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darkandstormyart · 3 years

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Xicheng fic recs

(figured i might make a list of my own)

(to be expanded as i dig out more treasure/remember stuff)

in no particular order:

Deep as the Yearning Night by FreckledStarKnight

“At first, it was pure chance. The second time was accidental. And the third time? Well, they say the third time’s the charm, after all. Lan Xichen discovers that Jiang Wanyin sings beautifully and is immediately enamored by it. His pursuit of Jiang Wanyin’s secret talent leads to a discovery and a series of events that he did not anticipate at all. Not that he’s complaining, of course. He got what he came for and more. Or, how two sect leaders get together through the song called love. CQL-verse.“

post-seclusion lxc

trying to get jc to sing

bonus lxc & jin ling feels i hadn’t considered before

cute

Always use protection by hesselives

“In which Lan Wangji attempts to hire a new bodyguard for his older brother, a well-known traveling exorcist. Jiang Wanyin doesn’t even make his carefully considered list of Top Ten Candidates, and yet here he is.

Lots of wandering in the countryside, distant yelling, and mildly inconvenient spirits.”

bodyguard au

honestly just really intersting worldbuilding

Rewrite the stars by Arashii

“Five great kingdoms have been fighting for years and when the kingdom of Yunmeng is destroyed, the Crown Prince Jiang Cheng vanishes.In Gusu, Lan Xichen makes an offer impossible for Jiang Cheng to refuse. His life or revenge? There’s only one option and Jiang Cheng swears loyalty to the man he hated the most his whole life, the Crown Prince of Gusu, Lan Xichen himself.Written for XiChengFest2020 - Day 4“

ROYALTY AU ROYALTY AU

enemies to lovers!

flashbacks! i love flashbacks so much ohmygod

No paths are bound by Arashii

“In seclusion, Lan Huan has the support of a ghost no one has seen since the massacre of Yunmeng Jiang. His feelings start changing with the often visits and conversations they share. Before Lan Huan can confess though, he ascends, leaving everything and everyone behind him.

Two hundred years later, back to the Human Realm and without powers, the Martial God Zewu-Jun has a mission to uphold. His Heavenly Calamity started. The clues are little and the support comes in the most unexpected form, the current Ghost King: Sandu Shengshou. Now they need to stick together to contain a menace that is slowly growing.“

TGCF AU TGCF AU

ghost king jiang cheng come on

doesn’t follow tgcf plot, just the setup so no spoilers

jiang cheng gets the dogs and the xichen he deserves

once upon a dream by cafedeolla

“Xicheng soulmate AU

An au where your dreams are small snippets of your soulmate’s day. They’d show small things like buying coffee, reading a book, or hanging out with people from their perspective.

The problem was that people always have expectations and Jiang Cheng knows he always falls short of them. Time and time again.“

soulmate au, but being soulmates is more a problem than a solution

misunderstandingssss all over the place

now with a squel (in progress?)

Lan Furen series by jagaimocchi

“Jiang Cheng leaves Lotus Pier before the Wen Internment Camp and before the destruction of his home. When he meets Lan Xichen on the run from the Wens after the burning of Cloud Recesses, his plan to live a peaceful life away from cultivation sects is quickly derailed. Now, free to make his own choices, he cannot find it in himself to leave the other man's side.

With love, patience and time, Jiang Cheng finds his own happiness and peace with his past.“

have you ever wanted a fic where jiang cheng peaces out from home in search for a better life, bc he’s Had Enough??? jags got you covered

adorable xicheng

good uncle-dad-figure Lan Qiren

ongoing <3

Just around the riverbend by JungleJelly

“One day.

Jiang Cheng just wanted one day of peace and quiet, away from home, away from his responsibilities, away from his idiot brother and his nutcases of a mother and father. Just a few hours alone — him and a boat and nothing else.

Clearly, that was too much to ask for.”

now with a new story in the series which is adorable too!!!

mermaid!lxc need i say more?

Bad ideas (where they lead) by JungleJelly

“Jiang Cheng is a busy man. Fortunately, he is also a huge pushover when it comes to his sister, so when she recommends that he start doing yoga, he agrees pretty easily.Featuring Lan Xichen in yoga pants, Jiang Cheng’s inability to handle a crush, and, perhaps most importantly, a big fluffy dog.“

done for 2020 MXTX MiniBang

yoga instructor Lan Xichen

Jiang Cheng is: struggling with a crush on the yoga guy from youtube & very angry about that

If there’s a price for rotten judgement by TheWanderingHeart

“All Jiang Cheng wants to do is, well... his job, really. Other than that? Keep the city safe, keep his nephew alive, keep his sanity intact (if possible).

So when his brother calls with unexpected news, he knows all of that is about to fly out of the window.

***

[Every instinct is telling him don’t ask, you don’t want to know. By this point, Nie HuaiSang has scooted closer to listen. Jiang Cheng takes a steadying breath and pulls out his antacids. “What did you do?”]”

superhero au, come on

jc just trying to do his job in peace

(he can’t)

i love it so much oh my god *sobs*

The Form of Boneless Ice by TheWanderingHeart

“Mythical beasts have long ago been driven to extinction by the gentry — hunted for sport, but more importantly for their magical cores. Since then, there remains only one creature that has never been caught. The Jiang’s retreated a long time ago. Abandoning land altogether, they sought safety where the humans could not reach.It all comes to a head though, purely by chance. (Or is it by fate that a spontaneous decision allows for them to meet? If fate were a rock!) Jiang Cheng suddenly finds his whole life balanced on the head of a pin — on the flimsy promise of a human boy. In his opinion, things cannot possibly get worse!(But then they do when the Wens decide it’s finally time to search for the elusive merpeople, and suddenly nowhere is safe.)“

there she goes again, with another beautiful xicheng story full of awwww and mythology

actually one of the first xicheng fics i read

i chose it because there were mermaids

painfully accurate takes on Jiang family dynamics

kids! lots of kids!

Let me Slytherin to Your Heart by TheWanderingHeart

“Jiang Cheng never thought he'd return to Hogwarts, but in hindsight, he probably should have known that someday he would.With his nephew about to start school, he reluctantly takes his good friend's bad parenting? career? advice and ends up tumbling head-first back into the madness that he hoped he'd left behind... and rediscovering some feelings he thought he'd left behind too.“

Harry Potter au!

just really fecking cute

lots of snakes

[I am not going to link all of Jo’s fics, though I probably could, just my 3 favourites. UOSB is there by default]

Talent Hunt Crew Finds Angry Guy Shouting On College Campus, Recruits Him For Vocal Projection Abilities by oh_fudgecakes

“Jiang Cheng, resident Angry Guy and heir to a conglomerate empire, has never been the apple of his father’s eye. Quashed under the shadow of his brilliant brother, the music prodigy Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng sees his chance to turn things around when he is recruited by the All-Stars Lan Talent Hunt. One problem: he can’t sing to save his goddamn life.As he struggles to develop his nascent singing abilities, Jiang Cheng finds himself sucked into the whirlwind drama of reality TV, helped along by his adoring siblings, his irritable vocal coach Wen Qing, and strangely enough, the unfairly attractive host of the All-Stars Lan Talent Hunt, Lan Xichen. Somewhere in the glare of the stage lights and an unexpected first love, Jiang Cheng stumbles upon the thing he was searching for all along: the courage to dream — and to attempt the impossible.“

done for 2019 MXTX Big Bang

uuuuuuuuuuh i might have cried maybe

heartwarming? painful at times? lots of family love?

slowburn xicheng being lovely

The Provenence of Hope series by velithya

“A chance meeting on a night hunt sets a course of events into motion that will change everything. Featuring Xicheng getting together, recovery for Lan Xichen, healing for Jiang Cheng, and always, always, hope.“

got everything. feels. hope. love. ~~healing~~

A Small Measure of Peace by Sandstone112

“With his brother in seclusion, Lan Xichen finds himself in temporary custody of his nephew with little to no expertise in the child-raising department. Uncertain and alone, Zewu-Jun is willing to do everything to be the person Yuan needs—even if it means inviting Sandu Shengshou to a playdate.“

a loooot of adorable family times with jc and lxc taking care of their nephews

good grandpa lqr!

canon but fixed and less painful

🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋if you wish to avoid scurvy:🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

Some day I’m gonna make you mine series by locketofyourhair

xicheng getting together through the years

friends with benefits but the real benefits are the friends we made along the way

Take me over (take me tonight) by velithya

jiang cheng has a tattoo and lan xichen doesn’t stand a chance

i'd be the sweet feeling of release (mankind now dreams of) by piyo13

two bros, chilling in a cave, no feet apart because they don’t want to lose their cultivation powers what are you gonna do

haven’t read yet and shame on me, but AM GONNA:

Upon Our Silver Bridge by TheWanderingHeart obviously

““When the path ignites a soul, there's no remaining in place. The foot touches ground, but not for long.” ― Hakim Sanai

Lan Xichen's sorrows have caught the attention of something. Unlike the adventures and foes they have faced before, there is no obvious enemy here to defeat. If this is the same thing they thought had taken Nie Mingjue's life, then he believes it is fated for him to die as well. Nothing can stop the black fire when it wants to burn.Jiang Cheng is sure his part in this is over. Wei Wuxian is back, his grand adventure concluded, and he'd never been at the centre of it anyway. So what does it matter what happens to him in the end? Slowly, he will come to realise that there will always be a battle to fight, a story to tell, a choice to make, and there is no such thing as an end to anything.“

it was difficult to do things in 2020 and few i regret not doing more than not reading uosb yet :’(

i will tho

Emergency Help Wanted by piyo13

“EMERGENCY HELP WANTED I lied when I got my job. I told them I had a kid so I could leave early from work to pick him up from daycare, take him to doctor's appointments, and occasionally miss a day when he's sick. Long story short, I'm in too deep. I didn't think it through. Looking to rent a kid for bring your child to work day. Must be a boy ages four to six, longish dark hair, likes soccer. Must also be artistic as the macaroni noodle paintings I made seem a little advanced for his age. Also, I will pay extra for someone willing to play the role of husband when dropping him off. He's a prosecuting attorney who often brings his work home. Message me for further details. Serious inquiries only.“

Running Our Hands Through Embers by MarvelousMar

“If asked, Jiang Cheng would compare falling in love with Lan Xichen to a moth inevitably drawn to a flame.It burned.***In which Jiang Cheng discovers that even death can't help him escape from his trauma, so he embarks on a quest to save the people he loves, fix what he can, make the love of his life fall for him, and maybe, somewhere along the way, do a little bit of healing.”

The Beginner’s Guide to Moving On by InvincibleMel

gone from ao3, but i think there’s a link with a pdf going around

#xicheng #fic rec #Jiang Cheng #lan xichen #mdzs #the untamed #the grandmaster of demonic cultivation #mo dao zu shi

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the-art-of-styles · 3 years

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Ping-Pong

✧ Harry’s a foster kid who always seem to get abandoned until this particular family stays with him, but he can’t seem to trust them. Aylin, the girl across the street, talks too much and her parents fight a lot more. Both of them want to just get out of their houses, and playing ping-pong on the town’s fair brings them together for years.

Word count: 2144

Warnings: — (for now)

Part I (you’re here!)

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Part VI

Part VII

Part VIII

A/N: hi ! this will be a short story so there will be multiple parts, obviously lol. there will be a number on the beginning of each chapter which means what age they are. I know the description makes it seem a bit boring but honestly is fluff and stuff like that :) hope u like it

Harry's head vibrated as he was leaning against the window while the car seemed to be cruising through sky, sea, and land, fighting storms and a giant monster when in truth they were just passing a dirt road.

Lilian, who was sitting co-pilot, looked back with fireworks exploding in her eyes every time she saw Harry, while Dev squeezed his wife hand tightly, her cheeks burning from the prominent smile that adorned her lips, which has remained intact since they left the place where the foster kids wait for someone to take pity on them and take them home. A real home.

On the other hand, the emotion was the least throbbing in the being of the boy, because he has already lived this process twice, three counting now and he knows that it will end in dissolving the existing family—the family by blood and then later go back to the orphanage and repeat the same process over and over and over again.

Well that's what he thinks. How could he not? The two families who took him in threw him out again like a stranded dog in search of the warmth of real love. So no, Harry doesn't want to allow himself to get excited and think that maybe they will keep him (yes, as an object) and that maybe they will love him and that maybe he will love them and that maybe Lilian will make him cookies with a glass of milk when he feels bad or that maybe Dev would teach him to cook or do his homework and that maybe everything will be fine.

"We have a lemon pie waiting for you at home, we — we don't know if you like it, I hope you like it, we prepared it with a lot of love for you, Harry."

"We prepared?" Dev laughed and Lilian rolled her eyes in amusement. "It would sound better if you say that I prepared, don't you think?" He looked in the mirror at Harry. "Champ, the kitchen almost burned down! Doing a lemon pie! Can you believe it?"

The curly-headed simply looked directly at Dev in the rearview mirror and tried to smile at him, which did not work and managed to slowly hide his prominent smile, Lilian giving him another firm grip on his hand and smiling at him with sorrow because deep down they both know that Harry isn't going to trust them just like that. He has felt used, but he also think he's useless, people have abandoned him, he doesn't have parents or a real family, so they understand.

And they will wait for him to open up, because having a child on their own was something that, unfortunately, they could not fulfill.

Aylin's small hands covered both of her ears as she hid under the covers, without first making sure to close the door to her room. Her eyes were tight and a melody came from her lips that she sang every time this happened; but even so, the screams and loud words coming from the floor below her were not drowned out and managed to enter her brain.

It has been a full two weeks now where breakfast, lunch, and dinner were a big plate of arguments from her parents. Now, apparently, it also came in snacks.

Another sound was added to her brain, they were more murmurs and an engine being turned off, although the murmurs were not from her incredibly angry parents, but from some who were calm and trying to gain the trust of a new family member.

Curious as always, like a monkey hanging from a tree, she got out of it (that is, her bed) and went to the window where her big eyes filmed a new scene that she had never seen before: the Evans were getting out of their car with a boy in a black joggers and jumper, dirty sneakers, and a hat. Aylin's mouth parted slightly, surprised that the Evans had never mentioned a cousin or that they had a godson.

She doesn't know how long she was watching them, but she was fed up because now the only staging was the house across the street and the car parked outside was already inside the tiny garage.

Even her parents' screaming stopped, so she supposed that the hands of the clock turned the clock several times in a row and extremely fast; speed of light, up to.

Suddenly, her eyes caught how the same boy from a while ago came out and closed the front door ever so softly, squeezing his eyes a little as there was no longer any open space between the frame and the wood, placing a hand on his chest and releasing all the air in his lungs. Then, he put on the hood that came with his jumper and started walking. Aylin, with a smile on her lips, ran down the stairs and also left, obnoxious about the fact that her parents don't even care where their thirteen-year-old daughter will go alone, but that was already typical.

The truth is that lately she has been feeling lonely, her house no longer feels like home and love was not a prominent thing in her heart, so the opportunity to be with someone who is probably her own age coming at a silver tray for her is something she cannot throw away, so jogging and running short of breath to reach the boy, Aylin yelled:

"Hey! Wait! You! Wait – please!"

Harry stopped walking and turning his torso a few degrees and pulling his hood off, he made eye contact with Aylin, who was still jogging with one hand outstretched in a 'stop please I'm dying' sign.

"Um. . ." he started looking behind her in case Lilian or Dev sent the stranger after him. "Do you need help or. . .?"

"You arrived with the Evans, didn't you?"

"Er, yes."

"Are you their godson? Cousin? They never told me about a cousin," Aylin said the last more to herself, pursing her lips.

"Um. . . I'm—" Harry debated whether to admit that he was taken in from an orphanage or that he was a cousin — a godson, whatever. He thought that, thanks to past experiences, they will get rid of him in about three weeks, or a month, or even less, so: "I'm a. . . godson. Yes. That's what I am."

"Oh, cool!" It wasn't. Aylin's illusions of having a new friend were crushed like an ant walking through a crowd, because if he was a godson then he wouldn't stay that long, anyway, it doesn't hurt to befriend him in the time that remains. "Where are you going?"

"I don't know. I wanted to walk— "

"Cool! Let's walk together. I'm Aylin. What's your name? There's this really cool fair at the center of the town, it has a loooot of cool games and cool stuff! Let's go there!"

". . . alone." Harry's word was lost with the wind as Aylin wasted no time in entwining her arm with his to pull him and walk with him while smiling from ear to ear for her new friend; on the other hand, Harry grumbled and what he wanted the most was to have duct tape to place it on the girl's mouth, she never stopped talking!

". . . And so the teacher farted and everyone laughed and— look! We arrived!"

The two (still with arms intertwined) were standing in front of the start of the fair: lots of people, perhaps everyone who lives here in this small town came and went, children with cotton candy or candied apples, teenagers joking with their friends and parents waiting for the adrenaline rush in their children's bodies to relax. Immediately one could see the great white ferris wheel, the biggest game of all.

"There are so many games!" Aylin kept talking as the two of them walked through the crowd. Harry must admit that his mood improved a bit when he saw all the attractions and happy faces and the smell of candy, but he stopped short when he saw an unoccupied ping-pong table, when she noticed this, she looked at the boy and smiled. "You like ping-pong, huh?" He nodded. "Me too! Let's play!"

And so now the two of them were at either end of the table, paddle in hand, Aylin the black one and Harry the red one, the latter holding the white ball in his left hand, his tongue peeking out the side of his lips as he concentrated to make a good shot.

Although it's hard to concentrate when she keeps talking, and talking, and talking.

Some say it's a quality, others say it's irritating, but she can't help it, her tongue is never in a knot and words always roll down from it as easily as if they were made of butter. Aylin knows well how talkative she is, and there are times when she hates such quality because she does not know when to stop talking, and sometimes, inadvertently, she begins to talk about personal problems. . . like now.

They were both quite good at playing ping-pong, their wrists moved with fluidity and a technique that was not naive at all, the harmony of the game rarely was cut off and the ball rolled on the floor where one of the two had to come out chasing after it like an idiot.

"My parents have been arguing a lot lately. I mean, they always argue but now it's like a lot, everyday. Last night," ping–, "I heard them saying some things. I think my dad is with. . . you know. . . another woman,"–pong.

"They will probably divorce. I've seen it. . . in movies! Yeah. . . movies."

Aylin stopped the game by catching the ball and setting her paddle on the blue table. Harry frowned. "Why did you stop?"

"A-are my parents going to break up?"

Harry swallowed the accumulated saliva inside his mouth as he realized that Aylin's usually lively eyes had now passed away and a layer of tears was the only thing that made them shine.

"I, um, er, I mean, they probably will— not! They'll probably figure it, uh, out?" By then, the girl's cheeks had turned red as a watermelon and tears were already streaming down her cheeks like a winter storm, placing a hand over her mouth and running off, losing herself in the crowd.

Harry's mouth fell open in agape as guilt filled his heart. He wanted her to be quiet, but not in this way, so the only thing he could think of was to chase her, although it will be difficult to find her when there are hundreds of people running from one place to another and many loud sounds.

"Aylin! Aylin! Where are you Aylin?!"

Now he was getting desperate: according to the watch that was stolen from one of the houses he was in, twelve minutes have passed since he went out in search, but without being able to find the treasure. Thousands of situations and thoughts crossed his mind: she's lost, it's your fault, she was kidnapped, it's your fault, maybe she's dead, it's your fault, it's your fault, it's your fault.

In the end, it seems like it's always Harry's fault.

Then he saw her. She was sitting on the ground, the darkness playing in her favor, her knees bent toward her chest and her arms hugging herself.

In the end, it seems that Aylin will always have to hug herself.

He hadn't even noticed when his feet guided him to one of the tent shops and now he had a cotton candy in one hand and a candied apple in the other. He had no idea where he got the money from; he just rummaged in his pockets and voilà! Money.

Harry sat next to her somewhat nervous, he didn't know what to say, or how to act, what he should think, less how to give her what he bought her. Aylin already knew of his presence, but said nothing.

"Ejm, I — I bought you this, I'm not sure if you like cotton candy more or candied apple. . . uh, which one?"

She sniffed her nose that looked like Rudolph the reindeer's nose and turned her head to look at Harry. Her eyes were swollen and from time to time she would shake from the force (and consistency) of her crying.

Slowly, with her index finger, she pointed, surprisingly shy at the cotton candy. Harry smirked because at least she accepted his ‘forgive me gift’. He kept the apple and the two of them silently began to eat the sweets.

And Harry thought that perhaps he wanted to hear her speak more, since now there was no sound between the two, not even of her breathing, nor of her thoughts. But at least she ate with him.

#harry styles fanfic #harry styles writing #harry styles blurbs #harry styles #harry styles one shot #harry styles fanfiction #fanfiction

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tintentrinkerin · 3 years

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Harness & Spears

Chapter 5: Father’s Eyes

missed a chapter? Check out my Masterlist or AO3

Researching for a case a year after they quit first feels weird to Sam, he has to get used to all the programs, his usual agenda. Today it’s so much easier with some computer skills. No more libraries, no more grainy scans of articles in local papers. Today, you just have to open a search engine app on your phone or a computer and you will be able to find dozens of cases in an hour or two. Of course, there’s still the work of sorting the wheat from the chaff, but Jack is a big help. They sit in the library together and go search for cases. Cas is really sweet to them, just like a butler he offers hot beverages and sandwiches, even though Sam must really hold him back to go full on “Yes, sir”. They want a case, and there are hundreds of them, but also, after Jack became God he brought all the hunters back that Chuck had banished. Donna and Jody, a couple now, as they announced just months after Jack’s ascend, and her girls, all in the hunter business. They heard from Eileen sporadically, but after all that happened and how uneasy Sam felt about the whole manipulation (and he was absolutely certain Chuck pulled the strings there, even though, when they originally met, Sam was drawn to her - but nothing more), she kept her distance and operated in Ireland and also all over Europe. The hunters from the other universe also just hunted in small groups. Charlie and her girlfriend retired for good. And Sam was still bitter about his own behaviour - projecting ‘his’ Charlie on this woman, who was so much different. He knew she hacked some computers every now and then to prank some potential Dicks. Sam was connected to the hunters, most of them. He has been clear about him and Dean, Cas (and later Jack) not going hunting anymore. But now things changed and Sam needed to check if any other hunters were on the cases him and Jack might find interesting. Running in another couple of hunting buddies is not a problem on a personal level, but the mutual sabotage will happen. It’s Murphy’s Law. That’s why Sam has a plan. They will take cases other hunters wouldn’t like to do. There are several reasons for hunting in the first place and reasons which cases to pursue and which not. Let noble monster hunting and cleansing the world be some hunter’s motivation, revenge, the thrill (some people really were that sick and hunted monsters for the kicks) and of course. The money. Oh yes, the money. But the Winchester conglomerate doesn’t worry about money, that’s why Sam won’t look for cases that have to do with wealthy people or towns announcing rewards. Also, when he knew the kind of monster and that a lot of hunters were after these creatures for killing their kin or loved ones, he better didn’t interfere. You could hunt monsters for their venom or psychic abilities, their blessings or whatever. Something a friend of Dean did not so long ago and got himself killed for it.

It shouldn’t be anything exotic, the New Age brought new monsters, at least that’s what Jack says.

“I was God, yes, and I knew everything that Chuck knew, but believe it or not, not even Chuck knew all of his creatures. His mind is packed with the stuff he wanted to do or not to do - if you ask me he was a little like George R. R. Martin. Got lost in his own massive universe and all the detail. I tried to give all of it structure, that’s why some things on Earth changed, but after some time I thought my head would explode and I uh, outsourced some good stuff in new universes. Amara is way better in doing all of that, she created way more universes and new forms of life as I did. She and her brother - don’t get me started.”

Jack looks exhausted. “Does it sound weird, Sam? That I wanted to be down here with you, all of you, but especially you, and give Amara all that power?”

Sam smiles about Jack’s outbreak and that he obviously read Game of Thrones. “No, it’s not weird. You were with Amara and I bet she’s very pleasant company but she wasn’t what you longed for. You didn’t want to be God who’s in every drop of rain, and all that. It was noble and pure hearted and generous of you to try, but you were allowed to fail. But, speaking of Game of Thrones, I have a few questions regarding--”

Sam is rudely interrupted in his chatter with Jack when Dean comes into the library and sits down two chairs away from Jack. Jack immediately gets up.

“Uh, Sam, I will -errm, go pack my bags. I think you will find a good case.”

Sam sighs.

“I’ll be with you soon, baby. Just gimme a minute.”

Jack is quick as a flash and out of sight within seconds.

Dean scoffs while thudding his mug on the table. Coffee pours out and stains the wood.

“Easy on the furniture Dean, it’s not your enemy”, Sam says without looking up. He can’t show Dean his face right now or he will just erupt. He feels the heat in his cheeks and a hot tickle up his neck. Since Dean threw a mug after Sam yesterday they haven’t seen each other and to be frank, Sam could totally renounce any other encounter with Dean for a while. Plus, Sam has a hickey, because Jack went a little passionate, clingy and possessive last night, for whatever reason.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt you and… baby. ” The last word is like venom. As always. Dean wants to start another fight.

“I remember that I heard you calling Cas ‘daddy’ multiple times. You think that was really soothing for my wild imagination?”

“You call Jack what he is. A baby.”

“Another word, Dean, and you know I’ll knock you out. I have enough of your bullshit. You act like a jealous housewife. No, wait, more like a cuck!”

Dean scoffs and leaves.

“Do whatever you want, but don’t do it when I’m around or I’ll tear him apart.”

Sam sits here in shock. He has heard a lot from Dean about Jack, he has always been nasty to him and yes, even threatened to kill him twice, even was willing to execute him as part of Chuck’s evil plan. Yes, he was bitter about Mary and hell, how bitter Dean has been as Jack brought so many people back. All the ‘others’: Bobby and Charlie with her girlfriend. All these people. He brought Eileen back, and Dean thought it was to make Sam happy (and yes, that has been Jack’s intention, but ultimately it didn’t) and he was resistant to the arguments, that Mary was happy with John, she didn’t want to go back in this world she never felt like she fit in. He couldn’t be comforted by the messages Jack as a medium brought to Dean, that Mary loved him no matter what and that she will be happy when they meet again. Nothing could’ve soothed Dean’s aching. Sam understands that he’s hurt, but now, it just feels like Dean is angry at Jack for simply existing and then being so bold to love Sam.

Jack brought Cas back for Dean. He had risked a feud with the Empty that could only be avoided by Amara and Jack forcefully put the Regent of the Empty asleep. The Empty wasn’t sealed though, Rowena still reigned in hell, and still demons went to the Empty. But there are no angels on Earth anymore, Jack has naphil powers and even Cas regained some faint strength back, but Jack didn’t make new angels.

Jack really built a world in which it was possible for Dean and Cas to be together, he risked being invaded and maybe killed, since no one knows how really powerful the Empty was.

Why is nothing Jack does, no matter how universe shattering, unbelievably cosmic and holy and insane it is, not finally letting Dean the old grudge go?

It seems like everything he does just makes it worse.

Sam hides his face and in the safety of his own palms he allows to cry in fear for his own spiteful brother and soulmate. This will end badly if they don’t find a way to reconcile.

“You have to stop that, Dean” Cas says when Dean is back in the Deancave.

Cas is in his robe, nothing beneath. He looks pale and a little skinny. The last weeks have been hard on him and Dean knows it’s his fault. He makes his angel boyfriend sick. And yet he’s sick himself, and he’s kicking and fighting, with talons and teeth, words and throwing things after his brother. Also, he erupts the second Cas dares to mention it.

“Stop with what?”, he asks.

He picks the remote and wants to turn on the TV, loud metal music blasting but with a snap of a finger, the TV silent and it won’t turn back on.

“Castiel. Don’t fuck with me, I swear, I’m not in the mood.”

“You’re ‘not in the mood’ for weeks, maybe months. Why won’t you tell me what’s wrong? Why won’t you let me help?”

Dean’s eyes narrow dangerously as he faces the seraph.

“Help? How could you help? My brother fucks a toddler.”

Cas sighs and it sounds so endlessly sad. Defeated. Dean doesn’t want to see it, acknowledge it, that he is indeed very wrong. Jack is no toddler, Jack is no brat, Jack is so mighty he could really smite the whole bunker with a hiccup still, even though he’s not God anymore. Dean should be so damn careful. Dean should see how much Jack begs for his forgiveness and his approval.

But Dean can’t. And Dean won’t.

“Dean.”

Dean is so full of sorrow and fear, it hurts to hear his own name so gentle, so loving yet somehow fatherly. Cas loves him and Dean should be happy. He has been happy. The Empty had taken him away and Jack had fought to get him back. So they could be a family.

But this isn’t family to Dean. He’s around the person he loves the most, the person he loves with a burning, blinding insanity. He will never be happy like this.

Cas dares to come closer, around two steps away, offers Dean a hand. Dean can’t even look at him but he takes Cas’s hand and then pulls him in a desperate embrace.

“Shit, ‘m sorry, Cas. I don’t want to fight with you.”

It’s been a while, actually the last time Dean slept with Cas was the night when Jack asked him if Sam gay. This question is carved under his skin and if you look closely, you can see them shine through like thin red scars.

The streak won’t break today either.

“Will he ever stop hating me?”, Jack asks.

He has his suitcase packed, same as a backpack with snacks, water, headphones, his teddy Marvelous Marvin, a powerbank and, something he’s very proud of - his own angel blade. The only angels on earth are Jack and Castiel but the blade kills monsters just as well. He kneads the bundle of the purple blanket in his lap when he looks up to Sam.

Sam’s still tense from before, his eyes red and narrow, Sam must look like he didn’t sleep much or has been on a bender.

“I don’t know… I wish I knew what’s wrong with him.”

With a deep sigh Sam sinks beside Jack on the mattress. The bed creaks and a spring nudges in Sam’s butt cheek. Either they need a new mattress or they move in a room together, but Sam doesn’t dare to talk about these things yet. So far, he’s happy about the privacy. But he’s also constantly longing for Jack - a stalemate.

Jack leans against Sam’s shoulder and shyly feels for Sam’s hand. Sam is too glad to take it, intertwine their fingers and kiss Jack’s knuckles.

“It makes me sick, Sam. I’m afraid all the time he’s around. I’m afraid he might want to…”

“Hurt you?”

Jack nods, his lips a thin line.

“I won’t let him. And most of all, you won’t let him. Right?”

Another silent nod.

“Don’t worry about it now, our bags are packed and I found a case. I told you about the parameters I used to find a case no one else would investigate, and this one here is especially weird, but not weird enough for us to follow, and a bit boring, but not boring enough for us to NOT follow it. We’ve been to haunted houses before, right?”

“Yes, it’s mostly vengeful spirits or poltergeists, right?”

Sam nods. “Yes, exactly. Sometimes triggered by the plans of tearing the house down, the same can happen with big bodies of water, when they are threatened to be dried out, spirits of people who drowned will start going on a rampage. Haunted houses are like level 1 of every hunter. Rocksalt, shotgun, holy water, fire. Boom, ghost gone.”

Jack frowns a little. “Really, we’re going on a case that any newbie hunter could solve?”

Sam chuckles.

“Yep.”

It’s absolutely a thinly veiled reason to go on a hunt, but it’s the same that Dean and Cas did weeks ago when Jack sneaked out. In the end they also ‘just’ took on a vampire nest with five vamps and their Creator and the rest of the time they had a blast in Vegas, why should Sam not do the same? He wants to be alone with Jack, because Dean definitely ruined the pleasant experience of the tantra massage. Sam had been so happy back then and oh, crap, he was close to do more to Jack than just the massage. He wouldn’t have slept with him on this massage table, that was utterly uncomfortable, but he had been turned on so bad, that didn’t happen very often.

Sam really falls for Jack deeply and seriously. It’s a wonderful and frightening feeling at the same time.

Jack slides on Sam’s lap and straddles him, arms tight around his neck. Jack squints a little when he’s so close, his big blue eyes will never cease to amaze Sam.

“How can you not be Castiel’s son?”, Sam blurts, his hands cupping the naphil’s face and brushing away some strands of hair.

Jack’s mouth opens slightly, his tongue sneaks out to lick his upper lip.

“I am Castiel’s son.”

“I know, I just mean, genetically. You have his eyes. Does that sound stupid, baby?”

Jack shakes his head with a grin, his neck and face turn tenderly pink.

How did the biggest monster of all create this perfect boy?

“No, not stupid. I like the way you look at me”, Jack silently admits and the blush turns berry red.

“How do I look at you?”

Sam kisses Jack’s parted lips, feels the hitched breath and how Jack tightens up his back.

“First you looked at me with fear, when I was born. Then you looked at me in sympathy, in worry… Then gentle, loving. Just now, longing… You see a man, not a child, right? That’s the look in your face how you look at someone beautiful you want to be with…?”

Sam’s big hands creep under Jack’s pullover and Jack sighs, a light shudder down his spine and this tiny, quiet noise of content.

“You are beautiful, and yes, I want to be with you. All the time”, Sam whispers, he sounds rough, feels like he needs to clear his throat.

Jack lays his hands on Sam’s and guides him down his sweatpants. Sam squeezes. A slight gasp.

“We will have a lot of time for fun stuff once we’re out of here.”

That makes Jack jerk up, jump and drag Sam on his feet.

“Come, Sam! I can’t wait to be out of here.”

#harness&spears #rating: teen #sin is sinning #winkline #samjack

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thiswasinevitableid · 3 years

Note

Winter prompt fill 67 for sternclay? Doesn’t have to be a wedding I just love the 2nd half of this prompt. nsfw would be great

Here you go! It is indeed NSFW

67. you were supposed to have a beautiful winter wedding but you were ditched during the vows and my idiot sibling/best friend just cracked a joke about how maybe I’d finally tell you how I feel about you and you h e a r d

“She’s not coming.” Joseph whispers over his shoulder.

“Joe, for all we know she got hung up in a dress emergency or something?” Lily, the best woman and Joseph’s sister, squeezes his shoulder.

When the groom turns his blue eyes on Barclay, the groomsman does his best impression of someone who thinks things will be fine.

“It’s only been five minutes.”

“Her entire wedding party is here without her. And they look as confused as we do.”

Barclay spots a member of the event staff slip in a side door and hand a piece of paper to Indrid, their friend who’s acting as an usher.

“I, ah, have some bad news.” The pale-haired man joins them at the front of the church, “it seems the bride has had a serious change of mind and will not be joining us.”

Joseph grabs the paper, reading it over as the bridal party crowds around him. The upshot of all the commotion, and the arguing that follows the commotion, is that the bride has indeed called off the wedding and is en route to an airport.

As the family confirms she’s alright, Joseph picks up the microphone.

“Obviously this is a, um, unexpected turn of events. It’s safe to say no one is getting married today, but everything is still in order for the reception and we’re all dressed up so, um, if people want to stay and take advantage of that, you’re welcome to. You’re also welcome to leave if you want.”

Several groups break off towards the reception hall, and Barclay pulls Joseph aside.

“Joe, are you sure? I mean, yeah, we’re all here, but I don’t think anyone is gonna hold it against you if you want to send everyone home.”

“It’s important to be flexible.” Joseph replies blithely. Barclay knows his best friend hates when plans change and is unlikely to suddenly lose that piece of his personality at the same moment he lost his fiancee.

“Besides, I’d hate for that menu you helped us pick out to go to waste.” There it is, the Joseph Stern Professional smile ™, a sign that Barclay’s hunch is right.

“Screw the menu, man, I’m worried about you.” Barclay sets a hand on either of his shoulders. Joseph’s gaze snaps all the way onto him, and he knows he is losing this argument.

“It’s still my wedding, Barclay. That means I get to run it in whatever way I think best.”

“Right, yeah, sorry.” He steps back, brushes lint from his arm, “you go on ahead. I join you in a sec.”

Joseph nods, turning to stride though the room in his dark suit, while Barclay watches the love of his life walk away.

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

“Uh, hi, I’m Barclay. You must be Joseph?” Barclay stands in the door of the dorm room, his backpack in his arms.

“Yes. Um, nice to meet you.” The other guy stands, black hair and well-fitting X-Files shirt making him look like Agent Mulder on his day off.

“I didn’t choose a side yet, it seemed fair to wait until we were both here. I’m partial to the left but that’s more habit than anything else.”

“I’m cool with that. I, uh, I don’t have a ton of stuff to unpack so, uh if you need help let me know.”

“Thank you.” Joseph smiles, taking his face from cute to heart-stoppingly handsome, and Barclay decides he hit the roommate jackpot.

Barclay didn’t fall for Joe so much as cliffdive, throwing himself after the feeling he got whenever Joe laughed at a joke or told him a secret or talked for fifteen minutes about the methodology flaws in Ghost Hunters. Yes, Joe was hotter than convection oven and Barclay wanted to fuck him on the floor of every space they ever lived in, but more than that Barclay was so happy with him, and his friend felt the same way.

The problem was, Barclay had a shy streak and was far from the only person to see Joe as a catch. And so they dated other people, sometimes happily and sometimes not, but never each other. By the time Joe met Iris, Barclay’s unrequited love had been thrumming in him so long it was no more than background noise. So when Joe ran proposal ideas by him, announced the weddings, asked Barclay to stand up with him, Barclay felt genuine happiness for him and the woman he loved. There’s no rule that says one cannot feel joy and knife-in-the-gut sorrow at the same time.

He’s only gotten better with age he thinks as Joe works the room, fielding condolences with ease. Barclay helped him choose the suit, black with blue lines in the stitching, because it flattered but did not flaunt the well-maintained figure beneath. The last time Barclay saw him in just his underwear was when they lived together after college, and he fumbled his phone when he saw him at the beach last summer. He can picture it so clearly, what that body looks like under those clothes, and it makes him want to scream

“This whole day has been full of surprises.” Indrid sits down next to him, glass of soda in hand.

“Kinda figured you and Duck would head home.”

“Most of our friends are here, and the food looks good. Not to mention we’re both worried about-” Indrid nods towards Joseph.

“Yeah, me too. I mean, I admire his holding it together but, like, what if Duck had left you at the altar?”

“I’d have turned into a hideous red-eyed monster and flapped screeching into the night.”

“......”

“That was a joke.” Indrid grins.

“Right. Man, hard to tell with you sometimes.”

“While this is an upsetting situation, there is a bright side; maybe now you will finally tell Joseph how you feel.”

A crash makes them both turn in their seats; Joseph is wiping his dropped (plastic) cup up with a nearby napkin, well within earshot.

“Indrid I swear if he heard-”

“Oh, I am certain he did.”

“Dude” Barclay hisses as Joseph steals an unreadable glance at him.

“For goodness sake, you two are a good pair. A pair you’ve been dreaming about for years. Tell him.” With that the other man stands, leaving Barclay alone with his thoughts. His thoughts are no help, so he joins Indrid, Duck, Aubrey, and Dani for some cake.

As the venue finally empties, he realizes he hasn’t seen Joe in an hour and panics until he finds him standing (swaying, really) in the staging room.

“You, hic, know, hic, this explains, hic, why she didn’t want to move until hic, after the wedding.”

“Seems like it’s for the best, going home to a place where all her stuff is would fucking suck.” Barclay puts an arm around him only for the shorter man to slump most of his weight into his chest.

“The hotel’s paid for, and I have a week hic of vacation and a packed car.”

“You’re not driving anywhere. I can and will lock you in a closet if you try.”

“Or you could, hic, come with me.”

“On your honeymoon?” Thank god Joe is too drunk to notice his voice creeping up.

“On my it’s this or be miserable t home trip. Please, Barclay? We can hic, swing by your place to get your stuff.”

Barclay says yes. Purely to help a friend in need and not because of how said friend feels pressed up against him.

They’re an hour out of the city when Joseph fumbles with his phone, “Change of plans, were going here instead of the hotel?”

“I thought the whole point was the hotel was paid for?”

“It is, by her family, so fuck it. I’ve always wanted to go here and it’s the kind of place she’d never let us stay.”

They take the next exit and find the highway North rather than East. By the time they reach the massive pink building with an airplane in the field out front, snow is falling and Joe is half-asleep, mumbling “okay” when Barclay says he’ll go get them a room. The clerk welcomes him, shows him a list of available rooms, and he notices a high number of them have heart-shaped bed, “tubs for two,” and the word “fantasy” in the name.

Just as he’s wondering what the fuck Joe’s gotten them into, he spots the perfect room at the bottom of the list.

“Got a surprise for you.” He helps Joe from the car and unlocks the door. His friend takes in the silver and green decor, the posters, and the UFO-shaped bed.

“This is the exact one I was hoping for.”

“I know, you giant nerd.”

“Be nice, big guy, or you’re sleeping on the couch.” Joe stumbles to the bed and starts stripping, at which point Barclay zips back outside to get their bags. By the time he’s back, Joe is under the covers and out cold. The king bed does look comfy…

Barclay sleeps on the couch.

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

Joe remains dead to the world until almost noon the next day, so Barclay works on his cookbook edits and sends yet another thank-you email to Mama for letting him take his vacation with such little notice. He grabs breakfast, including a sandwich for when Joe wakes up and some aspirin to go with his coffee.

“I hate myself.”

“Good morning to you too.”

Joe rolls over, dragging the pillow atop his head, “I didn’t mean to get so drunk, it’s just the only way I could get through all those conversations yesterday was to take a drink every time I felt like crumbling.”

Barclay sits on the bed, petting his head, “It’s okay, man, getting me to drive you to a weird sex hotel is not the worst thing you’ve done drunk.”

“I threw up in a mixer one time.”

“And I’ll never forgive you for it.” He laughs when Joe whacks him with a pillow. In the silence that follows, he remembers Indrid’s comment, and wonders if Joe does too.

“...Is this really a sex hotel? I just thought it was kitsch aimed at couples”

“Go look at the tub.”

Joe groans, stepping out of bed in just his--god help him--silk boxer briefs. They must have been under the suit.

“Are these...they are, there are handcuffs hanging by the tub. Well, weird as that is, I’m taking a bath.”

The day goes in an oddly non-awkward direction after that. They’ve lived together often enough that getting dressed and clean in close quarters is nothing new. Joe votes for hiding from the world bit longer, so they settle in on the very squishy bed and watch a silver plated T.V, Joe laughing whenever Barclay yells at cooking shows they way other people yell at football games.

He still sleeps on the couch that night.

The next day Joe is up bright and early, suggesting they drive to a nearby tourist trap, using his phone to pick out a breakfast place that serves Barclays favorite local coffee blend. They follow that same process the next two days; find some strange roadside attraction or nearby bookstore, eat, and return back to the motel to lay side by side on the bed and to read or watch T.V.

It’s as they’re wandering around a strange, knock-off Carhenge that Joe sighs, “I sort of saw it coming, you know? Iris leaving. I proposed because I cared about her, but she was the one who brought it up, and every time we were visiting her family or she got off the phone with them, she’d bring it up more forcefully. I think she was under more pressure to settle down than I grasped. If our places were switched, I might have run too. Lord knows I wouldn’t want to marry me.”

Barclay crunches to a stop in the snow “Why the fuck not?”

“Because I’m exactly the kind of guy you’d want to bring home to your family but not spend your life with. My job has weird hours and travel, my non-work clothes have cryptids on them, I can be too particular, and I’m not that exciting for someone whose job is special agent-”

“No, fuck that, you’re a catch.”

“You’re just used to me, big guy. Your objectivity is in question.”

“Yeah, well, you’re even more used to you, so I’m really the more objective one here.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Joe stares at his footprints, then elbows the cook, “come on, lets go get lunch.”

Barclay is still full and happy, having warmed up via a soak in the tub (where he thought of four different ways to use the cuffs and then had to calm down his cock enough to get out), when he comes into the main room and finds Joe staring at his phone.

“Oh shit, did she get in touch?”

“Yes. Iris, um, is on a cruise ship. As a yoga instructor. She says it’s something she’s dreamed of for years, that she’s sorry for hurting me, but that marrying me would have been a step in a life she did not want to lead. So. That’s that.” He puts the phone face down, cards his fingers through his hair, “Lord almighty I wish she’d just said no when I asked.”

“Me too.” Barclay imagines a different past, where Joe asked him instead, where he said yes because it’s what he’s been dreaming of since he was twenty-two. Where Joe is sitting in front of him, not sad-eyed and tired, but happy as can be.

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

This hangover is somehow worse than the one the morning after his non-wedding. Then again, he drank more in a shorter period, hoping to drown out the memory of the words on the screen.

Or the words he overheard at the reception.

“Tell him how you really feel”

He’s had his suspicions about Barclay from time to time, most frequently when they were younger and he felt those deep brown eyes on his ass every time he turned around. But Barclay never took a chance; there were times after break-ups when Joe is certain anyone who was interested would have taken advantage of him being vulnerable and available, but instead Barclay cheered him up, the same way Joe did when Barclay’s relationships ended. Stern concluded neither of them wanted more.

He would have taken more in an instant. His love for Barclay walked the line between romantic and platonic, and he would have crossed it the moment Barclay asked him to.

Now, he’s bathing with his eyes shut because any light is murder on his skull, his best friend waking up on the couch where he’s insisted on staying because clearly Joe’s lost his appeal. Who’d want to sleep with someone who got roaring drunk and needed babysitting?

He pops aspirin, drinks water, and lays down with his sleep mask over his eyes. Barclay moves around the room, talking softly in that gentle baritone that, not for the first time, makes Stern wonder what he sounds like when he cums.

“You want me to run and grab breakfast?”

“No, I can get it for both of us. Lord knows you’ve done enough for me this week.”

“You gonna go downstairs blindfolded?”

“For you, I’ll risk a headache OW, owow.” His back locks up just as he tries to sit upright.

The bed sags, “Holy shit man, you’ve got a huge knot right here.”

“My back always does that when I’m stressed, it’ll be fine.”

“Nuhuh, lay down and let me see if I can get it out.” Barclay nudges him onto his stomach and he flops willingly, mask still on.

“You don’t need to Ohhhhhhhhhnnn, I forget about those bakers hands.”

“Gonna knead you like dough, babe.”

Stern blushes at the name; he was always a little jealous when his friend called his boyfriends that.

When thumbs pass below his shoulder-blades he moans, arches at the second of pain, “That’s it, that’s the epicenter.”

He can’t stop sighing as Barclay runs his hands over him, can’t stop wiggling his hips at every burst of relief. He pushes his ass up without meaning too, and a bitten-back whine reaches him.

Fuck it. Even if he’s about to make a huge mistake, he wont have to look Barclay in the eyes.

“What did Indrid mean? At the reception.”

“Uh.” Barclay’s hands still, “uh. That I was worried about you.”

“Try again.” He grinds his ass back deliberately.

“Joe, please, I’m hanging on by a fucking thread here. You’re underneath me shirtless and I am not gonna do this a dumb way.”

“Do what?”

“Tell you that, that I, no nope, I’m gonna do this back home, at the Lodge or something, make you dinner first and be all romantic so that you don’t think I’m talking with my dick when I say I love you.”

Barclay’s whole body tenses. Joe flips onto his back, regrets the sudden movement, and lifts his sleep mask. He takes one of his frozen hands from the air.

“I love you too.”

“Really?” Barclay sounds like a teenager whose crush just said yes to prom.

“Really. And I don’t think it’s just your dick talking. Although if you wanted to bring it into the equation I wouldn’t mind.” He sends a pointed stare at the half-hard shape under worn denim.

Barclay’s breathing is picking up, his posture trapped between movements.

“Do you, um, do you want to kiss?”

His friend drops down in reply, smashing their lips together and parting his own imploringly until Stern slips his tongue between them. His big hands cup Stern’s face and his hips grind like he thinks his parents will be home any minute.

“I love you, I love you so fucking much, Joe, ohgod, babe, please, please let me be good to you” the kisses on his face and neck are messy and the sweetest sensation he’s ever felt.

“Barclay, you’ve always been good to me.”

“I meant this” he drags their dicks together, “kind of good.”

“Ohlord, yes okay, good point. Get your clothes off and bring me the purple bag that’s in my suitcase.”

Barclay grabs the bag, upends it and sends several sex toys, his strap-on underwear, and lots of condoms onto the bed, undresses as Stern sets one of the toys into the harness.

“I need to put this back on.” He lowers the mask and hears a soft whine.

“I like seeing your eyes.”

“You’ll see them plenty, big guy, I promise. Now, open yourself up, please.”

“Oh hell yes.” A rip of foil, a pop of lube, and then Barclay straddles him, grunting delightfully.

“Tell me when you get to three, that should be enough for this toy.”

Pre-cum drips just above the waistband of the underwear, and he gets a thrill remembering the few times he’d caught an accidental glimpse of Barclay’s dick. It’s big, that much he knows, and he’s going to have a lot of fun with it once he’s done reducing the man above him to tears.

“T-three, babe.”

“Get my dick wet and then get to it.”

When he gets the gasp that tells him the toy is in, he smile and reaches to the underside of the base, “Remember that new dick I was excited about?”

“The vibrating one? OHFUCK, fuckyeahbabe” Barclay jerks and moans, his movements erratic even as he sinks all the way down. Stern echoes him, the pressure of the other man’s body makes the vibrations hit all the right spots.

“Here’s how this is going to work, big guy; I’m going to get off while I fuck you, and if you can hold off on coming until I’m done, I’ll let you fuck me.”

“God yeah, Joe, fuck me, please.”

He thrusts up and there’s a thud of Barclay’s hands hitting the headboard. The movement is rough on his stomach but he doesn’t care, grabs hold of thick thighs and fucks him, the other man working his hips in an attempt at rhythm.

The mask catches on a pillow, letting him see Barclay from the neck down. Lord, he looks good like this, big (Stern’s always loved how big he is), letting out the most appealing grunts and growls, dark hair covering most of his softly muscled body…

Wait a minute.

He claps a hand over his mouth, laughing.

“Whats, aAAhnnn, what’s so funny babe?”

“Remember when you found that Sasquatch dildo and bigfoot romance novel in my stuff?”

“Hard to forget.”

“I just discovered the source of the fantasy.”

“Are, are you saying I look like bigfoot when I fuck?” Barclay is shaking with laughter.

“Kind of?”

“I’m putting that on a sign in my den.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

“Too late AHHhhnnnfuck, fuck, baby, pleasepleaseplease say you’re close.”

“Why? In a hurry to fuck me?”

“After ten fucking years? Yes.”

He focuses on rubbing off on the toy, holding Barclay in place to keep it at the right angle, orgasm building sudden and swift when he works his hips just right and Barclay starts whimpering.

“Shit” he bites out as it ripples through him, aftershocks jerking his hips and making them both groan.

Barclay climbs off and he wiggles the underwear off and kicks them off the bed.

“Okay, big guy, now you can fuck meSHIT, lordalmighty you feel good.”

“Fucking knew it would, knew you were fucking made for me Joe, fuck you’re incredible.” The hand that’s not balancing him on the mattress is shoving Sterns left out and up so he can drive deeper, shaking the walls on each thrust. Stern wonders if there’s a way recreate ten years of pent up desire so that Barclay will fuck him with this same furious affection every night of his life.

He’s limp post-orgasm, happy to let Barclay manhandle him to his hearts content. When the other man sits up, dragging his hips into his lap, he moans louder than he had in years.

“That’s it babe, lemme hear how good it is, fuck, no one’s ever looked this good taking my dick, c’mon, take it all the way, take me all the way while I cum in you.”

“Ohlord.” his toes curl weakly as bucks into him faster and faster.

“Fucking years, years I’ve wanted cum in whatever hole you’d give me, now I’m gonna and you’re gonna feel it for weeks, fuck, babe, that’s it, ohhhnn Joe, Joe” there’s a final growl as Barclay holds his legs open, the last jolts of his orgasm making his fingers dig into his skin.

As he’s coming down and pulling out, Stern slips off the mask, blinking at the sight before him. Barclay, flushed and slick with sweat, staring at him like he’s a prize he’d never thought he’d see.

“Barclay?”

“Yeah?”

“Will you be my boyfriend?” He winces at how childish it sounds. A week ago he had a fiancee, for gods sake.

“Yeah, hell yes, wait, Joe, you just got out of an engagement. You, you sure you don’t want some time alone or to, like, explore other options?”

Stern crawls over to him, beard scratching his palm when he turns his cheek, “Barclay, I’ve always been one step away from falling in love with you, and it turns out this was the step. I trust you, I get along better with you than anyone else, and apparently we work well in bed. If, um, if you don’t want this, if it’s too late, I understand. But if you want to be together, I want that too.”

Barclay blinks. Then he blinks again. And then he’s crying and Stern pulls him into the hug.

“Oh lord, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t-”

“Joe, don’t apologize. I’m so fucking happy, I’ve wanted to hear this for so long it’s just” a shaky breath, “just didn’t expect it to hit so hard. I love you, Joseph, and nothing would make me happier than being your boyfriend.”

They stay like that for awhile, talking in confessions and professions of feelings. Then Joe kisses him, and pulls him towards the bathroom to clean up (and maybe use those cuffs) before heading out to lunch.

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

Indrid opens the message on his phone, smiles, and texts four words in reply.

I told you so

#Sternclay #agent stern/barclay #winter fills #pining #taz amnesty

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in-the-name-of-the-holy-reborn · 4 years

Note

Heeey Back at requesting things eheh! Can i have a scenario where Takeshi's s/o is a civilian and one day she accidentally discovers that he s actually part of the mafia and she decides to leave everything she has (work, appartment etc) to follow him and work for the Vongola? Takeshi is against it at first but Tsuna thinks she could be useful so he accepts. Sorry if my request is a bit specific ahah i hope you ll be inspired though ^^

Hey! I’m glad you’re still here and thank you for the request, I hope I won’t be off topic!

Yamamoto Takeshi

The information was hard to sank in, you just learnt about Takeshi’s secret activities and you didn’t really know how to react, you needed some space to digest everything, and the Rain guardian accepted with a broken heart and a sorrowful smile to leave you alone in your flat in an attempt to understand the full meaning of a Mafia life. He insisted on the fact that you could call him anytime if you wanted additional informations or if you just.. anything?

His hands were glued to his pocket all day, flipping his screen, rebooting his phone several times to be sure there were no bugs, but you just didn’t call, no texts, no tags on silly things on social media and god, he was missing you.

The whole thing seemed like a real treason now that he was facing what he put you throught and he felt like it was already folded in, he would never see you again, and he was the only responsible of what was happening, maybe people in that crazy mafia world didn’t deserve to be happy..

Yamamoto always felt bad everytime he had to leave for missions, or talk with codes everytime one of the Vongola called him while you were together, that guilt was consuming him because, after years of relationship, he felt like he was the only one hiding things to the most important person in his life. You were so carefree and confident by his side, he wanted to keep you safe, to keep that part of innocence in you that was so refreshing. Each time he was with you, there were no stress, no complicated situations to deal with, no danger, life seemed just so simple like a big breath of fresh air.

On the other hand, he wanted to share his daily life, whether with exciting news or less extactic ones, everytime he returned with bad memories, each times he failed or lost, but it would have been too much to put that pressure on your shoulders, you never asked for that, you didn’t do anything to be dragged into it.

You trusted him. And he was, certain it would devast you if, one day, you learnt about his lies, you were smart enough to understood why he acted like this, it was obviously to protect you, or maybe not, was it just a selfish need to keep you out of this, to keep a safe place where his mind could be at peace?

He didn’t get much sleep that night, nor the previous ones, nor the ones that followed, dark hues adorning honey eyes as he undeed his tie and dejectedly threw it on his desk, a pretty long sigh escaped his lips as his head fell on exhausted hands.

It’s been two weeks since he left your flat with a bomb, you were probably hating him for wasting your time, and the thought of the state you were probably in made his throat clench, he couldn’t focus on anything because you were the only topic in his head.

He checked his phone once more, the fifteenth times in the last hour and as he was about to send it fly on the sofa on the other side of the room a knock on the door echoed against the walls, he invited the guest in, and welcomed Tsuna with a tired smile. When you entered the room after him, he jumped out of his chair, knocking it down in the process, was it real, or did his head was playing some trick to him?

He didn’t know how to react and almost forgot to greet you, he patted his messy hair, a smile of hope back on his lips and waited for an explanation.

So here you were, sitting in front of him, it was hard to control yourself and stay focused when you had a feverish Yamamoto soaked with the light of a setting sun, but you were there for a reason, and determined above all.

A desperate need for encouragement and you looked toward Tsuna, the first thing you did was apologize, for taking so long to come back to him but you needed to understand. What exactly was the unknown world of the Mafia, what it means, what it generates, what it costs.

You needed to understand what happened in your lover’s head to keep you away from the most important side of his life, Mafia was part of him, as much as his dreams and deceptions, he shouldn’t be afraid to entrust you with something so huge and draining.

And most of all, you needed to understand and accept all of the bad feelings which appeared at this moment, incomprehension, bitterness, sadness, guilt, betrayal and a bit of vexation too.

Your belly flipped so violently with worry as the memory of him leaving not just for ‘work’ but for missions that could have imply bad guys and dangerous stuff, as this spark of gloom when he came back to your arms sometimes, and you wished you could have done something about it.

You didn’t need to be sugarcoated and protected, you were a grown person, able to hear that the world isn’t glitters and care bears, able to make your own choice, and you wished he had let you this one.

But something you were absolutely certain was your place in his heart and life, you never doubted about his dediction and the deep love he had for you, nor the one you had for him and no matter the difficulties you may encounter by changing you entire lifestyle, by entering the ‘other side’, it would be with him, and it’s the only thing that count.

The silence fell in the room after your announcement, and it was the first time since you began your speech that you heard Takeshi’s voice, it was just two words, and it disconcerted you.

«No way.

- It’s not a decision I would let you take for me this time, I already made up my mind.»

Your voice was firm although trembling and before he could object a second time, half arguments already gushing in his head, it was Tsuna who spoke. Calm, reassuring and convincing words left his mouth, he argued about how you could be an asset for the family, how it would be way easier to keep an eye on you and protect you within all of the guardians. He promised to keep you safe, to take care of you, to take full responsibility of this and to never put you in danger.

At the end of the conversation, well, monologue, Takeshi was at loss of words, he couldn’t push away the fears creeping up inside, but it didn’t seem like a too bad idea anymore.

He asked his Boss and dearest friend to leave the two of you and as soon as the door clicked, his arms were around your form and his head on top of yours, rocking you slowly, right now, he just needed to hold you and feel that it was real, he promised himself to never hide anything from you or never let you go again.

#yamamoto x reader #takeshi x reader #khr x reader #khr! x reader #yamamoto imagine #yamamoto headcanon #khr! headcanon #khr imagine #khr! imagine #khr headcanon #rain guardian #vongola imagine #vongola x reader #katekyo hitman reborn!#katekyoshi hitman reborn!#hitman reborn #yamamoto takeshi

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mxillusion · 4 years

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Just misunderstood

Here we go! I’m sooo sorry to made you wait so long, but I really, REALLY hope I didn’t screwed it up completely. Surprisingly I had some trouble writing this, because your requests were so similar on onse side, but kinda different on the other. So, please bear with me! I tried my best and I somehow like the result. If it isn’t what you wanted, just let me know. ♡

➝ genre/warnings: marriage!AU, parents!AU | angst (yes, it’s really sad and even tho it has kind of a happy ending, there isn’t that much fluff. so be prepared for that!)

➝ words count: 2000+

➝ summary: Your relationship never was easy, you both had your issues but that didn’t stop you from getting married a few years ago. Even though you both love each other dearly, you keep messing up everything by being over emotional and acting childish and immature. But this time, everything seems to break apart ultimately.

With quiet steps, you sneaked out of the nursery, closing the door and making your way back into the living room to put the baby monitor on the coffee table. With a deep sigh, you plopped onto the couch next to your husband.

It has been a really rough day and you were glad it came to an end now. Your little girl wasn't in the best mood and even if you tried your best to cheer her up, you somehow couldn't manage it so easily. It was just one of those days.

"Is she asleep now?"

You nodded silently. "Finally."

"You know, I could've done that too, right?"

Again you sighed, tired and exhausted and absolutely not in the mood for that kind of conversation again. Yes, of course, he could've done that, but... he didn't. As always.

"Next time."

He wasn't saying anything as he looked away. Changkyun was tired of it, too, that's why he tried to avoid talking about that kind of stuff, even though a part of him wanted to. He had no idea where to start and he was afraid it would make everything even worse.

So did you.

Usually, those conversations always proceeded the same way. You end up fighting about god knows what, sometimes you didn't even know why you started to argue in the first place.

"That's what you said yesterday", he mumbled in his deep voice, glancing back at you.

"Then why didn't you just do it?" You snapped, even though you wanted to stay calm so badly. You had no energy left to argue with him, you were so tired of all this and still, you couldn't control your emotions. As always.

He sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Because", he started, sounding much angrier as intended, "you don't give me a chance to manage it. To manage anything. You're such a perfectionist, always trying to handle everything on your own. Whatever it is, you just do your one-women-show and simply don't give a fuck about me or anyone who could help you."

Truth be told, you were a little scared. The sound of his voice was much darker, harsher and angrier than ever. Obviously, there were a few things below the surface which now somehow tried to breakthrough and once more you rued you'd even said something.

You took inaudible deep breaths, before replying to all the nonsense he just said, trying to prevent the big fight, that was most likely inevitably at this point.

"Is that so?", you asked rhetorically, not able to suppress an angry snort.

"Yes!"

"Than why don't you just do something, anything, before I do? I'm always waiting for you to make a move, but in the end, you just do nothing. As always. So tell me, mister procrastinate, how long do I have to wait for that miracle to happen?"

Changkyun jumped off the couch, making angry noises, desperately trying to regain control over that situation. But, to be fair, he never had any control at all.

"Why do you do this, Y/N?"

"Do what?"

"Always blaming me for everything that's going wrong. Constantly criticizing me, no matter what I do, not even considering it could be your fault, too. You know what? Screw this! I'm done with that shit!"

And with that, he stomped into the hallway, grabbing his jacket and keys in order to leave your apartment, leaving you behind in shock. You followed him but then stopped just to stand there, staring at the apartment door which he slammed shut.

He was gone.

At that moment, it felt like you couldn't breathe. Your throat was tight, your heart was aching terribly and you felt tears welling in your eyes. He really was gone.

You couldn't believe what just had happened. You were so sure this would never happen anew, and yet it did. He did it all over again, even though he promised you multiple times he'd never hurt you like that ever again.

That's when you broke down in the hallway, sobbing, and gasping for air at the same time. You were completely overwhelmed and felt absolutely helpless.

Was that it? Did he just break up with you?

It felt like he did. What else would he mean when he said he'd be done?! Even though a small part of you still hoped he'd come back, you rather knew this meant game over, cause this wasn't the first time this happened.

About two and a half years ago, everything fell apart as Changkyun snapped during a fight, breaking up with you and kicked you out of his apartment. He ripped your heart out of your chest, just to smash it into a thousand pieces.

And suddenly all this pain and all this sorrow crashed back upon you. You remembered this awful pain in your chest that was just unbearable. You remembered all the tears you shed, how desperate you felt, all because of him and his actions.

Back then you had the same issues as you had now. You unconditionally were addicted to all this pain you caused each other, both of you not being able to control your temper and emotions. But until that day, you always managed to clear things up. And at that point, you were absolutely sure this wouldn't work ever again.

Well, it did. The next day he stood in front of your apartment, banging against the door, crying and screaming your name until you finally opened that stupid door. He pulled you into his arms, hugging you to himself as he begged for forgiveness. And you gave it to him. Simply because you couldn't live without him.

But this time, everything was even worse. You were married now, you had a little, beautiful daughter who was sleeping innocently in her nursery and nevertheless, he threw all of that away? No, this couldn't be happening!

It took you a while until you calmed yourself down again. Changkyun would come back to you. He always did.

And so this time.

Infinite hours later, in the middle of the night, you finally heard someone opening the apartment door. You were standing in the kitchen, your hands holding a cup of tea, which was already cold, while you stared out of the window, not even seeing anything.

"Babe?"

You shuddered but didn't respond.

"Are you... okay?"

This question pierced like a dagger through your heart. It was so simple but at the same time just so stupid. How dare he ask you this?

"Sure", you scolded. Within seconds he made you angry all over again. "Everything's just... perfect!"

"Don't lie to me. You don't wanna talk, that's fine. Just tell me it's none of my fucking business or that you don't wanna talk to me. But don't lie to me, ever."

"Then stop asking stupid questions! What do you think about how I feel? I feel everything, but okay, Changkyun!"

He sighed deeply. "Baby, I'm so sorry, I -"

"Don't!", you simply said, turning around to protectively hold your hand between you and him. "I don't want to hear it!"

At this point, you weren't so sure if you wanted him to come back to you. Of course, you loved him. You always did. But after spending hours and hours of crying, hoping and praying you were tired of his behavior.

Changkyun's eyes were full of sorrow and it almost broke your heart to see him like this. But you had to protect yourself. Your feelings. And especially your family. He couldn't keep this going, neither then you.

"What... what do you mean?", he asked carefully, even though he wasn't sure if he wanted to hear the answer to this.

You sighed, trying to fight the tears that came up again. You needed to be strong now, no matter how hard it'd actually be. Finally, you saw things a little clearer and you just hoped you wouldn't lose that clarity.

"I was willing to give you everything, Changkyun. And I've never regretted that. Not even once", you said while your heart still was relentlessly aching. "But, truth be told, I can't tell if you genuinely want to be with me anymore."

"Why do you say that? I love you. I always will." He felt so helpless. He knew he screwed it up again, but he just wanted to explain everything to you. You needed to know how he felt during your fights, but you just didn't let him.

"I know." You sighed again, the tears already ran down your cheeks yet you didn't care anymore. "But I want this to be worth something to you. If it isn't, then what's the point?"

He made the last few steps towards you, grabbing your hands and for this moment you just let that happened.

"You are my life, Y/N. You and our little bean mean the world to me."

"Then why did you do this to me all over again? You promised you'd never repeat that mistake, but you did anyway. You shredded my heart into pieces all over again!"

"Wait, what -?"

Angrily you pushed him away. "Don't play innocent now. You broke up with me. Again. And you just left me with a broken heart. Again!"

His eyes widened, as he realized what was really going on. Until now he thought you still were upset about your fight, but he had no clue what was actually happening.

"I did not break up with you. I told you I would never do this to you again." Feverish he ran his hand through his hair, desperately trying to find a way to save your relationship. Your family.

"Fuck, Y/N, I just needed some air. I felt so helpless and I still do. I knew things would only get worse if I stayed, that's the only reason why I left."

"Bullshit!", you hissed between clenched teeth. "You got scared, as always. And then you keep doing stupid things, just to run away from our issues. But that's not how you solve them, Changkyun. This just makes everything even worse."

"I know that, okay?" Tears flashed up in his eyes, too, and the knot in your throat just grew bigger. "Trust me, I feel guilty for it every day, but I... I want this to work. I need it to!"

Deafening silence spread across the room as you both didn't know what to say anymore. Maybe this was the evidence you needed, to let it go. Even though it hurt like hell.

"I never meant to hurt you, Y/N." He gave it one last try. There was no way he'd give up like this, he needed to fight for you. "I'll do everything to make you happy again, I promise. Just... don't give up on me now. I know that we got issues, but that's why I'm with you."

You still didn't say anything, you were absolutely overwhelmed by everything. A part of you knew you'd somehow move on together, even though it probably wasn't the smartest decision. But you loved him so much. And you knew he loved you the same way.

And that's when you realized. You'd never give up on him. Ever.

Your body relaxed, your facial expressions grew softer again and he immediately understood what this meant. Pure relief ran through his limbs, as he pulled you close to him.

As you felt him that close to you again, you allowed yourself to cry even more. Even though he hurt you so much, you never could've ended your relationship. You just needed him so badly.

A few minutes you just stood there, holding each other close to completely calm down again. All the anger and all the frustration was gone because you once more realized you could never live without this man by your side.

"How do I describe all the ways I'm grateful that you never give up on me?", he whispered near to your ear in order to make your body shiver all over again. "This time, everything will be different. You'll see."

#monsta x #mx #changkyun #i.m #monsta x scenario #monsta x imagine #changkyun scenario #changkyun imagine #i.m scenario #i.m imagine #scenario #marriage!AU #parents!AU #kpop scenario #kpop imagine

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a-silent-symphony · 4 years

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INTERVIEW – MARKO HIETALA OF NIGHTWISH

Like any band, Nightwish has a story to tell. Full of ups, downs, frustrations, and triumphs, in reality, few can tell a tale quite like these Fins. Coming at a crossroad at the peak of their success, they made a bold decision, yet landed on their feet. Then a few years later they were faced with yet another difficult choice, and still righted the ship. A testament to comradery between the key members of the band, one of the steadying forces through it all has been Marko Hietala.

Joining up just prior to their 2002 Century Child album, Hietala has become a cornerstone in Nightwish not only on the bass, but also as a leading voice. A signature part of the band’s success over the last two decades, Hietala recently sat down to chat about his time with Nightwish, weathering the storm of challenging times, his other projects, plus a whole lot more.

Cryptic Rock – You have been an intricate part of the Nightwish family for nearly two decades now. Before going any further, tell us, what has your time in Nightwish been like?

Marko Hietala – Woah man! It will actually be two decades next year. It’s probably been the biggest, lasting part of my life that there has been. Of course, there is my older band, Tarot, which we started in the late ’80s and still did things in the 2000s. That was a long lasting thing, but as life goes, Nightwish has made my living. There has been ups and downs as well as joys and sorrows.

Cryptic Rock – You have certainly accomplished a lot with Nightwish. When you came on, you became a very big part of the band right off the bat, particularly with your voice. That addition of your voice added a new dynamic to Nightwish’s music. What was it like initially working with the band and utilizing your voice to the music’s advantage?

Marko Hietala – We started from a pretty good common background; the guys are Karelian and I’m Savonian. There was already that kind of country boy attitude with us. Then when we started, rehearsing and swapping ideas for Century Child (2002), it became really comfortable really fast. We just got along.

Of course, when you have humans, you get drama occasionally, and of course we’ve had those times. In the end we have been pretty honest about troubles and being understanding, and if need be, forgiving. We have a great personal chemistry with this bunch.

Cryptic Rock – It shows. The band has faced adversity and overcome it. Let’s look back for a moment. In 2004, Nightwish released the Once album, which launched the band into a new stratosphere of success. However, shortly after that release, the band parted ways with Tarja Turunen. Looking back 15 years after, was that a stressful time?

Marko Hietala – Yes, it was. Everyone was anxious, restless, and troubled all the time already. We had no connection and we decided, just as the band started to get bigger, we needed to take back our voice in the band. That’s why it happened. It was scary, but it was a thing where we were already eating so much of our own spine; in order to survive we had to amputate. We were already feeling bad about so many things, it was something that had to be done.

We survived until the next few years of troubles, and we still got through it. I said this already in the documentary, but I think we showed an exceptional persistence and group spirit through a lot of times. God damn, I cherish it!

Cryptic Rock – That unity is evident. It all just adds more to the story of Nightwish. The band has settled in nicely in recent years with Floor Jansen. A fantastic addition, what has it been like working with her?

Marko Hietala – She’s brilliant! She’s a powerhouse vocalist who wants to perform, sing, and loves doing shows. I’m pleased with how things are now. Of course some people have been complaining that I’m hanging a little bit more in the shadows now that she is there, but I’m not. I’m doing a shitload of vocals and background harmonies; there are just a good bunch of songs and we do them the best way they will sound.

Cryptic Rock – Understandable. It is about what the music calls for. If the music calls for you to be more upfront and center, then you will be.

Marko Hietala – Indeed. It’s not like I don’t have things to do. I have bass playing, which on some nights with hot lighting, is compared to shoveling in its calorie consummation. (Laughs)

Cryptic Rock – (Laughs) Well you have done a great job. Speaking of new music, Nightwish recently released the epic new album Human. :II: Nature. What was it like putting this record together?

Marko Hietala – There are certain ways we have gotten used to doing things. We had a month and a half of summer camp rehearsal sessions and then started recording. Kai (Hahto) went to a different studio to record the drum bottom tracks because our summer camp didn’t have the space with the proper ambiances for that to be recorded. We then put up the amps/vocal mics and we laid down all the other stuff for the album pretty fast and comfortably.

Of course there was this thing that we started to do, which is apparent on the album, where we had some pretty nice harmony vocal sessions. I have spoke about this a few times, but when we did the Decades Tour, we wanted to do something different for the oldies – so we figured with Troy, me, and Floor that we could do a bunch of live harmonies to beef them up. It sounded so nice that we figured that we could do them more on the album. Tuomas (Holopainen) wrote stuff so we could do those harmonies, and we ended up doing quite a lot of them.

A lot of our barbecue sessions at our summer camp there would be an acoustic guitar or battery-operated keyboard; we would try some lines out, figure out ideas and swap them. I would say Troy and I were writing that stuff mostly, but Tuomas and Floor were also always around so we could test things and see how they went. It was nice.

Cryptic Rock – The end result is quite good. It is a very well-balanced collection of heavier and more somber tracks. What can you tell us about the concept behind the album?

Marko Hietala – I guess if you take human nature, and either two words, separate or combined, the theme is a bit loose. All the songs on the album connect to those things – human or nature, or human nature.

Cryptic Rock – Very interesting. Then there is the second disc, which is predominately all instrumental. Were you apart of the second half of the album at all?

Marko Hietala – I didn’t really work on it. When Tuomas was writing it, he did ask the rest of the band if it was okay to have a classical orchestra for the second half of the album. Basically, the only people who worked there was (Troy Donockley) with some piping and Floor with some vocals.

Cryptic Rock – It is a great addition to the first half of Human. :II: Nature. You also released your solo album, Pyre of the Black Heart, earlier this year. What was the process behind that album?

Marko Hietala – It was a long time dream for a guy like me who writes a lot. When Nightwish had a sabbatical, I called a couple of friends of mine to work on the album; there was Tuomas Wäinölä on guitar and Vili Oillila on keyboards, who I have known 10-15 years. I had this idea this album was not going to drop into a straight Heavy Metal box, but that it was going to be more Prog Rock or Hard Rock with Metal in between. They helped me finalize the arrangements.

Tuomas Wäinölä also ended up recording and producing most of the album. It turned out to be an inside project with me and those guys. Then we ended up hiring a drummer who we also knew, Anssi Nykänen. As a result of the making of the album it started to grow into a band. We actually had a little tour in February before everything closed out. It was really great, a lot of people liked it and we had a lot of wide grins in the audience.

We also did a Finnish version of the album. About half and half of the songs were written in Finish or English. I just had to crisscross translating them to get both albums out.

Cryptic Rock – Very cool! It really turned out well. You have offered your talents to many other bands through the years. To name a few, you have worked with Eternal Tears of Sorrow, To/Die/For, Charon, etc. Do you enjoy collaborating with others?

Marko Hietala – Yea. When I was in my twenties I got to be an apprentice recording engineer. That is why I was sitting in the studio and helping people out. I was also doing a lot of studio vocal work; both coaching, arranging, and singing harmonies. It had been an interest of mine, but I do have to say lately I have been putting the brakes down. (Laughs) At some point in time I was doing so much work it started to lose its point. These days, I try to very basically keep it to projects who I am friends with and whose music interests me.

Cryptic Rock – Understandable, you do not want to spread yourself too thin.

Marko Hietala – Yes, but also, interesting things are interesting. A couple of years back, for the first time, I did a Modern Classical thing with Ayreon. There were a lot of words, melodies, keys, tempo, and time signature that was changing all the time. I have to say before the premier I was crapping my pants, but I pulled myself together and it went well.

Cryptic Rock – It sounds like that was an exciting new challenge. Obviously we are in the midst of this worldwide pandemic. It is hard to tell what tomorrow will bring, but is Nightwish going to resume touring when they can?

Marko Hietala – We have had cancellations for the summer festival. We were also supposed to go to China in April. We are trying to move some things to 2021. The Central European tour, it should be sometime next fall, it’s still open. With the summer festivals, it seems like we are watching dominoes fall.

Cryptic Rock – It is unfortunate. Hopefully we can return to some sense of normalcy soon.

Marko Hietala – I agree, but what can you do? It’s a god damn virus, you cannot reason with it. This is the situation. Although, we have the album out and hopefully people are getting to listen to it. Hopefully we get to see each other some time in the future. I love doing shows and I’m really bummed out that we have no shows. It would have been really great to go out there and start doing it together. After all, there are vibes involved when you build up that bubble for people, yourself, and your bandmates. When you do it together, it’s a vibe that you are hooked to… at least I am.

Cryptic Rock – Yes, a lot of people are hooked to those vibes. Last question. If you are a fan of Horror and Sci-Fi films, what are some of your favorites?

Marko Hietala – In Science Fiction, a film that went kind of under the radar was Predestination (2014). It has a brilliant time travel story. Of course everyone knows Interstellar (2014), which was big and great. Europa Report (2013) was also great as well.

Horror is more problematic for me, because I can’t be scared anymore. Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House was pretty good.

#marko hietala #nightwish #2020 interviews

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morkhan · 5 years

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Will Byers is Gay: The Evidence So Far

With the release of Stranger Things 3, there has been a lot of discussion kicked up about the character of Will Byers and his sexuality (or lack thereof). I've seen a lot of takes about what "it's not my fault you don't like girls" was intended to mean, many of which seem to take it in isolation, so I wanted to make a post putting it into what I think is its proper context; not an isolated incident, but the latest carriage in veritable train of queer themed language and imagery that has followed Will Byers since episode one of season one, and before that. You ready? Alright, let's go.

Season Zero: the Montauk Files

Before Stranger Things became Stranger Things, it was called Montauk. Like many would-be show makers, the Duffer Bros put together a "show bible" describing the premise, setting, tone, and characters of the show they intended to make. Like many shows, a lot of these ideas changed or were lost on their way to the screen, but it's always worth looking into their original concepts. Here is their description of Will Byers in the Montauk show bible:

Obviously, the major whammy there is in the first line "sexual identity issues." But there are some other interesting notes, like his "colorful clothes" that you might want to keep a lookout for on your next rewatch. Now, onto...

Season 1

The thing to pay attention to regarding Will in season 1 is in the language used to refer to him when he is not present (which he isn't for most of the season).

Episode 1: the subject of bullying comes up right away in the conversation between Joyce and Hopper. "The kids, they're mean. They laugh at him, laugh at his clothes, call him names." "What's wrong with his clothes?" "I don't know!" This harkens back to the Montauk show bible, but it's arguable, since it's never made clear what about his clothes draws ire.

She also mentions that he is "sensitive," "not like most," and that his dad said he was "queer" and called him a "fag." Hopper asks "is he?" to which she replies "He's missing is what he is!"

Episode 3: Troy says he's not missing, he's dead. "Probably killed by some other queer."

Episode 4: Troy, again "Will's in fairyland, flying around with all the other little fairies, all happy and gay."

Sensitive, queer, fag, fairy, and gay are all used to describe Will in season 1, but perhaps more notable is the fact that they aren't used to describe anyone else. If the show were truly period accurate, let's be real; the whole party would've been called queers on a pretty regular basis, because "queer" doubled as a generic insult back then. But in season 1, these words are only ever used in relation to Will, with one exception; in episode 6, Steve says to Will's brother, "I used to think you were queer." So it's not even an active accusation in that moment; it's used in the negative.

Hell, Troy walked up to Lucas mockingly proposing to Mike and proclaiming his love for him, and he still didn't call them queers. That language is reserved for Will.

Now granted, most of these are used as insults by characters who don't like Will, but still; as a writer, if you want your audience to remember something, repetition is an excellent way to embed it in their minds. There's a reason for the specificity of language surrounding Will, and a reason that language keeps coming up over and over and over again.

Season 2

Season 2 retires much of the homophobic language used to insult Will, replacing it with "Zombie Boy." The only homophobic language used in season 2 is the word "faggot," used by Billy's father to refer to Billy, who expresses a clear interest in women (and an arguable interest in one particular man, but that's the subject of another post).

Still, there is an arguable bit of queer theming in Will's conversation with Jonathan regarding the benefits of being a "freak" and how normal people never accomplish anything. Jonathan even invokes bisexual icon David Bowie to make Will feel better about his "freakishness."

The clearest piece of queer theming for Will in season 2 comes in episode 8, in this beautiful speech from Joyce to Possessed Will:

"When you turned eight, I gave you that huge box of crayons, do you remember that? It was 120 colors. And all your friends got you Star Wars toys, but all you wanted to do was draw with all your new colors. And you drew this big spaceship, but it wasn't from a movie. It was YOUR spaceship; a RAINBOW Ship, that's what you called it. And you, you must have used every color in the box. I took that with me to Melvald's, and I put it up. I told everyone who came in, 'My son drew this.' And you were so embarrassed, but I was so proud. I was so, so proud."

This is one of the most powerful memories of her son that Joyce has, an image so strong and distinct that she uses it to invoke his true identity against the monster that is slowly subsuming him. She notes very specifically that it's not something he copied, but something that came entirely from Will himself, an image that she felt represented him so perfectly that she took it with her to work and proudly touted it as his to everyone she knew. The Rainbow Ship is Joyce's picture of her son's very heart, and surely I don't need to explain to you how powerful a piece of queer imagery the rainbow is.

Some subtextual stuff; in episode 9, when the girl asks Will to dance, he stammers "I... I don't..." and only goes to dance with her when Mike literally pushes him towards her.

During the final montage, the scene cuts to different characters in time with appropriate lines from the song: "every move you make" cuts to Mike and El (as he is teaching her to dance), "every vow you break" cuts to Nancy dancing with Dustin (as she technically cheated on Steve with Jonathan), "I'll be watching you" cuts to Lucas dancing with Max (as she has playfully called him 'stalker' all season). What line cuts to Will? "Every smile you fake," specifically on the word fake, while Will dances with a girl wearing this expression:

That is not a real smile, that is not a comfortable boy, and that is not an accident; Noah Schnapp is one of the best actors in the entire show, and of the young boys, he is the one the Duffers trust most to do dramatic heavy lifting.

Do you want it to be a little more explicit? Okay, here is that scene in the script:

I mean, that pretty much speaks for itself. It's less explicit in the actual show, but it's still there, you know?

Season 3

And now, the biggest and most explicit thing to date; The Scene. I mean, you could discuss the obvious subtext in the simple fact that Will is the only male main character who has yet to find a girlfriend or express any interest in girls whatsoever, but that pales in comparison to The Scene.

The setup for The Scene is pretty simple; after declaring "a day free of girls" in order to get his friends to run the D&D campaign he's probably spent a significant amount of time creating, his friends have blown him off to continue bemoaning their girl troubles, so Will has decided to leave. Mike, realizing too late that he has genuinely upset his friend, chases after him to try and get him to come back.

A back-and-forth argument ensues, where Will accuses Mike of ruining the party and abandoning his friends in favor of girls, and Mike, in the heat of the moment, responds with "It's not my fault you don't like girls!" After which, everything stops. There is a full second of silence, and a close up on Noah Schnapp's face so you can take in his reaction.

There is a lot to unpack here. Now, acting is up to interpretation to a degree, but to me, that expression conveys two primary emotions; shock, and betrayal. That face says "how could you?" Because here's the thing; regardless of what Mike does or doesn't know about Will's sexuality, Mike knows for a fact that Will has been called a queer all his life by everyone from his school bullies to his own fucking dirtbag father. By invoking even the specter of that, Mike has crossed a fucking line, and he knows it. And we know he knows it, because he immediately backtracks and tries to mitigate the damage. But it's too late. The damage has been done.

I also think there is a tinge of fear in that image. Just a moment of soul raking panic that pretty much every closeted queer person knows intimately. It's very brief. But I think it's there, if you look.

This scene sends Will into an emotional tailspin that culminates in him tearing down the literal last bastion of his childhood in a fit of sorrow and rage. His innocence has been destroyed. He cannot regain what he has lost, and he can never go back to the way things were before. This is the emotional climax of his arc for season three. It's a powerful one-- shame it comes in the third of eight episodes, but that's neither here nor there.

And that's pretty much it for now. Any one of these things taken in isolation could be very easily dismissed, but here's the thing; they aren't isolated incidents. They are part of a clear and consistent pattern, one that goes all the way back to the show's inception, before even one minute of footage was filmed. And this pattern points to one very obvious conclusion; the Duffer Brothers have always intended, and continue to intend, for Will Byers to be gay.

Now, for the obvious question; why haven't they made it explicit yet?

The answer is as unfortunate as it is obvious; I don't know.

It's entirely possible that there is some external force that the Duffers have to answer to that is preventing them from actively pursuing this particular storyline. This happens all the time in Hollywood, and it could be anything from Netflix to Noah Schnapp's parents to Noah Schnapp himself just being uncomfortable with it. Many are the creators who dream Big Gay Dreams only to run into the horrors of our Forced Hetero Reality. If the Duffers ultimately submit to these pressures, I hope you won't be too hard on them. This shit is harder than you think to get to the screen sometimes.

But it's also possible that they just aren't ready for it yet. That they have been saving this for a future storyline, that they just want their characters (and the actors) to get a little older before they pursue this particular storyline explicitly, but they've been busily laying groundwork for it so that anyone paying attention will know it's coming.

I don't know. Only time will tell for sure.

For now, I can tell you this; I see a great deal of evidence that the Duffers still intend for Will to be gay, and precisely zero that they have changed their minds.

I hope that holds true.

#stranger things #will byers #mike wheeler #lucas sinclair #dustin henderson #stranger things spoilers

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mydearestreaderfanfics · 5 years

Text

Haunting Me (Zero x One-sided!Reader)

Warnings: angst, bullying

Word Count: 2,541

Prompt/Request: Second day of the October Special: Masquerade.

Summary: Tonight was suppose to be my opportunity for change. Things were supposed to be different in the best ways possible. I just wanted happiness and a chance at a brighter tomrrow. I can't believe I let myself have hope. Your dream night at the masquerade ball becomes your worst nightmare. Can you handle this heart ache?

Author: Mod Rene

I stared at this pitiful reflection given to me by my full body mirror in my dorm room. My mother’s dress in nothing but tatters and stains on me was not exactly my favorite look. This dress was beautiful. It was passed down generation after generation for so long that calling it a cliché tradition was an understatement. I wanted a magical night in it just like all of my relatives and ancestors had. Of course, that was most definitely not my luck. Happiness was never truly within my grasp. I was given the saddest cards in life. I’m officially convinced. What happened, you may wonder?

Sit back. Get ready for a movie. Quite honestly one of the saddest you will ever see on top of that.

*FLASHBACK*

“Kaname-senpai told me to come with him to the masquerade valley. How crazy is he? The disciplinary committee has to be on shift 24/7. Who else will protect the student body?” Yuki spoke half-heartedly I’d already known she wanted to go. It’s been all she spoke about for the past four days. I couldn’t help the small giggle that escaped my lips as I heard her draw on about it. After a tired sigh left her lips, I turned to her calmly.

“Yes of course. We must always be protected here at this private school which is quite mostly isolated. Can’t chance any rogue wild birds swooping down over our heads. What’ll we do without disciplinary committee members there to stop them from stealing the punch!!!” I joked looking her way with mock fear. Dramatics were my forte after all. She looked less than happy with me however giving me a puffy-faced pout. I couldn’t help but tease her. So many opportunities would show and to miss them would just be cruel to myself. We continued to stroll from class to the dorms not breaking eye contact as we spoke. It seemed ok until a matter of seconds later.

“You’re so mean Y/N!!!! I’m genuinely concer-" Yuki was cut off by my bumping right into one of the other girls and falling back. The two notebooks I’d been carrying with me flew up and so all loose papers were now falling around me. I remained on the floor shaking my head slightly. At first, I’d refused to open my eyes for fear of seeing the rage in the said other student's face. There was also the fact that I had a feeling this was some kind of start to some very bad luck.

Someone cleared their throat demanding my attention and grasping it. Sure enough, a very angry girl from my class stood in front of me with her arms crossed and head high. Her eyes were downcast making me feel entirely inferior.

“Y/N!!!! Are you alright?” Yuki immediately got down on her knees to be at my level and help me gather my things. I hadn’t looked away from the furious teenage harbinger in front of me but I did still nod slightly to answer Yuki.

“Her? She bumped into me. I’m the one in order for concern!” My classmate screamed quite angry with me. I visibly flinched slightly at the raise of her voice. Yuki rose to her feet in front of me with an angry glare in her eyes completely directed at who stood in front of us. I began to gather my stuff slowly before also moving to my own feet. I wasn’t one for scenes so I simply bowed my head and apologized.

“You weren’t the one on the floor. And it wasn’t on purpose!!!” I nodded at this statement which Yuki so boldly spoke out for me there really was no point to it though. This girl really seemed to hate me for whatever reason. After a mere stare down she scoffed and walked away leaving me and Yuki alone.

“Y/N-"

“Let’s go. We have a ball to get ready for.” I murmured with my back to Yuki walking away. I didn’t want to talk about it. I already knew what she’d say. It was the same thing every time. I needed to stand up for myself more. I needed confidence. No one could see, but I was trying. It’s never easy being what you’re not. With baby steps each day, I was working towards getting better as so many people had said. Tonight was the night I’d show it. I was finally going to confess my feelings to my crush.

Tonight I would get to tell him how I felt, regardless of how he felt about me. I just wanted to tell him. It wasn’t for him. It wasn’t for a future with him. This big move was solidly for me to prove to myself that I could do it. That somewhere in me was someone brave enough to speak my voice. So having said this, I stood in front of my full body mirror in the dress my mama gave me specifically for this night. A beautiful black gown slim fit to my figure. I was blessed with my mother's curves and now I’d stop hiding them.

Tonight I would shine. My face was framed by a couple pieces of hair on each side of my face as my hair was in a high ponytail, slicked back and straight. My facial features were shown and highlighted for once in my life. I wanted to be seen tonight. I wanted him to see me for once. There was a statement being made here.

“Y/N. You look absolutely amazing!” a smile graced my lips fully at Yuki’s words. A small gasp left her lips which I followed with a deep breath in, never looking away from the mirror. I nodded twice rather quick making the elation within your heart quite clear. A purely happy giggle left my mouth as I did one nice spin in front of the mirror slowly. I’d felt completely successful with my look and confidence had never felt so good. How dumb of me.

“I just hope he notices that too.” Mistake number one. Yuki had no idea about my crush on Zero. This wasn’t a topic I’d ever preferred to bring up to anyone. I have just always been so guarded that I never felt ok with talking about this stuff. I still didn’t want her knowing. She was so close with him, it made me further embarrassed. My eyes went wide as soon as I’d said it and her eyes did too. The only difference between us was my obvious discomfort and her very obvious smirk. I began to sweat just slightly.

“Who is he?!”

“Ohhh no one important.” I shifted in my heels and turned away from her to head towards my bed. It was about as messy as my own inner thoughts at this point, and so I needed to find my purse within it all…and my sanity. Yuki came up to me as I shuffled through my disaster of a bed to urge the name of this mystery he out of me for a good 5 minutes before giving up with a pout. I had finally found my purse right as she exhaled a defeated sigh next to me. I turned to her kindly and put my hand on her shoulder.

“You’re my best friend Yuki. I tell you everything. But I can’t tell you this person’s identity until after tonight. I promise you’ll hear about it tomorrow. If all goes well, you may just catch us there together.”

“If you say so. I guess” Her smile was sweet and so it earned a bigger one from me. I scanned her own outfit for a moment before I begin to give her some of her own compliments.

“You look stunning. You wore the dress Kaname gave you! So disciplinary committee will be partying too?” We laughed together as she gave a small nod and blushed. I couldn’t help but smile at this moment. Things were going so great already. I felt it was safe to assume the night really was going to be one blissful enough to remember. One impossible to forget. I was right about the unforgettable part of it. Sadly, not the blissful.

We arrived at the masquerade ball shortly after the discussion in the room. She broke off from me to find Kaname which I’d already known was going to happen. I hoped things would end up great for her. She'd finally get to confess her feelings. They could finally be together and happy. I thought I’d known how she felt about him and how much she really loved him. I didn’t know how wrong I had been. I want to assume Kaname hadn’t had any idea either.

I walked around looking for Zero, having absolutely no luck for a good hour of my search. I’d still gotten many offers to dance and boatloads of compliments, primarily from the boys but that was still nice. The night hadn’t been bad that far. With my poor luck, however, that most certainly was not going to last. I’d been walking toward the door leading toward the school, garden when it all went so wrong.

That same girl from just earlier had seen me and I’ll assume she was still unhappy. Now it was most likely for more than one reason as she was usually the one receiving all of the compliments being sent my way. Girls are usually not ok with that. She was no different. As I began to step out, she placed her heel on the back of my dress, causing it to tear and me to fall forward. I hadn’t expected it and therefore lacked any preparation to catch myself properly. I landed on my wrist wrong in the last-minute attempt to break my fall and catch myself. The sharp pain made me wince slightly and so she laughed bitterly.

My lip quivered slightly as I stared at the floor, attempting to gather myself. Her friends, as well as herself, stood around me simply laughing at my unmoving sat up from. I was determined to hide my obvious pain or sorrow. I wanted to prove to myself I could be brave. I was going to. However, this gave her a new plan.

“Aw, you want to cry? Does the baby need help? Here.” Before I could look up a cold liquid hit me in a large quantity all at once. The punch bowl then hit the floor next to me. I didn’t mean to do it, but I cracked. Tears began to spill down my cheeks at what seemed not to be within my control. I couldn’t look up. I couldn’t look anyone in the face. Maybe I did look good at the beginning. Maybe I did feel good about myself. There was none of that left at this moment I know how ridiculous and small I looked. With how horrible I felt now, people obviously looked at me with pity. Even so, no one helped me. No one said anything. Not a single person in that ballroom moved to stop any of this. Some of them even laughed along as well.

Why? Why did they all have to be so cruel? Why couldn’t they be kind, humane, demoralized people? Did their parents not teach them sensibility? I had done nothing to these people. They’re so cold to me without having even met me or gotten to know me. Without looking at anyone I got up and ran out of the ballroom.

I ran as fast as my heels could allow. When they began to hurt and hinder me, I threw them off and kept running. My tears kept falling and it angered me. I was mad at those people, yes. I was also mad at myself. I shouldn’t have run out. I shouldn’t have been careless. I shouldn’t have let them cause these tears to begin with. I wasn’t stronger. I was still so weak and it infuriated me. I had thought this night was officially the worst. It could have not gotten worse. Nothing could possibly make this night darker than it had already been. Maybe by this time, my heart should have known how untrue that was.

It had been almost as though each time saying that, I had placed a jinx on myself. Leave it to my lack of luck to hurt me further. As I came to a quiet stop at the fountain in the front of the school, I saw them. And my heart finally just shattered.

My mind went blank. The few pieces left in my shattered heart were reduced to a cold powder. I felt pure despair, but only for a second. It only lasted a second. That first second upon seeing it and realizing what my eyes had witnessed.

Yuki. And…Zero? Kissing? What? What about Kaname? What about every time she’d talked about him? All those times she would visit him. Every time he sent her gifts and was there to accompany her. The blatantly obvious tensions between the two and the care colored in both parties' eyes when they locked. Where did all of that go? That was never the look she gave Zero. She always talked about needing to watch him like any sister would panic and worry for their brother. That’s what she said Zero was to her. The troublesome brother. Why? Why? Why any of this?!?! Was it all really to bring me to this numb hopeless state of mind? Is that all I am meant to feel in life is pitiful or absolutely nothing at all?

Who did I make so mad up in the heavens to bring me all of this disaster? Why was I so haunted?

Yuki pulled away abruptly upon opening her eyes and seeing me behind them. Except, it wasn’t me she saw. No, it was the one and only night school king himself just behind me she saw first.

“Kaname-senpai!” it was quiet. Zero only turned around long enough to glance at Kaname out of the corner of his eye. I couldn’t stand to stay any longer. I turned to run, only for Kaname to grab my wrist, the same one I sprained before. I winced shortly.

“Do you love him?” my eyes opened wide. I refused to turn around. I couldn’t. It was quiet for a few minutes.

“..yes. I’m so sor-" I ran. He let go of me and I ran. I ran to my dorm faster than I’d ever run in my entire life. Never have I ever felt so destroyed and defeated in my life. This heartache was the kicker. I gave up after this. I have been locked up in my dorm room all night. I haven’t taken my dress off. Or opened my door to anyone, Yuki included. She stopped by, I think. Maybe it was my despair messing with my head. Not that it matters. This night has been dreadful. The masquerade was never a good idea. Having hope was the dumbest one yet. This was never to be forgotten. It is only a night to haunt me for the rest of my life. I never want to speak of the haunting masquerade.

#vampire knight #zero x reader #fanfictions #zero #angst #bullying #mod rene

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dumbfuck-mojave · 4 years

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Hazel and how her relationship is with all the companions from her game?

(This writing style is all over the place)

~Main Game~

Arcade- Really good relationship. Like what you think of a standard “best” friend thing, that’s them. They confide in each other and love each other in a platonic way but also call each other dumbass everyday you know. But, in relevance to Arcade’s story, Hazel was very much whatever about his Enclave relations and Arcade knows he now has an outlet to talk about that stuff without fear of scrutiny. Was worried about Arcade joining the battle for the Dam, but ultimately supported him doing it because you need to support your friends goals kids.

Boone- Very close. Hazel knows Boone would probably be uncomfortable with her saying it, but she would do anything for him. She trusts him more than a lot of people. As their friendship grows, she helps Boone grow and he does the same in return for her, even if Boone was a little more unaware of it than Hazel was. Late in the game, the conversations they have can last a while and opening up about their problems really helps both of them. She can get him to smile (I don’t like this one because there’s so much I want to say but I can’t :(. Wth writer’s block.)

Lily- She grandma.

But seriously along with the above, Hazel wants to help her, you know, try to “process” her life before becoming a Nightkin (grandchildren) in some way and just have her live a nice life. So she would tell her to take full doses of medication, for she had a very big concern about her mental state off of it, but when Lily eventually casts the tape aside, Hazel would retrieve it, for maybe one day Lily could find that balance Hazel wants for her, remembrance of the past but also to move forward in the present.

Raul- Raul is both a good friend and a fairly paternal figure to Hazel. She really likes hearing about the pre-world world from him and hearing about Raul’s past let’s her open up more about her past which she majorly blocks off from her daily life. But when they hang out on their downtime, it’s really chill. Sipping drinks and telling stories. But again, he is a father figure to her, so she would probably ask for his advice the most and like, dad things.

Rose of Sharon Cassidy (Cass)- Hazel isn’t as close to her as the other companions like Arcade or Boone but they do care about each other a good deal. Do you guys have that family member you don’t see often but are still close too? That’s kind of their relationship. They probably aren’t closer because in my playthrough I didn’t travel with Cass a lot but like they still chill at the Lucky 38. Also: Are the friend duo you can count on to beat a bitch up if they’re bothering you.

Veronica- Sister bond. I don’t know how more to explain it than that. They both care for each other and want what’s best for each other EVEN if that isn’t what the other person wants (Callout towards Hazel she makes stupid decisions on the daily).

ED-E- Her first companion in the Mojave, Hazel loves ED-E and most of the time calls it “baby!” instead of it’s actual name. She absolutely one of the people to be really into robots and treats them like people, whether it be a floating orb like ED-E or a securitron. Will beat your ass if you insult her robot. She openly asks how ED-E’s day has been and nod along to it’s beeps.

Rex- Dogs are man’s best friend and that is true to Hazel and Rex’s relationship. She doesn’t like seeing things suffering to survive, so was very conscious of Rex’s situation. Ultimately ended up giving him Lupa’s brain after she stormed the Fort because she thought it would be the easiest transition of memories for him over the other options, being a former legion dog himself.

~Dead Money~

Dean- “Oh no oh God why do I think he’s hot”. Thinks he’s a bitchass but also “Becky lemme smash”. Some semblance of friendship though if we’re being honest.

Christine- Well, considering Christine’s the only “normal” non-asshole one out of the trio, her and Hazel work together most efficiently and hold no ill-will towards one another. Also respects Christine a great deal and is happy for her CHOOSING to stay in the casino. Hopes to see her again someday. Also, she lowkey figured out the relationship between Christine and Veronica but is still debating on how to bring it up to Veronica, along with the whole Father Elijah thing.

Dog/God- She likes them. Obviously, has different ways of talking to both of them. With Dog she is more gentle and caring even when they’re about to fucking die and tries to do that with God but we all know God is just >:(. Calms Dog down enough in the Casino so he doesn’t hurt him or God (Because oof the first time I attempted talking to them they died and I about lost my shit) and convinces them to merge into one being. Bittersweet when the new one asked how he knew her.

~Honest Hearts~

Follows-Chalk- Also a sort of familial relationship. You know how Follows-Chalk wants to leave the canyon and see the Mojave, Hazel is the big sister that says “Maybe that isn’t the best idea”. She appreciates his enthusiasm but everyone is an asshole in the Mojave so like, chill out for awhile. Lack of exposure to the world can do some shit to you and Hazel doesn’t want him, or anyone she cares about for that matter, to get damaged by it like she feels she was. So yeah, she likes him.

Waking Cloud- It’s kind of the same with her as it is with Christine. Is friendly with her and holds a lot of respect for her. Likes to listen to her tell more about the Canyon, thinks she has a nice voice. With the respect she has for her, she didn’t hide her husband’s death to her. Told her because she deserved to know. Waking-Cloud is a strong woman, final words on this one.

Joshua- It’s…. Tense. Hazel was/is friendly with Joshua and tries to believe he is actually changing and doing good but she also believes she may have encouraged his more “violent” actions against the White Legs. She’s not good at making decisions, especially decisions where one party will always be dissatisfied. The thought of Joshua always carries the argument with herself over whether or not the Sorrows should have fought for their home or not and considering the whole trip back home thing turned out to be a huge fight over the canyon she tries to just ignore it. Also, religion is a sore subject for her in the past but at that point in her life she just accepted it and moved on.

~Old World Blues~

Roxie- Man’s best friend, like I already said. Hazel doesn’t even consider Rex her dog, he’s The King’s dog, but with Roxie it’s HER dog so there’s some difference in that. She also fucking sobbed when she first saw Roxie die, her mental state was the worst in Old World Blues, so when she found out she could bring Roxie back nearly passed out from freaking out. Whenever she visits Big Mountain now, she makes sure Roxie is chilling in the X-8 facility, brings her teddy bears to play with and meat and what not. Would be very excited when Roxie came to the Mojave (an ending you can get for OWB if anyone is confused. Baby puppies for everyone)

~Lonesome Road~

ED-E- Same as Mojave ED-E except Hazel really sympathizes with this ED-E I would say a bit more than the original. A Courier gets shot just trying to do their job, sound familiar? Finds its whole backstory sad and was big sad when it got sacrificed at the end of Lonesome Road to stop the nukes. RIP tiny buddy.

(This really revealed some of my decisions in-game huh).

Thank you for requesting

#ask #my writing #fallout writing #I'm not going to even attempt at tagging all the characters #fallout: new vegas #Courier six: Hazel #original writing

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kastlenetwork · 5 years

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Forgive me if you're getting this Ask twice-- I couldn't tell if it went through the first time. Thank you for agreeing to help me! I am a grad student working on a literacy learning project in which I need to immerse myself in a form of literacy that I do not have experience in. I am a reader of fanfiction and a huge fan of Kastle, so I decided that I would write my own Kastle fanfic. Would you and the Kastle community share with me what you as readers typically look for in a Kastle fanfic?

The first one did send through, but it’s totally okily dokily! I would also like to preface this by saying I was just sat here and I’d answered with this with an actually not horrific response and then my laptop died out of absolutely nowhere, :) without warning :) [which happens all the time, because my computer is dying in general, but still I’m miserable about the loss lololol anyway] – so, this one isn’t as well thought out.

I’m just gonna say that the main thing that I look for in Kastle fanfiction is close to canon characterization. We’re all different people with different eyes and ears and brains, so when we watch the show, obviously different things might stand out or feel more prominent in who they are, than other things to other people. So, I’m not bothered by different headcannons or anything like that. I mean, it’s fanfiction, that’s the point – I’m reading it to read that writers’ take and have a good time……or a bad time, depending on if the writer is trying to squeeze out hearts lolol. But, there’s a general base line for who the characters are that has to be met for me to really get attached to what I’m reading. I’m this way for any fanfiction for any couple, to be honest. But, it’s super prominent when dealing with Karen and Frank, for whatever reason. If they stray too far away – their characterization, their vibe, their dialogue – I start to slowly check out of what I’m reading. I might just flat out stop. And if they’re in a Different Scenario where one doesn’t want to focus too heavily on the heavy, how that’s adjusted to fit the more lighthearted piece.

I mean, take Frank for example. If I open a fic and he spends the entire thing absolutely miserable with no small bright spots, at all, that’s just as off-putting to me as him being some weird happy sunshine man. Because, Jon’s Frank Castle (and that’s all I can go on on Frank, at all, honestly. I’ve never read a TP or DD comic lol whoops) finds things amusing. I mean, he’s literally lying in a bed having a deal worked out for him to go to prison in Gen. Pop. and he’s making jokes about it. Karen’s screaming out at him that refusing to cooperate with her and his lawyers, so that they can help him, will do nothing but result in him failing to get answers to about his family and have him rotting in a cell. And his immediate response could be more misery and more doom and gloom, but instead he’s turned on impressed and amused by Karen’s outburst. He admires the blunt and fearless goddess before him the honesty and the blowup and he teases her choice of wording. He’s light in a moment where she literally just said the results of his actions might be that he never learns the truth and he’s taking delight in her explosion despite it.

Yes, he’s angry. He’s violent. He’s depressed. But, sometimes he talks about his family and he’s smiling. He’s laughing. Does it more than likely melt back into his ever present grief? Absolutely. But, it doesn’t mean that show of levity isn’t there. And Karen’s character and characterization faces a similar path in the show, just in the flipped direction. The core of her is built around something traumatic and sorrowful, but her general demeanor is positive and determined.

Frank is funny. Karen is funny. Frank is sad. Karen is sad.

They’re feeling a lot of things at various times.

So, the main thing I look for in Kastle fic is the appropriate balance of that. If I feel like it’s too far off the mark, I more than likely won’t finish it.

The second thing I look for ties directly into the main thing, which is simply the dialogue. How they talk to each other. Especially once it’s starts bleeding further into the actual romance aspect of the story and not just the build up. Frank’s not adverse to endearment – he’s obviously someone that cares EXTREMELY DEEPLY for those he loves. (To the detriment to the gangs of New York). And we’ve seen him call Leo “sweetie” and stuff, this sweet little girl that he gets a big soft spot for. But, we’ve also seen him talk about his wife on multiple occasions and give big romantic speeches about his wife, like when he and Karen were on a date sitting in the diner. He calls her “my old lady” and he says he would literally chop his arm off at the table if he could just have another moment with her and feel what he thinks Karen must feel for Matt (*coughs* k sure, Frank) and it’s all really depressing ‘cause he’s destroyed, but he and Karen are on their date wow what a date sitting there and he’s talking about love and it’s just such a good moment.

He’s not gonna call Karen the things he called his wife, obviously, unless they’re general terms of endearment. But, I think it’s a good example of the way he talks. I look for as close to canon characterization on the way they speak. Like, if Frank starts calling Karen his “beloved” it’s suddenly not Frank anymore – it’s some guy who happens to be as hot, but there’s been a mind swap or something. If Karen’s calling Frank “sugar plum” I’m kind of scratching my head, because who’s that blonde lady that’s suddenly speaking, what’s going on?

And I think the final thing I look for is simply that Karen is given more agency in terms of the relationship they’ve got. Because, in TP1 and TP2, it’s very much Karen who’s standing there with her arms flung open going, “I want you to be in love with me, like I know you are! I see you pushing it away! I am in love with you! You are allowed to love and have a life! Have a life with me!!!!!” And then Frank basically trying to push her back to Matt for literally no reason. I think a part of this is just Frank himself in his constant sabotage mode, because that’s his entire life after his whole family was murdered. He’s on destruction path, even when he’s trying, in moments, to get out of it. But, I ALSO think part of it is just that they didn’t have Karen for the full season, either season, and, even before they knew Marvel Netflix was heading to the grave, the shows refused to appropriately connect and were instead taking the ’’’easier’’’ path. Because, it was made pretty clear that they’d put her in the whole show if they could, but only could get her for so much time, and they wrote for that time.

So, in fic, I look for Karen getting to have her feelings actually be on display, instead of just being there to bounce his feelings off of, because they didn’t have her for enough time in either season to go more deeper on her end, since she wasn’t actually their character. And for her to get to have more agency in what’s going down with all that wanting them to be in love stuff just feels crucial to me, at this point, seeing as Marvel refuses to just make my dreams come true and announce that they gave a shit about these shows and are bringing them into the fold with the same casts.

Other than those two things, which I consider to be fairly standard, and that one thing where it’s just my exhaustion with my girls always having to fix everything – I’m pretty open to anything in terms of actual story. (I’ll even read a pregnancy/baby fic if it’s well written – and I’m…adverse to fanfic about babies). I just want an appropriate balance of their individual traumas to the sass master’s that live inside them and appropriate dialogue to who they are as people.

(I’ve got a whole thing about what I look for in a fanfic in general, but it’s not specific to Karen and Frank – it’s just like….spaces and pacing, which doesn’t have much to do with this.)

\\\\

What do you all look for in Kastle fic?! Help @chaiteacookiesnglitter out and reblog this and put in your two cents about what you’re inherently looking for. :DDD

#kastle #kastleff #kastlenetwork #chaiteacookiesnglitter #ask #txt: chey

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allykat4416 · 5 years

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Meme Trip 2k19, Pt. 1

Dates: May 16 and 17th

Park: Kings Island in Mason, Ohio

I didn’t make trip reports for my second meme-trip in August of 2018. At the time, I thought I was doing myself a favor. Now, I incredibly regret not sharing that stuff straight away. I missed the chance to talk about my first visits to two parks that have very unique spots in my life. The first of those, obviously, is Six Flags New England, a park I’d been dying to go to because of one certain Superman. {And I did leave Massachusetts as a Super Stan.} The other of these parks is Kings Island.

Kings Island and I have a long, storied history filled with intense emotions. Like Carowinds, a lot of my plans to visit KI fell dead along the way— Dad didn’t win the tickets, I didn’t like my classmates enough to justify the trip, I wasn’t able to make the drive up, etc. It’s a park that means a lot to my dad, and he took my mom there when she came to meet his family for the first time. He was one of the first riders of Beast, there for her birthday as a gift for his own.

I cried in 2018 because I didn’t want it to be my home park when I thought I would be going to Northern Kentucky University. I used to crusade hard as hell for KI to never get a giga. The park gave me the largest heebie-jeebies when I visited in August of 2018. I don’t think I feel emotions as intensely for theme parks as some of my comrades, but Kings Island is one of those parks that almost makes me believe I can.

It was a rainy Thursday after a day of nothing but car-riding [and driving for Casie, bless her soul] when we pulled up into the parking lot. We saw that infamous “HELL IS REAL” billboard about an hour out, and I found it quite ironic. For a park that’s been so full of death and negative energy, it was fitting that that’s where we saw the iconic sign.

When we got into the park, both of the Not-Evil Wooden Coasters [NEWC, as it is] were down. We didn’t know why regarding Beast, but we did find out later that Mystic was struggling from electrical issues that day. We liked to think they were conspiring to make the 2020 giga not suck and help everyone else with half a soul say “fuck off” to Steve. Enemy of the enemy is my friend and whatnot.

Instead, we decided to get a snake in our boot since we were already in Rivertown. Diamondback has always been a solid ride—I maintain that B&M hypers are like ordering chicken tenders at a new restaurant because it’s very, very hard to mess them up and even 232 is fun when the trims don’t hit—but she was running really well that day. Diamondback ended up being our final ride of the day in the pouring rain. Rain at 80 mph doesn’t feel very great, but it was a laugh riot and worth it. I keep meaning to get a front-row ride on this, but the back row is such a tantalizing experience that I can’t quite pull myself away from it.

As far as B&M hypers go (and I’m not counting Fury), Diamondback is now my favorite. At any other park, it would probably be my second favorite in the overall roster, but Snek is actually my third at KI because of the aforementioned NEWCs. I wish we were able to get a ride in the following day, but Coasterstock had her queues slammed. Oh well.

After that, we headed over to see our favorite little anxiety boy, Flight of Fear. I don’t get the hate these rides receive. I find both this and his twin at KD to be fine, upstanding rides that are always worth at least one lap when I go. It’s one of those rare rides where stopping on the MCBR actually works in its favor. We were also assigned to the front row, which gives me the biggest uwus. We came up with a really cool character concept if Orion/Polaris sucks in the queue for FOF, and even if the ride is underwhelming, we’re happy Felix has a vaguely-powerful ally. There’s not a whole lot else about FOF to say- the transitions were nice and whippy, the little alien as you pull into the exit station is adorable, and I like the enclosure of it. I hope FOF is around for a nice long while.

(Obligatory RIP Firehawk comment here as well. Thanks for being a good flyer. Piss off, Nighthawk.)

Since it was the only wooden coaster open, it’s time to talk about Racer. I don’t want to talk about Racer. But sadly, I have to talk about Racer. Everything about this ride feels wrong- the aerial view of the turnarounds, the tunnels on the brake runs, the way almost literally everyone else universally adores this ride… Racer holds a lot of energy, and all of it is cryptic. It makes me wish I’d ridden Thunder Road, because Rebel Yell does not have this sense of permanent creeping dread. Ride-wise, Racer is inoffensive. But the vibe that ride gives me isn’t good. At all. We rode twice, red and blue. We raced Deb, Kat, and Brandon while in red and lost. We were the only people on red train, but we did not feel alone in the worst possible way. We won when we rode blue to peek at construction. The cheering in the tunnels had us fucked up.

I hate that, if there are any personifications that have a chance of being real, it’s most likely Abraham and Thaddeus. I’ve never been so wrong about a coaster’s personification before I rode it in my life.

We needed an exorcism after that ride on blue train, so we went to Banshee next. Again, while not my favorite invert, I don’t understand why so many people seem to hate this ride. I think a B&M invert complements their park nicely, and that slow roll at the end is nothing short of fire-hot. It’s also tons of fun to flip off Outpost 5 while you’re on it. It’s what Brynn would want us to do. Plus, missing the pre-drop never fails to give me butterflies! I do wish they had played the audio scream before we dropped though.

We got to ride this with one of our Insta friends, Wild, and we were both really happy to see her. She’s a great kid, and Banshee is a fun ride. We love our pastel goth icon, and we love our Junkrat Stan of a little sister. We also befriended a Banshee ride operator, and their group chat is called “Banshee’s Hot Topic” and that makes me want to cry in a good way.

Bat is awful in the sense that it breaks my heart. Yes, Tanner as a character is very sad (especially so in the Project Shooting Star universe), but it always hammers home how badly I miss Big Bad Wolf. What I’d give for one last ride on the Rhine with my lupine friend… Bat’s in a beautiful area, but that queue makes me feel like I’m at Camp Crystal Lake and Jason’s about to have some fun. Also, can we all say how much we hate seeing SOB’s old station? Because I hate that! A lot!!

Again. Like Racer, Bat as a ride is objectively inoffensive. But there’s so much energy around it, and I’m not sure if it’s residual garbage leftover from Son, the gunpowder factory, and the safari or what. Bat feels so detached from the rest of the park, but I don’t think there’s a more perfect place than KI for a ride that feels this full of sorrow.

Vortex was a one-and-done for us after some sinfully delicious blue ice cream, but I do admit it was better in the rain. The drop actually provided some decent air, and while the transitions are pretty janky, it’s an Arrow from the 80s. You can’t go into it expecting something butter smooth like B&M. That isn’t fair. It’s still not my favorite Arrow looper, and it wasn’t even my favorite one of this trip, but I do think I might have judged it a tad too harshly before. Like FOF, there isn’t much else to say about this ride.

The people we met also made the day phenomenal! Wild, Brandon, Kat, Debra…this one’s for you. I raise my Raisin’ Cane’s tea to ya’ll, stay funky and ride on.

But one day at that cryptic-ass park is never enough, shit’s like Hotel California. Being gluttons for punishment, we returned to Cursed Island.

Kings Island is so different in bright sunshine. It almost feels like a normal amusement park. Almost. We went for the first couple of hours, since Coasterstock people were there and it was a Friday on top of that. It was also hot as a ghost pepper outside. I’m still really sad we missed Tristin and Plummy!! Maybe next time. We did, however, finally get to meet Stephanie in real-life, and she’s pretty chill. We did the dumbest shit for our picture. However, I’m 99% sure the ride operator said “Enjoy your ride on Son of Beast!” when she was with us and I heavily dislike that.

We’d done basically everything else that we had wanted to the day prior. We already had the credits for Backlot, Invertigo, and Adventure Express, and none of those really warranted waiting in the lines. Vortex and Bat had been ridden already this visit. We have mad love for Banshee, FOF, and Diamondback, but those waits were gnarly. We didn’t want to even look at Racer again, let alone ride it. So now, we went to the NEWCs.

Since Five is dead, we rode Beast three times that morning. She was over her alcoholic shitfit, I suppose, and was running very well. Brandon called Beast a good noodle. From a ride standpoint, you can make the case that until that final helix, Beast doesn’t do very much. I personally like how it’s a bit more speed-oriented, but I understand why some others might not. Like Boulder Dash, I think a lot of the ride experience comes from the scenery. I also think knowing Beast’s history makes it the marvel it is. We got some pretty good air on the first hill after the main drop, and that helix is always so damn scary to me. Top 10 coaster moment for sure.

Beast has a TON of energy to it, but unlike Racer or Bat, it isn’t malicious. You may not like Beast, but you WILL respect Beast, you feel? And that energy is why I think Beast will always be my favorite in the park, even over the giga (and especially so if those blueprints are real.) Beast isn’t just a coaster. It’s an experience, and one that makes the park so worth visiting. My only regret is we didn’t get one of those fantastic night-rides.

If those blueprints are real, it’s time to talk about what will most likely still be my second favorite coaster at KI come 2020. Since Thunderhead was my first major coaster, I always have held a soft spot for GCI. And while I do still believe Thunderhead is better, boy howdy do I love Mystic Timbers. It’s a shitshow of a name for a kickass ride. Lines only allowed us to ride once, but we were lucky enough to be assigned to row one. Mystic is definitely better towards the front, I believe. You feel better air there, and while I still don’t think MyTi’s got ejector, it’s stronger floater in the front. (The truck out front played Survivor and I had to scream “WOW I LOVE SIX FLAGS”, so maybe she was just pissy over that.)

I understand why people were disappointed with the shed. Holograms can’t hold a candle when you’re expecting a Verbolten-style drop track. But the shed is cute for what it is, and it’s better than being stacked in the sunshine. We saw the snake scene this time, which is probably my favorite since Tatzelwurm doesn’t even exist in PSS universe anymore. Killer Cat was the best shed scene, but snakes will do.

Also, fun fact about Mystic. When we visited in October, I kept saying how badly I wanted to hear Bonnie Tyler in the shed. We hear it. Friday, I jokingly went “oh booooy I hope I hear my girl Bonnie again!” Lo and behold, we hit the shed and it plays Total Eclipse of the Heart. I lost my goddamn mind. Mystic Timbers said 80s retro. Hate that name, but man oh man, do I love that ride. We love our GCIs with big tiddys and bad personalities.

We rode the train to snag some pictures of Mystic and Snake Friend, but then we dipped and hit Taco Bell as one does. It was better that way. Kings Island had told us all it wanted to for now, and it let us take our time to mosey to the next park and really digest what we’d seen. We also had the opportunity to meet back up with Bee and spend some time with her since we left!

All in all, KI is such a cursed park. I know saying that makes it sound like I really dislike KI, but that’s not the case. I adore Kings Island BECAUSE it’s so cryptic. Their lineup is solid, and even though we can’t truly judge the giga before it opens, I don’t think it’s going to elevate them any but it won’t necessarily bring the park down. There’s so, so much in Mason to unpack, especially in the months to come. I can’t wait to see them again.

#trip reports #cursed island makes me do the big uwu

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imagine-loki · 6 years

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I'm still breathing, Chapter 17

TITLE: I’m still breathing CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 17 AUTHOR: fanficshiddles ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine a mutant has been living on the streets for years, until she is picked up by the Avengers. She’s taken to live with them so they can help her to discover what her powers are. Loki especially, takes an interest in her. The two become very fond of one another as they discover what her power is. RATING: M

Sophie trained harder than ever for the following few weeks, hoping to get her powers under control. She was almost there, she could now phase through walls and doors without too much effort. There was only the odd time where it didn’t work.

She was training hard one afternoon with Steve, Peter, Natasha and Wanda. Loki was watching from the side-lines while reading a book, as always keeping a close eye on his girl.

‘That’s my girl.’ He smirked, impressed when Sophie took down Peter and had him pinned to the floor with a dagger hovering right above his throat.

‘I win!’ She said happily as she sprung back up to her feet.

‘Nice work.’ Natasha said, giving her a high five.

Peter groaned as Steve helped him up to his feet. ‘You need to up your game, Peter!’ He laughed.

Sophie went over to Loki while the others continued training with one another. He put his book away when she reached him and he pulled her onto his lap, making her giggle.

‘Did you see that?’ Sophie asked with a big smile.

‘I sure did. You’re almost as good as me with your daggers.’ He winked at her, making her laugh.

‘Oi, lovebirds! Come on, lunch time.’ Wanda called over to them.

‘Don’t mind us. We’re going elsewhere for lunch.’ Sophie said.

‘We are?’ Loki looked at Sophie with an eyebrow up.

‘Yep. I’ve got a plan. Come on.’ Sophie grabbed his hand and tugged him up to his feet. ‘You’ve taken me on dates, now it’s my turn to take you on one.’ She grinned.

‘Ohh, I like the sound of that.’ Loki grinned back at her.

Sophie stopped by the kitchen to grab a picnic basket that she’d made up earlier. She waved to the rest of the team then went to get Loki again, who was waiting by the lift.

‘What’s this?’ He asked.

‘Picnic basket. We’re going for a picnic. There’s somewhere I want to take you.’ Sophie pressed the button.

‘Where are we going?’

‘You’ll have to wait and see… It’s somewhere, kind of special to me. That I want to share with you.’

‘Now I am very intrigued.’

The couple got in a car that was waiting for them in the garage. It took them away from base and around the edge of the city to a secluded park at the other side. There was a large hill and Sophie made Loki climb it with her.

But when they got to the top, Loki was slightly stunned. The view across the city was wonderful.

‘Wow. This is impressive.’ Loki took a moment to take in the view while Sophie opened the basket and put down a blanket she’d packed. Then she unpacked the food.

Loki sat down next to her and the two tucked in to various sandwiches and other nibbles.

‘So what’s the story behind this place?’ Loki asked, lying down on his side and resting his head on his hand as he looked at Sophie and munched on a sausage roll.

‘Well, when I felt a bit overwhelmed with being on the streets in the city I would save up as much change as I possibly could, buy some sandwiches or crisps and juice. Then I’d come up here and stay here for a few days. It was quite nice sleeping out under the stars, peaceful. No one really comes here, it was nice and calm for a change. In the summer, obviously. But it kind of became my safe place. I knew no one would bother me here and I’d be relatively safe.’

Sophie didn’t look at Loki while she spoke, concentrating on her sandwich in her hands instead. Until Loki reached out and put his hand over her forearm, giving her a gentle squeeze. She looked over at him and he gave her a smile, his eyes full of love and concern for her.

‘It’s nice that you were able to have this place. And I’m honoured you’ve shared it with me.’ He tugged her hand over to him and pressed a soft kiss on her knuckles.

‘I just thought it would be nice to share with you. It is a great view. And now we’re heading into winter, I doubt I’ll want to come back here for a while.’ She smiled.

‘True. I imagine it’s freezing here during winter. But I am glad you’ve shared it with me.’ Loki nodded, looking out over the city.

The two spent the afternoon there until it started getting chilly. Loki summoned his cape and wrapped it around her, making her smile as she enjoyed the velvety fabric around her.

‘It’s nice and soft.’ She rubbed her cheek on the inside of it while Loki started packing up the stuff again.

‘I know. Makes it comfortable to wear.’ Loki grinned.

‘Is it like a shield, too? Just thinking about that time you used it to protect us from Tony’s blasters.’ Sophie asked, standing up so Loki could roll the blanket up.

‘It is. There isn’t much that can penetrate through it.’

‘Wow. You wouldn’t think it.’

Loki let Sophie wear the cape on the walk back down the hill to the car waiting outside the park. He had a feeling he was going to have a battle on his hands when he wanted it back. But he thought she looked adorable wrapped up in it, it was far too big for her and trailing along the ground behind her. But he didn’t mind.

When they reached the edge of the park, there was a homeless man sleeping on a bench. Sophie felt a little pang inside of her. She wasn’t sure whether it was guilt, sorrow or what she felt for the guy.

‘Are you alright, love?’ Loki asked, putting his hand on her back.

‘Yeah… I just, I’m so lucky now that I don’t have to suffer through another winter out here. Other people are not so lucky.’ She said sadly.

Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out some cash she had on her. It wasn’t much. But she knew that would mean a lot to the guy. Walking over to him, she didn’t want to wake him, so she just slipped it into his pocket as carefully as she could, then she went back over to join Loki.

‘You have a kind heart, poppet.’ Loki kissed the top of her head and put his arm around her, leading her to the car.

‘I’m no angel, Loki. But if I can help someone even a little, then I want to try.’

Later that day when the couple had returned to base, Sophie went to go for a shower and Loki was in the living room with some of the others. Though things took a bad turn and Loki was not happy…

‘No. Not happening.’ Loki said firmly, arms folded over his chest.

‘Come on, Loki. She’s the only one who can gain access without being detected. It will be easy.’ Clint argued.

‘She is NOT ready. It’s too dangerous.’ Loki snapped.

‘We will cause a distraction. There won’t be anyone near the base when she goes in. We need those plans if we are going to take out Hydra once and for all.’ Tony said.

‘NO! We’ll have to find another way. Sophie is going nowhere near Hydra.’ Loki snarled, glaring at everyone for even suggesting it.

‘She’s our best option. She’s been training hard. Since she’s living here, she needs to start helping out if she can.’ Tony shrugged.

Loki snapped and lunged for Tony. He grabbed him by the neck and held him up in the air. Tony grabbed Loki’s forearm as his legs struggled beneath him.

‘WE ARE NOT PUTTING HER AT RISK!’

‘LOKI! Put him down!’ Thor bellowed at his brother.

Loki sneered at Tony then threw him down to the floor with a thud. Tony coughed and put his hand around his neck, rubbing his skin. ‘Calm down, reindeer games. Sophie’s an adult. If she wants to help, then she will. If she decides herself she isn’t ready, then fine.’

Loki glared daggers at him and was about to launch for him again but Sophie walked in. ‘What’s going on?’ She asked, looking at everyone who was on edge while Loki looked like a raging bull, nostrils flaring.

Natasha stepped in quickly before anyone else could say anything. ‘We have a mission we want you to come on, if you’re up for it?’ She asked the mutant.

‘A mission? You really want me to go with you?’ Sophie asked, slightly surprised.

‘Yes. If you feel you’re ready. It will be a low risk’ Natasha was interrupted by Loki scoffing loudly. She glared at him but continued. ‘mission. We will distract far away from Hydra’s base. We need you to phase inside and get some vital documents for us. We will go over the blueprints later if you’re in?’

‘Yeah… Sure. I’d love to help.’ Sophie nodded.

She looked over at Loki, who had a face of thunder. ‘What’s wrong?’ She asked, walking over to him.

‘I don’t want you going. It’s too dangerous. Hydra are not to be meddled with.’

‘You don’t think I can do it?’ Sophie sounded slightly hurt, Loki’s face dropped.

‘No, no. Not at all. I know you can. It’s just, risky. I don’t want you getting hurt.’ He cupped her face in his hands. ‘I feel you’re still getting to know your powers. It can take a while to harness them completely. And your training is coming along wonderfully, but again there is still a bit to go before I want you out on the field.’ Loki then looked up around at everyone. ‘Besides, SHIELD have no idea about her powers yet. And we don’t want to draw any attention to her.’

‘This mission isn’t on SHIELD’s radar. It’s our own. She won’t be spotted.’ Steve assured him, but nothing could assure Loki.

‘I’ll be fine, Loki. You will all be there too. What’s the worst that can happen?’ Sophie said optimistically with a smile.

#Loki #God of Mischief #Submitted fic #submission #i'm still breathing #Chapter 17 #fanfichiddles

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criticalrolo · 5 years

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For Thalia and Lemwin: 2 5 7 10 11 14 18 20 22 23 31 34 35

SDKLJSHDFLS ok here we go rip anyone on mobile scrolling past this

2. What is their pain tolerance? Do they close their eyes and block it out, or go into a full blown panic?

Thalia: It’s probably decent, right around average. She’s kinda squishy but hardier than your typical sorcerer. She’s not really used to taking damage since adventuring is a new thing for her, and she usually pushes through by reminding herself that her patron can help heal her at the end (she’s got an invocation where if her familiar is within 100 ft of her all healing done on her is auto maxed)

Limwen: She’s one hardy motherfucker. Definitely the type to not say anything until she literally collapses from blood loss or something insane like that. She wanted to seem as tough as possible while in the army, so if she wasn’t dying then she could keep going.

5. What is their response to their friends or loved ones in pain?

Thalia: She goes into Triage/EMT Mode. Her mom was a healer/doctor in her town and she apprenticed under her for a long time, and would have followed that career path if Backstory Shit hadn’t have happened. She’s gonna get her ass over to them as soon as possible to stabilize and help however she can!

Limwen: She grits her teeth and eliminates the threat to them as soon as she can. In her opinion, the best defense is a good offense, so she’ll push down her internal panic and get the job done.

7. Is there any emotion they find difficult to control (anger, sorrow, anxiety)?

Thalia: She finds it hard to control her loneliness I guess? She’s not used to being alone, and for the first time in her life she’s VERY much by herself with no end to that really in sight. She’s gonna have a hard time managing that.

Limwen: Sorrow for sure. She tends to react with either anger or numbness, so she’s dealing with decades of unprocessed sorrow.

10. How stable do they consider themselves? How stable are they really?

Thalia: She feels like she’s shaky right now, and is trying to find her way back to center. In reality she’s actually doing pretty well considering her circumstances, and the Campaign is going to show her that she really does have an unshakeable steel core.

Limwen: She says she’s FINE, OBVIOUSLY. The answer is she is not fine, obviously.

11. Within their group, where do they fall during emergencies? The leader, the support, the cause of the emergency, etc.?

Thalia: In case of emergency, Thalia falls into a striker support role, getting off a volley of attacks before turning back to get everyone in trouble back on their feet. She’s probably not the Leader, but she’s an amazing support. And as time goes on, she might take initiative more.

Limwen: She charges forward, ready to take control of the situation and neutralize the emergency. She’s had a decent amount of experience in a command position, and she’s very in tune with her instincts and trusts them. When she misjudges a call it can shake her pretty badly since it happens so rarely.

14. What kind of image would they like to portray to their group? How does the group really see them, good and bad?

Thalia: Thalia wants to give off the vibe of being good to go and ready to help! She wants to seem helpful so that when the time comes, the group will agree to help her on her own quest.

Limwen: She wants to be seen as a leader, someone who’s in control and able to keep a level head at all times.

18. Is there a situation that might make it impossible for them to relax?

Thalia: It would probably be pretty impossible for Thalia to relax if she was left completely, completely alone. She’s always had another voice to listen to, whether that’s her parents, her sisters, or her Solar guide. If she was completely alone she’d probably be pretty lost and anxious.

Limwen: If she thinks she’s about to enter a potential combat scenario, she can’t help but constantly be noting the terrain, the conditions, possible exit strategies, and anything in the environment she can use to her advantage.

20. Do they like to be alone with themselves often or surrounded by friends?

Thalia: Surrounded by friends!

Limwen: Usually alone!

22. Is their community unsafe for them in any way (violence, pollution, etc.)?

Thalia: Her hometown isn’t necessarily “unsafe”, but it could be uncomfortable for her since she was the only aasimar there (besides her dad) and was probably the only one that her neighbors ever saw since all the other aasimar lived on an island instead of the mainland. So, she could feel ostracized sometimes and found it hard to make a connection with her community since she was immediately “othered” by most people. Oh yeah and the demons that stole her parents from her house were pretty unsafe too lmao

Limwen: She’s not currently in her original universe, so being stuck between dimensions is. pretty unsafe

23. How do they feel about hospital environments?

Thalia: Very comfortable, she was trained to be a doctor/healer by her step mom so she knows her way around and would work in one if she wasn’t trying to rescue her parents.

Limwen: Ehh. She’ll go to get any emergency treatment she needs to keep from just straight up dying, but other than that she likes to pretend she doesn’t need any help.

31. What’s one skill or aspect of themselves that they feel self-conscious of?

Thalia: Despite being an aasimar herself, she really doesn’t know much about any other aasimar other than her dad. Her dad got her off the aasimar island before whatever mysterious “Ruin” occurred that wiped out most of the aasimar in the world, so she never really got a chance to connect with them much. She’s kind of embarrassed that she doesn’t know much about any other aasimar.

Limwen: She’s got a big nasty scar that runs from the bottom of her chin, across her lips, and up to her cheekbone. It’s very noticeable and she’s really not sure how to deal with the fact that her face is pretty permanently marred.

34. Do they have an interest skill they excel at but are embarrassed of?

Thalia: She’s probably not embarrassed by any of her skills to be honest.

Limwen: She finds knitting really relaxing, but she won’t mention that to anyone.

35. How do they respond to being criticized for their shortcomings?

Thalia: She’ll probably feel ashamed for not doing better, and will worry about how being criticized will impact her relationship with the criticizer in the future. She’ll probably take the criticism to heart though.

Limwen: She’s very ambitious and has definitely been yelled at by a supervisor or a commander before. She’s good at viewing the criticism as a rung on a ladder towards getting her own command, so she’s good at parsing out valid criticism and just angry ranting that doesn’t actually apply to her. She’ll take the stuff she agrees that she needs to work on to heart, and straight up ignore anything she doesn’t actually think is important or relevant.

#limwen #thalia #LOV my girls #eziocauthon89

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fanaticwritings · 6 years

Text

His Secret - CHAPTER 4

Sam Winchester x Reader [AU SERIES]

summary: Sam Winchester is the CEO of a branch of the billion dollar company Winchester Corp. The reader is a detective and also the love of his life. They think they live a happy life but there’s trouble in paradise. Y/N finds that her beloved wanders off somewhere at nights, when she sleeps. She obviously grows suspicious. What does he have to hide?

warnings: angst, questions are answered, also- more questions, fluff if you squint

word count: 1.8k

catch up here: chap. 1 | chap. 2 | chap. 3

A/N: This story gets me so excited! The build up is slow but I promise you’re going to love it. Do give this a read!

Y O U

“Where'd you get that from?” you asked Sam, as you lay under him, a tangle of limbs. You looked pointedly at a small scratch that ran up his forehead and disappeared into his hairline.

Sam studied you for a while, eyes searching your face, trailing down your nose and finally to your lips.

“I fell in the bathroom,” he said, smiling although he didn't look at you when he said that; eyes fixed on your lips instead. Strange, you thought but brushed the thought away as you let out a chuckle. If there was any lingering ghost of the thought, it was gone when Sam pressed his mouth to yours.

You weren't sure if you'd heard him correctly. Sam was still facing away from you, shoulders slumped.

“You what?” you murmured, voice a mere rasp.

He turned to look at you then, his multi-colored eyes looking grey in the dimly lit room.

“You heard me,” he said, clearing his throat and pursed his lips.

The words settled heavily in the air around you.

Out of all the possible explanations you had conjured up for his disappearance, this hadn't even remotely crossed your head.

A million questions pounded in your mind as you tried to wrap your mind around what he had just said. A killer? How? How did he have contacts? How far was he involved? How far had he gone? Was Sam in danger? What had he found out? This was supposed to be the answer that made you surer of the man you had fallen for and yet, you felt him slip away further. Did you know Sam at all? All those times he looked tired, battered and injured, he had been on his ‘hunt’. It wasn’t stress or a bathroom accident. Sam Winchester voluntarily risked his life, every night. This all seemed like a bizarre dream and you expected to wake up any moment now.

“How?” you whispered, flumping on the bed absentmindedly.

Sam looked at you quizzically. “Huh?”

“How could it be a murderer?” you said. You wanted to ask so much more, you didn't know how to digest this. But your detective mind was already grinding out theories, curiosity eating away at you.

Sam sat down in front of you.

“I shouldn't be telling this to you, Y/N,” he said, sighing deeply.

“No. You should tell me everything, Sam,” you countered.

“What are you scared of?”

“I'm scared for you, baby. I don’t- don’t want to lose you,” Sam said, looking at his hands. You noticed the sharp clench of his jaw. He was trying not to cry. You sighed softly. For a moment you forgot what he had just revealed. You knew Sam had abandonment issues because of his past and you hated how insecure it made him.

“You won’t lose me, Sam. But I need to know what’s going on with you. Don’t you think I deserve to know?” you asked, cupping his chin and making him look at you.

Sam was shaking a little, his forehead scrunched up and jaw clenching. Fear clouded his eyes.

“Sam,” you said a little boldly, this time. His name was a soft plea and you hoped it was assurance enough.

Sam shut his eyes and shook his head.

“I know I should have told you before. I am sorry I didn’t. But- but I thought I was doing it to protect you. But now that you know…,” he trailed off, looking up at you.

You moved to sit right next to him, hips touching. You took one of his hands into your own and gave it an assuring squeeze. “It’s okay. Tell me now. I’m right here.” It seemed to give him some confidence but it dissipated the next second.

He sighed again. Suddenly, he looked very jaded. Worn down. Broken.

“Everyone thinks that the fire was an accident. Even the police confirmed it, after looking into it for almost four months, that there was no evidence of arson or anything else. Dad..Dad couldn’t save Mom and... So the case was closed and we were sent off to Uncle Bobby.”

Your chest tightened. You had heard the story a million times but never from Sam, who was the heart of that very story. It hurt to see the sorrow dull his vibrant eyes; his shoulders sagged from the memory.

“I grew up thinking so too, until-” he inhaled sharply,”- until one day, Dean told me something that would haunt me forever.” His eyes clouded and looked distant as he was whisked into a memory in his head.

“We were drunk. Well, Dean was, I had like one round. We were talking about the company and stuff when Dean suddenly became serious. He took my hand and clutched it tightly to his chest. ‘There was no accident, Sammy. Mom and Dad- they were murdered.’ He looked strange. Alien. It was eerie and I felt scared of him for a second. He looked dead serious too and he- he was trying not to cry. Y/N, I’ve never seen Dean look that afraid. He has been the stronger one and yet...I asked him how he knew, hoping it was just his trauma and alcohol speaking but- ‘When we ran out, Sammy… Do you remember dad pushing us out of the house? When we ran out, just outside the window, I saw a man. I almost yelled but I swear I saw him and he seemed to have caught me looking too because the son of a bitch ran, Sammy.’” Sam looked like there was more to say but he couldn’t. He was trembling a little. His grip on your hand was tight, knuckles almost pale and his face was devoid of color.

“Sam,” you whispered. You could almost picture a two-year old Sam running away from a blazing fire, being pulled by a six-year old Dean and their terror struck faces. You shuddered. You pulled Sam into you, hoping you could provide him some comfort because words seemed to be failing you at the moment.

He stayed silent for a full minute before continuing.

“I didn’t want to believe Dean, Y/N. I really didn’t. My rationality told me that it was something his six- year old brain had made up to deal with the grief but he told me that it was something that stayed with him forever. He also told me that he went looking for the guy later, on his own. But nothing. The thought never left me, Y/N. I tried to bury it somewhere, hoping I could move on. We- we had healed. Dean and I. But this was a jarring reality, too probable. Anyone could’ve done it. Anyone.. who had a motive,” Sam said, straightening a little. The sadness never left him but his eyes danced with a new emotion. Anger.

He continued, not wanting to stop now. You wanted to say so much but the words caught in your throat. You didn’t want to interrupt him, either. He had to let it all out. Sam wasn’t exactly the one to open up easily.

“I didn’t think about it until recently,” Sam confided, finally glancing back at you. “Before we started dating. I trust Dean with my life, if he asked me to kill myself I’d do it without question. And I couldn’t shake the image of Dean from that night. The thought occupied my brain at all times until I finally asked Dean to describe the guy. So I thought, what the hell. Maybe with the latest tech, I’d have a chance to find him. He did warn me that it was fruitless now and it was better that I forget it. I said I’d try so he described him anyway. I asked around for help- small detectives, the underground network, anyone but the local cops. I didn’t trust them- and... I finally hit a match.”

Your heart thudded against your chest. He had found him? But then why was he still-

“He died on November 3rd, Y/N,” Sam said, darkly answering your unspoken question. Your stomach did a flip. Wait what?

“God. So that was a hit man?” you asked, realisation dawning on you.

Sam nodded gravely.

“The person who hired him probably got him finished off. To clear their tracks. Everything about him, was erased. No other information except his name and the date of death, whatsoever. All records- simply vanished,” Sam said, eyes blazing. “But that meant that it was true, everything Dean had said. Why else would there be no information about him? Why did he die the very next day? It was too big of a coincidence.”

You were shaking too, you realised but Sam was too lost in his thoughts to notice.

“The real murderer is possibly still at large, Y/N. The real truth is still hidden,” Sam snarled, his features rigid and mouth contorting into an agitated sneer. Each word held more weight than the last and Sam was being crushed underneath. You couldn’t in the slightest imagine what Sam was going through. He had grown up thinking that everything he loved was taken from him was because of an unfortunate accident. To have discovered that it was not the case, would’ve shaken him- destroyed him. Your throat burned, and felt scratchy. Sam hid so much behind that dazzling smile of his and you felt a surge of pride, love and respect for him. Tears welled up at the corner of your eyes, chest heaving.

You gazed at him. His tall, lean frame looked small, far too small. He looked frail, shaking and trembling as he wallowed in his past. You could almost see the burning house reflected in his subdued eyes and felt a sudden need to protect him. To bring him justice.

Not because he was your lover, but because he was someone who had so much taken away from him for nothing.

“Sam,” you said again. It seemed that was all you could ever utter. You fumbled for words, yearning to comfort him. You gave his shoulder a tight squeeze instead and he leaned into you.

“I need to find them, Y/N,” Sam said, hoarsely. You nodded heavily, you could read him now. You didn’t- couldn’t know what he was feeling but you sympathised. You understood. He had gone through so much, all alone. His whole life had been flipped upside down. You searched his eyes- they were swirling with a thousand emotions but his hand never left yours. You decided then, that you were going to be there for him. You were going to be there when he needed his girlfriend, and also when he needed a detective. Every step of the way.

“You will find them, Sam. And I will help you.”

Please, please let me know what you thought of the chapter/ series! I love to know what goes through your mind when you’re reading, it’s what keeps me going! Leave a comment/ ask <33 Could really use it!

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