#( I remember when I played through it I got the impression that the toons who are like shopkeepers and stuff were like-)

[bistaxx]

thinking about toontown worldbuilding from a realistic perspective makes it seem so much darker

for one: what would toontown school realistically teach?

other than "basic stuff" like language and mathematics, I would reckon:

first-aid

juggling lol

climbing, dodging, that sort of stuff?

possibly even something to do with making the gags?

a guide on who the enemy is?

geography class might involve the whole "the shadowy place is the cog HQs and you must not go there until you're older and trained enough to do so"

worldbuilding is wild here. you got explosives and portable giant train sets to run people over with. people that grow crops for food and for the gags (e.g. thrown pies and cakes, bamboo pole for the toon-up), shopkeepers and most likely everyday professions, etc.

so many of these jobs might not even have a close equivalent in real life, and even the closest real-life equivalent might be people that make and sell weapons, since… that's what a lot of gags are…

in other words, I attempt to Worldbuild my way through the backstory fic and now that's not even half a lifetime of trauma, that's arguably a non-stop full lifetime of unending trauma we're talking about here… with this context…

I'd reckon first-aid and toon-up are probably the same for them- and it is one of the first gag tracks a toon can chose to learn!

As for how they learn new gags- in game you do tasks to get tracks of film and when you collect enough you unlock a new gag- you can probably take this a lot of ways like them being shown how to use new tools when they've proven themselves or the idea of classes where they study as you mentioned!

Also that stuff about being taught is pretty spot-on tbh! When you start up the game after making your toon you go through the tutorial where you are taught who the cogs are, what they do, how to fight them, and warned not to let your laff meter reach zero. Again we don't know a whole lot about were toons come from aside from one-off lines and some cog attacks implying they're like living drawings- but it seems as soon as they're able too every toon is taught how to fight back against the seemingly endless threat of cogs- and in a way it can make a nice parallel.

Endlessly manufactured Cogs vs endlessly drawn toons... both sides unable to get a real edge on the other!

Also yes about the shadowy places thing-! So on the streets leading to HQ's there are signs that have a warning on them that you're headed toward a Cog HQ- and unlike the other signs leading to playgrounds the warning signs look very hastily put together and lack the charm and love put into the playground signs- they're very serious in contrast to those!

Also- If you're looking for some more little tidbits their were trading cards released when the original game was still up- the cards all have little descriptions and cover things from gags to cogs to npc toons and have drawings on them as well (some even show toons doing what looks like making gags so you may be on to something there!)- you can find them on the toontown wiki, I think most of them are just kinda silly but maybe you can find something interesting in those ^_^

[badwolfrunning]

Family & Bonds AU Headcanons

I an dabbling in a couple of AU’s currently. Primarily what I have posted is a Family and Bonds AU titled....Family Bonds. (original. v crafty. wow.) Anyway, lengthy post under the cut.

I shifted the family tree from Bonds in order to accommodate the incredible characters designed by middlewarnersibling in Family to be the Warner trio's parents, and I love that story line for them. 

In Bonds, it seemed odd that Bosko would some how not notice his lover's aging or just how she managed to keep all three kids a secret, but I figured, one was totally possible and that one child was Slakko, their father from Family. So it goes like this:

Oswald and Ortensia have a daughter named Odelia. 

Odelia has an affair with Bosko Warner

Culminating in middlewarnersibling’s character Slakko Warner. Odelia still never tells Bosko and before the baby arrives, Bosko’s bleeding heart brother, Kokko offers to marry Odelia so the baby at least appears “legit.” 

So Kokko becomes the Warner trio’s legal grandfather.

According to Family, Slakko meets Ophelia, a cat toon who sings and dances. They hook up and reluctantly wind up in a shotgun marriage and eventually all three kids are born.

Yakko is approx 5-6 years older than Dot and 3 years older than Wakko, putting him solidly in the middle. 

Their birthdays are all in different seasons; I have decided Dot is mid-late June, Wakko is early October and Yakko is January, so their age gap gets all wonky at certain times of the year.

Babs and Buster were actually about 14/15 respectively at the launch of Tiny Toon Adventures which makes them both a couple years Yakko's senior. 

I also think it makes for an excellent joke about Yakko always gunning for older women.  

(For future reference, yes this makes Buster a solid 7 years older than Dot.) 

The rest of the primary Tiny Toons crew is pretty much on par with the exception of Hampton and Dizzy who I headcanon as younger by about a yearish. 

(Why yes, Yakko and Dot both have deep seated parental trauma, why do you ask? Wakko does too but it uh....comes out in a different way.)

I headcanon an interesting arch for Slakko which involves something of redemption? In Bonds while Bosko is on the hunt for the Warners he finds this other Warner and decides to see if he has any information. Slakko is living alone in a bit of a shite apartment and mostly keeps to himself and has been ok at staying out of bigger trouble. So when Bosko and his boys arrive at his door he's suspicious and ready to make it a fight if he has to. But there isn't much of a fight; Bosko demands to know where the trio is, Slakko honestly has no idea but Bosko doesn't believe him. The weasels and whomever else Bosko brought as his cronies beat the shit out of him but he holds true to his story.

So Bosko finally believes him. More or less. He doesn't want to have to come back here so he decides to make sure that Slakko can't ever 'see' his children again and has whomever's with him hold him down and burn his eyes with dip. So Slakko's left blinded, injured and probably should be dead but he's not.

Yakko remembers that his folks hardly ever reported an injury or used a hospital unless they absolutely had to. So, close to the end of the show Yakko finds out his father actually used medical services and decides to figure out how to get himself listed as an emergency contact. Not that he intended to ever come to assist but more so that he can make sure to be notified of anything particularly fatal. In Family, he lamented that he never got to say goodbye to their mother and as much as he disagrees with him, Yakko never wants to miss that chance again. So, post Bonds, he ends up finding out about Slakko's sudden blindness and discreetly, not to the knowledge of Slakko or his sibs, decides to help out. Just this once, is Yakko's reasoning.

Um....some cute things I headcanon....

I kept Wakko's diabetes....not cute but like, it's more light hearted than that other stuff tbh

Also not 100% cute: Babs continues to go to therapy to address things like depression and PTSD but it takes some....convincing for Yakko to see someone again. Especially after being made to on the lot. But after a particularly bad night he agrees to give it a shot. 

Basically, they coax each other through episodes and have learned to spot when they're each using coping mechanisms in harmful ways and call each other out on it. They make a fantastic team.

They also don’t totally shy away from the conversations with their daughters. They introduce what’s appropriate and with their age gap that can be tricky.

They both also have a very....interesting time being parents early on. Babs is waiting to see if she'll feel what her mother must have felt that made her leave them in a huff and Yakko's struggling to come to terms with the fact that there was nothing wrong with him, his father just never wanted them. Basically they're looking for when another shoe will drop but it won't because they don't just love their kid, they wanted them. 

They got to make a choice their parents didn't.

I do have fankids for Babs and Yakko, both girls, both named after powerful women in art and history. Lucille Ophelia and Jacqueline Madeline. (If any of you know the Madeline namesake I will be impressed AF)

Lucille very strictly goes by Lu, call her Lucy and you die (unless you're Wakko. This kid plays favorites and he is it.) and she is a handful of a teenager. Sharp tongued and sharp witted.

Jackqueline, or Jackie, is 5 years younger and is so naive and sweet it hurts and she is Daddy's Girl capital D. Yes, at first they figured she was just masterful at the cuteness game like Dot was but as it turns out, she's got that Wakko style innocence.

Babs jokes that she's clearly actually Wakko's kid. (There is absolutely no possible way for that to be true. Which is why it's funny instead of suspicious.)

They have both watched Animaniacs and Tiny Toon Adventures and just to piss off her dad, Lu says Tiny Toons is her favorite.

Skippy, like Dot, had a dance focus and so, in a few years' time, she's gonna run into him on the set of a music video. That'll be fun!

Babs and Yakko have pissed of more than one director for going off on what appear to be essentially joke tangents but it's actually the two of them attempting to out do each other until there's a clear winner. They are both spotlight hogging, competitive lil shits.

It's Babs' idea for Wakko to try fronting the band he's in and his bandmate get stupidly jealous and steals his girl....oops.

Dot is stupidly beautiful and very much lovable (wow. shocking.) And some poor poor blue bunny is gonna fall face first into a sitcom level affair....and since he can't tell either of his best bros about it he ends up drunkenly calling Babs who just laughs her ass off the whole time.

Yakko can play chess in his head. Like...he doesn't need the board. He can just keep track of the pieces. (Honestly, having to be so damn smart is a complex brought on the physical and verbal abuse from his father.)

Wakko....honestly, as smart as he can be and as righteous as he is, he has that Warner independence streak something bad after touring. He tries a bit much and ends up starting a fight with someone and long story short, he's caught with that twink stuff from Family (unfortunate name tbh basically, think crack.) 

Yakko is obviously beside himself and Dot is more or less oblivious as she's at university at this point. Basically, shit hits the fan and the brothers split. 

Dot tries to keep in touch with Wakko but he severs the connection from both his sibs.

Wakko does get clean. He also falls in love with a remarkable human toon named Jesse.

He’s also still friends with Foghorn, who is actually a pretty great support in all of this.

I headcanon Wakko as demi homosexual.

Much to her own surprise, Babs LOVES being a mom. 

Yakko struggles with partnership. A lot of what goes into being a parent are things he’s already experienced and he has a hard time NOT being a know it all and actually partnering with his wife....it’s a fun dynamic.

Yakko also still has a crush on Max Goof that he SWORE he was over but after seeing him at random very much IS NOT.

It's not just Wakko making horrible choices btw. Sorry this was meant to be the cute stuff....uh....

Both Yakko and Wakko walk with their sister at her wedding (told you things will circle back!)

[scatterthoughted]

Secrets Never Shared

An angsty Miraculous Ladybug fic for @cartoonfanorwhatever for @mlsecretsanta taking place a week after the events of Chat Blanc. Enjoy!

Teenagers were often fluid in their likes and dislikes, preferences changing from year to year as they dug deeper into the self-discovery of who they were. But Marinette had only ever had one favourite song.  

It was a classic, and Marinette was sure that many other Parisians, and Francophones, shared her love for it. Although, perhaps unlike other Francophones, she didn’t decide on it to be her favourite song simply because of the singers range (even though it is very impressive), or through its upbeat and conquering rhythm (while that did energize and inspire her). No, it was the memories she’d collected between each crescendo, the nostalgia crammed between beats, which had transformed it from a simple song into a timeless tune that she could play one thousand times without ever tiring of it.

She couldn’t recall the first time she’d heard it, or even the second or third. However, Marinette did remember dancing around her kitchen with her Maman and Papa, belting the words (only half actually right) at the top of her lungs. She  remembered it playing in the background when stitching her first skirt, humming it just before meeting Alya, and blasting it at her surprise birthday party where all of her friends (including Adrien) told her (and showed her when it came to Befana) just how much she meant to them. 

Today was the first day she’d ever scrambled to turn the radio off when it came on. The first day that one bad memory had the power to overwhelm all the good ones. The first day the chorus made her heart hurt, squeezed tears from her eyes. After last week, she didn’t think she could ever listen to it again.

“Um, Marinette...?” Dread stiffened her bones, sunk down deep and mixed with her shame and mortification. That tentative voice was a shot through her nerves, its concern a blaring alarm. Her hurried movements were committed to wiping the snot and tears from her face and taking a deep breath before slowly peering over her shoulder.

Sweet, amazing Adrien peered back, a worried frown pulling at his peach pink lips. Embarrassment rippled from her when his eyes flickered to the red-rims around her eyes that were not nearly as covered as they should have been. Marinette quickly looked back to the ground as heat rose to her cheeks. He moved closer, and she couldn’t decide whether she wanted him to get away from her, or to keep moving even closer.

“Are you alright? Is there something wrong?” He sat beside her, looking up at the jukebox in front of her. Slow jazz permeated the air around them, the first button Marinette found purchase on after sliding her quarter into the machine through a panic driven haze. Her eyes were on her hands, which still shook a little in her lap.

What could she tell him? The story was long, and dangerous to tell. She’d have to look into his soft green eyes and surrender to them fully, as she’s always wanted to. All of her secrets would come pouring out, beginning with her biggest- she was Ladybug, one half of the superhero duo who was responsible for the safety of all of Paris. Once it was out, she wouldn’t be able to stop- she’d have to tell him how she’d failed in this- at least, she had in an alternate timeline, one where Paris flooded, the moon had broken, and Hawkmoth had won but also paid the ultimate price. The story would come out of how she had to fight her akumatized best friend, Chat Noir, whose insanity had scared her. Whose loneliness had hurt her more than the bruises and scrapes his claws had given her.

And how to tell him the whole situation had begun because he found out her identity? How to ask who he felt compelled to tell? Marinette supposed she couldn’t blame him for something that didn’t even happen in this timeline, but try as she might, she couldn’t forget. That was why she smiled back at him.

“I’m fine, Adrien, thanks.” No excuse ever came to Marinette quick, and she was soon flailing for one. “This song just reminds me of, uh, a commercial I saw. A heartwarming story of this kitten who was lost and... and a little girl found him and took him home!” She avoided his steady and understanding gaze, feeling as though she betrayed it with her lies. “The song just reminds me of it, that’s all.”

The excuse was flimsy, and she could tell Adrien thought so too. He didn’t push it, though. But he didn’t leave her alone, either. He his eyes to the jukebox.

“Makes sense. Every song I hear has a memory attached. The one that plays during my perfume commercial? I can’t listen to it without wanting to bang my head against the wall.” Adrien pulled a face and Marinette giggled, heart warming at his efforts to cheer her up.

The rest of their friends seemed to finally notice their absence, and Nino, Rose, and Alix joined them a moment later. It seemed they missed Alya’s frantic hand signals for them to leave them alone.

“A jukebox? Sweet! Good eye, Marinette!” Nino leaned in to get a better look, practically drooling over the old sound system.

“Well duh. A fifties diner is just a brightly coloured restaurant that specializes in shakes without one.” Alix blew up her bubblegum, leaning onto the dinosaur of a stereo. Nino glared at the arm pushing on it, muttering something under his breath about disrespecting a great art form. She met his gaze and popped her bubble in reply.

“Ooh, I’ve never seen a real working one before. I call picking the next one!” Rose bounced in place, pulling a quarter from her pocket in anticipation.

Her remaining friends joined them a few moments later, Alya sending her an apologetic glance for the interruption. Marinette just waved her apology away with a smile, hoping desperately that no one else noticed her teary eyes and shaky hands. 

As the voices of her friends idle chatter surrounded and warmed her, she chanced a glance back up at the jukebox, eyes drawn to that song she didn’t think she could ever dance to again.

Un Petit Chat Sur Un Toit stared back.

___ 

No day out with her friends was complete without the simultaneous beeping of all of their phones, of all phones throughout Paris. After about a year, the Akuma Alert had streamlined into an efficient process, allowing every Parisian- and even tourist- to avoid this weeks’ disturbance, making their lives easier.

Well, for everyone except Marinette. She had a caffeine hyped and intensely motivated reporter friend who didn’t fear akumas nearly as much as she should. Alya’s phone appeared back into its natural habitat (her hand) within a heartbeat of the alert, camera facing her and livestream on.

“Hey Ladybloggers! This just in: a new akuma has made an appearance at the Louvre, wreaking havoc with what’s been called ‘psychic powers.’ No supers at the scene yet, but it’s only a matter of time before Ladybug and Chat Noir show up! Stay tooned and I’ll get you all a glimpse.” Excitement poured from Marinette’s friend as she read the news scrolling across her screen. Marinette, on the other hand, felt the familiarity of cool determination flood her. Psychic powers didn’t sound too fun for her and Chat Noir, but she knew they could handle it. They always did.

One quick ignored pleading for Alya to stay safe and one easy excuse of going to the bathroom later, Ladybug swung from rooftop to rooftop on her path to the Louvre. Only a few moments passed before a familiar shadow began to tail her, Chat Noir making his usual flamboyant entrance with a front tuck and shout.

“Beautiful day for an akuma, isn’t it bugaboo?” Not even a cheshire would be able to replicate the blinding grin shot her way.

Ladybug rolled her eyes at the nickname she didn’t even bother telling him off for anymore. She could tell it was one of his favourites, and since last week… Ladybug would let him have every inch of happiness she could give him. She felt as though she owed it to him.

“Beautiful day to beat one, you mean.” Ladybug said with a grunt, tumbling out of her front handspring and loosening her yo-yo around a spire in the distance. His laughter combatted the air whipping by her, tugging and both her heart and mouth to make her smile.

“Of course, My Lady. That poor akuma doesn’t stand a chance.” Chat really ought to be looking where he was going instead of fixing his smile her way. When Ladybug looked his way, he shot a wink her way before executing a backwards full twist on the narrow ledge- a little flashy and unnecessary. Chat Noir must’ve been showing off again. Ladybug hid a giggle at his antics as the two of them powered forward on their way to the Louvre.

Screams greeted them when they got there.

Ladybug crouched on a roof overlooking the devastating scene, Chat Noir landing at her side. They watched in grim silence as the Parisians below shouted and cried at what seemed to be nothing, demons that the two hero’s couldn’t help them fight.

“What…?” Char Noir’s breathless question came out horrified. The unspoken words were answered only a heartbeat later when a scratchy rumbling formed words behind her.

“My name is Mare.”

Ladybug and Chat Noir whirled around, hearts pounding to a synchronized beat of terror. They had advanced senses while in their suits- only a very dangerous akuma could sneak up on them. Her appearance didn’t help Ladybug’s confidence, either.

Gray and black enveloped the akumatized victim from head to gnarled foot. Her skin was closer to scales, pointed ears resembling horns. All attention was drawn to her bright eyes, white and bulbous, blind yet searching. Mare’s gaping maw opened once again, revealing rows of pointed teeth.

“Your nightmares have caught up to you, Ladybug and Chat Noir.”

A clawed hand lashed out her way, faster than Ladybug could blink- but Chat was faster. He deflected with his baton, giving Ladybug an advantage so she could strike Mare while she recovered. Ladybug’s yo-yo wrapped tight around the akuma, pulling the hissing beast towards them. It gave her a moment to analyze the writhing creature, to look for anything that stuck out as an akumatized object-

It struck first.

Her yo-yo had restrained the beasts arms and legs, but that wasn’t how it claimed its victims.

Ladybug only registered the akuma’s lips parting and tongue lashing out before Chat fell over the side of the roof from the force of a blow, letting out a yowl of shock as he fell.

“Chat!” Ladybug dove after her disoriented partner, releasing her hold on the akuma to save him. She grabbed him seconds before he would have met the pavement, landing with him in her arms.

“Chat Noir, are you okay?” He didn’t seem to hear her. Chat’s brows were drawn up in confusion, and his eyes stared right past her. But then they focused on something in the distance. Chat’s face paled.

“Chat Noir..?” Before panic could make itself comfortable in Ladybug’s subconscious, Chat’s head whipped to the side, eyes blown wide in terror.

“Ladybug!” With a desperate cry, he scrambled out of her arms and sprinted away from the akuma, in the direction of something Ladybug couldn’t see.

“Chat, I’m right here!” She chased him desperately, but his fear seemed to have more permeance than hers, for after chasing him through several alleys and over rooftops, she soon lost him.

Alone, worried, and with no idea where the akuma was, it seemed she had only one course of action.

“Lucky charm!”

Chewing taffy fell into her hands, and Ladybug felt her heartbeat slow. She had a plan.

—

Her miraculous cure could always be counted to put things back the way they should be- and so, Chat Noir appeared in a swarm of ladybugs by her side, unscathed and bright-eyed.

Ladybug smiled with the rush of a city saved. “Pound it!” She held out a fist, ready to wrap up a day of good work. But Chat just stared at her outstretched fist with full eyes.

“Is… is that really you, My Lady…?” The voice he used was not one he let out often. It was filled with vulnerability and hurt, and it hurt to hear. Ladybug took a step forward, confused but patient.

“Of course, Chat. I’m right here.” After a moment of hesitation, she slid her hand into his. A moment of horrible understanding rang through her. Mare caused her victims to see illusions of their worst fear, and Chat got hit. Ladybug had a terrible suspicion that his worst fear had something to do with her. Ladybug squeezed his hand tight.

Chat was quiet for a long moment, just staring at their joined hands and slowing his breathing. The beeping of her miraculous cut through their silence, and Chat slowly pulled his hand from hers, jaw clenched. He turned to leave, but Ladybug grabbed his arms. She couldn’t let him leave like this.

“What’s wrong, Chat?” Ladybug’s voice was soft with concern for her partner. A partner that just shook his head, still turned away from her. Ladybug moved in front of him, waiting for him to meet her eyes- but he didn’t. Chat just kept staring at the ground in front of him, jaw clenched in an attempt to keep his emotion at bay.

A second warning beeped from Ladybug’s earrings, it’s sound releasing a bitter anger from Chat.

“I’m sick of it, My Lady. I’m sick of people using my emotions, exploiting how I feel to keep me under his thumb.” A frown tugged at Ladybug’s lips, her eyes dragging over the crease that appeared between his eyes. She didn’t think he was just talking about Hawkmoth.

“Chat…” she took a slow step forward, “…is there anything you want to talk about?” Chat’s eyes snapped to hers, welling with so much hurt and desperation that Ladybug saw white for a moment- white on his suit, white in his hair, and white-hot rage in his veins. She couldn’t help but suddenly step back. The window to his whirlwind of hurt shuttered close as he took in the movement. Took in her anxiety.

“Yes, there’s a lot I want to talk about. But I know you wouldn’t want to hear it.” His eyes were twin flames, burning through the pain that lit his heart. His teeth gnashed as he continued. “You always stress how we have to work as a team, but you don’t care!” His shout cut through the easy chatter on the Parisian streets below. Ladybug could only stare at him with wide eyes, heart pounding a rhythm of I do care, of course I care, I care so much, but Chat couldn’t hear it. His eyes were fixed on the foot that stepped away from him. “All you care about is keeping our identities secret!”

Thunderous green eyes snapped to hers- a mistake. All the rage that kept his afloat left him at the startled pain in his Lady’s eyes, leaving him to drown in shame and regret. But his heart still had a few more words. He looked down to his feet.

“I… I need you, My Lady. But you keep telling me I can’t talk to you…” Chat’s voice broke, along with the confidence that kept him there. With a speed that made Ladybug flinch, Chat disappeared over the nearest roof in a flash of black.

“Chat, wait!” Her call echoed down the streets of Paris and remained unanswered. Ladybug, heroine of Paris and recent conquerer of akuma, stayed still and silent until her miraculous’s final beep.

—-

Marinette made a lot of mistakes, but this one stuck. It hovered over, lay heavily on her hunched shoulders, and whispered doubts in her ear. She was letting what she’d seen in the alternate timeline get to her- and worse, she was letting it get to Chat. Marinette hadn’t felt the sting of believing herself a failure since Stoneheart, but at her partner’s words… she felt as though she failed him completely.

Being partners was meant to make them stronger, but it seemed like they were tearing each other apart. Marinette couldn’t let that happen.

It was with that conviction that she transformed, called her kitty for a quick meeting on the Eiffel Tower, picked up her vintage boom box, and tentatively grabbed a CD she never thought she’d ever touch again.

The moon sat high in the sky by the time Ladybug arrived, brighter for the stars that stood at its side. She had to remind herself that this was what she needed- what both she and Chat needed.

He arrived a few minutes later, a streak of black holding stubbornly dark in defiance of the moon’s best efforts. Ladybug knew him well enough to know that the hunch in his silhouette’s shoulders was the result of hounding shame. That his hesitance meant he was sorry- but that he didn’t want to talk about what he’d said.

Ladybug beckoned him into the light. She tried her best not to crumple at the cautious look in his eyes that drowned out his smile.

“Beautiful night, M’Lady. But I’ve got a feline that’s not the only reason for your late night cat-call.” His glinting teeth and playful tongue were trying to tell her he was fine, but the dullness in his eyes was a fierce contradiction. Ladybug took an involuntary step forward, wishing she could put the teasing spark back into his eyes through sheer force of will. He looked desolate, desperate… he looked too much like Chat Blanc.

Ladybug’s eyes quickly flickered down to the boom box she held before that thought could catch.

“Well, you’ve always said that the team would benefit from hanging out without the threat of an akuma attack or the responsibility of patrol and I don’t usually have enough time in the day, but…” Ladybug looked up at her partner from beneath the shield of her eyelashes, suddenly nervous. The plan of tonight was little more than a determined impulse.

“… but now I have time.” She held out the boom box as if it were an explanation. Chat Noir’s ears perked up, eyes flickering from boom box to teammate. A smile crept unbidden up his face all the way to his eyes, which lit with an excited spark.

“My sweet bugaboo,” Chat teased with a quirk of his lips, “did you call me up to join you in a starlit dance for two?”

Ladybug couldn’t help the heat that rushed to her face, nor the quick instinct to defend herself against his insinuating guess (even if it was exactly what she had planned). She crossed her arms as well as she could manage with the bulk in her arms.

“Not like that, Chat!” She knew half of his smug smirk came from the fact that her face lit up like a flame- and that he had he night vision to see it. Ladybug wrangled with her emotions enough to sober herself to the task at hand after a few moments.

“I just figured…” Her famed superheroine bravery faltered just when she needed it most. The small patient smile Chat gave in response didn’t help quell the nervous butterflies that had taken residence in her stomach.

“I just figured,” Ladybug tried again, “we both need this.” She raised her eyes to see Chat’s blinking back at her, surprise mixed with something more tender. A few moments stretched between them, and this time it was Ladybug who had to look away first. The small grin Chat gave her was all the permission she needed to turn and ready the music.

With her back to him, Ladybug could feel the heat of his eyes on the back of her neck, watching as she fumbled to put the disk into her music player. After what felt like far too long for her, the music began to play.

“Un petit chat sur le toit, se languit sans sa lady…”

The woman’s voice began to spill from the speakers, flooding the night with sound. A sound that caused Ladybug’s heart to pound, and took staring at Chat Noir and fiercely reassuring herself that he was right in front of her and fine to keep herself from shutting the music back off.

If songs were capsules for memories, she was just going to have to create enough good ones to outweigh the bad. And that started with remembering that her Chat Noir was not the broken kitty that lived alone in a world he destroyed.

Ladybug’s steps were featherlight as she began to sway to the music. Chat watched her with eyes that glinted in the moonlight.

“I love this song.” He said softly, careful not to break the spell that seemed to have fallen over the two of them. Chat Noir took a step towards her, taking her hand before she could protest. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t expected Chat to slowly bring her to him, placing a hand around her waist after checking for her quick nod. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t secretly hoped for it.

Flashes of white were kept at bay by focusing of the hand in hers, on Chat’s hold on her waist. He grounded her, supported her, saved her from the memory that clawed at her from the inside. The nervous fluttering in her stomach, the sparks that leaped from glove to glove- those she couldn’t be saved from. They moved as one to the beat of the music, of what they didn’t know was both of their favourite song.

“Ladybug?” She was startled out of her thoughts, the absence of a nickname making her frown. Chat was closer than she first thought, and when she looked up, his green eyes were gazing right back at her under hooded eyelashes. When he swallowed, she felt it. Ladybug hadn’t realized their chests were nearly touching- now that she did though, she couldn’t bring herself to pull away.

Ladybug was transfixed, a victim to a melody that she couldn’t remember the reason for hating, in the embrace of a boy who she couldn’t remember the reason for rejecting. She was struggling to focus on what he was about to say, struggling hard because she could tell by the way he breathed deep that it was important. Ladybug could tell Chat was struggling just as hard to get the words out

“I’m sorry.” Chat breathed, and Ladybug couldn’t think of one thing he should be apologizing for.

“I’m sorry for yelling, and I’m sorry for blaming you for something that really isn’t your fault.” He twirled her under his arm. “I guess I just had a lot on my mind, and Mare’s illusion was…”

He faltered for a moment, and stumbled but Ladybug picked up where he left off without missing a beat. “It was more than I could handle without cracking.” Chat winced, and Ladybug recognized the guilt that laid in his eyes all too well.

Ladybug met his gaze. “I want you to know that you can always talk to me, Chat. Even though it would be very dangerous for us to learn too much about each other,” Ladybug’s heart leapt at a reminder of what had nearly happened to Chat (and the entire world) when she couldn’t keep her most important secret, “I’ll admit that there are things more important than secret identities. Yeah yeah, don’t look so shocked.”

Ladybug huffed in response when Chat Noir lifted his eyebrows to a comical height at her last statement. He let out a short laugh, and Ladybug joined only a moment later.

“If you ever need someone to talk to, or someone to dance with,” she shot him a shy smile, “I’ll always be here for you.”

The promise was held in the air, tested for its strength out in the night before Chat responded, sincere and hushed.

“Thank you.”

The song had ended, but Ladybug and Chat Noir still swayed together, dancing to the wild drum of their hearts. Chat spun Ladybug once again, this time ending with her back brushing against his chest, hands in his and arms crossed across her waist. Her eyes closed in the bliss of the moment as she swayed with her best friend and partner. It only lasted a moment.

Her eyes shot open and she sprang forward the moment another face raced to the forefront of her mind, the face of a boy who was sweet and considerate and cheered her up when she was down. Ladybug viciously reminded herself that she was desperately in love with Adrien Agreste, and that she definitely should not be giving Chat Noir the wrong idea by turning a very platonic dance into a heated romantic one.

The thought was almost knocked from her head as Chat Noir stood across from her with eyes wide in confusion and disappointment. His hands fell back to his sides from where they had been outstretched, holding her. Ladybug’s traitorous heart had the audacity to twinge painfully at the sight.

“The music stopped! We can’t just dance without music, so, um, we should probably go back now. It’s getting pretty late too, I’ll see you tomorrow!” The speed of which she spoke, packed up her stuff, and flew from the tower was near record breaking.

Chat stood alone once more as he watched her fly away. It was time he accepted it- the two of them would never be as close as he wanted with all of the secrets between them.

[blastoisemonster]

Meitantei Conan: Karakuri Jiin Satsujin Jiken

My review will focus on the "Murder at the Temple of Karakuri" episode (featured in the cartridge shown above), since it's the one I played thoroughly, but it needs to be said that all five games look very similar and apart from, obviously, the different plots -or the lack of colour in case of the two gray cartridge games- they all feature the same mechanics and controls, along with the same quality in audio and graphics department. Later games might also show a few cosmetic upgrades but nothing experience changing.

After choosing our save slots out of the possible three, we're immediately launched into the opening cutscene, giving us context for the upcoming investigation. Right off the bat, the Meitantei Conan videogame shows offs some rather impressive backgrounds and spriteworks, with nice panorama views of the places we're visiting as the protagonist and portraits of the speaking characters, which also change expression depending on their speech lines. The soundtrack isn't immense, but definitely has solid tunes, too: the title screen even plays the main theme straight from the anime! This elaborate sound and video combination makes it feel like we're watching an actual toon episode. As soon as the initial scenes are done, we're off of "cutscene mode" and into "investigation mode", which controls and feels exactly like a classic top-view RPG for Game Boy, with the prerogative that Conan can run and move diagonally. Suck it, mainline Pokèmon games!

In this particular chapter, Conan's gang is initially tasked with finding Satomi Togawa, one of Ran’s friends who has recently gone missing. The search leads them to an ancient temple in the mountains, once home to a ninja clan and therefore still filled with traps, but that now hosts several people. Conan plans to look around discreetly, but all changes when one of the other characters living in the temple, Yuuji, is found dead in his room. Police arrives to the place, and the kidnapping investigations are moved aside in favour of the murder ones. During the game, Conan can obviously look around interacting with various objects and characters to round up clues and/or solve a few puzzles, but he has also other tricks up his sleeve- er I mean, main menu: by pressing Start we gain access to the Map (useful in order to memorize the most complex exploring areas), Character Profiles that display name, picture and basic info of everyone we've encoutered in our adventure (a feature strikingly similar to Phoenix Wright's Court Records), and last but not least all the Key Words of the case: this section pretty much gathers up all clues, thoughts and discoveries we find during the game and by "Considering" them (simply clicking on them, that is) Conan comes up with associations and ideas. If pressed in the right order until a coherent line of thoughts gets formed, the story will progress and new "scenes" are unlocked until the culprit is caught and their motives and modus operandi are explained. We can also stick close to the crime scene and examine the body and murder weapon, which are represented with perfectly gruesome close ups, and thoroughly described where the Game Boy's pixel screen reaches its true limit; we get a description of wounds, state of the body, and approximate time of death, all useful information in order to unveil the mystery. This chapter in particular also had an interesting murder puzzle with seemingly more than one killer at the same time, which made the experience even more pleasant to discover. Among some secondary game mechanics, the player may come across a few multiple choice answers of which only one is correct and guarantees progress; however, if the other two are chosen, there's seemingly no other malus than making Conan act like an idiot, though without changing the order or nature of future events. Conan can also "swap" roles with other playing characters if he talks to them (for example, while in the Karakuri temple we also have the choice of fooling around as Ran or Kogoro). This is not necessary in order to complete the case, but I understand it could be a welcomed touch for fans of the series that would like to experience a certain scene from different point of views; quite infact, it's interesting and funny to see how different characters react to clues or interactions, and NPCs also respond differently depending on who they're talking to. For example, suspects have a hard time responding to Conan while the police is investigating because they feel like it's not a kid's business; also, we learn that Kogoro is a record breaking asshole, as considering Key Words with him leads to absolutely nothing.

After all requirements are met and we're ready to point the finger at whodunit, one final puzzle is triggered in form of a questionnaire: similar to Gyakuten Kenji's logic thinking, Conan tries to summarize the case and put all events and intrigues in order with a series of questions that the player must reply correctly. However unfortunately it seems that just like the other multiple choices we get through the main game, these ones too end up feeling kinda useless for the unfolding of the events. Unmasking the culprit feels kinda a letdown, sadly, as it is presented not as an interactive section but rather as a long cutscene that, as said before, is not even influenced by how many answers the player got right during the "recapping" inner monologue. We don't even get to shoot Kogoro with sleeping needles; the game does it all by itself. That was very unnerving and unexpected, especially for an investigation game, and frankly the most negative point about it. We also get an epilogue where we save Satomi (remember her?) and some minor plot points that link this chapter's plot to the next one, tempting players to get the upcoming new cartridge. And after this, our very last gaming screen: a rating. Turns out that fooling around giving wrong answers only contributes to a less than stellar final score and nothing else in the game, which is honestly a shame, considering that it could have been potentially used instead to present different scenes, ways of investigating, and even possible bad endings. One could argue that this particular choice was made due to capacity limitations for data, but in that case why leave us the illusion that our choices matter? The character swap count is also shown on the score screen: I'm not sure if this counts towards a negative score or not, but I do hope developers didn't mean to penalize players for wanting to explore the game with different point of views (which, honestly, is what a good detective would do instead!).

In Short What's positive about Meitantei Conan? It's a little jewel in term of graphical and audio quality, and an impressive technical experiment that brings a complicated genre such as the murder mystery on a simple console such as the Game Boy, with a positive result. Easy to maneuver, it offers an intriguing story that can be enjoyed just fine either as alone or as a chapter from a saga, since the main plot links every single cartridge together. And it's also so bloody! Once you see this you'll definitely want to see fanmade Phoenix Wright cases on Game Boy. Let's start some projects!

And, what's negative about it? Well, it could have definitely been much more interactive. Except for the main examination part, the player mostly gets to follow the case through cutscenes, and the fact that they can't control any character during the final showdown is definitely disappointing. The multiple choices and logic thinking recap are useless to the story when they could instead add a lot of depth and replayability, so it does feel like developers missed a big chance. Also the fact that we only play through one investigation makes the game feel very short... I would have at least preferred to have two "episodes" per cartridge, but I imagine this was due to capacity limitations.

And that's the game! Very interesting and inspiring, but unfortunately not perfect. Nonetheless, an interesting piece for every kind of collection!

[fullmetaldevil-blog]

Batim Stitched Au short: Holiday Hiccup

Merry Christmas everyone as I give you all a little holiday short (yes a legit short this time)

I hope you all enjoy and have a Merry Christmas and Happy holidays with your families and friends.

On with the show~!

The holiday season was upon the Connor residence faster then the couple had time to prepare for. Linda was heaven sent as she kept Benny busy for them, the Elementary school teacher asked if Benny could assist her in preparing her students for their winter production alongside Bendy. Both toons were nervous about helping her out at the school and being around so many students but the woman reassured them that they would be fine. The two toons were instrumental in helping the students learn how to sing and dance for their holiday show. The two toons were shy at first but once they became more acquainted with the students and were in charge of their respective talents, they became more confident and took center stage giving Linda a much needed break.

The school day had come to a close as Linda drove the little plushtoon home. Benny was eagerly going over the music that was chosen by the class as he had already begun to teach the children how to sing the different scales before they would begin to sing the actual songs.  He hoped that when he got home and if Allison wasn’t busy, that she could help him with his musical homework so he could better teach the students being left in his care.

The vehicle came to a stop and LInda prepared to exit to walk Benny to the door when the toon lightly laid his hand on her arm. “I’m fine. You’re tired and still have to drive home.” he smiled at her. “I can let myself in.”

A tired appreciative smile crossed Linda’s face. “Thank you. Tell Allison I said ‘hi’. '' She brought Benny into a one arm hug.

“I will!” the toon happily chirped before waving goodbye to Bendy and closed the door behind himself.

Benny trotted to the doorway which was already decorated with red and white garland making the pillars look like giant candy canes while a large red leafed wreath laid upon the door. He couldn’t quite remember the name of the red leaved plant as Allison had gotten a good number of them and planted them along the driveway leading to the house. Nevertheless, he enjoyed the bright red item as pinecones that smelt of cinnamon were laced with them giving the entryway a very pleasant aroma. Benny lifted his shirt and opened up his hammerspace pulling out his house keys quietly letting himself inside.

The toon was immediately greeted with a warm home full of smells of spices mixed in with sweets as they clashed with each other, yet they worked in harmony. He couldn’t wait to taste whatever Allison was preparing, the thought encouraged him to put his little backpack away in his room before heading into the kitchen.

Allison happily hummed while she folded the dough she had rolled onto the table before slicing it into ribbons. She lifted each ribbon and carefully weaved them over her apple pie she had prepared before hearing little tapping of shoes entering the kitchen. “Welcome home Benny. How was school with the kids today?” 

Benny grabbed onto a chair pulling it out before hopping up on top giving his mom his undivided attention. “It went well! I had them all learning how to sing the scales before we would begin to sing the actual songs. Linda gave me their sheet music so I can better learn the songs to help them.” he beamed at her.

“That’s good. I bet it’s fun singing with the kids. I’m sure LInda is loving the helping hand as I know her students can be a bit energetic, but then again they are children.” Allison smiled warmly at her energetic demon. It was nice to hear that Benny was getting along with the woman’s students as she feared that Benny would be too shy to handle them. She soon found Benny’s floating head hovering over her arms as he was clearly eyeballing her pie to be.

“What are you making?” The inquisitive toon asked before finding himself being lightly nudged away from the pie.

“It’s an apple pie as I have gingerbread cookies already in the oven.” The actress finished pinching off the dough on the edges before setting the pie aside and began to clean up the table all under the watchful eyes of her little demon.

Once the table was cleaned up Allison pulled out a chair and patiently waited for her timer to go off while Benny opened up his hammerspace and pulled out the folder of sheet music. His mother enjoyed the peaceful silence of the kitchen before she felt a slight tug on her arm. Benny held out the folder with a pleading look.

“Can you help me with these?” Benny gave her a hopeful look while Allison took the folder from him and fingered through its contents.

A smile crossed her face as she closed the folder. “Sure, but lets wait till the cookies are done and the pie is in the oven. Ok?”

Benny happily nodded and hopped off the chair reclaiming his folder and headed to the living room where the piano sat. He pulled the bench out and sat upon it patiently while he waited for Allison to finish with the cookies and to put the pie in the oven. He was happy he didn’t have to wait too long as he heard the characteristic ding of the timer and Allison moving the food to and from the stove before setting the timer again. He smile grew wider as he watched his mother set her oven mitt aside before entering the living room.

“All right , lets see what we got.” Allison smiled as she scooted the Benny over sitting down on the bench. Once she was seated Benny promptly placed the folder on the music stand and pulled out a few of the sheets setting them up for her.

Allison looked at the music and after studying them for a moment her fingers began to glide along the ivory keys playing out the music. Benny all the while listening to the music content with their soft yet energetic sounds. He had heard Christmas music on the radio as he rode with Linda to and from the school along with hints of the seasonal music in the stores with Allison, but at the end of the day he preferred the versions that were being played on the piano as they were far softer and more soothing. Allison played each and every song that the toon was going to be teaching the class how to sing before she pointed out the lyrics of the song.

“Now I’m gonna replay all the songs and this time I’m going to sing them. I’d like for you to follow along as best you can.” she gently lifted the toon setting him on her lap so he could see the sheet music better, but also to where she could still use the pedals.

The songs drifted through the home as Allison played the piano and both her and Benny sang the tunes. She was always amazed at how quickly Benny was able to repeat what he heard as he had the songs down very quickly to a point that she had him play the piano himself. He had to take his Ragdoll form in order to hit the pedals properly as well as to reach both sides of the piano. Even the change in size didn’t diminish the toons singing talent, Ragdolls voice was naturally deeper and more masculine than his normal boyish tones, but his sultry voice drifted through the air as he sang. All the months of working with Sammy helped the Ragdoll demon better utilize his voice in his larger form taking his normally garbled and sometimes missmatched tones smoothing them out. 

Allison had to chuckle as she could tell Benny was getting into the music as he was singing louder and the stitching on his stomach came undone allowing his stomach mouth to sing with his normal voice in unison. It always warmed her heart to see Benny settle into his comfort zone. He is normally shy and reserved to a point that he needs encouragement on somethings, but to see him take center stage and be confident about it was always rewarding. She couldn’t wait to see the fruits of his labor with the children as he’ll be singing alongside them putting on his first Christmas performance.

The pair practiced together until Tom came home from work which made Benny immediately latch onto the man begging him to watch their performance. While Benny was begging for Tom’s audience Allison slipped away to handle the pie which had finished baking setting it atop the stove and turning off the oven before returning to the living room. All the while Tom had a demonic barnacle, the man wasn’t about to tell the toon ‘no’ so he kicked back on the couch and listened to the little toon’s performance while Allison played the piano. Benny was all grins as he performed for his father figure who was smiling at him, he couldn’t have been happier.

Allison watched Benny’s joy on his face as she and Tom already had planned on attending Benny’s little concert at the school. The toon was under the impression that Tom wouldn’t be able to make it so he was happy to let the man hear his songs at the moment, little did he know that his father had requested the day off solely to see the toon’s first performance as he wasn’t about to let anything in the world deter him. Once Benny finished his last song he took a bow earning a round of applause from his parents and joyous squeaks from him as Allison scooped him up into her arms. 

“That was such a good show Benny.” Allison cooed at the toon in her arms with Tom getting up from the couch to lightly pat the demon between his horns.

“Yeah, I can tell you’ve been practicing very hard and you sound great.” the mechanic smiled warmly at his toon.

Benny beamed up as his folks as he couldn’t have been happier. Allison set him down allowing his to retrieve his music sheets before he stared at the lyrics pondering over who they were singing about. 

“Allison?” his voice piped up from the piano bench. “Who’s Santa Claus?” 

Benny had no clue as to who this man was as they were singing about a red nosed reindeer named Rudolf and a man named Santa who was happy about the deer’s glowing nose, as well as that Santa coming to town. The rest of the songs were about riding in a one horse open sleigh, silver bells as well as walking along in a winter wonderland. Those songs sang about things to do or places to enjoy during the holidays but not about this ‘Santa’ character.

Allison’s eyes grew wide at the toon’s inquiry. It surprised her that Benny hadn’t heard of Jolly old Saint Nick considering all the Christmas songs that the children would be singing but she soon realized that only 2 of Benny’s songs actually sang about the man and even then they didn’t say much about him. She bent down to his eye level grinning at him.

“Santa Claus is a heavy set older gentleman who makes toys in his workshop and then goes all around the world on Christmas eve delivering presents to children on his list. Children that are naughty don’t get any presents from him so it’s an incentive to be on his nice list.” 

A gruff voice sounded out from behind her. “Which means you have to behave between now and Christmas or else no presents.” Tom chuckled only to regret his statement as a frown formed on Benny’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m a toon, not a human child. Does that mean I won’t get any presents from Santa cause I’m not human.” The toon looked up at his parents.

“Of course you’ll get presents sweetie.” Allison pulled the toon into a hug. “You’ve been a good boy all year, of course Santa would visit you bringing you gifts. You deserve them.” She smiled with Tom confirming her statement.

A flood of relief washed over Benny as he was happy to hear that Santa would visit him bringing him presents. The image of a heavy set man riding a red sleigh pulling up in front of the house with the man coming through his front door bringing gifts made the toon all the more excited about the holiday. He already enjoyed the quiet family time with his folks during the holiday as well as the gifts that his additional family and friends gave him, but the idea that he’ll get a special visit from the red and white dressed man was the icing on the cake.

Allison and Tom noted the toon’s increased excitement and a plan soon formed between the two of them. The time that Linda had Benny in her care gave Allison and Tom enough time to decorate the home while the toon was away. Seeing Benny come home to a fully decorated house and the Christmas tree brought inside and decorated pot and all made him firmly attach himself to his parents thanking them. He was entranced by the lights on the tree and the sparkle of the bulbs that decorated it. No matter how many times he passed by the tree in his backyard smelling it’s wonderful fragrance, it was something about it being in his home that made it even more special.

Allison and Tom could only share their smiles at seeing Benny acting like an eager child. It warmed their hearts that the toon was so childlike and that the simplest of gestures meant the world to him as he treasured the little things. Seeing him completely smitten with the wonder of the holiday season spurred them to put their plan into action. While Allison helped Benny prepare for his soon to be performance, Tom placed a few phone calls to some of their former staff to come out and to see both Benny and Bendy perform with the children for the first time. The man was eager to share the toon’s moment in the spotlight with their former coworkers who, since their escape, has done their best to help oversee the toons upbringing.

Sammy grumbled about attending, but when he heard that Benny was the one that taught the children how to sing the man was instantly on board, albeit almost too quickly. When asked why he agreed so suddenly, his excuse was that he needed to see how his teachings with Benny translated to the toon’s little pupils and will judge their performance. It was his way of saying that he’ll gladly attend. Norman was all for coming to see the toons perform alongside their little students with Bendy’s Nutcracker and Benny’s concert. The man couldn’t wait to see the boys dressed up doing the very thing that they were designed to do. He warned Tom that he was gonna be carrying tons of film to photograph the boys for the couple with Tom telling him that Allison already raided the market grabbing film.

Wally was more than happy to attend, greatly looking forward to the holiday show. Tom asked him if the man can procure a Santa costume telling him about his plan to surprise the toon. He wanted to have Wally dress as Santa and come down the chimney followed by a bag of some of the toons toys to surprise him. When asked if it was safe to go down the chimney Tom reassured the man that not only was the chimney and fireplace exceptionally large, but he’ll set up a harness to make the trip as safe as possible, that the man would have nothing to worry about. Once Wally’s concerns were laid to rest the man happily agreed and began to look for a santa costume that would fit him.

Susie was a little hesitant to attend, but Allison pleaded with her to come for the boy’s sake. They would be putting on their first show and that sure they would be nervous but seeing people they recognized in the crowd will help quell their fears. She reminded Susie of a time when she too had put on her first show and her nervousness, that the boys would be going through the same emotions. Susie finally sighed agreeing to come show her support for the little devils performances.

Once everyone was contacted and their tickets were mailed to them. Tom and Allison counted down the days until the toon’s performances while making sure Benny was well dressed for his concert. The plushtoon sported a little dark red suit and cap to hide his horns while Allison got him a little makeup to help hide his sepia yellow coloring and stitches. Benny wasn’t keen on the idea of wearing the makeup but was urged to since Yellow isn’t a natural skin color for humans and that he wasn’t alone in the makeup as Bendy had to wear some as well.

The morning of the concert was a bit chaotic as Tom had to pretend to go to work and hid from Benny all the while Allison was trying to get the toon to eat. It turned out that while Benny was initially excited to be performing, he soon became exceedingly nervous as stage fright was beginning to set in. Allison had to repeatedly try and ease the toons growing nerves as the hour drew near for when they needed to head to the school. No matter how much Allison insisted that the toon eat something before getting dressed, he simply had too many butterflies in his stomach to do so.

Allison had no choice but to make sure to pack snacks for him for the aftermath of the concert. She knew that once the concert was over that Benny’s hunger would come roaring back and she needed to be prepared for when that happened. While she packed, Benny was busy getting himself dressed in his little suit they bought him which he got a little help from Allison for the makeup. He lightly moaned about the power being put on his face but knew it was to help him better blend in as there would be many cameras facing him from parents taking photos of their children that would be standing next to him.

Once Benny was all prepared and ready to go Allison loaded him up in the car and took off down the road. The toon frowned as he wished Tom could have joined him, but at least he had Allison there cheering him on. As soon as he saw the school come into sight he would have looked as pale as a sheet if he wasn’t wearing makeup. Allison noted the very rigid movements of the toon as well as his piecut eyes that seemed to have shrunk and encouraged him that everything will be fine and that she’ll be cheering for him all the way.

Linda was having a hard time with Bendy as while the toon was showing more bravado about performing since it was in his nature, he was nervous about actually doing it since it was one thing on the big screen, it was another in reality. Bendy repeatedly had little bits of ink dripping on the side of his face with Linda constantly having to wipe the area and apply more makeup while trying to calm the toon down. She was thankful her classrooms performance was last since it gave the toons a chance to get used to the busy atmosphere of the auditorium.

Benny and Bendy watched some of the other classes performances before them in awe as all the parents greedily snapping photos of their respective child. The toons couldn’t believe how many adults showed up for the schools holiday performance which made the both of them wonder where their own families would be amongst the crowd. Bendy knew LInda would be in front of the class as she was conducting Benny’s concert after they put on their dance to the Nutcracker suite. Bendy’s eyes grew wide when he saw a group of people filing into the auditorium who were quickly fanning out to take up different positions in the hall. The little demon quickly nudged his stitched counterpart earning a soft grumble from Benny before Bendy pointed out who entered the room.

Norman had joined some of the parents who had taken up residence on the floor with various cameras as the projectionist was sporting a rather large camera of his own. It was clear that he was playing the role of ‘cameraman’. Wally soon joined the man with a smaller camera of his own not realizing that Norman had the same idea. Sammy and Susie were in the back of the hall both taking a seat in the middle. Both were looking upon the schedule pamphlets clearly wondering how many performances they would have to endure before their purpose for being there were on stage. Bendy lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw Henry taking a seat down in the front rows. He was under the impression his creator and dad wouldn’t be able to make it since the man was very vague about if he could come. Benny shared an equal look of astonishment  to see Allison and Tom taking their seats next to his uncle. He knew Allison was coming but was shocked that Tom was there sitting next to her as he very bluntly told him he couldn’t make it because of his job. Normally the toon would have contemplated at getting the mechanic back for his little stunt, but his sheer excitement at seeing the entirety of his family made him forget his nervousness.

Bendy was up first for his performance with his portion of the students as they all danced to the Nutcracker suite. They all wore little costumes as they danced about the stage performing in time to music earning silent cheers from the audience. Henry and Linda both watched their little toon on stage with equal excitement and joy at Bendy being in his element, dancing. The little toon was performing to the best of his ability along with the students as they put on a very cute show. Norman and Wally’s camera were eagerly following the toons every movement snapping up pictures left and right, hoping to catch that perfect moment. One little girl tripped and was about to cry from her mishap, but Bendy slipped away from his dance routine to quickly pull her up and dance with her to cheer her up and to keep the show going. By the end of the play production the little girl was giggling and Bendy was grinning at the audience that burst into cheers at the end of their show. The students all lined up alongside Bendy with each holding onto the others hands and all took a collective bow before clearing off the stage to allow the next set of performers.

Benny had silently cheered for his counterpart all through his performance and now it was finally his turn. His group was the last set of performers as some portions of the auditorium had thinned out from parents going to retrieve their students from much earlier shows, but he wasn’t about to let that deter him. What mattered was that his family was there to see him and everything else was irrelevant. The toon adjusted his bowtie and motioned to his set of students to follow him as they entered the stage and each stood in their respective places. Linda took up position in front of the students as their conductor while another teacher took up the position on the piano. The teachers looked at each other before glancing over the students with little determined eyes and one set of piecut eyes confirming they were ready to begin.

A chorus of voices drifted through the air singing all the christmas songs that the children had selected. Benny had been selected by the class to be the lead singer as he lead the students throughout their respective pieces. All the while Allison and Tom watched lovingly from their seats at their little demons performance. The couple was truly happy that Benny was able to come out of his shell for the show as his voice was dominating the choir with the students primarily as backup vocals except for a view numbers where they all sang equally. The toon had settled into his comfort zone and he was making sure everyone could hear him. Even some of the families that had come to pick up their children and were about to head home reentered the auditorium to give the choirs music a listen. Sammy was trying his best not to smile but Susie told him she wouldn’t sell him out and the man was all grins. He was happy to see his little student performing so well in front of his first audience and was hoping for more shows in the future.

The last of the voices quieted down so a soft humm as the last song performed was ‘Silent Night’. The children sang softly allowing Benny to be the primary singer for the last song. His voice was soft as it lulled the audience into a sense of peace and calm, the crowds faces were relaxed as they leaned into the music. Once they finished the choir all stepped off their stage lining up alongside Benny holding hands to all take a bow. Linda lined them up and had them file out of the auditorium allowing the school principal to take over the podium thanking all the parents for coming and that they may retrieve their students from the school grounds for them to enjoy their winter break and to have a happy holiday.

Henry, Allison, Tom, Norman, Wally, Susie and Sammy didn’t need to be told twice that it was time to pick up the ‘children’. Henry, Allison and Tom lead the pack as they followed the students outside to gather up their toons. Bendy already had a cluster of children and parents around him as the little girl he helped as giving him a big thank you hug for helping her during the performance. Her parents were eagerly taking pictures of the two together and thanking the toon for his efforts. Benny had a small crowd of girls around him all complementing his singing talent and some were even boasting about how they couldn’t wait till he got older because they’d marry him. Benny would have been completely red faced if the makeup hadn’t hidden his actual coloring. It was a small blessing in disguise.

Tom laughed about Benny’s little collection of fan girls commenting about how the toon was popular with the ladies. Allison was having none of that and promptly relieved the toon of his little crowd with some of the girls moaning that it was time for the little demon to head home. They failed to notice little claws on the tips of Benny’s gloves clinging to his mother. Allison felt the little hints of his claws, but she could tell he was being careful and it was his way of letting her know he didn’t want to go anywhere near his little adoring fans. Tom could only laugh at the toons koala response to Allison until Benny was handed over to the man for which the toon didn’t mind digging his claws in him a little. Tom grumbled about having to hold onto a little plush cactus.

Henry gently retrieved Bendy from his little fan club telling the kids that Bendy had to go home and for them to enjoy the holidays. The animator chuckled at the students wishing his wife a Merry Christmas before their parents shuffled them on to the vehicles to make their journeys home. 

Wally, Norman, Sammy and Susie all huddled around the toons happily congratulating them on their stellar performance earning bashful expressions from the both of them. Wally and Norman happily showed off their collection of film rolls with both families thanking them for their efforts. Allison and Linda both looked forward to seeing the results of their photo shoots. Susie joined the ladies as they retrieved the toons from Tom and Henry and they all gushed over the performance of the toons leaving the men to socialize amongst each other.

“Oh! Tom.” Wally gingerly walked up to the man. “I got what you asked for.”

A big grin split the mans face. “Really? That’s great.” He patted Wally on the back.

“What are you up to?” Norman crossed his arms raising a brow at Tom and Wally eagerly scheming between each other.

Tom motioned for the group of guys to come closer to better hear him for which Sammy rolled his eyes, but Henry dragged him over. Tom laid out his plans for his little surprise he wanted to pull off for Benny. He planned on setting up a harness for Wally, who would dress as Santa Claus, and go down the chimney to surprise Benny with some of his presents. The toon was looking forward to the holiday so he figured that he might as well add in a little fun along the way.

Sammy instantly bowed out saying he wanted no part of the mechanics scheme claiming that he already had plans for the holidays for which Norman commented about how the former music director and a certain little former angel actress were gonna spend the holiday together. The man turned beet red in a mix of embarrassment and anger but didn’t dare yell for fear of drawing the women to them, he uttered a few curses and left it at that. Henry too had to tell Tom that he wasn’t gonna be available for the holidays this year as his daughter had invited them to spend Christmas with her and the new grandbaby. Concerns were raised about how she may react to Bendy for which Henry laughed and told them that when they were comfortable and told her about him, she moved heaven and earth to get to their home to meet him. She was raving about wanting to meet her ‘older brother’ as she viewed the toons as a sort of sibling after she grew up seeing Henry’s short of Bendy playing with a little baby.

Norman didn’t mind helping out as he’d do anything to see a smile on the toon’s faces, however, he wondered if going down a chimney was a smart idea. Questions had been raised about how safe it was to pull off such as stunt with Thomas telling him that the fireplace and Chimney were larger then the ones he’d normally seen and that a person can easily go down it with no issues as he’s had to go in a few times to clean it. He especially questioned it when he recalled how Benny handled the would-be burglars that attempted to rob Janice’s home. Tom instantly waved away the mans concerns telling him that Benny would be excited about Santa coming and had nothing to worry about. Norman shrugged and closeted his concerns when Wally eagerly hug off the man boasting about how they were gonna have so much fun for which the group promptly had to shut him up once the women were drawn to the groups lively chatter.

Benny wished Bendy farewell and good luck on his trip to see his sibling and to give the grandbaby a hug for him. Bendy was excited about the baby but then realized how fragile a human is let alone a baby and froze up. He feared that he would hurt the baby by merely touching her and Benny had to reassure his counterpart that he had nothing to worry about. He isn’t the monster he likes to think he is as he already is about to play with human children no problem, one little baby wouldn’t be any different. Bendy relaxed at Benny’s words and wished his counterpart a farewell and that he’ll see him after they get back from their trip.

The toons were rounded up and everyone bid each other farewell and Merry Christmas with hugs all around and a red Sammy. The man yowled about the hugs, but soon found himself tackled by two demons earning more irate screeches from him as the parents had to pull the toons off him. Allison cooed with Benny happily squeaking in her arms when she told him about all the cookies and treats she was gonna make at home as she pried him off Sammy. The actress headed on home ahead of Tom leaving him to finalize the plans he had in store for his little demon with his co conspirators while Sammy beat a hasty retreat and headed home with Susie. Henry wished him luck for he and Linda headed on home with Bendy in tow.

--------- Early Christmas Morning ----------

Allison had yet to stir as the early morning had arrived. Tom was thankful his wife had spent a good chunk of her day and night making cookies and food for the day. It would make his plans to surprise Benny all the easier if she wasn’t in the way. He had already taken the liberty of setting up the ladder on the side of the house so they would have an easy access to the roof and now all he had to do was wait for Norman and Wally to show up. Though he had to admit he was getting nervous as the sun hadn't risen yet and Allison was an early riser. He hoped that she wouldn’t get up and ruin their fun.

He peered over the edge of the couch to see Benny curled up sound asleep. The little demon had tried to stay up for Santa so he could see him, but passed out shortly after laying down on the bed. A wide grin spread across his face as he couldn’t wait to see the little demons reaction to Santa coming out the chimney with toys. Of course part of him knew that Wally wouldn’t be able to keep him mouth shut and blow his cover revealing who he is, and he was fine with that. The element of surprise to him was worth more than having to explain the realities behind Santa and parents waking at unholy hours to place gifts.

The curtains by their front door briefly flashed catching Tom’s attention. The lights flickered a few times letting him know Norman and Wally had arrived. They didn’t dare use their car horn for fear of waking Benny and opted to use their high and low beams of their headlights to send the message that they were there.

Tom quietly paced to the front door letting himself out leaving it unlocked before greeting his friends. “Good morning.” he beamed at the van with the two men stepping out.

“Likewise.” Norman eased himself out of the driver's seat stretching briefly before giving Tom a welcoming hug.

“Got ya Santa costume!” Wally happily shouted waving a large bag with both Tom and Norman quickly shushing the man.

“Jesus Christ boy, th’ ‘hole point is t’ surprise th’ boy in th’ costume, not t’ wake ‘em up beforehand.” Norman scowled at the now sheepish janitor.

Tom then looked at the bag and then back at Wally. “How come you aren’t wearing the costume? I figured you’d come already in it.”

Wally then gazed at Norman “Well Norman suggested that we try to see if I can even fit down the chimney first before attempting to put the costume on.”

“Better t’ be safe than sorry.” Norman added in. “Cause if Wally don’ fit, then you or I gotta ‘ear th’ costume since we’re smaller than ‘im.”

Tom crossed his arms in contemplation. “You have a point there. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that as I will have a lot of explaining to do. Grant you I gotta explain things anyways, but it’s easier to do it if I don’t have a big fake beard on.”

The group of men chuckled at the image of the gruff and rough around the edges Tom attempting to be all jolly which was a horrific sight in their eyes as jolly and Tom are two words that don’t belong next to each other. Tom waved away their laughter at the thought and motioned for them to get a move on as they didn’t know when Allison or Benny may stir. Tom showed them the ladder he had already set up before ascending with Wally and Norman in tow. Wally was surprised to see a harness and safely ropes already established with Tom commenting about how he had already set everything up to keep their noise making to a minimum, even the gifts that were to accompany them had been brought up. He wanted the sounds of them going down the chimney to be what wakes Benny rather then them scurrying around on the roof attempting to set everything up. 

Tom and Norman helped Wally into the safety gear and then had the man ease himself over the edge of the chimney with Norman already deadpanning at the sight. “Ya don’ fit.”

Wally chuckled looking at his girth with Tom also scowling at this revelation. “How much did you say you weighed?” Tom looked at the former janitor.

“Well I did put on some weight.” the man chuckled with his small laughs causing his stomach to jiggle like jello. “I guess it will be either you or Norman going down then.”

Norman instantly pointed at Tom. “I ain’t goin’ cause I can already see where this is goin’.” Tom was about to raise a voice in protest when Norman put his foot down. “Yer kid, yer show.”

Tom opened and closed his mouth a few times before a groan escaped him as he ran his hands down the sides of his face. There was no arguing with Norman whatsoever. He glanced at the bag that Wally had set aside and grumbled. “Fine. Gimmie the stupid bag.”

Wally handed over the bag so Tom can put the costume on while Norman helped the former janitor out of his harness. Wally tripped and fell on the rooftop with both Tom and Norman scolding the man to be a little more careful. All the while the sound of Wally’s stumbling and his fall had woken a little occupant within the home.

Benny blearily blinked the sleep out of his eyes as he was awoken by strange noises from above. The toon looked up towards the ceiling in confusion as to the noises he was hearing and carefully listened, hoping it was just a tree branch and not something else. However he heard a set of muffled voices coming from the direction of the fireplace as little bits of dust seemed to rain down from above. Anger swiftly swept over the toon. Someone was trying to break into his house! He growled softly as he got up from the couch taking on his Ragdoll form and paced over to the fireplace. He cautiously peeked his head in the chimney only to better hear a voice telling whoever was on the other end to slowly lower him down.

Tom looked back at Norman and Wally fully clothed and sporting the harness. “All right gents, carefully lower me down and then follow up with the bag.” earning nods from both men a they grasped onto the ropes preparing to help lower their friend.

Tom slowly eased himself into the mouth of the chimney with a small flashlight for emergencies as well as to help him see down the throat of the chimney. He felt the ropes become taught as Norman and Wally shouldered his weight and he slowly made his descent. 

A grin graced Tom’s face as he couldn’t wait to see the look on Benny’s face, the little toon would be so excited. His cheer and enthusiasm diminished as he heard strange shuffling sounds below him prompting him to cautiously grab a hold of his light and directed the beam below him. His eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets when he saw a gaping maw waiting for him as the chimney was lined with massive yet familiar white teeth with bits of dripping ink on their edges. Ragdoll! Fear washed over Tom like a wave as he realized that Benny was not taking their coming down the chimney like a happy child and was on the defensive. He looked like he wanted to eat him!

“Pull me up, pull me up!” Tom all but screamed at Norman and Wally with his slow decent instantly coming to a halt.

Norman and Wally both turned pale at Tom’s screams to be pulled up and frantically began to tug on the ropes to pull up their friend. Something had gone wrong and Tom needed help. However the pair above failed to realize that the demon below had other plans.

Ragdoll loudy growled at the intruder in his families chimney, and now this guy was trying to escape! Not on his watch. Ragdoll moved himself out of his position in the fireplace and motioned for his threads to extend and sent his hands up the chimney. After some light fishing around he finally found the now panicking worm on the hook as his hands secured both legs of his intruder and began to pull.

If Tom was panicking before then he was on overdrive. He had hoped that once he was pulled out that Benny would back off, but upon feeling the demons large hands grab both his legs, that hope was dashed in an instant. Benny wasn’t backing off, and if anything, was pulling his prey towards him. He was now a worm on a hook dangling before a very angry fish. Norman and Wally struggled to pull Tom upwards before realizing that Benny was awake and was on the attack. 

Memories of Janice’s words about Benny taking on his Ragdoll form to defend the elderly home flashed in his mind as he quickly glanced at Wally struggling alongside him to pull Tom up. “I gotta go.” 

“W-What?” Wally gaped at the man before Norman dropped the ropes and ran for the ladder with Wally calling out to him.

Tom felt the tugs to pull him up were dying as Benny was clearly overpowering Norman and Wally. The demon was far stronger than a man as he was feeling the demon pulling him downwards. He briefly heard Wally shouting something before he felt the final tug as Benny pulled him completely down and out the fireplace.

Ragdoll dragged a figure out of his fireplace and threw the man onto the floor roaring at him with both mouths at point blank. He wanted to instill fear into this man before knocking him out as he was getting ready to deliver a solid knockout blow to the stomach.

“B-Benny! Wait It’s me!!!” the red and white clothed man was frantically waved his arms as he was pulling off a large white material that resembled a beard off his very familiar face.

“T-ToM?!” Ragdolls singular eye was as wide as a dinner plate as he looked down at his father figure who was frantically waving his hands.

Before Benny had the time to process what was going on Norman burst through the front door. “Wait Benny! Don’t hurt him, it’s Thomas!” The man's voice died as he saw Tom laying on the floor beneath Benny with the ragdoll demon standing above him with a clear look of shock and confusion.

“What on earth is going on here?!” another voice bellowed across the room as all eyes turned to see a very angry Allison stomping her foot in the doorway.

Everyone looked around at each other at a clear loss as to what to say to the irate actress who’s looks demanded an answer. Before any of them were able to get in so much as a word, Wally burst through the front door.

“Tom are you ok?!” he shouted before his eyes met Allison’s and his bravado and concern for his friend died in to a mere squeak.

Not wanting to be under Allison’s scornful gaze, Benny instantly pointed a finger at Tom. “He WaS cOmInG dOwN tHe ChImNeY aNd I tHoUgHt SoMeOnE wAs BrEaKiNg In.”

Cold angry eyes fell upon Tom as Allison glared at him. “Well?”

“Thomas was tryin’ t’ serpris’ yer boy there Mrs. Allison.” Norman spoke up. “He wanted t’ have Wally ‘ere dress as Santa and come down th’ chimney to give yer boy his Christmas gifts. Wally couldn’ fit, so Tom had t��� go down. We didn’ think that Benny would get defensiv’. We thought he’d be a happy boy.”

Allison sighed while rubbing her temples to school in her temper. “Well I can see he thought you were breaking and entering.” She looked at her husband who had picked himself off the floor. “What on earth made you think this was a good idea?”

Tom looked sheepish at his wife as her words sunk in. “I just wanted to surprise Benny for Christmas. Since he liked Santa I thought having jolly old saint nick come down the chimney would be a delightful surprise for him. I never thought he’d react this way.”

Ragdoll looked down at his father figure with surprise. Tom just wanted to make the day special for him, even if it spiraled out of control the way it did. The demon dumped the excess ink reverting back to his normal form with Benny now looking up at his father.

“I already had a feeling Santa wasn’t real.” the toons words drawing his father's attention. “I liked the idea of a jolly man delivering presents, but there is no way one guy can visit everyone in a single night unless it’s the parents delivering the presents. I stayed up to try and confirm my suspicions, but I was too tired and fell asleep.” the demon gave a small warm smile. “I’m thankful you tried anyways to make the holiday even more special.”

Tom found Benny giving him a hug while a look of shock was on his own face before it morphed to content returning the hug. Benny already knew and if anything was even more elated that he had at least tried. A glance at his wife seeking forgiveness from her was met with soft eyes and a tired hint of a smile.

“Well even though you did something stupid. What mattered was you were trying to make Benny happy. I guess I can forgive you.” She lightly laughed before approaching and giving her husband a hug. “And besides, Santa baby.” she laughed before pulling his fake beard back over his face. “I’ve been an angel all year, so what did you bring us?”

Benny instantly giggled at his mother’s affections towards a now stunned Tom with the man sputtering at his wife's actions. Norman laughed while Wally cheered before they retreated out the home to grab the gifts that had been left behind. While the pair was gone Allison and Tom shared a tender kiss before it was interrupted with Ragdoll bringing them both in for a hug. 

Tom initially scowled at the toon’s interference before it gave away to a content grin. He had to admit while things didn’t exactly work as planned, seeing Benny’s happy face as Wally and Norman came in with their presents as well as the toons gratitude towards his family and friends made his holiday worth while.

Merry Christmas everyone~

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

COTW 14 - SO I hear ya'll like updates? How about full chapters? Talk to me?

Eren felt revolted with himself. The pup inside of barely looked human., the growth was terrifying to see on screen. His first thought was that the tiny pup looked like some kind of mutant, his heart racing as he wondered if the little life was in pain. It was so much smaller than their sibling, the guilt too much as looked from the screen. Yet the image was burned into his mind. He didn't know what to do now. He hated himself for thinking Levi's child looked so disturbing and disgusting, especially when Levi was so in love with them. His alpha wanted these pups so badly, but everyone was talking aborting, and making plans for his future without him. He didn't want to hear it anymore. He knew he was a bad omega... that's how they made it seem. Females and female omegas got sympathy from the staff discussing his case, while he just felt shunned. Judged over his dynamic... They might be awesome at their jobs, they wouldn't be at the hospital if they weren't, but he felt so dirty. Levi would be furious if he told him, so he hadn't. The staff were so much more politer to Levi about everything. They'd explained it to him, and possibly outcomes. Treating Levi like an equal, because there was no way at all an omega could understand anything. They could all fuck off. He hadn't even been able spend New Year's night with Viren. He'd been forced to finish Anna's birthday present in hospital, where they didn't appreciate his arts and crafts project. He'd bought the girl a proper high quality gold locket, it was large for her size, but knowing she'd grow into it. The project they hadn't like was when he'd carefully sealed two small photos with a water proof coating. One photo was of Anna just after her birth, while the other was from the photo of Moblit from the night of his 20th birthday when they'd all been so happy. Moblit might be gone, but he know how fiercely he would loved her. He wanted to make sure Anna knew that every single day of her life. Levi's gift to the little girl was paying for her ears to be pierced, not that his alpha knew. Levi would have probably tried to gift her cleaning supplies if he could have. Hardly the right gift for a four year old who was a total little miss. After 8 long days in hospital, he was finally released. In his opinion it was 8 days too many, and he definitely wasn't going to miss being there. Hanji had come to see him after his blow up, but he just wasn't ready to talk to her about it. He didn't want her apology, or her forcing a conversation about everything but the pup. He'd wanted more time to figure out everything with Levi. Levi was the father after all. Levi talked to him like he had brain cells. With Levi "supporting" him into their apartment, he was beyond relieved to be back home. Viren running ahead of them to jump on the sofa, sending Titan running with his happy yelling. Their son having decided that he wanted to wear pyjamas all day, or at least that was what Levi told him when he they'd come to pick him up. All Eren wanted was a shower and 10 years worth of sleep in his own bed. The stupid clean smell of the hospital had left him feeling nauseous for days. It wasn't the same smell as when Levi cleaned the apartment, and his alpha's scent wasn't there to push everything else away "I have a split shift, so I'll be out from 6 to 12, is there anything you want?" "A shower. Then some sleep..." "Do you want a hand?" Nope. He didn't want Levi looking at his body or his stomach. He didn't want anyone looking at his body or his stomach "No. I'll be ok. Why don't you spend some time with Viren? If I take a nap, I should be alright to sit up with him tonight" "I don't mind putting him to bed before I head out" It might not have been Levi's intention to make him feel like the alpha didn't think he could handle their son, but his omega went right there. He'd missed Viren so much, and really wanted to rest so he having extra long cuddles with his son. Finding himself nodding, Levi kissed him on the cheek "I put fresh towels in the bathroom for you, and I remade our bed" "I'm sorry. I think I want to take a nap in my old room... I'm just..." "No. It's ok. You do whatever you need to. There's something I need to talk to you about, but it can wait" You don't just tell someone that, then end it with "but it can wait". It was as bad as "We need to talk". What the hell was supposed to do with this piece of information now? Was Levi not under the impression that he was only mimicking a functional human being, when in reality, he was dead on his feet? He couldn't do the words, let alone the adulting. At least not until he'd showered and gotten every bit of shitty hospital scent off. Did Levi not know how much he was looking forward to not having to shower using a shower chair, under the supervision of a nurse because they thought he was going run off through the hospital naked? He wasn't actually sure if that was what they thought, he just didn't appreciate the hovering "Eren?" "Sorry. I'm too tired to think" "It's alright. Go take a shower, and get some sleep. It's nice to have you home" Nice. Not "Welcome back to where you belong". Fuck. He'd missed his omega, and the constant love it filled him with his for children. Now it could kindly fuck off again. It only had one job and that was more of a background feeling that the had push past its constant insecurities to feel. Now that he was home, it'd be easier to hide his thoughts and feelings from Levi. Levi had work. He had Viren to distract him, and Titan. He missed the fat cat, and had gone overboard with Christmas presents. Titan had been gifted a new grooming brush, new collar, a new tag, a new water bowl that was a fountain so he always had fresh water, a new feeding station, a new bed, and new scratching post. Levi has teased him for it all, but he couldn't help it. Levi's overweight tom was probably his best friend, as he was so much easier to deal with than people were. Cuddles, pats and food. He liked the exact same things, and Titan was just the right size to be warm and comforting as he slept back to back with him, or tried to wedge himself above the swell of Eren's stomach, and below the pile of pillows Eren liked to use. Starting to walk across the room, Levi closed the door with enough force that he flinched "Sorry, it slipped. Before I forget, I left your mail in your room for you. I think there was a package and few envelopes" "Thanks. I'll look at them later" He didn't remember ordering anything, not that he could remember much of anything... fuck... it was definitely bed time. * Viren had come climbing into his bed on his own. Eren had thought sleep would be easy to find, but the moment his head hit the pillow, his mind decided it wanted to be wide awake. His thoughts running circles as he attempted to get comfortable. If anything, his bed was too comfortable, his body melting into the softness of his blankets, and the comfort of familiar scents. Pulling his son to him, he pressed kisses to Viren's hair. The boy was beautiful. Everything about him was so perfect, even if things had been strained between them, he could never hate him "Hey, baby. Have you been having fun with daddy?" "Daddy let me wear my pyjamas!" His son sounded so damn proud of the fact "Did he?" "Yep! And we watched 'toons!" "You love your "toons", don't you baby. What about Anna, have you been playing with her?" "She's a girl" "Yep. She sure is... where's daddy now?" "Daddy's in the food" So daddy was in the kitchen. Ok "And you thought you'd come see mummy. You know what that means?" Viren looked at him wide eyes "Kisses!" "Mummy! Nooooo!" Blowing raspberries on Viren's cheeks, his son screamed with laughter. So loud that Levi came to check "Viren, I told you not to disturb mummy. Sorry, Eren. I'll take him" But... cuddles. Viren would probably get demanding soon, but this was nice "He's alright" "You need your rest" "I am resting" "Viren, come to daddy" Daddy was still his favourite, yet Viren was sweet enough to look torn "It's ok baby, you go with daddy" "Mum?" "If you stay with mummy, there's going to be more kisses" Pursing his lips, his son squealed in anticipation. Kissing at the hands that tried to push him away, Viren managed to kick up and against his chest "Viren!" Scolding him, Viren was confused by his father's tone. Sure it'd hurt, but his son hadn't meant it. Tears welled in Viren's grey eyes "It's ok baby. You didn't hurt mummy" "I'm sorry!" "No. No, baby..." Wiggling away from his hold, Viren started to cry the boy stubbornly climbing off the bed to run off past Levi "Did you have to scold him like that?" "You're supposed to be resting" "I was having cuddles with Viren, not running a marathon!" "Don't get mad at me for worrying about you" "I'm in bed. I'm resting. Viren just wanted a cuddle and I wanted to give him kisses" Coming running back, Viren had his favourite teddy in his hold. Ignoring Levi, the little boy climbed back on the bed, shoving the bear in Eren face "Mummy!" "Hello, Mister Bear..." "Mister Bear wants to make mummy better..." Eren heart melted "Thank you baby, but I think Mister Bear is telling me he wants to be with you" Viren beamed at him, even with tear tracks down his face "We can share. Just this once though" "Ok baby. Mummy is going to have a sleep, do you want to stay with me? Or go with daddy?" Viren looked to his teddy, nodding as if it was talking to him "I want to stay with mummy" Ha. Suck it, Levi! "Ok, here we go, come curl up with mummy. Mummy missed you" Shifting the blankets, Viren moved into his hold. Mister Bear between them "I guess I'll go then... I'll be home a little longer, if you need anything" "We'll be fine" "Call if you do. Seriously, you need to be resting" "Levi, it's fine. I can handle a three year old who wants cuddles" What he couldn't handle was a 40 year alpha who was hovering as if he really couldn't handle their toddler. Blocking Levi out, Eren leaned over and pressed a kiss to Viren's forehead, surprised when the boy returned the gesture. This was far better medicine than anything he'd had in hospital. * Levi was at work when Viren had woken him, his son shaking him awake to tell him he didn't want to go to sleep. What did it matter if Viren didn't want to sleep? He'd stayed for cuddles until he was content to run off, and now he wanted more cuddles again... he'd take them, even when they were an excuse not to go to bed. Lifting his son, Eren carried him out the sofa, dropping Viren down in the corner with a smile "Did daddy give you ice cream?" Viren shook his head. It didn't really matter if he had. He wanted ice cream and Viren didn't want to sleep. They had hours until Levi came home again "Do you want sprinkles? Or chocolate?" Viren hummed as if he were considering his options, when they both knew what it was going to be "Both!" Yep. He knew it "Ok baby. Give mummy a second" A second might have been a generous understatement. First he had to use the bathroom, then he had to make sure Titan had his wet food, and that there was water in his fountain, followed by checking the fridge for fruit. He had no idea why Levi insisted on storing the banana's in the fridge. They lived on the bench, in their bowl, where they were remembered. It was their home... not the bottom shelf of the fridge where they didn't belong "Muuuuum?" "Give me a sec baby!" Fuck it. He couldn't remember if he's ever had a banana split, or at least one like in the movies, but he was sure Viren hadn't. They had to be slightly healthy, right?. Nuts, dairy and fruit... and chocolate... oh... fuck it. It was worth it if it made Viren happy. They could all use some happiness in their lives. Settling down with Viren, the two of the shared the banana split as they watched Viren's choice in movies, something with super heroes he didn't know. Usually he was stuck with Anna's choice. She'd try and sit through the things Viren liked, but the moment there was a break, the program was changed before they knew what happened. The only time it didn't happen is when Eren had hold of the remote. Sitting with his legs along the sofa, Viren on his thighs, and his stomach as the table, both he and Viren jumped at the knock on the front door "Daddy!" It was too soon for Levi to be home. Scrambling off his lap, the toddler went running to the front door. He hasn't conquered the lock yet, so all he could do was hold the knob with both hands and swing against it impatiently "Mum!" "Mum's too fat to rush. Hold on" Stupid stomach. Being a table was about all it was good for... he couldn't stand it. And he couldn't cope with his hate for it, as one pup in there was still doing just fine. Knocking again, Eren was ready to ignore it completely. All their friends should know better than to knock twice, in his current condition, and delivery people didn't come this late at night. Levi had made dinner, so it definitely wasn't pizza. Hitching the chain on, he flicked the bolt round so Viren could open the door. Shooting him an annoyed glare, his son wasn't happy that it didn't open all the way. Forced to poke his head around the corner, his son huffed "You're not my daddy" The toddler than shutting the door in the face of their visitor "Viren..." He couldn't be mad at the boy for his bad manners, not when he wanted to do the same. Opening the door, he sighed, prepared to apologise for Viren's behaviour "Hello, Eren. It's been a while. I'm hoping we can talk" His first instinct was to slam the door in Floch's face. "A while" had been over two years. A while" hadn't been long enough "Eren, did you get the letter?" "What letter?" His voice was sky high, confused as fuck... and leading to Floch raising an eyebrow "Sorry. I've been in hospital since... well, a while" "I'm sorry to call so late. But when I didn't hear back from you, I thought it best I come tell you that you've been summonsed to appear" "Hold on. I have no idea what you're talking about" "I'm talking about the Karanes Incident. Look, can I come in? It's easier than doing this through the door" "Levi isn't home right now..." It was just him and Viren. He didn't need a panic attack, or his nosy three year old hearing anything "I did try to keep you out of it, but the trials going ahead. It starts in two weeks time, which means there's a lot to cover" Floch wasn't listening him. Why was he so shocked that an alpha wouldn't listen to him in his own home? "Hold on. Let me do the chain... Viren's just had sugar... He's either going to ignore you, or have a tantrum... you've got shit timing. I just got out today..." Talking more to himself, in an attempt to clam down, than to Floch, Eren closed the front door. Once again tempted to leave it closed. Karanes was years ago... Letting Floch in, Viren wasn't happy about it. His son refusing to go to bed, or to watch TV when there was a stranger in their house. Lowering himself down into a dining chair, he couldn't help but shy away as Floch's eyes drifted to his stomach "Congratulations" "This isn't about that..." "Viren..." "Floch. You're not here to discuss my personal life. I've been in hospital since just before the New Year, and now you're showing up on my doorstep. What is all this about?" "You don't need to be on guard" "Excuse me. I haven't seen you in years. I would have been fine without seeing you ever again. What is this trial? You said it wouldn't go to trial" "Because I didn't think it would. When The Church fell apart, the fall out was huge. Ministers. Politicians. Police. Their influence was wide spread" "I know that. Probably better than you do" Floch disregarded his curt words "One of the politicians is kicking up trouble in order to clear his name. The case is against both the Karanes and Shinganshima Police Departments" "And how does this relate to me?" "You are the son of Grisha Yeager. We know he worked for them for over a decade. It was you, and he, who destroyed the compound" "We both know..." "That you were involved. He's determined to show that the statement you provided, is nothing more than speculation" "So he needs someone to blame?" "Unfortunately. We did know there was a chance of this going to trial, and we attempted to keep you out of it. But as the only one who was actually there... if he can discredit you, he feels it'll go a long way to overturning the charges against him and his friends" "And if I don't testify?" "You risk being arrested" "I'm sorry. But I can't. I've got too much going on here" "Eren, he could walk" "And I'm pregnant. There's things in this world that we can't change" "Eren" "I gave you my statement. If they have questions, can't you just like... forward them on?" "His defence team is going to want to talk to you" "I can't do it" "Eren..." "I can't! Ok! I can't and I won't. I've been trying my hardest to forget all of it. Zeke. Grisha. Reiner. Bertholdt. All of it! I just want to be left alone" Wincing, Eren rubbed his stomach as pain flared across it, he wanted Floch out and the last thing he wanted was to go into labour or something. He didn't want to disappoint Levi "Eren. You've been summonsed" "And what? I'm an omega. We both know how that works" "That's why I tried to keep you out of it" Ouch. Yeah. No. Floch had to go. Rising to his feet, he glared down at Floch "I told you everything I knew. You have my statement. You have Levi's statement. Viren and Levi both nearly died from what happened. I will not let anyone hurt my family like that again" "If you don't testify, these people will be walking free" "They're not people. They're shit in human skins" "Then you should know we can let them get away with this. I've brought some photos, if you can identify any of them..." "It's been three and a half years! Nearly 4..." "You just have to look" "Leave my mummy alone!" Yelling at Floch, Floch didn't care. Placing down the file he'd brought with him, he placed it down in front of Eren. Eren sliding it back as he held one arm out, Viren not moving to his hold "Viren. Baby. It's ok" "You upset my mum..." "Viren, it's ok. He's leaving" His son continued to glare, Eren kind of proud his son wasn't letting himself be intimated "I'll leave this with you. And give you the night to think this over, and to talk to Levi about it" "I'm not going to change my answer" "There's actually a copy of your statement in there. I wanted to gauge your reaction. Read it. Think about it. Then we'll discuss those photos tomorrow" Floch saw himself out, like it was perfectly fine and normal. Eren frozen in his seat as he stared down at the manila file laying on the dining table. Why now? Why on top of this? "Mum?" He couldn't even look to Viren. His eyes glued to the stupid file. He didn't want to remember. He didn't want to go back to that place, even if it was through words on paper. He didn't need to read the thing to remember. He couldn't forget, even if he wanted to. Levi bore the scars of his past. He bore the scars of his past "Mum?!" Anything he said would be pulled to pieces. Floch knew that. That's why he didn't want him around the case. Anything he touched fell to pieces. Anything he touched, he corrupted. Levi... Zeke. Moblit. His father. His mother. Viren. He'd nearly killed his son giving birth to him. He had. Levi had said Erwin had worked on him... The pup inside him... he'd broken them... Then there were the people he'd worked with. Zeke had burnt the club down. Zeke had killed the people who'd chained him up. He'd left a trail of destruction wherever he'd been "Mummy... you're scaring me..." His arm dropped. He was scaring his son... "Baby. It's time for bed" "Mum?" "Don't argue with me, baby" "I don't want to go to bed!" "Viren, please..." "I don't want to go!" "Then go watch TV! Just give me a break!" The moment the words came out his mouth, his face burnt with shame. Viren didn't understand. Covering his face, he shook his head. He couldn't fucking breathe. This... this couldn't be happening... His father had destroyed the compound. He'd seen it burn. All of it was gone. Whatever this was. This had nothing to do with him... This was Floch's mess. Floch was the one who'd gone after them all... "I'm sorry, baby. Can you please go watch TV?" He needed Levi home. He couldn't calm down... he couldn't calm down and he couldn't breathe. Not when this stupid file was here... He couldn't call Levi. Not on the night of his first day home. Not when he'd been rude to him earlier. He couldn't just call him home to save him from a panic attack... * Walking into his apartment, Levi had expected the silence. He'd sent Viren in to wake Eren when the boy hadn't wanted to go to sleep for him... what he hadn't expected was the foreign scent of an alpha he didn't know. In an apartment filled with his and Eren's scents, it stuck out like a neon sign, just as pungent and unwelcoming as Eren's scent of distress. Yet. Instead of focusing on that, his alpha was focusing on the real question. Who the fuck had been in their apartment and why? "Eren? Are you awake?" Locking the door, Levi shrugged off his jacket as he walked towards the laundry. His uniform stank, and with his heart racing, he was trying to calm down with an act of normalcy. Clothes off, laundry on then time for a shower. Trying Eren's door, he found it locked. Knocking lightly, he got no answer. He was still yet to tell his omega he was quitting work. Eren hadn't wanted to talk while he was in hospital. He'd mostly kept everyone at an arms length, only conveying the things he needed from home. Hanji has tried to talk to him, but she'd gone and put her foot right in it. He wasn't impressed either. Neither of them had truly had time to process, or talk. Eren's fever had returned, the medication administered had left him fading in and out of consciousness. Not that Eren had noticed, he'd start to talk, only to trail off a few moments later, and pick right up again as if he'd never fallen asleep in the first place. Levi had been trying to ask Hanji to leave before she decided to pick a fight with Eren. He knew Marco hadn't been in to see Eren, as Marco didn't even know Eren had been in hospital. Erwin had tried to push, earning himself a black eye in the process due to his lack of sensitivity over the situation. Mike had been decent enough to leave it as "Eren has an infection". Erwin had tried to calm him, calling it "a simple infection that didn't require so much worry". It was the morning after the Hanji debacle, and he'd ended up telling Erwin to "shut the fuck up, because he had no idea what he was talking about". This lead to questions and he'd acted without thinking. Knocking on Eren's door again, his omega stayed locked away from him. Part of him wanted to kick the stupid door in, while the more rational part of his brain told him to break Eren's trust by finding the spare key too it, and letting himself... He forced himself to do no neither. Returning to their bedroom, minus the Eren that had turned him room into theirs, with the hope that his mate would wake before he left for work. Maybe the could even have breakfast together, and discuss his retirement then. When his alarm blared at him at stupid o'clock, Levi was sorely tempted to destroy his phone. His face was frozen to the point his nose was running, and that was with the majority of him buried under Eren's blankets. Shivering as he climbed from their bed, he growled softly as he walked into the living area. The curtains that usually hid the balcony from sight, were fluttering in the cold winds of the morning. No wonder it was freezing. Unsure if he'd missed it due to his tiredness last night, or if Eren had opened it without thinking, Levi walked over to the doorway, ready to lock the outside world away. The sun was yet to rise above the city, the world a dismal grey as he shivered again. Pushing the curtain away, he found his omega sitting on the floor of the balcony, Titan laying next to him. This wasn't what needed first thing in the morning. Didn't Eren feel how cold it was? Or was he completely out of it? Stepping onto the balcony, he mentally cursed the weather, and Eren for making him come out here. Squatting down, he placed his hand on Eren's shoulder, his mate so cold that Levi's stomach did that annoying dropping thing it liked to do when something was clearly up with Eren. Forcing his voice to remain soft and calm, he didn't want to scare the omega into trying to jump, or startle him if he was sleep walking "Eren? What are you doing out here?" Blank eyes looked to him, Eren's lips tinged blue. He needed to get his omega inside and warmed up. He was still recovering and his immune system still wasn't up to scratch. Eren's body didn't need the stress of becoming a human popsicle "I'm not having an abortion" Right... ok. His mate wasn't in the best of head spaces "Ok... but that doesn't tell me why you're out here" "I'm wondering why I'm alive" Shit. Just. Shit "Did... did something happen?" "Yeah. I ruined everything" This was not the place for an in depth conversation "Eren. How about we go inside? It's come out here" "Maybe I can freeze to death. Wouldn't that be fucking funny?" There was absolutely nothing funny about that at all "Eren..." "I told myself that I wouldn't let you see... but I guess I just want your attention after all. I don't know why you stay with me" "Eren. Come inside so we can talk" "I wanted to forget. I wanted to forget how bad I was. My existence causes pain" "Eren, no" "I can't even carry your children properly. Did you even want kids? Or was that something else I forced on you?" "You know I did. I do. I love you, and I love Viren. I love the two pups inside of you" "If I die. Do you think everyone can finally be happy?" "If you die, I know I will never be happy. Please, come inside with me" "I'm tired, Levi. No one wants to listen to what I want. Not the hospital. Not Hanji. Not dad. Not Zeke" "I want to listen. Here, come here" Eren let himself be pulled up by him, but didn't make a move to help walk back inside. Titan ran straight in, giving him a look that seemed to say he was watching over Eren until Levi got his shit together. Doing all of the work, he got Eren to the sofa, then backtracking to close the balcony up, making sure the top bolt was done so Eren wouldn't be able to just let himself back out there again. Freezing cold, he made another detour, grabbing the topmost blanket off their bed, before finally returning to Eren's side. Sinking down on the sofa, Levi wrapped the blanket around both of them. He wanted to pull Eren into his lap, but the omega was sitting ramrod straight, now not giving into his touches "Eren, what happened? Can you talk to me?" "It won't change anything" "You don't know that" "I do. Nothing ever changes. I hurt people and they die" "What are you talking about?" "I don't understand why I'm still alive. I shouldn't be alive. Dad should have just killed me off when he killed mum" He was fast growing angry at the lack of sense Eren was making. It was too early for such shit "You're not making sense" "Don't worry. I won't off myself" "Why are you being like this?! You said you needed someone to listen. I'm listening. Shitty Brat, you know I couldn't live if something happened to you" "I told you it won't. I won't harm the pups either. I don't want an abortion" "I..." "Everyone wants me to have one. That's all they talked about" The hospital... But that wasn't the only thing they'd talked about. Every day medical science was improving. There were cases of tumours being removed and the mum's being able to carry safely. That was all depending on the growth of the tumour to begin with "We have options. Weren't you listening?" "Right. You're right. I'm sorry" "Hey. You're not alone in this. I wanted to tell you last night, but I've put in my resignation at work. As of the end of the month, it'll be official" "Why?" The small forced smile on Levi's lips, as he tried to make Eren feel something other than frozen, fell "Why what?" "Why would you quit?" "To be here for you and our children" "So I made you quit" "No. I made the choice for myself" "Would you have done it if I wasn't a bad omega?" "You're not a bad omega! You're my omega. My mate. And you're scaring the shit out of me right now with all this death talk" "I guess I've said too much..." "No. You still haven't told me what set this all off" "I did tell you. All I wanted to do was forget, but I'll never be able to" A nightmare then? It was the most plausible reason for Eren being so upset, his omega had had a nightmare and hadn't wanted to disturb anyone with it "Things will get better. You're still freezing. Why don't you take a bath, while I make us some breakfast?" "No thank you. I'm not hungry" "That's because you're too cold to think straight. If you prefer we can take a bath together. Whatever you need" Placing his hand on Eren's stomach, he wasn't trying to be suggestive, only supportive "How can you touch it?" "Touch what?" "Doesn't my stomach disgust you?" "No. Why would it?" Rubbing the swell, he didn't understand what was disgusting. He loved Eren's swell, and their pups inside. He was worried for their second pup, but that didn't mean that he didn't care for it "I was just wondering" "I love it. It fills me with pride to see you growing swollen again" Leaning in, he kissed the corner of Eren's lips, feeling nothing in return. Eren was definitely trying his hardest to push him away, and that wasn't happening "Let's just take a bath together. I can wash your hair" Rubbing Eren's stomach a little harder, the omega stiffly nodded "Ok then" Getting Eren into the bathtub and between his legs, he felt like being a bad father. He couldn't help himself. Eren was slick thanks to his pregnancy, and his nape was right in front of him, while his hands were resting on Eren's stomach. He knew Eren was struggling, but their sex life had been great until Eren's fatigue, and he missed the feelings that came from knotting him. He wasn't about to do anything up his love, but that didn't mean his mind wasn't thinking of bending Eren over the bathroom counter. He didn't feel sexually frustrated, though things had been stressful for both of them. Maybe a little release was what Eren needed? To not be in his head? Resting his chin on his omega's shoulder, he sighed softly "How do you feel?" "Warmer" "Good. It's going to be cold today, so you should stay inside" "I haven't got anywhere to go" Levi sighed again, this time at himself, before trying to sound playful "You know what I mean" "I do. I wasn't planning on going anywhere" "I have a split shift again, so I'll be home for lunch. Is there something special you want?" "Not really" "Should I just surprise you?" "You don't have to do things for me. You don't have to force yourself" "I'm not forcing myself. I love you" "How can you?" "Easily. I love you. I love you, Eren Yeager, and I'm going to marry your stubborn arse, just to show you every day I do" "You shouldn't have quit work for me" "I did it for us. For the five of us. I'm tired of missing things. I want more time with Viren, and you, and these two. I want time for us. I want to be able to have sex with you, then lay in bed with you. I went to watch bad horror movies and Titan failing to cat" "You want to have sex? When I look like this?" "You are the most beautiful creature I have ever met. You're fierce and fiery, yet you can be so soft and sweet. Your stomach is full of my pups, our family growing as you do. I could never not want you. Your just as sexy inside, as you are outside" Sliding one hand down to grasp his lover's dick, and using the other hand to force Eren to face him, Levi pushed a hard kiss to Eren's lips. He didn't understand what could make Eren feel so undesirable, when he was perfect. Jerking the omega softly slowly as he thumbed at Eren's slit. Eren was going accept he was sexy and did all kinds of things to every part of Levi's anatomy, whether he liked it or not. He wouldn't force himself on his mate, but he could touch him intimately to show he did want to. That's why he kept everything so light, so as not to make him feel forced. The only display of forcefulness was his forced kiss in attempt to show all his affections through Eren's lips. When Eren pulled away, he let him "Levi..." He'd thought Eren was about to cry, or to break. Softly replying "I love you" "I don't want this" Releasing his hold completely on his omega to honour his wishes, Eren scrambled to leave the bath. His actions jerky and sudden "Eren, I..." Giving him a cold glare, his heart broke a little more "I'm repulsive. Just... don't touch me" Grabbing his towel, his mate made his way from the bathroom, leaving a wet trail as he did. What the fuck was going on this morning?! Eren was cranky yesterday, but it was clear he was happy to be home. Now he was acting... crazy. He couldn't keep up and didn't know what he'd done wrong... Was it the hand job? Maybe it was the hand job? His alpha didn't think it was the hand job. The smug arsehole wanted to keep going with the hand job. God. Now he was going to have to start all over again... Eren's brain was just as sexy as his looks. If given the chance, his mate could prove he had a lightening fast sense of whit, and humour. While it took a tiny fraction longer for things to sink in, he was incredibly smart for a kid who'd never been to school then concurred the school thing in less than three years. He loved being able to have an intelligent conversation with his mate that wasn't to do with Paramedic Procedures... * Eren had retreated to his room, refusing to come out, while Viren was still sleeping when Levi left for work. Coming home for lunch, Eren was sitting on the sofa with Viren, his son climbing down and running over to him "Daddy!" Reaching up at him, Levi lifted Viren to his hip "Hey, brat. Did you miss me?" "Yep! Mummy made pizza for lunch, but I wanted to wait for you" The way Viren said "pee-zah" alway brought a smile to his face "You didn't have to wait for me" "I was good all morning!" "Were you now? Would mummy agree?" Viren shrugged "Maybe" "That's my boy. Give me a kiss" Viren kissed his cheek "Alright. It's pee-zah time. Eren..." Eren wasn't there. He looked to his omega in time to see him disappearing into his room. On his hip, Viren sighed "Mummy isn't happy" "Not at the moment. He's just feeling sick" "He wasn't happy last night either" Viren covered his mouth with his hand in a very Eren move, but his comment was already out there "What do you mean by that?" Viren shook his head. Gently pulling his hand away from his mouth, his son sighed "Some man yelled at mummy last night and mum yelled back" What? "It wasn't Uncle Mike? Or Uncle Erwin?" Viren shook his head, while Levi couldn't think of who would possibly picking fights with Eren "Ok, well. I'll talk to mummy" "You don't need to. Here" What was the point of closing his door if Eren was going to come reappearing anyway. Shoving a letter into Levi's free hand, his mate took Viren from his hold the moment he could "What's this?" "I had a visit from Floch" Floch... Floch was never good news. Ever "Karanes is going to trial" "He said it wouldn't..." "Yeah. Well. I've been summonsed. He told me he didn't want me near the case and tried to keep me out of it. Even being a whale with a complicated pregnancy won't get me out of it" "Eren. The last thing you need to be doing is testifying. When did you find out?" Last night. Right. The moment he said it, he remembered it couldn't have been any other time than yesterday "Floch showed up after you went to work. Viren and I were watching TV and started trying to mess with my head. I can be arrested if I don't testify. The defence? Wants to pull my statement about "The Church" to pieces so they can all walk" Moving to place his hand on Eren's arm, his fiancée flinched away "I can't stand being touched right now. I'm sorry, but you need to keep back. I'm either going to start screaming, try to hurt myself or go into another panic attack over this. I wanted to forget, but here we are" "You... this morning... I thought you had a nightmare" "You have to sleep to have a nightmare. I was reading my statement. Floch was ever so kind to drop a copy by. Viren didn't want him here. Not that I did either" "I wish you'd told me" "Levi. I came home yesterday. I told myself I wasn't going to tell you anything because I can't..." Eren waved towards his head with his free hand "... ok. I need to keep things together for a Viren. But he's all I've thought about. I'm tired. I want to thinks things out and just the thought of this going to trial makes me want to jump off the balcony or take the nearest knife and... Can you imagine Viren's life if he gets caught up in it? The son of a psychopath. The grandson of Grisha and the nephew of Zeke. What a great family line that is. I thought we could leave it behind..." Bouncing Viren on his hip, Eren kissed his son's forehead "For his sake, he can't know. I don't want him to know. About Karanes. About the institute. About the pup. Everything has to be ok in front of him" "I'll see if..." "If Hanji can take Viren? We can't ship him off all the time. It's not fair on him" "We need to talk to Floch about all of this. I wasn't shipping him off, I was going to ask if she could watch him for a few hours while we did. There has to be a way that this can proceed without your statement, or a way to keep you off the stand" "The only other person I knew who survived, then tried to kill all of us" Placing Viren down, Eren shook his head "I can't. Ok. I read my statement. I read it and realised how much I didn't remember when I gave. When I close my eyes, I can remember that place. I was there for three month, nearly 4 years ago and I remember it. I don't know what to do. I stayed up all night and I don't know what to do. I don't even remember what happened or how I ended up in my room" Floch was a fucking arsehole. Of all the time he could have shown up, he'd chosen while he wasn't even home. Floch knew that everything relating to Eren had to go through him. It was Eren's request. If he knew he couldn't handle it, he asked Levi to step in as his alpha and his "owner" as too much of society saw it "I'll talk to Floch. You do what you feel you need to do" "I don't think either of us want that. I just need you to not touch me, or knock on the door" Then this morning's bath was the last thing he needed. Shitty Floch. And shitty Eren for not telling him the previous night. He would have handled everything differently if he'd known any of this "I'm sorry about this morning. I wanted you to know I love and want you" "This morning wasn't good" "I know that now... but, Eren, you're not repulsive. You're my mate. My lover, and my pride and joy" Shaking his head sadly, Eren stepped towards his room. Eren taking his cloud of gloom with him "I don't feel that great. Let me know when you're going to work" * Calling Floch, the man arrived a little after 3. It'd taken the better part of an hour to get Viren sleeping, and no time for him to figure out what to do. Letting himself into Eren's room, his mate was sitting on his bed. Sitting just shy of him, Levi went to place his hand on Eren's knee before stopping himself. Letting his hand drop to the blanket instead. None of this was fair, especially with how broken Eren looked over all of this "Eren, Floch's here" "I don't want to talk to him" "I know. And I know you don't want to testify, but you should still be part of this" "Why?" "Because this is your choice, and I want to back you up however I can" "Levi..." "I think you should listen to what Floch has to say" "And then what? He asks me questions, asks me who I can identify? And then?" "We'll talk about what he knows, and why this is coming up now. There has to be a reason" "Where's Viren?" "He sleeping. He didn't want to sleep" "I... I don't have a choice do I?" "You always have a choice, and all you can do is make the choice that you'll least regret. I know your need to know and understand everything going on" "Sometimes I really hate me" "I don't. You're a shit, and a brat, and frustrating as hell, but I don't hate you" Eren gave him a sigh "I'll be there..." "I should hope so. You're the one who organised this" Floch was sitting at the dining table, where he'd left him. Letting Eren take the other seat, he stood behind his mate. Making sure Floch knew he wasn't impressed at all "What is all of this shit?" "I can't say I've missed your bluntness" "Then don't. Eren isn't testifing" "He has to. He'll be charged with perverting the course of justice if he doesn't" "Not happening" "Look. If I could keep him off the stand, I would. I did try to notify you when thing began moving forward. My calls went unanswered" "I didn't have any missed calls" "Then have you changed your number? I know you were supposed to be handling everything to do with this on Eren's behalf. We would have preferred that you took the stand, instead of him, but it's his testimony is what is being questioned. We've contacted Erwin Smith..." Erwin? Eren looked up to him, equally bewildered "You contacted Erwin? When?" "November I believe, when I was unable to contact you" He was going to knock those slug brows of the blonde bastards face "Eren. I didn't know" "I can see that..." Funnily enough, Eren's voice sounded exactly like Floch "I was talking to my mate. Eren will not be testifying" "Unless you can give one good reason as to why I can't call him as a witness, he will be there at the start of the trial" "He's pregnant" "Pregnant people give testimony everyday" "I have two emergency department attendings, an OBGYN, a therapist and four paramedics that will all testify that he is not fit to take the stand" "All of which are close personal friends of yours" "Then I will take him to third party. He is not fit to take the stand" "Pregnancy is..." "It's a high risk pregnancy that is already causing secondary health issues" "It still isn't enough" "That's a load of shit! Grow some fucking testicles" Floch's eyes narrowed, his teeth bared in anger, Levi growling. There was no way he was going to let this shit of an alpha intimidate him or Eren "You know how hard I worked to put all of them away. It nearly cost me my life" "And testifying could cost Eren his. And the lives of our two pups!" "What happens when they walk? A lot of dangerous people were..." "I don't care about them. I care about my mate, and my children" "The one survivor we've been able to contact. Every other omega is in the wind. The fallout from this lead to Reiner coming after you" "Reiner came after us because he was insane with grief" "The trial begins on the 21st. Their lawyers already want access to Eren" "That's not happening" "If he doesn't comply, their going to pull everything apart" "And if he does, they'll go after him!" "At least we can be prepared for that" "Levi, can you back off a little. Both of you stink" Levi took half a step back, but kept his hands on the top of the dining chair, dropping his head, he shook it as he took a deep breath "Sorry. Look. Floch. This isn't going to happen. I refuse to let Eren testify, and for that matter, why was Erwin on your call list? What has he got to do with any of this?" "He was the one who figured out Eren's note, and Eren's message the second time... He'll be testifying over that" "He didn't tell me that" "That is between you and him. You won't be called because your Eren's mate and legal guardian. I doubt they'll allow Erwin to testify to much more than confirming that the note is indeed the one in evidence. And how he recognised the code Eren left. He will also be testifying over Reiner Braun and Bertholdt Hoover. In particular the time you spent working with Bertholdt" Eren rose from his seat, dashing to the kitchen sink. Floch unamused as Eren vomited "Look. There was a list of potential witnesses provided and he was just the one chosen. What I need today is for Eren to look at these photos" Eren shook his head. One hand on his stomach, as did. It was stupid to believe he could ever get through to someone as closed minded as Floch was. The alpha saw himself as some defender of justice, and didn't care who was caught in the fall out "He was released from hospital yesterday. You can't push all of this on him" "Like I said. I did try to make initial contact in November" "Then you should have tried harder. You know where I work. Fuck. I know for a fact I've seen you dragging your mangy arse through the Emergency Department. No. You waited until you were sure Eren was alone before making your move. He is not some naive or weak omega. He is not a pawn in your game, and you will not be using him for your own agenda" "Then I'll be taking him into custody" Levi growled, lifting the dining chair he hurled it across the room, where it hit the far side, smashing the back as it fell to the floor "Get the fuck out of our apartment" Whimpering, Eren covered his ears as he sank to his knees. Eren had told him he couldn't handle touches, or knocking. Now he'd smashed a chair, and let his anger flare "Levi..." "Don't "Levi" me. You show up and dumped all this shit on us. I told you I would take Eren to any doctor you asked, where he'll be given the exact same diagnosis. Eren told you he doesn't want to testify, or to be a part of this. You got them behind bars without his testimony the first time, and you keep them in there this time. He is not a scapegoat for you" "If he's not going to testify, what is to say he isn't a flight risk" "He can't fly like this. He's pregnant and he needs to be near a hospital given the potential complications. Are you deaf? Are your ears filled with the shit you dribble? Desperation isn't a good look on you" Rising from their only remaining dining chair, Flock left a file laying there "This trial will be going ahead. I came here today, simply to have Eren look at a handful of photographs. Your open hostility caused this. If he's released, it will be the start of more to come. They know Eren's alive and they won't stop until all traces of his existence is extinguished. When you've calmed, look at those photos. We'll be in touch" Following Floch to the door, he glared until the man let himself out. As the door closed too slowly for his liking, Levi booted it as hard as he could, before remembering Eren was mid-breakdown. Locking the door, he walked back to the dining table, stopping short of the kitchen "Eren?" "I have to testify..." "Look. We have to meet with a specialist over the SCT. I'm sure they can recommend that you don't" "And then what, Levi. They kill us in front of Viren? They take him? He ends up... spread across the world?" "I won't let that happen" "They're powerful people. You know that" Hissing, Eren sank back so he was sitting on his arse, rather than remaining kneeling "Are you in pain?" "A little..." "Can I... I mean... will you let me move you off the floor?" Eren looked up with guilty eyes, Levi having to backtrack "It's ok. I just thought you might like a hand up" "It's not ok. It's been four years. I shouldn't still feel them on my skin. I shouldn't be scared of you. I shouldn't be this useless" "You're not useless. I'm sick of hearing you run yourself down. You came off your meds, you lost a pup, your alpha was an arsehole and you gave up on your dream of getting married. Then, when things start to look up, when you finally start to feel better, you find you have an infection and our pup is a little sick. Then that piece of shit shows up sprouting all sorts of shit. You're more than entitled to not be ok, and to lean on me" "I don't want to lean on you! All I do is lean on you! You have your own life. You have a right to go out drinking with your friends, or to relax and have fun without worrying or thinking I've gone and hurt myself, or tried to kill myself again! You put so much pressure on yourself and I fucking hate it! I'm sick of tears! Oh look, something's gone wrong, better breakdown like a loser! I'm sick of it Levi. I'm sick of me. I'm sick of everything going to shit when I'm around. I can't even carry your children right. I hate it. I want you to be happy. I want to give you children. I want to be the one who's there for you, and I'm too fucked up in the head to stand on my own two feet. You weren't there in the hospital. Every fucking thing they said came back to aborting. It didn't matter that I was right. I was just a dumb omega. Floch thinks I'm just as dumb, and with so many people thinking it, doesn't that make it true? I can't look at myself without thinking it's my fault. That I'm chaining you down. You say your happy, but what was the last thing you did purely for yourself? On your own and for yourself? You can't think of anything, can you?" "I quit my job" "For me. Because of this thing inside of me. Because you don't think I can handle Viren" "I quit my job because I was done. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of seeing all the accidents. I'm sick of seeing dead people. I'm sick of the shit hours and not being with you and Viren. I missed his first steps. I missed watching him learn how to ride a bike. So yes. I quit because I wanted to spend more time with you and him. I want to be here, with you. I know your probably disappointed. After all, other than my job, I have nothing. I am nothing Eren. I'm a 40 year old alpha who can't even figure out how to be in a relationship with the man I love" "What do you mean you're nothing?" "I have my job, my obsessive need to clean and my shit sense of humour. What else is there to me?" "You're a good person. You're kind, and soft. You care deeply for others..." "They're not skills. I wanted to be the kind of alpha you wanted to be with. I wanted to make you happy. I wanted you to be proud of me" "I am proud of you. Being your omega fills me with pride" "Then why do we keep having this fight? Why can't you believe in me when I say you're beautiful or amazing, or that I trust you" "Because I'm waiting for the day when you wake up and see that I have nothing to offer you..." Eren's sentence tapered off, his lips forming a silent "oh". Ducking his head, Eren sighed "I can't turn off the things in my head. I can't turn off hearing their voices or feeling them against me. I can't forget the deal that ended up with Zeke dead" "I know you can't" "Then why don't you think I'm dirty?" "Because you did what you thought you had to. You always do what you think you have to, to protect us. I don't know if I can protect you, but I made the choice for myself to try. Like I said, we have that appointment coming up, and we'll have more answers by the end of it. Fuck. I wish you could just get it into your head that I love you. Even when your omegas an arsehole, I love you" "When isn't my omega an arsehole?" "Do you really want me to answer that?" "No. It's having a meltdown as it is..." "Do you want me to call into work?" "No. You should go. After all, I can't exactly march down there and punch Erwin myself" "I already have him a black eye..." "Levi! No. I can't deal with violence right now" "I couldn't help it" "You have more patience than I've ever met, other than Moblit. It wasn't Reiner and Bertholdt that made me sick, but the smell of two angry alpha's. Then you threw the chair" Levi scratched the back of his head, feeling slightly sheepish "And kicked the door" "If you're going to be violent, I'm not going to be able to go near you" "I'm sorry" "Just go take a shower or something. My body has decided I can't move while you're there" It was hard not to take that personally, even if he'd brought it upon himself "And you'll be ok to get off the floor?" "Yeah. I need a minute. Can you check on Viren too? Make sure he's ok?" "I'll check on him" "Thank you..." How he wished he hadn't thrown the chair across the room. Taking Floch's stupid file with him, he stuffed it in his bedside table, before huffing off the bathroom. Fuck, Floch. Fuck, Erwin, and fuck the universe in general. Showering his anger away, Eren had fled from the bathroom. His door locked, Levi didn't even have to bother trying the handle to know that. Dressing in another uniform, he flooded the apartments living area with scent canceller, until he choked on oils clogging up his lungs. Anything to get the stink of trash out the air. Finally checking on Viren, their son was sprawled across his bed, his bear clutched tight to his chest. Why couldn't Floch see that this trial could very well destroy the life of their son? The innocent pup who only deserved the best things in life. Walking over to Viren's bed, he dragged the slipped covers back up to his shoulders, kissing his soft hair with a loving smile. How could his look so much like him, but have the exact same expressions and mannerisms as Eren? If the boy ended up being even a fraction as strong as his mother, Levi was in deep shit... but he really wouldn't have it any other way.

[bendywackyadventures]

BATIM SOL AU- Angel’s Suffering Chap. 2

Here’s the next chapter of Angel’s Suffering! Enjoy!

Alice woke up from what was a long night’s rest. She looked around the evil Alice’s room and saw “Alice” was nowhere in sight. The evil angel must have gone out and looked for another Boris clone or was doing her chores. This gave the toon angel time to leave and look for the good angel she saw last time.

The angel left the evil Alice’s room and went back to where she saw the good angel. When she got there the good angel was nowhere in sight, still she wanted to find her. Alice stopped when she heard a familiar tune, only it was different it was sweet. Alice walked where the singing was and saw the angel writing on the walls.

Alice opened her mouth, but wasn’t sure what to say. She never spoke to anyone outside of the Butcher Gang or “Alice”. Alice took a deep breath and walked to the good Alice, or Allison. “Uh. Hello.”

Allison stopped what she was doing and saw the toon Alice. Alice gave a small wave and smile. Allison looked close at Alice, “your nothing like her.” She stated as she went back into writing.

“Um… I see your okay!” Alice replied.

“A friend rescued me.” Allison replied not looking at Alice.

“Oh.” Alice just stared at Allison writing messages on the walls. The angel wasn’t sure what to say she just watched the other Alice write her messages on the wall. Alice thought there was nothing about this angel and was ready to leave.

“Wait!” Allison called out. Alice stopped and looked at Allison, “stay here.” Alice nodded and walked up to Allison. Alice gasped and saw the writing, she recognized it during her hunts with “Alice”

“I recognize these!” Alice turned to Allison, “are you the one writing these messages?”

Allison stopped, “we all do. Every living thing here writes these messages to be heard.” She explained.

Alice was impressed, she never knew that. Though seeing many Lost Ones, Searchers, and other kinds of inky creatures there were many messages to see that could have been connected to anyone.

“Why do you work with her?” Allison asked. Alice looked at Allison, “the evil one. You act nothing like her.”

Alice sighed, “I don’t work with her. I work for her. Well more like a servant then a partner.” Allison stopped her painting to listen to the toon, “Alice. Well the evil one found me she took me under her wing  as long as I do what she says.” She explained.

“Have you thought of leaving her?” Allison asked.

Alice sighed nodding. Since living with the evil Alice she has wanted to leave, but where to go? Bendy roamed the halls, and even if Bendy didn’t spot her the studio was a big maze she can be lost just like that. “However, I don’t know how to get around? This studio is like a maze!”

Allison sighed, “I guess that’s why I can’t leave. I followed the writings for a long time, but I get lead to no where.” She explained.

Alice looked up at the ceiling. “I want to get out of here. Escape Alice. Breathe the fresh air. I heard it in stories that the outside world is…better.”

“Who told you these stories?”

Alice was about to speak when she heard footsteps coming towards the two angels. Alice smiled seeing it was Boris, but with a mechanical arm and glaring rather then being his happy self.

“Boris!” Alice beamed running to the wolf. In defense the wolf growled and grabbed his gent pipe from his side. The toon angel stopped as the pipe was pointed at her. Alice was shaking over the hostel Boris. “Boris! It’s me Alice! Do you remember me?”

The Boris growled at the angel, making Alice flinched. Tom raised his pipe at the angel, ready to slam it into her head.

“Tom!” Boris, or Tom as he was called didn’t listen. “Tom!” Aliison ran by and went behind Alice. Tom snarled warning Allison to get out of the way. “She’s not the angel who hurt you!”

Alice was confused, why was Boris named Tom? Tom put down his pipe and looked closely at the angel. He sniffed her, and snarled at her scent. Since Alice was with “Alice” for so long, the scent rubbed off on her. Though Tom saw this angel had a clean face, and had a halo floating above her head. Tom put down his weapon, but his gruff nature never left his side.

“Alice I’m sorry, but this is Tom. He’s the one who saved me.”

“Sorry, Tom. I thought you were my friend Boris. I haven’t seen him in a while.”  Alice sighed. Tom’s ears picked up and his gruff look went solemn.

Tom and Allison looked at one another, “There’s more Boris?” Allison asked.

Alice nodded, “ “Alice” uses them to make herself perfect. The clones, but one of the first Boris’s is hiding. He talks. Unlike the rest of them.”

Alice remembered her Boris, he was a loveable goofball who loved to eat, tell jokes, play music and overall was a good boy. When Joey took over, she and Boris were prisoners till Boris escaped and was never seen again. That’s when “Alice” stepped in and took her under her wing.

Tom’s ears picked up as he growled at someone walking around the place. The speakers turned on and a familiar voice spoke through;

“Oh angel! Where are you!” “Alice” called out.

Alice sighed. She didn’t want to be near “Alice”, but she started making her way back, but before she did, she had a request. “Um. If you guys can,” Allison and Tom looked at her, “if you find a talking Boris. Could you keep him safe?”

Allison and Tom looked at each other. Since there was so many clones they wouldn’t know who would be the Boris, Alice was talking about. “We can try.” Allison answered.

Alice smiled, “thank you.”

“Angel SERVENT! WHERE ARE YOU!” “Alice” yelled.

Alice sighed and ran back to “Alice”.

[meshugana1]

A bratty millennial visits a museum and becomes a blowjob obsessed 50’s bimbo

   Meredith tapped her phone and scrolled through the news feed, desperate to kill time until her meal ticket for the day arrived, some dorky looking guy named Bill or something. He was late which only served to piss her off more, she was already stooping low enough to let this guy buy her a meal but who picked a lame American history museum? She stood against a large stone pillar that served as part of the entrance to the building, the bright sun beat against her exposed shoulders and made her black hair warm to the touch. She wore only her minimal amount of makeup, no need to impress a guy that wore a bowtie in his profile pic. She scanned the sidewalk again, there’s no sign of him as she shielded herself from the sun with her hand. The little shit was already five minutes late, and the sun was persistently shining in her eyes. She looked the rotating door that leads into the museum and sighed, hoping the inside she could at least find a bench and try to think up as many ways to blast this guy on twitter as she was able.

   Her shoulders visibly slumped as she found that there was nowhere to sit in the entranceway, she pressed on though, not wanting to simply bake in the sunlight. She thanked God for her phone right now, the further she progressed into this place the more she regretted agreeing to meet this guy. Everything in this building just reminded her of how great everything is now and how sexist and racist people were before. Slavery, genocide, rampant sexism, that’s all that was here, and it was no less prevalent than right in front of her. The nineteen-fifties exhibit was an assault on the eyes with its absurd colors and silly displays of toxic masculinity. Picture of cars and racers outfits filled nearly an entire wall and more things of that nature were littered everywhere.

   She thought it was all bad but found out she was quite wrong when she saw an entire room dedicated to “Fashion of the Fifties”. There were some suits for the men, and the basic James Dean clothing but the worst by far was the women’s attire that took up ninety percent of the space. Nothing but long dresses and short shorts, apparently women were either meant to look modest or like harlots. Meredith couldn’t stomach the idea of dating a guy who liked this crap any longer, she whipped her phone out and desperately texted for her friend Ashlee to save her, she should be polishing off her afternoon jog about now. As she composed her S.O.S her eyes fell on the most offensive piece of clothing she had seen yet. It was a huge black bikini with white polka dots, the cups looked like they could hold volleyballs and the shorts that came with them were big in the seat too. There was a plaque on the bottom of the display case that said these were all the authorities could find of a woman who disappeared in 1954. Apparently, they were cursed and spelled doom for any woman who had them. ‘People were so dumb in those times, who’d believe in a real curse?’ she thought. She could no longer tolerate all this offensive crap and in an act of defiance reached her hand out and flicked the cup of the bikini. As her finger made contact she could see an arc of electrical energy pass between her finger and the bra, she felt the muscles in her hand tighten sharply and pain flashed in her mind. It was so jarring that she unconsciously pressed send on the message she had composed to her friend.

   “Fuck!” she cried out and fanned her hand trying to alleviate as much pain as she could. ‘Stupid outfit’, she thought, ‘What the hell did it do that for?’ She inserts the throwing tip of her finger in her mouth to calm it down, and a moment later all the panic and pain have gone and only the sounds of sucking can be heard in the empty exhibit room. As she walked out though she found it very difficult to find a reason to remove her finger from her mouth, something about the digit between her soft lips and being played with by her slobbery tongue was just becoming more and more irresistible, but still wasn’t quite hitting the spot. She tried to think of what it was that her mouth seemed to be craving but nothing leaped to her attention. She stomped her foot in a huff and felt her body tremble at the impact in places she never remembered trembling before. She looked down and thought she could see her breasts actually growing larger, but that was just silly, boobies didn’t do that. She must just be breathing real deep or something, they can look bigger when you suck in a breath sometimes. Something shined out of the corner of her eye and drew her attention away from her expanding boobies, it was a perfectly maintained chrome grill attached to a 1953 Chevrolet Corvette with a V8 engine, she had passed by the innovative machine without a glance before but now she couldn’t take her eyes away. It was painted a fire red and had classy whitewall tires, she leaned over the velvet rope to get the best look she could and didn’t at all acknowledge the weight of her new pendulous breast pulling to the floor or the tightness in her denim jeans. All she was focused on was the car and the thought of getting into the pants of whatever stud had the pink-slip.

   So enthralled by the feat of engineering, she didn’t feel as her jeans tore a whole down the middle, giving her growing bottom room to breath and she never noticed how tight her loose fitting shirt had gotten. She never bothered with bra’s, before she never truly needed one. Her lips were still wrapped around her digit as they became plumper and fuller. The soft angles of her face became sharper and the roots of her short hair became lighter then the color shot up each individual strand of her hair, leaving her a golden blonde. The changes to her tresses continued and her hair grew, her bangs developed and after a minute she was left with a head of long, wavy blonde locks and bangs that curled over her forehead.

   Meredith had closed her eyes and felt the imagined wind on her face as she thought about her in the car and her man driving it as fast as it would go. She was so lost in her daydream that she couldn’t feel the draft as all her clothing had begun to seemingly melt off of her body and pool at her feet. For a moment it swirled around her ankles and the pool then began making its way up her supple legs again. It flowed up her body in a singular mass but left a residue behind that toon took shape. On her feet were a pair of hot rod red heels with a four-inch lift, her legs were clad in thin black stockings that disappeared just above her knee into a skirt that flared out and matched her shoes. Her torso was encased in a very tight fitting, red bustier that left the tops of her large chest exposed for all to enjoy. She wasn’t capable of being bothered by this things anymore, all that occupied her mind now was having fun, fast cars and wrapping her plump lips around her man’s juicy—“Um, are you Meredith? I’m sorry I’m late,” a voice behind her said, snapping her out of her fantasy. It was a shorter man with frizzled red hair, a plethora of freckles dotting his face and a yellow bow tie holding the neck of his short sleeved button up shirt together.

   “That’s me, babe, do I know you?” Meredith said, tilting her head and pursing her lips.“It’s George…from the Kindling app? I…uh, I’m your date?” he said, stammering and trying to maintain his composure in the face of such a beauty.“Oh that’s right, I’m here to meet you aren’t I? Silly me!” she said, tittering into her hand, “I just got distracted by this bad car here.”“Oh, you don’t like it?” He says, a little more wounded that he should’ve been.“What? No silly. Bad? As in really cool? You need to get with the chat today Daddy-o.”“Oh! Good, I was gonna say…cause that’s actually my car…” Meredith’s Jaw fell open, this nerd owned a cherry ride like that? He must be loaded! The corners of her mouth turned up in a smile, she just hit the jackpot! “Really?! That’s so banging! You gotta take me out for a cruise sometime!” George blushed a little, he wasn’t ordinarily so complimented. “It’s nothing much really, I own all the cars here. I’m a bit of a collector…”“You must be an inventor or something right?”“Oh no, I just make software and stuff like that…” Meredith wasn’t quite sure what software was but this guy was loaded and she didn’t really care. She looked around and confirmed that no one else was nearby before she made her move. “You know George, I’m one of those ‘fast and easy’ types of girls that your momma warned you about,” she said as she closed in on him. One hand wrapped around his neck and the other handled his zipper slowly bringing it down. She pulled his face into her chest and gave him a mouthful of her warm honkers. She used her other hand to pull out his half erect cock and coax it all the way there. Holding the warm Johnson in her hand made her mouth water and she slowly pulled her knockers away from his chest and sank to her knees. She lined up the engorged tallywacker with her mouth and looked him in the eyes, “So what do you say, Georgie? I take you for a ride, then you take me for one?”

The end. Hope Y’all like it!

[lavadog]

Through all of this, there's also the question of if the Mad Doctor's evil plot should remain the same. Obviously there has to be some changes now that Prescott wasn't defeated on schedule, but should anything else have changed?

Let's start by examining the Mad Doctor's motivations in EM1 and EM2. His motivations are similar, but also pretty different between the two games when you think about it.

In EM1, his main motivation is wanting to rule Wasteland. If we look at all of his actions through this lens, it puts a lot of them in a more sinister light:

When the Mad Doctor first arrived in Wasteland, he wouldn't have had any resources whatsoever to try to conquer it with. And there's no way that Oswald would have sat idly by while the Mad Doctor tried to build up those resources. Unless Oswald didn't realize what they were for, that is. So the Mad Doctor bides his time. He befriends Oswald instead of making an enemy out of him straight away and slowly but surely gains his trust. He does nice things for Oswald like helping him build Animatronic Goofy, Donald, and Daisy for seemingly no other reason than to make Oswald happy, and he pitches the Beetleworx as cheerful little helpers that are meant to make life easier for everyone. With how much the Mad Doctor was able to take over after he switched sides, I imagine that Oswald trusted the Mad Doctor enough to let him do what he wanted with very little oversight. Had the Blot not happened, the Mad Doctor would have tried to take over on his own once he felt like he had everything he needed to overthrow Oswald.

But the Blot does happen, and suddenly, the Mad Doctor has another option. He doesn't have to play nice with Oswald anymore. So he switches sides. That doesn't mean he trusts the Blot to deliver on the power it promises him, though. He outright expects the Blot to betray him in the end when it sucks all the paint out of Wasteland, which is why he turns himself into an animatronic. He reasons that once the Blot wins, animatronics will be the only survivors, and he'll rule over Wasteland as its Mechanical King.

With that said, one has to wonder if this is really how he wanted to rule Wasteland. Who would he even be ruling over? The only animatronics we see are the Beetleworx, the Pirates, and Animatronic Goofy, Daisy, and Donald. But this might just be him making the best of a less than ideal situation. Being the mechanical genius that he is, he could always build animatronic versions of Oswald and the other toons if he wanted to.

The ironic thing about this is that if the Mad Doctor hadn't switched sides and had worked with Oswald instead, they likely could have defeated the Blot together. But the Mad Doctor is nothing if not a coward, and rather than risk himself, he wanted to be on what he saw as the winning side.

Except, after the Mad Doctor switches sides, Oswald still manages to bottle up the Blot. And fast-forwarding to years later when the events of EM1 start, Oswald and the other toons are still putting up enough of a fight that the Mad Doctor and the Blot haven't completely taken over.

So then we have the events of EM1. The Mad Doctor does try to steal Mickey's heart after he arrives in Wasteland, but I got the impression that the Mad Doctor did this for the Blot, not so that he could use it to escape Wasteland like he wants to in EM2. After Mickey escapes, we don't see the Mad Doctor again until his boss battle in the attic of the Lonesome Manor. Mickey and Gus send him flying, and unknown to us, he eventually crash lands in Autotopia where he immediately sets up shop.

This brings us to EM2, wherein the Mad Doctor's motivations have shifted from wanting to rule Wasteland, to wanting to leave Wasteland and become the greatest villain the Cartoon World has ever known. And right away, I have to ask why. Assuming that his motivation since arriving in Wasteland was to take it over, why give up on that now? Why does he suddenly want to be remembered? If being remembered is so important to him, then why didn't he try something like this earlier? If he can't even best Oswald and Mickey, then what makes him think he can make it as a villain in the Cartoon World? Wasteland is a much safer bet. Especially with the Blot gone. He does state that he plans on using the brush to make himself this great villain, but he seems to have forgotten that the brush actually belongs to Yin Sid, and Yin Sid certainly isn't going to let him keep it once he leaves Wasteland.

I'd also like to question if the Mad Doctor's plot to be remembered was really going to work or not. His final boss fight seems to imply that it did. He has his ride set to pull the Guardians out of Wasteland and he's ready to steal the brush from Mickey to become the greatest villain of all time when he enters the Cartoon World. But it's never explicitly confirmed that he successfully regained his heart. Could it be that he was bluffing? Can he even be properly remembered while he's still an animatronic and no longer a toon?

I can understand why the Mad Doctor doesn't want to be an animatronic anymore now that he's starting to break down and no longer needs to be one to protect himself from the Blot, but I can't help but wonder if wanting to leave Wasteland is really what his motivation should be right now.

Of course, just because his plan won't work out, that doesn't mean the Mad Doctor can't be confident that it will. Maybe he's tired of Wasteland. Maybe he wants to move on to bigger and better things.

But. Consider. Maybe instead of leaving, his real goal is more along the lines of getting rid of Oswald and Mickey. With his two biggest threats gone, then there will be no one that can stop him. And if anyone tries, the brush that he plans on stealing from Mickey will make him unstoppable. The only one that might be able to stop him is Yin Sid, but if the Blot and Mickey's Blot-induced rampage have proven anything, it's that Yin Sid isn't inclined to take action to help Wasteland no matter how badly it needs it.

With no one around to stop him, he has all the time he needs to bring any evil plan he can think of to fruition. He doesn't have to hide or scheme or do things in one fell swoop to avoid being stopped by the heroes. Instead of rushing off to the Cartoon World with the brush, he can find a way to replicate its powers and make it so Yen Sid can't take it from him if he ever gets bored ruling Wasteland and wants to move on.

That's where the whole "getting remembered" plot comes in. He may not plan on acting on it now, but it provides a distraction from his real goals and is an easy way to help sway Prescott to his side. Why Prescott? Because he's an easy target.

Prescott considers himself to be a misunderstood genius who isn't getting the attention he deserves and is having his talents wasted. So what would be easier for the Mad Doctor than promising Prescott that he has a way to get them both remembered? Even if that doesn't end up working, the Mad Doctor can also promise that Prescott's talents will never go to waste and he'll get the recognition he deserves if the Mad Doctor is made the ruler of Wasteland.

The Mad Doctor needs Prescott because he can't build the TV that broadcasts the show on his own. Or at least, I assume that's the case since he didn't build it himself. The same could possibly be said of inventing something that will force the Guardians to make the Mad Doctor a toon again. Prescott is also just a good pawn to have. It the Blotworx Dragon hadn't done Oswald in, then Prescott's boss fight likely would have.

And while Mickey and Oswald are busy, the Mad Doctor and Prescott prepare for one final, deadly confrontation.

Why would the Mad Doctor's plan have changed like this? He was inspired by watching Mickey's Blot-induced rampage. Mickey certainly took care of a lot of his problems by thinning them out. And while I'm not so sure Mickey actually permanently killed anyone since paint can restore a thinned out toon, it gave the Mad Doctor the idea of permanently taking care of his problems, namely Mickey and Oswald. This isn't to say he's never tried to kill them before, but it was always in a "because you're getting in my way and trying to stop me" kind of way, not the main goal. Once he takes care of them, he'll be free to do just about anything he wants at his leisure. Which I'm sure is a relief after having to play nice with Oswald for years and then having to worry about the Blot for years after that. He just needs that brush first.

But if the Mad Doctor's whole plan centers on getting rid of Oswald and Mickey, then why not kill Oswald after managing to take him down? That would have been the next step, but Mickey didn't show up with the brush when he was supposed to. If he's not going to show up just because Wasteland is in trouble, then maybe he'll show up because his brother is in trouble.

Or at least, that's what the Mad Doctor tells himself. He could have just went ahead and killed Oswald anyway and pretended to be holding him prisoner to the same effect. But if Mickey does show up and finds out that the Mad Doctor killed his brother, the Mad Doctor's going to have an angry mouse with the powers of creation/destruction coming after him. And more than that, it's personal with Oswald.

The Mad Doctor is someone who revels in his villainy and embraces the melodrama of it all. He's been trying to defeat Oswald for decades, and now that he finally has Oswald in his clutches, there's no way he can resist the opportunity to torment him. Why simply kill him when he can do something far, far worse? Because when you pretend to be somebody's friend for years and they grow to trust you, you learn all kinds of things about them. Like what they're afraid of.

What is Oswald afraid of? Being helpless is a given. Not being able to help the people he loves is another. But more than anything else, Oswald fears being left alone. Reduced to nothing more than a head, the rest of his body scattered across Wasteland, Oswald hasn't been this alone and helpless since he lost Ortensia.

Can we just stop for a moment to imagine the situation Oswald is in? He is completely alone and unable to move. He can't do anything, least of all help himself. Without his ears, the only thing he's capable of hearing is the sound of his own voice. He's back at the place he spent decades isolating himself at to make sure that the Blot didn't escape its bottle, but now Mickeyjunk Mountain has become his prison instead. The Mad Doctor hasn't left him unguarded, and until Mickey gets there, is there really any toon in Wasteland that is both capable of helping him and would care to do so? The Gremlins and Animatronic Goofy/Daisy/Donald would get themselves caught, the Petes and Lonesome Ghosts wouldn't care, and the Pirates are, well, pirates. There's Ortensia, but between EM1 and EM2 we never get to see her in action so we have no idea how well she could handle herself. And that's assuming they even know that his body has been scattered around Wasteland and his head is at Mickeyjunk Mountain. The Mad Doctor is only going to tell Mickey that because he's trying to lure Mickey into a trap.

The Mad Doctor might have let it slip that Oswald is being used as bait to lure Mickey here, but isn't that a laugh? Oswald is certain that Mickey doesn't care about him and would sooner use the opportunity to finish him off. As far as Oswald is aware, he's never getting out of here. And to top it all off, I imagine that Oswald would have been here for at least a day or two since it would take time for Gus to contact Mickey, Mickey to arrive and find out where Oswald is being held, and for Mickey to find him.

And that's not even getting into how the Mad Doctor left him there to begin with. Because you just know that the Mad Doctor waited for Oswald to regain consciousness after having been knocked out during his capture before taking him apart. Being the melodramatic guy that he is, I'm sure the Mad Doctor had an entire victory speech planned, and to finish it all off, he probably left Oswald's head on his throne at Mickeyjunk Mountain himself.

Speaking of Oswald and the Mad Doctor's relationship, can you just imagine how much the Mad Doctor's betrayal must have hurt? Oswald was only a year old when he was abandoned by both of his dads, and with the alternate history this game seems to be running on, Oswald was forgotten not long afterwards. Not only that, but some two seconds after abandoning him, they made Mickey to replace him with. Oswald starts to make a life for himself in Wasteland, only for the Blot to happen. And then the Mad Doctor, someone Oswald considered to be one of his closest friends and one of his most valuable assets in winning the war against the Blot, suddenly reveals that "Oh by the way I never cared about you, I was never really your friend, and I was just plotting to overthrow you this whole time. What an idiot you turned out to be, huh? Excuse me while I go ruin everything we worked so hard to achieve."

On top of being abandoned by his dads, I can't imagine how much that must have shaken Oswald's confidence in forming relationships. Not to mention his ability to not just trust others, but trust that they actually care about him. And while I'm sure that Oswald knows that Ortensia, Gus, Animatronic Goofy/Daisy/Donald, and his children can't reach him, I think it says something that the person who does end up coming for him is Mickey.

OH good question uhhmhmhmhmhm....mickey and oswald would definitely have a more strained relationship, but os would be forced to be tag along bc he's the only one who can use the remote

so it's just long silence, no comfort, no talking......oswald is just here to get a job done

at first, probably, ortensia suggests the two of them work together, and oswald (unwillingly) agrees under one condition

(follow up to this post)

[thatguysamaniac-blog]

Every now and then a conversation sparks up round the water cooler at TGAM Towers that goes along the lines of someone asking "So is gaming mainstream yet?". Hours, insults, fisticuffs and a reminder on policy on worker in the work place later, inevitably the conclusion is a firm not yet.  We're not expecting an overnight transformation. But what would it take?  We have game inspired video games at the Box Office (okay so they're rarely great), Final Fantasy menus in restaurants, Splatoon and Pokemon collaboration ranges with Uniqlo, LEGO collaborations with Blizzard, Midway and SEGA. Museum exhibitions on video games, design and art. Gaming content seemingly dominates large swathes of the Internet from Youtube through to Youporn. Yet admitting that you choose to spend your time playing video games every now and then still feels, in the UK at least, akin to admitting that you strictly only eat the faces of babies because that's where the softest meat is.    When Does This Pre-Amble End? When it comes to the real world, specifically the high street, video games themselves have virtually no presence at all. In fact it's got worse since our budding interest grew in the 1990s. Arcades are all but dead, few cities have a dedicated game retailer (you might be able to find a grotty copy of NBA 2018 in one of those laptop/mobile repair shops), major supermarkets stock perhaps 4.5 games and media stores in general are critically endangered. TV never manged to 'get' gaming and even though Esports is making huge strides it's still not managed to topple the likes of darts, snooker and cricket from their prime time perches (or even get broadcast at all away from the Internet).  When we first got into gaming we'd wet our pants even when video games penetrated the mass media in the lamest ways from those Lucozade Tomb Raider ads. to the awful why-can't-anyone-crack-gaming-content-on-TV shows and even feigning support for those Resident Evil films when there was frankly nothing else on the horizon. However, now that Netflix is a national sport we're almost drowning in a rich and diverse soup of game-related content. Most of which is total pants. Some of which is bonkers and dare I say some might even have appeal beyond those who would call themselves a gamer (and cringes at the same time because nobody over the age of 12 unironically calls themselves a gamer). Gaming content is so prevalent on Netflix, it even has it's own category, two in fact! Does this mean gaming is mainstream yet? No you babyface eating monster it doesn't are you mad?  Gaming Shit Currently on UK Netflix (Alphabetically) The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 Okay so for all the hype up top, a lot of this stuff is cheesy kid's cartoons. This is a 30 year old cheesy cartoon loosely based on that hot new video game release Super Mario Bros. 3 and although a smidgen better than the Super Mario Bros. Super Show.... it's amazing this franchise didn't just die in the 90s. Remember King Koopa and Princess Toadstool? 13 episodes. 13 episodes too many.  Angry Birds Can any lawyers out there help? Is there some EU mandated law that means video game tie-in media has to come out decades after the thing it is based on became culturally irrelevant? Three seasons of this steaming mess and I've not got to the will to work out if this is related to the movie, the sequel movie out THIS YEAR(?), the toons series or how it will fit in with the WHO IS ASKING FOR THIS CONTENT 'long form' cartoon out in 2020. For those of you younger than 10, i.e. the target audience for this stuff, Angry Birds used to be a video game. Black Mirror Sometimes very video game inspired, sometimes not, this series makes us question our relationship with technology makes us feel even worse for prodding a phone screen and writing swears to other 14 year olds online. Recommended watching but not all in one go mind.  Castlevania Supposedly a decent anime version of the games. I've not watched all of it because I only played Castlevania 64 and Dawn of Sorrow and if you don't understand who any of the characters are, it's reaaalllly slow and boring. Worth a try if you actually have engaged with the critically acclaimed series unlike us.  Digimon Fusion Ergh. Dirty. No. Bad Mega Bloks. No. Dinosaur King Ahhh dinosaur games. Archaeologists have found ancient scrolls that record the Dinosaur King was actually a video game and collectible card game from 2005. This is the series from 2008 that absolutely is not based on Pokemon at all and mixes anime style and really really bad looking CGI.   Final Fantasy XIV: Dad of Light Okay, this series is actually brilliant. Remember how Pinball Wizard was a feature movie advert for Super Mario Bros. 3? Well this is a series length advert for Final Fantasy XIV told through the heart warming story of an awkward Japanese man and his awkward relationship with his awkward recently retired Dad and he tries to rebuild that relationship by getting him into Final Fantasy XIV because they used to play Final Fantasy together. Each week is a new challenge as his Dad quits because of a mechanic he doesn't understand that helpfully his son and his guildmates help explain. Passable on it's own but elevated to must watch by a few scenes that use familiar Final Fantasy sounds that get this glorified advert tugging on the heart strings.  Halo Shit Includes Halo 4: Forward Until Dawn, Halo Legends and Halo Fall of Reach. The first one is live action and frankly awful. Legends is to Halo what Animatrix was to the Matrix and worth a watch. I've watched Halo: Fall of Reach six or seven times and I can't tell you what happens so try it perhaps? Hi Score Girl Weird anime homage to early arcades told through the relationship of a nerdy arcade kid and an aloof posh girl who is very good at video games but not allowed to play them at home. Watch if you you always wondered about turtling in Street Fighter 2 but didn't actually look it up in the last 30 years. Probably very nostalgic for 30 something Japanese gamers. Which isn't us.  Ingress the Animation I've impressed myself that I didn't miss this. Remember Ingress the AR mobile game that nobody had heard of  until it got a Pokemon Go reskin? No neither did I. Well apparently someone along the way believed so strongly in the Ingress vision that they commissioned an anime series in 2018. Really slow. Extremely Japanese. If the game was anything like this then we can understand why nobody has heard of it.  Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (NO LONGER AVAILABLE) This appears to have been pulled which is a shame as it was alright. Apparently, I'm reliably told the events of this film are really important to the context of the game and only told in this film. Errr tough anyway you missed it here.  Minecraft Story Mode Fuck off. Pacman and the Ghostly Adventures Perhaps takes the award for being the least relevant television tie-in ever. We got two seconds in before reaching for the revolver and the sweet release of a bullet kiss to the brain. All the tropes of Saturday morning cartoons with none of the charisma. Remarkably there's also a Halloween and Christmas Merry Berry short to make both of those holidays even more intolerable. Brilliant soundtrack though.   Pixels Probably the best worst video game related movie of all time. I'm not sure who the audience was when it came out and with each year gets more and more obscure. It stays the same amount of crap though which is a lot of crap.    Pokemon Want to watch only the first and last series of the anime and whatever random films seem to be on Netflix at the time? Knock yourself out. For us this is the UK being shit at commercialising this shit at its worst. Its very worst. The entirety of Pokemon has never been available in the UK at the same time ever. We never got VHS/DVD releases for most series or cinematic releases for some of the films. The Pokemon TV app frustratingly cycles episodes in and out and bizarrely Netflix is missing the middle 91 seasons and the first 38 films. It doesn't fucking matter anyway every episode is the same except the latest season where every episode is the same but set in a school BECAUSE WE'RE ALL CHILDREN AND WE FIND SCHOOL SUPER RELATABLE. There's also a creepy birthday video, hilariously with characters from a season otherwise not available on Netflix. Is it too much to ask to employ one person part-time to curate this shit? Rabbids Invasion File under striking whilst the iron is... you know what, I can't hate on the Rabbids. I really want to but honestly they're brilliant and most of their games are too. Probably brilliant. Strangely only the 4th season is available...?  Red Vs Blue The series that built the house of goofing around in games. Early seasons have not aged well at all. How did we put up with the awful sound and even worse 'plot'? 124 seasons of this madness though so if you're in palliative care and want to speed things along...   Resident Evil: Afterlife Hysterically, only the middle film is available serving the incredibly niche audience of people who like the Milaverse Resident Evil films but are four films behind.  Skylanders Academy Remember the smash hit wallet biting Toys to Life game series that ran itself and all the imitators into the ground from 2011 to 2016 and now fill attics and sheds the world over? Well now you can enjoy the 2018 animated series with all handfuls of your favourite characters. Set in a high school. There's also a weird 1 minute long happy birthday message thing that a lot of the kid's shows have done on Netflix so if you really hate your kid and want to let them know you should show them that on their birthday I guess.  Smosh the Movie Is this video games? They look cuntish enough to be Youtubers and this movie is exactly as awkward as you'd expect when Youtubers try to do something proper with make up, production values and nice cameras. Like that *cringes* Game Grumps series. Or when that *mega cringes* green haired kid did that Fortnite dance at that thing. Suggested watching if you're need that extra push to do the right thing and end yourself before it all gets a bit Fallouty round here. Sonic Boom This is the weird one that all the furries like. Tomb Raider I think the rebooted film before the current reboot? Is casting ladies from the North of the UK to be Lara Croft still a thing? In this movie Lara Croft, I kid you not, is a Deliveroo driver and... it does pick up from there but in a very formulaic and inoffensive kinda way. Video Game High School (NO LONGER AVAILABLE) And be fucking thankful. What if instead of lessons at school you played different video games? Live action series with hands down one of the worst cast of actors of all time. Ridiculous premise (which of course later sort of became real with several Universities running esports programmes) glad it got removed to be honest. Yokai Watch The new new Pokemon with 80% less appeal. Not 100% sure the game series is still going. Children's Shows and Toilet Contents So there we have it. No doubt there's a few I missed and some of this may have disappeared by the time you're reading this. A rich smorgasbord of children's cartoons and questionable content that got a pass because it's video games. At the time of writing, there's virtually no adult content and currently no documentaries. Which is a shame. If they wanted, Netflix could become the de facto place for curated traditionally produced gaming related content from Street Fighter live action movie and animated series, the CG Resident Evil Films, Pinball Wizard, King of Kong, Silent Hill one and two, the Dead Space films etc. etc. Instead it seems that they're content to maintain this weird ever changing half complete line up of irrelevant at launch factory manufactured kid's shows and single films from a series. Perhaps they are right though, there's no point competing with YouTube and Twitch which now host infinity hours worth of quality content that gamers are already spending millions of pounds on supporting. Is gaming mainstream yet? Looks like we need to wait until one of the grumpy white middle class hacks at the Guardian produces an op-ed on why they're giving up on Rabbids Invasion despite everyone at dinner parties talking about it or how Smosh the Movie made them bicurious one evening.  It's perhaps better to stay in the margins of the old media whilst defining new media (at a ripe young 40), after all REALLY PUNCHY FINISHER. Right?

http://www.thatguys.co.uk/2019/07/gaming-shit-on-netflix.html

[a-inky-wolf]

Inco's past....

(An Interview with Lusty and Inco)

Reader: *sits down in a chair and set recorder on the coffee table* *inner thoughts* Okay everything is set up, time to find out how Inco was created....You can come in now!

*Lusty slowly walks in and sits on the velet couch facing you*

Lusty: H-Hello

Reader: Hello Lusty, *starts recorder* All I want to know is, what made Inco who he is now?

*Lusty gulps hard then lets out a deep sigh*

Lusty: Well, From what he's told me, his first time here on earth...Wasn't the best first impression....

So....His Joey and Henry were making new toons for their Bendy, who was lonely at the time, so they made an Boris and Alice for him. When they were making him into a real toon, something went wrong...From what he heard, someone accedentily put both designs into the pentagram and out from the Ink Machine Inco flew out and slamed head-first into a wall, talk about being a toon from birth. He looked up to see a pentagram and freaked out, crawling along the floor until he was crudely picked up by his Joey, the first he remembered was the look of disgust on his Joey's face

*Inco walks in with a tray, a teapot some teabags, a milk jug, a sugar pot, a spoon and three cups sat on the tray. He placed them on the table and sat next to Lusty*

Inco: Well while we're here, I thought that I would make us some tea, do you want milk?

*He asked you as he filled a up with a cup with hot water and drops in a teabag, he stirs the water until it turns golden brown, squezzes the teabag into the cups and places in on the tray*

*You take the cup into your hands, carefull of the hot water*

Sure, thanks Inco...I was just asking your friend here about your past, may we can see from your ponit of view? If your okay with talking about it, of course

*He rubbed his arm, ears flat against his head, looking away. Lusty placed a hand on Inco's shoulder, a worried look on his face. Exhaling a deep breath, Inco took Lusty's hand in his hands, smiling softly*

Inco: It's about time I told someone what happened to me....

*Inco breathed in deeply then he let out a large breath*

Inco: Well, I continue from where Lusty felt off, Well, When Joey picked me he actually made a scoffing sound.

*Inco makes a large ball of fire and sets in down on the table, you look into it, it shows two men, one holding Inco by the scruff of his neck and the other who's arms are wrapped around his waist*

Voices from inside the fire ball: This is what I get?! Look at him, what a waste of Ink and my time" "Joey! Be nice! She was just born for god sake!" "I don't care! I wasted time on this mistake!

*He pulled the pup close to his face, scowling*

You're a MISTAKE! A ACCIDENT! YOU'RE NOTHING TO ME! I DON'T NEED YOU!

*He tossed the pup away, the pup's little body slamming against the wall, Henry ran over to the pup's body, small whimpers coming from the pup*

Shh~ It's okay, I'm here....Hmm, An angelic wolf, this could work, it's a nice twist

Inco: As you can see, the first moments of my life were....Overwhelming, to say the least.... *coughs slightly*

*You take a sip of tea, a worried look on your face as you watch the fire show another scene*

Inco: This was me at toddler age, meeting my Bendy for the first time, I have to admit, He was gorgeous when I first saw him.

*You smile softly as you stare into the fire ball, a smaller Inco trots behind Henry as they approach a demon sitting in a lounge chair, he puts a book down and smiles at the wolf pup who looks up at him, eyes wide and blushing*

Henry: Bendy, A little wolf would like to meet you, say hello to Inco! Your angelic wolf!

*Bendy picks up the pup and rests the pup in his lap, he takes the pup's little hand and plants a small kiss*

Bendy: Hello sweetie~ So, you're gonna be my enemy, I'd rather be your friend"

*The pup blushes and giggles, holding onto Bendy's hand. Henry smiles softly as Bendy plays with Inco, he turns to face Joey, who is scowling at Inco*

*Inco's smile turned bittersweet*

Inco: One of the rare happiest moments of my life....

*You shrink back at the next image that is shown, It's a dark room, lit only by candles, Joey is yelling and beating the now older Inco, who is crying out for help. Henry and Bendy bust the locked door down, Henry wrestles with Joey while Bendy tries to grab Inco, But Joey grabs Inco and holds a knife to his throat, Inco grabs onto Joey's arms, eyes filled with fear*

*You hide behind the cup, fearing for Inco's life*

Bendy: Joey! Don't do this! Don't kill her! Please!

Joey: What's the point in keeping this MISTAKE!? It does nothing but remind me of what I could have had!

*He drops Inco, who quickly crawls over to Bendy*

Bendy: Shh~ It's okay, It's okay...Shh~

*You breath a sigh of relief, You slowly take a sip of tea, you notice Inco tearing up slightly*

Reader: Hey, we can stop if you can't handle this....

Inco: No, it's okay, it's okay....We're coming up to the first time I fell in love

*You look as a new toon is walking around a garden*

*Inco is picking flowers and is making a flower crown when he looks to the new toon, leaning on a wall*

???: Hello~ Who let this angel outta Heaven?~

*Inco looked up and blushed*

*You smiled as you see a bunch of images of Inco and the toon playing together, becoming closer and having their first date*

Inco: This is Cada, he was a demon....My demon~ I fell hard for him, he was sweet, loving and kind, our first kiss was like kissing a cloud, I was on Cloud Nine~ It was Heaven...but sadly, Five years later, everything came crashing down

It was late, about 9:30 at night, I was hurriedly looking for Cada, who had been missing for three days. I walked into the Ink machine room and froze, Joey stood above Cada's dead body, a ink-covered knife in his hand, he laughed insanely as he turned to me. Something broke inside me, I got down on my hands and bolted towards Joey, claws and teeth rushing at him, I tore him to pieces.

Reader: Oh my god, what happened next?

*Lusty held Inco's hand, tears formed in his eyes*

Reader: Do you need a break? I don't mind

Inco: No, no It's okay...

*He wipes his eyes and sighs loudly*

Inco: I snapped out of my anger and scrabbled over to Cada's body, I checked for a pulse, none, a heartbeat, none....He was dead, I howled in pain as I felt my heart break, then I had a idea, Using Joey's blood, I made a pentagram and I made a portal to Hell itself, I cradled Cada's body in my arms as I walked through hell, I saw thing beyond your worst nightmares, I finally reached the Devil himself, he leaned over me, a amused look on his face.

The Devil: Now~ What is an angel doing in hell?~

Inco: I want you to bring Cada back! Please....Bring him back!...I need him back

!

The Devil: Are you making a deal with me?

Inco: YES, I AM!

The Devil: Calm down, sweet heart~

*He held out his hand to Inco*

Inco: If I give you my soul, will you bring Cada back?

The Devil: Yes, I will

*Inco took The Devil's hand and shook it, he felt his soul fly out of his body and into The Devil's hand, taking the form of a ball of fire*

Inco: He slowly rose from the ground, At first he had no idea where he was, he staggter towards me. I held onto him, crying tears of joy but that slowly faded as he turned away from me and walked over to The Devil

Inco: He sat on The Devil's lap, laughing at me. I just stared at him....

*You look inside the fire ball*

Inco: Wha...Cada? Why?! I thought you loved me.....

Cada: Oh, poor little angel~ Did you think I ever loved you? I love this big guy right here, not some angel, Sorry sweetie~

Inco: But...I gave up my soul for you! I love you, Cada!

Cada: Aww~ Welp, Devil sweetie?

The Devil: Yes, My little demon?~

Cada: Can I eat her soul? I'm so hungry

The Devil: Of course you can~

*You watch as the demon grabbed the soul and put it in his mouth*

*Inco fell to his knees, crying as his soul was eaten infront of him*

Inco: So what now? I just stay here so I can be tormented by seeing you two together forever?

The Devil: No, I'm sending you back up, See you, sweetheart

Inco: And with that, I was sent back up, without a soul, I passed out. Henry then walked in. He ran over to me and held me in his arms, wrapping me in a blanket, he ran out of the studio and headed for here, The Devil's den.

Reader: So then, Lusty, can we hear your side of the story?

*Lusty held onto Inco's hand, handing him a tissue*

Lusty: Well...Me and her creator didn't have a good relationship, I was okay with Henry but Joey...I wanted to kill him.

Lusty: It was storming outside, Feather and Nimbus were upstairs, Crimson, Tiamo and I were downstairs making dinner when I heard frantic knocking on the front door. I walked over to it, opened it and there he was, drenched in rain, a bundle of cloth in his arms.

*You look into the fire, feeling sad and worried for Inco's life*

Lusty: Henry? What's wrong? Wait....Is that?.....What happened to Inco?!

Henry: Inco's....Not breathing! I....I think he's dead! Help me....Please...

Lusty: *sighs*

Okay, Come in, we'll try our best....Crimson, Tiamo...It's Inco

*The two other demons looked shocked and scared, one walked up to Lusty and Henry*

Tiamo: Can I see Inco for a second?

Henry: O-Of course...

*He lays the bundle down, wrapping the blanket shows Inco, still, covered in blood*

*Tiamo places two fingers on Inco's neck...No pulse, he puts his head to Inco's chest....No heartbeat*

Tiamo: Something's not right.....

*His hands light up with a dark red glow, he places a hand on Inco's chest....He frowns*

Henry: W....What's wrong?

*Tiamo gets up, he crosses his arms still frowning, Lusty kneels next to Inco, placing a hand on Inco head*

Tiamo: He has no soul...What happened?

Henry: I don't know...I found him like this...Next to Joey's dead body...

*Tiamo paced back and forth before looking to Lusty, who reals back*

Lusty: He...Sold his soul to The devil to bring back his true love but, his love betrayed him, choosing the devil instead of him, I know what to do.

*He went to the kitchen, opening a drawer he took out a large knife. Henry picked Inco up and followed Lusty, He walked into another room, it was large like a theatre, the floor was jet black and sparkling. He stood in the middle of the room, Gritting his teeth he cut his arm. He then drew a pentagram in the middle of the floor, adding some symbols into it*

*Herny looked slightly*

Henry: What do those symbols mean?

Lusty: Their Lust demon symbols, it's to call our version of the devil

*Lusty walked over to Henry and gently took Inco's body into his arms, he stood infront of the glowing pentagram. A larger demon rose from it. Lusty got on his knees, bowing his head in respect*

*The demon walked toward Lusty, knelling infront of him. A sombre look on his face as he tilted Lusty's head up*

Lust Devil: What has happened to this angel?

Lusty: He...He sold his soul to bring his lover back but sadly. He was betrayed....Now, he's soulless

Lust Devil: Poor thing~ I was talking to my brother, the true devil, and he told me that the soul his new pet ate wasn't his soul, he gave me a small shard of it...Here, take it

*The demon held out his hand, a petal-like object floated in his hand, Lusty took it and pressed it into Inco's chest*

Lust Devil: I wish I could do more...Can I make a deal with you?

Lusty: Is there a catch to it?

Lust Devil: A slight one... A piece of Inco's soul will come back, when he has a good relationship weather it was romantic or platonic. If he find a new love, his soul will fully returned.

*Inco slowly woke up, feeling weak he leaned against Lusty*

Inco: L-Lusty, where am I? And who is this?

*You look up from the ball, Inco was resting in Lusty's lap, softly crying while Lusty strokes his head*

Reader: Is he okay, we can stop if we need to...

*Inco shakes his head, still crying*

Lusty: Don't push yourself sweetie~ Let me tell the rest of the tale...

Lusty: So, when I explained what was happening and what Henry had told me, I held him up and my version of the devil retold him the deal, telling him he only had a shard of his soul.

He was told that his soul was broken up in 100 pieces. 99 were left, Inco, me and the other had a sibling -like relationship, so one shard equals five people in total.

Inco shook his hand, the glow lost from his eyes. My devil looked him in the eyes, tilting his head up and holding his hand.

Lust Devil: Look at me sweetie~ Just because you're a demon, doesn't mean you're a monster~ You're like Lusty, you can have as many lovers as you want. And you can fall in love over and over again~ It's a demon's dream! But I will give you one angelic thing that you may have lost, Your wings right?

Lusty: He nodded, hugging his arms. My devil waved a hand over his back. A large pair of charcoal wings formed on his back.

He smiled softly. Feeling a little better about himself.

*Inco sat up and stretched his wings slightly, the wings looked a little torn but mostly intact*

*You smile softly, wanting to hug the poor thing sitting infront of you*

Lusty: When my devil left, Henry hugged Inco tight, He was so happy to have he's wolf back. He asked Inco to come home with him. But Inco said no, he asked why and Inco said, "I'm a demon now, not an angel. I belong with demons now...And besides, I don't think a Lust demon in your home would be a good idea"

Reader: So, that's happened? How are things now?

Inco: Things are better now, I've gotten used to the fact that I'm a demon who feeds off of a living being's Lust and desires. I haven't found a lover yet but I can wait forever for that to happen.

Lusty: Well, me and the rest of Devil's crew are like one big family, well kinda...But that's for another time *laughs*

Reader: So, you now live here?

Inco: Yeah, but it's way better than my birthplace, Crimson and Tiamo packed up the rest of my stuff and brought it here so I could feel more at home. I feel safe here.... It actually feels like a home and some studio that I was born into....I get nightmares about my past, sometimes I get flashbacks and they cause me to...Let's just say..."Lose the plot"

*He laughs nervously, rubbing his arm while Lusty hugs him from behind*

*You stop the recording tape*

Reader: Thank you for your time, I won't ask you anymore

*You leave the underground club that leads out to a alleyway*

*You go home to think about what you have learned*

If you want to see where this was originally posted

http://silverfangil36.deviantart.com/

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

COTW - 14 update

Eren felt revolted with himself. The pup inside of barely looked human., the growth was terrifying to see on screen. His first thought was that the tiny pup looked like some kind of mutant, his heart racing as he wondered if the little life was in pain. It was so much smaller than their sibling, the guilt too much as looked from the screen. Yet the image was burned into his mind. He didn't know what to do now. He hated himself for thinking Levi's child looked so disturbing and disgusting, especially when Levi was so in love with them. His alpha wanted these pups so badly, but everyone was talking aborting, and making plans for his future without him. He didn't want to hear it anymore. He knew he was a bad omega... that's how they made it seem. Females and female omegas got sympathy from the staff discussing his case, while he just felt shunned. Judged over his dynamic... They might be awesome at their jobs, they wouldn't be at the hospital if they weren't, but he felt so dirty. Levi would be furious if he told him, so he hadn't. The staff were so much more politer to Levi about everything. They'd explained it to him, and possibly outcomes. Treating Levi like an equal, because there was no way at all an omega could understand anything. They could all fuck off. He hadn't even been able spend New Year's night with Viren. He'd been forced to finish Anna's birthday present in hospital, where they didn't appreciate his arts and crafts project. He'd bought the girl a proper high quality gold locket, it was large for her size, but knowing she'd grow into it. The project they hadn't like was when he'd carefully sealed two small photos with a water proof coating. One photo was of Anna just after her birth, while the other was from the photo of Moblit from the night of his 20th birthday when they'd all been so happy. Moblit might be gone, but he know how fiercely he would loved her. He wanted to make sure Anna knew that every single day of her life. Levi's gift to the little girl was paying for her ears to be pierced, not that his alpha knew. Levi would have probably tried to gift her cleaning supplies if he could have. Hardly the right gift for a four year old who was a total little miss. After 8 long days in hospital, he was finally released. In his opinion it was 8 days too many, and he definitely wasn't going to miss being there. Hanji had come to see him after his blow up, but he just wasn't ready to talk to her about it. He didn't want her apology, or her forcing a conversation about everything but the pup. He'd wanted more time to figure out everything with Levi. Levi was the father after all. Levi talked to him like he had brain cells. With Levi "supporting" him into their apartment, he was beyond relieved to be back home. Viren running ahead of them to jump on the sofa, sending Titan running with his happy yelling. Their son having decided that he wanted to wear pyjamas all day, or at least that was what Levi told him when he they'd come to pick him up. All Eren wanted was a shower and 10 years worth of sleep in his own bed. The stupid clean smell of the hospital had left him feeling nauseous for days. It wasn't the same smell as when Levi cleaned the apartment, and his alpha's scent wasn't there to push everything else away "I have a split shift, so I'll be out from 6 to 12, is there anything you want?" "A shower. Then some sleep..." "Do you want a hand?" Nope. He didn't want Levi looking at his body or his stomach. He didn't want anyone looking at his body or his stomach "No. I'll be ok. Why don't you spend some time with Viren? If I take a nap, I should be alright to sit up with him tonight" "I don't mind putting him to bed before I head out" It might not have been Levi's intention to make him feel like the alpha didn't think he could handle their son, but his omega went right there. He'd missed Viren so much, and really wanted to rest so he having extra long cuddles with his son. Finding himself nodding, Levi kissed him on the cheek "I put fresh towels in the bathroom for you, and I remade our bed" "I'm sorry. I think I want to take a nap in my old room... I'm just..." "No. It's ok. You do whatever you need to. There's something I need to talk to you about, but it can wait" You don't just tell someone that, then end it with "but it can wait". It was as bad as "We need to talk". What the hell was supposed to do with this piece of information now? Was Levi not under the impression that he was only mimicking a functional human being, when in reality, he was dead on his feet? He couldn't do the words, let alone the adulting. At least not until he'd showered and gotten every bit of shitty hospital scent off. Did Levi not know how much he was looking forward to not having to shower using a shower chair, under the supervision of a nurse because they thought he was going run off through the hospital naked? He wasn't actually sure if that was what they thought, he just didn't appreciate the hovering "Eren?" "Sorry. I'm too tired to think" "It's alright. Go take a shower, and get some sleep. It's nice to have you home" Nice. Not "Welcome back to where you belong". Fuck. He'd missed his omega, and the constant love it filled him with his for children. Now it could kindly fuck off again. It only had one job and that was more of a background feeling that the had push past its constant insecurities to feel. Now that he was home, it'd be easier to hide his thoughts and feelings from Levi. Levi had work. He had Viren to distract him, and Titan. He missed the fat cat, and had gone overboard with Christmas presents. Titan had been gifted a new grooming brush, new collar, a new tag, a new water bowl that was a fountain so he always had fresh water, a new feeding station, a new bed, and new scratching post. Levi has teased him for it all, but he couldn't help it. Levi's overweight tom was probably his best friend, as he was so much easier to deal with than people were. Cuddles, pats and food. He liked the exact same things, and Titan was just the right size to be warm and comforting as he slept back to back with him, or tried to wedge himself above the swell of Eren's stomach, and below the pile of pillows Eren liked to use. Starting to walk across the room, Levi closed the door with enough force that he flinched "Sorry, it slipped. Before I forget, I left your mail in your room for you. I think there was a package and few envelopes" "Thanks. I'll look at them later" He didn't remember ordering anything, not that he could remember much of anything... fuck... it was definitely bed time. * Viren had come climbing into his bed on his own. Eren had thought sleep would be easy to find, but the moment his head hit the pillow, his mind decided it wanted to be wide awake. His thoughts running circles as he attempted to get comfortable. If anything, his bed was too comfortable, his body melting into the softness of his blankets, and the comfort of familiar scents. Pulling his son to him, he pressed kisses to Viren's hair. The boy was beautiful. Everything about him was so perfect, even if things had been strained between them, he could never hate him "Hey, baby. Have you been having fun with daddy?" "Daddy let me wear my pyjamas!" His son sounded so damn proud of the fact "Did he?" "Yep! And we watched 'toons!" "You love your "toons", don't you baby. What about Anna, have you been playing with her?" "She's a girl" "Yep. She sure is... where's daddy now?" "Daddy's in the food" So daddy was in the kitchen. Ok "And you thought you'd come see mummy. You know what that means?" Viren looked at him wide eyes "Kisses!" "Mummy! Nooooo!" Blowing raspberries on Viren's cheeks, his son screamed with laughter. So loud that Levi came to check "Viren, I told you not to disturb mummy. Sorry, Eren. I'll take him" But... cuddles. Viren would probably get demanding soon, but this was nice "He's alright" "You need your rest" "I am resting" "Viren, come to daddy" Daddy was still his favourite, yet Viren was sweet enough to look torn "It's ok baby, you go with daddy" "Mum?" "If you stay with mummy, there's going to be more kisses" Pursing his lips, his son squealed in anticipation. Kissing at the hands that tried to push him away, Viren managed to kick up and against his chest "Viren!" Scolding him, Viren was confused by his father's tone. Sure it'd hurt, but his son hadn't meant it. Tears welled in Viren's grey eyes "It's ok baby. You didn't hurt mummy" "I'm sorry!" "No. No, baby..." Wiggling away from his hold, Viren started to cry the boy stubbornly climbing off the bed to run off past Levi "Did you have to scold him like that?" "You're supposed to be resting" "I was having cuddles with Viren, not running a marathon!" "Don't get mad at me for worrying about you" "I'm in bed. I'm resting. Viren just wanted a cuddle and I wanted to give him kisses" Coming running back, Viren had his favourite teddy in his hold. Ignoring Levi, the little boy climbed back on the bed, shoving the bear in Eren face "Mummy!" "Hello, Mister Bear..." "Mister Bear wants to make mummy better..." Eren heart melted "Thank you baby, but I think Mister Bear is telling me he wants to be with you" Viren beamed at him, even with tear tracks down his face "We can share. Just this once though" "Ok baby. Mummy is going to have a sleep, do you want to stay with me? Or go with daddy?" Viren looked to his teddy, nodding as if it was talking to him "I want to stay with mummy" Ha. Suck it, Levi! "Ok, here we go, come curl up with mummy. Mummy missed you" Shifting the blankets, Viren moved into his hold. Mister Bear between them "I guess I'll go then... I'll be home a little longer, if you need anything" "We'll be fine" "Call if you do. Seriously, you need to be resting" "Levi, it's fine. I can handle a three year old who wants cuddles" What he couldn't handle was a 40 year alpha who was hovering as if he really couldn't handle their toddler. Blocking Levi out, Eren leaned over and pressed a kiss to Viren's forehead, surprised when the boy returned the gesture. This was far better medicine than anything he'd had in hospital. * Levi was at work when Viren had woken him, his son shaking him awake to tell him he didn't want to go to sleep. What did it matter if Viren didn't want to sleep? He'd stayed for cuddles until he was content to run off, and now he wanted more cuddles again... he'd take them, even when they were an excuse not to go to bed. Lifting his son, Eren carried him out the sofa, dropping Viren down in the corner with a smile "Did daddy give you ice cream?" Viren shook his head. It didn't really matter if he had. He wanted ice cream and Viren didn't want to sleep. They had hours until Levi came home again "Do you want sprinkles? Or chocolate?" Viren hummed as if he were considering his options, when they both knew what it was going to be "Both!" Yep. He knew it "Ok baby. Give mummy a second" A second might have been a generous understatement. First he had to use the bathroom, then he had to make sure Titan had his wet food, and that there was water in his fountain, followed by checking the fridge for fruit. He had no idea why Levi insisted on storing the banana's in the fridge. They lived on the bench, in their bowl, where they were remembered. It was their home... not the bottom shelf of the fridge where they didn't belong "Muuuuum?" "Give me a sec baby!" Fuck it. He couldn't remember if he's ever had a banana split, or at least one like in the movies, but he was sure Viren hadn't. They had to be slightly healthy, right?. Nuts, dairy and fruit... and chocolate... oh... fuck it. It was worth it if it made Viren happy. They could all use some happiness in their lives. Settling down with Viren, the two of the shared the banana split as they watched Viren's choice in movies, something with super heroes he didn't know. Usually he was stuck with Anna's choice. She'd try and sit through the things Viren liked, but the moment there was a break, the program was changed before they knew what happened. The only time it didn't happen is when Eren had hold of the remote. Sitting with his legs along the sofa, Viren on his thighs, and his stomach as the table, both he and Viren jumped at the knock on the front door "Daddy!" It was too soon for Levi to be home. Scrambling off his lap, the toddler went running to the front door. He hasn't conquered the lock yet, so all he could do was hold the knob with both hands and swing against it impatiently "Mum!" "Mum's too fat to rush. Hold on" Stupid stomach. Being a table was about all it was good for... he couldn't stand it. And he couldn't cope with his hate for it, as one pup in there was still doing just fine. Knocking again, Eren was ready to ignore it completely. All their friends should know better than to knock twice, in his current condition, and delivery people didn't come this late at night. Levi had made dinner, so it definitely wasn't pizza. Hitching the chain on, he flicked the bolt round so Viren could open the door. Shooting him an annoyed glare, his son wasn't happy that it didn't open all the way. Forced to poke his head around the corner, his son huffed "You're not my daddy" The toddler than shutting the door in the face of their visitor "Viren..." He couldn't be mad at the boy for his bad manners, not when he wanted to do the same. Opening the door, he sighed, prepared to apologise for Viren's behaviour "Hello, Eren. It's been a while. I'm hoping we can talk" His first instinct was to slam the door in Floch's face. "A while" had been over two years. A while" hadn't been long enough "Eren, did you get the letter?" "What letter?" His voice was sky high, confused as fuck... and leading to Floch raising an eyebrow "Sorry. I've been in hospital since... well, a while" "I'm sorry to call so late. But when I didn't hear back from you, I thought it best I come tell you that you've been summonsed to appear" "Hold on. I have no idea what you're talking about" "I'm talking about the Karanes Incident. Look, can I come in? It's easier than doing this through the door" "Levi isn't home right now..." It was just him and Viren. He didn't need a panic attack, or his nosy three year old hearing anything "I did try to keep you out of it, but the trials going ahead. It starts in two weeks time, which means there's a lot to cover" Floch wasn't listening him. Why was he so shocked that an alpha wouldn't listen to him in his own home? "Hold on. Let me do the chain... Viren's just had sugar... He's either going to ignore you, or have a tantrum... you've got shit timing. I just got out today..." Talking more to himself, in an attempt to clam down, than to Floch, Eren closed the front door. Once again tempted to leave it closed. Karanes was years ago... Letting Floch in, Viren wasn't happy about it. His son refusing to go to bed, or to watch TV when there was a stranger in their house. Lowering himself down into a dining chair, he couldn't help but shy away as Floch's eyes drifted to his stomach "Congratulations" "This isn't about that..." "Viren..." "Floch. You're not here to discuss my personal life. I've been in hospital since just before the New Year, and now you're showing up on my doorstep. What is all this about?" "You don't need to be on guard" "Excuse me. I haven't seen you in years. I would have been fine without seeing you ever again. What is this trial? You said it wouldn't go to trial" "Because I didn't think it would. When the Church fell apart, the fall out was huge. Ministers. Politicians. Police. Their influence was wide spread" "I know that. Probably better than you do" Floch disregarded his curt words "One of the politicians is kicking up trouble in order to clear his name. The case is against both the Karanes and Shinganshima Police Departments" "And how does this relate to me?" "You are the son of Grisha Yeager. We know he worked for them for over a decade. It was you, and he, who destroyed the compound" "We both know..." "That you were involved. He's determined to show that the statement you provided, is nothing more than speculation" "So he needs someone to blame?" "Unfortunately. We did know there was a chance of this going to trial, and we attempted to keep you out of it. But as the only one who was actually there... if he can discredit you, he feels it'll go a long way to overturning the charges against him and his friends" "And if I don't testify?" "You risk being arrested" "I'm sorry. But I can't. I've got too much going on here" "Eren, he could walk" "And I'm pregnant. There's things in this world that we can't change" "Eren" "I gave you my statement. If they have questions, can't you just like... forward them on?" "His defence team is going to want to talk to you" "I can't do it" "Eren..." "I can't! Ok! I can't and I won't. I've been trying my hardest to forget all of it. Zeke. Grisha. Reiner. Bertholdt. All of it! I just want to be left alone" Rubbing his stomach as pain flared across it, he wanted Floch out "Eren. You've been summonsed" "And what? I'm an omega. We both know how that works" "That's why I tried to keep you out of it" Ouch. Yeah. No. Floch had to go. Rising to his feet, he glared down at Floch "I told you everything I knew. You have my statement. You have Levi's statement. Viren and Levi both nearly died from what happened. I will not let anyone hurt my family like that again" "If you don't testify, these people will be walking free" "They're not people. They're shit in human skins" "Then you should know we can let them get away with this. I've brought some photos, if you can identify any of them..." "It's been three and a half years! Nearly 4..." "You just have to look" "Leave my mummy alone!" Yelling at Floch, Floch didn't care. Placing down the file he'd brought with him, he placed it down in front of Eren. Eren sliding it back as he held one arm out, Viren not moving to his hold "Viren. Baby. It's ok" "You upset my mum..." "Viren, it's ok. He's leaving" His son continued to glare "I'll leave this with you. And give you the night to think this over, and to talk to Levi about it" "I'm not going to change my answer" "There's actually a copy of your statement in there. Read it. Think about it. Then we'll discuss those photos"

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

COTW - 14 start

Eren felt revolted with himself. The pup inside of barely looked human., the growth was terrifying to see on screen. His first thought was that the tiny pup looked like some kind of mutant, his heart racing as he wondered if the little life was in pain. It was so much smaller than their sibling, the guilt too much as looked from the screen. Yet the image was burned into his mind. He didn't know what to do now. He hated himself for thinking Levi's child looked so disturbing and disgusting, especially when Levi was so in love with them. His alpha wanted these pups so badly, but everyone was talking aborting, and making plans for his future without him. He didn't want to hear it anymore. He knew he was a bad omega... that's how they made it seem. Females and female omegas got sympathy from the staff discussing his case, while he just felt shunned. Judged over his dynamic... They might be awesome at their jobs, they wouldn't be at the hospital if they weren't, but he felt so dirty. Levi would be furious if he told him, so he hadn't. The staff were so much more politer to Levi about everything. They'd explained it to him, and possibly outcomes. Treating Levi like an equal, because there was no way at all an omega could understand anything. They could all fuck off. He hadn't even been able spend New Year's night with Viren. He'd been forced to finish Anna's birthday present in hospital, where they didn't appreciate his arts and crafts project. He'd bought the girl a proper high quality gold locket, it was large for her size, but knowing she'd grow into it. The project they hadn't like was when he'd carefully sealed two small photos with a water proof coating. One photo was of Anna just after her birth, while the other was from the photo of Moblit from the night of his 20th birthday when they'd all been so happy. Moblit might be gone, but he know how fiercely he would loved her. He wanted to make sure Anna knew that every single day of her life. Levi's gift to the little girl was paying for her ears to be pierced, not that his alpha knew. Levi would have probably tried to gift her cleaning supplies if he could have. Hardly the right gift for a four year old who was a total little miss. After 8 long days in hospital, he was finally released. In his opinion it was 8 days too many, and he definitely wasn't going to miss being there. Hanji had come to see him after his blow up, but he just wasn't ready to talk to her about it. He didn't want her apology, or her forcing a conversation about everything but the pup. He'd wanted more time to figure out everything with Levi. Levi was the father after all. Levi talked to him like he had brain cells. With Levi "supporting" him into their apartment, he was beyond relieved to be back home. Viren running ahead of them to jump on the sofa, sending Titan running with his happy yelling. Their son having decided that he wanted to wear pyjamas all day, or at least that was what Levi told him when he they'd come to pick him up. All Eren wanted was a shower and 10 years worth of sleep in his own bed. The stupid clean smell of the hospital had left him feeling nauseous for days. It wasn't the same smell as when Levi cleaned the apartment, and his alpha's scent wasn't there to push everything else away "I have a split shift, so I'll be out from 6 to 12, is there anything you want?" "A shower. Then some sleep..." "Do you want a hand?" Nope. He didn't want Levi looking at his body or his stomach. He didn't want anyone looking at his body or his stomach "No. I'll be ok. Why don't you spend some time with Viren? If I take a nap, I should be alright to sit up with him tonight" "I don't mind putting him to bed before I head out" It might not have been Levi's intention to make him feel like the alpha didn't think he could handle their son, but his omega went right there. He'd missed Viren so much, and really wanted to rest so he having extra long cuddles with his son. Finding himself nodding, Levi kissed him on the cheek "I put fresh towels in the bathroom for you, and I remade our bed" "I'm sorry. I think I want to take a nap in my old room... I'm just..." "No. It's ok. You do whatever you need to. There's something I need to talk to you about, but it can wait" You don't just tell someone that, then end it with "but it can wait". It was as bad as "We need to talk". What the hell was supposed to do with this piece of information now? Was Levi not under the impression that he was only mimicking a functional human being, when in reality, he was dead on his feet? He couldn't do the words, let alone the adulting. At least not until he'd showered and gotten every bit of shitty hospital scent off. Did Levi not know how much he was looking forward to not having to shower using a shower chair, under the supervision of a nurse because they thought he was going run off through the hospital naked? He wasn't actually sure if that was what they thought, he just didn't appreciate the hovering "Eren?" "Sorry. I'm too tired to think" "It's alright. Go take a shower, and get some sleep. It's nice to have you home" Nice. Not "Welcome back to where you belong". Fuck. He'd missed his omega, and the constant love it filled him with his for children. Now it could kindly fuck off again. It only had one job and that was more of a background feeling that the had push past its constant insecurities to feel. Now that he was home, it'd be easier to hide his thoughts and feelings from Levi. Levi had work. He had Viren to distract him, and Titan. He missed the fat cat, and had gone overboard with Christmas presents. Titan had been gifted a new grooming brush, new collar, a new tag, a new water bowl that was a fountain so he always had fresh water, a new feeding station, a new bed, and new scratching post. Levi has teased him for it all, but he couldn't help it. Levi's overweight tom was probably his best friend, as he was so much easier to deal with than people were. Cuddles, pats and food. He liked the exact same things, and Titan was just the right size to be warm and comforting as he slept back to back with him, or tried to wedge himself above the swell of Eren's stomach, and below the pile of pillows Eren liked to use. Starting to walk across the room, Levi closed the door with enough force that he flinched "Sorry, it slipped. Before I forget, I left your mail in your room for you. I think there was a package and few envelopes" "Thanks. I'll look at them later" He didn't remember ordering anything, not that he could remember much of anything... fuck... it was definitely bed time. * Viren had come climbing into his bed on his own. Eren had thought sleep would be easy to find, but the moment his head hit the pillow, his mind decided it wanted to be wide awake. His thoughts running circles as he attempted to get comfortable. If anything, his bed was too comfortable, his body melting into the softness of his blankets, and the comfort of familiar scents. Pulling his son to him, he pressed kisses to Viren's hair. The boy was beautiful. Everything about him was so perfect, even if things had been strained between them, he could never hate him "Hey, baby. Have you been having fun with daddy?" "Daddy let me wear my pyjamas!" His son sounded so damn proud of the fact "Did he?" "Yep! And we watched 'toons!" "You love your "toons", don't you baby. What about Anna, have you been playing with her?" "She's a girl" "Yep. She sure is... where's daddy now?" "Daddy's in the food" So daddy was in the kitchen. Ok "And you thought you'd come see mummy. You know what that means?" Viren looked at him wide eyes "Kisses!" "Mummy! Nooooo!" Blowing raspberries on Viren's cheeks, his son screamed with laughter. So loud that Levi came to check "Viren, I told you not to disturb mummy. Sorry, Eren. I'll take him" But... cuddles. Viren would probably get demanding soon, but this was nice "He's alright" "You need your rest" "I am resting" "Viren, come to daddy" Daddy was still his favourite, yet Viren was sweet enough to look torn "It's ok baby, you go with daddy" "Mum?" "If you stay with mummy, there's going to be more kisses" Pursing his lips, his son squealed in anticipation. Kissing at the hands that tried to push him away, Viren managed to kick up and against his chest "Viren!" Scolding him, Viren was confused by his father's tone. Sure it'd hurt, but his son hadn't meant it. Tears welled in Viren's grey eyes "It's ok baby. You didn't hurt mummy" "I'm sorry!" "No. No, baby..." Wiggling away from his hold, Viren started to cry the boy stubbornly climbing off the bed to run off past Levi "Did you have to scold him like that?" "You're supposed to be resting" "I was having cuddles with Viren, not running a marathon!" "Don't get mad at me for worrying about you" "I'm in bed. I'm resting. Viren just wanted a cuddle and I wanted to give him kisses" Coming running back, Viren had his favourite teddy in his hold. Ignoring Levi, the little boy climbed back on the bed, shoving the bear in Eren face "Mummy!" "Hello, Mister Bear..." "Mister Bear wants to make mummy better..." Eren heart melted "Thank you baby, but I think Mister Bear is telling me he wants to be with you" Viren beamed at him, even with tear tracks down his face "We can share. Just this once though" "Ok baby. Mummy is going to have a sleep, do you want to stay with me? Or go with daddy?" Viren looked to his teddy, nodding as if it was talking to him "I want to stay with mummy" Ha. Suck it, Levi! "Ok, here we go, come curl up with mummy. Mummy missed you" Shifting the blankets, Viren moved into his hold. Mister Bear between them "I guess I'll go then... I'll be home a little longer, if you need anything" "We'll be fine" "Call if you do. Seriously, you need to be resting" "Levi, it's fine. I can handle a three year old who wants cuddles" What he couldn't handle was a 40 year alpha who was hovering as if he really couldn't handle their toddler. Blocking Levi out, Eren leaned over and pressed a kiss to Viren's forehead, surprised when the boy returned the gesture. This was far better medicine than anything he'd had in hospital.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

COTW 14 - I should probably start writing something today

Eren felt revolted with himself. The pup inside of barely looked human., the growth was terrifying to see on screen. His first thought was that the tiny pup looked like some kind of mutant, his heart racing as he wondered if the little life was in pain. It was so much smaller than their sibling, the guilt too much as looked from the screen. Yet the image was burned into his mind. He didn't know what to do now. He hated himself for thinking Levi's child looked so disturbing and disgusting, especially when Levi was so in love with them. His alpha wanted these pups so badly, but everyone was talking aborting, and making plans for his future without him. He didn't want to hear it anymore. He knew he was a bad omega... that's how they made it seem. Females and female omegas got sympathy from the staff discussing his case, while he just felt shunned. Judged over his dynamic... They might be awesome at their jobs, they wouldn't be at the hospital if they weren't, but he felt so dirty. Levi would be furious if he told him, so he hadn't. The staff were so much more politer to Levi about everything. They'd explained it to him, and possibly outcomes. Treating Levi like an equal, because there was no way at all an omega could understand anything. They could all fuck off. He hadn't even been able spend New Year's night with Viren. He'd been forced to finish Anna's birthday present in hospital, where they didn't appreciate his arts and crafts project. He'd bought the girl a proper high quality gold locket, it was large for her size, but knowing she'd grow into it. The project they hadn't like was when he'd carefully sealed two small photos with a water proof coating. One photo was of Anna just after her birth, while the other was from the photo of Moblit from the night of his 20th birthday when they'd all been so happy. Moblit might be gone, but he know how fiercely he would loved her. He wanted to make sure Anna knew that every single day of her life. Levi's gift to the little girl was paying for her ears to be pierced, not that his alpha knew. Levi would have probably tried to gift her cleaning supplies if he could have. Hardly the right gift for a four year old who was a total little miss. After 8 long days in hospital, he was finally released. In his opinion it was 8 days too many, and he definitely wasn't going to miss being there. Hanji had come to see him after his blow up, but he just wasn't ready to talk to her about it. He didn't want her apology, or her forcing a conversation about everything but the pup. He'd wanted more time to figure out everything with Levi. Levi was the father after all. Levi talked to him like he had brain cells. With Levi "supporting" him into their apartment, he was beyond relieved to be back home. Viren running ahead of them to jump on the sofa, sending Titan running with his happy yelling. Their son having decided that he wanted to wear pyjamas all day, or at least that was what Levi told him when he they'd come to pick him up. All Eren wanted was a shower and 10 years worth of sleep in his own bed. The stupid clean smell of the hospital had left him feeling nauseous for days. It wasn't the same smell as when Levi cleaned the apartment, and his alpha's scent wasn't there to push everything else away "I have a split shift, so I'll be out from 6 to 12, is there anything you want?" "A shower. Then some sleep..." "Do you want a hand?" Nope. He didn't want Levi looking at his body or his stomach. He didn't want anyone looking at his body or his stomach "No. I'll be ok. Why don't you spend some time with Viren? If I take a nap, I should be alright to sit up with him tonight" "I don't mind putting him to bed before I head out" It might not have been Levi's intention to make him feel like the alpha didn't think he could handle their son, but his omega went right there. He'd missed Viren so much, and really wanted to rest so he having extra long cuddles with his son. Finding himself nodding, Levi kissed him on the cheek "I put fresh towels in the bathroom for you, and I remade our bed" "I'm sorry. I think I want to take a nap in my old room... I'm just..." "No. It's ok. You do whatever you need to. There's something I need to talk to you about, but it can wait" You don't just tell someone that, then end it with "but it can wait". It was as bad as "We need to talk". What the hell was supposed to do with this piece of information now? Was Levi not under the impression that he was only mimicking a functional human being, when in reality, he was dead on his feet? He couldn't do the words, let alone the adulting. At least not until he'd showered and gotten every bit of shitty hospital scent off. Did Levi not know how much he was looking forward to not having to shower using a shower chair, under the supervision of a nurse because they thought he was going run off through the hospital naked? He wasn't actually sure if that was what they thought, he just didn't appreciate the hovering "Eren?" "Sorry. I'm too tired to think" "It's alright. Go take a shower, and get some sleep. It's nice to have you home" Nice. Not "Welcome back to where you belong". Fuck. He'd missed his omega, and the constant love it filled him with his for children. Now it could kindly fuck off again. It only had one job and that was more of a background feeling that the had push past its constant insecurities to feel. Now that he was home, it'd be easier to hide his thoughts and feelings from Levi. Levi had work. He had Viren to distract him, and Titan. He missed the fat cat, and had gone overboard with Christmas presents. Titan had been gifted a new grooming brush, new collar, a new tag, a new water bowl that was a fountain so he always had fresh water, a new feeding station, a new bed, and new scratching post. Levi has teased him for it all, but he couldn't help it. Levi's overweight tom was probably his best friend, as he was so much easier to deal with than people were. Cuddles, pats and food. He liked the exact same things, and Titan was just the right size to be warm and comforting as he slept back to back with him, or tried to wedge himself above the swell of Eren's stomach, and below the pile of pillows Eren liked to use. Starting to walk across the room, Levi closed the door with enough force that he flinched "Sorry, it slipped. Before I forget, I left your mail in your room for you. I think there was a package and few envelopes" "Thanks. I'll look at them later" He didn't remember ordering anything, not that he could remember much of anything... fuck... it was definitely bed time. * Viren had come climbing into his bed on his own. Eren had thought sleep would be easy to find, but the moment his head hit the pillow, his mind decided it wanted to be wide awake. His thoughts running circles as he attempted to get comfortable. If anything, his bed was too comfortable, his body melting into the softness of his blankets, and the comfort of familiar scents. Pulling his son to him, he pressed kisses to Viren's hair. The boy was beautiful. Everything about him was so perfect, even if things had been strained between them, he could never hate him "Hey, baby. Have you been having fun with daddy?" "Daddy let me wear my pyjamas!" His son sounded so damn proud of the fact "Did he?" "Yep! And we watched 'toons!" "You love your "toons", don't you baby. What about Anna, have you been playing with her?" "She's a girl" "Yep. She sure is... where's daddy now?" "Daddy's in the food" So daddy was in the kitchen. Ok "And you thought you'd come see mummy. You know what that means?" Viren looked at him wide eyes "Kisses!" "Mummy! Nooooo!" Blowing raspberries on Viren's cheeks, his son screamed with laughter. So loud that Levi came to check "Viren, I told you not to disturb mummy. Sorry, Eren. I'll take him" But... cuddles. Viren would probably get demanding soon, but this was nice "He's alright" "You need your rest" "I am resting" "Viren, come to daddy" Daddy was still his favourite, yet Viren was sweet enough to look torn "It's ok baby, you go with daddy" "Mum?" "If you stay with mummy, there's going to be more kisses" Pursing his lips, his son squealed in anticipation. Kissing at the hands that tried to push him away, Viren managed to kick up and against his chest "Viren!" Scolding him, Viren was confused by his father's tone. Sure it'd hurt, but his son hadn't meant it. Tears welled in Viren's grey eyes "It's ok baby. You didn't hurt mummy" "I'm sorry!" "No. No, baby..." Wiggling away from his hold, Viren started to cry the boy stubbornly climbing off the bed to run off past Levi "Did you have to scold him like that?" "You're supposed to be resting" "I was having cuddles with Viren, not running a marathon!" "Don't get mad at me for worrying about you" "I'm in bed. I'm resting. Viren just wanted a cuddle and I wanted to give him kisses" Coming running back, Viren had his favourite teddy in his hold. Ignoring Levi, the little boy climbed back on the bed, shoving the bear in Eren face "Mummy!" "Hello, Mister Bear..." "Mister Bear wants to make mummy better..." Eren heart melted "Thank you baby, but I think Mister Bear is telling me he wants to be with you" Viren beamed at him, even with tear tracks down his face "We can share. Just this once though" "Ok baby. Mummy is going to have a sleep, do you want to stay with me? Or go with daddy?" Viren looked to his teddy, nodding as if it was talking to him "I want to stay with mummy" Ha. Suck it, Levi! "Ok, here we go, come curl up with mummy. Mummy missed you" Shifting the blankets, Viren moved into his hold. Mister Bear between them "I guess I'll go then... I'll be home a little longer, if you need anything" "We'll be fine" "Call if you do. Seriously, you need to be resting" "Levi, it's fine. I can handle a three year old who wants cuddles" What he couldn't handle was a 40 year alpha who was hovering as if he really couldn't handle their toddler. Blocking Levi out, Eren leaned over and pressed a kiss to Viren's forehead, surprised when the boy returned the gesture. This was far better medicine than anything he'd had in hospital. * Levi was at work when Viren had woken him, his son shaking him awake to tell him he didn't want to go to sleep. What did it matter if Viren didn't want to sleep? He'd stayed for cuddles until he was content to run off, and now he wanted more cuddles again... he'd take them, even when they were an excuse not to go to bed. Lifting his son, Eren carried him out the sofa, dropping Viren down in the corner with a smile "Did daddy give you ice cream?" Viren shook his head. It didn't really matter if he had. He wanted ice cream and Viren didn't want to sleep. They had hours until Levi came home again "Do you want sprinkles? Or chocolate?" Viren hummed as if he were considering his options, when they both knew what it was going to be "Both!" Yep. He knew it "Ok baby. Give mummy a second" A second might have been a generous understatement. First he had to use the bathroom, then he had to make sure Titan had his wet food, and that there was water in his fountain, followed by checking the fridge for fruit. He had no idea why Levi insisted on storing the banana's in the fridge. They lived on the bench, in their bowl, where they were remembered. It was their home... not the bottom shelf of the fridge where they didn't belong "Muuuuum?" "Give me a sec baby!" Fuck it. He couldn't remember if he's ever had a banana split, or at least one like in the movies, but he was sure Viren hadn't. They had to be slightly healthy, right?. Nuts, dairy and fruit... and chocolate... oh... fuck it. It was worth it if it made Viren happy. They could all use some happiness in their lives. Settling down with Viren, the two of the shared the banana split as they watched Viren's choice in movies, something with super heroes he didn't know. Usually he was stuck with Anna's choice. She'd try and sit through the things Viren liked, but the moment there was a break, the program was changed before they knew what happened. The only time it didn't happen is when Eren had hold of the remote. Sitting with his legs along the sofa, Viren on his thighs, and his stomach as the table, both he and Viren jumped at the knock on the front door "Daddy!" It was too soon for Levi to be home. Scrambling off his lap, the toddler went running to the front door. He hasn't conquered the lock yet, so all he could do was hold the knob with both hands and swing against it impatiently "Mum!" "Mum's too fat to rush. Hold on" Stupid stomach. Being a table was about all it was good for... he couldn't stand it. And he couldn't cope with his hate for it, as one pup in there was still doing just fine. Knocking again, Eren was ready to ignore it completely. All their friends should know better than to knock twice, in his current condition, and delivery people didn't come this late at night. Levi had made dinner, so it definitely wasn't pizza. Hitching the chain on, he flicked the bolt round so Viren could open the door. Shooting him an annoyed glare, his son wasn't happy that it didn't open all the way. Forced to poke his head around the corner, his son huffed "You're not my daddy" The toddler than shutting the door in the face of their visitor "Viren..." He couldn't be mad at the boy for his bad manners, not when he wanted to do the same. Opening the door, he sighed, prepared to apologise for Viren's behaviour "Hello, Eren. It's been a while. I'm hoping we can talk" His first instinct was to slam the door in Floch's face. "A while" had been over two years. A while" hadn't been long enough "Eren, did you get the letter?" "What letter?" His voice was sky high, confused as fuck... and leading to Floch raising an eyebrow "Sorry. I've been in hospital since... well, a while" "I'm sorry to call so late. But when I didn't hear back from you, I thought it best I come tell you that you've been summonsed to appear" "Hold on. I have no idea what you're talking about" "I'm talking about the Karanes Incident. Look, can I come in? It's easier than doing this through the door" "Levi isn't home right now..." It was just him and Viren. He didn't need a panic attack, or his nosy three year old hearing anything "I did try to keep you out of it, but the trials going ahead. It starts in two weeks time, which means there's a lot to cover" Floch wasn't listening him. Why was he so shocked that an alpha wouldn't listen to him in his own home? "Hold on. Let me do the chain... Viren's just had sugar... He's either going to ignore you, or have a tantrum... you've got shit timing. I just got out today..." Talking more to himself, in an attempt to clam down, than to Floch, Eren closed the front door. Once again tempted to leave it closed. Karanes was years ago... Letting Floch in, Viren wasn't happy about it. His son refusing to go to bed, or to watch TV when there was a stranger in their house. Lowering himself down into a dining chair, he couldn't help but shy away as Floch's eyes drifted to his stomach "Congratulations" "This isn't about that..." "Viren..." "Floch. You're not here to discuss my personal life. I've been in hospital since just before the New Year, and now you're showing up on my doorstep. What is all this about?" "You don't need to be on guard" "Excuse me. I haven't seen you in years. I would have been fine without seeing you ever again. What is this trial? You said it wouldn't go to trial" "Because I didn't think it would. When The Church fell apart, the fall out was huge. Ministers. Politicians. Police. Their influence was wide spread" "I know that. Probably better than you do" Floch disregarded his curt words "One of the politicians is kicking up trouble in order to clear his name. The case is against both the Karanes and Shinganshima Police Departments" "And how does this relate to me?" "You are the son of Grisha Yeager. We know he worked for them for over a decade. It was you, and he, who destroyed the compound" "We both know..." "That you were involved. He's determined to show that the statement you provided, is nothing more than speculation" "So he needs someone to blame?" "Unfortunately. We did know there was a chance of this going to trial, and we attempted to keep you out of it. But as the only one who was actually there... if he can discredit you, he feels it'll go a long way to overturning the charges against him and his friends" "And if I don't testify?" "You risk being arrested" "I'm sorry. But I can't. I've got too much going on here" "Eren, he could walk" "And I'm pregnant. There's things in this world that we can't change" "Eren" "I gave you my statement. If they have questions, can't you just like... forward them on?" "His defence team is going to want to talk to you" "I can't do it" "Eren..." "I can't! Ok! I can't and I won't. I've been trying my hardest to forget all of it. Zeke. Grisha. Reiner. Bertholdt. All of it! I just want to be left alone" Wincing, Eren rubbed his stomach as pain flared across it, he wanted Floch out and the last thing he wanted was to go into labour or something. He didn't want to disappoint Levi "Eren. You've been summonsed" "And what? I'm an omega. We both know how that works" "That's why I tried to keep you out of it" Ouch. Yeah. No. Floch had to go. Rising to his feet, he glared down at Floch "I told you everything I knew. You have my statement. You have Levi's statement. Viren and Levi both nearly died from what happened. I will not let anyone hurt my family like that again" "If you don't testify, these people will be walking free" "They're not people. They're shit in human skins" "Then you should know we can let them get away with this. I've brought some photos, if you can identify any of them..." "It's been three and a half years! Nearly 4..." "You just have to look" "Leave my mummy alone!" Yelling at Floch, Floch didn't care. Placing down the file he'd brought with him, he placed it down in front of Eren. Eren sliding it back as he held one arm out, Viren not moving to his hold "Viren. Baby. It's ok" "You upset my mum..." "Viren, it's ok. He's leaving" His son continued to glare, Eren kind of proud his son wasn't letting himself be intimated "I'll leave this with you. And give you the night to think this over, and to talk to Levi about it" "I'm not going to change my answer" "There's actually a copy of your statement in there. I wanted to gauge your reaction. Read it. Think about it. Then we'll discuss those photos tomorrow" Floch saw himself out, like it was perfectly fine and normal. Eren frozen in his seat as he stared down at the manila file laying on the dining table. Why now? Why on top of this? "Mum?" He couldn't even look to Viren. His eyes glued to the stupid file. He didn't want to remember. He didn't want to go back to that place, even if it was through words on paper. He didn't need to read the thing to remember. He couldn't forget, even if he wanted to. Levi bore the scars of his past. He bore the scars of his past "Mum?!" Anything he said would be pulled to pieces. Floch knew that. That's why he didn't want him around the case. Anything he touched fell to pieces. Anything he touched, he corrupted. Levi... Zeke. Moblit. His father. His mother. Viren. He'd nearly killed his son giving birth to him. He had. Levi had said Erwin had worked on him... The pup inside him... he'd broken them... Then there were the people he'd worked with. Zeke had burnt the club down. Zeke had killed the people who'd chained him up. He'd left a trail of destruction wherever he'd been "Mummy... you're scaring me..." His arm dropped. He was scaring his son... "Baby. It's time for bed" "Mum?" "Don't argue with me, baby" "I don't want to go to bed!" "Viren, please..." "I don't want to go!" "Then go watch TV! Just give me a break!" The moment the words came out his mouth, his face burnt with shame. Viren didn't understand. Covering his face, he shook his head. He couldn't fucking breathe. This... this couldn't be happening... His father had destroyed the compound. He'd seen it burn. All of it was gone. Whatever this was. This had nothing to do with him... This was Floch's mess. Floch was the one who'd gone after them all... "I'm sorry, baby. Can you please go watch TV?" He needed Levi home. He couldn't calm down... he couldn't calm down and he couldn't breathe. Not when this stupid file was here... He couldn't call Levi. Not on the night of his first day home. Not when he'd been rude to him earlier. He couldn't just call him home to save him from a panic attack... * Walking into his apartment, Levi had expected the silence. He'd sent Viren in to wake Eren when the boy hadn't wanted to go to sleep for him... what he hadn't expected was the foreign scent of an alpha he didn't know. In an apartment filled with his and Eren's scents, it stuck out like a neon sign, just as pungent and unwelcoming as Eren's scent of distress. Yet. Instead of focusing on that, his alpha was focusing on the real question. Who the fuck had been in their apartment and why? "Eren? Are you awake?" Locking the door, Levi shrugged off his jacket as he walked towards the laundry. His uniform stank, and with his heart racing, he was trying to calm down with an act of normalcy. Clothes off, laundry on then time for a shower. Trying Eren's door, he found it locked. Knocking lightly, he got no answer. He was still yet to tell his omega he was quitting work. Eren hadn't wanted to talk while he was in hospital. He'd mostly kept everyone at an arms length, only conveying the things he needed from home. Hanji has tried to talk to him, but she'd gone and put her foot right in it. He wasn't impressed either. Neither of them had truly had time to process, or talk. Eren's fever had returned, the medication administered had left him fading in and out of consciousness. Not that Eren had noticed, he'd start to talk, only to trail off a few moments later, and pick right up again as if he'd never fallen asleep in the first place. Levi had been trying to ask Hanji to leave before she decided to pick a fight with Eren. He knew Marco hadn't been in to see Eren, as Marco didn't even know Eren had been in hospital. Erwin had tried to push, earning himself a black eye in the process due to his lack of sensitivity over the situation. Mike had been decent enough to leave it as "Eren has an infection". Erwin had tried to calm him, calling it "a simple infection that didn't require so much worry". It was the morning after the Hanji debacle, and he'd ended up telling Erwin to "shut the fuck up, because he had no idea what he was talking about". This lead to questions and he'd acted without thinking. Knocking on Eren's door again, his omega stayed locked away from him. Part of him wanted to kick the stupid door in, while the more rational part of his brain told him to break Eren's trust by finding the spare key too it, and letting himself... He forced himself to do no neither. Returning to their bedroom, minus the Eren that had turned him room into theirs, with the hope that his mate would wake before he left for work. Maybe the could even have breakfast together, and discuss his retirement then. When his alarm blared at him at stupid o'clock, Levi was sorely tempted to destroy his phone. His face was frozen to the point his nose was running, and that was with the majority of him buried under Eren's blankets. Shivering as he climbed from their bed, he growled softly as he walked into the living area. The curtains that usually hid the balcony from sight, were fluttering in the cold winds of the morning. No wonder it was freezing. Unsure if he'd missed it due to his tiredness last night, or if Eren had opened it without thinking, Levi walked over to the doorway, ready to lock the outside world away. The sun was yet to rise above the city, the world a dismal grey as he shivered again. Pushing the curtain away, he found his omega sitting on the floor of the balcony, Titan laying next to him. This wasn't what needed first thing in the morning. Didn't Eren feel how cold it was? Or was he completely out of it? Stepping onto the balcony, he mentally cursed the weather, and Eren for making him come out here. Squatting down, he placed his hand on Eren's shoulder, his mate so cold that Levi's stomach did that annoying dropping thing it liked to do when something was clearly up with Eren. Forcing his voice to remain soft and calm, he didn't want to scare the omega into trying to jump, or startle him if he was sleep walking "Eren? What are you doing out here?" Blank eyes looked to him, Eren's lips tinged blue. He needed to get his omega inside and warmed up. He was still recovering and his immune system still wasn't up to scratch. Eren's body didn't need the stress of becoming a human popsicle "I'm not having an abortion" Right... ok. His mate wasn't in the best of head spaces "Ok... but that doesn't tell me why you're out here" "I'm wondering why I'm alive" Shit. Just. Shit "Did... did something happen?" "Yeah. I ruined everything" This was not the place for an in depth conversation "Eren. How about we go inside? It's come out here" "Maybe I can freeze to death. Wouldn't that be fucking funny?" There was absolutely nothing funny about that at all "Eren..." "I told myself that I wouldn't let you see... but I guess I just want your attention after all. I don't know why you stay with me" "Eren. Come inside so we can talk" "I wanted to forget. I wanted to forget how bad I was. My existence causes pain" "Eren, no" "I can't even carry your children properly. Did you even want kids? Or was that something else I forced on you?" "You know I did. I do. I love you, and I love Viren. I love the two pups inside of you" "If I die. Do you think everyone can finally be happy?" "If you die, I know I will never be happy. Please, come inside with me" "I'm tired, Levi. No one wants to listen to what I want. Not the hospital. Not Hanji. Not dad. Not Zeke" "I want to listen. Here, come here" Eren let himself be pulled up by him, but didn't make a move to help walk back inside. Titan ran straight in, giving him a look that seemed to say he was watching over Eren until Levi got his shit together. Doing all of the work, he got Eren to the sofa, then backtracking to close the balcony up, making sure the top bolt was done so Eren wouldn't be able to just let himself back out there again. Freezing cold, he made another detour, grabbing the topmost blanket off their bed, before finally returning to Eren's side. Sinking down on the sofa, Levi wrapped the blanket around both of them. He wanted to pull Eren into his lap, but the omega was sitting ramrod straight, now not giving into his touches "Eren, what happened? Can you talk to me?" "It won't change anything" "You don't know that" "I do. Nothing ever changes. I hurt people and they die" "What are you talking about?" "I don't understand why I'm still alive. I shouldn't be alive. Dad should have just killed me off when he killed mum" He was fast growing angry at the lack of sense Eren was making. It was too early for such shit "You're not making sense" "Don't worry. I won't off myself" "Why are you being like this?! You said you needed someone to listen. I'm listening. Shitty Brat, you know I couldn't live if something happened to you" "I told you it won't. I won't harm the pups either. I don't want an abortion" "I..." "Everyone wants me to have one. That's all they talked about" The hospital... But that wasn't the only thing they'd talked about. Every day medical science was improving. There were cases of tumours being removed and the mum's being able to carry safely. That was all depending on the growth of the tumour to begin with "We have options. Weren't you listening?" "Right. You're right. I'm sorry" "Hey. You're not alone in this. I wanted to tell you last night, but I've put in my resignation at work. As of the end of the month, it'll be official" "Why?" The small forced smile on Levi's lips, as he tried to make Eren feel something other than frozen, fell "Why what?" "Why would you quit?" "To be here for you and our children" "So I made you quit" "No. I made the choice for myself" "Would you have done it if I wasn't a bad omega?" "You're not a bad omega! You're my omega. My mate. And you're scaring the shit out of me right now with all this death talk" "I guess I've said too much..." "No. You still haven't told me what set this all off" "I did tell you. All I wanted to do was forget, but I'll never be able to" A nightmare then? It was the most plausible reason for Eren being so upset, his omega had had a nightmare and hadn't wanted to disturb anyone with it "Things will get better. You're still freezing. Why don't you take a bath, while I make us some breakfast?" "No thank you. I'm not hungry" "That's because you're too cold to think straight. If you prefer we can take a bath together. Whatever you need" Placing his hand on Eren's stomach, he wasn't trying to be suggestive, only supportive "How can you touch it?" "Touch what?" "Doesn't my stomach disgust you?" "No. Why would it?" Rubbing the swell, he didn't understand what was disgusting. He loved Eren's swell, and their pups inside. He was worried for their second pup, but that didn't mean that he didn't care for it "I was just wondering" "I love it. It fills me with pride to see you growing swollen again" Leaning in, he kissed the corner of Eren's lips, feeling nothing in return. Eren was definitely trying his hardest to push him away, and that wasn't happening "Let's just take a bath together. I can wash your hair" Rubbing Eren's stomach a little harder, the omega stiffly nodded "Ok then" Getting Eren into the bathtub and between his legs, he felt like being a bad father. He couldn't help himself. Eren was slick thanks to his pregnancy, and his nape was right in front of him, while his hands were resting on Eren's stomach. He knew Eren was struggling, but their sex life had been great until Eren's fatigue, and he missed the feelings that came from knotting him. He wasn't about to do anything up his love, but that didn't mean his mind wasn't thinking of bending Eren over the bathroom counter. He didn't feel sexually frustrated, though things had been stressful for both of them. Maybe a little release was what Eren needed? To not be in his head? Resting his chin on his omega's shoulder, he sighed softly "How do you feel?" "Warmer" "Good. It's going to be cold today, so you should stay inside" "I haven't got anywhere to go" Levi sighed again, this time at himself, before trying to sound playful "You know what I mean" "I do. I wasn't planning on going anywhere" "I have a split shift again, so I'll be home for lunch. Is there something special you want?" "Not really" "Should I just surprise you?" "You don't have to do things for me. You don't have to force yourself" "I'm not forcing myself. I love you" "How can you?" "Easily. I love you. I love you, Eren Yeager, and I'm going to marry your stubborn arse, just to show you every day I do" "You shouldn't have quit work for me" "I did it for us. For the five of us. I'm tired of missing things. I want more time with Viren, and you, and these two. I want time for us. I want to be able to have sex with you, then lay in bed with you. I went to watch bad horror movies and Titan failing to cat" "You want to have sex? When I look like this?" "You are the most beautiful creature I have ever met. You're fierce and fiery, yet you can be so soft and sweet. Your stomach is full of my pups, our family growing as you do. I could never not want you. Your just as sexy inside, as you are outside" Sliding one hand down to grasp his lover's dick, and using the other hand to force Eren to face him, Levi pushed a hard kiss to Eren's lips. He didn't understand what could make Eren feel so undesirable, when he was perfect. Jerking the omega softly slowly as he thumbed at Eren's slit. Eren was going accept he was sexy and did all kinds of things to every part of Levi's anatomy, whether he liked it or not. He wouldn't force himself on his mate, but he could touch him intimately to show he did want to. That's why he kept everything so light, so as not to make him feel forced. The only display of forcefulness was his forced kiss in attempt to show all his affections through Eren's lips. When Eren pulled away, he let him "Levi..." He'd thought Eren was about to cry, or to break. Softly replying "I love you" "I don't want this" Releasing his hold completely on his omega to honour his wishes, Eren scrambled to leave the bath. His actions jerky and sudden "Eren, I..." Giving him a cold glare, his heart broke a little more "I'm repulsive. Just... don't touch me" Grabbing his towel, his mate made his way from the bathroom, leaving a wet trail as he did. What the fuck was going on this morning?! Eren was cranky yesterday, but it was clear he was happy to be home. Now he was acting... crazy. He couldn't keep up and didn't know what he'd done wrong... Was it the hand job? Maybe it was the hand job? His alpha didn't think it was the hand job. The smug arsehole wanted to keep going with the hand job. God. Now he was going to have to start all over again... Eren's brain was just as sexy as his looks. If given the chance, his mate could prove he had a lightening fast sense of whit, and humour. While it took a tiny fraction longer for things to sink in, he was incredibly smart for a kid who'd never been to school then concurred the school thing in less than three years. He loved being able to have an intelligent conversation with his mate that wasn't to do with Paramedic Procedures... * Eren had retreated to his room, refusing to come out, while Viren was still sleeping when Levi left for work. Coming home for lunch, Eren was sitting on the sofa with Viren, his son climbing down and running over to him "Daddy!" Reaching up at him, Levi lifted Viren to his hip "Hey, brat. Did you miss me?" "Yep! Mummy made pizza for lunch, but I wanted to wait for you" The way Viren said "pee-zah" alway brought a smile to his face "You didn't have to wait for me" "I was good all morning!" "Were you now? Would mummy agree?" Viren shrugged "Maybe" "That's my boy. Give me a kiss" Viren kissed his cheek "Alright. It's pee-zah time. Eren..." Eren wasn't there. He looked to his omega in time to see him disappearing into his room. On his hip, Viren sighed "Mummy isn't happy" "Not at the moment. He's just feeling sick" "He wasn't happy last night either" Viren covered his mouth with his hand in a very Eren move, but his comment was already out there "What do you mean by that?" Viren shook his head. Gently pulling his hand away from his mouth, his son sighed "Some man yelled at mummy last night and mum yelled back" What? "It wasn't Uncle Mike? Or Uncle Erwin?" Viren shook his head, while Levi couldn't think of who would possibly picking fights with Eren "Ok, well. I'll talk to mummy" "You don't need to. Here" What was the point of closing his door if Eren was going to come reappearing anyway. Shoving a letter into Levi's free hand, his mate took Viren from his hold the moment he could "What's this?" "I had a visit from Floch" Floch... Floch was never good news. Ever "Karanes is going to trial" "He said it wouldn't..." "Yeah. Well. I've been summonsed. He told me he didn't want me near the case and tried to keep me out of it. Even being a whale with a complicated pregnancy won't get me out of it" "Eren. The last thing you need to be doing is testifying. When did you find out?" Last night. Right. The moment he said it, he remembered it couldn't have been any other time than yesterday "Floch showed up after you went to work. Viren and I were watching TV and started trying to mess with my head. I can be arrested if I don't testify. The defence? Wants to pull my statement about "The Church" to pieces so they can all walk" Moving to place his hand on Eren's arm, his fiancée flinched away "I can't stand being touched right now. I'm sorry, but you need to keep back. I'm either going to start screaming, try to hurt myself or go into another panic attack over this. I wanted to forget, but here we are" "You... this morning... I thought you had a nightmare" "You have to sleep to have a nightmare. I was reading my statement. Floch was ever so kind to drop a copy by. Viren didn't want him here. Not that I did either" "I wish you'd told me" "Levi. I came home yesterday. I told myself I wasn't going to tell you anything because I can't..." Eren waved towards his head with his free hand "... ok. I need to keep things together for a Viren. But he's all I've thought about. I'm tired. I want to thinks things out and just the thought of this going to trial makes me want to jump off the balcony or take the nearest knife and... Can you imagine Viren's life if he gets caught up in it? The son of a psychopath. The grandson of Grisha and the nephew of Zeke. What a great family line that is. I thought we could leave it behind..." Bouncing Viren on his hip, Eren kissed his son's forehead "For his sake, he can't know. I don't want him to know. About Karanes. About the institute. About the pup. Everything has to be ok in front of him" "I'll see if..." "If Hanji can take Viren? We can't ship him off all the time. It's not fair on him" "We need to talk to Floch about all of this. I wasn't shipping him off, I was going to ask if she could watch him for a few hours while we did. There has to be a way that this can proceed without your statement, or a way to keep you off the stand" "The only other person I knew who survived, then tried to kill all of us" Placing Viren down, Eren shook his head "I can't. Ok. I read my statement. I read it and realised how much I didn't remember when I gave. When I close my eyes, I can remember that place. I was there for three month, nearly 4 years ago and I remember it. I don't know what to do. I stayed up all night and I don't know what to do. I don't even remember what happened or how I ended up in my room" Floch was a fucking arsehole. Of all the time he could have shown up, he'd chosen while he wasn't even home. Floch knew that everything relating to Eren had to go through him. It was Eren's request. If he knew he couldn't handle it, he asked Levi to step in as his alpha and his "owner" as too much of society saw it "I'll talk to Floch. You do what you feel you need to do" "I don't think either of us want that. I just need you to not touch me, or knock on the door" Then this morning's bath was the last thing he needed. Shitty Floch. And shitty Eren for not telling him the previous night. He would have handled everything differently if he'd known any of this "I'm sorry about this morning. I wanted you to know I still love and want you" "This morning wasn't good" "I know that now... but, Eren, you're not repulsive. You're my mate. My lover, and my pride and joy" Shaking his head sadly, Eren stepped towards his room "I don't feel that great. Let me know when you're going to work"