#Orion’s already so done with him you can only imagine this

[aldecaver]

Orion’s Adventures on Nemezis, Day 1

[yayasvalveplay]

https://www.tumblr.com/yayasvalveplay/772324490186211328/the-miners-in-transformers-one-probably-arent?source=share

I can only think of whoever they encounter first on the surface whether that be Alpha Trion or the High Guard just laying into the rest of the group on how could they bring a carrying mech up here? Don't they know how dangerous it is?

The miners including the one who's sparked up: What. What are you talking about?

The hit of suprise parenthood to both D-16 and Orion when they were following the exact script of sire and carrier subconsciously: increased sex drive so sparkling has plenty of transfluid to grow big and strong, wanting to stick together even more than they already were, and Orion was even feeling queasy in the mornings.

Imagine having to explain to someone who's 9 months pregnant and showing that their stomach isn't just doing that for funzies, there's a baby in there.

I imagine that Optimus got thrown into sub level 50 when he was 4 months pregnant. And he and the rest of the gang survived on the surface for about 5 months.

They learned the trains were carrying energon, thanks to theirs flipping over, crashing. (D-16 curling around Orion protectively) only giving them a single box, that the 3 (Orion tried, but D-16 snapped at him that he couldn't and that he was injured. He wasnt.) carried

They spent their time walking, trying to outrun the Quintizons and the elite guards. Along the way and night cycles Dee and Orion would end up fragging, quietly as the other slept. Dee getting a 'kink' of keeping his transfluid inside Orion, and Orion always obliged.

Keeping his modesty pannel closed once they were done, saying in the morning theyd drain it, but when it came time. Nothing came out, so they just kept doing it. And soon Orions belly was getting bigger, they had to slow down, taking constant breaks, or Dee just carrying him.

And they were doing so well until.

"Hey this one isn't going into stasis lock."

"What are you doing? What have you done with them!?"

"Wouh. Calm down. We arnt going to harm ya. We just need you lot unconscious. Can't have you finding our secret- your carrying."

" I'm what?"

And this is where they find the high guard. Seekers are immediately on Orion, checking him over, doting on him, getting him a soft place to sit next to Starscream (because really that's the only place this small bot won't get stepped on) who is just looking him over worriedly.

Getting everyone else activated Starscream starts railing on them on how they've been treating their carrier. Malurished(as they had to ration, and even as Orion took more because he was getting hungrier.) And starving. At least the Sires been keeping up with the transfluid donations, but still that gives them no excuse to take this carrier out of the safety of Iacon. They have been lucky, supper fragging lucky to have been found by them and not Sentinels gang.

And it's here they learn about how crappy Sentinel is. "That can't be true."

"Want to see for yourself little one." Cue Ravage spying on them, and the feed coming back to Soundwave who gives them all the feed back.(since this is still early, not even close to the story happening. There is no fear of miners getting overworked. Yet. But it's enough to have Dee raging and wanting to fight. He still gets his fight with Starscream, but it's not violent since no t-cog.

The others learn what it I'd meant to be a high guardsmen. As Orion is supper close to emergency, they don't want to leave the safety of the High guards, so they become scouts. They also learn what sex/safe sex and pregnancy is.

When emergency day comes. Orion has the help of high guard medics. The birthing is rough but soon, there is a little protoform, wailing, cold to the new world, and when placed on Orions chassis, he holds his baby close and just cries. He's been carried in his forge for 9 months making him suffer. And he decided to look exactly like his sire.

But it truely is a happy day for everyone,, mostly.

"Hey. We got a problem."

"What kind?"

"Airachnia kind, seen very close."

"Get these mechs to the emergancy base.

Where is that. Uhh supper close to where the primes were killed.

And hell wouldn't you know. Alpha Trion is still alive. And are those bots without their T-cogs. That will not do.

Starscream? Why are you crying? Oh yes, of course big old hug. Oh and Is that a sparkling. He hasn't seen them in. How long has he been in stasis?

Alpha Trion joins the party.

[sleepyconfusedpotato]

Do Ghost and Jade's kids don't know about their careers (or in Jade's case, former career)? Cause the comic you made of Andrew seeing Ghost in the middle of the night sorta implies they don't know about their parents' military background.

HMMM HM HM Good catch right there 👀👀

So this is also a part of what I've been thinking inside the Riley family after they have kids.

- I feel like the kids would definitely know about Simon's career as a soldier. BUT, as they are still in their early teens, I'd imagine that Andrew, Gracie, and later Orion know that their dad is a soldier, but that's the extent of their knowledge. They do know about Simon's nickname "Ghost", but they don't know how Simon operates inside the Task Force, they're not aware that their dad is an officer of one of the most elite and dangerous task force in the world. As far as they know, their dad only has edgy hobbies that involves black outfits and skull/skeleton themed. Heck, they even made fun of his preferences in outfits.

- But dear God, they never saw him in a full-on combat gear, in the dark of the night.

- Ghost is an officer, so day by day, he'd left the house with open face, and only wears the mask inside the car. After work day, he'd take off the mask before entering the house. If he's too tired, he'd try to sneak in in the deep of the night without making a sound. He'd sworn to himself that 'Ghost' will never enter his family and children's house/lives. They do not need trouble and his dangerous line of work to enter the one thing he cherishes the most.

- However, once you have kids, you can't hide anything forever. They'll find out by themselves (in this case, Andrew is entering his puberty and needs some midnight munchies). Simon and Lottie knows this, so they already have everything figured out. What would Andrew's reaction be, what would Gracie's reaction be, what would Orion's reaction be. They've discussed what they'd reveal, and what they'd still keep a secret, again, until they're old enough to know. They tread VERY carefully about it.

- About their mother though, that's a whole different story. After their marriage, Jade has strictly commited to be a mother for her kids, and opened a branch of The Garden in Herefordshire. She's an ✨ entrepreneur ✨. She's not that active to be called into deployment as before she had kids. If she's used to be 60% florist and 40% TF141 ally, after she had kids she'd be 98% Mum and Florist, and 2% TF141 Ally. Her kids literally only knows her as a florist, and that's it. Up until their late teens, Andrew, Gracie, and Orion would have no clue nor idea about her past with MI6. She didn't lie, she's just holding the truth until they're big enough to understand.

- In fact, Ghost BEGGED and asked Jade to not be active inside the TF141 or any conflicts anymore, considering Ghost would be deployed a lot (and how he's promoted to Captain and above), he'd want his wife to be with her kids. Jade herself also agreed, but she also told Ghost to not die and do stupid stuff. Even though married and less involved in the TF141 business, her resolve stayed the same. If he's missing, she'd pick up the guns in a heartbeat.

- Now, back to the kids. I'd imagine that because of how eventful each of Simon and Lottie's lives are, it sort of like become a game to the family. Each birthdays of the kids, Simon has established a "3 Question" rule game, where the kids can ask their parents anything about their lives. From Andrew and Orion, it's usually trivial and simple stuffs like "What's the naughtiest things you've ever done" "What's your favorite bla bla bla". HOWEVER, with Gracie, its always "What's your favourite mission?" "What's the worst condition of a dead body you've ever find?" "Who's the most difficult bad man you've ever encountered?" "Where is he now?"

- Ghost and Jade would answer with only two sentences. Looking at each other for approval. Gracie is most definitely Simon's daughter with that line of questioning. BUT, again, with every birthdays, and with their increasing age and they become more mature, they'll reveal everything bit after bit.

- By the time they finally know everything about their parents, they'd be in college years, probably, and Simon would no longer be the Ghost (he might be one of the higher ranked officer at this point), and Lottie would be completely out of the Task Force 141 game, becoming a regular civilian. Still, it'd be a legendary story to tell.

WOOHOO I kinda yapped a bit there, but hope that answer your question!

[redraven393]

Transformers one time? Yes, it IS

help it is so weird to see him without a face mask, it felt naked.

what are you up to OP?? uh? ah the archives! - Opp to loud- OhhHH~ Lore.

oh no time to bounce OP- wait, Orian Pax?? oh well I can still can call him OP- OMG YOU'RE A REGULAR AT THIS?

buddy you do not negotiate about this with feds- OP- PFFFT okay

HE'S A DORK!

uh? - Uhhhh???- OP???- omg-sure take the snacks- OMG WHY IS EVERYONE KNOW YOU OP???

Opp get caught- omg??? MEGSS???? I recognize that bucket head everywhere.

D-16??- aww they're BFF! - omg he is a dork- Sentinel Prime, eh? will he be a jerk this time around? - the surface?

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OP: just imagine if we have a Cog- D-16: I will transform into a shovel to hit you OP: ... I don't like how fast you answer that

YOUR HONOR THEY ARE DORKS!!

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Megatronus prime is quite loved in this one huh? to still be called strong and not a tyrant? - and aww D-16 is a fan

did my eyes deceive me or is that fukin WHEELJACK & JAZZ??? YAUBSJ

to the MINES! - JETPACKS!

OHHH ELITA MY DARLING! -omg she's a manager- pfft OP please

ohh? this is a unique mining system- uh oh Wheely- oh no

JAZZ BABY NOOOO-

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Jazz: Just leave me! OP: ok Jazz: no wait :(

I love him

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THEY'RE SAFE!

aww Elita I am so sorry for you Darling- oh no OP don't- yeah kind expect that

oh, Sentinel home ~ is that Sunstriker? or am I crazy anytime I see the red and gold duo I just Twins???

wait its I-acon not La-con??? omg- huh he already sounds sketchy to me D-16

PROWL! - shut up Sentinel I knew you were a hack anyway- PROWL!!

ohh~ a competition at the 5000th birthday of Iacon?

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE He SAYS IT HE SAYS THE THING!

this version OP is so much fun btw I love him but just like D-16 I too want to shake him like a Maraca- OP dear pls don't take your only best friends to a death trap

glitch as swear words for the bots is everything-, FINALLY we are back to our roots of unique swear words

aww that is so sweet.

ARCEEE!!- IRONHIDE!

huh so Quenteson is in this mess huh? 50 years, so not a recent development but not that old either

the previous Primes are so cool!

oh? - OH- PAX PLEASE!!!- and.... they're off, okay who's planning the funeral for these idiots?

aww at least Arcee is rooting for them :) - BLURR!!!!- SKYFIRE!!!!

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D-16: if we live, I'll KILL you OP: okay bestie :D

dorks

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Opp almost- SWINDLE- TAILGATE!! :D- JETSTORM!

NOO- oh no guys please don't be that dumb- they are that dumb omg- Fuk you darkwing

HOTROD! >:D - Mirage!!- oh wat? Magnets? - omg they might actually win this- fuking shoot for the skies next time I guess

CHROMIA! (you fukin bitch)

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well, you guys did wonderful for Minerbots actually

Arachnid - oh? I didn't know we were chill like that Sentinel? are we cool? - are we cool or is he still like a douche? like not Villainy but just ya know an Ick?

is he a frat dude???/

well at least you guys are not going to the slums- Hi~ DarkWing you good buddy~?

fuk you darkwing- sorry boys guess I jinx it- uhm an empurata?

OMG BUMBLEBEE MY BABY BB!! :D :D

oh, darling what have they done to you- sheeshh Bee Honey you are not meant to be here, who is evil enough to make you stuck in here!

Orion dear, Dee darling please save this boy- STEVE! - oh honey D:

OH lore? YO?! - yeah you better watch yourself D-16- didn't the just tell you that they are going to the surface? AGAIN?

Yay you brough the boy- what is the surface anyway? are they like in an eternal lockdown inside the planet’s surface or???- Elita please! -

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

omg? is the planet growing mountains? - you're in Elita? - yeah Bee you got the right idea- oh nooo-

off- ELITA Darling please- hey you were the reason we were out of the train in the first place- ohh robot animals?

Bee honey please-why is it not metal? - a city?? in the surface? rust?

omg-uhhhh tense- wtf was that -Plants? in a metal world?

HOLLY SHIT is that a dead body- is the dead Quinteson rotting body makes the plantation?

oh- omg the all there??- are they eaten or were they murdered>

oh? Alpha Trion? He LIVE!? - might want to rest up a bit old guy-

oh? - huh so AT is unfamiliar with Cog less bot? - Oh? so Sentinel is a bitch then?

oh, wait so there are multiple primes at the same time? huh

SENTINEL YOU ARE A BITCH

so, it just corroded away? - I knew them living under the planet was just fukin weird- wait, are they?? using the TFP dronecon?

OMG those bitch - yeah D-16 we need a revolution

hey now, no need to victim blames here, you all are screwed- no need to fight with each other

oh, shit ok chill my guy, I’m in for the murder but like chill

omg I say it again Sentinel is a bitch-

oh? AT what are you doing- omg is it okay to like took from the dead like this??-

Omg upgrade!!- let's go! - glad Bee is here with us btw my boy deserves this.

say it say the line AT- Nonoo he didn't say the line all I want is for some to say the line WE WERE SO CLOSE TO THE LINE!!!

Opp uh oh someone is here- well if you won't say it I will

Till All are One Alpha Trion

it’s the TFP Dronecon!!! :D where is the REAL Steve- OMG he's a MAXIMAL! a RHINO! - Airchanid, you bitch

pfft L- yeah for someone who never have cogs before having them will be quite difficult - Bee so far have the most natural ability in this

HE'S A TANK! - OH NO BB D: - oh he's okay- aww look at all these dorks

oh no D-16 have a taste in blood- hmm tension is in the air

SENTINEL YU BITCH (I’ll say when ever I see him) -god he's frat boy personality sound so fukin annoying now.

Till all are one Alpha Trion, rest in peace

SHUT UP SENTINEL- okay wait so are all of them a triple changer? is that like a more normal thing here?

the nonmetal nature in Cybertron is still messing me up tbh.

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

oh no is this D-16 emo era? are we getting closer to Megatron?

I mean yeah, he's right OP there is a reason it took 50 cycles for even any of you to realize this and you guys got some Hard proof

UH OH- WHOOO???- they are surface bots?? -

STARSCREAM!!! - SHOCKWAVE!!!!!- SOUNDWAVE!!!! AHUVS AGVTW

omg Bee honey- oOhhH the high guards, eh? - OP please.

where are the other members of your usual trios Star???- uhhh yeah you guys are intense

oh? go off D-16 my king??? - OoOHhh

FIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHT

uhh? Star are you a masochist? - oh shit that is some big ass gun-

oh, shit here comes the revolutions - oh no mommy is here.

Piggy bag ride let’s go!

FIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHT- part 2

well at least Star still have his cowardly persona- Yeah Go ELITA! oh no- ah shit

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not my boy nooooo- where all of the positive thinking go OP??

PFFT okay ELITA- Elita my queen please I love you but please!

yeah, there's no way you guys can do this alone YOU NEED to have more bots at your cause

YEAH, QUEEN GO OFF! - I love Elita did I say that already I’ll say it again. ILOVE YOU ELITA OUR QUEEN!!

also looks like there is no empurata in this verse HURRAY

I also love Shockwave and Soundwaves btw they are my blorboos

HE SAYS THE LINE!!!!!

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BEE YOU OKAY :D- SHUT THE FUCK UP SENTINEL YOU BITCH

omg so that's why he has that annoying high pitch voice-

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D-16: you are a traitor Sentinel: NU UH! >:(

I fukin het him

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don’t touch him you bitch- THAT BITCH!!- that fucker- YOU"RE DRAWINGS ARE SHIT!

OP SAVE YOUR BESTIE- fucker you can fly???-

oh, hey Ironhide??- YEAH EAT SHIT DARKWING- oh hey Springer????

Smokescreen?? oh hey Prowl -

SPEACH SPEACH SPEACH SPEACH SPEACH SPEACH SPEACH SPEACH SPEACH

say the line damn it- why is no one saying the LINE

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fukin sentinel you bitch- D-16 honey please take a rest

yeah, ELITA LET'S GOO-THE MINERS LET'S GOOOOO

FIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHTFIGHT - part 3

EWWWW WTF AIRACHNID- KILL IT KILL HER

Perfect landing if I do say so myself- hey you guys~

bestie we're here for you :D - okay still in that murder drive I see- what is your power exactly Soundwave

FACE MASK FOR MY BOY >:D- lmao get wrecked fuker- KNIFE HAND!

Sentinel you bitch- someone record that bitch's monolog so we can stream it to everyone later- oh yeah, we have the one who always see everything

omg the baby has a taste in blood now-

YEAH, GO OFF KING GET THAT BITCH!

someone make sure Bee is okay, he has too much fun in this

WELCOME TWICH STREAM CHATS TODAY WE ARE EXPOXING THE GOVERMENT!

okay guys maybe let's still be gentle in the mines those stuff is explosive right??

D-16 Please be chill omg- let's not destroy the whole city and like have more collateral damage

shut up sentinel you bitch - OP WHY??!!!- okay you guys let's focus on Sentinel first then-

OP! - omg fukin why!!! why can’t any of you be chill- that's why you need to be chill for once!

D-16? - D-16 buddy pull him up please don't - BITCH WHY????- THERE IS NO REASON FOR THAT!!! NO FUKIN REASON?!-

well, you make your choices, better kill that motherfucker like you said you would.

Primus if you're in there somewhere please god you better save this stupid ass mech- Primus you here?

oh, shit yeah public execution- oh yeah D-16? is this where we going to start a fukin tyranny?

oh, hey guys chilling in the afterlife? - THE MATRIX! >:D

welp boys introducing the new leaders of the two factions Megatron and Optimus prime

MEGATRON BUDDY PLEASE FUKIN CHILL - my guy please be chill

hey Optimus, will still be calling you OP- oh dear the newly Exes meet each other

guys please we do not need to see you two having a fight between the Exes here at the public- ohh fire power Ey?

everyone is just running away and you know what same I too would not want to be anywhere near this shit

THE BATTLE AXE! - you guys need to not be her this is between them only

guys please- this is just some bad break up please someone learn to communicate?

good God Primus all mighty

WHY ARE YOU GUYS SHOWING US THIS AT THIS MOMENT FUK

welp there he goes up in the surface- is the Energon still not flowing?

are you flirting with Elita Op? after just breaking up with Megs not too long ago? (/jk)

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Bee: I GET TO WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT :O?! Bee: this the greatest day of my life >:D

I love him

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the Energon is flowing again let’s go!!!!!- the COGS!! LET'S GOOO

IRONHIDE!!! - SIDESWIPE!! - ARCEE - JAZZ - AUTOBOTS no wait so we are not warring with the Decepticon then?

ROOOL Credits

Oh, shit I guess we are fighting the Decepticon- cool tattoo btw Megs

[empty-ecnelis]

Let me introduce to you Music and Dance customs of Kaon and Iacon and the difference between them. And how it makes Orion thirsty for Megatronus lol. >:3

Ok imagine this: Iaconians like classical music, the operas, ballroom music. Music were mechs sing of the purities of love and the fine feelings of life. Music you can listen to while having coffee and what not. After all, life in Iacon is mostly peaceful, you go to work, get upset about work problems, hang out with your friends, go to bed, repeat.

Not Kaon, though! With the Gladiator Rings, poverty, crime, and other nuisances, life in Kaon is full of adrenaline and aggression. It only makes sense their music would reflect such life. They like hard drums and bass. They still sing of life's fine pleasures, but they do it with much more fervor. Throughout the busy streets of Kaon, you can often hear EDM, Rap, Trap, and other similar genres of music. Dance is a common part of someone living in Kaon. Replace the coffee shop gathering with music club dance night!

Now imagine tfp Megatronus, Orion, and Soundwave before the war, back when Megatron was still a gladiator. Orion came to see one of Megatronus's fights, and as usual, he was victorious, so Magatronus asks Orion to come celebrate with him and Soundwave. Orion doesn't know what he's getting himself into but he just wants to spend more time with Megatronus so he accepts.

They enter some sort of private club, Orion can tell it's not public because he recognizes various other Gladiators Megatronus talks to. The music is a bit too loud to Orion's auditals, and everyone is talking nonstop. As they head deeper into the club, Orion can see the center of the room is not as crowded as everywhere else. He doesn't have much time to see why though as Megatronus drags him to what seems to be a bar and asks him if he would like something to drink. He says he's not sure as he's never drank before, so Megratronus buys him something he thinks he would like.

(I've linked the song the next bit is supposed to be imagined with for your convenience.)

Soundwave and Megatronus have already downed a couple of shots before Orion is done with his. In no time, Megatronus is dragging Soundwave to the middle of the room. Orion can see why it's not as crowded now, other mechs are dancing there. The mechs make room for Megatronus's giant frame and his partner. As the song develops, Megatronus pulls Soundwave closer to him, and he begins to move his hips to the drops of the music. Moving in staggering, but controlled movements. Making sure to display how much control he has over his lower body. Oh, the way those hips move. It certainly looks erotic to Orion, but it's not supposed to be. Soundwave wastes no time dancing along Megatronus, they move together like they do this often. Probably because they do.

Somehow, Orion has a clear view of Megatronus's back, he thinks he's never seen a better-looking mech than Megatronus. He can't help but feel jealous of Soundwave. How he moves his own hips to the roll of Megatronus's. How he doesn't push Megatronus's hands away from his frame when he lays them on his hips. In his dazed mind, he takes a moment to appreciate how well-built Soundwave is too. In contrast to Megatronus, Soundwave has much less plating, and the biolights that adorn his protoform are almost on full display for anyone to see. No wonder Megatronus wants to touch.

Megatronus wants to touch...

A thought crosses his mind. He should be him with Megatronus over there. It should be Orion who's grinding his aft against Megatronus, it should be Orion who Megatronus has his hands on. He knows he can't though, he doesn't know how to dance like this. He would have to ask Megatronus to teach him when they got their moment of privacy. He wonders if Megatronus would let him put his hands on that huge chest of his, or drag his servos along his strong back. Maybe that much touching and grinding would make Megatronus want to touch him instead. Would he also want to put his larger servos on Orions's hips? Megatronus's servos were so much bigger than his, he could pin both of Orion's hands with one no problem. He could pin Orion down with no trouble in general, could do anything he wanted to Orion. It's not like Orion would stop him. Megatronus could rip open his modesty panels, make do with him, and he wouldn't sto--

--What was Orion thinking about?! Primus, he should have just said no to this drink. Oh, Primus, he cannot -should not- be thinking such things.

[planet-of-the-machines]

[Transcribed by speech-to-text]

Whoa, hold up a moment, phrasing of that caught my attention. Are you saying that the crazy chick that went on a murder spree at your prom took a bullet to the head, AND got away? Side note, the security encryption on your cameras is nonexistent- but she walked it off??? I might be misunderstanding what you said entirely.

Also, since the encrypted line for wheeljack is busy with the "calculations" for the "bridge" do you have a data packet for that operation/upgrade process for disassembly drones so they don't need to go for our oil? We... best way to put it is a disassembly drone got...uh... "stuck" is a good word... stuck in one of our security shutters after they tried to swoop in behind a returning salvage run.

[Image attached]

[Image description: a section of a securty shutter, warped and distorted with the imprint of a disassembly drone, wings spread and arms outstretched, pressed into the metal]

So, yeah we have a Disassembly drone here too, now. I'll send you a link for Doctor Minerva's encrypted line so we don't risk any more data security.

Is there anything else to say...? Wait this is an ask blog, I should ask something...

Hmm, if any of you have had firearm or weapon experience, do you have any weapon types you like best? If you don't have any actual experience, video game weapons are fine too!

Brainstorm, Super-Genius Weaponsmith (self-proclaimed) of outpost 15

[End Transcript]

[A/N: I'm imagining Brainstorm with the voice of Cave Johnson from Portal for some reason.]

Yep. Try-hard.

But yeah, Doll's corpse up and vanished. but between the murdering and her corpse-filed home, I say good riddance.

-Uzi

We've rewired N's circulatory system to be closer to that of a Worker Drone, and I'm assuming they've done the same to V. I don't know the details, but I'm guessing that's what this secure line is for; I'll ask Teach to send it to Dr. Ratchet in a moment.

As for your other question, I'd likely try and use a pile-driver.

-Boulder

I have experience with pistols. Dad trained me to use them in case something... unpleasant happened in the family bar.

-Arcee

Ditto. I've actually been getting pretty good at using mine... when I actually have it on me. :|

-Bee

I wouldn't mind having a rocket fist. Y'know, like Gipsy Danger has? Just in case there's debris that's trapping a casualty. In terms of real weapons, though, being a firefighter requires learning to use a fire axe.

-Heatwave

Reminder that Jaegers aren't real, and you are not 100 meters tall.

I believe you already know my own answer.

-Chase

An RPG launcher. As in, Rocket-Propelled Grenade, not Role Playing Game.

-Sideswipe?

I don't kneed any guns. I've got my good ol' fists, and they get the job done just fine.

-Cliff

I like to think I'd be good with an AK-47. Upscaled for a Heavy Drone, of course.

-Hot Rod

Uh... can V and I skip this one? I feel like our opinions would be unnecessary because... um, reasons?

-N

...I'd rather not talk about this. It brings up... some memories I'd rather forget.

-Whirl

I've used an axe once, before I became archivist, but I wasn't that good at using it and was only trying to free an old friend of mine. He built himself this large energy cannon and strapped it to his arm to blast one or two Disassembly Drones to scrapmetal-

-Orion

Pax, shut up. I don't need to be reminded about him.

-Uzi

...right.

-Orion

[bluemoonwolf17]

Small Idea on Optic/eye colors but make it Feral

Okay, so I really like an Au where Optimus is somewhat feral. He grew up in the wastelands of Cybertron and so he had to fend for himself until Alpha Trion or somebot took him in.

And I had an idea what if Optimus’s eyes change color if he goes feral, I like to think he would be able to go into a “Feral Mode” and his eyes would probably change to show he’s in that mode.

I kind of imagine it as a code in their processors so if it’s a code implanted into the processor technically, you could call upon that code if you choose to, I kind of had another idea about that.

What if the code can be transferred to an offsprin’ if that's true, if Optimus ever has a sparklin’ there is a chance that the code could be dormant in his sparklin’ and I think dependin’ on how feral somebot is the more potent the code is.

And I kinda did a thin’ with the cybertronian's optics and their colors

I was gonna actually draw an eye but I didn’t feel like it, so this is what I did now this is just a rough sketch. So it may or may not change in the near future.

And yes I know that Breakdown had more of a darker yellow I just didn’t have enough room for it, and I did try to get the colors as close as I could without doin’ a color grab.

I started this last night and I had an itch to make an animation of the optic changing into the “feral state”. It was actually quite fun to make although I've never done it before so it was a new experience for me.

It's actually kinda cool, anyways I'm gettin’ off track.

What if the full feral state is dangerous because there’s a 50-50 chance that you won’t be able to go back to the normal state of mind. I can imagine that most of the bots in the wasteland got killed because of that fact.

Nothin’ can get them out of that state if they can't get back to normal themselves they’re goin’ to be killed on sight, so Orion/Optimus only uses that as a last resort.

Also, I think besides the optics changin’ I think their denta would get sharper and their digits would also get sharper kinda like Megatron's teeth and digits but not like his shark teeth just the lower and upper canines.

I also think that there's a way to tell that they have the feral code. It's very subtle unless you’re looking for it and I think that it's different with each bot.

They’re also looked down on in Cybertron’s society there “feral” and “uncontrollable beasts” Orion had a lot of controversy in the higher society most thought he was goin’ to damage the Iacon, News flash glitch he never did!

Orion probably even hides somewhere high and I mean HIGH to the point where they got seekers to check the high spots in the Iacon they never found him though but most seekers that would be sent to find Orion would claim to feel that they were bein’ watched but could never find the source or they refused to ever try to look for Orion again #traumatized.

They also swore whenever a seeker would refuse to ever go look for Orion again they heard the feral little thin’ giggle.

Well sadly that is all I have for this idea for now, I can’t really think of anythin’ else but I really do like the idea of Orion\Optimus bein’ a feral little slag

….But now I have an idea about Optimus goin’ feral ...oh no I already have too many docs that I haven't finished, no bad brain!

[garbage--account]

Random opinion #6, 'cause IE ares was disapointing and it makes me sad😢 (part 6) :

7. About the other matches :

Seishou gakuen vs Kidokawa : showing a match who isn't about the main team is actually was actually a good idea (when it doesn't shorten Zeus's). I enjoyed it overall. I just don't like ares/orion Gouenji. Idk he seems... too nice, if that even make sense. (The fact that we don't have news of Yuuka and about his dad wanting him to become doctor doesn't help i guess, but i guess he became a background character now). I mean, watch season one and ares, he isn't the same character anymore. Also, was it really necessary to introduce us to override? We see overrides since season one, we now that when you combine 2 shooting hissatsus, you have a brand new more powerful hissatsus 🙄

inakuni vs hakuren : it was a mess... and this why it is my unironical favorite from ares 🤣 (shirou and atsuya are also my favorites). There was a missed opportunity tho : the fact that Inakuni and Hakuren pratically mirrors each other. I mean, they are both "from the countryside", never participated in any official match before (so literal nobodies at this time), with captains who struggle being proper captains (Michinari 'cause he is Michinari / Shirou spending all his energy to deal with Atsuya while neglecting the others), and a forward/ace striker that think he is the main character (Asuto and Atsuya) while the rest of the team is the background (bonus point : their goalies being the most useless ever). Can be funny while useful for character development, can even be serious at some point. Imagine the 2 teams be like "i don't even know we got here and what's going on now but YOLO i guess lol" and at some point, somone wins we don't know how, and we're just like "that's life". That would make the final winning move of Inakuni less fustruating, 'cause idk Cross Drive came out of nowhere. I also want more Nae and Atsuya annoying siblings energy. Also, Ares Shirou seems too confident : let's have him actually contacting the reinforcement comitee and they send Someoka. Could expend forever but let's move on.

Alia gakuen vs inakuni : what's interesting in sun garden is that they're basically literal "found family" the sakka team. Like they all are adopted bros and sis. This was well portrayed by the Hirotos relationship into the match, and i think it's sweet the team adopted the rich kid even tho they're all orphan and not him and that he's kinda an ass. Kira H. was also a good surprise : i hated him in outer code but became one of my fave of areorion. I would have liked to see more of Nagumo/suzuno dynamics, and more of Reina, Midorikawa and Saginuma. Especially Saginuma 'cause he is done so dirty in areorion : bro can't even stop most of the shoots and still got selectionned into IJ. Like tell me about him! Is he the big bro in his brotherhood? What happened to his writting skills? I don't mind him having a goofy personality in this timeline, but what about the gaslighting and all in the og? He made Fubuki have a mental breakdown! Also, a missed opportunity : in Hakuren, one of the reason of their dramas was that their captain had a hard time staying firm on Atsuya because he is his lil bro. Imagine that, but all the team are your siblings lmao. Finally, even if he is already among the better point, i would like to see more of Hiroto : i mean this is the only moment he has character development and is just a "bad boi" striker for all orion, even if he appears quite often and has so many occasions for this! Make him interact more with Atsuya and i am actually serious about that : both kinda think they are the "star/main character" of their team but with different mood (like barbenheimer lol), plus they both supposed to be dead in the og. Hiroto has already more in common with Atsuya than Haizaki, and they didn't even met at this point ! Last after the last thing : at the end of the match, hiroto and tatsuya pull out the most beautiful hissatsus ever just to be stopped by Norika, Asuto and Kozoumaru. What an anticlimacting ending... the hissatsus came too late.

Vs tonegawa tousen : even though ares did not gave us the best matches, the main ones have their highlights anyways (read above). However, Tonegawa really only has Endou (sorry Sakanoue). Like it was memorable 'cause Inakuni had no idea how to get a goal from overhyped Endou (and there is also a racoon girl). I can't remember anything else 😭 Even the (french ?) dub is aware of that and they called it "lambda school" (which basically mean random school) : the savagery omg. I don't know how to make the other team members memorable but here a plot suggestion (southpark inspired me) : Tonegawa Tousen is a humble soccer team that only plays for leisure, as a hobby. But since every soccer club needs a sponsor now, they participate in the "job fair" kinda event at the beginning (read part one). What they haven't predicted is that a reinforcement comitee member will join them afterward. Moreover, they got Endou, who is determined to make them train like hell with truck tyres and participate in FF, 'cause that's his definition of fun. It's not that they don't like Endou (who hates him anyway?), but they didn't want to be competitive and under the spotlights. Sponsor is not really helping 'cause it want its advertisement. So the team tries to make Endou understand subtly what soccer really means for them : "you know Endou, we are just happy to have the occasion to get together with friends, having fun, being silly, to be able to laugh when someone fails without hurting his pride, to take bets to determine who is the best, being able to confort each other when we are not okay and forgetting the rest that sucks. After the training, we usually talk shit and laugh together around a meal, it's the time we all have a genuine smile despite how bad the day could be. And you know, even if we are not great at this game, this soccer club is enough for us. Do you know what we mean?" and Endou answers "yes i totally get it" while understanding that soccer must be really important for them to be this emotional and does the contrary of what they expected. After Tonegawa won matches, the team usually cries 'cause they're still stuck in this tournament and Endou thinks they're just really emotional that they got this far and couldn't believe it. He stays unaware the whole time and guess his teammates are dramatic. When they finally lose, their joy is short-lived 'cause they soon feel pathetic to have been in such situation because of miscommunication and of course Endou thinks they're just dissapointed to not have won and cheers them.

[odukora-lore]

🗺 they ARE explorers so I imagine they've seen a lot of stuff across the world but I do wonder if there's some scenario you'd want the TEF crew to go through that never managed to happen lol

Also 🚥

🗺 Is there some place your OC would love to go or something your OC would love to do but likely could never happen within the boundaries of your story?

Ngl the current TEF actually fulfills a lot of my vision of an explorer esque story cuz they pretty much are on the run at all times over the span of the story, aka a lot of the regions are explored (notably Carabee and Suizel all the way to Mount. Eden, I think looking at the map could give you an idea of how their journey looks like), Tarue and Sunvey are the only big regions that don't get touched in TEF for the sole fact that they get explored in POE instead lmaooo, though it's mostly in Tarue, Sunvey isn't that much developed as a land tbh and I haven't rlly found anything to do w it even if there's mild plans all over the place, ig some cool underutilized lands would def be Kahdeina Kingdom, Janji Island and Temporal Isle though cuz they rlly are scrapped plotlines for POE and the supposed tertiary story back then, so currently they just kinda exist without any lore heavy stories to explore them in detail, so if anywhere it'll probably be those places, again not much lore is written for those places though you can imagine things based on what I have for the land masterpost lmao

🚥 Is there a character choice or plotline that you regret but is now canon and you feel like you can't change it?

Literally upon seeing this in the list of questions I was like haha I know I will answer Maridoline and Airimoru tragaydies, they're literally so lore heavy and intricate they *have* to die but for the longest time when I first developed them I intended them to *live*, that's the kicker lmao I didn't write them to die when I first wrote them but they dug the hole for themselves I've got no choice but to bury lol it pains me but it has to be done and I won't exactly say I regret it either cuz it's very juicy

Funnily enough I usually don't regret canon plot choices cuz they almost always happen for a reason, the joke to lore pipeline always leads to something batshit but connects everything neatly I pretty much eat it the fuck up each time lmao, though ig a funny one would def be removing Rigel altogether from TEF cuz it took away a lot of the other plotpoints (notably his arc of attempting to capture Toffee and this other one where Orion and Pepper bond over having lost a brother from the same tragedy, there are workarounds though it's def kinda a hassle to rework some of the already established points lmao

Rigel was mainly removed cuz there's just too much going on in TEF and his purpose as a father figure to Rei and contributing to her grief is already explored via Orion and Oak alrdy (who are much more involved in the plot and are individually very developed characters alrdy), alongside his creature whisperer thing going to Asteria who is previously not that developed, I def tried to salvage Rigel lmaoooo but alas, though if I'm not careful enough he might aswell get revived but chances are also slim, just overall a kinda wack scenario cuz either keeping or removing him leads to other outcomes, also probs cuz it wasn't a joke to lore pipeline that occured naturally and was my own choice and I don't usually make lore changes like this LMAOOOO

Ig another would def be scrapping Atch/Asteria cuz that was the og ship for a long ass time, like 2020 esque era, there's sentimental value attached to them though the story has been revamped so much they no longer feel like the og pairing I developed and ate up lol, ironically current Aitcher reeks more of the og Atchuka (Asteria was developed so much Eureka as a name doesn't even get used all that much anymore), also since POE wasn't a thing back then there's no deliberate parallels I bothered writing but w Aichi being an addition everything just tied together rlly satisfyingly lol

There's probs more but I don't remember any atm lmao, these are the main ones I do think abt quite often though

[the-void-writes]

DANCING!!

Val and Cyrus? 👉👈

Thank you so much for this, you got me to write out part of the Hawthorn Ball 🤣💖 I hope you guys enjoy this one 😊

SOLM Taglist: @magefaery @bloodlessheirbyjacques @whimsyqueen @tryingtimi @tc-doherty @lockejhaven @circa-specturgia @asher-orion-writes @writing-with-melon (Let me know if you want to be added or removed 😊)

SOLM - The Hawthorn Ball

Val could barely recognize themself in the mirror. Kristine and Freya had kindly offered to style them for the Hawthorn Ball, a small thank-you to Val and their crew for their publicity. Of course, their gratitudes laid more with Val than the others, since Val was the only one interested in their stories. Still, it didn’t feel as overwhelming to Val if they viewed it as a group celebration.

They stared at their face in the vanity mirror— flecks of silver in their dark eyeshadow, lip coloring in the shade of a rich wine, and whatever Kristine was doing that made their freckles stand out more. Freya stood behind them, her small hands layering Val’s curls around their shoulders like she was arranging a bouquet.

When they were both done, they helped Val up and slid their dress on from the bottom. It was a long red dress, hand-crafted by the local tailor, lined with black ruffles, dark jewels, and strands of pearls for the sleeves. When Val looked at themself again, they almost cried. They were finally wearing a dress that fit their form; their small chest, their lack of an hourglass figure, and a fuller skirt. Someone finally made them look like themself.

Kristine and Freya stepped back to fully view their work. Freya held her hands to her mouth, tearing up slightly.

“Oh, dearie, you’re beautiful!”

Val stroked their hair gently, admiring the curls. “You both did an amazing job, thank you.”

Kristine smoothed out a few wrinkles on their dress. “Master Cyrus is going to love this.”

The maids chuckled as Val’s face flushed.

“It’s true, dearie,” Freya said. “He’s been bouncing like a child all day, just waiting to see you.”

“He’s really that excited?”

Kristine smiled and squeezed their hand. “You’ve brightened his life, honey, more than you may ever realize.”

Before Val could question the truth of her claim, there was a knock on the door to their room.

“Is everyone decent?” Viktor called through the door.

Freya laughed. “Yes, Vikkie, you wee lily.”

He opened the door shyly, as though he thought Freya might be tricking him. When he saw everyone was indeed presentable, he relaxed and stepped inside with a small box decorated in a red bow.

“Master Danvers,” he said, “Lord Cyrus wished to give this to you for tonight. Would it be okay if I put it on for you?”

Val tilted their head. “What is it?”

“A special gift. He insists that it’ll look perfect on you, if you want it. It’s entirely up to you.”

Viktor opened the box, and on a small silk pillow sat a gorgeous necklace: Black chains, with red gems scattered about, and a brooch with a beautiful red flower. Val was mesmerized by it already, but Freya’s soft gasp told them it was worth more than they could have imagined.

“Is that—” Freya tried to ask.

“It is, honey,” Kristine said. “The Lockhart Brooch.”

Val held the box carefully. “This belonged to his family, didn’t it?”

Viktor nodded. “His mother gave it to him, for the special day that he found a partner worth sharing it with.”

“And he’s chosen you, lass!” Freya said, practically squealing with joy. “That boy is head-over-heels for you!”

The floor felt uneven under Val as they stared at the necklace. It was incredible, and a piece of history, everything Val could have loved… But how could they accept something so valuable? How could they possibly be worth so much attention? They jumped as Viktor took the box again.

“Master Danvers, if you don’t want this, I can put it away. He doesn’t want to make you uncomfortable. Just know that he truly believes you deserve his love.”

They couldn’t cry, not after all of Kristine’s hard work, so Val laughed and nodded.

“I love it,” they said.

Viktor beamed and helped Val put it on. The three staff hands were glued to the sight of their guest, a deity walking amongst them. Val, of course, was reeling over the idea that Cyrus loved them so deeply that he would give them such a bold testament of love. They ran a finger ever so gently over the brooch, imagining everything they would say to Cyrus when they saw him.

Freya clapped at the increasing sound of violins from downstairs. She gave Val one last look-over, grabbed Kristine and Viktor, and headed for the door.

“We’ll see you downstairs, dearie! Take your time!”

“Thank you guys for your help!”

“It was our pleasure, love! You look fantastic. Lord Cyrus will faint, for sure!”

Kristine pulled Freya outside. “Come along, silly, before those crew members take all the good food.”

Viktor shook his head. “I think they’re allergic to it, with how often they spit it into the washroom sinks.”

Val chuckled, listening to them as they gossiped to themselves the whole way out of the room and down the hall. When they fell silent, Val looked into the mirror a third time, unable to comprehend how wonderful it all felt. Their first real dance, with people who appreciated them… and a man who loved them. They smiled and finally stepped out of their room.

All at once, the walls shook with the beautiful sounds of the local orchestra. Spices of every kind filled the air, along with the scents of perfumes and flowers brought from the other guests. As grand as it all was, it felt strangely like home to Val. This was where they wanted to spend the rest of their days, if time and circumstance would allow. They admired the manor’s splendid decor as they finally made it to the staircase above the ballroom.

The whole dance hall was filled with music and merry chanting. Everyone in Hawthorn danced happily, dressed in silvers, greens, and blues. The show crew stood out like a sore thumb, each member dressed more for a nightclub than a traditional dance.

And then, at the bottom of the staircase, Val saw Cyrus. His shirt was made of the same dark red material as Val’s dress, and Val couldn’t help but wonder if the tailor had done that on purpose for them. They both stood out in a different way from the crew, like two rubies in a pile of rocks. Anyone who looked at them would know right away that they were a pair. It wasn’t a good idea to wave that around in Angelo’s face, but in the moment, Val was happy to match their beloved.

Cyrus’ emerald eyes sparkled as he watched them descend down the stairs. To him, there was no one else in the room, no one but his beautiful partner. When Val reached the bottom, he took their hand and kissed it tenderly.

“My darling,” he said with a chuckle, “you’ve rendered me speechless.”

“Is it too much?”

“No, dear, not at all! You— Look at you! It’s like you’ve lived here your whole life.” He kissed their hand again. “You wear this town so well.”

Val snickered and readjusted their glasses. “So do you, Cyrus. You’ll have to tell me where you got that vest.”

“From Madame Tiana. It’s corseted.” He posed, sliding his hands down the fabric. “Do I look ravishing?”

“Very,” Val said with a smile. “I might just steal it from you.”

He scoffed playfully. “My clothes, my heart— What else could you possibly steal?”

They both laughed, clutching each other’s hands as though they might drift away from one another. From the corner of Val’s eye, they saw Angelo gripping his cup so tightly that his knuckles were visibly white. Cyrus cupped the side of their face and turned them back to face him.

“Pay him no mind, darling. We’ll make sure he doesn’t try to cause a scene.”

Val released their breath, hesitant to take their mind off of Angelo’s dark eyes. Cyrus whispered against their ear.

“Val, my sweet rose, would you care to dance?”

They blinked at him. “You’re sure?”

He laughed. “Yes, of course. I want everyone here to know how much I love you.”

Their heart fluttered against their chest as they nodded. With a cold and gentle hand, Cyrus guided them to the center of the dance floor, where many of the guests happily parted to give them room. It felt slightly stuffy to Val, having so many eyes on them. And yet, when Cyrus stared at them like that, there was no one else on Earth. Just the two of them, for the rest of time.

Val followed Cyrus’ steps carefully, focusing on the steps Viktor had taught them in preparation for this event. Cyrus chuckled when they stumbled slightly.

“I can tell who you learned from,” he said.

“You can?”

“Word of advice, my dear, Kristine is a far better dancer than Viktor. He has two left feet, so to say.”

Val groaned. “Freya said he was the best dancer here.”

Cyrus smiled. “Perhaps she just wanted to see you fall into my arms.”

“She can’t keep flirting for both of us, you know.”

“Very true, love. I’ll have to speak with her about it.”

“Just remind her that she still messes up her words around Kristine.”

Cyrus laughed. “Oh, how I love you.”

Val blushed, but pulled Cyrus flush to their chest. “And I love you.”

He smiled like Val was his whole universe, spinning them slowly to the music. Val’s hand wandered back to their brooch.

“Thank you, by the way, for the necklace.”

“It’s my pleasure, darling. Seeing it on you is so much better than I imagined.”

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to wear this?”

He stroked their cheek. “Val… For once in my life, I’m certain that there’s no one else who deserves this as much as you.”

Val’s eyes grew misty, but they made sure not to cry. All they wanted was to pull Cyrus down and kiss him in front of the whole town… but not with Angelo there. He would get upset, for sure. Instead, Val took Cyrus’ hand and held it to their chest.

“Do you want to walk with me, out in the garden?”

“That sounds lovely,” Cyrus said. “Please, darling, lead the way.”

They walked towards the outer doors. From the corner of Val’s eyes, they could see Angelo chatting with a bunch of fancily-dressed men. He would touch their shoulder or shake their hand for longer than expected, staring at Cyrus the whole time, probably hoping that he would get jealous and run into his arms.

Cyrus didn’t even look his way. His eyes were focused on Val, the one who had successfully won his heart, as they led him into the garden. No one could ever keep them apart again.

[fandomlovingfreak]

Glacial Passion (3/?)

Regulus Black/Reader

Rating: Lemon, 18+

Trigger Warning: Arranged Marriage, talk of potential pregnancy

Word Count: 2461

MasterList Link I AO3 Link I Wattpad Link

Summary: Glacial, cold, icy… all words that described Regulus Black’s grey eyes. Was there truly no emotion behind those eyes, or did a caring man exist beneath? Could she defrost those glacial eyes?

Disclaimer: Regulus Black (Walburga Black, Orion Black, and Sirius Black) is a character from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. Reader or y/n is not owned by Rowling. This work has not been created for profit or financial compensation, and is a transformative fair use work in accordance with Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act.

Notes: Chapter three! I thought this entire fic would be around three chapters, but we're not even close to done yet!

Enjoy

The guest room isn't so bad. He becomes very acquainted with the unused room as his wife had elected to ignore him for the foreseeable future.

After the fourth night that he'd slept and attended meals with his parents without (y/n), Walburga brings up the absence of his wife in her own  special way . "You cannot sleep in a different room than your wife."

Regulus holds back from rolling his eyes, "you and father do not share a bedroom."

Walburga's ever-present frown deepens, "We already have a son."

Even after all these years, he hates that she pretends Sirius never existed.

"So this is about sex," he wipes his mouth with his napkin.

"It is."

"These things don't happen overnight."

"They don't happen if you do not participate in the happening," Walburga taps her manicured fingernails on the table. 

"What do you want me to do? I can't force her to sleep with me." Besides, if they did continue to have sex, he will unquestionably use contraceptive charms to ensure his wife did not conceive. 

Walburga studies his face, "If you do not try, you will not see success."

In an attempt to change the subject, he blurts out, "She is miserable here--"

"She will be content soon. Once she has the first child."

Orion takes this opportunity to speak up, "possibly you should take your new wife out of the country."

"Out of the country?" Regulus frowns.

"Take her out of this house on your honeymoon. Maybe visit Paris. It couldn't hurt after the past few days."

Honeymoon... he was hoping that he could avoid taking (y/n) on one of those. But, if Orion thinks this could make (y/n) happy... well, he supposes he can sacrifice the time.

***

Walburga catches him before he can make his way out of the dining room. 

"You must not cast those charms any longer."

Regulus would rather his mother not tell him he can and cannot use contraceptives... 

"Who says I did?"

Walburga squints angrily, "Next time you do your duty as the next Master of the house, make sure you give your seed time to take hold within your wife."

He draws his lips into a tight line, turning to leave the conversation before it became any more invasive.

No promises would be made to his mother or anyone else over the use of contraceptive charm. There was no need for a child in this present time. Things of that nature could wait.

***

"What are you doing here?" (y/n) asks when he walks into their shared bedroom.

"It's nice to see you too, wife."

She rolls her eyes, turning back to her novel.

"You were not at dinner tonight." Regulus unbuttons the top of his shirt.

"I wasn't hungry," she says without looking up from the book.

Regulus continues to undress, removing the cufflinks from his dress shirt. 

"Mother was wondering where you were."

"I'm sure she was."

He watches her for a moment. "We will be leaving soon."

(y/n) looks at him confused, "Who will?"

"You and I."

"Leaving where?"

"On our... honeymoon."

"What do you mean?"

Regulus bites the inside of his cheek, "I'm taking you to Paris on our honeymoon."

"Honeymoon..." (y/n) looks like she's contemplating giving him a  flat-out   no.

"I can tell you are tired of the house. The apartments I've secured are much  lighter  than Grimmauld Place. Moreover, it has an excellent view of the city."

"I don't know..."

Regulus steps forwards, taking her hand in his. "Just spare two weeks at the least." The pad of his thumb rubs underneath the ring on her left hand. He's secretly pleased to see she has not taken it off despite the state of their relationship currently.

"Regulus," (y/n) tries to move away from him.

"Please," he breathes out the word, "please, I'm trying."

(y/n) analyzes his face, "what would we do in Paris?"

"I could think of many things we could do."

She doesn't respond to his suggestive words.

"Is that a yes?"

"I'll think about it."

"We're leaving tomorrow. I've already made the arrangements."

"You can't just-- just--"

"I thought you'd be happy to get out of the house."

She sighs, her fingers worrying the dark fabric of her skirts, "Ok."

"Excellent," he brings her hand up to his lips, "I look forward to sharing your bed again, Mistress Black."

***

Dressed in a violet dress, I stick out, standing next to my in-laws and husband. Which is fine by me. I rather stick out than look like I'm a part of a funeral precession  every damned day .

"Are you ready?" Regulus holds his arm out to me.

I gently place my arm on his, nodding.

"Owl, if you decide to stay longer than planned," Orion looks to his son first than to me. He's got a small smile on his lips. I smile back politely.

"Naturally," Regulus says before apparating us away from the house.

I hate apparition. Hate it with my entire being. Squeezing my eyes shut tightly doesn't stop the uncomfortable movement of tumbling through time and space.

When I'm able to open my eyes, my fingers gripping Regulus's arm uncomfortably tight, I'm met with the sight of a large brick building.

"Are you okay?" Regulus steps in front of me. Cupping my face, he looks at me with concern.

I open my lips slightly, trying to find the words despite my churning stomach, "I just-- I just need a moment."

He nods, not letting go of my face. Then, almost absentmindedly, his thumb brushes against my cheek.

"I'm fine now. Where are we?" I squeak out, trying to distract him from continuing to touch my face like so.

Regulus snaps out of whatever was happening between us, his hands dropping from my face as he turns to look up at the building. 

"This is where we will be staying." He hesitates for a moment before gently grasping my hand in his, "Do you mind?"

I shake my head no.

"Let me show you the apartment." Regulus helps me up the three steps of the building before holding the door open. He motions towards the staircase, placing his hand on the small of my back as we walk up the large staircase.

Regulus unlocks the heavy wooden door, pushing it open for me.

The sunshine in this room shines brighter than in Grimmauld Place. Probably due to the airy curtains and the creamy champagne color that the walls are painted.

It's a complete contrast to the rooms we share at Grimmauld Place. 

"What do you think?" Regulus gently pulls me into the room.

I turn to admire the white comforter of the bed, running my fingers against the soft material. 

"It's beautiful."

Turning, I catch Regulus's eye. He's leaning against the dresser, watching me intently.

I bite the inside of my cheek, "What are you looking at?" 

"Am I not allowed to look at my wife?"

"Obviously, you are. If looking is all that is on your mind."

He actually smiles, looking down at the ground momentarily, " we are  on our honeymoon."

Rolling my eyes, I begin to walk past him towards the bathroom. However, Regulus's fingers wrap around my wrist, preventing me from exiting the conversation.

"Regulus--" I find myself in his arms, his fingers tilting my chin towards him. Even as I despise the way he's dragged me into his arms, I can't say I hate the feeling of his body pressed against mine.

"Do you want this?" I hate that he's so diligent with asking for consent before he kissed me or initiated any--  activities . It would be so much easier to hate him if he was a beast of a man.

My contemplation of his question only lasts a few seconds before I lean up to kiss him.

Regulus makes a sound of surprise but quickly regains the dominance, his hands cupping my face. 

Slowly, he begins to back us up towards the bed, pulling me onto his lap as he sits down on the white comforter. 

"No," I pull away from the kiss, still straddling his thighs.

Regulus's lips are red as he looks at me confused, "You don't--?"

I shake my head, "I'm starving."

He smiles, tucking a flyaway hair back behind my ear, "We'll find you some food then."

***

(y/n) sips her tea. She hasn't spoken a word to him since he brought her to the wizard cafe.

"How is your food?"

She sets her tea down, "good."

Regulus strums his fingers against the table.

"Did you want something, Regulus?"

"Not particularly. Are you ready to get back?"

"Why are you so eager to get back?" Her smile is small, almost teasing.

"'m not eager..." Regulus frowns, straightening the lapel of his jacket.

"You've hardly touched your food," she looks pointedly towards his plate.

Regulus looks down as well, "I don't find myself quite as famished from our traveling, wife."

(y/n) rolls her eyes at his comment, "For your information, Regulus, I had to skip breakfast to pack for an impromptu trip my husband sprung upon me."

"I could have easily bought you a whole new wardrobe here if breakfast mattered to you that much."

"That would have been a waste--"

He chuckles, "money is not an issue for us, darling. You may have anything you desire simply by asking for it."

(y/n) bites the inside of her cheek, "Just because it is easily obtained does not mean it is not wasteful to live like this."

Regulus bites the inside of his cheek, looking away from (y/n). 

***

Lounging on the bed, he watches her. The chiffon robe she wears leaves little to the imagination as she walks by the open window. Regulus is certain she'd be mortified to find out it's nearly transparent when the morning light hits the fabric. He's enjoying the show, but he hates that anyone outside could see her.

"(y/n)," Regulus stretches his arms above his head.

"Yes?" She turns, the fabric of the robe shifting.

"Come here, please."

She frowns, hands coming to her waist, "why?"

He shifts on the bed, "because you're walking by the window  practically naked."

(y/n) crosses her arms across her chest, "Regulus!"

A small smile tugs at his lips, "Come here, darling."

She slowly makes her way to the bed. Regulus tugs her down to the bed, caging her in with his arms before she can make a noise. (y/n) looks up at him, the robe revealing her beautiful body.

Regulus trails his fingers down her neck towards her breast. Then, rolling her nipple between his fingers, he watches keenly at the way the nub hardened under his touch.

"Reg--"

He cuts her off, "do you want this?"

Her mouth opens and closes before she replies, "yes."

Regulus ducks down, kissing her deeply. He presses his rapidly hardening cock against her thigh.

"Have to be quick," he shoves his sleep pants down enough to free his cock.

"Why? What do we have to do today?"

He chuckles, "nothing that can't be pushed back. Do you want slow then Mistress Black?" Regulus's fingers drag down her jaw, fingers gently angling her face towards his.

(y/n) frowns back, "I--"

"You don't have to be embarrassed. I can make you squirm under me for however long you desire."

Slowly, he pulls the string of her robe loose, the material exposing her torso completely to his gaze.

"Is that what you want, darling?" He spreads her thighs so he can kneel between them.

Her mouth is parted slightly, chest heaving as she watches him drag his cock up and down her slit. 

"Please--"

"Such a good girl." Regulus inches in, entranced by the way her body welcomes him.

(y/n)'s fingers pull at his hair as he bottoms out, "Merlin--!"

"Not my name," he slowly pulls out before thrusting in hard.

(y/n) snorts, "was that a joke? Did you just make a--" he thrusts in again, "a joke?"

Regulus smiles down at his wife, "possibly."

He doesn't expect her to giggle, and he especially does not expect his stomach flip-flopping at the sound of that giggle. To distract himself from this onrush of new emotion, he leans down, kissing her with feverish passion. The softness of her lips, the way her tongue moves shyly in an almost submissive manner with his, and the way she completely surrenders herself to his kiss doesn't help him as the sudden adoration he feels for this woman continues to skyrocket. Love isn't the word. Love maybe would never be the word, but he feels like when they express passion through their sexual encounters, he maybe could be feeling something  like love . 

"Oh, Regulus," (y/n) moves her hips in time with his, the push and pull of their lovemaking intoxicating.

His fingers move to play with her clit, rolling the bundle of nerves and making her squirm underneath him. The way she grinds her hips hard against him with each skilled movement of his hands on her delicate flesh feels magnificent. She's breathtaking, and he can't even find the words to tell her how--  how much he enjoys this. 

Maybe enjoys it more than he's ever enjoyed it before.

"Don't stop," (y/n) whimpers.

"I wouldn't dream of it," he ducks down to kiss her as he pushes her over the edge. The feeling of her pulsing around him propels him towards his own release.

"Merlin--" He continues to thrust shallowly, burrowing his face in her neck. (y/n)'s fingers move tenderly across his back and shoulders as he comes down from his high. Regulus could stay like this forever.

"Are you going to--?" Her voice breaks his small paradise.

He frowns, "yes."

(y/n) stares at him before pushing his shoulders lightly until he pulls out, landing on the other side of the bed. "If you're going to do it, do it now. I want to take a bath."

He has a feeling the bath has something to do with washing away any trace of what they just did. Nevertheless, he does as she asks, wandlessly casting the charm.

***

After ignoring him for the rest of the morning and afternoon, reading on the sunny balcony, she appears to be in a better mood when he comes to get her for dinner. 

"Do you wish to get dinner with me?"

(y/n) softly closes the worn novel before looking up at him. Her face is sweet, lacking any of the anger it held earlier when they quarreled. 

"I would."

Regulus expects her to continue the conversation. Instead, she walks by him without another word. Placing his hands on the balcony's railing, Regulus looks out towards the city. The chaos of the muggles and their  cars  feels an awful lot like the current feeling in his head.

[katsukavi]

"OH SHIT!" part 2

"I WANT AN ABORTION." Sung Jin-Woo said abruptly, tapping his foot up and down from the agitation. "I'm afraid that's not possible. The baby is far too healthy and because of the amount of health potions you drank, it will be almost indestructible by our means. It even accelerated its growth.."

Sung Jin-Woo didn't think that far into it that night. He gave the baby's father an icy glare and took out his dagger from his inventory. "You can't abort it by your means huh..." he locked (M/n)'s hand onto the hilt and pointed it at his stomach.

"(M/n)! Stab me!"

"HELL NO!"

"Why not? We're already at the hospital, so you could just rush me to the emergency room when I start bleeding," Jin-Woo explained, but that still didn't make a drop of sense to (L/n) (M/n). "NOT IN A MILLION YEARS WILL I STAB YOU!"

"Fine. I'll stab myself."

"No!"

The doctor's face paled at the S-Rank hunter's lack of care for his unborn baby's life—even attempting to stab himself. Luckily, (L/n) (M/n) was there to stop him before the blade could touch his skin.

"Jin-Woo! Come on, you could just hold on to it until you give birth. We could set it up for adoption later.."

"I don't have time to wait 5 months. I could be leveling up using that time."

Scratch that. (L/n) (M/n) was also a horrible parent-to-be. The doctor forced a smile, wondering if all S-Rank Hunters were like this. He cleared his throat and stared back at them.

"How did you even conceive this child?"

"I have no idea. I drank too much. Hey, aren't you immune to alcohol?" (M/n) nudged Jin-Woo's shoulder, since he was the one that wanted to play video games all night. "I don't know. I can't remember much either. There was this scent.."

"I see. It must've been a heat."

"No? I wouldn't have left the house if that were the case."

"Then..." The doctor's eyes set on to (L/n) (M/n), making him feel a cold sweat. The man with red eyes smiled awkwardly, blinking repeatedly at the doctor. "Why are you looking at me?"

"It's incredibly rare but I assume you went through a rut, Sir. So I understand how you may perceive this as unbelievable since this situation is one in a billion or even more so." The doctor scratched the back of his head, trying to consider the rarity of the situation.

It was even more impossible if he considered the fact that male alpha and omegas were less likely to have a baby, then they were both S-Rank Hunters, both with their respective systems and (L/n) (M/n) had suffered from a rut that only one in five alphas experience.

[The Orion System is extremely happy!]

[☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆]

[The Orion System is wondering if it would be a girl or a boy??]

[The System is rejoicing for your offspring.]

"I hope it becomes a miscarriage. I'm too busy for this," Sung Jin-Woo said, glaring at his slightly bloated stomach. "Since you are a male omega, there is a 78% chance it would be a miscarriage if you're constantly stressed and you didn't receive professional help from us.."

"Good. I'm already stressed from this situation."

[The Orion System is ignoring your wife's statement.]

[Yay! Baby! ＼＼\\٩( ^ω^ )و //／／]

'He's not my wife, you stupid system. We're friends at best,' (M/n) thought at his system. He and Jin-Woo left the hospital with conflicted thoughts. (M/n) wasn't as extreme as Jin-Woo to forcibly kill it, but he was wondering what he should do next.

That's right. They were hunters. They didn't have time to raise a baby when they could be saving lives through dungeons. It's a simple choice of one life for one hundred.

[The Orion System is rejoicing for you.]

[The Orion System has contacted (totally didn't take over wink wink) the Player System for the child's sake. (*'ω｀*)]

[The Player System has agreed!! ٩( ᐛ )و yay! yay!]

'What are you celebrating for? Stupid Orion..' (M/n)'s mood turned sour, looking away from his system. Jin-Woo held his phone and pressed Jin-Ho's contact, making (M/n)'s eyebrow twitch. "Oi, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to contact Jin-Ho. He's the Vice Guild Master of Ah-Jin so he has to understand our circumstances."

"What? You know how weird that kid's imagination is. What if he thinks something weird?"

"I'll blame you for that then." Jin-Woo shrugged, his phone ringing for a few seconds before Yoo Jin-Ho picked up. "Hello Hyung-nim. Are you doing okay now?" Jin-Ho's voice made Jin-Woo smile, responding quickly.

"Yeah. I just visited the hospital."

"Ohh. Is (M/n) Hyung with you?"

"Yeah, he's right beside me. Turns out I have to lessen my work hours."

"I understand. You are the Guild Master, Hyung-nim. Everything is up to you. But why do you need to?"

"I'm pregnant."

Yoo Jin-Ho choked on his saliva, falling into a coughing fit as he doubted his ears. "Excuse me? What?"

"You didn't hear? I'm pregnant?"

"THAT'S BAD HYUNG-NIM! YOU NEED A FULL VACATION, NOT REDUCING YOUR HOURS!" The beta shouted, making everyone else in the office stare at him. What?! His Hyung-nim was pregnant? So he had a secret lover this entire time, and he didn't know?

"Then, could you decrease (M/n)'s work hours?"

"Yeah, sure. Why him though?"

(L/n) (M/n) hid his face in his hands, feeling so embarrassed that Jin-Woo just admitted that out loud. His own system was bombarding him with weird messages as well, it was creepy.

[There's no need to be embarrassed, Predator-nim~]

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°). We all know what you did~~]

"He's the father of my child."

Jin-Ho choked yet again, throwing his fist at his desk as he fell silent. So (L/n) (M/n) and Sung Jin-Woo had been in that kind of relationship the entire time? Sure, he didn't know a lot about Sung Jin-Woo but even (L/n) (M/n)?

Is that the reason he joined Ah-Jin? So he could see his lover?

Then all those times they left together..

"Jin-Ho? Are you still there?"

"...If you need any help, you can call me Hyung-nim."

'Oh my God, so they were doing that so many times Hyung-nim got pregnant?!' Yoo Jin-Ho's face flushed as his imagination ran wild, smashing his forehead on his desk to cleanse his mind. 'I'M SO DENSE! I SHOULD'VE REMINDED THEM TO USE PROTECTION!'

"Yoo Jin-Ho-nim.. Is anything wrong with the Guild Master?"

"Ah nothing, he's just on maternity leave."

"What?"

"Huh, he hung up. He must've been shocked.." Jin-Woo said, looking up blankly as (L/n) (M/n) gritted his teeth. His face was red, mostly out of embarrassment than out of anger. "SHOCKED MY ASS! OF COURSE HE'D BE SHOCKED! AND WHY DID YOU TELL HIM IT WAS ME?"

"What else should I tell him? He politely asked who was the father."

[The Orion System agrees with your wife.]

[Calm down, host!! ＼＼\٩(๑'^'๑)۶//／／]

(L/n) (M/n) took a deep breath, rubbing his temples to soothe himself. "Okay, let's just call it a day and go home and sleep." (M/n) felt like it had sucked his life out of him, so he just wanted to sleep.

"I'll see you then."

Sung Jin-Ah was feeling suspicious for the past two weeks, noticing that her older brother's movements have become strange. At first she thought he got sick, but that would be strange for a sickness to last weeks, especially since he's an S-Rank Hunter.

"Hey, I ordered pizza. You feeling okay, bro?"

"Yeah. I visited the hospital earlier," Jin-Woo said, plopping down on the couch beside her. "Where's Mom?" he asked, grabbing a slice of pizza from the box. "She went out to get something. So she said she wouldn't be able to cook tonight," Jin-Ah answered him.

As soon as Jin-Woo took a bite from his pizza, his face turned sour. He swallowed it and bitterly gulped a glass of water. "Actually, I don't want any."

"Huh? What do you mean you don't want any? You practically inhale this stuff!"

"It doesn't taste good."

"It tastes just fine, get over here!"

Sung Jin-Woo completely ignored his beta sister and holed up in his room. Confusion crossed her face as she gobbled up a slice of pizza. 'Something weird is definitely going on with him.. He's sus...'

The next morning, Jin-Woo got up early to do his daily regimen. But his fatigue had raised twice the number it had before. He felt annoyed from it and tried even harder, exhausting himself in the process.

'I haven't even done half yet?'

[[The Player System has cancelled the 'Daily Quest: Preparation to be Powerful'.]]

[[The Orion System has requested it to be changed to 'Daily Quest: Meet up with your Husband<3']]

Sung Jin-Woo wanted to middle finger the systems and ignored the new Daily Quest, thinking it was an awful prank from Orion. (That Constellation liked to bug them a lot.) So he continued to do the old Daily Quest, but he unfortunately got sent to the Penalty Zone all the same.

["Since you lovers don't wanna meet up. I have no choice but to force you! Hmph!! ヽ('⌒'メ)ノ"]

"I— Jin-Woo?!" (L/n) (M/n) hollered, his eyes setting on his partner on top of a floating marble platform. Jin-Woo was behind a translucent wall, safely protected in a small room filled with comfortable pillows, blankets and cute stuffed animals. Just in front of him was a coffee table with a full set of snacks one could crave for.

[[You can sit back and watch the show~ Daddy is going to go on a little run!! ＼(٥⁀▽⁀ )／]]

FWOOSHHH!!

On (M/n)'s side of the wall was a scorching, fiery desert, his shoes sinking in white sand as an enormous monster rose from the ground. The gigantic lizard roared, sending a breath of flames towards (L/n) (M/n) as he tried to run for his life. He screamed and cursed at the system while Jin-Woo watched from above like his Alpha was a gladiator.

"FUCK! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS THING?!"

"ORION! WHY THE HECK IS HE BEING CHASED BY LIZARDS?!?" Jin-Woo punched the orange wall, making it glitch for a few seconds before spitting his fist back inside the enclosed room. He could only look down at (M/n) with worry, slamming into the wall to attempt an escape to go help him.

[[HEY!! Don't help that idiot! He's a loser who doesn't even bother to look after his pregnant wife! (҂' ﾛ ')]]

[[You know what! Since he's so bad, let's go torture him more! Yay! Yay!!]]

Three more lizards surfaced from the sand, breathing fire like dragons. (M/n)'s face paled in shock as he retrieved his rapier from his inventory. A fifth lizard rose from where he stood, making him tumble down on the sand as it bellowed a menacing tune.

"UGH.. FIVE OF THESE THINGS?!" (M/n) shouted, burning his palms from the hot sand as he tried to get up and away from such a life-threatening situation. Sung Jin-Woo felt more anxiety for (M/n) and banged on the walls.

"DO YOU WANT HIM TO DIE!?"

[[Don't worry~ He won't die. He can handle it! (b ᵔ▽ᵔ)b]]

[[He has to be at least this strong to be a wonderful Daddy of course. ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ]]

"We're not even keeping the baby!" Jin-Woo glared at the cute emoticon on his screen and gave it a middle finger. He took out his dagger from his inventory, slicing open the wall and using the slight gap to escape.

[[Wait! No! If you get hurt, the baby will die! ＼(º □ º l|l)/]]

"Good," Jin-Woo said with a smirk, landing on top of one of the lizard's heads. "Hey, you need a little help?" he shouted after (M/n), riding safely on the monster. It only seemed to be hostile towards (M/n) and not him.

[[NOO! IF IT ATTACKS MOMMY, ALL HOPE IS LOST! ＼(╥ _ ╥ l|l)/]]

"Nah, I got it!" (M/n) responded, sliding under one lizard's feet and stabbing it's heart from underneath. Its skin was thick, but (M/n)'s high strength stat could make up for it. The beast let out a small cry of pain as his blade pierced through like a needle. He soon coated the blade in a reddish orange hued mana, poisoning the lizard internally in just a few seconds.

"Jeez. I was a little panicked. But I'm fine," (M/n)'s skin was harder than steel, like an indestructible material. Just like in the myth of Orion, he was like the indomitable scorpion that the legendary Hunter could not beat.

"I was a little offended, you know."

[Noo!! Predator-nim, I hate you!! ((╬◣﹏◢))]

[Hmph! Hmph! You big IDIOT! ]

"Orion, shut up."

[FINE THEN! I'LL REMOVE ALL OF THESE LIZARDS! ヽ( 'д'*)ノ]

[I'll be nice to you just because wifey's pregnant okay! humph!]

[Go kiss kiss fall in love now! I don't wanna see you be stupid IDIOTS! (҂ òзó )]

The lizards evaporated quickly like Orion made them out of ice in the blistering sun, making Jin-Woo suspended into the air. (M/n) reached out his hands and ran under him, catching him quickly in his arms. Jin-Woo could've landed safely on his feet, he wasn't that fragile..

But in (M/n)'s princess carry, he felt some sense of relief. Jin-Woo hugged him, inhaling a breath of his friend's pheromones. (M/n) really enjoyed wearing Axe Body Spray (a pheromone masking agent in this world) because he always met up with an Alpha female named Cha Hae-In. It was because of that, Jin-Woo didn't notice any of his alpha pheromones.

But with a whiff, he preferred this version. It made him imagine the fragrance of lit scented candles. It was a very specific scent that calmed him down. "Hm, are you okay?" (M/n) asked, making Jin-Woo snap out his momentary trance. What was going with him?

"Yeah, uhm. Were you still sleeping?" Jin-Woo took notice of (M/n)'s disheveled hair and casual set of light blue pajamas. "Oh right, I haven't showered yet.. Fuck. My handsome complexion!" (M/n) said dramatically, looking down to his lovely rapier covered in sand.

As much as he wanted to get it and polish it until it was shiny, he didn't want to drop Jin-Woo yet. It seems like Jin-Woo was the same, wrapping his arms around his neck in a comfortable hug. Yeah, they should hug more often. It was very comfortable.

[Yes!! NOW KISS!! ٩(♡ε♡)۶]

"Ew gross, Orion is back from a tantrum.." (M/n) set Jin-Woo back down, making a look of disgust. Jin-Woo also didn't like the constellation. So he joined (M/n) in spiting it with all the malice he could.

[Ugh, you guys are so mean! (︶︹︶ ||| )]

[It's like you're perfect for each other. (You are btw (^ω~))]

[I'll bring you back home now. (╬ Ò﹏Ó)]

"Oh nice. This is your room?"

"It's a little messy, but don't mind it too much." Jin-Woo scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, not knowing what to do in such a situation. He and (M/n) had teleported back to his house together, convenient for him. But (M/n) was still in his pajamas.

"Damn, I haven't even combed yet. How do you expect me to walk home in this?" (M/n) sighed, fixing his bedhead with one hand as he scratched his stomach with the other. Even though he just went through a terrifying experience, he was still tired and planned to sleep until noon.

"I mean you could run like really really fast. You'd just be a blur to normal people."

"But.. I haven't been to your house before.." (M/n) looked around Jin-Woo's room. Despite him claiming that it was messy, no clothes or wrappers were on the floor and the only thing messy were his blankets. This guy's sense of "messy" was on a whole other level.

(M/n) just leaves his cans of energy drinks, chips and bowls on the floor and leaves the cleaners to go clean it up. His appearance was the only thing that was respectable.

"So I can't navigate on my own. You know."

"You can use Google Maps."

"I don't bring my phone everywhere."

"You don't? I thought you were an addict."

"Your perceptions of me are so warped. What even made you think I was a beta?" (M/n) sighed, glancing over to Jin-Woo's stomach before blushing. He wasn't that different. He thought Jin-Woo was an alpha precisely because he gave off those vibes.

"Ah, it was your Hunter Wikipedia page. I skimmed over it a while ago.."

"My Hunter Wiki what??" (M/n) got confused, watching Jin-Woo take out his cellphone and search something online. He peered over his shoulder, watching him scroll down to the gender option. It actually said [Beta Male].

"That's really stupid. What part of me is beta?"

Sung Jin-Woo looked over to (L/n) (M/n) for a few seconds, his appearance to his language. Yeah.. (M/n) was right. What part of him seemed Beta? (M/n) right then screamed 'I-AM-A- DOMINANT-ALPHA. STAY-5-METERS-AWAY-FROM-ME-BECAUSE-I-WILL-ATTACK-YOU'

Then, he saw his picture on the wiki. Jin-Woo held his phone up and looked to his left and right, comparing the one in person, to the picture. "Now that I've thought of it, this is the first time I've seen you in pajamas."

(L/n) (M/n) was someone that barely swore, kept calm and wore modest clothing. But it looked like stress took over him so much it affected his personality. His mouth was foul with curses.

"Yeah, I mean the last time you saw me, I was naked."

"Oh," Jin-Woo blurted out, his face heating with that in mind. (M/n) quickly shut his mouth and looked away shyly, fixing his hair to seem more like himself. "Now we're in this situation, huh?" (M/n) mumbled, staring down at Jin-Woo's belly. It wasn't noticeable, but it showed a bump if you touched it.

"Do you.. wanna hug?" (M/n) diverted his vision away from Jin-Woo, a light blush on his face. "What made you say that?" Jin-Woo asked calmly, avoiding looking at (M/n). The (h/c)-haired alpha cleared his throat, extending his arms in the air.

"I don't know. You seemed to like it earlier.."

[Definitely you right now: Σ>―(〃°ω°〃)♡→]

[(￢‿￢ )]

Sung Jin-Woo nodded, placing his chin on (M/n)'s shoulder as he wrapped his arms around his torso. The same fragrant pheromone relaxing him enough to close his eyes. He felt safe in those arms, like he was under an unbreakable set of armor. "I feel like I could fall asleep like this.."

(L/n) (M/n) didn't know why his heart was beating so quickly, making his skin feel like they were on fire just from touching this omega. "We should hug more often," he said, rubbing on Jin-Woo's back calmly. It was fine for friends to hug, right?

But could we could even consider them friends when one of them was pregnant?

"Oppa, I think we ran out of dish soap—" Sung Jin-Ah opened the door, letting out an 'Oh' sound as she gazed at her brother. Then, Sung Jin-Woo noticed how odd it was to have (L/n) (M/n) there. "Wait, Jin-Ah! It's not what you think—"

"MOOOMMM!! JIN-WOO HAS A SECRET ALPHA BOYFRIEND!!"

"Sung Jin-Ah!" Jin-Woo yelled, squeezing her cheeks with one hand as she struggled to run away. "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT SO BAD WHEN I SMELLED ALPHA PHEROMONES ON YOU! IT'S VERY STRONG NOW!!" she screamed and kicked her feet in the air.

"Hold on. I'm not his boyfriend—"

"LET GO OF ME, OPPA! WHY ARE YOU SO STRONG?!"

(M/n)'s voice gradually got weaker as he pursed his lips awkwardly. There was no room to protest in the screaming girl in the room casually being battled to the death by her older brother. He just gave up.

It was that quick giving up that people thought he was a beta.

"Oh! You finally brought home your boyfriend. That's great," Park Kyung-He said as she stood on the doorframe. She smiled at (M/n), then stared at his sleepwear. "Jin-Woo! You even let him stay without telling us?"

"I didn't—"

"Shush! I know it could be embarrassing to reveal your first love. Come on, dear. What's your name?" she looked over to (M/n), waving her hand to call him over. "It's (L/n) (M/n), Maam.. Nice to meet you," he said shyly, not even refuting her words at all.

His cute demeanor made Kyung-He fall in love with him already. What a good future son-in-law. No wonder Jin-Woo liked him.

"Ah, come here now (M/n). I'll cook you breakfast too."

"If you don't mind me intruding. Thank you.." (M/n) said, following Kyung-He like he was an imprinted chick. "I'll be there too!" Jin-Ah said, wrestling with Jin-Woo's arm. "Let me go, you jerk! I wanna see what your boyfriend is like!"

"I already told you. He's not my boyfriend."

"Why are you even saying that at this point?" Jin-Ah made a face at him and slipped through his grasp, running out of his room in fear that he would catch her again. "I caught you red-handed! Hehe!!"

[[(¬‿¬ ) hehe..]]

"Orion.. What have you done to my system?" Jin-Woo grumbled, walking out of his room with a long sigh. He could explain to them later that he and (M/n) were just friends. But sadly, he would never get the opportunity to.

"So, when did you and Jin-Woo meet? Was it nice?"

"Oh! I met him at work. He was my partner for a while. And you know, when I saw him, he was so scary I thought he was an alpha!" (M/n) was suddenly very talkative, amusing the curious Kyung-He and Jin-Ah.

"Ohh.. So how did you fall in love?"

"We didn't!" Jin-Woo butted in, receiving sympathetic eyes from his family. "Oh, so it was Jin-Woo who fell first. I see," Kyung-He assumed. He asked (M/n) how he did, but it was her son that answered. Their romance was very cute.

"No.. That's not.."

"Wow, I didn't think Oppa would be the one to confess. He's being super shy about it right now. How could he even proclaim his love now..?" Jin-Ah exclaimed in shock, looking over to (L/n) (M/n). He did provide the juicy details she wanted in a romance novel. Jin-Ah approve!

But even though he was the one who confessed, why is he suddenly saying they weren't together? Was her Oppa too shy about it and only stayed sweet in front of his one true love? Isn't that.. too cute?!

"Huh? What are you all talking about? Jin-Woo didn't confess to me?"

Sung Jin-Ah's world was then flipped upside down. It all made sense. Jin-Woo was denser than the Earth itself. If (M/n) was he one who asked him out, it would make even more sense! Their trope was... Shy Omega x Outgoing Alpha! Jin-Ah prayed internally to her lord and savior, KatsuKavi. She was in a romance novel and she could watch the protagonists.

"Oppa, you're no fair! How did you get this lucky with KatsuKavi's pairing rituals?!"

"Who?!"

"The author!"

(A/N: ignore the fourth wall. There is no such thing.)

"Ah, we got too distracted! (M/n) could you clear the table?" Park Kyung-He stood up, moving towards the sink. (M/n) nodded obediently and helped her wash the dishes. Jin-Woo was dumbfounded at his goody good behavior.

He didn't even clean up at his own house. What was he doing being so good with his mother and sister?

"You're a good kid, (M/n). I approve of you."

"Thank you," (M/n) said, chatting a little bit with Kyung-He until he could call her 'Mom'. Sung Jin-Woo gritted his teeth as he watched (L/n) (M/n) be the new favorite.

"Oppa, (M/n) is so good to us. How dare you hog him for yourself," Jin-Ah glared at him from across the room, getting an angry look from Jin-Woo. "Wow, so possessive.." she murmured to herself, skipping happily to her new brother-in-law.

Possessive? No, Jin-Woo wasn't being possessive. He must've just been jealous (L/n) (M/n) was getting all the attention. But when did Jin-Woo start caring about being the center of attention?

He looked over to his best friend, biting his lip to ignore the tight feeling in his chest. He wanted to scream 'look at me!', but he was so dense he didn't know who he wanted to look at him.

"Ah, that's Jin-Woo?! He looks totally different!" (M/n) exclaimed, looking through Jin-Ah's older photos of Jin-Woo. He did look like an omega before, but he drastically changed after becoming a S-Rank Hunter. It was like he was a totally different person.

"Yeah, he used to be so cute and sunny. Now look at him! He's growling at me for taking you away from him."

"I am not growling at you!" Jin-Woo argued, knitting his eyebrows together. He didn't know why, but he felt so annoyed being so far away from Jin-Ah and (M/n). Normally, he wouldn't care but for some weird reason, he didn't like being treated like air.

(L/n) (M/n) soon changed out of his sleepwear and took a nice shower. He didn't wear any pheromone masking agent, so everyone could smell his masculine pheromones leaking out. As much as Jin-Woo liked it, he felt a little annoyed that his 'friend' was being used as incense.

"Mom, did you let him wear dad's clothes?"

"Mhm. It wasn't being used anyway," Kyung-He answered Jin-Woo. She put her hands together, making a sad smile as he looked over to (M/n). "I think it should go to good use, you think?"

"Yeah."

"He suits it well, right?"

"Yeah."

"He's more handsome now, isn't he?"

"I agree."

Sung Jin-Woo crossed his arms over his stomach. (L/n) (M/n) was very attractive in his eyes and a fuzzy feeling would come when thinking of him. "I can tell you really love him. So don't let him go." Kyung-He coaxed Jin-Woo. His mind was blank, only focusing on (M/n).

"Yeah."

"Oi, Jin-Woo! Why did you smile so weirdly in this photo!"

'Ah, I hate him so much,' Jin-Woo thought as (M/n) made fun of him. "Don't look at those!" he marched over, snatching the photo album from his hands while Jin-Ah and (M/n) laughed on the floor.

"Pfft! I don't want our child to look like that!"

"It'll be even worse if it looked like you!"

"I'm a handsome bastard and you know that!"

"I didn't know you wanted children. I hope they look beautiful in the future," Jin-Ah's eyes sparkled at the thought of cute children saying 'Aunt' at her. She wanted to squeeze their chubby cheeks immediately.

"Wait five months, then you decide if the baby will look good."

"Five months? So you're getting married in five months?"

"What? No, I mean Jin-Woo is giving birth in five months." (M/n)'s laughter soon ceased into silence as Jin-Woo walked closer to him menacingly. He then understood why (M/n) didn't want him to tell Jin-Ho about his circumstances. It was so embarrassing for them to know. Now they're never going to let him give it up.

In front of his family, his face became tomato red with both anger and embarrassment as he crouched down to strangle (L/n) (M/n). "Why did you tell them, you dumbass?!"

"Eh?? I thought they already knew from how you told Jin-Ho from the moment we left the hospital."

"Shut up." Jin-Woo balled his fist and set it in the air, his other hand on (M/n)'s chest to prevent him from moving. "Wait, wait! Don't actually—"

"Oppa, you're pregnant?" Sung Jin-Ah's shock had multiplied by 900, so did her happiness. "MOM! IM GOING TO BE AN AUNT! WOOHOO!" She stood up from her place and fetched her phone with a massive smile. She was going to brag to all her friends all about it, wasn't she?

"This is a pleasant surprise. Jin-Woo! You don't tell us about anything going on your life." Kyung-He also smiled, half scolding Jin-Woo. He was already 24, so he could decide as an adult. She had no problem with it. "First, you're a hunter, then your secret fiancee, now your child? Hoo, you.."

Wait, why did secret alpha boyfriend evolve into fiancee? They weren't getting married after the birth of the child!

(M/n)'s ears were about to bleed. He forgot about it! But because of their excessive happiness, he couldn't bring himself to disagree with what they were saying in fear they'd be disappointed. So he could only regrettably nod.

[Yay! Yay! Baby!!]

[We're getting a little hunter!! (☆ω☆)]

Jin-Woo's complexion became pale blue. They were doomed.

[orioncarnell]

You're still scared. But you don't have to be. His own words, echoed back at him. He still remembered the look on Isaac's face when Orion had realized it, told him that. Like he had been opened to wide and now needed to shut himself back inside. Orion might have done something similar, had he not already been cracked wide open. Isaac's words like a cascade, steady, filling him up.

The raider remained entirely quiet throughout it. Eyes still slightly widened with that haunted, pained look of someone who had been visited by ghosts and buried memories. Jaw muscles working, clenching and unclenching as he listened. When Isaac stopped, Orion was still, like a statue. Staring. Finally, he moved. Slowly, but with the same determination and tenacity he usually had, threading a hand into the short, surprisingly soft hair of his fellow raider as he pushed their foreheads together. Like Isaac had, back at the party.

"Thank you." It was quiet, barely more than a broken whisper, but full of all the emotion Orion usually never showed in his measured, contained voice. For a moment the raider remained, just like that, a show of intimacy and trust he had learned from his friend.

"I love him." An admission, a confession. "I was scared of him. I still am. He's dead but he's still there, sometimes." Orion could only hope that Isaac understand. That things lingered even if they were long past. If someone would understand, ot was Isaac. "I want him to be dead."

For another moment, Orion was quiet. Something inside him had began to settle. An unrest, a turmoil that had been thrashing inside of him ever since he could remember. That had become a part of him to the point that Orion couldn't imagine it any differently. Like he believed Isaac. That the other man protected him. That nobody would hurt him.

Safety. It was safety. For the first time in his life, in a pit shared with the dead body of his friend, Orion felt safe. He had been afraid for so long that he never realized that he didn't have to be.

"I hope you will tell me. One day. About Ark." His voice was a lot steadier as he spoke. His fingers were caressing through Isaac's hair, rubbing against his scalp in a gentle, circular motion. "I don't know if I can tell you. I don't have words for it. Maybe you don't, too. But I will listen to you, when you do."

Another pause, where Orion just stayed still, petting Isaac, letting the contact happen, for both of them. "Isaac, I need you. I don't know if you know that. I hope you do. I think you need me to. I want to be there for you. Let me. Please."

It was an accident.

Then it wasn't an accident.

For a moment Ike thought that Orion was going to say that he'd done the compassionate thing, that his father had been about to die long and ugly and painful and he felt so much guilt, for having killed his father, and Ike was trying to marshal his thoughts into something comforting to say, that might lessen the guilt. Surely that was what was coming, some convoluted morass of misplaced remorse.

What he got was not any of that at all.

"You would've ... died there?" Ike asked. Orion didn't mean at a happy ripe old age, he knew, with sudden and terrible clarity. Remembering that night that Orion had come to Ike's place, restitched his wounds for him, opted to stay over and sleep in Ike's bed with him. How he'd asked about where Ike was from, why Ike had busted ass out of there and never looked back, how he'd said as if there was no doubt about it:

you're still scared.

"Don't be sorry," Ike said, which was almost automatic but he'd never meant it more than right now. "Orion. I'm serious about that. Don't be sorry. You needed to get out of there and you could--" he squeezed Orion's hand with his own, "--you could've died there. You could be there dead right now, instead of alive, here with me."

Ike reached up to stroke back Orion's hair, keeping his hand at the back of the younger man's skull. "You're still scared," he said. "But you don't have to be. You're not alone dealing with any of it, not anymore. I mean, shit -- you got me, even if nothing else." Ike grinned at him, nudging against Orion but finding himself halfway into a slump. He puffed out a breath and said dryly, "I might not be tip-top at the moment, but. I don't have to tell you the damage I can cause. Takes people years to recover." He pet Orion some more, haphazardly. "Nobody's gonna hurt you while I'm around. And if you needed to off your old man to get out from under him, then that's what you had to do and nobody earthly can judge you for it."

They were quiet for a bit. The two people in the pit with them were quiet, too. Ike said, "I don't know what they did to you. Maybe the same kinds of things that happened to me in Ark -- that's where I'm from, a nothing nowhere town called Ark -- and I know you work solely in the present, not in the past. Which is a good thing, I think. I've always been a big fan of it. But, just ... I'm here. Okay? If you wanna tell me about the farm. And your father. And why you needed to kill him to be free of him."

[bluekat12345]

In your humanformers TFA AU, has there ever been some traumatic event that has left the characters with scars both mental and physical?

Definitely the bots. War can do that, and they couldn't (and even felt they shouldn't) get help for their issues.

Optimus Prime: While the Great War was a traumatizing time for many bots, what scars Optimus is what he had done during the war. He made sacrifices and did things he's not proud of during the War, including to become second-in-command. The loss of Elita was especially traumatizing and losing his friendship with Sentinel would be hard on him to. To cope, he would adopt the idea that these were necessary sacrifices for the greater good.

Ratchet: Not being able to help Arcee and his encounter with Lockdown would be very traumatic for him. This is actually one of the reasons why Ratchet prefers to bury himself in his work, so he can try to distract himself from remembering this. It doesn't work, but he still tries.

Bumblebee: As mentioned, he's pretty young, basically a child, so the war itself was traumatic for him. But no one knew the real affect it had on him, as he presented himself as a strong and stoic warrior to maintain respect from his peers, believing that he's weak if he allows his moments to affect him.

Prowl: Not sure if this is really traumatic, but the death of Yoketron left a major mark on him. Yoketron was the first person to be so kind to him, and he feels he owes everything to Yoketron. And to lose the one person you believed cared about you would have an effect on anyone. Since then, his only goal, even after joining the Autobot Army, is to find the bot that killed his master and get his revenge.

Bulkhead: His time within the wreckers would have a share of traumatic moments. As some of the best warriors the Autobots, he's done his fair share of doing things he's not proud of to protect his image, and the violence he committed, endured, and witnessed has scarred him in more ways than one. Like the others, to protect his image, he continues doing these things and doesn't go seek help for his problems, which in way, encourages his reputation.

As for the humans, I'm not sure if traumatic is the word, but they've had their own experiences that really left a mark on them, some during their time as heroes, and others from before.

Orion: Since coming across the spark fragment of Optimus Prime, there have been a lot of tough experiences. Bots trying to kill him and his friends and bots mad at him, thinking he's someone else, and of course, making sure no one knows his secret life, especially his father.

Rowen: I mentioned that he's a veteran, so he's served as a medic for the army. So, he's already seen his share of things that would traumatize a person, and as a doctor, he's had tough times there, especially regarding a patient. So, there are moments when hero work could trigger a traumatic memory.

Barry: His encounter with Wasp would be pretty close to traumatic for him, since there's a crazy bot that wants to kill him, believing he's someone else. And Barry is still technically a kid, so to have a giant robot who is so intent on killing him specifically is a source of nightmares for this guy.

Pierce: Imagine after working with Lockdown and seeing how aggressive and careless he was starting to become would have an effect on him. It would motivate him to watch himself more.

Ben: Growing up, I imagine he's been bullied a lot and people judge him before they get to know him, which has left a mark on him and his confidence at times. And, if I keep what happens in Headmaster in this AU, losing his body as a robot would be traumatic for the poor guy.

And unlike their predecessors, they are able to find help and they help each other go through their tough moments.

[izzy04123]

Imagine, Imagine right. Divergent X marauders.

Good, well i’m writing it so heres my opening:

Perhaps it was the look in his mothers eyes, perhaps it was his younger brother Regulus. He may never know. All he would know is stepping up onto the stage, to pick his faction, he hesitated. A sign of cowardice. Something he couldn’t afford to show, for he wanted to survive in dauntless.

••••••••

He knew he shouldn’t, Walburga Black, his mother, would punish him severely but Sirius Orion Black was never someone to listen to his mothers rules. So at seven o’clock in the evening, Sirius Black went on a run, nowhere and everywhere. His true intentions were to pass the candor building in time to see the 6’4 male, with unexplainable scars and sandy blonde hair that complemented his freckles, laugh with his friends as he entered the building. However if someone asked ( besides his brother, mother, father or elder cousins( well maybe Dromida) ) he was training to join one of his closest friends ,James Potter, in dauntless where Sirius would be praised for his bravery and skill.

He arrived only a few seconds late but they were a few too many, his father Orion Black was standing belt in hand to punish Sirius for anything they could blame on him. Regulus, his younger brother, stood a few feet behind him, a look of fear gracing his usually stoic face. This meant Sirius had messed up, and not the usual amount. Had his mother found out? Did she know his intentions? ’No, she wouldn’t have found out yet, you were very good at keeping it a secret Sirius.’ He told himself in hopes it would calm his erratic heart. It hadn’t.

“Boy,” his father’s commanding voice spoke, “I believe your mother and I told you to return home before eight o’clock. Do you have a hearing problem, boy? Or are you just thick?”

“No sir. I believe I am highly intellectual. Just not very punctual.”

Sirius had done it now, the look in his father’s eyes was enough of a warning for the pain he would be in tomorrow. See the papers were accusing Abnegation of being abusers when in reality, it was erudite’s own faction leaders. Treating their children like dummies for their sick and twisted brains.

………

Many hours later, Sirius was still in the dark hallway of their house. Tomorrow would be his amptitude test. It will tell him what he already knows but then again, Sirius had always known he was meant for the thrill and pure adrenaline of dauntless. That’s why he pushed himself up off the floor and walked marched himself to his room ignoring the pain of the lashes on his back.

………

Tomorrow came faster than Regulus would like for it would mean his brother would be told he could leave him. Leave him in the dark house he grew up in where any sign of child-like happiness was snuffed out. “Reggie, I’ll always be around. You know you can always see me.”

“Yes, I know. The old fairground, by the carousel. I just don’t want to face them alone Siri, they really don’t care. Poor Dora was locked without dinner the other night for wearing purple. Purple Siri! I just don’t think I'm brave enough to leave like you plan to. Will I be able to see you? Even if I stay?”

“Always and forever, Regulus. That’s what I promised you when you received your first punishment. I will always love you. Always Reg. Always.”

Their mother called for Sirius, “Now Sirius, you must do well. If you are not Erudite you will be disowned. Do not think to stay if you are not. Understand?”

“Yes Maman.”

[heli0s-writes]

IV. Symbiosis

Summary: “Since you’ve been caught—” Fury squints, “Canoodling With The Allegedly Injured James Barnes, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone’s already halfway finished with digging you up. Forgeries. Petty theft. Grand larceny. The damn rest of the kitchen sink. So, Ranger…” The way he says it is both lazy and threatening, completely on brand and irritatingly calm.

“Here’s my suggestion: get ahead of this thing before it knocks you on your ass.”

A/N: 4.8k words. I’m a liar who lies because after 4 months of overthinking and coming up with diddly squat, here is part 4 of Trinity Epoch sans smut. I’m sorry! I’ll double your pleasure next time. xx Thank you for sticking with me, I’m so sorry it’s taken so long.

Warnings: Language. References to canon-typical violence.

Trinity Epoch Masterpost

Bucky stays like that a while longer, just breathing.

Your fingers trace his hair—running through the strands, over the shell of his ear, then resting briefly on his cheek. All the ways you used to with Natasha when she’d break her own heart, or maybe ways you would have liked her to have done for you when you felt like you were dying a little bit.

You feel it now: a small death in the wake of last night’s simple touches. Your body and Steve’s body curled around each other sprung something immeasurable, as if the drift flowered then and ripened beneath your skins. You bit into it. You savored its taste. You could have lived on it alone.

Everything smears together like a child’s careless hand in a mess of paints until all the brights muddle dark. A shaky breath as you work yourself into calming, trying to find coherent words while your head remains a pot of sideways soup, at best.

Bucky shifts until he’s looking up at you, nose millimeters away. His irises are just a touch more gray, a sprinkle less green. You can see Steve in him, just as he can see Steve in you and then your eyes begin to prickle, Nat’s face undulating behind the burn.

You don’t really know what you want to say. Maybe apologize, run, beg for forgiveness, grab Bucky by the shoulders and shake him until he understands that you didn’t mean it— you didn’t mean to hurt him. That you love him. That he lives inside you, too.

His ghost from the drift— the aftermath phenomena of the neural bridge when pilots take on a bit of each other’s consciousness out of the cockpit and into the world with them. Take two people with a predisposition for the drift into the cockpit into each other’s brains and they exit heightened—sharper, better—imbued with each other’s strengths and knowledge. Mind-meld long enough, deep enough, and your core endures, but you become a different beast.

When Steve’s consciousness bled into yours, so did Bucky’s. If you walked away with half of Rogers, you also got a quarter of Barnes and it only compounded worse during Polidori’s drop. Resurrecting trauma, agitating itself, making a mess of your weary soul.

You relived his amputation last night, just as fresh as you relived Nat’s death. More visceral than the first trial run, you witnessed him—felt him—torn and hoarse, clutching his shoulder as he rocked helplessly inside Orion’s chest, frayed wires sparking across his cheek and landing in his own blood. His teeth gnashing together as he tried to hold on for Steve’s sake, steering his co-pilot’s panic back on course. Terrified and agonized, but he was hellbent on making it out.

Bucky who made you laugh. Bucky who took you to dinner. Who walked with you, gave you his jacket, listened to your rambling and crying, and kissed you because you reminded him of his co-pilot, or maybe of himself.  

How could you not love him, after all this?

Armageddon slows for nothing though, and before the first letter of his name can fall out recklessly from your mouth, three precise thumps jostles it back in.

Steve’s voice is muffled through heavy steel. “You in there?”

The door slides open with a tremulous croak but neither of you bother to separate. Nothing seems to matter now.

“Buck...” Steve looks from one raw face to the other, stepping forward and reaching out. He grasps Bucky’s hand. “We should talk—” he closes his mouth into a thin line, shoulders slumping heavily before letting go. “I’m sorry. Later. Shit’s hit the fan.”

-

The office is stagnant air full of questions but other than the squeak of the marshal leaning back in his chair, nobody makes a sound.

Fury untucks a finger from the crook of his elbow before pointing it between your eyes.

“Culpability.”

Across the room, you flinch in his crosshairs. Standing apart from them, you’re partially slack against one of many steel filing cabinets, using it to prop yourself up in case your knees might give out as vertigo descends.

It’s been a lot to take in. Everything— the night, the morning, emotionally, mentally, physically. The hull is a steel cage, and pilots are well armored, but you’re still hooked up to the robot enduring damage, taking hits at barely .0001 percent, but taking it all the same. You’re bruised up good beneath your clothes— Polidori’s claws leaving four tender imprints of a scratch to Orion’s right shoulder. Your shoulder. Steve’s shoulder.

To your right, he shifts. A tiny hint of pain streaks over his expression before it falls serene again, fixed on Fury.

“Since you’ve been caught—” the marshal squints, “Canoodling With The Allegedly Injured James Barnes, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone’s already halfway finished with digging you up. Forgeries, petty theft, grand larceny, the damn rest of the kitchen sink. So, Ranger…” The way he says it is both lazy and threatening, completely on brand and irritatingly calm.

“Here’s my suggestion: get ahead of this thing before it knocks you on your ass.”

This thing, being any story a 13-year old kid with two thumbs and a twitter account can spin between now and when you let Pepper Potts spin it for you first. There’s not a lot imagination can’t conjure to fill in the blank pixelated space between Bucky standing on the curb and you right behind him wearing his cap and jacket. Not to mention that once speculation goes live, it starts sprouting all sorts of appendages with minds of their own, and no matter how diligently you might cut one off, two would only sprout in its place.

The marshal stands up and takes heavy steps before turning the corner of his desk, absently tapping a pile of folders together like they’re not already in a perfect column. He slips a manila folder out from the stack and it becomes obvious that his suggestion is just buildup to some other type of impetus.

When you open the file up under his sharp gaze, you feel the blood drain from your face and possibly from your entire body.

The bullet he aimed between your eyes hits home. Cue your brains blowing out slow. Impetus met.

“Jesus Christ,” Bucky appears over your shoulder, staring at the same grainy photocopied document. “You can’t be serious.”

“Do I look like I make a lot of jokes?” Fury leans forward, pointer curving over the top edge, tapping emphatically one, two, three times, even waving it back and forth in front of your unseeing eyes. “I’ve got a good contact inside the PPDC who risked a lot to get this out. They’re just plans for now, dogeared behind other pages, but don’t doubt the Corps’ cowardice for a second. The second this program looks like it might not hold up, they’ll turn their efforts there.”

You’re gone. Trapped between the lines, vehemently scanning the page, reading the same words over and over until they no longer make sense. But it’s not like they made any sense in the first place.

ANTI-KAIJU WALL: CONSTRUCTION AGENDA. SPRING 2020.

The conception of a perimeter stretching around the Pan Pacific—North and Central America, East and South Asia to isolate emerging Kaiju. It’s a fetal skeleton at most, the roughest of outlines for a plan, and truthfully, it’s no plan at all.

It’s shameful. It’s shit.

The so-called Wall of Life implies the portending death of the Program—of all Shatterdomes and Jaegers. It implies no support, no funding, and no repairs. No Kodiak. No juniors. No future.

Back and forth, you’re still desperately inspecting as if the words might shift into a new message, maybe one that didn’t spell out certain extinction, but despair is rippling across your face. Bi Fang and Polidori had wings, and they were only Category II. Bi Fang massacred one of the best pilots you’ve ever known—and it was only a Category II. Any higher and they’d blow through that wall like a ribbon of wet toilet paper.

Hysteria creeps up at the mere thought of it, fear stubbornly lodging itself in your throat. Nuclear-powered automata—the only proven defense against the terror of massive alien attacks are being dismantled in favor of steel rods and cinderblocks. They might as well build it out of Legos.

Anti-Kaiju Wall. A string of ants meeting a boot.

You’re panting softly, tongue swollen in your mouth, shaking with equal parts terror and rage, on the verge of breaking into inappropriate laughter and yelling.

“What—what do they expect?” You croak, “The breach opens, the fucking thing comes out, sees a fence, and what—they think it’s—going to crawl back in…?”

“Hey, calm down,” Bucky curls his fingers around your elbow. His hand and its black plates are peering at you, purring, dull gold bands threading at the knuckles. For a second, the prosthetic disappears. For a second, he’s blood red again.

“Hey!” Bucky grips tightly when you sway. “I’m fine! Don’t—don’t.” Steve’s jaw is set firmly on your other side, arms crossed so severely his biceps bulge with the strain.

“Nick,” He’s abruptly brusque as he eases the file from your grip. “Give us a minute.”

“You’re in my office.” But the marshal’s words hold no bite. He’s already won; he knows. Cornered again, he’s got you same as before in Red Cloud. 

You get the gist: play out your redemption arc and come clean with your record. Win over the public, hoard all the additional support and funding you can because you’ll need every goddamn cent of it when the PPDC rips it away. The gossip. The photos. The headlines. It’s the perfect opportunity for a few hundred million when the media is putting a magnifying glass on your presence in Hong Kong.

Duty. Duty. Duty.

You’re just one small part of this colossal puzzle—a negligible smear of guts across the battlefield trying to keep the rest of the pieces together while the PPDC sits in their panic rooms throttling the entire fucking thing.

Fury steps to the cabinet and slides the file back in its place, keeping the illusion of it being just another unremarkable envelope in a row of hundreds of others. The metal drawer shuts with a clang, housing the most damning piece of information you’ve ever seen. His tact aside, you know he would never show you his hand like this if it wasn’t completely necessary—or pertinent.

Steve was right, you understand now.

The world owes you. And it owns you.

-

The next six—seven?—hours scatter like pulled teeth with your head spinning like a top the entire way. Pepper had been outside the door for the conversation, waiting on standby to whisk you off for princess lessons. Having already (and correctly) predicted your compliance, Fury scheduled an interview for precisely at nine. Then you were off, towed along by Miss Potts and her hasty strut.  

You try to find perspective, reminding yourself that you’ve successfully gone toe-to-toe with the Empire State Building with fifteen rows of teeth seven fucking times and come out on the other side alive and if not in one whole piece, then at least 2-3 relatively serviceable pieces. You’re functional. A little damaged, but fine enough. But there’s also the fact that you’d just hopped out of Orion not even 24 hours ago coupled with how you’re suddenly in the middle of something that feels less like a confused love triangle and more like divine providence at the end of the world.

Fuck. No time to think about it now. The human brain is not programmed to multitask, and you’re hanging on by a mere thread. You prioritize making it through the night just as alive as you can make it out of a drop. Just a couple of hours and you can rest. Just a couple more.

After what felt like an eternity and a half of simulating Q&A, practicing your posture, smiling into a mirror, and one horrible limo ride where you stared dead-eyed out the window—Steve and Bucky’s steely gazes after you—the building finally comes into view.  

Hair. Makeup. Wardrobe. You wear pants. You smile for the camera. You don’t stand in the middle of the group photo.

8:55 and time halts to a near stop. You can hear your heart in your throat, or in your skull. Your eyes feel switched from their sockets, or stomach rotated 30 degrees. Someone fixes your mic wire, your blouse collar, asking you to turn just a little over there. Three cameras are pointed to capture every angle, punitive red dots angry and glaring.

A live broadcast was agreed upon to ensure the least amount of potential edits and skews, as well as the charmingly quaint idea that it’s unscripted. The rub, therein, lies upon the burden of poise and a flawless performance. You rehearsed lines until your jaw felt like it was coming unhinged. Then you did it again. 

Everything requires precision, and you keep that in mind with your hand on the glass of Dom Perignon being constantly refilled. An amicable gesture by the hosts, but their intentions are cunning: loose lips sink ships, and they’re betting on yours to sink the S.S. Orion Bravo.

Out of view, the translator sits with her legs crossed, listening to the questions before turning the words over in English.

You take a sip of champagne and it fires off like a gunshot—Cantonese and English in rapid-fire verses.

<2017 was a fateful year for both the Jaeger Program and the world. Beloved pilot Natasha Romanoff sacrificed her life to protect Alaska’s coast in a final battle against Category 2 Bi Fang. Memorials dedicated to Romanoff’s efforts appeared across every nation to lament her death and celebrate her heroism. Yet, somehow, no one seemed to be asking the million-dollar question: Where is her co-pilot?>

<Two days ago, pictures were taken in Hong Kong of James Barnes and a mysterious woman. Our sources here at TVB have worked tirelessly to uncover her identity.>

<Today we have the pleasure of introducing her to everyone tuning in. This is the first time you’ve ever been in the public eye, and astonishingly, next to two of the best pilots in the Program. There are so many questions, but first, the whole world wants to know…. why keep it secret?>

The host’s open hand urges your reply.

The lights seem to turn up even brighter. Your back starts sweating. The room is about to collapse. In short, naturally­­—infuriatingly—you choke.

Seven hours of droning like a broken wind up toy, already knowing how to answer this question by heart, prepping yourself for the interrogation, the relentless demand to publicize your grief, to placate the people about your relationship with their heroes—and, you choke.

Bucky’s chin tilts microscopically in the corner of your line of vision. You’re fine, he’s saying, you got it. He’s strangely calm, even pleased, as you stutter involuntarily. Like he’s the first to remember an inside joke you’d long forgotten, his grin widens the longer you look at him. Steve turns next. Focus. Don’t fight the drift. The drift is silence.

And suddenly, your shoulders ease. The static in your exhausted brain slides out of your ears.

You sit up tall. You smile. It doesn’t quite feel like your smile, but, it’s a good one. You know this smile; it’s Steve’s smile. Like a seamless assembly, you fall into rhythm.

The white of his teeth slip out from between Steve’s lips. He notices too.

You calmly recite the introductory speech you’d been practicing for the last two hours, feeling out your new voice, borrowing from his bearing—deeper, smoother, certain. The major points get run through: your record and own personality traits keeping you from the spotlight, admitting genuinely that you’re pretty damn uncomfortable now, so they’ll have to forgive you for any slip ups. It goes over well, as Pepper predicted; “candid” blunders made Rangers human—made them likable.

When the subject of Anchorage rolls back around, you can practically feel Steve’s jaw bulging preemptively. You graze his foot with yours as a warning to back off.

<It’s remarkable that you were able to bring the Jaeger back to shore, there has been only one pilot who was capable of that—>

“I’m thankful to have had Stacker Pentecost as my mentor. I owe so much of my resilience to him. It was difficult, but simply put, I had no other choice. I feel so lucky to have survived it.”

<Natasha Romanoff-->

“She was one of a kind.”

<Was it hard to—>

“Yes.”

The host clears his throat, visibly awkward that you’re being so terse, but taking the hint until  Bucky turns into the spotlight, that divorced happiness he’s so skilled at beaming into the lenses. 

Steve easily picks it up, steering the conversation where he wants it to go. He’s disarmingly sincere as he relays the process of Bucky’s injury, replacement, apprehension, and finally success

His bright blue eyes flicker secret messages and you decipher them all.

“The connection was like—"

There’s a bell chiming in your ears. Bright, crisp chirps of it, cutting through laughter and bickering. You taste summer air in your throat, Bucky’s hair flying in the wind. “Riding a bike…”

“Exactly. New bike, same motions, and it worked. It was great. We learned things about each other. Some good, some bad—”

Crosshatched pencil lines of their shared apartment. Smudges of charcoal in a sketchbook. “He’s an unbelievable artist, but—”

“No— don’t say it!”

Bucky smothering a small kitchen fire. Steve throwing a damp rag on him in a frantic attempt to assist. Your voice is bubbling out gleefully. “—an awful cook!”

“It’s true,” Bucky smugly chimes in. “The boy can’t boil water. Breakfast eggs come with shells every time.” You can taste the grit between your molars—crushed grains inside an overdone omelet, Bucky spitting out spinach and feta cheese.

“Oh my god,” you sputter into a sip of champagne. “It’s so bad.”

“Do you see what I have to deal with? Two people knowing my secrets. Two.”

<Fantastic! Already we can see a great friendship here—>

It seems congratulatory, but there’s determination to drive into scandalous territory, poking at any rumor to lance and leak. A sly smile crosses his face as his assistant shows photos of you and Bucky in the city, but the lurid suggestion only gets shrugged off. “We’d gone out for dinner. It was the first time I’d left the Shatterdome after Seigehook and I needed moral support.”

<The jacket tells a different story.>

“I’d give you my jacket if you looked cold.”

<Steve, Ophelia isn’t concerned that your new co-pilot is a woman?>

“No, absolutely not. ‘Lia’s the first person to support Orion—and the loudest. I don’t know what I’d do without her. You don’t have her behind the curtain, too, do you?”

<Well, what about personal memories? Won’t you know everything about each other…? Private things?>

“Sure, but what pair of pilots don’t? You got twins and siblings, not just married couples. Look, here’s the thing: the neural bridge doesn’t take you to a filing cabinet. It’s not open like that. It’s more like—somebody help me—” Bucky snaps his fingers your way, “—what’d you call it the other day?”

You didn’t, but you say, “A dream?”

“Right, a dream. If you think about it, you can pull on it, but if it’s not in the forefront of your mind. It’s a non-issue.”

“We’re all adults here,” Steve confirms.

<Do you plan for James to return to the cockpit? Is that the goal? James, how do you feel about all of this, taken away from your own Jaeger?>

Steve’s palm faces outward as if keeping the host at bay— or, you think, keeping himself at bay.  “Hold on. This isn’t about replacement. Nobody is framing it like a nail in the coffin—we’re in the interim of a period of time, readjusting. Short of death, nothing is going to take him away.”

Sunlight. Recruitment. Ice baths. Training until they had to carry each other to bed. Your eyes flutter, head pilfering through the memories like instinct.

“James is still Orion’s co-pilot.” You agree. Apprehension. Dread. Terror. Confidence in each other even when they didn’t believe in themselves. They were together. Nothing else mattered. “Steve’s co-pilot.”

The tight look on his face is temporarily wiped as he beams proudly, “He’s my Bucky. Always has been, always will be.” He claps Bucky on the back twice and each thump’s echo bounces its way into your chest.

Bucky bristles and sputters, but a healthy pink dusts its way across his cheeks, “Don’t embarrass me, Rogers.”

“Are you blushing?” You tease, elated.

“Don’t you start, either.”

<Well… this is very wonderful. Is there a possibility we’ll be seeing a triple-piloted machine? The Tang triplets have been in talks for a new model.>

Steve shakes his head. “We haven’t discussed it yet. Nothing’s off the table, by any means. Just not priority at the moment.”

<What is priority at the moment?>

“Normalcy, as much as we can get in the middle of all this.” Bucky holds out his hand, closing it into a fist, letting the camera zoom in. “We’re… still working through all the kinks, balancing the personal and global.” 

He flexes his fingers, letting the microphones pick up the drone of machinery, but his meaning is another secret. Clicking Morse codes of well-oiled obsidian plates purring two names. You’ve stopped listening to everything but the echo incandescent in your heart.

You down your glass.

-

Champagne tipsy, you try not to stagger through the lobby. The doorman nods toward the limousine parked faithfully by the curb.

The barrage of questions slowed after it became apparent that there would be no sensationalist headline. There was attention to Bucky’s arm, his handsome face, of course, before the banter quickly devolved into entertaining frivolous sidebar queries. Five flutes bubbled down your throat and by the end of it, you no longer wanted to grab camera one and shake the shit out of it, anger whittled down to a dull hum of annoyance.

Thirty million stupid dollars for inane reels of:

What’s in your purse? What do you eat? How do you stay feminine in a Shatterdome full of testosterone—have you tried any K-beauty skincare routines? Do you have anyone special in your life?

Bucky went in, then, leaning forward until he was nearly rocking off and leveled his glare. You know she’s on the other side of the same robot, buckled up into a ninety-pound rig steering two-hundred tons of—

It took a miracle (see: Steve’s firm hand discreetly on the back of Bucky’s neck and Pepper drawing a sharp line across her throat) to effectively halt the derailing train.

“I can’t believe,” Bucky grouses now, opening the door and waving the driver back to the front. “Those goddamn questions.”  

“Does wiping my sweaty face with my even sweatier shirt count as skincare? What’s the K stand for?”

Bucky smacks the back of your head with one hand, other clumsily yanking the door open with the other. “For Korean—have you been living under a rock? Just—get in the fuckin’ car.”

You slap him back. “Quit it, you invalid.”

“Invalid? I’ll show you a fuckin’—Steve, did you hear—”

“Both of you, get in the car.”

And you shriek, scrambling in and yanking Bucky along by the scruff of his jacket. Mischief courses beneath your skin, encouraged by clever alcohol, now fully buzzed its way to every extremity.

Still giggling and leaning into the thrill of it, you slump over the smooth plastic molding of the door and press your face against the tinted window. It’s a cool reprieve on your warmed cheek, frosting when your temperature meet the glass. Bucky’s easy Cantonese, albeit slurred, is requesting a ride back to base. His hand has found its way into yours, fingers laced large and warm, clasping tight before he lets go.

“Haven’t had a drink—oh--” you murmur, catching yourself as the wheels shift.

“Since Red Cloud.”

“Outta my head, Rogers.”

“Says the person who kept finishing my sentences during that interview.”

“It’s the champagne! It makes me—“

“Stupid?”

“You’re an ass, Barnes.” But you’re laughing at him, at the way he’s smirking— cheeks gone ruddy. Both of them, open beside each other, heads inclined intuitively together. It makes you ache to see—to experience again after disruption—Rogers and Barnes. Barnes and Rogers. Perfectly fitted.

The partition slides up. The sunroof tugs open with a whistling draft.

Hong Kong’s lights are vivid—too much to properly see the extent of space’s beauty, but there are a few twinkles you’re able to make out in the moonless night as light poles and skyscraper tips whiz overhead. They’re brighter than most, simple to spot patterns in the dark.

“Orion’s out tonight,” you mutter, moving to catch the line of its belt, “Look. Beneath his feet is Lepus, the hare, pursued for all time.” From across, Steve follows, also looking to find their hero as your hair rustles wildly, making a hurricane against your ear.

“Don’t be so fucking dramatic,” Bucky scolds. He’s annoyed and comfortable on leather, ankle crossed over opposite knee. “You’re not being chased by anything. Besides, if you were a constellation, you’d probably be the soup ladle.”

You laugh. He’s always playing the part of a stoic so well. “Hey, I’ll have you know the Little Dipper’s got the north star in it. That soup ladle’s gonna be the thing that gets you home when you’re lost.”

The tone shifts—time dragging its pace as you look at them in wonder. The city’s overripe heaviness of the blows through, making goosebumps on heated skin.

“Buck,” Steve says, and Bucky slips his jacket from his shoulders to slide over yours. He tugs the lapels down like he’s trying to keep you on earth and your hands clasp on his wrists for a second before you let go. They’re both sitting up now, watching your bleary gaze unfocus.

Steve and Bucky oscillate in front of your eyes, their lines blurring until it doesn’t really matter who you’re looking at—until they become one. So easy, like this, just them like two sides of the same coin, belonging so seamlessly to each other.

“Sorry,” you blurt in shame, “I feel like I fucked it up. Ruined a thing that wasn’t mine to ruin.”

“Think you put it together,” Steve responds quietly, and the simplicity of his statement throws you off. “We found our way.”

“Soup ladle,” Bucky jokes.

“But, aren’t we just trading one war for another? World peace only made it because of monsters.” Unspoken questions hidden inside large-scale metaphors— symbiosis could only be achieved under the lies of other relationships. Whatever this would be, it wouldn’t be accepted. Steve still retains his supermodel girlfriend and you and Bucky dutifully fall in line for your own packaged little PR lies.

He shrugs. “I’m fine with losing a few battles in this war, but Orion’s got a good track record, doesn’t it, Buck?”

“Twelve— thirteen kills, sweetheart.” Bucky’s grin is lopsided. “Don’t forget you made that happen.”

“Thirteen’s an unlucky number.”

“Feels lucky to me.” Steve’s hand wraps around your wrist, thumb resting on your pulse. He taps your skin, looking genuinely apologetic. “Listen, all I can do is ask— and I’m not good at asking for things. I just want to make them happen.” A quick glance at the watch under his cuffs and he tugs at your arm like a lost child, “So, before we get back… will you come here?”

As he said, he’s not really asking. More like reaching his will out to you, finding you when you’re caught in the undertow and pulling you back to safety. To them. Okay. Okay.

Your footing slips, but they take your hands and turn you carefully, letting you settle in between. Bucky hums a low sound, fingers curling around your waist. Steve does the same to the opposite side and you feel both torn apart and held together by them.

Steve nuzzles your neck, hot on your skin.

“She was wrong,” he whispers, barely audible over the sound of your rising breath, “You know that? She was wrong, and I was wrong. I thought it couldn’t happen—thought I had other priorities, other things to manage and settle and save and... I lost sight of what matters most. But I’m gonna really fix it this time—I’m gonna do it right by you.” 

He looks to Bucky, pained and relieved, “Both of you, I promise.” He takes Bucky’s hand in his own and holds it to his mouth, kissing his knuckles, his palm, saying softly, “I love you, Buck. I’m sorry you waited so long.”

“Hey stupid,” Bucky says shakily when your chin starts to quiver at the sight of them. He’s sniffling and swallowing his syllables, unable to stop himself from staring at Steve’s face in his hand, how Steve kisses the blue pulse in his wrist. “Ain’t you—too pretty to cry?”

The rocking of the car flattens out as Steve gently presses his lips to yours, letting the trail of salt bursting down your cheek into his mouth. He moves to the line of your jaw, promising,

It’s okay. I got you. Nothing’s gonna hurt you anymore.

They kiss you and the world turns itself right.

They kiss you and then they kiss each other. Again and again and again.