#This is like the whole People Haven't Heard of Tool thing again

[bithablu]

HOW HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE NOT SEEN CLUE?!?

[cobraaah]

Pairing• [Nauseaxe_404 ♡ Reader]

A/N• This took way longer than I wanted. Hopefully, it's not too long for you guys. It's not the best since I haven't written anything, let alone smut in a long time. Also not proofread. . Way too long. Also I dunno how to do warnings so be prepared I guess.

Warnings• Smut 18+, intentional injury, manipulation, slight blood?, axe usage ( not hurting reader), P in V, cunnilingus

Word count• 8k

Superstar

Desperate. Desperate for money of course! Recently you've been low on money, having bad impulsive buying habits on randome junk you didn't need. "A way to gain fast money!" Popped up on your laptop screen. Scrolling on suspicious and unsecured websites had its downsides. A grumbled sigh left you as you tried to click the ad off your screen. It didn't leave, it was like some sort of weird virus. . or something like that, you wernt the smartest tool in the shed when it came to computers. Your curiosity came over you, you did need some quick cash. Your morals went out the window, discarding the fact that you could get so many viruses, maybe even kidnapped! Your finger hovered hesitantly over the pad on your laptop. Deciding to get it over with quick, you click, closing your eyes for some reason, expecting a million more pop ups to show up, maybe a random guy breaking into your home to take you away. . but no. Your E-Mail opened up instead. Your eyes squint at the screen reading the new E-Mail that was sent to you. To you, it was all non important, besides a few key details, they read; "simple and does not require any particular skills or talents." , "50,000 dollars cash in total. Half will be sent to you in a few days, the other half will be at the job site." You paused for a second, re-reading the last part. Your eyes widen as your mouth gaped with a surprised grin. "Fifty K?!" You scanned the email over again, trying to convince yourself this isn't real, fortunately, it was. Deciding to actually read the email now the description talked about having to be a mediator, having to remove some tendents from a hotel of sorts. Seeing as they said it's simple and you don't need any special skills, this seemed as a easy way for you to earn some money. Red flags should've been popping up in your head but your lust and desperation for money took over. Quickly, you typed a E-Mail back accepting the offer, clicking send you sat back with a sigh. Now all you had to do was wait for half the money to be sent to you and-. "Wait a second.." You mumbled to yourself. With another quick re reading of the E-Mail they did say they were going to send half the money. . but how? "I never gave them my address or like. . anything?" With a sigh, you closed your laptop assuming that these ominous people from this sketchy ad had all your information already from your relentless visits to sketchy websites doing god knows what on them.

A few days have gone by since you've sent that e-mail accepting the suspicious job offer that you didn't even know was real to be honest. Currently looking up at the ceiling contemplating everything you've done at this point, we're you really that gullible? Thinking that someone would actually give you a-. . A loud crashing noise can be heard outside your room, heavy footsteps can be heard getting more faint until nothing. Frozen through the whole ordeal, you sit up after just laying there for who knows how long. Your eyes dart over to your door completely unsure about this whole thing, did someone really just break into your house? What if they were still inside?! A shiver runs through your body, goosebumps form on your arms at the thought. Getting up, you shuffle your way to your door cautiously incase the intruder was still there. With a creak of the door, your eyes dart everywhere not noticing anything out of place. Walking out of the hallway you notice a suitcase placed infront of your front door. "What the fuck.." Eyes squinting suspiciously at the case infront of you. Looking behind your shoulder before you crouch down and open the suitcase up.

Stacked upon stacks of hundred dollar bills are loaded in the case. Your mouth open slighty in disbelief at the sight, was this the twenty-five thousand?? Who ever your client is, they know where you live. Too overwhelmed by the amount of cash infront of you and the thought of some random from the internet knowing where you live, AND them actively breaking into your house, you shut the case. Staring surprised at it, you pick it up and walk back into your room carefully setting the briefcase next to your dresser. You get settled back into your bed opening your laptop having it rest on your lap. Just before opening up the web browser a pop up flashes on your screen, it has some address with the text underneath it reading "Arrive by 6 AM this monday, no backing out now." Oh. . oh. A small frown forms on your face at how threatening that last part was. Weighing the option of dipping with the twenty-five thousand dollars or suffer the consequences your client would serve to you if you didn't listen. . . you took the ladder. You take a screenshot of the address, saving it to your laptop for later. The pop up disappears a few moments later leaving you to the browser.

Scrolling on Dumblr, looking through random blogs, reading fanfics, the usual. Just as your finishing reading a blog the notification inbox pings. . . and pings repeatedly. "Jesus christ.." You mumbled under your breath. 'Swear to god, if this is the same guy-' Tapping on the inbox button you're welcomed by spammed comments by this guy named Nauseaxe_808. Now you would've been fine by this if it wasn't the same guy you've blocked hundreds of times for, number one being a creep, leaving obsessive comments. . and that's it. This guy just creeps you the hell out, everytime you block him he comes back with a new account with the same name but just different numbers added at the end, it started as Nauseaxe_404 to Nauseaxe_808.

At this point you've thought of just deleting your account since no one interacts with your blogs besides this weirdo. BUT thinking that if you did delete your account this sicko would win in his sick game. Of course at some point you started to feel bad for the guy, he seemed like a good person at some points when he wasn't leaving comments like, "I know where you live Superstar!", "Please notice me, I'm your BIGGEST fan!" Just super obsessive stuff. Did it make you feel wanted. . . yes. Should it? no. Are you delusional? maybe. Finger grazing over the mouse pad on the laptop, with a click on this guys profile and another click on the block button a sense of relief washes over you, but so does some regret creep up on you. All this guy wants is your attention and you keep on blocking him, maybe you should respond to him once. . . just once so you don't feel guilty about ignoring this guy, you'll just wait until the next time he makes a new account to respond with a simple 'Thanks.' and maybe he'll leave you alone, maybe just one response will make him stop. Is that a smart move to make against this online stalker? Not really, but common sense wasn't really that common to you anyways. You close the laptop with a sigh deciding today was eventful enough for you, too overwhelming in fact. Setting the laptop on the floor you get settled in your bed, deciding to get some sleep. Sleep quickly takes over, not realizing how exhausted you were. . .

Monday comes quicker than expected, unfortunately. Having to wake up way earlier than expected to go to this random ass location in the middle or the woods. Great! Sarcasticly you think to yourself as you follow the GPS on your phone, a small scowl appears on your face, rethinking your decisions. You dressed somewhat formal for this job, after all they are paying you fifty thousand dollars to be a mediator so you better belive it you're not gonna look homeless today. But having to wake up at five in the morning so you could make it on time didn't motive you that much to put that much effort in yourself. You did the basic for yourself and hoped that was good enough for this client of yours. The soft growl of your stomach interrupts your thoughts. You completely forgot to eat something before leaving due to being so nervous for this ominous, potentially dangerous job. Butterflies twisted your stomach like parasites as the destination neared closer, you felt like you were gonna throw up. You power through it though and turn on some music to calm your nerves and get your mind soothed. The sky still shone with the bright moon still out, the sun still sleeping. . . just like what you should be doing right now. You shake your head dismissing any negative thoughts about this job, you were gonna do fine. . right..? A soft groan leaves you as your mind keeps wondering and complaining about how stupid and unsafe this was for you to be doing.

Pushing away those thoughts, the cars headlights shine on a old looking hotel of sorts. Parking the car nearby you step out, the cold very early morning air hiting your skin almost like a warning, making the nerves on your body be on high alert once more. The gravel crunches under your shoes as you walk twords the hotel. Stepping on the wooden front steps, you're greeted with a briefcase and a walkie talkie placed near the front door. Bending down you open up the briefcase, marveling at how much money there's in it. . just like last time. Abruptly the walkie next to it chimes in, "Thank you for accepting this job offer! Now that you've accepted the full amount of cash, you can now begin the job." the walkie buzzes off as the guy stops talking. You're exciment was short lived as you realized you did have a job to do afterall, debts to pay, things to buy, and of course bills. You stand up with a stretch grabbing the radio and the briefcase. You put the case in the back of your car and walk back to the hotel, you feel unease, your body telling you this isn't a good idea, red flags should've be popping up in your head. But you're clouded with your need for money you trudge on and open up the front door, a loud creak resonates through the deathly quiet, empty lobby. As soon as you step inside the door quickly slams behind you leaving you in the dark for a quick second before the dim lights turn on. Two doors on either side of you and one big door in the middle presumably leading to the rest of the hotel. Each door has a different colour red, blue, yellow and finally purple.

The walkie talkie comes back to life, "Congratulations for making it this far, in all honestly youve made it farther than three quarters of our business partners from before. You seem reliable and more. . .entertaining. .," the voice goes quiet before buzzing back to life, "Anyways! Welcome to my hotel, just a small caution for your job today as a mediator, you'll be working with. .with monsters? Not really that important, anyways start with the red door!" The walkie quickly shuts off without anymore information about the 'monsters'. "W. . Wait?!" Your finger pressed the button on the side of the walkie, "What do you mean 'monsters'?" You question wide eyed into the walkie. . . you recive no response after a minute. You silently curse to yourself as you slowly approch the red labeled door that reads '001' in gold letters. You side eye the barricaded door and windows, realization finally sets in. You can't leave until you're finished with this job. With your attention back on the door you grip the handle and open it, quickly stepping inside.

The door slams behind you making you jump forward a bit, startled again by another door slamming behind you. You squint at the door suspiciously as you turn back around looking around. You step forward into the middle of the room, "Uhhmm. . . Hello?" You say hopefully loud enough for the resident to hear. Before you're able to take in the surroundings something hard hits the back of your head making your vision go black and fall unconscious, the last thing you're able to feel or even hear is "I've got you my. . Superstar," as you feel a pair of hands grab you a little too tight, keeping you from falling face first onto the floor.

A soft buzzing fills your mind as you slowly gain consciousness again. A soft groan escapes your throat as you sit up from the floor, your head hurts like hell. It appears you're in the same spot before you blacked out, it suprises you that youre still alive. As your vision gets unfuzzy there's a tall figure looming over you just. . . staring. "Uhm. . Hello..?" Your voice came out mumbled and quiet as you started back at the supposed monster infront of you, you can't make out what his face looks like due to his hood casting a dark shadow over his face and the red bandana covering the lower part of his face only making one of his eyes visible. In all honestly he doesn't really look like a monster besides his much taller height, but nothing else is distinguishable about him to classify him as a monster.

"I can't belive we can finally meet. . .-" Heavy breathing can be heard coming from him, almost could be distinguished as panting. "-Face to face..," His eyes squint, under that bandana he most likely has a sinister unsettling grin on his face. Just at the thought makes you cringe, internally of course, scared to make any negative reaction could have percussions. You finally register what he said after a moment, your mind trying to catch up with everything, adrenaline spiked a little out of fear, "Do I know. . you?" Your eyes squint suspiciously at the man infront of you, legs moving on their own, you stand up, leaning against the door behind you. The height difference didn't change at all, he was still much. . . much taller than you. Standing at roughly about two meters tall, your eyes widen in shock at the size difference between you both. 'What the hell was this guy?', 'Is he actually a monster?' , 'ARE MONSTERS EVEN REAL?'. Multiple thoughts swarmed your head like bees, are you going crazy? Shaking your head you averted your attention back to the guy infront of you. . He's still staring with his ecstatic squinted eyes, great.

"Of course you know me Superstar, I'm your biggest fan," You froze, goosebumps automatically formed on your skin as you heard that nickname. 'Superstar', could this really be the guy from Dumblr. . .? The air in the room seemed to get thick, making it hard for you to breath. Your hands get sweaty, a shudder runs through your spine. This 'thing' was your stalker. With heightened sense you realize that he's holding an axe. 'Holy fuck he's gonna kill me, I'm dead... im dead... im dead'. Those two words repeat in your head, frozen in fear. With your eyes fixated on the axe he begins to speak again. "Sorry for knocking you out, I thought you were one of those 'pests' who try to break into my room! It's become a habit for me to automatically attack anyone who enters. Good thing i realized it was 'you', my Superstar! Or else you woulve gotten. . . seriously injured." He cocks his head to the side, confused on your spaced out, deer caught in headlights facial expression, not realizing youre staring at the axe.

Responding in a meekly way, "I... It's okay.," Being super freaked out by the fact he could've killed you if he didn't recognized you sent a shock through you. A sudden laugh breaks you out of your trance as your eyes dart back to his face, you realize he's laughing. "PHAHAHAHA!" Being the awkward person you are, nervous and emotionally broken already, in fear he might attack you again, you awkwardly laugh along. "Hah... hahaha.." Your laughs come out more quietly than you wanted them, but he doesn't seem to care. But seriously, you have questions, you need to figure out how to cooperate with this monster and convince him to leave the hotel, afterall you do have a job to do.

Bringing up the courage to yourself to speak as he finally stops laughing, his squinted eyes turning back to their normal predatory gaze. "Are you by chance Nauseaxe_404...?" Raising an eyebrow already knowing the answer, but wanting confirm your suspicions. You see his eyes squint happily with admiration. "Yes! You don't know how long I've waited to finally talk to you, I've tried messaging you on Dumblr but you kept on blocking me.." His voice trailed off slightly, making you feel unease. Both his hands grip on the axe tightend as his breath became labored again. "You. . . You didn't block me on purpose. . hah . . Right?" His red eye glared at you with a subtle twitch, was he really that naive? Did he not realize he was a total creep when leaving those comments on your blogs? "Uh. . Of course not! It's probally some weird Dumblr glitch.." You don't sound sure at all, or even confident, but it was good enough for Nause. His grip on the axe loosened until only he eas holding onto it with one hand, and his shoulders slacked. He blinked and his eye went back to normal as he stood up semi straight again, still a bit hunched over.

"Heheh yeah. I guess it was, haha..," He paused, rubbing his neck. "Well then, what brings you here my Superstar?" He questioned, looking down at you with an unreadable expression, you weren't quite sure how to read him, he was unpredictable. "You need to like. . . leave?" You tried putting it in simple terms in hopes he won't lash out on you. You start feeling unnerved and decide to glance around, all this direct eye contact with him is making you more nervous. Taking in the view around you, you see presumably stapled or tacked printed out pages of writings of some blog? Not just a normal blog, fanfics. . . Holy crap. This guy has been printing off every single one of your posts and sticking them to his walls. He really IS your biggest fan. . . in more appropriate terms 'He really IS a stalker, creep, weirdo, a loser with no life!', gulping at the thought, thankfully your attention is directed back to Nause as he starts speaking again.

"Why 'would' I want to leave?! I have no idea how I got here in the first place. . . but I still have no intentions on leaving." His voice trails off with the hint of festering agitation. Small huffing can be heard from him again, he grips his axe infront of him. You accidently worked him up again, seemed like that was somehow a touchy question, flip. Mentally cursing to yourself you connect the few braincells in your head that haven't fried yet and come up with a excellent plan on how to deal with this freak.

"H. . How about I write a uhm..-" You paused, are you really gonna make the proposition of writing a fanfic for him in exchange for his leave. Yeah. "-If I write you a 'fanfic'. . or something since you seem to enjoy them. . . a lot..," Mumbled as your eyes glance back to the walls full of printed out pictures of your blogs. "If I do that will you please leave this hotel?" Silently pleading, praying, hoping to the man in the sky that he'll accept this offer so you can hurry up and finish this job. His body begins to shake with. . you don't even know at the moment. His eye curves with excitement you presume. "Really? Just for me right? No one else?!" Before you're able to respond he continues, "Could you maybe write them here? Or at least one? I have a old typewriter just incase for this one specific moment I fantasized about fivehundredseventytwothousandeighhundrednintyhundrendedquadrillion times!" You should be surprised but at this point you just want to be done.

"Sure... Sure yeah.." You mumbled with squinted eyes, hoping he wasn't going to make you stay here forever writing endless stories for him. You follow him into a room that has a desk with a laptop and a wooden chair. . . That must be uncomfortable for him, sitting at this desk for how many hours a day, stalking your blog with the shitty hotel wifi, life must suck for this dude no wonder why he's like this. Shaking your head at that absurd intruding thought you eye the chair, is that really what you're gonna have to sit on? Walking over, you sit down. Nause grabs the type writer from a box in the corner of the room, he pushes the laptop to the side and replaces it with the typewriter. He looms behind you, waiting for you to start typing. "Anything. . specific you want me to write?" Quickly you begin to regret the decision of giving him the option to choose what you write. "What about one about me and. . ." You can quite literally feel his breath huffing down on you, his grip on the old chair makes a soft cracking noise at how tight he's holding onto it. "Y. . yeah! Of course!" You quickly say not wanting to hear what else he has to say..., also scared he's gonna hurt you on accident from how worked up he got. Your attention goes back on the type writer, fingers tap against the keys writing whatever comes to your mind.

"Can you make it long....? Like at the minimum one hundred pages maybe?" Your fingers freeze on the keys. "one. . ONE HUNDRED?!" Your eyes widen as you tilt your head up to look at him, his gaze is still unrelenting as ever. "Yes! Since I'm getting a 'real', authentic work of art from you personally. . . I need it to be long.. It needs to take me more than one sitting to read it! PAHAHAHAHA." Who the hell does the guy think he is. "Sure. ." You're cooked, you've only manged to write stories with at the maximum two thousand words, and now you have to achieve like what. . fifty thousand words? Hopefully- "Can you start writing? Sorry to press but you've been looking up at me for a minute now. .NOT that I don't mind. . . pahahahahahaha," Your head slowly tilts back down defeated, no way in hell you can write this much in one sitting, and having to do it sitting on this uncomfortable ass chair and someone watching every word you type. Deciding to lock in with that grindset mindset you begin typing, fingers grazing over the keys as you tap away. With Nause not injecting in every second you're able to actually write.

You've managed to successfully write a solid ten pages. You slump forward dejected. How the actual fuck are you going to finish this. Already ran out of ideas and your ass starting to hurt from the wooden chair. You shift with a soft groan, having completely forgotten about the monster looming right behind you. You jump forward, startled at the sudden voice behind you, tilting your head to see him. "How's it going Superstar? Is the chair treating you well enough PHAHAHAHA." The nerve on this guy. You give him a deadpanned stare before turning your head to face the type writer again. "It's great. Thank you very much..," Sarcasm laced your voice, a small laugh can be heard behind you then in a swift movement Nause picks you up and places you on his lap as he sits down on the chair that 'might' be a little too small for him. Your body tenses up in his grasp as his hands lay comfortably around your waist, keeping you in place. Small huffing can be heard behind you. "You can relax Superstar, I won't be hurting you...yet. phahahahahahahah. . . hah.."

How ominous! You slowly begin typing again, trying to calm your breathing or just yourself in general. But it seems like Nause isn't letting you get anywhere near finishing that damn story. He keeps on poking and prodding you with injections on what you should put in the story. "How about you make me a love interest? Make it where me and you.." His labored breathing starts up again, his grip on you tightening but he doesn't seem to care at your attempts for him to stop. "Y. . Yeah! Okay!" You quickly verbally agree to this idea instead of nodding to his other ones since this one seems to twist something inside him. Gross. His grip slowly loosens as you quickly begin writing again about him and you doing more intimate things like couples would do, but nothing too drastic.

Nause gets more comfortable as your fingers press against the keys, it seems like the noise lulls him to some extent. Was this part of one of his fantasies he's had with you? You start to feel kinda bad for the dude, he's way too obsessed with you. . a nobody. How could someone like this find you alluring? You cautiously lean back into him, oddly finding comfort in this situation. You hear his heavy breathing audibly hitch at the sudden adjustment. His arms snake around your waist completely, entraping you for good now. Not that you were complaining, it felt nice.. and comforting, in a more underlying sickening way. You shouldn't be comfortable around this guy, he's your stalker after all, in all reality did you even know anything about him besides his crippling obsession over you? No, no you didnt, you should be pushing him away but the fear, the fear of him hurting you made you stay in his lap. In the back of your mind you knew how wrong this was, how wrong it was for you to find a small twing of comfort with this sadistic monster. Maybe your desperation, the feeling of finally feeling wanted in your life, finding someone who actually wanted to be by you?

These thoughts made you feel revolted. You were actually feeling disgusted with yourself right now. A sickening feeling wrapped into your stomach, why were you trying to find some light in this situation? Was it to try and manipulate yourself into thinking that you're fine with all of. . this? You've never met anyone like this before. Never seen a person so obsessed. . devoted with you, you didn't want this, not at all. This guy is dangerous, he's unstable, and extremely unpredictable. You 'shouldnt' want this, but knowing that it's wrong only makes you crave it more. When you’re not used to attention, anything feels romantic. The way his arms are wrapped around your body as you try to focus on writing the story infront of you make you feel completed in a way. Nauses chipper voice broke you out of your thoughts, "Can you start to write the more heated stuff now? Just like in your old posts? Can you write about how you and I. ." He begins to list off in very detailed scenarios between you both. You sit there and listen to him talking non stop, you don't even think he took a break to breath. As he continues to rant about multiple of his fantasies that you should write about his grip on you gets tighter. . . and tighter to the point where it feels like he's going to break your ribs.

You yelp. Pathetically, you try to pry his hands off of you but it doesn't work. Realization sets in that he doesn't realize his death grip he has on you. You tilt your head to see him and his gaze is glossed over as he continues to ramble on about his weird fantasies. You look around the room and see that his axe is near the door, too far away to grab.You slowly lose hope, is this how you die, by the hands of your obessor? A cracking noise is what makes him stop. Your breathing chokes as you feel a sudden shot of pain near your chest. 'Did. . did he just break my rib..?' "S..SUPERSTAR? Superstar are you okay?" His voice is laced with faux worry, but you're too out of it to realize, your eyes are glued to where you felt the pain. Multiple thoughts rush through head about the pain, what were you even going to do? Nause picking you up is what breaks you out of the trance. "I think I broke your rib! PHAHAHA." Your eyebrows furrow at his laughing. He didn't seem to feel any remorse or guilt for hurting you. . . you should've known. You're a fool to have thought you felt secure next to him.

The sudden shift in surroundings jolts you out of the haze of pain and fear, as Nause carries you into a different room. The air feels heavier here, suffused with a sense of foreboding that sends shivers down your spine. The mattress beneath you feels cold and unforgiving, a stark contrast to the warmth you once sought in his twisted embrace.As your gaze wanders around the room, you are met with a display of walls adorned with an array of photographs capturing moments of your life, each one a piece of your personal history frozen in time. Surrounding you are intimate details about your existence, laid bare for Nause to see, creating a tapestry of memories and revelations that paint a vivid portrait of your identity, your life. You can't help but feel like a trapped bird, ensnared in a web woven by a predator whose intentions grow darker with each passing moment.

Nause reappeared after a brief moment, holding a small, sleek black container in his hands. As he places it beside you, his tall figure looms over, casting a shadow that seems to engulf the room. "Superstar, may I have a look at where it hurts?" he asks, his one visible eye gazing at you with an innocent curiosity. Feeling a mix of apprehension, you nod hesitantly mumbling unsure "S. . Sure," propping yourself up with your elbows. Slowly, you lift your shirt, revealing the area where your ribs are already bruising. Nause opens the container, revealing its contents - soft gauze and a cold ice pack, promising relief from the pain that gnaws at you. He begins to slowly wrap the ice pack with gauze around the side where your rib was broken, the coldness makes your body shudder and goosebumps form on your skin. His movements are carefully slow, as if he's doing it on purpose. As you finally begin to come down from your shock of how much pain you were in, soft labored breathing can be heard next to you. You wonder how long he's been like that, was him bandaging you up really making him act up. . again?

With a nervous gaze, you watch as his hands slowly guide the gauze just under chest, his eyes were trained on your exposed flesh. You cringe slighty as you notice, is that what was really bothering him? Seeing half your torso exposed? "Did you know this was one of my scenarios I've thought of before?!" Nauses somehow chipper voice rings through the quiet room. Holy fuck, he broke your rib on purpose. This revolution makes your body shudder with disgust? Anger? You couldn't really tell at the moment. "Oh. . Oh really. ." You mumbled out under your breat, distaste laced your . Nause finishes up bandaging you up and sets the container on the floor next to the bed. You quickly pull your shirt down with the energy you have left. You lay back down on the dingy bed now just feeling how tired. . exhausted you were. A sigh leaves you as your hands rub against your face, leaving them there for a second before letting then fall to your sides.

Frustration boiled inside you. This job was suppost to be quick and easy, you wernt prepared for this, for 'any' of this. This was most likely some sort of trap from your client. He set you up for failure. "Superstar, you should really get some rest. You still need to finish writing my one hundred pages story!" Your tired eyes glanced over to him, his towering frame made you feel small, pathetic. "Yeah. . goodnight.." You managed to muster out, turning around so your back faced him. Pulling the blanket up to your face, nuzzling into it. Sleep quickly came over to you. Should it worry you that he's watching you sleep? Yeah, and should you be on guard? Probally, but you've lost hope. You never really had a chance in the first place, did you?

A soft groan left your throat as you woke up, the pain from your broken rib quickly reminding you where you were. Rolling over on your back with a yawn you almost choke on your breath as you see Nause still standing over the bed. . watching you. "Were you there. . . all night?" You question him with a raised brow, you were seriously concernedfor this guy. "Of course! I had to make sure my Superstar was safe!" Of course, what more did you expect from him. You hiss out in pain as you sit up. "Can I get like an advil or something?" Your hand holds the spot where the now semi cold ice pack sits, you don't bother telling him about the temperature of it, you don't want to risk him overwhelming himself again and hurting you. . again. He seems to pause for a second, letting out an unsure noise. "I don't really have anything like that here. .The only reason I got that ice pack and stuff for you was from one of my neighbors. ." Sheepishly he rubbed the back of his neck his eye twitched with agitation, you wondered about why he couldn't just go over next door and ask for some pain meds but you didn't wanna pester him about it, he didn't seem to have the best relationship with the other residents here.

"BUT! To take your mind off of the pain you can continue writing!" Oh right, you still had to write about fifty more pages for his psychotic fanfic about you both. With the typewriter on standby he carefully sets it in your lap, to your suprise it wasn't as heavy as you thought it would be. Leaning back on the adjusted pillows behind you, you began writing. Deciding to cheap your way out, you typed every word with doubled letters to make the pages fill out quicker. After awhile, you were able to make the pages filled out faster than normal, but you quickly ran out of ideas. "Do you 'really' need a hundred pages? Im running out of ideas. Can't these perfectly crafted fifty pages be go-," Nause quickly cuts you off. "NO! I NEED those one hundred pages. I need. . . hah. ." His voice trails off as his breathing starts to get harder. In a swift motion he yanks his axe out, his grip tight on the handle, his eyes clouded with god knows what as he glares at you.

"Y. . Yeah! Of courseee..." You quickly agree scared of the axe welding monster infront of you. His grip slowly falters as his breathing goes back to normal after a couple of moments. "PAHAHAHA. . HAH.. I know how to help you!" Your expression quickly dropped, what could he mean by that? He could do litteraly anything to 'help' you, what he thinks could be 'help' could be the complete opposite to you. Multiple ideas infected your head, multiple terrible ideas, you were terrified on what he was about to do. "Since you need inspiration how about I help get your little mind in gear again!" His hand pulled down his bandana showing his sinister grin that laced his face, his sharp teeth gleamed in the dimly lit bedroom. "PHAHAHA!" He began to hysterically laugh again as he crawled onto the bed with you, on top of you. "W. . wha . ." The words you want to get out in protest, to question what he's about to do, they get stuck in your throat from fear. All you can do is stare up at him petrified with wide eyes, mouth agap.

"You don't know how long I've waited for this. .!" His eye gleamed down at you happily, in his sick twisted mind this way his way of helping you. After a moment of him just looking at you and you not giving a response, his head tilted to the side in confusion. His expression turned to one of a kicked puppy, his once toothy grin frowned. "What's the matter? Why arnt you excited? Isn't this what you've wanted?" He questioned looking confused, and a little heart broken. "I've read all your stories and one of them sounds just like this! A tall, handsome, good looking monster with an axe gets with you. I already know that the story was about me, the description matches. So. . . isn't this what you want?" You freeze, did you actually write something like that? You don't remember at all, you begin to doubt his truthfulness and think he made that up on the spot just to try and manipulate you. But, another thought did cloud your mind. When in your whole life are you going to get another chance to fuck a monster? You start to see the appeal of him, his grey skin, sinister gaze, size difference, and the fact he could kill you? A whole package deal to be honest.

"I. . I guess." Reluctantly you agree, if there's a chance you're going to die, you'll die happy. You wince under his gaze, his eyes squint happily once more as his toothy grin appears again. "Great! Even if you said no I was going to anyways!" He admits nonchalantly, what did you expect, of course he would. "Now let's get those creative gears in your head flowing with endless ideas!" His voiced changed into a slutry tone as his gaze clouded with undying lust. With his head lowered and his face just inches from yours, you can see a long, black tongue slithering out of his mouth. A soft gasp leaves your mouth at the sight, at the opportunity Nause connects his mouth with yours. His tongue snaked into your mouth, causing you to let out a choked gasp. He then left you with a sated moan as his tongue roamed around in your mouth. His hands creeped under your shirt, his rough fingers pawed at the exposed flesh of your sides, seemingly trying to ground himself.

As his knee forcefully inserted itself between your thighs rubbing against you, it felt divine. A choked whimper left your lips at the feeling, you don't even remember the last time someone was this intimate with you, it was making you feel light headed. . . No it wasn't because of that, it was the fact that Nause wasn't budging when you needed air, now. Your eyes shot open as your hands relentlessly pushed and pathetically punched against his chest, he was unmoving. With your vision starting to blur you resorted to your last idea, your hand moved down to his crotch and roughly squzzed. A low moan left his mouth as he pulled back from you panting heavily. "PHAHAHAHA. Superstar. . hah.," He stares down at your hand, licking his lips before reaching down and grabbing it. His large hand wrapped around your wrist pushing your hand harder onto him.

A low satisfied groan leaves him as he ruts against your hand. "N. .Nause..," You spoke barley above a whisper, your eyes were glued to the scene infront of you, his large clothed cock rubbing against your hand. Fuck, there's no way that was fitting inside you in anyway. "Superstar. ." His eyes never left your face. "I. . wait a second, how did it go again.." He mumbled more to himself as he took his hand off of yours and searched his pockets. After a moment he took a piece of carefully folded paper out of his pocket and unfolded it, his eyes scanned the page. "Nause. . . what is that." You could already assume it was one of your fictive stories. "It's one of my favorite pieces by you! I just forgot how it went. . bear with me for a moment Superstar. . .!" His voice trailed off twords the end as he concentrates on re freshing his memory up on supposedly what he wants to do. "Aha! Now get ready for a once in a life time experience. . . PAHAHAHAHA." He shoves the paper back into his pocket, his predatory gaze looks down at your lower abdomen. His fingers quickly did work of your pants tugging them off and discarding them on the floor.

His breathing begins to get labored again and if pupils could have heart eyes that's what he would have right now. "Finally. .!" He gets situated inbetween your thighs, now laying on his stomach, his head resting on the inner of your thigh and his callused fingers lazily tracing along the already damp clothed slit of your entrance. In a swift sudden motion he pulls his axe out from his back, holding onto the butt of the axe he slowly cuts off your underwear. Your body freezes as you stare down at him with wide, scared, yet desperate eyes. Maybe him using the axe turned you on, just a little bit. His axe hovered over the bare skin of your thighs, he seemed lost in a trance as he traced light lines above your skin.

"N. .Nause?!" Catiously you warned him with a slight waver in your tone, scared he was actually going to cut you. "PAHAHAHAHA. . . HAH.. Sorry." He haphazardly tosses the axe off the side of the bed, a thud resonates in the room from the heavy axe. "Now where were we!?" He stares at you briefly before redirecting it down to your exposed cunt. His fingers traced along your folds, letting his fingers get drenched in your slick. With his mouth hovering over your clit, he experimentally takes a long lick on it. You squirm at the feeling, thighs instinctively wanting to close, his free hand holds onto one of your thighs making sure you're spread open for him. His two fingers quickly pump in and out of you as his tongue circles and softly sucks on your clit. The obscene squeltch of your pussy sends a blush across your face, with his relentless bullying of his fingers in you, curling up into every time he pushed them in. Your hips jerked as you felt the familiar feeling of your high building up in your stomach.

Soft pants filled the room as you neared your peak, your hands gripped onto Nauses head pushing him more into you, the feeling of his tongue swirling around on you became too much. A soft moan left your mouth as you clenched around his fingers, coating them with your cum. The low groan that left Nause vibrated against you, causing your hips to jerk slighty due to the stimulation. "PAHAHA. Did I do good Superstar?" He asked teasingly while sucking hard on your clit. "Mmphh.." Is all you manage to reply from the overstimulation. Nause leans back after a moment, allowing you to catch your breath. "Now let's get to the real show! HAH. ." His unerving grin never leaving his face as he undoes the clasp of his grayish belt, quickly yanking his pants down discarding them on the floor.

You're now able to see his clothed member strained against the confines of his briefs, there's a wet spot near his tip from how much pre cum he's leaking. Your eyes widen at just how big he is again realizing that there's no way he's gonna be able to fit all of that in you. "Feeling nervous? PAHAHAHA. You look so cute when you're scared. . hehe..!" His hands grab at your shirt ripping it off of you, then unclasping your bra leaving you completely nude underneath him. His hands find there way to your chest and paw at your breast's, taking in the nip inbetween his fingers and tweening it. The noises filling in the room are your soft whines and whimpers and Nauses concerning hard breathing. "Nause. ." You mewl out impatiently. "Sorry! They're just so soft..HAH..heh.." He pinches them once more before pulling off his briefs. With him now exposed he grabbed the back of your thighs hastily, pushing them up to your chest.

"You don't know how long I've waited for this!" With his neurotic gaze set on yours he roughly pushes himself inside, pained whimpers filled the room as tears filled the corners of your eyes. The sudden intrusion with no warning did not prepare you at all. He's only able to stuff about half of himself inside you due to his size. You guess due to him being freakishly tall with a huge build he was bound to have a big cock. "So small.." He mutters with a groan into your neck. "All mine. ." He pulls out and slowly ruts back in clumsy, your gummy walls desperately try to adjust to his size. With each thrust, his movements get harsher, more needy, all consuming. With his face nuzzled into your neck, you feel something slick slither around your neck before a quick shot of pain envelopes on your shoulder.

Nause bites rather harshly, letting his teeth sink in just enough to draw blood. His tongue laps up the blood eagerly, you can feel his dick throb inside you as he gets closer to his release. His hand moves down and his rough thumb sloppily rubs circles on your clit, a choked moan leaves you at the overwhelming sensations. You thought he would be talking this whole time but he seems too caught up in the feeling to care. With his thrusts getting more sloppy and the pleasure building up in your stomach becoming too much, you clench around Nauses cock, closing your eyes at the feeling letting out a moan as you ride out your climax. Shortly after Nause rocks his hips into a few more times before shoving himself back in roughly. You shudder at the feeling of him filling you up, harsh breaths fill your ears as he's gripping onto you like you'll leave.

He stays on top of you, holding onto you as his cock slowly softens inside of you. He pulls out, laying beside you, his arms hugging you from behind, face comfortably nuzzled in your hair, taking in the scent. The feeling is comforting, as you hear his breathing soften behind you sleep begins to lull you. You sleep comfortably in Nauses arms, the dread of having to write those pages and the task of removing Nause from this room leaves your mind as sleep over takes you. The pain of your rib being forgotten, that was going to be a pain when you woke up.

[prettypinkporkchop]

-3 years ago-

Jake groans while standing up from fixing the new engine in his old red truck. "So, who is Bella?" You ask, picking up a tool and examining it. He smiles at you, grabbing it from your hand. "Just a childhood friend. She hasn't been here or really with Charlie in a long time." He sighs. "Is this someone I should be concerned about?" You raise an eyebrow. He shakes his head and then kisses your forehead. "Nope." He walks away.

---NOW---

Oh, but you should have been worried. He was up her ass. You went from a teen and in love to an adult and watching everything fall apart. All of his friends have separated. Jake and Quil are the last of them. The others joined Sam's gang. That's the last you've seen or heard from them. You moved away for a job that did not feel right.

You park your car in the driveway to your old house. Your eyelids are heavy, considering you've been driving for nearly seven hours. You barely slept the night before because of anxiety. The front door opens, and it's your old guardian.(can be anyone for you).

After settling back into your old bedroom, you climb in the bed and attempt to rest some more. "Y/n! You have a visitor!" You groan and push yourself up.

You walk towards the open front door.

Of course. It's Jacob Black. Short hair and a tattoo. You're not so surprised. You're not even mad about the teenage love drama anymore. You just hope the dude isn't in any drugs or gang related shit because of Sam.

You look up at him and lean on the door frame. "Long time, no see, Black." You smile. He just stands there, staring. It seems like he's in shock. His eyes are wide open, and his eyebrows are raised. "I know. I'm still super hot." You joke. Saying this brings him back, shaking his head and then smiling. "Hey y/n. Small town noise, ya know. I heard you were back, and I just wanted to say 'hi'." He tucks his hands in his pockets. "Thank you? I mean, not that I mind you being here, but why is it important to say hi to me?" You giggle awkwardly. "Also, I'm not mad. We were kids. But, how's your lady, Bella?" He sucks in a breath. "Uh, yeah, about that. She's with the weirdo Edward Cullen. They're married now." He chuckles.

"Oh, I'm sorry." You awkwardly say. Deep down, you're singing JoJo Siwas Karma. But, at the same time, you're over all of it. But truthfully, you don't care. "It's not a problem. I've learned some lessons."

"Yeah, which made you join Sam's gang?" You raise your eyebrow with a smirk. "It's not a gang. It's a lot more than that. No drugs like we thought. We are just helping people and each other."

You don't respond. "Well, how about we catch up? I'm sure my people would love to see you again." He smiles. "Eh, I mean, it'd be nice to see your dad. I just don't want to bring back memories I've worked so hard to let go of." He frowns, and you can see the guilt wash over him. "I have some things to say. I really think it'll be worth your time. Everything will make sense."

You think and then nod, "Okay. When do you want to go?"

He perks up with a grin. "Now, I mean, whenever you are ready!" He pipes up.

"Look who's back. Couldn't stay away from Jake, could you?" Embry nudges you. You roll your eyes. "You haven't changed a bit." You laugh. "Hey! That's the joys of being an imprint. The universe always brings you back."

"Embry." Jacob glares at him. "Imprint? What?" You look at them. Embry raises his eyebrows. "Oh. My bad, cuh." He runs away. "Damn it."

A couple weeks later:

"DAMN IT!" You scream and drop the knife in the sink. A stinging pain runs through your whole hand even though the cut is just your middle finger. Blood drips into the sink. You try to keep it away from the food you are cooking. "What? What is it?" Jacob runs to you. He grabs your arm and looks over your hand. "Oh, baby." He wraps a paper towel around your finger. He kisses the top of your head. "Are you going to be okay?" He anxiously looks over your face. You nod through the pain. It's not deep enough for medical attention.

"Come on." He brings you over to the first aid cabinet. He wraps your finger and kisses your forehead. "I'll finish cooking." He presses a quick kiss to your lips. You lean up and press a lingering kiss on his lips. One that he melts into. He presses your back against the counter and has his hands on your waist.

His phone starts buzzing on the table. "UGH. What the hell." He goes to see who it is. "Bella." He groans and declines the call. "She's been blowing up my phone. Something about Edward getting her pregnant. I don't know. I don't care. It's not my problem." He laughs. You smile at him and walk up to him. You grab onto his shirt and pull him down, attacking his lips.

He groans and bites your bottom lip. "You trying to tell me something?" He breathes out before kissing your neck.

"Mhm."

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

PoC and queer people, and queers of color are not out here being mad at everyone for no reason. Did you guys think it was just a group of cishet white men who probably don’t even watch the show? We have begged all these years for aid, but it’s dystopian-like to see you guys come together and pay over $21 thousand for a billboard within a few hours. The “charities” aren’t listed, and even then seeing fans tell the organizers use all the money for advertisements is horrifying to say the least. Even more so adding on the creator is a Zionist and antiBlack, which again White people arent gonna give a shit about as they continue to show so in all fandoms. It’s the people affected that calls this guy out, and y’all don’t listen. Do what you want, but stop diminishing our voices as the “angry crowd” have some damn compassion

CW: Racism, Anti-Semitism, Zionism, This is a save space ship so please do not read if you don't have the spoons because there's heavy shit in here today. ------ Hi friend! First of all, I want to say thank you so much for reaching out and giving me some more information! Personally, I don't think what you're being mad about is "for no reason". For me, that's not where the issue lies, and perhaps you could provide me with some further insight. So far, the only kinds of responses to this campaign that I've encountered that are negative have been "Taika is a Zionist", and I have not encountered that "queers of color " we're having a problem. Now, that could be that I just haven't seen them and now that my reach is out a little further it's coming up-- which is great, I want to have a conversation about it. I am newer to the fandom so it's possible I just haven't been around for a lot of this in the past, I admit that. I would be more than happy to hear more about what it is that "Queers of Color" have a problem with regarding the show.

------

In regards to "Even more so adding on the creator (I'm assuming you're referring to Taika here as opposed to David Jenkins?) is a Zionist and antiBlack, which again White people arent gonna give a shit about as they continue to show so in all fandoms."

So, I can see why you feel that way. I've heard a lot from many people of color who feel as if they aren't being considered in a lot of fandoms (not specifically this one but general scifi , fantasy, etc). I am white, so I know that no matter what my background is culturally, I cannot understand the full extent of what our friends of color go through so I try to amplify the voices of those people when they bring information to the table. I do think this fandom cares, and would love to hear more if you're willing to provide it.

My First Question is, where is the narrative coming from that Taika is AntiBlack? He's of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, an indigenous person, with jewish heritage. I did some googling (yes I realise that's not the most efficient or accurate tool, but I did try to find independant sources). The thing that sticks out most to me is regarding the 2020 following the death of George Floyd. Here is one of the articles I referenced:

Taika's tweet was "Watch the whole thing. Eloquent. Clear. Everyone is angry but there is a way to direct that anger." in response to Killer Mike's message asking “not burn your own house down” and instead “fortify your own house.” and to "Plot, plan, strategize, and organize" as he said in the video.

Now, I see a lot of reactions from people of color specifically stating "don't police my anger" and that is a 100% valid take. No one should be telling you how to channel your anger when as a society you are being murdered and you have to fight back to survive. I do think that everyone still has a lot to learn.

I am going to give you a little background on myself (not to toot my own horn, but to provide a little perspective on how much we are still learning). I am whiteyest white person there is, like I go outside and my skin practically lights on fire from my irish/eastern european ancestry, but I also have a black biological grandmother from Guayana who had ancestry back to many years before when slaves were brought over during the Atlantic Slave Trade. So growing up, even though I was white, I thought I had it all figured out on racism because my grandma was black. The narratives taught in US schools were that "racism was in the past" because schools had been white washed, and I grew up in Northern Virginia, where it was supposed to be "multicultural center of the country" since we were so close to DC. Over time, I started finding out from friends of color and indigenous friends that they were still experiencing racism towards them. I never knew, because I wouldn't have, it wasn't faced towards me. And I knew some-- but I didn't know enough even then 15 years ago. Roll around to 2010-12ish, several things occurred that made "black face" become more prominent and I had more discussions with my friends about what kind of racism they dealt with in their day to day lives. I used to color my arms when I was a kid with a brown marker because I wanted to look like my grandma. I found out at the ripe old age of 24 that was basically black face for a lot of people and that it wasn't ok.

2020 came, and George Floyd, and Brianna Taylor, Stephan Clark, Botham Jean, Freddie Gray and so many others were murdered by police and white supremacist shitwads, and suddenly, not just me but so many more white people started to get the slightest inkling of just HOW BAD it really was for black people in this country. That was the year honestly I started to question the systems of our government, and all the racial inequalities that I THOUGHT I had understood before.

Our government, our society culturally has tried its best to sweep racial inequality under the rug, and pretend like "racism is gone" when we still have systems built on racism, that benefit from racist systems of the past. (This is why it's so important that we keep fighting against people who want to white wash history books in a lot of the southern states like FL and TX) Is that an excuse? Of course not. But I believe in change whole-heartedly, and while I am still ashamed of the vast ignorance I had for so many years, and worry about the ignorance I still don't know I'm ignorant of, I do try to be better. I am trying to take that shame and continue to learn and chip away at my ignorance not only through others but on my own. I am not asking for you to pity, or to forgive me or any other white person for that kind of ignorance, what I'm doing here is trying to make a safe space to share and so you can see that people can actively change. Is it enough? Probably not, but it's a start.

-- Now, All that to say, regarding Taika... that tweet from 2020, as I said, quite a lot of people (of all colors) had their eyes opened that year to some pretty systemic racist horrors, and if that is the tweet that sparked the idea that Taika is "Anti-Black" I think, while you don't have to forgive him, it would be something to consider that quite a lot of people were well intending during that time but did not fully comprehend exactly how bad it was. I would however, if you'd be willing to chat with me in DMs about it, or send another ask, like to hear more if there was more evidence of it somewhere I didn't see.

-------- In regards to Taika being a Zionist... which I have heard from others quoting the letter he signed asking for the release of hostages in Gaza. I'm including a link to a copy of the letter just so people can read it, I realize the hollywood reporter isn't an amazing source, but it has the letter included, so thats why. Once again, when that letter came out back in October, quite a lot of people didn't actually know what was going on in Gaza.

We all heard brief things in our day to day news feed, but just like how everything is on the internet right now, information isn't "complete" it's broken up in fragments and it takes a really long time to compile them. There is misinformation galore, and it's incredibly easy to not hear the entire story. I know in October, I was dealing with health issues and I was completely just not paying attention what was going on (we all have our lives and as much as I'd like to say we can all be omniscient and fully present for all things it's truly not a reasonable expectation of any human being nor should it be, the world is a very large place, and we should help where we can but there's a limitation on human ability).

In my opinion, as someone who has tried a lot of their life to "do the right thing" and made a lot of mistakes and tried to learn from them, that letter, and Taika signing it seemed like a "Good intentions" situation again, hoping that he could help in someway. Am I making excuses for him? No, I'm expressing my perspective. I'm not here to change your opinion on him, I'm here to express why fans are still fighting for this show. Do you have other resources regarding his support of zionism?

What concerns me though as a whole, is people throwing 'Zionist' around very liberally these days. I am not an expert on the situation and I don't claim to be. However, growing up in DC when 9/11 happened, I can tell you that labels like that can get dangerous very VERY quickly. Muslim families I grew up with had their windows shattered with bricks on the night of 9/11 (and labeled terrorists) despite being pillars in the community and never having hurt a soul.

Right now, Zionist is a word that is being used to label someone in a very intense way, and it invokes dangerous responses in people. I do believe we really need to make sure we are labeling these situations properly because those kinds of labels CAN and WILL get out of hand very quickly and get people hurt.

I'm going to link to this article from the Anne Frank house to define Zionism. I am also going to list this article from the American Jewish Committee regarding racism and anti-semitism. Once again I'm not an expert on the situation going on in Gaza, and I'm happy to hear more regarding it.

-----------

In regards to your comments on the charities: There are some charities listed in a few places, they just aren't all part of the advertising campaign one:

The main one for Rainbow Youth is here: The Renew As a Crew Fundraiser (not the advertising one) https://ry-community.raisely.com/renewasacrew/ **The Advertising Campaign / Charities**

You mentioned in your ask "even then seeing fans tell the organisers use all the money for advertisements is horrifying to say the least".

I can understand why that would be horrifying to someone who is feeling raw the way that you are. It's completely valid. I would like to offer up the perspective that some people are very invested in this show for their own reasons (some people have never felt represented in major networks) and they too are allowed to feel excited and say things that might be in their own best interest. We are all allowed those opinions, and I think the more we shame people for wanting something, the less discussion we're going to be able to have. That said, I think the @renewasacrew leadership team made a good decision to stick to their original $10K for advertising, and the rest going to charity because of the confusion. It does the most good, and still allows the original intent -- to show the world how much Our Flag Means Death means to many people.

In regards to which charities they are going to -- I had seen somewhere that they were going to a charity Samba and Vico Ortiz had chosen but I asked the leadership team on twitter and this is what they responded with (which I think is fair, they're trying to take their time to make a good decision with the help of everyone involved).

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

I would also like to point out however, that we do have the ability to care about more than one thing at once. One thing that makes life worth living is the little things that make us smile. I have a lot of stuff at home that makes life rough, and my escape is this gay pirate show, and this beautiful, compassionate community that supports it.

We are allowed to have things that we love as well as the things we fight for. I do a lot of my activism on facebook and in person, I don't bring it to tumblr much because this is the safe space for a lot of people to dream and have dreams. It is important for everyone's mental health to step away from the realities of life sometimes (which I know some people like those in Gaza or Ukraine can't do) or else we all burn out and can't help anymore.

I hope this helps a bit in showing you we do care about queers of color, and we do want to know more how we can help, and we are willing to listen. There's a lot of compassion in this community, and I think a lot of people would be willing to talk about it if things are done in a safe space. I do apologize that you feel like we've "diminished" your voices, that was not the intention. If you would like to use that voice to provide more examples and your views I'm happy to listen. I do think we need to allow people to enjoy things too though, because life's not worth living otherwise. Nothing is perfect, but we continue to try and improve.

I would also like to recommend that if the OFMD fandom renewal campaign is bothering folks, please feel free to block us. We don't want to make anyone feel bad, but we also want to express ourselves in a healthy manner. Much love your way Anon.

[felixcloud6288]

Dungeon Meshi Chapter 19

So my beautiful angel is named Namari.

AND SHE GETS KILLED!?!

Why do you do this to me Kui?

Going back to the start of the chapter.

So it's been about a week since the start of the series? Since they're underground, it's not entirely possible to track the flow of time.

I hope Namari's comment on Kaka and Kiki is more of a "They're always together and I've never heard them addressed individually" and not a "I can't tell humans apart" thing.

Namari's justification for leaving the party after they lost to the red dragon brings a very different question to mind: Why did Chilchuck stay in the party?

Laios is going on a rescue mission with zero promises of getting any valuables and no offers to pay for the journey. I understand Marcille going with him because she and Falin are long-time friends. But Chilchuck has neither told us why stuck around nor do we have any information about him that would imply why he stuck around.

And gnomes are a race in this story. There was a guy in that party that got wiped by treasure insects and piscines who I thought was a half-foot until I saw how tall he was. I guess he was also a gnome.

Mr Tansu is a powerful healer able to resurrect the dead, but it looks like there is some degree of physical stress casting the spell. Mr Tansu's hand was popping a vein when he cast the spell on Namari.

So the whole thing about people's souls being bound to the dungeon is specific to this dungeon rather than being a trait common in dungeons in general.

Like Mr Tansu put it, it's not that the dead can be brought back to life. Death itself is forbidden. I'm going to throw that into the pile of evidence to my speculation that the mage behind the dungeon is trying to resurrect Delgal and preserve the kingdom.

I wonder if this also applies to the monsters. Maybe monster populations are kept stable because their souls stay in the dungeon and the dungeon spawns new bodies for them.

Is Namari a dwarf? She's way shorter than everyone else and she's talking a lot of hype about dwarf craftsmanship.

That interaction between Namari and Laios about choosing and maintaining their weapons makes me super bummed that she's not part of the cast. I've seen plenty of posts about people having an inner Senshi telling them to eat healthy and having an inner Chilchuck telling them to know their rights as workers and not let themselves be taken advantage of. People should also have an inner Namari telling them to take care of the tools they rely on.

Laios taking in Kensuke has been paying dividends. Monster ambushes haven't been nearly as much of a concern since it warns Laios of danger.

Okay, so the sister is Kiki and the brother is Kaka.

Once again, the story is showing that Laios's party managing to get through the dungeon without heavy struggle is not the normal experience. The Tansu party has probably only gotten as far as it has because Mr Tansu is such a powerful healer that they can brute-force their way through the dungeon.

Tentacles was brought up in chapter 15. So it's a grabbing vine. We're not told anything about them though. I' guess it's a species of man-eating plant based on the 'm gonna guess it's a derivative of the fertilizer-type plants like baraselia.

The environment tentacles grow in would be naturally nutrient-poor. The baraselia's method of killing victims close to its root to make them into compost is likely too inefficient for the tentacles. It probably paralyzes its prey to keep the body from rotting for as long as possible while it wraps its roots around them to digest them.

The tentacles attacked Kiki and Laios in response to being attacked. If Kensuke hadn't warned Laios, would the plant have left the party alone? Probably not honestly. Maybe it was more like a sound or touch reaction than an aggressive response.

Some of the vines in the tower are probably just regular vines. Laios and Namari cut them without issue. Tentacles probably blend into the environment and react when it detects anything that could be prey.

I haven't the slightest clue what happened during the fight with the tentacle. Laios's plan was definitely to retrieve Kiki's crossbow so they'd have some ranged combat, but I don't know why it let Laios and Kiki go when Namari shot at it. Maybe tentacles have a release reaction if they detect they're being cut. It wouldn't do to grab something with sharp edges that could cut through it even if the plant manages to paralyze it.

Here's where Senshi grabbed the vine and got stung.

Two whole pages waiting to see what happened to Laios and it was worth it.

After seeing the pictures in Laios's book, I've changed my mind on what tentacles are. This is a specific type called an ivy tentacle. He also called it nematocystic when he explained how the monster paralyzes its prey. I looked it up and that is a trait shared by corals, anemones, and jellyfish. So rather than being a plant, tentacles are probably more akin to jellyfish and the vines were dragging prey toward its main body. Rinsing the stung area with vinegar is also recommended as part of immediate treatment for some jellyfish stings.

Namari is very clearly unnerved by Laios and Senshi casually eating and discussing cooking monster in front of them. This is the first time someone outside the party has actually seen them do this. There was the cockatrice in chapter 3, but that's a giant chicken so it wasn't nearly as strange. Also, the people in chapter 3 were more concerned with the guy who was dying from poison.

Senshi has never ventured past the start of F4 so he doesn't have any experience cooking new monsters going forward.

Marcille is annoyed that Namari works for money and not because they're all a family who help each other.

back

[americas1suiteheart]

Can you please do a doctor who fanfic, a 10th Doctor x TransMasc!reader please :3 nothing specific in the story other than that, though some fluff would be nice

Why I would be more than happy do write such! I absolutely adore Trans reader stories, its a shame there ain't many, I'm so glad you asked me this though!

________________

Brilliant!

[10th Doctor x Trans-Masc!Reader]

[Summary: After years of traveling with the doctor, you accidentally spout out about how you identify. You had hid it the whole time you'd known him out of fear he'd drop you back off on earth out of disgust. That was the last thing he'd intended on doing.]

[Warnings; 900-some year old age gap (can I count that as a warning?)]

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

You were stupid enough to be messing with a piece of forgin spacecraft basically. You wanted to see what it was linked to, where it came from, and if it was getting any transmission signals.

So you began taking it apart. Yeah, just as I've said; not the smartest thing to do. Suddenly, it began whirring and flashing the white lights it had attached onto the top of it. Odd. Then it began blaring. Oh no. Then came a voice. Shit..

You take a few steps back from the piece of machinery and get your welding gun, protection I guess?

"WHO ARE YOU!? WHAT AM I DOING HERE!?"

The now what you assume is a battle robot or possibly even a life form, starts moving one of what you assume is its arm, and a blue glowing eye-like piece on its head.

Then it points another one of its "arms," up to you, starting to glow in a neon white color, making an awful whirring noise before flickering out and falling off from the body of it.

You were absolutely fascinated. Scared yes, but fascinated nonetheless. "What.. What are you?" I ask, walking closer as I look all around it.

"I AM THE DALEK! TELL ME WHAT DO YOU HAVE ME HELD HERE FOR!?"

This thing is incredible. You'd never heard of a Dalek before, but it surely was something. "I found you, I work in the engineering field and I was trying to see what you were or where you came from. I don't wish to hurt you." You put your welding tool down, seeing that the arm that seemed to be its weapon is no longer attached to it.

"RELEASE ME FROM YOUR CAPTIVITY HUMAN!" It begins rolling towards me, I back up slowly as to not let it get too close.

"Alright, I will but what did you come to earth for. Because surely your not from this planet or possibly even this galaxy, I'd never seen a piece machinery like that."

"WHY SHOULD I TELL YOU THAT!? WHY SHOULD I TRUST YOU!?" The Dalek rolls even closer to you, moving its eye up and down as if its examining you.

"Because I haven't done anything to harm you yet, have I? If I wanted to kill you I could have already done it by now." You place your hands up in a defensive manor as it rolls backward.

Suddenly, you hear your door beeps as it opens, you turn your head to the door, revealing two people, one young girl and one man.

"God, not again. Seriously what is it with you science guys and the Daleks." The Girl complains, followed by a chuckle from the man beside her.

The Dalek begins to freak out, blaring and flashing its lights as it looks at the girl and the man, pointing its remaining arm at them and flailing it.

"YOU ARE AN ENEMY OF THE DALEK! YOU MUST BE DESTROYED!"

What? It knows these people? Why are they enemies?

The man looks at the Dalek and deems it unharmful after looking at its missing arm. "You can't hurt me, you haven't even got your gunstick." The man laughs at the Dalek, getting closer to it. Then he turns to look at you, walking up to you. "You just have the bloody thing roaming around your lab? You know how much harm it could've done if it had its gunstick?"

"Well, it kinda did when I was messing with it." You admit, looking blankly at him.

"Your lucky your still alive you know, I'm telling you Rose, the bunch of you humans are fools sometimes!" He looks at the younger woman that you now know as Rose.

You look at the man dumbfounded, 'you humans'? Was he not a human himself like the Dalek? Was that why he was an enemy?

Rose approaches you, pushing the man to the side, "Hello, I'm Rose Tyler and this is The Doctor. We want to know how you get ahold of the Dalek and if it had caused any sort of mayhem before?" Rose puts her hand out to me to introduce herself and the man.

You reach for Rose's hand, giving it a firm shake as you introduce yourself, "Dr. L/n, and how should I trust you two? The other man is just called 'The Doctor'? No name or anything? And he said 'you humans' as well, how should I trust he's not just som-"

The "Doctor," then cuts me off, "Dr. L/n, I can assure you that you can trust us, we're probably the only ones on this planet that you can trust." The Doctor says, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"I found it in what we thought was an smaller asteroid landing, I found the Dalek mostly unharmed other than a few dents, then I took it into here and started taking it apart. I had no clue what it was really, It hadn't caused any damage and no one knows about it other than me and a colleague that thought it was just some spaceship debris. Would you please get your hand off me?" I explain, then looking down at The Doctor's arms on my shoulders, trying to shrug them off.

The Doctor takes his hands off of me, turning to the Dalek, "Alright.. What should we do about you now." He says, putting his index finder on his cheek in a thinking manor.

"FREE ME!"

"No no, I'm afraid we can't do that. We could kill you and just scrap your battle armor. Though self destruction might be better for y-" You shoot up and stand in front of the Dalek blocking it from The Doctor cuttting him off.

"Why should we kill it? It's already vulnerable being it no longer has its weapon." I look up at him.

"Dr. L/n, we have to kill it. It doesn't even serve a purpose here being the rest of its race is dead. There is no reason for it to fulfill whatever order it was sent here for. This creature doesn't show pity or remorse and will kill anything and anyone in any way that it can once it is able to." The Doctor explains.

You look down at the Dalek and step out of the way between it and The Doctor.

"YOU HAVE BETRAYED ME DR. L/N! YOU ARE NOW AN ENEMY OF THE DALEKS!" The Dalek looks at me as it flails its arm about.

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

[Skip because I don't feel like writing a whole death scene for the Dalek]

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

Rose comes up to me and shakes my hand once more, "It was a pleasure to meet you Dr. L/n, though it wasn't one of the best ways to do so I suppose," She lets out a lighthearted chuckle.

"Pleasure to meet you too Ms. Tyler."

The Doctor clears his throat, "Dr. L/n, what experience do you have with extraterrestrial machinery?"

"Well, I've handled quite a bit for a number of years now. I'm usually the person the higher ups hand all that kind of stuff to, why do you ask?" I say, taking my goggles off my face and placing them on the top of my head.

"Brilliant! I was wondering if you would like to travel with me and Rose here." The Doctor's face lights up as he turns to look at Rose.

"He doesn't know how to fix his ship, he just bangs the poor thing with a hammer and calls it a day." Rose giggles as The Doctor looks at her in unamusement.

Traveling with what seems to be an extraterrestrial being that just told another extraterrestrial being to kill itself, and a young girl. Sure that seems completely safe!

"Ship? So you're from space I'm assuming, Doctor?" You furrow your eyebrows.

"Well, yes. But Rose here is a human, you'll have another one of you on it, that is if you choose to go with us, of course, Dr. L/n." The Doctor shrugs his shoulders and tilts his head to the side.

"Alright, I'll go, but what am I going to do about my job? I can't just leave."

"We basically have a time traveling ship, give them a two weeks advance and then you can leave the same day if you go with us." Rose says.

I look at The Doctor and he nods.

"Alright, lead me to your "ship," "

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

Its been years now since you'd first met the two. Now it's just you and The Doctor, as Rose had left a year ago now. You enjoyed your time with her and became good friends with eachother and wished she hadn't left, but you respected her decision.

Rose was the only one you had told about being transgender, she supported you and suggested you tell The Doctor, but pushed it off using excuses such as, "He won't understand it," and, "It wouldn't matter to tell him," but you were scared he was going to call you a freak really.

The reason for this was not just because you were afraid of losing a good friend, but because you had come to fancy him throughout those years.

You walk into the console room due to hearing banging, hoping it wasn't The Doctor trying to "fix," something, yet lo and behold, you find him using a mallet on the poor TARDIS.

"Doctor, if something is wrong with the TARDIS you could just ask me to fix it, you know that." You walk towards him, your arms crossed with a look of unamusement on your face.

The Doctor looks at you and places the mallet down, "Ah, Y/n! Great now you can go and fetch me the sonic screwdriver from the living area, I'd left it there when I was working on something else."

"Doctor, you don't need the sonic screwdriver, or this mallet, to fix this, let me do it." You say, grabbing the bag of your tools to look for the needed things.

"Watch, for stuff like this you only need a bit of electrical tape, wire cutters, and a couple of these wire butt connectors." You say, grabbing one of the faulty wires in the console.

"You splice the wires, taking off about a quarter of an inch, then you place it with the colour corresponding wire, connect in with the butt connector- are you even listening?" You look up at The Doctor to see him looking at your face.

"Yeah, yeah I'm listening don't worry," he says, leaning onto the railing on the console.

"What had I just said then?" You eye The Doctor for a second before going back to your work.

He stayed silent for a second, before saying, "Wires." He shrugs.

You roll your eyes and get back to working on the TARDIS. This wasn't the first time he'd done something like this, but yet, it didn't upset you.

"Y/n, I've wondered about your family. You never talked about them or anything of the such, why's that?"

Your family wasn't the best. After telling them you were transgender the only people that supported you was your dad and most of the family on his side. But everyone else, including your mum and your siblings cut all contact with you right after.

"Oh uh, I don't really talk to them anymore." You say, continuing your work.

"Why?"

Before you could stop yourself from saying anything you would regret, the words flew out from your mouth in desperation to be let out.

The one thing you told yourself you wouldn't do was done. You couldn't take it back or pass it off as a joke, the damage was done.

The Doctor just stayed silent, what appeared to be a look of confusion on his face.

You could've apologized and run off to your respectful room in the TARDIS, but you just sat there staring at him silently. You didn't want to loose more people because of your own choice to be something that you weren't born as.

"Y/n, I'm so glad you told me. Why hadn't you told me sooner?" The Doctor engulfs you into a hug.

Before you knew it you began crying. You'd never been so relieved and happy about something.

"You don't think I'm a freak?" You sputter out, trying your best to make it sound clear.

"No, Y/n I could never. I think your absolutely brilliant! I don't think I could ever have a more brilliant companion, really." He says, grabbing onto the both of your hands.

There was a peaceful moment of silence between the two of you before The Doctor broke it. "Y/n, can I tell you something as well?"

You nod your head.

"I'm in love with you, Dr. L/n." The Doctor says, looking at you as if you were the only thing in the universe, the glow of the TARDIS making his eyes glisten it that gorgeous caramel brown colour you adored.

That's the first time he's called you that since a little while after you two met.

"I love you too, Doctor."

You could see his eyes flick down to your lips before one of his shaky hands reaches for your cheek, he leans in and closes his eyes as he pulls your face closer to his, finally closing the gap between the both of you, placing a gentle but passionate kiss on your lips that lasted a couple of seconds before the both of you pulled away, breaths short.

He looked absolutely gorgeous in that moment, his messy hair sticking up from all directions, a lopsided smile on his face, an a deep blush spread across his freckled face, the TARDIS glow illuminating it.

"You're absolutely brilliant, darling." He says, placing another kiss onto your lips.

The universe had the best intentions for your life and you could never ask for anything better at that very moment.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

I hope that was a decent enough interpretation of what you wanted. I really like the way that this one turned out! My request book is open! Send any requests you have.

Word Count; 2,395

Do not repost or translate any of my work!

[gamesception]

Sception Reads Cass Cain #18

Batgirl (2000) #5 Story: Peterson & Puckett Art: Scott & Campanella

Back to the main series, and we're following straight on from where we left off. I'm leaving my criticisms of the direction taken with issue 4 behind, what's done is done, all we can do now is look at where the creative team goes with it. As with the issue 4 post, I'm trying not to just straight summarize everything, so if you aren't familiar with this series or haven't read it in a while, do please go read through issue 5 again. It's good, it introduces David Cain, there's a clever bit with Cass figuring out how to let Babs know she can understand her now even though she can't really speak yet, the art's still really good. It's worth your time.

The main thing I want to talk about in this post, of course, is David Cain. The flanderization of David Cain is one of the ways Cassandra's stories started to trail off long before her ongoing Batgirl run came to an end, and the fact that none of the multiple creative teams across multiple books that have tried to 'fix' Cassandra thought to try to 'fix' David as well - only pushing him deeper into his two dimensional generic comic villain box - is a big part of why modern Cass has never managed to hook me like old school Cass once did.

This is our first time meeting him since the introduction in No Man's Land, and after seeing Cass again he's just fallen apart. Drunk, hasn't shaved, hasn't showered. You get the impression that he must have been like this after Cass first left, that it must have taken him years to build himself back up to where he was when we last saw him.

But seeing Cass again, knowing she's alive but that she never forgave him, the shock and hope and despair when she heard her speak - you can tell this guy has this whole twisted self image about being a 'professional' or whatever, but the way hearing her say 'stop' drove all thought of the mission out of his head, and now, months later, he's still like this.

David Cain is a killer, but he's not a killing machine, and Cassandra wasn't just a tool or weapon or product or whatever. Yes, she's a living demonstration and vindication of his 'unconventional' ideas about training, but she's more than that. She's his protege, his legacy, his mark on the world, his daughter. She's everything to him.

He's not angry at Cass for leaving him, he doesn't blame her for failing him or whatever. It's quite the opposite - he failed her, and he's completely undone by it. This man who's murdered probably hundreds of people and never felt a thing failed his daughter, drove her away, and the guilt from that destroyed him.

And he's right that it was his fault, though he doesn't understand why. He doesn't understand that the very body reading skills that he managed to instill in little Cass forced her to experience her victim's death from their own perspective, forced her to empathize fully with them as they died at her hand, and that is why she could never kill again, why she felt forced to run from David and the life he prepared her for. It didn't matter how young she was, it would have been the same if she were 8 or 18 or 28.

The skills that made her the ultimate assassin also made her wholly unable to be an assassin - a perfect ironic twist that I would have loved to see this asshole react to, but before he could he deteriorates into a stock generic heel who wouldn't care either way.

And worse, we get introduced to other kids trained by Cain with the same skills - so the bit about Cass being the only one it ever worked for is retconned away - and they kill without caring so this core aspect of Cass's character is also abandoned, modern Cass isn't good because she was forced to experience the consequences of her cruelty from the victim's perspective, she's just inherently good because she's just a 'good person', just like modern Cain is just a 'bad person'.

And that's the thing, I'm not praising the contradictions and depth of original David Cain's character for the sake of woobifying an evil abusive father figure. Rather, it's that David's depth directly contributes to Cassandra's depth.

Because little Cass - og little Cass - she loved her life with David. The training was bloody and brutal but she excelled, and her father was proud of her excellence, and she thrived on the praise he showered on her for it. She couldn't wait to beat up 'Merc' and the other goons in issue one. She wasn't cowering in a corner, she didn't beat them up reluctantly out of fear of what David would do if she didn't. She was having fun. David raised her to be the perfect little killer, and she absolutely and enthusiastically was, right up until the killing part.

It's important that Cass loved her life with David, that she loved David himself and that he loved her, because that makes her decision to abandon her life and her father a sacrifice. That's her choosing the lives of others over her own happiness.

It means something different if David was just a monster who she hated and feared, if he never actually cared for her, because then abandoning him is her saving herself. It also changes how his murder resonates. OG Cass, this is something she willingly did for David's approval. She only realized after the fact just how terrible it was, but that doesn't change that it was something she willingly and happily did. New Cass, forced to kill out of fear and threat of violence to herself... again, it's not the same.

It also changes what it means for her to be Batgirl, in a way that strips out even more depth.

If David Cain is just a villain who abused her, then there's no longer this direct parallel between training under Bruce and training under David, the lives they're preparing her for, the violence, the way she thrives on it, the way she feels guilty about Being Batgirl - like she's getting away with something - because it's basically getting back the life she lost when she abandoned David, the same life she's trying to repent for by being Batgirl.

How she has to hide what she did from Bruce or else he'll take away her new life that's so much fun, and with it take away her only hope of redemption. New Cass might feel guilty for killing, but she doesn't feel ashamed for having been excited and happy to do it only moments before.

There is so much depth to early Cass that is directly tied to the depth of early David Cain. Her father is basically one of the founding pillars of her character. But this guy?

Or even this guy?

Those guys aren't pillars of anything.

.....

I'm getting sidetracked into negative rants, though, and there's really no call for that, because we don't have to deal with those guys today. At my rate of progress we probably won't have to deal with them ever. For now we have the pleasure of dealing with this asshole...

Bruce is right, by sending the footage of Cass's kill David was absolutely trying to drive a wedge between them, while also trying to assert his claim. "You may be putting Cass's skills to use, but never forget that I trained her first, I gave her those skills, and this is what those skills are for." And Bruce's counter argument, "Denial isn't just a river in Egypt, it's also my house where I live at" is so willfully stupid and so funny that David spends a whole panel confused and shocked before he can even laugh at it, and that's honestly pretty great.

David also gets to bring us back to the core theme-

David's guilt over driving Cass away, Cass's guilt over killing that guy, Bruce's guilt over letting his parents die. I don't think Batgirl (2000) ever got around to directly calling Bruce out on that, but panels like this make it clear what parallels we're supposed to be drawing.

....

that's a lot of rambly words about David Cain, there is other stuff that happens in this issue.

This bit where Cass figures out how to explain to Babs that she can understand her now even though she can't really talk yet, is neat.

And this bit where Cass realizes other people depend on her skills and she needs to get them back even if it means losing what she's gained is sad and sweet even if it doesn't come to anything since the random psychic wizard can't fix her and eventually she gets her body reading ability back without having to give up speech.

This bit where Bruce has Tim do some research on the guy Cass killed but Tim basically immediately figures out what it's about anyway because, it's Tim so of course he does is pretty good.

And this bit where Cass struggles to fend off some suited goons she took down without a thought in issue 4 does a pretty good job of conveying how the words are getting in the way... but also makes me wish we had more time with Cass without the usual narration blocks, because... yeah. They get in the way, and it was cool when the book mostly didn't have them.

[avengernomore]

"Thoughts on Hinata and Tenten?"

can y'all send some asks that are like “thoughts on ______”

Hinata

"...I don't know her all that well, and she always seemed a little weird, watching Naruto whenever he was training... but I have to say, in the nearly 3 years I was gone? I think she might have improved more than I did. It was quite a surprise to see her not only holding her own in fights, but actually taking people down pretty easily. ...It's also not exactly a secret that she is... um... quite endowed, and very attractive. It's almost a shame she's borderline obsessed with Naruto, I'd definitely be willing to give her a chance."

Sasuke paused for a moment.

"...I don't agree with her father on a few things, but I do agree with him taking the role of heir to the Hyuuga clan from her. I can't comment on whether Hanabi was the right decision instead, since I haven't met Hanabi... but Hinata is a bit too soft and innocent for what being the leader of a clan needs to be. I get the feeling she's more likely to roll over and give people what they want than have the mettle to fight for what her clan needs. She'd either crack under the pressure, or end up becoming a completely different person..." He sighed. "Hiashi might have meant it as a punishment, as an insult to Hinata, but I think he did her a kindness."

Tenten

"....I don't know Tenten all that well either. I think the first time I met she basically, completely umprompted, basically said 'our genius is better than your genius' which... rude. I'm not going to say she was incorrect, especially at the time, but it wasn't exactly a fair comparison, considering Neji already had a year over me. I think I could give Neji a good run for his money nowadays though. But that's besides the point."

He scratched his chin for a few moments before speaking again. "I've heard that she has her eyes set on the ninja tools shop and is planning on taking that place over when she's had enough of being a kunoichi, which might be sooner rather than later. I think she might be better off as an instructor, teaching students at the academy how to properly use ninja tools. I will say that her mastery of ninja tools is impressive. Like, I was one of the best in the class at using kunai and shuriken, and even early on, I proved that I could use them very competently, pinning the Demon Brothers' chain to a tree, and working together with Naruto to force Zabuza to move, releasing Kakashi, but she's on an whole other level... and I bet her taijutsu is nothing to sneeze at either."

[umbralsound-xiv]

Pry.

There's only so many people you can put in the ground without recieving any kind of information in exchange. I find them, they have little to tell me that i do not already know... The cycle continues. Information. That is what i needed. And there are, of course, people that deal in such things. It didn't take too long to find her.

A slow, thudding knock sounds at the door of the apartment. No voice calls out as greeting, no further sound is given. Bexy slowly fills her lungs, exhaling quietly on the other side of the door, attempting to find some measure of patience.

White Rabbit laid lazily on her oversized bed, looking over some paper that was marked with words. Not pictures. She would have rather had have them. But there was a knock that pulled her gaze up towards the door. The door she got off the bed for, leaving the papers behind. With a turn of the knob she pulled it open a little. Just a crack. Peeking between it at the woman she had been hearing /so/ many things about over the past few suns. "Icepick~" she greeted as she swung the door open! Rolling her hand over several times down into a half-cursty bow while she stared up at the woman with a toothy grin.

Bexy Amalaryssia slowly inclines her head - Almost her whole frame, at that. At the beckon of a bow, Bexy slips through the open door, and doesn't say another word until she's through the threshold. "White." She speaks, sharp and purposeful. Her usual pleasantries had fled her, replaced by some muted urgency. "I seek your services in information."

White Rabbit stepped around Bexy, keeping her back turned away as she eased the door towards its home in the frame. Leaning her weight against it, the door clicked shut. Then another click. Locked. "Do you?" she asked, her tone lifting up as if she were surprised. She wasn't. That was obviously apparent by the string of words she explained, "I was wonderin' if you would. And you have! Come here. Seekin' the rabbit." Splayed fingers pressed against the flat of her chest, her grin remained strong.

There's something about her singsong tone that puts me ill at ease. My patience is often thin with her, and only thinner now in light of the situation. I don't have time to spare. ...But it makes me wonder why she thinks i'd come here. What does she know...?

Bexy Amalaryssia: "I have. And i have little patience for dawdling. My time is -limited-, White." Bexy walks a little further into the room, a chill catching in the air as she moved. The sound of her footfalls comes to a halt, as she slowly turns in the middle of the corridor. "…Why would you wonder such a thing, hm?"

White Rabbit dropped her arm like a dead weight, letting it hang there while the other rested folder over her torso, hand tucked under her arm. "Oh— you haven't /heard/?" She leaned forward a little, a corner of her lips tugged into something more of a smirk. "Then again. You /have/ been busy. Haven't you? Or. Thats what they say~" If it weren't for the woman's "limited" time she'd have kept her hand a little longer, but might as well lay /some/ cards on the table. As a courtesy. "I thought it wasn't /midnight/ anymore."

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Who says?" Her words were prying, tail opting to flick at her heels for a moment. "And it isn't. I don't kill or steal for coin, White. You know this. I'm far beyond that now." She slinks along to a wall, finding it better to press her back against it. "Tell me what you have heard. I'm prepared to pay."

I'm long beyond the woman who was once the Midnight Coeurl, now. Coin is but a tool, and i now pledge my loyalties to those i hold dear, dealing in far stronger things like promises and love. But coin does have its uses, this much is true.

White Rabbit pushed off the door, meandering over to the icy woman with a sway in her steps. "/They/ say." she said, as if that told her anything. "Why?" she asked, stopping dead three or five fulms away. It was closer to five. "Should I? I wan't to know. You'll tell me, won't you? Your time /is/ limited. It must be importaint if it is."

Bexy Amalaryssia: "It is important." Bexy doesn't deny it for a second, but her impatience is clear in her tone. "People close to me are missing. I want to know where they are." Her gaze drops for a moment, hesitating. "…I know where they were last."

White Rabbit: "Who was taken?" Bending at the waist she leaned in. "Who took them?" she asked before asking another between a grin in an almost whispered, "Was it the funny people with those funny red marks?"

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Eir. Sayuri. Both of them." Her brow knits as White speaks, the answer written plain on her features even before it left her lips. "…Yes. What do you know of them?"

White Rabbit stood up straight. "Eir! Eir… he's the one who made those cookies!" With a jerk of her body she spun around on the ball of her foot, coming to a studden stop when the other hit the ground. She thoughtfully tapped the side of her chin with a knuckle. "And the one who wanted to. Get peaches?" She craned her neck, peering back over her shoulder. "I know a lot of things. About them. Don't you?"

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Sayuri is my -sister-. White, tell me what you know. I don't have -time- for this. Tell me!" A hair away from shouting, Bexy bristles against the pillar. "I need to know if they're still with the people who took them. They're a band of slavers that operate in Thanalan. But they -sell- people, White. Sayuri i'm sure they still have. Eir… I don't know. But wherever he goes, she will surely try to follow."

...She knows. She knows the marked people are involved. I've searched so much, killed so many now without any thread of new information that i'm beginning to worry if they're still in the compound at all. ...Eir might be dead. I'm half expecting it. Or at the very least, they might have sold him by now. Sayuri... She will be wherever Grym is, considering his dedication to reclaiming her. And if she isn't, she'll be with Eir. I can't imagine they'd kill her.

White Rabbit didn't move at first, not an ilm. Not even a flinch. She just stared, letting the silence claim the room unfortunatly for Bexy. She wondered a moment how much it got under her skin between what to say and what /not/ to. She breathed in through her nose, the slight smile tugging into something wider. Something /more/ as she turned until she stopped. Facing her. "Icepick~" she cooed, teasing-like, taking a step forward she asked with a bite to her words as she took another step, "Do you know. How much /trouble/. You've caused? How much you've made." Lowering her voice she lifted her head up at her. "If you have to come to /me/. I bet you don't~."

Bexy Amalaryssia: "So i've killed a few people. So what?" Bexy's immediate vicinity was a Coerthan chill, her eyes narrowing on White's own. Those unnatural blue hues could be seen at this distance, how they laced and threaded with aether. "They all deserved to die. But hunting them hasn't given me the information i want."

White Rabbit slowly shook her head staying right where she stood, cold or not. "They do a lot more good bein' six fulms under. /I'd/ say even better if it was eight or ten! But /you/. You /really/ don't know what you've done. Or maybe you do. And you just. Don't. Care." Throwing her arms up as she shrugged she let them fall. They swing by her sides a few times over. "Why would you? Slavers or not." Her words hardened as she spoke, but never lost the slight bounce to them. "Men, woman, and /children/. If it gets you closer to gettin' /them/. It doesn't matter. Does it?"

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Don't be ridiculous. I've not laid a finger on a child. What good would harming a child do in all of this? No. Each one marked that crosses my path, i'll kill. Until i get them back, until they understand they don't touch the people -i- love!"

White Rabbit: "Oh!" She dramtically exclaimed. "But I'm not! Bein' ridiculous. /You/ might not have. Laid your bloody fingers on them." Her expression softened, her eyes narrowing some. "But your /choices/ have. Isn't that funny how that works?" It wasn't, her brows knit a little. Just a tiny above her smile. "You make a choice. Or you don't. And /so/ many things happen." Taking a step back she shook her head. "Poor things. I wonder how many will starve. Because you didn't /think/ beyond /them/."

White Rabbit: "And what about /them/. What would /they/ think? Or maybe they don't either. /That'd/ be a shame."

Bexy Amalaryssia: "There are starving children the world over, White. Some situation lands them where they are, and though i might tip that scale, i am not the only weight on it." The room plummeted into a chill; as White retreated, Bexy subtly leaned after her, one hand slowly unfurling to settle at her side, fingers flexing through now threadbare, nigh irreprable gloves. "I don't see how killing a bunch of slavers makes them suffer. Go on then, enlighten me! With your plethora of information."

White Rabbit stopped, half her weight on her foot placed half a step back. She wasn't going to retreat fruther, staring the woman dead in the eyes. "Of course /you/ don't." her words jabbed at the woman's ears like a thumb trying to shove an insult deep into her head. "/You/ killed a bunch of fences. What do fences do?" Why yes, she was talking to her like the children she spoke about, but if she was really a child, she'd be nicer. "Buy things. Sell things. Sell fun little plants, drinks, /and/ powders. To people! Who /have/ to take them. If they stop cold. What happens? They become food for the worms. If they have children. What happens to them? And no!" She snapped, grinning teeth looking more like a threat. "You can't say they'd be given to /family/. Or that they'd be adopted. I'll agree. I will, because /I/ think, that some /would/ be okay. But what about the others? No. Nononono, they. Become wormfood too."

White Rabbit: "If they don't get picked up by those same people you hunt. Isn't. That. Funny?"

...Addicts and other users. Though i don't much care for what people do out and away of my sight, suppose she's right in that my killing of the fences stirred up unexpected trouble in other places. And sure enough, they have repercussions. But i don't regret my actions.

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Then that was their own negligence!" Bexy spoke sharply, eyes glaring daggers as they didn't move and ilm from White's. "It is no fault of mine if one who partakes ceases to breathe, and those who relied on them suffer for it. That was always a consequence of their actions. Even had i not killed the fences, disrupted the flow, something else would have come along in due time, and some other tragedy would have befallen them. It makes it no less unfair, but it is the truth, and i feel not an onze of guilt for it. I want to know where my friends are, White. I want to know if they're alive, if they've been moved, if they've been sold. But it won't change my actions. I'll keep killing them anyway; every bastard that deigns to wear that mark, for what they have done."

White Rabbit breathed out an audible sigh. Her gaze narrowed under brows weighted down by the woman's reply. "Then I won't help you. If you're not goin' to /think/." Moving to turn she went to step away. It wasn't a retreat— she was cutting the woman off, leaving her in the cold.

...Oh, you will help me, little rabbit. I asked for your services nicely, in the way anyone else would, with a hefty handful of coin. But you have information that could bring them home. And if i have to pry it out of you with less pleasant means... I will.

Bexy Amalaryssia slips wordlessly by the Raen, a level glare in her gaze as she makes for the already locked door… And upon settling a gloved hand on the handle, freezes it shut, slaking the door and frame with ice. "…You're leaving me with little choice, White. I didn't want it to come to this. I didn't." If she was honest, her tone didn't budge an ilm for it. "You have information that could see them returned home. And you are in my way." Slowly, she begins to pace towards White…

White Rabbit stopped part way towards her bed, staring forward. /Shite/. "I might." She didn't move, except for her gaze. It dropped down to the tile, watching her shadow approach. "If I don't tell you. Are you goin' to kill me?" A small chuckle escaped from between her small smile. "I have to ask. I really do or the curiosity might kill me first. What number would I be?”

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Three hundred and twenty four." Bexy half whispers. The cold seems to snake through the air with every footfall, leaving a small patch of ice with each step. She lingers just an ilm behind White's shoulder. "…I might. You already know far too much about me. And if you won't tell… Then, what use are you? They'll just find a body. No weapon. Nothing. Just another wet room."

She knows too much already. About me, about the Midnight Coeurl, about so many other things she's not likely to tell me. I could kill her. It would be easy enough. She has enough friends in high places that someone would notice eventually, but evidence will have melted by then. Those who would implicate me should know better than to do so.

White Rabbit's smile pulled into a lopsided smirk. She knew the count was high, but /that/ high? Even she was a surprised— disgust and amusement curdly mixed into something that sat behind her gaze that blinked forward at the cold. It sprung up thousands of goosebumps across her skin. Or it could have been the woman's whisper. Maybe both. "I was right~" she sung, her prideful tone lifting her words into the air. "You think I will tell you." she stated as-matter-of-fact-like. "If you didn't, I'd already be dead. I wouldn't be sayin' these words and you— /oh/ you wouldn't be breathin' down my neck. You can. Keep doin' that. The heat has been almost unbearable this sun! Almost."

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Almost." Bexy whispers, echoing her word. Tension fills the air as Bexy slowly draws a breath. "If you won't tell me outright, there's other ways of getting people to talk…" The strange, faint sound of ice, somewhere between a groan and a crackle is given as a slender blade materialises between Bexy's fingers. "…Tell me, White. I won't ask nicely again."

White Rabbit breathed in. And. Turned around! "Is there?" Her attention snapped to the sound. She knew there was. "You were askin' /nice/-like? You could have fooled me." Looking from the blade to her face, it darted past to the door— her feet hit off the ground, spriting her towards her bedroom alcove, to the window on the other side of the bed.

Oh, i don't think so. You will talk, White. I will make you. Or you can keep your silence and take it to the grave with you. Knowing so much about me... I need little more motivation than this.

As soon as White made a move to run, Bexy lunges after her. The ice at her boots was a well practised motion, skidding around the Raen to roughly grab her shirt and slam her sidelong into the wood at the foot of the bed with a sharp shove that sees Bexy then flatten White to her back. "I was asking nicely!" Her words are snapped, and the hint of malice she often withdrew begins to make itself known. The dagger wielding hand is plunged into the flat of White's own, pinning it down. "But this isn't."

White Rabbit shot out an arm frantically grabbing for something, /anything/ to yank her out of the woman's grip. It all went fast, too fast. A sharp gasp of air tried filling her lungs that the wood against her back had pushed out— instead it caught in her throat, a scream slaming into it and dying into raised words that stumbled out from between her teeth biting down on teeth, "Two million!" She shook. The churn of her stomach felt like her mouth would end up filled with more than just words. "T-Two. Million." Acid licked the back of her throat, letting it burn. "And a /whole/. Lot. Of somnus." She didn't /dare/ look at her hand. Of course she was curious, she had an icy dagger shoved through it. How many people got to experience that, she'd have assumed not many if she let her mind wander. The pain that pulsed down her arm didn't let that. "An /entire/ crate. And I'll tell you." She swallowed, trying to slow caught her breath. "Everythin'."

Bexy Amalaryssia: "You're in no position to be bargaining, White." Bexy quietly reminded. The first dagger is relinquished; to remain in her hand and the wood, as her own gloved hand is brought up to slowly form another. "Tell. Me." The point of the knife is poked firmly enough into the skin of her forearm to draw blood, but not much. "There are worse things i can do to a person."

Two million is a hefty price, but not one i am unwilling to pay. The somnus will be harder to get; having never had any interest in such things, i'm not sure which avenues to follow. It's not like she's in a position to make a request. She either tells me, or she doesn't, and i think i know which we'd both prefer.

White Rabbit knew she wasn't. "I-I. Expect. Two million." Again she swallowed, her gaze finally darting over to the poke, but it snapped back to Bexy's own. "I'm goin' to. Need. A healer. You see? You do.” There was a pause. “And the somnus." Then another. It only took up a moment before she explained, "They know. I-Icepick. They're lookin'. For you."

The dagger is pulled away then; that small sliver of information had caught her attention, her icy gaze settling to White's. "They know? The marked ones… They are looking for me?" She allows her question to hang, looking for clarification.

...They know. I was sure i was being careful, that my targets were alone... But suppose even the most careful are found eventually. No matter. It doesn't matter if they come for me! It saves me the trouble of looking for them. I will put each and every one of them in the ground... I just have to be more careful. About where i go, about going home, and who i keep in my company.

White Rabbit breathed out a shakey breath of air. Then again her entire body shook, not out of fear. No. She wasn't afraid. She /hurt/. "Yes." came out on a chuckle. "Th-they are. Is it. /Really/. That surprisin'?" Another pause filled the room as she blinked. Her lashes clumped together, damp from her eyes watering up from the constant reminder shoved through her hand. "They're not. /Just/ lookin'. I think. They're plannin' on. Huntin' you. Down. But you! /You/. Won't let that. Happen." Her words fell into a whisper. "You. Have. Th-the upper hand. /Icepick/." In more ways than one. "You should. /Th-think/. Before you. Make. Your move."

...I have the upper hand? ...She knows something i don't, perhaps. But she's already told me more than enough, and not a coin from my hands, no. ...Think. She tells me to think. Rich words coming from her, considering her situation, and yet... ... She's bleeding. I... I need to go. Lingering overlong here will do me nor her any favors.

Bexy Amalaryssia stared at White. For a long time she doesn't move, meeting her gaze with some uncertainty… Until Bexy suddenly backs away, the dagger held in hand dissipating into a frigid mist. "Let them come. I'll kill them all." Looking over White, she swallows a small lump that had crawled its way to the pit of her throat. "Tell the fences that so long as they keep from the marked ones, they will be safe from me." Her gaze darts to the dagger still in White's hand… And the doorway, which she takes a few steps towards.

White Rabbit stared back. She didn't move either. She just laid there. Her body trembed on its own as she waited. At her anwser she let out a small 'tsk'. "Is…" she started, her gaze following the woman who at least could have done something with the dagger! "that. A promise?"

Bexy Amalaryssia: "I won't touch them." A hesitation, as she draws her painted lips into a line. "…Promise." She makes for the door, the sound of ice shattering, and the click of a lock.

I owe her that much. A promise that the fences would be well so long as they stayed from the slavers. I have no real reason to hunt them. They know my targets, and i will turn my gaze from them if they cross my path. ...Gods, Bexy. Must everything i do be so bloodsoaked? There... There must be another way. It can't always come to this, and yet... What other way do i know? Surely there is one, several perhaps, but... I have no time to learn it. I stick to what i know best, and i bring them home.

White Rabbit's gaze stayed locked on the woman the /entire/ way, flincing slightly, just a little at the sound of the ice. It'd melt. She assumed the dagger would too. "…I-I'll. See you, Bexy." she said between a weak smile. "I'm so /very/ sure."

Bexy Amalaryssia sets her hand on the handle, and slowly inhales. A response settles on her lips, on the tip of her tongue… But never quite manages to leave, as Bexy departs the room, closing the door swiftly behind her.

...I couldn't thank her. Not after that performance. Better for her to be rid of me, and for her to keep her life, and hope she takes her own advice and keeps her mouth shut about matters concerning me. It would be better for both of us, that way.

[purplesurveys]

1942

Thoughts on Pokemon Go? I found it awesome and exciting at the time it came out since it didn't feel like there had been a game like it before. The concept was very refreshing and I also played it for a time; but I wasn't able to sustain it since I also never learned how Pokemon battles worked, lol. My sister plays it to this day, though.

What podcasts do you listen to, if any? My attention span is too short to enjoy podcasts. I've tried so many times before to get into many different podcasts, but I always end up tuning out by like the 5th minute. I like watching video interviews though, mainly on pro wrestling as wrestlers across the board tend to be masters of storytelling.

Which period of history was your favorite to learn about in school? There wasn't a specific period I had an inclination toward; I just enjoyed learning about history as a whole and it was the subject I always took the most seriously.

If you’re a tea drinker, what’s your tea of choice? If not, what’s your favorite beverage in general? I don't drink tea; my favorite is just plain iced water.

What was your most recent binge watch? Squid Game, lol. Season 2 is coming up in December, so my sister and I used the All Saints/Souls long weekend to watch the entire Season 1 so we're all caught up once the new episodes come out.

What’s the oldest thing currently in your house? The one thing I can think of is a notecard my mom gave to my dad; it was something she wrote him as a way to say yes to being his boyfriend. That being said, that piece of paper should be ~31 years old; it's currently taped to the inside of her closet door.

What’s something silly you believed as a child? That girls who get married will magically be pregnant. Like, marriage is a thing your body Just Recognizes and it will make a baby for you. It's what I observed with all the older people I knew who'd get married; they all seemed to get pregnant a month or so after the wedding, haha. It's 50% not knowing the concept of sex as a child and 50% living in a conservative country where premarital sex is considered one of the worst things you could ever do.

What’s the last thing you cooked or heated up? Takoyaki. Angela and Hans came over on short notice, and since that was the only food I had I heated it up just in case they wanted something savory.

Are you excited at all for the upcoming Olympics? I was a little bit, but everyone else was so much more crazed about it. I'm not a big sports person to begin with so I was just eh. I mostly paid attention to Jin carrying the torch, tbh.

Last video game you played? Rhythm Hive, if it counts.

Which of your parents’ birthdays did you last celebrate? What did you do? My mom's. Well a typhoon came on her birthday so we weren't able to do much on the day itself...I did take the family out for lunch the day before to celebrate it in advance. Then I also got balloons all over the house + cake that evening, so that come midnight we could have her blow her candles.

If you use Snapchat, do you post to your story or send individual snaps more often? I haven't used Snapchat in years, but when I was on it I used to post on my story way more. There were only a couple of people I exchanged Snaps with for the streak.

Have you ever used a power tool? Which one? Beyond a glue gun (does that even count?? HAHA) I don't think so.

Is your favorite color the same as when you were a kid? It is now, actually. I liked purple growing up, then pivoted to pink...then now I'm back to liking purple again.

Can you see a picture frame from where you are? What’s in that frame? Yes. We have several frames lining up the main stairs, all family portraits.

If you have Facebook, what is one of the topic trending right now? If you don’t, what is the most recent news you heard? The results of the US election.

Who was the last person you know to graduate? My workmate's brother.

Think of the farthest place you’ve traveled to. Do you have any souvenirs from there? That'd be Bali. I don't think I have any souvenirs from there, actually. I didn't have my own money yet so I couldn't buy anything.

Does your town put on any fireworks displays for the 4th of July and/or other holidays? We only have fireworks for New Year. I'll usually hear distant fireworks for Chinese New Year as well, but I don't give a fuck about that.

Do you know the number of the fire truck/engine closest to your house? No.

Have you ever met anyone the EXACT same age as you (some birthdate and year)? Yes, I had a schoolmate with the exact same birthdate. Dev, my workmate, is the only other person to come extremely close – she's just a day older than me, down to the very same year.

When was the last time you or someone else said/used your middle name for something? I haven't been called Isabelle since I was like 5 or 6.

Do you own anything covered in glitter? I don't think so.

When was the last time you rolled your eyes? At what? A few hours ago at work, toward a client who was being a diva. I didn't do it in front of them, obviously; but I did it while talking about that client with my teammates.

Do you get overwhelmed easily? Yeah, it's like second nature to me to be overwhelmed. It's just what I am on a constant basis – being on red alert as soon as I feel like things aren't going like the script that I've made up in my head.

Do you like mozzarella sticks? They're great, but they do nothing to fill my stomach.

What was the last blue thing you touched? My Koya plushies.

What was the last email you sent about? Can't remember, can't be bothered to check.

If you had to name one of your children after a friend, solely based on their name alone, who would you choose? Lorenza.

Do you like caramel? They're okay. It's something I wouldn't look for, unless it's coffee, but I fairly enjoy it when I have it.

[reddogf13]

Outlast 2: Deliverance CH 6

Also on A03

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - Dead Dove Do Not Eat This takes place in the Outlast 2 universe after all.

Previous chap: Ch: 5 Deluge

Next chap: Ch: 7 Badlands

____________

~Ch: 6 Apothecary~

Without any more incidents they traveled across the mountains. Rain poured down on them the whole time causing fear of more mudslides before they reached sparser areas of the forest. Taking in the view of the land off the last mountain peak they were to climb over. Temple Gate couldn't be seen, but ahead they saw the outside town. Surrounded by nothing much but open scrub land. Its space easier to cross between the mud than when in the forest. Rushing themselves to make it in time they reached its edge by sun down.

Blake spoke to John and Marta. “You two stay here. I don't want too much attention on us.” Mainly Marta, but he didn't want to leave her alone. Pushing forward with Jacob and James to find some farming supplier first before closing. Basics for survival were priority on the list. Making a deal on a used, but good hauling truck he convinced the seller to take cash, no questions asked or involving any paperwork. Loading that same truck with bags of seeds James looked over. Down some aisles Blake was grabbing tools by the arm full. Noticing shelf's holding packages of water testing kits. Shoving a bunch of those into carts to test the lake when they returned. He'd know for sure then what was safe to drink or not. Moving next to the gas station they bought a fuel tank they strapped down to the back. The bags of seeds helped to secure it. Although Blake was terrified of the journey back now. Imagining the whole fuel tank rolling off down a mountain or slamming into the front and leaking.

“How much you think this will last us?” Blake asked Jacob in terms of fuel. Following him onward to the doctors office.

“Six days if you reconnect everything. Twice if you leave disconnections. Good enough I say, but we can take a second trip w-w-with the truck if we wanna.”

“That's it? I thought it'd get us closer to a month.”

“I told you, to haul a week's worth back you'll need a truck. Temple Gates generator needs 2,208 gallons to fill it. That would last us little over a month with e-e-everything plugged in.”

“Shit, a truck ain't enough. Need a goddamn tanker to bring that much back.”

“Mmhm, you can see why Knoth only had us buying this much now and again.”

“You can drive, right? Check out another truck for fuel, go back to grab more cash when this is done. Then drive back to buy and load up.”

“You think you got enough for that? Gas itself will be the k-k-killer on cost.”

“Think so. That fat bastard has so much stashed away.”

“We heard he got money from some loyal f-f-followers from the outside, but only ever saw what he gave.”

“He's got followers on the outside too?”

“Not any more. Before Temple Gate he taught us some people were after him and destroyed the last place. A l-l-lady who gave him a ranch to preach on. She gave him the money to run everything. M-m-must've grabbed it before he ran.”

“Sounds right.” The two headed into a small white office to the front. A lone clerk at the front smoking a cig dress in white baggy clothes and a few gold chains around his neck. Soon as the clerk saw Jacob a huge grin stretched across his face. Taking the cigarette out of his mouth. “Aww shit, if it ain't one of those righteous followers. Haven't seen you in a while, where's the rest of your posse?”

“Gone, here to fill out-” Pulling out the branded patch that was waved right off.

“Yeah yeah, don't need to show me that thing every time. What's with those two?” Waving to Blake and James.

“New travelers.”

Pointing to Blake in particular. “He don't look like one of you.”

Blake gave a crooked smile. “New to the cause.” Unwilling to explain his whole situation up to now.

He eyed Blake suspiciously. “How so? That town out there don't like new faces moving in.”

He took a deep breath to lower his growing annoyance. “Like you, I don't want a lot of questions. Old management got a sudden retirement of six feet under from me and now I'm running things.”

“Mm, I gotchu Mr. manager. I'll fill out your prescription.” Putting the cig back in his mouth he stood to head for the back.

Being stopped by Blake. “I'd actually like an appointment with the doctor. I need to change my prescription.”

“Mm.” The clerk blew out a cloud. “Doctor don't like sudden prescription changes. Unless it sounds urgent enough for him.”

“It is. My prescription isn't lasting long enough. I need a couple refills.” Removing his bag to show the bricks of cash inside.

“Oh yeah, that definitely sounds urgent enough for the doctor. Lemme set you up an appointment.” Disappearing into the back for a few minutes before returning. “Aight, doctor will see you now, but only you two. Third boys gotta stay out. Doctors in the office end of the hall. Don't go nowhere else.”

Doing as they were told they headed into the back office. James sitting behind in the waiting room. Blake and Jacob were greeted by the doctor dressed far more professional than his clerk. Balding with thick black rimmed glasses dressed in a white coat over a dark vest and red tie. Having a gold right canine in front of where another tooth was missing in the back. “Nice to see you again. My clerk told me things were different back at the church. That why you haven't been back for your prescription?”

“Yes.”

He faced Blake. “Then you're the new patient I'll be treating from now on?”

“Yes.”

“Good, my name is Dr. Luke and I'll be taking care of your needs. Your name?”

“Blake.” Glancing down at the doctor's gold desk plaque. “Not going by your last name doctor?”

“Prefer not with anybody honestly. Forget bad apples, my family's a whole rotten orchard.” He laughed. “Nice to meet you, now onto business. You wanted a change on the usual order?”

“I need the same thing, but a shit ton more.”

“How much more? A bag of bottles?”

“No, I mean like crates. I need crates of this stuff to help a whole town's worth.”

“Goddamn son, what was old management doing out there?”

“Can you get that much?”

“Of course I can. It's all about cost and whether you can pay it.” He pulled a calculator from his desk. “Roughly, how many you think are sick? And when do you want these crates?”

“Let's say 200, soon as possible. Town needed this years ago.”

“That'll hike the price to the extremes.” Typing in numbers. “Okay, for a single crate of 200 bottles. 40 pills each. Adding on a delivery within this week. It'll cost you $83,000 per crate delivery.”

“FUCKING HELL! It's not that much!”

“This covers everything from pills, shipment, bribes to pass it through the red tape. Insurance that you're getting the real thing and not sugar placebos.”

“And profit.”

“Heh, that too.” He grinned.

“Lower it.”

“What? I can't do that.”

“Yes you can, it's not that much.”

“Of course it is.” The doctor laughed. “What do you kno-”

Blake grabbed onto the doctor's coat to yank him across the desk. “I'm a fucking reporter! You know how many drug cases I had to follow. How many officers I know and interviewed on this stuff. I could walk into a police station right now and have your ass arrested in minutes!”

“Of fucking what? They can't arrest me on the words of some crazy cult.” Attempts to free himself of Blake's grasp halted by the next threat.

“After all the ungodly stuff I've seen. If I can't get those meds then there's no point in keeping you around. I will skin you right here and now on this desk.”

“Okay, okay!” Luke pacified Blake's deadly rage. “Best I can do is $42,000.” Sitting back in his chair when let go.

“Better. I don't have enough cash on me right now. Can I put down a deposit to get the order going and tomorrow afternoon I can pay you the rest?”

“How much you got on you?”

“$13,670.” Setting the bag in front of him.

“I'll need to count it. If it's at least that It'll work.” Gathering up the still damp bill stacks. Each of them startled back by the door rammed down.

“Marta?!” Blake surprised by her appearance. “Why'd you do that?!” He motioned at the door off its hinges.

A nervous James behind her. “Heard a lot of yelling and banging around. So I fetched her.” The doctor's clerk glaring from down the hall.

He sighed. “Everything's fine.” Turning to the doctor. “Sorry about that, I'll pay for the door.”

Luke didn't answer, stuck squinting up at Marta.

Which agitated her greatly. “What?” She snapped.

“Your neck, never seen wire embedded into people. Neglected dogs at most when their collars got too small.”

Blake took a look at the wound. Her skin already growing over it. Its sight made Blake feel a phantom pain around his own. Should get that taken care of. “Can you treat it?”

“Yes, those college papers on the wall aren't fake believe it or not. Was easier to have a real business made, but prescriptions is where the real money is.” Snickering about it. “Let's head down to the actual office.”

Marta got the wires cut free from her neck. Needing Blake to repeatedly tell her everything was okay. Left behind were two large rings that would eventually scar. Soaked in a cleansing solution before being wrapped. Reminded again what the doctor gave her was safe. A shot of antibiotics and one for tetanus. Her ankle looked at next. A dislocation that was fixed by a loud snap back into place. Reaching the limit of her patience it was left unwrapped. Told that she should expect to walk normal again in a few months. Doctor checking next on Blake who was covered in twice as many wounds. From holes in his hands, a still bleeding gash on his head, his stabbed leg being the big ones.

“Whoever packed your leg did a good job. Bleeding stopped without any inflammation.” Luke commented after washing out the gash. Giving Blake the same shots he gave Marta. Everything else cleaned and properly bandaged. Blake noted to himself that they still needed a lot more supplies. Batteries, food, bandages and definitely more fuel. Rubbing his face by the time they left the doctors place. Grouped back at the truck.

“S-s-should we start driving back now or in the morning?”

“Morning, when we can see the forest. I don't want to rough it off road in the night. Stay here, I'm going to buy us some fresh food.” Leaving to a nearby diner he saw staying open. Putting in an order of burgers with cups of water. Using the last bit of money on him he pulled from his back pocket. Happy to return with something hot and not from a can. “It's not steak, but I think you'll like it.” Passing a take out tray to Jacob. The small traveling group enjoying the finer meal before going to bed. Sleeping in the truck or by a campfire nearby.

Traveling back first thing in the morning was nerve wracking. Traversing rough terrain with a full load shifting back and forth. Threading it through trees at an angle that could have sent them rolling down if a tire slipped. Patches of old driven paths gave a moment to relax before the next rough patch. Blake gave himself another task of building a road. Driving into Temple Gate earned them a lot of looks. Seeing who it was stepping out, people returned to their daily tasks. Farming supplies all dropped off for James to start. Gathering up more people to ready the fields. Gas emptied into the generator stuttering itself dead when they came. Disconnected set back onto the power grid. More money collected for a second trip to the outside. This time only between Jacob and Blake. Marta placed back on patrol, refusing to rest after her ankle was set back. John headed out with his son to catch more food. Temple Gate, managing well on its own, was able to gather enough for soup again. The Voltaire's had stayed away, purely focusing on the traveling party was Blake's guess.

Their next visit to the outside didn't last nearly as long. Meds were paid off, trucks loaded up with a variety of fresh canned foods. First aid kits of all kinds along with boxes of batteries. Taking up a short tanker truck to properly haul gas. The amount he spent that day would have had his past self die of a heart attack. Traveling back was a whole other mission with the tanker. They couldn't just off road it like the truck. Taking up the goal to carve a road earlier than first planned. Logs chopped just enough to pass through. Boulders chained and pulled from the earth out of the way. Threading a few trees they couldn't do anything with.

“Okay, this better fill the generator for the month. Because I'm not doing this again anytime soon.” Blake mentioned to Jacob after parking by the generator.

“Should do it.”

“Should have bought a plane. It'd be easier to air drop supplies.” Joking to himself. “But I sure as hell ain't flying in it.” Checking in on how the town was doing. A lot of buildings fixed up to at least be stable for living. With how ramshackle some were he wanted to improve them into actual homes, from their current shack made of scraps. Is there a carpenter around here? Searching to ask Marta if she knew anyone who fit.

“Liam was a builder.” She pointed to someone.

Another older man with a head full of gray hair. One of his eyes permanently shut from a crushed socket done long ago. Him and Blake talked it out on what was needed. Wood was the first major thing. Given the permission to clear trees from what would be their road to the outside. Solving two things in one. Liam was given a group of workers for assistance and as apprentices for future needs. Blake, being run down these past few days, went back to his storage room for much needed rest. Time disappeared to the next day for further planning on how the town was managed. Gathering the kits he bought to test the water for everything imaginable at separate points. As James told him before, the upper river rapids were perfectly safe. The lake itself not so much with its high mercury levels and the southern river shouldn't have anyone going near it. Being the main end of the mine's old runoff. Testing the few wells in town he was happily surprised to find them safe. Passing along that news to the whole town.

Taking more pills he stared down at the bottle in hand. How to get in and out? Tackling the quarantine area. They should be helped like everyone else was. Last time I was shot at, buried and almost eaten. I need some armor before I go in. Even if Nick and Laird are dead, someone else could have picked up the crossbow by now… And those who've been sick far too long… Should I go back to town on my own? Tell the government about everything? What would happen to them? If the law saw all the crimes committed here would any of them not be put in jail? Some kept a clear enough head to know what was going on, but had no choice if they wanted to survive. Law may not care too much about that. People won't react well to strangers coming in. especially the Voltaire's. That'll be a massacre in the woods for sure. As for the land itself, its occupation is completely illegal. Everyone would be immediately evicted, and then what? None of them can survive the outside. No street smarts or a shred of paperwork to get help. No, best not hand the reins over to the government. Tossing that idea away.

I enter quarantine, then what? Convince them I'm there to save them, this time, as long as they don't eat me. Hand out pills to those who can still take them. Others… Could I decide?… Leaving them would be cruel and the meds can't take back the years of organ damage. Rubbing his eyes of a developing headache. Really living up to my Angel of Death moniker. I shouldn't force them to stay in that death camp. That place needs to be burned down for sterilization. New place should be built where they can be watched and treated. Move them there after giving pills. Wait it out then reintroduce them into Temple Gate. Shoving the pills away to go find a length of barbed wire. Inspecting how thick the entwined sections were. I think this should be enough. I got a week to bend this down into something usable.

“Sir.” A woman's voice caught his attention. Facing her he saw her hands out with a piled set of neatly folded clothes. “Made these for you.” Smiling when she handed them off.

“Wow, thank you. You don't have to give me anything though.”

“I know.” She held her smile as she left.

He took his new gift and the barbed wire back to his room. Changing into one of the new sets immediately after not having a change of clothes for twelve days. Fresher than he's been in a while he looked over the old clothes. Gotta wash these after a soak in bleach. Will marinating in mercury lake kill anything on it? Snatching a bucket and some dish soap off the shelf's he wandered over to the southern river. Scrubbing the fabric ten times over to the point his hands were turned raw. Least I got more clothes now. Plopping his old set on a shelf. Should make this into an actual bedroom sometime. Grabbing a pair of wire clippers to use. Snipping down the bundle of barbed wire into a pile of mini pieces. Turning those into rings he layered along to other rings. A square of them forming the start of a chain mail vest by the end of the day. Tired from the intricate work he went to check on everyone else.

The grand hall filled with people eating another meal of soup. “Evening, sir.” Greeted by Mathew, John's son, cooking in the kitchen. He was the youngest of them all from what Blake could tell. Maybe having turned fifteen recently. He was covered in scars as much as the rest, but nothing too noticeable.

“Evening.” He greeted back as he scooped himself a bowl of soup.

“We couldn't find much today so I threw in a few bags of rice. If that's okay.”

“Yeah, long as everyone gets to eat. Hopefully soon we can live off farming and leave the pantry for emergencies.”

“Would be grand. My father says your getting medicine for the scalled. Are you going to save them?”

“Going to try. I don't think we should call them scalled anymore, they're just sick. When they get actual medicine they'll get better.” Taking a bite.

“Have you seen the quarantine before?”

“Entered it once on the way to heretic mountain.”

“Could you look for my mom? She was sent away a few years ago.”

Blake choked down his current spoonful of soup. “I - I'll uh try. I can't promise anything.” Gloom settled thickly in the air. “I don't think I'll be able to save everyone, to tell you the truth. The longer Knoth let them suffer the less of a chance they have. If it comes down to it, where medicine can’t help...”

Mathews' gaze turned to the floor. “I understand.” Head brought up to ask. “Can I come with you when you go? If nothing can be done I can at least say goodbye.”

He didn't want anybody following him in, but how could he say no to that. “Sure, but it could be dangerous. Last time they tried to eat me.” He warned through a nervous smile. Doing his best to eat his meal.

“I'm not afraid, I'll be with an angel.” He nervously smiled back.

“Oh yeah…” Mumbling the next bit. “Angel of Death.”

“You're doing a shitty job then, sir.” Raising a laugh from both of them.

“Night Mathew.” Leaving the kitchen he passed Marta. “Have you rested your ankle at all?” Knowing full well she didn't.

“The wicked get no rest, so neither do I.”

“It won't get better unless you do.”

“Someone has to watch the night.”

“When do you sleep?” Asking earnestly with her being up both times of the day. The look she gave him didn't help. “You have to sleep sometime. You should pick some people.”

“I can stand on my own.” Huffing at the suggestion. “You think I'm not strong enough?”

“I don't want you dying from exhaustion. What happens if you fall sick? If you can't do anything at all, then what? We should have a guard to enforce some law around here. Stop trouble before it devolves into another riot.”

She mumbled some verses, but tuned into his suggestion. “What does the angel want?”

“Pick at least twelve people who can keep watch. Fast runners with muscle. If something goes wrong they can help. If they can't, then they can run to you. You'll be in charge of them, to train them on what you know. When you feel they're trained enough, put them on a watch schedule. six for the day and six for the night. If they end up doing something you don't like. It's your choice how to punish them. You won't have to come to me.” Hmm, should make a proper jail somewhere. Need to put someone somewhere if they break the law. Knoth's jail wasn't fit for even a dog kennel.

“I will do what the angel asks.” On her way to pick a few souls for the duty.

“Thank you.” He spoke. returning to his room where he finished his bowl of soup. Jumping into bed for another night's rest.

Halfway through the night Blake woke to running thoughts. Bits and pieces he looked over that were important for later on. Need more housing to be made. For the newcomers and for the ones whose houses burned down. Curing them won't matter much if we suffer a repeat. Wanting to be shot with an arrow rather than run a sex ED meeting. Unable to sleep anymore he went back to his work desk. Making more links to chain together on the small patchwork he had ready. Focusing on that long enough for the sun to rise. Aware of the time because the light reached under his door. He stretched with a yawn to go find Liam.

A brief meeting to discuss what also needed to be made. A full list of orders that needed some to “Be finished by end of the week.”

“End of the week?” Liam was taken aback. “With all your asking, it'll take a few months.”

“This is really important. What if you had a lot more helping you?”

“It'd help, but with so many not knowing the trade it could still take longer than a week.”

“Take as many as you need. Quarantine area should be finished first. New houses can wait a while longer. In a week I want to move the scalled out into the new quarantine area. After fourteen more days I want to move them into new houses.”

“Where do you want these new houses?”

“Somewhere around here. Any extra land you clear of wood set them there.”

“You want to bring the scalled into town?”

“They won't be ill anymore at that point. The goal of the new quarantine is to set them closer. Where they can get proper care without being forgotten and neglected. I have meds coming that can cure them after fourteen days.”

“Mm.” Liam let out a grumbling growl. “Long as I don't have to get near them. Should I surround it with wire to keep them from wanderin'?”

“Chain link only, wire won't be necessary.”

“What if they try climbin' over?”

“If they want to run I won't stop them.”

“I mean if they want to spread their disease to us livin' better.” His bitter tone souring Blake's own mood.

“I think they only want to get better. Don't you think?”

“If I were them I'd want everyone to suffer as I have.”

“I wouldn't.” Turning the topic. “When they're brought out of quarantine, safe and healthy to interact with. They'll need houses to move into. Wherever you can clear flat land.”

“I got it.” Unenthusiastic about details. “It'd be easier reclaiming the rot for 'em.” Shot a glare he clarified. “I don't mean a trash heap. There are buildings out there that have rotted from mismanagement. Won't be long before they're a pile of junk. The walls need to be completely rebuilt, but the foundation and inner workings should be fine. Wires to the power lines, pipes, sinks, stoves and what furniture that survived the years. They'll take half the time compared to a scratch build.”

“Work on those then. Know how many there are?”

“Whole districts worth. 18 houses we can fix up from rot. Maybe 20 more if not too far gone.”

Breaking down the area to Blake. Working out a firmer schedule to get things ready. More men brought over to have a whole task force to get the job done in time. Crossing paths with Marta and her newly selected guard on the way to check on others.

“Will they do?” She asked for Blake's final word.

Each one had some muscle on their tall frames. Held back by a lack of good diet Blake was sure of. Still not a single one scraped the height Marta stood at. “They'll do.” Dipping his head in approval toward them as he headed off. Scouring the mountain he found the hunting party led by Mathew. “Where's John?”

“He's setting traps along the mountain. He didn't like bringing too many because it startled the food away. Left our scent all over the area that made traps useless. Did you need to talk with him?”

“No, just checking in. Everything's getting so big around here I'm afraid I'll miss something if I don't.”

“If it's about orders, could give 'em through the radios.”

“Ugh.” His skin crawled at the mention. “I rather not, it disconnects me from people. Makes me become a faceless voice spitting orders to everyone. I rather meet and hear about any issues in person.”

“What about making deacons?”

“Huh?”

“Deacons, they were under Knoth to pass messages. Paul used to be one, before he was ordered dead, we brought issues to since he was of the few Knoth listened to. Same for Laird and… Val, when they were chief deacon.”

“Yeah, that's a good idea. I don't think I could call them deacons though. I don't flow much with the religious thought Temple Gate had before.”

“Lords then, runners of land and its people under the king?”

“Works for me.”

“Can I be a lord?” His excitement warmed Blake.

“Maybe, I'll think of who should get a title. Good luck hunting.” Waving goodbye. Passing down the mountain he saw the building team clearing trees. A huge line of road cleared surrounding the tire tracks. Sections of trunks chopped to haul easier back into town for further processing. On the wind he could smell the fresh cut wood. Breathing easier through his asthma. Ruined by more rain pouring down. This place ever stay dry? Isn't this supposed to be the desert? Rushing through to avoid becoming soaked. Stepping down the great hall to pick up his work at the desk. Sighing tiredly at the dull work of ring links he took a break first. Wanting to carve something to relax from all the stress of running a town. I should choose who should manage what. Chipping away to carve out a simple rabbit figure. Then a few small chickens. Focusing back on his chain mail when his carvings felt finished.

[lovelyjj]

ESCAPE

jj maybank x reader - she/her pronouns are used

2,031 words

request: Hi! could you please write one where JJ hides the truth ( that his dad hits him) from yn and one day she goes to his house to get him and meets luke and she very nice but he says mean things to her and maybe punches and shoves her but then JJ comes and then they go to their secret tree house end up falling asleep there and the others are looking for them and eventually finds them extra fluff pls!

thank you @luv-xoxo for requesting and i hope it’s similar to what you wanted!

** super small bits of the dialogue and scenes are from S1:E7 **

WARNINGS: **PHYSICAL ABUSE!!, violence, fighting, blood, language, angst to fluff, please do not read if any of these make you uncomfortable or are triggering!!

(not my gif creds to original owner)

The thing about JJ Maybank is that most people or mainly most authority figures and law enforcement would see and describe him as trouble or a rule breaker. That he was destined to end up just like where he came from.

You and your friends however, the people that really knew him, understood that that was not his true self. He was loyal, and the kind of person that would do absolutely anything for his friends. The kind of person that would take the fall for Pope sinking a kooks boat, knowing he would be punished instead.

Although this was a admirable trait it didn't always work out for JJ. He felt the need to make sure his friends never saw him break, or need help so they could not be in the position to fill his shoes and get hurt on his behalf. He wouldn't want the pity or guilt. Weather he could help it or not he felt as if he didn't deserve that. He figured that he would always remain strong for you and the pogues.

Therefore, with the intention to protect his girlfriend, he failed to mention the abuse he endures from his dad, leaving you in the dark.

———

You and the pogues were supposed to meet at John Bs house this afternoon. You wanted to check on JJ since you haven't heard from him in a while, figuring you can go to John Bs together.

Assuming his whereabouts was at his house, as he wasn't with your friends you decided to go over.

What you didn't expect was a man sitting outside on the porch, with a open bottle of beer working on a motor.

He lifted his head when he heard the crunching of the branches beneath your feet. "Oh hi you must be JJs dad, I'm y/n." you spoke softly, smiling. "I um, was just wondering if you knew where he was?"

He threw his tools down on the table, "that piece of shit ain't here," he grunted. "hell, i don't even care if he dares come back."

Your mouth dropped open, shocked at his statement. You felt a twist in your stomach and your chest felt tight. The atmosphere around you suddenly felt uncomfortable to be in. You wanted to stand up for JJ but it came out weak, "what-what do you mean?"

Luke was standing up now, walking near you, "who are you anyway? one of his whores?"

Your whole body froze, although your blood felt hot through your veins. You simply stared wide eyed and struck with fear.

His hand was coming at your shoulder giving you a push, "you gonna answer me bitch?"

Luke looked ready to take his anger out on you, but a loud rumble prevented this from partaking and broke his attention.

JJ was driving his dirt bike zipping down the lawn. He threw the vehicle on the ground, his legs carried him almost as fast as his racing heart to get in front of you.

You watched him, holding your breath. He only glanced at you but you saw the worry and fear behind his eyes. JJ saw the scene unfold as he picked up speed on his bike and all he thought about was you being hurt. that his worst nightmare was becoming his reality.

He pushed his father back away from you, "don't fucking touch her!" he spat between punches. "you can't do that." JJ continued to wrestle his dad onto the ground as you sobbed, "yeah beat the shit out of me, but don't you dare go near her. ever again" he huffed.

The tears that collected in his eyes were beginning to fall as he picked up a wrench. "I'm done, I'm not scared of you anymore okay!" JJ hovered the metal wrench over his dad's face, blood on his teeth from when his dad tried to fight back. "you ruined my life! you don't get to ruin my only form of happiness too."

Luke watched as JJ tossed the tool back on the ground and left him groaning on the floor.

JJ quickly went over to you in a flash grabbing your arm and doing his best to get you out of there as quick as possible. "come on, let's go."

You had a million thoughts in your head ready to scream them, but JJ seemed too focused on leaving not in the mood to talk just yet.

He patted the back of his bike indicating for you to get on behind him. You shakily clung on to him as he drove off.

When you arrived at a secluded area, somewhere between the hawks nest and the abandoned church. You carefully got off the bike, as JJ stayed in place staring at the ground.

"JJ" you decided to speak, ever so softly.

"what we're you thinking? you shouldn't have- you can't just- fuck y/n" he ran his hands through his hair.

Both your cheeks were stained with tears as you tried to help him in anyway you could, "J-" you reached for his arm.

He turned and looked at you directly, "no y/n, i mean it. you can't come to my house. you can't just go over there. you can't be near my dad. every time i've shown up with a busted lip and bruised eye it wasn't topper or rafe. I mean sometimes but mostly my dad. you can't just go to my house ok?" he sighed, standing up and pushing his hands up your sides. His eyes were watery again and you felt your whole heart break in half.

You squeezed him sniffling. "I'm sorry" you said, voice muffled by his chest. "why didn't you tell me" you quickly wiped one of your tears that had fallen.

"I-I thought I was protecting you in some way, ya know cause he won't hesitate to do the same to you and I couldn't couldn't risk-"

"hey hey, it's okay." you smushed yourself back into him rubbing his back as you hugged him. "I just want to be there for you. please let me do that. you don't have to go back there."

Breaking away every so slightly, JJ gently held your face. His other arm resting on your neck, he trailed his thumb from your temple all the way down to your chin, stopping there and lifting your face up to look at him. His eyes searched yours, looking for some sign of hesitation or doubt. That now that you saw his wounds, his family scars that you still wanted this, that it didn't make you want to run far away or leave him.

"I-I don't wanna be anywhere else, except for with you." he paused taking a nervous breath, "wanna go escape for a little while?"

You knew where he wanted to take you. The little hideout you both stumbled upon when you first started dating. A secret get away just for the two of you, without the outside world prying in.

With a fatigued smile and heart stuttering, you replied "yeah, we should get going before it gets dark."

Your walk towards your little safe haven was quiet as you appreciated the presence of another. The days events took a toll on you both.

As you walked deeper up your little trail, traveling and aiming to get away, you stopped at a wooden ladder. He let you go up the rickety steps first, reminding you to watch out for the broken one. He took hold of your heal as he went behind you, pushing you through the door.

There was not much in there except for a rug, a mattress, a few blankets and a couple LED candles stolen from your cabinet.

JJ sat down against the tree house wall, taking a breath of relief to be away from all that fighting, and swung his backpack over his lap. You taking your rightful place next to him, leaned your head on his shoulder asking, "you sure you're ok?"

Taking out his lighter, and wrapping a arm around your shoulder, "fine now baby."

“are you okay? did he hurt you?

“I’m fine J, fine.”

———

"Where are they?" Kiara questioned as she turned to Sarah in the kitchen.

"You think something happened to them?" Pope said leaning against the counter. 

"I mean when JJ came over and we told him y/n wasn't here, he looked really worried." Sarah commented.

John B stood up, "come on we can go look for them."

———

You had both settled down, laying on the mattress and looking up at the wooden ceiling. The light from the stars fluttered in from the small window, illuminating the room, as you chose to save the batteries on your candles.

Your fingers were interlaced as you loosely swung your hands side to side. "you know that I'll always love you, right?" you turned your head facing him, wanting him to see the truth behind your eyes as you spoke.

The confession expressed in the lateness of the night, brought a sense of comfort and a much needed moment of tranquility.

JJ felt you breathed life back into him, filling him back up with joy after a horrific series of events.

He brought your hand up and placed it over his heart as he looked down at you, "I know. I love you too y/n, so fucking much."

You smiled as your cheeks warmed as he began to press a series of kisses to the back of your hand.

"Thank you for telling me about your dad." you whispered. Your heart already started clenching and you felt your stomach drop of the thought of this again. Your favorite human going through all this alone for who knows how long. "you don't deserve that."

He nodded. Then he tugged at your hand pulling your body closer to him as he buried his face in your chest. Your legs intertwined and you threaded your fingers through his hair. You told him that it's ok, that he's safe, that your safe and continued to whisper soothing thoughts and words of praise.

"JJ" you said a little louder but still in a hushed tone. He only gave a small hum response. His limbs were tired and heavy. He was perfectly fine staying here for the rest of his days. He became finally relaxed under your touch.

"do you think they'll be wondering where we are?" you asked. As you never did turn up to the meeting with the other pogues like you said you would.

"they'll live" he mumbled causing you to giggle.

The both of you let slumber overtake you, wrapped up in each others embrace.

———

The Twinkie slowed down as Kiara shouted, "wait wait stop, That's JJ's bike."

JJ's bike stood leaning against a tree, a little ways away from the road. John B brought the Twinkie to a halt as the crew jumped out.

"Yep, that's definitely JJ's bike" Pope confirmed as the group of friends walked up to the area.

"Then where is he?" Sarah spoke utterly confused.

"Do you think they'd go up here?" Kiara asked pointing to the tiny trail behind a bush.

"Might as well look" John B said already making his way down over to the path.

When they arrived at the end of the trail with a surrounding patch of trees they all seemed to be impressed.

"How come we never seen or herd of this." Kiara furrowed her eyebrows looking at the mini house up on a huge tree.

"dunno" John B muttered as he started climbing the ladder.

"bet their up there" Sarah smirked.

The pogues all followed John B up the steps and entered the little porch. Pope opened the door and they all peaked their heads in.

As much as they wanted to tease the hell out of their friends, their little hearts were so happy to see their best buds in love. They were safe and sound surrounded with fluffy blankets and sandwiched together.

"aw look at them"

"ooh very cozy"

"see their perfectly fine. they would never let anything happen to each-other."

"so cute"

"guys! you'll wake them up, let's go!"

[dominique-mini]

i think we should blame more doctor who for only bringing jack back as comic relief

i think we should be angrier over the fact that jack went through the most traumatic experience he'd ever lived in his centuries of life (and im not talking only about ianto's death. what he did to steven held a BIG toll on his mental health as well) and then acted like nothing happened when he appeared again in doctor who

i know miracle day happened between children of earth and revolution of the daleks, however that does not change the fact that ianto and steven's death were directly caused by the doctor (the doctor not being there, but you get it) and that jack would be absolutely furious when he met the doctor again.

it makes total sense to blame the doctor. that motherf***er has a time machine, for gods sake. that means they could just pop in 2009 WHENEVER they wanted and fix everything that happened (i know the entire plot of children of earth depends upon the doctor not being there, but jack doesn't know this is a tv show. to him, the doctor just didn't show up when they should have)

i know everything could still go wrong anyway, but c'mon guys. it's THE DOCTOR. they are earth's main guardian. doctor who uses this factor as an emotional tool COUNTLESS times. it's always about THE DOCTOR and how they LOVE the earth SO VERY MUCH they just CAN'T GET OVER this little planet and comes back EVERYTIME to save it when we need them.

and so, like;;; they didn't at least show up? it's not like they haven't heard about the incident either. every single kid in the entire WORLD has gone through the event, and there were several political ramifications to it.

so yeah, with the "the doctor doesn't know about children of earth" possibility off the table... what's their motive? did they hear about the incident and went "oops, that one is already dealt with, i think it came out all right"??? that's even WORSE than them not showing up. i can't believe the doctor seriously looked at the political mayhem after the 456 was destroyed and said "this is fine"

yes, the doctor not being there is a main requirement for children of earth to happen, but they could at least DO something to blend it in the story a little better. have them say to jack's face that they don't think the 456 incident was that catastrophic and they have more important things to do. how cool would that be? to have the doctor ADMITTING they don't care about the people who died and the trauma caused by the 456 because it wasn't catastrophic enough for them???

anyways, in my humble opinion i think we should protest somehow if jack's used as comic relief the next time he appears in doctor who (if there'll be a next time after the whole thing with barrowman last year am i right. im also totally okay with the idea of never looking in that man's face ever again)

but idk guys give me your thoughts. do you think they should address the CoE incident in doctor who? and if not, they should build jack's emotional arch based on what?

[maple-the-awesome]

Be Her Guard || Chapter 23

Pairing: Sherlock Holmes x Reader

WARNINGS: Some strong language

Words: 2,531

Masterlist

"Well, if it isn't the Great Sherlock Holmes. Funny getting to talk to you again, isn't it? What's it been? Almost a month? Just under one?"

Sherlock's grip on the phone tightens, his blood running cold by that teasing tone in Apollo’s voice. John's practically hanging off his shoulder, the optimistic side of him hoping- no, praying- that despite his friend's stiffen appearance, he'll put both of their worries to rest by saying you're on the other end, assuring them you've somehow escaped your ex and are okay. Alas, life's never that easy.

"Where is she?" Sherlock isn't sure if he whispers or shouts the question which is ripped from his mouth before he can truly assess the situation. He doesn't have time for that. He needs to know...is he already too late?

"Wow, no manners at all, and here I was thinking the whole appeal with British men is them being gentlemen-"

"-Answer the question-"

"-Or you'll what exactly? Threaten me while enjoying a cup of tea at your flat? In that case, say whatever you want, Holmes. Don't let me step on your moment. It's not like I really care anyways. All I'd have to do is just hang up once I've heard enough of it...Oh, but I'm sure (Y/n) would be pretty disappointed then. She's been dying to hear you voice."

Sherlock presses his lips in a tight line, all his hostile thoughts towards Apollo being replaced by worry for you. He wonders if you're in the room, listening from afar. If he yells loud enough, would you hear him even through the phone?

"...Why did you call me?"

He can practically see Apollo's smirk on the other end," I just want to talk, that's all. We've known about each other for what...? Seven years? And yet within that time we've never been able to have a civil conversation with each other, in fact, if I recall correctly, the first time we met face-to-face, you broke my nose. It's always been surprising how hostile you are towards me. Sure, you don't seem like much of a people person, but I figured I'd at least be just another face in the crowd for you. It's because of (Y/n), isn't it? Why do you care so much about her?"

"...She's (Y/n). What more reason is there?" Sherlock's eyes dart to John who's quietly sneaking into the kitchen now, his own phone in hand. The detective concludes he's calling Lestrade.

"I guess that's something we can agree on then. (Y/n) is extra special, but that's not what I meant. I want to know why you still care for her when all she does is use you? Haven't you realized it yet, Holmes? It's clear she only goes to you second. She left you in London then suddenly landed back in your arms once she needed you to prove her innocence at the trial. She only returned and agreed to date you because she thinks I'm going to hurt her. Notice the trend? She's never gone to you outside of a time of need. Doesn't that drive you mad to know she only pretends to love you so that she may gain something in return?"

"You're wrong."

"Oh? And why's that?" Apollo challenges, the sound of boots clicking against a smooth surface echoing behind his voice. He's inside somewhere, but where?

"I may not be able to tell you the exact reason why (Y/n) loves me, but I know it isn't to use me as a tool. It's honest affection unlike what she gave to you. She only chose you first because you asked first, and she was nice enough to give you a fair chance in winning her heart. She only rejected me after the trial because you traumatized her. She was afraid I'd do the same thing you did to her, but (Y/n)'s stronger now and she knows she can trust someone else again. That's why she came back to me when you threated her again. She trusts I won't let any harm befall her," Sherlock sits down ever so slowly to the point that one would think he's about to sit on needles. He maintains a neutral tone with Apollo, determined to keep the conversation going for as long as he can.

"Hm, maybe you've already forgotten this, but last time I checked, she's with me, not you. You can't do shit to prevent me from doing whatever I'd like with her because you don't even know where the hell we are," he hears Apollo stop pacing and there's a long pause, one that dares Sherlock to respond, but his tongue's been caught.

Finally, Apollo speaks again, a hint of a chuckle lifting his voice," see, it doesn't matter who wins her heart, Holmes. It only matters who can outsmart the other...You know, I've always resented you during my relationship with (Y/n). I hated the way she'd talk so highly of you, favoring you over her own fiancé. My anger only grew when I saw you at her side during the trial. I've spent six whole years in prison thinking of different ways to get back at you for ruining my life, hoping that one could be good enough to capture the attention of such a famous detective like yourself.”

"Since you have the higher ground and are in such a talkative mood, why don't you finally share how you did it? Your sentence wasn't up nor were you eligible for parole yet, so how'd you get out?"

"Oh, you know...really isn't that difficult escaping prison when your uncle's the warden," he practically drags out each word for a smug effect.

"Hugh Walsh-" Sherlock kicks himself over the realization, but he isn't granted much time to dwell on it on his own.

"-Is my mom's brother-in-law. I never had a close relationship with my dad, so you could say Uncle Hu took on the role and, of course, what uncle would let his nephew rot away in prison if he can somehow prevent it? His only request was that I come up with a good plan instead of being rash. He got me out and covered it up while I went on my merry way to get (Y/n). That's when the game really began. Luckily for me, she took the bait when I sent her that letter, running right to her knight in shining armor and tying him back into this mess just as I had hoped.

"From there, I just had to keep an eye from afar until the right moment. I gotta say, it took longer than I imagined. You really weren't taking any chances with her safety, taking her everywhere you go, parading her around like a show dog...Oh, but I'm sure you had fun with it. I'm sure you savored every second of your time with her especially behind closed doors, right? For the first time, she got to be yours. I guess you could say the image of you doing as you please with my fiancée was making me impatient. Fortunately, I noticed you were getting a little too comfortable. You started taking more risks with her, so I decided to take one of my own..."

When there's another pause, Sherlock takes the bait with growing annoyance," and what was that?"

"Glad you asked. Marvin Patel, ring a bell?"

"No."

"God, you really are an emotionless machine...Man in his late sixties, dark hair, nice beard...heard he went missing after a night at the bar; last night particularly."

"...The body on Abbott Lane..."

"Bingo! I needed a way to lure you away from the missus, so I asked some random drunk if he needed a ride home, killed him in a way that would stump investigators just enough to call their hero, then dumped him on the side of the road to let the show begin. While your head was turned, I simply took my chance to get (Y/n). Of course, she put up a bit of a fight, but nothing a good hit to the head can't fix. Overall, I'd say my plan worked like a charm, wouldn't you agree?"

"And what do you plan to do now? There must be another step considering you've wasted time calling me," Sherlock hisses, his irritation with the call reaching its limit. He can hear John talking downstairs to someone signaling that Lestrade's arrived, but what good will the Yard do if Sherlock doesn't know anything new worth matter. Out of all the bullshit Apollo's spewed, nothing says where you are.

"Nothing gets pass you, or should I say, most things don't," Apollo sighs, the sound of his boots against the ground starting up again," alright, you've got me, detective. I didn't only call to brag, although, that's been the best part of this conversation. Instead, I thought it would be fair to give you a fair chance. What, like (Y/n) did for me? Isn't that what you said? It would be a shame to let our game end so easily and I'm sure poor (Y/n) is just on the edge of her seat waiting for you to find her. Can't let her down, can we?

"I want you to listen closely because I have a few 'conditions' for my hint, but I'm sure you can already guess what they are. It's the typical movie format really: come alone and don't tell anyone where you're going or why. If I so much as think you've disobeyed and have someone on your trail- and I don't care who is it, the police or your little military friend-, I'll finish what I started six years ago. Did you know that I originally planned on a murder suicide back then? I may not want to lose (Y/n), but if we're going to being torn apart anyways, I'll happily take her with me and try our chances together in a new life-"

"-I have one condition of my own," Sherlock interrupts, gaining Apollo's attention.

"Really? You're going to be a beggar in this situation?"

Sherlock's slow with his words, picking each one carefully," I merely want to talk to her...There's no point in playing this game if the prize isn't there, right?"

There's nothing on the other end, Apollo seemingly considering the request and it's worth. Meanwhile, Sherlock holds his breath, truly begging internally for him to take the chance. Maybe it won't do anything to actually help the case, but he needs to hear from you even if it's a single word.

"...S-Sherlock?" His breath hitches at the whimper of a voice which breaks the silence at last, shaking him to his core.

"Yes, it's me. I'm here, (Y/n)," he jumps to his feet, his body trembling as he speaks quickly, knowing Apollo can take this chance away at any moment," listen, I'm coming to get you, alright? There's nothing that'll stop me. J-Just remember everything I've told you, okay? We've gone over it before- what you do if you're ever kidnapped. I'll be there as soon as I can, just hang on a little longer…for me.”

"I-I love you, Sh-Sherlock..." the last words are whispered so quietly that he can barely hear them especially over Lestrade and John's voices as they enter the room, franticly looking over to him, but he never turns his attention away from the phone.

"I...I know...I'll be there soon. I promise."

He isn't sure if you heard the last part because Apollo's soon talking again, his voice melting away the detective's relief," touching stuff, gotta say. Now unless you want to keep pushing you luck, are you ready for your hint?"

Sherlock hums, eyes focused on the floor.

"We're somewhere I've dreamed of being with (Y/n) since we first fell in love. Of course, this one isn't ideal; more of somewhere you would've taken her if it hadn't been abandoned three years ago, but even with the peeling paint, I'd say it still has that traditional feel to it. If only we had (Y/n)'s lilies…Maybe you could bring her some?...You get it, Holmes?"

"...I do," he mumbles, already having the exact place in mind.

"I'll see you then, Holmes. (Y/n) is wishing you luck."

That's it. Sherlock lets his hand fall to his side with the phone still clenched in his grip, his eyes focused on the distance. He knows it's a trap. Apollo isn't even trying to hide it; he wants to get Sherlock alone and kill him as cliche as it is, but the detective doesn’t have much of a choice. He can't just ignore the hint and wait for you to miraculously knock at the door safe and sound nor can he risk bringing John which could cost your life...

"Sherlock, what did he say? Where's (Y/n)?" The doctor asks desperately, reaching for the phone in Sherlock's hand when he doesn't answer,"...here, Lestrade said they might be able to track the pings. We can narrow down Apollo's location and-"

"-That won't be necessary."

"What...?" John raises an eyebrow not only at Sherlock's words but the way he jerks the phone away, calmly walking past him towards the coat rack.

"Look, I know you like to do this stuff on your own, Sherlock, but this is a time sensitive case. If the suspect called you then that's the best lead we're going to get," Lestrade tries to reason, both men watching in surprise as Sherlock causally puts on his coat with a shake of his head.

"It wasn't Apollo on the phone, it was (Y/n). She said she's managed to get away from him, but as you can imagine, the poor girl's rather shaken up and doesn't know her way back to the flat from downtown London, so I'll be going to pick her up myself. She'll have plenty of time to tell us whatever she can about Apollo, information I'll pass over to the Yard later, however, my only priority right now is getting her home," Sherlock explains while wrapping his scarf around his neck and giving a smile to both men, one neither believe," John, I'd like you to stay here and prepare some tea for when we get back. (Y/n) will need something to calm her nerves. It may also be wise to prepare a first aid kit in case she needs medical attention-"

"-Sherlock, I know you weren't on a call with (Y/n), I'm not stupid-!" John marches forward, grabbing hold of Sherlock's arm before he can start down the stairs, but his words are caught in his throat when his friend whips around, giving a deadly glare to the shorter man.

"-I said to stay here. We'll be back by this afternoon," Sherlock rips his arm from John's grip, his words stern yet there’s something else behind them that can’t be made out. He then continues his way downstairs, calling over his shoulder," Greg, you can expect a call from me in the morning with any new details!"

John runs a hand through his hair while watching the door open and close, Sherlock official disappearing behind it and leaving the two men alone with more questions than answers,"…something's wrong."

"Yeah, no kidding...He remembered my name for once..."

NEXT CHAPTER ➡️

[qedavathegrey]

Hey, i've checked out that album by M.I.A. you mentioned. Do you want to elaborate on why you like it? Just curious from a musical standpoint

Oh yes, yes I do.

First and foremost, I think the entire album is an exploration of sound: from the feverish, whomping drums to the wailing sirens to power tools whirring. The lyrics are frequently distorted or overpowered to the point they become nearly indecipherable (as if being "silenced") while simultaneously relying so much on phonetics that voice and language becomes only noise. Her vocal performance directly reflects this same dichotomy between low, distorted hammering and high, sharp, metallic/nasal in a way that is nothing short of masterful.

Thematically and sonically, she builds on (and I think perfects) what she was doing on both Arular and Kala, managing to finally bring together the facets of herself into something that's cohesive (if at times overwhelming). The album is feverish, it's angry, but not without moments of tenderness and realization. I think you also get a sense of how tired and how frustrated with the state of the world she is. And probably how she's been portrayed. This was 2010, after all. In this regard, the album feels extremely personal, but the journey itself is universal: while not each of us understands what it means to be a political refugee, we all know what it's like to be frustrated, to be mad, to be tired of injustice and tyranny. And to an extent, the album is a rallying cry. But it also teaches us to find and hold what peace we can in a world that is fucked. Very punk rock, I think, but the album pushes beyond genre.

I also took the liberty of breaking the album down into sections that I think touch on the message of the album as a whole.

Let's go through it:

The Introduction

THE MESSAGE

STEPPIN UP

As with any good introduction, these set the scene: THE MESSAGE reminds us that we live in a society, basically. And that we are not immune to propaganda. It introduces the... well, the message and the message is: we're going to talk about shit, so strap in. STEPPIN UP introduces the artist herself. Both are noisy, loud, abrasive, foreboding. The first time I ever heard STEPPIN UP I was taken aback, shocked, confused: I'd never heard anything like it and I was put off. I think that's the correct response, especially for a first listen. This album is meant to challenge.

Feverish Club Bangers

XXXO

TEQKILLA

"Okay, this sounds like music again. I can get into this." But something's not quite right, is it? The lights are too bright, the music is too loud. And what is that weird noise? Why do I feel like I might throw up? Am I in danger? Yes. Yes, you are. Things are not as they seem.

Your Life is Lie

LOVALOT

STORY TO BE TOLD

Sorry, were you getting comfortable in your delusion? Too bad. Let me introduce you to Western Imperialism & Other Concepts. It's time you actually think about what you've been spoon fed for years. It's time for some perspective and it's time to take some responsibility. Mad? Good. Me too.

Try Not to Get Too Caught Up, Tho lol

IT TAKES A MUSCLE

IT IZ WHAT IT IZ

The world's fucked, but there are also some good things. Small as they may be, cherish them. Shit is heavy and it's easy to get weighed down, easy to get depressed, to want to give up, give in. You could do that or you could...

Get Pissed, Get Even

BORN FREE

MEDS AND FEDS

On second thought, fuck them. "I was BOOOOOORN FREE!" And I'm tired of being lied to and getting fucked over. I'm tired of all this fake shit meant to separate and divide us. I'm tired, I'm mad, I'm fed up and ready to fuck shit up because "I just give a damn" about people. PEOPLE > NATIONS/BORDERS.

Realizations Have Been Had, I Need A Minute

TELL ME WHY

SPACE

Now you're painfully aware of things, but no one else seems to be. You understand it's because they haven't been shown, but you also have to face the fact that you can lead a horse to water, but they'd rather stay crusty. It's annoying, I know. Take a second to collect yourself.

"Not This Bitch Again"

INTERNET CONNECTION

ILLYGIRL

You won't shut up about what you've learned and you've now been formally designated A Menace™. Ignorance would have been the easier choice, but it's too late for that.

A Menace in Isolation

BELIEVER

CAPS LOCK

More bad news: turns out there are few things as isolating as knowing the truth. No one wants to hear it, everyone thinks you're too mad, you're too "political." People don't like being notified when they're being racist or xenophobic, no matter how nicely you try to say it. Change is hard and no one wants to put in the effort. Good luck, though. Bye.

I will emphasize that I don't always agree with MIA (the person), but she certainly captured the message and the journey on this one. As I said, she's telling her story, but I think it's something many can relate to: the anger, the frustration, the hope and isolation of knowledge. And the pervasiveness of injustice.

[hitoshisbabygirl]

Authors Notes ♡: WHEW I LOVED THIS I had a time trying to come up with an idea and then it hit me : a princess being saved by fantasy au! Dabi. I’m still nervous with my smuts but heh I enjoyed this a whole bunch to write . Dabi is my favorite villain and I just love him so much, I tried to make him a soft inside and hard outside man in this , I Had fun for our free for all collab and I hope I help give it just a fun twist to fantasy and Halloween spirit ~ I hope you enjoy reading this and much as I did writing it ~ bunny ❥

Warnings :UH NSFW! Demon dabi has two dick (and their thick) , pet names, unprotected sex , a tad bit of a size kink? , a bit fluffy at the end but I think that’s it!

Word count : about 2k give or take!

Paring(s) :Dabi x F! Reader

Even with this being NSFW I had to make it a soft fluffy ending I’m sorry ♡

———————————————————————

Enchanted flames

Dabi

“If you have found this letter the Princess of Yuei needs your help. Meet me in the Enchanted Woods tomorrow night. Ill escape with you if you can save me from the proposed wedding - Princess [ ]”

With a sigh [. ] dropped the letter out of her window hoping someone, anyone , could save her from the doom that awaited her from an arranged marriage that had been planned from her kingdom to be to the neighboring ones prince, a smaller and very...purple hot headed boy by the name of Mineta who was unsavory for a lack of words. Sighing as she watched the paper fall she secretly wished her type of prince would come save her from this hell she expected.

As the night approached she slipped past her guards, telling them she was going out for air in her garden. The two towering men who looked down at her agreed, moving at the way to let the young woman past them and out into the halls, her dress dragging behind her as she headed out the giant doors to her garden. Taking in a breath she climbed over the perfectly managed hedges andddd off into the forest adjacent to the castle, roaming through the woods to her chosen spot to hopefully meet someone who could save her.

“Hello there little sheep, you called for help, correct?” A low, raspy voice called out as [ ] turned around , looking into the dark abyss in front of her. “ Hello? Helloooo? Who's there?” the girl called out as she heard something heavy land behind her. Turning to her right she saw bright blue eyes look back at her from the shadows. Before she could react a rather warm hand covered her mouth as the person or thing dragged her throughout the woods , the two of them slipping into the night. As soon as [ ] woke up her eyes adjusted to a dark but brightly lit and beautiful chasm, cyan and turquoise crystals of all types surrounded the room as she felt intense heat from everywhere around her. Standing up on shaky legs she felt eyes on her from behind. Letting out a deep breath she turned only to run into a barely covered chest.

Looking up from the revealed purple and pale skin , she saw those same blue eyes , lit with curiosity. “Ah you're awake..welcome little sheep to my...well..living quarters” The mystery man spoke as [ ] blinked at him, a grin spreading over his face as he continued to speak “Well i guess the princess doesnt know she isn't in her little castle anymore. Haven't those guards of yours realized they can't leave royalty alone or guys like me come along and take them out of their cute little homes” He said as [ ] gave him a suspicious look , her own thoughts taking over her face as a sense of calm rested over her features “Ohhh so you're the one who found my note..” She said as he gave her an unreadable look , soon walking away to leave the girl in her own world. “I guess he did” she thought to herself as she heard the male come back, a pile of things in his hands. “Here; a change of clothes and something to eat. I tried to be gentle taking you out of those dreaded castle grounds and through the woods but your dress isnt the smallest thing in the world” he said as [ ] let out a giggle , picking up the dark shirt and skirt he had given her along with the meal : some type of rice and meat with soup. Before she could ask the man answered “No i didnt steal it, i told you this is my home , its only natural id have something in this god forsaken place to eat.” He said as he pointed down the cave. “Theres a waterfall ahead if youd like to freshen up there.” And with that [ ] walked down the empty carved walls, finding the waterfall he was talking about.

Once she was finished getting cleaned and dressed she headed back the way she went, seeing the male now cloaked in a dark cape , fiddling with a pile of wood before setting it ablaze with a bright blue flame. “Ah i see you're finished , ILl be heading out , i'm gonna find us some more wood so you don't get cold. Theres a pot over there where you can reheat your food and get more if you like.” As he finished he proceeded to get up and head down another pathway, presumingly to the opening of the chasm “Wait!” [ ] called out as he stopped, turning to the girl with a questioning look back at her. “Yes princess?” he responded to her as she felt a unnatural wave of heat spreading to her face from simply calling her by her actual title. “What can I call you? And how long will you be gone?” She questioned. “Aw are you worried about me?” He cooed as she puffed out her cheeks “I was just curious” She lashed back as the male in front of her laughed , giving her a crooked smile. “ The names Dabi, and i won't be gone too long, an hour or so” Dabi said, giving her a smile as he started to leave again.

“Oh yeah , and there's a spare jacket in the back if you get too cold or that fire goes out.” and with that he left [ ] by herself as she finished up the dinner he had made which was exceptionally good, even better than what she tended to have at the castle. While she waited around for dabi to come back , [ ] looked at her royal dress, the red and pinks making her want to revolt as she pushed the fluffy tooled pile up into a blanket of sorts, covering her legs as she sat there thinking about her predicament “I really ran away...but what else can you do when youre gonna be married off to someone years older than you for land and alliance” she thought with a sigh as footsteps came from behind her , Dabi pulling his hood from his head as he smiled to himself at the girl in front of him “Im back princess” He declared as she turned to him, giving him a small smile as she stood up, dusting off her dress , coming up to Dabi “So...whatcha find?” She started as he pulled the bag from behind him , dumping out different goodies for the two of them. An array of food, wood and fresh buckets for water collections. “Here, this is for you too” Dabi said as he passed her a well woven balck dress, better than the two piece he had first given her. Taking in a deep breath he spoke up “I didn't want you to struggle with rags , so i got you something a little more comfortable and well...suitable for a run away princess” and with that she looked up to him and giggled which was heaven to his ears. ‘Why thank you Dabi..i'm flattered” [ ] said as she took the black dress , running to a hidden corner to change as Dabi smirked “Oh boy..what have i signed myself up for”

Weeks later and multiple posters for the lost princess later, [ ] had a rhythm living with Dabi. They cooked together and he left out to get things from shops ans out in the woods. Word spread that the princess had been stolen and the ugly grape himself had put a reward out for her safe return. Unknown to everyone she was quite content with the dark demon mage Dabi and his home in the woods. He explained the chasm as his work space, a place he could hone in on working with his flames and different elixirs that people needed. He was a half breed of human and demon, his father ridding of him to hide his affair with an otherworldly being, to keep the peace of his people and the overworld people as well. He really wasn’t a bad man, just someone who stayed in the shadows and kept to himself. And [. ] ‘s heart went out to him, as his did out to hers as she explained her own situation. ”Well damn sweetheart at least i saved you hm?” Dabi said as the two of them laughed together about their lives and what they'd like to change.

As the night drew on and they had their fair share of drinks and food that night “Thank you Dabi..for everything” [ ] said randomly as they relaxed by the fire he had started , [ ] wrapped into the oversized fur Dabi made her as the male laid against a log watching the tired girl mumble to him. She gave him a sleepy smile once he put his warmed hand on her face. “You're cute yknow...i'm not gonna let anyone get to you okay?” He said as she shook her head, moving herself closer to him , laying her head on his lap as he rubbed her head until she fell asleep, him soon realizing he was in love with the rogue princess in his lap.

As the next month rolled around , the princess and her demon mage had started a loving relationship, the two of them growing fonder and fonder of eachother. [ ] noticed that Dabi had tried avoiding being around her when she was fresh from the shower or even roaming too close behind her, he even took more time to come home with more ingredients or even sleep opposite to her. She didn't understand the switch from wanting to hold and hug her to avoiding her all day. One day she was able to catch and trap him with her. “Yes princess…?” Dabi ased as [ ] crossed her arms around her chest , the simple movement making him turn from her. “Did I..do something…?” She asked, her eyes bouncing between his as the turquoise she learned to love ignited with heat.

”Oh no doll...you haven't done a thing but make me want you even more..”

And with that comment her eyes widened. “What..?” She questioned. And with that Dabi picked the smaller girl up, pinning her to a crystal wall as she gasped, wrapping her arms around his neck.”Dabi…….?” [ ] called out as he started to kiss her neck ,running his rougher hands up the soft flesh of her thighs. “I think i'm in love with you doll..youve been invading my head or a while and all i can think about is making your cute little body want me the burning way i want you...I wanna make you cry out for me all night long...make you mines forever.....is that okay?” He whispered in her ear. With a shudder she agreed , letting him kiss the swells of her brest as he gave her a lopsided smile, picking her up and taking her to a pile of pelts and wool they made into a bedroom to rest in. Placing her down lightly he towered her , taking off his vest to reveal his toned and scarred body “Youre quite a beauty yknow...im glad you trust me…” He said with a smile as [ ] herself smashed her lips against his, cutting off his mushy talk. With a groan he pushed her dress up , letting her breast bounce out from the top. Pulling away from the kiss she helped him take off the dress over her head. With a shy smile [ ] covered ehrslf and laid back, spreading her legs lightly to expose her glistening lips to him

“Well damn, i havent even toughed you yet and youre this wet..what a little slut you are”

He growled out as he leaned back over to give her a kiss , pulling her lower lip as he licke dhis was down between her legs, giving her clit a hard suck as she whinned , closing her legs over his head as he slurped away at her pussy, making sure to watch her through hooded eyes, a tail whipping from behind him as a pair of horns appeared from atop his head, one mangled and cracked the other long and curled “Surprise” Dabi called out as his voice dropped octaves, it coming out as a low rumble as [ ] felt her walls clench at the sound , a chuckle coming from him. Going back to slurping and sucking on her labia and clit , Dabi watch with glee as the gilr under him started to shake, her hips rolling back to his mouth as he bit lightly down on her lips and pulled away from her , laughing at her pleas and whimpers “Turn sound baby and let me show you how much i love you” Dabi said , watching as [ ] rolled over arching her hips back as he smacked her ass, loving the moan she let out. Pulling down his pants he pulled his throbbing member out, rubbing it hard against her clit as she felt her heart jumped at the feeling of how thick he was. All of a sudden she felt hands pull her cheeks apart as a finger rub around the tight rings of her ass. With a gasp she looked back to see not one but two swinging dicks between the burning up male, a feral look in his eyes as he let a low rumble come from his chest “ Sorry babygirl..when I change there's more than just one of me to deal with, i promise i'll be gentle” He said as he rubbed her tight muscles just loose enough to put in the tip, her lower lips drooling as he slid his true size into her throbbing walls, moans and grunts tearing through the chasm as he pulled his hips back , starting to set a rhythm to his hips. While he picked up the pace, [ ] felt herself being full as the two dicks of his stuffed her. She could help the feeling of her walls getting tighter as she came once then twice and not once did Dabi stop, he laughed as he gave her more and more , pushing himself deeper in her as he let out what sounded like a howl of pain as he doubled in pace, reaching down to rub her clit as she screamed, soon feeling a hot and warm gooey feeling flood her senses. Dabi slowed his hips down as he pulled himself from her ass first, then from her pussy and cum started to leak from her holes.

“Shit...im sorry princess I didnt mean to go so rough…” Dabi breathed out as [ ] turned around giving him hr own lopsided smile as she saw him transform backto himself, those turquoise eyes softening as he saw the woman he had fallen for spent out from his own actions. “Geez when you said you were a demon i didnt think it was true…” She laughed as he scratched th back of his neck “Ive never transformed like this around someone….especially during sex but that means I trust you a lot….well doll..let me clean you up and then...we can go fro round two hm?” He smirked as he watched her pussy clench and relase more cum once he said that. “Mhm...clean me Dabi then we can have some more fun..”