#Balance Wire Belt

[alex-wire-mesh]

Balanced Spiral Wire Belt

Balanced spiral wire belt provides an ideal solution for a variety of applications. The belt is renowned for their durability, flexibility, and strength, making them the perfect choice for both light and heavy-duty applications. Additionally, it offers excellent resistance to wear and tear, making them suitable for a range of industries, including food processing, manufacturing, and packaging.

The wire belt is a type of belt that features a series of spiral-shaped wires that are connected to each other, forming a continuous loop. The wires are designed to be flexible and durable, ensuring that the belt is able to move and stretch without breaking. The wires are typically made from stainless steel or other high-tensile metals, making them resistant to corrosion, wear, and tear.

Balanced spiral wire belt advantages: 1- The belt offers several advantages over other types of belts. First, it is designed to be flexible and highly durable, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Additionally, it is designed to be resistant to wear and tear, meaning that they can withstand frequent use and last for many years. 2- The belt is incredibly strong, making them suitable for heavy-duty applications. First, the wires are also designed to be resistant to corrosion, meaning that they can be used in wet and dry environments. Additionally, the belt is easy to clean and maintain, making them the ideal choice for food processing and other applications that require frequent sanitation. 3- The belt is suitable for a wide range of applications, including food processing, manufacturing, and packaging. First, it is particularly popular in the food industry due to their flexibility and durability, allowing them to move quickly and efficiently without breaking. Additionally, it is ideal for heavy-duty applications, such as sorting and conveying large amounts of material.

[ja3hwa]

♡ 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐦𝐨𝐬 | 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐧 ♡

DAY ELEVEN SPECIAL - WOOSAN X ALIEN AU

【Synopsis】 : Travelling in deep space, you and your crew must deliver and pick up cargo to a jump station. Woosan is to accompany you on this mission. San being the muscle and Woo as the navigator and scientists...problem? You got lost.

『Word count』 :  3.56k

-> Genre: Suggestive. Fluff. Lil angsty. 18+

Pairing: Alien!Woosan x Human!Reader

[Warnings] : Blood. Wounds. Getting injured. Crashing. Angst and loneliness. Fighting. Yelling. Name calling. Tender moment. Kissing. Making out. Hickies. Blood play-ish. Pet names. Kinda getting caught.

Note: My first Day of @whatudowhennooneseesyou 's cute kinktober list. Please make sure to check out all the other fantastic writers who have also joined this event ♡

Networks: @illusionnet @atzhouse @wonderlandnet @cromernet @k-vanity

Masterlist | Navigation | Kinktober List | Tip Jar ♡

The SS Blackheart glided through the endless expanse of space. The bulky vessel was made with advanced technology from the Theslian junction in the Redshift seven galaxy. The ship could be manned by a max of eight or as little as three people, being a perfect ship for cargo and transportation.

You were the ship's captain, a seasoned pilot, trained in the best academy in all eight galaxies. You were strategic and fierce with your flying, ranking top in your class. Your higher-ups assigned you to deliver special plants to a high-tech lab in the Cassophrea galaxy. Gazing out into the sea of stars from the comfort of your command chair, you revelled in the solitude you had in the cockpit. Alone, unbothered. Just you and the cosmos. It was supposed to be a straightforward journey, just a pickup and drop off. But fate had other plans.

As the ship passed the boundary of a dense asteroid field a sudden gravitational burst rolled blackheart and a loud crash came following. So much for you and the cosmos. The alarm bells sirened and you screamed out a loud, “Now, What?!” standing up from your seat. You pull on the large metal handle in front of you before you pull a holographic screen with schematics of the hull of the ship. “Divert all extra power to the shields! Cut off from the west and east wings.”

A staggering jolt caused you to lose balance for a moment as you prepared for the ship to tumble through any of the rogue asteroids. Times like this you were thankful for the gravity lock in the cockpit as the ship spun wildly, you were lucky not to feel too much of the sporadic movements. A ring ran through your station as you noticed a red dot on the screen heading straight towards you at almost light speed but before you could do anything to stop it, darkness enveloped the entire ship.

When you finally came to, you found yourself in the med-bay, your head pounding and your ears ringing. You felt like a freight train had hit you square in the face. There was a faint smell of burning rubber and crackling wires and circuitries filling the air and a foggy voice calling for you. “Captain…Captain!” The voice was shaky, filled with worry. It was your scientist and navigator Jung Wooyoung, his thick pitch black hair was slicked back with his glasses high on his nose. You could see his bright purple eyes were a sparkling contrast to his pale green skin as they widened with a mix of concern and relief. 

“W-Wooyo?” You croaked, holding your head while you struggled to sit up. “What happened?”

“We hit something, ma’am,” San spoke quickly as he came tumbling into the room. He was quickly glancing around as if to confirm the chaos outside had tried to come in. "We hit a circumstellar belt. It seems we might have gotten lost while the ship was on auto."

With the ship systems down, there was no navigation. The worried look in Sans pitch black starry night eyes made you deathly aware that you were now adrift in some uncharted sector of space. You had to gulp at the dangerous possibilities in front of you. You watched the engineer, Choi San, open a main frame panel with a calm demeanour. His soothing presence in the midst of uncertainty was giving you a mixture of hope and pending doom. But there was no time to show fear, no.

You took charge, your natural leadership role creeping its way to your forefront. "Get the emergency systems up and running. We need to communicate with mission control. We'll be okay on o2 with the backup filters. But we need to get a distress call out as soon as possible."

Both men were on it before you could finish your sentence. They were just as determined as you to fix the issues at hand. But once San had the backup generators going and Wooyoung had successfully gotten a call out. Your next step was to wait and who knew how long that might take. 

The first few days were rough, San was the one mostly running around trying to repair any damage that was left from the attack of space rocks. Wooyoung spent them in his lab, working on the mission logs and paperwork. And you, well given your leg, was still healing it seemed like you never left your bed. Days then moved to a week, and isolation started to become a worry.

The Blackheart drifted further away from known star maps. You had a distress beacon running but the downside was you could only have it on for a few minutes every day to conserve power. You had moved to your captain's chair soon after day five, having grown restless of the four walls of your bedroom. It seemed like the only companions at times were the stars and the growing tension between you and the two aliens.

You have always known them to be attractive in their own ways. You had noticed Wooyoung had such soft delicate details of stripes on his pale skin. The mixture of different shades of greens left you amazed. Not to mention the contrast to his jet-black hair and deep purple eyes. Eyes that always showed kindness and curiosity.

And then there was San. His dark eyes made you think you were looking at a vast galaxy in his gaze. His dark crimson skin was also covered in oil or dirt from whatever he had been working on that day. He was a hard worker, and passionate in everything he did. The long nights and endless days you three had spent together over the week and a half may have been rough at first, but it soon became a sea of laughter that filled the endless silence of space. 

You would have never admitted it before this endeavour, but you had always been drawn to your little crew finding a sense of passion lurking beneath professionalism. Wooyoung's humour and San's creativity added bright spots to the darkness of the predicament you were in. They shared stories, the warmth of their camaraderie blossoming into something deeper and more complex. It frightened you slightly, curious if they had felt this feeling prior like you did or if was it because of forced proximity that they had sparked the new feelings.

One night, after a particularly challenging day of repairs, Wooyoung suggested settling in the ship's observation deck for the evening. Dining among the stars, as he put it. San was thrilled with the idea, even though he did try to keep his tough guy act, Wooyoung, and you brought the softness out of him. Stars twinkled like distant dreams, and you felt a pang of longing mixed with something undeniable. Something that had grown beautifully when around them.

“It’s beautiful out here,” San said, his voice soft. “It makes you realise how small we really are.” 

Wooyoung nodded in agreement before walking over to the table, getting it ready for dinner. You, however, couldn't help but sigh thickly through your nose. Your eyes were wide, gazing at the clusters around you in the endless black. You all were really so small.

San could see your expression change, so he nudged you playfully with a bright smile. "Hey, it also just shows how lucky we are to be lost together." 

You chuckled lightly, but something about San's words seemed to resonate with you. You watched out of the corner of your eye as San walked over to Wooyoung, helping him set the table. You gazed between both of them with admiration and concern, your arms wrapping around your middle, hugging yourself. Wooyoung looked over at you with a tilt in his head, noticing your change in mood. So, like Wooyoung fashion, he clapped his hands together with a proud smile. "Who is ready for dinner!"

You walked over to the table, eyeing all the food. It was only when Wooyoung put a gentle hand on your back comfortingly that you got out of your own thoughts, "We'll find our way back. Someone will come." He said, trying to instil any kind of hope, but the air was thick with a mixture of worry and unspoken feelings. 

More time passed, and more sleepless nights led to a sudden shift in the dynamic from simple friends to something more intimate. There were lingering glances, soft touches, and moments of vulnerability shared beneath the glow of distant stars. It wasn’t long before you found yourself caught in a whirlwind of emotions. You had fallen for both aliens, and you couldn't stop your heart from aching at the thought of choosing. Even if one of them had feelings that similarly matched yours, how would either react to you having feelings for the other?

And one evening, during a really heated discussion, tension peaked in the cockpit. “You can't just come in here and touch the panel you know what!” You yell over San who had been chewing your ass off about the repairs and now he thought it was a good idea to mess with the captain's controls.

“You were busy and I only touched it for a second i don't understand why you’re getting so mad.” San scoffed passing around the room.

“You don..ha... You can’t just… you’re lucky I had the control on auto otherwise you would have sent the ship into a lockdown!! The controls are connected to my print. Me. Not you. If the ship noticed the different DNA we would be dead by now but you were being too thick-headed to see that!!!” You didn’t mean to call him thickheaded but it slipped out in the heat of anger.

San’s heart was already racing from being around you and now doing something stupid had caused you to become mad at him. He didn't like when you were mad. “Yn, just…” He pinched his nose with his clawed fingers.

“Just what huh? What?” Now you were looking for a fight, closing the gap between both of you. You were significantly smaller than him, given you were only a mere human and typically your kind would fear such a creature like San but you didn’t. You could never fear him. “Answer me you lug!!” You shoved him.

You were no longer mad at him for touching the panel, in fact, you weren't that mad with him to begin with. But being around these two for so long while slowly losing all hope that anyone would ever come save you, all the tension started to get too much. Too much to the point, you could no longer breathe. So you shove him again and tears start to prick on the corners of your eyes. You shove him again and you feel your body begin to vibrate. You shove him again and again…and… “S-san…” your forehead landed on his chest as you sobbed in his arms... You gave up.

“Shhh… it’s okay...I'm sorry. I'm just...” he stroked your hair gently, holding you tight. There was a lump in his throat while watching your outburst making him now fully aware of what was actually wrong. You nuzzled into him, a sting of guilt on your tongue. He was warm, comforting. Your heart couldn't help but swoon and break one in the same.

“I’m in love with you.” You whispered, frozen with fear. It was out in the open now. San’s hand stopped its strokes as he looked down at your form completely dumbfounded from what you had said. You love him? You? The most bravest and fearless captain was in love with someone like him…

“You love me…” He said unsure. Neither of you wanted to move first, instead, you nuzzled further into him staining his shirt with your tears.

“Yes… both of you. I tried hiding it. But after getting lost, it’s become too hard to keep…” Words began to spill out of you, like vomit. You hated how San could make you feel like you could say anything. “I’m sorry.”

San almost wanted to laugh at this scenario. Of course, you love both of them. He and Wooyoung were so busy pining that they didn't even realise you could reciprocate the same feelings. He chuckled, hugging you tighter before picking you up to swing you around. "San!!"

You screamed as his laughter got louder. You held onto the large alien for dear life, confusion riddling you. "San! Why are we spinnnninnggg!!!!"

He finally stopped tugging you by your shoulders to stare at him. "It's because I’m so in love with you too. We both are. Oh my god, we have to tell Wooyoung." 

"Wait...wa..San!!" You yelped as San picked you up, helping you wrap his arms around you. He finger tucked your hair out of your face with a gentle smile staring at you with complete devotion. 

"I'm so in love with you." He repeated, making you blush. Who knew this cold, brooding alien had such a soft interior. 

"I...I love you too." You felt another tear fall down your most likely dishevelled face. Slowly, San leaned in closer, his face inches from yours.

"Say that again...please," he whispered.

"I love you." Your breath tickled his face, his mouth parting as he felt his lips brush against yours.

"Again." 

Your eyes flutter closed, "I love you, San." His mouth found yours, locking tightly as he held your body closer. His legs started to move until he found one of the desks that sat in the middle of the cockpit, brushing anything that was on top of it so he could place you on it. His long, serpent-like tongue brushes against your bottom lip, making you shiver before pulling away with a moan, "W-what about Wooyoung."

"What about me, hmm." Both you and San's heads snap to the door, seeing a smiley green alien with his arms crossed over his chest. He couldn't help but chuckle pointing to the camera above him, "I saw everything just by the way."

Your face heated up, feeling embarrassment paint you red. Of course, he saw your little meltdown. You whined, hiding in San's chest again. This caused both aliens to laugh lightly. "Hey, It's okay, darling."

"Still..." You pouted as San pulled your face up by your chin. His smile was loving as he gently pushed your shoulder until you leaned back to feel Wooyoung's large chest behind you. You suddenly became very aware that you were sandwiched between two large aliens on a desk.

"Do I get an I love you Dollface?" Wooyoung's growl next to your ear made you jump slightly, slamming your hands on the sleek white table, looking up to see his smug face. Your wide doe-like eyes made Wooyoung's cock twitch against your back, making you bite your lip. 

"I love you, Wooyoung." 

His groan was music to your ears, his hands coming down to hold your waist, tugging you closer to him, nuzzling his face in the crook of your neck. "Such a perfect captain."

"Hey, don't hog." San pouted, grabbing your legs to spread them wider so he could lean over the table, caging your smaller body.

"Hog? Says the one that was about to fuck her without me." Wooyoung scoffed, nipping at your skin. You just laid there and moaned, letting them have control. It was odd in a way that you've never given up control in any situation before, but yet with these two, it was like they naturally brought this side out of you. They kept bickering, their hands wondering your figure as they did so. San’s hands found their way to your upper thigh, squeezing the soft flesh gently while Wooyoung’s started to play with the buttons of your captain's shirt, tugging each one open without needing to look. It was only when a small gasp left your lips that both aliens seemed to snap their gazes back on you rather than one another. “Oh, I'm so sorry darling..”

San retracts his claws from your plump skin, seeing little beads of blood trickle from the tiny wounds. He did not mean for his arousal to go unnoticed to himself, he felt terrible. But you on the other hand couldn’t help but shiver, gaining pleasure in the little sting. “It’s okay…M-my thighs are just really sensitive.” 

Your pants drew a smile from Wooyoung as he kissed along your neck, “Sensitive huh? I wonder what other body parts of yours are that sensitive.” Woooung cupped your breasts through your half-opened shirt, squeezing tightly while his slender fingers rubbed over your clothed nipples. Your head fell back into his pelvis, moaning at the sensation. It was like your body was on fire, and both of them were only fueling it. “You sound so pretty dollface.”

San fell to his knees without your notice, his face inches from where he had hurt you. His long tongue snaked out of his mouth before lapping up the blood, cleaning the wound in the process. The feeling sent shivers down your spine as your hand immediately flew to his hair, tugging hard on his soft locks. “Fuck…San.”

San chuckled, inching closer to your covered pussy. Licking, biting and kissing any skin you could, leaving a trail of bright purple marks in his wake. Wooyoung got to work, pulling your shirt off your shoulders, letting the fabric bunch around your waist. His fingers found the straps to your bra, effortlessly cutting them with his sharp claws. He watched in awe as your tits spring free, watching them bounce while your nipples harden to the cold air. He wasted no time, pushing you firmly against the desk, making you lie down fully so he could lean over to latch his mouth to your plump tits. You felt Sans's nose brush against your folds as he took a deep inhale growling at the scent. “You smell so delicious, baby. I could eat you right up.”

Any normal human would find his remark terrifying but your body shook as you bucked your hips pleadingly, almost begging him to keep that promise. But before he could rip your pants to shreds a loud alarm sounded, causing you all to jump. “What the fuck?!” Wooyoung cried, covering his pointed ears.

You sat up, adjusting your shirt while throwing your tatted bra to the side. San helped you off the desk so you could waddle to the captain's chair. Looking at the screens you noticed a large red dot just two clicks on the right to the vessel. It was the motion sensor going off for another ship. A rescue and retrieval ship to be exact. “They found us…”

“They found us?!” San grabbed the screen, turning it to his direction while you gazed through the thick glass watching the ship fly in front of you. And a ring showed up on the empty motor to your right, distracting you. You clicked a few buttons before a caller screen showed. You could see your other two crew mates that were assigned to a different sector. Mingi and Yeosang. Their smiles were bright, filled with nothing but relief.

“They have such perfect timing.” Wooyoung sighed, adjusting his pants before leaning over the top of your chair. “You could have waited thirty more minutes?”

“Oh I'm sorry, do you not need your asses rescued?” Yeosang scoffed through the screen with an eye roll.

“NO! Yes, we do. Don't listen to him, he's uh…” You feel yourself redden at the memory of what was happening not only two minutes ago. San laughed while taking the holo-screen, letting him see his friends. 

“He’s upset ‘cause he's horny, doesn't mind him. Park on the left west wing. The other ports have been put outta commission due to the damage.” San nodded as Mingi gave him a roger that before hanging up. Yeosang couldn’t help but laugh.

“So…” You gulped, the silence feeling way too loud.

“So what is my love?” San helped you stand giving you a forehead kiss. You felt Wooyoung grab your hips lovingly, standing behind you.

“What now?” You gaze at both of them, worry filling you that they had only done all this and confessed love because you had no more hope. But now that hope has arrived, where did that leave you? Wooyoung gently grabbed your chin, tilting your head upwards to face him;

“Now, we get the fuck out of here. Get home, do those ungodly awful reports and then.” He inched closer, whispering, “Then we go home so San and I can fuck your brains out.”

“Way to sound romantic, Woo.” San scoffed a laugh but before you could say anything Wooyoung sealed his lips against you, swallowing a little gasp as he held you tight. You relished in the feeling just for a moment, knowing it was time to leave your little bubble and no matter where you all end up and what adventures life would bring. You had each other now and nothing else mattered.

not even for a moment, being rescued.

—

© 𝐉𝐚𝟑𝐡𝐰𝐚. Do not steal, plagiarise, translate, repost, or use my work in any way, shape, or form.

𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐑 : 𝑇𝐻𝐼𝑆 𝐼𝑆 𝐼𝑁 𝑁𝑂 𝑊𝐴𝑌 𝐴 𝑇𝑅𝑈𝐸 𝐷𝐸𝑃𝐼𝐶𝑇𝐼𝑂𝑁 𝑂𝐹 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝐴𝑇𝐸𝐸𝑍 𝑀𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐸𝑅𝑆. 𝑇𝐻𝐼𝑆 𝐼𝑆 𝑃𝑈𝑅𝐸 𝐹𝐼𝐶𝑇𝐼𝑂𝑁 𝐴𝑁𝐷 𝐼𝑆 𝑁𝑂𝑇 𝑇𝑂 𝐵𝐸 𝑇𝐴𝐾𝐸𝑁 𝑆𝐸𝑅𝐼𝑂𝑈𝑆𝐿𝑌.

[avoxrising]

The Feral One • Chapter 7

Finnick x Y/N

Series Masterlist Link

Trying to balance good writing with getting out chapters quickly so bare with me!

Content warnings - violence and death, cursing

“It’s a clock!” Katniss exclaims. “Wiress, you’re a genius!”

Katniss explains to the group how the arena works, making you realize that you running into the tribute during the lightning was just a coincidence, and the lightning didn’t always mean danger.

The group decides to go to the cornucopia to survey the arena and test their theory. You would like to grab a weapon but you don’t know if that’s allowed. Katniss already confiscated the arrow she shot you with so all you have is a weak arm and an injured arm.

Finnick walks between you and Peeta, with Katniss behind him. You really need to earn her trust back if you’re going to stay with the group, although, you don’t know how much she trusted you to begin with.

Katniss and Peeta warily eye you as you look through the weapons, trying to find a knife or two. Too many large weapons will just slow you down. You’d rather just have a few knives on you.

“She’s fine,” you hear Finnick tell the pair. “It’s safer for us that she is armed in case we get attacked. She’s already told me she doesn’t want to kill you so I doubt she’ll throw any knives your way. She knows the difference between doing damage in a fight and killing. Just give her space and don’t act so on edge around her. She’s doing her best.”

Katniss lowers her bow but doesn’t make any move to distance herself from you. It seems like the guarding followed you from the capital to the arena.

The group sits down as Peeta draws a map of the arena. Wiress goes down to the water to clean off some wire Beetee got that you assume is for his big smart plan.

“Did you see anything where you went?” Finnick asks you. You shake your head and just point at the lightning Peeta drew on the map.

“Just lightning?” he confirms and you nod your head. Looking at the map, you’re glad you only ended up with lightning. The rest of the jungle looks terrifying.

The group begins chatting about birds in mines when you hear a sudden gasp. You all turn to see Gloss slitting Wiress’ throat. If the capital wanted you to act feral, they were about to get a show.

It happened so fast. Katniss shot Gloss before Johanna threw an axe into Cashmere, killing her instantly. You noticed Brutus and Enobaria going for Finnick and Katniss but you were too far away to stop the knife Enobaria threw from sinking into Finnick thigh. She’s dead.

You charge at her, screaming like a wild animal. She seems ready for your attack, however, and positions herself for your oncoming blow. You collide with her, sending both of you to the ground.

There’s no time to reach for the blade tucked into your belt. You claw at her face, drawing blood, as she attempts to push you off her. She’s successful in rolling the two of you over, putting herself on top. You go to grab for a knife when her teeth sink into your wrist, shooting pain through your whole body. It’s a shock she didn’t bite your whole hand off.

That’s when the cornucopia starts spinning. Enobaria leaps off of you and tries her best to escape with Brutus while the rest of the group is caught off guard by the movement. You clutch onto the rocks with your good arm but you can feel yourself slipping.

Katniss falls off the same time you do, sending both of you into the water. Even with your bad arm, you’re still a better swimmer, so when the water calms you’re able to orient yourself.

You spot Katniss struggling to find the surface a few yards away from you, so you dive back under and swim to her. Bracing yourself for human contact, you grab her arm and start propelling her to the surface. It takes her a second to realize you’re helping, especially with the amount of blood you’re releasing into the water, but she swims with you till you reach air again.

Peeta helps her out of the water, checking to make sure she’s ok. You do your best to pull yourself up but you’re in too much pain. Finnick takes notice and grabs onto you, yanking you onto the rocks.

He doesn’t even have to say what you’re thinking. The bite looks bad. It’s hard to tell if Enobaria punctured the vein in your wrist but you think she did due to the amount it’s bleeding.

“Johanna,” Finnick calls. “Do we have any bandages left?”

“Nope,” she shouts. “The only ones we had went to Volts.”

“Shit,” he mutters, trying to figure out what to do. He uses your knife to cut the arm off your wetsuit, apologizing that he had to cut yours as his was destroyed by the fog. He wraps the fabric tightly around your wrist, trying to stop the bleeding.

“This should work until we can get some sponsors to send us something better,” he states. You shake your head at him. Sponsors wouldn’t send you anything. You were on your own.

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[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Crossed Wires 1

Warnings: non/dubcon, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Characters: silverfox!Andy Barber, Cole Turner

Summary: you try to balance your work with your private life as your boss and a new client try to blur the lines. (short!reader)

Part of the Backwoods AU

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging.

The gravel mulches loudly under the tires of the truck. You grip the ridged wheel as the seat belt strains against your shoulder. You make yourself sit back, the seat slid up as far as it will go. Still, the bumper shortens your perspective.

You figured you’d get a call to the old Orson place when you heard it sold. That was months ago though and the new owner finally set down roots there. You haven’t seen them, you’ve only heard the whispers that accompany any happening in Hammer Ford; from a new recipe to the juiciest of scandals. You pay much attention to any of it.

You keep your hands at ten and two as you follow the long gravelly drive to the farmhouse facade. There’s a single car parked outside the garage. It’s a sleek white SUV, luxury by the looks of the hood ornament. It’s not what you expect around here. That paint job will be dusty in now time, if not scratched by errant pebbles.

You pull in and shut off the engine. You undo your seat belt and check your watch. Right on schedule. You open the door and step on the rusted step below the door, letting yourself down with a hop. Your tan work boots kick up dirt as you round to the passengers side and swing the door open to retrieve your heavy work bag.

You sling the thick strap over your shoulder and snap the door as you head towards the house. You rest your hand on the side of the bag as you near the steps, searching for any sign of life. The stairs creak as you climb onto the low porch.

“Can I help you?” The deep voice startles you. 

You blink and turn to face the man sitting on the wooden boards, bolts and screws around him along with metal parts and wooden boards. You hadn’t seen him through the tight slats of the railing.

You keep your usual vague stare as you sniff, “got a call about the breaker.”

He squints at you, a squiggle forming between his brows. He’s older. His grey hair has a single bolt of its former dirty blond just above his forehead. Despite the heat and the dirt sprinkled over the boards, he wears a pair of dark slacks and a button-up rolled to his elbows.

“You’re the electrician,” he states as he sets aside the small screwdriver in his hand. He stands with a grunt, grasping his knee before he straightens.

“Sure am,” you reply flatly.

“I spoke with a man,” he intones, hands going to his hips as he looks down at you.

“That’s would be my boss. Cole.”

“That’s his name,” he steps forward, wiping his hand on his shirt, staining the light gray fabric, “Andy.”

He offers his hand and you shake it curtly. All the farmers pride themselves on keeping a firm grip and you never faltered with them. He squeezes before he lets you go. He doesn’t have the typical callouses, you even have a few.

“How’d you get into this work?” he wonders.

“It’s work. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, I don’t– I don’t mean anything,” he stammers.

“Didn’t think you did,” you sniff, “so, what am I looking at?”

“Well, I don’t really know,” he reaches back to rub his neck. The power keeps… flickering.”

“Ah, been a while, probably just need to wait for it to stabilize. City worker came out months ago for the meters,” you explain.

“Right, well, I heard sizzling.”

“Show me where you heard it.”

He nods and gestures you towards the door. Before you can reach it, he pulls the wooden screen door back and waits for you to enter ahead of him. He tells you it’s just down the hall and stop you near the basement door. You peer down the stairs and flick the light switch. There’s a low buzz.

“I don’t think you need to worry about it,” you look up, “but I can have a look.”

“Oh, okay,” he utters, “I also had another question. You might know something about it.”

You look at him. He seems put off by your expressionless stare.

“I wanted to install an automatic opener in the garage…”

“I can do the wiring, sure, long as you buy the parts,” you answer. “I can give you recommendations, odds are, you’ll need a whole new door as well.”

“Sure,” he agrees uneasily.

“Can schedule an appointment when you decide,” you turn your palm out, “I’ll just go grab my ladder and have a look then.”

You go to step past him but he’s not quick enough. You nearly collide and find yourself moving back and forth with him, trying to get by. You stop and stare. He stills himself and turns sideways, waving you by. You pass and let out a slow breath through your nose.

You stalk back down the hall and onto the porch. You hear him following you. You come down the steps as he continues his close pursuit. You don’t exactly know what he’s doing but you won’t ask. Cole says you need to work on customer service and not tell people to get out of your way.

You go around the bed of the truck and open the back. You reach for the ladder but another arm stretches further and faster. He pulls the ladder out before you can and you step back with a grunt.

“Hey, I can get it,” you insist.

“It’s okay. I don’t mind helping.”

“So why am I here?” You ask curtly, immediately knowing you asked a bad question.

“Sorry, I was just… being nice,” he says.

“Right,” you try to soften your tone, “it’s just… it’s my job. I can carry the ladder.”

“I know you can,” he looks down at you and you feel even smaller. You don’t like it when they try to play gentleman, it’s condescending. You might be short but you’re strong enough. 

“Thanks,” you grab the ladder and yank it from his grasp.

He lets go and you continue past him. He huffs and follows a few paces back from the end of the ladder. You angle it up the steps.

“At least let me get the door,” he inches past you, “okay?”

“Thanks,” you repeat in the same even keel.

You enter and take the ladder down the hall. He hovers just down the hallway, watching as he shifts his weight between his feet. He’s the worst kind of customer, the kind that have to supervise. 

You step up the ladder and look past it. “Mind holding it?”

“You sure?” He gives a trite arch of his brow.

You blink and keep your eyes from rolling, “I’d appreciate it, sir.”

He comes forward and braces the ladder staunchly. You climb up and suppress a snarl. City folk think you’re all backwards out here but they can’t wrap their damn head around a woman with a brain.

[jordanmoreau]

Nothing In Particular

limoreau au; → in which two strangers come to understand one another as friends and (perhaps) as something more♡ 1,6k words

───

“Can you not be a jack ass for like, 5 minutes?” Marie grumbles weakly, her slender fingers lazily stirring the spoon that sat in her half drunken coffee. It must have been almost cold by now, the foam now separated and sad.

Her eyes never strayed from the window opposite where her and Emma sat, watching absentmindedly as leaves swayed and danced down from the trees above. Her friend snorted lightly next to her, nudging Marie’s leg with her foot jovially.

“C’mon, can’t you take a joke? she chirps. Her notes are left forgotten in front of her, half of them threatening to fall off on top the slabbed floor. They were barely legible due to the excessive highlighter however Emma insisted she could read them perfectly. Marie didn’t believe her.

“If you're interested in them, why don’t you just go over and say hi?” she says, as though its as easy as that. She begins scrunching up her face when Marie protests, “they’re not going to bite your head off, top ten or not”.

───

Emma was referring to a certain bi gender student that now occupied the furthermost booth inside the tiny cafe they had begun to frequent since the beginning of the semester.

It was a few weeks before that Marie had decided to give the new spot a try. She had sighed shakily to herself before entering, bracing herself for the certain conversation at the counter. The bell above the door chimes as she opens the door and it startles her a little. Did she always have to be so on edge, she thinks.

She orders at the counter with ease (a chai oat latte, extra cinnamon). Whilst waiting she leans against the counter, hugging her self tightly from inside her jacket.

Her head turns as she studies her surroundings curiously. It’s quiet apart from one other person, their mass of dark curls falling across their forehead as they bowed their head, clearing immersed in whatever they were reading. A pair of round wire rim glasses sit on the table in front of them along with a small pouch of pens and a stack of textbooks. Marie can make out 'Hero Ethics' in bold on the side of one of them, the rest of the words escaping her vision.

As if feeling eyes on them, the strangers head suddenly shifts, wet brown eyes coming into view as they peer upward. Marie's cheeks feel hot and she hurriedly turns away, feeling caught and almost knocks her order off the counter with her arm. She pulls her bag higher up on shoulder with a grimace and picks up her drink. A beeline for the nearest window table, she doesn't look back over for fear of making eye contact.

───

Over the next few visits Marie catches herself looking for the stranger in the corner. Her bottom lip snagged subconsciously between her teeth and a ridiculous amount of caffeine under her belt.

The stranger never looked the same twice in one week, she realized. On one day she’d entered to find them leaning back nonchalantly, legs spread in a comfortable manner. One hand held a book with ease, the other playing with their hair. It was short, slightly wavy and swept back off their face. A necklace that hung around there neck was balancing against their lip as though placed there as they read and a jacket was draped across their broad shoulders.

The next week, she almost missed them. Marie could tell it was the same person instinctively, the same blue jacket slung over the back of the booth and a sleek curtain of raven black hair falling against their cheeks in a little bob. She watched intently as the stranger pouted softly, pausing their note taking and reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind their ear. They seemed to think for a while, twirling their pen between their fingers before returning to the page.

Marie liked the way their hair sat prettily around their face, the way their shoulders tensed slightly or when they chewed absentmindedly on their pen.

She didn’t know what was so magnetic about this stranger; maybe it was nothing in particular.

───

It was the day before last that Marie had chosen to peek at the stranger again, only tilting her head slightly and peering through her eyelashes. Her heart faltered though when she realized they had met her gaze. This caused her mouth to run dry and she felt a pang of panic rise in her stomach.

Their head tilted slightly to one side almost cat-like, the corners of their mouth twitching almost like a smile was threatening to break through. Marie silently cursed herself for being so nosy and decided to concentrate on her work, head ducking down. She almost dove head long into her latte in an attempt to seem busy, the cinnamon causing her to cough lamely as she inhaled it.

By the end of her study session (Marie had persevered, very bravely she thought) she had completed a few pages of work for her intro to Hero Ethics class. She blows on the pages from a short distance, hoping to hurry along the ink drying. The bell above the door chimes behind her and she flinches only to notice that the booth in the corner was now empty.

“Chai latte, extra cinnamon?” the server appears at her table, cradling a cup and saucer. Marie frowns with confusion, finger tips tapping her empty cup.

“I didn’t order anything, I’m sorry,” she says, to which the server shakes the head.

“It’s been paid for,” they say, gently setting it down. Marie freezes for a second at that before thanking the server. She tries to push away the butterflies in her stomach, giving the cafe one last scan before returning to her notes.

───

“It must’ve been them!” Emma says loudly. Marie’s gives her a tight lipped expression in return, causing Emma to roll her eyes with a playful grin.

“You know I could introduce you,”

Marie almost gets whiplash from how quickly her head snaps up at that. “You know them?” she whispers, almost afraid of them hearing her from across the room.

Emma mumbles something incoherent, gesturing with her fingers.

“Vaguely,” Marie scoffs at that. Emma throws her a look of indignation. “I do!”.

Emma knew of them. She recognized their face from the rankings board, nearly tackling Marie when she told her about the 'mysterious booth stranger' with the unreadable demeanor.

Today, the stranger was hunched over their table with their head down. Marie assumed that they were writing something urgent, a paper perhaps. They had barely looked up, hand gliding over each page without stopping.

Marie hadn’t looked over hardly at all that day, bringing Emma along for a good distraction. Besides, the girl was always a good friend to have around. Unfortunately she also had a habit of never letting anything go. Marie swallows.

“Do you have a pen I can borrow?”

Marie’s trance is broken, the gentle cadence new and almost musical. It was the stranger from the booth. They were in their male form, expression controlled and brows knitted together. Marie couldn’t help but stare for a moment, mouth slightly ajar before Emma interjected.

“Marie has one, don’t you Marie?” Emma says, intentionally pushing her own pencil case toward Marie with the end of her pencil. The stranger looks to Emma for a moment before focusing back on Marie.

“Yeah?” they ask, their hip grazing the table as they step closer. Marie, finally snapping out of her momentary daze, pushes the pen in her hand toward them. Their eyes follow Marie’s movement, flitting between the pen and her face.

Marie gives them a tight lipped smile, inwardly urging them to leave. She can’t take the awkwardness she’s exuding. However the stranger suddenly smiles, a small lovely smile. She notices the dimples that appear as they smile wider and her pulse jumps at the sight.

“Thank you, Marie” they say, waving the pen as if to indicate they were taking it. They don’t move for a second, a moment of silence falling across the trio. Emma pretends to clear her throat, leaning across the table.

“And you are…” she asks, her face contorted comically as though she has a lot riding on the answer. Marie felt like she at least, did.

The stranger half smiles again, scratching the back of their head.

“Uhh, Jordan?”they offer, almost posing it as a question. Emma grins, clearly pleased with herself.

“Emma,” she says, using two thumbs to point at herself, “and this is Marie, obviously”

It’s then with a pang of embarrassment that Marie realises Jordan’s eyes haven’t left her face since Emma began talking.

Jordan nods at her and Marie wonders if they’re usually this shy. Emma coughs again as if to alert Marie, eyeing the two exasperatedly.

Jordan smiles again awkwardly, mumbling something about “seeing them around” and wonders off back to their table, pen in hand. Emma smacks her hands dramatically on the table to which Marie jumps. Emma expression screams “are you kidding me” as she jabs a finger at a retreating Jordan.

“Stop,” Marie hisses desperately. Jordan finds their way back to their table, leaning down to test the pen on a loose bit of paper. Presumably pleased, they sit back down. Marie wants to scream at herself. She rubs her face roughly, frustrated.

"Hero Ethics, right?" a voice calls. It's Jordan, leaning across their table with their textbook presented toward Marie. She can read it more clearly now and she realizes that Jordan must be the year above her, maybe even a senior.

Marie nods slowly. She blinks and Jordan's half way across the room already, rounding her table before she can utter an audible response. A folder in hand, Jordan offers it to her. "First year notes," they explain. With a shaky hand, Marie takes them. She smiles, her first proper smile in their presence and meets their gaze.

"Thanks," she says, trying to keep her voice steady. Jordan shrugs coolly.

"Least I can do, freshman".

// authors note: did someone say, slow burn?? I am fairly rusty at writing like this so this was a little daunting to start however I hope this reads well. If this does well, I'll begin writing a part two soon! <3 trust me the study partners will be partnering eventually.

[graylinesspam]

Charming

Having a teen girl in military camps was somewhat of a balancing act. Your average encampment, at least those for the 501st had around 300 men, and you couldn't expect to keep that many men on their best behavior, in a war zone, for extended periods of time.

There were some stress relieving behaviors that the men needed to stay balanced. Drinking, roughhousing, and generally acting unsavory to name a few.

In the early days they'd just tried to herd Ahsoka to certain parts of the camps and stay vigilant to catch her coming. It was a precarious game that Rex in particular had no intention of losing.

They tried having the boys on watch whistle signal her location, which had only irritated her. Curse her insanely quiet little stride, he blamed Vere and genetics for that one. They lost track of her once she started dodging them on purpose.

Then there was that comment on Felucia. "Maybe we should reconsider General Kenobi's suggestion of a bell," Rex had smarted off as Ahsoka ghosted silently into the upper branches of a tree.

Well Hardcase was injured on that deploy. His leg was broken, not an easy fix planet side and med evac wouldn't be for a few days. He was stuck in a cot. All that chaotic energy contained within the four edges of canvas. He needed something to keep himself busy. That's where Ahsoka's first present came from.

Six muzzle seals roughly the circumference of a thumb, cut and re-bent around each other until it roughly resembled a crude flower shape. It didn't hold it's shape well unless laid out flat on a surface, but he strung it with a crude chain made from braided wire pulled out of a fried HUD.

Ahsoka, the poor thing, was in and out of medical the whole time for medication, snot rubbing her face permanently raw. When the medication knocked her out she chose Hardcase to curl up on. He had presented her with the gift curled up in the center of his palm, a sheepish look on his red feverish face.

Rex couldn't have organized it better if he had tried. A bell they couldn't attach to her without some serious protest and her going even farther to evade their tracking tactics. But a handmade gift from a sick and pitiful vod? It was the perfect excuse.

Ahsoka hooked the dangly little charm onto her belt clip. It tapped musically against the hilt of her saber. The tinkling of little bells that could be disarmed quickly in combat by simply holding her sabers or hooking on of the rings around the clip.

Everyone came to memorize the sound of her stride, the little tapping highlighting every step. Just loud enough that you could here her before she turned a corner or caught you doing something you shouldn't be.

The first charm lasted for almost half a year. It's crude design and salvaged parts eventually becoming a casualty of combat. The second charm came from Fives, ever competitive to be everyone's favorite vod, He'd been working on it since she'd received the first one. Three little scraps of plastoid he'd cut to shapes. One rectangular chunk painted to resemble a domino, one flat piece painted with a five on one side and a tiny crude recreation of a hand print on the other side. And a third painted with 212th yellow unsuccessfully mixed with a hint of medic red to create a streaky red orange color, the paint carefully carved away in the shape of Ahsoka's markings. It had a woodier sound as it collided with her lightsaber.

Cody was next with a series of little plastoid stars strung on real chains. They tinkled like rain on music stones when they knock against plastoid.

And General Plo-koon, as her founder, showed them all up with a metal medallion wolf charm.

Getting bells on Ahsoka was easier than any of them expected it to be. Their only miscalculation was believing she didn't know exactly what they were doing the whole time.

[aiartwerk]

Carpenter A confident female carpenter working on wood in a workshop. With her curly hair tied back, safety glasses, and tools in hand, she is fully focused on her craft. Wood shavings and sparks surround her as she smoothly planes a piece of wood. Her robust physique adds to the image’s emphasis on empowerment and craftsmanship.

Construction Worker This image portrays a construction worker standing proudly on a construction site, donning a hard hat and tool belt. Her dusty outfit and powerful stance amidst cranes and scaffolding show her strength and dedication to the job, surrounded by a backdrop of a large industrial site under construction.

Crane Operator A woman sits inside a crane cabin, wearing a hard hat and work gloves, operating heavy machinery with intense focus. The interior of the cabin is filled with dials and switches, capturing the mechanical aspect of her job. The background is a vast construction site, highlighting the scale of her work.

Race Car Driver A striking woman in a yellow racing suit stands confidently in front of a Formula 1 race car. Her stance is powerful, with arms akimbo, as she commands attention amidst the high-energy backdrop of a race track. Her sleek outfit and the car’s detailed design contribute to the fast-paced energy of the scene.

Electrician This image showcases an African-American woman working as an electrician, kneeling down amidst a tangle of wires and cables. She holds a tool in her hand while sparks fly around her. Her expression is calm and composed as she works with precision in a high-stress environment.

Firefighter A fierce female firefighter stands in front of a blazing fire, exuding strength and bravery. Her orange firefighter suit is charred, and her face is determined as she readies herself for action. The flames in the background highlight the danger and intensity of her profession.

Pilot A stylish and commanding woman stands in front of a large airplane, dressed in a crisp pilot’s uniform. Her tailored black jacket and cap emphasize her authority and professionalism. The jet behind her and the blue skies reflect her role as a leader in aviation.

Lumberjill A woman in plaid and work jeans is in the midst of chopping logs in a forest clearing. Her strong arms grip an ax as she focuses on the task at hand. The sunlight filtering through the trees adds warmth to the image, emphasizing her connection to the land and hard work.

Mechanic In a garage setting, a female mechanic works on a car, her hands covered in grease. Her denim overalls cling to her toned frame as she holds a tool, surrounded by equipment and automotive parts. Her intense expression shows focus, dedication, and passion for her trade.

Soldier A soldier stands at attention amidst a battlefield, her body armored and weapon at her side. Her camo fatigues blend into the war-torn environment, while her fierce, unyielding gaze suggests experience and readiness for the challenges ahead.

Plumber A woman kneels beside a kitchen sink, tools in hand, as she works on the plumbing. Her determined expression and sturdy overalls emphasize her hands-on approach to fixing things. The homey kitchen setting contrasts with her industrial tools, blending domestic and technical elements.

Power Line Worker High above the ground, a woman works on power lines, equipped with a tool belt and safety gear. She balances on a wooden beam, her face focused as she repairs wiring. The towering power poles and bright sky in the background add scale and drama to the scene.

Spaceship Pilot Inside a futuristic spaceship, a young woman pilots the craft, surrounded by high-tech controls. Her white and black spacesuit glows in the colorful lights of the console, and the cosmos stretches out beyond the window. The vastness of space outside complements her focused expression as she navigates.

Submariner In the depths of the ocean, a woman operates the controls of a high-tech submarine. The control room is dimly lit with screens glowing, showing the sea life outside. Sharks swim past the large windows, creating a mysterious and adventurous atmosphere as she guides the vessel.

Welder A woman stands confidently in front of a welding torch, sparks flying around her. Her protective gloves and helmet highlight the dangers of her job, but her composed expression suggests mastery of her craft. The industrial setting around her adds a sense of strength and power to the scene.

Each image is crafted with ultra-realistic detail, featuring vivid 3D rendering and high-resolution 4K quality. The colors are bold and striking, with detailed lighting that brings out the textures in their environments, outfits, and the characters themselves. Each woman is depicted with strength and beauty, emphasizing her role in her respective profession while challenging traditional gender stereotypes.

These characters not only represent women of power but also pay homage to diversity by showcasing African American women in impactful, aspirational roles.

[darsynia]

Momentary (Bucky/f!Reader)

MCU MASTERLIST | BUCKY BARNES MASTERLIST | lmk for tags!

Summary: Your paths cross, intertwine, and separate again

WC/Warnings: 1,400 | Explicit Sex

Written for Essie's 300 Follower 'Summer Lovin' Celebration! Thanks for hosting, @bigtreefest, dear, I hope you like it! Prompts used were overstimulation, a hotel, and public sex

Excerpt:

“Please,” you breathe. His actions have slowed, turning from tempestuous to tender, a honeyed slowness designed to prolong your agony. His low, sexy chuckle is a live wire connected directly to his electric fingers as they dip and swirl. 

“I want to hear you, doll,” he rumbles, lips grazing your ear in purposeful provocation. “Louder than the sunset, for me.”

You’re both still clothed, but the arch of your back and cant of his hips make clear what’s happening, visible to anyone with the fortitude to look away from the sun-painted sky. It’s exhilarating.

MOMENTARY

Your panties are puddled at your feet, and your mind is equally liquid. With your head thrown back against the balcony wall, you can only see the sunset over the water through slitted eyes, but its beauty is rivaled by the pleasure melting through your body. Yesterday you didn’t even know this man existed, but now his clever hand is moving under your white silk dress doing things that threaten your current and future stability.

He thrusts two thick fingers inside you, his thumb dancing light touches on your clit. It’s the perfect representation of his odd duality. This secretive stranger is intimately touching you in a semi-public place. He claims to be a businessman, yet he prowls around a luxury hotel with ruthless malice, clearly stalking more elusive prey than you’ve proven to be. The filthy threat you’d overheard him make to another guest had been vicious and incisive.

He is the opposite of everything you left behind at home.

“Please,” you breathe. His actions have slowed, turning from tempestuous to tender, a honeyed slowness designed to prolong your agony. His low, sexy chuckle is a live wire connected directly to his electric fingers as they dip and swirl. 

“I want to hear you, doll,” he rumbles, lips grazing your ear in purposeful provocation. “Louder than the sunset, for me.”

You’re both still clothed, but the arch of your back and cant of his hips make clear what’s happening, visible to anyone with the fortitude to look away from the sun-painted sky. It’s exhilarating.

“Make me, then,” you say, drawing on adrenaline for confidence.

Your lover’s expression sharpens, eyes glittering with anticipation. He pushes off the wall with his free hand, expertly opening his belt and shoving his clothes aside, all while maintaining the delicate devastation of his fingertips. Suddenly he stops, and you clutch at the wall behind you to maintain your balance as you watch him pull out a condom and apply it, his full attention on his task. Then he fixes his gaze on you and you practically stop breathing, your entire being focused on the slow movement of his hand as he slides it from your knee along your thigh, inch by glorious inch.

The urge to moan, to plead is intense, but you valiantly hold back.

He seems pleased by this, which is almost as sexy as this deliberate dismantling of your dignity.

When he finally touches you again, it's brief, but enough to make you dizzy, a supernova of erotic culmination for the few seconds before he lifts you up and lances into you. The resolution to hold back is obliterated by the aching cry that tears through your throat. Any other time you’d have crammed a fist in your mouth, mortified by the very idea of making your happiness audible. With every sensuous movement this man has destroyed all of that, and you’re a willing wreck.

He’d told you to keep touching to the minimum, so you limit yourself to clinging to his open collar, barely able to think against the purity of this pleasure. Eyes tightly shut, you keen through each powerful, rocking glide. You’re so distracted by the sensory overload that you don’t notice he’s only holding you up with one arm until he caresses your sleeve down your shoulder and fixes a hot, sucking kiss on your skin.

The unexpected, personal contact sends you fluttering around him, and you feel rather than see the way he’s affected by that--his free hand slams against the wall as his hips stutter the two of you impossibly closer. It’s as if the whole wall is moving with his desperate cadence, as caught up as you are in the mind-numbing pleasure.

“Your name,” you suddenly beg, clawing for coherence under the onslaught of your pending climax. You open your eyes and bite your lip, wishing you’d asked for a kiss instead. Knowing his name is far too much to ask from a man like this.

Your lover lifts his head. His blue eyes are dilated with desire, sending a heat flush across your body that pools at the place the two of you are joined. He opens his mouth, and somehow you know he wants to lie, which feels like a sin in a moment like this.

If he can break the rules, then so can you.

Before you lose your nerve, you move to caress his cheek with one hand as you nuzzle your nose against his neck, grazing your lips across the sensitive skin of his earlobe in a conscious mirroring of his own earlier action. “Please?” you whisper. His hips still.

“Jam--” he starts, then grunts when your surprise causes you to tighten around him intimately. “Bucky,” he admits, and you repeat the name in stunned triumph, more a breathy prayer than anything else. It’s a turning point, a sentence enhancer, and the the two of you follow it with fierce, frantic fucking in search of absolution.

You can hear yourself moan-gasping as you both come, the exquisite high tumbling and rising until you’re left breathlessly repeating words of gratitude interspersed with his name, your throat raw. For some reason, this causes him to slow his final thrusts, as if reluctant for the moment to pass. It’s almost shatteringly erotic, and you wonder if it’s a glimpse of the true him, or a sign that he’s donning another disguise--the picture of a wealthy, considerate lover. Certainly his groan sounds just as joy-ravaged as you feel, by the time he slides you down onto your unsteady feet.

The possessive sting on your shoulder pulsates in opposition to your body’s resonance, and you have to focus all of your attention on staying upright. Taking a few long, careful breaths, you open your eyes to see that Bucky is already perfectly put back together, his skilled fingers refastening the wrist buttons of his dress shirt from where he’d rolled it back up to touch you.

Without speaking, he respectfully tips his head in your direction and walks inside, crossing the dimly-lit suite without pausing at the bathroom to wash his hands.

It’s the realization that he could just wordlessly leave after such a defining moment that has you finally collapsing into a chair.

It’s fully dark by the time you get up to go inside.

You’d fled halfway across the world to India with the fortune your ex had tried to wrest from you, finally giving yourself the honeymoon you’d always dreamed you’d share with him. It’s hard not to feel like you’ve just fulfilled one of his ugliest insults during that sudden breakup, but at least you hadn’t been in a relationship when you’d had sex with a stranger. 

At least you won’t head to bed still sweet with the buzz of someone else’s nectar.

There’s something mournful about showering after such an experience, washing away the fleeting remnants of a connection never meant to last. You’re torn between a light touch of soap to skin and scrubbing until you’ve excised both ex and rebound, but settle on something in between. Neither will release with ease, you realize. How strange that you’ve heard both men speak in anger in the past month, but in that time only one, the wrong one, used an endearment towards you. 

“Go to sleep,” you murmur to yourself. The sound is sultry thanks to all the noises you’d made. A mix of mortification and memories sends you scurrying to the softest sheets and most heavenly mattress you’ve ever slept on.

You dream of wandering the hotel, checking doors one by one and finding a different version of Bucky in each--dashing and debonair in a vintage military uniform, cocky and confident in a leather jacket, sleek and sophisticated in a bespoke suit. For some reason, you step back from that particular door despite its familiarity, and decide to try one more. The Bucky you find there is long-haired and wild, dressed for war, but not a war any government would recognize. His black tactical jacket is missing a sleeve, showing off the metal of a mechanical arm that stretches from  shoulder to fingertip.

He turns his head and catches sight of you in the doorway, and that’s when your dream-self sees the mask covering his mouth and nose, the dark facepaint shadowing his eye sockets. This strange yet exciting version of Bucky strides toward you, metal hand reaching--

--and you wake up.

In my mind, I picture him with the used condom folded into a handkerchief in his pocket, but I could not elegantly place that in the story lol. Hotel in the pictures is the Leela Kovalam, a five star hotel in India (loook! it's soooooo pretty!!!)

[gingergofastboatsmojito]

It was a documentary, not a series, that's why we were not satisfied because we wanted fiction, not a docuseries.

This only solidifies my POV, which I have already gone over on the Under The Table Podcast and in many previous entries on my blog, about the whole problem with S3 being in the WR. Coming from a very solid S2 and amazing S1 award season, only made matters worse, of course.

Viewers appreciate realism, as a matter of fact the kind of audience The Bear appeals to is the kinda public that digs realism and adult content, with lots of cussing, raw directorial style, fast-paced, etc. We are not the typical rom-com or even drama series audience. The Bear became a hit show back in 2022 because its eps were fast-paced, with a dramedy quality that made it original, lots of adult language, and with a hint of sexual tension that was "promising" if explored in future seasons, that at that point were not confirmed yet. S2 was ordered in July 2022 in the middle of the momentum the show was starting to get, and shot from February to April 2023, then it premiered in June 2023, only to compete now, in this award season that opened a few weeks ago at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Meaning: the reason why S3 didn't work as expected, and the numbers back that up that is why they haven't released them yet, is because the writers were not able to write a BALANCED plot. Yes, it hit all the realistic marks in terms of mental health struggles and fine dining 7th circle of hell, but at the same time, it lost every other "ingredient" that it used to have. THERE IS A WAY to write the best of both worlds, and I certainly expected that coming from who I considered the best script writer out there, the sadist. And his right hand wired for romance, Miss Calo. They didn't do it. They disappointed me. They went all in with the docuseries' raw realism style of Carmy hitting rock bottom, which if you were really paying attention in S2 was nothing but PREDICTABLE → as I proved even before S3 premiered here and here but they didn't build towards a cliffhanger that left you wanting more, actually, 03X10 is altogether hard to watch, there's no balance like in FISHES 02x06, for instance, just one punch after the other, all below the belt, no comedy, no breather, just tragedy and more tragedy and more sense of doom and more PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! THAT'S IT, END THIS, PULL THE PLUG, STOP IT! etc... Like I said: No balance.

Storer only focused on Carmy's background story, but didn't give us anything we couldn't have figured out on our own anyway, he didn't explore Syd's background story, which should be a collection of gems and absolutely Sydcarmy friendly because the more we know about her, the better we will be able to figure out how will Sydcarmy happen and when (I already know when, but still) and he also focused on Tina's background story, IMO that was completely unnecessary as T is not a central character, what he showed there was also easy to guess anyway and could have been summarised in a couple of scenes, not an entire bottled episode, not when other characters are UNEXPLORED after 3 seasons. So basically, all the decisions made in terms of SCRIPT were WRONG. The acting was perfect, the direction was too, the soundtrack, the cinematography, all of it, but the foundation wasn't there because in the WR the creative decisions made for S3 were completely fucked up, we were served a docuseries as opposed to the fictional show with a realism bouquet we were watching the previous 2 seasons.

WE WANT TO WATCH FICTION, write it realistically, sure! BUT DON'T LOSE WHAT YOU HAVE SO FAR, DON'T MUTATE INTO A DOCUMENTARY OF ALL THAT'S WRONG IN THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT OR IN SOCIETY OR IN THE CULINARY INDUSTRY, we already know that and if we don't, we can always tune in the motherfucking news, not FX, and certainly not Disney+. Thank you very much.

[captn-trex]

technical devotion, part twenty-three: deadly force

a/n: alright this took longer than expected. I rethought and rewrote all of this while I was violently hungover and emotional on two separate occasions so… buckle up. I wish I did more with my clone OCs earlier cause they're so fun :)

content warnings: canon-typical violence, not super proof read so I'll come back and fix mistakes later

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Echo awoke to the feeling of a warmth pressed against him, and the unmistakable scent of fried wires and something sweet mixing together. His arms tightened around the body that lay beside him, drawing Kan further into his embrace, and his face found its place in the crook of her neck, pulling a soft noise from her lips that made Echo melt against her further. For the first time, he was finally getting the opportunity to wake up with Kan in his arms, and he wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to revel in it now.

Kan stirred, her eyes fluttering as she turned into Echo's embrace, burying her face into his chest.

“We should get up” Kan murmured, pressing a kiss to his collarbone, “the others will be gathering to go over the plan”

“Just a bit longer” Echo pleaded, his arms remaining firmly planted around her body.

Kan huffed a small laugh, pulling back to look up at him, “Echo, I’m leading the meeting”

“Well they're just going to have to wait then, aren’t they?” he said, his lips lifting in a small satisfied smirk as he pulled Kan in so she was pressed flat against him.

Kan laughed as she tried to pry herself away, “come on, let me go”

“No” Echo shook his head, his tone amused but decidedly final, “I've waited too long for this.

He pushed her onto her back by way of rolling over to place himself over her, caging her in with a forearm either side of her head.

“Echo!” Kan let out a surprised laugh at the sudden action.

“Shhh” he promptly attached his lips to hers, stopping her from making any further exclamations that might have their new little secret exposed to the rest of their company.

He kissed her deeply, a plea to stay that was quickly forgotten in the feel of her lips moving against his. Echo’s hand travelled to Kan’s neck, tipping her chin up with his thumb so he could trail a line of kisses down the line of her throat.

Kan sighed dreamily, “hm… as tempting as this is… we've really got to get up”

Echo rolled his eyes as he placed a final kiss to her sternum “fine”

His lips pressed against hers one more time before he drew backwards, looking down at Kan with simple adoration. She smiled up at him, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw, eyes flicking over his face, taking in every mark and scar.

“What?” Echo frowned.

Kan shrugged, “nothing”

She kissed him quickly, and then slid out from under him. Echo watched her as she moved about the room, getting dressed and ready for the day, humming to herself. He didn't realise he was smiling until his face actually began to hurt. He sat at the edge of the bed, his eyes trailing her form as she did up the clasp of her belt.

Echo couldn't believe that Kan was his. She was so perfect in every way to him, and he couldn't fully wrap his head around the idea that she felt the same way about him. She looked over at him as she balanced on one foot to pull on her boot, the concentrated crease in her brow relenting.

“Come here” Echo murmured as she stood up straight again.

Her lips lifted at the edges as she walked over, and Echo pulled her body against his, slotting her between his legs. He rested his chin on her chest as he looked up at her adoringly.

“Would you mind if we kept this between us for now?” he asked in a soft voice.

“Oh, yeah sure” Kan replied, her eyebrows drawing together again, “why?”

Echo sighed and held her tighter, “I just want you all to myself a bit longer”

Kan couldn't help her smile, “I suppose I don’t mind that idea”

She pressed a kiss to his forehead and stepped away, backing towards the door, and Echo had to bite back his grin when she walked straight into it.

“I’ll be down soon” he chuckled as she grabbed the door handle, her cheeks darkening with embarrassment.

“You didn't see that” she mumbled, slipping outside and into the corridor.

Kan made her way downstairs, and found only one clone sat at the kitchen table, a cup of caf in hand and feet up on a chair.

“Morning” Spider spoke with a teasing edge, his lips pulled into a wry smile.

“Morning” Kan smiled, then noted his smug expression, “what's that look for?”

Spider shrugged, “no reason”

Kan watched him from out of the corner of her eye as she took the pot of caf and poured herself a cup.

“No reason, huh?” she prompted.

“Well, you know…” he smirked, “you could maybe ask Echo to be a bit more subtle if you don't want people knowing you slept together”

Kan spat out the sip of caf that she had just taken, her eyes going wide and cheeks flushing, “I don't know what you're talking about”

“Sure” Spider rolled his eyes, sitting up and planting his feet on the floor, “that's why Echo went up to your room and never came down last night”

Kan sighed irritatedly. It really was pretty obvious to anyone paying even a little bit of attention.

“Who else knows?” she asked, sounding exasperated.

Spider chuckled, “just me, as far as I'm aware”

Kan let out a short breath, taking a seat where he'd been laying his feet, “well that's a relief”

She took another sip of caf, managing to keep it in her mouth and swallow it down this time.

“So what's the deal?” Spider asked.

“With what?” Kan rebutted, looking over at him as she rested her cup on the table.

“With you and Echo” he replied, nodding his head towards the stairs.

Kan rolled her eyes, turning away and looking into her caf, “we're not having this conversation”

“Aw come on, why not?” Spider whined, and Kan laughed when she saw his mocking pout.

“Like I need to give you more fodder to tease me” she pointed out.

Her eyes flicked out the window as she saw a few clones wandering back towards the house, chatting amongst themselves.

“Not a word of this to anyone” Kan said seriously, a finger pointed towards the prying clone.

Spider laughed at her grave expression, “yeah, yeah. I won’t”

“You better not” she mumbled as the door was thrown open.

“Ah, if it isn't my favourite person”

Kan rolled her eyes, “you really lay it on thick, don't you Oscar?”

“Can't help it mesh'la” Oscar smirked, grabbing her cup of caf from her hands and taking a swig.

“Hey!” Kan reached for it, “get your own!”

“Nope” Oscar grinned, stalking away from her.

Kan just sighed and stood to grab a new cup as Howzer approached. “Caf?” she asked.

“Please” he smiled, a tiredness weighing down his eyelids.

She poured out a cup and handed it over, pouring one for herself too. She and Howzer rested against the kitchen counter as the kitchen filled with clones, spilling in from where they had slept on their respective ships. Kan smiled at the sight, and Howzer nudged her to get her attention.

“How you feeling about the mission?”

Kan shrugged, turning to rest her hip on the counter, “optimistic, I think”

“You think?” Howzer cocked his head to the side with a small smirk.

“Yeah, cautiously optimistic, I guess”

Howzer nodded slowly, “so you're going to be briefing us on… what exactly?”

“The material that they're mining, and you'd know that already if you actually listened to Rex” Kan said pointedly.

“Ah” Howzer took a sip of his caf, “well I'd much rather listen to you telling us”

Kan chuckled, “that's not really an excuse”

“I think it is” he shrugged, “besides, what does Rex know?”

“A lot more than you, apparently” Kan raised an eyebrow at him.

“Don't give me that look, K” Howzer rolled his eyes affectionately, tapping his finger on her chin as he moved away.

Kan shook her head as she watched him walk away, noting that Echo had come downstairs at some point when she spotted him talking with Spider. They were both looking over at her, and she could only pray to the maker that Spider had kept his mouth shut. She made herself busy by way of making another batch of caf to start handing out to the other clones, and having to fend off a certain small blonde clone who insisted that her brothers said she could have some.

Before long, everyone was gathered around the table, all of them a little more awake with the help of Kan's efforts with the caffeine, and she was explaining the known properties of the material that the Empire had been mining from the planet. Echo stood at her side, suppressing a grin that threatened to split his face as Kan stepped into the more militaristic side of her personality.

“The problem for us right now, is that we don’t know the full cap—”

“Wait…” Spider spoke up, looking over to Kan before his eyes met those of the clone beside her, “couldn’t this stuff mess with Echo’s cybernetics?”

It was silent for a moment, until Rex spoke up, “you’re right”

Kan furrowed her brows deeply. The thought of Echo being at risk of something so unknown sent a stroke of fear running through her.

“It could fry his brain” Howzer added, rather unhelpfully.

Teddy saw the look on Kan’s face, and though he didn’t know what had transpired between her and Echo, he knew exactly how she felt about him, and how worried this would make her.

“But Echo and Kan went in before, and it didn’t affect anything then right?” he offered.

Echo thought for a moment, “no, it was fine”

“Right” Teddy confirmed, keeping his tone optimistic, “so if it was going to happen, it would have already”

Hunter wasn't as convinced, “maybe he should hang back anywa—”

“No” Echo interrupted, “I’m going. And stop talking as if I'm not here”

Omega grabbed his hand to gain his attention, “Echo, maybe Hunter’s right”

“We can’t afford to lose you t—”

“This isn’t like that, Hunter” Echo snapped.

The atmosphere in the room seemed changed at the topic of conversation, particularly the tension surrounding the defective clones. Kan looked up to Echo, his jaw was set and staring at Hunter with a fierceness that told Kan whatever the problem was was something close to his heart.

“I’ll be fine” Echo said finally, his voice an irritated murmur, “let’s just get back to the plan”

Kan could see how concerned Echo's brothers were, and couldn't help but let her worries overtake her. She had only just got Echo, and she didn't plan on losing him anytime soon. She looked up at him, only to be met by an expectant gaze. Her eyes flicked around the room and she realised the rest of the clones were all waiting for her to continue her briefing.

“Uh, yeah… um— so, as I was saying, we know very little about the true capabilities of this material, since the Empire doesn’t fully understand it” she spewed out.

Echo could hear how nervous she was as she continued briefing the clones on the effects of the material in question and the Empire's plans with it. He desperately wanted to reach out and comfort her, tell her it would be fine, but he was the one that had drawn the line of keeping their newfound relationship between them.

When Rex took over to explain the plan, he hooked his pinky with hers, and felt her tighten her hold, almost crushing his finger. She looked up at him and he gave his best reassuring look.

From the other side of the table, Spider watched the two of them with a growing smirk.

Day turned to evening as the clones waited to take action. Kan had retreated to her room after the end of the lengthy meeting while Echo had stayed behind and tried to assure Hunter and the others that everything would be fine. He could tell that Omega was very concerned, and he hoped that he had soothed her worries a little.

Echo made his way upstairs and knocked on the door to Kan's room, hearing her shout for him to enter after a second. When he stepped inside, Kan was staring out of the small window to the left of the bed, her eyes defocused as she looked out over the trees of the park nearby the dwelling.

Echo gently spun her around, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her body into his. He nuzzled his nose into her neck, letting out a satisfied sigh.

“Been waiting all day to do this” he mumbled against her skin, pressing a delicate kiss under her jaw.

Kan didn't respond, only gently running her hands down his arms, and Echo pulled back to look at her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, noting the crease in her brow.

Kan sighed, her frown relenting as her eyes filled with a new emotion, something like fear, “I'm worried about your cybernetics”

“Aw, you're worried about me? You must really like me” Echo tried to joke, but Kan wasn't amused.

“I'm serious Echo, I don't want your brain to get fried!”

Echo held her tighter, “M'aira, I'll be fine. It's like Teddy said, it would have happened already”

“You don't know that for sure” Kan frowned.

“I don't” Echo admitted, “but I'm pretty confident that he's right”

Kan rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, “I'm glad one of us is”

“M'aira—”

“What was it that Hunter was so worried about?” she blurted out before she could stop herself.

Echo sighed. He had never told Kan about Tech. It wasn't something he liked to remember, and wasn't something that he had fully come to accept yet.

“It was about… what happened to Tech” he admitted. It was the first time his name had passed his lips in a long time, and it felt strange on his tongue.

“Oh, right” Kan said before he could continue, “Omega talks about him a lot”

Echo's eyebrows raised, “she does?”

Kan nodded, “Yeah, she said that you guys don't like to talk about him very much, but she wants to remember him. She told me a little bit about him”

Echo’s chest hurt knowing that Omega had been forced to go to someone other than her brothers for comfort, comfort that they seemingly had refused her. He would make sure to try to talk to her about Tech more going forward, try not to shut down when he was brought up as he usually did.

Kan placed her hands on Echo’s chest, bringing him back to the present moment, “I don't want you pulling any stupid heroics, I won't lose you”

Echo shook his head, squeezing her waist gently, “hey, I'm not going anywhere, okay?”

Kan's expression softened a little, and she brought her hand up to trace along the line of his jaw.

“Just promise to be careful, to keep yourself safe” she whispered.

“I promise” he replied, a small smile winding its way onto his face, “you can't get rid of me that easily”

Kan chuckled, an adoring smile on her lips as she wrapped her arms around him tightly, “good”

Echo returned the expression, then was reminded of something that had been nagging at him all day.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything” Kan replied.

“Are the others always so… affectionate with you?” he asked, a little awkwardly.

“Others?” Kan drew her brows together in confusion.

“Well… Oscar and Howzer, I mean”

Kan's lips curled up a little, “I guess so yeah, why?”

Echo cleared his throat, “I don't know, just curious”

Kan's expression was nothing short of amused. “You're jealous” she accused.

Echo rolled his eyes, looking away. “I'm not jealous” he mumbled sounding entirely unconvincing.

“Hey” Kan tapped his chin to draw his gaze back to her, “I'm yours, alright?”

Echo's heart jumped in his chest, his lips lifting into a smile, “yeah?”

“Yeah” Kan confirmed, slipping his jaw into her hand.

“That's good to hear” Echo murmured, bringing his lips to hers in an unhurried kiss.

Getting into the Empire's base of operations had been slightly more difficult than the last time, given that they had upped their security detail since then, but the clones had numbers on their side.

Rex took the lead, naturally, with Echo and Kan on his heels. It was a full on fire-fight, no room for stealth with the way they’d blown a hole in the wall to get in. Wrecker had particularly enjoyed that.

They were running down a corridor, letting their blasters lead the way as they fired off stun blasts at every new threat that popped at. The amount of adversaries was growing the further in they made it, but with the combined skills of the clones and the solid plan, no one was doubting their success.

Kan tugged on Echo’s arm, the blaster bolt gunning for him missing his helmet by a fraction as she raised her blaster to the stormtrooper who had dared try and shoot him. She fired a few stun rounds, knocking him back, and his body slumped down the wall.

“Thanks” Echo breathed out, grabbing Kan’s hand for a second.

“Don’t mention it” she grinned, squeezing his hand before dropping it to sprint ahead.

The halls opened out to a hangar as an alarm started blaring though the loudspeakers, and everyone darted behind the haphazardly placed crates as a form of cover. Kan snuck around the back of the active fight, making her way behind the Imperial ships to not get caught, and started working on overriding the system lockdown when she reach a terminal on the far side. Her fingers worked fast, but it was trickier than she was anticipating.

“Let me” she heard a hushed voice from behind her, and stepped away as Echo snapped his cybernetic arm back and pushed his scomp into the port.

She watched him, getting lost in her own admiration for a moment before she realised she should probably cover his back. She held her blaster up, spinning around and darting her eyes around in the dark space. The crates were piled high around them and shrouded them in darkness, which definitely couldn’t hurt in their current situation.

The alarm stopped screaming, and Kan turned back to Echo, who was snapping his cybernetic back into place, flexing his fingers to make sure it was connected. Kan grinned at the sight and Echo caught it when he looked up.

“Did I ever say thank you for this?” he grinned back at her, holding up his metal arm.

“A few times, yeah” Kan confirmed, a shrug in her shoulders as if it was no big deal.

“Well, thank you anyway” he smiled, pressing a kiss to her temple as his hand wound around her waist and squeezed gently, “come on, let’s go”

The two of them re-joined the fight, slipping through the Empire’s defences and taking out a few stormtroopers from behind, which allowed the rest of the clones to push forward.

Kan started making her way over to the other side of the space after doing a quick scan to find the console where she could lock down the hangar doors, but she didn’t get far.

“M'aira watch out!” Echo called, darting forward to push her down and out of the way of the oncoming attack.

He quickly climbed off of her, jumping up and offering his hand to help her up behind the cover.

“Thank you” she said breathlessly, letting Echo pull her up.

Echo grinned, “don’t mention it”

Kan laughed, shaking her head in disbelief, “this isn’t supposed to be fun”

“I don’t see why it can’t be” Echo shrugged, peaking out around the corner and shooting off a few round at the incoming stormtroopers.

“You’re something else” Kan chuckled, crouching beside him to follow suit.

Echo looked down at her, “I’m going to take that as a compliment”

“You should” Kan confirmed.

“Will you two stop flirting! You’re giving me a headache!” Oscar shouted from across the way.

“Shut up Oscar! You’re just jealous” Teddy knocked his brother on the shoulder with an affectionate push from beside him.

Kan shook her head, casting one more look at Echo, and giving him a nod as she continued on with her previous objective.

The clones made short work of the remaining Imperial forces that had already breached the doors before Kan locked them down. She turned around only for her heart to leap to her throat at the sight of Oscar laid against one of the crates, holding his stomach. She darted over, instantly on her knees and a hand on his forehead to feel the warmth of his skin.

“Don’t worry mesh’la, I won’t go dying on you” he grinned, his eyes half lidded.

Kan just shot him a stern look, “show it to me”

He pulled his hand away from where he’d been keeping pressure on the wound, and Kan sucked a breath between her teeth. A blaster bolt had ripped through his armour, marking the skin beneath with a burn, blood dribbling from its perimeter.

“You’ll be fine, but you can’t continue on like this” she told him, making his shoulders sag.

“Come on K, I’ll be fine” he insisted, trying to stand up, “we’ve got to get going”

Kan pushed him back lightly when he winced, “you’re not going anywhere”

She pulled the knapsack from her back and took her medkit out, opening it up and finding something to clean the wound.

“Thanks for taking care of me, doc” Oscar spoke, and Kan looked up to see the smirk on his face.

She chuckled, shaking her head slightly, “maker, you're relentless”

He hissed as the damp cloth came into contact with his wound, “you know me, always— ah— always ready to—”

“Shhh” she hushed him, hearing the strain in his voice, “just shut up and let me do this”

“Yes ma'am” he gritted through his teeth.

Kan produced a small bacta patch and pried his armour away from his skin enough that she could slip it into place. Oscar breathed out a long breath, closing his eyes, his body easing back further against the crate.

“That feel better?” Kan asked, her hand on his shoulder to grasp his attention.

“Can't complain when it's you patching me up, mesh'la” he said, his eyes opening up to grin at her.

“Oscar” Kan said in a warning tone.

“Yeah, it feels better” he grumbled out, and she patted his shoulder as she stood to address Rex.

“He can't continue the mission like this”

Rex sighed, “we’re just going to have to take someone from your team then”

Kan nodded curtly, “that makes sense”

“Echo, you’re with us instead” Rex ordered, and Kan whipped around to look at Echo, who was already staring back at her.

Echo could see the panic written into Kan’s expression, and it tugged at his heart harshly. If she was there to keep him safe she’d know if he was okay, but separate she would only be worrying.

“I’ll be fine” he assured, trying to keep his voice even and quiet.

Kan gave him a dubious look, “you promise?”

“I promise”

Kan didn't look convinced, a heavy sigh escaping her. Even though he knew everyone was watching, Echo ripped off his helmet and pulled Kan's body towards his by her waist, meeting her lips in a searing kiss. He made it quick, just long enough to convey the earnest of his statement, and placed his forehead on hers afterwards.

“I promise” he whispered, holding her close for a second longer.

Kan was little dazed when he pulled back, but not out of it enough not to see the expressions of the other clones, which ranged from shocked to smug.

“Right” Rex said, his own expression a little dazed, “let’s get going”

Kan turned to her own team of people, as Echo’s left her view, and all of them gave her the most infuriating looks. Spider and Teddy wore matching smirks, Wrecker was positively beaming at her, and though Crosshair was less interested, his lips still quirked up as Kan’s cheeks darkened.

“About time” Teddy commented, making Kan roll her eyes.

“Whatever, let’s just get on with it” she said, “Oscar make your way back to their barracks and wait there”

“We’ve got a problem”

Kan pulled her comm out immediately, “what kind of problem?”

“It’s Echo, he—”

Kan’s heart leapt to her throat, “what is it? is he okay?”

A silence stretched out and she could only feel her heartrate rising with each passing second.

“Rex?” she tried again.

The silence continued, and she drew to a stop.

“Gregor?” she tried instead, only to be met by more quiet. “Howzer?” her voice grew more desperate the more she talked, “Hunter? Anyone?”

“K” Teddy grabbed her shoulder, drawing her worried gaze up to his eyes, “I’m sure he’s fine”

“Why aren’t they replying?” she frowned, confusion and doubt clouding her mind.

“I don’t know but I’m sure—”

“It’s because we’re here” Crosshair cut in, and Kan turned to see him looking through a large viewing window.

“Woah” Wrecker drew the word out as Kan scurried over and peered through.

The room that the window overlooked was expansive, a large hangar that housed what looked to be a huge canon. Most terrifyingly, it was complete. It wasn’t still being built, there didn’t look to be any missing parts, it was ready to be used.

“Shit” Kan muttered, drawing a humourless laugh from Crosshair.

“That’s what I was thinking” he mumbled.

“Okay well,” Kan huffed, the mounting pressure getting to her, “let’s just… keep going. The others are still relying on us”

The group continued on their path to the records room, Crosshair, Teddy and Wrecker splitting off as planned to create a diversion. Kan could only hope that they would do alright without the extra clone at their side. She tried to keep her mind from Echo, but it got more difficult when her and Spider came across someone she hadn’t been expecting to see.

Rounding the corner, Kan skidded to a halt as her eyes lay on the man who stood still in the middle of the corridor. Her heart hammered against her chest, and Spider almost slammed into her before he caught himself. The man tipped his head to the side, a devilish grin emerging across his lips that turned Kan’s stomach.

“Gekavi, was it?” he spoke, his tone somewhat amused, “or am I to presume you lied about that too?”

Kan could feel her blood running hot, a fire burning in her eyes that she directed at the commander as if willing him to set alight himself.

“Commander Levy” she said carefully, raising her blaster to him, “I’m going to need you to get out of my way”

The commander just shrugged, his grin twisting into something sinister, “I don’t think that would be very wise, if I’m honest”

“Explain that to me” Kan stepped forward, her resolve strengthening the longer she looked upon the man’s maddening expression.

“See, if I leave now, I don’t get to see your face when I tell you about your precious… Echo? is it?”

Kan gritted her teeth, her anger blinding, and she turned off the stun setting on her blaster, “start talking”

Commander Levy only grinned wider in satisfaction, “last I heard, he’d been captured, scheduled for execution for treason against the Empire”

Kan growled, “you’re lying”

“I wish I was” he didn’t look remorseful, “I was hoping for a worse fate for such a lowlife as a clone deserter”

Kan lurched forwards, but Spider’s hand shot out and wrapped around her arm.

“Kan he’s just trying to get a rise out of you” he spoke into her ear, but Kan’s vision was blurred over by purely unfiltered rage.

“Kan” the commander spoke, turning the word over in his mouth, “hm, I can see why you gave me a different name, Kan is rather uninspiring”

“I’m going to—”

”Kan stop it” Spider pulled her back, his tone sharp, “don’t rise to it”

“Maybe Echo has already been disposed of” the commander interjected with a nonchalance, and that was the final straw.

Kan escaped from Spider’s grip, leaping forward and tackling the commander to the ground. She pushed the barrel of her blaster into his forehead as she held his arms down with her knees, digging into them as hard as she could. She drew in close, her heavy breath washing over him as the fire in her eyes was stoked into a bonfire.

“Now, tell me the truth, Commander” she muttered with enough venom to poison him where he laid, “or the last thing you will have done in this galaxy is lie to me”

The commander didn’t struggle under her grasp, he just grinned up at her, and it only made Kan more angry.

“I’m not lying” he said calmly, “your beloved clone is as good as dead, and…” his gaze flicked around the featured of her face, the way her lip curled in a snarl, “you don’t have the guts to shoot me”

Kan dug the blaster into his skin, “you wanna bet?”

“Do it” he spat back, finally a little distain tinting his tone.

Kan narrowed her eyes at him, staring into his cold, unfeeling, icy blue eyes and grinding her jaw. He was right. She couldn’t shoot him. He wasn’t an innocent man, but she wouldn’t take a life like this. She switched her blaster back to stun and shot a few stun blasts at him instead, knocking him out cold.

She sat back, resting on his stomach as she hung her head, trying to catch her breath. She didn’t know when she had begun breathing so heavily, but she imagined it was somewhere between the seething rage and tackling. Her gaze flicked up to Spider, who only looked back with worry drawn into his expression.

Kan grabbed her comm, opening up the channel, “Rex?”

She was only met by silence once more, and closed her eyes pressing the comm device into her forehead as she tried to calm down.

“What if he’s telling the truth?” Kan breathed out.

“What?” Spider asked.

“The Commander” she lifted her head and stood up, “what if he’s telling the truth about Echo?”

Spider’s eyebrows pinched together at the quiver in her voice, and he quickly closed the distance between them, grabbing her and taking her small frame in a tight hug.

“He was only saying it to get you riled up” he said, feeling Kan’s arms thread around him loosely, her head buried in his chestplate.

“You don't know tha—”

“Lets just keep going, and not worry about it for now, okay?” he tried to reason.

That snapped her right back into the present, and she stepped back from the embrace, “right, Rex is relying on us”

Kan still hadn’t heard from Rex, Echo or any of the others, but she had been doing a good job of pushing it from her mind. Though, it was beginning to get more difficult when her team had completed their mission objective and were waiting for the other group, when they should have made it out before her.

She kept her wits about her, blaster raised and head on a swivel for incoming Imperials, but none came. Her eyes shot to her left, followed by her blaster, when she heard voices. She couldn’t see anyone yet, but the other members of her team followed suit as she tightened her grip on her weapon. Her heartrate was elevated, and she didn’t realise how tense her body was until the owners of the voices came into view and all of the tension was drained from her body.

Her feet carried her forwards towards the hunched form of her lover, throwing her arms around his waist and burying her face in his neck. Kan felt like she could breathe again, knowing that Echo was safe, and feeling his arms tighten around her only relaxed her further. Kan pulled back to look at him and he gave her a lopsided grin.

“I told you, can’t get rid of me that easy” he spoke, his words a little slurred, and Kan couldn’t help but rolled her eyes a little.

She noticed the way his eyes were half-lidded, fluttering as if he was struggling to hold them open. He swayed a little, and Kan held his shoulders to steady him.

“You okay?” she asked, her tone heavy with worry as her brows drew together. Echo didn’t reply, still struggling to keep his focus, and a small feeling of panic ran through her.

She turned to Hunter, who had had his arm around Echo when they came out, “what’s the matter with him?”

“He’s fine” Hunter confirmed first of all, “he’s just a bit… loopy”

”Loopy?” Kan raised an eyebrow, urging him to go on.

“We came upon a big store of the material, and I think it did mess with his cybernetics a bit, but he’ll be fine once we’re away from here”

Kan swallowed down her nerves, “alright, let’s get back to the ship then”

She took one of his arms over her shoulders and an arm around his waist to help guide him, Hunter taking the other arm, and they set off towards the ship that had been brought to meet them at their getaway point. Echo tipped his head to the side, resting the weight of it against Kan's shoulder and looking up at her with bleary eyes.

A smile spread across his lips before he spoke, “you’re really pretty M’aira”

Kan let out a nervous chuckle, a deep blush spreading across her cheeks at his adoring tone while his brother was right there, “alright Echo, let’s get you inside”

“It’s true!” he slurred as he was practically dragged up the steps of the ship, “isn’t it true Hunter?”

Hunter just chuckled, “I don’t want any part in this conversation”

Upon making it up the steps, Kan’s eyes scanned the other clones that were already on board, and found Oscar slumped against the hull almost immediately. He didn’t look well at all, and her heart leapt to her throat at the realisation.

She helped Hunter ease Echo into a seat, before she backed away, “I’m just going to check on Oscar”

“No!” Echo called immediately, his hand outstretched in a grabbing motion, “take care of me, please”

“Oh maker” Kan grumbled under her breath, turning to his brother, “Hunter, will you just… take care of him?”

Hunter laughed at Kan’s desperate expression, “will do”

Kan nodded to him and then quickly made her way across the ship, crouching beside the other injured clone, “how you holding up there soldier?”

Oscar looked up, his face slightly paler than it’s usual tone, and a small smile gracing his lips, “hanging in there, doc”

“Good” Kan smiled, taking seat beside him and resting her head back on the ship’s wall as she felt it rumble to life.

taglist: @darthnihila @cdblake1565 @bunny7567 @heidnspeak

[alex-wire-mesh]

Balance Woven Belt

Balance woven belt is a type of conveyor belt made of woven fabric. This belt is great for applications where the products need to be conveyed with minimal friction, or where the products need to be protected from damage. It is designed to provide superior performance and consistency.

The conveyor belt is made of strong, durable fabric woven together in a balanced pattern. This balanced weave is designed to provide a smooth, continuous surface, so products are conveyed with minimal friction and damage. Additionally, the weave creates a flexible surface that is able to conform to the shape of the products being conveyed.

Balance woven belt advantages: 1- It is available in a variety of widths and lengths, so they can be customized to fit almost any application. The belt can be made of various materials, including polyester, nylon, cotton, and PVC. Depending on the specific application, there are a number of different belt configurations available. For example, some belts may be designed with a cleated pattern to help keep products on the belt, while others may have a smooth surface for minimal friction. 2- It is also designed to be extremely durable, so they can withstand heavy loads and frequent use. The belt is resistant to abrasion, so they won’t be damaged or worn down quickly. Additionally, the belt is designed to be low-maintenance, so they won’t require frequent repairs or replacement. 3- It an excellent choice for many applications. The belt is strong, durable, and designed to provide a smooth, consistent surface. It also customizable, so it can be tailored to fit almost any application. And, it is low-maintenance and designed to be resistant to abrasion, so it won’t require frequent repairs or replacement.

[thecglcatalog]

Rocking Horses for Regression Time

Choose baby’s very best new friend from our stable of beautiful adult-sized rocking horses.  

“Bony Pony” the Classic Hobby Horse.  Plush head with bright glass eyes, soft-touch pink nostrils, and fluffy forelock stands above a mini barrel body.  The ribs of the barrel are super-prominent, ensuring that baby notices every detail of the wooden shape under their bottom and privates!  Simple wooden pole neck and legs; fluffy plush tail.  Specify Bony Pony’s coat color: bay, palomino, black/white pinto.

“Rector” the Dildo Horse.  Massy, beautifully crafted rocking horse of carved oak has subtle multicolor stain details, oil-rubbed finish … and a pair of sockets for holding any of our screw-adapter dildos!  One adapter is on the back of the saddle to slide up baby’s bottom; the other is between Rector’s hind legs for storage and display.

“Razorback” the Beam Rocker.  Massive square beam of reclaimed wood sits at an angle between this rocking horse’s faux wood shoulders and hindquarters – an angle that means there’s a painful corner right on top.  Gorgeously sculpted details come in choice of Oak or Mahogany tones; we let the beam keep its natural weathering, only giving it a quick waterproof coating.

“Wildflower” the Modern Resin Pony.  The body and head of this gorgeously cottagecore rocking horse are a single piece of crystal-clear cast resin.  Real dried flowers are strewn prettily inside!  An especially dark pansy represents the eye.  All edges – including the one where little one’s weight will rest – are rounded and just an inch wide.  Wildflower’s body locks into perpendicular leg pieces that then meet a single-piece wooden rocker foot.  Imagine your baby rocking on this horsie in front of a sunny window – just beautiful!  Billowing soft-touch mane and tail come in your choice of color – black, chestnut, flax, or even pale pink.

“Fantasie” the Steel Unicorn.  Beautifully minimalist geometric sculpture of a horse made from welded two-inch steel conduit bars has splendid sculpted ears, swirly horn blunt enough for dildo use, and a mane and tail of softly chiming chains.  Rider balances their crotch on a single strong steel bar.  Specify chain style: matching steel, gold-tone steel, sapphire rhinestone, pink rhinestone, black beaded.  Rockers and horn are steel finished to match the chains!

“Penny” the Potty Pony.  A rocking horse for those adult babies who just aren’t ready to hold their water throughout playtime.  Attractive, lightweight resin carousel horse front and back become a sturdy wire frame in the middle.  This frame supports a hard, smooth waterproof bicycle seat with narrow front to put pressure on the crotch.  Place a vessel between the rockers to catch any accidents while baby enjoys their time in the saddle.  Specify seat and detail color: Princess Pink Sparkle, Yellow Confetti.

“Jock” the Breeding Pony.  Special wooden horse has detailed legs of carved oak that support a leather-upholstered bench.  Arrange baby in a bottoms-up “jockey seat” over the bench – there are leather kneepads behind Jock’s hind legs – and pull up the waist belt from below to secure them in place.  They’re sure to find that your grown-up guests are happy to help them play on the rocking horse!  Jock’s neck is hollow at the back, too, allowing riders to rest their heads inside of the neck while exposed from the shoulders down.  His finely carved head wears a beautiful leather bridle.

And don't forget Rocking Horse Accessories to make this special nursery centerpiece more functional!

Adjustable Rocking-Horse Girth.  When baby can’t be trusted to keep playing on the horsie like you told them, wrap this super-adjustable velcro girth around the rocking horse’s withers!  Super-strong integrated steel snaps hold a pair of cuffs to wrap around baby’s calves, keeping feet off the floor.  For a more severe version, cuff baby’s ankles there instead so knees have to stay up!  Top snap holds matching wrist cuffs, or swap them out for baby’s own cuffs or mitts.

Virtually indestructible nylon version comes in choice of Powder Blue, Deep Red, Light Burlap, or Tactical Black.  Gorgeous leather version takes a little more care to keep it from cracking with rough use, but we think it’s worth it!  Choose Milk Chocolate or Buckskin shades.

Auto-Rocker.  Foot pedal with side timing controls depresses just enough with a press of Daddy, Master, or Grammy’s foot – slides under one of the rockers – and gives it a slight mechanical kick every time the weight of the rocker swings back onto it.  Horsie keeps on “running” for anywhere from ten minutes to eight hours, even if baby manages to hold still!

Sound-Damping Rocker Platform.  Low-rise platform has a tough, smooth surface of hard rubber with just the right friction for satisfying rocking – and soundproofing underlayer so your little can be assigned a session on the rocking horse at any hour without bothering you in the next room, let alone downstairs neighbors.  Specify frame color: Oak, Satin Black.  Specify rubber color: Princess Pink Sparkle, Yellow Confetti, Matte Black.

Rocker Risers.  Made from heavy molded plastic with grip rubber feet, Rocker Risers sit under each rocking “leg” to raise the rocking horse by 24 inches – enough that most riders won’t be able to reach the floor and must balance their full weight on pony’s back.  Specify color: Fire Truck Red, French Blue, Silver Sheen

[diabolus1exmachina]

TVR Vixen

Although the Vixen used the same chassis as the outgoing Tuscan, the significant change was the use of the 1599 cc Ford Kent engine, as found in the Ford Cortina GT, developing 88 bhp. The Ford unit was selected in order to keep prices as low as possible and because of supply problems from BMC.

The Cortina unit was less powerful than the MGB engine which developed 95bhp, but it was also lighter. To use up remaining supplies, the first twelve Vixens built still received the MGB engine.

The Vixen’s bodywork was also slightly revised, with the bonnet having a broad flat air intake scoop and the rear of the car was fitted with the round “Ban the Bomb” Cortina MK I tail lamps.

The S1 was replaced by the heavily modified TVR Vixen S2 in October 1968. The S2 was built with a longer 90 inch wheelbase chassis, introduced on the Tuscan V8 but which TVR had now standardised to address complaints about difficulty of ingress. The bonnet was restyled again, with some early cars having a prominent central bulge and later cars having twin intake ducts at the front corners of the bonnet. The tail lamps were updated from the round Cortina MK I style to the newer wraparound Mark II style. Also very significant was the fact that the body was bolted, rather than bonded to the chassis, meaning it could be easily removed for repairs.

The interior was improved, with a leather-skinned steering wheel mounted much lower than before. In a further attempt to improve the quality feel, the body was thicker and panel fit was improved.

In December 1968, TVR announced that two more models, the S.2 Sport and S.2 Super Sports would be available as standard. These models came with an uprated engine from Speedwell including fully balanced bottom end, ported cylinder head and two twin choke Weber carburettors, with the Sports producing 100bhp and the Super Sports 115bhp. Both of these models came with seat belts and leather steering wheel as standard.

The S3 continued to improve the car with a number of detail changes. The heat extraction vents on the flanks behind the front wheels were decorated with “Aeroflow” grilles borrowed from the c-pillars of the Ford Zodiac Mark IV and the Ford four-cylinder engine was now in the same tune as in the Ford Capri, producing 92 bhp. Instead of wire wheels, cast alloy wheels were fitted as standard.

The S4 cars were an interim model that used the TVR M Series chassis with the Vixen body shell. Apart from the chassis, there were no significant mechanical or cosmetic changes between the S3 and S4. Twenty-two were built in 1972 and one in 1973.

The 1300 model arrived in late 1971 and was built in an attempt to fill an “economy” market segment for sports cars. It was powered by a 1296 cc Standard SC engine from the Triumph Spitfire engine making 63 bhp, and its lack-lustre performance limited its sales success. Top speed was barely 90 mph. Only fifteen were built, all in 1972. The final six of these cars were built on a M Series chassis and the very last 1300 was also built with M Series bodywork, although it never received a “1300M” designation.

[soundwavesuperioraf]

Chapters 5 and 6 updated for my Jazz/Soundwave SG/G1 crossover fic. Check it out on ao3. Here's a snippet from a scene I loved writing:

“You can’t do a cover to Violet Rust,” Jazz insisted. “It isn’t done. It isn’t natural. You can’t improve on perfection.”

Soundwave couldn’t glare at him in boombox mode, but it felt like he was glaring at him. Soundwave ejected a wired headphone jack, aiming the cable towards Jazz. 

Jazz snatched it up and plugged it directly into his audial port. “Fine, fine. Play your bootleg remix. I’m sure it’s a musical travesty. No, worse, it’s musical treachery. Smelted Belts are rolling in their graves.”

Soundwave played the track at issue.

Violet Rust was a fast song, intended to get the energon flowing in a mech’s lines, but Soundwave had slowed it down. Instead of the slower speed detracting from the resonance, it drew it out and enhanced it. Jazz could focus on the harmonics in a way he usually didn’t when he was stomping out the thumping bass line. And then there was the harmonics Soundwave had added. The layered notes purred in Jazz’s audials, revving his systems.  

Oh scrap! If it was treason to enjoy Soundwave’s blatantly Earth-influenced covers to one of Jazz’s favorite pre-war artists, then Jazz was a betrayer of the highest caliber. 

“Frag, frag, frag. Am I hearing a theremin? What the pit? You can’t just…” He made an unintelligible sound. “It’s unbalanced, anyway, though. You haven’t achieved perfection yet.”

The boombox blinked its lights smugly, invitingly highlighting a shiny dataport.

“Yeah, I can fix it. Watch a master at work.”

Jazz rushed to plug in, eager to get his metaphorical servos on that track. As for his actual servos, he had one holding the headphone to his audials and one on Soundwave’s dials, adjusting the bass and then the overall balance, as promised. He was so focused on the music—Soundwave started the song over again when it ended—that he didn’t notice their fields syncing up until they were practically overlapped in their singular pursuit.

“There!” Jazz said dramatically when he was satisfied with his sound editing. He unplugged his connector but didn’t disconnect the headphones, preferring the total immersion. He stretched out his frame across the berth, head pillowed on Soundwave. “Let the beat roll.” Jazz crooned along to the lyricless track. “I can’t believe I like this. You dared to mess with perfection, but the vibe is sick. You’re an evil genius.” After Soundwave had played the track at least five times, Jazz had to ask, “What else you got?” 

[hashal-nutcracker]

The model of the Hussar "Gashal" was created in the middle of the war, by one of the engineers Jacob Farakaso, his work attracted the attention of the military due to the fact that the designer, even despite his injuries sustained in the war, had a very sad effect. The lower limbs lost their mobility, but by exerting strength, he managed to assemble a semblance of an endo-skeleton that allowed him to move as before, connected to the cervical region and stretched inside with fibers of synthetic flesh with nerve endings allowed him to return to service, but since he was commissioned. He spent some time with his family, learning about the applications of nutcrackers in the news and other sources, and seeing that they have their own weaknesses as flaws, the dying creature caused pity, because he also lost many comrades.

he began developing his own model that would allow the nutcrackers to be more protected and maneuverable, but for a long time he did not come up with engineering solutions, which depressed him. Except that the daughter had just brought a hussar figurine, its mechanics, although simple, but reliable, movable joints, a head that could be retracted into the shoulders, as if a soldier was hiding his head from the shots that came from an easel machine-gun pillbox.

sleepless nights spent at the table brought out a very effective model, his ideas on reinforced mechanical parts, as well as an ultra-sensitive hydraulic system capable of reacting much faster, like a powerful computer, it could protect its owner from a blow, from a shot from a heavy gun, give speed that was not a strong feature, jump over trenches, not fall into mud traps where so many wounded died, because such a simple trace from a shot by a large artillery shell collected water and blood inside itself, becoming quicksand

Sample number one: Hashal – passed the tests of basic motor skills based on computer modeling of the military and staff situation, tests without substance.

entry number 0-19/F-1:

the test revealed small failures in the body and joints of the cervical spine, yet it is very difficult to create a body for creatures when you do not have a sample, it cost a lot to establish system consumption, but a very impressive result. The chest opening was adjusted to the maximum, the spike was not so important, the magnetic belts turned out to be strong, but the check related to water turned out to be very unsuccessful, as well as for chemical reagents, some types of gas melt wires and their insulation, I do not have enough material to protect the cables.

Maybe I should turn to an old friend, he was sorting out the nutcrackers, maybe I can find the answer in them

Revision: this nutcracker took me a lot of time, I had to use ship cables with their insulation, but I had to look for details from undermined and faulty installations, tanks, and similar equipment, this made it easier for me to fuse some fragments, as well as microcircuits.

The control has improved, the balancing is almost calibrated, I made the inner ribs from titanium and aluminum, I had to melt a whole sheet of plate armor of the tank, oh gods, they will obviously kill me soon

Entry 0-20/F-2:

My fears were true, my adventures were noticed by those whom I clearly would not like to see in my house, they were looking for my prototype, the workshop was destroyed, I can't say how long I still have to live, they can kill my daughter, except for her I have no one left after that the case.. The projectile flew into our complex, damn freaks! So many civilians died then, and Jesse.. she was torn apart, the Collie was not sleeping then and did not let go of my hand: daddy, please.. Don't leave, there's a war! They're killing there! I'll work as long as I can, but how long will I last?

I don't remember how much time has passed since I finished it, it remains only to carry out the final touches, but how to carry them out without filling? Where will I get such a creature, even though such creatures could try to escape the same way, or have offspring, but here? How can this happen at all, especially here..

The Collie began to behave more closed, as if hiding, even though I said that secrets should only be told to those whom I am ready to entrust them, she is probably afraid to tell me about it, the main thing is that it does not attract too much attention to us.

entry number 1 from a personal notebook:

Well, still, these weasels watching my family noticed my daughter's behavior, they came with weapons to the complex! This is not acceptable! The rules do not give them the right to come here with weapons, with soldiers.. but among them I saw white coats, damn scientists, always climbing where they shouldn't and playing gods

Insomnia is killing me two or three months after people came to the complex, but I finally managed to get an answer from my daughter, damn it! She found the offspring of these creatures, even two, where should I put the other one? Of course, I can restore and upgrade the previously destroyed nutcracker, but how much will it be useful?

To the touch, these lumps of flesh are pleasant to the eyes, they are quite small, and so inquisitive, one of them with grayish-blue eyes constantly asks me, if I take it, he does not come off me all day. I feel like a mother to these creatures, if they can reproduce, then I can assume that two nutcrackers could have hidden them initially in our complex, but they could have got in other ways, they are difficult to see if they climb through the ventilation ducts. Collie became their babysitter, but they trust her more.

[dross-the-fish]

Is Jekyll/Hyde's thought process different depending on which form they're in?

Kind of.

it's not so much the thought process as it is his perception of the world that's altered. I feel like Hyde is a lot more aware of his surroundings. I actually write Hyde's experience as similar to my own.

I don't know why but it seems like I notice or hear things other people don't, even with being deaf in one ear. If I walk into a supermarket I immediately hear EVERYTHING. That shopping cart with the squeaky wheel, conveyor belts whirring, a kid crying on the other end of the store, the sound of the freezers, that weird unpleasant buzzing that lights make, I even notice when the water comes on to mist the vegetables when I'm standing in a different aisle. I usually use headphones and play music to drown it all out because it very quickly and easily becomes too much going on at once.

somehow, no one else ever hears these things. I can tap my partner and be like, "Wow you hear that, the freezer is stuttering" and he'll be like "I can't tell," so I've decided that Hyde has a similar, if somewhat more extreme, experience but instead of it being unpleasant for him, he enjoys it. It makes him feel more integrated into the world around him. He tends to notice things that other characters do not because he is so hypersensitive to his surroundings. A sudden change in the air? Hyde felt that before anyone else did and his ears are pricked and every hair is standing on end. This also contributes to him being so much more volatile than Jekyll because when you're constantly wired you're more likely to snap.

I also decided that he thinks faster than he can verbalize his thoughts and can have difficulty articulating himself. I trip over words constantly because in my head everything is images, like a movie, and I have to stop and slow down before I can make words out of it.

If you ask me to picture a wooden block I can have it in my mental hand, in fully rendered detail in seconds, I can smell that it's cedar, feel the splintery texture of the grain, and even the resistance if I imagine trying to press on it with my fingers.. if you ask me to verbally describe the block in as much detail as I see it it would take me a good 5-10 minutes to be able to translate every detail of it to physical words you guys could understand because translating pictures into words requires me to stop and almost take the cube apart, describe each detail to myself individually then try to reassemble it in a way that makes sense to someone else.

Jekyll's experience is a little more...I guess balanced? He doesn't get as much sensory input as Hyde and his mind is more focused and linear. Talking is just a natural flow from thought to mouth for him so he doesn't have to really stop and think about what he's going to say and how he's going to say it to be understood to the same degree as Hyde does.