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#these are all very limited supplies so get them while they last!
sinner-sunflower · 3 days
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A HH Lucifer-centric AU 20/?
PART 1, PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8, PART 9, PART 10, PART 11, PART 12, PART 13, PART 14, PART 15, PART 16, PART 17, PART 18, PART 19, PART 21, PART 22
Like ketchup. Slowly then all at once.
Radioapple!
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Lucifer still feels like he's underwater, floating where the current takes him. He thinks he's dreaming because his eyes refuse to open all the way.
At least he isn't burning anymore.
It's mostly quiet, the only sound he can hear is the sloshing of the water.
It's calm. He doesn't know how long has it been since he's been calm in the quiet without company.
Once in a while though, he hears voices. The waves carry them in weird intervals and he tries very hard to think who is talking.
'You'll be okay, Luci.'
'I'll do everything to make you comfortable and back to full health.'
'AN HOUR TO SERVE YOU, SIRE. DO GET BETTER. I SHALL GIVE YOU THE BEST SERVANT THE GOETIA CAN PROVIDE.'
'Baby bro, if you wake up now, I'll give you a lifetime supply of my juice!'
'Okay fine, I'll change Looloo Land's name fo real, yeah?'
'You need to meet Fizzie still, Luci.'
'Don't worry sir! I didn't touch a single duck in your room when I cleaned it. No more bugs though!'
'Zestial and I give our deepest gratitude in behalf of the overlords, Your Majesty.'
'Charlie is a fast learner.'
'Oh, Your Majesty, do wake up. I don't think I can take any more of Alastor's not-rambling. I love me some romance but whooowee, a woman has her limits, yknow!'
'I don't think I can eva' thank ya enough fo' setting me free, short king.'
'Pretty badass, your kingness.''
'I want to get to know you still sir.'
'Darling, do come back to me now. I miss you so. And do not listen to any of Rosie's lies.'
'Dad, please wake up. I need you.'
The last voice caused the calm waters to turn into a whirlpool and he feels himself being pulled down. A bright light appears in front of him, illuminating the deep, dark waters. And for a moment, just a moment, he thinks- no it couldn't be;
He reaches out a hand to touch but as soon as it did, he was propelled to the surface.
Lucifer wakes up slowly and then all at once. The King blinks in confusion and trying to get his eyesight to clear. A blurry figure of white is the first to greet him; no face but it's smiling?
'Father?'
Charlie: Dad!
Huh?
Lucifer: Charlie?
He winces at the state of his voice. Did he scream himself sore? He tries remembering what happened and-
The roots.
Roo.
A ritual.
Charlie.
Hell.
Sloth.
Goodie.
The deal.
A prophecy.
A sudden pain stabbed his head which caused him to groan.
Lucifer: Shit!
He forces himself to sit up just to relieve it a little. A rubbing hand on his back grounds him a bit. Looking up, he came face-to-face with his daughter. His sweet, lovely, Charlie.
Charlie: Woah, Dad. Take it easy. Here have water and some pain meds. Aunt Bel left it here just in case.
He doesn't need to be told twice as he took the pill, noting the bitter taste in his mouth. Pride be damned (ha! get it?), he just wants the pain to go away.
Charlie is still fussing and talking a million miles per hour and Lucifer doesn't have the heart to make her stop even though his head is about to split in half.
Maybe Charlie will forgive him if he snaps right now. Thankfully that doesn't happen as a new person comes to enter his room.
Alastor: Charlie, dear, I think your father would appreciate a quieter room.
Charlie: - Oh, Al! Right! Sorry, dad.
Lucifer: It's okay, applepie. Can you also dim the lights a bit?
Alastor: Charlie, might I ask of you to get food for your father? There should be some leftovers still.
Charlie: O-oh I- Sure, Al! Be right back, dad!
As soon as she left, Alastor moves to Lucifer's bedside. Lucifer follows his movements and only then does the King realize the insane amount of flowers taking up every space in his room. And then he realized that Alastor has some in his hands too.
Lucifer: What's all this?
Alastor: Why, tokens from your loved ones and dearest citizens. These ones are of mine.
The Radio Demon points at the golden Marigolds. Lucifer observes the other flowers and sees that every bunch has atleast a few Marigolds tucked in them.
Did.. did Alastor put them there so he could have the most flowers given? What a possessive bastard.
His endearment must be obvious in his face because Alastor huffed- freaking huffed!
Alastor: Whatever you are thinking, it is simply nonsense.
Lucifer puts his hands up in a mock surrender.
Lucifer: I didn't say anything.
Alastor: Good.
Alastor can be so cute when he wants (or not want?) to be. His lover? partner? Yeah, partner, sits down by his side, letting Lucifer lean onto his shoulder.
He's not soft like Lilith but Lucifer feels just as content. The sin of Pride stares at his arms that is now covered in runes he doesn't understand, no longer just plain black. Roo really did a number on him- her powers were far too strong it basically altered his appearance. He's more demon now than he was ever an angel. He doesn't know how to feel about that.
Alastor: Some things are to be discussed, right, Your Majesty?
Lucifer: Mmm. Yeah. But- I can't. Not right now. I'm not sure if I can.
Alastor: That's alright, mon ange. We are not in a hurry. We have our afterlife.
Lucifer bites his lip and holds Alastor's hands in guilt. This is a burden he must carry himself. What's inside him... it would be more dangerous if anyone else knew, especially Heaven. It's better to think of it as a wild card than a ticking time bomb.
Alastor hums a tune that makes him sleepy again. He doesn't remember falling asleep but he does vaguely recall being laid down again. He remembers a feeling of a kiss on his forehead, something brushing his cheek and moving his hair.
A nice calm before the storm.
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Charlie took so long cos she wanted to heat it up but the microwave is missing?? (Alastor's doing)
Next chapter, Luci will wake again and have a talk with Charlie
Just wanted to get some Radioapple in there.
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villainessbian · 1 year
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Concept: most aliens can get anxious, can get scared, can get fight-or-flight. What most aliens do not get, however, is stress. Stress is a weird thing even by human standards. It can build up over time or be something tied to a very limited situation. It can be caused by a lot of things, and it comes in a lot of different ways. But it's a core human reaction, when a situation is wrong, it causes stress until it is righted. And it even affects different people differently!
Cue Human Cassandra, on a ship with her friend and co-worker Human Pauline. The ship is crewed with a mix of species. It's a cargo ship - load up in a space port, unload in another, get news and supplies during their stops, and live as an ever-shifting family as some of the two dozen crew members, give or take, get replaced. Some leave come payday, and new ones come looking for the thrill of low-level adventure, experiencing warp drives across the safer roads of the known universe.
But getting the supplies you need, or want, in stops is never so easy. Humans are new to the galactic community, and their needs misunderstood. Most broad-edibility food is bland for them, but that's okay. A big enough bag of their condiments can last them years. But ADHD meds... now that's less easy to get, the further from Earth you are. And a contract too big for their captain to pass on came up, much farther than the two humans expected.
Cassandra's mood deteriorated, her work priorities out of order, her sleep schedule in disarray. Little by little, she grew restless, shifting moods and gears unpredictably. A few weeks in and she was a mess, barely able to keep up with the minimum her job doing maintenance and running safety diagnostics for the route charting team required of her. While Pauline could help with the mechanical aspects of keeping the ship running, picking up the "slack", the safety had to be double-checked by the charting and pilot teams. When the curves of asteroid probability reached beyond a certain level, several hundred simulations had to be run, time-consuming processes had to be used, to avoid any collision at speeds beyond speed c. Some truly exotic things happened to ships that experienced those, but none of them contained the words "surviving crew." A safe route avoided any probability of collision over .1% and when going faster than light, any choice of course required thinking in 3 dimensions plus relative time to navigate dangerous probability fields in one piece, finding time-specific corridors and accounting for a dozen variables at once.
After she had a breakdown over a path she would normally have been able to find in under a minute, Pauline spoke to a concerned pilot team member:
"You have to understand her, this is a stressful situation and she's doing her best..."
"What do you mean by 'stressful'?" Gabalt asked. The furry little creature stood on two arched legs, and barely reached up to Pauline's shoulder, opening three wide eyes with curiosity and concern in equal parts.
"Things are... getting difficult for her, and keep getting more difficult because she does not have medication to help her brain be efficient. It makes her tired, and inefficient, and as it goes on, she's less and less able to cope with the situation. The longer this goes on, the worse it gets, and that is stress. Getting more tired because it takes more energy to deal with the situation, and less efficient because she's more tired, and things get harder because she's less efficient, on and on until something can solve the problem and the stress goes away."
"That sounds... hard. Do all humans have to deal with this?"
"Well, everyone has sources of stress, but she's got a disability. Without her meds, she gets stressed all the time. Not a lot all at once, but it always adds up."
"Oh no! So she'll be stuck like that until we get closer to Earth?"
"Most likely, yes."
But the most momentous thing to happen this day was not her breakdown. Not an hour later, alarms blared up. The simulation holograms all displayed blinking red masses - the less-travelled "safe route" was not as well protected! An asteroid range had been detected cutting through the border field, and it was in their way!
Pauline froze up, not knowing what to do. Gabalt was too surprised to act fast. All the courses from the ship's library of regular manoeuvres suggested a crash chance of over 60%, and mere seconds to act before entering the field!
Before anyone could react, Cassandra came in running from her corner to the front of the bridge, slamming the warp drive shutdown button. Most holograms stuttered and collapsed, the exit from FTL essentially dividing one or several of their dimensions by zero.
Looking quickly at the few remaining ones and gazing at the screens showing the current outside situation like a large window would have - plus a few critical extra points of data - she adjusted the angles manually while everyone still shuddered from the gravitational and temporal whiplash of suddenly coming back into normal time. Unblinkingly, she spotted the asteroids on the route while the ship was still going, if not at relativistic speeds, still fast enough for a single pebble they met to vaporise the Whipple shields, the outer hull, the inner hull, the crew members, and the hull again coming out if they but grazed it. Confirming the angles visually, she played with the reaction wheels, the thrusters, the gravity drives, to divert the ship's course just enough to miss a collision while not risking any grave injury on board. There was no time to react - if anything showed up straight ahead on the "unaugmented" outside view screens, it was too late to not get splatted. After half the crew had had the time to get thrown to the side or on the ground due to the rough handling, she'd managed to avoid any crash.
Gabalt was reeling. While it was surely not impossible, these was the kind of moves experienced veterans would never wish to attempt, and the margins for error were ridiculously low! She'd saved the ship and everyone on it, whereas she'd been unable to do a simple safety run so soon before?
Pauline was white as a sheet, but this was nothing compared to Cassandra, shaking violently and breathing unevenly.
"Pauline? What is she doing?"
"That's... probably the adrenaline."
"What's it for?"
"It's from stress. When it comes it overcharges the body. It's like the traditional, 'fight or flight' instinct from survival in prey-predator paradigms, it lets you move fast but paralyses thought... it feels pretty bad after a lot of it is released though. Now she's crashing down, must be harrowing."
"How did she do that? And you said her thoughts were paralysed for precision manoeuvres?"
Cassandra's voice came, nearly a mutter: "I just... had to. do it."
Gabalt needed to understand what happened.
"What do you mean you had to? Someone had to do it, but why you?"
"It- it was very stressful, I saw you freeze, and so."
"But... but HOW did you do all that? That was extremely complicated, few pilots -whose main craft is directly piloting- would want to even try doing that when given a choice!?"
"I had to. do it, so I did. I couldn't. couldn't make a mistake."
"This makes absolutely no sense."
Pauline interrupted. "She just works like that. Lots of stress and when people freeze up, humans with her condition... sometimes, surprisingly, function better in the moment than others can."
"Ah. So it's a human thing. of course, it's a human thing. NOTHING MAKES ANY SENSE WITH YOUR ACCURSED SPECIES" the diminutive pilot pouted.
And so one more story of the humans doing the impossible spread around. Humans of a subtype, more easily harmed, sometimes unstable and needing help for the simplest things... accomplishing odd, unthinkable, borderline heroic feats under duress none could be expected to withstand - but only then. Cursed, blessed? No story-teller seemed too certain. But the "magical" species never stopped surprising all others. And a new proverb developed: "it's not over until the human says it is".
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chiscribbs · 15 days
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As promised, to show my thanks for getting Grown Apart AU through to the next @tmntaucompetition round - here's a little bonus treat:
A visual chart detailing all the major character relationships in the AU's first act! Enjoy!
(Click "keep reading" for some additional information on a few of the dynamics shown above.)
Splinter & Mikey - When the boys were still very small, Splinter used to take them with him on his excursions out of the sewers (either to get supplies or to search for the two missing turtles). During one of these trips, Mikey got separated from his dad and brother - they eventually found him, mostly unharmed, but the traumatic experience left a lasting mark on Splinter and he has worried about his youngest son ever since.
Leo & Raph - Leo and Raph are the first of the estranged brothers to meet, face-to-face. Raph finds Leo snooping around Draxum's lab and attacks him. Leo manages to escape, with his newly acquired portal sword, but the lab is destroyed in the clash. The two proceed to fight each other on multiple occasions after this, forming a sort of battlefield rivalry.
Donnie & Mikey - By complete and total coincidence, Donnie ends up saving Mikey's life after Draxum drops him off the roof of a building. Mikey takes this as evidence that Donnie is a good person and decides to trust him (despite Leo's protests). Realizing this, Donnie uses Mikey's "misplaced" trust in him as a ticket into the Hamato residence so that he can hide out there until he's apprehended the oozesquitos.
Raph & BM's Assistant - Although Big Mama and Draxum don't work together often, their business does tend to intersect on occasion. Because of this, Raph has had the odd encounter with Big Mama's masked companion. They've never spoken, though (not that BMA would speak even if they had gotten the chance).
Donnie & Raph - They're aware of each other's existence, thanks to their parents' occasional dealings, but haven't actually seen or spoken with each other. Big Mama largely limits Donnie's interaction with anyone outside of herself and hotel staff, and she's especially reluctant to let him meet other mutants (once she learns of their existence) or Draxum. This hasn't stopped him from listening in on some of her business chats via his surveillance tech and finding things out that way, though. Raph only knows Donnie as Big Mama's mechanic and the one responsible for her criminal empire's recent upgrade in technological advancements.
Splinter & Leo - Because of the incident that occurred when they were younger, Splinter has always had a soft spot for Mikey. Leo doesn't exactly resent this fact, but he does often feel like he gets short-changed on all accounts - when Splinter isn't around, Leo is responsible for keeping them both safe and out of trouble. When Splinter IS around, a majority of his limited attention generally gets directed towards Mikey. Thanks to this, Leo is left feeling both a little attention-starved and desperate for some independence. He's too proud to admit to his dad that he feels unseen, though, so he instead opts for causing a little mischief to get the desired attention.
Raph & Mikey - After learning that Raph is not only a mutant, like himself and Leo, but that they were created by the same person - Mikey becomes determined to befriend him and change his mind about humanity. He considers Raph part of the family - even before finding out that Lou Jitsu is their real father, thus making him their real brother. Raph doesn't quite share the sentiment, though - as far as he's concerned, Mikey's the one who's on the wrong side of the fight and no amount of niceness is going to convince him otherwise. (It does, however, make it a lot harder to hate him...)
Donnie & BM's Assistant - These two have a history that goes back several years and has soured with time...on Donnie's end, at least. He used to be close to BMA, considered them a friend for a little while, then something happened to change his opinion of them and caused him to see them as a rival. But what about BMA? What effect, if any, did the loss of Donnie's trust and friendship have on them? As with all things surrounding this character, it's a mystery...
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Hi~! I saw that your writting for (yandere) WHB and your request is open, so if it's not too much.
Romantic Leviathan and Satan with [MC] who is an artist/painter that like to draw their servants?
(𝗜⃪𝗺⃪ 𝘀𝘂⃪𝗰⃪𝗵⃪ 𝗮⃪ 𝘀⃪𝘂⃪𝗰⃪𝗸⃪𝗲⃪𝗿⃪ 𝗳⃪𝗼⃪𝗿⃪ 𝘀⃪𝗶⃪𝗿⃪𝗶⃪ 𝗮⃪𝗻⃪𝗱⃪ 𝗯⃪𝗮⃪𝗿⃪𝗯⃪𝗮⃪𝘁⃪𝗼⃪𝘀⃪ 𝘁⃪𝗵⃪𝗲⃪𝘆⃪'𝗿⃪𝗲⃪ 𝘀⃪𝗼⃪ 𝗽⃪𝗿⃪𝗲⃪𝘁⃪𝘁⃪𝘆⃪)
Yandere! WHB Leviathan, Yandere! WHB Satan x GN! Artistic! Reader
[A/N] YEEEESSSSS! FINALLY MY FIRST WHB REQUEST! - AdminC 🤓
Warning: Yandere themes, Obsessive themes, Mentions Of Blood, Mentions of Beating, Mentions of nudity, Mention of amputations.
SATAN
He was a little surprised that you had an artistic skills, but he quickly brushed his surprise off and just grins. Of course his human is gonna be talented, he boasts it to his kingdom that you have the talent of an great artist. He's a king so anything you desire will be given to you without a sweat. You need supplies, he'll fund it and gift it to you. Although he's very busy with his kingdom, he at least try to look at you while you do your thing. It weirdly calms him down, and makes him quiet. Like a feline hyper focusing on their prey, which freaked you out a little bit. He smiles whenever he looks through your work, his hands softly caressing it which you would never expect from a wrathful king. He doesn't limit your time nor bothers you too much when you work on your pieces.
Although it would be a different story if you are using his subordinates as your muses, especially Sitri. He doesn't give a damn, he only wants you to focus on him or just anything else. Forget his subordinates they can paint themselves, no you don't need Sitri to pose nude for you, he can do it for you just give him 5 minutes and he'll strip his clothes for you. Whenever any of his subordinates receives an art piece from you, he'll actively collect them like a P*kemon badge, they'll gladly give it to him too no questions asked. Even if they wish to keep your works, they'll do anything to make Satan happy or act a little defiant to get the beating they all love and desire from the short wrathful king.
The more that his subordinates receives you work, the more he's just willing to lock you up and keep all your artworks to himself. He grinds his teeth whenever he catches someone receiving your work. The fuck you mean you willingly gave it to those fuckers? No, he's not jealous shut up Ppyong. He'd try to put up with it, but the last straw would be Sitri. Satan will just take it from Sitri, (which we all know Sitri would be glad to give it to Satan) and rip it he doesn't care if it's just a simple landscape or a portrait of Sitri. The next time you draw, Satan will watch you like a hawk and grinds his teeth angrily if you draw anyone but him. Just stick to drawing architectures and landscapes, or he'll beat up those demons whom you've drawn. If they're beaten up into an unrecognizable pulp, you can't draw them right?
"I'm not fucking jealous, do I look like that wet loner who sleeps in coffin? No. Now give it to me, NOW."
LEVIATHAN
He's jealous, his envy was showing in his eyes. You're so talented that he'd rather cut off your dominant hand and keep it to himself, but then he contradicts himself that you can't choke him well with just one hand. Then he thinks a little more and to settle his jealousy, you must make portraits of him or use him as your muse at least six times a day. Nothing more, nothing less, sketches, painting, sculpture, use him as your muse. (It's quite exhausting to try and calm Levi down tbh if you have any talents really.) He likes it and it eases his envy strike with you, he likes to look at the results you made finished or unfinished it makes Levi's heart beat that you sculpt/drew/painted him. He's a little jealous of his portrait self, he wishes you would paint on him.
By the sweet heaven's are you trying to get yourself in more shit? His subordinates doesn't mind posing for you, as long as it doesn't take away their possible time to spend with their loveable king. If you were to draw body proportions, you could ask for Barbatos who'd gladly go nude under the sun if it means to excuse why he's naked in the open. Don't tell Leviathan you were using his subordinates as your muse, just please don't, that's a disaster waiting to happen. If his subordinates were to tell Leviathan what they were doing, they'd happily tell every detail but by bit. And by the miracle if Leviathan doesn't try and kill their subordinates, he'll just ask them to give him all the works or burn it so that only him is drawn by you.
Just focus in drawing Leviathan, even if you draw an architecture, just plaster Leviathan there please. If you were to continue drawing his subordinates, he'll chop your dominant hand painlessly. Don't worry it would be lovingly stored to be preserved, and if by magic you get it back and still works just use Leviathan as your muse, focus only on him. Or he'll lock you up in a room that only he has access to so you can only paint, draw, sculpt him. Look and praise him, you have no choice.
"I'm so jealous of him, if only you don't know how to (paint/sculpt/draw). My dear use me as your muse, only look at me. Do you want me to take your hand? Good, don't use anyone but me."
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joedirtymadre · 7 days
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Hello 😊 I hope you are having a great day! I would like to request a fluffy Luffy x y/n story please!
The Potion
LUFFY X READER! FLUFF! (PLEASE SEND MORE REQUESTS! PLEASEE 🦫)
“Where is he?” You asked yourself as you continued exploring the new island. You were currently looking for your idiot captain, but adorable boyfriend. Nami thought it was a good idea to stop by an island to restock on some supplies. Nami only planned for a day stop, but Luffy still hasn’t returned… So a part of being his girlfriend is to find and drag him back to the ship. You groaned, “I can’t believe he just ditched me on the ship, why didn’t he ask if I wanted to tag along? Aren’t we dating?”
While walking down the main plaza, you turned and noticed a familiar dark haired man, with the very familiar straw hat on his head. “Luffy!” You called out as you ran over. He quickly turned and grinned once noticing you. “Yo (Y/N)! You found me!” He waved excitedly. “You idiot! I spent the last hour looking for you! How dare you ditch me?” You asked angrily as you smacked his head.
“I’m sorry…” he pouted. “It’s alright, I’m glad I finally found you. So, what have you been up to?” You asked as you rubbed the spot you hit. “Just running around, but I stopped to talk to this granny,” he said, motioning towards the older woman sitting at the stand.
“Oh hello,” you smiled, and the woman smiled back. “Hi sweetheart,” she said. You looked at her stand, and realized that it was simply a table with a crystal ball in the middle, with a small stand with different colored bottles. You noticed one particular bottle that caught your eye, it was a beautiful shade of deep purple. “Would you like one deary?” The woman asked. “Ummm… well what are they?” You asked. “Potions!” She smiled. “Potions? “Really?” You asked suspiciously. “Well of course, I spent years trying to perfect each potion. Which one would you like?” She asked.
“Hmm… Well, what does each one do?” You asked curiously, eyeing each bottle. “Can one of them make me super strong? Or shapeshift? Or fly?” Luffy asked excitedly. “No, my potions don’t do that. They’re small potions, but trust me… they work,” she said. “I see, but what does each potion do?” You asked again. “Ahh… that all depends on you. My potions create whatever you heart desires,” she explains.
“Whatever my heart desires?” You questioned. “So that means I can fly!” Luffy said with stars in his eyes. “Perhaps, if your heart truly desires to fly,” the woman sighed. “Oh wow! Now we have to get one (Y/an)! Just imagine me, like a superhero, or a bird,” he grinned. You laughed at his reaction, “I guess I’ll take two,” you said.
“Only 1 per each group,” the woman said. “Huh?” Luffy pouted. “Well, I can’t have everyone getting their deep desires granted. Plus there are potions that take decades to create, my inventory would disappear if I didn’t limit purchases,” she explained. “I guess that makes sense,” you said. “Well which one sweetheart, I saw that the purple one caught your eye,” she said. “Yeah, it’s a pretty color,” you said softly. “I’ll take this one then,” you said. “Good choice, and remember all potions last for 24 hours,” she said as she took the berries from my hand and placed the bottle in it.
“Wow, a potion! Let’s drink it!” Luffy said. “No sharing, the potion won’t work if two people drink it,” the woman quickly explained. “Awe man…” he pouted. “If you want it, you can have it,” you smiled. “Seriously? Tha-“ Luffy was cut off. “Only the person that I gave the bottle to can drink it, for others it won’t work,” the woman said as she winked at me. “O-Oh… well that sucks,” Luffy frowned. “Sorry Luffy,” you said. “It’s fine, just means I’ll have to keep an eye on you. See if anything changes,” he laughed. You nodded and you both headed back to the ship.
“Drink it, drink it!” Luffy chanted. “Alright, but if I do can we go walk around some of the shops? I really wanted-“ you were interrupted. “That sounds boring…” he whined. “O-Oh… uhh, well alright. I guess we can do something else after,” you sighed. “Oo let’s go find another witch, maybe then I can get a potion!” He said excitedly, as he headed back to the plaza. “You go ahead, I’ll meet you there,” you said softly. “K!” He shouted as he raced off.
You let out a deep sigh, and walked over to an empty bench. “When’s the last time we’ve done anything I wanted to do? Or the last time we’ve done regular couple stuff?” You asked yourself as you leaned back into the bench.
“Hey! The woman said that this’ll grant my deepest desires! Maybe it’ll help Luffy be romantic again, like when we first started dating!” You said excitedly, as you opened your bag and pulled out the bottle. You stared suspiciously at it before you opened the lid. It made a hissing sound as you slowly opened the lid.
You shrugged it off and chugged it in one swoop. “Ugh… it tastes terrible,” you said in disgust. “If anything, at least Chopper can cure food poisoning or… regular poisoning,” you said.
All of a sudden you felt a nauseous wave rush through you. “I think I’m gonna pass-“ you immediately knocked out.
“(Y/N)? (Y/N)! Wake up, please!” You felt yourself being shaken. You slowly opened your eyes, and saw Luffy cradling you. “Luffy?” You asked as your eyes adjusted to the light. “Yeah it’s me, are you ok? I found you passed out on the bench,” he said, worriedly. “I-I’m fine,” you said as you tried to get up but slowly fell back. “Be careful, here I’ll carry you,” he said as he picked you up bridal style.
You felt your cheeks heat up. “You’re carrying me?” Yo I asked, surprised. “Well, why wouldn’t I carry you? You’re my girl,” he smiled. You felt your face heat up even more, and nuzzled your head into his chest. Just enjoying the moment.
You were finally able to stand, so after a few words of trying to convince Luffy that you can walk he finally let you down. As you were walking, you realized you were back at the main plaza. You suddenly felt someone reach out for your hand, you looked over and saw Luffy holding your hand. “I wanted to hold hands,” he smiled. “Ok!” You grinned. “Look, isn’t that the store you want to go to earlier?” He asked, as he pointed at a jewelry store. “Yeah… but it’s fine you said it was boring, let’s do something else,” you suggested.
“What? No way! Come on, you said you wanted to go so let’s go!” He smiled and dragged me to the shop. My eyes widened, there’s no way that her potion actually worked! You both spent the day like a normal couple, walking around being lovey dovey. Going to eat, exploring some cute store you found, and just enjoying each other’s company.
Now you were both at the main plaza’s water fountain. Just enjoying the sunset. “Man, I had an awesome day Luffy,” you smiled. “Me too, I’m glad you desired this,” he said, strangely. “Desired? Why’d you say it like-“ you were interrupted.
“(Y/N)?” You heard a family voice call out. You quickly snapped your head towards the voice and saw, “Luffy?” You stared in shock as he walked up to you. “L-Luffy? B-But I don’t- how- why?” You grabbed your head, not sure what the hell is going on. “(Y/N) who is that guy?” Luffy asked. “I’m Luffy, the better Luffy,” the other one said.
“The better Luffy? You’re just an imposter!” He yelled. You stared in disbelief, unsure what to do or say. “Not in (Y/N)’s eyes. That’s why she wished for me,” the other said, getting close to the other Luffy's face. “Wished for you? I-Is that true (Y/N)? Did you wish for him?” Luffy asked as he turned towards you.
You were speechless, you tried to explain yourself but nothing would come out. “Of course she did, she wanted that old spark we used to have. She hated how you treated her like a regular crew mate, how you would ditch her, ignore her wants or feelings, and just take her love for granted,” the other one said. “T-That’s now true, I love (Y/N)! You don’t know anything about us,” Luffy shouted.
“But it is, why else would she wish to do regular couple stuff with you? Because you never took the time to do it, that’s probably why she thinks you don’t love her anymore,” the other one explained. “Is this true (Y/N)? Do you really think I don’t love you?” He asked softly. “No, I-I�� all I think is that you don't treat me the way you used to when we first started dating. Why?” You asked tearfully.
“I-I don't know, I guess I didn't realize it… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I promise!” he said as he reached out for me. However, you felt a different pair of arms wrap around you from behind. They pulled you into a close hug, you looked to see the other Luffy who was holding you. “What makes you think that she’ll still want to be with you? After the amazing day we had? I carried her, held her hand, followed her to some nice shops, and ate nice food. We both know you wouldn’t have done that,” he said as he tightened his grip.
“Shut up! (Y/N), please believe me! I’m sorry, I do want to be with you. I love whenever you smile, when you smack me around whenever I’m acting dumb, when you rub and take care of me whenever I’m feeling down. I see now that I should’ve done the same for you, but please… Please let me try again, I won’t make you wish for a better me again,” he pleaded. “Oh Luffy,” you said softly. You quickly pulled yourself out of the other Luffy’s arms and leapt onto your Luffy. “(Y/N)!” He said, holding onto you tight.
“I’m sorry, this will never happen again. I swear,” he said with a light tremble in his voice. “I know,” you said as you pulled him into a kiss. This kiss almost made your legs give out, but luckily Luffy was keeping you steady.
“Hmm… it’s not 24 hours, but I guess my job here is done,” the other Luffy said. “Huh?” You asked as you turned your head. “Yep! I granted your deepest desire, to have your Luffy treat you like before,” he smiled, and you noticed his body began glowing. “But before I go,” the other Luffy said and ran over to give you a kiss on the cheek. “Hey!” Your Luffy shouted, pulling you back into his arms. “Take care of her, she deserves it,” the other Luffy said before disappearing.
Once the other Luffy was gone, you were quickly turned around. You felt a million kisses placed on the cheek the other Luffy kissed. “L-Luffy?” You blushed. “Good, now that fake’s kiss is erased,” he huffed. You laughed and pulled him into another kiss, happy to have your boyfriend back. I guess that woman is a real witch after all.
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akajustmerry · 1 year
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"The cycle of violence in The Last of Us Part II appears to be largely modelled after the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I suspect that some players, if they consciously clock the parallels at all, will think The Last of Us Part II is taking a balanced and fair perspective on that conflict, humanizing and exposing flaws in both sides of its in-game analogues. But as someone who grew up in Israel, I recognized a familiar, firmly Israeli way of seeing and explaining the conflict which tries to appear evenhanded and even enlightened, but in practice marginalizes the Palestinian experience in a manner that perpetuates a horrific status quo.
The game's co-director and co-writer Neil Druckmann, an Israeli who was born and raised in the West Bank before his family moved to the U.S., told the Washington Post that the game's themes of revenge can be traced back to the 2000 killing of two Israeli soldiers by a mob in Ramallah. Some of the gruesome details of the incident were captured on video, which Druckmann viewed. In his interview, he recounted the anger and desire for vengeance he felt when he saw the video—and how he later reconsidered and regretted those impulses, saying they made him feel “gross and guilty.” But it gave him the kernel of a story.
“I landed on this emotional idea of, can we, over the course of the game, make you feel this intense hate that is universal in the same way that unconditional love is universal?” Druckmann told the Post. “This hate that people feel has the same kind of universality. You hate someone so much that you want them to suffer in the way they’ve made someone you love suffer.”
"That's what this story is about, do the ends justify the means, and it's so much about perspective. If it was to save a strange kid maybe Joel would have made a very different decision, but when it was his tribe, his daughter, there was no question about what he was going to do," Druckmann said.
In the game, most of the Wolves regime's restrictions are directed at a post-apocalyptic religious sect called the Seraphites (the Wolves call them "Scars" after the ritualistic scarring of their faces). These Scars vexed FEDRA as well when it was in control. The dynamic in the city when the game begins is one of conflict, escalation, and a broken truce. The Wolves, like FEDRA, leverage more resources and raw power, while the Scars rely on surprise strikes against Wolf patrols, and a zealous willingness to die for the cause.
To run through just a few key ways in which the Scars uncomfortably reflect some Israeli stereotypes about Palestinians: Later in the game, Ellie finds a location called "Martyr Gate," where the Scars' spiritual leader apparently died, indicating a religious significance of a specific and disputed location, and emphasizing the notion of martyrdom as central to their culture. The Scars are able to get around Wolf patrols and various barriers around the city via an elaborate, secret system of bridges between skyscrapers. These function as a kind of flipped version of the underground tunnels Palestinians use to bypass Israeli blockades and other means of limiting free movement in order to get supplies and carry out attacks on Israel.
In The Last of Us Part II's Seattle, Scars and Wolves hurt each other terribly, and the same can be said about Israel and Palestine. The difference is that when flashes of violence abate and the smoke clears, one side continues to live freely and prosper, while the other goes back to a life of occupation and humiliation. One side continues to expand while the other continues to lose the land it needs to live. Imagining this process as some kind of symmetric cycle benefits one side more than the other, and allows it to continue.
Ellie's journey of revenge seems especially cruel, even idiotic, because we are never given a good reason for why she keeps recommitting to it. Acts of cruelty along the way, like Ellie's torturing another character to get information, are presented as inevitable. This seems to be The Last of Us Part II's thesis: humans experience a kind of "intense hate that is universal," as Druckmann told The Post, which keep us trapped in these cycles. This is not a universal feeling as much as it's a learned way of seeing the world. 
The Last of Us Part II is an incredible journey that provides not only one of the most mesmerizing spectacles that we've seen from big budget video games, but one that manages to ask difficult questions along the way. It's clearly coming from an emotionally authentic and self-examining place. The trouble with it, and the reason that Ellie's journey ultimately feels nonsensical, is that it begins from a place that accepts "intense hate that is universal" as a fact of life, rather than examining where and why this behaviour is learned."
The Not So Hidden Israeli Politics of 'The Last of Us Part II' by Emanuel Maiberg
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byunpum · 9 months
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You don’t have to if you don’t want to.but can you please do a child reader she was born on pandora.she lives with some other people in the forest (not in the high camp or where the Sully family lives). She was playing outside when she saw a seed of Eywa. Being the child she is she followed it, it led her somewhere in the forest. Then the sully kids and Spider find her.
AVATAR MASTERLIST
Pandora was never an ideal place to raise a child, but your mother had no choice. She had gotten pregnant, and she was a very low-ranking employee in the RDA. She never had the option to give you a good life, so you ended up stranded on this planet. When the humans were sent back to earth, a group of scientists stayed on pandora. But there was another group of workers…of lower class. Who did not even bother to warn and prepare for them to return home. This forced them to leave the facilities, and create a shelter away from the base. It was a group of 20 people, all adults. Except for you…you were the only child. You were about 8 years old, and you were quite a curious child. You lived with your father, in a small room, which was in one of the 5 wagons, which contained oxygen.
And as expected…that oxygen wouldn't last long. So it was up to your father to fetch some supplies from the nearest base. This was not an activity your father liked, it was boring and somewhat dangerous. "Dad…can I go? Please!!!" you plead, making puppy dog eyes at your father. He shakes his head, arranging some tools in his backpack. "No baby…it's not safe" says your father. You were bored of being on the base, you were only allowed to be in the surroundings, and inside the room. You had limited time with your oxygen mask. "Dad…it's boring here. I promise I'll be with you all the time" you whine, holding your father's hand. Giving a few little hops. You watch as your father looks away, and nuzzles you for a while. He knew how bored you were…being stuck in here all day wasn't healthy for you. You used to spend all day reading books he found, and playing near the base. After letting out a giant sigh he speaks. " Good, but you will be by my side all the time," your father speaks. You jump with excitement, running to get your oxygen mask.
You were at your father's side, just leaving to get lost in the jungle. "Y/N…stay close to me" says your father, you nod your head. Giving your father a big smile. Your father holds out his hand for you to hold, you accept it. And you start your way to the base.
For your father the whole process had been very difficult, your mother had died when she gave birth. You only counted on him, and having a child in this dangerous world. He felt he was going to lose you at any moment. After walking for at least 2 hours, you were on your father's back. "Dad…are we there yet?!!!" you groan, hearing a smile from your father. "I told you the walk was long…but yes. We're here" your father speaks, you look up from your father's shoulder. To see the base. It was all destroyed, and the area your father was looking for. It was a part of storage…the wall of the room was broken, and it was exposed to the jungle. Your father sets you down, walking into the room. "Baby…stay close to me. Why don't you sit in that chair?" your father orders you, pointing to a dirty chair. You sit down, looking all around you. This was much better than being locked in an 8x8 room.
The jungle was quiet, some animal noises could be heard. But everything was harmonious. You enjoy the view, and the breeze that was blowing. Out of nowhere you could see a kind of white leaf… that's how you could describe it. It was approaching, it seemed to be flying in the air. Your eyes widen with surprise, you have never seen anything like this before. You take a quick glance towards your father, he was kneeling down taking the numbers from the oxygen tubes. You get up from your chair and walk further into the jungle. The seed comes closer towards you, almost half a foot away. "It's like…an octopus" you think to yourself, raising your hand to try to touch it. You see it move a little away, but you could still feel it. It was soft. You watch as it starts to move away. "No" you mutter under your breath. And that's when you felt that sensation…it was like someone calling you. Pulling you close to her, you couldn't help it. You were a little confused, but very curious. I won't stray…that far" you think. Starting to follow the seed, you move deeper into the jungle. Until you disappeared into the trees. You knew you didn't have to go far, but you couldn't help it. Following the seed, you watched as they came closer. And they circled around you, inviting you to follow. You laughed and played with them.
Meanwhile not far away ….
"Lo'ak…we are far away from home….dad is going to get upset" says kiri, as he followed his brother. " chill out kiri" says spider, following his friend. The three kids had gone out to play, supposedly close to home. But lo'ak had the wonderful idea to explore deeper into the jungle. "If you don't say anything… Dad won't find out." Lo'ak speaks, hopping across a log as the trio continued deeper into the jungle. It doesn't take long, until kiri notices the presence of one of eywa's seeds, the girl clutches her brother's braid, causing him to yelp. "Hey…look" says kiri pointing to the seed. "That hurt me!!!" lo'ak complains, but watches as the seed is approaching them. Touching lo'ak's nose. Suddenly the seed moves away, pausing. So that the children noticed the signal, and began to lead them. "Should we follow it?" asks spider, kiri laughs. And pushes spider as she chased the seed. Behind her followed lo'ak and then spider.
You were still chasing the seed that had taken you away from your father, you had been following it for about 1 hour. But you didn't even realize that so much time had passed. And how far away you were. Running faster, in order to catch up with the seed. Watching as she stops in a low tree, kneeling down to bring your face closer.
Lo'ak had gone ahead, leaving his sister and his friend behind. Noticing how the seed he was following had landed in a tree. Kneeling down to get closer to it…slowly. Just as he was very close to the seed, she moved upward. Revealing the face of a girl in front of him. Just inches away. Meanwhile you, you stood still. Watching as it was directed towards the yellow eyes of the blue child in front of you. You had never seen a na'vi before, you knew they existed and you had been told something about them. But you had never had contact with them. Lo'ak sighs, and you can feel his breath create moisture in the glass of your oxygen mask. "Hello?" says lo'ak. You scream loudly, sitting up on your butt. Moving you backwards. Your back hit a log. You had a horrified look on your face. "Hey…easy honey," says kiri. In a calm voice, trying to get closer.
The girl was speaking in Na'vi language, you calm down a bit. You didn't understand anything about what she was saying. But you could tell she was trying to be nice. Your eyes scan your current situation, there were two na'vi children and a child just like you. "She's not from around here, is she?" says lo'ak looking at spider. "Mmm no, I don't know her" says spider. There was a rather long silence, until lo'ak settled in straight. "I AM LO'AK…. IT'S A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU" says lo'ak in slow English. Kiri had to laugh, shoved at his brother. Spider came over to you, kneeling in front of you. The boy smiles a little. "Hello…my name the spider, he is lo'ak and she is kiri. Where are you from?" speaks spider, you settle a little in your place. Noticing how the two na'vi boys approached your side, they looked so intigrated by your presence. Just as you were about to respond, jake's voice is heard in the background. Approaching quickly.
"Kids what are you doing here, I told you to stay close" says jake, not noticing your presence. "Ahhh Dad…we can explain" says kiri, moving a little to reveal your appearance. Jake stares at you for a moment, he had never seen this girl before. She looked kind of raggedy. Well…it wasn't like everyone in the shelter was well groomed. But this little girl looked kind of abandoned. Jake approaches carefully, watching as the little girl's eyes widened. "Hello baby… where are you from?" asks jake. He speaks in na'vi first, but then asks the same question in English. "I live with my dad" you speak softly, you were scared. Jake takes your hand, and strokes with his thumb your little hand. "Ahh ok, and is he around?" jake asks. You lift your shoulders, you had lost track of your father a long time ago. "I think I'm lost" you speak. Jake thinks for a moment, you were a girl he had never seen before.
*tin…tin…tin*
A warning noise from one of the oxygen machines was sounding indicating that the oxygen level was too low. Spider looks at his box, and sees that everything is fine. But then you look at yours, and raise your head in fear. Jake grabs you by the arm. "honey…come on we need to fill the oxygen" jake says, you back away a little, unsure to follow him. "You're going to be okay…I promise" says spider, reaching out to take your hand. You agree, you had no choice. You had at least 20 minutes before the oxygen in your mask ran out. Jake picked you up and held you. He didn't want you to walk, that could cause you to lose more oxygen. He started on his way to the lab.
One hour back….
As soon as your father missed your footsteps, he turned to see that you had disappeared. He dropped all the tools. Getting up from the floor to look for you. "Y/N!!! MY LOVE!!!" shouts the man, he was getting very nervous. Walking around his surroundings to look for you, but nothing. He kept screaming your name and no one was answering him. Some tears started to come out of his eyes. This couldn't be happening' he thinks to himself. Pandora is dangerous, and he knew that your mask was barely oxygenated. He was looking for you, until his own mask told him there was no oxygen. He sat on the ground for a moment, he had to go back to his camp. Get ready and come back to look for you with more help.
Jake quickly entered the lab, behind him his children followed him. Lo'ak kept asking you questions, even though you didn't understand half the words, you tried to answer him. As you entered, Jake put you on the floor, and took off your oxygen mask. " Now…we're safe mmm what's your name?" jake speaks, you giggle a little. Wiping your face with the sleeve of your sweater. "Y/N" you laugh widely. Making jake laugh, you were adorable. He could tell you were smaller than his children, even smaller than spider. Lo'ak takes your hand, dragging you over to where some cushions were. The children approached you, kiri sat next to you, touching your hair. While Lo'ak began to introduce you to his toys, which he had in a pouch on his waist.
Norm approaches jake, looking at jake curiously. "What about that little girl?" the man asks. "I have no idea…the kids found her. I brought her here because her oxygen was too low. But I don't know where she came from?" jake stands watching his children play with the new girl. She looked so impressed by everything, it seemed like everything around her was new to her. "From what I can see from her clothes…her parents have to be D class" norm says. This is weird for jake. "I didn't know there were 'classes' in the RDA" says jake. Norm laughs a little, clearing his throat. "Well yes…class A the bosses…class B the scientists, class C for soldiers. And then class D, the workers. Like cleaners, miners etc." Says jake, while keeping silent. "She sure is lost" says norm. jake nods his head.
Night had come, and you had been playing all afternoon with the children. You could hear the heavy rain pounding on the roof of the lab. Jake told you that it was best for you to spend the night here in the lab. And that he would look for your father in the morning, he had to reassure you. You had already started to cry, you knew you were wrong to stay away from your father. "Calm down," says lo'ak, hugging you. Norm made room for you in the spider room, which was a bunk bed. You settle into bed, closing your eyes quickly, but not before hearing spider say to you. "If you need anything…I'm down here," says the boy. You sigh with relief, and fall asleep.
The next morning, Jake had left early to find your father and that camp. Norm accompanied him. You wake up, looking around for a moment, wiping your eyes. Watching as someone peeks up the bunk stairs. "You're awake already!!! Come…..max prepare breakfast" spider announces to you, rushing out.You get out of bed, walking towards the lab. Max introduced himself when he saw you, you shyly greet him. The man hands you a plate of food, you sit down next to spider. You didn't used to have breakfast every day, in your camp food was limited. So you felt strange, but you still finish your meal.
After lunch, spider invited you to go out and play…he said something like 'let's go look for sully's". You follow him, grabbing your new oxygen mask, and following the boy. Not even 5 minutes passed, when you hear the screams of the kids from the day before.
Lo'ak ran as fast as he could, approaching you. Hugging you by the upper torso, lifting you off the ground. "My baby!!!" lo'ak moves you from side to side. You were so small next to him, to him you were a cute little baby. "Hello lo'ak!!!" you greet him. You were laughing, kiri walks over to his brother and pushes him.
"Let her go…she's not a toy" kiri scolds her brother. Fixing some pieces of your hair, the previous evening she had prepared your hair. "She is Y/N?" speaks neteyam. You turn to look at the other boy. He was bigger than all of you, he looked kind of scared and curious at the same time. "Yes…she is "lo'ak was excited to introduce you. "She's not from around here…so she doesn't speak na'vi" kiri says, watching as neteyam greets you shyly. You greet him too, you could tell he was much quieter. "By the way…this is my brother" says lo'ak,pulling out an ikran made of wood to give you. In very basic English, but you could understand him. "I give you my toy" says the boy. Just before you take it you hear a familiar voice call your name.
You turn around and see your father next to Jake and Norm. Behind him was the group of 20 people who were at the base. You run as fast as you can, jumping up to hug your father. "Hello my love!!!" your father hugs you tightly. "I'm sorry…I didn't have to walk away…but" you try to argue, but your father gives you a kiss on the crown of your head. "Honey…it's okay!!! Everything is fine" says your father. You move a little away from your father, checking on your other companions. You could see that they had some suitcases and bags. You look at your father again with excitement. "Are we…are we staying?" you ask. Your father nods, while you hug him.
Jake had found your father near the facility with a group of men. They are screaming your name. It was a foolish decision, knowing that the pandora's jungle was very dangerous. But from the tone of voice, they could hear the desperation in his tone of voice. As jake and norm approached, they were able to convince the group of men that it was best for them to move to the main base. Where they would be safe, your father hesitated for a while. But he agreed, their current camp was in ruins. He warned the whole group, and packed up their belongings. Norm promised them, they would look for the facilities and they would be safe after all. They all had to help each other.
"So Y/N is going to stay?" yells lo'ak, rushing to carry you and hug you. "Lo'ak!!!" you yell but playfully, your feet wiggling in the air. "Yeah…but lo'ak, watch out for the girl" jake says, helping you down. Lo'ak hands you the toy, "here you go…now we can play every day" the boy was very excited, as were you. Taking the toy in your hands, you now hug Lo'ak. Jake laughs, and shook his head. You two had met, and already you were acting as if you had known each other for a lifetime.
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hornedqueenofhell · 3 months
Text
Holiday in... Handcuffs? Pt. 4
Pt 3
They didn’t bother with any space between them that night, Eddie lays his head on Steve’s shoulder because that’s where it belonged, the same way Steve’s fingers belong on his lower back, tucked under the hem of Eddie’s hoodie. Their legs tangled together as Eddie trails a finger over Steve lips and asks to kiss him.
“Ask me again in the morning sweetheart. I don’t want to be half asleep when I taste you.”
Eddie groans at that, hips shifting against Steve’s, “Baby you can’t say shit like that to me and expect me to go to sleep.”
“Watch me.” He tips Eddie’s chin up and tugs his lower lip between his teeth, scraping until the tender flesh snaps back and leaves Eddie whining and arching under his hands.
“I’m going to fucking ruin you the second I get you in my bed princess.” He hisses and Steve laughs in his face.
“Try that one again when you can stop grinding against my thigh helplessly…princess.” Steve purrs right back. “Until I say so, you’re at my mercy and I’m going to enjoy it.”
Eddie wants to make him eat those words, wants to place his lips everywhere else since Steve’s own mouth is off limits. But Steve’s eyelids are drooping and he can feel a yawn behind his teeth, so he just presses a kiss to Steve’s forehead and whispers, “Enjoy it then big boy. Good night.”
They drift off tangled together while Steve’s family plans a raid on the Munson cabin first thing in the morning.
~O~
The Hopper-Byers house woke up solemnly and got dressed, their living room floor full of sleeping bags and piles of blankets. The kids were riding with Nancy and Jon in the station wagon while Joyce and Hopper took the cruiser. Robin was out of town and no one wanted to stress her out until they had safely gotten Steve back home.
Nancy was loaded down with her handgun and sawed off that Hopper was pretending not to see at this moment. Lucas was fiddling with his wrist rocket while El, Max, and Will talked quietly amongst themselves. Dustin had used his spare key to get Steve’s home defense bat which was tucked between his knees, hands gripping the end until his knuckles go white. Mike had been strangely silent since the news broke, guilt over everything he’d said to Steve eating him alive.
“We’re going to get him Hop, one way or another.” Joyce swears, their backseat has enough supplies in the back to make sure that the corpses of Eddie and Wayne Munson are never found again. They’d send Steve back with the kids, let them take care of him back at home base. Hopper would get his testimony later, after Joyce had put some good meals in him and let him rest off the trauma.
And then they’d get Steve whatever help and therapy he would need depending on what he’d had to live through. They would offer him all the support and love that his family had never been able to. Joyce would call Steve her son the way she’d always hesitated to, afraid she had been overstepping. Hopper would ask if Steve would like to change his last name, had wanted to since the Harrington’s had disowned him for being bisexual.
Everyone was making silent promises to apologize, to hold, to talk, to give Steve all the things they realized they’d been holding back or neglecting. Because it was either they got the chance to or they’d be begging forgiveness at Steve’s grave.
Joyce consulted the map they’d brought with all of the satellite dots from Steve’s phone as they passed a gas station about half an hour from their destination. “They stopped there according to the map, the last one before they got to the cabin.”
Hopper squeezes her hand quietly, “One way or another.”
~O~
“I know it’s not much because I’m afraid I don’t know you very well yet son, but I didn’t want you to be here empty handed so this is for you.” Wayne says as he nudges a box across the coffee table to Steve.
“Wayne, you didn’t have to.” Steve carefully slipped off the paper, something Eddie found so endlessly endearing. He looked forward to watching Steve do this with the rest of his gifts once they got back to town tomorrow. And then Eddie was ordering take out and making out with Steve in the other man’s apartment until Steve kicked him out.
The box contained a pair of slippers and a soft bathrobe, not Steve’s normal style but probably a soon to be necessity if he didn’t want Robin to murder him if Eddie ever stayed over. “I get the feeling this will be very useful soon. Thank you so much Wayne.” He offers sincerely as Wayne reaches over to pat his knee fondly with a warm smile.
“You’re welcome Steve. I’m so happy to have met you, and how happy you make Eddie… it warms this old man's heart.”
“You’re not even that old Wayne.” Steve snorts, making them all laugh. He shifts back against the sofa to tuck under Eddie’s arm, eyes closing with happiness as Eddie’s lips press to his temple.
“Do you want another cup of coffee?” He asks and Steve nods gently so Eddie gathers up their mugs and heads into the kitchen.
“Go get your boy.” Wayne encourages him with a wink. Grinning Steve hops up and follows Eddie into the kitchen. He grabs some snacks for them to nibble on while Eddie refills their mugs. Before he can step back into the living room Steve stops him.
“Look up sweetheart.”
Eddie looks up and sees a sprig of mistletoe taped over the doorway, “Really? Really Wayne?” 
Wayne just laughs at him and waves them off, “Just kiss the man Eddie, I’m sick of whatever weird mating dance you two are doing.”
Eddie looks to Steve who is grinning at him with his own little eyebrow wiggle, he grips Steve’s hips and reels him in close. “May I Steve, may I kiss you?”
“Yes, please Eddie kiss me.” Steve whispers against his lips, hands coming up to cup his face and tug him down until their lips finally meet.
And then the cabin door bursts open.
“Freeze!”
Steve and Eddie’s lips break apart, whipping towards the door in sync as Eddie’s arms tighten around Steve.
“Release him now!”
This time the voice registers and Steve’s jaw drops open. “Hop?”
“Steve! We came to rescue you!” Dustin bursts past Hopper branding his bat and swinging wildly.
“Rescue me? What the hell are you talking about?” Steve studies all their tense faces as he carefully moves Eddie behind him.
“Wait was this all a joke? Were you just playing a prank on Dustin, pretending to be kidnapped?” Mike spits, getting defensive now that they are on the backfoot.
“Kidnapped? Dustin, were you even listening when I called you? I told you I was staying with a friend for Christmas. I specifically said I wasn’t being kidnapped.”
“Your phone was breaking up, I heard a struggle. I heard the horrible thing he said to you!” Tears beaded in Dustin’s eyes as he gestured wildly at Eddie, “I thought I was never going to see you again.”
“Oh Dusty, come here.” Dustin drops the bat and sprints across the room, throwing himself into Steve’s arms with a sob. Steve squeezes him tight and lets Dustin wail with relief as he holds fistfuls of Steve’s sweatshirt.
“Thank you for coming to rescue me Dusty bun. You were so brave.” Steve tells him as he starts to calm down, he turns them slightly and offers a hand out, “Dustn, I’d like you to meet my friend and supposed kidnapper Eddie Munson.”
“...Hi,” Eddie offers gently, he awkwardly holds out a paper towel for Dustin to dry his eyes with, “Steve tells me you’re his little brother.”
“This is sweet and I’m sorry to interrupt but could the lot of you stop letting the cold in and maybe see if my front door can still close?” Wayne interrupts and the rest of Steve’s family blushes before shuffling into the cabin and doing their best to close the door. The handle was completely fucked but the deadbolt hadn’t been pushed so they just used that to hold the door closed. The frame was ruined but at least the draft was minimal.
“Thank you, now someone explain to me why my nephew is being accused of kidnapping.” Everyone continues to fidget awkwardly until Wayne gestures for them to sit.
Wayne has one armchair while Steve and Eddie share the other, Dustin leaning against Steve’s legs. Joyce, Hopper, Nancy, and Jon all squeeze together on the couch while the other kids scatter on the floor. There’s still wrapping paper from their gifts scattered around.
“Why didn’t any of you just call me to ask if I was kidnapped? Or Robin for that matter, I texted her everything about where I was.” Everyone winces at the mention of Robin since they’d left her out of the loop for her own safety, turns out she was the loop.
“Since you didn’t reach out again after the kidnapping message we weren’t sure if you or your kidnapper had the phone and we didn’t want to risk them getting angry and killing you.” Hopper says taking lead on this debacle. Joyce is squeezing his thigh tightly so she doesn’t run over and snatch Steve into her arms.
“I texted Dustin a picture of the cabin yesterday after we finished decorating.” Steve points out, Dustin hasn’t released his sleep pants since they sat down.
“With the other evidence we had gathered it looked more like you trying to help us find you.”
“Other evidence? I’m sorry but what fucking evidence are you talking about?” Eddie snaps, more scared than angry. This man burst into his home and pointed a gun at him so he’s a little on edge right now, even with Steve’s hand in his.
Hopper clears his throat uncomfortably and holds his hands up in surrender, “Sorry, sorry. When Dustin reported the abduction I went to the ‘scene’ and there was some video footage of what appeared to be a large black vehicle driving too close to the curb, and then you pushing Steve to the ground. You went out of frame but another camera shows you driving another black vehicle with Steve in the passenger seat shortly after.”
Eddie huffs, looking very much like he wants to go one one of his tirades until Steve leans more into him and Eddie deflates. This is Steve’s family, who thought they were protecting someone who means a lot to them. Eddie can be justifiably angry for feeling profiled and accused but he won’t take it out on his not quite boyfriends loved ones.
“There was a truck,” Eddie says through gritted teeth. After another glance at Steve he manages to take a deep breath and the words come out a little easier, “it was taking the corner too fast and kicking up a lot of icy road slush. I pushed us both out of the way so we wouldn’t end up soaked. And last I checked, owning a black vehicle wasn’t a crime.”
“It’s not honey and we’re so sorry that this happened.” Joyce speaks up, intervening and diffusing the attention with her genuine warmth, “This was all an unfortunate misunderstanding but what matters is that Steve is okay and that you’re both happy. And we’re sorry for messing up your sweet moment.”
This time Steve and Eddie were the ones blushing, Steve’s entire family had burst in on the two of them kissing after all.
“Could we maybe start over?” Joyce continues, “Would you all like to come over for Christmas dinner? And we can have a repair guy come out and fix your door tomorrow.”
Eddie and Steve glance at each other before looking at Wayne who just shrugs, “I’ll follow along with whatever you boys want.” They turn back to each other and Steve offers him a small smile.
“I know it’s a little fast, and certainly not how I would have planned for this to go. But since I’ve met your family, would you like to meet mine?”
Eddie lets out a snort laugh and squeezes Steve’s hand, lifting it to press a kiss to his knuckles, “Sure Stevie. At least this time I don’t have to worry about somehow making a worse impression than the one that’s already been made of me.”
“They’re going to love you, I know they will.”
With the new plans set Steve, Eddie and Wayne go get dressed while Hopper uses the tarp they brought the tree in with to try and keep the elements from seeping into Wayne’s cabin. Steve’s family goes back to their cars with the exception of Dustin who choses to clamber into the Range Rover with Steve and the Munsons. 
“Is Eddie your boyfriend Steve?” He asks bluntly as they head out, their vehicle taking up the rear of their little caravan.
“Not yet, but I think we’re getting there.” Eddie throws him a cheeky wink as he flicks on some low music to fill the background.
“Cool, hey is that a dungeons and dragons tattoo?”
The older man grins and with a faux annoyed groan Steve settles back in his seat as his family starts to get to know his soon to be boyfriend. This might be the strangest Christmas Steve has ever had but it’s also one of the happiest.
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kiriska · 3 months
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I originally made this zine back in October. There was no particular impetus for it except I think I’ve just been low key constantly thinking about ghost bikes since I learned about them some years ago.
I rewrote some parts of this a few times and I’m still not happy with it, but it feels kind of pointless to keep fiddling with it. There’s too much I want to say and 8 pages isn’t enough.
Saying that drivers “choose” vehicular manslaughter sounds aggressive. I know (most) drivers don’t intend to do harm, but it doesn’t actually matter what their intentions are if someone gets hurt or is killed. Maybe drivers aren’t “choosing” to kill, but they are choosing to get gigantic vehicles and to go fast enough to kill.
Most recent cyclist deaths in the Seattle area have been on common biking routes, though none of them have bike lanes (Seward Park Ave, Spokane St, Marine View Dr). I’ve biked on all of these, some of them very frequently. It sucks passing by each time and knowing someone died there, and that it could’ve been avoided.
Basically everyone I know who bikes has been hit by a car at some point. A friend was hit while in a crosswalk a few months ago. (In a similar incident, a 13-year old kid was killed in a crosswalk last year.) Thankfully, no one I know has died yet. It does sort of feel inevitable though.
Recently, a car ran a red light and hit a bus. The bus was forced onto the sidewalk, where it killed a pedestrian. I walked by on my way home with groceries 5 minutes after this happened. Couldda been me. Everyone is a pedestrian at some point, but so many people avoid living life as a pedestrian. They drive everywhere and are only ever on foot within a building. My high school was one (1) mile from my house, but I had to drive to get there because of the 6-lane highway between us.
The problem is complicated. I mostly blame infrastructure, but that’s not easy to fix. We designed and built whole cities around cars and left no space for people, and that can’t be corrected without a lot of money and political will. We need roads that are “inconvenient” for cars and drivers. Ones that are narrower and have speed bumps and “traffic calming” devices slow drivers down by design, without relying on speed limit compliance or enforcement.
Seattle is cramped as hell and there aren’t sidewalks in a lot of places. But in order to build sidewalks and bike lanes, we need to take away space from cars, and hell gets raised every time anyone even suggests taking away parking, much less an entire travel lane. Lots of people depend on cars, but that’s never going to change without cities investing in the alternatives.
Buses and transit can become reliable. Bikes offer a lot of the same freedom and personal autonomy as cars. “No one wants to bike in the rain/cold/hills/etc” and yet Seattle has such a robust cycling community, both in commuters and recreational cyclists. “You can’t haul groceries/supplies/kids/dogs/etc by bike,” and yet so many people do.
And if people don’t feel safe on bikes, it’s just because of all the cars.
RIP Steve Hulsman, who was killed at the intersection of Marine View Dr and 46th Ave, the intersection in the photos, on December 21st.
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ghostybat00 · 7 months
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🔪LOOKS FROM A FAR PART 2🔪
Tw:Marturbation, sick jealous, nikto's mental health, violence, non con, theft of underwear,Nikto practicing self harm .
Reader gender neutral.
Pink:your dialogue.
Blue:dialogue of nikto.
Orange:secondary character dialogue.
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🔪:1 Week ago. You didn't know if you were being paranoid, you felt eyes on you, at rest, when you talked to someone, when you worked, you always felt like your entire being was being watched, it gave you chills, a feeling of being watched all the time made you sick.What made you most anxious was that it didn't matter where you were, whether you were in the infirmary doing paperwork or helping soldiers,the strange soldier, Nikto, that creep soldier you had attended to a week before was somehow going to be there. Oh discreetly peeked out of the door frame in the infirmary, or in the break that by "coincidence" was always at the same time as you in the place where you always go to rest.
You were looking at the computer looking at some paperwork, your leg moving up and down anxiously, while also biting the cap of a pen. Strangely, everything was very lonely, the weather here was also very cold, therefore the cold breeze did not help you calm down, trying to think of anything other than the same fucking feeling of being watched you've been feeling since you arrived at this new base.Your "tranquility" in quotes was interrupted by 2 soldiers, one was very injured, a bullet wound while the other helped him lean on him. You quickly grabbed the wounded soldier by his shoulders and laid him on the infirmary bed, grabbing the medical supplies to treat the wound you asked quickly. "What happened to him?" "He was wounded in battle." The soldier simply responded somewhat agitatedly.
3 hours passed, the soldier who brought the wounded soldier to the infirmary left, the soldier who was shot was now still being treated by you, disinfectant, trying to find the bullet, disinfectant again, was a process that was necessary to help him.After half an hour,the sound of the door to the infirmary listening from the other side, you were somewhat agitated rushing to treat the soldier and you didn't know if he was a colonel, so you just shouted "It's open!". The soldier was more and less than Nikto. Seemed to have a wound on the same arm you healed them last week.Strangely he looked calm and not in pain, in his calm but thick voice he says. "We need help again, we're hurt."
You said agitatedly, taking a quick look at his arm. "I'm treating the first one for a gunshot wound, could you please sit and wait?" You said, trying to sound as kind and patient as possible, you saw Nikto give the bandaged boy a murderess look. He goes and sits down, but you feel his gaze on you again.
Since that day Nikto always goes to your infirmary, when he wasn't on missions or torturing who knows who on the battlefield, he was hurting himself to go to the infirmary and visit his favorite doctor, Although of course you didn't know that, but you weren't stupid, you knew that it wans't a coincidence that him always went to your infirmary for the same wound from the same combat knife,But every time you wanted to bring up the subject, every time you discussed it, he avoided the topic and only told you that he gets hurt a lot with knifes in battles. Obviously this is very suspicious considering that firearms are used in confrontations, and Nikto is one of the most violent and strong soldiers, so you doubt that they are made by someone outside. One day, quite intrigued and somewhat scared by his behavior, you look for him in files and ask superiors,you manage to have personal information, although they only limited themselves to telling you that He is an insane soldier, tortured by enemies caused "a screw to come loose" and horribly disfigured, this also bringing what is most characteristic of him is speaking in the third person due to his trauma, a soldier who uses extremely deadly and painful techniques, being known for torturing others and being savage.
This obviously gave you chills and a bad feeling about him so you tried to avoid it, but he always gave those short but disturbing words that came out of his mouth with that Russian accent. "Why do you look so nervous, pretty doctor?" "We could easily tie you up and take you away, isn't that funny?" "We like it when you touch us with your hand on the wound." ""If anyone bothers you, tell me and I'll cut their throat." "Today your hair smells different, what shampoo did you change?"
🔪
He always sneaked into your room at night, no matter if you were gone or asleep, one of the things he loves is your scent, he steals your underwear and he brings it to his nose, exhaling the aroma as his hand goes up and down on his needy cock, while he sits in the bed where you pretty body lays and sits, or just sneaking in when you were asleep, kneeling down and staring at your face without blinking.
🔪
You didn't even feel safe in your room, not even the foundation or anything, you noticed that your underwear had a strange white substance, but you just thought it was detergent, fooling yourself.Deep down you knew someone was watching you harassing and evading your stuff, but you don't know who, you're so stressed out being a doctor that you just You want to think that you don't have to worry. The superiors have noticed the change in Nikto...
•Thursday, September 29, 2023•
You were working in the infirmary, one of the superiors knocked on the door. "It's Open", you said in you tired voice", but quickly sitting up straight when you saw that it was your superior.
"we need to talk about a certain soldier, Nikto."
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uvobreakmylegs · 2 years
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Afternoon Break
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Warnings: injury, past kidnapping, mentions of death, mentions of torture
Word count: 5k
“Should we go back inside?”
You looked over to where Illumi sat.
“But we just came out,” you said.
“We've been sitting here for nearly a half-hour.”
“.... Oh.”
Had it really been that long? It didn't feel like it. You could've sworn that only five minutes had passed since Illumi had set you down at the small patio table in one of the gardens of the Zoldyck estate. But you doubted that Illumi would have any reason to lie about something like that, so it must be true. Which meant that your sense of time was screwed up. Probably because this was the first time in a long while that your husband had allowed you outside.
You'd gotten lost in the greenery and the forest beyond the garden because it was so vastly different from the cold walls you'd been looking at for months on end. You wouldn't have thought that was a problem, but evidently Illumi did.
“Should we go back inside?” Illumi asked again.
“No – I mean,” you quickly corrected yourself, “I'd like to stay out a bit longer, if that's okay.”
“It would be 'okay',” he said, “but you don't seem well. And if you aren't well I'd rather you were in a more controlled environment.”
“I'm fine. There's nothing to worry about.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
Illumi hummed and you could feel him looking over you as he decided if he would let you get just a bit more time out here or if he would override you and take you back in despite your protests.
Evidently he chose the former, as you saw from the corner of your eye when he looked back out to the gardens as well, staying in his seat.
A small victory for you, though not one that was particularly significant, nor would it last very long.
But it still felt nice to have gotten your way for once.
Along with the various flowers and other plants that grew in the gardens, the weather was nice out today. Neither too warm or too chilly, and a pleasant breeze blew past you while there were just enough clouds out to offer occasional protection from the sun, but not so much that they covered up the light completely.
For once it was a nice day on the Zoldyck estate, and you didn't want your time out here to end yet.
But for all you knew your time out here would end soon if Illumi decided that you weren't well, or more likely, if he decided that sitting out here doing nothing was a waste of time. If you weren't doing anything, Illumi tended to prefer that you were spending your time training, as was evidenced by the callouses and the cuts that were still healing on your palms and fingers.
Although with the state that your ankles were still in, you were somewhat limited in what you were able to do in regards to your training.
You kept yourself from glancing down at them, instead keeping your focus on the forest beyond the garden. You knew what you would see if you looked at them: the fresh white bandages that had been wrapped around your ankles this morning, that Illumi had wrapped himself after you heard him say to himself that it likely wouldn't be too much longer before you were fully healed.
He had handled you gently, almost in a caring manner.
Yet he had been the one to break them in the first place as a response to you attempting to escape the estate.
It was a pathetic excuse of an escape, really. You'd been too obvious, asking him questions about his next job and how long he'd be gone for, then waiting until you thought Illumi was out and packing up a bag with clothing and supplies. And when you made your way out from Illumi's section of the manor and into the woods, there had been butlers following you every step of the way while you had been completely unaware. Everyone had known what you were doing, and you had only been allowed to get as far as you did because Illumi had told them to.
Illumi had been waiting for you when you reached the testing gates, and he had swiftly taken you back up to the manor, telling you on the way up that he was hoping you would realize how foolish your plan was and turn back on your own.
But you didn't.
So he broke your ankles, calling it a punishment.
He told you that you had been awake for it, but you didn't have any memory of that. All you could remember was waking up in his bed with fresh wrappings around your ankles while Illumi chided you once again for trying to get away.
All of that was unpleasant, and at the moment you much preferred focusing your energy on appreciating the scenery.
“You're drifting off.”
You shook your head when you heard Illumi's voice snap you out of your thoughts.
“No? Then what has your attention?” he asked.
“..... Mike,” you answered.
He blinked at that answer.
“Mike isn't anywhere near here,” he said.
“I know,” you replied, “I was just thinking about him. If we'd see him from here.”
“Even with his size you wouldn't be able to see him from here. And he doesn't leave the area around the intruder door. A guard dog isn't effective if he isn't at his post.”
“Mm.”
Your lack of a real response had him looking you over again, no doubt questioning if you really were well enough to be outside.
The chances seemed slimmer now, but you hoped that he'd let you have this time out here just a bit longer.
Anything to push off him carrying you back inside and around the manor like he'd needed to since he took away your ability to walk.
A few days after your escape attempt you had asked if he was going to get you a wheelchair or crutches so you could get around, and he acted like you had asked something stupid. You getting around on your own wasn't something he wanted.
Him carrying you everywhere around the manor was.
Before this you didn't go to too many areas within the manor. Largely just Illumi's quarters, a few different training halls, and on occasion the two of you would join the other members of the Zoldyck family that were present in an extravagant dining area, typically at the behest of your mother in law.
Given the size of the manor, it was clear that Illumi was restricting you, though he'd just about said as much since he'd first brought you here, saying that it was only until you had adjusted to life here.
But after the injuries he'd inflicted on you, you realized you were seeing a lot more of the manor than you had previously. Illumi was taking you out more often after your training, letting you see different places, but only when he had you in his arms.
He'd carry you in front of the butlers, other staff and the rest of his family, and it was humiliating. And that must have been the point of it. An additional punishment for you having attempted to run from him, and a power trip for him, that he was able to parade you around like you were a thing to be possessed, and not an actual person.
Who knows. Maybe that was how everyone else viewed you.
Maybe that was how Illumi viewed you.
Your outing today had been by your request, driven by a desire to leave the stuffy walls of the manor, but one that had been rather half hearted when you had asked, anticipating that the answer would more than likely be “no”. Yet it had been a request that he had decided to grant you, though it seemed that there had been a time limit of thirty minutes set on it given how much he was insisting that you return inside.
You'd be back within those dark walls soon. The next time he asked, it might be better to go along with what he told you. If you cooperated, then it was more likely he'd do this for you again the next time you asked. And it didn't hurt to try and keep Illumi happy in that way.
Just be grateful that you had gotten as much as you did, you told yourself.
You saw Illumi shift in his seat, as though he was going to say something.
Then he looked back in the direction of the manor, and his gaze stayed on something in that direction.
You copied him, and found that there was a butler approaching the two of you. One who held a tray with a tea set.
“Master Illumi,” the butler said as he reached where you two sat, “Lady Kikyo requested that I bring this out to you.”
Illumi stared at the butler and then the tray in his hands, and then nodded. With the permission being granted, the butler set down the tea set, and took out two cups for the both of you, filling them after with the contents of the tea pot.
You didn't know the name of this particular butler. At the beginning you made an effort to know all of the names of those who worked for the Zoldycks, but there were simply too many. Not to mention that it seemed every time you got a name down, that person would disappear soon after with no explanation given. It began to feel like you were jinxing them when that happened once too often, so you stopped trying.
This butler was one that you had seen a few times before, memorable for the fact that he was missing the tips of his ears, the rounded part gone completely and a straight line in the cartilage, like they had been cut off. You also spotted what looked to be burn marks on his neck, hidden beneath the collar of his shirt, and it seemed likely that he had been tortured at some point in his life.
You hoped it happened before he ended up working at the estate.
After placing all of the set on the table, Illumi waved the butler away, to which the butler bowed before taking the tray and leaving.
“Thank you,” you called out after him.
The butler turned briefly to bow to you before he continued on his way.
The way the staff of the Zoldyck household bowed to you whenever you addressed them still felt strange to you, and at times it made you feel uncomfortable.
Evidently your desire to be polite made you forget that when you called out to the butler.
You copied Illumi when he took the cup that had been placed next to him, picking up your own and briefly smelling the scent of the tea that came wafting from the cup. It seemed like a mixture, with one of the ingredients smelling like mint.
You were about to put the edge of the cup to your lips when you stopped yourself.
This was something from Kikyo.
“What's wrong?” Illumi asked.
“.... Has this been poisoned?” you asked back.
He didn't seem surprised by your question, and he made the effort to look at the contents of his own cup and then checking within the tea pot.
“No.”
At least that was reassuring. Illumi was aware that you weren't like him and that you couldn't handle any amount of poison, let alone the amounts that he was capable of consuming. So he was always careful when it came to the food and drink you were given as he didn't want his wife to suffer an untimely death in that way.
Placing the cup to your lips again, you drank.
Mint and honey, you noted, along with something else, though you couldn't quite place it at the moment.
Illumi was quietly drinking his tea as well, and for the moment, things were peaceful.
Yet you couldn't help but glance over to Illumi, taking in the way he sat across from you at the small table, sipping tea in a garden with his wife. The scene felt oddly domestic, something that didn't quite fit when it came to Illumi.
“Is there a reason why you're staring?” he asked.
Of course he noticed the way you had looked at him. He always noticed everything when it came to you.
“No important reason. I don't know that I've ever seen you drink tea before,” you said to him.
“It's not something I normally drink, but the taste is fine,” he said.
Then he asked “do you like it?”
“Yeah. It was nice of your mother to send this to us,” you answered, “should I thank her later?”
“Yes, I'm sure she would appreciate that.”
The both of you sat quietly for the following moments after, sipping tea while enjoying the scenery. Or at least you were. As usual, Illumi's gaze stayed on you for the most part, so you weren't sure if he was really taking in everything.
At least he was pretending that he was doing the same as you.
Illumi was the one who poured you a second cup after you had finished your first, grabbing the pot before you could when you reached for it, handing the cup back to you once it had been filled.
It was sweet, the way he was being attentive right now.
As soon as you thought that you looked back down to your bandaged ankles, and you stopped when you were about to take another sip of the tea. The wrappings were just as white and crisp as they had been this morning, all because the way Illumi carried you everywhere kept them from getting dirtied.
He told you that he loved you, yet there had been no regret on his part regarding your broken ankles, or in the way he carried you around like a trophy. And when you looked at your scratched up hands that held the smooth surface of the teacup, there had never been any regret in him regarding what he was trying to do to you.
To make you an assassin like himself and the rest of his family.
Right. You knew you'd been forgetting something.
“You're drifting off,” Illumi said.
“.... Am I?”
It seemed pointless to argue about it this time, and you took another drink while Illumi set his cup back down on the saucer.
“Are you thinking about Mike again?” he asked, “or was your previous answer a lie?”
“Does it matter?”
“It does when you lie to me.”
You pressed your lips together, uncertain of what answer you should give.
Illumi chose not to wait for you, asking “have you actually been thinking about your attempt to run away?”
“..... I guess it's that one.”
Maybe your honesty would make him go a little easier on you.
Illumi stayed quiet before he said “you've never told me why you tried to run.”
“I don't think you ever asked.”
“Then I'll ask you now: why did you try to leave?”
You weren't looking at him. You were keeping your focus on the half-filled cup that sat in your lap. But you could see him from your peripheral vision, watching you expectantly as he waited for an answer.
There wasn't going to be any getting out of this. Better to tell him the truth.
“I can't be an assassin,” you said.
“Why?”
“Because I can't kill people.”
“You haven't tried yet.”
You wanted to sigh. This was where the disconnect was, where it felt like you were hitting your head against a brick wall every time the subject came up. The issue of morality you had with his and his family's occupation, of killing for a living, and the fact that you would one day be expected to do the same.
For Illumi, killing was easy. For you, just the idea of it made you want to throw up. And no matter what you said, you weren't able to communicate that with him. He didn't understand why you were so repulsed by it, and the only solution he had offered was for him to take you out and have you kill someone so you could get used to it.
He didn't understand when you adamantly denied that doing something like that would make it better.
“I can't try,” you told him, “because I can't do it. I don't have it in me to kill people.”
And no one should, you quietly thought to yourself.
“You've said that before. Why don't you think you can do it?” he asked.
“I wasn't raised to be an assassin, Illumi,” you said.
“Neither was my mother, but she learned later in life and she's managed to do well for herself.”
“Yeah, but you also said that she grew up in Meteor City.”
“Does that make a difference?”
“It does.”
“In what way?”
“It just does.”
Illumi hummed, tapping his finger against the handle of the cup as he thought to himself. You took another sip before placing your cup back on the table, turning your attention back to the gardens.
You weren't expecting this conversation to go anywhere. It would just go around in circles like it usually did, with Illumi still confused over your reluctance while you were exhausted from trying to explain it to him. Better that you not fight back as hard so this could be over with quicker.
“So you tried to run away because you don't feel you can contribute to the family business,” he said.
“That's one of the reasons, yeah.”
“One? There are others?” he asked.
“Of course there are,” you said.
“Then what else is there?”
There were a lot of things you could've pointed out. That he had taken you against your will, that he had worked you to the bone day and night with the excuse that it was for training you, that his butlers watched you 24/7 whenever he was out on an assignment and you never truly had a moment to yourself, or that you were truly miserable living in the Zoldyck mansion.
A lot of decent points you could've made, but instead, you looked back down to your ankles.
His eyes followed to where you were looking and at that, you actually heard him let out a small sigh.
“I was very clear when it happened that your ankles were broken as punishment for trying to leave,” he said, “you tried to run from me, so I temporarily took away your ability to run. Had you not done that, it wouldn't have happened.”
“It isn't just that,” you told him.
You looked back down to your hands that still ached slightly as your eyes went over all of the callouses and cuts in your flesh.
Illumi looked to your hands as well before he asked “you're speaking of your training?”
You nodded.
“That's only because you need to become stronger. Once that happens things like that won't bother you anymore.”
“Training won't bother me?” you asked.
“Yes.”
“And what about killing people?”
“It's the same with that as well,” said Illumi, “once you get used to it, it'll be easy. You won't even think about it.”
You sighed as you realized you were going around in circles again, and instead of starting the cycle up again, you chose not to answer, staying quiet when he repeated your name to try and get you to respond.
“I like it even less when you ignore me,” he told you.
“.... I'm not trying to upset you,” you answered, making an attempt to be diplomatic, “but we've had this conversation a lot of times before, and I'm pretty sure we both know how it'll end.”
“So you'd rather give up on speaking to me?”
“It's not like either of us will be able to convince the other.”
You placed your mostly empty teacup back in the saucer and waited patiently for Illumi to scoop you out of your seat and march you back inside so you could train some more, anticipating that you'd be in those training halls for even longer tonight. That was usually what happened when you stopped playing the role he wanted you to play of his loving wife.
Yet nothing was happening. Illumi stayed in his seat while he watched you. The gears were going inside his head, though what his plan of action was turning out to be was a mystery to you, as it always was.
A breeze blew past the both of you then, coming in from behind Illumi and blowing his long hair about, the strands of hair going towards you and almost looking like they were reaching for you. He ignored it, keeping his large, unblinking eyes on you.
When the breeze died down, he spoke.
“Do you really think I brought someone into the Zoldyck family that wouldn't be able to handle the pressures of working as an assassin?”
….. You told yourself to be honest with him, because he would know if you were lying.
“I think you did,” you answered.
“So my faith in you doesn't mean anything?” he asked.
“I think your faith is misplaced.”
And before you could stop yourself, you told him “and I think it's probably time that you admitted you made a mistake when you chose me.”
You dared to look over at him then, and you found that you couldn't read his expression. Not unusual. It was hard to tell how he truly felt when you looked into the dark eyes with a perpetual void that swirled within them.
When he didn't answer you, you found yourself speaking again.
“If you want, we can get an annulment,” you said, joking as you said “probably not a divorce. You'd destroy me completely.”
It seemed likely that you'd get some sort of reprimand for a comment like that, so it surprised you when he didn't answer.
It surprised you further when he chose to get up, brush the hair out of his face and walk over to where you sat.
And then he knelt down before you.
The scene had turned odd with Illumi doing what he was doing. Just like earlier, it didn't feel like him. Sitting before you with one knee in the dirt while staring up at you. And when he took your hands into his, you wondered if he was copying this from something he'd seen. Either something from a movie or a show he'd happened to catch a clip of.
Or maybe this was something from real life. An image appeared in your head of a young Illumi watching his parents from behind a corner while they sat in the same way as you two, with Kikyo in your seat while Silva knelt down in front of her, holding her hands in the same way Illumi held yours now.
Illumi had spoken before of his parents being loving towards one another, though you had yet to see it. Then again, you were likely still just a stranger in their eyes, and with their roles as assassins, they wouldn't dare appear to be so vulnerable in front of anyone, much less you.
A slight squeeze to your hands brought you back to the moment.
“You're drifting off again,” Illumi said.
“Yeah,” you answered, “another reason why I shouldn't be here.”
“Wrong. You simply lack focus, but that can be improved.”
Illumi kept your hands in his, lightly rubbing his thumbs over the cuts.
“It can't. I'm never going to be like you, Illumi,” you said, shaking your head as you added, “not even a little bit.”
Illumi smiled at that.
….. Experience told you that wasn't a good sign.
“Why are you smiling?” you tentatively asked.
“Is that something to be nervous about?”
“.... Sometimes.”
“Hm.”
Whatever he made of that answer, he chose to ignore it for the time being, and instead reached for the teacup that you had placed aside. He handed it to you, and you looked down at the cup and then back to him, waiting to see what the point of this was.
Your other hand was still firmly in his grasp.
“I was lying when I gave my answer earlier. There is poison in that drink.”
…....
“..... What?”
“Do I really need to repeat myself?” Illumi asked, “I'm certain that you heard me.”
He didn't understand again. Didn't understand what the real issue was, that it wasn't that you hadn't heard him, but what he had just confessed to you.
“You let me be poisoned?” you asked.
Had all of this been a trap? Had he already come to the conclusion that he was wrong in picking you and decided to get rid of you? Was he really the one who had ordered the poisoned tea be brought to you? Was him taking you outside today just a final act of decency in letting you be somewhat peaceful before you left this world?
….. Why would he bother with a scheme with that many steps when it would've been such less effort to jam a needle into your head and then be done with it?
Illumi's hand was then cupping your cheek, and it was when he brushed away some tears that you realized you were crying.
“Why are you upset?” he asked.
“You killed me. How could I not be upset?” you asked back. How you were able to keep your composure enough to answer him, you had no clue.
“You think you're going to die from that?”
There was a smile on his lips again as he asked that.
At that point you were too confused and distraught to come up with an answer, which Illumi seemed to realize as the hand that held yours began to squeeze lightly again.
“You aren't going to die. I wouldn't throw you away so easily,” he said.
Your eyebrows furrowed as he continued with his explanation.
“If you had been as you were when you first arrived here, then yes, you would've died from the dose that had been put in. But by now, you've built up a tolerance.”
“Tolerance?”
“Yes.”
“H-how?”
“From the small doses that the staff have been putting into your food,” he said plainly.
“..... Since when?”
“Since shortly after you arrived.”
An instance came to your mind, one not long after you had been kidnapped, where you had been horribly sick for days. At the time, Illumi hadn't commented on it much, and you had assumed that it was due to the stress of getting kidnapped. You hadn't ever asked him about that, as you had been far too weak to push for answers.
“I kept it from you because of how much of an aversion you had to such things,” he explained, “but since it can't affect you any more, I see no reason not to tell you the truth.”
“Why would you do that?” you asked.
“It was necessary for you to be a proper member of the family,” he said.
Then he added “it goes against what you were just saying, doesn't it?”
“What?”
He was smiling again, saying “you said you could never be like me, yet you can now ingest poison like any other Zoldyck. So you were wrong.”
Being able to ingest poison and being able to kill a person were two different things, you thought to yourself. You weren't able to vocalize that thought, however, as you found that you couldn't find your voice anymore.
It didn't matter as Illumi was able to tell what you were thinking as he said “though I am aware that it may do little to change your mind regarding your main issue. But we will come to that in time.”
Both of his hands were grasping yours again, his grip gentle but firm.
“Even the strongest metals can be melted down and reformed, repurposed into something new. And it's the same with people. Although it may be a slow process, the same can be done for you.”
He glanced down at the pins on his shirt before looking back up to you.
“In one way or another.”
You couldn't respond, finding that your mind was far too exhausted to try and come up with anything to say to him. Luckily Illumi didn't seem to care as he had stood back up and lifted you out of your seat, saying “it's time we went back inside.”
You still couldn't say anything, but instead of reprimanding you, Illumi leaned in to place a small kiss on your forehead.
That managed to break you out of your haze, and you turned your head to look at him as he began to carry you back inside.
He seemed pleased with himself.
Glancing over his shoulder, you saw the tea set that was left on the table. No doubt the butler who had brought it out would be fast in clearing it after the two of you had gone.
“Your mother will be upset,” you mumbled.
“Why?”
“..... She tried to poison me.”
“Hm. That's true,” he answered, “though I doubt it was an attempt on your life. It seemed to me she was only testing you. I don't believe she dislikes you as much as you've come to think.”
“Regardless,” he continued, “we know now that it takes a bit more than poison to kill you.”
And with that, Illumi took you back within the walls of the manor, and you only got a few seconds of looking over his shoulder to see the world outside before the door shut behind him.
Back to harsh training and being paraded around like you were a trophy. Like you were less of a person and more of a pet that belonged to Illumi.
It was starting to get easier to tell yourself to just accept it.
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imnotsimpingyouare · 10 months
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ENAMORED (II)
Modern Hantengu clones X Reader
Featuring:
"Pissed Cubicle Worker" Sekido
"Depressed Programmer" Aizetsu
"That Guy in the Alley" Karaku
"Unfunny YouTube Prankster" Urogi
"Disappointed Grandpa" Hantengu
"Delinquent Middle Schooler" Zohakuten
"Possibly a Criminal" Akaza
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
You will NOT be shipped with Zohakuten or Hantengu because:
A.) One is an old man
B.) One is a young boy
Ty for your time 😌
fem!Y/N goes for her last job with Murata's Service Emporium 😢 but gets an interesting offer due to her *OUTSTANDING* work.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Hantengu.
You've heard of that household. They order some sort of cleaning service every month or so. Only, it's never been you that has gone before, so how exactly do you know about their service requests?
BECAUSE APPARENTLY THEY'RE FUCKING INSANE.
Some of the other employees have literally returned from the job crying.
WHICH INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO TERRY THE GARDENER! A TALL, BUFF MAN!
WHAT DEMON IN THAT HOUSE IS MAKING A GROWN MAN CRY LIKE THAT? WHY DOES YOUR BOSS HATE YOU? WHY CAN'T YOU JUST CURL UP IN A BALL AND FOSSILIZE.
You sigh. A big sigh. A really, really long sigh.
If you had the heart to, you would've quit the moment your boss revealed he was going to fire you, only.. you knew it was like him to try and withhold your paycheck for the week if you did. Obviously, he can't do that if you've done your job on schedule for any amount of time, but you're not gonna jump through flaming hoops just to stick it to the guy.
Easier to just get this over with.
You grab your supplies and load your car.
Yes, they make you use your own transport for this job. No, they don't pay for gas.
Maybe losing this job won't be so bad after all.
Starting up the map on your phone, you type in the adress of this demon house and get ready to be very fucking miserable for however long you spend there.
The clouds are grey this morning, as they are every morning, but this morning is different. Maybe it's because you fell down two flights of stairs. Maybe it's because you held some handsome guy's hand this morning when he helped you up. Maybe it's because you literally just got fired like 10 minutes ago. But something is different.
○○○○○
Unbeknownst to you, in the opposite lane of traffic, Sekido is screaming at the cars infront of him.
Nevermind, it's not just Sekido. In some strange sort of... brotherly bonding ritual, both Sekido and Zohakuten are screaming at the car infront of them (which is going the speed limit).
"WHY WON'T YOU PRESS YOUR DAMN GAS? THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WITH JOBS AND SHITHEADS WITH SCHOOL! 20 ABOVE THE LIMIT NEVER KILLED ANYBODY!"
"...Sekido, I think 20 above the limit has killed people. BUT THOSE PEOPLE WERE GOING TOO DAMN SLOW!"
Sekido's grey minivan pulled up to the school. Zohakuten grabbed his bag and opened the door, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"...Zohakuten."
Red eyes met his, and he felt slightly uncomfortable at how calm Sekido was managing to be.
"....what."
"....one day."
"wha–"
"One day without doing some stupid shit to get sent home or to the principal's office. If you do, I'll... I don't fucking know, have the gods come down and kiss you on the nose one by one. Just be good. Ok?" He said, almost in a... defeated tone.
Zohakuten, for a moment, was dumbfounded. Had Aizetsu taken over Sekido's body? Was this some sort or trick? Who did he think he was? It's not his fault he'll never use this crap again. Nor is it his fault that some of the kids are little shitheads.
Instead of saying all this, out of respect for Sekido's effort to be *nice*
(Literally, beads of sweat were beginning to form on Sekido's face, and he looked constipated)
....he nodded.
"Okay. I want ice cream after school."
And shut the car door.
Sekido was left by himself, face immediately breaking back into that scowl he wore so well.
"Fucking ice cream. I might as well get him a horse and a spaceship while I'm servicing His Majesty. Seriously, how hard is it not to throw desks?"
○○○○○
Your car stopped infront of a mansion.
Maybe not a mansion, but.. it was something.
A three story house with 2 vehicles in front (AND A MOTORCYCLE?). However, the only decorations in front were a little knome and a set of windchimes. You could also faintly hear "Barbie Girl" playing from somewhere in the home.
At the very least, it was... a flattering home. The outside didn't look too bad, but you were at least slightly concerned about the inside.
You knocked on the door, cleaning supplies in hand.
"Murata's Service Emporium!"
The door creaked open slightly, before opening to reveal a rather handsome, dark-skinned man in nothing but a towel and.... a face mask and hair curlers.
His eyes were a deep emerald green, a complete contrast from his skin that you were HERE FOR.
He looked you up and down, before turning his attention back into the house. "Aizetsu! Your escort is here!"
Immediately your face turned red. "Wha- did you not hear what I said when I knocked!?"
He raised a brow at you.
"Service Emporium?"
Oh.
That actually sounds pretty bad when taken out of context.
"...okay, but why would I be holding all of these cleaning supplies?"
He looked down at you again.
"I don't know what freaky stuff Aizetsu's into, okay? Are you coming in or not?" He huffed.
You reluctantly waddled in and set your things down.
Oh my.
It was a disaster.
The dishes were piled sky-high, the floor SEVERELY UN-VACUUMED... you had work to do.
Another man, almost identical to the one who opened the door, approached you in a rush. His eyes, though, were blue, and significantly more lifeless than the guy before him.
"I'm sorry.. I am Aizetsu. As you can see, our house is a disaster... sorry."
And he walked away.
THAT WAS ALL HE HAD TO SAY?
WAS HE EVEN GOING TO PAY YOU?
HE'S JUST GONNA LEAVE?
You were starting to understand the struggle.
○○○○○
The camera lens was clean. The audio was crisp. In his browser "solt jasz musuc backgriund" was playing.
Everything was perfect.
And now, out of his room once again, was the legendary, the one and only, greatest failed theater kid of all time..
Urogi!
And he was ready. Ready to bamboozle this busy, strangely attractive woman that wandered her way into his home. Ready. But she wasn't.
Which is what made it good content.
And good content -> motorcycle upgrades.
Which he wanted.
Very badly.
So there he was, creeping up behind you, four cans of silly string in one hand, a camera in the other.
You, on the other hand, were almost finished up here. You cleaned in and out, over and under, anywhere you could. The dishes were dried and put away, and everything was soon to be in order. The only task you had left was to sweep the kitchen. A relatively easy job. After that, you could get out of here, and... you didn't have a job to go to.
Hadn't thought of that in a while.
But there wasn't any time to think about it when you heard something being set on the counter behind you. You turned around, only to be met with a man leaping at you.
Naturally, you dodged out of the way, dropping the broom and hooking your attacker around the neck, locking him in a chokehold. All was well until a flurry of colors came flying toward you into your hair and eyes.
Immediately you were overpowered, your key sense being obstructed. You were pushed over near the sofa, being sprayed relentlessly with some sort of squishy string-like material.
You were quick to recover, and reached up to what you assumed to be the sofa, taking off one of the pillows and swinging wildly at your attacker. Terrifying laughter was heard from above you, and you overturned them until you had them in prime suffocating position. Moments into your retaliation, you pulled some of the strange material off of your face, only to see the face of both people you met earlier. Except this one had yellow eyes.
You paused in your struggle with him, both of you huffing and puffing like you were about to blow someone's house away.
He stared up at you, and you stared down at him, before your gaze flickered up to the counter, only to see a camera placed there and aimed directly at the two of you.
Footsteps distracted you from this realization.
"Aizetsu? Your escort got loose. I think she got confused. Did you not tell her about being a quad?" It was the green-eyed man, back with his bunny slippers and some actual clothes, but no hair curlers or face masks.
"IM NOT A PROSTITUTE!" You snapped at him, smacking the man under you again with the pillow for good measure.
"Why the hell is there a woman on top of Urogi? Why are you just watching, Karaku? You sick fuck.."
Another voice was heard, deeper and more gruff than the rest. You looked up, and saw another man identical to all three of the others! Unlike his counterparts, this one had blood-red eyes.
"What's going on? Are you all siblings?" You said, before mentally face-pamling. Of course they're all siblings. What else would they be?
"Of course we're siblings. What else would we be? Idiot." The red-eyed man growled, before hanging his keys and stomping off to who knows where.
The man under you tapped on your forehead.
"...can I get up?"
You rolled your eyes at him, delivering another smack with the pillow before getting off of him. "You don't just sneak up on some unsuspecting person like that!" You scolded, but he didn't listen. He was already busy fiddling with his camera.
You pinched the bridge of your nose, mumbling a slew of curses before going to pick up the broom.
"So clean, so clean! It looks like this house is brand new! Where are they? The cleaner? Where are they?" A labored, weak voice sounded from the hallway. An old man appeared, and hobbled toward you. You tried backing away, but it was no use, as he grabbed your face to examine you.
"Lovely girl, lovely girl! Cleaned up everything perfectly! You're the angel who cleans up my grandsons' mess every month, are you? Lovely girl!" His voice was trembling, as were his hands.
He must be talking about the company. But before you have time to explain, he cuts you off.
"I wish to hire you, lovely girl! Lovely girl! You can live in my home, in the spare room! You can clean up and teach my grandsons how to behave! Will you? Don't leave an old man like me helpless. Their mother isn't around to teach them to behave, will you? Lovely girl?"
Your eyes widened at the offer. "..hire? Like, for money?"
The old man laughed. Well, he tried, but it came out as a cough. "For housing? Food? Anything you'd like?"
"....and for money?"
"...yes, I'll pay you weekly."
You needed time to recollect your thoughts! Living here, with unknown people? Cleaning! More cleaning!
But at least you'd have a roof over your head, and food, and 'whatever you'd like' whatever that was. And you'd even have your own money on the side. Maybe you could save for a house? To go back to school?
At that point, only Karaku and the old man were left in the room, eyes trained on you. Karaku's lips broke into a smile. He knew what your answer was going to be.
"..I'll do it."
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Photographic Birthdays
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR JOSEPH SOBS I LOVE HIM SO MUCH AAAAAAAAA
Rated Explicit | Warnings: The last one is dark cuz its Hypnotist Joseph
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Moonlight Gentleman
The werewolves are energetic today, you woke up both men tussing outside as if they were pups. Rarely do you see Joseph entertaining the childish behavior of his twin Claude, though they are twins and appear to be in sync with one another— They are both very different.
Claude is the energetic one, a sweet one, fragile but such limitations do not stop him from playing with his brother.
Joseph is not as energetic, he is reserved, he prefers to look partially human to interact with you properly, not fragile at all. He is very protective of his brother.
Both are wolves, creatures blessed by the forest you live in, they greatly enjoy your company (Claude told you as Joseph would not admit it).
“It is our birthday!” Claude is still completely in wolf form when he runs into the house to greet you in the kitchen, “What shall we do today?” Transforming midway before hugging you from behind.
“Be careful! You know how easily humans break.” Following behind already as in partially wolf form, “He hasn't stopped talking about this since we woke up.”
You laugh, “Well it's your choice what we get to do today,” Claude squeezes you lightly, “Both of you have to share.”
“We can share you.”
“Claude!” His brother scolds him quickly.
You laugh, “We can save that for later,” Reaching behind you to pet those cute ears, “How about visiting town today? We can go see what the store has in stock and we can eat breakfast there.” Offering a suggestion. It has been some time since they have been to town, each twin having a favorite place to visit while you restocked on supplies.
“I suppose that will be fine,” Joseph says as he sits now at the table in the kitchen, he is eyeing you as if he wants to join in the room but is above that.
“Splendid idea!” Claude is always excited to visit human places.
Désire Mélodis 
There are many parties for his birthday, they are all grand performances of smiles and speeches for Lord Mélodis. He has never cared for them. Why bother when most of these people he is using to further his goals? Though he could say the same of your family, but not of you.
“Désire!”
The greatest gift you could ever give him is yourself, everything that is you is all he needs or wants. No cake, no materialistic gifts, no speeches— Just you in his bed writhing under him, ensnared by his love for you.
“Please, Désire! Let me—”
“No,” He holds you down by pressing his hands on your upper back as he thrusts from behind, “I will indulge in my gift how I want, (Name).” Grinning as you cry out in overstimulated blessing, “Yes, yes! Fuck.” Rarely vulgar, the Lord Professor keeps thrusting then stops to paint your walls white with more cum.
“You are all that I need for my birthday.” Kissing your shoulder as he lays over your body.
Azrael
Spring is coming early, the weather is still cold but the rain of spring is blessing the land. The patter of the rain hitting the glass window echoes, this before the soft music plays. You entered the room, a lounging room with a music player for your records. He remains lying spread out on the couch like a spoiled unbothered brat because he is being one as he cannot leave your domain until the rain has stopped.
“Do you hate today?” You ask him once the melody starts playing, “Do you regret it?”
No, he does not hate today and no he does not regret his fall. If he never fell, he would have never met you on this day so many years ago.
He is only upset with himself for not seeing how important this day is to you. His little mortal now sits on the floor leaning against the front of the couch. Azrael’s hand reaching out petting your head, his pet and lover, his divine mortal.
“No. Never.” Turning over to his side to drape himself over you, “You call it my birthday, why?”
“Oh, I thought it would be nice… Something you can look forward to like I do with my birthday.”
“Heh.” Mortal sentiment and it sweet you care to share them with him, a creature who will outlive you. “Pity it is raining. I would like to have you in the flower fields.” Humming at the end while you look away with burning cheeks.
Hangover
Long ago grief would not permit him to celebrate this day, a birthday he shared with his twin. He would drink himself into a stupor and wake up the next day none the better.
But he looks at the way you are trying to create a gift for him in secret, he is aware of it because you are not exactly subtle in your questions. You know it is a sensitive time for him even if he has moved on in honor of his brother— The wound is still there and can bleed again.
“(Name),” His arms wrap around you making you squeak like a cute animal, “May I see my gift?”
“Not yet! Let me finish wrapping it!” Pouting as he kisses your shoulder, “That tickles, Joseph!”
He hums, “When can I have my gift?”
“Tonight, if you will allow me to give a small celebration?”
In the past, he would reject such a notion. Would have been mean-spirited and likely hurt you with bitter words back then, but he has grown. Claude would have wanted him to live, to live for both of them.
“Tonight, then,” He hums, “I wait with great anticipation.”
Hypnotist
His favorite patient is trying to craft him a gift, how cute. Rorschach had advised against it naturally, only he is aware of the Hypnotist's sadistic treatments. Not like the fellow patient could do anything or report him, perks of being seen as a madman— A perk for a Hypnotist to use against Rorschach.
The doctor enters the recreation room, arts and crafts today, only you are here given how well-behaved you are.
“What are you making, (Name)?” Sneaking in and only announcing himself when it is too late for you to hide the gift anywhere.
“Doctor Desaulnier!” Jumping up and hiding the gift behind your back, “Oh, it's uh hmmm.” Flustered, and shy, he likes how well he has molded your mind. The treatments, his hypnosis therapy, have not only lessened those nasty little memories of yours but have you sweet on him. A pretty docile patient, pity Rorschach's mind is not as malleable as yours, ah well, the boy's fascination with the doctor's other patients works to Desaulnier's benefit.
“Is something the matter?” False concern as if he does not already know you have been working on this for weeks. Every day with arts and crafts happens you are creating your little art piece.
“Ha-happy birthday, doctor!” Pulling the gift out from behind you, “Happy birthday!” Saying it again.
“How kind of you, (Name).” Taking the over-glittered card with glue and paper cutouts of words from newspapers— All words praising him. When he opens the card, it is a drawing of him—Well, a poorly made drawing of him but the words you put in are far better.
“This is lovely, thank you.”
You smile brightly.
“But I do hope there is more to this, little mouse,” His hand slid then holding your waist, “Hm?”
“Birthday,” Trying to gather words from that poor mind of yours. The Doctor might have adjusted that, you need your words but not your memories, “For you. Any gift!”
“Very kind of you. Would you kindly lay back for me so I can have my other gift?”
A post-hypnotic suggestion programmed into the mind; he made sure it was something he would not say often and subtle enough for others not to recognize.
You do it so easily, hoping on the long table with your legs dangling on the edge, you lie back staring up at the ceiling. Doctor Desaulnier wants to laugh, God, his personal pet is so amusing!
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Text
Debbie Urbanski’s ‘After World’
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Debbie Urbanski's debut novel After World is an unflinching and relentlessly bleak tale of humanity's mass extinction, shot through with pathos and veined with seams of tragic tenderness and care:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/After-World/Debbie-Urbanski/9781668023457
I first encountered Urbanski in "An Incomplete Timeline of What We Tried," an experimental short story on Motherboard's brilliant Terraform science fiction portal:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/xwvgeq/an-incomplete-timeline-of-what-we-tried
"Incomplete Timeline" is a list of climate remediation steps "working back from human extinction," like "increased military fortification of national, provincial, and state borders," "the founding of several utopias," and "redefine the word wilderness."
These items begin with a climax, or perhaps an anticlimax: "The coordinated release of various strains of a human sterilization virus."
This is the jumping off point for After World, which expands this final item to the action of a wrenching tale whose backstory is the list's remainder. Sen Anon – the story's semi-protagonist – is 18 years old when the world learns that every person alive has been sterilized and so the human race is living out its last years.
The news triggers a manic insistence that this is a good thing – long overdue, in fact – and the perfect opportunity to scan every person alive for eventual reincarnation as virtual humans in an Edenic cloud metaverse called Gaia. That way, people can continue to live their lives without the haunting knowledge that everything they do makes the planet worse for every other living thing, and each other. Here, finally, is the resolution to the paradox of humanity: our desire to do good, and our inevitable failure on that scor8e.
And so the Earth is converted to a place of mass suicides, as people gurn and mug while boarding airplanes filled with explosives so they can go out in a literal blaze of glory. The food will run out soon, and the government makes sure everyone has a suicide pill for the day when the hunger grows too intense. Not everyone is lucky enough to get on one of the suicide flights, and, being eager to see themselves off before they harm the planet further, just hang themselves in the garage or jump off a roof. They are counted as heroes, but also nuisances, because disposing of the bodies is a lot of work.
But some people – young people – are given a mission to live on for as long as possible. These are the observer/recorders who are charged to spend the last days of the species closely watching the return of the natural world, the seeing off of humanity, and to write it all down in longhand in a succession of notebooks that are taken away by drones. This is part of the story humanity cooks up for itself about extinction being a noble choice, rather than a chaotic act born of desperation.
Sen Anon is one of these observers, and her mothers take her to a remote cabin to live out (and observe) the last of humanity's days, ensuring she is settled in and then killing themselves. After all, without them, Sen Anon's limited food supply – meagerly supplemented by drones in proportion to the quality of the observations in her notebooks – will stretch further.
Much of the novel takes the form of Sen Anon's notebook observations, countersunk with an omniscient third-person narrator who is revealed to be [storyworker] ad39-393a-7fbc, a software agent involved in the project to recreate all those dead humans in the Gaia metaverse.
[storyworker] ad39-393a-7fbc is a very unreliable narrator, who reprograms itself through the course of the story, all the while muttering asides to itself about the theoretical basis for telling Sen's story this way. [storyworker] ad39-393a-7fbc struggles with a supervisory AI that has been charged with overseeing all the [storyworkers], but which can't – or won't – rein in [storyworker] ad39-393a-7fbc as [storyworker] ad39-393a-7fbc grows more involved in Sen's life.
This experimental storytelling style (supplemented by found texts from humanity's dying, like a glossary of terms to be retired and new terms being created by a linguist who is starving to death as they complete their task) creates a contradictory narrative distance and closeness.
It's a curiously flawed omniscience that's allows Urbanski to capture the yawning, bottomless horror of the climate emergency of today and on the horizon. I don't think I've ever experienced the kind of sustained, deepening existential dread that After World created, chapter by chapter.
To sharpen this, Sen's mothers – scientists who were given exceptions to the no-child policy because their work was deemed essential to the now-abandoned project of saving humanity – are grimly supportive of the mass suicide project. When Sen's own horror creeps up on her, her mothers are sharp and often unkind, with only the smallest flashes of love and sorrow for their daughter escaping their facades, all the more vivid for their rarity.
In contrast, [storyworker] ad39-393a-7fbc grows ever more sympathetic to Sen and the rest of vanished humanity. [storyworker] ad39-393a-7fbc is a very convincing alien with motives and perspectives that are profoundly nonhuman, and yet, the compassion and love are unmistakable.
Of After World's two protagonists, [storyworker] ad39-393a-7fbc might be the more relatable. It takes an alien point of view to truly see humanity's flawed glory, irredeemable and irreplaceable. If you reveled in the nonhuman umwelts on display in Laura Jean McKay's 2020 debut The Animals In That Country, [storyworker] ad39-393a-7fbc will stretch your brain and imagination in similar ways:
https://pluralistic.net/2022/04/27/im-a-backdoor-man/#doolittle
After World is a book that goes hard. Pitiless, merciless and relentless, it takes you to the darkest depths of climate despair and reveals the indestructible beauty at our species' core.
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If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:
https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/18/storyworker-ad39-393a-7fbc/#digital-human-archive-project
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justaghostingon · 9 months
Text
Marionetta Theories:
Do you want to know if Tonny is evil or not? Do you wonder why Julia was chosen to kill him? Have I got the two connecting theories for you!
I don’t have a lot of evidence, since we’re only 28 chapters in, but i wanna get these out there to see if they come true!
@jay9marie this is for u. As only other mutual i know reads this comic.
Theory 1: The Custodian
I do not think Sahed is right about Tonny. I don’t think Sahed’s completely wrong either, but he’s missing an important detail: Tonny is not their jailer, he’s the custodian.
When we first meet him, he describes himself as the manager for someone else, not the one who supplies the magic. And this has been true since before the circus even existed:
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If you notice the language here, he’s called custodian. Which means he takes care of the one who is truely in charge, the monster in the attic.
Now there’s a lot we don’t know about Tonny’s position. By the wording “allows” he seems to have limited power to invite others to join the castle. Which given how horrible it is inside, is not a very good deal. But we honestly can’t tell if the contracts is something he was told to do or not. We just don’t have the info.
My guess is Tonny has an awareness of the price of his contracts. Look at his face when he makes the contract with dotty:
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He’s exhausted by the bags under his eyes, and clearly unhappy, but his set expression tells us he is still going to do it. He’ll doom them to eternity with him, with only the fine print to warn them of what that really means. And again, we don’t know how much of a choice Tonny has, but that’s still not okay.
But! Dotty and her husband bring new life into the castle. And Tonny starts to change.
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He’s smiling, leaning against the door in a relaxed posture. His arms are still crossed, suggesting he’s not completely at ease, but he’s happy to see his people smiling again. He’s thrilled his people can be happy in the first place. And when Rainah speaks up and points out it won’t last, he’s willing to bring Dotty and her husband into the very secret that keeps this place running, something i don’t think he’s supposed to do given how even the ever talkative Dotty refused to mention it by name.
And now in the circus, we can see the contract has changed. They still have to stay in the circus, they still live eternally, but now they have to work - which keeps them focused and active, stopping them from falling into the despair of before. But most importantly:
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Tonny is no longer confining them to the castle to waste away. He is actively trying to make this situation the best he can. He’s no longer just a monster’s puppet, but a leader dedicated to his people.
And yes, he’s still trapping people in these contracts, which is not good. Sahed (who i suspect escaped whatever research center/prison was keeping him) has a reason to be angry. But now where he can be, Tonny is kind. He’s taking care of his people to the best of his abilities instead of leaving them to rot. All because Dotty and her husband taught him he could.
Which leads me to my second theory:
Theory 2: Julia’s fate
So i’m pretty sure that Julia’s contract was made with the monster in the attic, not Sahed. When we see Kamela go through her contract signing, she is physically near both Tonny, whom she is making a bargain with, and Sahed, who helps her enter the spirit realm.
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Given her smile, her trip is pleasant and short, she frays a bit, but nothing like Julia.
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Her experience is terrifying, nothing is explained except the contracts own words, and if she resists she’s punished with a nightmarish experience. Neither sahed nor tonny’s deal with kamela goes like this. It’s frightening and inhumane.
But most damningly of all, when Julia wakes back in her body, she is directly under the monster in the attic.
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There’s the contract, directly before Julia, but Sahed is nowhere in sight, unlike how it was when he was helping Tonny. This makes it pretty obvious that while Sahed definitely wants Tonny gone, he’s not the one who struck the deal. It was the attic monster.
By why would the attic monster want to get rid of its custodian? Especially when he still takes care of them and provides contracts.
The answer, i suspect comes from theory 1. Tonny has been putting the people of the circus first more and more, adding new clauses and promsing to make their lives pleasant. With all this attention diverted, the attic monster is no longer getting what it thinks it deserves. It is no longer first in Tonny’s priorities, and the priorities of all the circus folk.
It wants a new custodian to focus all their attention on it. To feed it with despair and contracts, and prioritize it alone. And it has chosen Julia.
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tw1l1te · 20 days
Text
The Final Promise₊˚✩⊹
Chapter 10
Linked Universe x reader
Warnings: Angst, tension, violence
₊˚✩⊹
Wars knew you were special, after all you were the one person in the group who wasn’t Hylian, much less some prophetic hero. But he knew you were more, your visual differences were just the top layer of your peculiarity.
At first, he was very wary of you and your presence. The hours spent examining you and talking to Time about your situation left him lost and frustrated beyond relief. You were strange, and he didn’t like it. He wanted to be nice, of course, he understood the fear and uncertainty you were feeling about the group, as he reciprocated the same feeling toward you: uncertainty and distrust. 
Initially, he was hoping that you’d find your way home after a few weeks or months, brushing it off as another lost soul needing guidance and a hero’s promise. But that goal didn’t last long as it was over a year, bordering a year and a half and so much had happened. He felt like… the group wasn’t complete without you, as much as he hated to admit that.
You made the journey feel less depressing and burdensome. Every day was new and undiscovered with you, whether it be a new piece of your own life uncovered to them or a new joke you used, he was in awe.
He needed to tell you how he felt, and he wanted to as soon as you left the inn, giving himself an excuse to follow because you might be in danger. When he saw the Vet being there, he stilled. This was not the plan.
He watched the entire scene go down, wincing at your sharp tone, hoping nobody else woke up from that. A person or two shuffled in their sleep, but no one work up. Next thing he saw was you on Legend’s lap, both of you lost in each other.
He should have been happy for you two, Hylia knows Vet needed someone for ages. She owed him something for all the shit he’s been through… but why did it have to be you? Sweet, kind, beautiful you?
And… didn’t you already have something going on with Time and/or Twilight? Even possibly Sky?
Was this a ruse? Surely you wouldn’t be the type, no, you were smarter than that. 
Right?
~
“And you’re sure this will work?” Time asked Wild.
Wild was readjusting his facial covering, sighing with annoyance, “For the last time, I’ve done this tens of times before. All I need from you and the rest of the group is to sit still at the Oasis while Y/n and I go talk to Riju in Gerudo Town. It’ll draw way too much attention if all of us come in, even if we got vai garb for you.”
“Right… how long do you think you both will take?”
“We should be back at the Oasis a little after sundown. We’ll take sand seals to get to the village, so the majority of the day will be spent talking to the Chief.”
Time nods, “Just be cautious, you never know who can pass the guards, even something as heavily guarded as Gerudo Town. I’d know.”
While Wild was talking to the old man, You were fastening your supplies onto your sash, going through your checklist of supplies.
You fidgeted with your necklace, tracing the Hylian insignia to calm you down. 
Why the hell were you so nervous?
“You’re nervous.” Four stated, eyeing your necklace. You hum.
“We’ll be right here the entire day, waiting for you. Just stick with the Champion and you’ll be fine.” You nod, seems simple enough to follow.
With a few waves and nods, you and Wild were off on your Sand Seals, being the most efficient and quick way to reach Gerudo Town.
The wind was refreshing, despite the sun beating its rays down upon you, as if it was trying to test your limits of heat. Wild was practically showing off, doing twists and hops, just laughing at his own antics. You’ve shield surfed before, but having the extra pull and momentum gave an extra edge to the thrill.
Wind would love this. You’d have to show him when you got back that night.
Before you knew it, you and Wild approached Gerudo Town, handing off the reigns to a merchant and heading towards the two guards stationed in front of the main entrance.
“What is your reason of being here?” she asked, voice deep.
Wild looked at you, reminding you that you were the main spokesperson for today.
“Ah- right. We have an appointment with Chief Riju?”
The two guards give each other a glance before letting you in, your shoulders releasing the tension the second you passed the threshold. 
Wild led you forward, pointing out a few stalls that you’d both check out later as he needed to restock on a few ingredients anyways. You saw a few jewelry and clothing stalls, and even a tattoo parlor that seemed brand new. You didn’t remember seeing it when you played through the game.
You felt Wild clasp your hand in his, leading you up the stairs to the throne room. You could hear a few voices talking, no doubt something related to your meeting.
“Ah! Link! There you are. And this must be your friend, Y/n. I’ve heard so much about you!” Riju exclaims, already making her way towards you.
You panicked, bowing to her, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chief Riju.”
She waves her hands, “Oh please! There’s no need for such formalities, any friend of Link’s is a friend of mine. Please, just call me Riju.”
You stand up straight, nervously fumbling with your necklace again, a clear indicator that you were not the best at being social. How was Wild being so nonchalant? 
“We came for the… updates. You mentioned in your letter something about the desert ruins and possibly the Yiga Clan?”
Letter? Wild never mentioned a letter-
“Ah, yes! Follow me, I have some information in my study. I sent you the letter months ago, but there’s been some developments…” she trailed off, leading you both to her room.
You gave him a look. 
Why was everyone keeping things from you? First Legend now Wild…
What else do you not know?
“Like I was saying, we’ve found some old artifacts sticking out from the remains of the Arbiter’s Grounds. It doesn’t serve much purpose to us, but we thought you could take a look and see if its anything you might be booking for or might help.”
Riju handed Wild a flat object covered in a beige tarp. He untied the loose knot, uncovering the black slab of rock with familiar markings on it.
“That’s a piece of the Twilight Mirror. How…”
Riju looks at you, “Ah, so you do know what it is! I presumed it had something to do with the Twili tribe but I wasn’t sure. I should’ve known you would have found it familiar, after all you’re the hero’s guide.”
You hum, you were still getting used to the title. It didn’t sit right with you that people regarded you in such a high manner. It was unnatural, considering your background.
“Did you see any other possible artifacts or pieces of the mirror? The rest couldn’t have gone far.”
Riju sighs dejectedly, “No, unfortunately. The research team scouted out the ruins high and low and even dug under a few feet, but nothing came up. There were some markings on the old columns, but nothing noteworthy.”
She pauses for a moment before turning back to Link, “However, the Yiga Clan showed up halfway through the research, though not in a hostile manner. At least, not towards us. Toward Link, Y/n, and your group, rather. They mentioned something about hooded figures entering their hideout demanding your guide.”
Wild stiffens at that and turns to you, “Weren’t those the figures you were reading about?”
You nod. Shit, you left the book back at the Oasis. You always manage to forget something.
“Chie- Riju, did the Yiga mention anything about the hooded figures? Did they look peculiar or mention anything of importance?”
Riju thinks for a moment. 
“One of the Yiga members did mention they wore full-length black robes, and had masculine voices. They also said one threatened a clan member using Fae magic, though Fae magic is almost unheard of, at least in this time period. I can’t offer much information right now, as I didn’t directly talk to the member, but I can corroborate with one of my guards that went on the short expedition and write down notes to mail to you.”
“That would be really helpful, thank you Riju.” Link states.
“Do you mind if we hold onto this mirror shard? It's small enough for us to travel with and it might prove to be useful in our… travels.” There was no easy way to put interdimensional and time travel into casual conversation, but Riju got the meaning behind his words.
“Yes, of course. I suggest wrapping it up in a tarp or cloth as this material is very peculiar and we don’t know what it's capable of.”
Link rewrapped the mirror shard, storing it in his Sheikah Slate. You’d have to examine it later, maybe take a closer look at the hieroglyphics if you can.
“I’ll have the guards escort you out, as I have a few more meetings to get to with a few ambassadors from outside of the desert. It was wonderful meeting you, Y/n. I do hope we meet again soon,” she said with a smile. You thanked her, waving goodbye as you and Link made your way back to the main plaza.
“I’m gonna go stock up on a few things. You can go look around if you want, just don’t leave without me.”
You nod wordlessly, meandering about the main square as you examine all sorts of wares. You didn’t have the chance to get a ton of rupees in a while, so you were a bit tight on what you could get, but you bought a small ruby ring for a certain bunny, as a small thanks for being vulnerable with you. It was nothing compared to what you wanted to verbally express to him, but it was just a small symbol of trust and appreciation.
Stuffing the ring into your pouch, you keep walking around the town, munching on a piece of Hydromelon. It was in season, so the flavors were bursting on your tongue.
You made your way around a corner, finding it to be a dead end. You were about to turn around to make your way back to the main square before someone wrapped their hand around your mouth, cutting off your terrified scream. Before you had the chance to blink, paper fluttered in front of your eyes, masking your vision.
All that was left in your place were a few, red paper rectangles, signaling a Yiga clan member had trespassed Gerudo walls: an invasion.
~
The sun had set almost two hours ago and the chain was starting to get on edge.
“They’re taking too long.”
“They should’ve been here by now. Where are they?”
The younger members were starting to pick up on both of your absences, thoughts already assuming the worst. Wild was capable of handling his safety, but you? As much as they liked to think you’ve gotten experience and plenty of training from each of them, you could have been harassed, cornered, kidnapped, killed-
Everyone snapped their heads to the sound of violent panting, already knowing its Wild.
Wars ran up to him, gripping his arm to support Wild.
“Where is she, Wild. She should’ve been with you-”
“-They took her.”
₊˚✩⊹
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