew Brenner would be up to something, and you knew how relentless he was when things didn’t go his way. Time was of the essence, and waiting around was not your forte.

“In the meantime ... “ Nancy gets up and walks towards the small bookcase that was tucked in the corner. She pulls up 5 books and then walks over back to you, sitting beside you on the couch. “You need a name. One doesn’t sound very nice, so here - “ She places the books on your lap, you stare at her, confused. “Pick a name from these books. I’m sure you’ll find something”

You turn your gaze from her to the thick books on your lap. You flip open the top book, your eyes quickly scanning the words. You were lucky enough that although you were in captivity for all of your life, that at least the Russians taught you how to read, in English and Russian.

Your eyes finally settled on a name that caught your eye.

“Y/N” you spoke it aloud, testing the name.

“Ooh! Unique, I like it!” Nancy gushed. You looked up at her, the eager look on her face just solidified the fact that this indeed, was the name for you. You close the book on your lap. A satisfied smile on your face, “Yes, Y/N, that will be my name” you state confidently.

Nancy takes the books from your lap, walking back to the bookcase and placing them away. “Well Y/N, since it’s Saturday, you should come to a party with me and Jonathan, tonight. There’s no use of keeping you waiting down here, might as well enjoy your newfound freedom.” Nancy suggested. She twists her neck to face you, but is met with hesitation.

“A party? W-what is that?”

“It’s when a lot of friends get together and hang out. There’s music, dancing, food. It’s a lot of fun” she explained. 

“Will there be Wham! playing?!” you question excitedly, perking up all of a sudden. 

Nancy nods, “Yeah, probably. I mean there’s going to be a lot of music”

“Will Billy be there?”

A smirk forms on Nancy face as she walks back over to you. She knows Billy Hargrove is a little shit, but after last night, and after your strong defense of him, her opinion of him is shifting. Maybe he’s not so bad as he seems. 

Nancy sits down next to you, “Yeah, probably.” She decides not to press on you about him.

You purse your lips, cocking your head to the side, you start to weigh your options. On one hand, a party - from Nancy’s definition, sounds like fun. You could meet new friends, listen to music. It all sounded appealing to a 19 year old. But on the other hand, what if Eleven came back? What if Brenner has already started his plan and you weren’t there to stop it? So many thoughts swirled around your head.

“Come on Y/N, it’s just for one night. I promise, tomorrow we’ll meet up with Eleven, first thing” Nancy pressed on. You turn to face her, her lower lip hangs out in a pout. Guilt starts to bleed into you, the last thing you want to do is disappoint your friend. Rolling your eyes you sigh heavily, throwing your hands up in defeat.

“Okay, fine”

Nancy happily claps her hand, a beaming smile on her face. “You know what this means right?”

You shake your head, confused, “No?”

“It’s time to give you a makeover. You’re not gonna go to that party with those bruises and no outfit. Sit tight! I’ll be right back” Nancy suddenly jumps up from the couch and runs back upstairs. You stay sitting there, utterly confused, you yell out to her,

“Wait, Nancy, a what?!”

tagged list: @thefandomzoneisdangerous @jujurandy @littlebrownngirl @harduy @art-flirt @bish-ima-clown @lynnskata @snakelaufeyson @creativedogs @nightshade7117 @letsloveimagines @sorry-didnt-mean-to-stab-you @sighsophiia @blackravena @universefinds @jesus-jagiya @justatadbonkers @thedarkartsstuff @asheseiler @rad-lad-gone-mad @sophiajiyeon @sweetamren @frostygilbert @hufflepuff-writings @strangerchalamet @frenchzodiacgirl @sadgirlnumber92899 @all-american-fangirl @eyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy @solfolgi @magnitude101999 @helena-way07 @skimpyharry @alicecooper19 @mikariell95 @heyhargrove @jyanasia @suoheiwajima @tegan-eva @xxshortclubxx @qtmeryr @colie87 @theshortmajesticsquirrel @silver-winter-wolf @synthsoup

#you guys I STRUGGLED WITH THIS CHAPTER #so happy it's out of the way /sobs #billy hargrove #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove x you #billy hargrove fanfiction #billy hargrove imagine

[wallpaperpainter]

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The animation appearance who absolutely captures my activity as it is now is Squidward Tentacles from SpongeBob Squarepants. 

For those alien with the TV appearance about a blot who lives in a pineapple beneath the sea, Squidward is an underappreciated artisan who can’t get accomplished a job as a accountant at the burger collective The Krusty Krab. Whether it’s his attempts to adept the clarinet or painting, he aloof can’t get a break. I feel the aforementioned way with my agreeable pursuits. 

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Cody Cooley has been tap dancing back he was 3 years old. He got into agreeable amphitheater at 5. However, to portray Squidward, he had to apprentice how to tap ball with four legs. 

��It’s altered borer with tentacles,” he says. “Tapping with four instead of two makes you tap a little bit lazier.” 

He says back call for the allotment in New York City, he accomplished the allotment alert a day to assignment up his backbone for tap dancing with the added legs (I mean, tentacles). 

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It’s all additional attributes now, he adds. 

All that assignment pays off because Squidward’s segment, “I’m Not a Loser,” is Cooley’s admired allotment of the show. He says the choreography is ablaze and, back the admirers is hot, they go agrarian for the song. 

Cooley never watched SpongeBob growing up, but he identifies with Squidward’s faculty of humor. Of advance accouchement adore the show, but he says the agreeable additionally appeals to earlier millennials (like me) who watched the TV appearance back it aboriginal came out, back the aboriginal three seasons are the antecedent material. 

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The adventure of the agreeable is that Bikini Bottom is faced with a blackmail of accustomed disaster: The adjacent abundance Mount Humongous is about to erupt. The boondocks is in a agitation about this existential blackmail and avalanche into chaos. 

“So every night or every day, our apple is catastrophe as an actor,” Cooley says. “But it is a absolute time crunch, so back we get the abatement of it’s OK, it’s aloof joy.” 

Because of the storyline’s fun energy, he says the casting leaves the date happier than advancing in. 

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“We consistently say we appear off date happier than back we came into work,” he says. “You don’t accept

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The post You Should Experience Spongebob Squarepants Squidward Painting At Least Once In Your Lifetime And Here’s Why | Spongebob Squarepants Squidward Painting appeared first on Painter Legend.

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#cartoon painting #spongebob squarepants squidward painting

[drundertalescum]

48 rocktale

Three Spoilers for rocktale

oh boy its this thing

papyrus likes rocks they are very pretty

papyrus hates stars what do they even do he would not be friends with a stars

This thing was supposed to be a 500 word drabble and now it’s sitting pretty at 10k and I feel like if I rewrite it it’s going to be even longer and just …why?

(:

Okay fine.

Three Spoilers for Stars Stones and Stellar Remnants

The story follows Papyrus’s POV as he has a slow-burn existential crisis starting from when he was like… 5 or something

The stars and stones are a metaphor! Probably! Though Papyrus generally doesn’t know what its a metaphor for. Him, he guesses, but that doesn’t make any sense.

Here’s the first half of the current first scene:

Your clearest early memories were always with Sans.

There was always a certain… fuzz over life before a certain point (a fairly recent point, actually), but there were a few memories that withstood the test of time and space.

The clearest of them all: visiting Waterfall with your big brother.

It had always been your favorite activity. It was better than make-believe or play fights or anything else! Mostly it was because you loved getting to be with your brother, but it was also just so pretty! You fully believed the stars were the “most prettiest things in the whole wide underground.” You’d been very sure.

And you got to come and enjoy them with the “bestest person in the whole underground!”

There was nothing better!

“someday, pappy, we’re going to see the real stars!”

That line echoed in your mind stronger than almost anything else for years to come. It was the way he said it. Absolute conviction, and…well, Sans wasn’t known for his enthusiasm. Not even then. Even in his brightest, clearest moments, on his very best days, his voice was always calm and casual. At the time, you’d thought nothing fazed him! Because he was so cool! But when he talked about the stars, that all melted away into a deep well of joy and wisdom. Passion, even! Somehow, it made Sans seem even cooler.

“SANS WHAT ARE REAL STARS LIKE??”

“well, pappy, you see, stars are…”

You didn’t really follow what he said. It didn’t really matter, even! Sans was just so happy when he talked about this stuff! Well, Sans was always happy, you reasoned, because he was always smiling, and that logically meant that he was always happy, but… he was extra happy here. His eyes glittered as he spoke. Glittered! They never did that!

(You missed that look.)

His enthusiasm would always spread to you when he was like this, and you had already needed very little excuse to be excited!

From what he said, real stars were the prettiest things in the entire wide world. They were like the buried treasures from your books (in reverse!), precious, unseen. Bright! Prettier than anything you could ever imagine!

They must have been…

And as a bonus, here’s the first half of a scene I like that’s currently on the chopping block:

While you two didn’t utilize it for that purpose often, you and Undyne had found one of the best spots in the entire Underground to stargaze in Undyne’s favorite rock formation. If she hadn’t already claimed it as hers, you might have considered it in the running for your favorite too!(Instead, you chose your “bridge.” You were really proud of that! With a nice paint job and the ropes, it made entry into Snowdin Forest both more dramatic and safer! No one was falling on your watch!)

It was great. It sat at the entrance to Hotland, and it was the perfect spot for sparring matches and dramatic battles.

It was also the perfect spot to just sit and be.

In one direction were the sparkling stones of Waterfall, and in the other, the red glow and skyline of Hotland’s booming industrial district, and at the very edge of that, barely visible from here, but still utterly commanding of respect, sat the CORE. You didn’t like actually being in Hotland, with that massive thing looming over you, the uncomfortable heat, the dizzying heights, the confusing steam vents and conveyor belts, the heights… but from this perspective, from this distance, you could appreciate the sight and what it must have taken to build all of that. Monster hands and tentacles and claws had made that. The CORE’s full history was lost to time. No one was sure exactly when or how it had been built, it’d always just been there, but you could imagine the work that went into it, vividly.

It was all actually very inspiring! An example of what a great work ethic could achieve! Monsters were cast out… exiled to a dark cave… yet you had built all of this!

#my fics #meme #memes #asks #have you ever loved something #then one day realized it was literally garbage? #that's where i'm at #i really need to do some rewrites

[wallpaperpainting]

Why Is Everyone Talking About Squidward Painting? | Squidward Painting

In anniversary of Pride Month, Nickelodeon recently tweeted photos of characters accepted to accord with the LGBTQ community. However, the admittance of one accurate animation appearance in the column larboard fans shocked ⁠— SpongeBob SquarePants.

SpongeBob is accepted for his absolute angle and airy personality, authoritative him one of the best admired characters in the channel. However, Nickelodeon may accept afresh alone a above bomb about everyone’s admired chicken sponge, the New York Column reported.

“Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ ociation and their allies this ages and every month,” Nickelodeon wrote in a post with photos of “Henry Danger” transgender brilliant Michael D. Cohen and Korra, a biual, from “The Legend of Korra.”

SpongeBob’s photo in rainbow-themed art abutting those of the two characters, abrogation admirers apprehensive if this was Nickelodeon’s acceptance that the abyssal animal was . Many supporters had continued been apprehensive that the adorable and absorptive animal is not absolutely straight. Some of the admirers cited as affirmation the 2002 adventure blue-ed “Rock-a-Bye Bivalve,” area he and Patrick become parents to a scallop.

Despite the hasty revelation, admirers were in a celebratory affection for the aloof out character. It didn’t booty too continued afore supporters of SpongeBob and Nickelodeon bidding their joy and action on amusing media.

“Announcing  Spongebob actuality again axis comments off account it ain’t no debate. Nickelodeon SNAPPED,” @Drebae

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[vidmarket32514]

At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff!

At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff!

At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff! written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Today I’m thrilled to share the story of my long-time friends and Kansas Citians Casey and Sloane Simmons, co-founders of a store called Stuff, as a part of the “Amex Welcomed” program with @americanexpress, which is showcasing the people behind our favorite local businesses that welcome American Express. Did you know that over 8,000 more places in the Kansas City area started accepting American Express® Cards in 2016?

A retail store that features handmade, artistic gifts – now there’s a recipe for success, right? Well, sisters Sloane and Casey were told by many that they were nuts to consider the idea. And add to the fact they were also considered by some to be quite young for such an undertaking at the time they opened the doors in 1996.

Today, Stuff is a Brookside neighborhood fixture, and its owners have both roots and tentacles in many pockets of the community. What follows is an excerpt of an interview I conducted recently.

John Jantsch: I’m speaking with Sloane and Casey Simmons, co-founders of Stuff, a retail gift store in Kansas City, Missouri. So, Sloane and Casey, tell me about Stuff.

Casey Simmons: We are an artistic lifestyle store. We are dedicated to handmade, artistically created stuff for home, gifts and personal use. Anything from fine art paintings to a tiny token that you can drop in your pocket for good luck and everything in between; all aspects of your life.

John Jantsch:  How long have you guys been doing this?

Sloane Simmons: We have been in business over 20 years. I guess we are in our 21st year. So, a long time.

John Jantsch: How did you get the idea for starting Stuff?

Casey Simmons: The story began when Sloane and I traveled a lot in our other business. One of the things we loved to do when we traveled was to go out and try and find locally/regionally made artistic items and goods. We wanted to bring a little piece of that home with us.

John Jantsch: What would your customers say makes Stuff special?

Casey Simmons: We can answer that actually because we ask that a lot. They come to Stuff for the experience. When we last collected the top five reasons that people come to Stuff, they never once mentioned the products. That’s just a true story. We did a survey and what we found out is this is what they say about our store: it’s an escape; I get my retail therapy when I go there; I have a happy factor; I feel very inspired. Inspiration is the number one word used to describe us when we ask people.

We thought the greatest irony in our lives is that we own a store called Stuff and people seldom talk about the stuff itself.

John Jantsch:  What’s your take on working with family?

Sloane Simmons:  I always jokingly say that work is work and play is play. Casey and I in particular have a pact. It’s not even silent, it’s spoken. When this business encroaches upon our familyhood and our sisterhood then we need to probably shut this place down.

John Jantsch: What’s the hardest thing about what you do as a business owner?

Casey Simmons:  I’m going to say maintaining my energy and curiosity about my business. I don’t have any problems staying passionate about the world around me or staying energized about my future.

Sloane Simmons: I think most small business owners that we talk to will tell you that their number one struggle is finding the right staff members. Human resources is not for the shy of heart. For small family run businesses and small businesses in general, you have to really choose wisely who you decide to bring into the business to represent you. We’re open 358 days a year. That doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for somebody to be in a bad mood.

John Jantsch:  When somebody comes to you and says, “I’m thinking about starting a business.” Do you have any sage advice for what they need to be thinking about that they probably aren’t?

Casey Simmons:  First we say, “Are you crazy? Are you absolutely out of your ever-loving mind?”

My sage advice is to surround yourself with people that will tell you what you don’t want to hear. Then, listen.

Sloane Simmons: What we’ve told our clients is that you have to live in the truth. You have to live in what you know about yourself and what you think you want to do.

John Jantsch:  What’s the most fun thing about what you get to do?

Casey Simmons:  Lunch. Okay, I’m just kidding.

Sloane Simmons: I think the easiest and most joyful, fun thing we do every day is that we get to make people happy. We tell stories all day long that seem to bring great joy. They’re not made-up stories. They are the truth. We get to watch people just be truly, truly happy.

Casey Simmons: I would say, kind of the same thing, but it’s a little different for me. My greatest joy is getting to live a life that is authentic.

John Jantsch: Who has played a role in your success?

Casey Simmons: Both of our parents were small business owners and entrepreneurs. They both have very, very different skill sets. Our mother was a perfect example. She was a female business owner when that was just rare. She was consulting in an industry it was rare for women to be in. I would say two of our mentors are in our family.

Sloane Simmons:  The two people I think about a lot when it comes to style and work ethic are my grandparents on my father’s side. They ran a rather large farm together. They grew crops and also had a hog farm. Which, I’m sorry, if there is something harder than retail it would be hog farming.

My grandmother and grandfather showed me the joy of running a small business, how to manage a small business and a family and how to not have that business ruin a family.

Casey Simmons: I would say one other thing. You are surrounded by mentors every day whether you realize it or not.

John Jantsch:  Where are you on the path to world domination?

Sloane Simmons: We are not done. The greater vision has never changed.

Casey Simmons:  We will never be done.

Sloane Simmons: I will say, a small business feels like it’s always moving forward. You just don’t want it to go sideways or backwards.

Casey Simmons: We’ve survived two major economic crashes in small business and handmade retail. I mean, it doesn’t really get any harder than that. We’re really not a need-based business.

Sloane Simmons: When your doors are open to the public 358 days a year, you think you are in control of your business but you’re not … You’re open to the whims of others.

“This post is sponsored by American Express, but all opinions are my own.” 

http://ift.tt/2xqzHMx

#FEED 9 MARKETING

[seopt58147]

At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff!

At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff!

At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff! written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Today I’m thrilled to share the story of my long-time friends and Kansas Citians Casey and Sloane Simmons, co-founders of a store called Stuff, as a part of the “Amex Welcomed” program with @americanexpress, which is showcasing the people behind our favorite local businesses that welcome American Express. Did you know that over 8,000 more places in the Kansas City area started accepting American Express® Cards in 2016?

A retail store that features handmade, artistic gifts – now there’s a recipe for success, right? Well, sisters Sloane and Casey were told by many that they were nuts to consider the idea. And add to the fact they were also considered by some to be quite young for such an undertaking at the time they opened the doors in 1996.

Today, Stuff is a Brookside neighborhood fixture, and its owners have both roots and tentacles in many pockets of the community. What follows is an excerpt of an interview I conducted recently.

John Jantsch: I’m speaking with Sloane and Casey Simmons, co-founders of Stuff, a retail gift store in Kansas City, Missouri. So, Sloane and Casey, tell me about Stuff.

Casey Simmons: We are an artistic lifestyle store. We are dedicated to handmade, artistically created stuff for home, gifts and personal use. Anything from fine art paintings to a tiny token that you can drop in your pocket for good luck and everything in between; all aspects of your life.

John Jantsch:  How long have you guys been doing this?

Sloane Simmons: We have been in business over 20 years. I guess we are in our 21st year. So, a long time.

John Jantsch: How did you get the idea for starting Stuff?

Casey Simmons: The story began when Sloane and I traveled a lot in our other business. One of the things we loved to do when we traveled was to go out and try and find locally/regionally made artistic items and goods. We wanted to bring a little piece of that home with us.

John Jantsch: What would your customers say makes Stuff special?

Casey Simmons: We can answer that actually because we ask that a lot. They come to Stuff for the experience. When we last collected the top five reasons that people come to Stuff, they never once mentioned the products. That’s just a true story. We did a survey and what we found out is this is what they say about our store: it’s an escape; I get my retail therapy when I go there; I have a happy factor; I feel very inspired. Inspiration is the number one word used to describe us when we ask people.

We thought the greatest irony in our lives is that we own a store called Stuff and people seldom talk about the stuff itself.

John Jantsch:  What’s your take on working with family?

Sloane Simmons:  I always jokingly say that work is work and play is play. Casey and I in particular have a pact. It’s not even silent, it’s spoken. When this business encroaches upon our familyhood and our sisterhood then we need to probably shut this place down.

John Jantsch: What’s the hardest thing about what you do as a business owner?

Casey Simmons:  I’m going to say maintaining my energy and curiosity about my business. I don’t have any problems staying passionate about the world around me or staying energized about my future.

Sloane Simmons: I think most small business owners that we talk to will tell you that their number one struggle is finding the right staff members. Human resources is not for the shy of heart. For small family run businesses and small businesses in general, you have to really choose wisely who you decide to bring into the business to represent you. We’re open 358 days a year. That doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for somebody to be in a bad mood.

John Jantsch:  When somebody comes to you and says, “I’m thinking about starting a business.” Do you have any sage advice for what they need to be thinking about that they probably aren’t?

Casey Simmons:  First we say, “Are you crazy? Are you absolutely out of your ever-loving mind?”

My sage advice is to surround yourself with people that will tell you what you don’t want to hear. Then, listen.

Sloane Simmons: What we’ve told our clients is that you have to live in the truth. You have to live in what you know about yourself and what you think you want to do.

John Jantsch:  What’s the most fun thing about what you get to do?

Casey Simmons:  Lunch. Okay, I’m just kidding.

Sloane Simmons: I think the easiest and most joyful, fun thing we do every day is that we get to make people happy. We tell stories all day long that seem to bring great joy. They’re not made-up stories. They are the truth. We get to watch people just be truly, truly happy.

Casey Simmons: I would say, kind of the same thing, but it’s a little different for me. My greatest joy is getting to live a life that is authentic.

John Jantsch: Who has played a role in your success?

Casey Simmons: Both of our parents were small business owners and entrepreneurs. They both have very, very different skill sets. Our mother was a perfect example. She was a female business owner when that was just rare. She was consulting in an industry it was rare for women to be in. I would say two of our mentors are in our family.

Sloane Simmons:  The two people I think about a lot when it comes to style and work ethic are my grandparents on my father’s side. They ran a rather large farm together. They grew crops and also had a hog farm. Which, I’m sorry, if there is something harder than retail it would be hog farming.

My grandmother and grandfather showed me the joy of running a small business, how to manage a small business and a family and how to not have that business ruin a family.

Casey Simmons: I would say one other thing. You are surrounded by mentors every day whether you realize it or not.

John Jantsch:  Where are you on the path to world domination?

Sloane Simmons: We are not done. The greater vision has never changed.

Casey Simmons:  We will never be done.

Sloane Simmons: I will say, a small business feels like it’s always moving forward. You just don’t want it to go sideways or backwards.

Casey Simmons: We’ve survived two major economic crashes in small business and handmade retail. I mean, it doesn’t really get any harder than that. We’re really not a need-based business.

Sloane Simmons: When your doors are open to the public 358 days a year, you think you are in control of your business but you’re not … You’re open to the whims of others.

“This post is sponsored by American Express, but all opinions are my own.” 

http://ift.tt/2xqzHMx

#FEED 9 MARKETING

[seo90210]

At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff!

At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff! written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Today I’m thrilled to share the story of my long-time friends and Kansas Citians Casey and Sloane Simmons, co-founders of a store called Stuff, as a part of the “Amex Welcomed” program with @americanexpress, which is showcasing the people behind our favorite local businesses that welcome American Express. Did you know that over 8,000 more places in the Kansas City area started accepting American Express® Cards in 2016?

A retail store that features handmade, artistic gifts – now there’s a recipe for success, right? Well, sisters Sloane and Casey were told by many that they were nuts to consider the idea. And add to the fact they were also considered by some to be quite young for such an undertaking at the time they opened the doors in 1996.

Today, Stuff is a Brookside neighborhood fixture, and its owners have both roots and tentacles in many pockets of the community. What follows is an excerpt of an interview I conducted recently.

John Jantsch: I’m speaking with Sloane and Casey Simmons, co-founders of Stuff, a retail gift store in Kansas City, Missouri. So, Sloane and Casey, tell me about Stuff.

Casey Simmons: We are an artistic lifestyle store. We are dedicated to handmade, artistically created stuff for home, gifts and personal use. Anything from fine art paintings to a tiny token that you can drop in your pocket for good luck and everything in between; all aspects of your life.

John Jantsch:  How long have you guys been doing this?

Sloane Simmons: We have been in business over 20 years. I guess we are in our 21st year. So, a long time.

John Jantsch: How did you get the idea for starting Stuff?

Casey Simmons: The story began when Sloane and I traveled a lot in our other business. One of the things we loved to do when we traveled was to go out and try and find locally/regionally made artistic items and goods. We wanted to bring a little piece of that home with us.

John Jantsch: What would your customers say makes Stuff special?

Casey Simmons: We can answer that actually because we ask that a lot. They come to Stuff for the experience. When we last collected the top five reasons that people come to Stuff, they never once mentioned the products. That’s just a true story. We did a survey and what we found out is this is what they say about our store: it’s an escape; I get my retail therapy when I go there; I have a happy factor; I feel very inspired. Inspiration is the number one word used to describe us when we ask people.

We thought the greatest irony in our lives is that we own a store called Stuff and people seldom talk about the stuff itself.

John Jantsch:  What’s your take on working with family?

Sloane Simmons:  I always jokingly say that work is work and play is play. Casey and I in particular have a pact. It’s not even silent, it’s spoken. When this business encroaches upon our familyhood and our sisterhood then we need to probably shut this place down.

John Jantsch: What’s the hardest thing about what you do as a business owner?

Casey Simmons:  I’m going to say maintaining my energy and curiosity about my business. I don’t have any problems staying passionate about the world around me or staying energized about my future.

Sloane Simmons: I think most small business owners that we talk to will tell you that their number one struggle is finding the right staff members. Human resources is not for the shy of heart. For small family run businesses and small businesses in general, you have to really choose wisely who you decide to bring into the business to represent you. We’re open 358 days a year. That doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for somebody to be in a bad mood.

John Jantsch:  When somebody comes to you and says, “I’m thinking about starting a business.” Do you have any sage advice for what they need to be thinking about that they probably aren’t?

Casey Simmons:  First we say, “Are you crazy? Are you absolutely out of your ever-loving mind?”

My sage advice is to surround yourself with people that will tell you what you don’t want to hear. Then, listen.

Sloane Simmons: What we’ve told our clients is that you have to live in the truth. You have to live in what you know about yourself and what you think you want to do.

John Jantsch:  What’s the most fun thing about what you get to do?

Casey Simmons:  Lunch. Okay, I’m just kidding.

Sloane Simmons: I think the easiest and most joyful, fun thing we do every day is that we get to make people happy. We tell stories all day long that seem to bring great joy. They’re not made-up stories. They are the truth. We get to watch people just be truly, truly happy.

Casey Simmons: I would say, kind of the same thing, but it’s a little different for me. My greatest joy is getting to live a life that is authentic.

John Jantsch: Who has played a role in your success?

Casey Simmons: Both of our parents were small business owners and entrepreneurs. They both have very, very different skill sets. Our mother was a perfect example. She was a female business owner when that was just rare. She was consulting in an industry it was rare for women to be in. I would say two of our mentors are in our family.

Sloane Simmons:  The two people I think about a lot when it comes to style and work ethic are my grandparents on my father’s side. They ran a rather large farm together. They grew crops and also had a hog farm. Which, I’m sorry, if there is something harder than retail it would be hog farming.

My grandmother and grandfather showed me the joy of running a small business, how to manage a small business and a family and how to not have that business ruin a family.

Casey Simmons: I would say one other thing. You are surrounded by mentors every day whether you realize it or not.

John Jantsch:  Where are you on the path to world domination?

Sloane Simmons: We are not done. The greater vision has never changed.

Casey Simmons:  We will never be done.

Sloane Simmons: I will say, a small business feels like it’s always moving forward. You just don’t want it to go sideways or backwards.

Casey Simmons: We’ve survived two major economic crashes in small business and handmade retail. I mean, it doesn’t really get any harder than that. We’re really not a need-based business.

Sloane Simmons: When your doors are open to the public 358 days a year, you think you are in control of your business but you’re not … You’re open to the whims of others.

“This post is sponsored by American Express, but all opinions are my own.” 

from FEED 9 MARKETING http://ift.tt/2xqzHMx

#FEED 9 MARKETING

[repmrkting17042]

At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff!

At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff!

At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff! written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Today I’m thrilled to share the story of my long-time friends and Kansas Citians Casey and Sloane Simmons, co-founders of a store called Stuff, as a part of the “Amex Welcomed” program with @americanexpress, which is showcasing the people behind our favorite local businesses that welcome American Express. Did you know that over 8,000 more places in the Kansas City area started accepting American Express® Cards in 2016?

A retail store that features handmade, artistic gifts – now there’s a recipe for success, right? Well, sisters Sloane and Casey were told by many that they were nuts to consider the idea. And add to the fact they were also considered by some to be quite young for such an undertaking at the time they opened the doors in 1996.

Today, Stuff is a Brookside neighborhood fixture, and its owners have both roots and tentacles in many pockets of the community. What follows is an excerpt of an interview I conducted recently.

John Jantsch: I’m speaking with Sloane and Casey Simmons, co-founders of Stuff, a retail gift store in Kansas City, Missouri. So, Sloane and Casey, tell me about Stuff.

Casey Simmons: We are an artistic lifestyle store. We are dedicated to handmade, artistically created stuff for home, gifts and personal use. Anything from fine art paintings to a tiny token that you can drop in your pocket for good luck and everything in between; all aspects of your life.

John Jantsch:  How long have you guys been doing this?

Sloane Simmons: We have been in business over 20 years. I guess we are in our 21st year. So, a long time.

John Jantsch: How did you get the idea for starting Stuff?

Casey Simmons: The story began when Sloane and I traveled a lot in our other business. One of the things we loved to do when we traveled was to go out and try and find locally/regionally made artistic items and goods. We wanted to bring a little piece of that home with us.

John Jantsch: What would your customers say makes Stuff special?

Casey Simmons: We can answer that actually because we ask that a lot. They come to Stuff for the experience. When we last collected the top five reasons that people come to Stuff, they never once mentioned the products. That’s just a true story. We did a survey and what we found out is this is what they say about our store: it’s an escape; I get my retail therapy when I go there; I have a happy factor; I feel very inspired. Inspiration is the number one word used to describe us when we ask people.

We thought the greatest irony in our lives is that we own a store called Stuff and people seldom talk about the stuff itself.

John Jantsch:  What’s your take on working with family?

Sloane Simmons:  I always jokingly say that work is work and play is play. Casey and I in particular have a pact. It’s not even silent, it’s spoken. When this business encroaches upon our familyhood and our sisterhood then we need to probably shut this place down.

John Jantsch: What’s the hardest thing about what you do as a business owner?

Casey Simmons:  I’m going to say maintaining my energy and curiosity about my business. I don’t have any problems staying passionate about the world around me or staying energized about my future.

Sloane Simmons: I think most small business owners that we talk to will tell you that their number one struggle is finding the right staff members. Human resources is not for the shy of heart. For small family run businesses and small businesses in general, you have to really choose wisely who you decide to bring into the business to represent you. We’re open 358 days a year. That doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for somebody to be in a bad mood.

John Jantsch:  When somebody comes to you and says, “I’m thinking about starting a business.” Do you have any sage advice for what they need to be thinking about that they probably aren’t?

Casey Simmons:  First we say, “Are you crazy? Are you absolutely out of your ever-loving mind?”

My sage advice is to surround yourself with people that will tell you what you don’t want to hear. Then, listen.

Sloane Simmons: What we’ve told our clients is that you have to live in the truth. You have to live in what you know about yourself and what you think you want to do.

John Jantsch:  What’s the most fun thing about what you get to do?

Casey Simmons:  Lunch. Okay, I’m just kidding.

Sloane Simmons: I think the easiest and most joyful, fun thing we do every day is that we get to make people happy. We tell stories all day long that seem to bring great joy. They’re not made-up stories. They are the truth. We get to watch people just be truly, truly happy.

Casey Simmons: I would say, kind of the same thing, but it’s a little different for me. My greatest joy is getting to live a life that is authentic.

John Jantsch: Who has played a role in your success?

Casey Simmons: Both of our parents were small business owners and entrepreneurs. They both have very, very different skill sets. Our mother was a perfect example. She was a female business owner when that was just rare. She was consulting in an industry it was rare for women to be in. I would say two of our mentors are in our family.

Sloane Simmons:  The two people I think about a lot when it comes to style and work ethic are my grandparents on my father’s side. They ran a rather large farm together. They grew crops and also had a hog farm. Which, I’m sorry, if there is something harder than retail it would be hog farming.

My grandmother and grandfather showed me the joy of running a small business, how to manage a small business and a family and how to not have that business ruin a family.

Casey Simmons: I would say one other thing. You are surrounded by mentors every day whether you realize it or not.

John Jantsch:  Where are you on the path to world domination?

Sloane Simmons: We are not done. The greater vision has never changed.

Casey Simmons:  We will never be done.

Sloane Simmons: I will say, a small business feels like it’s always moving forward. You just don’t want it to go sideways or backwards.

Casey Simmons: We’ve survived two major economic crashes in small business and handmade retail. I mean, it doesn’t really get any harder than that. We’re really not a need-based business.

Sloane Simmons: When your doors are open to the public 358 days a year, you think you are in control of your business but you’re not … You’re open to the whims of others.

“This post is sponsored by American Express, but all opinions are my own.” 

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#At a Store Called Stuff It’s About So Much More Than the Stuff!