#I know we're supposed to focus on the whump

[windfighter]

Hypothermia, chapter 2

Kouji woke up. Takuya moved next to him.

”Hey”, Takuya greeted. ”Still cold?”

Kouji’s body shivered. He rubbed his eyes and pressed closer to Takuya.

”Not sure?”

Takuya put a hand against Kouji’s forehead. Kouji closed his eyes and listened as Takuya hmmed.

”I think that’s a fever”, Takuya said. ”I guess that’s better than yesterday at least.”

”Mm”, Kouji agreed. He wasn’t sure how bad he had been when he collapsed, but it definitely felt better. ”I’m not gonna ski today.”

”Yeah, we’re not even letting you outside today. Maybe tomorrow.”

”Morning”, Kouichi said from the other side of the bedroom.

”Morning~”, Takuya singsonged back. ”How are you doing?”

”Tired, mostly.”

Kouichi yawned and Kouji had to yawn as well. Takuya snickered.

”You two are impossible and we’ll never letting you go travelling on your own again.”

”The rest of you hate cross-country.”

Kouji yawned again and sat up. Kouichi nudged Junpei.

”Bring me breakfast?” he asked.

”Yeah, yeah, just let me wake up first.”

”If you ever bring me breakfast to bed”, Kouji said and glared at Takuya, ”there will be murder happening.”

Takuya snorted and sat up as well.

”Princess has spoken, we’ll be eating in the kitchen. Izumi, Tomoki, you joining us?”

Tomoki jumped out of the bed and disappeared into the kitchen, while Izumi stretched.

”I think I can convince Junpei to bring me breakfast as well”, she said and smiled at Junpei,

Junpei blushed and pulled a hand across his face. Kouichi laughed.

”I can get food on my own, it’s fine.”

”You should be resting”, Junpei said and sat up. ”I’ll bring you both food, it’s no trouble.”

Kouji stood up. He stumbled, his legs not quite recovered from the day before. Takuya was quick to steady him.

”...you should probably be resting as well”, Takuya said.

”I can rest in the couch, it’s getting way to cutesy in here.”

”We could make it cuter”, Junpei said and leaned down to kiss Kouichi’s forehead.

Kouji made a disgusted noise and left the room. Takuya laughed and followed him, wrapped an arm around his waist when he noticed Kouji putting a hand against the wall for support. He gently lowered Kouji into a chair in the kitchen. Tomoki was already busy preparing food for them and Takuya left Kouji to help. Kouji leaned against the table and closed his eyes. His body shivered and he felt exhausted after the short walk from the bedroom.

---------

”I don’t actually mind you two being cute together”, Kouji admitted after breakfast.

He was bundled up in a blanket on the couch and Kouichi was zapping through the channels looking for something to watch. Kouji had given up any decision-power he held because he knew he’d fall asleep again.

”I know”, Kouichi said and decided on a soap opera Kouji didn’t recognize. ”How are you feeling?”

Kouji grimased.

”Feverish and weak. Pain’s gone though.”

”I really thought we’d have to call an ambulance for a while there”, Kouichi admitted. ”No chest-pain?”

”I’ll keep an eye out for any sign of pneumonia”, Kouji promised and yawned.

”Fever is a sign.”

Kouji rolled his eyes.

”That’s just my body overcompensating in the other direction. I’m fine.”

Kouichi didn’t look convinced. Kouji closed his eyes and curled up against the armrest, but Takuya appeared and shook him.

”Move over, I want to sit here.”

”Only if I can abuse your body as a pillow.”

”That’s not really abuse.”

Kouji sat up and Takuya sat down next to him, wrapped an arm around Kouji and pulled him close. Kouji put his head against Takuya’s shoulder and closed his eyes again.

”Aww, I thought we were gonna go to the black slope today”, Tomoki said.

”Tomorrow”, Takuya answered. ”Someone’s gotta make sure the twins take it easy today.”

”I’m staying in as well”, Junpei said and sank down between Kouichi and Kouji. ”Skiing is fun, but my muscles are aching after ereyesterday.”

”Y’all are being noisy”, Kouji mumbled.

He didn’t open his eyes. Takuya hugged him and kissed the top of his head and Kouji groaned.

”I’ll go with you”, Izumi said. ”The cabin is to small for all six of us to stay in here the whole day anyway.”

”Yeah, okay”, Tomoki said. ”You’re better at skiing that Takuya anyway.”

”Those are challenging words, little bro”, Takuya said.

He laughed. Kouji’s head pounded and he frowned.

”Think the fever’s getting higher”, he mumbled. ”I’m gonna go to sleep now.”

The others fell quiet. Kouichi lowered the volume on the television. Kouji listened as Izumi and Tomoki got ready to leave, said goodbye when they were prepared and then relaxed against Takuya again. Kouichi started a movie on the television. Kouji fell asleep before it even started.

-----

Someone was shaking Kouji. He blinked awake and glared at the assilant. Takuya. Kouji growled.

”I know, but you gotta eat or else Kouichi is going to murder me.”

Kouji’s stomach growled and he sat up. Food didn’t actually sound bad. Takuya smiled.

”...Where is Kouichi?” Kouji asked.

”Kitchen. They’re making cupcakes for Izumi.”

”Hmm…” Kouji grabbed the food Takuya held out for him. ”You’re not making cupcakes for me?”

”Are you sure you’d want that?”

Kouji took a bite out of the food. It was warm. He assumed Junpei had made it since it was edible. He glanced at Takuya.

”...do you even know how to make cupcakes?”

”Not really”, Takuya admitted with a laugh and sat down in the couch next to Kouji.

He started zapping through the channels while Kouji ate, looking for something interesting. Kouji wasn’t up for watching football, but he wasn’t going to say anything unless Takuya actually found a channel with that.

The word ”Avalanche” appeared on the bottom of the screen and Takuya stopped changing the channels. Kouji recognized the ski resort on the screen – it was the one they were at. He felt cold.

”I’m… calling Tomoki”, Takuya said and stood up.

”Yeah”, Kouji agreed. ”Maybe Izumi as well.”

Takuya left. Kouji listened as the news person talked about what slopes had gotten hit and how many possible victims there were. So far five people had gotten rescued from the snow. Kouji hoped Tomoki and Izumi weren’t among them, that they had managed to get away. He heard Takuya’s voice from the bedroom. One of them must have answered. Kouji heard his own phone ring in the bedroom, and two seconds later Kouichi’s started as well. Kouji put the food away and tried getting up, but his legs still felt unsteady.

Getting sick was the absolute worst and next time he’d just do as Kouichi say and not go out in a snowstorm in only a t-shirt and sweater.

Kouichi walked past him, crossed path with Takuya, who handed Kouji his phone. Kouji sank down into the couch again before answering.

”I’m fine, dad.”

”The news said there was an avalanche”, Kousei answered.

”Yeah, we’re trying to reach Tomoki and Izumi…”

Kouji glanced at Takuya, who gave him thumbs up.

”They’re at the jumping slopes”, Takuya said. ”Totally safe.”

”Never mind”, Kouji let Kousei know, ”we’ve found them. The rest of us stayed inside after the storm yesterday.”

”Good call”, Kousei answered. ”A big enough snow-storm always increases the risk of avalanches.”

Kouji decided not to mention that they stayed in because both he and Kouichi got a teeny tiny bit of hypothermia in the storm.

”I promise you’ll be the first person I call if I ever get stuck in an avalanche”, Kouji said.

Kousei laughed.

”Call emergency first. I’m glad you’re all safe.”

”We’re safe”, Kouichi said in the other room, probably talking with Tomoko. ”Kouji’s sick, but we’re safe.”

”I’m not sick”, Kouji called.

”You have a fever”, Kouichi called back.

Kouji hoped Kousei didn’t hear that. He leaned back in the couch.

”Thanks for checking in on us though”, Kouji said into the phone. ”We’re doing great.”

”Be careful in the slopes”, Kousei warned him. ”There might be more avalanches waiting to happen.”

Kouji tried really hard not to laugh. He wasn’t going to any slopes this year.

”We’ll take care. You’re still picking us up on Sunday?”

”Yeah. I’ll see you all then. Stay safe.”

Kouji ended the call and sighed. Takuya sat down as well. He reached for the remote, but instead his phone started ringing.

”Mom”, Takuya said with a wince before answering.

Kouji grabbed his food and curled up against Takuya while Takuya tried to convince his parents they weren’t stuck in the snow. It took him about five minutes.

”You know”, Kouji said when Takuya put his phone away, ”I would actually like a cupcake.”

Takuya snorted, kissed Kouji’s cheek and finally grabbed the remote.

”Junpei!” he called into the kitchen, ”Princess wants a cupcake as well, are you making extras?”

”Why do you call him princess?” Junpei called back. ”I never understood that.”

He appeared in the door and looked at them. Kouji rolled his eyes.

”Because he keeps having to carry me”, he answered. ”One day I’ll carry him and we’ll see who the real princess is.”

”You love it though”, Takuya said.

”I don’t hate it”, Kouji admitted. ”Izumi’s fine by the way.”

Junpei tilted his head.

”Why wouldn’t she be?”

”There was an avalanche in the slopes”, Takuya answered. ”But they had already left when that hit. They’re on the way back now, said it wouldn’t be as fun after they scared us like this.”

”Are you making extra cupcakes?” Kouji asked.

Junpei laughed.

”Yeah, we figured everyone would want some.”

Kouichi left the bedroom and tossed his phone into the couch. He crossed the living room and leaned against Junpei, who wrapped his arms around Kouichi. Kouji started eating again.

”Mom’s probably gonna try to dote on you when we get home”, Kouichi said.

Kouji realized it was meant for him and he grimased.

”You didn’t have to tell her about yesterday.”

”And keep secrets from my mom?” Kouichi asked and turned around in Junpei’s arms.

Kouji laughed and put the plate on the table. He was done eating.

”You didn’t tell her grandma told you about me.”

”That’s… different?” Kouichi also laughed. ”I’m going to finish the cupcakes now.”

Junpei let go of Kouichi and the two of them returned to the kitchen. Kouji wrapped himself in the blanket and laid down in the couch again, head in Takuya’s lap. Takuya put a hand on Kouji’s shoulder and squeezed it.

”Sleep well, princess.”

”I’m not sleeping”, Kouji answered.

Two minutes later he was asleep.

[morallysuperiorlips]

Oddly Specific Romance Prompts Vol. 5: Deathly Sick (Whump)

"I'm fine. I promise I'm fine." "You have a fever of 104, we're going to the hospital."

"[NAME], I don't want to go. I hate hospitals, I--" "I know you're scared, but I'm right here with you. It'll be okay."

"Why didn't you tell me you were this sick? Do you have any idea how terrified I've been? And now you're...you're..."

"You're going to be okay. You have to be okay."

"I just wanted you to know that...I..." "Shh. Conserve your energy. You can tell me when you're better, okay?"

"Hey, hey, eyes open. Focus on me. Tell me...tell me about your favorite things." "You...your smile...your laugh..."

"I know you're out cold, so you probably can't hear any of this...but if you can...I have always loved you. I never stopped."

"You're supposed to be the strong one here. You're supposed to wake up and be healthy and fine. You're not supposed to leave me like this."

"I don't want you to see me like this; you shouldn't be here." "Well, that's just too bad. You think I'm just going to walk out right now? When you're facing down death right in front of me? Not a chance in hell."

"Did I...did I say anything while I was out?" "You might have mentioned a thing or two about missing me..."

"If I could take your pain away, I would. I would do anything to make you better."

"You are so strong. And you are unstoppable. This is just a hiccup. You'll be better in no time, I just know it."

"Help me...it hurts." "I know, I know, I know, just...I'm here, okay? It's okay."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen." "No. No. There's nothing to apologize for, [NAME]. What matters now is just making sure you get better."

[roblingoblin285]

Team Leader had been... not at their best, even before running after their team. But they were pushing through and nailing the task they set to themselves, getting his team to safety after they angered Whumper - by directly disobeying their orders. Their breath hitched as they stumbled to Right Hand, their bruised ribs aching and the wide cut at their side jolting. They weren't supposed to feel this bad, they thought, but they could keep up until they got back to base. They only had to keep themselves steady.

"Leader... I- We're sorry."

They smiled. Team Leader knew really well what they wanted by chasing the Whumper. Revenge was an itch, never leaving the skin, but they had to know which battle to pick up.

"Just listen to me next time."

They tried to keep their voice clear, but the pain took over as Youngest slammed themselves into Team Leader's arms. They were stunned for a second but wrapped their arms around them slowly and firmly.

" 's my fault." They muttered and pulled back after releasing a nervous breath. Team Leader tried to keep themselves steady, but the sudden shift made them feel light-headed and cold. Something was so wrong.

The blood on their shirt was enough to skyrocket Team Leader's worry and rage. Who had done this—

"Leader, it is your blood!"

Oh, was it? They certainly weren't feeling good, but they were not that bad. Really, there was no need to fuss over them.

Right Hand was at their side before they could register, and they were being lowered down. I'm alright, they wanted to say, but they couldn't focus. They closed their eyes for a moment, hoping to find the strength to at least sit up, but two hands held them down, worried voices overlaying as they struggled to stay awake. They could barely open their eyes before darkness claimed them, only to see the worried tears on their team's faces.

---

I'm no writer, but I also crave some good Team Leader whump content, so take this ~💜

💜 anon, you spoil me. this is lovely

[couldntbedamned]

Back to Where You've Never Been - Chapter 14

Summary: In an alternate reality, Peter Parker is living out his dream of being Spider-Man and working as an intern for Stark Industries (and the Avengers!) under his hero, Tony Stark, before heading off to college. For the most part, it's incredible. Okay, the Avengers treat him like he's still a child, and Mr. Stark's not exactly the friendliest mentor. But still, it's good.

Except that recently, Mr. Stark's been in the worst mood and Peter finds himself the unwitting focus of the man's ire. He tries to keep his spirits up and tell himself that it's not personal, that anyone in the lab would be a target, but when Mr. Stark kicks him out, Peter knows he's done.

Then he finds himself falling for what feels like an eternity before returning to New York. Only it's not his New York City and the Iron Man he ends up fighting alongside is definitely not his Iron Man. Anthony Stark is kind of perfect. The Other Avengers are kind of perfect. Everyone here seems to love him. And when he and Anthony are tapped by Dr. Strange to help seal the rift between realities, Peter finds himself wondering if he was supposed to be in the reality with Anthony all along.

Warnings (or AO3 tags):  Peter Parker needs a Hug, Tony Stark has Issues, Peter Parker Whump, Tony Stark is a Dick, Alternate Tony Stark is Perfect, Alternate Avengers are Perfect, Peter Parker is of Legal Age, Pain. Lots of Pain.

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Chapter 14 - 6:02 AM EST

-------

New York City rejoices when they realize that their hero - Spider-Man - has returned.

A few news sources question the change in his suit - apparently the red and blue is missed. But the silver, blue - Anthony's blue - and black aren't going anywhere. This suit is his last tie to the life - and man - he'd loved.

He doesn't patrol nearly as often as he used to before that fateful day in Mr. Stark's lab. It's an ordeal again, getting to a secure place, suiting up, and then slinging up and away. It's a pain in the ass to make his web-fluid in the kitchen he shares with May. And most of all, he resents the need for secrecy.

He remembers how wonderful it had been to just be Peter Starr, aka Spider-Man and not have to worry about the people he loved being in danger. He remembers what Steve said with such conviction.

"We don't hide behind masks."

He'd been free, in a way.

He thinks about actually doing it, about revealing his identity to the world and taking his chances. Then guilt roils in him until he's sick in the stomach. He can't risk his Aunt May like that, or MJ or Ned. It's so selfish to even think about it!

It was simpler, Over There, he thinks.

Life was better Over There.

He finds that he's resenting being stuck Over Here. Everything he's once loved now feels tainted somehow. He doesn't like it at all and he especially doesn't like how he's starting to feel apathetic.

"We need a plan."

If it was like before, when Peter was still with them - with him - where he belongs, Anthony would tease Steve for how serious he's being.

But this is no time to tease. The stakes are far too high.

"Agreed," he says. He looks at America. "How does this magical girl star power thing of yours work?"

America considers. "I concentrate really heard about where I want to go. Then I just sort of, you know, punch a hole in reality and step through. Once I'm through it closes."

"And you haven't noticed any deterioration of the realities?" Strange asks.

"No," she says emphatically. "No, and I spent a lot of time studying up on it during all of my travels."

"How do we make sure we're hitting the right reality?" Hope asks. "I don't want to risk inter-dimensional war."

"I think if I had something of Peter's, from before, it would help me focus." America looks at Anthony. "Did he have anything on him when he fell through?"

"Just his suit and web shooters."

"Do you still have them? The web shooters?"

Anthony nods in answer to Sam's question. "Yeah. I couldn't bring myself to throw them out." The web shooters and suit are in a little box in the back of his closet. They were his last tie to the man he'd loved.

"Okay. We make it Over There. What then?" Steve asks.

"We need to make sure we're not risking civilians," Sharon says. "And we need to be careful. They're still Avengers and from everything Peter said, they're considered heroes there like we are here. The public probably won't take a group attacking them too well."

Anthony scowls. He doesn't like the idea of those people being considered heroes. Not when they were so terrible to Peter.

They talk through the plan, poking holes in it where they can and refining until they have something solid.

Then Bucky speaks for the first time.

"We can't just steal him back."

"I'm sorry, what?" Anthony bites out. "You've been in on this planning session with the rest of us and you're just now offering your thoughts?"

"Look, we know he didn't want to go back, but if we just show up and forcibly take him, are we any better than they are?"

"He's happy here," Wanda argues.

"I know that!" Bucky exclaims. "And I want him back just as much as you all do. I'm just saying that he deserves to be able to choose to come back." He looks at them all. "You know I'm right."

Anthony runs a hand over his face. "Yeah, we know." Then he sighs. "He'll probably say no."

"You don't know that," Bruce says.

"It's who he is," Anthony argues. "His whole thing is ignoring anything he wants if he thinks it will make others happy, because... because..."

"Because he doesn't think he deserves to be happy," Nat finishes.

"We can least offer him the choice," Pietro says. "We can give him that, which is more than they ever have."

"And we can kick their asses," Ava adds fiercely. "They have it coming."

"They certainly do," Steve agrees, shocking them all. "What?" He adds defensively at the incredulous looks. "I never said they don't suck!"

"I need you to know that I'm so proud of you, Spangles. So proud," Anthony tells him. "One day you'll learn to swear properly."

Bucky snorts. "Remind me to share some stories from the Commando days."

"I don't think that will be necessary," Steve says with a sheepish look.

"We should all get some rest," Strange advises. "This trip is going to take a lot out of us."

"Do you know how this turns out?" Anthony asks him after the others have filtered out and it's just the two of them.

Strange's face is blank. "I can't answer that," he says. "I know it's not what you want to hear but it's all I can say."

"Your job sucks," Anthony says after a few moments.

"It's not without its difficulties and frustrations," Strange admits.

"Any sightings?" Tony asks.

There have been no sightings of Spider-Man since last week, Sir.

Tony sighs and rubs his face. It used to be that the kid couldn't get enough of his patrolling. He was always chomping at the bit to be free of his classes so he could suit up and sling around the city helping anyone he could. Peter isn't even coming to the Tower so he can make his web fluid. For all that Tony had wanted Peter out of the line of heavy fire, he almost wishes the kid was fighting bad guys on the regular like he'd been so determined to do.

"Keep your eyes open, J."

Of course, Sir.

"Tony?"

He turns to see Pepper leaning against the doorway to his lab. He searches his mind and frowns when it comes up blank. "Did I forget a board meeting or otherwise important shindig?"

"No," she says softly. "But you have been forgetting to sleep."

"I'm not sure I know how," he says. "Pep, I messed up, so much worse than I could have imagined and I don't know how to fix it. He won't talk to any of us and he's hardly going out as Spider-Man, either."

"He's not the boy you knew," she says, moving over to him and cupping his face while he looks up at her with saddened eyes. "He did an awful lot of growing up while he was gone and he's never going to be the Peter he was before."

"I was just trying to keep him safe and away from all of this, you know, before. I know I'm an unbearable ass when you go on vacation and I'm left in charge of everything but knowing that I hurt him the way I did kills me. And realizing just how unfair we've been to him? We were terrible and I was the worst of us. And it doesn't even matter how much I apologize, because he's not going to accept. I can't even blame him for that, either."

"All you can do is give him time. And maybe give him that data stick that he had on him when you all pulled him back."

He rolls his chair back and stands up. "I never have been the patient type," he admits. "But since I can't just build him a new suit, I suppose I should make sure he gets this data stick. I'm not sure I see the point; if he's homesick for that place, it might just make it worse."

"Tony."

He sighs. "Yeah, you're right as usual, Ms. Potts."

He calls for one of the Iron Legion and sends the Mark 47 to the kid's apartment, data stick in hand with a message: You had this on you when you came over, must have fallen out of your pocket during all of the hustle and bustle.

Pepper leaves after securing his promise that he'll catch a few hours on the lab futon. He actually means it, too.

He looks around, wishing he'd been in a state to properly appreciate the last time Peter came bouncing through the doors to the lab, cheerful and ready to work.

He'll probably never get that again.

'You really are the worst, Tony," he mutters to himself.

Peter looks at the data stick the Mark 47 had given him.

He's so glad to have it back; he'd promised Anthony he'd take care of it and he'd lost it! Hell, he'd forgotten all about it!

"Hey Gwen, can you interface with this?"

The nanites in one of Peter's web shooters reform to accept the data stick and plugging it in, he pulls on his mask and lays down on his bed.

“Hey, Pete. If you’re viewing this, then I guess you made your choice, and it was to go back.”

"I didn't!" he wants to scream at Holo-Anthony. "I didn't chose to come back here! I wasn't going to leave!"

But Holo-Anthony can't hear him, of course.

His heart breaks over and over again as he watches the message Anthony had prepared for him, just in case.

“Maybe this whole recording thing is a no-starter - miracles happen - and you’ve chosen to stay. But either way, Peter, there’s two things I need you to know. One is that I love you, more than I thought I’d ever be able to love anyone. And the second is that you, Peter Starr, are the very best of any of us. Okay.” Holo-Anthony nods with tears brimming in his eyes. “I’m done.”

Before he can scream or cry, video starts playing.

“J, give Peter here the same access and rights as me, outside of the Core files."

Very well. Mr. Parker, I am at your disposal.

“Say something to him,” Anthony prompts. “Ask him anything.”

“What do you like to do for fun, JARVIS?” Peter asks.

There are several hackers within SHIELD that I enjoy shutting down on an almost-daily basis. I also spend time interfacing with my brothers.

“The bots Anthony built?”

Yes.

“That’s really nice,” Peter tells JARVIS. He looks at Anthony, delighted.

“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you Peter Parker?” Anthony grins. “I don’t think anyone living here has ever asked J that before, have they, J?”

They have not, Sir. Including yourself.

Anthony rolls his eyes. “Oh please, J, you know I love you.”

Peter tells Gwen to pause the video and clenches his eyes shut. That had been his first night Over There and officially one of the best nights of his entire life. He'd been warm and safe and without the consistent pangs of hunger that had plagued him for years. He'd met Anthony. Seeing it again just makes the pain of being trapped Over Here worse.

He lays in bed, miserable. He half wishes that Mr. Stark had just kept the damned data stick.

Hopefully Mr. Stark hadn't seen anything on it; that would be too humiliating. What would Mr. Stark even think of him, falling in love with Anthony the way he did? And the dietary needs? Mr. Stark and the others would probably just think he's some helpless little charity case.

Maybe he should look for a real job. He can make money that way and since he's not patrolling and has no interest in attending NYU, he'll have plenty of free time. He hasn't really had so much free time since he started working on the...

He sits up suddenly.

“...First and foremost is your whole healing the reality barriers deal, since one, it’s brilliant and two, I can’t imagine you not carrying on back Over There."

The barriers! How could he have forgotten?

"Way to get self-absorbed, Peter," he mutters to himself. "You really are the worst." He suits up and climbs out the window. He has a sorcerer to see.

They're quiet as they congregate in the lab where Peter had been taken. Hank and Janet are present, both eager to observe America's powers at work.

"We shouldn't be too long," Anthony assures them.

He's waved off. "We were in the superhero game before you were even in school," Janet tells him. "We still have some tricks up our sleeve if anyone decides to cause trouble while you're gone."

Hank nods. "Don't underestimate the ants."

Well, that is a terrifying thought, Anthony thinks, looking around. There's a restlessness in the air despite the early hour.

Sharon checks her powered garrotes and Natasha fiddles with her Widow's Bites. Clint is rearranging the arrows in his quiver while Bucky flips one of his knives. The others are similarly nervous.

Anthony is regretting the third cup of coffee he drank after waking up; he has visions of vibrating out of the suit mid-reality jump and somehow dying. He shakes his head. America has assured them it's safe and she's the expert.

"Is this everyone?" Strange asks as he portals in.

"We're just waiting on our friendly ghost," Anthony says. "JARVIS said she's on a slight delay.. She'll be here in a few minutes."

"Is she up for this?" Steve asks Sam. "I know she's been struggling."

"Oh, she's more than ready," Sam insists. "She's probably just drinking that stabilizing tonic Janet created for her to make sure there are no mishaps."

Ava enters the lab suited up and ready to go.

"We good?" Anthony asks.

She nods, a hard glint in her eyes. "We're good."

"Remember the plan," Steve says as they gather in a circle. "We've probably only got one shot at this, so let's stay focused and show them just how hard we're willing to fight for Peter." He looks at America. "Whenever you're ready."

America pulls the web shooter out of her pocket. She holds it tightly, closes her eyes, and takes several deep breaths. When her eyes open, they're glowing white. She steps out of the circle, turns, and with the hand holding the web shooter punches forward into the empty air.

The air splits into the shape of a giant star and through it they can see the different reality's Central Park. She steps through the star and pauses. She looks at the web shooter and then out at the park, searching for something only she can see. Then she turns around to face them.

"This is it. Come on through."

They jump through in two's and three's until the last one through is Strange, who does one of his sparkling circle things and makes the star disappear.

"It's in the mirror dimension. That way no one can accidentally wander through."

"Smart," Nat says.

"Alright. Let's do this," Anthony says.

Tony startles awake when the alarms go off in the Tower. He glances over at the clock.

6:02 AM EST.

"J, give me the scoop," he mumbles.

There appears to be a temporal distortion near Central Park. I've attempted to surveil the area but all camera feeds are currently non-functional.

Tony groans. "Well, better go see what AIM is up to this time. I assume the others are on their way to the location?"

They are indeed.

"I'll be there in a few," he said, calling his suit up and flying through one of the access hatches.

There's nothing there, when they all arrive. Sure, it feels weird, the place, but it's as empty as Central Park can be just after six in the morning.

"There's nothing here," Nat says. "Something is off, but nothing's here."

"Let's fan out," Steve suggests. "Stay on the comms, though."

The energy signatures have them moving around through the park, not nearly as spread out as Steve was hoping for. But the way they moved here, then there, then forward, to the side...

They were being herded.

Doctor Strange isn't at the Sanctum.

At least, that's what Wong tells him.

"When will he be back?" Peter asks.

Wong looks torn.

"Oh, just let him in!" come the good doctor's voice.

"You're supposed to be sleeping," Wong scolds, turning back to where Strange is coming down the stairs in a robe that's far shorter than Peter ever wanted to see the man wear.

"Please. I'm used to thirty hour days," Strange says. "I'm good for another ten hours at least." He motions for Peter to come inside. "How can the Sorcerer Supreme be of assistance?"

"When I was Over There, I was helping Anth- I was helping Mr. Stark and the others with stabilizing the barriers between reality so that that Dr. Strange and other Dr. Stranges could work on fixing them. And I know I've been selfish and having the world's biggest pity party since this Mr. Stark and these Avengers pulled me back here, but I was hoping I might be able to help you with it, too. I'm just sorry it's taken so long to reach out."

"Taking time to grieve isn't selfish, Mr. Parker," Strange says. "And if you want to share your strategy for stabilizing the barriers, I'd be happy to hear it." He pauses. "But it's not your job, just so you know."

Peter frowns. "But it was, Over There. Why would Over Here be any different?"

"I can't answer that," Strange says cryptically. "Just know that the situation will be handled."

He doesn't understand, not at all. Why was the other Doctor Strange so insistent while this one is so unconcerned?

"Can I offer you some tea?" Strange asks.

It's early in the morning, just after six.

"Actually, that would be nice. Over There spoiled me for coffee so hot tea is about all I can stand, caffeine-wise."

"You speak of that reality fondly," Strange says once they're seated, each with a cup of tea and saucer.

"I was going to stay," Peter admits. "I didn't choose to come back."

"I'm sorry for how things worked out," Strange tells him. "And for my part in assisting them in their endeavor."

Peter shrugs. "I could have been stuck in a hell dimension for all you guys knew."

"I was fairly certain that wasn't the case," Strange says. "They were very insistent that they needed to save you and make things right."

That has Peter rolling his eyes. "They can't make it right," he says. "I didn't deserve to be treated the way they treated me and I don't think I can forgive them for any of it."

"I was so happy," Peter says after a few minutes. "I was in love. For the first time in my life I felt like I belonged and coming back here has been a nightmare. One they caused."

"You don't have to justify your feelings to me." Strange refills Peter's cup with more of the steaming tea. "And you're well within your rights to forgive or not forgive any of us."

Peter thinks about that. "I'll probably forgive everyone eventually," he admits. "I'm not built for grudges. I always feel bad for keeping them, even if letting them go feels like losing."

Strange chuckles. "You have such a kind heart, Mr. Parker. That's something to cherish."

The area they all end up in is deserted at the early hour, even though New York City almost never slept.

"I don't like this," Sam says. "Something ain't right."

"Agreed, but this is where the energy signatures stopped and we ne-"

There's the sound of a repulsor and Tony goes flying back into the side of one of the brick buildings.

A blue suit appears - an Iron Man! - and the face plate lifts to show another Tony Stark - Peter's Anthony. The Other Avengers plus a teenage girl and another Doctor Strange surround them, crackling into the reality from that damned mirror dimension that apparently all Doctor Stranges love so much.

"What the hell was that for?" Tony asks, pulling himself up to face his hovering counterpart.

"You took something that doesn't belong to you," Anthony says with narrowed eyes. "We've come to bring him back."

-------

[not-a-space-alien]

Savage Sunset Choose Your Own Adventure 4

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Story masterpost

All entries in the CYOA

You are a new vampire hunter. Your primary motivation is curiosity... You want to learn more about vampires. These mysterious creatures that terrorize humanity. Becoming a vampire hunter is really the only way to do that... Maybe that's what Nick did, to learn more.

Unlike Nick, you work in the field. You had a close-call with a vampire in your past. The only thing that had saved you from that fate were the hunters, and now you're one too, to protect others from having to experience that. That's a secondary reason, but... it does feel good to do something noble, and to protect others, even if you're here mostly because you want to get closer to vampires. What's the harm in sating your curiosity while you're at it?

You're partnered up with Felix. He seemed the nicest out of all of them, the easiest to work with, although you're honestly a little worried if he has the stomach for this line of work or not. Abbey and Brian pair up with each other and leave you alone, although they're still working at the same branch as you.

Felix tells you Nick is doing experiments on a live vampire to make the guild's vampire-hunting equipment more effective. Apparently it's been working very well and is keeping more hunters alive and safe, but he's heard from most of the other hunters on the base that it involves basically torturing the captive vampire that Nick has in the basement.

You feel guilty about that. That's horrible, even if it saves lives. Felix doesn't seem particularly happy about it either.

"Yeah, that's... pretty bad, right? I don't feel great about it, but I've heard this is a particularly bad vampire, even by vampire standards. Still, I feel like nothing justifies torture, you know? It's not what I'd prefer, but if it saves lives....I dunno. Well..."

"Don't let that get you down, I'm still looking forward to working with you. I think we'll make a great team! We're gonna protect a lot of people, and we fight vampires. We're not gonna do anything horrible like that. Let's just focus on the job and keeping each other safe, all right?"

@aceouttatime

@annablogsposts

@cc1010foxy

@darlingwhump

@emcscared-whumps

@nicolepascaline

@oddsconvert

@pigeonwhumps

@pumpkin-spice-whump

@some-thrilling-heroics

@soursagas

@thecyrulik

@whuarri

@whump-cravings

@whump-for-all-and-all-for-whump

@whumpycries

@whumpsday

@zillastar13

[beautifulhigh]

Sneak Peek Monday: all the parts

In case anyone missed one of the posts, here’s everything I hinted and teased today. And anyone who would like to join @queen-saltyfries in encouraging/bullying/straight up pushing me to make sure I get this fic finished would be more than welcome!

So even though it is no longer Cow Eyes Monday for me, I give you my Carlos Whump fic.

All five of the sneak preview parts are under the cut, and yes - this is the order they appear in the fic.

Sneak peak part 1

"Hey guys," Carlos said quietly. "Wish I could say it was nice to see you."

TK stilled for a second, looking at Carlos and then across at the driver.

"Is Spence OK?" Cassie asked.

"Let's focus on getting you out first," Marjan said, having done the perfunctory check for Spence's pulse. She didn't need to tell anyone it wasn't there: with the tree branch lodged firmly in his chest and throat, unseeing eyes staring ahead, all of the adults knew.

"You're supposed to be behind a desk," TK said, half chiding and half upset as he reached through the broken window to gently check Carlos' vitals.

"They were stuck… needed someone to help. Me and Spence were just on desk duty, I said it would be a nice run out."

"What happened? Why are you even out here?" TK asked, satisfied that Carlos' pulse wasn't anything to be concerned about and he couldn't feel any immediate damage to his neck.

"Not now," Carlos whispered, his gaze flicking to the side which TK knew was a reference to Cassie.

"OK. Does it hurt anywhere?"

"Rib's busted, ankle hurts like hell. But I can wiggle my toes and fingers and there's no real numbness. Breathing is fine, apart from the rib, and I'm pretty sure I didn't lose consciousness."

"Gold star," Marjan quipped as she started to test the back door of the car. "He taught you well."

"My best student," TK said with a small smile as he fixed the collar in place, allowing himself a moment to run his hand through Carlos' hair. "I'm going to check on Cassie."

"I won't go anywhere," Carlos said gently.

**

Sneak peak part 2

"Don't think you'll get me through the window," Carlos pointed out. "And I don't rate your chances of getting it open without—"

"Hey," TK snapped, reaching in to put his hand on Carlos' cheek. "We will figure it out, OK? Cassie's on her way up, it's your turn now."

"She's scared."

"She went over a cliff, of course she's scared," Paul said as he moved carefully around the car.

"No, she… saw her dad kill her mom. She's scared he'll come for her next. There was a car following us, ran us off the road."

"Don't worry about that now," TK said, looking at the door to see how damaged it was.

"Only got a partial plate. 215, Uniform. Couldn't make out the other two letters. Dark sedan, maybe blue?"

"Stop," TK said firmly. "We're getting you out, you don't need to relay the information."

"Babe," Carlos said gently.

TK pointedly stood up, looked across the car. "Paul? Any ideas? This door doesn't look too bad but it'll take a good yank to get it open."

"I can try to sure up the wheels, give a little bit of leverage to stop it going so quickly. But if it works it won't work for long."

"You'll need to take your belt off," TK said, turning back to Carlos. "Although maybe not until the door is open? Just in case."

"TK—"

"We're doing this," TK said gently. "I'm not leaving you; I'm not taking any messages. There is a young girl up there who I think wants to see you again so how about you let us do our jobs?"

"Bossy," Carlos said, a small smile creeping onto his lips.

"You love it."

"Love you."

**

Sneak peak part 3

"I thought I was going to die."

"But you didn't," Rebecca said.

"I got lucky. I shouldn't have been lucky."

"Why not?"

"Because Spence wasn't lucky. Why am I still here and he's not? Because he was driving and I wasn't? Because I was still strapped in when the car went over?"

"Why is that a problem? That you got lucky?"

"Feels unfair."

"Life isn't fair."

"I know what you think this is," Carlos said. "Survivor's guilt. We hear about it all the time in the force. A call goes badly, someone dies but it's not you. And you can't help but think that if you'd been the first one through the door, you'd been standing a few inches left or right, if you'd not hesitated. If you'd been in the driver's seat like you were supposed to."

"But you don't think it's that?"

"I know it's not."

"And why is that?"

"Because I'm the reason Spencer died. This wasn't his bad luck, or my good luck. This wasn't about timing. This was about me, what I did. I killed him."

**

Sneak peak part 4

The second fall had sheered off the door, leaving the passenger side of the car wide open like a gaping wound. Carlos was held in place by the seatbelt which was taut across his chest, staring straight down through the cracked windshield.

"How are you doing?" TK asked as he found purchase level with the car. He was a few feet away from where the door had been on the vehicle but now that he had laid eyes on his husband his heartrate was already slowing.

"Hurts… to breathe," Carlos said. "And don't really… want to undo the belt now."

"You're going to have to if I'm going to get you out."

"TK, no—"

"Don't you even think about trying to talk me out of it, you hear me?" TK snapped, his tone leaving no room for any debate on the matter. "We have one shot at this and we are taking it, so you need to shut up and do exactly what I say when I say it."

"You just want to be in charge for once."

TK laughed softly, filing away the teasing retort for later. "I can get over to the car but when I make contact with it I could dislodge it so you need to be ready. I need you to undo your belt slowly and brace against the dashboard. It's going to hurt like hell with your ribs but it won't be for long. When I get to you I'll grab on, you need to put your arms around my neck, OK?"

For a second TK wondered if Carlos was going to fight him, argue that he couldn't do this, but then he watched Carlos' right hand reach out to the dash and his left drop to his side for the belt buckle.

"On my count," TK said. "Unclip the belt on two, I'll move on three."

"TK, if—"

"One," TK said, not giving Carlos an inch to protest. "Two," he continued, hearing the soft click of the belt. "Three," he said, pushing against his slight cliffside purchase to give him momentum.

**

Sneak peak part 5

"He shouldn't have done it," Carlos said, his eyes falling back to the carpet. "Risk everything like that."

"Why not?" Rebecca asked. "Leaving aside the fact that it's his job, he's your husband. He loves you."

"I know that," Carlos said before flinching at how defensive he'd become. "Sorry. It's just… yeah, it's his job. He loves it and he's really good at it. When we met he was a firefighter but he moved over to be a paramedic and it just… it fits him. Like this is where he's supposed to be, who he's supposed to be. He's still dual certified so he gets to do things like…"

"Like cliff rescues?"

"Yeah. But I know that being a paramedic is…" Carlos stilled, trying to find the right word. He looked up at Rebecca, giving a small shrug. "It's him. He's so good at it, he loves working with Nancy and Tommy and when I get to see him in the field with patients it's like I fall in love all over again because I see him, I really see him, all the hurt and pain and suffering he's been through and you'd never know it because he's so calm and gentle and kind and he's so, so good at his job, he's so good and because of me—"

"Carlos," Rebecca said quickly. "Carlos, I want you to take a slow, deep breath OK? Breathe in on my count – one, two, three – now hold for two, three – and breathe out slowly, two, three, four, five, six. And again."

She counted a few more rounds and Carlos followed the instruction, finding each successive set a little easier to do. When she was satisfied they sat in silence for what seemed like an age.

"When was the first time you had a panic attack?" Rebecca asked.

The question caught Carlos off guard and so his answer came without thought, hesitation, or any attempt to avoid it. "I was fourteen."

[whumpflash]

(This is one of the first Actual Whump scenes I wrote. Literally just this. I added context and plot way after. It's not the whumpiest thing in the world, but it's a required pre-chorus to this scene)

cw: violence, some lady whump but it's not the focus

I wish he'd shut up for once.

But Nick has never known when to quit. Not when he's caught in a lie, not when he's in too deep with a damn crime lord, and certainly not when he's managed to piss off a man who's got at least fifty pounds on him.

He and Aaron were supposed to be partners. Neither of them liked it, but their boss--our boss--had the final say, and no one had the balls to question Armitage.

But even when they hated each other's guts, partners weren't supposed to throw each other under the bus, whether it was for the greater good or not.

Even though I've known Aaron was an asshole from the start, and even though I can't fault Nick for what he did, I at least understand Aaron's anger. Nick betrayed him, plain and simple. An apology isn't going to cut it, and we all know it.

Nick doesn't try to fight. He probably knows that would make things worse, but somehow he doesn't seem to realize that spitting out insults has the same effect. I'm slow to react, at first not comprehending the full weight of the situation, or I might've been able to stop him. To at least put a band aid on the whole thing long enough for both of us to run far far away from the empty parking lot and the pissed off dude standing in it.

But unfortunately, I'm not that lucky.

So I can only shout for Aaron to stop as he seized Nick by the shoulders and throws him backwards.

Nick collides with the concrete base of a lamppost, sinking to the ground. A splotch of blood grows at the corner of his mouth, turned black by the streetlight. Aaron stalks towards him and I run to intercept. I can see his eyes. He's mad, but not so far gone that he can't be talked out of it. Yet.

So I take a deep breath and step in front of him, blocking the path to Nick. “That's enough. He's learned his lesson."

“You know that's a fucking lie,” he snaps. He tries to sidestep me, but I mirror him.

“Aaron. Please. Just leave him alone.”

“Move."

I stand my ground. “It's late. We should all be getting home.”

“Clara.”

It's Nick now. I turn around. He's still sitting in the same spot, sprawled on the ground with the lamppost to his back. He's not smiling when he talks to me.

“Just go home. We're just... Talking it out.”

I shake my head. “Talking it out?”

“For once he's right,” Aaron says. “This has nothing to do with you. Now get out of my way.”

“No.”

Once again, he sidesteps and I block him.

“Clara, move.”

“This has to stop. What happens if Armitage hears you've been fighting? He won't like that.”

I can see a flash of hesitation cross his face when I mention our boss, but it vanishes as quickly as it came.

"Armitage isn't here." He takes a step forwards, I stay still, trying to appear calm though my heart is pounding.

"I get it," I say, looking up at him, unmoving. "It was a dick move on his part, but it won't happen again, okay?"

"No," Aaron replies. "You don't get it."

I glance at Nick. Aaron takes another step forward, and without thinking, I try to push him away. When I look back at him, I can see the change in his eyes. Like a fire inside him is about to bloom. I only have a second to feel afraid before he shoves me, and suddenly I'm hurtling backwards, skidding to a stop in the middle of a puddle. My elbows burn and I feel the water seeping through my shirt as Aaron turns away from his original target and moves on me. I hastily get to my feet, holding my hands out in surrender.

“Aaron, don't--”

He backhands me across the face, and suddenly I'm back on the ground, a flash of red behind my eyes. I try to blink away the pain and sit up, but I can't tell if I'm looking at the sky or the pavement right now. I feel him standing over me, and tense for the next blow.

“Hey!”

I push myself up somewhat, and see a blurry Nick on his feet, facing Aaron.

“I knew you were scared of me, Aaron, but I didn't think you were such a wuss that you'd rather fight her.”

There's a terrible moment of nothing, and then everything seems to happen at once.

Aaron runs at Nick. I somehow get to my feet and run to stop him but get thrown to the side like a rag doll. I hit the ground hard, cracking my head on the street. Before everything goes black, I see Nick land a blow on Aaron's nose.

Then for a moment, nothing. Then I see Nick dodge a kick, take a hit, stumble back. The rage radiates off of Aaron.

And so it goes, fading in and out as I gasp like a fish on the ground and try to find the willpower to get back up.

He's going to kill him.

Nick goes down. I can't even shout his name. My sight is failing around the corners, as if my vision is a peephole that keeps getting smaller and smaller.

Aaron kicks Nick in the side. And does it again. And again. At some point, Nick stops trying to get up. And I think I'm crying but I can't be sure because my head hurts too much to think about anything else, really, and suddenly everything is just dark.

Then, inexplicably, there's a flash of blue. In my head, behind my eyes, all around me.

You know what to do, a voice whispers.

I really don't, I whisper back.

You know.

And I reach for the light. Not with my hands, but with my mind. And slowly, slowly, I feel the blackness slip away, and the pain along with it. My head clears, my eyes open, my elbows even stop stinging.

I don't take the time to question it. I run silently up to Aaron and throw myself onto his back, wrapping both arms around his neck and squeezing with all my strength. He lets out a choked sound and reels backwards. I don't let go. Normally this wouldn't work. Normally, I might not stand a chance. But miraculously healing yourself after a K'O has its advantages, apparently.

Aaron tries to punch me, tries to pull me off, but I bury my face into his back and hold on all the tighter. He stumbles, falling to his knees. His blows start to weaken, until they stop coming altogether and he crashes onto the pavement. I wait a few more seconds before releasing him, maybe for security, maybe due to nerves. Then I run to Nick's side.

He's barely conscious, trying to get up but not doing a very good job of it. I kneel next to him and help him into a sitting position.

“Clara..?” His gaze is too distant. “Clara, are you okay?”

“Am I okay? You should see yourself.”

He shakes his head, and winces. “I... how did you do that?”

“I took him by surprise.”

“You know what I mean.”

I look down. “I don't know. Don't worry about it. We need to get you to a hospital.”

His eyes drift shut for a second, and he gives a little nod. “Tha's probably a good idea.”

I shake his shoulder. “Hey. Stay awake.”

“Nnh, not right now.” His eyes start to close.

“Nick!”

“Hmm?”

I look up at the sky, trying to think. I doubt I could drag him, and I don't have a comm to call an ambulance. Aaron could wake up at any second...

Nick starts to flop to the side, and I throw an arm around him, pulling him to lean against me. Dammit.

The blue light. I'm gonna need that back.

Hey, you know that thing you did?

No response.

Hey, I'm gonna need that again. I hold Nick tighter. Now. I bite my lip. Please.

Nothing. For what seems like forever, it's nothing but my own heartbeat and Nick's shallow breaths.

Are you sure?

My heart leaps. Yes! Yes, I need it.

Alright. Your choice, I suppose.

I squeeze my eyes shut, and the blue light is there again. I reach for it eagerly, this time focusing all my being on Nick. Save Nick. Make him better.

He seems to jolt in my arms, and I feel my headache begin to return, the pain trickling into me like ink onto paper. The sting comes back to my elbows and once again, my vision is tinged with black. Nick sits up suddenly. We meet eyes for all of a second before I crumple, hitting the ground before he can even call my name.

[eriyu]

i beat xvi so here are my reactions from along the way

for posterity (my future self is posterity)

i did not do this in any kind of organized way like i think i skipped writing anything down for big portions of the game;;;

spoilers obviously. and also after this i'm going to start reblogging xvi things including spoilers tagged #ffxvi so. be warned.

i guess i'll link my demo impressions because this is basically a continuation of that.

a mite predictable so far....... though i did think cid was gonna crystallize instead of regular dying.

GODDDDDD i wish there were a chatlog. or at least that dialogue were progressed manually. i don't have the focus for this shit when i can't even rewind it.

i love the combat a lot. which is weird to think seeing as i'm very much a turn-based fan and really. don't play action games ever. but it feels very kingdom hearts to me? there's even shotlock.

THE BIG MOMENTS ARE SO SO GOOD. A+ ON THE MELODRAMA.

clive is prime whump material and i love it.

some of the worldbuilding is a little baffling... mostly ORCS? REALLY? WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY CLASSIC FF OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM.

personal preference i guess but i feel like they could chill with the "mature content" a bit....... how many sidequests do we need to drive home how shit Bearers are treated. how many random sex workers does one game need.

i was going to complain about linearity, but things opened up nicely soon after i thought it, so props there LOL

i know it's supposed to be "dark" but like.... i want to fall in love with a game world. i want to wish i lived there. i want unique local flavors and COLOR. most of this so far is just generic medieval squalor. even places like the treno slums had beautiful waterways and plucky npcs and... COLOR...

jill feels like......... an afterthought. sometimes she's there; sometimes she's not, and it doesn't seem to matter either way. she barely talks. we haven't seen shiva in game since we first met back up with her. there's a vague implication that jill's doing important things but that's kind of it???

jill update: okay Things Happening but like. now she's out of commission? i'm getting sacrificed-for-man-pain vibes. i don't know; it's too soon to say that, but it just doesn't feel great.

the state of the realm UI is SOOOOO good. it's a bit of an overload in the way xiii's datalog was, but it's fine if i remind myself i can read things Later.

oh my god i love shotlocking a zillion enemies in a tornado.

i really love mid but "midadol" sounds like a pharmaceutical.

CANON GAYS?????

ultima looks like a tumblr lumpy-faced reptilian oatmeal man.

the voice acting is so good. like clive's screaming and crying reminds me of dub gaara's "MY BLOOOOOOD" which is the highest compliment i can possibly give.

oh my godddddddd the fighting at twinside is giving alexandria. again, in the best possible way.

okay seriously where the fuck is leviathan though. i keep wondering when leviathan is going to show up and i'm starting to think he's... not.

jesus christ i couldn't stop thinking about clive and joshua and dion today. i want to eat them.

look i KNOW clive and josh had a really good reunion moment in twinside but consider this: i want another one. i think they should have had another one at the hideaway. i want more tenderness. i deserve more tenderness.

they pronounce "chocobo" AND "popoto" with a short o in the middle like "chock" and "pot" and i'm so uncomfortable.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME. WE LIKE JUST PROMISED JOTE WE'D KEEP JOSHUA SAFE AND NOW WE'RE SPLITTING UP. i'm so afraid everybody will die.

all the xiv references ;w; for some reason it's the quest names that keep getting me??? "through the maelstrom" this time.

i REALLY really wish jill's character didn't just revolve around clive.............. is my impression but i don't know if that's entirely fair of me. like if i made a list of bullet points i don't know that she's any worse than say, tifa with cloud. but it Feels worse. i WANT to love her, but i'm just not feelin' it.

god i want to be able to switch between two eikon/ability sets. i want a single-target setup and a trash mob setup. not even to switch mid-battle; i know that could be OP, just switchable in the menu.

i legit panic every time joshua leaves the party. like NO we're supposed to be WATCHING HIM??????? EVERYBODY IS GOING TO DIE IF I LET MY GUARD DOWN. also i love him. i can't stop thinking about him. continuing the proud tradition of square enix joshuas (being loved by me).

"EVEN LEVIATHAN THE LOST IS HERE" OH THANK FUCK.

uhhhhhhhhhh active time lore is absolutely giving me spoilers? MAJOR spoilers??? what the hell????????

reverie givin' me legend of dragoon vibes. like wingly stuff. i love it.

daaAAAAAMN zantetsuken OP????? but as it should be tbh. i love it.

hey

hey

HEY

i'm sad.

for real i. i feel like i'm not as upset as i COULD be because i was really emotionally preparing for Everyone to Die through the whole game. but wow. this still hurts.

i actually got maliciously spoiled with "clive dies" before i even got the game in my hands and partly succeeded at not letting that ruin the experience for me, but. damn i had a little bit of hope that it was a fake spoiler until i saw his hand.....

jesus christ though. ow.

i mean it was a largely satisfying ending. the fights were good. the Moral of the Story felt a lil heavyhanded but i do love the Power of Friendship. it could have been a lot sadder. but i'm such a sucker for a real happy ending o|--<

i think trying to brute force myself into liking jill more has made me like her less;;;;;;;;; i will try a different approach. her getting left behind for the end didn't help though. for the record i'm talking about liking her as a character. she's a perfectly lovely person.

holy fuck i'm emotional about joshua though.

oh no the post-credit scene made me sadder. it feels like a character flaw of mine but anything about losing magic, ever, makes me SO SO SAD. even when i KNOW it's supposed to make for a happy ending. like in kiki's delivery service when she can't hear jiji anymore??? fucking destroys me and not in the good way.

and joshua........... o|--<

i've really been looking forward to finishing so i could go look up shippy things but i just feel like. oof. now. i need to marinate for a while first. this isn't the time for shipping.

[piracytheorist]

AAAAAAHHHH IT'S HERE!!

Okay LOTS of thoughts :D

This might be small, but it's so great to see the waiter is still so worried and stressed, it's connecting it from the previous part and it's so great.

Twilight just adds the "it's too close to home" even though he delivered his coded message already- he's already worried about his family!

I also like the broken glass on the outside of the salon. It's only a sign of the mess that impostor Twilight left! He really went all out in there! The covered body of the rookie especially is so haunting 😨

But also how Twilight seems to focus on the body in the bottom panel :( he's not supposed to get attached but just knowing that this young man was killed in such a cruel manner, all for trying to help :(

And then when the other spy picks up the gun Twilight tries to protect Handler ;_; like, not even to protect himself, it's just so 😭 I LOVE the transition from present to flashback, how it changes to a black background and we're just treated to the impostor's beaming face after he's killed the rookie and beaten the others up! It feels so wrong but in such a perfect way... especially when added with his face as he talks about getting betrayed, he's still smiling but there's such a darkness in his look.

I think you can always see when the artist enjoys whump, even when it's not for their favourite whumpee. There's such careful detail on the other spy's wounds and state like, the expression, the blood trails… exquisite job 😙 👌

I am SO 👀👀 at the panel of the darkness clawing away at impostor Twilight. It's really, really good!

And damn he's so nonchalant about getting shot 😨 and I feel a little bad for the other spy, ngl. No wonder he was in such a shock when real Twilight and Handler entered, this man saw the impostor get shot in the chest then get back up with a "Look how you ruined my favourite jacket!" The beaming smile again! He's done all that, he got shot, then he smiles like "Oh gotta go home and cook :D" I can't wait to see the rest!

And I love how he talks about real Twilight. He's so bitter about him 👀👀 I like to connect it with the intro pages, it looks like he's jealous of what real Twilight has and he wants it for himself...

I love the difference between how impostor Twilight just drops the paper in front of the other spy, so indifferent and uncaring, and then in the present the other spy gives it to real Twilight normally. Idk I just like the presentation.

Wahhh poor boy is already worried ;_;

"Someone will cry" hhhhnnnngggg the BASTARD

I've gotta tell you that the face he makes when he says how his family didn't ask for this will be haunting me for a good while. He's not supposed to care for them but he knows they're innocent civilians who were dragged into this by him making them assets to the mission... and in truth he cares for them. A lot 😭😭 and he has no idea what he's dealing with D:

I also love seeing caring and worrying Sylvia, cause she also understands his wish to protect them and can't really hold him back from going home.

and the anxiety-o-meter agfdhgjfdgsghd

So yeah. Awesome cliffhanger, very emotional beats, and cool action :D

[DOPPELGÄNGER] - Chapter 1 - Part 2

<<< Part 1

<<< Read from the start

[throwawaywhumper]

Write Me a Novel Challenge: Ground Rules

Alternative Prompt: Stripped

Content: Electric whump, Restraints, Head Trauma, Training, Creepy whumper

Masterpost

<- prev || next ->

"You're really starting to live up to your nickname, you know? You could've broken something wandering around in the dark like that."

Mmm..? Lucky's eyes fluttered open, though as the world spun around him, he quickly squeezed them shut again and winced. He really had to stop waking up like this.

"Stop shifting around, it looks like you rattled your head quite a bit on the fall down the steps over there. You're lucky I had someone looking after you last night, otherwise....well, no matter. Best not to agitate it further."

Lucky recognized the voice instantly, his thoughts confirmed as he slowly attempted to peel his eyes open again. Those gloved hands were busy at work, fiddling with something just out of sight. He tried to shield his eyes from the bright light above him but found he could hardly move his hands at all. Cold metal held his wrists at his sides to the surface below him, attempts to move his legs yielded the same results. He felt cold air making his hair stand on end all over, the only item covering him being what felt like a pair of cheap briefs. As his head slowly cleared, he could remember wandering through the darkness before. He thought he'd gotten so close to making it outside, what happened?

"Fine, if you don't want to sit still, we'll do this the hard way. It looks like you want to do everything the hard way, Lucky." Sebastian turned to face them, arms crossed with some sort of remote in his hand. His wavy black hair had been drawn back into a neat ponytail. Instead of the well-dressed attire Lucky was used to seeing, he was wearing a yellow striped button-down and a pair of black suspenders with a grey apron and some slacks. Any friendliness from Sebastian's tone before had dripped away, replaced by a palpable irritability matched by the dark circles under his eyes. Lucky supposed he wasn't the only one not sleeping well that night.

"We don't have to do anything the hard way." Lucky mumbled, though even the acting of talking made his head hurt more. "You could just let me go ho-"

A sharp slap across his face knocked any further words out of his mouth, he hadn't seen it coming at all. His world started to spin again, causing him to screw his eyes shut once more.

"Since you don't seem to have much concern for your own safety, maybe I shouldn't bother with yours either then, hm? That's fine." Sebastian leaned against the table that Lucky was strapped down to, watching as he tried to regain his bearings. "I know you like to talk a lot, but right now is the time to listen and, so help me god, if you cut me off again I am going to make it so you can never speak again. No more warnings. Do I make myself crystal clear?"

"Yes, y-yes I understand..." Lucky stuttered out as his vision came back into focus. It'd felt easy to talk back before, but being restrained somewhere unfamiliar like this, suddenly he was realizing just how much power had been robbed from him.

"Good." The same, crooked smile from before seemed to return to Sebastian's face, but the hint of annoyance beneath it remained. "Now we have a couple of things to discuss, since we're both here. Number one, you didn't take the pills last night like I instructed you to. I told you before that for this to work, this needs to be a partnership, which means trust. As in, I need to trust you to do what I say." He stood up straight again, walking around behind him. Lucky tried to crane his neck to follow him but they were out of his line of sight completely now. How did they know he hadn't taken the pills? What exactly were they even supposed to do?

"I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt before, but since that's clearly not going to work, I think it'd be good if we laid some ground rules. We'll start off easy until you figure out how this works. Since you seem to be a slow learner and all, I've got a way to uh, let's say expedite the process."

Lucky did his best to sit still, but something felt wrong. Well, more wrong than things already were, which was already a pretty high bar.

"Rule number one...do not refer to me by name, ever. Simply refer to me as Sir. It's only appropriate, seeing as I'm your superior. If I ask you a simple question, the response, as appropriate, should be 'yes, sir' or 'no, sir." Do you think you could handle that?"

Lucky rolled their eyes, what a lunatic. He must've had his head firmly rammed up his own ass for a while now. "I could handle it, sure."

"You're stubborn, aren't you?" Sebastian tapped the side of his head in disappointment. "It was kind of funny at first, but it's getting old quick. Let's try that again..."

Lucky heard some sort of clicking in his ear, just behind him. "Hey, what are you-"

Any words he'd planned on speaking were ripped from his throat as a wave of electricity tore through his body. It felt like every nerve in his body was on fire, unrelenting in its assault and drawing every muscle tight like they'd pull themselves apart at any small amount of additional stress. His vision went white, he'd have screamed if his throat would only listen to him, but it seemed as if he'd lost any and all control. Just as suddenly as it started, it all stopped at once leaving him limp on the table. He panted, trembling while beads of sweat dripped down the side of his face. The shock of it all, no pun intended, had sucked on its own but the throbbing pain in his head intensified even worse than before. He groaned, unable to say much else as he felt a hand tussle his hair.

"It worked! It worked so well, that was fun." Sebastian laughed, clapping his hands together. "Do you know about the long-term effects of an untreated concussion? Dizziness, headaches, vision problems, memory loss, etcetera...all easily avoidable. That is, if you give your brain some time to rest and recover. If not though, you could be suffering the effects for the rest of your life, and that wouldn't be ideal would it?"

Lucky tried hard to listen, but his heart was beating loud in his ears as he tried to catch his breath. "N-no.."

"What was that? Did I hear you correctly?"

"No..no, sir.." Lucky's face flushed. He wished he could look off to the side, hide his face, do anything but every movement felt like his brain would come spilling out of his ears.

Sebastian couldn't help but smile. Finally, progress. "See? I knew you could do it, not so difficult. Maybe we don't have to do this the hard way, but that entirely depends upon you. Or me, if I get bored. Just a little more uncertainty to feed your fear which, if I'm correct, we're finally starting to foster!"

Lucky saw his head peek over him from behind, a few stray strands of hair dangling just over his face. Sebastian's bright green eyes seemed to have gained new life now as he smiled down at them.

"At any rate, hang in there. We've got some more rules to go over. try to keep up or what happens next may shock you."

・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・

"Alright, one last time. I know you can do it this time, really focus. What was rule number 5?"

"Mm....number five..." Lucky's head lolled to the side as he racked his head. "I think...I think it was dress to impress, no shabby appearances allowed in the house, Sir."

"Very good...and rule number two?"

"Don't wander the house at night, sir."

"And how about rule nine?"

"Number nine..." Lucky mumbled, he was so exhausted. "Number nine...don't..um..."

Sebastian's finger hovered over the dial in his hand, the movement alone was enough to jog his memory.

"Family!" Lucky stammered at the last moment "It's, I-I don't have any family outside of this house. Everyone here is my family, no one else, Sir."

Sebastian gave a satisfied smile. "It took you a little while, but look at you. Excellent progress in a relatively short amount of time. I was worried for a bit that I was going to have to find a new assistant, and then I'd have to go hunting again for someone with as much potential as you. You've saved me the extra effort, and for that, I thank you Lucky."

"Of course, Sir. My pleasure." Lucky shivered, he hated this. He hated what he'd been forced to learn, he hated knowing what he needed to do to survive. He hated how easy it was to just comply with the rules, and most of all he hated the fear that this man instilled in him. In any other circumstance, he could've had a fighting chance, but he was rendered helpless in the face of supernatural abilities.

"And that pretty fear keeps growing, and growing...yours smells like smoke. Very interesting.." Sebastian mumbled as he set the remote to the side. He pulled off his apron and hung it on a hook off to the side "At any rate, we've been at this for a while. I'll give you some time to reflect and rest that pretty little head of yours. I'll send someone down to take care of you in a little while, and if you behave, you may earn a little free time until I need you." Lucky felt their hand return to his hair, tussling the once neat strands that were now soaked in sweat. Sebastian gave him one last encouraging smile before heading upstairs and leaving him limp on the table.

Lucky didn't even know he'd been holding back tears, but as soon as Sebastian left, the downpour seemed never-ending. It seemed as though this was his life now.

፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧፧

Tag List: @whatwasmyprevioususername, @whumpsday

[princeescaluswords]

Just a quick update, as I wanted to point something out.

There 2825 "Bad Friend Scott McCall" stories on AO3.

There are 2936 "Scott McCall/Kira Yukimura" tagged stories on on AO3.

SO WHO'S SPREADING HATE?

Just to remind everyone, this is the longest lasting relationship on the television show, hands down, at 42 episodes. This relationship had "whump", "enemies to lovers", "hostile parents," "hostile friends," "torn apart by fate," and more romantic tropes, and yet it receives the bare minimum of attention.

That's not even taking into account how many times it's a background relationship that gets two or three lines at most or is used to attack Scott's character. Think about how many times Scott has been accused of "chasing girls" by pursuing a relationship with Kira rather than, I don't know, following Stiles around like a service dog.

When you single out stories that include just this relationship (which does not mean it is the focus of the story but just the only tagged relationship) there are only 224 which is ONE FOURTH the number of stories featuring Derek Hale's Father, a character who was never named or discussed in 100 episodes and a movie.

But we're supposed to believe that there is a very good reason that peaceful and not at all hostile Sterek fandom is so fundamentally uninterested in this relationship as compared to exploring the story of Derek Hale's sperm donor or explaining how Scott was such a terrible, terrible friend for trying to save lives.

BUT IT'S NOT RACISM.