#I could make an argument for Older too but I'll pass

[moonbythecabstan]

Lashton Playlist

I wanted to wait until 5SOS5 came out to share my Lashton Playlist because I figured there would be a song or maybe two to add...

(Naturally, it was a lot more of them than that lol.)

From The Debut:

"She Looks So Perfect", "Don't Stop", "18", "End Up Here", "Disconnected", "Daylight"

From SGFG:

"Story Of Another Us", "Catch Fire", "Waste The Night"

From Youngblood:

"Want You Back", "Valentine", "Moving Along", "If Walls Could Talk", "Better Man", "More", "Woke Up In Japan", "Empty Wallets", "Ghost Of You", "Meet You There", "Midnight"

From CALM:

"Old Me", "TEETH", "Best Years", "Not In The Same Way", "Lover Of Mine", "Thin White Lies", "Lonely Heart", "High"

From 5SOS5:

"Complete Mess", "Bad Omens", "You Don't Go To Parties", "Caramel", "Bleach", "Moodswings", "Flatline", "Bloodhound", "Tears!"

From Superbloom:

"Greyhound", "Matter Of Time (Interlude)", "I'm To Blame", "Drive", "Perfect Lie"

From WFTTWTAF:

"Starting Line", "Saigon", "Place In Me", "Slip Away"

Non-5SOS Songs:

"Where We Started" by Thomas Rhett ft Katy Perry; "Favorite Record" by Fall Out Boy; "Just To Get High", "Burn It To The Ground", "Gotta Be Somebody" by Nickelback; "Golden", "Sunflower Vol. 6" by Harry Styles; "my hair" by Ariana Grande; "Legendary Lovers", "Teenage Dream", "Firework" by Katy Perry; "Walk" by Foo Fighters; "Daylight" by Maroon 5; "Resolution" by Matt Corby; "One Thing Right" by Marshmallow ft Kane Brown; "Memory" by Kane Brown ft blackbear; "blu" by Jon Bellion; "Million Reasons - Live Session At Sound Stage Studios" by Dan + Shay; "SUPERMODEL" by Maneskin; "No Ordinary Love" by Sade; "Smoke & Mirrors" by Lifehouse; "Paper Rings", "willow" by Taylor Swift; "Will I See You Again?" by Thee Sacred Souls; "Diana" by One Direction; "Molly In Mexico" by Lauv; "I Wanna Be Yours" by Arctic Monkeys; "I'm Falling For You" by Chester See; "Coffee" by Tori Kelly; "Picture" by Kid Rock ft Sheryl Crow; "Wicked Love"

[someonegoood]

MY WHOLE LIFE pt. 1 ✫ mason mount

part 1, part 2, final part.

in which you have a fat crush on your brother’s best friend, without getting much success. (brother’s best friends troop).

CONTAINS: brother’s best friend troop, angst & fluff ! age gap, arguments...

AUTHOR'S NOTE: this is my first work here but anyways i hope you guys like it ! maybe I'll do a part 2...

You watch proudly in his shirt as you clap in the game's first minutes, chanting while taking pictures of him.

The first half was pretty equal, with some shots from both teams but neither could score. You could see that Mason was getting nervous. He stopped his movements abruptly when the referee called for a corner and looked at the crowd, his eyes sparkling with tenseness.

He gazed down at where his family (and therefore also yours) was and licked his lips. You couldn't help but wonder what would your brother think of your little —huge— crush on his childhood best friend.

In the 34th minute, he passed the defenders and tried to score with a pass from Ben Chilwell, making the goalkeeper lose his balance and thus scoring.

You celebrated the goal screaming it to your brother's face and he couldn’t help but smile at you, happy that you were having a good time. Your cheeks were red after Mason approached the stands and celebrated the goal, dedicating a kiss to where you were.

And that was the effect that Mason Mount had on people, especially you.

Mason was your brother's best friend, you had known him for years. It was a stupid crush that all your friends grew out of but not you. You had to keep drooling every time he was near you, that being almost every day because your brother had him over to dinner nearly every night.

You remember the day the Mount family moved next to your house, a loud and proud British family— Debbie and Tony, Stacey, Lewis and Mason. The day after they had moved in, Debbie and Tony turned up outside your door, asking if your older brother was interested in playing football with Mason.

It didn’t take long for your brother to become close to Mason, both at the cusp of boyhood. Their friendship only bloomed from there.

After spending almost every weekend watching your brother and Mason training, to spending most afternoons around the Mount house playing, you felt like family.

You always found yourself drawn to the boy next door although he was away a lot of the time, playing different matches and training. Mason’s natural affinity and talent for the game, ensured the quality of his skills.

He was slightly older so no doubt he found you childish and would always moan when his parents made him spend time with you.

—Mom, not again! I don't want to play with her, she's boring! —Mason exclaimed with an expression of obvious annoyance on his face.

Mason's mother was the first to figure out your crush on the boy. She first noticed it when you joined the Mounts at a family dinner when you were around thirteen.

Both families were playing football, as usual, while the adults were preparing supper. When you had the ball you felt your body lean way too far back and Mason tried to act on impulse, stretching his body to catch you in time.

—Hold on to me! —Mason exclaimed, extending his arms towards you. However, the weight of the fall was too much, and in an instant, they were both on the grass, in some sort of mess.

—Mase, God, I'm so sorry! I dragged you with me! —you apologized, feeling the blood rise to your cheeks, turning them crimson red.

He brushed the grass off his jacket with an angry expression. —Well done. First minutes into the game and you're already annoying.

—Thanks for trying! —you laughed, shyly. When there was a long silence, you realized that Mason was not joking and was serious. —Sorry, I…

Debbie looked from afar at the little girl carefully while she kept her eyes glued to her son's. She watched her cute little cheeks tinted red as Mason scoffed and begged you to stay away from him.

Debbie would soon get used to it as she watched you fall in love with her son over the next few years.

Until your first boyfriend. An age difference of three years was not a big deal since it was a common factor among your friend's partners. You had recently turned sixteen years old and you thought that you had met the boy who could take you out of the charm that had her wrapped around Mase.

Lyon was older, he was eighteen years old, like Mason. You had met him at school on a spring afternoon. You walked through the school hallways, books clutched to your chest. A gust of wind caused some of the books to fly out of your hands, scattering them across the hallway floor.

Lyon was passing by and noticed the scene. He approached you with a smile and that is how the story started.

Your brother didn't approve of your new boyfriend. He knew that her sister just wanted to show his best friend that the age difference wasn't that important.

Being with Lyon was great at first. You knew that he was not the love of your life, but for the moment he seemed to play the role quite well, so that was fine with you. It was a Friday night and you and your brother were at a party at the house of one of your brother's friends.

You were downstairs in the kitchen while your friends watched you drink alcohol like there was no tomorrow. They realized something was bothering you, but decided not to mention it.

—Where is the lover boy anyway? —Spoke one of your friends.

Your lack of response was when they realized that Lyon was the reason for the sadness that was painted on their best friend's face. He abandoned you, once again. This seems routine, they thought.

You slammed your empty red glass against the kitchen counter, wiping the drip from your chin as you decided that was enough.

—I'll go look for him.

From the corner of the room, your brother wished you good luck and with courage, you stumbled through the party. The house was huge. Enormous windows covered the entire house. From the kitchen window you could see the river of lights going down to the beach.

And there he sat, on the stairs leading to the illuminated outdoor pool, Lyon. A thin blonde girl was sitting on his lap, probably older than you. She took the cigarette from Lyon's lips and placed it on top of her painted red lips.

Tears welled in your eyes as you returned to the house with your heels in hand. With all the bad luck in the world, as you returned, you heard in the background:

—Baby, relax. —You ignored your boyfriend's call as you made your way through the crowd to return to the kitchen, hoping that your brother was still there.

You made it to the kitchen before your boyfriend grabbed you by the back of your arm and pushed you against the kitchen island.

—Come on, I didn't even do anything—

—She was on your lap.

—It's not that serious, okay?—

—It's a big problem! I'm humiliated! —You shouted back, creating a scene you desperately wanted to avoid. Lyon's grip tightened around your arm as he tried to wriggle out of your grasp.

—Let go of me, you're hurting me. —That only made his grip tighten around your arms.

—Let her go, mate. —Your vision was too blurry to focus on what happened next, but you felt Lyon back away.

—Oh yeah?… and what are you going to do about it, Mount? —That's when the punches were thrown and Lyon was left hunched over holding his split lip. Your now ex-boyfriend was grabbed by someone else before he could lunge at who you assumed was your brother, but when you turned your head you saw Mason shaking your hand out of pain.

His knuckles were red and his eyes were darker than what you were used to.

—Let's go to the car. —Said Mason, you nodding your head. —Get in the car. —He said. His tone was strong, not what she was used to.

Still, the ride to your house was silent, you sitting in the front with Mase, while your brother passed out in the back seat. Faint English music played on the radio as Mason's eyes were firmly fixed on the road.

Mason finally spoke. —You really don't know how to choose them, don’t you? — You could only sob again, unable to answer him mainly because he was right and you were ashamed. When the car stopped, he unbuckled his seat belt and murmured that he would walk you to your door.

Mase rocked on his heels as he watched the moonlight highlight the tear-stained cheeks of his best friend's sister. He thought you looked beautiful that night even though you had been crying for the last half hour, your hair hadn't been brushed, and you were digging through your purse like crazy.

Although he would never admit it.

—I got them! —You laughed, waving your keys in the air before bumping your nose with the keychain. You paused as you pushed the key into the door, turning to look Mason in the eye for the first time since the party.

—Thank you. —Mason didn't want to hear it. You were just her best friend’s sister.

—It's no big deal. —

—No… really thank you, Mason. —you smiled and Mason listened too, mainly because it was probably the first time you had called him Mason and not Mase.

After a moment, you dropped your bag to the floor and wrapped your arms around the boy's waist, your head resting on his chest as he quickly moved his hand and rubbed your back.

—Just... make sure the next one isn't a complete idiot, yeah? —he whispered, his chin resting on the top of your head.

That sentence broke your poor little heart.

[partycatty]

bit of a niche request but older johnny getting you an engraved tag/pendant to show others that you’re his? i just think it would be so cute if he did that 🫣 could be vaguely nsfw if you wanted ok im running away now bye!!!! 🏃‍♂️💨

dark star!older!johnny cage > mine all mine

warnings: ohhhhh evil sick and twisted and fucked up dark star johnny but hes the DILF THIS TIME!!!

notes: someone put me down where i stand im going batshit insane.,. also sorry this is small i only have so many ideas in my chrome dome.,. more fics otw if this gets received well :3

[ masterlist ]

• older johnny is more emotionally mature than our usual dark star younger counterpart, he's just more... possessive.

• he was a fine man before he met you, kind and honest with a pretty smile, toned down after his youth escaped him, but you sparked some kind of life in him that ate away at everything he considered to be good about himself. you needed to be marked up, labeled, tacked to a wall with his name painted across your body or he'd lose it.

• johnny's intentions were pure at first but had gone completely unchecked, letting him spiral into madness at the thought of losing you. he knew he was an attractive star, it was others he was worried about. you were his.

• dog tags with his name, necklaces, anklets, rings, clothes with your anniversary stitched into the sleeve, this man will give you anything that shows off you're together. matching outfits are a must when you're able to dress up, and he will happily throw you every credit card under his name to get your hair and nails done. all you have to do is make a passing comment about being in disrepair and he's already licking his thumb to count the cash in his wallet.

• johnny's a tracker, always worried you'll be lost to him at any given moment. location sharing apps, maybe a tracker or two in your car... not that you knew they were there.

• hand on the small of your back, guiding you through the large crowd that's more focused on him anyway. he becomes animalistic, unironically baring his teeth at those who spare an extra glance at your form in that pretty dress he splurged on for you. his grip on your back turns into fisting the fabric, bunching it up between his fingers as he contains his anger.

• wants you to be no more than his trophy. even if you're functional and capable, johnny insists to be the sole provider of everything. everything. you barely have to lift a finger for the rest of your life. trying to offer otherwise may result in an argument that digs at his ego.

• to everyone else, you're the ideal couple. he's a hard worker, dedicated, strong, loyal, and literally so jaw-droppingly fine. you'd know he has a nasty side, one he fights to keep between the two of you.

• "you don't need me," he hisses through gritted teeth. "you think i'm just some weak man, can't provide for my woman? is that what you think?" his arms are crossed, looming over you with a foul expression. "what part of 'i'll take care of everything' is so hard to understand? it's like you try to test me."

• unlike mk1 dark star johnny, this version is focused solely on your pleasure during sex. for once, he feels irrelevant, drunk on your whimpers and squirms under his big arms. he hones in easily into your cunt, his fingers buried deep inside and pumping to the point of pain. if his arm is cramping, he's not feeling it. he's too occupied trying to make you cum... again... and again...

• you're all he lives for. you're above cassie, above the special forces, leagues above earthrealm as a whole. you're his universe, his oxygen and everything that keeps him alive. if anyone or anything spares a passing thought about harming you, or worse, taking you away from him, johnny would fully consider falling to darker tactics and morals to keep you by his side.

[stubz]

Pollix lazed on the beanbag in the reading area. The passing sun shining just so perfectly on the young tighalax. He rolled onto his stomach and kneaded the carpet below when he spotted something or rather someone.

Nova. The ship Captain's daughter and fellow tighalax is currently stalking something.

'It's like watching a newborn cub walking for the first time. She'd be the runt of any tighalax pack in the galaxy.'

Pollix really had nothing against the smaller cub but he just couldn't help himself from teasing and poking fun at her every now and then.

'She's 6 moons older than me but half my size! She's like one of those stuffies we have in the toy bin.' he giggled to himself.

Intrigued by what she was doing he looks to see what her target is.

His ears perk as does his posture.

Kim. One of their human caretakers/teachers. Currently cleaning up some blocks on the ground. Completely unaware of the small feline-like creature.

She pounces. The prey is caught. Sent tumbling to it's side, shrieking with laughter.

A successful hunt shrieks Athea also watching the "hunt".

'A successful hunt? Pfft, I get that they're comrades but how could Athea call that a hunt?' for Nova's hunt was something to be expected of when one was a fresh cub. To celebrate a hunt like this when you were 7 summers old? Unheard of.

But runts do take longer since they're often too weak for some summers to do this type of thing, he concluded.

Still, at their age they should be hunting prey that's much bigger than Kim. Something around Max's size.

"Pollix! I caught Kim, did you see?"

"I saw...you were very quiet. But remember to use what's around you. Like you could have hide behind the bookshelf to get even closer."

"Oh. That's so smart! Thanks Pollix, I'm going to practice on Kim again."

"Mmmm." he curled back onto the bean bag.

"Not impressed?"

"Your blocking the sun Athea," he whined looking up at the orc. "But no not really. I mean Kim is strong I guess but she's a human."

"What. Humans are strong, sometimes stronger than other apex species like us." Pollix scoffs

"Yeah but I knocked her down like a million times when we wrestled! So Nova's probably going to be able to knock her over at least once, or maybe Kim just let her." he finished as an afterthought.

"...Okay so maybe she let Nova knock her over but what if she also let you knock her over?"

<If there's one thing many know about Tighalaxes it's that they are very prideful of their hunts and wins. And to diminish said hunts and wins is to question their skills as a hunter. The fastest and easiest way to tick them off>

The cub puffs his fur and flicks his tail around angrily.

"Nu-uh."

"Yu-huh."

"No. I knocked her over because I'm stronger than her!"

"And so did Nova. So I guess Nova is also strong." she stares at him.

<Now for Orcs, what they're known for is their undying loyalty. Should you belittle or badmouth an Orc's friend within earshot of them be prepared for an argument or a swift blow to the face. Depends on the situation>

The young orc straightens to her full height while keeping her gaze with the tighalax cub. Who in return get's up and rises to his full height as well.

Standing at 5 feet tall both are easily larger than most other youngling species their age. Only 5 inches shy of their teacher Kim.

Only at the age 6.

"Why don't you try to tackle her?"

Startled they stop sizing each other up and turn to the human who managed sneak up on them.

Jasper. A human child their age. Almost a foot smaller than them.

"I do it all the time. It's fun and I get to see how strong I am by how much I can make Kim move!" he exclaims, "One time I managed to make her take a step."

"That could work."

"Huh?"

"If you can tackle Kim then I'll apologize and take it back. If you can't then that means that Nova is strong too."

"Alright. But I'm doing it the proper way. Not when she's crouched down. That'd be too easy."

"Whatever."

..

'A real hunter should rely on their strength and instincts. Not just hiding and sneak attacks.'

He stalks towards Kim who's standing in the middle of the room doing a head count.

He picks up the pace. Her back is still to him.

He's broken into a run now. Normally he should wait till he's closer but he's just trying to tackle her so it's fine. She hears him.

He's at full speed and mere seconds away. Athea will be saying sorry to him very soon. She turns sideways and widens her feet.

He lunges. She's smiling.

To Athea and everyone else watching it was like watching a bouncy ball hit a wall. The cub made impact only to bounce off the human onto the floor.

"OH SHOOT!" Kim picks him and sets him on his back paws. "Are you okay? I'm sorry I didn't think you'd bounce like that."

"..." could she always pick him up that easily?

"You look okay, Pollix are you hurt anywhere?" he shakes his head.

"Well that's good. Sorry about that buddy," she chuckles. "I thought since your a lot bigger than Jasper and Nova that you'd be fine. Here, let me go get you a starburst for the great effort."

"Wow Pollix! You made her actually get ready for it. I never did that. You really are strong." exclaims Nova. Eyes sparkling with awe.

"I, I just bounced off her. Like a bug."

"Yep." Athea pats her friend on the shoulder.

"...Nova you did a great job with your hunt. It was awesome."

"Aw, thanks Pol."

"I wonder if I could tackle her? I am heavier than you."

"Yeah you are pretty fat."

"Fat so I can crush you."

"You two are weird friends." sighs Nova.

[petriwriting]

Vero Amore - Theodore Nott X Reader (Part 4)

Summary: Theodore is on trial for being associated with voldemort due to his father and family history, His odds arent looking so good. Luckily for him you are called to the stand to testify on his behalf, and you just might be the key to his innocence.

Fluff, established previous relationship, Exbf!Theo, Older!Theo and others. Post hogwarts.

Previous part here

The prosecution had painted Theodore as a greedy criminal, despite his previously spotless record. It was all about the chatter, and breaking away from the path his father had paved for him would have proven to be difficult. You were ushered back to your seat, away from the center of the courtroom. a mixture of skeptical and sympathetic faces passed you by, if these people wanted a love story, they got one. there was not a single ounce of dishonesty in either you or Theodore, or any of his witnesses'.

During closing arguments, Your escort gave an impassioned plea about Theodore's outstanding character and the complete lack of real evidence against him. The prosecution tried its best to poke holes, but their arguments rang hollow after everything. and it was now in the hands of the jury, you hoped and prayed they would be forgiving. After just an hour of deliberation, the jury returned with a verdict of not guilty on all charges and accounts. You finally let out the breath that felt like you had been holding for months. His life and reputation had been salvaged, he was no longer tied to his past. and he would not have to be sent away to suffer for his fathers wrongdoings. you were overjoyed, elated to be able to see him one day do all of the things he always dreamt of. Once the court was dismissed, you scurried over to Theodore to embrace him, he picked you up into the embrace, holding you closely with a huge breath of relief and fresh air. Blaise appeared, he had been sitting quietly somewhere in the courtroom, though you hadn't noticed. "I told you it wouldn't be so bad." he assured Theodore with a stern pat on the back. Theodore was practically in tears, happiness. "I'm so shocked," Theodore says, the courtroom is now being emptied. you are all being ushered to leave.

As the three of you continue forward into the lobby, Theodore lets out a heavy sigh. He says your name, gently. "I'm so happy you are here," he begins. "Thank you, so much. I am indebted to you." he says. You smile softly. "You don't have to thank me," you say. "I'm glad I could be here." you say. 

After a sentimental moment between the two of you, Blaise is quick to leave. "I do have to get work now, but I'll leave you two to have a more proper reunion." he says. "It was great to see you again," you say politely. Blaise was never super close to you, although you were cordial since he was friends with theo. "Thanks, for everything. We'll celebrate at my place later, yeah?" he says, Blaise nods, and then is off. 

"I don't suppose you have plans after this?" Theodore asks you as you both walk, exiting the ministry building spilling onto the busy street. "No, actually, my calendar is clear for the day." you explain. "Would you like to come to my place? we can catch up- I'd just like to properly thank you for being there today." he says, his hands reaching for his pockets. "That sounds really nice actually." you agree. 

Before too long you are at Theo's small flat. It's messy and lived in. "Sorry it's a mess." he says. "But it's home." for someone that grew up a pureblood slytherin who was well off financially, it was quite modest. "It's fine. I don't mind it." you say, sitting at the kitchen island. Theo is standing on the other side. "Would you like a drink?" he offers. "sure" you say. Although you are both happy that he is now a free man, there is still a slight tension from spending so many years apart after school. you are both attempting to make up for the lost years. Theo offers you a glass with some tea, your favorite kind. He's incredibly thoughtful. "What happened to your father?" you ask, after some contemplation. "After the war, he realized he would be prosecuted. He attempted to flee to America, but he was caught and he passed shortly after." Theo says. 

"I'm sorry to hear that." you say. "It's alright, I don't miss him. but he's the only family I ever had." he says sadly. "That isn't true," you retort. "You have draco, pansy, and blaise." you thought. "and me." you say softly. Theodore gives a grateful smile. there's a special exchange between you. His mother passed away when he was young and his father was awful...  "The past few years have been rough," he sighs, running his fingers through his hair. "with the trial dragging on for so long, and with everyone busy moving on with their lives I always felt like I was stuck back in time... It's been really lonely." he says. "Sometimes I think back," you begin. "and I remember all the things we did, all the fun we had. Laughter, Tears, all of it. I'm sad it's gone now, but I'm grateful that it happened. Those are my best memories." you admit. "Seeing us in those memories kind of changed me." Theodore admits, biting his lip slightly. there is uncertainty. "What do you mean?" you question."I just meant that," he begins, but he back tracks, his hands resting on the counter behind him as he leaned back, his arms stiff. "I've been really lonely and part of that has to do with missing you." he exclaims. "For a long time I absolutely hated myself for leaving you there like that without an explanation, knowing that I ruined one of the best things I've ever had in my life. For a while I couldn't get out of bed, It was so heavy. But I asked you here today so that I could just let you know I'm sorry for that." His head is low, he's ashamed of himself. "Theodore, you don't have to apologize for that." He shook his head. "I do when I've thought about it almost everyday for years." he manages to say softly. "We all did things we aren't proud of, there was a war happening," you say. "That doesn't matter, but I am sorry," he says. 

You shift in your seat, taking a sip of your tea and placing the cup on the counter. you swing your feet over the edge, and you are now standing in front of Theodore. "I know that you had to do that," you comfort. "You had no other choice to survive. and that's okay." you comfort the man in front of you. "And by the way, I thought about you too. a lot. an embarrassing amount. But I wanted you to grow, even if that meant leaving me to do so." you say. Theodore is speechless, he feels like the same teenager he was all those years ago, scared to say anything. so he didn't, he pulled himself forward to place a gentle kiss on your lips. 

[noridoorman]

# Nuzi is not a pro-ship, I'm so tired that needs to be repeated #

I went on Twitter for like the first time (what a mistake) and saw again and again people complaining about how Nuzi is a pro-ship, Uzi is just a teen, N is an adult, yadda yadda and it gets so tiring at some point.

one point might be a bit controversial tho oops

"Uzi said herself that she's a teenager!"

Yes, she did. But teens can range from the ages of 13-20. It is a wide spectrum that is thankfully narrowed down by episode 3 when it is revealed that all classmates in her class are around the ages of 18-20. There's nobody younger than 18, meaning that it's highly unlikely that Uzi is 17 and even more unlikely that she's 16. She has to be around the ages of 18-20.

"But Uzi does to highschool, which only teens between the ages of 15-17 go to!"

That is if you assume that the drones only adopted the American school system. However, we've got a drone that only speaks Russian and a manuel for drone parents that is translated in French. In Germany, adults over the age of 18 can visit highschools. Heck, I'm 19 and currently in my 12th year of highschool. I'll be 20 in my final years where my prom will happen too, which, again, indicated that Uzi is older than what everyone assumes.

"How come Uzi is older than 18 if there are parent-teacher conferences?"

Again, my school also has parent-teacher conferences, even for the students that are adults. It's an optional thing and at this point in the story, Khan wanted to somehow reconnect with Uzi again which makes sense that he visits the parent-teacher conference.

"Uzi is shorter than her classmates, indicating that she's younger!"

Short adults exist, I don't need to elaborate further.

"Uzi's mom died shortly after she was made. N was already an adult at that time!"

We've seen through flashbacks from Doll that her parents died while she was a teen/not a pill baby. The same could have happened to Uzi, that Nori died while she was older. Also, N already being an adult is something I wanna unpack in the next argument.

"Uzi at some point asks about her mother, indicating that she never truly knew her! This implies that Uzi was a baby when Nori died!"

Yes, N could have also killed Nori while Uzi was a baby. But guess what?

N was a "baby" too.

Bear with me.

If we really wanna go by ages of the drones, we should remember that ALL the drones aged differently. Uzi was the only one that was a pill-baby before. N, V and J weren't, they were all in adult bodies. Yet, they were all around the same age of Uzi.

The way I understand the timeline is like this;

Uzi is made. N gets rescued from the scrapyard and saved by Tessa. I'd like to assume that he only got to live a few months before being discarded, as we can see that humans act very carelessly with their drones. So, Uzi is essentially a newborn while N is around 3-5 months old.

about 2 years pass. Both N and Uzi are two-years-old. However, ONLY UZI IS A PILL BABY DRONE. N was always in the default worker drone body. He can talk, move and do a bunch of things a 2-year-old shouldn't be able to do. However, if we base age on maturity and life experiences than he's no more an adult than Uzi was. All of his capabilities are programmed, he'll literally just die if he can't do those things cause otherwise he's defective. (BTW, NOT JUSTYFING PPL THAT GO "oh, you're mature for your age" OR SHIT LIKE THAT. I'M JUST SAYING THAT IN TERMS OF MATURITY, THEY WERE MOST LIKELY ON THE SAME LEVEL)

Uzi is now 3-years-old and the diassembly drones killed Nori. It'll make sense why she doesn't remember much of Nori and ask questions about her. N is also 3-years-old and he, along with V and J, are doomed to kill Worker Drones until they finish their job and die due to overheating.

By that logic, N AND UZI ARE AROUND THE SAME AGE.

Of course we can't get a clear timeline of events as Liam said that he doesn't want to write himself into a corner. But this is the one that makes me most sense to me unless somebody manages to proof me otherwise.

UZI WAS A PILL BABY, N WAS NOT.

N might aswell have been a pill baby this whole time and nobody would have batted an eye. Their physical bodies do not equal their mental maturity and age, those are completely seperate entities.

I might have fumbled on my words a lot, I'm not a native English speaker. I still hope this was easy to explain without me having said something wrong accidentaly.

"N x Uzi just came out of nowhere for fanservice!"

It was confirmed that the scirpt of Murder Drones was finished way back at episode 1 before the ship became even popular. Heck, Glitch posted a picture of Beau before the second episode dropped. Also, animations takes such a long time to do with lots of planing. Last minute changes are extremely risky to make and no professional studio like GLITCH would do that just to appease the fans.

"They killed of V to make Nuzi canon!"

I agree with the part that V should have gotten more screentime before her death.

But she wasn't killed off to make Nuzi happen.

She just went through an entire charachter arc from this drone that masks her trauma thorugh feiging apathy/joy in killing and always making decisions based on what she thought was right because she couldn't trust the people around her, not even N.

At the end, when V sacrificed herself, she finally recognized that Uzi is not CYN, she's as much as a victim as V was and that Uzi truly cares about N like she does. Her sacrifice was there to show how she finally manages to trust Uzi, even though she most likely knows how dangerous Uzi can get if she loses control. I just wished they build up towards that more cause it would have been so much better but she wasn't killed off to make Nuzi happen.

There are probably more arguments that I missed...

[halfagone]

So here’s a unique twist of a common prompt. Danny is the son of Bruce Wayne, whoever his mother is is up to you. However, Danny wants nothing to do with Bruce or his family for whatever reason, whether it’s because Damian treated him badly as a child or maybe he just doesn’t like how Bruce operates. Either way, they meet and the meeting ends badly. What do you think?

There are actually a lot of reasons why Danny might not want to stay with Bruce or stay away from Bruce. There is, of course, the usual "Danny has billionaire trauma" route that works for some arguments (although not all (but I'll leave that ramble for another time)). You could always go with Danny and Damian didn't get along (if we're doing a Demon Siblings AU). But I think the route that goes best is just that... Danny has a lot of Trauma™ and he's not ready to join another family.

Unfortunately those kinds of AUs would probably be the sadder ones because that can mean that he has problems and/or is cut off from Jazz too. Because as much as I love Jazz, she was never the bastion of perfection and older sisterhood that we sometimes like to paint her as. She tried, just like her parents did, and sometimes she failed. ㄟ( ▔, ▔ )ㄏ

In those AUs Danny is probably trying to live on his own. Maybe he's emancipated, maybe he's turned 18 already (I do have a fic idea where Danny moves out of the house after turning 18 despite not graduating yet, which is a thing you can do. Plenty of kids' birthdays pass before June graduation in the U.S., after all.) He's just started to stand on his own two feet and probably move past the neglect, both physical and emotional, that came with living with the Fentons.

Enter Bruce. Bruce, who has abandonment issues and is one paranoid motherclucker (and yes, that was intentional), who has just found out he has an unknown son from either a past relationship or one-night stand. Of course he's going to want to know more about Danny and catch up on all the time he lost with Danny. And the thing about Bruce is that sometimes he acts like a bad father purely because he doesn't know how to communicate his feelings and does all these things that come off as insensitive and/or overbearing.

Sometimes Danny might be able to make it work. But depending on the downturn his life might have taken... sometimes he can't. And for a Danny that might have just gotten that hard-earned independence... it likely won't be pretty.

---

Danny doesn't know what to make of Bruce Wayne. The man seems nice... enough. He's a bit too excitable, tries a little too hard. It's clear as day that he's trying, much more than Danny's adoptive parents could ever bother to sometimes, but it's... Danny would appreciate it more if Bruce just gave up.

He's happy to see that Bruce didn't willingly give Danny up. No word yet on Danny's bio mom, but at least he's got that going for him. He could do without Bruce's meaningful attempts to introduce him to the rest of the family or find out more about him.

Danny absentmindedly tugs at his collar. He really wishes he'd just turned Sam down when he had the chance. Tucker had balked when she extended the invitation out to him. Usually Danny would be her first choice, since he had some semblance of High Society Table Manners™ which usually Sam wouldn't give a shit about, but well, Tucker had gone once, got embarrassed to hell and back, and pretty much sworn off against it ever since.

He'd only moved out from Fenton Works three weeks ago. Danny could understand why she didn't want to ask him while he got settled in.

But well, she was his friend. And with the risk of her parents trying to openly marry her off to some rich guy (as opposed to subtly trying to marry her off, like they were doing now), Danny had taken one for the team and agreed.

If he knew this was going to happen, he would have just stayed home and figured out how to cook scrambled fucking eggs.

"I'm not very comfortable with this conversation right now, Mr. Wayne," Danny said plainly to the man. They were off in a side room at this point, tucked away from the rest of the crowd that would usually gawk at them otherwise. Already he'd turned heads when people recognized him as familiar.

To be honest though, even if they hadn't gone to a more secluded room, Danny still would have told it to the man straight.

"Oh, is it because your friend isn't here? I told you you're more than welcome to-" Bruce started again but Danny cut him off with a sigh.

"That's not the problem here, Mr. Wayne," Danny deadpanned. "I don't know why you're expecting me to be on board so quickly but I- I just turned eighteen. I have an apartment, I have a job. I know I'm still a kid in your eyes but I haven't been your kid in- ever. No matter what any paternity test ends up saying, which I still haven't agreed to by the way-"

"You're not even willing to try?" Bruce asked in return, like he'd been struck across the face.

It seemed genuine enough, like he was sincerely hurt by Danny's standoffish attitude. And Danny would feel guilty if he weren't so tired right now. He'd been tired for the past four years and he didn't need this on top of it all as some twisted cherry on top of the shitty whipped cream that was his life.

"No, I'm not," Danny told the man, straightforward. People had said no to Bruce before, right? Surely, someone had.

He began to doubt when Bruce just stared at him, dumbfounded. Danny didn't let the silence linger because he didn't linger, just moved on and left the side room. He could feel Bruce's eyes on him as he went, and then some of the other Waynes' eyes on him when he came into view. He ignored all of them and tried to find Sam.

Maybe her parents would even be willing to let him go back to the hotel room, after the huge 'scene' he'd just caused.

[fallenwhumpee]

"I'll try."

• Masterlist •

Warnings: abandoning, rib injury, knee injury.

Ten year was a short time.

Spent with their sincere feelings, bundled with joy and naive victories, those years passed in a blink. Memories, maybe the only good things circling in their mind, were precious, sincere. Each built up warmth in their chest and fluttered their stomach.

Thinking back, Right Hand knew they were lucky. They were the luckiest person in their small world. They had a chance to work with people they could laugh and cry together. They were lucky that even while bleeding on the floor, they were thrown jokes with worry hidden. They were lucky that each time after work, they were fretted over like a mother cat would do to its kittens.

They were lucky that a decade had passed with their family. And ten years, for that family, was too short. Life was always fast when they were laughing.

But ten years was also too long.

The next decade, spent without any of it, was taxing. Being deprived of the warmth of their captain's arms, their rookie's pranks and their cmo's constant prodding was like a slow acting poison, rotting their mind from inside.

Right Hand would give everything to get those back.

But here they were, sitting in a cafe the team used to hang out, waiting for Youngest— or a call from them. It had been a while. Five years, eight months, eleven days, and seventeen hours to be precise if they counted from their last call with them. But it had been even longer face to face. The team's disbanding was always going to be Right Hand's biggest regret.

The waiter eyed Right Hand once more. Right Hand ordered a coffee just to get rid of that look. Their intention wasn't to invade the space. They were just too early, unable to sit still in their house.

Right Hand stared. They subtly eyed around, but the customers changed from head to toe at least two times. Looking down, they checked their phone once more.

"No coffee today. You're only getting a lemonade."

Right Hand flinched, shooting a glare to the waiter only to see it was Youngest.

Older, different. Even that smile was foreign. How could Right Hand assume they'd meet the same energetic person when it had been too long?

"I didn't think I'd treat myself today. I don't have enough on me."

The handmade lemonade with ridiculously big size was the times of what they'd pay for coffee. They couldn’t afford this— the lemonade and changes on Youngest. Right Hand's will to form a connection was now gone. They didn't think they could accept that this was not the Youngest they remembered. They didn’t want change. Be it their order or their now distanced sibling.

"I don't either," Youngest grinned, drinking half of their lemonade in one go. "But anything we order is pre-paid." The smile faltered. "It was, always. Medic and Leader's arguments about who was gonna pay was always one-sided. This cafe won't make us pay one penny as long as we dont eat the whole buffet. This place owes a favour to Leader, but you know them—"

"They never collect those favours, so the shop sqid its on them every time," Right Hand completed with a bitter smile.

"Yeah. Even though I'm sure they came back every time without us and paid the order." Youngest muttered. They fidgeted a little, hitting their fingers to the glass a few times.

"I missed... I missed the action," Right Hand confessed, their voice tinged with a mixture of longing and reluctance— they didn't know what they were supposed to feel. They glanced at Youngest, trying to gauge if they would grasp the weight of their words. Would Youngest understand what it meant to just... sit back? To watch the people go on with their jobs, to... to just get the news from a few messages every now and then?

"Me too. That's..." Youngest drew a sharp breath, their eyes darting to the side as if searching for the right words. They let out a slow exhale, their shoulders sagging. "That's why I'm here."

Right Hand frowned, a flicker of unease settling in their gut. "What do you mean?" they asked, their tone cautious.

"We... I need you back," Youngest breathed out, their eyes digging into Right Hand's for a positive answer desperately. Youngest leaned forward, their hands gripping the glass. "Officially, I'm asked to see if any of us wishes to return, but I need you. I will refuse the offer if you do, too."

Right Hand hesitated, their gaze dropping to the table as they mulled over Youngest's words. "It's been a while," they murmured, unsure of what to say.

"I know," Youngest admitted, averting their gaze..

"You know why I didn’t stay," Right Hand sighed.

Youngest nodded, their expression faltering. "But I need you. Especially now with Leader missing—"

Right Hand's head snapped up, their eyes widening in shock. "What?"

Youngest's face paled, and they almost shouted in their panic. "You... you haven't heard?" they asked, their voice rising with alarm.

"Youngest," Right Hand warned, their voice low and firm. They were tired of beating around the bush. "Tell me what's going on."

Youngest shrunk back slightly, their voice dropping to a near whisper. "When you decided to leave, we got assigned to calmer positions.. Except Leader," they muttered, their fingers nervously tapping against the glass.

"Get to the point," Right Hand urged, their patience wearing thin.

Youngest swallowed hard, their voice trembling as they spoke. "Leader had been acting like a mercenary, and we lost contact almost a year ago."

Right Hand felt their heart skip a beat, a cold dread settling in their chest. "Maybe something went wrong in their last commission," they suggested, though they didn’t believe it.

Youngest shook their head, their expression grim. "No... They abandoned us. Not— not like that, but they... Leader left. Told us it was their last job and disappeared."

Right Hand kept their head down, trying not to draw attention in the bustling tavern. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the room, and the low murmur of hushed conversations filled the air, adding to the tension in Right Hand's chest.

Right Hand could feel crippling worry crawl its way into their mind. If Leader had gone back to acting like that...

-•-

They didn’t know how all these annoying missions kept finding them, but they had to get this one done. There was no room for error, not now. Not when the higher ups were breathing on their neck.

A single figure sat there, huddled in the furthest corner of the room. While Right Hand couldn't see the figure's face, they recognised the ring on the table. A simple silver ring that acted as only identification even in the agency's detailed file.

Right Hand walked over to the table, tapping it lightly before sitting down. The sound was enough to draw the attention of the person across from them, who slowly looked up, eyes wary and cold.

"I don't have enough on me for a company," Leader muttered, their voice rough, as if it hadn’t been used much in recent days. They glanced at Right Hand, and for a moment, Right Hand though they were being read like an open book.

"You only drank water so far," Right Hand retorted, their eyes narrowing as they assessed the person before them. Leader was thinner, gaunter than they imagined. There was a hollowness to their cheeks, and dark circles framed their piercing eyes. They looked like someone who hadn’t slept or eaten well in days, maybe weeks.

"Is that a problem?" Leader asked, the edge in their tone sharp enough to make Right Hand flinch.

Right Hand shook their head, leaning back slightly in the chair. "No."

"Then what is the problem?" Leader asked, their gaze boring into Right Hand’s, as if daring them to speak.

Right Hand hesitated, choosing their words carefully. They knew how fragile this situation was, how easy it would be to lose any chance of getting Leader back. "Is it your working hours?"

Leader’s expression remained neutral. "Depends."

"Up for work?" Right Hand pressed. They needed this answer, needed to know if there was a chance to bring Leader back into the fold.

"Depends."

Right Hand felt a flicker of frustration rise. They bit back their first answer filled with insults. "Is this the only answer I'll get?" they asked instead.

Leader smirked, though it didn’t reach their eyes. "You won't get a good answer if you don't ask the right questions."

Right Hand let out a slow breath, trying to remain calm. "Ever tired of working alone?"

For a moment, Leader didn’t respond. They simply stared at the glass in front of them, their fingers tracing the rim absentmindedly. Finally, they spoke, their voice barely above a whisper. "Is that an interrogation or an offer?"

"I thought I'd ask questions here," Right Hand scoffed.

Leader chuckled, a sound devoid of real humour sending shivers down to Right Hand's spine. "Not everything goes as we would like. Do you pay well?"

"Oh I—I'm not the employer. I'll probably be in your team," Right Hand admitted. They didn’t want to push Leader too hard, didn’t want to drive them away.

Leader raised an eyebrow, their scepticism clear. "My— is your employer, by any chance, an idiot? I'm not taking responsibility for other people. I don't do office jobs exactly,  y'know. Can't give people insurance."

"You have the experience," Right Hand shrugged.

"And a bad record of completing jobs as I'm asked to," Leader shot back, their tone bitter. They crossed their arms over their chest defensively.

"Yet you do nail the job with your way," Right Hand countered, refusing to back down. They knew Leader’s reputation, knew that when they committed to something, they saw it through—no matter the cost. And possibly with methods that drove the employers mad.

Leader’s eyes narrowed. "Now you're just telling this to get to my good side."

Right Hand didn’t flinch under the sharp tone. "Did it work?"

For a long moment, Leader didn’t respond. They simply stared at Right Hand, weighing their options. The silence stretched on, thick and heavy, until finally, Leader exhaled and shook their head with a resigned sigh.

"Yes," Leader admitted.

-•-

“Youngest... no,” Right Hand began, their voice laden with the weight of the years they had carried alone. They shook their head, looking down at their hands as if they might find the right words there. “You… really don’t want me - or Leader - back.”

Youngest’s eyes widened, but they got a hold of their face quickly. “I don’t care how things have changed. I need you. And I need Leader. If you know anything about them, please—”

“If I know anything about Leader,” Right Hand interrupted, their voice growing quiet, almost distant, “they’re not the Leader we know anymore.”

Youngest blinked, taken aback by the finality in Right Hand’s tone. “What do you mean?” they asked, their voice tinged with a mix of confusion and concern.

Right Hand met Youngest’s gaze, their expression hardening. “I mean, don’t ask me this,” they said, their voice firm. “You don’t want to find the person Leader might have become.”

“But I need to,” Youngest insisted, almsot yelling. They took a deep breath and continued more calmly. “I know you. You won’t let me down. Neither you nor Leader ever did. Even if Leader changed, you can get them back. You... you tamed the monster once.”

Right Hand suprassed a flinch and let out a long, weary sigh, their shoulders slumping. They hated that Youngest was right— not in tamsing part but still. No matter how much they wanted to walk away, they couldn’t. Not from this. Not when it involved the people they once called family.

Right Hand finally gave up. “I’ll try,” they said, their voice carrying a quiet determination. “But you need to be prepared for what we might find, if we find anything at all.”

Youngest swallowed hard but nodded, their lips pressed into a thin line. “Just… bring them back,” they said, their voice cracking slightly.

Right Hand paused, their gaze softening as they looked at Youngest. “I’ll do my best,” they promised, though a part of them wondered if their best would be enough.

-•-

Right Hand had lost count of how many dead ends they had followed in just three months. Every lead was colder than the last, every contact more hesitant to speak. The trail that Leader had left behind was barely more than a whisper—scattered rumours that always ended absurdly, as if it was purposefully set up.

But Right Hand wasn’t ready to give up. Not when they had seen the look in Youngest’s eyes, the hope clinging to the edges of desperation. Not when they owed it to themselves, to the family they once had, to find Leader and at least try to bring them back.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally found a lead that seemed promising—a small, rundown apartment on the outskirts of a forgotten town. The odd tenant paid rent in cash, kept to themselves, and was rarely seen except for the occasional late-night trip to a nearby convenience store. If Right Hand wasn’t so desperate for a lead, they could've overlooked it.

In the blink of an eye, Right Hand stood outside the door, their heart pounding in their chest. They had no idea what to expect on the other side. They weren’t even sure they were ready to face whatever—or whoever—they might find.

Taking a deep breath, Right Hand knocked on the door. There was no answer. They waited a moment before knocking again, louder this time. Still nothing. Anxiety gnawed at them as they fumbled for the set of lockpicking tools they hadn’t used in years.

They moved in after breaking in, their footsteps heavy on the worn wooden floor. In the dim light, Right Hand could make out the remnants of someone’s life—an unmade bed, a table cluttered with empty bottles, a chair knocked over in the corner.

Right Hand's eyes darted around, taking in the sparse, almost desolate surroundings. There was something about the place that felt wrong—a heaviness that hung in the air, pressing down on them as they cautiously stepped forward.

A faint rustling came from the couch, the backrest blocking Right Hand's view. Their breath caught in their throat as they turned toward the sound, their heart pounding louder with each passing second.

"Who's there?" they called out, their voice steady despite the fear gnawing at them from the inside.

The rustling stopped, followed by a low, pained groan. Right Hand's grip tightened around the handle of their gun, their eyes straining to see through the dimness. Slowly, a figure rose and turned back, and Right Hand's heart sank.

Leader.

They looked different— worn down but not completely defeated. Their clothes were rumpled and faded, as if they'd been worn for days on end. Their hair, still mostly neat, was streaked with grey that hadn’t been there before. And their eyes - those once bright, determined eyes - were clouded with exhaustion and something else Right Hand couldn’t quite place.

But despite it all, Leader still held themselves with a certain dignity. Even the hollowness in their cheeks and the dark circles under their eyes told a story of sleepless nights, there was still a spark of the person Right Hand once knew— or Right Hand wanted to see it that way.

Leader blinked, as if trying to focus on the figure standing before them. For a moment, they looked confused, as if they weren’t sure if Right Hand was there. But soon, Leader’s expression shifted from confusion to something more guarded— almost defensive.

"Right Hand," Leader rasped, their voice rough from disuse. They straightened up slightly, trying to pull themselves together, though the effort seemed to cost them dearly. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Right Hand replied carefully, trying to keep their tone neutral, non-threatening. "I’ve been looking for you."

Leader let out a short, humourless laugh, though it sounded more like a cough. "So you finally found me," they muttered, running a hand through their hair in a weary gesture. "Congratulations. You can go back now and tell people that  I’m still alive. Just what I needed."

Right Hand shook their head, refusing to let Leader brush them off so easily. "That’s not why I’m here," they said firmly. "I’m here to bring you back."

"Back? Where?" Leader spat. They stood up, their body bandaged. Right Hand could see a makeshift rib corset peeking under their shirt, and Leader's knee was properly braced— more of a mobility choice rather than caring about their health, in Right Hand's opinion.

Leader’s sharp tone cut through the stale air, the bitterness in their words evident. They leaned heavily on the back of the couch, trying to steady themselves as they stared at Right Hand with a mix of anger and disbelief.

"Back where?" Leader repeated, their voice lower but no less biting. "There’s nowhere to go back to. The team is gone. That life… it’s over. It was never my life to begin with."

"No, it was!" Right Hand snapped. "Leader, we are from the same fabric. I know what must be done, and I know what's really eating you alive. You have to take what is yours. Will you let Youngest think you abandoned them?"

Leader's gaze hardened, their posture stiffening as they straightened up, wincing slightly from the effort but also stepping closer, towering over Right Hand. "But I did leave them behind," Leader almost snarled. "You’re delusional if you think I can be any help. Look around you," they gestured vaguely at the rundown apartment, their eyes narrowing. "I'm in no state - and mood - to play the same game. I'm not interested in anything you have to tell."

Right Hand clenched their fists, frustration boiling beneath the surface. "You don’t get to decide that," they said, their voice steady but firm. "We need you, Leader. Youngest needs you. And deep down, you know you need us too."

Leader’s expression wavered for a moment, a flicker of something—regret, maybe, or doubt—crossing their features before they quickly masked it with anger. They scoffed, turning away. "Need is a dangerous thing, Right Hand. It makes you weak. It blinds you. You don't need me."

"And what I need, then?" Right Hand pressed, refusing to let Leader retreat into themselves again.

"You ned to move on," Leader began, their voice so quiet it was almost a whisper, "I’m not the person you remember. I���m not the leader you followed. And I won't be that person again. You need to move on and forget."

"I don’t believe that," Right Hand said with a determination that cut through the tension in the room. "And I don’t think you do either. We’ve all changed, Leader. None of us are who we were, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find a way forward."

Leader shook their head, exhaling a shaky breath as they rubbed a hand over their face. "You don’t get it," they muttered, their voice wavering. "You’re holding on to a ghost. The person you’re looking for… they’re gone. There’s nothing left to bring back."

"That’s not true," Right Hand insisted. "I can see it in your eyes—there’s still a part of you that wants to fight. You never back down from your duty."

Leader’s eyes darted away, unable to meet Right Hand’s gaze. They looked like they were carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, the burden of their own self-loathing almost too much to bear.

"Why did you run?" Right Hand asked, their voice gentle. "Why did you leave and get away from what made you happy?"

Leader’s jaw clenched, their fists tightening at their sides as they wrestled with the question. "You were keeping things together. It was always you." they admitted after a long, painful silence. "When you decided to back down, i tried. I really did, but... things fell apart."

"Running away didn’t help anyone, least of all yourself," Right Hand replied, their tone softening with understanding. "I had to leave. You knew, and I'm grateful you never blamed me for it. But it wasn’t me. You kept us together when I couldn't. For years. You tried, and it didn’t work. But that doesn’t mean we should give up on each other— or ourselves."

Leader’s shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of them as they sank back onto the couch, the weight of their guilt and despair pulling them down. "I can't do it again," they whispered, their voice trembling. "I don’t even know how to help myself, let alone the team."

Right Hand sat on the table in front of Leader. "You’re still here," they said firmly, gripping Leader’s hands in theirs. "And that’s enough. We’ll figure out the rest together. You’re not alone in this, Leader. We will all try this time. You won't have to keep us together."

A tear slipped down Leader’s cheek, and they quickly brushed it away, but not before Right Hand saw the vulnerability in their eyes—the pain, the fear, the longing for something they thought they had lost forever.

For the first time in a long time, Leader allowed themselves to lean into the comfort Right Hand offered, the warmth of their touch grounding them in a way they hadn’t felt in what seemed like an eternity.

"I don’t think I can do it," Leader murmured, their voice trembling. "But… I’ll try."

Right Hand nodded, their own eyes misting over as they squeezed Leader’s hands. "That’s all I’m asking."

[vinelark]

Hi I feel like you always have the best batfam fic recs, so I was wondering if you have any recs for any Dick and Tim bonding fics (especially fics that deal with the fallout of Dick giving Robin to Dami)?

hi! so glad you like the recs, i'm always happy to give them 🥰  every time a friend expresses even a passing interest in one of my fav characters i have to stop myself from like, creating a fic rec spreadsheet on the spot.

that said, i got stumped by the second part of this one. i was like oh yes definitely, i totally have read fics for that, and then…could not dig any up from my brain or my bookmarks. i feel like there's a fic on the tip of my tongue, but in the meanwhile, if anyone has any tim & dick red robin reconciliation recs (holy tongue twister, batman) i too would love to see them!

and here are some tim & dick recs in general:

🎄 only you will have stars that can laugh by silverwhittlingknife

set early in tim’s tenure as robin; dick realizes tim is about to be alone on christmas, and they end up spending the holiday together. i love how tentative both dick and tim are about this for different (and at times similar) reasons, and how heartwarming and cozy it ends up being. lots of reflection on family in all its forms and a really good tim & dick dynamic.

🚗 I’d Fly Far Away From Here by Sohotthateveryonedied

in a somewhat similar vein, a oneshot set during tim’s robin era in which tim hitchhikes to blüdhaven after a fight with his dad. dick and tim are two people who technically aren’t brothers yet by law but already are at heart, which doesn’t make it any easier to navigate conversations about tim’s home life or either of their relationship with bruce. (they make it work, though.)

🩹 Not So Large But Definitely In Charge by dottie_dc

tim and dick get tossed into an alternate gotham where there’s no batman or justice league, but find their way to bruce and alfred anyway. this has great tim-under-pressure pov, and the amount that he and dick care about each other even through their arguments is palpable. there’s also a fantastic (and at times gut-wrenching) sequel by JackHawksmoor focusing more on dick & the bruce of this different world. (cw for: past major character death aka alternate universe dick grayson)

🤖 Very Pleasing to My Optical Sensors by waffleelrond

another early robin!tim fic, in which tim gets injured and dick steps in to translate bruce's bruceness about it. it's tentative and sweet and a little silly, and a great bite-sized fic to read when you want to see the two of them just starting out as brothers.

🌌 To an Athlete Dying Young series by SonoSvegliato

at a glance from the summaries this appears like a tim & jason + tim & bruce series (and it is!), but the tim & dick scenes land it on this list for sure. i'm a broken record here with the early-robin!tim & dick recs but man i love them here; in the second fic there's a sequence where dick is teaching tim how to grapple across rooftops that sticks in my mind as one of my top favorite bonding moments for them. (heads up that the series currently ends on a cliffhanger—it's not finished yet!)

🦉 the once and future robin by AstraEllis

and as proof that i can in fact rec something other than early-robin!tim, here's an au where instead of becoming batman's robin tim ends up adopting a talon!dick grayson from another universe as his older brother. and becoming his robin. and then finding his way to the batfamily. i'm fascinated by the tim and alternate-universe-talon!dick relationship in this, and the questions of identity/personhood that it tackles by virtue of the story it is telling. plus, talon!dick's connection to robin as a concept despite the alternate universe aspect is really sweet.

also circling back to red robin reconciliation, i do have these two longfics open in my many tabs to read/finish; both tackle the post-rr era and the dick & tim of it all in their larger plots, so i'll toss in Extant by Kgraces and The Return by lurkinglurkerwholurks to check out too!

[starss-artss]

Stolen Stars

Song rewrite: This Wish

Heya :D

I finally finished rewriting the song "This Wish".

The instrumental of the song sounds nice, but most of the original lyrics are odd and didn't really make sense? And I didn't really connect with Asha's character.

Anyway, here's some context (all of this is wip and needs to be fleshed out more):

SS!Asha is the apprentice to king Magnifico, and in a way got adopted by him and queen Amaya after her last family member, her grandfather, passed away when she was thirteen. Both her parents passed away in her childhood, first her mother, then her father.

As Asha got older, she became more reserved, quiet, selfless and mature. She mostly kept things to herself and always put everyone else before her.

Over the years she had seen and heard strange things, especially in the castle, that she could never really explain, but they did make her question a few things. However, she didn't want to seem like a weirdo or ungrateful so she just kept quiet. And everyone seemed...happy, so what's the problem? Still, she had this tiny feeling that something wasn't right.

During a wish ceremony on her 17th birthday, the king and queen made her give her wish away. The reasons they gave her was that it was a birthday gift and that they wanted to "try something new".

Sometime after the ceremony, Asha follows a disembodied voice into the castle and finds a part of a secret plan Magnifico and Amaya have. Where she discovers that the wishes were never actually being granted and that they're planning to become all powerful to take over the world.

Everything that had happened to Asha in her childhood and what she had found out about the royals obviously was too much for her. And not just that, the moment she gave her wish away, she felt empty and desperate, and didn't feel like herself.

Her friends wanted to talk with her, to try and find out what's wrong, but a bad argument happened between them and Asha. And it pushed her over the edge. So she runs deep into the forest, believing that she has nothing left now.

Out of desperation, she makes a wish on a star for the first time in years...

-----

I was told my worries would be free

Yet I still feel so heavy-hearted

If I could show them everything I've seen

I'd risk their lives, so is it even right to try it?

But when I speak, they ask me, "What's wrong?"

And I'm done waiting for the dream that's just not coming

I cannot hide this now

For I see all that is wrong

But I lost myself and I am on my own...

So I turn towards the stars above me

And hope I receive some kind of sign

Because I know that there is someone who is listening

Who'd rise up here beside me when it's time

Will you grant this wish?

And give them something more like hope and bliss?

Will you grant this wish?

And give them something more to live than this?

Hey, yeah, yeah, yeah

Hey, yeah, yeah, yeah, ah-ah

More than this, oh-ah-ah-ah

We had these sparks inside us all aglow

We could live, we could thrive with the light that makes us whole

But the sparks that were returned were always foul

We will all have a woe, and if not stopped will overflow

If I could shake away all these hesitations

On where to even begin

Maybe I would be able to change

The wave of darkness coming in

And all I'm asking for is a sign, a star who tells me what to do

My heart is breaking, but my head's held high

The only way to make it through...

...So I turn towards the stars above me

And just hope I'll receive some kind of sign

I know there will be challenges that find me

And I faced them on alone all the time

Will you grant this wish?

And give them something more like hope and bliss?

Will you grant this wish?

And give them something more to live than this?

Hey, yeah, yeah, yeah (Is it worth the risk?)

Hey, yeah, yeah, yeah, ah-ah (Oh, to grant this wish?)

More than this, oh, ah-ah-ah

Will you grant this wish

And give them something more to live than this...?

((Will you grant this wish...))

((...And give me something more...to live...than this...?))

____

I imagine that this version sounds more sad and gets more and more desperate. And that the song ends on a more quiet note.

(Also, I am not a songwriter. So, I'm sorry if some lines sound off lol)

Thank you for reading :D

[asteria7fics]

Can we have some of your personal style headcanons?

Why yes, dear anon, you absolutely can!

I'll only share SFW ones here, but if you're interested in NSFW ones please let me know d(･∀･○)

This also contains some mild spoilers for the fic I'm currently working on - NOT The Song of Broflovski. If you'd rather go into that totally blind, then maybe skip this answer. Otherwise, read on!

Alright, so let's start from the beginning. I personally write Kyle as figuring out his feelings first, while Stan acts on them first. Neither one is stoked on the idea of coming out (Stan for Randy-trauma related reasons, Kyle for Cartman-trauma related ones) so they don't publicly come out/start actually dating until late high school when they know they're about to skip town and move away to college.

That doesn't stop them from messing around of course, but I'll save that info for a NSFW drop. (¬‿¬)

I also really like the idea of their relationship not changing massively even after they've become an official couple. They still fight, they still do a lot of the same activities together, and they never really adopt any pet names outside of still calling one another 'dude' all the damn time. Just two straight dudes in love, honestly.

Kyle is Stan's #1 defender, and will go to war with douchebags in the comments of Stan's social media posts (hard headcanon him as still being a musician/leaning really hard into his passion for music. Crimson Dawn is definitely still a thing in the Asteriaverse). You dare to talk shit about Stanley Marsh on the internet?? In front of God and everyone?? Baby you're getting doxed. Bye.

He also just unironically loves the music Stan makes, with Crimson Dawn and otherwise. Like, shitty phone recording from a performance as his ringtone kinda love. I think Kyle would have pretty eclectic music taste in general, but I like the idea of them bonding over the kind of stuff Stan would want to make.

I like to think Stan is more of a bad/freeing influence on Kyle. My Kyle has a little bit of a stick up his ass, especially as he gets older and there's more pressure on him to excel in school. Stan really becomes the person that wraps him up in a blanket after a long day of studying, passes him a drink and puts on Monty Python so they both can just relax and have fun together.

And they're absolutely the guys at the party standing in the corner by the drinks, cracking jokes to one another while they watch everyone else make complete asses of themselves. Just in their own little world, until they get properly drunk and end up making out in a bathroom or some shit. Just messy bitches.

They simultaneously communicate extremely well and absolutely horribly. They have the kind of connection where one look says it all, but when it comes down to deeper issues and arguments they're both trash at communicating their feelings. Kyle gets too heated and just starts RANTING while Stan can barely articulate a singular feeling. Eventually Stan figures out that he kinda just has to let Kyle get his shit off his chest and eventually he'll calm down enough to help Stan sort out his feelings too, but those first couple years? Rough haha no smooth sailing for my boys I'm afraid.

Alright, I'm gonna stop here because I could probably sit here and talk about these losers all day. These are pretty surface level, both because I don't want to spoil too much and because I'm always forming new headcanons for them! Really specific ones usually come to me in the moment while I'm writing, so I'll definitely come up with more before this next project is finished!

Thank you very much for the ask!! ( ´⌣`ʃƪ)

[kittyball23]

hi again!! can u make a lil AU fanfic where it takes place at the time after branch sees floyd in the diamond prison, and they feel very sad and miss each other after branch leaves, so they end up singing "teardrops on my guitar" by taylor swift about each other with a few lyric changes such as one to be "i laugh cause it's just so funny" and the name "drew" in the song is replaced with "branch" and "floyd"? oh, and the girl in the song can be referencing to poppy too. if you're busy with another fanfic, i understand! thank you <33

Hi! I finished this - and I apologize in advance if some of the changed lyrics are cringe 😅😬

Teardrops (a Trolls fanfic)

Despite Branch’s physical presence within the caterbus - his girlfriend by his side and Tiny Diamond at the wheel - it was his mind that was a grand distance away.

The situation couldn’t exactly be helped - he’d known this from the start. There wasn’t much he could do without the Family Harmony breaking the diamond imprisonment. And the plan hadn’t been thought of much aside from actually infiltrating the Rage Dome and reaching Floyd. This little fact had made itself obvious when they’d arrived and done little more than have a brief reunion.

But just because it had been brief didn’t mean that it hadn’t been meaningful. No, in fact, it very much was.

And the fact that it was is what brought the blue Troll to his troubled state. He couldn’t forget the way his brother’s face lit when he saw him, nor the warmth that blossomed within his own chest for his own joy at seeing him too. And Branch was very much delighted when Floyd had realized that he was a man and not a baby anymore, unlike their older brothers’ beliefs. But he supposed he shouldn’t be surprised. Floyd was the bro who had always known him best. Which is why he’d known that Branch would remain in grave danger should he have stayed behind.

Still though, hardly a minute’s time for a reunion was certainly not enough to make up for the twenty-plus years absence, and he missed him dearly.

So, as Tiny Diamond maneuvered Rhonda throughout the hallways of the Rage Dome and Poppy comforted the still teary-eyed Crimp, Branch comforted himself in the manner that Floyd had told him of years prior: by singing.

“Floyd looks at me, I fake a smile so he won't see

That I want and I'm needing everything that we should be…”

__________________________________________

Naturally, Floyd missed Branch as well. He’d sang to himself quietly plenty of times before within the diamond imprisonment.

And so, tuning out his other brothers’ argumentative words, and Velvet and Veneer’s excited chatter as they made their way to the racecar that would bring them to the Rage Dome’s red carpet, he lamented a tune.

“I'll bet she's beautiful, that girl he talks about

And she's got everything that I have to live without…”

He hadn’t caught Branch’s companion’s name, but with the assumption that his little bro was now a man, the pink-haired Troll who’d come to assist in the rescue was likely his brother’s girlfriend. He wouldn’t know of how they’d met, but he did know that she probably had been by Branch’s side far longer than himself. A tinge of jealousy pricked at him - envy for the time she had gotten to know him as he was now - but Floyd cast it away to sing some more.

“Branch talks to me, and we find that we’re still so chummy

And I’m glad to see that he’s all I ever thought he’d be…”

Time had passed, it was true, but the magenta-haired Troll was delighted to find that Branch was still elated to see him. His brother was truly grown now, and it was something that filled Floyd with great pride.

__________________________________________

Branch, on the other hand, wished he could say the same for Floyd’s condition. His older brother was looking quite sickly within the imprisonment, oddly transparent and hair streaked with white.

“He said I had to go, but it just isn’t right,

I wonder if he knows I thought of him for many nights…”

He’d told his brother he wasn’t leaving without him, and yet he did. While it was apparent that there were no better options in the rush of the moment, it still wasn’t sitting well with Branch. Emotion poured into the last verse of his song as a result.

“He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar

The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star

He's the song in the car I keep singing, don't know why I do…”

When Branch was finished, letting the last notes linger off into the air, he slumped his shoulders and sighed. The song helped him feel a little better, but he wouldn’t feel true relief until he knew his brother was freed. He felt a hand pat him on his back, and looked up to see Poppy. She flashed him a gentle smile of reassurance, and he reciprocated along with a small nod, focusing back on the mission and what they had to do next. He wasn’t sure exactly what was going to happen, but somehow and in some way he would ensure that Floyd - and the rest of their brothers that had been wrongly captured - would come out of this fix safe and sound.

[find-roronoa-zoro]

Roronoa Zoro X CisFem Reader

20

You stormed down the porch steps, keys jingling wildly with your rigid movements. As you remotely unlocked the car doors your body was snatched up. In your fit of rage, you didn't hear the screen door slam or your boyfriend calling after you.

"Please let me go." you grit your teeth.

"Not until you cool off." his warm breath visibly puffed passed your cheek as he restrained you from behind.

"Zoro," you wriggled trying to break his hold.

Your arms were pinned at your sides, his grip forced you to drop your keys.

"Who's the tiger?" he asked flaunting his amusement with your aggressive behavior.

"Please? You aren't helping." you went limp and let your dead weight rest against him.

"What will you accomplish in going after Shanks?" He asked calmly.

"I dunno," you groaned, "make him kick Ace out of his stupid fight club? Kill him so there would be no more club?"

"Do you think he'd listen to you if Ace is raking in money for him?"

"No. That's why death is a better option."

He chuckled, "When did this bunny get so vicious?"

"Awe C'mon." you sighed bringing your hands up to grip his forearms.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"You can't say cute things. I'm trying to be mad."

He kissed your neck sending a shiver down your back.

"Let's go for some breakfast, the neighbors are going to start rumors." he placed you back on your feet and bent down for your keys.

"Fine, but I still want to kill that stupid redhead." you pouted.

"Some other time." he opened the passenger door for you.

Ten minutes later you were sliding into your favorite booth at the diner the two of you had visited after your drunken escapade.

"I'm not taking sides," the greenette repeated with his hands raised, "I'm just saying Ace is an adult. There is a better way to go about this."

You had calmed down and now felt a little embarrassed by your outburst at home. It was unlike you to overreact like this, but this situation was a bit on the extreme for you. The entire family was under a lot of stress and you just wanted everyone to be safe and feel loved. Was it too much to ask to keep your younger brother's beautiful face intact?

You sighed.

"I'll talk to Ace then."

"But F/N, you can't stop him." he looked at you sternly, "If this actually helps him you should be supportive."

"Ugh. Yes, yes ok." you covered your face and groaned again, "I can't believe I slapped Marco."

"I don't think he could either." Zoro chuckled cutting through his waffle with a fork, "He was pretty pissed."

"Well, it's not like he didn't hurt me." you pouted rubbing your wrist where Marco's grip had left a faint red mark.

Zoro reached across the table with his palm up gesturing for your hand which you obliged. He rubbed his thumb gently over it before planting a chaste kiss.

"He's lucky he's your brother."

You flushed, though you already knew after the fight with Eustass he meant that.

Me: You are so lucky to be alive rn

Red: well lovely to speak to you F/N

Red: to what do I owe the pleasure?

Me: don't get cheeky with me!

Red: cats out of the bag then?

Me: Yes you ass! You could have told me my brother was over there raking in the cash for you for the last week.

Red: I'm not obligated to be a part of the Newgate sibling drama anymore

Red: besides you would only come down here and hit me

Red: wait

Red: where are you?

Me: you're an idiot. You're also very lucky I have someone holding me back

Red: ah the green haired kid, I didn't know you were into cradle robbing

Red: what do you want me to do? Tell Ace he's banned?

Me: he isn't a kid and shut up, like any of those girls you seduce are even close to your age.

Me: and no. Just... Keep an eye on him?

Red: of course.

You smirked triumphantly at your phone as Shanks apparently gave up the argument.

Zoro had dropped you off so he could go to work, but you hadn't gathered the guts to go inside and face your older brother. Sure, the two of you fought often when you were young and sometimes it did get physical, but in your adult life you hadn't hit each other. You were worried over how angry he would be while he worried over having made you angry enough to slap him.

He knew he shouldn't have been so dismissive with you, you were only concerned for Ace's wellbeing and his careless attitude spurred your aggravation. The blond rubbed his afflicted cheek as he sat in the den. Not only did it physically hurt but it also hurt his feelings. You were his precious sister and though you'd had many childish fights he could see how much pain and anger was behind your glare as you slapped him.

Marco sighed.

"He's moping in the den." Sabo's low voice resonated from the door.

"Aren't you cold?" Al questioned from his left.

"Yeah," you sighed rubbing your hands together, "I just don't know how to face him."

"I'll put some tea on." Al disappeared inside.

"He's been like this since you left." the younger blond moved to your side, "You two have always been this way. Just talk to him, he's afraid he went too far."

"I definitely went too far." You groaned standing up.

Sabo placed both hands on your shoulders and helped guide you through the doorway. Immediately your freezing fingers and toes began to tingle and thaw.

"You'll be fine." he murmured.

"Thanks bumblebee ~" you sang teasingly earning a thump to the back of the head.

Taking a long deep breath, you stepped into the den to find Marco perched on the love seat staring at the window. He didn't move as you sat down next to him and glomped against his shoulder. He let a breath pass through his lips before tugging the rubber band from your hair and tossing it on the floor.

"Hey!" you protested sitting forward and lightly shoving him, "After I gather all my pride to apologize."

"Such a troublesome brat." he muttered while you pulled your hair back into a messy ponytail, "Don't. It's my fault, yoi."

"But I overreacted." you pouted turning back to your brother.

"With good intentions though." he hugged you, "Let's just let it go, ok?"

"You're too soft on me, Pineapple." you sat back and rubbed his cheek.

"I'll get you back, don't worry." he winked.

_______________________________

Zoro: want me to come over?

Me: well, I'll try not to beat anyone up this time

Me: maybe give it an hour?

Zoro: just remember to support him

Zoro: I'll see you soon. You got this.

For the millionth time that day you swallowed your heart and knocked on the wooden door in front of you.

"Ace?"

[jinnyxxn]

love and war - ricky zb1 !

genre: fluff

warnings: slightly harsh actions?

pairing: ricky zb1 x gn! reader

20:28 PM - Parking Basement

"are you serious." for the millionth time was all you hear from him on your argument.

"you're clearly forgetting our date babe! it's already planned well and for the 8 times, you forget about it for the record!" you lose a much heavy sigh.

"ugh, it's not a big deal okay? at least right now i know that im wrong, and im sorry for that, but stop talking about it!" he said with an unbelievable face. that's ridiculous.

"whatever ricky." you rolled your eyes off with such a lazy tone. you were about to leave him alone, taking two steps, ready to walk quickly but your 'boyfriend' was quick enough to hold you back.

"what's with the name?" his sharp gaze meets your eyes. his hard grip on your arms, you clearly knew that he was mad.

"what's wrong with it, RICKY?"

"say that again."

"Ricky."

He's enough with it. He slammed you on the wall and pinned you with his sharp scary gaze. You could feel your back hurts and that makes you mad too.

"WHY? DON'T YOU THINK YOU DESERVE THAT BECAUSE YOU FORGOT ABOUT OUR DATE YESTERDAY? I WAS ALONE FROM 9 TILL MIDNIGHT WAITING FOR YOU IN THE PARK AND I GOT SICK FROM THAT!" you shouted to him in his face loudly.

"ENOUGH TALKING ABOUT THAT Y/N!" he shouted back and punched the wall which makes his knuckles bleed but not much. You never know that your blonde-haired 'boyfriend' can be explosive and angry like that. You are shocked of course.

"so you wanna play it that way huh? sure." then he left.

21:00 - Penthouse

ting tong

you, standing in front of an apartment door. high class and luxury door, then what's on the inside? even more luxury. why would a young and rich boy be in his parents' house?

the door was opened by...

himself

one arched eyebrow, wrinkled nose, sneering, then looking away with slightly narrowed eyes.

you still had your ego. you immediately went inside passing him, and your 'boyfriend' closed the door immediately.

"what do you want," he questioned, walking towards you.

you turn your back, facing down, grabbing his hand that bleeds before. you see his knuckles weren't treated, seriously seeing his knuckles weren't treated makes you heartbroken.

you went to his room, and he followed you. to your surprise, you saw a girl. the brown-haired girl on her phone, standing up when she saw you, approaching you too.

"oh y/n! it's really nice to see you here, anyway ricky since it's a rainy night, i got a midnight driving date with my bf so gotta go, and y/n, can you treat him— shoot im running late, i'll be back at my own house, not yours ricky! bye, you two—!" then she left.

xiaoting, ricky's older sister. wearing a green cardigan paired up with jeans. gummy smile and sparkling eyes.

as you grab his hand, letting him sit on his bed with an aid box between you and him. you softly treating his injured knuckles.

He is in his pajamas and you in your oversized black hoodie with loose pants + on a rainy night (your favorite night).

"i'm sorry y/n, i- i really forgot about the last date. i know my apology wouldn't be enough for the pain i created. it wouldn't be enough for the time you waited for me to come. but this time, i promise i will remember about our next date. my mistake. i'm sorry okay?" you knew he said it while trying to look into your eyes.

you finished treating his knuckles. your eyes are teary. as you tidy up the aid box, ricky set aside the aid box and grabs you into his hug.

"i'm really sorry" he whispered in your ear you lose some peals of laughter and tear into happy tears.

"you know, you should stop hugging me or you'll catch a cold from me" you frowned, gently pushing him away to put some distance.

although you've warned him, you know... he's ricky.

"i don't care," he says. brings you to his tight hug, and a little kiss from him on your forehead.

"if you say so my lovelicky"

"what?"

"you heard me"

"noo say it again"

"my lovelicky"

you could see him blushing hard, and an unexpected turn? lol.

"what if we watch a movie tonight! i'll say it as a date" he asked, still smiling.

"sure, you're the boss" you replied.

and the couple who's watching a movie tonight ended up making out

sorry for my grammar mistakes, english are not my first language.

[aronora8]

Now that I have all the headshots lemme give you a comprehesive guide of

The Fitz Family!

Well well, if you're asking why am I making content of my fave Flipline fan theory again, lemme tell you I have a LOT on my sleeve I wanna talk about. As I have been drawing more of them, and also been getting some new followers, I wanted to create a post that can share a lot of info about where I stand on the Fitz family and the Fitz is Radley's dad theory in general- And well, you're reading that right now, so buckle up!

I'll go over all the 6 main characters (one fan character and one fan design of an existing character) and I wanna talk some stuff about their motives, where they stand in relation to each other etc. Starting with the patriarch!

TW warning: Mention of accident, mention of death

Professor Fitz

Fitz is the oldest member of the family and also the one who probably keeps the most secrets. Having married young, he's been always there to provide to his late wife, Anise- After they got into a freak lab accident connected to the warp keys, however only poor Isaac made it out alive. That left him to raise his three kids alone, his oldest, Radley, his middle daughter Petrona, and Marcus who was still a baby when the accident happened.

Anise

She's the most mysterious Fitz family member, not having any info about where she's from or what she did before marrying her husband; the only thing that's known about her is that she really loved and cherished her family, especially doting on her eldest son, Radley. Her death led to the downfall of the family, affecting even her grandson who she never could meet.

Radley

The oldest and supposed heir of the family, Radley has been showing signs of genius since he was a toddler. Being the oldest has always pushed him to do the best, and he looked up to his parents for that, especially to his mom, who he had the better relationship with. He was around 8-10 when Anise passed away, and that has changed him greatly, impacting his relationship with Fitz, who he always blamed for her passing. That later results to an argument between the two, which in turn, results to Radley meeting his old demise. By turning into a radish but that's a story for another day

Petrona

The second born of Fitz and Anise, and the only daughter. She's always been a strong-willed person and was keen to keep the family together. Out of the three kids she has the best relationship to her father, being the only one who regularly visits him.

She also became a mom around her early-to mid 20s. She's VERY overprotective of Iggy.

(Nu)Marcus

The youngest of the three siblings. Being only few months old when Anise passed away, he didn't get nearly as impacted by her passing as his sister and brother did. He's always looked up to Radley, finding his dad very lame. After what happened to his older brother it was only a matter of time till he left Fitz too, deciding on making a business of his own, from the smarts he has.

Iggy

Iggy is the youngest Fitz family member and the only granchild of Fitz and Anise. Not entirely sure about what happened in his family, he spends his time mainly with his mom Petrona, and his grandfather, who adores his company greatly - Fitz has always acted as a father figure to him, since his dad isn't exactly in the picture. Being naturally curious however, it's only a matter of time before he finds out the truth; And no matter how we put it that's going to impact things.

That's all for now! Have fun reading it all <33 If you have any questions about the AU/theory, go ahead!

[kay-wren]

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 51

A couple days had passed and Jessie and Rafe were finally making it back to OBX. Both of them were in an argument about who was more excited to see Charlotte. Both of them thought they won.

The last couple of days were spent laughing, hiking, lounging, shopping, eating, and every fun thing in between. After Rafe and Jessie's heart to heart the first morning they were there, it was decided then on what they would and would not do. Even though a small part of Jessie wanted to continue to get a little wild just for fun, she listened to Rafe and tried to take their trip as an opportunity to really heal instead of continuing to put a bandaid over a bullet hole. Rafe was glad she decided to do so, for his daughter, but also because he of course was terrified that he was going to slip back into his old ways. If he was completely honest, he felt terrible for giving in that night, and was fighting his own demons in his head about that. But he had to convince himself just like he did Jessie... they're moving forward, together.

"Who do you think she's gonna run up to first?" Jessie asked with a stupid grin on her face as she lay piled up in the passenger seat of Rafe's truck. They were only a few minutes out and if Jessie's nonstop yapping about coming home wasn't enough to show her excitement, that question sure was. Rafe just laughed and kept looking at the road, trying not to show the clear annoyance he had with her questions. He knew she was excited, and he was too... but damn.

"I don't know babe." Rafe answered plainly through a half smile. Jessie disregarded his dismissiveness and looked out the window with a smile.

"I can't wait to see her." Jessie replied, still looking at the country road and the trees passing by in a blur. Jessie then realized that Rafe was going pretty fast, maybe he really was just as anxious to get home as she was.

"I know." Rafe joked as he looked over at Jessie for a fleeting moment. Jessie then could tell that she probably needed to shut up. Although she stopped talking, Rafe couldn't help but notice her uncontrollable fidgeting from excitement. He loved when she got giddy, it was few and far between for the girl that centered her life around being calm cool and collected.

Rafe put a little more pressure on the gas as he set his strong hand over Jessie's twitching leg. He hoped it would calm her down, and of course it did. The truth is, Rafe was just as ready to be home as Jessie was. However, his anxiousness stemmed less from excitement and more of needing to know that his daughter was okay. He wondered if she cried herself to sleep while they were gone because her mommy and daddy weren't there. He wondered if JJ let her get hurt. He wondered if JJ kissed her booboos like her parents always did when she scrapped her knee or bumped her head. He wondered if she had eaten well. He wondered if the Pogues kept her entertained. He just had to know she was happy and healthy more than anything.

The couple finally pulled into the driveway of the Chateau. Before Rafe could throw the truck in park Jessie was already unbuckled. They must have heard Rafe's truck pull in the driveway because he wasn't even half way there yet and he could see the porch door swing open and clash against the side of the house with fury as he watched his toddler come barreling out. God, how did she look older already? He hadn't been a dad for long, yet he felt like every day he wasn't with her was a day she had grown up so much and he had missed it. Every time he blinked it seemed like he'd open his eyes and she'd be even less little.

Rafe finally put the truck in park and Jessie flew out of the passenger side and ran across the yard to her daughter. Rafe was honestly surprised she even waited until he stopped. Nonetheless, he laughed at his excited wife as he stepped out of the truck himself to hear one of his favorite voices.

"MOMMYYYYYYYY!" Charley screamed from the top of her lungs with excitement. He heard both of his girls laugh as Jessie reached down to accept the impending hug, which quickly turned into a football tackle. Jessie withstood the blow as she stood up and spun her daughter around.

"Charleeeeeyyyyy!" Jessie replied in the same excited manner. As Rafe was walking over to his girls he noticed JJ sauntering out of the Chat with something suspicious between his lips. Before he could say anything, he was met with the voice that was sure enough to distract him.

"Daddyyyy!" Charley yelled as she ran away from her mother and over to her father. Rafe immediately peeled his eyes away from his brother in law and looked down to open his arms and wait for Charley to fall right in them so he could scoop her up. That's exactly what happened. Rafe tossed his beloved daughter in the air as she screamed.

"How's my little girl doing?" Rafe asked as he set the child comfortably on his hip. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and squeezed tightly as if she was gonna lose him. Rafe simply melted into the embrace and brought his other arm around to rub her back as he laid his head on top of hers.

"Goooood." Charley replied with her face buried bashfully in her daddy's chest.

"I'm glad princess." Rafe simply responded. By this point the two of them were walking up towards the Chat, but before they could even make it to the stairs Jessie was quick to point out the obvious with a smirk on her face.

"Whatcha got there big boy?" Jessie asked as she put two fingers up to her lips in mockery. JJ looked tired- no, straight up defeated- as he blew the cloud of smoke and gave his sister a look that said save it.

"I told you she made me wanna smoke." JJ simply replied with a slouched posture as he kicked himself up against the wooden post.

"Yeah well next time..." Jessie said as she walked up the steps. She met her brother at the top with her signature smirk as she took the joint from his lips and stuck it in her mouth, allowing her tongue to roll the blunt back as she put out the end of it with the roof her mouth, no hands needed. "Wait to smoke when we get home and you're officially off duty from watching my kid." Jessie sassed as she took the weed out of her mouth and threw it in the yard. JJ watched the wrapper fly into their withered flowerbeds and looked back at Jessie with a pissed off expression.

"First of all, your little party trick is lame, and second of all, I didn't light that bitch till I saw yall pull in the drive way... and you should consider yourself lucky I waited till then." JJ corrected his sister but to no avail. Jessie simply scoffed and shook her head as she walked inside with Rafe following close behind.

Rafe simply pursed his lips and widened his eyes as he passed by JJ, but not before giving him a few pats on the back as if to silently confirm that he lost the argument.

"Hey, at least you got some while you were gone." JJ retorted as he looked back at Rafe, to which he just responded with a laugh and shake of his head as he walked in the house. JJ followed closely behind.

"Where's Wheezie?" Rafe asked as he set Charley down in the living room. Jessie was already in the floor ready to play with her daughter as she started messing with the dolls in front of her. Rafe looked back up and put his hands in his pockets to find that JJ had disappeared into the dark hallway. Rafe wondered where he went and furrowed his brows as he looked back over at Jessie for an explanation. Jessie didn't respond, instead she gave her husband a knowing look.

Sure enough, just a few moments later, footsteps could be heard and Rafe could see the flicker of a flame coming closer and closer, eventually revealing JJ with a joint stuck between his lips once again. He blew out the cloud of smoke in the general vacinity of the living room, intentionally looking at Jessie as he did it as if to say I got more.

Rafe quickly countered the motion by waving his hand deliberately through the cloud of smoke he just puffed in the direction of his girls, not daring to miss the opportunity of a death glare as well. JJ was pulled out of his menacing state and looked over at Rafe and remembered he had asked him a question.

"She's with Sarah and John B, they went fishing."

"How's she holding up." Jessie asked, still playing with the dolls on the floor.

"Eh, kids are resilient." JJ waved her question off as he stuck the joint back in his mouth again.

"That's not what I asked." Jessie sassed. She could tell Rafe wasn't particularly fond of his answer either, as he just stuck his hands back in his pockets and visibly tensed out of frustration. Jessie was already ready to be alone with Rafe again, simply for the fact that they were once again thrown into a heaping pile of shit the second they came home. They expected as much, but no amount of expectation can prepare for the real shit show. JJ rolled his eyes and formulated an actual answer.

"She was mopey of course, but, she's coming around. Sarah's helping a lot." JJ responded. Rafe still didn't take his word for it, and Jessie could see that. The truth is, Rafe just wanted to see her for himself.

"When will they be back?" Rafe asked with a sigh, clearly not in the mood to mince words.

"Probably when they've caught our dinner." JJ only half joked. Jessie was quick to pick up on it though.

"You're... out of food?" Jessie asked with a tinge of worry and mostly judgement in her voice.

"For the most part yeah."

"What did you feed my kid?" Rafe was quick to beat Jessie to that question, his concern and judgement clear across his face.

"Dude, who do you think ate it all?" JJ said defensively as he gestured his hands over towards the toddler. Both Jessie and Rafe laughed a little after his outburst, realizing that he had a point and he probably wasn't used to having enough food in the house to keep a small child alive and thriving. "Do you really think I would let that girl starve?" JJ asked slightly annoyed. Rafe just gave Jessie a look that said yes I do.

"No, we don't, JJ." Jessie interjected despite her husband's face showing more than doubt. "We just worry about her is all. It's our job to protect her."

"Yeah, yeah, noise noise. Hey, look! There they are!" JJ dismissed his sister as he pointed out towards the marsh.

- - -

It was now dinner time and Pope and Kiara had now joined the party. They were all sitting out by the fire comfortably eating their freshly caught fish, even Charley didn't mind what her mother was feeding her, although Jessie knew she would eat just about anything smothered in ketchup. The dining room table in the Chateau simply wasn't big enough for everyone that night, so they opted to eat under the stars surrounded by the cool night air. None of them minded, of course. The fire was oddly quiet, all that could be heard was the clanging of forks on plates. Nobody seemed to have much to say after they all finished catching up from Jessie and Rafe's little getaway. They all seemed to sit their awkwardly, as if they didn't know what to talk about next, other than the obvious questions of what now?

Jessie and Rafe being the adults in the situation expected as much though, and they'd be lying if they said they weren't prepared to break the ice when they got back and have the tough conversations. They were willing to bet that none of the pogues were brave enough just yet to make any decisions regarding where to go and what to do with the cross. Luckily, Rafe and Jessie had spent a little time planning while they were away. They knew that even though they didn't want to discuss this anymore than the rest of them, that they were going to need a plan, and soon. Every day they were there was another day they were exposed. The pogues knew this too, but with a distraught Wheezie thrown in the mix they all seemed to have a newfound reverence for the situation. It wasn't like they just had themselves to worry about anymore. Jessie and Rafe now knew the feeling well of having to base your decision on what's best for someone else-- someone much more vulnerable to your opinions and decisions.

The couple just continued to look around and read the room, occasionally stealing glances at the other and silently saying you go first. The two of them played this game almost all through dinner, but eventually Jessie of course got tired of the waiting and decided to finally just say what needed to be said, which didn't come as a surprise to anyone.

"So..." Jessie began as she cleared her throat and looked around the circle. "Have you guys talked about where we should go? Because we can't stay here." She said plainly as she searched everyone's face for answers. This was a moment that proved that despite this group growing through so much, they still felt and acted like teens sometimes, as they clearly were taken aback by her question. Jessie knew a thing or two about having to be the adult even when she didn't want to be, and this was no different. Finally Wheezie spoke up.

"W-What do you mean we can't stay here?" The tween asked as she looked at Jessie with concern. Rafe noticed it immediately and interrupted before Jessie could give one of her signature blunt speeches.

"Wheez..." Rafe started as he cleared his throat and looked her way with sincere empathy, "We definitely can't stay here, it's not safe for you when all of Kildare thinks you're dead."

"Yeah, and we've still got the cross to think about." Pope interjected. Jessie visibly tried not to roll her eyes at Pope once again bringing that damn treasure into the conversation. She took a deep breath to stop herself from speaking before thinking.

"Yes... we do." Rafe interjected before his wife could speak, knowing that was best. He looked back at Wheezie. "But Wheez, you can't stay here."

The Pogues didn't interrupt, they knew he was right. Wheezie knew he was right too, but she still couldn't quite wrap her head around it.

"Well... w-where am I gonna go?" Wheezie asked with a concerned look towards her older brother. Rafe still met her gaze with so much sympathy. As much as he hated his father, he knew now what it meant to Ward to keep his daughters safe. He couldn't help but take that responsibility on himself now.

"Yukatan!" JJ piped up as he stuck his finger in the air as if he just had an epiphany. Everyone couldn't help but hang their heads and laugh a little, Rafe included.

"Well," Jessie spoke up. "That's actually what Rafe and I wanted to talk to you guys about... we think somewhere out of the country is best... we think it's necessary." She explained with hope in her tone. The Pogues looked around at each other, thinking it wasn't the worst idea.

"T-this is crazy, w-what am I gonna do about school and and and my friends and-"

"Wheezie," Sarah interrupted with a calm demeanor as she put her hand on her sisters knee. "You'll be okay, trust me... this is hard, but, not as hard as it would be trying to get your life back on track here."

"Yeah, wheeze, you'd be a spectacle here, and everything would just be stirred back up and... we don't need anymore trouble." Rafe explained. He could see the gears turning in Wheezie's head. "Look... I know this is hard but... I need you to think like an adult right now okay-"

"I don't wanna think like an adult!" Wheezie cut her brother off with a thunderous voice as she stood up from her seat. "You wanna tell me to act like an adult but you don't want to treat me like one! Nobody has even asked me what I wanna do!"

Before Rafe could say anything else he watched as his little sister stormed off into the house grumbling under her breath. Everyone looked around, not quite sure what to say. Jessie, however, knew exactly what to do. She could see Rafe grow frustrated as he inhaled a sharp breath, put his hands on his knees and got up from his seat, undoubtedly to go talk some sense into his little sister. Jessie intervened immediately, meeting his actions with the same motion.

"Let me." Jessie pleaded as she looked at Rafe from across the fire. He looked at her with doubt.

"Jessie, no, you shouldn't-"

"Trust me." Jessie begged as she held her hands up to Rafe's chest, trying to get him to stop resisting. He simply exhaled the breath he was holding and listened to his wife. He wasn't quite sure what she was going to say, but he figured with how good she was with words, she could get her to come around.

Jessie gave her husband a look of sincere gratefulness as he stood down. Rafe returned back to his seat and summoned Charley over with her food to help her continue eating. With that, Jessie turned around and went up to the Chat.

As Jessie walked up the gravel she could hear the distant chatters and clanging of forks once more. She knew they were talking about Wheezie and probably trying to figure out what to do, but she had it all under control.

Jessie walked into the screened in porch and opened the front door, now easing into the living room to find a distressed teenager sitting on the sofa staring into nothing.��Been there don't that Jessie thought. She propped herself up on the entry way and knocked slightly. Wheezie's head shot up as she realized she wasn't alone. Her eyes were wide with surprise.

"God, can you not sneak up on me like that?" Wheezie sneered. Jessie just chuckled, folding her arms across her chest, seeming to ignore her request.

"I've been sneaking for a long long time, Wheez... it's what's kept me alive... and it's what's gonna keep you alive too."

Wheezie just scoffed and shook her head at the statement. Jessie decided to keep going with her speech.

"But look..." Jessie began as she kicked herself off the wall and walked over to her sister in law. "It's just you and me here, and I'm gonna treat you like an adult." Jessie took a seat next to Wheezie. "You haven't been treated like an adult by your siblings because you really haven't had to be one yet. Your brother and sister probably saw you as the annoying little sibling that just wanted be grown up like them... but it's not as fun as you think. This world is filled with tough choices and plenty of times where you have to think about people other than yourself. This is one of those times." Jessie could see Wheezie taking the words in and truly processing them. "And trust me... I get it... it's hard being forced to grow up. I know that better than any of those guys out there. You and I... we've got a lot in common, Wheeze. But the one thing you have that I didn't when I was your age is siblings that love you enough to always do what's best for you. We're not gonna let anything happen to you, but you gotta trust us."

"How do you know what's best for me? You just got back after leaving my brother for years! You made him into a monster!"

Jessie didn't take those words to heart, she knew the look in Wheezie's eyes was one of pure hurt. Jessie just cocked her head and looked around the room. Wheezie couldn't decide if she regretted those words or not. Without another word said, Jessie simply got up from the couch, and walked down the hall to grab something from her room. Wheezie heard Jessie's combat boots stomping back into the living room with a black leather jacket in her hand. Jessie stood in front of Wheezie on the other side of the coffee table and threw the jacket down in front of her where she could see the emblem clearly on the back of her jacket.

"That jacket..." Jessie said with a seriousness in her voice as she pointed down to it and cocked her hip slightly. "Is proof that I make the tough choice in order to do what's best for others. That jacket, Wheezie, is proof that I grew up a lot damn faster than I ever wanted to. And your dad was a piece of shit just like mine, and let me tell you something..." Jessie said in an eerily hushed tone as she got eye level with the girl in front of her. "The only difference between me and you is that you're not ready to admit it."

Jessie saw once again the fear behind Wheezie's eyes as she drank in every last word.

"You want to be treated like an adult? Consider it done. I don't envy the war going on in your head right now... it's the same war that I had in mine for way too long. But one day... life gets so complicated that you just don't care... and you do what you gotta do to stay alive and to keep the people you love safe. You do things like signing your life away to a gang or moving to a third world country and convincing everyone you're dead... such is life, Wheeze. You wanna be treated like an adult? Act like one."

Jessie took her jacket off the table and slipped it onto her body. Wheezie took notice how it fit her like a second skin, clearly worn almost every day to mold to her so well. She could tell that Jessie didn't say those things to intimidate her, but to encourage her. She trusted Jessie when she said she understood. Wheezie simply took a deep breath, licked her lips and looked up at the woman in front of her with a fierceness.

"Yukatan?" Wheezie asked. Jessie smiled and nodded.

"Yukatan."