#modernverse

[bigidiotenergytm]

erm au-ception or w/e

[physicalhazards]

uh, sir, are we interrupting something?

[my side of the art trade with @bigidiotenergytm ;3]

[ask-modern-verse]

[cigar-aficionado]

wishlist

prompt fill for @penguinweek day 2 (online)

fandom: the penguin (2024)

rating: T, if that

summary: Reader is in danger but Oz, luckily, has a safe place for them to stay to wait it out. He wants to spoil them to make up for it and starts with a cigar lesson.

tags: excerpt from a massive au featuring my self insert but i think it works as a reader insert : ), established relationship, no use of y/n, reader can be gn but leans a bit femme, cigar smoking, 696 words

You’re curled up with Oz on the couch, the laptop on your lap in front of you. He sees you’re on Pinterest and asks you about it and you smile, resting your head on his shoulder. “It’s just images but sometimes they’re very, like, motivational. I set the account up when I was younger, I’ve used it on and off. Thought it’d be a good place to start figuring out what I really want.” 

Oz nods slowly, putting an arm around you and kissing the top of your head, “What do ya think you want, Doll?” 

You shrug, looking up at him, “Right now I just wanna be here with you.” 

He chuckles deeply, giving you a gentle squeeze, “Alright. How about’cha wish list?” 

That makes you laugh, “It’s all a bit…silly. I mean, I’d fantasize about, like, material stuff when I was – you know. I guess it was the mark of my freedom, if I had these expensive things it meant that I had a different life.” 

Oz smiles warmly, kissing your temple, “What kinds’a expensive things.” 

“Handbags, shoes. Got really into the idea of a Burberry coat a few years ago.” 

“Jewelry?” 

“Oh yes. Dresses in every color to match.” You kiss his shoulder, “And perfume, skincare. Cigars.” 

“Now you’re talkin’ my language. Y’ever smoked one?” You shake your head. “C’mon, let’s go to the patio.” 

You can’t help a smile and he takes the lead, giving you a hand to help you off the couch – of course you take it and you let him lead you out. 

Oz holds the French door open for you. Your patio area has enough light that you can see Oz clearly, the view made all the brighter by his lighter. He puts a cigar in his mouth, one he’d clearly been working on, and lights it before taking out his cutter and a new one. You watch as he snips the thing and hands it to you, “Don’t inhale it all’da way. Ain’t like a cig, you’ll get real nauseous,” he instructs. “Little, shallow puffs.” 

You nod as he lights the cigar for you, trying to follow his direction while still getting the thing lit. 

It’s heady in a way that cigarettes aren’t, much stronger too, but you’ve never minded the aroma and it tastes even better than it smells. You try not to take too much of it in your lungs, trying to imitate the way that Oz and Sir Crocodile puff at it. 

You do get it after a few minutes. Oz asks you what you think and you smile, “It’s nice, I’m a little worried my hair’s going to reek, though.” 

Oz laughs, “We can run ya a nice bath. Wash your pretty hair. Glad you like it, maybe we should have a tasting. Find which ones you really like.” 

“Love both those ideas,” you smile. Maybe you could even get Oz to sit with you in the massive bathroom; you always liked having him close by. 

“Anyway, make me a list of things you want. Email it to me –” 

“Email?” You giggle. 

Oz rolls his eyes but smiles, “Text, whatever. Get me your list so’s I can get’cha the list.” 

“It doesn’t have to be all of it.” 

“Carmine pays me good, don’t worry ya pretty little head.” 

You blink – this is the first time he’s mentioned his boss, who you assume is a boss boss. You can’t resist your next question: “What’s he like?” 

“Who? Carmine?” 

“Yeah.” 

Oz is silent for a moment – you almost feel like you shouldn’t have asked. Then he clears his throat, his tone no less light, “He’s just like da rest’a these guys. Like Sir. Organized, demandin'. Wants what’s best fa’the Family.” 

Sir, the man who owns the massive estate that Oz has you staying in, never struck you as demanding, but you assume he seems that way over more than just dinner conversation. 

Oz continues, “All goes well, you won’t hav’ta deal with him.” He sounds like he’s speaking more to himself. 

“You don’t want me to meet him?” 

Even in the low light, you can see Oz pale considerably, shaking his head, “No, Doll. I don’t think you meetin’ Carmine’s a good idea. You’s much safer here.” 

[sunnyanddumb98]

ars poetica

I didn’t exist until I took a pen.

I didn’t feel until I wrote it down.

My world fell and came true.

On the ground, between the dirt and the mud.

I watch dandelions fight

and clouds laugh.

Once on my feet again,

I searched for words.

They were kind, and they hungered for more.

But the stars in my eyes

wouldn’t reach the gutter where I stood.

I might have sabotaged myself,

or perhaps I just had more hope, more naïveté.

Odes make the shit glow.

Odd, how I never fully felt at home.

Nevertheless, and never more—

If it were true,

me, the master manipulator and swift narrator,

got broken-hearted for the sake of craft,

Shouldn’t it be easier to write it down?

If I don’t, what was the point?

of falling for a lover

who wasn’t that kind?

The pen might have saved me from madness,

dodging more than this one.

If I didn’t love the pen,

Would I take it all down?

Did it hurt, or did it cure?

If nothing else is true,

I would die protecting what saved my life.

And for him?

I wouldn’t cross the road on a green light.

words hurt.

And the more I try to martyr my intended victim,

the more I remember—

he needed to say it,

and then take it back.

I'm back at the pen,

and he is back at badmouthing his life.

for @nosebleedclub's April prompt ars poetica

[collectingmuses]

Colt getting stuck on the Creature Commandos and adapting very quickly.

[ag-autumn]

[mothdollart]

Modernverse Ink, designed for the lovely blog @ask-modern-verse, run by my best friend. They asked me to help with his design so I couldn’t resist.

I love this little goofy asshole so much