#Laika come home

[terracottahearted]

Gorillaz Phase 1

[rainpelt25]

She went to the future and they care for her and love her and give her so many treats

Alt. Without text !!

If you guys don't know the dogs name is Laika, and she was the first earth being to go into space, from what I remember she looped the earth 4 times and then passed away from stress and dehydration. Hoping some faraway aliens found and her and give her lots of pets

[gorillaxyz]

i need a job so i wont feel bad about making gorillaz purchases

[gaymersrights]

I fully traded being a gorillaz fan for being a lou reed fan in 2018 thinking that would slow down the transgender onset not realizing that that would actually make it go much faster.. they even have a fucking song together like.. what was i Doing

[overthedub]

An extended version of “Strictly Rubbadub”, a dub remix of “Slow Country” from the self-titled. Honestly, it’s just an extension of the ending instrumentals and not much else, but still relaxing anyway.

Audio taken from Blur Archive Project’s archive folder (with their permission), which you can find for yourself here:

https://mega.nz/folder/FNlQjQjA#rOWvMfq6rmdmI3W7ScOgSQ

[sleevesareforlosers]

oh and you know they loved laika. the technicians? they called her laika globally but in the training facility they called her little bug and curly and little lemon and when they put her into the capsule, right before they closed the hatch, they kissed her nose and wished her bon voyage. they knew that she was not coming back and had already lived a hard life and yet the night before launch one of the scientists took her home to play with his children. "I wanted to do something nice for her: She had so little time left to live."

[artistbloomyk]

I like to think that, in a sudden rebellious mood in 1957, Aziraphale adopted a dog. Crowley comes in and is surprised to see a husky-terrier mix in the bookshop.

Crowley: Since when do you have pets?

Aziraphale: I know it's unusual, but the poor girl was in such a bad place, she couldn't have survived it.

Crowley: Where was she?

Aziraphale: Space.

Aziraphale does not keep Laika for long, but he makes sure that she miraculously finds a home in the countryside with a loving family.

[failed-inspection]

"The path walked had proved to be treacherous, but the little Hunter had proved to be resilient. With their mission successful, they had reached the end of their journey."

Hunter is Laika The Space Dog Coded to me, an animal who was sent on a one way mission for a greater goal, but could never come back to the place they called home.

[henrykathman]

The Miraculous Horror of Stop Motion

From the same artform that brought you Coraline and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, comes three stories that evoke the existential fear of art.

Original Music by Molly Noise

Bibliography below

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Ono, Kosei. “Tadahito Mochinaga: The Japanese Animator Who Lived in Two Worlds.” Animation World Network, AWN, Inc, 1 Dec. 1999, www.awn.com/animationworld/tadahito-mochinaga-japanese-animator-who-lived-two-worlds.

Orland, Kyle. “Claptrap Voice Actor Accuses Gearbox CEO of Assault, Underpayment.” Ars Technica, 7 May 2019, arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/05/claptrap-voice-actor-accuses-gearbox-ceo-of-assault-underpayment/. Accessed 19 June 2024.

Pilling, Jayne. A Reader In Animation Studies. Indiana University Press, 1998. Project MUSE muse.jhu.edu/book/40033.

Prehistoric Beast. Directed by Phil Tippett, Tippett Studios, 1984. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlaXIRTjNfo

Randles, Jonathan. “VFX Studio with Star Wars, Jurassic Park Credits Goes Bankrupt.” Bloomberg Law, 1 May 2024, news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/vfx-studio-with-star-wars-jurassic-park-credits-goes-bankrupt. Accessed 19 June 2024.

Shanley, Patrick. “Gearbox Software CEO Accused of Contempt in Latest Filing.” The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Aug. 2019, www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/gearbox-software-ceo-accused-contempt-latest-filing-1235064/. Accessed 19 June 2024.

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Worse than the Demon. Directed by Maya Tippett, Shudder, 2013. https://youtu.be/ghKqvDNRe4c

[wizzdot]

The Patron Saint of One Way Trips

Ch22

Description: Simon finally breaks…

*Laika's (Y/N's) POV*

I have lost track of time. The last thing I remember is Graves climbing over me.. or wait.. Kyle..? No, Kyle is in Amsterdam.. My head thumps and my entire body aches. I should never have allowed myself to be so vulnerable in front of Graves.. he was an unmated Alpha for fuck sake.. and I was an unmated whatever-the-fuck-I-am. It was a dangerous move.

I slowly blink my eyes open and try to figure out where I am. I can't hear anyone. It smells familiar.. Whereever I am, it's pitch black and cosy. I feel around and find my phone. I furrow my brow in confusion. I quickly realise that I'm not wearing the crusty, wet, bloody Shadow gear anymore.. I'm in a massive, soft hoodie and some of my leggings that I had bought when John and Kyle took me shopping. What the fuck...?

I use the light from my phone screen to light up the room. MY NEST CUPBOARD. I squeak happily, I'd made it back.. where were the Alphas..? What had I done while I was out of it.. Oh god... I hope everyone made it home safe.. Johnny and the Lieutenant must have went after Graves.. What about Rudy and Alejandro..

It's just past midnight, I realise, when I check my phone. And it was Tuesday. I don't know how long that means I've been out of it.. I decide to get up - my stomach rumbling and my body desperately needing to get something to drink.

As soon as I stand and switch the light on, I see that I'm wearing the Lieutenant’s hoodie. I didn't know he had a hoodie.. I glance down to the cupboard and see so many belongings that aren't mine. I see Kyle's familiar hoodie, Johnny's towel (I can tell it's his because its basically a giant Scotland flag), John's boonie hat and.. wait.. is that a balaclava..? Why would the Lieutenant leave me something.. he - he wouldn't have cared for my comfort. The only thing missing, I notice sadly, is my hanky. Probably gone forever..

The longer I stand, the more and more light headed I feel. Sweat prickles my brow but I feel cold. I stumble towards the door and feel my way down the corridor, in the direction of the kitchen. A particularly harsh stomach cramp rolls from head to toe, causing me to grit my teeth and groan under my breath. I didn't want to wake anyone up, so I stayed as quiet as possible, given the ridiculous time of night that I'd decided to come round from whatever feral state I'd been in.

I finally reach the kitchen and immediately dive into the fridge. Nothing really stands out to me so I step back and look in the cupboards. I find some oranges - labelled 'easy peel' - mmmm.

I slowly peel the first orange and turn to put the peelings in the bin when I get the fright of my life.

The Lieutenant is sitting on the sofa watching me. I can’t help the whimper that falls from my lips, the peeled orange long forgotten as it hits the floor and rolls away under the table.

He stares back at me, with an unreadable expression in his eyes. He is wearing a plain black balaclava now, which leaves much more of his face exposed. It has a much wider eye hole, which means I can see the top of his nose. Oh shit I'm staring...

He clears his throat roughly. "Didn't read the note Kyle left, then" he says bluntly.

What note?! "Uhm.. no, sorry Lieutenant.. what note..?" I whisper back, nervously. Another cramp hits me but I try to control my reaction seeing as I've got an angry Lieutenant staring me down.

"The note on your door. It said to stay in your nest and text Cap if you needed anythin', too late for that now though, eh?" my stomach drops as his gravelly voice tells me how I've disobeyed orders that I wasn't even aware of..

"S-sorry, I - I didn't know.." - "Shouldn't be out here in your state, little one.." he growls.

I furrow my brow "Wh-what state..? I don't understa-"

He interrupts me with a laugh "you can't fuckin' smell yourself..? We've all been holdin' back our ruts since you fuckin' got lifted onto the Helo, clinging to Cap like a fuckin' leech.."

"Wh-what..? I don't remember.. I can't smell myself.. I don't know.." I stutter, tripping over my own words.

The Lieutenant narrows his eyes at my confusion. "What the hell d'ya mean you can't remember...?" he barks at me "What's the last thing you recall..?" he continues.

"Gr-Graves.. on me.." I sniffle - "Then.. I think I blacked out.." I sniff again - "No, you didn't black out, little one, you went feral.. think you started presenting too, Omega.." he says with confidence in his voice.

Something inside of me snaps when he uses the word 'Omega'. I hear the whine before I realise that it's coming from myself. I blush, embarrassed. He chuckles darkly "I did tell ya', little one, don't act all surprised.. you were practically begging Cap and Kyle to give you their knots in the Helo, till you passed out with your nose attached to Price's glands, that is.. Took all of John's control to stop Johnny from snatching you away there and then.. they're all pent up in the pack room right now - been two days and they still aren't out of the ruts you triggered.."

"I - I should leave.." - "S'too late for that.." he warns, shifting his legs wider and leaning forward on the sofa.

"I'm - I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to cause so many issues.." - "S'too late for that too" he chuckles.

I feel a tear drop from my eye, and I hurriedly try to wipe it away with the sleeve of the, far too big, hoodie.

"I-I'll go" I sniff, turning to leave. A large gloved hand grabs mine before I manage to step any further. "Sit down.." he grunts.

I don't respond instantly, just staring at his huge hand and how it engulfs mine - "Oi, sit down.." he reminds me, with that harsh voice of his.

I whimper but sit, obediently. I gulp as another cramp rattles through my body.

"Brave girl, just walking around ignoring those cramps that you're having.." he teases.

"Wh-what cramps..?" I try to lie. I'm not sure why I did that...

He grunts a laugh, turning away and busying himself at the counter. I fiddle with my own hands and pick the skin around my nails, anxiously. He eventually turns and hands me two peeled oranges.

"Here" he grunts. I look between the oranges and his eyes for a few seconds, he isn't a patient man - "take them and eat them.." he growls.

I obey again, nervously reaching out and taking them, pulling them apart, segment by segment, and plopping them in my mouth, one at a time. He watches me intently. I stop, about half way through the second orange and he immediately takes it from me and pulls a segment off and practically hand feeds it to me. I reach to take it from his fingers, but get the feeling that if I hadn't, he would have opened my mouth and placed it on my tongue, until I swallowed. I blush, but allow him to do whatever it was he was currently doing...

I take the last piece of orange and swallow it. "Good girl.. tea?"

I push away the whimper I want to let out when he praises me, and gently nod my head. "If you're making one.."

He moves away to the kettle, and as he turns his back, another cramp hits me. They are getting more frequent. I raise my knees, so I'm hugging myself tightly on the sofa, practically in a ball.

"The others are desperate for you to stay..." I snap my gaze to the back of his head. He stands, facing away, waiting for the kettle to boil.

"I - I don't think that's true.. they just -"

"Shh. They want you to stay. You've made a space for yourself in our pack, like it or not" - "I didn't mean to.." I whisper

"No, but you have, haven't you..?" - "I can call Laswell and ask to leave.." I offer. He growls.

"No you fuckin' won't" - "I don't understand.." I sniff, catching another tear with the sleeve of my his hoodie.

"Stop cryin'.." He rumbles - "I'm trying" - "try harder" he grunts. Jeez, helpful as ever Lieutenant..

"Don't you want to stay with them.." he asks, still turned away.

"It's - it's not that.. I'm intruding. I don't belong here.. I don't want to ruin your pack.."

"I'm not the pack Alpha. S'not my decision.." - "I don't care.."

He tilts his head, confused. Usually the pack Alpha's word is final.

"What d'ya mean you don't care..? - "I mean.. I want my own pack. A pack that wants me. A pack that loves me. I still don't even know what I am.." I sniffle.

"You're a fuckin' Omega.. how many times do I need to tell you - you've drove me fuckin' mad since the moment I fuckin' saw you"

He approaches with two cups of tea. He hands me mine, gently before sitting down across from me with his own cup.

He slowly raises the bottom of his balaclava. I snap my gaze away, refusing to look.

He chuckles under his breath at my reaction.

"Scared to look..?" he teases "scared to see the monster underneath..?"

"No.." I reply, sure of myself.

"Well why don't you take a peek then.." - "Only pack and those you trust.. Johnny told me you don't show your face to just anyone.."

"And you think you fall into one of those categories..?"

I freeze, my brain in a total muddle. I don't understand...

"You saved Johnny. Fuck - you probably saved me too, pullin' that little undercover Shadow stunt. Clever, by the way.. must admit, I prefer you in my hoodie over that fuckin' shit we had to peel off of you.." He growls. I stay silent, still turned away, trying to gather my thoughts.

"When I heard you fuckin' scream.. I'd have skinned Graves alive for hurtin' you. I couldn't bare it, almost lost my rag there and then.."

I raise my arm to wipe more tears that had started falling while he spoke.

"I'm not good with words..I'm fuckin' trying my best here.." I gulp, he sounds vulnerable. Is he letting his walls down..? Or attempting to, anyway..

"Laika..? Turn around, for fuck sake.."

I slowly turn around, with teary eyes and shaky hands. I try to hide behind the cup of tea. I keep my gaze down on my lap.

"I'm sorry" he says. My eyes snap up to meet his instantly. Deep brown eyes. Stubble - blonde? Sharp jaw and a small scar on his chin. That's all I could see.. I stare at him for what feels like forever.

"Stop lookin' at me like that.." - "S-sorry.."

"As much of a monster as you were expecting?" - "Nowhere near.. not even close.." I whisper softly.

"Tell me, would you stay with us..?" - "No.. I don't belo.." - "Why not?" - "You don't like me, Lieutenant"

A pin could have dropped, the Lieutenant goes quiet. Scarily so.

I stand to leave, I place my empty cup down by the sink and turn to leave.

I have my hand on the door handle and the Lieutenant still hasn't moved.

"It'll break their hearts.." his gravelly voice whispers. I pause, facing the door.

"I'm sorry.." I hear movement from behind me and all of a sudden I've been turned around and he is cupping my jaw, softly - softer than I thought he would ever be capable of.

"Why can't you see..?" he groans, almost as if he is in pain.

"Lieutenant..?" - "Simon.. it's Simon to pack.." - "I'm not pa..."

"I want you to be pack. I want you to stay, we all do. I can't watch you leave. I can't watch you break everyone's hearts because I'm too stubborn to open up"

*Ghost's POV*

This girl wouldn't fuckin' listen would she? I've been sat here for half a fuckin' hour, surrounded in her sweet, tempting scent, and she still can't listen.

She is about to leave. You'd be a fool to let her leave like this. DO SOMETHING YOU STUPID BRUTE!!

"It'll break their hearts.." I whisper, as she turns the door handle. By some grace of god, she stops.

"I'm sorry.."

She apologises. She fucking apologises. She is about to leave.. NO DON'T LET HER GO!!

I am off of the sofa in a flash, and she was far too easy to turn around. The way she stares up at me, all teary eyed and broken hearted. Why can't she understand..?

"Why can't you see..?" I ask her

"Lieutenant..?" don't fuckin' call me that..

"Simon.. I'm Simon to pack.." - "I'm not pa..." pack pack pack pack Omega Omega Omega

"I want you to be pack. I want you to stay, we all do. I can't watch you leave. I can't watch you break everyone's hearts because I'm too stubborn to open up"

I've said it, I've finally fuckin' said it.

I close my eyes and wait for her to say something.

"Si- Simon.." My eyes roll back and I purr. I'm Simon to pack.. She is pack..

*Laika's (Y/N's) POV*

"Si-Simon.."

Could I allow myself a chance at this..? Did I deserve it when I am still paying for sins that I don't even remember..

He doesn't answer me. I reach up and cover his gloved hand with my own, still rested gently on my jaw. That seems to snap him out of it.

He stares down at me with those deep brown eyes. His scent is intoxicating, almost soothing my cramps by being so close to me. I could just stand on my tip toes and sniff him.

I whimper at the thought.

"You need to stop making those pretty little noises in front of me, especially while you're covered in my scent" he growls, softly, reaching around me with his other arm and balling his hoodie into his large hand, pulling me closer.

"I'll take you back to your room. I need to go and cool off.. you and your fuckin' scent drivin' me mad".

I allow him to guide me gently down the dark hallway, his hand hovering over my lower back.

I stop at my room door and open it, turning to stand in the doorway, facing him. He stares back at me.

"What are you going to do now...?" I ask, knowing damn well that he isn't going to go to the pack room.

"Go back to the kitchen, maybe try to read a few pages of my book.."

"Don't you sleep..?" I ask - "Not when I can smell a stressed Omega a few doors away. Remember the night you had your nightmare..? That's why I was awake.."

I gulp - "Sorry.. I didn't realise I was keeping you awake.. I can put blocker spray on" - "NO - No.. I don't want that..." he corrects his tone the second time.

"I - I don't want you not sleeping because of me.."

"It's fine. Just go to bed.." I nod, stepping backwards into my room. As soon as I move away from him and close the door, pain shoots through me.

"Fuckkk" I groan from behind the closed door, only noticing Kyle's note taped to the door as I stand behind it, now.

"You good..?" he is still outside, FUCK

I clear my throat.. "Yeah - Sorry, just another cramp.. I don't know why they're happening.."

I whimper again when another painful one surges through my stomach.

"Fuck this.. can I come in, Omega..?" He growls, hand already twisting the door handle, but pausing until he hears confirmation.

"Alpha.." I whine.

He takes that as consent. He steps into the room and bundles me into his arms, shushing me and cooing at me, instincts clearly in full control.

He lays me down on the bed, stepping towards the cupboard and pulling everything out, quickly reorganising everything so it was on the bed.

"Don't think we'd both fit in your little cupboard, little bird.." he grumbles.

"You're staying..?" I whimper, trying to reach for him.

"Yes, I'll stay - just tonight" he says as he turns the lights off and clambers beside me on the bed that I hadn't yet spent a single night on.

"Just tonight.." I repeat, as if to convince myself..

As soon as he settles near me, I roll myself closer to him and rest my nose against his neck and inhale. "Omega.." he warns me.

"Stop callin' me that" I whimper - "You need to accept it eventually.. might as well get used to it..." he grumbles back.

That isn't the reason, stupid. Every time he says it, I feel a rush of heat..y'know..

"s'not what I mean.." - "what d'ya mean, then, Omega..?" he taunts

Play him at his own game, mutt..

"Alpha.." I whimper into his ear. He squeezes my hip in response, growling. "Fuckin' minx.. Understood, loud and clear.."

*Simon's POV*

I could have claimed her there and then when she moaned 'Alpha' in my ear.

My cock twitches. Behave Alpha!

Don't ruin all the progress we have made tonight.. Don't fuckin' ruin it..

*Laika's (Y/N's) POV*

I settle against Gho- Simon - and close my eyes.

I allow his scent to wash over me, totally soothing my cramps and making me feel safe, warding any nightmares away.

His purrs turn into soft snores at some point and I follow closely after.

*Kyle's POV*

I wake up at 6am, ready to try and restart my normal routine. My unplanned rut had only lasted a couple of days, thankfully. I leave Johnny and Cap, curled up against each other. I head towards the kitchen when I smell it.

Laika - she's been out of her room overnight. My stomach sinks - what if she'd ran away..? what if...

I'm sprinting back down the hallway in the direction of her room. I don't even bother knocking - opting to just push the door open. It was an emergency.

I don't expect to see her and Simon on the bed together. The perfect picture of peace.

I slowly back away, beaming ear to ear. A flame of hope ignited within me. She could stay. Become pack. She could be ours..

I jog back towards the pack room..

"Alpha.. Johnny.. wake up!!"

"What's the matter,Kyle?" John grumbles back at me.

"Both of you get up!! You've got to see this - C'mon, quickly.. MOVE"

"Christ - this better be important, Gaz.." - "It is, Cap.. C'mon"

I lead the way, Johnny already wide awake and bouncing behind me, sniffing the air, obviously picking up her scent.

"Shhh don't make a sound" I warn them quietly before I step into Laika's room. They were both still fast asleep.

Johnny pops his head around the door and practically drools at the sight. John purrs happily.

He steps forward and shocks me, by climbing into the bed behind Simon. Simon moves slightly but doesn't wake up.

Johnny takes that as an invitation and lays himself between John and Simon.

I step forward and brush a strand of hair from her face. Her eyes flutter open.. "Kyle..?" she whimpers.

"It's me, Love.. gonna climb in behind you, yeah..? Go back to sleep beautiful.." - she nods, turning in Simon's hold to face me.

As soon as I'm laid on the bed, she crawls into my arms and starts pushing her nose into my neck.

"Missed you, Alpha.. gone for so long.." she murmurs against me.. "Oh sweetheart, don't you remember..?" - she shakes her head softly in the crook of my neck.

"Simon says I went feral.. Omega.." - "Yeah, Love - you're an Omega, alright.. triggered us all into ruts..." I say, not able to help the shift of my hips against her.

"Sorry, Love - ignore it" I say, trying to move away and create distance, but the small bed wasn't made for five.

It doesn't matter anyway, because as soon as I try to move away, she pulls me back to her and hooks her leg around my hip.

"Christ, love. Don't move, yeah..? Just cuddle.. just cuddle" I try to convince the Alpha inside of me not to get too excited. She is lined up perfectly. One thrust and-

"Missed you.." she yawns, before resting her head against my chest and falling back to sleep.

Simon reaches around both of us and pulls us closer to him - inadvertently causing my knot to brush against her core perfectly. I groan quietly.

The last thing I hear is the Captain telling Johnny not to get jealous and telling me what a good boy I am..

[cipheramnesia]

Part 4: A Midnight Summer Dream

a story by @rox-and-prose and @cipheramnesia

Luna was a pale sliver of paint in the stars, a slip of the brush in the forever of the sky.

"That's it," Michele Loren said. "This is where we head our separate ways for the moment."

Laika took her hand of the control vines for Genghis Khan as she stared wordlessly. The earth civ moon, original version, a system unto itself. She had devoured all she could find about Luna, the multifacet god, in hopes to understand the call she felt in the days after leaving home. She'd put the hope of seeing Luna with her own eyes at the bottom of a box and buried the idea. Her muzzle hung slightly agape as she searched for something momentous to say, to share with GK how much it meant to be in the here and now.

She noticed Sy was watching her, and the dryad smiled and glanced away when he saw her seeing him. She blushed and her face felt hot, and she forgot her train of thought.

"I never imagined I'd rob the moon," she said.

"You're only robbing a very, very small part of it," Cat Nguyen corrected.

The crew of the Paperclip were sharing the bridge of Genghis Kahn, with varying expressions of perplexity on their faces watching the werewolf executing the peculiar movements and footwork involved in manipulating the various switches and nerves and pedals essential to a Pilot. Even Doc seemed entranced, silent through all the system jumps, or structure solutions, or whatever GK liked to call them. All except Dandridge who returned to the Paperclip immediately in a sullen huff, vowing never to set foot on GK ever again. Laika was going to need to find out what exactly GK had done to piss him off so bad.

Now they were gathering up helmets and and gloves for their envirosuits, looking around for just the right way to excuse themselves from the room which Laika had seen enough of before she was eight to recognize. "Okay," Loren said. "Well, you know. This should go fine, just stick with the plan, keep it simple, you know."

"I can do better than that," Doc (Laika still hadn't figured out if the woman was Blake Sloane, or Sloane Blake, or something else), pushing her bracelets along with the sleeve of her purple, double breasted, knitted suit jacket. "I can stick the plan to me." There was a mess of writing which Laika deeply hoped was meant to look smeared and half erased on Doc's forearm.

"That's, that's a great- Good job Sloane."

"Doctor Blake, why can't you ever get my name right?!"

"I'm sorry. Doctor Blake. Fantastic work as always." Loren turned to Laika. "Look, I don't know how to uh. You know how much work this has been for me. Well, just be careful. Make sure next time I see you, you have the godseye or Doc, or both. Or don't let me see you again?"

"Is that a threat," Sy asked.

"Think of it as friendly advice," Loren said.

"And also as a threat," Nguyen added, despite Loren's sharp look. "What?" she shot back at his frown.

"Do I have do go with these guys?" Sy looked at Laika who said "no" at the same time as Loren and Nguyen said "yes."

"We'll keep our end," Nguyen said, "along with your friend. You keep yourself along with Doc."

"Who you wouldn't be sorry to see killed, I gather."

"We'd prefer she come out of this mostly intact," Loren sounded almost apologetic.

"Okay, okay, fine. Let's not draw this out, I get it."

Loren breathed a small sigh of relief and Nguyen just smiled. "We'll get going then," he said.

"Take care of yourself," Laika gave Sy a shoulder pat as he walked by, then impulsively pulled him into a hug.

"I'll be good," he said into fur. "You have the hard job."

"Pulling off the heist?"

"Being alone with, uh, the Doc."

Loren and Nguyen waited at the entryway to the bridge. Laika set down Sy from the hug and stood her full height. "Oh," she said. "Before you go? GK, please threaten them."

Its voice coming from nowhere as usual, GK said, "Thank you Laika, for this commendable request. Captain Michele Loren of the Paperclip, please prepare for receiving a threatening missive."

"What?"

"Captain Michele Loren, Pilot Cat Nguyen, and the remaining crew of the ship Paperclip not present aboard myself, I am placing you under the advisement that should even the smallest fraction of an injury occur to Pilot Laika Blackwood, or Sy Drangea, electrical engineer, I will track you to the end of earth civilization space, and to parts unknown. You will never know safety or peace for as long as you remain alive. I will find your dreams, and take them from you. There will be no power up to and including the total heat death of this universe which will stop me from extracting your lives in payment. If you die, I will find yours souls. I will tear apart the essence of your beings. I will disperse the electrons of your bodies into every star of this universe. I will burn your souls to ash. Nothing will remain. Please ensure Sy returns safely to me upon our next meeting."

Loren stared, open mouthed.

"Uh," said Nguyen, "You're... really good at that."

"Thank you," said GK. "Your praise is insignificant to me. Please have a safe trip."

[bitterkarella]

Midnight Pals: Dogs 2

Dodie Smith: i've got another story about pongo and missus King: ah do the dogs go on another fun adventure? Smith: no this time aliens put all humans to sleep and give dogs psychic powers King: Lovecraft: Barker: Poe: Koontz: WOWWWW Koontz: BEST STORY EVER!

Smith: ok so all humans are catatonic now and there's only psychic dogs Smith: and the dogs think 'oh i bet cruella de vil is behind this' Smith: 'we should go murder her' Smith: 'like, we should just go fucking murder her' Smith: 'put a fuckin bullet in her head'

Smith: but the dogs find out that cruella de vil isn't actually behind it Smith: so that puts a crimp in their plan to murder her Smith: then sirius the dog star comes to earth Smith: like the literal star

Smith: you know, he has the super power to appear as any dog breed Koontz: [sullenly] i wish i had that power Frank Belknap Long: dean remind me to talk to you after the story's done Koontz: no i don't want a fursuit, i want to do it for real!!

Smith: so sirius the dog star is all 'god i'm so lonely, i wish i had a dog' Smith: 'i wish i had ALL the dogs' Smith: 'would you dogs like to come live with me in space' Smith: 'like where laika lives' Smith: 'in a big nebula with a lot of space to run around'

Smith: so sirius is all 'dogs of earth, would you like to come live with me in space' Smith: 'WHO WANTS TO GO OUT TO SPACE??? WHO WANTS TO GO OUT TO SPACE???' Smith: 'WHOS A GOOD BOY??? WHOS A GOOD BOY???'

Smith: sirius is all 'you should all come to space and live with me in space' Smith: 'you'll know true bliss in space' Smith: 'and also you'll avoid complete eradication in nuclear apocalyse' Smith: 'cuz, oh yeah, that's gonna happen btw'

Smith: if they choose to go to space Smith: then all memory of dogs on earth will be erased Koontz: no Smith: no one will remember that dogs ever existed Koontz: NO! Smith: it will be as if earth was always a dog-free planet Koontz: NOOO!!!!!!

Smith: now the dogs of earth have to make a weighty decision Smith: will they go to space or will they stay loyal to their masters? Koontz: oh god oh god Koontz: please say they stay!! Smith: so the dogs decide… Koontz: yeah?? yeah???

Smith: the dogs decide… Koontz: WHAT DO THEY DECIDE!?!?!? Koontz: I NEED TO KNOW!!! Smith: the dogs decide… Koontz: AUGHHHH!!!!!

Smith: the dogs decide to stay on earth because, even though earth is imperfect, it carries the promise that maybe, someday, every good dog can find a home Koontz: b-but they're ALL good dogs! Smith: exactly Koontz: Koontz: whoaaaaaa

King: wow uh King: that's some story King: not what i expected Barker: oh that's british kids lit for you Barker: it's all bonkers Roald Dahl: ee hee hee Barker: i mean Barker there ya go Barker: case in point

King: really? all of it Barker: oh yeah trust me [meanwhile] Beatrix Potter: my story is mr thumpybunny minds the shop Enid Blyton: my story is Giggles the happy gnome runs afoul of an irishman JK Rowling: Rowling: you know what i'm going to sssay

[dannnnnny666]

Day 4: Wander

Tw: Mention of character death, Unhealthy(?) coping mechanism

The Ghost Zone was incredibly vast. You could explore it for a thousand years and still find new places. It made sense why it was so big; almost every single person who had ever died, plus a few extra, called the Ghost Zone their home.

So Danny took it upon himself as a challenge to explore as much of the Ghost Zone. I mean, he has all the time in the world; why not use some of it to explore?

Through his travels, he visited everywhere. He attended a Women's Writers Convention, where he met Murasaki Shikibu, Mary Shelley, Jane Austen, Sappho, and more. He visited Mesopotamia and gave Gilgamesh a copy of the first volume of One Piece. He called Napoleon short. He played with Laika and asked her what she thinks of space. He met Hector of Troy, who talked about the reason he fights: to protect those he loves. He found Asgard and played a prank on Loki.

As he was traveling to the next location, where or whenever that might be, he saw a figure approach from behind him.

It was Vlad with the Infi-Map. He looks tired.

“Daniel-”

“Don’t,” he doesn’t want to have this conversation.

“I am not here to talk to you about them; I know you’re not ready for that. I just want you to know that my door is always open for you when you are,” Vlad said, as if in the time in which Danny had left he had managed to grow a heart. “And I know I am probably the last person you’d like to hear that from, and I get it, but I still want you to know that you will always have a place to come back to.”

“…Thank you, Vlad.”

“Don’t mention it.” Vlad smiled kindly in a way that could have been seen as genuine if Danny was feeling a little less pessimistic and left.

After Vlad left, Danny stayed there for a second, not moving, not breathing, not thinking, before he turned around and went to find something new to distract him.

[maxadieu]

come back home safe to me.

(laika’s comet belongs to @mrspider !)

[visceravalentine]

[id: a poem. it is titled: ‘stargazing/for laika the space dog, and for the thousands of poems written for her’. the poem text begins: ‘it goes like this: / a true story told over and over / it goes like a stray dog / it goes like a race against time / against invention / it goes like a very good girl with a very big job to do / it goes like she was never meant to come back / it goes like a one-way trip / it goes like the scientist taking her home with him the night before, it goes like a proper goodbye / it goes like a story told over and over / to hear people talk now, / it goes like she’s a constellation, / the stuff of legend / it goes like ‘look up and you can see her there’ / take a left past the moon / she’s sparkling / she’s static / she’s wagging her tail / she’s playing catch with comets / she’s turning circles on the moon / she’s the happiest girl in the universe / she’s a bedtime story / she’s what stargazing’s all about / a thousand artists spin her a happy ending/ a thousand poets won’t let it end like this / a thousand people have something to say about the dog up there in the night sky/ and it sounds a lot like we love you. we love you. we love you. end poem text. the last three lines are in italics. end id.]

EDIT: my poetry is about love and humanity. these themes mean nothing without love and support of trans women. my poetry is about love and humanity and my love for transness is forever imbued in every word i write.

[hearts-hunger]

i'll be seeing you || sam kiszka x reader

Read on AO3 | Masterlist

Summary: When you're sad, Sam knows just how to comfort you. || Standalone in the Sunshine Daydream universe

Pairings: Sam x Reader | Genre: fluff, h/c | Word Count: 2.5k | Warnings: none, unless you count being sad about space

A/N: Truly I don't know where this even came from but as soon as I thought of it I knew it was perfect for space buff Sammy and his Birdie baby. I hope you like it! ♡

Swiping your wet face with your sleeve, you blinked and tried to see the television screen through the blur of tears. Your throat was tight, a hot, choked feeling of rising emotion flooding you the longer you watched; when you finally couldn't keep back a sob, it felt almost satisfying to let the wave crash over you. 

The spunky, sweet little face of Laika the space dog filled the screen, bringing another crumpled sob out of you as the narrator spoke somberly of her one-way trip into space. You didn't know why you'd picked the documentary to watch while you sat on the living room floor and folded laundry; you knew it would only made you sad, and here you were, crying your eyes out as you stacked Sam’s folded shirts in a neat pile.

Maybe you'd needed a good cry. There was something relieving in expressing this grief for the little Soviet pup who’d trusted the hands that finally took her off the street only to send her some place they knew she wouldn't come back from. You thought of your own puppy, your sweet Rosie, and felt another wave of sadness at the thought of her all alone, waiting for someone to fetch her back home. 

When the documentary ended and the credits rolled with another picture of Laika, the caption bearing a memorial to her and all the other animals that had furthered space exploration, you cried like a baby.

“Oh, man,” you said, burying your face in a warm dish towel fresh from the dryer. You laughed a little at your own headlong rush into a bona-fide crying jag. “This was so stupid.”

You went to put on the next recommended documentary, one about the Mars rover Opportunity that you knew would make you cry just as hard, for some reason wanting to keep the weird high of catharsis going for a little longer. You put on another load of laundry while it played, listening to the story of the little rover’s explorations and discoveries, sniffling over your dryer sheets and laundry detergent.

The front door opened just as the movie was telling you that the scientists at NASA played Billie Holiday’s “I’ll Be Seeing You” for Oppy in their final transmission. You were in the middle of bawling your eyes out but quickly turned the TV off and dried your face, a little bashful to have Sam find you in such a state by your own doing; you couldn't hide your blotchy face and red eyes, but you tried your best to look presentable and mentally stable as your boyfriend and your puppy came in.

Rosie came in first, padding right into the living room to greet you with her wagging tail and lolling tongue. Her fur was a little damp; it looked like the end of her walk had been a rainy one, but you knew she’d enjoyed it. You didn't even mind her wet paws tramping over your unfolded laundry, scuffing your hands over her fur and kissing her soft head.

“Oh, Rosie,” you said miserably. “I’ll never send you into space. Never. I promise.”

She gave a soft bark as if to agree with you. You buried your face in her fur and felt more tears track down your face, comforted by her warmth and happiness to see you.

You took a deep breath and held Rose's face for a moment. “I look like a mess for your daddy, don't I?”

She licked your face, and you gave a watery laugh. 

“Okay, okay,” you said. “You’re right. Let me go wash my face.”

You went to splash cold water on your face, wincing a little at your disheveled, emotional appearance in the mirror, but there was nothing to be done for it. You went to put on a kettle, thinking Sam might like something warm to drink after his chilly, rainy walk.

“Hi, birdie baby.”

You smiled as Sam came up behind you and wrapped his arms around you. You turned your face for a kiss, and he happily obliged.

“How was your walk?” you asked.

“Wet.” He kissed your cheek and drew back to brush his rain-damp curls from his face. “Rosie got into some puddles, so she has a good time. How are you? Feeling any better?”

You'd declined to go on the walk with them, needing some time alone after work to decompress. Before you could tell him you were feeling nice and rested now, though, he saw your face for the first time since he'd come home.

“Have you been crying?” he asked, bewildered and worried. He shifted into panic mode, hovering like a mother hen. “What’s wrong, birdie? What happened?”

You were a little embarrassed to tell him, but you couldn't let him worry. 

“Nothing happened,” you said gently. “Nothing’s wrong.”

The kettle whistled, and you moved to take it off the heat. He only watched you as you started to make two cups of tea.

“Why’re you crying, then?” he asked.

You gave a rueful, wobbly smile. “It’s silly, really.”

He came close, then. “It’s not silly if it made you upset, birdie.” He accepted the mug you gave him. “Thank you. Please tell me why you're crying, sweetheart. Let me help.”

You sighed. “I watched a movie,” you said. “Two movies, actually.” Just the thought of Laika and Oppy was enough to make you feel al l twisted up inside again, and you blinked tears away. “It was stupid. I shouldn't have watched them.”

Sam huffed a bemused and mildly concerned laugh, seeming relieved it wasn't anything serious but still sensitive to your obvious emotional distress.

“What kind of movies, honey?”

You buried your face in your hands. “One about Laika, you know, the space dog? And one about Oppy the Mars rover.”

“Aw, birdie.” He pulled you in for a hug. “Made you said, huh?”

“Yeah,” you said pitifully, your head thumping against his chest. “It’s awful, Sam. Both of them being sent up there all alone. Those poor babies.”

He chuckled, and the sound was warm and rumbly in his chest. 

“I know it's sad,” he said. “That’s why I would never in a million years watch a movie about either of them. I'd have to check myself into a mental institution, I’d be so torn up about it.”

You took a deep breath and ran your hands over your face, your skin hot and your eyes stinging.

“Yeah. You might have to check me in now that I've watched them.”

Sam breathed a sympathetic laugh, brushing your hair from your face. 

“Silly girl,” he said. “If I'd known you were gonna watch sad documentaries while I'm gone, I would have made you come on our walk with us.”

You smiled. He knew you liked to go with him and Rosie for their evening walks around your quiet neighborhood, but you'd been tired and emotionally off-kilter after work today and had needed some time alone. He hadn't complained, had merely given you a kiss before he left, but now he'd come home to find you in tears over something as silly as a space documentary.

“Did it help, at least?” he asked kindly. “Sometimes it's nice to get out a good cry.”

You nodded and leaned into his touch. “It’s weird. But yeah, it helped. I’m glad you're home, though.”

He smiled. “Me too, birdie.” He gave you a smooch on your forehead before he pulled back from you. “I’m gonna get dinner started. Put on something cheerful if you're gonna watch anything else.”

“There was another one that sounded interesting,” you said, leaning against the counter to sip your tea. “It’s called Challenger: The Final Flight.”

“Oh, super,” he said dryly. “The one where the shuttle blows up before it even gets out of the atmosphere. That’ll be uplifting as hell.”

“No, is that really what happened?” you asked. Sam was nothing if not a space history buff, so you had no reason to doubt him, but you almost wanted to watch it.

“You can't watch that one right now, birdie,” he told you. “Not unless you really want to spend the whole rest of the night crying.”

You hummed. “Maybe I do.”

He laughed. “Well, I don't think I do. So let's save that for another night.”

You stayed in the kitchen while he worked, enjoying his company; Rosie padded in and settled under the table with a squeaky toy, chewing on the matted shape that had been so well-loved that you couldn't determine what kind of toy it had been originally.

You cradled your mug and breathed in the fragrant steam, watching Sam move about your kitchen in the familiar, domestic rhythm that always brought you comfort. He set soup to cooking, insisting that you needed something warm and hydrating after all that crying, and worked on it on as the rain pattered gently on the window.

“Bad day at work, birdie?” he asked, chopping up vegetables to go in the dutch oven of simmering broth.

You sighed. “Sort of. Exhausting is the best word for it, I guess. I was just really tired all day.”

He put his hand to your forehead, feeling for fever, and you breathed in the earthy, fresh scent the veggies had given him.

“You’re a little warm, honey,” he said. 

You sighed. A fever would explain the hair-trigger emotions you'd battled all day, as well as the fatigue that you couldn't quiet shake. Sam got you some medicine and coaxed you to take it with your tea.

“Why don't you call out for tomorrow?” he suggested. “I’ll stay home too, and we can cuddle in bed all day.”

That did seem awfully nice. It was supposed to rain all night and all day tomorrow, and spending the chilly, rainy day in bed with Sam sounded a lot better than going to work.

“Okay,” you agreed. You texted your boss and set your phone aside, ignoring the messages and emails with the assurance that they'd still be vying for your attention when you were feeling better.

“How was your day?” you asked.

He tapped the wooden spoon against the rim of the dutch oven and leaned against the counter.

“Good,” he said simply. “We got a lot done. Danny had to leave early to do something with Sunny, so we just decided to call it quits when he left. Can't do much without the heartbeat of the band, now can we?”

You smiled. You liked how all the guys valued the others’ unique talents and input into the music, and nobody knew better than them how much each of them contributed to the magic of the band. You remembered that Sam had been working on a new song, and you wanted to know what the boys had thought of it.

“How’d they like your new song?” you asked.

He grinned. “Smash hit, birdie. They loved it. Jake came up with some really cool licks for it, and of course Josh fixed up the parts of the lyrics I wasn't so sure about.”

“Aw, honey, I'm glad. I knew they'd like it.”

You set your mug on the counter and crossed to him, and he knew without you having to say anything that you wanted a hug. He held you close and squeezed you tight, giving a contented little groan as he did.

“I missed you today,” he said. “I’m sorry you had a rough day.” He kissed your nose. “And I'm sorry you made yourself sad watching movies you knew better than to watch.”

You gave a soft laugh. “They were pretty good, actually. Even if they were sad.”

He cradled your face in his hands and kissed you gently.

“I love you, birdie,” he said, tender and amused. 

“Even when I make questionable viewing choices?” you teased.

He smiled. “Yep. Even then.”

You lingered in the kitchen with him while dinner cooked, and you sat catty corner to him at the table while you ate, Rose safely between the two of you, dozing at your feet. When you'd tidied up after dinner, you joined him out on the porch to watch the rain while he smoked a cigarette, sipping your next cup of tea that you knew would be a staple of the homespun, gently effective doctoring Sam was planning to give you.

“You want to know something?” he asked.

You snuggled close to him. “Yeah. Tell me.”

He looked up at the hazy sky, his features gentle and tired and thoughtful.

“The first time I learned about Laika,” he said, “I came up with a better ending for her story.”

Your heart tilted. “What was it?”

He let out a slow breath. 

“I imagined she got out somehow,” he said softly. “That the man in the moon got her out of that death trap of a spaceship and took her with him. I laid awake in bed all night, looking at the moon through my window, thinking about her running around in the stars, chasing comets, playing with the bears of the Ursa constellations.”

He looked over at you, and for a moment, you saw a much younger Sam and felt the grief and love he’d felt for that little space pup.

He smiled. “I think she's happy, birdie,” he said. “I think she’s okay, somewhere out there.”

You felt the sting of tears again, and he chuckled softly as he cupped your cheek and brushed away the few that fell.

“Aw, honey, I didn't mean to make you cry again,” he said, soft and affectionate.

You gave him a watery smile. “I’m glad you told me that, Sam. It makes it better.” You thought his imagination was a very wonderful and tender place, making up songs and stories and pictures of playful starlight puppies and their kindly moonbeam companions.

“Can Oppy be with them too?” you asked. You wanted her to have a happy ending like the one Sam had imagined for Laika.

He smiled and gave you a gentle kiss. “Sure she can, birdie. They're both running around up there together.”

You wrapped your arms around him and rested against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart as the rain fell. Loving Sam was so easy, as natural as breathing, and moments like these had always shown you that love was supposed to be gentle. Before Sam, you hadn't been sure what love was supposed to feel like; with him, you knew in every part of you that love was safe and tender, that it was made of shared sadness and joy, music and laughter and tears and stories that washed over your life as effortlessly as the tide, as steadily as the rain, as gently as the light of the moon.

“What was the song they played for Oppy when she powered off?” he asked. “I feel like I remember them playing a song for her.”

You snuggled closer. “‘I’ll Be Seeing You,’,” you said. “Bille Holiday.”

He rested his head on yours and hummed a little of Oppy's lullaby.

“I’ll find you in the morning sun,” he sang, his voice soft and beautiful and very gentle. “And when the night is new, I'll be looking at the moon, but I'll be seeing you.”

You hugged him tight.

“I love you, Sam,” you said softly. “Thank you for being so good to me.”

He brushed his thumb over your cheek. “Sweet birdie,” he said gently. “You're welcome. I love you too.”

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