#{/one of those 'i've seen something like that somewhere before' situations; yeah?}

[blindedguilt]

((from @booksofthelibrary ))

The young girl runs up behind the boy and sprays him playfully with a little bit of water. A harmless prank as she giggles before handing him a brand new net that she made for him. A 'R' carved into its handle.

"happy birthday!"

::RIVERSAL

"Waaah...!!" A sharp squeal erupted from the boy at the feeling of cold water on his back, the momentarily cry of shock quickly turning to a string of bright giggles as he flicked back a few drips from his hair towards Daffy. "Oi, you!! I'll get you for that, you know! You better watch your back, miss..."

He could hardly say he was displeased at her betrayal so much as pleased he had someone to play with! His brothers tried, but could never fully get in on his games, whether it be through confusion or other business they had to attend to.

Admittedly, though he would never say it out loud, he secretly felt rather jealous, perhaps even upset at the news of her getting together with Lukhege when he had initially found out. It was frustrating, in a way - he had finally found himself a friend to play with, and for what? ...Yet, even despite those initial worries, he was glad to be further comforted in the thought that he hadn't been forgotten by her presence with him that day.

The once beaming smile faded with the momentary rush of excitement and into curiosity as he was offered the finely crafted net. "Oh...This is..." A soft red creeped up to his cheeks with a sheepish, somewhat awkward look to his smile as he idly turned it over in his hands. It would have seemed forced in a way that he was trying to smile if not for the faint twinging at the corners of his lips threatening to break out into a wide grin. For someone who was usually so excitable, it seemed Riversal in particular had the most trouble accepting gifts - even compared to his younger brother Laum, who, while sheepish, was always capable of clearly showing his gratitude. Riversal, however...

The boy's long coat swayed as he rocked back and forth once on his heels, unable to fully look the other in the eyes as he spoke in a quiet, awkward little peep. "Thank you, Daffy... This is... Nice. Um...! Thank you. Well..."

Promptly, he spun on his heel, took a few awkwardly shuffled steps, and sat with his back turned and his feet spread to either side of the net he held between his legs. Though she couldn't see it, it wasn't hard to guess how red his face must have been as part of the kind gesture.

"...Come back later," He said suddenly, a flatly dismissive, determined tone to his voice, "I have something to think about." One of his tricks, now involving his new present, most like. "Thanks... Again."

His next words, though meant to be spoken in a tease, came off as nothing but a half-hearted suggestion in all his distraction. They were nothing more than a mouthed, near-inaudible whisper as he stared and plucked idly at the strings of the net with his fingers, too deep in thought to even notice the water dripping from his hair, much less to speak. "...Go chat with your boyfriend..."

Whatever could he be plotting? Whoever could he be plotting against? Riversal didn't speak, and sat there deep, deep in thought for a very long time.

"Hah! Got you!!"

...Ah, poor Leonard. It seemed that he had been chosen the unfortunate victim of his prank that evening. From a distance, the small Riversal could be seen standing triumphantly atop his older brother's back like a proud hunter with his prey. Leonard, conversely, would have been near invisible if not for his large form and the striking beige of his coat against the greenery of the forest. The poor hermit laid cruelly fettered on the ground, all that was visible being the blond of the head that laid face-down and the shoulders of both arms spread on either side. The net that had toppled him should have been relatively easy to remove from the foot tangled within it - his brother that stood on his back, however, was not.

"Please, release me at once!" The muffled plea sounded from the ground. With a dramatically boisterous laugh, Riversal's hands found themselves resting smugly atop his hips.

"No! I've got you, now, brother~!"

"Riversal! Please!!" A bit more insistence in his tone, and enough in a voice as deep as his to make the now 11-year-old almost immediately jump out of his skin and straight to the side of his ailing brother.

"Sorry, sorry! I'm sorry!!" Riversal was the one pleading now, his tone as frantic and shaky as his hands as he removed the trap net from Leonard's back. The eldest looked pale as he sat up on his knees, deathly silent in the face of his younger brother's apologies and concerns as to his wellbeing - his eyes were screwed tightly shut. He seemed shaken, with his shortness of breath, Laum noticed with a tiny frown.

...Maybe he was claustrophobic? Poor brother.

[petrawood]

I saw someone post a tweet about how a lot of people in the Inquisition must have suspected that something was off about Solas, and out of all of them Bull knew that there was something fishy going on for SURE but the scope of the whole thing was just too big for him to have guessed exactly what was going on.

So, that made me think how the whole reveal must have been like if it actually happened in our world and oh my god it's SO ridiculous.

Btw, this is obviously OOC, but it's just. Solas makes SUCH a character oh my god.

---

Imagine you are an Interpol agent that joins the CIA for this one very important and very specific mission. Everyone knows that you work for another organization and you are a trained and highly competent agent, but the situation is so dire that the CIA is basically hiring everyone who could help.

So, there is this one very weird guy.

He wears an old hoodie and yoga pants. When asked where he came from, he tells you that he is into outdoor living, so just "outside, you know, somewhere". He has no qualifications apart from being a skilled hacker and really really really good at navigating the Deep Web. In fact, he's an expert at it, to the point of being the Deep Web specialist of the team. He walks around BAREFOOT.

He is a WEIRDO.

You assume he is just some guy probably over his head, pretty helpful but that's kinda it. You are going to keep an eye on him anyway, as you keep an eye on most people.

And suddenly, things start no adding up.

You ask him how he learned to hack into the deep web and he answers that he just likes sleeping under bridges and there is very good internet connection there, so he ended up learning. He doesn't elaborate.

For a guy that spends all his time sleeping on the floor and hunched over a computer, you notice that he is actually BUILT. You cannot tell over the oversized hoodie, but that guy has muscle. Once it comes up, he looks you in the eyes and tells you that that's just normal when you live in the outside like him.

You need somebody to pilot an helicopter. He knows how to pilot an helicopter. "Oh, I just watched a video tutorial. You know, in the Deep Web".

You need to steal some nuclear codes. "Oh I know how to cancel those nuclear codes. I found a lot of documents explaining how to do it. You know, in the Deep Web".

You need to plan a coup. "Oh yeah I know all about backstabbing politics. I found a list of all the relevant politicians and the country's corrupt history. You know, in the deep web"

You are in the middle of said backstabbing and he's slightly tipsy looking fondly at the whole thing like "oh how I missed the vibe of a nepotist state. No one throws a party like corrupted politicians- Not that I've been in one before, of course. I've only seen videos. You know, in the deep web"

He drives the other two expert hackers out of their minds. "I don't know how you managed to get this position, you don't even have a Doctorate" "Doctorates are overrated, I think you all would do better if you came to vibe under a bridge like me"

He actually is OBSESSED with overthrowing institutions.

The hackers tear him a new one because they find his Hacker Drip lacking (fair). And he smells like Cheetos.

"I made a lot of friends on the Deep Web forums"

At this point you are convinced that this guy HAS to have something else going on. There is simply NO way someone would know so many things from his deep web premium access under a bridge.

Your best bet has to be that he's another secret agent, a very highly trained one at that, right? Or maybe a highcore antifa member? He either has inside information of the CIA or he's looking for it. But he has been ridiculous helpful so far, so you just can't tell what he's hiding and why.

And then one day guy, this FUCKING guy.

He shows up and tells your Boss that he's actually the ancient god Loki from the Nordic pantheon. That he created death, but is sorry so he's actually going to join the Earth with Heaven and Hell. A lot of people would die because of the Demons and you know, Earth as it is not existing anymore, but that's a sacrifice he's willing to make.

Now tell me, how the FUCK were you supposed to guess THAT.

[hannahmanderr]

for the ship scene ask thing have you done Savant Par yet?

(TechHunter AU: a spin on a No One Knows AU in which Tucker takes up a role much like Valerie's and begins to hunt ghosts - only he doesn't know that one of those ghosts happens to be his best friend)

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

Danny thought that staring down the end of an ecto-blaster held by his parents was one of the worst feelings in the world.

Turns out, staring down the end of an ecto-blaster held by his best friend was the worst feeling in the world.

He could barely control his panicked breathing as he pressed his back further and further into the brick wall, frozen in fear. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a voice yelled at him to just phase through the wall you idiot! But it was drowned out by the other, louder voices telling him that this was capital-B Bad and just how screwed he was.

"W-what do you want?" he asked. Hopefully the waver in his voice was more imagined than anything, but he doubted it was true.

The blaster didn't move an inch. "You've gotten away with this far too long, Phantom," the figure on the other end of the gun said. His voice was distorted by the voice modulator in his helmet.

Danny knew it was Tucker. Had known it was Tucker. He'd recognized the voice back before the modulator had been installed.

Now though, it sounded nothing like his lifelong friend. It only made the situation that much more terrifying, especially when compounded with the fact that he couldn't see Tucker's face through the tinted visor he wore.

He swallowed. "Gotten away with what?"

Apparently that had been the exact wrong thing to say. He grunted as the blaster was jabbed straight into his chest.

"Don't play dumb with me! You know exactly what you've been doing!" Tucker yelled. "It ends tonight. I'm here to make sure of that."

Danny's heart and core both began to race. Flashes of all the opportunities he'd had to tell Tucker and Sam of his secret began to flood his mind's eye, but he shoved them to the back of his mind as far as he could. "L-listen! Can't you - can't we talk about this for a minute?"

"Why should I? You don't deserve it. Not after what you've been doing to Danny."

Well now that caught his attention.

"I haven't been doing anything to Danny," he said quietly. Did it count as the truth if he was Danny? And he wasn't doing anything to himself?

The blaster was pushed even farther into his chest. "You might as well just drop the act, I already know your dirty little secret!"

Danny's stomach dropped. "You - you do?"

"Of course I do! You don't think I've seen how tired he is all the time? The bags under his eyes? And how he keeps getting all those random bruises and stuff? It's so obvious, I can't believe I didn't figure it out before."

"Please, Tucker, I can expl-"

"What did you just call me?"

Danny froze again. "I - Tucker, you have to let me explain, I swear I didn't mean to hurt you!"

"No, no." Tucker shook his head. "You've known? This whole time? Who I am?"

The danger in the question was palpable. Tread carefully, Fenton. "I mean... yes? I, uh... saw you take your helmet off once?" Yeah, that seemed mostly plausible. Especially if there was any shot his own secret was safe.

Tucker stayed quiet for a long moment. Danny wished he could see past the visor. It was unbearable, not being able to see his face.

"Danny found out," he finally whispered. "He found out and he told you, didn't he?"

"Um..."

"No, wait. Wait. You forced him to tell you, didn't you?"

"What?" Danny yelped as Tucker's other hand slammed into the wall, right next to his face.

"Because that's all he is to you, isn't he?" Tucker growled. "He's just some puny little human that you can mess with because you're the big, bad ghost boy."

Well, if there was a plus side to this, it was that his secret was safe after all. "It's not like that at all! He's - I'm not messing with him!"

"Well let me tell you something," Tucker continued, as if Danny hadn't spoken. "That boy you think is your personal plaything? That you think you can do whatever you want with? He's worth way more than you could even dream of."

Danny found himself at a loss for words. His heart and core continued to thud frantically and disjointedly. "What do you mean?" was all he could bring himself to say.

"I love him is what I mean!"

Time stood still around them. The full force of Tucker's words hit Danny like the brick wall behind him. The kind of love Tucker had to be talking about...

... it wasn't just brotherly friend love, wasn't it?

His heart broke into a million pieces.

Tucker's breaths were uneven and shallow. "I love him," he repeated, quieter this time. "And... and if you think you can keep hurting him like this..."

The blaster whined, and an uncomfortable heat built up against Danny's chest.

"... then let's just say the only way you'll get to him is over my dead body."

For some reason, the words finally kickstarted his brain into gear. Barely giving himself the time to consider whether it was a smart choice or not, Danny turned himself intangible and fell through the wall behind him. He scrambled to his feet and emerged on the other side of the wall before taking off into the sky at top speed.

Only the wind and the fading echoes of Tucker's furious shouts rang in his ears.

He didn't stop flying until he was on the other side of the city. He didn't even bother to check where he was before collapsing onto the roof of one of the buildings, curling into himself and letting his tears flow freely down his face.

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

~~Send me a ship and I'll send you the first scene that comes to mind with them!

[mikhailwrites]

Soaring Ever Higher 5 - Ghoap/Ace Combat 7 crossover

Previous chapter | This Chapter on AO3

Maybe you should manage your expectations befor the one-night stand? Yeah... someone should probably tell Ghost...

AN: I've put together a companion post with some explanations and whatnot so if you're getting a little lost, you can give it a shot, might help you.

 They lay in bed, side by side. For a long moment, they don’t speak. Then Ghost asks what he considers an easy question. “So, what’s with those three strikes on your plane’s tail?”

“What’s with the skull mask?” John retaliates. Apparently, Ghost’s question was much less innocent than he thought. Fair enough.

“Touché,” Ghost smiles without elaborating further. However, he does change the topic. “How about your jet? You said you rescued that thing. Why?”

“Actually… I needed it. I had a mission that required stealth beyond the usual means. Americans were willing to lend us a Raptor, but it didn’t cut it, especially since I also required something faster, with greater range but capable of carrying heavy payload. The YF-23 was the only thing in existence that fit the bill.”

“The hell did you do?” Ghost turns his head, clearly interested.

“Classified,” Trigger shrugs, then gives a sly grin and elaborates a little, “but it included a submarine.”

“Wait a second… you’re… not serious. That was you? The madman that sank the nuclear sub with a jet? Singlehandedly prevented another World War?” Simon’s brown eyes are wide as he stares at John. Shit, he had no idea.

“I can’t neither confirm nor deny…,” John’s smile is confirmation enough.

“Alright, you needed that thing then. How about now? Is it even safe to fly it?” he did hear the mechanic back on the base. Now, Ghost might not be all that knowledgeable about fighter jets, but he does have some experience with using prototypes. They’re very rarely reliable.

“It can be… challenging. It’s still a prototype, it has its issues, and the maintenance costs a fortune, especially since there’s only a handful of engineers familiar with it. Still, I happen to have the best engineer on the base,” Trigger confirms much of what Ghost suspected.

“Right. Well,” Simon gets up and starts to gather his clothes, “be careful out there. Would be a shame to lose you.”

“Shame for RAF or yourself?” Trigger smirks, stretching on the bed, and displaying all that impressive physique.

Ghost smiles as he shakes his head. “Why not both?”

“Where are you going, anyway? Have somewhere better to be?” John frowns as he watches Ghost dress.

“Look, this has been nice and everything, but I know how it goes. Don’t wanna wait around for things to get awkward,” Ghost says casually, putting his boxer briefs and socks on.

John looks at him momentarily like he’s some puzzle waiting to be figured out. Then, snorts in barely contained amusement. “We’ve seen each other naked; I think we’re way past the awkward point, Simon. Stay if you want to. Or I can go if you want to spend the night since you paid for the room.”

“You okay with me staying?” Simon cocks his eyebrow, pausing with a tee in hand.

“Nah, I’m just the sort of lad that does things he’s uncomfortable with. Get back here, you English cunt,” he outstretches both his arms in open invitation.

Ghost looks at him with feigned offence, but he climbs back onto the bed and pretty much tackles MacTavish with his sheer bulk.

They stay the night. Curled around each other, shagging once more in the wee hours of the morning. It’s a slower and gentler affair the second time around, and the touches and kisses afterwards make something in Simon’s chest resonate in a manner that has him concerned. He doesn’t panic; such a thing was trained out of him. Instead, he pauses his thoughts and inspects the feeling and the whole situation. It doesn’t look too good.

He doesn’t really know Trigger; what he does know damn well is that he cannot form this sort of attachment. Especially since they’re both military, most especially after one bloody night together, that would be just stupid. So, Ghost doesn’t. He acknowledges the feeling before he wills it away. His mind is clear and focused as he falls asleep again, with John’s arms around him, his hot breath on his neck, and the faintest smell of campfire and cologne that’s too nice for men like them hanging in the air.

#

Trigger returns to the base and earns some wolf whistles as he walks on the tarmac. He’s got a reputation and staying in the city overnight means he scored some. Which, to be fair, he did, it’s just that the lads haven’t got the faintest idea.

John walks into the hangar, not in the least surprised that the lights are already on and there’s a clicking and clanging of a mechanic doing their job.

“Did you even sleep?” Trigger asks when she puts away the welding gun. He recognises the part she’s working on: it’s a wing flap.

Avril straightens where she stands, taking him in. “Sure, but I like to start early, you know that. All the tools are still in place, so I can pick and choose. But… I get a feeling I should be asking you the same.  Are you gonna enlighten me? Who is he?”

Trigger is suddenly very occupied with checking the non-existent scratch on the stealth coating. “Who is who?” he feigns ignorance.

“Oh don’t play dumb with me! Who’s Mr. Six-foot-two?”

“Just an acquaintance, we met briefly on the last mission. I helped him out, he promised to buy me a drink as a thanks, so he did,” John shrugs.

“Well, seems like that’s what he did... thanked you. Properly, not just with a drink,” she chuckles and dodges a dirty rag Trigger tosses at her.

“Christ, what’re ye, twelve?” John shakes his head and fastens a bolt that really doesn’t need it.

“Look me in the eye, John MacTavish, and tell me you did not, in fact, fucked him. Then I’ll rest my case,” Avril puts her hands on her hips and looks at him expectantly.

“Och what are ye on aboot? Cannae the lad go for a drink?”

“Did you, or did you not?”

“Well..,” he pauses. It’s not worth lying to his friend. “Kinda.”

“What? What do you mean, you muppet? Kinda?”

“We... och hell’s bells... we... aye, we did.”

Avril’s face blooms into a shit-eating grin. “I knew it! Damn, he looked like a good lay. You gonna see him again?”

“I dinnae ken, maybe? He’s SAS, not exactly an everyday occurrence his sort working with us.”

Avril whistles. “SAS? Damn, so... was he a good lay?” she nags at him, all smiles and winks.

“Yer not gonna leave it, will ye? Okay, fine. Aye, he was good. Better than, actually. Happy?” John rolls his eyes, feeling the slight heat as blush creeps on his face.

“Yeah, I’m happy now. And you’re, too, that’s what I like to see. Does the SAS man have a name?”

“He does, but... I can’t tell you, it’s not common knowledge. But his callsign is Ghost, and aye, I’m serious. Couldnae make that shit up if I tried.”

Avril looks at the landing gear cover, at the Gray Ghost. “Funny,” she says, but the tone of her voice is thoughtful when she returns back to her work. “Got a feeling it wasn’t just a one-night stand.”

Trigger doesn’t deign that with an answer. But truth be told, he has the same feeling.

[wordsandrobots]

You know, watching play-throughs of the Iron-Blooded Orphans DLC for Super Robot Wars, I am struck by how slightly *off* the characterisation is. I suspect that's a natural consequence something like this, throwing so many characters into the mix that you can't help render them down a bit (and then there's translation on top of that), but it feels very weird to have Shino saying:

Shino: When you're as smart and skilled as me, you can get used to anything. Akihiro: "Smart and skilled", my ass. First thing you did was try to steal some food, and I had to save you from an angry mob. Shino: Shush, you! That was just, uh...a bit of a blooper. Happens to the best of us.

This reads to me more like something written for Eugene (in fact, this whole exchange feels like something you'd see between Eugene and *Shino*, not Shino and Akihiro). It's one of those quirks that I have perhaps spent too long dwelling on, but in the anime, Shino's boasting is almost exclusively about Tekkadan as a group and rarely if ever about himself. If anything, he tends to own being a goof more readily, laughing off his own missteps (with a couple of amusing exceptions) despite an obvious ego regarding his fighting skills and a preoccupation with not appearing 'lame'.

(I do think Shino would be 100% down for stealing food if necessary, although given his in-canon attention to stocking his mobile suit with ration bars, it's just a generally weird situation to gesture at.)

That said, the flirting with Gundam Victory's all-women mobile suit squad feels on-point. Possibly that's just because this is the only official-ish example we have of what Shino is *actually* like when he's flirting. It all happens off-screen otherwise, so it's fun to see someone attempt to portray the kind of crashing and burning that got Lafter calling him a 'pierced idiot'.

Shino: ...So what I'm saying is, we should all go downtown and have some fun! Kite: Only if it's your treat. Shino: Yeah, sure, it's all on me! But ALL of you Shrikes gotta come! Come on? Pretty please? Peggy: You seriously can't take a hint, can you? Helen: I mean, he definitely can't, but... c'mon, free drinks! Franny: Let's just make this clear: you're just a walking wallet to us. Shino: Y'know what? I'm okay with that. Shino: Love is a journey, and it's gotta start somewhere. Ain't that right, Junko? Junko: Hah! You've got guts, I'll give you that. Keep it up, Shino. Shino: Yeah, baby! I can hear the door to your heart unlocking! Miliera: He's actually going after Junko? He's either very brave, or very, very dumb. Mahalia: He'll have to go through all of us before he gets anywhere near her. Shino: ALL of you? Whoa, mama! Cony: Wow, he really can't take a hint. It's kind of impressive, really. Juca: Honestly? I don't mind it. It means he's fitting in well with the team.

(I still haven't seen Victory but I know what happens to these ladies, so there is a layer at which this is . . . a choice in terms of character match-ups. Seems like that's half the fun of these games, though.)

But yeah. Given that this feeling of it not being quite on the money with characterisation extends to what I've seen of both Lelouch and Char too, I do think it's kind of inevitable with what this thing is -- broad-strokes and all that. The only bit that genuinely annoyed me was the site of Biscuit's death being changed; they have Orga reacting as if Biscuit was killed at Edmonton and saying he never expected to be back there, which is really bad example of cludging a whole heap of different stuff together for the sake of a condensed emotional beat.

Still, I can't deny it's highly amusing to have McGillis rocking up to get advice from his peers in scheming bastardry while Orga is sitting in the corner wondering why this is his life now. And Akihiro and Shino engaging in one-up-manship with the Ultramen is fun (even if I do not get along with that anime AT ALL).

[offshoreblogupdates]

A snippet of the first story

This is 'rewritten' for better understanding; the original is riddled with notes and player's actions, etc

---

Bing awakes alongside Titus, in his hand. He shifts a tad, causing Titus' fingers flinch back. Bing glances up at him, but Titus is focused on writing something down. 

At this point, Bing glances over the edge of Titus' fingers to see what he was writing. It appears to be a description of the metal object that sat no more that a few inches from his notebook. Titus occasionally would pick it up, examining it, then continue to write something down. He also tried to sketch it out as well. Sunny, Titus' sister was asleep in the side of the room, book open in hand. 'Mechanics for dummies' is what the title reads.

After a few moments, Bing taps against Titus' hand to gain his attention. it's gained almost immediately.

"What's up?" Titus asks, barely noticeably caressing him on the back.

"What're you doing?" Bing asks

Titus looks at his paper then back at him. "Uh well.. I'm trying to figure out what this is from." He explains.

Bing quickly crawls out of Titus' cupped hand and slides to the notebook to get a better look.

"Have you found out anything yet?" Bing asks, looking over the paper. Bing can read somewhat, but not well.

"Well it's man made for sure.. But it's nothing detectable or anything I've seen before." Titus starts, rubbing his neck 'sheepishly'.

"What about Sunny?" Bing asked, gesturing to Sunny by looking in her direction. Titus glances up to see her and kind of grimaces.

"She fell asleep on the job." He remarks, then notices the book she was reading. "But she had the intentions right, I guess."

Some time passes but soon Titus holds his hand out for Bing to climb on. He looks at questionly, a bit confused.

"Should head to bed." Titus says, soft smile on his face.

Bing made a silent 'ohh' as he rushed back to Titus, crawling onto his hand. Once situated, Titus lifts his fingers around Bing, like a guardrail, as he stands up.

".. How'd you fall asleep so quickly earlier?" Titus remarks as he sets Bing 'somewhere' to sleep (like a blanket on a bed side table)

"Asleep.." Bing turned to look at Titus, almost horrified. The atmosphere changes.

"Yea.. you've been asleep for the last couple hours. I just figured you were really tired." Titus' voice fades out to Bing as it seems he is immediately thrown into a million thoughts. It seems to last forever..

"Bing." Titus' words snap him out of it . "Are you okay?"

"Yeah.. I'm good." Bing, who is obviously not okay, sheepishly smiles softly and crawls onto his bed, curling up, turning away from Titus. Titus' doesn't seem convinced, but decided not to press any further.

"Okay.. sleep well."

---

I have yet to revise this one.. because it was the first I wrote, rewriting it and editing has been a challenge. Buuuuut I'm about finished with it, and then I can move on to something else. Every other story I have planned is already finished also, so I may do some rewritten snippets of some of those as well--

O-o

[phantarein]

#phantawrites: see no devil

It's one of my OC projects, so I'm going to start putting progress in the form of little bits :)

It's mainly about a romance between a famous singer who has many secrets and a bartender who has a big heart! Maybe even a polycule as time goes on hehe

Here is what I got so far! It's 4k words ↓

For Dante, the night was his solace, where all inhibitions were thrown away and people's true selves came out.

The bar he works in became his sanctuary, where he can observe the intricate dance of human emotion unfold. Being a bartender was entertaining, where no one would pay him any mind and maybe have a small chat over drinks, besides, nobody questioned why he was wearing a mask.

It was perfect.

Tonight was a normal night, he was just making small talk and serving drinks, nothing special.

"Hm~ This place is lively, don't you think?"

Dante glanced up from pouring a drink, his eyes meeting with those of a white-haired man. He recognized him immediately, Luz Morningstar, the famous singer... he stood there with an enigmatic smile, the dim lights making him look almost ethereal.

"Uh, yeah. It's always buzzing around here." Dante replied with a calm and collected voice, despite being an anxious wreck on the inside, being masked did wonders.

Seeing him so close, he could feel Luz's presence was magnetic as if he was being drawn in.

Luz leaned against the bar, his gaze fixed on Dante. "I've seen you here before, haven't I? You're the one who always wears the mask. It's an interesting choice for a bartender."

Dante chuckled, which betrayed his usual shyness. "Yeah, I guess it's just my thing. Adds a bit of mystery to the atmosphere, you know?"

Luz's lips curled into a sly grin. "Mystery can be intriguing." His voice was like music to his ears, making his heart skip a beat.

As the night progressed Luz kept him company. The mysterious aura surrounding Dante seemed to be a magnet for Luz, who was weirdly drawn to the other man.

Dante had no problem enticing the singer even more, he was usually reserved and introverted, however thanks to his mask he was able to get an unspoken connection with Luz. 

"So... when does your shift end?" Luz's melodic voice echoed through his head, knowing where this could lead.

"In around 15 minutes, why?" He fiddled with some glasses, unsure about the sudden question.

"Hm~ Maybe we could... talk more somewhere else?" Dante gulps, well, maybe this once...

-

Dante feels warm and happy, he had a great dream. He brings his body pillow even closer.

"Hehe, are you usually that much of a cuddler?" He hears someone talk, but, he lives alone... Suddenly he remembers everything that happened last night. Had they really-?

"Um, uh, good morning." He detaches himself from Luz and tries his best not to look awkward, however, he notices he doesn't have his mask on.

"You are so cute, you know that? Despite looking so cute you're a complete beast in bed... I must admit it was one of my best nights." Luz gets up, only wearing one of his oversized shirts. "Hm~ What do you want for breakfast?

"Um, breakfast?" Dante nervously looks at his surroundings, searching for a way to conceal his face. He finds his trusty face mask on the floor, along with all his clothes.

"Mhm, I've been told my pancakes are amazing. I have quite the sweet tooth you see." Luz just stared at him while he dressed, a lazy smile on his face. "So... I can cook for you if you'd let me."

Now with his mask (and clothes) on he regains the little confidence he had. And without thinking he just replied. "Yeah! Sure, I haven't eaten pancakes in so long." 

"Ha ha, then don't mind me." And Luz walks out of the room and into the kitchen with an oversized blouse.

Dante, realizing his situation, just sits in silence.

Not only had he fucked a big celebrity, but he had also made that celebrity cook for him like they were... something.

Still, it didn't appear to be a bad thing. Luz himself looked quite content. But you know what they say about popularity, it gets over your head. So for him, this probably was just a fling and nothing more. Right?

-

It's been a month.

Luz has yet to go back to his apartment.

And the worst thing is that he didn't mind. Dante wasn't sure what to call their relationship. 

Luz cooked for him. They slept together and even watched movies in their free time. 

Just what was going on between them?

"Hey, Dante~" Luz entered his room (their room?) and threw himself into the bed, hugging Dante from behind. "What do you want to eat tonight?"

"Um... pizza sounds good." Now used to Luz's touch, Dante relaxed and hugged his pillow.

"Anything else you want?" Luz snuggled closer, wrapping his legs around Dante's waist.

"No, I'm fine." Dante tried his best to concentrate on his book.

"Then... What about some dessert?" He felt Luz's hands snake his way toward his waistband.

Dante quickly closed his book and turned to face the white-haired man, a blush creeping on his face.

"W-wait, are you asking for"

"Yeah, sex. Is that okay with you? Of course, if you don't want to we can just-"

"N-no! It's okay!" Dante stuttered, a bit surprised at his sudden boldness. "But, could you give me some time to prepare?"

"Ha ha, sure, baby. Take your time." Luz got up and went into the kitchen.

-

As Dante showered, he continued to ponder on his relationship with Luz. He... liked him, liked him a lot. He could even call it "love".

He didn't know him for long, but some part of him yearned to be close to him, it was as if he was bewitched. It felt like a dream to have Luz in his home, he made it a home.

He already got so used to him in his house, that he brought life into his boring world.

But good things don't last.

-

Once he got out of the shower he was pleasantly surprised with a heavenly scent. Luz had somehow finished cooking, just how long did his shower take...?

He sneaks behind the singer and hugs him. "Hi"

Luz giggles. "Hi there~ Are you using the watermelon shampoo? It smells so good." He detaches himself from Luz and starts helping with the table.

-

Luz grabbed Dante's shirt, taking it off in a hurry.

Dante kissed Luz deeper, slowly making his way to his neck. Luz gasped when Dante bit down.

"Babe~ You're so needy today." He moaned as he felt Dante's tongue lick his skin.

"Can't help it, I can't have my fill of you-" He suddenly was interrupted by a loud noise in the living room. They both looked at each other with shock, just what could it be...?

Dante quickly got up. It probably was the wind, or maybe even a ghost—nothing to worry about.

He didn't expect to see a man in his living room... with a bat.

His heart sunk, adrenaline filling his veins. However, Luz got in front of him with an uncharacteristic cold expression.

"Cass." He sighs. "Explain."

The man (Cass?) drops the bat. "Morningstar, It's a pleasure to see you. It's not like you completely disappeared after going to a bar alone. Do you know just how worried I was?"

"I don't have the patience to deal with your bullshit right now. Why are you here?" He glared at the man, a cold feeling creeping on his body.

"Boss sent me, he was worried about your little escapade and wanted me to bring you back."

“Worried? Ha ha, I just can’t deal with this.” He sighs. “Alright, I’ll go. Give me a minute.” Luz said while he went to the bedroom.

Cass looked at Dante with a blank expression.

"Um, sorry, do you know each other?" Dante asked.

"Unfortunately." He deadpanned. "Who are you anyway?"

"Oh! My name's Dante, and..."

"I'm Castiel."

"Nice to meet you, I guess?" He fidgeted with his shirt, still unsure of the situation.

"Sorry to ruin your day, Dante. You two had a lovely evening, huh? I don't get why that snake is so charmed by you..."

Castiel gets closer to him. It felt like he was looking straight at his soul. "Hm, well, I should get going. It was nice meeting you."

He walks away and meets up with Luz. He whispers something, which Dante is unable to hear.

-

Dante was at work in the bar again.

He was alone and didn’t want to be bothered.

He thought he was in love.

It could be one-sided.

He should've known.

People like him didn't deserve love or happiness.

Suddenly, a man approaches. It was Nico.

"Hey, man! I couldn't contact you for so long, what happened? You left me on read for like, a month or so, why didn't you text back?" Nico was a friend he made in college, they were very close. 

"Oh... Nico, sorry, I've been busy." He wasn't in the mood to talk to the ball of sunshine that Nico was.

"Too busy? That's it? C'mon dude, I'm your friend and friends should help each other out!" He took a sip from his drink. "Hey, I can't keep pestering you here. I can tell you're not in a good mood. Want to talk about it over drinks?"

"Sure. Just give me a second." Dante served him another drink and then started pouring himself some whiskey. He shouldn't drink on the job but... it's fine.

He takes a long sip and looks at Nico.

-

"So... you've been fucking Morningstar, huh?"

"Uh, yeah..."

"I can't believe this... You're dating Luz Morningstar. Like, the Luz Morningstar! The singer!" Nico's excitement was palpable, it felt like his eyes would pop out.

"I wouldn't call it 'dating'" Dante looks at his whiskey like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"You don't call living with someone for a month 'dating'?! Spending as much time together as possible? You're insane, man!" He then took a shot. "Man... I can't believe this! You have to tell me everything! From the moment you met, the things he does, how is his dick-"

"Hey! Not so loud!" Dante exclaims.  "No, I mean, yeah, we were fucking, but..." He sighed. "We aren't a couple."

"Really? Hmm, that's a surprise. From the looks of it, you're head over heels for him."

"Yeah, but, he has his own life and-"

"Are you dumb?!" Nico's sudden outburst took him by surprise.

"Um, what...?"

"You have the chance to be with the world's most celebrity and yet you're not sure if you're a couple. You're a fucking idiot!"

"W-wait, no. Don't call me that. Besides, you're wrong." He tried to explain himself but, maybe he was a bit of an idiot.

"Nope! I'm not letting this pass! Now, let's plan!"

-

It was 3 AM and Dante was drunk.

They had spent the whole night talking about him, about his relationship, and how Nico would help him.

Dante's phone started ringing.

"Who would call you at this hour?" Nico asked.

"Hm, I don't know, maybe it's Luz."

"Oooh, then answer!"

He quickly answers with the hope that it may be him.

"Hello? Dante?" He could hear the sing-song tone of Luz, which made his heart skip a beat. "Are you at work?"

"Uh- yeah, yeah" He tried his best not to slur his words, however, he was quite tipsy. "Where are you?"

"Hm, are you... drunk? At work?" 

"Noooo, no. I'm fine." Dante was lying through his teeth, he had no idea what was happening.

"Right. Where are you?"

"Uh, The Black Dahlia"

"Hm, stay there. I'll pick you up."

"Oh, sure. See you, I love y-"

"Yeah, I love you too. See you there, babe."

He hangs up.

"Was that him?!"

“Mm, yeah.”

"You two are so sweet! I can't wait to meet him, you gotta introduce us!"

They spent the next few minutes chatting, Nico telling stories about his childhood, and Dante trying to pay attention.

He was too dizzy to think properly.

Suddenly, the doors open and Luz walks in.

"Dante!" He approaches them and from the corner of his eye, he can see Nico visibly sweat "Oh dear- Are you ok? I'll go ask your boss to let you leave for tonight..."

"Mhm, sure. Hey, Luz."

"Yes, Dante?"

"You look gorgeous."

"I know. Thanks, babe."

Luz went to the office probably to talk to his boss, meanwhile, Nico was staring at him.

"Oh my god, he's even hotter in real life!"

"Hah, I know, right?"

"I'm so jealous of you."

“Well… we don’t know each other too well. I’m not even sure what our relationship is… I only know superficial stuff, like how he loves sweets and is a cuddle monster.”

Dante didn't notice, but Luz was already next to him.

"Hm, a cuddle monster? Interesting."

"Uh-" He was flustered, the alcohol wasn't helping either.

"Anyways~ Let's go home. Your boss said it was A-OK!" He said before noticing Nico. "Oh? Didn't see you there, who might you be?"

"I'm Nico! Nice to meet you!" Nico shook his hand enthusiastically. "It's an honor to meet you."

"Well, it's always a pleasure to meet a fan. I'll give you a little something..."

Luz gave Nico his autograph and a few tickets before they started walking to the exit.

"Dante, I'll drive us home, you can sleep."

-

Dante woke up with a horrible headache, he felt like this was happening too much lately. He should cut off from drinking for a bit.

"Good morning, sleepyhead. I've made breakfast."

Dante groans, still half asleep. "What time is it?"

"9 AM, you should eat. Here."

"Thanks."

Dante notices Luz’s phone lights up with a notification, it is from someone called Cass… wait, Cass? Wasn't he…

“By the way, who was the man that came here the other day?” Dante asks, expecting the worst.

“Oh him? He's Castiel, he's technically my guard, but we have a much deeper relationship” Luz said nonchalantly, then he realized something. “OH! We aren't dating or anything, but we do things couples do sometimes. It's an unlabeled game of cat and mouse, I’m pretty sure he hates my guts.” He then sighs. “I'm sorry, I should have told you earlier.”

Dante looked at him in silence. He was not expecting this.

"I'm sorry, I know it was selfish of me. I just-"

"Don't worry, it's fine. I understand." Dante smiled and grabbed Luz's hands. "I like you, Luz. You don't have to explain yourself, I'm just happy to be with you."

"R-really? You don't know how happy this makes me." He pauses "I want you to meet him, properly, I mean. Not like the other day."

"...Why was he carrying a bat?"

"Huh… why was he carrying a bat?"

-

"Hello, Dante, nice to see you again."

"Same here."

Castiel stares at him, a stoic look on his face. "Morningstar, I'm assuming everything went well."

"Yeah, yeah, all good. Anyways, Cass, I wanted to introduce you to him. Properly."

"You're saying it like you want my blessings for your marriage."

"Ha ha, don't be silly” Luz then says in a cheery voice.

"Yeah, you better not. Because I want to be your first." Castiel then grabs Luz's hand in his. "I want to be the first ring in your hand." 

Luz starts maniacally laughing, and between coughs he mumbles, "There's no way you just said that, you're so gross." He then looks at him with loving eyes. "I'll remember that, you just made a deal with the Devil."

Dante was feeling like the awkward third wheel, but still quite embarrassed at the PDA.

"Anywho, you two, please take a seat, I'll get something to eat." He went to the kitchen, leaving them both alone.

There was complete silence in the apartment.

Should he break the ice?

"Um-"

"So-”

They stare at each other, and Castiel makes him a sign to go first.

"Sorry." Dante fidgets a bit. "So, how did you and Luz meet?"

"I wanted to ask you the same." Castiel then looks at the wall, as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. "He's a complete disaster, without me he wouldn't be able to even get out of bed, did you know he still sleeps with the lights on? It's either that or he just sleeps with someone to keep him company." He sighs and looks at him sternly. "You don't know him, at all, so don't even think you are in my level. You're just another fun toy for him to fool around with, he'll always come back to me. Just to me."

Dante could feel that this was a threat, but... "I don't care, I don't care that this could be just a temporary thing, you do not get to act like he's your property, he's a person." He feels the anger dissipating from himself, but now he realizes his mistake in saying that out loud.

Dante closes his eyes in the fear that he'll get physically harmed, but, shockingly he didn't get his face punched, not even a slap. Instead, he could hear Castiel laughing.

"Hah, good one. Like I haven't heard that before." Then, Luz appears from the corner with some plates full of food. "Hey, Morningstar. For how long will you keep this lie?" Said Castiel smugly.

Luz freezes in place at the question. "Whatever do you mean?" Then sighs. "Don't tell me you're trying to make him run away, too." He sits beside Dante and starts eating, completely ignoring the mood.

"You know, about how you are-"

Luz casts him a deadly glance, clearly pissed. Castiel suddenly shuts up and looks to the side. "I don't see how that is relevant, it sure doesn't matter to you."

Dante was sweating, the awkward tension made him just want to crawl out of his body. "As long as it doesn't hurt anyone I don't mind... Any kind of secret he may have..." He muttered.

"See? You scared him already. If you keep being this overprotective jealous man then I won't let you sleep with me." Luz was already the same as always, and the tension finally lightened. Even Castiel seemed to be in a better mood, although less talkative.

And so, they eat in peace.

-

After he left Luz's house he couldn't help but feel a little off. What kind of secret could Luz be hiding? He was about to text him, but before he did he saw that someone was calling him.

"Hello?" 

"Dante! Dante! Listen to me, I just got an interview for a backup dancer position!" Nico rambled excitedly. "And you won't believe for who!"

"Oh wow, that's super good, Nico, you'll do great!" He was happy for his friend, being a dancer was a hard job, as it wasn't viewed as something you could go into expecting lots of payment. "Who are you dancing with?"

"Luz Morningstar! I can't fucking believe it!" 

"Wait what? Luz?" They hadn't talked that much since the visit with Castiel, since Luz had to go on some sort of trip to visit his parents. But why did he choose Nico? He hoped it was for his skill and not any kind of connection or favor the singer wanted to repay.

"Yes! We met once when you weren't home, and he liked my dancing so much that he got me a spot on the audition, and guess what! He chose me!" Nico was over the moon, and despite being in a rough patch with Luz, he felt happy for Nico too.

He sighs. “That’s great, Dante. I hope he doesn’t overwork you.”

“Of course not, dude! If anything, it would be an honor!” 

“You’re weird.” He laughs, “Don’t let others step over you, you deserve everything nice.”

“Aww, same to you! Anyway- I gotta go practice my butt off! I gotta be in the best shape for work! See you.”

“See you.”

He looks at his phone as the call ends, debating what to do now. If he texted Luz would he look too obsessive? He shouldn’t get his hopes up, it seemed that the end of this beautiful relationship was soon after all.

With a sour expression, he went to the nearest grocery shop.

-

Even going to work felt like a complete disaster, a bunch of drunk people wasn’t a good combination for a broken heart. He tries to keep his mind off of things, but he has to confront the situation eventually. Castiel was his main issue, it was clear they didn’t like each other and were dating the same man. However, neither of them even had confirmation that they were dating Luz, he simply didn’t like labels like that.

It was fine, it wasn’t fine. He wasn’t sure what to think.

It was around 3 AM when he saw his phone light up, he expected it to be just one of his rhythm games telling him his energy was full, but instead, he saw a message from Luz.

‘Home rn, plz come asap’ the text said. It was a weird text, as Luz didn’t tend to use acronyms or not send a full paragraph for each text.

Then that must mean things had come to an end.

His stomach ties itself up to a knot, the feeling of bile rising upon his throat didn’t make things better. Despite not being the most emotional man, he still felt a little apprehensive to the notion of responding. He was afraid.

Mustering up his courage, he texts back, ‘Sure, see you.”

Dante just hoped things would end peacefully.

-

What he didn’t expect was coming to a complete wreck of his home.

The shelves were thrown off, trinkets and books adorning the floor. But what disturbed him the most was the blood-like substance making a trail in his living room.

“Hello?!” He calls out, being afraid of whatever may still be in his apartment. Looking around, he notices that the bat Castiel had brought a long time ago was still near the entrance, he takes it, praying that he won’t have to use it.

Dante follows the trail of blood, the droplets ending at his closed bedroom door. 

Full of adrenaline, he opens the door. The sight was something he wished he had never seen.

Luz was on the bed, surrounded by the bedsheets. But what was the most noticeable was the blood staining the white sheets. Whimpering, Luz twitches in his place but doesn’t get out of his cocoon.

“Luz?! Luz, what happened?!” Dante drops the bat and immediately goes up to the other man. He takes the covers off of his face and notices a blank stare on him, he doesn’t seem in pain, he doesn’t seem like anything. But after recognizing that it was Dante his mouth twitches to a smile.

“Dante~ Dante~ It’s you. Have I told you you look like an angel? Yes, you are my guardian angel.”

“What are you talking about?! What happened, who did this to you?! Are you hur-”

“Shh, hug me.” He grabbed Dante and pushed him on top of himself. Squeezing tightly at the other man. “It’s all fine.”

“Luz…” Dante tries to get out of the other’s hold, he needs to check the source of the blood. He couldn’t handle the thought that Luz had been hurt, or even worse, about to die. “Let me at least check your wounds… Please.”

“Hmm-? Why do you want to see my body? Oh well, my body is yours, so go ahead~” He lets his arms go limp and just lets Dante do his thing.

Dante took this sign as being allowed to check, so he lifted Luz’s shirt, encountering…

Marks, scars, wounds, wounds that weren’t there before. He had seen Luz without a shirt before, he had a few tattoos but aside from that he had never seen these kinds of scars. Not all of them looked fresh, but he could see that there were some burns, even rope burns, and lots of cuts from a sharp object… This wasn’t just a normal assault, it was torture.

“Luz…” Dante was about to cry, he couldn’t handle seeing the man who made him so happy during this short time so hurt. “Let me see your back, and then we’ll start covering these wounds.” He did his best to even his breathing, Luz didn’t seem in pain, but the scars looked so awful, there was no way they didn’t hurt. 

The back was even worse, he could see that the majority of the scars were healed, but god… They were made from a whip. Dante couldn’t help but let the tears stream down.

Just what kind of suffering had Luz gone through? Since when? These kinds of questions just made him want to protect Luz, to never let him be in pain again. He sobs and sobs. Luz notices the change in mood and immediately goes to hug him.

[iwritenarrativesandstuff]

Trimax Thoughts Vol. 3 Pt. 1

Some more miscellaneous thoughts. I realized it's actually more convenient to do these before any analysis because. Well. I actually haven't read this manga before. Why was I trying to do full analyses before just letting myself read it. Why am I a dumbass.

Anyways.

It's the repression my dude

(Ok but can we talk about how Wolfwood doesn't really lie and his eyes convey his emotions whether he wants it or not and he still feels strongly because that attachment keeps him going and then how Vash has had to withdraw and shove everything into a box somewhere deep inside him because he always has to maintain a distance and always has to leave aughhh)

Ohhhhh that part where Vash is able to tell exactly how many strikes are incoming... I love how he becomes really precise and calculating in a fight. It's a really great way to show the severity of a situation and his skill and experience! (Bonus points: he does this in Tristamp too - I still cannot get over the way the animators chose to have him move right before he pulls out his gun in ep 1 - I went on an unhinged ramble about that. He's always fluid and grounded. I adore those animators they did a fantastic job.)

!!! I think this is the first time we've actually seen Knives' face since the Fifth Moon Incident! ...there's something to examine in this.

Feral Wolfwood <3

Yikes. If we wanted more emphasis on the way a lot of people around Vash do not stop to consider the severity of death. The violence is so typical in this world it's treated as a scene from which one can be detached. Vash's honest distress and compassion as entertainment :(

Hey. What the fuck.

The baby with the gun would be a lot funnier if I didn't know what Leonof had to do to people to make his puppets.

SICK AND TWISTED. WTF.

Ok say what you will though but Leonof so far has been the only one of the GHG that I think actually understands the assignment. Like. Yeah, this sure is the way to fucking break the guy. What the hell.

Oh, Vash knows him? Maybe that's why Leonof knows how to hurt him so well...?

AUGH he had puppet Doc, who vouched for Vash earlier to Brad, call him a demon!!! This also means he was killed! WTF

AUGHHHH wolfwood :(((

Meryl and Milly I love you so so much

Whjfhbdsjfbhv??? Girl??????

Vash: *starts blaming himself* Luida: "no." Vash: "oh, ok." :(

Hair down Vash <3

I really love the way we find out a bit more about Vash in this chapter. Him taking Meryl and Milly to a special place that helps him relax and heal and feel closer to Rem, even if he doesn't quite tell them that's what it is. Meryl knowing it's important somehow anyways and feeling like she can see him a little more clearly. Wolfwood freaked the hell out by the idea that Vash is immortal, but instead of leaving it at his assumptions, he still goes to talk to Luida and ask questions, who immediately proceeds to emphasize how lonely yet kind he is. We learn a lot about Vash in this chapter without him actually revealing anything about himself directly - all through other people, and the impact he's made on them. And I like how even though we find out more and more the differences between human and whatever Vash actually is, we circle right back around to confirming what we already knew about him from the beginning - he's fundamentally a kind man with a lot of pain in his heart who always makes the active choice to be nice. Just. Agh.

Wolfwood, running while carting his stupid IV pole over his shoulder: "oh fuck I need to protect women (and Vash)"

Softest look I've ever seen. What.

But ohhh does this make me happy. Because he's spent this volume thinking Vash has no survival instinct because he's immortal, etc., which terrifies him because he cannot understand not fighting to survive. Vash's smile makes a comeback here, but he now understands that it's not just a mask, it is the way he fights to survive. That smile is Vash's struggle to live in the same way the violent struggle is his, and Wolfwood I think/hope is starting to realize again that the gap is not so wide between them. He's calmed enough to remember that he actually likes this guy. Augh.

[50calmadeuce]

Ch. 9: Jake and The Hard Deck

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Top Gun: Maverick world, trademarked by Paramount Pictures Corporation. I do not claim ownership of the characters and the world that I am borrowing.

The story and situation I am creating are a work of my imagination and I do not ascribe them to official story canon. This work is for entertainment only and is not a part of the storyline.

I also do not own the rights or copyrights of 'Mandolin Rain' by Bruce Hornsby and the Range or 'Second Chance' by 38 Special. I just happen to really like these songs.

I am not profiting financially from the creation and publication of this story, but I do hope it gives you happy thoughts.

These stories are my own, so please do not take them and use them for yourself without my permission. If you see them somewhere else, please let me know. :)

Jake sat on the couch in his apartment, gazing out of the window.

"Bro, you've got to get out. You're starting to drive me crazy," his best friend Javy 'Coyote' Machado urged. "I've never seen you come home this upset before."

Jake turned to look at him. "Have I ever mentioned Y/N to you?"

Coyote pondered for a moment. "I think I recall. High school sweetheart, right? The reason you've been steering clear of relationships since."

"Yeah, she's the one," Jake admitted, taking a moment to gather himself. "And that's also why I've been feeling this need to prove myself, to show her I'm the best for her."

Coyote perched on the armrest of the couch. "I had no idea it ran that deep."

Jake met his gaze. "I saw her."

"Wait, seriously? She was home?"

"Her mom passed away. I had no clue until her brother asked me to help bring in cattle one of the days."

"Damn. I'm really sorry to hear that."

"We shared a kiss."

Coyote's eyes widened. "That's something, man!"

"Before I found out she's engaged."

"Ouch!"

Jake's gaze fell downward. "Yeah."

Coyote sprang up, playfully smacking Jake's arm. "Come on, let's get out of here. Shoot some pool, throw some darts. Anything to take your mind off it.:

Jake met his eyes. "True and I need to clear my head."

"Good. Now go and get dressed."

You entered The Hard Deck around 8 p.m. The place was alive with pilots and women, a mix of those in Navy uniforms and others in civilian attire.

You had phoned ahead, speaking with the owner to inquire about the presence of a jukebox and specifically if they had the song 'Mandolin Rain'. The woman on the other end was pleasant and regretfully informed you they didn't have your song, but assured you she could arrange it. You took the opportunity to share a bit about yourself and the plan to surprise Jake. It didn't surprise you that she was acquainted with him, though she was taken aback to learn about his past relationship. You mentioned that you would introduce yourself when you arrived.

As you scanned the room, your gaze settled on Jake at the pool table, dressed in a khaki uniform like the others around him. He was poised to take a shot, and you found yourself unable to look away. In that moment, Leslie's words rang painfully true. You felt like a fool. For years, you had only seen Jake as, well, Jake. The boy next door, a familiar face your family had known for years, who had professed his love for you, but it had never truly registered. You really didn't understand how deep Jake really loved you.

You approached the bar, where a striking brunette locked eyes with you.

"What can I get you?" she politely inquired.

"I called earlier. I'm Y/N," you explained.

Surprised, she gave you a quick once-over before nodding towards the pool table. "Jake's over there."

"I know. I just wanted to assure you that I'm real and I have no intention of hurting him."

She nodded. "I sensed that. You don't sound like the others." She extended her hand. "I'm Penny. Penny Benjamin."

You smiled and shook her hand. "Thank you, and it's nice to meet you, Penny."

"You want something to drink?"

"I'll take a beer."

"Coming right up." She swiftly wiped the bar.

You continued to watch Jake as he played pool, but something just seemed off. He didn't seem like the cheerful Jake you knew. Just then, a blonde in jean shorts and a white tank top walked up to him and whispered something in his ear, but Jake shook his head and the girl walked away sadly.

Penny came back with the beer. "Here you go."

"How much do I owe you?"

"It's on the house. Any friend of Hangman's is a friend of mine. H22 is your song."

You grabbed the beer. "Thanks." You then made your way to the juke box, grabbed some quarters out of your pocket, put them in when 'Second Chance' by 38 Special caught your eye. You pushed that button and then selected H22. You then stepped over to the table a couple of feet away. Close enough to watch him, but also far enough away to hide.

The current song finished playing and 'Second Chance' by 38 Special started to play.

[k8aclysm]

I'm mad about Jynx again (The Pokémon)

Okay so most people who have even been residually exposed to the Pokémon franchise are familiar with Jynx, the Psychic/Ice type Pokémon introduced in the first generation. Either for the controversies early on, or just because it's a good example of a strange looking design. Due to the reasons I just stated, and/or due to the fact that it's an ice type - a type typically seldom seen until very late game in most entries - I'm willing to bet most of you have never bothered to use one, either. To be fair to it, It's no as awful as it looks! It's got paper-thin physical defense, but decent speed and pretty good special attack that pair perfectly with it's typing! It's an interesting pick if you're looking for a run with mons you've never used before... But this isn't a post about convincing you to use Jynx, I'm here to rant about an aspect of it's design that has driven me completely fucking nuts for the past decade or more.

Looking at the sprites for Jynx in the first three generations, everything looks as you'd expect. Exactly how it looks in the anime, as well as in the manga and other spinoff media.

The problem begins to show itself when we reach the sprites from generation 4.

You see that? You see those strange.... tendrils coming off the dress? Just below the arms? If you wanted to argue in good faith, you could say that this is simply a sprite that poorly communicates depth in the skirt... But then we arrive at generation 5 - where the sprites now have animations and more inherent depth. Generation 5 is where many believe gamefreak had mastered the spriting game and are considered the final sendoff for the sprite style in the franchise.

It's those GOD DAMN TENDRILS. This time, it's very clear that they're not just miscommunicated depth on the skirt and are now actual, un-questionably, tendrils of some sort that jut out of the skirt or create some sort of odd "spike". This sprite is what I consider to be the beginning of what I like to call the "Jynx miscommunication", where -someone, somewhere down the production line - completely misunderstood the sprite and somehow managed to canonize one of the most bizarre design choices I've ever seen. Yeah, I said "Canonize", and I'm not joking. Because it actually happened. Every appearance of Jynx in the 3d games have featured this interpretation of Jynx's dress. ALL OF THEM. Here's an example; pictured below is the model rip from generation 6 and 7; the 3DS games.

Somehow it's become even MORE spikey; as if it's body underneath the skirt has MASSIVE spikes jutting out on each side; the dress isn't draped over it like something implied to be cloth-like in behavior should; it almost reminds me of what the barbs on Corsola look like.

Anyway, my point is mostly made now, but just to drive it home once more... To really just illustrate how deeply ingrained this design "choice" is... I need to explain that every Pokemon in existence was given brand new artwork for the Pokemon transfer service - Pokemon Home. In pretty much every medium outside of the games, Jynx was never depicted to have these weird spikes, so surely they'd refer to previous artwork of Jynx when making the illustration for it in pokemon home, right...? RIGHT...?

WRONG. Jynx officially has the spikes in it's most recent artwork, it's models, AND it's Gen 4 remake menu "sprite". The most infuriating part about this for me, though is that the Sword/Shield menu sprite Doesn't include the spikes at all. Like holy shit it's model in sword and shield even HAVE the spikes like all the others do! RAAAAAHGHGHGnfjnv....

This situation is just so uniquely fascinating to me because Pokemon is a franchise that - at least contemporarily - is known for it's extremely particular design guidelines and squeaky clean, on-model consistency when it comes to the Pokémon designs. I refuse to believe this was ever an intended design choice for Jynx and that gamefreak just don't think anyone gives enough of a fuck about Jynx to ever notice this. Hell, maybe they didn't notice it themselves. Why this happened is likely never going to be brought to light, but at the very least, Jynx isn't in gen 9 so I don't have to look at it at all! ... for now...

Anyway, I hope this post has enlightened you and made you privy to something that makes an already unpopular Pokémon even more unpopular. I'm usually never one to make elaborate posts like this but this piece of bizarre trivia pisses me off so much I just HAD to make a post about it. Send all of your complaints to gamefreak, thanks.

[chickenkurage]

A few CS!CorruptionAlan AU stuff I thought of!

Considering how this alan will be more attached to null than ever, that could even mean he doesn't even want to leave her side at all after literally witnessing her getting shot but is luckily alive and okay in this AU, maybe not exactly being with her all the time but more like.... Checking up on her too much and keep asking if she's okay or fine maybe? Something like that though!

Started to think about slate... Probably the same thing happens by him escaping with mauve and alice during when alan was corrupted and was causing a lot at the facility expect it's just null out of the picture, after all of that everything is mostly the same like blank slate but instead slate is willing to find alan and null to help since he knows halo will somewhat come after them both so he is again willing to help them out, he didn't help them when they were about to escape together so now he actually will when he finds them

Speaking of alan and null, I was thinking about where those two would be going now.... I was already thinking about back to null's house but it feels like they could be found easily located if the location is obvious enough for halo, so I was thinking of another place in the city or some sort of hideout.... Yeah I'm not entirely sure so I will probably need some help on that- ^^"

As for the absolute bastard halo..... I feel like in this AU he actually wants to find alan and get him back because he does seem to be one of halo's favorite fighters/pets, so halo is willing to get him back because he doesn't want to lose his favorite fighter.... Not again (which could end up giving alan far more worst punishments than just shocking him with a collar, fantasizing worst possible outcomes for alan... Oh halo you sadistic little b- THIS JUST FEELS LIKE HE'S WILLING TO TAME A "BEAST" AT THIS POINT-)

There's more thoughts in mind but I wanna keep them in for now for another time or to think about it more! So hope y'all enjoyed reading these so far!!! :DD

AWWW It's Null and Alan against the world. I like this mother son duo so much that it's making me cry since it's been a while since I've seen these two in one sentence TOT

As for the hiding place, if not Null's house (which right decision cause ain't no way they are going to get caught early on the story) maybe it could be somewhere outside the city, far away so that they couldn't be immediately spotted? Although it would probably take time to get there ;-; Probably it would be best for them to hide deep in the mountains and forest where Alan could probably hunt all the food he could get :PP

Grrr not Halo again... ALL MY HOMIES HATE HALOO GRRRR >:((

But demm, I guess we'll be looking forward to what will happen next in this CS Corruption au. Like I'm quaking in my boots on who will find the two first :00

Like... WHO WILL FIND ALAN AND NULL FIRST? A RACE AGAINST TIME!! We first have here Halo >:(( wanting to find Alan just to *gag* tame and make him his pet... AGAIN. Next, we have Slate, together with Alice and Mauve, trying to find them before Halo could ever reach them. Lastly, and let's not forget, the Hollowhead kids! Pick a team and bet your money who will find them!!

This whole situation just gives me this whole vibe ToT and thank you for the food hehe X33 - JM

[fidius]

OK, I get that us child-having folk are kind of boring and it often seems like we have kind of checked out of friendships and the parts of society that don't overlap with parenting in Venn diagrams. That's true, those are true things I will not dispute. And I remember being distraught? disappointed? dismayed? dis-something anyway when friends did the whole marriage-and-kids thing, which usually felt like them moving away or dying-lite or something. Which, again, kind of valid? People ask me if I want to go out somewhere and (unless it's their band or art show or something) I say no I've got to read my kids' bedtime stories. I used to be available for shenanigans and now I am not, and 70% of that is having kids. Single and/or childless friends I understand your annoyance verging into existential despair. It sucks, as we all know, that we don't live in a more villagey situation where everyone is less isolated and hanging out is easier and we aren't all working far too many of our conscious hours.

But.

I love my kids so much. An indescribable love that I have so rarely seen addressed in media that I don't think you are likely to understand it without having experienced it. I often--daily, usually multiple times--just sit and think about my kids and what they do and how they are and I am satisfied by their mere existence as beings on a deep level beyond anything I've known before. This is true even when I am extremely annoyed at them, or worried about their health, or in any of the other exciting unpleasant mental states that parenthood breeds. There is something wonderful and awesome (original meaninga, full of wonder, a condition of considerable awe), I think, in ever really and truly getting to know another human (probably that's love yeah?) but when it's the child you're watching grow up and guiding in your modest way it's beyond. It's self-sufficient, nearly. The nuclear family is shit for society but it does feel like so much on its own that I do get where the positive parts of its power come from.

If you've had a pet, especially a pet you've come to know slowly--a young one you raised or a rescue you won over--and you've felt that feeling of "this is all great but I'd rather be at home with my cat" or that sublime right-place-in-the-world on an ordinary walk with your dog, then you have brushed at the feeling I am trying to get at here. I'm trying to do really honest, no-bullshit estimates here, based on the cats I used to think about at work and just tear up with how much I loved them, and I'd say that was like 1/85 or 1/90 of the feeling of having a kid? But with this not-insignificant dash of, I don't know, mortality? gibbering anxiety at the simultaneous vastness and narrowness of human experience? It's fucked up, the whole experience, and it does things to your brain that will never make sense or calm down as far as I can tell and still seem somehow correct.

(I don't want to imply that you somehow have to be genetically involved in the production of the children to experience these feelings, or even be their primary caregiver--interacting with children at all you've probably experienced some of this on a species/tribal level that may have delighted or unsettled or delighted and unsettled you--but the strength of the emotion does have a lot to do with the responsibility, I think.)

[transingthoseformers]

TF Surge (+in general): Thinking about what the quintessons' designs should actually be.

They're some sort of terrestrial alien squid that live in a cyberpunk dystopia. So if they still have five faces with sort-of-separate-awarenesses (and not like advanced eyespots like i think you posited somewhere) said faces and tentacles should look like actual parts of their bodies, and not like something that was glued on later, like G1. Also their body should be less of a teardrop-shaped rock lump. Idk what to explain their propulsion as, maybe it's just their cyberpunk tech?

They'd communicate with body lights, like their creations, and might have developed vocalized language later. Perhaps the five faces are a thing so that they can look to all directions simultaneously?

More pressingly, i'm not sure how to explain the faces apparently being able to have partially separate minds in one body??? Jellyfishes are comprised of a lot of tiny creatures, but it's propably different with a thousand than with five beings, not to mention the difference in size and the fact jellyfishes aren't exactly intelligent.

The Quintessons are difficult because yeah

They're one of those alien species in Transformers who are so difficult to explain, and considering what I've seen the cyberpunk dystopia filled with self modification might to be blame for some aspects of them

Depending on HOW not like g1 and other depictions of Quintessons you want to go, a possible solution I see is five individuals who are created separately but can sort of join together (kinda) to act as one unit, suggesting the separate aspect came before the joined one (considering what I know of animals it's more believable to think of several individuals joining into one than one individual developing into several ones.) I can see situations where it's temporary, I can see situations where it's more permanent (kinda like Anglerfish??) Though of course this would mean that their body isn't a single teardrop shape but moreso segmented like a peeled orange. Maybe it's an adaptation built upon schooling behavior (have you ever seen the pokemon Wishiwashi's schooling form? I keep thinking about that rn) if we're going for the temporary angle of things this gives us the interesting scene of a Quintesson "dispersing" its fifths for various reasons. It definitely would be something evolved for protection definitely definitely

But it's just a suggestion because Quintessons are. Difficult like that.

In my opinion, the cyberpunk technology being an explanation for the propulsion makes sense? Yeah, it makes sense to me.

[madam-melon-meow]

The Good The Bad and The Alternative: chapter 6, an excerpt;

John got up and looked out of Dave's window. The rain didn't seem too bad.

"Do you wanna go somewhere, or something?" John asked. Dave stood up immediately.

"Shit man yeah I was just about to ask, Rose wants me to translate some shit and I need a book from a friend. I didn't want to drag you anywhere or nothing. Get it fuckin' moving, I haven't hung out in my apartment this long since before the apocalypse. Hard to chill or dick around on the internet when eighty percent of it doesn't exist anymore." Dave followed John while talking, the two of them getting their shit together.

They were clomping down the stairs a few moments later, the sound of their descent echoing through the heights of the stairwell.

"God, is that elevator getting fixed anytime soon?" John asked after they finally hit the ground floor.

"Probably the day after Bro gets back. Most issues seem to only get fixed when he complains about them. Sometimes feels like we're the only ones living in this whole damn building. Everyone else is a fucking ghost or something." John saw a middle-aged woman with grocery bags walk past the pair of them, looking annoyed, but Dave either purposefully ignored her or didn't take notice. "A couple of people prolly are ghosts though, that's why we got so many vacancies. No other reason to pass on this sweet ass property."

"What about the lines?" John said it before he could stop himself.

"What lines?" Dave asked, seeming genuinely oblivious. "It's not exactly the busiest area, shit, I mean maybe the lines outside the clubs." John decided if there was anyone he could trust to ask this question it was Dave.

"No I mean, like-" They stepped outside, Dave leading him towards a bus stop. John looked back at the exterior of the highrise. "I saw lines on your apartment building, they were glowing and moving and stuff. It looked like those magic runes Rose is always talking about, but really magic. I thought I was going crazy, but then they disappeared and I haven't seen them since."

Dave started walking backwards to look at the building, his face hiking up in a squint.

"Can't say I've seen any shit like that, anybody else notice? Did it look like some kind of evil fucking wizard was about to blow up our apartment or was laying some kind of trap?" Dave asked.

John shrugged.

"I don't know. It just kinda felt powerful. It looked like maybe some kind of inscription… Oh! Do you remember in Oblivion, the book you needed to get to Paradise? It was like the mystery-"

"The Mysterium Xarxes yeah I remember that shit. Fucking Jeelius, man."

"Yeah! It looked like the inside of that, but huge and glowing yellow on the outside of your building."

Dave whistled.

"I mean shit. Could be anything. Could be those wards my Bro mentioned." He said, offhandedly.

"Wards? Dave what wards?" John interrogated as he started walking faster.

"He said something about the building being protected by a shitload of magic, for structural integrity and expulsion of evil, I don't know man that shit went over my head. You probably shouldn't be able to see it, though." John was only more confused, and expressed it through various noises to Dave. "Yeah, he said something like, only magic users experienced with advanced divinity could detect the wards. He sounded proud of it so I guess it's pretty fucking powerful." Dave seemed unperturbed by the whole situation.

"OK, cool, dude." John gestured at himself. "Why am I seeing your bro's ubermegapower-wards?"

Want to see what happens next? Read on:

[elisedonut]

18 and 35 for the ask game please!

How i would combine a Circus AU + Bathtub Fic

thank you for participating with me!!

OK!

So!

First thought was Weasley family circus au where the family itself is a travelling cirrus i have no idea if that's a thing i know most media I've seen is very found family vibes with characters coming into a new family. (or you know abusive situations but I'm electing to ignore those so yes

Weasley Family Circus

maybe it's still a magical world maybe its not

if it is magic somehow then i imagine it be a situation where they had to run during the first war instead of hunkering down and hiding

eventually figuring out they could make money by putting on shows and it spiraling a bit

but that depends a lot on how you think the statue of secrecy works

i think you could hand wave it by making it something that only matters when using wands which I've seen a few times

so like if they enchant say a balance bar to not have to worry so much about not falling off it since they didn't do that in front of the audience it doesn't count

or

the "if the audience doesn't realize its like legit magic then it doesn't trigger whatever they use to tell its been broken because its just a non issue" method which is also very fun imo though cant say I've seen it very often

so pretty much this is all set up for someone who also has magic

i don't know who because i would want it to be someone who doesn't know Percy but it needs to be some bad at keep their mouth shut i think

but someone visiting said circus and getting absolutely drenched but like not water

(what is it? Fred says you don't want the answer)

because of something the twins invented because i just think they would love being in the circus especially because i could see them getting more like support? from Molly specifically since its directly helpful to their act and such

but whatever it is. its obviously not muggle so the person outright asks about it and loudly which obviously they are brushed off but Percy still brings them to the family tent with the intention to get them a towel and maybe a change of clothes

now side note

the family tent has all sorts of muggle charms on it to make it look like well normal so it just looks like a few fairly large tents (it originally looked like a single one but as the kids got older Molly

(and by Molly i really mean Bill, she thinks it was her idea though)

started to notice people talking about them squishing the kids in such a small place and chose to adjust to wards to look like multiple

point is obviously that only effects Muggles so to magic people it looks like one large tent on the outside and obviously looks expansive on the inside pretty much the burrow but its a tent

also because the other prompt is bathtub fic I'm choosing to believe in this au their tub is actually pretty large and kinda nice because the tent was originally a fancy camping tent with a large one meant for relaxing that Arthur found on sale for cheap when Percy was 13

ok back on topic

Percy notices immediately that the person is also magic sense they look far too interested in what should be nothing and ends up letting them use the bath and then you get that fun scene where they get out and are really cute

and Percy gets a crush and penpal for awhile before he leaves the family behind after a few years because he wants to actually settle down somewhere and stuff still leads to a fight and a strained relationship because of the closer nature of the siblings (and because unlike og in this world Percy's the first to leave)

but uh yeah

a smaller secondary concept that crossed my mind was stealing the water transportation from kyo kara maoh but instead of the alternate word being a typical medieval-ish fantasy world its instead still a fantasy world but like Percy taking a bath in the prefects bathroom and wakes up in a circus that is also a kingdom

and now he has alternate vers of a bunch of people he knows wanting his attention due to some vague prophecy nonsense about the one who marries the visitor will prosper but like make it silly

on top of also having to solve different problems and always having a chance of being sent back to his world every time he takes a bath

in other words Percy Weasley gets to play an Otome game but in real life

[masschase]

6, 14, 23, and 24 for casey for the edgy ask meme

Edgy/Misc OC ask meme (still accepting, will spread throughout the weekend)

This is a super long post due to my answer to the last one! If I tagged you in this it just means I mentioned your Boss OC somewhere in my list of universes Casey exists in, don't feel it means you have to read it! 😅

6. How easily could your OC be convinced to do something that goes against their moral compass?

Casey arguably doesn't have much of a moral compass to begin with so if something goes against it, chances are it's something she has a strong personal objection to/thinks is pure evil. On that basis I don't think it'd be that easy.

That said, if someone knew her well enough to appeal to what's important to her, to convince her that it's beneficial for her friends/the Saints as a whole, I think she could eventually be swayed.

14. How does your OC want to be seen by other characters?

Casey spends a lot of time claiming to be unapologetic about who she is, but at the same time I think deep down she does want everyone to be her friend, and I think in some convoluted way the whole "I'm an asshole, take me or leave me" thing is actually a mix of self-defence and thinking people find that attitude itself appealing. And a little bit of truth, lol.

I think the proof of this is in the fact she gets surprised when people actually like her vulnerable side. She thinks showing her vulnerability makes her unlikeable. So the fact she hides that makes it clear to me she wants to be liked. I think one of the reasons she mirrors other people's traits (sometimes consciously, other times unconsciously) is related to this too.

23. What emotion is the hardest for your OC to process? How about express?

Grief is one of the hardest for her to process, I think, it's why it invades her subconscious in dreams and such so heavily. In fact I think grief that she's not fully dealt with affects her character in a lot of ways. I don't know if forgiveness is an emotion but if so she's terrible with that too. She has a pretty good memory and she holds grudges like... forever.

In terms of express, you'd think it would be loving feelings but actually although she avoids romantic love for so long, I don't think she actually finds it hard to show love in general, she just has her own ways to express it. Like ok, she's not great at initiating physical touch as I'm sure I've said like 1000 times, so she might not hug her friends much but she'd die for them. She will occasionally express her affection for them verbally, she's a pretty good gift-giver, she's chill with a lot of things that might annoy other people.

So this ties back into the grief thing but my actual answer would be any kind of overwhelming sadness, really, because she struggles to cry so much. She has that thing I've talked about before where she finds it hard to cry about real life, but cries at movies and other media. If it's a movie where the situation is actually relateable, she practically breaks down.

Therapy does change that a little. Like if a friend were dying in her arms then yeah she'd be sobbing if she's post-therapy(whereas pre-therapy, say with Carlos she sat there staring into space for a good while). But stuff like Johnny "dying" on the plane, the earth blowing up? It's not as visceral, so she struggles to process it. And seeing as she's a very denial-based character, she spends so much longer in that first stage.

24. What is an alternative life path your OC might have gone down? How different would their life be if they'd made those decisions?

Ohhhhhhh this is so hard because thanks to AUs I have so many different iterations of this! But I'm going to look primarily at events her life and not so much at external factors like the earth exploding or not exploding, the Saints becoming vampires... etc. etc.

I play around with her age in a few AUs because I believe that has a major impact on her family life. (and ok it's partly because of the "coma years don't count" joke bc she's always 1990 if she's the Boss) Being taken care of by her sister means a larger gap actually means better care, though more isolation from her peers without Mori. It creates quite a different person.

I also play around with her level of education and whether she got anywhere with the literature degree she wanted to do. I find it funny that she often ends up like... a librarian before leaving to do something cool like be a vampire hunter or an assassin or a jewel thief. All I know is I can't just like... leave her there. I think it's funny but I don't like that for her forever. She's too good with tactics and pistols and being awesome, obviously.

But what about more specific choices/differences? (a.k.a. ooh an excuse to list some of my AUs!)

I had mentions of some choices her parents made before her birth: investing in what turned out to be amazing stocks, moving to Paris for her dad's job, naming her the other choice for her name. They could all lead to different possibilities for Casey/Sephy, but if all of these take place, she becomes Persephone Brimstone, that is the Agents Of Mayhem Universe. I actually... don't know much about AOM but I made a little throw-in mention of it so it counts as a possibility. One could argue Johnny picking the reset ending of GOOH is actually what causes this, but in-universe, that's the explanation.

Obviously the big one is whether she ends up on that street corner, like that's always the determining factor to whether she becomes Playa(whether or not she becomes "Boss" is not necessarily in line with this choice as I'll get into in two different places below). There are a few reasons that she might not be there as I've got into before.

If she's alone there, and goes through more or less all the canon events of SR1-GOOH, as well as my in-between and post-game additions, that is Casey's Main Universe.

But... what if she quite literally bumps into a boy of around the same age on that street corner right before everything goes down? That's @zoo-the-saint's Zoo! If so, chances are they go through most of the events of SR1 together, setting up some other tangents leading to multiple AUs:

-> When Julius leaves it ambiguous which of them they leave the gang to, does it end in a stalemate? That's one of the Double Boss AUs! Those two fuckers have their ups and downs friends-wise (and benefits-wise) but they always seem to do everything together, get the best of both worlds in any sort of two-way choice, and are Definitely Totally Not In Love Because They Don't Do That Sort Of Thing.

-> -> The original Canon Compliant Double Boss AU is one I wrote a long ramble for way back and might post some time, and this is the one I know for a fact ends with the Zoo/Matt/Casey triad Cazoom. It incorporates Casey and Zoo's stories with Matt in their own universes as best as I could.

-> -> There is also a situation where the two Bosses end up being idolised but later hated by Noah Johnson/The Faceless, who captures and tortures the Saints and kills many of them leaving the others devastated. That's The Cult Of Celebrity AU, and I'm mentioning this for a really important reason; this is the only AU I have that features Santo Ileso! With the remainder of the gang all pretty broken, and intent on she and Zoo retiring, Casey suggests the survivors make a fresh start there, with the Saints name being taken over by one of their most resilient lieutenants, @iamkinzie's Rose, who ends up recruiting Kevin, Neenah and Eli.

Orrrrrrr... going back to the fight in SR1, do Casey and Zoo fight until he gives her a chance to run and she takes it out of (not that she'll admit it) genuine fear for her life? That's the Sinners AU. She holds a grudge against the Saints for many years and eventually stages an attack post-SR3. A very loosely Die-Hard inspired New Year's attack 😆 I want to do some designs for all the characters outfits so badly but it's going to be a big project!

So... on the other side of things, what if Casey's not on that corner? What if she's never Playa?

Well I do have the undefined potential universe where Casey is NOT Playa but IS Boss; taking over the Saints in Saints Row 2. This was just based on the fact that I didn't try and make her when I first played SR1, I just made A Random Dude(not to be confused with Noah who is Just Some Guy). I never really sorted out what then happens to the original Playa in that situation. We'll call that the Boss Swap AU? Tbh the only time I can see using that is if someone else wants to write a story with me with their OC as Playa, because I don't have much of interest to do with my own OCs in that position yet.

There's a few scenarios where I can see Casey ending up as a lieutenant of the Saints because she joins during SR2 under an existing Boss. Depending on age, as above, this can be at 16 and she has a similar temperament to sr1, or it can be at 21 when she's had some time to develop as her own person, and I think that really impacts what sort of person she is. Anyway, without the SR1 interaction with Dex she never becomes as good a tactical planner, and she's obviously not the leader, so she's really just a skilled gunwoman and thief.

If she has no real association with the Saints, but is still very much drawn to a life of crime and longing for slightly older women, that's potentially the toXic Universe! She falls for @snail-eggs Xixi Rosario(also not a Boss in this universe though I imagine she still has ties to the Saints due to her family) and follows her around like a puppy (where's that "submissive like an attack dog is submissive" thing again?). They steal and get wasted and fuck and crash cars and confess their love while being dragged away in handcuffs. They're not good for each other but the love is there. In the long term... if they're lucky they might end up escaping to a desert island together. Or Casey ends up in a triad with Xixi's younger sister Van and her boyfriend who is definitely not Matt Miller. But most likely they die while speeding away from the cops 🥲

If she highly idolises the Saints and their pink-haired leader in her teens (again this is with her having the '95 birthdate) but gets told she's too young (by the way she has some major similarities to Noah here but her reaction is... FAR less convoluted and deranged) when she asks to join, and sets up her own gang, Negative Space... that's @whoredmode's Anteros's Main Universe. NS is not the kind of well organised, professional gang she has with the Sinners. Frankly Anteros's Saints take them out pretty easily. After that... well I would say that whole thing probably scares her back to getting her degree as mentioned before, and probably does work at Stilwater Library for a while after all. After that... well there's plenty of interesting stuff going on in Stilwater on that universe, it'd be interesting to know if she gets involved in any way. Teddy, I leave her in your capable hands; if you think of an interesting way she can be involved then I'd love to know, if not that's fine too! Either way she's your problem now 😆

And then for something different entirely, there's Saints High, which sees all the canons and all the ocs in school together and basically-

...OK just kidding. Mostly. I don't usually do those kind of "x if they were y" AUs, though I'm sure one will suddenly smack me across the face one day. I do have other AUs. It's just that they're not down to factors in Casey's life so much, more changes changes in canon characters lives or other factors.

Anyway... wasn't expecting this to end up quite this long and I'm not even sure how well it answered the question but as you can tell, I had a lot of fun with it!