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sadiecoocoo · 4 months ago

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The Shadows Are Coming Chp. 1 - TBB Fanfiction

Summary - The Batch was called to investigate a base on a secluded planet after the Republic lost contact with it. It was suspected that the Separatists had tested a new bio weapon there, as the last communication with the base talked about a sickness, with the background noise of screaming and coughs. No one knew what they would find there, the Batch were the unlucky ones to figure it out.

Or, tbb zombie fic set before the events of Aftermath

Word Count - 3,244

Read on AO3

Notes: guys, please, if you can't handle gore, don't read this. this is by far the goriest shit I have ever written, and I've written some gore before... but, if you're a weirdo like me and enjoy reading gore, by all means please enjoy <3 anyways, I've been so excited to share this fic! sadly, I have not finished writing all of it yet, so I don't have a schedule for the updates... I'm really only posting this now because i got to a really slow part and needed interactions to motivate me :D (Also I wanted to post a fic for my birthday cuz I did that last year [please no one look at it it was the first fic I ever wrote]) The title is from the song Shadows by Nick Lutsko, it’s a pretty good song and I think it sort of fits this fic Anyways, please enjoy your gore and horror!

The ship jostled as it came out of hyperspace, rousing Echo awake. He blinked his eyes open, turning onto his side. His hearing aid pressed uncomfortably against his ear. The ARC trooper’s heart was fast from a dream that was already fading.

Crosshair sat across from him, cleaning his rifle silently. He glanced up at Echo’s movement, but ignored him as the ARC sat up. He rubbed his eyes, then reached for his headset underneath his bunk. He replaced his hearing aids with it, then leaned back against the wall.

His dreams were getting better. They were still there, always would be, but they were better. Half of the time he couldn’t even remember what event it was about, what twisted things his mind showed him. The other half… weren’t pleasant.

“Landing in five.” Hunter announced, rousing Echo from his thoughts. He leaned against the door frame of the cockpit, looking over the two troopers. Echo held a thumbs up and Crosshair nodded. The sergeant went back into the cockpit to help with the landing, though it was usually Echo’s job.

Wrecker mumbled a quick “‘morning,” to Echo as he passed him. The ARC hummed in response, not really having the energy to respond yet. He worked out a crick in his neck, then got up and followed the big guy to the cockpit with the others.

The planet itself was dark, always covered in a thick fog no matter where you went. The planet may as well have had no sun. Despite the dark, it was thick with vegetation, though half of it was poisonous; according to Tech’s ramblings.

The fog washed over the window as Tech lowered the ship for a landing. Echo yawned, covering his mouth. He blinked, looking out into the fog. The lights from the ship painted parts of it an orange-yellow, but beyond that, he doubted even Crosshair could see anything.

The sharpshooter shouldered his firepuncher and opened the door to the ship. Echo shuddered as cold flowed inside. He tapped his finger on his thigh anxiously. Wrecker, carrying a pack of more than enough explosives, left the Marauder first.

Echo only hesitated a moment after that before braving the cold humidity. The forest was unnaturally silent. He swallowed the lump forming in his throat. Hunter patted his shoulder as he passed him, taking point.

The group had received a call from Cody, stating that they had lost contact with the base after a chilling holo. He said that it was likely that a new separatist bio weapon was tested there, since it was secluded from any other bases. The quiet and seclusion somewhat reminded Echo of Rishi. He hoped the troops here didn’t meet a similar end as his first squad did.

Since it was a bio weapon they were dealing with, helmets stayed on. Echo was perfectly fine with that, but he knew Wrecker would be a bit annoyed. The bruiser seemed to like taking his helmet off in the middle of a mission, resting it on the top of his head when there was a quiet moment between fights.

Hunter led the group through the forest, towards the base. The group was silent as they walked, blending in with the rest of the planet. Echo didn’t like that he couldn’t see ten feet in front of him, he stayed close to his brothers.

The planet made him feel strange, like it was clawing into his brain to make him worried and anxious. He flinched with every sound the group made, feeling as though they needed to be completely silent.

“Something the matter, reg?” Crosshair teased. Echo turned to him and shrugged. Something was definitely the matter, but he wasn’t about to vent while they were on a mission.

“Nothing important,” He muttered in response. Crosshair eyed him for a moment longer, then turned away silently. Echo couldn't count how many times he wished he could read the sharpshooter as well as he could read Echo.

The group fell into silence again, though Echo wished they hadn’t. He couldn’t stand the silence, he never liked it. On Rishi, he had to fill it with rambling on about the reg manuals, of course Fives and Cutup usually chatted loud enough for him to not really need to. In the 501st there had been enough chaos, even when they were on leave, for him to feel content. It was on Skako when it became a problem, when all he ever got was either silence or screaming. He preferred the silence then, now it just made him want to vomit.

There was a break in the fog. A large metal door was in front of the group now. Hunter turned to Tech and Echo, nodding his head towards the panel and scomp port beside the door. Echo and Tech both headed towards the machinery, Tech plugging in his datapad and Echo linking up with the port.

Along with getting the door open, Echo tried to search for any holo feed or comm chatter, hoping that he could figure out what they were about to face inside. He shuddered again as he remembered the holo call they were shown prior to the mission. Troopers had been screaming, coughing, and firing blaster bolts wildly. One had yelled something about monsters, and not to breathe.

Of course, the Batch had been sent to investigate. Because they were skilled enough to handle it, according to whoever was in charge. Tech had said on the way here that he wanted a sample to maybe find a cure on his own, and that had really been all they needed to be convinced enough to go. They all knew Tech would never let them forget about how much he had wanted that sample, and they’d rather not face the splicer’s wrath.

With a loud clang and the groaning of machinery, the large door slowly started to open. Echo and Tech both went back to the group and readied their blasters. They weren’t sure what they’d find, and rather not risk being caught off guard.

“I am picking up three life signs inside,” Tech announced, looking up from his data pad. Its green glow cast his face in an eerie light.

“I guess this is a rescue mission too now.” Hunter mumbled as he slowly entered the base. He gave no indication of needing to worry about immediate attack. His shoulders were tense, but not how they were when he heard or sensed something unusual. The rest of the Batch entered the base.

The door opened into a large hangar area. A few ships were scattered about, but strangely all of them were very damaged. This base didn’t see much battle, so there was no reason for every single one of the ships to be in such disrepair.

“It’s creepy in ‘ere.” Wrecker mumbled at Echo’s side. Crosshair turned his head dramatically to show he was rolling his eyes. Echo patted the big guy on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry Wreck, I’m sure Cross’ll hold your hand.” Echo teased, feeling glad to bring back the group’s usual light mood. Echo could imagine Wrecker’s pouty look at the teasing. Crosshair hissed a quick “I will not,” then bumped Echo’s shoulder.

“I’d suggest we go to the command center,” Tech said, bringing them back on track. The group agreed, and they all left the silent hangar to navigate through the equally silent halls.

Echo fell back slightly, wanting to get a better look at the state of the base. He ran his hand along the wall for a moment, then rubbed the dust that stuck to his fingers. He paused, turning around and looking back the way they came.

There should have been workers in the hangar, even if some were sick. He knew from experience that many clones would ignore their own health to continue doing their job, it shouldn’t be any different here. It was a dark thought, but they should have found a body by now.

Hunter tried his best to ignore the headache that had started as soon as they opened the hangar doors. It was ruining his senses, so much so that he could barely feel his brothers right next to him. He almost didn’t notice when Echo fell behind, the fact only coming to his attention when Crosshair called the ARC trooper back.

He blinked away another sharp pain in his skull. The pain would come and go in a pattern. The pattern, combined with the loudness of it, reminded him of someone banging drums right in his ear. Not the most pleasant feeling by a landslide.

He wished he could ask Tech for some of the medicine he knew the splicer always carried with him, but they couldn’t take off their helmets. Even so, it’d be wise to let them all know that his senses wouldn’t be up to par for this mission.

“I’m having trouble sensing anything in here, got a headache as soon as the doors opened,” He announced, slowing to be sure they all heard. He could see the way Tech’s eyes crinkled in a confused frown.

“That is irregular,” Tech responded. Hunter nodded silently. Irregular or not, it was happening and he couldn’t do anything about it. “I’ll see if there is some kind of machinery in the base affecting you.” Tech said before turning back down to his datapad. “Take a right here.” He said a moment later, taking it upon himself to direct the group when Hunter couldn’t.

“I’ve been feeling a little weird too,” Echo supplied quietly. “Something about this place just feels wrong.” Hunter and Echo both had similar problems with the occasional piece of machinery affecting them. With Hunter’s senses, and Echo’s electronic parts, if something was jamming electronic signals, both of them would be having a rough time.

“Wrong, would be one way to describe this facility.” Tech replied, not looking up from his datapad. He gave Hunter another direction and the group changed course as they turned the corner.

“Very scary,” Crosshair drawled sarcastically. Hunter glanced to see Crosshair leaning his head towards Wrecker, likely a smirk underneath his bucket. Wrecker retaliated with a sharp “shut up,” then the group fell silent again.

Hunter squinted his eyes as another wave of pain assaulted him. He held out hope that there would be some kind of machinery in the command center that would dampen the disturbance. He wasn’t too optimistic, though.

It wasn’t long before the group came to another door. This time Tech hacked it from his datapad, saving Echo the trouble of scomping in. it opened with a hiss, revealing an empty command center. The group paused, none being sure of what to make of it. Hunter shook his head, blinking away some of the pressure in his skull, and entered the room.

“Tech, Echo, see if you can pull up some cameras to see what happened.” He ordered, the two quickly rushed off the separate consoles and pressed an assortment of buttons. Hunter could never wrap his mind around how easily the two seemed to know what button to press or code to input to get just about any machinery to listen to them. It probably helped that the two were about as in sync as Tech and Crosshair were. It was like the twins became triplets, if Crosshair wouldn’t be so standoffish with the former reg.

“Hey sarge,” Wrecker whispered, though it was far from quiet, “how come there aren’t any… y’know… bodies?” He hissed nervously. Hunter could imagine how his nose scrunched up at the last word. Despite his love of destruction and explosions, Wrecker despised death, as many would. Sometimes Hunter wondered if Wrecker would be a pacifist if there wasn’t a war, then he remembered all the times he and Crosshair antagonized some regs that gave them funny looks.

“I don’t know,” He mumbled, “Tech did say that there were still some life signs, so maybe they moved them for a proper burial?” He tried. The fact that there were no bodies chilled him. He wished Wrecker hadn’t pointed it out, but he knew they were all thinking it anyway.

“Don’t get your blacks in a bunch, Wreck.” Crosshair chided, keeping the mood light with his dry humor. “It’s not like some big scary monster is gonna jump out at you.”

“Even if one did, you would be more than equipped to handle it.” Tech cut in cheerily. “How are things on your end, Echo?” He turned back to the ARC, who had fallen strangely silent throughout the bit of banter.

Echo didn’t respond. They all turned to him. He wasn’t scomped in, so it wasn’t like he hadn’t heard them. Hunter walked over to the silent trooper.

“Echo?” He moved to place a hand on his shoulder, to rouse him of whatever headspace he was trapped in, but froze as something caught his eye. He turned to where Echo was staring, immediately feeling sick to his stomach.

Cramped in between two consoles, was a bloodied trooper. His helmet was off, his vacant eyes rolled to the back of his head. A long line across his neck still leaked blood, there was a hole in his chest where Hunter knew his heart should be. Several of the trooper’s limbs were missing. His lower jaw was hanging, disconnected on one side of his face.

Hunter gagged as he turned away, not being able to bear the sight anymore. He leaned over one of the consoles, breathing heavily. The others all stopped what they were doing, moving to rush to the gruesome sight.

“No- don’t-” He held a hand up, effectively halting the group. “Y-you don’t wanna see that.” He spat out, nose scrunching in disgust.

“Hunter, what the kark is it-” Crosshair said, stopping short as he finally tilted his head enough to see what had scared Hunter so terribly. Crosshair flinched back, hand going to his helmet as if he were trying to cover his mouth. Wrecker grabbed his wrist quickly, making sure the sharpshooter didn’t take off his helmet in his haste.

Crosshair’s reaction seemed to be enough for the others to not feel the need to see it. Wrecker took several steps back, dragging the other with him protectively. Hunter, very reluctantly, turned back to Echo. He tried to avoid looking at the mangled corpse, and was mostly successful.

“Echo,” He said again, the ARC still hadn’t moved. “Echo, step away from the body.” Hunter urged. Echo seemed to have the exact opposite reaction that the others did, not being able to tear his gaze away. Even worse, for once in his life disobeying orders, he took a step closer to it.

“Reg!” Crosshair hissed desperately. Echo didn’t seem to notice it as he crouched down in front of the body. Hunter stared in horror at Echo’s silent fascination with it.

“A sickness can’t do this.” Echo mumbled, the first thing he said since they entered the room. They all stared at him. He sounded terrifyingly detached. “Blasters can’t do this either.” He continued numbly.

“Echo, step away from it!” Hunter ordered harshly. The ARC didn’t give a single sign of hearing him. Instead, karking hells, he brought up his scomp arm and touched it. Hunter gagged again and had to turn away. He knew Echo was weird at times, but for kark’s sake he didn’t think he was downright insane.

“His armor was torn open by hand.” Echo announced, finally standing and turned to the group. A small drop of blood fell off of his scomp. “By a human hand.” Hunter could only stare at the deranged ARC trooper.

It was then that his headache decided to flare up again. Hunter suppressed a groan at the new wave of pain, placing a hand on his helmet. What he thought were drum beats were starting to remind him of something else. Despite himself, Hunter turned back to the body and he too seemed to be unable to look away again.

“What the kark do you mean ‘torn open by hand?!” Crosshair asked incredulously. It sounded almost as though he were in hysterics. Hunter was surprised he wasn’t at that point as well. He blinked and looked at the hole in the trooper’s chest.

“I mean someone was patient or strong enough to tear off his armor and rip out his heart by hand.” Echo elaborated. “I don’t know how that’s possible, but I know there aren’t any blaster wounds on the trooper, and no one stationed here could possibly have a lightsaber!” He hissed, defending his explanation.

Heart. Someone ripped out this trooper’s heart. Someone dug into his armor and ripped out his heart. Hunter blinked several times, his head throbbing again, as he stared at where the trooper’s heart should be.

“Why would someone wanna rip out his heart?” Wrecker asked, sounding honestly scared.

“I don’t know why-” heart.

“That wouldn’t make any sense, there would be no plausible reason for anyone to want to rip out someone’s heart, let alone get through clone armor, with their bare hands.” Tech cut in, fighting to find some kind of logical explanation. “There are far easier ways to kill a trooper.” He mumbled.

“Do you want to take a look at it? ‘Cause I frankly think I’ve seen enough of it!” Echo cut in defensively. There was another drum beat, and this time Hunter couldn’t stifle his groan of pain. The others were too distracted to notice. drum beats, hearts.

A heartbeat. It wasn’t a drum.

“A heartbeat-” Hunter gasped, effectively silencing the group. They all turned to him, and before they could ask anything, he continued. “My headache,” He stood upright, his revelation making it easier to ignore the pain in his skull, “I thought it felt like drums, it’s loud, and has a pattern- but it’s a heartbeat.” He stopped to take a breath, trying to piece together the rest of the puzzle.

“If it is a heart beat then why is it so loud?” Wrecker asked innocently.

“It’s more than one.” Hunter replied quickly. He blinked several times, then rushed out of the command center. The others protested behind him, telling him to wait a minute or to explain what was happening.

“It’s coming from this way.” Hunter announced, pointing down a darkened hallway. “I think if we go there, we might find something.” He explained. The group was silent, and he silently urged them to understand what he was getting at. Then, Echo slowly nodded.

“Yeah, okay.” The ARC trooper said, “We came here to investigate, all we’ve found so far are more questions, so let’s go investigate.” Echo said with a shrug.

“Are you serious!?” Crosshair hissed. The others didn’t have any open protests, so into the dark hallway it was. Hunter went on and led them all forward. “Yeah, let’s just let the two people acting really weird lead us into a creepy hallway.”

“Crosshair, I doubt their behavior is anything to worry about. Echo has seen more battles than us and knows what to do, and Hunter has always taken charge.” Tech assured him, though Hunter had stopped listening and started focusing more so on the heartbeat giving him the worst headache of his life.

“This is why you all need to start watching more horror holos.” Crosshair grumbled.

“Says the guy making fun of me for being scared.” Wrecker shot back, sounding proud of himself.

“Kark off.”

End Notes: so, gore :) also, who do you think is gonna be a zombie first, if any at all? if you've read all the teasers you might be able to guess pretty easily. anyways, I have no idea when I'll post the next chapter, I mgiht wait until I've finished the entire fic, or maybe it'll be posted next week, who knows! I hope you guys enjoyed <3

Read Chp. 2

NPT: @squad-724 @arctrooper69 @weyrwolfen @clownery-and-fuckery @charlieisannoying

@greyangelpain @zilvercrystal @travellingnorthwards @lifblogs @electrikworm

@buniby @thora-sniper @restrospect1003

#tbb #tbb echo #tbb hunter #tbb crosshair #tbb tech #tbb wrecker #tbb fanfiction #zombie fic #cw: gore

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panjakes · 1 year ago

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MASTERLIST

GROUPS

-BTS(Biases-J-Hope&Yoongi)

-MonstaX(Biases-I.M&Jooheon)

-Zero base one(Biases-Ricky&Matthew)

-Enhypen(Biases-Jake&Heeseung)

-TXT(Biases-Yeonjun&Hueningkai)

-Seventeen(Biases-Vernon,Dk,Jeonghan)

-NCT127(Biases-Yuta&Haechan)

-Ateez(OT8)

-The Boyz(Biases-Juyeon,Jacob&Q)

-NCT Dream(Biases-Jaemin&Renjun)

-Stray Kids(OT8)

SHOWS

-All Of Us Are Dead

No matter what-Cheongsan

Not on my watch-gyeongsu

In the end-Suhyeok

-Vincenzo

Hard goodbyes/Part 2-Hanseo

Wife?!-Vincenzo

Come back

-Blind(2023)

I didn’t Do it-

-Sweet home

Surprise-

Actors

-Go on a date with me?

Cramps

Wedding Day-Ahn Hyoseop

Meet the family- Ahn Hyoseop

Butterflies- Ahn Hyoseop

Series

The First Lady(On going)-Chp.1, Chap.2, Chap.3

The investigator and the Thief(on going) Chp.1, Chp.2, Chp.3

Blood stains(On going)-Chp.1, Chp.2

FicTober🎃👻

Enhypen Hybed high series

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steviewashere · 7 months ago

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Want to Go Home With You (Bring Me a Home) Chp. 3

Rating: Teen and Up (May Change With Future Chapters) CW: None, at least for now Tags: Alternate Universe - Mermaids, Alternate Universe - No Upside Down, Hurt/Comfort, Dialogue Heavy, Took Canon Out Back And Pulled an Old Yeller, Mer!Steve Harrington, Fisherman!Eddie Munson, Packless Steve Harrington (kind of?), Soft Steve Harrington, Confused Steve Harrington, Lonely Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Steve Harrington Wants to be Loved, Mermaids with Animal Like Instincts, Future Propositioning, Lowkey Might Involve Some Omegaverse Aspects in the Future (Not Sorry), Steve Harrington Has Powers (Like Starfire in Teen Titans)

Read the first part over here

Read the fourth part over here

Can also be read on AO3

🧜‍♂️—————🧜‍♂️ He made an effort to see Steve every morning. Which made his uncle suspicious, an understandable circumstance, but Eddie tended to have a good excuse. Even if it was a half-yelled thing out the door. He pulled that this morning on his way to the dock. When he arrived, he found the boat to be rocking as if it was sitting on uneasy waters.

It wasn’t, which in turn made Eddie’s hackles rise. But he feigned ignorance. Steve was waiting for him out there, probably confused as to why he’s running late, wondering where his new friend has gone. Eddie can’t even begin to believe that he’s friends with a mermaid, let alone a merman, let alone a merman that he sorta—kinda—maybe he’s falling ass over heels with. Maybe.

With his back turned to the ocean waves, Eddie can settle all his supplies before undoing the rope tying him to the dock. And when he’s off, he takes grand notice to the fact that the boat feels a bit…heavier. He brushes it off, for now. His uncle probably made a midday trip or maybe there’s some leftover equipment that shouldn’t be there. The covered seating area may have an extra net, but Eddie won’t investigate. All is usual. Or as usual as it should be.

However, when he finally slows in the water, everything seems just a bit more off. The net doesn’t get climbed into. There’s no flickering light of Steve’s beautiful tail. In fact, Eddie’s completely alone. Something in him sours, just a tad.

He gets about his morning fishing. Getting the tackle. Baiting the hook. Tossing it over the side. And then he just sits and waits. His least favorite part about fishing. All the ways in which he has to wait. Maybe he liked having Steve there because he’s a buffer. An odd ball thing that has broken English and moles all over his naked skin, who keeps bringing Eddie copious amounts of pearls even when there’s nothing to give back, a merman who just wants a home with love. To which Eddie wishes he could supply.

After a few minutes more of silence and waiting and no fish, Eddie gets ready to call it a day. Cut his losses. Mourn his tentative friendship. Maybe even wonder if he’d been hallucinating Steve’s existence this entire time. But just as he stands to reel in the line, something big with short claws grips to his ankle viciously.

He yelps, stumbling. Tripping over the little bench he’d been sat on. Landing with a resound thunk against the boat’s floor.

“Sorry,” a familiar voice sheepishly murmurs. “I have surprise.”

Steve. Eddie blinks. His butt burns now. And this can’t be right. But—

“Steve?” He calls out hesitantly.

The boat begins to rock back and forth. Enough to fear toppling over. Eddie grips to something nearby, the leg of his bench, and white knuckles through another churn of surprise. He hears Steve before he really sees him. Thumping of—what must be—his magnificent tail. The wet slap of his palms against the boat. His exerted panting as he wriggles himself closer and closer. Until, without warning, his entire body eclipses over Eddie. Big, gorgeous, wet eyes blinking down at him—crinkled because Steve’s smiling something dopey. He’s chirping in the back of his throat, all the more excited.

Before he can get the words out to tell Steve to go away, to get back in the water, to remind him again that he can’t come home with him—Steve’s mouth opens. “I have surprise,” he repeats. “You will like it. Something for Eddie!” And without much else of a warning, Steve unhinges his jaw just a little wider. His throat works as if he’s about to cough up a hairball, and for a very dire and very serious moment Eddie believes that to be the case. But instead, what comes flying from Steve’s mouth, is an oblong off-white pearl. Just like the one from days prior. Hitting him square in the eye.

He can’t acknowledge the minor ache through his eyeball. Not with whatever science supernatural bullshit just happened. “What the—“ Eddie whispers, the beginning of a startled question.

“I kissed oyster,” Steve explains as if that makes everything suddenly make a drop of sense. “And now I make pearls,” he giddily and loudly whispers.

“Steve, you—I can’t—What?”

“What if I kiss Eddie?” Steve asks aloud. It’s not a question posed for Eddie. Because the next thing he knows, Steve’s big and—kind of disgustingly—moist hands are cupping his face. Angling it in such a way that his neck is craned and his head is several inches off the floor. Then, he’s swooping down for a very harsh, messy, and uncoordinated kiss. Eddie yelps in the back of his throat—shocked beyond repair—and swallows down a sudden intrusion. Steve’s tongue wrestling into the back of his mouth.

He slaps at Steve’s side, trying to get him off. Shoving him a little, even. Get him to slow down because, yes Eddie is liking this, but also they should definitely be giving this more food for thought. But generally gives up when he realizes that whatever Steve is doing…isn’t going to stop.

Not until he’s satisfied, dropping Eddie’s head unceremoniously. And then pushing himself up by just his arms, tail still between Eddie’s legs. “Now wait,” Steve states, that same giddiness returning.

“Bah—“ Eddie chokes out. “But…What? You just kissed me and you’re not even gonna talk about it?!” He asks incredulously. “And the…the—You make pearls!”

Steve merely shrugs. “Kiss was okay,” he critiques in that odd broken way he does. “Teeth are funny. Not like mine. Weird, Eddie.”

Eddie can only roll his eyes.

Then, Steve’s own eyes widen. His mouth pinching down in a confused, Muppet way. Nostrils flaring. Eyebrows flying to his hairline. And then he…Steve kicks Eddie’s shin.

But instead of his tail—

There’s a whole fucking foot against Eddie’s leg.

He screams because Steve begins screaming, chirping something distressed. And he doesn’t know what the fuck to do. He’s just turned an actual, real life merman into a human.

Intelligently, Eddie states, “This is nothing like The Little Mermaid.” Steve scrambles backwards from him, far enough to hit the other side of the boat. Legs bent in front of him, knees up his chest, eyes watching his brand new toes spread. He hisses at each one of his own movements. And then looks up startled to Eddie.

“I am human?!” He yells. “My…My tail!” His hands reach out to his calves. Hefting up his right leg to his line of sight, following the way his new muscles flex. The toned and almost chiseled muscle of his shin and the apparent veins in his foot, poking and prodding at the soft sole. He trills when he accidentally tickles himself. Confusion melting into curiosity melting into soft awe.

However, Eddie realizes there’s one very important detail to Steve’s tail being gone. He’s nude. Bare ass naked on the deck of Wayne’s beloved boat. Penis out to the salty wind. “Oh my god,” Eddie mutters in a daze. He hefts himself up and reaches out for his bag of supplies. He’s got to have pants or something somewhere—anything that he can loan. Though, Steve’s legs are thicker than his, and his wait is a little pudgier, too. Eddie’s not even sure if his clothes will fit, but it’s worth a shot. Miraculously, he reveals a pair of basketball shorts. Where they came from, Eddie’s not sure, but thank god they’re here. “Steve,” he manages to call.

Steve drops his leg back down. Manspreading. All of his everything on display.

Fuck the fact that he can produce pearls like hairballs. And that he still has visible gills on his ribs. And that his teeth are still sharp. His fucking dick and balls are touching the boat.

Eddie can hardly believe his life. He steps forward tentatively and thrusts the shorts into Steve’s face. “Put these on,” he lightly demands. “I cannot believe you right now.”

The shorts are taken hesitantly. Though, Steve makes no move to put them on. “Eddie?” He searches softly. “How to put on?”

“Oh, Jesus,” Eddie mutters. He tries to keep his eyes on Steve’s face and holds his hands out for him to take. When Steve takes them, Eddie pulls him up to stand fully. He wobbles, legs new and like a newborn deer, and stumbles chest to Eddie’s. “Okay,” he sighs. “I’m gonna help you put these on. And we are never going to talk about this again.”

“Why? I do wrong?”

“No. Just—Put your hands on my shoulders and let me…Just let me put these on. Your business is out for the whole world to see.” Steve does what he’s told. His still sharp and short curled nails digging into Eddie’s flannel. Knobby knees knocking into his tall, rubber boots. He crouches down slightly with Steve attached, bunches the right leg of the shorts and holds it to Steve’s foot. “Okay, I want you to raise this leg a little—Just a little.” He does so, wobbling again when he doesn’t fully lean his weight into Eddie. But Eddie has him.

He’s got him because this must be the most confusing experience somebody can have. And Eddie thought he was confused. Steve looks so completely unsure, it’s like his brain is smoking inside his head.

The shorts are pulled all the way up to his waist. Tied deftly and quickly. And then Eddie maneuvers them to sit down on the bench he previously occupied.

“Okay,” he states low. “I need you to explain a couple things. First of all, how’d you get on my boat? Secondly, and maybe my understanding is just wrong, but you kiss something and gain the ability of that…thing?”

Steve looks down at his new legs. Kicks them in front of himself. Giggling lightly as his feet swing back and forth. He looks back up, repeating the motion. “I snuck,” he states.

“I’m aware.”

“No people. Just me. No Eddie. I surprise,” he rushes. “So I climb careful. Hide under net. And wait.”

Eddie nods once. “Alright,” he sighs. Rubs a hand between his eyebrows. “Alright, Steve. So…The kiss thing?”

“Oh!” He quietly exclaims. “Mer do that,” he explains, “but I had no reason. Until Eddie.” Steve leans into Eddie’s space, knocking their shoulders together. Trilling and smiling. His eyes soft and his teeth sharp, but all of him rather lovely. He even smells good. Different. Sweeter. “I make pearls for you. I did not know I could be human, Eddie.”

“You didn’t…”

Steve shakes his head. “Mm-mm. First time. Can have warm now? Go home? With you?” His eyes change, then. Imploring. Desperate. Begging. “I no have home. No warm. With you, please. Go with pretty Eddie?”

“Wait,” he states firmly. “I still don’t understand. How do mer do the thing you just did? Why can you even do that? What’s the point? Is it a forever thing? Do I need to worry about you dying on me because you don’t have water? What if I can’t—“

A hand sets itself gently on Eddie’s forearm. “Calm,” Steve murmurs. His thumb swipes in soothing stripes. Up and down and up and down—a beautiful little thing. Eddie takes a deep breath, blowing it out measured and slow. Steve’s pleased by it, nuzzling his cheek into Eddie’s shoulder. Don’t fall in love, don’t fall in love, don’t…Eddie repeats to himself.

“Calm,” Steve repeats. “I learn from kissing,” he softly explains. “Like…nah-ledge of love. Slow learning. Over time. I will be better with my words. And moving like you.” He sighs something a little sad. “Mer do it to survive,” he whispers.

“Survive?” Eddie asks at the same volume.

Steve nods solemnly. “If we are not special, then…I do not want to say.”

Eddie presses his fingers into the back of Steve’s hand on his forearm. Massaging his veins ever so softly. Comforting. “It’s okay,” he murmurs, “you can tell me, Steve. Our secret, remember?”

He takes a deep breath. Exhales, “We get killed.” His hand tightens on Eddie’s arm. Closes his eyes in a careful moment of grief. Looks forlorn over his shoulder to the ocean. “I no have love. Because they are dead. Humans…humans kill us.”

“I—“ Eddie rasps. “Steve, I’m sorry.”

Meekly shrugs. “I waited to meet you,” he admits quietly. “I watched for long time. From the water. But you are nice. Sweet. Pretty. I can trust you. I can, right?”

“Of course,” Eddie immediately says. “Steve, I would never hurt you. I—“

And Wayne’s going to kill him, probably. Shave his head or something. But he can’t take the sad little glaze to Steve’s eyes. Can’t take his shaking torso and all his distressed quiet sounds. The way he grips harder to Eddie, leans in just a little closer, tries to nuzzle.

“—I’m gonna take you back with me. Get you some warm clothes. Help you take your first bath. And we’ll have some hot, delicious lunch. My uncle can be mad later.”

“Really?” Steve asks, excited, wriggling a bit on his seat. “I go with?”

Eddie hums his agreement. “Warm can be yours, Stevie. Let’s get you inside and warm.”

Loved, he doesn’t say.

🧜‍♂️—————🧜‍♂️ Taglist: @scoops-aboy86 @spectrum-spectre

@loveryanax @emmabubbles @swimmingbirdrunningrock @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx @azryl90 @starryeyedpoet17

#stranger things #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #mer!steve harrington #fisherman!eddie munson #angst and hurt/comfort

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pennyblossom-meta · 4 months ago

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The Ides of April: writing process pt.1

The joys of outlining dialogue for upcoming chapters are many — and can be extremely frustrating.

SPOILERS

Chp 5

Sometimes, a whole section is based off an idea for dialogue. Like when L finally catches up to Anna (under very annoying circumstances, mostly to him) and has to balance out the investigation with a witness that refuses to get paid off.

What L doesn't realize is that Anna can leave at any point; she just needs to Obliviate him and Watari and then Disapparate. She really has no qualms about her demands, especially not where her Kneazle is concerned.

From Anna's side, for all her talk to Millicent and inner turmoil about wizarding duty towards Muggles (as wizards are more enlightened, and thus have the duty to help their lessers; almost as if Muggles are pets, in a way, that don't know better) she's having to control her own prejudice. It was all fun and games when she was dealing with university colleagues, but L and his shenanigans are on a different planet entirely.

Writing L an amalgamation of formalities and bluntness, most of the time. He's very forward and doesn't mince words, but he also uses a lot of subterfuge to trip his suspects. Anna is in a weird grey area for him, because while she's not a Kira suspect, he has been 'snooping' into her records and found several inconsistencies that he can't explain.

Wizards, as a whole, are decent at covering their tracks, but there's quite a few questionable things that someone like L might squint at.

Note: croaker, grouper, brill and seam brim are indeed comparatively expensive fish.

#death note #l lawliet #writing process #writing tips #fanfiction #original female character #l x reader #harry potter #The Ides of April

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awkward-tension-art · 5 months ago

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Puppet on a String Chp.3 (Fives x Reader)

Chapter 2. Chapter 4.

Rako Hardeen

CW: Fives x Reader, Reader is a medical practitioner, Crying, Grief, angst, swearing, anti-jedi sentiment, Death mentioned, violence, injury, attempted murder, reader is hunted

Tag list (tyyyy): @spicydonut25 @amazonian-bae @notgonnaedit

Dead. No survivors.

Half the Ethics Committee, gone. Dr.Mila, supervisor and mentor, dead. The GRMF was in chaos. You’ve doubled your work just to attempt to fill in the hole your colleagues had left.

And you couldn’t fall apart.

The funeral was solemn, quiet and fast. As soon as they were buried, it was back to work. There were patients to see. Injuries to heal. Armies to treat.

Fives had attended the funeral with you. He wore full ARC trooper armor as he walked with you back to the GRMF. He wasn’t the only one to wear the plastoid. The personnel on the transport had treated so many soldiers' wounds, a squad from each battalion came to pay respects.

Before you could walk too far, your lover grabbed your wrist, “Mesh’la,” his voice was gentle with you, just as you had been with him when he returned from Umbara, “General Shaak Ti would like to speak with you.”

You sighed and nodded. You expected this, to a degree. A transport filled with military medical personnel attacked leaving Kamino? That would be cause for investigation. At this point you and everyone else had assumed that pirates or Separatists had attacked them.

Silently, Fives lead you to the Jedi temple. You wished you were in the mood to take in the beautiful architecture and towering pillars. It was a gorgeous building, with fine marble and exquisite carvings. Your heart was just too heavy to really appreciate it.

Shaak Ti met the both of you at the entrance. She bowed and you did the same out of respect. Fives stepped to the side, remaining outside as you both began to stroll inside.

She was a lovely togruta. Her lavender eyes held a deep wisdom and kindness, and her voice had a soft melody to it. You’ve had the pleasure of working with her on the Ethics committee, and she was a fantastic leader.

“I wish we could speak under happier circumstances,” She immediately began, “However, I have…concerns and wanted to ask you questions.”

You nodded, walking with General Shaak Ti through the jedi temple, “Of course, General.” Even if you weren’t military, it was respectful to use her proper rank, “I was under the assumption that pirates or Separatists had attacked the transport.”

“We believe the Separatists had infiltrated the system and ambushed the transport.” the Jedi responded, staring ahead, “My concern is Dr.Mila, your mentor and supervisor.”

You stopped walking, eyes going wide, “Dr.Mila?”

“After the attack, Kamino had found evidence that she had contacts in Separatist territory.”

What…

Your blood ran cold, “I…General, Dr.Mila isn’t a traitor.” You spoke, though you weren’t sure if your words were for the togruta or yourself, “She was a great doctor. And…and-”

Shaak Ti raised a hand to stop you, “I have not accused her or you of anything, all I want to know is why she may have contacts in enemy space.”

Oh.

You eased slightly before swallowing the knot in your throat, “With all due respect General,” Your tone was still tinged with anxiety, “As doctors and healers, we aren’t supposed to pick sides. Patients are patients, medicine is medicine, no matter the sides.” Despite your clear uneasiness you maintained eye contact with her.

Jedi aren’t supposed to have sides either. Only peace.

The Jedi nodded in understanding and you barely repressed a sigh of relief. However, she continued, “While I can understand the sentiment. Sometimes the exchange of information can open weaknesses within our own systems. I believe Dr.Mila may have unintentionally led a Separatist ambush right to their transport.”

More dread flooded your system.

You’ve cycled through about 24 different emotions in the last few hours. Now, you were starting to feel exhausted. Your neurons were probably fried.

“Oh…” Was all your shocked system could muster.

Shaak Ti frowned and put a hand on your shoulder, “She was a fine doctor. As were all the others on that transport. I am truly sorry for your loss.” She was sympathetic. Maybe even grieving in her own way.

Was she allowed to feel grief? The Jedi had a rule against attachment and emotions.

You bowed, “Thank you, General.” Once you stood straight, your eyes met hers, “If…you don’t mind, I’d like to go back to work.”

She nodded, “Of course, let me lead you out.”

The world blurred around you as you were walked out of the temple. When you got outside, Fives was at your side, “Mesh’la?” his gloves hands were on your shoulder, “Is everything alright?”

With a tight swallow, you nodded blankly, “Yes…The General just wanted to know about Dr.Mila’s contacts. Fellow doctors in Separatist space.”

His grip tightened slightly, but he didn’t say anything. Instead he tilted his head forward, lightly tapping his helmet visor against your forehead.

You sighed, leaning into him. Perhaps it was too risky. After all, you weren’t alone around the temple. You were under no illusion his brothers didn’t know. But any Jedi could walk in or out and see the both of you.

Still…Fives was a grounding presence. Reliable and strong. You always felt safe and secure with him.

After a heartbeat, you pulled back, “Care to walk me to the medical facility?”

He nodded, offering his hand, which you took, “Of course, mesh’la.”

You didn’t cry, even getting back to work. Even when your clone lover left to finish his own duties. Even when you were alone in Dr.Mila’s…your office.

You didn’t cry.

You couldn’t. There was work to be done. Patients to be taken care of. Shaak Ti would choose more individuals to fill in massive gaps in the committee, so that was a weight off your shoulders. But there was still more to do.

Others silently agreed. Your colleagues who went to the funeral were back in the GRMF. Several were already with patients. Others were speaking with recently discharged clones, giving them instructions on rest and recovery.

That never works. You thought silently, The clones don’t know how to rest.

An alarm went off in the emergency patient entrance. Immediately, your mind locked into gear. There was an approaching patient with severe injuries. You couldn’t fade out of focus. This was an emergency.

With a medical droid following you, you met the medical transport. However, you froze. On the stretcher, was nurse Rino.

His eyes were closed. At the center of his forehead was a single blaster shot.

“Mugging turned murder,” the EMT responded, “I need you to call a DOA.”

Your mind wasn’t properly processing what was in front of you. Not only had Dr.Mila died, but so did half of the committee, and now a popular, well liked nurse had been shot.

Dead. Gone.

You swallowed and nodded, shutting down your mind and emotions. With a quick tap of your fingers on a datapad, the medical droid took Rino to the morgue.

You watched him disappear once the droid turned down a hall.

Do not break down. Do not break down. Do not break down. You forced yourself to think over and over again.

And over, even as two other colleagues perished in a speeder accident three days later.

And over, as another doctor was killed in a break-in a week after that.

And over, when you got the call that one of the neuro-scientists died from a severe allergic reaction a day after that.

It occurred to you that this amount of death wasn’t normal. Were employees cursed now? Was a ghost of the dead coming back for retribution?

In the chaos of such death and despair, you’ve been sped into a proper neurologist position. Dr.Mila’s former standing. It was a desperate attempt to try and stop the utter collapse of being short-staffed. You didn’t feel joy at the promotion. Only bitterness.

The only time you allowed yourself to cry was Fives needing to leave for another mission. He held you, letting you weep from the stress and despair, “Don’t worry, mesh’la. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He kissed your forehead, and reassured you the night before he left. When you woke, he was gone.

Now, you walked home alone. You had just finished up with your patients when you stepped out of the GRMF. Coruscant was as alive as ever. People walked the streets. Speeders drove by. Lights flooded every corner.

The Republic Capital was bustling. As per usual. Despite the chaos, you melded into the walking crowds easily. Another faceless citizen among millions.

Home. you just wanted to go home.

Your steps weaved through the streets, and the amount of people on the streets faded the closer you got to your apartment. You didn’t live in a dangerous part of the planet, but you certainly weren’t paid enough to live on the surface.

You stopped before turning down another street to the entrance of your apartment building.

There was a cold feeling that lanced up your spine. It hit you like a speeder.

You were being watched.

Your eyes landed on a glass window trying to subtly use the reflection to find who was currently watching you. You couldn’t see anything out of place. There wasn’t anyone noteworthy on the street. Slowly, you looked up. Just as you did, you swear you saw a…shadow duck out of your view.

Fuck!

You continued down the street, completely passing your apartment building. Your goal wasn’t going home at the moment, it was to find help. A police droid or even better, a Coruscant Guard. If you went home now, chances are your stalker would break-in and you’d be cornered.

The toe of your shoe hit a loose piece of metal path and you stumbled slightly. Just as you caught yourself, you heard the crisp sound of a blaster fire. Instantly, a stinging pain hit your cheek and without another thought you ran.

The shot caused the few people on the street to panic, and you dodged and weaved through them. You had shoved a poor twi’lek woman out of the way as you sprinted.

Another shot rang out, grazing your upper arm. Someone screamed before you made a sharp turn down another street. Looking back, your follower leapt over a gap between two buildings. They were on you.

After the third shot, missing you entirely, it finally clicked properly.

The deaths of the medical personnel in the GRMF were not random.

They were targeted murders.

But…Why?

Another shot and searing pain lanced up your leg. Your shin gave out and you hit the ground hard. Your teeth clattered when your head slammed down, and blood filled your taste buds. Through your disorientation, you registered that bystanders did nothing but watch, scared for their own lives.

I bit my tongue. You distantly thought. What a strange thing to think in such a situation.

A tight, rough hand grabbed your shoulder and flipped you onto your back. Your eyes settled on the barrel of a blaster, pointed right at your face. A heavy foot was steadfast on your chest, keeping you in place. No one around did anything, just watched, uselessly.

“This isn’t personal,” The voice was rough, “Just doing a job.” The hunter was a human man, with pale skin and a shaved head. He had a deep red tattoo over one eye. “I’ll be quick though.” Other than that, he had no other notable features.

You swallowed, shaking your head, “No, please.” Your begging was pathetic but you were just so scared. “I...I don’t want to die.”

You wanted Fives.

Before your attacker could speak, there was a flash of crimson and a clone armored fist landed on his cheek. The stranger was sent stumbling before his back hit the railing next to a speeder lane.

Standing protectively between you and your attacker was a Coruscant guard. His armor was painted entirely red, with only a few pieces left white, and a kama rested at his waist. In his steady hands was a rifle.

Commander Fox. you recognized.

“Rako Hardeen,” His voice was a near snarl, “You are under arrest.”

“Not this time!” The bounty hunter sneered before leaping backward. He went over the edge, disappearing from your sight.

Someone else knelt by you, “Easy,” the familiar clone voice tried to calm you, “We’re here to help.” He had wings painted on his helmet, and his hands felt rather gentle as they held you, “Try not to stand, you’ve been injured.”

Beside you, Commander Fox was speaking into his com. He called for a medical speeder, and then a name, a very familiar name, “Rex, gar rucuyir staabi.”

Times like this make you wish you knew mando’a.

The guard holding you got your attention, as if trying to distract you from the situation, “I’m Thorn.”

If you weren’t currently in pain and terrified, you might’ve laughed at how cute he sounded. In an adrenaline induced haze, you introduced yourself to him.

Fox knelt by you, leaning to inspect the graze on your arm. He was silent, listening to the voice that came in through the com in his helmet. After a few moments he nodded, “Elek.” In the distance, sirens echoed through the streets. The medical transport was close.

You couldn’t stop shaking, you've realized. And your cheeks were hot with tears. Despite how gentle Thorn was holding you, the only arms you wanted at the moment were Fives.

The commander seemed to pick up on what you needed. His tone changed slightly when he asked, “Do…you need me to call someone?”

“A-arc trooper Fives.” You choked out, feeling your emotions reach a fever pitch, “h-he knows Rex…”

Fox paused before speaking into his com again, “Rex, vaii cuyir Fives?” He looked up, gaze roaming over the bystanders. His hand hovered over his pistol at his hip, as if intending to protect you.

“Close with one of our vode?” Thorn asked quietly. He was still trying his best to distract you.

“I love him.” Was all your overly stressed mind could come up with, “I…I want him.”

The Coruscant guard’s Commander snapped his head to look at you. After a second he awkwardly patted your hand, “We’ll get him to your side soon enough.”

You hoped so.

#tcw x reader #star wars x reader #reader insert #arc trooper fives x reader #arc trooper fives #tcw fives #star wars tcw #commander fox #commander thorn #shaak ti #star wars the clone wars #my writing #puppet on a string

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