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nahoney22 · 5 months

Note

Hey bestie ❤️ Back again with another ask (and perhaps a bit of a challenge should you choose to do this 😏)

Could I request a lil bit of smut for f!reader x Tech in an established relationship please? Maybe the reader is having a hard time focusing on work and Tech devises a.... Solution 👀 involving rewards for good behavior and punishment for the opposite. Maybe include some spanking? 👀👀

Thanks love ❤️

Punishment and Reward*** 🌊

🫧 Pairings: Tech X Female Reader

word count: 1.9k

prompts: None

Summary: Finding it difficult to concentrate on the ships operations for you to pilot the Marauder, Tech hatches an idea that may help you focus more with some rewards.

warnings: NSFW, 18+ only. Fingering, dirty talk, explicit sexual content and language, spanking, sexual rewards and punishments, soft!dom Tech, sub!reader, established relationship, cum denial. Not proofread.

authors note: I love this idea bestie! Enjoy @arctrooper69 - hope this is okay!

"Still struggling with your research?" Tech's voice sliced through the silence of the cockpit as he stepped inside.

You sigh miserably. You were trying to keep yourself updated with the ship's manifest as well as learning all types of models of transportation, modifications… literally anything. All because you wanted to learn to fly the Marauder. Yet your boyfriend wanted you to learn everything there was to possibly know. But, if Omega can do it. Why can’t you?

“No Tech, I haven’t. I just can't seem to concentrate," you confessed with a grumble, tossing your datapad onto the control panel with a defeated thud.

“But there is nobody else here to distract you.” He states and although this was true, you just weren’t retaining enough information about, well, anything.

You lean your head back on the chair and close your eyes. “I know, I just can’t do it, Tech.” You mutter. “I’ll never be a pilot.”

Tech studied you for a moment before an intriguing idea crossed his mind. "What if I proposed a solution?" Although his suggestion may seem innocent to others, you saw the glint of desire flash in your boyfriends eyes.

You arched an eyebrow, intrigued by his offer. "I could quiz you on ship protocols," he proposed, his voice laced with a hint of excitement. "And in return, I could provide a reward for your efforts."

The notion of a reward piqued your interest, stirring a flicker of excitement within you. "I'm listening," you replied, a playful smile tugging at your lips.

As Tech approached you, his confidence radiated in his every movement. With gentle fingers, he lifted your chin, his eyes sparkling with anticipation behind his goggles. "Shall we commence?" he murmured, his voice sending a thrill through you.

Standing up, you allowed him to assist you in shedding your pants, a rush of excitement coursing through you at his touch. His gaze lingered on the red silk panties you wore, a smirk playing on his lips as he admired his favourite garment of yours.

"Now, assume the position," he instructed, his tone firm as he sits down and pats his lap.

Biting your lip, you complied, positioning yourself over his lap, feeling the warmth of his body beneath you. His arousal pressed against your stomach as Tech traced his fingers teasingly along the curve of the back of your thighs.

"We'll start with something simple, darling," he began, his voice thick with desire. "What is your approach to navigating in space?"

The question caught you off guard, puzzling you as you rake your mind for answers. “I-Is that an easy question?”

“Oh yes,” he purrs, admiring the view of your exposed rear, “if you wish to be a pilot, you must know this.”

Taking a deep breath, you focused, determined to impress him. "Um... I would start by checking star charts," you ventured cautiously, feeling his approval in the subtle hum of encouragement for you to go on. "Then I'd check the onboard navigation systems, and if I were part of a unit, I'd maintain communication with mission control for precise navigation."

Tech's fingers continued their gentle exploration as he nodded approvingly. "Very good," he murmured, his voice sending chills over your body. "But let's make it a bit more challenging, shall we?”

“Do I not get a reward for that?” You ask curiously.

Your eagerness betrayed you, prompting a teasing response from Tech as he cupped your arse cheek. "You think you deserve a reward for answering such an easy question correctly?"

Your heart skipped a beat, a pang of embarrassment washing over you. "I... I just thought..."

Tech tsked softly, his hand offering a gentle caress across your bare flesh. "Well, since you provided a satisfactory answer," he conceded, "I suppose you've earned a small taste of your reward."

Anticipation surged through you as you waited, your gaze fixed on the floor beneath you. The sound of him moistening his fingers, sucking on them, sent a shiver of excitement down your spine. He pulled your panties aside and began to caress your folds, making you gasp. "T-Tech..." you whimpered, feeling his arousal pressing against your stomach harder.

He hummed in satisfaction, his touch sending waves of pleasure through you. "Now, for my next question," he murmured, his voice low and seductive, "How do you ensure the safety of the crew during re-entry and landing?"

Your mind struggled to focus, overwhelmed by the sensation of his fingers dancing over your sensitive flesh; slow and circular motions. How could you possibly concentrate with the delicious distraction of his touch on your pussy?

Pushing past the heated sensations, you forced out your answer with stuttered breaths. "I would closely monitor systems and environmental c-conditions during re-entry," you managed, your hips involuntarily bucking as you craved more of his touch, "and follow - oh fuck, ngh- procedures to ensure a safe landing."

"Well done, my darling girl," Tech praised, his voice warm and lustful. "That earns you another reward."

You moaned softly in anticipation, whimpering as you felt his soaked finger teasing your entrance before slowly pushing inside you. Your walls clenched around his digit as he skillfully manipulated you, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from your lips.

"It always fascinates me," he murmured, his voice dripping with desire, "how responsive you are to me even after I have claimed your cunt on several occasions."

"M-More, Tech, please..." you begged, your body burning with need.

"No, no. Not yet, darling," he teased, almost mocking you as his spare hand tangled in your hair, holding you in place. "You know the rules. More rewards come with correct answers. Now, let us move on to the third question."

Obeying his command, you awaited his next question, the heat between your legs intensifying with each passing moment.

"How do you ensure the integrity of the steering mechanism during maneuvers?" he prompted, his finger continuing its relentlessly slow rhythm inside you.

Your mind raced, struggling to recall the information. "I don't know, Tech," you groaned, frustration mounting.

But he refused to relent, applying a little more pressure with each passing second. "Think, darling. You know this. I explained this two rotations ago.”

Your pussy throbbed with need as memories flooded your mind, and with a surge of determination, you offered your response. "I would…I would conduct calibration checks and visual inspections," you managed, the words tumbling out as your arousal clouded your thoughts.

"What else?" he pressed, his finger curling inside you.

"I would m-monitor performance parameters during maneuvers," you gasped, the sensation overwhelming. "And conduct post-mission inspections to detect any anomalies."

“You are such a good girl, so clever. That is correct.” His praise had you moaning his name, blushing as he leaned over you and placed a kiss on the back of your head whilst he pressed a second finger inside you, filling you up one by one. Your body goes limp as he starts to pulsate in you, whispering words of praise as your heat squelched with every movement. “Stars, you are so wet my love. Let’s answer some more questions.”

As the questions continued, each correct answer earned you another finger, until you were completely stuffed with his digits. His relentless pace left you gasping for air, your body trembling with pleasure under his skilled ministrations.

But when you stumbled over the next question, Tech's patience wore thin. With a tut of disapproval, “You are taking too long to answer,” tech tuts at you, threatening to pull his fingers out from your sopping hole but he doesn’t. Instead, he lets go of your hair and spanks you. You squeak at the sudden sensation, arse cheek stinging. “That’s right, every time you take too long I will spank you.”

You bite your lip, almost drawing blood. “Who says that’s a bad thing?” Your teasing response earned you a raised eyebrow from Tech, and before you could protest, he withdrew his fingers completely, leaving you feeling empty and desperate for his touch. But, he doesn’t completely leave you gagging for a touch as he spanks you once more making you moan.

"No, no, Tech, please don't stop," you pleaded, the sudden loss of sensation leaving you feeling needy and vulnerable. You were on the brink

But Tech was firm. “Answer the question on the rayshields,” he commands, giving your left cheek another firm spank, “and then I may satisfy you again.”

You winced at the sting of another spank, yet finding it incredibly pleasurable at the same time. Your mind races to provide the correct response. But you couldn’t focus all too well when you see him stick his fingers on his tongue, licking your slick off with a soft moan. “You taste divine.” The sight sets your blood on fire and it spurred you on to give an answer.

Thankfully, he seemed satisfied with an answer you gave and after a tantalising pause, he slipped a single finger back inside you, drawing a whimper of relief from your lips.

As Tech's fingers worked tirelessly inside you after more correct answers, although you earned some light spanking in the process (he doesn’t need to know if your stalling was intentional or not) you were coaxed closer to the edge as you felt a wave of ecstasy building within you. Your body trembles that almost makes you feel delirious.

"Answer this simple question and I will let you cum. Would you like that, darling?"

You struggled to form coherent thoughts, the overwhelming sensation of pleasure clouding your mind. "Y-yes, ask me, please?" you pleaded, your voice trembling with need.

With a chuckle, Tech teased, "Do you deserve to cum?"

The desperation in your voice was palpable as you cried out, "Yes! Please let me cum. I've been good for you."

His laughter was low and husky as he praised you, his fingers curling inside you with renewed intensity. "Yes you have," he rasped, his breath hot against your ear. "You've been so good for me, darling. You deserve every moment of pleasure."

His words sent your blood on fire, his arm wrapping around your chest as he drew you closer, his fingers never relenting in their rhythm. The promise of release hung desperately close, driving you to the edge of madness as you yearned for the sweet release only he could provide.

"F-fuck, don't stop," you whimpered, your body trembling with anticipation. "I need it, Tech. I need to cum so badly."

With a final, expert twist of his thumb against your clit, the coil of tension within you snapped, sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through every nerve ending. You cried out his name in a crescendo of ecstasy as waves of pleasure crashed over you, leaving you completely spent and breathless in his arms.

As you came down from the dizzying heights of pleasure, Tech's words washed over you like a soothing balm, his praise and adoration filling you with warmth and contentment. “You did so well for me, I told you, you could do it. You are so clever and beautiful.” Cradled against his chest, you felt a sense of utter bliss wash over you, knowing that you had pleased him.

He kisses your cheek softly. “See? Even with the hardest of distractions you did exceptionally well. You should be proud.”

You could only give a breathless laugh in reply, nestling your face into the crook of his neck as you came down from your high. Maybe you should find other ways to get some rewards from Tech in the future.

🌊 More Tech Works

🌊 Masterlist

🌊 Tags: @littlefeatherr @kaitou2417 @eyecandyeoz @captxin-rex @jesseeka @theroguesully @ladykatakuri @padawancat97 @staycalmandhugaclone @ko-neko-san @echos-girlfriend @fiveshelmet @dangraccoon @plushymiku-blog @chrissywakingup @pb-jellybeans @nunanuggets @sleepycreativewriter @erellenora @zippingstars87 @ezras-left-thumb @the-rain-on-kamino @lamiliani @tech-aficionado @grizabellasolo @therealnekomari @tech-depression-inventory @brynhildrmimi @greaser-wolf @tinyreadersmur @kaminocasey @marvel-starwars-nerd @ladytano420 @ladyzirkonia @thesith @raevulsix @cw80831 @knightprincess @crosshairlovebot @imalovernotahater @sithstrings @whore4rex @imperialclaw801 @temple-elder @mysticalgalaxysalad @yunggoblin @photogirl894 @lulalovez @thiswitchloves9904

#bad batch tech x reader #the bad batch tech x reader #tech x reader #tbb tech x reader #tech the bad batch #the bad batch

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infinitecyanroses · 1 year

Text

So with all the lore we've gotten lately I decided I want to organize how many player characters have been tied to or affected by the Federation. First I wanted to make a chart but I realized it would be quicker to just list everything down first. Feel free to correct me if anything is missing. I may also continue to update this

Last updated: January 30 (Prison event update)

Had a Past with The Federation Before the Island

Baghera Jones- confirmed former Federation test subject/experiment

Jaiden- confirmed to have helped Cucurucho in the past, role unknown

Aypierre- has memories of being operated on by the Federation before coming to the island

Quackity/ElQuackity- ElQuackity called Quackity his brother and since it seems that ElQ has been working with the Federation for a long time, Quackity could have a related past

Bagi- After joining the island, she discovered a tree house with two journals that were signed by her. The journal also mentioned a cat named Zeno which Cellbit found who belonged to an ex-federation worker that Cellbit had been investigating clues from

Cellbit- Bagi found more journals confirming that she had a family on the island, including a brother who went missing and a lot of details from her journal point to Cellbit potentially being that brother, Cellbit found further information confirming Bagi is his twin and he believes he was kidnapped

Antoine Daniel- see Currently Affiliated, Cucurucho (pink ears) also mention Antoine having worked on previous experiments

Polispol- is the one who directed/created the Quesadilla Island commercial that played when the first islanders arrived by train

Currently Affiliated with The Federation

Cellbit- became an official Federation employee after signing a contract, is often tasked with investigation work and information retrieval, got employee of the month

ElQuackity- seems to be an official Federation employee, status unknown but seems to be a high ranking experimenter. ElQuackity went to Egg Island/Purgatory and seemed to have a past with the cyclops who was controlling the island there. At the end of Purgatory, the cyclops asked ElQuackity to stay by his side and he agreed. When Cucurucho traveled to Egg Island and saw ElQ, he called him a traitor and told him he would stand trial. ElQ chased Cucurucho off so ElQ is no longer aligned with the Federation

Fit- currently working as the Federation's janitor

Foolish- was made an official Federation detective by Cucurucho and was tasked with investigating Mr. Mustard's disappearance. After submitting evidence to the Feds of other islanders breaking the rule, Foolish was promoted to Police Administrative Assistant and Dispatcher and also made employee of the month for September

Aypierre- is currently making wine for the Federation

Jaiden- spent two weeks helping the Cucuruchos and is currently tasked with informing new members about Cucurucho.

Forever- recently elected as president of the island to serve as the go-between for the island citizens and Federation.

Kameto- Has been helping the Federation ever since his disappearance by watching footage and recording the happenings of the island and is now working as a spy for the Feds under guise of being a former Federation prisoner

Antoine Daniel- Role unknown but he was able to get a private meeting with Cucurucho (pink ears) and criticized him for letting the 6 panel comic leak out to all the islanders, saying it was too soon. Cucurucho apologized to him, implying some sort of connection between the two

Polispol- Cucurucho hired him to create a new video for them

Has Been Kidnapped/Arrested by The Federation

Felps- agreed to sacrifice himself to the Feds in exchange for getting Richarlyson's first life back, only to be captured and iced by the Feds

Cellbit- was caught trying to warn other people about what happened to Felps while first infiltrating the Federation and was held in a Federation building with Felps

Quackity- was captured and held by the Federation and replaced with ElQuackity. Was also recently kicked from the server after playing the dice game, no clue who's responsible or what happened. Quackity came back but was captured by ElQuackity, who stole his new train ticket before the Purgatory event. Quackity later escaped after the islanders left but was shot by the black colored Cucurucho

Maximus- was arrested by the Federation for terrorizing a Federation building but was only held for one day

Pac- first arrested by Foolish under Cucurucho's orders, then later recaptured and placed in a cell at the bottom of the ocean with Federation guards

Mike- first arrested with Pac for the same reasons, has recently fallen into a trap, unknown if the Feds are also behind it, recently came back acting more paranoid and wanting to eat/kill the eggs

All of the current new members- were arrested and kept frozen until the other islanders found them

Baghera- after discovering her childhood bedroom on the island, she woke up 9 days later in a Federation hospital room and found a recent subject file about her and a book listing other federation hybrid experiments

Philza- followed a string of crow-related clues he thought would lead him to his missing kids, only to be trapped in a giant bird house by Cucurucho as payback for lava casting the Federation office building, he woke up days later in his house, unable to find proof that the bird house existed, making him question if it was real

Badboyhalo- arrested by Foolish and Cucurucho for 15 minutes for vandalizing Federation property (though BBH claims it was longer)

Aypierre- was imprisoned by Cucurucho for a full night for lashing out at Cucurucho while asking about what the Feds had done to him

Roier- was drugged and captured by Cucurucho while he was investigating Cellbit's whereabouts, taken to a dungeon cell and blindfolded for a few days before Cucurucho brought him to a lab where his missing twin brother, Doied was (continued in fed operation category)

Forever- after getting infected by dark matter due to a Fed sanctioned trip to the Nether, Forever became possessed by an entity known as @v@ who made Forever attempt to kill the eggs. Cucurucho intervened and teleported Forever/@v@ into a max security prison, keeping him chained up before downing him with a chainsaw

ALL of the active islanders and their eggs (except Baghera and Cellbit) were taken and kept in a maximum security prison by the Federation for three days in order to keep them away from the attacking eye workers while the Federation did damage control. Despite not being officially charged with crimes, they were all treated like prisoners

Was operated/experimented on by the Federation

Maximus- was treated by the Federation after the code entity attacked him but learned later that the Feds had also stuck a recording device in him so he had it removed, was operated on again after contracting a parasite only to wake up with part of his leg turning into code

Felps- after he was rescued from the Federation, he was found wearing a hospital gown and had a mark on his arm, hinting that the Feds might have experimented on him

Cellbit- was also treated by the Federation after being attacked by the code entity, suffered memory loss from the time the Feds captured him

Quackity- was seen being put through multiple tests by Cucurucho before being released with very little memory of his past, only being able to speak in Spanish, and not being able to read or write (probably a form of aphasia)

Roier- After being captured and taken to the lab to see his twin brother, Cucurucho and Doied forced Roier into a machine that would swap his brain with a rat, the operation successfully put Roier's brain in a rat's body and he ended up passing out (probably more to come)

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patroxlos · 2 months

Text

home base . ch8

"friends who are for the people" - 6.7k words

ultraman: rising (2024). kenji sato x reader

master post. ao3 link.

previous: ch7. "friends who use their phones in bed"

next: [SOON]

When you said you were busy with your own things, you meant it.

You have your own fun when Kenji is not around.

---

Dr. Onda has a special ability to be the most imposing person in the room.

Even in front of a long panel of the most important figures in Tokyo, he intimidates with the glare from his shades and his permanent frown. His second-in-command is much more approachable with his youthful face and calm but reliable demeanor, but Captain Aoshima can only do so much with his digestible powerpoint slides and well-crafted charts to lessen the heavy air of the room.

“...and you can see in this graph, that with your help, the KDF has managed to expand our fleet to tackle airborne kaiju. Our aviators have suffered less injuries due to the fortification of our aircrafts, and we are able to more efficiently terminate kaiju with our updated munitions. Any questions?” Captain Aoshima glances around the room to check whether the board was following.

They only nod, some casting glances towards Dr. Onda as he stood at the side to monitor his assistant’s presentation. The KDF’s board is composed of some of the most decorated war veterans, politicians, and arms dealers in the country, yet all are wary towards the senior researcher.

All except you.

“Captain, I have a question,” You say. You look up from the comprehensive board report they had passed around earlier, neat inside a plain black folio. “You discussed that the updated munitions arming the refurbished planes are necessary for more efficient ejection of projectiles, correct?”

“Yes, Director.”

You swallow.

You don’t think you earned the title compared to the others seated at the long table–this being your first board meeting, after all–but you let it go. They will sense weakness if you do not appear more confident. You continue your line of inquiry. “The report states that we have not introduced new projectiles in the armory within the quarter, yet based on the most recent kaiju attack, I have noticed that your fleets utilized non-lethal tranquilizers on the target. I reviewed the previous reports from the past five years and there has not been any mention about the research and development of such. May I ask why there was this omission?”

Murmurs broke out amongst your fellow board members. You keep your eyes trained at the commanding captain. He does not seem fazed at all by your question; he merely turns to look at Dr. Onda, who nods back, for permission to answer.

“Yes, Director. The tranquilizers were not mentioned in the quarterly review because they were not a recent development nor acquisition. They have been archived in our inventory for a better part of two decades. However, I can assure that our aviation ordnancemen checked prior to its use whether they are still effective as they were when they were first developed.”

You cross-check the provided digital database, manipulating the holographic screen. The inventory displays the potent tranquilizers. You skim over the document, pausing momentarily when you catch a line of text stating ‘Developer: Dr. Emiko Sato.’ You swipe away from the tab.

“Why take out old tranquilizers from storage for this specific kaiju?” You inquire.

“It was imperative for us to take this Kaiju alive.”

At the corner of your eye, you notice the Chairman of the Board stand up from his seat. Of course, as he is also Japan’s Minister of Defense, he has the most interest in increasing the KDF’s productivity. “And for what reason did you feel it was necessary to keep that kaiju alive?! I thought we agreed that the infrastructural costs outweigh the necessity to study these monsters?”

With a flick of his wrist, the Minister pushes one of the holographic screens to the center of the room. It plays the footage of that abnormally small, pink kaiju that ran through the streets a week prior. You see yourself on the screen get picked up, and you get phantom pains on your body as you remember how constricting the hold of that kaiju was. The stares of the other directors stab into your skin as they also recognize you from the footage.

Before anyone else can make a comment, Dr. Onda steps forward. The Minister falls back down on his chair, startled that the man has decided to finally speak after two hours in the boardroom.

“Captain Aoshima, thank you. I will take over the presentation for now.” He commands attention despite not raising his voice. Even if his eyes are covered, even you can feel the wuthering stare he sends towards the Minister. “Minister, while I respect your position as Chairman of the Board, I don’t think it is part of your responsibilities to scold my subordinates. Let your grievances out towards me.”

While the panel is silenced due to fear, you instead are stricken with respect for the older man. You appreciate how he takes care of his workers. Although, you still have your own job to do.

“Very well, Dr. Onda,” you speak up and everyone’s focus is now back on you. “Does this kaiju have anything to do with your current updates on Project Surrogate?”

He actually looks impressed, and you try not to look too pleased about his nod of approval. “Yes. I will move the presentation along towards it.”

The screen in front of you now presents a concise, bulleted summary of action points that Project Surrogate aims to achieve. This isn’t new to the panel, and the project needs no introduction. After all, it has been in development for the past five years, and most of taxpayer money being invested in the KDF has went towards it.

Project Surrogate’s main objective echoes that of the KDF’s original purpose: to locate Kaiju Island. It is hinged on the long-standing theory that Kaijus exhibit homing behavior towards their island of origin. Since it has been notoriously difficult to track adult Kaiju to the island, Project Surrogate hypothesizes that infant Kaiju might make it easier. The KDF has spent nearly half a decade trying to find proof of juvenile kaiju, until they finally stumbled onto a nest.

You have studied all of the declassified information on the project, yet even with your clearance level, you and the Board are kept out of the loop from Dr. Onda’s plans.

“We have seen this slide before,” you say, a bit frustrated as you stare at the screen. “Can we skip towards the project’s developments?”

Bowing slightly to your direction, he acquiesces to your request and switches to the photo of Gigantron, Queen of the Kaiju. Stepping forward, he begins his presentation. “Project Surrogate has made large progress since we have discovered the nest of Gigantron at the town of Oshima, by its coast. It has confirmed for us that kaiju, or in particular Gigantron, do not necessarily lay eggs nor reproduce exclusively in their island. The evidence in the surrounding area suggests that this is not the first time Gigantron has laid her eggs there.”

“Is it possible that Gigantron has natal homing?” You ignore the murmurs of confusion around you, but you do spot a few board members rolling their eyes at your display of proficiency.

You’re trying too hard to impress others, they think. Everything you do is performative. At your core, you’re just as dumb and vapid as everyone says you are.

“Indeed,” Dr. Onda nods your way. “This display of migratory behavior brings us closer towards finding Kaiju Island, as the infant would soon be instinctively motivated to fly away from our territory.”

The slide changes to the baby kaiju, and the pieces begin falling in place for the Board. The egg had hatched, and the kaiju has been alive for a few months at the moment. You raise another question. “Has the child been in KDF custody this entire time? Can you explain why it was allowed to roam the streets of Tokyo?”

“Unfortunately, the egg was stolen from us by Ultraman, and it had hatched under his control.”

Loud, outraged murmurs broke out amongst the board. Ultraman? Isn’t he supposed to be on our side?

“Wait, Dr. Onda,” the Minister says. “So, even after the Tokyo fiasco, Ultraman still has custody over the kaiju?”

“Yes.”

A gruff-looking general shouts “Then doesn’t that mean Project Surrogate is a bust?”

“Hardly.” Even at the face of angry investors, Dr. Onda keeps his cool. He simply changes the slide to show an image of Ultraman cradling the kaiju against his chest while he hangs from the side of Tokyo Tower. Chills run down your spine. It is as if Ultraman was in the room himself, staring down everyone with a righteous fury.

Like a mother holding her child close, baring her teeth at the dangers that creep near.

“Due to Ultraman letting the kaiju loose on the streets, we have learned that the baby is capable of echolocation. It is possible that adult kaiju use echolocation at a frequency our sensors fail to pick up, but this child uses it as clear as day. Once we recapture the kaiju from Ultraman, we can set it free to the ocean and follow it towards Kaiju Island.”

As Dr. Onda finishes relaying the plan to the room, murmurs of approval soon broke the silence. The plan is reasonable, but you still remained unconvinced that he is telling you everything. You open the quarter report again, this time towards the expenditures for Project Surrogate.

“The plan does not seem clear to me yet, Dr. Onda. How sure are we that the KDF will be able to track the kaiju as it navigates through open waters?” You probe.

“I’m afraid I cannot disclose that for now,” He dodges your question.

“And what about the amount of lithium and uranium in the itemized budget? If you wanted to make bombs I would prefer it if you declare it.”

“We are making bombs, that is nothing new at the KDF. That is as much declaration I can make,” he dismisses your concern.

“So you do have a more thorough plan that you are not telling us about?”

“For two decades, the KDF and its Board of Directors have operated together with a strong sense of trust. You might not be familiar with it now, since this is your first meeting with us as a board member, but soon you will be.”

“But—” Shit. You are getting a little frazzled as he points out your inexperience. “Okay, that’s beside the point. What about Ultraman? The continuation of this project hinges on the KDF tracking his location, but he remains an elusive figure to the Japanese people.”

Dr. Onda gestures towards the Minister of Defense. “We will double down our efforts into tracking him, and we are encouraging the people to send to our tip line any sightings of the vigilante. Our chairman has been most helpful in declaring Ultraman persona non grata.”

“With much public backlash,” the Minister comments.

Another board member pipes in. “Ultraman is seen as a Japanese icon. The favorability of KDF has been declining steadily in the past several months, but it has been crashing to the gutter ever since the announcement that Ultraman is wanted.”

The meeting is getting derailed as the Board grows restless with the lack of direction in the KDF, exposed by you. You are starting to wonder whether you should have just sat there and listened like the others were.

Soon it ends, and everyone begins to shuffle out of the board room. You personally bow to each of the board members before they leave, half of them sizing you up but the rest giving you their blessings for being part of the team. Either way, your stomach turns.

You approach Captain Aoshima, and do the same bow towards him. “Thank you for that presentation, Captain. I look forward to seeing more of you in the future.”

“Likewise,” he returns the courtesy, though after he rises from his bow he fiddles with his pockets. “Actually, before you leave, ah– sorry, this is a bit unprofessional.”

You already have a feeling on what he is going to ask, but it still humors you slightly that he is breaking a bit of his respectful decorum that you know him for. You glance around the room, and the only people left are you, the captain and Dr. Onda. At least no one else is there to make fun of what you’re about to do. “Sure, we can take a photo.”

Aoshima brightens significantly. “Thank you, my daughter would be thrilled. Is it okay if you record a greeting as well? It’s her birthday soon.”

“She knows who I am?” Your eyes widen.

He thinks you’re being too modest. “She used to follow you before you deleted your accounts.”

“Then, it’s no problem! Sorry if I might seem a bit awkward. I haven’t done this in a while so I’m a bit rusty,” you laugh nervously.

You take his phone from his hands, angling the camera for a self-photo with him at your side. The recording goes just as smoothly, with you giving a small pep talk on how his daughter should focus on her studies. Captain Aoshima bows in gratitude, glowing with the excitement of a father who will do anything in the world for his kids.

Dr. Onda watches as his assistant leaves the room, leaving you and him alone. Swallowing your nervousness, you turn to the man and give a respectful bow. “Thank you for the meeting, Dr. Onda. The KDF remains safe in your hands.”

His silence makes you a bit more nervous. It is one thing for you to conduct a thorough interrogation during a quarterly board meeting, it is another making small-talk.

“I’ll…be going?” You try to have a smooth exit, but he raises his hand to signal you to stay.

“I was never fond of businessmen meddling with the organization,” he says, matter-of-fact.

“Well…Motsubishi prides itself in our social involvement—”

“Spare me the sales pitch, your father has done a lot of that when he served on the board,” he interrupts you. “I doubt you believe weapons development equates to welfare.”

“We only make it to the KDF,” you immediately rebut.

“Not fond of the dirtier sides of the business? Isn’t this what you’ve studied?” He raises an eyebrow at you.

You pocket your hands into your slacks. “I’m not entirely fond of profiting from war.”

“Would you call our fight against kaiju a war?”

“...You’re testing me.” You click your tongue. “Please, Dr. Onda.”

“You used to call me ‘Uncle’, when you played with Akiko.”

The room grows a little colder.

“Have you seen Hayao lately?” He changes topic, turning away from you.

“Can’t say I have, but I’ve seen him a couple of times since the incident,” you admit.

He gives a hum of acknowledgement.

“His knee is getting better, not that you asked,” you inform him, stepping forward to stand by his side. You look ahead as you speak. “I think…I think Kenji is taking care of him? Not sure, I didn’t get to confirm, but Emiko…before she disappeared…she told me that he flew all the way here just to take care of the Professor. It took a bit but I think they’re finally talking.”

It’s quiet again, for a moment. “And…Ultraman?”

“I…I don’t know who it is now, I’m sorry,” you don’t know why you are apologizing.

Dr. Onda merely sighs.

You turn to face him properly. “He doesn’t blame you, you know. For his knee.”

“I never asked for his forgiveness.” His face is steel, not betraying a hint of emotion. You see your worried face in the reflection of his shades. “Nor do I feel any sort of guilt.”

“You didn’t know he was Ultraman—”

“And even if I did, I still would have ordered the shot.”

You suck in a breath through your teeth.

“And I don’t make it a habit to shoot at superheroes. Ultraman was interfering with an official KDF extraction. It was necessary.” He remains stone-faced.

“You let him go.”

He walks away from you to another side of the room as he dismissively waves you off. “A mistake.”

“Admit it. You saw his crumpled body on the ground and you just let him go.” You follow, hot on his heels.

You nearly ram into him when he briskly stops in his tracks to turn to you. “I saw the crumpled body of my daughter’s killer and decided I wouldn’t stoop down to his level.”

“He is only one man.” You run a hand through your hair.

“Ultraman is not my enemy, but if he proves to be a nuisance that hinders us from achieving some peace in our shores, then I am not against making him one,” he booms. The conviction of his words might have shaken you, but you notice his shoulders sag slightly, defeated.

You cross your arms, tucking them close to your torso. “That’s…that’s one thing I agree on.”

“...Thank you.” You can tell he means it.

“The new Ultraman…he still needs to grow on me,” you divulge. “He kind of acts like some young hotshot. Seems pretty immature.”

“It’ll be easy to track him down then. But Hayao…he must have taught his new protégé all he knows about how to hide himself.”

“Doctor, you know that I am dedicated to help the KDF in anyway I can,” you affirm.

He raises an eyebrow at you. “Even if it means going against your tutor?”

“I think we and Ultraman have the same goal,” you answer. “We all want to be able to keep the people of this city safe. I don’t know how useful I can be to Ultraman’s cause but I know that I can affect real change here in the KDF. Like how Emiko used to.”

He’s a bit unsatisfied with your reply, but his lips almost twitch into a smile at your, as he calls it, misguided idealism. “You should also go by Doctor, then.”

You wince at the title.

“I’ll pass.” Even if you did recently graduate, it feels like a brag. It does not help that most of the internet thinks you’re lying when you discuss your educational background.

“Receiving a doctorate at 26 is no easy feat. You deserve to be acknowledged for it,” he coolly praises you. The flattery is getting to you a bit, but you still avoid letting it seep in.

“Doesn’t seem to matter much to others,” you dismiss his words. “I’ve tried so hard to distance myself from my old image. I deleted all my social media. I have placed full attention into preparing myself for what I’m about to inherit and I’m still…It still isn’t enough.”

Dr. Onda pushes his shoulders back. “The media play against you has been rampant since you were younger. It is hard to push back against such schemes.”

At eighteen, you formally entered society.

At eighteen, you had the world at your fingertips.

At eighteen, your father officially named you as his successor. He did not have much of a choice, given that you were his only one.

At eighteen, you made enemies who to this day are intent that you stay far away from the title Chief Executive Officer.

“My dad’s officially retiring within the month.”

“I’ve received the invitation to your welcoming gala,” he states. “Congratulations. While I’m not fond of public outings, since your father personally requested my appearance, I cannot say no.”

“I need a win.” Your arms fall to your sides, hands balling into fists. “I refuse to be driven out of the company my family built.”

His shades reflect a small flash of light. “Is this the purpose of our chat?”

“Project Surrogate. I need this to work. If the KDF can get stronger public approval I can solidify my position.”

“I can’t guarantee anything,” he warns you. “And I’m not doing this to satisfy anyone’s greed for power. This is for the people.”

“Because of the kaiju, I got separated from my best friend.” You place a hand over your heart. “And he grew up without a father. Believe me. My ambitions are here but I am fully committed to making this work.”

His hands clasp behind his back. “All I ask is for trust— an understanding, that I am using your investments for the greater good.”

You grin. “Where do I sign?”

A/N: hello … I’m not dead :D

And yes you are pro-KDF for now :D I think Dr. Onda is such a cool and well-written antagonist. DYK in early Ultraman he actually does just straight up kill the kaiju. From a utilitarian standpoint, kaiju are an invasive species. They’re not inherently bad but they don’t belong in the environment they are in. (I watch a lot of those lion fish exterminator tiktoks…)

If you saw on my Tumblr I posted a WIP snippet of what was supposed to go into this chapter, but ultimately I decided that maybe having a portion that focused solely on adding more context to who the reader is would help push the story forward. You go by a lot of different names around these parts! But next chapter would have too much Ken to make up for his absence here! The WIP I posted will be moved to ch10 as well :>

Since I’ve already finished a portion of the next chapter and it’s ready to publish in no time, as it’s a direct continuation from chapter 8’s flashback, here’s a snippet of its introduction so you know what’s in store!

——-

You hear a rapid knocking on the door.

You don’t register it at first, your head pounding from waking up too early. The only thing you can sense is Ken’s warm back against your bare chest, your hands around his waist. You press your face against the back of his neck, groaning at the hour. “Kenji, S’noisy.”

You feel his body shift, and he shrugs you off. “Y’face too cold…”

You just bite his shoulder and tug him closer. He lets you.

Soon, the knocking stops, but Kenji’s phone rings from the bedside table. Groaning, he blindly reaches for it to take the call, and you whine when he shifts in your hold. You realize that you won’t be able to get any sleep, so your eye cracks open to check the clock.

2:17 AM.

Now who—

“Kenji? Kenji are you awake? I’m outside your door. Please let me in.”

You both bolt up when you hear Emiko Sato’s voice from the phone. You slap his back to get him moving. “The sofa,” you hiss, lowering your voice.

Both of you struggle to keep quiet as you rush to find your clothes. Ken quickly pulls out the sofabed, and tosses rumpled blankets onto it to give an illusion that he’s been there the entire time. You find the bra he tossed away earlier on top of a nearby lamp. He grabs an air freshener can to spray lightly across the room— not too much for it to be obvious.

Ken opens the door just after you dive back into the covers, pretending to be asleep.

---

lmk if u want to be on the taglist for future chapters ty!

#ken sato x reader #ken sato x you #kenji sato x reader #cross posted on ao3

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skyward-floored · 1 year

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I’ve got a big mess of thoughts so here we go, analysis time!

First of all may I just say I love the siblings vibes in this entire update?? Wild is so happy Twilight is alive, his little brother energy is positively off the CHARTS here, and their bickering (while Legend looks on awkwardly) is hilarious. Peak sibling behavior.

Moving on!

I find it interesting Legend is grabbing his own scar here (you can just baaaarely see it) after it shows Twilight’s arm injuries. “I would have been done for,” huh? What do you mean by that Legend? How did you get that scar..?

The font change here has me cackling, Wild does NOT believe him a bit. It’s so funny.

“Uh-huh,

Friend”

Another thing to mention though, I’ve seen a lot of people agreeing with Wild on the whole “there’s no way she was just a friend” thing, but Twilight’s relationship with Midna is complicated y’all. It’s not just a broken romance. Twilight is probably hesitant to put a label on it, and Wild is pushing him a bit. Plus he was just thinking of Midna the night before... no wonder he’s cranky.

(I’ll also remind you that lu sticks very much with game canon and NOT manga, so don’t expect anything in the tp manga to be true in the comic y’know)

Warriors, putting on a happy face as he gears himself up to stop what he thinks is yet another fight: is somebody being cranky-wanky

(Also looking pretty fine there Wars 👀)

Makes me wonder what everybody else is doing... arguing? XD (also the little elbow cuff! They’re brothers your honor (Legend does not appreciate this))

This is one of my new favorite panels. Warriors being so stern and still annoyed at the sword thing (give it a rest buddy...) in comparison to Legend slapping his knee and making a truly ridiculous face as he laughs at Wild’s joke, it’s fantastic. I love it.

(Sorry this is basically about Warriors now)

I mentioned this in some tags, but I really like how Warriors calls Ilia by name. He doesn’t just say “your family” or “your girl”, he calls her Ilia, and I think that’s really sweet. It shows he’s been paying attention. (Also Legend’s little nod <3)

THEY’RE SO HAPPY TO HEAR HIM LAUGH look at them smile ooogghgh (And Twilight talking about Ilia! He talks about her a lot like how Time talks about Malon :)

And finally....

He’s laughing even though it hurts. The others, (Warriors especially) cheered him up, even after Twilight admitted himself he was grumpy, and I love that. He’s laughing even though it hurts. Man.

#ok I’m good #linkeduniverse #linked universe #linked universe analysis #lu analysis #lu warriors #lu twilight #lu Wild #lu legend #rambles from the floor #update spoilers #long post #forgot the readmore whoops

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justjensenanddean · 2 years

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Jensen Ackles Solo Panel | JIBCon 2023 (February 25, 2023)

(loriladeakali)

‘Yes I do make my kids listen to radio company… they haven’t called CPS on me yet!’ (x)

Jensen: “I do force my children to listen to my music” They really like Cannonball. They haven’t heard all the new album yet - which just dropped & is doing really well! Steve keeps texting him w updates about it being like #3 on the country charts (!) (x)

Ok. JJ has her own playlist that she makes Jensen play on the way to school. It has Taylor Swift, Harry Styles (which led to some woooooooo and a Calm Down!! From Jensen) and some song about a sunroof. (x)

Jensen: arrow can hear a song and then play it on the piano. #jib11 (x)

Jensen: his 6yo daughter Arrow has taken to the piano. She hears a song & goes & picks it out by ear! For now they’re just letting her have fun with it. Thought about having her take lessons but they don’t want it to become un-fun for her when she’s just 6 (x)

Jensen talking about his daughter JJ: she’ll grab his phone & have it for “seconds - seconds!! And everything’s changed! I don’t know how to get it back! & I ask her to change it back & she’s like, No.” She’s been making her own playlists on spotify & apple music on his phone (x)

Jensen never thought he would get to do music, so he is very grateful to all of us for the support shown to Radio Company (x)

Jensen: they're hoping to see where the Radio Company shows are going but they "don't know yet. We'll see" (x)

Q about JA now seeing more of the production process. JA: turns out getting a show on the air is a monumental feat. So many pitches, the odds are so stacked against it. Safest thing a studio exec can say is no. (x) JA: “It is a hard business to be in. It is a business of rejection.” Been in the development process now for half a dozen different shows, & Winchesters is the only one that launched. (cryptic description of one other that had “big players”, but “timing wasn’t right”) (x) (very thoughtful response on this whole issue btw - I failed to capture it all - clearly he’s been thinking about it a lot, about how to launch new shows) (x)

JA can’t find his phone He wants to look something up to answer a fan q (x)

Q about fight scenes: did you have any experience w fighting technique? JA: No, never trained in any of the fighting disciplines. But has done a lot of sports, thinks of himself as “fairly athletic”, so what he does is ask an expert what they’d do, then try to mimic them (x)

opening fighting scene in Atomic Monsters ep (15x04) is favorite fighting scene of Jensen, and it wasn't even scripted! He just wanted to do something fun, so they added it into the ep (x)

Jensen's stunt double, who he worked with since Dark Angel, went on to become Jason Momoa's stunt double when he [the stunt double] "got too famous" (x)

The stunt coordinator on #TheBoys was so impressed by Jensen's great input that he started calling him "fight coordinator" (x)

JA on stunts/fights: On The Boys, there are way bigger fights than SPN. On the Boys he rehearsed 2 wks for 1 fight scene (on SPN set it was like 20 min). Got to come up w different moves, even had some creative input. Stunt guy used so many of JA’s (x) suggestions that he started calling JA the “fight coordinator!” Then when he landed the Big Sky role, The Boys’ stunt coordinator guy called up Big Sky’s and said “you’re getting one of my best fight coordinators”. & Big Sky then made him a hat that says “Fight Coordinator” (x)

Jensen about thinking his son threw up in his mouth: just swallow it, swallow it and you can have some water (x)

( Sue_Bcn )

#Jensen Ackles #JIBCon2023 #Jensen: Panel Highlights

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hollowboobtheory · 9 months

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they had me do a pre-biopsy blood panel and i'm watching the results update live on my chart like election results and so far all the numbers are normal according to the charts which i think is good.

#beck rambles #crab rave #idk what precisely most of them mean but the fact that they're green is good right

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inkynightmaresau · 1 year

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RULES

• no nsfw (or else you'll get the dustpan.)

• no homophobia/racism/etc, or you will be blocked.

• please be respectful of the mods and each other! (this includes asking me to post faster- i have periods of time where drawing can be difficult, and i truly do try to post as often as i can. i appreciate the fact that you enjoy the story, but asking me to post faster makes me want to post less./lh)

• all asks must be sent into the ask box!

• please try to limit your question to one or two characters (but you can send multiple individual asks!) NOTE: please do not spam the inbox.

• No stealing/ tracing/ reposting my art. Reblogging is okay :)

• M!A 's are allowed within reason!

•Any current story arcs will be displayed in the description! The asks you send WILL affect the story's progression!

•When my ask box reaches 40 asks, I will temporarily close it until more than half of the asks are answered.

• I no longer have a posting schedule.

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LINKS

《archive post》

《reference sheets》

《staff height charts》

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-> like my art and wanna support me?

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《ko-fi!》

TAGS*

#《inau art dump》 - reblogging art from my main/art blog.

#《inau fanarts》 - art for me/the au!

#《info》 - info about characters, story arcs, etc

#《important updates》 - announcements from me that are important to the blog

#《mod speaks》 - mod of the blog responding to questions! or if i gotta blabber abt something

#ARC MODE: (insert arc)- a tag that signifies what posts belong to what story arc! i have a few planned :3

#《for sillies》 - any non-canon, usually shitpost esque interaction. very sillay

#《art event》 - sort of like. any drawing challenge or event that isn't the panels. i.e ink demonth

*asks and story posts wont have a specific tag, because it'll be the main type of post on the blog. if you want to only see story posts from me, feel free to block the tags listed above!

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CURRENT MOD(S):

"wally" mod (he/they/it) (main blog -> @skxllbxnny )

"norman" mod (it/its) [IT'S MY BETA READER AND PROVIDED A BUNCH OF REALLY REALLY GOOD IDEAS THANK YOU SOSOMUCH<3] (main blog -> @x-0h-m3-0h-my )

#important #pinned post #《inau art dump》#《inau fanarts》#《info》#《important updates》#inau boris #inau alice #inau bendy #inau #inky nightmares au #inky nightmares #《mod speaks》#“wally” mod #batim inau #ARC MODE: The Man Behind The Curtain #《for sillies》#《art event》

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seat-safety-switch · 2 years

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Years, many years ago, you may have looked forward to software updates. New features, bugs fixed, an evolution of an already pretty good instant messenger or paint program or Usenet pornography downloader. Nowadays, a software update is dreaded. There are many reasons: it may contain a grotesque new turn towards adware or algorithmic timeline bullshit, an eye-searingly-bad redesign, or the developers may have “accidentally” broken your favourite feature and want you to buy the Pro version to get it back.

Yes, software is very bad today, and getting worse. It’s ruining everything that our society used to love: self-driving cars, video game systems, laptop computers, and the sentient synthetic intelligence that spontaneously developed in your washing machine, which you can no longer connect to the internet in order to receive text messages of when your clothes are done being washed for fear of extinguishing this new and fragile form of sapient life with an update that makes the front-panel lights slightly less flickery. And I don’t think you need me to tell you that this fucking sucks.

Is there a solution, beyond fleeing into the woods and carrying half a 1980s Radio Shack worth of 8-bit microprocessors and firearms with you? Although that does sound pretty good, now that we’re talking about it, I think there is a way we can keep all of our modern conveniences (like roads, and freshly-squeezed high-octane gasoline) while turning back the tide of anti-progress. All we have to do is outlaw pie charts.

That’s right. Pie charts. We thought they were innocent when they first appeared, a way to use our trigonometry classes to make a cool-looking chart. Pretty colours. Hell, maybe they come in 3D, which makes them totally useless as a way to tell how big the slices are, but boy does it look cool. The problem is, some people took the pie charts way too seriously. Upper management began to obsess over them, their eyes seeing special secrets – margin, even – hiding at the border of each ridiculous pixelated slice. And they chased those secrets, drunk-driving the world into a technological hell.

Once we throw pie charts in the collective shredder of humanity’s memory, we can move on to things that make more sense. Bar charts, for example, can still lie, but they don’t exist purely as a function of lies. I’m not so naive to believe that humanity won’t re-invent the pie chart at some future date, of course, but I’m pretty convinced the extra productivity means that we’ll be able to build really reliable hunter-killer robots to wipe those folks out, and leave them behind for future generations. Even if those robots don’t have a “dark mode” or special new typeface every couple of months to boost engagement.

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avacoleman · 8 months

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when the lights go out || a firstprince fic

summary: Henry Fox’s career is in crisis and his dating life isn’t faring much better either. After a chance encounter with a charming man becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons, Henry throws himself into his next assignment: writing the memoir of a beloved C-list actor. Henry, however, knows Alex best for the role he played as his random, awkward one-night stand. Henry enters their professional partnership keen on keeping their relationship just that. But after Henry confesses that their hookup was less than spectacular, Alex concots an arrangement that Henry is unable to resist. In addition to ghostwriting Alex’s life story, Henry will teach him a thing or two about satisfying a man. As they spend months out on the road together, they must decide if the connection between them is yet another story worth telling.

chapter 3/8 || rated e || read on ao3 *updates every tues. and fri. *

Minneapolis, MN Twin Cities Con Day 1 Henry sits front row at the Crescent Valley panel. Today, the announcement will go live and Alex and his castmates will reunite on this very stage to deliver the news fans have been waiting for. Henry has seen all the hashtags and petitions that have been created online since the show went off the air five years ago. Viewers made passionate pleas, conducted letter writing campaigns, and made countless videos demanding, at the very least, one special to give them a glimpse into the lives of their beloved characters and to see the cast together again. It’s interesting sitting among them now knowing full-well what’s in store. The energy in the room is off the charts as the Crescent Valley theme song starts to play and the cast files onto stage. Seeing them all in the flesh is a bit disorienting. Henry’s gotten so used to seeing them on his laptop screen, yet here they are all now right before his eyes. Henry’s gaze slides to Alex and at once he feels centered, but he’s quickly thrown off again seeing Alex and Nora putting their heads together, laughing about something as the moderator reads out everyone’s names. Henry figures it shouldn’t be surprising given their history. All the same, it makes an unnameable emotion swell in Henry’s chest.

He quickly pushes the feeling aside and allows the sheer pandemonium around him to consume him. He finds himself joining the masses and cheering on the cast as they smile and wave at the audience before taking their seats.

The panel goes along much like any other until the end during the Q&A portion. A man steps up to the mic for the final question and though Henry personally has no clue who he is, the audience collectively gasps. From overheard whispers, he learns the man is none other than the creator of Crescent Valley.

Henry looks up at the stage, his eyes landing immediately on Alex. He sees the excitement in his eyes like a kid on Christmas morning.

The show’s creator waits for silence to fall before he speaks.

“Now, I have just one question for you guys,” he says looking at the actors on stage. “Are you ready to step into the world of Crescent Valley one last time?”

“Yes!” the cast says together into their mics as the monitors on the sides of the stage flash with the news.

Crescent Valley returns for a two-hour special this winter!

The eruption from the audience is unlike anything Henry has ever seen or heard before. People are jumping out of their seats, crying, screaming, hugging each other. Through it all, Henry can’t take his eyes off Alex and the cast as they drink it all in, the Crescent Valley theme song playing once more as the perfect soundtrack for the reverent fans losing their ever-loving minds in the room.

There are so many questions Henry wants to ask Alex about this moment, but he knows any hopes for talking about the book or literally anything else today are completely dashed now that the news is out in the world.

~*~*~

Henry’s suspicions were right. Alex's phone had gone off all afternoon with calls and texts from Zahra with interview requests that have been streaming in. On every platform imaginable, #CrescentValleySpecial is trending and Alex’s mentions are in complete disarray. Henry had expected things to get crazy, but this was outright insanity.

He was able to get introduced to the cast after the panel when he went backstage. All his inexplicable nervousness in meeting Nora turned out to be for nothing.

The way she and Alex interacted with one another was more like brother and sister. Whatever romantic feelings they held over five years ago was clearly ancient history.

He left Alex to spend the evening with his castmates though he had been welcomed to join them. It was a sweet offer, but Henry figured blocking out a few hours to work on his notes and configuring the preliminary skeleton of the book would be a wiser use of his time. He checked in with Pez, making sure their apartment was still in one piece and gave his friend an update from the road.

Pez was freaking out about the special just like everyone else online. He wouldn’t let Henry go without him promising to fill Pez in if he caught wind of any spoilers over the next few weeks.

Looking at his document, Henry feels satisfied with the work he’s done this evening.

It’s eleven o'clock now and according to the tour itinerary, Alex has a signing in the morning followed by a cast reunion photoshoot. He mentally prepares for another day where they won’t get to see much of each other or truly be alone together.

Henry brushes his teeth, studying his reflection in the mirror when he hears his phone vibrate on the counter. He looks down, turning his head to read the text message that appears on his lock screen.

Alex cant sleep. up for another lesson?

Henry spits out his toothpaste and rinses out his mouth before picking up his phone and answering.

Henry Ready when you are.

Five minutes later, there’s a knock at Henry’s door.

“Hey,” Alex says.

He stands before Henry in his glasses, wearing checkered navy blue pajama pants and a gray t-shirt. It’s a bit ridiculous how good he looks even when severely underdressed like this.

“Sorry for the late night message. My head’s been buzzing all day and I still feel completely wired. Also, I missed you today. And now I’m realizing I’ve literally sent a godforsaken ‘u up’ text. You would’ve been well within your rights to tell me to fuck all the way off.”

Henry laughs at how quickly Alex gets all these words out.

“I’m a bit of an insomniac anyway so you’re hardly disturbing me. And besides, I sorta missed you too.”

Alex smiles a little and sways in place.

“Oh, do come in,” Henry says belatedly, stepping aside. He closes the door and locks it behind him.

“What’s next on your syllabus? We’re still on touch, right?” Henry asks.

“Yes, getting to know thy cock.”

A laugh rips out of Henry. “You’re the worst.”

Alex winks and takes a seat on Henry’s bed.

“Okay, so touch and getting more acquainted with what your partner likes,” Henry says.

He thinks on it for a moment.

“As I’ve mentioned before, this really will be trial and error each time you’re intimate with someone. It’s not unlike when you’ve been with past partners. I’m sure you’ve found that what one person may love, another isn’t too fond of.”

Henry pauses again.

“I wonder if this might not be better for me to show you rather than explain,” Henry says.

Alex looks confused, his brows furrowed.

“Like…you give me a handjob or…I give you a proper one this time?”

“Or, option C, I get myself off and you watch,” Henry says plainly.

Alex blanches and Henry takes a bit of pride in being able to shock Alex like this.

“You said you wanted to know what I liked, right? Feels like this could be the best way to do just that.”

“Well, I am a visual learner,” Alex says quietly.

Henry crosses the room and goes into his suitcase, starting to dig around.

“I think people have a tendency to get wrapped up in the idea of penetration being the only ‘real’ kind of sex,” Henry says thoughtfully. “If you ask me, that’s a very limited scope. There are so many different ways to intimately connect with your partner. Manually is one of them.”

He takes out a small bottle of lube and turns back to face Alex.

“Whether it’s you getting your partner off or watching them and vice versa, this is another way you can, for a lack of a better term, come together when intimate.”

Alex laughs. “Yes, I have the humor of a middle schooler. Sue me.”

Henry rolls his eyes and steps closer to Alex.

“Can I kiss you? It helps,” he says, not explaining further.

If Alex is confused, he hides it well. He simply parts his legs where he’s seated on the length of the bed and Henry steps between them. He frames Alex’s face, leans in and kisses him straight away.

The man is a pro at this and after a few moments, Henry can feel that familiar stirring in the pit of his stomach. Alex kisses him hungrily, deepening it and Henry feels his body respond immediately. He kisses Alex for a little while longer before forcing himself to pull away.

Rather than sit beside Alex on the edge, he gets in and lays back against the pillows.

Alex shifts to look at him. Henry tugs off his sweats and boxer briefs. It’s ridiculously easy to feel comfortable being naked in front of Alex and the fact that there’s still more weeks ahead should not thrill him in the way that it does.

He squeezes a small drop of lube in the palm of his hand. He coats his cock, shivering a little at the feel of the substance against his sensitive skin.

Alex’s eyes are wide and unblinking as he watches Henry’s movements.

“It’s the same principle you might have for when you get yourself off. Sometimes you might want it quick and rough, but more often than not, for me anyway, I really like the buildup. I enjoy getting myself worked up and close to the edge before letting myself let go completely. When I’m with a guy, I like it the same way. With teasing too. I can’t get enough of that, if I’m being honest. It drives me wild.”

He demonstrates, slowly stroking himself and circling the tip of his cock. Precome glistens on the head and he smears it with the pad of his thumb.

Henry shivers and practically purrs.

Alex doesn’t even look like he’s breathing as he watches.

“That first night, you were overthinking it. It made you second guess yourself rather than follow your instincts. If there are moves or techniques that you enjoy, chances are that your partner might like them too. But you’ve got to give them the opportunity to really experience it before jumping so quickly onto the next thing.”

Henry squeezes himself and pumps his hand again slowly along his shaft.

“I actually really like this and you had the basic thought of it when we hooked up, but it felt sort of mechanical. I could feel your hesitancy and it took me out of the moment,” he says gently.

Alex frowns. “Sorry about that.”

Henry shakes his head. “Nothing to be sorry about. Now you know for next time.”

Something flickers in Alex’s eyes and it makes a pleasant chill run down Henry’s spine. The promise of next time. Henry has no clue when their next hookup will be, but the idea of Alex’s hand on him makes him even harder.

His eyes roll shut and Henry lets his imagination run with the fantasy. He pictures this moment now, only it’s Alex’s hand between his legs, pleasuring him, teasing him. He thinks back to that night in Arizona, their first foray into the touch component.

Alex’s movements in his room were far better than their initial night. It seemed he had really taken Henry’s preliminary feedback into consideration. Since that night in Arizona, Henry had been wondering how things might have gone if they hadn’t stopped at strictly over the clothes, if he pushed their lesson a bit further.

A soft sound falls from his parted lips as his head tips back against the plush pillows as he envisions it. He spreads his legs wider and teases the slit of his cock. Distantly he hears Alex hiss. Henry does too. He’s so aroused and sensitive, even the air in the room makes the sensations more acute.

He bites back on his lower lip as he continues to stroke himself, his freehand massaging his balls. He feels the bed shift and he opens his eyes to find Alex on the bed in earnest, settled on his knees, studying him with rapt attention, his hands balled into fists against his lap.

Henry’s back arches as he stares at Alex, his heart pounding steadily. He gives his cock another firm squeeze on a downstroke and moans. It’s intoxicating knowing he has Alex locked into him like this. Alex’s cheeks are flushed, his eyes hungry and curious.

“Are you hard too?” Henry asks, his breath catching in his throat.

Alex scoffs. “How could I not be? Fucking hell, Henry, look at you.”

Henry smirks as he continues jerking himself off, teasing his leaking slit, his eyes never leaving Alex.

“Touch yourself with me then?” he hiccups. “If you’d be okay with—,”

He doesn’t get to finish his sentence. Alex is already racing to get his pants off. He settles beside Henry, occupying the space on the other side of the mattress. His cock is slick already and Henry whimpers quietly at the sight.

“Think we can get you to come with me?” he asks, turning his head towards Alex.

“After watching you like this? I’m shocked I haven’t lost it already.”

Maybe it’s just easy banter but Alex makes him feel so desirable, wanted.

There’s a soft sheen of sweat at Alex’s temple and Henry’s eyes track a bead of it slowly racing down the side of his face. Knowing that Alex is this riled up because of him just arouses Henry more.

He watches the muscles flex in Alex’s arm, studies the way his fingers wrap around his own cock and work over the shaft. It’s unbelievably erotic and Henry feels his cock swell as he studies Alex. Alex’s breath is shaky as he watches him in turn.

“See? This can be just as hot. Maybe even hotter,” Henry notes. “Mutual masturbation can really do the trick too. It’s a different way of thinking about touch.”

Alex nods in agreement or understanding as he leans over, lips already searching. Henry kisses him at once. It’s heated and messy and only spurs them both on. The bed shakes as they both work to get themselves off feverishly, the two whimpering and moaning as they go.

Alex’s tongue toys with Henry’s so expertly it makes Henry’s toes curl. It’s too much all at once and Henry’s resolve slips. He comes hard into his fist, gasping into Alex’s mouth.

He rests his forehead against Alex’s as the man reaches his end a few beats later. Henry’s eyes are glued on the sight, his throat dry watching Alex’s release spill onto his hand and stomach. The urge to taste him is overwhelming. It takes every bit of restraint he has not to lick him clean.

Alex’s breaths are shaky as they fan across Henry’s face.

“How’d I do?” Alex asks, voice strained. He pulls back enough to look Henry fully in the face. His eyes are bright and wild and Henry would bet every dollar he has that he looks exactly like this too.

He outstretches a hand, tucking it under Alex’s chin.

“Top marks, Mr. Claremont-Diaz. Ten out of bloody ten.”

~*~*~

Minneapolis, MN Day 2

The excitement for the Crescent Valley special seems to have taken on new life the following day. At the convention center this morning, it felt as if every other person Henry walked past was speculating about the show, shooting off their headcanons and best guesses at what the writers had planned. Much like yesterday, Henry felt like a fly on the wall, a spy behind enemy lines getting intel on the ground.

The cast has been privy to it all. After their signing, they all sat around backstage talking about all the messages they’ve been receiving from fans all over the world. Henry couldn’t wrap his mind around that, a life in the public eye where people from all corners of the earth knew his name and cared so deeply about the work he was doing that they’d invest so much of their time and energy into it.

Henry tagged along with Alex to the cast photoshoot downtown. Once more he was struck by just how different his life was from Alex’s and the way even Alex himself seemed to be two people in one. When the cameras were on him, he could bring forth a version of himself that fit the celebrity bill to a tee. But the second he was off on the sides, away from the spotlight, he was his down to earth self, making jokes and keeping things fun for everyone around him.

Upon their return to their hotel, they head to their respective rooms with promises to see each other again soon.

In his room alone, Henry feels antsy for reasons he can’t explain. He watches a few episodes of Crescent Valley which is quickly (and still secretly) becoming his biggest guilty pleasure before he decides watching Alex on screen is no substitute for the real thing. He grabs his laptop and leaves his room, marching down the hall to Alex’s.

He knocks twice and stands back, running a hand through his hair, his brows lifting as Alex answers the door, a towel wrapped low on his hips, body glistening with water.

“Sorry, did you text me? I must have missed it.”

Henry shakes his head, mouth suddenly very dry.

“No, I thought I’d swing by, but I definitely should have reached out first. I didn’t mean to catch you at a bad time.”

“Don’t be ridiculous; come in.”

Henry tears his eyes away from Alex’s damp torso, in particular the water droplet that makes its way down from his chest to the towel at his hips.

He steps inside of Alex’s room.

“What brings you by? Missed me already?” he teases, unknowingly hitting right on the truth.

Alex slips on a shirt, the fabric quickly blooming wet spots from Alex’s fresh-out-the-shower skin.

Henry turns away, letting him get dressed with some modicum of privacy.

“I wanted to share the preliminary draft pages I worked on yesterday. I know I could have emailed them and you could make edits in the doc, but I thought it might be more helpful to go over it together in person so we could talk through any suggestions or changes you might have.”

Alex comes into view from behind him and takes a seat on one of the two single seater armchairs in the room. He’s fully clothed now which is both a relief and a disappointment. Henry switches off the side of his brain that feels the latter.

Rule number one of this arrangement could not be any clearer. The book will always be their top priority.

Henry sits in the chair opposite Alex and sets his laptop down on the round table between them, opening up the document.

Alex pulls the laptop forward and Henry anxiously watches as Alex starts to read. Henry kicks himself then. Maybe he really should have simply shot Alex an email. Watching his reaction in real time is nerve-wracking even though Alex seems to be enjoying it.

“We’ve really been spending a lot of time together, haven’t we?” Alex says, looking over the top of the laptop at Henry when he’s done. “You’ve got my voice down so well. This is actually kind of scary. You see, this is why we wanted you. You’re incredible at what you do.”

Henry laughs and waves him off. “It’s nothing.”

Alex shakes his head. “It’s a gift, Henry. You’re like a shapeshifter. You forget, I’ve seen the samples from your previous works. Each piece is so singular. It’s wild to know you’re behind them all.”

Henry blushes a bit at the compliment. “That means a lot, thank you.”

Alex sets the computer aside.

“You’re always asking questions about me, let’s switch it up.”

Henry laughs. “I’m not the one with a memoir due out, now am I?”

“Hmm, no. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to learn more about you. So, tell me. Do you think you’d ever write a book of your own?”

Henry rubs the back of his neck. It’s strange being the one under the spotlight, even in a harmless moment like this where it’s just the two of them.

“I’ve thought about it before. More than that, I’ve made attempts, but I don’t know. I think I’ve gotten so used to losing myself in other people, I’m not sure there’s much of me left.”

Alex searches his eyes.

“You clearly have a voice, Henry. People already pay good money for it. Just imagine when it’s your own stories on those pages.”

Henry smiles. “I’ve started quite a few stories. But ghostwriting, it’s been steady, sure work.”

“But are you passionate about it?” Alex asks and Henry is a bit taken aback by how effortlessly Alex seems to see right through to the heart of the matter.

“That book you had with you that night in New York, the gamer guy. You didn’t look happy at all sitting there with it.”

Henry shrugs. “I was having a bit of doubt around my career when we met, yes. I’m sure these aren’t words you want to hear from the man currently working on your book.”

Alex waves him off. “At least it’s the truth. You should be excited about what you do. Writing is clearly what you’re good at. The way you’re able to voice all these different people, I can only imagine the characters you dream up. I’d hate for you to get a bad association with writing if you keep cranking out books that don’t motivate you.”

Henry frowns.

“I am excited about working on this one with you,” he says.

Alex smirks. “Well, yeah, that’s because I’m awesome and who wouldn’t want to spend every waking moment with me? I’m a goddamn delight,” he jokes before growing serious again, leaning forward a little and holding Henry’s gaze.

“Can you promise me something, Hen? After you’re done with our book, can you get back to one of yours?”

“Your book,” Henry corrects. Alex jokingly snarls. “But fine, yes. I’ll try with it again.”

“Good because I really think you should go for it for real this time. You’ve got far too much talent to let your words just sit on your laptop or for your characters to only live in your head. The world needs to hear you and know your name.”

“You know, if acting ever stops working for you, you’d make a killing as a motivational speaker,” Henry says.

Alex laughs and closes the laptop.

“We’ll call that plan B. I like keeping my options open.”

He gets up and stretches out on his bed, propping his head up on his hand and looking at Henry.

“It’s much comfier over here,” he says.

Henry laughs softly at the not so subtle invitation, but he gets up and lays beside Alex, staring up at the ceiling. He can feel Alex’s eyes on him, feel the warmth of the man’s body so close to his. Most of all, he can feel the growing tension between them, born out of nothing more than simply being next to each other and sharing space.

Some distant part of Henry’s brain cautions him against this, telling him to somehow scale back this very obvious attraction he feels towards Alex, but at this point, it’s as natural as breathing. He couldn’t help it if he tried.

He turns his head and Alex is right there, bright eyes already fixed on him.

“Since we’re doing things a little differently tonight,” Henry says, “how about we apply that to today’s lesson as well?”

Alex’s brows furrow.

“How so?”

“It’s important to know what your partner is into, how they like to be touched and handled. You’ve been doing really well with that, but I realize, it’s been a bit one-sided.”

Alex shifts slightly, still looking perplexed.

“I like how things have been going.”

“That might be so, but I want you to enjoy this too. These lessons have been about teaching you how best to work with your partner, but you should be able to know how to advocate for what you want as well.”

“Again, for the record, I have in fact been enjoying the hell out of myself. But I get what you mean and I appreciate it.”

Henry nods. “So, with that in mind, if you’re up for it, I’d like for us to focus solely on your pleasure and your needs tonight.”

In the quiet of the room, Henry can perfectly hear the breath that falls from Alex’s lips. To his credit, Alex quickly composes himself and nods.

“Yeah, I’d be alright with that.”

Henry smiles and leans forward slowly, watching Alex’s lips part in anticipation for him before he presses their mouths together. Alex all but melts into him and Henry is right there with his arms circling his waist at once.

They take their time, hands wandering along the slopes of each other's bodies, their tongues savoring each other’s taste. Henry can’t imagine he could ever grow tired of kissing Alex and, distantly, he thinks of the fact that one day very soon, this will all come to an end.

He pushes the thought from mind, opting instead to focus on this present moment where Alex is his alone.

Henry breaks the kiss first, but his lips don’t go far. He peppers a trail of kisses along Alex’s jaw as the man tangles his fingers in his hair.

Henry lets out a soft sound as Alex tugs and presses their bodies closer, rolling his hips forward, rutting up against him. Henry grinds back, stifling a groan at how half hard Alex is already.

“Tell me what you want most right now.”

Alex sighs, tightening his grip on Henry’s strands. Henry can hear the sharp inhale he takes.

“I want you to go down on me,” Alex rasps, breath catching as Henry continues dropping kisses on his skin.

“With pleasure,” Henry whispers against the shell of Alex’s ear, nipping gently on the man’s earlobe. He earns a deep moan in response.

Alex sinks back down against the bed, reaching for his jeans but Henry shakes his head and takes a hold of his hands.

“Allow me.”

Alex mutters a curse under his breath, his brown eyes growing darker still as he nods. Henry lets go of Alex’s hands and the man settles more, his arms folding behind his head as Henry begins to undo his jeans.

“Enjoying the view, are we?” Henry teases.

Alex grins shamelessly and shrugs.

“A guy could get used to this.”

Henry laughs and places a kiss against his hip before removing the rest of his clothes. He’s hardly a stranger to Alex’s body but still, being faced with it like this makes him a bit speechless.

He runs his hands up the length of Alex’s thighs which the man spreads, a silent invitation to all of him.

Henry curses. Alex merely smirks.

How could it be that one person can be both his salvation and damnation?

Henry lays on his stomach and skims his fingers along Alex’s inner thighs and feels the instant tremor in the man’s legs, watching how much his cock stiffens almost instantly. A pearl of precome gathers at this tip. Henry’s eager to taste it.

He decides to take mercy on them both and takes a hold of Alex’s cock, giving him a few steady strokes before taking him slowly into his mouth.

“Thank God, I was about to start begging,” Alex huffs.

Henry smiles to himself.

“Damn, should have held out a moment longer,” he teases before sucking softly on the tip of Alex’s cock, still taking his time but giving Alex enough to know he’s not being toyed with.

“Henry.” The name falls from his tongue in a fierce growl.

When those rich brown eyes land on him, Henry hardly recognizes them. Gone is the humor, the teasing.

In its place is something so carnal and exact it pierces right through Henry and leaves him aching for more. He opens his mouth further and takes more of Alex. He closes his eyes and moans, letting his tongue swirl on the underside of the man’s cock. He massages his balls, squeezing them here and there as he goes.

Alex’s hips tip upwards and Henry pays close attention to what techniques get the biggest reactions from Alex.

The man is never shy or unresponsive in the bedroom and now more than ever, Henry appreciates how vocal Alex can be.

He repeats his ministrations, all too pleased to hear every sound his actions coax out of Alex.

He takes him down deeper, his jaw slackening to accommodate. Henry feels his eyes water a little, but he keeps going, a deep moan emitting from him as Alex’s cock hits the back of his throat.

Alex trembles like never before. Henry half expects him to be levitating, suspended in some other plane of existence entirely. It only makes Henry double down. He can taste Alex on his tongue, feel the early traces of his release. Alex is right there teetering on the edge.

Henry keeps his touches deliberate, the tips of his fingers gently skimming across Alex’s inner thighs once more.

“Fuck,” the man hisses from above. Henry looks at him, feeling himself harden at the sight of Alex covering his mouth with the back of his hand, his fingers curling into a fist.

Noted, Henry thinks to himself, pleased to discover one of Alex’s weaknesses.

“Wait,” Alex chokes out.

Henry pulls away immediately and takes the time to catch his breath.

“I want…,” Alex rasps. “Fuck, I don’t want to you to stop, but I don’t want to come like this. I want…I don’t know.”

“More?” Henry asks. Alex nods heavily, his legs trembling.

Henry places a kiss on each of Alex’s thighs before getting up on his knees.

“I need you to be specific then. More could mean anything.”

Heat rushes to Alex’s already flushed face.

“Well, if we’re keeping with the theme of doing things a bit different…I, uh, I kinda want to try something new. I didn’t put it on the syllabus because we didn’t do it that night and, well, I don’t even know if it’s something you’d be into.”

Alex sighs, picking absentmindedly at the bedding.

“This would completely blow past other steps we should probably take first, but it’d be so…it would be everything. God, this is embarrassing as hell.”

Henry places a reassuring hand on Alex’s knee.

“It’s okay. We can talk about it. What’s going on?”

Alex licks his lips and looks away, still picking away at the bedspread before catching Henry’s eye again.

“Since you’re down there, I mean, I wouldn’t exactly be opposed to feeling your mouth elsewhere…or your tongue. God, don’t make me say it. Is that specific enough?”

Henry quirks a brow. “I think so,” he says, gently slipping a hand under Alex’s ass, his thumb ghosting over his entrance. Henry stares at him, silently asking.

Alex shivers, eyes fluttering for a moment as a look of relief washes over his face.

“Yeah, I wanna feel you there,” he says as he settles back, taking a breath. “I want to know what it’s like. I've seen videos and I’ve…always wondered.”

Henry brushes his thumb against him again as he nods.

“Let’s not keep you waiting then, love.”

Alex’s eyes go comically wide.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously,” Henry echoes.

This may indeed be more advanced than where they are in Alex’s outline, but Henry reasons it’s a worthy exception. It’d be a different case if the roles were reversed. He knows what he’s doing here and Henry is a man of his word. This is something Alex has been curious about and he’ll provide a safe space for him to explore it.

Henry grabs a pillow and descends again. He positions the pillow under Alex right on his lower back, giving himself better access. Alex takes a deep breath and swallows hard.

“Doing okay?” Henry asks, lightly stroking Alex’s cock.

Alex nods twice. “Yeah, keep going. I’m ready,” he assures.

Henry smiles at him before turning his attention to Alex’s entrance. He maintains his hold on Alex’s cock and licks experimentally at his rim.

Alex cries out sharply, his cock twitching, a telltale sign of his arousal at this new development.

“Holy shit. That’s it. Again, sweetheart, please,” Alex sputters.

Henry doesn’t hesitate. He licks again, slower this time before swirling his tongue. Alex huffs out a rough breath. Henry repeats the move over and over, taking his time and letting Alex truly experience these new sensations.

Alex opens beautifully for him. Henry’s own cock feels heavy between his legs but he ignores it, so focused and devoted to the task of pleasuring Alex as he wants.

His tongue delves in deeper, gently probing now, and greedily searching. Alex’s whole body twitches. He gets a hand in Henry’s hair and tugs.

“Oh, my fucking god,” Alex chokes out, his legs instinctively trying to squeeze shut. But with Henry so firmly in place, the move merely traps Henry further.

He lets out a moan, knowing the vibrations will only heighten the sensations coursing through Alex. He gets his confirmation as Alex lets loose another curse, his breaths raspy and uneven.

Henry’s hand continues to pump Alex’s shaft. He can feel Alex’s resolve slipping in the way his cock drips and his walls tighten. But Henry doesn’t let up; he takes these cues as motivation to keep going, to dive deeper inside of Alex, leaving every bit of Alex explored. He can feel Alex’s walls clenching more as he gets more vocal. Alex fucks into his fist, back arching a bit before he thrashes against the bed.

A flurry of curses and moans fall from Alex’s lips. Henry’s thumb encircles the head of Alex’s leaking cock as he rolls his tongue inside him once more. He nibbles softly, smirking as Alex cries out again. Henry could spend hours like this, but from Alex’s sharp reactions, he knows it’s only a matter of time before he breaks.

Henry rolls his tongue faster, squeezing Alex just under the head of his cock. Alex shudders hard and grabs a fist full of Henry’s hair, panting and riding his tongue, begging Henry not to stop.

It’s a pointless request as Henry has absolutely no intentions of slowing down, let alone cutting things short all together. He strokes Alex again, getting lost inside Alex and sending another moan through him.

Alex slams his other hand down against the bed and makes a choked sound before crying out as he reaches his end. His release coats Henry’s fist, makes a mess of his fingers but Henry doesn’t stop. He carries Alex through his orgasm, delighting in the soft broken sounds that escape his mouth as he rides out the wave.

It’s only when Alex falls back against the bed and stills that Henry resurfaces.

He finds Alex still catching his breath, his fixed to one spot on the ceiling, eyelashes and cheeks wet. Henry settles into the spot beside Alex and kisses his shoulder lightly.

“I’m starting to think you aren’t actually real. Or maybe you're like, some kind of sex god that got put in that bar that night to completely wreck me,” Alex muses, turning his head to face him.

Henry laughs. “I’m going to hold you personally responsible when I inevitably turn into a raging egomaniac.”

Alex shakes his head. “You’d deserve to gloat. Fuck, you’re really a pro at all this stuff.”

A smile works its way onto Henry’s face as he props his head up on his clean hand.

He sucks his index finger into his mouth, eyes fixed on Alex’s as he tastes him. Alex stares in stunned silence for a moment before he curses.

“Years at all-boys boarding schools will do that to a person,” Henry says, picking back up the conversation as if nothing has happened. “I’m glad I could make you feel good.”

Alex shakes his head as if to clear it.

“We can safely add that to the list of things I like,” Alex says. “Shit, that’s officially in first place actually.”

Henry laughs. “Welcome to the exciting world of rimming.”

“I really like it here. I’m moving in as we speak.”

Alex laughs breathlessly and searches Henry’s eyes for a moment, a bit of uncertainty in his gaze the longer he stares. He reaches out a hand and traces the curve of Henry’s bottom lip with his knuckles.

Henry wonders if Alex even realizes how intimate his little touches can be.

“We’re still doing what I want, right?” Alex asks, lowering his hand.

Henry can still feel his touch like a phantom sensation on his lip.

He nods slowly, curious what Alex has in mind.

“The night is completely yours, yes.”

Alex looks down between Henry’s legs where his sweatpants do absolutely nothing to hide his arousal.

Alex clenches his jaw, the muscle flexing. He looks away again, back at Henry’s face. His fingertips ghost along Henry’s inner arm instead now.

Henry can feel goosebumps rise in their wake. Truly, did Alex not know how much he was making him come undone with these subtleties?

“In that case, I want to watch you get yourself off and when you do, I want it to be on me.”

Henry’s brows shoot up to his hairline.

“Is that too much?” Alex asks.

Henry quickly shakes his head to dispel his worries.

“Not at all. I’m just surprised. I didn’t see that request coming.”

Alex laughs deeply.

“Hey, man. I haven’t stopped thinking about you touching yourself since that one magical night. You can’t give me an experience like that and not expect me to want a repeat.”

Henry laughs. “I never said I had any objections,” he counters smoothly, already reaching for his waistband and slipping out of his sweats and boxer briefs in one fell swoop.

“In fact, I’d be all too happy and willing to oblige.”

He switches his position and straddles Alex’s waist, settling on top of him, his messy right hand already on his own slick cock. It’s filthy, but Henry hardly cares and judging by how hard Alex swallows and stares up at him, the other man doesn’t mind either.

Henry doesn’t bat an eyelash as he sets a slow rhythm on himself and stares back, anchoring his free hand to the center of Alex’s abdomen.

“This is so fucking hot,” Alex murmurs, rubbing circles against Henry’s thighs at once.

Henry laughs softly before growing serious again, keeping his eyes trained on Alex’s face. He rolls his hips over him, moaning at the feel of Alex’s spent cock against his ass.

The way Alex looks at him, so intent with sheer wonder, it makes it easy to slip up and forget that this isn’t something Henry gets to keep.

“You’re so goddamn gorgeous like this, Henry. Seriously. Shit. So, so beautiful and good for me.”

Henry shivers at that, basking in the praise. He grinds once more against Alex’s cock, biting back on his lower lip.

Alex reaches a hand forward and tugs Henry’s lip free with his thumb.

“I want to hear you when you lose it. Don’t get quiet on me. I want to know how badly this gets to you, sweetheart.”

“Christ, Alex,” he mutters, feeling the command squarely between his legs.

Henry teases his slit, hissing at how sensitive the flesh is. He lets out a moan unabashedly as he trembles.

“Good. Just like that,” Alex whispers and Henry has no clue how the power dynamic has shifted, but he feels so desperate to keep hearing Alex talk to him like this.

He can see the moment it fully clicks too in Alex’s eyes. That wicked smirk Henry has been obsessed with since day one makes its way onto Alex’s lips.

“You like that, don’t you? Being good for me? Putting on a show only I can see?”

Henry gasps, his hand moving faster along his shaft. His throat feels dry, his heart racing, but he doesn’t let up for even a second. He nods obediently and whimpers in response.

“Yeah, I can tell you do,” Alex continues, rubbing Henry’s thighs again.

A keening noise slips from Henry’s lips.

“You like being all mine. Having me watch you. It drives you crazy, doesn’t it? I bet you want me to touch you. But I know you can continue being good for me. I know you can get yourself there. Go ahead. Show me how good you can be, sweetheart.”

Alex’s hands find their way to his ass and grip Henry tightly. Henry arches his back and cries out, his hips rolling once more, cock leaking. He encircles his tip with his thumb, staring into Alex’s hungry eyes as his palm slides up and down his throbbing shaft.

“I’m so close,” Henry pants.

“I know. Let it out. You’ve been so good. You’ve earned this. Come for me. Nice and hard, baby, right on me.”

It’s the pet name most of all that sends Henry careening off the edge. He moans Alex’s name as he comes, his body shaking with the sheer force of it.

His release paints streaks across Alex’s stomach and chest. Henry can feel his face flush seeing just how hard his orgasm hits, the rivulets of his finish thick against Alex's skin. But Alex’s darkened eyes eliminate any fear or concern that this is all too much.

Alex sits up just enough to kiss him. It’s heated and sloppy and Henry can’t get enough of it. He strokes Alex’s cheek as they kiss, moaning into the man’s mouth. It takes every bit of his willpower to pull away.

“Maybe we should add that to the syllabus?” Alex says. “We kinda slipped into new territory there with dirty talk at the end. Are you okay? I’m sorry if I went too far.”

Henry leans in and kisses Alex twice. “Not in the least,” he assures.

“We’ll call that extra credit, but yes. We can cover that down the line if you want, but I’m telling you right now, you don’t actually need instruction there. As you saw firsthand, it’s another thing I enjoy and you’re damn good at it. Scary good. Don’t be afraid to lean into that with me. It's fully encouraged.”

He smiles at Alex who looks relieved. Henry kisses his cheek. He looks down at the complete mess of their bodies, perhaps more aroused than he ought to be at the sight.

“Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

“Let’s get us cleaned up. Shower with me? I wouldn’t say no to round two in there,” Alex says, wiggling his brows.

Henry shakes his head in disbelief.

“It’s going to be a long night, isn’t it?”

Alex searches his eyes, his head tipping to the side, his curls falling over his eyes. It’s far more adorable than a scenario like this should be, but it makes Henry weak; he knows he can’t resist Alex when the man looks like this. He suspects Alex is aware too as his perfect mouth curls into a smirk and he replies.

“Yeah, but I promise, you’re going to love every second of it.”

~*~*~

Memphis, TN Comic and Fantasy Convention Day 1

“How far are you into the show?” Alex as he sits cross-legged on his hotel bed.

Henry sits at the desk in Alex’s room with his laptop out, taking advantage of the fact that they’re still wired from traveling. They arrived in Memphis a mere four hours ago ahead of tomorrow’s convention. It only gave them enough time to grab a bite and scrub the smell and germs of the airport and Uber off themselves before checking in.

The pace at which Alex hops on flights and gets settled into new cities is mind-boggling, but Henry is grateful that at least this time around, they’re actually in the same time zone from the last city they were in.

He has to admit, it is exciting. But he can’t help but to wonder what it would be like doing this alone like Alex ordinarily does.

He makes a note to himself in his document to ask Alex about that at some point.

“Just started series three,” Henry says. “I’ve been live texting Pez. Rather, he’s been ambushing me with messages, asking after my progress. He still can’t believe I’m touring with you. Crescent Valley was so major to him when we were at school. He’d beg me to watch, but I never did and somehow I managed to miss one of the greatest cultural phenomenons of our generation.”

Alex smiles. “You ever think about how differently that night in New York would have gone had you known who I was?”

Henry pauses and considers how to answer. After getting the shock of his life in going to that lunch and finding himself seated with none other than the man he’d slept with the night before who, on top of that, turned out to be a celebrity was (and still remained) hard to fully wrap his mind around.

Henry’s simply glad for the fact that he and Alex have been able to make the most of it, to actually become friends despite the rocky start.

“I have. But I think I prefer the course it actually took. Makes for a more compelling story,” he says.

Henry falters for a moment.

“If I had recognized you though, do you think you would have still gone through with it all?”

Alex smiles thoughtfully. “It wouldn’t have changed how I felt…or what I wanted with you. I wouldn’t have been able to resist.”

Henry searches his eyes and feels his heart beat a little faster at Alex’s candor as he tries not to think too heavily on the implications of Alex’s words. Whatever the risk might have been, Alex deemed him worth it.

He licks his lips and forces himself to look away, to break the spell of Alex’s eyes.

“Let’s talk about the early days of your career,” Henry says, grabbing his phone and opening the voice app to record.

“According to your Wiki page, you got your start doing commercials as a child in Austin. Is that true?” Henry asks.

“As you can imagine after looking at me now, I was freaking adorable as a kid. I think I had too much personality and energy to contain inside the house without driving my family crazy. I’ve always felt comfortable in front of people and playing pretend. It seemed like a natural fit. I could lose myself in a role. During the times my parents’ fights got to be too loud, I’d just go into the backyard and dream up another life for myself time and time again.”

Alex shifts on the bed, grabbing a pillow and dropping it into his lap.

“I booked a few local spots and moved on to theater. That opened up a whole new avenue and I think that’s when I fully realized just how much I loved inhabiting a character and getting to work off other people’s energy. With commercials, it was a few lines here and there. You’d film that one day, maybe two depending on the situation and then you’d move on. But with the stage, I got to live and breathe those characters on a daily basis. It was straight up magic.”

Henry smiles.

“What prompted you to then find a bigger stage? A life in California doing television and film?”

Alex mulls it over for a moment.

“I started to feel like a big fish in a little pond. And I don’t mean to sound like an asshole, like theater was somehow beneath me or something. I’ll always love stagework and honestly, I’d love to return to it someday. I just…felt a calling elsewhere at that time as I got older. I felt myself being pulled out there.”

Alex grows quiet for a moment as he travels back in his memories.

“It was an open call for Crescent Valley,” Alex says. “Looking back on it, I honestly still can’t believe that from the thousands of guys who auditioned, they saw something unique in me to say, ‘yeah, that’s who this show needs in this role’. I’ve never been one to believe in fate and all that stuff, but when something life-changing like this happens to you, it’s kinda hard to rule it out completely.”

Henry smiles to himself. The action must not go unnoticed.

“What?” Alex asks.

Henry looks at him and shrugs.

“Nothing. It’s interesting hearing you talk sometimes. You’re a bit of a romantic.”

Alex seems to consider this for a moment.

“Certain things bring it out of me.”

Henry wonders if the same could be said about people.

Henry gets them back on track and he digs further into asking questions about Alex’s career, his foray into film as well. Alex is such a great conversationalist, his stories always laced with humor and interesting asides. It makes Henry all the more excited about working deeper on the preliminary pages and delving further with his voice for these segments.

They talk for another hour but it hardly feels laborious or tiring. It hardly even feels like work at all. Ultimately Henry puts a pin in their talk when he notes the hour. It’s creeping close to midnight and Alex has an early morning phone interview ahead of the con and Henry wants to work on transcribing this conversation.

“Calling it a night so soon?” Alex says, as if he doesn’t have a busy day ahead of himself.

Henry laughs and swivels around to look at him. Alex is still seated on the bed, but his arms are outstretched behind him. It’s a casual pose, though something in his eyes betrays the effect.

“Do I sense the next item on the syllabus coming to the forefront with mere minutes to spare before a brand new day?”

Henry has the document cemented in his mind. He knows exactly what lesson is next.

Oral.

Alex shrugs. “I’m not tired. Are you?”

Henry can’t resist taking the bait. He can pull an all-nighter after this.

“I’ll defer to you. How would you like the practical to go?”

Alex smiles, his expression a bit thoughtful.

“In Minnesota, you were incredible. Bold even,” he continues. “I’ve been wanting to put into practice the things you did to me and I’d love to figure out what makes you tick too.”

Henry is certain his face is red. He can feel warmth flood his cheeks, curious as to how often Alex allows himself to picture it.

“If that’s what you want, then yes.”

Alex looks at him, shaking his head slightly.

“Is it something you’d want?” Alex counters, moving the pillow off of himself.

Henry mirrors his stare.

“Of course,” he says, seeing little use in pretending otherwise.

“Then let me hear you say it plainly. I won’t lay a single finger on you unless I know you want it too.”

Henry’s heart races, beats right up to his throat. He keeps his face as neutral as he can as he speaks though, inside, his mind is a riot.

“I want you on your knees for me, Alex. I want you to taste me.”

Alex breathes a little heavier but he doesn’t say a word as he gets up and crosses the small space between them to where Henry sits at the desk. He settles on Henry’s lap and immediately Henry feels his own cock stiffen in response. Alex’s confidence is extremely attractive. His body can’t help but to react to it.

“I know how much you like the buildup,” Alex says quietly, running a hand slowly up under Henry’s shirt, his palm skimming his bare skin.

Henry shivers. Alex merely smirks.

“I’ll give you what you want. I’ll take my time with you.”

He leans in and kisses Henry, his mouth inviting and all too familiar. Henry feels his body relax further as they kiss. Alex’s thumb rubs against his nipple and Henry trembles in response. He can feel Alex smiling once more against his lips before doing it again on the other side. Henry can feel the delicate skin grow harder, among other things.

From his position on his lap, Henry knows Alex can feel it too.

Alex’s touch is feather-light as his hand brushes Henry between his legs for the briefest of seconds. It’s downright tortuous, but Henry wouldn’t have it any other way. He kisses Alex with renewed vigor, his right hand slipping into the man’s hair and pulling him closer. He opens his mouth to Alex, letting their tongues meet. Alex’s hand slips under Henry’s shirt once more, fingernails scratching teasingly down across his skin. Henry’s hips jerk forward on their own accord.

Alex has learned what he likes so well now, keeping up his promise from before and not rushing matters. Henry deepens the kiss, moaning deeply as his fingers continue curling in Alex’s hair and his tongue ensnares Alex’s.

Henry craves more and Alex seems to understand as he grinds down on him. Henry is almost unbearably hard.

Alex pulls away slowly just then and settles down on his knees, peering right up at Henry through his lashes all the while.

Henry shakes his head in disbelief of how gorgeous Alex looks. There’s something sweet yet tantalizing in his gaze. It completely wrecks Henry already.

Alex undoes Henry’s jeans and slips his cock out. His face feels hot Alex takes a hold of him and licks a languid strip up the underside from root to tip.

“Alex,” Henry gasps, clutching the arms of the chair.

He hadn’t been expecting this level of assurance from him right out the gate. Henry doesn’t think he will need to guide Alex much—if at all— through this lesson if he’s hitting the ground running like this.

Alex’s face is the picture of innocence, as if he has no clue the kind of frenzy he’s causing to flare up inside Henry now. He repeats the move and Henry thinks he’s prepared for it, but he’s quickly thrown off in the best way as Alex’s lips wrap around the head of his cock and he begins to suck.

Henry’s knuckles turn even whiter as he grips the chair tighter still as he studies the way Alex’s pretty mouth looks wrapped around him.

“Someone’s been doing some studying on the side I see,” he manages to say, his voice wavering.

Alex smirks and it’s so unbelievably sexy to see the mischievous sparkle in his eyes. He slips Henry out of his mouth.

“Oh, you do not want to see my browser history,” he says before taking him in again.

Henry sucks in a breath. “Actually, I think I would rather enjoy a peek at that.”

Alex laughs before sobering up and focusing his attention once more. He pumps his hand along the hilt of Henry’s cock as his tongue swirls around the head. Henry feels overstimulated in a good way, his whole body buzzing as Alex works him over.

Alex plants his left hand on Henry’s thigh and takes in more of his length a bit quickly.

“Nice and slow, darling,” Henry gently reminds him. “You’re doing so well,” he continues, running his fingers through Alex’s curls.

Alex slows his pace again and sets a rhythm as his head angles this way and that way, moaning deeply as he sucks Henry off.

“There you go,” Henry says softly, cock throbbing at the attention to it. “It’s like your mouth was made just for me.”

Alex glances up at him, eyelashes casting shadows against his sharp cheekbones. Henry can barely handle the sight of his perfect full lips wrapped around his cock. It takes everything in Henry not to thrust forward and fuck into the wet heat of his mouth. It’s a close thing as Alex blinks prettily and takes him in just a bit more, clearly testing his own limits.

Alex’s tongue is relentless, snaking around his length with ease. Henry murmurs continued praise, his body feeling limp as Alex tends to him.

After a moment, Alex slips off of him, but his hand is right there without missing a beat, jerking him off as his tongue laps against one of his balls.

Henry jerks forward involuntarily. Alex peers up at him, a question in his eyes. Henry merely brushes his curls off his forehead.

“Keep going, love. That feels amazing.”

Alex nods once and licks again before popping one of his balls into his mouth. Henry groans, grip tightening on Alex’s curls as he gently rolling his hips. Alex gives the same treatment to his other ball before getting his glorious mouth back on Henry’s cock.

Henry shudders feeling Alex’s tongue run along his shaft once more. He feels like he could just about explode.

“Alex, I’m not going to last much longer,” he warns, the pressure in the pit of his stomach reaching a fever pitch.

Alex doesn’t break his stride, not even a little. It’s almost as if he hasn’t heard Henry at all. His head bobs as he sucks him off, his tongue brushing here and there. The combination feels so good, Henry can only surrender to it further.

“Alex,” he cautions again more firmly, but the man doesn’t relent. He merely locks eyes with Henry and slackens his jaw a little as he kneads Henry’s balls.

Henry bites back on his lower lip at Alex’s tightening grip, his tongue pressing a sensitive spot just under the head of his cock and Henry loses it instantly.

His body shudders as he comes, a soft laugh falling from his lips. His instinct is to close his eyes and ride it out, but he refuses to deprive himself of the sight of Alex nestled between his legs, dutifully taking him, tasting him as requested.

The sight is downright obscene. Alex swallows down what he can, but his mouth is a mess as Henry’s release drips down from the corners. He can’t look away, especially with how Alex smirks and stares back almost defiantly.

Henry takes a breath as he comes back down to earth.

Alex merely wipes at his lips and chin with the back of his hand.

“Come here,” Henry says, his voice completely shot as he pats his leg twice.

Alex gets to his feet shakily and perches in Henry’s lap again. He looks to Henry expectantly, searching his eyes.

Henry cups his face, eyes drifting to Alex’s mouth.

“Was that okay? Should I have done anything differently?” Alex asks, wrapping an arm around Henry’s shoulders.

Henry leans in and kisses him deeply, tasting himself on Alex’s tongue as he explores his mouth. It only drives him madder. Alex gets his fingers in his hair, kissing him back roughly.

“I guess I was pretty decent then if you’ve got no compliments, huh?” Alex remarks in between kisses.

Henry laughs in spite of himself.

“You’re an absolute menace. Did you know that?”

“I’m sure I have no idea what you mean. I’m a goddamn saint.”

Henry rolls his eyes and kisses the tip of Alex’s nose.

“Shall I get you off?” he asks. “You must be like a rock right now.”

Alex smiles. “It’s nothing I can’t handle in the shower.”

Henry makes a wounded sound in the back of his throat at the mental image.

Alex cackles and kisses him, taking a hold of Henry’s hand and slipping it into his pants. Henry shivers as he grasps him.

It’s just as he suspected. He’s so hard and wet, Henry knows it won’t take much to get Alex to finish. He brushes his thumb back and forth along the man’s shaft. Alex’s eyes flutter at the sensation. He hums softly, lightly combing his fingers through the hair at the back of Henry’s head.

“I mean, I guess you could do it for me. That wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world,” he muses.

Henry laughs and kisses him again, stroking his cock in earnest as they get lost in each other. He can’t get enough of the way Alex responds to him, hips jerking forward, moans pouring from his mouth, goosebumps blooming on his skin all because of him.

Surely, he thinks, they both have lost their minds for getting tangled up in this arrangement. But Henry is so grateful for it. Once upon a time, he used to be the most straight-laced individual in the world. Now that he knows this life of recklessness, he’s not entirely sure he could ever go back completely.

Henry breaks their kiss and begins sucking on Alex’s clavicle.

Alex all out fucks into his fist, soft grunts emitting from him. Henry is obsessed with it all. He bites down on Alex’s collarbone and sucks harder, letting the tip of his tongue skim along the spot he’s bitten.

Alex moans his name and Henry quickens his speed against his shaft, tightening his grip as Alex bucks forward over and over again until his breath catches. He goes flying over the edge and Henry diligently helps him through the aftershocks, kissing up to his neck, along his jawline, and back to his lips.

“Dammit, Henry,” Alex hisses against his mouth, taking a few heavy breaths. “I can’t get enough of you.”

Henry rests his forehead on Alex’s and pecks his lips once.

“Darling, there’s no limit. You can have it all.”

#rwrb fic #red white and royal blue #firstprince #henry fox mountchristen windsor #alex claremont diaz #userthai #tusersonia #tuserpaige #usernicholas #usersteen #tusersilence #userjamiec #lookstevie #kimmy writes

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lowrezbonuslevel · 11 months

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since I've noticed the panel is still pretty empty I might as well add on a few more characters: how about, Captain Vul: Did I let the stove on? Sailor Dee does not know the answer to this question. However, Mace Knight does.

Here they are! (Sorry it took so long!!)

Here's the original challenge post. (I already have a request for "doing mental math," so I'll update the chart when I post that one.)

Thanks for the request. The Halberd Crew needs to appear more often! (On this blog, but also in the games. PLEASE HAL!!!)

#kirby #lrblev art #lrbbox #drawing challenge #captain vul #mace knight #sailor waddle dee #sailor dee #i hope i drew captain vul decently enough #i feel like there just isn't much reference material for him #also i know he's supposed to have like... hands? fingers? but that bothers me so i drew him with feathers lmfao

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smoothie03 · 1 year

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Do the "understand my ship in 5 mins" template with TeuTemp

I'm glad you asked since I've had that one in my drafts for years

Big/Little Spoon:

Idk both give me little spoon vibes if they're together. So they switch with being the big/little spoon.

Lends/Borrows Clothes:

As teens they are around the same height, so they'd be able to borrow or lend clothes equally. Once they're older (IF KT would be alive) Gabriel would tend to borrow clothes since he's shorter.

P.S. I made him shorter as an adult since he was in a dark and unfriendly place during the time he would have had a proper growth spurt.

(Also a correction: canon adult!Gilbert is 178cm, back when I wrote this chart the updates from Hetalia-Collezione didn't exist yet)

Pet Names:

There's no way Gilbert wouldn't call Gabriel a pet name. In fact he'd more likely call him a pet name instead of his actual name.

Suggestions made by my friend (a Prussia kinnie who I created my version of TeuTemp with; so yeah if I need info about Gilbert I just ask them):

-Goldie (bc of his golden-blonde hair and him being a golden child)

-Ghosty (after his death, Gabriel HATES that name and definitely hit him softly on the head for that one)

(If anyone has more suggestions for pet names, I wanna hear them!)

Introverted/Extroverted:

Actually I headcanon it like this:

Gabriel - extraverted introvert

Gilbert - introverted extrovert

Affection through words/actions:

Gabriel is 100% a man of words and songs (yet has difficulties to explain his feelings due to his upringing) and Gilbert isn't. Gilbert is a man of actions. He would brag about YOU surely missing HIM while actually he wants to say that HE misses YOU but god forbid if he said that this directly, ts ts... So yeah, Gilbert is more of an actions guy.

Confession:

Honestly, it depends on whether they already understand their feelings or not. I think it is complicated for them, since they are experiencing their first ever love in an environment that is horrible for gaining such experiences in a time where they would be judged heavily. Gilbert might say that he likes Gabriel at first but without knowing the full context of his "liking" while Gabriel would only tell him once he's sure he loves him but even if he properly confessed first (which is more likely) he'd be a bit more mysterious about it. Aka "Music transcends language and speaks to the heart. If you would like to, we can sing together."

You can't tell me that wasn't KT being hesitant about slowly telling him how he feels. The subtext with his face in that panel tells everything.

Bugs:

Yeah, I think the chart says enough.

Car:

Gabriel, my dude, doesn't even understand what a car is. And even if he knew, he wouldn't want to learn how to drive. He is a passenger princess.

But tbh I think Gilbert prefers being driven around too so if they need to go anywhere, Ludwig drives them. (Also, he might know how to drive but it's honestly a risk even as a "former" personification, since it's apparently common for albinos like him to have struggles with their sight.)

Cooking:

Gabriel grew up with quite a healthy diet, so he would maintain that and cook a lot BUT Gilbert has to introduce him to MORE spices. (I read sth about the Templars' diet but I am not sure how believable my source is)

PDA:

It is self explanatory that Gabriel wouldn't like public displays of affection since it is sth that unalived him once. If Gilbert would ever drag him to a pride parade in modern times, my poor child would still suffer from so much anxiety at the first time because he still feels watched and scared around others.

Protectiveness:

I would say both are very protective towards one another (in a stilll acceptable, healthy way. It isn't a possessive/controlling protectiveness but more like a protectiveness filled by worries due to their dangerous past but they're working on it)

But after Gabriel "d!ed" and if he ever met Gilbert again in modern times you cannot tell me that Gilbert wouldn't be the clingiest and most protective fuck ever and never wants to leave his side again in fear, someone takes his Gabriel away once again.

Meanwhile Gabriel will share a glare of death if he hears that someone tried to hurt/bully Gilbert. His OG reason for living was to protect pilgrims so I'm pretty sure he has a huge protection instinct for his loved ones.

Relationship experience:

They are each other's first love. They have none. But Gabriel is more socially skilled than Gilbert, so he isn't as inexperienced as Gilbert. (Also, he is Francis' cousin. I bet he taught him basic relationship 101.)

Cuddle Level:

They are both cuddly dorks <3 But Gilbert is clingier.

Awkwardness Level:

Both are fucking awkward when it comes to love but Gilbert is less awkward because he either doesn't UNDERSTAND what was going on in one situation or he simply ACTS like he isn't awkward at all (he is. He would even pray and cry around in shame when he touched Hungary before he knew she was a girl)

Meanwhile Gabriel is an overthinker and shows his awkwardness even more visibly than Gilbert. Also he is more aware of the atmosphere around him compared to Gilbert who is a stupid fuck sometimes. (Sorry, sometimes I still have to bully him)

Jealousy Level:

Okay, when I tried making up Gabriel's personality, I tought of flaws and I wanted to make jealousy his main flaw - ironically for him being considered a golden child that has everything but at the same time nothing- but somehow, in the making of the whole TeuTemp dynamic with my friend, Gilbert ended up being the more jealous one, especially in post-KT-"death" AUs.

Probably, because he is also the clingier one.

#teutemp #aph teutonic knights #aph knights templar #aph #hetalia #hetalia knights templar #hws #hws knights templar #hws teutonic knights #prutemp

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lightleckrereins · 1 year

Text

New sixsona update! Guess who edited that top again (just the center panel but still) and finally have nothing against it. Eden Holmes and Lois Ellis Reeves in the Howard and Parr variations of cream. There is something about this variations that finally made this design click and I am incredibly glad it did. And a new detail in the full chart I added B/H chokers to everyone who didn't have it already in those variations because that is a very important detail we were missing.

@sixcostumerefs designed and made periwinkle (light blue)

#six the musical #sixsona #2022 sixsona project #2023 sixsona project #eden holmes #lois reeves

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rxbxlcaptain · 1 year

Text

My Papa, My Stardust Chapter 4

Previous Chapter // AO3

Well, hello there.

It's been, *checks watch* , more than five years since I've updated this story. There was a whole pandemic shoved in the middle of that gap, and I didn't even cram some of this story into lockdown. Cassian Andor has gotten his own show since then! (I liked Andor, honestly, but that canon didn't exist when I wrote this story and, obviously, I have a general disregard for canon anyway. So, we will pay little if not no respect to that show in this fic.

I come with no explanation, only that I got a new computer and in the process of switching over some files from the old to the new, I found the 50k unedited words I once wrote for NaNoWriMo and, well, it turns out continuing an idea you've already drafted is a lot easier than writing from scratch. I hope you enjoy the continuation!

Hyperspace, 5 BBY

“Do organics ever consider how much they miss out on while they sleep?”

Cassian wished he was unfamiliar with such a non sequitur from his droid, especially within the first hour he was awake. Especially when woken up aboard his U-Wing, which did nothing to inspire restful sleep. “Did you run into any Imperial patrols?”

“No,” Kaytuesso answered, turning a dial on the control panel, “But you may want to hear this.”

An Imperial broadcast crackled over the speakers. Cassian hated hearing them, but they generally provided good intel. Even if all news was thoroughly coated in propaganda before being released to the public, nuggets of the truth (or at least leads that needed to be investigated) came through.

A crisp, matter-of-fact announcer boomed out over the broadcast. “ .... are happy to announce the galactic terrorist known by the name Saw Gerrera has, at long last, been captured by the Empire. ”

Cassian’s eyes went wide. He attended several council meetings (always quiet, always observing) over the span of time Gerrera still considered himself a part of the Rebel Alliance. He had never spoken to the man, but Gerrera’s presence spoke for itself in any room he entered.

“How long has this been playing?”

The droid gave its best approximation of a shrug. “Half an hour. The same message has played repeatedly without variation.”

Half an hour. The news was still fresh then. Of all the times to be away from Rebel Intelligence…

“His forces have sown seeds of chaos in every planet they have touched, taken countless lives of Imperial citizens and caused too many to live in fear. No more shall the galaxy live in fear of this terrorist. His execution shall be broadcasted live, tomorrow…”

Saw Gerrera hadn’t been a member of the Alliance for a long time, Cassian knew. By some definitions, he was never a member at all, merely a nuisance in the side of the Alliance. Still, Gerrera stood as a symbol of rebellion and freedom for many. And for Cassian, he often made recruitment easier. After seeing the extreme lengths Gerrera took to fight the Empire, the Alliance seemed tame by comparison, and Cassian had little trouble convincing young and hopeful recruits their rebellious spirits would better serve the Alliance.

But watching the galaxy’s best known rebel be put to death would be a loss the Alliance could afford, ally or not.

“Has headquarters been in contact about this?” Cassian asked the droid, pulling open message channels on his datapad. Draven rarely sent messages while Cassian was in open space, worried about the chance of the message being intercepted, but such an important and public event would surely warrant something.

“We are already returning to base,” Kay answered, “Headquarters would likely not change our orders before we arrive.”

Kay was correct, Cassian discovered quickly. An unlabeled message sat unread in Cassian’s datapad, containing only a sensational headline about Gerrera’s capture. Draven had not added any additional instructions, no plan for a rescue or new coordinates to chart. Proceed as planned, the unvoiced orders said.

The droid glanced towards Cassian. “Should I alter our course?”

“No,” Cassian sighed. “Remain on course for Dantooine.”

Dantooine, 5 BBY

Davitis Draven did not support the rescue mission sent after Saw Gerrera. As far as the general was concerned, Gerrera was a hindrance to the Rebellion rather than an aide to it. Gerrera embodied the horror stories good Imperial mothers told their children at night; his profile decorated target boards at Imperial academies.

More personally, Gerrera caused him only headaches, but Draven was skilled at keeping his personal opinions concealed. So, despite his personal misgivings on the matter, Draven sat with other members of the Alliance brass, eyes glued to the holo portraying Gerrera’s supposed execution and subsequent rescue. Whether the partisan leader was returned to the Alliance in one piece fell somewhere down Draven’s personal hierarchy; keeping the remaining members, and their current base, secret and away from the probing eyes of the Empire, remained the most important.

Somewhere in the middle fell his curiosity of the Imperial scientist Galen Erso. The man was nothing short of a recluse -- nothing highly unusual compared to the scientists Draven had the opportunity to meet over the years, but still worthy of a study nonetheless. Erso’s name floated through intelligence files since the days of the Republic: a name always on the edge of a breakthrough, but never creating something noteworthy enough to become a household name.

Still, this whole ordeal with the scientist’s daughter appearing side by side with one of the galaxy’s fiercest freedom fighters piqued Draven’s interest -- as did the sight of the young woman flashing past the holo clothed as an Imperial officer. Gerrera was too paranoid for an Imperial spy to survive in his ranks for long, but other possible backstories for the girl seemed just as improbable.

Maybe he should ask Andor’s droid what the most likely scenario was. Force knows it would love the opportunity to tell him.

“Did you see the girl?” Draven asked Captain Andor. The captain had barely returned him a recruiting run in time to watch the execution live. With Gerrera aboard Idryssa Barruck’s ship and safely out of the atmosphere, Draven began planning his next steps forward. Let the X-Wings and ground troops remain in charge of maintaining the safety of the rebel base and ensuring Gerrera’s rescue mission wasn’t followed; Rebel Intelligence would be planning how to manipulate this brief show of power to their advantage.

“Galen Erso’s daughter?” The captain fell in line with Draven as he continued out of the war room. “I don’t believe she looked up during the entire ceremony. She’s been with Gerrera’s cadre for years.”

“But still strongly tied to the Imperials.” Draven lowered his voice before continuing. “I’m not sure what new arrangement will happen with Gerrera, but I need the info he has on that woman immediately.” She would either be a future asset to be exploited or a leak the Alliance would never be able to fill. Either way, Andor would be an excellent agent to follow up on the situation.

Captain Andor nodded, glancing towards the flow of traffic slowly returning to their original routines now that the spectacle of the day had ended.

“Get some rest, Captain Andor,” Draven ordered. The man had neither rest nor food between landing and watching the would-be execution. Likely his droid had received more care than he had in the meantime. “Dismissed.”

Eadu, 5 BBY

Rain had never tasted so sweet on Jyn’s skin.

She stepped out of the transport shuttle, flanked by two Imperial guards, and onto Eadu Flight Station’s tarmac. Releasing a shuddering breath, Jyn tilted her face towards the rain. Her hands were still bound, so she couldn’t wipe the water around, only inhale the sensation of the rivets running down, down her face. It felt cleansing to her soul.

Memories of Mama wandered across Jyn’s mind. Escaping the city planet of Coruscant and reconnecting with nature — with the Force — was Mama’s favorite thing. How many times had Jyn seen her mother do exactly this, the first time she was released from the prison of the city? Thinking of her made Jyn feel calmer as she escaped her most recent prison — only to walk into a newer one.

Her father waited at the end of the tarmac, taking shelter from the rain under the awning of the building. The guards nudged her towards him with rifles to her back, their touches more gentle than Jyn expected. Much to Jyn’s relief, Krennic was nowhere to be seen.

“Father,” Jyn greeted when she reached him. She ignored his flinch at her cold tone. “It’s been so long.”

“Jyn.” When he spoke, he only sounded exasperated. He still expects you to be a baby , Jyn reminded herself. He still hasn’t learned you’ve grown up. (She thought the punch to the jaw might be enough, but apparently whatever he’d learned of her then had faded along with that bruise.) He gestured at the stuncuffs around Jyn’s wrists, requesting one of the guards remove them. “Come with me. Let me show you the facility.”

“Will this prison cell come with more reliable lights than the last one?”

When Galen’s steps faltered with surprise at her words, Jyn found satisfaction in it.

“What do you mean?”

“The wiring was surprisingly faulty for an Imperial building on Coruscant,” Jyn explained. Based on her tone, the rain outside would have been just as interesting of a topic. “It would flicker out for minutes or hours at a time. What’s the point of having world class technicians if they can’t keep the electricity working for your prisoners?”

As for the hours when the lights were on… Jyn would save that topic for another day.

“That shouldn’t have happened.” Galen reached for her arm, but Jyn sidestepped him, bumping into one of the guards. Her father stopped, his face serious. The traffic in the hallway was too crowded to stop here, pilots and ‘troopers and men whose uniforms matched her father’s shuffled both directions, yet none of them seemed bothered to step about the group, at least not when they saw who they were stepping around. “I was told…”

Worry or anger or whatever emotion had filled his eyes at her announcement vanished, and his eyes once again seemed distant as he swallowed. “Never mind that now. An unfortunate situation, but I’m sure the director did the best he could. You’re here now and that’s what really matters.”

“Why am I here?” Jyn asked. No one had given her any information since they’d pulled open her cell door. (The bright light from the adjoining room blinded her for a moment; the Death Troopers only seemed more intimidating, more massive among the shocking outline.) The Imperial uniform she’d worn to Saw’s execution was shoved into her hands — the guards hadn’t given her any semblance of privacy as she’d changed at gun point — and then she’d been ushered into a shuttle. She’d been in hyperspace for hours, her left hand cuffed to the wall of the ship, without anyone speaking to her.) Her father, at the very least, should answer any pressing questions she had.

“You’re here to assist me in my project, Jyn, but you shouldn’t need to worry about that tonight. You’ve had a long journey, and rest seems more important right now. I’ll give you a quick tour of the facility, but you don’t need to worry about the work until after you’ve rested.”

Because sleep will come so easily to me here.

Bright fluorescent lights illuminated each hallway, much like the building Jyn had been kept in on Coruscant. Based on the security checkpoints — some requiring her father’s keycard, which Jyn could steal, but others requiring biometric identification, which would be much harder to fake — this facility had been designed for the Empire’s use, where Jyn’s holding cell on Coruscant’s simple locks and lack of proper jail cells suggested it had been converted post the Clone Wars, or possibly more recently.

Her father acted as a tour guide as they walked, indicating the mess hall and several corridors of barracks for the enlisted men (“You’ll stay closer to the labs, with the rest of the science officers,” he explained and Jyn balked at the thought of being addressed as an officer on a daily basis). Finally, he came to the main lab, pressing his thumb against the keypad outside the door.

“This,” he said as the door slid open with a whoosh. “is where you’ll find me.”

Lights flickered on one row at a time, and Jyn took a moment to examine the lab. The room looked much as Jyn remembered his laboratory on Coruscant. Her memories from that time faded over time, but stepping into such a familiar environment sharpened them. Datapads littered countertops, and holoprojectors, turned off for the end of the day, sat, ready to display her father’s project whenever required. The spectrometer Jyn recognized, but many machines were unfamiliar to her. If her father was telling her the truth and she was to join in on his project, she assumed she’d soon learn to operate them.

“Krennic showed me some of your coding work,” her father said as Jyn wandered inside the lab. He waited by the door, patient yet expectant. Was he curious what her reaction to the facility would be? Looking for her approval? “I was impressed. Saw must have taught you well.”

So, he was going to mention Saw. Part of Jyn wondered if he would simply ignore the past eight years, continue as if they had never left each other. “Saw taught me many things,” she said. “Most importantly, he taught me how to survive.”

“And for that I’m very grateful. You’ll need those skills here, Jyn.”

“I don’t believe the Imperials are going to hand me a blaster.” But what she wouldn’t give for one right now — a blaster, her truncheons, the knives they stripped off when she was captured.

“I’m not talking about physical strength.” Galen walked along the opposite side of the counter Jyn paced, keeping even with her but still enough distance between them. “I’m talking about the will to survive. When you were injured or you were hungry or you were tired, Saw taught you to keep going. This place, Jyn,” he motioned around him, “this place is very, very different than what you’re used to. I don’t need to tell you that. You’ll be well fed and have the best medical care the Empire can offer you, but, Jyn —'' he caught her eye before he continued, ensured she was listening “ — Jyn, this place will make you tired, and part of you will be hungry. Part of you, perhaps, will feel injured in ways that bacta could never heal. That’s when you’ll need what Saw taught you.”

Jyn stared at her father after his unexpected speech. He’s lying , part of her brain yelled at her, he wants you to trust him and would say anything to earn it.

Listen to him , another part urged. Listen to your Papa. He’s always loved you, he’s always cared for you.

Both halves sounded like liars to Jyn. She stayed quiet rather than responding to her father.

He seemed to understand her silence. Sighing, he gestured to the door again. “I’ll show you to your room, Jyn.”

( Her father wouldn’t be delivering her to a cell , reminded herself. He wouldn’t be delivering her to a cell. )

Down another hallway, making a left and then a right turn. No distinguishing marks separated one hallway from another; there were no windows to orient Jyn to the outside world and no markers pointing from one destination to the next. With a jolt of panic, Jyn realized she had lost count of the path she’d taken to get from the hanger to the lab. Was that what her father intended, when he showed her the lab? To disorientate her enough that she would never be able to find her way out of the lab?

It wouldn’t matter , her mind snorted. The only way off this planet is by diving off one of those cliffs.

Her father made one last turn and stopped outside a door, as nondescript as the one next to it. Waving his keycard in front of the pad, the door slid open to reveal a room, similar to the one Jyn slept in with Saw on Wrea. A bed was shoved against one wall, a desk and a small wardrobe shoved against the opposite one. No windows, like the rest of the facility. It glowed white where Jyn’s quarters with Saw were muted by earthy tones, but it was similar enough to calm Jyn’s anxious mind.

He motioned her into the room, but didn’t follow her in. “This is only your space, Jyn. Until you’re assigned a keycard, only mine will open it. I’ll remove that privilege as soon as you have access.”

Gently, Jyn ran her fingers over the pillow case and sat on the mattress. Firm, solid, cleaned recently. Better quality than many beds Jyn had slept in over the years.

“It’s fairly standard.” Her father cleared his throat. “I didn’t know what to put in it for you. But there is one thing for you. Open the top drawer.” He pointed at the desk across from the bed. Curiosity won over Jyn as she did as he said. Inside, a code replicator sat, a newer model than Saw had gifted her.

“You can’t win me over with gifts,” Jyn muttered under her breath.

“I don’t expect to, Jyn, only to give you something I thought you’d enjoy.”

She stayed silent, fingering the code replicator.

“I’ll leave you for the night, then.” He stepped back into the hallway. “The door will be unlocked, Jyn. You’re welcome to leave as you please.”

Jyn snorted. “I’m welcome to wander the halls of an Imperial facility, you mean. This isn’t freedom.”

“I didn’t say it was freedom.”

“No, you said —”

“Either you are to live here,” Galen snapped, “or you return to the cell from which you just left, Jyn.” He sucked in a ragged breath, pausing to rub at his temples. “I don’t mean to shout, but your options are limited. I’ve done the best I can.”

“You’ve done the best you can?” Jyn sneered. “My mother’s dead, you’re building Force-knows what for the Empire, and the man who raised me was nearly executed in front of me. Forgive me if I don’t trust your track record.”

Galen stayed silent for so long Jyn thought he wouldn’t answer, simply walk out the door and lock it behind him. Instead, he stayed, dropping his hand from the keypad and looking back at Jyn. His eyes were heavy. Dark bags hung under them. Had those been there since Jyn met him on Coruscant? Had they been there since Mama died?

“I haven’t been given the best options.” He turned back to the door, but spoke once more. “I can’t dictate what you believe, Jyn, but know I have always done my best to protect you.”

Beneath the layers of anger and hurt boiling in her chest, Jyn heard the voice again. Its voice was smaller than a bogling, but still persistent, shouting its same message as earlier. He loves you. He wants to keep you safe. Listen to him.

The voice wanted to believe her father.

Galen left without asking if she understood — a small mercy, because Jyn knew that she didn’t, wasn’t sure she could ever understand what her father was doing.

Jyn never learned how her father convinced Krennic to allow her, not only out of the cramped cell she called home for two weeks, but into the lab where he works. A spiteful voice inside her head tells her not to ask. After all, if she never knows what he did; she’ll never have to be thankful for it.

Get a good night's rest, her father had told her, so that she would be bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning to do the Empire’s bidding.

Eadu Flight Station had become her home, Jyn couldn’t deny that. She could, however, prevent it from becoming part of her identity.

Galen Erso’s blood and Imperial connections ran through her veins, but that didn’t stop Saw Gerrera’s teachings from flowing through her heart and her mind.

She would cooperate — she didn’t have many options if she wanted to stay alive. She would not, under any circumstances, help the Empire move forward with its project. (She didn’t even know the details of the project yet, but it wouldn’t matter — It benefited the Empire, and that was enough for Jyn to know she wanted nothing to do with it.)

The matter was set to rest, but Jyn wasn’t. Blame it on Saw’s teaching or her general distrust of humans, but turning off the lights and falling asleep was going to be impossible for Jyn. Even with the locked door no one could access but her father (and she had no reason to believe he would lie, but she had no reason to trust him either), without a weapon in her hand and nowhere to run if threatened, Jyn couldn’t calm her mind well enough to sleep.

Instead, she paced. Relentlessly and endlessly, mapping out the each length of her room, measuring by her footsteps. She took stock of the contents littering the room. (Nothing more exciting than what she had previously noticed: a bed with clean linens, a desk with drawers empty except for the code replicator her father gifted to her, and a wardrobe that held two sets of Imperial uniforms identical to the ones she wore now and some set of looser, relaxed clothes obviously meant for sleeping.) Jyn spotted no holocams in the corners of the room or microphones in her mattress, though without a knife to cut it open, she couldn’t be certain.

With no chrono ticking the hours away and no way to see the sun of the system (though, come to think of it, with the rain Eadu received, would she be able to see the system’s sun, even with a window?), the passage of time seemed almost surreal. Jyn’s eyelids drooped; too much of her sleep recently had been induced by chemicals or a Stormtrooper’s anger rather than her need to fall asleep.

Whatever I do, I do it to protect you.

I have always done my best to protect you.

Her father’s words rang in her head on endless loops. She begged her mind to conjure up any other words, any other voice: the last words her mother spoke to her, Saw’s advice upon the first time she went into battle, Codo’s laugh that she always found so annoying. At this point, Jyn would rather listen to a speech given by the Emperor himself rather than hearing her father’s voice.

Either that, or for her father to return to the room.

I don’t need your protection! Jyn would scream at him if he were here. What has your protection ever gotten me? You sent me to Saw. You let my mother die. If it weren’t for you, Saw would have taken me with him.

The last, bitter truth was the worst realization Jyn had come to during her stay in the Imerpial torture facility on Coruscant. Her connection to her father became the deciding factor in Saw’s abandonment of her. If she wasn’t the daughter of an Imperial officer, if she didn’t have such obvious connections in the wrong places, if it weren’t for her last name, Saw would have turned around, would have reached for her hand and pulled her along out of the chamber and into safety. The Alliance would take them in and they’d learn to play by their diplomatic rules.

But instead, she found herself stuck in an Imperial facility with nothing but white walls and unfriendly forces surrounding her.

Distracted fingers played at the edges of the code replicator. Its presence on the desk mocked her, reminding her of the one she carried aboard Saw’s ship to Tamsye Prime, the one she had used since she first came to Saw’s cadre. She had no purpose for it here, not unless the Imperials wanted to observe her skills and learn how to best those who impersonated their codes.

With a grunt of frustration, Jyn slammed the code replicator against the edge of the desk, again and again, until the screen cracked in two. (Again she slammed it, simply to relieve the frustration of the last few days.) The machine was thicker than a datapad and harder to manipulate, but using the edge of the desk for leverage, she bent the screen in two, until the cracked transparisteel pieces broke free of their bindings. She dug her fingers under the pieces — if only her nails were longer, perhaps they would have better leverage, perhaps her fingers wouldn’t be covered with blood by the end of this — and plied them away.

The process took several minutes of maneuvering, but at least Jyn emerged with a shard of transparisteel gripped in her hand. Blood coated the edges of her fingers and bubbled over onto her palm, but despite that Jyn smiled.

She didn’t need her father’s protection. Jyn would listen to her father exactly once — “You’ll need what Saw taught you” — and keep herself safe.

Her father made no move to comment on her bloody hands or the broken code replicator when he woke her the next morning.

(Woke, perhaps, was the wrong term. Jyn had sat for the entire evening, forcing her eyelids to stay open. Her father made no comment on the dark circles under her eyes, either.)

“The lab,” Galen explained as he walked into the room, despite its stop on his tour not twelve hours previous. “You’ll be joining me here everyday. I don’t suppose you’ll need a wake up call every morning, but… Well, I wanted to help you get acquainted with the routine.”

“I don’t need an escort then?” Jyn raised a challenging eyebrow at him. Galen merely sighed in response.

“You don’t need an escort or a chaperone, Jyn. You’ll have a job to do every day, but once it’s completed, the facility is yours to explore and utilize. If there’s a project you want to explore, perhaps, you’d be free to do so. There are training grounds where you’d be more than welcome as well, if you wanted to keep up your physical strength.”

Jyn almost smiled at that one. The idea of finding an Imperial sparring partner — an off duty ‘trooper she could beat bloody once in a while, perhaps — sounded entirely ideal.

“I just figured…” Galen cleared his throat. “I figured working alongside me would help your transition. And, well, you’ve proven yourself adept at coding. You’ll be very useful to Tino.”

“Tino?”

Tino turned out to be another member of her father’s team of engineers, all of whom she was introduced to shortly. Tino Vic, a man a decade Jyn’s senior from Naboo, was their programming specialist and more than happy to welcome Jyn into their ranks, explaining their computer system and inquiring what programs she had used before. Jyn didn’t bother biting back the reminder that she had been a member of a renegade rebel group, so she wasn’t exposed to the latest Imperial technology. He merely laughed in response — not at all what Jyn was expecting — and assured her they’d get her up to speed in no time.

Criz Iblik kept mainly to himself, Galen assured her, so she shouldn’t be offended by the way he brushed off her introduction. Nor should she mind the attention she received from Lucian Judd, the son of a wealthy banker on Scipio.

“I don’t think he’s ever been told no in his life,” Galen murmured, leaning closer to Jyn’s ear as if gossiping together. She yanked backward, glaring, but he merely took her negative reaction in stride. “I believe meeting you might be highly beneficial to him.”

That only left Jerred Anholts and Oltach Aske, who both greeted her with a smile. When she didn’t warm to their social pleasantries, Jerred shrugged and returned to his work, but Oltach stared at her a moment longer, a fond smile on his face as he watched her.

“What?” Jyn snapped when his attention lasted a moment too long.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s just… You look so much like Lyra.”

Jyn’s brain short circuited at the sound of her mother’s name. What would this man know of her mother?

“Ah.” The scientist rubbed the back of his neck, and his smile shifted slightly awkwardly. “I’m sorry, I thought your father might have told you. I’ve known your family for years. Galen, Director Krennic and I went to the Republic Future’s Program together, so I knew your mother fairly well on Coruscant.” He pointed towards Jyn scowl. “She would get that same look on her face whenever something displeased her.”

Jyn hurried back to her father’s side. Talk of her mother only made her insides go fuzzy and red tinge her vision, and exposing weakness to these Imperials was the last thing she needed to do.

“You still haven’t told me,” she said once she reached her father. At his quizzical glance, she rephrased. “What exactly the research is.”

“Ah,” her father said and then hesitated for a moment. “Tell me, Jyn, what does Saw know about my research? I’ve had a strong suspicion he’s been following it for years.”

“Whatever he knows, I wouldn’t tell you,” Jyn growled. Another interrogation? Days of torture and the Imperial’s new tactic was to simply have her father ask her? If she were going to break at easily, she wouldn’t have withstood their torture for days.

Galen held up his hands in surrender. “Never mind what Saw knows. What do you remember, from our days on Coruscant?”

“Crystals,” Jyn said, figuring that was basic enough. “You worked with crystals.”

“I did,” Galen nodded. “Speaking of, I believe this belongs to you.”

He patted several pockets of his Imperial uniform. (He was always so forgetful, but Jyn had forgotten until this moment. Mama used to follow behind him to pick up anything he’d left behind before they’d leave their home on Coruscant. “He’s just thinking of too many things at once,” she explained to a young Jyn, so many years ago. “The mundane things slip through his fingers quite easily.”) His face lit up, a small “Oh” on his lips, as he reached into one pocket and emerged with her mother’s kyber pendant.

A sigh of relief escaped Jyn, seeing it in her father’s outstretched palm. When she’d woken up without it on Coruscant, gone with the rest of her clothing, she thought it would be gone forever. Simply another piece of her identity swallowed up by the Empire.

“Your mother gave it to you?” Galen asked, quiet and slower than he’d spoken before. Jyn nodded. “I wondered why she didn’t have it when she died.”

The scowl pulled at her lips again. What did he want from her? A shared moment of pain and grief over her mother’s death? He wouldn’t get it, not here, in the heart of all she despised and ran away from. Jyn barely felt worthy to think of her mother while wearing the uniform she hated so much.

Galen cleared his throat. “If she wanted you to have it, then you should keep it, Jyn. That’s your part of her.”

“I don’t want it,” Jyn said. “Not here.”

It didn’t belong, smothered under an Imperial uniform. Galen, at least, seemed to understand.

“I’ll keep it here.” He opened the top draw of his desk, laying it among a clutter of notes and various instruments. “Any time you want it, Jyn, it’ll be here waiting for you.”

“You’re stalling,” Jyn accused, desperate to change the topic. “You haven’t told me about the research.”

He nodded and flicked several switches on the tabletop in front of him. A diagram flickered to life above the table, green lines curving to shape some massive object, round like a moon with one giant crater in its side. Whatever it was supposed to be, Jyn couldn’t understand.

“I don’t know what this is.”

“That’s because,” Galen explained, “there’s nothing else like this in the entire galaxy.” He stood and walked around the diagram, as if he were examining it for the first time as well. “This will be the Empire’s newest battle station, more powerful than anything the galaxy has ever seen before.”

“Don’t skimp on the details,” Lucian, the over arrogant young scientist, snickered from the side. “Tell her about the weapon, Doc.”

“Weapon?” Jyn shot her father a piercing glare. “What weapon?”

“It’s laser beam.” He pointed towards the dent in its upper hemisphere, steadfastly refusing to meet her eyes. “It’s being powered by kyber crystals. It should be quite powerful. Yet to be tested, of course, but our research suggests it can — and Orson dearly hopes it will — have the power to break apart a planet’s core.”

Cold seeped through her chest as the meaning of her father’s words sunk in.

“You could destroy planets with this weapon.” Her voice fell flat, emotionless as the enormity of what he was describing sunk in. “Entire worlds.”

“Now, now, my dear,” Jerred Anholt shook his head at her. “It’s merely a scare tactic. The Empire has no need to use it. The battle station will be nothing more than a symbol of power throughout the galaxy.” He chuckled to himself. “Though I daresay it might scare those pesky rebels a bit, wouldn’t it?”

“Much more work needs to be done,” Galen hurried to say, as if he sensed the snarky comment about pesky rebels on Jyn’s lips. “It won’t be operational for years to come.”

Jyn longed for a connection to Saw, to the Alliance, even to the useless bastards of Imperial Senate. Someone had to be informed about the atrocity these engineers had created.

Her father met her icy glare for the first time since bringing up the diagram, his eyes lined with a silent plea, as if he was asking Jyn to understand. She refused to stay in the room with these plans — or with the man who’d created them — any longer. Turning on her heel, Jyn slammed open the door to the hallway.

The last thing she heard was a low whistle coming from Judd. “A bit of a temper on that one, huh?”

#kat writes #therebelcaptainnetwork #dailyrebelcaptain #rebelcaptain #cassian andor #jyn erso #ive been away from the fandom for a minute #so im not really sure whats been going on #but i hope at least one of you reads and enjoys

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