#I'm gonna listen to Only The Brave on repeat

[vevobly]

Yjs with drunk reader?

Yellowjackets With Drunk Reader! [Pre-crash] (1)

A/N: I made the girls crush on you secretly in this because I'm a bit tired of repeating some stuff. Anyways, devour and enjoy!

Jackie Taylor:

Jackie is the kind of girl who wants everything to look good, including the people she’s with. She’s not judgmental when she sees you tipsy, but she is concerned for you. “Do you maybe wanna sit down for a sec?” She asks with an unsure smile. The girl prides herself on being put together, and being around drunk you? It makes her feel like the designated adult even if she’s only half sure what to do. She isn't great with these types of things, but she tries. “You okay?” She forces a laugh, brushing some of your hair back. “You’re kind of… floppy right now.”

You tell her she's really, really pretty, and she plays it off. “You’re just saying that because you’re drunk,” She chuckles. “But I don't mind it because it's kinda cute.” She doesn’t say anything about how you keep looking at her, how your hand reaches for hers when you guys talk, or how your compliments are clumsy but seem sincere. But later, when Shauna's driving her home, she quietly admits. “It felt nice. I just hope she doesn’t regret it tomorrow in the morning when she wakes up.” She chuckles.

Shauna Shipman:

Shauna freezes a little when you start leaning on her, clearly drunk and giggly. She's used to taking care of Jackie when she's drunk, but not you. But as always, her first instinct is to worry. “Are you sure you’re okay?” She asks quietly, holding onto your elbow like you might fall. When you tell her she’s smart, warm, and probably the prettiest girl no one pays attention to. She stares at you for a second too long.

“That’s… really nice of you,” She mumbles. “But you’re drunk, though..” You decide to compliment her writing and tell her you like how she talks in class. Then her eyes widen. “You actually… listen?” You nod frantically, chuckling. “I might be drunk, but my words are still what I think, Shipman.” You smiled at her. Shauna's cheeks turn red for a minute before she shakes her head. “You should drink some water,” She tells you softly, smiling unconsciously.

Taissa Turner:

Protective mode immediately activated. Tai steps up immediately when she sees you wobbling around. “Alright, come on” She says, taking your arm. “You’re sitting down before you break your ankle.” You giggle, before leaning in close to her ear. “You always look out for me,” You whisper. “And you're sooooo cool...” You slur, leaning against her. Tai tenses up but doesn't pull away. “You’re sweet,” She says it quietly. “But don’t flirt with me if you won’t remember it in the morning.”

And then Tai sits you down on a couch nearby. “You need water,” She tells you. “Also maybe stop talking because you’re gonna say something embarrassing.” Tai doesn’t say much after that but she stays next to you all night. She tucks a stray strand of hair behind your ear and just lets you rest there against her through it. Eventually, you fall asleep on the couch with your head on her shoulder. And when you do, Tai looks away and smiles to herself.

Van Palmer:

Van teases you mercilessly but underneath it? She's kind of flustered. Not that she'd ever admit it. “Oh no, you’re one of those affectionate drunks” She laughs, holding your cup away. “Are you gonna tell me I’m pretty now?” You do, and her face goes blank for half a second before she recovers with a grin. “Well, thanks. You’re not bad yourself,” She replies. You look at her all starry eyed and say. “I like you.”

Van's whole expression flickers for a moment. “Yeah?” She asks, half joking. And you nod. “You have a huge crush on me, don’t you?” She teases you. You admit it, feeling a surge of braveness at the moment. “Wanna kiss me then? You look like you wanna kiss me.” You nod frantically in response and Van giggles. “Maybe when you're sober.” She replies. And later, when you're asleep on someone’s couch? She drapes a hoodie over you and quietly says “I like you too.”

Natalie Scatorccio:

Natalie stays cool on the surface, but you being drunk around her makes her nervous. Why? Because you're very affectionate when you're drunk. And Nat doesn't do those feelings well. But when it's you? She doesn’t walk away, even when she wants to. “Careful,” She says, keeping her voice low. “You’re kinda all over the place.” You smile at her, wide and stupid before saying “You’ve got the best laugh.”

She stares at you for a few minutes before rolling her eyes. “You’re drunk. You’ll forget this tomorrow.” She replies, and you shake your head. “You don't laugh that much, but when you do? I think... I'd spend forever trying to earn just one more of those laughs.” Nat doesn't know how to respond, but then she laughs and tucks a strand of your hair behind your ear before quickly pulling away. “Tell me more about that when you're sober.”

Lottie Matthews:

When you're drunk, she just sort of stays near and makes sure you're comfortable with whatever you're doing. “I think you’ve had enough,” She tells you gently, taking the cup from your hands. “You look like you’re from a perfume ad,” You just blurt out randomly when she helps you sit down on a couch somewhere. And Lottie? She just laughs softly, not entirely sure what to do with that. “Is that a good thing?” She asks. “Yes,” You replied. “Because you're beautiful just like them.”

“You’re really sweet,” She smiles at you, tucking your sleeves up. “Tell me again tomorrow If you still mean it.” And for a moment, despite all the ruckus going on around you guys, it's like nothing else exists but you two. Eventually, Lottie stands up and reaches out her hand to you. “Let’s get some air, yeah?” She murmurs, helping you get up from the couch and keeping you steady in her arms. “You’re drunk,” She says. “But… thanks. That meant a lot.”

Laura Lee:

She's stressed, very stressed. But she doesn’t leave. Instead, she sits you down somewhere and tells you about how much you need to be careful when drinking. She says it while she's beside you and making sure you're warm. “You shouldn’t have done this,” She tells you, brows furrowed. “But I’m not mad. Just… worried.” Then you slur something like “you’re really kind, and I feel better when you’re here” and she freezes for a moment.

“That’s…” She stares at you. “You shouldn’t say that. You’re drunk.” You look at her confusedly before she continues. “But thank you.” For a few minutes, she stays seated beside you before standing up and bringing you a blanket. She doesn't know what else to do with you like this, but she knows she has to look after you. She holds your hand for a while before saying. “Sleep, I'll be here until you wake up later.”

Misty Quigley:

Misty doesn’t know how to handle being needed, but she lives for it. So when you lean on her and say she’s the nicest person here? She lights up like a Christmas tree. “You think so?” She asks, smiling too wide. And you nod in response. Misty stays by your side all night, eager to help you with whatever. She’ll fetch water, find your bag, and even defend you from any people making you uncomfortable or so. Anything compliment you tell her while you're drunk gets logged away in her brain.

She tries to help you sober up but she's secretly loving how dependent you are on her in this moment. “Do you want me to stay with you until you feel better?” She asks innocently. “You’re so funny, Misty” You tell her, smiling a little and leaning on her shoulder. “And you always know what to do. T-That’s coool.” She giggles at you slurring your words. “Oh. Um. Thank you,” She chirps. “You should drink water. Lots of it, actually.”

[o0chiyami0o]

Second chance:

Pt 1. The Saviors

Lil warning before we start

Listen uh, I'm making a series because uh I want to. Judge me or not, I have a K9 dog with me(totaly a dog). But anyway other that I'd hope you all enjoy this lil series of mine, the reader have a bit of personality and hit of same backstory from a character, I'm not gonna really reveal who I was refering to but I'd love for you lots to keep guessing 'till someone guess it right:). Also, I'm not good with their accents so I might just slip in some the words I know, sorry.

Everything is dark and you can't even see a thing, is your eyes even open? Are you even alive? You keep asking yourself that. Your lungs feel full as if water were filling it each time you tries to took a breath.

Soft murmured can be heard but from where? You can barely make up the words they're saying "Poor soul" "Barely reach late twenties" "lord forgive this soul". And some you couldn't make up, soon the soft murmured became more louder and the voices adds up.

Your eyes finally flutter open only to meet with blinding white light as you can't feel yourself breathing, yet here you are, awake but the blinding light make you second guess it "Poor soul, it's not your time yet. I'll bring you back there but not at the same place you use to be. Be as brave as you're before." the voice say, sound so soft and soothing but something about it make you feel unease.

Before you could quest whoever's voice was it, you soon felt like yourself falling. The blinding light is no longer in view as you find yourself in a what seem to be a bulding with a gasp escape you once you feel yourself breathing again.

"What.. the fuck" you breath out as you clutch into your chest, everything felt so wrong and different as your eyes flick everywhere. The sounds of people yelling, screaming, gunshots and more chaos. Just what the hell is happening here? You ask yourself as you stand up on your feet before a groan escape you, everything hurts.

You look down at yourself before took a notice the bruses and wounds on your body which make your eyes widen 'What happening?' You repeat in confusion, you didn't have time to think before the door, that already broken anyway, kicked down by a male "Captain, foun' someone" he say, talking to the mic that were resting on his ear.

You took in his appearance, a soldier, what you can see from his uniform as his hair.. is somewhat unique for a soldier. Whatever it is, make you tense up once you saw his uniform. "Yer okay, bud?" He ask as he approach you, clutching the gun he holding while he keep his guard up.

You just continue to stare up at him, your mind telling you to fight or run but you remain still with body tensing. One time you're drowning and the other time you're here. Weird.

"Gee, could use a medic, kid" he say as he crouch down in front of you. Kid? You ask youself, this man doesn't seem to be older than you in any thought. "Come, let me help ya" he says as he put away his gun and carry you up in his arms. An arm behind your knees and the other behind your back.

"S'tense, wha' happened to ya, Lass?" Ask the man as he keeps his focus straight, running toward what seems to be a helicopter. His question remains unanswered as you keep your guard up when he steps into the vehicle only to meet four other men with the same uniform as his.

The sight make you tense up even more than you should which make the man who holding you took a notice of it "found 'er still breathing in one of the building. The other already left with the others suvivor" the man explain to his team as he sit down on the barely enough space in the vehicle.

"This is why I told 'em to check every building even there's no call out for help" mutter a man who sitting across from you, seems to be the oldest if you take in his appearance but look can always lie. "The medic is busy, let 'em be" say another man who offer you a sympathic smile.

The man who still holds you in his arms shift slightly to help you have a comfortable position while all of you fit in the small space "we're going" a gruff voice say from the pilot seat before the helicopter start do lift off from the ground.

"S'tense, where did ye find 'er?" Ask the man from across of you, tilting his head slightly as his bear shifting every time he start talking "one of the broken building, colaps as soon we leave. Lucky 'er" say the man who still holding you in place, giving his teammate a grin.

"Lass look traumatized" say the other man, who give you a softer gaze as if trying to help you ease up, that didn't help thought. "Wouldn't imagen wha' happend there, the town were turn upside down by tha' maniac".

That gets your attention as your gaze flick to the man who just talk. A maniac? Surely they just being overzealous but nothing is impossible to you anymore.

———

You can't remember shit. You're now in a medical room where they tend your wounds and bruses. They ask you your name, you say your name to them but it feel wrong to say as if it's wasn't even your name to begin with.

When the medics leave the room to let you heal, you hear the door of the room being open to reveal the man who save you "how 're ye doin' lass?" Ask the man as he approach your bed. Staying silent as you look up at him while laying down on the bed "not much of a talker are ye?" He ask, after a while he notice you're not going to answer him.

He soon called out your name with a grin on his face ",heard they called ye' that" he say as your head nod comfirm his words which make his grin widen when he knew you're not fully ignoring him. "Call me Soap, Bonnie" he say as he watch your expresion, wich to his supprised, you let out a short laughter.

This fact make him tries to pull out more of your laughter from you by making some jokes in hope to ease you up, some were so bad that manage pull out a louder laughter from you.

But soon it come to an end when one of the nurse tell him to leave you to heal, you watch him walk out of the room as he give you a grin before leaving the room.

You now left alone in the medical room, you glance to your side to find an open window that reveal the night sky. You look outside from your bed, looking at the stars as you still confused what will happend next since you know nothing of this place neither how you got here.

The stars held no answer for your questions as you found yourself slowly falling asleep, maybe tomorrow will answer at least some of the questions that have been flooding in your head.

Next

[elliotts-personal-property]

I Think I Love You (Joe Elliott x Reader)

A/N: Hey y'all, as promised here's the Joe one shot. Feeling super nervous rn, considering this is the first time I’ve posted my writing on here. I'd love to hear your feedback so I can improve on my writing. I'm open to any and all constructive criticism and encourage it! Anyways… I won't keep stalling for any longer. I hope y’all enjoy this one!!

Warnings: Mentions/references to making out/smut but nothing actually explicit happens.

Ps, if you really want to feel the vibe of this one shot I'd suggest listening to "I Think I Love You" by The Partridge Family while reading this💗

With love, Kris<3

-

Sheffield, 1982

I'm sleeping

And right in the middle of a good dream

Like all at once I wake up

The poor guy had been tossing and turning all night.

Joe couldn't get his mind off of you.

Just the thought of you disrupted his sleep.

From something that keeps knocking at my brain

In his eyes you were perfect. You were the only girl in the world he wanted. Of course that also meant you were the one girl, who in his eyes, had got away. The one he could never have. Why? Because you were his best friend.

For months upon months he was stuck in this endless cycle.

It went a little something like this:

He'd think about you so much so that he'd convince himself that he had to go tell you.

Then he'd work up the courage to say it.

He'd find the perfect time to confess but then start to reconsider his choice. He always would hold it back when he decided it wasn't a good idea after all.

He'd then go back to thinking about how perfect of a moment it would've been and mentally kick himself for not saying a thing.

And the cycle would repeat.

It went on and on and on.

Before I go insane

As a result of this, he hadn't had a good nights sleep in a while.

That night was different though.

I hold my pillow to my head

Something had finally snapped.

And spring up in my bed

He had known how he felt for a long time. But he had never actually come to terms with the gravity of it.

Screaming out the words I dread

I think I love you

All at once it hit him like a brick wall. He realized he truly loved you.

-

On the rare occasion that your best friend felt brave he'd indirectly hint at something more. After a while of not getting any knowing looks from you he just assumed that you were oblivious to all of his side comments. You in fact were not.

After a while you started to get impatient with him.

You wanted to shout it out loud, right in his face, "Dear God Joe just ask me out already!"

Recently those side comments from Joe had stopped. You would've said something to him if he hadn't stopped. But now you weren't even sure if he still cared, or if he had just given up and moved on. It would be stupid to lose your friendship over this. So you stayed quiet just to be safe.

It was a shocker to both you and everyone else how you two hadn't gotten together already.

There were so many signs. It was only a matter of time.

-

This morning

I woke up with this feeling

I didn't know how to deal with

Another night of restless sleep had gone by. It was worse than usual, so much so that by dawn he had already come up with a plan.

He knew what he had to do. He was going to tell you the only way he could. In the only unique love language he knew, through music.

If he was gonna do it, it had to be big and flashy. Joe wouldn't have it any other way.

He couldn't let his feelings lie dormant anymore. No, he thought, this time will be different. This time I won't back out.

And so I just decided to myself

I'd hide it to myself

And never talk about it

He had kept his feelings to himself for the past few years. Joe wanted to tell you, he really did. But in the back of his mind he worried about ruining the relationship you guys already had.

Joe loved you so much that he was willing to hide his feelings just so you wouldn't walk out on his life. He didn't want to lose you over some feelings he had. Ones that he couldn't guarantee you'd reciprocate. So, he believed it was best to keep it to himself.

And did not go and shout it

When you walked into the room

I think I love you

Joe didn't just think, he knew.

Joe was dead set on what he had to do. He just needed to get a few things sorted. First off was getting the guys on board with it.

-

Joe gathered his closest friends together. They were less like bandmates and more like brothers to him. He knew they would help him out. All it would take was a bit of convincing.

"Can you please help me out?" Joe pleaded.

He assured them about his plan.

"It's just one, and it'll be real quick."

"Alright, fine," the bassist answered for them all, "What song is it anyways?"

Joe told them his song of choice and they all gave him odd looks.

Sav cocked an eyebrow at the song choice.

"The Partridge Family? Are you serious?"

Phil chimed in, "You really think a band like us should be playing a song like that?"

Steve rested his hand on his head, "Everyone's going to make fun of us."

Joe tried to defend his choice, "You know it can't be that bad. We're playing in a pub for god's sake. It's not like the whole world's gonna be there."

The rest of the guys seemed unconvinced.

"Come on guys, you said you'd help me. Please?"

He kept on.

"Just help a bloke out, alright?"

And on.

"Please I promise I'll never ask for anything ever again."

Rick half-whispered to Sav.

"You know he's never gonna let it up. Not until we say yes at least."

Sav knew he was right. Joe wouldn't stop bugging them until they agreed.

"Okay fine, but it's only one song."

Joe nodded enthusiastically, "Mhm yeah, just one."

It was settled, they would help. Now all that was left was to get you there.

-

I think I love you

So what am I so afraid of?

The thought of telling you was exciting to him, yet terrifying.

I'm afraid that I'm not sure of

A love there is no cure for

His heart raced as he drove over to your place.

I think I love you

Joe was already cheery about just the thought of you going.

Isn't that what life is made of?

He hadn't felt this excited over something in a long time.

As he pulled onto your street he tapped on the steering wheel. It was due to the mix of both the pure joy of excitement and an ever growing anxious feeling that was building up inside.

Though it worries me to say

That I've never felt this way

-

Believe me

You really don't have to worry

"You'll be there tomorrow, right?"

"Of course," you answered with a wide smile, "You guys go on at eight, right?"

God he loved your smile. It could light up any room.

He melted just looking at you. Anytime you spoke to him he lost all train of thought.

You snapped your fingers to get his attention.

"Joe?"

"Oh- um, yeah. Eight, we'll be on then."

I only wanna make you happy

After you said yes he began going through that same cycle again. He started doubting his whole plan. Wondering if it would work or not.

There was no way he could back out now though. For the past few days they'd been practicing that song, not stopping until Joe felt satisfied with the final product.

He wondered if you would stick around after all of this.

Would you tell him to "beat it" and move on with your life without him? Or would you stay there by his side?

And if you say, "Hey, go away"

I will

Joe crossed his fingers, hoping for the best outcome possible.

But I think better still

I'd better stay around and love you

He was determined to make sure you stayed.

Do you think I have a case?

Let me ask you to your face

Do you think you love me?

Tomorrow night he'd get the long awaited answer to that question.

I think I love you

-

You arrived early, wanting to make sure you were right up front. This is what you always did. It was your way of showing Joe you cared. You mindlessly tapped your fingers against the small stage, waiting for them to come out.

Meanwhile Joe was there fixing himself up in their tiny dressing room, (if you could even call it one). It was fairly small. The owner had "renovated" one of their small back rooms into a "dressing room".

He stood in front of the vanity mirror fluffing out the rest of his hair. Joe was doing any and everything in his power to keep his mind off of the plan. He looked at his reflection as he told himself to just smile and hope for the best. Whatever happens happens, it was no longer in his control anymore.

After waiting for what felt like forever the guys finally came out on stage. As Joe got on he stopped in front of you and sent you a quick smile before turning his attention to the other patrons of the bar.

You cheered along the whole time as they went through their usual set list. It didn't matter how many times you'd seen them, you were always captivated by their showmanship.

Time always seemed to fly by whenever you watched them play.

By now you had memorized their set list and were almost sure they were closing out now, having just played Wasted. They always saved it for last and were just about ready to leave.

That was before Joe had something to say.

The cheering in the room died down as Joe placed the mic back in its stand. He adjusted it right to his level, getting ready to speak.

"We have one last song for you all tonight. We're gonna take a little change of pace if that's alright with you."

He took a glance around at his bandmates, giving them all a quick nod before adding on.

"This one goes out to a very special someone. Someone who means the world to me."

His eyes drifted down to the people in the front row, moving one by one until eventually landing onto you.

"This is for you, Y/N."

Taking one last deep breath in he calmed himself before counting the guys in.

All of them started in, "Ba, ba ba ba, ba ba ba ba, ba."

You giggled at the ridiculousness of it before fully realizing the gravity of this song.

You knew what it was the second they sung the first line.

You hadn't heard it in such a long time and had practically forgotten about it, forgotten how much you loved it. It was always one of your favorites, and Joe had known that for a while now.

All thoughts completely left your mind when Joe began to sing.

"I'm sleeping,

And right in the middle of a good dream,

Like all at once I wake up,

From something that keeps knocking at my brain,

Before I go insane,

I hold a pillow to my head,

And spring up in my bed,

Screaming out the words I dread."

The rest of the guys joined in on the next line.

"I think I love you!”

This was his confession.

His eyes couldn't help but drift towards you.

"I think I love you."

While preforming Joe tried to keep his attention with the rest of the audience equal, but he kept on letting his eyes go back to you, like some sort of magnet that couldn't be pulled apart.

If him dedicating this song to you wasn't the most obvious thing, you'd say his looks alone were enough to tell you that this was for you.

You couldn't help but feel a smile tugging at your lips. Your cheeks started to feel sore from the excessive smiling.

"So what am I so afraid of?"

Every time his eyes caught yours you felt your heart skip a beat.

"I'm afraid that I'm not sure of a love there is no cure for."

Joe really did care about you, deep down inside he did, he always did.

Soon the song came to a close with their repeated "I think I love you's" becoming more and more quiet as they faded off.

They all came front and center, taking a short bow together as the crowd in the bar cheered them on.

The girl next to you had to have already been out of it.

"You're a lucky girl, huh?" she practically yelled into your ear. You couldn't blame her though, she was standing directly in front of an amplifier the whole time.

It snapped you out of the trance you seemed to have slipped into.

"Oh-uh yeah," you smiled.

"Look," she said, swinging her arm to point at the guys in front of you.

The rest of them were making their way off, leaving through the stage left.

Joe was the last one still up there.

You stayed staring at him in disbelief, not even knowing what to do. He had finally said it... or well sung it, same difference. What was there you could do?

He tilted his head to your right gesturing off to the side of the stage, to what you only could assume led to their dressing room.

He flashed you a quick smile before sending a subtle wink your way.

If it was anybody else, you'd say you were surprised by their actions, but for Joe? Well that's a different story.

With both of her hands the girl next to you latched onto your arm.

"Ooh looks like someone's gettin' some action tonight!"

Your cheeks flushed red and you prayed to god no one else heard.

Immediately you turned to Joe, hoping he hadn't heard the girl's remark.

His eyes darted away from you. Before Joe left you saw him trying to suppress his chuckling, but ultimately failing. His smug smile was the last thing you saw as he walked off the stage.

Of course he had to have heard it, why wouldn’t he?

The girl let go of you when you told her you had to leave. She told you something along the lines of, "Have fun tonight!" before you left.

You went around the corner finding the door that you guessed led backstage. The door was locked from the inside and there was no way of getting in. You didn't worry though, knowing that the guys would come out soon enough.

After a couple minutes of waiting by the door an ecstatic Rick swung it open. The rest of the guys shuffled their way out, but with their lead nowhere in sight.

You turned your attention towards the last member to come out.

"Is he?"

"Third door to the right," Sav answered before you could even finish asking your question.

"Thanks."

He gave you a warm smile, still holding the door open for you, letting you slip through to the back hallway.

"See you in a bit," he said, letting the door shut behind you.

Even though there was no reason to, you counted to yourself as you passed by each of the doors.

One...

Two...

You felt your heart race as you got closer to the last one.

...Three

You stood there for a moment trying to see if you could hear anything on the other side. You didn't and knew it was time to stop stalling.

After taking a deep breath to compose yourself you rested your hand on the cool doorknob.

Here goes nothing.

You slowly opened the door as quietly as you could and after shutting it watched the scene play out before you.

He stood there in front of a vanity mirror facing away from you. He hadn't noticed you but you could see his face clear as day through the reflection.

Joe was humming a tune while brushing his hair. You immediately recognized what song it was.

He was humming the one he had just played. His tone was full of pure joy.

Once he was done he ran his fingers through his hair, trying to shape it some more.

The man in front of you looked fine already but seemed to be getting ready for something more.

He adjusted the collar of his shirt before picking up a small bottle of cologne. Adding just a spray to his neck and one to his wrist before turning around.

Joe's humming abruptly stopped and his eyes widened.

"Oh… you're here?"

You'd been caught staring.

At this point any embarrassment that you could have had got washed away whenever he decided to dedicate that song to you.

"Sorry, I-"

"Don't be," he cut you off.

He set the bottle down and slowly approached you, seeming to take his time with it.

You watched carefully as he took every painfully slow step.

You didn't know where to start, but knew you had to say something.

"You guys were great."

"Thank you."

You had to bring it up, you couldn't bare to wait any longer.

"That song you played. Did you?"

You stopped, taking a quick glance around, noting that it was just the two of you in the room, before finishing.

"Did you really mean that?"

His gaze softened at the question.

"Yes."

He paused before stepping closer, leaving barely any room between the two of you.

"I meant every word of it."

Your heart sped up with every word he spoke.

"Y/N I mean it."

His hand moved up to tuck the loose hair behind your ear.

"I think I love you."

You had been longing to hear those words for such a long time. Never in your lifetime did you think it would happen, but it finally did.

He said that to you, and you only.

After all this time, you heard those three words you loved the most.

"I love you."

His hand moved down to cup the side of your face. You lightly nudged your face against his warm palm. Closing your eyes you took a deep breath in, wanting to smell more of the cologne that rested on his wrist.

When you opened your eyes his hand moved down to carefully tilt your chin up.

Your eyes faced him now.

"I love you too."

This was the moment. The moment you waited forever for.

Heart racing and eyes wide you both slowly drew in closer. It felt like the longest seconds of your life, waiting for him to connect with you.

You looked into his emerald green eyes before letting yours flutter closed.

Soon enough you felt the feather light touch on your lips. It felt like heaven to you.

You brought one hand up, letting you fingers run through his light brown hair.

You felt Joe's other hand reach down to the small of your back, gently pulling you closer into him.

All you could do now was relax your body and take in the overwhelming smell of his cologne.

After what felt like an eternity, the two of you finally pulled away from one another. You already missed the feeling of his soft lips on yours.

You refused to back up from him, leaving hardly any gap between you two.

His warm breath fell on your lips as he mumbled, "You don't know how long I've wanted this."

"Me too."

Joe's hands dropped down and his fingers latched onto the belt loops of your jeans before lightly tugging at them, pulling you closer.

Your hips were pulled forward and you lightly bumped against him before falling back and resting mere inches from him.

Joe's eyes quickly scanned over your face as if he was looking for a cue of some sort.

Though you had never seen this look on him before, you knew exactly what it meant.

"Please Y/N."

That short plea was more than enough to get you going.

Your arms almost instinctively wrapped around his neck, letting him know you were okay with it.

"Come on," he said, slightly lowering himself to reach the back of your legs. He lifted you up and stepped back to sit in the armchair placed in front of the mirror

Your legs were pinned close on either side of him, resting between his outer thighs and the arms of the chair.

Without warning the two of you crashed into each other once more, desperate for each other's touch.

He hummed into the kiss, making you relish in the feeling he gave you.

-

You didn't know exactly how much time had gone by, but you knew a decent amount had passed.

Slowly, you drew away from his neck and let out a shaky breath, still wanting more. It had now been a little while since you first got in there and you knew it would only be a matter of seconds until someone barged in looking for two of you.

Your eye contact with him continued as you calmed your breathing.

Lightly pushing yourself away, resting your hands on his stomach, you finally spoke up.

"We should go. They're pry wondering what's taking so long."

Joe thought about it for a second. Seemingly weighing the pros and cons of both staying and going.

"Who cares? Let 'em wonder."

You planted one last quick kiss before making an offer.

"How about later, yeah?"

A wicked smile spread across his face, already thinking of what was to come, "Yeah."

You pulled yourself off of him and tried to fix the newfound wrinkles in your clothes. After getting up he did the same and you stayed there fixing yourselves up.

Just as the two of you were about to walk out you stopped him.

"Wait."

He turned to you.

"You’ve got a little…," you trailed off as you brought your thumb up to the corner of his mouth.

"Something," you finished as you wiped the last bit of red lipstick off of him.

Feeling content with how the two of you looked, you set off out of the dressing room and back down the hallway.

He held the door open for you and led you out into the main room.

You both scanned your eyes around the bar floor trying to find the guys.

Joe grabbed onto your hand and held on as he guided you through the crowd. He led you over to the round booth where they were all seated. As you approached the booth he gave your hand a light squeeze before letting go.

It took only one glance at the you two for the teasing to start.

"Woah!" Phil exclaimed, "What happened in there?"

"Nothing," Joe replied making his best attempt at a deadpan tone.

"You sure about that?"

The rest joined in on by adding "ooohs," sounding exactly like a group of kids in elementary who just found out one of their classmates was called into the principals office.

This was only the beginning of the never ending teasing that was to come.

Phil raised his eyebrows, "Just couldn't wait until you got home, huh?"

Joe rolled his eyes at his bandmates teasing.

Sure you had been gone for a bit, but you knew there had to have been something else causing their reactions.

You looked between yourself and Joe quickly noticing the culprit.

Though you had made sure to get all your lipstick off his face you forgot to check the collar of his shirt. The sloppy kisses had caused you to completely miss his neck in some spots and just get his shirt. The shirt in question being a white one didn't help your case.

There was no sense in trying to rub it off now, and not like you could anyways.

Rick and Sav scooted around to make room for you and Joe.

As you sat down you both noticed all the other guys were already starting their night off with their drinks in hand.

Joe looked around at each and every one of them, "You started without us, aye?”

"We waited for a little while, but you guys took too long," Sav replied.

Joe turned to face you, "How 'bout a round?"

You smiled, "Sure."

-

Thank you so much for reading!! I hope you liked it💗

[dr-abitat-blog]

Whumpay Day 21: "They'll be fine...right?"

I know I'm quite a few days behind but hoping to catch up and get as far as I can x Dr Slade belongs to the brilliant @whumpsmith T/W: Injury, chase scene, attempted healing, 'has-to-get-worse-before-it-gets-better'

“Hold on, it’s gonna be one bumpy ride!”

That’s the only warning we get before he slams on the gas. With a violent rev, the van floors ahead, gaining distance from our relentless pursuers.

“Bloody hell,” Dr Slade curses, holding onto the side, “Speed limits are a thing, you know!” 

Krissy and I slump against the wall, holding on for dear life, although my friend’s pained grimacing isn’t lost on me. 

“Are you okay, Kris?” “Y-yeah, I’m fine. Nothing to worry about.”

Naturally, their lie is utterly transparent. 

“How’s your leg, lad – really?”  

“Um…”

Krissy hesitates for a moment, still trying to keep a brave face as our older companion checks the makeshift bandage I’d tied earlier after freeing their leg from that trap, “F-fine, it hurts and I can barely walk on—gnngha!”

They cry out as he tries to move their leg. He immediately winces. 

“Aye, that’s not good – and the wound is quite deep.”

Definitely not good.

“They’ll be fine…right?”

“... they should be, but ideally we need to clean and close it as soon as we can. The last thing we need is it getting infected. You should be able to help with that.”

“...me?” I repeat, wondering if I misheard.

“You’re a sanitatem, remember?” he adds, his gaze firmly fixed in my direction, “That means your powers have healing potential—”

“B-but I’ve never used them for that before! I have no idea how it works!”

Images of burning green fire and red raw skin flash before my eyes. I give my head a hard shake, fear growing along with the prickles already coursing through my nerves. “What if I hurt them, or—”

“If we wait too long, it could make things worse. Time isn’t on our side, Lightbug. You need to try.”

His eyes meet mine, serious. “And there will come a time when you need to use your powers for this purpose. Trust me, there’s no better time to learn than now!”

“But—!” “Listen to me, lad! The first thing you need to do is calm yourself down.”

“Y-you really expect me to be calm right now?!”

The question comes out in a disbelieving shout. Dr Slade raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t comment otherwise. A small murmur from Krissy quickly gets my attention.

“I-it’s okay, Ash. Just try it – better than nothing.”

“K-Kris—”

“I trust you.”

Their declaration shocks me. Not a second of hesitation is there as their teary eyes meet mine. Even through the pain they send me a small smile. “S-so don’t hold back, got it?”

They trust me – more than I trust myself.

“I…o-okay. Calm. Just…be calm.”

“Aye. Take some deep breaths. Use that mantra thing you told me, ‘Mind equals the Matter?’”

“‘Mind Over The Matter’,” I correct him quietly, drawing in a deep breath. 

I can feel both of their eyes on me as I start to slow my breathing.

Mind. Over. The. Matter — In — Mind. Over. The. Matter — out.

Slowly, the calmness washes over me. The prickling becomes less intense. My heart settles in my chest.

“Good. Now hold your hand over the wound and let the energy flow inside it.”

Even though I am a little calmer, the nerves still bite at me, especially the very real ‘what if’ possibility of making things worse. 

I can do this. I can do this…

Ignoring Krissy’s pained murmurs, I gently wrap my hand over their bloody calf. Panic spikes in me again as I release the mental barrier holding back my essence, trying to ignore the sticky warmth against my fingers. Green soon licks across them, seeping into the wound from all directions. My eyes widen a little as I watch.

Is that—

“AGH!”

Krissy’s pained yell immediately breaks the concentration. The essence flows faster, burning their leg and eliciting a sound crossed between a sob and a shriek, attempting to pull their limb away. They half kick me in response.

“Lad, stop—Ash!”

 With a horrified cry I pull away, watching the flames leap from my trembling palms. “O-Oh Go—sorry! I-I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry—”

“You almost had it, just try a—”

“I can’t do this!”

“You can—”

“I CAN’T!”

 The essence burns my hands, eliciting a few pained cries of my own. Gnashing my teeth through the pain, I feel my breathing picking up, especially at the stunned expressions on Dr Slade and Krissy’s faces. Another tiny sob escapes me. “...I-I’m sorry, I just—”

“No, it’s understandable. You’re just kids at the end of the day. Bloody hell…”

He swipes a hand through his hair, sighing deeply. “Just try again. Krissy, I know it hurts, it has to get worse before it gets better. Can you try to bear it a little longer?”

“I-I’ll try,” they answer bravely, holding back a sniffle, “Y-you got this, Ash.”

I’m honestly terrified to try again. I really am — but Krissy is counting on me, so is Dr Slade.

Be brave, Ash. Be brave.

Taking a few more deep breaths, I move back over to Krissy, trying to stop my hand shaking as I grasp their calf again.

“Keep your focus. Unless I tell you to pull away, you don’t stop, arite?”

“A-alright.”

Inhaling, I ensure my palm is pressed against the exposed tissue before letting the essence out. The prickles sting and burn. I fight back every growing wave of panic as Krissy cries out again in pain. My other hand suddenly finds itself reaching for their own. “Squeeze my hand,” I instruct them quietly, lifting my head up to meet their eyes, “Squeeze it as tight as you can, alright?”

“M-mhmm…”

Their fingers soon close around mine, giving them a small grateful squeeze and attempting to clench their teeth together to hold back their continued cries. Needless to say, trying to use my powers in this way for the first time whilst in the back of a fast-moving vehicle engaged in an epic chase sequence is not the best environment to be doing this, but Dr Slade is right. I know he is. That’s why I don’t stop. I force my concentration to remain firmly on Krissy, on the essence.

Mind. Over. The. Matter…th-that’s it—!

“Th-that’s it — you’re doing great, Kris. You’re doing great—”

“B-burns—Burns!”

A horrible sounding yowl rips from their throat as they almost crush my hand. Tears crawl down their cheeks, soon mirrored on my own face as they start to sob.

“D-Dr Slade—”

“Keep going. It’s starting to work—you’re both doing so well—!”

I don’t feel like I’m doing well. Not when Krissy is sitting there, crying and shaking against me as I attempt to ‘heal’ them. Not when I know that I’m the one responsible for their pain. Through my teary gaze, I lift my hand slightly to get a better look at the damage. Their lower leg stares back at me, raw with underlying layers of subcutaneous fat exposed. Scarlet still stains their skin. My own fingers are now dyed in red. Somehow, I manage to keep from hurling at the sight of it, let alone the distinct metallic smell. However, I do notice that the amount of blood compared to before is considerably…less.

Does that mean—is it really working?!

Invigorated by that fact, I resume my full focus. It’s exhausting, but for Krissy’s sake I don’t budge. Even with the tears and pained whimpers, I keep going. Dr Slade sits beside us the whole time, one hand holding onto Krissy’s free arm — for both support and to stop them from trying to rip my hand off their leg— 

“Hold on, Starchild. Just a little longer—”

“A-Ash—how much—it—nghaaaa!”

They quickly stuff their free hand in their mouth, half-biting down on it to control the pain with a muted sob. 

“I-I know, I know it hurts — scream, cry, crush my whole hand, whatever you have to do!”

Their eyes remain tightly screwed shut as they almost cut off the circulation in my hand. I  continue to let the essence spread through their calf, slowly but surely reknitting precious fibres back together to reduce the depth of their wound. 

 “S-stmmgh—plmmgh STMMGH!”

I can tell exactly what they’re pleading with me – and I can’t do it, not yet. 

Come on, faster! Faster! 

The truck continues to jostle and jerk us around, but we keep going, as painful and difficult as it is. Another strained sob. Another crushing squeeze of my hand. I almost sob with them, hating the sound of them in pain. It feels as if we’ve been going at it forever, until I feel a familiar warmth starting to tickle my nose, dripping down onto my lip.

Blood—

“That’s enough now. Pull away, Lightbug.”

“But I — nngh — haven’t finished—”

“It doesn’t matter. Pull away.”

“Nngh…”

Something in his tone sends a shudder through me. Releasing their leg, I quickly pull my hand back. My hands are still a little bloody from their injury. I barely take in the blood spotting from my nose, peering through the haze at Krissy’s exhausted shaking form. At the same time, Dr Slade, squeezes their shoulder, inspecting their leg himself.

“It’s definitely not as deep as it was,” he murmurs, ripping some fresh material from his own shirt, “It’s arite, Starchild. It’s over. Let me just wrap it up.”

As he secures the fresh temporary dressing over their wound, I finally gather the will to address them as they sit there panting, a few tears still trailing down their face.

“I-I’m sorry, Kris. I’m so sorry you—”

“N-no…y-you did…what you had to…nngh…”

They slowly raise their head, meeting my face with a teary exhausted expression. “I-it just stings now. Burning…n-not so bad.”

“G-good…come here, no need to cry now...”

They cough for a moment, peering back at me tearily as I use my own cardigan sleeve to dry the tears on their cheeks

“Nngh…Ash. I…y-you’re crying too…a-and your nose—”

“I’m fine.”

The tears remain wet on my cheeks, but I just brush them away with my other sleeve. “I-I’m just glad you’re okay, Kris.”

“Y-yeah…although you…you guys definitely owe me first pick…o-on sandwiches tonight.”

Their comment brings the ghost of a smile to my face. Even after all of that, they’re still able to crack a joke.

“Heh…I think that’s fair.”

[vancruejovi]

{Incoming pep talk] Listen to me. *Leans in so we're face-to-face, puts my hands lightly on your shoulders*

Your art and music are INSANE! It's so refreshing to see you not only fully embrace your passions for '80s rock n' roll and WWE but also act on them through art and music! I wish I were that brave. Your music is especially refreshing because it's modern, but every inch pulses with that pure '80s sound that could fit into literally any '80s media.

And your art? It reminds me of the early-to-mid 2000s Archie comics style in the BEST WAY. YOU ROCK! P.S. I'm prepared to repeat this digital confidence boost as needed!😉🫂

Stop you’re gonna make me cry 😭 This is so kind thank you so much. You have been such a cheerleader for me on here and I really do appreciate it. I honestly didn’t expect this many kind words about my art from everyone. I promise to try and be less hard on myself 💕

[maryhadalittlehobby]

No liveblog for the first episode so have this little recap/review.

E1 "What can the damned say to the damned"

E2"Do you know what it means to be loved by Death"-livebog

Off the bat these light hearted smooth Jazz had me like huh? oh this gonna be different huh?

What is the significance of them perching on this statue. It looks like its of Pegasus-the winged horse in greek mythology but it also looks like it has another part to it. Now in one myth he was born from the blood of a beheaded woman!! Forshadowing?

I could listen to Louis speak in his Nola accent ALL DAY. Jacob love you are killing it. HospiTAL

Another interesting thing-he is losing his French after only 5+ years?Something something about distancing himself from Lestat

Also I hope that Staten Island reference was a nod to our other favorite vamps who live in Staten Island

my girl is a thief lol

"You tell me what it is to be a woman and Ill tell you what it is to be a woman " Ok COOK Claudia

Gauche!! our first looks and words from our coven!

Loumand keep repeating that they have been together 77 years . We get it babes. Daniel feels that way too. And the slight to Lestat-thats FORTY SEVEN more than he spent with him. So proud of that lol

THEY ARE DAMN NEAR SITTING ON TOP OF EACH OTHER!

Claudia and Louis really were damn baby birds. How the hell did they not sense these vampires stalking them in the open a few feet away lol

Louis little neck tie I cant!

Is that how you sell yourself yourself 🤝🏾A lie I told myself about myself

"Yeah" I like how both Louis and Armand later mimic Eric's voice saying it

"I don't know what I need- Maybe a new brain in my head" omg can they stop!! I do not want this!

My Louis is happy. Or at least not sad. And it looks good on him!

Claudia and Madeline's first interaction Its funny how its so antagonistic

I love how Claudia has PURPOSELY chosen to butcher the French accent. We see she can master languages and accents easily from their time in easter Europe. Another FU to Lestat. He would hate it lol

Why is Louis sooooo loopy in Dubai lol Is it the Sun? Is he fighting off the dead sleep? Something is up. Our young friends

I was a rougher thing🤝🏾 I was and armored thing

WHERE are the BRAVE MEN I WAS PROMISED?!

This background blur perspective bro. Something is WRONG is this Armand fucking with us too

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT (for amand at least) Im sick Louis looks scared shitless lol

I LOVE that lavender dress especially without the caplet

SANTIBABY has arrived and I'm sat! That monologue! it rivals Jacobs confession booth!

I have a mighty need to cosplay him Im sorry

Louis looking lovingly at Claudia as she enjoys the theatre mirroring Louis lovingly looking at Lestat as he enjoyed the Opera. Kill me now

Louis thinking WHY DO YOU DO THIS SANTIAGO?

Eglee being a astrology girly is so funny

Daniel KILLED me with his telenovella spiel

Vermouth and annihilation. Vermouth is said to tastes light, florally and even medicinal. Annihilation means complete destruction so aka Lestat tastes nasty lol. I wonder if Louis would agree. We cut from them quickly so...

Louis being surprised by Armand's tirst with the father and son!

I want to lick these two. We got to stay away from Estelle if we can😂

She felt their lust!oh man what was she feeling when Louis and Lestat were NM

Roget said :or maybe Lestat is sleeping" Does he know he is a vampire?! Has that knowlege been passed down through generations?

My Louis. I'm already in pieces

Sam bodied that letter reading. I fucking teared up.

But why the Brad Pit Blowout . He got his hair did in pugatorty and we can tell

LesDot de Lioncoouuurrr Ok sir we get it.

"Lestat Lestat Lestat" Daniel too?! Lol

Danny can dish it but he can't take but alsoLouis please! Leave my grandpa alone

I love how the trailers really tricked us into thinking so much. I though the letter reading scene was a revisit of the Ms Lily threesome scene. I thought the after math scene was Danny somehow driving as wedge between Loumand but it was just Louis being pissed/upset at Daniel for making a joke of his pain. And i know so many others thought the same. We really don't know shit!

Amand is Alice truthers IDK but I think Armand was there. How was could he know what Alice was thinking

Louis falling asleep might as well be him calling Santiago a buffoon lol Persona non grata- a person not favored or welcomed.

And nooo I didn't get the bottom of the Beret look for Claudia correct for my cosplay. We didn't have a full shot so I took a guess. Oh well. She is wearing dark pants for her bottoms. I wonder why she is in pants? Have they become more fashionable/acceptable for women to wear in the 40's ? Or is she rebelling against the fashion of the time?

The way I was squirming and squeeling when we first saw this estate scene at nycc 2023. I was like" am I a loumand girlie now??" I can't deny they look good together and have amazing chemistry

Another goddam beheading reference. What is this 4 now?!

My Dear American friend you are a horrible liar lol That little switch in Amands demeaner with DONT. Chills!

Louis please don't start pretending to fit in and like what these fiends are doing babes. He was so happy at the start of the episide but we leave him with a conflicted fake smile😞

This episode was WILD!I'm obsessed with the visual choices, the music choices, the jokes with the juxposition of these deeply dramatic moments. How is this all in one episode?! How did it not feel rushed with so much happening. It was brillant and has moved up to my 2nd favorite episode between both parts. I could never have predicted this tonal change. This is the best show around. I am cladia at the theatre- wide eyed and clapping furiously. Brava! Bravo!

[brainyxbat]

Chapter 5: Broggy's Bitter Tears of Victory! The Conclusion of Elbaf

(episode 73)

"There's the signal. Today is very promising!"

"You're going?! Your wounds from that last battle still haven't-!"

"It's nothing! The conditions are the same for the both of us! Making excuses during a merciless fight to the death would spoil my name!"

"Hey! Wait, old guy! Don't go!"

"You can't go, Dorry-san! You need to keep still! You'll die if you push yourself too hard!"

"I, Warrior Dorry, am here... at the very least... I will fight to uphold the name of Elbaf!"

-

As the volcano continued shaking the island with repeated eruptions, Dorry forced himself up. Vivi stepped back when he grabbed his house. "Don't tell me he's-!" To her shock, he lifted the whole thing right off the ground.

"Awesome! He picked up that gigantic rock!" Luffy watched in awe.

Vivi distanced herself further. "Luffy-san!"

Before he could move away, Dorry slammed the rock right on him, so he was pinned down. "What're you doing, old guy?!" He struggled under the tremendous weight, and smacked the dirt. "Move this rock! Hey!"

"It can't be stopped," Dorry panted, as the cloud of dirt cleared up, "It was over a hundred years ago, when we started the battle. But running from a battle you've started, is the same as running from the title of "warrior."" He picked up his sword. "If I am no longer a warrior, I will no longer be me." He looked down at Luffy and Vivi. "I'm sorry I suspected you. This is the judgement given by... Elbaf, the God of War. I didn't have his divine protection. That's all."

Luffy seethed in anger, as he started walking away. "Gods, and divine protection, and all that have nothing to do with this! If a God told you to die, would you?! This duel has been interfered with!" Dorry stopped. "A duel that's been interfered with isn't a duel anymore! Isn't that right?!"

"Be quiet!" He ordered. "You've lived only a mere 10 or 20 years; you wouldn't understand the grand words of Elbaf!" He continued his trek.

"Who gives a crap about that?!" Lufy struggled some more, as he punched the boulder. "Hey! Move this thing! Hey! Old guy!" His shouts fell on deaf ears, as Vivi could only watch Dorry leave. "Hey! Old guy! Dammit! I can't move this!"

-

"Okay, Master Broggy! Go get 'im!" Usopp encouraged.

Broggy laughed heartily, with the sniper imitating him exceptionally. "You bet, Usopp! I'm gonna wipe the floor with him for sure this time!"

"Go get 'im, Warrior of Elbaf!" Broggy started heading off for the duel. "You can do it! You're strong! Strong! Strong! You're big! Big!"

"How can he keep doing this pointless fighting?" Nami watched him go.

"Don't call it pointless fighting, you idiot!" Usopp raged, stomping his foot, as Venus glared at her. "Broggy's a brave warrior of the sea, like the kind I'm aiming to be! What gives you the right-"

Nami stood up on the ground. "Anyway, let's return to the ship." She looked at the Log Pose. "Waiting a year for the Log to store up is out of the question! We need to wait on the ship for everyone, and come up with a plan." She started to leave.

"Hold it! Not so fast!" Usopp called after her. "I am absolutely useless in a fight against dinosaurs! As such, we cannot possibly traverse the jungle to reach our ship!"

"What was all that "brave warrior of the sea" stuff just now, then?" Nami interrogated.

"I meant that in the mental sense! I want to be a man who's proud of the way he lives!"

'No choice,' She thought, 'Luffy's group is at the other giant's house. Guess we'll head there.'

"Listen, Nami, Venus-chan. Even if I wind up losing everything someday, and greet death all alone on a deserted island, I'll proudly say this about my life as I die: "I am Usopp, brave warrior of the sea!"" He finally fell on his back.

"Yeah, yeah." Nami started dragging him by his satchel, with the strap around his neck. "Then will you hurry up, and be a dependable warrior?"

"You're choking him!" Venus removed the strap, and started pulling by his overalls instead. "Let's go!" She cheered.

"Oh... alright!"

-

As the duel was about to begin, Broggy laughed obliviously. "Dorry! How was your drink?! Hit the spot, didn't it?!"

"Yeah," He glared, "It tasted "Godly.""

Broggy laughed again. "You're so full of exaggerations! Let's go!" As they fought, he noticed something was off about his opponent. "What's wrong, Dorry?! You're a bit sluggish!"

"Don't be a fool! I'm the same as always!"

-

Meanwhile, Luffy was still struggling to free himself. "Move, you stupid thing! Come on!" He punched the ground in fury. "Just when it seemed like I met an awesome warrior!"

"Luffy-san..." 'Why would he go this far for a giant he just met?' Vivi wondered. 'He hardly seems like a criminal with a bounty on his head.'

"Who is it?! Who's putting a damper on the giants' fight?!"

After a beat of silence, Vivi had a realization. "Come to think of it... Karoo is gone!"

-

A scared Karoo was running from the earlier exchange, before stopping to catch his breath. "Oh? Isn't this the ugly bird the one princess always has with her?" He spit out his drink in fear.

"Yeah." He slowly turned around; Ms. Valentine, and Mr. 5 were right behind him. He screamed in fear, and started to back away. "Don't run away!" Mr. 5 ordered, and he stopped dead in his tracks. "We were lucky enough to meet out here after all. There's something we'd like you to do."

"That's right," Ms. Valentine added.

-

Meanwhile, Zoro had caught his watcher: another, bigger triceratops. He dragged it through the jungle, but realized he didn't know where he was. "Damn, I'm lost. I do recognize this tree, but... it was "go left from the tree wrapped in vines," right?"

He then noticed a certain redhead leaning against another tree close by. "Oh! It's you, Nami!" He smiled with relief. "Perfect timing! I just lost my way, you see, so I wasn't sure what to do." He dragged it closer. "What're you doing here, anyway?" He stopped in confusion when she was strangely still and quiet; and smiling for no reason. "Hey, what's the deal?" He didn't notice two pairs of eyes watching him.

-

"Dinosaur!" Nami screamed.

"Dinosaur! Dinosaur! Dinosaur!" Usopp rambled fearfully.

While running, Venus suddenly tripped over a root, and tumbled on the ground. "Venus!" Nami raged. "Fine time to fall! You're on your own!"

"No!" Usopp protested, and returned for her.

To Nami's chagrin, after he hoisted Venus on his shoulder, zipped away at lightning speed far ahead. "Hey, you! You're too fast!" She stopped to catch her breath, oblivious to being watched. "Urgh, that guy. She's just a liability with that clumsiness." She then perked up at a certain captain. "Luffy! What a relief!" He was standing in front of a tree, hand up as if he was waving. "What are you doing here?" She walked closer, and immediately noticed something was off; he wasn't moving a muscle, and he had a strange texture to him. Before she could react, she was soaked in a strange, white substance.

At the scream of terror, Usopp stopped dead in his tracks. He looked back, and realized it was just the two of them. "N-Nami?"

"Where could she have gone?" Venus wondered aloud, as they scaled the area. She then gasped in realization. "You don't think-?" She stopped, and held onto his neck and shoulders when his legs started shaking.

"Nami! Nami! Nami! Nami!" He glanced every which way, tears of terror falling. "This is not good. Luffy!" He started a mad sprint once more, making Venus yelp in surprise. "Luffy! Luffy! Luffy! Luffy!" He jumped into a clearing. "Luffyyyy!" In his haste, he bounced off a rock, and crashed into a wall, before falling on his back. "Oww." Venus also suffered some brunt; on her backside from the rock, and her head lastly when falling from his grip.

"Oof," She groaned from next to the rock, then perked up at seeing two familiar faces close by. "Hey! Luffy, Vivi!"

Usopp then jumped to his feet, and ran up to them, dragging her behind. "Terrible news! A dinosaur ate Nami!"

"Seriously?!" Luffy exclaimed in horror.

"We were running through the jungle to get away from it, and then suddenly she was gone! Oh! What do I do now?! I let my friend get killed!"

"It was my fault!" Venus cried. "If I hadn't tripped-"

"No, I was going too fast!"

"H-hold on!" Vivi tried to cut in. "Calm down, you three!" They all turned to her, now calm. "If she suddenly disappeared, does that mean you don't know for sure?"

"Are you crazy?!" Usopp exclaimed. "I was too terrified to check, and make sure!"

"Everything was a blur," Venus added.

"If it wasn't a dinosaur, it was a wild beast! What else could it have been?!"

"I don't know," She admitted, "But if people from Baroque Works have followed us onto this island, then it'd make sense why only Nami-san was targeted, and not you two."

"Eh?! Baroque Works is on the island?!" Usopp cried, but then blinked in confusion. "But... why wouldn't they go after me, or Venus-chan?"

"Because you guys are most likely not on Baroque Works' assassination list."

"Oh, I see!"

"Plus, that alcohol might've been meant for us too!" Luffy had an epiphany.

"Alcohol?!" Usopp asked. "What about alcohol?!"

"Broggy brought your alcohol to Dorry," Vivi replied, "And when Dorry drank it, it exploded in his stomach."

"What?! Alcohol exploded inside his stomach?!"

"That's awful!" Venus exclaimed.

Usopp looked behind his back. "You're saying he went to the battlefield all busted up like that?!"

"I tried to stop him, but I wound up like this instead!" Luffy added.

"You can't be serious! Those two've fought evenly for 100 years with all their might! It's probably the most pride-filled battle in the entire world!"

"Yeah," Luffy agreed.

"They can't settle the fight like this now!"

-

Close by, the duel was still going on. "What's wrong?!" Broggy asked obliviously.

Mr. 3 and Ms. Golden Week were listening in, while on a picnic. "He's still fighting," She remarked through eating a rice cracker.

"Yes. Dorry the Blue Ogre is quite stubborn, indeed." He chuckled. "Perhaps I should assist one of them." The tip of his top knot went ablaze.

Out of nowhere, a wave of wax washed up, and Dorry slipped. 'One century... it was a long battle!' Broggy took advantage of the opening, and swung his axe.

The horrified crew saw the blood flying from by the victim's house. A weakened Dorry fell to his knees, dropped his sword, and collapsed before Broggy. Luffy seethed, as Dorry's last words rang through his mind. 'This is the judgement given by Elbaf, the God of War. I didn't have his divine protection. That's all.' To everyone's shock, he started bashing his face in the ground, repeatedly. "Luffy!" Usopp's eyes widened.

"Luffy-san?!" Vivi exclaimed.

"Stop!" Venus cried.

"Who was it?!" He screamed. "Show yourself!"

-

In the jungle, Ms. Golden Week looked behind her back at a sudden holler. "Mr. 3, I think I heard something.

He laughed mockingly. "How funny! An underdog loser, yelping out here in the jungle!"

-

Broggy panted, as he held his bloody weapon. "Seventy-three thousand... four hundred sixty-seven fights... 73,466 draws." He looked up with a wide smile. "And one win!" He dropped his axe on the ground, then set his shield in front of an unmoving Dorry. He turned around upon hearing strange laughter. "Joyful tears of victory, huh?" Mr. 3 remarked. "Simpleminded people have it so easy." He sipped his tea. "Though, perhaps I'll congratulate you for now."

"Joyful tears?!" Broggy glared. "What would you know?! Just who are you?!"

"Mr. 3. Please excuse the codename. I'm a mere formative artist. And this is my realist painter assistant, Ms. Golden Week." He gestured to the girl still eating. "What's more, I've already captured you."

Broggy looked down, and saw that his feet were tightly encased in wax. "W-what is this?!" He tried to pull himself free, but the wax was too strong.

-

Meanwhile, Luffy was still struggling himself. "Alright, Luffy!" Usopp glared. "I dunno who we're dealing with, but I'll go take care of them myself!" In contrast to his determination, his knees were shaking again.

"Count me in!" Venus decided.

"No!" He protested. "I can't let you!"

Venus frowned up at him. "I'm not helpless, you know. Just because I'm a girl-"

"No, i-it's not that!" He assured. "I'm scared you'll get killed!"

"I'll be fine."

"I can't chance it! Please stay with Luffy!"

She looked up at him, and sighed, before sitting next to the captain. "Okay. Just be careful."

"Then I'm coming too!" Vivi added.

"Yes!" Usopp agreed. "Please come with me! That'd be reassuring!"

"There's no need for that!" Mr. 5!

They all turned around to see him and Ms. Valentine approaching them, the former keeping a battered Karoo hostage. "You guys!" Luffy glared.

Vivi gasped in horror when he was thrown thoughtlessly to the ground, and ran to his aid. "You can have him back. We don't need him."

"Karoo!"

"Why, you...!" Usopp glared, before turning to Luffy. "Hey, who are they?"

"The guys from that last town!"

"What are you doing here?!" Vivi demanded. "Karoo has nothing to do with this!"

"That's right," Mr. 5 agreed, "This bird has absolutely nothing to do with this. The only one we considered dangerous was that Straw Hat man. We were planning to lure you both out by having this bird squawk, but he was too obstinate."

Venus ran to join Vivi by Karoo's side. That explained his injured state; she deduced that they tried to beat a call for help out of him, to draw them in, but he refused through it all. "You're so strong."

"But then we saw Straw Hat already took himself out of the picture. So we have no use for that thing anymore."

"Karoo," Vivi cried, and he quacked weakly.

Ms. Valentine laughed mockingly. "What a stupid bird!"

"Why, you...!" Vivi seethed.

"Don't you insult him! Witchy-Witchy... Ball!" Venus launched an energy ball at her, but she dodged effortlessly.

"Are you the ones who put a bomb in the alcohol?!" Usopp demanded.

"Yes, that was us," Mr. 5 replied, "Who're you? Are those two on the list?"

"No. They must be their friends. But let's make them disappear too!"

"So you interfered with the giants' duel!" Usopp glared.

"It was them?!" Luffy raged through more struggling. "I'll kick their asses!"

Vivi, alongside Venus, jumped to her feet. "You're the ones who are going to disappear!" She whipped out her weapons.

"Oh?" Mr. 5 smirked. "You're going to try struggling, Ms. Wednesday?"

Ms. Valentine laughed. "Do you stand a chance against us Officer Agents?"

Vivi came charging in. "Peacock Slasher!"

"Take this!" Usopp joined in with his slingshot. "Special Attack: Exploding Star!" To his delight, his attack hit its mark. "Yes!"

But Ms. Valentine floated upward, out of the smoke. "What a nice, explosive blast!"

"Nose Fancy Cannon!" Mr. 5 shot a mucus explosive at Usopp, hitting him directly.

Ms. Valentine laughed from high above. "What a pity!"

"Usopp!" Venus' eye widened in terror.

"10,000 Kilogram Press!" Before she could do anything to stop her, Ms. Valentine had the sniper pinned to the ground.

Vivi charged at Mr. 5 with her slashers, but he stepped aside, and tripped her up with an explosive. "Calm down, now!" He caught her by the neck, blocking her airways.

"You big jerk!" A furious Venus began charging in to fight him bare-handed.

"Nose Fancy Cannon!" He shot another explosive, this time at her; she was sent hurtling back, crashing into the boulder, and landing by a horrified Luffy, limp on her side.

"Venus!"

"Venus-chan!" Usopp cried from under Ms. Valentine.

"I don't like being interrupted, shortie." He turned back to Vivi, who watched in horror. "Now Ms. Wednesday, there's no need to be so upset. We're not going to kill you just yet." She struggled to pry his hand off. "We only came to abduct you. On Mr. 3's orders."

"Mr. 3?! The Wax-Wax Fruit man?! He's on this island?!"

"That's right. He's a candle man who controls the wax he secretes from his body."

Luffy's eyes widened. "A candle man?!"

[short-black-diamond]

HEYY *put shades on* I'm here to hear some business

I'm interested in hearing you talk about what caught your eye in The Tomato Can and I wanna know if you have an oc for it *Slides over a pink briefcase*

- 🍰nom

Hiiii~! *stares at the sun angrily because in no possession of sunglasses* I have business. *gives heavy pink envelope into the briefcase, gives a lil heart-sticker on the briefcase, slides briefcase back*

Also I didn't proofread.

I think I should start with the OC's I thought of because my analysis might take a while for you to read and I don't want you getting bored of my writing. So, I think I'd have two OC who could be friends of Milana. Let's think of a scottish buff woman, idk what to call her, but I thought of her looking like Merida from brave, but just--more muscles? And a Chinese one -please don't think I'm racist- who at first thinks that Milana is another easy opponent who doesn't take shit seriously when fighting against her, only to get her ass whooped in the process. I don't know, but I want to call her Mei or Feng, Idk, I imagine her having bangs which go a little over her eyes? But with like, a super serious expression, and Mei/feng is all about honor and has been fighting as some sort of family tradition, and when she looses against Milana does she try to copy her? But like, Mei looks at Milana like a student would look at his master, in such a way.

Like.--imagine:

Milana: *Does laundry a certain way*

Mei/Feng: *trying to fold them in the exact same way*

Merida?? Pls help me give her a name: *joins as well because she wants to feel included too*

and just---wholesome shit, you know?

And then I just thought...why not a little more drama??

So I thought with a few new fighters just being mean girls and ruining Milana's day?? Oh! What if Milana had a female coach, who also doesn't look like a fighter because she retired! Let's call her Ms. Carmichael, and she is just the sweetest person, and then I thought about Milana, Feng/Mei, Merida???, Elijah and Kublai trying to bring Ms. Carmichael and Coach Trevor together and I think that would be cute too.... But let me hear your thoughts as well!

Anyways-

hello and welcome to ...

short-black-diamond's webtoon "The tomato can" analysis!

Here, I am going to point out some details I've found about when reading the episodes of the tomato can!

Also this will contain spoilers? Because I'm going to summarise some episodes, so read at your own risk!

In the very first episode, Elijah is introduced as a golden boy. His opponent is "Guy 'The Machine' Nevazno", (Nevazno means doesn't matter) but what caught my eye was what stood on his boxers. Baby wipes. On his grey boxers stood legit baby wipes.

Like c'mon bro. I laughed so hard at this!!

But then, and I repeat, then there's this hot teacher, like I really wanna know her name. Like, bro, you don't understand-

I wish I could put her pic here, but then it'd be very weird, so you can just reread episode 1 again. Still, I'd do my very best to be a good student, because dayum she's hot. I don't get how he can sleep in her classes. (I secretly hope she will turn up later in the webtoon, if not I'm gonna cry.)

Then, later in the episode, Elijah is fighting against someone and barely wins, and there is another fight announced with Kevin "Bam Bam" Boseman. Please keep that name in mind, because I will go deeper on that name later on.

Anyways, in episode two, we can see Elijah barely winning the fight, and then he has some sort of afterparty all alone because his coaches didn't want to be seen with him (at least that one brother-Idk which one), and so, Elijah was just in a club or something and chilling with a drink. Then, Zach comes with his underlings? and just brings Elijah down.

Elijah warns him to leave, but Zach doesn't listen, and eggs the russian on even more, to which Elijah punches him and says something along the lines of "that was two years ago, bitch", which means that Elijah had all his fights with Zach (six fights) in the past.

(-I like to think that Elijah will beat Zach up in that tournament he took part in, let's hop for that to happen!-)

And, well, as the bodyguards interfere, tearing the boys apart, Zach was about to call him something, but Elijah just growls??? Wait, lemme just-

Yeah, that's what I mean. I think Elijah wanted to break free from that guy's grip, but it would also be funny if Elijah just growled at Zach.

Looking into the next few panels, we can see J.J. (Joseph Jericho) and his assistant/secretary Hank (what's his last name?) conversing and Elijah wants to take J.J. out for a drink. And then---I also love this panel-

Like, look at poor Hanks face. He angy bro. Look at him pout. Look at ugly jericho. This is why you don't have a wife, J.J. (He called Hanks wife shitty) IN THIS HOUSE WE RESPECT HANK'S WIFE.

And later on, when they're in some sort of restaurant, where Elijah wanted to ask Jericho about turning him into a golden boy, but before he could do that, Jericho slapped him with the cold truth. (I'm not going to write down what he said.)

But, then there was that TV show Jericho mentioned, "So you want to be a mixed martial artist?" (=name of tv show), where Elijah had a week to decide whether he'd like to join or not.

Now on to episode three, where some fighters are introduced. First, we have Joe Rumsfeld, whose nickname is GSM (Genetically superior male), and he wears something like gear?? Idk what he's wearing but it's not clothes according to Mr. Gills, the producer and director. BUt please keep in mind that he had such a headgear where it stands fight club- wait lemme just..Yeah, on the right is Joe, on the left V-cube. (idk who the person in the back is but nice jawline I guess?)

AND THEN WE HAVE PRECIOUS BEEFY VASILY VADYMOVYCH VOVCHANCHYN WHO HAS HIS CUTE LITTLE CUTIE-PATOOTIE SMILE LIKE I JUST CAN'T, 🍰-NOM, HE'S SO SWEET!!! Anyways, his friends not being able to pronounce his name is such a mood.

Again, keep in mind what Alpha male (the person next to v-cube) is wearing.

Then we have Bokassa with his cool spiritual horn, and I love how he just--believes in it! (The horn is never wrong) We also have Oscar Castro Fontana, a brazilian, who wants to represent his country and bring the big money to his family. Ah, what a man. But I don't really get the size disadvantage because in the later episodes, he looked like he'd be the same height as Vasily.

Now on to my third favourite, Kublai Khan, my wonderful psycho killer, who scared the living shit outta Mr. Gills/dad and the rest of the staff when he answered their question.

AND THEN--THEN THERE'S..omg, jason Hardwood...also known as "Lil sturdy", but like bro...I can't, like everytime I read his name or think about him, I have to think that "Lil sturdy" ... just stands for ....little dick---I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME BUT I WANT TO MAKE MILANA BULLY JASON SO MUCH ABOUT HIS NAME LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW-

And now to Zach...Zach Heartly...if evil why pretty face? Like, hear me out. Why does he have that long hair?? like for what? I mean, I don't really like him, but he looks handsome-you get what I mean?? And then, later on, his hair just whooshes when he finds out that ELijah is joining too.

And then he sweats? Like what are you so nervous for, Hartly?? Scared Elijah might beat your ass this time?

Anyways, Jason hardwood/lil sturdy (omg I still can't stop laughing abt it) tries to rile up Kublai because he beat his elder brother, Johnny, however, Kublai makes him mad by addressing him by his brother's name, to which Izo Honda (Daimyo) has to hold him back. And now to Izo. He's a gossip lover. Like, look.

But in the next panel he's just-

Like bro😭😭

And in the beginning of the fourth episode, we can see the brothers (Elijah's coaches) argumenting with each other that Elijah is not good enough to become a golden boy. *sad diamond noises*

Also, later on -sorry that I am going fast forward tthe hole time, but- we see Vasily trying to make Elijah his friend and I think that's really sweet of him. Also Vasily promising Elijah that he'll teach him russian for the time being is just so wholesome, but Elijah is a lil suspiscious of him and doesn't trust him at first.

Also if we look at the guys interacting with each other, Medusa asks GSM abt his clothes which are not there, but-

Kelvin Coin...bro I love this webtoon so much

Also can we look at Elijah? He's taller than Coah Trevor and Kublai and just

Just look at them. I mean, yeah the size difference is not really there but still. Also why is Kublai's chin so pointy?? Trevor looks like he aged like fine wine (not that I'm calling him old) and Elijah is just so good-looking...it makes my heart go doki-doki (ok I'll stop☠)

In episode 5, Vasily invites Elijah to take some of his nerves away, but Elijah isn't really happy there. Also not Medusa giving Joe stank eyes for drinking from a bottle...look-

What does Rhabdo stand for? I just looked it up and it stands for Rhabdomyolysis, which is a condition in which damaged skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly. (-> which I looked up on wikipedia) So like, maybe that, or it means sth completely else.

Also, another reason why Elijah is my fave, is because he doesn't drink alcohol. Then, we have Mario Di Vito (MDV), who gives Elijah his left hand to shake because he doesn't have a right hand. ELijah doesn't even address that, but the tattoo. MDV feels delighted (in my opinion) that he doesn't get asked by a stranger abt his missing hand, but gets warned by Elijah playfully who says that he won't go easy on Mario.

I'm happy that Elijah is like that. *happy diamond noises*

And then, it comes to the conversation of Joe talking abt memories, and that takes us back to the first episode, where I talked about Kevin "Bam Bam" Boseman, if you can remember.

I think Kevin, Joe and Medusa were pals once, and maybe Kevin Boseman made it big as a fighter? I'm excited for what will happen in the future!

And then Joe talked abt college days and how they were drunk and a skunk, and then we have poor Mr. Gills/dad who looses it. Also the camera man is looking at them with a concerned face.

And Elijah just laughes his ass off by dark humor, according to Vasily.

And then, in episode six, we have Trevor recommending ELijah and Kublai to fight one round to close off for the night, and The bearded coach sent Izo/drama lover over to see if they could finally use the cage, but then-

izo runs towards his coach, and then-

look at him being all excited. I mean I'd be like that too, but no one is as excited as him in the webtoon.

In episode seven, Elijah finally lands a kick with "double cheese and mayo", as coach trevor explains which is "the code for a straight a straight left and calf kick".

And well, at the end of the seventh episode, Kublai recalls his memories on how Coach trevor stopped his right leg, but then he remembered that Coach Trevor actually blocked his left leg, and it was Elijah who gave him that nasty bruise on the right side of his knee-leg part.

In episode eight, we can see Elijah being one pound over the weight limit because of the energy drinks, according to Kublai, to which Elijah gets an earful. Maybe I'll write Milana making Vasily and Elijah getting a diet?

Then we have our Alpha male who has to wear that to sponsor the TV show. Can't wear his rhabdo thingy anymore i guess lol

As the fighers Elijah and Ethan are being checked by the security, Gills interviews the other fighters again. That blue haired guy, Donovan "the freak" Day says Elijah is the weakest link and that Ethan't going to win the fight easily. Alpha male exclaims that it's going to be a boring fight and that they should watch his instead. Stfu man no one likes u.

Then we have sweet Vasily who looks concerned on Elijah's behalf because of the wounds Kublai gave him, and our cool Bokassa, who says that Elijah will win, which makes mr. Gills perk up.

Also Elijah being 23? and Ethan 25? Damn, I dunno what I should expect- I actually wrote Milana being 20 in my fics, is that okay for you, 🍰-nom?

Now we know Hank's last name too, who is moderating the fight. Hank Morel, who is also vice president of the Pankration F.C. (idk what F.C. stands for)

I also love how Ethan tried to to the fake glove touch trick with Elijah as well, but homeboy got warned and info-dumped by Vasily and Alpha male. And well, Ethan got punched and nearly lost his balance and stood on wobbly legs.

---

That's it for this post! Thank you for reading this far! All the pictures I put up in this post do not belong to me but MAGNOZZ , WmW. Please support them on Instagram!

If you want to hear more about what I'd say about the webtoon, please like or comment, I'm all ears!

Please also read the Webtoon, it's really fun!

Read you in the next post!

[shunshuntaiga]

Tagged by @imaginary-wanderer

Rules: shuffle your on repeat playlist and post the first 10 songs it gives you

....okay, you asked for it. The variety is gonna be slim because my repeat playlist right now only has four bands on it.

Sleep Token - Fall for me

Sleep Token - Rain

GAEREA - Mantle

Ghost - Here Comes The Sun

Ghost - Life Eternal

Ghost - Crucified

Sleep Token - Hypnosis

GAEREA - Deluge

Ghost - Ghuleh/Zombie Queen

Sleep Token - Take Me Back To Eden

Hey we got three of the four lol I'm sorry for the lack of actual music, because, if I'm being honest this playlist was made specifically for songs I will listen to all the way through without skipping, so uh here's a double list! Second from my masterlist which has gotten no love recently.

Hatari - Hatrid Mun Sigra

Sleep Token - Distraction

Sleep Token - Take Aim (shut up they are my everything rn)

Andrew Jackson Jihad - Brave as a Noun

REM - Losing My Religion

Milkblood - No Mind

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart

Sleep Token - The Night Does Not Belong To God

MOSTRO - Sabato Sera

SIAMES - The Wolf

You know the rules, if you want to go on ahead and consider yourself tagged! (We don't have to be mutuals, I don't mind)

@quinbi @ghendt @lilundeadarchangel @the-leaves-are-ruin @ginwicche

[eddsworldstuck]

i'm busy with Game of Dice stuff *looks directly at the thumbnail i need to draw and matches i recorded that i gotta look through to see if they're worth editing. then looks at the stuff i wanna write for Game of Dice*

i'm also like, waiting for the new Marianas Trench album, Haven, to release on the 30th this month cause i just know there's the chance i might change more chapter titles to the new songs lol. i'm pretty sure the act names are set in stone. last act and its chapters i don't see changing at all from what i already have.

like, the entire tracklist has been revealed but it also matters that the song itself and its lyrics fit to what i wanna name a chapter after (i spent a good hour or so looking through music i listen to for the original timeline act/chapter names before some got renamed).

...on a side note, guess who just changed another chapter name cause one of the songs randomly released and i just saw it appear on my Spotify randomly

that's 4 songs from Haven used for ews chapter names, help

also i just had the easiest time getting Brave Alfonse to +10 in feh and the tord yootooz i pre-ordered earlier in the year is gonna start shipping towards the end of this month i'm gonna hit him with a hammer /j

so august is a good month this year lol :)

anyway on a story note: A1C1 is almost done (not including time i'd set aside in wanting to get it beta read cause i frequently find mistakes after i post lol). but the main thing holding me back is still thinking about entry artifacts. i have the idea of what i want the artifacts to mean but thinking of what they will be and how they solve their puzzle holds me back lol.

anyway again, have these in the meantime

some excerpts from A1C1. it's just about the handles i made for the 4.

random bit from a future act & chapter cause their dynamic is just this to me. the sylph/RT is 🤏 always this close to strangling her fellow derse dreamers [you look closer and see my fingers are touching.]

rough sketches of prospit/derse stuff, using slightly redesigned versions of fancy dreamself outfits i've designed years ago. no i'm not sure if they actually wear these in the story itself or simple dreamself outfits instead, but i like these designs and wanna use them somewhere. idk when this one will finish. ...and also i have a game of dice piece i need to finish. all their designs is based on their class outfits in someway. Tom only kinda where it's mostly the cape and i kinda used something else as inspo. "what's the other inspo?" Captain Dr. X i guess you can consider this piece a successor to a very old prospit/derse piece i made in 2014. ...also i finally got the idea to make this after listening to moonlight daydream on repeat. altho it's a song that would fit the duo instead. no there is not a chapter named after this song, but i was real close on doing so lol.

and rough sketches of the fancy dreamself outfits of the duo cause why not. like the others, SA's outfit is based on her class outfit (Mage, fanon design). RT is the only one not based on her class and is being based on Filipino and Laotian fashion. with some added details. "why is she different?" cause the reason i had years ago when i designed my og idea for fancy dreamself outfits: i wanted Filipino and Laotian inspiration somewhere because i'm Filipino Laotian. this is one of the few times y'all can see her face. we also won't see their dreamselves in ews anyway cause they've already ascended/god tiered.

[lifesver]

@fcused said: ❝ we’re gonna be brave, and we’re gonna get out of this. ❞ / actually we're both very hurt and bleeding out and probably gonna die rn but she is trying so hard to be calm :)

there's a leak somewhere above his head, he thinks, distantly. somewhere above his head, he liked to imagine that their friends had made it out the front door of this hell. he didn't have the heart to imagine the alternative.

❝ i-it's cold. ❞ his teeth chatter around the words, brittle. his eye — the one he can still open — flicks down to where connie was all but curled up against the wall. in the shadow of this red room, that seems to want to digest them — he can only tell that she's hurt, bad. and how close were they, to becoming another fixture in the rot, decay — the rusty bathtubs full of soupy, ambiguous entrails, and shelves lined in beige-brown bones? how stupid were they, for thinking they would find maria, that everything would be okay?

the meathook is sunk messy, curved through his back, and lodged up somewhere in muscle and broken ribs, his own weight an unbearable pressure. it got a little worse, with every stilted breath. hell, he'd made it worse, a couple times, trying to pull himself up using the ceiling beams, until exhaustion dropped him back down and stunned him anew. by now, the pain had subsided into some incoherent, pulsing amalgamation — he wouldn't even know where to start, if someone asked him where it hurt. just knew it was his own blood, that soaked the front of his shirt black, that peeled down his temple and into his vision. that he dragged it in, out, with every struggling breath through his crunched nose. how much had you cried, already? how much saltwater, dirt, blood had you swallowed trying to keep the sobs down?

❝ i-i don’t mean to let you down, connie, ❞ he says, softly, in a voice almost too ragged to make out, ❝ but i … i think i'm all messed up. ❞ blood keeps coming up his throat in dry sputters — he guessed that dust that woman had got him with must be burning up his insides something bad. maybe if he hadn't been so trusting. if he had been smarter, or maybe braver, maybe he could have gotten them out of here.

then, he can't breathe at all — it's the sound of a loud, metal door shaking on its hinges that makes him flinch. monstrous figure looms in the pale light of the stairwell, and maybe he and connie both try to pretend themselves into the shadows, into being still, lifeless furniture. but heavy, relentless steps trudge across the room, through puddles of viscera and filthy water, accompanied by the low rumble of a power tool. the shadow that falls over him eclipses even the cruel red light.

— and leland's breathing picks up again, like any other snared animal that knew the end was close. one rough hand grabs him by the jaw, turns him this way and that, inspecting nothing more than meat. staring back, shattered, into what he now understood to be eye holes, in the horrifying skin-mask — all he can think, is that he doesn't know that he's going to be able to die quietly. and that he can't bring himself to look at connie, although he wants so desperately to be brave for her. his voice shakes, betrays his cold realization, ❝... please, connie. you're not gonna wanna see it. ❞

— the saw growls to life, chain spinning closer, closer to his rapidly heaving chest. his gaze snaps sideways to meet connie's, finally, urgently, wide and frightened; ❝ i-it's alright. con, just close your eyes, alright? ❞ his eyes burn, he can't breathe — he can't breathe and he needs to tell her and he needs to look at her one more time — and the saw roars loud as his heartbeat in his ears; ❝ — just don't look. d-don't listen. i-it's gonna be okay. ❞ it’s gonna be over, soon. he repeats it, and repeats it, until he can’t, until it dissolves into gutteral, throat-scraping screams.

[berniedette]

Walls by Louis Tomlinson First Listen Album Reaction

Alright, I have my good earphones plugged in and I will be listening to the whole album in order, no skipping. Let the Brit come and invade my ears and mind. Here we go...

Track 1: Kill My Mind

I’ve heard this before. Upbeat. Devil in my brain. Ease the pain. I really love the bridge to this. The energy. Yessssssss

Track 2: Don’t Let It Break Your Heart

I’ve heard this before. This is the track version now. Little bit longer intro than the single version. I love the lyrics to this a lot. It’s already helped me in my personal life. It’s just so so nice and comforting and reassuring, but it never crosses the line to cheesy. I think it’s cuz it’s sincere. It’s saying yeah it fuckin hurts and you feel like it’s killing you… but DON’T. LET. IT. Also, the guitar towards the end is just magnificent.

Track 3: Two Of Us

I’ve heard this before. The keyboard on this song is absolutely killing me. The swells in this song is just heartbreaking. The chorus is just so passionate. One Life For The Two Of Us. It’s sad, yet hopeful. OH MY GOD the outro. That might be my favorite part. It makes me want to give him a hug, not because I think he needs it but I think he just deserves it for being so strong.

Track 4: We Made It

I’ve heard this before, but it’s hitting me so hard right now. The melody of this song is something special. The big pop chorus swells aren’t there, and without it, the song just has a flow and a tempo and a rhythm that kinda says, “yeah, we made it,” We’re here. We’re not stopping. We’ll keep going. We’re “never coming down.” SO. WHAT. The almost spoken-word style of this song just makes one need to listen to the lyrics all that intently. It’s a statement. Some of the verses talk about a relationship with somebody, yet the chorus and feel of the whole song makes me think that he’s just talking about himself. He could also be talking to his fans, but I like my idea that he’s talking about himself. Maybe to the person in the mirror, idk. And the quip about the “singing something poppy in the same 4 chords” lyric is hilarious when compared to the style of pop of this song. I really like this song. Favorite so far.

Track 5: Too Young

Oh wow okay. Echos. This style seems so familiar to me, like a songwriter or a producer I’m familiar with made this. I don’t know what I feel about this song. I’m not getting sadness, it seems like it’s just so matter of fact. And that’s weird cuz Louis’ voice normally (and so far in this album) have been so expressive and emotional. This is weird. It might be how much echo there is…. this is weird. His voice kinda sounds distorted, like it’s been edited to sound even more soft and tender. Creeps me out a little, like listening to asmr. Maybe it’ll be better if I didn’t have earphones in.

Track 6: Walls

The title track of this album. This was released a few days or weeks ago. I might have listened to it once, but I haven’t even watched the music video yet. This vocal is so much better than the last one. “Nothing wakes you up like walking up alone.” I hear that. That’s happened to me once or twice lol. There are a LOT of instruments in this already, and I haven’t even gotten to the first chorus yet. I like the vocals in the chorus actually. Up and down, and up and down. Okay, I’m sorry did this man just rhyme lost and because???? I love that! That’s a quote right there. I really like the melody of this chorus. Oh wow. End with the opening line. Okay, Mr. Tomlinson, I see you.

Track 7: Habit

He really likes the combo of acoustic and electric guitars huh? OH MY GOD excuse me mister baritone wtfffffffff. Where did that come from??? LEMME START OVER. THAT THREW ME OFF lmfaooo. Aw, this is so sad. Aw, he misses crack cocaine. KIDDING!!! I like this song. Yeah, compare that person to a drug. I love that. I love this song, wow. “I was better with you”? Oh honey nooooo. Awww, I usually love bridges and Louis writes really good ones, but the lyrics in this song’s bridge is not okay with me. :( This is a fantastic song tho. Second favorite so far.

Track 8: Always You

Damn okay. Uptempo it after my heart just broke with the last one. I like the opening chords. OH WAIT, are these even chords? Whoah hold up. It went SUPER POP rn. Sounds kinda dance-y. Is there gonna be a bass drop in this song? I’m calling it now lol. What the fuck?? Bro. Wtf. This is SO POP I cannot even. I can’t focus on the lyrics cuz my head in is spinning. Is there a fuckin feature on this???? What the fuck is this. Okay, it’s over. What. The. Fuck. Was. That. Why the fuck was that song in this album??????? That’s so weird. Who let that happen??????? It’s so out of place!! I can’t. I have to move on.

Track 9: Fearless

Are those sounds of children? Ew. Wait a sec, is that shade? OMG These lyrics are soooooo shady. Yesssss I love this sound for him!!! It’s anger. YESSS. YELL BABY!! Claps. Who is this song for??? Who is the umbrella under?? Who are we shading, honey? I NEED TO KNOW omg. “Tell me do you still remember feeling young” YES BABY ROAST THEM. This is fuckin hilarious and this just knocked down Habit as my 2nd fave.

Track 10: Perfect Now

Strumming an acoustic. Awww, the lyrics of this song is so sweet. This would be a great song for him to sing by himself on stage in concert, him playing the guitar. That would be so sweet. I know there’s some violins, but the song don’t need that live. “I guess some queens don’t need a crown” It’s true hun, but it’s obviously the perfect accessory. “You make me feel like being someone” is such a fantastic line.

Track 11: Defenceless

Ugh, the British spelling, I guess lol. Okay lyrics, you’re strong. Okay kickdrum, you’re working overtime. I really like this. Nice drums on this one too. It felt kinda busy at first, but it works. “By YooOoUuUu.” I feel like I’m getting attacked. And I’m fucking defenseless (that’s not the British spelling lol).

Track 12: Only The Brave

The title sounds like an army thing lol. Okay, is this the 60s? I like the sound actually, it’s pretty cool. Retro. Wait, it’s over already?!?! I gotta listen again wtf. I didn’t even understand a word. I just heard that he went up to head voice thrice. Okay, again. “I’m breaking all my rules, I’m crying like a fool.” Wow. I get the sound now. I appreciate this a lot. I gotta read these lyrics. Seems to me he sang “it’s a solo song and it’s only for the brave” which wow. Amazing end of album line.

Final thoughts:

Louis Tomlinson is a very talented singer and songwriter. He has his sound and he’s not floundering about. This album proves it. I’m not mad at it at all. I liked almost every single song at first listen and I’m sure the only one I have a problem with will grow on me. I thought ending on Only the Brave was absolutely perfect. It is a very strong song to end on. Lastly, if you’d excuse the lame metaphor, this debut album is a strong wall which he can build more onto (with tours and more singles and more albums) so that in no time, he’d have a very tall building that can touch the sky.

My Top 3

3. Habit

2. Fearless

1. We Made It

Special Recognition to Only The Brave for being hauntingly raw and honest

[be-the-glenn-to-my-maggie]

Longass for the nights and days of life Chapter Eight RAGE Notes

I had a LOT of strong opinions on this one, babes. Oh ho boy it’s time. 

-I thought the Olangi were absorbed into the Omaticaya and not other plains clans, I wonder if there’s a particular reason they weren’t in this fic… I'm always suspicious of every decision Lottie makes.

-Tonowari getting an invite to this gathering from Jake: nah.

-Listened to Cover Me In Sunshine on repeat reading this. That’s what Spider and Ninat were singing, I don’t make the rules. 

-Jake fighting the English innuendo has to be every Na’vi hearing him speaking Na’vi every day. He has to be fucking it up in a way that makes it dirty some of the time.

-The heard stuff has me like, on the edge, I think it means some shit.

-The absolutely hilarious idea of Jake and Neytiri keeping maskless-only-human-left Spider around and thinking no one is gonna question it is so fucking funny to me. I also love them keeping their GOD CHILDREN secret. EYWA IS THEIR GOD WHO IS GOING AGAINST THIS? Like, if literally God blessed me with kids in an obvious miracle way to people that all super believe in God I’d be like, so this happened. Crazy right? Anyway- I also love that they didn’t discuss it beforehand, like they just figured it’d all be literally fine. They are so goofy and fucking stupid as fuck.

-Spider giving Neteyam bits of fruit makes me want to die! That’s aDORABLE! He is a PROTECTIVE older brother. They are not going to survive his kidnapping.

-Neytiri really came for Neteyam’s ass with that intro. "Here is my brave, cool, son, and my loser son who can't say hi."

-Ah, it’s because the Olangi are our dissenters it seems. I also really like this idea of an anniversary mourning period, I haven’t seen that yet. Every time I see a new idea in this fandom I get hard as a rock (figuratively), like I didn't even tHINK of this concept and I thought we were running out of new ideas.

-Love Jake public speaking king. I always forget he is a natural born leader and speaker.

-We love an Eytukan spirit tree moment. Although, now that I'm thinking about it, he may be the character that means the least to me.

-For some reason I cackled at Jake “the fire is too hot on my legs, Neytiri!” Sully.

-INFORMATIVE AND EYEOPENING IS THE WORST THING TO SAY EVER ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WASN’T A FULL LECTURE, THAT MEANS U HATED IT AND YOU’VE BECOME A WORSE PERSON BECAUSE OF IT. This man Tsantu is a school shooter that everyone saw coming.

-Lol Jake and Neytiri both feeling wary around Tsantu because he’s just them if they didn’t find each other to heal for. I am laughing through my tears. It's a great in depth character analysis though. Usually, I hate the concept of healing for each other, and I hate how much I adore codependency, but if you think about it all Na'vi are pretty codependent with their mates. Jake and Neytiri though? They are a whole 'nother level. They built their second chances on each other. Without the other they don't have the life they have, and they functionally have nothing to live for.

-Lol maybe he won’t assassinate someone and instead will be fixed by fucking Peyral. 

-I didn’t ask this before, but MOE?? WHY IS HIS NAME MOE. IT MAKES ME LAUGH EVERY TIME I READ IT, I AM PICTURING ONE OF THOSE TERRIBLE HIPPIE GUYS ON SURVIVOR.

-Yeah, nope, we are still scared of Tsantu. He’s still school shooter vibes. 

-Ah yup, there he goes, time to murder a whole family?? Sure that’ll fix it all buddy. Eywa knows and that’s why you haven’t seen ur mate, psycho. A lot of people have lost people and haven’t tried to murder families, my guy. 

-LOL FAMILY ANNIHILATORS FEAR ONE MAN AND ONE MAN ONLY, AND IT’S SPIDER SULLY. HE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COUNT BUT HE’LL STOP A FAMILY ANNIHILATOR IN HIS TRACKS. 

-Lol I get the point but to say this shit to Neytiri of all people is batshit. She has lost literally so much, I was waiting for her to be like “Hey, my sister was murdered in front of me, then my entire home was burned down and my father and my best friend died in front of me as well, what more do you need me to loose until we’re even buddy? Murder all three of my children and my mate and then we are good?? This isn’t the grief olympics, man. We aren’t competing.”

-Tbh they are all being A LITTLE FUCKING GENEROUS with this guy imo. I have always been of the mindset that trauma is a reason and not an excuse. This dude attempted to kill an entire family. Three children. Babies. The only reason he didn’t is because one kid woke up. He is not the first or the last person to have lost family, lost a spouse, lost a child, or even to have witnessed this specific loss personally. He’s not the first person to have wanted someone else to feel that pain with him. But making the decision to cause that same pain, attempting that, that’s unforgivable to me. That makes you no better than the person that did that to you. Idk man maybe it doesn’t fit here, but that’s my continuous domestic abuse argument. “Oh, he was abused too,” well, that makes it even worse to me that he knows what it feels like and still actually went to go cause that same feeling for someone else. It’s disrespectful to those who have been through the same trauma and don’t repeat the cycle. Anyways. No justice for Tsantu. Throw him to the wolves. Jail for attempted child murder? He also did assault a kid. The last fic I read with this premise only Jake was attacked (although much more successfully) and when I tell you the attacker was given the death penalty I am not joking. Forgiving this guy alone is crazy (although I understand the investment in moving on, and improving and being better than those who hurt us), bUT TO MAKE HIM AN AMBASSADOR?? Jesus fuck, I might as well hire a bank robber to be my accountant. How can we trust this aTTEMPTED CHILD MURDERER with any ambassador position on Pandora, after this he wouldn’t be allowed within 300 feet of schools. 

-Neteyam being shy and Spider being a clown is ADORABLE.

-BOB TRIPPING AND JAKE LAUGHING AT HIM IS SENDING ME. I'M WAITING FOR THE DAY THE FICS BECOME LIKE ROUGE ONE FICS WHERE K2S0 IS JUST A REALLY TALL AND UNEMOTIONAL GUY. BOB IS JUST A BIG GUY WITH A SKIN CONDITION WHO IS JAKE'S BEST FRIEND.

-SWAPPING KIDS MID FLIGHT, HILARIOUS AND CRAZY.

-I loved the repeated family version of the toruk chase, almost the same ending but with the kids laughing instead. It’s like they’re all having their out of danger relief moment, and this time Jake and Neytiri are the adults and seeing first hand how bonkers they were lol.

[9800sblog]

In your opinion or your cards who do you think would not get married in svt🤔

I always thought Joshua would be the one wouldn’t get married but reading your post I could be wrong ..

I don't actually know Seventeen at all, I had to watch a few videos of Joshua before reading for him because I just didn't know who he was. so what I'm gonna do is ask the cards and give you the description so you identify it because I don't know any of the members at all.

cards: the world, the empress, 2 of swords, page of cups and "a characteristic that differentiates this member from other members" is the king of swords reversed

straight off this is definitely a leader; this person might be a libra or a taurus or those signs are somehow important in his fame; this is probably the guy that everyone expects to get married first because he has many options, this person is charming and well known, he definitely could get married if he wanted to but I think he just feels good by himself, he isn't in a rush to find a partner. might be one of the youngest members or a "fake maknae", he has very youthful vibes, self assured and powerful. idk if there's any way you could know that, but he might be one of the richest - if they write their own songs, do solo projects, produce or just promotional content without all the members, he might be one that gets lots of royalties, probably one of the most popular, might be the face of the group, the visual or the one that people who aren't fans always think of when they hear the name 'seventeen' (in my case that would be Vernon, he's the only one I know). I know there are some foreign members in Seventeen and the 2 of swords might indicate that as well, since it talks about being stuck in between, having to weight and balance things logically - also, again, leader quality - might be someone fluent in 2 or more languages, because the swords cards often talk about communication. he might be a little impulsive tho in a way that hurts other people, so this might be someone with a scandal? idk if they have ever had one; might be someone who is a little rude without care, the type that people would find it funny because they think he's innocent and light hearted. might be someone who is flirted with oftenly, probably by fans during events, like if you looked up his name, you'd see suggestions like "x member boyfriend material", "x member with kids" things like that. if anything, I'd say this guy would love to find love but he knows his environment doesn't help, because he is surrounded by people who treat him like a kid or a king, there is major distance between him and other people, he feels very lovingly towards his close ones, family and friends, but all love proposals are from people who only know and want him for his status, he wants somebody that will see and listen to him beneath all fancy thing (my sister is watching the movie Brave in the other room and I think it fits so well with the reading); I think this dude is a bit of a nihilistic type "everyone is so dumb, why are people so boring?" lowkey hates everyone but would die for his close ones. he might have given up on marriage because "everyone's so stupid" or something like that, he might have a few flings and dates and it just never goes anywhere good so he's accepted the single life. his hair is often short and i think he mostly paints in natural colors like brown, black, natural red and blonde.

repeating colors in the cards are: mostly blue, green and yellow. (in case each member has a color or something like that)

i hope this helped, I don't know their characteristics to identify precisely the message behind the cards.

[winter-tospring]

"gays don't even think about wedding cakes, they just think about surviving" being here able to do this is special enough, but extras bring even more warmth and heart to the day. I didn't know what to want to celebrate. but we got a surprise wedding cake that apparently took hours to make, with ingredients previously unknown. and it was such a unique cake experience to eat it. we cut it together, hand in hand on knife, like we were told to do, and a tiny triangle was dislodged from the whole - mostly icing, which prompted a "your life will be sweet" interpretative comment.

the woman who read us our lines to repeat said she was excited to be here, and she wore black, like us. I cried right when it started like I knew I would, because holding hands and looking into your favorite person's eyes as they affirm their love and commitment to you in front of someone else just was bound to do that. It's the words you hear in movies all your life and then you're given them and you're giving them back, and it's surreal and yet I was so firmly planted in the moment, that's when it hit, so real, after all those steps and those years. the lady said you can kiss now and we hugged, and that's the kind of thing that makes us perfect.

we wore masks, so we chuckled, and she makes decisions faster than me in public, she's so easy going even though she says it's a shield to make strangers like her and treat her well, which I don't know how to do until I trip and have to catch myself with a smile and a joke and then anxiety dissipates because they've seen me now, I'm just a little clumsy human like them. I don't remember what she said exactly, but we smiled behind the masks, I could see it in her eyes and hear it, and we hugged tight under the white flowers arch. my love. it's always perfect when it's her. and it's gonna be her forever.

I could feel it when we got back, the gates of a new life opening. it feels like anything is possible. the home we want to build, just for us, lush and safe and exactly how we decide it. we danced without having it planned, which is how all best things happen. wedding songs playlists have a lot of sad songs, how is that? do people just listen to the melody and not the words? I had sweet home Alabama stuck in my head all day, and Lover was played, and random songs, and then backstreet boys for 10 minutes.

she said we walked hand in hand into HomeGoods. I didn't even notice. I find her so naturally, I wouldn't understand if a brick hit me cause we're both girls and a guy has a problem with it. I would forget some people think there's something wrong with this. it's only love, the realest love.

we found gifts, and we felt so married, to me; together, looking for something specific, partners in all things, in a public place, strolling and loving the time unfolding slowly cause we're together, and I want to know what she's stopped to look at, what she's thinking about.

my wife. my wifeeeee. My WIFE, my wiiife!! she smiles so bright I'm starting a reminder to take pictures of her. we giggle and say "my wife" to each other a lot, and then make incomprehensible noises of disbelief and joy.

we met on here, so I feel like it's a good idea to post about this, because it's thanks to here that I know her. talk to the people you admire in secret, so you can admire them to their face. I seem to be brave about this only when it seems to intensely matter, and I seem to be right about it mattering.

december 19, 2022 🖤

[helloalycia]

overstepping [one] // jane banner (Wind River)

summary: after getting several voicemails from your colleague and best friend with her asking for your backup, you attempt to call her back, only to get no answer.

warning/s: mentions of rape, murder and injuries.

author’s note: this is a two parter because i finally watched Wind River and it broke my heart but also lizzie was v cute and i felt the need to write this, hope you like it x

part two | masterlist | wattpad

"C'mon, work you stupid phone," I complained for the millionth time, before standing on the chair to get a better signal.

When I saw the bars in the corner of the screen increase, a grin appeared on my lips. I loved my parents, but the fact that they lived in a remote cabin in Tennessee with zero signal was not my favourite thing.

When the bars remained, my phone decided to actually be helpful and receive all the messages, calls and voicemails I missed. I did a brief flick through, noticing nothing was too important that couldn't wait for me to return to work. As an FBI agent, I rarely got time off. And now that I had taken a two month vacation to spend with my parents, I was adamant on enjoying it, even if I was missing work a smidge.

Next were the calls, which I noticed were mostly from my colleague and close friend, Jane Banner. I furrowed my brows, realising she'd left me several voicemails, too, which was strange since she knew I was on a break from work. What could be so important?

I sighed, glancing down at my uncomfortable position standing on the chair and leaning above the wardrobe. It was the only place in the house with decent signal and the only other place that wasn’t in the middle of nowhere was twenty minutes out. Telling myself I'd just listen to one voicemail to make sure everything was okay, I played the earliest message.

"Hey, Y/N. I'm sorry, I know you're on a break, but I just had to talk to you," it began, and Jane sounded troubled. "I was in Vegas, as you know, but I've been called out to a reservation in Wyoming where this poor girl was–" She paused, releasing a shaky breath. "She was raped and left to die out in the cold. I thought I could send in another team to take a look – y'know, usual protocol. But the coroner won't rule it a homicide and you know what that means."

I swallowed hard, knowing exactly what that meant. If it wasn't ruled a homicide, no backup would come and we had to move onto the next case. But if this girl was raped and left to die, the rapist was still out there and wasn't getting caught by the FBI.

"I can't just leave it and go," Jane continued quietly, with that recognisable passion for her job evident in her voice. "I have to do what I can. But I... I can't do this alone. It's not like other cases, Y/N. It's different out here. And there's only so much their police department can do. I know you're on a break, but I was hoping that, maybe, you could come out here and help me? It's the Wind River Indian Reservation. That's it, I guess. Bye."

The message ended and I found myself chewing on my lower lip anxiously, unable to think about anything other than Jane now. She'd worried me with that one voicemail alone – I couldn't imagine what the others said.

She was usually so good at dealing with cases, but this seemed different. She sounded shaken up, attempting to put on a brave face by the sounds of it. What was so different about this case? She didn't need me. She was capable.

Curiosity got the better of me and I played the second message, ignoring the discomfort in my arms as I stretched to maintain the signal. It was left a day after the first one.

"Hey, so I just remembered that you said you don't get much signal up there with your parents," she began apologetically. "I don't mean to– shit, it's so cold..." There was a pause, a noise in the background, then she continued, "Sorry, just turning up the heating. Anyway, I was saying. I don't mean to intrude on your break. I just– I'm hoping you'll find signal and hear this because I could really use your help. I think we've got a lead on who may have done it. It was hectic today. Really could've used that backup."

She chuckled dryly at her attempt at a joke, but all I felt was guilt. She sounded exhausted within a day of being there.

"I hope you get this," she finished with a sigh. "I should go. Got a busy day tomorrow. Hope you're doing okay. Bye."

I wasted no time in playing the next message. Three days into her case.

"I don't know why I keep sending these," she began with a hoarse voice, and my heart clenched at the sound of it. "You clearly aren't getting them in time. But it's easier talking to you like this than not at all."

It went quiet, so quiet that I thought she may have finished and forgot to hang up. But then she spoke up again, a whimper escaping her lips.

"It's so hard," she admitted. "We've covered worse cases, but this one... everything about it makes me uncomfortable. Something doesn't feel right. I've got a lead – we think it might be the boyfriend who did it and we're gonna see him tomorrow. But I don't know."

I frowned, squeezing my phone tightly because I didn't recognise the girl speaking as my friend. This girl sounded broken and I wondered what she could have discovered that made her like this.

"I've got the police department with me for backup," she said with a sniffle. "And Cory, he's a hunter whose been helping me with the case. They're all gonna be with me tomorrow. But I wish you were here, too. You always make things easier."

The lump in my throat wouldn't disappear no matter how many times I swallowed it. She made things easier, too. Always. And all I wanted to was be by her side and be there for her like she always was for me.

"Sorry about this," she said with a watery laugh, and I could imagine the embarrassed smile on her face as she did. "I sound like such an idiot. Never mind these messages. Just enjoy your break. I shouldn't be worrying you like this. See you when you get back."

The message ended and I checked to see if there were anymore, but to my disappointment, there wasn't. That message was from a few days ago and she hadn't sent anything since which was concerning in itself.

Trying not to panic for no reason, I called Jane. Hopefully everything was okay and I was being stupid. She was a fully-trained FBI agent. She could take care of herself. Right?

The call rang and rang, but nobody picked up. One missed call. No biggie. She probably heard it and couldn't find her phone or something. So, I tried again.

More ringing and no answer. Okay, no big deal. Just try again.

Another call and no answer. The chewing on my lip became more intense. Why the hell wasn't she picking up? Was she still working the case?

I waited an hour, trying again at ten minute intervals, unable to fight my concern. But there was no answer every time and I realised that I couldn't sit and wait for her to call back. Not after how she sounded in those voicemails.

No, I had to go there. She needed backup.

—

Wyoming was way colder than I could have prepared for.

I mean, technically, I prepared for nothing. I bid my parents a goodbye, threw some random clothes in a bag and caught the next plane over there. I tried for Jane's phone constantly, knowing she was never one to ignore me for this long, but there was no point. She wasn't answering, which could only mean so much.

When I reached the reservation, I had no idea where anything was or what I was looking for exactly. I just knew that as soon as the taxi dropped me off in the centre of town, I didn't know where to go.

There were a lot of locals hanging around, so my first port of call was to ask them if they'd seen Jane around – or Agent Banner, as she may have introduced herself. I showed them a picture of her on my phone, described her with vivid detail, but they just stared at me like I was crazy. I was starting to believe I was at one point, until I stopped by the convenience store.

As worried as I was for Jane's whereabouts, the chill in my bones was real. Especially my hands, which I was certain would fall off any minute. So, I decided to buy some gloves and also ask the cashier if he'd seen Jane around or heard anything of her. Whilst I was doing that, a customer caught my attention, probably having overheard my conversation.

"Did you say Jane Banner?" he asked with a quirked brow, interrupting my purchase. "The FBI lady, right?"

I nodded quickly, facing him. "Yes, that's her! D'you know where she is?"

He nodded casually. "Yeah, she's in the hospital. That big shootout that happened a few days ago, right?"

My stomach dropped. "The what?"

"The shootout," he repeated, not aware of the concern in my face. "At the drill site. A bunch of officers were killed and the FBI lady was one of the only one left standing." He tutted as he shook his head. "Very lucky that one."

A shootout? The hospital? Only one left standing? No wonder she hadn't been answering her calls.

"Can you– do you–" I stopped, clearing my throat and trying to stop freaking out. "Which hospital?"

After getting the address from him, I caught a taxi to the only hospital in town and prayed to God that Jane was okay. The one thing she'd asked for was backup and I couldn't even give her that. If I'd just looked at my messages sooner... fuck.

Getting past the front desk and to Jane's room was no issue at all. A quick flash of my FBI badge was enough for the receptionist to give me the details and wave me through. My heart was constricting in my chest the longer it took. What if it was really bad? What if that customer's intel was outdated and Jane was– no. I couldn't afford to think like that.

Upon finding Jane's room, I spotted an older man leaving through the door, being careful to close it behind him. I didn't recognise him at all.

"Excuse me," I called, earning his attention. "Is that Jane Banner's room you just came from?"

He seemed surprised, glancing over his shoulder to make sure I was speaking to him, before nodding. "Yes. Sorry, who are you?"

I pulled my badge from my pocket and showed him, though I doubted anyone would take me seriously when my eyes were watering at thought of Jane being severely injured.

"I'm her friend," I said, swallowing down the lump in my throat before lowering my badge.

"Oh, you're the backup that didn't come," he said with realisation.

My eyes flickered to the floor guiltily. He wasn't exactly wrong.

"I didn't mean it like that," he added quickly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

I shook my head, lifting my eyes to meet his. "It's okay. I should've... I should've been here." It went quiet as he didn't know what to say, so I looked to him halfheartedly. "I assume you're from the police department, one of the ones who helped Jane."

"Not exactly," he said, before putting out his hand for me to shake. "Name's Cory. I'm a hunter by trade."

Returning his handshake, I recalled Jane's voicemail. "Oh, yeah, she mentioned you... thank you for helping her out."

When I couldn’t, I added in my head.

He offered me a small smile and I couldn't find it in myself to return it. I must have looked like shit, since he gave me a pitiful gaze.

"You want me to catch you up before you go in?" he asked, nodding to Jane's door. "She's okay by the way."

I nodded, sucking up a breath. My nerves were eating away at me the longer I didn't see Jane – half of me was terrified of what I'd find, and the other half was afraid she'd be upset or angry because I left her to it, even when she pleaded for my help.

Cory and I took a seat down the hall and he proceeded to explain about the case and how they found the guy who raped that poor girl. The shootout was the worst bit, making me shiver with discomfort. Apparently, Jane had gotten blasted with a shotgun, puncturing her torso and neck despite the vest she wore. All of the officers with her were killed and by the sounds of it, Jane almost was, too. But Cory managed to take out the criminals and the rapist himself. When he was finished telling me, I had no words.

"She's a bit shaken up, but her surgery went well," Cory reassured with a short nod. "Does she know you're coming?"

I shook my head, voice thick with emotion. "She wouldn't answer her phone. I guess I know why now."

Cory nodded, rubbing the back of his neck before sparing me a consoling glance. "She talked about you a lot. I think it'll cheer her up seeing you. You should go."

My eyes met his, teary and stinging with unshed tears. "Thank you so much."

He shrugged bashfully, but he didn't realise all that he'd done. I gave him a small, tight smile before standing up with a sigh. No point dwelling anymore – I had to see her.

Pushing my selfish feelings aside, I sucked it up and approached Jane's room. She would either want to punch me or not, but either way, I had to see if she was okay. And so, when I opened the door slightly, heart racing in my chest, said heart jumped in my throat at the sight of her.

She was laying on the bed with wires stuck in her and, only from what I could see, bandages were covering the side of her neck. I thought she was sleeping at first, but then her head tilted towards the door curiously, and bright blue eyes widened with disbelief.

"Y/N?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. "What are you– how did you get here?"

I closed the door behind me and hesitantly approached her bedside, unable to stop my eyes from soaking in the sight of her. She looked so feeble and vulnerable and unlike how I saw her last. Then, Cory's words came back to me and I began to imagine the worst scenario of her getting shot, blood seeping from her wounds, the life draining from her eyes...

"Y/N," she called, and I looked to her startlingly, hoping I didn't look as troubled as I felt.

"Sorry," I said, clearing my throat. "I, er– the messages. Voicemail. I heard them and tried calling you back, but..."

She pursed her lips, exhaling with a wince and looking up at the ceiling, as if suddenly remembering she left messages in the first place.

"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner," I said quietly, guilt seeping back in.

"No, no, don't be," she said, and I just about noticed the pink dusting her cheeks. "It's not your fault. I shouldn't have interrupted your vacation like that. I know you said you wanted a break and–"

"Jane, no, don't even say that," I cut her off, reaching for her hand in an instant. She looked my way, eyes flickering between mine nervously. I squeezed her hand gently and said, "I should have been here. You needed me and I– I didn't come. Maybe if I had, this could have ended differently."

She tried to smile, but I could see the discomfort in her eyes. "It's not that bad, honestly. It just looks bad."

I pressed my lips together, eyes falling to the bandage on her neck. Even though it was big and covered her wound, I could still make out the bruising around it from the impact of the shell. I didn't imagine the torso wound looking any different, and that thought alone made me regret leaving her alone. It was very much as bad as it looked; I knew that and she knew that.

Her lips trembled as she avoided my eyes, her own tearing up. I pushed away my guilt momentarily and changed the subject.

"So, I met Cory. He seems like a great guy."

She didn't say anything as she seemed lost in thought. Either that or she was trying not to cry in front of me. I hoped it wasn't the latter, since the last thing I wanted was to make her feel uncomfortable.

"You know," I said, when she wouldn't speak, "I'm pretty sure I told you to stay safe before I left for my vacation."

At my poor attempt to lighten the mood, she cracked a small, tight smile, but a smile nonetheless, and my racing heart slowed down momentarily.

"I'm glad you're okay," I said, now that I had her attention again, and she looked my way with a softened expression. "Kind of okay. But you know... okay."

Thankfully, she knew what I meant and her hand tightened around mine.

"I'm glad you came," she returned, and I couldn't look away even if I tried. She was always able to trap me with a single gaze.

With a tug of her hand, she motioned for me to sit on the edge of her bed, so I did. And then she began to ask me about my vacation, what I'd been up to this past month, how my parents were... basically anything and everything except for the case. And it was understandable, since she was reminded of it all the time. If I could be a form of escapism for her, so be it. It was the least I could do.

We spoke for hours until the nurse came in to let me know visiting hours were over and I'd have to come back tomorrow. With a regretful sigh, I got up from my seat on her bedside and stretched my limbs.

"Where are you staying?" she asked, a slight frown on her lips.

I smiled awkwardly, realising I didn't think that far ahead. "I'm not gonna lie, I don't know. I came straight here. There's gotta be a hotel or something in this town, right?"

She nodded and flicked her hand to the shelves on the other side of the room. "You should stay in my room in the inn. Key's in my bag over there."

"Oh, I don't have to do that–"

"Y/N, it's not like I'm going to be staying there anytime soon," she cut me off, smiling halfheartedly. "Please."

I chewed on my lip and nodded, giving in. When I grabbed her keys from her bag, I stopped by her bedside and gave her a supportive smile.

"I'll back first thing in the morning, if you don't mind," I said, and she finally gave me a smile that reached her eyes.

"I'd like that."

I nodded, resting a hand on hers and squeezing comfortingly. "Goodnight."

—

Though I knew Jane was okay, I still couldn't stop myself from thinking about her all night. The sight of her wounds and the broken expression on her face was enough to keep me awake. And the guilt that came with it all... why couldn't I have just picked up my damn phone?

As promised, I returned to Jane's hospital room the next morning, this time bringing some breakfast snacks from the hospital cafeteria since I knew the food would be much better than whatever they were serving her. Judging by the content expression on her face when I gave it to her, I was right.

When she finished eating, she was able to sit up slightly and move over on her bed, urging for me to join her and watch some TV with her. There was no way I was going to turn down that offer, so I slid next to her and kept a packet of sliced apples between us as we watched whatever was playing on the TV.

About halfway through watching, she spoke up randomly, taking me by surprise.

"When are you leaving?"

I tore my gaze from the screen and realised she was staring at me with intense green eyes.

"When you're well enough to," I answered truthfully.

She looked down to her hands. "You don't have to stay with me. You can go."

I studied her profile, knowing it was the wrong time to appreciate how stunning she looked even when she was makeup-free, sporting a bed head and tired.

"Do you want me to go?" I asked softly, afraid I may have overstepped.

She was quick to shake her head slightly, finally lifting her gaze to meet mine with glossy ones. "No."

I nodded, trying very hard not to smile, cleared my throat and grabbed her hand. "Then I'm not leaving. I'll be right here until you get better and I can take you home."

A ragged breath escaped her lips as she nodded in response. We both looked back to the TV and I noticed she didn't let go of my hand, her fingers warm to the touch and giving me goosebumps at the contact. But I wouldn't have had it any other way.