After escaping Asgard, Loki's initial plan of discretely getting his desires fulfilled by Steve Rogers turns into an all-out love affair that affects the personal and professional lives of the Avengers as well as others in the Marvel Universe. BDSM. Art. Kinks. Predominantly Dominant Steve and Submissive Loki. Other couples in later chapters.

The Most Noble and Ancient House of Black has crushed a werewolf uprising that threatened their Empire. One lone wolf is left standing. Sirius, the deviant Black heir, is captivated by the handsome werewolf and takes him as his slave, heedless of the consequences. What begins as pure passion has the power to destroy not only Sirius' heart, but an entire empire. AU Wolfstar

Thranduil knows better than any that beauty is only skin deep, but what does he believe lies underneath? Early Third Age and beyond.

A series of drabbles and short ficlets. All dramione pairing, ranges from fluffy to angsty.

In which Venom finds out how Eddie truly feels about Them, and Eddie makes one of the stupidest bets of his life with the Symbiote.

When Hermione returns to Hogwarts alongside many of her peers to complete her 8th year, she is not expecting the course of events that will lead her into a game of seduction, lies, deceit and mind-blowing sex. She certainly never expected it to have anything to do with what Draco Malfoy did to her at Malfoy Manor during the war.

Sirius has always been patient, but what happens when one night, Snape pushes Sirius too far and he tells Snape the one thing he swore never to tell anybody? Sirius angst, suicidal thoughts/self harm warning, eventual WolfStar.

Percy and Jason are a pain in Nico's ass. Literally. It's two against one and the two happen to be Percy Jackson and Jason Grace so Nico's got no choice but to run. Too bad he's running out places to hide in this camp! Percy and Jason can't get enough of their adorably sexy Nico. And yes Nico is their's, only their's, and no one else's. Top!Percy Top!Jason Bottom!Nico.

During the war, Steve is nervous about his kissing skills or the utter lack thereof and is convinced he'll only disappoint Peggy someday. Bucky offers to let Steve practice on him. What could possibly go wrong?

Smut series. Explicit B/J. Features both Top!Bruce and Bottom!Bruce. "Batman had always had a bit of a blind-spot when it came to the Joker, but even he has to admit that breaking him out of the back of a prison transport truck just to have sex with him was probably taking it a bit too far…"

Loki has been content to rot away in his cell until the end of his eternity, but after a year in solitude, he receives an unexpected guest - a new cellmate after all this time. Naomi has no idea why she's been kidnapped, but she now finds herself in captivity. And to make life even more interesting, only a single pane of glass separates her from the self-proclaimed God of Mischief.

Sherlock is friendly with a Scottish arsehole who may as well be John's clone with a heavy accent and a kilt, and John is NOT happy about it. John meets Sherlock old friend Iain McKelpie, who he met in Afghanistan, and who is currently taking up all of Sherlock's time and energy, leaving none for John, who decides enough's enough. Crossover with Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, LEMONS.

Johnlock slash. It comes to light that Sherlock has deleted how to please his own transport, and the fact that he's never been able to find a conscious release alone. He requires some assistance, and who better to ask than the good Doctor Watson?

Johnlock slash. The power goes out and the sun goes down while a snow storm rages outside. They not only need to conserve body heat, but John has to find a way to keep the great Sherlock Holmes entertained somehow. Desperate times, and all that...

Lonely and outcast by his classmates, Remus wishes on a moonshadow for a friend who understands him. To his amazement his wish is answered not once, but three times, by his former enemies, the Marauders. SBRL and some JPLE as well, of course.

"So, basically, throwing me out a window was your first step in wooing me." "Perhaps." "Most people just go out for coffee." "Do not be ridiculous, Tony. We are not most people." M/M Tony/Loki

Stucky AU - Bucky had a bet with his sister that if he didn't bring a boyfriend home for Christmas by the time he was 25, he had to give her 200 dollars and go blonde for a year. But now he's 25, it's almost December, Bucky's as single as ever, and he's running low on cash. Well, at least Steve is willing to upgrade their relationship from best friends to fake boyfriends.

A drug binge and a heated argument bring about an unexpected confrontation.

A collection of lemon one-shots. Some sweet and loving, others rough and passionate. I will take requests for one shots, or I will just write as the ideas come. There will be some Thranduil, Thorin, Kili, Fili, Legolas, Bofur

To the Winter Soldier, there are three kinds of people in the world: superiors, mission support, and targets. He lacks the context to understand things like friendship. So what he sees in the Smithsonian exhibit and what little he remembers or feels about his past, he interprets in that light. He thinks that Steve must have been his handler during WWII. Cue misunderstandings.

James Potter has tried to win Lily Evans's heart for close to two years but he could never get it right. After their falling out at the end of the fifth year, he admits defeat and gives up on her. But sometimes, giving up is exactly what is needed to get what you want.

An evil deed done by a despicable sorcerer. Rare fruit stolen from the King's garden. An epic quest to seek redemption and find the one you love. - Drarry Fairy Tale - HEA - Drarry Secret Santa

PWP. Batman/Joker slash (very explicit). "Bruce knew that having sex with the Joker was wrong – God, it was so wrong, on so many levels – but it felt too good for him to regret it now. Truth be told, he could never regret it. Quite the opposite in fact…He wanted to do it again." A B/J smut series, exploring what a sexual relationship between two supposed enemies might look like.

Deadpool gets turned into a lady. It's not as bad as he thought. Peter doesn't know what to think when apparent ninja smart-ass Wendy crashes into his life. All he knows is that she's suddenly everywhere. And bald. And hot. She shows up in his civilian life, and worms her way into Spider-Man's life as well. Obviously, there's only one way to handle this situation... (Spideypool)

Metanoia- (n.) the journey of changing one's mind, heart, self, or way of life. Seven years of the Marauders/Wolfstar at Hogwarts.

Deadpool and Spiderman have... an arrangement. One that involves a little sex and a lot of secrets. Peter was content with it, until he finds out that Deadpool's interested in getting to know the kid behind the mask. M for language and sex. LOTS of sex. Sort of graphic sex actually, in many locations and in a fair amount of different positions. Surely NOT for the weak of heart.

Bucky and Steve get into some kinky fun. Stucky PWP. A collection of Stucky oneshots inspired by requests from readers.

Bucky comes home after studying abroad for six years to find that his city and his mom hasn't changed, but his best friend Stevie seems to have grown up when Bucky sees those blue eyes staring back at him from a girlie magazine. [Stucky]

Remus is famished and orders a pizza. Fortunately for him the delivery boy is really cute

He had imprisoned her, waiting for her to break and submit to him and his love, but she was not about to bow her head without a rebellion. She bowed to no one. She was free. Thranduil/OC (M for mature content)

Sirius Black: FTM transgender, also very gay for Remus Lupin, who, is very gay back. James Potter is full of himself, and massively crushing on Lily Evans, who crushes right back. Peter Pettigrew: the unwanted third party for James and Lily, who fancies them both and is picked on by the whole group because of it. Severus Snape: outsider; hated by four, loved by one, loves none.

"James looked at her and she felt like her skin had suddenly caught fire. 'It's got one hundred percent, absolutely nothing to do with your essay.'": Featuring professor!James, student!Lily, and both parties' abandonment of better judgment. L/J. AU smut edition.

MPWW - M for later chapters - Remus has had a secret crush on Sirius for a very long time. When Lily finally catches on, she decides to do whatever she can to help Remus get what he wants. After all, she has a plan. And her plans never fail!

After Thorin banishes his lover from Erebor for stealing the Arkenstone, a broken-hearted Bella Baggins returns to the Shire only to find that Bag End is not as empty as she thought it was. Can Thorin ever get his hobbit back? AU, post BoFA and rated M for adult content. No major character deaths. Thorin x fem:Bilbo

Will was tiptoeing around Jack. He'd make the occasional eye contact, flush with a red blush, then promptly look away. Jack was very much aware of Will's burning stare when his attention wasn't on the lad. Like a fever heating his skin. Jack/Will first kiss. Dancing. Fluff and sweet kisses. SLASH.

Sirius's family are going on a trip to Salazar Slytherin's hometown. Of course, Sirius, as a blood traitor and Gryffindor, isn't invited. He doesn't mind so much though, as this year, he's hosting the Marauder's yearly Summer Camping Trip. It's time for Sirius to break out the firewhiskey and trash his childhood home. (feat. Jily & Wolfstar)

Peter Parker is an intern at the Stark Institute, studying Dust and taking photograms for rebel billionaire Tony Stark. At least until a mutant boy named Evan takes refuge at the Institute in the company of his bodyguard and rescuer, Wade Wilson. Peter doesn't know what to think about the mercenary, but he knows life just got a whole lot more interesting. (His Dark Materials AU)

A collection of little stories about post-CWS Steve and Bucky. (Edit - They became not so little after a while...)

Bucky's left arm is broken and his right wrist is sprained, meaning he has doctor's orders to rest said wrist for a couple of weeks. But what is a guy supposed to do when he gets hot and bothered and can't do anything about it? Ask his friend to help him out, of course. 1940's era, Pre-serum!Steve, period typical internalized homophobia. Steve/Bucky, M/M Slash. 18 and up only.

The others are sick and tired of Tony having no respect for closed doors and constantly barging in on people while ignoring JARVIS's warnings, so it's up to Steve and Bucky to teach him exactly why he should respect his friends' privacy. Steve/Bucky pairing, graphic M/M smut. Don't like the content or the pairing, don't read. Referenced Clint/Natasha. Rated 'M' for a reason.

Spider-Man finds himself lethally wounded after fighting a group of escaped prisoners. Deadpool finds him and patches him up only making Spider-Man wonder why Deadpool helped him... (WARNINGS: Smut/Blood/Naughty Language) Spideypool

"What's the matter, Rogers?" He challenges, sucking a mark over Steve's collarbone. "Can't take the heat?" ((pre-war/serum. pwp. fluff and smut. enjoy.))

Professor Potter and Head Girl Lily Evans... The Dark Decline

If Remus has to go on one more date set up by his mother, he will maul his own face off. It was nothing against the boys, they were... Well, they were horribly dull, but it was mostly the werewolf thing. So when an escape plan, in the form of Sirius Black, presents itself, Remus is more than happy to take it. (Fake Relationship Fic)

It's Sirius Black's seventh year at Hogwarts. There's a new transfer student-a Muggle. Dumbledore's idea to begin the slow process of blending cultures. Sirius knew it would be an interesting year, but he didn't count on it being a year that would change him forever.

Darcy watched the Avengers defend New York from over two thousand miles away. She could look out her window if she wanted to watch the aftermath. She watches the news instead, and realizes one very important thing: the Avengers have a bit of a PR problem. Bruce Banner/Darcy Lewis.

A/U. Roslyn is the first modern day girl to cross the portal into Middle Earth by invitation of the Elves. She reluctantly goes to Mirkwood for her last stop of the trip, but things are not as she thought they would be. Sparks fly between her and the great king Thranduil. But will they only end in disaster for her? Or will she be able to melt his long frozen heart. [Thranduil x OC]

Once upon a time, there were nine realms at war. To settle things once and for all, Asgard and Jotunheim decided it would be wise to hold a diplomatic marriage. Only, they thought it would be funny to chose me, insof some Asgardian prince. So here's the story of how my life got turned upside down, and how I, Tony Stark, married a prince.

The 12 days of Christmas…. Spideypool style starting on December 26th through January 6th. Smalls fics leading up to a longer fic.

There is no life without Bucky, or, Steve and Bucky from the beginning onward and every place in between. Stucky.

This is basically a series of Stucky porn one-shots with feelings thrown in there too. Literally, it's just sex and feelings. [Each chapter is a self-contained fic so you can read any of them separately, but they do link into each other slightly so make sense as a multi-chapter.]

Summary: Bucky doesn't care that they can just buy more ice cream. That one was his. [OR] The one where Bucky gets sick of Steve insisting that he doesn't want something and then stealing Bucky's. Well, not this time. This time Bucky is determined to have his revenge. (Rated M to be safe, but should really be a T)

D/s AU - John Watson is a sub-for-hire, working off the debt Harry accumulated while he was away. Sherlock Holmes rents his services for the night as an escort to his brother's fancy party (and a thumb of the nose to his brother). John proves to be even more interesting than Sherlock expected, though, just as Sherlock proves to be not as frightening a dominant as John expected.

The Silver Marauders are the most popular group in school, consisting of Ron, Harry, Blaise and Draco. Hermione is the most unpopular girl in school. Blaise wants to discover the motivation behind Draco's constant bullying of Hermione. AU. Violence. COMPLETE!

Harley wants Joker, Joker wants Batman, and Batman wants none of it. But several children's lives hang in the balance, and Joker promises to release the hostages unharmed... on one condition. Cracktastic hilarity ensues. B/J SLASH

Will Turner has spent the last two months in Tortuga, just waiting for Jack Sparrow to appear. Hopefully Jack needs a new crew-mate, even though Will doesn't know THAT much about manning a ship. He should have realised that Jack would welcome him aboard in a heart-beat. [Will/Jack slash]. See other warnings inside.

[Merthur] Arthur and Merlin are clearly in love, but are unaware of it. The Knights of Camelot decide to fix this before it's too late. [M Rating for chapter 5 and chapter 10]

Remus and Lily are playing hard to get, so Sirius and James come up with a plan to make them jealous… Do we seriously think this isn't going to backfire? Well, at least it's not all bad…

Ship AU: Thranduil lost his wife years ago to war. After the death of the dragon, there is a group of humans who are causing problems. One sparks Thranduil's interest and heats things up.

A drunken incident leads to something entirely new and unexpected between two particular Marauders. James, Peter, and Lily tag along for the journey and have some adventures of their own. Romance, angst, drama, and puppy love abound! Jily, Wolfstar, Regulus&Betha, Peter&Pomona, some OC's included. Read & Review, my lovelies

Tony was about to die, cold and alone on the far side of the portal. A certain god steps in to save him, only to end up stuck together on a familiar dead planet. Loki's magic can send them back to Earth, but what lurks in the darkness...and follows them home. (Warnings: angst/ hurt/smut/scary monsters)

Moments. They make or break relationships. Lily didn't just happen to fall in love with James. It wasn't an accident, but a long drawn out process that grew out of the relationships of the people around them. And when it came down to it, even Lily and James couldn't fight fate.

He can't leave the room. Her room. And it's all the Order's fault. Confined to a small space with only the Mudblood for company, something's going to give. Maybe his sanity. Maybe not. "There," she spat. "Now your Blood's filthy too!" DM/HG. PostHBP.

John comes home to find Sherlock dangerously bored - contemplating-cocaine-again bored. He manages to get Sherlock to re-focus his attention, this time on John. Sherlock discovers he likes getting to "deduce" what John wants. And when he deduces that John really, really wants to get off, then, well, who is he to say no?

University AU. Teenlock/Unilock. Sherlock and John meet by becoming roommates during their first year at university. Fun fluffiness and adventures and drama and smut and evil plots and good stuff like that. Ships: Johnlock, some Mystrade.

Thor just got discharged from the special force when he punched his commanding officer for touching him. Against all odds he rescues a damsel in distress and gets recruited as a bodyguard. Loki, however, is no lady, and his profession is not the average job. Thorki. More inside. Complete.

She was a Muggleborn. He was a Pureblood. She liked books. He liked motorbikes. She was dating the Captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team. He didn't know she existed.

"You've only made me beg for three things in our life." He's going to get sneaky, she thought. "To let this glorious body be mine in every way possible," he said, and put his mouth on her night shirt, taking her breast into his mouth, "To let me love you," Her breath caught in her throat."And to have my last name as your last name." His hands found hers feeling for her wedding band

John Watson heard warning after warning about taking one of Professor Holmes's courses. He knew he should stay away if only for the sake of his grades. However, when he reads the description for one of Holmes's modules, he cannot help but enroll himself in the course and merely hope beyond hope that he doesn't regret his decision. [Unilock, Pendentverse, Independent/Dependent AU]

The tattoos of an empty past mark Remus' body like scars which draw Sirius in like a moth to a flame. A spark between them kindles a romance, but will an interfering family and a blemished past get in the way of their happily ever after?

Natasha shows Thor the world of sex toys and assures him Loki will like it, even going so far as to give him a demonstration with Clint. Loki does like it. He likes it a lot, even if his brother is an absolutely horrid tease. Shameless Thor/Loki PWP, with a dash of Clint/Natasha thrown in. Crosspost from AO3

Tony has a visitor who wants to drink away his problems with heavy liquor. It just so happens that Tony is an expert on drinking away problems, so together Iron Man and the God of Mischief get drunk, inadvertently leading to more... (Warning: Contains graphic sexual content and MPREG. No like, no read. If you know me in real life, please keep away from this fic.)

Sirius Black wants to get to know Remus Lupin better. He is an animagus and Remus runs a dog shelter. It's fate – really!

When Remus Lupin is accepted into Hogwarts, his family can hardly believe it. From the moment he enters those doors, more and more impossible things seem to happen to him, both good and bad. He finds friends, enemies, even love, all while battling inner demons of his own and those he cares for. Secrets are revealed and lives altered. Was letting him in the right choice? RL/SBslash!

Post-Avengers. Odin, in his infinite wisdom, has decided to go for the poetic justice angle as far as Loki's punishment is concerned. For his attempt to enslave humanity, Loki has his magic and powers bound, and is sent back to Midgard and given over to Tony Stark to be his slave. Tony is none too happy about this arrangement. Eventually Tony/Loki.

It is a surprise for Tony when Loki appears at his house two years after the battle. Slowly he pieces together what happened to the Asgardian that made him so jaded. Tony/Loki eventually.

Dean discovers a few truths about himself when he and Cas are forced to go undercover on a hunt to the very last place Dean ever thought he'd find himself: a gay resort, called "Last Hope", geared towards failing homosexual relationships.

This is written from a roleplay and is rated M due to explicit terminology and adult themes. Later in their sixth year, Remus refuses to go to a Gryffindor party even though the house just won the House Cup.

Starting their seventh year at Hogwarts as Head boy and girl, Hermione and Draco can't help but feel the tension of romance rising between them, especially as Draco has to take Hermione to the Winter Ball... but will him receiving the Dark Mark change everything? rated M for adult themes. Dramonie. All credit to JK Rowling.

There are three ways to see an angel's wings. After their death. During their rage. Or, during orgasm. Dean really wants to see Castiel's wings. M for explicit content and language.

The frail prince of Jotunheim is handed over to Asgard when Laufey passes away. Can the young Thor win the heart of his spouse? Thorki/Thunderfrost, arranged marriage, some Jotun Loki

Loki teleports into a meeting with all the Avengers and surprises Stark with a little 'Fun' under the table; but when they get interrupted Loki comes back for more. Rated M for Sex. MxM. Seme!Stark, Uke!Loki.

Soulmate AU; Thorin/Bilbo romance. In a Middle Earth where dwarves dream of Heartsongs and hobbits carry the name of their fated partner as private Mark, Bilbo Baggins had never been able to properly translate the strange rows of runes inscribed on his wrist. And likewise, Thorin Oakenshield had never imagined he would hear the voice of his Heartsong from a fussy little hobbit.

"If I touch you again," snarled Thorin, "I will despoil you as you have not imagined possible... It will cost me very much, O Elvenking, to lay down my pride and be satisfied in your flesh, the flesh of my enemy, and I will take every coin of that cost from your body before I am through." The sequel to Honored Guest is here at last!

Thranduil will do anything to protect his own. Even submit to Thorin's punishment for his misdeeds. AU, Thorin & his kin survive the Battle of Five Armies. Dubious consent.

A collection of drabbles that are exactly a hundred words long, based around our favourite group of loveable pranksters. Some drabbles contain slash of the RemusSirius variety. RLSB, MWPP, Marauder's Era. COMPLETE

Modern Day AU: Sirius Black expected university to be simple; a medley of moonlight trysts and Good Times. What he didn't expect was the yearning for home, the strains on his friendships, or falling for the hot-tempered History student Remus Lupin.

"That is merely a tool. I never have performance issues, Mr. Stark; would you like to see what I can do?" Tony's eyes widened as a blue flame spread from the tips of the trickster's fingers until it engulfed his entire hand, licking dangerously at the pale flesh. "I came here for a purpose, I plan to succeed. Your mind will be mine." Frostiron Slash

Tony has a specialized compartment in his suit for Sharpies. No good can come of it.

Students return to Hogwarts for their "Eighth" Year. Slytherin invites the other Houses for a Wand party. Odd pairings, cannon pairings and the best pair-Harry and Draco. What will they all discover about each other and themselves SLASH, future LEMONS

Five times Bucky and Steve had to be quiet during sex and one time they chose to be. (Steve/Bucky, StarBuck, SoldierHusbands, whatever piece of slash you wanna go with.)

Dean messes with the wrong witch and gets a de-aging spell cast on him. Now the size of his twenty-year-old self, both men are surprised by the reaction this younger, smaller body has for Cas. It's almost as if Dean is untouched, perfectly clean, and Cas wants nothing more than to dirty him up.

After several miraculous strokes of luck Loki somehow finds himself hiding from guards in Thor's bedroom, hoping he won't be discovered for escaping his imprisonment. His older brother wakes and though he's inclined to take Loki back to his cell, he finds himself unable and does something much more unlikely. Thor/Loki Steve/Tony SLASH. You've been warned. Please Read and Review.

Draco asks Harry to help him beat the Imperius curse during 4th year. The lessons turn into more than either expected. A story of redemption and forgiveness. SLASH DRARRY Pairings: HP/DM Timeframe: 1994-2002 Goblet to 4 yrs post-DH EWE Rating M for language, angst, content

John/Sherlock. Sherlock lusts from afar. John tries hard to fool himself. High school AU.

For such geniuses, they're pretty clueless.

Loki is taken prisoner by the Avengers, and Tony can't help it - he starts to kinda like the guy. Frostiron, eventually. I will go down with this ship.

If asked, Tony Stark would be hard pressed to figure out how Loki Laufeyson ended up in his bed, or how the chaos god continued being there. But he can't deny enjoying it.

When young Thor acquires a priceless book of magic, Loki wants it badly enough to offer his body in exchange for it... and Thor wants Loki badly enough to accept.

After Thor's admission, what will Loki do with Thor's desires to see the two Lokis together..intimately? More wild Asgardian sex, beware all ye who enter... Its rather hot in Thor's bed chambers! Major M!

Loki is trying out a new spell when it earns some...unexpected results. -cat ears!Loki- ThorLoki! SOON TO BE A TWO-SHOT

:: Something breaks between Remus and Sirius in their 5th year... but during the summer, something happens to Remus that changes everything... :: Hurt/Comfort/Romance :: Marauder Adventure plot-twist ::

Angels don't sleep, but sometimes Castiel pretends anyway. Fluffy smut, Dean/Castiel.

Complete. "What were you thinking, Orion—a werewolf? In our home?" "We've discussed this. It's a pet for the children." SBRL. Slight AU, werewolves are considered animals and Ministry property & the Blacks buy their son a very unique pet. Close to canon.

REVISED & COMPLETE - Jan. 2008. AU When the young blacksmith apprentice stows away on the Interceptor to get away from abuse, he didn't expect it to be taken over by pirates led by the notorious Jack Sparrow

Will learns that the life of a pirate includes some things he didn't imagine. Jack/Will SLASH! Don't like it, don't read it.

Dean and Sam get new Iphones with the brilliant invention of autocorrect. Misunderstandings and garbled messes ensue. Rated M for cussing mostly. Dean/Cas, Sam/Gabriel Slight Slash, really just the barest hints.

Castiel's wings have an unexpected and very inappropriate effect on Dean... Spoilers for season 6.

Will learned many things while he was aboard the Flying Dutchman, including something dark and twisted about himself. Jack discovers what that secret is... Warnings: Yaoi Jack/Will , BDSM, language, disturbing content, etc. Proceed with caution.

New in town, relationship shy Arthur Pendragon meets Merlin Emrys and gets more than he bargained for. Is he setting himself up for a fall; or will the course of true love run smooth for once? Age difference. Modern AU.

Dean is an exhibitionist, Sam is a voyeur, Castiel loves sex. WARNINGS: Threesome, exhibitionism, voyeurism, wing kink, pain kink, fisting, slight degredation, dirty talk, WINCEST FREE! Basically pure smut!

In a world where Remus never received his Hogwarts invitation and Sirius wasn't accepted by the Gryffindors the two lonely boys become friends. A story beginning in their first year, and continuing right through Hogwarts and beyond. RLSB.

Honest to God, it all made him smile. Non-magic AU.

When Sirius’ miserable moods suggest that everything is going wrong, something starts to go right. A “how they got together” story.

“Fifty says two months and I’ll have him fired.” When Professor Lupin arrives at Hogwarts, Sirius Black is determined to get him fired thanks to a bet with James. And he’ll do anything to win…(SBRL, AU)

Featuring a shellshocked auror and everybody's favorite werewolf. When the person you love is on the path to selfdestruction, it's hard to know whether to stay by them or let them go.