#--entirely scared me off of the idea. which in itself is sad and i knew it at the time. but it makes me sadder now.
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i entertained the idea of pursuing graphic design as a career but didn't like neither a community college course i took or the 3-day workshop at a university in my nearest city at the time. but i get so gd riled about it that i'm like. what if i could change the system. i should be a graphic designer
#^ guy with no experience who is too overconfident and fueled by spite#i understand at least to some degree the bureaucracy that goes into shit like graphic design but. we as a society have to strive for better#corporate memphis will actually melt my brain one day mark my words#personal#oh also i'm gonna be real as hell the student loan debt i would have to take on for a career that i could not guarantee i would succeed at-#--entirely scared me off of the idea. which in itself is sad and i knew it at the time. but it makes me sadder now.
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Some Mine info
Because I have no asks I'm working on Haruto's fluff alphabet but it's gonna take a bit so I thought I'd ramble a bit about Mine cause I haven't really gone into how the mc is like or the gameplay or anything like that so I just wanna ramble about some idea I have :3
I wanna start with the mc just because there's probably the least to talk about with them. For starters they're a blank slate mc, so they won't have any design features other then their work outfit! The mc's personality is kind of...miserable? They aren't like super nice but their kind of passive. I mean if I had Hoshi and Habiki as coworkers I'd be more depressed too, but the mc doesn't really fight back, in game it'll talk about how they've tried to in more passive ways like telling the twins' dad but he just excused them so they've kind of given up. They're pessimistic and "boring"(As Hoshi would describe them, in reality they just don't have enough time for their hobbies because of Hoshi and Habiki pushing all their work onto the mc) They aren't super oblivious to their surrounding either. They're well aware they're being stalked and notices for the most part when the li's show obsessive tendencies, minus people like Haruto because he's just always been like that so that's just his personality, whether the mc agrees with it or not is honestly up to you. You can choose to be more assertive with your feelings when you notice something is up or you can pretend to not notice it and blow it off.
The game itself takes place over a week, not including the prologue. So the prologue starts on a Sunday and then you go through the entire week. At least in my eyes, that's not really enough time to really like someone and choose to be in a relationship, so in some of the endings you don't get to really date BUT you can admit attraction and say you want to get to know them better, maybe even smooch 'em on the cheek. The exception being people like Haruto or others you knew before.
In the epilogue dlc there will be multiple routes you can go down! First, you can choose to cut them out of your life, you realized that they're dangerous and your scared, you don't want to be around them. Second you can choose to just be friends with them. Third you can choose to date them and you can choose whether you live with them and also if you have any pets! Fourth route is marriage, you can choose in you live with them, if you have any pets or babies, stuff like that. You'll be able to choose one of these for the characters, for example. Marry Minato, (you won't be able to date multiple characters and you can't date anyone else if you're married, though in the early stages of mine where Hoshi and Habiki were tolerable I was gonna have a route were they'd be down to share you if you wanted to date them both. I still have to debate on that with them.) Friends with Haruto, Jun, Minato. Leave: Yani, Kei, Kage, Hoshi, and Habiki.
There will be a lot of endings! You can get one in the prologue! Each route has at least three endings! A bad end, a neutral end, and a happy end. Most routes will most likely have more bad ends or neutral ends. On top of those endings, there's also a true ending which you have to work for. You can't get the true ending until the very end of the game. I also have route order on here. When I write scenarios and stuff I write the characters in route order. Also there will be a lot of cg's because I love cgs! Nothing makes me more sad then when I'm playing a game with cgs and there's not a lot, though I can get why games are like that :) But yeah I want there to be at least one cg per day and a cg's for endings!
I plan on posting the prologue and the first day of every route before posting the rest of the week. So first I'll post the prologue and then Minato's day 1 before posting the rest of the week and then repeating the process with the other routes. There will also be a route selection because Mine is a very linear game that has routes in the order they're in for reasons. I might make a poorly animated selection screen to show you guys cause idk I kind of like the idea I have, it'd also be nice to post it on here so I don't forget anything. I plan on taking my time with Mine so there won't be any specific release date. I also get like hyperfixated on my other stories sometimes so I'll honestly probably be working on a ton of stories at once but Mine will always be the one I work on the most. Anyways I have a lot planned with Mine and I'm excited to do more work on it!
#💝-minevn#visual novel#yandere vn#theres a lot planned for this game#but its actually one of my smaller projects
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A Second Mask: Chapter 4
Did that just happen?
Hello guys! It's me. I'm finally writing again. Sorry about the delay. I'm going to explain more at the end of the chapter, but I'm just going to keep the beginning short. So here is chapter 4:
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To say Adrien was concerned would be a huge understatement. He was downright disturbed. Its been weeks and still Marinette hadn't changed back to the happy, peppy, nice girl that he knew. AND SHE WOULDN'T EVEN TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT!
He tried to talk to her for a whole week after her original trasformation, but after the repeated firm rejections, he stopped altogether. He figured that maybe with some space, she might be able to work through whatever she was going through, but at this point, he's losing hope.
When he is feeling this distressed about something, he usually turns to his lady, but she has been acting weird too. Ever since she suggested they start sparring, she's started to show that she is going through kinda a rough time as well. She is the same ladybug when everyone is watching, but when it's just the two of them, she looks sad and tired. She has also started saying some concerning things while they are sparring. She has started talking about how she has started taking being Ladybug and the Guardian more seriously, and how she has less distractions now, which would be a good thing if she didn't say them so sadly.
The good thing is, the sparring has given him a chance to get out his aggression because of the whole Marinette-situation and his anger at his father in a safe environment. He didn't like the idea of hitting Ladybug at first (especially in the face) but with her not holding back on her hits, he felt more comfortable doing the same. It has helped them fight better too. He hopes that whatever Ladybug is going through in her civillian life will work itself out soon, but until then he will be there for her. He just needs to figure out how to be there for Marinette.
•••
Felix was making good progress with Marinette. After they first asked marinette about (insert fashion question of your choice here, I legit know nothing and I didn't have time to research anything for this chapter), she had started answering their questions on a daily basis. After a couple of days of that, she had started to rant to them about different things in the fashion world that were bothering her, exciting her, or confusing her that particular day. In response to that, they had started to respond to her rants with their own opinions on the subjects and even start their own rants.
It had gotten to the point where Felix would now consider them to be friends, though they know that Marinette would never call them as such, it was fine with them. They know she has trust issues, and they can understand why, so they are fine with being friends in everything but a name.
Felix was looking forward to their daily banter as they waited in their seat for Marinette to arrive. When she did, she was followed by a very pissed-looking Alya. Felix turned to look at her and noticed that she had what looked to be tears forming in her eyes. What they didn't notice was the little black butterfly that had entered through the window in the back of the room, and was making a beeline towards her.
•••
Marinette walked to school in yet another one of her newest fashion creations: a pair of oversized grey ripped jeans and a navy blue sweatshirt. She was actually really liking her new look, and the comfort that it offered was just an added plus.
She was actually feeling excited to talk to Felix about Gabriel Agreste's newest fashion flop. They were the only person that she had met that actually cared about fashion as much as her. It made her happy to talk to them. It kind of scared her how excited she was. Shouldn't she be distancing herself from everyone? she thought to herself. No. Felix isn't my friend, they aren't close to me, they are just someone I talk fashion with. Like a coworker, yeah. Totally. Felix is just a coworker. ("Liar" says the inner voice in her head)
She was shocked out of her thoughts when she was pulled to the side by someone as she entered the courtyard. Her mind immediately thought of an akuma, when the person spoke.
"Marinette! Girl," Oh it's just Alya. Wait Alya? "How long are you gonna keep up this cry for attention? Are you really THAT jealous of Lila? I know that Adrien likes her, but that doesn't give you the right to act like this! And you are hanging out with Felix, who accused her of sexually harrassing Adrien on their first day here-?" She looked absolutely furious at her, but Marinette had heard enough. She cut Alya off in the middle of her presumably long rant.
"ALYA!" Said girl jumped at both the inturruption and the tone of voice used, "First of all, this isn't a cry for attention, if anything its a cry for leaving me the fuck alone. Second of all, I'm not jealous of Lila. I'm not in love with Adrien anymore, and haven't been for a while. You knew that I was dating Luka right? Why would I care who Adrien likes? Lastly, I am allowed to hang out with whoever I choose, whether you like them or not. It's none of your fucking business Alya, and if you think that I'm just some jealous, attention-seeker why do you even care?" With that last question she stormed off to the classroom, leaving a speechless Alya behind her.
When marinette sat down in her seat, she just kept thinking about how Alya was just talking to her. How could she think that about her? They used to be best friends, and Alya wasn't even concerned about her not talking to her anymore, she was just concerned about her being "jealous of Lila". It made her so furious that she could feel tears trickling down her face. She sees the black butterfly out of the corner of her eye and without hesitation grabs it out of the air.
(Next part is taken from this post by @bigfatbreak)
"Go ahead and akumatize me- See what happens, Hawkmoth!" She screamed the words with a slight madness that the energy of the akuma was giving her, "Every leash has two ends! I just have to pull until I find where you're holding it!"
At this point, the entire class was frozen in place watching her and listening to her crazed-sounding voice threaten an actual terrorist. Marinette felt Hawkmoth's confusion and terror through the bond. What in the- She's sensing me through the Akuma?! The akuma then started to fly away, and when it couldn't it zapped her hand like it was made of lightning and fluttered through the same window it came from. Marinette felt like she had failed yet again and collapsed down on her desk, muttering, "Uuuuggghh. It escaped anyway... What a waste. I didn't realize that Hawkmoth was such a coward. He usually likes grandstand..."
She was startled when her hand was picked up by Felix's, "You likely scared him off by managing to locate him like that... A risky move, I should mention. I would ask that you not attempt that a second time. No one knows what his akuma is truly capable of. You'll want to keep off of this hand for a while, too."
"Oh, are those the doctor's orders? Why, Felix, it almost sounds like you care about meeee." Marinette was all too amused by Felix's concern for her. She also liked to tease them... AS COWORKERS DO.
"I have an investment in your presence. Now don't be cheeky and let's get you to the nurse's office," They said while holding her wrist and gently pulling her in that direction.
Marinette scoffed, "'An investment in my presence'??"
Felix chuckled while still semi-dragging her by the wrist towards the front of the room, being careful not to hurt her injury even worse, "What did I just say about being cheeky?"
On their way out of the door they passed a VERY distressed-looking Adrien. He seemed to be sharing the sentiment with the entire class of: Did that just happen?
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And thats chapter 4. It is VERY LATE! I know. I've been swamped with work, and when I went to write it, I had zero ideas on how to write this chapter. I never ended up getting those ideas. I just went where my writing took me, so if it doesn't really match the characters that's why. I will try to be better at updating regularly, but it probably won't happen. Sorry to everyone with a normal sleep schedule, but this is the time that I write things. Also I didn't have my outline with me while writing this chapter, so it might not have everything I planned to write in it.
I would like to thank you all for all of the support I've been getting on this fic. Despite all of the chapter delays, you guys have stuck with me through all of it, so thank each and every one of you. I love seeing so many people loving this au as much as I do. Without you guys this story wouldn't exist, and I would've stopped writing it after the first chapter.
As always, constructive criticism is always accepted. I love being able to improve my writing whenever possible.
Thank you for reading. Have a nice day/night/whenever you are reading this. See ya next time guys, gals, and non-binary pals.
Taglist
@queer-illusion @apasponsor @heckinggremlin @1-ahiro-1 @hewantedbeefintheparkinglot @sassakitty @lennauts @rianoel @dorkus-minimus @khneltea @welp-that-was-unexpected @mlnchlymrshmllw @lovelyautumnsunflower @chariphrasis @lovesbooks @komatsuna-yuki @polyvirnl @innocentlyguiltyfrenchfry @qhobias @ive-tumbled-down-a-rabbit-hole @hammalammadamdam @cloudydaysomewhere @alcoholic-barney @basenikon @xxbehindthemaskxx @corporeal-terrestrial @shadowymemoirs @moonlight-densetsuu
#a second mask#feralnette#feralnette au#felinette#miraculous ladybug#ml fanfic#adrien agreste#felix culpa#marinette dupain cheng#here it finally is#idk why some of the tags arent working
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bitterness in goodbye | jjk
this is part of my troubled outsiders series. sadly, you can't read this as a stand alone (meaning: feel free to check the previous parts ♡)
| summary | - You can’t help but feel a little sad when Jungkook doesn’t refrain from cuddling your arm after pleading to forgive him. You wish you could cuddle him instead, that he would lay his head on your chest as you play with his soft hair, but you recognize there are some things you just can’t have.
warnings: none (?) i mean chaeryeong insults jungkook which is an atrocity in itself but-
contents: we diving into the angst my friends. jungkook is an innocent, kind hearted soul, i promise. oc's got the feels (out oct. 1) for jk. idol!jungkook × student!reader.
author's note: I EDITTED THIS FROM MY PHONE DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW FUCKING ANNOYING THAT IS? also, thank u for the amount of support i've been receiving lately, i appreciate everyone lots. feel free to ask away or suggest anything btw, i would love to write for any prompts you guys come up with. 💞💗💖💘💓💕
words: 1.57k
playlist: honey by halsey
Four weeks later, the receptionist of your apartment complex hands you over a cardboard box with the hoodie Jungkook and you had talked about that day on the Han River. Jungkook kept pestering you to please please please send him your address for confidential purposes, which you knew had to do with his determination to literally provide anything that catches your eye right away. You assumed it was a sensitive topic for the boy whether people had purposefully taken advantage of his money before, so you didn’t dare to say anything when the man asked you for your size literally two hours after he dropped you off, scared to either reject his solidare intentions or piss him off for bringing unwanted memories back. In your defense, your personality type keeps oscillating between INFP and INFJ so it’s only natural that you take extra care to make sure those around you have as much peace of mind as possible in your presence.
As pretty and comfortable the piece of soft clothing is, an important factor is missing, something that you can’t recreate buying two of the same size and color, and that is Jungkook's escence and how good it looks on him in comparison to anyone else in the world. Meaning, you didn’t like it as much as you thought initially would. And it absolutely did not have to do with the fact that your short stature made you look like a toddler who stole their dad’s jacket.
Still, in order to show Jungkook how much you appreciate his gift, you bring it to work the next day, and the rest of the days after that, with the excuse that with winter rolling around you needed something to keep you warm in the office. Jungkook doesn’t miss the opportunity to confirm your assumptions regarding your appearance whenever he barges into your office randomly throughout the week, arguing that ”you look so adorable” and doesn’t stop for two weeks more, until he gets used to seeing you wearing something you shared with him. Which doesn’t help ease your growing romantic feelings for him whatsoever.
Because yeah, you liked Jeon Jungkook, just like every human being with eyes and sexual desires, except, you didn’t just like him in a superficial way, and that’s where the problem with him resides. Though you are sure everyone has fallen in love with the endearing boy at some point - especially the excluded and invalidated women of society - you can’t help but place some blame on you for allowing yourself to be swooned so goddamn easily. Your mom had said to you at some point to be wary of the way some men would talk to you when you grew up, their intention usually being getting inside your pants, which has happened to you more times than you'd like to admit. And with the argument that she knew you better than anyone, she claimed you would comply right the second someone talked sweet to you; you despised the fact that was the case with Jungkook (and Jungkook only), although he had never shown any sexual innuendos. What your feelings could do to your relationship with Jungkook and your rather chill lifestyle scared you to death, shiver me timbers and all that shit, having romantic feelings for someone else is embarrassing, especially when your chance with them has been scratched out the second you laid eyes on them.
Jungkook sits on your couch, legs spread on your thighs as you two pretend to watch some series on netflix. “I don’t buy for a second the act you’re putting on right now.” he speaks randomly after staring at your deep-in-thought state for a few minutes and laughs when you snap at him for not letting you overthink in peace. “What’s going on?”
Truth is, you don’t fucking know. A few hours before he arrived at your place (you had to pick him up at the dorm and sneak the both of you through the subterranean parking lot, because god forbid someone saw Jungkook arriving at some chick’s dorm on a saturday afternoon) you swore you would be able to conceal whatever emotional turmoil you had going inside of you without compromising your regular behaviour around the man, but when push comes to shove, it’s impossible to keep yourself from wondering how far you could go before that special someone found out what was going on inside of your head.
Jungkook’s phone rings in his pocket with some annoying tone he had downloaded illegally from youtube the same day the company had handed over the device as a gift for him (you still were a little bitter over how they neglected the rest of the staff but you also knew it was kind of impossible for the human kind to just gift a-thousand-dollar-phones to almost five hundred people out of solidarity). “Hyung?” he picks up, still wary of your unusual behaviour, concerned eyes looking at you. “No, uh- i’m with Yugyeom right now.” and your heart shatters into a million pieces.
You have been suspecting for a while that Jungkook is being hesitant to introduce you to his social circle. Although, you’ve tried your best not to take it personal, it is getting harder to resist the urge to ask him what the fuck is up with that. The fact that Jungkook had to lie about the person he was hanging out with broke your ego; he could’ve just said he was with a friend, right? You suddenly feel like you’re fifteen again, when the guy you liked would love you in the dark but pretend he didn’t know you in the light.
Holding your tears back, you gently push him off and make your way towards the bathroom in the most nonchalant way you could. This is your fault for falling for the nice popular guy in the first place, you remind the reflection staring back at you. Still, as bad as it hurt, there was no way you were going to cry over a stupid boy, let alone when he was literally sat on the next room. He can go fuck himself if he thinks he can just toss this behind as if nothing ever happened.
You text Chaeryeong instead.
“chaery bom bom: i swear to god i gonna throw hands the next time i see the bitch.
chaery bom bom: like who the hell does he think he is? fucking squidward looking asshole.
chaery bom bom: he ain’t even that cute bub, you’ll get over him. i know jinyoung wouldn’t treat you like this”
You sigh. Chaeryeong has been enamored with the idea of you and his former company colleague from GOT7 since the day she met the guy (which was somewhere around ten years ago), and although he was all that, you didn’t like his quiet and cold aura, it intimidated the fuck out of you (Jungkook was the entire opposite of that).
You spray on some perfume just to have an excuse as to why you randomly ran to the bathroom when Jungkook’s inquiring eyes stare as you sit back on the couch, which is exactly what he does. “You done with your call?” you ask, bitter.
Jungkook frowns, a bit taken aback by the sudden question but still unaware of the way his words had made you feel, not even sensing the hostile change in your mood. “Yes, it was one of our managers. He was wondering if I could come back to reshoot some...-thing.”
Okay, now you kind of understand as to why he lied in the first place and to say you feel guilty is an understatement. “I supposed he backed down once you mentioned you were hanging out with Yugyeom.” playfulness makes its appearance on your tone and Jungkook rolls his eyes at you, tongue poking on the inside of his slightly red cheeks.
“Sorry for that” he moves closer and cuddles your arm, like a sad guilty puppy. “It’s just- I don’t want them asking questions''.
You understand. He is a very reserved and private person after all. It took you a bit to crack him open yourself. Plus, you kind of share that trait with him, you’d hate it too if people were constantly on your nerves for the people you decide to hang out with.
And that’s all it takes to forgive him. Not very cash money of you.
“You better not pull that shit again, though” you shift in his hold and he looks up at you. One look into your eyes and he knows what you mean. “I’ll kick you out.”
After nodding, Jungkook resumes his concentration on the series you picked out for him. Due to your short attention span, you are very picky about what you invest your time in, especifically with audiovisual pieces of media, so Jungkook trusts you whenever you recommend something on very rare occasions. As a matter of fact, Jungkook was busy attacking your kitchen counters for snacks (which you didn’t have) when you mentioned Money Heist. “Munch on some grapes instead” you suggested to soothe his disappointment.
You can’t help but feel a little sad when Jungkook doesn’t refrain from cuddling your arm after pleading to forgive him. You wish you could cuddle him instead, that he would lay his head on your chest as you play with his soft hair, but you recognize there are some things you just can’t have.
#jungkook#jeon jungkook#bts fic#bts imagine#bts smut#jjk fic#jjk smut#jungkook angst#jungkook drabble#idol au#idol!jungkook#jungkook fic#jeon jungkook drabble#jeon jungkook fic#jungkook fluff#jeon jungkook fluff#jjk fluff#jjk angst#jungkook imagine#jungkook boyfriend#jjk boyfriend
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Snapshot: Cleanse
snapshots: a new compilation of mini-fics taking place in the WIBAR universe! this one takes place a few days after Making Adjustments!
warnings: none! Whoops, All Fluff!
-
It was a few days after the Breakfast Ceasefire that Virgil decided enough was enough.
He needed a shower. Badly.
It didn’t matter that he was on an alien ship full of alien stuff, or that showering meant temporarily ditching the comfort of his hoodie, or even that two out of three aliens would probably happily see him dead at any opportunity.
He had picked up what felt like an entire football field’s worth of dirt, mud, and other muck while him and Patton were planet-hopping, and impromptu washcloth (read: a patch torn from the back of his shirt) cleaning sessions had only done so much. They only came across clean water every so often, anyhow. Most of it couldn’t be wasted on washing.
Patton had picked up on his discomfort back then— that or the smell— but the Ampen’s idea of ‘cleaning up’ was very similar to that of chinchillas’ back home on Earth: dust baths. That’s right. More dirt.
(Yes, he’d rolled around in the dirt with his friend. Contrary to popular interstellar belief, he wasn’t a monster.)
Still, it was time to come clean. Literally and metaphorically.
Patton had spent last night cuddled up to him, which meant that he had actually gotten a full eight hours of sleep (good!) and that Roman was probably sulking around (ungood!). The sense of clarity that came with not being quite so horrendously sleep deprived only made him more aware of how dirty he was. It felt like heresy to even touch any of the numerous well-sanitized surfaces in the ship.
“Patton,” he called, once the Ampen had started doing those little antennae twitches that meant he was half-awake. “Can you show me the wash room?”
The response was a little delayed, but eventually Patton startled into full wakefulness with a little chirp-peep that reminded him of a computer startup noise.
From there, he was led down the circular halls to a square room that sort of resembled a locker room shower area, complete with drainage grates in the floor. There was a ledge along one side of the room that led up to a windowbox-like protrusion, and Virgil could see from here that it was full of soft, beige dirt.
Patton paused, visibly turning his head from Virgil to the washbox, as though measuring things out in his mind.
“That’s probably too small for you, huh?”
Virgil stopped him before he could start making plans for a human-sized sandbox. “Uh, actually, Pat, I need water to wash.”
“Oh!” Patton exclaimed, more surprised than disconcerted. “Well, water we doing over here then?”
Virgil couldn’t hide a smile, and Patton crinkle-smiled back at him before waving him over to the opposite end of the room. He pointed up, where there were little circular discs with a grid of tiny holes set into the wall. “Here you go! Roman uses these to help with his slough, or when he gets particularly rough and tumble down on planetside!”
… Great. Odds were borrowing his shower was probably going to make Roman even more homicidal towards him. Virgil decided to worry about that later. For now, he was faced with the biggest challenge of them all: figuring out how a friend’s shower knobs worked.
Surprisingly, it seemed like the panel set into the wall below each disc worked similarly to the other touchscreens he’d seen set into the control room of the ship. Unsurprisingly, they were all labeled with the written form of Common, which meant he had about zero chance of figuring it out on his own.
Patton noticed his blank stare and patted at his knee, and Virgil squatted down easily so the undersized alien could clamber onto his shoulder. He rose up, and Patton’s little claws scrambled for purchase for a moment before he caught his balance, Virgil tense with preparation to twist and catch him if he fell.
“This little icon has the symbol for on, and this is how you get it hot or cold,” he chirped, leaning forwards to point at the screen for emphasis. Virgil obligingly shifted closer, trying to commit the guidance to memory. “You’re a little squisher than Roman, so you should probably change the pressure, too.”
Once he’d shuffled around so he was sure neither of them were about to get slammed by a jet of water, he tapped the power button.
A three-note chime played as a sort of countdown, and water shot out of the disc, at what was probably the appropriate pressure to powerwash muck from under tightly-packed scales. Virgil pushed the slider down until he could put his hand under without feeling any sting from the water’s impact. Then, he cranked the temperature up until it was just short of scalding.
Patton eyed the steam curling up into the air with a concerned fluff to his feathers, but didn’t protest after seeing the small, delighted grin that Virgil made as he held his hand under.
No, this wasn’t dunking his head in cold streams, or dipping his arm in a lukewarm puddle, or the humiliating icy hose downs in captivity. This was warm water. He’d never take it for granted again.
He shrugged out of his hoodie as he walked over to the entrance. “Does this… lock?”
“Any door on the ship can be sealed,” Patton replied, and bonked his head to Virgil’s sympathetically at the shudder that information sent through him. “Nobody’s going to lock anything without your permission, though, okay?”
“Yeah,” Virgil said, knowing he sounded less than convinced. “Can you guard the door, still? Just in case,” he added in English, one of the phrases he’d used a lot while they were on the run.
Patton gave him a sad look, more than aware how unsafe he still felt, but nodded firmly and dropped carefully down to the floor, taking up position just outside the door like a tiny sentry. Virgil draped his hoodie over him, and then-- checking that the others weren’t nearby to witness and freak out about it-- he gave him the world’s smallest noogie, ruffling the feathers atop his head with a knuckle.
Having preemptively twitched his antennae out of the way, Patton made one of those bird-like laughs at him, batting his hand away. “Go clean! And make sure you wash out for slippery floors!”
Virgil snorted, and carefully sealed the door behind him, trying not to think about the feeling of being stuck in a tiny square room again. He shook his head, dragging his thoughts back on track.
He had access to a warm shower, his first in literal months (...years?). He was going to stay under that spout until every bit of dirt washed down the drain.
---
Roman was midway through a session of storywriting when he heard Patton’s bright voice coming down the hall, passing by his room and chattering all the while.
His ears flicked back automatically to check in, and he frowned when he realized that he couldn’t hear Logan’s arms clicking alongside the Ampen. No, apart from Patton’s tiny tapping footsteps, there was nothing. Patton had to be talking to the Human, then, since he was the only one who ghosted around the ship silently enough to make Roman feel stalked at every corner.
Well. He’d grown tired of watching his characters make a rather vexing detour from his carefully-plotted main storyline anyhow, and he was loath to leave his smallest friend alone with a Human, regardless of how docile that Human pretended to be.
After a brief cleanup of his writing instruments, he was sweeping down the corridor to the commons after them.
Logan was already in the room when he arrived, which was surprising; even Roman had picked up on the ludicrous lengths the Human went to avoid the Ulgorian, as though Logan of all people was someone to be scared of. The nerd’s poison blood was the most “threatening” thing about him, and the Human had already shown how easily he could shake that off.
Patton was leading the Human by one hand, their size disparity as jarring and terrifying as ever. And the Human…
Roman turned his head to the side to study the scene more intently, and that in itself was strange.
Normally, Virgil was almost preternaturally aware of when he was being watched, according to Logan. It was obvious when he knew: the Human went tense and rigid, practically poised to pounce at any moment.
But now, he was trailing after Patton with a relaxed slope to his shoulders, his steps almost languid. He all but collapsed on the fluffy cushion Patton gestured to, eyes gliding shut as the Ampen climbed up after him.
Roman took a few steps into the room, and the Human cracked one eye open-- not entirely out of it, then. The mild suspicion he was regarded with was almost reassuring.
Upon closer inspection, there were physical changes, too. The human had gone from pale, almost grey-toned to having a pinkish tint to his skin. The grey-brown still clung to the hooded garment he’d draped himself in, creating an even more jarring contrast. Dirt, then? It would certainly explain the smudges he left everywhere he touched much better than some strange Human Residue.
… He wasn’t crossing Human Residue off the list of possibilities, though.
Most striking of all was his head. He had originally stalked around with a matted mess of fur, glinting oily in the light where it wasn’t dull with dirt. Now, the fur was clean and stuck out in little fluffy tufts, creating a much less menacing look overall.
Patton apparently agreed, because he’d scampered up to one shoulder and immediately buried his tiny hands into that fluff. Roman and Logan both startled, exchanging an alarmed-exasperated-fearful look, one that had become exceedingly more common after Patton came home with his new Human cellmate.
Surprisingly, all Virgil did was go even more boneless on the cushion, turning his head to better meet Patton’s touch. Patton closed his eyes happily, apparently completely fine with petting one of the most feared creatures in the galaxy.
That wasn’t surprising at all, actually.
What was surprising was the Human’s apparent tolerance for it.
“I wasn’t aware Humans enjoyed tactile ministrations,” Logan said, tapping his wristplates curiously. “Is Virgil alright?”
The Human in question turned slightly to glance at them, eyes still half-lidded. It was probably the least threatening body language Roman had seen from him since… well, ever. “Mm?”
“You’re just relaxing, aren’t you kiddo?” Patton combed through that mess of fluff some more and Virgil lost what little tension he’d regained. “Virgil spent a lot of time on guard while we were on the run planetside. He deserves all the time in the world to recuperate… and all the head scritches!”
Roman’s tail swished exasperatedly, but even he really couldn’t come up with a reason to begrudge the Human for this, not when Patton was so clearly enjoying having someone else onboard to preen. Even if that someone was a Deathworlder.
He moved to settle onto his own cushion under the guise of supervising, though for once he thought the Human might actually fall asleep in front of him.
And if he was perhaps just slightly curious about what exactly a fluffy Human felt like? Well, that was nobody’s business but his own.
#sanders sides#ts virgil#ts patton#ts roman#ts logan#humans are space orcs#space au#wibar#wibar snapshots#watch it burn and rust#writing#my writing#found family#platonic moxiety
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New Normal
Pairing: Yandere!Tubbo x Reader (with some Ranboo)
Request: we need more yandere tubbo i absolutely love the way you wrote him shdhhfjd........ maybe a short fic or some headcanons elaborating on "waking up in the mansion one day"? maybe the reader gets more afraid than going along with it .. I'd love to see ranboos aspect regarding tubbos behavior as well 👀
Word count: 2.3 k
Warning: yandere, kidnapping, drugging
A/n: This is all platonic. Nothing romantic. Also this was meant to be short not this long oh lord.
The night had been unforgiving to you as of late. Every night you felt like you were being watched over. It was so weird. It didn’t matter if the windows were open or not. Or even if they had blinds over them. Your paranoia was being fed by every noise emanating from the darkness. Now you weren’t afraid of the dark, never had been. But now, oh god the dark was terrifying. The unknown of the dark scared you. Anything could be hiding in there. And with this new “admirer” of yours, your newfound fear of the shadows was being fed a damn feast. The last straw for you was when you came home one night and saw your window broken and front door open. It spooked you too much; what if they were still inside? You couldn’t risk that.
That’s how you found yourself in Tubbo’s house, on his couch, hunched over and shaking over a cup of tea. You don’t remember why you came here, in all honesty. There were so many other people you could have chosen that were more than capable of protecting you. There was Sam, Bad, Sapnap, even Technoblade. Yet you still went to Tubbo. He was a comforting presence for you. And you just really wanted some comfort for this new fear of yours. Is this what I child felt when they were scared of the dark and needed a flashlight? God now you feel so bad for making fun of little kids for needing those.
“Hey are you okay,” a hand just fucking attacks your shoulder and you wip around. Oh god what if the guy got you now- wait it’s just Tubbo. Wow you overreacted there. Your swift actions shocked Tubbo, making him take a few steps away from you. He held his hands up in the air; an attempt to show he meant no harm to you. But you were just relieved at the sight of Tubbo.
“I don’t know,” a lump was forming in your throat. The tea isn't helping at all. You were so upset that you couldn’t even tell what flavor it was. Nor did you ask Tubbo, but that didn’t matter. Only distractions mattered now; a way to get your mind off of the paranoid thoughts. “I think I am”. Your grip on the cup tightened. Some of that was you trying to ground yourself, but another part of it was just tension. It was becoming harder to breathe and you had no idea why. There wasn’t a reason. Start breathing normally again- uh what was that breathing exercise?
Tubbo came around the couch and sat by your side. “Hey, can you look at me really quick?” He grabbed your hands and you looked at him. Somehow looking into his eyes made it harder to breathe. “Okay now repeat after me- wait not repeat. Uh, do what I do. Ready?” You didn’t get a chance to reply before he started. “Okay take a deep breath with me. In through the mouth for five and out the nose for four. In for five, out for four.” A small pattern formed from the mantra. Something about the exercise was extremely comforting, but you were never sure on what it was. Well you knew it had to do with slowing your breathing and helping you focus, but you felt like there was something else to it. There had to be something else to it. Why else would it be able to calm you so well right now?
It took a while, but you finally calmed down. Well, “calmed down” being a relative term. You were tired and numb inside. Your attention was completely focused on the flames in the hearth. They were mesmerizing. Happily dancing away, illuminating the room.
You hadn’t realized what was happening. All you remember is looking at Tubbo and then everything just became blurry. The sting of tears stung your eyes. Oh, you were about to cry again. That’s so annoying, stupid. You had just calmed down and yet you’re still crying. Craving human contact must be a symptom of sadness or some shit because you looked at Tubbo for comfort. And he gave you exactly that; opening his arms to give you a hug. Without a second thought, you essentially flew into his arms. He accepted you immediately and held you close. The tears that had once been contained by a damn once again ran free. Slowly you grew tired. Oh how you despised the act of crying and how it drained you so. A little nap wouldn’t hurt.
__________________________________ The sunbeams were attacking you and it hurt so much. So bright, demanding. You didn’t want to get up. Sleepiness still held you captive, flowed through your body like the very blood you had. Yet the light was relentless, attacking your closed eyes through it’s armor. A valiant effort was made to stay asleep and keep the sunlight out of your eyes. But it was futile. Rolling over did nothing but illicit noise and made you mildly uncomfortable. When you finally gave in, you just stared blankly at the wall.
For a wall, it was pretty. Kinda. It was plain but a stylish kind of plain. A timeless look. It took ages to finally muster the energy to even sit up, but you still did. The view changed yet it didn’t at the same time. It was pretty empty in the room. Three doorways, two next to each other on your right and one on your left, a bed, some curtains, a small nightstand, and a bookshelf. Other than that, there was a ton of open space.
Once you regained some more consciousness, you slipped out of bed. There was a jingle, but you didn’t really pay attention to it. You definitely heard it, you just thought something fell on the floor. Whatever it was could wait. The unexplored room was just waiting for exploration, though you could have easily explored it from your bed because of how empty it was. When you got to one of the doors, you slowly opened it to reveal a closet. It was absolutely filled with clothes you liked. Or some you were missing. Didn’t you own that shirt at home? And that one too? Huh, what a coincidence. Pretty cool.
Not even two steps away from the closet was another door, which you also slowly opened. Didn’t want to hit anyone. Through that door was a bathroom. It was pretty big and pretty. Very shiny and clean. There were some care products in there, some shampoo and conditioner. But you stopped yourself from looking too much. You didn’t want to snoop. It was rather rude to do.
Grogley you turn toward the last mystery door. It was all the way on the other side of the room. Man you weren’t awake enough for this. Yawning, you start your way to the other doorway. That must be the way back to the rest of the mansion. Sadly you didn’t get far. Not even halfway there before you were stopped. More accurately tripped. Something made your foot slip from underneath, making you fall onto your stomach. Everything ached, but your ankle felt weird. It was a different pain. When you tried to pull it closer to examine it, something stopped it and the sound of metal hitting itself rang across the room. You nearly give yourself whiplash from how quickly you turn your head.
A metal cuff clung onto your ankle which in turn was connected to a tense chain. At the other end of the chain was one of the bedposts. Specifically the one closest to the closet and bathroom. That’s odd. Okay now what’s going on here? Oh did Tubbo do this to make you feel more secure? Well it was and wasn’t working all at the same time. Because who puts an ankle chain on somebody?
A knock interrupted your thoughts. From your spot on the floor, you whipped your head back around to the last mystery door. You stayed quiet, wondering if you were just imagining noises. But another knock soon came. It was undeniable, very pronounced and purposeful. Whoever was out there- what could they be here for. Panic started to overtake you again, but the sound of Tubbo’s voice coming from the other side of the door caught your attention.
“Can I come in,” Tubbo announces his presence again with another round of knocks. With the amount of noise you made, you were pretty sure he knew you were awake. But you still replied to him.
“Yeah you can.”
Not even a second after you reply, the door slowly opens and Tubbo peaks his head in. He seemed to have woken up with some bedhead, which made him look boyish. A little careless for physical appearances, which can be an endearing feature. Tubbo gave the room a sweeping look, checking for something. What exactly, you couldn’t tell. But apparently he was satisfied because he opened the doorway entirely. You swiftly stood up, getting as close to the door as you could.
On the other side of the door was Tubbo in some pajamas. He looked a little sleepy, but his happiness shone through it. You smiled at the sight of him, happy that someone came to get you out.
“Good morning, Tubbo!” You gave a toothy grin and spread your arms to emphasize your joy. “Sleep well?”
“Good morning!.” He gave you a toothy smile in return, but it looked odd. Like it was forced, nervous even. But you must’ve just been looking too far into it. “I slept pretty good. How’d you sleep?”
“I slept like a fucking rock,” you reply with a little laughter. “Honestly? Best sleep of the month, man. Really needed it. Thanks for letting me bunk at your place last night.”
“Not a problem at all,” his smile soon became more natural, much bigger. “I really enjoyed having you over”. It seemed like he was going to say something else, but stopped himself. The nervous look reappeared on his face, and you gave the most reassuring look you could. “So about you moving in-”
“Oh yeah that,” your smile disappeared as quickly as it came. “I can’t just do that Tubbo. I just can’t.” Tubbo seemed saddened by your response. “It’s not like I don’t want to live with you,” you explained. “I’d love to live with you and Ranboo, but I have other responsibilities. Things that have to be done very far from the mansion. Seriously, I’d love to stay.”
“Then stay.” It was a simple statement on his part. You thought it was a little banter.
“I’d stay if I could Tubbo. But I gotta go.”
“You can’t go.”
“Yes I can, Tubbo. Now can you please unchain me, I gotta go.” You lift your ankle and shake it along with the chain for emphasis.
But Tubbo doesn’t even give it a look before answering. “You can’t leave.”
His actions are words are a bit worrying now, huh. This is just a silly prank. Any second now he’ll say it’s a joke and release you. Yeah, any moment now.
That moment never comes though.
“Come on now,” Tubbo starts to lead you back to the bed. “Get back in bed. You still look tired.”
“I’m not tired Tubbo,” your voice hardens to emphasise the fact that you really don’t need this shit right now. “Look I’m completely fine and I have to go. This joke isn’t funny anymore. Just unlock the fucking cuff and I’ll be on my way.”
You two stop at the bed and he gently ushers you in. Climbing on the bed to give you a hug. Struggling against him does no good. If anything, it just makes things worse. He just tightens his grip like a damn python. Wtf why is this kid so strong and clingy? This definitely isn’t a good combo.
“Look you aren’t fine. See?” He emphasizes his point by hugging you tighter. Which you don’t like and groan in protest. “You need to rest. It’s fine. You’re home.”
Internally you start to panic. Yo, hold up, what the hell is he talking about? You know damn well you ain’t home or agreed to stay here. So what does he think he’s doing?
There’s a cough from the doorway, and both you and Tubbo’s attention is diverted to the newcomer. At the threshold of the room is Ranboo. A platter loaded with food held between his hands. He looks awkward standing there. And you don’t blame him because you felt awkward just being in the hug. You couldn’t even imagine the embarrassment you’d get from walking in on this shit. When your eyes meet, he gives you a small, unsure smile.
Movement behind Ranboo catches your attention. You look behind Ranboo’s legs to see Micheal clinging onto Ranboo’s pants. He looked so happy. Well, happy being debatable and interpretive. He looked normal but he was making his little happy noises. Micheal bounded over to you, stretching his arms out while making the most adorable little oink noises. You look between Tubbo and Ranboo for any sign. Literally anything for them. But Tubbo just encourages you. So you pick up Micheal and hold him close to your chest.
Tubbo gives a cheer of joy while Ranboo joins in, though a little less enthusiastic. Still the fact he sounded genuinely happy about this situation was worrying. Especially since he knew what was going on. Knew how wrong it all was. Micheal had no idea. Happily oinking way in your lap and messing with your hands. Suddenly two sets of arms entangle themselves around you; pulling themselves toward you for a hug.
Looking down at Micheal, you now question if the backstory you were told about him was true. Was he actually found wandering around? Or was he kidnapped, just like you?
#c: tubbo#c: ranboo#tw: yandere#yandere#dodo writing#mcyt x reader#x reader#dsmp x reader#dsmp!tubbo#dsmp!ranboo#tubbo x reader#ranboo x reader#yandere tubbo#yandere ranboo#yandere tubbo x reader#tw: kidnapping#tw: drugging#dsmp!ranboo x reader#dsmp!tubbo x reader
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Why'd You Have to Leave? -- Wanda Maximoff x Reader
a/n: You and Wanda have a fight, she leaves, proving to you that everyone leaves eventually.
-- This fic idea was very random & I'm not sure I like the ending but what can ya do 🤷♀️ I hope y'all enjoy it.
Words: 5359
Warnings: Angst! Some swearing & mentions of alcohol, brief mention of a panic attack. NSFW. 18+ Only.
You knew this would happen.
I mean it always does, sometimes sooner than others. But it is inevitable really. In the end, you were always the one to blame, because truthfully it was you who drove people away.
Over and over and over, until they could not take it any longer.
Over and over and over again, you proved to yourself that no one would stay.
So really, you knew this would happen.
It didn’t hurt any less though, watching the person you truly thought would stay, just leave.
She was only supposed to be gone for a month, on a mission that required her to go undercover, no phone calls, no texts, no mail. Nothing. Silence for an entire month, which normally you could have handled but the fight before her departure replayed in your mind, like a broken record.
Except a broken record was once whole, and you’re not sure the relationship you had with Wanda was ever that.
The tears. The shouting. The door slamming. And then silence, complete silence.
And when the day came around for Wanda to come back home, you waited impatiently by the door, ears perking up at every small sound, heart racing when the distant chatter from the team got just a little louder. But then it was almost 10 at night, and worry started to flood your thoughts.
It didn’t last long before a knock came at your door, it was so light you thought you imagined it. Anxiety filling you, you held your breath before replying “Come in”.
You watched slowly as the door creaked open, almost as if the person behind it was hesitant to enter.
It was Natasha, and you felt the dread creep back up your body, reaching your throat, tightening as you held back the tears that threatened to breakthrough.
You didn’t dare speak, for the fear of cracking in front of her. Instead, you let her take the lead, as you chewed insistently on your bottom lip.
“How are you doing?” She whispered, approaching slowly, coming to a stop at the end of your bed.
You nodded, gesturing for her to take a seat. Which she did, and you sat for a moment, almost unsure of how to answer.
Miserable. Scared. Maybe even grieving.
You settled with an “I’m fine”
She disliked your response, her brows furrowed at your words.
“You’ve barely left your room this past month, we’re worried about you”
You scoffed, irritated at the sudden interest in your well-being.
“Why are you here Nat?” You spat.
Your voice breaks, and you’re not even sure if she heard the next words, “Is she coming home?”
The blonde doesn’t even need to reply, her expression failing her instantly, a look of pity directed at your sad state.
“Get out”
Natasha doesn’t bother trying to fight with you, uttering “She’s alive Y/N, I think she just needs time alone”
And with that, she leaves. Her words cut deeper than you thought they would.
She consciously decided to leave you, longer than needed for a stupid mission, not even bothering to tell you herself.
And in some dark twisted way, you thought her death would hurt less.
By the time the next month rolled around, any hope you had left started to die off. Natasha was the only one that heard from Wanda, once a week you would watch Natasha rush off to a secluded area, engaging in a hushed conversation. The calls only lasted a few minutes and although you had started to occupy yourself with other tasks, you couldn’t help but feel the gut-wrenching ache in your stomach when the blonde would look over at you.
A few more weeks passed by and it was an unbearably warm day, which you spent outside suffering through one of Steve’s grueling workouts when you heard the familiar buzz of the Quinjet approaching the compound.
Despite your condition, you noticed Steve’s worried features glance your way before running off to the approaching jet.
There it was. That dread and sadness you worked so hard to push down, came flooding back like a dam bursting.
Even from this far away you knew it was her. Her red hair glistening in the sweltering sun. You watched the rest of the team sweep her into hugs, but your interest in her was interrupted by a taller unfamiliar figure standing behind her.
You could barely make out their appearance, but they were not human. Skin coloured an unnatural red and blue. Almost synthetic-like. Their presence instantly leaving a bad taste in your mouth.
You waited for everyone to head inside before making your way to your room to shower.
You had hoped the cold water would shock the unwelcome feelings from your mind, but time alone only served to create more.
Taking a deep breath, you prepared to enter the living room, where the team was catching up with Wanda and the new guest. You hesitated though, inching closer and closer to the doorway, before changing your mind, turning on your heel back the direction you came.
You had nearly turned around before a quiet voice halted your movements.
You froze just as Wanda’s voice hitched.
“Y/N?” she whispered; goosebumps forming immediately over your skin because it was like hearing her voice for the first time. Was her accent always this prominent?
You could have kept going. You could have ignored her and pretended like you didn’t care. But she was right behind you, and the desire to see her face after all this time overtook you.
You shifted your weight, taking a long deep inhale, bracing yourself. Turning around you averted your eyes, attempting to take her in slowly, hoping to warm up to see her face again after all this time.
So, you did just that and once your eyes arrived at her face, you realized no amount of preparation would have sufficed.
Her eyes seemed lighter like they were no longer burdened by the dullness of the compound and familiarity of her old life. It was as if they belonged to someone else, a person who you struggled to recognize.
Had it been that long? Did she always have that many freckles?
You shook your head, frustrated at the thoughts filling your head, and embarrassment began to creep up realizing you had yet to answer her.
“You’re back” You whispered back; afraid your voice may break if you talked any louder.
She hesitated, paused, observed you like she used to. So, you observed her back. Watched her watch you, a flitter occurring deep in your belly. Subconsciously shifting again on your feet, drawing her out of her stupor, she cleared her throat to answer, “Yeah I thought it was about time”
About time? Almost as if you were just an old friend, and it was time to play catch-up.
A dry laugh fell out of you. “Well, how nice of you to come back.”
A sigh crossed her lips, her eyes flickering down for a moment before returning to your intense gaze. “We should talk.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” you spat back, eyes narrowing. “You said enough when you left without another word, and you said, even more, when you didn’t come back.”
Tears welled in your eyes, memories returning like unwanted guests. That’s when the tears started. That’s when you lost hold of your composure. Because her presence used to be warm. She was back, she came back. Her presence should have relieved you.
But it didn’t. It just hurt, cut open the wound you thought you started to patch back together, but just like that she ripped you open again. And you lost control, again.
You didn’t give her a chance to answer. Because nothing she would say at that moment could fix it. You weren’t sure if anything she would ever say would fix it.
So, you left. You heard her say your name one more time. It was desperate, broken. But you needed space. Tears blurred your vision as your feet carried you to the roof of the compound. You didn’t stay standing for long. The door shut behind you and you crumpled to the ground, sobs wracking your entire body, draining you of any air that was left.
You lied there, hyperventilating, trying desperately to catch your breath. Every fiber of this false control and composure you thought you weaved, just completely unraveled.
You thought you heard someone call your name, but it was so distant and all you could think of, all you felt was the gnawing at your chest.
Hands cupped your wet cheeks, stroking lightly, “Hey hey, Y/N I’m here. Take some deep breaths for me. I’m here”
Your eyes shot open at Wanda’s voice, wanting desperately to rip yourself from her hands. But you didn’t. You didn’t know if it was because you were exhausted or if you wanted to hold onto this feeling for as long as you could. So, you stayed, allowing Wanda to sit behind you, taking the weight of your body against hers.
Her voice wavered, barely holding onto any stability, “That’s it, keep breathing.”
You heard sniffling behind you before her body began to shake. Her tear-stained hand coming into your peripherals for a brief moment.
Your body stiffened at the sight, anger starting to replace any feelings of anguish. You pushed away from her, standing abruptly. You swiveled around to take sight of her. The rims of her eyes were red, tears flowing freely from them.
“What are you doing?” You hissed, ignoring the concern that started to crawl into you.
She wiped another tear.
“I came to see if you were-”
“No. What are you doing back? Why did you come back?”
Anger laced itself in your voice. It took you straight back to that night. It was a stupid fight, both of you too stubborn to admit feelings, too stubborn to stop pushing one another away, too afraid to admit that you were in love. So, you snapped. You pushed to see how much it would take for her to walk away, how much she could handle. To see if she would stay.
It was wrong. It was childish. You knew that. You didn’t blame her; it was your fault after all. You pushed to prove that everyone leaves, and she proved it again.
You could see her reliving that night as well, her eyes staring hard at the ground below her. Her jaw clenched.
"I-I couldn't stand to be away from you any longer. I missed you."
“Stop. Just stop! I don’t want to hear that bullshit.” You yelled.
And you didn’t give her a chance to reply, “All those secret phone calls with Natasha, you couldn’t have just called to tell me yourself? I had to be told by Natasha that you wouldn’t be coming back. That’s all I got. How fucking pathetic. This time don’t follow me.”
The door slammed behind you. You turned the corner at the end of the stairwell and ran right into the stranger you had yet to meet. You glared up at him. His presence fuelled your anger.
“Hello Miss Y/N, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Do you know where Wan-”
“The roof. Now get out of my way.”
He’s pushed to the side, hitting the wall lightly as you brushed past him.
You spent that night in your room, huddled in blankets. Knocks came and went at your door. Each one met with a strangled fuck off, eventually taking the hint you wanted to be left alone.
You spent days in your room, losing track of time. The cycles of day and night coming and going like a blur, like scenes from a movie.
Once in a while, you could register a hushed voice from outside your room. You started to think you were just hallucinating them at times.
Then your solitude was interrupted by a presence entering your room. You didn’t see who it was. You were enveloped by the safety of your blankets, excluding any light that dared to enter your room.
“Y/N? I brought you some food”
It was Peter. You nearly broke at his voice, sadness lacing his words. He was by far your closest friend but being so busy at college you rarely saw him anymore. He knew of the current circumstances, but like most people, you shut him out.
You could only assume Natasha or Steve was responsible for his arrival at the compound. But it was a presence you welcomed. It surprised you. You were so sure that the past days spent alone in your room, you had officially cried out every feeling possible. You felt utterly empty. Endless nothingness.
You peeked out from the safety of your comforter, dry eyes meeting his warm gaze.
“Well, it’s nice to see you. I brought your favourite pizza. Although there is a catch, you do have to share with me,” He smiles, leaning over to grab the food.
“Thank you”
You cringed at the sound of your voice. It was hoarse. It was dry. It was so weak.
The two of you sat in silence for a while. You groaned at the taste of the pizza, finally realizing how malnourished your body was. It wasn’t long before it was gone.
“What time is it?”
“10 am and it’s Sunday”
Sunday. That meant it had been three days since Wanda returned.
“You brought me pizza at 10 am?” You laughed. The sound shocked you at first, you couldn’t remember the last time you laughed. It saddened you.
He smiled at that, “Well, who said you can’t eat pizza at 10 am? Plus, I thought you might need it. I’ve been worried about you. We all have. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner, I tried. I-I didn’t know how bad it had gotten”
You held up your hand, stopping him from continuing.
“Don’t apologize. Please. I didn’t make it easy”
“I want to ask how you are, but I feel like I know the answer”
You averted your eyes, taking a look around your room. Messy was an understatement. You could barely see the floor. You caught your reflection in a nearby mirror. You broke at the sight. How could you let yourself get like this?
“Hey, I’m right here. It’s going to be ok.”
Peter held you for a while, your tears eventually dying out. You pulled away from his tear-soaked shirt. Embarrassed and exhausted, you look at him, “I’m going to shower.”
You weren’t sure how long you spent washing off the dirt that built up over the past few days. You were angry and annoyed. How could you let her do this to you again?
You pushed away from the thought, instead, relishing in the warm water.
When you returned, clean and in new clothes, your room was tidy. Your bed made and the floor clear of riddled clothes and trash. Peter sat on your bed.
“Wow. Thank you for cleaning, you didn’t need to”
“It’s no problem. Really. I’m here for you. Now let’s go enjoy the day”
The team quieted down immediately at your presence, staring widely at the two of you. You hated the attention. You hated how you searched for Wanda amongst the group. You hated how disappointed you were when you noticed she wasn’t there.
Peter noticed your wandering gaze and grabbed your arm to drag you along.
The sun was blinding. Taking you longer than normal to adjust. But once you did, you stood there letting the warmth encase your entire body. You glanced over at Peter.
“She’s here still. She hasn’t left her room.”
You just stare at him.
“Sorry, is that what you wanted to know?”
You nod, “Has anyone talked to her?”
“Vision did. I don’t think it went too well though. He was thrown out of the room almost immediately. Thankfully he can phase through walls, so she didn’t do much damage.”
You breathe out, “Sounds like her”
Peter clears his throat. “Do you think you’re going to speak to her?”
“I’m not sure if I have anything to say”
You started to walk, and Peter followed. The past days spent in your room allowed you to reflect heavily on the situation. Whether you wanted to accept it or not, you loved Wanda. You’d fell for her the day you met her, nearly 3 years ago. Her presence frustrated you, made you experience things you came to believe you would never understand. She scared you, wholeheartedly.
Her presence also grounded you. Missions spent together allowed the two of you to grow closer, sharing hushed conversations about her life in Sokovia, your life growing up. Sharing painful memories but also the minor details about one another. By now, you could read each other without a second thought.
You didn’t realize the effect she had on you until she left. No one else on the team calmed you like she did. No one else could ever come close to her.
Peter cut in, disrupting your thoughts, “I think you do. I know it’s not my place, but I can see how much you two care about each other. I also know that neither of you have had it easy. But don’t you think you deserve something good? Whatever you two have is special, complicated even, but worth fighting for,”
“Maybe it’s about time you let yourself open up, let yourself have this. If it goes wrong, then at least you tried” He watched you hesitantly, knowing there was a possibility of him receiving a fist to the face.
Instead, you sat with it. Maybe he was right. “I’m scared,” you admitted, taking a deep breath at your vulnerability.
“That means you care, somewhere in that cold heart of yours.”
You shot him a glare, quickly replacing it with a smile. “Yeah, yeah.”
He was right. Not that you would admit that to him, ever. But you did care. You cared a lot. So, you stared at Peter for a moment before heading back inside. You walked right past the rest of the group for the second time, they watched you with curiosity as you headed down the opposing corridor, opposite your room. To Wanda’s.
You didn’t know how long you stood there for. You must have reached up to knock nearly ten times, and just when your fist was about to touch the wood, you froze. If you went in there you had to be vulnerable. You had to admit everything you didn’t want to. Everything you tried so fucking hard to run away from. You would have to do that for this person, and hope, just hope that they would accept all of you.
Wanda decided to be the push you needed. She had heard your battling thoughts from her chair in the corner. Where she had sat for the past days, thinking. She had wondered if you’d ever come. She had battled with just barging into your room and confessing everything. She attempted several times, sneaking out late at night. Nights spent hovered outside your door.
So, when she heard you outside her door, the tightness in her chest started to soften.
Red mist encased the door handle, and you watched as the door creaked open, it startled you at first before you comprehended what was happening. You stepped through the doorway and scanned for Wanda. And you found her, she sat in a chair across from you, she stared intently at you before her features softened, almost as if she still wasn’t sure, it’d be you walking through the door.
You cleared your throat, nervous under her gaze, “Hi”
“Hey, how are you?”
It was awkward.
"I'm go-", you stopped yourself, "I don't know. I have no idea"
She nodded. More silence.
“I’m sorry I yelled at you the other day. It wasn’t very mature of me”
Wanda shifted in her seat, “Don’t apologize. You had-have every right to be angry with me. I’m so sorry Y/N. I really fucked up”, tears ran down her face, which she swiped away almost as fast as they came.
You remained rooted in your spot. Stuck between wanting to comfort her and keeping your distance. You stayed.
“Wanda, I want to be completely open with you. I know I don’t have the greatest track record for being the most vulnerable, but I’ve realized that whatever the outcome is, I need to be honest with you”
You moved to the edge of her bed and took a few minutes to gather your thoughts before continuing, "You are the most important person in my life. I haven't made it easy for you and I didn't make it easy on us. For that, I'm sorry. I hated letting people in, frankly, I didn't let anyone in until I met you. When we met, it was like I could breathe for the first time, which now that I'm saying that it sounds so cliche,"
“I wanted to push you away and prove to myself that everyone just leaves me. I’ll admit, it’s childish and unhealthy but I can’t change what I did. But when you left, it broke me. For a moment I thought you’d be the one to stay. And as much as I hate you for it, I can’t blame you.”
You looked up at Wanda. Taking a moment to catch your breath as the familiar tightness returned.
“I shouldn’t have left. Regardless of how hard it was. I don’t have an excuse for what I did, and I don’t have an excuse for how I handled things. It was immature and I am mad at myself for it. I never wanted to hurt you, I felt that me being there was just adding to the hurt.”
It was your turn for the tears to fall. You wished yours were more controlled, but you couldn’t help the way your body fell victim to everything you had tried to hold in.
Wanda stood immediately, closing the distance before stopping abruptly in front of your legs. You looked up at her through blurry eyes, your hands reached out before you knew what you were doing. Coming into contact with her sweater, you cried harder at the warmth radiating from her body. She stepped in and grasped your hands, placing them on her waist.
Her hands cupped your cheeks, thumbs wiping away the tears. Your knuckles nearly turned white, grasping onto her like she was your lifeline.
“It hurts me when you cry. Yet, I’m the reason for it”
Her hands made their way to yours, reaching back to release them gently from her shirt. Her thumbs continued their movements on the back of your hands. You both stayed there for some time, your tears becoming less frequent and your breath becoming deeper.
“Talk to me please”
Your eyes were closed but you felt her bend down, kneeling in front of you. Your eyes opened and her breath hitched, eyes red and puffy, but remained that bright green.
“Who is he?”
Her brows furrowed for a moment before realizing who it was you were asking about, “Vision?”
“Sure, the red dude”
She smiled briefly, “I met him on the mission, he was one of Stark’s AI’s, I guess he went off on his own for a while before making contact again”, “Why?”
“I think he likes you”
“He had to hear a lot about me while we were together. He knows my heart lies with you,”
“I wanted to wait but I realized waiting is stupid and if I don’t say it now I don’t-”
“I love you. I’m pretty sure I’ve loved you since we first met. I’m sorry it took me so long to say it”
You didn’t know if you’d ever seen Wanda smile so big, the sadness lifting slowly from her eyes, that lightness you saw a few days before returning. The lightness caused by you.
“I love you too. I love you so much. I’m sorry I left, you mean everything to me, I never want you to feel less than that”
You glanced down at Wanda’s lips instinctively, she mirrored your movements before she leaned in slowly to close the distance. Just before your lips touched, you pulled back, ever so slightly, she halted immediately glancing back up at you,
“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now Wan, I still need some time” You replied, hand placed on her chest.
She nodded and went back to her standing position. You cleared your throat before you stood as well, making your way to her door.
“I’ll see you around”
The next few days passed quite quickly, Wanda and you exchanged glances here and there, some turning into lingering moments, it was always you that had to break the contact.
A week later, at The Avengers Annual Charity Gala, you had a little too much to drink. You stood at the bar, gladly accepting the rounds of free drinks being supplied to you by random charity goers, each time thanking you for what you do. Each new person began to weave into one as your vision blurred, the bar counter became the only thing that stood between you and the floor.
You admit, it was irresponsible but that was quickly excused by the rough past few months you had just endured. So, you continued and tried to ignore the redhead and her companion in the corner of the room. Peter approached the bar and ended your fun once you stumbled and knocked over the barstool, apologizing after doing so, “I think that’s enough for her Natasha''
“Peter! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” You exclaimed, throwing your arms around him.
“You can barely stand, come on let’s sit down”
Peter led you over the couches, and you plopped down with a sigh and slumped over almost immediately.
“Oh my god, Peter, have you lied down on these couches before? This is wonderful”
“Drink some water please, Tony will lose it if you puke on these”
He shoved water your way, clearly annoyed at your antics. You sent him a glare before accepting the drink, “Let me have some fun, you know I can’t stay drunk that long anyways”
“Yeah, but you are a reckless one, and this gala is an important one,” He said, taking a seat beside you, as he placed his hand on your lap.
He noticed your eyes watching Wanda and Vision, her head thrown back at something he whispered to her.
“You’re insufferable, why don’t you two just get back together?”
“I need time. I love her but what if we just aren’t meant to be?”
“That’s ridiculous. She loves you. She’s been watching over you the whole night,” Peter admits, rolling his eyes at you.
“Take this as a second chance, God knows what tomorrow will bring, in this line of work you need to count your blessings and live while you can. You love her”
You nod and take another swig of the water. Wanda felt your eyes and twisted her head to meet your gaze.
“Hold this” You shoved the water at Peter before standing up.
You took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment before you pushed through the crowd that stood between you and Wanda. Vision stood there, entranced by Wanda as she spoke, but she wasn’t focused on him nor the conversation, as she watched curiously as you stumbled your way through the partygoers.
“Wanda. Vision” You said as you tried to center yourself after the abrupt movements.
Vision noticed your state, “Are you okay Miss Y/N?”, you stared at him doing your best to be intimidating.
“I need to speak to Wanda. Alone.”
He nodded and excused himself. You took Wanda’s hand in your own and led her behind you to the balcony.
“What’s going on with you?” Wanda spoke, once the two of you were out of earshot from the party.
“I’m being an idiot. I did it again, I pushed you away when I just talked to you about how I didn’t want to do that again. Then seeing you with-” You were cut off as Wanda surged forward, capturing your lips, your words dying in your throat.
You hummed into the kiss as Wanda pushed your body up against the wall, a gasp left you, allowing Wanda’s tongue to slip into your mouth.
You had forgotten how soft her lips were against yours. Her intoxicating smell filled your senses. The sounds of the party began to drown out as your hands gripped her waist, pulling her body flush against yours. One of her hands cupped your cheek, the other reached behind and pulled at the hair resting at the nape of your neck. You groaned loudly as she pulled your head back, exposing your neck to her.
She looked at you for a moment, her irises flashing red before she leaned back down, her teeth sinking into you.
“Fuck, Wanda”
Every worry, every ounce of hesitation, flew right out the window, the familiar feeling of Wanda replacing it all. You were home. She was home. And you were tired of ignoring that.
Wanda was relentless as she moved her way down your body. You clung onto her, worried that without her pinning you against the wall you would surely fall, your knees weak from the attention.
Her hand stopped at the button of your pants, fiddling for a brief moment as her eyes returned to yours. Eyes dark and a smile written across her face,
“What are you smiling at?” You whisper, half-lidded eyes watching her.
“I missed seeing you like this. So desperate for me”
Her accent was thick, lust laced her words. You inhaled sharply, chest heaving, “God-Please fuck me”
The words had barely left your mouth, before she delved back in, taking your mouth into hers while her hands worked your buttons.
One hand around your throat squeezing slightly, the other slipped into your pants, grazing over your soaked underwear.
She let out a moan, muffled by your lips, the vibration shooting right down to your core.
Her fingers ran over your underwear, before they swiftly shoved it out of the way, two fingers sinking deep into you. It was your turn to moan now, violently ripping your mouth from hers as your head slammed back against the wall.
Another moan as the fingers exited fully before they slammed back into you, she continued the movements and curled her fingers before every exit. Just when you thought you couldn’t take anymore, Wanda entered you with three fingers, as her thumb came into contact with your clit, circling it slowly as she slowed her movements for a moment, allowing you to get used to the extra digit.
“I’m so close Wan”
“I know detka, you’re doing so well”
Your stomach tightened as she lifted your right leg around her hip, her fingers diving deeper into you, bottoming out.
“Come for me” Wanda whispered against your skin.
You let go. A wave of pleasure flowed through you as you yelled her name into the night. Your body collapsed against the wall, Wanda being the only thing keeping you standing upright.
Her movements slowed down, as she helped you ride your release. Once your breathing slowed, your eyes peeled open at her just as her fingers entered her mouth, moaning loudly as she sucked off your juices. Releasing them with a pop.
You pulled her in for a kiss, tasting yourself on her lips.
The two of you pulled away, “Sorry, you were saying before?”
You let out a laugh, “I don’t remember anymore”
Wanda reached down, buttoning your pants back up, "I want to try again if that's something you'd want as well?"
“I’d like that”
“Good,” she smiled, “Let’s get back to the party”
After that, there was no more shouting. No more tears. No more doubt. A year passed and the two of you moved into your own home, it wasn’t far from the compound, but it was yours.
You were happy. Wanda left but always came back, returning to your side.
You were home.
--
#wanda x reader#wanda maximoff x reader#wanda maximoff x female reader#elizabeth olsen#angst#marvel#wanda marvel#wanda maximov
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Patch-Up | Levi Ackerman

levi got injured and you clean his wounds and patch him up, feeling guilty about being the reason he got hurt.
pairing: Levi Ackerman x gn!reader
w.c: 2.665
warning: very minor description of injuries, mentions of blood, Levi is kinda very soft in this one
a.n: i wasn’t actually planning to finish this so quickly, haha, levi i love you. also, i feel like he might kinda be ooc??? i just idk, maybe? i hope it isn’t too bad, though.
A frustrated sigh left your lips as you inspected Levi’s face closer, trying to hide your concern about the head wound and the now dried-up blood that marked a trail from the man’s hair line down to his chin.
He’s been hurt during your fight against Kenny and his guys, hitting his head horribly at one point during, leaving a nasty cut behind.
You already felt bad about that, since it was kinda your fault he hit his head in the first place, as he had to protect you in a moment you weren’t entirely focused and would have certainly died if Levi hadn’t swooped in and saved your ass.
It didn’t help that Levi’s eyes, who were usually set in a cold and unbothered glance had grown softer, which smoothened out the frown he almost always wore on his face.
It was terrifying.
You hoped the man didn’t have a concussion because of your stupidity.
“I’ll clean the wound,” you mumbled weakly, repeating words you’ve already said once to remind yourself to keep moving towards him.
You were hyper aware of the captain’s eyes on you and the way the matratze softly bounced as you sunk down on the bed beside him. You reached for the bucket with fresh water and the cloth hanging off it and noticed in horror that your hands were shaking.
Calm down. It‘s only a little blood.
Dipping the fabric into the water and wringing it out you tried to focus your attention on calming your breath, scared Levi would notice you panicking and get annoyed by your sensitive nature as he once called it.
As you were sure your heart rate had slowed you turned again, sending the brunet a small smile, hoping it looked reassuring, as you moved the cloth to start cleaning around the area of the eyes first, so he could see again.
Your hands were still shaking, you noticed bitterly, but you tried your best to make it seem like it was fine.
A hand then took hold of your wrist in a surprisingly soft manner, holding your arm in place.
You froze in surprise, eyes glancing up to find Levi staring at you. His gaze studying you calmly.
“I‘m okay,” he said.
You averted your eyes, biting your lips.
So he had noticed.
Of course.
He was way too observant to miss your fidgety movements and shaky breath. You should probably be more surprised about the soft tone of his voice and the absent annoyance in his features.
„I know,“ you assured, trying and probably failing at putting a tone of certainty in your voice.
Levi studied your face once more, before he gave a slow nod of approval, letting go off your wrist again.
You hoped he didn’t see you visibly relax after he did.
Quickly, you went to work and started cleaning off the dried blood from beneath his left eye first. That proved itself more difficult than you had expected as the constant weight of his eyes on you made you feel nervous and short-breathed.
Silence fell between the both of you, the only sound being your breathing and the occasional water splashing, when cleaning off the rug.
“Close your eye,” you ordered as you had removed all the blood from his cheek.
Levi did what you told him without complaining, closing his eye while he continued watching you out of the other in the meantime.
You clenched your jaw, slowly growing frustrated by the eerie silence between you two and Levi’s uncharacteristic calmness.
Not that he usually screamed at you, but the aura of annoyance that enveloped humanity’s strongest most days, especially when interacting with you it seemed, had disappeared.
It kinda scared you.
His persistent glance on you, now out of two eyes again as you moved to clean off the cloth, would have felt more comfortable if he’d just rolled his eyes once in a while.
It almost seemed like he was expecting you to do something, or hoping maybe. Although you had no idea of what that could be.
Slowly the silence was growing heavy for you, the urge to fill it with words becoming unbearable. So when you turned back to move on to his forehead, softly brushing dark strands of hair out of his face you said the first thing that came to mind.
“I‘m sorry.“
The familiar frown appeared on his face again and your heart jumped in your chest.
“What are you talking about?“
You shrugged, trying to focus your attention on your task at hand instead of letting your eyes shift back to his.
“I was being stupid and didn‘t pay attention and you had to save my ass...now you‘re hurt,” you whispered, words dripping with guilt.
Tears pricked the corner of your eyes and you cursed yourself at being so hypersensitive. Levi hated when you cried about stupid shit, he hated it when you were being dramatic.
You bit your lips, forcing the tears back down.
„Tch. It wasn‘t your fault your ODM gear malfunctioned, brat.”
Levi did finally sound annoyed (his voice still had that soft nuance to it, though, so it didn’t completely count).
“If I wasn't distracted that moment, I wouldn't have been almost sliced up by one of Kenny’s guys despite my malfunctioning ODM gear and you wouldn’t have had to swoop in and save my ass and then you never would have gotten hurt...” i explained, hands moving faster to rub the blood off of his skin as my voice rose in frustration.
If you had only been able to save face, keep calm and not fall into utter panic the moment something didn’t work out as you had expected it, too. Then this would have never happened.
Levi was right. You were irresponsible and childish and hot headed and...
A cold hand snuck around your wrist once again, squeezing your skin once, twice. Your hand stilled. Turning your face away, you bit your lip in frustration.
You had been told often, by almost everyone you’ve ever gotten to know throughout the years with the Survey Corps, that you wore your heart on your sleeve. Some found it endeatring, calling you soft hearted and gentle, while others were (rightfully) scolding you for it, saying you’d never make it far in this kind of profession when you weren’t even able to hide your frustration with the smallest things.
Armin, one of your new recruits, had once told you you had an honest face. Said it was the reason many people trusted you, since they knew you couldn’t hide your lies or insincerities as easily as others.
Levi had told you many times that it was your biggest disadvantage and he was right. You’d never be able to rise in the ranks, never would be declared the leader of a squad or trusted in a position with responsibility. After all, nobody wanted to take orders from someone who couldn't hide their fear, anger, frustration or sadness.
You almost expected Levi to scold you for it once again, grip your wrist and tell you, no, order you to get a grip, not to let anybody see your weakness...
He didn’t.
“I told you, it wasn‘t your fault,” he told you sternly as his thumb softly stroked the inside of your wrist.
Your brain so gracefully short-circuited at the action and unwillingly, as if you were pulled towards a magnet, your eyes were drawn back towards Levi.
His facial expression was just as monotone as usual, but his eyes, they were different still. An emotion you couldn’t quite grasp hidden just beneath the surface. You didn’t know what exactly it was, but it made your heart flutter.
“I‘m still sorry though,” you protested weakly, smiling a little, hoping it would ease the thick tension.
Levi continued to study your face in silence for a few seconds before he finally let go, with a roll of his eyes and a scoff.
You could hardly hide the feeling of triumph that gave you.
“Brat.”
You grinned at him, turning your attention back to his wounds.
You hadn’t even noticed how long you’d already held his hair back, cradling his head in your hand.
The realization made your cheeks glow and you quickly sneaked a look at the man but noticed thankfully Levi had either not noticed or decided not to comment.
You went back to your job, chest a little lighter.
When you were finished cleaning off all the dried off blood you took a closer look at his injury. Despite the vehement blood loss the cut in his skin was relatively small. It didn’t even need stitches, although it might leave behind a bump, considering the velocity he had hit the roof with on his way down.
You sat back on your hackles and raised your finger. You gave Levi a stern (or hopefully stern) glance as you told him to follow your movements.
“Don‘t be an idiot, i don‘t have a concussion.”
You gave him a pout, unmoving as you eyed him stubbornly.
Judging by how easily he gave in, indicated by a sigh and another roll of his eyes, your worry might be justified.
You started moving your hand slowly and Levi followed the movement for a while, sending you a glare when you started drawing circles and spirals into the air.
You just gave him a grin.
“Okay, any dizziness? Headaches?” you asked.
“Why need a headache when you‘re around?” Levi answered sarcastically.
Seems like he was alright enough to be a little shit, then.
“Don‘t insult the person who‘s been cleaning blood off of you for 10 minutes!“
Now the only thing left to do was patching up his head, Thinking about it, a bandaged head would probably only add even more to his already above average appearance.
You started applying the cloth, carefully wrapping the material around his head. Levi endured your slow process like a champ.
You peeked at him from time to time, making sure the man had no complaints. He was very precise and hated sloppy work and you didn’t want him to think of you as unfit to fix him up. After all you had been the one offering, no, persisting to take a look and you didn’t want him to regret giving in to you.
“Stop looking at me like that, brat.”
You frowned, glancing down at him again.
“What? I don‘t know what you mean. I‘m not looking at you in any specific way.”
The corners of his lips moved up slightly, close enough to resemble a smile and your breath stuttered at the unfamiliar action. Your eyes were pulled towards them, the soft curve of his mouth was strangely captivating to you.
“It‘s the way you‘re always looking at me,” he explained with a teasing tone and his smirk widened a little, making him look less and less like the Levi you’ve talked to every day.
Your face flooded with heat and you quickly snapped up your eyes, to no longer stare at the man’s lips (yes, you had been staring, how embarrassing) but instead into his eyes.
Big mistake.
The amused glint you found there made your face flush an even darker shade of red.
You could curse yourself and that you were once again acting like a smitten teenager instead of a soldier in front of your captain.
Trying to gloss over your embarrassment you shook your head, scoffing softly. Then you focused your attention on finishing your work with the bandage.
“I don‘t look at you any differently than I look at other people,” you declared in frustration.
He laughed. Levi Ackerman, emotionally stunted Levi Ackerman laughed. It was quiet and breathy, more likely a chuckle, almost inaudible, too.
But it shook you to your core.
“You have no issue declaring your love to me multiple times a day, but now you‘re getting shy?“ he asked in amusement, cocking his head to the side.
You huffed.
He wasn’t wrong, you were awfully direct with your affections towards the captain. Just like you couldn’t hide your emotions when it came to your face, you were horrible at concealing them in general.
How could you not comment on his strength and attractiveness when it was a blatant fact. Although you often did it in a joking manner, teasing Levi for having the prettiest face in the Survey Corps and acknowledging his skills with the ODM gear.
It wasn’t fair he was using this against you now.
“Shut up!” you grumbled, pulling at the cloth to straighten it out again.
Levi did shut up, although the smile didn’t fall from his face and his eyes watched you work with interest.
You finished quickly, partly because his gaze on you was nothing short of unsettling, partly because you hoped you’d get away before he started full on teasing you.
You couldn’t quite hide your frustration (as already established) and let out an exasperated groan.
“And stop smiling!” you warned, not sure where you’ve gotten the courage to do so.
Levi followed your movements as you picked up the bucket and brought it across the room to empty its contents into the sink.
“Is my smile bothering you? Didn‘t you say i should smile more?“ he asked in confusion.
“Yeah, but just in general. Not when i‘m in the room!“ you corrected him halfheartedly.
The chuckle you got in response made your brain short circuit once again.
How the fuck was this man so hot?
”Any specific reasons as to why, brat?“
You could only speak of luck that your back was turned towards Levi so you could hide the traitorous shade of red your face must be spotting at this moment. There would have been no denying it if the captain had chosen to comment on it.
Knowing him, he would have.
“Shut up.” you protested again, subtly raising your hands to your face to cool your cheeks a little.
You couldn’t see his face this way but you were sure that Levi put his newfound ability of a smile, maybe even a smirk, judging by the goosebumps you felt on the back of your neck, to use.
While you were busy washing the bucket, Levi got to his feet to study your work in the mirror by the cupboard. He took a few seconds, and you believed he must be sorting the criticism he had by fatality, starting with the least life threatening mistake you made and moving on to the most hard hitting insult.
Despite what you had thought he gave his reflection a satisfied nod.
Okay, what?
“Decent job, brat,” he complimented and yes you might have combusted that moment.
You turned back to the sink, a satisfied smile growing on your lips. Your stomach felt all fuzzy and warm at Levi’s praise.
You didn’t notice the captain approach, only noticing his presence when he was already leaning into your personal space, whispering a soft “Thank you.” into your ear. His hot breath fanned over sensitive skin and you froze in your movement.
To torture you or maybe he didn’t get enough fun out of the situation already, he then proceeded to plant a small kiss to the corner of your lips, missing just enough so it wouldn’t count as a real kiss, before retreating again.
He left the room as if nothing of importance had just happened, leaving you behind, frozen in your spot and heart hammering in your chest.
Levi was already gone when you were able to shake yourself out of the shock.
You carefully touched your cheek, the ghost of a sensation of soft lips against your warm skin still prominent. The memory of him lingering for just a second too long now fresh on your mind.
A huge grin split your face, the urge to jump on the bed and hug your pillow while giggling manically overcame you out of a sudden.
You really were acting like a smitten teenager.
#snk x reader#snk oneshot#levi ackerman x reader#levi ackerman oneshot#levi ackerman fluff#snk fluff#aot x reader#aot oneshots#aot fluff
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Leverage Season 3, Episode 4, The Scheherezade Job, Audio Commentary Transcript
John: From left to right on your radio dial this is John Rogers, executive producer.
Aldis: This is DJ Chocolate Skittles, also known as Aldis Hodge.
Chris: And this is Chris Downey, executive producer and writer of this episode, The Scheherazade Job.
John: Aldis has very kindly decided to join us for this commentary since he was-
Aldis: Hello!
John: He did a lot of work on this episode. This one rode-
Chris: Oh yeah
John: This was one of those ones where you're just like, ‘This actor's gonna be working his ass off for this.’
Aldis: Oh joy.
John: Well Chris, why don't you tell us the origin of this episode?
Chris: Ah well the origin came from a- my friend here to the left, Aldis, back in season one we were just talking about you know things we like to do in our spare time and Aldis mentioned that he loved the violin, he’d been studying it, it was the closest thing to the human voice for an instrument.
Aldis: Yes.
Chris: And coincidentally my wife is a violinist and at the time I said to you, ‘I'm gonna find a way in an episode of Leverage to have you play the violin’ and what did you say to me?
Aldis: I think I said, ‘Do it.’
[Laughter]
Chris: And then you laughed at me.
Aldis: Yeah, we were shooting what was that, the season finale?
Chris: Might've been the season finale
Aldis: That was- yeah, Pasadena?
John: Yup
Aldis: Yeah, yeah, I remember that conversation.
Chris: And this is Martha Boles, terrific actress from Los Angeles.
John: This is interesting actually, we had a- when we were setting up the bad guy here, we had an interesting conversation about- and this is one of those things you talk about in television. Should the reporter be white or not?
Chris: Yeah.
John: Yeah. We were looking at casting and we were like, no it should be a black reporter working with that. And then we got some, you know, feedback that's like, well now it's a white crew of criminals, apparently missing Aldis’s presence, helping out a black reporter.
Aldis: Don’t worry, they miss me all the time.
John: It's one of those- it’s tricky, it's one of those things where one of the reasons we kinda were leery of doing international crimes, first season and second season. And you kinda- because it's always a minefield, it just is. And now in third season, everyone’s comfortable and everyone knows the show well enough that you can kinda try to swing outside the box. I think Chris did a great job taking this outside the box for the first time on the show.
Chris: Yeah it was- it was interesting cause most- I think we talked about this, most episodes start with the bad guy and we kinda work our way from there. We kinda talk about ‘what's the bad guy, what does he want, what is his weaknesses’. And this is one of those episodes that started with a big idea late in the episode which was the orchestra heist, and we kinda worked from there to kind of try and figure out whose our bad guy? And that's- we decided- we hadn't done an African kleptocrat, we wanted to do that for a long time, and this seemed like a good opportunity to do that.
John: Now also when doing a straight heist, because we were coming at it as a straight heist, we wanted a small highly portable object. The cleaner the object, the cleaner the goal of the heist, the more you can work around the elegance of the heist itself. And when you're staring with an elegant heist, which is the music heist, you have to do something very clean, which was diamonds. And so it all sort of fed into this one storyline.
Chris: Yes, yes.
Aldis: Didn't you want to play the organ? At first I mean that's plain and portable and-
[Laughter]
John: Yes, originally it was a giant Wurlitzer organ.
Aldis: Yeah, just a whole thing.
John: This was a ton of fun, this was a great little fight scene.
Chris: Yeah.
Aldis: Kane had too much fun shooting this.
Chris: He had a lot of fun here. And these gentlemen are Garfield Wedderburn and- yeah, Garfield Wedderburn is the lead goon here; his name is goon.
Aldis: Goon.
[Laughter]
Chris: And there he is doing this- some kind of scary tai chi?
Aldis: That was actually a joke and it just made it on the reel, it was like-
John: You know what? We saw it in the dailies, we were gonna cut out of it but it was like- but the idea he would just scare the shit out of those guys to get them to go. ‘Can your dog do that?’ That was great.
Chris: ‘Can your dog do that?’
John: It is nice every now and then to remind people exactly why everyone on the team is there.
Chris: By the way, I love that you named the dog Megabyte.
Aldis: Megabyte, yeah, yes.
John: That was you, that’s right.
Chris: That was all you.
Aldis: If anybody can get that, Megabyte, yes. Now if one of those days we just see the dog, which will probably be a poofy little yorkie or something like that.
John: Dogs are too expensive; we can't afford them.
Chris: We can't afford them.
Aldis: We can't afford dogs.
Chris: We'll do a virtual dog.
Aldis: A virtual dog, yes.
John: That's sad.
Aldis: The little mechanical one with the batteries? Yeah.
Chris: Sure.
John: Now continuing the original conversation, so we knew we were working backwards towards an African kleptocrat, but how do you find a guy who’s like based in the states, so we’re not flying overseas, we’re not trying to fake a city you can't fake on our budget. And so that led us to the research and- did we find someone who was real, Chris?
Chris: Well, there's no similarities to persons living or dead. But, um-
John: We’d like to say for both legal reasons, and so we don't get shot in the face.
Chris: Yes, please.
John: Oh my god, this guy is real and he's horrible!
Chris: He's real, he's horrible. He's not a classical music fan, that was something we brought to it, to facilitate the story. But he is a very wealthy relative of an African kleptocrat who has a house here in the United States and in Paris and has a Bugatti and all the things you would imagine a kleptocrat would.
John: All the way down, actually, to the fact that the reason he does not fall under the- is not criminalized under some of the kleptocrat laws we have here in the States, with the same plot point we have in the show, which is he's been a friend in the war on terror.
Chris: Yes, yes that’s all true.
John: Which looks like he pretty much turns in political opponents.
Chris: Wow, we certainly don't want to say that he does that, but-
John: But oh come on.
Chris: And here we have-
John: Your name’s on the show, they're gonna kill you. I'm not too worried.
[Laughter]
John: And here's Elisabetta Canalis, the loveliest Elisabetta Canalis.
Aldis: Aldis Hodge was never here, was never here. This actually is the second time we've seen her in the entire arc of this third season. So now the audience is getting another taste of exactly who she is, because she just left us off with blackmail, and now, you know, we're digging into her story. Of course at the end of the show, we get to see that she's not as fair game as she comes up to be.
Chris: Yeah, and we wanted to make her kind of you know sexy and mysterious, and I like this scene cause-
Aldis: Sexy what? Sexy?
Chris: Yeah well she-
John: Well there's no reason we just shoot her legs in every scene.
[Laughter]
Aldis: Exactly, there's no reason to put her in heels and closeups on the face, no! Not at all.
John: This was a nice bit that you came up with: the idea that kind of flirting, sexy, dangerous. And Nate Ford being smart enough to realize it’s a very bad idea.
Chris: I love this, this is one of my favorite flashes.
John: It's one of my favorite zooms, it's a hypothetical zoom, it's something we never usually do.
Chris: I like it because right here she looks so bored,
[Laughter]
Chris: There's something about the insouciance of it, of her.
John: Oh another guy being garotted in front of me.
Chris: Oh stop the tape.
John: It's another Thursday for me.
Chris: And he was- Tim was great at, you know, holding his throat like that.
John: Yeah the- well the sort of implication, again, is again, it’s tricky the team has been playing a lot without ever being taken down themselves. Tim has to carry a lot of the weight acting because he's the one who interacts with Elizabetta the most, to convey the threat she portrays to make sure you take her seriously. And nice diagrams on the glass boards. I always love the glass boards
Aldis: Provided by…?
John: Who drew on that one? I don't think I drew on that one, I wasn't there for that one.
Aldis: Really?
John: No, that handwriting is too good that's not me. Usually- yeah, usually I spew the bullshit that goes up on the glass.
Chris: Now what's nice-
Aldis: And it- oh, sorry, go ahead
Chris: Oh I was gonna say it’s a nice opportunity to get a little bit into Eliot's backstory which we, in the early scene in the bar, he alludes to the fact that knows about these- what goes on in these countries, these Chinese- these child soldiers. And you know I think here you can kinda see this whole- this whole particular case is really, you know, affecting him directly.
John: Yeah it's part of the over the course of the arc, kind of peeling back everybodys past this season. And we gave Eliot you know- we really wanted to sort of reset and remind people for the finale that Eliot, you know Eliot killed people. Eliot was not a good guy and is trying to be a better guy.
Aldis: What I had to say was nowhere near as intuitive as that, but the prior scene a lot of- a lot of times you'll see Sophie wearing that dog tag, it’s blank. It's like a name tag, but it's blank, and that's an ode to the fact that she hasn't given Nate her real name. And it kind plays throughout the entire season so for those of you have paid attention-
John: We actually used it, we actually- the audience doesn't know those dog tags are blank because she doesnt show the dog tags. But when she told us she was doing it we wrote-
Aldis: Did I just give up a secret?
John: No, no, no it’s cool. What happened is: she wears them. And we were like, ‘What are those?’ And she told us dog tags are blank, it's a little private joke. So we wrote it into the show, that's why she gets the blank pendant in episode 13, cause we just thought that was really cool and that's something Gina came up with on her own.
Aldis: It's just gonna be a drinking game every time they spot the dog tags.
John: Sure, there's already a lot of drinking games.
Aldis: There are.
John: There are a lot on the web, you go on there's a lot of drinking games.
Aldis: Every time we say ‘seriously’, drink!
[Laughter]
Aldis: Not that we promote that here, no.
Chris: Not at all.
John: No, I don't do all of these with a beer in my hand.
Chris: No no drinking games.
Aldis: What is that you're drinking John, water?
John: It’s- yes, dark Irish water.
Aldis: Yes.
John: This was a nice again- we started splitting people up so we could- the coverage is a little easier. and it helped us remind- Third season we started taking a lot of the prep that was implied in act 0 of seasons 1 and 2 and moving it into act 1 and act 2 of this season. Where you see them doing the prep and putting together the plan on the fly as they get information.
Chris: Right.
John: Which both makes it more dynamic, and helps us with shooting.
Chris: Yeah, I mean this is a very plan-intensive episode, and you want to try and make the planning side interesting visually.
John: Yeah because there's so much pipe to lay in a believable way to get to that great fourth act. I mean you have to make sure the audience is utterly invested by that point.
Chris: I like this little bit with you guys right here.
Aldis: Me and Kane man, when we get together it's always a party.
Chris: But what's great about you guys is it's not always the bickering brothers, where you're yelling at each other that makes me laugh. It's just the little throwaway things of the two of you together.
Aldis: It's the little things that bring the sparkle to your eye, the little things.
[Laughter]
Chris: And they just the way we did this-
Aldis: This was a funny sequence to shoot.
John: Yeah this was great. This was- what did we name the reporter?
Chris: Guy Hamilton which is an ode to Mel Gibson's character in The Year of Living Dangerously.
[Laughter]
Chris: For all you folks out there keeping score. By the way, I forgot yesterday when we did Gone Fishing Job that you are- your names when you went into the bank and were Brody and Quinn from Jaws.
John: Because you're gonna need a bigger boat.
Chris: This looks great, by the way!
Aldis: I'm pretty sure you need another drink for that.
Chris: Look at that, he's there!
John: I've seen far less convincing stuff on CNN.
[Laughter]
John: I'm fairly sure, yeah
Chris: And there's Giancarlo Esposito fantastic.
John: Friend of Tim, came in and did this for us. Really really great, flew in.
Aldis: His daughters’ actually in the orchestra, they- one plays violin the other plays viola.
John: Oh cool.
Aldis: Yeah, so he had a lot to discuss.
John: I love seeing the evil dude Skype list; I just realized we could see it on there. It’s like ‘Lefou is away. Where is Lefou?’
Chris: Pizza Hut? Why does he have Pizza Hut on Skype?
John: On Skype? That's weird. And who is that lurking behind him?
Chris: Oh lurking behind him is Nnamdi Asomugha who is an all pro cornerback for the Oakland Raiders. Arguably the best cornerback in the NFL.
Aldis: And you have your Raiders ball here, it's perfect.
Chris: And I have my Raiders ball here to prove it.
John: Now how did he wind up on the show?
Chris: Well, you know, like any famous Hollywood story, it started at a hockey game.
[Laughter]
Chris: My- we have a mutual agent, and he invited me to a hockey game and said, ‘This is my friend Nnamdi.’ And although I am a big sports fan, for some reason the best cornerback in the NFL eluded me and I just met him as a guy. And we were chatting and found out he was- he acted and I asked him at the time, his families from Nigeria and I- this was a year ago, and I said, ‘Can you do a good African accent?’ He said, ‘Oh definitely.’ I said, ‘Alright, well if we get a part for, you know a big guy, menacing guy with an African accent I'll call you’. And lo and behold, episode came up and he did a fantastic job.
John: I think his family is from Ethiopia, actually.
Chris: No, I think he’s Nigerian.
John: Nigerian? Oh ok. And here- this is her playing Christie Connelly again.
Chris: Yes, yes.
John: Yes, this is why we started bringing back the- as we realized that they are gonna be roles that the- it also sort of came up as we did our research that con artists tend to settle into certain roles that they've done background on, and also that they've established the credentials to. We mention later actually on another episode that she's like, ‘I got seven years worth of work on this identity’, so she's doing a similar gig, so why not use the same name?
Chris: And let's be honest it's also our nod to James Garner, who was Jimmy Joe Meeker in multiple episodes of the Rockford Files.
John: Yes exactly, also she gets to use her native accent in this.
Chris: Yeah, that’s right!
John: Cause Gina is from New Zealand, not England. Most people- she grew up in England but she was born in New Zealand, and was a child in New Zealand, so she gets to use her kiwi accent here. Very kicky little gold chain going on there.
Chris: And I love this, this is a great kind of subtle sales pitch that she just sells so well.
John: Yeah. And again this is one of those great things in the show, not blowing smoke up our own skirts, but the fun of having great actors is you con, con, con, and then you park it on these little two-person scenes and it's fun, you know, it actually plays.
Chris: And here's- you know I like the idea that we've kind of developed with Hardison’s character that, you know, he's chafing a little bit around the crew, and, kind of, as the youngest member of the crew, kind of like, sees that he’d like to run his own crew someday and kind of expressing that here. I mean how did you approach this Aldis? Was that something that you kinda thought of for the character?
Aldis: I approached it, I stretched, I, uh, did a couple push ups.
John: Well we get a lot of emails from him ‘I should be the lead of the show,’ so it's a similar thing.
[Laughter]
Chris: But I know we had discussions about it not being a typical father/son kind of vibe. Right?
Aldis: Right, right, right. This is- this entire situation was newly presented to me in the script. That's when I found out that I was like, ‘OK, Hardison wants to step up.’ But I think that- I mean, it's a great premise and he is the youngest, so he has the most to learn because he hasn't figured out all of his bad habits just yet.
Chris: Right.
Aldis: And so he can sit back, watch his team, watch how they work, watch the mistakes they make, and then ten season later, hint hint, audience, hint hint-
Chris: Ten seasons when you'll be all of 35.
[Laughter]
Aldis: Exactly.
John: Then you'll be ready to lead the crew.
Aldis: Exactly.
John: Yeah no it's- we really played around with it. It's not father/son it's sort of- it’s really Paper Chase but for crime.
Chris: Yes, yes, very much, I think that's a great way of putting it. And I love, here, too, if I can blow some more smoke up you, that, you know, we play big characters in these cons that are, like, larger than life. I mean, I think, you know, the Ice Man Job character comes to mind-
Aldis: [Mimicking the accent he did] The Ice Man Job.
Chris: When you play a kind of a small reserved guy, all inside, it's such a nice change, and it’s like it adds a vulnerability to these con characters that I think is great.
Aldis: He's very not- he wasn't a meek character, but he's very, very humble.
Chris: Humble that's better.
Aldis: He came from a hard life, he knew how to appreciate what was there, he knows how to prioritize, you know, to put everything else before his own needs. And that's kinda where I felt this character was coming from. He couldn't be too big or else, you know, with all of the skills, his grandeur, he would have done something with that by now; he's a cab driver, so he's gotta be quiet about something.
John: And the- also, this was the first time I think we put- we had talked about the different skills, as you go into every season you talk about like, ‘How do we make sure we focus on the characters? How do we make sure nobody blends in the background?’ And one of the things is reminding everyone- and we did this really in the Jailbreak and especially in this one to set it up, Parker is great at three dimensional heists. Parker rotates objects in three dimensional space. So she's Nate's partner here; he might be able to cook up plans, but she's the one telling him the parameters of those plans with the physical heists.
Aldis: Right.
John: No one is better than her at physical insertion, and that's one of the things we kinda hammered during this season.
Aldis: I think our skills- I mean we’re all necessary to one another, but our skills kinda levy a system of checks and balances-
John: Yeah.
Aldis: The way the government should do it. But we can do one thing and take it only so far and then pass it off, then the next team member polishes it up and takes you to the very next level.
John: What- Chris why don't you talk about how we structured the heist?
Chris: Well you know the- back when we were trying to break the story the initial idea behind it was that there would be two levels of tension in the big act, in the big heist. There would be part of the team breaking in to steal the object, and there would be Hardison on stage sweating out having to play this impossible solo in front of people. And the problem that I was running into was: why did these two things have to happen at the same time? Why now? Why can't they be breaking in on a Wednesday, you know, when Hardison's not scheduled to play this. And John, you said- thought about it for a minute, and you said, ‘Well obviously it's the only time that they can do the heist is when there’s- when the orchestra is playing because that's when they have to turn off the motion detectors.’
Aldis: Because John has stolen from an orchestra before, when they-
[Laughter]
Aldis: He speaks from personal experience.
Chris: And I took a minute and I said, ‘I could kiss you on the mouth.’
[Laughter]
John: That was one of those ‘what's in the Arclight’ days? I contributed almost nothing else to this episode. I was busy off doing the season opener. We were banging these out before the rest of the staff- and I came up with that bit and I'm like, ‘You're gold, go have fun, I’m out.’ I got that, and then we basically- knowing the motion detectors couldn't be beaten and played us back into the other security measures, and created this impossible vault. And that was also fun, we started for the first time throwing stuff at the team where it's like, ‘yeah there's some stuff you just can't beat,’ you know, that you have to go sideways.
Aldis: I’d like to note here that I'm wearing every possible shade of gray that there is known to man.
[Laughter]
John: Why is that? Is that an emotional choice? Is that about his ambivalence about his role in the con? Or is that-?
Aldis: I have no idea
John: Always say- you know what? Do the thing I just did with him, start with ‘obviously’ it's a good way- when you wanna throw up an enormous amount of bullshit just start with ‘Obviously.’
Aldis: Obviously!
John: And then just, people buy it.
Aldis: What we wanted to do was confuse the audience.
John: Oh Scheherezade, exactly how'd you choose Scheherezade?
Chris: Well we needed- we needed a piece that was public domain, as a practical matter, because we have budget constraints in this show. And that ended on a violin solo. And it was- I forgot what the other candidates were, but my wife, I have to give her credit at least a little, fantastic violinist, picked Scheherezade and said, ‘You gotta listen to this.’ And I listened to the last 7 minutes because I knew we needed it to kind of roll out in real time over the course of the heist. And the solo just kinda like dropped me, I thought, ‘Oh my god, this is gonna be fantastic.’ And then when I did a little research on Scheherezade’s story, how she was the wife of a- in the story of the Arabian Nights he killed- every night he married a different wife, and killed them the next morning. And then Scheherezade walked in and figured she'd be finished, but every night she told him a story, and the story kept him on- you know, on the edge of his seat, she never told him the ending and finally after 1001 nights he married her. So I said OK, that’s the first grifter in history’. And that just kinda fit in thematically with the whole episode, and that's when we knew we had to use that piece.
John: And our music guy Joe Deluca putting a lovely little sort of spin, sort of-
Chris: Yeah he had a very nice-
John: -Arabian Nights spin on the score there. Now, you play violin. What did you think when we dropped Scheherezade on your lap?
Aldis: Well I was screaming inside, running for my life.
[Laughter]
Aldis: Jesus I've only been playing just for- not even five years, and when I took the music to my music teacher, she like- lord have mercy, she had a heart attack. She was like- she had been playing professionally for 20 years before she tackled Scheherezade. My other teacher had been playing, also, I believe between 20 and 30 years before she tackled Scheherezade so I had no confidence whatsoever. No, kidding, obviously I was very impressed with the piece. It's a beautiful piece. I love the song and I was actually very open to the challenge. I just wanted to make sure I did it well enough to do the song some justice. Now shooting these scenes being surrounded by actual musicians was awe-inspiring and-
John: Really? You really? Oh.
Aldis: Man, it was terrifying.
Chris: Yeah where did this rank among the scarier things you've done on the show? Where would you put this?
Aldis: This is the top right here.
Chris: This is the top right here.
John: So not running on top of a moving train.
[Laughter]
Aldis: Not at all man.
John: Really? That was fine, but this? This was terrifying.
Aldis: I'm a nut man, I'm a nut. I can do that because-
John: I can tell you as your executive producer with an insurance policy on you, you can do this whenever you want, don't do the train again.
Aldis: I shan't! I shall not.
Chris: And this actor, Michael Winther, fantastic New York stage actor who came in and did an amazing job. It was originally written I think he was Spanish and then I asked Michael-
John: Well you were kinda basing it on Dudamel.
Chris: Exactly it was based on Gustavo Dudamel who was the Venezuelan, kind of, rockstar conductor of the LA Philharmonic.
Aldis: Oh yeah.
Chris: Yeah, and Michael said that he could do German and I thought well there's nothing more intimidating than someone talking to you with a German accent.
Aldis: German accent, yeah.
John: Really?
Chris: And he was just great.
John: Even if it's like ‘I would like some hugs now,’ still it's creepy, it's not- yeah.
[Laughter]
John: Apologies, and now the angry letters from people with a German accent will be coming in.
Aldis: Exactly, you'll be getting a letter from the government.
John: A nice stall, you can't get it too far. And, you know, this again is kinda focusing on how everyone does things. Parker needs paper. Parker needs plans. Parker needs drawings. This is how she thinks. She was trained by an old school thief, and it's cool cause we're kinda hinting at the thing you're gonna find out in episode 5, like how she was trained, you know, trained by an old school thief, she thinks like an old school thief.
Aldis: Yeah
John: And then we do the fun- and this is, when you're constructing something based on a high concept, the fun of it was we have an impossible heist, stuff rolls back from that. Okay if it's impossible, that means we have to see the planning, we have to see the surveillance, we have to see the surveillance to establish to the audience the rules of the heist.
Chris: Right.
John: Cause you had already said, and I will say the first thing you said to me was ‘I wanna do a heist where there's no words.’
Chris: Yes.
John: And I said ‘You're out of your mind and it's unshootable’. I actually utterly dismissed you, and then you came back like, ‘We do it this way.’ And I was like, ‘Alright, that’s slightly less insane.’ But that required the rest of the episode to do an enormous amount of work.
Chris: Yeah, you need to know- once you got to the heist, you need to know exactly what people were doing and why, without any dialogue. And so- and that kinda required that the heist needed to be fairly simple.
John: Yes.
Chris: So, you know, that kinda was a little bit liberating for me, cause once I realized, OK, I drew this corridor, you know, we had to get past this keypad, and then there was a room, we had to blow a hole in the floor, it was like from a to b to c, as long as I made it fairly simple and easy to remember in the planning stages, we could carry it out.
John: And this is also one of the great things about physical production. You actually flew up and scouted this, right?
Chris: Yeah, we did.
John: You adjusted the heist based around the physical location.
Chris: Yeah well, we built this hallway here-
John: Is that a build? I thought it was a-
Chris: This is the hardest working hallway in show business.
John: I thought it was the hallway on the other side of the concert hall?
Chris: No, no.
Aldis: No, me and Chrisitan built it ourselves.
John: Oh that's where Elizabetta was. That's right, there you go.
Chris: That’s right.
John: Yeah, now we're establishing the rules, and a little hint there that Nnamdi is not your ordinary thug.
Chris: Yeah.
Aldis: Yes.
John: Yeah, just that little wince.
Chris: And here, again, you know, it was we had plans in front of Tim that he could actually trace the line and that's exactly where you were going. Those are the plans of the set.
John: Those are the plans for the set?
Chris: Yeah.
Aldis: Yeah!
John: That’s great!
Chris: I mean that showed him, he could draw- I showed him here's where you draw the hole, that’s where it’s gonna be.
John: Yeah and big props to Bekka Melino and everybody in production design this year. That vault looked gorgeous.
Chris: Yeah, it did.
John: Everything looked gorgeous, you know, set dec.
Chris: I have to give her credit for something else in that too. In the original script, the locker numbers in the vault were numbered; they were just numbered. And she called me up and said, ‘What do you think if we made like some kind of symbol or something for them, and maybe like musical terms?’ And I said, ‘That's fantastic.’ And it kinda helped build the character of Moto as someone who is just, you know, obsessed with music.
Aldis: Appreciates music.
John: Yeah.
Chris: And here's where-
Aldis: This is a tough thing, a tough deal for me. Not me personally, but for Hardison because of the fact that- I mean, this is a big deal trying to walk away from a mission with such reasonable cause.
Chris: Right.
Aldis: Only because of the fact that he's afraid, it's not because his life is endangered, it's simply because he's afraid.
Chris: Did you feel like that was- I mean, but performing without being prepared is like the, sort of, go to nightmare that people have, right?
John: Only if you were pantless could this be worse.
Aldis: Exactly, it's also the fact that if he performs poorly he could mess up the entire heist.
Chris: Yes
Aldis: But he was more afraid of himself performing badly then messing up the heist. And-
John: It's an interesting look into the character, because he's a perfectionist and he tends to- he’s tended to take the path he has in life because he's been able to be good at it.
Aldis: Yes.
Chris: Right.
John: You know, it's always interesting once you're past school and once you're an adult when you try to do things, you try to learn a new skill once you're out of your teens, and you realize ‘Oh, this is very hard.‘
Aldis: Yeah it's like learning violin.
John: Yeah exactly.
Aldis: As an adult, as I am doing now.
John: Really hard. But no, you just couldn't drop Scheherezade on you.
Chris: Here's a great-
John: This is a great shot actually, because we actually never shot this. This was footage of them actually getting into place.
Chris: Yes.
John: From the dailies that we had when we rolled the camera on. And that we wound up assembling together into a shot and then digitally placing the conductor into the middle of it.
Chris: Oh yeah, when we get to the later shot of the conductor there, that was- that’s totally digital. This the- orchestra is Marshall Tuttle is the conductor of the orchestra, it’s a local Portland community college orchestra. And they, you know, I have to give a lot of props to them because they got the music and they had to mock play the piece, but that meant they had to prepare for it, they had to know.
Aldis: Yeah I actually learned from them that day the rest of the piece. I mean all I knew up to that point was the solo. Until they said- and I knew bits and pieces of the other music until they said, ‘Hey, so we actually wanna shoot you playing the, you know, the bit before stuff.’ I’m like, ‘Right now, guys?’
John: Oh yes, a surprise by the way.
Aldis: Surprise!
John: This quick thing, they're gonna pop the camera on you there as you do this thing you just learned how to do.
Aldis: So I was just watching my fellow musicians around me as we shot, I was just watching their fingers and going off of them but hopefully you can’t tell.
John: That's a great little shake, that head shake like, ‘No, let's not get too heavily invested’.
Aldis: That was a real head shake that was ‘I do not wanna shoot this scene right now.’
[Laughter]
John: Could we please stop?
Aldis: None of the trepidation in this is faked, it’s real fear people. Real fear.
[Laughter]
Aldis: I dreaded this more than anything.
Chris: So there was less acting in this than typical episodes because you actually had fear.
Aldis: The fear yes, no acting at all, man, it was not hard to be afraid. At all. Whatsoever.
John: And here's Elizabetta, and it was interesting- I will be totally honest we knew we needed stuff for the finale-
Chris: Yeah.
John: And no idea what we needed it to be yet.
Chris: Right and right. And also to a certain degree, you know, when you have a MacGuffin, you know an item I want you to get, and you struggle as to what it could be, and we did struggle, we argued what is- what's in the envelope? And ultimately it's pretty cool when you don't know what it is.
John: Yeah it's point blank. It’s- yeah.
Chris: And you know we don't want to give anything away, but it did help us in the finale.
John: Yeah, well they've seen it by now, in theory.
Chris: Oh, okay.
John: Usually they watch all the way through and then do the commentaries.
Chris: That’s fine then. So that's fine, I'm not a spoiler.
Aldis: So what was in the envelope, fellows?
John: In the envelope is the evidence that the Italian needs because she's part of the shadowy international intelligence organization that launders money through Moto’s blood diamond accounts.
Chris: Yes.
John: And yeah that's actually- if you do a lot of research in money laundering, we did a lot of money laundering this year.
Aldis: Yes we did.
John: You find out that a lot of sort of black ops stuff, and a lot of the governments- there's a reason it's still around. You know governments find it useful, you know, and certain parts of governments find money laundering, international money laundering useful.
Chris: And here we go now we start- we start the clock and the dialogue is about to end pretty quickly.
John: Yeah I think we did like two touches, two clarifying things once we test screened it.
Chris: Yeah.
Aldis: We did an entire fourth act with just pure music.
Chris: Yeah, this is it here, we go.
John: Yeah this is it. Nnamdi did a great job in this, by the way, I want to say, because he's acting without dialogue and that's hard, you know, for a young actor.
Aldis: It’s like stare at this paper bag and make it interesting.
John: Yeah, exactly.
Chris: And I have to give Brian Gonosey here, our editor, a lot of credit here, too, because this was like editing a music video, because this was- we had to kinda time this stuff to the music, and this was, you know, this- in listening to the piece, you know, in my mind I had punching in numbers for this part, cause I could hear it in my head, and-
Aldis: Now this-
Chris: And now- oh.
Aldis: No, I’m sorry, go ahead.
Chris: Well this is just when you have an all pro quarterback from the NFL on your show, and you have Christian Kane who is a gigantic football fan, you're gonna have him knock him down in full run.
Aldis: Now Christian really took that hit.
Chris: He sure did folks.
John: He hit that wall hard, baby!
Aldis: This man is paid to hit people.
[Laughter]
John: Beth took this hit too.
Aldis: Yeah.
Chris: She did take that hit.
Aldis: She took it like a trooper.
John: Wait where'd- Chris played football for a while, what was he, tailback? What was Chris?
Chris: Well I know, back in high school, yeah.
Aldis: He played in it, and he wrestled, too. Nnamdi is a big guy.
John: Nnamdi is a big guy.
Aldis: He's like 6’ 4” something, 6’ 6”?
Chris: And he wanted to do all his own stunts and we were like, ‘Please, we do not want Al Davis on our ass.’
[Laughter]
John: ‘I'm sorry, did you hurt the greatest quarterback in the NFL in your little pretend show this weekend?’
Chris: He's like, ‘You know what the stunt mans doing? I can do that!’ And we said, ‘We know! Please don’t!’
Aldis: Now the NFL owns Leverage.
John: We’d have a bigger budget, that'd be alright.
[Laughter]
John: And then now down through the floor, this was fun playing around with- thank you Mythbusters, playing around with directional blowouts, and thermite and all the other sort of how to- oh that's a- and Nnamdi won't go down.
Chris: No, he won’t.
John: We were- this- he’s the thug who ate his Wheaties.
Aldis: I think that's a great part about this entire sequence and just the character in general is: cause he finally- somebody gave Eliot a challenge, a real challenge you know. It was kinda like the season finale for the first season.
John: But that guy had technique, you know, that was the thing. What Eliot is facing right now is another dude who kills people professionally.
Aldis: Yeah.
John: You know, and just with power. It's also fun cause it’s- all Eliot/Parker scenes are inherently fun.
Chris: And here, and this was all built around the music. We knew this was gonna- we were gonna build to- there's a giant gong hit here and that was gonna be- that was the whole thing was timed to the explosion and now one of the words ‘boom’.
Aldis: We really blew a hole in a floor and let Nnamdi fall through? He was a trooper, he took it?
John: Yes, please don’t tell the Raiders.
Chris: Please don't tell Al Davis.
Aldis: I'm kidding, guys. Kinda.
John: This was actually shot later, we actually rebuilt the ceiling and then dropped it in later.
Chris: Yeah, it’s great.
John: They did a great job because they- it was like ‘We need you to build that ceiling that we built a couple episodes, but put a hole in it.’ Like, ‘Alright.’ Yeah. And Nate being in the middle of it unexpectedly is a wonderful development.
Chris: Even this, all this all the editing was just timed perfectly to the music as he pulls, Walle is his character, pulls into the corner. And here it is.
John: That's a nice beat, actually, was Sophie- that's a nice choice by Gina, Sophie being totally confident because she knows, she's already in on the hypnosis thing. So she's already ahead of it, and what that was meant to be encouraging.
Chris: Now here it is.
Aldis: [Humming the song]
Chris: And, you know, I have to say my wife, violinist, gives you huge props here for your fingering and your bow work.
Aldis: Thank you. You do realize this song haunted me as I was practicing and preparing for it? It literally was playing in my head when no other sound was on in the room. I painted a picture called The Scheherazade. I painted the notes themselves because I had to get it outta my head. It was-
Chris: That’s great.
John: Where's the painting?
Aldis: It’s still back in Portland waiting for me to get back to it.
John: Nice.
Chris: Now what kind of response did you get from people when this aired?
Aldis: A lot of musicians actually said I did a good job, which I was proud about. I was- I was more concerned about how musicians would take it. Because they know what to look for, and as I watched I was like, ‘Alright,’ you know, cringing, but a lot of them they really, really dug it.
John: Well you always see the flaws in your performance, you know.
Aldis: Yeah of course because I’m looking for it, as the actor. By the way, this scene when Beth has the tear, that wasn't a tear she just had allergies, but played to her strengths and- right there the yeah.
John: It's just the smoke and stuff, the allergies.
Aldis: Very dusty, you know, we just kept it, we kept it. I’m kidding Beth’s a great actress, she did that on her own.
Chris: She’s fantastic. She did that, I mean, that's pretty amazing.
Aldis: Yeah was that her choice there?
Chris: Yeah.
John: Yeah, that wasn’t in the script.
Chris: And we didn't have a lot of time for that, too, we were really running out of time for that scene and they, boy were they great reacting to it.
Aldis: The boy did it! Uh!
[Laughter]
Aldis: Y'all know what this is! Sexual chocolate!
John: We’re gonna have to make t-shirts now, I hope.
Aldis: We are gonna have to make t-shirts.
Chris: Now in the original script, you got a girl's phone number; we had to cut it for time but there was.
John: Sexy violinists.
Aldis: It's alright, Hardison gets numbers.
Chris: You know, Hardison, we've been trying to hook you up and I'm sorry we ran out of time.
John: Well, you know that's alright, there's- I don't think the fans would like the girl.
Aldis: I think if I ever got hooked up, fans would just murder Hardison because-
John: They would not be happy.
Aldis: They're waiting on Parker.
John: Well also, you know, and what's interesting is: you've kind of changed looks since the first season. You were a very skinny kid when you came in that first season. You turned 21 the night we hired you.
Aldis: Yeah 21, I'm 24 now.
John: Yeah, you put a little man weight on you now.
Aldis: Man weight, shaved the whiskers a little bit, try to give you a little something different each year. Next year I'm gonna come in about 250 pounds.
John: Nice, maybe with a cane cause you can't quite walk, you got the gout.
Aldis: Cankles baby.
John: Rock the gout. This is brutal- just looking for the rematch.
Chris: I love the look.
John: Every time I see this, I try to figure out a way to bring that character back.
Chris: Can we bring him back?
John: Seriously man, that look as he rolls forward is like, I want that rematch.
Chris: You know he makes more money than everyone in- you know, I mean he's- he’ll fly out on a private jet and come do it.
John: Just I gotta figure out something. And then I remember cause it was great, cause- I was actually out of town and then you shot this, and I didn’t see anything until I saw the first cut of this. I didn't see any dailies and so I saw the first cut of this and when he rolled forward that time I'm like ‘Oh! No wait, I know there's no rematch’ but-
Aldis: Yeah.
John: It’s- it was fun it was being able to watch this episode as a fan was a big treat.
Chris: Yeah, and here it was trying to pay off the Scheherezade story by having Nate make up something on the fly.
John: Yeah, it's the- thematically it yeah it starts with a con, it has a heist in the middle, and ends with a con.
Chris: Ends with a con.
Aldis: Yeah.
John: And you just the balls- the sheer stones it takes, ‘I have no idea what's in this.’
Chris: Yeah, right?
John: Just absolute sheer stones. To just bet on a sealed deck. We actually talked about that, we had played around with poker episodes and just what kind of- we talked at length- and it's one of those things that will never wind up in the show but we wind up talking in the room, what kind of gambler Nate is. And Nate is a guy who will bet on whole cards he hasn't seen.
Chris: Right, yes.
John: Yeah which is not necessarily the smartest thing in the world, but that’s that guy.
Aldis: He's the kind of guy who loses all his money first at the table, but eventually gains a couple chips back.
John: Yeah, yeah. Or manages to just be luckier than smarter, but smart enough to know he's lucky.
Chris: And I have to say Marcel Davis here played Simian Moto the president, and did an amazing job. I mean he's a local Portland actor.
John: Yeah, really- Portland. Never disappoints, Portland is a great place with great actors.
Chris: Now you can kinda see Gina slipping in there. It was- I know we had a couple of comments.
John: We had ten people on that set!
Chris: It was hard.
John: She's that black shape that kinda moves in with the secret service.
Aldis: I just saw her slip in there, keep your eyes open.
Chris: Keep your eyes open folks. She had- apparently she had a great time assembling this gun.
John: She was kinda rocking out the Helen Mirren in RED there.
Chris: She was.
John: She was really kinda- that was hot. She did- I watched the dailies on that like eight times, come on, she's very good at this. And the gloat, the drag out, the gloat.
Chris: The gloat and the drag away.
John: Very nice and the president. Oh Nnamdi wants to go! Let them go! Let them fight! That drinking game for Enter the Dragon. It’s like every time.
Chris: There we go, another time we’ll bring him back.
Aldis: Let's just send this out to all the Oakland raiders fans and see if they put in a vote, do you want Nnamdi back?
Chris: Do you wanna see Nnamdi back, please?
Aldis: Let's see what happens.
John: Promised by the DVD. Yeah.
Aldis: I feel it'll be promising.
John: And this was a nice set up, and again it was interesting because she had such the upper hand in the first episode, this is the one where Chris really kinda reset that, yeah, Nate Ford is not a patsy.
Chris: Yeah.
John: You know he is- there's a reason they’re using him. He's a dangerous guy, and he's become more of a dangerous guy this year because he's acknowledged who he is. Last year this would've played out differently.
Chris: Yeah, no it was- you know, the sequence was flirty, dangerous, a little bit of banter then she puts the screws to him and then he puts the screws to her here.
John: Yeah cause he knows. He knows, he dealt with these types of people, you know, he's not ignorant of exactly how big a game he's playing in right now. Great, great shot. She- this is a 1960s shot, that shot right there, I really love this. And she's got a very classic late 60s look and that was interesting because we used it- we actually called the character the Italian as shorthand because it was an archetype from the 60s, and then when she came on the show we were trying to come up with a name it's like, we're not gonna beat The Italian.
Chris: No no, it’s the best.
John: Just keep it there. And it kinda kept her in the headspace, when we wrote the scripts it kept her in that zone.
Aldis: And when she happened to actually be Italian!
John: We started with that, that was the-
Aldis: Ahhh, ohhh, ahhhh!
John: Did we not explain that to you?
Aldis: Ahhhh!
John: We just happened to get Elisabetta. Yeah, there you go.
Aldis: There go- ahhh!
Chris: And this is a nice kind of close out to, you know we sort of set up earlier that Eliot has some regrets of things that he may have done back when he was a soldier. Things he saw in Africa. And I thought Tim had a nice ad lib here, cause he kinda indicated that it was Eliot's idea to provide money for kids in the community based on them selling the violin.
John: And that's- and yeah it was another thing, too, as we moved into the third season of, why are these people still together. You know the second year they had realized they were family but were not emotionally evolved enough to explain, to acknowledge that. Third year where they are together and you begin to see- you know Hardison sees this as his crime college. And he loves these people, but this is his crime college. You know, Eliot is beginning to see the path to his redemption. You know, Nate is the acknowledgement of his identity. Parker is becoming a human being. You know, everyone has their reason they're there. You know, Sophie's reason to be there is basically, she had come back to run the crew while Nate was in prison. And to be acknowledged as the co-lead. This is a great scene. By the way, you play this wonderfully, this is a big turn here.
Chris: Yeah.
Aldis: Thanks.
Chris: It was- you know this was a tricky reveal here because- and I'll say that on the hypnosis front I consulted with a hypnotist-
[Laughter]
Chris: This is not just me making stuff up out of thin air.
John: I'm the one to make stuff up out of thin air, Chris actually researches shit.
Chris: And in fact, the hypnotist said to me that if somebody had a- was extremely proficient in something at an early age, whether it was athletics or music, that he could put someone in a deep trance state and return them to their ability, that their life experience is kinda what's gotten in the way of their ability, that it's all up there in their head. And that's all that we’re saying here, we’re not saying that he made you- Nate made Hardison able to play, Hardison always knew how to play, it was just cleaning out the cobwebs to get you back.
Aldis: Right.
John: Also Sophie's- Gina's playing that complicitness in a really nice way, which is she went with it, she didn't like it, and she doesn't necessarily like what Nate’s become. Also fun, you had really focused on this is, during the research, the idea that prison is a bad idea for most criminals. Most criminals just go in and become better criminals. It's- they call it crime college, you know, and what tricks had Nate picked up while he was inside.
Chris: And look ultimately that the one of the things that makes Nate able to run this crew from- is that he's not a nice guy. And that he will push any button to get whatever he wants done. And that makes him, I think, a better leader, and a more interesting character than if he's just you know got your back every time you're in trouble.
John: We cannot say this enough: Nate Ford is not a nice man.
Chris: Yeah.
Aldis: Right.
John: But that's what's required in the world that we set up in this show. And that's Scheherezade Job! Amazing job, both of you. I really wanna say this, I came to this as a viewer and this is one of my favorite episodes of the season, and of the entire run.
Aldis: It's one of my favorites.
John: I told the first time I watched this, I told Chris I wish my name was on it. I wish that I had the ‘Written by’ credit.
Chris: And you, you know I made a little comment to you back in season one, and boy did you make me happy.
Aldis: It happened.
John: It’s great.
Aldis: Well thank you man I enjoyed it. The script was one of my best scripts, one of my favorite scripts from the entire three seasons, so.
John: Thanks man.
Chris: Thanks.
John: Alright stay tuned more coming up.
Aldis: Peace.
#Leverage#Leverage TNT#Leverage Audio Commentary Transcripts#Audio Commentary#Transcripts#Parker#Alec Hardison#Elliot Spencer#Nate Ford#Sophie Deveraux#Season 3#Episode 4#Season 3 Episode 4#The Scheherazade Job
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OBLIVIATE | D.M. ABANDONED FIC OUTLINE
Hello~
I’ve had this fic for @fuckingdraco ‘s writing challenge outlined for almost a year now. Half of it is a skeleton; i have some scenes which are fully written out and others which are just first drafts and idea dumps. this is quite literally copied and pasted so good luck if you read it.
I never had the heart to completely delete it but never liked it enough to write it; so here is my 2.2k draft fo what would’ve been a series.
If anyone decides to read it, be warned, it’s a mess. i just didnt want it to die in my notes so it’s having a life here, in my new section of my masterlist ‘fics that never saw the light of day’.
warnings: memory loss, fight scenes, gore, fighting
//
Being in a secret relationships had its ups and downs
You had to sneak around
But that just made the moments you were together so much more meaningful
You couldn’t brag about him to your friends
But the both of you were quite private people anyways, explaining your absences as studying in odd places
No one ever found out
It was just you and draco
The summer of 5th year was hard as he spent all of it in the south of France with his family
But it made coming back in 6th year so much more exciting
your fingers ached to touch him as you walked past his carriage
It was moments like this that you wish you could openly love him
But when your friends started gossiping about how Harry Potter thought he’d become a death eater, you were suddenly glad you weren’t linked to him publicly
That thought itself set a heavy weight of guilt on you
He came back in 6th year and he had changed
His kisses lost their spark
His eyes lost their light
He’d fuck you rough and hard, almost as if forgetting himself. Before making it up to you in the next instance
Slow love making that made you feel like you had just slept with an entirely different person
You followed him
You supposed you shouldn’t have
But he was skipping meals and you couldn’t exactly talk to his friends when they didn’t know you
You couldn’t confide in your friends as they wouldn’t understand
So you had no other choice
You followed him throughout the nights, and every time you would find him slipping into the room of requirement when he should’ve been slipping into bed with you
Once you had gauged what time he usually went and on what days you yourself went, 10 minutes before he was due
You watch as he fiddles around some ancient looking cupboard and you wonder why you’re jealous of a dead tree taking up dracos time
You watch as he sends things through, until finally it works for him
But its not happiness on his face nor relief
It looks like dread
He doesn’t look like he’s accomplished something, no there was no way
You watch as he takes off his tie, throwing it in the pile of robes and jumper
You watch as he rolled up the sleeves to his arms, the arms that had held you up more times than you could count
And you watch as the dark snaking lines of the dark mark are exposed on your lovers skin
His eyes whip round to see yours, instantly widening in fear
It isn’t until you try to walk towards him and he throws his hands up to stop you do you realise the shattered glass littered around you
He flicks his wand and you walk over, standing in front of him trying to figure out why
“How did you hide it from me for so long.”
“Simple charms, I was hoping you wouldn’t have to find out.”
More dialogue where he explains
“I don’t have a choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
Draco please
“I can’t, I had to take this on my skin because my father fucked up”
“If I, if I stop now, I cant save my mother”
“Draco please, we can find a way around this”
You kiss him
And it feels like you’ve both gone back to before 6th year
When times were simpler
When he loved you and you loved him and that was it
No other interruptions
“Oblivate”
PART 1
“Y/n?”
“I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“Draco Malfoy, we share some classes but we haven’t spoken before.”
“Oh, im sorry, of course. I’m really tired I dont usually forget peoples names I swear. I must’ve been so tired I wandered in, I apologise.”
“It’s okay, the doors over there.” You take that as his polite cue of asking you to leave
He offers a tight smile, one you remember from first year, one you remember seeing across the hall as he’s shut down by Harry Potter
Poor guy must be going through something
“Y/n”
you turn, you dont even hesitate. You dont know what it is but you feel as if you’ve known him all your life
You change and you see a gold ring dangling from a dainty gold chain. You ask your friends if they’ve seen it before
im forgetting so much these days
But you keep it on, it brings you an odd sense of comfort
You keep it tucked beneath your blouse, bringing it to you lips on occasion when youre anxious.
//
He had forgotten about his ring, the very ring you had clasped between your thumb and finger as you worked on your essay. How was he possibly supposed to get it from you
he’s well aware he’s staring but his mind is whirling
He needs that ring
“Draco, isn’t that your ring?”
He should’ve obligated himself, that might’ve been easier
“I’m sure it just looks similar.”
“Draco, we both know that’s the Malfoy famlily crest, I wondered why you stopped wearing it.”
“Wait did she steal it?”
misplaced it
She picked it up
He had to awkwardly walk over to pick it up
“That’s my ring.” You had told him all about how your friends hated him and how you had feigned indifference the entire time
He had to act the part
Youre flustered, eyes flicking between the ring and him, fingers clasping it tighter as if not wanting to let it go
He notices and his heart clenches at the sight
Remembering the night he gave it to you
*flash back*
“I’m so sorry, I must’ve picked it up by accident here.”
“Wait, how do you even know it’s his, prove it Malfoy.”
“My vaults could buy Hogwarts, why would I be stealing gold from a nobody?”
Your cheeks flare up and your friends glare at him but see his side
You struggle to unclasp it, and of course you fucking do because his stupid fucking ass charmed it so only he could take it off
he watches as you struggle with it, turning to a friend to help before you have 6 girls pulling at the very expensive chain on your neck
“For fucks sake youre going to damage it, let me.”
Your breath hitches as his surprisingly warm fingers brush your hair out of the way, fingers working quick to unclasp the necklace, the weight of it leaving your neck and you feel surprisingly empty
“Thank you.”
You watch as he goes, your fingers scratching over your neck, feeling something bubble in your throat
This was pathetic, you were so sad over something that was never yours in the first place
You spend the remainder of the time trying to figure out how you cam to be in possession of it in the first place
//
your name is written in beautiful cursive on a letter that you cannot help but love
You turn it over to see a beautiful wax seal on it, fingers trembling as you break it
The chain is yours.
d.m.
You tilt the envelope over into your hand to feel the familiar weight of the chain in your hand, clasping it around you neck in an instant
You look in the mirror but you dont recognise yourself
Your friends are surprised when you study with them
When you go back to your dorm room at a reasonable time
And you dont have a clue where it is they think you go
But how could you possibly explain to someone what you font remember
The chain is too light around you neck, its just not the same, it feels as if it’s chocking you rather than bringing you comfort
You start digging through your trunk and draws, looking for something to act as a pendant before you finally do.
Hidden at the back of one of your draws you find a little velvet box you dont remember stashing away. But then again, you dont seem to be remembering much these days.
Its a tiny little constellation of stars, charmed to sparkle and you heart wonders why you had never worn it before. It was a simple little charm but once hooked onto the necklace, you look at yourself in the mirror and finally feel as though a little part of you has returned.
PART 2 THE CONSTELLATION IS DRACO
6th and 7th years are a blur
A blur of horror
You dont really understand how life had changed so abruptly
You dont know how you end up fighting in a war at the age of just 18 but here you are
Draco stands with Hogwarts
And then his mother calls
You’ve seen him
Of course you have
You know what he is, know what his parents are
But you also know what he has done to make Hogwarts more bearable for you under the Carrows watch
The small things, diverging attention away from you and your friends
He wasn’t evil and some part of you knew that
You watch as he takes a shuddering breath and starts to walk
You watch as no one stops him
You watch as he loses more of his soul with each step towards mr no-nose
You dont know why you do it
You run
Your friends call your names, teachers joining in
They think youre joining the other side, they think youre fucked in the head, as they had since that incident in 6th year
But no, you were just missing something
you catch up to him pretty quickly, pulling him to a stop
“Ah, another to join my cause. Welcome young lady.”
“You know me. Im missing something but whenever I’m with you, whenever im holding this stupid constellation close to my heart, I feel at ease. Why”
he stares at you incredulously, and why wouldn’t he. Youre in the middle of a battlefield, Harry Potter has just been declared dead and Voldemort is less than a meter away
But you dont feel scared
And you feel stupid for not feeling scared
“It has felt like I dont even know who I am for the past 2 years, what did you do to me?”
You know everyones watching, you can hear the gasps on both sides as they think the worst of him
“I did what was necessary.” That was the first time he had spoken more than 2 words to you since he had gotten his necklace back that day in the library
“Draco, this is no time to be flirting. Come join me, bring her with you if you want.”
He tenses as voldy rests a boney hand on his shoulder, pulling him towards the other side, away from you
“If you won’t be joining us, we will use you an example of what will happen if you dont join us.”
You stare at him unfazed, fear was something you had gotten used to
Your fingers grip your wand in hand, running through all the spell harry had taught you in the da but its not enough
You are no match for voldy as he throws an unforgivable at you
You hear screams around you but all you hear is silence, as if the world had finally gone silent
//
Draco watched as the spell hit you directly in the chest. He had spent 2 years living with his actions all for it to have gone to naught in a single second
He watched as the light from his wand hits you
Before rebounding off you as if it hit a shield
There’s a flash of black and his mother is infront of him, wand out from deflecting the spell from bouncing back and hitting him
“Mother?”
“She’s important to you?”
“She gave him one of the fucking family heirlooms, either she’s important to him or he’s an idiot”
His parents were… bickering in the middle of a battle
voldy recollects himself but before he can talk neville speaks up “I have no idea what’s going on but-”
Draco drowns out the noise as he stares at you on the floor, youre covered in dust and in blood but youre alive
He hears screams as harry rolls from hatreds arms, he hears the cries from death eaters but all can see is you
“We’re switching sides now?”
“I mean he’s fairly distracted, he won’t have time to hunt us down, we owe it to our son.”
Fight scene
You remember everything
Fred Weasley teases the both of you, “we have a war to win, you can fuck later.”
He copy his lazy grin, a grin that lights you up, a grin that reminds you what’s left to fight for
You see the spell before he does
Youre in an arms reach of him but Draco cant reach you in time
You push Fred to the floor, putting yourself in the line of fire by default and draco has to watch you get hit all over again
“We need to talk about what exactly it is ive been wearing around my neck this entire time.”
“I think only my mother can answer that.”
[if you made it this far, send me an ask with the word ‘chicken’ and i’ll send you a cursed photo xx]
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one hell of a mandalorian {din djarin}
summary: actions speak louder than words - which is good for din djarin, because he's not very good at words. (this was a commission for an anon! i hope you enjoy).
warnings: language
enjoy!! if you're interested in commissions, you can find out more here :)
- jazz xx
Din Djarin was a man of few words.
That had become clear not long after you'd met.
It wasn't that he didn't like talking, or that he was rude - he'd just never had the need for it. The Mandalorian could spend days and days in hyperspace, on his own with nothing but a frozen bounty to keep him company. And they were hardly chatty, even before they were thrown away into the trawling depths of carbonite animation. There were a few select geniuses who tried to make conversation with him in a last-ditch attempt to appeal to his humanity and beg for mercy, but so far, they'd had a zero-for-zero success rate. It wasn't that he didn't have any humanity to appeal to it - because he did, and his weird, green surrogate kid was an absolute testament to that - but it just took a little bit for it to come out.
The beskar made him seem a little...robotic. Like a droid, which was ironic, because he wouldn't have gone near the things with a ten-foot-barge pole. Din had just become so used to people seeing his mask and his intimidating posture before him that having human traits, like feelings and thoughts and opinions, had never been any use. Having defining traits and a personality was all well and good, but nothing helped you through the galaxy quite like the ability to put the fear of God in people.
The Mandalorian was something, but Din Djarin was somebody. He was good; not necessarily pure and golden-hearted like a typical comic book hero, but he had a strong moral compass. Sometimes, it pointed in opposite directions, but he helped those who needed it and he paid his dues. That was probably a lot more than anyone in the galaxy could have said for themselves. In the fight of good and bad, in a world that existed entirely and black and white, there was nothing more grey than an honest man. Somebody who refused to pick a side held the power of both. For that, Din could have either been extremely smart, or extremely dumb.
Sometimes, he was extremely dumb. Made the wrong moves in combat, or got too cocky, however out of character it was for him. It was the losing fights that truly brought out the human side of Din, and it took a very, very specific eye to see it, sometimes to the point where even he missed it. It never went over your head, though.
You'd joined the crew on the Razor Crest as a mechanic - then you became a baby sitter, and his partner-in-crime, and the closest thing he'd ever had to a friend. His non-verbal nature meant that most of his emotional cues came in the physical form. It went over the heads of everybody else, but between your intuition, and the time spent in such a cramped space, it quickly became like a second language to you. Helmet tilts when he was confused, and little nods when he was pleased; tensed shoulders when the Mandalorian was nervous and balled fists when he was about to absolutely lose his shit.
Today was one of those days. Even though you were both in one piece and the baby was - by some absolute fucking miracle - asleep, it almost hadn't been that way. Nevarro had been quieter than usual, and Din had let his guard down; finally convinced himself to relax a tiny bit and ever-so-slightly loosen the stick that was firmly up his backside. His sudden lack of awareness for your surroundings had meant that someone managed to track the Crest, however briefly. The kid had barely noticed, and you weren't phased by what had been a simple, human mistake. Din, true to nature, was already beating himself up for it.
That was evidenced by his heavy footsteps, and the way he'd immediately retreated to the cockpit and slammed the door. Common sense would have entailed that he wanted to be left alone, but you'd long surpassed the point of any of that. Common sense didn't exist in a galaxy like this one. Doing the obvious thing was, nine times out of ten, usually the wrong way. Expecting the unexpected was the right way to go.
You'd paced outside the door for the better part of fifteen minutes - to go in, or to not go in, that was the question. You were torn between wanting to give Din space and wanting to be there for him; a cranky Din was often an unbearable one, but you cared deeply for him. Maybe a little too much, but that was a can of worms to open later.
"Din?" You gently called. Nothing. "I know you're brooding, or whatever it is you do under that helmet, but talking is good."
"I'm fine."
You sighed. "The scale goes great, good, bad, awful, world-ending and then fine."
"I've never heard that before in my life."
"Yeah, I just made it up on the spot." You murmured.
Resting your hand against the doorknob, you pondered for a moment. Did you want to risk it by going in? Making him mad when he was literally shutting you out? It was hard to know what to do with Din - it wasn't like he came with an answer key, or even a vague manual that could point you in the right direction. It was all just guess work.
"Is the helmet on?" You softly asked.
"Yeah."
You took that as a sign - with a deep breath, you gently opened the door and stepped inside the cockpit, shutting it quietly behind you. The tense atmosphere inside was almost enough to swallow you whole. The man practically radiated angst.
"Talk to me." You took a seat beside him.
"There's nothing to say."
"Bullshit." You murmured. "You might have a thousand inches of beskar hiding your face but your body language is a dead giveaway."
"I'm meant to protect you and the kid." He replied. It wasn't much, but it was better than silence. "It's my job to catch bad people and outrun them when I need."
"You did outrun them." You reminded him. "I'm safe. You're safe. The kid is safe. Does anything else matter?"
"It shouldn't have happened in the first place." Din said. "I was relaxed-"
"- you allowed to relax." You cut him off. "Despite your best efforts, you're a human being."
Reaching out, you gently placed your hand over Din's ungloved palm. He didn't resist or try to brush you away. His hands were soft and callous in equal measures, which felt like a fitting metaphor for him on the whole. You tangled your fingers in his and held on tightly, perhaps in a sad attempt to remind him that you were there.
But Din knew you were there - he could feel it constantly, and he thought about it just as much. Every day of his life prior to you had been filled with rigidity and angst, then you'd come waltzing in and for the first time in years, he'd untensed his muscles and stopped looking over his shoulder. Learnt to take a breath and enjoy the simple things in life, like Grogu laughing or you accidentally tripping over a tree branch. You'd become so important to him that the prospect of losing you was too much for him to even fathom. He'd come close today - too close - and it had been an eye-opener. The irony was that telling you why he was so fucking scared was more frightening than the entire thing itself.
"Don't be so hard on yourself." The gentle pull of your voice lulled him back to reality. "Please?"
His grip on your hand tightened. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay." You breathily smiled. "You don't have to apologise."
"I never thought I'd have someone like you." Din admitted. "Coming so close to losing you was terrifying, even if it wasn't that close at all."
He'd never been so open about his feeling towards you before. Obviously, you knew that he viewed you in a way he didn't see anybody else, but that knowledge had been based entirely on physical cues and mere guesswork. You'd never expected him to vocalise the way he felt, or even acknowledge them. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, or even something you considered to be detrimental. The words came as a nice surprise.
"You mean a lot to me, Din." You said. He'd always loved the way his name sounded when you said it; nobody had used it for years, not since he'd lost his parents. It was something to vulnerable and personal. You were the only one he trusted with it.
"I do?"
You didn't mean to laugh at that - you really didn't, but it just came out. A low snort of disbelief; shock at his absolute inability to read the fucking room. Din was as intuitive as they came, with the ability to read criminals like a bedtime story he'd been rehearsing since he was a kid. Then it came to you, and he knew nothing. Absolutely nothing. To call him clueless would be the understatement of the century.
"Maker." You murmured. "Of course you do - more than anyone or anything."
"You're special to me." Din replied. "It scares me sometimes."
Din was straight forward with everything he said - it was just finding the courage to say it. He'd gone into battle with Imps and Republic Rangers alike; fought krayt dragons and droids and fellow Mandalorians and yet this entire thing shook him to his very core more than anything else.
You didn't know it, but you were perfectly holding his gaze. Staring right through it and looking right into his soul. He forgot he had one sometimes. It was probably a little dusty and covered in cobwebs, but it was there, and you were bringing it right out of him and back to reality.
Din used his grip on your hands to pull you a little closer - a moment later, he gently pressed the cold metal of his helmet to his forehead. It was the closest you'd ever been to him, even if it wasn't that close at all. You could hear his soft breathing through the modulator, the sensation acting as a stunning reminder that there was a person underneath there. There were times when you forgot, or felt a little disconnected from the idea entirely. You'd never felt the need to see his face, though - you hadn't a clue what he might look like, but at the same time, you had an image of him in your head. It was as clear as day; as bright as the suns on Tatooine and as persevering as the kid's insistence that he receive all your attention, all the time.
You knew what the action was; a Keldabe kiss. The Mandalorian had recounted its meaning to you not long after you'd met - he'd finally let his barriers down and let you plague him with questions about his culture and the creed, and you'd stumbled on the subject. Initially, you'd been entertained by the fact that it two such vastly different meanings. On one hand, it could be a headbutt. A beskar punch to knock the daylights out of anyone who particularly annoyed you. On the other hand, it was almost a romantic gesture; a way that Mandalorians could show their affection to one another without having to remove their armour.
Din had the latter meaning in mind, but also so much more. He was giving you a piece of his culture - including you in the very thing that defined him as a person.
"It won't happen again." The Mandalorian gently said. "I'll never let you get hurt again. I promise."
"I know." You softly smiled. Your eyes closed, enjoying the feeling of the cool metal against your forehead. "For what it's worth, I have your back too."
He softly chuckled. "Thank you."
You gently pulled back, eyes meeting again (not that you could tell).
"Seriously!" You said. "I can be a bad-ass."
"You can be a lot of things." Din replied. "You're one hell of a girl."
"And you're one hell of a Mandalorian."
#din djarin x reader#din djarin x fem! reader#din djarin x you#din djarin imagine#din djarin imagines#mandalorian x reader#mandalorian x you#mandalorian imagines#mandalorian fluff#din djarin fluff#star wars x reader#star wars characters#star wars x you#star wars imagines
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MOONSTORM [ iii ]
You know that feeling when you know you’ve made a terrible mistake?
Yes. That feeling.
It’s a feeling that never really goes away. You had to learn that the hard way.
Irrevocable actions, stupid mistakes. You were heart-wrenchingly familiar with all of it.
To err was human apparently. You...weren’t human, though.
It seems like being superhuman was insignificant, after all. At the end of the day, nothing mattered. None of your powers did.
Despite it all, you still lost him.

warnings: depressing shit (it gets better though dw) mentions of death, violence, sexual content, future smut
wc: 2.8k
moonstorm masterlist
It felt like the world had lost all color.
It had happened so many months ago, and yet it still felt like it happened just yesterday. The memories of stumbling out of his lair, covered in his blood and your tears, still fresh in your mind.
The image of his face, betrayed and yet so calm as he uttered those last words to you...it haunted you constantly.
You found yourself looking at the moon every night, dreaming about what could have been. The nightmares endlessly plagued your sleep as well, causing you to fear even your own bed.
No...even after Hyunjin's effects on you wore off, your own brain took on the responsibility of torturing you by conjuring up more heartbreaking dreams. Dreams which made you long for something you knew you’d lost forever- never to be yours again.
You never truly realized how much you’d gotten used to having him around. Life was so glaringly empty and meaningless without him. It was a complicated relationship…and yet it still left a giant hole in you. An all-encompassing despair that threatened to swallow you up.
With him gone, it just didn’t feel right to be a superhero anymore. How could you be the strong role model for everyone in the city to rely on when you knew just how weak you’d become? Even when the newspapers were covered with your heroics, even as the mayor addressed the city and expressed his desire to give you a medal for stopping yet another supervillain from roaming the streets- you stubbornly refused to don that costume ever again.
You stayed hidden through it all. You just couldn’t bring yourself to go out in public anymore. Your vigilante costume lay forgotten in the back of your closet- crumpled and sad.
It just...felt wrong. At the moment you felt nothing but pathetic. You didn’t have time to waste saving a snotty kitten stuck on a tree or stop a petty criminal from robbing a bank- all you were fit to do was eat ice cream straight from the can, and watch a soulless movie. The same routine, day in and day out. You hadn’t left your apartment in nearly a month, not even to buy groceries. Every second was spent wrapped up in blankets, pondering what you’d done.
Was that selfish of you? Probably. You were discovering new flaws by the second.
Sighing, you sat up a little, your ass almost numb from how long you’d spent lying down. Glancing up, you saw your father’s portrait looking down at you. You swallowed and slowly stood up from your bed, groaning to yourself. Why did he suddenly seem so disappointed?
Maybe a little bit of fresh air is what you needed, considering you were starting to believe the paintings were changing expressions. After all, you had work to do anyway- might as well take advantage of the nearby café’s free WiFi.
***
Here at last.
You sat down in the corner of the café, so tired you could barely move a muscle. But you had to get a move on with your life- the recovery should have happened by now.
And yet here you were, months later. Nothing seemed to be able to fill the hole he left behind, and even now you wished you could go back home as soon as possible.
Had it...had it been a mistake?
Of course it had. Your misery was evidence, and you weren’t sure how much longer you could convince yourself that you’d done it for the good of the city.
The truth was... Hwang Hyunjin scared you.
He made you feel things, made you want to be someone else entirely. Every ounce of rigidity and austerity you’d imposed in yourself disappeared every time you were with him. He made you want to give everything up- give up all the responsibilities and burdens you carried on your shoulders to be with him. To be like him- free.
It wasn’t Hyunjin who was a threat to the city. No, not directly.
It was you- or rather the lack of you.
This city needed you to survive, and if Hyunjin managed to change you...it surely wouldn’t have lasted long without your help. Hyunjin had never really been the city’s biggest threat- there were far worse villains and it was them who you really fought against.
He was more of just an inconvenience, someone you had to deal with from time to time. And then he’d struck that deal- after which the nature of your relationship had turned into something entirely different.
Every time he acted up, it was usually just a ploy to get your attention. And attention was exactly what he got. You’d reinforced his behavior like an idiot.
You told yourself it was a chore, but it wasn’t all that convincing. You’d loved spending those nights in his bed, loved the way he was an expert at making you come undone with his body and his words.
It really had seemed like a good idea at the time. The right thing to do. However, it was quickly starting to seem like anything but.
You sighed as your mind tried its best not to travel back all those months. Dipping a teabag into the liquid, you mindlessly observed the customers in the cafe. Many of them were young, teenagers who were heading out before class.
You sighed as you recalled your own high school days, the times Hyunjin and you had hung out in a cafe much like this one.
“You don’t have to help me with this project, you know.”
“Ah, shush. It’s our final year. I’m not going to leave you alone.” He smiled as he flipped through his books, taking a sip of his coffee occasionally.
“You act like you’re not sticking to me like white on rice the rest of the year.” You roll your eyes, chuckling to yourself.
“Don’t get snippy with me, missy.” He smirked, still thumbing the pages nonchalantly. “Or I’ll have to punish you.”
“You- I- what?” You wouldn’t admit it, but the thought caused a fluttering sensation in more than one place. It was a little bit of a shock, considering the two of you had done nothing more than make out and flirt, until now.
“Chill. I’m kidding.” He shook his head, looking up at you. “Unless…” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Stop it! I’m supposed to be working right now.” You whined, swatting him with a rolled up paper.
“I don’t care.” He tapped his fingers on the table. “Hm...do you know what I’m thinking of right now, Y/n?”
“W-what?”
“Thinking about how easy it would be to slip my fingers under your skirt and play with that pretty pussy of yours. I’m pretty sure it’s soaked your underwear through by now.”
Fuck.
Your cheeks flushed as you stared at your plate. You couldn’t find it in yourself to respond properly- his mere words had already turned you to a mess.
“S-shut up.” You mumbled, reading out formulas aloud as you tried to divert your attention from it. Hyunjin let out a teasing chuckle at your lame attempt to change the topic, shaking his head as he stared at his book again, unaware you were looking over your own at him, pressing your thighs together subtly.
God, he was so...so annoying.
You snapped out of it, sighing as you looked around at the much less crowded cafe. Had it always looked so dull? So lifeless?
The thought of him was hurtful- it felt like a dull knife, screwing itself into you. Reminding you what you’d done.
You’d killed the love of your life.
And now? There was no way to bring him back.
***
“Murder is never something a superhero should resort to. A good hero always stays true to themselves- they only kill if it’s absolutely necessary.”
A cough.
“But of course...villains are exempt from that rule. Killing one villain’s life could save countless others.”
Hm. You weren’t exactly sure if your father was right. Although you were just a child, you still had some knowledge of morality.
Was he? Killing just...seemed wrong. You didn’t know if you could bring yourself to do it, no matter how evil the person was.
“Surely there are other ways to neutralize someone evil, Father?”
He narrowed his eyes at you, before shaking his head coldly. “Untrue.”
“The truth is, some lives are expendable, my dear Y/n…” Another cough, before he cleared his throat and fixed his gaze back on you.
“You must always look for the greater good.”
***
You still remembered the day you first met Hyunjin.
He was 13, and you were just a little younger. Your families were good comrades and allies, so your eventual meeting had already been planned.
The two of you were in the living room with everyone else as they talked to each other, mingling and chattering like adults usually did. Hyunjin and you made an unanimous decision to sneak out to the rooftop, and get to know each other better.
“So...our parents are allies now, hm? This means we’re going to see each other a lot more.”
“Of course we are! We’re both prodigies, like my dad and your mom...we inherited their powers, so they’re obviously going to want to cultivate those.”
“You speak pretty fancy for a 12 year old.”
“Hey, so do you! Besides, we’re gifted, aren’t we?”
“Hm.” He sighed, swinging his legs and inhaling. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke up again.
“Do you actually like having these powers?”
“Oh? Well, yeah...I do...my father tells me stories of his days as a superhero. I want to help people, just like him.”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d much rather live a normal life. Get a normal job, find someone to love, and have a normal marriage in a normal town.”
You pressed your lips together. “To each their own, I guess. Personally, I just want to get rid of all the evil in the world and make my father proud.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“Evil…” He tapped his chin. “How does one even know the difference between good and evil?”
You raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? I’m pretty sure it would be obvious in every situation.”
“I disagree. The distinction is blurry. No one knows for sure, and definitely not at first glance.” He sighed. “I would know.”
You brought your knees to your chest as you observed the city below. “Well, I guess you’re right…” you paused, your heart feeling a little heavy for some reason.
“Do you know?”
“The line between good and evil is thin, Y/n. I can’t say I know for sure. But do you know what will always help you remember?”
“What?”
“Your heart.” He said softly, glancing at you and offering you a small smile.
“Just do whatever feels right...trust yourself.”
***
You sighed and shut your laptop.
Home. You needed to go home, cause your heart ached too much. You definitely weren’t ready to go back to work yet. You hadn’t done anything productive today really, just drink coffee and reflect on your actions. Regretting....regretting it all.
It’d been wrong. The wrong choice, the wrong decision.
You knew that, now. There could have been another way. You shouldn’t have rushed into it like that...how could you?
You felt a surge of hatred towards yourself engulf you. It was all your fault, this pain you were feeling. You didn’t have anyone to direct this immense anger towards except yourself. You realized this little fact in horror, your heart clenching as you wished things could have been different.
Finishing off your coffee, you placed a few bills on the table as you left the café, heading home. Ready to burrow under the blankets again, wallow in your self pity and pain. There wasn’t much else to do except succumb to acceptance.
You made your way down the street, humming the saddest song you knew under your breath.
All of a sudden, you felt eyes burning into your back. Your own eyes widening slightly, you turned around quickly-
But there was no one there.
Weird. Sighing, you decided to go back to going over your plans for tonight in your mind.
Maybe watch a movie in hopes of triggering some sort of emotion in you...or maybe take a bath, light some candles and listen to depressing music- shit.
It happened again. Someone was following you- you could feel it. Uncomfortable, your breathing slowly started getting heavier as you tried to formulate some kind of plan in your head-
The next thing that happened was so sudden you barely registered it for a second.
Your hand was gripped, so tightly you felt it would bruise. Aggressive, shocking and swift as lightning- it took several seconds before you realized someone was trying to kidnap you.
“Stop! Leave me alone!”
Struggling against the person holding you, you caught a glimpse of the masked man and decided to scream, hoping to gain some attention from somebody, anybody. There was no way this was happening, not right now. Your day had already been bad enough, why was the universe so intent on rubbing salt in your wounds?!
The urge to fight had never been stronger. Yet there was no strength left in your body. You couldn’t fight back against this man- he was taller than you and somehow even matched you in strength. Unless you exposed your powers, there was no way you would get yourself out of this predicament. Somehow you managed to smack him with your arm weakly, making him hiss.
“Let me go, please!”
The coffee cup fell out of your hand, brown liquid spilling all over the ground as you were pulled into the dark alley so quickly, no one would notice. Your eyes darted about in panic, trying to work out a possible escape route when the masked man caged you in, his arms on either side of you.
A horrible sense of déjà vu enveloped you. It’s all you can do to not scream, trying to keep yourself calm so that you could escape.
It’s ok, breathe in...and concentrate.
The heat within you started to crackle, your palms beginning to burn up gradually.
Your eyes blinked as you decided to try and take a good look at the person holding you. Their head was covered with a black mask, their finger held over their mouth as they ran their eyes over your distressed expression.
Inhale. Exhale.
“What the fuck are you doing?” You hissed, staying still and pretending to give up the struggle. “Unhand me now, or you’ll regret it, trust me-“
“Shh! Y/n, please…” He shushed you, his voice shaky.
You stopped in your tracks.
Huh?
That voice…
“I’ll explain... but first we need to get out of here, fuck-” He looked from side to side quickly, scanning his surroundings.
Shit. Why does that voice sound so familiar?
“Who- who are you?!” You managed to get out, the heat fading away as deep, panicked confusion took over you instead.
There was a small sigh as your assailant stood up a little straighter, groaning. And then, his fingers deftly pulled the mask off, clutching it in his hands tightly.
Golden locks spilled out, a handsome visage coming into view. Plump lips and beautiful eyes, looking oh so familiar.
No.
No.
It couldn’t be. This wasn’t happening. What the fuck, what the fuck, what the actual fuck was going on?
It’s him.
But it can’t be.
How? It’s not possible-
You’re definitely losing your mind.
The man’s breathing got quicker as he watched your expression morph from fear into one of pure, electric shock.
“I know you’re shocked, Y/n, but please listen to-“
Your chest started heaving, quickly rising and falling as your heart pounded against your rib cage.
This...could not be happening. What was this? Was this a nightmare? Yet another sick, twisted dream? He couldn’t be standing right in front of you...it was impossible. No. No no no no no no no.
It was all too overwhelming, and your brain and body seemed to agree on that. Your mind swam, your thoughts all over the place as you felt yourself sway on your feet.
“This- I-“ You stumbled over your words, tears slipping past quickly as you tried to form words to express what you felt.
Pain. Searing pain, taking over, spreading from head to toe.
Your breathing slowed as the world suddenly went black, Hyunjin’s shouts in the background fading away...until there was nothing but silence.
Pure, unadulterated silence.
#hyunjin smut#hyunjin angst#skz smut#skz angst#hwang hyunjin smut#stray kids smut#stray kids angst#hyunjin x reader#hyunjin scenarios#hyunjin imagines
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more of my trans billy ficlets here 💕
--
thing is, billy never wanted kids.
he didn't even like playing with the stupid plastic babies that out of touch relatives thought made good christmas gifts. the dolls stayed in a sad creepy little pile in his closet—shoved in the corner behind the laundry hamper—til he was ten, and his father started really cracking down on his be grateful for what you have campaign.
billy still insists that using his mom's hairspray to set them on fire counts as playing with them. but that particular argument ended with billy icing a black eye, peeking through the bathroom window to watch his dad lug what was left of his dresser to the dumpster across the street.
point is, billy's never had any interest in being a parent, not even playing pretend at being one.
and that was never really a problem, no guy stuck around long enough for it to ever be a conversation they'd have to have.
until steve.
and steve...steve was fucking born to be a dad, and billy knows it. even without knowing all about the botched dream of a white picket fence happy ending with his high school sweetheart, without having seen that wistful look in his eye when he talks about how he was going to take a shitty job with his dad and live out his suburban i-peaked-in-high-school fantasy, even without all that, it's still obvious.
because he's happy mothering his rag-tag band of ducklings, even though they're too old to be babysat now. because he lights up with the most precious fucking goofy grin when random babies wave at him in public. because he knows all the ways his parents went wrong, and he's exactly the kind of person who'd do better just to spite them.
but billy doesn't know if he's that kind of person. and he's not sure if he'd ever forgive himself if it turns out he isn't.
he's not sure what he'll do about it if steve ever asks, so he's been doing the only logical thing. avoiding the subject entirely.
which, obviously doesn't last.
they've been together for three years. they share an apartment. marriage and kids and all that normal adult couple shit is what mature people talk about when they're in committed relationships, apparently.
it started with a favour for a friend.
some girl steve works with needed someone to watch her toddler for a couple hours, and of course steve volunteered. would've been fine if he hadn't forgotten something at home and called billy to ask him to drop it off.
and, see, it wasn't like he meant to stay, the kid was just so fucking clingy, and took a shying to billy of all people.
and billy saw the little soft-eyed smiles steve kept throwing his way whenever the kid latched onto his leg or babbled at him in toddler-speak that billy had to pretend to understand. he noticed. he's can't stop noticing. can't stop nervously glancing at steve, anxiety threading itself around his heart, his lungs, til he's all tangled up in it, tied up, stomach lurching when it pulls and tightens. he's tense, and waiting for the other shoe to drop.
and it does. in the car on the way home.
"you ever think about having kids?" steve is trying so hard to be nonchalant that it's almost painful. he's tracing patterns on his jean-clad thigh, billy can see him out of the corner of his eye. he keeps his gaze locked on the road.
he should probably ease into it. maybe. he has no idea, actually, this is probably gonna be a shit-show either way. for one, brief, horrifying moment he wonders if steve would break up with him over this and he can't breathe for a second.
and when his lungs expand again what comes tumbling out of his mouth is—
"i'd be a shitty dad, steve."
he winces at his own tone.
"fuck off, you would not." steve's vehemence surprises him enough that he forgets not to look. steve's brow is furrowed, his jaw set in a stubborn pout.
billy chews his lip silently, fingers tight on the steering wheel. "what makes you so sure," he asks quietly.
"you're kidding, right?" steve huffs. there's a pause, and his palm lands on billy's bicep, warm and grounding. "i'm sure because i know you." he squeezes billy's arm, "and...max and i talk," he adds, voice soft.
"knew introducing you two was a bad idea," billy mumbles. "fucking gossiping behind my back"
steve snickers. "all good things, i promise."
"right."
"...mostly good things."
"hm."
"come on, she loves you and you know it."
billy sighs, a half-hearted grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "yeah."
"and so do i."
"...you better." his smile grows when steve slaps his shoulder. "yeah, yeah, love you too, jesus."
"you better," steve echoes sarcastically. after a quiet moment of slowly drawing circles up and down billy's arm he adds, "i doubt myself too, y'know. it's not like i have any idea how to parent, mine weren't around enough to help me figure that shit out." he snorts.
"oh come on, you parent the shit out of those dorky brats of yours."
"nah..." steve shrugs, his hand slipping from billy's shoulder. "i was just. there, i guess. not like they listened to me or anything. which was probably good, 'cause i gave shitty advice and swore too much."
"you must done something right, they're still around." he glances over at steve. he's not looking back, he's got his forearms folded across his stomach, fingers curled around his elbows, slouched in on himself. billy reaches over and slips his hand around one of steve's. "hey. every one of those kids looks up to you, and you fucking earned that."
the rest of the drive is spent in companionable silence. billy knows its not the end of the conversation, not even close. it's going to come up again later, but it feels less looming and terrifying now. it's hard to be too scared of what-ifs when steve is two feet away and fiddling with one of billy's rings with a soft smile on his face.
later turns out to be when they've settled into bed for the night.
when steve rolls over, tugging billy's arm until it's draped around his waist, and he wiggles around trying to get his pillow squished just right. and billy watches him with an amused smile. and steve grins back, for a second, before he bites his lip, and—
"so, i...do want kids. um. just to be clear."
billy sighs. "yeah, i figured."
"i know you'd be great at it, billy," steve says quietly, firm and gentle and so damn sure that billy almost wants to believe him. "and we'd make a real pretty kid"
"jesus, harrington."
"what? it's true."
billy huffs a laugh. "yeah." he shifts, sheets rustling around his legs. "i never wanted kids, you know. always fuckin...freaked me out. the idea of it." steve watches him quietly, a warm hand on his chest, waiting patiently as billy pauses. "still fuckin' freaks me out. but you...it's less terrifying when i think about doing it with you. maybe."
"yeah?" steve's grin is blinding, his whole fucking body curling into it.
"maybe. keep it in your pants, bambi."
steve kisses him, cupping his cheek and leaning in slow and careful. "it's okay if the answer is no. it's okay. i'm just..." he nuzzles a little, eyes falling shut and a soft, contented smile warming his face. "makes me feel all special that you'd even consider it. for me."
yeah it's starting to look like there isn't a whole lot billy wouldn't consider doing for steve.
he snorts, and kisses steve's nose. "yeah well, don't get used to it."
"mm," steve snuggles closer. "wouldn't dream of it."
#steve harrington#billy hargrove#harringrove#stranger things#trans billy hargrove#a raven's writing desk
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A Close Call
Request from @asaucecoveredsomething - “If your requests are still open, would you do one with Obi-Wan and/or Anakin and the reader just being absolutely all over each other after a mission that went poorly? Just them being so thankful that they have one another, so they have some very passionate sex?”
I went with Anakin on this because I miss writing for him and haven’t in a while💕 I really liked this idea. Thank you for requesting it!
word count: 1.8k
warnings: soft Anakin fluff, smut, mention of reader almost dying?
gif credit: @soka-tano
“I’m sorry I scared you, Anakin” you spat harshly at him, angry that he was treating you like a child.
“You should’ve waited for me, you knew you couldn’t take them all alone” he yelled back at you. The two of you were sent together on a mission to investigate a droid factory, but your intended stealth was unsuccessful. You were overrun with droids, and sure, you should’ve waited for his assistance, but you wanted to wipe them out yourself.
“I-I thought” you tried to begin.
“You thought? You thought what? That you’d get yourself killed and leave me here without you? Is that what you thought, y/n?” His anger that previously trailed his words transitioned to sorrow as thoughts of losing you flooded his brain. “I can’t...I can’t lose you”. His voice broke and he dropped his head to the floor so that you couldn’t see the tears forming in his eyelids. This was a state you’d never seen him in.
“Hey, Anakin, it’s okay. I'm here, and I’m alive, and I’m safe, and I’m with you.” Your palm brushed his cheek that was wet with only a single tear. You wiped away his worries and pulled his chin to look at you.
“I love you, y/n” he softly mumbles.
“I love you too” you flash a comforting smile to him. You pull him into your body and wrap your arms around him. He released a sigh of relief as if to exhale his built up concern and stress into your grip. You stood there, holding him with his head rested on top of your head. You two were alone and the air was quiet on the ship. You could hear his heart beating against you.
“Kiss me” he pleaded delicately as he pulled away from your hold on him. He never had to ask you twice. You reached your lips up to his, moving achingly slow so that you could be gentle with him in this moment. Your lips danced together so passionately. You pulled away slowly and meet his sad eyes.
“A close call like that just reminds me how badly I need you in my life...and how hopeless I’d be without you” he said so quietly it was almost a whisper.
“You’ll never have to miss me, Anakin” you reassured his worrisome thoughts. “I will always be with you. I will be more careful next time, I promise you”. He grinned at your sentiment and grabbed your face, pulling it into him and pressing your foreheads together. He pushed his lips into yours again and applied more pressure than before. His subtly trembling hand wrapped itself behind your head, your lips remained interlocked.
His other hand travelled from your face down toward the curve above your hip. Your body moved slightly into him as you craved his touch. There was a change in his breathing when he felt you moved against him.
“I want you” he breathed. Anakin now had a firm grip on your waist.
“Right now? Here?” You questioned through your intermittent kissing. He nodded. “Don’t you want to wait until we land?”
“No, I don’t. I want you right now, y/n. Please. I need to feel you”. He politely and so desperately demanded. Rather than verbal affirmation, you hooked your finger under his tunic and lifted the material over his tense muscles. This left his chest bare, lit only by the colored lights on the panel of the ships controls and the stars’ illumination shining into the cockpit.
His slid your coat off and pulled your tank top straps down your shoulders and below your chest, revealing your breasts to him. He moaned deeply at the sight of them and wrapped his lips around your nipples, one after the other. His tongue swirled gracefully around your peaks.
He then unbuttoned your pants eagerly and slid them down to your thighs, but didn’t pull them any further than that. He was impatient in the heat of that current moment, and his desire for you was evident. He parted your standing legs slightly apart.
While you resumed passionately making out with him, Anakin brought his fingers to your aching core that was already wet from the spontaneity of the situation, and began to rub your clit. You released a moan into his mouth that earned a sensual groan from him as well.
“I need you, Anakin” you whimpered.
“I know baby” he whispered into your ear after breaking the connection between your lips.
Suddenly, as if on command, he pushed two fingers inside of you and pumped them slowly. You whined, unashamed, knowing no one would hear you in the silence of your shared company. His warm breath released itself onto your neck while he continued to fuck you with his fingers.
“Anakin” you breathed through your moans. You could see from the look on his face that he was absorbing the sounds of your pleasure and the feeling of your wetness on his digits.
“Does that feel good, y/n?” He inquired.
“Yes, baby, keep going” you begged.
He returned his mouth to yours again and pressed his tongue between your lips. He continued to curl his fingers in and out of you, causing you to release sweet moans into his mouth.
“I need all of you, Anakin” you pleaded, hinting that you wanted more than his fingers could provide. He smirked at your indirect request and gently removed his digits from your pussy. He swiftly pulled down your pants, that were still clinging to your knees, and removed them completely, throwing them onto the floor.
You brought your hands to his pants and fumbled with the clasp on his belt. He helped you pull his trousers down just enough to expose his erect cock. Effortlessly, Anakin lifts you by grabbing under your thighs, and wrapped your legs around his waist. You placed your arms around his neck. His cock was achingly close to your entrance in this new position. He fully supported the weight of your body against the wall of the ship, which was unexpected, but you loved it.
Without breaking any eye contact, he grinded his hips into yours and filled you completely. You whimpered loudly at the feeling of being filled by him. He was delicate with his movements, careful to be gentle and passionate. His eyes stared deeply into yours, watching you be pleasured by him.
“Oh my god” you breathlessly moan.
“You feel amazing, y/n, fuck” he sounded so sweet as he rested his head back onto your shoulder.
“Anakin, I love you” you expressed.
“I love you too, y/n, so fucking much” he responded through his breathing. His thrusts were slow but deep, and felt more passionate than any previous time that you two had ever had sex.
Anakin’s hands moved from supporting your thighs to your ass, giving him more leverage to move you up and down onto him. He did all the work, mostly because it was impossible for you to do so. The veins in his arm muscles popping out and the sweat that formed on his skin was so sexy to you while he put all his strength and effort into making you feel good. He stretched you out further with every motion of his hips, every thrust was complete ecstasy for both of you.
“You look so beautiful” he whispered in between his thrusting. Your open mouth transformed to a sweet smile.
Anakin grinded and curled his hips harder and faster. His moans grew to be more choppy. You could sense he was close to cumming, and you were close too.
“Ani... I'm going to cum” you whimpered. He brought his fingers to your clit to help you reach your climax quicker. His fingers adding to the sensation of him fucking you sent you over the edge.
“Cum for me, baby” he encouraged your pleasure. At the sound of his words you fell apart around him. He pumped into you rhythmically while your walls tightened on his cock. Your heightened moans filled the empty air and your pleasure washed over you like waves.
“Oh yes, Anakin, don't stop” you begged through your intense breathing. You rode out of your high before Anakin’s sounds clearly indicated he was about to cum as well.
“Y/n...” he called your name
“Cum inside me, Anakin” you instructed. He looked at you as if to say are you sure and your sensual look gave him the approval.
A loud, gruff groan, that was followed by a growl escaped his lips while he released himself inside of you. His grip on your ass tightened and he buried his face deep into your neck again. Profanities crept out of his mouth when he came down from his high. You both breathed heavily in sync, your bodies were as close to one another as was physically possible.
A tender peck was placed atop your head. Anakin removed himself from inside you slowly, not wanting to hurt you. He helped you get redressed and then he did the same for himself.
“That was amazing, Ani” you giggled.
“Yeah?” He half way asked and half way agreed. You slid down the wall and sat, legs crossed, on the floor. Anakin joined you.
“How much longer until we are home?” You wondered.
“I’m not sure...hopefully not for a while. I want more time alone with you” he said while snuggling up next to you onto the cold metal floor.
“You can always have alone time with me, Anakin” you stated obviously.
“Yeah, but here, just out in orbit...in the stars...it feels truly alone” he sounded content. Like nothing could ruin this moment between you two.
“That’s true. I never thought about it like that” you agreed.
You two sat in silence for a while, catching your breath, and admiring the beauty of the stars out ahead of you and the nothingness that proceeded it. The only sounds you could hear was Anakin’s heart beating and the low sounds of the ship’s engines running.
“Y/n” he called for your attention, even though he already had it.
“Yes? What is it?”
“You are the most precious thing I have ever loved in my entire life” he lovingly expressed.
The words he said warmed your heart and made you uncontrollably smile ear to ear. You couldn’t form the words to respond, so you instead tilted your head to rest on his shoulder, acknowledging his kind words.
“I will never let anyone, or anything, ever hurt you” he assured you. The concerned tone he held in his words earlier had returned.
“I know. Anakin, I trust you with my life” you promised him. He looked down at you and grinned, a type of smile you didn’t see often.
“How did I get so lucky to be able to call you mine?” Anakin softly whispered.
You still didn’t know when you’d be arriving home, but you didn’t care. In that moment you’re only concern was soaking in the intimacy of the time you were sharing with Anakin and the sudden realization that he was all you ever wanted in life.
#anakin#anakin x reader#anakin skywalker#anakin skywalker imagine#anakin skywalker x reader#anakin fluff#anakin smut#anakin x y/n#my work#aotc#rots#star wars#anakin skywalker x reader smut#anakin x reader smut
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A ranking of all the TTT stories in order of how much I liked them.
(Oh god this is so long)
1 My Mother's Axe
BABY ANDYYYYYYYYYYYY. Honestly this one had the trifecta of developing a character's motivations, developing a character's backstory, & developing their personality. The story starting out with Andy teaching Nile to use the axe was so charming and fun, and you could feel that chemistry they had in Opening Fire, the way they teased and bickered with each other so naturally. I loved the wedge between them on the subject of the axe, how Nile was perhaps a little too young to understand Andy's feelings about whether or not its the 'same' axe. I also love how the axe is obviously the symbol of the franchise and hugely important, but you never get a sense of exactly how important it is to Andy until you read the story.
I love the entire Ship of Theseus theme, and how it feels so natural that for Andy she has to get attached to the idea of things rather than the things themselves because she'll always outlive the things themselves-- the axe is symbolically her mom's axe, even if physically it isn't. And I love how she clearly clings to that concept so tightly. "This is the labrys she held in her hands...." IT GETS ME.
And the fact that this sense of BELONGING, of FAMILY, of CULTURE is so important to Andy that she clings to it (figuratively and literally) with both hands. And of course it's important to her, she spent so long alone that the woman doesn't even remember her birth name. That axe (or the idea of that axe) is all she has left of her mother and that family/culture she was born into.
PLUS on that note I love how Andy doesn't remember if her mom was her actual biological mother, but it doesn't matter to her. This woman was her mother in all the ways that counted. And how her mom BETRAYED AND KILLED Andy but Andy loved her so much that she avenged her and carried her axe for thousands of years. THOUSANDS OF YEARS!!!!!!
I also loved how the story transcends the timeline of the whole franchise and seeing Andy through the years. Loved seeing her with the varying squads and with varying axes. Also baby Andy was so cute. It was cool seeing her so young. like holy fuck. Andromache The Scythian, Immortal Warrior (but smol). Love that.
Also I think this one is one of the few ttt stories that doesn't suffer from length problems.
tldr: goddammit greg you've done it again.
2 Zanzibar and Other Harbors
Zanzibar my beloved. I've said before, but it's downright comedic how little regard there was for Joe and Nicky's character designs in this story. The same person who does the colors for the regular comic did the colors for this one too, and you can tell, every panel of this story was Beautiful.
Ik there was A Lot of criticism of this one (lmao @ how the fandom had no idea what was to come) but I thought a lot of The Discourse was a bit dramatic. I did think Nicky came off as a little oblivious to Joe's feelings in this story, but I've said before, I honestly think that was a 'tone not translating' thing. It felt like Nicky was nagging Joe for [checks notes] saving innocent people, but Joe was so amused by Nicky's complaints I really do think it was supposed to come off as teasing.
Plus I know the 'Joe running off into danger and Nicky reluctantly following' dynamic wasn't popular (I'm a pretty meh on it meself) but I did love how Joe's impulsiveness (if you want to call it that) was interpreted as heroism and not hot-hotheadedness. All of the examples Nicky and Joe talked about included Joe explicitly saving people. (and it also took A Lot for the nazi to actually provoke Joe).
I also feel like their characterization here was closest to the movie canon-- the bit where they hear the woman scream and Joe goes running in to save her while Nicky swoops in on Joe's heels to comfort her while Joe and the nazi were fighting reminds me of the train car scene. Joe had suggested First that they go find Nile because she needed to be protected, and Nicky later added that Nile probably also needed emotional support. Similar reactions.
But it was So Good, the themes of queer community and the enduring nature of queer culture are Not themes you see in media that often and it was such a delight how it was done. Also it's one of the few more modern TTT stories that has a completely valid excuse for taking place when it did. Chef's kiss.
3 Passchendaele
I love the Duality between seeing baby Andy and then seeing Mama Andy in the very next issue. This story doesn't have a ton of meat to it, but the entire concept of Andy adopting a war orphan straight off the battlefield PLUCKS MY TENDER LITTLE HEARTSTRINGS, and I think it's especially poignant for comic!Andy. I think most people wouldn't think twice about movie!Andy doing something like that but comic Andy is so hardened and almost cruel sometimes, and seeing that even for her the world hasn't beaten all of the compassion from her yet is SO!!!!!!! this woman contains MULTITUDES okay, she's violent and angry and tired and Done but she's also so kind and compassionate and THE STRENGTH OF HER!!!!! Also the idea of her and Yitzhak co-raising a kid together is so damn cute. It was #mysterious pre-Yitzhak-story but now it's cute. holy fuck. It's cute.
& the headbonk panel of her and Zeus lives in my heart. anyways.
4 Many Happy Returns
I Know people weren't thrilled about Booker being in this one, but I've developed a pet-peeve about that: this story was *not* booker-centric. Booker only exists in this story to the extent required to explain the importance of the gesture Nile makes towards him. If there was a story about Booker making some grand gesture of kindness to Nile no one would be saying it was Nile-centric. bc it wouldn't be! Booker exists in this story to explore Nile's kindness, its not about him. I saw that a couple times and it bothered me. anyways.
AAAAAAAAAA I loved this one, the art was beautiful, I loved how Andy Nile and Booker were drawn (like their comic selves but.. more looking like actual people). I loved Andy and Nile's Bants, how Andy wanted to jump right in and Do Violence but Nile was basically telling her to hold her horses.
I feel like I'm just repeating the post I made on this story a few days ago, but I LOVED how Nile's plan revolves not around violence or Cool Mercenary Skills but on Nile's own life skills (as she canonly did a lot of minimum wage job-hopping before the marines in comics canon). Her plan used her skills, not the skills of an immortal warrior, and HER SKILLS were in fact more useful for the situation! lov to see Nile's resourcefulness and planning skills.
AND HOW NILE WAS PROBABLY WATCHING BOOKER??? it's so Much bc 1.) nile knew booker A SINGLE DAY and yet he made such an impression on her emotionally that she had to keep an eye on him and 2.) she said in the movie she wanted Booker to get off free with an apology. Yes she's a member of the team but that doesn't mean she's necessarily going to follow orders like a good little soldier. I also love how she convinced Andy to go along with it. her HEART, her KINDNESS, her THOUGHTFULNESS, UGH.
5 The Bear
Honestly I have like no negative things to say about this one other than a.) character design issues which is less about the story itself and is more of a 'tog comic in general' criticism and b.) too short, but it was supposed to be a tease, so.
But I loved Yitzhak, I wasn't expecting to really like him at all but like I said in my other post, he tickled me. I love characters who are Kind™, especially if they have little reason to be so given their backgrounds. Chef's kiss. Lov him.
6 Bonsai Shokunin
I know this one was a little controversial bc of the outsider POV but whenever I see people upset about that they never point out that the Outsider Guy (the samurai) existed as a reflection on Noriko. His ideas are explained in the text to develop hers. The whole story follows how she gave mercy to a scared young man and in response he murdered Noriko, repeatedly! Who gave him the right to inflict such pain and suffering on the world? In his opinion, the lack of response from the gods was his permission. And for Noriko-- over and over again she dies and suffers because she gave mercy, which lines up with her ideas in FM about how it's their fate to rule mortals and if they don't align with that plan/fate/whatever then they suffer. It shows some background to those ideas and how they developed in her mind outside of Ocean Madness™. Additionally, his idea of 'the Gods have done nothing to strike me down so it's fine if I do these things' kind of explains how Noriko may justify her own morally corrupt actions-- she's died so many times and it's never stuck. Maybe if she did die any of those times, or while she was in the water, maybe that would've been a sign she was doing something right, or at least doing something normal. But she hasn't died. Fate isn't done with Noriko yet. And maybe there's a reason for that. In her mind, it's just not a very pleasant reason, is all.
There were things I was kind of meh about tho. I did kind of wish we saw something of Noriko and the team, or smth explaining the way she was before her dip in the pool-- personality, likes dislikes, etc. but it wasn't bad or anything. It was super vague tho, I had to read it a few times before I got what it was going for. Liked the art. Liked the bonsai metaphor. And of course I Respect the decision to use the 1300s (1200s? I don't remember off the top of my head) rather than using the last 200 years.
7 Strong Medicine
Honestly looking back, this one made me kind of sad because both this one and Bonsai Shokunin explored character's ideas on Fate and The Divine and how that intersects with immortality and I totally thought that theme would be continued, especially with Love Letters. But Then It Wasn't™.
Admittedly.... I had to re-read this one to remember most of it. I liked Booker's ideas on God, 'The conductor of the symphony just may not be very good at his trade' but the plot itself was kind of forgettable. Some fuckin cowboys try to kill a doctor (their second) because he couldn't save their sickly brother. Book tries to stop them, gets killed, and then comes back and kills them all before they get the doctor. Alright. I liked the artstyle because the characters were ugly in a similar way that leandro's are, but way more bearable.
I love the Irony of Booker concluding that there is no such thing as fate or destiny and nothing has meaning, AS HE UNKNOWINGLY SAVES MERRICK'S GRANDFATHER FROM BEING KILLED. Booker getting fucked over by life/god/destiny yet again. It also kind of explains about where the fuck hell Merrick's interest in immortal mercenaries even came from.
I originally had this one a lot higher and then I thought about it and moved it down like two spots.
8 Never Gets Old
I liked seeing Booker interact with his kid. And we got a name for the kid! Philippe was a little bitch though, he was a little obnoxious. I liked how Booker was so thrilled to experience a restaurant with his kid (and since we know he was there before, it can be assumed he went with all of his kids and yet he was so charmed each time). It fits with his line to Nicky in the moon landing story about how you don't appreciate beautiful things 'unless you have someone to share them with'. It was charming to see Booker interact with his kid, and to see him so happy. Also lmao @ Booker's big fat Ye Olde Crush on Andy.
However at the same time it was like.. of all the things to write about,,, I guess? Booker's Night Out...... alright. Especially since Book had so many stories.
I don't know, it was alright. The old man killing him really came out of nowhere, (but the 'Salut, asshole!' panel was funny tho).
9 How To Make a Ghost Town
I've hit a point where talking about these stories has gotten less fun. I liked this one but I felt like Achilles getting lynched was not really necessary for a story that was already tragic (a story that already involved Achilles doing a lot of suffering at the hand of bigots). When we first got the blurb for this story I thought it would be about Andy returning to the squad and making friends with Booker after losing Achilles and them butting heads on the idea of family and when to cut off ties. So a little bit of my underwhelmedness about this one might be just my expectations being different.
Honestly I was pretty interested in Andy and Achilles' relationship and I would've liked to see more of them-- like, what was their dynamic like? What did they love about each other?
But anyways Andy leaving and Achilles getting killed anyways feels so pointlessly tragic (which I suppose is the point..... I don't like tragedies) she left to save him and yet people killed him anyway. Meh.
I did love the bits about Andy wanting to have a domestic life (Andy and her multitudes again) and the little detail about how she buried her axe near the road but he buried his guns under his bed-- he was an escaped slave, he never had the luxury of assuredness like Andy did. It was a sad story.
10 Lacus Solitudinis
'You put this one above love letters crim??? how could you???' easy, lmao.
There was stuff in this one I liked. But to talk about stuff I didn't like: (I'll keep it brief, I know ragging on this story has been done time and time again)
UH, setting aside the 6 year cold shoulder between Joe and Nicky, I thought their chosen method of conflict resolution was... bad at best. Nicky's inability to talk about his feelings was also annoying, especially since the entire point of this story is a fight Joe and Nicky had, and yet we don't get both sides to the story, which is...... important? That fact is especially annoying bc in the absence of Nicky explaining his side of the story, it's absolutely a possible (and admittedly probably unintentional) interpretation of the text that we do get that Joe routinely resolves conflict between him and Nicky by simply cutting Nicky out of his life entirely until Nicky just. caves? Even if it takes years?
WHICH i could get into that interpretation and how fucked up i find it. but im not going to. out of restraint.
I don't know, I think there are a lot of interesting ways to go about this conflict but 'Nicky wants to kill a guy and Joe refuses to acknowledge his existence until he stops because he thinks Nicky is too much of a Good Boy to get his hands dirty like that' ('I wont watch as the world turns his (...) compassion into something ugly'. ) wasn't.. how I would've done it. (I mean you know Joe doesn't give a shit about what Nicky is doing in a moral way, because Joe doesn't even care or mention that Booker is killing those cops too. Joe only cares because he doesn't like the idea of Nicky changing in a way he finds undesirable.)
admittedly I've said before, I do like the emphasis Joe's reaction puts on Nicky's kindness. Joe has a complete inability to cope with Nicky simply Not Being Kind. It speaks to the steadiness of Nicky's compassion all those years. but still that fact doesn't make it the conflict feel worth it
hm. I said I would be brief and I wasn't.
oh well. basically I thought there was interesting conflict potential there but it wasn't done the way I would've liked, and the way it was done leaves a lot of disturbing (and again probably unintended) interpretations to lie.
What I did like? Andy and Joe having that pessimist/optimist dynamic. Joe nerding out about science. Andy not being impressed by The Achievements Of Man. I loved Booker needling at Nicky about his outdated slang and also trying to give him Older Brother advice practically in the same breath. I loved Booker giving The Worst relationship advice ever and Nicky being like 'I Will Not Do That, Ever, Thanks.' the family vibes were so good. The Joenicky vibes left a lot to be desired tho.
11 Love Letters
I talked about my problems with Nicky in this story (and Lacus Solitudinis). I don't know, the story isn't bad but I do hold a little bit of a grudge towards it because its very existence begs the existence of a solo Joe story and we didn't get one. If we never got this story, then we could happily count Lacus Solitudinis and Zanzibar as The Joenicky Stories™ and move on with our lives. sigh.
I remember when we first got the blurb for this story I was really curious about why Nicky specifically + the setting, and the answer kind of feels like 'the author had an idea for a story like this and saw ttt as a good enough place to utilize that idea'. Plus I was really underwhelmed by the Romantic Sentiment in the letter. If you look at it line-by-line, the majority of the letter is actually Nicky talking about how lonely and disturbed he is, rather than actual,, yknow,,, Romantic Sentiment. I mean, compare the van speech and this letter and this letter is just kind of meh in comparison. I liked nicky calling joe wise! and I liked the brief sun/moon metaphor! and otherwise it was eh. It didn't even have cute squad banter, which is why Lacus Solitudinis is above this one.
12 An Old Soul
Nun orgy. Nun orgy?????? Nun orgy.......
The whole story felt like a setup to have a nun orgy. Why did Booker have abs? Why did they do that to Andy's nose? ?????? the art was good at least.
nun orgy.
#tales through time spoilers#obviously#long post#seriously dont open that read more unless youre committed to scrolling past all these Words
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Chapter 2: Survivor’s Guilt
Part of the “Illicit Limerence” series.
Pairing: Javier Peña x F!Reader
Summary: Javier is confronted with the stakes of losing an important coworker and friend as the reader gets injured during a chase. But grief and hospitals aren’t really his scene. The reader finds out the extent of her injuries and condition, leaving her shocked to the core.
Warnings: swearing, violence, mentions of injury, angst and some fluff
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DEA agents were hurt and killed almost daily, that was just the way things were with the cartel. Pablo didn’t care about who they were or what their legacy was, married or not, children or not, to Escobar they were just the enemy’s pawns. Javier Peña was well-aware of this and therefore rarely turned his head when another death within the office was called. He didn’t do funerals, he did women and drinking instead. In a time of war there was no time for grieving, he believed it to be a weakness of the flesh much worse than indulging in the warmth of a prostitute or colleague every now and then. This had become a routine for him and while it ate away at his conscience he never once considered giving up his bachelor-lifestyle. Never until today.
The narco screamed as Javier tackled him to the asphalt, brutally bending his arms behind his back, slapping the cuffs around his wrists. He opened his mouth to yell something out to Carillo when he heard the echo of two gunshots, followed by a cry. As his ears registered the pitch and tone, he made it out to be you. His head shot up immediately, already in desperate search of the source of your whereabouts.
Carillo took the detained from his clammy hands, leaving Javier to find you. Everything went quiet and all he could hear in that moment of utter panic was his obscene breathing and rapid heartbeat. When he rounded the corner, seeing Steve’s back turned to him, a pool of broken glass and legs he could only assume were yours he felt his heart drop. Murphy was frantically babbling into his radio as Javier stepped closer, the blood on the floor sickening.
He stood still next to Steve, watching the way your relaxed body laid in his arms, unmoving. “Is she-“
“No”, Steve replied quickly, beckoning for Javier to take his spot. “Stay with her, I’m getting the med kit from the car.”
He hesitantly sat down on his knees, the glass scraping against the fabric of his jeans as he gently pulled you onto his upper thighs. He spotted the burnt fabric on your vest and thanked his stupid teasing for having secured it earlier. It was as if you were just asleep, eyes closed, a peaceful look settling on your features. That’s what he told himself, she’s just resting, it’s been a long day, she’s fine, just tired.
Usually when you were sprawled out in his arms it was after another heated round of mind-numbing sex, naked and glistening with sweat. He thought of the way you looked then, skin glowing with pleasure, lips curled up in the most mesmerizing smile, eyelids fluttering closed as he trailed his long fingers over your chest. Rather than being covered in each other’s sweat, he found his hands stained with your vibrant-red blood and rather than trailing his fingertips across the curve of your breasts his left hand rested on the back of your head, hair sticking to itself from the mixture of sweat and blood.
It was a horror, the otherwise so lively and feisty woman appearing dead. The more he thought of it, the more he started shaking, panicking, checking for a heartbeat despite hearing your soft breaths. He couldn’t stand the idea of never getting to apologize to you, never having you curled up against his chest again, laughing about something stupid. The mere possibility of never seeing you at that desk again, stuffing your mouth with whatever the kitchen had to offer, completely dropping the “ladylike” act in front of your two partners, it tugged right at his heartstrings.
When Steve returned, putting some balled up spare clothes underneath you to keep them from cutting you up even more, Javier was dead silent and pale with terror. He gave his fellow agent a death glare when he gently shifted her body back to the floor, his arms tightening around you. “We need to get her vest off and check her chest”, Steve commanded, Javier finally loosening his grip, allowing you to lay on the makeshift “bed”.
“Ambulance?”, he breathed.
“Still on the way”, Steve huffed as he carefully undid the several buckles and straps on your vest.
As the two frantic men were bickering back and forth accusing the other one of not being careful enough or being a blatant idiot you slowly came to. A soft whine left your lips as you blinked a couple of times, the bright daylight inducing the absolute worst headache you ever felt. Soon the two of them were hovering over you, asking a myriad of questions while you were just trying to put two and two together. You couldn’t even bring yourself to move an inch, your entire body just aching and seemingly on fire. As you registered the severity of your fall, your breathing started to speed up, the two fussing men not helping you with your oncoming panic attack. Javier rested a bloodied hand on your cheek in an attempt to calm you down, he was whispering something to you, in Spanish, fingers stroking back and forth in a gentle motion. You tried to speak but found yourself unable to, a tear of frustration falling out of the corner of your eye.
“Cariño, quédate conmigo, por favor”, he muttered, “Está bien, la ambulancia llegará pronto.” (Stay with me, it’s okay, the ambulance will be here soon).
He hadn’t been this soft with you in weeks and the longer you stared up at him through your heavy eyes, the guiltier he felt about it. With every blink your eyes struggled more and more to open again, your body urging, begging you to just rest. You were defenceless against yourself, the sustained injuries asking just too much of you, and soon you were out again, breathing steadying once again. Javier bit his tongue trying to ground himself and keep calm as he heard the wailing sirens in the distance. Steve had been taken your vest of by now, lifting your shirt to reveal nasty bruises on your chest, the vest had saved your life. Javier said a prayer right there and then, thanking whatever entity up above responsible for saving you, for letting you stay with him.
When the paramedics took over and removed the two of them from the scene they were in a trance-like state. Steve had been through this before, back in the states he’d lost his partner, which had proven to him just how powerful drugs were. Death was just a part of the job, but losing a partner, that shit was personal.
How they managed to get to the hospital unscathed was beyond anyone’s understanding, but as Steve sat in the waiting room with sweet Connie holding his hand, Javier was angry. It should’ve been him, he had told you not to go, but you just wouldn’t fucking listen. They didn’t even catch the guy, which maybe wasn’t the worst outcome, seeing how Javier would have absolutely murdered him with his bare hands.
“Javier just sit down, this isn’t helping anyone”, Connie spoke up, clearly having had enough of the man’s continuous pacing. “Why don’t you get yourself a coffee or something, you could be here another couple hours.”
She did have a point, you’d been in surgery for little over an hour and with every passing minute his need to just run off was getting more and more prominent. But he knew that the doctor could walk through those doors any minute as well, so he wanted to stay put, for you.
Upon seeing his partner’s lack of movement, Steve stood up. “How about I go get us those coffees then”, he offered.
Being alone with just Connie, a close friend of yours, made him feel even more nervous. Luckily for him the doors swung open before any kind of conversation could be started. Revealing the doctor that had rushed you away earlier. Your two friends went to stand, politely nodding at the doctor.
“The patient is stable, she suffered a broken collarbone which we managed to fix into place during surgery. She also sustained a concussion and a laceration to the back of the head which has been closed up. And uh she has some contusions among minor cuts over the body, nothing to be too worried about.” Javier and Connie sighed in relief. “But I need to speak to Steve Murphy, he was listed as Miss y/l/n’s emergency contact.”
“That’s my husband, he’s gone to get some coffee, should be back any second”, Connie replied, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “Can we go see her?”
“The patient’s waking up just now, so she’ll be out of it for a little bit.” With that he led them to your room, carefully opening the dim room, quickly adding that it had to do with the smack to the head you’d suffered.
Javier and Connie sat on either side of the bed, the doctor quickly leaving the room almost bumping into Steve on the way out. When he introduced himself the doctor whisked him away, presumably to have that confidential chat.
A quiet sob drew Javier’s attention back to the scene in front of him, nothing that Connie had started to cry, carefully holding your hand in hers. “Careful with that, we still need that back at the office, evidence”, he joked, eliciting a sad smile from his friend.
“Just look at her Javi, she must’ve been so scared.”
He looked at the IV’s in your left hand and the several bandages covering your body. “She’ll be alright Con, I promise.”
Steve re-entered the room with heavy steps, head hanging low and he looked at his wife. “Connie, a word, out in the hall”, he sighed.
She quickly wiped at her eyes and left the room, following her husband outside. He was alone with you now and felt incredibly out of place. You were the one to make situations less awkward and insufferable, you were the one to lighten the mood with some stupid joke or story about something back in the States. You, you, you – anything and everything was you, it was like his fucking world revolved around it- her. The poor man wasn’t able to deal with the near loss of you and his feelings, so he did what seemed best to him, pressing a quick kiss to your head and booking it, leaving you alone.
The simple touch had its desired effect, eyes fluttering open just as he walked over the threshold of your room, disappearing into the Columbian night. As you blinked a couple of times, vision somewhat blurry, all you could feel was pain, intense pain from your shoulder. Just as you tried to sit up a bit more the Murphys walked in, Connie quickly rushing over to your side and forcing you to lay back.
“Hey, y/n, hey, you’re in the hospital”, she explained slowly, gesturing at the several wires and monitors.
“Ja-Javier?”, you croaked out, throat completely dry and scratchy.
Steve poured you a glass of water while speaking: “He must’ve left. Listen, I know you’re probably exhausted and all but we need to have a chat.”
Nothing could have prepared you for the absolute bomb Steve was about to drop on you, those three little words changed everything. You – are – pregnant. Normally people would be nothing short of euphoric hearing such a confession, but to you – a woman with no partner and a job in one of the most dangerous places to be – it was a death penalty.
You had stayed in the hospital five more days, fellow agents coming to pay their respects, but you were just in a state of utter shock and frankly denial. You had argued with doctors and nurses, demanding they’d take your blood again and do it right. But no matter how much you protested and wanted it to not be true, you were in fact pregnant.
Five whole days of friends and colleagues supporting and loving you, even a call from your fucking parents at some point, but no Javier. Connie and Steve hadn’t pried for information, prioritizing your recovery for now, but you knew fully well your old friend had his suspicions. They hadn’t told anyone else, and as of yet it was just you, them two and the medical staff that was aware, already way too many people for your liking.
On the fifth day nobody visited, as per your request, you’d be moving in with Connie and Steve for the next couple of weeks, your concussion-induced vertigo and left arm requiring almost constant assistance, or as you saw it: babysitting. So, you’d told everyone to fuck off until it was time to go to hopefully get some time to yourself, time that you could spend in your own head. As you sat up on the hospital bed, half dressed, incapable of putting a shirt over your head, you broke down. It wasn’t necessarily the shirt that made you this upset it was just everything; the accident, the fact that you were pregnant and most of all him. He hadn’t even made an effort to visit you, to check up on you.
Or so you thought. You see, while you were out in that bed, life at the office just continued where it left off, Peña and Murphy still sitting at their desks and going out in the field. Only now they only ever talked about three things; new leads, that new bar downtown and you. Well to be completely honest, Steve didn’t really ever mention you but Javi.. he couldn’t shut up about you, bugging his poor co-worker on the daily, trying to get at least some information out of him. Steve had gotten so fed up one late night that he’d tossed the case files at the other man’s head, telling him to go to that damned hospital instead. After that he stopped asking and was left to brood and mull in his bed, kitchen, shower, basically anytime he was alone. Surely you wouldn’t want him there, considering what terms you were on, but would it be so bad for him to just swing by, talk to you for half an hour or so, see how you were doing with his own eyes? He deemed it best to leave you alone and not give you more of a headache. But by Saturday afternoon, the day you were supposed to be emitted, he couldn’t help himself. He got in his car and just drove there, hastily parking his car as he ran up to your room, stopping at the door as he heard your muffled weeping.
The soft knock interrupted your heartfelt moment, you saw his reflection in the windows, unable to turn your head around. “Can I come in?”, he asked with a small voice.
“Y-yeah”, you answered, trying to cover yourself with your good arm.
He wordlessly walked over to you, quickly gathering the shirt from the floor and stepping closer. “Guide me.” Javier tenderly helped you into your shirt, following your every instruction and checking if he was doing okay every time you winced. When you were dressed he sat next to you on the bed, holding the hairbrush you’d handed him just seconds before. “I-I’ve never done someone else’s hair, are you sure you want to look even more of a mess?”, he joked.
You quietly chuckled, fidgeting with the hair tie in your hand. “Can’t get much worse anyways, just be careful with the ends.”
The two of you sat in comfortable silence as he brushed through your untamed hair, profusely apologizing every time the brush would get tangled, making the both of you laugh a little. It was a small win, just a sweet and innocent moment with the most dangerous man around, at least to you. He struggled to comb it all back, clearly not used to performing even the easiest of hairstyles. Eventually your hair did end up in something akin to a ponytail, at least he tried. After he zipped up your bag for you and checked the room for anything left behind you tried to slip on your shoes, a pair of tennis shoes to be exact, ones you frequented due to the nature of your job. Chasing narco-men wasn’t exactly ideal when wearing heels, so yes, you lived in flats. He soon got on his knees in front of you, helping you in your shoes and tying the laces for you, not able to watch you struggle any longer. The two of you didn’t talk other than the occasional “does this hurt” and “what now”. He offered to drive you home, but you explained Steve would be picking you up in a bit, informing him that you’d be staying over at their place, but a floor away from his own door.
“I should probably go then – unless you need anything else”, he said, hands in his pockets.
You went to stand, losing your balance a bit and steadying yourself by holding on to the frame of your bed. “Actually, if you don’t mind, can you help me to the entrance, I’d rather wait there.”
With his arm wrapped around your waist, by means of support, totally nothing else, he helped you get downstairs, to the entrance. He’d insisted you stayed inside, telling you about the dangers of being alone. You’d rolled your eyes, reminding him you had worked here just as long as he had, making him jut his hip. It’s then that Steve pulled up out front, quickly walking over to the two of you.
“What the hell is he doing here?”, Steve asked you, eyeing his partner up and down.
“He was just visiting and now he is leaving, see you Monday, Murphy”, Javier scoffed as he patter the man on the back, walking off without another word.
As Murphy helped you in his car he quirked an eyebrow at your messy hair; “Peña do that to you?” You nodded. “What’s that all about?”
“Survivor’s guilt”, you chuckled.
Taglist: @peterhollandkait @pedritomando
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