#but i think it's going pretty well! either way. tee hee and so on
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Chapter >> 10 [x]
Characters >> Cato Wu (oc), Judy Álvarez, Lauren Dimas (oc), Matvey Dobrynin (oc), Mikhail Koshechkin (oc), Panam Palmer, Thibault Lajoie (oc), Viktor Vektor, Vincent Mayer (oc), Vitali Dobrynin (oc), [redacted]
Total >> 9.6k words
Warnings >> Blood mention, brainwashing mention, death mention, descriptions of suffocation, family, injuries, violence
‘What are we looking at?’
‘Seven attacks have been reported thus far, four of them still on-going. Many casualties among mercs- none of ours yet- word on the street is a fixer was killed, too.’
Clack. Clack. Clack.
Vitali found himself back in the hallway. Pace as fast as it could possibly go, leg painfully protesting with every move, heart racing uncontrollably in his chest and hand white-knuckled around his cane- Judy and Panam by either of his sides, as they hurried toward the medbay.
He had been there before. Two months ago, give or take; when Eddie, Lauren, Mikhail and Panam had been targeted during that damned cargo transport. Never again, Vitali had thought; I will not let this happen ever again.
Naïve, perhaps. Or just fucking stupid. Either way, how wrong he had been- it had only gone downhill from there, from Mikhail’s captivity to Vincent’s, from seeing his mother again to coming face to face with his father in the decrepit Arasaka facility, from meeting Daniil, to-
To Thibault nearly losing his life in an explosion.
Yet another thing Vitali had been unable to prevent. He had not been anywhere nearby, and it was Night City of all places- explosions happened all the fucking time- but it still hit him hard, especially considering how little Thibault had been involved in the situation at all.
Vitali pushed the door of the medbay open and hesitantly stepped inside, almost scared- ashamed- to show his face. Thibault sat on the edge of their bed, next to Cato; and they gave Vitali a weak smile and wave when he entered.
‘Broken wrist, two bruised ribs, some scrapes ‘n bruises,’ Viktor said from the other end of the room before Vitali could ask anything. He sat on his usual stool, taking some quick notes on a notepad before quickly wheeling himself over to the small crowd in his workplace. ‘Your parking lot took most of the damage.’
‘And Vincent’s car too,’ Thibault quietly added, their semi-mechanical voice raspier than usual. ‘I think they rigged it, but- I wasn’t able to see very well.’
‘Never mind his car or my parking lot,’ Vitali cut them off, ignoring the implications of the possibility of Vincent’s car having carried the explosion underneath, and he quickly walked closer and sat himself down on the bed next to Thibault’s to relieve his leg. ‘How are you feeling?’
A pointless question, but what else could he ask? His heart was so heavy.
‘Tired, mostly,’ was the hesitant answer. ‘Ears are ringing, but- other than that, I feel fine. If you need me back in the field, I can walk. Run too, probably- haven’t tried yet, but should be…should be fine, yes.’
‘You’re not going anywhere,’ Vitali softly replied. ‘We have everything covered.’
That wasn’t true. Thibault knew. And Vitali knew that xe knew. But neither of them said any more of it.
Vitali had woken up early that morning. Earlier than usual, feeling refreshed for the first time in a while, and he had gone to work before Vincent and Mikhail had even gotten out of bed. Taken his time with the drive to the office, despite it being nearby enough; though to be fair on a busy day it could still easily take him half an hour if not longer to make it to the other side of Wellsprings.
It had been unnerving, almost, how smoothly most of the morning had passed by. The sun had been shining outside, a warm and sunny day- the start of June, and Vitali had finally felt like he could start planning for Vincent’s birthday. And he had, between the few calls he’d had to take and the single client meeting near noon.
Nothing too big, of course. Just a day for the two of them; ever since they had first kissed on Vincent’s birthday the year before, they’d had only a handful of actual dates, between all the situations they’d found themselves in. Vitali figured it would be nice to have another; he just hoped neither of them would be too tired to leave the house.
But now, even though it was still a week away, Vitali wasn’t even sure if they would be able to do anything at all.
‘Get some rest,’ he quietly said and reached out to Thibault’s not-injured hand, to give it a soft squeeze. ‘I am sure there’ll be plenty of work to do in the building once we get this situation resolved- you could help then, if you really want to.’
‘Of course,’ Thibault replied, and another weak smile took shape on xyr face. ‘That’s what you’re paying me for, no? Kidding- I’d do this for free. You know that.’
I would give you all the world, if I could.
‘Stay with them,’ Vitali quickly said, regaining himself and directing his attention to Cato now as he stood up again. ‘Keep me updated on any new developments here.’
‘Don’t you want me out there?’ Cato asked, gesturing at the most nearby window, a frown decorating her brow. ‘Not injured myself. I can make myself useful.’
‘And I would like for you to do that here.’
Vitali had not been able to get the visual of- of Daniil, his own fucking brother- attacking Cato and trying to stab her out of his head. He knew Cato had dealt with much, much worse before, and after a short conversation following the incident that same day she had not brought it up anymore-
But Vitali had watched enough of his friends end up in pain. It had to stop.
He made his way back to the door and Judy and Panam followed suit again, both having been dead silent in the few minutes they had spent in the medbay. Much to Vitali’s surprise, Viktor stood up from his stool too and walked with him- but he did not question it. No time for that now.
Vitali still was not entirely sure what had happened.
It had all gone fast; a report of an explosion near Regina’s headquarters, followed by report after report of mercenaries getting injured, dying- none of Vitali’s as of yet, though he was not even able to say for sure since most of their systems had suddenly been down too, an outage in the entire Heywood district leaving them with little to work with.
Brief contact with the Council had once again confirmed to Vitali none of them worried about the Broker. He knew it was his father’s doing; had tried to convince them of it, yet before he could have even said a word a distress signal had disturbed their meeting- the currently absent Wakako had been under attack, and it had marked the end of their communication for the time being.
On his own, once again. Supplies still low, mercenaries exhausted and scared- and Vitali was starting to reach the end of his rope.
‘What is our situation?’ he asked, slightly turning his head as the four of them made their way to mission control.
‘Three squads in the field currently,’ Judy replied and held out her tablet a little so Vitali could take a look at the footage. ‘Shiro and Hux are still over at Wakako’s to assist Goro; no new updates as of yet… Eddie and his squad should be nearing the Northside rendezvous by now.’
‘And V?’
A short pause.
‘Not yet been able to reestablish contact.’
Vitali subconsciously fastened his pace, refusing to say any more of it and he rolled back his shoulders, straightening his back as if to show he was not about to back down to nobody in particular; his heart was still racing in his chest and nausea was bubbling up in his stomach, though he managed to keep it at bay for now- much to his own surprise.
‘Panam- Take whoever you can find and get to Westbrook,’ he said, slightly raising his voice. ‘I need that situation under control, stat. Judy, I need either you or Lauren in the Net. We need our systems back online. Are you up for that?’
The deafening silence that followed caused Vitali to slow down and he looked behind him; Viktor had followed him a little further, though both Panam and Judy had stopped in their tracks at some point, both carrying the same hesitant- nearly terrified- look in their eyes.
‘Please,’ Vitali blurted out, heart skipping a beat though he was unsure whether it was out of frustration or fear. ‘If I could do all of this myself, I would.’
‘No, no-! It’s not that,’ Panam immediately responded, her voice slightly unstable as she spoke, and she redirected her attention to the tablet in Judy’s hands. ‘There’s…’
Before she could finish her sentence, a loud siren cut through the air, filling the streets of Wellsprings, loud enough for them to hear inside Vitali’s office. All the air was punched straight out of his lungs and he hurried back, to look over Judy’s shoulder at the screen.
‘Another explosion,’ she quietly said, her tablet showing a live news feed. ‘The docks. There were people there.’
‘Our people?’
‘I… I can’t tell.’
Vitali caved in.
What was he supposed to do? Times like these reminded him that he was so- small. Insignificant. Merely one man in a city so large, and it didn’t matter what he did. It would never make a difference.
Just like he had never been able to make a difference in Arasaka, like he had wanted to when he had started working for them all those fucking years ago. Stuck in a never ending cycle- a hell of his own making- believing he could mean something in the bigger picture of things-
‘Just the more reason to get a move on,’ Viktor suddenly said. ‘Our people or not- they can use all the help they can get.’
Vitali instantly snapped back to reality and he quickly nodded, a weight washing off his chest when Viktor suddenly reached out and placed a strong hand on his shoulder, almost as if to ground him. His gaze moved back to the girls, and they both seemed to regain themselves as well.
‘Westbrook. Wakako,’ Panam quickly said, and nodded too. ‘Preem, on it. Judes?’
Judy blinked and inhaled deeply, straightening her back and her eyes met Vitali’s for a split second. He understood why she was hesitant. Understood that Lauren would be hesitant, too- after everything that had happened, to the both of them- but they were the only ones capable of diving into the Net and Vitali needed someone to cover that front for him-
Again, if he could do it all himself, he would.
‘I’ll find Lauren, have a chat,’ she finally responded. ‘We’ll- We’ll rock, paper, scissors about it.’
‘Good,’ Viktor said, removing his hand from Vitali’s shoulder. ‘No need for a deep dive, just- getting our systems back online, some surface level surveillance and plugging potential holes in case of an attack.’
Vitali’s heart finally slowed down and he pushed back his shoulders again, head suddenly a lot clearer than before. He watched in silence as Panam gave Judy a warm hug and kiss on her cheek; and she turned around and walked off, giving Vitali a soft punch against his shoulder as she passed him by.
‘Whoever his Netrunner is, they’re good,’ Judy quietly said. ‘Just hope they’re not- not waiting for someone to get in the chair.’
‘I highly doubt it, given the circumstances,’ Vitali replied, knot in his chest briefly tightening. ‘Besides, our focus is defense this time; as long as we stay out of their systems, there is no way they can get to you the way they tried before.’
Of course Vitali could not say any of it with one hundred percent certainty- but what else was there left for him to say? He wished he could do without a runner, wished he could fix any of it himself-
‘You’re right,’ Judy suddenly said and she nodded, sucking in another deep breath. ‘Got you covered, jefe.’
Vitali was unable to suppress a relieved smile.
‘Thank you.’
The situation was hard on everyone. It had been going on for way too long now and still had no end in sight, and these attacks would only complicate things in the long run; yet somehow everyone was still there. Nobody had walked away from it yet, nobody had abandoned Vitali despite the fact the Council was not helping them-
Viktor reached out for him again and softly tapped his arm to get his attention, then nodded into the rest of the hallway.
‘Mission control,’ he encouragingly said. ‘We got work to do, kid.’
The two of them quickly continued their way, Vitali still focused on the siren blaring through the sub-district. He still didn’t fully understand why the attacks were happening, but that was a problem for later; they had to get the situation under control, one way or another. Matvey couldn’t have that many people working for him.
Right?
Vitali bit the inside of his cheek as they entered mission control and exhaled sharply, mind wandering back to all the mercenaries who had walked away from him and had joined his father’s fixer network instead. Add to that all the outsiders who had joined over the years, and his father’s connections to several corporations-
‘There you are.’
Mikhail’s voice dragged Vitali out of the fog in his brain and a sense of comfort washed over him, like the presence of his friend had always been able to do. Mikhail appeared in his view and reached out to briefly cup his cheek, before also glancing at Viktor and giving him a solid nod.
‘Everything alright?’ he asked, tilting his head slightly as he redirected his attention to Vitali.
‘As good as it can be,’ Vitali answered. He carefully let his gaze trail the room; there were only a few people there, mostly talking quietly to each other while nervously glancing at the large screen on the wall. It was still showing a connection error with several large, flashing warning popups. ‘Xe’s got a broken wrist, some bruised ribs- Cato is still with xem for now.’
At times he genuinely wondered how much more injuries it was going to take before someone would end up losing their life.
‘That is good to hear.’ Mikhail spoke quietly and he stepped a little closer to Vitali, once more reaching out to him to place a hand on his upper arm. ‘But I meant with you.’
Vitali blinked, Mikhail’s words taking a moment to fully settle in his head; it was not uncommon for his friend to ask him that, yet at this point Vitali’s own well-being seemed mostly irrelevant to himself given the circumstances they had found themselves in.
‘As good as it can be,’ he quietly repeated himself.
The screen on the wall suddenly flickered and within a few seconds their feed was back online, showing Vitali live footage of the still on-going fight on Jig Jig Street. He immediately directed his attention away from Mikhail and walked closer, reaching for his hearing aid and switching to the communication line of his office building.
‘Judy?’ he asked, watching as the lights in the room briefly flickered off and on as the screen switched to live footage extracted from MaxTac bodycams.
‘Guess again,’ Lauren replied instead, and Vitali once again couldn’t stop a smile from spreading across his face. ‘At your disposal, jefe.’
It was good to have her back. Judy was good at what she did- but at the end of the day more of a techie than a runner and her knowledge was limited to the things she had been taught over time. Taught by Lauren, who had been in the chair for much longer, and whose thinking process lined up almost exactly with that of Vitali meaning less communication was needed between the two in order to get things done.
‘Can we reestablish contact with V?’ Vitali asked, a new sense of control shaking him right back awake. He nearly slipped up- had gotten so comfortable using Vincent’s full name he sometimes forgot not everyone knew about it yet.
‘One step ahead of you. Sending out a ping as we speak,’ Lauren answered. ‘Got all three of them on our radar still, so they’re not- you know. They’re still here.’
Good.
Vitali bit the inside of his cheek hard as he waited for Lauren to get back to him, placing his hands on the desk he was stood in front of. His eyes were glued to the screen, watching intently as the MaxTac officers arrived at the docks of Wellsprings- several cars were on fire, people were running everywhere, and in the background he could see several mercenaries emerge from around the corner right before they opened fire-
‘Got him,’ Lauren said and Vitali’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Connecting you now.’
Finally.
‘V, can you hear me?’ Vitali asked, voice barely stable as he spoke and hands white-knuckled around the edge of the desk in front of him. His heart was once again going a million miles an hour in his chest and he leaned heavily on his arms, suddenly barely able to keep his own balance anymore.
A brief silence followed, though each second that passed felt like an hour. Mikhail had walked closer again and placed a reassuring hand on Vitali’s back, softly running it up and down in an attempt to calm him down.
But as much as Vitali appreciated it, it did not work. He had to hear him. He had to hear his voice.
‘V?’ he repeated, swallowing heavily as tears threatened to well up in the corners of his eyes. ‘V- please say something.’
I can’t lose you. Please- not you.
‘Loud and clear! Fuck, it’s good to hear your voice again.’
Vitali’s eyes fluttered shut and a relieved sigh escaped his lips, and for a second he felt like he could pass out. Vincent’s ever-so bright voice was like music to his ears, even now that he sounded mostly exhausted; Vitali could not blame him. He felt exactly the same.
‘Where are you right now?’ he quietly asked, glancing at Viktor who had walked up to him as well and now stood beside him at the desk, an unreadable expression on his face; had not said a word since back in the hallway, as if he was deep in thought.
‘Near the bridge in Arroyo,’ Vincent answered. ‘Followed some gonks after a scuffle on Hargreaves Street- there’s an old warehouse here that looks like it’s being used as a temporary hideout.’
Another temporary hideout. Good.
It felt too easy. It was too easy- there was no way Matvey would slip up like that and Vitali knew if he would go there he would be walking directly into a trap of some sort.
But he had to try.
‘You’re doing great, but- please don’t push it too far,’ Vitali said, loosening his grip on the desk. ‘Lauren will stay in touch with you, okay? Please be careful.’
‘Careful is my middle name, ‘member?’ Vincent answered, and Vitali could almost see the playful smirk on his face through the communication line. ‘Won’t get too close until you give me the signal, promise.’
Vitali switched off his comms and turned back, resolutely making his way back to the entrance of the room. As always- unable to just sit back and watch, unable to leave the situation to his mercenaries. Yes, he paid them to work for him; yes, they were capable of handling it themselves; but they were his friends, and he could make himself the most useful in the field with them.
‘Where are you going?’ Mikhail asked, a worried frown taking shape on his face as he took some steps after Vitali.
‘Going to meet up with Vincent,’ Vitali plainly answered, briefly slowing his pace and turning back to him. ‘I want you to stay here and oversee the situation. Can you do that for me?’
‘Of course.’ Mikhail paused and swallowed, glancing back at the screen behind him and then looking back at Vitali; but he could not make eye contact anymore, several quiet noises leaving his lips before he spoke again.
‘Please be careful,’ he said in Russian. ‘You know what he’s capable of, now.’
Mikhail had almost died. If Matvey had aimed slightly more to the right-
‘I know,’ Vitali quickly responded, pushing the thoughts out of his head. ‘I’ll be careful, don’t worry.’
He left the room again, head threatening to fill with fog but it was surprisingly easy to push it back this time, mind constantly going back to Vincent. Clack, clack, clack- back into the hallway, to get to weapon storage and get suited up- and much to his surprise, Viktor followed him again.
‘Vitya, you’re not coming with me,’ Vitali instantly said, voice a little sharper than he had meant for and he picked up his pace a little as if he could outrun Viktor like that. He knew the old ripperdoc could fight, and still did every now and then; but he was not a mercenary, far from it, and Vitali did not even want to think about the things that could happen to him out in the field.
‘Don’t think you got much say in any of that,’ Viktor merely responded.
‘You work for me. I would like for you to stay here.’
‘I do- and my shift ended about an hour ago. I’m coming, whether you like it or not. Gonna try and stop me?’
Vitali blinked and straightened his back, a weird sensation running through his chest he couldn’t quite place. They reached weapon storage together, and Viktor instantly reached out to open the door and hold it for Vitali.
Yes, they had worked together before, many times- yet never like this, never together in the field. But Vitali knew Viktor long and well enough to know he was about as stubborn as Vitali himself, and to try and stop him?
Vitali wouldn’t even dare.
‘Get down!’
Vincent jumped out of the way just in time, hiding behind a truck as the cryogenic grenade that had been hurled at his head exploded right on the other side. It set off the truck’s alarm and the piercing noise burned through his ears, disorienting him to the point he briefly forgot where he was.
It was just the five of them; him and four other mercenaries he didn’t even know the names of. Not as if it mattered- they were all allies in this, even the two of them who were not even part of Vitali’s network.
Though at that moment he found himself alone on the street, under attack from all sides by Matvey’s mercenaries- and they were not pulling their punches this time.
Vincent sprinted across the road and kneeled down behind another parked car- or- what was left of it, really. He reloaded his gun and glanced over his shoulder, noticing more enemies coming his way; they came straight from the Broker’s new hideout, heavy assault rifles at the ready, with seemingly an endless supply of ammo.
Vincent himself was on his last clip.
He hadn’t gotten too close to the warehouse, well aware of the security turrets placed on the premises. Toys from the abandoned Arasaka facility they had attacked before, and so far Vincent had not been able to quickhack them.
But the fight going on in the rest of the street had been obvious enough to draw the attention of more people and they had shown up in full force, and despite the fact they were still holding their ground, Vincent was starting to wonder if it would be smarter to pull back.
‘Heads up, V- seeing several drones on my radar coming your way.’
‘Seriously?’ Vincent yelled, exasperation dripping from his voice. ‘Of course they have drones, too.’
‘Hit ‘em on the underside,’ Lauren calmly responded. ‘Saves ammo, should take ‘em down in one or two. Six o’clock- get ready.’
Vincent looked up at the sky and saw three combat drones closing in quickly, all headed straight for him. One of them was already under fire, from what he could see- one of the mercenaries had popped up again and managed to cause the drone to catch fire, and it tumbled out of the air before it could even get close.
Vincent raised his gun and exhaled, relaxing the muscles of his shoulders as he wrapped his finger around the trigger.
Take the wind into account, kid.
Right, of course. Vincent wasn’t good at calculating anything, he usually eyeballed it and somehow it nearly always worked; he quickly adjusted his aim slightly to the right and pulled the trigger, and watched as sparks and black smoke erupted from the bottom of the second drone, right before it exploded and knocked the third drone out of its course straight into a street light.
That was easy.
Don’t get too cocky.
The corners of Vincent’s lips curled up into a smile and he could almost hear Johnny’s exasperated sigh in his head, as if he was still there with him, leaning against the street light next to him perhaps, or sitting on top of the remains of the car he was hiding behind.
Sudden gunfire immediately drew him back to reality and he lowered his head, quickly scuttling around the car to create more distance between himself and the nearing mercenaries. Only limited ammo left- he would have to pick his shots carefully, and there were still so fucking many of them-
Though as Vincent prepared himself for shooting back, most of the gunfire suddenly stopped, and soon it was almost entirely quiet on the street. He frowned and carefully looked up, eyes trailing his surroundings until he saw-
Vitali?
Vincent had never been this relieved to see his boyfriend.
He immediately jumped up and hurried his way over, briefly pausing to sink through his knees and grab a precision rifle from the ground. He slowed his pace, aiming the rifle and steadying himself- and he hit the merc trying to sneak up to Vitali right between the eyes.
Suddenly the world was spinning and Vincent’s head hit the asphalt, vision instantly going black for a few seconds from the impact. The moment he regained consciousness he was pinned to the ground, rifle no longer anywhere near him and two hands wrapped tightly around his neck.
Tears sprung in his eyes as he grabbed the mercenary’s wrists and struggled in their grip. He tried to kick his legs, but they were stuck underneath the merc’s knees, their body weight too much for him to be able to free himself.
Hey, now. Don’t panic.
But it was difficult. Vincent tried to suck in a breath but his windpipe was being crushed, leaving him with little oxygen in his lungs. He reached for the mercenary’s face and tried to poke them in their eye, or grab their hair and yank their head back, anything, but his fingers couldn’t find a grip and they kept turning their head away from him.
His vision was fading again, and rapidly now. Though seconds before he could lose consciousness once more, the weight was suddenly entirely lifted from his body and he gasped for air, instantly kickstarting himself into a coughing fit, the raspy noise from his throat mixing with the cries and screams from the mercenary.
A strong hand grabbed his own and pulled him back on his feet with such force Vincent toppled forward and bumped right into the person who had helped him-
Viktor?
Vincent had known Vitali was on his way, but he had never thought to ever see the ripperdoc in the field there with him.
‘You alright, kid?’ he asked, pushing a new handgun in Vincent’s hands. Vincent was unable to answer and quickly nodded in response, eyes rapidly trailing their surroundings once more-
It was quiet. For now. No enemy mercenaries, just the two of them, Vitali, and their four other allies, all in the process of gathering themselves and assessing the situation.
Catch your breath, V. You’re not in the clear just yet.
Vincent quickly jogged up to Vitali and hugged him without hesitation, relief filling his chest the second Vitali wrapped his arms around his waist in response and buried his face in the crook of Vincent’s neck. To think that at some point Vincent had been hesitant to initiate anything with him, terrified of overstepping a boundary, terrified of the possibility of Vitali prioritizing his reputation over what they had-
‘Are you alright?’ Vitali worriedly asked, lifting his head again and gently cupping Vincent’s face in his hands. ‘Are you injured? I’m sorry it took this long, we were held up by fucking NCPD pigs when trying to cross district border-’
‘I’m okay! I’m okay,’ Vincent quickly interrupted him, slightly turning his head to press a kiss on the palm of Vitali’s hand. ‘You’re here now. I’m- I’m glad you came.’
He watched relief wash over Vitali’s face and lifted his own hands to place them over Vitali’s, thumbs softly running over his skin. Vitali leaned in and rested his forehead against Vincent’s, eyes fluttering shut; the way their heads hit one another with a bit more force than usual told Vincent he was exhausted.
‘All due respect, we gotta get a move on,’ Viktor gently interrupted them, pointing his own weapon into the direction of the warehouse. ‘Looks like they’re reorganizing again.’
‘What’s the plan?’ one of the other mercenaries asked. They were leaning heavily on one of the others, hand clutching their side- all four of them looked as exhausted and beaten as Vincent felt and his chest tightened.
‘I’m going in,’ Vitali bluntly said, slowly lifting his head again. ‘Preferably alone, but- I feel like not everyone here will let me. Could you distract those mercs for me? Just- lure them away, no need for another fight.’
Straightforward as ever, no time for going in circles around the point he was trying to make. Vincent watched as the mercenaries briefly shared a look, and then one of them quickly started making their way to a nearby car and got in.
‘Yeah, we can do that,’ one of the others said, slowly nodding. ‘Why go in? Sounds like suicide to me.’
‘Perhaps,’ Vitali merely answered. ‘But I have to try.’
Another attempt at trying to talk some sense into Matvey. Vincent could not help but wonder why; but at the same time this was far from the right time and place to ask Vitali about it and he wisely kept his mouth shut when his boyfriend started making his way toward the warehouse without saying another word.
Vincent followed suit. Of course he did; he was not going to let Vitali enter the place all by himself, or with just Viktor to back him up. He was unsure how Vitali was going to approach the situation this time, but- he trusted him. Had always trusted him; wasn’t going to let that change now.
A loud honk from a car behind them startled Vincent and he instinctively jumped aside, only realizing when the vehicle passed by him it were the mercenaries- one of them waved at him as the car drove by. Vincent watched them slow down in front of the warehouse and fire a couple of shots at the mercenaries outside; as soon as they all began moving toward the car, they sped off, leaving the terrain surrounding the warehouse mostly cleared.
Eyes open. Watch out for those turrets.
The three of them quickly made their way around the building from a respectable distance, keeping their eyes on the stationary turrets as Johnny had told Vincent to do. Vincent’s heart was still going faster than usual, adrenaline rushing through his body and keeping him alert; it was not as bad yet as when they’d attacked Matvey’s previous hideout, but it was getting close to it.
Perhaps he wasn’t there. Perhaps it was just a rendezvous for the mercenaries, perhaps they would go inside and find nothing but the Broker’s people and a shitton of supplies, perhaps Matvey himself was someplace entirely else, looking down on them from his bloodied throne-
But something told Vincent he was inside. Waiting.
‘Stay alert,’ Vitali said, raising his gun while slowly pushing against the back door of the warehouse. ‘No idea what to expect.’
An unguarded, unlocked door. It felt like a trap. But at the same time, if Matvey had wanted them dead he would have done that last time. Well- he would have tried a little harder then, at least.
Right?
They went in.
The interior of the warehouse was poorly lit. A small backroom; some crates and supplies stacked up along the walls, and two tables standing shoved against each other in the middle of the room. The door leading into the hallway on the wall opposite of them was already open, and Vincent could hear booming, echoing voices from what he could only assume was a larger open area within the building’s walls.
He aimed his gun at the door, briefly glancing behind him as Viktor entered after him and shoved one of the crates in front of the door to keep it ajar. Vitali pushed himself past the tables and glanced into the hallway, then turned to Vincent and gestured for him to follow.
It was too easy. But what else could they do?
The hallway was empty too and seemed to grow in size before Vincent’s eyes, his breathing shallow as they carefully moved through it. The sudden urge to turn around and run away filled his chest; something that rarely happened, but it felt appropriate in the moment.
Of course he was terrified. But again- he was not going to leave Vitali. If it had been the other way round, Vitali wouldn’t have run away either.
The three of them gathered around the next door opening, leading into the central room of the warehouse. Vincent carefully peered inside and counted five mercenaries still present- right at that moment, the front doors swung open and three more entered, but after grabbing some new weapons they left again.
Vincent’s eyes were drawn to the two men loudly talking to each other. One of them was bald, Valentinos tattoos covering his head and neck, and he was dressed in heavy combat armor; the other was skinny and at least a head shorter than the other man, left side of his forehead, temple and his left eye replaced with cyberware, and he was still yelling about as loud if not louder than his associate.
‘Sanders and Dusty,’ Vitali mumbled, a quiet scoff leaving his lips with the statement. ‘Fucking traitor.’
Vincent had seen Sanders once before, on the big screen back at Vitali’s office after one of his escorts had nearly been blown up. He was unfamiliar with Dusty, but had heard his name before, at least- and he was well aware the man was one of the many mercenaries who had left Vitali’s network, only to join Matvey’s instead.
‘Don’t lose focus,’ Viktor quietly responded, positioned next to Vincent. ‘Not what we’re here for.’
So easy to just flatline ‘em, though.
Shut up, Johnny.
Vincent directed his attention to Vitali and watched the expression on his face change. He visibly clenched his jaw and straightened his back again, regaining himself as he nodded, not saying another word about it.
Vincent admired him so much. He knew many people, though none of them had the level of self-restraint in them as Vitali, and especially since he himself still often struggled with controlling himself and his emotions he had immense respect for Vitali and the way he was able to keep it together.
But he was also well aware Vitali had been struggling lately. It was visible in his appearance- the dark rims around his eyes, the dark roots of his hair showing much more prominently than he would usually allow for- and in the way he would sometimes be barely present- either lost inside his own head, or remnants of Arasaka’s brainwashing- yet he was still making it through and handling the situation better than Vincent ever could.
‘Can I help you, gentlemen?’
A familiar voice, right behind them.
Vincent flinched and turned around but was immediately met with Viktor’s back as he stepped in front of him, and Vitali instantly jolted forward and stumbled into the larger room to create as much distance between himself and the voice as possible.
Matvey Dobrynin.
Fuck.
Vincent immediately followed Vitali, raising his gun steadily at the mercenaries inside the moment they looked up in confusion; Dusty immediately raised his own gun too but the others stood unmoving, merely staring at the two of them, and watching as Viktor too entered the room, walking backwards, keeping himself positioned between Vitali and the Broker.
‘Took you long enough,’ Matvey said, his voice booming through the room as he slowly entered after them. ‘Have been expecting you for some hours now. Your priorities lie elsewhere?’
‘Some…situations that required my immediate attention,’ Vitali spat back, steadying himself and cocking his head up, chin pushed forward. ‘As you are most likely well aware.’
‘Vito,’ Vincent quietly mumbled, stepping a little closer until their shoulders were pressed against each other. He was still facing the other way and nervously watched while the mercenaries wandered closer, Dusty up front.
‘So you really are back, huh?’ the short man said, half a smile lingering on his lips as he walked around the two of them, completely unfazed by Vincent’s gun pointed directly at his head. ‘Hey, boss. Missed me?’
The mocking tone of his voice made Vincent’s stomach turn and he instantly noticed a dark shadow washing over Vitali’s face. Dusty was merely staring at him- and the smile on his face only widened upon seeing Vitali’s frustration.
‘Pathetic piece of shit!’ Vitali spat at him and took a step closer- and within seconds the other mercenaries had their guns out too and Vincent grabbed Vitali’s wrist to stop him from moving any closer.
‘Come on, now, Vitali- no need for such language,’ Matvey calmly said, and Vincent finally turned his head to look at him; white shirt, top button undone, no tie, sleeves rolled up, hair pushed back out of his face-
A knot took shape in Vincent’s chest. In appearance, Vitali truly was his father’s son.
‘You have no say in that,’ Vitali said, the sharp edge to his words startling Vincent a little. He had taken a step closer to Vincent again, but the way he composed himself told Vincent he was still ready to attack at any given moment. ‘What happened between me and my mercenaries is none of your fucking business.’
‘I think it is my business, considering they are no longer your mercenaries but mine.’ Matvey gestured at the mercs to lower their guns and they listened instantly- it made Vincent nauseous.
Told you to just flatline ‘em.
Not the time, Johnny.
‘Being upset about my departure is one thing, but turning on me and trying to kill my mercenaries crosses a line,’ Vitali continued, but Dusty instantly cut him off.
‘It’s not about you leaving,’ he said, ‘it’s about us losing our safety net. I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about you running off to wherever you went! But you provided us with a lot more than just cash- and Mikhail sure as hell didn’t follow through with all of that in your absence. Do you have any idea what it’s like to suddenly just be left to your own fucking devices?’
Vitali’s face hardened and he glared in his father’s direction.
‘As a matter of fact, I do.’
The tension in the air surrounding them was suffocating and Vincent briefly lowered his gun as well, arm suddenly a lot heavier than before. He tightened his grip on Vitali’s wrist and he turned to look at Matvey again when said man cleared his throat.
‘It is all in the past now,’ he merely said, and despite it being obvious he was referring to Vitali’s mercenary situation Vincent couldn’t help but notice the heaviness of his words. ‘There is no use in trying to undo what has already been done.’
‘But you can stop!’
Vitali’s voice broke.
‘Stop all of this- this madness!’ he said, wildly gesturing around with his free arm. Vincent was up close enough to notice his eyes filling with tears. ‘Tell your mercenaries to pull back, leave Night City out of this!’
‘This is not all about you, Vitali,’ Matvey slowly said, his voice low.
‘Truly so? I fucking doubt it!’
Vitali’s voice echoed through the room and a strangled sob left his throat.
‘You get fired, and this is what you do?’ he said, and when Vincent let his own hand slip into his, he gratefully interlocked their fingers. ‘And you blame me for it. And you claim I abandoned you- I called! I called every fucking day, dad- I tried to reach out, I didn’t want to- I didn’t want you to-‘
He was unable to finish his sentence.
Vincent’s eyes darted between Vitali and Matvey, breathing shallow and heart beating rapidly in his throat as he watched a shadow wash over the Broker’s face. His expression had changed- yet remained unreadable to Vincent, and he quickly regained himself the moment he realized Vitali was no longer speaking.
‘It was your mother’s decision,’ he bluntly said. ‘But enough of that. I think- this should be enough for now. Sanders, give them the signal. We’re leaving.’
That’s it?
Vincent had no idea what to think anymore.
It had felt like a trap. It had looked like it, too; but now it was suddenly over, just like that, as if it hadn’t even been a big deal to begin with. Not to mention Matvey’s words; telling Vitali it had not been his decision to ignore him after he had left home- what did it change?
‘Not so fast,’ Viktor suddenly said and Vincent’s head snapped up again. Matvey had stepped forward and Viktor had positioned himself in front of him once more, effectively blocking his path.
‘All of this- for what?’ Viktor continued; and Vincent could not help but notice he wasn’t holding his gun anymore. ‘Because you believe your son walked away from you?’
‘One does not walk away from family,’ Matvey instantly spat back, voice slightly raised, and for a second it was as if they were looking at a completely different man the way sudden rage overtook his face. ‘First he left, and then he took everything from us. You have no idea what you are talking about- tread lightly.’
‘Ever wondered why he left?’ Viktor interrupted him. ‘Has it ever occurred to you that maybe you had somethin’ to do with that? Or that maybe you getting fired was out of his control?’
‘Vik, stop,’ Vitali quietly said, but the ripperdoc didn’t hear him and instead took a step closer, to the point the mercenaries, who had started to turn away, stopped in their tracks and turned back, watching them carefully.
‘Kids grow up,’ he slowly said. ‘Leave the nest at some point in their lives. You know what sounds like abandonment to me? Not answering their calls. Ignoring their attempts to connect. Feels like you got some o’ the detes of your story twisted, dad.’
Everything happened so fast.
Matvey swung at Viktor but was too slow and Viktor caught his punch with ease- then balled his fist and went for a swing himself and he hit Matvey right on his nose. Vitali flinched when it happened, and the mercenaries all started yelling, reaching for their weapons once more.
Vincent instantly looked up at the hanging ceiling lights above their heads, rapidly scanned them and triggered a quickhack- the bulbs exploded all at once, causing the mercs to scatter before they could fire any shots; and he jolted forward, pushing himself past Viktor and Matvey and dragging Vitali along with him, back into the hallway, to safety.
‘Fuck!’ Vitali cried out and tugged on Vincent’s hand as if he was trying to slow him down, but Vincent was having none of it. With all of his strength he managed to drag Vitali back to the room they had entered the building through and they stumbled back outside, the sunlight briefly blinding him.
‘We have to go back,’ Vitali said, his voice still unstable. He stumbled back towards the door, but it instantly swung open again and Viktor barged outside, seemingly unscathed, startling Vitali to the point he jumped back into Vincent.
‘What the fuck was that about?’ Vincent yelled, nearly losing his balance from the impact of Vitali’s body against his own. He wasn’t even angry, Matvey had it coming- but they had gotten what they had come for and if anything this had just put them in unnecessary danger.
‘Someone had to do it,’ Viktor simply responded, briefly glancing behind him. ‘I don’t think they’re comin’ after us, but- let’s bounce before more show.’
Vincent was speechless.
He sucked in a deep breath and tried to get his heartbeat to slow down but his body was having none of it, still believing they were in danger- and truly, he had no idea if they were safe or not. They had been inside for such a short period of time, yet so much fucking happened- and he couldn’t wrap his head around it.
And like that, they were walking away again.
But it did not feel right.
Vincent remained silent as he walked, eyes glued on Vitali, a little bit ahead of him. He was walking fast; visibly struggling a little, despite the leg brace, but he said nothing of it as they made their way through the street again, back to where he had parked his car.
Vincent’s dad loved his job too.
A little too much, if you’d asked Vincent- to the point he would always excitedly tell his wife and four kids about the crimes he had solved that day over dinner, in such great and vivid detail it would almost make you wonder if he was even allowed to talk about all of that.
And- highly unsuitable for kids, of course. Vincent could perfectly recall many occasions in which he’d ended up with nightmares because of the overly graphic stories of his asshole cop of a father, and to say he cared about his old man would be a fat fucking lie. It’s why he had not bothered to try and stay in touch with his parents, after he had left home.
But he knew that if Richard had been fired for whatever reason, he would not have put the blame on any of his kids. And he knew- it had happened before, when his brother Jason had suddenly left home when Vincent was twelve- he knew he would never accuse them of abandoning the family, even if they were to leave in a hurry, even if they would never call again.
But at the same time, if Richard had been in Matvey’s position, doing what he did- endangering Vincent’s friends, seemingly hunting them down for sports- Vincent would not have hesitated to deal with him the easy way.
It was a complicated situation. Vincent did not know all the details on Vitali and Matvey’s relationship and from what he could gather it was a lot more complicated than he had initially assumed. If it had been up to Vincent, he would have already pulled the trigger-
But it was not up to him. At the end of the day, Vitali was still his boss- but he was also his boyfriend, his best friend. Vincent had no right to make that decision for him.
He bit the inside of his lip and briefly glanced behind him at the warehouse. He noticed several cars driving in their direction and he immediately reached for his weapon again, readying himself for another fight- but the cars stopped at the warehouse and the mercs who had still been inside left the building.
Matvey was nowhere to be seen.
It would be so easy- so easy to turn back and go back inside, attack him when he’s all by himself- but when Vincent looked back at Vitali and noticed his clenched, shaking fists and the thousand yard stare plastered on his face, he knew it was of no use to try and suggest it to him.
So instead he jogged up to him and gently took his hand again, thumb reassuringly running over the back of his hand as he gave it a light squeeze, and he allowed Vitali to slightly lean in to him while they walked for support.
‘We got what we came for,’ he quietly said, leaning in to give Vitali a kiss on his cheek. ‘It’s over- for now.’
‘I don’t know,’ Vitali quietly replied. He briefly looked at Vincent, but was unable to hold his gaze and he quickly turned his head again, eyes wandering off to the distance as a shallow exhale left his chest.
‘I have a bad feeling about this.’
Vitali’s head hurt.
They’d arrived at a rendezvous a few minutes ago- a small apartment in Japantown, sometimes used as a safehouse by Vitali’s mercs- and had reunited with Shiro, Huxley and Panam and her squad. Viktor had sat himself down on the couch the moment they’d entered and had not moved since; and Vincent was in the kitchen, slowly trying to wash some dried up blood off his arms.
Had Vitali been a little more present, he would have helped him.
But he was lost inside his own thoughts, standing at the window and staring down onto the busy streets as his eyes darted from the left to the right, looking- searching, for anything out of the ordinary, anything that would tell him his father’s mercenaries had decided to get back to work.
It had all stopped, after they had visited the warehouse. Lauren had reported back to Vitali, telling him the ongoing confrontations had stopped and she was gathering footage of the sudden retreat, to hopefully be able to trace it all to a single location for their next move; whatever that would be.
He was cold.
Freezing, actually- it was a decent temperature outside and the apartment was full enough at the time to warm up by itself, yet Vitali found himself shivering and he could barely feel his fingertips.
He did not understand Matvey’s anger. It was unreasonable to the point Vitali could barely believe he was awake; truly all of this, because he had left home? Because his parents had been fired, indirectly because of him?
He took everything from us.
A soft, sudden scoff left Vitali’s lips, startling himself. Everything- yet money-wise Matvey was still doing just fine, business-wise too, and despite it all he still had his wife and daughter.
Was he truly so blinded by his hatred for Vitali to see?
‘Fuck you,’ Vitali mumbled to nobody in particular and dropped his head against the cold glass of the window with a little bit more force than he had meant for. ‘All I ever did was try.’
Words he wished he could say to him. Words he wished he could have said to him a long time ago; but he had simply never been able to, whether it was because he was too afraid or because Matvey wasn’t listening or because he just wasn’t there.
All he had ever done was try, and now he was doubting it. Had any of it been worth it? Was it still worth it? Wouldn’t it be easier to just give up?
But what would happen then? Vitali still had his friends relying on him; he still had his business to take care of, and the Council was also still there, expecting him to take care of his responsibilities despite rarely taking care of their own. Would he move on, pretend nothing was happening?
How many more people would get injured? How many more people would die?
Vitali turned his head to look at Viktor. He still hadn’t moved- leaning back into the cushions, head resting on top, eyes fixed on the ceiling- expression unreadable, but Vitali knew he was mostly just trying to catch his breath.
He had punched Matvey. It’d given Vitali a visceral reaction- but he was unsure why.
He kept his eyes on the ripperdoc as the events from earlier began replaying in his head. He did not understand why Matvey had let them walk away again; did not understand why it had been so easy to get him to stop. He doubted Matvey had been so moved by what Vitali had said to him that it had changed his mind- no, it had all been planned, like a game of chess, once again one step ahead of him-
But for what? Why had it been so easy?
Vitali felt his heartbeat begin to speed up again and quickly redirected his attention to the TV, biting the inside of his cheek until he tasted blood. But if anything, it made him feel worse; the news was showing footage of the attacks of earlier that day and his stomach turned.
A fixer, dead. Plenty of mercenaries as well- some well-known names even, though Vitali had not even bothered to ask who the fixer in question was. Nobody on the Council at least- he wouldn’t have stopped hearing about it if so.
He knew Matvey had bigger plans for all of Night City, yet for some reason he still felt responsible. It was still his father, after all- but at the same time his father’s problems with the city were not Vitali’s fault. Not in the slightest.
The others were talking too loud. Too much noise surrounding him- and his breath got caught in his throat and his eyes started burning again, tears welling up in the corners as his environment finally overwhelmed him to the point he felt like he was going to either throw up or pass out.
No situation had ever done this to him before. The aftermath of the Heist came close; yet somehow this was worse, much worse, and drawing comparisons with the failed gig from the year before was not helping either.
‘Vitali? I think you should…turn on the TV for a sec.’
Vitali blinked upon hearing Lauren’s voice and he quickly regained himself, exhaling sharply as he pushed the thoughts out of his head. He walked over to the coffee table, then grabbed the remote and turned up the volume. The second he did, the others all went quiet instantly and directed their attention to it as well.
‘Lauren, what’s happening? Talk to me,’ Vitali said, not patient enough to try and piece the situation together from listening to the reporter.
‘NCPD’s investigating the attacks, MaxTac on the scene as well,’ Lauren quickly replied. ‘Looking into the source of the problem- where the mercs are coming from.’
A silence washed over the room and the puzzle pieces slowly began clicking together in Vitali’s head, and a sharp exhale left his body as he stumbled back until he hit the wall next to the window he’d been standing at.
‘They don’t have much to go on, but the Council does,’ Lauren quietly continued. ‘Pickin’ up chatter from within the network- lots of your old mercenaries, right?’
She did not need to say more, really.
‘They’re tracing the attacks back to you, jefe.’
No.
Vitali shook his head, as if Lauren could see him; as if it would change anything; as if it would set everything right. And he laughed- truly it was just a joke, right? The Council couldn’t really believe that he was behind all this; why would they?
He looked at his friends, and the smile faded from his face. They were all looking at him- some worried- some scared.
Were they scared of him?
‘What are they saying?’ Vitali quietly asked, eyes finding Vincent’s; his boyfriend could not hold his gaze and quickly looked away.
‘Talkin’ about your time with Arasaka. Both when you worked for them, and- last year. I get the sense they don’t know what happened there. Don’t know about the brainwashing.’
‘Rogue knows, she was there!’ A pause, a deep breath. No need to raise his voice. ‘I- I’m sorry. Can you connect me through?’
‘Don’t think so. It’s not a direct connection- just tellin’ you what I’m picking up “he-said-that-she-said” style. I can ping them to arrange a meeting, if you’d like?’
Vitali was no longer able to answer her.
He took everything from us.
He slowly walked forward, eyes still locked on the TV screen as it showed him footage of the burning docks of Wellsprings. Each step he took, his leg protested painfully, and he nearly lost his balance a couple of times.
The Council blaming Vitali for these attacks would have dire consequences for him, and he was well aware. The sole purpose of the gathering of fixers was to ensure the safety of the innocent people of Night City, and if they believed Vitali was behind the attacks they would put a price on his head.
He would lose everything.
‘He isn’t trying to kill you,’ Viktor suddenly quietly said, and Vitali couldn’t stop a single tear from rolling down his cheek.
‘He’s trying to take everything away from you.’
#nuclearwriting#rbs much appreciated :) <3#last chapter of part 2 babey the dots have finally connected >:^)#it's all coming together very nicely if i may say so myself. i am not doing any chapter planning so i'm glad it's working LMAO#that's also why like. if i Do end up being inconsistent a little bit. i'm not planning out any of this i'm just going with it#but i think it's going pretty well! either way. tee hee and so on#viktor my beloved... and [redacted] is here too for a little bit. even though it's not really him anymore#something about vitali at the start of all this wanting to find out who the broker is to deal with the root of the problem#but now he can't pull the trigger. something about that. much to think about#obviously it's because of like. matvey being the broker. but also. does it really take care of the rest of the problem if he kills him?#the mercenaries are still there. will they stop at some point? will they not? what is nadya's role in all of this? and roksana's role?#much to think about!! and all of that will be relevant in part 3 and 4 babey!!!!!#taking a break for a little bit right now to do at least a Little bit of chapter planning because i do want to do this right#there's an interlude between part 2 and 3 maybe i'll write a little timeline summary post for that :) more detes coming soon!#ch:the broker
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Mask On
Synopsis: Chan in a mask. That's it.
Content: dom!Chan x fem!reader, mask kink, mentions of anonymous sex, spanking, daddy kink, unprotected sex (I STG WEAR CONDOMS), reverse cowgirl, pwp.
Word Count: 1.0 k
Author's Notes: Okay so I have a huge mask kink that I will never admit to (except rn Ig?) and SEEING CHAN IN A MASK IN THE TEASER 🗣🗣🗣 I finally got to write around to writing this short fic since I finished that Jeongin fics tee hee. also that angsty fic i'm writing is going to come out after i calm down from losing a lot of my work that i did on it 💀. enjoy !! <3
Taglist: @scribblemetae @mygsis, @9900z @taekbokki,@imtoooyoungforthisshit, @jihanlovic
Chris panted for breath beneath the black fabric. Condensation had built against his face and it had become a battle trying to gulp down air. The soaked cloth clung to his skin and, though he was otherwise completely naked, the mask made him feel like he was suffocating. Nevertheless, it remained on. He didn't dare take it off; not when he knew how it made you think, not when he knew how much you liked it.
"Fucking ride it, y/n," he groaned out in a low voice, holding your hips as he watched your ass bounce on his cock. "You t-take it so well, baby."
"Only for Daddy," you whimpered, "only take Daddy's cock like this." You were pained that you couldn't see his face right now with your back to him. However, even if you turned around, you knew that you couldn't see anything but his dark eyes as the rest was obstructed by his black mask. But that was what you wanted to see: the obstructed face of a masked man attached to the chiselled body of your boyfriend, slicked in sweat.
You didn't know exactly why you liked men in masks. Maybe all that shit on Tik Tok about fucking boys in Ghostface masks from Scream, Mandalorian helmets from Star Wars, or in the mask Ghost wire in COD had permeated your subconscious and brainwashed you. Maybe it was because masks gave Chan a sense of anonymity, like you were just fucking a stranger for fun who couldn't care less about you. Or, possibly, it created a separation in intimacy and granted Chris greater authority over you, like he was a faceless God who you could not read and, in turn, had no power over. Or, most likely, you just liked to fuck the faceless body of your boyfriend and use him as your own personal dildo. Either way, the mask always managed to change Chris just as much as it aroused you. It made him cool and collected and, consequently, made you seem even more desperate and needy.
There was just something about masks that did it for you and you couldn't ever figure it out. To be fair, you didn't really need to know why that mask made you want to be fucked until you passed out. You just know that you like Chris and that you like masks, so it didn't take a mathematician to figure out that you liked to fuck Chris in a mask. Plus, the situation became even more intoxicating when he let you call him Daddy when wearing a mask while he sinks his fat cock into you and makes you cum multiple times.
What could you say? You had the best boyfriend.
"Take Daddy's cock, baby," he whispered cooly, voice muffled from the moist material and heavy breathing. "Work for it. Make me cum into the perfect pussy of my pretty girl." His sweet words were quickly contrasted by a particularly harsh smack to your ass, leaving a red handprint on the squishy flesh. To please the man below you, you bounced harder on his length, your thighs burning from the act. Chan—even in this state of utter bliss and dominance—noticed and tightened his grip on your hips, guiding you up and down his heavy cock and forcing you to the hilt with every stroke.
"D-don't slow down," he growled, "Don't you dare fucking stop." His words made you whimper, dying to slow down despite the impertinent need to continue until you came at least thrice more and were filled with his cum.
"Chris, it's too much, I—fuck!"
Noticing your slowing pace, Chris began upwardly thrusting into you, fucking his cock up into your cunt and making you hum with each bounce. His hands dug into the flesh of your hips to ground himself, occasionally separating from you just so he could lay another slap on your ass before resuming his harsh hold on you with added gusto. With each thrust, he was practically lifting you up and pulling you down onto his cock, not daring to let up the pace. As his tip began to kiss your cervix and leak precum, you arched your back and fell forward, leveraging your hips to bounce eagerly and meet his thrusts halfway.
Despite your exhaustion, you dared not stop; you felt too good to allow your exertion to consume you. With your next orgasm fast approaching, your cunt tightened around Chan's cock and hugged it, urging him to finish inside and fill you up. Chris, however, gave no indication that he was approaching his climax. This is what the mask did to him: it stripped him of all weakness and made him edgier, with no mercy as his domineering side consumed him. He became a dom in a way you had never experienced when he was completely naked. It was as if the mask allowed him a separation from you, as if it made him more primal and allowed him to hide his (usually humiliating) level of neediness for you. While it allowed him to conceal his carnality, it only exacerbated your embarrassing desperation for him.
Since the mask was only for special occasions, you knew that you needed to get your fill of this Chan. You were determined to finish in this position just so you could turn around and continue face-to-face with him, allowing his cold gaze to lock eyes with you as you feebly rode his dick. Yet, while you would fall apart on him, Chris would just study you riding him, as if his eyes were saying all that needed to be told.
Maybe that was why you liked masks so much: just as much as the mask itself turned you on, what really made it complete was what it did to Chan.
"Ride it harder, y/n," he growled through the sweat and slobber-soaked fabric. "Maybe, if you fuck me right, I might just let you see my face when I fuck my cum into you when you're too exhausted to keep going."
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Loop Number 3
(You look awful.)
(No, really, you look absolutely terrible. You're in the bathroom looking at yourself in the mirror. Baggy eye, hair's a mess, You somehow look even paler than normal.)
(You were forced back to front suddenly. You were around that morning chatting with Isa and the others, things got blurry after that. You do remember some things, but not really remember, more just know. You know that you and Odile went to the library again, found some things on wishes, Bonnie ran to them... And then... Then... Then you woke up again!)
(You looped again.)
(Would this make it loop three then? Tee-hee~)
(... Eugh...)
(Either way, looping back a second time had drained you a lot. You had to run to the bathroom to throw up, probably woke everyone up in the process.)
(Oh Stardust where aaaare youuuuu~)
"You alright, Sif?"
(It was Isabeau, that wonderful Defender. Maybe you could have hid your condition if you hadn't been so loud, but no chance about it now. They've all been much more perceptive of you.)
"Never better, Isa!" (You said, your words dripping with sarcasm. You hoped for a chuckle. He didn't.)
"Well, if you need a hand or, or if I need to get you anything, just let me know okay?"
(You breathe in, and out.)
(Eugh...)
(After gathering yourself, you leave the bathroom. Isa was waiting by the door, instantly springing into Isabeau-like action.)
"Sif! Are you sure you're alright?" (He leaned down to your level. You could hear a sizzling from distant cooking. The others were deffinatly up already.) "I was about to get out of bed and I heard you, uh-"
"I'm fine Isabeau" (You said with a smile.) "I'm just a little... I just had a nightmare is all!"
(Stars, you were trying to think of a pun! And you couldn't! Oh you were loosing your touch alright, and now Isabeau was looking at you even MORE concerned.)
"... If you want to talk about it we can."
"Nope!" (You say, almost on instinct.) "Just some loopy stuff, not that bad, I'll meet you for breakfast!"
(Smooth, Loop. You really made him feel reassured. You waved and walked away back to your room to get properly dressed. It took a minute, but you got your old outfit together, hat included. Isabeau was able to make you a replacement after Siffrin lost yours. Not that Siffrin wore it much these days, but you still liked it. It was more yours than his now.)
(You met up with your party for breakfast. Quesadillas, same as last loop. They were pretty good. Good morning, How are you feeling Siffrin, oh I'm feeling great, what's for breakfast? Etc. you could feel yourself zoning out already.)
"You sure you're alright?" (Nille asked, handing you a plate and taking a seat. Alright, maybe things were a bit different this loop) "Can't go investigating when your sick."
"Oh it's nothing." (You say with a smile. Please be convincing.)
"That's not very convincing, Siffrin." (Odile was glaring you from behind her book.)
(You wince, you were out of practice.) "is it convincing enough to eat breakfast first?"
(Nille chuckled at that, Odile huffed. Isabeau chuckled too, but his heart wasn't in it.)
(Ouch...)
(You take a bite out of your quesadilla. Nice and cheesy, as tasty as last time)
(Why ARE we keeping it a secret anyway?)
(Oh good morning to you too stardust~)
(Hey Loop. What happened to us? I only have bits and pieces.)
(Oh quite a bit, but our dear third friend isn't sharing some of the details, tee hee~)
(In the time it took for you to take a bite of your breakfast to putting it back on the plate, you had already told Siffrin as much as you knew happened at the library. One of the advantages of sharing a head, information doesn't need to travel far.)
(So, should we keep this a secret?)
(That's your choice, stardust~)
(... You breath in, and out.)
"Ok! I can talk about it now." (You say with a smile.)
"After one bite?"
"It was a very good bite, tee hee~"
(Another look from Odile. You don't go tee hee, remember? A few moments later, Bonnie came through and sat down as well, having finished whatever was being done in the kitchen, Mirabelle joined soon after. They were all looking at you.)
(How do we do this...)
(We could be a bit cheeky about it.)
(Cheeky?)
(Cheeky. You lean back, trying to look as relaxed as possible.) "We shouldn't bother with the library, it wasn't very useful~"
(Their looks changed from concern to confusion, and very quickly to realization.)
"You looped again!?!?" (Mirabelle exclaimed.)
"Maybe."
"What happened?! Are you hurt? Did you get attacked?!? Or maybe-"
(You reach over and put a finger over Isabeau panicking mouth.) "I'll get to that, Beau~"
"Slip on a fruit peel again?" (Bonny said, smugly. You shouldn't have told them that part. You roll your eyes.)
"I'll look for one of those next time." (You paused for the chorus of "No!!!" From your party before continuing.) "Well, if you must know this is the second time we've done today. Me and Odile went to the library, and you four to the defenders."
(You tried to keep your smile going.) "We didn't find much, and something happened at the defenders, because Bonnie came running to us."
"... And..?" (Odile prompted you to continue.)
(We're, doing better at this and I expected.)
(Oh Stardust please, I'm sick to my stomach right now.)
"... Mirabelle was being framed for trying to kidnap Bonnie. Stars knows why."
"!?!?!?"
"I- I wouldn't do that!!! Why would they-"
"THAT'S CRABBING STUPID!!!"
"Language!"
"There must have been some kind of mistake!"
(You nod) "that's why we're all going there together today."
"Are you sure that's smart?" (Nille looked doubtful.) "If it goes bad then we'll all be in one place to get caught. Or.."
"Then I'll just loop back again, simple!"
(That didn't seem to relax Nille as much as you thought.)
(. . . She'll be fine.)
"As long as you know you can loop back." (Odile commented.) "That might also be why you've been so sick these past two days."
"Oh! That's right!! The Head Housemaiden did say using a lot of crafts can make you sick." (Mirabelle was thinking.) "And if time craft is supposed to be impossible it could be really draining you!"
"Not like I should be able to use it still anyways." (You say, slightly dejected. You were supposed to be DONE with the Universes silly little game.)
"But you can like, control now, right?" (Bonnie chimed in, curious.) "I mean not like forever school, now its like, like being able to take a big test again, but you don't need to keep doing it!"
(You all chuckle at that.) "Yeah, I guess it's like that."
(Even though you shouldn't have any more tests left.)
#OHG THIS TOOK TOO LONG IM SORRY#adhd meds ran out#anyway#isat au#isat#isat art#isat fanart#in stars and time#siffrin system au#art#sifstem#isat siffrin#au#isat loop#isat mirabelle#isat isabeau#isat nille#isat bonnie#isat odile
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Entrail of faith — König x f!reader
part 2!!!!!!!! part 2 part 2 part 2!!!
pt.1 is here
I would like to state that I'm literally just throwing myself into this and letting the thoughts blurb; so if it seems messy, loose, or unorganized its bc I am trying my best :) sorry in advance for anything that may seem plot-holey, geographically incorrect, etc. please feel free to comment on my use of language, setting, wtv— I love feedback and want you guys to enjoy it!!!
this one is also a bit longer tee-hee, and also more revoling around you!
cw: more of konig being a stalker, more talk of kidnap and the like, very brief mention of a daddy kink/use of daddy as a title (its more of a sugar baby kinda way, but hes also just gross), he wants to take full advantage of you, he is very nasty but he loves you so :3
no sex.. yet.
You were a smart girl, but maybe if you were a smarter girl, you wouldn't find yourself staring at an empty message log— thumbs dancing over the screen while you gnaw, and gnaw, and gnaw at that pretty lower lip.
It's insane of you, you think. Giving salt to the interest of a stranger, a man who was clearly dangerous— could so obviously kill you given the chance— one you'd caught glances of during your shifts, always seeming to show up only when you work.. But— Christ.
The years had not been kind, and being a girl settling into her early twenties, a totally foreign land to start a new life in— not a single soul to keep her warm— well, it embeds a certain sense of desperation. Perfect for men like König. Who, of course, could barely handle a woman under any legitimate means.
Inexperience dripped off of you like a waning ooze, glistening with incompetence for what you could be experiencing— a misted perfume that engulfed you, an aura that "spooked" most anyone anywhere near your age. It kept you at lengthy reach from others, and plastic toys had become your only solace in the pariah'ed life you've lived.
Not him, though, it drew him in— and he could taste it on his tongue, swirl it against his gums and swallow like the loveliest shot of Jager. You would be his favorite spirit to indulge in, and all you needed to do was speak.
He already knew your name, of course he did; so when you texted him— confirming that, yes, this was the cute girl from the diner, and frivolously providing your sweet name in your fluster— it didn't surprise him, but it did make him purr with satisfaction. You were so much closer now, so much easier to bend to his will than you could imagine.
Retirement wouldn't be too bad, it seemed.
Perfect, actually, when he really thought about it. Enough savings in the bank to keep him comfortable until he died of old age, or took an unexpected bullet in the neck; and with the added addition of you? Oh, he was going to bask in heaven's light every night. God had sent him his very own angel— maybe he'd pray, just to say thanks.
He wasn't worried about you not liking him— no, not a bit. It wasn't a choice in his mind, either you liked him, or you didn't… and what he had in mind for if you didn't — well.. it was a particularly nasty thing, and he certainly wasn't bringing it up in therapy. Lest he enjoy the comfort of a solitary, padded room with a jacket to match his confinement— maybe even a damp cell, if they felt so generous.
He was going to have you, whether he had to chain you up in his basement, chain you to his bed post, adorn you with a proximity collar— it didn't. matter.
He was going to have you, and you would have him— a smart girl like you would understand, right? He only wants what's best for you.
That's why he followed you home tonight. Silly girl, don't you know you should take the trolley? There's so many bad, scary men out here— you're lucky he watches your every step, and memorizes the direct path to your home from the shadows, someone could hurt you, sweet girl— and he'd have to make a mess, just for you.
He even watched as you poised your fingers to text him, that sharp sight was a blessing— and observing you as you gnaw at your bottom lip until it swelled was stored into a deep, dark part of his mind for later. Ever still, he found it so amusing how oblivious you were— you should really scan your surroundings more.
Though, when he made it to your home— he found a deep frown tugging at him. Oh, this simply would not do. This was not the place to be for his princess, his darling girl— no, not at all.
This rundown complex was much too grimy for one as stunning as you, everything paled in comparison to you— of course it did, nothing mattered like you— but this was just.. sad, nobody as lovely as you deserved to be so impoverished. The dappled foundation, the assumed stench of cigarettes that must cling to the walls within— he had to get you out of there, and fast.
He almost considered marching in right then, ripping you from the safety of your supposed "home"— but he knew better of it. You needed to be won delicately, you were so sweet, but wracked with nerves like a stumbling fawn— one wrong move, a step too quick, and you'd bolt— he could smell fear, and you held it like a cross to bear. That didn't keep him from feeling angry, however.
He was going to pray, offer thanks, but not anymore. No gracious lord would allow such divinity to suffer like this— no self-proclaimed "God of Man" would allow their subject to wallow in such filth. His sweet girl, he was going to give you much more— so much more than this. He would do what God had failed to. He would help you to understand the divinity of man— and what he had to offer. Father was roiling in his grave at the sacrilege.
That was a nice piece to chew on as he walked back to his car— of course he parked elsewhere, home was much too far to walk from— stuck in a wish-washy daydream of you worshipping him, kneeled at his feet and devoted just as you should be. He'd make it better, he'd make it all better, you need only give him time.
— What are you doing tomorrow night, maus?
He texts, already churning with ideas. Most of them are to capture you, of course, but we've established this— we can't do this. However, he is on the more mundane side of things, wondering how he can somehow pay your rent for a few months— or atleast until he can coax you out of that fucking hellscape in the worst part of town. Regardless, totally normal, gentleman-like, things.
— I work a shift from 17:30-21:00 tmrw night :( but I'll be free after work!!
You're even cute with the way you text, so fitting of you— it makes him chuckle, especially with how quickly you'd replied. In his mind, you're hovering over the phone, jumping at every notification in hopes of it being him.
— No worries, little one, I'd like for you to get your rest. Maybe I could walk you home tomorrow, get to know each other?
He's as articulate as ever, feeling as if you'd appreciate his use of grammar and pronunciation— he hopes you read books, he'd buy you a million books, make you read to him while he bounced you on his knee— maybe you'd call him daddy, if he spoiled you enough. He had so many plans for you, it almost made his head hurt, though his cock absorbed most of his rushing blood.
— That would be lovely :)
It would be, wouldn't it? He'd already walked you home now, you just hadn't known it (you'd never know,) and he'd be able to spend tomorrow evening staring at you the whole time— hence why he memorized the path, and for.. other reasons; but those weren't currently relevant, now were they?
— Good. See you then, Engel.
He could see you now, punching these little nicknames into a poorly guided translator— the blush smattering across your soft little cheeks, your eyes creasing as you couldn't help that smile— God, even the small things about you made his palms itch. He was so excited to have you, hold you, touch and use you when he got close enough. It wouldn't be long now.
He was always so good at planning things.
-
The following evening was a rampage. A festival, perhaps, had ripped through the small town— something about music, either way, the streets were eruptive with fervor.
You, just starting out here, are not well accustomed to this area's cultures— and when the café becomes swamped? Well, you're definitely fritzing for some form of substance. Anything to keep a smile on your face while grown adults trash your place of work, and the surrounding area, in a drunken wake. For crying out loud, you barely knew the language here, and people tend to forget any English instruction they've had once a fiery drink hits their system.
Austria. It'd be the death of you.
Forced to close early due to the mess— much to the dismay of drunk, middle-aged men looking for something greasy to fill their maws— the last hour of your day was spent putting a rag to the wall, the floors, the windows; anything your mind could think of, it had to be cleaned. Tired was an understatement, and 'aching' could not be a severe enough adjective for the sensation settling in your joints.
Maybe if you were a more aggressive person, you'd take it out on your manager. Take a bottle of bleach and splash it in his eyes, maybe a bit of strangulation— that was always on the forefront of your concious— and especially now, as he stood outside and lackadaisically sweeped at the "dirty" corner the building sat on. The lazy fuck, can't even make a proper payroll— the bleach sounded a bit more enticing.
You of course shove these thoughts into the supply closet, along with all the other cleaning products that had been collected from their strewn about positions across the diner. It was almost time to go home, maybe ten minutes or so— and you were getting paid for your last hour, come hell or high water. Rent didn't pay itself, and you almost wish you hadn't treated yourself last night to delivery with that tip König slipped to you— could've been handy.
If only you knew how he was itching to have you practically keep his wallet, you'd find out soon anyways.
You stood behind the bar, leaned into it with a placid expression on your face— slumped and tired, and there was no taming your hair. You partially wanted to cancel the little walk you had so eagerly agreed too, but thought better of it— exhaustion ate at you, however, almost in an irritable sense. The urge to cancel just got stronger, and stronger.
Until he was spotted down the street, that almost completely soured your mood— had not the very sight of him set your pulse to palpitate uncomfortably quick. You took a minute to really observe him, at least from a far. He was giant, no doubt about it— regardless of your size or shape, he dwarfed you, and he didn't have to be up close and personal to tell.
His face was mostly obscured, little black mask hanging across his features— this time around though, no sunglasses to hide his eyes— you were fluttering with excitement at the thought of someone's eyes, Jesus, you're kinda weird. Desperate girl, aren't you?
Regardless, he seemed a bit more.. exposing of himself— and, he was here before the agreed time, like an actual fucking man would do.
Huh, maybe the big giant wasn't a bad choice.
Maybe you just didn't know him well enough.
— Schatz! Nice to see you..
He was warm, inviting. If you didn't have sense in your head, you'd climb into his strong-looking arms, beg him to carry you home like a whiny child— of course, you didn't. Only offering him a smile, and taking his arm as he offered it— the sight making your heart stir a little more.
— Nice to see you too, König. I hope it wasn't too much trouble getting here, I know it's a mess out here right now.
You laugh, but you feel almost guilty for making him come all this way. Yes, he offered, yes, he came here anyways— but Innsbruck during a music festival wasn't exactly.. controlled, and he didn't seem to be the type to like crowds. Something you understood, and sensed very quickly.
— Nonsense, even more of a reason for me to accompany you, little one. Keep you safe.
He gives your arm a squeeze with his free hand, it's soft, gentle— so unexpected from hands that looked as if they could rip your throat out. A frisson of heat creeped it's way up your spine. You'd never been the type to depend on someone, or need someone— but hearing him speak that way.. it was definitely flipping some form of switch inside you.
— You're very kind.
You hum in response, taking a step closer to him as you walked— and he kept his eyes on you the whole time, the route burned into his mind. Though, your phrase did not fall on deaf ears— and he had to keep himself from shoving his tongue down your throat right there— you cannot say things like that to him, you are too good and pure.
— To you, at the very least.
— Why's that?
— Why not?
Banter could be good for the soul, and you almost felt desperate when he looked down to you— eyes creasing from what could only be a smirk. You felt flustered under his gaze, small and compact, but.. safe. Watched over, and protected.
Something about his eyes, his demeanor— the way he so graciously walked you along and made sure you didn't step on a single crack or bump in the sidewalk— it tip, tip, tipped you over into a fuzzy headspace you hadn't felt before. Something small, something compact, something malleable.
— Dunno. Men aren't usually kind.
— Boys, then. You are much too beautiful to be handled by a boy.
You cocked a brow at his statement, an amused chuckle leaving your tired lips. He was a strange man, no doubt caring, but even you could tell he harbored things— kept himself from saying and doing things that might be taken incorrectly, or be downright abhorrent. You should be afraid of him, you should run for the hills and scream for help, you should sense the predator who already has his claws dug deep into your skin.
But you don't, and you don't think you ever would.
Call it string theory, call it hope, call it desperation or an offered entrail— but you placed faith in him, praying that he wouldn't make decorations of your guts— because something more spoke to you, something outside of the two of you held you together steadfast. Mother had always told you to heed universal implications.
— Are you from around here, König?
— Nein, places like this..? eh, not my style. The mountains are much quieter, prettier.
Just how far had this guy traveled? Innsbruck had mountains, yeah, but it wasn't the most secluded of places— quiet didnt exist here. You had to gauge that maybe he blew in from Salzburg, it got less noisy and more rocky the further you went along the North chain. Either way, it was clear to you now that he wasn't just strolling about, he definitely had an agenda.
— Mm. Quite right, starting to regret settling down in such a busy area. I've always enjoyed the quiet.
— Agreed.. What brings you to Austria, Maus?
A good question, a fine one. You didn't know, you got a lump sum from a dead relative— and took off running. America never suited you, and the country was falling to ruins; what would you have stayed for?
— Something refreshing.
— ..And that is..?
— Sights, sounds, self-recognition- I'm unsure, but it's better than home.
He seemed to understand that, a knowing hum vibrating through the berth of his chest. He curled your arm closer to his body, your hip brushing against him as he took an even, slow pace— clearly difficult for him, but you could only move so fast.
The closeness felt nice in that moment, like it was unnecessary to share words— just enough had been said. It was a different sensation flowing through you. Yes, to be frank, you'd been lusting over him since he gave you his number— a little attention can go a long way— but it was different. That feeling of safety was blanketed with another— familiarity.
— Any family, libeling?
— Estranged, haven't spoken to them in years.
Another knowing hum, but it was followed by an amused sound— a chuckle. If the melancholy of the fact hadn't been refreshed, the sound would've made you pounce like a starved animal. He was attractive as all hell— and you didn't even need to see his full face.
— What's funny?
You try not to sound offended, you aren't, not really. Though, his amusement is of interest to you.
— Nothing, I assure you. It just seems that you and I are very similar. You are an interesting little thing.
— Ha! I'm as face value as they come, I promise you that.
— Don't be so humble, it's unnecessary for a lovely girl like you. I'll be the judge of that.
It was almost as if he was scolding you, but you brushed it off with an amused huff of air— leaning into his shoulder as he walked you along. You could stop his heart with such a thing, you saw him so much differently than others, didn't you? What a rare girl you were.
He wound an arm over your shoulder, pulling you into him. He was surprised by his own boldness, but the energy you held was so.. comforting, something in his core shook at the sensation— like a blockage finally being relieved. It could only get sweeter when you returned the gentle grasp, slipping an arm over his slender back.
— I.. this made my night better. Thank you.
You blushy little angel, of course, of course, anything for you. Oh, he needed to give you the world. He'd start a war for you— his very own Helen of Troy.
— Of course, sweet girl. Need to make sure you get home safe and happy, ja?
You laugh and squeeze his side, and he's pushing down another round of nasty thoughts like burning tequila. You have him chomping at the bit for every artifice of your affection.
— Such a gentleman..
— As I was raised to be, Schatz.
It burns him when he has to drop you off at that complex.. again. He wants nothing more than to take you home, invite you to a bed much-too-big, suffocate you in thread counts your wallet couldn't fathom— but it was much too soon, and you were much too angelic for him to ever want to spook you.
It burns you in turn, looking up at him with a shy smile. You want to invite him in, have him over for the night— but it seems you both agree on the terms of "much too soon", and you can't help but feel insecure at the.. state.. of your livingspace. It's nothing lavish, and it's moorish— maybe some other time.
— We should do this again.. I enjoyed this.
— I agree, liebling. Let me know when you work next, hm? Or maybe when you're free, I'll come visit you.
He made you feel as blushy as a school-girl, like you were a gift wrapped in fine bows just for him.
— I'll send you my schedule.
— Guten Mädchen.. I'll see you later then.
And, as if the gods had their hands on your shoulders, he leaned in— pulling his mask down just enough to kiss the top of your head before swiftly moving it back into place, and giving your cheek a quick brush with his thumb. Your skin was on fire, that cheek was never getting washed again.
Good fucking God, coming undone at the smallest touch, are we?
— Goodnight-! Get home safe..
He was already halfway down the block, damn, he's fast.
You're already getting obsessed, damn, he's good.
#konig x reader#könig cod#cod mwii#Cod#könig mw2#könig modern warfare#König my beloved#My nasty man#the only guy ever#chorizoaspeaks#f!reader#reooreewww I want him
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I love ur AU idea so much!!! Do u think u can teach me the ways of sonic fan art o wise one 🥹!
thank you!!! (!!)
boy i dont know if i should be pained that you asked this question ( I Am A Bad Teacher) or glad ( i actually have something to say)
so if you dont know, im a very new sonic fan. i've been drawing sonic stuff since august. Before this i had never drawn sonic before. like drew exclusively human people. this means that learning to draw sonic was a learning experience for me for sure.
so assuming you were asking for advice, im putting it all under a read more since it is a little longer than i intended. tee hee (also sorry if the advice is a little too basic! this is from when i first started drawing sonic stuff so)
now before i start like. i am not a professional by any means, i don't have the secrets of art, etc etc. you decide what you like in your art and my guidelines might not always apply to you, if at all. your art style is yours first, and you pick the rules.
alright! the first thing i had to figure out (and tbh still am) is proportions! having mostly drawn humans and having developed my entire art style around drawing people, sonic proportions threw me for a loop. i was almost. ALMOST tempted to try to adapt with what i already had.
the issue with that is that human proportions and sonic proportions are wildly different like. these are not compatible.
(also say hi to my oc! hi Eira!)
the proportions for sonic are, naturally, very cartoony. trying to give them more realistic proportions can make everything feel off and well... think about the og model for the sonic movie. overall when i draw sonic character (this varies!!) the head is either larger or equal to the torso. hand and feet are a oversized and eyes are. big. the short of this is study the proportions of a character! see how certain part of their body compare and don't be afraid to try a new style!
another thing i learned is for drawing their. uh. muzzles? face circles? idk. the part where their sily mouths and noses go. that part. the basic shape of them is like. an oval with three bumps on the top. like this:
when i first tried drawing sonic i noticed this right away and. stuck to it. too much. but it doesn't always look like that! there are a lot of things that can change its shape such as perspective, expression and, obviously, the character.
perspective can mess with how prominent those bumps are, as well as the shape of the oval, based on the angle.
expression will push and stretch this shape with the mouth (thinnk about how your cheeks move when you move your mouth!)
characters can have different shapes as well!! knuckles muzzle (the big bump) is more prominent when i draw him, because his snout is longer. i also draw tails with little sharper of a bump, not that its super noticeable
this is a super specific thing to talk about but im saying because it applies everywhere. nothing is going to be 100% static so have specific rules about how something looks isnt going to help you with drawinf the characters in new and dynamic poses. their eyes, bodies, ears, etc etc etc all move and are affected by movement. its a lot to think about at first, but work on understanding it all one at a time, then practice it in combo!
finally, since this is already so long, the tried and true and frankly mildly annoying piece of advice:
practice!! give yourself time to adapt to drawing the characters!! just by drawing them you'll see the way it looks evolve over time, from habit and from integrating new details and new ways of approaching it.
for reference, one of the earliest drawings of sonic in my sketchbook (Aug. 13) and one i did a few hours ago!
these were done ehhhhh 2 months ago????? has it been that much already?
point is: these are very different drawings, which comes from experience. i experimented a lot and also have years of drawing experience under my belt, so it came pretty quickly for me. its still not perfect, but via studying the characters (or spending all my time staring at silver idk its the same thing to me) and pulling at details from styles i like, i definitely have been and will continue to improve!
i hope this is helpful in some way, to how you draw the characters and how you approach art in general!! i also hope that this was clear enough guidance since it was just me talking about things i did for the entire time lmfao.
#aughhhh this took so long to make#anyways ive never done advice like this before so like idkkkk#i have a drawing of sonic in eiras proportions btw. it was#well it was weird i didnt add it because he scwares me : (#sonic#sonic the hedgehog#sth#ask#pepperpup111#sonic artventure
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hiihelloo hehe umm angst 49 (“Why did you have to go and fall in love with me?”) or general 26 (“I can’t leave.”) miragehound 😁😁😁whichever one works best for u !!!
Uhm tee hee 😊. it took me a while but uh here's this for the angst one.
TW: Description of Wounds; Major character death; hurt no comfort; and ambiguous endings.
3.6k words; deathbed confessions; rated between T and M for the wounds thing
AO3 link / Prompt List
----------------
The respawn tech had been visibly down for hours. Most of the other tech had been visibly down for hours, also.
It started when the ring flickered, and then blinked out entirely. Then the towers around the island, distant in the waters on pontoons, their flashing lights turned off. The electrical fence system around the arena was down.
But there were real animals out there. When it wasn't in use, the island served as a sort of habitat for some of the animals, prowlers and flyers that could return once the fences turned off. The fences were off now. All of them. And the real animals were returning. Bloodhound had given him a hard look when they saw that.
Both Mirage and Bloodhound could still use some of their abilities, but the effectiveness was reduced. His decoys flickered out of existence only moments after they were summoned. The rain cut through them so quickly that their damage counters would max out fast enough anyways. Bloodhound's scans were still functional, only mildly messed with by the weather. Without the Comms however they were useless for anyone else and the built in detectors for Comms of other players were useless.
On top of everything, not even speaking about the storm quickly moving in, the arena had been picked clean. It wasn't the final round yet when the ring shut itself off, but it was close. Very few people were left and even less supplies. Mirage had given up on trying to find ammo or even guns to swap with; instead just using his decoys to get as close possible and then using a few sneaky punches.
Well and then the ring was gone. The shooting stopped pretty quickly after that. It was a sign that something was really really wrong.
"Hold, I hear movement outside."
Mirage stopped and leaned against the wall. It didn't take long for him to start slumping down it, searching for some sort of relief.
"Well? Are you going to scan or are you going to go out there?"
"Or we can listen for a moment longer and I will decide." They stated daggers at him. Through the chip in one of their goggles, Mirage could see that it wasn't just an imagined glaring either.
He tried to steady his breathing so it'd be as non intrusive as possible. Mirage had already been chastised for trying to hold his breath instead, which apparently was worse. Who was he to doubt the person who didn't have a big prowler bite taken out of them, especially when he did?
"I believe it is another prowler." Bloodhound sounded weary. He couldn't blame them.
"Should we just wait for it to move on?" He glanced through one of the glass sections on the door and was a little disappointed to not see anything. "It'd be acting a lot different if it was actually trying to eat us."
"I have no wish to waste more bullets on a stray animal. ... Perhaps we should rest on the second floor." Bloodhound turned enough to look him over, except they started out looking to high up.
Elliott would have laughed if he couldn't feel blood still slowly oozing out of his wound.
"Can I … Shall I just carry you up?"
Mirage looked down at himself and then up the staircase he'd been sitting on. "Only if you let us rest here. I don't need to feel this open all the way up again."
"We are still so far away from highest points.“ Bloodhound took a deep breath, thinking. “I am unsure if we would survive storm waves here."
He didn't have the strength, and he knew they didn't have the strength or supplies to care for them both. "If you insist you won't leave me behind, just, please, give me a few minutes to rest. Fifteen at most. Promise."
“I will not be leaving you behind, Mirage. I have told you many times today.” They knelt down and did their best to scoop him up. With how tight the staircase was, Mirage just pulled his limbs in and did his best to not react when he was bumped into a wall.
The wood that made up the building felt sturdy, but it didn’t really look like it, when he was laid down on top of it. Not having to move was delightful though, at least as delightful it could be with his injuries.
“How do you think everyone else is doing?” They’d been approaching a firefight when the ring went out. The previous fight they had been in had just ended a few minutes before hand.
Bloodhound moved one of the tarps so it would better cover the window. “I am unsure. I wish we had not been separated. It would increase our own chances for survival.”
“I’m sure that the people from that last fight are fine. We totally got rid of them before the respawn stuff went down.” Elliott tried his best to reassure them.
Bloodhound had been the one to finish Fuse off. He knew that would be weighing hard on them. It was weighing hard enough on him that he heard Rampart’s ultimate gun fire in the distance as the ring went down, and suddenly cut off. Even though he hadn’t been involved, none of the potential outcomes felt particularly good. Either she had … well she had killed one of their peers for real, or she had been killed. He did not like those ideas, since he felt responsible for the gear head.
If only the lights would turn back on. That was his biggest hope. That the lights would turn back on, they’d be pulled out of the arena before the storm hit, and everyone would be fine.
Mirage leaned his head back against the wall to rest. The time seemed to drift by, probably. He wasn't paying attention. A prowler had snuck up on the pair of them and without anything else to do, Mirage had fired.
That first prowler was dealt with pretty easily. But the sound called over others, the rest of the group. Did prowlers have Prides? Whatever, it caused an explosion of prowlers to come over and the pair of them were nearly overwhelmed.
Bloodhound had managed to take them out, but a prowler had bit through one of their gloves, and damaged one of the tubes from their respirator meanwhile Mirage had taken the brunt of the damage. A few solid bites were waylaid to him in a few different places. As far as he was aware, the spot he was outright missing parts of himself was on his middle torso. Everywhere else it had just been a little 'teeth-in' tasting before Bloodhound saved him.
His scarf had been sacrificed to the bandaging effort, as well as all of the bandages in the few health kits the two had been carrying. They’d found enough tape in them to patch the holes on Bloodhound’s tubing but it was tight. There wasn’t quite enough to go around, and there certainly wasn’t enough to keep Mirage’s wound fresh.
So all in all they were whatever just below ‘managing it’ was. Mirage’s sight swam when he moved too fast to it wasn’t surprising that his thought process was starting to go too. How much longer before he bled out? The thought was grim.
“Your fifteen minutes are up.”
Bloodhound was kneeling beside him, their gaze steely through their cracked and broken goggles. “It is time to go, Mirage.”
It took a moment for him to really recognize what they were saying. “Has it … Was that fifteen minutes, already?”
“Indeed. We cannot afford to wait any longer.” They glanced at one of the windows that they had covered with tarps. “The rain is already starting.”
He sighed. “Okay. Okay, let me get up.” The pain, which had been a dull ache before became a stabbing pain and he groaned as he fell beck to the floor. “O-okay. Okay, not uh. Not that.”
Mirage’s lungs were nearly empty, each word removing all of it. Moving was not in the cards. At least not him getting himself moving.
“How much do we have to move?”
Bloodhound looked back towards the window. “Perhaps another four or five hundred metres? But it is uphill, so it may feel like longer…”
“No, no!” Mirage started and then winced as he pushed it too far. “I meant -, uch, ouch. I meant like, how badly do we have to move?”
They turned back to him, silent for a long moment. “… Your wound is getting worse, is it not?”
He gave them a bit of a crooked grin. “How can you tell?”
“I cannot be sure, but I … I believe we will be caught in the flooding and the tide if we do not move uphill.”
Eyes slipping closed, Mirage sighed. “I’m gonna be honest, Houndie. I don’t think I can do that.”
“I will then carry you. We must get moving.” He could feel their hands worming under where he was reclining. “The weather will only get worse from here.”
He forced his eyes open and watched them for a moment before raising and rest a hand on the side of their face. He could see them watching him with almost worry.
“Hound. This is Elliott talking. Not Mirage, alright? No jokes here. I don’t think I can do that.” He coughed, covering it with a hand, and wasn’t surprised to see a faint pink colour to his hand.
“Then I will just carry you,” they responded sharply. “You will not convince me not to … Elliott.”
He shrugged, or as close as he could to it. His strength was fading. And he liked how it sounded when they said his name. “Alright … how are you picking me up?”
They finished looking out the window and came to crouch in front of him before turning around. “Come, climb.” They turned to glance at him over their shoulder.
Elliott wondered if the edges of the goggles blocked out their vision of him.
“… Elliott. We must go.”
He sighed, internally. It didn’t really seem worth it. If Hound left on their own now, they would no doubt make it up to the highest part of the Island, likely long before the brunt of the storm hit. But they were stubborn. He hadn’t convinced them yet, and he’d been trying since they used the last of the medical items on him.
They were stubborn. Elliott relented and did his best to climb forward onto their back.
Bloodhound hooked their arms under his knees and carefully stood. “… You can rest again, now.”
Elliott rested his cheek on their shoulder. The slight wobble in his vision magnified as they started walking, so he closed his eyes. Hurling on a fellow legend, during a life or death emergency, especially when it was Bloodhound was a fate worse than death. He could say that with the certainty that he was already dying.
The wind was picking up speed already, and he could feel it immediately when they left the building. It chilled him through to the bone. In a few places, it probably would be just millimeters away from hitting bone already.
When the rain shifted from it’s usual barely there, warm sprinkle into something much colder and much faster, he shivered. Elliott’s chest remained warm, feeding off of Hound’s body heat. He stayed quiet, just trying not to be in their way or cause them more trouble as they hiked up the poorly maintained road up the hill.
The swaying was sort of similar to being on a boat. He tried to find some sort of comfort in that, despite the cold and the pain and the s-
He scrambled to grab their jacket with his hands as Bloodhound almost went down. “Are you - are, are we okay?”
His heart thudded in his chest and it made all his injuries hurt all the more.
Bloodhound drew in a harried breath of their own. “I - I am fine. The rain, it has made the ground unstable.”
He could feel himself slipping from their grasp. This wasn’t worth it. Elliott wasn’t worth this. He tried to slip all the way out of their grasp but they had a iron grip on his legs.
“Hound… let me down. I’ll … I can walk from here.”
The water started getting between the two of them, making the one warm spot he had left colder and colder.
“I’m … I’m serious, Hound. Go … on your own. Get there, okay?” Elliott did his best to smile at them, even though they couldn’t see it. “C’mon, you’ve gotta.. you have to get out of this.”
The thought of them not was worse than the pain. But that might have been the shock that had long since set in.
They continued to stand still, breathing hard. He could feel the tubing of their respirator flex with the strength of it. He just really hoped the tape fixing it held. It had to hold.
Suddenly, Elliott was jostled and his position lifted up. He bit his lip to keep from crying out, but he tried his best to regain grip around their neck.
Bloodhound, quietly, so so quietly, murmured their apologies.
Although it really was their best bet at surviving, it was clear to Elliott that he wasn’t being left behind. Sure the part of him that had always wanted them despite them being so far out of reach, was glad. But the part of him that couldn’t care less was certain this was a bad choice. It had been a bad choice for them since the very start.
It had been him that set off those prowlers.
Besides, Evelyn was a few months in the ground now. He missed his mother greatly, he missed his brothers, his business was in that ‘almost failing’ stage that it had always been in without the support of the Games’ win money. And his friends were … well they weren’t so much acting like friends, recently, were they?
All he really had was a secret, coveted little crush on his fellow legend. What the hell would he do if he made it out and they didn’t? He had nothing going on once he got out of here, if he got out of here, except the long and drawn out route to failure and destitution.
He was jerked up again and Elliott forced his eyes open to see they were in a building. The wind and rain couldn’t reach him anymore When had his eyes even closed this time?
“w-where, are we?” His voice was a whisper in the empty space.
“South… south of the Lightning Rod,” said Bloodhound in a strained voice. “We are going to the Armoury, in just a moment. I must… I must set you down. I will pick you up again in a moment.”
Elliott wheezed out something that could almost count as a laugh. “Changed your … mind? You can still … focus on yourself.”
He opened his eyes again to see them taking off their helm. Bloodhound leaned as far down as they seemed to be able to at that moment, and dropped the top portion of their helm on the ground. Then they pulled their goggles off, over the top of the cap. A small splash of water hit the floor.
“I have made it thus far, Elliott.” Bloodhound was quiet, but their voice shook. “Have I not gotten you here?”
Tears pricked at his eyes. Why were they trying so hard? Why not just leave him behind?
They turned and he was, for the first time able, able to see nearly all of their face. Even with the scratches, the dried blood, and the hard look on their face, he couldn’t help but find them beautiful.
“I will not be leaving you behind.” Bloodhound’s narrowed eyes were dark and haunting. A flash of distant lightning lit up their figure for a moment. “Creatures and weather will not be the weapon which my hands wield for death. Not again.”
Elliott shrugged, sort of. His shoulders were hard to move. “You can pin the, the uh … prowlers, the prowlers on me.”
“Do not try to move.” Bloodhound’s voice softened, slightly. “Please. I … I am going to check upstairs for health kits.”
Elliott’s eyes slipped closed.
…
He was jostled awake by Bloodhound, still without their goggles, carefully picking him up. Their eyebrows were pinched together, and he watched them sigh in relief.
“You can … just, you know.” He struggled to take in a full breath. Elliott coughed wetly and did his best to ignore the taste of blood in his mouth. “You can just go, Houndie.”
“Please stop saying that, Elliott.” They shushed him as they stood straight up. This time he was in a bridal carry. “And brace yourself. The wind is worse.”
“I can’t … feel it much, anymore. So don’t worry.”
Despite the injury to their hand, they held him steady. The door at the back of the building was already open, and he could hear the whistling of the wind as they approached it. Bloodhound had faced him away from the wind in their arms. They paused at the threshold.
“Are you ready?”
“How are you, still doing this?” He couldn’t take his eyes off of them. They were so impressive. Why were they wasting the energy on him?
He’d cried a little … maybe a lot, over the last few hours. Most of it had been because of pain. Or frustration. But the lines streaking down his face now weren’t just rain.
“I’m… I’m ready.”
It was cold. But he had been cold before. It wasn’t hard to just close his eyes and focus on the dull thud of his blood trying to get through all of his body. The wind howling past was nothing like that feeling. It was like being torn apart from the inside, fire meeting ice all over at all the same time.
He had tuned it out well enough that he almost didn’t realize once it was gone. The sound of rain slamming down on the metal flooring was enough to pull him out of himself though. Elliott’s eyelids fluttered open just in time to see Bloodhound scanning the place.
“I am… You should be safe, here.” They approached one of the metal housing units for the specters that were usually here. Opened bins indicated that the building had been used during the match, and was now harmless.
Though he didn’t much like the idea of dying under a Specter. Maybe if he was really unlucky he’d end up like Ash, but like … a ghost. The thought made him chuckle and the taste of iron in Elliott’s mouth grew stronger again suddenly. He ignored it, swallowed it down, as well as he could.
Bloodhound knelt to tuck him inside the small space. They tucked a few of his stray curls behind his ear. He couldn’t help but notice their eyebrows were pinched together in concern again.
Why bother being concerned? The inevitable was on it’s way.
“Hold. I will be back.”
He nodded a little. “I’ll just … close my eyes.”
Elliott opened them back up what he swore was only seconds later, and Bloodhound was kneeling again in front of him. He could see the blackened section of their glove had grown since last time he had paid attention.
The hand was holding open a medkit, one of the large one with many supplies in it, while their other rummaged through it. He squinted, watching Hound search for a moment before he realized what they were looking for.
The syringe inside basically had a miracle cure in it. He … he couldn’t really remember the mechanics of it, but they were extreme. Additionally, the liquids inside the syringes were hard to obtain outside of the ring, but exceptionally populous inside of it - at the start of the match at least.
He supposed it was a blessing of some sort they had found one this late in the game.
“Just.. just one?” He had to focus incredibly hard on the words to say them.
Hound refused to look up. He watched them glance at him, but go back to bin quickly enough.
Ah. That confirmed it.
Bloodhound made a small noise as they found what they had been looking for. Although it was hard to picture, it almost looked like they were more likely to cry now. Hound turned to him and gathered up his arm.
“I … I can’t let you. You can’t … use it on me.” The words were so hard to form in his state, but he had to say it. He couldn’t just let them. Elliott had already made peace with the fact he wasn’t making it out alive. He had to try one more time.
“And I have to use it on you!” Bloodhound’s voice was so full of that pleading tone, that it was barely there. “I have to.”
He … Surely they could see that it would be a loosing battle to keep this up. How couldn’t they? He’d been basically bleeding out for hours. “Why?”
Bloodhound’s watery eyes finally, finally spilled over. They shook him slightly. “Because - Because I love you. You stupid man.”
Elliott reached up. It really was the last of his strength. He held their cheek for a second, before it fell back down and he was too weak to stop it. “Now why … Why’d you ‘ave to go and fall in love with me?”
Bloodhound shook him more. Their expression looked complex, but he couldn’t keep his eyes open long enough to figure it out. He couldn’t keep his eyes open at all.
“Was so much … easier … when it was just… me, loving you.”
He was pretty sure they shook him again, but he couldn’t really feel it. And then he couldn’t feel anything at all. He could hear them trying to wake him up for a little while longer.
And then he heard the power come back on.
#miragehound#oneshot#apex legends fanfic#writing prompt#q.txt#it's got a sort of ambiguous ending? if that makes it any better teehee ?#lol anyways i was turning this idea over in my head this whole time thank u#writing.txt#btw also u can still send me prompts if you want i like hoarding them for when the moment strikes
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SASASAP POSTMORTEM TIME
I've heard real game devs do something called a POSTMORTEM. They allow themselves to talk about a game they released and stuff.
I'm a real game devs. My video game START AGAIN: a prologue has been released for a year on itch.io. Six months on Steam. As of yesterday it's now available in Japanese. Wow. POSTMORTEM TIME
Gigantic pile of text below about what I think worked about the game and what I think didn't, and other musings. You don’t need to read it. But you can. Spoilers for my game SASASAP which you can get here on itch.io and here on Steam!!! And the artbook for it is here, also, why not!!!
In case you're new, START AGAIN START AGAIN START AGAIN: a prologue (or START AGAIN: a prologue) (or SASASAP) is a story-driven RPG I released back in February 2021. It's been a year now, which is wild. I started making it back in July 2020, but it has a bit more history before that.
Back in 2017, I created this little comic just called "Yes >No". Just a little RPG character, a little fella (now Siffrin, the main character), stuck in a new game+ forever. I ended up liking the concept of a character knowing they're stuck in a video game time loop so much I made a few more small comics about it throughout the years. And then 2020 happened, and I was working from home, and I was bored, and I thought "well I could make a game."
.
.
.
"Well no", I thought, "I can't make a whole RPG right away. That'd be stupid, that's just asking for trouble, I don't even know how to code. I'll make a demo for that RPG first, to learn how RPGMaker MV, the software I'm using to make it, works, and then I can make the actual game. But demo first." And that demo grew wings and is now SASASAP, which I released seven months later on itch.io, and on Steam 6 months later that (Steam's hard to figure out okay!!!). I'm currently working very hard on the next game along with my publisher Armor Games Studios, so stay tuned for news sooner rather than later, tee hee.
Ok intro over POSTMORTEM TIME
WHAT WORKED:
-Great news! The game worked (more or less)
-Really glad i decided to use assets on this one. I used assets for many things in the game, like for icons, attack animations, many of the pixel environments, and more. I edited pretty much all of them if only to make them in black and white. Again: very glad i used assets, because making things from scratch is hard. USE ASSETS THEYRE GOOD.
-Working with no real release date in mind was nice. Didn't have the stress of "I have to finish this before this date!!!" (not to say I didn't have other stresses.) But that allowed me to just. Do whatever. Freedom!
-Overall I was worried about the story of the prologue not being enough, even though I forced myself to make something I might like playing, but apparently making something I'd like makes… a pretty darn good game? People really enjoyed the story and it made them feel things and many friends messaged me with a very upset "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME" once they finished playing so I'm very very very glad.
-Also surprisingly the True Ending (Note: SASASAP has 3.5 ways the loop can go, so 3.5 "endings") didn't seem hard to find for people??? I remember being very stressed out about whether people would find it, since i added the different endings in like. the last month of development probably. The way to get the True Ending is by getting enough "Weird Points" in a single loop, and there's two different ways to do so: either go straight for the keys to open the dungeon without looking at anything beforehand (which prompts your allies to go "hey how come you knew where the key was………"), or keep interacting with the environment and make choices that are Weird ("haha Siffrin you usually love puns and you just picked the "Don't go for the pun" choice, everything okay?"). Going for every single key right away gives you enough Weird Points to access the True Ending, and acting weird gives you a little at a time. I was worried about players seeing themselves as Siffrin and so they wouldn't take certain actions, but nah they clearly saw themselves as players separate from Sif and it was easy for them to go "Alright let's make Sif act a certain way so their friends notice." From the few streams I've seen, people managed by going straight for the keys for half of the keys, and getting over the ending threshold by acting weird. Woohoo!
-Speaking of the True Ending path, I did love seeing a few streamers see the Researcher go "…" in suspicion when you talk to her at the end of the first loop, and streamers went "OH FUCK SHE CAN FIGURE OUT WE'RE LOOPING OR AT LEAST THAT SOMETHING'S PROBABLY- TIME TO ACT WEIRD" yesssss this was on purpose I did good game design I succeeded
-Related: people did find most little secrets except ONE (or at least I haven't seen people mention it teehee (its not that big)). Anyway, I was worried about the number of little details/interactions I added because oh god I've heard people don’t like to read! And maybe they won't check things more than once!!! Maybe they won't care?!?? But the game did end up getting praised a bunch for its attention to details because of how much personality it added. Which makes me very happy!!!! And even if people don't find all the little things, someone else might and you get a cool "WOW I DIDN’T SEE THIS HOW DID YOU GET THIS?!??" moment. (This also meant some people's expectations SKYROCKETED like "oh if I do this will the game notice???" no sorry. Players mostly weren't mad about it though so WHATEVER)
-I made sure to leave a few hints of things to come, which means it has been very funny and interesting to hear people's theories. Thank you for thinking about the game. Genuinely one of the big highlights of making a story in multiple installments, not gonna lie
-I've seen a few people say they replayed the game a bunch to see everything? And some people didn't replay it a la Undertale because they were satisfied with the ending? WOW?!??!? The way people treat save files is so fascinating to me
-Also (I point at myself in the mirror) @ self I was right people liked the open ending. I think if the game is too long, an open/sad ending makes people mad. But if it's a short game it's like ah! Gotcha! Are you sad?!???! HA!!!!! SUCCESS and people aren't mad about it. Thanks for coming to my sad endings ted talk
-People also really liked the gameplay!!!! Wow!!!! Unexpected!!! The battle system was the thing I was the shakiest about. The Rock Paper Scissors weaknesses is simple enough but you still have to think about strategy… The skill to give away your turn was pretty inspired too if I do say so myself. (I'M GLAD THE BATTLES WEREN'T TOO BORING)
-The characters are all queer it's not important to the story you just need to know BUT TURNS OUT! I've gotten a few messages from people saying they were so glad one character was aroace, or that Siffrin using he/they pronouns made them realize they were nonbinary. IT IS: IMPORTANT, REPRESENTATION: MATTERS
WHAT DIDN'T WORK:
-GOD, THE STRESS AT RELEASE. GENUINELY ONE OF THE MOST STRESSFUL DAYS OF MY VERY YOUNG LIFE. I released the game on a weekend, and had to take a day off from work to rest from the stress, and I didn't even rest, and it DEFINITELY wasn't enough time off. Self, remember two days off is NOT enough to release a game. I would've said 4 at the very least, to do some marketing, answer ppl, fix bugs, etc. I did order a lot of takeout and was very gentle with myself. Thank you splatoon 2 for helping me take my mind off things
-God I should've made way more people beta test it. Some pretty big and pretty easy to find bugs weren't caught. I know it's scary to show the game to people but you gotta do it for the beta test, for the QA, self!!! Be strong!!! (Well this doesn’t apply for the next game since I have a publisher now teehee. But remember for later.)
-The different endings and how to get them/what even constitutes as an ending was confusing. People got to the True Ending and wondered if they was more to it. I thought adding credits to it would make people understand it was the end, but nope! Not the case. People saw the other endings (aka: how a loop ends) less as actual endings and more as, uh, the way it's supposed to go I guess? Anyway I did end up adding items that you unlock after each ending that tell you which ending you got, but it was still confusing. That's my bad! Oops!
-I need to add more comments to my coding. Sometimes I look at old scenes and I'm like how did I even do this.
-Also, self, remember bug reports are NOT a reflection of how the poster hated the game, but more often actually a reflection of how they loved the game and want it to be even better. It's a sign of people loving the game. So dont stress out about it
-Hey self some bugs can't be fixed and you need to let it go. Reader, sorry if you fell on a bug I didn't manage to fix. At this point I don't know how to fix it and I'm sorry!!!
-Not that it "didn't work", but maybe I should've talked about the game more often to build hype. I managed to get a reasonable amount of hype by talking and showing screenshots a month before release, but talking about it for the whole 7 months could've been good, instead of being a hermit game dev. Yeah. (Is still a hermit game dev)
OTHER THOUGHTS:
-I didn't add many tutorials because I'm a hashtag Gamer, but tbh more tutorials/reminders are better than none. I noticed a few streamers didn't remember SHIFT is to run, or how to open the menu. REMIND PLAYERS HOW TO PLAY EVERY SO OFTEN!!!! THEY HAVE TINY BRAINS!!!! ITS NOT THEIR FAULT!!!!!!
-Some people said "weh weh game price too high!!!" but consider this: it's not. 12$CAD for a 3-4h game seems good for me, because I always compare it to movie tickets… A movie is like 10$, for 2 hours, so that's 5$ per hour. Bang for your buck if you ask me!!! And also people in the video game industry told me they were happy I put it at that price bc it might make other indies price their own games higher, so. (I wink at the camera)
-This is very small but seeing people play has taught me to plan for every eventuality because some players like to do things just because they can. I know one player switched every weapon around, giving the housemaiden the researcher's weapon for example, to see what would happen (so you cant do that anymore now!!! locked!!!) and someone else grinded levels until level goddamn 99 (you start at lvl 45), just to see if they'd be able to beat the King on the first loop by being strong enough (you can't!), so like. Some gamers are unhinged (affectionate). I'm definitely keeping that in mind for the next game, so hopefully if you go unhinged the game either won't let you do it or will go "what the FUCK dude". Unhinged players: I love you thank you for playing
Postmortem done. Thank you for reading! Thank you for playing! Thank you for being here! The response to the game has been absolutely wild to me and I'm so thankful to anyone who played the game, drew fanart about the game, wrote theories about the game!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!! BYE
#sasasap#art tag#well not really but whatever#start again start again start again#postmortem#game dev#this is very long teehee#happy birthday sasasap. couldve done some art for it. but instead i wrote a very long postmortem#reference#in stars and time
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Characters - Idia, Rook, Jade and Malleus
May I request his reaction when he catches a glimpse of your room and sees several clothes on your bed while you are busy checking how an outfit looks in the mirror. When he enters and asks you about it, you tell him that you were just choosing an outfit for your date later.
Thank you Flora if you decide to do it. Sorry if this was a confusing req 😅
hey lyza!! of course i have no problem doing this tee hee. it wasn't confusing at all!
MALLEUS DRACONIA
first dates were rough. they were always so nerve wracking, especially since you had a date with a prince.
malleus seemed pretty relaxed. though that was probably because of his older age. he’s probably done a lot more nerve wracking stuff than you have ever done.
he stopped by ramshackle, ready to take you out. but when the door opened, it was grim.
“(Y/N)’s still getting ready. you can come in in the meantime.”
malleus stepped in. he was rather interested in the interior of ramshackle since he’s only really wandered around to look at the exterior. but as he was wandering around, he could hear your voice. you were busy talking to yourself, which was a cute habit.
he was courteous enough to knock and heard your footsteps suddenly scramble to the door. “malleus!” you exclaim.
“hello (y/n).” he glances at your bed, seeing a variety of clothes strewn across it. it looked like you just went shopping.
“i’m so so sorry!” you say. “i’m going to make us late because i’m so busy choosing an outfit.”
“well we’re only seeing a movie and getting dinner. it doesn’t have to be anything elaborate.” he smiles.
“i know. but i still wanna look good, you know. first dates and all.”
“maybe i can help?”
“malleus, no offense, but you wear a lot of black and i want something with color. and from what lilia has told me, you aren’t the best with color palettes.”
ROOK HUNT
rook had arrived early. with flowers! such a romantic was he! of course he looked sharp. vil would not permit him to leave the dorm if he didn’t go on your first date together looking nothing less than perfect. it was casual but a smart casual.
he was expecting you to open the door but there was grim instead. “(y/n)’s still getting ready. you can go to (y/n)’s room. they’re just trying on outfits. (Y/N)! ROOK’S COMING!”
grim did not spare anyone’s ears.
“THAT’S FINE! LET HIM IN!” you exclaim back.
rook walked to your room, still holding the flowers. you were busy looking at yourself in the mirror with the outfit you just chose. today was slightly chilly so you dressed warmer than usual. “my, my trickster. did you just go on a shopping spree?”
“i did actually. a few days ago. a lot of my clothes were all tattered because of the overblots and stuff.” you sigh. “cute clothes. all gone!”
“well i for one think you look cute in anything!”
“what about this?” you turn around. rook’s face said everything.
“maybe let’s not do patterns clashing with one another.”
JADE LEECH
jade was innocently holding a box with him. you had frantically texted him to come asap about ten minutes ago. you were going on a date later but the outfit you chose was a little big and you needed some pins. this wasn’t his first rodeo with outfit adjustments though.
“oh jade.” grim had a blank look on his face. “is that a sewing kit?”
“technically yes. but (y/n) said they only needed pins.”
“is he here?” you called out.
“yeah he’s here.” grim exclaims.
“my savior!”
jade walked up the stairs and knocked on your door first before you let him enter. “i have your pins. what do you need me to do?”
“i just need you to help me adjust these straps.”
“okay got it. and then afterwards do you wanna head out?”
“yeah of course! so exciting to go to dinner with you! it’s at the mostro lounge either way but it’s better than going into town. at least for today.”
IDIA SHROUD
it had taken way too much energy for idia to get out of bed. but he was insistent on taking you out for your first date. he had spent the last few days trying to calm his anxiety for going out.
it was enough being outside of ramshackle though. the next date he was definitely asking if it could be indoors and the two of you order in food or something.
he wasn’t expecting grim to open the door though and idia felt himself jump.
“fire guy. you’re here for the date?” grim raised an eyebrow. was this tiny creature really about to interrogate the idia shroud?
“of course...why wouldn’t i be?” he whispers.
“ugh. (y/n)! your date’s here! still awkward as ever.”
idia shuffled his way inside. he heard your voice coming from your room. he walked over and knocked on the door. “it’s open!”
gently, he pushed open the door. you were busy checking out your outfit. it seemed like too much effort to put in for a small dinner date. “are you...ready?” he glances at the clothes on your bed. a good haul he would say.
though he’s more of a fan of darker clothing.
“yeah i’m finishing up.” you smile at him. “you look nervous.”
“that’s because i am.” he whines, his face going pink and even his hair started to turn into a bit of an orange tint.
“awww. well you’ll do great when we go out, okay?”
“yeah...”
#twisted wonderland#twst#disney twst#disney twisted wonderland#diasomnia#pomefiore#octavinelle#ignihyde#idia shroud#rook hunt#jade leech#malleus draconia
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🐬😒🕸💋 + Bourbon & Tangerine and Vincent & Vitali?
THANK U SM <33
for housekeeping purposes: both these pairings are romantic!
🐬 - who made the first move?
bourbon did <3 well. sort of. several times. it's complicated!! SGHJFDGHJ basically there's a whole pre-movie canon in my brain and bourbon has done several jobs over the span of two-ish years with the twins and there's one job not too long before the movie where he and tangerine make out sloppy style in a broom closet somewhere. which was 100% initiated by bourbon. and then during the events of the movie there's of course the horrors. tangerine lives in my canon btw i'm cringe and free like that but while bourbon is patching him up he gives him yet another little kiss while they're both knee deep in their "this means nothing" era. so that's yet ANOTHER "first" move. and THEN!! after the events of the movie bourbon goes back to england with the twins and during a motel stay there he ends up telling tangerine his real name hoping this would cause something. Anything. to happen. and then nothing happens </3 and then bourbon leaves again like he always does after a job </3 they'll get their shit together soon after that don't worry but i like making men suffer first
😒 - do they get jealous easily?
bourbon doesn't get jealous At All he's just chilling <3 once they're together (it. it takes them a while but they'll get there) he Knows that tangerine loves him and wouldn't just start messing around elsewhere without his permission so even if tangerine were to get a little flirty on a job at some point with someone else bourbon literally wouldn't care LMAO
tangerine Does get jealous but most of that is stored in the "before they're together" part SGHJDFHGJ bourbon is convinced tangerine isn't interested in him so he's still just flirting with whoever at any given moment and tangerine takes that as a sign bourbon doesn't see them as something Serious. but like. they're not together. yet. there's a lot of very easily solvable miscommunication going on here but i'll allow it because they're dramatic fruits and i think it's funny <3 when they're Actually together he's no longer as jealous because everything is Clear now but he can get a little nervous sometimes still,, but bourbon reassures him plenty so he can be mostly normal about it
🕸 - what does one do that scares the other?
bourbon used to leave without warning after jobs in the past and even though he stops doing that when they get together, tangerine is still scared that bourbon will just. do that again one day </3
the other way round, tangerine can get a little reckless in combat which worries bourbon because. well. he doesn't want him to die </3 sorry they both really just don't stop being dramatic but it suits them i think
💋 - who is more rough with the kissing stuff?
bourbon baybeey >:^) loves to toss tangerine around like a ragdoll a little bit. big fan of biting. cannot keep his hands to himself. and honestly. i get it LMAO me too king
🐬 - who made the first move?
vincent made the first move! there's a fic i'm writing (chapter 1 & chapter 2 if you're interested tee hee) that'll eventually describe the events of the two of them getting together but i'm still working on it right now >:^) either way vincent is the one to first try and kiss vitali but the first time it doesn't really happen and he ends up incredibly embarrassed despite the fact that nothing really happened? he's a bit of a drama king it's fine <3 a while later he gives it another try and actually kisses vitali that time and then he gets kissed back so hard he nearly breaks his nose <3 it's on his birthday also so that's a nice little birthday present LMAO
😒 - do they get jealous easily?
vincent gets jealous pretty easily but he's working on it and also would never let his jealousy turn him into a bitter and mean little man, it's mostly just something inside him that makes him a little sad sometimes </3 he's mostly a bit jealous of vitali's relationship experience because it makes him feel small in comparison, vincent often has No clue what he's doing and he thinks it's embarrassing as hell meanwhile vitali doesn't think it is at all ;-;
vitali himself doesn't get jealous easily. he has a lot of crazy batshit insane exes so he's seen the worst people can do and knows better than to be like that himself so he deals with his negative emotions in a healthy way himself before they can even become a problem <3 most of the time then. there's probably exceptions but i can't think of any right now
🕸 - what does one do that scares the other?
both vincent and vitali can get very reckless in combat in their own ways which scares the other a lot but also they know they're like that themself as well so they can't really judge each other for it SHGJFDH it Does help when they're fighting together though because it makes them a lot more coordinated and alert, and then they don't have to do stupid things anymore
💋 - who is more rough with the kissing stuff?
vitali 10000% no questions asked <3 can and will kiss with a force that could break someone's nose. he IS very gentle with vincent actually i need to mention that because it's very important to me but also he likes to kiss with tongue and Will get sloppy with it if he gets too lost in the sauce. he Does like to shove vincent up against a wall though >:^)
pairing asks!
#asks#mutuals#detectivelokis#ask:fruit cocktail#ask:the sun and the stars#pairing asks#been so long since i did an ask game like this i had to dig to find the correct tags ASHGJFDHG#adding the housekeeping line again like last time just in case people ask for mikhail and vitali and get confused </3 LMAO#would be understandable though. whatever those two got going on is. it's. it's something alright !#ANYWAY HII I LOVE THESE MEN SO MUCH#bourbon and leaving over and over and over and over again is something that can be so personal#there's a lot going on in the canon in my brain pre-movie. i might write a fic about it one day
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What would happen if you were sent back and ended up in the orphanage with Tom Riddle—and say you also had magic?
Oh boy.
Well, there's a lot to question here. Judging by the... spirit of this ask, I presume I'm... pretty much reincarnated. I'm in the orphanage, I'm much younger than I am now and a child, I'm pre-Hogwarts age, and I retain my current knowledge.
For the purpose of this ask I suppose I also retain my current mental faculties. Despite being in the body of an eight-year-old, I'm not The Carnivorous Muffin at eight.
Welp, there's a lot to consider here.
First, I probably don't realize I'm in Harry Potter for quite some time and instead assume I've been reincarnated to some parallel universe. It's the 1930's, I'm in England in the depression, WWI has occurred and the vast majority of major historical events I know about seem to have happened in the right order, and this Earth is eerily similar to the Earth I left behind.
Strange that I appear to remember everything of my past life with my adult mental abilities, but alright universe, I guess that's how we're going to play this.
What I do know is that I'm dirt poor, presumably still a woman which does not bode well for my career prospects, and if I want any prospects in life period I'm going to have to fight tooth and nail for it. It'd be great if I got adopted to help with this, and might be nice to have people in my life who love me, but there's a lot of orphans in the world and a lot of orphans who are much less weird than I am.
The orphanage is the orphanage and not great, Mrs. Cole is overworked, the orphanage is chronically understaffed, and the kids are running wild beating the shit out of each other.
Being a girl, I probably don't have to worry about getting the shit kicked out of me quite as much, but I still probably try to keep my head down and don't aggravate the particularly beefy looking orphans.
Yes, there's some very angry gremlin named Tom Riddle around who will shove you down the stairs in retribution, but that's just a weird coincidence. And then supernatural shit starts happening. Billy's rabbit hangs itself, people get injuries when Tom is nowhere near them, and I start wondering if this is really the Tom Riddle.
I'm in Wool's Orphanage, my matron is Mrs. Cole, Tom Riddle is running around lighting things on fire. It's possible, though it could all be a strange coincidence.
Now, how things go from here depends on how controlled my own magic is. Since accidental magic typically does manifest at least once or twice, it probably does manifest for me for.. something. If Tom Riddle's there to witness it then...
Well, I imagine he's very offended. Here he was, special, different, better than everyone else, and then some girl in the orphanage (who dares to get very good grades on her assignments in school) has it too.
And I just stand there, smiling, going "Tee hee".
He probably confronts me to prove that he's better at it than I am, and he probably is unless the universe hates both him and me, but having someone else with the Shining around probably prompts him to take me as his protégé (in part so he can show off and in part because he's genuinely excited to be able to share this super cool talent).
I am now apprentice to eight-year-old Tom Riddle. Whoop de doo.
Well, I don't remember this part of Harry Potter, so now I'm probably confused as to where I am again. Regardless, I try to advise Tom on how to tone it down and not, say, traumatize Amy and Dennis for life and antagonize all the other orphans forever. He probably doesn't take me seriously. What do I know, I can't even light that patch of grass on fire?
Hanging around Tom Riddle gets me a reputation to, given the difference in genders, probably a fairly nasty one at that. When Dumbledore arrives he's undoubtedly told hot gossip about how eleven-year-old Tom and I have had sex in a ritual to summon Satan. Dumbledore takes this seriously.
Dumbledore probably meets us both at the same time and it's a disaster. I tried my best to prep Tom without revealing I'm a prophet, Tom first doesn't believe there might not be others, then doesn't believe they would be antagonist/anything but amazed by how awesome he is.
Well, Dumbledore lights his wardrobe on fire while I sit there. Dying inside. Dumbledore probably also does something to me too, to teach me some kind of lesson about something.
I imagine he temporarily disfigures me/makes me appear very ugly, then sticks a mirror to the wall, that way I realize that looks aren’t everything/being a whore is wrong. Tom, still traumatized over the wardrobe, is no help and my magic’s probably not controlled enough to do a thing about it.
I spend a day looking like a pig, Tom and I are given just enough money to buy new wands and second hand/barely functioning everything else and given the world’s worst directions to Diagon Alley. Thanks, Albus.
Well, months pass, we get our wands, Tom gets excited for Hogwarts and I... start seriously considering the future. WWII is coming, the Blitz is coming, Tom and I live in east London and must be able to evacuate during the bombing of London (which went on well past the Blitz to the end of the war). I also start considering my future in the wizarding world. Do I now actually have career prospects?
Probably not because I’m muggle born and a woman. My best bet is doing very well in useful subjects and finding employment with the goblins, I can’t imagine they have the same hang ups as the wizarding world.
Tom wants to go to Slytherin, of course, I tell him this is a bad idea. “Gee Tom,” I say, “Not sure how I know this but I have this feeling that Slytherin is filled with people who loathe our very existence and will shank us. Why don’t we pick Ravenclaw or Gryffindor instead?”
No one shanks Tom Riddle! Tom says. Tom is still eleven and while he admits that sometimes I may, in retrospect, have been right about certain things that doesn’t mean he wants to go to the house known for hard work. That’s code word for everyone there being a moron and having no other redeeming features than tenacity. As for the other two, Ravenclaws sound like smug, elitist, nerds and Gryffindors like dumb jocks.
Better to be known for ambition, cunning, and actually being competent.
Well, there’s no talking him out of this one, and goddamn it we’re all each other has.
I’m the closest thing Tom Riddle has ever had to a friend in all these years and in the orphanage the only one who could hold a decent conversation with him. And while it’s not my moral obligation to keep Tom from becoming a domestic terrorist, and there’s no guarantee I even can, dumping him for one of the other houses and drifting apart won’t help.
Not to mention that, after all these years, I’m undoubtedly lonely, I’m in this foreign land, and he’s now the closest thing to a friend I have.
Looks like I’m going to Slytherin, YOOOOOLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOO! I shout as a battle cry as tears run down my face. I may have to convince the hat to put me in Slytherin, but like all human beings I am a mixture of many qualities. I’m not cunning in the least, mind games exhaust me unutterably, but I’m full of ambition.
This confirms every bad opinion Dumbledore had regarding me and Tom.
For the next several months, Tom probably beats the shit out of dormmates who steal his things/harass him. He beats up mine too because feminism (TM) means that he should treat all people equally when guilty of the same crime. I... am not sure I can win that fight so I just resign myself to having to adopt some of Tom’s tactics to make sure I’m not shoved in lockers, have tampons thrown at me, or pig’s blood dumped on me at the prom.
Once again, everyone thinks Tom Riddle and I are dating. I don’t even know if they’re wrong at this point.
Well, being in class with eleven year olds who seem to have had little to no prior education, Tom and I are undoubtedly blazing through class. I imagine I’m bored out of my mind (the Hogwarts curriculum sounds unbelievably boring) and Tom is... well, probably devouring the library but probably also bored. I decide to try and see if I can find some real history texts on this world (there are probably none, the wizarding world seems to only have two historians and both... have a different approach to history than current modern thought as I know it) and discover what magic even is. That shit is fascinating: wingardium leviosa is not.
Dumbledore likely gives neither me nor Tom points in class, I think the house cup is stupid, so I really don’t care. I have no interest in playing quidditch, neither does Tom, so that doesn’t happen.
The second world war starts up, Tom, me, and the muggle borns are the only ones who give a flying fuck. I work harder on figuring out how to get lodging during the Blitz/the bombing of London. Unfortunately, Mrs. Cole hates me too for being the Bride of Satan, so that’s a no go. Third year, 1939, I probably write her in earnest anyway telling her to PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, send Tom and I instructions for the summer/where the orphans are staying/how they’ve been dispersed to the countryside. As a back up plan, I try desperately to shmooze shopkeepers in Hogsmeade during every Hogsmeade weekend to get myself and Tom part time jobs and lodging over the summer. As a back up back up plan, I spend my time badgering Tom to become very good at survivalist wandless magic and if the Lord has pity on me gain some ability in it myself.
Hopefully, either Mrs. Cole or one of the Hogsmeade shop owners take pity on us. If not, then Tom and I are going extreme camping. Given Mrs. Cole (and the brain damage brought on by Dumbledore erasing memories left and right) and the likelihood of Hogsmeade shop owners just not getting it, Tom and I probably go extreme camping.
(Tom, meanwhile, asks Dippet and Dumbledore if we can stay in Hogwarts over the summer. He’s told no exceptions. London’s being bombed, you say? No exceptions. Toodles. Tom is never the same.)
Me, Tom Riddle, a tent we made ourselves, several rabbits we had to catch and skin ourselves, and the pitiful fire that we can keep going through pure will alone because if we try to use real people spells then we’ll get arrested. It has the benefit of making Tom feel very manly and impressive, catching his own food, but both of us are well aware that this sucks.
But hey, we aren’t dead.
Well, I’m sure Tom doesn’t appreciate that and this is where I imagine he seriously starts talking about violent revolution. I imagine much of my time is spent discussing the merits of not violently overthrowing our ant overlords. I imagine a thirteen-year-old Tom isn’t impressed by my pacifism, but he’s not married to Voldemort yet (probably).
Then I imagine the horcrux thing comes up and... Well, I will argue hard against it. Humans die, it is a truth of the universe, and simply something we have to accept. Horcruxes are not a measure against that, they can be destroyed, given infinite time they will be, and the sacrifice they require is too high: human life as well as the very essence of who you are.
What is a soul? I’m not sure, we never really learn in HP canon, but whatever it is, it is in some way the essence of yourself. If you take half of it and throw it somewhere else, you will cease to be you, someone or something else is walking around in your body while the other half of you exists in endless agony.
If you must chase immortality, create a philosopher’s stone (as I darkly wonder why it was that couldn’t be replicated and what Flamel had to do to make it in the first place). On second thought, maybe we should search for the Holy Grail.
Whether I can talk Tom out of this or not is... unclear. I’m going to say that I can, in part because I imagine he’ll want to show the chamber off to me, tell me when he realizes he’s Heir of Slytherin, and in doing so I can prevent the basilisk incident from occurring. Without that, there’s no dead Myrtle, which means no first victim. That summer, when he goes to the Gaunts, I’ll go with him and convince him that it’s not worth it. He can just turn around and leave these people alone, I hopefully can talk him down. Which means no second victim.
I start writing Flamel to see if Tom or I can get an apprenticeship (Dumbledore probably beats us to the chase and poisons him against us, but it’s worth a shot).
Then, should all go well, I can convince Tom to find employment with the goblins rather than shady antique dealers on the bad side of town. Hopefully, I can convince him to never become Voldemort, and instead we travel the world together looking for the origins of magic or something.
Dumbledore goes around taking people’s memories of us in preparation for when Tom becomes a dark lord and I his lady of the night darkness.
TL;DR Apparently my life would become an SI/Tom Riddle fic. So, thanks anon.
#harry potter#harry potter meta#harry potter headcanon#tom riddle#albus dumbledore#anti albus dumbledore#meta#headcanon#opinion
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𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔟𝔦𝔡𝔡𝔢𝔫 𝔣𝔯𝔲𝔦𝔱 (𝔪)
❥ukai keishin x fem!reader
❥warnings: tw voyeurism, tw stepcest, age gap (18 y/o reader), masturbation
❥word count: 2.5k
❣︎anon: Can I has a crumb 👌🏻 of step dad Ukai lusting after his step daughter, even standing in the bathroom while she takes a shower beating his dick and slips out before she's done?
i loved this too much to just keep it a thirst so here we go!!! its a fic of step daddy ukai tee hee thank you for requesting <333
ukai didn’t think he’d get married so early. he wasn’t even thirty yet, and already he’d settled down. he had a gold band around his left ring finger, a family home with picture frames on the wall and a pet cat always snoozing at the end of the bed, a bed he shared with a woman to call his wife. and he had a daughter too- or rather, a step-daughter as his wife was considerably older. it wasn’t that he minded though- she was beautiful, wealthy, accomplished and all of that really showed in you.
he’d only met you a few months before the wedding at some fancy restaurant, forcing the feel of familial intimacy under the rose-coloured lights. you’re sweet and polite, ignoring the blatantly obvious fact that your mother’s new boyfriend is closer in age to you than he is to her, but you answer all his questions of how you’re studying at a prestigious university and what you like to do in your free time and how you’d be more than happy to help him at the store on the weekends.
in fact, ukai went home that night deep in thought but it wasn’t about his girlfriend. it was about you. he couldn’t stop thinking about how beautiful you looked- so similar to your mother but better. your plush lips and sparkly eyes, your beautiful body looking so pretty in that dress and your sweet, delicate voice that still rang in his ears the whole way driving home. suddenly his whole mind was permeated with the thought of you that when he laid down in bed, cock twitching as his palm drew towards it, it wasn’t quite accurate to say he was imagining his girlfriend, but maybe a younger, softer, similar yet different enough version.
maybe getting married wasn’t so bad after all.
moving into your mother’s home feels natural to ukai. there’s something calming about going downstairs to breakfast to see you in the kitchen, your morning lips plump and your bare face so naturally beautiful as you ask him if he’d like coffee. he’ll watch you as you fill the kettle with water, your tiny sleeping shorts clinging to the curve of your ass, soft supple skin of your legs and arms on show and the thin fabric of your cami top doing nothing to conceal your puffy nipples protruding. it feels satisfying almost to sit beside you on the couch, his thigh pressed against yours as he asks you what show you’re watching or to lean over your university books splayed over the dining table, nodding with acknowledgement of how smart you are, his smart little girl- and the wide grin that stretches across your face and the sparkle in your eyes at his praise is so beautiful to him.
in essence, he just can’t stop thinking about you. even when he’s pounding into your mother, his cock driving into her pussy and his hands groping her tits, he wishes it’s your walls clinging to his length and your slick coating him, that you’re the one chanting his name like a prayer and it’s your sweet lips he’s tasting in the passionate kiss. he knows you’d taste of cherries- it’s your favourite lip balm.
wednesday mornings are ukai's favourite. your mother leaves for work before either of you are awake and karasuno doesn’t have practise, leaving him the rare time to lie in the warmth of the bedsheets, eyes fluttered shut as an image of you paints in the back of his eyelids. the bedsheets pulled up to his chin smell of lavender, your mother’s favourite and he knows you love it too, catching you burning the oils in your bedroom and dabbing spots of perfume on the insides of your wrist, behind your ear- is that your sweet spot? what would you smell like if ukai were to press his face into the crook of your neck, what would you feel like if he were to ghost his lips over your skin? what sounds would you make when he sucks on the delicate spot there?
the sound of water splashing drags ukai out of his thoughts even though his cock still throbs, blood rushing to it as it dawns upon him- you’re in the shower. naked, water splashing all over your body and glistening off your skin, your scented body wash and shampoo filling the bathroom and your skin soapy with white suds. it’s pornographic. he needs to see it for real, to feed his insatiable craving because the imagination just isn’t enough anymore.
he can’t deny some guilt trickles into his chest, heavy and weighing him down as he pulls back his bedsheets. he’s your step-father- he’s married and he’s a parental figure to you and you’re so young, just a fresh innocent eighteen year old.
“y/n’s never had a proper father.” your mother’s voice rings in his ears. ”so i’m really pleased of how well you’re getting along- she’ll finally have the chance of having a proper dad now with you around.”
this isn’t how fathers should feel- but he’s not your real dad. it’s not really that wrong. ukai swallows hard as he gets to his feet, softly padding out of the bedroom and edging down the hall towards the bathroom. it’ll just be once- nobody will know. and he’s certain you’re not so innocent either. the thoughts have plagued his mind plenty- do you touch yourself? do you have a burning need that drives you to sneak your hands down into your pretty panties and rub that sensitive, swollen nub till your back is arching and your toes curl as waves of pleasure crash over you? have you ever fingered yourself? how do your walls feel around your fingers- or maybe you’ve fucked someone? have you been such a whore to let another man kiss you and see your naked body, to see your pretty pussy and be inside you?
he exhales heavily when the door handle pushes down under his grasp. his cock twitches with anticipation, hard outline pressing against his boxers as he steps into the bathroom. you don’t hear the click of the door behind him under the stream of water, your body turned to face it instead. you don’t see him either, not through the steam and ukai sighs with relief when he sees that you’re massaging white suds of shampoo into your hair. the sweet scent of it permeates the steamy air and he can almost imagine that he’s buried in your scent- maybe kissing your neck and biting purple marks into the delicate skin or face buried between your legs. it gives him the perfect opportunity to lean against the cold tiled wall and watch you.
your body’s beautiful, he admires. it’s exactly how he imagined- but better with your pretty tits on show, your nipples pebbling under the warm water and your ass there for him to see plainly- not hidden underneath cotton shorts. gorgeous. everything he’s ever wanted to see from you- he can’t tear his eyes away from you as his dick throbs with pure need, he needs to touch himself, he has to. but what would happen if you see him? would you scream? would you tell your mother, sobbing to her about what a disgusting pervert her husband is? or would you enjoy it? would you be such a little slut that you’d like to see your step-father all hard for you, craving you?
his body shudders as he trails his hand down his boxers, hissing through gritted teeth as his fingers close around the warm weight of his cock, pulling it out from the restrains of fabric. the pressure feels good, a soft sigh falling from his lips and dissipating into the cloudy, perfumed steam building in the bathroom, the steam that smells of you and your shampoo as you hum in the shower, water splashing all over your body as you tilt your head under the shower head. he licks the palm of his hand, wishing it was your tongue running along the veins instead before he wraps it around the shaft of his thick cock, stroking it along with rubs at the sensitive head, thumb swiping across the leaking slit as warm pleasure runs through his veins, heightened as he watches the water rinse down your body. the wet drops cling to your skin, sparkling in the daylight, and carrying down the soapy suds. your tits look so pretty with the water washing off the white foam and ukai pants heavily as he pumps his cock faster, hips jerking as he tries to hold back his moans.
it’s harder when he starts to picture your hand instead of his- how would your small hands look wrapped around his cock, fingertips straining just to reach around the full thickness of his throbbing length- the same hands pushing your wet locks out of your face as you sigh breathily. ukai watches greedily as you run your hands down your body, rubbing your soft skin as the water pours over you. he’s not supposed to see this, but the thrill of it just makes him pump his cock faster, his grip tightening as he rubs the sensitive red head. it’d feel so good to have your hand wrapped around him- or even better, you kneeling before him, maybe just as you look right now. you’d look so pretty with your hair wet, leaking droplets all over your skin and letting them roll down your hard nipples. your pretty eyes would look so beautiful pleading for his cock level with your face, water clinging to your lashes and your pretty, cherry red lips pouting and saliva drooling from your mouth because you’re so hungry for his cock. maybe you’ll let him smear the leaking cockhead over your lips, let them glisten with his precum or slap your hot cheek with his dick, reduce you to nothing more than a little slut.
ukai isn’t sure if he can keep the deep moans that threaten to resonate concealed as you continue to stand under the water, letting it all wash over you with your hands tucked under your chest. it just pushes up your tits more and hot pleasure washes over him as he bucks his hips into his fist, biting so deep into his lip to control the groan that threatens to escape. he doesn’t want to tear his eyes away from you- this beautiful display- but there’s that hot pink on the floor in the corner of his eye and with a quick glance he notices it’s your panties. they’re soft to touch and the thin fabric smells of you as he buries his face in it, cock twitching as he swipes the sensitive head. fuck. this is what it’d be like to be buried between your legs, he realises as he stares at you. this is what you’d smell like if he was fucking your hole with his tongue, nose rubbing against your clit as your wetness drools from your pussy, coating his tongue and smearing across his cheeks. you’d have your legs on his shoulders, thighs pressing into his head and toes curling from how well he fucks you on his tongue. maybe you’d pull his hair- your mother doesn’t do that enough- and be screaming his name, tugging on his blond locks. fuck- he has to taste you and he’s glad for the pink fabric pressed against his mouth to conceal the deep moan that drags from his lips when his tongue presses against the damp fabric.
he freezes when he watches you move, only you’re reaching for the showerhead and confusion etches on ukai’s face as he freezes. his cock is still throbbing in his grip, the angry red head oozing precum and an insatiable desire to cum still flooding him but what are you doing? will you turn to look at him- catching him with his hard dick in his hand and your dirty panties pressed to his face? but you don’t. instead you’re just adjusting the stream to a high pressure jet and hoisting a leg on the side of the bathtub and-
oh.
ukai’s cock twitches and your soft moan filling the damp air drowns out his own groan. so that’s what you’re doing- one hand holds the showerhead to your pretty pussy, the stream of water directly splashing against your swollen clit and the other hand teases between your folds.
so you do touch yourself.
he can see your fingers teasing your pink hole and you eventually slide one in. he fucks his cock into his fist in time to your fingers thrusting in out of your wet cunt, slick and water running down between your thighs and he just wants to know how it feels- how would your spongy walls feel around his cock, hugging his length and letting him thrust deep into your pussy, letting you feel every ridge and vein of his cock? he could take you right here- press you against the cold tiles and pound his dick into you, letting your slick coat him and your nails rake down his back as your heavy moans of his name dissipate into the misty clouds of steam. the skin of your thighs would feel so soft to grip and wrap around his hip and your lips would taste so sweet, maybe minty from toothpaste and you’d be moaning his name. he’d swirl his thumb around your swollen clit, let you mewl into his mouth as he sucks on your tongue. like a little nymphet of sin, you’d bite his lips and moan for him as your walls convulse, your wetness gushing all over him and cunt milking him for his cum-
fuck. he tears your pink panties away from his lips when his cock throbs, the coil in his stomach tight. he can’t help the deep grunt that escapes- hoping your moans are loud enough to drown out his but he isn’t sure he cares anymore, not when you’re cumming too. your head falls back, legs trembling as your soft cries echo off the tiled walls, face contorted lewdly. he wants it to be his name- he wants to hear ‘keishin’ fall from your lips over and over as you cum all over your fingers- he wants it to be his cock. he wishes his fingers were your warm cunt as the sticky cum spurts from the throbbing cockhead, splattering over your pink panties and staining them in him. as he pants, his ears ringing and mind rushing, he just wishes his cum was clinging to your skin instead. you’d look so beautiful like that.
ukai’s eyes widen when he looks up from your stained panties and his still-hard cock to meet yours. you’re staring at him, skin hot and jaw hanging open, the hand holding the showerhead trembling as water continues to pour. it’s too loud for the tense silence. coldness strikes through him, heart thudding against his ribcage. what does he say? how does he justify himself?
but you don’t say anything. you just turn away. your body shakes as you refit the showerhead, fingers trembling when you reach for the bodywash and loofah and your sweet humming fills the bathroom, leaving ukai only to wonder how much did you want him there?
#tw.stepcest#tw.voyeurism#darkconfectionery#yandere!ukai#yandere ukai#yandere ukai x reader#yandere ukai imagines#yandere haikyuu#yandere haikyuu imagines#yandere haikyuu x reader#dark haikyuu#haikyuu imagines#haikyuu x reader#haikyuu fic#ukai imagines#ukai x reader#ukai x y/n#ukai fic
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BnHA Chapter 290: It’s Touya Time
Previously on BnHA: Iida and Hadou showed up like a couple of Pennsylvanias and Georgias to bail Shouto out at the last minute. Ochako and Toga had an exceptionally strange fight which consisted of Toga being all “guess what Ochako, I used your quirk to murder someone, how do you feel about that”, and Ochako being all “I do not like that”, to which Toga was all “:(”. There was some doll-stealing and some bookcase-yeeting, and then Toga left in tears because Ochako was all adamant that murder has consequences. Anyway so I have absolutely no idea what Toga is thinking now, but I guess we’ll have some time to stew on it, because we ended the chapter by cutting back to the Iida+Hadou+Shouto VS Afomura battle, which was interrupted by Gigantomachia and the LoV showing up like a bunch of Floridas to ruin everyone’s nice day.
Today on BnHA: Horikoshi hands the mic over to Dabi and is all “take it away, kid.” Over in Room 315 of Musutafu General, Rei is all “may I please watch some TV” and the hospital staff is all “sure”, and so she tunes in just in time to catch Todoroki Touya’s Peabody Award-winning documentary “Number One Hero, Number One Fraud: The Todoroki Enji Story”, which is being broadcast nationwide courtesy of Skeptic and his magic laptop. Meanwhile in Jakku, Dabi is all “I’M TOUYA, BITCHES”, and Shouto and Enji are all, “(゜◇゜ )”, and Dabi is all, “anyway so just to sum it all up, because of how much of a jerk Endeavor was, I am now Evil.” Everyone continues to be all “(ﾟoﾟ)” except for Dabi, who is all “└(˘▾˘┌ )≡ ( ┐˘▾˘)┘≡┗( ˘▾˘)┛≡┏( ˘▾˘)┓≡┗( ˘▾˘)┛” for pretty much the rest of the chapter. Idk. Just let the man have his fun, guys. He’s waited a long time for this.
y’all I have a confession to make. I am technically not spoiled for this chapter thanks to my robustly paranoid system of spoiler-tag-filtering, which is extensive enough that it pretty much will catch whenever someone so much as breathes something even remotely new-chapter-related. that being said, I like to think that I am capable of making basic logical inferences! and so the fact that for the past 36 hours, my dashboard has pretty much nonstop consisted almost entirely of this...
...has led me to conclude that MAYBE, POSSIBLY, PROBABLY, BUT ALSO DEFINITELY, a certain someone is finally going to reveal his ~secret identity~ woop woop. lmao
anyway so everyone, please remember to act surprised though, as we would not want Dabi’s feelings to be hurt at all. he has been planning this moment for the last decade or so and I wouldn’t want him to feel like all of that effort was for naught. so just play along, okay. OH MY, IF IT ISN’T THE LEAGUE OF VILLAINS’ MYSTERIOUS DABI. WHATEVER COULD HIS ARRIVAL POSSIBLY BE HERALDING, I JUST DON’T KNOW
“Dabi’s Dance” lmao. I’m sticking with Touya Time myself. ngl I had this recap title planned out for at least the past year or so. just waiting for that day to finally come
anyway so some people in some building somewhere are all “TURN OFF THE TV IN ROOM 315” and idk. I’m guessing the LoV is hacking the airwaves to livestream the reveal, as predicted
-- oh shit. UHHHHHHHH
did she always have this TV or did she get it just recently?? jfc of all the times for the hospital staff to finally loosen up
um... so that’s... (・＿・；)
well but I mean, she was gonna find out one way or the other at some point though. like you can’t really just keep her locked up and isolated from all news of the outside world forever and ever and ever. granted, this isn’t exactly the ideal way for her to learn this particular bit of information, but it’s not really ideal for anybody else either! EXCEPT DABI, THAT IS. have yourself a day you funky little terrorist
oh shit what is this?? it’s not live???
over in Jakku, a red-faced, sputtering Dabi makes a frantic grab for Skeptic’s laptop. “WAIT, NO, JESUS, NOT THAT TAPE!”
lol. but seriously Dabi are you even wearing a shirt. like I’m not one to slutshame anyone bro, but it’s just, exactly what type of mood were you looking to set here??
anyway so we really are cutting back to Jakku now, and Gigantomachia is all, “MASTERS”! which, I wonder if he really did use the plural? that’s right Machia, both of them in one place now! that sure is convenient for you huh
lol what is this with all this AFO monologuing. you’re really gonna make me read through this when I’m sitting here all sleep-deprived from election week. JUST GET TO THE TOUYAS. WE WERE PROMISED TOUYAS!!
sigh
“tee hee it’s fucking hilarious how goddamn powerful I am now lol”
alas, in spite of myself I do have two serious takeaways from this. one is that AFO is still controlling most of Tomura’s body behind the scenes, which both does and doesn’t bode well for Tomura (like, at least he’s not dying, but the long-term implications of this for his free will and such certainly are not Good). and two is that this confirms that Ujiko did give Tomura at least one powerful mutant quirk, which explains why he was still so deadly and indestructible even when Aizawa was using Erasure on him (since Erasure doesn’t work on mutant quirks, just emitter and transformation ones)
MEANWHILE ON TODAY’S EPISODE OF “TODOROKI SHOUTO’S TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD LIFE”
I like how he doesn’t actually say that he can’t take on Gigantomachia. just that he can’t take on him and Afomura at the same time. that’s confidence, baby. that right there is why you always draft Todoroki Shouto in the first round for your fantasy team
HADOU!!!!
OOOH, TOMURA’S ALL “MAN, THIS GIRL’S WAVE POWERS AND THIS KID’S ICE POWERS ARE A SUPER-STRONG COMBO DAGNABBIT.” YESSS I LIKE THAT, TELL ME MORE ABOUT HOW COOL AND POWERFUL THEY ARE
HOT DAMN LOOK AT THAT
um but not to take away from this exceptionally cool moment or anything, but why is Endeavor dying and shouting “RUN” down there in the corner um
oh
excuse me. not to take away from How Bad This All Is, but!!
just a little, smol, IidaBaku for everyone. Iida, who apparently doesn’t know a damn thing about first aid and is all, “hmm that’s a pretty bad-looking puncture wound he has in his left shoulder there, I think I’ll just let his arm dangle freely like that and I won’t bother taking off his heavy gauntlets either. I mean. he’ll be fine, probably.” smh. at least Shouto probably cauterized the wounds
EXCUSE ME WHAT
TIME FOR MORE OF THAT GOOD OLD FASHIONED SHOUNEN RIDICULOUSNESS I GUESS LMAO. KACCHAN YOU HAVE A HOLE IN YOUR TORSO. THERE IS A HOLE IN YOUR TORSO, AND YOU LOST LIKE FOUR GALLONS OF BLOOD, BUT SURE. “PUT ME DOWN” HE SAYS. FIRST OF ALL, PUTTING ASIDE THE FACT THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT BE CONSCIOUS, THE FUCK ARE YOU EVEN GOING TO DO, LIE DOWN AT THEM?? LISTEN, YOU SWEET IDIOT. TAKE HEED, BELOVED DUMBASS!!
ah well. I guess he gets to watch the Touya Show now too then lol
LMAOOOO now Machia’s lifting Tomura carefully in his palm like a broken action figure and Spinner is all “THE FUCK, YOU LOOK LIKE DEATH WARMED OVER”
“oh hey there Spinner. well let’s see, I woke up from my three-month coma and destroyed a city, had my body incinerated, and am currently being possessed by a diabolically evil potato. but please, tell me more about everything you've been through”
AW YISS AND THE FOCUS NOW SHIFTS TO THE TODOROKIS. EVERYTHING IS PROCEEDING EXACTLY AS WE HAVE FORESEEN
Endeavor my dude. it’s as if you want to die here. also holy shit, that bit about his lungs definitely does not bode well for him either
MOTHERFUCKER
GO AHEAD AND SIGN YOUR OWN DEATH CERTIFICATE, WHY DON’T YOU!! FLAGS UPON FLAGS. JESUS CHRIST
meanwhile Dabi’s just waving at ‘em
lmaoooo please oh please Caleb please keep this ‘EYYYYYYY’, it’s fucking perfect kdlshk;hg
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH
(ETA: so as you will see very shortly, I completely missed this detail in my first read-through because I was so anxious to get to the reveal page, but THIS MOTHERFUCKER LITERALLY DOUSED HIMSELF WITH INSTANT HAIR DYE REMOVER THAT HE’S JUST BEEN CARRYING AROUND IN A LITTLE HIP POUCH APPRENTLY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. MOTHERFUCKER. I HAVE NO WORDS.)
IS THIS THE TIME. IS THIS THE MOMENT?! HERE IT COMES SLKFHS BRACE YERSELVES LADS
EYYYYYYYYYYYY
OKAY EVERYONE JUST LIKE WE PRACTICED!! SURPRISED FACES ON THREE! ONE... TWO... (•̪ o •̪) !! okay how was that
LMAO ENDEAVOR
at least Shouto looks properly stunned. Enji just looks like endeavor.exe just straight up stopped working
meanwhile Deku’s out here trying to do the math on this latest surprise family reveal! first Tomura is related to Nana, and now this. what’s next. who are you related to, Spinner. he rips off his boots to reveal engine legs and declares himself Iida’s long-lost uncle
oh shit Touya
it’s as if a million fanworks suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly jossed. who knew that all this time he was secretly sporting a crop top scar
also, THIRTY?! holy shit son you been busy
la la la two-page spread of Touya casually driving the dagger into Endeavor’s hero career and rocking the foundations of hero society as we know it la la la
la la la!!!
OH IS THAT THE END OF THE STORY THEN
almost got confused for a sec. there’s two monologues happening at once here. Endeavor doesn’t even know that his dirty laundry is being aired out nation-wide as we speak ffffff
btw while I appreciate the close-ups of Enji and Shouto here for sure, ngl I would also really love to see everyone else’s reactions right now. SHOW ME BAKUGOU AND THE LOV YOU COWARDS
is his hair actually turning white all of a sudden?? your hair dye just reacts on command??
(ETA: in all seriousness though, the hell kind of hair dye was he using? all he has to do is pour a bottle of that stuff and not even lather it in and it’s just gone just like that?? what the fuck would have have done if it ever rained lmao.
and this motherfucker just goes and leaves the dye remover in afterwards, too. I have never dyed my hair in my life and even I can tell you that’s probably not a good idea, Dabi.)
is this it. is this the legendary Dabi Dance in action. lmfao
oh hey what the fuck
so you figured you’d just murder your innocent younger brother to get revenge on dad, huh. well that’s nice
is that really all there is to the origin story though?? feels like we’re still missing a huge chunk of it. what was it that finally sent him over the edge? or was the trauma of being created as Endeavor’s perfect little hero tool and then being subsequently rejected by him enough on its own? because I’m still kind of confused on the part where he goes from “abused and discarded by his father” to “killed thirty people and was plotting the murder of his own brother” to tell you the truth
(ETA: lmao the initial fandom reaction to this did not disappoint. listen guys. people can be traumatized and shaped by awful circumstances that are completely out of their control, and grow up to be people they wouldn’t have grown up to be if things had been better, and all of that absolutely sucks, but. it doesn’t mean they get a get-out-of-jail-free card for all of their future actions, either! the tragedy of this situation is that terrible things happened to Touya, and he then went on to do terrible things himself. the tragedy of it is that this is exactly how the cycle of abuse keeps repeating itself on and on and on. maybe one of the people Dabi killed had a child who will now grow up traumatized themselves, and potentially go on to pay it forward themselves when they grow up. the tragedy is that the eye-for-an-eye justice that Touya is seeking out won’t actually make anything better in the end. the tragedy is that we understand why Touya is so angry, but that anger has basically warped him into the gleefully sadistic dancing figure we see in this chapter who has stopped caring about anyone else’s pain or suffering and just wants his own revenge.
anyway. basically what I’m trying to say is that it’s possible for the concepts of “Todoroki Touya was an innocent child and a victim of abuse” and “Dabi is a grown-ass motherfucking adult who killed thirty people and PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT” to coexist lol. like, y’all wanted your moral grey, well HERE YOU GO lmao, eat up.)
lol but LOOK AT THAT BOY DANCE HIS LITTLE HEART OUT though
Todoroki Touya confirmed not a fan of the Endeavor redemption arc huh. well we all saw this coming lols
anyways here’s a sexy Touya for y’all
you really are the most theatrical bitch I s2g lmao
also for real though, what is happening with his hair? anime team in shambles here. they’re probably just gonna double down and keep it red. too bad though cuz this is a surprisingly good look on him
SO MANY CLOSE-UPS OF THE TODOROKI FACES
friendly reminder that Dabi without a doubt REHEARSED this speech like a thousand fucking times. LET US FALL TOGETHER!! COME DANCE WITH YOUR SON IN HELL. apparently if you fake your own death in middle school you will never mentally age past that point and will remain a permanent chuuni
OH LMAO THAT’S THE END
we really just gonna end on “DANCE WITH YOUR SON IN HELL”, huh. very well then. you know what song to play, Horikoshi. one, two... YOU ARE MY DAD. YOU’RE MY DAD!! BOOGIE WOOGIE WOOGIE
#bnha 290#dabi#todoroki touya#todoroki enji#todoroki shouto#todoroki rei#bakugou katsuki#bnha#boku no hero academia#bnha spoilers#mha spoilers#bnha manga spoilers#makeste reads bnha
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MIYA OSAMU - OPEN FOR MIDNIGHT
➵ summary : being roommates with osamu was all fine besides the fear that you could potentially be a burden should you run into him, especially while he’s cooking. little do you know though, every night osamu hasn’t just been cooking for himself but rather cooking with hopes of luring you into the kitchen
➵ genre : fluff
➵ an : this is for @zumisace tee hee i love u lots and sorry it took longer for my teeny tiny brain to write this out properly !! <3
It felt nice living somewhat independently, away from family and free to do as you pleased; within reason of course.
You’d moved away to college last year and you’d nicely settled in and gotten into the swing of handling a domestic and academic routine. Your roommate was nice enough and the two of you were friendly. Things were fine and you were thankful you hadn’t ended up with the nightmare college experience story which you’d heard plenty of beforehand.
The only thing that bothered you was that your dinner times were a little earlier than you would’ve liked. You ate at 6ish every night to avoid clashing with your roommate as the kitchen seemed to be his domain and you never wanted to come across as getting in his way.
Sometimes, he’d offer to cook for you but the thoughts of you being a slight burden stayed prominent in your thoughts and you found yourself declining him more-a-less every single time he offered. You only hoped he didn’t take offence to your decline of invitation and think that it was his cooking that put you off because that certainly wasn’t the reason.
You and Osamu were friends with each other but you were never sure as to what level of friendship you were at. Sometimes you feared as to whether you’d be able to hold a long enough conversation yet talking to him seemed to flow naturally anyway. The feeling of nervousness never once left you though even though there was nothing to be nervous about when it came to Osamu. Maybe it was a fear of judgement or maybe you hadn’t been around him for a long enough time due to your incompatible schedules, you’d only ever run into each other in the morning after his runs and in the evening when you’d both finish your classes at different times. Osamu also took cooking courses a handful of evenings in the week so it’s not like you saw him much on a daily basis anyway.
That still didn’t help your new developed habit of eating your evening meal early though and it bothered you waking up later in the night feeling hungry but too tired to get up. The smell of cooked food would waft in through your door at around 11:40PM and linger about until around 1AM. Whether it was just your hunger making you imagine it or if it was your roommate cooking late, you weren’t sure but, you certainly weren’t going to make yourself find out either. That was your excuse anyway, it was actually a fear of running into Osamu and bothering him. You weren’t prepared to face him in an awkward conversation at 12AM every night and you certainly didn’t want to accidentally wake him up and potentially irritate him if he happened to be in his room sleeping.
Again, you weren’t quite sure what it was about him you were so anxious about, he was a nice man and was genuinely nice to you. Sometimes he seemed a little awkward to talk to though and his somewhat flat tone didn’t always help.
It didn’t matter too much though, you were on good terms and things were fine the way they were. You’d just have to continue waiting till morning to eat until you’d grown more comfortable with Osamu.
It was Wednesday and you’d had the typical college meal of just a quick mac and cheese box and it was safe to say it hardly filled you. It hardly mattered though because you had assignments piling on your desk and you were too occupied with them to even think to give your body an actual nutritious meal.
Burying you head into your building mountain of work, you settled down and did your best to get through them. You had decided that as a reward for completing your work, you’d treat yourself to some self care and a good meal but right now, your goal was to finish the unforgiving pile of work that was waiting to be handed in.
You set yourself to work and began flipping pages through and typing up the essays that were bound to be overdue soon managing to ignore the insatiable hunger in your practically empty stomach and the time.
Osamu had arrived back to the apartment an hour after you finished your sad excuse of a meal and retreated back to your room to tackle your workload. He didn’t miss the quick mac and cheese box by the recycling pile and he shook his head and sighed. He always wondered why you were okay with eating this processed and unhealthy food but you were hesitant about joining him to eat his freshly cooked meals.
Osamu put down his bags and left the fresh ingredients for tonight's meal he was making in the kitchen before returning to his own room to change into more comfortable clothing.
Walking back to his room, he noticed your door was opened slightly and he had a mental debate as to whether he should look in or not. Usually you would’ve called out a ‘hello’ or come out to greet him by now but when he noticed your lack of welcome, he decided they maybe snooping in through the crack on your door was okay. He just wanted to make sure you were okay or if you’d fallen asleep with your door open by accident.
He peered into and saw your back to him and a pile of papers stacked frantically on your desk. He saw the way your hands were typing up a storm on your laptop and the slightly disheveled appearance to your hair.
So you were studying huh?
Smiling softly to himself, Osamu hurried back to his room to change so he could start preparing dinner despite the fact it was 10:38PM already.
Finally, after what felt like hours on no end, you had drilled through the seemingly never ending pile of work and you couldn’t feel your hand or your spine from your posture. Several clicks of your back could be heard in your room as you straightened up and finally moved from your stiff position.
It was now 12:07AM and your stomach finally got the attention that it had been begging for since the start from you. Despite the fact you were hungry, you were also conscious of the time and didn’t want to risk potentially annoying your roommate.
Then again, the familiar scent of fresh food drifted through the crack of the door you’d accidentally left open as though it was demanding to be attended to.
Burying your head in your pillow, you did your best to fight the urge of getting up and following the calling smell outside of your room but your leash of nervousness began to wear down and you found yourself naturally moving towards the door and outside of your room. It was like your brain had just packed up and left your body to function on it’s own as all previous concerns were thrown out of the window and your only goal right now was to track this smell down and potentially consume something more than the ‘meal’ you have previously had.
Padding down the hall, previous concerns about your roommate long gone, you peered into the kitchen and was welcomed with the sight of steaming vegetables and frying what appeared to be dumplings. You inhaled and savoured the scent of the fresh food and allowed your eyes to flutter shut in bliss.
“Smell good?”
You jumped at the sudden voice and was met with lazy pretty eyes staring back into your own.
“S-shit, yeah -don’t scare me like that.”
“Sorry, wasn’t my intention.”
He wandered back over to the deep frying pan and lifted the lid to turn the food over to fry on the other side.
“Ya know,” He began suddenly causing your eyes to flicker up towards him. “I see all the shit ya eat and I don’t think the amount ya consume is normal.”
You shrugged and took a seat at the small island built in the kitchen.
“It’s all I can really do. It’s less time consuming too and besides, I don’t think I’d be able to eat big portions like you do,” You peered over the amount of food cooking. There was definitely more than enough for two people at least. “I don’t need to eat as much as you.”
“What are you trying to say?” Osamu’s tone threaded with teasing.
“I just mean you work out and stuff right? Yeah, I don’t need to eat as much as you because I don’t do that kind of thing as often as you.”
He hummed and turned the stove off and took the vegetables off the stove to drain the stock out.
“Well, as much as that makes sense, this isn’t all for me.”
You hummed and allowed your eyes to trail over his well built form.
“No? Don’t you always make this much food?”
Osamu put the pan down and turned to face you. One hand rose to meet the back of his neck as he sheepishly cast his gaze down to the floor.
“Uh actually, half of this goes to my brother since uh ya don’t wanna ever eat with me.”
“Oh.”
You felt heat rise to your face as Osamu slowly looked up at you.
“It’s not that I don’t want to eat with you it’s just...awkward?” You confessed as Osamu’s face twisted in confusion.
“I don’t think we’re awkward.”
You sighed and shook your head as Osamu reached down to grab two plates and two sets of utensils.
“It’s more like I’m awkward around you. I guess… I find you attractive.” You murmured the last bit quietly and half of you had hoped he hadn’t heard that.
“Hm? Repeat that for me?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
You huffed and glared at the smirking boy in front of you.
“Because you know what I said!” You whined as Osamu snickered, bringing the crockery and food to the kitchen counter.
“Okay, okay fine. But who said I don’t find you attractive either?”
You darted your eyes away from him as you began to grow slightly flustered.
“W-what?”
Osamu started delicately loading the contents of food onto the two plates as he sighed.
“It stresses me out ya know? Like everytime ya turn down eating with me, I’m always worried it’s because ya don’t like my food or...me?”
“No! It’s not that at all! I just told you I’m awkward!”
Osamu laughed and brought the two plates over and placed one in front of you. Your eyes danced over the food and your mouth began to water slightly. You had wasted your time eating processed and unfilling meals when you could’ve been eating like this? What were you thinking?
You muttered a quick thanks and then the two of you said your thanks for the meal before eating. Osamu’s cooking was as good as it looked and you found yourself humming in satisfaction every few mouthfuls.
Osamu smiled softly to himself as he ate his own food, sparing you a glance every so often.
“I’m glad ya sound as if ya like it. Your portions are such a waste going to an idiot like my brother all the time.”
You coughed and looked at the boy in disbelief.
“Maybe if you weren’t so good-looking then maybe I’d join you for dinner and you wouldn’t have to give food to your brother.”
Osamu laughed and looked back down to his plate.
“Well, now I know that it’s not my cooking ya have a problem with, I think I’ll tell Tsumu’ that his portions are being cut off now.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
You hummed and finished your meal finally feeling full and content. You glanced over at the clock that read 12:49AM.
“Why do you cook so late?” You questioned as Osamu hummed and looked at you.
“Because I know yer hungry around now and I didn’t wanna bother you about coming out and eating.” Osamu replied as your eyes widened slightly. So he had been purposely cooking around now every night to try and lure you into the kitchen.
“Oh, I’m sorry… but you don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
“Meaning?”
You sighed and tilted your head, eyes meeting his once more.
“I think I wanna start having meals with you.”
“So it’s a regular date?”
“D-date?” you flushed.
“Yeah, date. Midnight meal dates and maybe I’ll take ya out on a few proper ones soon.”
“Okay Osamu. It’s a date.”
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#miya osamu#osamu x reader#osamu x you#osamu fluff#haikyuu#haikyuu!!#hq#hq x reader#haikyuu fluff#osamu fanfic
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ya know, the whole incompetency is a huge trend in dc these days and IMO i think it's because dc writers cannot/will not take the time to write intelligent villains anymore
like, dc has to dumb down their heroes in order to give the villain any sort of credibility, or give the hero some insane morals that they have either a) broken before or b) are insanely unrealistic considering who they deal with/where they live (*cough* Batman *cough*)
it's either make both the villain and hero dumb or make the villain somehow extremely thorough in everything they do, like the joker planting a billion bombs for the batfam to disarm and the only way he'll give up the detonator is if Batman holds a gun on TV or something because it'll prove that he's just as bad as joker (which, holy heck, that's pretty much the whole she-bang isn't it? just joker going "hee hee-hoo, Batman held a gun and I hold guns all the time, so he's just like me!! i'm just some twig dude on a perpetual acid trip and Batman is a very sad man doing his best, but we're the same!! tee-hee, we're besties!!")
like, dc, you already have established and much loved and very intelligent heroes!! you already know their characters!! it's okay to invent new villain now, i promise the whole world won't go crazy as long as it's not joker 3.0
I felt that way during Tomasi’s recent run in Detective Comics! Hush managed to take out Dick, Babs, Jason, Cass, Duke, and Kate all at once?? Like are you fucking kidding me? I’ll admit, his plan to cut out their organs and to donate them so that Bruce couldn’t bring them back to life via the Lazarus Pit was pretty devious, but everything before that was just... what the hell.
I think a lack of understanding for the character definitely plays into it as well as the writer not knowing how to progress the story without dumbing the hero down to move them along from point A to point B. Like, hm, how does the hero get locked in the cellar? I don’t have time to write some long fight scene, so how about I just pretend like they can’t do This, This, and This so the villain can take them out easily.
😭 We already have Joker 3.0 😭 They really did that. They really decided to give us Punchline even though everyone is fucking sick of the Joker 😭.
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would you do your own A-Z nsfw alphabet for tom?
funny you should ask, i was just thinking about this
(nsfw below the line, obviously tee hee)
A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)
Okay look, Tom does aftercare but it’s subtle. He doesn’t outright ask if you feel alright after, he watches you very carefully, observing how you move and speak to make sure that he didn’t accidentally push you over the edge. He’s not a cuddly person but if you happen to rest your head on his chest, he’ll put an arm around your shoulder, maybe rub the smallest of circles in your back once you’re asleep.
If you spend the night and feel super sore in the morning, he’ll use his status as Head Boy to pull a few strings and get you excused from class. If you have somewhere you need to be, he’ll help you get dressed. If you take a shower right after, he’ll join you and wash your hair for you.
You know, simple things so no one catches him simping.
B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)
Tom loves your lips. He likes to watch them tremble and quiver as he makes a mess out of you. He loves the shape they make when you call out his name. He likes how soft they feel against his own because he’s the only one who gets to kiss you.
As for himself, Tom supposes that he likes his hands. He likes how they look wrapped around your neck and the power rush it gives him to be able to squeeze around your throat. It always makes you look so small underneath him.
C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)
Inside you, it makes him feel like he’s marking you as his or something. That being said, seeing it spread across your face also makes him smile.
D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)
He’s pretty straight forward with you about what he wants to do in bed but he does have a fantasy about bending you over and fucking you in front of his followers. It would be the ultimate power move but he never actually suggests it because he knows you probably wouldn’t go for it and he doesn’t really like the idea of his lessers seeing you naked, no, that’s just for him and him alone. So, I guess you could say that he’s a secret voyeur.
(and he turns into a cuddler when he’s asleep)
E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)
Oh, Tom fucks. He knows what he wants to do and how to do it, no need to worry about that.
F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)
Probably having you bent over something or on his lap while he’s sitting up. Against the wall would also probably make his top ten. But having you underneath him is always a classic.
G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)
Tom is...sadistic. He likes to tease you, poke fun at how desperate you are, but he can also be very serious, especially if he’s jealous.
“Does Dolohov get to fuck you? Does he get to make you feel this good?”
“N-no, my lord! Only y-you do!”
“Mmh, that’s what I thought.”
H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)
I mean, Tom lived in the 40s so I doubt that anyone was clean shaven back then. He’s not too picky or worried about it, but I could see him keeping himself neatly trimmed.
Once he becomes Voldy, he just straight up doesn’t have any, lol.
I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)
He’s not romantic but he lets you know that you’re the center of all his attention in the moment. He’s focused on you and only you.
J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)
Doesn’t do it often, doesn’t really see the point if he has you. Will indulge if you’re not up to a session or are otherwise unavailable.
K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)
Choking, of course, is one of his sadist go-tos. He doesn’t really do the whole ‘daddy’ thing but call him ‘sir’ or ‘lord’ and you’re in for a treat.
Tom will degrade and praise you at the same time. One minute he’s calling you a filthy little whore and the next, he’s telling you how good you’re being for him. He’s also the type to spit in your mouth.
L = Location (favorite places to do the do)
Tom doesn’t really have a favorite spot to fuck you but he’s got some designated places for it. His bed naturally, the Room of Requirement is quite nice for it, the Chamber of Secrets if he’s feeling particularly powerful. One time you did it in the Forbidden Forest and it was surprisingly romantic. If someone pisses him off, he won’t hesitate to fuck you in their bed or their office (you can only hope that that phoenix doesn’t snitch to Dumbledore about what you did on his desk).
M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)
Anger is one of his biggest motivators. Envy, pride and sheer boredom as well. If you’re in the mood, it’s not hard to get him in the mood. If he feels like he’s letting in too much emotion, he’ll probably end up fucking you to distract himself from it but sometimes that doesn’t really help because the way you look drifting off to sleep in his arms is so...
N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)
Tom’s not really the type to have boundaries but he doesn’t like to beg and he won’t do anything you don’t want to. He won’t have sex with you if you’re too drunk to understand what you want, he much prefers it when you’re genuinely able to want him.
O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)
He likes receiving much more than giving (another reason why he loves your lips). There’s something about having you on your knees in front of him, looking up with an adoring expression that just drives him wild. He’ll let you do most of the work, but you can bet that he’ll have a hand in your hair the whole time.
While he doesn’t like to give you oral, he does enjoy fingering you.
P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)
Tom can go either way here, it depends on his mood. He likes to be rough, he’s not at all a very soft fellow, but sometimes he likes to hold you out for as long as possible or simply just be able to appreciate your lovely body.
Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)
He’s not opposed to them at all but they’re not his favorite. He likes to plan things out ahead of time and take his time, but he won’t say no to a spontaneous blowjob in a supply closest or to fingering you before transfigurations.
R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)
Tom tends to be a creature of habit but he most definitely has an adventurous side to him. He’s willing to experiment, especially if it means experimenting with spells.
S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)
He can go for several rounds, until he feels that he’s gotten everything he can out of it.
T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)
Not toys, necessarily, but his wand or better yet, your wand. If he’s got you tied up or immobile, he likes to drag it over your body or hold it to your throat to remind you whose in charge.
When will we finally get that book of sex spells
U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)
Tom likes to tease quite a bit. He’ll let you squirm and beg for your release, he’ll make you earn it.
V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)
He’s not loud but god damn, does he make a lot of noise. Lots of grunting and growling in a low tone. Tom is, without a doubt, the king of dirty talk and has a way of making insults sound endearing. He likes to sound like he’s in control, even when he’s not.
You, on the other hand, he loves to hear you to come unfurled for him. He’ll make fun of your high pitched squeals and cries, but don’t be fooled, he lives to hear them.
W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)
“I hate you, Riddle.”
“I find that hard to believe considering how much you’re whining right now.”
“Shut up and fuck me.”
“Not if you don’t show some respect.”
“Please shut up and fuck me, sir.”
“If you insist, darling.”
X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)
I feel like you have to have the biggest set of balls to do half of the shit that Tom does
Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)
Very high, he’s a very horny bastard (unless he’s already busy with something).
Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)
Tom doesn’t fall asleep right after. He waits until you’ve already drifted off and then lets himself have a few moments to admire you and think about how glad he is that you’re his. Just a few moments though, least he end up going soft.
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Battle Tendency Liveblog JJBA Ch.48-52
This is the “Joseph vs. Straizo” arc, so I’ll just lead off with one of my favorite moments from the entire JoJo franchise, when Joseph furiously declares war on Straizo with tears in his eyes. In the anime, voice actor Tomokazu Sugita delivered this with such intensity that it actually overshadowed the machine gun.
None of the dubs or translations can do it justice, including this panel from the JoJo’s Colored Adventure scanlation project. This is a faithful translation of Joseph’s line, as far as I can tell, except they always leave off the last part: “宣戦布告だぜ!!” In romanji, that’s: “Sensen fukokuda ze!!” And it means “This is war!!”
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Last time, we saw the Joestars treating their new friend Smokey Brown, to dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant. Some mafia jerk caused trouble, Joseph whooped his ass, and then a second mafia guy apologized and shared a rumor he recently heard: Robert Speedwagon was found dead in a Mexican riverbed, apparently killed by a Tibetan monk.
From there, we see that Joseph immediately realizes that this must have been Straizo, and Erina suspects that it must have something to do with the Stone Masks and the battle with Dio fifty years ago. Smokey warns Joseph to consider the source, but Joseph is pretty sure it’s credible information, since mafia guys are all about money. I’m not sure what that has to do with whether he’s telling the truth, though. Either way, Joseph slugs the guy for just blurting out such terrible news in front of Granny Erina.
Now, at this point, Joseph and Erina are making all these Phantom Blood references, and Smokey has no idea what they’re talking about. And I think seeing this panel helped me understand Smokey’s role as a viewpoint character. When the Part began, it seemed like Smokey was sort of the narrator for the thing, which works because he’s a good viewpoint character, and he seemed to be settling in as a sidekick like Speedwagon and Poco in Part 1. But shortly after this he just vanishes from Battle Tendency altogether, and then he shows up at the end like it’s no big deal. I never quite understood that, and I think this is the sort of thing that fuels the “Araki forgot” memes, but it actually makes a lot of sense.
See, Smokey’s primary function is to be the viewpoint character, specifically for the readers who missed out on Phantom Blood. BT is a direct continuation of the previous part, in a way that none of the other JoJo parts are. Most of the main BT cast was deeply affected by what happened in Part 1. A few of them lived through it, and the ones that didn’t have personal connections to it. So they constantly talk about Stone Masks and Dio without really stopping to explain any of it. Well, if you don’t know what they’re talking about, you can take heart in the fact that Smokey doesn’t know either. So as long as he can keep up with the story, so can the uninitiated readers. For now, all that matters is that he’s impressed by the Joestars’ great kindness, and he’s intrigued and disturbed by these hints of a tragic past in their family.
And eventually, Smokey learns just what happened to the Joestar Family, or at least everything that the reader needs to know to follow Part 2. But that doesn’t happen until near the end, which is why he shows up to hear the secrets revealed. But for most of the story, he steps aside, because that’s mostly about Joseph dealing with events in the here and now, so Joseph can act as his own viewpoint character.
But is Speedwagon truly dead? The story flashes back to the previous night, after Straizo killed his own disciples and clobbered Speedwagon. They’re in this temple where Speedwagon discovered more Stone Masks, like the one Dio used, but Speedwagon also discovered an immortal man petrified in a stone column. Straizo was enlisted to destroy this “Pillar Man” with his Hamon power, but instead he wants to use one of the Stone Masks to turn himself into a vampire.
Before he does this, he reads Speedy’s translations of the writing on the walls of the temple. The ancient Aztec cultists who built it said that the Pillar Man was immortal and had many powers, but he was vulnerable to the sun, just like the vampires from Part 1. But the writings warn that the Pillar Man created the Stone Masks because of this weakness, and one day, “when he befriends the sun, the world will be his.” That doesn’t seem to follow, since the only thing the Stone Masks seem to be able to do is make new vampires, who are just as vulnerable to sunlight as the Pillar Man.
Anyway, Straizo doesn’t seem to care. He just doesn’t want to die of old age, and he’s become disillusioned with the Hamon power he has, so he’s turning heel and going full goth on us. To avoid Dio’s mistakes, he plans to eliminate any witnesses, including Joseph and Erina. Then he’ll go into hiding and figure out a long term plan, with the rest of the world unaware of his existence.
You know, now that I write that out, I’m amazed by how similar that plan is to what Dio ends up doing in Part 3. In Part 1, he set about turning a whole town into zombies, and planning to unleash them on the world without any real agenda. But in Part 3 he eventually holed up in a swank mansion in Cairo and took great pains to stay hidden while he acquired more power. Parts 5 and 8 carry that same idea even further, with villains who go to great lengths to cover up their very existence.
At any rate, we only see Speedwagon pass out in this scene, so it’s unclear whether he actually dies or not. Really, using Speedwagon in this way is a pretty smart play. He’s an old man, and he was never going to survive another 50-year time-skip into the next part, so it’s safe to assume that Part 2 is his swan song. But how will he die, and when? It could be at the very start, or maybe somewhere in the middle.
Anyway, Straizo just walks up to a cafe in New York to confront Joseph, and Joseph whips out a machine gun and shoots his ass. This whole time, Straizo had assumed that the untrained grandson of Jonathan Joestar would be easy pickings, but Joseph’s a lot more skilled with Hamon than he expected, and he’s tricky too.
As Joseph fires on Straizo, he recalls how worried Erina was about all this. The story kind of glosses over it, but Joseph seems to have worked out Straizo’s entire plan. I guess that’s not much of a stretch. He and Speedwagon were together with a temple full of Stone Masks, and then Straizo turned on Speedwagon. Why else would he do that, unless he used the Stone Mask to turn into a vampire like Dio did? And once you arrive at that conclusion, it isn’t hard to figure out what Straizo’s next move would be. And that’s how Joseph was so prepared for this. After the shooting stops, Smokey freaks out about Joseph murdering a dude, but Joseph was expecting a vampire the whole time.
I also like Joseph’s line in the flashback. Erina isn’t worried for herself, but for Joseph, because it looks like he’s being pulled into this same tragic fate as the rest of the family. But Joseph resolves to face this head on. “If this is my fate, then I accept it.” Pretty sure Will Zeppeli said the same thing when he discovered that he would die saving Jonathan.
There’s similar “call-to-adventure” moments in the other parts. Jonathan has his when he accepts Zeppeli’s offer to train him to battle Dio again. Jotaro has his when he defeats and saves Kakyoin, then learns what’ll happen to his mother if he doesn’t go. Josuke has his when Angelo shows up and he has to avenge his grandfather. Giorno kind of always had a hankering to take on Passione, but I think things got serious once he had a choice between killing or sparing Bruno. There could be no turning back from that point. For Jolyne, it was the moment she had a clear path to escape the prison but decided to go back in because that was where her enemy was. For Johnny, it was that one battle where he chose to crawl towards the danger to save Gyro instead of withdrawing to safety. For Gappy... I’d have to study that a bit.
But for Joseph Joestar, it’s this moment. Erina never sent Joseph to learn the Ripple from the Hamon monastary, and she seems to have taken great pains to keep him out of trouble, but now trouble has come to them, and Joseph isn’t about to back down.
So yeah, bullets don’t actually kill vampires, but Joseph was hoping to destroy his head with some of those shots, or at least slow Straizo down long enough to finish him off. Instead Straizo reveals that he has the power to shoot high pressure fluid from his eyes, the same move Dio used to kill Jonathan at the end of Part 1. He calls this “Space Ripper Stingy Eyes” which is either stupid or brilliant depending on your mood, I guess. He used it to protect his head from the machine gun fire, and then he uses it again to shoot Joseph... except he hits Joseph’s reflection in a nearby mirror, and I guess he didn’t notice the real thing standing behind him.
What makes this fight so awesome is that these two are determined to kill each other, and they each have extremely simple moves to defeat one another, but they have all these tricks and schemes to protect themselves. Joseph manages to hit Straizo with Hamon, but it does nothing... because Straizo was a Hamon master before turning into a vampire. He can’t use the Ripple without destroying himself now, but he still knows how to defend against it. For instance, he’s got this scarf woven from dead bugs, because it conducts Hamon energy far more effectively than his own body. So it just absorbs Joseph’s attacks and disperses the energy harmlessly away.
Does it really have to be made of dead bugs? I feel like Tonpetti just told him that as a prank. “No, really (snort!) the only thing that works is dead bugs. (tee-hee!) It smells awful but you have to wear it (ha!).”
But Joseph has his own tricks, like... putting a dozen grenades on his opponent’s back when he isn’t looking! Seriously, there was zero opportunity for him to do this. One moment he steps over Straizo’s body to see if he’s still alive, and the next moment he supposedly planted all these things on his scarf. I get that he could pull a string connected to the pin without being noticed, but that’s the only part that makes sense about this. It’s still awesome, though. If Jonathan had access to explosives, Part 1 would have been a lot shorter.
I really think this was the battle that set the tone for Stand Battles in later Parts. Araki loves these off-panel tricks in combat, and they’re a lot easier to explain when all of your characters have magic super powers. If Joseph had Hermit Purple in this fight, there’d be no problem at all. He could just use Hermit Purple to snake through the ventilation shafts and hook up all the grenades. In fact, it’s tempting to suggest that Joseph was unconsciously using Hermit Purple throughout Part 2, but I don’t want to get into that right now.
Anyway, explosions don’t stop vampires any more than machine gun fire. Straizo’s body is in pieces, but the pieces just slither back together and regenerate. Wait, wouldn’t his head have been vaporized in that blast? Also, Straizo spends the rest of this battle in the nude, so we know that stupid scarf is out of the equation. Why didn’t Joseph just go back in the cafe and finish Straizo off while he was still in pieces?
Again, it’s easy to say “lol Araki forgot”, but I think it’s a lot more sensible to suggest that Joseph forgot. As clever as he is, he went in with the Ripple, a machine gun, and a dozen grenades, and Straizo had an answer to all three. He doesn’t want to press the attack because he’s out of tricks. All he’s got left is another Hamon attack, which means Straizo will see it coming. Or he’s still worried about the scarf, and hasn’t realized that it’s gone now. In any event, he’s running away, creating some distance before Straizo can make his next move.
Also, there’s a lot of bystanders gathering around, so it makes sense to take the fight elsewhere. Some guy named “Bruty” tries to stop Joseph to impress his girlfriend, but that backfires spectacularly. Was Bruty in the anime? I feel like he wasn’t, but I don’t want to check.
The one I do remember is this girl photographer. Spider-Man hadn’t been invented yet, so in those days photographers just sort of wandered around with their camera, waiting for Spidey to debut. This exploding vampire diner is the best she could do in 1938.
I just really like this lady. There’s a spark in her eye and I just assumed she would end up being Joseph’s love interest by the end of the story. Well, we’ll get to that.
Instead, she’s a hostage. Joseph and Smokey run to the Brooklyn Bridge? I guess? It’s a bridge, I’m sure of that much. Anyway, Straizo catches this lady and takes her with him to intercept them. He threatens to kill her unless Joseph faces him again. But Straizo offers to spare Joseph and never trouble him again if Joseph runs away. This is because Straizo figures that if Joseph chickens out now, then he’ll never be a threat to Straizo in the future, no matter how powerful his Hamon abilities become.
Joseph tries to call his bluff, but then Straizo rips out one of the girl’s teeth to prove he means business, and Joseph gets furious all over again. I don’t think he was ever planning to abandon this fight, but he was probably hoping to get Straizo to give up his hostage at least. Now he’s just pissed, and Straizo is impressed. Joseph tries to act cool, but he just can’t hide his passionate feelings. This is in stark contrast to Jotaro, who wagered his own soul in a poker game and bluffed his way to victory.
So Straizo tries again with the Space Ripper Stingy Eyes, but this time Joseph blocks it with two shot glasses charged with Hamon power, and then he lands the decisive blow. But before Straizo dies, Joseph demands to know why Straizo dumped Speedwagon and the others in the river. Not only does Joseph want to give him a proper burial, but he doesn’t understand why Straizo would have dumped them in the river, since that was how Joseph knew to expect him.
Wait, I thought Straizo wanted Joseph to know he was coming. Oh well.
Anyway, Straizo explains that he had to do it, because the Pillar Man was absorbing the blood from his victims. Straizo was worried that the Pillar Man might awaken, so he put them in the river instead to be safe. Nevertheless, he suspects that the Pillar Man will reawaken eventually anyway, and Straizo now realizes that it will be Joseph’s destiny to face him some day. Then Straizo just uses the Ripple one last time, and self-destructs.
It always seemed strange to me that Straizo saw the danger of the Pillar Man and just left things the way they were. Maybe he planned to deal with him later, or maybe he just didn’t know or care about it until Joseph defeated him, and he felt a moral obligation to warn someone.
I guess he could have destroyed the Pillar Man like Speedwagon wanted him to do in the first place, but it seems like Straizo didn’t realize that blood would wake him up until after he was already a vampire, and unable to use the Ripple. For that matter, it remains to be seen if Hamon will work on Pillar Men.
Anyway, what else is going on? Oh, yeah, Europe is getting closer and closer to World War II. The official start of the war is usually considered to be September 1, 1939, but Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935, and Japan invaded China in 1937, and Germany annexed Austria and conquered Czechoslovakia in 1938, the year Battle Tendency is set. So we’re in this weird time period where there’s Nazis in the story, and the British-American protagonist doesn’t care for them, but isn’t trying to kill them on sight. I’ll be coming back to this topic later on.
I think the main reason for including Nazi Germany in this story was to draw parallels between their goals and those of the fictional villains. The Nazis believed themselves to be the “Master Race”, the most “evolved” people, and this made them worthy to rule the world. Araki notes that they turned to all sorts of sci-fi/occult/fantasy stuff in their war. Similarly, you have villains like Dio and Straizo turning to mysterious Stone Masks for spooky powers, and then you have the Pillar Man himself, who apparently sought the means to “befriend the sun” and rule over the world. So the Nazis fit into this theme of trying to claim some sort of supremacy over other beings.
But what’s their role in this story? Well, the Germans have an “information base” in Mexico, run by a guy named Stroheim. He makes pretty ladies shave him with a straight razor, and if he gets a nick he makes them lick the blood off, and then he threatens to cut off their tongues. Also, he trained his dog to not eat treats until given permission. He’s a sick fuck, is my point.
Wait, no, my point was that his staff discovered the bodies that Straizo dumped in the river, including Speedwagon, who’s still alive, somehow. I guess Straizo was going to finish him off but he got in a hurry when he saw the Pillar Man absorbing the blood from the others. Not sure how Speedwagon survived that ordeal, but Stroheim’s men have been taking care of him this whole time, and he was unconscious until recently, so it might have been touch-and-go for a while.
Back in New York, Joseph doesn’t know what this is all about, but he decides to go to Mexico himself to get to the bottom of it...
#jojo's bizarre adventure#battle tendency#joseph joestar#erina joestar#smokey brown#bruty#straizo#rudol von stroheim#santana#robert e o speedwagon
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