#Hope squad AU

[thehopesquadhq]

Ah, yes, reediting one of my first edits ever just to present you guys Tommy of the WFA universe.

But, to be honest, this Tom (or, Tommy in this case) isn't exclusive to the WFA universe. He is the Tommy of the majority of lighter AUs the fandom creates cause canon is an overly complicated angsty mess.

Which means that AUs like @spicy-apple-pie 's Tommy would also be like this. And many other Tommy's out there too!

Anyway, some fun facts about this Tom:

Very clingy, specially with Tim, Damian and Bruce.

Spends a lot of time alone with Alfred in the manor due to his family's activitities.

He is two years younger than Damian who is 9/10 years old in WFA. so, he is like 7/8.

I feel like he still eventually joins the lab, but the buildup to it was not as complicated as "canon" Tom's. Because a lot of the canon events for the batfam are still intact (Jason's death, Damian's hard life at the League of Assasins and so on...), so, I assume such an event like the Green Light Lab event still happens... sadly.

Most of Tom's plots, at the beginning, would involve his imaginary adventures in Wonderland.

But, as Season 2 would come around the corner, we would have him meeting his canon friends.

This Tommy gets really well with Damian, whom he loves with his whole heart. If you read Mafia Nanny on webtoon, imagine Mikey and Louis.

His relationship with the rest of the family is also, all in all, better, like I can see him asking Jason to read something for him from time to time.

Although, he and Dick's relationship still has some issues, cause Dick usually spends more time with Tim or Damian.

On the merchandising episode, he would choose all the Batman merch just cause of how much he loves his dad.

This Tommy still has faith one day Selina will be a more present mom on his life, and still eagerly awaits her visits... :'(

(Also, drawing Tom as if he was basically mini Bruce is so CUTE! Canon Tom would kill me for saying it, but, it's the truth).

[thefcguy]

DC OCs interacting part 2:

Once again featuring some OCs from the DC oc community. Man, these are all comedy gold.

Vulture: Who wants to vandalize the batcave?

Charlie: ME!

Zak: Let’s go!

Vic: Uhu!

Amber: … should we worry about it.

Tom: Nah, my father deserves it.

Amber: Kitty?

Kitty: I hate breaking the rules, but I hate Tom’s family more.

_______________________________________________

Mime: [I need help!]

Amber: Huh?

Mime: [I NEED HELP!]

Amber: What?

MIME: [HELP!]

Amber, not knowing what miming is, and knows for sure this isn’t sign language: Oh, you are dancing with your hands!

Mime: [What?! No!]

Amber: Time for happy hand dance. *copies his movements* 

_______________________________________________

Tom, looking at potentially dangerous bad boy: Aww, he is so cute!

Adam: NO!

Tom: What?! Why not?!

Adam: The last five guys you dated were criminals that left 5 scars in my back! You are not dating this guys anymore! Okay, Tom.

…

Adam: Tom? *Looks and sees Tom walking in the boy’s direction*

Tom: *singing Lovefool* And so, I cry, I pray and I beg…

Adam: Oh, hell no! *goes after him*

Tom: Love me, love me. Say that you love me.

Adam: Wait!

(Fun fact about Tom, he has both low self-stem and read too many Wattpad. He will date a bad boy cause he thinks the toxicity is “true romance”).

_______________________________________________

Edd: I feel like doing something slightly immoral.

Charlie: *looks into the distance*

Edd: Charlie.

Charlie: Oh, it really won’t well for you.

Edd: What?

Charlie: I saw your future. It won’t end well for you.

Edd:… *runs away in fear*

Charlie: Ah, the best way of handling future villains. Traumatizing them with ominous future visions.

_______________________________________________

Tom: *Cries*

Harrison, spawning from somewhere: However made my brother cry will DIE!

Bruce, the rest of batfam, Lime, Pine, Matteo: *nervously sweating*.

_______________________________________________

Lime: I am NOT obsessed with Tom! I am completely over him, and I just REALLY want to find him to punish him in the name of the lab!

Johnny Alto, another toxic EX who recognizes other toxic exes: he is shirtless outside.

Liam: Really?! *Jumps out of the window*

Johnny: Knew it.

Chimera, looking at Johnny Alto

Johnny: What, freak?!

Chimera: *jumps and starts biting Johnny.

Johnny: OW! OW! These hurts! Let me go, you beast!

______________________________________________________________

This round featuring OCs by @lordarsonizzzzt , @vicenovirtues , @alien8tdd , @asher312 , @elutrosop , @natedogx15 and @amethystandemma .

I like playing with the idea Amber doesn't understand some human stuff. Like Mimes.

[tom-cobalt]

Sorry I didn’t post more yesterday. The pain tests left my hands burned, and I was not in the mood of typing.

Hopefully today I can post more.

[evillandscaper]

watching and waiting and planning

redraw of this

we're at two chapters and 9000 words friends!!! i'm so excited to share this with everyone

[starryinkart]

[CLICK FOR BETTER QUALITY!!!]

[Likes and Reblogs are appreciated!!]

Here is the #4 Ranked Squad in the Universe!!!

From left to right we have Serial Designation D, Serial Designation K and Serial Designation Q!!!

Serial Designation D (Danielle) was once a security guard drone in the Elliot Mansion, known for her skills of stealth and being very nonverbal, she is one of the most effective drone killers in her squad. She may not seem like the type, but she becomes very close the the things she loves, and will protect her team no matter the cost. In the mansion, D would be one of the guards to be lookout during the “Drone Days!” In which much of the Elliot mansions drones would be able to act like humans and have fun, dance and show their talents, without the looming eyes of their usual threats. After gaining her freedom from under the watchful eye of JCJENSON, D picked the name Danielle, her mission now being to serve the solver and make sure no harm comes to her family.

Serial Designation K (Katherine/Katie) was a playful, lighthearted babysitter to Tessa James Elliot when she was in her younger years, before Serial Designation J became her teenage friend and caretaker. Though she had to often work with J, it didn’t mean she favored her by any means, thinking the worker drone was too uptight, rude and fake when around Tessa. It was because of this that K mostly hung out with V and N, completely enamored with Vs obvious crush for the male worker drone. When she wasn’t working with J to help Tessa and the Elliot’s with their daily routines and events, she was playing dress up with Tessa, hanging out with V and N or the other more lighthearted drones in the manor. During “Drone Days” , K was one of the ones known as the life of the party with her little group and held most of the party activities for the others to get in on alittle fun away from the humans. Deep inside, K still loves JCJENSON and her time in the manor, but follows her squad where ever they go, even if she doesn’t exactly love serving the Hivemind that is the solver. In the end, she still likes to be called K, but her friends have adopted a more official name of Katherine or Katie to her as a nod to their past loyalty to the humans of JCJENSON.

Serial Designation Q (Quinn) is the leader of the #4th ranked squad on Copper 9! Known for her charisma and absolute loyalty to the solver Hivemind, she always leads her team into their daily routine with confidence and determination! Back in the mansion, Q was the head of general arrangements for the Elliot’s, meaning she always had to be creative, eccentric and charismatic for their liking, or else…well every drones knows what happens to drones who rebel. Not loyal to JCJenson, but loyal to the humans who gave them work, Q often gains attached to those who offer, whether verbally or not, to take care of her and the ones she loves. After the core collapse on Earth, most of what she knew being destroyed and CYN sending the Disassembly Drones to Copper 9, she makes sure to follow the rules, do EXACTLY what she is supposed to, and make sure her teammates have fun in the process, all so she can please the being that saved her brothers and sisters from never ending purgatory.

(These Disassembly Drones also exist in my Absolutely book universe, just a little different looking 👀)

[hashileio]

little man is chuffed

[asherashedwings]

Random Pico’s School headcanons cuz I am mentally ill and have thought of this stuff a lil too much.

I could probably elaborate on more of these if prompted, but imma just blurt these out for now cuz I’m tired and bored

Everyone from Philly has white eyes. The funny explanation: it’s something in that water. The serious explanation: Philly’s just so fuckin dangerous that the people there have over time evolved to have pure white eyes; no pupils means no one can see where your looking — you’re harder to read.

The Warrior’s Gene is the reason Pico, Otis, and Piconjo have sharp teeth (that drawing of Piconjo is old, don’t mind him 💀)

The Warrior’s Gene is also what allows them to use medicinal herbs the way they do. Cuz brother, you can’t just normally heal from gunshot wounds like that, something else is going on there

Piconjo and Nin have some Nevada in their blood and that’s why their skin is naturally gray. Actually, Nin is a lot paler so that might be some Arizona (Spooky Month) genes, who knows. (Nin below for context)

Humans who get exposed to and harness Penilien magic slowly gain elongated ears over time (The G-Squad (minus Durst), Alucard, and Ozmose). They’re never fully pointed like a Penilien’s tho, and maintain some roundness

“Penilien magic” doesn’t actually originate from Peniliens, and likely comes from another race the Peniliens wiped out. They stole the magic to weaponize it

“Penilien” is a term that can mean two things. Penilien can refer to the specific race of aliens that Cassandra is. Or it can refer to a sort of alien nationality of sorts, which is made up of the Peniliens and the Serpinas, the species that Damien is

Nene is immortal in the way that if she is killed, she will always wake up the next morning in her bed, completely unharmed. Only she is affected by this though. Objects stay where they were before and people WILL remember her dying

More of a retcon than a headcanon: The person running the cloning experiment in Citizen Pico was a Penilien scientist, wanting to clone Pico so the aliens could use the Warrior’s Gene against him. After Pico put a stop to that, however, the Peniliens went to plan B: Eliminating the gene all together by killing Pico and his family — also did not work

Speaking of Pico clones (this is more so related to my FNF Connected Universe, but whatever) , here’s the nicknames they would call each other if they were to meet. It’s literally just based on the first thing that came to Pico’s mind when he first met them, so they’re stupid. The clones tried really hard to also give Pico a stupid nickname as well, but he pulled the “I’m the original” card, so he’s exempt

That’s it for now, buh byeee

[x-authorship-x]

New Fic Alert

From The Shadows

Fandom: Naruto

Tags: Prequel to No Tomorrow, ANBU Culture, Worldbuilding, Team as Family, Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, Yamanaka Inoichi, Hatake Kakashi, Namiashi Raidou, Tenzo, Shiranui Genma

Summary: "The one who protects from the shadows, that’s the mark of a true shinobi.”

ANBU were entrenched in the darkest recesses of Shinobi life. They had no faces, no names, no desires but the completion of their mission and the preservation of their village.

Squad Two was as devoted as any unit, perhaps even more so than most.

…And yet-

They changed everything.

Series: HOPE AU: I hope you'll reach those places

Chapter One: ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS

Summary: Academy students took exams to graduate to Genin. They took exams, pitched against their fellows and foreign-nin alike, to earn a Chuunin vest. It took time, dedication, and experience to achieve a promotion to Tokubetsu, let alone Jounin. It took an impressive mission history and a Bounty reputation to be known as an Elite.

ANBU was different. You didn't 'aim' for ANBU.

They called.

And you answered.

[divinemanicstate]

more of my recom au

ft miles not knowing how to woo and just grabbing some flowers

[theanoninyourinbox]

Skyclan's Rescue

Or

The Scorching Sun and the Storming Rot

In the Recent Past

Skystar, once the too-proud leader and Founder of Skyclan, looks down from the edge of Starclan upon the gorge.  Skywatcher is laying in the sun, blind eyes content and peaceful next to a kittypet tortoiseshell queen.  Kits play with balls of moss, warriors bring prey to their elders, and queens share tongues with collared kittypets.

Disgusting.

How DARE Starclan do this to HIS Clan!  First, they curse Skyclan’s tree to rot, then BANISH the BEST CLAN in the Territories, and now?! Now it’s all the dregs of felinehood – kittypets and loners, playing at being HIS CLAN because Starclan thought it was AMUSING!?!  HOW DARE THEY!!!

Skyclan should be regimented and only Clanblood!  Kits should be learning to hunt already!  Elders should be working until their appointed deaths! Queens should be subservient to their leader, not BE ONE!! Warriors should be KILLING these DUNGFACED KITTYPETS!!!!!  This is NOT HIS Skyclan, not a Proper Skyclan…if that blasted brother of his hadn’t stepped in, if those foolish Leaders hadn’t stepped in, if the STARS BE BLASTED Spirits hadn’t stepped in-

He tore at the ground beneath him in fury, hackles bristling and spittle flying as he raged.  Not even his mate, his beautiful malicious Star Flower, could understand him…she wanted power, oh how she wanted it all, but she was unwilling to endanger the power that Starclan gave their residents…but what was this power if his legacy was so muddled?

Skystar sighed, and turned his gaze from the ABOMINATION of a Clan the Stars wanted, but a flash of ginger caught his eye.  He turned back curiously – this was a familiar figure.  The ragged cat often prowled the edge of the territory, staring hatefully at the so-called Leafstar.  Skystar leaned in, hearing the tom rail against the group, clawing the turf as he screamed.  How DARE they reject him – how DARE that MOLLY be in charge – how DARE they banish him for his schemes!!  HE should be leader, pampered and protected!  He, Harry, should be the one in control!

Oh, now this is promising…

Skystar saw himself, in the days after the Spirits descended – powerless, but deserving of all he wished.  Now this cat – Half-Clanblooded at least – this cat had PROMISE.  So Skystar leapt, bounding through a suddenly storming sky, and appeared before the maned cat.

I can give you power, said Skystar, I can give you that and more.  All you have to do is get rid of that False Leader, and that Old Fool.  I am Skystar, and together, we will turn these lands into the most powerful Clan the world will ever see!  Harry, at first wildly afraid of the Literal Ghost that dropped from the stormclouds, smirked.  How could a dead cat give me anything?  Skystar’s face broke into a vicious grin – I will give your clever words Power, to ensnare and beguile and terrify – just take my paw. 

Harry hesitated for only a moment before agreeing, and extended a paw.  Skystar took it, and the wind howled around them, thunder rumbling a warning.  The shadows surged as rain whipped around them, stop stop STOP!

Behold, intoned Skystar, the Sun who rules the Skies!  Behold SOL!  (his back bulged with eyes, starless and sightless, a Geist of wild power being born of pettiness and hate) Harry – no, Sol - grinned maniacally, with a golden glow hidden behind his teeth.  He knew JUST who to talk to, just who to…Recruit…to take over the Clan…and now they All would Listen…

And in Starclan, Grey Wing looked down in horror.  Oh brother, what have you done?

The Journey to the Gorge and The Crisis

The combined group of Clowder and Clan cats set out on a sunny Newleaf morning.  Maguyver, as the one with the most Patrolling and Scouting experience, leads the group.  Frostfur and Hollowback, the most mobile of the Clan Elders, are helped along by a prospective Seer named Echo.  Loudbelly, who has gone nearly blind, is guided by Vespa, whose blindness has never stopped her before, and the hearty Bagel.  Yewtail leans heavily on the massive tom Hassle, and Mudfur keeps company with Lavinia, a pretty young molly who wants to be a Healer, and Pasqual, who hides shyly behind Lavinia most of the time. Mutter the Scout keeps the younger cats Gorgon, Spatter, and Jangle in line.  They make their way past Twolegs and thunderpaths, through old forests and over winding waters.  And within a remarkable amount of time, the Rescue Patrol has arrived at the edge of a marked territory.  Strangely, the sky is cloudy and the air heavy.  The group settles into a hollow log for the night, and the next morning Mutter scouts ahead. 

They return with news – there IS a group of cats in the Gorge ahead, but something is terribly wrong.  There are cats forcing Elders to clean the camp, and kits barely old enough to eat solids are picking the prey clean! Queens are being intimidated by brutes, and the Rogues – they MUST be Rogues – are led by a ginger, brown and white Tom.  Everyone is shocked and horrified – Frostfur moans at the thought of kittens in danger, and Bagel has to hold Loudbelly back from charging over and fighting the Rogues.  Macguyver asks Echo, who has the clearest Visions of Skyclan, who the Leader was.  She pauses, then points up to a nearby tree.  Her, she says, and a mottled tortie drops from the branches, followed by a ginger tom and several other cats, all collared or harnessed. 

The tortie glares at the Rescue Patrol – who are you, and how do you know me?  Did Sol send you!?  Macguyver steps in – no, Starclan sent us!  Mudfur joins him, then Frostfur and Echo.  We Saw you were in danger, Echo intones, and have come to offer our aid.  Mudfur explains that he and the other Elders are from the Clans, and that they came to help of their own volition.  The Tortie rears back, and looks over the group, finally seeing the Elders for what they were.  Hope glinting in her eyes, she introduces herself as Leafdapple, and after calling over her allies, tells them what’s happened.

She had met Skywatcher, who had been gathering cats to form a Clan.  She had become his right-paw cat, a deputy in all but name, as Skywatcher has refused to be named Leader.  After some time, a tom named Harry had asked to join.  They accepted him, but quickly understood something was wrong.  He was a decent hunter, and somewhat interested in herbs, but would consistently try to sabotage other cats.  He had led clanmates into rats and dogs, stolen prey from under the paws of others, and probably would have poisoned someone if not caught.  But he was clever with his words, and it took him kitnapping Leafdapple litter, to “save” them, for him to be banished.  But he had returned…changed somehow. 

He had a group of Rogues and Loners behind him, all either blank-eyed or bloodthirsty, and had overrun camp.  The kits had been taken, and their few elders forced into work.  Leafdapple and her Daylight Warriors – kittypets who returned to their homes at night – had escaped…but they’d lost several Warriors.  Skywatcher had been taken by some of the Rogues, and Sol, as he called himself now, paid them in prey that SHOULD have been feeding the Queens, kits, and Elders.  And every time the survivors planned some rescue or communication, he saw them coming!  They’d nearly lost several cats, and had been begging the stars for help.  But, Leafdapple sniffled, she never expected help to come after this long.  Had thought they had been forgotten.

And a voice rings out from above.

We did not forget you.

All look up, and a swirl of stars descend, and six starry cats materialize.  Willowpelt greets the Hope Clowder cats, and then introduces herself and the other Starclan cats to the stunned Skyclan cats.  Here, she says, is Cloudstar, who ruled Skyclan when it was wrongly Banished. This is Bumble and Turtle Tail, who helped found Thunderclan and redeem Skyclan in its early days.  And these are Jagged Peak and Grey Wing, who helped found all the Clans, with their kindness and cleverness.  I am Willowpelt of Thunderclan, and we know what has happened here – and we together, living and beyond, will defeat Sol.

And everyone has Reactions to this.  Mudfur and the Clan cats nod sagely, with Frostfur delighted to meet the first Crafter.  The Hope’s Rest Clowder cats are bouncing around, knowing Willowpelt from her frequent visits to the Clowder.  And the Skyclan cats are…wary.  Hopeful, but everything that has happened has made them hardened to any hope that comes.  Grey Wing apologizes to Skyclan for taking so long, and for not stopping Sol from gaining his Cursed Blessing of controlling others with his words, but that the Storming Rot - a cat he once called brother but is now a Stargeist - had been blocking them from helping, but the Clan cats and Clowder cats had essentially carried them here.  He then offers blessings to the cats – hiding them from the Stargeist and enhancing their senses until Sol and the Abomination are defeated, and Leafdapple is given her nine lives officially.  Leafdapple is elbowed by Billystorm, and she agrees, with stars in her eyes and hope in her heart.

Loudbelly asks that if he is blessed, that he be given the joints and senses of his youth, that he might rescue the prisoners.  The other Elders agree, with Hollowback noting that from Leafdapple’s description, Modern Skyclan has only Warriors, Queens, and Elders – no Camp Guards or Crafters or Herbalists or even a Healer, and simply asks for enough time to pass on his crafts, which the other Elders agree with as well.  Bumble and Jagged Peak are all for this.

The air smells of ozone and fresh snow, of mossy stones, of petrichor and heathered fields; the air shines like Silverpelt on moonless nights; and the air flexes like claws in battle.  The elders stretch and twist, like year-aged cats instead of well-lived elders.  Vespa notes that she can hear even farther than before, and Spatter leaps up a tall tree in only a few seconds.  Leafdapple laughs as her Daylight warriors bounce about like apprentices.  Turtle Tail promises her that she will receive her lives after they rescue Skywatcher, as he deserves to see his Clan get the Leader it deserves.

And as the Starclan Cats return to the skies, the living begin to plan.

The Rescue

The next day, Frostfur wanders into a Rogue patrol, and feigns that she had been looking for a place to bring her grandkits to live.  She toddles through camp, counting the prisoners, the blank-eyed and controlled, and the loyal Rogues.  She never sees Sol, and leaves the Rogues with seemingly giddy promises to return with her family.  The best lies are honesty, and she WILL be bringing cats she calls family there.  The skies are a little clearer, and in the shadows, something twists unhappily.

Mudfur, Lavinia, Pasqual, and Echo start gathering herbs for the coming skirmishes.  Pasqual and Lavinia are obviously mates, but had no issues in the Clowder.  Mudfur admits to having had a mate before becoming a Healer, and that another Oracular Healer, Fireheart, had been working behind the scenes to make it that any Healer might take a mate.  Echo, while preparing cobwebs, notes that she has never wanted a romantic relationship, and is assured that such a thing is absolutely fine.

Mutter and Harveymoon scout out where Skywatcher is kept – a small Twoleg nest kept by a Rogue named Dodger and his group.  Late that night, Hollowback and Leafdapple sneak in while Maguyver and Hassle bother Dodger out front with Sharpclaw and Ebonyclaw.  Skywatcher wakes to Leafdapple carrying him out, with Hollowback watching her tail.  A clattering from a Twoleg Thing (which Macguyver calls a trash can) sends the distraction cats hurtling back to the makeshift camp, and the Skyclan cats welcome their old friend back.  The full moon is but two nights away, and then Skywatcher will see his protégé become the Leader he Foresaw.  The clouds let the sky peak through, and the air is lighter with the promises of new life.

The next morning, Yewtail, Hollowback, Bagel, and Gorgon start setting up traps for the Rogues.  The invaders out to hunt found themselves stuck in pits, caught up in sticky honey and chased by bees, and every attempt at hunting thwarted.  This went on as the time until the full moon came. The day of the full moon, Macguyver, Hassle, and Bagel stroll up to the captured camp, and loudly demand that Sol meet with them.  The lanky Heretic oozes over, and Macguyver proclaims that he is represents the leader of a Clowder that wants the Gorge.  Hassle quietly states that unless Sol meets with them the next morning, that the Clowder will attack.  Bagel giddily purrs that maybe Sol can talk their leader into sharing instead of conquest.  Sol sneers, and agrees, but demands the meeting be at a particular clearing.  The deal is made, and the three cats trot off, content that the next step of the plan is complete.

The night came, and the free Skyclan cats and the Rescue Patrol gathered in a clearing.  The sky was, for once, clear of the strange clouds that gathered, and the moon and stars shone clearly. Leafdapple and Skywatcher sit together, and Echo calls upon Starclan to bless this Leader with nine lives, and the Wisdom of the Stars to guide Starclan.  The skies glitter and gleam, and six familiar Starclan spirits descend, followed by three unfamiliar spirits, that wait farther back from the rest.  The other living cats watch in awe and wonder.

Nine Lives and Three Precedents

Cloudstar greets Leafdapple and Skywatcher, thanking the molly for her care and the Elder for his enduring faith in them.  He then gives Leafdapple her first life, for having Enduring Faith in her Clan, the Stars, and herself.  Willowpelt rubs her head companionably against Leafdapple’s shoulder and gives her a life for Second Chances. Jagged Peak makes her laugh at a particularly bad pun (don’t worry, your reign won’t be a Cat-astrophe!) and gives her a life for Good Humor In Bad Times. Turtle Tail compliments her cunning, and gives her a life for Defending The Defenseless. Bumble smiles sweetly and gives her a life for Finding Joy In The Small Things. And Grey Wing approaches, I’m so proud of you, keeping your Clan as safe as you could in these times; he bestows a life for Knowing When To Ask For Aid.  And then he beckons the three spirits forward.

Three cat spirits wearing kittypet collars.

A grey tipped molly steps forward, introducing herself as Smoke.  Her face twists sadly, as she tells of loving a clan cat who rejected her, and dying to protect her kit.  Leafdapple apologizes for her having to go through such events, and Smoke smiles sadly.  My son is happy now, with a better father than his sire ever could have been.  Smoke then gives Leafdapple a life for Love and Affection, giving Billystorm a side-glance and a smile.  He flushes, and several cats break the solemn air with hoots, cackles, and coos.

The next cat steps forward, introducing himself as Jake.  He speaks of having an adventure with a Clan Cat, and falling in love with him.  Even after they were parted, he remembered the strength and faith of that tom.  He sighs, and remarks that his feelings for a cat he would never see again kept him from having any other relationships.  Jake steps forward, and gives Leafdapple a life for Knowing When To Let Go, and hopes that she will be a better parent than he was in life.

The last cat steps up, a tortoiseshell as well, but with a flat face.  I was named Wishkit at my birth, but was known as Nutmeg for the rest of my days. I was born a Clan Cat, lived as a Kittypet, and bore Kittypets, Clan Cats, and Hopeful Cats.  I give you your final life for Balance and Adaptability – may you find a way no matter the obstacles.  Welcome, Leafstar. Leafstar! The cry is raised, by the living and the dead.  Leafstar! LEAFSTAR!! LEAFSTAR!!!

(elsewhere, the Stargeist shakes and writhes, its eyes multiplying and mind fracturing.  something is wrong.  something has gone terribly wrong)

The Confrontation

The dawn comes, and Sol approaches the meeting grounds, his loyal Rogues at his side.  He left the controlled behind to guard the camp, knowing that Leafdapple would never be able to break the Power he holds over them – only the Stars could do that, and they cannot walk here. Sol scoffs, then looks up as the black and white cat from before appears.  My leader will be here shortly, he says confidently, they wished to be prepared for negotiations.

At camp, the controlled cats and a few loyal Rogues guard the den where the prisoners are held.  Suddenly, Loudbelly slams into the first Rogue, followed by Sharpclaw, Ebonyclaw, and Hassle.  Leafstar leaps onto the first controlled cat – Patchfoot shakes his head, and the green bleeding back into his eyes.  Petalnose embraces Rainfur as he comes back to himself, both weeping in relief.  The Rogues scatter, and the apprentices and Elders cry out in joy.  Leafstar, having freed Shortwhisker, calls out to them – come with me, we have a meeting to get to!

Sol spits angrily – time has passed, and the only cats to show are the black and white tom, an elderly brown tom, and a few hideous youngsters.  Where is your leader, you dung faced freaks?!?

Here I am, Harry. Here we all are.

Sol spins in shock – Leafdapple stares him down, rage in her eyes. Next to her is that white cat he heard wanted to join.  But behind her, behind her are his prisoners!  And his Controlled Cats! Whu-how!?  You have no power, Leafdapple! Sol sputters, and the dratted molly snarls at him – My Name Is Leafstar!

No.

NO!

A horrible noise echoes from the trees, and a twisted creature of eyes and wings and cat claws launches, bringing a stench of rot and illness.  It leaps towards Leafstar, who dodges and screeches a war cry.  Suddenly the trees are filled with cats, charging into the Rogues and scattering them.  As the Stargeist twists to attack her, a pair of shapes slam into it like meteorites – Grey Wing and Turtle Tail.  Sol does not stick around to find out how this goes, running at top speed away.  The Starclan Cats batter and shred the former Founder, and Grey Wing tears the belly of the beast.  With a sound like bones breaking and stars dying, the Stargeist faded away, with all the grace of a fish out of water.  Clear Sky – Skystar – was dead.

The Rogues scattered, and Skyclan rejoiced. The gorge was retaken, the Elders enstated in honor, and the Clowder cats gladly joining up.  The Cultures of the four Clans join with the Ancient Skyclan Culture.  Echosong teaches Frecklepaw to heal, and Lavinia and Pasqual celebrate a litter. Hawkpaw and Pebblepaw fall in love, and Hawkwing and Pebbleshine watch the world go by.

Within a year, all the elders passed into Starclan, at peace that the future would hold wonders…even if it held pain as well.

(in the stars, a fading golden molly snarls and grieves. How dare someone take her mate from her)

Time passed.

(Rain seethed, his glorious leader had left him – but he would destroy the Clans himself.  He would fall on them, like his namesake…)

(Late one night, Leafstar and Billystorm are awoken by Skywatcher’s spirit.  She startles awake, as her old friend screams.

RUN!  WAKE THE CLAN AND RUN!

More wails of danger shake the air, and Leafstar bolts from her den.  Frostfur is loading Macguyver with kits, Mudfur is shaking Frecklepaw awake, Loudbelly is rallying the Brawlers and Warriors.  Hollowback is shoving apprentices out of their dens with a frantic Jangle, and Yewtail is helping Echosong load up on herbs.

A cry splits the night. Followed by more and more and more.

Rogues pour into camp.

The Clan scatters.

Rain laughs wildly – Skyclan is no more! Scattered like leaves! Like prey!

But there will be five clans.

One Day.

[inf1nyxw0rlds]

what if i was a jackal and you were a hedgehog and when you looked at me you saw your grief reflected in my eyes. a broken moon over a decimated city. a vengeful scientist and his cruel descendant. you've seen it before. you've lived it before. it wasn't your fault, i tell you, even though still your image haunts my dreams so much as comforts me when i wake. you tell me it's not mine, either. i don't believe you.

the exposed core glares red, an open, gaping wound, and you tell me of your past. your loss; your failure; your guilt. i listen silently, your every word a brush stroke over the false image he painted of you in my mind. you tell me of anger and confusion and fear. you tell me of deception and destruction. you tell me of that burning hole. does it match the one inside you?

the white surrounding it glows softly, in spite.

i apologise for my words to you, accusatory as they had once been; you simply say that i saw what he wanted me to, and for that you cannot fault me. among the things that were right about you, i draw a line beneath hypocrit, our faults penned in the same ink.

troubled as i remain, you offer your stained hand. i take it in mine. it's warm, chasing away the winter chill, a comforting heat spreading up my arm and into my chest. gentle. an echo of what you were originally made for – or just what you were, before they twisted you, bent you, broke you, reshaped you into somebody else. i wonder who you are. i wonder if you know.

together we spar above the city skyline, above the war i waged, flowers growing in the cracks carved into brick and concrete. it's effective; my thoughts slowly fall away as we move in tandem, dancing around each other – with each other – colliding and spinning out of control. energy ripples around us and you laugh, rich and energised and uncontrollable, and for the first time in countless months, i laugh, too. i didn't realise how much i needed it, and i can only assume that it's the same for you. maybe it's the weight off, maybe it's the absurdity of it all, but i don't care. i've never seen you happy. i... like seeing you happy.

your eyes meet mine and i thaw, i melt, i dissolve.

what if we understood each other in a way nobody else could. what if we fell in love.

[thehopesquadhq]

I feel like this guy might fit well with the hope squad

Well, the Squad is usually very welcoming to everyone, so, I am sure they would let him join XD

(If we take into account he would be a few years younger that is).

[thefcguy]

hi!! This is for the dc oc sims thing :D (I picked two)

the clothes are a bit off because I’m doing my best working with base game sims

I hope you like them!!

I think you did a great job considering the Sims base limitations.

[tom-cobalt]

go go gadget

Gadget?

[theramblingsofadork]

⋆｡°✩ Starpoint Squad AU Lore Post 2⋆｡°✩

— (Here’s a link in case you missed Act 1 )

— Competition Arc: Act II: The Plot

🚨 (Major spoilers ahead!)

Throughout the duration of the competition, there are multiple teams who are at odds with the Starpoint Squad. Several in particular clash with and pose more of a threat than the others. Like Skara the Skunk and Stormy the Mink.

Although Starline thinks them to be nothing more than rude, loud-mouthed bikers at first, he quickly finds out that they’re serious about being here, and are rather competent despite their unfitting appearance.

There’s also the pompous, above-it-all rich boy Atlas and his silent cohort (currently unnamed). Starline knows Atlas from their shared time at university, as they were somewhat at odds with each other, and graduated the same year. The friction of their opposing dynamics are ever present, even here.

There are also some human competitors involved in the mix, like a conservationist named Yew and a hotheaded brute named Dude. (Name TBD but Dude sounds funny.) Due to the tensions between the two races, partially in Aethos, this adds a whole other level of drama to the event.

Halfway through the competition, strange things begin to happen, including sabotages, fights, and Skara and Stormy dropping out of the running quite suddenly.

As these tensions and escalating events threaten to bring a premature end to the competition, Starline decides the only way to prevent that is to find out what’s really going on. So he and the squad begin to dig in and investigate.

What they eventually find out is that the tensions and sabatoges are being used to distract and draw security away from their usual outposts.

As Starline discovers from hacking someone’s personal computer, there’s a plot going on behind the scenes to weaken security and cause division, so the assailants can break into and take control of the Atmos CORE— using it’s power systems to take over security and turn both them and the competitor’s robots against them.

At this revelation, Starline finds himself torn. On one hand, he could use to his advantage by ‘joining’ them, only to then betray and assume control later on, allowing him to hand over Atmos and the CORE to Eggman.

But on the other hand, if his plan somehow fails, that could have this dangerous and ancient artifact in the hands of an idiot.

It’s at this point that he’s discovered and confronted by a teammate, and the farce he sought to maintain crumbles. His morals and reason for being here are challenged, and he’s given a single choice.

Join the saboteurs and show everyone his true colors, or help the team— HIS team, to stop a tried and true disaster from occurring.

Starline grapples with his selfishness, and the part of him that’s become attached to the squad. And he ultimately decides..

He’s gone soft. Not only would the improper handling of the CORE be a catastrophe, but he knows the others are going to charge in regardless of what he chooses. And whether he wants to admit it or not, some small part of him doesn’t want to see them get hurt.

So, they all head to stop the plot from happening, and in doing so, stumble upon Stormy and Skara, who did in fact NOT drop out, but were instead captured and locked up for discovering the grand scheme earlier on.

The assailants reveal themselves to the entire competition, applauding the squad for making it this far before stating that they’re ultimately too late.

A widespread broadcast activates on the intercom for the entire facility, and the CORE is activated, being directed to take over security and capture the both the Board of Directors and the competition participants.

What started out as a simple little competition suddenly turns into a fight for Atmos, and by extension— like or or not—the very balance of the world as they know it.

[startrekfangirl2233-writes]

There's Nothing I Wouldn't Do

Mickey 'Fanboy' Garcia x Nadia Garcia (OC)

A/N: I wrote this to go along with a series being written by mayhemmanaged and cassmitchell called Gunpowder & Lead! Update as of 01/31/2024: This story is no longer connected to anything being written by the two accounts mentioned above. They are reworking this story. This is MY HARD WORK AND EFFORT and I will not be deleting it just because this character is no longer included in their story.

The character of Attie Blake is @dakotakazansky's. Fern belongs to @desert-fern. Obviously all of the Daggers are the property of Paramount. The only characters who are mine are Nadia 'Nova' Garcia and Alex.

Disclaimers:Female!Reader, and all the warnings below!

Warnings: Abuse, Recovery from Abuse, Assault

As a reminder, everyone’s experiences are different. Everyone’s experiences are valid. This is a fictional story.

My Masterlist

It’s just past noon on a sleepy Wednesday in Austin, Texas. The afternoon sun beats hot against my face. I grab onto the hood shrouding my features and tug it up a bit higher to make sure nobody can see me. You see, I’m not supposed to be here. The only reason why I am is the baby boy in the carrier strapped to my front. Alex. My son and the only good thing I have in my life. 

So why am I standing in front of a tiny flower shop named Hera's Orchard in one of Austin’s winding streets of small businesses with my baby in my arms and everything important to me in a bag at my side? There's a rumor, a rumor floating around on the dark web talking about this place. Rumor says that if you walk in and ask if they have any asphodel in the back, they'll help you, no questions asked.

I inhale deeply, trying to breathe despite my bruised, aching ribs and broken nose. I have to do this. For Alex, there's nothing I wouldn't do. I can take any and everything Arthur, my husband, lays on me. But the minute he turned his hand on our son, I'd had enough. The bruised ribs and broken nose, they're what I'd gotten for standing in his way. They're also the final straw. The tiny bell above the door jingles and as I walk in, the humid air stinks of soil and the heady perfume of the thousands of blooming flowers lining the walls. I feel a little bit like I've walked into a jungle. But automatically, instantly, it feels a bit easier to breathe.

Alex seems to like being in Hera's Orchard too, his chubby little hands grasping for the bright colors he can see even as his big eyes go wide at the onslaught of new sensations. I cuddle him closer, kissing his downy head before boldly forging my way to the counter I can see in the back.

There's a sign on the petal strewn countertop, proclaiming, "Ring the Bell for Service! Someone will be out shortly!" Right beside the sign is a bronze bell, like the kind they have on hotel concierge counters. I press it just once, and then have to drag a few petals from Alex's little fingers. If I hadn't caught them, they would've gone right into his mouth.

"Buddy. Alex! No, honey. Those do not go in your mouth." My son is ever vocal, babbling very seriously back at me. I'm having an oh, so serious conversation with my baby when an amused mock cough catches my attention. While I was conversing with Alex, someone walked out from the back and came to stand behind the counter. 

She's beautiful, her shoulder length brown hair is tied up into a knot at the back of her head and green eyes bore right through me. She's small and slight, but when she folds her arms across her chest, the muscles bulge with hidden strength.

"Hi, welcome to Hera's Orchard. I'm Fern, how can I help you today?" I can't hide my nerves as I slide the hood off, finally revealing my face to Fern. Her piercing eyes soften, seeing the bruises rising up vividly across my face.

"Hi, Fern. I'm Nadia," I make Alex wave with his little hand, "and this little guy is Alex. I read online that you just got a shipment of some rare asphodels into the store? I was hoping to purchase one as a gift." My throat is dry as I catalog the expression on her face. Fern's serious and stern. The sweet, slightly goofy grin she'd leveled at Alex just moments before is gone.

"Come with me." I grab my bag and follow her into the back. "Hey Charlie! Can you take over in the front? I've got a consult on a custom flower arrangement here!"

Charlie, a teenage boy, thin and gangly with the wildest curls I’ve ever seen, levels Fern with a lovestruck expression before walking out to man the counter. I know what he's so struck by. Have you ever been in a room with someone and been captivated by them? That's Fern's energy, from head to toe. I follow her into a small, plant covered office. Just as we sit down, Alex begins whimpering and gumming at my fingers.

"Sorry, he's hungry. D'you mind if I nurse him while we chat?" I can't believe I'm asking a stranger this question. Arthur would cut me down on the spot if he knew. Per his rules, babies are to be bottle fed only when other people are present.

"Of course. Feed the little guy. Take your time. I take my custom arrangement consultations very seriously." Her smile is soft as I situate Alex at my breast, heaving in as deep a breath as I am able as he begins to nurse hungrily. 

"Now that he's eating, do you want to tell me a little bit about the person you'd like to gift this special arrangement to?" Fern's got a little sketchpad in front of her and she begins to sketch bloom after bright bloom as I explain what I'm looking for.

"So, you're looking for an arrangement that is subtle and beautiful to gift your husband?" There's something dangerous in Fern's eyes as she uses a knife to cut the sketch free and hand it to me.

"Yes.” I trace over the thin wispy lines of the sketch, before murmuring, “This is beautiful. How soon can you have it ready?" 

I can't believe I'm doing this. Can I poison my husband? That’s the catch about Hera’s Orchard. It is a flower shop, one that has rave reviews and an ever growing list of clientele, but it’s true clientele is a bit shadier than housewives who want a fresh bouquet for their dinner table. ‘Asphodel’ is the key word in those situations. 

"Come with me." Rather than answer my question, she leads me to a small doorway in the back of the shop. She unlocks it with a key and grabs my bag. With Alex in my arms, I walk through the door, pausing only so Fern can latch the door behind us. Fern stops at the end of the passageway, knocking on the door. A small window opens, looking us over before the door opens and we're let through. 

"This, Nadia, is the Underworld. This is Persephone and Songbird. They run this place and are my closest friends." The women I see arrayed before me are beautiful and strong. Are they the salvation I've been looking for? Can they save Alex, and by extension me, from more suffering?

"Hey, Bruiser!" It's Persephone, her tone musical even as she wiggles her fingers at Alex. "What's up, Buttercup?"

"Seriously, Seph?" Fern's disgust at the nickname is palpable but I can tell it's a play at disgust more than the real deal. "This is Nadia Wilson. She walked into the Orchard looking for an asphodel."

Those seem to be the magic words. Before I can blink, I'm pulled to a table with Fern on my right and both of the other women in the room seated before me.

"I'm Persephone," Her voice is soft as she looks at me with Alex snoozing in his baby bjorn after his lunch. "Bruiser mentioned that you needed some help?"

At my confused look, she's quick to assure me, "Hey, you can talk openly here. We've got the entire Underworld locked down. Nothing leaves this room. I can assure you of that fact. We got the best hacker we know to build our anti surveillance gear."

As much as that intrigues me, if only because I just built an anti-surveillance setup myself,  I desperately need their help more. So I let the whole tale spill. How I emigrated to Texas as a young girl and taught myself how to code. How I'd fallen in love with the green beauty of the city and the hills surrounding it. But sadly that wasn’t all I’d fallen in love with. Arthur Wilson had swept me off of my feet. He seemed like a gorgeous man who had money and seemed to adore everything about me. So I hadn't hesitated when he asked me to marry him.

"Alex," you explain to the women, "is the only reason why I’ve stayed in my marriage for as long as I have." 

My breathing is ragged as I stare at the wall behind their heads. "Arthur, my husband, has hated Alex since before he was born. My husband hated how my body changed with the baby. He hates how I'm not back to my pre-baby weight or body type yet. So he takes it out on me." 

"At first it was just with his words. A probing comment here, a harsh word there. Then he started hitting me. I worked so damn hard to lose weight, to go back to what I looked like before, and it still wasn't enough. He's been hitting me more and more frequently."

"Then to top it all off, there is something else too. He's been cheating on me, I know he has. I've found red hairs on his clothes and he stinks of a perfume that's not what he buys me and insists I wear. But I could stand all of that. Last night, he tried to hit Alex. He's only three months old!" Your voice breaks and a tear slips down your cheek as you sob the words out. "He's just a baby, after all. Babies cry!"

"I can't let him hurt my baby. I can't live like this. Not anymore. Please help me. Please." My broken tones echo in the room around me as I make pleading eye contact with Persephone and Songbird in turn.

"Of course we'll help you, sweetheart! We're the Furies. It's what we do." I can't help my sobs as I let myself fall apart at their words.

3 weeks later

I wasn’t sure what to expect as the outcome from that first meeting at the Underworld, not at all. But whatever it was, it definitely wasn’t this. It’s 3 AM and red and blue lights blanket the front lawn of the suburban home I shared with my husband up until a few hours ago. That’s when I’d come downstairs with Alex in my arms and found Arthur and his newest side-piece, the red-head whose hairs I’d noticed on his suits, dead on the lounge chair in his study in various stages of undress. Like any dutiful wife, I’d screamed until our housekeeper found me and stayed by her side until the police arrived.

My pain and fear are all too real. Since I met with Persephone, Songbird, and Bruiser, it seems like Arthur turned all of his attention on me. I’ve been under a microscope ever since. He’s added a potentially broken wrist, two black eyes and a twisted ankle to the broken nose and bruised ribs I had the day I’d left Hera’s Orchard with a gorgeous flower arrangement under my arm. So the tears I cry as I clutch Alex to my chest in front of the sweetest Police Sergeant I’ve ever met are real. His face has been continually distressed since he first found me and I can’t believe how good he makes me feel.

“Sergeant Mickey Garcia,” he’d said, smiling at me as I tried to settle Alex from when the baby had been startled awake at the sirens of what seemed like the entirety of the Austin Police Department spilled onto our front lawn. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”

I’d stammered back my own greetings and let him lead me into the kitchen.

“C-can you tell me what happened?” He’d blushed crimson when I tried nursing Alex to get him to settle down. His face had only grown more and more serious the more I spoke. I found myself spilling the entire tale to him, captivated by the curls spilling over his forehead. 

“Sergeant Garcia,” his superior, a man with arresting green eyes and dark blonde hair calls Mickey over to him. All night I’ve been getting appraising looks from the men of APD. Either I look like shit with a squalling baby in my arms or they’re trying to figure out if I have the courage to turn black widow on one of the Police Department’s biggest donors. I do, but they won’t ever know. I look like a beaten down, broken woman, but I’m far from it. I’m a professional woman. I build custom computers and security protocols for corporations around the world. It’s my true passion and calling, one which Arthur had never cared to know about.

As Mickey briefs his superiors, the looks I get go from being evaluating to pitying. I know I look a sight, bruises turning blue and green on my tan skin and with bags so dark under my eyes they’re purple. Add to that my pajamas, bedhead, and a squalling baby and I’ve successfully slipped under APD’s radar. They’re sure to have pulled the security footage, the footage my paranoid husband always had recording, by now, the footage which shows me asleep in my bed or sleep-walking to Alex’s room when my collicky baby wakes me up in the middle of the night. Alex is a sleeping weight against my chest before Sergeant Garcia walks back to me.

“We’re going to get you into an ambulance Mrs.Wilson and get you and Alex to the hospital and check out. If you’d like, we can call someone to come stay with you while you’re there and who can take care of Alex while we wait?” His voice sounds like sex and smoke. Were I not so recently a widow and not so injured to boot, I would have jumped him on the spot.

“Yes, I have someone I can call. I’d like to change and grab a bag for Alex if I can first though?” At his nod, I limp my way upstairs, putting together a bag for Alex before handing the Sergeant both the bag and Alex at his insistence. Arthur never once held Alex like that. When I step out of the bedroom in a pair of jeans and t-shirt, Alex is happily drooling against Sergeant Garcia’s chest and he looks too comfortable for this to be the first time he’s holding a baby.

“Wow.” My voice is quiet. “This is not the first time you’ve held a baby, is it Sergeant?”

His chuckle is bashful and shy. “No, actually. My sister in Miami has three kids. I’ve held them all.”

“D’you have any babies of your own, Sergeant?” I don’t know why I’m asking that question, not now of all times.

“No, I don’t. But I’ve always wanted to.” He clears his throat before helping you into the ambulance and handing Alex to you. “Now let’s get you in touch with who you wanted to call. Who’d you like to call?”

My voice is all fire as I say, “Attie Blake. She’s a friend and my lawyer.”

4 months later

Arthur’s sister and mother had put up a perfunctory fuss when they found out he was dead, accusing me of murdering him and any other depraved things that came to his mind. They even tried to sue me. But even their high paid team of lawyers couldn’t stand up to Atlas Blake. With Attie’s help, I managed to win the case and secure all of Arthur Wilson’s fortune into a trust fund for his son. Mickey’s been by my side ever since as well. It was almost too easy to fall in love with him. Especially when I saw how easy it was for him to accept Alex as a part of the package deal. Mickey helped me scope out the location so I could buy the small shop near Hera’s Orchard which I made into a net-cafe and officially introduced me to Birdie Floyd and Emory Seresin, who I only knew so far as Songbird and Persephone.

Since then, my life has never been better. The Furies are the closest friends I have, and the shop, named Daedalus’ Automata, is the perfect place for me to do my thing. What’s my thing, you ask? Before my marriage, before Arthur demanded a trophy wife, I was in cyber security. Give me any network and a computer and I could tell you how secure the network is and at least four ways that I could make it better. I also make custom computers and anti-surveillance hardware. It’s how I continued making money under Arthur’s nose. Now, it’s how I’ve been paying back the Furies for helping me. I keep any mentions of the Furies out of the internet and away from the Task Force’s attention. The best part is how Mickey doesn’t care when I come home smelling like grease with Alex in my arms. How I wish I’d met Miguel Garcia first. 

It’s late when I stagger through the front door late on a Friday night. It’s date night and I’m so late that I’m sure any excuses I have will be flimsy at best. Mickey had grabbed Alex from Daedalus when he got off of his shift, so I don’t have the baby with me when I walk through the door. The entire house is filled with the most delicious scent, and as I look at my watch, I know I’m at least an hour late for dinner.

“Mickey?” My voice is soft as I toe my shoes off and walk through the house. “I’m sorry I’m late, vida. I had this absolute wreck of a computer get dropped off for repairs.” In part that’s true, I did have a wreck of a computer dropped off for repairs. But that’s not why I’m late. The Furies were running an op tonight, one for which I was on comms, making sure my girls were safe as they were running around doing what they do best. I walk through the kitchen, my heart dropping at the sight of the candles on the dining table, the wax nearly melted away.

“Mickey?” My voice drops to a whisper when I walk into the study and see all of my computer screens fired up, filling the entire room with their cool blue light. On the screen flash three dossiers, my own, Fern’s and Ranger’s in addition to the blueprints for the facility we hit tonight. It was a strict information gathering op, but so important. How could I have been so stupid that I hadn’t locked that information down before I left this morning?

“I think you’ve got some explaining to do, amor.” I’ve never heard Mickey sound so serious. “I love you, and I promise I’m not angry, just worried. Tell me what’s going on.”

I can’t resist melting into his embrace, inhaling the musky warm scent of his cologne as he squeezes me tight.

“I love you, Miguel. I just need to have you sign something first. Then I promise I’ll tell you everything.” Then I reach for my phone and speed dial Attie. 

“Hey Attie, I’m going to need an NDA here.” I can’t help looking at Mickey over the next half an hour we wait in the kitchen. I’m puttering around nervously, barely able to stomach the stew Mickey made while I finished up at the shop. Mickey’s not much better. He eats too, but he keeps stealing these searching glances of me, and the tension enveloping our small kitchen is nearly too much to bear. He tries to speak a few times but each time, stops short. I can’t help wondering what this means for us, for Alex who already has heard us both refer to Mickey as dad or daddy.

It’s the doorbell ringing which startles me out of the pensive way I’ve been glancing into Mickey’s eyes. It’s Attie at the door with Bradley right behind her.

“Hey Nova.” She’s smiling, which should provide me with a sense of relief. But I can’t help the dread pooling in my gut or the bad portents which my mind is constantly bombarding me with.

“Hey, Attie. C’mon in.” I hug her for a few minutes before leading her and her six-foot shadow into our kitchen.

“Hey, Roos.” Mickey sounds exhausted and I can’t believe it’s because of me. “So you’ve been read into what the girls are doing too?”

It breaks your heart when he folds into one of the chairs at the kitchen table and runs his fingers through his curls. 

“How bad is it, Bradshaw?” At Bradley’s lack of response, I can see Mickey’s jaw tighten and worry cloud his features even more.

“It’s alright, Mickey.” It’s Attie who takes control of the situation. “Read over this, sign it, and then Nova and I will tell you what’s going on.”

Mickey gives the document a cursory look over, scrawling his signature where required before pushing it to Attie and leveling me with one of his intense panty dropping looks. It’s with my heart in my throat that I let the whole tale of my introduction and involvement in the Furies spill. Anger glints in his eyes as I finish. 

“I need a drink. Whiskey, Roos?” He can’t even look at me. I understand needing a bit to process, but Mickey’s never processed like this before. Please let him understand. Please let this not be the end. I share a scared look with Attie before standing to grab a tumblr for her, too. I don’t drink, not a drop, and while I’ve never minded Mickey or our friends drinking, tonight the sight of the alcohol slipping down his throat just fills me with dread. Maybe it’s residual PTSD from Arthur, who’d beat me if he got too drunk, but it’s just as likely to be the tense situation I’ve found myself in. 

“So where do we go from here?” Mickey’s looking right at me as he says the words. “I know you know this, amor, but I’m on the task force hell bent on finding Persephone and the Furies. To stop them. How can I protect my family? The woman I love, the woman I wanted to ask to marry me tonight, when she’s on the other side of the work I’ve devoted my life to?”

My smile is tremulous as I launch myself into his arms. Relief floods my veins, maybe this isn’t the end!

“You wanted me to marry you, Miguel?” I can’t hide my sobs as I bury myself into his skin. His arms are strong and secure as they automatically wrap around me.

“Course, amor. I’ve wanted to ask you to marry me since the day I met you.” I can’t help the clumsy, salty, kiss I press to his lips. “I’ve wanted you and Alex from first sight. This doesn’t change anything, not between you and me. It’s going to change everything at work, though.”

I get lost kissing Mickey for several more long moments, until the baby monitor on the counter chirps, spilling Alex’s cries into the room.

“I’ll get him,” I murmur in Mickey’s ear. “Attie will join me. Talk to Bradley, vida. He knows, so does Bob.”

Attie’s a silent shadow behind me as we walk into the nursery and I change the baby’s diaper.

“It’s going to be okay, Nov. The entirety of Mickey’s loyalty is with you and this little guy. They’ll figure out a way to keep us safe. And we’ll do our part to keep them safe too.”

Mickey looks relieved when I walk downstairs once Alex is back to sleep. It’s looking at his face and the home that we’ve made together that I make a vow I’ll keep if it’s the last thing I do. I’ll protect my fiancé, protect his friends and protect our son. If someone finds out about the Furies, it won’t be because of me. Nobody I love will ever get hurt again, not if I can stop them. 

It’s that righteous vision that fills my veins when Mickey and I get married in a small courthouse ceremony a few weeks later surrounded by our friends. It’s a hurried engagement, but necessary, especially since spousal immunity can only help when in our situation. He adopts Alex too. Attie checked, Mickey adopting Alex does not void the Wilson trust fund. Things seem to smooth between Mickey and I. Our two week honeymoon in Miami is the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. Not to mention, the most time I’ve spent naked in one stretch. Mickey didn’t let me out of bed for the first 48 hours we were there. 

When we get back, life sinks into its own balanced pace. My new normal, punctuated by the gorgeous solitaire diamond on my left ring finger, is full of promise. But as things pick up and I start hearing more and more about a new king-pin taking over Austin, the more I worry about what’s to come. But I’m able to put my worries aside for the most part, staying vigilant. I do what I can to help the cause, sending the young boys and girls who need help to Cora’s Bakery down the street for pomegranate scones. After all, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and that’s all of us. It’s why we do what we do.

I DO NOT CONSENT TO HAVE MY WORK POSTED, TRANSLATED, OR PUBLISHED ON ANY SITES OTHER THAN HERE OR ON AO3 BY ME. IF YOU SEE MY WORKS ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HERE OR AO3, THEN THEY HAVE BEEN POSTED WITHOUT MY PERMISSION AND I WILL BE WORKING TO TAKE THEM DOWN.

Taglist:

@dakotakazansky @cherrycola27 @thedroneranger @desert-fern @sarahsmi13s @hisredheadedgoddess28 @roosters-girl @roostette @bobby-r2d2-floyd @footprintsinthesxnd @genius2050 @angelbabyange @djs8891