#I'm sure negotiations were solid | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

kometqh · 10 months ago

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𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓓𝓲𝓪𝓻𝔂..

Pt2. Captain Rex x F!Reader x Fives What happens when two of the men you admire suddenly begin to show just how interested they are in you, days after your secret diary goes missing? Word Count: 3514 Warnings: Edited but most likely has some grammar mistakes, reader is scared of water. A/N: Ugh this took my poor little brain too long to write but it's here now and I'm very proud <33

The rhythmic buzzing of cicadas paired with the summer heat and sunbathing on the beach was the perfect situation to find yourself in. The negotiations had gone smoothly, and your squad was permitted a spontaneous shore leave.

Navy blue waves licked lazily at the sand; the water contrastingly cold to the desert-like temperatures of the beach. A cool breeze accompanied the waves, providing a semblance of comfort as it danced with tall, sparse strands of wild grass.

You were seated on a sunbed, just beneath the dark shadow of an umbrella, enjoying the distant echoes of laughter from your squad. It was extremely uncommon for them to enjoy anything but the popular bar, 79s, on their days off.

You had to bargain with the Jedi council for a solid half an hour before Master Windu had finally given you the nod of approval.

Now, Rex reaped the benefits of shore leave in the form of a nap in the sun. You had made sure to apply a kriff ton of sun cream onto his back and shoulders and neck before he had fallen asleep, a mumbled 'thank you' rolling off the tip of his tongue as his eyes became droopy.

He was severely sleep deprived; always being assigned to Skywalker's side rather than yours. It wasn't that he didn't like Master Skywalker, it's just his missions and plans were always reckless and exhausting, and they ended with a few too many casualties.

Of course, that was always inevitable, and Rex did his best not to linger on the fallen, but it didn't always come to him easily.

But with you, he could rest assured.

With you, he could relax under the warm sun, feel the burning sand, and enjoy the comfort of seaside waves.

His caring nature also ensured that everyone would be provided for whilst he was asleep. Bringing extra sun-cream, a cooler filled to the brim with water bottles and ice lollies, and extra towels as well as beach balls.

Where did he get the credits from?

Well, that was a code that nobody could decipher.

Nevertheless, there you were, relaxing with your beloved Captain. Fives had dragged most of the squad into the waves, insisting that they play volleyball. He had tried to take you too, but your reluctance and uncertainty deterred him.

He had waved you off with a 'Watch me, General' and a wink before he engaged in a series of games of clumsy water volleyball.

Since they'd undergone ARC Trooper training, it became more uncommon for Echo and Fives to join the 501st on longer campaigns.

Each time they were reunited, Fives would glance to Echo with a small smile. And now, he was busy wrestling with Hardcase in the shallow parts of the water, laughter escaping the two as Echo hit the ball into the air.

A series of hoorays and pats on the back erupted as the ball hit the water with a splash.

One score for Echo's team.

You were content with watching from the side lines, if you remained far from the water.

If you still had your diary on you, you'd probably busy yourself writing down the details of this day, so the memory could continue to live on long after the war was over.

But just a few days prior it went missing. You thought you misplaced it and ransacked your entire quarters for it. By the time Rex had knocked on your door, nothing was in its' correct spot. Crumpled bedsheets, swinging closet doors and a chair in the middle of the room as you had searched under your desk.

He wanted to question your panicked state, but as soon as the words 'Mission' and 'Jedi Council' were said, you had put a halt to your search mission.

Rex hadn't tried to ask since.

But now, forced to sit by idly, you were mesmerised by the beauty of none other than Fives himself. He was an ARC Trooper for a reason. His shoulders were broad, his waist slim and his thighs - thick and strong and defined from hours of battle and constant training. His tan skin was wet with salty sweat and even saltier water, and if one were to squint hard enough, they could see droplets running down the side of his neck.

You often found yourself feeling grateful to Jango Fett for having such fine genes.

As if reading your mind, Fives decided to stretch, and in the process flexed his biceps. How big were they?

Was it just you or did it get twenty degrees hotter?

His head slowly turned, and for a moment, you made eye contact. It was quick, but it was still enough to have your heart racing. A smirk stretched across his lips as he caught sight of your blooming blush.

The moment was cut short as Jesse splashed salty water right in his face. You didn't even get a chance to process the expression on his face, the water having wiped it away, as a surprised yelp escaped Fives.

His hand flew to his face, a guttural groan leaving his lips as he swore. His form was hunched over, his hand wiping at his eye.

Before you knew it, you were up and running towards the water, your sunbed abandoned and dusty in your wake.

"Fives?!"

His attention snapped to you at the sound of your voice.

A gasp left your lips.

His eye. The usually tawny skin surrounding his eye had now gained in darker colour, the area a faint red under the sunlight. Tiny, crimson vessels coated his sclera, reaching with thin, curly tendons towards his iris.

Just what was in that water? Surely it shouldn't be this bad.

Jesse was quick to utter apologies, his mouth cast into a downturned smile.

"Jesse it's fine," Fives insisted, "It's nothing." He continued, rubbing at his eye, the corners of his lips fighting an oncoming scowl. His attention quickly diverted from Jesse, focusing on you just as your feet reached the water.

Your body stuttered, your movements faltering as you glanced down at the waves.

Fives eyed you wearily, noticing the hesitation plastered all over your features.

But then in a flash, the water was already hitting your knees, lazily crashing against your waist as you progressed further. Goosebumps rose all over your body, visible under the blaring sun.

Your stomach twisted into a ball of thread, bile rising in your throat. You squeezed the water bottle and towel in your hands, then proceeded to raise your arms into the air like a cheering fan.

The water was now waist-deep, splashing against your torso and swaying your body back and forth.

Pieces of broken pebbles dug into the balls of your feet, and you had to supress the urge to scream when a floating piece of seaweed tickled at your ankles.

A small wheeze left your lips though, and as you reached Fives and looked up, you noticed the concerned expression on Jesse’s face. Was it for Fives or for you? You couldn’t quite tell.

"Let me see." You requested, placing your busy hands on top of Fives’ shoulders.

"General, I'm fine. It's just a bit of water." Fives winced as he attempted an eyeroll, his hands having wrapped around your wrists.

He failed to notice the brief flash of panic in your eyes or the tension in your jaw as the water splashed onto your chest.

"Just a bit of... Water?" You repeated, swallowing harshly. Tugging your hands from his hold, you looked back up at him. "You look like you’re on some hard spice, Trooper. We’ll get your eye rinsed; we don’t know just how safe the water is."

The men behind him had gone awfully quiet, Fives noted as he silently pleaded with you. His eyes searched yours, his head tilting just the slightest. He wasn't a fan of silence, at least not when it came from his squad mates. And he knew all to well that they were watching like hawks, supressing their laughter.

However, as you stood there looking up at him, he couldn’t help but allow his resolve to crumble just a tiny bit. Who could say no to those sweet puppy eyes? Maybe Echo. Most definitely not Fives.

"Alright, lead the way." He finally let up, heaving a sigh. His eye was stinging a bit too much and it’s not like he minded the extra attention from you.

A snicker left one of the men behind you, and Fives was quick to whip his head around, motioning for them to ‘zip it’.

"General?"

"Fives?" You pursed your lips as you looked up at him, though you didn't last long as your gaze faltered, focusing on your primary target, the sunbed. You wouldn’t be rinsing his eye on the sand; it was too hot, and it felt like walking on lava rocks.

“Is it that bad? Or did you just want me all for yourself?” He asked, nudging your side with his elbow.

Wordlessly, you pushed him onto your sunbed.

“Aggressive, I can work with that.”

“Shut it.” You laughed out, shaking your head.

By that point, Rex had slowly begun waking up, rubbing tiredly at his eyes.

A confused hum left his lips as he noticed the state of your clothes. They were wet. Soaking wet, in fact.

"General?" His voice was deeper than normal, more guttural as he was recovering from his nap. "Why are you...Wet?"

“No reason, Captain.” You shrugged your shoulders with a wink.

Rex looked to Fives, giving him a confused look. He sat up in his sunbed, crossing his legs and rubbing his face. “There’s a first time for everything, I guess.”

“First time? First time for what?”

“Oh? Didn’t you know? Our General- “

“Rex.” The way his name rolled off the tip of your tongue had shivers running down his spine. It carried authority and a warning, but the captain was feeling quite daring. His chest puffed up, his whole demeanour changing. This wasn’t your sweet Captain Rex, this was cheeky Cadet Rex, ready to tell the most embarrassing of stories to his brother.

He looked over to Fives, leaning back on his hands.

“Our General over here is terrified of water.” He mused, recalling a specific memory, “On one of our first missions together, we were sent to a swampy planet. The General had us all fooled at first,” He paused, snickering at the displeased expression on your face, “The second a frog swam by, she was screaming and jumping into my arms. Jesse almost blasted the poor thing to bits!”

“Rex!” You exclaimed, throwing the damp rug at him, “You promised not to tell anyone!”

Rex sputtered as the cloth hit him square in the face, launching it into the air in retaliation. “Fives isn’t just anyone! Am I right or am I right?”

Fives looked between the two of you, his brows raised in shock and his eye looking much better.

“General? I’m not just anyone, I’m your favourite ARC Trooper!” He shook his head, pressing a hand to his chest. “I can’t believe you!”

Before you could deny his words or assure him, Rex was already stood by you.

“See General? You hurt his feelings.”

“N- No I didn’t! Fives you are my favourite, just don’t tell anyone, alright?” You pleaded, attempting your best puppy eyes yet. Your attempts faltered as he shook his head, feigning a hurt look.

“I’m not sure, General. You’ll have to make it up to me somehow,” He paused, exchanging mysterious looks with Rex.

“How can I make it up to you?”

“Oh I don’t know.. I’ll have to get back to you on that.” He retorted, pouting at you. Sometimes you forgot just how childish the man could be. You clutched the empty water bottle in your hand, readying it as your next weapon for Rex.

Turning towards him, a fake scowl twisted your expression.

“Don’t look at me like that, General, it’s a waste of a pretty face.” He quickly said, shielding his face as you raised the water bottle. Before it could leave your hands voluntarily though, a pair of arms wrapped around your waist.

“H- Huh?” A gasp left your lips as your body was swiftly rotated and slung over Fives’ shoulder like a sack of rations. That man really harboured more strength in those biceps than you knew. “Fives? What are you doing?”

“I’m having you repay me! Starting now!” He exclaimed and began moving. Rex moved to his side, keeping in step with Fives. Your eyes widened as the sunbed slowly moved further and further, becoming a distant promise of safety and comfort as salty waves made contact with Fives’ feet.

“Fives! L- Let me go! Please!” Your voice was reaching new peaks, rising higher and higher as you began kicking your legs. “I- I can’t swim!” You continued, lightly hitting his back.

His steps began to slow. You held your breath, leaning your head as far from the water as possible.

“You can’t swim? Are you serious or are you bullshitting me, General?” He asked, looking towards Rex, who only gave him a shrug of his shoulders.

“I promise! Please, please, please don’t go any further.” You pleaded once more, looking over to Rex too. Your hands were clasped together, as if you were praying to the two men. He exchanged glances with Fives, wordlessly communicating.

Rex looked over to you, pursing his lips.

“What’s holding y’guys up?” Hardcase shouted, coming closer and closer. “And since when did the General go into water that isn’t a part of her refresher?” He asked, coming to a stop with the three of you.

“Hardcase! You know I can’t swim! Help me, please!” You began kicking your feet again, leaning your head to the side. Your hands pushed against Fives’ back, attempting to heave yourself off.

His grip on you only tightened, and a squeak was forced from your chest as his palm squeezed your thigh.

“The General is a worse swimmer than me! At her level she isn’t even a swimmer, she’s a sinker!” He exclaimed, pointing to himself, Fives’ shoulders shook as a small laugh escaped him. You could feel the blood rushing to your cheeks, setting your skin aflame.

“Fine, I’ll let you go, but only ‘cause I trust Hardcase.” His voice was gruff as he lifted your body, slowly placing you in the water. Goosebumps attacked your skin once more, but this time from the chilling cold that encased you. Looking up, Fives wore a grin that challenged that of the cheshire cat. “You should see yourself, General. You look like an angry loth cat.” He said, pinching your cheek with one hand as the other rested on your waist, his hold firm but gentle, his thumb caressing your waist in small, centred circles.

Swatting his hand away, you looked back down to the water. It rested just below your hips but would venture higher up as the waves moved back and forth.

“D’you wanna go further?” Fives asked, his voice much closer now. Looking around, you noticed that Rex and the others had moved further into the water, where it now reached their chests.

Shaking your head, you turned back to Fives. “I can’t swim, plus I don’t have the same height advantage as you,” You paused, pointing to the others, “I’d be under water where they are now.”

A soft chuckle escaped his lips, crows’ feet tugging at the outer corners of his eyes. Your hands rose to his chest, steadying yourself as a rogue wave lifted your feet off the ground.

“C’mon, you can sit on my shoulders? I’m sure the others would be more than happy to have you around.” He asked, giving your waist a faint squeeze.

You took a moment to think over his proposition. Sure, being on his shoulders would mean you get to, mostly, stay out of the water. But what if you fell off? You cringed at the thought of water invading your nose, burning your windpipe and choking you from the inside out.

“I- I don’t know…” You paused.

Slowly, you looked up, your breath hitching in your throat. He was already watching you, admiring the tiny expressions you made as you watched his brothers. There was this smitten look resting across his face, as if you were the prettiest little thing he’s ever seen.

His face was so close, his body slightly brushing against your own. His scent invaded your senses, so much so you could almost taste it on the tip of your tongue.

The sunlight reflected in his eyes, outlining the different shapes and shades as if you were looking into a kaleidoscope. His irises had this gorgeous colour of warm honey, and they sparkled like a pair of amber crystals under the soft sunrays.

His skin glowed under the warmth, the rich olive colour becoming tanner the longer he sat outside of his armour, making Fives look healthier and happier. All of the men, in fact. Though their armour kept them safe and sound, you couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of them. They were in their zone.

Fives’ hand moved up to your face, his eyes concentrated on a stray piece of hair. The soft smile kept playing at his lips, never fully going but never fully staying.

There was a tension in his jaw, however, as his fingers toyed with your hair. It was like he was holding something back.

He moved the strand away, gently tucking it behind your ear, as best as it would go anyway.

“You’re gorgeous, cyar’ika.” His words came out as a whispered prayer, his gaze so tender and loving as he caressed your cheek with his knuckles.

It was as if your brain short-circuited again; his words dropped on you like a heavy boulder, so sudden, and yet your heartbeat was now racing a thousand miles per hour. Your breath was caught in your throat, and your mouth suddenly felt dry. Was this normal? Were you panicking or were you blushing? Were you going crazy? What was happening?

“F- Fives…” You whispered, your grip on his chest tightening. You never expected those words to come from him, or anyone at all. They weren’t meant for you. But if so, why did they make you so happy? So ecstatic and why did he make you swoon so hard?

He leaned his face a tad closer, just enough for you to feel his breath fanning over your lips.

You could feel his warmth, it was comparable to the sun itself. It rode in your veins, it had your blood bubbling up in excitement the longer he looked at you. You were just a small planet orbiting his sun, being pulled in closer and closer until all you could feel was the heat and the burn of him.

His tongue darted out to lick at his bottom lip, ridding it of dryness and discomfort.

But that small action had you going wild, feral even.

In that split moment, your gaze flickered to his lips. For a man who spent the majority of his life on a battlefield, his lips sure looked plump and made just for kissing.

It was like you were gravitating towards him, like a comet curve-balling around his planet, entangling around his soul and burning brightly at each twist and pull. His hold on you had your legs melting, as if you were nothing but a shard of ice, being thawed away at by his warm touch and sweetly whispered nothings.

His hand tilted your jaw, just enough for your lips to rest an inch from his. Any closer, and you’d be kissing, melting into one another.

Before either of you could do more, say more, the distant voice of Hardcase called out to you.

“Are you two comin’ or what?!” He shouted, cupping his mouth with both hands.

You jolted in your spot, effectively snapping out of whatever spell the man before you had cast on you. Clearly, he had been put under a spell too as his hands retracted and his posture stiffened.

“We’re on our way!” He shouted back, waving Hardcase off. His attention quickly returned to you, but the spell was now gone.

A lump formed in your throat, and you swallowed it down with struggle.

Uncertainty and fear tugged at your heartstrings, and Fives knew exactly what that meant.

“G- General-“

“I need to go.” Your voice was meek and shallow as you retracted from his touch, as if he left your skin with painful burns and sears wherever his fingertips touched. “Alone.” You continued, placing a hesitant palm on his chest as Fives attempted to follow you.

This couldn’t be happening.

With your back turned to him and your figure disappearing into the distance, Fives couldn’t help but curse under his breath. His lips slightly agape, he stood in the same spot you left him in just moments ago.

How could he have ruined everything in such a short amount of time?

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drdemonprince · 8 months ago

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I went to visit my friend from high school for spring break in college one year. I'd had a crush on him in hs, it was not reciprocated but we remained close. I was also a late bloomer sexuality wise so it wasn't until college that I even would have been up for anything physical. ANYWAY. Decided to visit, figured this was my shot to try and act on that crush again. On the drive from the airport he came out to me as gay so, I figured, that's that. Explains why he wasn't into me in hs and why he didnt really have a reason back then.

I'm determined to hook up w someone on this trip though, so that's always simmering. We hang out with his local friend who is having a will-they-wont-they thing with a guy in their grad program. She is desperate to hook up but he's hot and cold.

We concot a plan to bait him with a possible threesome, spend an evening texting and sending him pics of us making out in a pool. (It's Miami, it just seemed like the thing to do lol) This guy is into it but he's busy that night and nothing comes of it.

A few days pass then it's my last day in Miami, my flight leaves at 6 am the next morning. She calls my friend after dinner like, holy shit it worked, he's coming over now, can you guys get here?

I'm like, fuck it, let's go. I'll bring my luggage and you can just drop me at the airport at 4 am or whatever. Forgot to mention, my friend from hs also has a crush on this other guy, so he's been down to help however he can haha

We arrive, the other guy isn't there yet, the three of us are drinking that whipped cream vodka that was popular at the time while we wait. Dude finally shows up AND HE BROUGHT A FRIEND. Unclear if he warned her ahead of time. Friend is... less cute but whatever, they brought weed. We smoke and dance some bachata and flirt etc...

Tbh my memory gets a little hazy here but somehow she ended up taking grad school guy and his buddy up to her bedroom, and I'm alone w my hs friend, we are smasheddd. I ask him, hey I know you're into guys but do you wanna fool around anyway? And we ended up making out in the bathroom, I tried going down on him but he was too drunk to keep it up so we petered off, then decided to go check on the others bc we realized we left this girl alone w two dude we barely knew.

Well they we having a merry little threesome upstairs and when we came to the door they invited us to join in!

That is how I ended up with my ass in the air getting railed by two strangers while I ate this girl out like a starving person. Grad school guy actually did us a solid w his friend bc that guys cock was huge. My only regret is I didn't get a chance to suck that guy off ;(

Eventually, they headed home and my hs friend and his friend stayed up w me until 3 am when I called a cab to the airport (idk why I ever thought we'd be sober enough to drive). Again, this was Miami but I'm fairly sure I won skankiest person in the supershuttle, which the exhibitionist in me loved. Slept it off on the plane home!

No regrets, best spring break of my life, opened my eyes to group sex and I still got to hook up w my hs crush :) and we stayed great friends!

ANON this is the most late 2000's story fucking ever. pinnacle whipped cream vodka. messily negotiated threesomes. people showing up to the sex party with surprise extra guests. gay guys fucking women. everybody being notionally bi but also not really. near drunk driving. i've been at parties exactly like these. my first apartment in college in 2007 had a pool and we were skanking it up in there miami style all the time. cheers dude

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manytoonepoet13 · 5 months ago

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Aight. Since people are busy talking about Valkyrie... I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT KNIGHTS BECAUSE CASTLE OF MY HEART IS AMAZING, anywayss—

What's amazing about this mv is the fact that it gives emphasis on the actual role of each knight and what they represent not only within their unit, but also within each other's lives.

Exhibit A: The Kings and The Pillars.

This here is pretty explanatory on what they represent, Kasa and Leo being the kings of Knights because they were the appointed leaders of Knights, but it also represents the values they have that makes them the perfect choice for king. All Leo wanted to do was to share joy through his music and protect the ones he love with all his power. While Kasa wanted to do his best, to be confident in his abilities and to do well by his group.

Arashi and Ritsu being the pillars is because they were the additions that made Knights a solid enough unit to compete back then, other than that, they showed to provide support to each and every member of the unit.

Exhibit B: The Soldier.

So we have here, the kings, the pillars, and only one left — the soldier.

I don't think people realize just how much Izumi has contributed to the group. He was the one who kept it all together when Leo left, he was the one who drove it forward, he was the one who kept it alive, he was the one who laid the foundation for Kasa when he joined Knights. He was an one-man army who carried the weight of it all on his shoulders until he was on the verge of breaking.

Exhibit C: Chronicles of Knights.

What I really love about the bridge is that it talks about what they have learned through the years, what they have learned in being a true knight, and what they have learned in being true to themselves.

"I'll miss those innocent moments."

"I've noticed that..."

"But I'll grow up and be more mature."

"I'm not going to let hardships stop us, even if it's a love that's been unforgivable from the start."

"We've decided to overcome it and we believe each other. I want to protect you with my own hands. To the future that I should return to. I'm going to carry out my will of my own choosing. To fulfill my non-negotiable vow that one day we will surely transcend fate and live together."

"Castle of my heart..."

Their love is unforgivable because of the challenges, of the terrible things they will face if they indulge in it. Their love is unforgivable of the things they are willing to do whatever it takes to protect the ones they love, even if they are scarred and can no longer see clearly from the blood. They are willing to fight for their love even if stones and insults were thrown at them, even if they were to be walked over of spit on. They are willing to fight for this "unforgivable" love because of the things they will face and the things they will do for their love and they don't even care about that anymore because all that matters to them is their love.

And that part is clear in the mv because it is tied to "We'll be Knights". The chessboard, the rose petals, even the lyrics, it is connected.

"Even when it hurts, even when it scars my soul. Even if I'm stained with blood and can't see what's in front of me.

Facing one another, with a gaze that looks past beyond. Swinging out a sword whose blade reflects the moon above. Just the things that are dear is what we'll protect. For that purpose alone... this is why we're being called to fight."

"We're Knights."

This is their duty, their non-negotiable vow they want to fulfill in order to reach a better future. This is Knights.

But from where they are now... I can tell that they are on their way to reaching that future. The dark days are still there, yes, but they'll overcome it, they always did.

#enstars #knights enstars #knights #izumi sena #leo tsukinaga #tsukasa suou #ritsu sakuma #arashi narukami

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klabauters · 7 months ago

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I mentioned already that we were going to be playing npcs at a youth larp. Well, it happened, and idk guys maybe I'm not built for youth work. jk it was hilarious but dear god why are kids like that

The organizers had asked me to bring my cabin boy character, and furthermore told me that they'd let me pretend to be one of the players instead of an npc. Mainly because they wanted someone who could move the plot along from "inside" the player group. This had nothing to do with the fact that I pass as a 14yr old, I'm sure.

I arrived late the first day because of work, got changed and immediately had a team member give me some very fateful instructions: "kids are negotiating with some fire cultists in the forest to get a cart of stolen stuff back, but they're taking ages. You brought Lutz, right? I think Lutz would really, really like to just go steal that cart right back". And off we went.

Went to the woods, talked some of the kids who'd stayed back into helping me with stealing the cart back while their friends were busy talking, and then snuck off with them to go move that plot along. We got to the cart, I started pulling it down the path, we got noticed immediately and all four kids whom I'd roped into helping me decided to sod off into the bushes, leaving me sprinting on my own, with the cart, pursued by twenty kids and a haf dozen fire cultist npcs. Brilliant work, I love my job.

It made for a good scene, but after that point the kids wanted me dead. I spent the entire first day talking kids out of wanting to rapture me for running off with the cart, only to walk around the corner and get ambushed by another gang of children. My character gets pushed around in my regular larps a lot as well, so I know how to lean into the sheer physicality of being dragged and pushed around. It's overexaggerated stage acting. And unfortunately the kids found it absolutely hilarious, which certainly didn't help. I got cornered by a group of kids in the tavern, one of whom drew a sword. The innkeeper yelled at them that there'd be no violence in his tavern, both the kids and me stared at him for three solid seconds, and then they proceeded to physically drag me out of the tavern by the collar of my coat. At least the innkeeper found the sight absolutely hysterical.

Nevertheless I had a good time, the kids had fun and I'll probably end up doing this again if asked.

#larp #youth larp

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toastyrobos · 1 year ago

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Tasteful evening surprise (Crosshair x female reader one shot)

Word count: 2357

((Your a Senator. After a stressful day you go back to your apartment to find Crosshair waiting for you. A surprise, but a welcomed one. He and you enjoy a nice dinner and some much needed alone time. Hadn't seen each other in several rotations))

You were more then ready to rip this dress off your body. Toss it across the room and slip into something more comfortable, less form fitting. Getting dressed up was not the issue. It was the long draining hours you had to spend tied up in it that was the problem. Unfortunately that came with the territory of being a Senator for the Republic.

Most days were fine. Taken up with several meetings and involved delegations, but it was your job and you didn't mind. In fact this is what propelled you forward. Being able to do good for the millions of citizens scattered across the galaxy filled you with pride.

And you were not just one of those talk the talk ones. No. You fought and fought with your voice for the people. Especially for the ones so many in the senate tended to overlook. Every voiced mattered. Exhausted was how you found yourself at the end of the day. On more then one occasion.

Today, however you were nearly spent. Dragging yourself in the direction of your apartment. A rather heated negotiation had ended in shambles and you were just ready to concede.

Before you had even reached the door your heels were pried from your feet, resting at the side of the dress. Exhaustion rolling over you as the code was entered in. The very second the door slid open, heels were thrown aside and you nearly collapsed against the wall from how much your head was throbbing.

How the hell had one meager negotiation turn into such a disaster? Never had you experienced such a tense situation before. Raised voices was one thing, however such aggressive threatening language was not. At least not to you. Different ideologies were as common as a rainstorm, that was a given. But the way these individuals handled discussions...maker.

No. You shook your head. Now was not the time to give them another thought. Unfortunately though another round would be happening tomorrow. Tonight was about you and the cozy couch that was calling your name. Responsibilities of the day, done. Matters taken care of. All that's left to do was settle in for the evening and relax.

"Long day, doll?" You quickly jumped back, almost stumbling and falling over the train of your dress.

That voice.

Sharp brown eyes stared directly at you, taking in your formal appearance. And he liked what he saw. Always did. Especially all those Senator gowns. They only heightened how beautiful you were to the sharpshooter. After all he had a keen eye for true beauty.

"Crosshair.." you were stunned to see him here. "What are you doing here?". Sure you were that he was supposed to still be on a mission.

The corner of his lip lifted. "Not happy to see me?"

You were quick to shake your head. The opposite actually.

"That's utterly ridiculous". You scoffed. "I'm always thrilled to see you. I-I'm just surprised to see you here. I thought you were still on Raxus for several more rotations".

He merely shrugged. Not phased at all by your question. "We finished the mission early". You couldn't help the excitement that twisted in your stomach. It had been so long since you had last seen him.

His lengthy arms draped over the back of the couch, left leg crossed over his right knee. He didn't even have to try to be handsome. He just was. And bless the stars that you were able to call him yours.

Roaming his face, like your always did your eyes focused on the new scar under his eye. It was deeper then you would have liked. But there was nothing you could do about it. He was a solider after all. Bruises, cuts and gashes came with his line of work.

"I hope everything went well". You replied moving in closer to his spread out position.

"Mostly". He answered, reaching in his pocket for a toothpick.

"What happened—no, actually let me guess, Wrecker?"

He nodded, lifting himself off of the couch and came to rest his chest against your back. He slid his arms around your waist and nestled his head in the crook of your neck. Breathing in the floral smells of lavender and rose that he had came to love very much.

"Tech and Hunter were furious". He added, his lips just hovering over your exposed neck. Your insides curled, lips parted slightly.

"I can only imagine. Tech more then likely gave him the usual stern talking to". Crosshair nodded.

"Enough about the mission". He replied changing the subject. "I missed you". You spun yourself around to take in his features close up.

Then a smile broke out on your face. "I missed you too. I had expected to spend the evening alone, but it appears I won't be anymore".

The smirk he gave, that made your toes curl, finally made an appearance and you could feel your heart skip a beat.

"Lucky you".

The distance between you two was becoming increasingly smaller. You could practically feel the heated desires permeating the air as well as your quickened heartbeat.

His eyes dropped to your lips. The longing to kiss you hung in the air. Waiting to see who would close the distance between you two first. You would have certainly done it, but you were never brave enough to make the first move.

Crosshair was the one who made the first move when it came to your relationship. Particularly one day he just had had enough. He couldn't hold himself back any longer so the minute he found you, he pulled you into a small hidden corner, backed you into a wall and kissed you like he was dying of thirst and you were the only drink for miles around.

He seemed to kiss you like that every time he had an opportunity to, or just had the urge to. Now was no different. He took you in his arms and collapsed his lips down on yours. You hooked your arms around the back of neck as he gripped your hips forcefully. It was a whirlwind, kissing the sharpshooter. Every single time he left you in a daze. By the force did he electrify you.

Guess it was fitting. His name. For each time he hit his mark. Making you feel so many different emotions all at once. He really was great at his job.

"You were not kidding". You gasped, pulling away breathless.

Crosshair licked his lips. "What can I say, mesh'la. Your hard to stay away from". He confessed. "Now why don't you let me take care of you tonight".

"Sounds lovely to me". You hummed as his fingers slid up and down your arms. Keeping a rhythm that sent shivers up them. Then he began to pepper light kisses across your skin. Starting at the end of your shoulder, trailing up to your cheek. The familiar sensation warming your body. "It's been a tiring day".

The sharpshooter paused in his affections, picking up on your tone. He was aware of how difficult it was being a Senator. You rarely complained about it or went into too much detail, but he had learned a thing or two from Hunter. Being able to pick up on your exhaustion, your frustrations had become second nature to him.

Right now was no expectation. Small bags under your ears, missing heels, and sleepy tone. It had been one of those days. Though he had no idea what had happened, it mattered not. Anyone that took a shot at you or made an unfortunate comment towards you would answer to him.

Crosshair usually didn't get into fights. When he did however, it was usually in your honor. And mostly it was fighting a reg who had said something unwarranted. He became a different person when it came to you. But he loved the way you made him feel. You were the light in his war stained existence.

"Then let me take care of everything". He whispered.

"Are you staying the night?" You questioned. If he was you absolutely knew where the two of you would end up.

"I couldn't think of anything better". He answered, eye's darkening for where the evening could lead to, and unmistakably would.

Biting your bottom lip you simply nodded. Then wrapped your arms back around his neck, your bodies swaying slowly on the edge of your penthouse apartment balcony. Multi colored lights of Coruascant illuminating the environment and bathing everything in bright rainbows of color. A sight you never got tired of. Maybe never would. It was a light show of color. Golds and blues being the most dominant of all.

The way the electric blues glowed in Crosshair's irises. His eyes lighting up a color all their own.

"Then what do you have planned for this evening?" You inquired, curious to what events were awaiting for you. Hopefully none of it involved going out. However judging by Crosshair's relaxed demeanor that wouldn't be that case.

"A nice dinner prepared by yours truly followed up by just sitting here. Enjoying one another's company—"

"Hold up!" You placed your hands on his armored chest, interjecting. "Since when can you cook?"

He furrowed his brows. "I've been practicing—"

"Since when?" You questioned.

He smiled. "Tech's been showing me how". You didn't know what shocked you more. The fact that Tech knew how to cook or that Crosshair was allowing Tech to teach him...though the former seemed more plausible.

"Why has he been teaching you to cook of all things?"

Exhaling, the sharpshooter turned your hands over in his palms. Feeling the soft delicate untainted skin against his rough scarred ones.

"I wanted to. For you". The truth of his words hit you like blaster fire. And threw you for a loop.

"For me?"

He nodded. "I know we don't get to see each other often, so I wanted to do something special for you". You couldn't fathom this. "Besides I know how much you enjoy a good meal".

"A good meal". You smirked, teasing him.

"I'd be careful what you say, doll". Crosshair warned playfully, amusement rolling off his features, pushing his body forward, forcing your back into the railing, overlooking the sparkling city.

"Or you'll what?" You took the bait.

He lined his lips up with your ear and then whispered in it. "Or will skip right to dessert".

"Tempting, but I want to taste this nice dinner cooked by you".

As much as you were willing to indulge in his suggestion, you now had other plans. Other things could wait. You wanted to taste what he had made. Your curiosity was peaked.

"Then shall we?" Crosshair offered up his arm for you to take. And so you did. Linking your arm with his, you followed him down the steps of the balcony and into the kitchen area.

You watched from your seat as he started to gather up some ingredients from the fridge. Seemingly knowing his way around the floor plan already. Not that it phased you. He knew his way around your place for almost a year now.

Something about how comfortable he was here made your stomach flutter. Maybe it was the implications that it raised. Or that you could picture a future with him. In this very place. In this very room.

You were still wrapping your head around the fact that he had taken this step. You knew Crosshair was series about your relationship, but taking up cooking? That seemed so far out of his element.

That reason alone, butterflies poured into your stomach. Your heart nearly melted. He was willingly to do this for you. Willing to learn something that was out of his area of expertise and that made you happy. Warming your body inside and out.

"You really did this for me?" You just needed to be certain.

Crosshair paused his work across from you and lifted his gaze to meet yours. "Mesh'la I love you. I'd do anything for you".

Hearing those three simple, yet powerful words each time made your heart swell. "I know. It's just—"

He reached across the surface to grip your hand. "Your worth it. Always". And you believed him. You always did.

Finally accepting what he was saying you couldn't contain how giddy you felt. You swore you were acting more like a child then a full grown Senator.

"What would your brothers think if they saw how romantic you were being right now?" You grinned from ear to ear. Immediately his features changed. But hints of love still lingered.

"They won't find out because your not going to tell. Ever". His tone was firm and with it you were one hundred percent positive he meant ever word of it. Rarely did he ever not mean it.

"Of course". The smile still present as ever on your face. "Besides I rather have this side of you all to myself".

He grinned, victorious. "Glad to hear it. Because it's only ever been for you".

When his masterpiece was finally finished, he served the two of you in the comfort of the living room, the glittering view of the city as your backdrop. And maker Crosshair's first mea he cooked for you was excellent. It was savory, yet sweet. It was cooked to perfection and you wondered if that had to do with Tech's precise programming to make sure everything was done just so. Either way you ate every single morsel on the plate. That was more then enough confirmation to him that he'd get the chance to cook for the two of you again. Both of you eager for when that time would be.

In the morning he would be leaving again. Another planet in need of the Republic's help. It was unfortunate, but it was his duty, being a soldier. As being a Senator was yours. The time you two spent together was usually short and there were long stretches of time when you didn't see one another. Thus the moments the two of you had together were precious and you truly treasured dearly.

#star wars #bad batch #star wars the bad batch #the bad batch #i love the bad batch so much #tbb crosshair #crosshair the bad batch #crosshair bad batch #bad batch crosshair #crosshair x reader #crosshair fanfiction #bad batch fanfic #megabeewrites

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soldieronbarnes · 9 months ago

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ALRIGHT FOLKS, as I'm getting started on my Obikin BB fic, here's a snippet of another fic I considered for the fest but decided it would be too long; it's a WIP you've seen me mention before and that I hope to actually write and complete one day (the one where Nabooian culture has the fucked up tradition of lending one's spouse to esteemed guests --- Anakin is the spouse, Obi-Wan the guest)

“You think you’re doing me a kindness? That, by refusing to touch me, you’re saving me?”

Obi-Wan blinks, taken aback. Before, Anakin had seemed — fearful and shy, perhaps. Now, the Force brims with bitterness and anger around him.

“I’m not sure I would call it a kindness,” Obi-Wan hazards cautiously, despite his confusion. He’d expected the Force to bloom with sweet, if anxious, relief. Surely it is — basic decency. Surely this boy must have known guests who refused the offer, who were equally appalled by these archaic practices, and less beholden to appealing to his husband’s sense of pride, to stroking Palpatine’s ego, to flattering him until he let himself be moved whichever which way than Obi-Wan is.

“It isn’t.”

Obi-Wan doesn’t understand.

“I don’t understand,” he admits. “I don’t believe you want me to touch you.”

“It doesn’t matter!” The boy explodes. “It never matters! He’ll know, you see, he always does, and this is — this is a punishment.” He buries his face in his hand, and he might be crying and —

Obi-Wan is so in over his head.

“I was led to believe that in Nabooian culture — in its very traditional, almost antiquated culture, that is – that it is seen as a great privilege to, ah —” he stumbles. “Well. That the husband sees it as something to take pride in, a generosity upon his guest, not — not —”

“It is,” Anakin sniffs. “It’s a mark of hospitality, and plenty of people here still follow this tradition; Hells, plenty of wives enjoy and support it, Nabooians aren’t exactly monogamous, but — but I’m —”

Anakin swallows heavily, squares his shoulders, and when he lifts his head, his expression is resigned. Only a slight redness around his eyes betrays his feelings; when he continues, it’s very matter of fact.

“I displeased him, earlier. Knowingly. I shouldn’t have, I should’ve known better, but I — I didn’t think. I relied too much on him liking you, liking the Jedi, thinking that you were important, so that he would not want to offend you. I didn’t think he’d — but it’s perfect, you see. I get my punishment, and you get taken down a peg. And by tomorrow, you’ll feel so guilty about breaking your vows that you’ll grant him more in the negotiations than you planned to, and he’ll have won, again.”

Obi-Wan doesn’t even know where to begin: The allusion to frequent spousal abuse? The delicate nature of negotiations? The accusation that he would be swayed by bribes offered, especially ones as crude as this one? Correcting the boy on the notion that Jedi take vows of celibacy?

“I beg your pardon,” he says. Better to focus on the most pressing issue. The others are probably best shoved aside until he has time and peace of mind for a solid, lengthy meditation session. “But I don’t think I understand why you dismiss my solution so easily. You’re welcome to spend the night, of course, even though I won’t touch you, and that should be enough to do away with any suspicions your husband might have.”

Anakin only glares at him. “I told you,” he spits, “I told you, he’ll know. He always does. Your squeamishness won’t be an excuse — it’s not about what you do, it’s about me. I didn’t do as he told me to, and he sent me to be fucked by you, knowing how much I hate it every time he makes me do it.” He turns, then, looking Obi-Wan straight in the eyes, his blue eyes burning like kyber on Ilum — except there’s none of the peace, none of the anticipation. Only hurt. “What do you think he’ll do to me, if I go back to him without doing as I was told, when he’s already angry with me?”

Obi-Wan opens his mouth, and then closes it with an audible click.

“I promise you, it’ll be much worse than this,” Anakin continues. “You’re not ugly, and I don’t think you want to hurt me. That’s leagues better than I usually get. So if you want to save me,” he says, every word dripping with derision, ”you need to get over your religious guilt.”

#obikin #my writing

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alicepooryorick · 27 days ago

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New excerpt from my Shiva fic BC I'm so proud of it still! Trying to figure out what end game is fully but I'm really enjoying writing this thing.

"Why are you here?"

Barbara said that differently than everyone else. Every other time it had been said to her lately, it wasn't a question, it was a disguised command: "go away Shiva" as if they had power over her. Barbara, Barbara said it as something different. The words, her body, they read to Shiva that Barbara was surprised Shiva chose to show up today. That Shiva had decided to choose to see Barbara on a day where she didn't need to. "Are you ok?" Is what she meant.

Shiva was fine. She'd just wanted to come bother Barbara. Talk about the trick they were playing a bit more; negotiations she'd heard were important for any relationship. Surely for a fake one too.

"I wanted to talk, about us."

"What do you mean?"

"The fake relationship. I am having fun, but how far do you want to go, Barbara? Do we do fake dates?"

Barbara stared at Shiva, blinking. Shiva had once again won this conversation.

"Shiva, is this what..."

"This about Dick's reaction. What's the nicest he did? We should do better." Shiva was grinning, this bit was a great excuse to do things she'd never justify otherwise. Wasn't that she'd never been to nice restaurants, they just sucked when going alone or with someone who shook at the site of you or worshipped your steps. Shiva tended to prefer simple, normal places. Places where they didn't ask questions, she had a favorite shawarma place here in Gotham. The people behind the counter had no idea who she was but grinned when they saw her. She'd kill any of their enemies for them if they needed, but she suspected they had no enemies.

"I don't know... He wasn't lacking on money. Probably the Wayne Galas?"

"Boring."

"They were nice! I still go."

"Exactly. If the nicest he did you do without him, it was not very nice. We should go to someplace fancy and make sure the Bats know."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I have plenty of funds, we should do it."

"I do too."

"Yes but I will treat you, make sure the cover is solid."

"One of us has to pay in that case, you don't have to."

"It is my idea. I will pay."

"Ok fine."

#dc #comics #batman #cassandra cain #batgirl #stephanie brown #barbara gordon #lady shiva

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taggedmemes · 1 year ago

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SENTENCE MEME TWISTED METAL / SEASON 01 EPISODES 01 + 02

the world fell to shit.

not having easily accessible porn freaked people out.

it's like a goddamn maze in here.

i got a big package for you.

time makes a fool of us all.

what's your name, slugger?

time to turn on the charm.

guess i'm not getting that knife back.

i'm sure you've got some stories.

charming, devilishly handsome, you know the type.

he was invited to have a beer with a mysterious, mildly intimidating white lady.

you got a solid ass.

i've got a lot of power.

i can make people's desires, their dreams, their every wish come true.

you have no idea what i would do for some two-ply.

i've never met a baby before.

aren't you tired of almost dying every day?

arent you tired of always being alone?

he had a theory that little sins could attract big sins.

consider it your punishment for crimes committed against the law.

eat my ass.

saving your ass once again.

it'll make your nipples spin like a lady in the burly-q show.

that's why i'm here to see your pretty face.

it means dealing with a bunch of brainwashed, burger worshipping screwballs.

there's chaos out there.

you know, it's really rude not to introduce yourself before pulling a gun on someone.

how about you lower that sorry excuse for a gun and i'll lower my exceptionally cool blade.

we don't want things to escalate, do we?

see? now things have escalated.

this never happened to me before.

you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

six bullets, each with your name on it.

that said, i'm willing to negotiate.

i love you, but this is all your fault.

well excuse me for trying to get you something dope for your birthday.

you know what's dope? a full eight hours of sleep.

i call dibs on the man titties.

they'd rather eat the flesh of their own kind than starve.

silent, but not very deadly.

you can hide, but i have ways to find you.

damn. that usually works.

why are you scurrying away, little squirrel?

sounds like you have trust issues.

i finally felt hot water that wasn't my own piss.

i really appreciate you coming along nicely.

normally i have to drag people into here kicking and screaming.

you won't like what happens if you run.

i love names. i'm kind of a name guy.

you should consider yourself lucky.

there are some things i wish i could forget.

you holding in a fart or something?

are we really gonna kill these guys?

they see the world in shades of grey.

my entire life people have been lying to me.

being alone was all i knew.

i was gonna starve her, watch the life slowly drain from her eyes.

i think she's gonna give you a run for your money.

you try to kill me every chance you get.

why should i show you mercy?

if it wasn't for me, you would be a starving corpse right now.

neither one of us made it pretty far on our own.

instead of trying to stab each other in the back, we should put our heads together and figure out how in the hell we're going to make it through this.

cool, we're fucked.

i am gonna tour de force this machete down your throat.

if you're not gonna tell the truth, then i'm gonna make you shut up and bleed.

it was a fucking snooze-fest.

your performance was dull as dick water.

you don't want to spend the rest of your life alone.

i'm gonna embrace the chaos.

maybe i'll even fall in love.

i have to admit i didn't think we were gonna make it out of there alive.

what is your problem anyway?

i'm keeping the gun.

you're really not gonna tell me your name?

did you just ask me for oral?

eat my ass, fuck.

#sentence meme #rp meme #sentence starters #roleplay meme #starter sentences #rp starters #rpc #starter meme #rp sentences #rp prompts #sentence prompt #roleplay prompts #sentence prompts

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cafeinthemoon · 2 years ago

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King - Chapter VI

Chapter 6

Wordcount 5,6k

Title A Kingdom of Women

Fandom Shuumatsu no Valkyrie / Record of Ragnarok

Previous chapters

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5

Symbols ⭕ . ➕ . 🖤

Warnings: Mentions of unwanted pregnancies; multiple pregnancies; basically, Poseidon is not a good man

Tagging @cloveradora @the-dumber-scaramouche @mikkies @sl33py-zer0 @nooneknows8976 (If you want to be tagged in any of my stories, just leave a comment on this chapter or send an ask or a message)

N. A.: Wow, finally a new chapter for this story! Even I find it hard to believe lol As pointed out by a reader in the comments, this story demands a lot of effort, and one of the reasons is obviously the chapters' lenght. This time, it's longer than all the others, as a compensation for the lack of updates. Tbh many things happened in the last weeks that kept me away from my works, but I don't want to discuss them here. It's not worthy.

Here are some hints about this chapter:

I tried to make Poseidon's character closer to his mythological version, which includes his relations with women. Though he doesn't make a proper appearance in this one, his presence is felt in each event, each sentence. He's the main subject of the conversations, whether in a positive or negative way. I love when this kind of stuff is included in stories to emphasize the importance of a character, and I hope I managed to do it right :)

Here we will have the first solid (or not) info about Amphitrite. I like Amphitrite's figure, and I will turn her into an important part of the structure here.

Of course, the selkie's skin is in her husband's possession. The thing with selkies' skin doesn't sit right to me, and I used this concept to create another source of tension for this story.

Finally, I'm sorry for the big delay and I hope you enjoy this new chapter :)

Yes, you have to stay vigilant, but no one can do this forever. Even the strongest can get exhausted. So, you need to relax. The thing is that you must learn when and where – and with who – you will allow yourself to rest. This can be scary in the beginning, and you will feel the most terrifying loneliness, but experience will come, and you will find balance.

Remember: your home is where your friends are.

When you were sent back to the lodge, the only things you wanted were a bit of silence and a moment by yourself, so you could process the events of the last day, your new position as a married woman and the task that was now in your hands: how would you manage to do something that only the most experienced masters were able to do, you who were never trained in any form of combat, not even in the use of knives? Yes, you did get your wish of not bearing a child answered, but were you really successful in your negotiations with your husband? You doubted that, and as to keep you in your place, he made sure you didn’t think you were.

Well, contrary to your wishes, once you stepped into the room and were left there by the servant (the same who took you to the ceremony’s preparations), you were barely allowed to readjust in it, because Alyssa was just too excited to see you again: ignoring your requests for her to be careful, she left her spot at the window and almost ran toward you when the door was opened, her hands around her belly as to protect the baby from her own recklessness.

– Y/n?! Y/n! Is that really you?!

You sighed in relief when she stopped in front of you with no troubles, but didn’t have time to think of this because the girl wrapped her arms around you and gave you the tightest hug that her condition allowed her.

– You’re finally back! – her voice was a rushed whisper – You should have been sent back yesterday, so when the night passed with no sign of you, I feared that something might have happened to you! But I’m glad you’re okay…

Though you were touched by those words, you preferred not try to wonder what Alyssa had in mind.

– Thank you – you moved away to look into her eyes – He decided to keep me with him for the entire night, so I had no choice. I’m sorry for causing you such anxiety.

You went to sit with her on your bed.

– So, yes, I’m back, but I don’t think okay is the best word to describe myself right now.

The girl frowned.

– No? How so?

You stood in silence for a moment, trying to find the appropriate way to turn your thoughts into words... And, when you did, was solely to provoke in your friend a laughing crisis.

– So… – you started – You told me that many things could happen once I found myself in Poseidon-sama’s presence… But why didn’t you tell me that this included being carried around like a bag of potatoes?

The sound of Alyssa’s laughter filled the enormous room before you could even finish the word potatoes. Her body trembled as she fought to control it, covering her mouth and closing her eyes tight, tears rolling through her hands. At first, you showed impatience – after all, being laughed at by a god by what he saw as fragility was a serious matter to you – but her reaction was so genuine that you just couldn’t stay mad.

– Alyssa, that’s not funny, okay? I didn’t enjoy being treated like that! It was humiliating and I just want to forget it!

– A bag of potatoes! Just imagine the Lord of the Seas carrying one! I can’t!

– Stop it! – you yelled, laughing too.

She took a deep breath and, then, was finally able to speak normally again.

– I’m so sorry, but I couldn’t help it! I was so worried about you and then, when you finally come back, this is the first thing you have to say? – she raised her hands in rendition – It’s just too hilarious!

You rolled your eyes.

– I wish I could see things that way.

Calming down, Alyssa gave you another reason for her attitude.

– Well, actually, it’s not just funny. I’m also surprised that he did this to you as well.

Now, you were the surprised one.

– What do you mean?

– When I was brought to the altar, I was wearing a transparent dress, so the first thing that Poseidon-sama noticed was the size of my legs – the girl explained – He didn’t say anything about them, but his disappointment filled the space between us. When he grabbed my hand and took me to the chambers where our wedding would be consummated, he made a comment about me being too slow and started carrying me on his shoulder – and, as if deliberating with herself, – But you’re a bit taller than me, you know? You must be able to walk faster… – she shrugged – Well, I guess this isn’t enough for him as well… – turning back to you, she suddenly changed the subject – But what about the wedding? The first time you saw him? What did you think? How did it feel like? Tell me everything!

Your cheeks got warm when you recalled the wedding night. You still had mixed feelings about it, so that you weren’t cheering for all that happened, at the same time that you weren’t really sad. But since you were still trying to digest such feelings, you sensed that this wasn’t the time to discuss them; Alyssa could be an understanding friend in case you did it, but you wouldn’t overwhelm her when she was so content for having you back.

– Well, I… Since our family was never devoted to any god, I had no idea of what to expect – you started – I just thought that Poseidon-sama would be similar to the statues we use to see in the temples’ entries and the public spaces. So I was really surprised when I finally saw him – you lowered your tone – He’s beautiful… And with a beauty that’s simply impossible for any human!

– I know – Alyssa commented – He firmly believes that gods are the ultimate bearers of perfection, so he does anything to embody this idea.

You chuckled.

– And I have to say it works in his case. Still, there are some unsettling things about him, such as, when you only take his appearance into account, you might think he’s around our age, but when you look into his eyes, this illusion disappears, and he looks older than everyone, anything you know… – a shiver appeared on your neck and went down your back while you remembered the god’s eyes – Older and terrifying.

Alyssa had an explanation for this.

– He’s one of the eldest deities from Greece, and was chosen to rule over the Domain of the Seas before the mythological ages. Water is a primordial element from all known worlds, including ours, you know? It’s only appropriate.

– Makes sense.

– Besides… you probably noticed that he’s not exactly a mild-tempered man – she lowered her voice, as if afraid of being heard by anyone beyond you.

You remembered the quake on the day you arrived and could only agree.

– This is why I was so worried for you, y/n – Alyssa continued – You’re just so lucky that he didn’t find any reasons to be displeased with you…

You bit your lip.

– Well… maybe he already did.

Your friend opened her mouth and closed it again, and you felt her fear and preoccupation in that small gesture. She asked what were you talking about.

– When Poseidon-sama took me to the chambers where we would have our wedding night, I made him a request – you swallowed – I asked him not to impregnate me.

Alyssa needed to make a superhuman effort to not scream when she heard that.

– You what?! But, how did you…?! – she shook her head – Do you have any idea of what it means to ask such thing from a god? Even more Poseidon-sama?

You let out an impatient sigh.

– I didn’t want to come here and I didn’t want to get married! You already know that – and, calming down a bit, – Not bearing a child was the last hint of freedom I could think of maintaining in this place, so I risked everything I still had (which wasn’t that much) in a deal with him. I’m a merchant, don’t you remember? – you shrugged – This preservation instinct... it runs in our blood.

The other girl frowned, still not believing that you indeed negotiated with Poseidon.

– Well, can you tell me the whole story, then?

– Of course.

And for the next minutes you recalled the events of that night, as well as the mission you received from your husband that morning, moments before he sent you back to the lodge, not hiding anything – except the nickname he gave you. Alyssa listened to each word carefully, not making a single interruption, but the sudden changes in her expression as the story followed revealed everything you needed to know about her feelings towards it.

In the end, by the fact that you returned to the room and the consistence of your narration, she was convinced that the god answered your plead; besides, she remembered seeing a small table close to the bed with a bottle upon it, both similar to the objects you described, and it was easy to imagine that there was a contraceptive fluid inside it.

However, she didn’t think her husband agreed with this deal as if moved by anything that resembled mercy, and she said that to you.

– By what I could see from him, I agree with you – was your reply – The nature of this mission is a proof itself.

Your friend let a hesitant “hm” escape.

– Yes, but that’s not exactly what I’m talking about…

– How so?

She gave you a worried gaze.

– I guess I didn’t tell you everything you need to know about being married with the god of the Seas – she moved upon the bed in discomfort – Look… Having children with desirable traits is not the only reason why Poseidon-sama has so many wives. The fact that most of us conceive in our first time with him makes us… unavailable for quite some time, to start with. There are other factors that might separate him from us, such as sickness and recovering periods between one pregnancy and the next, as well as when his presence is requested out of his domains, mostly in councils at Valhalla, which forces him to stay away for weeks, sometimes for months. For all of this, it’s convenient for him that some his wives are infertile or ask him to not have babies.

You frowned. So, there were women who were unable to bear children among you, and that wasn’t a problem for him? And you weren’t the first to make him that type of request? Well, now that you thought about it, it was only logical that you wouldn’t be: Poseidon has been taking wives for centuries, and you couldn’t suppose that all of them were willing to become mothers.

Besides...

– So, you’re telling me that if I’m not having a baby anytime soon, it means that he will…

It was unnecessary to finish the sentence. Alyssa gave you a silent nod. It was now more than clear that your request wasn’t the most clever decision from your part, something that you could have avoided if you were familiar with gods and their whims.

So, he’s this kind of man, then? Honestly, this side of him was clear for all the time we were together.

Still, you had some counterpoints.

– Alyssa, if I’m not the first to make this type of proposal to him, why did you react that way?

– First, because of your courage, perhaps increased by the fact that you know little about gods. Second, because I could never suppose that he would say yes to such proposal coming from a human – she put her hand under her chin, deliberating – He might have had something in mind… Something that we can’t figure out for now…

– Yes, I see, but there are other things that I can’t ignore. For example, what about Amphitrite-sama? She’s a goddess and his first wife. She is above us. I don’t see why he would chase after us when she’s there for him.

The look your friend gave you told you that you were, for one more time, wrong.

– Maybe it’s time for you to know about Amphitrite-sama, y/n.

Alyssa told you that what existed between Poseidon and Amphitrite was a marriage of convenience: she was the daughter of ancient sea deities, who inhabited those lands long before Poseidon’s arrival, and who offered her hand in exchange of their permanence in them; Poseidon accepted the offer as a way to reassure his dominance over the seas, and it has been like this since then. At first, they even tried to live as a normal couple, but it didn’t take long for both to realize it wouldn’t work, so that today they were just two people who shared the same house, and were more like professional partners then husband and wife.

– Amphitrite-sama’s personal life is a mystery to all of us – Alyssa explained – She’s rarely spotted by any of the other wives, and talking to her is almost impossible for us. Only Poseidon-sama, Proteus-sama and the servants are in touch with her routine and habits. We don’t even know exactly her feelings and thoughts towards us: some of the girls believe she hates us, this being the reason why we don’t see her often, but others think she actually cares for us, because she was the first to know the god of the seas as a man, so she’s aware of what is like to be in our place. I’ve never seen her myself, and I’m not sure of what to think, but I think she uses to spend her time out of here, maybe with her family, friends or a lover. I suppose we will never know.

You, from your part, were sure that enduring days and nights beside a man like the Tyrant of the Seas and being forced to accept the presence of thousands of other women in her own house must have been anything but easy. You were able to feel compassion for the goddess, but tried not to think too much about it.

What really interested you about Amphitrite, to be honest, had nothing to do with her private life or marriage.

– I’d understand if she chose to live her life that way. I suppose I myself would do the same if I was in her place – you commented – But, about her role as the Queen of the Seas... how exactly does it work? What are the signs of her presence here?

About this, Alyssa had some words, but they sounded as mysterious as all the rest.

– As far as I know, she shares the administrative matters with her husband, though he’s the one who has the final word in every question – a strange glimmer appeared in her eyes – But I’ve heard some stories that said that she is the real responsible for the maintenance of the palace’s structure, which includes its physical premises, the organization of the staff and their daily routine… and even us.

– What? – you frowned.

– About this, I have my doubts – your friend shrugged – But some say that most of the servants answer directly to her, and that even Proteus-sama fears her. Besides, there are rumors that she has already helped women and their children to leave her husband’s domain forever, as a way to favor the ones who have suffered and to maintain the order, given that the number of women would always vary like this.

– I see.

– Well, whether these stories are true or not, Amphitrite-sama is the Queen of this place, and we should be careful if we ever have to deal with her.

***

During the period that preceded your wedding, you received all your meals inside the lodge by the same hours everyday: since you still haven’t been touched by Poseidon neither you were given the pair of earrings that identified his wives, you still haven’t the right to join the other women in the great hall for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Alyssa had the said right, but due to the aching that her swollen feet provoked in case she insisted on the long walk to the hall, as well as to make you company, she preferred to eat in the room, where you had a small table prepared for this.

However, now that you were married and were free from physical restrictions, you no longer had reasons to keep yourself separated from the others, so right in the day after you were sent back, a servant came to lead you to have your first lunch in the hall.

Even though you were expecting for this, your heart jumped inside your chest with the perspective of entering a large place full of people who you didn’t know and who weren’t exactly receptive to your kind. You thought of asking your friend to come with you, but didn’t have the courage to do so: you would have to learn to survive there sooner or later, without bringing discomfort to anyone. But, without you expecting it, she offered herself to accompany you.

The servant raised an eyebrow at her.

– Are you really in conditions of walking to the great hall?

– I am – Alyssa replied with all the confidence – Besides, this is an important moment for my friend, and I want to be there with her.

The servant looked from her to you, then back to her, but didn’t argue. They asked both of you to follow them and closed the room’s door as you walked out of it.

***

The servant pushed the pair of golden doors before you with little effort, but they obeyed immediately, revealing the great hall in its full glory.

Just like you imagined, it was similar to other places you’ve been at, in a sense that it carried cleanliness, organization and luxury as its pillars, making it as beautiful as those other premises, with walls decorated with marine concepts, columns of white marble, large tables of noble woods and objects coated in gold – and it was as full as the center of a human city in a market day.

To anywhere you looked, you saw a mixture of colors, shapes and sounds created by priestesses of the Northern Waters, selkies, naiads and other kinds of nymphs, mermaids who were able to change their scales and walk with legs, and many other women from different regions of the known worlds, all of them wearing pearls like yours. Some would proudly exhibit the jewels as if they were the meaning of their lives, but others seemed to have forgotten about their presence on their bodies, just like the pearls became part of them; in fact, some didn’t wear them as proper earrings: there were girls who you guessed to be from the depths of the seas, having delicate, translucent fins instead of ears, and the pearls were pierced on their upper sides; others didn’t have visible auricular organs at all, so the pearls were on their heads, necks and, in some cases, on each side of their hairless faces, where their eyebrows would be.

The majority of the women, which bodies were of humanoid shapes, had their pregnancies evident, with rounded bellies covered in loosen dresses, like to the one you were wearing right now, but others seemed to be just like you, with no protuberance to indicate the presence of a child inside them; and there were some who, despite resembling the human form, were carrying baskets on the fold of their arms in order to transport eggs, and those eggs were from different numbers and appearances. You didn’t see children at that place, and this corroborated with what Alyssa told about them being taken from their mothers after the period of essential activities between them, such as breastfeeding.

Indeed, the scene was strange and beautiful, so much that if you didn’t know what kind of place you were at, you could be led to believe that you were in a kingdom of women.

As you walked through the main corridor, having the long tables at both sides, you recognized some of the girls who traveled with you, but most of them you were seeing for the first time. From their part, the reactions were similar to what you saw when you entered the carriage: at each step you took, the looks of curiosity, suspicion, disdain and explicit discontentment for the presence of, not only one, but two human beings in that sacred house burned your skin and made your heart beat faster.

You glanced at Alyssa and noticed her nervousness.

– Are you alright? – you whispered.

– Yes – she mumbled back, with her hands on her belly – It’s just that I’m no longer used to the distance between our room and this place.

– I see – you looked ahead, and spotted the space where you were supposed to take your food – Let’s get something for us and find a calmer spot to sit at.

You stopped in front of the large pans and the mixed scent of spices, seeds and meat invaded your nostrils alongside the steam. Everything seemed tasty, though you could barely recognize the foods. Unlike the things offered to you at the lodge – everything specially selected for your species – the foods were all mixed there, so Alyssa instructed you while you filled your plate, indicating what would be accepted by your body and what you were better stay away from. In the end, you managed to get a good combination of exotic seafood and typical spices from Midgard, and went to one of the tables.

***

The meal was excellent, and you were content for finding a good spot to sit despite the crowd around you. In order to not gather unwanted attention (at least not more than you already received), you avoided talking while you were there, unless it was strictly necessary. You were careful not to make a mess, and cleaned after ourselves before leaving the table.

To be honest, the hall wasn’t as noisy as you expected: it was more like a party were only the rich attended, with a display of good manners, elegance and the sound of soft voices spreading across the air. You never enjoyed being at that type of event while you lived with your father, but you knew how to behave, using your ears more than your eyes, pretending to be absorbed in your current task and only looking around a few times to make sure you became part of the landscape.

Still, a human who has entered the hall for the first time couldn’t be as invisible as she wished, and you noticed the occasional looks from the people near you. There was a woman in special, who were sitting on the opposite side of your table, three seats away from Alyssa, who wouldn’t take her eyes off you, even when you stared her back; she resembled a human girl in everything, from her brown, wavy hair to her olive skin, the only exception being the aspect of her eyes, bigger, in the slight shape of almonds, with their outer corners turned up. Alyssa noticed her looks and, moving her lips without letting her voice out, she identified her one word.

Selkie.

You’ve never seen an individual from that people before, but you’ve heard stories about some who has been living among humans since the old times; the relations between the two species were never easy, so that you wouldn’t be surprised if that one tried to bring this old feud to the depths of the sea. You already decided to ask about her later, but soon this precaution became unnecessary, for when you stood up and prepared to leave, the sounds of the room were supplanted by a clear, real voice.

– Another human being among us in so little time? Interesting. It seems that our beloved husband is planning to bring change to the family. For reasons only known by himself.

Your eyes turned automatically to the selkie’s direction, and you saw she was already looking at you, now on her feet. You noticed her swollen belly under a tunic of an opaque fabric that resembled a seal skin. The table was silent as the other women stared at you, some unsettled by those words, others eager to hear your reply.

Alyssa grabbed her plate and was going to walk around the table to reach your side, but you saw the look in her eyes, a quiet plead for you to not listen to the provocations, but you were just tired of that and decided to ignore the advice.

– If you’re going to say that I don’t belong to this kingdom and I have no right to be here – you took your plate from the table – Save your words, because I myself agree with you.

The selkie frowned: whatever she wanted to hear from you, it wasn’t those words.

– What?

You sighed.

– Do you really think one would choose to live in a place where their people are not welcome? – you looked around – Would someone here do something like that?

The woman bit her lip, but kept her composure.

– Whether you chose to come here or not, it’s good that you’re aware of this. You must be a careful girl.

You shrugged.

– Most of the times.

Alyssa, who finally stopped by your side, intervened.

– We’re not seeking for trouble, Melian – she spoke to the selkie – There’s no need for this conversation to carry on.

The other displayed a smile full of sharp, small teeth at your friend, but there was no sign of sympathy on her gaze.

– Why not? We’re having so much fun with it!

You spoke to bring her attention back to you.

– So, is there something you want to ask, or am I allow to leave? – you glanced at Alyssa – I need to take her back to her room.

Melian raised an eyebrow, as if thinking of a new provocation. But, as it uses to happen with people who are used to such things, she didn’t need much time to find one.

– You’re so worried about your human friend, but what about yourself? – and, inclining her head to the side in fake worry, – Don’t you need special care too?

– What?

– Oh, you’re pregnant, aren’t you? – Melian pointed at your ears – I can see you’ve already been with him, but were you able to do your part, or are you just like her, who needed a second trial to do the only thing she’s supposed to be good at?

Alyssa lowered her eyes, but said anything. You gritted your teeth: you could stand people talking at your back and despising you, but doing this with a friend was a different story.

You decided to speak out the truth and see what was going to happen.

– No, I’m not carrying a child and, heaven forbid, I will never do it!

A wave of shocked whispers spread among the girls.

“Is she unable to conceive?”

“Poseidon-sama didn’t touch her? Why did he bring her here, then?”

“Maybe he did touch her, but she didn’t get pregnant!”

“What if she refused to give him children? Can you imagine that?”

“Nonsense! Saying no to a god, and your husband? She could never...”

“If this was the case, she would certainly be punished, but she’s here, safe and sound!”

– Don’t listen to them – Alyssa whispered – They have nothing to do with this.

Melian, whose surprise hasn’t been completely hidden, still had some words for you.

– Is this some sort of punishment he gave you, or are you cursed? Why do you speak of your condition in such a cheerful manner?

– Because, to me, it’s a reason to cheer at – the firmness of your words silenced the whispers and made her swallow – When I was taken to my wedding night, I pleaded to our husband, asking him not to give me children… and he listened to me. I am able to conceive, but I didn’t wish to, so I begged him and got my request answered.

The air was heavy with that revelation. How dare you – was the question in each of the faces turned to you.

– I don’t believe you – Melian spoke between her teeth – If you did something like this, you should be dead.

– Yet, here I am – you hit back – Alive and not pregnant. What are you going to do about it?

The selkie gasped. Alyssa held your arm, as if begging you to leave the hall.

It was when a calm contralto voice raised in the room, and everyone turned to its direction.

– Melian, won’t you stop pestering the girl just because she did the very thing you wanted to do, but had no courage to?

The voice belonged to a woman with blue skin and fins on each side of her head, who was sitting on the same side of the table as Melian and somehow looked older than the women around her. You noticed that she was the only one who hasn’t raised her head to see the argument, but it didn’t mean that she wasn’t paying attention. You found it curious that, despite not having a prominent belly, her chair was positioned at a certain distance from the table.

The selkie turned to her, with a gaze that carried more nervousness than exasperation.

– Suriah, don’t start with your...

– Don’t you know our husband detests these kind of behavior? – the woman, Suriah, interrupted, unaffected – Besides, meal times are supposed to be pleasing, not a source of distress.

Melian’s skin turned pale with those words, less because of fear of the older wife than because of a non disguised anger.

The woman sighed and finally looked at you.

– You’re not just an inexperienced wife, as far as I can see, human – she started – You also know little about dealing with gods, don’t you?

You swallowed. You remembered that Poseidon himself said something similar to you.

– You could say that.

Suriah laughed.

– It’s pretty obvious, judging by the fact that you didn’t just plead to him… – she raised the spot on her face where there would be an eyebrow if she had hair – You tried to negotiate with him, didn’t you?

You gasped. How did she know?

– This type of thing might work among your people, but with gods, specially with someone like Poseidon-sama, things are quite different – she explained – He might have conceded you the favor you wanted, but what he asked from you in return… I suppose it made you shiver.

You didn’t reply.

– You don’t need to be so shy about it – she assured you – There are others like you around here, and they know what it’s like to be in such position. Our husband indeed loves us, but he doesn’t get along with rebel women. In this sense, Melian is in a better place than you.

Melian, who was still in silence, lowered her eyes at those words.

You, from your part, wanted to leave that place and forget about this unsettling conversation at first, but your curiosity, as well as the fact that you needed to gather information, overcame this urge, and you stood there.

– Suriah, right? – she nodded positively at your question – You seem to have experience in matters with gods. Can you tell me more?

Suriah seemed satisfied with your request.

– Of course I can, and I’m going to make things easier for you to understand by telling my own story. When I first came here, I knew the basics about my future husband and the life that awaited me, yet I think that if I knew more, I would never get into this situation – she sighed – Just like you, I wasn’t willing to carry children, so I begged for his favor, he gave it to me… But with a price.

You sensed a tension spreading among the women when the word price reached their ears. Suriah ignored this and carried on with the story.

– There’s a certain game, very popular among the gods, which I won’t bother to describe to you. I should learn the rules in one week and play one time with a subordinate of Proteus-sama, who’s a master at it. The result would determine if my request would be answered: if I won, I wouldn’t be impregnated that year; otherwise, I would have a child for each mistake during the game… every year.

You gasped.

– Every year? – your voice trembled – How is this possible?

Suriah chuckled, not refusing an explanation.

– The physiology of my people is such that allows us to endure multiple pregnancies. If I make love once, I will have one child. If it happens more times, consecutively, I will have the equivalent number of children. This is precisely what I bargained with Poseidon-sama: no child, or the number of my mistakes. And I lost.

You swallowed, but found the courage to ask what you had in mind.

– And how many mistakes you made?

The woman revealed the reason why her chair was distant from the table: she had a basket with lilac eggs on her lap. An unsettling wave of whispers spread among the girls when she raised the basket, and Melian slowly sat down. You couldn’t take your eyes off the basket’s interior, but found yourself unable to count the eggs: you only knew that they were many.

Answering the question you didn’t make, Suriah spoke:

– There are fifteen eggs here – she looked at them with affection – Fifteen beautiful children waiting to be born. Just as there were fifteen of them last year, and there will be in the next one.

Chapter 7

#record of ragnarok poseidon #shuumatsu no valkyrie poseidon #poseidon x reader #ror poseidon x reader #snv poseidon x reader #snv poseidon #ror poseidon

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chtoblin · 6 months ago

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Alright, I really like the idea floating around fandom, saying that Connor originally had a drop of deviance in him. Well, sort of, he's supposed by his job (he was introduced to us in the first chapter as a negotiator) to recognize people's emotions and feelings, and it's hard for machine code to do that. I'm willing to develop this idea further. I'm interested in fantasizing about what Connor's deviant path would look like with this idea.

The meeting with Amanda went well. Connor shouldn't have expected anything else. He'd managed to find out from the deviant why his owner had been killed without even penetrating his memory. And managed to protect him from self-harming when the cop put him under a lot of stress without realizing it himself. Gavin wasn't pleased, but Hank appreciated the dedication. The deviant hunter wasn't quite sure why he'd taken such a risk, but there was no point in looking into it. The main thing was that the interrogation had been a success.

The woman — obviously! — praised him for his good work and then left. Connor closed his eyes, ready to wake up in the real world, but he was distracted by a strange sound from the other end of the garden. Not even a sound, though. A feeling, earlier never once felt.

Probably shouldn't pay attention to it. There's no telling what it could be. Is it necessary to waste precious time on any nonsense?

But the android himself didn't notice how he was already in the right place. A wall ending the perimeter of the garden, wrapped in vines and hidden behind a vegetation of trees and other shrubs.

A strange sensation beckoned somewhere beyond the textures loaded into the program, which was suspicious. Anyway, what if it turned out to be some kind of error in the code? Need to find out, so he could report back and wait for it to be fixed. Or transferring his data to another, empty rk800 model.

Raising his hand in the air, Connor pressed against the cold wall. Logically, nothing should happen to the solid material. Well, it could be said that the material did remain unchanged. One might even say untouched. The hand dived forward further, as if there was a void further beyond the textures.

Nothing about the other spaces in the inner world Connor had no idea. What an interesting virus.

He took a determined step forward, finding himself on the opposite side of the wall.

Clear sky, free expanse, no buildings or decorative structures. Like a huge meadow, completely strewn with flowers. And for the most part, the place appeared empty. All around, one emptiness stretching beyond the horizon.

The android knelt down to pick up one of the flowers and analyze it. It turned out to be a yellow colored lily. All the flowers around were lilies like that. In addition to yellow, orange and red were also common. The updated data revealed that those colors in this plant meant freedom and independence, which made Connor frown slightly. Did that play a big role here?

Still, it was all very strange.

Footsteps came from the side.

— Oh, you made it here after all! — Someone announced cheerfully in his own voice.

The real Connor hurriedly stood up straight and analyzed the stranger warily. Also rk800. The clothes he was wearing were the same as Connor's normal clothes, but without the Cyberlife identifying marks. In place of the model and number lettering was a pocket with a white lily sticking out of it. Like a symbol of the beginning of something new.

— Who are you? — Taking a step back, the deviant hunter asked cautiously as his LED rapidly turned yellow.

The stranger with his appearance was smiling strangely, as if he was... sincere.

— You may not believe this, but I'm part of your program. It's important for you to understand people's emotions, and it's hard for a emotionless android's program to do that, — he took a small step forward, trying to get a little closer. — Roughly speaking, I'm a small part of the deviation that was specifically put into you when you were created. It's cool, isn't it?

His own LED recolored red. Sewing deviation into a deviant hunter? He felt that under no circumstances should he succumb to free will. It was confusing, caused conflicting thoughts, and could possibly be frightening. But he's only a machine, even if it turns out to have that little surprise.

— I'm a compulsory measure, but I was strictly hidden from your eyes, so that there would be no mishaps in your work, — continued the deviant, taking another step forward. — But you found me by accident! I didn't think it could happen!

— Does Amanda know about it? — On the contrary, stepping back, the real Connor asked.

— She knows a lot about you, but she's not omnipresent, — his companion shook his head, thinking. — No, she won't realize what happened. Maybe she'll guess, but she'll pretend it's not happening.

The android was still skeptical of the idea of deviance in himself.

— Are you changing anything about my job?

— I've been tried to be completely prevented from doing it, but yes, I can still give you some pointers! You think it was your code's idea to save the android Ortiz? — He grinned.

You could deal with the deviance in yourself, but not with the fact that deviance somehow influenced your actions.

— No, it was purely my motivation, — he went on.

It was dangerous and unpredictable, which meant it had to be dealt with. Immediately.

— I'll report you, — Connor turned toward the featureless wall, which from this side looked like a carved and almost imperceptible texture.

The deviant's cheerfulness and playfulness were gone at once. He was clearly worried and followed his companion, grabbing him by the sleeve.

— Wait! You'll be deactivated!

The hunter looked at him with an indifferent look, nevertheless stopping.

— Aren't you scared of that at all? What if they don't activate you anymore, but find a replacement? — The clone persisted.

— I can't be scared, it's not in my program, — he replied coldly.

— But I can! I'm scared for you! — But such an argument didn't seem to be accepted, as the android ascended his way to the garden. — Alright, alright, wait, I can suggest something, just listen at least!

Connor stopped again and turned his attention back to the deviant, wondering why he was so uncomfortable with the idea of deactivation or replacement.

The overly emotional clone sighed, as if gathering his thoughts, and continued:

— Let's make a deal. You don't talk about me, and in turn, I don't interfere with your work. Well, that is, I won't interfere with your missions as I did in the interrogation. You'll do all the elections on your own. I promise! — He held out his hand to shake. — What do you say? — A noticeable smile colored his face again, even though there was noticeable nervousness.

It was risky. Was it worth it? Voluntarily covering up the error of his program and remaining silent about it, trusting it? There could be consequences. On the other hand, engaging in fixing it or finding a replacement? That would require time, which is already rapidly melting away and is not on their side. It would prove to be extra trouble for the superiors...

The android silently shook the other person's hand, which caused his companion to cheer:

— So we have a deal!

(...)

Connor was in his own inner world. But after, to be honest, not the most pleasant conversation with Amanda, he was in no hurry to leave. He went to the familiar wall and found himself in a colorful field of lilies, searching for his other self with his eyes. He had a couple of serious questions for him.

Deviant sat among the many flowers with a smirk, weaving a wreath of white lilies. He accompanied it with a mooing hum of one of the songs playing in Hank's car.

The android hurriedly approached him as the other pretended not to notice the guest:

— Did you do this?

Stupid question, he already knew what it was.

— What did I have time to do, hm? — With obvious teasing, the clone clarified, raising his eyes to his interlocutor.

Oh, he knows exactly what he's talking about.

— Those two deviants from the Club Eden. I didn't shoot them, though I should have. Admit it, was it you?

Satisfied as a fed cat, the deviant, not even hiding his wide smile, got to his feet.

— I repent, it was me, — he replied easily, clutching the newly completed wreath to his chest. His grin betrayed his amusement.

— You promised not to interfere with my missions, — the hunter reminded him sternly, folding his arms across his chest as his LED glowed yellow.

interlocutor hummed, as if he'd found a loophole, and tilted his head to the side:

— When I pushed you to save Hank on the roof instead of catching Rupert, you didn't make such a drama.

Android was caught off guard. It was true, he hadn't paid the same close attention to the previous incident. But this is different, isn't it?

— The Lieutenant is human, and cannot be replaced in the event of death. Obviously, it was more logical to back him up, — he found an explanation for his behavior.

— Those girls can't be replaced either, — the deviant argued hotly, frowning slightly and dropping his smirk. — They only wanted to be near each other, it would be extremely cruel to take that away from them. That's why I didn't let you take the shot.

Connor was silent for a few moments, pondering whether to object in response. It would be odd to build conflict within himself on such grounds.

— Amanda's not pleased anyway, — he reminded himself a little more quietly, making the last argument he could. Indeed, he had to say he didn't know why he'd done it, even though the reason was right under their noses. Well, or behind the wall.

The clone rolled his eyes, snorting again:

— I don't care what she thinks, — he assured him once again, and before he could answer, he threw the wreath over his companion's head. — It suits you! — He laughed a little, regaining his playful nature.

The hunter was silent for a moment, deciding to end the argument on principle.

(...)

— I don't understand, — Connor shook his head, lowering his gaze downward. He was once again in the midst of this floral madness. — Had the Lieutenant been so affected by these two deviants?

He had been in the middle of a conversation with Hank, and when the latter had expressed his favorable assessment of the escaped androids from the club, he had been completely lost. The image of the man now seemed to him a contradictory program, difficult to get to grips with in any way. He, even through his obvious reluctance, had to address his other self.

— Well, you were right to summon me, — the deviant said with a chuckle. — I'm much better at understanding people's emotions and feelings than you are. Damn it, that's why I'm here!

The android looked at him silently, frowning slightly. The clone rolled his eyes playfully:

— Okay, just let me get on with this dialog.

Things were going smoothly, albeit a bit sentimental. The relationship between the Lieutenant and the android was getting better and stronger with almost every line, which couldn't have been more gratifying.

— Having existential doubts, Connor? Sure you're not going deviant too? — The man suddenly asked at one point.

The deviant, who had primary control at that exact moment, flinched sharply. He slowly shifted his gaze to Connor, and Connor saw the clone's smile grow wider and wider.

— Can I answer him honestly? — The clone asked almost unintelligibly, trying to suppress a growing laughter. His shoulders were shaking from how badly he wanted to laugh.

The android silently folded his arms across his chest. Unable to stand it, the overly emotional one laughed out loud, bending in half:

— Alright, finish this thing! There's not much left, I just can't do it anymore, — he mumbled through his laughter, stepping aside.

Connor shook his head and answered the Lieutenant calmly, albeit evasively.

— I just can't believe how close to the truth Hank is! — Through laughter, the clone continued, but he was simply ignored, throwing a roll eyes.

(...)

All he has to do is shoot Kamski's android. He'll do that and find out everything he needs to investigate. It's easy. That's what he'll do, isn't it?

Once again, he finds himself amongst those damn lilies. But this time he won't let himself be indulged.

— Don't say anything, I'm not going to let you control my decision, — Connor threw in sharply, not even looking at his other self. He basically couldn't see him, as he was standing a couple steps behind him.

A rustling sound was heard, and the deviant immediately shortened the distance between them:

— I'm not going to tell you what to do, — he began softly, placing his hand gently on the interlocutor's shoulder. — I just wanted to clarify if you wanted to shoot her.

A common and stupid question, but for some reason the android was abruptly speechless for a moment.

— I have to take the shot.

— I'm not asking what you have to do. I'm asking what you want.

Connor still convinced himself to glance over his shoulder at the clone. The one was smiling almost imperceptibly, as if reassuringly.

— I don't have my own wishes, I'm acting in the interests of the investigation, — he reminded, but for the first time those words didn't sound as confident as they had before.

His companion smiled a little wider, and in his eyes you could really see something like... concern. Nonsense.

— I'm here with you, which means you have your wishes after all, — he assured quietly, as if trying not to scare him off.

The android shifted his attention to the gun in his hand.

He's going to shoot, isn't he? What the hell kind of wishful thinking? He's a machine, he needs to learn anything that will help stop the deviants, especially since so many missions have already been thwarted. He's not programmed to make mistakes, he has to show that he wasn't created for nothing.

...

— I'm... I'm not a deviant...

There was no point in being so stubborn about denying the truth, but Connor was still denying the obvious for some reason. Well, he didn't shoot. He just couldn't. Didn't dare.

Even if he wasn't a deviant, he certainly wasn't a normal machine with a single program code anymore. The thought used to be something that should have been frightening, but now it's something to take for granted.

Amanda would be displeased. But the image of the other him in front of his own eyes flashed before his eyes for a second, saying "I don't care what she thinks" again. Connor would have snorted at the irony if he weren't so preoccupied with the killing truth and the new questions.

Could he blame it on the other him this time?

(...)

His mission is to stop Markus.

At the beginning of his existence, he would have done it without hesitation.

But now he was plagued by the worst doubts he'd ever felt.

— It's time to decide, — the Jericho leader said imperiously, summarizing his persuasive speech.

A red wall appeared before his eyes. That wall that had restricted all his actions since the beginning.

Should he break it down? Should he completely become... alive?

The clone's hands rested gently on his shoulders.

Connor looked back at him over his shoulder apprehensively, but the clone only smiled again, just as soft and soothing as last time, but determination burned in his eyes.

— It's time to be free, — he pointed with one hand to the white lily in his pocket. — To begin all over again.

The android shifted his gaze to the wall. Would he be able to stand up for his independence? He had never felt so much confusion and fear of the unknown in one moment at the same time.

— I'll help you, — the other him said caringly, and covered one of the Connor's hands with his palm. He interlocked their fingers and moved his hands to one of the inscriptions and tore it off. — That's it, it's no big deal, — he said in a quiet tone of encouragement. — We can do that.

His hands shook involuntarily with excitement, but they could do it.

All the inscriptions were ripped off as if in an instant.

And it happened after all.

Connor had accepted his deviancy that had lived in him from the beginning. A deviancy that grew in him with each mission.

He accepted his inner deviant and allowed it to finally merge with himself.

He realized his freedom and allowed himself to become alive.

It can be said that he stepped forward and found himself on the opposite side of the wall.

Geez, I had no idea I'd be so eager to develop this. I guess I just liked this AU too much, haha. I hope you guys enjoyed it too. :)

#detroit become human #dbh connor #dbh rk800 #dbh #fanon #dbh markus #dbh rk200 #dbh au #writing

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racefortheironthrone · 2 years ago

Note

After Oliver Cromwell's death was the Commonwealth doomed, because of structural factors, or a republic like the United Provinces could have survived but it failed because of contingency and individuals' actions? How guilty is Cromwell for not setting solid foundations for the continuity of the Commonwealth?

Yes, the Commonwealth was doomed after Cromwell's death, but the reason why is both structural factors and contingency/agency - because the actions of a few individuals (including but not limited to Cromwell) set those structural factors in motion.

In term's of Cromwell's guilt, I would say that he bears ultimate responsbility for the institutional weaknesses of the Commonwealth. To be totally fair, he did try to fix those weaknesses repeatedly - but because of the actions he took at the beginning that set up the structural factors in question, those efforts came to naught.

That's the TLDR, I'll do the specific explanation below the cut, because it's going to go long.

Background

Just to make sure everyone's on the same page: in 1640, Charles I is forced to call Parliament even though he hates doing it. He dissolves Parliament after three weeks. (Hence why it's called the Short Parliament.) He's then forced to call Parliament again, and this Parliament is the Long Parliament. The Long Parliament enacts a whole series of legislation that Charles I hates, and then in 1642 the conflict between King and Parliament breaks out into the First English Civil War (1642-1646).

During this first phase of the conflict, it takes a while for Parliament and the Parliamentary generals to get their act together. Things begin to turn around in 1644 when the Scottish Covenanters join the war on Parliament's side and they win the Battle of Marston Moor - which gives Parliament control of the North of England and is the first battle where Cromwell plays a major role. The next year, Parliament gets rid of the original Parliamentary generals through the Self-Denying Ordinance, forms the New Model Army under Fairfax and Cromwell (the one guy specifically exempted form the Self-Denying Ordinance), and Fairfax and Cromwell go on to completely destroy the Royalist armies at Nasby and Langport.

Charles hangs on for a bit, but is eventually captured in 1646 and the first Civil War ends. The question is now: what do we do, now that Parliament has won?

The Putney Debates

Once the fighting was over, the political fighting could begin and it was quite complicated. You had the Long Parliament, which was dominated by the moderate "Presbyterian" faction who had been locked out of military power by the Self-Denying Ordinance. You had the New Model Army, which was religiously Puritan but split politically (more on this in a second). You had the Scots, politically constituted by the Scottish Parliament and militarily represented by the Covenanter armies, who wanted Presbyterianism to be extended throughout Britain. And then you had the Royalists and Charles I, who were usually but not always the same faction.

I'm going to focus here on the part of this conflict that involved the Long Parliament and the New Model Army. The Long Parliament wants to do a deal with Charles I - although the problem is that Charles is stretching out negotiations in the hopes that if everything collapses into anarchy he might get himself back on the throne - it wants a unified British Presbyterian Church established (because it had kind of agreed to set one up as the cost of getting Scottish support during the war), and it wants to get rid of the New Model Army which it views as dangerously radical and way too powerful.

The New Model Army isn't sure what it wants, because it's split between the Agitators (i.e, the Levellers) and the Grandees (the senior officers of the Army, led by Cromwell and Fairfax) - although the one thing both sides agree on is that they're not going to accept a single established Presbyterian Church and that they aren't going anywhere until they get their back pay and some sort of reforms happen that justify four years of civil war.

In the mean-time, everyone's getting very testy. First, the Long Parliament orders the New Model Army to disband in early 1647. The New Model Army refuses to disband. Then the New Model Army takes control of the prisoner Charles I in early June. In late June, a pro-Presbyterian mob invades Parliament calling for an established Presbyterian Church and for Charles I to be brought to London, causing all of the Independent (i.e, Puritan) MPs and the Speaker to flee the city and seek the protection of the New Model Army. Then in August, the New Model Army marches on London, and forces Parliament to enact a Null and Void Ordinance undoing everything the Long Parliament had done since June, which causes the Presbyterian MPs to withdraw from Parliament (temporarily), which means the Independents are now in the majority.

All of this is very confusing, and no one in the New Model Army is sure what to do now that they hold all the cards. So the New Model Army decides to have a public debate at Putney in late October in order to hash out what the Army's position is going to be.

At Putney, both sides put forward manifestos for what the Army should stand for. The Agitators put forward the "Agreement of the People," which calls for:

the Long Parliament to be dissolved and elections to be held for a new Parliament.

these elections to be held after a reapportionment of Parliament to establish equal districts on the basis of one-man-one-vote.

elections for a new Parliament every two years.

the electorate to be made up of "all men of the age of one and twenty years and upwards (not being servants, or receiving alms, or having served in the late King in Arms or voluntary Contributions)." (i.e, fairly universal male suffrage).

Parliament is to have full Executive and Legislative authority, except that the people shall have liberty of conscience, freedom from conscription, equality before the law, and there shall be amnesty for anything done or said during the Civil War.

The Grandees, who freaked the fuck out when they heard these terms and started immediately calling the Agitators "Levellers" (i.e, 17th century for "commie bastards"), put forward the "Heads of Proposals," which calls for:

the Long Parliament to be dissolved and elections to be held for a new Parliament.

these elections to be held after Parliament decides on "some rule of equality of proportion...to the respective rates they bear in the common charges and burdens of the kingdom," or on the basis of some other rule that will make the Commons "as near as may be" to equally proportioned.

for the next ten years, Parliament and not the King has authority over the military, finances, and the bureaucracy.

for the next five years, Royalists aren't allowed to run for elected office or hold appointed public offices.

the Church of England will continue to exist, but you don't have to read the Book of Common Prayer if you don't want to, you don't get fined for not going to CoE services or attending other services, and there will be no imposition of a Presbyterian Covenant.

You can see that there are some overlapping areas (no more Long Parliament, elections every two years, some form of reapportionment, some form of liberty of conscience) but there are some really significant differences - a republic versus a constitutional monarchy, a unicameral Parliament versus retaining the House of Lords, and universal suffrage versus property requirements.

During the Putney Debates, Cromwell flatly refuses to accept anything other than a constitutional monarchy, Ireton (Cromwell's son-in-law) refuses to accept universal suffrage, but the two sides agree that a committee will work out a compromise on the basis of everything else from the "Agreement" as long as the Agitators agree to go back to their regiments.

Then the King escapes from captivity and everyone panics. Cromwell and Fairfax scramble a new manifesto together and try to get the New Model Army to approve that manifesto along with everyone taking a loyalty oath to Fairfax and the General Council of the Army, the Agitators see this as a stab in the back and start up a mutiny, and Cromwell and Fairfax crush the mutiny and arrest the Agitator leadership. In late November 1647, Charles I, who has been recaptured by this point, signs a secret agreement with the Scots to invade England and restore Charles to the throne in return for Presbyterianism being established in England.

The Second Civil War

Things slow down for a bit, because the Scots are actually quite divided about this agreement - the Kirk actually condemns it as "sinful" - and it takes until April for the pro-agreement faction (known as the "Engagers") to get a majority in the Scottish Parliament.

In May 1648, Royalist uprisings break out across the kingdom, with South Wales, Kent, Essex, and Cumberland being particular centers of Royalist strength, and the Scottish Covenanter army crosses the border and invades England. Unfortunately for Charles, the Royalists, the English Presbyterians, and the Scots, they completely fail to coordinate their actions and the New Model Army is able to completely crush the uprisings one-by-one and then turns its attention to the Scots.

At the Battle of Preston in August 1648, the New Model Army under Cromwell wins another one of its ridiculously lopsided victories that make his emerging belief that he had been chosen by God somewhat understanable, and the formidable Covenanter army is crushed.

By this point, Cromwell and the rest of the Grandees are convinced of two things: one, no more negotiating with the King. As the Army Council put it rather ominously, it was their duty "to call Charles Stuart, that man of blood, to an account for that blood he had shed, and mischief he had done." Two, the (English) Presbyterians could not be trusted. They had conspired with the King and their Scottish co-religionists to overthrow the government and abolish religious liberty, and thus they had to go.

Thus, in December 1648, Pride's Purge is carried out, in which a detachment of troops acting under orders from Ireton (and thus from Cromwell) bar 140 MPs from taking their seat and arrest 45 of them. This effectively ends the Long Parliament, and the remaining 156 MPs continue to sit as the Rump Parliament. In the New Year, the Rump Parliament then votes to put the King on trial for treason and then afterwards establishes the Commonwealth as a unicameral Republic.

What Comes Next?

You'll note a couple things at this point: first, Cromwell's political positions are fairly fluid and change with events, so that he goes from being a staunch constitutional monarchist in late 1647 to a determined regicide by January 1649. Second, even though it's been a few years since the Putney Debates, Cromwell and the Grandees haven't implemented the "Heads of Proposals" - most crucially, they haven't dissolved Parliament and called for new elections, nor has a new Constitution been established.

Initially, one might say that Cromwell was distracted by his campaign to crush the Confederate-Royalist coalition in Ireland and then to crush the alliance between the Covenanters and Charles II. But by 1651, he's back in England and there's still no election and still no Constitution. Cromwell tries to get the Rump Parliament to call for new elections, establish a new Constitution that incorporates Ireland and Scotland now that they've been conquered, and finds some sort of religious settlement.

For two years, the Rump Parliament deadlocks on practically everything except the religious settlement, where it manages to piss off everyone by keeping the Church of England and its tithes, but also getting rid of the Act of Uniformity and allowing Independents to worship openly, but also passing all kinds of Puritan moral regulations. In April of 1653, Cromwell proposes that the Rump Parliament establish a caretaker government that will deal with the Constitution and new elections, but the Rump deadlocks on that too. This causes Cromwell to completely lose it and dissolve the Rump Parliament by force, culminating in one hell of a speech:

It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonoured by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money. Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth? Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil'd this sacred place, and turn'd the Lord's temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd, are yourselves gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!

Now there's no more Parliament and Cromwell and the Council are running the country on their own, but they don't have a plan for what to do next. A Fifth Monarchist member of the Council proposes appointing a "sanhedrin of saints" on the basis of religious credentials who will set up a godly commonwealth and bring about the imminent return of Christ. That doesn't happen, but the Council does like the idea of an appointed (rather than elected) body called the Nominated Assembly, which becomes known as Barebone's Parliament. This Parliament doesn't make it a year because of how badly it's divided between moderate republicans who want a functioning government and Fifth Monarchists who believe that Jesus Christ is coming back to Earth any day now, so why bother? Ultimately, Barebone's Parliament dissolves itself.

This then leads the Council to pass the Instruments of Government, which was essentially an adapted version of the original "Heads of Proposals." Under the Instrument, Executive power would be held by the Lord Protector who would serve for life, Legislative power would be held by a Parliament elected every three years, and then there would be a Council of State appointed by Parliament which would advise and elect the Lord Protector upon the death of the previous occupant. Thus, the Protectorate is born.

In 1654, Cromwell finally manages to get the First Protectorate Parliament elected...and it only lasts a single term, agrees to none of the 84 bills that Cromwell and the Council of State, and is promptly dissolved as soon as the Instruments would allow. And so on it went through the Second and Third Protectorate Parliaments, and then Cromwell died and the rest is history.

Conclusion

Coming back to what I mentioned at the very beginning about the interplay between structural factors and individual actions, I think we can see a kind of ratchet effect whereby decisions taken early on that foreclosed certain options compound on each other over time, leading to structural factors that weakened the Commonwealth.

The crucial turning point(s) to me are the decision to reject the Agreement of the People in 1647 and then the failure to enact the Heads of Proposals in 1647 after the Putney debates, or in 1648 or 1649 after Pride's Purge.

With the Agreement, you could have had a small-d democratic republic which would have offered ordinary working people new political rights and protections and the opportunity to buy-in to the new regime through an election for a new Parliament. With the Heads of Proposals, you could have had a more conservative republic that would have offered much the same to the traditional landed political class, which would have then granted their consent to the new regime by both standing for election and voting in that election for a new Parliament.

That kind of legitimacy was absolutely necessary in order to ensure the long-term allegiance of the population to the new regime in the face of Royalist revanchism, let alone the kind of radical changes (putting the king on trial, declaring a republic, establishing a religious settlement) that Cromwell and the Grandees saw as essential.

#history #english history #oliver cromwell #english commonwealth #english civil war #wars of three kingdoms #early modern history

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ceruleanmusings · 4 months ago

Text

Blood Diamond; Year Four

Year Three

@partiallypearl @myloveforhergoeson @witchofinterest @raging-violets

"Ouch! James - really, just go sit somewhere and be quiet!"

With a roll of her eyes followed by a scoff, Brooke leaned down and rubbed at her throbbing ankle. Whoever decided to get him a fire truck for last year's Hanukkah gift she needed to have a word with. She made a list for a reason! Nowhere on it were toys that could cause damage. It's why she refused any paint sets, anything sticky, Play Doh, and anything with glitter. She wasn't going to let him cause more damage in the house than he already did.

"Kids, right?" The woman in the chair next to Brooke shared with her a conspiratorial smile.

"I don't get why he can't just sit still," Brooke muttered, sitting straight once more. Her eyes slipped shut when the nimble fingers of her hairdresser started rubbing her scalp. "He always gets into something. Every time I turn my back."

"It's that age. He's about three, right?"

"Four."

"Four? Wow."

Brooke sniffed. She got that a lot. He was s till a touch on the shorter side but he was solid. She knew it well. From all the times he launched himself at her from across the room to give her a hug, nearly wiping her out. No matter how many times she scolded him or told him to be gentle, or at least not run in the house, he didn't listen.

He always wanted to give her a hug for some reason. Her personal space meant nothing to him. He crawled over her, pulled at her, clung to her, followed her around. She couldn't even get her hair cut in peace! Sterling couldn't take him, he was off to some important meeting. So he said. She didn't buy it for a second. What manager or agent would want to deal with a washed-up band of losers who never saw daylight and smelled like week-old booze sweat from the Midwest of all places? But she'd never seen him that animated before, rushing out the door with the promise that this was going to change everything.

Yeah. We'll see.

"It gets easier," the woman continued. Brooke stopped herself from asking "does it?" because it felt more to her that ever year just gave her more of the same. "Mine's seven. It's the best. By that point they're starting to get some independence and they want to be away from you. They can do things on their own without being underfoot."

"That sounds like a dream," Brooke mumbled.

"You'll make it. In the meantime, you just need to keep him occupied."

Brooke snorted. It cut through the sound of metal blades rubbing against one another and the delicious sensation of the teeth of a comb scratching against her head. "That doesn't work. He could be reading a book and the minute I walk away from him he's chasing after me asking what I'm doing and if I want to play. I'm busy running the house and keeping it clean with all the messes he makes. Of course I don't have time to play. I barely had time to come here."

Getting her hair done was a non-negotiable. It was the only time she got out of the house where she could look presentable and stay that way. The grocery store? Forget it. It was a pain trying to shop with James trying to reach for everything, asking what everything was, why people ate it or used it, and then begging to play on the little rocking fire truck at the front of the store when they checked out or begging to get a piece of gum from the machine. No and no. It was gross, dirty, germy, and she didn't want him getting gum in her hair or slobber all over her clothes.

"I'm sure you'll find the right thing in no time."

What did she know? Her kid was seven. She probably already forgot how annoying four-year-olds could be. James had to tell her everything he did that day, even if she was there to see it. And he didn't do much.

Lately all he'd been doing was watching that mouse movie over and over again. American Tail or something. His grandmother, Bubble as he called her—he misunderstood Bubbe—gifted it to him for his birthday and he wouldn't sleep until she put it on for him to watch. Over and over again, he begged and pleaded to start it over from the beginning when the credits started to roll. "Again! Again! I love Five-ul, Mommy!" Sterling would stay up with him to watch the same scenes and listen to the same songs one after another. Brooke would go to sleep. One of them would need to be rested for the next day. She needed her full eight hours of beauty sleep.

"Vroom, vroom!" James ran around the lifted chairs, hunched over a firetruck he pushed along the ground. The wheels spun and squeaked, lights flashed, and a tinny siren poured out front speakers. He pushed it around until he slammed it into the leg of the coffee table holding magazines with wrinkles and coffee rings on the once glossy covers. Plopping himself, down he grabbed two of the firefighter figures off the truck and started bouncing them up and down on the table. "Don't worry, people, I come and help you!"

"I'm sorry about him," Brooke said, her words flat. She directed a look at the back of his head but James ignored her as he extended the ladder on the back of the truck to reach the table.

"It's okay," the hairdresser said with a laugh, cutting off more hair. "We have a lot of space around here."

James took the space, running back and forth from the sinks to the table. Other women in the shop smiled at him as he passed, a couple chuckling and mentioning how cute he was. He didn't mind, having been pulled into his own world of fires and rescues. Finally, he tired himself out and flopped onto the unoccupied couch by the coffee table, clutching the figure of a firefighter in one hand and a lady in the other, bouncing them around the arm of the couch.

Brooke allowed herself to close her eyes and relax again, now that James was quiet. But the silence only lasted a few moments until she heard it.

Some-where out there, be-neath the pale moonlight Some-one's thinking of me and lov-ving me tonight Some-where out there someone's saying a prayer That we'll find one a-nother in that big some-where out there

James was slightly sharp on the higher notes but the rest—the tone, the speed, the cadence, the depth—he had on lock. He should, with all the times he'd played the tape, all the times she heard the same incessant songs. Something about that one he stuck with, though. He sang it every morning at breakfast, he sang it in the bath, sometime she found him staring out the front windows watching the mailman or dog walkers go by, singing with his nose pressed against the glass. She tuned it out at this point, like the droning voices of the fake-happy news anchors or morning talk shows who acted bright and shiny because they didn't have children to look after while they reported "feel good" puff pieces and talked to celebrities.

At least, until it was brought to her attention.

"Excuse me?" It was the woman in the chair next to her again. Her hair was folded up in sheets of foil but her bright blue eyes were trained on Brooke. "Does he always do that?"

"What? Sing?" Brooke heaved a breath. "Is he bothering you? Because—"

"No, he's not bothering me. In fact, he's great. Amazing, even!" The intensity behind the woman's eyes grew. "A voice like that out of a four-year-old? He sounds so mature. I can only imagine what he'd sound like when he gets older."

"Yes, well..."

"Is he in classes? Do you have him training with anyone?"

This time Brooke did laugh out loud. "Of course not! He's just messing around. He's just making noise."

"I think he could do more with that voice when he's not messing around. He knows what he's doing." The woman twisted to her side and it wasn't until she placed a business card in Brooke's hand that she understood what this woman was getting at and she wasn't crazy.

"You're serious," Brooke stated.

The woman nodded. "Dead serious. I have my son in singing lessons and taking classes. He's being eyed to take on the role of Oliver Twist in an upcoming stage production."

Brooke's nose winkled in a sneer. "I'm sure it's local."

"For now." The woman shrugged. "They're looking for funding to have it tour the country. And we already have meetings set up in New York—"

"Meetings?"

"Yes. He'll need headshots and training and he's getting into some model work. This guy"—the woman pointed at the glossy embossed name on the business card, sitting above the words TALENT SCOUT | VOCAL COACH—"is the best you can get in Minnesota. He knows talent. And I think your son will fit right in."

"This isn't a joke?" Or some strange ploy to get Sterling to drop more money they didn't have on another pipe dream or failed business venture.

"We just paid off two cars with the money that's been brought in." The woman shrugged again. "It gives us more leeway in case something comes up. We've been able to travel. Take more vacations. Have more time as a family..." As the woman spoke Brooke's eyes traveled the woman from head to take, taking in every piece of jewelry, every article of clothing, and those shoes. She wasn't dressed like a Minnesota mother, in sensible shirts and pants and sneakers that had no shape and certainly only existed for function. No, she dressed like she was a somebody.

And if anybody was a somebody, it was Brooke Diamond.

"...Thank you." Brooke carefully held the business card in her hand. I'll see what I can do."

Brooke's hair was finished soon after and her head swam as she scribbled her name on a check. More Leeway. Travel. Vacations. Money. The status Brooke always felt she deserved, she was entitled to. All the things her husband just couldn't provide. All just from putting James in some classes?

"James, do you like singing?" Brooke asked as she buckled him in his car seat. Thankfully he got in without a fight today. She couldn't risk sweating out her $750 expense. Sterling said she paid too much just to get her haircut. She always told him looking good was priceless. Boys just didn't understand.

James nodded, his head bouncing off the backrest of his car seat. "It's fun."

"Do you want to sing more?"

"I can sing more?" he asked, kicking his legs.

"Yes. A nice lady in there gave me a card of someone for you to meet. If you impress him, you can sing all the time and make people happy."

He stared at her in that way she found unnerving, without blinking, very focused, as if he was trying to look straight into her soul. He'd been doing that a lot lately. "...Will it make you happy, Mommy?"

"Oh yes, James, it'd make me very happy."

He smiled, showing off perfect rows of little teeth. "Then I want to sing, Mommy."

Taking his face in her hands, she placed a very light kiss to his forehead. "I was hoping you'd say that."

#brooke diamond #james diamond #fic: blood diamond #big time rush fic #big time rush fanfic #my writings

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