#the doctor is ADMITTING she wants more despite not being able to give it to yaz

[heartpiratedrabbles]

Ignored

Prompt: After feeling ignored by Marco you decide to try and rile him up.

NSFW

Marco X Fem Reader

Marco had been working overtime since a battle had rendered more than a few crewmates injured. Tate was able to take care of most of them with the other nurses but Marco still had to do all the paperwork for said injuries and supplies used. He was also behind on creating a list for restocking, for the next time the Moby Dick docked.

You understood of course, he’s a busy man being the First Division Commander and a Doctor. But it had been days since he has given you any attention. He’d even forget to eat if you didn’t bring him food, and he’d just nod a small thank you while still looking at his work. Try as you might he’d ignore you and tell you he’s almost done, despite still having a hefty stack to complete.

You sighed thinking about your predicament, leaning against the railing of the ship. “What’s up Y/N?” Izou asked while coming up behind you.

You groan not even glancing at him while hanging your head lower, “Marco’s been ignoring me~” Izou lets out a small chuckle before sitting against the railing next to you. “I know he’s busy, but he’s barely even spared me a glance this entire week!”

“Well maybe, you need to catch his attention in a different way…” Izou hints at what he means by tugging on your shirt.

“Doesn’t work. He just blinked at me telling me he was busy last time I undressed in front of him,” The method would work every now and then, but as of right now it seemed as though Marco was unfazed by everything.

“That’s not what I meant Y/N~” Izou smiles before leaning in close to explain.

~~~

         It had taken a bit of convincing for Tate to give you the nurses uniform, but even she had to admit that the first commander had been working too hard recently. She’d given you the stack of papers Marco had to go over for the day, that normally an actual nurse would take to him and sent you on your way. She made some jabbing remarks about keeping the reports neat as you left.

         But now that you were in front of his door you were nervous. You didn’t mind the nurses dress on others, but you, being used to shorts, thought it a little too high for your taste. You tug the dress down a little more, noticing how your cleavage became all the more evident when you did so and groaned slightly.

You finally build up the courage to knock on the door, and wait for a response. You hear Marco call out to come in and slowly open the door, poking your head in a bit. Marco was sitting at his desk just as expected, his glasses on as his read the reports in front of him and you suddenly thought this was a bad idea. Sure, you had disturbed him in the past successfully, but looking at his furrowed eyebrows as he wrote something down made you think maybe now wasn’t the best time. Even just wearing the nurses attire made you feel a bit embarrassed, a light tint forming on your cheeks as you step all the way into the room. He mutters for you to place to documents on the left, not even glancing up.

The noise of you closing the door behind you finally brought his attention away from his work, glancing up. He makes eye contact with you before you see him snake his eyes down your body, taking in the uniform. He puts his pen down and leans back in his chair with an amused smirk on his face, “Oh? I don’t remember a new nurse being added, yoi~”

You blush harder, you hadn’t expected his entire attention to be on you from the get go. You gulp before getting the courage to continue, “Well the transfer just happened today~” You saunter over to his desk, making sure he can see your cleavage as you lean over his desk, placing the papers on his to-do stack, “This is where you wanted them. Right, sir?” You looking up at him, pushing your boobs up a little bit.

He glances at your face before glancing back down, “I’m sure I can do them soon enough here.” You see him lick his lips before glancing back up to you. “But alas it will still take time before I touch any of them.” You small smile falters at his words. He starts to grab his pen again and you remember what Izou told you.

You grab his hand and your other goes under his chin to make him face you and you lean in closer, staring at his lips. “I’m sorry Doctor, but it may be time for a break” You glance up at his eyes before quickly adding, “Tate’s orders.” Smiling a bit as you see his eyes fill with desire. You lean in closer finally kissing Marco for the first time in almost a week and he happily welcomes the intrusion.

You feel one of his hands rake his hand through your hair, grabbing and pulling after a while. He smiles at you, “That was a nice break, but now I have to continue.”

You gawk at his words, “You workaholic!” You’re frustrated, angry even, at this mans resolve to keep working over even just spending 5 minutes with you, he seems rather amused at your outburst, “Here I am, trying to do anything to get you to pay attention to me! And you’re just ignoring it!” You straighten your back, fully standing up now, “I even convinced Tate to give me these clothes and you’re only interest is in work!” You gesture down at your body before turning around embarrassed. You hear a small chuckle behind you but refuse to look, “You think this is funny but you haven’t even come out of your room all week!” You cross your arms staring at the floor in front of the door.

What you weren’t expecting was arms grabbing hold of you before turning you around and slamming you against the wall, hands quickly going to hold up your thighs so that you are no longer standing on your own. Marco pressed his body up against you and you can feel how hard he is through his trousers. “Well, my love, maybe I’ve been holding back so that I can make an absolute mess of you when I’m done,” He whispers into your ear before nipping your earlobe making you moan, you grind your hips towards his “But it seems that someone, is a little impatient.”

You look at him innocently as you wrap your arms around his neck, “I have absolutely no idea what you mean Sir,” smiling as you attempt to pull him closer to your lips.

To your shock however he doesn’t allow you too, instead leaning back even more with what you can only explain as a devious smirk. He glances back at his work at your heart sinks, “I can’t stop now, I’m almost caught up,” He turns back to you, “But I think little miss Y/N needs a small punishment from pulling me away for so long.” And he lets your legs down one by one.

You watch as he goes back to his desk sitting down, before looking up at you and your confused faced. He stays silent as he pats his lap and you slowly walk towards him. As you get closer he widens his legs before grabbing your hip with one hand and snaking his hand up your thigh with the other. You look down at him, only imagining what your punishment could before he glances up at you, “You’re not wearing panties. Are you Y/N?” And you nod in embarrassment, realizing just now how wet you had become.

He retracks both his hands from you, and you watch as he pulls out his cock. You stare at how it stands tall, a slight amount of precum accumulating at the tip and lick your lips. He pats his lap again and you take the hint to straddle his legs, his tip slightly caressing your entrance. You place your hands on his shoulders as you moan, sinking down a little bit. Finally feeling even, the slightest amount of relief, you rock your hips up and down until his full length is inside of you.

You don’t notice his devious smirk as he watches you get use to him, your head leaning back slightly at how full you feel. When your finally ready you start to bounce, but just as quickly as you started you felt hands on your hips, stopping you. “Uh, uh, uh, Y/N” Marco leans closer to you, “This, is a punishment”

“Marco please” You plead with him, trying to grind but he holds you firm. He ignores your begging as he readjusts his chair to get closer to the desk.

 He wraps his arms around your waist, placing a hand on your back to push you against his chest and rubbing it gently, “Y/N, I have to finish this stack at the very least.”

You bury your head into the nook of his shoulder pouting. “What am I supposed to do then Marco?” You cry as trying and failing at grinding into him. His length feels great in you but you still want more, “I just want you. Please Marco, Please.” You desperately try to convince the man inside you to fulfill your wishes as you kiss at his neck.

“You’re punishment yoi.” He tightens his grip on you slightly and your breath hitches, hoping for the best, “Is to sit there quietly, until I finish this stack.” And without even waiting for a response, he leans forward just enough to look at his papers, picking up his pen to ignore you.

You groan into his neck thinking about your situation. The dress hiking up ever so slightly, you feel the tights digging into your thighs, and you breast pushed up against Marco’s chest, nipples rubbing against the smooth fabric. But the most important thing is just how good it feels to have Marco inside you. With the position the two of you are in you know that there’s another inch that could go in and trying to grind down into it, only to be met with a hard slap to your ass.

You gasp out at the sudden pain before quieting yourself. Your arms tightly hugging onto Marco as you try to stop thinking about the pressure inside of you. Your thought’s keeping wandering to riding him or him slamming into you, even the thought of him standing up and fucking into you as he walks to the bed that’s just across the room.

You tighten around him and hear him groan. You smile at his reaction and start to suck on his neck. At this Marco slaps your ass again, “Yoi. I told you to sit quietly. That also means not distracting me.” His voice is low but firm and you let out a small whine, nuzzling into him, before settling down again.

Minutes go by and you can’t help yourself again. It’s too much. How can he expect you to sit still when he’s inside you? You feel his cock throb every now and then and it’s driving you insane. You readjust your legs, in doing so also allowing some friction start but you notice Marco not caring about it. Slyly you start to adjust ever so often, savoring every time his dick brushes deeper inside you with the slight movement.

After a few too many movements you hear papers moving and your heart skips a beat at the thought of him finally being finished, you whip your head around but slump over slightly in disbelief as he places more papers in the stack that was almost completed, “Don’t think I didn’t realize what you were doing Y/N.” He whispers into your ear before giving you another hard spank making you bend over, “You’re not taking this punishment very seriously Yoi,” Another spank as you moan, arching you back into the sting as he grips your ass, thrusting harshly into you, “Is this what you want?” You don’t answer, only moaning in pleasure as his relentless thrusts brush against your cervix. You feel his hand grip your hair again, harshly pulling your head back, forcing you to make eye contact with the strangely calm face compared to what he’s doing, “Answer me Yoi.”

Your mouth hanging open and tears filling your eyes you attempt to nod your head and feel him tighten his hold on your hair, “Y-yes. Marco this is what I want,” You moan out but the second you answer he stops his movement making you grind down for more.

The sinister looking in his eyes tells you he’s not going to continue and he pushes you back against his chest, “Then stay still like a good little girl. Every time you distract me I’m adding more to the stack.”

You let out a cry at the absurd demand, “Marco, Please.” With another hard spank and a couple of papers shuffling makes you realize he’s serious and stop immediately from anymore transgressions, letting out one last whimper before settling back down into the crook of his neck.

What feels like hours, but is likely just minutes go by, and you start to feel comfort in the dick buried deep inside of you. You relax a bit and Marco gently rubs the small of your back muttering a good girl that makes you swoon. You adjust slightly to get more comfortable and Marco seems to understand that you aren’t doing it out of pleasure this time. Every now and then you feel a slight thrust into you with a question on if you’re still awake and you just hum in response, moaning slightly at the movements inside you.  

After a couple more papers down Marco leans back sighing, “I’m almost done baby girl, just a few more.” He holds your hips and you lean back to be able to look at his face, deciding to take a small chance you rotate your hips, grinding deeper into you and he lets out a small groan as his head falls back, “You sure do know how to motivate me…” He leans in, a hand on the back of your head to lead you to his lips for a passionate but quick kiss before he resumes his works.

You rock your hips a bit and you hear Marco swear under his breath before he pushes your head back into his shoulder, “Just a couple more and I’m done.” You can hear the desperation even through his calm and collected tone.

Just as Marco was grabbing the second to last report from the stack you both hear a knock on his door. You tense up and start to get off him but Marco stops you, pushing you back down as you whimper out, “Just stay still and don’t make a noise.” He smirks and you can’t help but to listen to him as he calls out to the person to come in. Deciding to bury your face once again, to not let the person see how embarrassed you were.

“Hey Marco, have you seen Y/N-“ Izou stops as he fully walks into the room, seeing you presumably just sitting on Marcos lap. The desk providing just enough cover to hide how you’re dress was hiked up above your ass now, every small movement letting it inch higher.

“She fell asleep a while ago Yoi,” Marco answers nonchalantly but he decides to play by wrapping an arm around you while he slowly thrust into you, reaching deeper than he had anytime prior. You try to hold back your moan but realize quickly it’ll be of no use and decide to bite Marco’s neck to suppress the urge.

“Are you telling me.” Izou sputters out, slight anger in his voice, “That Y/N came here. Dressed like a nurse. And you didn’t do anything?” The commanders were always open about their affairs so it didn’t shock you to hear such a question but it still made you blush, not that anyone could see. “Marco you have to start treating her better! I know you’re busy but show here some attention!” Izou was scolding Marco, not knowing how the grip around your waist tightened, or how Marco rocked his hips painfully slow to drive you mad.

You had been waiting for so long for this, but you couldn’t show Izou this side of you/ Marco seemed to love how to you silently shudder from his movements, and how you had slowly bit his neck harder and harder to suppress your moans. At this point you could taste a slight tinge of blood, feeling slightly guilty you loosen your grip only for Marco to thrust quickly into you making you bite down harder.

“Don’t you dare get up,” Izou warned Marco, seemingly unaware of what the movement was actually for, “If Y/N just fell asleep she should rest peacefully,” He turns to head back towards the door, “I didn’t actually expect her to dress up for you. But if she’s willing to go this far for you Marco, even waiting for your workaholic ass, you should keep her.”

“Oh don’t worry about that Izou, I’ll make sure she knows how much I love her soon,” The words coming out of his mouth had you blush but you soon became to distracted to listen as Marco’s other hand grips your thigh, pulling your leg further apart as he thrusts again. You can feel him talking but can’t quite catch what he says.

“That just means I can go clothes shopping! Don’t think you can avoid it, Marco!” Izou exclaims before leaving, muttering something about having to prepare well.

As the door shuts you release Marco’s neck from your teeth, leaning back to be able to look at the man in front of you. “You did so good love,” Marco praises you and you see small blue flames come from his deep bite mark, “Why don’t we continue this on the bed?”

#One Piece #One Piece X Reader #One Piece Smut #marco the phoenix #Marco X Reader

[starlightandfairies]

Doctor's appointment ~Elijah Mikaelson~

Description: Reader seeks comfort from Elijah after a frustrating doctor's appointment

Warnings: she/her pronouns, fluff, angst

Key: Y/N = Your Name, POV = Point of view,

Word Count: 1,305

I wish I asked Elijah to come with me to my doctor's appointment, he might have been able to provide comfort and make sure I covered everything that I needed to ask about before I left to ensure that I had all my worries covered but once again the medical system left me under radar and I did not have the joys of finding out what was wrong with me and only being told the things I already knew. It was increasingly frustrating, I just wanted to know what was causing my pain and how to make it go away. 

I sat outside the hospital, my thumb hovering over Elijah's name as I argued with myself about bothering him with the matters of my poor mental state after this upsetting day. 

Y/N: Elijah, I know that you must be busy but I need you, please.  Can you come to the hospital and pick me up, please?

Elijah: Yes, of course, I'll be there soon

Even though I knew Elijah wouldn't say no, I could feel myself relaxing with relief as he told me he'd be there. The noble Mikaelson always seemed to be there for me. I am truly grateful that he has always been there for me and as I knew in my heart he'd come running, whenever I asked and it didn't seem to matter how far away I was. 

I ran to him as I saw him approaching, he brought me into his arms, holding me tightly and his hand caressed my hair, offering me as much comfort as he could. We stood still, Elijah just holding me and doing his best to provide comfort despite not knowing what was troubling me. 

The vampire took me to his car, not asking about what was the matter, giving me the chance to relax and gather my bearings before I began breaking down once more confessing my current hatred for the medical system. Elijah drove to the compound, took me to his bedroom and handed me some water, the kind man allowed me to get comfortable and waited for me to find the courage to start talking. 

"Thank you." Elijah nodded, offering a gentle smile, his presence was enough to make the words that were to come out feel easier to admit and his presence allowed me to feel safe in sharing what was wrong. 

"I had my doctor's appointment today. The damn surgeon couldn't explain what was on my scan and why I'm in pain and how to treat my pain. I just want answers, I'm sick of being passed around like a..." I wave my hand around, trying to think of the words I wanted. 

"A bong at a crappy party. I'm sick of being passed around like a bong at a crappy party. I don't want another referal. I just want answers instead of being told what I already know. I'm sick of it!" I took a deep breath, feeling my walls to be breaking, feeling myself breaking down more and more. 

"I just want answers, Elijah," I whispered, rubbing my eyes to get rid of the tears, Elijah walked over and sat beside me, I curled into him, resting my head on his shoulder and smiled as he wrapped his arm around me. Making me feel better with a simple, comforting hug and his calming aura. 

"I know you want answers, next time you have an appointment, tell me please and I'll take you and make sure you get the answers you need." 

"Are you sure? With everything-" 

"None of that, you are a part of this family and I will help you with what you need to make you feel better and return you to your full health. You'll get the answers, I'll make sure of it." He kissed my forehead, rubbing my upper arm and offering a smile that steadied my heart rate. 

"Thank you for being here for me." 

"Always and forever." He whispered, I smiled at the comment, it made me feel special that he included me in the 1000-year-old vow. The vampire swiftly grabbed the blanket from behind the other couch, laid it across me and brought me back into his arms, his thumb tracing circles against my skin and it lulled me to sleep. 

The next morning I awoke to Elijah gently rocking me, I was snuggled against the blankets that Elijah had on his bed, and I rubbed my eyes tiredly, trying to figure out where I was as Elijah's room at first was unfamiliar, soon I relaxed as the vampire walked in with a tray of food in his hands. 

"Good morning, how are you feeling?" His charming voice brought butterflies to my tummy, I pushed myself up and brought my knees to my chest. Smiling at him as I rested my chin on my knees, staring at the Original with admiration for the kindness that he had for me.

"Better, thank you." 

"I made you breakfast." I smiled and pushed myself, grinning gratefully at him and rested a kiss on his cheek. He smiled at me, seemingly seeking more of my affection and presence. 

"I'm going to use the restroom, will you stay and have breakfast with me, please?" Elijah nodded, placing the tray down, smiling upon my arrival. I sat down with him, humming contently at the waffles he made for me, they smelt delightful and had all the added extras I placed on my waffles. 

"You did all this for me?" 

"Of course. So, did you sleep well?" 

"I did, your bed is really comfy. I could've slept in it all day." I confessed, sipping on the drink he had prepared. I held out my hand, glancing at it and offered a reassuring smile. 

"Thank you, Y/N but it isn't necessary." Instead, he took my hand, holding it lovingly and just continued to spend time with me throughout the day. He made me feel more comfortable and reassured about everything that was going on in my life knowing that Elijah would offer me his everlasting support. 

#the originals #fluff #angst #elijah mikaelson #elijah mikaelson x reader #elijah mikaelson imagine #the mikaelsons #klaus mikaelson x reader #klaus mikaelson imagine #klaus mikaelson x y/n #klaus mikaelson #elijah mikaelson fluff #klaus mikaelson fluff #daniel gillies #joseph morgan #rebekah mikaelson #hayley marshall #marcel gerard #freya mikaelson #kol mikaelson #niklaus mikaelson #niklaus imagines #niklaus x reader #niklaus mikaelson x reader #niklaus mikaelson fluff #niklaus mikaelson angst #klaus mikealson x reader #klaus mikaleson imagine #klaus mikealson fanfiction #klaus mikaelson one shot

[clairewritesjjkxreader]

Sukuna’s Wife and Yuuji’s Onee-chan (Sukuna x Reincarnated!Y/N) Part 3

TW: pregnancies, miscarriages/spontaneous abortions, and other mature themes ahead

Sukuna can still remember your suppressed whimpers when you believed that he was asleep, how your weight would go up and down every few weeks, and how nothing would interest you, not your foreign books or drawings or koto. No matter how many times you two tried or how faithfully you listened to the advice of your doctors and shamans, children were a faraway dream. 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…What’s wrong with me?” You used to cry.

“Nothing,” he always answered, rubbing circles on your back. “Nothing is wrong with you.”

You never seemed to hear him. Sukuna would tirelessly comfort you while reassuring you that spending eternity with only you was his idea of a happy life. However, his words fell on deaf ears. You would always hope, and every single time, your hope would get crushed.

Until you discovered yourself pregnant again for three months. The past pregnancies never lasted for more than a few weeks. Sukuna didn’t want you to hope too much, but how could he resist the brilliant smile of his beloved wife?

He accompanied you to every shop for toys and fabrics and clothes and furniture. He patiently gave his opinions on what the baby’s room should be like. 

You successfully carried to term, your belly round with a healthy child. Sukuna had to admit that it was not an unattractive sight, and despite the protests of the midwives, he stayed by your side, dabbing the sweat from your face and neck as you delivered your precious child. Uraume waited outside with a whole parade of maidservants prepared to help you get washed once everything was over. The cotton blanket which would envelope your baby was washed three times. You wove it yourself, pestering your husband to embroider enchantments for protection and a long, healthy life.

However, as you fell back after giving your final push, you instantly sensed that something was wrong. You had silently turned to your husband. “Ryo?” His head was hanging, unable to meet your gaze. He didn’t need to say anything.

You stopped being you that day.

The Sukuna household, which used to be so full of life and music and cheer, was enveloped in darkness. The one and only madam of the house was given a taste of motherhood like she always prayed, but she was never even able to hear her child’s cry let alone hold them. You stopped leaving the main house. You refused to go down the village to browse for any new foreign products. The maple trees you adored were ignored and the garden you personally tended would have wilted completely if not for Ryomen’s intervention.

You slept on the floor right next to an empty cradle. 

You would have died there too if your husband couldn’t take it and spent three straight days pleading for you to try and go out.

“A merchant passed by and Uraume bought several flowers from him,” he said, trying to make conversation as he eased you into the garden. “I think you’d like them. One species even eats flies.”

It was then, Sukuna recalled, when the two of you heard it.

An inhuman sound came from the bushes.

You hurried to investigate, with Sukuna warily following.

“Oh!” You gasped.

“What is it? Are you hurt?”

As if you hadn’t heard him, you dug into the shrubbery. “Here you are.”

“My love, be careful–”

“Naughty, naughty, you made us worried.” You rose to your feet and started cradling… something. 

Sukuna called your name. He didn’t sense any malicious intent right now but he couldn’t risk you getting hurt.

You turned around. “Ryo-chan, I found him.”

The maids knew better than to show their emotions, but their mouths tingled with the desire to gasp and talk amongst themselves.

Sukuna whispered your name and you walked towards him, arms protectively wrapped around a black-striped overgrown cat. You carried it like one would a newborn. 

You made a fake angry expression at the stupid cat as you scolded it:

“Yuji–” that was the name you and Sukuna agreed on while you were eight months pregnant “–you can’t just disappear without asking permission. You made your father and I worried!”

The cat made a sound that could only be described to be close to a purr, but not quite a purr. 

You giggled and nuzzled its nose. “How can I stay mad at you?”

Sukuna watched as you continued to baby the odd-looking cat. You were the happiest he’s seen you in weeks. He missed your smile.

He no longer cared that it was some stray from some traveling merchant. He didn’t care if the damn thing was eating way too much and growing a hella lot for a simple cat. All that mattered was that you were happy. No servant was allowed to treat your behavior as anything but normal. No one was allowed to even try to destroy the illusion. 

There were times when Sukuna swore he could see clarity in your eyes, when you would watch the sleeping “infant” or when you thought you were alone. A part of you must’ve known.

But because you never stopped treating “Yuji” as your beloved child, he never brought it up.

You were eating, you were smiling. You were happy. That was enough for him.

Though admittedly, he hated the little twerp. 

Not only did “Yuji” get spoonfed and burped personally by the madam of the Sukuna household, you also bathed him, dried and brushed his fur, and let the thing sleep between the two of you. 

It was so annoying.

He couldn’t even embrace his own wife anymore.

Now, over a thousand years later, he still had to share his darling wife with this damn brat.

Part 4: An immediate continuation of this chapter

@laurcad123 @aidanstan @deepinballs @satosuguswife

#sukuna #husband #sukuna ryomen #sukuna ryoumen #y/n #yn #reader #sukuna x reader #sukuna x y/n #husband imagines #drabbles #one shots #reader insert #fluff #angst #hurt #comfort #sukuna being a good husband #heian period sukuna

[jester089]

It's an improvement

This isn't a request. But It's a good idea I want to write for. It's just going to be short and my ideas on it. TADC Crew x Therapist Reader

Caine

Caine really really appreciates you. You keep people alive, AND you are someone who professionally knows about humans and how they work so you can teach him stuff. He's constantly asking you questions, and existing around you seeing how you act. Just since your arrival no one has abstracted, and the adventures and circus as a whole are much more hospitable. You truly are the person the circus needed to be, well to be ok. At least for now. But all these people's problems, this AI trying to learn about humans from you, the stress of the fact you're now in a digital world. It's a lot. You can save them, but no one is going to save you. And you just have to deal with that. This world needs you, and if you go. Then so does it.

Gangle

You helped Gangle with her insecurity and self worth. You got her to be more confident and stand up for herself. Something she honestly loves you for. So she asked you out, she just felt so cared for and loved around you. You said no cause you don't date your patients, she was hurt but didn't blame you. But she relapsed into old bad habits, this time without you to help her out of them. She started all together avoiding you. It was just hard to look you in the face when you know all her deepest secrets, and the fact that she has feelings for you. At first you made the circus easier, better even. Now you make it harder for her. And Gangle blames no one but herself for all that's happening to her. Even starts to feel like she deserves it. "If I don't deserve this, then why does this always happen."

Zooble

Zooble would probably hate you at first. You show up and start telling her everything she's doing wrong. That isn't actually what you do but that's what it feels like to her. When, or rather if she gives you a chance you could genuinely help her. She still wont be nice to the others or you, but you can help her out in the long run. At least not for a while. But you might make her able to make friends. Which at the moment she'll say she doesn't need others. But no one can survive alone forever. And despite that being what she wants and what she says, that still applies to her.

Kinger

Honestly weirdly enough you don't help Kinger. He may be seen as crazy but he's still alive, and he isn't going anywhere anytime soon. He's lived in this world for so long and has found a way of life that works. He honestly doesn't need help, at least not while still in here. Once out in the real world he will though. He doesn't need help though. He just needs a friend. Someone to casually talk to. Someone to hang out with. Someone who wont call him crazy. And you're more then happy to be that friend. And because you aren't patient and doctor something could actually stem from that. If you both want that at least.

Ragatha

You two are a power duo here. You keep everyone ok, she helps out more as a low down friend type person, and you as a professional. You two alone keep the circus running and people alive. And despite how much Ragatha insists that she doesn't need help/sessions she does. She's a tough cookie and wont admit it, but you can still get through to her. Despite what she says she needs it. So keep working hard. All you need is her to trust you, and you to constantly pester her about it. And eventually she'll break and let you help her.

Jax

Jax is going to openly agree to getting your help. At first he just planned on using it as a way to mess with you. But then you actually made him realize a lot and actually start helping within not a lot of time passage. Then he started genuinely going to your sessions. And with enough time and hard work he turned into an amazing person to be around. He's still vulgar and often rude. But he doesn't bully anymore, and actually goes out of his way to make others days better. You know you two aren't related but you're proud of him. He made so much progress and genuinely improved. And sure you helped. But you can't improve unless you want to. So the fact that he made that much progress especially in such a short time shows that he isn't a horrible person, he just didn't know better.

Pomni

Thank f#$%. She needs this so badly. You help her out with her anxiety, a lot. You know this place isn't good but you help her get at least kind of used to it despite you getting here after her. She'll still look for an exit but she feels like it's actually possible now with your support. Before she was just frantic and panicking. But now it feels like a genuine and attainable goal. With time and effort she starts to calm down and feel, happy! Feel calm. It's a strange sensation to her, but not bad strange. And once she does calm down she starts really appreciating smaller things. "Like sure this place is a prison and I'm here unwillingly. But not much I can do about that. And it is really pretty outside today. And while I'm here I don't have to worry like back in the real world. Nothing is expected of me. All I have to do is just exist. I can do that."

(I enjoyed writing this. And will maybe expand upon this in the future. Maybe. I still have a whole lot of requests to get through.)

xoxo, Jester

#tadc x reader #the amazing digital circus x reader #caine x reader #gangle x reader #zooble x reader #ragatha x reader #jax x reader #pomni x reader #not beta'd #noob author

[randomfoggytiger]

The Scully Family In-Depth (Part XI): The Last Conversations of One Melissa Scully

Melissa Scully is not long for this meta series; but what she does contribute is a rather intriguing peek into Scully's psyche-- exposing how drawn her sister was to radical or "out there" ideas long before Scully admitted it to herself-- as well as the funny confirmation that both her sister and her mother find Melissa's antics aggravating.

SEASON 2'S ABDUCTION FALLOUT

The effects of Scully’s abduction silently punctuate her resolutions throughout Season 2, spurring her to appear stronger than her capabilities (Firewalker’s “Mulder, I appreciate your concern. But I’m ready. I want to work” and Irresistible’s “I’m not having trouble, Mulder. I’m fine. Really”), an extension of her denial in Beyond the Sea but with more mature fragility. (Both are, of course, symptoms of growing up in a Naval household with an eagerness to please a father that respected perfection in himself.)

Although Scully references her experience on the brink of death once in Dod Kalm--“Mulder, when they found me, after the doctors and even my family had given up, I experienced something I never told you about. Even now it’s hard to find the words. But there’s one thing I’m certain of: as certain as I am of this life, we have nothing to fear when it’s over"-- the theme of her loss plays heavily upon the rest of the Season, be it Mulder's overprotective streak or her resolution to appear stronger than her capabilities (i.e. Firewalker, Irresistible, Our Town, etc.)

This response stems back to her childhood: wanting to please her Naval father, she internalized and emulated his efforts to achieve perfection in himself. In The Blessing Way, Scully is told that her self-perceived failures would be considered strengths by the late captain; but it takes years for her to embrace that truth for herself.

Digging a little deeper, we find that, although she relates tidbits of her time in the beyond, Scully leaves out her communion with Melissa, Nurse Owens, and especially her father-- still not able, at this point, to accept those parts of her experience.

MULDER'S DEATH AND SCULLY'S SHAME

Anasazi and The Blessing Way are a whirlwind for Scully, leaving her vulnerable, bashed, and beaten down when all her efforts are seemingly in vain.

After being put on leave from the FBI and “losing” the tape her partner died for, Scully stumbles to her mother’s house, ashamed and wavering in her convictions. 

When her mother opens the door, Scully is lightly tapping at her right thigh with her shoes, an attempt to focus on that repetition rather than her stampeding emotions, and attempts to keep a semblance of control through her tearful confession (without much success.)

Maggie welcomes her with a gentle “Dana…”; and Scully forces a practiced smile as she breathes an answering, "Hi, Mom."

Taking in her daughter’s fragile stance and barefoot condition, Maggie asks, “What’re you doing with your shoes?”

It's a tell-tale sign that all is not well: despite the various difficulties in the field or at home, Scully has never voluntarily taken off her shoes unless in extremities; and her mother, knowing these prim and proper habits, immediately intuits something serious has happened.

“They, uh, they started to give me blisters…” Scully warbles, lifting and dropping her shoes as more of her facade cracks, reality cruelly setting in.  

Her mother’s incredulous, “You walked here this time of night?” breaks the last of her escape from reality: there is nowhere else to escape, no other distraction on hand to keep her emotions at bay; and Scully can no longer pretend that everything is alright as long as she puts one foot in front of the other (a method she’d tried and failed to use in Beyond the Sea-- and will again in Memento Mori, Elegy, Gethsemane, and Redux.) 

Her composure melts completely, face crumpling as she moves into Maggie’s arms to simultaneously seek comfort and hide from her own vulnerability. It’s a signature of Scully's the audience and Mulder were introduced to in Season 1's Pilot and Season 2's Irresistible; and is now confirmed to have been her coping mechanism stemming from childhood.

Matron Scully scoops her up unhesitatingly, worriedly questioning her baby girl until Scully admits, heartbroken, “I’ve made a terrible mistake. Dad would be so ashamed of me", and breaks down into an onslaught of constrained tears and grief.

MELISSA FUMBLES THE BALL

The Blessing Way has a notorious deleted scene; and this analysis would not be complete, I believe, without including it. Not only does it align perfectly with canon, but it also reinforces the interpersonal dynamics present in One Breath; and is, therefore, vital to the Scully Family meta series.

After Scully has poured her heart out, Maggie does her best to glue her daughter back together. “I don’t see how you can fault yourself. You had to make a choice-- you did what you thought was right.” 

“No,” Scully negates, voice wavering, eyes turned aside, “I did what I thought was right for my partner.” 

Their interaction is incredibly telling not only of Scully’s Starbuck complex but also of her modus operandi when acting outside of known variables: trusting another person’s judgment over her own. This kneejerk reaction can be used healthily if she follows her own intuition as well (e.g. Anasazi and All Things); but if Scully distrusts or doubts her intuition, she kneejerks to an opposite reaction, shutting down and seeking purchase wherever she can (The Blessing Way, Never Again, and also All Things.) This aspect of her personality isn’t resolved until Season 7 when Scully saves Daniel Waterston’s life by relying solely on her instincts; but until then, Mulder and her family act as the solid foundation upon which she builds herself... until, until.  

"Wouldn't Mulder have done the same for you?"

That sentence is two-fold interesting: not only does Maggie call Mulder "Mulder" here instead of "Fox"-- likely due to a scripting error or perhaps in deference to her daughter's pet peeve-- but she also places complete faith in the man that shouldered her daughter's disappearance and recovery alongside the family. It's a simple, touching nod to Mulder's impact and the bond she shares with him.

“Yes, but that’s exactly it, Mom! I behaved exactly how Mulder would have behaved-- I lied and I countermanded my superiors because I thought that the pursuit of the truth was more important.”  

Maggie listens, unruffled. “And wasn’t it?” she asks, showing her naturally rebellious streak that is not deterred or dissuaded by protocol, rules, and regulations-- completely opposite to the obedient military wife one could easily attribute to her. 

“I don’t know what the truth is,” Scully admits. “But as far as the FBI is concerned, the truth is that if all of their agents behaved this way… they wouldn’t be able to do their job. And they’re right.”  

Maggie knows what her daughter won't, can't say out loud; and cuts through the doublespeak to give the assurance she could not in Beyond the Sea: “Dana, if you’re really worried what your father would think of you… I think that he would see that there’s no right choice… and no wrong one.”  

From Scully's view, the disobedience to her superiors outweighs the pursuit of the truth, at least to her father. But in light of Maggie's revelation and rejection of that notion, it leaves the audience-- and her daughter-- wondering how well Scully knew, or thought she knew, the late captain. As strict and striving and ladder climbing as he seems to be, at a glance, Captain Scully was also a man who stood by his principles and married a woman prouder of her husband's personal achievements than his professional ones, willingly carrying on his legacy to their children after his death.

Though comforting in its nuance, this thought is at odds with what Scully supposed of her father, failing to alleviate her doubts long after this conversation ends. Not until she irons out her own internal struggles can Scully accept the wisdom her mother provides.

Reaching out to draw in Scully's chin, Maggie adds, “He would have been very proud and supportive of his daughter.” 

Another interesting sidenote: Maggie’s action and Scully’s response is another proof of Mulder's instincts to draw her attention back by gently maneuvering her chin or face. Without being told, Mr. VCU Golden Boy divined a second method of comfort stemming back to his partner's childhood (as if those two’s connection wasn't spooky enough.) 

Scully still clings to her naysayings. “Mom, there was a right choice to make. And I didn’t make it. I went with Mulder to New Mexico--” 

They’re both interrupted by the door opening abruptly, her eyes blinking in vexation as she prepares for a domestic intrusion.  

Melissa barges in, halts, and treads carefully forward as Scully seamlessly picks up the thread she’d dropped a moment ago: “I never should have let him go off by himself. He was in no condition…” 

This sets up the dynamic present not only in The Blessing Way but also throughout the show: Scully is reluctant to offer up information unprompted to her mother, but does not seem to share the same reticence with her sister (no matter how meddlesome or pushy Melissa tends to be.) 

Melissa pulls a psychic prediction out of her hat-- “Something happened to the man you work with, hasn’t it?”-- and smiles, elated, over the talent of her sixth sense.

Maggie, as usual, tries to cut off her older daughter’s intuitions… which means that even a woman who believes in her own loosely psychic dreams barely tolerates Melissa’s enthusiastic tirades (post here.) 

“Melissa, please.” 

“No,” her daughter continues, “no, I’ve been feeling it for the last couple days. He’s become ill or something.” 

Scully, predictably, looks annoyed at her wound being so blindly poked at. 

Melissa predictions raises an interesting point: if Melissa can sense when Mulder is gravely ill or on the verge of death, does she channel it through her sister, like Maggie did when predicting her daughter’s abduction? If so, that further proves my "Scully is a conduit" theory (posts here and here.) 

Maggie, noticing that Scully has shut down after Melissa’s speech (and fed up herself), announces “I’m going to go make coffee” before stalking away to take a breather. 

Melissa hesitates, reading the tension in the room while internally debating if she should probe further; but, incorrigibly, she decides not to let the matter rest.

“I’m right, aren’t I?” 

Scully keeps her sister in the peripheral, sighing as she prepares herself for the impending conversation.  

“Melissa, Mulder is very likely dead.” Even after seeing the smoke billowing out of a train car, even though she believes it herself, Scully still won’t admit to what can’t be proven. 

Melissa pauses, stares into the middle distance as she searches for something, and pronounces, “No-- you don’t believe that.” 

“No, I do.” Scully insists. 

“I’m getting very strong feelings otherwise.” 

Scully looks almost frightened by her sister's denial. The fear of the unknown is driven by Scully’s fear of not truly knowing herself; and she avoids what she cannot understand-- her father’s death, her memories, her endless line, her cancer, etc.-- but can’t stop feeling until her concerns are addressed (in this case, through Melissa’s insistence; in other cases, through Ed Jerse or Daniel Waterston's false leads or Mulder's insistence that she face facts.)

“I wish it weren’t true…” Scully begins, wobbling over gathering tears. 

“No! No, Honey, it’s more than that--” Melissa ecstatically reassures, kneeling beside her sister and rambling in her enthusiasm. Here, she can help; and she intends to do so. “You’re radiating, Dana.”  

However, the bonding moment is lost when she mentions, “You have a connection with him that’s still strong, powerful,” hitting on two things Scully doesn’t want to own: the depth of her love for Mulder and her current disbelief in her own intuition (which is still whispering that Mulder alive.) 

“Melissa. Don’t do this.”  

Melissa recalibrates, but insists. “Well, I know what I feel.” 

“Fine, we’ll leave it at that,” Scully snaps, getting up as fast as she possibly can, “because you have no sensitivity to my feelings.” 

“Oh, Dana.… I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t feel so sure.” After a second of empathetic silence, Melissa again insists, “You need a second opinion.” 

“This isn’t a medical condition, Melissa. It is a statement of fact-- it is either true or it isn’t.” 

Melissa tries to salvage the conversation, but accidentally hits nerve after nerve in her unwieldy use of the truth: “...you may even be feeling responsible right now, but if you could just see through your guilt and your anger, then maybe you can look past this Western empiricism.”  

Predictably, her sister does not relent: “I’ll make sure to consult my taro cards when I’m out looking for a new job, thank you.” 

Casting her eyes to the heavens (a tic often used in fractious conversations with her sister), Scully doubles back to chastise and more accurately vent her feelings. “Melissa, I have lost somebody.”  

Even though Melissa wisely shuts her mouth rather than doubling down, the brief second she'd pondered it nettles her sister further.

“I would like to deal with it in my own way.” 

Again, Melissa stays silent (against her better judgment), allowing Scully to have the last word before following in Maggie's footsteps by walking swiftly away.  

Once Scully is no longer in sight, Melissa grips her forehead, clasps her arms around each other, and turns inward, reflecting on Dana's throbbing wound and, perhaps, how she could have handled the situation better. 

DENIAL AND UNWIELDY TRUTH

When Scully finds the chip in her neck, her desperation drives her back to Melissa, another proof that she and her sister's bond is tighter than any temporary annoyance or fight between them.

But it also begs the question: Why not her mother? 

When Scully reaches out to Maggie-- The Blessing Way, Wetwired, Redux II, A Christmas Carol, etc.-- it is only when she is on her last leg and has given up and given in, seeking maternal comfort in a "weak" moment of strong, human emotion. These moments, however, are fleeting when compared to the times she reaches out to Mulder and Melissa; but if we look closely, a pattern emerges. When Scully needs to be encouraged to fight her battles, she seeks out Mulder or Melissa; when she needs to bind up her wounds and heal, she finds Maggie. Overtime, Mulder takes on both of these roles, becoming both tender protector and immovable truth pursuer; but the shift truly begins after Emily Sims's death, carrying through the events of Season 5 and onward (and widening the gulf begun between mother and daughter during Memento Mori.)

“I don’t even know how long its been in there,” Scully tells Melissa, shaken by another layer in the many unknown layers lingering from her abduction. “I have absolutely no recollection of it being put there.” 

“That is frightening,” her sister agrees, while Scully visibly shakes at the opposite end of the table.  

Both sisters know how terrifying this: Scully relies on what she knows and can prove; which ties her memory directly into her understanding of the world, either through knowledge of its mechanics or direct, first-hand experience. To have that taken was one of the greatest evils inflicted on Scully; but the fear of recovering even more traumatizing memories keeps her in a paralyzing stasis, too fearful to face how much she has lost and too fearful to reclaim what little she can.

“Dana, this is very serious-- you’ve gotta find out… what this is.” 

Scully’s shift from shaking tower of strength to bothered and inflexible little sister goes unnoticed-- or ignored-- as Melissa twists the chip back and forth in scrutinizing study.

“I don’t have access to the FBI labs,” Scully begins before Melissa, stunned at her sister’s priorities, redirects with, “No, I’m talking about access to your own memories.” 

This is stage one Melissa: so focused on uncovering a particular truth that she obliviously steamrolls over the other person’s silent objections-- tactless in her fervor. Any attempts to cut her off only escalates her feverish insistence-- “I mean, obviously you have buried this so deep you can’t consciously recall it."

Scully visibly struggles to press her emotions and fears down in order to shut the conversation down-- “Melissa.”

“I know someone who can help you--”

“NO!” yells Scully, slapping the table hard enough to shake the dishes. In her anger she betrayed weakness; and both she and Melissa know it. 

Melissa, hurt but sympathetic, swallows her own frustrated feelings and shifts into stage two: purposeful pushing of another person’s boundaries (ala confronting Mulder in his apartment in One Breath)-- measuredly pointing out a weakness with an honest rebuke.  

“What are you so afraid of, Dana?”

“You’re afraid you might actually learn something about yourself?”

This pulls Scully up short, tapping into the perpetual struggle she’s warred with since Beyond the Sea (and that won’t put to rest until ourobors tattoos and Buddhist temples.)  

“I mean, you are so shut off to the possibility there could be any other explanation except for your rigid, scientific view of the world.”  

Scully swallows down her fears once again, angrily ping-ponging back and forth between rebuttal or allowance. Ultimately, the words stick-- perhaps echoing her later partner’s own confrontations or guidance-- and she slowly lowers her defenses, walking closer to (but not toward) her sister. 

Melissa continues: “You’re carrying so much grief and fear that you can’t see that… that you’ve built up these walls around your true feelings and the memory of what really happened.” 

Scully is too exhausted to keep fighting, having flailed nonstop against herself and her beliefs and her convictions since Mulder’s death; and at Melissa's “Just do this for me" she acquiesces, expelling more fear in a rushing outtake of air.

Melissa isn’t satisfied with a non-answer, pressing further with an “As your sister. Please” until Scully’s face shifts into firm resolution. 

As we know, Scully bails on the regression hypnosis; but this this scene highlighted a key aspect of her of her relationship with Melissa, especially when contrasted to her ones with Maggie and Mulder:

It established her sister as the person Scully gravitated to for advice: even if Melissa's words were chafing or unintelligible, she still sought out that comforting, “bigger picture” perspective, the same one her partner has provided since the Pilot. Before she even met Mulder, Scully had a thirst for other perspectives, and was more open to taking in and heeding “out there” opinions than she liked (likes) to let on.  

Maggie Scully was not her daughter’s confidante. Throughout the series, Scully avoids life-changing decision talk with her mother (joining the FBI, giving credence to her mother’s dreams, telling her directly about the cancer diagnosis or the baby’s sex, etc.); and, as previously mentioned, that begins to widen the gulf between mother and daughter. Maggie feels loved when her loved ones share their personal feelings and struggles with her-- which Melissa and Bill Scully seem to do more freely (we’ll get to that) and Dana does not. Why is this the case? Perhaps it has something to do with Maggie's gossiping tendency (which we shall hit upon in Gethsemane), or perhaps it's because of the strict lines she draws in and around her personal life.

Scully does not want crossover in her life: her family and friends are organized into two categories-- comfort or confidante-- and stay in those categories for their protection and her sanity. Maggie Scully is her mother, not her confidante; Melissa is her confidante, not her mother; and when the two try to cross into areas not offered to them, Scully gets annoyed and withholds even more information. Mulder, it seems, is the only person to peel back the dividing line between the two; and even then, not without resistance and patience (Memento Mori, for example.) It’s part of Scully’s fear of letting her walls completely down (as explained in her monologue to the social worker in A Christmas Carol); and part of the mystery of Mulder, who is the perfect combination of Maggie’s comfort and Melissa’s persistence: helpful and supportive but truthfully exacting. 

THE LAST CONVERSATION

Melissa calls after the mytharc plot kicks up to dangerous levels for Scully, eager to help her sister process whatever was uncovered in the (ditched) hypnosis session. 

"Hello?" Scully asks, on-edge; but walks back from her paranoid greeting when Melissa responds, “Dana? It’s your sister.” 

Melissa’s “Hi-- where’ve you been?” implies she’s been calling for a day, maybe more, in worry when Scully left her high and dry after their talk.

“I, uh, I had to go to Boston. For a funeral.” 

“Well, I was worried about you.”

“Why?”

“Because I haven’t heard from you since you saw Dr. Pomerantz.” 

Scully immediately tenses, knocking herself mentally over the head for forgetting; then realizes she either has to face Melissa's scrutiny now or slough off her concerns for a more convenient time.

“Missy, something strange happened to me today," she says, admitting her panic over strange events that were unfolding in her life.

Anticipating and accepting her sister’s offer to drive over, Scully ends the call with renewed resolve: having turned a new, hopeful leaf after her vision from Mulder, she is-- more than ever-- ready to listen to her intuition, open her heart, and confide her fears and feelings to someone else. 

That openness follows her to a reunion with Mulder… but clams up, once again, after her innocent decisions lead to the death of her sister.

Thank you for reading~

Enjoy!

#txf #The Scully Family In-Depth #Part XI #The Last Conversations of One Melissa Scully #In-Depth #Scully #Maggie Scully #Melissa Scully #Mulder #meta #xfiles #x-files #the x files #mine #S2 #The Blessing Way #Anasazi #One Breath #Dod Kalm #Irresistible #xf meta

[astrangergivingthestrangewelcome]

Incoherent Renfield meta I guess???

So in terms of what Stoker wanted to convey, I don't think he was quite aware of the extent of awfulness and psychiatric abuse Seward was dealing out to Renfield (although you cannot convince me that he was unaware that Seward was a bit of a little freak like that's just characterization how could he have done such a thorough job of creating such a pathetic little man by accident)- however there definitely is this story of idk. growth that comes from compassion, and I wish I could hear from Stoker himself what he was going for with it.

We all want to root for Renfield bc god anyone that goes through Victorian lunatic asylum trauma you immediately want to see win- but when we do see Renfield use his limited agency to do things, they are often selfish and violent things. He very much does want to join the Count, and wants to gain that immortality and power that the Count has. I don't know that there's evidence Renfield wants to dominate the way the Count does but Renfield believes that blood will strengthen him and he for sure is all in on taking human life and feeding on human blood. He does attack Seward and also those guys who were moving the Count and I fully believe that he would have killed them if left to his own devices. He has no power and has been systemically abused... but he's also dangerous.

However, the more I examine his actions... why would he be anything other than selfish and dangerous. Who does he have in life that would cause him to bother with empathy? We know so little about who he was before being admitted. He almost killed two people in the course of this novel- but before that did he try anything violent or was it just the consuming animals thing that got him locked up? Did he have people he cared about? We just don't know.

What's interesting to me is he seems to be on this track of enthusiastically aiding and abetting the Count in his efforts to kill others (and the Count is for sure manipulating him and it's not an equal relationship, but I do think that Renfield understands that the Count does hurt and kill people, and accepts this at the beginning of the novel) but the moment Mina speaks to him and seems decent and kind he immediately has a fit of conscience. There's this implicit understanding "oh she will be hurt, I like her, she doesn't deserve to be hurt." It's more than just an immediate change though. He begs Seward to not let him be alone at night bc he knows that he's not going to be equal to resisting the temptation to let the Count in- and he's super not. And the Count may have been doing vampire mind powers on him, but I don't think that's the full story. The Count tempts him with life. and Renfield despite understanding that Mina is going to be hurt, still wants that life and that immortality enough to let him in. He has a developed dream and he has the desire to do right by Mina and they're at odds.

His ensuing conversation with Seward about souls is so interesting because it's this conflict put under a microscope. He is pleased and excited at the thought he's going to finally get to consume life and be immortal, and he's seemed to make the decision to just ignore the part of it he knows is wrong, but Seward presses the fuck out of the idea that every life he takes means that he is responsible for the soul of the organism as well and this just. Undoes Renfield. When treated like an adult Renfield is capable of engaging with morality and finding his own moral code of right and wrong, and this combined with the fact that he has a face for Mina in the way he never had a face for Lucy is what causes him to give up everything trying to right his mistake.

I think he could have gotten there much sooner than he did. But he lives in an asylum and the person he talks to the most is a doctor who is obsessed with studying him like a lab rat and who does not think about Renfield as a human being who might be able to function in society again after treatment. Isolated and friendless as Renfield was he could ignore the morality of his actions and pursue his own ends. The moment Mina treats him normally that worldview becomes untenable and he begins a slow days long process of accepting that he cannot go on helping the Count. It's a very thought out decision for him. He is giving up his life's work because he realized his life's work was wrong. That's a lot.

This seems like a cautionary tale to treat people like people honestly. Even when they have severe and rather unpleasant mental illnesses that make then kill and consume animals raw. In the end Renfield was perfectly capable of understanding that he didn't have the right to fuck with the lives of others to suit his own ends. He learned that lesson. I bet he could have learned that lesson without so much bloodshed if anyone had cared to reach out to him earlier.

#dracula #dracula daily #renfield

[prof-ramses]

Shockingly, I have a non Mammon related idea to share. Namely, some ideas I’ve been mulling over of how Belphagor may be characterized:

Bel will be presented as surprisingly genial and diligent with her duties despite being drowsy 24/7 and constantly falling asleep (think Sleep from Orion and the Dark), possibly even being able to function/work while she is sleeping.

Bel will be asleep at all times and basically be a living prop with a reoccurring joke that she’s basically automated everything in her domain so she can get around, work, and even communicate without having to wake up and actually do anything herself.

Bel is a NEET/stoner that stays cooped up in her room, having delegated all of her duties to others and only getting involved when she absolutely has to. Unlike all of the other Sins, she isn’t propped up as some big celebrity around Hell and she dresses very informally/casually, especially compared to the six.

Bel is just straight up Inside Out 2’s Ennui and just doesn’t give a shit. She’s completely uninvolved in pretty much every aspect of Hell’s political landscape and the Sloth ring’s inhabitants have basically made a ramshackle democratic government since she can’t be bothered to lead it.

Bel is just a straight up mad scientist that not only tests her drugs on her subjects, but uses specially made drugs to keep them placid and under her thumb.

I know this is pretty messy and more importantly not Mammon related, but I’ve had these rattling in my head for a while and wanted to them.

Oh, NOW we're taking!

I have some T H O U G H T S on Bel, I've pondered her quite a bit. While I can't explain it fully, Sloth gives me a really uneasy feeling and, in my experience, most powerful entity ensembles usually involves at least one designated creepy member. I think the creepy Sin will either be Levi or Bel.

Now, I will admit there's a chance Levi is the creepy one and what I'm about to say is totally off base, but I would like to share some of my Levi ideas soon, too.

So, my Bel idea is one of those neigh-emotionless "for science/knowledge/progress!" mad scientists, with the twist of being very lax. The reason most Sloth natives are deformed in some way is due to her using her subjects as guinea pigs.

She also has a thing about how efficient things are, like, she has a text to speech keyboard on her hover chair because she deems it more efficient than actually talking.

I also have a HC for Sloth's general past. Bel and Baphomet are a couple who rule Sloth together, or rather, Baphomet does the ruling while Bel is hold up in her lab. Baphomet's creations are the candleheads, while Bel's are the plague doctors from Western Energy, and almost exclusively live in Sloth, mostly working as Bel's personal lab workers. Sloth used to be a vacation destination first and foremost, until the quack wellness market started and Baphomet convinced Bel to rebrand their ring.

Because of this, Baphomet has a typical caricature tourist look, while Bel wears a fancier plague doctor suit which gives her a humanoid outline, despite the fact she's actually badly mutated under her suit.

Hope you like these ideas, they've been brewing in my brain for a while. Also, small thing but I'm that kind of guy, it's actually "Beplhegor", with 2 "e"s.

#hellaverse #helluva boss #hb Belphegor #helluva Belphegor #hellaverse Belphegor #hb Baphomet #helluva Baphomet #hellaverse Baphomet #hb headcanon #hb head canon #helluva headcanon #helluva head canon #Ramses Answers

[tgammsideblog]

Tgamm S1 Ep 20-B ¨Molly vs The Ghost World¨ Episode Analysis

While Scratch is being put on trial for being friends with humans in front of the Ghost Council, Molly tries to find a way to go to the Ghost World and look for Scratch...

Starting from when segment A ¨The Jig is Up¨ left, Scratch is brought to the Ghost Council by Jinx, who reveals that Scratch is friends with a ¨living person¨. The members talk about how that is a very serious charge against the ghost rules and begin the trail.

Back on the living realm, Molly is trying to do astral projection with Libby helping her. This gets them nowhere and they aren't sure of what else they can do. Then Molly happens to have the idea of summoning Geoff by spelling his name.

Suddenly Geoff appears. Molly begs for Geoff to let her go to the Ghost World using to a ghost portal, to which the green ghost hesitates for a few moments, since humans aren't allowed in the Ghost World or usually can't go there. Molly still decides to jump through the ghost portal, only to find out why is that the case: Her own spirit becomes separated from her body when going through the portal, leaving an empty husk that barely has any emotions. Libby explains to Molly that she is now a ¨wraith¨ and she would remain as such as long as her spirit doesn't return to her body. Since Molly is now a ¨ghost¨, she can go to the Ghost World now. Quickly, Geoff and her go to the spectral realm while Libby stays to keep an eye on Molly's husk until they return with Scratch.

In this episode we get a better insight of what it was established in previous episodes: the Ghost World lives in misery and joy itself is seen a some type of poison. As Geoff puts it ¨joy is not allowed¨. The Chairman feeds off from the misery he causes to humans and ghosts. He keeps his position of power by keeping the Ghost World as miserable as possible and tries to get rid of anything that radiates joy.

This brings a lot of problems to Molly since her spirit is full of joy energy. Almost everything she touches turns into joy like changing its shape and getting flowers growing around them. The visuals of Molly's powers are pretty cool. It's fun to see the contrast between the more cold colors from the Ghost World and how Molly accidentally changes it wherever she goes.

It's worth of mentioning Geoff's role in this episode: He guides Molly through the ghost realm, helps her with avoding Jinx and the sobgoblins and, when they are cornered, he uses the sobgoblins as nunchucks to fight the rest, giving time for Molly to escape. Throughout all this, Geoff acts seriously since he knows that Scratch is in danger. He is willing to defy the Ghost Council's authority to protect his friend, showing how loyal he is.

While this is happening, the trial takes place. There is a sequence of ghosts from previous episodes getting interviewed like Sonia, Harriet and the doctor from ¨Scaring is Caring¨. It's a clever way to bring back all these characters and showing the consequences of it when it comes to Scratch not being able to hide his actions anymore.

Just before Scratch is about to send to the Flow of Failed Phantoms, Molly shows up. Scratch begs for Molly to leave but she pushes and calls out to the Ghost Council for saying that they shouldn't throw Scratch to the Flow only because he happens to do things differently from them. Keep in mind that Molly is a teen girl who turned herself into a ghost and went throught the Ghost World because she wanted to save her friend. Despite fully understanding what is happening, she is willing to do anything to help Scratch. She isn't only positive but a very brave girl to stand up against someone like the ghost rulers.

Jinx shows up and throws Geoff to the Flow for helping Molly and Scratch and calls Molly a ¨menace¨ for her joy powers. This leads to Scratch to talk about how Molly thinks it is better to be nice and help others to make the world a better place and, in a rare genuine moment, he admits that Molly is right for doing all those things. Scratch admits out loud that Molly is his friend and ¨he doesn't care who knows it¨. This speech is the culmination of the development Scratch got in this season so far. He finally stands up against the Ghost Council, who spent this entire season (and years) abusing and treating Scratch as worthless. He gains the courage to speak up against those who have been pushing him down for years and being honest about who he really is.

As result of their defiance, Molly and Scratch are send both to the Flow of Failed Phantoms. They try holding on for a few seconds and right before they are sucked in, Scratch grabs Molly's hand and tells her that ¨You were the highlight of my afterlife¨. This line holds a lot of emotional weight to it, because before meeting Molly and the rest of the Mcgees, Scratch felt very alone and miserable. This started to change when the Mcgees moved in and over time became a family to him. Molly inspired Scratch to open up to others again and for him to ¨feel alive¨ again.

After they get sucked into the Flow for some moments it appears that's the end of it until some sparks of joy energy appear in the Flow: It turns out that by throwing Molly into the flow, that made it change because of her joy powers. All the ghosts that were trapped in the flow get freed while Molly gives a speech about how ¨joy is more powerful than misery¨ and explodes the flow surrounding herself and Scratch with joy energy. Molly approaches the Chairman, defying him, she touches him and the Chairman suddenly is taken over by Molly's energy and he disintegrates, only leaving the robe behind.

Geoff appears and hugs both Molly and Scratch. Molly says that she is leaving with Scratch and threatens the Ghost Council and Jinx if ¨they have a problem with that¨. Scared by her power, they answer that they can leave without any problem, letting Molly and Scratch return safely to their home in the human world.

Back in the Mcgees house Molly returns to her human body and the Mcgee family celebrates Scratch coming back to home. Scratch talks about how Molly defeated the Chairman, exaggerating some parts of it. Then he tries putting a curse on the Mcgee family, a callback to the first time he met Molly, and stops in the middle, clearly indicating that it was a joke. The episode ends with Scratch talking about eating something while the rest of the Mcgee family is smiling at him.

In conclusion: While feeling rushed in some ways because it has many things going on, ¨Molly vs The Ghost World¨ is a great emotional conclusion for Scratch's conflict with the Ghost Council and Season 1 as a whole. In spite of its writing being slightly inferior to the one of ¨Out of House and Home/ Home Is Where The Haunt Is¨ it is still a good double part episode with great visuals, some shocking twists and cathartic character moments, specially for Scratch.

#the ghost and molly mcgee #tgamm #Tgamm episode analysis #Molly vs the ghost world #scratch mcgee #molly mcgee #jinx the ghost #the ghost council #tgamm season 1 #libby stein torres #tgamm analysis

[acceleracers-baby]

Acceleracers HC’s! Game Night! Metal Maniacs Edition!

Metal Maniacs

(Taro Kitano, Tork Maddox, Monkey McClurg, Porkchop Riggs & Mark Wylde)

+Bonus Round

(Doctor Tezla & Lani Tam)

Metal Maniacs

Taro Kitano - Taro has one of the best poker faces in the world. He’s impossible to read, and on top of that, he always seems to be able to pick up on everyone else’s tells. After an entire lifetime of stoicism, he’s learned that, in most cases, waiting and watching is a much better option than verbally bluffing out a hand. He enjoys Five Card, but his favorite is Texas Hold ‘Em. Other than poker, he’s a big fan of the game Sequence. He likes the mix between strategy and luck.

Tork Maddox - It’s not so much a party game, but Tork seems like the type of guy to really enjoy Pool. He used to make the Maniacs meet at the local dive bar for a couple rounds, but eventually they fixed up an old beat up one that they found at the junkyard. It’s definitely got some character, but now they don’t have to worry about assigning a designated driver. Plus, with all its dents and and scuffs, it fits in more with the Maniacs.

Monkey McClurg - Monkey plays Dungeons & Dragons. I will take no notes. But for real, could you imagine the Maniacs finding out he plays this big nerd game. I feel like they’d give him shit for it for at least a week, but when Monkeys all like ‘don’t knock it till you try it.’ He’s basically daring them to play. Of course, eventually they give in and he makes a big night out of it. Snacks, drinks, lighting, the works. He even helps them all make characters he thinks fit them the best. None of the Maniacs would admit it, but they all had fun that night.

Porkchop Riggs - With all the truck stops and diners he’s been to, Porkchop is a master at Checkers. When he was young, he would actually ask people to play with him while they waited for their food or for a shower room to open up. Because of this, he got really good at it at a decently young age. Y’all ever hear the saying, “they’re playing checkers, I’m playing chess.” That’s Pockchop accept he’s playing Checkers like Chess. Other than that, he also loves playing Go Fish!

Mark Wylde - Mark has a love hate relationship with Uno. There are times where he loves it, and there are times where it makes him want to pick up the chair he’s sitting on and lob it across the room because his dickhead brother just skipped his turn and stacked a plus four so now Mark has to pick up sixteen cards. However, when Kurt gets to Uno and Mark gets to give him the same treatment, he claims that Uno is the best game ever created. It’s a fine line he walks.

Bonus Round

Doctor Tezla - You think Tezla has time for games??? You think this stressed out mf has time for a nice round of checkers??? Who do you think you are????? That being said, Tezla cannot go a week without playing at least one game of Chess. It’s a good stress relief, and it keeps his mind sharp. He really only plays it with Gig, but Lani has since joined their little club too. Eventually, Tezla even asks Karma to join them.

Lani Tam - Despite playing Chess with Doctor Tezla, it’s not her favorite game. She mainly does it to pick his brain and see where his thoughts are for the day. Usually, his game reflects his current state of mind, which unfortunately, is almost always slightly unhinged. I feel like Lani’s favorite game would be Mafia. Specifically when people are getting way too into it and holding fake trials on who they think the Mafia members are. As much as she tries to unite the two teams in the Acceledrome, she loves the fake drama that comes with playing Mafia.

——— Thanks for Reading ———

#hot wheels #acceleracers #hot wheels acceleracers #hot wheels highway 35 #acceleracers headcanons #hot wheels hcs #hot wheels fanfic #acceleracers fanfic #kurt wylde #mark wylde #taro kitano #tork Maddox #monkey McClurg #porkchop Riggs #Lani tam #doctor Tezla

[sapphire11]

all the words you didn't mean for me to hear

Part 2 of 'Secret Messages' a Break up era Tarlos fic Read Part 1 Here

Hello Again Everyone! Still posting this fic in 'mini' parts here on tumblr before releasing the whole thing on ao3. (still mostly because I need some encouragement and validation despite not feeling ready to publish it yet there and you all have always been supportive) Think of this as a little gift for being wonderful followers/mutuals 💛

Counting this as my Seven Sentence Sunday (Sneak Peak Sunday in my world) Thanks so much for the tags @ramblingdisaster73 & @ravens-words

Thank you to everyone who reached out with encouragement and kind words on the last part! (let me know if you want to be added to the tag list for this fic or my Tarlos fics) @chaotictarlos @firstprince-history-huh @bubblesandroses8

We could lose him.

His own voice echoes in his mind as he shoves open the door to the stairwell. 

We could lose him.

His own voice is too loud in his head. Drowning out all others. Nancy’s reassurances, Captain Vega’s attempts at hopeful optimism. They’re all lost in the terror that grips him by the throat.

We could lose him.

His own voice shaking with fear that he doesn’t want to feel anymore. He needs to feel something else. Anything else. So he collapses on the top step of the stairs and roughly pulls out TK’s phone, headphones coming with it.

We could lose him.

His own voice echoes and he needs to drown it out with another.  

Hey babe … shit. Let me just …. *background noises, buttons being pressed rustling … 

Hey Carlos.

He turns and settles his back against the wall, knees drawn up to his chest, closing his eyes and allowing TK’s voice to block out everything else. 

How are you? I hope you’re doing okay. Nancy let me know that she’s still in touch. I’m glad; even if I think she only told me because she’s trying to get more information out of me about why we … well about what happened.

I hope that you are letting our friends be there for you. They’ve been trying to be there for me. Even as scattered as we all are at work. Paul still texts. Marjan sends me funny memes. Mateo begs for Marvel movie nights every time we have a night off together. It’s not the same, but it’s something. Plus, Doctor Matterson has been telling me to lean into those friendships; to that support. It helps. Sometimes.

On one hand it is worrisome that TK is so freely admitting that he’s struggling in these messages. On the other hand, he is grateful that TK still in some way was turning towards him, trusting him with the truth of his feelings. Of course he wishes that he’s trusted him at the time, but he knows how much it must have cost TK to admit this even in a message. He knows how even saying the words out loud can feel like you are giving them power over you. 

At the same time, he thinks about the way he pushed everyone away during the breakup. He didn’t want them to have to choose, he wanted TK to be able to vent and have people that were safe, away from Carlos, as TK seemed to want to keep them apart. He should have had more faith in his ex, in TK, in person he has always known him to be. Of course he’d want Carlos to have the same support, and of course he wouldn’t tell them anything. 

Other times it honestly just makes me miss you more. But I’m trying and I hope that counts for something.

It counts for everything, because if only in this hollow, cold, hospital stairwell, Carlos can admit that he didn’t try. He just gave up. Let the anger build inside him until there was nothing left to do, but to pretend to forget. To pretend to move on.

Just wanted you to know that I’ll be okay. That you don’t have to worry, because I know you. I want you to be okay too, so take care of yourself Carlos. Let our friends be there for you; it’s the least you deserve.

It’s the least you deserve

Those words burn into his mind, like the flash of light when you look directly at the sun. They’re all he can hear for a long time. 

He knows that TK left this message months ago. That he was alluding to the fact that Carlos doesn’t deserve to deal with what TK would call his ‘fucked up brain and mess’. But listening to this message now, it almost feels prophetic. It is as if TK is telling him that there is no other choice, but to lean on their friends.

If the worst comes to pass and TK doesn’t come back to him, he’ll try to take care of himself, for no other reason than because TK asked him to. Asked him in some stupid message recorded months ago in the middle of a communication drought, but it feels important. Moreover, it feels like the truth. TK asked him to take care of himself and now there might be no other options. 

TK’s wisdom about leaning on their friends propels him back towards the ICU waiting room. He finds Nancy and Tommy in the same chairs he left them, only now Mateo and Judd have joined them. 

“Hey man.” Judd nods, he’s the first one to notice him, and as he shifts off his spot leaning against the wall, Carlos freezes in place. Despite being compelled to come back, and feeling the itch to follow through with TK’s plea of letting their friends be there for him, he feels out of place. It’s been so long since he occupied the same space as all of these people that mean so much to TK, and it’s impossible to ignore the real reason why they’re all here together now. 

Judd watches him carefully, slowly making his way over with the look born of way too much knowledge surrounding grief. Carlos finds himself engulfed in the warmest hug he’s felt in a long while, the older man’s arms wrapped completely around him, shielding him for just a moment. When Judd pulls back and pats a hand on his shoulder, the look of understanding on his face brings tears to Carlos’ eyes. He can’t stand to look at it anymore as he turns towards the rest of the group who are doing their best imitation of not watching the spectacle. 

“Hey Carlos,” Mateo greets him with the least amount of exuberance he’s ever heard from the kid and a soft, careful hug. “We’ve missed you man. Just wish –” he stutters, a shifty glance thrown in the direction of TK’s room. 

“Me too, Mateo,” Carlos offers, “Thanks for coming. I know TK would appreciate it.”

“We’re here for you too.” The fierce insistence in Mateo’s voice is a clear holdover from other times. From months of Carlos’ absence in not just TK’s life, but all of these people’s. For the first time since the break up Carlos allows himself to feel the grief of the loss. The weight of it pulls him down and he sinks into the chair between Nancy and Tommy. Allowing them to take his hands in theirs again, except this time he doesn’t pull away. 

Mateo and Judd excuse themselves sometime soon after that, with mentions of needing to get some rest before starting a new shift early tomorrow. It’s a stark reminder that the world outside the walls of this hospital marches on. He wishes he had the power to slow it down, prevent the inevitable ending that hangs over him.

“Want to go grab some coffee?” Nancy’s voice breaks through his dark thoughts and he meets her gaze before turning towards the room that holds his heart. He knows what he wants to do. 

“I’m gonna go sit with TK.”

He feels Nancy follow his gaze and her hand landing on his shoulder. “I’ll grab you something,” she promises as they both get up and without a second glance he’s striding up to the door to TK’s room. Nothing has changed since the last time Carlos entered this room, the quiet slide of the door opening allows for the sounds inside to reach his ears. His heartbeat kicks up at the too slow, unsteady rhythm of the heart monitor. It brings him back to nights laying tangled up on the couch with TK, fingers and lips finding pulse points. The always higher than average beat of TK’s heart, that Carlos took great pride in making speed up with a well placed kiss. 

As he settles into the chair next to the bed, the hiss and click of the ventilator surrounds him. Wrapping around him like a noose, cutting off his access to the very thing that gives him life. It’s not air though, no that thing is TK, his liveliness, his energy, everything that makes up that man Carlos loves. Desperate to hear something else, besides everything that is wrong, he pulls TK’s phone out of his pocket. 

Opening the app he thinks how it’s better to listen to these now, while there is still hope, rather than later when they’re the words of a ghost. 

November 6th, 2021

Hey Carlos, is it weird if I tell you I saw you on a scene today? Probably. Sorry. You looked good. Really good. I’m glad you seem to be doing okay. 

Startled at the thought that he looked good at any time during the break up, Carlos tries to remember what shift that would have been, but the days blur together in his memory. He’s suddenly sad that he can’t remember the last time he saw TK at a scene before the disastrously awkward meeting earlier that day. 

Doctor Matterson has been encouraging me to reach out, try to talk, but I haven’t told her that I walked out and then ghosted you. I did tell her that I definitely don’t have the right to come waltzing back in, now that I finally have some shit figured out.

She says that having the conversation might do us both some good. Help us move on. Find closure. I think that it’s just easier to keep the door as firmly shut as that day I walked out. Am I a coward for that, probably, but at least I’ll survive to tell the tale. 

Move on. Find Closure. Survive to tell the tale. 

He wonders why TK’s words always land like an arrow to his heart. He wonders if he’ll ever be able to move on after this. Find the closure that TK alludes to in his message. He wonders if TK felt like he was finding closure all those months ago, or if he was just pretending like Carlos was. 

The anguish he feels hearing TK tell him that he thinks it would be better to keep the door shut. That TK forgot he held the key to every door Carlos ever had, all he had to do was come back, be there, talk, and Carlos wouldn’t have kept him out. 

Mind whirling, the sounds of the medical equipment grow louder again and Carlos clicks the next message.

November 8th, 2021

“Hey. So I’ve been keeping busy.  

TK’s voice floats over him as he stares unseeing at the body lying in the bed, unconsciously he closes his eyes, imagining the voice is coming from the man himself. 

Work has been good. Steady.

Scaled down to therapy twice a week. Meetings. I’ve been trying. 

Some days I think it’s working, but then I remember how good we had it before and how that blew up in my face. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m okay. That I’m not giving up. 

It’s such a short message, but the tone of the message is different from all the previous ones. The tone of TK’s voice pitched up, an attempt at lightheartedness. It’s not quite sincere, but there is a flicker of truth underneath it, like TK maybe had started to believe some part of what he was saying, that he wasn’t giving up. 

Carlos longs to reach out and take TK’s hand now, to beg him to keep fighting, to not give up. Old insecurities hold him back, but he moves the chair a bit closer, the legs scratching loudly across the floor, and then he leans closer still as he hits play for the next message.

November 10th, 2021

Dad left. Said he was sorry he couldn’t do more for the 126 and just ran away into hill country. I want to be so mad at him, until I remember that running is exactly what I do, did, have done. I don’t know. Some days it sucks to be a Strand.

And just like that all traces of hope are washed away again. Sucked out by the force of Owen Strand’s distinct lack of ability to be what TK needs when Owen himself is struggling to not be the hero everyone else sees him as. Anger stirs in the pit of Carlos’ stomach at the reminder that no one has been able to reach Owen since TK was admitted. That he’s not here now when TK needs him, and that he apparently hasn’t been for a long time. 

It’s a kick in the gut that despite TK’s own words several messages ago that Owen could tell he wasn’t doing well, the man still couldn’t face being just what TK needs if he couldn’t be what he wanted. 

Mom’s been trying to get me to go visit her. She’s got Jonah and can’t travel, otherwise I know she’d be here right now. She’s worried. She’s also pissed, I heard her yelling at dad through the phone. It didn’t change anything though. 

Nothing really ever changes, does it? At least not the things that matter.

The words are a clear contradiction to who TK is at his core. TK has never believed in permanence of situations/people/feelings, sometimes to the detriment of believing that nothing good ever stays, but he always believed that things could change. 

Once, TK had told him that ‘nothing ever stays the same’ and now he’s saying that ‘nothing ever changes’. He supposes the sentiments aren’t necessarily the same, but the lack of hopefulness in the words blankets him. Even at his most wary, even when he was pushing and pulling Carlos in every direction, TK never completely disregarded the possibility of things changing. 

In the beginning TK had told him he wasn’t ready. Not that he wouldn’t ever be ready.

Before the solar storm TK told him that he needed to figure out himself before he could figure them out. Not that he would never be willing to figure them out.

With Carlos’ parents, TK promised to be whatever he needed, until he was ready because, nothing ever stays the same and he had faith in Carlos being ready sometime. 

After the fire the number of times TK comforted him by reminding him that living with Owen wouldn’t be a forever thing, that things change. 

During their last fight TK had shouted that he knew it wouldn’t last, that nothing ever stays the same. At the time it had just hurt to hear those words that Carlos once took reassurance from used against him. Now he is hit with the realization that TK hasn’t had anything permanent. He hasn’t had anything stay for him, not his parents, not his sobriety, not his love.

Carlos wants to be the one to change that. Same as he always has, but now with a new understanding of why TK doesn’t believe happiness will last. 

With that thought he clicks play on the next message.  

#ali writes #secret messages #tarlos break up era fic #tarlos #tarlos fanfic #carlos reyes #tk strand #3x03 #911 lone star #911 ls fic #part 2 secret messages

[coffeeheartaddict2]

Everybody Hurts Sometimes (4/?)

Changes of circumstances

Book: Open Heart (AU)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x Casey Valentine

Warnings: sexual content, language

***trigger warning- this series deals with issues of addiction and abandonment***

Word count: 2970

Category: Angst

Rating: mature.

Summary: Ethan comes to a realisation, a cure for Naveen comes from an unlikely source, Casey chooses to fight for her career.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Pixelberry

Authors note: this series will be a ride but so will this chapter, it will set up quite a bit of what will happen in coming chapters. You will note some of the changes from canon in this chapter and it will give familiar events a different feel and yes set up some of the pain to come.

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

Ethan was at a loss. He had given nearly a decade to Edenbrook and to his career. He had some cases where he could not come up with the diagnosis but if it is the man whom you have considered your second father then it hurt. He also had grave concerns for Casey’s future. He knew there was an investigation but he could shake the feeling that the tip off and the sabotage were linked. He wanted to help her but how, he knew Harper was already suspicious and even though he felt they were being discrete, he could not help but wonder if anyone else had suspected. He needed Casey but he also needed to be alone.

There is a serious accident the next day. Everyone is helping. Triage has to be done at the hospital and Casey and the deep end. The gang have many questions of what they overheard but had not had the chance to address it with Casey. It is an arduous shift, the hardest part was not being able to do anything for some of the patients. The shift went on, less casualties were coming in. Casey finally had time to think then Raf was bought in, severely injured. There was an OR available and Harper the only surgeon available, Bryce also assisted. After the surgery, Casey had a new found respect for surgeons. Bryce was thanked and praised for his assistance and finally it was just Harper and Casey.

“As you know we are investigating the death of Mrs Martinez, when the body comes back there will be a full autopsy and any involvement you had will be found. Casey said nothing.

She makes her way to an on call room. Despite exhaustion, sleep does not come. Thoughts running through her mind. Casey then realizes with an investigation there will be limited chance to defend her actions. She decides then and there to admit and ask for an Ethics hearing.

She decides to head home. She is greeted by the gang. They are curious as to how she is holding up and also the allegations of sleeping with Ethan.

“Me and Ethan had been treating Naveen in secret for a few months before Miami. We went to Miami to get some information from Declan Nash about an experimental sepsis treatment. We had sex and decided to continue a relationship in secret, which is what we did. After helping get a patient into a research study he squeezed my arm when congratulating me on my win. Harper apparently saw it and he ensured I got assigned harder cases. I do not know how Landry came to the conclusion that I was sleeping with Ethan but none of it was related to the competition, nor was my assistance with Naveen added into the results. Ethan quit because we could not figure out what was wrong with Naveen and he only has a month left.”

Casey was expecting a more angrier reaction from everyone but they were shocked.

Jackie then asked “so that snake was hoping to achieve what exactly?”

“Me out of the competition, or at least off top

Spot, thankfully missing charts and unauthorised changes to medication did not harm any patients but he knew that the truth with Mrs M would end it for me but a wise doctor taught me to never give up and that is what I am doing. Next shift, I will be asking for an ethics hearing.”

The gang are shocked.

“Are you sure?” Stated Elijah.

“Yes, now if you will excuse me I need sleep.”

Sleep came but it was troubled.Casey knew that Harper was on the committee and so was Naveen, but he quit and she did not know who replaced Naveen, if it all. She hoped they had not as an odd numbered panel would out a tie. There was also a chance a request would be denied but she did not want to think about that.

Casey makes her way to the admin floor to office of Harper Emery. It was an office she hoped to never visit but here she was, requesting a fight for her career. She was ushered in by her assistant. Harper looks up from what she is doing.

“Can I help you Dr Valentine?”

Casey takes a calming breath.

“It was me, I did administer the medication to Teresa. She knew the risks and still opted to receive the dose. I know it was wrong but it was for the right reasons and as such I am requesting an Ethics hearing.”

Harper did not know what to think, a myriad of shock, relief and appreciation, not for the honesty but her fighting spirit. Harper granted the request. She was to work until otherwise advised and she wished her luck.

Next day came, the preliminary hearing where Casey was officially suspended. She knew this would happen but it was still sad. It was going to give her time to prepare for her hearing but she really needed Ethan. He had still been incommunicado. She knew he needed the time alone but she also needed him.

Meanwhile, in Providence Ethan was still at a loss. The inability to solve Naveen’s case eating at him and the investigation that was to occur. He was relieved that Casey eventually confided in him and he hoped whoever was sabotaging her had not erased the official channels that Casey used. Despite his troubles, his rational side started to kick in, he knew he had to fill in paperwork etc for quit. He called Harper, she was pleasantly surprised to hear from him. She asked why he rang and Ethan said it was to organize his exit paperwork. Harper stated that things were busy right now. This piqued Ethan’s interest. Harper advised that Dr Valentine had requested an Ethics hearing and it was to happen in a few days.

“I will testify for Case…Dr Valentine.” Said Ethan.

Harper did not miss the slip of the tongue. She had seen the arm squeeze a fair few weeks ago and she often seen them engaged in conversation, which was intriguing to her as Ethan rarely conversed with anyone unless needed but she could not ignore the latest rumour that had started from a heated confrontation. A rumour that Ethan and Casey were sleeping together.

“I can not let you do it Ethan, you are too biased. I have witnessed a few innocent things but with some of the rumours I have heard I can not let you. I am sorry Ethan. Harper hangs up and Ethan groans in frustration. Harper was right of course, he was biased, he wanted to see her succeed and he knew she would be hard pressed for a fair hearing. He was proud though, she was showing how tenacious she is. Ethan thinks to himself, if she is not going to give up than neither am I.

Firstly he sends a picture of Teresa out the front of Sacre Du Couer and emails it to Louis with the following message.

To Louis,

My name is Dr Ramsey and I was one of many doctors who had the privilege of getting to know your mother over the last decade. As you know she was frustrated by her treatment, unable to go anywhere. I know it will not bring your mother back but the doctor who allegedly gave your mother the treatment found it, researched it, told Teresa and despite the risk she was willing to give it a go. We were all shocked that the symptoms out of nowhere improved and we were all glad that she got to do something she yearned to do.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Dr Ethan Ramsey.

He also contacted Alma to see if she would testify for Casey. She was willing and able. Ethan hoped this would work.

Casey was in her unit, she needed a break from the legalese that was medical ethics text. There was a knock at the door. Casey opened it to find Sienna, Jackie, Elijah, Bryce and Raf.

“We have come bearing brunch” said Sienna and we are also here to help you prepare. The gang were then joined by Zaid and Ines. Who asked how the prep was going. Casey stated she had patients lined up to testify. She was then asked about what staff. Casey said she did not have staff. Casey was then advised that there were some senior attendings had a regular tee time at the country club.

Zaid and Ines took their leave and the gang decide to go. They get changed and head to the country club. They see Dr Yannick, Dr Calais and Dr Lazoya. They make their way and introduce themselves and eyebrows were raised when they realised who Casey was. Casey had the email ready for Dr Calais that detailed the data for the treatment, he was duly impressed. They played golf and Dr Calais was impressed with Casey’s golf game. When asked why she did what she did she stated because Teresa deserved better. She was a prisoner to her treatment and aren’t we taught to do all that we can for our patients?. Dr Lazoya was impressed by this. They were also told that the hospital was at war over this, there were those who think you need to be made an example of and there are those that think you did the wrong thing sure but for the right reasons. The three doctors agreed to testify for Casey and the gang were buoyed that the hospital was at war.

The arrived back at the apartment.

“With the hospital not in agreement, would it be worth asking Ethan?” Said Jackie

“Yeah I agree, I know he has quit but it appears he holds some sway still!” Said Elijah.

“Yeah and how many people heard the rat’s accusation? Yes it is true, we are in a consensual relationship but there are going to be those who think I was sleeping to gain advantage and if those people are on committee?”

“That is a valid point,” stated Sienna, “but surely it is worth asking?”

Casey could not argue that and she messaged Ethan. He invited her over. Casey orders an Uber and leaves. She arrives at his apartment, not knowing what to find. Ethan was standing at the living room window drinking a glass of scotch.

“You have heard then?” She asks.

He turns around. “When did you join a cult?”

“Country club”

“Same thing”

“We went to get some staff support for my ethics hearing. Dr Yannick, Dr Calais and Dr Lazoya are testifying for me.” Casey takes a breath, “can you testify for me also?”

Ethan shakes his head in frustration.

“I want to but I can’t. I contacted Harper the other day on another matter and it came up. She said I am biased and as much as I have been in denial, I am. I can and will not unwillingly sabotage you.”

“So you are just going to give up?” Asked Casey. He so wants to tell her he has workings in the background but he does not know if they will work so he keeps quiet.

He looks at her. “I love you so much Casey, it is tearing me apart that I can not help you, nearly as much as being unable to help Naveen.”

“You love me?” Asks Casey as she cups her hand on his cheek. Ethan does the same to Casey and kisses her his answer. They make their way to his bedroom, Ethan making quick work of her dress. He brings her to the window,he stands behind her, she can feel his hardness pressing into her lower back. “The view is truly beautiful isn’t it.” Says Casey while Ethan kisses down the column of her neck.

“Not as beautiful as you succumbing to your climax” whispers Ethan in her ear huskily. He lays waste to her bra and turns her around and places her against the window. He kisses her hungrily before telling her again that he loves her. “I love you too” says Casey and Ethan kneels down in front of her, removes her panties and worships her at the altar of her sex. Casey is on cloud nine, sex, especially the oral had always been fantastic but today it was different in a great way. Eventually she succumbed and they made their way to the bed. He made love to her three times over. Casey fell into a blissful sleep and Ethan was euphoric. She loved him. He eventually went to sleep refusing to think of what ifs to come if she got cleared from the ethics hearing.

Casey awoke the next morning, Ethan was dead asleep and she left him a note stating she had gone home. She had to pinch herself that last night happened but it had. She made her way back to the unit. She was confronted by Landry. She went to get changed and a quick shower. Landry was packing a box but what was to go in was not fitting. Casey wanting him gone. She offered some suggestions and it made her think of the different issues with Naveen. What if Naveen had two things wrong with him, one of them being bacterial and the other being another illness? They head to the library and Casey messages the gang. They come and are surprised to see Landry.

“Him struggling with packing gave me the idea.”

The gang get to work, they figure it is a bacteriophage and something else but to get the equipment to run the tests. Landry states he will get the equipment and they make their way to the lake house. Casey is relieved that Naveen is alive. She tells Naveen of her theory and he gives a sample. They find out the bacteriophage is C2 and the bug is a superbug A. Baunamii. Landry is at a loss to treat. Casey suggests phage therapy. Naveen stated that Ethan knows what to do. Casey makes her way to Ethan’s. He is still dead asleep. She straddles him and is confused when he sees her as he does not remember her bringing a change of clothes. She tells me she figured it out, what was making Naveen sick. Ethan was amazed, proud, thankful. He got up and had a head spin. A sore reminder he was not 25 anymore. Casey said she will make a hangover cure while he gets ready. She kisses him. “I love you now let’s go save a life.” He kisses her again, “that was for luck and I love you too.”

They go to the labs at Harvard and make the phage therapy. He was saddened to hear that she knew who was sabotaging her and shocked that she was working with him but he decides then and there to play nice. They arrive at the lake house, Naveen is still alive. Ethan administers the phage therapy. Naveen drifts off into unconsciousness. Ethan stated to Casey she should head back, she asks Ethan if he will come tomorrow, even though he can not testify.

The trial comes, Casey sees Ethan a

Ns states the treatment appears to be working and that Dr Olsen is with him. He wishes he could kiss her for good luck but he doesn’t dare. She heads in. Declan Nash is seated behind her, looking smug as fuck. She wishes she prostituted herself to get the information for Naveen then he probably would not be here but if she had she could not be sure she would have what she has with Ethan. Casey is relieved that it is an odd numbered panel, they had not replaced Naveen’s spot. Casey was asked some basic questions about what happened. Then the patients, her first patient Annie was first to testify, then there was Alma, baby Ethan’s aunt, Nigel, the first of the difficult cases she was assigned and then the senior doctors. She was not sure what to think then a gentleman comes in. He asks are you the person who gave the drug to my mother. Casey nods. Casey braces for a barrage of anger that does not come. Instead he hugs her and thanks her for giving his mother some quality. He also advises he will be dropping the lawsuit. Casey is relieved but some on the committee were still not convinced and were calling for a vote. Casey heard the doors open and in walks Naveen. He tells her how he was unwell, was been treated and then he was given a month left, he then tells how Casey spent some of the time preparing for the trial to save him. A vote is called and the vote to keep her there is unanimous. Declan is annoyed but Casey ignores him. She thanks the panel and greets Naveen.

Eventually Casey is at Donahue’s, celebrating her win, she knew Ethan had some stuff to sort first. He arrives, he tells Casey he will be working again and again thanks her for not giving up with Naveen. Casey suggests they head back to her apartment for a private celebration for which he agrees. He states he can not stay but Casey is ok with that. He makes love to her several times. Casey falls asleep, the exhaustion of the last few days catching up with her. Ethan lies there, there was no word if the competition was still going to continue. Naveen was also wanting to come back to work. He was therefore cautiously optimistic that they could continue their relationship and maybe go public. He kissed the top of her head and fell asleep, unaware of the announcement that was to come.

————

Authors note- she got a bit long there but I

Did want to set up for the next chapter especially. I highly recommend your comfort food.

Tagging: @jerzwriter @jamespotterthefirst @genevievemd @potionsprefect @liaromancewriter @tessa-liam @youlookappropriate @cariantha @trappedinfanfiction @bex-la-get @a-crepusculo @crazy-loca-blog @ofmischiefandmedicine @lucy-268

@schnitzelbutterfingers @binny1985

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

#open heart #ethan ramsey #choices fanfic writers creations #casey valentine #Naveen Banerji #au #choices stories you play #choices #fic of the week

[hmshermitcraft]

Sea-Serpent/Dragon Grian and Ship Captain Cleo? I think the idea of Grian being too sweet for Cleo to sell or kill being adorable

The creature has beautiful, iridescent red scales that nearly glow in the sunlight. Cleo stares at him for a long time, watching the serpent slumbering in her hull. A catch like this could leave her and her crew set for life. It could be a scientific discovery for the ages.

But she can't do it. She just can't do it.

Grian is quiet and timid at first. He was injured by the net, his tail not bending right. Cleo worries about putting him straight back into the water before he heals. But she can't sell him, and she doesn't think any of her crew want to either. Not as they spend time with Grian, bringing him food, tending to his tail, changing out his water. Despite the language barrier, he has a wicked sense of humour as he grows more confident. He pulls pranks that have even the sternest crew members (who's probably Cleo) laughing.

She tries to study his language, just in case. They're able to understood basic sentences by the time her doctor gives Grian the all clear. It's with a heavy heart she makes plans for his release - not too far from where they first caught him. The crew lowers him down in a boat, until Grian's able to roll into the water with a splash. He trills, jumping through the ocean and circling the ship. Then, he dives, disappearing beneath the waves. And Cleo assumes that'll be the last they see of him.

It's one of the younger crewmates that approaches her, nervously telling her that there's something waiting by the side of the boat. Cleo frowns, slightly confused, but pulls on her jacket as she heads out.

Grian is waiting in the water, keeping up with the ship without any effort. He perks up when he sees her, nearly climbing the side of the ship in overexcited greeting.

He follows them around after that, reappearing every few days. They use the row boat to give him a spot to rest and Cleo spends time chattering, asking what adventures he's been on.

One day, Grian asks what humans do for the people they love. It takes Cleo longer than she'll admit to realise that's why he suddenly started bringing her gifts. The next time he appears, she goes down on the row boat to meet him and gives him a personal kiss on the cheek.

#hermitshipping #ask #grian tag #zombiecleo tag #greo #mod 🎀

[magicandjuliet]

Father, Mother, Son

Twenty-six hours of labor.

Without intermission, without Suzume being able to rest, without anyone being able to quell the rage that had begun to emanate from her at the beginning of the twenty-sixth hour of labor, which had begun in the late evening of the day before.

October 24, 2031, at precisely midnight, Suzume Munakata had staggered to her husband and told him in a tone so soft it reminded him of a torrent, "I think my water broke."

Hell had risen to the ground in less than a second : in a very quick succession, Souta had grabbed the suitcases they had been keeping ready for days, loading them all on his shoulder without hesitation and darting from one side of the house to the other like a madman.

"The cell phone! Where's the cell phone?!" Souta hollered as he rampaged through the house, his hair - previously put up in a ponytail- was now wild and dishevelled.

"It's here, Souta."

"Wha-?!"

"Here! You left it in charge!"

Souta had barreled into the room again. "What are you doing on the bed?! We need to get going!!"

"But I'm fine-!"

"Your water broke!!" Souta screeched, fumbling in the fridge to get water bottles…way too many water bottles. "How is that fine?! We gotta go to the hospital, now!"

Seriously, how many bottles did a pregnant woman need?

Souta had been serially accumulating everything since the beginning of her pregnancy, but Suzume had been pretty sure he had no idea what to do with half of it.

She had raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're not the one who's giving birth?"

Through it all, Suzume could only sit on the bed and watch her husband's level of insanity rise minute by minute, second by second.

It had been five minutes after the Munakatas had finally managed to get into the car to drive to the hospital-despite the fact that she had been nowhere near active labor, Souta was acting as if the baby was about to come out at that very moment.

She had made him stop the car on the side of the road to explain that she was not yet feeling contractions, and more importantly to tell him that he needed to calm down if he did not want to risk passing out in the delivery room.

It had been the most exhausting twenty-six hours of their lives. More grueling than the adventure that had introduced them to each other all those years before, more grueling than being turned into a chair...oh, thank goodness he was human again!

There would have been no way for Suzume to go through labor without being able to break his hand....

As she had been doing all along, after all. But Souta, kneeling beside her on the hospital bed, had not complained either over losing feeling in his knees or that after the baby was born there would be a need to call a radiologist to see that indeed his hand was broken in two.

And at five o'clock in the morning, the cry of a new life had filled the small hospital room, and Suzume, his beautiful but exhausted Suzume, had fallen backwards on the mountain of pillows behind her, panting and crying together. And the doctor had placed on her chest a tiny being covered in blood, red and still attached to its mother by the umbilical cord.

A stirring of emotions of extraordinary power had awakened in Souta, who only then had found the strength to hoist himself up from the bent position he had assumed to hold a leg for Suzume-any kind of comfort during childbirth is essential. Holding her hands, her legs, and being there present one and all...although -Souta would never admit it- but he had felt faint several times during the hours Suzume had spent pushing. The sight of all that blood, not having eaten anything, and the tension of the moment had played tricks on him….

But he had relieved himself and slid a hand to the back of Suzume's head, which tilted in his touch, nose to nose.

"It's a boy." The doctor had said, as he stimulated the infant with a clean blanket. Before long, disgruntled screams filled the room, and Suzume took to crying even louder, holding the infant firmly against her chest.

"Souta..." She murmured. "Our baby…it's our baby…"

Souta wiped away her tears with his thumbs, resting his forehead against hers. "Hey, Mama."

Suzume made a sound somewhere between sobbing and laughing. "Hey, Papa…"

He took her face in his hands and kissed her with all his might, with all the love floating in his body…His joy was so powerful, so unbridled.

He had never felt anything quite like it.

While the doctors were busy cutting the umbilical cord and cleaning the baby, Souta watched carefully : was his paternal instinct already kicking in?

The baby was not even three minutes old, and Souta could already feel his own muscles jarring to have him in his arms.

"Okay Dad, now it's your turn." It was the nurse's voice that had brought him out of the state he was in : Shinobu had been properly cleaned, a tiny woolen cap had been placed on his little head - was the soft spot still open? The infant was wrapped in a pretty blue blanket, and the way she held him made it look so...natural.

But the young father quivered at the idea of holding him.

Oh. He was so small. So fragile, and he was so big.

It could have broken some of his little bones for sure-oh no, what if he slipped?

His arms were made for pushing doors shut, they were made for carrying insurmountable weights, they were made for hugging, his hands only knew how to handle keys...and if up to that point he had thought a wooden contraption was the most delicate thing he had ever handled, when the nurse put his son in his arms he realized it was a whole different kettle of fish.

Shinobu was no bigger than his forearm, a tiny, full head of dark hair hidden under a blue cap rested in the crook of Souta's arm, the rest of that tiny body greeted by soft swaddling was gathered and resting on his father's hand

And it alone was huge in comparison to the infant.

Suzume had collapsed into a deep slumber as soon as the stitches had been placed. His wife had resisted sleeping at first, afraid that Shin might need something and she would not be able to hear him cry.

But Souta had reassured her that he would wake up in case the baby needed anything.

He had spent time observing his son's facial features...and could confirm after almost an hour without taking his eyes off him that Shinobu Munakata was the most beautiful, precious, and special thing he had ever held. More precious than any key, more powerful than any shockwave he had ever felt, and more devastating than being turned into a chair. More terrifying than having been on the verge of ceasing to exist, on the brink of an irretrievable abyss...at the bottom of a barrel from which he had held never to rise again.

Of never again feeling the warmth of the summer sun on his skin, of never again seeing a sunrise, of never again being moved by a sunset.... To never again hear Suzume's voice.

Instead, like sunlight breaking through snow, Suzume had given him her hands. She had melted the ice in his heart, pieces of crystal the size of tears that had clung to his skin. The warmth he had felt on his skin when she had opened that door....

I want to live.

I want to live.

I want to live!!!

And Suzume wanted to live together with him.

She had given him her hand, and firmly pulled him to her.

He had returned to feeling the warmth of life in the blink of an eye.

And his hand had never left hers. And now, the same hands that had saved each other from a taken-for-granted end held tightly to something more precious than he could ever have thought.

Shinobu was quiet, a silent and peaceful child.... As if he had cried only to reassure his parents that he was alive and healthy, and then he must have fallen asleep on contact with the warm water of the bath that had been prepared for him to cleanse him of blood. He had spent those nine months informing himself and reading, and had read that newborns could be comforted by a few little pats on the bottom intent on reminding the little one of the mother's heartbeat and soothing them. Another way was to wrap them tightly in swaddling clothes. So it was likely that their son had fallen asleep in a daze...after all, labor is difficult for both mother and baby...and it had not been an easy labor, despite everything Souta had read in those months to try and make the delivery easy.

Exercise ball, foods that contained iron and fiber, taking walks...it had even crossed Souta's mind to engage in acupuncture....

It had taken the last ultrasound before delivery to reassure him that the baby was healthy.

And labor had been a tremendous experience anyway. Suzume had started the contractions calmly, reassuring her husband that she was fine and wanted to keep moving...and then gradually the situation had worsened.

Soon they had reached such an intense peak that she could not even speak, only squeeze with demolishing force her husband's poor hand, which she could only massage where it hurt, hold her hand and feed her ice chips.

All that had come back to him were the months before– He had been sitting grading his pupils' class assignments when she had hugged him from behind and turned him toward her, then taken his face in her hands. "I have something for you."

"Oh?" He had raised an eyebrow, watching her slip out of his arms to fetch something from the bathroom. "Close your eyes!" She chirped. "It's a surprise!"

Chuckling softly, he had reclined in his chair and waited until Suzume's footsteps suggested that she had returned. "Okay...open your hands."

He obeyed, and his wife had placed something like a thermometer in his hand.

Souta had frowned. "...Did you get sick?"

"For another reason. Okay! Can you guess what it is?"

Souta had chewed his lower lip thoughtfully. "...I give up, what is it?"

"Then go ahead and open your eyes~"

In Souta's hands, a rose-colored stick sat impassively.

How had he mistaken it for a thermometer? The shape was crystal clear--outlined by a straight, curvy shape.

It was a pregnancy test.

And it was positive.

Souta's eyes widened, staring at the small object with.... surprise? He did not know how, but what was stirring in his chest was something deeper than mere surprise.

"Suzume..." He had said, looking at the two lines as if they were two paintings. Her smaller hands cupped his.

"Are you...?"

She had nodded, that black hair she loved more than anything else in the world bounced loose on her shoulders. "Look." She said, tapping a fingernail on the small screen of the pregnancy test :

Pregnant. Three weeks. The writing was crystal clear.

Souta felt a thousand emotions at the same moment : joy, confusion, fear, emotion.

He lifted his eyes with exasperating slowness toward her. "we're having a baby…?"

Suzume had nodded, and tears had formed at the sides of her eyes. "Yes, Souta."

He had fallen from his chair, kneeling before her. He had embraced her from the waist, pulling her to him with a series of kisses overflowing with tears of joy. I love you murmured through his lips....

His students did not have their classwork back for two weeks..

Suzume had been asleep all morning long, and Souta had made it his mission to keep an eye on his wife and son.

At one point in the morning he too had had to put Shin down in the crib next to Suzume's bed, but keeping a finger in so that his son could pick him up in case of a nightmare.

The baby had wiggled a few times, but nothing too constant and repeated. A few sounds to let his father know he was okay, occasionally he felt a little finger catch his index finger...but nothing as disastrous as the experienced parents they had met on the street had told him it would be.

In nurse entered at about eight o'clock. "Sir, visiting hours are about to open." He said with a respectful bow. "A checkup will be done on your wife in a little while, would you like to give baby Munakata to me?"

Instinctively, Souta clasped his hands around the crib. "No, I thank you. I prefer him to stay here."

His skin tingled at even the thought of having Shin away from him for more than five minutes, and he was not the one who had carried him inside him for nine months as Suzume had.

"So… it's time to feed him, this little guy will be hungry." Said the woman. "I can show you how to do it, if you want."

Apparently, Souta noted, there were several ways of holding a child while feeding them of which he was unaware...and after the nurse listed them all for him, he decided to go on the one he knew best.

He placed his son on his forearm in a semi-vertical position and then gently brought the bottle with milk close to Shin's lips.

"Why isn't he latching?"

The nurse, with a gentle smile, explained. "It's normal, he must first understand that there is milk coming out of there."

It took a couple of tries and soft encouragement from the new father for Shinobu to open his lips and begin sucking from the spout of the bottle fiercely, Souta laughed instinctively. "So hungry..." He said.

As if his mother had not fed him the strangest cravings during those nine months...anything and everything.

Starting from noodles topped with mayonnaise and salmon ending with beet onigiri and ketchup, Souta could say he had seen it all in terms of food.

Shin drank like a drunkman, and then went into what he described himself as...milk coma.

It had caused a not inconsiderable dose of panic in Souta, dampened only when the nurse had burst out laughing and told him it was normal. It was almost on a par with a hangover, it seemed.

Souta had cast a glance at his son. You better not become a drunkard, young man.

Suzume had awakened only at lunchtime, turning onto her side and straining Souta's hand. "Hey..."

Her husband had immediately kissed her forehead, taking her hand in his. "Good morning, sleeping beauty...how are you feeling?"

"A little groggy and sore...but otherwise fine." She said, pulling herself to sit up. She still looked tired, but It was muffled slightly by the hours of sleep. "How about you? Did you get any sleep?"

"A little. Don't worry." He said, shifting to allow her to rest her head on his shoulder. "Shin is sleeping."

"Has he been good?"

"An exemplary baby, he hasn't cried once."

Suzume chuckled against his shoulder softly. "Like father, like son."

Souta stroked her head. "Thank you, Suzume."

She blinked. "For what, silly?"

Tears burned in his eyes, so he instinctively hid his face in her hair. "For giving me the greatest gift in the world. Thank you for this life, thank you for loving me, thank you for our son. Thank you for existing."

And Suzume -- his beautiful, tired, brave Suzume -- gently squeezed his hand. "Hey, you're the one who entered my life first."

Souta kissed the top of her head. "But you're the one who improved my life." He said softly, taking her hand and caressing her mouth with his thumb. "You are my life, both of you."

"Stop it, come on...you know my hormones are raging!" Chuckled Suzume amid tears that threatened to fall.

And with them, Souta's heart was ten times bigger.

Ten times fuller.

Shinobu was brought to his mother after a few minutes, and as soon as he was in Suzume's arms she began to coo sweet words of greeting to him, cradling him perfectly in her own arms. Those arms that had saved Souta, those arms that had held him when he was a chair, and those same arms were now holding the fruit of their love.

Their firstborn son.

Shinobu Munakata would become an extraordinary man.

With two parents like Munakata Souta and Munakata Suzume, how could he not be?

#suzume no tojimari #iwato suzume #fanfiction #anime fanfic

[viralvava]

"But really, Izayoi-kun--" Mephisto set his glass down clumsily on the bartop, swivelling around to face Kyoya. His face looked slightly flushed, rosy cheeks stark against his otherwise pale complexion, eyes vaguely unfocused. "I have to ask. Why do you keep coming back here?" Despite his state, the words almost came out perfectly measured, if not for the barest hint of a slur.

"Eh? Here?" Kyoya played dumb, rocking his own drink in the glass. The ice made a clattering sound. "No idea what you mean."

Mephisto pulled a face. For him, it meant little more than a tug of the lips. Kyoya was shocked, then overjoyed, to find that the other man was pouting. "To the Demon City. Shinjuku. Why do you keep coming here?"

It was true; Kyoya didn't live in Shinjuku. Not like Sayaka, who stayed here so she could work at the hospital, and not like Mephisto, who stayed here so he could... do whatever it was he did in his clinic. Not even like Mephisto's 'friend' Setsura, who Kyoya had met once before Mephisto had all but begged him to never interact with the man ever again. So why did he keep coming back?

"T-That's none of your business, be for real." Kyoya tilted his glass to his mouth so he didn't have to look Mephisto straight. "For all you know, I--"

"Hah!" Mephisto interrupted him, pointing triumphantly. Kyoya had to lunge forward and steady him when he began to wobble in his seat. Apparently Mephisto had to be one hell of a lightweight. Kyoya had never seen him act so open. "It's for Sayaka, isn't it?" Mephisto said smugly, completely ignoring Kyoya's attempts to keep him upright. He ended up slumping over Kyoya's shoulder. "Are you brave enough to admit it yet? That you're call-... calling on a lady?"

"Shove off it," Kyoya snapped, putting his drink down so he could handle Mephisto's weight. Why did he have to be so gangly? "You know that already, anyway, I don't have to admit anything to you!" Except for-- well--

"You're agreeing with me, eh?" Mephisto sounded delighted.

"Hey, wait a-- no! No! That's not what I meant! Asshole!"

"Please, you can hardly get anything past me--" Mephisto pawed around for his glass, and, when his fingers successfully wrapped around it, he reared back suddenly and downed what's left of the drink inside. Then he collapsed back on top of Kyoya. "--I'm a doctor, you know. I have to be able to read all my patients."

"I'm not one of your patients! Besides, you've got it all wrong, it's not just for Saya--" Kyoya caught himself, mouth snapping shut, but it was too late. He felt Mephisto go still, like a predator.

"Not 'just'?" His voice was practically a purr. "Enlighten me, Izayoi-kun."

"There's nothing to be enlightened about." Kyoya argued weakly, giving Mephisto a push. It didn't do anything.

"Nonsense..."

... Oh, to hell with it. Kyoya sighed, grabbed his drink, and took a cue from Mephisto. "Fine," he groaned, wishing he was drunker. "I want to visit you sometimes. That's it, okay?"

Mephisto was silent, and Kyoya prepared himself for another round of teasing, but... "Really?"

"Uh... yeah?" He hated being anything resembling vulnerable, but there was something about the way Mephisto said it, and the alcohol in his system loosened him up a little. "Aren't you the one who was so insistent on us being friends? Don't act all surprised about it."

"I... see." Mephisto spoke quietly, his voice muffled a bit by Kyoya's shoulder. Kind of concerned, Kyoya jostled him a little, but Mephisto shook his head. "Friends. Yes. I suppose that is how friendship works..."

"... You good?"

"Oh, dandy," came the response immediately, now all but breezy, and Kyoya was gobsmacked for a minute at how quickly Mephisto could change his tune. Then he remembered he was dealing with a complete weirdo, in the highest sense of the word, and resolved to take it in stride.

Kyoya sighed and shuffled himself off the barstool, arranging himself so that he could help Mephisto walk. Judging by how the man was still leaning into him like he didn't have legs of his own, he guessed it'd be more like carrying. Slapping some yen onto the countertop, he sighed heavily and started making their way out of the bar. "Come on," he grunted. "Let's get you back... uh... do you live in the clinic?"

"Something like that." Mephisto still had his face buried in the collar of Kyoya's jacket.

"Right."

#demon city shinjuku #kyoya izayoi #doctor mephisto

[fandoms-of-a-random-existence]

Is this that thing that you like? (/j but also where would I be able to find it it looks interesting)

FSJFHSKFJSKHH I-

okay I will admit i was not expecting anyone to ask but holy shit/pos

Okay, so confession time, Kings in the Corner is actually a closed discord ARG that is actually on hiatus right now because of IRL things, however the mods decided to leave it as a sandbox for the players and we have steadily been descending into madness and brainrot (dreamscapes arc my beloved)

And so, I don't actually remember how we got on the topic but eventually a bunch of us came to the conclusion "being insane about the blorbos on the discord isn't enough, we need to subject the rest of the world to our brainrot, what if we posted on tumblr like it was an actual fandom with no context" and well I am giving context now but shhh don't worry about it sorry I took so long to reply, I just. there's so much...this is gonna be long- anyways since there really isn't any way to get kitc content besides the players brainrot spilling over, here~! (apologies for the way this is. not likely all that comprehensible)

The basic plot is you/your character has been invited to the Kingdom in the Four Corners where we have a King, Queen, and Jack for each card suit, and each player is/was assigned a suit based off of your vibes, and later on, just got shunted into diamonds due to the uh. tragedies. Anyways! Because of the way the invitation works, all the characters have the potential to be from different worlds and universes which has led to the colorful cast of characters including [looks at notes]

-Fallen London OC

-Twisted Wonderland OC

-An actual Warriorcat

-Doctor Who x the Beatles OC

-Charas from players own original worlds <3

-The personification of healing from grief who is also from pathologic now

-AND FUCKING HOMESTUCKED

All I really have to say about the last one is don't take any orange pills the Jokers give you. (The Jokers are... actually I should preface this with the information none of us take drugs irl, but they are the closest thing to medical doctors we've got so uh, if you want to take some joker drugs to get a funky hallucination to learn more details about the rebellion/experience the previous Ace's executions for yourself as a side effect for your stomach ache, well are they they guys you wanna see! Apparently Jokers start their training at age 10 and it's very fucked up and also there are domestic and feral jokers??? I am concerned.)

Honestly so much has happened in a relatively short period of time I don't think I could summarize all the important bits but some of the highlights so far include: -The Bitchless Allegations: King Dani of Diamonds (Incredibly Bitchless, the Universe told me-) accosted a group of candidates (Ash, Hugo(ne), Raevyn, and Riyo iirc) who proceeded to get his ass. He stabbed Hugo in retaliation with his fancy magic sword that he shouldn't have even really had, Hugo was spitting up red jewels for a while, and almost died. All Spades got free access to Diamonds tower though so uh,,, winning I guess??

-There was a bit more lore in the interim and some puzzled solved but to be honest I don't remember much-

-The Bear.

-Also the Hearts' resident gays Salem and Luci (Saluci beloved <3) (admittedly not together yet) hatched a plot to fake a fight so the could befriend everyone despite the wild and horrific state of relationships between the candidates. They fucked it up. Luci and Riyo's friendship will never return. Esp after the Hugone incident-

(And oh yeah, Riyo punched Luci at one point, breaking her face revealing the fact she's an artificial being made of porcelain and some sort of magical energy and I may be getting the lore wrong but she's so cool-)(Salem helped patch up the hole in her face with a pretty glass mosaic and waaaaa)

-At one point the 8 year old Diamond, and 11 year old Club stood on each others shoulders wearing a trench coat and called themselves "Painsley" (Paeden-Ainsley) to try and get joker drugs. They failed and only got glitter, and it was hilarious

-Olive the scientists experiments with almond water, I genuinely have no recollection of the details alas, but i have been told it was very neat and was unknowable by science. Also he got an entire almond out of it.

-One of the Most Days Ever: our small 8 year old boy made of clay had been recently possessed by a 45 yr old catholic man, who, while he was cooperative at first in helping getting Paeden back, soon realized if this went through he'd die, and so he ran off into the woods after burning the notes, and so candidates were sent to chase after him. It. Did not go well. (while the chasing him down and catching him went quite well, after the catching... not so good)

+There is a dice mechanic for certain actions, and uh. well. Two people rolled to toss knives (and like. intimidation. slight limb removal. he'd already reattached an arm, it would have been fineeeee aha) at Frankenpaeden, and both rolled nat 1s. Bye bye clay boy </3

(Knife to the head </3. Dw Salem resurrected him later on via sacrificing a bit of vasts life force and the boy is back!)

+But it doesn't end there! Oh no! That'd be too simple! Good ol' Queen Dorset of Diamonds himself (the grandmilf in the flesh) who originally sent the candidates out, tells them to head back to the castle and not leave their towers for the rest of the night. He then proceeds to head to the cave in the woods where one of the former candidates (who withdrew to go and become a Joker, changed his name and everything, incidentally also one of the people most attached to the now dead small child) was busy having visions in his emo cave. They did joker drugs mixed with bits of clay from the boy's body to try and bring him back, and well. They did not bring him back. Also Kane/Jahan rolled a 100 on the d100 for the joker drugs, becoming immortal and also insane and kinda possessed by the universe. The player may have left the server, but the guy is apparently still in a joker larvae stage in one of the cupboards. The life cycle of Jokers is deranged (i want to say affectionate but. man)

+if you thought the night's insanity ended there, you'd be wrong! Meanwhile with the candidates, they're all handling the death of the small child in very different ways! Ash, for example, the actual killer? No remorse whatsoever, a simple "Oops," vs Riyo who is very traumatized by all of this, Hugo's who's a little manic about it, and Raevyn, who for context is a and inherently tragic sort of character who literally cannot feel emotions past a certain threshold otherwise their biology fucks them over and purges it, is making smores up in the rafters, and Luci cannot believe these people, "A child has just died-!"

+Oh my god this next bit needs even more context, but up until this point Raevyn and Hugo have been in a very fucked up twin relationship despite not actually being related where Hugo is unhealthily codependent and Raevyn is simply incapable of returning the trust. The players had a cool plot in the works with lots of dominos that were half set up, what with Hugo using a machine from the future to turn his emotions into rocks so he didn't have to deal with them, and eating rocks made from Raevyn's emotions in an effort to be closer to them. Unfortunately, the partially set up dominos fell fast and in wrong directions.

+So anyways, Luci, already having negative feelings toward Hugo, who admittedly doesn't like her either, takes out her own feelings on Hugo along the lines of "What the fuck is wrong with you, eating smores so happily while a child has just DIED, what the fuck, you just stood around giggling as Riyo had a breakdown in the woods!" and then it devolved into a "I had to make sure Raevyn was okay" "OH, FINE job of that you've been doing! Do you know about their breakdown from two days ago? Would you care? Or do you plan on just shoving all your feelings into pebbles and never thinking about any of it again" and one thing leads to another, Hugo devolves into self hate and starts lashing out, accidentally ripping Raevyn's worldview out from under them, and now instead of 1 imminent mental breakdown, we have 2.

+Long story short, things get fucked up, lore is surprisingly hard to summarize, uh, Hugo eventually does die, Raevyn biology hijacks the way they can't feel emotions and shunts the Hugo(ne) memories in that hole and so now they have Hugo-specific amnesia, and the Hugo is replaced by another time travelling version of himself (Newgo).

(It. it sure was a day.)

-And so! The next day dawns! "Man," we think to ourselves, "Yesterday sure was wild! I hope nothing too wild happens today so we can process everything!" and then Otterson takes an orange pill from one of the Jokers and gets turned into a Homestuck troll, via hallucinated autocanabalism. I sure wish I was making this up-

(I was in vc when this was going down. Cannot coherently explain the mixture of emotions I felt that day.)

-So now Otterson is a troll! Who eats glass! The glass bit is now a very important part of their character, much in the same way Riyo is pals with The Bear, Raevyn is the Bearer of Baked Goods, and Diego is our four-eyed forest friend who brough mud into Club Tower to sleep in.

+She breaks into all of the towers except Spades to eat their windows, only thwarted by Raevyn bribing it with homemade stained glass so as to not eat the very cool stained glass windows that Spades Tower has.

+Fellow Club, eldritch forest being Diego, is interested in this window-eating endeavor, and the two of them put on silly hats and become "Jeff" and "Codeline Sealson," very impressive window inspectors!

+Having wised to "Jeff's" tricks, it is especially funny when Otterson comes in, rolls a high enough persuasion, causing Luci to believe that Otterson has indeed gone to window-school, and is actually quite experienced in these issues!

+Anyways it turns out there was a gas leak in Clubs Tower. Classic KitC /hj +I also want to share the glory that were the matched statuses from that day:

-as a Raevyn with wings i speak for the birds. please don't eat our windows </3

-gasleak gatekeep girlboss

-gasleak glassbreak, gayboss.

-i have pelicans in my brain (also, why is there So Much Glass in the courtyard???)

-Out of sight, out of mind, What windows?

-windows ar3 sooooo tast3y!!!! >:)!!!

-[Looking over at the from afar.] Clubs are getting carbon monoxide poisoning?

-So! Sideplot time! Raevyn, Newgo, and Otterson are all down bad for one of their respective royalties, Queen September of Spades, King Shams of Spades, and King Caius of Clubs. Otterson seduces Caius with pipebombs, gifts of rat-children, and simply by being herself. Caius is captivated by her cowtroll swag. Hugo fails miserably by playing into Shams insecurities. Raevyn's crush never gets off the ground due to a mixture of denial, and also the mod in charge of September's tupper being very busy. Otterson is the sole winner!! Royal Romancers you were such fun up until the hiatus was announced </3

-Oh yeah Otterson also set a bunch of bear traps out once. It was great, even if none of the character appreciated it. She also got caught in one of her own traps fhdjfhdskfhs

-other fun things to note, there are a lot of animal companions, The Bear, which is actually an unfathomable eldritch creature who knows everything and likes baked goods (although it does seem to have gotten a taste for meat recently... goddamn it ottey/j) Ollie the mouse <3 who was orignally gifted to Luci, but she couldn't keep it bc Salem's raven Omen, technically a part of themself, would have eaten Ollie, so Ollie lives in Spades Tower with Page now. There is also a tiny cat-shaped fluffball named Acheron who goes by "Ghost," bc he's a bitch and hates everyone and only lets Raevyn know its name. Not actually a cat, but who really knows what they are. There is also some funky magic dog named Charon who is attached to and protects Otterson, and has a very charged hatred and rivalry with Acheron, it's very funny. Olive also build an android spider who became sentient an unionized <3 love to see it <3 Arsenic my beloved <3

-dreamscapes arc <3

-Now that the server has been placed on hiatus, the players were given free reign. I do wonder if the Universe (the mods) hide in fear of what they have inadvertently created- And so now it's time to bring in the other ocs~! Starting with Zoran my beloved, Luci's wretched brother the dreamwalker <3 (Entertainingly, ae was teased during a previous Luci-Raevyn conversation, where Raevyn promised they'd run aer over with their motorcycle if he ever showed up. Unfortunately for Luci, Raeven and Zoran have since developed a gay relationship. I and Raevyn are regularly bullied for our bad taste, as though it's not all going to go spiraling anyways smh /hj)

"zoran is great because for the first hour of knowing him aes charming and funny and normal and then out of left field he says some shit like “it’s not MY fault her best friend got stabbed. idk why luci was so upset about it” and your like Oh. Bastard." -quote from kitc server

+Salem, our eldritch bird person who is also the personification of healing from grief and has some powers over dreams is visited by this silly little gayass who judges the forest, and then kidnaps Salem via dream to meet his mother, the evil mad scientist dr. milf /j (please I don't want to call her that why must everyone continue saying it-) who tries to experiment on vast, but is thwarted by Salem being cool and having dream powers. Justified grudge against Zoran is held. +Meanwhile~! Little gayboy is off having fun and poking around other people's dreams, goes around causing mayhem and eats glass with Otterson, visits a cool tea house with Hugo, gets lots of enrichment from Raevyn's unhinged dreamscape with a alice in wonderlandesque chase scene, and a fancy tea party where they are attacked by a giant monster and card soldiers, and then take him to see the wishing tree. They also give aer the crown from the monster they defeated before waking up. gay people <3

+And so Zoran returns to visit Salem, where ae is promptly cursed to feel all the grief he's ever caused via doing his mother's dirty work and killing a lot of people. I should also mention he feels no remorse and is just kinda like "You gotta do what you gotta do, people die all the time." Salem fucking hates him. Sorry gayboy, welcome to The Horrors. It will not get better for you from here.

+Anyways so now Zoran is utterly haunted by The Horrors (Grief) and in aer efforts to ignore it, he goes off to hang out in dreams. He visits Otterson, and ae ends up finding out a little too much about their trauma, and she is not thrilled. He also is a bitch who is far too blasé about the corpse of her son he finds in the dreamscape. He is evicted from the premises.

+He then visits Olive the scientists dream! Finally someone who is normal about death! There is very cool floral imagery growing from the body of an unkillable patient. It's so cool

+Zoran's ass gets kicked by the personification of creation and art, physically (got yoinked out of the mirror) and also psychologically. Rip little gayboy you really are suffering The Horrors.

+Afterwards he visits Raevyn dreams once again, to fulfil their promises of stealing another crown so the two of them could match, there are so many fun visuals I'm so sorry I can't just show them all, but commit crime and theft in fancy outfits and they dance again, but the roles are switched from the tea party where Zoran dipped Raevyn, and now Raevyn's the one spinning aer around, I am so normal about Raeran I promise- So they get the crown, Zoran places it on Raevyn's head the way they did the same for him previously, and then that one wakes up, leaving Zoran along </3

+Soothed slightly from Eminence-induced horrors, Zoran visits Hugo again! But instead of a nice little tea shop, welcome to a warped coliseum where you get to watch a twisted memory from the shade of Hugone! For context, the memory was Hugone and Raevyn having to fight "to the death" (planning on faking it, bc of Raevyn's regenerative ability) to escape this planet they were stuck on, but as is the way with dreams, things get a little fuzzy around the edges, and the Hugo in the arena ends up graphically murdering Dream!Raevyn. Good lord poor gayboy, so sorry about you having to witness this- Newgo also ends up losing lucidity, and ends up in Hugone's place, where the Raevyn's corpse comes alive in a nightmarish way and rips his heart out. Newgo takes this very well, and calls the actual Raevyn a heartless bitch in responce. The twins are not okay.

+So now Zoran is really just out here having a time, huh? Honestly I tend to forget how terrible he is simply bc he's just out here taking L after L, but now he's poking around the mirrors and he mimics Page's reflection but moves differently, and scares Page. Admittedly it is not hard to scare Page, but still. Zoran is captivated by Ollie the mouse who hates him <3 what can I say the animals hate his vibes. During this, Page inadvertently gives Zoran a link to the world of kitc so he can come out of the mirrors in the form of a rubber ball... whoops? Dw Zoran does not have the time to use this power for evil, busy as ae is with The Horrors +Zoran then facilitates a shared dreamscape between Otterson, Hugo, Raevyn, and also Otterson's recently mentioned cousin Bunnyman. Hugo and Bunnyman spend the dream flirting via eating grenades and blowing up castles. Raevyn and Zoran spend the dream flirting via eating lit grenades and also liquid stardust. Turns out that stardust was the real deal aha and now Raevyn's biology has integrated it and so that one has glowing freckles and their hair is starting to be streaked a glowing white. There are more consequences that are yet to be seen. Poor Otterson spends the dream sad and alone as the 5th wheel </3

+Time again for Zoran to visit the waking world! Luci has learned about her wretched brother visiting and Is Not Happy About It. She heard through the grapevine her good friend Raevyn who is kind and desperately needs help, is friends with Zoran. And also likes him. If she hadn't already been one of the main receivers of Raevyn lore she'd probably be wondering what on earth happened in that one's life for them to like Zoran. Unfortunately, she's got a pretty good idea.

+It's through her that Page learns he's given Zoran a link to the waking world, and he freaks out, and manages to trick the ball out of Zoran's grasp, by suggesting a game of catch. Special catch... Where you catch the ball in your mouth. By some miracle, he manages to catch the ball, and then sprints away, before immediately getting caught by one of Otterson's bear traps. Rip.

+It's also fun to note that all of Page's effort was for naught, as Raevyn, horrified by the knowledge Zoran hasn't ever really eaten sweets, living mostly in mirrors and eating dream food as ae does, and bakes up a storm in the kitchen, actively using themself as an anchor to get aer out of the mirror, before feeding him many baked goods and decorating a cake together in a very gay way, before Luci crashes the part, physically drags Raevyn away, and shoos Zoran back into the mirror. you go girlboss

+Zoran's back to dreamwalking again, there's a shared dreamscape between Otterson and Roulx, resident Ghost who is unaware of that fact, and also Eminence is there. He is sunk into the ground bc no one there likes him </3 +oh yeah he also visited an Eminence dream at one point and got owned again (dropped in a void) I admit I am focusing a lot on Zoran here but also man. Ae's got his fingers into almost every pie, and also all of them are hitting him right in the face

+So let's take a break from Zoran for a bit, Salem and Luci are very cute and very gay together, and now that the divorce arc is over (wait did i mention divorce arc??? fuck i'm tired it's fine just know that it happened) they're on their engagement arc! Otterson enables and also helps get the ring for Salem, Raevyn helps Salem pick out an outfit for proposal date, and then!! Saluci proposal!!! Gay people <3

-There's another Raeran dream <3 They get to go see a bit of Raevyn's past, there is a teaser to the upcoming events where those two will venture into the depths of Raevyn's trauma to hopefully help undo all the damage and make it so they can access their emotions again, Zoran triggers a pop-up event and gets kidnapped and Raevyn goes and saves him <3 They have another cool fight scene, and then,,,,, and then,,,,, The Horrors start to catch up to Zoran and we get the dialogue: "You should go. I'm- [he laughs] I'm fine, really!! There's got to be more fun things for you to do than this!! I wouldn't to keep you waiting!" "My dear 'Ran, it's you that makes the adventures fun [Ae can tell that they mean it sincerely] I'm happy to wait with you as long as you need" (I am so normal about Raeran I promise, so so normal-) +okay man so it's been hours and I'm tired so we're gonna go a little faster, but Zoran visits more dreams, meets the Hugo family, and then stumbles into Otterson's dreams and makes. all the wrong decisions. and accidentally kills Otterson bc he was told if he killed this [Otterson first name reveal] ae'd get to know where Otterson was, and also she looked the way she did when she was human, and not homestucked. So yeah, he goes to apologise IRL and is vibed checked by Charon the magical dog, who Zoran thinks is a cat. I will never get over that/pos +Charon hates him. Zoran's terrible vibes continue to annoy the animal companions <3 Oh yeah and I think Page bit Zoran around this time as well- +But anyways! Meanwhile, with Saluci, everything was going a little too well and the evil writers couldn't have that! So uh whoops, Luci's memories of Salem have been stolen, just as she once warned could happen.... time to go track down the little gayboy and threaten him until ae spills the beans ig

+Salem uses dream powers to go mucking around looking for Zoran with Luci, and they eventually find him in Raevyn's dream, doing some very gay flirt-sparring. Raevyn's taste is once again insulted, and Zoran is dreamnapped from their arms.

+Salem then proceeds to torture Zoran with the grief curse in hopes to get aer to give back the memories. It doesn't work, but hey! Luci was into it! Salem is morally opposed but too gay to care. Anyways, seeing as how this isn't going to work, Luci kills Zoran, the third Luci sibling shows up, and they work out a deal to get Luci's memories back in exchange for a favor from Salem. The gay people are back in action!! Rip to Zoran though ae's just Not Having A Good Time, and it'll only get worse!

+So you've just been killed, and now you want to go hang out with a friend in their dreams! Well, sorry gayboy but you really picked the wrong friend.... Zoran back to making the wrong choices in Ottey dreams, culminating in Otterson fucking losing it/pos and eating him alive, which is neat bc as an artificial being the squishy insides as a result of aer being bound by the dreamscape was very cool and evocative,,,, Anyways his death summons the third of the sibling Kier again, who calls him cringe as he's picking back up the body to be repaired, again, who Otterson promptly flirts with over Zoran's dead body. Zoran is naturally offended by this and complains to Raevyn later on. "She murdered me. Utterly ruined my outfit with blood. Ate a bit my face, too. And worst of all!!! I think she was hitting on Kier!!! Over my dead body!!"

+But yeah! It's finally time for the regularly scheduled break from The Horrors! Welcome to Raevyn's very cool masquerade dream~! More delightful imagery, I can't stop thinking about the color coordination of Raeran, Raevyn with their white and lavender ombre dress and silver mask contrasting to black hair, vs Zoran white hair, black mask, black and dark purple suit and cape and WAH

(I'm sorry that i don't have the energy to go into it rn, but they're so narratively compatible and their motifs and outlooks fit so well and they make me insane)

But so that's more or less how it's going in kitc-verse! I'd apologise about the info dump but I'm afraid I'm not actually too sorry about it, and the brainrot has me by the throat, I can't wait to see how all the things unfold Hope you enjoyed the un-asked for infodump in exchange for the tragic news kitc is not actually a piece of consumable media no matter how much I wish it was!

#kitc #kings in the corner #long post #Raevyn Cheshire (KitC) #Raevyn kitc #Zoran Moiras (KitC) #Zoran kitc #Otterson kitc #Salem kitc #Luci kitc #roulx kitc #Hugo kitc #diego kitc #page kitc #olive kitc #paeden kitc #ainsley kitc #caius kitc #ash kitc #riyo kitc #The Bear kitc #Acheron (Ghost) kitc #Charon kitc #Ollie kitc #Omen kitc #Arsenic kitc #kier kitc #saluci (kitc) #raeran (kitc) #genuinely so sorry but the brainrot is so strong

[ofdarkestdesires]

This may not be the best place to put this, but despite my follower count being decently high (thanks porn bots /s) this blog is honestly pretty under the radar and a lot of my personal posts get ignored, so let me just vent for a bit.

Christmas was so good, but it was also so, so exhausting, and it is precisely because of two forces—my sister, and my grandparents.

For context, I have three sisters—let’s call them Thing 1, Thing 2, and the Grinch (just because I wanted to play up the Seuss theme). Thing 1 and Thing 2 are the ones I’m closest to—they’re dorky nerds just like me, and one of them is really good at animatics (if you’re interested, you can find her stuff under becky_weber on YouTube). But the Grinch and I were always a bit more at odds with each other. I’m the oldest, she’s the second, there’s barely less than two years between us, it comes with the territory.

Anyways, as far as the Grinch goes, Christmas time was alright…aside from the fact that she spent most of it on her phone calling up her boyfriend, chatting with him, texting him, and otherwise being curled up on the couch far away from the rest of us. She even left the after-dinner games early so she could FaceTime with him, instead of spending time with her family.

Mind you, the Grinch is already spending all of her free time with the boy. They’ve moved in together—with roommates, but still—and it has been implied that though she has a separate room she shares his bed instead, but even before that she’d spend every chance she got hanging out with him. What few times she came to visit the family, she is always on her phone texting him, or leaving early so she can spend time with him.

And even now, on Christmas—even in the middle of the gift exchange that was meant to be a nice little private family tradition—she not only called up but FaceTimed the boyfriend for a good chunk of the morning. I just…I know I shouldn’t throw stones when I’m perhaps the least qualified man to talk on relationships (me being an ace man and all), but can’t she go one day, one very special, family-centric day, without clinging to his messages like a hopeless little puppy?

Anyways, that’s my sister, and that’s an ongoing form of frustration. My grandparents, though, are another story.

More context, and we’re gonna need to turn the tone down a bit. Two years ago, my grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s—and by the sounds of the tests, she’d been going through Alzheimer’s for a while already, but my grandpa had been putting off taking her to get checked because “it’s just old age, you get forgetful in old age.” Which, yeah, you do…but you typically don’t forget what your grandchildren and children look like.

My grandpa is a very proud man, too proud one might say so I’ll say it here and now. He doesn’t like the idea of not being able to handle something on his own, and he won’t admit needing help. He also lives in a house that’s larger than my childhood home, in the middle of the nowhere part of Utah, and refuses to move because it means giving up his big home, downsizing into a smaller place, and giving up all of the many, many things he has.

My grandpa is a lover of things, you see. One may even call him a hoarder of things which I will here and now.

All this is just set up to explain the shock we all had when my mom got a message from her brother, who had brought his family up to spend Christmas with the grandparents, telling her that my grandma had had a seizure during the gift-opening process. Seizures are apparently a part of late-stage Alzheimer’s, as the disease eats away at the motor-control section of the brain, and as it turns out this is not the first time this has happened.

It’s the first time we’ve heard of it, though, and only because my uncle and his family were at the house to witness it. Which means my grandpa has been understating how my grandma’s been doing, and giving false accounts to the doctors for my grandma, because he doesn’t want to admit it’s getting to be too much for him…or that his Jo is slipping away from him.

It’s…it’s sad.

It’s sad, but it’s also so…infuriating. I hesitate to say this, but I hate my grandpa. I hate him for the man that he is, the proud, selfish, stubborn man he is that refuses to sell his massive house that’s so big he can’t even keep it clean, who snubs his nose at the concept of moving to the city into a smaller home, who willfully obfuscates the truth about my grandma and unwittingly gatekeeps her from care and attention that could help her.

Again, they live in the middle of nowhere Utah. My family is a good two and a half hour drive away from them, and I’m a good three hour drive. If something happens—if she has another seizure, a bad one, or a fall, or she tries to run off because she doesn’t know who my grandpa is—they don’t have the high-end medical attention readily available to them, and it’ll take hours for us to get to them too! If they were closer, everyone could feel a bit more at ease, but as it is…

…I genuinely don’t know what day will be the day my mom calls and tells me my grandma died. And when it happens, nothing in my mind will be able to stop my heart from hating my grandfather for letting her waste away and perish so far away.

I love my family, I truly do…but gods, some days really let me see the parts of them that are the worst.