#I guess i decided to write it

[tartarusknight]

you’re losing your memory - Part 1/3

It happened on a Tuesday. There was nothing special about this day. It was late August, and Robin had been enjoying her day off in the silence of her own room. It wasn't too warm, wasn't too cool, it was just average. She had plans to finish the book she and Nancy were reading, their own little gay book club. Well, she was going to read until Steve got off of work and picked her up. Then they'd go over to Steve's, and Nancy and Eddie would join them. Just an average day.

Robin wished it had been average.

Robin had been sitting on her bed when she heard it. The police sirens. She stood up slowly, unsure of what was happening, but her body was trained to react during moments of duress. She moved back down the stairs and grabbed the phone, dialing a number she knew by heart. It rang out. She rang Family Video again, but still no response. She moved and picked up her walkie, switching to the channel they had Dustin set up for the two of them. She whispered Steve's name until her voice grew to a scream, and she started to panic.

She's known Steve for over a year now, and they've called each other often. Especially after Vecna, as they both attempted to try and be normal. It never worked, but they tried. Yet time and time again Robin would wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of Steve's voice coming through the walkie or she'd be the one to call him. And not every panic call was about the Upside Down. No, some calls were Robin whispering about her fears of someone seeing through her and knowing her secret. Of losing all their friends just because of who she was born as. Or the calls where Robin attempted to guide Steve through the sexuality crisis that Eddie Munson had caused.

Some weren’t even bad. She had radioed him when Nancy had kissed her. Steve had when he heard back from the community college just the town over from the university Robin applied to, that he had been accepted. Or even when they wanted to talk about anything and everything. But no matter what it was, they always answered. The longest it ever took was 10 minutes when Steve had been in the shower and had fallen in his scramble to get to the walkie. She had gotten Nancy to drive the two of them to the emergency room as they whispered to each other in the back.

All this time, every single time they called or tried to talk, Steve answered. he always kept the walkie nearby, and unless Family Video was bustling with customers, which it never was. (And even if it was, Steve always uses the excuse to pick up the phone to get out of dealing with them.) And he rarely left the house if not to hang out with her. So, Steve should be able to answer.

She ran out of her room and grabbed the keys to her mom's car. Calling out a goodbye before she jumped into the car. Robin didn't want to learn how to drive but after Vecna Steve and Nancy taught her and now she's extremely grateful. Robin bounced in her seat as she glanced at the walkie in her passenger seat periodically. She prayed his voice would come through the speaker, but it didn't. And she knew why as she saw Hopper's police car and an ambulance in the parking lot to Family Video. Robin jumped out of the car and ducked through the growing crowd of people, all trying to figure out what was going on. Her eyes danced around, seeing Hoppers' tall frame. She ran over and grabbed his arm quickly. The man jumped, looking ready for a fight until she came into view. His eyes flickered to the store, and Robin's heart was stuck in her throat.

Her eyes followed his gaze to the cot being moved toward the back of the ambulance. She watched as a hand dropped off the side, completely limp. The watch on the wrist had her complete focus. She couldn't look away. She just stared at the watch. Many people could have that watch. With the same little woven rainbow bracelet tied to it because El made it for him. Anyone could have the same little triple-knotted thread. It didn't have to be Steve's.

The cot was lifted into the ambulance, and she raced over. Hopper didn't stop her. In fact, he followed right after her. She carefully looked away from the wrist and watched a paramedic place a mask over Steve's face like Steve couldn't breathe on his own. It was ridiculous, Steve breathed just fine. Hopper helped her up and said something to the two others in the ambulance that she couldn't hear over the ringing in her ears as she carefully grabbed Steve's hand into hers. But he didn't look in pain. He looked like he was sleeping, and Robin wished she was back in the Harrington house. Waking up next to Steve because she hadn't wanted to be alone, and Steve didn't want to either. How she had woken up before him for once and thought she had to be a lesbian cause if she couldn't love Steve then there wasn't a man out there she could love.

As she took him in, she couldn't find what was wrong. It was just Steve. But her heart was failing anyways like she already knew what happened. She couldn't tear her eyes from the peaceful look on Steve, one that hid whatever had happened. "You'll be fine," She whispered, and she forced herself to believe it. For she had gone to war with Steve, and he had been beaten into the ground over and over, but he always got back up. He never let them keep him down. Steve had helped with the Upside Down after being beaten up by Billy. Steve had gotten tortured by Russians and got back up to keep fighting until it was all over. He was almost eaten alive and still got up and helped with the fight against Vecna. He carried Eddie's limp body out of the Upside Down even though he looked ready to collapse. Whatever had happened, she knew he could get back up. He always got back up.

But as he was wheeled away and she was forced to stay in the waiting room, her fears only grew. She didn't move from her chair as Hopper sat down, not even when Eddie, Nancy, and Dustin scrambled in a little while later. Eddie kneeled in front of her, and she knew he was trying to comfort her. But how could she be comforted when the person she loves the most is hurt? Soon enough, she was pulled into Nancy's side, and they all watched Dustin pace.

She didn't think she even breathed until a doctor came out and called, "Harrington." Robin grabbed the one simple ring that had belonged to Eddie’s mom and slipped it on her ring finger. Eddie didn't even seem to mind as they stopped in front of the doctor. "Are any of you family?" He raised an eyebrow, and they all knew he knew them enough. It was a small town after all.

"He's my fiancé. Um, I’m Robin Buckley," Robin but in and the doctor's eyes grew. Dustin spluttered at the reveal, looking completely lost. After all, no one but her, Steve, Nancy, and Eddie knew that Steve wasn't exactly her type.

"Please tell me he's okay," She begs, not caring how Dustin reacts. Eddie places his hand on her shoulder and they stand there, a group of mismatched people brought together for this one man. Hopper stood behind them as if daring the man to say something. To tell them no.

"It wasn't anything new, I'm afraid. I'm glad whoever called it in at his job. If he hadn't come in a few weeks ago, this could've been much, much worse. But we've already discussed a plan with Mr. Harrington. He's awake at the moment, but very disorientated. He's not sure of the date but it's perfectly natural for his condition. We'd like to keep visitors to a minimum. So, one of you may follow me. Perhaps his fiancé?" The doctor spoke and Robin was beyond confused.

But she nodded and followed after the man. Leaving the other three up front. As she entered Steve's room, his gaze was lazy like he wasn’t completely there. “Mr. Harrington, this is your fiancé, Robin Buckley.” She looked over at him with an apology for lying only to see a different version of confusion on his face.

“Hey Stevie,” she said softly and he just blinked at her. Like he didn’t know her. It made Robin freeze.

She looked back at the doctor, "he's missing some time. But most of the time that's normal." The doctor stated and Robin felt the world melt away from her. She looked back at Steve, a Steve that didn’t know her.

Robin shook her head, "normal? This isn't normal. He should- this- he should remember me. I- I’ve known him for two years."

"Years?" Steve asks as the doctor speaks over him.

"Seizures can cause loss of time, but as I said, it's normal. But I’m afraid the path to remembrance isn’t as straightforward as we’d like. He might remember it all just to forget it again.” The doctor says like it’s not breaking her entire world apart. Like… it’s not crushing them both. She can see Steve’s face fall in the corner of her eye.

But it's the word seizures that makes Robin's heart stop. Sure, Steve had gotten hurt a lot. Maybe even a couple of concussions more than he should have, but he was healthy. He ate well and exercised even though it was in fear of being too slow in the event of another fight with the supernatural. Dammit, Steve was healthier than she was. And- and now he isn't?

Steve glanced over at the doctor who understood, heading out of the door. "Hey, uh Robin, I- I'm okay." He sounded like he was struggling to find his words. Or maybe it was just hard to talk to someone you should know but don’t.

But Robin was hurt. Hurt that her platonic soulmate didn’t know her. That he now believes they’re actually engaged. And she wasn't sure if she should say anything because she didn’t know this Steve. She moves to sit on the side of his bed but she stops. She hesitates and takes the chair next to his bed instead. She looks up at him and chokes on her words, “Please don't tell me you're okay when I know you're not."

Steve smiles and it's the tired one she knew all too well. "Yeah... but if I keep saying it, maybe we'll believe it." And it's so stupid that she laughs. He grins all dopey and it makes the tears fall.

She takes his hand and he holds it tightly. “What- How much time is gone?” She asks and the doctor looks up from Steve’s chart.

Steve clears his throat, “um. I- don’t-“

The doctor cuts Steve off, “He’s lost a few years. His last memory of November 1984.”

That hits Robin even harder. Out that door, we’re the people Steve grew closer to after 84. He became closer to Dustin in 84. She nodded jerkily, “could I talk to him alone?” She asked and the doctor gave her a look before heading out.

Robin felt at least a little better that it was just her and Steve. "Hey,” he says and it’s all soft. Like he knows he should love her but he’s not sure.

She sniffs and takes a deep breath, “Hey. Uh, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say, honestly.” She murmured and he nodded slightly. He looked so hesitant to talk to her that it made her want to scream.

“So… fiancé?” He asked and she looked over at him. He gave her a small smile at that. “Cool, cool, uh so,” and he was nervous. Then his eyes drifted down to the ring on her finger.

But then his brow furrowed. “I know that ring… how- isn’t that Eddie Munson’s?” He asked and her eyes blew wide.

“Uh… so um, yes?” her voice squeaked and his brow furrowed. She took a shaky breath. “How did you- oh never mind. I’m going to- I’m just going to trust that you're still my Steve even if you haven’t- we haven’t even met yet.”

His brow furrowed even more, “you sit behind me in class. Sure, I never spoke to you. But like, I can recognize your face.”

Which okay, what? “Really?” She asked and he shrugged.

“I mean sure, I asked you for a pencil just the other day-“ He stopped and just kind of froze.

She nodded to herself, her dingus was in there somewhere. “We’re not actually engaged. But um, none of us are actually family out there. And well you and I actually went to Indy a few days ago pretending to be a couple planning a wedding for free cake tasting. So I figured you wouldn’t mind if I said it. And I stole Eddie’s ring 'cause he’s out there too, he’s your friend. My friend. Lots of people think we’re dating but we’re not. We’re friends. Really good friends. You and Eddie along with another of our friends actually just got a house together. Well, I say house but it’s just an apartment.” She rambled and he just listened. No matter what version of Steve she got, he always seemed to listen to her.

She sniffed, “So, how about I give you a recap?" He looked relieved as Robin got started. She rambled on and on about what she knew from others about his senior year, before she started on Starcourt and their meeting. She quietly mentions how the Upside Down came back in 85 and how the two of them had gotten wrapped up in a Russian coverup which just made Steve look tired. He didn’t even look surprised, he just groaned when she mentioned that Dustin brought him into that too. Then she rushed over to the end and talked about getting a job at Family Video. How he and her spent a lot of time together at his place. How she took over the spare bedroom across from his. She talked and talked, but as it got to the last attack, she hesitated.

She couldn't hide the attack, not when Steve had the scars to prove it. But could she at least spare him some of the details? So she skimmed over Vecna, "The Upside Down did come back but El was able to finish it once and for all." She said softly and he didn't like it but he also didn't push for more. Instead, she gives more happy updates. Leaving the worst parts out. And Steve just listens quietly, asking her questions here and there. So, Robin did her best even if she was crying silently as she explained everything.

"Robin," Steve murmured and she leaned down, sitting next to him on the bed. "I'm sorry for worrying you."

She flicked him on the forehead, "Don't be. Just- I'll always worry so next time don’t make it a surprise?" She tried to demand but it came out too soft and too nervous.

Steve leaned into her, not out of the desire for her comfort but more because he was too tired to stay upright any longer. “I don’t know why I didn’t tell you. It… it’s nice that I have someone like you.”

“A friend?”

His smile was sad, “someone who cares about me.” Her words stuck in her throat and she desperately wished she could go back in time and give Steve a friend a long time ago.

She threads their fingers and tries to keep her tears silent as he slowly falls asleep on her shoulder. The doctor returned when he was out cold and did a few final checkups, along with a few tips on how to help him. She already knew that he had a pair of glasses but the news about his hearing aids was new. It surprised her that he went without her. But... she tried not to let it bother her. Even if she had to basically tie him to a hospital bed after Vecna. But it didn’t matter too much because she would be there anyways.

And when the doctor okayed more visitors Dustin, Eddie, Nancy, Hopper, and Joyce all made an appearance. With Steve still slumbering and her tear tracks on her face, they looked worried. Robin didn't let go of Steve's hand even though she got some looks at the ring. Nancy moves and takes her other hand, standing by her side as Robin gets ready to tell them the news. Eddie stays next to Nancy and Dustin while Joyce and Hopper take the other side of the bed. “Is he okay?” Dustin asks and his voice is so small.

Robin sniffles and holds Steve’s hand a little tighter. She wants his support in this. But right now, she needs to support him. So, she takes a deep breath and starts to explain it all.

Eddie takes it the hardest. Slipping into a chair like his legs wouldn't hold him anymore. But Robin understood. All of her time with Steve was gone too. Steve had nothing but her word of their lives together. No memories. Nothing but a familiar face from school. "He's okay but- but the doctor says he'll probably have more episodes because of this one. He- he hit the ground really hard and they, well they think that probably didn't help. But apparently, he's already started working on a plan with the doctor and he's been having small ones since spring break. He-"

Robin pictured Steve running towards her to help. His ax not doing much to stop the vines before they grabbed him. How he had been slammed into the wall across from her. How she had thought about dying. How if she could just die before having to watch Steve die, she would be happier. But they had lived. They lived but Steve didn't get away without permanent damage.

"He told the doctors that it happened the same night as the big showdown with Vecna. They thought it had to be because of the tremors. But I-" She shook her head, unable to find the words. Dustin looked so lost and so young. "But he's going to be okay." She said and she hoped they all could believe it. "We've just got to give him time. See if he'll remember on his own. I gave him a recap but... I left out a lot of details."

They all went silent before Hopper moved, getting out of the room. Joyce hesitated for a moment before following him out. Robin just sat there, holding onto Steve like he was going to slip out of her grasp. "Is- did he..." Eddie tried but he couldn't seem to find the words.

They sat in silence until Steve shifted, waking up. "Robin?" He groaned, pushing away from her. It hurt. it really did. They never pushed away from each other anymore. Not once they got comfortable with each other. After Vecna, all of their (admittedly limited) boundaries were just gone. She's even taken a shower with him. Granted they were running late to work and kept telling each other not to look but... she's seen everything there was to see about Steve, inside and out. They cuddled. They held each other. They didn't push each other away.

Still, she tried not to let it bother her. Even if she knew Eddie saw right through it. "Morning, dingus," she murmured and Steve huffed a laugh.

"So, we're best friends and you call me a dingus?" Steve questioned, his eyes not truly open yet. She took note of Eddie's hesitance, how he looked at the door like he should run, and Dustin's nerves, how he tapped his fingers on his arm in a fast beat.

Robin swallowed, "Not just a dingus, dingus. Your my dingus. The dingus." Steve laughed and finally opened his eyes.

He looked over at her but saw Dustin, Nancy, and Eddie behind her. He hesitates at the sight of Nancy, his eyes going back to Robin. An old heartbreak new and fresh in his eyes. And yeah… they had just broken up, haven’t they? Steve clears his throat, "Um, hey, dipshit." He says towards Dustin who moved fast, slamming into Steve. "Whoa, hey, it's okay. You're okay. I'm-"

"But you're not!" Dustin interrupted. "You're not okay! You had a seizure and it wasn’t even your first one. And you never once said anything about it. You just pretended everything was fine as you went to the doctor alone. You don’t get to tell me it’s okay because you- you’re not okay.”

Steve paused at that and he looked over at Robin before his gaze settled on Dustin. He pushed Dustin up, something the old Steve had done. One that wasn’t good with touch because he had been starved of it for so long. Her Steve never did that anymore. He hugged and touched freely. Never hesitating after Vecna almost got Max and Eddie. Steve had been freaked out over Dustin’s broken ankle too. He held the kid close and never once pushed him away after he realized how close Dustin had been to death. But this Steve didn’t have those memories. And he once again pushed them away.

Dustin let out this hurt sound but he let himself be separated from Steve. “I’m sorry that I didn’t say anything. But I probably had it handled. I’m not an idiot and can handle my own injuries, I always do.” Steve crosses his arms and he looks away from them. Robin blinks as she tries to think back to after Starcourt. How did Steve deal with the injuries the last time? She was sure that she and Dustin were always there, even Erica stopped by to check on him. Then she remembers her sobbing on Steve’s shoulder as they curled up in his bed after a nightmare. How she told him that she could hear him scream and tell them the truth and how she couldn’t do anything about it. How guilty she had felt… it was after that, that Steve let her help him get better.

“We don’t let you do that.” Eddie snapped and it was the first time he had spoken. “No way in hell. If we did, you’d be in the hospital for infection because you refused to take care of yourself. You don’t get to say that other people have it worse so you don’t have to take care of yourself. That won’t fucking fly anymore.”

And Steve just stared jaw slack. Robin distantly wondered if Eddie kept going on like that if it would trigger the sexuality crisis that shoving him against a wall in the boat house did. “What the fuck? I’m sorry, why the fuck would you get a say, Munson?”

Eddie’s hands threw up into the air, “Because I’m your friend! I’m your friend and even if you can’t remember, that doesn’t change. You sat by my bedside when I was in here so it’s my turn.”

Nancy nodded, “We’re right here for you Steve. You don’t have to do this alone.”

Steve’s eyes narrowed, “Right. But you seem to be under the impression that I want your help, Nancy. I don’t. I- I don't even understand why you're here. I thought all I was, was bullshit to you.” Steve spit out and Nancy flinched back.

“Steve- okay I was wrong. I was very wrong to do any of that. I didn’t blame you. Honestly, I just took out my own issues on you. I told you that you didn’t love me and that… you were bullshit because I couldn’t say it to myself. I told you off for trying to support me and give me an escape. I didn’t want to ignore the bad I wanted to make it better. But all I did was make things worse between us. I really- I wanted to love you but I didn't and I took that out on you. I’m sorry,” Nancy says and they all stare at her in awe.

She took Robin’s hand and took a shaky breath. “You and Robin helped me honestly. I didn’t see platonic relationships for what they could be until I saw you and Robin. You helped me understand that while I liked both men and women. I only ever wanted to date women. That I didn’t get that same emotional connection with guys. And I’m sorry about that.”

Steve blinked at her. “Oh, um… wow. Yeah uh.” He seemed lost and kept looking between Robin and Nancy. There was a hurt in his gaze but not one she truly knew. Robin glanced at Dustin who looked shocked but like he was already on board with what was happening. “I- did I make-”

Nancy gave him a small smile, “Steve, dating you and then Jonathan was a good experience that I wouldn’t take back. I wish I could take back how it ended between us but… I can’t. So, I’m sorry. But I did enjoy it in a way, that I can barely wrap my head around.” She said and Robin gave her hand a squeeze.

He looks at the two of them and he takes a deep breath. “I’ve been told that Robin Buckley is my soulmate. Now, I haven’t been able to verify it but I swear to god if you hurt her, Nancy Wheeler, I don’t care I’ll hunt you down and use my nail bat until no one would be able to recognize your corpse.” He says and Robin splutters.

Nancy just smiles and nods, “Less vivid this time.” She says and Robin blinks suddenly aware that Steve had given her a shovel talk already. And this Steve, the one who didn’t even know her, cares enough to give another. Then she realizes that Steve once again accepted her and who she loved just like that.

Her eyes watered and he look over at her. He leans closer to whisper, basically leaning his full weight on her. "I trust that- just don't let her..." He looked like he was trying to find the right words and she grabbed his hand once again. Squeezing it and sending him a smile.

She leaned close to him, "She grew up. Just like you did. I trust her. And well... you will too."

He looked a little wary but then he nodded. He smiled a little, “it seems that we do share a taste in women at the very least.”

Steve leans back once again and he’s got a soft smile on his face. Silently telling her it’s okay. It’s then when Joyce and Hopper return. “Oh honey,” Joyce says as soon as she sees that he’s awake. Hopper is standing a little awkwardly by the door and Joyce moves, kissing the top of his head. “How are you feeling?” She asks and this Steve is easier to overwhelm.

“I’m fine. I feel fine. I’m just tired. I don’t-” he huffs and crosses his arms. It makes Hopper smile though.

Hopper moves over and claps his hand on Steve’s shoulder. “Yeah, yeah. Always tired and never anything worse.” He says and Steve seems to redden under the attention. “You act like I didn’t force you to stay at my cabin when you were healing from 84.”

Steve huffs, blowing his hair out of his face. “That was kidnapping and you know it.”

Hopper smiles, “Good thing I was the chief of police then.”

Steve looks up at him, “You aren’t anymore?”

“Nah, I’m retired. Got enough shush money to live comfortably the rest of my life.” He says and places his other hand on Joyce.

Steve’s eyes follow the movement. His eyebrow slowly rises, “yeah. And does this future have a woman in it?”

Hopper rolls his eyes, “Yes you were right and all that shit. But I’m not letting you rip into me twice.” The man huffs and Robin never saw this side of the two of them. Almost like father and son. She didn’t know that Hopper’s death and return had changed them so much. But she sees that Steve had definitely pulled back after Hopper returned. Maybe he had been scared of losing him again. Or maybe he didn’t even notice. All she knows is that it’s nice to see. And that she’s glad she didn’t mention the older man’s temporary death yet.

So, she sits there quietly, listening to the two bicker back and forth. She can see how Hopper seems to relax into the conversation and Steve is okay. It’s hard to watch. It’s so different. Sure Steve bickers with everyone but this familiarity isn't normal for those two. Not since she’s known him. And she thought she knew him. But apparently, he and Hopper were close before Hopper’s death. And Steve went to the doctor without her.

As it gets late, the doctor returns. He tells them that they’ll have to leave, however, Robin’s allowed to stay. But Steve looks over at her and he just shakes his head, “Can I, I’d just like a night to wrap my head around it.” He asks and she’s silently thankful. It makes her feel sick, that she wants to get away from the person she calls her platonic soulmate. In fact, it’s the first time she’s ever wanted it after they got to know each other. She gives Steve’s hand a quick squeeze before she lets Nancy guide her from the room.

As soon as the door shuts behind her, tears are welling up. “Robin?” Joyce’s voice is soft as she looks at her. A sob breaks free and Nancy’s fast to catch her as her legs give out. She’s crying for the person she knew and for the one she didn’t. She’s crying because she doesn’t know what to do. Her hands cover her face and she cries. And it’s like a bomb goes off. Dustin’s crying too and Eddie’s pretending he isn’t as he holds the kid. Hopper is standing taller, trying to keep himself in check. Joyce and Nancy with Robin as she chokes out sobs. Her hands are shaking and she’s not sure what she can do. If she can do anything but this.

“He doesn’t know me,” she finally says and it hurts to admit. “He doesn’t know me and I- I don’t know him.” And suddenly, the words don’t stop. They’re falling from her lips like rocks thrown into the quarry. Large and moving fast before they hit the water with a loud splash. It’s loud and filled with teenage angst. She feels so young and she wants Steve to tell her it’s going to be fine but he’s in there… he’s not in there. The others are helping her outside and the warm air of summer feels overwhelming. But all she can do is hold onto Joyce and Nancy a little harder. They help her to Nancy’s vehicle and she curls up in the front seat, tears not coming anymore but her feelings still there. She just stays there trying her best not to start crying again.

Nancy brings her home and Nancy’s parents aren’t surprised to see her. But they are surprised to see the state of her. She hears Karen say something but she’s too out of it to respond. She feels like a shell of who she was and as Nancy pauses to open her door, Mike steps out of his room. “Robin?” He asks and Nancy shoots him a look that Robin doesn’t bother trying to catch. But then Mike’s helping Nancy get her into bed and she curls up as soon as she touches the mattress. “What happened?” Mike tries to ask and Nancy pulls him out of the room. Leaving Robin alone for the first time since…

She blinks at her hands. Her fingers were longer than Steve’s. Not by much but Steve’s were thicker. They were steadier. She remembered going over to Steve’s for dinner one night. His parents were home for the first time in a few months and he had invited her to join them. She had learned then, that Steve had been taught piano. She had sat next to him on the piano bench after his mom basically demanded a show. She watched his fingers dance across the keys. He had tried to teach her a simple piece and she had laughed as her fingers stumbled. But they were able to play a shitty version of Heart and Soul. She had watched Steve’s parents dance together. It had been obvious that these were the people who raised Steve.

They hadn’t been perfect. Too caught up in their own world to realize their actions caused harm to others. Steve had told her how they were childhood sweethearts but with his dad gone all the time, he had started to lose that love. His mom had fought for it. Going off with him, proving that she was still the one he fell in love with. Their love had rekindled. But their love was never meant for any more than just the two of them. That they couldn't share that love for very long. That Steve... Steve would never get that love from them because it was used up already. That Steve's birth had almost ruined their relationship.

It hurt to hear and it had hurt Steve to explain. But he told her that’s why it was so hard to let Nancy go. That he wanted to have what his parents had. That he grew up seeing their love and the pain that showed at their partings. He had laughed, tired and bitter, saying he wasn’t meant for that type of love. Robin secretly agreed. Steve had so much love to give, it could never be given to only one person. It would always spill over to others.

Steve enjoyed being around people, the social butterfly to Robin’s wallflower. He would have a big family and never tire of them. But she didn’t say that, she just told him that he’d find love one day. It didn’t stop being possible just because he wasn’t in high school anymore. They had pressed their hands together and compared themselves to each other. Falling asleep in a tangle of limbs.

She choked on a sob at the realization that Steve didn’t remember that conversation. That conversation was gone and it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t remember telling her that nor would he remember her words. She was startled as Nancy crawled into bed. She laid down facing her. Robin reached out and pressed her hand against Nancy’s. Her fingertips could slightly curl over Nancy’s fingers and she let out a sob. She grabbed her hand and just pulled her into her arms. Holding her close and just asking her what she was going to do now. What could she do now?

Part 2 | Part 3

[somnimagus]

My page for @sheikahzine; about Impaz's duty to her village, empty of people and full of memories.

[id in alt text]

[twstyuna]

The transfer student looks familiar

The end of the event. Pain and agonies. Behold mine copium.

[apomaro-mellow]

Wrong Number 1

Eddie kept up a texting chain with Steve while making himself a breakfast of coffee and cereal. He hadn't felt like this in a long time. Not since, well, when he thought of it when he was a teenager up all night in chat rooms and forums. When you found someone who you just clicked with.

[11:30] Any advice on how to fry an egg with a perfectly runny yolk?

(11:32) You like runny yolks??? 🤢 (11:33) It's scrambled or nothing for me (11:33) Cant help ya even if I wanted to

[11:35] I just want an egg on my avo toast

Normally Robin fried the eggs for breakfast. Her yolks were always perfect. But unlike Steve, she'd actually scored last night and was still with whoever she'd gone home with last night.

Eddie couldn't help but roll his eyes at the cliche. A guy who jogged and then came back home for some avocado toast with an egg on top? He just had to let his stance be known.

(11:35) Next ur gonna tell me bout your acai smoothie bowl rite? (11:36) Avo toast? Really???

Steve realized how he was coming off and had to quickly amend it.

[11:38] It's not what you think! We only got the avocados to make some guac the other day. There was one left and I wanted to use it before it went bad. And I'm all guac'd out. Hence the toast.

(11:39) At least you didn't use the avocado to make like ice cream or some shit

Finished with his own, normal, regular, average citizen breakfast, Eddie cleared his place and started to actually get ready for the day. His shift went from 2 to 10 tonight, so he needed to prepare for the long haul.

While brushing his teeth, getting dressed, and making something for his lunch later, he and Steve kept up the texts. Through their conversation he found out Steve's favorite ice cream (peanut butter), that he could cook eggs just about any way except sunny side up, and that he lived with a roommate named Robin.

Eddie got to his place of work and in a place like that you need to have some semblance of focus and attention, so he told Steve he had to get to work. He realized he was basically saying 'busy now, text you later?' to a stranger he'd only started talking to last night. Steve was completely in his rights to end the conversation there.

He could've ended it at any time really. What obligation did he have to keep on talking to him?

[2:01] Okay. Talk to you later

Steve stared at the message, already in the middle of agonizing over it when Robin finally came through the door of their apartment.

"Good afternoon. I wanna feel offended that I didn't get any texts or calls asking if I'm okay but I'm gonna choose to think it means you trust me and are a great judge of character."

For the first time in a while, Steve checked the time and actually realized how long it had been.

"Shit, Robs, I'm sorry." It had been over 12 hours and he hadn't checked in on her. All because he'd been texting a random number. "So you had a good time?"

Steve had been sitting on the couch and Robin plopped right down, laying her head in his lap.

"It was magical. Like something out of a movie."

"Aren't you glad I made you go and talk to her?", Steve smiled smug.

Robin smushed his face with her hands with a groan. "Don't look at me like that. You were right, okay? Me and her hit it off like, like uh, one of your sports metaphors."

"Robin you were in a soccer league just last year, stop acting like you don't know sports."

"Anyway, something grand must've kept your attention off me. Things go well with that girl you were talking to?"

"Umm, yeah."

Robin sat up, eyes narrowing. "And you came back here with her? Gross! Steve! Did you do it on the couch?!" She shot up immediately.

"I didn't", Steve rolled his eyes.

It was one of their main rules. No sex in the common areas of the apartment. Steve wasn't gonna tell her about the wrong number given to him. And he especially wasn't going to tell her he kept talking to it. The following lecture would have been unbearable.

"She gave me her number and we've just been texting back and forth."

Robin slowly sat back down on the couch. "Just texting? That's all you did?"

"That's all."

"Wow. You usually move faster than that."

"Well, I want something a little more this time. But enough about my snail pace romance. Let's talk about you and that girl, what was her name?"

He and Robin sat a long while, talking about her night, eventually going out for lunch together too. Not-Misty had said they were at work, but Steve couldn't help himself when he saw that Robin had ordered a burger with avocado on it and Steve had gotten a taco salad that came with, you guessed it, avocado.

[3:14] image.jpeg [314] Okay me and Robin might have a problem. But I swear it's not on purpose!

"Did you just send a picture of our lunch to someone?", Robin asked.

"Yeah to uh, to Misty. We were talking about avocados earlier and I figured she'd get a kick out of it."

Robin smiled through her chewing. She teased but she was glad that her friend had made a connection last night.

Meanwhile, Eddie saw the message, but didn't have a chance to reply, even on his lunch break. Through all the texting, he had forgotten to charge his phone, so it was on the plug and he was leaving it alone for now while he talked to his co-worker, Grant. He went through the rest of his shift, thinking about Steve.

What did he look like? How old was he? Where did he live?

He got off and made his way back home, stopping off somewhere to get dinner. It was a sandwich shop and he honestly contemplated getting avocado on his just to see Steve's reaction but he resisted.

'I can't be that down bad that I'm overthinking food now', he thought to himself.

When he got back home, he turned the tv on and took out his phone to reply to Steve right away.

(10:31) Back at home now (10:32) Work was crazy (10:34) And the 1st step to recovery is admitting u have a problem (10:36) But thru hard work we can get you addicted to a sensible veggie (10:37) Like broccoli

He thought since he kept Steve waiting for so long it might take some time for a reply to come, but his phone pinged almost immediately.

[10:39] First of all, avocado is a fruit. Second, I eat plenty of other vegetables. And third, what happened at work?

(10:41) It may be a fruit but I dont want it in my smoothie (10:42) And some guy came in and started throwing axes at the wall

Sunday evenings were usually more relaxed. It was why Eddie typically didn't work Friday or Saturday nights unless he needed some extra cash or they needed someone on deck.

[10:44] Hold the duck up someone was throwing axes!! [10:44] *duck [10:45] *FUCK

Eddie snickered through his eating and had to take a moment to swallow before something came up. He always enjoyed telling people what he did for a living.

(10:46) Cool your jets man (10:47) I work at an axe throwing range (10:48) The problem with this dude was he didn't have an appointment (10:48) Just came in and started throwing an axe at the wall

[10:50] Are you okay? That sounds dangerous

(10:50) My uncle handled it (10:51) Eventually the dude left

[10:52] Oh wow. Well I'm glad you're okay. Axe throwing tho. What an interesting job for someone of your age? 🤷

Steve was lying in bed and he buried his face into his pillow as he sent it with the shrug emoji. It was so transparent, he knew it. But he needed to have a better idea of who he was talking to. That way when Robin did eventually find out, he'd be able to tell her something, anything.

(10:53) Smooth (10:53) I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours

Eddie knew now was the time to be cautious. But he was also curious as to how much Steve would tell him and just what he wanted to know. He wasn't disappointed.

[10:54] Male, 23, 5'11

It was like the bare minimum of information and yet Eddie was already aggressively tamping down any hope that he might have a chance. Without his permission, hope bubbled up anyway

(10:55) Male, 24 going on 25, also 5'11

Steve stared at the text with the mystery person, mystery man's information. It seemed like so little and yet so much. He still hadn't an idea of what he looked like. But now he could at least get a general silhouette.

(10:56) Ur not one of those guys who lies about his height are you?

[10:57] Robin says my hair gives me two inches but she has no idea what she's talking about.

Eddie was thinking about how Steve must wear his hair. It could be in a sizeable pompadour, or maybe a nice afro. Maybe it was in a bun all the time? That was not what he typed out however.

(10:59) You know what they say (10:59) It's not the size but what u do with it

Okay this was it. This was where Steve stopped texting him. You can't just say that to guys you don't know-ping!

Eddie bit his lip and only had one eye open as he looked at Steve reply, preparing for the worst.

[11:01] Oh I know how to use my inches

Eddie dropped his phone onto the table and had to get up and pace, touch his face, his hair, throwing his hands in the air. Was this flirting? This felt like flirting. He wished he knew for sure. Maybe it was the lack of emoji. Had Steve put a winking face, he'd know for certain. Eddie leaned against his fridge, staring at his phone, sitting innocently on the table.

On the other side, Steve was burying his face into his pillow, pretending he didn't just say that. Would it come off as playful? As flirty? As casual? Should he have sent a wink? The seconds ticked and it felt too late. Like coughing after saying something awkward.

God, he was so desperate. Why was he even still texting? He had work in the morning. He should start preparing for bed so he had any hope of getting up on time. Steve pushed off the bed and went to his closet when he heard the notification sound and instantly returned.

(11:05) Let's get out the measuring tape (11:05) image.jpeg

Steve felt his heart skip a beat. The picture attached was of the very top of mystery man's head. He was holding up a lock of long, curly hair into the air. Steve studied the picture like he was getting paid to do it. He couldn't see any lower than the bangs on his forehead but there was still plenty to see.

The rings on his fingers for one, how his curls went this way and that. Steve quickly saved it and then replied with a similar pose, holding some hair by the fingers as far as it would go above his head.

[11:07] image.jpeg [11:08] I think you have me beat

They texted for about an hour more before Steve finally decided to be an adult and put himself to sleep, bidding mystery man good night.

Part 3

Fun fact, years ago I worked at an axe throwing place and yes, what happened to Eddie did in fact happen to me! On like my first week too I think

Tag Team

@anne-bennett-cosplayer @estrellami-1 @newtstabber @omletlove @ifyoudonlysurrender @rehfan @morganski-19 @corvidcantina @dragonmama76 @just-ladyme @tinyplanet95 @lolawonsstuff @goodolefashionedloverboi @idoquitelikebread @kittydeadbones @manda-panda-monium @rhapsodyinalto @paintsplatteredandimperfect @keylime-green @ihavekidneys @samsoble @honorarybrit81 @swimmingbirdrunningrock @420-hun @aizawa-emma @deleataecount @thesuninyaface

[inthehouseoffinwe]

Finarfin Fades.

No one expects it, no one’s faded in Valinor since Miriel. The War of Wrath is won and he comes back, waving off the courtiers, well wishers, and congratulators with his usual grace, and walks into the palace of Tirion. To rooms abandoned since their owners left so long ago. Winding deeper and deeper his feet take him to what was once Finwë’s favourite garden.

He’s so tired.

He’s fulfilled his promise to Fëanaro and Nolofinwë, to avenge them. To make the agony of their final moments - agony Finarfin felt, falling to the floor screaming as fire and darkness consumed his spirit - count for something. Now Morgoth is finally gone, but he’s not the only one.

His brothers, larger than life, larger than death, are gone. With them his sons. Niece. Nephews. Grandchildren. His daughter is never to return. He Saw little Nelyo’s death in his dreams and is sure hopes for the child’s own sake that Makalaurë will be close behind.

Little remains. Even less on these golden shores.

So Finarfin sits on a bench long overgrown with vines and weeds, and watches the sun filter through the thicket, wishing the ghosts he sees in his father’s garden would flesh out.

He sits. He waits.

And by the time anyone finds him, it’s too late.

…at least he’s smiling again.

[kiaxet]

HOW ABOUT THAT @somerandomdudelmao DISASTER TWIN REUNION, HUH

Went a little feral to the tune of 2.2K words of self-indulgence. What else is new?

~~~~~~~

Donnie can't sleep. More accurately, he won't sleep. Not until he's done. He'd never been one to leave a project unfinished; death and resurrection hadn't changed that.

He taps incessantly, repetitively, on a keyboard and screen, the motions long since past inputting data and now only serving to keep him awake. The repetition is soothing, easy, and - counterintuitively - he finds his head drooping forward into sleep-

And he snaps back upright. No. Not until he can confirm Leo is okay.

Leo is behind him, he knows. Breathing. In bed. Asleep. Very much alive. And-

He jumps and whips around as a thud sounds behind him. "What the-"

Leo is on the floor.

Well, that answers the question as to whether his twin is awake.

For a fraction of a second, part of him wavers uncertainly. He loves his idiot twin. The question he hasn't been able to answer is whether his reaction to Leo waking up will fall on love or idiot twin-

"Leo!"

He can hear the exasperation in his voice, and yep, it's the latter. He takes a knee next to Leo and hauls him into his arms, lecturing him all the while, and if he can hear the annoyance in his voice then Leo sure as hell can. Sleep deprivation for the purposes of keeping his brother's soul alight had done nothing for his temper. "I swear to God, all you had to do was make a sound! Why are you such a difficult patient?"

He deposits Leo carefully on the bed - "Sit still!" - and checks him over, running every scan he can think of and making sure his brother's new body really is in good working order, spouting increasingly irritated commentary all the while. Of course the fall didn't hurt him - Leo is tougher than that, and Donnie does better work than that - but he still can't help the rising anxiety in his throat.

This almost didn't happen.

"-stupid, stupid selfless idiot!"

Donnie almost couldn't save him.

"Grrhh-"

Leo nearly died for real. Permanently beyond Donnie's reach. Well and truly gone-

"Do you have any idea how close you were to having nothing left to save?"

And now here Leo is, in perfect health, sitting on Donnie's bed with a big dopey grin on his face as Donnie chokes on his anxiety and damn near shakes himself apart-

Oh for fuck's sake.

"Hey. Are you even listening?"

Leo speaks up for the first time since he's woken up, voice shaky from disuse. "D-Donnie?"

And that is not a goddamn answer to anything Donnie has been saying, because of course it isn't. It's Leo. He's always had his own priorities. "Yeah. No. You're not fucking listening." Donnie heaves a long-suffering sigh, sinking back into the routine comfort that irritation at his twin provides. "At least you're talking." Small favors. "Although I'm surprised you're not throwing your stupid jokes at me." Even smaller favors.

He stops short as Leo's hand closes around his wrist, drawing Donnie's arm to Leo's plastron. "You're real," his brother breathes, looking from Donnie's hand to Donnie himself with tears streaming down his face. "You're real!"

And then, in the space of a thought, Leo's joy breaks, his smile turning desperate. "Are you?"

For a moment, Donnie stares at his twin, wondering at the sudden change in expression. He takes a breath-

And the part of him that had lain dormant for so long after he'd woken up - the part of him that had been screaming for his twin's safety ever since they'd recovered the few scattered embers of Leo's soul - gasps to life, blooming like a time-lapse video of a flower and reaching to the edges of Donnie's soul. Leo had called it their twin sense, and Donnie hadn't had it in him to argue after a while. Whatever it is, it's back, connected to Leo's renewed presence, and-

Donnie's heart floods with emotions. Relief and joy sprout quickly and are nearly swept away in a tide of exhaustionanxietyfearfearfearfearFEAR-

But down beneath it all, steady against the rising wall of terror, is the little blue spark of hope that his brother always carried. His core. The thing that let him continue on in the face of insurmountable odds, and lent that same strength to everyone around him. A ninja's greatest weapon.

It's Leo. It's Leo-

And Donnie can't leave him alone in his fear. Not when there's no need for it. Not when they're safe.

He lets that breath out, and sits next to Leo on the bed. "Mhm. I'm alive. And you're alive. We're safe. The Krang are gone." That's all the news that's fit to print, or at least the most important parts. What else does he have to say?

Oh.

"I'm sorry I..uh…"

He's sorry he what? Died? Left a mess for Leo to deal with? Didn't do enough while he was alive to keep everyone else alive in turn after he was gone? Kept his brother's soul in a fucking mug, because that was the only way he could ensure he wouldn't break it while Leo was still fragile? All of the above?

…yeah, it's all of the above.

He owes Leo one hell of an apology, and he's never been good at any of this, so instead he shrugs haplessly and leans forward, pulling Leo into his arms and hanging on tight.

It's a matter of moments before Leo has him flat on his shell on the bed and is sobbing into his arms. Normally he'd hate seeing his twin cry, but it's proof of life - proof that Leo made it, that his soul is intact enough for him to still be Leo, that he's alive and awake and here - and Donnie will take it.

And if he's squeezing Leo back pretty hard himself, well, that's fine too. Nobody else needs to know.

~~~~~~~

Donnie is yelling at him.

Donnie is strong enough to have picked Leo up off the ground, well enough to be on his feet without support, running tests and reading Leo the riot act over his latest boneheaded maneuver - in this case, forgetting he was missing an arm and falling out of bed.

Donnie is yelling at him, because Donnie is here to yell at him.

And Leo is smiling, because he couldn't be happier. He lets the words wash over him, draping over his shoulders like a favorite cozy blanket that he'd lost so many years ago, and he basks in the warmth that is his brother's voice and smiles.

It's enough to interrupt the yelling for a question, though he doesn't really hear it - just keeps smiling, and says Donnie's name, and it's so nice to be able to say it with a smile now, because Donnie is here-

-he is, right? This isn't just a dying hallucination on Leo's part, right?

(It couldn't be- he remembers his death, remembers breathing his last, remembers being trapped- but this-)

He reaches out, taking Donnie's wrist in hand, and pulls his brother closer to him. "You're…real…" It certainly feels real - skin and scales, softer than his own, and his fingers barely fit all the way around the wrist instead of encircling them with room to spare - and he stares down at it, tears rolling down his face as he finally looks back up at his twin. "You're real!"

The Krang show you what you want to see.

The thought strikes him unbidden, turning his joy and relief to ice. It's a well-known fact: a Krang infection can show its host what they want to see, visions of comfort and family and home, and extract intel from the host's reactions. He knows that- he knows that, and-

And he'd died surrounded by Krang- and even if he couldn't see or hear or feel, he knows he'd been held captive-

But it's Donnie- he wants this to be real- he needs this to be real- he wants his twin back so badly he can't think, and the idea that this could be a Krang hallucination is almost too much to bear-

"Are you?" He can hear how choked the words are as they leave his lips, but he needs to know-

And Donnie stops, and sits down next to him, and tells him everything he wants to hear - everything he could've ever wished for. They're alive. They're safe. The Krang are gone. It all sounds too good to be true.

And then Donnie offers him an apology and a sad half-smile, pulling him into a strong hug-

And the ice in Leo's mind shatters in a flood of warmth as his twin sense opens for the first time since Donnie's death. He feels his twin's irritation, and deep-seated exhaustion, and a choking wave of guiltguiltguiltguiltguilt-

And beneath it all, steady and strong as ever, the thrum of unending determination, powered by an unfathomably deep well of love. It's the backbeat to the melody of Leo's life, the point-counterpoint to his own heartbeat- it's something he'd never had to live without until he did, but it's back, rushing in to fill the silence he'd known with the strength to go on and the knowledge that he is loved loved loved, strong and overwhelming and all-encompassing in the way only Donnie can love-

It's something the Krang could never imitate.

This is real. This is all real-

He throws himself against his twin, toppling them both over on the bed as he clings to Donnie, unable to stand even a fraction of an inch of space between them, as though he could push their hearts together through their plastrons, and he cries, sobbing out worry and terror and grief and the slow, crushing exhaustion of a losing battle finally lost. He cries as though the world was ending - and it had, once when the Krang had invaded and again every time he'd lost a member of his family, over and over until he'd sent his last hope through a portal that had cost his littlest brother his life and succumbed to death himself.

And now he's alive. Here, wherever here is, with Donnie. Clinging to his twin, and being held in turn as Donnie gently sits them both up, never letting go as Leo cries himself out.

It takes a while - long enough for Leo's gaze to settle into a stare and his thoughts to settle into a comfortable static. He's alive, Donnie is alive, and he has no fucking idea what else is going on, but he's just going to be okay with that for now.

His thoughts rouse enough to inform him of something wrong - the line of tension Donnie is carrying down his neck and over his shoulders. That won't do. Leo could try to massage it out with one hand, maybe try to get Donnie to talk about it, but Donnie never likes to talk about it, and Leo isn't one for slowly soothing away tension when he can just take an axe to the release valve instead. Plus, it gives him something definite to focus on, instead of…this whole situation. Whatever 'this whole situation' actually is.

Donnie had mentioned his stupid jokes, right?

"H-hey Dee?" His voice wavers from disuse, thick with tears, but he pushes through. "Why did- why did the tree buy a camera?"

"What?" Oh, Donnie is not going to see this coming. Excellent.

"To do a photosynthesis." It's nowhere near the level of pizazz he normally uses for a punchline delivery - he's still too tired and frazzled and clinging to Donnie entirely too hard for that - but that beautiful pause of a terrible joke sinking in tells him it had hit home nonetheless. Donnie moves - he can hear the telltale slap of face meeting palm - and then breaks down into helpless laughter, smacking the back of Leo's shell as the tension Leo had felt in his twin's shoulders abruptly relaxes. Good. It worked.

"This is so fucking stupid," is all Donnie manages as his laughter fades, and he slumps fully against Leo with a murmur. That's...abrupt. Sure, Leo had felt Donnie's exhaustion, but he hadn't realized it'd been that bad. He takes hold of Donnie, gently laying him down on the bed to rest-

Remember what happened last time Donnie fell asleep next to you.

He gasps sharply at the thought - not again NEVER again - and keeps his hand steady as he moves, laying both fingers gently against Donnie's neck and feeling for his pulse. It's easy to find, strong and steady and even, like it had been before the infection had taken Donnie's vitality and then his life.

But he's alive, and healthy, and sleeping. He's okay. And Leo-

Leo moves his hand to the side of his own neck. His pulse is also easy to find, quickened with the adrenaline of an unknown situation and multiple consecutive shocks to his system.

Okay. Take stock. Assess. Figure out a plan from there.

He's alive. Donnie's alive. The Krang are gone. And everything else…is a big fat question mark, with no easy answers and no indication as to where to begin looking for them.

Well.

Uh.

"What the fuck," Leo whispers to the room at large, as though the walls could answer.

~~~~~~~

(A world away and still very close, a younger pair of twins cling to one another the way a drowning man clings to driftwood: desperately, clutching tight, as though letting go will spell their doom. Neither of them know where the emotions came from, or why; all they know is that each of them are damn glad the other is alive, and they'll do everything they can to make sure that continues to be the case.)

(What the fuck, indeed.)

[sygneth]

Echoes of Elysium | Chapter 1 | Page 17

Page 16 Page 16.5 Page 18 Info & index - ComicFury

The plot thickens.

(Oh my god, I did it. I am having an extremely tough time lately (as half a year lately), and even pursuing my hobbies is hard, so I am glad for every page of this comic that I draw. I am not going to force myself to do more than I am capable of, but I hope it will eventually get more regular but I can't even try to predict when may this happen. Hopefully soon. Lots of love to everyone who reads, comments, and makes me keep going one way or another <3)

[kori-senpai]

Fanart for @honeydots Fire Emblem fanfic. I've been using it as a reason to fluke out of social interactions for the last two weeks and boy oh boy I will continue to do so >:)

[ganondoodle]

so, inspired by the warm welcome the captain received with that rough doodle i posted, i made an updated design for Ki'ita as well (basic and with clothes)

i removed the piercings she had bc considering that they spend the majority of their time in arctic waters i think having metal directly in your skin is a bad idea, no matter how thick your blubber is; i also gave her typical white markings a green hue bc ... i liked how it looked and makes them stand out a little more

(i will not repeat what i wrote on the post about the captain but wanted to add a bit of more info about Ki'ita herself)

(i dont have ALL of their backstory done yet but) the captain and Ki'ita worked together in another organization, one in which the father of the captains child also worked at, before being betrayed and barely managing to escape, after which the both of them founded their pirate crew (possible name is the Solar Pirates bc of their solar powered boat stuff); since the captain had her daughter shortly afterwards Ki'ita managed most of the organisational matters at first, including the construction of their base on an abandoned island they had initially fled to

over the years they invented the solar powered ships that allowed them to gain control over a large part of an important trade route, leaving normal ships (mostly) alone but attacking those of hunters and similar, rescuing demons and mutants, even some humans from them, most of which also join the crew and it quickly lead to them becoming their own little community

Ki'ita does not like to spend alot of time among large groups of people, no matter how much she cares about them, and her originally being from norther lands gave her the idea to explore, and if viable, do underground missions in those norther areas to disrupt the infrastructure the hunters had built in recent years and overall keep the crew informed about things that may otherwise stay hidden; with each of their travels her time absent from the base increased but the patience of the captain is wearing thin so its likely a serious talk is underway on Ki'itas third solo mission she nearly died due to entanglement in abandoned nets made by hunters from an unknown material that she could not break, the massive scars on her tail especially come from that, only surviving bc the date they were supposed to return to the crew had passed and the captain grew to worried about her and made the entire crew rush into an emergency search, including the captain herself and her toddler, who were not suited for the cold climate just like the rest of crew, taking a huge risk that Ki'ita still feels ashamed of for causing; they stayed within the base for a whole year afterwards, not just to recover but also as a silent apology, taking time preparing herself to ensure theyd not get into a situation like that again

(before departing on their next mission the captain gifted her a sword with the blade made from the material of the net, a wooden handle, bc of the cold, and a blue wrap around it reminiscent of the captains striking blue teeth; a reminder of what had happened, a means to defend herself when their strength and teeth are not enough, and also a promise to always return again)

the oldest members of the crew know Ki'ita well and treat her like an old friend, among the newer members she has more of a .. cryptic status, the mysteriously absent vice-captain who only appears every few months or so out of thin air, throws a big party, sleeps for a few days and then vanishes again, the only hint to when they will return soon again being the captain getting noticably grumpier

(OC art, Ki'ita, she/they)

[onethousxndvoices]

took a break from my main projects to do some visdev practice. have a line up for a layton fic that'll probably never see the light of day

[moonmacabre01]

Day 2: First kiss

"Hey Meta?"

"Dedede?"

"I- um- There's something I've been wanting to ask . . ."

"What is it? You're nervous . .."

"Well- we've been dating for a while now . . "

" . . yes?"

"And- well- I was just wondering . . .

"may I kiss you?"

"!"

"I- of course. Of course you can"

" . . . thank you"

. . .

"Hah . . . I love you, Dedede"

"I-!

". . . I love ya too, Meta"

[pokimoko]

The fact that Main-verse Ooo is as good and as kind as it is (relative to the other universes shown so far, at least, it's obviously not perfect) all because of the same character that starts off as the OG series' antagonist, the person we were made to see as the bad guy (albeit an often ineffectual one) for several seasons, is making me lose my mind.

Imagine finding out the guy you spent your childhood beating up and saving princesses from is in fact a driving catalyst behind you being able to exist, and not only exist but also live in a world that knows what kindness is. All because that man, the same man who you've witnessed do terrible things, once met a little girl and taught her how to be good.

Simon's story really shows us that even if you lose your way and forget how it is to be good yourself, the world keeps the memory for you. That act of love Simon showed Marcy by protecting her and seeing her as more than the monster she thought herself to be created ripples upon ripples, small at first but eventually enough to help give their wreckage of a world—a world that easily could have been forsaken, its goodness overlooked because of its inhospitable remains—a chance to grow into something beautiful. Because of those very same ripples Simon created, the people of Ooo grew up in a world where they know enough about kindness that they were able and willing to spare the 'bad guy' some, to see beyond the wreckage and allow him to grow too.

In saving Marceline, Simon helped to not only to save the world, but also himself.

[lavenderarie]

The temptation to make a huge meta post about Caspar is insane… like I was trying to write a fanfic from his pov and I felt like I was making him too analytical (cause I’m too analytical and I project onto characters I write) so I did a little character study… and then did further character studies… and I was like… wait… why is Caspar so fucking interesting????  Like I already liked him…he’s half of my favorite ship for a reason…but like…holy shit…the development put into his character is insane…. 

Like how he’s not that close to his family but feels personal guilt over his father’s actions… or how incredibly observant he is…or how he cannot pick up on people’s emotions at all…but he’ll notice subtle changes in behavior…which makes his intuition sharp as hell…or how he acts impulsively based on what he believes to be right in the moment without considering consequences…but will reflect on consequences after the fact and take other’s advice into account when he recognizes he needs to change something…

Or how I am super certain he’s not into girls just from the lack of awareness of multiple girl’s romantic feelings towards him…and the fact that the two biggest female charmers (Hilda and Dorothea) don’t even try to charm him because they know it won’t work… or how two separate guys will travel with him to the ends of the earth post-game…

Like I’ve seen so many people call Caspar stupid…like SO many…I even thought of him as “simple”…but like…being impulsive and having straightforward values…isn’t stupidity????  They’re character traits???  I am the dumb one for thinking less of him!!!  Caspar is a fascinating character!!!  What the heck!!!

[corsairspade]

Halenthir scenario where they get married for tax benefits (in a platonic good friends sort of way) and fall in love long distance via sending each other letters with ideas on how to best leverage their marriage for tax evasion.

[sforzesco]

CAESAR AUGUSTUS AND MARCUS LICINIUS CRASSUS

this is about the spolia opima that crassus was robbed of lmao. like, yeah okay octavian could've asked him not to claim it, but nevertheless. a kind of theft happened there.

Fact and Fiction: Crassus, Augustus, and the Spolia Opima, Catherine McPherson

[arandomferretsthoughts]

This popped into my brain and wouldnt leave so I wanted to share it with yall

—

A young boy and his parents are attacked on the street, only the boy makes it out.

It's a rare occurrence, an event like this, the police find the man and arrest him and everyone else is safe.

Bruce Wayne goes home to a mansion that feels larger and lonelier than ever, with only his butler to take care of him.

And yet the young boy finds himself too afraid to leave for more than necessities.

The young boy grows into a young man, he inherits his parents business and starts to leave his house a little more, unwilling to lose this connection to his lost parents but still he finds himself afraid, afraid to be around people, to be seen.

Until one day at a gala he must attend for the sake of the shareholders, he sees a man, a reporter, who holds himself in an odd way, clearly a tall and strong man who could be intimidating if he tried but the man held himself as if to appear smaller and unassuming, Bruce's brain flitters across the idea that the man is hiding something, or more hiding himself.

His brain that has soaked up comics and movies for years so as to not grow bored in his home.

And when he learns of all the good this reporter has been trying to do, he thinks the man would make a good superhero.

When he goes home the thought wont leave him alone, he thinks of a world with a hero, a world that needs a hero, one where his parents murder would have just been one of many, but this hero wouldn't have been there to help, he was too bright, a hero for the daytime, not for the shadows of night.

He thinks maybe he could have been a hero in this world, one that saves other kids from suffering a fate like his own.

One who is afraid and fights anyway.

The next time he leaves his home there's an event at a museum, with some special objects that are in town for a few days. There he sees a woman who knows so much about ancient relics and is so beautiful that he doesn't believe she could be just a normal human.

He thinks she would share her knowledge and kindness with the world given the chance.

While he remains mostly alone, other than his Parental figure/Butler, he also keeps in contact with two friends from when he was in school.

One is now a psychiatrist, with an interest in learning about fear and how it can change people, and the other a psychologist, both working at the city's asylum. 

Harleen is who Bruce considers his best friend, a goofy but kind girl who cares alot about others, she tells him about a patient, without going into much detail, who she claims would be cute if he wasn't so insane. Smiling and laughing while he talks about harming others. 

She got a boyfriend somewhere along the way, a man Bruce is sure abuses her but she can't seem to leave.

The three get in a fight one day, and lose contact, and Bruce supposes you can't have heroes without villains, though he can't bring himself to think of Harley as a villain by her own choice.

On the news Bruce learns of a man working to better science as they know it, a man who always seems to be a few minutes too late, he follows the story until the day something goes wrong and the man is there on time to shield workers from flying chemicals, killing him but saving others, Bruce thinks the man a hero in death, and could have been one in life, one who always made it to where he was needed just on time.

As time went on Bruce tried to get out more in normal ways, one night he went to the circus, he enjoyed it, reminding him of the day when he was little and his parents brought him to one just like it.

It was a few days later that he learned at the next show there was an accident, and a little boy lost his parents, he remembered being small and feeling alone when he had lost his, thankful for the man who cared for him he wished he could do the same for this little boy, but knew he didn't have the skills needed.

He could, however, make sure the boy got somewhere safe, and other kids like him too.

So he held a fundraiser and donated a lot of money into the foster system, doing what he could to make it safe.

And he thought of a world where he could have taken the little circus boy into his home, making it brighter and less lonely.

As he ventured out more and more Bruce travelled through different parts of the city, he saw a group of little children cowering behind one bigger who had just chased off a grown man, Bruce smiled as the kids cheered for the little hero.

It was the news that later told him the boy was dead, a homeless kid who stopped being seen, the little hero was gone.

Bruce held another fundraiser, this one for the homeless shelters and kitchens.

It was the news that told him the boy was not dead, found by the police, with other stolen children. 

Children that returned to a better place.

The day he lost his last parent is the day where he began to feel truly alone, the only person there for him gone, but Alfred would live forever in his memory's as the man who loved and cared for him.

He reached out to Harly again not wanting to be all alone, and they made up, he learned she had gotten free of her abusive boyfriend and had fallen for a woman who's love of nature was refreshing and new.

He knew little about his neighbours, but he tried to get to know them better, he struggled but eventually learned that the woman that lived there was very sick and that the man was not home much, when he learned of the child who spent so much of his time alone, he thought the kid was brave and told him if he ever needed anything to just ask.

The kid needed someone the day when his mother didn't wake up and his father wasn't home. Bruce did what he could, he was no father but he cared for the kid the best he could until his was able to return.

Bruce knew it was expected of him to have a family, someone to give his things and his business when he passed. He tried dating, but nothing ever seemed to work out.

However one day he learned of a child, a son, one the mother hadn't told him about, he tried to gain any sort of parental rights but couldn't get any custody, only visitation, he met the boy, a quiet but fiercely determined child, And he loved his son even without seeing him much.

When the quiet, hermit, billionaire Bruce Wayne, best known for appearing, donating large amounts of money to random causes and then disappearing again, passed away his belongings and company were to be split between two people, Timothy Drake, and Damian al Ghul, when the two met up to split his things, they found writings the man had never told anyone of.

Writings of a world where regular people became heroes, where aliens walked amongst humans, and where magic made lives exciting.

They agreed to publish the story's for the world to see.

To most people, the writings were just an entertaining fiction story that a billionaire wrote with his unlimited free time.

But to the retired reporter who knew his height frightened others, who now rested and found the stories learned that someone had seen how he stood, and what he had done and thought of him as a hero,

To the artefact collector and preserver who learned this man believed she was so knowledgeable about what she had strived to learn everything about, as well as beautiful, that he thought her to be blessed by the gods,

To the old psychologist who mourns her friend, a man who thought that no matter what she went through she'd always make the right choice in the end, 

To the family of a man who lost his life saving others, who this guy they had never met thought so highly of,

To the man that lost his only family to an accident at their circus, he was a man who wanted him get a good home, where'd he'd get anything he ever wanted, 

To a man that went through so much, believed dead for so long to learn this man who he had only seen once, saw him not as a poor homeless kid but as a fighter and protector,

To the boy that new the man for a short time, as a temporary guardian and protector, who made him feel safe and not alone when he needed it most, 

And To the boy who wished he could have known his father, but was kept away by his mother,

The storys showed to them all that this man, who some thought of as cold and egotistical, as he locked himself away and refused to be around others, was actually an anxious, lonely man, who saw what others didn't and cared about everyone in his own odd way.

—

I just thought it was a cool idea I wanted to share with yall, so I hope you guys like it

This is my first post on here, so please be nice,

Also, ignore any spelling or grammar mistakes Dyslexia goes brrr

If you want to know what I think he based the other heroes and character off of, just ask, and I'll figure it out!

Thanks for reading, and have a good day!

Edit:

Thanks for all the nice comments and reblogs :)

I genuinely didn't realize how sad this was, lol. Sorry, not sorry, guys