#I'd heard good things about children of time but I bounced off it

[owlbear33]

speaking of adult SSF novels, what do people recommend as good new sci-fi, particularly the more spacey end of things

recently I've enjoyed Murderbot (Martha Wells), the Imperial Radch trilogy (Ann Leckie), both the Indranan and Farian war trilogies (K.B Wagers), Barbary Pirates Trilogy (R.E. Stearns), The Wayfarers (Becky Chambers), Tanya Huffs Valour Novels, and I've been super getting into the expanse novels (James S.A. Corey)

so yeah what are other people enjoying

[thelampisaflashlight]

Everything Goes On Pt. 3

[You ever heard the song No Children by The Mountain Goats? Rain has thoughts, Dew has feelings, and Aether has... Previous Part Here. Not suitable for younger audiences.] Below the cut.

Rain is pissed.

He can't help it.

The only thing keeping him from exploding and storming off to confront Aether himself is Mountain, who gives him a look that keeps him rooted to the ground.

"It won't help Dew for us to pick sides." he says, "That's not me saying we shouldn't be there for him, we should, but the more we feed into the idea that this is some... emotional war between the two of them, the harder it will be for both of them."

"Just one punch." Rain grits out, his leg bouncing restlessly as he sits on one of the garden benches beside the earth ghoul, "One that cracks Aether's fucking te-"

"Rain..." Mountain scratches down the length of the other's spine -His off switch, Dew's, too, funnily enough. It must be a water ghoul trait.- sighing, "Who does that help more? You, or Dew?"

The shorter ghoul deflates, "Me... But, you have to admit, this shit is fucked up."

Mountain leans back and closes his eyes, humming thoughtfully.

"It is." he admits after some time, "It is, but we, all of us, will get through this, I know it."

"...How?"

"First..." Mountain says, "...we have to stop picking sides. Whatever is going on between Aether and Dewdrop, stays there unless one or the other confides in one of us. And second, we confront the real issue; Aether's leaving."

Rain's eyes widen.

"I... I kind of glossed over that with... ya know, the everything..."

Mountain nods sagely.

"We're probably letting our feelings about the situation get mixed up with what's going on with those two, or, at least, some of us are more so than others."

"Swiss." Rain says.

"And you." Mountain points out, "...Though, I will admit after my talk with Aether yesterday, I'm a little... It doesn't matter."

He sits up straight.

"What Swiss said about Dew was wrong..." Rain mumbles, "The thing about him... going nutty."

"It was." Mountain concedes, "It was, but knowing Swiss, he's probably saying he's worried about Dew in his own way... even if the wording wasn't the best. Him and Dew are similar in that regard, they both just say whatever comes to mind first and double down on it even after they realize they were wrong to say it to begin with. They're stubborn like that, and that means they're a bit slower to apologize, but when they do..."

"They mean it." Rain says, "It's easier for them to get it all out and say they're sorry later."

Mountain nods.

"They're especially stubborn when it comes to each other." Rain chuckles, "I once walked in on them apologizing for a fight they had a year ago."

Mountain smiles, "Yeah... Hopefully, though, that doesn't happen this time."

"Maybe... Maybe I should talk to him?" Rain proposes.

"Calmly?" Mountain raises an eyebrow.

"If worse comes to worst, I'll just go swim laps in the lake until I cool down."

"Personally, I'd skip the talk and go for a swim myself." Mountain jokes, "And I'm not a particularly good swimmer."

"Yeah, you kind of float along like a log."

"Hey, now-"

.

.

.

"Dew?" Cumulus knocks on Dew's bedroom door, the one she'd walked past twice trying to find despite it being sandwiched between her room and Mountain's.

Ever since their group meeting last night -if you could call it that, considering it devolved into a fight between Swiss and Rain- Cumulus had put some thought to what Mountain had said about picking sides, and with some careful consideration, she decided it was time to check in on her friend.

"Dew, it's Lus." she tries, knocking again, "I... I wanted to check in, see if you needed anything?"

"...No." comes a surprisingly gentle tone from the other side of the door, "No, no, I'm... I'm good."

"Dewdlebug..." Cumulus looks at the door, "You know... you know you can talk to me, right?"

A pause, followed by the sounds of a lock clicking, and suddenly Dew's tear stained face is peeking out from behind the door, "...I don't know what I did wrong."

"Oh, honey-"

It takes a couple minutes before Dew says anything, curled up with his head on Cumulus' lap on the floor.

His room seems so... empty... compared to the one he shared with Aether.

"You haven't set up your nest yet?" she asks, carding her fingers through his hair.

"...No sense in making one if there's no one to share it with..." he mumbles into her thigh, "...Most of the stuff I used to make it belonged to A... belonged to him anyway... Still doesn't feel real."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Dew sits up slowly and places his hands in his lap, "...I figured Aether already said everything that needed to be said... I already heard the siblings talking about it, dunno... dunno who he told, and he probably told you all about it yesterday when you were all in the kitchen together..."

He side-eyes her, the hurt apparent in his eyes.

"...Laughing at me."

"In the kitchen..." Cumulus blinks, resting her hand on Dew's thigh, "No, no, we weren't laughing at you, Aether was... Aether was telling a funny story. He didn't tell us until... after. After the incident in the hallway... Oh, sweetheart, is that why you left in such a hurry?"

"...You're not..." Dew move his leg away from Cumulus' touch and she frowns, "You're not lying to me... are you?"

"Lying to you? Why would I lie to you?" she asks, watching Dew draw his knees up to his chest, "I don't have any reason to."

"Sure you do." Dew says, "...that way the next time you guys are having a chat about me, you can tell the others I'm gullible on top of being... nutty and unbalanced."

Cumulus' eyes widen.

"Yeah, I heard you guys talking." he picks at the hem of his sleeve, "...I was going to come out and say something, but... then I realized it wouldn't make much of a difference. If anything, it'd just prove you all right... and I didn't... I don't want that."

"Dew, I'm so-"

"No... No, it's okay. I get it." he smiles, "I-I'm a lot. If... If I wasn't, then Aether would have broken up with me for being boring instead of not... Since it'll probably get out there anyway, I might as well just say it, huh?"

"Dew, honey, no, you don't have t-"

"I want to." he says, "Aether thinks I don't have feelings anyway, feel free to tell the others what I'm about to say, because if he's right, and you guys are right, then saying this won't hurt me one bit."

Cumulus reaches over and squeezes Dew's shoulder, "You-"

"Aether told me the only thing I ever gave him was sex." he laughs, "He didn't even say it was good, just that it was the only thing he could think of, and, fuck, Lus, even I couldn't come up with anything else!"

Dew shakes.

"If the only thing I ever gave him was my body, then I don't know what any of the other shit meant!" he cries, "I always said 'I love you', I told him all the time... We held hands, we went places he liked, we bought... we bought stupid matching couple shit, and I-!"

"...And I still wasn't good enough... He said... he said there were things he wanted that I couldn't give him, and I don't... I don't know what they are, but I... If he'd give me another chance, maybe I..."

Cumulus pulls Dew into a hug, pressing his face into her shoulder.

"You don't need to do a damned thing for him, okay?" she says, holding him tight, "You're more than just your body, and you do have feelings, Dewdlebug, you do..."

"Lus..."

"Yeah, baby boy?"

"...Is it wrong that I...." he sniffles, squishing himself further into Cumulus' embrace, "...that I still love him?"

"It's not." Cumulus gently rocks them both side to side, "It only happened a day ago, feelings don't magically change over night."

Dew rests his cheek on her shoulder, "...If that's true, then Aeth... Aether probably felt that way for a long time, huh...?"

Cumulus pats his back.

"I wouldn't go down that rabbit hole, Dewy, that shit will drive you crazy... trust me, I know."

.

.

.

Aether stares at the ceiling of his bedroom, their bedroom, watching the lazy turn of the fan overhead, the one Dew worried about falling and killing them both one day if it ever went above a dead crawl.

He'd just finished packing the last of his boxes, and the bed is stripped of the sheets, so he's laying on the floor instead.

There's a peace.

A strange peace that comes from being alone like this.

No Dew hovering around... fussing over him.

"You shouldn't lay on the floor... it's dirty." a worried little voice in the back of his mind whispers, "Come back to bed."

"I'll overheat if I lay next to you for another second, you goddamned furnace."

"Well... You don't have to worry about that now, now do you?"

[felixcloud6288]

Higurashi: Festival Accompanying Chapter 32

The kids are playing tag while the adults are reenacting Mad Max.

Takano is beginning to scratch at herself.

The club members aren't even using their traps anymore.They've so thoroughly demoralized and scattered the Wild Dogs that they can take them out by popping out from behind the trees to scare them.

Okonogi, your bias is showing.

I'd love to see the conversation leading up to the club letting Hanyu engage in fear-tactics. Just a moment ago, she scared a guy by popping out from behind a tree and making barking noises, but now she's going full Oyashiro on these guys.

Like, when the club got their hands on some of the walkie-talkies, I imagine that Mion was trying to come up with a good scare and then Hanyu proposed the mountain god script with a full enactment.

I'd love to see the club members' faces watching this adorable little girl pull off a complete personality shift to play a murderous spirit.

And nobody comments when Rika casually says Hanyu is a deity.

Rika brought up the Gundam franchise. The original anime aired from 1979 to 1980 with a trio of compilation movies coming out in 1981 and 1982. I don't think we could call it a franchise at this point since the next Gundam series (Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam) came out in 1985.

By the way, Keiichi's voice actor in the visual novels and anime, Sōichirō Hoshi, also voices Kira Yamato, the protagonist of Gundam SEED. Depending on how things worked out, Rika's line about Keiichi playing a hero in Gundam might be either a coincidence or a shout-out.

Hoshi started voicing Keiichi in 2006 while Festival Accompanying's sound novel came out December 30, 2005. The anime began airing just over 3 months later. So it's quite possible that Ryukishi07 already knew Hoshi would voice Keiichi at that time and slipped the reference in.

Correction: Festival Accompanying came out in August 2006 while the anime started in April 2006. So that line is likely a very deliberate reference to the anime.

And if dealing with all these casualties and Takano's disregard for their well-being weren't bad enough, Okonogi now gets word that Tomitake has been freed.

He decides to contact "Cuckoo" in Tokyo. A cuckoo is a bird known for engaging in nest parasitism. It will lay its eggs in another bird's nest and then the newborn will push its other nestmates out of the nest and force the parents to take care of it.

The entire scene of Akasaka and Tomitake breaking through the blockade is such a b-movie action scene and I love it. They're shouting as they drive straight toward a rocket launcher, Kasai is providing sniper support, and then it ends with a car chase where Tomitake pulls out a rifle and starts shooting at the pursuing van.

It worth noting that Shion and Kasai are at the trash site.

I generally opt to ignore when someone says something in response to someone else when it's possible they're too far away to hear each other, but I just can't ignore this instance.

When the Wild Dogs start shooting at the car and are shocked their bullets bounce off, we cut to Shion responding to their words. But she's so far away from them that Kasai's shots hit thie rtargets before the sound of his shots do. There's no way she heard anything they're saying.

Okonogi ordered his men to give up their pursuit when Akasaka broke through the barricade and Tomitake nearly shot the pursuing driver. Unlike Takano, he knows when to give up and not risk lives for a lost cause.

I've made fun of the Wild Dogs general incompetence on several occasions and Tomitake brings it up this chapter.

I don't really have to beat you over the head repeatedly about how the Wild Dogs have lost multiple encounters against unarmed children and are horribly outpaced by professionals. Instead, I'll throw out a few final remarks about why the Wild Dogs are likely so incompetent when they enter any combat situation.

They are a security group for the Irie Institute. They are not expected to engage in any situations like what they've been doing for Operation Apocalypse. They are trained for espionage and detainment. They aren't meant to track people in a mountain range or get into gun fights or engage in high-speed chases. So of course they struggle against people who know how to do that.

And also, Tokyo has a protocol to take over the Irie Institute if Inspector Tomitake deems it necessary. One aspect of that takeover protocol is to send a different military group called the Watchdogs to subdue the Wild Dogs. If Tokyo was afraid of the possibility of someone from the Irie Institute going rogue, why would they provide a competent military team to the institute in the first place? Tokyo likely filled the Wild Dogs with greenhorns so it could be easily defeated if necessary.

After so many action-packed chapters, Tomitake manages to call for the Watchdogs to come in and take down the Wild Dogs. We get a moment to breathe, calm down, and soak in that it is almost over.

But now they and the story turn back to Hinamizawa where the final confrontation is about to happen.

NIPA BEAM!!

back

[lollipencil]

In The Pale Moonlight: Part 4

Ok, I can't really think of any great full scenes right now for this one, so we're bouncing around the timeline this time around. @harleyification, let's do some introductions! Enjoy and be gentle

---

(Commissioner Gordon (Marc)) A faint drizzle dotted the figure on the GCPD rooftop. Commissioner Gordon stood next to the lit Bat-Signal, looking up at the shape it cast into the ever-present clouds. Sometimes, he swore he could see that light in his dreams.

The familar sound of an ever so slight rustle was his cue. "Batman, Poison Ivy's been acting up again near Ace Chemicals," Commissoner Gordon began as he turned to face his friend, "She's been-"

The Commissioner stared. Blinked as if to dispel what he saw. Standing next to Batman, carefully watching Robin as he cartwheeled about the rooftop, was a caped mummy only a head taller than Robin himself. "Commissioner?" Batman asked, as if he couldn't tell what the problem was. "Is that another kid?" Gordon hissed, pointing at the trick or treater. "This is Moon Knight," Batman introduced, "He and his brothers will be assisting us from now on." "There's more of them?!"

---

(Damian Wayne (Steven))

Damian was polishing one of his knifes when a knock came on his bedroom door. Silently he slipt the knife up his sleeve, ready to deploy at a moment's notice, and opened the door. One of Father's "children" was standing there, thankfully not Drake. Damian had not interacted much with this one, Spector he'd heard his name was. Although, curiosly, they had personally been introduced as "the Triplets".

"Hello Damian," he greeted, his accent and expression far different than before, "Do you have anything planned for today?" "Why do you ask?" Damian kept his guard up. "There's a travelling exhibit at the Gotham Museum of Antiquities," Spector elaborated, "It's on ancient weapons. I'm going, and thought I'd extend an invitation."

"Tt, Mother taught me of many cultures' weaponry." "Yeah, but have you ever held any of them?" Damian paused. Idly, his eyes drifted to the bracelet Spector was wearing.

Father had indicated to pay attention to it. It was light grey and white at their first meeting. It was blue and black now. "Tell you what," Spector continued, "If you promise not to verbally or physically attack anyone, and to not steal the weapons, I'll take you with me. If you're good, I'll pay for a few things from the gift shop."

There was something going on with Spector, and Father had clearly intended in Damian working it out himself. To prove his skills. Plus, he'd always wanted to hold a khopesh. "I concede to these terms."

---

(Zatanna Zatara (Everyone))

Out of everything Zatanna Zatara was expected at midnight, the Batman knocking on her hotel window was fairly low down on the list. She had been in Gotham a mere three hours. "And how can I help you?" she greeted with a smile anyway. The Bat seemed intimidated by Zatanna's peppiness. "Moon Knight and his brothers have been hit by a spell," he muttered.

The drive to the Batcave was...something. At least, the dim lights were easy to adjust to. "Ok," Zatanna clapped her hands, "So, where are they?" "Right this way," an elderly gentleman in a domino mask held a curtain open for her.

Slipping in, she quickly had to hold back a coo. There, curled around each other and mewling loudly, were three cats. The white one hissed at Zatanna's entrance, while the dark and light brown and white cat next to him chided him, and went back to grooming his brother's. The grey and black striped one simpily stared at her. "Oh, this is an easy fix," Zatanna waved to herself, "emoceb namuh niaga."

Between blinks, it took effect. But not in the way Zatanna expected. "That sucked," moaned the single human sitting before her, "Need anything else?" "I've done it wrong," Zatanna slowly admitted, "Let me just fix it-" "Nope, nothing to fix here," Moon Knight popped up to his feet, british accent replacing american, "Thank you so much, we're off to bed."

Nobody stopped him as he darted straight to the elevator. "Miss Zatara," the gentleman intercepted before she could follow them, "While I understand your concern, I can assure you that their condition is back to their usual." "...oh."

[brandwhorestarscream]

What kinds of troubles does minimus end up getting into because of his double life?

And how many of the little ones inherited more of the mini-con genes? Three? two?

Ok actually gonna answer this in reverse order. Idk how many babies took on the minicon form, but I'd guess they're less than half, just cuz. Well. Runts of every species often struggle, even in the womb. I know being a minicon and being a runt are not the same thing, but think about it. In the womb, say there's 5 bitties. The bigger ones, aka the ones with Roddy's alt mode, would be constantly sucking up a large percentage of all available resources, be it building materials for their bodies or actual energy from their carrier's fuel. The smaller one(s) will only be left with scraps, thereby lessening their chance to actually make it to birth as a healthy newborn. Granted, yes, minicons are smaller and so will need less of the total fill, but it's still not optimal condition for babbies to grow 🥺 of the litter, I'd say only one or two are Minimus sized.

As for the kinds of things Minimus gets up to 🤭 well! Lemme tell you, being a dad is much harder than he thought it would be. Children need discipline and attention, right? Easy enough. He's dealt with young upcoming recruits before, and boot camp surely can't be more taxing than minding toddlers, right? It's basically the same thing.

Uhhhh, yeah. No it's fucking not.

He was not prepared for how absolutely ragged these kids are running him. They have so much energy, and is it any wonder why?! They guzzle down more fuel than any grown adult he's ever seen! The bitties can outdrink him and their mother both! It's like their tanks are just bottomless pits and it leaves them bouncing off the walls for hours! He asks Rodimus what he puts in their energon because surely these kids are hopped up some kind of additive! There's no way they're this rambunctious, right?!

And Rodimus, the slagger, just laughs at him. Welcome to life with quintuplet babies! Just be grateful they aren't identical. Minimus definitely shivers at that comment 🤭

But despite his original reservations and complete awe at their craziness, he's actually a pretty good dad. He's perfect hugging size, great for gently patting at owies and then getting flustered when a sniffling bab demands he kiss it better, like mama does. He gets down on the floor to play with them, he lets them drag him along like a doll in their games of pretend, and he's more than happy to sit quietly for coloring time. He sheepishly asks Rodimus to teach him how to make their favorite snacks, and his first outing with the family is just a simple trip to the park, and try as he might, he can't keep a serious face watching the babs tumble and run and play. One of them swoops in to grab him and suddenly the smallest daddy at the park finds himself chasing his own kids on the jungle gym and through the tubes. He's never heard their babies laugh like that, and it's the first time one of them squeaks out a, "Love you dada!"

He helps Rodimus carry them back home that night, tho he can only manage the teo tiny ones, Roddy's grateful for the help.

He also gets into all sorts of messes, learns about how difficult baby bath time can be, has his first panic with little bumps and bruises and viruses, etc, etc. All while dodging state officials and the entirety of the council, making up lie after lie after lie and creating the most complicated webs for his alter ego.

He knows he shouldn't, he knows he should stop. He knows he should tell Rodimus the truth, but... he doesn't want to. Being Minimus, being a normal person, being a sire who's only responsibility is protecting those bitties' smiles? That feels way better than being Magnus ever has. He's content to keep living this lie forever, though it probably won't last

[shshshshshowrunner]

UPDATED What I know about the Cult and other adjacent things

Organization 13- An organization made up of Nobodies, who are people without hearts. You can lose your heart by being stabbed in there with a keyblade or by being jumped by heartless. Nobodies are allegedly unable to feel, but this is apparently only when you first get turned. After a while you have 'echoes' and 'memories' of feelings. This may be bullshit though. Hearts Can and Do come back, I heard it happen over the phone. It's still unclear to me if there are any Nobodies outside of Org 13 no one has told me. I do know what the X in the names does, now. It's a tracking device of sorts.

Org 13 (1) tried to open kingdom hearts, I think, but failed. Org 13 (real) did open it.

Opinion: that's a cult. that's a xehanort cult which is worse than a normal cult because Xehanort is there. everyone get out of the xehanort cult. please. you're gonna get norted and that just sounds weird and is weird. if you're in it to get your heart back straight up just make a friend and care for them it will come back on it's own bestie please get out of the nort cult he's gross and the vibes are off, if you are somehow still in the nort cult with him dead literally dm me or send an ask and i will help you

Xehanort- He wanted to open Kingdom Hearts to become god or something. Still unclear to me if he was a Nobody. He norted an amount of people for reasons still unclear to me. As I said previously, "Sucks complete ass, murdered his ex husband who he later ascended to gay heaven with. traumatizes children. ugly on purpose." I beat the shit out of him in the elevator during BFD, I broke his old man bones. I think I saw a clip of him actually murdering Sora's friend. Good thing I broke his old man bones.

Opinion: Die Die Die Die Die

Xigbar- !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keeping this pretty vague honestly because I've learned even more secret info and i don't know which info is secret and which is normal anymore. So. Xigbar!!!!!!!!! Copying some from my old summary: Gravity powers :) can teleport :) has arrowguns, from what i understand he was pretty high up in the org. uses mildly outdated slang and can be summoned by voter fraud. did not like it in the castle. goes for the left side of the bed but is willing to compromise. can cook but it takes a long time. says he's not going to tell me things and then tells me them anyway. both me and percy are getting janus vibes from him but when i bring it up he says i need sleep. wants a cat, and a car. We did end up getting a 'cat'!! If this looks like less information it's because it is less information. once again i do not know what i'm allowed to say.

Opinion: Overwhelmingly Positive. that's my boyfriend. he also has, like, the benefit of my emotional statute of limitations in which everything he did before we met cannot be used against him in my brain. it bounces right off. like if i found out he, like, ran an orphan factory or whatever i'd be like 'uh yeah but it was before wbb and he's not STILL running the orphan factory so like :/' and you'd call me crazy and you'd be right but thats just how it is rn

Axel- Lea. Sora's friend. has fire powers (slay), has killed (slay) good with children? (slay if true). "went traitor". that's in quotes because going traitor from the org is a good thing. I still don't know much but that's okay. he's showed up in the record i'm going through and most of the behavior i've seen has been iconic honestly.

Opinion: Positive

Saix- Isa. Do not know much. Xigbar told me some things but like. Anyway. Likes rabbits, is somehow associated with the moon. He told Paph he was working to take down the Org from the inside. Sora's friend. According to Xigbar, when he was making the schedules for the Org, he gave everyone "like one day off a year". when i first heard about this I was like 'well that's not good' but with the knowledge that he was working to take down the org it's very very funny. so true absolutely make everyone uncomfortable and tired while you attempt to take them down that's so funny. xigbar getting overworked is an unfortunate consequence of that but it's a small price to pay for something so funny.

Opinion: Positive

Demyx- Hid in the same broom closet two days in a row even after he was caught and blackmailed the first time. is this a pattern? is demyx lazy? is he inept? may be associated with water- though that may just be ineptitude- for this extrapolation i am drawing from that toilet post. <- that is my old summary. I have learned nothing new about Demyx. uh i think i saw him in the record though and his hair was fun and i like the vibe he gave off.

Opinion: don't really have one. Neutral.

Xaldin- bad gross hair! ugly sideburns! obsessed with the beast for some reason, got his shit wrecked by Belle. Xigbar's least favorite member, no hesitation. loops his earrings through his gauges, which i gather is douchebag behavior. British man jumpscare! sounds older than he is. had a breakup and did not handle it well. removed his heart over it which i think is a bit extreme. i looked up an image of him and he's like. dude WHAT are you DOING with your hair? OH and he got ganked by mickey mouse which is so funny to me. <- that is my old summary. I have learned nothing new about him except that his name was/is Dilan and something something unethical science.

Opinion: here's the thing. I would say negative but due to recent experiences my opinion of every org member I do not know has defaulted to Neutral. So Neutral with a side of :/

Ansem (crackpipe)- There are two Ansems. This one was in Org 13, but is a Heartless instead of a nobody. He's special that way ig. he's one of the 50 xehanorts they had running around i'm pretty sure. Apparently, while this hasn't been reexplained, with my growing knowledge i'm gonna say: Xehanort got turned into a Nobody somehow. His Nobody was Xemnas, and his Heartless was Ansem. However I have NO DAMN IDEA WHY his name is "Ansem" and not "Xehanort".

Opinion: ...Negative? He's Xehanort apparently. I saw in the record he manipulated Riku which is a dick move.

Xemnas- I remember nothing about this guy fr. Had to check my old summary. Okay. He's the Nobody of Xehanort, the other half of Ansem if you will. But. why. hold on why is his org name- ARGH! I'm ignoring the naming thing right now fuck that noise. According to my old summary (i don't remember being told any of this): He stabbed Xigbar (rude), he talks in circles both to confuse people and because he 'doesn't know what he's talking about'. "went through sudden puberty when he got nobodied so his voice is way deeper. i think he's faking it though. for clout. dances like a sonic character. Has eyeshadow brushes that can be used as chopsticks." Fascinating, truly.

Opinion: Negative. Being Xehanort and Stabbing Xigbar will do that to you.

Xion- was supposed to be Sora? Is a replica, which is like a clone (?). Some guy named Vexen is responsible for this i guess. is doing okay now! Implied that Xigbar views her positively, and that she was inseparable from Roxas. A "Good Kid" who "kicked [Xigbar's] ass" -his words <- my old summary. Haven't learned anything new. She has a tumblr.

Opinion: Positive

Roxas- So when Sora turned into a heartless, Roxas happened even though Sora turned back to normal a few minutes later. To my understanding he was trapped in a simulation for quite a while. I don't know much, I'm afraid. Namine had something to do with this whole thing in some capacity. Left the org for reasons.

Opinion: Positive

Vexen- He's responsible for the replica program or at least was in charge of it? From what I understand from the record he was/is some kind of figure to Zexion who is Ienzo so that's something ig. I forget who with but there was another. Do not know much of anything at all about him. is this is guy that Lea thanos snapped?

Opinion: Neutral

Marluxia- this is the one who helped mother gothel kidnap rapunzel?? hello??? rude?? Don't know much about him. He was in the record i saw but it slipped through my brain like water. try being more interesting ig. pink hair though, that's pretty slay. from what i saw he has flower powers? slay.

Opinion: Neutral. I want to dislike him i really do but apparently he chilled out after getting his heart back. truly i am not allowed to be mad at anyone.

uhhhh the girl. with the hair. hold on it's coming to me. Larxene- honestly slay. definitely mean and tried to take over the org (which honestly might have been a good idea given that as far as i'm aware she didn't know about the real reason they were trying to KH and just wanted the heart back??? idk). Only woman in the original org??? I'd be a bitch too!! literally imagine what that was like for a second. she has lightning powers (slay). her hair looks like a pikachu which is less slay but im not about to hold that against her not everyone's hair can be xigbar levels of visually interesting and cool. speaking of xigbar this is one of the people he never ever mentioned to me. xigbar sexist confirmed???? /silly

Opinion: Neutral, but Slay

uhhhhh oh right

Zexion- Ienzo. He was a kid who was adopted (?) by... one of them, but that guy was slacking so he was/is (idk) mainly attached to Vexen and the one I can't remember. I fr don't know what was going on in the record i saw but he could, like, smell Riku. sniffing around like a bloodhound. i'm so confused. come to think of it riku was sniffing around, too. what was up with that why are the teenagers sneef snorfin in that record. no gd idea but honestly i'm intimidated. Xigbar has a positive opinion of this person, who is apparently also friends (?) with Sora

Opinion: Positive. I've heard good things even if he apparently has twitchtip's sense of smell. if you don't know what that means go read the Underland Chronicles series immediately it's so good.

uhhhhmmmmmmm.....

okay bonus category

Other Ansem- Ansem Trigger Warning...... trigger warning for racism. I heard he did blackface but i thought it was gonna be an isolated incident but NO he really woke up and chose to do that every day and IN FRONT OF CRACKPIPE ANSEM NO LESS. HELLO???? I'm almost tempted to give Crackpipe, like, pity opinion points to make up for putting up with that. What the actual fuck?? Not only that but he trapped Roxas in a simulation for whatever reason. I am officially designating Trigger Warning as "Other Ansem" because maybe i just don't know enough about the other one but I Hate This One More. Ansem 'The Wise' bullshit. why isn't he wise enough to know not to do racism. and this one also manipulated Riku and from what i can gather ALSO Sora?? additionally while the other Ansem IS xehanort, this one is PRETENDING to be xehanort which is actually more cringe.

Opinion: if he goes missing it was self defense

anyone still not here is because they haven't showed up in the record and xigbar and i haven't talked about them. at least for a long while. things are getting fuzzy we talk about new things now. okay send post

[cultivating-wildflowers]

Books of 2023 - February

This month I caved to tumblr dashboard pressure and picked up the Lockwood series instead of a few stand-alones I had meant to get to. So it goes. Between that, a short and sweet nonfiction, and some excellent Dorothy L. Sayers, it was a good month for reading.

As for the other books from my 2023 TBR, we'll call them lackluster, which is irritating.

Total books: 8  |  New reads: 7   |   2023 TBR completed: 3 (2 DNF) / 5/25 total   |   2023 Reading Goal: 21/50

January | March

#1 - 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff - 5/5 stars

I borrowed this book back in November. NOVEMBER.

What took me so long? Beats me! But I am very glad I kept it (and that I saw one of the tumblr gals rec it) because it was the perfect book with which to launch into February, that most hated of months. What a cozy, delightful, charming book. I need my own copy ASAP. (The library copy's pages were pretty fragile and pulled away from the binding if I wasn't careful.)

Yes, I cried a little bit.

#2 - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers - 3/5 stars (reread, audio)

Well, now I know why I gave this three stars the first time. There were a few things I remembered about it (how well Chambers presents alien worldviews, especially) and a lot I forgot....

#3 - A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers - 4/5 stars (audio)

I don't normally like stories that bounce between timelines, but it worked really well for this. Unfortunately I still dislike the narrator. It's like she has no idea how a conversation works; her inflections are all over the place.

#4 - The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud - 5/5 stars (audio)

So I did have this on my TBR for the year (and it's been on my general TBR for a while) but I only picked it up now because, what with the new show, my dash has been inundated with Lockwood & Co content. I have no intention of watching the show, but I'd like Tumblr to be usable again....

Based on everything I've heard about this book (and series) over the last few years, I went into it with pretty high expectations, and I wasn't disappointed. I even liked the narrator! Everything works so well: characters, worldbuilding, narrative voice…. The pacing threw me off a little but it didn’t detract from the story. I’m definitely gonna recommend this to some people.

#5 - The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud - 4/5 stars (audio)

Unfortunately the narrator for this sequel changed from the first one, and I didn’t like her as much. Fortunately the story itself had all of the pros of the first one! I'll admit I lost it during that final confrontation, man....

#6 - The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers - 4/5 stars

Almost a month later, I finished! I really did enjoy this installment (nearly as much as Murder Must Advertise). It's just that for some reason these books take forever for me to get through.

But there's something about how Sayers writes an ending. I don't know it is, but it always seems to work impeccably.

#7 - The Hollow Boy by Jonathan Stroud - 5/5 stars (audio)

Ok. It is rude to leave one book on a cliffhanger and then open the sequel with a completely unrelated action sequence set six months later.

Rude.

That aside, the series is (unsurprisingly) holding strong. Even better: The Hollow Boy does not suffer from Middle Book Syndrome! I wasn't expecting so many pieces from the first two books to carry through and expand here, but I am definitely enjoying it. (Read: Panicking.)

[also we had yet another narrator and I liked her even less than the first two because she butchered George's voice and what was up with the Skull??]

#8 - Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers - 5/5 stars ('23 TBR, audio)

One of my Top Anticipated Reads of 2023!

*screams into carpet*

DNF

Children of the Fleet by Orson Scott Card - It's a no from me, kids. Took me a month and a threat from the library to make up my mind.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier ('23 TBR) - I can see why people like this book, and I agree it's well written; it just didn't grab me. I own a copy, so I'll probably try it again at some point, but I absolutely could not make myself read it this time.

Zero Sum Game by S.L. Huang ('23 TBR, audio)

This book was not what I was expecting, and not at all something I normally read. While I liked the premise, Cas was awful. Yes, we get it, you’re the specialist, most edgy little murder girl. Math is you superpower, that is legitimately cool. Why don’t you try paying attention to the plot for two seconds instead of constantly reminding everyone how dangerous and obnoxious you can be.

It will probably make no sense to anyone else, but I had the same issues with this book that I had with Ready Player One, if to a lesser degree than that nightmare. Zero Sum Game felt like it was trying a little too hard to be cool. Cas was trying way too hard to be tough. And yes, I cackled when she pitched a fit every time she saw a Glock for the first 20 chapters only to breathe a sigh of a relief when she picked up a Ruger. I mean, same, but I hate Glocks for different reasons than "they're cliche".

The most personally irritating aspect to me was Rio. Normally I go nuts for this kind of character (think Zero from The City Between, Silas from The Graveyard Book, and Scar from FMA). Here? Again: trying too hard.

[smeddiemunson]

6 please. Not exactly angst, missed the headings on first glance. Don't know if I can give ideas,

Thinking of eddie getting a baby (we got given a bag of flour, some classes got eggs, not sure if it was done in 80s America; they're given actual dolls now, they're bloody freaky) from sex ed class to "learn responsibility". Phoning THE babysitter in a panic saying he's lost the baby and forgetting to mention that it's not an actual baby.

ahhh i'm finally getting to this!! i'm so sorry it took me so long! Thank you for being patient and thank you for not making me write angst 🖤 6: "i lost the baby"

As Steve entered through the front door of his home, he could already hear the phone ringing itself off the hook.

He grumbled about not being able to even take his shoes off before he was able to field a crisis, but still rushed over to the phone. He wasn't interested in letting it ring until it stopped, he never trusted that it would be possible for whoever was on the other end of the line to call back if it was an emergency. More than a few telemarketers had been privy to his urgent answer than he cared to admit.

"Harrington's," he rushed into the phone before it had reached his ear.

"Oh, Stevie," Eddie Munson panted. "I lost the baby and I don't know what to do."

Steve froze. This was the first he'd heard of anything to do with a baby, who would trust Eddie with a baby? He could barely be trusted to keep track of his own head and that was attached to the rest of his body. Surely the entire town knew now that if they needed a young adult man to look after a baby, Steve was the first person they should check in with? He loved babies and compared to the children he had experience heading, they'd probably be a walk in the park.

His second thought was sheer panic. A lost baby wasn't good in any circumstance. A lost baby in Hawkins, Indiana where monsters came out to play, was the worst of the circumstances.

"Okay, stay where you are. I'm coming." He didn't wait to hear Eddie's grateful reply. But just before he could slam the phone back into place on the wall he realised something.

"Wait, Eddie! Where are you?"

"At the school."

Steve hung up, suddenly thankful he hadn't had the time to take his shoes off. He could get to the school in thirteen minutes in a rush, he thought he could do it in eleven but he'd never had the opportunity to try. Missing a bit of first period had never seemed worth the test.

He supposed there was no better time to find out if he was right than in an emergency.

Ten minutes and forty-seven seconds later, he swerved into the Hawkins High parking lot. Eddie was bouncing from foot to foot and twisting his hands together in front of him. He kept glancing back and forth between the school and Steve's car.

The beemer was parked across three bays and left unlocked as Steve ran across the parking lot to meet with Eddie.

"Oh my god, Stevie, I owe you one, I cannot fail this class. I promised Wayne I'd be fine going back to school and, you know, everything and he'd gonna be so pissed if I flunk another year and, you know he won't say anything, but he'll be upset and I can't disappoint him any more than I already have and I--"

"Eddie!" Steve interrupted, still panting heavily from his short run and the amount of adrenaline pumping through his body. "Start at the beginning."

Eddie nodded sheepishly. "Okay, yeah, I can do that."

Steve knew that getting worked up wouldn't help the baby. It would be okay for one more minute while Eddie explained and they could come up with a plan of where to start rather than going in blind. It would be fine.

"So I got given one of those flower-baby things for home-ec. It's worth like 60% of my grade to keep this 'kid' 'alive'," he threw up air quote signs with his fingers.

Steve felt his vision start to cloud red. He knew he wasn't the brightest bulb in the box, but he was sure Eddie said what he thought he said.

"A flour baby?" Steve echoed, interrupting Eddie's monologue.

Eddie furrowed his eyebrows together. "Yeah? You know? You get a bag of flour and you have to draw a face on it, and put a little blue or pink hat on it. Treat it like a real child."

Steve could feel something bubbling in his chest. Anger.

He socked Eddie on the arm.

"Ow!" He furiously rubbed his arm where Steve hit him. "What did you do that for?

"You idiot," Steve hissed. "I thought you'd lost a real baby."

Eddie blinked. Then, arm forgotten about, he doubled over, clutching his stomach to laugh.

"You thought I had a real baby?" He wheezed.

Steve only barely restrained himself from hitting him again. "What was I supposed to think? You sounded really panicked!"

Eddie waved his hands in front of himself as he gulped in air through his titters. "I'm gonna fail home-ec!"

"Why the hell are you taking home-ec anyway? You can't cook."

"But I can sew," Eddie countered.

Steve just glared.

"Thank you for coming to my fake baby's rescue, Stevie. We really appreciate it. You're a good mom."

Steve flushed red. "Why would I be the one carrying it in this equation?"

Eddie smirked, reaching out to take Steve's waist in his hands. "Baby, have you seen these hips? Perfect for poppin' a kid or two out."

Steve batted his hands away. "Shut up."

"I'm serious. I think with a bit of effort--"

Steve clamped both of his hands over Eddie's mouth. "Shut. Up."

He felt Eddie smile under his palms then flinched away as he licked

"You're disgusting," He grumbled, turning swiftly on his heel to start marching towards his car.

Eddie had to do a weird little jog to keep up with him. "Come on, baby, don't be like that."

"I'll see you later."

Eddie grabbed his bicep to stop him in his tracks and spun him to look at him. He grabbed Steve's face in both his hands.

Steve tried to look around to see if anyone could see them, but the parking lot was as deserted as it was when he first arrived.

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry for panicking you and I'm sorry for laughing at you," Eddie said gently, holding Steve's face completely still. "Will you please help me look for the fake baby we have together? So I don't fail another year of high school and so we can do something more fun tonight. I'll do anything you want."

A smile spread slowly over Steve's face. Eddie narrowed his eyes warily.

"Anything I want?" Steve asked coyly.

Eddie nodded slowly, finally dropping his hands back down to his sides. "Anything."

"Okay, let's find this stupid thing."

"That's no way to talk about your child, Stevie."

Steve shoved him but secretly felt very fond that Eddie would even think to fake adopt a fake baby with him.

"Are you going to tell me what I'll be doing?"

Steve shook his head. He leaned close enough so he could whisper. "You're just going to have to find out later, Daddy."

The sound of Eddie's desperate groan followed him into the school.

[vinamari]

Hi! hope ur doing well ♡

I'd like to ask for this prompt with Kaeya and a very overworked and stubborn s/o cuz I love angst but also craving comfort sm

⇾ “If you’re protecting them, then who’s protecting you?” “…” “Exactly, so let me protect you for once”

Thanks for the opportunity, ly 💗

Safeguard | Kaeya A.

Type: Angst, comfort

Warning(s): mentions of violence, injuries

A/N: 9/10 more requests to do, meaning I have 9 more requests to finish 💪

➣ 🄼🄰🄸🄽 🄼🄰🅃🄴🅁🄸🄰🄻🄸🅂🅃

➣ 𝔊𝔢𝔫𝔰𝔥𝔦𝔫 ℑ𝔪𝔭𝔞𝔠���� -M. List

➣ 🄿🅁🄾🄼🄿🅃🅂

➣ 🅁🅄🄻🄴🅂

Mondstadt one of the seven areas in Teyvat that loves Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. A spot the Y/n promises to safeguard as well as individuals, the spot had gone enduring an onslaught because of obscure powers prompting Y/n turning out to be heavily harmed while attempting to protect individuals from getting injured. They were continuously safeguarding the others prepared to risk their life, not without even batting an eye they would bounce into a fight without a consideration of knowing if they could successfully return or not.

Experiencing childhood in Mondstadt they became exclusively to cherish and guard everything inside their area. Everything hurt a lot, they knew once every one of the injuries recuperated it would leave their body intensely scarred. It was something they would be exposed with.

Spite of safeguarding individuals of Mondstadt, Y/n knew eventually they would continue carrying on with their lives as though nothing had occurred, just to persistently laud the explorer that had come some time prior. Not in any event, fluttering their eyelashes to the other people who likewise safeguarded them. This is the very thing that they pursued that is valid, however is it that hard to recognize the others entire likewise put their lives in extreme danger to safeguard their kin.

A thump on the entryway was heard only to uncover a specific blue haired male with a little ponytail laying on his shoulder.

The cavalry captain, 'what incredible luck' you groaned looking as Kaeya had strolled nearer plunking down on the seat that was close to your bed.

"What welcomes you here on a radiant day?", mockingly motioning to the male. "Might a companion at any point visit?", he expressed looking towards the condition of your body. "I never said that", you inhaled out while looking through the window seeing a couple of children playing. "You implied it", he brought up. Letting out an irritated murmur, "Simply quit wasting time, for what reason are you truly here?", concentrating to the pompous male. "Indeed, Jean believed me should tell you that once you recuperate you'll being going on a transitory leave", as he took out a letter composed from Jean to affirm what he had said. 'A leave? What is she thinking’, you thought.

"I understand what you're thinking, and this is on the grounds that I advised her to allow you to withdraw until further notice". Staggering, "Why in the Archons would you do that?!", you pushed. "Well taking a look at your state at the present time and all that you've done far for Mondstadt it's not out of the question ..", removing him irately, "Are you insa-", looking down at you glaring directly at you. "I don't why you think it’s good to cut me off at this moment however I recommend you be peaceful and allowed me to wrap up" feeling the weighty quietness in the room between both you and Kaeya he before long made some noise once more, "You're continuously safeguarding the others regardless of knowing the dangers, on par with what it is to protect them you likewise need to think about yourself and plan in advance", turning away from him marginally humiliated realizing that you had been a piece crazy. "I can in any case safeguard mys-.." hearing a laugh come from the male. "Safeguard yourself? Take a look at your state right, you can't safeguard yourself while safeguarding the others."

“If you’re protecting them, then who’s protecting you?” “…” “Exactly, so let me protect you for once, I can't be losing you, you know", he expressed disappointedly prior to looking at you with disheartened eyes. "I'm sorr-" "Don't apologize, what occurred, occurred", making some noise prior to giving your hand a difficult situation. "Get better okay? Furthermore, your taking the impermanent leave regardless of whether you like it", he expressed harshly getting up to leave. "Be careful, and see you in a month up to that point the others and I'll safeguard Mondstadt". There you were lying on your bed with a shuddering smile, 'Thank you'.

[midgardianweasley]

The Royal Ball

The Royal Ball

Loki laufeyson x Fem!reader

Summary: There is an Asgard ball being hosted in the palace, Y/N is yet to find a date to accompany her. She’s disappointed when a certain God doesn’t ask her, however, what happens when he sees someone else getting a little too close for comfort throughout the night?

Warnings: lil bit angsty, self doubt, JEALOUS LOKI, fluffy ending

Word Count: 3.3k

Message/ask if you’d like to be added to the taglist!

Requests are open loves <3

Y/F/N - Your Friend’s Name

It was a beautiful autumn’s day, crisp brown leaves were falling off of the large trees in the courtyard and scattering the cobbled ground. Loki and I had been wandering around for some time now, discussing everything from the books we’ve been reading to the dreams that have come to us in our sleep.

“And then this huge ghost thing was chasing me around the halls! and if that wasn’t weird enough, you popped up-”

“Ah, seeing me in your dreams are we, darling?”  Loki chuckled, taking great pleasure at the fact that he had made an appearance in my subconscious, completely ignoring my distress at being chased by a supernatural being.

“Funny you should say that, right after seeing you, I woke up. The sight must’ve given me quite the scare.” I scoffed, a smile unable to stop itself from making its way onto my face, eyes meeting his, face etched with shock. With a hand to his chest, he spoke again in disbelief.

“You have truly offended me, love. I never knew you had this side to you.”

“What can I say? I’m a woman of many talents.” I winked, nudging his side slightly with my elbow.

“Really? Can you produce illusions?”

“No.”

“Look inside other people’s heads?”

“Well, no, but-”

“Turn yourself into a snake to scare your eight year old brother?”

“I still can’t believe you did that”

“My greatest achievement yet.” He smirked, the memory never failing to amuse him.

His stories always had me in awe of his capabilities, even if it was to give his brother a long-term fear, it was still an incredible talent. Whenever he tells me of his latest adventures or tricks, I always think of how well his title fits him. God of Mischief. Maybe that’s why I liked him much more than what a best friend should, not that I'd ever admit it. Not to him anyway.

We soon found ourselves standing next to one of the windows of the hallway, the crystal clear glass giving a beautiful view of the city of Asgard. From here, you could see the Queen’s gardens, full of flowers in all different colours and types, grass cut to perfection. You could see the families in the town, walking around the different buildings, children playing. It was lovely to watch, seeing everyone enjoy the seasonal weather and the light bounce off of the windows, it was ethereal.

“I never get tired of this.” I sighed, voice only slightly above a whisper

“Tired of what, love?”

“Just, this. This view, this kingdom, it’s incredible.” I looked up at Loki, trying to see if he was seeing the same beauty that I did. He was already looking at me when I met his eyes and upon seeing the way they sparkled, I assumed he did.

“Actually, speaking of the Kingdom, I have something to tell you. There’s-”

Abruptly stopping him from continuing his sentence, voices were heard from the other end of the hallway, though we couldn’t make out the words until they came closer. We gave each other a quick look of confusion before turning to see where the commotion was coming from, hearing the quick and heavy footsteps before being able to put names to the faces.

“Loki! Y/N!” A deep voice bellowed. Was that Thor making all of that noise?

Before I could process any more information, a blur of a pastel pink dress was in my face and hands were placed on my shoulders. I smiled down at the slightly out of breath figure using me as a support stand, it was Y/F/N.

“Wow, Y/F/N, you sound much different than when I spoke to you yesterday, did you drink something funny?” I chuckled, receiving a glare from my friend and a quiet laugh from the God beside me. Thor soon appeared next to Y/F/N, hands on his hips and head thrown back as he tried to compose himself.

“My God, Y/F/N, you run fast.” He pants.

“Care to tell us why you’re both running like madmen through the palace?” Loki speaks, one eyebrow raised in curiosity and what looked a little like concern.

“We..had to..tell you..there’s a ball..next week.” Y/F/N spoke, a bit more stable now, but still in between breaths.

I felt my eyes widen, a ball? I didn’t know Asgard held balls.

“Father is opening up the palace next week to neighbouring kingdoms, in hopes to be closer with them, open Asgard up to more trade opportunities, build relationships and whatnot.” Thor explained, emitting a loud sigh to come from Loki.

“I was just about to tell her, brother. Thank you for interrupting.” He rolled his eyes, half joking, half serious. I reached up and patted his shoulder gently, a small smile on my face.

“Maybe next time Lok” He nodded in response, I didn’t get a chance to comfort him much more before I was being pulled away by Y/F/N. With a small huff of surprise, I gave Loki a glance, silently apologising for our conversation being cut short, receiving a shake of his head in reply, affirming me to not worry about it.

“So.” she begins. “We need to find you a date and a dress. I’m thinking blue. I’m wearing purple so it’s probably best to avoid that one. Hmm. let’s see..oh! I know! we could- Y/N? You listening?” I snapped my head around, not missing the sly smile that was plastered all over my friend’s face.

“Y/F/N, don’t-”

“Loki! He has to be your date. You could wear green and match! If he’s even going to wear green, I'm sure I can get Thor to find out, I assume they’ll get ready together. And black accessories! I have so many ideas.” She clapped her hands, over-excited about the opportunity to plan this evening for us. Except for one minor detail.

“That sounds great, Y/F/N, it sounds wonderful, you’re just missing something.”

“Missing something? Oh, if you mean our hair then i’ve already-”

“No, not our hair. Loki hasn’t asked me, and I doubt he will.” I spoke, the second half coming out more as a whisper, my heart dropping a little at the thought. He’d never really expressed having those kinds of feelings for me and I'd always seen him be close with different girls around the palace, he’ll probably ask one of them.

“He might ask you, you never know what’s around the corner.”

“I guess so, we’ll have to wait and see.”

And that was the last we spoke of it before she went into full planner mode again, while I continued to ponder over all of the thoughts running through my head. I mean, he could ask me, right?

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

He didn’t.

After talking about it with Y/F/N, I had a glimmer of hope that maybe I was wrong, maybe I hadn’t noticed something that she had, that Loki would approach me and ask me to be his company for the evening.

I spent the next couple of days with him, hoping he would ask me, everytime a pause would appear in conversation, maybe he was finally going to do it. And everytime, a little bit of the hope I had, had fizzled out.

I’d even considered other reasons as to why he hadn’t asked, maybe the King didn’t want him and Thor to have dates so that they could mingle with members of the other kingdoms. Of course that theory had flown right out one of the Palace’s windows when Y/F/N told me that Thor was going to be her date. I was right then, he wasn’t wanting to go with me.

I guess I understood, I’m the best friend, we’d always been that. I think a part of me just thought that maybe he, like me, wanted something a little more. Clearly, I was mistaken.

Y/F/N and I had been getting ready for a while now, our hair was styled to perfection, our dresses were on and both of us were fully accessorized. We were looking at ourselves in the mirror, doing spins and curtseys and gushing over how good the other looked.

“You look amazing tonight, Y/N, really. Loki is missing out.”

“Thank you, and I'm sure his date is beautiful.” I spoke, fidgeting with the fabric of my dress, trying to avoid the subject and the twisting knot in my stomach at the thought of him with someone else all night. “You look incredible! You were right to pick purple, it’s definitely your colour.”

“Y/N’s right, you look gorgeous.” Thor declared, leaning against the doorway sporting a black suit and a dark purple tie, the perfect match with his date’s dress. I could feel my eyes light up when seeing how happy the simple, yet effective comment had made Y/F/N. Rushing over, she engulfed Thor in a hug before leaning up slightly and giving him a peck on the cheek.

“Ah and can’t forget, Y/N, you look stunning tonight.” He gestured to me, arm almost scanning me up and down.

“Stop, you’ll make me blush.” I laughed. “You both head off, I’ll catch up.”

“Are you sure? We don’t mind waiting?” Y/F/N questioned.

“Don’t be silly. You guys go on ahead, I'll meet you there.”

With a nod and a wave, they were off. They really did look like a perfect match tonight. I continued to look at myself in the mirror, fixing any stray hairs, flattening any kinks in my dress. Realistically, I was probably trying to prolong leaving for as long as I could. I was excited, but I was turning up on my own while everyone else had someone, it was a bit nerve-wracking. I still wanted to look my best though.

“Stop trying to convince yourself that you look good, you could literally blow an army of men away by looks alone.” A voice spoke, I spun to see who was speaking, the flash of green was enough to decipher who it was.

“You look lovely tonight, darling.” He grinned, the pet name had set off butterflies in my stomach.

“Thank you. As do you.”

“Well, I did put in an effort, nice to know it’s appreciated.” He joked, a breathy laugh left my lips, entertained by his words.

“Yes, well, I'm sure plenty of others will too.”

“The eyes will never leave me, I'm sure. Unless they’re on you, then I'd be surprised if I get even so much as a glimpse in my direction. Someone is a very lucky guy tonight, that’s for sure.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked, confused by his statement.

“Well, they get to be beside you all evening, it’s a beautiful view.” He winked.

It could’ve been you, I thought. I knew he was joking, however that didn’t stop the fire in me from igniting.

“I could say the same for you, someone is a very lucky girl.”

“I’ll be sure to let her know if she ever thinks otherwise.” Joking, again.

So he had asked someone. Albeit disappointed, I'm happy he’s happy. Though I still wish I was the girl in question, I couldn't stop him if he was interested in someone else. That wasn’t fair.

Giving him a brief nod and a tight lipped smile, I picked up the front of my dress a little bit and made my way out of the room and downstairs to the ball. I could still enjoy myself, the night is young, I've got this.

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

“It was crazy! And let me tell you, my dad was so angry with me. He didn’t let me serve Turkey again after that year.” Charlie, a guy that I had met an hour or so ago, finished his story of the Christmas horror he had, allowing me to relax for the first time that evening. Up until now, it had felt like all I’d seen was either happy couples, or stares from across the room. Usually the second and usually Loki. The same Loki who had a girl’s arm linked with his and was looking at him like he held the world in his grasp. I broke the gaze, finding it difficult to look at the pair for any longer, as I turned back to Charlie so he could have my attention again, a lazy smile was present as he took a sip of his wine.

“I don’t blame him, really, it sounds like you started a riot!” I exclaimed, sending us both into a full on belly laugh, thinking back to the story. This continued for another five or so minutes, laughter turning into a low chuckle, as if we were about to be told off for how loud we were being. Just as my hand had reached his arm to help hold me up, saving me from laughing myself into the ground, Loki and his date had made their way over.

“Enjoying ourselves, I hope?” He beamed, taking one look at me before giving his full attention to Charlie.

“Yes, yes we are, thank you. How about the two of you?”

“Ye-”

“It’s been fine, yeah, good. So, what’s your name then?” Loki interrupted, his date having no choice but to leave him to respond instead.

“I’m Charlie Fernsby.” He held his hand out, greeting Loki. A gesture that was very awkwardly not reciprocated as he let his hand fall back to his side before Loki spoke up again.

“Charlie..Charlie, now, isn’t that a girl’s name?”

“Loki!” I scolded, giving him an evil side glance, what was he doing?

“No, no it’s okay. Yeah, it can be used for girls too, but it's common for boys to have the name Charlie.” Polite as ever, he responded. A mischievous look made its way onto the God’s face. Oh no.

“So, I take it your parents wanted a girl?”

“I- I’m sorry?”

“I assume your parents wanted a girl, considering they’ve given you a girl’s name?” I rolled my eyes, this teasing was unnecessary.

“Charlie, let’s go and get a drink.” I tried to tug him away, only to be halted by another sentence leaving my best friend’s mouth.

“It was only a question, I'm sure he doesn’t mind answering, do you Carl?”

“Charlie.”

“That’s what I said.”

“You said-” I tried to interject, but he was quick to stop me

“I know what I said, Y/N, but I'm speaking to him. Let him answer the question.”

Loki’s date was long gone by now, she’d left to speak to another group of people, presumably another few couples, leaving us three to have this discussion, thing, whatever you would think to call it.

“I’m just saying, maybe they would’ve preferred a daughter, seeing as they’ve very obviously made that clear.” He beamed, expecting me to join in and agree with him, I don’t find this funny. At all.

“Can you excuse us, Charlie? Loki, A word.” I pointed to the door, giving him a look implying for him not to test me.

“I’m in trouble. Wish me luck Carlos.”

“Charlie.”

“I know, that’s what I said.”

I pushed him all the way out the door, into the hallway and round the corner so as not to disturb everyone else’s evening. When I’d made sure there was no one else around, I looked up at the Asgardian, my arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed, I wasn’t impressed anymore.

“So, are we out here for some hide or seek, or?”

“What the hell was that in there?!” I raised my voice slightly, his need to always make everything a joke wasn’t working this time. He had his night, his date, he didn’t need to come over and insult mine.

“What was what, darling? I was making conversation.”

“You were making fun of him.”

“No, I showed some concern about his parents choices, that’s all. Friendly advice if anything.” He looked a bit more frustrated with me now, as though he was stating the obvious and it was going over my head. I wasn’t having it this time.

“No, Loki. You weren’t and you know you weren’t. You had your date, she was fine, you were fine-”

“Well-”

“Let me finish. Everything was fine. Until you caught sight of me having a friendly conversation with another guy who wasn’t you. But guess what Lok, I’m allowed to do that! I’m an adult, I can speak with whoever I like!” My arms were all over the place now, my frustration was starting to show itself, it seems I had a bit pent up.

I saw his lips move, I heard something, but it was so quiet I couldn't make it out.

“Speak up, Loki. I can’t hear you.”

“I said, if you think he was just being friendly, you’re clearly out of your mind.”

Is he serious?

“Are you- Loki, you have no right to make a judgement on who and how and why I interact with other people. Not that it should matter to you anyway, you’ve spoken to other women before and I've never said a word or tried to stop you. Why does this matter so much?”

Silence.

“No, please, go on, tell me, enlighten me as to why this bothered you so much tonight, because trust me, I'm dying to know, truly.” I was shouting now, I just wanted answers for his behaviour, I didn’t think it would be this difficult.

His hands had made his way into his trouser pockets, eyes looking everywhere before settling on mine. He looked conflicted, I wanted to drop it when I saw his troubled gaze, but I couldn’t go back in there without an explanation.

“Ple-”

“I like you, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear, love? That I was so uncomfortable seeing some you get close with some guy that I had to embarrass him in front of you? Something I'm sure my father won’t be so impressed to hear, but there, you’ve got your confession.” His voice had gone much louder than mine, taking me by surprise, so much so that it took me a minute to process what he had said. He liked me?

He turned to leave, I assume because I hadn't said anything for a matter of minutes, but I gently grabbed his arm, tugging him back towards me. I looked up into his eyes again. I was so close that you could see the specs of different colours spotted in them, they were flawless. This view beats the Asgard view anyday.

“Why didn’t you mention this before?”

He shrugged, “I don’t know. Worried I guess. We’d never spoken of moving past friendship and I didn’t think you’d be interested.”

“I’m more than interested, Loki.” I grinned, my smile meeting my eyes, never leaving his.

“Not Chelsey?”

“For the love, it’s Ch-”

I couldn’t say his name, a certain pair of lips had stopped me from doing so. As they molded against mine, my hands went up to tangle themselves in his hair, his hands falling to my waist and pulling me closer, I didn’t even think that could be possible. We pulled away when we needed to catch a breath, foreheads falling against each other, smiles painted on both of our faces.

“I bet I'll be in your dreams again tonight.” He whispered.

“I bet I'll be in yours.”

“Always are, Darling. Always are.”

taglist: @horrorxweasley

[barry-j-blupjeans]

Okie, I know I already sent one in, but it looks like you're still accepting prompts, and there's so many I like, but I picked only one more lol:

9. 🎈 and Magnulia + Angus? I just really love Magnus being Angus' parent lol <3

9. 🎈you're a single parent at this birthday party at my work and I cannot believe I have to keep up the shtick when I'd much rather be wooing you 

--

Things Magnus expected from this event were as followed: sugar-filled children with no sense of how to slow down. Getting hit literally anywhere on his body with a soccer ball. Sweating a lot, like an absurd amount. Potentially having to leave early because Angus got tired. Potentially having to leave early because Angus got hurt. Potentially having to leave early- y'know, a lot of things could cause them to leave early. The end of the story is that Magnus had come prepared with his first aid fit, Angus's epi-pen, a cooler full of water bottles, and several big hats.

A thing Magnus wasn't expecting from this event: The downright gorgeous woman at the snow cone truck parked outside the soccer field. It was half-time and, after showering Angus with enough praise to make him start looking embarrassed and squirm away, Magnus had taken a break to go stretch his legs. A few families with children who weren't on the team were lined up at the truck. Magnus glanced back at the field, where he could just about see Angus's team huddled up, and decided what Angus didn't know couldn't hurt him.

"What can I get for you?" she said and Magnus nearly forgot how to speak. He cleared his throat, glancing behind him. He was the last one in line. The game was probably going to start again soon.

"Uh, mango, please?" Magnus said.

"Comin' right up," she said. She stepped back into her truck, just enough to not be at the window anymore, and got a cup out for Magnus. "You here to support anyone?"

"Yes!" Magnus said because if there was anything he could talk about in the face of a pretty person, it was Angus. "My kid, Angus, he's midfield for this game. And, I mean, the odds aren't looking too hot right now but I know they're gonna step up their game in the second half. He's been working so hard for this."

"I'm sure," snow cone woman said, smiling.

They faded into silence as she scooped some more shaved ice into his cup. Magnus bounced against the heels of his feet.

"So, uh," he said. "You come here often?"

Fuck. That was a stupid thing to say. Does she come here often? God.

"I do," and she was still smiling. Magnus tried not to be too hard on himself for that. "It's a pretty good spot to sell in the summer. And game nights are pretty good for my revenue."

"I can imagine," Magnus said. She turned her back to him, pumping some mango syrup onto the shaved ice. When she turned back to him, she slid the cup towards him and said,

"One sixty, please."

Magnus fished his wallet out of his back pocket and the woman leaned against the counter, smiling down on him. He handed over the proper change and she took it, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Do you come here often?" she asked.

"Oh, y'know," Magnus said, taking the cup. "Game nights, mostly. We practice at a field closer to home. Uh, Roost Park, if you know the one."

"I'm right around Roost Park!" the woman said. "Maybe I'll check it out sometimes. With- with the truck, of course."

"Of course," Magnus said. Don't blush. Don't blush. Don't blush. Goddamnit. Magnus ducked his head. "I hope to see you around...?"

"Julia," she said. "And you're-?"

There was a whistle from the field. Magnus nearly dropped his snow cone in surprise. When he turned, the teams were heading back out onto the field.

"I gotta go," Magnus said. "I'll talk to you later!"

He started jogging off towards the field and heard Julia laugh from behind him. About halfway towards the gate, he turned and shouted back,

"The name's Magnus, by the way!"

Julia shot him a thumbs up, grinning brighter than the afternoon sun. Magnus had a pretty good feeling about the rest of the game as he made his way back to his seat.

[dstufabtstufr]

Some more backstory stuff and relationships I have

I do not have a tulkun because I missed my ceremony to my special one for being future T'shaki from being captured at 6 years old by the sky people, i would have met her when i got back except for the fact that she was kiled and payakan was blamed for it. It is something I am relentlessly bullied and mocked for especially by Aonung. Her name was Tunne'lyta, lyta for short.

Technically I'm not blood related to Tonwari and Ronal but they try their bests to make it feel that way. T'sireya has always felt like a sister to me and is my sister no matter what blood says. Aonung is the worst out-of all of them he has always made it known that I will never be related to him that he never wants me to be, it seems like he had always hated me and I've been by it really hurt for a long time even before I left and continuing after I came back, he's always been an ass.

Roxto is a good friend to me even tho he is just as close friends with Aonung. But isnt mean to me like Aonung.

Me and Jake are pretty close I see him in a father way especially after the war. He always knows how to comfort me and gives great advice to me in my times of doubt and worry.

Neytiri is the closet person I have to a mother and we have a strong bond. She has always known I would be close to her and her family ever since she heard me defending lo'ak and neteyam after their fight with Anoung and his friends. But she seen me as family during and after the war because of the way I fought for neteyam. She truly does she me as one of her children.

Tonowari is another person I kinda see as a father. I know he cares for me alot. When I was missing every year annually he would have a big sreach for me. I can tell he loves but has a hard time showing so I got used to the small things he does to so it. Like listening to my stories, gives me soft eyes and hugs me.

Ronal is a completely different story from all. I know she cares for me but definitely not as much as her own child like tonowari and the sullys do. She is nice to me but doesn't love me and I am fine with that because it's a mutual feeling.

Lo'ak isnt like a brother to me he is my brother no matter what blood says. We can confide with each other abt our deepest feelings and not be afraid of judgement at all. We are also each others wing man's cause he likes t'sireya and I like neteyam.

Kiri is a really close friend and we love each other alot she is a great person to be around even with her sassyness but we bounce it off each other.

Tuk is the cutest thing ever and she is like the little sister I never had. She is really sweet and love to play tag and hide and speak with me.

T'sireya is a very close friend like kiri I'd say they are my 2 bestfriends but not as close as my brother lo'ak.

Neteyam is my soul mate through and through. We know exactly how to treat each other and sometimes it feels like we are one because of the love and trust we have for one another. He is a very big gentleman and is very sweet to me. Even Neytiri believes it, she told us one night how she thinks we are the more intense soulmates call the soul " The story goes ewya made one soul so beautiful and so loving that's when all the other mates and lovers even seen or thougth about the soul they would fall out of love because they knew they'd never have such a deep and intense love like the soul So ewya decided to to separate soul into 2 different bodies which is very very rare to find the other half of And I think that You 2 just so happened to be the soul that is finally reconnected."

Only after the second war with the Skype people were I saved Neteyam does Aonung start treating me nicely it was kind of weird at first but I really appreciate it it's nice actually having a brother.

My daily (unless it's the weekend) chores are getting up really early and going out on the water to scout out good hunting spots by using tracking techniques to see what animals are going threw certain places and when it is good to hunt there.

Once I get to my dr I tell lo'ak who is completely u understanding and wants to know more abt nature or whatever I can remember of her. The 2nd biggest reason I told lo'ak other than I trust him the most is one would believe him and he wouldn't be able to prove it which we joke abt in private all the time.

Once we all get back to the village after the war. I decided To go flying to clear my head, while circling around this one small island I see someone getting dragged out the water by this pink thing I go to land on the island right next to the rocks they are on to see what is happening. It's spider and quartich. I become in raged with knowing that miles just saved his dad. I wait till quartich leaves to offer miles a ride back to the village. "It's a far swim" i say with the best fake smile ever " plus we should properly meet now" "thanks..." "Nal'rhi" " oh thanks Nal'rhi"

[necros-writing-stuff]

"You're joking." Bailey took another drag from his cigarette, an unamused glare leveled at his only real friend. Eden sat across from him, on the other side of his desk. The chair he was in, too small for his height and weight. It creaked when the hunter shifted, sitting up straighter in the chair ment for children and teens.

"I'm not." Eden's deadpan expression and monotone response felt like a punch in the gut. Or a knife in the back. Not that Bailey would let him know that.

The caretaker let out a cloud of smoke before snuffing his cigarette in the ashtray to his left. He opened one of the desk drawers and pulled out a bottle of whiskey, the cheap stuff you used to get wasted fast. He kept the good stuff at home, the expensive, quality kind ment to be sipped on while reading by the fire, his spouse's head in his lap. Resting, or blowing him; he didn't care which. God, he wished he could be there instead right now.

The cap of the bottle was uncerimoniously flicked off, bouncing off the wall and landing in the trash across the room. Bailey brought the glass to his lips and began drinking the amber liquid.

"Nice shot-"

"Don't fucking start with me, Eden." Bailey snapped, bringing the whiskey down hard on his desk. The sound was a lot louder in the otherwise quiet room. For a moment, the only sound was from his ancient computer. The monitor humming with life. He had three new emails from high paying clients, but he couldn't focus on anything but the sick joke in front of him.

"You're being childish." Eden grunted, shifting in the wooden chair.

"Childish? I'm being childish?! You're the one who's trying to fuck my kid!" Bailey's hands came down on the desk, his chair pushed out from under him as he stood. Eden quirked an eyebrow.

"You sell children all the time. Figured it'd be the same with that one." He shrugged, much too calm for Bailey's liking. He grit his teeth and breathed heavy out his nose. There'd be no good in killing Eden. He'd feel bad about it, his kid would be crushed and, most importantly, his spouse would be upset.

He used his foot to drag his leather office chair back to him and ran his hands through his hair, mussing it. He dropped back down in his seat and glowered at his "friend".

"It's different with my kid." He said sternly. He hadn't kept many secrets from Eden in regards to his home life. Hell, he let you visit him! Eden knew damn well you were one of two people he gave a shit about and yet here he was!

"Is it because your spouse?" Eden asked, cocking his head to the side like a dog. He spent too much time in the woods. He was going feral. He was going fucking feral and he wanted to buy Bailey's only (actual) child. He didn't give a shit if you were an adult, almost finished with high school and ready for uni. He was your father damn it! You were still a baby to him!

"No. It's not because of my spouse." Before he felt the itch to grab his gun itch up his arm, he took another long swig of whiskey. How could Eden not get it? He was like family to you! To him! What the actual fuck?!

"You think someone else would take better care of them?" Eden countered. Had Bailey said that out loud? Regardless, the caretaker pinched the bridge of his nose.

"That's not the point Eden." He let out a defeated groan.

"What is?" Bailey stared hard at Eden, searching for any hint of humor or malice, or anything that might give away that his childhood friend didn't actually want to bone his baby.

"The point," He found none. Bailey ran his hands through his hair again.

"Eden, is that you're like an uncle to them. It's as close to incestuous as you could possibly get. Not only that, you're significantly older than them and quite frankly," Bailey pulled out another cigarette and lit it. He took a long drag before letting the smoke fill the air between them.

"I'd rather they leave for uni and never have to come back here. I don't want them living in the forest with a man who's forgotten basic decencies. Like not requesting to engage in sexual acts with their friends' kid." Bailey held his fresh cig between his middle and ring fingers, studying Eden. He didn't want it to come to blood, but he'd done worse things in his life. Eden chuckled.

"So there's something you won't take money for." He said, his smile genuine and amused. His spouse would be so upset if he killed Eden. They'd be so, so disappointed if he went home with bruises and bloody knuckles from beating the shit out of their friend. He was sure they would understand, of course, he just didn't want them knowing it came to blows. His perfect little spouse was already aware of all the horrible, fucked up shit he did. He didn't want to push it.

"Two somethings." Bailey corrected. He had a small picture of you and your other parent hidden in his desk. Helped him not kill the orphans that were too young to sell. It was also helping him resist the urge to smash the half drank bottle of whiskey over Eden's head.

"I'm not asking for you to pimp them out." Eden spoke like they were talking about the weather. Like Bailey wasn't doing his damndest not to kill him.

"I said, I wanted to buy them. For keeps." Bailey flicked the ash off his cigarette.

"And what does for keeps mean?" Bailey could see the gears turning in Eden's head. He didn't like it. Eden wasn't dumb muscle. He was strong, sure but he was also smart and resourceful. That made him dangerous. After an agonizing minute passed, Eden spoke.

"Like you and your spouse." Bailey blinked slowly, dumbfounded.

"You want to marry my eighteen year old. Who you've known since they were an infant."

"Yes." Bailey sat back in his chair and pulled a phone from his pocket. Not one of his burner phones he used for criminal activity, but one he bought specifically to contact you and his spouse. He quickly selected your other parent's number and called them.

The pair listened as it rang, and a soft voice came from the line. The sound of something boiling and the clattering of dishes could be heard in the background.

"Hello?" Bailey's spouse answered. Bailey ran his free hand through his hair again, further wrecking it. He was an incredibly prideful man. If Eden had been anyone else, he'd be dead. If his spouse was anyone else, he wouldn't speak to them. If you were anyone else, he wouldn't give a shit. But three strikes and he's out.

"Eden's lost his mind. I can't speak with him. Please explain to him why he can't marry our child." He knew he sounded pathetic and defeated. He was caught between a rock and a hard place. Thus, he chose the option that wouldn't affect his marriage.

"I'll be there in five." Oh. They sounded so... Angry. He hadn't expected that. They were always so soft and gentle, they rarely got really, truly angry at any one person. Of course, this was their baby they were talking about. You were as precious to them as you were Bailey.

Eden seemed just as curious to see them pissed off as he was.

(- anon 🚩 then Prequel!pc showed up, the three of them yelled at eachother, exchanging low blows and personal insults and then current!pc came in cause no one was home and eden proposed and they said yes and they left together and fucked for a whooooooooole week. The end.)

Oh what I would give to be a fly on that wall.

And you just know Current-PC and Eden would come visit for dinner every week and Bailey would have to sit there while his best friend hand-feeds his kid, who still sits in his lap regardless of where they are. Pre-PC might purposefully burn Eden’s food.

[impala1967dwinchester]

Dean Winchester: Change is due

*Credit to gif owner*

Pairing: Dean W. x Reader

Pov: Reader

Warning: Fighting, Swearing, fluff, angst, Dean being a douchebag, guilt.

Summary: What about talking instead of fighting.

Word Count: 1.8k

A/n- This is for band-pyschos 1.5 followers bingo writing challenge. This makes me sad, but whatever.

Square- "Stay with me"

Dean Winchester Master List

Main Master List

Tag list: @akshi8278 @deanswaywardgirl @wonderfulworldofwinchester @doctorlilo @hit-meup69 @fofisstilinski

The drive to the bunker was quiet. The rev of the engine. The downright scariness of the way that all I could hear was the passing of other vehicles on the road. That sound too eventually stopped as the driver back to the bunker was much longer than originally anticipated.

Dean had a temper like nobody's business. The temper of a wild dog, or maybe it was a wild bear. Regardless Dean's temper was downright scary most times. But then again most times that temper of his was never directed towards me.

Yes between miniature fights, and getting annoyed with each other fights did occur, but nothing too bad. You see, three years into hunting and now living with the famous Winchesters. I had fallen deeply for Dean Winchester.

Falling for someone is an already dangerous game, but falling in love with a Winchester. The most hunted after, hunters of them all that was a dangerous game to start playing.

I played the game regardless. Can you imagine falling for someone so much that your worlds just connect so well? Like amazing jigsaw puzzle pieces. Or maybe falling in love was like finally figuring out the correct word in a crossword puzzle.

Like Forrest says "Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you're going to get." I would have never been able to tell you that when I was a little girl playing in my room running around in the pure white dress that I would one day grow up kill the monster that haunts this earth, and fall for the most righteous man, the fallen soldier, the best hunter I had ever met.

Could you imagine a six-year-old, coming up to their parent and saying that one day they'd fight monsters, and fall in love with the greatest monster hunter of them all. In your dreams.

Life with the Winchesters was most of the time pandemonium. Life with them was like living in the thunder dome. Like driving on the icy roads and hoping that you don't fall off the cliff. But life was calm sometimes, being able to have a half-assed normal life was good for all of us.

Sam was the best brother a person could ask for. The best friend a person could ask for. I think the moment I met the Winchesters, Dean and I were like magnets dragging each other together. Slated to be together for the rest of our lives, soul mates if you will.

This last hunt was nothing like we had ever dealt with before. So many children had been killed. I had put myself in the way, getting hurt instead of letting more children get hurt. A natural mother... or maybe just a natural instinct of a woman.

Dean, of course, was anger like normal, but usually, his anger would blow over and we'd either make-up or like the band, AC/DC says "You shook me all night long".

this night was different though. Something was off, something felt wrong. Yes, the drive was long and very fucking quiet but something in the air felt wrong. I'd like to think that I'm a tough cookie, a queen disguised as a princess.

I always think that Dean forgets that the reason he and I get along so well is that we are almost alike, in almost every way. We act the same way, love the same things, react the same way. Two peas in a pod if you will.

Dean tends to forget that when he gets angry, but comes to his sense rather quickly after, he either gets blown off, or the subject gets changed, something that he does often to Sam or me. In the situation where he knows he has no control, or where he is uncomfortable, feeling like he's being pushed into the corner.

I used to let Dean act like a douchebag. I let Dean get mad, yell, throw things, get in my face. But recently. Dean's anger has been out of this world, too much to bare, too much to handle. he almost turns into the hulk. It's like he forgets his normal manners and just wants to hulk smash literally everything around him.

How do you make someone realize what they are doing? How do you show someone how they are acting is affecting you?

Finally after what felt like days, but was really just hours of driving we pulled into the garage, the sound of the engine bouncing off of the cinderblock walls. During said drive Dean and I made eye contact once, his green ember eyes staring deep at me through the rear-view mirror. My own eyes making sure to stare at him with just the same amount of deep soul searching Dean was.

Sam steered in his sleep, the coldness of the garage and the car smell waking him from his sleep. Not a single word was said. Sam was the first one out of the car, opening the impalas back, grabbing his bags, and making a rather quick exit of the garage.

Neither of us moving from our spots. We sat in silence. A silence that's a funny word if you think about it. It the most screamed word when you're being told to be quiet. But it weighs heavy between two people.

Fighting was and has never been my style with Dean. Dean wants to yell and be an idiot then I'll let him be, but I won't go without saying my peace. I'll get up and leave if I want to. There's nothing holding me to the man, an argument is just a battle of words.

Finally, Dean moves, moves to look in the back seat. His eye passes over my figure like always. Passing by over my crisscrossed shins up to my jean-covered thighs, over my hips, up my t-shirt and flannel covered belly, up to my tall shoulders, and to my face.

The little light that was streaming into the impala's backseat. "Why?" Was all Dean said, staring at me. I chewed my lip thinking of anything to say. "Stop chewing on your lip. It's finally started to heal." Dean said.

Still, my body stuck in my crisscrossed position. I heard the creak of the impala, as I saw Dean shift from the front seat to the back seat. "I'm pretty sure that I just told you to stop doing that." He said bringing his thumb up to my lips, gently pulling down releasing my bottom lip from my teeth.

"What were you thinking?" Dean asked picking once again at the issue at hand. "I was thinking about the children," I said looking at the man next to me. It was quiet for a moment, then a heavy sigh filled the air.

"The children?" Dean said questioning me. A cocked-eyed eyebrow raised in confusion to my answer. Sometimes it's like my answer is either not good enough, or isn't the right one. "Yes, the children," I stated calmly.

"I'm getting confused here Y/n," Dean said shifting causing the smallest of creak from the old impala. "I stepped in front of the children," I said.

"Yeah, I kind of figured that but why?" He asked. This firstly is going calm, and Dean's asking questions just before assuming shit, but why does this seem odd, kinda like all of the sudden protecting the young kids isn't enough to get a few scrapes and bruises.

"Did the great Dean Winchester just ask me that?" I said now turning the tables and questioning him. "Yeah, I did." He said so cut and dry-like. "You really wanna know why?" I asked

We were still sitting in the back of his precious car. I had rested my head on the headrest, closing my eyes. Dean was just staring, it had become a bad habit of his after we got together.

"Because Dean those kids didn't deserve whatever that monster did to them. Hell, I just pulled ten kids out, you and sam pulled at ten each. Can you even imagine that, because I can. Being so scared that I can't even protect myself." I said.

Taking a deep breath in and sighing loudly.

"What are you talking about Y/n?" Dean asked, looking at me now with more intent. Wanting yearning to get to the bottom jar of worms we had so carefully opened.

"You know what ignore me, it doesn't make any difference," I said uncrossing my legs and turning to unlock the back door. I was stopped before my fingertips even grabbed onto the cold metal on the handle.

"Do you remember that promise you made me? All those years ago." Dean said, pulling me into his warm touch. His scent of bourbon and wood fell down around us. "No, I don't Dean," I said honestly confused about what I had promised.

"You promise me that whatever was on your mind you would come to me and talk about it. I know six years is a long time, but that day you promised that you've never broken that promise." Dean said while he drew small circles into my lower back.

"Tonight though right now, you're breaking that promise. You don't have to give me every single detail but just don't go walking in front of a monster because you don't know what else to do. You know that you can talk to your boyfriend right?" He said questioning me towards the end.

I only shook my head in response Dean took that as his sign to continue talking. "I just, I'm fearing that you're starting to drift away, and honestly Y/n. Honest;y Y/n I don't think I would know what to do without you." Dean said.

This is different, new, and odd. This Dean is someone who only comes out when the world is ending or the tears are about to be shed for the umpteen amount of time. This Dean, this is the Dean I fell in love with. "So make me this promise now, stay with me," Dean asked.

"Stay with you?" I asked, "Of course stay with you, I guess I just have to learn to be able to ask for help, right Dean." I said hugging him from the awkward position we had fallen into when he pulled me away from the back door.

"No more running, no more fighting alone. We do everything together now." Dean said, cupping my slightly tears stained cheek." Bumping our foreheads together in a sign of good faith you could say. I hummed and returned the favor.

Moments like this the calm, and the quiet. These were those times where I felt at home. I've realized with this job, hunting home isn't a place with four walls and a roof over your head it's about the people in your life. Make a home with the people who care about you. Make a home with the people you would fight anything to hurt, Make home able to be anywhere.

And when you can do that finally you can make home turn into love, and love into strength. Having all three makes you happier I'd like to think in the long run of things. So just "stay with me" that's all I'm asking of you, the rest we can do together.

Completed on: 05/06/2021

*Happy Throwback Thursday*

[mothandpidgeon]

THE SINS OF THE FATHER - a Molly York story PART 2

(gif by @pajamasecrets)

PROLOGUE - PART 1

MASTERLIST

Characters: Dave York, Molly York (Carol and Alice, too)

Words: 3500

Rating: T

Warnings: character death (canon), loss of a parent, angst, training your daughter to be an assassin?

Summary: After contacting a mysterious acquaintance of her later father's, Molly York learns more about the man. And about his death.

a/n: I'm a little obsessed with this fic right now. I love writing soft!Dave and his daughter. I know this isn't the mean daddy Dave smut we usually love, but I'd love to hear from you if you're enjoying this!

Thanks @purplepascal042 for helping me with this part! Love you, B!

/ / / / /

Dave is exhausted from jet lag, sprawled on the bed, still in his shirt and slacks. The last job took a lot out of him. He needs a shower but his body won’t budge.

“Daddy are you sleeping?” Molly asks from the doorway in a stage whisper.

“What’s going on?”

“Will you help me with my homework?” she asks. She’s clutching a worksheet and a pencil.

“Sure. Come here,” he says and she climbs onto the bed beside him. “What’ve we got?”

“I have to interview a grown up about their job. For Career Day,” she explains.

Dave looks over the page, his tired eyes barely focusing. “Did you ask Mommy to do this?”

“I want you to do it,” Molly insists.

He lets Molly read him each prompt and he answers as simply as possible. She dutifully writes down each answer in scrawling pencil.

“How do you spell ‘investigation?’” she asks.

“Sound it out,” he encourages. He’s so burnt, he’s not sure he can manage to spell it either.

“‘What is your favorite part about your job?’” she reads.

Dave sighs longer than he means to. “Coming home to my family.”

“No, Daddy! It has to be about work!”

The address Capra had given Molly was a boarded up movie theater off the highway about 30 miles outside of DC. Molly told Carol that she was shopping for dorm decor when she’d left the house full of nerves. She’d gotten so good at lying, sometimes she believed her own.

The parking lot was empty, the cracks in its pavement filled in with grass, punctuated by street lights every few yards. Molly had expected to meet at a coffee shop or a restaurant, not some out of the way place. She was sitting on the trunk of her car, her leg bouncing, when a black BMW pulled up. The woman driving it looked to be in her late 40s, her hair pulled back neatly. When she stepped out of her car, she pulled her sunglasses down her nose and eyed Molly up and down.

“How old are you now? 20?”

“18,” Molly told her.

“You’re the older one?”

“Yeah,” Molly said.

Capra approached her and she hopped down from the bumper.

“Didn’t your dad ever teach you not to talk to strangers?” she asked.

Molly hesitated. She had her pepper spray in her back pocket and she was much younger, probably quicker than this woman. But Dad wouldn’t give her Capra’s number if he didn’t trust her. Still, Molly decided to lean against her car and keep her distance.

“You know a lot about me for a stranger,” Molly replied.

Capra grinned. She nodded her head back and said, “Walk with me.”

Molly paced the pavement with her, glancing at the woman beside her. She was slim with sharp features, whispers of frown lines in her face. Capra offered Molly a cigarette which she declined.

“Is Capra your first name?”

“It’s what my friends call me,” she replied.

There was a darkness in her tone that made Molly edgy.

“Did you work with my dad at the agency?” Molly asked.

That would explain some things. But Capra laughed.

“No.” Capra observed Molly and then her lip twitched up into a wistful smile. “Jeez I bet everybody tells you you look just like him.”

Molly’s stomach churned.

“Were you and my dad-”

“No,” Capra said. “God no. Your dad was...a complicated guy but not when it came to his family.”

Molly nodded, not sure if she felt relieved or if that just gave her more questions.

“So how did you know each other?” She asked.

“It’s a long story,” Capra said, scratching her forehead. “We did some freelance work together.”

Capra made some small talk, asking Molly where she was headed for college, what she’d be studying. Molly had so many questions of her own she could only manage short answers. Finally, she had to ask the question that had been nagging at her the loudest.

“Do you know what happened to my dad? How he died?” She’d stopped walking.

“I know the same as you,” Capra said.

“Which is?” Molly asked. She wasn’t going to accept such a vague answer.

Capra gave a wry smile. She flicked her cigarette butt to the ground and twisted it into the pavement under her shoe. Molly’s heart sped up. She’d caught Capra in a lie.

“You’re a clever one,” she said.

“It wasn’t an accident, was it?” Molly asked. She searched Capra’s face for an answer. “Please.”

“I wasn’t there,” she replied.

“But you know. Please. I need to know.”

Molly felt like she was holding her breath. Capra looked away, then back at Molly.

“You don’t want to know,” Capra said.

“I do,” Molly said. She balled her hands into fists so she didn’t shake Capra by her shoulders.

“He wouldn’t want you to know.”

“How do you know that?” Molly spat. “What the hell do you know about him? I’ve never even heard of you. You don’t know.”

“Trust me, there’s plenty about your father you didn’t know,” Capra snapped back.

Molly was so frustrated she wanted to cry. Instead she let out a growl and turned back towards her car.

“Fuck this!” She stomped away.

She’d crossed half of the parking lot when she heard Capra call after her. Molly squared her shoulders, tried to compose herself, and turned around to glare at the woman. Capra was clutching the bridge of her nose, her eyes shut. Finally she dropped her hand with an exasperated sigh and pulled out another cigarette. Capra lit it as she closed the distance between them, blowing smoke out of her mouth and shaking her head. She held the cigarette out to Molly.

“You’re going to want one of these. And you’re going to need to sit down for this.”

Dave parks the car in the driveway. Molly is sitting in the passenger seat, still grinning from her first experience at the shooting range.

“Now remember,” Dave says before he opens the door, “this is our secret. So if Mom asks where we were, just tell her our cover story.”

She nods eagerly but then her lips twist into a thoughtful frown.

“It’s lying,” she says.

Dave feels guilty for a moment. Deceit is practically second nature for him but what kind of father teaches his daughter to be dishonest?

“But it’s a white lie,” she justifies to herself. “Right?”

Dave kisses the crown of her head.

“It’s alright, baby. Everybody has secrets.”

Molly felt dizzy. The story Capra told her made her feel like she’d gone from a tilt-a-whirl into a funhouse. Everything was distorted and she was upside down. Already, she was replaying her memories of Dad with this new context tinging them like a dark filter.

Dad kissing her on the forehead before bed. Hoisting her onto his shoulders on the 4th of July. Singing along to “Baba O’Riley” and drumming on the steering wheel. Dad killing people. Earning blood money. Dying by someone else’s hand.

“It’s a lot,” Capra said. They were sitting in Molly’s parked car, the windows rolled down, the sound of the highway traffic washing through like white noise. “But he did it for you.”

Molly’s eyes flicked to her. She hadn't asked for anybody to die.

“He was trying to take care of his family,” Capra clarified.

She let Molly sit in silence for a while as she sorted out what she’d just heard. Molly felt like she was grieving him all over again. Except this time she mourned the father she knew.

“My mom-"

“She never knew,” Capra said.

Molly nodded weakly.

“It was a secret because he loved you.”

Molly felt a tear slip from her eye. She didn’t want to feel hurt. She didn’t like feeling deceived. She wiped her face and set her jaw.

“What happened to Mac?” she asked.

She remembered meeting the man who had killed her father. Everything that had happened just before he died was so clear in her memory. She could still see Mac’s face, his friendly smile.

He’d seemed like such a nice guy. She remembered asking him a load of questions as he rode with them to school and he’d laughed and told Carol what a bright girl she was.

It sickened her to know he’d been right there. So close. And she was so small and clueless. Had Dad known what was coming?

“He lives up in New England,” Capra said. “Retired.”

Molly turned to Capra, anger burning in her chest.

“He’s still alive?” she asked.

“Afraid so,” Capra said.

Molly looked back out the windshield, took a deep breath. Retired. Dad would never get to retire. Go golfing or build model cars or whatever old men did.

“And you do...what my dad did?” she asked.

Capra didn’t confirm or deny it.

“You can’t discuss this. With anyone,” she informed her.

Molly nodded again. She wouldn’t dream of telling Carol this. She would protect her from the truth just like dad had.

“I’m sorry about this,” Capra said before they parted ways. “You’ve got my number. Give me a call if you ever need anything.”

As Molly drove home, thoughts solidified in her mind.

Dad was a killer. But he’d been a killer before, in the Marines. He’d still loved her. He went to her karate matches and read her bedtime stories. She might have lived her whole life without ever finding out what Dave York really was.

If he hadn’t died.

He could have taught her how to drive. Taken photos before senior prom. Visited colleges with her.

He would have danced with her at her wedding. Helped her fix up her first home. Held her future children in his arms.

If he hadn’t been murdered.

And what about mom? She wouldn’t have worried about calling plumbers and taking her car to the mechanic. Run herself ragged getting Alice to dance class and Molly to archery competitions. She wouldn't have had to sleep alone every night.

If it hadn’t been for Robert McCall.

Molly could absolve her father’s sins. But Mac she would never forgive.

“Young lady, open this door right now,” Dave barks.

“You told me to go to my room! I’m in my room!” Molly snaps through her bedroom door.

She’s given Carol lip all morning and he’s had enough of the attitude. Every day, his sweet little girl is fading more and more into a stubborn teenager.

“You do not slam doors in this house.”

“Leave me alone!” Molly yells. “I hate you!”

Dave knows that she’s angry and she’s got a bad temper. That these outbursts are the first signs of puberty rearing its ugly head. But, still, her words punch him right in the gut.

“If that’s how you’re going to speak to your father, then you’re grounded,” he manages.

“Good!”

Molly had been reserved ever since Dave’s death but, after meeting Capra, she felt her melancholy harden into bitterness. She went through college. She didn’t make a lot of friends or date many people. She studied, she practiced her marksmanship, she trained.

As soon as Molly turned 18, she was back at the gun range. It had been a long time since Dad had taken her for target practice but she was pleasantly surprised by her grouping. She’d had a good teacher.

She liked everything about shooting. Not just because it had been a secret she shared with her father. She liked the ritual– loading the magazine, carefully picking up the gun. She liked the focus– taking a deep breath and looking down the barrel. She liked the power.

Mac’s grin stayed fixed in her mind. She thought about it when she pulled herself from bed at five in the morning to do push ups. She pictured it when she worked herself into a sweat at the gym’s punching bag. She imagined it when she put holes through the head of the target at the shooting range.

She didn’t think she’d have the chance to do that in real life. But she dreamed about it almost every night.

Molly had always stayed close to home but she visited less and less. Alice started college in New York so Carol had an empty nest. Molly could hardly bring herself to visit her mother anymore.

Molly had always been good at keeping secrets but this one was the most difficult. Every time she saw Carol, Molly imagined how devastated she would be if she knew the truth. It had become too painful pretending and so Molly simply avoided most situations where she would have to.

Capra stayed in touch, calling every so often to check in. It was clear to Molly that she felt responsible for this angst but there was no one else to talk to about it.

Some people were driven by ambition or lust or creativity. During college, it felt like Molly ran on anger. It helped her concentrate, to work hard. She graduated at the top of her class and had no trouble landing a job that paid well.

Adulthood was different.

Dave had been wise enough to set up trusts for the girls so Molly hadn’t racked up student debt. But now she had rent and bills and car insurance. She couldn’t stuff herself with fries from the dining hall and call that a meal. She had to work long hours for a demanding boss. She had to take care of herself. She had to go through the monotony of life.

When it came down to it, she just didn’t have the energy to be mad anymore.

Molly still held a flame inside. Mainly, she kicked herself for not getting to the gym more often. She hated that she was moving on. She had dulled as she got older, as she followed the news every day and saw that the world was a shitty place where justice was scarce.

Molly was in her childhood bedroom, going through layers of old school papers, polaroids from her friends’ bat mitzvahs, and certificates from karate tournaments like an archeological dig.

Carol was finally selling the family home. Downsizing. The girls were there to help clean things out, decide what should go to the Salvation Army and what would be going home with them.

It pained Molly to think about the house with another family living inside it. Even now in her late twenties, she still walked in the door and expected Dad to come around the corner from the kitchen, to say, “Hey, kiddo!” the way he used to. Once the house was sold, she would never experience that sensation again.

It was strange, Molly thought, how you could live somewhere for all of your life and then, one day, you’re locked out forever.

Carol was moving to a two bedroom condo closer to the city so she couldn’t take all of this junk with her. Molly packed a bankers box with some trophies and a few of her favorite books and brought it down to the kitchen.

Alice was leaned against the island, lazily sorting through cookbooks. Although the day called for packing boxes and hauling trash bags, she was dressed to the nines. Molly wondered if her sister owned casual clothes anymore. Alice had gotten a job at a fashion magazine and, although it seemed like she was low in the pecking order, she acted as though she was Anna Wintour herself.

“That’s all you’re taking?” Carol asked, eyeing the box.

Molly shrugged. She already had already taken the things that were most precious to her long ago.

“You know, Mom, if you don’t want to move, I can help you with the mortgage,” Molly said.

Molly had been saving up to buy a place of her own but she would happily give that up for her mother. Nowhere would ever feel like home the way this house did.

“It’s time,” Carol said. “I don’t need this much house to myself.”

Mom didn’t look her age but the bags under her eyes had grown more defined. She’d stopped coloring the streak of grey hair that had come in at her temple.

“It’s a good idea,” Alice jumped in. “Mom needs to get out there again. She hasn’t met any guys in the suburbs.”

The idea of Mom dating always made Molly bristle. She didn’t want Carol to be lonely but couldn’t picture her with a man who wasn’t Dad. The same way she couldn’t see her living in a different house.

“I’m going to work on the study,” Molly said and retreated to the home office.

This had been Dad’s room and, even though it had accumulated a mess of things over the years— old workout tapes, discarded hobbies, books about tidying— it still felt like his sanctuary. Molly picked through a shelf and found Dad’s high school yearbook. She hoped Mom wouldn’t mind if she took that home with her. She liked pictures of her father in his youth, skinny and bright eyed with scruffy hair.

Molly sat on the floor in front of the built-ins and fished out a few baskets and shoe boxes from the cabinets. The first one contained family photos. Vacation in the Bahamas, Alice’s 4th birthday party, Molly dressed as a ninja for Halloween. She went through each one with great ceremony. Molly already had a bunch of photos of her and Dad so she tucked these back in their box and put them in the ‘keep’ pile.

The next box was filled with cards. Sympathy cards. Molly sighed as she went into them. One from Carol’s coworkers with a rose on the front. Sending you comfort. A small card that looked like it had come with a floral arrangement from cousin John. He’ll be missed.

There was a card with a painting of a serene beach scene. With deepest sympathy. Molly opened it and read the short message.

So sorry for your loss. It feels like we’ve lost one of the family. Send my love to the girls. - Mac

The cold rage that had burnt out reignited in Molly’s stomach, her entire body so tight she almost shook. She could feel tears sting in her eyes.

That motherfucker. That fucking asshole had the audacity to send a sympathy card. To send his love. That piece of fucking shit. Molly almost crumpled the card in her hands, as if she could wring his neck through it, but just then Alice wandered in. Molly dropped the card into her lap.

“What are these?” her sister asked, crouching down and grabbing a photo. “Aw! You looked so cute!”

Molly swallowed hard and tried to slow her heart rate as Alice sifted through the pictures.

“Christ, why does Mom still have these?” Alice complained, picking up one of the sympathy cards.

“They’re for Dad,” Molly said.

“It’s not like he got to read them,” Alice replied.

She tossed it back onto the floor.

“Why are you always such a bitch about Dad?” Molly asked, the animosity she’d discovered in Mac’s card spilling out of her.

“Sorry I don’t worship him.” Alice rolled her eyes. “It’s not like he was ever around. And when he was, he spent all of his time with you.”

Alice crossed her arms and looked away self-consciously. Molly felt a jab in her heart. She knew Dad loved Alice. He’d done awful things so that she could take dance lessons and go off to a good school where she could study whatever she liked. Things that eventually got him killed. But Molly couldn’t tell her sister any of that so she just stared at Alice with her mouth half open.

“Girls, when you’re finished up there, lunch is ready!” Mom called from the kitchen.

“Call me a bitch…” Alice grumbled as she left the room.

Molly pushed the cards into the ‘Trash’ pile.

“Ow! Daddy! Molly hit me!” Alice whines.

“You hit me first!” Molly growls.

Dave glances at them in the rear view mirror.

“Is that true?” he asks.

“No!” Alice says.

He knows she’s lying. Molly’s sitting there with her arms crossed as Alice clutches her elbow dramatically, lips set in a pout.

He knows what he’s supposed to say. Some bullshit about being the bigger person, two wrongs don’t make a right. And if Carol was in the car maybe he would. But the world doesn’t work like that.

“If you hit somebody,” he warns, “don’t be surprised if they hit you back.”

Molly took Mac’s card with her. It was sitting on her passenger seat when she pulled away, Carol standing on the lawn, waving. Send my love to the girls. Every time she thought about it, she got so pissed off she wanted to puke.

She couldn’t even wait to get home before she was dialing Capra, one hand gripping the steering wheel so hard her knuckles ached.

“What’s up, kid?” Capra asked.

“I need to find Mac.”

/ / / / / part three soon!

@pascalslittlebrat @purplepascal042 @starlightmornings @mouthymandalorian @danniburgh @originallaura @tuskens-mando @221bshrlocked @wyn-dixie @goddessinwolfskin @cheekygeek05 @fangirl-316 @fairytale07 @rosiefridayrogersunday @a-skov @skulliebythesea @oceanablue @rebel-soldat @stevie75 @evyiione @buckwildbarnes @likes-good-reblogs-even-better @silverwolf319 @killermonkeys45 @velia27 @anxiousandboujee @amneris21 @green-socks @pedro4ever @pedrocentric @kesskirata

[frzntrx]

(Part of the “For the First Time in Forever Fic-verse)

(Elsa's POV)

I woke up at about 2:30 am... I was just... thirsty. I got up and went to the kitchen to get water, no sooner had I gotten my glass of water halfway down the hall when I heard a low moan, like somebody in pain.

The glass dropped out of my hand and hit the ground, bounced about three times, spilling water everywhere, then shattered.

It was coming from Loki's room.

Shit. Somebody broke in and was trying to kill him in his sleep.

I looked around for something I could use, then I saw this framed katana or samurai sword or something on the wall, I knocked it off the wall, efficiently breaking the glass to remove it without making a ton of noise that would alert the intruder of my presence.

I crept towards his door, brandishing the sword, then flung it open,

But nobody was there...

I was so confused, then he started moaning again, this time I could see him writhing in his sleep like he was in pain, clawing at the sheets.

Oh shit.

I'd had some bad nightmares before but oh my god this was the most intense scary thing I had ever seen.

"N-no... you can't... w-wait... please..."

I was just... sad... I didn't know who or what he was dreaming of, but I wished it could just... make it go away.

Then he tossed, rolling over on his side,

"Just... leave her alone."

I was stunned,

He was having a nightmare... about losing his mother? I knew they were pretty close.

"Shh... shh..." I murmured, sitting down beside him and stroking his head,

"It's okay... you're okay..." I cooed

"Don't hurt her... please." He whimpered in his sleep, and a tear slipped down my cheek,

"Loki... it's okay..." I murmured,

"Not E-Elsa... no... please."

Then I froze. He was having a nightmare... of somebody hurting... me.

I had never seen this softer side of him even when we were children.

I mean, yes he was sweet... but he was also... almost as restrained as I was... and very quiet.

So to see these raw emotions creep up to the surface... raw emotions that I never realized were even there... it was... startling.

I wasn't sure what to do... I didn't want to leave... I was worried if Loki found out I walked in on him having a nightmare about me... he'd get embarrassed because his very well hidden emotions had slipped out unawares. But I couldn't leave him... and I couldn't just watch him suffer.

So I did the only thing I could think of at the moment... I sang mamas lullaby... stroking his face and hair gently like mama did for me when I was a tiny girl.

"Norðanvindur strýkur haf

Þar er áin, allra minninga

Sofðu, ástin, blítt og vært

Því allt hún geymir okkur kært..."

To my surprise it actually started to work, he stopped thrashing around like he was being attacked at least,

"Þar hún streymir, djúp og breið

Og þér sýnir þína ævileið

Kafðu djúpt í hennar hljóm

En ekki of langt þá færð þinn dóm..."

He sighed, turning onto his side in his sleep, and I smiled gently,

"Hún syngur allt sem syngja má

Hún syngur um þinn töfradraum

En líka um þá sem hug þinn hrjá

Þolir þú þann stríða straum?”

I sighed, remembering us playing together as children as the song started to come to a close…

I loved him… but… it could never happen… He was destined for someone else…

“Norðanvindur strýkur haf

Þar er móðir sem sögur gaf

Komdu, ástin, heima er vært

Þar allt við finnum okkur kært..."

And thankfully he seemed to have drifted off into a different dream, and I sighed in relief, kissed his forehead and curled up next to him,

"Good night Loki... I love you." I murmured, as I fell asleep next to him.