#I just wanna know what the drive is to retire new designs not too long after they've released

[trinketfairy]

Jellycat retiring their bashful sunshine bunny just months after it came out, I see how it is...

[libraford]

The short version: We had a serial thief at the flower shop. She’s retired recently and I think that due to Covid she really means it this time. 

The long version? hoooo boy, here we go.

This story, and others, are viewable on Tablo

There are rules and there are rules.

In dealing with shoplifting in retail, there are rules on how one engages with a thief. The handbook, if there were one, would consist of a single word. 

Don't. 

Don't pursue, don't interrogate, don't accuse. Let them take the merchandise, let them get away. Let them return the Cricut machine for an equivalent amount on a gift card to be exchanged once again for drugs. 

Let them. 

There is no handbook on how to handle Flower Thieves. Prior to working in a flower shop, I never thought that this was a problem. 

Life is surprising. 

 I'm sure some of you have figured that out by now. 

The Flower Thief is notorious, and she has a system. There are days when you simply know that she's going to be in. 

"Break the heads off the flowers before you throw them away," Grandpa will say. "She's going to be here tonight, I think." 

And sure enough, she would be. At 6:45, a quarter til we close- the Thief would announce her arrival. Loudly. 

"Heeeeey, baaaaaaby!" 

The very first time I encountered the Flower Thief, she came in through the back door. 

"Oh Hiiiii, Darlin'- ain't seen your face around here: you must be NEW! I'm Wren, you know- like the bird? Well, Kyle and I have an agreement that I come and work for y'all sometimes. You should take out this trash, it stinks to high heaven. Anyways, nice talkin' to ya, see ya later." 

I may only be a little bit psychic, but I've spent enough time around liars to know insincerity when I see it. Kyle, at the time, was the manager of our store and I have it on record that he's tried to throw her out of the building once or twice. 

While I was taking out the trash, her pile of purchase became so tall it towered over her. I watched Clark massively undercharge her for the sake of getting her to go away. 

She has a pattern.

She comes in during the design classes because she knows that when there's twenty people in the store, there's not enough people to watch her and make sure she's not stealing. "There's a class today," she asks as if it's not literally every Tuesday. "Don't worry I know you all wanna get out of here on time." 

The Flower Thief announces her presence in a grand way and then makes her way to the back to grab a trash bag or an empty box and then proceeds to bury any spare parts she finds in the cooler in the trash bag, hiding them under the things that she's actually buying. 

After that, she checks the garbage cans for things we might have thrown away that will last another three days and stuffs them underneath her other ill-gotten goods. 

Just when you think she's finished, she'll go through her pile of flowers and say: "You know what? I don't need this eucalyptus." And she'll go back into the cooler with it, stuff it in her purse, and walk back to the register. 

And when she's all done being sneaky, she asks one of us to come ring her out. 

This is the part that no one wants to do. Because ringing out the Flower Thief means haggling with the Flower Thief. 

"Oh baaby, you know I don't pay those prices." 

"Oh baaaby, I only pay $19 for roses." 

"Oh baaaaaaaaaby, those carnations were on special." 

She'll talk you down to under $100 with a sob story: 

"Oh baaaaby, you know I'm donating this spray to the family. It's for that woman you know- you know the one. She got herself murdered a couple nights ago? Two children and she was pregnant too! Pregnant! Can you believe it? Who murders someone with child? What's the world coming to? So I need a good discount to make sure we treat this family right because they got a looooong road ahead of them." 

"Oh baaaaaaby, you know this one's for that car crash over on Cleveland Avenue? I hear he was taking care of his dying father himself, so it's such a shame for him to go first like that." 

"Oh baaaaaaaaaaaaaaby, this is for that little boy that shot himself, isn't that sad?" 

Thank you, Sister Mary Loquacious. 

And you nod because you don't want to come off as an uncaring sociopath. And while you're nodding and adjusting the price for her sad, sad consequence and mulling over how good she is for donating to these people in their time of need, she steals some greens from the trash can and sticks them in her bag. 

She hands you crisp $100 bills. You check them and she makes jokes about how she printed them this morning. They're legit. Counterfeiting isn't why she went to prison. 

What she went to prison for was drug trafficking. 

"Do you need some help," you ask, trying to be a good citizen. 

"Oh no, I got it," she insists. "I'll make it in two trips. I'm stronger than I look!" 

And don't you dare get caught looking to see what she put in the bag or she will give you one hell of a lecture. 

By the time all of this has passed, the class will be over and there will two minutes left in the work day. She's spent thirty-seven minutes in the store. Your register is unbalanced because now you don't have enough small bills to balance it and only have one $100 bill to get you through tomorrow. 

And that's why there are rules. 

On occasion, a new person will break the rules not knowing that there's rules. One such occasion was when Clair decided to be helpful. 

"You know what? I don't need this eucalyptus," Wren said. 

"Oh! I'll put it back for you," Clair suggested. And before Wren could protest, it was out of Wren's hands and nowhere near her purse. 

It was mentioned to Sage, who only worked for us one summer, that Wren had failed to pay for something and she immediately chased her out into the street. 

Wren drives very fast. 

If you cross her too many times, she'll make sure you never forget it. One day, she stomped her way in through the front door, angry. 

"You ain't treated me better than a damn THIEF," screamed the Flower Thief. 

Grandpa, who was helping Blue make a wedding bouquet at the time, departed from the desk. "Beg pardon?"

"A thief! You been treating me like a thief ever since they made you manager and I'm sick of it! I see you bringing in your henchmen, following me in the cooler, chasing me down the street. Treat me with some damn respect." 

Words were exchanged. They were not kind. We thought we'd seen the end of her. 

But she was back one week later, doing the same damn thing. 

So now there are rules. 

If you make something and there's an excess of flowers left over from the pack, you have to make something out of the leftovers or she'll pick through them and stuff them in her bag. 

If you cannot make something out of them, you must throw them out. 

If you throw them out, you must break the heads off first. 

The trash cans must be emptied every night before 5:00. 

We do not keep trash bags in plain sight. 

Break down all empty boxes, or she will use them in place of trash bags. 

Do not leave any food or drink where she can find it. 

Do not leave any half-used rolls of floral tape where she can find it. 

Do not let her know anything about you- lest she use it against you. 

If you speak of a Thief, you summon a Thief- speak quietly, and never her name or you invite trouble. 

The basic rules one makes when dealing with pests. Or fairy-folk.

There are rules and there are rules and there are rules. 

If you want to keep a pest away, you make these sorts of rules. But if you want to get rid of a pest indefinitely, you have to remove their food source. And Wren's food source was her discount. 

You start exercising your right to say 'no' to a customer in small ways. 

She saw a bunch of carnations in the trash and said: 

"Oh baby, these are still good! I'll take them off your hands for you!" 

"They've been sitting without water for hours." 

"They're still good!" 

"They were out in the sun." 

"Oh baby, I've been working with flowers for 40 years and I know that these will still be fine for a couple of days!" She picks a bunch of them out of the trash and shoves it in my face. "See, it's still stiff- it's still good!" 

"Okay," I said. And before I could stop myself: "Full price."

Her eyes just about popped out of her skull. If it were just a little bit colder, I would have been able to see steam coming out of her ears. 

We stared at each other for about a minute, waiting for the other to flinch. She took the bunch away from my face and threw them back into the trash. While she was in the cooler, I took the liberty of snapping the heads off of them and burying them further into the garbage. 

And so began a war between the flower shop and the Flower Thief.

She came in: every single night. And each night, she got me. 

Again.

"Oh no, baby! These carns are supposed to be 39 cents a stem. I can bring up the email." 

"Sure." She brings up the email. "I see that they are 39 cents but... this was for Saturday." 

"Yea, and I bought those carns on Saturday and you charged me full price!" 

"Saturday." 

"Yeah." 

"You didn't buy these on Saturday. You bought them Friday." 

"Well I didn't know that they'd be on sale, so I need them for that price because I didn't know they'd be on sale." 

"The sales are one-day only. I can't adjust a sale from Friday to reflect Saturday's sale... on Sunday." 

She made a noise that reminds me somewhat of a cement mixer. 

 And again.

"I got a bad banner last time, can you print me a new one?" She shows me the banner in question. It's white. The 't' and the 'h' in 'mother' ran together. 

"Sure." 

"Okay, I need it to say 'Beloved Mother' and I want it in pink." 

"Sure." 

I print it. I ring her up $5. 

"Oh baaaaaaby, no, that one should be free." 

"Grandpa said- banners start at $5." 

"Oh, but you sold me a bad one last time." 

"We haven't sold you a banner in three weeks. How long have y'all had that body sitting in your cooler?" 

She grumbled, and paid. 

 And again. 

"I swear you been workin' every night this week! You must be tired," she said, nerves plain in her voice. "When do you get a day off?" 

"When the work is done." 

"That ain't what I'm askin'. When's your next day off, baby?"

"I stop working when the work is done, Wren." 

She narrows her eyes, which is a fun change from them bugging out of her skull like a fruit fly. "You don't ever get any days off?" 

"When the work stops, I rest."

 And again. 

"I'll be in and out, I know y'all want to get out of here on time," she said- announcing her presence to the entire class. She piled her stuff across the register counter and Grandpa began ringing her up. 

"Oh baby..." 

"No. We're doing away with the discounts." 

There are twenty people in the workshop for the class and Grandpa doesn't want to make a scene. She pulls her into the back, and I choose to make my instructions louder to mask the sound of them yelling. 

"So you're going to take your hypericum berries and you're going to cut the stem to about ten inches-" 

"How can you do this to me?" 

"And you're going to slowly fill the vase with these berries to kind of set the shape of the arrangement." 

"After all these years and this is how you treat me?" 

"Fun fact- you might know hypericum berries as their more common name: St John's Wort! St. John's Wort has been used as a medication for depression prior to modern medicine." You see- I, too, have taken notes from the Chattering Order.

"You can't do this to me," Wren said, stamping her feet like a toddler.

"But I wouldn't recommend eating them. However, they do smell somewhat like baked brown sugar." 

Stamp, stamp, stamp. 

Wren threw herself into the cooler and began putting a bulk of her flowers back. 

"This is robbery," I heard her say to Grandpa at the register. 

"Is it now?" 

 And again. 

She came in and immediately reached for a half-empty box of oasis bricks (the green sponge material that we use to hold flowers.) She said few words to me, few at all. She talked to Carrie about how she was going out to the country for awhile, to take care of her nephew's property. She needed to stock up. And oh- don't worry about it, she knows what she's doing. She's part of The Family.

She is in no manner of speaking, a member of The Family that owns this shop. Not even a third cousin. 

I saw her beeline for a rose I'd set in the trash. I picked it up, opened my mouth, and bit the head off of it. She stood in the middle of the workshop, absolutely stunned. 

Rose petals have the vague texture of arugula, by the way. Slightly sweeter, though. Tough to swallow in one go. 

She ran back into the cooler and didn't talk to me. 

I began taking down numbers. 

27 bricks of oasis. One pack of roses. Ten calla lilies. 1/2 pack of assorted greens. 

I punched the numbers in to the register. As if sensing something was amiss, she emerged from the cooler. 

"$54? What do I have that's $54?" 

"The oasis. They're $2 each." 

"Oh no baaaaaby, they're $1." 

"I can text Grandpa and ask her." 

"... that won't be necessary. Why are you charging me $22.50 for roses? You know my prices by now!" 

"22.50 is the price for a pack of roses." 

"22.50 is everybody prices." 

"Welcome to 'everybody.'" 

"I ain't paid a price increase in 7 years!" 

"The price of milk went up, Wren. So does everything else." 

She was seeing red, I knew it. There's a vein in her forehead that pops out when she's angry and it's the same shape as the river that runs through my home town. She sized me up, as if wondering if she could take me. 

I'm 256 pounds of 4H beef, and I have a knife. Try me. 

"I'm gonna call Kyle on this." 

"Do it." A lifetime of retail has made me immune to 'I'd like to speak to the manager.' 

She grumbled and put things back. Carrie offered to watch her, I held up my hand. 

"Can you do something for me  on these carns? They're the last pack in there and they're lookin' kinda ratty." 

"9.50." 

"9.50's the regular price." 

"Regular price is $14." 

"No it ain't." 

"Is today. You're taking our last pack and we need those for funerals." 

She put them back. 

She gave me a credit card. It seemed fake, but it ran. Every time I see here, she's got a different card. Did she print this one this morning, too? At least she stopped trying to sell me on Bitcoin. As you can see, it made her incredibly wealthy. 

She gathered her things and left. "Guess I'm getting the rest of my flowers from KROGER!" 

There are things you want to say. Like... I hope they enjoy your company just as much as we do. Or: Haven't graced them with your presence in awhile, huh? But at the time, it was better just to watch her leave with her minuscule bunch of flowers. I get a choice in where I loan my voice. 

Not here. 

Is it over? Nah. She'll be back for another round. But one day she'll finally retire in the way that she's always threatened to. And then? Then it can be as over as it ever will be. 

It is shocking to come from a history of retail, where you're not allowed to even hint at the idea of a customer being wrong, where you have to override every single price change to get the scores up, where you have to just let them steal your things and pull the wool over your eyes... 

... to flat-out telling someone 'no.' 

"No." 

It's such a great word. 

There are rules and there are rules. 

And there are thieves that the rules are made for. 

And there are words like 'no.' 

And all those things are magic in very human ways. 

[a-la-la-llama]

The one where Marinette Steals the Batmobile #1

I’m trying to get a schedule going for my writing and planning on writing one-shots and posting them every Monday. We’ll see How this goes, Enjoy!

Part 2     Part 3

  Fifteen year old Marinette didn’t know what her future would hold but her younger self did not expect this. Five months before her thirteenth birthday she was given the Ladybug Miraculous. After that she was named the guardian of more than a dozen pocket sized gods while still trying to defeat Paris’ villian. By the time she turned fourteen, she had defeated her partner's father, took a hold of all the miraculous’, and became an orphan. The kwami’s supported her in her time of need and understood she was adjusting to not having all her previous weight on her shoulders and the grief of losing her parents in the final battle. With no real person to turn to, she decided to lose herself. What better place for a teenage superhero to retire in than a dark city filled with highly unstable people such as herself. With the Kwami’s and her parents, Master Fu’s, and her own savings she teleported to Gotham City.

  Just because the miraculous were made to stop evil did not mean the Kwami didn’t like getting into mischief. Especially a certain cat, fox, and mouse with no one but the god of creation to stop them. The same thing could be said about Marinette, however, she too was curious about making trouble. The city was practically in rubble but it already had heroes and she no longer wanted the weight of being a hero. Marinette also couldn’t stand the long faces of the tiny gods who wanted nothing more to explore the world. Within the first months of her stay in Gotham she became a well known thief that could rival the infamous Catwoman. She never stole anything for her own gain of course, most of the time it was miraculous’ in museums or bad people’s stuff. At the moment she has three notorious gangs wanting her head for stealing their guns and feeding them to Plagg. The only thing ever left behind was a red symbol much like the design of Master Fu's box.

  “Kitten! I’m so bored, why can’t we go out?”, Plagg whined atop of Marinette’s head.

“You heard what Tikki said, we have to lay low for now since we stole that emerald and ancient headware piece from the museum”, she said.

“But those new kwami’s are so mean!”, Trixx added.

“That’s why they are in the box and you guys are allowed to roam around.”, countered Marinette.

“Mari, you really shouldn't be wearing this many miraculous.”, chided Tikki from her tray of cookies.

“I’m fine, I am only wearing five anyway!”, she responded.

“I for one think three days is enough time. Plus, we don’t have to steal anything, just go out for a joy run!”, Mullo said.

“I agree, please Mari!”, Trixx begged.

“It’s not up to me Miri’s, you have to beg Tikki.”, she responded. Marinette smiled as the three swarmed the red god with pleas and threats to destroy all the cookies in the house. It was all worth the glare Tikki sent her way before she gave in.

“Fine. No stealing, I swear if I find out you did I’ll make you return it!”, the goddess threatened. Just like that a multi mouse, fox, and cat made their way across the rooftops for their latest adventure.

  “What should we do, now?”, asked MultiMouse.

MultiMinou narrowed her eyes at a dark parking lot with only one car parked in it. “Since we finished our joy run, how about we take a joy ride?”, she said with a cat-like grin.

MultiFox wagged her tail in excitement, “It looks nice too! I bet Kalkii would help us transport it to the Kwami dimension to take it for a spin.”, she squealed.

MultiMouse divided herself once more, “Mullo. Kalkii. Merge!”

  The four jumped off the roof they were perched on and made their way towards the car before transforming into their smallest selves. Entering the car through the front all the way to the air ducts was a simple task for the mice. Once inside, Multi Mouse, Minou, and Fox worked on the gas pedals and steering wheel while MultiHorse worked on the portal in the passenger seat.

“How do we even start this thing!”, Minou whined.

“It has a screen right here. Maybe we push it?”, suggested Mouse.

Tapping the screen, the car let out a soft hum before various blue lights turned on. The mice all had one thing on their mind, “Merde!”

  Marinette had had a couple of run-ins with the dubbed ‘BatFam’ in her time in Gotham already. She had expected it to because of her being a well-known thief and all, of course they would try to stop her. Marinette also had a huge upper-hand against them with her powers. One minute her bright orange tail is being chased by three and the next she is standing right in front of them watching them curse, wondering where she went. Illusions were the best thing to ever have! Marinette especially liked messing with the youngest one because of how angry he would get. Once, she saw him wait until no one was there and proceed to cut a trash bin in half with his katana. When he is with the one with the red helmet the two curse like sailors. The boy who has a cowl that looks like an egg, similar to Aspik, gets frustrated when his heat sensor malfunction when he is looking right at her. When the youngest isn’t around she’ll tail the one in blue and whisper things while he is patrolling. Most of the time it’s ‘Boo!’ or ‘Rawr!’ and what she has heard the people in his ear call him before as Minou, ‘Dick’. The man screams like a little girl and gets paranoid easily. When he tries to tell his partners they brush him off!

  That wasn’t the point right now. The point was, Marinette found herself trying to steal the Batmobile. As if matters couldn’t get any worse, MultiFox turned to her left to see the youngest and Batman making their way towards her, trying to steal the Batmobile! So, MultiMinou did the only logical thing to do. As soon as the portal opened she slammed on the gas leaving the two in her dust. Darn Plagg and his chaotic-ness! Hopefully the drive would be worth the wrath of Tikki.

  It was not worth Tikki’s anger at all. Of course Marinette, Mullo, Trixx, and Kalkii threw Plagg under the bus for it but they didn’t get out of it unscathed. True to her word unlike the five, Tikki forced them to return the vehicle to Batman the next night. They also had to write a note apologizing to Batman for all the trouble they caused. MultiBug went with the four as they teleported straight into the secret Batcave and pushed the car out of the portal. Luckily no one seemed to be there and they left quickly after placing the note on the windshield.

  Red Robin was there. Red Robin blinked once. Twice. Red Robin rubbed his eyes.

The Batmobile was still there but the five identical girls were gone.

He calmly turned around back towards the computer. He must be hallucinating right? When was the last time he slept? That didn’t matter. He had to check the cameras to see if they got that and once the rest got back from patrol they could tell him if it was real. He turned back one more time towards the car and noticed the note. Better to not touch it in case it disappeared again. Coffee. He needs coffee to explain this.

  Marinette ended up passed out on the couch as soon as they got home just like Tikki predicted. Seriously, that girl should listen to her more. Miraculous’ can take a huge toll on humans. All the active Kwami were nested on top of her unconscious body when Tikki decided to ask what exactly was on the note.

“The note? Oh that note! Well…”,Plagg dragged out with a yawn.

  Dear Mr.Batman and Traffic Light boy.

We are very sorry for taking your Batmobile for the day and I swear we didn’t mean to. We thought it was an abandoned car and wanted to learn how to drive. When we got in we realized this was a mistake but you were very close to us and we didn’t want to get in trouble so we took it! Don’t worry, we didn’t do anything with it but drive. Since we are making confessions do you think we should add the rest? Might as well Kitten so she doesn’t get mad at us. No, Trix don’t write that, stop it!

-We were the ones that scared the Blue Boy.

-Tell him that ‘Dick’ isn’t a very good vigilante name.

-Traffic-Light boy we saw you cut that trash bin in half.

-Traffic-Light boy and Red Helmet need to watch their language.

-Egg head, your cowl looks like an egg.

-Those guns we stole all got destroyed, don’t worry! Have you ever melted them? It’s really cool to watch.

-We ate that granola bar that Red Helmet had in his pocket.

-It made us feel really funny.

-We caught Egg head when he passed out while grapple hooking.

-Oh, write that we are really evil. I wanna make them scared!

-We are really evil!

-Blue Boy has really good jokes that make us laugh.

  “Then it’s signed with their usual red symbol, a green cat print, mouse ears, fox tail, and a horse spur.”, Alfred concluded.

“Shiitake mushrooms! They knew my identity and didn’t even realize it.” Nightwing screeched, grabbing his hair.

“That granola bar was a ‘special’ brownie.”, Red Hood stated.

“I do NOT look like an egg! ...Ok maybe I do.”, sighed Red Robin.

“I told you I kept hearing things and I was RIGHT!”, shouted Nightwing.

“They can’t be real if they liked your jokes, Grayson.”, Robin said.

“Ouch, Traffic-Light boy! That felt like you cut me in half like that trash can.”, teased Nightwing.

 Batman took the note from Alfred and rewatched the footage from the caves cameras. They five looked younger than Robin and obviously held some type of magical abilities to create a portal. From what he could tell they weren’t actually doing bad things and when they did they felt guilty about it. He pulled up the note left at the museum that was also an apology.

  “They are just kids, Alfred.”, Batman mumbled.

Alfred hummed. “Kids who need some guidance I suppose, Master Bruce?”, he suggested.

[britesparc]

Weekend Top Ten #497

Top Ten PC Games No One Talks About Anymore

Blimey, Quake is rather good, isn’t it? Have you heard about it? I really hope so, because it’s only twenty-five years old. I mean, Jesus. What’s up with that? Quake is meant to be the future. It’s full of true-3D polygonal texture-mapping and real-time dynamic light-sourcing. Fancy it being a quarter of a century old. That’s ridiculous. “Old” is for things like, I dunno, Space Invaders or The Godfather or I Wanna Hold Your Hand. Stuff that our parents heard about before we were born. It’s not – it’s absolutely not – used to describe something that people bought 3D accelerator cards for. It’s not used to describe a game that popularised online gaming.

But old it is, getting silver anniversary cards and everything. No longer the angry, hungry young tiger, devouring its ancestors and growling at upstart rivals like Duke Nukem 3D – sure, you’ve got non-linear levels, interactive scenery, and toilet humour, but we’ve got grenades that bounce with real physics – Quake is now an aged beast of the forest, resplendent, battle-scarred, weary with gravitas. Quake is the game that shaped the now, but it does not represent the future anymore. In fact, arguably its greatest rival – Unreal – is the game with the lasting, living legacy, its progeny building the next generation of gaming with one of the most popular and impressive engines around, the framework underpinning everything from Gears to Jedi to Fortnite. Quake blew us all away, but arguably it ceded the conflict, secure in its status as one of the most important and influential games of all time. Quake II got plaudits for actually having a proper story and an engrossing single-player campaign (and coloured lighting!), and its immediate descendants such as Half-Life changed the nature of what FPS games could do, but in a funny way it feels like Quake has long since retired. A sleeping titan. It got old.

So it’s great that they rereleased it on modern systems! The version of Quake released last month is basically the game I remember, but tarted up a little around the edges, with texture filtering and dynamic shadows and other stuff that I couldn’t manage on my Pentium 75 back in the day. It plays great – it’s slick as anything, and you go tearing round the levels like a Ferrari with a nail gun, blasting dudes and ducking back around a corner before you get hit with a pineapple in the face. It’s the first game I’ve played in a long, long time that evokes the feel of classic PC first-person shooters of that era – which, y’know, kinda makes sense as it is a first-person shooter of that era. But that style of fast-paced run-and-gun, circle-strafing gameplay has gone out of fashion now, with FPS games usually favouring slow, methodical, tactical combat, or larger-scale open-world warfare usually involving vehicles. Whether it’s a straight-up no-frills blaster like Quake, or a game that takes you on more of a linear, narrative journey, like Quake II, or even just a multiplayer-focused arena shooter, like Quake III Arena, it does feel like a dying artform, like a style of gameplay that could do with a resurgence (and, to be fair, there are games on the horizon that look like they’re harking back to the era, so that’s cool).

But it’s not just first-person shooters like Quake that I feel have slipped from gaming’s shared consciousness. Maybe it’s my age (it’s definitely my age) but there seems to be quite a lot of games that were a big deal twenty or so years ago that are utterly forgotten now, whereas some – Doom, Duke Nukem, Command & Conquer, Age of Empires – are often namechecked or rebooted (even before the full-on 2016 reboot, Doom must have been one of the most re-released games of the last thirty years). But there are lots of others where sometimes I feel like I’m the only one that remembers it. And that’s where this list comes in: inspired by the excellent re-release of the Quake franchise, here are some other great PC games of that general era that I feel still need shouting about, even if I’m the only one doing the shouting. Maybe they don’t all need a full-on remaster or whatever, but it’d still be nice if they got a bit of modern gaming love.

No One Lives Forever (2000): coming at a time when most FPS games were still Doom-style blasters with little in the way of real plot, NOLF was different: stylish and funny, genuinely well-written (as in the dialogue), with interesting objective-based missions and a cool female protagonist. It skirted similar ground to Bond and the then-white-hot Austin Powers franchise. Two games were made and then, as far as I’m aware, it evaporated into a mess of tangled rights, hence no sequels or remakes. A shame, because it was great.

MDK (1997): the next game from the people who made the multimedia phenomenon that was Earthworm Jim, MDK was a really cool slice of sci-fi style, all sleek level design and intriguing features. It had a supremely bonkers plot which bled through into a game with a sense of humour, but mostly it was the run-and-gun gameplay and innovative use of a scoped weapon – possibly (don’t quote me on this) the first sniper rifle in a videogame. An even wackier sequel followed, but despite its cult status, that was it.

Star Trek: The Next Generation – Klingon Honor Guard (1998): it’s probably fair to say that Star Trek has not had as many great videogames as Star Wars, perhaps because Trek’s historically straightlaced earnestness just didn’t translate as well as bashing someone up the chops with a laser sword. Honor Guard shook things up by casting you as a Klingon, showering levels with pink blood and going Full Worf. It was the first game to licence the Unreal engine, and had a cool level where you walked along the outside of a ship like in First Contact. Also: shout out to the Voyager game, Elite Force (2000), which was another really good FPS set in the world of Trek, with intriguing gameplay wrinkles as you fought the Borg. It also let you wander round the titular starship between levels. Trek deserves more quality action games like these.

Earth 2150 (2000): the nineties on PC really saw RTS games come down to those who liked Command & Conquer or those who liked Warcraft, but as the decade drew to a close other titles chased the wargame crown (including Total Annihilation, which would have made this list, except I feel like the Supreme Commander franchise is a sequel in all but name). 2150 was notable for its Starcraft-like mix of three factions with contrasting play styles, and its use of 3D graphics and the ability to design and build weapons of war that could lay waste to armies and bases with spectacular results. I think the genre has ossified into something more hardcore, and this was probably an inflex point where idiots like me could still get a handle on things.

Midtown Madness (1999): Microsoft has a history of building up great racing franchises and then abandoning them, but their “Madness” line of games in the late nineties/early noughties was terrific and much-missed. Back when tooling round actual 3D cities was still new and exciting, this was a no-holds-barred arcade racer, with some gorgeous shiny chrome effects on the cars, and very nippy handling. It was great fun smashing up VW Beetles and the like. It was surpassed, I guess, by Project Gotham on the Xbox, and sadly the whole franchise was then forgotten, despite the ascendent Forza franchise mostly shunning city driving.

Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines (1998): part tactical war game, part puzzler, Commandos was famous for its gorgeously intricate graphics and its difficulty – I mean, it was way too hard for me. But its beautiful top-down design and its slow, methodical gameplay was compelling, as you evaded Nazis and solved missions with a team of unique units with special skills. Sequels followed, and western spin-off Desperados, but there’s not been a true follow-up for quite some time, despite promises; and few games have echoed its style or look.

The Pandora Directive (1996): okay, so really this is just a placeholder for an entire subgenre of game that appears to have been forgotten: interactive movies. I know, there are flirtations with this from time to time; and many of these games featured obtuse puzzles and relatively little gameplay strung between FMV scenes. Pandora was great though; a first-person 3D game with loads of old-school adventure aspects, as well as FMV, it was a noir-tinged detective story but set in the future. The Tex Murphy series (of which this was the fourth instalment) has had sequels – the most recent one was sadly cancelled only this year – but many other games of a similar ilk, such as Phantasmagoria and even Wing Commander – have fallen by the wayside. With in-engine graphics now allowing the fluidity and expression of cinematic renders of old, shooting movie inserts doesn’t seem like it’s worthwhile; but I still always loved a point-and-click game that featured digitised actors milling about. Toonstruck, anyone?

Marathon (1994): before Halo there was… Marathon! Back when I used to lug my Pentium round my mate’s house so we could play different games on different machines side-by-side, he’d bang on about this Mac-first series of games, like Doom but better, with an intricate plot and complex levels. And y’know what? He was actually onto something. There’s a style and an earnestness to the Marathon franchise, along with many concepts that would be refined in Halo years later. With Bungie now seemingly committed to Destiny, and Halo in Microsoft’s hands, I’m not sure what could possibly become of this, their forgotten FPS forebear, especially as it shares so much DNA with its offspring.  

Outlaws (1997): LucasArts are famous for two things, really: their Star Wars games and their adventures. But they made loads of other stuff too – including this intriguing Western shoot-em-up. Back when Western games were rarer than Western movies (which were rare at the time), this quirky and difficult cowboy-em-up saw you rounding up outlaws in typical oater locations such as saloons, trains, and mines. It had great music and a really intriguing set of weapons, including (don’t quote me on this) the first sniper rifle in a game. Sadly Outlaws’ success could be described as “cult” and it never got a proper sequel. and, weirdly, despite the success of Red Dead Redemption, we’ve never had a bit Western-themed FPS again. Which is really odd.

Soldier of Fortune (2000): I pondered whether to include this one, as if I’m honest I’m not sure I want this licence brought back. But I can’t deny the game was a huge deal and has seemingly been forgotten. A relatively gritty and realistic combat game with a huge variety of excellent real-world weaponry, its big hook was its incredibly detailed damage modelling, that could see you blowing limbs off enemies, or splitting open heads, or disembowelling them. Whilst its OTT violence made headlines, the granularity of its systems meant you could be more tactical, shooting weapons out of hands. But really its biggest controversy should be its association with a big old gun magazine.

There are many, many other games that nearly made the list - I almost had a Top Ten of just FPS games, for instance. Little Big Adventure was here, till a sequel was announced the other day. Hexen and Heretic I think still have a place in FPS history. Toonstruck, although without a sequel, was only really a cult hit at the time, and I feel the people who’d love it already know about it. I do tend to overthink these things, y’know.

So maybe not all of these could make a comeback, but all the same I don’t think they should be forgotten, and it does make we wonder what games will fall by the wayside twenty or more years from now. That game about the big green space marine dude in a mask – what was that called again…?

[prose-for-hire]

Smile, though your heart is breaking

Pairing: Bi!Cordelia Chase x fem!reader; Xander Harris x Cordelia Chase; Xander x fem!reader (familial/platonic)

Request: hi! i already requested some cordy x reader but i have another idea, if i may! could i have a fic where reader is Xander’s sister, and she walks in on them kissing. reader has a crush on cordy and xander knows this. cue angst and sibling fights 😭!

Requested by: Anon

You had a crush on Cordy. You had played it off as silly and fleeting at first, but as you became closer friends it grew.

She was the reason you realised that you liked women. Discovered and began to love yourself and your sexuality. She was such a gift to you and yet she never knew.

A while after, you told Xander about your sexuality. He was shocked, struggling to comprehend it but he held you in a hug. Showing you that you would always be his sister, even if he was still coming to terms with your news himself.

Eventually you came out to the others. Everyone except Cordy. You weren’t prepared for her not to want to be your friend anymore. You were scared of the rejection. You adored her so much, you were happy with platonic so long as you could be close with her.

The others supported you and those that were unsure at first slowly got more used to it. They loved you, you were such a good friend, a big part of your close-knit little group. Things were going well.

Months later, as you sat on the bleachers with Xander and your friends watching a school football game, he turned to look at you and saw you staring at the cheerleaders.

“Stare much?” He muttered.

“I was trying to, um, pick up the routine” You offered, smiling at him.

“Oh yeah, ‘course. You’re so gay, y/n” He joked, showing how far he had come. How much more comfortable he was with you. He was the only one allowed to tease you though, if anyone else did he got really annoyed.

“Shut up, Xander” You shoved his shoulder and he mock-surrendered. The others all knew now and smiled along with your sibling squabbling.

When the game was over, you and your friends all walked back together. Buffy, your brother, Willow and Cordelia walked with you towards your respective homes. You were in good spirits, it was a rare night where there were no demons or anything. You could just relax and have a nice time.

You lit up when Cordy specifically moved through your little crowd to walk beside you. You giggled together and she gave you one of her pom-poms to hold as you walked almost completely in-step. She spoke to you a lot nicer than she did with anyone else, you were probably the one Scooby that could claim that you were genuinely good friends with her.

She offered you a lift back home in her car that she had parked a few blocks away because so many people were parked in the usual lot. You declined, starting to get nervous that she would find you really lame. Not to mention Xander would have to come too and they just got into a insult-slinging contest when they were both together.

Cordy looked a little disappointed but shrugged and waved goodbye before getting into her car. You regretted it instantly. You could have given Xander the code and told him to walk, but he probably would have insisted to come in the car just to annoy you.

You watched her drive away before you realised that she had left you with the pompom and you smiled down at it. It was like she trusted you. You had a piece of her to take home with you. You smiled the entire way home and Xander thought you had gone mad. Later in the evening, you decided to admit that you were crushing on her. Really hard.

“I think I’m in love” You whispered to Xander, in case anyone else was in the house and could hear through walls. You were both brushing your teeth, a little tradition you had left over from when you were growing up. You used to do everything together.

“Oh yeah? Poor girl” Your brother teased. You rolled your eyes and spat into the basin.

“I’m being serious! I wanna hold her hand and touch her face and-” you started to stare dreamily off into the distance before he interrupted.

“Please say somethin’ normal like have sex with her”

“I want to cherish her, hold her! Tell her that I love her” You frowned at him for being crude. You wanted a love story with her, she was so special to you.

“Who is she then?” Xander asked while the toothbrush was still in his mouth.

“Cordelia” You smiled.

“Not the devil in designer boots!” he was genuinely surprised at this.

“She’s not like that!” You insisted and he gave you a look before you left him to go to bed. He continued to tease you mercilessly about it for the rest of the week. You wished you hadn’t said anything, Xander had never really been a fan of Cordelia.

Although, what you didn’t realise was that somewhere after you had revealed your crush on Cordy, Xander and her had started to steamily make-out in secret. Whenever they got the chance. Today, it had been in a deserted art classroom.

You had been sent there to steal some paper for Giles for the library. There was an inter-department free-for-all on paper and Giles was currently losing the battle.

You opened the door, your intuition giving you a bad feeling. But you walked in anyway. Just in time to see your brother sticking his tongue down Cordy’s throat.

“Oh” Was all you said before you backed away, slammed the door and ran. Tears blurred your eyes as you sprinted, letting your legs take you as far away as you could.

The pair sprung apart immediately. They walked around everywhere looking for you. They squabbled and almost bit each other’s heads off over it. Neither of them had ever wanted you to see that, for very different reasons.

Eventually, when they had stopped an entire football practice by shouting at each other in the middle of the pitch they decided it was better if they split up and looked for you.

Xander found you in the late afternoon, sobbing into a book. You had made your way back to the library after hiding in the bathrooms for most of the day.

You had decided to cry in a change of scenery. Giles had insisted you really didn’t need to be there researching but you said you wanted to help. Or, he thought that’s what you said he couldn’t really hear over all the crying noises.

You were heartbroken. Twice over.

Giles had tried twice to take the book you were leaning over, he wanted to save the pages from water damage. But you had insisted on helping and he didn’t want to make you cry harder. He had retired in his little adjoining office. Crying made him uncomfortable and he was fond of you which made him feel worse for you.

“Y/n! God, I’ve been looking everywhere!” Xander said. As if he didn’t have a care in the world. You stood up, closing the book shut with a soggy snap. Giles took his glasses off and cleaned them, he wanted to come and give Xander a piece of his own mind once you had explained what had happened. However, as you started to speak, he knew you could handle your brother.

“You knew how I feel about her! You knew and you still-” You tried to calm yourself down, but your next sentence came out angrier and even louder, “You don’t even like each other for fuck sake!” Your voice echoed around the empty library.

“Woah, hey, y/n calm down” he said, waving both of his hands out to try and get you to be quieter. He didn’t want people to know why you were shouting. He was embarrassed. It made you feel even worse.

“Are you kidding?! Calm-?” Your temper was rising and you didn’t know if your relationship with him was going to survive this, “You know how much I like her and you just let me talk about it over and over like some idiot! All the while you were kissing her behind my back!”

“Y/n, I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t even know it was that serious” Xander shrugged, but he did feel guilty. But he would have done it again, he knew it. Kissing her was fun.

He did become more guilty, especially so when Cordy had explained to him that she was bisexual and he had neglected to tell you. Which, on one hand of course it wasn’t his place but on the other he had done this for entirely selfish reasons.

“You liar! You’re so selfish Xander Harris! I hate you!” You screamed, shoving him away when he tried to rest a hand on your elbow.

You felt so betrayed. You were disappointed in him. He was supposed to be family. Your own brother. He supported you but only so long as it benefitted him. He loved you, but he still whether intentionally or not blocked you from even trying to date the woman you were interested in.

You stormed off, barely missing that you passed Cordelia in the corridor. She had heard everything. But you had tears in your eyes, blurring your vision. You needed to get out of there.

You stayed at Willow’s. You told her everything and Willow explained what she had heard from Xander. Your best friend was completely on your side.

She told you a secret that night, one you kept hidden from the others until she was ready. You bonded over the things you had been hiding. But, you weren’t so sure your affection for Cordelia was hidden anymore.

This was confirmed to you when Willow came up to her room and told you that you had a visitor. You frowned, not sure who it could be. You skipped down the stairs, having put yourself in a better mood with your best friend by your side.

But you stopped as you descended, and you swear your heart did too when you saw her standing there. The light hit her face perfectly, she was glowing. As always.

She smiled, shakily. The corners of her eyes crinkled in that way you adored when she was truly happy. But, why would she be happy to see you? After everything she had found out.

“Cor, what are you doing here?”

“I just wanted to see how you were doing. Is that a crime?” She said a little more half-hearted than she usually would. She seemed almost nervous to face you.

“No, except you did once say that if you were ever seen dead in whatever frumpy bungalow that willow lived in-”

“I know what I said, I didn’t really mean it. They’re just words” She shrugged, interrupting you. She forgot half of the mean things she said sometimes.

“Okay…” You said a little awkwardly. You knew that she knew. So, you thought it better to just let her speak. It was one of her favourite hobbies, after all. A hobby you usually loved, she turned insults into an art form.

“I’m here because-” She took a deep breath, this was so important to her she couldn’t get it wrong, “Because I like women. Uh, but mostly I like you.”

“You… like me? Is this some kind of sick joke?”

“No! I only- I know this makes me look so totally heinous but I only got close with Xander because I wanted to get close to… you”

“You got bored of one sibling and wanted to hop onto the next? I don’t think that I’m comfortable with that” You explained truthfully. It was weird to you.

It was all you had ever wanted her to say, but it was still just so alien to you at the moment. As if you were dreaming. You were ten seconds away from pinching yourself because it felt too good to be true.

“I just wanted you to know, I had nothing to lose anymore. I broke it off with him as soon as I heard what you said” She explained, referring to hearing the way you felt.

“I-I need some time” you explained, your thoughts still spinning so fast around your head that you were starting to get dizzy.

“Anything, for you” Cordy nodded her voice barely above a whisper as she opened her arms to you. You almost fainted in shock, bowling her over as you embraced her. She wrapped her arms around you, inhaling happily.

She had wanted this for so long and you never even knew. She had stolen glances when you weren’t looking. Watched you from afar and imagined detailed fantasies of being close to you. Perhaps even kissing you. She had even gotten way too close to your brother in an attempt to learn more about you. She had been lonely, it was her only explanation.

You moved from the close hug and she wasn’t able to stop herself from grinning. You wanted to trust her, but you weren’t there yet. You needed a change to sort through your own feelings.

She turned and left and you watched her go. Things weren’t great with your brother. Your friendship group was fractured. But as you watched her turn back and wave at you, you had something special starting.

It started small in the back of your mind, but it was slowly growing. Hope.

[emwritesfootball]

Proud of You | Roman Bürki

An unexpected addition to @footballffbarbiex‘s Big Screen Writing Challenge. (Amy, please don’t kill me for this. I was just looking for someone to write this very sad scene with and @lawsandother​ suggested Roman and I couldn’t say no. CC’ing @sunslittlesister​ so you can cry, too, Dana xx)

Taken from the Season 6, Episode 8 of Schitt’s Creek scenes between Ted and Alexis.

Word Count: 2,943 Warnings: angst (I cried writing this)

It felt so unrealistic to wake up next to him that she almost thought she was dreaming for a moment when she woke up from her mid-afternoon, post-sex nap. Roman had been in and out of her life for the last six years, but lately each visit seemed to bring a sense of dread that neither one of them could place. Timing had never been a strong suit when it came to their relationship, but they’d been trying like hell to make it work.

When he’d been at SC Freiburg, things had been a bit easier. The two-hour commute on the weekends or for special occasions felt like nothing and she always looked forward to those Fridays or Mondays off work so she could have just one more day with him. Then came Dortmund, or ‘the beginning of the end’ as she had started to think of these last five years. The distance added five hours to her drive, and in the beginning, it was worth it. She still got almost two days with him, but each time she left the pit in her stomach grew. For two years, they saw each other twice a month; then once a month for a year. Now, he only came to visit her when he got a call-up to the national team or when he came back to Münsingen for a holiday break, the latter of which seemed to happen more often as he hadn’t gotten a call-up since 2018. 

“You’re awake,” Roman mumbled, his eyes still closed but he could feel her presence as if she were a part of his own body.

“I am,” she confirmed, lifting up his tattooed arm so she could tuck herself into his side. She pressed a kiss to his chest, sighing contentedly.

“Did we switch places?” Roman joked, his chest rising and falling as he chuckled. “Usually I’m the one up before you.”

“Just wanted to surprise you, I guess,” she answered, feeling guilty at the lie that so easily fell from her lips. I couldn’t sleep knowing you have to leave me tonight.

She had stayed up for the half-hour that he’d napped, replaying their relationship over and over, all the good and the bad moments on a loop until she couldn’t take it anymore. The worst part about it all was that he had come to surprise her this time, but she was the one who had to be realistic.

She’d been working on a logo for a new up-and-coming local shop set to open soon - the newest in a long line of new clientele that had steadily started hiring her one-woman graphic design company - when she’d heard a rhythmic knock on the door. Thinking nothing of it, she set down her pen and walked over to the door of her studio, shocked but elated to find Roman on the other side.

“Oh, my god, Roman!” She’d squealed, jumping into his arms for a tight embrace. She hadn’t seen him in almost eight months and words couldn’t describe how good it felt to see his face after so long. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to surprise you,” he said, smiling shyly.

She hadn’t expected it to feel this awkward. After all, they were still in a relationship...just one that happened to be almost 700 kilometers away and one where they stopped FaceTiming as often as they used to. “Oh my god, uhm, hi!” She said brightly, taking his face in her hands and kissing him deeply.

“Hi,” he mumbled when the kiss ended, reaching into his back and pulling out a Steiff bear wearing a t-shirt. “Sorry, there were limited options at the hotel gift shop.”

“Mehr Bier, bitte!” She read, laughing at the words. “So sweet.” Not quite sure what to say, she pulled him in for another hug. “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you, too,” Roman murmured, burying his face in the crook of her neck and inhaling her scent that he’d missed these last eight months. 

“Wait…” she paused, putting the pieces together, “there’s no break for months. What are you doing here?”

Roman looked away, wishing for a brief moment that he hadn’t fallen in love with such a perceptive woman, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I picked up a small injury in the match on Friday, so I was told to take a long weekend.”

Her brow furrowed as she did the math. “But today’s Sunday. How come you didn’t get here until,” she paused, checking her watch, “half-past noon today?”

“Well, I was supposed to be here yesterday morning, but I had some unforeseen car troubles.” Roman cringed, remembering the incident. “Got a flat within the first two hours of my drive, so I had to get my car repaired, which took longer than expected. Then, something happened with my engine that required an overnight repair and I didn’t make it out here until now.”

“That’s okay,” she cooed, running her fingers over the beard he’d been growing for ages now. “So, how long do we actually have, then?”

Roman sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Just today.”

“Oh, wow, okay. Enough about your car troubles, then.” She took his hand and dragged him over to her bed, kneeling on it as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders.

“I just want to be with you and catch up and talk,” he said, leaning down to capture her lips in his before he laid her down on the bed and covered her body with his.

There had been no other way to describe what he’d done with her except that he’d made love to her. His love for her was in every kiss that he place on her body; every word from his lips and every caress across her skin. When he’d asked if they could cuddle afterwards as he pulled her into his side and subsequently fell asleep, a part of her couldn’t help wondering just what the future held. 

“You still with me, Schatz?” Roman asked, nudging her playfully to get her attention.

“Yeah, sorry,” she replied, clearing her throat as he brought her out of her head once again. “Got distracted, is all.” When she looked over at him, the look on her face had her stomach dropping. “Is everything okay?”

Roman took a deep inhale, steadying himself for what he was about to say; no matter how many times he’d rehearsed it in his head, it still pained him to say it. “I just..thought that it was important that we have this conversation in person.”

Her heart started to race, and for a moment all she could hear was the blood pounding in her ears as it pumped through her veins. “Roman, are you breaking up with me?”

“No,” he answered quickly, shaking his head. “That’s the last thing I want to do.” He put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her into him, pressing a kiss to her temple. 

“Oh, thank god.” She breathed a sigh of relief, tracing the tattoo on his pec. “Then, what is it?”

“I don��t remember when we last talked about this, but my contract with Dortmund is up at the end of this year and the managers want to talk to me about re-signing.”

“Wow,” she said, stunned. Of course she was well aware of how good he was, regardless of how long it had been since he’d gotten a National Team call-up. He was a key player for Dortmund, starting almost every match, and even though she cringed every time the ball came his way, she tried to watch all of his appearances whether he knew it or not. “How long would your new contract last?”

“The foreseeable future. Five years at minimum is what we discussed, provided I don’t have any major injuries. We even talked about the possibility of me retiring with the club, but that’s at least a decade away if things go my way.”

She cursed in Swiss-tinted German, the unexpectedness of it all hitting her like a punch to the gut. Tears sprang to her eyes and she blinked them back, hoping Roman hadn’t seen them. “That’s a long time,” she said when she’d regained her composure, trying desperately to find some small bit of hope to cling onto.

“Yeah…”Roman agreed, trailing off. “I just… I keep waiting for things to get easier for us.”

“So, uh, what are you gonna tell them?” She asked, placing a hand on his forearm as some modicum of reassurance.

“I- I don’t know. I was hoping that the drive to you would clear my head and show me the right answer, but-” he took her hand in one of his, focusing on that so he wouldn’t have to look her in the eye, “seeing you? I don’t wanna lose this.” He took her hand and placed it over the tattoo on his chest so she could feel his heartbeat under her fingertips.

“Okay, so what do we do?” She asked, her brain already switching into work-mode trying to figure it all out. “Do I just pack up my life and move to Dortmund with you?”

“Or I move back here,” Roman said, and she could already hear the melancholy in his voice.

“And turn down the opportunity to finish out your career at a great club before you move onto the next chapter of your life,” she finished for him, the heavy feeling in her heart returning.

Roman sighed, running a hand over his scruff and then through his hair, not knowing what to do. “I was hoping that we’d have the weekend to talk it over, figure it out, formulate a plan, but then-”

“Your car, I know,” she replied, unable to keep the bitterness out of her tone. A lump was starting to form in her throat and she knew the tears were going to start falling very soon, and she knew that if they did, she wouldn’t be able to stop them until she was all cried out. “I’m gonna need a minute to think about this…”

“There has to be a way through this.” Roman felt like he was pleading now, hanging on to the one reason outside of family he came back to Münsingen. 

She gave him a sad, watery smile, taking his face in her hands and giving him a soft kiss. “I liked this a whole lot better before we started talking.”

“Me, too.”

- - -

She took a walk while Roman showered, accidentally wandering into the café they’d met at six years before. It wasn’t often that she came to this café as everywhere she looked seemed to remind her of them and the time they’d spent here together. 

The same person who’d waited on them the very first time all those years ago was still behind the counter, greeting her the moment she walked in. “I haven’t seen you around here in awhile,” the old woman said, giving her a warm smile.

“I haven’t had much reason to be back here in awhile,” she answered, taking a seat at one of the stools at the bar area. “I just needed to get out and...clear my head.”

The woman nodded solemnly, pouring a cold glass of water. “Is everything okay?”

“I don't know.” It was an honest answer, but one she hadn’t voiced until now, the words sounding odd coming out of her mouth. She ordered her usual, her mind wandering back to the very first time she’d met Roman here. 

The old woman said her name a few times, finally getting her out of her reverie. “Here’s your order,” she said, nudging the cup toward her.

“Do you ever have those days where you wonder why things can’t just be easier?” The question was out of her mouth before she could even stop it, but thankfully there wasn’t anyone else but her and the old woman in the cafe. 

“Why? What’s wrong?”

Those three words opened up a flood of emotions and before she knew it, she was pouring her heart out to the woman behind the counter. She wasn’t sure if the woman knew who she was talking about - with a population of a little more than 11 000, Münsingen was on the larger side of municipalities, but with only a handful of well-known professional footballers, she couldn’t be sure. 

By the time she walked out of the cafe, she knew what she was going to do.

- - -

Roman double-checked the address on his phone for what felt like the hundredth time, but he knew he had it right. He stood outside, adjusting his suit and tie one final time as he took in the sign for the café. There had been a weird feeling in his gut from the moment she’d left to the moment he’d received her text telling him to meet her here at this address at 7pm. 

The little bell at the top of the door jingled as he entered, signalling his arrival. Roman turned the corner to find the café completely empty, save for his girl in the centre of the room, ‘their’ booth adorned with candles and wine. Jazz music was playing softly over the speaker, and Roman couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“What is all this?” He asked, his gaze roaming over her. She was dressed in one of his favourite dresses on her, and Roman felt awestruck in her presence.

“Sit,” she said, gesturing to ‘his’ side of the booth as she took her own seat opposite him.

“Did you close down the whole café?” Roman tried to make conversation, unsure of what to do next.

She lifted a shoulder in a partial shrug. “I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

Just then, the old woman came over. Roman felt like he was back in that café seeing the woman he now called his girlfriend for the first time, familiarity shocking him unexpectedly. “So, the set menu for tonight is mozzarella sticks, four-cheese lasagna, and a blueberry cheesecake for dessert.”

“That’s a lot of dairy,” Roman balked but couldn’t hide the fact that he was very hungry and it all sounded appetizing.

“All your cheat-day favourites,” she said as the woman walked away. 

Roman’s chest tightened at the gesture that subtly hinted how well she knew him. The crossroads they were at now was just a bump in the road he kept internally repeating to himself, hoping he’d start to believe it soon. “So…” he started, clearing his throat. A part of him didn’t want to do this now before they’d even eaten, but he’d be remiss if he didn’t at least say something.

She said, the words for him, though, and time seemed to stop. “You can’t move back here, Roman. You’ve been offered the job of your dreams and there’s no turning back now. Just think of all the trophies you can bring to Dortmund. Maybe you’ll even get another national team call-up before you retire. You’ve got so much to accomplish in Germany and I don’t want to hold you back.”

“What about you?” Roman asked. He felt like he was grasping at straws, but he needed to know that she was going to be okay without him even if it broke him. “What are you gonna do?”

“I can’t move with you, Roman.”

“I wouldn’t let you even if you tried. You’re building something special here with your graphic design business, and you deserve to see where it takes you.” Roman swallowed past the lump in his throat, reaching across the table for her hand. “I’m so proud of you.”

“I’m so proud of you.” She played with his fingers, trying to steady her emotions. “I’d like to think that we helped each other get here.”

Roman’s other hand came up, taking her chin between his thumb and index finger so she could look at him as he said with certainty, “I know we did.”

“And when you drive back to Dortmund tomorrow, I want you to know how grateful I am to have met you.” 

“I don’t think I’m ever going to meet another woman who made me feel the way that you do.” Roman’s eyes searched hers. He needed her to know that he spoke the truth. Losing her would be the biggest loss of his life, but on some level he’d known that this was going to be the last trip he made to see her the moment he’d turned onto her street and this confirmed it.

“I’m sure there’ll be some other woman...somewhere.” She tried to make a joke but it fell flat, the thought of Roman moving on to someone new making her want to cry.

Finally defeated, Roman sighed. “Can’t say that we didn’t try.”

Six, almost seven, years. That was how long the two of them had supported the other, through good and bad. There had been some rough patches and more than a few fights, but they’d always come back from them stronger than ever. 

“I love you, Roman,” she whispered, releasing his hand.

“I love you, too.”

Roman leaned in and she did, too, their lips meeting in soft kiss goodbye that said all they couldn’t say with words.

With tears in her eyes, she stood up and Roman instinctively shifted over so that she could come sit next to him in the booth. He put an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into him. Reaching over, Roman grabbed his wine glass and gesticulated a toast. “To us.”

She did the same, looking over at him as their glasses clinked together.

“To us.”

[harryandmolly]

Complicit // 2

summary: Shawn is under more pressure than he’s ever known. He craves release and comfort, the simplicity of sex. He gets more than he bargained for.

warnings: language, NSFW, possibly gratuitous fashion description

WC: 5.3k

-------------

Niall drops his head and leans into the final note, squinting and scrunching his face as he riddles out this one song that’s been driving him up a wall for almost a week. He feels a flicker of inspiration, reaches for it as he looks out the window toward the balcony of his Hollywood Hills home. His brow furrows, his fingers wind up to strike the strings again, and--

Buzz. Buzzzzzzz. Buzzbuzz.

He swears under his breath and tosses the acoustic beside him on the couch. He can’t admit to himself that he’s grateful for the distraction, so he decides to be annoyed with whomever is calling.

Shawny Boi.

He sighs. He can’t be annoyed with Shawn. It’s like being annoyed with a labradoodle puppy.

“Hey, mate.”

“Hey man, how’s it going?”

Niall laughs. Shawn’s voice is bright and edging toward chipper. He can hear his doofy, multi-million dollar smile through the phone. And Niall knows who put it there.

“I guess that first date was good, then?”

Shawn, pacing around barefoot in his kitchen, grins eagerly and strokes a hand through his messy curls. “Oh… man. Dude, it was… so good. I should’ve done this years ago.”

Niall, bemused, shimmies further into the cushions of his couch, trying not to feel like the old and wise man Shawn sees him as. “Shawny, you’re 21. How long ago are you talkin’ about?”

Shawn laughs, bubbly and strange somehow, like he’s high. Niall’s seen Shawn high when they’ve smoked weed together. He doesn’t get giggly, he gets philosophical. And hungry.

This is a different high altogether.

“You know what I mean, man. Feels good, feels like I can like… handle shit now. Y’know? Like I was so tired and didn’t even realize it and then I got to sleep for like two full days and I’m all good again.”

Niall’s familiar with the feeling. His first date with Karina was similarly revitalizing. He was bouncing off the walls for a week. He nods in understanding.

“‘S a great feeling, havin’ someone take all the pressure off and force you to just… feel good.”

“Yeah,” Shawn answers dreamily, “I just wanted to like, thank you again. I think this kinda saved my ass.”

Niall smiles to himself and bounces his bad knee, glancing out the window. “Gonna see her again, then?”

“Definitely. I’m gonna call again today.”

Niall’s knee slows. He bites his lip and tilts his head from side to side. “Listen, mate, just don’t get attached. I know it feels good, but it still doesn’t compare to something… real.”

Shawn bobs his head at the reality he’s been trying to remind himself of in the 24 hours since she slipped back into her Roger Vivier heels and left him in bed with a kiss on the cheek and a glint in her warm, tired eyes. He drops his head and rolls it, stretching his neck.

“Yeah, no, I mean, I know. I just feel like I got so much shit pent up over the last few months. And I’m about to go home for a week and then this whole festival thing is lined up to kick my ass all summer, plus I’ll be flying back and forth to LA to be seen with Bex, so… I’m just… I dunno.”

It’s a weak explanation. He huffs, his chest deflating, indignant at the idea of having to explain himself at all. He’s a grown man, he can do what he wants with his time and money and attention. He needs this. It’s therapeutic. It’s good for him. And it feels so fucking good.

Niall rubs a hand against the scruff under his chin. “Hey, it’s all you, mate. Whatever you wanna do. I’m glad it’s helped.”

“Yeah. Thanks again, dude. I’ll see ya soon.”

Shawn hangs up and, with color in his cheeks, skims through his contacts to find La Splendeur saved under the name “Dentist,” just in case. His hand shakes a little as he holds the phone to his ear.

+

The temperature change leaving the LA heat wave outdoors to stepping into Silver’s 6 bedroom Beverly Hills modern monstrosity of a home has Penny wincing and cursing herself for not remembering a jacket. Twice a month they have this meeting, always in the quiet security of Silver’s house rather than discussing business out in the open, and nearly every time Penny sits and shivers.

“Welcome home, love.”

Silver’s voice rings through the high-ceilinged foyer, crisp and lightly accented by British boarding school and Cambridge. Penny looks up to see her on the landing above in a white Theory pantsuit that’s tailored so sharply she looks untouchable. Penny smiles. Home, indeed.

Silver’s steps down the staircase are quiet, despite the sleek marble beneath her stilettoed feet. Despite the facade of the outfit, she takes Penny in her arms and kisses her cheeks three times, offering her arm to guide them into the living room where a full Japanese tea service waits.

Silver’s friendship is an odd and somehow comforting mix of formality and family. Penny’s never seen her underdressed, or sick, or overly emotional. And despite Silver’s perceived coldness, reflected in her choice of home and interior decorating, Penny has always felt safe and loved in her presence, ever since Silver first hired her as an escort at 20.

Penny, respectfully also in business formal, a pale pink Max Mara pencil dress and creamy nude Louboutins (a gift from Silver for her birthday), perches on the edge of the snowy white chaise and faces her best friend.

Silver sweeps a lock of dark hair behind her ear and grins.

“So how was it?”

Penny’s face lights up. She drums her fingers against her knee and tries to play coy. “Spectacular.”

“Good, tell me everything.”

Penny lifts a cleanly filled brow. “Hard up, are we?”

Silver chuckles and eyes the tea service. “Have you ever known me to be without?”

Silver, long since retired from escorting herself, has had a long line of pretty young things hanging around since Penny has known her, but never for very long. Last Penny heard, Yvette, a fresh faced lingerie model from Nice, was the flavor of the month. Silver doesn’t spend a night alone if she doesn’t want to.

Penny cedes with a nod and a smirk. “So you’re just girlishly curious?”

Silver lifts a toned shoulder and sips her tea. “It’s nice to see how the other half lives sometimes. And it’s good business for me to know what clients like him can be like. Makes me a better manager.”

Silver launched La Splendeur two years after hiring Penny with the idea that Silver would largely oversee the personnel -- drivers, girls, clients -- and Penny with her head for business would run the logistics -- the books, legal, and some of the legitimate earnings attached to La Splendeur that keeps curious eyes from gazing too close. They became partners, each sharing equal cuts of the profits, each assigned to manage the parts of the organization where they had the most acumen.

This bimonthly meeting is designed to keep both ends running smoothly as well as serving as an excuse for two busy friends to meet up under legitimate circumstances. Silver doesn’t often show much interest in Penny’s dates after they’ve been vetted and approved. Penny wonders what it is about Shawn that has her curious.

“He was very nervous. We did a lot of work to get him to let go. Honestly, he’s one of the trickier clients I’ve seen in a while. But once I got him there…”

Penny’s eyes flutter shut as she revisits her night with Shawn. Even after she made him come twice in a row in her hand, he had more for her. They were up most of the night with brief naps in between wild, uncontrollable orgasms. Truthfully, Penny’s not sure she’s ever had such an enthusiastic first date with a client. She’s been on cloud nine for days thinking about how calm and deeply satisfied he looked the next morning.

When she looks back at Silver, her intensely dark eyes are gleaming mischievously. Penny rolls her own.

“I’m glad he enjoyed himself. He called to rebook you. You have a room at The London tomorrow night at 9.”

Penny tries not to lick her lips insatiably but Silver knows her too well. She releases an echo-y, delighted laugh.

“Seems like maybe you have a new favorite?” she guesses.

Penny’s eyes drop to her own half-drunk cup of tea. “We’ll see. Some guys like this, they start hot and heavy and lose steam fast. Maybe he just needs this boost and he’ll be on his merry pop star way.”

Silver, ever unnervingly wise and all-seeing, nods and glances out her windows that look out onto the Los Angeles skyline. “Maybe.”

Penny feels the hair raise on the back of her neck and swallows, reaching for her laptop. “Let’s go over this month.”

+

Shawn recognizes the guy in the dark suit standing outside the room when he gets off the elevator with Winston Churchill on the doors. He offers him a shaky smile, trying not to imagine what he must be thinking about why Shawn is seeing this woman twice in one week. Shawn’s been trying not to look too closely at that himself since he booked the second date.

Gus, Shawn thinks his name is, gives a nod at the wire transfer confirmation on Shawn’s phone screen and lets him in.

The room is more standard glam-modern hotel vibes than the Chateau. It’s just a little cold, very clean, basic art, matching furniture. Shawn’s eyes skim over it, unfocused. They fix on the hardcased luggage sitting discreetly in the corner. His fingers twitch, imagining what’s inside it.

He sits on the end of the bed this time instead of in the lounge area where he felt a little more innocent and less like he was waiting for a prostitute to come nail him into a hole in the mattress.

Despite his eagerness for tonight and his relative comfort, having spent the night with her once before, Shawn feels some nerves creeping through his forced calm. He wonders for a moment if he won’t get used to it, waiting for her, never really forgetting the circumstances that brought them both here.

Not that he plans to continue seeing her for much longer. Just until the festivals start, maybe once or twice after when he’s back in LA getting papped with Bex at a Starbucks with his hand in her back pocket or something. His jaw tightens slightly, and then the door opens.

Penny is glowing in an emerald green cocktail dress that clings to her every curve and ends dangerously high on her sculpted, bronzed thighs. Her hair is sleek and straight, parted down the center and back over her shoulders. Her toes are painted to match her dress. Shawn shivers and wonders if she did it on purpose, if she’s been planning her outfit for him.

Shut up, his brain tells him, Why would she do that? She doesn’t need to impress you. You’re a sure thing.

The corner of his mouth lifts. He stands and smoothes his sweaty palms down the front of his inky black jeans. Gus shuts the door behind her. She smiles like she’s been waiting for this.

“Hey, you.”

Any remaining nerves vanish. Her voice is like heroin in his bloodstream. His eyes drift shut, his head falls back for a moment as he revels in her comfort.

“Hi, Penny.”

She steps forward in heeled black sandals with a jeweled brooch around each ankle strap. He takes his time looking her up and down, then feels a flash of guilt when his eyes settle on her pretty face.

She seems to know what’s on his mind. She stops before him and rests her hand on his cheek.

“It’s ok. You can look. Can even touch, if you’d like.”

The words have his fingers twitching hard where they rest at his sides. He swallows and proceeds with caution, keeping his eyes focused on hers, lined and smoky tonight, to watch her reaction.

He rests his hands on her bare upper arms, stroking her skin with his rough, calloused thumbs. Carefully, slowly, he drags them up over her narrow shoulders, brushing along the line of her collarbones, teasing the warm skin of her throat. His mouth waters. He curls his hands down over her shoulder blades, finding with a noticeable hitch in his breathing that the dress has a very low back. His fingers skate over naked skin, following the hollow of her back and stopping above the swell of her ass to fold around her hips, admiring the feel of the deep green silk.

He releases a ragged breath and closes his eyes. “I couldn’t wait. I n-needed to see you again this week before I go home for a while.”

When he opens his eyes, he sees her nodding gently, raising a hand to cup the back of his neck. She steps a little closer until they’re chest to chest, or as close as they can be considering the height difference.

“And how do you feel now that I’m here?”

Shawn smiles a little -- at her, at his own willingness to be totally honest with her. He wets his lips and says, “Like I’m amazed I waited a whole four days.”

Satisfied, Penny hums from the back of her throat and leads him down to kiss her. She starts slow, gentle against his mouth, brushing little soft kisses over his top and bottom lips like she’s memorizing the shape of them. Her free hand, by contrast, drags tight and hungry up his swollen bicep, squeezing as she goes, stopping to grip his shoulder.

He’s obedient for her despite his urge to take more than what she’s giving. He keeps his returning kisses as light as hers, but she’s holding him so tight he knows she can feel how hard he’s trying. It makes her smile and coo into his mouth. She pulls away slightly, massaging the back of his neck.

“You look beautiful,” he murmurs without taking his eyes off hers. She chuckles.

“Thank you, so do you.”

Shawn laughs and starts to duck his head. Penny’s hand holds him firm and guides his lips back to hers. These are real kisses now. He groans into her mouth, opens wider so she can tease his tongue the way she likes. His hands draw her hips in closer until they’re pressed against his. He starts to lead them toward the bed, but Penny stands firm.

“What do you want?” he pants softly, his forehead tilted against hers. He hears her lips pull into a smile.

“Your mouth.”

Shawn’s nervous system goes erratic. His eyes snap open, his hands sink harder into the fabric around her hips, he pants against her cheek.

“Really?”

If he had any self awareness right now, he’d flinch and squirm at the timid excitement in his voice. Good thing he’s too fucked for her to notice.

Penny gently detangles herself from his grasp and nods toward the bed. He sits on the end, legs spread, his elbows on his knees as he vibrates in place waiting for her. Now it’s Penny’s turn to look him over.

He looks less tired than he did when she met him. His eyes are a little brighter, his skin a little clearer, his shoulders a little further from his ears. She lets the power of it flood her system, feels that old animal that lives inside her stretch its legs and awaken for another night with him.

She did that. She gave him that. She took a man who needed her, who needed release and comfort and affection and she gave it to him tenfold. She took something a little broken and made it brand fucking new. And now she gets to let loose a little more, build upon the foundation she started.

He’s looking at her like he did last time, waiting to see her when she bares herself to him. She wets her lips, painted a light mauve color, and steps closer, heightening the tension.

“Are… uhm, are you gonna take your clothes off?” he asks hopefully.

Penny lifts a shoulder with a smirk. “No need.”

His face falls a little. She grins, or more just bares her teeth, and lifts a toned leg to press the sole of her shoe to his chest. Shawn inhales sharply and lets it nudge him back to lie against the bed, blinking up at the ceiling.

She watches his broad chest rise and fall, picking up speed as the anticipation builds. She gazes at him hungrily, at his large hands running up and down his thick thighs as he self-soothes. She can feel him trying not to lift his head to look at her. Her patience runs thin.

Penny lifts herself over him, one knee on either side of his torso, climbing on top of him carefully until she’s centered above his pretty face.

“Shit. You weren’t wearing panties this whole time?”

His voice is squeaky and breathless. Penny tips her head back and laughs, tugging her skirt up.

“They don’t really work with this dress,” she explains, reaching down to curl a lock of his hair around her finger.

He learned from their first night together not to touch her until she tells him to, so his arms rest limp by his sides, despite how badly he’d like to plant his hands on her hips and yank her warm cunt down to meet his mouth.

But that’s not what he’s here for. He’s not here to take, he’s here to let her give to him. He closes his eyes, recenters himself, and looks up again to see her watching him.

“Want to taste me, Shawn?”

He pauses. He nods. “Yes please.”

Penny slowly lowers her hips until she meets his face and the eager lips that are already pressing needy kisses against her folds. She hums and settles further, reaching for his arms to secure them around her as she starts to rock against him.

“I’m gonna ride your face. Just… just keep your mouth on me,” she instructs, her voice going soft and breathy as she starts to pick up speed.

Shawn is in fucking heaven.

His eyes are wide open, staring up at her as she takes what she needs from him, her clit bumping his nose with every tight stroke. His dick strains in his jeans, but neither of them seems to care. His hands fit into the dips at her waistline and hold her, supporting her as she rolls her hips.

Shawn likes oral, he always has. But this is beyond anything he’s ever experienced. He’s never had a woman use him for her pleasure like this before. He would’ve guessed it would feel odd, disconnected somehow, lacking. But with Penny, he swears he’d give her fucking anything.

Shawn groans, flattening his tongue for her to work against as she soaks his mouth and cheeks. The slick insides of her thighs make an incredible noise against his face as she moves faster and grinds harder. He can feel the tension in her legs and the erratic rise and fall of her chest. She’s getting closer. She’s going to come on his face.

Shawn moans, overwhelmed at the very idea. His toes curl in his boots. He blinks desperately up at her, watching as her tanned face flushes. Suddenly, without warning, her pretty brown eyes snap shut and she fists a hand into his curls, whining loud.

“Shawn! Oh… fuck,” she squeals, meeting her orgasm without slowing down. She continues riding him hard and he doesn’t back down either, massaging her waist and watching greedily as the motion slips her dress up her hips and shows him more of her pretty skin.

Finally, it abates and he’s left cleaning her up with his tongue, eyes fluttering drowsily, his breathing regulating in time with hers.

Penny releases his hair from her fingers and sighs, easing up on her knees. He holds her steady as her legs shake, looking pleased with himself.

Penny laughs, climbing down his stomach so she can lean in to kiss him, tasting herself on his tongue. He whimpers, cupping his hand beneath her hair, letting her explore his mouth as she pleases.

“You really liked that,” she breathes. It’s not a question -- she doesn’t even really need his confirmation. She can see it all over his face, could feel it in the way he stared up for her and let her have him.

He blushes and nods, smiling. “You… yeah. Fuck, yeah. You taste amazing.”

Penny’s heart clamors against her ribs like it wants to get a look at him. She runs her hands through her now sex-fucked hair and laughs.

“Good. I want another one.”

Shawn blinks and feels a moment of deja vu bring him back to their first night. “Yeah?”

Penny nods casually, unbuckling the straps of her shoes where her legs are folded beneath her. She kicks them away, dropping them off the side of the bed and reaching back for her zipper, fumbling with the awkward angle.

Shawn perks up. “Can I help with that?”

Penny kisses the tip of his nose. “Sweet. Yes, please.” 

Shawn focuses his gaze on a freckle on her collarbone while his fingers tug at her zipper. When he feels it meet resistance, he stops, looks to her for instruction, then continues undressing her when she raises her arms.

Naked on his lap, she plants her hands on his chest and admires the way his heart pulses frantically for her. She sucks his earlobe between her swollen lips and feels him sigh.

“Where do you want me, Pen?”

Penny’s lips twitch at the nickname and how quickly he’s caught on. She lifts a knee and drops onto the bed beside him with a soft thump, spreading her legs and cozying into the pillows like she owns the place. He chokes on a breath that comes up short in his chest.

“Get comfy. You’re going to be down there for a while. I want to come until I can’t anymore.”

Again, she has him floored. They experimented with his overstimulation before, and tonight she wants him to help her test her own limits. He swallows and nods eagerly.

“Yeah. Of-- of course. Yes. Do you want me to…?” He gestures down at himself, still fully clothed.

Penny, with her hair spread out around her head like a halo and a manicured fingernail between her teeth, shrugs. “Take off your jeans. I don’t want your pretty cock to suffocate.”

Shawn’s abdomen clenches and he covers the inhuman noise he makes with a weak chuckle. His “pretty cock” twitches hard, reacting to the compliment.

He ditches his boots, socks and jeans and nestles up on his stomach between her thighs, breathing softly.

“So fuckin’ pretty and wet,” he praises, shaking his head in disbelief. She smiles like she’s heard it before, and he’s sure she has. 

He turns his face into her inner thigh and sucks some soft, wet skin into his mouth, releasing a muffled groan as she inhales. Reluctantly, he releases her without leaving a mark, knowing he should ask permission before he tries to go that far. His eyes flicker to hers. They’re dark and unreadable, steady on him as she waits patiently. He figures she’s not in a rush. They have all night for him to make her come. His own needs are barely a blip on his radar. He’s focused on her, on her flushed pink folds, her clenching stomach, her full, touchable breasts.

She might need to beg him to leave her alone once she lets him loose. He’s not going to want to come up for air ever again.

Shawn takes a deep breath and dives in, humming as he sucks her inner labia into his mouth. Penny’s hips shift, her body melting into the bed gracefully as she relaxes. Shawn eyes her from over the soft curve of her stomach, easing up to swipe his tongue against her slowly and watch how she reacts to every little move he makes.

If she can study him, he can study her, too, learn exactly how she likes to be touched, to be tasted, to be fucked. He wants to know everything, wants to internalize it so he can attempt to bring her a fraction of the bliss she’s brought him. By the way her back arches slightly when he flicks at the hood of her clit, he’s making progress.

+

Shawn has officially lost count of her orgasms.

He’s past painfully hard and it’s becoming more and more apparent that he needs to come or he’s gonna, like, die, but he refuses to break and beg for it.

They’ve taken short breaks, but he hasn’t left her, receding only as far as her inner thighs that he sucks and lavishes with kisses while they talk quietly as she recovers. He tells her about his trip home next week, about having to get on the road for the festival tour soon after. He mumbles hopes and nerves and dreams and concerns as she runs her fingers through his hair and asks thoughtful questions even after four or five orgasms, so her brain is more mush than useful. But he shows no signs of wanting to go anywhere, especially now that he’s learned the tricks that get her loud and twitchy and coming hard on his needy tongue. So they lie there on the bed in the same position, right into the small hours of the morning.

Shawn hums gratefully as he sweeps up her next orgasm, relishing the shivers he feels as he holds the base of her ribcage. He grunts and noses at her neatly trimmed patch of pubic hair, sighing hot and loud against her folds.

“Yes?” she chuckles.

He shifts uncomfortably against the bed and lifts his gaze, looking like a guilty puppy.

“I’m… nothing. It’s ok.”

Penny comes up on shaky forearms and traces her soft toes up his back, snagging at the t-shirt he’s still wearing.

“You sure? You don’t need anything?” she whispers. His ears go red. She’s teasing him. He juts his chin out stubbornly and shakes his head, focuses instead on tonguing circles around her throbbing clit. He watches in satisfaction as her abdomen tenses and she releases an involuntary grunt of approval as her body beckons to him.

“You’ve been hard for a couple hours. Keep grinding your hips against the bed. Wouldn’t you rather me help you come?”

Shawn’s eyes fix on hers tentatively. He’s not sure how she wants him to proceed. He wasn’t going to ask, he really wasn’t. But at the idea that he might get to come soon, his cock pulses in his boxers, still leaking in the same spot.

“Only… if you want me to.”

Penny beams down at him in a way that has him hiding his face in her slick inner thigh. She strokes his curls, encouraging him to look at her.

“I want you to ask me nicely.”

Shawn heaves a sigh. He noses curiously at her clit, presses a little kiss to her folds.

“May I please come now?”

His voice is soft and quiet. He’s not used to begging.

Not yet, anyway.

Penny keeps her fingers moving through his hair, waiting for more.

“Say it again, Shawn.”

“I… please, Penny. I’ve been so good. Please let me come for you?”

She blinks slowly, lazily, drugged by the power he so freely drops into her hands. At her reaction, he swallows and continues.

“Please,” he hisses, pressing more needy kisses to anywhere he can reach, “Penny, I’ll come so good for you. I’m so fucking hard. Just want to come once and then I’ll keep eating your fucking perfect pussy. Please, Penny, I want to come.”

The corners of her mouth lift in a dangerous grin. She bobs her head, pushing at his hair so he’ll ease back from between her legs. 

“Take your shirt off.”

Shawn sits up and yanks at the collar, throwing it over his head. His chest is pink, heavily flushed from their hours of fucking. Her eyes scrape over his every curve and angle, and she’d be lying to herself if she thought it wasn’t mostly to keep him waiting for her. She pulls her legs together, rubbing her wet thighs as she considers him.

“Boxers, too.”

Shawn stands for expediency’s sake and drops them without ceremony, kicking them off his ankles. His hands curl into fists to keep himself from grabbing at his swollen pink cock.

Penny licks her lips obscenely. She eyes him, head cocked, and crooks her finger. He climbs back onto the bed.

“Come here,” she whispers, flattening her legs and waving him forward.

Unsure of what she wants, unable to do anything but follow her lead, Shawn kneewalks on either side of her until he straddles her torso, positioned over her chest.

Penny smirks as she looks him over, lets her hands wander over his tensed thighs, his rippling stomach, his slim hips and tight little ass. Shawn’s toes curl. His hands stay at his sides.

“Wanna watch you touch yourself. Wanna feel you come on my tits, would you like that?”

He chokes on air. Would he like that? Jesus Christ.

He nods frantically, curling a fist around his cock. His whole body shakes with a relieved sigh. As her small hands smooth up and down his quads, he pumps in and out of his fist, scrunching his face at the filthy sound of it.

“Oh, fuck,” he swears, shaking his head, “Fuck, I love being good for you.”

When he can manage to open his eyes, Penny is staring up at him in wonder, looking between his face and his thrusting hips. She bites down on her lower lip.

“Good. God, you’re so fucking hot, so hard for me.”

Shawn hangs his head, groaning loud and unabashed as his orgasm starts to coil hot in his lower abdomen.

“Penny… gonna come. Gonna come on your pretty tits.”

Penny wets her lips and tries not to look like she’s aching for it. She closes her eyes briefly, brushes her hands up around his hips to grip the cheeks of his ass.

Her eyes open.

“Shawn, are you my good boy?”

She brings a hand down hard on his right cheek, the resounding smack of skin on skin propelling him forward through the wall of his orgasm.

He screams, breathing into a growl of her name, spurting hard onto her chest. His hips snap desperately, his hand pumps his cock through one of the strongest orgasms he’s ever had. His head falls forward to rest against the cushioned headboard, looking down at her as he remembers how to breathe again.

“Guess you are my good boy, then,” she preens, skimming her hands over his body again as he sits back on his heels.

“Holy… shit.”

“Feel good, Shawn?”

He blinks blearily and manages to nod. With a huff, he lifts himself onto newborn horse legs and stumbles to the bathroom for a wet washcloth. Without her even asking, he carefully sweeps the cloth over her chest, cleaning his orgasm off her perfect breasts. He tosses the cloth aside and gazes down at her. She smiles. He sighs.

“You’re… exactly who I need right now.”

They’re Penny’s favorite words to hear from a client. They represent absolute success. They make her proud, despite the prejudices and misconceptions surrounding her job. The look on his face right now is the reason she is here. Her heart gives an extra squeeze. She reaches for him, folds him down beside her and guides his head onto her chest. Without another word, they fall asleep.

--------

Hope this goes well with your Sunday morning coffee <3 speaking of Ko-fi, buy me one if you feel like it! Link in bio.

Taglist: @smallerinfinities @the-claire-bitch-project @achinglyshawn @infiniteshawn @mendesoft @singanddreamanyway @alone-in-madness @abigfatmess @shawnitsmutual @awkwardfangirl2014 @september-lace @grittyisaho @sinplisticshawn @rollingxstone @yslsaint @randi-eve @fallmoreinlove @heyits-claire @itrocksmysocks @parkerspicedlatte @simpledomain @abeautiful-and-cloudy-day @thecurlsofgod @magcon7280 @bensbuttercup @shawnsmusical @paigeasourous @tnhmblive @greedydevil @tamegray @meltingicequeen @havethetimeeofyourlifee @normalcyisoverrated-beyou @t-i-n-y-d-i-n-o

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #275

i’m anxious and my head is hectic so i can’t think of a single song lyric to put here lmao

Have you ever dated anybody online? Yes, but we met up in person for a week+ at a time multiple times. Ever been stalked? No. Ever stalked someone? No. I never got to that point with him because shit’s creepy. Have you ever been called a slut, hoe, skank, whore? Only playfully by close friends because that’s how we show affection sometimes lmao. Have you ever snuck out before? No. Do you eat meat? I wish I didn’t, but I do. If so, do you like meat? Yes. If not, do you have anything against people who eat meat? N/A Have you ever gotten a manicure or pedicure? I went with my old friend and sisters on rare occasions just to hang out. Have you ever been close to getting kidnapped? Jc no, thank fuck. HAVE you ever been kidnapped? No. I’d be so goddamn terrified. Do you listen to Lykke Li? Never heard of ‘em. Have you ever self-harmed? Yes. Do you have any eating disorders? No. Have you ever met a celebrity? No. Do you like Monster Energy or do you prefer other energy drinks? Astonishingly with how much I love soda, I am nooot an energy drink fan. They taste like straight-up poison. Describe the best day of your life? I don’t really know what that would be. About how many times a week do you skip class or just school in general? When I was in school, I’d fake sick as a kid rarely, then in high school I had quite a few mental health days. College, too. Have you ever been suspended from school? No. Have you ever been expelled? No. Do you role-play? Only on designated forums and in serious stories. I need substance behind it. Irl, sexual, and pretty much any other RP doesn’t interest me. Do you watch Degrassi? I never did, no. What is one of the saddest novels you’ve ever read in your lifetime? Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo. Jesus fucking Christ. Orbit or 5 Gum? Honestly can’t even remember their tastes… but I THINK I preferred the latter. Have you ever been in a love triangle? No. How bad are your hangovers? I’ve never had one. Do you think Taco Bell is nasty? No. Do you have a jacuzzi? Definitely not. Have you ever broken a bone? If so, what was the cause of it? No. Do you think vegans/vegetarians look down on people who choose to eat animal products? That’s a very generalizing statement… You can’t say that of them all. Some absolutely do, others don’t. Do your friendships tend to last a long time or are they short-lived? Definitely the former. Name the best and worst things about your current or most recent relationship. The best thing was absolutely that I felt accepted for entirely who I was, like I needed to hide not a single thing. The worst thing was easily distance. Fuck distance. How are you? Aggravated at a lot of things. What part of your body are you most insecure about? Absolutely my stomach. What’s one food you would be surprised to hear that someone doesn’t like? Chocolate. I mean I know at least one person who doesn’t, but boy does it catch you off-guard. Do you think your voice is higher or lower than average? It’s definitely lower than the average woman’s. Do you and your parents like any of the same bands/singers? Oh, loads! I couldn’t even begin to list them all. Is there any food in your bedroom? No. Do you know anyone who has road rage? MY YOUNGER SISTER. GOOD LORD. Riding with her is always a trip. How far away do your grandparents live from you? My only (barely) living one is in New York with family, probably until she dies. It’s like ten hours away. What kinds of cereal are in the cupboard? We have chocolate Special K, Honey Nut Cheerios, a Food Lion rip-off of Rice Krispies, and… maybe one more? Is your mom a big health freak or your dad? Or neither? Neither, really. Given her cancer, high blood sugar, and diabetes though, Mom is much more conscious of what she eats. Do you know anyone who wants to be the president one day? Not that I’m aware of. What kinds of chips are in the cupboards? We don’t have any. Mom and I try to keep snack foods out of the house because we know ourselves well enough to know we WILL eat them too fast. Do you have your mom’s or dad’s hair? Absolutely my mom’s. It’s thick as hell like hers was. What’s the first thing you see when you walk into your bedroom? Probably my massive Nightmare Before Christmas poster above my bed. Do you have any friends who have naturally red hair? Yes. Have you ever cried when a teacher retired? Yep. I’m never going to forget my first band teacher; he was a real comedian with a massive heart. We all adored him and got so excited when he would come back to substitute if our instructor had to miss and he was able to come. Oddly enough, I don’t remember his name… When’s the last time you wore heels? Oh Christ. Maybe Ashley’s wedding? Did I even wear heels? Do you have your mom’s or dad’s eyes? Neither. What’s the best date movie? I am such an average white bitch in how my answer to this will always and vehemently be The Notebook. How long has your current best friend been your best friend? Around three years. Have your parents ever been out of the country? No. Do you swear and yell while playing video games? No. I might curse under my breath. Is there any alcohol in the fridge? Oh I WISH. Do your pets chase after bugs? YUP. Roman loves hunting flies. When’s the last time you were so excited you couldn’t sleep? Why? Excited? Probably not since I was going to see Sara. I don’t know. What is your mom’s favorite movie? Oh shit, good question. How much older is your dad then you? Don’t make me math, please. 30-something years. Do you have any relatives who really spoil you? No. Do you know anyone who has security cameras in their house? Probably. What was the last movie to make you cry? No clue. Has anyone you know ever pulled the fire alarm in school, joking around? I think so? Who was the main character in the last book you read? Starflight. Is the last person you said goodbye to single? No, he’s married to my sister. Who are the last people you saw kiss? Like romantically/on the lips? Ummm probably a couple on Facebook or something. Have you ever posted a fan fiction on a website? No. Do you ever fantasize about your future wedding? Who’s the bride/groom? Not anymore. Do you have any relatives who are expecting a baby really soon? No. My high school friend did just announce she’s pregnant with her second child though. When you get married, who will be the maid of honor/best man? My mom. Does your best friend get along with their parents? Yes, they’re fantastic. Have you ever been in a wedding? What were you? Yes; I was the hideous bridesmaid that just cried all through my sister’s wedding. That was a fucking nightmare. Does it matter to you what kind of shampoo you use? I don’t really care, no. Do you have a sensitive gag reflex? Like STUPID fuckin sensitive. Where are you the most ticklish? Don’t touch my fuckin feet. What was the last situation to upset you? It was a petty envy thing that shouldn’t have upset me, let’s move along. Have you ever had an online argument? I’ve been socially on the Internet since I was 11 and am now 24, take a guess lmao. The general subject of your last text conversation? Asking Sara for permission for something RP-related. What is just down the hall from where you’re located? There’s not really a hall at all; my room opens up into the living room. Do any of your friends know you fill out surveys? Well besides the online friends I have here, no. Do you like the controversial/political surveys? ”It depends on if I have enough opinions (and energy) to give good answers or not.” <<<< Exactly this. Who/What did you last spend time worrying about? Myself and my future and my newfound fear of ending up homeless and hopeless after my parents pass away because I’m a very sorry Adult™. What was the last thing you prepared in the oven? Whoa, who knows. The oven scares me, so I don’t use it myself. When were you last offered something illegal? I don’t think I ever have been, actually. Did you accept or decline that offer? N/A When was the last time that you saw fire? On the way home like a week back or something. Someone was burning stuff in their backyard. Have you ever seen somebody get shot? No. What are you listening to? “Little One” by Highly Suspect. Gorgeous song. Do you chew on your hair? Um no???? Can you talk on the phone while having the tv/radio on? No. What size are all the televisions in your house? I don’t know the measurements, but it’s a large Vizio. One of the few really nice things we got when my parents were together. Do you have health insurance? Yes. How many times have you been pulled over by the cops while driving? Zero. What is one of your favorite movie lines? I don’t know, they’re not really something I memorize. What is one thing you look forward to every day? My morning Mountain Dew lmao it’s my coffee, essentially. What is one thing you dread every day? The inevitable part where I’m bored shitless by early evening. Ever lived through a natural disaster? Lots of hurricanes. What’s the longest you’ve lived without electricity? I wanna say around two days? Maybe even three? I don’t remember. Name all the drugs you have tried: None. Name all of the alcoholic beverages you have tried? Margaritas and sangrias with different types of alcohol that I don’t know. Oh, hard lemonade. Oh yeah, wine too, which was fucking repulsive. Name all the types/brands of cigarettes you have tried: None. What is one thing you stand strongly for? Fucking TRY ME on gay rights. What does your doormat say? We don’t have one. Who was the last person you were on hold with (on the phone)? I don’t remember. Who do you know that’s had a baby recently? Ummm I don’t think any *very* recently. Do you know anyone who got married recently? Again, not very. Do you know anyone who has died recently? No. Do you change songs in the car often? I use my iPod to play over it, where I select the songs to play, so I let them play through. However, if I was actually the driver, I definitely wouldn’t; it wouldn’t really matter because I’m so terrified of driving that I need almost no radio at all. What street sign do you find totally pointless? I’m not familiar enough with them all. What drinking games have you played? None. What made you pick up the last book you started reading? Sara got me into the series. Have you received any bad or troubling news lately? Welcome to 20fuckin20, y’all. When was the last time you were relieved about something? *shrug* What about your life concerns you the most? That I’ll waste it. Is there a common thing most people seem to do without trouble, but it scares you (talking on the phone, driving, interviews, etc)? When was the last time you had to do one of these kinds of things? When I went to the doctor a couple weeks ago, I signed myself in. Yes, that sets my anxiety off because I don’t know how to Talk. When was the last time you went somewhere for the first time? Uhhhhhhhh good question. I don’t go anywhere. What is a situation that makes you feel especially confident? Talking about meerkat behavior ha ha. If you’ve moved out from home, what was the scariest thing about it? What was/is your favorite thing about it? N/A Are there any fictional characters you like even though they’re “bad” or “evil?” What qualities draw you to a character? BITCH yes. I just like charisma. For villains, I really like when there’s a *reason* they’re bad, too, and not so just for the sake of it. And I am a SUCKER for sarcastic lil shit villains. What are your thoughts on “forgiving” murderers, rapists, attackers, etc? Do you think it’s even possible to forgive these people? This is a tough question, after I looked past my initial “hell no.” Like, people change. I suppose it varies case-to-case. What was the last series you finished watching? Do you have any plans to begin another? Actually finished, Ginga Densetsu Weed. I’m sure Sara and I will keep watching Avatar: The Last Airbender next time we see each other. What is one way in which you are different from a year ago? What is one way in which you are still the same? I definitely hate myself more than I did. And that’s the problem: I haven’t developed at all in a year’s time. Is there anything you’ve promised yourself you’ll never do again? Multiple things. Do you prefer fake tanning or real tanning? I prefer not tanning at all. Would you date someone who was addicted to drugs? No. I’m not getting into that shit. If the person was recovered, yes, but I wouldn’t hesitate leaving if they relapsed and didn’t seek help. Sounds brutal, but I’m serious about the damage drugs do, and not just to the user. Do you still talk to the person you had your first kiss with? No. It’s probably best we never do again. Can you make yourself cry? I’ve never really tried, but I don’t think so. Are you ready for kids? I’ll never be. Have you ever woken up crying from a bad dream? Plenty of times. Thanks, nightmares every fucking time I sleep. Do you eat breakfast? Yes. Cannot relate to people who don’t like wtf that’s the best part of the morning. Have you ever trusted someone too much? BOY OH BOY OH BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How did you get your last bruise? I don’t recall. Last time you got a text message and smiled? Idk. What was the last kid’s movie you saw? Ummmmm good question. Have you ever shared a shower or bath with someone as an adult? Noooo, not into it. Sounds dangerous but also just… weird to me. Like let me clean myself in peace??? Are you bitter about anything? Oh, am I. Do you use emojis? Occasionally. I’m too biased to emoticons, growing up using those every sentence, lol… but I’m starting to move towards them depending on the platform, and the ones I use are very limited. Do you have any hidden piercings? (this includes bellybuttons) No. I took my snake eyes out. Has anyone called you perfect before? *lips against mic* that was a motherfuckin lie Have you ever liked someone that was in a relationship? Yes. Have you ever gone through a period of mass weight-gain/weight-loss? What was that time like for you? Both, actually. First, mass weight-gain happened due to a medication I was on that murders metabolism + I was a bad emotional eater after the breakup, and those two don’t mix. Then, through recovery, I lost over 50 pounds in around a year from being off of that fucking medicine and my eating habits returning to normal. What’s one incident that has majorly affected your self-esteem? Was it for better, or for worse? THE BREAKUP. It made me feel like an absolute waste of space and time. Do you have a close bond with your sibling(s)? Was it always this way, or has it been better/worse? Not really, but I wish I did. Ashley and Nicole are very close, then I’m like… awkwardly on the sidelines trying to find times where I can insert myself and be a proper sister. Ash and I ARE closer than we were as kids, while it’s a harsh opposite with Nicole. We shared a room and were very close, but now I feel like she doesn’t even like me. Have you used Limewire before? Ha, yuuup… Who do you envy the most, if anyone at all? I’m uncertain about the most.

[redstarwriting]

Two Of Us [Part 2]

Tony Stark x Daughter! Reader

Request: “I loved your story Two Of Us. Could you please, please write more? Please?! I wanna read about her training with the team, her first mission with the team, about how people see her fly by and wonder who that is or how when people see her fly by they smile, remembering Tony and immediately feel that everything will be ok. I just need more!! 😭”

Word Count: 2,129

Genre: Platonic, Angst-ish

Warnings: Swearing, fight scene, Endgame Tony feels

A/N: I just had the absolute worst writer’s block I’ve ever experienced. No matter what request I tried to work on, I just couldn’t. However, the requester of part two of this actually yanked my ass out of the rut I was in and helped me finally get back on track! @katsen13 is an ANGEL and I’m very grateful she helped me out. Now that I feel like I can actually form sentences again, I’m going to try to write as many requests as I can. I’m very sorry if you requested and I haven’t written it yet, but I’m going to try to go off and write EVERYTHING now! Also, if anyone would ever just want to talk or get to know more about me I’m so willing to talk! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this! 

[Pt. 1]

───────────────────────────────────

After you showed the Avengers that you would be taking over the persona your dad had for so many years, you started training immediately. When you weren’t at school, you would be training. Lucky for you though, after three days of this train, school, train schedule, the seniors got out earlier than the rest of the student body. That includes you, so now it’s just training, training, training. After a week, it was evident that you were very skilled with the iron suit, but you weren’t Tony level just yet. Because of that, it became apparent to the rest of the team that you wouldn’t rest until you were. “(Y/N/N), isn’t it time for a break?” Rhodey asks as you fire repulsor beams from both of your hands, hitting targets as fast as you could. “Not a chance, Rhode Island.”

“Rhode Island? Come on, that’s not even clever.”

“Sorry, I can’t hear you over the sound of me being better than you.”

“Wow, you really are Tony’s daughter.”

“Damn, which one of us is the genius here? I never would have guessed I was Tony Stark’s daughter, good observation, Watson.”

Rhodey narrows his eyes in annoyance but can’t help the smile breaking out across his face. He missed this kind of scarcastic wit. Although the other Avengers can give him sass, no one compared to what Tony could do. Now he had a carbon copy of his late best friend. “Whatever you say, Stark.”

“How long has she been training?” Pepper’s voice rings out, but you’re too focused to hear. Rhodey looks at her and shrugs. “Well it’s one in the afternoon so… around seven hours. She never stops.”

“You don’t have to tell me that,” she says with a sigh, sitting down to observe you. Rhodey sits next to her, turning his attention to you as well. “She really acts like him, y’know?” Rhodey thinks out loud, and Pepper laughs. “Oh, you have no idea. I know you saw her grow up, but there are some parts you still didn’t see. She and Tony are basically the same person.” Rhodey shakes his head, a small laugh leaving his lips. “She started training at six in the morning.”

“Only six? she must have decided to actually sleep last night. That’s a rare occurrence,” Pepper informs him, and he snorts. “Yeah, that is a lot like Tony… doesn’t that worry you, though?”

“Of course it does… but I’ve come to realize she’s very set in her ways. She cares more about what she’s working on than she does her own health. I mean, she already has trouble sleeping, and ever since her dad has been gone it’s gotten even worse. But in this case, she won’t stop until she’s what she deems ready. Once she gets her mind set on something, nothing will stop her until she reaches her goal. A little like someone else we used to know.”

“Yeah, more like exactly like him. Is that one of the suits he made before? I’ve never seen it.” “Oh, no, (Y/N) made it. It even has some little perks that Tony’s suits didn’t even have. You might want to ask her to make you a new War Machine suit, she’d happily do it.”

“She made it? She can already make things like that?”

“Rhodey, she’s her father’s daughter. He got her hooked onto engineering in fifth grade. She made her first iron suit in seventh.”

Pepper smiles to herself, thinking back to the times she would wake up anywhere from midnight to 5 in the morning without Tony next to her. Even though he almost always did this, and she knew exactly where he was, she’d always get up to go find him. It was always just him until you were around ten years old. Then she would see you with Tony, staring at whatever he was doing, him explaining it to you. That was the beginning of your engineering knowledge, and, like she told Rhodey, by the time you were twelve, you were designing your own Iron Man suits. Spending time with Tony was your favorite thing, and you made sure it happened at any chance you could get. Tony loved it and although he never admitted it to you, but he bragged to everyone about how you were the smartest Stark. “She caught onto what I have a PhD in and went to college to study for when she was learning how to long divide. If you still think I’m the smartest after that information, I feel sorry for how delusional you are,” he’d always say. No one really believed him though. No one believed there was any way you could actually get the hang of these things at that age, Rhodey included. That is, until right now.

“She was getting that into this stuff at that age?” Rhodey was in disbelief, finally believing Tony’s claims at you being the smartest Stark. “Mhm. I always knew in the back of my mind that she would fill his shoes one day. I just expected it to happen later on in her life, after he retired from being Iron Man and we decided to finally just sit back and relax. Not now.”

Rhodey just sits in silence, unsure on what to say. He himself was missing Tony, so hearing Pepper say that just made him go silent. Rhodey and Pepper sit and watch as you start to finish up this rep on training before Pepper speaks up again. “I’m proud of her, though. She got his drive to constantly help other people. I’d hear them talking about it when they were working at night sometimes. She’ll do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves… just like him.”

“You two raised her well.”

“Yeah… yeah we did.”

This is the point when you finish, and finally realize your mom is there. “Oh, hi mom! What are you doing here?” you ask, walking over to her. “Making sure you ate.”

“Oh… uh…”

“I think it’s time you take a break and actually eat something, don’t you think?” she says, standing up and you sigh. “Yeah, yeah, I guess. But I’m coming right back here when we’re done.”

“I figured you would. But for now, let’s go get some lunch.” You begin taking off the suit, which happens in about 30 seconds, and grab the water bottle you had with you. “Where we going?”

“I was thinking we could go to your favorite restaurant.”

“Oh, I am so down.” You and your mom make your way through the compound, going to her car. You hop in the passenger’s seat, putting your seatbelt on while she gets in the driver’s seat. “Morgan at school?” you ask, and she nods. “Tomorrow is her last day. Then a week from tomorrow is your graduation. Is your valedictorian speech written yet?”

“It’s been written since the beginning of the year, mom,” you say matter-of-factly. She laughs a bit. “I should have figured it was already written.”

“Yeah, you should have. I mean, it’s gonna be a pretty small class. Over half of us were snapped out of existence. Now I’m awkwardly five years older than so many people I know, it’s so weird. I’m not a fan of this being old feeling. Not a fan at all.”

“You are so dramatic.”

“My dad was my dad of course I’m dramatic, have you talked to him?” you say, a small smile on your face. “You sound just like your father, you know?”

“Oh, I know. I’ve been told I’m Tony Stark but tiny, female, and many years in younger.”

Pepper opens her mouth to confirm that you are indeed tiny Tony Stark, but before she can answer a huge explosion causes her to immediately break and take a sharp turn. The car skidded to a stop, but you and your mom look at each other with wide eyes. “What was that?” you ask and Pepper shakes her head. “I don’t know-“

Another explosion cuts her off, and the glass in the car shatters due to the close proximity. You quickly get out of the car and see the same exact technology your dad faced before, but on a woman this time. Electrical whips were what were causing the explosions, as they were connecting with cars in front of you and overriding the electricity, ending in an explosion. She looked very similar to Ivan Vanko, the man your dad went up against and won against way back when. However, she looked a little younger. You’re pulled out of your thoughts by hearing your mom’s voice.

“(Y/N).” You glance at your mom, who is staring at this new female whiplash with a frightening glare. “Yeah, mom?”

“Kick her ass.”

You smirk, holding out your arm and feeling the familiar feeling of your very own iron suit encasing itself around you. Luckily, her back was to you, not noticing what was happening. “Friday, who is she?” you ask, and Friday answers immediately. “Her name is Tatyana Antonovna Vanko. Her father is Anton Vanko and her brother was-“

“Ivan, killed by my father.”

“Correct, (Y/N). She’s using what seems like an updated version of weapon of what her brother used. More electricity seems to be coursing through the whips.”

“Good to know, let’s stop her.”

“Yes, (Y/N). Let’s.”

You fly over to her, keeping some distance between you two so she doesn’t notice you yet. She’s about to raise her whip again, but freezes when she hears your voice. “Ma’am, I’m gonna need you to hand the electric whip thingies over, and just surrender since that would make this easier for both of us,” you yell at her, and she turns her head towards you with a scowl. “Stark? I thought you were dead.”

“You’re talking to the wrong Stark there, sis.”

“Then I will kill you myself,” she says, raising her whip and aiming it towards you. You quickly fly out of the way, dodging her attack, and fire a repulsor beam at her, but she dodges it. She shoots another whip out, and wraps around your one arm, pulling you to the ground. The volt of electricity makes your suit start to wig out, and you mentally curse. The other whip she has wraps around your other arm, and she laughs. “I’ve got you now!”

You look at the technology in your vision to observe the damage being done to your suit, but it actually looks like she’s charging it up. You smile to yourself, and grab the whip, much to Tatyana’s surprise. “What…?” you hear her mumble, and you just yank her closer to you, catching her off guard. You grab the other whip in the same hand the first whip you got a grip on, and pull her from the one side of your body to the next, causing her to sprawl out on the pavement. She groans, and you locate the power source on her suit. It’s exactly where the power source was on her brother’s suit, so you walk over to her, yanking it out. The electricity immediately disappears, and she’s left writhing in pain. Luckily, the police show up just as you finish, and you turn your head towards them. That’s when you notice the crowd of people who gathered on the road to observe you.

“Iron Man?”

“Is he back?”

“Is that really him?”

You smile at the mumbles throughout the crowd. The excited and hopeful looks on their faces make something warm spread throughout your whole body. “They think you’re him,” you hear your mom’s voice directly next to you and you turn to look at her. You shrug. “They can keep believing it for now. I’ll tell them I’m actually the better version when they’re ready to hear that news.” Pepper laughs, shaking her head and you clap your hands together. “So, this was fun and all, but I’m starving. I feel like it’s only reasonable for me to eat a cheeseburger after all this, so I’ll meet you at the restaurant, yeah? I’ll get your favorite because,” you motion to the destroyed cars in the path to where you two were going. “It seems like it may take a little while to get through that. I’ll just fly it back to the compound? Kay, cool. See ya, mom.” You look at the crowd of people, wave, and then take off. The crowd erupts into cheers after seeing you fly away and talking to Pepper, thoroughly believing Tony is back. Pepper smiles at the crowd and gets back in her car, ready to go back to the compound. She’s ridiculously proud of you in this moment, and she knows Tony would feel the same. Earth’s Best Defender is back.

[caeows]

      jeon jeongguk  .  cis male  .  he/him  ／  graeme bae just pulled up by blasting dirty little secret by all american rejects --- that song is so them  !  you know  ,  for a twenty three year old actor  ,  i’ve heard they’re really gullible  ,  but that they make up for it by being so tenacious  .  if i had to choose three things to describe them  ,  i’d probably say tousled hair  ,  triple dog dares and a closet full of black  .  here’s to hoping they don’t cause too much trouble  !  

hello  !  i’m deni  (  she/her pronouns  ,  gmt+9 timezone  )  .  i’m best reached on discord at gayfairy#6371 for plotting  .  below the cut is  ...  a ridiculous amount of keyboard smashing but it was a holiday and i was feeling inspired so  !!  i included a few TLDRs for some quick scanning  .  there’s also some plots at the bottom i’d LOVE to see  .    looking forward to writing with you all  !

* ☆ ·˚  background.

you could say he was destined for the spotlight  .  

      an only child  ,  he grew up watching his parents performances on the stage  ,  accepting their kisses and gentle smiles before they set off for tours around the country and left him with his cousins  .  sure  ,  they were absent --- but they tried  --- and graeme knew he wanted to be just like them  .  when his parents delighted in his little home-staged sets he presented ,  they quickly enrolled him in acting classes and coached him through first auditions  ,  even moved back to korea when it was clear some american roles wanted to confine him to one note  .  after gaining exposure  ,  graeme shared the screen with one of the biggest names in the american industry in a dramatic hit that led to some ridiculous fanmail being sent to him as a kid  ,  then excitedly landed a role in a revamped science fiction film he was stoked af abouy !!! unfortunately  ,  the film was met with an absolute brutal blowback from fans  ,  some of that hot  ,  petty anger taken out on graeme  ,  and at thirteen years old  ,  his parents made the decision for him to step back and focus on school  .   (  he still holds onto those spiteful letters------  all that hate from grown ass adults thrown at a child  ) 

      performing arts high school  ,  but graeme stayed away from the public stage for a bit  .  worked on some sets as a tech to get a better idea of the film making process  .  kept a low profile occasionally caught by curious paparazzi at a basketball court or baseball game  .  recognizable  ,  but not to the point where he couldn’t be seminormal  .  there were a few bumps in the road  ::  leaked photos of a beer at a high school party  ,  couple of fake friends sliding in for clout  ,  people pushing questions like when are you returning  ??  how does it feel to ruin one of the most important films of all time ???  shitty  .  but  ,  with the help of his parents  ,  friends and coaches  ,  graeme returned to student films to grow more comfortable in front of a camera  .  his official comeback was in the background of a friend's directorial debut  ,  a lady-love drama critics salivated over but failed to earn is’ nominations  .  still  ,  graeme’s name was back and out there  .  jumping headfirst into the thing that scares him  ,  graeme’s slated for teen flicks  ,  romantic dramas  ,  action films  .  a diverse portfolio  .  people love a comeback  .     ------as if there was something wrong with what he did before  .  

TLDR.  former international child star who took a break after experiencing a massive fan-driven backlash  .  pseudo retired  ,  did the performing arts school thing  .  popped back on the screen about a year ago and working his ass off since  .  early career inspiration : jake lloyd  ,  natalie portman  , yeo jingoo

* ☆ ·˚  current.

      suddenly  getting all this praise and earning cash  ,  living on his own in a sprawling city of work and sin  .   hasn’t stop busting his ass  ,  no  ,  but maybe he’s found outlets for all his stress in  . . . less than healthy outlets  .  some of the headlines are way off the mark  ,  some a little too close to home  .  either way  ,  it’s not something his parents or his management company are thrilled about  (  doesn’t he want to be taken seriously as an actor ,  they say  )  and he does  .  of course he does  .  but what else does he have to sacrifice to be taken seriously ?  and how serious does any twenty-something year old wanna get  ?

      late hours on dance floors  ,  strips of things he doesn’t know the name of on his tongue  ,  lips on any pretty   ,  wanting pair he can find  .  he’s young  ,  virile and at the top of his game  .  who can blame him  ?  it starts with a string of tabloid images  ,  a rumpled and sleepy-eyed graeme leaving apartments that aren’t his in clothes he was spotted in the night before  .  zoomed-in  ,  fan-cropped photos on twitter of hickeys and swollen mouths and unbuttoned shirts  .  america’s sweetheart  ?  maybe  ,  but clearly not around the clock  .  him  ,  scaling rails of hotels and dancing on top of cars  .  grabbing mics at clubs and taking over DJ boots at parties   .  twitter explodes when he moonwalks through the airport one time and baristas trend his insane coffee orders  .  

      and even though he’s got his own name --- and a variety of different spellings  ,  hashtags  ,  and whatevers --- blacklisted on social media  ,  every now and then he’ll run along a stream of grueling comments  ,  petty nitpicks about his performances  ,  his looks  ,  his voice  ,  his goddamn smile and it’s-----   it’s rough  ,  even for someone who grew up in that environment  .  there’s days where he’ll hole up in his apartment and refuse to see anyone  ,  refuse to leave  .  the guy in the interviews with the wide smile and sparkle eyes is so  ,  so far away and people almost forget that he’s human  ,  too  .  he pushes himself out of that mindset  ,  sometimes with help  ,  but it’s always a shadow on his back  ,  waiting to catch him at his weakest  .  

TLDR.  tabloids gossip about speculated hookups and strange behavior  .  potential alcohol abuse  .  pushback from management and parents  .  anxiety towards social media  .  current career inspiration : ansel elgort

* ☆ ·˚  tidbits.

      sporty as fuck —— basketball  ,  soccer  ,  skateboard  ,  swimming  ,  climbing  .  says he would’ve been an athlete if not for movies  .  fit as fuck despite a steady diet of ramen and pizza  .  claims to like horror movies the most  ,  but he’s a total schmaltz snob  .  can hold a pretty tune well enough to pass  .  has a private twitter account for the memes   ,  public accounts are all operated by a social media manager so he doesn’t have to read comments   .  watches college basketball championships religiously  .  has very strong opinions about scented candles  .  likes sugary drinks more than coffee but claims to be a connoisseur  .  loves biopics  .  punk and 2000s emo rock fan .  gets anxious easily  ,  suffers through interviews and avoids personal topics as best as he can  .  is rumored to be difficult to work with  ,  but keeps to himself on sets save for a few opinions about blocking  and lighting  .  pan as fuck and fairly open about it  .  mom and dad are chill  ,  but don’t understand much of anything past bi  .  they get on to him more for his diet and job  .   when not on the court or working  ,  spends free time rewatching anime in the safety of his bed in an threadbare pair of boxers  ,  eating Doritos by the fistful and leaving his manager on read  .

      even his underwear is black  .  occasionally, he’ll change it up with a screen printed vintage t-shirt and wears whatever kind of fancy thing his stylist squeezes him into  .  otherwise wears by a black or white t-shirt  ,  black pants and combat boots  .  seventy percent of his sneakers have sharpie drawings on them and he’s got a lot of holes in his ears and another in a place you’d be lucky  (  or unlucky  )  to see  .  loves dangy earrings and wearing his hair loose  ,  a bit long with a mild perm  .  silver on his wrists and friendship bracelets from yesteryear but no rings  .  tattooed up  !  recently collaborated to design a line of temporary tattoos  .  extensive collection of sunglasses  .  hit up a lot of music festivals in the past but that’s died down in recent months due to a busy schedule  .  swung his way into VIP passes before  .  he was a total Warped kid in the past  ,  no shame  .  no longer does fan conventions because of a negative experience a few years back  ,  and even fan meets are a little awkward  ,  but he manages to push through  .  can’t drive worth a damn but he’ll kick your ass at any arcade game  .  occasionally  ,  he’ll stream over twitch but that’s becoming less and less common  . was banned from several dave & busters before he made it back on the screen  .  moody as fuck  .

* ☆ ·˚  plots.

      so  .  bonds  .  there’s a best friend who may not have been there since the beginning  ,  but they’ve been there when it matters  .  the friendship is new  ,  fresh  ,  and maybe graeme shouldn’t be as dependent on it as he is  ,  but he can’t help it  .  clinging to them like crazy --- let’s hope it doesn’t fall to the wayside  .  (  ? / 1  )  there’s several of his idiot friends who  ,  after being stranded on too many red carpets  ,  a hundred hotel rooms  ,  and hours of press junkets  ,  have learned to survive by snapchatting each other random dares throughout the day  .  (  1 / unlimited  )  there’s a few childhood friends who  ,  like him  ,  grew up either in or close to the spotlight and they have this  ,  like  . . .  support group kind of situation  .  i don’t know  .  graeme checks on them from time to time  ,  even as they’ve grown apart  .  (   2 / unlimited  )  he’s got some partying buddies who may not have his best interest at heart --- who may or may not stop him when he’s slurred out and whining about twitter trolls .  some gaming partners he teams up with over stream  ,  but lately they’ve drifted apart  .

      it’s such a cliche that his management’s set him up for a fake dating situation  .  if graeme wants the dramatic  ,  serious roles  ,  then he needs to show he’s a mature and capable young man  .  how else to do that than jump headfirst into a few awkwardly orchestrated dates with another hotshot on the radar  ?  (  ? / 1  )  but they’re not serious  .  so  ,  he hasn’t stopped hooking up  ,  or thinking about a one night stand that totally rocked his world  .   (  ? / 5 )  and  (  ? / 1 )  media and fans definitely know about a few of these  .  the jury’s out for how they feel about it  .  then there’s his competition  ,  actors in the same demographic targeting the same roles  .  it’s a tough business and they know it  ,  but the press picks up on all these weird quotes and posts that twist shit into beefs  .  what other misunderstanding will cause the casket to blow  ?  (  ? / unlimited )  there’s some co stars on old and upcoming films  .  people who see how hard he works and how much effort he puts into what’s seen on the screen  .  they tough out hard days on set and the press circuits during promotion  .  see him at his worst and best  .  (  ? / unlimited )

[arcanisluna]

could you into detail on your altergear AU?? i'm really intrigued!!

WHOA, you actually wanna know?! Okay okay, here goes nothing!

So the story premise is a parallel universe to Symphogear, but with a twist. The Gear Users are normal people. No one’s trained to fight since they’re young, injected themselves with LiNKER to the point they threw up blood, or were basically raised to be Finé’s newest reincarnation.

It’s normal. Sure there’s a bit of a gap between the Users (Emma being the youngest of them all at 15 with Emira being 19, and Cecilia is just a year older than Emma at 16), they’re all what’s considered ‘normal’.

They’re chosen by the Gears, and can switch the Gears they use amongst themselves as long as they pass the permission to the user. This is a whole plotline I want to get into with Cecilia and her being incapable of using Gungnir because it was stolen by one of the antagonists of the AU!

So like. Imagine 6 normal girls being walked up to at different points in time and asked to like... help with a secret project. They don’t have to tell their parents, and can even decline if needed but it’s emphasized that they are the only ones who can use the Gears.

As of current, AMENOHABAKIRI is out of commission. The in-universe reason is because she’s in a coma after using her Superb Song/Swan Song/Climax Song (whichever you’d like to use, there’s too many ways. Out of universe, it’s because I can’t come up with a design for her or her civilian form but I do know her name! She’s Cecilia’s sister, Wisteria Edenwood, and let’s just say the whole thing with Wisteria using the Climax song does include Cecilia.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED ON THE REST.

I made it a parallel universe to allow the lore from X-Drive Unlimited (the game) aka the gallajhorn or w/e it’s called (I can’t spell it for the life of me) to allow Symphogear Users to cross over to this universe, so obviously crossover shenanigans between the two universes can happen too!

Finé is not a prominent subject in this world, but the Curse of Balal is. It’s not Finé’s fault, though, as we learned in XV-- Wait I’m getting into actual Symphogear lore now. OKAY MOVING ON.

I have a storyline all planned out. And I have voices planned out for headcanon voices of my AU characters.

I have backstories, I have outlines. I have everything set to push this forward in motion.

Altergear is a concept project I came up with when I first posted the Ichaival image on my old tumblr in February. I figured it would just be an art project I’d work on every so often, but I’ve ended up taking it so much further.

--I’m rambling again. ONWARD.

So there’s more. The antagonists of the story, I haven’t got concept art on them but I do know their names and motives. Their working “organization” name is The Twelve, a circle of known mafia members and underground crime ring. Working with the Alchemists of the Altergear world, kinda like the Bavarian Illuminati (the alchemists, not the main antagonists. Sorry for the confusion). Their main motive is to acquire the Gears and sell them on the black market so every organization can copy them and mass-produce them to cause wars, famine and the like. And you have 6 normal girls trying to stop them... Well, 5 at the moment since Wisteria isn’t in active duty right now.

The organization Altergear’s Symphogear Users work under is basically Sector 2 under the name S.Y.S. Symphogear Yggdrasil Systematics, a secret organization that’s working under the equivalent of the FBI and CIA (that I tend to liken them to). They’re given these special passes to get out of school/work if the need arises to combat The Twelve’s need for the Symphogears.

Why is it called S.Y.S? Because I thought it sounded cool, I don’t know how to name things xD;

But like, putting the Symphogears in such reach of The Twelve is actually concerning, as well as combating the Eradi-Noise (they’re just Noise/Alca-Noise with a different name). There’s a real chance any of them can die and, since Wisteria’s hospitalization and coma, they’ve been banned from using the Superb Song unless it is incredibly desperate.

Also, unlike the series, the Altergear users do not use their assigned songs. Like, for Cecilia, I have Senritsu Sorority as her main background music where the lyrics would be her singing about how she wants to gain control of her life. Emma’s would be Okyou Shul Shagna, but with the lyrics being about how lost and alone she was until she was recruited... I haven’t figured out the rest yet but I know that I will at some point.

OH YEAH, TEAMS.

So Cecilia, Emma and Emira are all on one team. Cecilia and Emma are best friends, so it’s obvious they’d be together. Emira just joined them on her own one day and was like “I gotta make sure they don’t get hurt” (news flash, everyone gets hurt). I haven’t worked out the kinks on this one!

Wisteria and the other two unnamed characters were on a team until Wisteria fell into a coma, in which the team disbanded. The other two have been overseas for about a few months but are due to return at some point!

Prior users were Fuki and Maya, who wielded Gungnir and Airgetlám respectively before they retired after a near-death experience. I’ll draw them at some point in the future.

Also I do intend on having Carol in this, though how I’ll be adding her will probably be a surprise to everyone or no one.

BUT THAT’S ABOUT ALL I CAN THINK OF. If you have any specific questions, I’ll do my best to answer them! Sorry this is so long!

[jace-the-writer-guy]

Just In Case part One

"Hi mama, hi papa!" Ebony said cheerfully and hugged her parents, and then she looked down at the little cat Faunus in Alyss' arms, "Hi Genny!" After that, she felt a pair of paws on her thighs and she looked down to see Pepper looking up at her, her tail wagging behind her, "Hey Pepper!"

Pepper ruffed lightly in response. "Hello mom."

"Ebby!" Genesis exclaimed and happily climbed onto his sister's chest, and he hugged her.

"Hey Eb, hi Sakura." Jace greeted the two with a smile.

"And hello my adorable grandchild," Alyss giggled and gently scritched Silly's ears, who was held in Sakura's arms, "Have you girls been okay?"

Sakura nodded as Ebony and Genesis petted each other's ears in their usual greeting. "Yeah, we have been. What about you guys?" She felt paws against her leg and she looked down to see Lunessia pawing at her, meowing softly, "Aww, wanna play with your little sis?"

Lunessia meowed again. "Yeah! C'mon, Silly!"

Sakura knelt down and set Silly on the floor, and she meowed and started playfully chasing after Lunessia, causing Alyss to giggle again. "So cute~ We've been alright too. And everyone else?"

"They're doing great," Sakura answered , "Wave got an upgrade to Mercy Drive that I think is pretty cool. Yang and Weiss helped him out with that."

"Hopefully it'll help him out when he needs the extra firepower," Jace remarked and he went to sit down on one of the two couches, the coffee table between them holding a medium-sized weapon case on top of it, "Sit down, girls. I don't think Ebby here is gonna be able to stop shaking until she knows what I'm gonna give her."

Ebony nodded and sat down on the other couch with Genesis, and soon Genesis wanted to go to Sakura for scritches and Ebony handed him to her and Sakura gladly gave him what he wanted as Pepper jumped onto the couch and laid on her other side. "Soooo what's the surprise?"

Alyss smiled a bit at her and she pushed the weapon case toward her. "It's in this. Go ahead and open it. It's something Jace and I have been talking about for a while."

Ebony tilted her head and took the weapon case, and she undid the locks on it. Her body trembled in excitement of what it could be and she slowly opened the case up to reveal a revolver that was very familiar to her, but its grip, trigger, and trigger guard had all been modified to fit her large hands. The metal of the revolver was a dark charcoal color and the grip was blackened wood, all kept clean and polished very well over the years. The swivel in front of the cylinder and below the barrel was a darker black color, and from that sprouted black runes in the design of vines and leaves, spreading to the base of the metal behind the cylinder to along the sides of the barrel on both sides of the gun, and the cylinder had those runes along the back edge of it, and then for each of the six chambers in the cylinder, the vines extended along the length of the cylinder in the places the chambers were, two vines seeming to twirl around each other until they reached the other end of the cylinder. Another thing was very different to Ebony as well. The barrel was nine inches long, unlike the six inches before. Both the new barrel along with the larger grip made the weapon around seventeen inches long, where before Ebony remembered it to be around ten inches long overall. But included in the weapon case was the old barrel with those same runes, and the original, smaller grip, trigger, and trigger guard. Above the revolver were five speed loaders filled with ammo, and six extra rounds beside them in the foam.

This... was Atronach.

"U-umm..." Ebony suddenly felt a lump form in her throat and she spoke lowly, "Mama, papa, why is A-Atronach bigger now?"

Jace laughed softly at the question. "I think you already know the answer, kitten."

Ebony gulped a bit and slowly reached into the case, and she gingerly grabbed a hold of the modified pistol and pulled it out of the case. In the lid of the case was the holster for Atronach. It was just a simple, black leather holster that could attach to any harness or belt. But, Ebony was only focused on the revolver itself. It felt... big in her hand rather than small like it used to, even with the ammo size being .38 Dragoon.

"Wh-why, though?" Ebony asked her parents.

"We're retired, Ebby," Alyss answered her daughter, "Jace and I won't have much use for our backup weapons anymore. Jace inherited that from his brother Genesis, and he gave it to me after a while so I can have a backup in case I lost Soul Leaf in a fight. It's saved my life more times than I can count, and we both want you to have it now."

"We know you only keep Carno in your locker at Beacon, but please always keep Atronach with you," Jace pleaded with her, looking her in the eyes as she looked up at him from the revolver, "You never know if you might lose Pride Fang in a fight. That might only take .38 Dragoon, but it's still enough to take down almost any Grimm if you hit them in the right spots. We want you to be as safe as possible, Ebony. It's bigger now to fit your size, but you can carry it with you easy."

Ebony gently pressed the lever on the left side of the revolver above the trigger, which was also big enough for her to easily break it open, and she took one of the rounds in the case and put it in one of the chambers. She closed the pistol up and pulled the hammer back like she had watched her mama do many times before, and she rolled the cylinder around to where the round was, and when it lined up with the barrel and the hammer, and she pulled the hammer back all the way, the runes lit up with purple from the gravity dust round in the chamber. That of course caught Genesis' eye and he stared at the pretty runes, his eyes wide.

"Woaaah..." Genesis said in wonder.

Ebony noticed that, and she giggled softly before she looked up to her parents. "Are... you sure?"

Jace and Alyss nodded. "Of course, Ebby," Alyss assured her, "We both want you to have it."

"Genesis is gonna get Ebon when he's older too," Jace said and pulled his large caliber pistol from its holster on his lower back, and he looked down at it, "It'll most likely have to be modified to fit his hands too, but that's for the future. But for now, we're giving you Atronach. Your uncle Genesis wanted you to have it too."

"Did he make that gun?" Sakura asked, still petting and scritching the kitten's ears.

Jace nodded and grinned. "A long time ago. It was the first thing he ever created. He was always a fan of the classics, so he styled it in that way."

Ebony eased the hammer back down and broke open the revolver and took the gravity dust round out, making the runes lose their purple glow, and she closed it up and clutched it in her lap. "I promise I'll keep it with me all the time. And I promise if I ever really need it, I'll call in my locker and use Carno too."

"That's a relief to hear, Ebony," Alyss said with a small smile, "That looks good in your hands. If you ever feel you want to give Atronach to Sakura in the future for her to have a backup, then we won't mind if you do that. That's why there are still the original grip, barrel and everything."

"Thank you for this..." Ebony sniffled abit as tears began to finally fill her eyes, "I-I'll take care of it as best I can."

Jace chuckled softly. "I know you will, Eb. Thank you for accepting it."

[ninja-scenarios]

Orochimaru reacting to a pregnant S/O

this was requested by @otogakure-no-sato

I REALLY went overboard with this. Also, I put this in a modern setting. I need more Oro requests. 

It had been one of those nights. Orochimaru´d said he would come home early, so the dinner had been ready and you had been sitting at the table, waiting. But as the hours went by, the chances of him being early diminished to nearly zero. It was pointless calling him, because he was either still at work – the lab was a phone-free zone – or driving. In either cases, you weren´t mad at him. Being the head of his team brought great responsibilities and he had worked hard to be where he was now. He always worked hard.

After a while you had settled onto the couch, and turned on the TV. You turned on your favourite show, it was called “Hello Counselor” and contrary to its name, was actually a Korean comedy show. You always had to turn on the subtitles, otherwise you wouldn´t understand a thing. But today it was hard to focus on anything as it was getting overshadowed by the words you carefully spun since morning. They left you excited, happy but also scared. Before you knew it, you had picked up on your old habit and bit your nails.

The sounds of distant steps and jingling keys made a feeling of home settle in your stomach. Immediately you got up and rushed to the door, falling into the arms of your partner once he had stepped into the house.

He welcomed you with a low, warm chuckle that you felt vibrating in his chest while he pulled you close to him and kissed your hair. This was by far always the best moment of the day.

“I kept you waiting again, my love…” Orochimaru said after a few moments, his hands stroking over your back and holding you tight. You didn´t reply, instead lifting your head to look at him. Since the day you´d met him, you hadn´t stopped looking at him with this admiring gaze in your eyes.

Orochimaru leaned down and placed a longing kiss onto your lips. After you pulled apart, he got the chance to take of his coat and lean his leather shoulder bag against the wall. A glance at the TV. Your favourite show was on, that meant he had really kept you waiting. A look at the watch.

You went into the kitchen while he took off his shoes. “I´ll warm up the food for you.”

“It´s already late, my dear, let me do it.” It was his way of showing guilt. He wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you against him before you could reach the cooker. You giggled and he kept you tight, using his other hand to stroke the hair away from your neck to place a loving kiss onto your skin.

“I want you to get a good amount of sleep. I´m the one who was late after all.” Indeed, while he needed only 4 hours of sleep (how?), you on the other side needed a minimum of seven. You turned around in his arms and faced him, smiling up at your pale-skinned boyfriend. He took your face into his hands and leaned down again to kiss you. You came to nuzzle back against his chest while he rested his chin on your head.

“That stupid trainee again… thinks he´s so smart and ends up almost destroying the whole quantity of samples…” He muttered into your hair

You giggled against his chest. “Don´t be too hard on him, Oro. He probably feels intimidated.”

It was true, almost the whole team was scared of your boyfriend. The funny thing was, you shared a workplace. While he had just been promoted, you had started working as a packaging designer. On your first day, a co-worker had given you a tour to make you familiar with the company. He had also shown you the lab, where you had inevitably bumped into your current partner. It had started with a lazy side-glance, a lot of blushing and wide smiling on your part, and Orochimaru eyeing you up curiously but a lot less conspicuously. Even two days afterwards your knees had still gotten weak.

Yet it had taken a month till you started dating. Two years after the start of your relationship, you had moved in with him into the house he had inherited from his parents. His mother had died 10 years ago and his father lived in an alms-house. The two of you visited him every now and then. Even though you worked at the same place, your relationship hadn´t stirred up a controversy since you both worked in different divisions. Fortunately, the company had given you a permanent job, allowing you to leave your designer´s company where the competition had always been really high and stressful. You could never forget Orochimaru´s proud look. After you had designed the packages, the company had asked you to also give them a new logo and freshen up their website (even though that wasn´t what you had studied, but it wasn´t hard for you). Currently, you were working on packages for their subsidiary. Also, rumour had it that the head of the company planned on giving Orochimaru the lead after his retirement.

“Go to bed, love. I´ll join you very soon.”

It really was late. With a sigh you nodded and let him kiss you goodnight. While he heated up dinner you slipped into your pyjamas and brushed your teeth. As you slipped under the covers you suddenly remembered something. The whole day you had wanted to tell him something… Now it was too late. You could already feel yourself dozing off when you head hit the pillow and only partly felt Orochimaru slipping into bed on the other side and wrapping his arm around you. Tomorrow, then.

 When the alarm rang, it was the first thought that came to your sleepy mind. Orochimaru reached over your body to turn it off and kiss your hair. He always woke up before you and let you snooze for 20 minutes longer to slowly wake up. But not today. You rubbed your eyes and sat up with a groan. A chuckle resounded from next to you.

“The last time I saw you getting up at this hour was when you wanted to watch the, what was it called, “The last airbender marathon”? “

You giggled and blindly punched into his direction, hitting his shoulder. He chuckled again and ruffled your hair. “Feeling naughty, are we?” His words made a shiver run down your spine and you internally cursed because it wasn´t Sunday and you couldn´t spend the whole day in bed with him.

You tried to get up but slumped right back down. “Oro…can you carry me?” You croaked out, leaving your head hanging low. You were definitely not a morning person.

Orochimaru cocked his head but lifted you up, nonetheless. Engulfed into his strong arms, you wanted to go right back to sleep but your nervousness prevented it.

The both of you got ready and you sat down at the table while Orochimaru made breakfast. How could you break down the news to him? Your head was almost smoking while you bit your lip, tapping your fingers onto the glass surface. How would he react? This one question was nagging at your brain the whole time.

Finally, Orochimaru sat down and put two plates with delicious looking scrambled eggs and toast on the table. You were far too nervous to take a bite so you took a huge breath and looked at him.

“I gotta tell you something, baby…” Orochimaru looked up from his breakfast, sensing that something was off immediately because you seldom called him like that. In the meantime, your eyes widened. The nickname you just used was dangerously close to the topic you wanted to talk about.

“Er…” Just to be sure, you searched for something like a bowl in case you really had to throw up from the corner of your eye. Your hands started trembling and you looked back at Orochimaru, who had fixated all his attention on you. No backing out now. Just say it. How can that be so hard?

“I´m… pregnant.”

You bit your lip, anticipating his reaction. You had talked about kids at the start of your relationship and agreed that you should wait a minimum of three years before you started planning on getting a baby. Now, your fourth anniversary had been three months ago, but because of work, nobody had started planning anything.

Orochimaru completely stilled, eyes wandering down to your belly. It looked like he was completely emotionless but you knew him. He was overwhelmed with the situation. After a few seconds he stood up and kneed next to your chair to put a hand on your stomach.

“The test said I´m three weeks pregnant. I know since yesterday…” You felt tears rolling down from the corners of your eyes. Not because Orochimaru hadn´t reacted yet, not because you were unhappy, but simply because the situation had finally sunken in. It had seemed so unreal the whole time.

“I sensed that there was something.” Orochimaru started and then looked up at you. At the sight of your tears, his eyes widened and he quickly leaned up to wipe them away. Finally, a smile grazed his lips.

“Are you happy?” You asked carefully. His smile grew and he cradled your cheek against his hand, using his thumb to stroke over it. “I am.”

“Do you… wanna keep it?” -  “Of course.”

You let out a breath you didn´t know you were holding and smiled. Orochimaru went back to stroking your belly. There was something in his gaze and you could swear you´d just seen a thin watery layer graze his extraordinary beautiful eyes. That your body was able to produce life… amazing. You would give him a child. His admiration for you was clearly visible in his eyes. No doubt he would start treating your body like it was made of porcelain.

Suddenly your hunger kicked in and you grabbed for the fork to start eating. Orochimaru was quicker though, because he stood up and snatched the plate from under your nose.

“Oro! – Why?” You whined out but he shook his head and walked back into the kitchen with determined steps.

“Don´t eat that. You need something way healthier.”

“But you´re going to be late for work.”

Orochimaru paused for a moment, then continued putting things from the fridge onto the counter. “I´ll call and say I´ll be late today. After all I don´t have an assistant for nothing.”

You gaped. In all those years, he hadn´t been late for a second. It seemed like parenthood really changed people. With a smile you went behind him for a surprise hug. “I love you.” You whispered into his back.

Orochimaru chuckled. “I love both of you.”

[madelainesvixens]

CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT: CHAPTER SIX | ME AND MY BROKEN ARM

Saturday, October, 10th

4:21

Turned out it was indeed broken.

Or, at least, that's what Dr. Richard said. He used to patch up soldiers in the military but lost a foot during an explosion and was forced to retire. Now, patch up people who can't afford hospital fees in an old basement on Southside.

Dr. Richard casted FP's arm without asking questions. With Serpents frequently coming in with gun/knife wounds, the old man knew better than to ask. The less he knew, the safer he was.

Once they were done with the cast, Alice walked FP home, saying she had left her bag there. Truth was, she didn't brought her bag tonight; she simply wanted to make sure his dad wouldn't aim at him again.

FP couldn't help but feel like an infant as Alice helped him undress - it was a struggle with his cast. His arm would hurt every time he'd try to move it. How was he supposed to take off his jeans and tee shirt with one arm without moving his right arm? It was impossible without someone's help.

''If I can't undress by myself, how am I going to have sex with this damn cast?'' the teenager asked as Alice pulled his tee shirt over his head.

She snorted. ''Tell your big dick not to worry. The swelling will go down and the painkillers will kick in. You'll be fine.''

''The painkillers?'' 

Dr. Richard wanted to sell them for fifty bucks but FP's wallet was dry...so they didn't get them. That's what he thought.

Alice pulled out the bottle from her leather jacket's pocket and wiggled them in front of FP's eyes.

''Did you steal them?'' he asked, popping open the painkillers's cap and swallowing two pills dry.

''No, Dr. Richard keeps his good shit locked up. He has like, five padlocks on his cupboard.''

''Wow. That...intense.''

They moved to the jeans and FP undid his belt, working on the button and zipper. ''How did you get them, then? Please tell me you didn't pay-''

''You're a good fuck, Jones, but, I wouldn't spend fifty bucks on you. I just showed him my boobs and he let me the bottle.''

''You did what?! That man's a fucking perv.''

''You didn't have anything to pay, I wasn't going to let you in pain.''

She helped him out of his jeans and FP pulled her onto his lap before kissing her. ''I'm the one you should be showing your boobs to.'' He dipped his head and bit at the part of her breast that was peaking out from her bra.

The blonde laughed and swatted his good arm. ''Stop it, you're gonna pierce my shirt.''

FP snickered. ''I'm not a fucking shark.''

''I know. I wouldn't let you go down on me if you were.''

A smug grin spread on the boy's lips. ''You love when I do that, don't you?''

She hummed, closing the gap between their lips, tongue sliding in. FP's hand snaked under her shirt and she pulled back. ''I should get going. It's almost four-thirty.'' Standing from the Bulldog's lap, she straightened her clothes and headed toward the door. ''Night, Jones.''

.

16:09

When FP woke up, he quickly realized the painkillers had stopped working their magic. He groaned, rolling over and grabbed the bottle of medicine from his nightstand, taking two. Checking the time on his alarm, FP almost couldn't believe he it was ten past four. He had never slept in this late before. Maybe it was the painkillers's fault?

The stillness of the house told FP that his dad hadn't returned from work. He let out a breath, relieved. After last night, the teenager didn't feel like sharing a room with his old man. He fucking broke his arm, it wasn't some little bruise he could cover. People would ask questions at school. Around town. At work. Can he even work with his cast?

''How am gonna explain this to everyone, Ali?'' FP asked as they were taking the turn on Elm Street. He raised his cast. ''I can't tell them what happened.''

Alice pursed her lips. ''You have time to figure it out...or I can push you down the stairs.''

Standing from his bed, FP made his way to the bathroom to shower. He took one after the game but with everything that happened last night, FP doubted he was still smelling fresh. Like always, the water was on the colder side - thanks to his dad for not replacing the water heater. To add to his unpleasing shower, he had to put a plastic bag around his cast to keep it from getting wet - very trendy if you ask him.

The doorbell rang mid-shower but FP ignored it. At this hour, it's probably an Avon ambassadors or hawkers.

To his annoyance, the sound persisted and the teenager quickly rinsed off, wrapping a towel around his waist. He went downstairs and opened the door, leaving a trail of water behind him. A tall man with slicked back salt-pepper hair, a matching beard and a heavy, worn in leather jacket stood of their doorstep.

''Is Forsythe here?'' the man asked, skipping presentations and greetings.

''Who's asking?''

''A...friend.''

FP pursed his lips, judging the man.

Beside his work buddies, his dad didn't have many friends and FP was pretty sure he had never seen this man before. Who was this man and why was he trying to pass for father's pseudo friend?

''Do you know what time he'll be back?'' the man pressed.

''Erm, no,'' FP lied, having a bad feeling.

Jaw clenching, the man cursed. ''You're Forsythe's son, aren't you?'' He raised an eyebrow at FP, seeing a resemblance with his dad. ''Tell your old man he better bring us the money soon or else he won't be walking on his two legs,'' he threatened before turning around, leaving the Jones's property, giving FP a full view of the patch on the back of his jacket. A beige skull with a red ring around it and one word at the bottom of the design: Ghoulies.

.

18:45

Forsythe came home half an hour after the man left. He didn't stay long though. He changed out of his work uniform and headed back out for the night - probably to some bar. A part of FP wanted to confront his dad about the man who came this late afternoon, last night's fight came into his mind as he glanced down at his casted arm and he decided to ask another time. He already one invalid arm, he didn't want to risk another injury.

Taking advantage of the absence of his father, FP turned up the sound of his and put on one of his favorite cassette tape - thanks Fred for the birthday present. He laid on his back, only clothed of plaid boxers and an old band tee, letting Nirvana's Come as You Are fill his ears. The music was so loud he almost didn't hear the phone ringing downstairs. If the song hadn't ended and the caller hadn't persisted, he honestly would've never heard it.

FP paused his music and headed to the kitchen, picking up the device from its receptor. ''Hello?''

''Hey, FP, it's Gladys. My dad is letting me borrow his car for the night, wanna go to the drive-in with me? There's a special showing of Dirty Dancing.''

FP scoffed. Dirty Dancing? Not really his genre... ''Why would I go see Dirty Dancing?''

''There's some steamy scenes in it...and we don't have to actually watch the movie,'' she said suggestively.

Although a good fuck would've helped him releave some tension, FP couldn't say yes to Gladys. He would have to explained how he got his arm in a cast and, honestly, he wasn't feeling up for that. He also didn't want her to scribble pink hearts all over it with a marker.

His left hand and crumpled magazines will have to do for tonight.

''Tempting. But, I'll have to pass.''

''Since when do you pass on a good fuck?'' There was a short pause and Gladys blurted out a new offer, afraid FP would hang up. ''I'll suck your dick. I know you love my lips around you.''

''Another time.'' FP laughed, shaking his head. ''Bye, Gladys.''

.

21:03

Around nine, FP's stomach felt funny and he realized he had been popping painkillers all day on an empty stomach. Very bright. Knowing better than checking in the fridge - he knew it was empty -, he put on a thick flannel over his tee shirt and a pair of ripped jeans and headed to Pop's.

The diner was empty when he walked in.

''You know it's your day off, kid?'' Pop said from behind the counter as he saw FP walking in.

''Can't I crave a good burger on my day off?''

Pop smiled. ''Sure can.''

The elder man went to the kitchen and got started with FP's order. Two cheeseburgers, on large fry and a chocolate milkshake. Once everything was ready, he returned to the front and set the teenager's order on the counter.

''What happened to your face?'' Pop asked as he put FP's burgers down, catching sight of the cut on his forehead.

''Partied too hard last night. Fell on the way home,'' FP explained, lying through his teeth and lifting his cast.

Pop hummed. ''You should go lighter on the beer, next time,'' he suggested with no judgement. ''Still able to come in tomorrow?''

''I guess so.'' FP took a large bite of his burger, calming down his stomach.

''I've seen a blind man flipping burgers. You sure can take orders and clean tables with one hand.''

Two girls walked in, taking a seat at one of the booths. Pop went over to take their orders, telling FP he'll be back shortly.

''A brunette with brown eyes passed and asked for you earlier tonight.''

Gladys, FP guessed. She must've passed to see if he was working before calling.

''Is she your girlfriend?''

FP snorted. ''No, Pop.''

The man hummed. ''Why not? She seemed nice. And beautiful too.''

''We're just fooling around. Nothing serious.'' He'll admit, Gladys was a beautiful girl but, FP couldn't see himself dating Gladys. She was a bit too eager for his taste. ''Since where are you interested in my love life?''

''I've known you since you were barely two foot, FP. I've seen you grow up and become the handsome man you are today. I'm just surprised that the Bulldogs's MVP isn't already taken.''

Just as Pop finished his sentence, the bell dinged and Alice walked in, looking dashing as always in her ripped denim and leather jacket.

''Rumor has it, FP Jones has some erectile trouble.''

FP turned, a frown on his face. ''What the fu-?'' His eyes softened, catching sight of her. She had a grin on her lips, knowing very well it wasn't true.

''I was at the drive-in with friends and I heard a group of girls saying Riverdale High's BMOC had problems below the belt. Is that true, Jonesy?'' She raised an eyebrow and took a seat beside FP, stealing a fry from his plate.

He flashed her a smug smile, holding her gaze. ''You're best placed to know, don't you think, Alice?''

''You came here to drown your sexual frustration in burgers?''

''Pop's burgers are the best, can't you blame me? Oh, that's right, you haven't tasted them yet.''

She rolled her eyes, stealing another fry.

''Did he mention today's his day off?'' Pop informed her, butting in from behind the counter.

FP narrowed his eyes at his boss.

''It's your day off?'' She gave him a judgmental look. ''Who in their right mind go to their work place during their day off?''

''Yeah, yeah. Laugh all you want. These are still fucking delicious.'' He took a large bite of his burger and exaggeratingly moaned at the taste.

.

21:51

Secluded in FP's bedroom, the raven haired boy pushed the material up Alice's torso until her breasts were exposed to his hungry eyes. He pressed a kiss right between her two breasts before moving his mouth to the side, closing over her nipple and Alice moaned. She arched her back as FP sucked gently, stopping for a brief second to switch and take her other nipple in his mouth.

Alice sat up, reluctantly pushing FP's mouth off her body. ''Let's play a game tonight, Jones.''

FP cocked an eyebrow, pushing that annoying piece of hair away from his face. ''A game?''

The blonde nodded, a mischievous look on her face. ''Since Dr. Richard said you had to rest, I thought...maybe I should be in control tonight. What do you say, FP?''

It wouldn't be the first time she'd take control. She had the ridden the stallion before and - wow - that girl was something. She knew what she was doing and wasn't the kind to get tired after two minutes, she was a strong one.

''I say it's a fucking brilliant idea.''

She rose from her spot and removed the rest of her clothing, laughing as FP was still in the process of removing his belt. He gave her the finger and she laughed even more, clearly amused.

Once he was ridden of all clothing pieces, FP sat comfortably against his pillows. ''Ma lady.'' FP took Alice's hand and pulled her over his lap, one leg on each side.

''Do you still have condoms?''

He nodded and reached to his bedside table, ripping the packet with his teeth. At least he knew how to do that with one hand.

Guiding Alice closer with his good arm, she closed the gap between their bodies, pressing her lips to his. Her hands moved to the side of his head, fingers lost in his dark tresses as FP's dick brushed her entrance. He groaned at the contact, jerking his hips up to meet her but she fled his touch, an amused grin on her lips.

While it was fun to tease FP, she too was horny for the good dick so she reached back, holding FP's erection and sunk down without warning, feeling his fingers curl on her waist, digging into her skin as he disappeared inside her.

"Fuck, Ali," he muttered under his breath, feeling her tight walls around him.

She rose up on her knees and sunk down again as FP licked into her mouth and met her every moves. At that, she let out a small noise that he wanted to hear for the rest of his life...so he did it again.

.

Sunday, October 16th

6:53

When FP arrived at Pop's on Sunday, he was surprised to see Pop alone behind the counter.

''Morning, Pop. Where's Fred?'' he asked his boss.

''At home.'' FP pulled his eyebrows together. ''He called saying his father had been admitted to the hospital during the night.''

''Mr. Andrews? How come? I've seen him no later than Friday at the game. He was looking in great shape.''

Pop shrugged. ''Fred didn't say a lot. He sounded pretty shaken up. You should give him a call. He'll need the support from his best friend.''

FP nodded, taking note. ''Will do.''

.

19:30

After his shift, FP headed straight to Fred's. If he's not home, he'll go to the hospital.

FP pushed the doorbell and a few seconds later, the door opened, revealing a tired looking Fred. Without saying anything, Fred stepped away from the door and FP followed him inside. They sat in the kitchen, Fred at the head and FP to his left.

''I heard from Pop about your dad.'' FP paused, seeing his friend stiffening. ''How is he?''

''He's stable. The doctors was sketchy, though. I think they're holding something from me.''

That can't be good, FP reasonned but said nothing. He was there to show his friend support, not make him worry and feel worse.

''What happened?''

''Heart attack,'' Fred replied. ''I-I found him on the floor when I got home from the party. I shouldn't have gone-'' Fred put his head into his hands.

''Hey, it's not your fault. You couldn't have know, Freddie.''

''The doctor said if I had found him five minutes later he would-''

''Stop. Your dad's alive. That's all that matters.'' Fred rubbed his eyes, nodding. ''Whatever happens, he'll get through it. Your dad's a strong one.''

Fred nodded and FP pulled him in a bro hug.

''I'm scared for him. I...I can't lose my dad, FP.''

.

Monday, October 12th

10:10

In English, Hermione took Fred's seat and sat beside FP.

''I saw you.''

FP glanced at her, eyebrows pulled together.

''With that Southside hoe at Mantle's party,'' she continued, scribbling down on her worksheet, making it look as if they were discussing about the lesson. ''Lowering your standards, I see. Let me guess, did all the hot girls saw through your player game and ditched you for your teammates? Next thing, you'll be hitting on Penelope Blossom.''

The raven haired boy snorted. ''As if,'' he said, chewing one his gum.

''Maybe that's not such a good idea, after all. I heard tiny dicks gets caught between brace archwires.''

''Thinking about my dick, uh?'' FP called back with a smirk.

She wrinkled her nose. ''Ew, gross.''

''What exactly is going down with you and Alice?''

''Nothing serious. We're just messing around.''

''Does messing around include a pain kink or? Last time I saw you, your arm was fine and that was before you left with that blonde psycho.''

''Shut up, Hermione. You don't know shit,'' FP replied through gritted teeth, defensive. ''I was drunk and fell on the way home.''

She laughed, shaking her head. ''Disreputable. At least Hiram can hold his alcohol.''

Why was she bringing Hiram into this? Wasn't she into Fred at the party?

FP scoffed. ''Such an admirable Romeo.''

The sarcasm in his voice made Hermione narrow her eyes at him behind her glasses.

''Laugh all you want, Forsythe. One day, I'll be on the edge of glory with Hiram and you'll be at the rock bottom, scrubbing toilets in one of our properties all because you got downgraded from the football team in high school. Why was it again? Being caught pants down on school grounds?''

''Fuck off.''

NEXT CHAPTER (COMING SOON)

[deansdirtylittlesecretsblog]

Too Good to Pass Up (An Unassuming Life One Shot)

Title:  Too Good to Pass Up

Author:  Mimi aka @deansdirtylittlesecretsblog

Summary:  You agree to take a new job, an opportunity to good to pass up. You and Dean get a weekend alone.

Characters:  Dean Winchester x female reader

Word Count:  2479

Warnings:  explicit language, explicit sexual content, extreme fluff

Author’s Notes:  Written for @atc74 Roll the Dice Challenge. The rules: it has to be an AU, one of the main characters must be a construction worker, must feature or take place at a beach, and it must include horseback riding. With Ang’s permission, I decided to make this part of my Unassuming Life AU which features Husband!Dean. Quick background:  Dean owns an automotive shop and is married with two kids, Sam is a lawyer married to Jess, and John and Mary are both still alive.  

***My work is not to be posted on any other sites (AO3, Wattpad, etc) without my express written permission. Reblogs are fine.***

“Hey, Jodes, come here, would ya?” Bobby called across the lawn.

Jody Mills-Singer eyed her husband, Bobby, from her perch on one of the swings, patted your hand and mumbled ‘be right back’ before gracefully leaping off the swing and sauntering across the lawn, leaving you to contemplate what she’d just suggested.

You pushed at the ground with your toes, setting the swing in motion, your eyes on your four-year-old son, Henry, and his one and a half year old sister, Hannah. They were playing in the grass with your niece and nephew, Sam’s kids, while the adults around them talked quietly.

You glanced at your husband, Dean. He was standing by the back door with Sam and Bobby watching you as they waited for Jody to join them. He gave you a weary smile before being pulled back into conversation.

“He okay?” Mary asked, dropping into the swing beside you. “He looks tired. Whenever I ask him how things are going, he says -”

“I’m fine,” you said, echoing Dean’s mother.

“Exactly,” she sighed.

“He’s exhausted,” you commented. “He’s working eighty hours a week, trying to keep his head above water. It doesn’t help that I haven’t worked since I had Hannah. The shop is making good money, but he says it just isn’t enough, not when he’s got a wife and two kids at home. I worry about him, Mary.”

“I know, me too,” she murmured. “So, what were you and Jody talking about?”

“Well, she, uh, offered me a job, actually,” you replied.

“With her construction company?” Mary inquired.

“Of course,” you laughed.

“I’m not sure I can picture you in a hard hat,” she muttered.

“Hey, I worked with Habitat for Humanity for two years before I married Dean,” you protested.

“I know,” Mary giggled, “I’m sorry.” She cleared her throat. “Did she say what you’d be doing?”

“A lot of things,” you shrugged. “Now that Bobby’s retired, she’d like to spend more time at home. She wants someone to help with designs, the books, supervising, everything. She knows my history, knows what I’m capable of, and she said she wants to ‘keep it in the family.’ So to speak. She, uh, offered me a lot of money, Mary. A lot. It’s almost too good to be true.”

“I knew the business was doing well,” Mary added. “I mean, she’s built half the homes in this town. Some of the businesses, too. And since Bobby and Jody don’t have kids of their own -”

“She’s looking for someone to take over,” you finished. “Just like Bobby did with the garage. I guess Dean and I are the go-to’s for that stuff, huh?” You laughed under your breath, shaking your head. “Family really doesn’t end with blood, does it?”

“Not with this family,” Mary smiled. “What about the kids?”

“You know Donna Hanscum?”

“Yeah, she’s Jody’s friend from Minnesota, right?” Mary nodded. “Sweet girl, smiles all the time?”

“She’s babysat for us a few times,” you continued. “The kids love her and, from what I understand, she’s been looking for a job as a nanny for a while. With what Jody just offered me, I could hire her and still help to ease the burden that Dean’s been feeling. Ease it a lot.”

“What are you going to do?” Mary inquired.

“Talk to my husband,” you said. “See what he thinks. But, I’m not sure it’s an opportunity we can pass up.”

Dean turned and smiled at you from across the yard. You crooked a finger at him, gesturing for him to join you. He grabbed his beer from the table and stopped to see what the kids were doing, before continuing onto the swingset. Mary jumped to her feet as he approached, kissing her son on the cheek as they passed, smiling helpfully at both of you.

“Good luck,” she whispered.

“Good luck with what?” Dean asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

“Dean, we need to talk,” you said.

***

“The whole weekend?” You still weren’t sure you’d heard Dean correctly.

“Yes, Y/N, the whole weekend,” your husband chuckled. “Look, if she’s going to be watching them everyday when you go back to work, she’s gonna have to get used to being around them -”

“She’s been around them,” you sighed.

“Yes, but this will get her used to their routines, how they act when it’s for more than a couple of hours of babysitting.” He threw the last bag in the trunk and slammed it closed. “Besides, we’re only a half an hour away and Bobby said the phone at the cabin is working, in case our cells don’t have service. Will you relax and try to enjoy the fact that we’re getting away for a couple of days? It might be our last chance for a while before you go off to become a construction worker.”

“Okay, okay,” you giggled. “I’ll stop complaining.”

Dean grabbed your hand and pulled you into his arms, his nose sliding along the column of your throat. “Come on,” he murmured. “Let’s say goodbye to the kids and get this weekend started. I can’t wait to get you alone.”

His words sent a tendril of heat rolling through you, settling right between your thighs. It had been too long since the two of you had been alone for longer than a couple of hours - work, kids, and life in general always seemed to get in your way. This trip was a chance to reconnect and spend some time together before you started your new job with Jody. You were going to relax and enjoy it.

You left in a flurry of goodbyes, tears (yours and Hannah’s), and promises that everything would be fine from Donna. You knew she was right, so you promised yourself you wouldn’t worry as you climbed into the Impala beside Dean.

He was taking you to Clinton Lake, about a half an hour out of Lawrence. Bobby and Jody had a small cabin there, with its own private beach, and a little boat you could take out on the water. And even though he wasn’t thrilled about the idea, Dean had promised to take you horseback riding. To your surprise, despite worrying about leaving the kids, you couldn’t wait to get the weekend started.

***

“Why did I agree to this again?” Dean grumbled, trying, and failing, to get the horse he was on to go the direction he wanted. After a few seconds, he got the horse under control, though you could still hear him mumbling under his breath.

“Because you love me,” you giggled. “Come on, I’ll race you back.” You dug your heels in, your horse setting off at a steady gallop back toward the small ranch where you’d rented the horses for an hour. You glanced over your shoulder to see Dean about fifty yards back, his horse moving at a slow trot, a grimace on your husband’s face. He hated this and you loved him for being willing to do it for you.

Once the horses were returned, you and Dean headed back toward the cabin on foot, at first, walking along the shore of the lake toward the docks. It was beautiful out, warm, a light breeze coming off of the lake. You rolled up the cuffs of your jeans and kicked off your shoes, letting the water lick at your feet. The two of you had left the boat moored at one of the small public docks; the easiest, and fastest, way to get around on the lake was by boat, so rather than driving, you’d taken the boat from the north side of the lake. You climbed in and made yourself comfortable while Dean released the ropes and started the engine.

You laid across the seats at the front of the boat, soaking up the sun. It was nice to be out of the house, child-free for a few days, alone with your husband. You could get used to this.

It took less than fifteen minutes to get back to the Singer’s private beach. Dean dragged the boat ashore while you grabbed a blanket and some beers from the house. You shimmied out of your t-shirt and jeans, tossing them aside and stretching out on the blanket in your tank top and boyshorts, your arms above your head, a contented sigh leaving you.

Dean dropped to the blanket beside you, his thigh resting against yours. He downed half of his beer before setting it against some rocks and rolling to his side, one hand sliding under your head, your lips meeting his, his fingers slipping under the edge of your tank top, pushing it up so he could rest his hand on the hot skin of your back.

He was so warm, so close, yet not close enough. You leaned into him, fisting your hands in his t-shirt, returning the kiss with enthusiasm, dragging him closer, his weight settling over you. God, he was all thick muscle and restrained desire, his need for you obvious, his hard length digging into your thigh. He pushed a hand between your bodies, past the waistband of your shorts, one finger teasing the lips of your pussy, his lips dragging down your jaw to your neck, nibbling at your pulse point, his fingers tracing circles around your clit, teasing you until you were practically panting with need.

“Impatient, baby?” Dean murmured.

“Jesus, yes,” you mumbled. “It’s been weeks since we were alone.”

“Yeah, I know,” he whispered. “And I wanna take my time with you, sweetheart, I really do, but right now, I need you.”

You were nodding, moaning as Dean continued touching you, igniting the same need in you that he obviously felt. You palmed him through his jeans, his groan at the touch of your hand echoing through you, further inflaming your desire.

He reached over his head, grabbed the back of his shirt, and pulled it over his head, nodding at you to do the same. You hurried to take off your tank top, barely getting it off before Dean was taking your breast in his mouth, sucking the nipple between his lips, biting it gently. You arched your back, holding the back of his head with one hand, while deftly releasing him from the confines of his jeans with the other, pushing them down past his hips.

“Jesus, sweetheart, just like that,” he growled as you roughly stroked him, his hips moving with the rhythm of your hand. He slipped a single finger inside of you, pumping it carefully in and out as his mouth continued its exploration of your breasts.

A cool breeze blew off the lake, cooling your sweat drenched skin, the only sounds the cries of the birds in the trees, the steady hum of the cicadas, and you and Dean all over each other - quiet gasps and moans, skin sliding against skin, the echo of your desire for him pounding in your ears.

Dean sat up, pulling you up with him and into his lap so you were straddling him, your thighs on either side of his. He lowered you onto his substantial length, groaning as your warmth surrounded him. He kneaded your ass, tugging you forward, urging you to move. You did, your knees pressing into the ground, your hands wrapped around his neck, his cockhead brushing your sweet spot. You moved again, tightening your thighs, pulling him deep inside of you. You cupped his cheeks, tipping his head back and drawing him to you, catching his lips in yours, moaning as he thrust into you over and over.

“Right there, baby,” he purred. “Come on, let me feel you come for me.” He slid his hands between your bodies, his fingers teasing at your clit, rubbing it as he buried himself deep inside of you.

The combination of his fingers teasing you and his cock filling you sent you reeling, the orgasm rocketing through you, lighting every nerve ending on fire, an explosion of constellations going off behind your eyes, Dean taking you to unbelievable heights of pleasure.

You clung to him as he continued to move, nearly spent from the intensity of the orgasm, both of his hands on your hips, pulling you down as he moved, his movements fast and hard. He growled your name as he came, his eyes squeezed shut, head thrown back, the muscles in his neck tense and tight.

Dean hugged you close, rubbing his hands up and down your back, kissing your chest, licking the sweat from your body, his lips soft against your skin. He moved up your neck until he reached your lips, kissing you, humming softly in the back of his throat as his tongue slid into your mouth.

After a few minutes, he rolled you to your back, his touch soft and tender, his lips roaming over your naked body until he collapsed beside you with a loud sigh.

“I think I need a nap,” he mumbled, his eyes drifting closed.

“We’ve got the whole weekend to relax,” you laughed. “I think a nap sounds like a great idea.”

“Shit, wait a minute,” he said, pushing himself upright. He grabbed his jeans and yanked them on. “I’ll be right back.” He took off at a steady jog toward the cabin.

“Where are you going?” you yelled after him, pulling your tank top and shorts back on.

Dean didn’t answer, just disappeared into the cabin, emerging a few minutes later with a bowtied box in his hands. He sat down beside you and put the box in your lap.

“What’s this?” you asked.

“Open it,” he chuckled.

You ripped the ribbon and paper off of the box and pulled off the lid. The second you saw what was inside, you started giggling, laughing until tears were streaming down your face.

“Oh my God, I love it,” you said. You lifted the purple hard hat out of the box and put it on your head. “How’s it look?”

“Perfect,” Dean chuckled, leaning over to press a kiss to your lips. “Just like you.”

“Thank you, honey,” you smiled. “I can’t wait to wear it to work.”

“You know, I’m really proud of you,” he said.

“What?” you blushed. “Why?”

“This is a big step, going to work with Jody,” he shrugged. “I know it’s hard to leave the kids with a sitter, hard to try something new, but you’re doing it. And I couldn’t be more proud.”

Tears pricked at the corner of your eyes, and not from laughter this time. You’d hit the jackpot when you’d found this man and there were times, like now, that you were overwhelmed with emotion. You brushed at your cheeks, swiping the tears away, dropped the hat back in the box, and tackled Dean to the blanket.

“I love you, Dean Winchester,” you murmured.

“I know,” he grinned, hugging you close.

Forever SPN:  @andkatiethings @arses21434 @atc74 @baconlover001 @bringmesomepie56 @brooklyn-writes-flangst @cameronbraswell @christopher-evxns @climbthatmooselikeatree @deanandsamsbitch @deandoesthingstome @deanwinchstcrs @demonangelimpala @donnaintx @dorky-and-i-know-it @emoryhemsworth @erin654 @evilskank-inthemegacoven @faegal04 @fangirlofeverythingme @frankiea1998 @gallifreyansass @gallxntdean @gemini75eeyore @giftofdreams @goldenolaf25 @goofynerd-67babylove @green-eyed-hunters @growningupgeek @hennessy0274-blog @icantfindacreativeurl @iwriteshortstuff @jensennjared @katnharper @kickasscas67 @killercatastrophe @ksgeekgirl @lady-lebkuchen @lifelovelaughangell123 @love-kittykat21 @mamapeterson @meeshw777 @milkymilky-cocopuff @mischief-maker1 @misswhizzy @mrswhozeewhatsis @ms-munchkin @multireality @nanie5 @nerdwholikesword @not-moose-one-shots @official-shipper @pizzarollpatrol @ria132love @roxyspearing @serpentbaby @shhhs3cret @sis-tafics @soullessdemon5283 @spn-fan-girl-173 @spookypeyton @sylverminx @that1seniorchick @thebookisbtr @thebunkerismyhome @thepoet1975 @tia58 @tjforston @ultimatecin73 @velcr0kitty @waywardjoy @wibly-wobly-winchester @winchesterprincessbride @wonderless-screwup @xagateophobiax @xtina2191

Dean girls:  @akshi8278 @appleschloss @baconlover @boxywrites @captainemwinchester @deanwinchesterxreader @emilywritesaboutdean @eyes-of-a-disney-princess @feelmyroarrrr @hobby27 @ho-ne-y @ilovedean-spn2 @jayankles @jessica-bones-winchester @kathaswings @kayteonline @love-me-some-pie21 @lupine-princess @milo-winchester-4ever @rattyretro-blog-blog @rebeccathefangirl @rizlow1 @rockgoddean @salvachester @sammit-janet @spn-dean-and-sam-winchester @starswirlblitz @supernatural-jackles @starry-chaos @thing-you-do-with-that-thing @untitled39887 @winchesterenthusiast

[awwishfulthinking]

A Look at Galaxy Angel II/3rd Manga Vol. 4

A bit of background info:

The Galaxy Angel manga series is comprised of three manga collections/stories in all--Galaxy Angel (five volumes), Galaxy Angel Beta/2 (three volumes), and Galaxy Angel II/3rd (six volumes). Galaxy Angel II/3rd covered the basic plot of the GA II game series, and features a new set of girls and a new male main character.

The entire Galaxy Angel manga series was being translated by Broccoli Books USA. Unfortunately, while they were in the middle of translating the Galaxy Angel II manga (called Galaxy Angel 3rd in Japan), the company was dissolved. So as of this date, only the first three volumes of this particular series exists in English.

It took me a few years, but I eventually managed to get a hold of the remaining three volumes (in Japanese) from the Mandarake online store. I’ll showcase some photos and make an attempt at some sort of summary for these last few volumes...

Starting with volume 4.

(As a note, all of my future posts relating to these volumes will be tagged with “galaxy angel 2 manga” on my blog.)

I am not going to make dedicated posts to the first three officially translated volumes (because I don’t have the time for that); but I’ll give a brief summary here because the manga’s story is significantly different to the game in some parts.

Volume 1:

Most of the former Angel Troupe/Angel-tai members have either retired or moved on to other military positions and are now spread out over Eden and Neue--with Neue being a new galaxy that was just discovered.

Eden and Neue are connected by a space called the Absolute, and that is connected to a Gate (appears as a giant ring in space) that has to be opened by a gatekeeper--who happens to be Milfeulle.

The people from Eden are trying to restore Neue, and bring more advanced technology to its people.

Kazuya (a Neue native) has been picked randomly by Milfeulle to be a member of the new Angel-tai/Angel troupe.

He’s the first male member to the team and is welcomed aboard the Luxiole by Apricot.

The next few chapters deal with Kazuya meeting the rest of the crew that are currently on the Luxiole (Nano-nano, Kahlua/Tequila, and the mechanics, medical staff, and other staff).

The Angel-tai’s main goal currently is to find other gatekeepers--as Milfeulle is the only known gatekeeper and is thus trapped within the Absolute for the time being (in a structure called the “central globe”). Apricot and Takuto (who is officially Milfeulle’s husband in the manga), really want to free her from what is essentially a prison.

Anyway, Kazuya is the designated pilot of a ship called “Braveheart,” whose purpose is to merge with the other Angels’ ships and boost their power levels.

Anise makes her debut by stealing the Braveheart and Nano somehow gets kidnapped as well in the process.

Volume 2:

The Luxiole gets an S.O.S message from Milfeulle but it cuts out before she can really say anything.

Anise and Nano are rescued from a fleet of enemy ships commanded by a woman named Dieta--and the Braveheart is taken back. Takuto commands the Luxiole to head towards the planet of Seldor, which is the planet closest to the Gate and the Absolute that Milfeulle is in.

The next two chapters following this scenario focuses on how Kazuya is beginning to develop feelings for Apricot and how he wants her to see him as a man (as Apricot currently just sees him as a replacement for her older sister, Milfeulle).

The next chapter after THAT has Anise becoming an official member of the Angel-tai to pay off her huge debt to Mint.

We get a sneak peek at Lily, who still has yet to join the rest of the Angels onboard the Luxiole.

Volume 3:

The volume begins with Forte staging a coup d'etat. She has taken both the Absolute and the planet Seldor (and King Soldum), and claims that she’s doing this because the Neue citizens have been “babied” for too long. Because Forte's attacking them with her fleet, Takuto and co. have to make an escape using chrono drive.

At Anise’s suggestion, they all resolve to visit the planet Magiic to gain supplies and allies.

En-route to Magiic, they need to make a stop at planet Pico and Femto to heal up Nano-Nano, who used up all her nanomachines healing people in the aftermath of Forte’s attack.

They manage to pick up Lily, also enroute to Magiic. She explains that Forte led the coup to prevent casualties to the hostages: the planet of Seldor and King Soldum.

Kahlua’s past is hinted at in this volume.

The gang make it to Magiic safely; but while they are touring a city on the planet, Dieta indirectly causes a building fire. This triggers traumatic memories in Kahlua and she has to be sedated and put into an emergency pod.

Now that we’ve gotten those out of the way, it’s finally time to delve into Volume 4!!!

DISCLAIMER 1: I do not know Japanese at all so a lot of these “summaries” will be based on info I’ve gathered from the translated volumes that were officially released; as well as the Galaxy Angel fan wikia. I don’t claim any sort of plot accuracy in these posts, I merely wanted to give a brief run-down (as best as I can) of what happens in these volumes.

DISCLAIMER 2: I do not want to scan these volumes for fear of damaging the binding, so I’ve only taken photos. I’m not a professional photographer and don’t have a nice fancy camera so these photos are not so great. Due to my work schedule and life stuff that I need to take care of, I don’t have the time to touch these up beyond resizing and cropping them. Sorry.

~Chapter 16~

Following directly from the events at the end of volume 3, volume 4 opens up with Dieta infiltrating the emergency pod Kahlua was put in. She exposes Kahlua to some sort of powder (I’m assuming it’s some strong alcohol-based chemical), which turns her into Tequila. Dieta then curses her by marking Tequlia with some sort of magical rune.

Ranpha (who the other Angel-tai members met on Magiic) finally meets up with Takuto and they have some kind of conversation; most likely relating to negotiations with the Magiic forces. Ranpha is now the ambassador on planet Magiic, so she would be the best person to convince the Magiic forces to ally with the Luxiole.

MEANWHILE, Kahlua/Tequila has been transferred to the Luxiole’s infirmary. She’s currently unconscious and everyone’s worried about her. The Angel-tai eventually leave so that Kazuya can watch over Tequila alone, as he was the one who saved her from the burning building.

Kazuya begins talking to the unconscious Tequila, apparently musing about how he saw Tequila (or some kind of apparition of her) appear to protect Kahlua when they were trapped in the fire. I think Kazuya also wonders about the bond between Kahlua and Tequila (or about how the split personality developed).

Tequila suddenly wakes up! But the curse Dieta puts on her activates and Tequila loses control of her powers and starts burning everything, including Kazuya.

Mimolette (Kahlua/Tequila’s cat familiar) jumps in at this point to place a protective shield around Kazuya... and an apparition of Kahlua materializes. Kahlua and Tequila converse, and Tequila somehow manages to calm down and overcome the curse put on her. Her clothes got burned off in the process, so Kazuya lends Tequila his jacket. Apricot walks in on the two in a... very compromising position and immediately walks away, much to Kazuya’s distress.

~Chapter 17~

Suddenly, everyone gets called to the Bridge--Dieta’s fleet has appeared and everyone gets ready to fight. Kazuya and Tequila arrive with Tequila still naked with only Kazuya’s jacket covering her, which causes Apricot to glare angrily at Kazuya.

Anyway, Kazuya and the rest of the Angel-tai fly out and prepare for battle. Dieta formally introduces herself to Takuto and co. (The weird cropping here is because Dieta’s outfit is super fanservicey and I don’t wanna get accidentally flagged.)

Kazuya’s ship merges with Tequila’s Emblem Frame (the Spell Caster) and there’s a big space battle. The merged ship is able to basically take out Dieta’s flagship (which Dieta is on). Tequila briefly remembers her magic battle with Dieta on planet Magiic. I mostly just took a photo of this page because it shows off Tequila’s cool outfit.

Tequila shows absolutely no mercy and completely obliterates Dieta’s ship... Everyone is happy that this threat is now gone, but Kazuya seems kind of shocked by Tequila’s actions. (Probably because it was so violent?)

Sometime later after the battle, Kazuya goes to the Luxiole’s park to relax. He meets with Tequila there, still wearing his jacket. Kazuya asks for his jacket back in annoyance, and the two somehow get to talking. Tequila reveals that Kahlua suffered a traumatic moment in her youth. She had tried to show off some fire magic to a friend named Mimolette (yes, it’s the same spelling as the name for her cat familiar); but Kahlua ended up scaring her friend away because of how powerful she was.

After this event, Kahlua was so mentally distraught that she developed a separate personality (Tequila) to cope. This personality ended up being the only one capable of using Kahlua’s magic well.

Back in the present, Tequila still seems upset about something (probably worried that people are scared of her because of her magic powers) and Kazuya reassures her. Tequila then jumps on top of Kazuya (as he’s lying on the grass) and teases him... but then suddenly transforms back into Kahlua, who does not remember anything that happened. Apricot again catches the two in a compromising position, but this time Apricot beats up Kazuya for it.

~Chapter 18~

Somewhere in the Luxiole, Croix and Coronet (the mechanics) end up finding some kind of fancy looking white Emblem Frame. (I have no idea where they found it or how.)

The story then switches right into a dream that Apricot is having. She dreams about her older sister Milfeulle baking sweets... who then transforms into Kazuya. Kahlua and Tequila then appear by his side, and Apricot wakes from her dream with tears in her eyes. She begins to wonder about how she really feels about Kazuya. Does she still think of him as merely a replacement for her sister?

Everyone gets called to the Bridge where Takuto reveals some good news: Ranpha seems to have managed to convince the people of Magiic to lend their aid to the Luxiole.

(And she also looks beautiful on this page)

Apricot and Tequila end up talking things out, while Kazuya and Anise hang out in the hangar to marvel at the fancy new Emblem Frame. Kazuya suddenly feels compelled to touch the ship and it reacts to him, opening up to reveal an injured girl.

She’s taken to the infirmary (where I assume she’s healed up by Nano Nano) and Takuto calls everyone to the briefing room to talk about the girl and the mystery ship. Nano Nano says some things about what she’s found out about the mysterious girl but I don’t understand any of it because I don’t know Japanese.

SUDDENLY Tequila and Apricot show up, in switched outfits/hairstyles. I’m assuming this is all Tequila’s attempt to pull Apricot out of her funk or get Kazuya and Apricot together. Tequila uses her magic to shove Apricot onto Kazuya and that goes about as well as you would expect.

~Chapter 19~

Mystery girl has woken up and is now hiding out in the park. For some reason surrounded by piggies.

Judging by the sudden increase in complex shading, this is most likely a colored page in the magazine (that this chapter was originally published in) that unfortunately got reduced to a grayscale printing in the volume release. Anyway I did find a color version of this picture on some sort of trading card thing so here you go:

(It’s more apparent on a later manga cover, but mystery girl’s hair is silver--and her eyes are red.)

Anyway, we switch perspectives to Takuto and Kazuya. Kazuya is being grilled by Takuto because Takuto is curious about who the younger man likes. Takuto (correctly) guesses that it’s Apricot and Kazuya gets flustered and leaves.

Kazuya still feels bad or guilty (somehow) about the unfortunate circumstances with Kahlua/Tequila before, and decides to make some apology treats for Apricot. He finds her in the park, where Apricot has found the mystery girl sleeping.

Kazuya and Apricot talk to each other about... something. They accidentally wake up the mystery girl.

*insert a SCENE CHANGE here*

Honestly, from here on out I barely understand what’s going on because this whole sidestory is a manga original story so. Bear with me here.

Mystery girl does some magic techno stuff before formally introducing herself to the Angel-tai. (And she looks really cool doing so)

Her name is Mimoza and she’s supposedly a gal from the past... and I only know this thanks to the next manga preview blurb at the end of volume 3, for the never officially translated and released volume 4.

I think Mimoza starts telling the Angel-tai about her history and her travels or something... Anyway she mentions aliens. Not sure if she met with them or if she actually worked under them.

She then dramatically points out Kazuya because he’s special or something. And they are linked to each other through the Braveheart. Or something. I have no idea.

While Kazuya stays behind in the hangar to talk some more with Mimoza, the rest of the Angel-tai regroup with Takuto who asks the group if they consider Kazuya to be an important part of the team.

Mimoza then pushes Kazuya off the ledge either for funsies or for *dramatic effect* because she immediately saves him afterwards.

~Chapter 20~

(I hope tumblr’s resizing doesn’t destroy the quality of this photo further)

Without informing anyone, Kazuya and Mimoza fly out in Mimoza’s Emblem Frame to a nearby planet (Planet Cocoon)--which also coincidentally happens to be Mimoza’s home planet from I think 600 years ago. The entire planet has become a desert with some ruins scattered about.

After Kazuya brushes some sand off the ground, he manages to activate some sort of magic circle or portal.

Back on the Luxiole, I think the rest of the Angel-tai finally realize that Kazuya is missing. They also come to realize that they do consider Kazuya to be an important part of their team. And so they head out in their respective Emblem Frames to find Kazuya.

Back on the desert planet, Kazuya and Mimoza find themselves in an underground cavern.

Whilst traversing the caverns, Mimoza tells Kazuya about how she was separated from (I’m assuming) someone she was in love with; due either to a catastrophe or due to some invading forces. And she ended up (I guess) in some kind of time warp which sent her to the future.

Kazuya and Mimoza eventually discover a ship in the depths of the caverns, that looks almost exactly like Kazuya’s Braveheart. Mimoza is saddened when she finds the cockpit empty.

Mimoza and Kazuya then part ways here, as Mimoza decides to use this newly discovered ship to try going back to the past.

Kazuya then tries to make his way out of the caverns only to be chased by some kind of fearsome monster--which gets obliterated by Tequila.

The other Angel-tai members appear and there’s a happy reunion scene as they all return back to the Luxiole together.

Annnnd volume 4 ends there.

Bonus illustration page featuring Mimoza:

I will hopefully be able to get the posts of volume 5 and 6 out soon. This one was a beast of a post but only because I had to get all of the background info out of the way first.

See you next time!