#I also have zero fear of jumping in this game

[yanderenightmare]

TW: noncon, yandere, omegaverse, subjugation, some type of sexism, angsty, also a little fluffy?

fem reader

Discussions about superiority and inferiority between Alphas, Betas, and Omegas have become more popular lately. It’s always been many people’s opinion that the weak should cater to those stronger than them—but a debate with that as its topic is unsavory. Unfortunately, they’ve found new ways to phrase it. 

A resonating “Unmated Omegas are a danger to themselves!” garners much more sympathy…

And with the rise of people talking about it in the media, it was only natural to move the conversation into school as well.

You keep your head bowed in class as the chill runs down your spine. You feel the glare of thirty fellow students—the points of their teeth, too, and how they snicker under their breath. It’s always been rather scary being an omega, but you can’t say you’ve ever felt quite so alone.  

The teacher’s an alpha, so why should he care how what he says impacts you? He’s preaching to the choir, and you’ve never had the right to sing. The three other Omegas in your class have all chosen to stay home. They probably have the right idea—wait it out until it all blows over.

But you don’t know when that might be… You don’t know if that will be.

Society is on the precipice of critical change—new politics, new laws, new systems, new rights that separate you from them. You wallow in fear of the outcome, lying awake at night and scrolling through the news under the safety of your duvet. The statements seem endless. You wonder, why are all politicians Alphas?

You don’t want any of the things they’re suggesting—mating homes to help you find the perfect Alpha to bond with, systematic pairings done from birth, auctions. Is no one going to suggest they put shock collars on all Alphas and Betas to keep them in check? They’re the ones who need to—

“Your scent is distracting the whole class—don’t you feel ashamed?” 

It’s too easy for him to have you bent over the desk, your wrist on your back in his big fist as he wraps his tie around them. He and his goons stand around, all smiles—watching—enjoying it. It’s as if they’ve planned the whole thing, the way two of them peel away from the crowd to grab each their pick of your feet. Parting them, they use your own shoelaces to tie them to the desk legs.

The ringleader laughs. There’s an awful smell coming off him in waves—it makes you quiver. He flips your skirt up and whistles at the sight, showing everyone your ass and cotton undies. The bulge he presses against you is enough to make your tears spill despite how hard you’d fought to keep them at bay, knowing it only arouses them further.

“Aww, don’t cry, little bitch. You should be happy,” he coos, leaning over your trapped form to whisper right at your ear. “Don’t you know? You’ll never feel happier than you will bouncing on my big Alpha dick. It’s all your little Omega cunt dreams about, isn’t it?” He snickers, fiddling with his belt buckle—you flinch at every sharp clink as he jostles the metal. “Well, salvation is here—”

“Keep it to yourself.” Another voice breaks through the sounds of hollers and cheers.

Your eyes open to see him. You despise how your heart jumps in relief.

“Oi, you—” the guy at your back challenges, stepping away from you and toward the interruption.

“Yeah, me,” he states blankly, jaded. He eyes the rest of the guys with disinterest—five betas, zero threat—before telling them, “All of you. Scram.”

They all take a step to walk out as if his voice alone had compelled them, but then the previous guy interjects, making them stop in their tracks again. “Tch—you know what they’re saying. All unmated Omegas are free game, and I won this one. So back off.”

It was like watching a match of tug-of-war.

“Heh,” the intruder laughs. “That rule only counts for Alphas.”

You spot your aggressor's fists curl—there’s a growl rumbling in the back of his throat. “I am an Alpha, asshole.”

“Really?” he feigns, sizing him up with a cocky tilt of his head. “Couldn’t tell.” He doesn’t seem fazed in light of the aggression—actually, it seems to amuse him if anything. “To me, you smell no different from all these other Beta losers.” 

He takes a casual step forward, hands in his pockets and a smile on his face—baring canines with grace.

“But if you wanna prove it, I’m ready when you are.”

It’s quiet after the declaration. The betas are unsure who’s side to pick, none of them eager to get caught in the middle. It becomes a competition purely between the two Alphas.

Without backup, your aggressor backs down and leaves.

“Thought so,” your savior jeers, showing the crowd out, closing and locking the door behind them.

It’s quiet after they’ve left.

You hide your face. Listening to his footsteps approach—he sighs when taking the place of the former guy. He doesn’t touch you, though.

“Y’know…” he starts. “That guy might be trash, but he isn’t wrong…” He picks up your skirt and drapes it back in place. “None of this would ever happen if you weren’t unmated.”

You speak through grit teeth. “Untie me.”

He chuckles familiarly at that, clicking his tongue at you. “What? Aren’t you gonna say please?” But he does what you say anyway. Squatting down, he starts with your ankles.

The scent of your fear still lingers in the air despite your tough act. You’ve always been so steadfast, ever since you were kids, even when it does you no good. He frees your feet—one, then the other, slowly—he even reties your laces into pretty bows before he’s done. 

He remembers it being so obvious. The sun rose in the morning and the moon at night, and you were supposed to be an Alpha while he a Beta at best. You promised you’d be by his side to keep him safe forever, and he wanted nothing more.

But then puberty hit, and nothing was as you’d imagined.

He stands and unknots the tie keeping your wrists restrained.

You immediately push him off—already storming away.

“Do I get no thank you, no nothing? Always so stubborn—” He grabs your arm.

You spin around, an unnatural snarl on your face. “Let go!”

You’d have been a terrifying Alpha. But as fate has it, you’re not. And you shouldn’t act like it. It only lands you in trouble.

But he doesn’t say that. 

“You been watchin’ the news?” he says instead, ignoring your cry and keeping a firm grip on your arm. “Seems like auctions are winning the voters. You know what that means?”

He feels you flinch, followed by a quiver. He can tell. No matter how good you are at hiding it. He can see—the way you’re fraying at the edges, barely holding it together. Always acting so strong. He can’t tell whether you enjoy torturing yourself or if you’re just that good at convincing yourself you’re fine.

“Pretty soon, new authorities are gonna come storming in here, roundin’ up every sorry unmated Omega they find, and put ‘em all on a farm where pompous Alphas can have their pick of the litter.”

He can never tell what you’re thinking, but he knows he doesn’t need to tell you any of this. You’re not stupid, you never have been. He knows you already know. But…

“You should decide now while it’s still your choice.” 

You must be terrified. He understands. But truly… it’s obvious what you have to do, isn’t it?

“It’s not like you have many options.”

It’s obvious. It always has been.

You don’t meet his eyes. You haven’t for a long while. Actually, you haven't since both of you got your test results. He understands this wasn’t what you had in mind, but you can’t afford to mope about it forever—

“How am I supposed to choose any Alpha when you’re all such assholes…”

Your mutter stunts him. It wasn’t what he expected. Or, the words were more or less exactly something he’d expect from you, but that voice—quiet and soft, dangling on the brink of sweet. If you’d said anything else, he’d have taken it as a confession.

“Can't argue with that,” he ends up chuckling again.

You hate how easy this is for him. He would cry at every turn when you were kids. It’s unfair. 

“But you can’t keep doing this, either,” he states. His voice is soft, paired with that ugly authority they all have when talking to you—talking down to you. “Just look where it gets you—scared and exhausted because of it. At least have the brains to stay home.” He says it as if it’s a joke, but you both know it isn’t. His chuckles are light—far from fullhearted.

He bends down, trying to find your eyes. He still holds onto your arm, knowing you’d sooner stomp away than listen to him. His other hand brushes your cheek gently, tucking your hair behind your ear.

“You hear the call from the rafters—it’s not about what you want anymore. It’s about what you need.”

That’s what they say, isn’t it? What you need. You want to slap him. Scratch him with claws, bite his throat out—make him choke on his own words. Need? What you need is for them all to fuck off.

You mean to say it with the same sentiment, but something hard and rough in your throat makes all your words come out wobbly. “Mate an Alpha to stay safe from other Alphas. What a joke.”

You bow your head further. The tears return. They burn as they trail down the sore streaks from before.

He’s never seen you like this. He won’t lie, it makes his pants tight—feeling the urge to suck your cheeks, hold you close and comfort you. But knowing you right, you’d probably never let him. Your face would probably scrunch up in disgust, punch his gut, knee his groin, then turn on your heel and leave him on the floor wheezing.

You really would have made the most terrifying Alpha. 

“The world isn’t fair,” he agrees. “But you get nowhere cryin’ about it—do it my way, and you’ll never—”

“Have any freedom,” you cut him off with a sniffle. 

It’s about the most adorable thing he’s seen in his life.

He gets why you don’t like Alphas—they’re all gross. He makes himself sick sometimes. He can’t believe he’s getting off on watching you have a mental breakdown. There’s something seriously wrong with his side of the species. His throat’s tight, mouth watery with the urge to reap your vulnerability. 

Suppressing it only makes his inner beast furious. Some of that aggression comes out in his next words.

“I’m sorry, but the world doesn’t give a shit about your freedom.” 

The grip around your arm tightens, and you look up in shock—watching his narrowed eyes through your watery ones. 

“What you need is safety—now more than ever. Or do you like being preyed on by every Alpha around the corner?” 

Your bottom lip trembles at the reality of it—a little while ago, you were almost— 

“One of these days, I'm not gonna be here in time, and you’ll be a slave to some fucking—” 

He huffs and hangs his head. His hand loosens up—it trembles where he holds you in place.

“In all honesty, I think I’m more scared than you,” he whispers under his breath. “I think I might kill—”

He stops himself again. You don’t know if it’s in an effort not to frighten you or himself.

“Speak about needs…” he begins anew, now softer. “I need to know you’re safe. I need to—” He looks up. His eyes are back to being round. “I need you more than you need me, probably.”

There’s a desperation on his face. It almost looks like he’s on the verge of tears himself.

“So… please?” he begs. “Will you keep me safe like you promised and stay by my side?”

Your tears dry and prickle. Looking into his eyes now, you see the same boy you knew back in your childhood—that one who’d chase you all over even when you’d call him a sniveling crybaby. You realize, Alpha or not, he hadn’t changed all that much at all. 

“It’s not like you need my permission,” you end up saying.

You’ve always been so hard-headed. He has to smile. “No, but I want it.”

You nibble your lip. You can’t believe you’re at the mercy of this big dumb hunk of… you don’t have the words to describe him. He wasn’t exactly a crybaby anymore. 

“Okay. You win.” 

His eyes widen as you bear your neck with a stretch. Head high and shoulders slack. 

You swallow thickly. “Get it over with.”

He shudders at the sight. He didn’t know what he’d been expecting, but now it almost seemed too soon. 

“We should be supervised by a professional—you know how wrong things can go—”

“Hurry up before I change my mind.” Your eyes remain shut, and your lips pursed.

His tongue grows thick in his mouth at your bark. A sudden stroke of performance anxiety makes his palms sweaty, hands heavy and shaking. But then the sight of your soft neck has his mood shift, becoming drowsy.

He has no control over the growl that begins rumbling from his gut.

But he doesn’t apologize for it either.

He bends forward—breaths on your chest before he licks your throat. You can’t help but whimper at the warmth. He watches you through hooded eyes—your usually angry face is now all cute, riddled with anxiety you try hiding paired with the grim anticipation of pain.

“Shh,” he soothes, kissing the spot softly. He sways you against him, then lifts you up on the desk for you to sit. Grazing your neck with teeth when feeling your hands tangle two fistfuls of his shirt. He expects you to push him away, but you don’t—you tug him closer instead as if silently telling him to hurry up.

But he doesn’t want to rush, doesn’t want to lose himself—that’s how accidents happen. So he sticks to sucking gently, only tiny nibbles that leave your skin hot and lightly bruised in their wake.

You give a moan once he finds the spot, and he growls in restraint upon the pretty sound—feeling you relax despite being threatened with his teeth right at your artery. He almost humps your leg in return, feeling the boil of blood pump him hot and heavy in his pants—breaths turning equally hot and heavy, each one laced with rust.

Drool coated your neck in a cool sheen, soothing the marks made beneath it, while his lips and fangs aroused pleasure in the spot that now ached for the sting of his bite.

“Please,” slipped from your mouth while tugging him closer. 

His eyes, completely drunk on the pretty prayer, had only a slim rim of color left surrounding the hungering bottomless pits, blown full and black with opium.

No one could come and take you away from him now. Not with his print so pretty on your neck. You were his—just as you were always supposed to be.

♡ BNHA – Deku, Kirishima, Natsuo, Amajiki, Mirio ♡ JJK – Yuji, Yuuta ♡ HQ – Kuro, Miya twins ♡ DS – Tanjiro, Zenitsu

♡ FEM x M INSERT masterlist ♡ GN x M INSERT masterlist

[felassan]

David Gaider on Fenris, under a cut for length:

"Fenris. Now, DA2 is a story all on its own but I'm not going to go there other than to sum it up as "we had just over a year and a half to make this". It's why I only wrote one follower, Fenris, and although it'll make his fans mad: I probably shouldn't have. Let me explain. The way we'd approach making the followers is brainstorming a list of concepts covering first the array of gameplay classes (and sub-classes) and then making sure they each have some skin in the game when it came to the story's conflicts - ideally having characters on both sides of the major ones. Why? You can't make a player care about the world, but you can make them care about characters who care about the world. It's the easiest way to provide hooks into a conflict, outside of it knocking on the player's door. Heck, it's probably better than that. Players will burn the world for approval. After that, we'd decide things like romances/sexuality. Then the writers would pick who they'd write. I always let my writers pick first. I figured they do their best work when it's something they're inspired to write... and they got so few chances at ownership, I wanted to give it whenever I could It's why I (reluctantly) let Patrick wrest Cole from my grasp in DAI, a character I'd created in Asunder. It's also why I let Jennifer take Anders in DA2, who I'd started in Awakening. In this instance, it meant I was left with the angry elven warrior character who nobody else appeared to want."

"It should have been my first clue that something was up. The second was how the artists had zero clue what to do with him. The art concepts were all over the place - from mages to crows to... well, even weirder. No matter how hard I tried to explain the idea, the artists simply didn't seem to get it Does this mean he was a bad character? Not exactly. Just an idea that probably deserved some re-examining. You can tell when an idea has a certain spark, and part of that is being easy to communicate. Sadly, there wasn't time for any re-examining even if it'd occurred to me. And it didn't, not yet. If it had, if I had time, maybe I'd have re-booted him as a templar. Someone pro-templar rather than anti-mage, who could give a personal hook into Meredith and give the templars some badly-needed humanity. But this falls into the shoulda-woulda-coulda category. I had a follower to write. Quickly. I struggled, at first. It was hard to get away from "Fenris hates everything, all the time". It felt very one-note, and I didn't know where to take him. My third clue, I guess. I also wasn't sure if I was the right person to write a former slave. I did know that couldn't be the center of his story. I did know trauma, however. How it can eat you up. How the hate and resentment is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies. How it can infect your relationships. Fenris's trauma isn't my trauma, obviously, but here I dipped into a more personal part of myself than I'd ever done before."

"It gave me the center of his story I was missing, but wow was it uncomfortable. In a good way, maybe. I likely wouldn't have, if I hadn't been so desperate. In a way, I think DA2 had some of our best writing *because* of the timeline. It was raw, with little time to sand down the interesting parts. I wouldn't have done the "Fenris doesn't talk to you for three years" thing if I'd known we were going to cut all the reactivity initially planned for the time jumps. When that call was made, I campaigned to cut the jumps to a year, but there was no time for the revisions it'd need. So, um. Awkward. I used to get asked where the name came from, and I... don't remember? Obviously it's derived from Fenrir, but I don't recall why we picked that. Someone pointed at Fenris the Feared from Joe Abercrombie's books... and I did read them, so maybe the name lodged in my head? Wouldn't be the first time. Casting Fenris turned out to be easy. He was the first time I requested a specific VA and got him. (The other times were Merrill and then Solas, my two "I want these specific Welsh actors, please".) Why? OK, if you must know, I'd played a bit of Final Fantasy XII. I heard Balthier. "Yes, that." 😅 And Gideon Emery was a delight, as it turned out. Consummate professional, and that lovely gravel in his voice... good god. Bite the knuckles. There was a struggle to find the voice at the outset where I did my best not to say "just pls do Balthier" but he found Fenris on his own and it was amazing. Overall, Fenris turned out better than he had any right to, considering the rocky start. He had a lot of soul, a vulnerability forged by pain that struck a chord with a lot of players, and I'm glad. Do I regret anything? Probably having him live in a corpse-filled mansion that would never update. That's a hindsight thing, though, as again the cut to reactivity over the time jumps came late. Outside of that, maybe letting the player give him back to Danarius? Poor shock value and a waste of resources because almost nobody took the option. Good evil options are ones that are tempting to take. And the lyrium tattoos. Interesting concept, but they're probably why you'll never see Fenris in a future DA. He requires a custom body, and the tattoos make that expensive. It's why I put Fenris in my 4th DA novel - the cancelled one. Don't fret, though. He died in it, so this way he lives on. 😉"

[source thread]

User: "Wait wait how does he die in [the cancelled novel]??" David Gaider: "Gloriously, after taking up a cause he didn't believe in at first but then made his own, one that allowed him to rediscover what it meant to be elven." [source] David Gaider: "I’m not sorry about the novel cancellation. I’m the one who cancelled it. I am kinda sad we couldn’t make it work, though. Considering it was after I left the DA team, it would have been my final DA hurrah." [source] David Gaider: "From my perspective, it was kind of "well if you're never going to use him again, let me at least give him a proper send off" and the story required a glorious death... but I get that's not the story his biggest fans would want (which is Hawke + Fenris 4ever), so it's just as well." [source]

User: "You all did some incredible work with such a tight deadline" David Gaider: "I'm of the opinion that even if we'd had only another six months to bake, DA2 would be remembered as a classic and not either a flawed gem or underbaked sequel, depending on who you ask." [source]

David Gaider: "Just to clarify the "they're probably why you'll never see Fenris" thing, as it's spawned commentary: 1. It's the reasoning as was explained to me back then. 2. Obviously, if Bio *really* wanted to, they'd find a way around it. But it was a complication that meant he couldn't be included casually." [source]

[scribesynnox]

Apocalyptic Ponyo: Escape From The Poachers

@keferon for the apocalyptic ponyo au and @sightseertrespasser cuz the poachers idea was so big brained and I just ended up writing this whole thing in my notes app cuz of it and it was so good that I had to share it:

OOOOOOOO, SSTP WAS SO BIG BRAINED FOR INCLUDING THE POACHERS IN HERE!! Another point of drama! Having to avoid them! Trying to release the humans back to the biggest group of humans except those humans are actually poachers and the humans are hesitating but the mers are trying to encourage them to go back, and then suddenly the humans are making loud noises and-

OOOOOOO, Blurr and Swerve should like, they DEFINITELY have a system of communication, simple noises or hand signs to convey meaning given how much they had to depend on each other as they navigated the washed up ruins of the island.

So Swerve and the other humans are all wary and making their barks and chirps at the big group of human, and then Blurr registers the wide eyed look of fear and anger on Orange’s face. Orange immediately books it back towards him and barks the noise that means HELP! DANGER! And jumps down to Blurr’s who had automatically outstretched his hands at the noise. Upon landing, Swerve points in a direction and Blurr immediately starts swimming away, having enough time to process what just happened and shout back at the others, “GET AWAY, THEY’RE NOT SAFE!!”

Shockwave is already swarmed with his guppies and swimming away, while Ratchet and Hot Rod make their escape.

Now it’s a chase as the mers try to get away and-

Oh my god, that would make SUCH a good chase scene video game wise, all the different characters with their different mechanics trying to escape the poachers.

With Swerve and Blurr, you’d have a punch of sonic style fast speed running away with Swerve occasionally having to heave Blurr up and dead sprint on dry land to escape the poachers.

With Shockwave and his kids, it would be Shockwave trying to get away as fast as he can, using his size and strenght to break apart buildings in the way and occassionally lob debris at the poachers while the kids shoot at the poachers trying to give Shockwave enough time and space to do all that.

With Ratchet and HotRod and Drift… well we don’t have a lot for them yet, they’re very new, so I’ll just come up with whatever, hmmm. Dratchet is not a speedster. He’s not giant like Shockwave is with a gaggle of guppies who are more than willing to draw blood.

But he DOES have Drift who knows poachers, and Hot Rod who is more spry.

This may be more of a hide and seek sort of escape for them, Hot Rod peeking around corners to look for them, Drift using his knowledge as a former poacher to know their tricks, and- oooooo, what if Ratchet had weapons stocked in his fins. He has to get new fins, might as well ALSO make them tasers.

So their escape is less of a runaway, and less of a smash and run, and more of sneak and ambush.

Ooooooo hehehehe yesssss, I LOVE that. This is so fun, I’m having a great time.

So we have three different escape sequences. I don't know if Jazz and Prowl should be there too because if they are, I feel like everyone would get the danger they were in much faster and also this would quickly go from "run run get away" to "we have two apex predators here and two giant fuck off mers (Shockwave and Ratchet) who definitely know how to fight and the apex predators are on their side and also there's Drift who is ABSOLUTELY going to fight when he realizes there is no running away and CAN fight and also an entire swarm of children who have a lot of pent up stress and zero issues with taking it out on a bunch of adults who were going to hurt their father figure that they're very attached to". Like I can't imagine Jazz and Prowl being there and it NOT ending up into a boss fight. Oooooo except if Jazz got injured, badly. That would make running away a priority, and THEN! Ratchet could help Jazz after they get away! In this situation though, I can't imagine everyone accidentally getting separated like in the situation above so this chase scene would probably play a little different. Instead of three separate chase scenes, it would be EVERYONE swimming away, and at different points of the chase, you'd control a different character, using different game mechanics based on who you're controlling at the time to help get away- oooooo, to be even harder, maybe you'd have to pick and chose who to control based on the environment around you, deciding if you need to be fast so that Blurr can speed ahead and clear the path for the others, or if you need to be the kids and distract the poachers, keeping them off of you, or if you need to be Ratchet and and do some field medicine while swimming so that Jazz can stay stable, doing some quicktime events at some parts, and puzzles at others and shit. That could be fun too, hehehehe.

I'm having a great time, this is great, I'm loving it here, this is so fun to imagine.

[c4erul3um]

Hero X x Fem!Reader

First of all, english is not my first language, so sorry if there are any mistakes. And I haven't written anything in so long, so it may be a bit cringe, idk.

Second, there are literally zero fanfics on this hot white haired guy, so I took it into my own hands and wrote this short fic.

Also, here is AO3 link.

Word count: 2,1k

Summary: Y/N was never a big fan of this people playing heroes game, she always found it a little sad. From my point of view, the moment you become a hero, you lose a sense of life, you lose your privacy, and mostly, your identity. People don't realise their beliefs and words shape the person they deem their "hero." I was never interested in this, until today.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

In this world, trust is everything, but so is fear. Trust is a variable thing in heroes day to day life, it gives them their power and helps them strive in their pursuit through the ranking system, and on the very top, the throne, sits the hero X.

I was never a big fan of this people playing heroes game, I always found it a little sad. From my point of view, the moment you become a hero, you lose a sense of life, you lose your privacy, and mostly, your identity. People don't realise their beliefs and words shape the person they deem their "hero." I was never interested in this, until today.

Rushed footsteps echoed on the sidewalk of a busy street of the loud city, people are either running to their jobs, waiting for their morning coffee, or just talking. Y/N was in the first category.

Having overslept a little, she had just about ten minutes to get to her job.

"Dammit, if I continue this way…I should be able to get there on time" she mumbled to herself, as she ran. But of course, luck was never on her side. She heard people screams somewhere before her. 'Another villain?..Isn't there one almost everyday?' Y/N thought.

As she finished that thought, the ground under her broke, opening into neverending darkness, swallowing her whole.

She screamed, falling in the eternal darkness lying under the almost regal city above. And as she thought her end was inevitable, sudden snap echoed in the darkness. Changing the gloomy environment to a astonishing range of colours, swirling and changing their shapes.

"What.." She said out loud, falling slowly, looking all over the beautiful phenomenon. She startled, the feeling of arms around her shoulders and legs, instantly snapping her head to the source of the feeling.

Her eyes met black ones, even with the yellow tint from the glasses on his nose, she could tell they were black. The mysterious person just looked at her, smiling slightly, almost in reassurance, but she could tell the smile was no genuine, somehow practiced.

Her eyes trailed down, noticing the eye beating X on his tie. 'So this must be the omnipotent hero X..' Y/N noted to herself. Looking up at him again.

"Thank you for saving me, but, um, could you…could you let me down now..?" She said a bit nervously, who wouldn't be in the presence of the enigma hero X is. Yes, she didn't care about heroes, but some of Y/N's coworkers could be quite loud with their argumenting about who the best hero is. And X was sometimes quite a hot topic between the office workers.

X's brows rose just a tad bit, he looked to be what, surprised, pleased, maybe something inbetween? Like it was the first time someone didn't throw themselves at him, and just asked nicely if they could be put down.

His arms loosened up, he bend over slightly, letting Y/N jump out of his arms easily onto the distorted pavement under them, or whatever it is. As her feet touched the ground, Y/N instantly brushed off her office skirt, jacket and patted down her hair, as they were all over the place from her fall.

"Pardon me for asking, but, do your powers allow for teleportation or something? Nothing against you, but I don't plan on becoming a celebrity from being seen with you." Y/N said, turning to him. hoping he doesn't take any offence in her weird question.

He just smiled and nodded at her, snapping his fingers.

The scene changed from colourful to a darker alley, by the looks they were somewhere near the initial place she goes through everyday to work. Y/N turned to X, looking up at him, just to find him already staring at her with his head tilted a little.

"Thank you again for saving me, I have to go now." She bowed slightly while saying that, them rushing out of the alley into the still busy streets, hoping to get to her work place somewhat on time.

What she didn't notice was her job ID falling out of her pocket.

X didn't even have time to call out to her to let her know her ID slipped from her pocket. He sighed, picking it up and noticing that she worked in the same building as him.

'What a coincidence.' He thought, snapping fingers on his other hand, changing into his normal persona, putting the card in the pocket of his jacket and walking out of the alley, the watch on his wrist buzzing, notifying him of his late arrival to work.

"Shit shit shit shit." Y/N kept whispering under her breath, searching through her pockets. 'Fuck, must have slipped somewhere during the attack. She sighed loudly, slumping her slouders, she will have to get a new ID tommorrow.

She walked to the reception, telling the lady about the lost ID, showing proof of her identity and filing out a questionnaire to get a new one. Y/N would have to explain to her boss why she was late, but she hoped her boss would take it okay, she was always on time, after all.

After filling up the document and giving it to the lady, she was led through the gate, going to the elevator, up to her boss's office, she knocked.

"Yes?" Came out male voice, signaling for her to go in. When she walked in, she closed the door behind her, looking at her boss. He was an average guy in his 40's, formal attire and tired face, nothing interesting.

"Good morning, I'm sorry for being late, but on my way to work I was caught in the crossfire of villain attack."

He sighed, his head propped up on his hand.

"It's fine, I heard about it. I know you are never late, so I will forgive it now, but don't let it happen again." He said.

'Huh, how am I supposed to not let it happen again, it wasn't…whatever.' Y/N thought bitterly, nodding and walking out of the office. Right to the coffee station, where she pressed the buttons on the machine, making herself a cup. As she turned to her left, Y/N noticed a guy taking all the sugar that was there, and he noticed too. Eyes widening he had nervous smile on his face, still holding all the sugar bags that come with the stationery.

Y/N just looked at him with blank stare, then held up her hand, the one not holding her coffee and made a grabby motion.

The thief still looked nervous, but gave her one of the prepackaged sugar on the palm of her hand. She still looked at him, making grabby motion again, he gave her another one. Then she smiled and happily walked to her office station.

Random office guy just looked at her retreating form, he smiled slightly, interested in her reaction to her missing ID, which now laid on the desk in her office station.

When Y/N walked up to her desk, she noticed her work ID, along with note that said.

'You forgot this ~ X' with a smiley face on the bottom.

Y/N was momentarily creeped out about how he got the adress to her work place, but then she face palmed, realising it was written on the ID. She chuckled, putting it to her inside breast pocket.

What she didn't see was the random office guy peeking around the corner, looking at your reaction, and smiling to himself while walking to his own desk.

Few days later, Y/N was sitting on the roof of her apartment complex, eating some snacks she brought with her, just overlooking the buzzling streets.

When she heard silent footsteps behind her, she looked over her shoulder at the intruder of her peace, almost choking on her food when she realised it was X walking towards her. To not choke, she downed almost half of her water bottle, coughing because of her scratched throat.

After her fit, she looked at him nervously, he was looking at her with concern in his eyes, as if asking if she is okay.

Y/N nodded her head, signaling that she was indeed fine and patted the spot next to her for him to sit. X slid down next to her, but still leaving some space between them. Neither of them said anything, just looking over the city, enjoying the silence of the other.

"You want some?" Y/N said to X, offering her snack to him, he stared at the bag for a moment, and took a piece, humming at the taste as he ate the piece. Y/N left the bag between them, letting him take as much as he wanted.

They sat there like that for maybe an hour, munching on snacks, chilling and not saying anything, for nothing had to be said between them.

Y/N then looked at her phone, noticing it was almost time for he to go sleep. She got up, breaking the tranquility, her joints cracking from the long sitting. She turned to X.

"Thank you for the ID by the way, didn't notice it was missing until I got to work." She smiled warmly.

He looked up to her, smiled, and nodded his head, still not saying anything.

'Doesn't seem like the talking type, then.' Y/N said internally. Turning to walk away she spoke over her shoulder.

"Bye bye mister X." And walked through the door to her complex, leaving X sitting alone on the roof.

X chuckled, staying there for few more minutes, then snapping his fingers and vanishing.

Two days after her rooftop sitting with the most popular hero, she found herself sitting there again. The wind blowing on her hair, the night making the city look ethereal.

Then somebody tapped her on shoulder, she yelped, her soul leaving her body, she threw her hands up, swirling around to fight off the unexpected threat.

Then she noticed it was just X, she put her hand over her beating heart, willing it to calm down. She heard him snicker, looking smug at getting her scared like that.

"Hey stop that! I could have fell off the roof!" She yelled at him, frowning, causing him to start laughing more, hiding his face from her.

Her gloomy face started to crack, leaving her laughing as well, although not as intensely as X. After he calmed down, he sat next to her again, leaving some space between them.

"What are you even doing here, aren't you supposed to patrol or whatever heroes do?" Y/N asked X, tilting her head.

X just shrugged, he still had to say his first words to her, Y/N didn't really mind, understanding the want to be quiet in this loud world.

"Have you already ended for the day, then?" She asked him. X nodded at her question.

'So just yes or no questions then, okay.' Y/N thought, turning her head ahead, again staring at the astonishing city before them.

Then she remembered something, looking at the grocery bag she had next to her, rumaging through it, she pulled out the snack she offered to X the other day, giving him the whole package.

"This is for saving me the other day." He looked genuinely surprised, as if he wasn't used to receiving gifts or anything in general.

When she thought about it, people don't usually show gratitute to their heroes, getting used to being saved by them, sometimes not even taking them as human beings. Well, somited they werent exactly humans, per se, some of them wearing masks, hiding their humanity. And some were literal furries, like the hero no. 5 The Johnnies, who looks like cosplayer you could find at comic con. And one was just straight up dog, like no. 8, Ahu.

X took the bag, lowering his head as a silent thanks, putting it on his lap, he smiled, genuinely, not the smug or practiced smile he usually wore, but real one. Y/N smiled back at him, she swears he looked a bit nervous, or maybe shy.

Y/N then looked at the city again, taking in the atmosphere, letting herself relax for few more minutes. Getting up, stretching her sore body.

"Very well, I shall be going mister hero, enjoy your night, goodnight." Y/N said as she walked away from X back through the roof door inside.

"Goodnight." X said quietly after she left. He got up from his sitting position and snapped his fingers, vanishing into thin air again, leaving no trace of his stay.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

Thanks for reading! If you have any criticism or feedback, I would be happy :>

[l0s3rd0wnt0wn]

Rip jason and damian! Cookie momma gonna slap out their attitude,i fear😔🤣.

And Dick and Bruce will also avoid whoreing themselves.

No women will try to seduce Bruce with mom!BW reader around if they still want their pretty face intact. I KNOW that these socialite /model/secretary etc will be terrified of her.

Bruce better pray if cookie!momma see him neglect BW! reader like the father-daughter dance!

AND either it'd gonna be a bad bitch fighting with Talia or they're gonna be great friend who do tough love.

Yummy, good soup! 🍲

Readers' moms are like their biggest supporters; if you had 100,000 fans, she's one of them. If you had 100 fans, she's one of them. If you had 10 fans, she's one of them. And if you had zero fans, best believe she's sitting in the front row of every school play, recital, and graduation, camera in hand, screaming your name, clapping, jumping up and down, and acting hysterically. At your school play, which was about Dorothy, you were one of the trees that was supposed to run around pretending to be a tornado until the tornado kid arrived to pick up Dorothy. You were tree number three—not tree number one, not tree number two, but tree number three. You didn't have any lines except for saying "swoosh" and moving your branches around, but that didn't stop your mom from shoving the camera in your face, telling you how proud she is of you, clapping her hands, and yelling like a crazed fan when the play was over.

When your mom hears about the whole neglecting thing, she’s literally seething with rage--like about-to-go-insane type of rage. When you tell her about the gala and how you feel like Bruce doesn’t like you or is ashamed of you, her jaw drops, her eyes widen, and she’s ready to walk into Wayne Enterprises with you by her side, kicking down that door and cussing Bruce out. You’ve seen your mother angry before, but not this type of angry; this is pure, unadulterated rage. After that, you start getting invited to more family events you didn’t even know were happening in the house, which makes you feel kind of sad, but at least you get to be invited, even though your mom had to force them to invite you. Something’s better than nothing.

So, in the living room with the others, as you play Mario Party, Mario Party has never felt so unfun before. You’ve played countless times with your friends, but this time it feels depressing. Cracking jokes or roasting each other about how bad you are in the mini-games is nonexistent. They're just talking with one another, having conversations, but you feel out of place. You can’t leave; you don’t want to seem ungrateful. If you do leave, they’ll probably start trash-talking you and saying how you ruined the mood. You’d rather disconnect your controller and sink into the leather couch until you’re at the very bottom, swimming in your own sorrow and self-doubt. You don’t want to be one of those kids who only gets invited to hang out with others because your parents tell those kids to or pull strings with other parents. You want people to hang out with you because they like you, enjoy your company, and think you’re cool--not because your mom tells them to.

When you hang out with Steph, Barbara, and Cass at the mall, you feel like you’re intruding on their fun. Instead of making conversation and small talk to get to know them better, you head to the food court to drown your sorrows in Chinese food. Then, you get distracted by a claw machine that helps take your mind off things. But if they don’t want to hang out with you, your mom will be happy to hang out with you, and she’s pretty possessive of your attention. You know who else is possessive of attention? Bruce is like Lucious Lyon is really possessive over your mother’s attention. Not getting it himself, he’ll make sure that nobody else gets her love and care. When your mom goes back on the market and starts dating again, Bruce sabotages all her relationships. He'll pay the guy off to stop dating her or make sure the car breaks down so they can’t leave the driveway. If that doesn’t work, they'll get a personal invitation from Batman. He'll make sure to take care of the date, clearing her schedule so he can interfere, taking her to a lavish dinner and inviting her back to the manor. The boys won’t even object either, especially not Jason or Dick. He practically raised those two boys, and just the idea of you giving your attention to another guy doesn’t sit right with them. Damian will make sure to stop his stepmother from being with any man other than Bruce. It just doesn’t make sense. Would she stoop so low as to be on dating websites? She’s a Wayne.

Ever since your mother complimented Damian's artwork, he's been wrapped around her finger. Talia is extremely jealous; it took her so long to win back Damian's trust, and it took your mother mere minutes. That jealousy is very strong. She sees you as a motherly opponent, someone stealing Damian away. Since Wayne Manor, he hasn't even considered taking over the mantle and becoming the Demon's Head; he's been too busy being Robin. When Talia finds pictures of your mother and Damian together in the media, she becomes consumed by jealousy—jealousy so strong it could be destructive. This makes Talia believe she and your mother have a rivalry, or perhaps a one-sided one; she thinks your mother and Bruce are still together, even though you haven't been together for 17 years—or longer. Who knows?

[astracora]

Turning Point - Part 4

Characters: Poly!LADs x gn!mc

Warnings: Hurt/Comfort, Injuries, Angst, Loss of Arm, Lots of emotional struggle with disability, Xavier Anecdote and Lightseeker Myth mentions.

Word Count: 4584

Written: 7th January 2025

Notes: Pre-relationship with gn!MC with all LADs, with my personal pov of the game and lil headcanons littered in. Unnamed MC, but using my personal MC's basic appearance and adjusted backstory. I take some liberties with what the game offers me. This one was rough for a lot of reasons. Also I think about how Xavier is the only confirmed character to watch MC die in his arms, way more than I should. So I feel like guilt is an emotion he would have to contend with the most. I'm also beyond heartbroken we didn't get him sobbing or reacting in game. Also I wrote like, so many side things while I was trying to work this bit out. But I've also gone back to chapter 3 to change the timeframe for Raffy's exhibit, so I can write out the chapter for him properly. (chapter? part?)

Now Playing: Starlight, by STARSET

Masterlist AO3

<- Previous Next ->

Xavier can't focus, he knows Nero is talking to him. If he had to make a guess, he knows the topic… he just can't make himself hear it.

He doesn't dislike Nero, and while he couldn't care less about the topic of Lumiere, least of all when you talk about him, he normally listens. Because Nero likes Xavier, and is comfortable talking to him, and has zero interest in flirting with you.

It's a low threshold… he's aware he's a selfish creature. If the new companions he'd acquired weren't willing to die for you too, he probably would have less patience for them. Even if sometimes they do press on the edges of his tolerance.

It's probably part of his punishment…

For not being there.

For letting you get hurt.

"Xavier?"

"Xaviiiiiier?"

"Hey!"

His nose is held, and he jolts upright, looking forwards with wide eyes at Tara and Nero who are frowning.

"Are you alright?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bore you."

He shakes his head, trying to clear what you've dubbed his 'storm cloud', "Just tired."

Tired. Angry. Hurting. He let you down, and now you're suffering even more.

He thinks about the you he left behind, the future he turned his back on. He thinks about the throne, and the ship he chartered.

He thinks about every life he's taken to protect yours. All the blood on his hands.

With all of his vigilance, all of his love, it took moments to almost lose you. Again.

"You should head home, we don't have any missions, and you'll just fall asleep again." Tara laughs, pushing a paper bag towards him, "And take this back for them, alright?"

He's about to do so, when he sees documents on Nero's desk. Sketches of prosthetic arms, augmented with wanderer designs. "What are you doing?"

Nero jumps, shoving the paper back but too slowly, Xavier picks it up to peer at it. Alongside the sketches are notes.

'Adjust the metal casing so it can be used as an emergency shield.' 'Nerve transmitters that work from the brain, requires less input from residual limb.' 'Bioorganic materials from wanderers reduce rejection rate?' 'Will they want patterns? Or something more skin-like?'

He looks at Nero, from all the notes, even some he can't read because the handwriting is quick and frantic, "What's this?"

The man in question looks down, his glasses almost falling off his nose, "I was talking to some of the other hunters who have a prosthetic. or lost a limb."

"I was doing the talking, Nero was taking notes."

He nods, looking a little more backed up with Tara next to him, "I wanted to find out what they could have used more when they started working again. Ways I could help them." He blinks then, looking startled, "They're coming back right?"

Tara looks at Xavier too, and he feels like he's under a microscope, because her face has changed. Fear lurking in frantic eyes.

"They will." He affirms, because you're aiming to, and he knows you don't give up. You'll stumble, trip, fall and bleed… but you'll get up and start running again.

He thinks about the you he left behind, and the you now.

Scarred and angry, aching at the edges. He thinks of the laughter when you finish a mission, fist bumping him with glee. The photos he has of you where you're smiling. Even if you don't smile as wide as Tara does, even if the scars tug at your lips. He thinks about your eyes, glittering with mischief, as you steal something off his desk.

When you can't stop laughing when you ask to try his light blade, flashing teeth like a cat. Heated cheeks but amused. He shares a blush, but he wishes you wouldn't tease.

You're different, with overlaps in parts.

He misses your smile.

"Nero, can you help me with something?"

—-

When he gets back to the apartment building, the moon high in the sky, he wants to see you straight away… but his hunter uniform is dirty, and he wants to relax. Release the strain of the day. So he stops off, changes, and sees some of the doctor's clothes next to his bed.

He's not sure what made him offer his apartment as a secondary place to stay. He's not sure if it was the relief in your eyes when you saw them all there the next morning, or the guilt that he wasn't enough alone to protect you.

Regardless, he made a choice. Even though only the doctor seems to use it. Rafayel prefers to sleep on the floor, if he sleeps at all with his projects, Sylus drifts in and out like a ghost… he only stays when he stays next to you.

He finds himself sleeping against your bed when you do, when he's not fighting. Trying to chase out the guilt with his sword.

As he makes his way back to your apartment, he sees a note on the fridge.

Plate in fridge, reheat it.

With a sketch of a round crow… he thinks it's wearing a neck ruff?

"Courtesy of kitten," The voice is even, and he sees Sylus at the kitchen table. Prosthetic in hand, as he goes through motions they all know. Cleaning and tending to it. "The crow, that is. The food is me. An extra plate is easy."

Xavier would question the intelligence of eating food made by a criminal, but if he trusts Sylus' food in your hands, he doesn't fear it in his own. "Thanks." He doesn't want to think too hard about this. About the state of things. The people around him that he never would have met without you.

He fractures at the idea that he can't be enough to protect you.

He'll eat it later, when guilt doesn't turn his stomach.

"If you're going to check in on them, do it quietly." Sylus doesn't look up at him, content to ease leather with careful hands and cloth, "They finally got to sleep."

He bristles a little, at being told to be careful with you, eyes narrowing and cold, but it is not received. The man even has the nerve to begin humming, low and under his breath. Out of tune. Xavier doesn't think he's ever met another man so impossibly unbothered by the world around him.

The words are ignored, received with a huff, and he walks past, towards your bedroom. You're alone today, no Rafayel lay on the bed with you, sketching, no Zayne, reading in the dark, as you sleep. You are curled around a large plushie of a narwhal, arm clutching it to your chest as you mutter through your dreams.

It is a relief to see the steady movement of your breathing. Though he still does not settle down until he places a hand on your cheek, feeling the exhale. You're alive, you're here, and you're under his hands.

The guilt calms down, as he reminds himself of that.

Instead of going back out to eat, Xavier settles down on the floor, back pressed to the bed, cheek on the mattress. Watching you. It is one of the few times he is relieved for his ease of sleep. So he can drift off, watching you live.

—----

The next morning, he places a cup of coffee next to your bedside table, and gives a nod to Sylus who has been reading one of your books, before returning to the Hunter's Association. He comes face to face with an excited Nero.

He almost takes a step back. Very nearly turns around and walks out, before he remembers he asked for something, "Xavier!"

Tara is following close behind, hiding her laughter behind her hand, "He's been waiting by the door for you."

"Three people responded that they're interested in talking to you. They're also happy to have notes taken, so I can help."

He wasn't sure he'd hear anything this quickly, he supposes he shouldn't be that surprised. Nero fixates on something, just as much as you do. His fixation tends to come in bursts of problem solving, yours comes in biting and tearing and clawing to the solution.

"Alright, let's go."

Jenna gives him time to talk, and he walks with Nero to a room where the three people are sat, chatting between themselves.

They still, and watch as he hesitates. An older man chuckles at him, waving his one hand, "Sit down, lad. We don't bite."

It moves his feet, into a chair, but not his mouth. He needs to move forwards, but he's not sure how.

What can he say? How can he help you? What words are there to help you move forwards?

He thinks about the trembling in your body, the tears that won't fall in your eyes. He is stuck. Xavier is stuck, like he's holding you under a meteor shower again. Shaking you.

Begging. For something.

A miracle.

"Nero already told us about your partner." A woman speaks, she sports a flexible keel prosthesis, "Not that we don't know about UNICORNs, you lot don't half make some noise." Her voice is cool, level, but she has a small smile. Warm eyes.

It eases him. "I wanted-"

"To ask questions right, lad? I can talk for hours for you."

So he lets them, as he listens. The old man works in analytics, collating information for the Association. He was born without his hand. Tried prosthetics, none took, he didn't want to keep trying.

"I accepted it straight away, my husband stood beside me. There are problems, but we work through them."

The young female hunter is from one of the Beta teams. Lost her foot in a fight with a wyrm, saved her partner in the process.

"I thought I'd accepted it, took the prosthetic training, everything went well. It was two years later, when I woke up one day, burst into tears. Couldn't stop." She fidgets, toying with her fingers for a moment, before straightening up, "Sometimes I still get sad, like I'm finally processing it, but normally it's just another day. It's a tool, not part of me, but it gave me most of my independence back. So even when I'm sad, I hold to that."

The third hunter twirls a pen around their prosthetic fingers, they're an arctic hunter, in the area for training. There's a large scar down their eye, and they don't react visually to the others, but leans forward to speak. They don't reveal how they gained their prosthetic.

"Didn't accept it, not for a long time. Woke up everyday angry, got reckless. Almost died." They exhale, deep, slow, tired, "Sometimes I'm still angry, but I'm still a fighter. I can still help my squad. So it's worth it. Took me longer to get around to using it than most, I dragged my feet, didn't want to learn for ages. It was my partner that got me moving, came to check in on me. Called me a fool, 'one life, idiot, keep living it'. So I did."

"It's hard sometimes, but people handle it differently."

Xavier sits and listens, they give tips on coming back to working as a hunter, they share everything he could even think to ask. Warm and ready, and understanding. They ask to meet you when you're back, tease him about his name and yours.

You're one of Jenna's best for a reason. Those hunter's reels certainly get watched a lot.

He tries not to think about the advertisements he's had to star in, either alongside you or alone. He's just relieved he doesn't get recognised as Lumiere.

That conversation would be even longer.

Hunters live a job at risk, he's aware of that… he can't stop thinking about it.

"Kid." He looks up, wants to correct the man, decides against it, "It's alright to be struggling, worrying about your partner. They're not gone though. Don't sit in the past. Get help yourself, but remember to share with them. Let that partner of yours know how you feel, they'll feel less isolated."

His shoulders jump, the chill in his back. He's been fatalising. Acting like you're broken when he knows that's what you're fearing. Thinking of you like you're gone, when you're right in front of him.

Stuck in the past…

Guilt and pain and worry making him think about you like he'll lose you if he stops.

You're alive, and you're moving forwards, and he needs to as well. With you. "Thank you." This thanks, he thinks, feels more honest. Like he's not biting his tongue to say it.

When Xavier returns home, he doesn't mind the plate left in the fridge for him.

He doesn't mind that the most wanted man of Philos is chuckling with your head in his lap, because he joins you on the sofa, and listens to you tell them about your sessions.

He has to remember you're capable of protecting yourself, you've always wanted to stand equal. Protecting others, as much as they protect you. Stubborn, and proud, to a fault sometimes.

As you smile, small and crooked at him, he offers you the notes he and Nero finished compiling.

You read them, eyes wide, and glimmering, before wrapping your arm around his neck.

"Thank you Xavier."

It's good to not be alone, he thinks. It's been far too long. Too many he's had to lose… That he's forgotten how to reach out, how to even take a hand, let alone stop himself from holding too tight out of fear.

He doesn't want to forget your future.

Even when Sylus smirks, calls him a little knightling, and he debates if you really need a support system that includes the criminal.

—----

Progress is steady. You struggle, and you stumble. But you remember the laughter in the kitchen and the beast dropping off your back to curl about your ankle.

You think about the notes handed to you by Xavier, carefully recorded accounts of acknowledgment, support… life.

You think about Tara, Simone and Nero. How much you want to get back to standing alongside them.

You think about gentle hands taking care of you in the bathroom while you shivered, and warm meals with arguing voices.

You think about Caleb. What he'd say if he were with you.

And you take one step at a time.

When you are not in front of Doctor Rin, clinging far too tightly to whoever's hand is turning bone white in your grip, you are practicing at home.

She's asked you what your goal was, the point you're aiming for.

It is easier, she reminds you, to have something to achieve.

It's an easy question, you want to be back in the field again, you want to make your life mean something. You want to fight alongside the people you trust, and not leave them to flounder alone.

When you are a hunter again, and taking on missions, that's when you'll have achieved your goal. You tell her, hand in a fist.

Her smile overlaps with Gran's, the day you'd told her and Caleb you got into the academy. You think about the way he'd poked you in the forehead, then ruffled your hair, 'Way ta go pipsqueak.'

You think he'd be pulling your hand, running forwards, if he were here. Just like he pulled you forwards everytime you got injured in a fight. Just like he pulled when you wanted to give up.

The memory keeps you from stopping.

Over the course of weeks, you set yourself challenges.

It starts with challenging yourself to hold your prosthetic.

It's not as heavy as you think it should be. The logical part of your brain reminds you that it's built for hunters specifically, and is replacing your arm.

It's that logical part of your brain that stops you from throwing it away from you. It is a tool, you tell yourself. Something that will ensure you can still be a hunter. That eventually, at the end of this, you will be able to go back to doing what you should be doing. Using your life to help others. No matter how short it is.

Some days it feels like it burns you when you place your hand on it. Those days, you leave your room, and sit by Rafayel as he paints. Watching him work, seeing the world he sees. 

You ask him questions about his work, even though part of you worries you'll disturb him. He never indicates you are, answering you happily. You think he's happy to share, you hope he is. You're happy to listen.

One day you see his open sketchbook.

For a second, you see a sketch of you, worn and tired… but alive. Your body scarred, but you tremble to see yourself looking like art on his page.

You close the book, placing it back by his canvas, and go back to the prosthetic. To try again.

You learn to wear it, for short periods of time a day, to build up to throughout the day.

You start off, managing twenty minutes, before you have to rip the thing off. Relieved when Zayne catches your hand, stopping you from doing any damage to it. Before he helps you ease yourself out.

The straps are easy to adjust with one hand, but when you want it off, it feels as though you are on fire. Tearing at clothing melting into your skin.

He sits next to you and massages your residual limb, fingers easing hair from your face, tracing lines on your cheek. The fire in your body settles at the cool touch of his hands, and you settle again.

Later, you try again. When it burns, you remember the ice of Zayne's touch, and keep going.

The next stage is to clean it. You learn the motions, you study how to do it. Sat in the living room, tools to your side, figuring out how best to do it with one hand.

There are days when you drop the tools. Trying hard not to sob as they tumble to the floor. Choking back tears as your hand doesn't work the way you want it too. As you fail to follow the steps correctly. As you spill leather conditioner on the table, or the carpet.

In those moments, someone will join you at your side. Sylus will pull the tools away, and sit next to you, running through the motions he's been learning as he's watched you. Overtime, it becomes routine. He masters the steps before you do, assisting you, cleaning out the inner socket alongside as you gently clean the leather straps. Other times, Xavier, hesitant and unsure about touching your prosthetic, joins you. Head in your lap. You speak the steps out loud, running through them so he can learn them with you. The next time, he does it himself, calm and kind and warm. Smiling at you as he does so.

Everyday is a day to take your medication, your wounds are healing well, and with the care of those around you, you are coming away with scars, but no longer bleeding through bandages.

The final challenge is the practice, the movement and the acquainting yourself with the movement of your limb.

You sit in the hospital room you can't stand, hand anchored in Sylus', who has joined you for today. It is another day, and the weight of walking through corridors has eased somewhat. You know the passage of time means things become easier, you're used to that. The flow, the adjustment. The steps forward, and stumbles back.

Your heart has given you some experience in this.

Doctor Rin greets you easily, awaiting your arrival. As soon as she sees you, she smiles. It is that same warm smile that makes the ghosts lurk at your shoulders. It is an exhale to steady you, before you return it with a half smile. Hard enough to offer expressions, without the added grief pulling you back.

It passes easier than you expect. An introduction to the exercises you need to practice, information about not forcing yourself until you hurt. To take breaks and come back to it, if you fail five times, stop. Try again later.

To practice every day. It is a skill you have to learn. Not unlike when you were learning to use your weapons, struggling to learn how to aim. Falling down everytime you swung a claymore.

It is simple things. Can you open and close your new hand? Can you rotate your wrist?

It is a mountain, one you are scared to try to climb.

There is the stable hand in yours, a man who chuckles at you as you look at him, seeking out something in molten eyes. You don't like being weak in front of Sylus, despite him offering you the space to be yourself. It is a long standing fear.

You are more scared to be alone, however, so you turn back to the doctor.

You remind yourself of boxing training with Sylus, who teases you when you don't punch fast enough, but takes you in earnest. Rights your stance. Watches you practice. Praises you for improvement.

Challenges you to be better.

This is another tool you can use, something to enable you to fight again. To stand by him and fight again.

So you follow the doctor's instructions. It is an almost unconscious feeling. She has explained how the transmitters work, but you don't want to think about it too much. Understanding is something, you need it to be instinctual. If it's not, you won't be able to fight again.

Still, you feel yourself overextend. Overcompensate movement where it was once easy. The hand stares back at you as you watch it, and you try to remember what you used to do. Extend. Feel where the muscles should tense along your shoulder. Close. Open.

It reacts, but it is slow. Metal fingers steadily opening, closing. You try to twist your wrist, but it doesn't move the way you want. Frustration builds. You try again. You feel your shoulder twitch but nothing happens.

Your teeth grit, and you try again.

"Kitten." The voice calls you back, a firm grip takes your chin, turning your head to focus on his molten eyes again. There is a twinkle in there, his normally ever present smirk has evened out. Serious but calming. You watch the red of his eyes swirl, and you feel him smooth his thumb across your cheek. "Don't chase your tail, take a deep breath, try again."

He pushes you forwards. Always. Testing your limits, watching you grow.

You think about ways you'd trained your body to fight, ways you made yourself stronger. Running with Zayne, practicing with the blade with Xavier, maneuvers with Rafayel, strength training with Sylus. You are not going to stop until you learn how to use this.

Until you achieve that goal.

This time, when you try, it comes a little easier, as you calm yourself down. Heart settling into a steady rhythm and you watch the hand move. Twisting the wrist, opening and closing it. Pride settles in your chest, as you grin at it. Relief and satisfaction, that you haven't failed. You turn and you twist and watch in awe.

The fingers open a little quicker, you practice moving them but the individual movements are sluggish, and you try to pick things up, but you drop them more than you hold them.

When Sylus nudges you with his shoulder, smirking at you, you take on the pride in his eyes, and you keep moving forwards.

You hit a wall when you have to stretch it out properly, bending the elbow joint, but you settle.

You take the challenge.

It is a mountain you will learn to climb.

You learned how to be a hunter, you can learn this.

As you walk home with Sylus, twisting the arm despite your fatigue, he chuckles, "You look like you've received a new toy. You're like this when I get you a new gun."

You sniff at him, poking him with the metal hand, though its clumsy and more of a full hand than a finger. Marvelling at the feeling of heat from him that comes through the prosthetic. "You just wait, soon I'll be swinging a sword again."

He pauses, looking at you, and then laughs. A chuckle that shakes his hand in yours, and then pulls you in to flick your forehead, "Alright Kitten, let's get you there."

The exercises continue at home, you move into the kitchen while Sylus cooks, to practice with a ball. The more you do it, the easier it gets to learn the motions. Every new thing you try, however, is a hurdle you feel sick to overcome.

Sometimes the movement refuses to do as you want. So you remove it, and try not to cry, try not to drown, and find a distraction.

When you try to pick up a cup, you watch in horror as you drop it, smashing it across the floor. Sylus pulls you away from the fragments, soothing the upset, over breaking something. Over failing. Over being this.

After that you stick to things that won't break, won't hurt you. It still aches when you drop something, when you fail. You're never alone in the pain for too long, there is always a constant, someone there to keep you from spiralling.

The more they catch you, the less you need catching. Until you pick up a cup, and you laugh. Pride brimming. An achievement, no broken shards. A tool you are learning to use.

Later, when you're tired, but relieved, you sit at the kitchen table as Sylus sings along to a song in your playlist as he cooks, there is no Rafayel to argue with, so he seems far calmer. Happy. He always seems happy when he sings.

"Sy?"

He hums, looking back at you. His smiles are often more warm eyes than movement of his mouth, quirks and twitches. "What's wrong Kitten?"

You hesitate, thinking about how many days you've seen him stood at the counter, preparing food for you, and the others. It is guilt on your shoulders, but it is also relief and thankfulness. He is a warm presence, always answering the phone when you need him. "Can I help?"

He shrugs, "Sure, come and stir." So you join him, it is not a hard task, but you feel a little more like you're here. Helping.

Living and not existing. The creature at your ankle stirs and purrs, eased and happy.

You haven't heard it settle in such a long time.

"Thank you." You speak, staring into the pot, watching the swirling at the end of your spatula.

The man stands next to you and shrugs, unbothered, "Not a problem, kitten. I've told you, ask, demand, request. You can be greedy with me." He reaches over and flicks your forehead, before tapping your nose. "I'm always here for you. Even if you do let our food burn."

You panic as the heat bubbles over, and quickly turn it down, and he simply laughs at you. So you elbow him in the side, and revel in the way his laugh blossoms harder.

When you eat with everyone that evening, you help ladle out food, and set the table. You don't run away to the darkness of your room, and you add the laughter around you to your collection of reasons to keep moving.

[esotericpluto]

your life 5 years from now

from left to right; intuitively choose the pile you feel more connected to. To make it easier, you can take a deep breathe, close your eyes and ask for guidance to your deities or guides. These are all general messages, so just take what resonates and leave what doesn't. This reading is timeless. If it resonates, feedback is always appreciated and motivates to keep doing pick a card readings. You can donate here.

dividers credit: @animatedglittergraphics-n-more

pile 1

fully intuitive, no cards

I feel like you will have a lot of success in your life, mainly financially. You will be very financially stable and living out your dreams. I see most of you will be in your desired career and learning everyday more about it, advancing in it and adquiring new skills. I see some of you investing money in various ways too, as buying properties, jewels or art pieces. Others might be investing in actions/stocks as well and building a diverse portfolio.

For some people in this group (mainly those who will be 25 plus in 5 years) I'm seeing that you will be building a family too or preparing yourself to build one, however I do advise you to be very careful with the partner you pick as some of you might be investing in a rotten apple without realizing. Do not ignore red flags and be 100% sure this person is fulfilling you and doing more than the bare minimum, as you do not want to regret the person you build a family with. Some of you might even receive warnings of this through dreams, so dream journal and study dream analysis.

Overall, I see, especially for women who picked this pile, that you will be highly successful. I see you having very close friends who are there for you and who are successful themselves, so no jealousy or envy in the scene. I see you all going on trips and nice fancy dates together and truly uplifting each other up.

You will be extremely well educated by then and might even be beginning to take on a PHD by that time. I also see you taking some free courses here and there and truly building yourself up and becoming very well read. You will be a real catch and grow into yourself both physically and mentally. You will be very grounded in all aspects of yourself. I am also seeing some travels around the world and possibly owning a cat or two.

pile 2

2 of cups, 10 of swords, 4 of wands, 7 of pentacles

For those who picked this pile, you will be entering a harmonious time in your life after a long era of suffering and worrying. I see, however, that all this depends on you. You will have to remove your blindfolds and actually take control of your life and make a decision once and for all about yourself and the direction of things. This might be working on yourself, working on limiting beliefs, putting end to toxic behaviors and thoughts you have about yourself or others, going to therapy and doing shadow work. For some of you, this will require the end of friendships/a relationship that won't serve you anymore and you will have to put yourself first, choosing yourself over them, even if hurts you for a while.

For others, this might indicate you are going to be entering a new relationship after worries of never finding the ideal person for you. However, I see that you will be plagued by fears that the relationship won't work or that the person will leave eventually and that you'll have to start from zero with someone new all over again. This is a valid fear, but you will only be allowing these thoughts to drain you out of life and happiness if you don't address them. Not only that, but you will end up easily minsunderstanding your partner or jumping to conclusions that will only put a strain in the relationship. You have been hurt before and you didn't deserve that, but be careful to not project the aftermath of that pain onto innocent people.

I do feel like this partner could be the end game for you, but only if you are willing to truly work through these issues and I'd recommend starting now. When the time comes, be willing to be open with them about the things you have been through as they'll be open minded and understand you better than anyone has. Consider going to therapy too and even couple therapy with them if you have the chance. People tend to think couple therapy is only for when things are going through rough patch or to "fix" things, but the truth is that every couple can benefit from couple therapy and it can help them heal from expectations and fears they carry on from childhood or past connections.

Working through all this will require some time dedication and patience from both, but I see it strengthening the relationship and even possibly leading to marriage and a lot of happy moments together.

I also feel like you might be going through a lot of tiring moments when it comes to your career in 5 years. I feel like most of you will still be trying to find a career/workplace that fits you and where you feel welcome. Others might even not be enjoying your job/employers for being too strict, non-understanding and draining. While you should be collaborative, you should never take abuse or energy draining vampires. You are strong enough to leave and find a better job for you, there are enough of them out there for you and you might even find a better area or truly follow your childhood dreams.

Your efforts when it comes to work will definitely pay off after a while and you will even receive a financial bonus/reward due to this.

I see a lot of celebrations. I feel like some of your friends or even family members like cousins and siblings (i'm also seeing an younger aunt possibly) getting married, engaged or having children. You might also be going to parties or hanging out with friends, trying to maintain a healthy social life. I'm also hearing to keep family close.

pile 3

Lovers, Temperance, 6 of cups, 5 of cups, Knight of Cups, 6 of wands, 7 of pentacles, 3 of cups

So I feel like for most of you 5 years from now this will be a time of self-love and balance in your life. I also see that you will be surrounded by life, with a stable partner/relationship (possibly already marriage for some of you) and expecting a new family member/child, whilw trying to balance things out in your life and home to make space for the new family element.

Because of this new addition to your newly founded family, I feel like you will be reminiscing a lot about your own childhood and how things went with your parents. I feel like they committed many mistakes that you feel resentful over still and that you'll fear repeating. It could also apply to anyone who might have hurt you during your childhood and you fearing the same happening to your kid. However, you're going to choose to look at this as a new beginning and as a way to give someone else the childhood they deserve, since you didn't have yours. I feel like this will help you heal your inner child and release the unwarranted guilt you might feel.

I feel like around this time you might even receive texts from ex partners trying to reconnect, which you will of course decline since you'll be in a happy relationship expecting (although this could also apply for people adopting/using surrogacy btw). Some of you, old friends will reconnect and want to catch up with you. I'm hearing to be careful with who you let back in, but a few of them will be trustworthy and you'll miss them in your life. I feel like some of them might just try to get into your life again for their own benefit and to ask you for money, so be careful. This could also be a family member for some of you.

Overall, it will be a time that you'll see many things come to fruition and you will feel truly victorious. I see a lot of happy joyful moments and celebrations, especially when the little one gets in the picture. I think it will be a very united and bonded family which is adorable.

There will be one month or two that you might need to go into introspection/solitude until you feel better and ready to face the world too. I feel like for some of you this could sadly be some form of postpartum depression, but I see you getting counselling for it and overcoming it without many struggles.

You will be pausing your career for a bit with this, however once you do get back I see people welcoming you with open arms, missing you and wishing you the best. I see you will also be able to get promoted/salary raise in a few months after you get back and so will your significant other, bringing more abundance to you two especially after being a bit tight on finances to make space for the baby.

[izzyfishie]

IZZY'S SG3 TRAILER THOUGHTS

it's time. FUCKKKKKKKKk

SPOILERS below.

the jump rope game is based off a train track/station. i find this interesting, considering trains are used for transportation and movement of people + cargo, but also frequently used in media as suicide/death methods. people being tied to train tracks and stuff. that's kinda a weird comparison but that's what i thought of. also. the subway train is where the recruiter found most of the players.

the fuckass square guard is back. why is he always here i cant.

gi-hun is questioning why he's still alive because he knows it's not fair. he FUCK he's now the one given the unfair treatment and he doesnt want it. he doesnt want to be seen as a martyr because its common sense to him. not to mention, earlier the games were literally changed for him (the new voting). he doesn't want to be special.

ugh my poor babies :( dae-ho isn't beating the suicide allegations. neither is gi-hun, why did he grab the gun like that?? i fear he was about to blow his head off right then and there. (maybe not, but it's still concerning)

zero sympathy for you btw.

the blues indeed have keys. keys must open doors. reds must kill blues to get the doors.

which means we might actually see gi-hun kill somebody. but at the same time, gi-hun might intentionally throw. tbh idk how any of this is going to work yet, but we know he survives to the end, and is red (assumedly the team with weapons) so that leads me to think smth like that may happen.

BUT don't fear. i think gihun being forced to kill someone wouldnt be a sign of him losing his humanity, but rather him better understanding the struggles of those are in the games and therefore having MORE empathy for the victims. we know he doesnt blame himself for the games, rather the system.

not to mention.. heh.. i think he'd finally be able to better understand sang-woo and why he did the things he did IF that were to happen. #sangihun

NOTABLE BLUES: dae-ho, 440, 18(9?)7, 172, seon-nyeo and her cult, the rest are too blurry for me.

calling this the scratch n' sniff room. uh i think myung-gi is gonna have to do some bad things here!! im not really sure, we aren't given much here to work off of. but i swear i saw someone else in that room so

no literally. what are these rooms. stop. i'm starting to think these are more like torture chambers 😭

that blood is fresh. she absolutely had to kill somebody. im thinking it might be the guy she's seen throwing to the ground later (who i've debunked may be kim yeong-sam, 226).

SEONHWA! toxic yuri! i love how seon-nyeo's followers are all gathered together. they really do see her as a god or saint of sorts.

holy shit can i say this set design is so good??

whose hand is this? it's covered in blood. it could be a random, but it looks awfully familiar someone aid me

this persons ankles have me concerned bc why are they vibrating???? someone is probably having some form of panic attack. minsu, maybe?

once again, likely a random person. but theyre FUCKED. the entire train theme is crazy to me

this scene mad me sick first watch btw. it's actually genuinely so sickening to meeee because ???? the flowers too, serving as their grave, like this is genuinely just mortality symbolism at its finest. i thought that was seon-nyeo on the floor, but it might actually be just player 400.

this is the jump rope game. the blood looks fresher, which makes me think JR is first? who is he talking to? there's also blood dripping down his neck.

bro who tf even are you get out irrelevant ass /j

i don't think those two scenes are spliced together, i think they're separate.

oh wow in-ho is STILL watching the games. what a little prick.

look behind geum-ja. 3 / 5 ???? come on you IDIOTSSSS

that's gi-hun, i think. he's being wildly monitored. but also that guard is significantly short, could that possibly POSSIBLY be no-eul?

fuck you bitches idc i hope you die

hyun-ju and yeong-sam. she GIRLHANDLES HIM. like holy fuck hes FUCKED. maybe he tries to attack her and she fights back?

myung-gi and jun-hee talking during the JR game. does jun-hee attempt to sit it out? that would make sense.

ive run out of image spaces so. reblog time!!!!

[jaeyunverse]

dates with enhypen

pairing(s): ot7 x fem!reader

genre(s): fluff

warning(s) | none

taglist: @skzenhalove @seongclb @boyfhee @s00buwu @flwrshee @haerinz

summary: the various kinds of dates i think the enhypen members would love going on <3

masterlist

𝗹𝗲𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗻𝗴

typical dates. lee heeseung keeps it sweet and simple. he takes you out on arcade and karaoke dates. he takes you out to watch stand-up comedies. he takes you out to new food joints every week so you can rate the places together. he challenges you to play video games and always ends up humiliating himself. his personal favourites are bowling and card games.

𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗷𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗴

elegant dates. dating jay means going to michelin star restaurants for dinner. it means going for a wine tasting or driving up to his parents’ lakehouse for the weekend. art galleries are also a common destination along with museums and great libraries. on a few rare occasions, the two of you also go to watch plays.

𝘀𝗶𝗺 𝗷𝗮𝗲𝘆𝘂𝗻

impromptu dates. jake will show up at your place without any warning and tell you to get ready. he might plan a movie date this week and then do a complete 180° the next by taking you out for camping. he loves that you always go along with whatever he has in store for you. you never fail to meet his energy—it’s one of the reasons he was drawn to you in the first place.

𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗻

creative dates. park sunghoon always thinks of something new for each date. he takes you to the shooting range when you need to let off some time and to the trampoline park when you’re feeling sad. sometimes, though, the two of you just prefer to stay in and watch movies with good food. drive-ins have a special place in your hearts since that was where you first met.

𝗸𝗶𝗺 𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗼𝗼

cute dates. it’s a broad concept, but that is the recurring theme of all of kim sunoo’s dates. he takes you to pet cafes and carnivals. he loves to paint with you and explore the city on your bicycles. he adores watching you see the sunset and treasures the feeling of your head resting on his shoulder. kim sunoo is also big on creating his own date ideas instead of doing the same things everyone else does.

𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝘂𝗻𝗴𝘄𝗼𝗻

nature dates. there is something about enjoying each other’s presence away from all distractions of daily life that has always been appealing to the two of you. going on picnics, talking a walk on the beach and exploring the woods are hang out ideas for when you haven’t had the time to plan anything. visting jungwon’s granparents’ cabin for the weekend or going for a hiking trip are dates for when you want to enjoy each other’s company for longer periods.

𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶

adventure dates. the two of you have zero sense of self preservation so you often do the wildest things one can think of. most of your dates are first times for both you—bungee jumping, spray painting all over the city using a shared alias and climbing to the top of a ferris wheel in an abandoned amusement park to stargaze are some dates that come to mind. you’re both strong on gaining new experiences and living with no fears rather than just spending time with each other.

[woodsborostabathon]

my scream friend group sexuality HCs

for 1996, 4, 2022, and vi.

did elaborate bc i just can’t make myself be a no nuance kinda gal. it’s all very silly goofy but true! i may do another follow up w the friends from 2 & some of the other charas i left out... we shall see.

scream (1996) friend group

billy loomis: heteroflexible. he is 99.999% straight. almost aggressively so. he has one exception tho and he is literally also in this image. otherwise, his lean is primarily towards chicks. he is also NOT admitting to literally any of that.

sidney prescott: heteroflexible. has an incredibly straight vibe in the later films, but also seems the type that could've experimented in college. i mean. have you seen her in 2. primarily into men but i don't think she'd be opposed to being w the right chick.

stu macher: bisexual. this is so easy i ain't even have to think about it. again Have You Seen Him. just bi as hell and he wants billy so bad it makes him look stupi-

tatum riley: bisexual. more so with a male lean. would probably id as straight in hs but have figured it out around college age if she'd made it that far <//3 her and stu's bi4bi slay kind of everything.

randy meeks: straight and he is NOT an ally. idt he's incredibly homophobic i just think he does Not care. either way he gets zero play anyways so...

scre4m (2011) friend group

robbie mercer: straight ally. he simply has not ever had a girlfriend bc he cannot pull to save his life. and speaking of saving his life, i don't at all think that him saying he's gay ("if it helps?") while he was literally getting jumped counts as a legitimate coming out. he was literally tryna use the 'rules' they were yapping abt at cinema club to save his own skin. bffr. he's obnoxious (affectionate) to women in a way ONLY an earnest straight boy w no game could be.

charlie walker: straight. again idt he's an ally but i also don't think he's necessarily homophobic. not in any serious way at least bc i do think he would get so genuinely offended at being insinuated to be anything else bc that is gonna ruin his (already nonexistent) rep w the hoes!!! i just think he does not think abt The Gays often bc he kinda got a lot going on + he's a nerdy dude (who wishes so badly he wasn't) from a small town in 2011.

olivia morris: straight and not even remotely an ally. might ACTUALLY be legitimately homophobic. seems the type to assume any girl who comes out to her as lesbian/bi has a crush on her. she literally called robbie 'closet boy' in the og script for scre4m so there's just no other way around it. she's Not Too Fond Of The Gays...

kirby reed: bisexual. i feel like i don't even really have to elaborate because i mean... look at her? idt she was particularly out about it at the time (see one of her closest friends above and her bestie at the end of this section 💀) but i also don't think she'd go out of her way to be closeted/pretend she's fully straight. was most def out by vi like YEARS before then.

trevor sheldon: straight, not an ally. again not from any real malice, more so ignorance. ignorance of not only lgbtq issues but of everything. like just in general. there was not much going on in that boy's head. just yearning for his ex and vibes. he's not really thinking abt anything beyond that, gay rights included.

jill roberts: straight and not an ally. definitely worse than olivia. she'd actively make a big deal out of acting disgusted n gossiping abt anyone who seems even Remotely not 100% straight. definitely would use gay as an insult. she's a natural born hater so are we really surprised.

scream (2022) friend group (+vince. i fw him)

amber freeman: aromantic lesbian. she may get freaky w girls but she will be damned if she falls in love w one. i fear that is the (1) dawg she do not got in her. this is not all contradictory to me shipping her w richie, mind you, because i fully think amber was scamming him from the get go. banging the stab shrine man for stab merch if you will. let lesbians lie and scam and be ghostface and evil!

tara carpenter: lesbian or bisexual? the one chara i kinda can't pin down bc tbh hell if i know. it really depends on the day imho. all i know is that tara is a girlkisser. whether or not that's exclusive is entirely up in the air. i think she's closer to bi in the films themselves, but i also interpret her as lesbian for sm AUs atp. so it truly is either or bc either direction works. nuance/i'm bald/etc.

sam carpenter: bisexual. of the variety where her taste in women isn't bad in the slightest, but her taste in men is unspeakably cursed. i think it's even either way, it's just entirely luck of the draw that she's ended up with more men than women. sometimes you have awful taste in dudes bc ur fighting demons (ur yassified ghost serial killer dad who lives in ur head) okay.

richie kirsch: straight and not an ally. idt he's really homophobic, he just wouldn't really 'get' it. also does not conflict w my other HCs for him because i think he is just an opportunist. his interest is 100% in chicks, he's just also a horndog and so if the chance presents itself... eh! doesn't mean he has any genuine interest in guys, though. def would not seriously date one. a body's a body n that's abt it.

chad meeks-martin: heteroflexible. in a very andrew garfield sort of way. mostly into girls and pretty much exclusively dates them, but he is nothing if not open-minded! another situation of 'it would just have to be the right dude'. idt he quite has the terminology for it but i think he knows his own deal.

liv mckenzie: bisexual. most likely has a male lean, IDs as fully straight because she has not put it together yet. she genuinely thinks it's just a normal thing that every girl has wanted to kiss another girl before. no biggie. even outside of my own oc x canon stuff w her, i fear she'd still be the type to have to figure it out by accidentally ending up in a horribly messy wlw situationship later on. god bless her.

wes hicks: straight but absolutely an ally. #lesbiansforwes or wtv. just has the misfortune of never ever pulling & catching feelings for gay girls w/o knowing it. not straight in an aggressive way bc he is a Woman Respecter but still so OBVIOUSLY just het thru and thru.

mindy meeks-martin: okay. well. she is just canonically a lesbian, so i really don't have much to say beyond that. she's gay and i'll believe it.

vince schneider: actually aggressively straight. not an ally. would make some Questionable Comments, is probably only really cool w fruity women unless one starts smth w him n then that's out the window. don't think he generally thinks about gay people much beyond They Exist unless it comes up in whatever bs he gets himself into. in which case, refer to the sentence before that one... yeah.

scream vi (2023) friend group

anika kayoko: lesbian. again just canonically, so i really have nothing to say there. good for you babygirl until it WASN'T...

quinn bailey: bisexual. i think this is just another obvious one. no way is she 100% straight. granted, i think she also mostly leans towards men. it's probably, like, 80:20. but she's still not not also into women. i mean. come on.

ethan landry: straight ally. nothing against the gays (even if some of them aka mindy Annoy him. god bless.) honestly, less fully straight than he is specifically a 'one girl only' fiender but... i shan't continue to speak on that. also, same case as richie in that it doesn't conflict w my other HCs wrt him simply for the fact that genuine attraction towards other dudes was never even remotely a factor there LMAO.

danny brackett: straight ally. he also has an aggressively straight aura like there's just no way i can see him as anything else. feels like the kinda straight man that would have/at one point did greatly enjoy fast & furious like yk. That subgenre of straight dude. nothing against the gays tho + his shawty bisexual so he literally has no room to be. idt he's a hater like that.

[canirove]

Broken Hearts Football Club | Bonus chapter 2

Author’s note: This chapter is a long one compared to what I usually write, but I feel like it made sense to have it all in just one and not make two since everything revolves around the same topic, and there are some time jumps that I hope aren't too confusing. I also am still working on the third and last one (was supposed to finish it last night during the champions league game, but things happened 😅), though I think I can have it ready for next Thursday. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻 Hope you like it, and as always, thank you for reading! 💜

First chapter | Last chapter | Bonus chapter 1 | Bonus chapter 3

Masterlist

A few years after the previous chapter...

“I think I'm getting the watch, Chilly. I… Chilly?” Mason said, looking around. “Please wrap it for me. Thank you” he said to the jeweller's shop assistant before joining his friend. “Benjamin!”

“Bloody hell, Mason” Ben said, his hand instinctively moving to his heart. “You scared the hell out of me.”

“Shit, sorry. Are you ok?”

“Yeah, yeah, don't worry. What happened?”

“That I was calling you and you weren't listening. What were you so interested… No!” Mason gasped.

“It isn't what it looks like.”

“Isn't it?” he laughed. “Chilly, you were checking engagement rings! Are you thinking about proposing to June?”

“What? No!”

“Oh, so you were checking them just for fun.”

“Yeah” Ben shrugged.

“You are such a bad liar, Benjamin” he laughed again. “Tell me all about it.”

“About what?”

“About how you are going to ask June to marry you!”

“Shh, lower down your voice!” he said, looking around. The shop was almost empty, but if someone recognised them…

“Ok, ok. How are you going to do it?” Mason whisperer.

“I'm not going to do it.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because June doesn't want to marry me” Ben said.

“Bullshit, Chilly. June is madly in love with you! And you told me that she had confessed that she wanted to start a family with you one day.”

“She did, yes. But she never mentioned getting married, and that was when we moved in together a few years ago. Now…”

“Now nothing has changed. If you ask me, it has actually gotten worse, because when you guys started dating, you weren't as cheesy and annoying as you are now.”

“We are what?” Ben laughed.

“Cheesy and annoying. Sometimes I fear I may end up having a sugar rush just by looking at you.”

“Sure.”

“I'm being serious, Chilly. If you ask June to marry you, she is gonna say yes. I have zero doubts about it.”

“I don't know, Mason…” he sighed. “Because I've brought up the topic a few times since Vittoria got engaged, and she's always ignored me and started to talk about something else. It's like she avoids it.”

“What do you mean?”

“After Vitto’s engagement party I asked her about the ring, if it was her style and if she liked it, and she gave me a vague answer and started to talk about the food. Same after she came back from going wedding dress shopping for the first time with her and after she told us they were going to get married in Italy. I asked her if she liked any of that for herself, and she changed the topic. And do you know why, Mason? Because she doesn't want to marry me.”

“Ben, I think you are taking things out of context here.”

“I'm not” he insisted. “After what happened when we moved in she got scared, and now she doesn't want to take the next step in our relationship because she fears everything may go to hell.”

“But that won't be happening.”

“I know! But you know June. After all these years, she still feels insecure about us. You don't know how many times she's told me that she has to pinch herself from time to time to make sure that she isn't dreaming, that her happiness is real.”

“That's something cute to say, Chilly. Not insecurity.”

“But this is June, Mason. This… nevermind.”

“Ben…”

“Are you buying that watch?”

“I am, but Ben… You need to talk with June about this. Don't be stupid.”

“I will, don't worry. C'mon.”

“Ben…”

“I will” he said. “Now let's go pay for that watch and get something to eat, I'm famished.

“Fine” Mason sighed, giving up.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Hello, Chilwell.”

“Hi” Ben smiled as June sat down on the sofa next to him and kissed his cheek. “How was the wedding dress shopping today?”

“We found the one!”

“Really?”

“Yep” she smiled. “Vittoria looks amazing. She's gonna be the most stunning bride ever.”

“I beg to differ.”

“What?” she laughed.

“You, June Maxwell, are gonna be the most stunning bride ever.”

“I'm afraid you are a bit biased here, Chilwell.”

“It is a fact, not an opinion.”

“You and your facts” she chuckled.

“Yes, me and my facts. They are always right.”

“Are they?” she asked, arching an eyebrow. “Because I remember you writing about how I would never get to be top 3 at the Ballon d'Or, and a couple of years later there you were, cheering for me when I got second place.”

“The exception that proves the rule” he shrugged. “You are gonna be the most stunning bride ever, June.”

“Yeah, well… I also found my bridesmaid dress, by the way! It's super comfortable, I can even get down on one knee. And it makes my butt look so good. All the girls said that you won't be able to keep your hands to yourself, Chilwell. It's a fact” she smirked.

“Yeah, well…” he said, repeating the same words June had just said, sounding as disinterested as she had.

“Ben, are you ok? Did something happen when you were out with Mason?”

“Uh?”

“You've gone so serious…” she said, caressing his cheek. 

“It's nothing, don't worry.”

“Saying that is only making me worry a lot more.” 

“I'm fine, June. Just a bit tired” Ben smiled. 

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Ok… Why don't you start making dinner while I take a shower and then I help you?”

“Why don't we shower together and then make dinner?” he smirked.

“That actually sounds like a better plan.”

“I know” he grinned. 

“But weren't you tired?”

“When it comes to loving you I'm never tired, June.”

“Aww, he's gone all cheesy” she smiled.

“According to Mason, as time has gone by we've become super cheesy.”

“What?”

“Yeah” Ben shrugged. “Anyway, shall we?”

“Let's go” June said, getting up from the sofa. And as she started to walk… “Chilwell!” she laughed when he pinched her butt.

“I'm sorry, Maxwell, I couldn't help myself. It looks so peachy” he smirked again.

“So peachy… so peachy… Idiot!” she said before sticking out her tongue and starting to run upstairs, Ben doing the same after her, both of them laughing like two kids. 

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“June, have you checked your phone?” Vittoria said.

“Not since before training. Why?” she replied while getting dressed. 

“Because there is an article about Ben and Mason in The Sun, and it involves you.”

“Me? How? Did they… Did they find out about when Mason and I…” It had been years since their hook up. Could the press have somehow found out about it now? 

“It isn't about that. Look” Vittoria said, showing her her phone.

“Oh my God” June gasped. 

“Wedding bells for June Maxwell and Ben Chilwell? The ex football player and tv pundit was seen at a famous jeweller's with best friend Mason Mount, where he stopped to check some engagement rings according to eyewitnesses.”

“June… Do you think… Do you think he is going to propose?” Vittoria asked her.

“I… I… I gotta go” she blurted out, taking her things and almost tripping as she put on her shoes and ran towards the changing room’s door all at the same time. 

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“You've seen it, haven't you?” June said, storming into the kitchen. 

“Hello to you too” Ben chuckled.

“Have you seen it or not?” she asked again.

“Seen what?” 

“The article on The Sun, Chilwell.”

“Oh, that” he said, finding the carrot he was cutting extremely interesting. 

“Yes, that” she replied. “Ben… Are you going to propose?”

“Straight to the point” he said with a sad chuckle.

“Are you or not?”

“I'm not, June. I know you don't want to marry me, so why bother?”

“Wait, what?” 

“Yeah” he shrugged.

“Why do you say that, Ben?”

“Because it is the truth. Didn't you hear the way you just sighed when I said that I'm not going to propose?”

“Yes, but…”

“And for the past few months you've been avoiding the topic every time I've brought it up, always starting to talk about something else. I guess you are scared of things going to hell like happened when we moved in together, afraid that this time we may not be able to fix them because getting married is something big.”

“Ben, that's not it” June said, moving to stand next to him.

“Isn't it?”

“No, it isn't” she said, cupping his face and forcing him to look at her. “Ben, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“But…”

“There isn't a but.”

“Then why don't you want to marry me? I thought marriage was something you believed in.”

“And I do. I do believe in marriage, Ben.”

“Then why do you keep avoiding talking about it, June?”

“It's…” she said, looking for the right words. “Ben, I want to marry you. I truly do. But not now.”

“What?” he said.

“It isn't the right moment. And not because I am scared. I mean, a little part of my brain will always be scared, that's who I am” she shrugged. “But not my heart. Never my heart. Because you mended it with your love, Ben. And every night when I fall asleep, I do it knowing that you are the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. The man of my dreams, the one I'm destined to grow old with. Because I love you, Benjamin James Chilwell. I fucking love you, you hear me?”

“I love you too, June Elizabeth Maxwell” he smiled. “And to be honest, we don't need a piece of paper telling us what we already know, do we?”

“Exactly. So stop with the conspiracy theories, ok? That was my job, not yours.”

“Ok” he chuckled.

“I'm serious, Chilwell. Now that I don't have doubts anymore, that I'm 100% sure I want this… us… I don't need you, the one who has been sure about his feelings since the beginning, starting to doubt.”

“I won't fuck it up. I promise.”

“Swear it on your collection of trainers.”

“What?” Ben laughed.

“Do it. Swear it on them.”

“Ok, ok. I swear it. No more doubts.”

“Good” June smiled. “Because I do want to marry you, Ben. I do, and I will. You just need to be a bit patient, ok?”

“Ok” he smiled back, all the stupid doubts he had been having, finally going away. June loved him, and she wanted to marry him, she wanted it all with him. Nothing had changed. 

“Now move that nice ass of yours and get our dinner ready. I'm famished.”

“So bossy, Maxwell” he said with a teasing smile.

“Get used to it, Chilwell. You are stuck with me for the rest of your very long life.”

“Looking forward to it” he smiled. And he had meant it. Because he was looking forward to growing old and grey (maybe a bit bald too) with her, married or not.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

A few months later...

“Ben…”

“Uhm?”

“Ben, there are people watching.”

“And?”

“And we can't do this in front of them” June said, taking the hand that was dangerously moving up her thigh and letting it rest on the table. “This, has to stay here.”

“It can't, Maxwell. Because you and the girls were right. That bridesmaid dress is making it impossible to keep my hands to myself.”

“Well, you must, Chilwell. It is Vittoria's wedding, and we can't ruin it because we are getting arrested for inappropriate behaviour. Have you forgotten that her dad is a police officer?”

“How could I?” he laughed. “May I remind you that when we started dating and you introduced us, he basically threatened to throw me in the deepest part of the Mediterranean if I dared hurting you?”

“He loves me very much, yes” she smiled.

“He does. Though not as much as I love you.”

“Chilwell!” June giggled when he started kissing her neck.

“Guys, can you please leave that for later?” Lauren interrupted them. “It's time for our speech.”

“You are giving a speech?” Ben said after giving June one last kiss that he knew would be leaving a mark on her neck.

“We are, yes. Didn't June tell you about it? We are the bride's best friends.”

“English best friends” June corrected her.

“Whatever” Lauren said. “C'mon, they are waiting for us.”

“Ok, fine. I'm… Chilwell!” she yelped as she got up from her chair.

“Yes?” he said with an innocent smile.

“Did you just pinch my butt?”

“Maybe” he shrugged. “I already told you I can't keep my hands to myself, Maxwell. And that dress makes your bum look so peachy” he smirked.

“You two are disgusting. C'mon” Lauren said, grabbing June's arm and dragging her away from Ben before he tried something else.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“And that's how Vittoria became our best friend” Lauren smiled, the crowd still laughing at the anecdote. 

“We love you, Vitto” June said.

“And I love you too!” she replied, wiping away a tear.

“But June, speaking of loving someone…” Lauren said. “I think there was something you wanted to say.”

“Oh, yes. Thank you” she said, taking the microphone. “So, as you all probably know because you saw us making out on live tv after we won the World Cup a few years ago, I'm dating this chap called Ben Chilwell. Chilly according to his friends. Though if my friends gave me that nickname, I would end our friendship right there. Chilly? Really?” June said, everyone laughing again. “Anyway… Besides seeing us kiss, you all probably heard me telling him that I loved him. Cute, I know” she smiled. “But what you don't know, is that that was the first time I was telling him those three words. I had tried a few times before, but someone or something always interrupted us. And to be honest, doing it the way I did and where I did it, makes it a better story to tell our grandchildren, doesn't it? And we could tell them more stories. Like, for example, that at first we couldn't stand each other and that he was my number one hater. I'm sure some of you still remember Ben's facts” she said, air quoting that last word and rolling her eyes. “Or how he scared the hell out of all of us when we thought he had had a heart attack, and it made me realize that I was in love with him. Or how we became girlfriend and boyfriend while flying over the Indian Ocean. As you can see, we like doing things our own way, and kind of go big or go home. And tonight, it won't be any different. So, Chilwell, could you please join me up here?” June said with her most charming smile. “C'mon, don't be shy.”

“I'll go fetch him” Lauren offered, all the guests looking at them.

“Hello” June smiled when they joined her on the little stage that had been set for the band that was playing later. 

“Hi” Ben smiled back. “And what the fuck, Maxwell” he whispered while she kissed his cheek.

“You are blushing… cute” she whispered back.

“My face has been burning since you started talking about us and everyone was looking my way. What are you doing, June?”

“Patient, Chilwell” she smirked. “Could we please get a round of applause for my gorgeous boyfriend? He's a bit nervous.”

“June…” he hissed when everyone started clapping. 

“Like I just said, in our relationship we don't do things the usual way. And on this occasion, it won't be any different. So” June said, giving the microphone back to Lauren while she gave her something else. Something small that fit in the palm of her hand. “Benjamin James Chilwell. Chilwell… Ben… Would you marry me?” she said, getting down on one knee and showing him what Lauren had given her: a little box with a ring inside it.

“June” he gasped. “I… I… Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, Maxwell. I will marry you.”

“Yay!” Lauren started clapping next to them while all the guests cheered, Ben helping June stand up so she would not ruin her dress. If someone was going to do that, it would be him when he took it off her.

“You are fucking crazy, Maxwell” he laughed while she put the ring on his finger.

“For you? Most definitely” she smiled. “I love you, Ben.”

“I love you too, June” he said before wrapping his arms around her and giving her one of those kisses you only see in movies, the cheers around them getting louder.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Now I understand it all” Ben said while staring at his ring.

“Understand what?” June said, moving to look at him. 

After the proposal, getting greeted by their friends and basically everyone at the wedding, and celebrating by dancing until their feet hurt, they had finally retired to their room, where Ben had done what he had been dreaming of the whole day: be all over June. Though the part about ripping the dress out of her, hadn't actually happened.

They both had been so eager and desperate to be in each other's arms, that the moment they had crossed their room's door they hadn't bothered to take off their clothes. They had done it against the wall, June's dress wrapped around her waist, Ben still in his suit. It had been once they had gotten all that almost animalistic need and want out of their systems, that they had slowed down, whispering love words and kissing and caressing each other until no clothes were on their bodies, getting to properly enjoy the night. 

“The way you have been behaving since Vittoria got engaged. You have been planning it all since then, haven't you? And the girls have helped you.”

“Yep” June smiled. “You weren't the only one who had started to think about taking the next step, Ben. Though unlike you, and in an unexpected turn of events, I was the one who was completely sure about her feelings, our relationship, and that I wanted to marry you.”

“Yeah” he chuckled. “I just… I don't know why I started to feel so insecure, why it got in my head the way it did. Because I also was sure about my feelings for you, our relationship, and that I wanted to marry you. But I… I don't know” he sighed.

“That's in the past, Ben” June said, caressing his cheek. “What matters now, is that we love each other and that we both are on the same page. That we both want to get married and spend the rest of our lives together.”

“We do” he smiled. “I can't wait to call you my wife.”

“And I can't wait to call you Mr. Maxwell.”

“What?” he laughed.

“If you think I'm going to change my last name, you are very wrong, Chilwell.”

“I'm not changing mine either, Maxwell.”

“It would be very cool, tho. And Benjamin Maxwell sounds lovely.”

“We can save that name for our first kid, then” he said, pulling her closer towards him.

“I'm not naming our kids after us, I'm sorry.”

“Why not? I love your name, it is so unique.”

“Then why do you call me Maxwell all the time, uh?” she asked with a teasing smile.

“I don't know. I guess it got stuck after always calling you like that on tv” he shrugged. “And you call me Chilwell all the time too.”

“Yes, but I do it to tease you” she grinned. 

“Rude” Ben chuckled. “But if I change my last name to Maxwell, you won't be able to do it anymore. Think about it.”

“And I do love calling you Chilwell…”

“Then it is settled. No last name change.”

“No last name change for us. But…”

“But?”

“You just said that Benjamin Maxwell sounded nice for our kids. Does that mean that they will have my last name?” she smirked, moving even closer towards him.

“I'll think about it.”

“Is there anything I could do to help you think?” she said, her hand slowly moving from his chest all the way down to his belly button.

“That's cheating, June” Ben said, his body tensing under her touch.

“We haven't set any rules, so” she shrugged, her hand still moving down.

“We… fuck” Ben gasped.

“I think I have the winning hand here.”

“June!” he laughed. “But…” he said, moving to be on top of her and totally catching her by surprise. “I also have an ace in the hole. Well, almost.”

“Benjamin!” June said, also laughing.

“You started it all, Maxwell” he shrugged. 

“I did, yes” she smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love you, fiancé.”

“Is that your new nickname for me? Fiancé?”

“It has a nice ring to it too, don't you think? No pun intended.”

“It actually does, yes” Ben chuckled. “But I guess that from now on I'll have to say that I love you too… fiancée” he smiled before kissing her.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Good morning, fiancé.”

“Good morning” Ben smiled.

“Pepper, have I told you that he is my fiancé? This guy right here?” June said, hugging from behind and wrapping her arms around him. “This gorgeous man, is my fiancé, Pepper.”

“Meow” he replied, sat next to them waiting for Ben to maybe give him something to eat.

“I think he heard you the first time” Ben chuckled. 

“Just in case he forgot” she shrugged.

“Keeping in mind that you are constantly reminding him and everyone that crosses paths with you that I am your fiancé…”

“Are you calling me annoying, Chilwell?”

“I would never dare, Maxwell.”

“Good” she said, resting her head on his shoulder while he kept making their breakfast. “But it isn't my fault I'm happy and want to share it with the world. Or my world at least, not the outside one. That one can wait.”

“And to think I believed you didn't want to marry me…” Ben said.

“You and your insecurities. I wonder who you got them from.”

“Right?” he laughed. “But they are gone, and aren't coming back. I swear it on my sneakers collection.”

“That's my boy. Wait, no. My fiancé” she corrected herself.

“A fiancé that won't be able to finish making you a delicious breakfast if you keep hugging him like that.”

“Don't you like it?” she asked, kissing the back of his neck.

“I love it, June. You know I do. But we also  need to eat something that isn't the other” he smirked, moving on her arms until he was facing her.

“Shame” she sighed.

“We can do it later, tho.”

“I like how that sounds” she smirked back.

“Now why don't you go get the garden table ready? It's a glorious day, we should eat outside.”

“Ok… fiancé” June giggled before kissing Ben's nose and letting go of him, humming something to herself while Pepper followed her around and he just stared at her. “Chilwell, our breakfast.”

“Yes, our breakfast. Sorry” he smiled, giving her one last look and focusing on their food, thinking that he was the luckiest man alive.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“You know, if things as a manager don't work out, you should open a restaurant.”

“What?” Ben laughed.

“Or maybe a bed and breakfast. We could buy a small house somewhere in the countryside and turn it into one! You would cook, and I would take care of everything else.”

“Do you see yourself living in the countryside?”

“I actually do, yes” June smiled. 

“You had never told me that.”

“It is a recent dream of mine. But I still have at least a couple of good years playing football before I have to start thinking about retiring and all that.”

“What would you call it?”

“Uh?”

“Your bed and breakfast. What would you call it? June's?” Ben asked her.

“What about… Chilly in June?” she laughed.

“That sounds too weird.”

“Maxwell and Chilwell?”

“Umm… It could work.”

“Does this mean that you are in? That you would move to the countryside with me?” she asked him.

“I would go to the end of the world with you, June” he smiled.

“Aww, Ben” she smiled back. “Though we've kind of done that already. We went to Australia together, remember?”

“We did, yes” he chuckled. “And I have something for you” he said when they managed to stop looking at each other like two idiots in love, which was what they actually were.

“For me?”

“For you” Ben said, giving her a Kinder egg.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why are you giving me one now?”

“Can't a fiancé give her fiancée a little present?” he chuckles.

“Of course he can. But this is like our thing after games, and the season hasn't started yet.”

“I know.”

“Then?”

“Then what?”

“Then why are you giving me this now?”

“Maxwell, can you please just accept it and stop asking so many questions?” he said, rolling his eyes.

“Ok, ok. Do you want half of it?”

“It's all yours, June.”

“Ummm…”

“What now?” Ben sighed.

“You are nervous” she said, opening the egg and following the same routine sh  had since she was a little girl. First she would carefully unwrap it so the paper was as intact as possible. Then she would open it making sure each half was perfect and they didn't break, and after that, she would check the surprise before eating the chocolate. 

“I'm not nervous” he chuckled.

“Yes, you are, Chilwell. Is there something I should know?”

“What?”

“I think there is something going on, something you aren't telling. Something… Ben” June gasped when she opened the surprise. “What… This… You…”

“This had been my plan all along, you know?” he said. “To ask you to marry me like this, in our garden after making and eating breakfast together, and with the ring inside a Kinder egg surprise. I wanted it to happen in the place where we fell in love, in our home. But you, Miss Maxwell, had other plans and beat me to it” he chuckled.

“I… sorry?”

“It's ok” he said, taking the ring. “May I still do it?”

“Do what?” 

“Ask you to marry me, June. I know we already are engaged, but…”

“Yes.”

“I haven't asked yet, Maxwell” he smirked.

“Oh, shut up and just do it, Chilwell” she replied, rolling her eyes.

“Ok” he said, still smirking as he got down on one knee. “June Elizabeth Maxwell. Would you do me the immense honour of becoming my wife?”

“Yes. Yes, yes and yes!” she said, jumping at him and hugging him.

“June!” he said as they both fell down. 

“Shit. Are you ok?”

“I am, don't worry” he chuckled, sitting up and making June do the same on his lap. “May I?”

“Please” she said, extending her hand.

“Perfect. Do you like it?”

“I love it, Ben. And I love you. I love so very much.”

“I love you too, June” he said. And as he leaned forward to kiss her… “Pepper!”

“Meow!” the cat said, jumping to sit between them.

“That's his way of giving you his blessing” she laughed.

“Well, thank you very much, sir. May I now kiss my future wife? My fiancée?”

“Meow!” Pepper replied before jumping again and starting to run after a butterfly.

“I think that's a yes.”

“If that's the case… Were was I?”

“You were about to kiss me… fiancé.”

“Oh, yes. Thank you… fiancée” he smiled before finally kissing June.  

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

A year (or so) later...

“I still can't believe this is how they've decided to do it” Mason said.

“What is wrong with it?” Reece asked. 

“Nothing, but… I don't know. Didn't June say that they are like, go big or go home with important moments in their relationship?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why are they getting married… here?” Mason said, looking around. 

“I think it is cute. This place means a lot to them, it is where they fell in love.”

“Yes, but… They are getting married in their house, Reece. In their garden.” And it had all been June's idea.

She and Ben had spent months looking at venues all around the country and even some in France and Spain during their holidays, but none of them had felt right. Not until during a lovely spring day, June found what they were looking for.

They had been sitting on the sofas they had in the garden, Ben resting his head on her lap while going through some notes from his manager school like she liked calling it, and June running her hand through his hair and keeping an eye on Pepper, who was trying to catch a lizard. And in that moment, surrounded by all the flowers Ben had so meticulously planted and taken care of over the years, the smell from the lunch they had cooked together still in the air, she had felt it: happiness. Pure bliss. 

Life could freeze in that moment, repeat over and over again as if they were stuck in a loop, and she would still feel like the luckiest woman in the world. 

That garden… their garden… was the perfect place to celebrate their love. After all, it had been where it all had started.

“There you are” Leah said, walking towards Mason and Reece. “They are ready, it's time.”

“Can't believe we are about to witness June and Ben getting married” Reece said. 

“You tell me” she chuckled. “Anyway, ready to walk me down the aisle, Mount?”

“Yes, ma'am” Mason smiled, offering Leah his arm. After them, Reece and Lauren also were getting ready to walk into the garden, Vittoria and John behind them, Pepper chilling in his arms. 

That had been one of the pros June had told Ben while trying to convince him to get married in the garden: Pepper could be with them. 

“Are you nervous?” Ben's mum asked him as they went down the stairs, Mason and Leah already outside, Reece and Lauren following them.

“You have no idea” he said with a nervous laugh. “Did you get to see her?”

“I did.”

“And?”

“She looks breathtaking, Ben. You'll see for yourself in just a minute.”

“If she hasn't run away…”

“Benjamin!” his mum said, hitting his arm.

“I'm joking, I’m joking” he laughed. “I know she isn't going anywhere. She can't. Because like I’m saying on my vows, my heart belongs to her just as hers belongs to me.”

“Aww, Benny” she smiled. “Ready?” she asked when they made it to the door.

“Ready” he nodded, taking a deep breath and stepping outside, all their guests smiling at him while Mason, Leah, Reece, Lauren, Vittoria, John and the officiant waited for him next to the arch of flowers at the end of the garden, Pepper already chilling on his favorite bed next to it. 

“Relax, bro” he heard Mason say behind him once he joined them, his mum sitting next to June’s parents and trying not to cry. Again. She had already done it a few times while they were getting ready, especially when he had shown her that he was going to wear the same tie his dad had worn on their wedding day. “This way he will also be with me on the most important day of my life” he had told her. 

“I'm…” relaxed. That was what Ben would have liked to say. But the music had changed, and everyone was looking at the door that led to the garden, at the two people who were walking through it: June and her dad. “Bloody hell” he whispered, his eyes fixed on June. She looked… she… she was… She… 

“Hello, Chilwell” she smiled when she joined him. 

“Breathtaking.”

“What?”

“My mum was right. You look breathtaking, June” he finally managed to say.

“Thank you” she replied, feeling her cheeks get warmer and warmer by the second. Ben had called her any synonym of beautiful you could think of since they had gotten together, but he had never done it while looking at her the way he was in that moment: in complete awe. 

“I thought you said your dress could rival Princess Diana's. What happened?” he asked.

“It got lost somewhere” she shrugged. “Don't you like this one? Lauren said it fits me just like my Versace one but in white and longer” she said, looking down at it. It was a very simple white dress, it didn't have anything special. But Lauren's comment had stuck with her even after trying on others, which according to her mum meant that it was the one.

“And she's not wrong” Ben said, remembering how good June had looked the first time he had seen her wearing that dress. How smoking hot she looked. “Is that why you are wearing the same hairpins?” he asked, nodding towards her hair.

“You've noticed!” she smiled, touching them. 

“Of course I have, Maxwell. I remember every single detail of how you looked that night. And after today” he said, taking a step closer towards her. “I will also remember every single detail of how breathtaking you are looking right now.”

“Ben…” she whispered, also moving forward.

“Ahem” the officiant said when June's hand touched Ben's face. “The kiss is for later. You aren't married yet.”

“Sorry” they both apologised, moving back to their positions.

“May I start?” the officiant asked them.

“You may” Ben said. “And sorry. Again.”

“It's ok” he said before starting with the ceremony, one where June and Ben didn't stop looking at each other. Not when Pepper let out a big meow that made everyone laugh, and especially not when they said their vows. Though through the corner of her eye, June noticed Reece asking his sister for a handkerchief and wiping away some tears. “I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride” the officiant said. 

“Finally” Ben smiled before wrapping his arms around June and kissing her, everyone clapping and cheering. “I love you, June” he said against her lips. “Or should I say wife? Because that's what you are now, Maxwell. You are my wife. Did you hear that, guys? June Maxwell is my wife!” 

“Chilwell!” she said while hitting his arm, everyone laughing.

“What? It is the truth. You are my wife, Maxwell” he smirked.

“I know. And in case you've forgotten, you are my husband. And I love you.”

“Say that again, please.” 

“What?”

“The last three words. After all these years, I still am not used to hearing you saying them” Ben teased her.

“Idiot” she laughed. 

“Yet you love me” he said, pulling her even closer towards him. 

“I do. I love you very much… husband” June smiled.

“And I love you too, wife” he smiled back before kissing her again, more cheers and some meows surrounding them. 

[ultraflavour]

Early Daggerheart thoughts, from the Open Beta Manuscript:

This is a full game. The PDF is 377 pages, and contains seemingly everything you'd need to play a long-term campaign, though I'd expect players might want to wait for the final rules before diving into this with both feet. Still, there's a LOT here for a first offering.

Matt Mercer gets a Game Designer credit on these rules. Not a huge surprise to think that Mercer would have a pretty strong hand in the design of this game, but the fact that he is acting in a full designer capacity is interesting.

As you'd hope, this game codifies player safety tools such as Lines, Veils and the X-Card. It also suggests about an hour of shared world-building during Session Zero, which I am a big fan of.

Probably the trickiest part of running this game for people who are accustomed to Initiative-based combat (probably a lot of Daggerheart's intended audience) was going to be how to run low-structure combats. A lot of PbtAs and Forged in the Darks prefer to say that "Combat is just an extension of the narrative, have fun!" But there's actually a lot of good information about how to run initiative-less combats here.

Surprisingly, the GM rolls a different die than the players do: While players are rolling 2d12s, the GM rolls a d20 when attacking. This is also counter to the normal "PbtA" ethos where the GM never rolls dice, and the consequences arise strictly out of the players' successes and failures.

Previously, I had been under the impression that Action Tokens and Fear were the same thing, ie. the GM only gets tokens to act when players roll Fear as a consequence of an action. That turns out to be untrue, the GM gets an action token every time the players make an action roll. So the amount of "moves" the GM gets to make in combat scales linearly with the number of rolls the players make, though the GM can also cash in Action Tokens to get Fear tokens, which lets them unleash their more nasty monster abilities.

Building up the Hope reservoir as a motivating factor for the players is a very smart way to encourage them to act boldly. If the players keep playing it too safe, they don't get any Hope to spend for big moments. Unlike D&D which tops the players up with resources at the start of the day and has those resources slowly dwindle, Daggerheart instead gives players those resources as a reward for heroism. There's other ways to get it, such as "Prepare" during a Short Rest, but that's only one of four things you can do during a rest, and you can only pick two.

The thing that surprises me most here is just how complete this Beta is. There's stuff in here that I was not expecting to get, including a lot of GM-facing stuff (There's about 70 pages of GM-specific info in this PDF).

I was not expecting to be able to jump into this thing with both feet so soon. While I expect that there will be more player options in the final release, and slightly more balanced monsters, what we have now is easily enough to get going.

[gigabyte-flare]

I don't know if other people feel this way, but Love and Deepspace has been surprisingly... healing for me?

When it came out a year ago, I remember seeing ads for it on, funny enough, Tumblr and I remember saying to myself, "there is no way that game looks like that" and come to find out that, yes, the game actually looks like that. I was even more surprised to find out that in addition to being an Otome, it was also an action RPG. I always found Otome games boring; adding RPG elements scratches that itch that was missing for me.

I had put it down for awhile until Sylus came out in July (?), I pulled for his first card and then put it down again (I was deep in my Zenless Zone Zero/Von Lycaon era; a surprise to literally no one). I'm not even sure what drew me back to it, but I got back into it at the tail end of Goodcat Code. Then of course they released Dragon Sylus and, being the textbook monster fucker I am, I was in my glory. What I wasn't expecting when I jumped back in was to get really invested in the game's story and, of course, really invested into Sylus.

On the outside he seems like your typical dark romance coded love interest, but once you play through most of his content, he's so much more than that. Yes, he is very much "touch her, you die," but he's also so, so freaking passionate. Just completely devoted and willing to do anything to make MC happy. He isn't subtle at all, he is so beautifully direct and that just makes my autistic ass so fucking happy.

Without getting too TMI, my dealings with men (derogatory), have been mostly negative, so unsurprisingly I am naturally very on guard around them, so interacting with Sylus has just been a very healing experience; to interact with a male, even a fictional one, and I don't feel the inkling to be afraid, I know he's not going to hurt me (one because he's not real, duh, but he would never, at least not without discussing boundaries). He is all about consent, which is apparent in his latest card. Even in a couple of his Secret Times, he's constantly asking for consent.

I don't know if anyone else does this, but I read MC's unspoken lines aloud, which I feel really adds to the immersion (I know it's probably weird but it's fun so...) but I think this is also another aspect that makes my autistic ass so... healed; I'm able to interact with him without the fear of saying something stupid or wrong. I think the other appeal is the fact that he isn't real, then again, I feel that way about all my fictional husbands; but there's just something really special about Sylus for me.

Holy shit, I did not mean to make this a novel. TLDR, interacting with Sylus has been such a healing experience for me, thank you Infold for creating him! Anyway here's a Sylus photodump for your troubles!

[sonicexelle-junkary]

Your sonic the rot au-- You've stated that a person can be cured if they go super.. So this begs a FEW little questions. 1. Sonic has passed the point of no return HOWEVER the emeralds have restored his life before, so let's get to question #1.. if Sonic somehow turned super.. would he be revived or would we have an infected super sonic? 2. If super forms CAN kill the virus, how would the virus react to Fleetway? Since he IS super sonic, albeit evil. They wouldn't be able to infect him, right? Would it be afraid? 3. Back to question one in a way.. since the chaos emeralds have restored his life before, the same thing could be done for others. (If you're wondering when this was, it was in Sonic 06. And you DID say you're following the ingame continuity.) So would the chaos emeralds be able to wish everyone infected back to life if they were to use the warp topaz? DR. Starline said it himself that it can cause MASSIVe changes with just a little charge! Pump the power of super shadow through it, and he should be able to undo everything in one fell swoop. If it exists.. if not, shadow could do something similar with the phantom ruby. 4. Is Silver infected as well? If he wasn't I think it'd be cool if Silver and Shadow were some sort of apocalypse duo, surviving the terrors together. Also, how DID shadow get infected? Did Sonic get the jump on him?? Please answer both. 5. Lastly, how did Sonic get infected? He's patient zero so he had to be infected, I'm placing my bets that Eggman infected him with it, and possibly fucked himself because of that.. because if Eggman did create the virus, then it sure as hell isn't following his orders. I imagine Eggman staying locked up in his base if this is the case, if not.. he's very unprepared for what's to happen.

Well, this is a long one. I’ll answer this the best I can

1- perhaps. But if he runs out of rings he would drop dead, as his insides are hollow. There is nothing to restore. The Rot will never ‘go super’. Why would they do something that would kill them?

2-The Rot can’t infect pure chaos energy (which is what I assume super forms to be), so it won’t be able to infect Fleetway. Now, will it be afraid of him? No. As The Rot is incapable of fear. At least, that’s what seems to be the case.

3- the au only follows game continuity, everything outside of the main line games created by the sonic team aren’t cannon (despite tangle being cannon to Frontiers). And despite following main game continuity, it doesn’t follow the same cannon as the games do (just to keep the story a little more interesting so that it’s not just a ‘oh gee this character is better now the day is saved’ kind of deal. It’s meant to be bleak for a reason). The chaos emeralds can’t just magically heal a person when they become super. You could heal someone with them, but to create organs from nothing might be a stretch, even for that. As well, pretty much all of the phantom Ruby prototypes are gone post forces, I assume the real deal as well.

4- no comment

5- see previous answer

[mothrabu-bu]

Greetings! Glad you came. This will be 3 parts:

Establishing Chaos and who he is as a character (summary, story, flaws ,etc.)

Comparisons, Interpretations and theories regarding said character.

Bonus blurb on Metal Sonic x Chaos 0 (because of course.)

Bearing reminder: Everyone's interpretation of a character is a subjective process. My iteration of him is NOT gospel. I encourage you to seek out information and determine for yourself who Chaos 0 is to you. This is based off of both my memory and research as I don't rely on fandom wiki for information) If i fail to explain anything clearly, comment and I'll reiterate.

I thank you for your time. Click the "read more" to begin.

Chaos 0

Also known as: God of destruction (Eggman: SA1), Guardian god of the chao (Knuckles: SA2 Battle), Big drip (Sonic: SA1)

-----

SUMMARY: He is a mutated chao (whom, as of frontiers, takes the form of the ANCIENTS, his ancestors). Responsible for eradication MOST of the echindan tribe, as well as deaths involved in the flooding of Station Square. Known for protecting chao, guarding the ALTAR (which includes the master emerald & chaos emeralds), as well as being a sign of warning (Knuckles: SA2 Battle).

He developed a friendship with Tikal, and after becoming Final Chaos, was promptly sealed into the master emerald by her in an attempt to stop his rampage. Chaos presumably went to heaven* with her by the end of Sonic Adventure, before making a return in Sonic Adventure: Battle, and thereon. His Final Chaos form is also depicted in a mural in Lost World showing the future battle against Sonic.

In addition, there are nudges of his influence in Sonic Adventure 2, such as the Gerald Robotnik's “Artificial Chaos” that are scattered around the Space Colony ARK, and rampage in Shadow the Hedgehog. Within Sonic Adventure: Battle, Chaos appears in skill cards, as a playable character, and can only be fought (in story-mode) by Emerl.

---

Within the game's world, the perception of who Chaos 0 is, constantly shifts. Since Sonic Adventure doesn't take place through Chaos 0's point of view, in order to understand his character we have to examine both the different ways characters view, describe or react to him, then analyze his actions and backstory to interpret what that says about him.

Many characters such as the police, swimsuit woman, and Pachacamac describe Chaos 0 as a “monster” or at least see him as a threat to be dealt with. Whether this judgment is due to Chaos's alien appearance, alliance with Eggman, due to any actions he committed, or all of the above, is up to interpretation.

[Unlike most alien-esc creatures such as wisps, black arms, chao, etc., Chaos is immediately met with shock or horror upon initial viewing by general audiences. Even Tikal, who later befriends him, says “Even I was surprised the first time I saw him”. Unlike the black arms, which are terrifying due to being an active threat to humanity, Chaos only needs to stand still in order for others to fear, or desire his riddance. Though, the suddenness of Chaos' appearances may aid to the fear factor.]

In the beginning of Sonic Adventure, Knuckles sees Chaos negatively due to him emerging from and breaking the Master Emerald, then he attacks Chaos. By the end of the game when Chaos transforms back into his zero form, he states “Chaos has changed again. This for the better”, signifying his stance on Chaos leans positive. In Sonic Adventure: Battle, Knuckles describes Chaos 0 as “Guardian god of the chao”, and mentions Chaos appearing in times of crisis, further emphasizing that Knuckles may also perceive him as a warning sign or emergency alert.

[Note: Funnily enough, Knuckles shouts, “Ugh agh! Hey, no fair!” when Chaos retaliates and knocks him away by jumping.]

Similarly, Tikal's perception of Chaos 0 is continually positive, describing him as a “kind and gentle soul who protects children”. In alternative media is even shown to be comfortable enough to hanging out, playing hide-and-seek, and do prayers/rituals with him.

Lastly, Eggman's perception changes throughout the course of Sonic Adventure, announcing Chaos with the title “God of Destruction”, holding high regards and praise throughout SA1. However, before a battle with Sonic and Knuckles, Eggman states, “Come here, my hungry pet” then tosses him emeralds. Near the end of the game, Chaos disobeys Eggman to which he insults Chaos, saying “You have defied your master, stupid beast”, showing that despite all the appraisal and “god” titleing, Eggman sees Chaos as nothing more than a “pet” or some “dumb animal”.

[To note, unlike the term “monster” inferring a sense of power, horror, grotesqueness, “beast” is akin to that of a less intelligent, natural, or otherwise animalistic but comprehensible creature, e.g. a big wolf can be called a “beast” but not a “monster”. Eggman is also shown giving back-handed compliments like saying, “i didn't think you had what it takes!” or “I put my bets on Beta, but I owe you at least a fair chance” with Gamma. Despite his praise, Eggman never hides the fact he looks down on others, and only rebukes any negative remarks after they shows some level of “worthiness” or remain obedient. So despite his positive affirmations, Eggman sees Chaos as lesser than, a pet, or a play-thing rather than a sentient being, with no exception. Even details such as Eggman chanting his name, or attempting to “summon” him, alludes to a sense of a child's play when interacting with Chaos.]

----

During the flashbacks in Sonic Adventure, Tikal communicates to Tails, Amy, Big, Sonic, Gamma and Knuckles, both her history in meeting Chaos 0, as well as the events that eventually leads up to the current era. Revisiting her dialogue, she describes Chaos as “the presence that is guarding these children [chao], He's a very loving and gentle creature”, then further emphasizes the chao as “these little creatures are too vulnerable without its protection. This protection allows them to continue singing in peace”.

In a literal interpretation, its possible he is taking care and protecting actually chao children as there are child and adult versions of chao. However, Tikal could viewing them all as children due to their baby-like nature and tiny size, regardless of age. When viewing these chao as vulnerable children/child-like creatures, and considering that chao essentially “die” or are incapable of reincarnation if neglected or are unloved, Chaos's “loving and gentle” nature becomes akin to that of a babysitter, older sibling, parental figure, or more accurately a “guardian”, in the sense that his role is comprised of compassionately nurturing, aiding, protecting, loving and caring for these chao.

[Note: the concept of a chao garden, whether its feeding, caring, racing, etc., are clues as to what Chaos 0 might've done before the Final Chaos incident. Though chao races have been explored in an a more darker sense (illegal racing), it's safe to assume that the original intent would've been more so for play, competition or exercise (at least from a less dark interpretation).]

To say that a small nervous child would not find herself comfortable around Chaos 0 would be absurd. In fact, despite Tikal stating, “Even I was surprised the first time I saw him”, alluding to Chaos' intimidating and monstrous appearance, she still feels okay befriending, hanging out with, and actively playing with Chaos 0.

Though characterizations of Chaos 0 may lean towards angry, aggressive, or otherwise evil depictions due to his actions as Final Chaos and characters constantly defining him as either a powerful god, horrifying monster, or somewhere in between, the more accurate stance is that Chaos 0 is someone who uses his power to protect the vulnerable, weak, or perhaps even abused.

For the sake of argument, if Chaos does posses anger issues, its likely that the trigger is the potential of external harm on someone under his care and protection. In the flashback with Gamma, Tikal yells out, “No! Don't go any closer!” when Gamma approaches the chao, showing that at least if Tikal is worried about a foreign presence, Chaos likely would've attacked if he deemed Gamma a threat. However, she also says, “I'm sorry. I see you must not be one of them, huh?”, whether the “them” in this scenario are warrior echindas, anyone with ill intent towards the chao or altar, someone who is alive in the current-day and not apart of Tikal's flashback frenzy, or all of the above, is up for debate. Considering Chaos doesn't make an appearance in front of Gamma and Tikal infers a sort of “boundary” he has when it comes to those under his protection, and crossing that results in aggression, or at least his active surveillance.

----

Now, is Final Chaos an accurate depiction of Chaos 0 as a whole, or at least a flaw? Acknowledging that Chaos 0 may have “loving and gentle” traits, but still actively murdered others and decimated entire cities of innocent lives, calls for the investigation of his motives, and influences.

Within the Tikal's flashbacks, we see the active warfare taking place seen by background details of smoke and fire, with her arguing against her father by stating, “attacking other countries, stealing, killing can't be the right path to peace. No one has the right to take their holy grounds” in addition, when talking to Gamma she states, “Now my father is trying to take their [chao's] sacred home”. Before she and the remaining chao are trampled on by the echidna warriors, Pachacamac (her father) states, “We need those 7 emeralds to give us total power! It's power for the people...”.

Chaos' and by proxy, the chao, are living in an age of constant warfare and conquest, with the detail of chao being vulnerable children, its likely that Chaos' existence as their guardian is to protect them from the horrors of war and bloodshed.

[Note: If direct Japanese translation is to be included, Tikal states, “Because he's here, they can sing in peace like this...But father and the others are trying to take away these children's last place to live in..” changing this from potentially invading their only home, to being kicked out of their homes, leaving the altar as only the place to stay. She also states, “Because he's here, they can sing in peace like this...” telling us that Chaos is the only reason they can even live in peacefully, safely, and happy.]

Furthermore, during the flashback with Amy Rose, the chao react with fear when Tikal slowly approaches them, running away from her until she states, “Don't be afraid, your safe with me”. Tikal also states, “You're the...chao”, expressing that she knows about their existence but has never seen them in-person. This alludes to the idea that back then, the number of chao that existed where incredibly small, compared to modern day where there's an abundance of them. In addition to their dwindling numbers, chao running away in fear emphasizes their vulnerability and the necessity to have Chaos around, because otherwise they may end up being trampled on, hurt, abused, etc.

[Note: For emphasis, Cream the rabbit lives two chaos, omochao, chao mechas ad the chao walker exist, there's enough for Silver the hedgehog to fill a secret room with and for Ifrit to consume without ending their entire bloodline (Sonic Rivals 2), and in the context of SA1, enough that they managed to survive for thousands of years without Chaos 0. ]

Going back to the events that sparked the Final Chaos transformation, its shown to us that not only is the sacred altar (their home), being subjected to arson, but the warriors intend to steal the sacred emeralds that Chaos keeps guarded. When Tikal's plan fail with both her and the chao get trampled on by the warriors, the cutscene shows the ripples in the altars water, which is suggests that not only was Chaos there, he was watching. In a cut scene with Knuckles, we even see multiple shots of chao unconscious on the ground, the altar ablaze and with Tikal stating “I couldn't stop them. They came... and my father... I had no idea... how bad this would turn out! I'm shocked.” Despite the fact that Chaos could have attacked the warrior echidnas at any time, he is shown holding out until Tikal's plan fails.

With all this information, Chaos' motivation and influences as to why he would be sent into a rage, and committed those heinous acts becomes clearer. In fact, we'll never know how long these wars lasted, whether there were multiple occasions of being under threat, or to what lengths Chaos had to go through to ensure all the safety of his people, traumatizing or not.

Furthermore, with new inclusion of Sonic Frontiers into the lore of chao civilization, their own ancestors already faced constant threat of annihilation and being pushed out of their original homes due to that fact. Plus, when considering that Chaos is not a god, but instead a chao who simply resembles his ancestors due to a mutation.

[Note: Chaos is related to the Ancients and the ancients turned into chao due to some prolonged radiation. Chaos isn't an direct Ancient due to both his incredibly tiny size, and the fact that Eggman outwardly states he's just “related”. Plus, with the addition of “chaos chao” and having the “neutral” form look incredibly similar to that of Chaos, one can theorize that Chaos started out as a tiny chao with a weird genome then got bigger and stronger thanks to the emeralds wish-fulfillment or radiation. ]Sonic Frontiers purposefully designed said ancestors to have multiple forms such as elderly and adult masculine and feminine forms, whilst making the children or “youth” design look like Chaos 0, makes it so that the tragedy of Sonic Adventure is becausea child lost his home, friends and family to war.

Thus, to define a someone by their worst day, is not an accurate analysis of their character.

Also, to explain Chaos 0's actions in modern day and the flooding of Times Square, Tikal states, “They [chao] stayed alive for generations and now live peacefully with humans. The fighting's over. Harmony's restored and life goes on.”, inferring that Chaos believed the fighting (war) was still going on and that the chao were dead, until given evidence proving otherwise. He's in an unfamiliar place that is thousands of years ahead of his original time, and upon approaching is first shown being shot by the police and kicked by Sonic. Furthermore, when he's freed from the master emerald the first thing he sees is a red echidna (Knuckles) which compared to the last thing he saw before transforming is a red echidnan warrior, could've easily assumed that knuckles was warrior who sought to steal the emeralds from Chaos. Funnily enough, Eggman is the only friendly face in the entire game.

[Note: The conversation between Sonic and Tikal goes as followed:

Tikal: “My heart has always been in the Master Emerald, along with Chaos'. Now he's filled with anger and sadness. And if it goes on, he'll eventually destroy the world, like he did before! Look! He's absorbed the Emerald's power! He must be sealed in the Master Emerald, NOW!”

Sonic: “How can that help? It won't change how he feels inside, will it? His heart will still remain in turmoil and his anger just wont vanish! He'll just be trapped forever!”

Tikal: “What choice do we have?” - End

Also, once the entire team of heroes brings the emptied emeralds to Sonic, Tails states, “negative forces aren't the only way to empower the Chaos Emeralds. Our positive feelings toward eachother can make them work. Our hearts together form awesome power”. This is all to point out that Final Chaos isn't Chaos 0 as a whole, but rather the embodiment of his negative emotions, that which can be interpreted as “grief” and “rage”.

Despite Tikal empathizing with Chaos' and his emotions, she may not know how to handle such an extremely powerful emotional outburst. For arguments sake, she is a child and might not understand how to calm others down, or even herself considering Tikal's already panicking. However, even if she did, Sonic's quote of “It won't change how he feels inside, will it? His heart will still remain in turmoil and his anger just wont vanish! He'll just be trapped forever!” emphasizing that perhaps her ideas on how to deal with these situations is to do what her father does and dismiss it. If neither is true, then Tikal is being pragmatic, doing what she knows will “solve” the situation even if she doesn't want to, as she's fearful of the potential destruction if nothing is done. Sadly, this can also suggest that Chaos does not have outbursts regularly, or to this extreme, which would imply that he's relatively calm and not very aggressive. As a result, Tikal doesn't have any knowledge on how to calm him down, and suddenly seeing the destructive, aggressive side of him, would cause her to panic. ]

---

Due to Chaos' status as a guardian of the chao, and by proxy, the altar and emeralds, puts into question Knuckles' status as the proclaimed guardian of the Master Emerald. Despite being from separate times, they both have the status of a “guardian”, with Chaos' being given the title and Knuckles claiming it, even if he doesn't know why. In an ironic sense, one can argue that the reason Knuckles became a guardian was because Chaos couldn't be one.

There were no evidence of echidnas guarding the chaos emeralds despite them actively having mythos regarding it, such as Tikal's grandmother passing down her legends of the 7 seven emeralds. Instead, we see its original “guardian” of sorts, being Chaos who resides within the waters of the altar. The fact that Knuckles doesn't truly understand the reason he is a guardian, connects to the idea that being a guardian may have been retribution of sorts by his own ancestors, since the reason Chaos 0 transformed was because an echidna tried to steal the very thing they now claim to protect.

Ironically enough, this also shows the failures of Chaos 0 as a guardian.

Though, Knuckles constantly looses the Master Emerald, either by shattering or being stolen, he always manages to get it back, is able to protect his friends and stays dutiful no matter what. On the contrary, Chaos 0 does successfully protects the Master Emerald and chaos emeralds from being stolen, but he is unable to protect his friends and the chao, then uses the emeralds in order for revenge instead of protection.

In Sonic Adventure: Battle, Knuckles claims Chaos 0 as “guarding the Death Egg”, “Guardian god of chao” and who “only shows himself in times of great crisis”, which though he does technically appear during a crisis, he was that “crisis” at least twice. If he's guarding the Death Egg, presumably to stop anyone from going to it, and is shown to be an optional battle against Emerl, you can say he failed as a guardian, in the sense that he couldn't stop Emerl from going. Knuckles defines him as the “guardian god of chao”, despite the fact that he failed to protect said chao, got trapped in the Master Emerald, then those chao managed to exist for generations, without needing his protection.

In fact, the idea that Chaos and Tikal flew up into the sky, presumably to “heaven” or heaven equivalent, only for Chaos to return back in SA2:Battle, makes it so that either Chaos went back on his own volition, or got kicked out of heaven, likely on account of his actions as Final Chaos.

To argue, Chaos is essentially the antithesis to Knuckles as Metal Sonic is to Sonic. Chaos 0 represents everything Knuckles should fear about himself. Whether its loosing control of his own rationality or anger, abandoning duty, failing to protect his friends, family or home, or more accurately- becoming someone who hurts the very thing they claim to protect. They may both be “guardians” but they aren't the same.

In some ways, Chaos became the equivalent of the “god” who killed his ancestors. In his quest to "protect" everyome, he become a danger to everybody.

---

Theories and Speculation:

Though we don't know how long Chaos had been alive or the time he's been “guardian” for, it could be argued he's relatively young. The evidence being the existence of Chaos chao, with the “neutral” version looking similar to Chaos (particularly the light blue versions), and unlike Chao and their ancestors (who can either evolve into adults or grow to elderly age), Chaos chao don't age an remain in stasis, incapable of death or reincarnation due to the fact. Similarly, since they have the same namesake as Chaos 0, and he expresses the same exact traits as them in terms of immortality. Though it could be simply reference, it could also be alluding to the fact that Chaos 0 may have, at some point been a “chaos chao” before growing in size, presumably due to the emeralds, since it's not like he's a direct “Ancient”.

[Note: Its a stretch, but because Sonic Frontiers is technically the “sequel” to SA1 in terms of production, all of the Ancients designs are based around Chaos'. To note, the Warriors, Elders, “men” and “woman” designs all have pointed or extra features to distinguish them from Chaos. However, because of the game's changes the lore so that Chaos is the one who resembles the Ancients, the closest Ancient design akin to Chaos would technically be the child version. It has “pointed edges”, slightly protruding hips, and only lacks the long hair-like features. Thus, perhaps Chaos resembles something similar to a teenager? In where the child has grown “hair” and is taller, but still lacks “adult” features.]

If he's existed for quite some time, then his ability to stay undiscovered to the point that Echidna warriors and Tikal (who already knows about the chao) doesn't know about his existence. The argument that its because he stays hidden in the water works, until you realize that he'll reveal himself to anyone who gets too close to the chao. Thus, is he's been protecting them from threats for a long time, there should've been more characters who know, acknowledged or tell others to avoid certain areas based around his existence. If there was a potential danger, adults should've told their children to avoid being around that area or creature.

If Tikal and the warriors thought there wouldn't be anyone there, then it's likely nobody knew of his existence, which is why he's probably relatively young as a guardian thus as “Chaos” himself.

This theory is mostly in favor of the idea that Chaos, for all intensive purposes, might not be the “adult”, but rather more akin to some kid who had to become the “parental unit” due to the fact that by the time chao become adults, they'll eventually revert back to children, remaining vulnerable forever. Thus, the one who lives infinitely, no matter the mental or physical age, will have to take upon the burden of memory and become the “adult” in the room. In the most simplest terms, Chaos 0 may be a result of “parentification” due to the ongoing warfare and unstable conditions for his own species.

Plus, even if he has anger issues, this theory would mean he likely wouldn't be able to express those negative emotions to the extent that other chao (or even Tikal) could. He couldn't get highly emotional on the basis that it would compromise his ability to identify threats in the area- or worse, accidentally harm a chao due to loosing control. Its why when Chaos does eventually snap and go on a murder spree, it happens after both Tikal and the chao are already harmed and unconscious. Since, once that happens there's no need to “hold back”.

Theory #2: Chaos 0 is a “chaos emerald” user.

Due to the frequency in which other characters such as Sonic, Shadow, and the biolizard actively are able to use “Chaos control”, it could be inferred that Chaos may have been the originator of that power, considering the “bright green shining light effect” and “suddenly disappearing” is shown in both SA1 and 2. Though it can be argued it's just the effect, there's still the fact that multiple echidnas disappeared alongside Chaos, and Chaos doesn't speak, therefore can't say “Chaos Control!”, so it plausible that it was a more powerful version of chaos control due to having multiple emeralds, similar to the one Sonic and Shadow do on the Space Colony ARK at the end of SA2.

[Note: The echidnas disappearing could be argued as “3d rendering” or just cutscene logic in SA1. However, because the most iconic instance of “using an emerald triggers green bright light then sudden transportation of another entity into a certain location” being Tikal's trick with the Master Emerald, its hard to justify this as simply rendering or cutscene logic. Plus, if Chaos had transformed then and there, the chao and Tikal would've been drowned, and Chaos' targets are anyone else but them.]

Also, because Chaos' monster or alien appearance, the audience may neglect the fact that Chaos is an emerald user to the likes of Sonic, Shadow, Silver, and the alternate dimensional version: Blaze. Ignoring the fact that in the modern day, Chaos only uses the chaos emeralds to transform, and even takes away the emeralds energy during Sonic Adventure. Even Tikal states, “Look! He's absorbed the emeralds power!” in response to the emeralds loosing its color.

[Note: Knuckles states, “he stole my chaos emeralds”, leaving the Master Emerald alone. Plus, in the cutscene with Final Chaos, he is seen with only the chaos emeralds rotating around his head.]

To repeat, Tails states that Chaos used negative emotions when using the chaos emeralds. We can physically see the difference by looking at the color of light that shines when they use it. Green is associated with negativity, having adverse effects like Tikal being trapped in the Master Emerald or Chaos turning into a giant tsunami monster, and “yellow” being positive, turning Sonic into super sonic with full control over himself and his wishes.

In theory, it might be possible that Chaos 0 could have a “super form”, and Sonic could have a “monster form” (like that of the Werehog), if he ever uses the emeralds are incorrectly. Furthermore Tails states, “Super Sonic must have neutralized it, so it's nice again.”, which can mean that when these two “forms” are at battle, they're likely to neutralize one or the other and kick them out of that particular form. Its likely that because Super Sonic imbued his that positivity into Chaos, which essentially calmed him down.

Furthermore, since Tikal mentions the “Chaos emeralds” multiple times before the events of Final Chaos, it could be concluded that the reason he's called “Chaos” is because of the literal chaos he created, as well as his connection to the “Chaos emeralds”.

(Mini) Theory #3:

Another small theory, is that before Sonic Frontiers, the existence of Chaos chao and that in the Japanese version of SA1, the chao noise being played when Chaos' water ripples are on screen are subtle confirmations of Chaos' relation to chao. Though it doesn't compare to the more blunt confirmation, its worth mentioning nonetheless.

Theory #4: Chaos' influence on PROJECT:SHADOW.

Regarding Sonic Adventure 2, Chaos' is both theorized and canonically proved to be influential to Gerald Robotnik, and as a result PROJECT: SHADOW. The first fledgling of influence is the Artificial Chaos are seen in both SA2 and Shadow the Hedgehog, with Maria stating, “Those liquid creatures are the experiment by-product based on a god of an ancient culture” and “Look! More Artficial Chaos!...”

[Note: Maria also says “the research experiments... their eyes look so... sad” whilst they violently rampage about. Its likely that Maria just is being empathetic, but the idea that the experiment's emotional state resembles that of the “sad and angry” demeanor represented by Chaos in SA1 is interesting.]

There's also a popular theory regarding the creation of the Biolizard and Shadow the hedgehog. It states that Gerald Robotnik took reference from both the Final Chaos mural and the runes in Hidden Palace Zone from Sonic 3 depicting Super Sonic, thus proving why Gerald started with the larger lizard then swapped to a much smaller, hedgehog.

Here's an additional proposal to this theory: The reason for Gerald suddenly taking on the task of both building the ARK and creating the ultimate lifeform, was because he found evidence that doing so could heal Maria. The chao are creatures with lifespans that can reach hundreds of years or to infinity if conditions are appropriate, or if they're not harmed or neglected. Its likely that Gerald found out about chao and the legend of Chaos: God of Destruction, and assumed that the cure for Maria resided in the secret that keeps chao (or Chaos) living forever. Thus, his reason for focusing soely on echindan culture, may stem from the fact that its the culture with the most information on both chao and Chaos 0, since many of the traits like “immortality”, “regeneration”, and if the theories above are correct, “chaos emerald usage” and “chaos control” are all prevalent in the Biolizard (Ultimate Lifeform Prototype) and in some ways, shadow the hedgehog.

As of recent information, Shadow's Doom powers in SonicxShadow: Generations such as turning into a giant octopus, or summoning a manta ray are suspiciously aquatic themed, despite countless of Black Dooms's aliens have bird like appendages such as claws or flight abilities. The only instance where this is not the case are his wings. You can argue that Doom's eye looks like a starfish, but that's an alien floating eyeball in a game with a giant alien pitbull, buff aliens and alien birds Shadow can ride on. Where is the aquatic themes coming from if not from the inspiration that is canonically made of water and lives in water.

[Note: Off topic but worth addressing: Does the Robotnik family have an obsession with creating look-a-likes? The whole “artificial chaos clones” (and if he theory is true then the Biolizard) and “robot Shadow clones” are weirdly identical in concept if you think about it. If Shadow the hedgehog met Chaos 0, would he believe its an “escaped Artificial clone” and try to eliminate him? How would Chaos 0 react to his “clones”?]

---

Sonic Adventure 1 & 2:

Due to the fact that SA1 is the prequel to SA2 in terms of production, comparisons can be made regarding the characters, their actions, and story line. This is to outline certain details on how we, the audience, examines these stories and react to them. For example, both SA1 and SA2 have active themes of militia or war within the story. Soldiers or “warriors”, and the political needs to access the “ultimate weapon” that will ensure their victory or enhance potential powers in war and conquest whether that be a wish-granting Master Emerald, or a artificially born child. However, most would not discuss the relevancy of war, conquest and active deforestation and how it effects the story and characters of SA1, as its effectively subtle in execution. Furthermore, there are similarities between Shadow and Chaos in their responses to loss and tragedy. Shadow's story is incredibly blunt, showcasing active shooting, murder of innocent victims, arresting family members, and witnessing death of loved ones. We can also see Chaos in a similar predicament, being subjected to witnessing family and friend deaths, being in the midst of active warfare, have his “home” or at least the equivalent being subject to arson, as well as it being essentially ransacked by echidna warriors, and potentially being driven out of previous homes due to conquest. However both resulted in actively pursuing the eradication of a singular society or planet (aka. Humanity or echidnas).

Shadow's motivations for attempting to annihilate the planet is shown to us in a sympathetic cut scene, showing his potential memory alteration, with multiple instances of the story showing the tragedy, injustice and active traumas Shadow had to go through in order to want to kill everyone. However, because the story of SA1 is not in the perspective of Chaos 0, but rather Tikal's, we can't actually know his motivations or emphasize with Chaos 0, unless we actively searched for said motives. This creates a conflict where, Tikal must consistently describe how “gentle and kind” Chaos is, how he “cares for these children (chao)”, etc., but because the story doesn't go out of its way to make us emphasize or atleast understand him outside of Tikal's words, we never do.

SA1, is effectively SA2 but you never see Shadow's perspective. You never see the crying, the flashbacks, nor is story trying to make you think about how he feels, or why he's doing what he's doing. Instead, you get Maria's perspective, where she, one by one, explains to every current protagonist how nice shadow is, dies, and then your left with the knowledge that a crazy guy tried to kill everyone, blew up the moon, then sonic said “I understand you, here's some happiness. Now stop it.” and then Shadow stopped, and died.

This comparison isn't to discredit the artistry or intent of both stories and how they are portrayed, but rather to more to express how different perspectives and priorities in writing can effect how a character is perceived by an audience. We're more likely to emphasize with Shadow and for some, even excuse his actions in SA2, while demonize, villanize or otherwise negatively portray Chaos 0. Though when viewing these characters from an outsiders view, they're both incredibly powerful, and scary in their respective games.

--

Since this reason of this paper originates from the Metal Sonic x Chaos 0 comic, there are a few takeaways to be had regarding their relationship.

First, Metal Sonic and Chaos 0 both have their respective games that showcase multiple “versions” of their character, depending on context. To say that a Metal Sonic who's still forever loyal to Eggman would interact with the emotionally disregulated “tried to laser-blast Eggman into oblivion” Chaos 0, would be a completely different relationship than a calm and peaceful Chaos with a “having an identity crisis and tried to overthrow the Eggman Empire” Metal Sonic. They're bodies are both blue, and their eyes are complementary colors. Due to Chaos' habit of slouching and ability to stretch his body (arms and legs), its plausible that Chaos is taller than Metal Sonic, which funnily enough creates a tall and short dynamic.

On a general note, Chaos' “loving and gentle” nature in contrast with the more “cold and calculative” Metal Sonic, makes for an interesting dynamic when played against eachother. Metal Sonic may be able to handle ruptures in Chaos' emotional psyche (it has to deal with Eggman afterall), and Chaos provides a softer environment for Metal Sonic to confide in.

On that note, they're also both called “monster”, both of them having transformation abilities that require the “biological data” of another entity whether that's by consuming them like a chao, or how Chaos did with Froggy,or simply by “copying” it, they both have liquid “puddle” forms (Neo Metal's little “metallic puddle” and Chaos' “water puddle”), both are insulted by eggman due to disobedience ( with Eggman berating Metal Sonic in multiple games such as Sonic Free riders, but Chaos ends the insults by scaring him away with the threat of death by laser. They're both, to some degree, the antithesis of their respective counterpart (Sonic or Knuckles), and are incapable of speech in their base forms.

A few thematic notes, would be that perhaps their relationship is akin to nature vs machine, and could be reminiscent of sci-fi genres like Solarpunk or CyberPunk, depending on the world, their relationship and aesthetics. They also have natural disaster or weather themes, due to Neo Metal Sonic's thunder (hence electricity, lightning, etc), as well as Final Chaos literally being the equivalent of a tsunami. In a sense, Metal's the thunder before Chaos' storm.

Furthermore, there are countless instances where these two could've met, but simply didn't. In Sonic Adventure, Metal Sonic is there but left asleep inside a green tube, and in Sonic Heroes, despite Neo Metal Sonic actively looking for Chaos' bio-data, but unlike every other character, Chaos is no where to be seen. In Sonic Forces, they're together side-by-side, but this is just a hologram/illusion Infinite created. There's even a “Stream Card” of them together, and in the SA2 group photo they're next to each other. In a tweet by Maekawa Shiro, Chaos 0 was originally going to be in game, along with Metal Sonic and their respective teams. Seeing how the game loop is now, it could be implied that they might've interacted during one of the team vs team battles. Plus, we don't know if even remembers any information about Chaos 0 since it probably got rebooted after the events of Sonic Heroes.

Essentially, they're the asymptotic line of ships. To quote a lyric by Louie zong, “as close as we could ever get, you'll be just out of reach”.

Ships in fandoms also tend to result in creating “ship children”, which are the theoretical children of two or more characters, whether or not childbirth or creation of said child is plausible. To aid to this concept, the creation of “metallic” or “shiny” chao and omochao's existence, provides an already canonical reference point as to how their “ship child” could look like. Though one shouldn't be deterred from making their theoretical child look however they desire.

–---

Thank you for reading what is 10 pages of me blabbering on about Chaos 0. Again, I will always encourage any arguments for or against my claims, and active discussion or theorization regarding Chaos 0, Tikal and their story, and even the ship MetalSonicxChaos0. I too am not god, and nothing I say is here definitive or the “only way” to view things, nor is this a “perfect” analysis by any means and neither am I. So I would love to hear your questions, concerns, or if this sparked any ideas, emotions or thoughts within you.

Once more, Thank you for your time, and have a wonderful day.

[baronessvonglitter]

Questions tag game!

merci beaucoup to @strang3lov3 for the tag!

Do you make your bed? Yes. Not always right after I get up, but definitely before I start whatever's on the agenda for the day.

Favorite number? I don't have one. I prefer letters over numbers.

What's your job? Classified. But the most time I ever spent at a job was at a library for almost 12 years.

If you could go back to school, would you? I waffle about it. But honestly I loved college and I'd definitely go back to further my education.

Can you parallel park? I have only achieved it once, during my driving test, and even then, the state trooper said, "Eh, good enough" So, essentially... no.

Do you think aliens are real? I've seen a couple of UFOs.. I saw a strange set of lights in the sky - four red lights perfectly parallel to one another, and then they vanished. Another time before that, I was watching the sky and saw a slow-moving dot of light. I figured it was a plane until it seemed to jump into hyperspace and zoomed upward, out of sight.

Can you drive a manual car? Listen, I like relaxing while I'm driving. If I have to worry about shifting gears and other nonsense, I'm not doing it. Automatic all the way, baby, zooming down the freeway at a whopping 50 miles per hour while blasting Duran Duran.

What's your guilty pleasure? I don't feel guilty about the things that bring me pleasure. But there are pleasures that I don't talk about often, and my main one is when fights break out between major league baseball teams. It just does something for me.

Tattoos? None (yet). I have a fear of needles. Also, I can't commit to the same nail polish within a day, so I don't want to put something on my body that would be there forever. Although I think it'd be hilarious to get the "Hiya Buddy" hot dog post-it from The Office tattooed on my hip or lower back.

Favorite color? Sunset colors: peach, lavender, magenta, violet. Also dark green, dark red, dark blue.

Do you like puzzles? Jigsaw yes, Sudoku no. Ooh I love crossword puzzles!

Any phobias? A lot. Needles, insects, the dark, probably too many to count. I can proudly flex, however, that I have zero fear of public speaking.

Favorite childhood sport? I was not an athletic child, but I did play tennis in high school and I really loved it. Still play from time to time.

Do you talk to yourself? I'm sure I do, but not often. I usually have TV or music on as background noise.

NPT: @604to647 @ashleyfilm @greenwitchfromthewoods @coolranchdavidian @untamedheart81 @shessweetsour