#And don��t even get me STARTED on Kai

[formylovetodaryldixon]

"The little spoon." Daryl Dixon Imagine.

(Not my gif!)

During a night of drinking, you let Maggie, Glenn and Carol know that Daryl likes to be the little spoon.

A/N: There is no plot, just a short imagine hehe hope you like it!

You are very drunk.

While Carol, sitting on the couch, in the same state you are in, laughs at a rather funny story, you grab the moonshine next to you on the floor, taking a swig before laughing with her again. Night had fallen in Alexandria hours ago, but without the family members there, the two of you took the opportunity to have a good time. Carol loves you like the daughter she could still hold on to, she used to braid your hair, make you breakfast, and after years together, you two protected each other. You love her just as intensely, because she had been the mother you lost when the apocalypse began.

But the laughter die on your lips when the door opens. Glenn and Maggie walk in first, follow by Daryl, and Carol squints her eyes to get a better look at them, because at that point, the alcohol had blocked her vision like a thick fog.

“Hey, guys!” She waves the bottle in the air, smiling warmly. “We were waiting for you!”

“With some bottles of alcohol apparently.” Glenn chuckles, as Daryl kneels down in front of you to be at your height.

Your own vision is blurry, but you can still see the slight smile on his lips.

“You look familiar.” You tilt your head, looking at him oddly. “Have we met before? Because I don’t usually say this to people, but you are very, veeeeeeeery handsome.”

The others laugh as Daryl gently pushes some strands of hair out of your face.

“'kay, party girl, ya’ve had too much to drink.” He takes the bottle and sets it aside. “We better get ya to bed ‘fore ya start sayin' weird things.”

“Again.” Maggie says softly, hiding her laughter.

“Like what?” You ask, frowning.

Daryl chuckles.

“Last time ya got drunk ya told Gabriel ya didn’t go to church 'cause ya were afraid of being set on fire 'cause of yer sins.”

Carol laughs a little louder than everyone else.

“That can happen, y’know? Besides… we’re all sinners. Look at yourself, trying to get me into bed without buying me a drink first. At least ask me to marry you before you try to get in my pants.”

You try to grab the bottle from behind him, but Daryl takes it away.

“We’re already married, sweetheart.”

You blink, confused.

“We are?”

“Yep.” Daryl takes your hand, lifting it up so you could see the ring on your finger. “Ya’re stuck with me forever.”

“Awww,” Carol smiles, and turns to look at Glenn and Maggie, who are still enjoying the show. “He said forever.”

“Yep, and I mean it.”

For his part, Glenn helps Carol. But as Daryl places his arms under your legs and shoulders, to lift you up so he can carry you into the bedroom, a silly thought shines your mind and pushes out of your lips before you can stop it.

“Did you know Daryl likes being the little spoon?”

Daryl feels the heat rise to his cheeks as everyone stops to stare at him.

“I like it, so what?” He says embarrassed, but trying to keep a straight face so no one would laugh at him.

You wave goodbye to everyone, your hand in the air before disappearing up the stairs.

The moment you two reach the bedroom, Daryl sits you down on the bed, and the world starts to spin around you, (even though it is probably you), while you watch silently as he kneels down in front of you to take off your black boots.

“We should totally have sex right now.” You chuckle.

Daryl chuckles as well as he pulls your pants off after.

“I aint’t gonna make love to ya, sweetheart. Not tonight.”

“Why not?” You ask with some disappointment.

Daryl looks up, and you think you can get lost in the ocean of his gaze.

“I don’ wanna make love to ma wife when ya’re this drunk. Now get yer pretty ass under the blanket.”

Your black t–shirt falls over your thighs, and with your lips turn down in a sad expression, you move on the bed until the blanket covers your body, enveloping you in a pleasant warmth as Daryl pulls off his vest, shirt, and pants until he is down to his boxers.

You try not to look for too long.

He lays down beside you, on his right side, his left hand searching under the blanket for your skin beneath your t–shirt, rubbing your back softly.

You sigh at the touch of his hand.

“G'night, peach.”

“Goodnight, love.” You say softly before closing your eyes, and within a few minutes, you fall deeply asleep.

[myhappylittlesideblog]

Breathe It In

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Gender Neutral Reader

Warnings: None

Summary: Daryl takes you out on his bike for the first time.

A/N: Hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading!

“Y’ever rode one before?” Daryl asked. 

You shook your head, attention running over the hot, glinting chrome and black metal. Every inch of the motorcycle was covered in dust but you knew it was an impressive piece of machinery, especially in Daryl’s eyes. And it was big. Longer and taller than you ever really noticed, now that you were the one about to climb on top of it. 

“No,” you said to Daryl. “Never even seen one up close before you got this.” 

“Ya don’ haf’ta come with me. Once we git another car, we can-“

“No, it’s fine. I’ve done scarier, right?” you said, thinking just of the past week and all you’d faced. 

He gave a curt nod. Then he swung his leg over the motorcycle, the toe of his big boot finding the kickstarter immediately. His jeans hugged his body as he hiked his knee up unnaturally high before putting all his weight on the lever, slamming his leg down and starting the bike on the first try. He twisted one of the handles as the engine revved to life as he settled in the seat. 

He looked at you, gaze cutting over his bare arm, thick with muscle. “I’ll hold it steady. Foot rests are there,” he said, pointing low on the bike to the small pegs you would use. “That’s the engine-“

“That’s the engine? The whole thing is just… right there?” 

“Where else would it be?”

You shot him a glare. “I don’t know. Enclosed somewhere maybe.”

He huffed a laugh. It made his hair fall in his face, but you could see his blue eyes studying you as he continued his explanation. 

“The exhaust pipes are down there too- careful a’ those. They get hot.” 

“Okay, so butt goes there,” you said pointing, “feet go there and don’t touch anything else.”

“‘Cept me.”

You straightened, shooting your attention back to him. “Hm?”

“Gotta hold onta somethin’. Come on, let’s go.”

You wondered if you had flushed as red as he did at his words. He was looking at his fingers wrapped around the handlebars, knuckles turning white, but you saw the pink wave crawling up his neck from his vest and landing around his ears. 

“Yeah, yeah, I’m comin’,” you said, sidling up to the bike. You tried to sound teasing, but you just sounded nervous. And it wasn’t just the heavy machinery making adrenaline rush through you.

He held his hand out flat for you to grab and support yourself as you flung your leg over the side of the bike. The moment your bottom landed on the back of the seat, you felt Daryl’s wide hand around your calf, moving one of your feet into place on the pegs. It was only then you realized there were only two foot pedestals for four feet. You’d have to share. 

Once he’d moved you into place, he tapped your knee, signaling you to stay put. A cold rush of air kissed the spot his hand had just kept warm. 

Your legs pressed against the back of his body as you sat behind him, your feet on the outside of the pegs, while his thick boots stuck to the inside. Nearest to the hot exhaust pipes, you noticed. He was keeping you away from them. 

“Good?” he asked. 

“Yeah, I’m good.”

The motorcycle growled loudly at the will of his hand. Just a twist of his wrist and the bike was primed to speed off. 

He turned his head, not quite looking at you, though even then you could see his smirk. “Better hold on,” he said. 

You took the back of his jacket in your hands, balling up the leather around his hips into your fingers. “Kay,” you said, bracing yourself a bit. 

His foot rocked and his fingers squeezed, releasing the clutch and picking the gear. He twisted the handlebars, revving the engine and making the bike shake under you. To you, it was just a lot of noise and practically unnoticeable movement. To someone with motorcycling experience, it was a warning of oncoming power and swiftness. But you had no idea.

Without warning, the bike jolted forward and sped off so quickly it almost left you alone in the dirt, your grip slipping from Daryl’s jacket. 

Before you could fall off though, you hugged close to Daryl, palms open and sprawled over his chest and belly in panic. After the initial shock, however, the bike was a smooth ride as it kicked up dry Georgia dust behind its tires. That’s when you realized Daryl’s shaking and trembling wasn’t from the rattling of the bike, but from his chuckles. 

You heard his laugh even over the buzzing bike and rushing wind. It was a rare sound. Low, but free, like the rumble of an engine on a long, twisting summer road. In half mock, half true indignation, you lowered your hands to rest around his waist, meeting in the middle around his belt. Leaning up to his ear, you called to him. 

“You’re a real dick sometimes, Dixon!”

“Told’ya ta hold on,” he answered, giving your clasped hands a pat. 

“No kidding.”

He shook again. Though this time you couldn’t hear the soft chuckles that emanated from him, you knew they were there. You felt it. Just like you felt the affection radiating from him as he twisted his fingers in yours until they were interlinked. 

Before the outbreak, you never would have ridden a motorcycle. They were too dangerous. In fact, the thought of even looking at a contraption like this one, something Daryl had practically made with his own hands, without a safety helmet would never have crossed your mind. 

These days, things were different. Every day was a threat. But this, being with Daryl and sharing his pride and joy felt like the safest thing you could ever do. He was holding your hand and your arms circled him tight as you rode safely past anything questionable. 

You laid your head on the back of his shoulder and breathed it in- the freedom, the safety, the gas smell on his jacket and the smoke in his hair and you closed your eyes. And you felt his hand squeeze yours as if he was doing the exact same.

[aidensteddybear]

little ! heather / cg ! alejandro but alejandro stressed, so he needs to regress today basically heather's first time caregiving

Regressor! Alejandro w/ Caregiver! Heather

(I think I understood this request correctly. Please let me know if I didn’t!!)

Heather could tell something was wrong with Alejandro, even though she was currently regressed. He was really quiet and fidgety, which was definitely not like him.

Heather took a small break from coloring and looked over at Alejandro, who seemed to be zoned out. She gently tapped him on his knee.

“Hm?” Alejandro hummed, looking at Heather. “Are you okay?” She questioned. It was clear to Alejandro that Heather was starting to go back into her normal mindset.

“I’m fine, Heather. Don’t worry about me, just go back to coloring.” Alejandro told her, forcing a small smile. “I don’t really want to anymore. I think I’m done with regressing for today.” Heather said, sitting on the couch beside of Alejandro.

“Are you sure you’re fine?” She asked. “Mm..mhm..” Alejandro hummed shakily, though Heather didn’t believe him for a second.

“You know you can tell me if something’s bothering you, right? I’m here to listen.” Heather said as she held Alejandro’s hand.

“Don’ wanna..” Alejandro muttered. That was all Heather needed to hear to know that Alejandro was beginning to regress.

Heather knew that Alejandro also regressed, but she had never seen him do it. He was too nervous to do it around her, even though Heather regresses too. He must’ve been pretty stressed out if he regressed out of nowhere.

“Hey, do you need to be little today?” Alejandro shook his head while staring at the ground. “Alejandro, it’s fine if you do. I can take care of you, if you need me to.” Heather offered.

“Not ‘posed t’ be little..” Alejandro grumbled. “Baby, it’s alright. You know I won’t judge you for it. Not at all.” Heather told him, though Alejandro kept staring at the ground in shame.

“How about we go lay in bed? You seem tired and cranky.” Heather suggested. “‘Kay..” Alejandro responded quietly.

Heather continued to hold his hand, leading him to the bedroom. When they got to the room, Heather looked at Alejandro.

“Do you need anything, honey?” Alejandro nodded. “Yeah? Can you tell me so I can go get it?” Heather asked. “Mmm..wan’ paci..an’ Rory..” Alejandro whispered, his voice a bit whiny.

“Okay, I can get that for you. But can you tell me who Rory is first?” Alejandro whined, before speaking. “Lion..” He fussed, making it clear that he definitely needed a nap. Poor boy seemed so sleepy.

“Baby, relax. It’s alright.” Heather spoke softly. “Go lay down and I’ll bring you your paci and Rory.” Alejandro whined some more, but did as he was told.

Heather was quick to return with the items he asked for, giving them to him before laying beside of him.

“Thank you..” Alejandro murmured from behind his paci. “You’re welcome, darling. Do you think you might need to take a nap?” Alejandro nodded, clinging onto Heather’s arm.

“I sleepy..” He whispered, looking at her with teary eyes. “Go to sleep then. I’ll be right here the whole time.” Heather replied. Alejandro mumbled some nonsense, before hiding his face in Heather’s arm.

Heather smiled and gave Alejandro a small kiss on the top of his head. She didn’t mind taking care of him, even if he was a bit grumpy today. Heather knew he was just tired and needed some rest. But, she did hope that Alejandro would regress around her more often. Heather would really love to help him out with it all. No matter what.

[lil228]

Red White and Royal Blue Notes Day 5

WARNING- Spoilers for the movie and the book up to chapter 11

kay the two of them quoting historical love letters to each other is absolutely adorable! If someone did that for me I think I’d cry of happiness.

Henry telling Alex part of his life story in the form of a fairytale is really interesting. It allows Henry to have a sort of distance from the tragedy of his father’s death and the aftermath. The last paragraph is particularly good, and a really creative way for Henry to express his love for Alex

Alright the two are in the same country again, and normally that means a spicy scene, but I don’t actually think there will be one this time. 

Oh God! I did NOT need to know that information about LBJ

Okay so with the President, Zahra and now Oscar the total of people who know about Alex and Henry is 10- we are now in the doubled digits, and based on the fact that at least two of those people put together on their own, I’m honestly shocked that more people don’t know. Alex is definitely not a subtle as he things he is.

  “I-I don’t know I thought you might need to have, like a Catholic moment about this or something?” Why is this similar to what I though when I came out to my parents. They were way more chill about it than I thought. They were just kinda like okay and moved on. 

“Have a little more faith in your old man that that eh A little appreciation for the patron saint of gender-neutral bathrooms in California? Little Sh*t.” (255) That was really funny, and also almost word for word in the movie!

I like that Alex tells his dad that his mom made a PowerPoint about the situation and his dad’s like- yea that sounds like your mom.

“Sometimes you just have to jump and hope it’s not a cliff.” (256). If I recall correctly this was in the movie to, I really like this quote. 

   Alright so the sex was more implied that an actual scene, so I was right there was no spicy scene. If Henry gets back to England before an spicy scene I’m going to give myself a point. 

I thinks it’s funny that out of, petulant, short and not pleasant before until after 10 am, Alex takes the most umbridge with being called short.

Dose making out in the kitchen count as a spicy scene? Okay new rule- it doesn't count as spicy scene unless 1. It’s an actual scene so for example if two people wake up next to each other the next morning in their birthday suits that doesn't count. 2. one or more people become pantsless for purposes of adult activities, it can fade to black before the act it’s self but not before one or more of the parties are sans pants, or their is some other strong indicator that the act is going to happen. 

Okay well now I’m having another dos it count moment, per the rules someone has to be sans pants for the purpose of adult activities and seems like Henry is pantless but he did to jump into the lake? Like I’m really confused? I mean I think it was getting there but they didn’t? I think If I’m confused as to wether or not the criteria it doesn't. Like it seems like the scene was headed in that direction but just never got there. So I’m going to go with no, no, it wasn’t   

I have another prediction point.I am now at 6. 

I knew that Henry was going to start ignoring Alex bc I’ve watched the movie but it’s still making me sad

Alex finding that note- ugh my heart.

You’re at work, don’t cry, don’t cry don cry!

Okay so Zahra has to at least ship it a little bit, because she only nearly refuses to secure a car for Alex in England.

 Did Alex leave a note telling anyone where he went? Well I guess Zahra knows were he is

“My birthright is a country, not happiness.”  That made me really sad, poor Henry, I just want to give him a hug and tell him everything will be okay. 

Ugh Henry is crying, I can’t take it!

Ok geez that spicy scene came out of nowhere! 

I love that Henry references Darcy. I think a lot of men are afraid to reference Pride and Prejudice or even read it because they think it’s a girly romance novel, but Henry doesn't care. I think it just goes to show how much Henry can be himself around Alex, and of course he’s read Pride And Prejudice because Jane Austen.

Henry is absolutely correct. Who in their right mind eats plain toast? At least put some butter on it! Like I’m sorry but eating plain toast unless you have a stomach bug is an affront to, bread, breakfast, and humanity.    

“If there’s any legacy for me on this bloody earth, I want it to be true.” (280)

I love that June has texted Alex 46 times, and Nora’s just chill about the thing. Like everyone else is freaking the f*ck out and Nora’s like eh whatever, have you seen my shoes?

Also “I’m going to punch you in the face when you get back, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” and “I swear to God if you do something stupid and get yourself caught, I’m gonna kill you myself.” (281) while also wanting to know how it went is just peak big sister energy. 

“I know it’ll be messy. But if we can get ahead of the narrative, wait for the right time and do it on our own terms I think it should be okay?” (283) Uhg, knowing what’s coming hurts.

I would love for someone to take me to a museum when there was no one else there, except for the curators so I could ask them loads of questions.  I could look at all the things (art or history, or both) for as long as I wanted, I could read all the information without any pressure or anyone in the way. It would be a dream for me.  

I too could spend hours in an archive.

[andywinter16]

Hi! Not sure if you're doing requests, but if you do, maybe "Falling asleep together" from Fluff Bingo, with Libertus and Pelna and their s/o? Really like the way you write the Glaives, hope you'll have a great day/night!

Of course, I love do fluff bingo! Awwww, thank you kindly❤️ (but I still think I made them too OCC ) And I am so sorry it took me so long but my job is crazy right now, and I have less time for writing :/

And thank you for giving me ideas for writing ❤️ Just little warning Libertus kind of went out of control. (it took me quite long to get to the main point) So his story is little angsty that I anticipated.

*galadhian words used:

inalis - the sweetest /sweetie

Libertus Ostium:

He knew it was stupid to partake in that drinking game against Crowe, Pelna and Nyx. Hell, Luche was telling them not to do that. Always a buzzkill, that one! But maybe this time was Luche right, they really over did it even for their standarts. Libertus annoyedly sighed. Whole street was spinning under his feet, and his stomach wasn't happy about it either. Yeah, the hungover will be a bitch in the morning, he could tell the others would be in a bad shape after this too. He smirked gleefully, served them right for challenging him.

Lib had to lean against the wall for support. That cavaugh whiskey kicked different, that was for sure. He steadied himself and gritted his teeth, so close to his destination. Just one more crowded street and old creaking stairs to your doorstep. Oh Ramuh, you will not be happy about his state. When you two were once on a date in one of the lovely Insomnian park, you told him about your parent being alcoholic with pretty bad temper. Lib almost went to search for your parent to give them piece of his mind and most probably punch in the face If you didn´t stopped him right there. But the point was that you weren´t very keen of drunk people. In the back of his mind, guilt creeped on the surface and swept over him like a tsunami.

Fuck, he can´t get back to you looking like a shit. A certain memory flashed through his mind so crystal clear. When he came home drunk last time. You looked so upset, and Libertus would bet his misserable paycheck that you were also dissapointed in him. Even if you didn´t said it out loud. This turmoil of thoughts accompanied him the rest of the way. Lib wasn´t even sure how he got there. It was too fast. He was mindful not to make any sound when he opened your door, which as any drunk person is not really much possible.

"Libertus?" said your sleepy voice from sofa. Busted.

"Shhh, it´s kay! I didn´t want to wake you up, sweet cheeks." he clumsily walked to you and gently grabbed your hand in his big ones. You were taken a back with this, the sleep that clouded your mind slowly dissapearing. When your eyes focused Libertus looked quite sheepish, like a little boy who got into trouble. What adorable giant of yours!

" You ... you know that I love you, right? That I would never hurt you, like they did, inalis." his hands were so warm and caloused against yours. "I - I know you don´t like when I get drunk an-..." you pecked those puffy lips to silent him . " Is that what this is all about?" shaking your head in disbelief, you said. " Lib, you´re not them! I may not be thrilled of you getting drunk, but" you grabbed his chin that he could look at you," you would never hurt me. We love and respect each other too much." Lib eyes were blown out, damn it! He start to showering you in sweet kisses. You laughted at his antic. " Baby, stop! Let´s get you in the bed." Unhappy grumble leaved his throat, but obediently complied. You helped him to your small bedroom, it was kind of struggle because Libertus holded you like his life depended on it. You let him sit and helped him to undress. Libertus then collapsed onto the mattress.

" Big boy, that´s my side of bed." you teased. He tiredly mumbled something that sounded too much like smells like you. You climbed after him on the bed. Your head instantly rested on his chest right where his heart lies, while you both hugged and entangled your legs. Even though Lib was drunk, he still smelled so alluringly. It always made your mind peacefull. A faint snore reached your ears. You have to restrain not to laugh aloud, your teddy bear went out like a light. You softly kissed his temple. "Sweet dreams, love." You said silently before his heartbeat lulled you also to land of dreaming.

Pelna Khara:

Why is he even putting up with this? Pelna briefly wondered. He was tired of the constant problems that haunted them everywhere they went. Such was the life of Kingsglaive, Barett once told him when on guard duty. Still the last mission was "disastreous" in the eyes of nobles, and the paperwork for it was even worse. That´s what they get when Furias are on demolition team. Door in to his small office went open, and inside walked wall of papers. "Soni, this isn´t even funny anymore, how much papers are we suppose to sort?" lamented Pelna. Sonitus head popped out under the papers. He had that apologetic smile. " Don´t ask that, or you will get depressed like Luche." Pelna wanted to tear his own hair out out of flustration. His energies were on the lowest, he needed sleep so badly. " Yeah, it´s that bad. Let me take your place for a moment. You look awful, man. " Soni offered. Pelna exhaled sharply. That badly he looked, eh? " I suppose, I could use a break for a minute." Pelna took his mug and went for kitchen. Coffee should help him out. But what suprise awaited him in there, was you swaying into soft music from radio. The smell of freshly grounded coffee beans hitting his nostrils. You were his sweet balm for the soul and all ills. Pelna sneakily went to hug you from behind. and cheekily pecking you on the cheek.

" Yes, darling?" you asked sweetly. Pelna didn´t miss the tiredness of your voice.

" I just wanted to see my favourite person." You were both in awful shape. " You flatterer, you definitively went for coffee first." loopside grin appeared on his face. You took his mug and poured him fresh black coffee. Then you added two sugars and one coffee creamer, just how Pelna likes it. This warmed him inside, even on the verge of collapse, you would still take care of him.

" Come on, let´s sit down on the sofa. You´re already half asleep on me." you teased lightly. But Astrals know that you could use a break. You both sat down, Pelna more likely collapsed. Luckily you had both of your mugs that you put on the small table. Pelna needily embraced you, his warm and weight enveloping you in human cocoon. Pelna tickled you with his beard on your neck.

" Just five minutes of rest, what do you say Y/N?" he huskily said in your ear. Oh, you couldn´t deny your precious husband. He was addicting like chocolate.

" Oh my, what would I do with you? I can possible let you hurt yourself now because of lack of sleep, do I?" his eyes shined joyfully. Pelna nestled his head on your stomach, using it as comfortable pillow. Your hand automaticaly went in to his soft raven hair, stroking it lovingly. "Thank you, Y/N." he whispered sleepily. Your head rested on the sofa armrest. Your eyelids started to feel so heavy, until you stopped noticing your surroundings and sleep overtook you as your husband.

--

Two and half hour later in a common room.

"Should´n we wake them up? "

"Don´t you even dare, Furia."

[are-you-still-writing-that]

Drink With Me To Days Gone By

Event: Whump - The Musical

Fandom: Homestuck

Characters: Rose Lalonde & Dave Strider

Warnings: Dommed Timeline, Suicidal Ideation, Major Character Death

Prompt Used: Day 4 - The Song referenced + Survivors Guilt + Failure

Have fun! Story under the cut <3

"Drink With Me To Days Gone By"

Dave didn´t need to look at the screen to know who was writing to him, when his computer let out a little ping! There was only one other person, that was stuck in this hell with him.

The gears kept turning below his feet, and sometimes he felt like the heat of the magma was only rising. Sometimes he wondered, why he had to be stuck in a place literally called „The Land of Heat and Clockwork“. It wasn´t even that he wasn´t used to the heat – He was. Houston, especially in the summer, could get hellish – but to be stuck in what felt like an active volcano was a bit much.

He certainly felt like Rose had gotten the better part of the deal. Yes, it was raining constantly, but come on „The Land of Light and Rain“ sounded downright pleasant compared to this.

The constant ticking had gnawed at his nerves. Not even to mention the strain on his patience that his damn kernelsprite was. He couldn´t stand to hear it cackling any more. It would dive him sooner rather than later insane. If it hasn´t done so already.

With a lazy hum, he swiped for his laptop, while reclining on one of the spinning gears, getting slowly rotated with it.

- - tentacleTherapist [TT] began pestering turntechGodhead [TG] - -

TT: I have an idea, that might just work.

TT: It is a bit unconventional, but I genuinely believe that this will be the breakthrough with our problem.

TT: Dave, not that I don´t admire, that you seem to have learned great restraint.

TT: I would appreciate it more, if you could answer me by now!

TT: Dave?

TT: Are you still there?

TG: don´t get it twisted

TG: where else would i be

TG: not like there is anyway for me to leave

TG: you know we re both stuck here

TT: Yes, while I am fully aware that you and I are both stuck, I would still request of you, to not leave me hanging like this again.

TT: You started to worry me.

TG: rose

TG: srs?

TG: dont even start

TG: change of topic

TG: you were saying something of getting us out of here

TT: Indeed. I believe I might have discovered a way to save this failed session of our game.

TG: kay...

TT: Do not doubt me now!

TT: I know I have brought forth many plans to this day, but I can fully envision that this one will bring us to our goal!

TT: Dave, you can jump through time, that is right?

TG: yep

TT: And this is the crux of this debacle!

TT: You will need to jump back into a point in time, where John hasn´t died yet, and convince him to not engage in this behaviour which ultimately caused his demise.

TT: This will be how we can save Jade as well, which will be our ticket to finally have a chance of beating this ludicrous game.

TG: rose

TG: cmon

TG: when was the last time you slept

TT: I am being serious David!

TG: not my name

TT: This is the only chance how we can proceed in the game.

TT: Don´t you want to at least try it before you declare it as a fellow failure.

TT: Do you not want to see our friends again and give them another chance at survival.

TT: I would have never gauged you as being such a cold-hearted person!

TG: calm down

TG: i aint saying i dont want to save them

TG: i just think that it sounds a bit crazy

TG: have you been listening to the whispers again

TT: I have not, and that you imply that this approach is just the product of the influence of the Horrorterrors quite frankly wounds me deeply!

TG: sorry

TG: but whats the goal here

TG: i go back in time and what

TG: just leave you here by yourself

TG: all alone

TT: That is the plan indeed.

TT: It´s a sacrifice I would be willing to make, if it meant that in some other timeline our friends do indeed survive.

TT: And you never know, maybe my consciousness from this timeline will merge with the new Rose.

TT: But even if it didn´t Dave, I do not think I can go on any longer like this anyway.

TG: what do you mean

TT: I feel like I have finally reached the end of all hope and patience I had these last few days.

TT: I genuinely fear, that if you will not at least attempt this plan, you will end up alone soon enough anyway.

TG: are you okay?

TT: No, I am not.

TT: And I probably have not been for quite some time.

TT: Dave, you have to try this, otherwise it will all have been for nothing, and I can not bear that thought.

TG: yo rose, not to sound too worried here, but that sounds not like you

TG: at all

TT: I´m sorry, Dave.

TT: You have to try.

TT: That´s all I ask of you.

TG: hey, hey, hey

TG: now hold your fucking horses and think about it again and im sure you see how fucking bad of an idea that is

TG: like what would i even do without your smart comments all the time

TG: rose?

TG: hey rose!

TG: dont do it!

TG: please

- - tentacleTherapist [TT] ceased pestering turntechGodhead [TG] - -

That wasn´t good. That wasn´t good at all! That was quite clearly the opposite of good!

Dave started to quickly switch through his tabs, to find his server player window, where he had the chance of getting at least a visual of Rose. He hoped he wouldn´t find her already dead.

He breathed out a sigh of relief, when he simply found her sitting on the floor. Her knees pulled to her chest, as Jaspersprite was swarming around her. It was obvious, that she was crying. Her make-up was running down her face in streaks, as Jaspersprite brought her blanket after blanket. And the odd fish or two.

Seeing, that Rose was at least taken care of at the moment, Dave leaned back, to consider her plan in detail.

There was some truth, to what Rose had proposed, and it might just work after all. But while Dave could jump through time, he wasn´t so sure, of the effects this would have on both him and Rose on the other hand.

He didn´t know, if such a big jump was even possible for him. At this point, he had only ever jumped back for hours, rarely days. Now he would jump back month. But even then, if it worked somewhat like his smaller jumps, there would technically be a paradox. He could also run into the problem of accidentally duplicating himself.

It would be a sure sign that this timeline had been cut off of the one he would create by jumping back, and while his head was filled by all the other timelines, he was pretty sure, that the same wouldn´t become true for Rose.

This also meant he was leaving her to die here. There was no one there any more to keep her company, as even the trolls had stopped bothering them. She would be by herself. All alone. Forever.

He wasn´t sure, if he could be cruel enough to do this to her.

After all he could already see the effects of her mental state deteriorating right in front of him. At the beginning of this game, he could have never even imagined, that Rose was even capable of breaking down crying like she was at the moment.

But on the other hand, he had to be honest: He missed his friends.

He missed pretty Jade and his witty John. Both of them gone. John to the trickery of one of the trolls, and Jade because John couldn´t get her off the island any more, before the meteor hit. The game having become unbeatable with the two of them missing.

He only needed to save John, to stop him for taking off the way he had done before. He knew he could do it. The biggest hurdle was getting the jump right, but afterwards everything should be easy for him.

The cackling of his sprite, shook him from his contemplation. He never should have mixed that crow with that creepy puppet. Lil Cal was truly as useful as a pair of two left shoes.

He turned back to Rose, who was staring at her screen as his computer pinged once more.

- - tentacleTherapist [TT] began pestering turntechGodhead [TG] - -

TT: So, what do you say?

TG: you know what

TG: i´ll try

TG: but i might not make it and there is something that has been bothering me

TG: would you mourn me

TG: not too be annoying or conceited or anything

TG: sometimes i just wonder with the state of how things are now

TT: Of course I would, you big oaf!

TT: You are all I have left of the old world.

TT: I would mourn you, if you had to leave.

TT: But I am also sure, that you will survive.

TG: thanks

TG: that really means a lot to me

TG: and

TG: rose you are important to me too never you know

TG: never forget that

TG: dont do anything rash because i will try to get you out of here as well

TG: i try your crazy plan but in turn you have to promise to stay alive for me to save you as well you hear me

TT: Of course, I will endeavour to stay around for as long as possible.

TT: I am very sorry, if I had scared you with my little episode.

TG: dont

TG: just stay you hear me

TT: I promise.

TG: good

TG: everything is just great up here

TG: okay

TG: i have to go now

TG: i try your crazy idea

TG: goodbye rose

TT: Farewell, Dave.

- - tentacleTherapist [TT] ceased pestering turntechGodhead [TG] - -

With that he slowly got to his feet. He put his laptop away, and made sure that his sword was where it was supposed to be. He knew he couldn´t bear to take on last look at Rose, as it would break his heart. Instead he slowly got ready to leave this timeline behind.

He was still hesitant, and he recognized it, when he started to stretch.

Dave sighed out, annoyed with himself, but continued with this little waste of time. It wasn´t like these few more minutes, would make a jump that would span over a few months any more difficult or not.

When he was ready, he envisioned the date, he was trying to travel to. He spared one last thought for Rose, before he vanished from the clockwork gear.

Darkness surrounded him. He could feel time stretching out around him, as he was pulled through it. It disoriented him for a moment, as he couldn´t place himself in it any more. Dave didn´t know the difference between up and down for the moment, as he felt like he was wildly flung around.

It took a moment, before his natural abilities took hold.

He could feel how his interference was opening up new timelines, while others died. Dave was also aware of what timelines were being locked in place, while others were still open to change. The information settled slowly within him, and before he knew it time spat him out again.

All he needed was a quick look around to see, that it had worked.

A younger version of him was staring at him, eyes wide with surprise behind those damn glasses. From the corner of his eye, he could see how Lil Cal was about to be thrown into the sprite by Jade, and so he just waved at his younger version before throwing himself into the sprite.

Even though everything was filled with light, his head being invaded by the game, it didn´t hurt. He wavered under the weight of what had just happened, before finding his balance once more.

It was quick work to convince this younger version of him, to warn John away from Terezis plan, as he looked over his shoulder to catch the first glimpse of his previously dead friends in months, though the part of him, that came from the game also fed him with new and disorienting information now.

He couldn´t help the giddy smile, that crossed over his face, that surely seemed strange judging by his younger versions put upon glance. He let his lips quirk up into a mischievous grin, as he looked back at his best friend once more.

Dave had missed those blue eyes, those stupid jokes. He had simply missed his friend. Missed how he talked and how that nerd always played around with code. Almost reverently, he adjusted his glasses.

He could see Rose on the screen, who was her snarky and a bit pompous self again. She still looked so happy or well as happy as she could get. It saddened him, to truly see for the first time, how much these last few months had taken their toll on her.

And god what a treat it was to see Jade, who was still around at this time as well. Her grin seemed infectious as she bounded across her island from one point to another. So full of life and joy. Never once silent.

It was so strange that he could actually see them again, but he vowed to not think too much about how this game had changed him. Information still flitted around his brain, never settling. Almost like a run-on code. He hated it, just as much as he adored it, because it allowed him to keep track of his friends.

Though, with all the information he had at hand, it still took him months to realize something else.

While he still didn´t try to think to hard about it, when the realization finally set in, that his friends weren´t really his friends any more. That they saw him as nothing more than a spare. Treated him differently, than they had always treated him before. When he had to acknowledge, that his friends had all died months ago. That he was the last one alive from their little group.

Dave didn´t try to take it to heart, which had broken and shattered long ago, back when there was nothing but desperation and fear, when his name slowly became Davesprite.

[moonchildsaurora]

Darling, Dance for Me?

✤ sniper!San x female exotic dancer!reader ✤ genre: Mafia AU // 30% fluff, 60% spice, 10% platonic flirting with Woo  ✤ t/w: mentions of guns/shooting, mentions of alcohol, mature clubbing themes, highly suggestive in the second half (but not smut), rated M  ✤ count: 2k+

a/n - this was suppose to be for Valentine’s Day but, oh well! Enjoy some spice with one pink haired Sannie, coz we all know even though he looks soft. . . .he’s just a devil in disguise. This is probs my most suggestive writing till date as well, it was fun and am looking forward to writing more spice in the future hehet 💙

✛ play these vibes: BOBBY - ‘DeViL’, Sunmi - ‘Black Pearl’, Kai - ‘Mmmh’ ✛

“Mother told me, never to dance with the devil, So I danced for him instead.”

Cherry rouge.

Not your usual go-to, but a special occasion calls for some special exceptions. And damn did you look like fine wine tonight. Giving your styled curls another spritz of hair spray, you took one last inspection in your vanity mirror.  

Work was throwing a Valentine’s event and thus you found yourself having to dig through the back of your wardrobe to find a suitable outfit for tonight. Bold burgundy lace hugged tightly around your body replacing the mellower neutral tones you’d wear on any other night. Your roommate had even shoved a pair of thigh highs and heels on you to match the garter.

And cherry lips to bring the whole look together.

“You’ll thank me later! Hell everyone in the club would, for presenting god’s gift to them!”

You had laughed at her supportive enthusiasm, waving her away with embarrassment though you greatly appreciated the pre-shift hype.

When you headed for the kitchen, you could hear the TV in the lounge and glanced to see your roommate watching the evening news. She turned to call out for you but stopped mid-way upon realising you were already out of your room.

“Damn girl…you’ll sure be breaking hearts tonight with that fit!!” she yelled-gasped, brows waggling for a cheeky added effect.

“Well that’s no good. Dancers are supposed to be Cupids of the night, maybe they should’ve given me Aphrodite instead.”

A smile tugged on your lips as you saw your roommate falling back on the sofa snickering. Grabbing the bottle of Ten to One from what you both named ‘The Life Juice’ shelf, you started to fill your rose gold hip flask with the white rum. The debonair bartender at the club would usually be more than happy to concoct you a cup of much-needed poison to get you through the night. However, on such a busy event, you might not even have time to swing by the bar – so plan B was in order.

Also, whoever thought to invent garter pouches was a genius in your eyes. The amount of times you had snuck in a sip or two up on the podium without missing a beat or being noticed had to be one of your greatest feat till date.

Except maybe for the one who bought said pouch and flask for you. Seeing the shadow of their pleased smirk whenever you donned on something from them never failed to coax the goosebumps across your skin. Perhaps that garnet embellished choker would be the icing on the cake then. You made a mental note to put that on before you headed out.

“Hey honey…”

The tone of your roommate turned a little more serious.

“On the news just then, another one of those random sniper attacks happened along Soleil Street. Shit, that’s only two streets away from the club.”

The city has gotten used to such news every now and then. All leads of the serial sniper always went cold, not that they left behind any substantial traces for the authorities to begin with.

The law wasn’t the only ruling force in the area. Everyone knew that.

So long as one didn’t attract the wrong attention, they’d be free to go about their business.

“I’m dropping you off, are you ready to go?”

“Wait! It’s alright, I don’t want to trouble you.”

Your roommate gave you a look before swiping her car keys from the counter. “What would trouble me is not knowing whether you’ve made it to work and back safely. Now c’mon, the night is awaiting that cute booty of yours!”

“Yes mum.”

How lucky were you to have an angel for a roommate?

“Give me a heads up if you intend to bring anyone home tonight yeah? I’ll be sure to vacate the apartment before any sinning begins here.”

Or not.

A euphoric buzz filled every corner of the club tonight. Whether it was due to the special occasion or not, everyone was getting drunk off the atmosphere. The bar was a never-ending fountain of liquid luck and smoke veiled corners of the venue where patrons dealt cards and wits. A sea of bodies dominated the dancefloor, curling around one another in ecstasy as the thumping bass set the rhythm for them.

The centre podium was where the real magic unfurled.

Up on there, you felt powerful. Up on there, was your domain to rule.

Long have you enticed all those who returned back to ‘The Blue Butterfly’. So close, yet so far, for most could only have the visual satisfaction. Of watching you, along with your fellow dancers weave around golden poles and offer hands to those who sat in plush velvet chairs closest to the podium. Only to sashay away the last minute.

How bees are drawn to nectar and moths to light, the people keep coming back.

Tonight the club was decked out in a more sensual feel to fit the Valentine’s vibe. Long drapes of rose silk hung around the podium and you used those to accentuate the flow and movement of your body curves. The silks caressed the bare skin not hidden underneath your outfit and you pretended to take shy peeks around the fabrics at the audience. Sending a lucky wink or flying kiss their way.

In the middle of a mid-air twirl, you saw a familiar figure heading towards your side of the podium. You slowly lowered yourself back down to the floor, using your legs to wrap around the silks as leverage. Not missing the opportunity to be playful – you mimed shooting an arrow towards the club’s top croupier.

Wooyoung instantly clutched his heart with his hand that wasn’t occupied with holding one of Mingi’s own cocktail infusion. Letting out a hearty giggle, you slid over the podium floors to the edge where Wooyoung had propped himself up on.

“Don’t you look simply irresistible?” he crooned at you.

You could’ve said the exact same for him. All fitted to a tee in Givenchy with a classic choker that demanded attention for prominent collarbones.

“Now, how may I be of service to you tonight handsome?” you spoke over the music.

The youthful charmer leaned in towards you, shaking dark wavy strands out of his eyes. Eyeing his cotton candy pink drink, you ducked your head and took a few sips from the straw before Wooyoung drew it away. It tasted vaguely like pink lemonade with hints of vodka and vanilla.

“Ah ah, this isn’t for you poppet. Besides…” he tipped your chin back up with two fingers, “…wouldn’t want to waste your appetite before your main course tonight, would we?”

That made you perk right up.

“V.I.P Room Aurora has kindly requested for you. Drinks have already been sent up and the room’s been booked for the whole night.”

Not that booking was really needed since it was your room. It was just for formality.  

Wooyoung helped you off the podium and smoothly guided you through the crowd, placing you in front of him so as to avoid being grabbed by uninvited hands from behind. You both stopped at the foot of the polished glass stairs that led up to the V.I.P guest rooms.

“Off you go now! Oh and try not to make too much of a mess for our cleaners, they really ought to get a pay rise from some of the things they’ve witnessed in those rooms.”

You would’ve kicked Wooyoung for his brazen tongue, but you did well to remind yourself that would be rather impudent on your part. Whilst you have a jovial bond with him, it still doesn’t erase his high-standing status within the inner circle. You knew better than to cross that line of respect.

“Won’t make any promises I can’t keep, Jung!”

You left him with a soft pat on his cheek and ascended towards your utopia that awaited.

Swinging the golden embossed doors open, sultry melodious tune of a saxophone greeted you. Like molten dark chocolate, it was rich and tantalizing. The crystalline blue hue of the room’s lighting was fitting for the slow jazzy blues.

A spacious circular sofa curved around a glass table in the centre, providing a perfect view of the bejewelled podium. The wide one-way windows were especially designed for privacy. You could spectate over almost the whole club below, something you quite enjoyed during your breaks. The countless types of people that you observed stepping into your world; from the timid newcomers to the seasoned hedonists and the stories they brought with them of their journey to ‘The Blue Butterfly’.

But there was no time for that tonight. Not when you see broad sculptured shoulders that your hands have meticulously memorised the planes of – right in front of you.  

Still clad in his all-black incognito leather fit, you couldn’t help but stay by the door to appreciate his form. A huge bouquet of ivory and deep red roses sat on the glass table with an open box of what you suspected were chocolates inside. A loud pop of the champagne bottle went off. You bit your lips when you saw his toned arms flex as he gripped the bottle in one hand and tipped a stream of golden bubbles into two flute glasses in the other.

As the music picked up, you decided it was time to make your presence known. Walking with confident steps over the velveteen carpet you went to wrap your arms around his cinched waist. Resting your cheek on the cool leather vest of his back, you took his scent in.

Smoke and city musk lingered around.

You figured he must’ve come straight from his assignment. What better reason to use than to spoil him extra as post-work relaxation? His hand came up to wrap around yours and you felt the dancing of lips leaving petal kisses across your knuckles.

“You stink…” you mumbled lightly against his back.

San let out a low chuckle before setting the champagne bottle down and turning around to snake both arms around you. Calloused hands from the years of gripping guns instead of supple flesh imprinted their warm touch into your skin.

“Oh? Then I’m sure you won’t mind helping me freshen up, right Princess?”

“San!” you squealed when you felt him deliberately rub sweat against your neck before attacking it with more love bites.

“You taste like sweet temptation.”

You arched your neck out of habit when you felt his tongue swipe across it. Teeth bit down lightly around the garnet choker San bought for you for Christmas.

When you felt hands travelling down west towards your garter, you gave San a light shove backwards to the sofa.

“Not so fast, Choi.”

His predatory feline eyes took its time to rake down your body, committing every inch to memory. You made a show of bending over to grab the two champagne flutes off the table, the sharp intake of breath behind you made you preen with pride. You took your seat on your throne, not at all surprised to feel how much pent-up tension San had through the tight leather.

Clink. A toast made for the love of two.

“Happy Valentine’s, darling.”

“Thank you, San. You sure know how to spoil a lady don’t you?”

“Only the one who’s sniped right through my heart.”

Oh the irony.

You smiled when he pulled you close and claimed a proper kiss, whispering a, “You sap,” against his wind-chapped lips. Tasting the fruit acidity from the golden bubbles as you both exchanged kitten licks.

San’s rouge-stained lips chased after yours when you broke off from the kiss to place your champagne flute back down on the table. Hands anchoring your hips in place as you reached to pluck a couverture chocolate-covered strawberry from the box. Turning back round to San, your lips formed a small pout noticing that his freshly dyed hair was still hidden underneath his cap.

He let you discard it behind the sofa and you could’ve sworn he purred with satisfaction when you ran your hands through his cotton candy pink strands. Hands gave your bottom a firm squeeze and San begun to run his fingers along the hem of your lace. The husky vocals from the record player drifted back, interlacing with the saxophone.

That was your cue.

“Eyes on me.”

You held San’s gaze, fire reflecting fire. The strawberry gets slipped past the seams of his lips and all the while San chews intently, his eyes never wavered. He’s got his precious pearl all to himself, just the way he loves it. And you have the city’s most lethal hitman watching your back from dawn to dusk. San was the dangerous game you played, only to win the safest love.    

“Darling, won’t you please dance for me?”

“With pleasure, Sir.”

[manjiroro]

HI KAI!! I'M LATE BUT CONGRATS ON THE MILESTONE <3

i wanna join your event, hope you don't mind hehe. i wanna be matched up with a tokyo rev character (any gender)! i'm a huge kaeya alberich kinnie (genshin impact). my mbti type is ISTP-T. i'm an ambivert but leaning more towards introvert. i don't have a fixed hobby since i get bored easily but i would say it'll be cosplaying and writing fics? i'm more of a street smart than book smart. i'm dumb academically hehe.

i sleep a lot like a lotttttt. i sleep before dinner, after lunch and at night. it's also one of my way to escape from reality and life problems. why go for therapy when you can sleep it off <3 i don't really have a fixed personality at all and i also tend to have mood swings. one second i'm like a hyper active puppy and woosh one second later i'm not talking at all. my friends would describe me as being predictable yet unpredictable ;< does that make sense at all?

i'm really protective of others even if i don't know them well. i don't support 'girls support girls' but instead 'girls protects girls' it doesn't matter if i dislike you to the core, i'm not leaving you alone with a bunch of strangers.

i hate hate hate it when people does not respect my choices and tries to persuade me out of it. once i made up my mind i am not changing it >:( . i dislike the fact that i complain about others being better than me at a certain thing but won't put any effort in doing it.

my favourite traits in people would be : respectful, bold and understanding. my favourite thing to do with my s/o is cuddling, hand holding, staying at home for the night and just being with each other just in general.

i hope this isn't too much :( please don't rush yourself, take breaks when you need to and take care of yourself! and congrats on 500 again <3!!!!

500 milestone event (closed!!)

aaaaa hi san!! dont worry!! its not too much and thank you for joining my event huhu and i hope you take care of yourself too!!

i match you with.. RYUGUJI KEN, DRAKEN

okay first off you remind me of mikey JAKSNS so yes ken will be a great match for you

he’s very mature and very understanding, so when you have your mood swings, he’ll be there instead of getting mad at you

when you sleep, i feel he’s gonna be admiring your features

sure he might complain about how you sleep too much but he doesn’t really mind

would usually cuddle with you while you sleep and sometimes might end up sleeping with you

ken admires your protectiveness, he’s honestly proud of you and respects you for it because not many people are willing to protect the ones they dislike

ken is a respectful and reassuring man so when you tell him about how you’re feeling, he’s gonna listen and give you advice or just hug you till you feel better

“oi get up”

your boyfriend says as he pokes at your half awake body as you groaned at him, turning to your side facing away from him

“it’s getting late, you need to go home.”

those who didn’t know ken might think that he was annoyed but that wasn’t the case, you can tell that he was concerned about you walking home at such a late hour.

“don’ wanna”

you grumbled, turning over once again to grab onto his hand and pulling him to you. ken falls flat onto you as you wrap your arms tight around his torso.

“i can tell my parents that i’m staying for the night, just wanna be with you ken.”

you said, smile slowly creeping onto your lips. draken lifts his head to see your sleepy eyes and small smile, hair tousled but yet you looked so beautiful in his eyes. he sighs, kissing your forehead before laying down beside you. he pulled you flushed against his chest, chin resting on the top of your head.

“fine fine, you’re lucky i love you.”

he could hear the soft giggles from you which made his heart slightly melt.

“mhm.. love ya too..”

you slurred your words as your eyes slowly started closing, on the verge of falling asleep. ken chuckles, pressing a kiss to the too of your head.

“goodnight sleeping beauty.”

[lenawin4]

vincenzo & the godfather

okay okay so from someone who has watched/rewatched The Godfather multiple times for the past seven years, it is very easy to see why I loved Vincenzo so much. The Godfather has been my favorite movie ever since I watched it, so now Vincenzo is my favorite kdrama. because I literally cannot shut up about how much Park Jae-Bum drew from it, I will proceed to just write meta about this gd show. warning for an incredibly long post, where I’ve bolded the most direct parallels. listen to this while you read it.

What is The Godfather?

Well, the IMDB summary says this:

An organized crime dynasty's aging patriarch transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.

Which is pretty accurate. It’s a modern Greek tragedy about the son, Michael Corleone: we see his descent from a kind-hearted veteran who wants nothing to do with the family business to becoming a corrupt, cold-hearted businessman for the sake of his family and his family’s legacy. After his father, Vito, is nearly killed, a series of events leads Michael to become the new Don.

Now the main characters are:

Michael Corleone - the youngest son

Vito Corleone - the Don, or in Vincenzo terms, the Capo (both refer to the Godfather/the boss)

Sonny Corleone - the oldest son (very brash + impulsive, which is why Vito doesn’t want to hand power to him)

Fredo Corleone - the middle son (seemingly sweet + clueless, the least business-like, which is why he never gets involved in any family business)

Tom Hagen - the consigliere

The Consigliere

The first incredibly impressive characterization Vincenzo gets right is the consigliere’s ruthlessness. In the first two Godfather movies, Tom Hagen:

Cuts off the prized horse’s head to convince a man to sign a document (yes, that famous horse head scene)

Orchestrates the assassination of the head of another family and a police officer under his payroll

Convinces someone to commit suicide by indirectly threatening his family

Not only that, but Tom Hagen himself is an orphaned Irish boy, adopted into an Italian Mafia family. He’s an adopted foreigner groomed to become the capo’s/don’s right-hand-man as the consigliere. 

In the first movie, Sonny (the oldest son) is angry after his father’s attack and wants to strike back at the other family who ordered the hit immediately. Because Tom is a lawyer and has advised Vito for years now, he advises Sonny not to act so impulsively. In response, Sonny yells, “Will you just do what I tell you to do? Goddamn it, if I had a wartime consigliere, a Sicilian, I wouldn’t be in this shape!” There’s a moment when Sonny cools down, tries to backtrack what he says, before apologizing. Tom isn’t having it.

Now watch Vincenzo battle racism and an impulsive, brash, violent brother. He is a lawyer, yes, but that’s most likely what they groomed him to be after he turned to the Mafia to torture and kill his foster parents’ murderer. It probably wasn’t his choice, much like it probably wasn’t Tom’s choice, to become consigliere: it was just the only option they knew, to give back to the Family that took them in. It was for their survival in a world where they’re outnumbered and ostracized for their race, and their advice (Vincenzo criticizing Paolo for killing women and children vs. Tom criticizing Sonny’s impulsiveness) is ignored by those who still see them as outsiders, even after the Don/Capo accepted them into their families.

The New Don

OKAY SO. I didn’t think Park Jae-Bum would go ALL out on the Godfather references - I thought it would end with the first episode/how they built Vincenzo’s character to become a direct mirror to how Tom Hagen was a foreigner adopted into the family. But the conversation with Park Seok-Do to get Vincenzo to call him hyung, Seok-Do calling him Michael Corleone, and the Godfather theme playing in the background - made me go absolutely insane.

So here’s the deal about Michael. First, Michael before his father’s attempted assassination:

Is a sweet, patriotic boy who just came back from the war (WWII)

Has a girlfriend named Kay who he promises he won’t get involved with the family business

The Lighter

Then his father almost dies, and Michael is pulled into the business. He protects his father when he’s healing in the hospital against hired guns from a rival family. There’s an excellent scene analysis on Youtube (1:15) about how just one simple two second frame shows that while one of his father’s friends nervous, and yet Michael — who has, arguably, fought in a war — isn’t nervous at all, which foreshadows his level-headedness and cold cruelty when he becomes the new Don. How, you ask, do we know? WELL.

The hired bodyguard can’t seem to ignite his lighter because of his nervousness. Michael, calm and collected, takes the lighter and ignites it from him.

*distant screaming*

Vincenzo’s lighter has always been his go-to tool to calm him down, to collect himself, to prepare for war. It’s the sound that makes him think. It’s poetic that it’s also Michael’s way of telling the audience that he is ready for a war between Mafia families.

The Lovelife

So after protecting his father, Tom Hagen and Sonny are discussing how to deal with the rival family. Michael himself volunteers to murder them by shooting them at point-blank range at a restaurant. He then flees the country, after taking care of his father’s business, much like how Vincenzo leaves Italy after Fabio’s death. Michael goes to Sicily, where his father was born, while Vincenzo returns to Korea.

In Sicily, Michael falls in love and gets married to a Sicilian woman named Apollonia. Like Michael, Vincenzo returns to his roots and falls in love with a woman who supports his position as a part of a Mafia Family and accepts him. (Side note, Michael’s marriage is problematic in and of itself, he literally didn’t say a word to Kay about anything, but anyway)

However, back home, there are problems in the family: Sonny is brash and arrogant, and gets killed by the rival family. Just when Michael is informed and asked to come home, Apollonia is also killed in a car bomb. You can imagine why I was concerned for Chayoung’s life at one point of the series before I realized Park Jae-Bum was too good for that.

But here’s where Vincenzo diverges from Michael, and what makes Chayoung superior to Apollonia and Kay’s characters.

Michael goes home a changed person. Apollonia’s and his brother’s deaths are the final nails in the coffin for him: there’s no going back and not taking part in the family business. He is the only option to become the new Don. When he gets back, he gives Kay empty promises about becoming the new Don to make his father’s empire clean and stop the corruption. She believes him and agrees to marry him.

Famously, the last scene of the first movie is Michael being crowned the new Don (people kissing his hand and asking for his favor) as Kay watches from the other room before the door closes in her face. His favorite line to Kay is, “Don’t ask me about my business.” (This scene always gives me chills!!!)

While Michael starts off kind-hearted and open, someone who sees his family’s business as corrupt and unapproachable, Vincenzo is already a hybrid of Michael and Tom when we meet him. It is, as SJK said in his recent interview, an opening and softening of his character: the complete opposite of Michael’s character development.

Apollonia barely has three lines in the movie and barely has any role but to be the woman Michael falls in love with and to represent the idea of him staying in Sicily and not moving back to take over the family. She is an ideal Sicilian wife who understands how the family business works. His American girlfriend Kay, on the other hand, can never accept this Sicilian part of Michael. He shuts the door on her and never lets her in on anything that he’s doing, and eventually, Kay wants no part in the marriage, either.

Chayoung is stronger than Apollonia in that she takes the center stage of Vincenzo’s masterplan. She is allowed more agency and access into Vincenzo’s world than Kay is into Michael’s world, because Vincenzo considers her his partner, while Michael considered Kay to be his subordinate. 

The fact that Vincenzo begins as post-Sicily Michael makes the show so satisfying to watch if you’ve seen The Godfather. Vincenzo is a story where a woman gains power and respect from her Mafia partner, and a man forced into violence and ruthlessness finds someone who accepts that part of him wholeheartedly. The Godfather ultimately ends in heartbreak and tragedy, but Vincenzo’s ending is hopeful and fulfilling for both of our main leads. They have an accepting, powerful love that Michael does not have with anyone.

Betrayals by Brothers

Last one (for now)! In the second movie, Fredo betrays Michael to a rival business partner, which almost leads to his assassination. When he finds out it was him, Michael keeps him alive until their mother passes away before ordering his men to kill him. (Also by now Michael and Kay have two children who are close with Fredo so like rip childhood trauma when your father murders your uncle ahahahahah)

SO ANYWAY this part has haunted me for days. When Paolo betrays Vincenzo the second time, why doesn’t he kill him? Is he waiting for Fabio’s wife to pass away? Does Fabio even have a wife? Did Vincenzo respect her as he respected Fabio? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS.

Or maybe it’s because he’s different from Michael: the second movie confirmed that Michael has become so cold-hearted that he doesn’t think of his family when he makes decisions, whether that’s killing his own brother or divorcing Kay. For Vincenzo, family is the most important thing in the world. For Michael, the Corleone family becomes just a business to run.

In other words, it goes to show that Vincenzo’s worst self-deprecating thought — that villains don’t deserve to love, because love is just an asset to them — is proven wrong for him through his love for Chayoung, the Geumga Plaza Family, and even the Cassano Family, while it is proven right for Michael.

OKAY that’s it for now. Thanks for listening. Literally if you have any questions about the Godfather let me know because I could talk about it for hours.

[aquietwritingcorner]

Writers Month Day 4: Play Word Count: 1383 Author: aquietwritingcorner/realitybreakgirl Rating: G/K Characters: Maes Hughes, Elicia Hughes Warning: Beware the fluff. And butter. Summary: Maes Hughes will do anything for his daughter. Including dragon tea parties that involve eating questionable things. Notes: I wrote this and even I’m getting cavities. Hughes is a quality dad. I hope I did Elicia justice! Been a bit since I’ve been around a kid her age! AO3 || ff.net

________________________________________________ 

Play

 Elicia Margery Hughes let out a shriek and darted out from behind the couch, laughing as she ran. Her footsteps clomped in the old, oversized heels that she was wearing, and the pink feather boa streamed out behind her. A toy crown balanced precariously on her head, only held on because it was wedged between her pigtails.

“Daddy, no!” she said. “We’re ‘pposed to have tea, not play chase!”

Maes Hughes came crawling out from behind the couch, a ridiculous looking tie hanging from his neck, and wooden beaded bracelets on one arm. A green scarf was tied around his waist and trailed behind him, like some ridiculous tail, a bow pinned on it. Tied on his head was a fake horn that was slowly slipping to one side.

“Aw, but I thought dragons were supposed to chase princesses,” he said with a pout.

Elicia was half-hiding behind a chair, but she looked at him, shaking her head firmly. “Mm-mm,” she said. “Not if you’re ‘vited to tea! It’s rude.”

“Ohhh, I see,” Hughes said. “So I have to be a polite dragon?”

“Yes!” she said firmly. “You gots to be p’lite!”

Hughes cocked his head to one side, “What if I’m not polite?”

“Hm…” Elicia paused for a moment, thinking. “If your not p’lite, then you gotta go t’ jail!”

“Jail, huh? Well, I don’t want to do that. So maybe I should just be a polite dragon then.”

Elicia grinned at him. “Uh-huh!” she said. She pointed to the coffee table, which had a slightly tattered table cloth on it, small play dishes set up on it, juice, crackers, butter, and sprinkles on spread out on it. “Let’s go haf tea!”

Hughes grinned at her. “Of course, Princess! I’ll be a perfectly polite dragon!”

“Good!”

Elicia led the way over to the coffee table, stepping around dolls and stuffed animals that were the denizens of the kingdom. Still on his hands and knees, Hughes followed behind, settling on the other side of the table from her. Elicia looked quite satisfied at this, and she reached over to the little toy teapot, full of juice. Bracelets that were too big for her drug across the food.

“Firs’ we drink tea!” she said. Very clumsily, she took it and pour some juice into two small cups. It spilled onto the saucers they were sitting on, some of it dripping onto the tablecloth as well.

“Thank you,” Hughes said, and he reached out for the cup, to bring it up and take a sip.

“Wait!” Elicia said, throwing up her hands. “I gotta give you the food firs’! Then we’n drink the tea!”

“Oh, sorry,” Hughes said, sitting the cup back down, looking very solemn. “I didn’t know that. I don’t get to very many tea parties.”

“’S okay,” Elicia said. “You didn’ know.”

Hughes grinned and watched as Elicia took the crackers out of the package concentrating very hard. Very carefully she pulled them out and laid them down. Then, she picked up a butter knife, and dug it into the butter. She pulled a big blob of it up and plopped it down on a cracker. Then she went back in for more, plopping some on each cracker. Then, carefully, she went to spread it out. Her tongue stuck out as she tried, only for her face to fall as the cracker broke to pieces under the knife. Frowning, she picked up another one to try, only for it to break too. She tried once more, but when this one broke, she let out a little noise, and started to tear up.

“Can I help you?” Hughes asked, and she looked up at him. “I don’t know a lot about tea parties, but this dragon knows how to butter crackers.”

Elicia sniffed, and then looked back up at him. “You do?”

“Mm-hm,” he said with a grin. “Let me show you.”

He reached for the unbroken cracker with its glob of butter on top, and for the knife. Elicia gave it to him, and then watched, fascinated, as he worked and explained.

He used the knife to take a good portion of the butter off. “You put too much on, and that makes it hard to spread,” he said, setting the extra butter aside. “You only need a little bit, see?” he showed her. “And then when you put the butter on, you can’t press down to hard, or the cracker will break.” He spread some of it, and then showed what pressing too hard would do. Elicia watched with rapt attention.

Hughes pulled another cracker out. “Come here, Princess, and let me show you.”

Elicia clomped her way around the coffee table, until she was standing in his lap. Hughes took her hand and put it on the butter knife, and then put his over it. Moving her hand along with his, he got some more of the excess butter, and then started spreading it on the cracker, letting her feel the amount of pressure that was needed. After that, he did it again, and again, lessening his control each time and letting Elicia have a bit more of it, until he thought she had a pretty good idea of how to do it.

Elicia grinned up at him when they finished using up the extra butter. “We did it!” she said.

Hughes grinned back down at her. “We sure did!”

“What ‘bout those?” she said, pointing to the broken and butter sodden crackers from her earlier attempts.

Hughes frown at them. “Well… they have too much butter on them. What do you think we can do with that butter?”

Elica frowned for a moment. “Take it off?” she suggested.

“That’s a good idea,” he said with an encouraging smile. “What should we do with it then?”

“We coul’ put it back!” she said.

“Well… maybe,” Hughes said. He reached over and picked up one of the small plates that contained the broken crackers and butter. “But look what happened when the cracker broke. What do you see there?”

Elicia peered closely at it. “Crumbs,” she said after a moment.

“And what are the crumbs in?” Hughes asked her.

“The butter,” she said.

“Do you think we need to put butter with crumbs in it back in the container?” he asked her.

Elicia thought about this for a moment, before shaking her head. “No, I don’ think Mommy’d like it.”

“I’m pretty sure Mommy wouldn’t like it,” Hughes said. “So what do you think we should do instead?”

Elicia was quiet for a moment as she thought. Hughes waited patiently, waiting to see what she would say.

“We coul’… put it on more c’ackers!” she said.

Hughes grinned at her. “That would work. Do you wanna help me?”

“Yeah!” Elicia cheered.

Working together, the two of them buttered up at least a dozen and half more crackers before they ran out of excess butter. Satisfied with their work, Elicia sat back, grinning. “We’ve got lotsa c’ackers!” she said.

“We do,” Hughes agreed. “We’re gonna have a lot to eat with our tea.”

“Wait!” Elicia said. She looked around, and then stood on her tiptoes to reach across the coffee table, not noticing her boa dragging through some of the buttered crackers.

Her hand closed around the container of sprinkles, and she pulled back. Taking a moment to concentrate on getting the lid off, she then took the sprinkle bottle and a spoon, and poured the sprinkles into the spoon. Sprinkles bounced and missed the spoon, but most of them landed on it. One by one, she poured a spoonful of sprinkles on each of the crackers, until they all contained a small mountain of sprinkles, stuck to them by virtue of the butter.

Satisfied, Elicia put the lid back on the sprinkles, and then moved back around to the other side of the table. She grinned up at her father.

“Kay,” she said. “Now we c’n eat, ‘n have our tea!”

Hughes grinned at her, lifted his juice-filled tiny cup in one hand, and a butter-sodden sprinkle covered cracker in the other. “Princess, I’d be glad too.”

With a giggled, Elicia reached for hers too, and the pair consumed their tea-time snack, enjoying a rainy afternoon of playing with each other.

[jizemderler]

I´m sorry {Kim Taehyung}

A/N: I don´t know what this is lol In which you fight with Tae and y´all are salty but also fluffy end Enjoy! short lil drabble

“Can you turn the volume down?” you asked Tae who was gone into the TV Show he was watching. You’re migrane was starting and loud noises and too much light was triggering it even more. Tae did’t seem to hear you since he didn’t move an inch. The laughter coming from the TV was like needles being shoved down your brain so you got up and left the room without disturbing him more. You went into your bedroom and sat down on your bed, resting your back against the headboard. It was too early to take your migrane meds so you tried everything lese to loosen up a bit. You had your eyes closed trying to shut down when the door flew open and banged against the wall which made you flinch and caused your headaches to worsen. “The fuck?” you cursed and glared at Taehyung who was standing in the doorframe. “Sorry.” he apologized and put on a tiny smile. He was a little confused why you overreacted like that but he brushed it off. “Do you want to go out and eat?” he asked but you closed your eyes again trying to move and speak as little as possible. “No.” “Oh...’kay.” he said and when you didn’t move he closed the door and left the room.

When your neck pain started you got up to take a shower and saw that the house was empty. He must´ve left to get himself something to eat. You didn´t think anything of it until your phone rang and a very loud Taehyung met your ear. “Babe do you want anything?” he yelled because the background noises were hella loud. “Taehyung I really don´t need anything.” you answered annoyed, not at him but at your headaches. The problem was that he didn´t now about that.

When he came home you were lying on the couch dozing off and woke up to him entering the house. “I´m home!” he yelled through the halls and you wanted to punch yourself. “Let´s eat something and then we can go out with the boys. The want to go to a karaoke...” 

“Can you be quiet just for once!” you interrupted him and were not aware of how mean you sounded. You were suffering really bad and just wanted to be alone. “What?” he said totally baffled and walked over to you. You were now sitting with your head inbetween your hands. “I don´t want to eat out, I don´t want to go out singing with the boys! I just want to be alone, don´t you get that?” you said and he watched you in disbelief. “Why are you being a bitch about it?” he said and was obviously hurt. “Excuse me?” you said now mad because he called you a bitch and got up from where you were sitting. “Can´t you just tell me what´s going on without snapping at everything I say?” he said and you huffed. “I told you several times. But you keep pushing me to do something.” you answered him trying not ot yell at him because it made your head aches worse. “Sorry for wanting to spent time with you. Won´t be doing that ever again.” he said and turned away from you. “You know that´s not what I meant. I just needed to be alone. I still do.”

“I´m leaving then.” he said after a minute of tension filled silence. “Whatever.” you said because you didn´t have the strength to fight with him. As you went into the bedroom you heared the front door slam shut. 

Later that night, after midnight, you were standing in the kitchen and drinking a glass of water when he came back. He stood in the doorframe and looked at you. His feelings were still hurt, really hurt. But he was worried why you were hurting and acting this way. He was a little tipsy but not drunk. He just wanted to hug you and forget about it but you still seemed tense. “Are we still fighting?” he asked into the silence and you didn´t look at him. “Yes.” His shoulders slouched at your answer and he walked into the living room and crashed on the couch. 

It was only a few hours later when you stumbled out of the bedroom. The headaches turned into an unbearable pain and you decided to take another migrane pill. Suddenly it felt like thunder strikes were exploding in your head and your knees gave in. You crouched down and pulled your head inbetween your knees whimpering because of the pain. “Tae.” you tried to call him but your voice wasn´t loud enough. 

Tae didn´t wake up to your voice but to the loud thud of a body slamming on the floor. He blinked a few times because he was a little disoriented when he found himself in the livingroom. He stretched his limbs and that was when he heared your whimpers. “Tae..” your voice was tiny and barely audible. “Y/N?” he called out your name and got up from his place. He almost stumbled over you while he went to switch on the light. The way he found you turned on his protector mode on immediatly. 

“Babe?” he said and tried to stay calm while turning you onto your back. You were knocked out. He picked you up immediatly and carried you over to the bathroom and put you inside of the shower. He put on the cold water while holding you in his arms because you were overheating. “I shouldn´t have left.” he mumbled to himself and brushed his fingers through your hair to keep them out of your face. As your body temperature came down you regained consiousness and woke up to a soaked worried looking Tae. “Hey, can you hear me?” he asked immediatly as he you you blinking. You groaned as an answer and grabbed his soaked shirt. “Cold.” you managed to press out and he acted immediatly. He pulled you out of the shower and undressed you to your underwear and wrapped you inside of a towel. He sat you down on the toilet gently and got rid of his own wet clothes. After that he guided you towards the bedroom and searched up some comfy clothes for you to put on. You let your head fall forward onto his shoulder as he was putting on your socks. “I´m sorry.” you mumbled against his chest and you felt him shaking his head. “Shh. Lay down.” he said and put his hand on your neck to guid you to the pillow. He put you down gently and you must´ve knocked out right after because you don´t remember anything after that. 

***

Tae called your doctor and he explained to him that your symptoms were normal for someone who suffered from migranes. You needed rest. When you woke up in the morning you could already smell the coffee which was weird because you were the only one drinking coffee in this houshold. Your whole body felt sore as if you had run a marathon. You picked yourself off the bed and walked slowly towards the kitchen. There he was in standing at the kitchen counter with his back facing you in his flannel pants and a grey tshirt hanging from his shoulders. His hair was haning into his face and had lost it´s poof since he must´ve played with it a lot - which he did when he was nervous. You walked over to him on your tipy toes and hugged him from behind, wrapping your arms around his middle and resting your cheek against his shoulderblades. “Good morning.” you greeted him carefully. He let out a deep breath and you guessed that he was still mad at you which made you chew your bottom lip. “Are we still fighting? I´m sorry I snapped at you like that. I didn´t know how to handle myself and I took it out...”

“I´m so glad you´re okay. You fucking scared me last night.” he interrupted you and turned around in your arms to hug you back. You looked up into his brown eyes and he was glancing through his fringe. You pushed his hair out of his face t have a better look at him and stood on your tippy toes to give him an apologizing kiss on his lips. “I´m sorry.” you apologized against his lips after you pulled away. “I´m sorry.” he answered and leaned his forehead against yours. 

[biffhofosho]

Heeeeey

I am ready, (kinda) for the new chapter, I have cookies and a warm drink so let’s get to it.

Chapter 21

Sooo the morning after, I do hope it doesn’t make things awkward for them

Too bad Amber can’t afford to escape! Aside from killing the women he has kidnapped, he can very well go for the people closer to her and Eric already escaped once.

I totally understand Eric not wanting to talk. What was he supposed to say? Who would believe him? And I feel so bad for Lucas, he is really suffering too.

No! Amber what are going to do?

“It looked exactly as it did the day she’d called off their engagement”. OH GOD NO, this is SO painful! I am in physical pain right now!!! But on the other hand what other option was there? She cannot pretend her life is going back to normalcy again, even if in the end Kai is destroyed and the women are returned safe.

“If you're going to quit on me at least give me the dignity of my name” FUCK, this is very painful, friend. VERY

“Don't ever come back” THIS KILLED ME, just finish me off already

Ah, Hyungwon, of course he knows where to find her, and he knows she knows.

Amber is very hurt and bitter and she’s being very unkind to herself, I understand that kind of anger and I wish Hyungwon would be able to comfort her

His touch was a slow brand that left a sting of emptiness in its wake. JESUS

This is so poetic, your words are wonderful, I can feel everything and all. I don;t know if I will survive this emotions, their whole conversation on the water was so beautiful and painful and perfect

Maybe it’s better than admitting that I can’t live my life without you. YES, also FUCK

She wanted to know if he would save her, of course she did! That’s another thing. If they live together, are they just gonna wait till she is old and dies. Like, I don’t believe for a second they will transform her or that she will want that, I mean part of the appeal is that she is human, warm and perfect as Chae said

“Love me, too,” he begged. “Please.” I am gonna flip a table

Well this chapter was SO INTENSE, that I legit cried, it just got to me and touched every fibre of my being. You and your way with words!!!! This message is probably shorter than the others but it is because this chapter left me speechless. (it also has no typos cause I typed it on the computer and not on the phone, lol)

Well done, I can’t wait for the next instalment and now I have to watch something cute and funny before I combust.

toodles

I AM BEHIND. SORRY, FRIEND! Been writing A LOT, as you know. Planning to put out the latest chap of STS this week.

Writing the Lucas/Amber scene was tough. I went through many versions of it in my mind, but this is the one that rang the sharpest and truest, which is how I knew it was the right one. It's the only way. I hate making these guys so sad, but what's a girl to do. They have one day before who knows what happens?

The beach scene was ironically one of the first things I envisioned when this story started coalescing in my brain. Perhaps that's because Seaside is a place I've been to that left this kind of a mark on my soul. It's not like much of the more rugged coastline of Oregon, but that's probably why it struck me so much--the vastness of the Pacific there... As they say, "The Pacific has no memory." That's why this scene became so critically important.

I definitely leaned heavily on the poetic for this chapter, but it suits the mood and the honesty in it, especially considering what lies ahead.

As for Amber's future, as always, you have a good eye for that stuff. She definitely wouldn't want to be turned, nor would any of the brothers do that for her. I don't think she's thought about this at all yet though because she's only finally begun to accept what the brothers mean to her. I wonder what this could mean for them...

The "love me, too" line... *le sigh*

One of those things I don't remember writing, but it absolutely needed to be there.

I know, I know! It's a very chapter. Wish I could say it's the heaviest in the whole story. Might not end up that way... After all, Kai's waiting...

;)

Thanks as always for the review, friend! Sorry it took forever and a day to answer it!

[d20owlbear]

Could you tell us more about Aziraphale Swan and his Very Peculiar Neighbor if that’s ok? Thank you

Yeah of course!

So! This one started out as a joke (every damn time I s2g) and has gotten more... well it’s gotten more as time has gone on.

It’s a Twilight AU/fusion thing based off a discord post from @kai-art! Where Aziraphale is entirely unrelated to Bella Swan but has the same last name, moves up in a similarish timeline to Forks, and used to live in Phoenix, AZ. None of this is explained, of course.

There, by chance, he happens to meet one Anthony Crowley, who is a nearby mortician and drives off all the bio waste to Seattle (the nearest disposal... please know I’ve done so much research for this, holy shit, I’m pretty damn sure at this point I’ve done more research for this fanfic than Meyer ever did for Twilight and THEY DON”T HAVE FANGS??? OH MY GOD why?! anyway if anyone wants to see my math on exactly how much blood Twilight vampires need to consume, lmk! cause it’s an unholy amount my fucking god Meyer did you even do any math at all? Christ). 

The secondary goal of this fic is to fit as many romance anime tropes in there as possible, particularly shoujo tropes. So far we’ve got the toast in the mouth and being saved by a handsome stranger/pulled into his arms, and we’ve got around 3-4 kabedons planned, tripping during a particularly erotic slow sword fight, and a confession during a festival (this one autumn leaves rather than sakura, but still! the vibe is there but make it PNW).

I’m currently writing ch 3 and wanted to get a good padding of chapters before I started to release anything, but here’s an excerpt!

Aziraphale was moving. Out to the Pacific Northwest of America. Washington state, Forks to be specific. It was small and wooded and there was a lovely little home off on an acre of unfenced woodland, butting up against the back of some place called Fern Acres. He'd gone and picked somewhere wholly isolated, or at least as isolated as he could bear, and put-putted all the way from Arizona in his old, beat up pick-up truck his father had left him. The body of it had been a pretty buttercup yellow at some point he remembered fondly, but had sun-bleached to white in patches and spots like he'd spilled paint all over it. There was a certain sort of charm though, Aziraphale said to himself in order to avoid going to a place like an autobody shop, to have a car with more character than oneself. 

Moving interstate was always interesting, wasn't it? It made one a bit of a mystery, coming new into a small, wooded town. Maybe someone would even gossip about him. The very thought of it perked Aziraphale up during his arduous drive all the way up through California (stopping briefly in the famed Wine Country for the night in a lovely little B&B that doubled as a winery, picking up a rundlet of wines. He'd had his heart set on a butt simply to say he'd purchased a literal buttload, though he couldn't justify the expense, nor spare the room amongst things that wouldn't break the bottles).

Aziraphale drove and listened to the music on his staticky little cassette player in the car, a mix tape his father had made so long ago when he'd found out all the kids were doing it to give to their dates. He'd already been married to Aziraphale's mother, but it had been cute, and ever since, his father had used the massive tape deck to build the same playlist every few years to present on their anniversary and wore them into the ground playing them over and over in this old rust-bucket car… Aziraphale sighed and pulled over for a bit when his eyes grew too watery to see the road well enough to drive. Thinking of his parents always seemed to do that, though he hoped the young couple that had purchased his childhood home only half a month ago had that child they were aiming for and it grew up even half as loved as Aziraphale had been.

But! He dashed his sleeve over his face and turned the tape over, even though it wasn't at the end just yet, and set it to play in the middle of the first song on the other side. The passionate refrain of Queen lilted in the car and Aziraphale smiled, though it felt like more of a grimace, and started up the truck again to resume his drive. Queen wasn't his favorite band, but they were certainly up there. Freddie simply had a way with his voice, and how queer so many of the songs were made Aziraphale's heart glad. That and it reminded him of his parents laughing in the kitchen and dancing with spatula or ladle in hand as Aziraphale watched from the kitchen table where he did his homework to the strains of ooh you make me live now honey!

This was slightly all over the place, but if anyone’s interested in any of my research holes for this, my various griefs or Opinions™ about Twilight lore in relation to other vampire lores or want to know more about Crowley (who is clearly a vampire) or Aziraphale (who’s far more interesting than he thinks he is) please let me know! This is one of my more interesting wips I think, if only cause of my wide and varies Opinions™ about all the stuff I’ve had to look at.

See more wip names here if you’re interested and ask me about them!!

[clearlyshyobservation]

Kokichi is dying (V3 chatfic, no particular ship)

TW: Infers abuse, talks about ableism, neglect, panic attack pretty much, depression, self loathing. never being good enough

i am so sorry but vr au's need to be sad, love yall :)

(Background info: This is set in a vr au, they are not with their fake memory parents (Ie; kaito's kind grandparents) but rather why they really have)

(Also i have no fucking clue what ship i was going for???? pretty sure they are all on the table, and kokichi talks like an idiot in this and i love it. Gonta's writing is based off of his Japanese talking style, so no more caveman talking).

USERNAMES:

(Space monkey: Kaito, Detective pikachu: shuichi, Elton john: kaede, Antman: gonta, Mr. Gonstealyoman: korekiyo, Atua's bitch: angie, emoboi: ryoma, be-boop: kiibo, bread roll: Maki, cum dumpster: miu, mommy: kirumi, Gremlin: Kokichi)

TLDR: Chaos ensues, slight angst

Gremlin: omfg im fucking sicK im gonna fucking die i bet this was kaitos bitch ass fault for coughing on me with his tuberculosis headass gROSSSSS I HATE EVERYTHINGGG

Space Monkey: i-

Space monkey: I didn't get you sick dumbass,,,, my tb is fugckin cured bi-

Bread roll: he's dramatic and gross dont believe him

Gremlin: yall mean for what?

Gremlin: i have a life taking disease and yall laughing i- 

Gremlin: see you at my funeral bitch

Detective pikachu: What are you sick with then

Gremlin: anythong bitch, im the universe

Antman: He sounds delusional, thats not good

Detective pikachu: He's always delusional, he's Kokichi

Mr. gonstealyoman: I guess this name is better than my old one

Mr. gonstealyoman: thank you kokichi :) I am glad we have come to an understanding

Gremlin: kay sexy

Gremlin: IGNRE WHAT I JUST SENT

Gremlin: IGNORE IT IGNORE IT IGNORE ITTTTT

Antman: who was that for???

Gremlin: NO ONE,,, 

Gremlin: Okay,,, maybe sexy tall men in general lowkey

Gremlin: okay,,,, maybe anyone over 6 feet 

Detective pikachu: i feel excluded

Detective pikachu: good, i don't like you kokichi, your an ass

Gremlin: u sound jelly shumaiiiiii

be-boop: perhaps he is telling the truth, you know,

be-boop: according to my data, in chapter four Shuichi stated that you will never have friends, and no one will ever like you

Gremlin: SHUT THE FUCK UP STOP MAKING ME FEEL BADBSKVKHDVKDSKJV

Antman: do you need me to come over? I can make you tea?

mommy: Do you know how to do that, Gonta? I can teach you?

Antman: Gonta does know, thank you very much. 

Antman: Gonta is not a child, Tojo-chan, please don't regard me as one

Antman: Gonta can cook, can clean, can be gentle, and has his own mind

Space monkey: but we're just making sure man, cuz, you know,,,, chapter 4

Antman: I am capable of things just like you!!!!!

Antman: Gonta doesn't know why you guys treat me like a child :(

Gremlin: yeah, hot stuff over there is basically a prodigy homies

Antman: Gonta is dumb though, don't say that.

Antman: Gonta is no prodigy, in fact, he is below average in everything

Gremlin: Whats ur test scores bitch

Antman: Gonta got a 98 on my english test,, but i wanted a 100, which would make Gonta actually smart :( 

Antman: Gonta is not good enough to be friends with you all

Antman: I can do basic stuff like tojo said...

Antman: maybe i do need help?

Antman: im not sure anymore:((((

Gremlin: THEY ARE ABLEIST GONTA,,, THEY FEEL SUPERIOR FOR TREATING UUUUU LIKE A CHILD

Detective pikachu: You sound really delusional Kokichi, maybe you should get sleep

Gremlin: S T F U, IM SPITTING ST8 FACTS BITCH

Detective pikachu: Sure you are. Now get some rest. 

Gremlin: GRRRR WHY WONT YOU LISTEN TO ME YOU IDIOTS??

Bread roll: Cause your stupid and aggressive

Gremlin: your personality, basically?

Bread roll: shut up at least i have a boyfriend

Gremlin: Technically, you just stole my frienemy 

Gremlin: Yall do be avoiding each other doe

Space Monkey: WE ARE NOT

Gremlin: Yeah yeah

Gremlin: yesterday i saw you to enter the same cafe by accident, duck your heads, then sit across the cafe from each other, all while  avoiding eye contact

Gremlin: Soooo,,, things not going well in paradise?

Detective pikachu: you're nosy

Gremlin: says the literal detective 

Space monkey: everythings fine your just a dickkkk

Gremlin: "oooo! Im momo-chan, i say bad word and go brrrrr"

Space monkey: im going to fucking stab him 

Gremlin: You cant, ive already enslaved you with my chaotic, yet cute hijinks, havent i~

Space monkey: STOP STOP NO NOT THE SQUIGLY

Gremlin: is it the sex? WHY DONT YOU MAKE EYE CNOTACT WITH UR LADY NO MORE 

Space monkey: ITS NOT THE SEX I HATE YOU

Gremlin: im free by the way at 8 ;)

Bread roll: STOP trying to steal my boyfriend kokichi, ive told you this before

Bread roll: NO

Bread roll: BODY

Antman: Gonta interrupts to say, Gonta loves you kokichi, and we should get flowers together, than maybe we can prank some people :D 

Bread roll: Ive never wanted to stab you more, gonta

Gremlin: I'd enjoy that very much, fine fellow ;)

Gremlin: but idk,,,, can you like take care of me first, cuz IM SICK BECAUSE OF KAITO TUBERCULOSIS ASS

Space monkey: I DONT HAVE TB ANYMORE

Gremlin: SURE YOU DONT 

Space monkey: I DONT

Gremlin:  BUT GUESS WHAT

Gremlin: YOU STILL SMOKE DUMBASS AND THATS NOT GOOD FOR U OR YOUR TUBERCULOSIS

Detective pikachu: He smokes?

Atua's bitch: he does, i walked in on him in the bathroom lmao

Atua's bitch: he was scared shitless and threw it out the window, needless to say atua does nt approve

Gremlin: DO YOU EVEN HAVE THE VACCINE????

Space monkey: Uh,,, i was taught vaccines were bad, so no i don't have the vaccine

Gremlin: I HATE OLD PEOPLE

Gremlin: ABOLISH OLD PEOPLEEEE

Gremlin: THEY SPREAD MISINFORMATION AND IT PHISCALLY HURTS ME TO SEEEEEE

Space monkey: your dramatic, it cant be that bad

Gremlin: say that when you catch it again

Gremlin: i swear you coughed on me like,,,, 5 weeks ago tho

Antman: OOOO! Fun fact: Tuberculosis can lay dormant from 3 months to a few years! 

Space monkey: u guys are just trying to scare me

Bread roll: Just checked the chat after using the br and,,m YOUDONT HAVE YOU VACCINES???

Detective pikachu: Im sorry, but kaito, please,,,,, for the love of god get vaccines

Space monkey: alright alright, ill do it cuz you guys are all on my case and i don't like being the villain :(

Gremlin: Im so happy i have gonta with me rn, he is making me tea while yall rot in your distant ass relationship (THIS IS FOR YOU KAITO)

Space monkey: Im going to destroy your bloodline in about three seconds if you dont stfu right fucking now

Gremlin: Hhehe i have an inaprwopwiate joke uwu

emoboi: STOP PLEASE DEAR GOD

cum dumpster: wHAt Is iT YOU WHORE

Gremlin: i was gonna say wouldn't he need to like,,,, have sex with my family to weed out my bloodline or something??

cum dumpster: i-

cum dumpster: Why am i acting surprised, ive watched porn with more extravagant plots than this

cum dumpster: ie; are you guys FUCKING? RIGHT INFRONT OF MY SALAD??? is one i will cherish with my soul

emoboi: hehe why did she point out the salad

Space monkey: I hate u kokichi, i truly do

Gremlin: I bet if you got the chance u would kiss me space boy :P

Bread roll has left the chat

Space monkey: o god is she ddoing one of those bf loyalty tests or smthing???

Space monkey: now im nervous lmao

Gremlin: why you so nervous stupid~~~~

Gremlin: It not like ur cheating on her homie

Space monkey: It's just a placebo effect

Gremlin: My brain feels fried Momo-chan,, i don't understand big boy words right now

Space monkey: Basically, if you take a pill that doesn't do anything but you don't know that and believe it does, you will scientifically start to feel better

Gremlin: first and only time saying this, but thank you 

Space monkey: HEHEHEB YOU SAID THANK YOU YOU SAID THANK YOUYOU SAID THANK YOUYOU SAID THANK YOUYOU SAID THANK YOU

Gremlin: Kaito,,, imma need you to do me a favor and look up on your ceiling

Space monkey: i hate you, idk what it is, but i hte you

Gremlin: good <3

Space monkey: HE REPLACED ALL MY THE STARS ON MY CELING WITH FUCKIBG DICKSSS

Space monkey: THIS IS THE LST FUCKING STRAW IM GONNA LOSE IT

Space monkey: IF MY GRANDPARENTS SEE THIS BULLSHIT THEY ARE GOING TO KILL ME, SLAP ME, MAYBE BREAK MY NECK AND DESTROY MEE

Space monkey: Im GENUINLEY panicing HOW TF am i gona get this off my wal???? They are going to bbat me senselpess help me shUichi

Detective pikachu: o god, i can sense the sheer pain and scaredness in  that tet, 

Detective pikachu: are you for real gong to get hurt or are you pulling a kokichi?

Space monkey: FUCKING HELP ME IM NOT FUCKING JOKINGKABKCB HELP THEY ARE NOT HOME RN THEY ARE LIKEE,,,, 40 MINUTES AWAY PLEASEE 

Gremlin: okay,,, maybe this wasn't the best prank.,,, i guess i'll help clean up cuz im not that much of a sociopath

Gremlin: tbh my parents can go shove it too lowkey terrible 0/10 

Space monkey: AHHHH IM SO SCARED PLS PSL GET HERE FAST

be-boop: Of course, i will come, i will survey the outside of the house

Antman: Gonta is coming too! We will get this done in under 40 minutes!

Space monkey: OKAY

Gremlin: Lowkey, if i cough on you ignore it bitch your the one who made me like this

Space monkey: W HA TDONT COUGH ON ME IM NOT SICK ANYMORE

Gremlin: I will give you TB again just cuz your making me suffer

Space monkey: Suffer what??? putting dicks on my FUCKING WALL???

Gremlin: Guilt, idiot, im feeling guilty. 

cum dumpster: oof thats new

emoboi: yeah i wasn't expecting it

Mr.gonstealyoman: Me neither. It is rather peculiar seeing it being texted by him because he is always feels not guilty of his bad actions.

be-boop: I do believe he means it, though...

emoboi: impossible.

cum dumpster: i agree, literally impossible.

Gremlin: I HAVE A FUCKIBG SOUL YOU CRazY CONSPIRACISTS

Antman: Quick question, shuichi can i stay with you again? It'll be dark when i get home and gonta can't do that so,,, please help

Detective pikachu: my parents are like blank slates, who eat slowly, watch tv slowly, and never look at me. Im sure they wouldn't mind :P

Antman: ALRIGHT! :D LETS GET MISSION: MR. MOMOTA ROOM REPAIR DONE!

Gremlin: ooo! I like the name! IM INNNN! 

Detective pikachu: On it!

be-boop: Ready for look out!

Space monkey: I love you guys :)

AN: Im lowkey sorry i ended this chaotic mess with angst,,,, but like fr i love it i love angst,, i hate reading it but love writing it

[not404error1]

Post War / Canon

no one knows anything but us By quidhitch (AO3, T, 3586 w, Durk, friends to lovers, Post- canon)

Sokka grips Zuko’s forearm and hauls himself up with a grunt. “Man, remember when you were honorable?”

“At least I’m not a twenty-five year old man who still calls people ‘dweeb’.”

“Fire Dweeb,” Sokka sighs, like he’s remembering his own stroke of brilliance. “Classic. I’ve still got it.”

Or, for one evening and one evening only, Sokka and Zuko are twenty-somethings on a date in Republic City.

The Good Vanilla by Haicrescendo (AO3, G, 5620w, post war, Zuko can cook, enemies to friends to lovers)

"Sokka’s beautiful friendship with Zuko doesn’t start with breaking Dad out of jail. That’s just what he tells people.

Sokka’s beautiful friendship with Zuko started the day he realizes that he knows how to cook.

Feat. breakup cake, an attempted assassination, and eating out of the pan like dirty heathens."

Love Language By dickpuncher420 (AO3, M, 6754w, fluff, post war, friends to lovers)

It’s after the third time that Zuko calls for a time out to spit his hair out of his mouth that Sokka asks, “Do you want me to braid that for you?”

—

There are entire stories that can be told through a person's hair. Zuko would know better than anyone else.

Growing Pains by callmecaramleh (AO3, G, 9893 w, Meeting the parents, fluff, angst, coming out, bakoda, post war)

Sokka brings Zuko home to re-meet his dad.

Ignition Point by Yuu_chi  (AO3, M, 18929w, post canon, getting together, bender sokka)

Most people know they're a bender since birth. Sokka just had to discover it at twenty when he accidentally burns his own house down.

this love burns so yellow (becoming orange and in its time, exploding) by meliebee (AO3, T, 18767, Civil war, Post-war, past mai/zuko, ANGST)

Ten months after Zuko is crowned at seventeen, he faces his first coup. 

*Zuko centric. Mostly deals with the after affects of the war on the fire nation and how zuko deals with it. One of my faves*

by the stars above, i knew we were in love  by theycallmesuperboy (AO3, T, 13899w, post war, angst, proposal, betrothal necklace)

“Thanks for coming with me,” Sokka said, leaning against the balcony.

“Did I have a choice?” Zuko asked, wincing at how harsh it sounded.

Sokka just scoffed. “Uh, yeah. Nobody can make you do anything, you’re the Fire Lord. There’s like, two people on this planet who can tell you what to do and you’d listen— the Avatar and your uncle.”

“Three,” Zuko corrected.

“What?”

“Three people who can make me do stuff I don’t want to do,” Zuko said, softly. “The Avatar, my uncle, and you.”

—

Approaching the 10th anniversary of his coronation, Fire Lord Zuko hopes that by the time they return to the capital he'll have another thing to celebrate: his engagement to Sokka.

*one of my faves made me cry* Prequal is here: in the crowded pale moonlight

Strange Young World by  CSHfic, VSfic (AO3, T, 8770 w, Pinning zuko, angst, assanation attempt, pre get together, post war)

In the weeks following the war, Zuko faces a gauntlet of Agni Kai challengers. Sokka worries.

Real Slow by surveycorpsjean  (AO3, M, 21490w, Pinning Zuko, Pinning sokka, Angst, Fluff, Humor, Getting together, Parent Zukka, Assassination attempt, Sokka has a sexuality crisis (minor), Ambassador sokka, betrothal necklace, friends to lovers, durk, post war)

“I see.” Zuko closes the scroll. “Is the Water Tribe sending a replacement?”

“Uh yeah,” Sokka gestures to himself dramatically. “You’re looking at him.”

*one of my faves*

Days and Nights We Lost to Weakness by  Kirazalea  (AO3, T, 3135w, Gay Azula, Gay Zuko, Azula redemtion, of screen Azula/Ty Lee, Post War, of screen Zukka)

Zuko never wanted to visit his father's cell again, but he needs to do it one more time.

He's spent far too much of his life living in fear of the man that controlled his every decision and now he's finally ready to say something he should have said a long time ago.

*Zuko tells his dad where to stick it One of my faves)

A Problematic Peace by stmangos PT1(AO3, T, 14145w, Past Mai/zuko, Past Jet/zuko, Oblivious Zuko, Pinning Zuko, Homophobia, Biphobia, Bi Zuko, coming out, Zuko Angst, Past sokka/suki, Post War, two part series)

It’s a little bit hard to sleep alone in an empty palace when you’ve just gotten used to having friends, a little bit hard to lead a nation when your family’s gruesome legacy still colors everything you do, and a little bit hard to hold onto your last vestiges of heterosexuality when you’re starting to realize that you never had them in the first place.

*one of my faves Pt 1 mainly deals with zuko figuring out his sexuality*

Made to Last by  stmangos  PT2 of A Problematic Peace (AO3, T, 18771w , Past Mai/zuko, Past Jet/zuko, Oblivious Zuko, Pinning Zuko, Homophobia, Biphobia, Bi Zuko, coming out, Zuko Angst, Past sokka/suki, Post War, Pt 2, coming out, assasination attempt)

Sokka’s been in the Fire Nation for a while now, so he totally knows the ropes-- except, that is, as regards his brain rebelling against him, a pro-Ozai group orchestrating attacks, and the ever-present mental rigmarole of how he and Zuko will get out of this damn closet.

*one of my faves*

for love and turtleducks by snowandfire (AO3, G, 3063w, fluff, zuko adopts a turtle duck, emotional healing, oblivious zuko)

Newly crowned fire lord zuko raises an orphaned baby turtleduck and learns how to give love without apprehension 

*one of my faves*

The Consequences of Knowing  by azenki (AO3, G, 2871w, sad so sad, secret relationship (kinda))

Zuko’s eighteen years old and drinking a lukewarm cup of jasmine tea when Sokka turns to him and says, “You know I’m in love with you, right?”

Zuko doesn’t choke on his tea. He keeps drinking it, then stops drinking it, then sets it down on the table with a quiet clink.

“Yeah,” he answers, his voice almost inaudible over the faint crackling of the torch. “I know.”

Or: Sokka's in love with Zuko. Zuko knows this. Zuko's in love with Sokka. Sokka knows this.

They're not meant to be in love. Everyone knows this.

*one of my faves*

Those Who Favor Fire by CSHfic, VSfic  @voidcenturyscholar @klabautermanns  (AO3, T, 30652w, kid-fic, fake death, angst, izumi, established relationship, spymaster sokka)

After a failed attempt on his life, Sokka fakes his death, dons a disguise, and infiltrates the would-be assassin's ranks in an attempt to bring them down from the inside.

 Zuko learns of his husband's tragic death, mourns, and vows revenge.

*one of my faves Great plot and lots of emotion loved it*

[scaryscarecrows]

Reassurances

Dick would call it stalking, Alfred would call it ridiculous, and Bruce calls it checking up.

Whatever the preferred term, it entails ensuring Jason’s not bleeding out on his bathroom floor without Jason knowing about this. He doesn’t do it that often, but Jay had a run-in with Crane earlier tonight and he has no idea what happened.

Usually, the answer is nothing. This time, the cowl does not show the apartment’s solitary skeleton going to bed or watching TV or what-have-you. This time, the skeleton is curled on the bathroom floor.

Breaking in is easier than it should be, but he reasons that Jay may not have been in the right state of mind to reset his security all the way. Whatever the case, he’s inside in under five minutes.

Jason’s huddled in a ball, arms over his head. He’s still in his work clothes, sans helmet, but most of his weapons are in a pile (unlike him) outside the bathroom. Bruce can’t see any blood on him, but he’s clearly been exposed to Crane’s poison; he’s whimpering softly and trembling, occasionally flinching at noises outside.

“Jason.” Bruce settles down next to him and tugs the cowl off. “Jay. Can you hear me?”

“Please…”

“Jason.”

“No more, please, sir…m’sorry…won’t do it again…”

Oh, God.

It’s only rational, really, that he’d be thrown back to his time with Joker, but Bruce has no idea how to make that better. Before, on the handful of instances this had happened, Jason had been comforted well enough with a hug and a soft, steady stream of reassurances. Now? Bruce has no idea.

“Jay-lad, it…it’s Bruce.” Jason doesn’t react, poorly or otherwise. “Can you hear me?”

His only answer is a whine and a soft, “Please, stop…”

This particular batch, Bruce knows from unpleasant experience, has to wear off. And it will, eventually. Unfortunately, sedating the victims causes a deadly reaction, so there’s no other choice but to stay and make sure Jason doesn’t hurt himself, regardless of the fallout.

“Okay, Jay,” he breathes, “okay. I’m going to take your jacket off, all right? I’m not…” He knows (hopes) it’s the toxin, but that doesn’t make this easier. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

Jason doesn’t respond at all the time, and Bruce leans over, starts working him out of his jacket. He’s boneless, breath coming in harsh pants and eyes barely open, and Bruce isn’t sure whether to be grateful or whether to wish for some kind of struggle, some echo of the fighter he picked up all those years ago.

But then, Jason was never one to resist during the other episodes. It wasn’t until the third time that Bruce determined why.

“Okay, Jay-bird.” Bruce turns him onto his back. “It’s all right, you’re all right. You ran into Crane earlier, do you remember?”

“Mm…”

Removing the body armor is a little harder, and that does provoke a reaction-a half-hearted attempt to get up, to get away.

“Hold still for me, Jay, please.”

He goes limp again, limbs slack and head lolling, and for a few sickening seconds Bruce is transported back to a small black tape and a too-loud gunshot.

“Hurts…”

“Shh.”

Boots next, and several knives, and as much as it kills him, Bruce leaves him there to hunt up something a little more comfortable.

And to put his weapons where he won’t be able to get to them easily. He suspects that was the idea behind the pile outside the bathroom door.

He finds sweats and a t-shirt that’s clearly loved and returns to the bathroom. Jason’s curled back into himself, eyes squeezed shut and hands clenching his hair.

“Jason.” Nothing. “Jason, I’m going to get you into some comfortable clothing, all right?” Still nothing. He lets go of his hair when Bruce tugs on the hem of his shirt, though, and remains pliable (though nowhere near helpful) while being redressed. “Okay, Jay-bird, okay. Come on, let’s get you to bed.”

He’s still silent and unmoving when Bruce gets him up (he grew up, dear God, last time Bruce had carried him he’d been fourteen, all knobby knees and elbows that were a damn menace to anything on a table) and half-carries, half-drags him out of the bathroom. His eyes are open, though, when he’s laid in his bed.

“B?”

“I’m here, Jay.” He tucks him in and smooths his hair out of his face. “I’m right here.”

“Mm…”

Any water Bruce tries to give him won’t stay down. His best bet is to sleep through this, if he can.

“Are you warm enough?”

Jason doesn’t look like he understands what Bruce is asking.

“Don’ go.”

“I’m not--”

“Please don’ go, I’ll be better, I swear--”

Jay, no, no, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.

“Shh, Jason.” There’s no way to make this right, but he has to try. “Shh. I’m here now, you’re okay.”

Jason’s not hearing him, or worse, not believing him.

“Please don’ leave me here, I’ll be better, jus’ don’ go I don’ wanna die--”

Bruce weighs the risks, figures he can handle the fallout, and pulls Jason into his arms.

“I’m here, Jay. I’m right here. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, but I’m here now, you’re safe, you’re in your own bed…”

Jason doesn’t struggle; for once, Bruce got it right. All he does is knot his hands around the cape and tuck his head under Bruce’s chin.

“Please,” he whispers. “Please don’t leave me with him.”

He’s trembling again, practically vibrating in Bruce’s arms, and Bruce peels a hand away and feels around until he comes up with a squishy blanket (that’s Nightwing’s symbol...Dick does not need to know about this, but Bruce is tempted to tell him anyway) that’s half-falling off the bed, wraps it around his shoulders.

“You’re okay, Jay, you’re okay. I’m here, I’m not going anywhere.”

The shaking doesn’t stop but the pleading does and eventually he slumps a little more, frantic pants slowly easing into shallow, even breaths. Bruce cups his head (his hair’s still soft, and it’s grown out enough that it’s trying to curl at the ends) and winces at the feeling of old scars on his scalp.

“M’I dead?”

Oh, Jesus...

“No, Jay.” He tightens his grip. “You ran into Crane earlier, that’s all. You’re okay.”

“But y’re here.”

“Yes.”

There’s a spell of confused silence before Jason apparently deems it too much work to think about things further-he presses tighter against Bruce with a breathy, “’Kay.”

There’s a crackle in his ear and Dick’s voice comes over the coms.

“B? You there?”

“Mm.”

“You find Jay?”

“He made it home. He’ll be fine.”

“Do I need to go over there?”

There’s canned laughter from somebody’s TV set and Jason cringes, draws into a ball as best he can. Bruce moves his hand over his shoulders, feeling old scars. They’ve blended together, now; there’s one he knows is from a run-in with one of Ivy’s plants, but it’s intersected by another he doesn’t recognize.

“No, I’m here already. Thanks, Dick.”

“You sure?”

Sometimes he thinks Dick thinks he’s incapable of making sure they don’t d-hurt themselves. He would like to point out that Dick not only made it to adulthood, he made it without falling off the ballroom chandelier and cracking his head on the floor. (There may or may not have been some barbed wire up there as a deterrent.)

“Yes.”

“Okay. Call me if you need me. I mean it.”

“Hn.” 

Jason’s fingers loosen on the cape and Bruce feels him force in a shuddery breath.

“B?”

“I’m here, Jay. I’ve got you.”

“Don’ go.”

“Shh.” He rubs his arms, feels him shiver. “Shh, shh. I’m here. I’m here and you’re safe, I promise.”

He moves so he’s more propped against Bruce’s shoulder, head against his collarbone. Bruce has an old (painful, now) memory of him doing the same at fourteen, after a screaming nightmare.

“Dad?”

“I’m here.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

He nods, sort of, and slumps further.

“’Kay.”

And that, Bruce thinks, is as good as it gets right now.

THE END