THIS IS SO EVIL LMAO I APPLAUD YOU okay i really do like them both a lot but i have not yet figured out an even remotely settled interpretation of mello so i am going to go with NEAR <3 my beloved <3 bearer of a legacy too big for him <3 my comrade in L hallucinations <3 sarcastic little shit <3 brutally honest and also lies all the time <3 calls light incompetent to his face <3 says everyone please don't attack the person who just marched one of my employees in at gunpoint and could kill me right here right now it's okay everyone mello you can go ahead and shoot <3 cannot play darts to save his life <3 what is wrong with near nate river. so many things
ahem ahem ahem. WIP game, “to escape an empire” ext 1 persnaps... or any other snippet you want to share :3c
hello! thank you for the ask. :3
I have posted some about EXT1 here already (snippet included), but because it is you (putting in so much work into betareading empire itself) asking: here, have another one!
in this house, we love giving Near unexpected (presumed dead and in fact still alive) family:
[Near speaks again.] 'Grandmother, this is my--this is Mello.'
Mello's heart skips a beat. He never liked being Near's [REDACTED PAST CONNECTION], but he does like being Near's… what was it that Near was going to say, exactly?
[REDACTED NAME] looks at Mello, weighing, considering. 'I see,' she says in a level tone that does not give much away about what it is she sees.
Her lined face is hard and stern, her blue eyes sharper than Near's grey, but Mello sees the many similarities between them. They have the same narrow focus, the same careful speech, the same apparent coolness despite the clear tension at their table, the same strangely stiff movements when they cannot fidget with something. He would find it all fascinating if this woman wasn't [REDACTED NATIONALITY], clearly unexpected, and therefore a threat.
HI MORGAN MY LOVE. ugh i wanted to give you one billion near picrews that i almost submitted to your bday event and then ended up feeling stupid and weird abt submitting other ppl’s art, but sadly it seems i deleted them in a fit of rage. BUT have this fem meronia!!!
come trick or treat and i’ll send you smth from my camera roll
HI. sorry this took so long lol (and I got carried away so I'll put these under a cut -- number one got really long)
1 - Describe their first date.
Okay so I think maybe Chrissy would be the one to ask Eddie out first because even though he really wanted to he had kind of resigned himself to the 'what would a girl like her do with a guy like me' way of thinking. So she asks him out and says that since she made the move he can plan the date.
He really wants to Do It Right so maybe he asks Wayne for advice and Wayne (who hasn't been on a date since 1973) is like Boy I don't know. So Eddie is like Well Fuck and smokes a joint. Eventually he decides to go the safe route and take her to dinner. They dress up cute and go to dinner, he picks her up and pays for her meal, of course.
Afterwards, he's driving her home and he's so nervous he can feel his heart in his throat because he wants to kiss her so bad but he doesn't want to fuck everything up and jesus christ why did he wear so much cologne it's fucking suffocating--
He rolls the windows down a little bit for some air and Chrissy rolls hers all the way down and her hair is blowing in the wind and she's relaxed and she's beautiful, GOD!
He stops at a red light at an intersection and Chrissy opens her eyes. "Turn here," she says.
"What."
"Just turn here!"
So he does, because may God smite him into a pile of dust and teeth if he EVER says no to Chrissy Cunningham.
She gives directions and he follows them and when he stops and looks around he barely has time to process that the van is parked in the lot of the Hawkins Public Swimming Pool before Chrissy is getting out of the car and sneaking towards the fence like she's the Pink Panther.
He follows her and once he makes it to the fence she's already swinging her leg over the top of it and hopping down onto the other side.
Fucking cheerleaders, man.
She waves him on with this mischievous little grin so he grabs the fence and hoists himself over it, nearly breaking an ankle in the process. When he turns around (Christ, she's fast) Chrissy has already kicked off her shoes and dropped her sweater on top of them. She's standing right on the edge of the pool with her back to the water, heels hanging over the ledge. She doesn't say anything but smiles so big and holds her arms out to the side and falls backwards into the water with a loud splash.
Eddie lets out a surprised shout but then Chrissy resurfaces and she's still smiling and her mascara is running and she's even more beautiful than before. She swims over to the edge and rests her chin on her arms. "Come on, Eddie!"
Why can't he breathe? He strips off his jacket and shirt and shoes and digs his wallet out to leave with them and then backs up a few places. He gets a running start and launches himself into the pool, dousing Chrissy again as she shrieks with laughter.
She pushes off the wall and swims over to him, her dress floating out around her, and he catches her around the waist. She pushes his hair out of his eyes and he shakes it back like a dog and she laughs again and she's so beautiful and he tells her so this time and grins when she blushes. He was afraid before but he's not now and he thinks he might die if he doesn't so he asks, "Can I kiss you?"
She smiles even bigger and nods before leaning in.
He meets her in the middle and he's always scoffed when people talk about feeling fireworks or electricity but he must be caught in a goddamn lightning storm because all of his nerve endings are on fire and he could sink to the bottom of the pool and live there forever because why would he need oxygen when he's being kissed by Chrissy fucking Cunningham, y'know?
When they break apart, he feels like his chest is going to explode so he pulls her in again and smacks loud, obnoxious kisses all over her face and neck until she's laughing so hard she can't breathe and is pushing him away.
He lets go of her and kicks his legs up to float on his back, hand tangled in hers. He's looking up at the stars and the water is in his ears and tickling the sides of his face and Chrissy sinks down into the water until just her eyes and up are above the surface and she's slowly moving towards him like a little pink alligator and just as he turns his head to say something she opens her mouth and bites his bare shoulder.
He flails a little and chases after her as she swims away, and they carry on laughing and splashing and kissing until it's late enough that she has to go home. He has a hell of a time climbing back over the fence in his wet jeans, but he does it and waddles back to the van. When he takes her home he kisses her in the driveway because he can do that now, and watches her disappear through her front door.
He drives home with the windows down and a grin on his face and when he's lying in bed later and takes off his watch, he realizes he hadn't removed it before their impromptu swim earlier. It's frozen at the time he cannon-balled into the water (aka the best moment of his entire life).
He makes a mental note to get a new watch, but he thinks he'll keep this one, too.
4 - Who initiates affection? Why does the other not initiate affection as much?
I think both of them are extremely touch starved and looooove affection but in my heart Chrissy is the main initiator.
To me, I think her mother would be very unemotional and not affectionate at all, so Chrissy just never bothered to try in the first place. With Eddie, though, she feels safe and knows he's always willing to reciprocate so she has no problem asking for what she wants, whether it's hand holding or kisses or hugs or cuddles or sex or whatever.
Eddie I think is equally touch starved but more, like. Afraid about it at first? Or not afraid, that's not the right word, but okay like he's a sweet emotional guy. Maybe when he was a kid he'd try to hug his dad and just get yelled at instead. Stuff like that. So he's internalized that and is more reserved and doesn't want to risk that type of rejection, especially from Chrissy. He lets her initiate everything and then once she does he's so into it. Eventually I think she would have to sit him down and talk about it and after that he would be able to start overcoming that mindset and then he's all over her all the time and they both love it.
10 - Do they share any hobbies or interests? How do these things bring them together?
Okay honestly to me hellcheer are big parallel play-ers!! If they're not cuddling they're just doing their own thing together. I also think that they would have like. Adjacent hobbies but not exactly the same.
They're readers, both of 'em. Different genres maybe, but they both use it as an escape from the stresses of daily life. Maybe they'll just sit together and read silently, but I also think they would read to each other. Like maybe every night before bed they take turns reading a chapter of their book out loud to the other. Eddie likes this especially because he loves getting to see the kind of stuff Chrissy is into since she sometimes struggles to express herself and her interests outwardly. Chrissy loves it when Eddie does the voices.
Also crafting. Eddie is the kind of guy that would sit and meticulously paint his minis for D&D, or maybe he draws. Chrissy'll sit and embroider or paint or sketch next to him while he does that.
(They're codependent quality time kiddos)
Here's the link for the ask list in case anyone still wants to!
SO glad you asked, buddy! As usual, I have so much to say lol.
when I started shipping it if I did: The forest scene of course!!! It changed lives. Her quick death was a punch to the gut though and it took until I finished Volume 1 and was on Tumblr looking through tags that I started thinking more deeply about them. I joined a discord server a few weeks later and the hyperfixation was in full effect.
my thoughts: They’re soulmates and that’s that.
what makes me happy about them: I don't know how to word this in the way I want to, cause I don't want it to be a "they complete each other" thing BUT they each have these personality traits and skills that the other lacks and it's just so complementary of them, you know? She's quiet and reserved and sad but stubbornly hopeful and optimistic about people, while Eddie is boisterous and feeds off attention and is cynical about the world yet softened so immediately in Chrissy's presence. They give each other things they need but could never find before they found each other.
what makes me sad about them: They're canonically dead. Eddie could never save her in the way he wished he could. They never got to do ketamine together and kiss a lil.
things done in fanfic that annoys me: I'm always nervous to answer questions like this, but here is one of my big secrets: I hate when Eddie calls Chrissy Chris. I have such a firm headcanon that Eddie knew it's what Jason called her, and he specifically avoided it because of that. His reasons are twofold: cause he connects the nickname with the way Chrissy always shrunk herself in Jason's presence, and cause of some inner neanderthal instinct that makes him wanna avoid anything to do with the love of his life's ex. It's inevitable that the first time he calls her that in any fic, in my head, I hear it in Jason's voice from the time he said in on the show and it always takes me out of the fic. It's not something that will make me stop reading at all, but it's definitely a mental block where I actually have to work to imagine it the way it's intended.
things I look for in fanfic:
Fastburn! I can do slowburn of course, but my idea of Hellcheer is that they fall so fast and so deep that it's what makes the most sense.
Chrissy developing strong female friendships in the background is super important to me.
In future fics, Eddie being super content and fulfilled having a normal non-rock star life in my absolute jam.
Super emotionally charged character-driven sex.
who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other: No one else. I can play around with Chrissy having a few other relationships with Kali, Eden or Robin, and Eddie having a lil thing with Jonathan when they were younger, but I don’t believe either of them could or would ever love anyone like they do each other, and they would never be fulfilled in a relationship with anyone else.
my happily ever after for them: There are so many potential happily ever afters for them! Honestly, anything that involves Chrissy healing and finding herself, Eddie making peace with the chip on his shoulder and finding a way to feel like he's enough just as he is, and them having many years to know and love each other.
who is the big spoon/little spoon: Just due to their literal bodies, Chrissy is usually the little spoon, but she loves switching it up and holding him in her lap. It comforts them both.
what is their favorite non-sexual activity: Playing music & writing songs together after Chrissy has learned to play guitar. Talking in bed when they're both falling asleep but they've been too busy to connect very much lately so they're both trying hard to stay awake and give themselves a moment together. Eddie loves cooking for Chrissy (she likes giving him kisses while he's doing it). Making up outrageous life stories about strangers they see in public. Chrissy loves pranking Eddie cause he never sees it coming. I know this was supposed to be just 1 favorite activity but they love doing ALL the things together, ok????
HIIIII M & O please for the fanfic writer asks? :D
Oh hello! If it isn't one of my favorite fanfic writers herself. We were just talking about you, and how much Hold You Hostage inspired my writing. It's an honor to answer your ask!
M: What’s the weirdest AU scenario you’ve ever come up with? Did it turn into a story?
Unfortunately, I already answered this question, mostly. I'm going to be awful and ask a question instead. These are all unformed AUs that I could expand (they are currently shelved in a dusty place.)
Where should I put the Near (and co.) next?
Disco Elysium Universe. Have him contend with the Pale
A Golden Age (1920s-1930s) Detective Story
A Modern Detective TV series (like Criminal Minds)
Murder Mystery on a Space Station
The Witcher Universe
Voting ended onJul 17, 2024
O: What are your thoughts on people writing fanfic of your fanfic?
This is the highest level of praise a fanfic author could ask for, matched only by fanfic-inspired fanart. It belongs in the Louvre. My thought is that I would print it out to bind in leather and gold. I might owe anyone who does this for me a life debt (or at least a fanfic in return).
I would also do this for others if I wasn't painfully afraid they would take offence.
❤️ What is your favorite line that you’ve written in a fic?
OH BOY that one is difficult!! I've written a lot of lines over the years that make me go "...Oh damn that one is AWESOME where did THAT come from??" but....I thiiiink I'm gonna have to go with the one that seems to be everyone else's favorite:
"You look at his hands the same way he looks at your throat."
Ah, The First to Fall my beloved magnum opus 🙏
🎁 Have a piece of a WIP you want to share?
SEVERAL!!! So many that it physically pains me to choose!! :D
But I'll yeet out one for Cosmic Entities bc I know that's the one my DN peeps are most thirsty for lmao:
————
"You wouldn't understand," Light snaps, turning to rifle through the bags of blankets to find one he doesn't hate. "You were never human so you don't know what it's like—"
"Explain it to me then," Ryuk urges, knocking his boot against Light's ankle. "You're good at that, ain't cha?"
Light pauses, his hands half-clawed against the plastic of one of the blanket bags. He takes a deep breath and forces his hands to relax, claws shrinking back into normal fingertips. It's just...Ryuk, he reminds himself. He can be honest with Ryuk.
"I want to play the game again," Light admits through gritted teeth. "I liked having him there to challenge me. Everything was so boring for so long, but then I became Kira and L came along in rapid succession, and I was anything but bored. I...enjoyed. Having him around."
Pawing through the selection, Light finally finds a satisfactory bedspread with a marbled white and gold pattern. He pulls it out and holds it tightly in his hands, lips pursed in thought. For something to explain the war in his mind.
"Imagine...finding the rarest, prettiest tiger on Earth. It's the last of its kind, and you've never seen anything like it before. You want to keep it, to get close and pet it, but you know, logically, that it's still a dangerous animal. And for your own safety, you need to leave it alone—handle it from a safe distance. But that urge, the desire to play with and be close to it, doesn't just go away. Sometimes you can't resist the urge to feed it through the bars—even though you know you might just lose a hand. Do you understand? Is any of this getting through to you?" Light glances over at Ryuk through his bangs, and blinks in surprise when he finds Ryuk's expression thoughtful rather than amused.
"Yeah," Ryuk answers after a moment, head tipped. "Yeah, I could see that."
"Really?" Light says incredulously. Suspiciously. It's not that he doesn't think Ryuk could imagine such a thing, but that sort of response implies some kind of...empathy. Which Ryuk, even as a semi-Shinigami, shouldn't be capable of.
Ryuk snorts at Light's narrowed eyes, rolling his own as he turns to look through the blankets himself. "What? We might be friends," Ryuk drawls, his smile a sneer. "But if ya think I don't know when I'm livin' with a predator, then I might just get offended. I ain't that stupid, kid, whatever you think."
Light takes a moment to digest that. He licks across his fangs, his mouth suddenly buzzing with the urge to make something bleed.
