#Tiny Leo can't stand on his own

[magicalmanhattanproject]

man im just like. thinking about egg signs and how they've evolved over the course of the qsmp and how the qsmp has evolved over the course of the qsmp and just feeling so much love and affection for every part of the project. i dont have any grand overarching point with this just. like. here's a history of egg comms bc of the kind of person that i am

so wayyyy back ten months ago now at the start of the short and sweet egg event that was planned to last maybe a month at most, the eggs had their own custom, decorated signs!

[ID: Leo with a pink sign with an egg on the bottom corner that reads "hello" in all caps. Her nametag reads Leonardo. End ID]

They were extremely simple, single word signs. There was hello, hola, story, feed, sleep, and maybe one or two more and each was its own separate sign. The eggs could only communicate the most basic needs in words and everything else was through minecraft body language or just hoping their parents guessed right.

But obviously, there was a lot more that parents wanted to hear from their children. I'm not sure who was actually first, but the earliest departure from this system I know about is BadBoyHalo giving Dapper a simple oak sign so he could name his pet slime. (Screenshot from @/lxrd-ren)

[ID: Dapper wearing a diver's helmet standing next to a tiny slime in a boat with an oak sign reading "Bouncy (slmecicle but better)" End ID]

Parents quickly realized how much more convenient this was and pretty soon every single egg had stacks of signs to communicate with.

The next innovation came from Vegetta, who was the resident mod knower at the time. He knew about colored canvas signs and gave Leo signs in her favorite color purple because he loved her and gave her everything she wanted.

[ID: Leo's bed in her room under some Fooligetta fanart with a purple sign reading "<3" End ID]

Colored signs obviously had a lot of advantages. Being able to tell at a glance which egg placed which sign was a huge step forward in eggs being able to have long, complicated conversations as well as leaving obvious marks of their personality everywhere they went. It took a little while for them to be standard for every egg though. Bobby never stopped using oak signs even after Richas and Pomme both showed up with colored signs.

[ID: Two signs reading from right to left a red Pomme sign reading "we already started working on a guillotine factory" and a dark grey Dapper sign reading "thats the most french u have said so far pomme" End ID]

And this was the system for a while! And it worked pretty well for most people! The biggest struggle most people had was egg signs not being translated, but streamers adjusted to that by reading signs out loud so the translators would pick up on them. This also lead to adorable and fascinating dynamics like Richas swearing in signs he wrote for Bad and then warning Bad not to read them out. There was also the genuinely phenomenal development of Leolingo where Leo writes only in Spanish to Foolish because it's easier for her to write and he takes his time to puzzle his way through it and learn in a way that's super cool to watch someone else do onscreen.

Then Tubbo joined the server. And Tubbo himself had no problems at all with the system, but he is dyslexic and he casually mentioned offhand that it was getting kind of annoying to read signs after a ten hour long stream and the admin team Fucking Cooked.

Within 24 hours, they had TTS working on the signs. Within 48 hours, it was working on books too. I can't remember how long it took to get translation working, but it was definitely under a week.

And this opened up a whole new world of possibilities for the entire QSMP. The admin team has been on top of capitalizing on it for story purposes, but also just allowing the egg admins to speak in their native languages to everyone whenever they want has been so enriching for everyone involved. Leolingo is awesome but Foolish has been learning Spanish insanely fast and his process is a lot slower and more frustrating than most people can do in front of an audience of thousands of people without feeling discouraged. That's also one language. We've had everything from Foolish being able to check his work a bit more faster to Phil insisting on his eggs taking a day to speak to him in their native languages to Ramón writing a book for Fit in Cantonese, a language we haven't even seen on the server in any other context!

And all of it is fully understood and fully communicated! Sometimes the translators mess up but no one expects them to be perfect and people ask for clarification if the translator says something that doesn't sound right. It's not only a massive step forward in communication technology, but it's a great demonstration of how to use it and when you can and can't rely on it.

And finally, the most recent innovation! One of BBH's viewers sent him a dono saying they had trouble reading certain signs because they were too low-contrast. Bad, Richas, and Pomme just. Took it upon themselves to fix the problem right there and then. Based on One (1) bringing up their own personal struggle, those three came up with new signs that innovate tremendously on the originals.

[ID: Two separate images of the before and after. The first is the egg signs in their original colors with the corresponding egg's name written on them to demonstrate the font color and the second is in the new, higher contrast colors with the same text. The new signs also have custom decorations for each egg. The second picture also has two signs from Pomme in all caps that read "Send all the love to Richas he spent a whole night making this he's the best <3" End ID]

There are three main innovations visible in the above pictures

1: Obviously, the colors are higher contrast. The signs with white text have darker colors and the signs with black text have lighter colors.

2: The colors themselves are lower saturation. Richas said this made it easier for him personally to read them so he corrected that way, but that's open to change if it causes difficulties for more people than it helps

3: The decorations are for accessibility reasons! People with various different forms of colorblindness will find different sets of colors easier or harder to distinguish, but any of them can look at the decorations and use them to identify whose sign is whose instead.

But! Those innovations are not why I made this post! It's these ones!

[ID: The backs of the new signs when placed on the ground. Most visible are Chayanne's with vines and a hardcore heart, Sunny's with shining sunglasses, and Pomme's with an apple and the Eiffel Tower. End ID]

Richas added distinguishing marks to the backs of the signs too! This is something that Bad brought up specifically as something he wanted because it was hard for him to tell who was talking when he was using TTS from behind signs and couldn't see the colors at all.

We went from custom egg signs (a hotbar or so of words and nothing else to communicate with) through a long journey of expanding communication and expanding who we're bringing along on the communication and how easily they can join in and we've circled all the way back around to custom egg signs (they can say anything they want in any language they want and anyone will know it's them saying it from any angle)

and i guess i have enough feelings abotu that to write All This about it

[dandylovesturtles]

I lied

this fic is going to have at least four parts. oops.

Sorry this took longer than I intended! I started working on it literally the next day after the first part went up and banged out 3K words, then wrote another 1.5K over the next couple days, ended up hating it, deleted the whole thing and started over. I'm much happier with this version.

I had intended for this part to go deeper into the immediate aftermath buuuut this part ended up so long I decided to make that the next part!

And I got enabled on discord to be mean with the cliffhanger, so... sorry <3

CW: minor violence, angst, nobody having a good time, Bishop being Bishop

btw this is Part 2 of the Room Fic that doesn't have a title yet. If you're confused, start here!

-----

They're somewhere in Nebraska, and Raph's never seen so many stars before.

He thought he had seen stars, when they went camping in the woods that time with Todd. Now, sitting on the side of the road by the Turtle Tank, he's realizing that he didn't really see them.

He wishes he could enjoy it, but he can't. Not really. Because nine days ago, Leo stormed out of the lair and never came home.

(Raph knows the thing he'll always blame himself for is picking the fight in the first place.)

It took them several days to learn what had happened to him. Even more days to learn where he was taken. And now they're stuck on the side of the road in Nebraska while Donnie fixes a flat.

Mikey's dozing against his shoulder. He hasn't been getting enough sleep, not that any of them have. April's handing Donnie tools and keeping him company while he changes the tire. Draxum and Splinter are inside the tank, on the lookout for cops with the help of Donnie's police scanners.

It's cool since the sun went down. Quiet. Crickets are out and playing their songs. Raph's seen a few deer, and an owl. The stars are twinkling overhead, and it's calm, peaceful.

The weight on his shoulder is suddenly gone; Raph looks down to find Mikey sitting up straight, wide awake and head cocked to the side like a bloodhound who just caught a scent.

He opens his mouth to ask - and then he feels it too.

It's a cacophony of emotions, strong and hot and mixing together until they're overwhelming. Fear, pain, exhaustion, loneliness, and a blinding fury like even Raph has never felt before. Hatred and bile and the desire to attack, to harm, to destroy.

And underneath it all, a presence as familiar to him as his own, one that's been by his side since almost the day he was hatched. One that is fragile and desperate and screaming out for help.

Leo.

Raph stands up - next to him, Mikey is already on his feet. Raph reaches out his hand, his ninpo flaring to life, straining out into the open air like if he just stretches far enough, he can pluck Leo out of the hell he's trapped in and bring him home.

But he can't reach far enough, because the EPF took him all the way to Colorado. And they're still on the side of the road in Nebraska.

As quickly as it came, the presence is dying away again. It shrinks smaller and smaller and then fizzles out. Raph releases his breath, letting his ninpo fall away, his fingers still grasping open air.

A sniffle. Raph looks down and finds Mikey sobbing. He scoops his little brother into his arms, and Mikey throws himself into Raph's chest, heaving breaths shaking his tiny frame.

"Leo," he whimpers. All Raph can do is pat his shell.

He turns to take stock of Donnie next, carrying Mikey over. His other little brother has tears trickling down his face, too, more subdued but still visible. He's holding his wrench in a vice grip, and for once he doesn't utter a single protest when Raph reaches out and tucks him in under his free arm.

"...What just happened?" asks April, hesitant. Raph wishes he knew how to explain.

"It was Leo!" Mikey does it for him. "He... he's reaching for us."

"What!? Like, mind meld or something!?"

"No," answers Raph. "I don't really know what that was... but it was definitely Leo."

"So..." April pauses, eyes searching each of their faces. "Is he... okay?"

None of them know what to say, but she gets it anyway.

"...I'm going to destroy the EPF," says Donnie, voice dark and cold. "I'm going to raze it to the ground. There will be nothing left."

Raph squeezes his shoulders, pulling him closer.

He doesn't know what to do other than agree.

-----

"This is a good thing," says Draxum. "That means he's still alive."

"But they're hurting him!" Mikey argues. He's halfway in Draxum's lap, arms wrapped around Draxum's middle. Donnie sits on one of the bench seats, curled tight around his own legs, while Splinter strokes his head. Raph sits on the bench seat across from them, April leaning against his side.

"I told you what the EPF is capable of," Draxum reminds them. "This is not a surprise."

"Read the room, Barry," says April.

Splinter's look is increasingly far away, his touch on Donnie's head automatic and absentminded. He's able to stay in the room with them when there's something to do, but now the fear and depression are threatening to take him away again. For the hundredth time since this nightmare began, Raph feels the hopelessness set in.

Draxum sucks, but he's right, echoes the voice in his head that sounds too much like Leo. The plan hasn't changed. Now get moving before you tire out.

"Drax is right that Leo's alive," Raph echoes. "So we need to get a move on. Donnie, how's the tank?"

Donnie uncurls, coaxed by the request to talk about his baby. "The spare's on, and I did some checks on the engine and interior systems. We're ready to go."

"Alright." Raph stands up, rolling his shoulders. "It's Raph's turn to drive. Everyone buckle up."

The mood in the tank shifts after that; they have a direction, and a plan. Leo is hurt, but he's still alive, and nothing has changed.

Donnie and April sit together in the front seats. Mikey passes around snacks and drinks from their cooler, then snuggles in between their dad and Draxum. Draxum says something negative about the snack food, which pulls Splinter out of his trance and starts up some heated bickering between them. Even more of the tension leaks out of the cab.

Raph puts the tank in drive and pulls back onto the quiet highway, driving west again. At their back, the sun starts to rise.

-----

It's late in the day when they reach Colorado Springs.

Donnie was able to pin the EPF base's location down to the mountains surrounding the town, but he couldn't find its exact location. Whatever equipment they have, it's completely scrambled the subcutaneous tracker Donnie put on Leo (and boy, was that a stir when Donnie revealed he'd put trackers on all of them). It had taken a combination of Donnie's hacking and April's investigative skills to get this far.

"It makes sense," says April as they pull the tank into a campsite outside the city limits. "There's, what, three bases here? Where better to hide a secret branch of the military than with the military?"

There's snow on the ground outside, even though it's early May. Even so, the temperature was pretty mild while the sun was up. "It's the proximity to the mountains," Donnie explains when Raph mentions it, but the rest of the explanation blurs together. He's too tired to keep up with Donnie's science facts, but infodumping calms his brother down, so he lets him do it and nods along.

They eat a proper meal that Mikey cooks for them on one of the campsite grills, then settle in to nap until the sun goes down. Raph isn't sleeping, and he can tell from all the shifting around that Mikey and Donnie aren't, either. They're too close to Leo now to rest.

But you gotta catch some Zs before you go storming into enemy territory, the Leo in his head reminds him.

Raph hates every second you're in there, he thinks. But it won't be long now. Big bro's comin'.

He wishes the Leo in his head would say that he believes that. But all Raph can remember are the words they said during the fight, and he never quite goes to sleep.

-----

They break into pairs for their search. Raph goes with April, Mikey with Splinter, and Donnie stays with Draxum at the tank. Donnie uses his tech to try and narrow down the location of the base, while the other two teams go in opposite directions and start scouting the area on foot.

It takes a long time for them to learn anything, and as the sun comes up again, Raph starts to worry that they're going to have to leave Leo trapped for another full day.

But then he and April finally get a lead. They send the info to Donnie, and it helps narrow down his search.

Just after dawn, they reconvene at the tank, gathered around satellite images and drone shots of a nondescript military compound several miles outside the city.

"There it is," says Donnie with finality. "That's where they're keeping Leo."

"Then what are waiting for?" asks Mikey.

Wait for dark, says the Leo in Raph's head.

And that advice makes sense. There will be fewer employees at night. The dark provides natural cover. It's sane. It's smart.

Raph ignores it entirely.

He's not leaving his little brother with those people for one second longer. Not after what he felt, sitting on the side of the road in Nebraska.

"We're not waiting for anything," he says. "Let's move out."

From the looks on their faces, they all agree.

------

The site looks as generic as possible. There's a high electric fence circling the whole thing, with a basic "No Trespassing - Government Property" sign. A simple guard stand sits at the drive-in gate. The buildings visible beyond are drab and featureless.

The government stopped publicly funding the EPF in the nineties, Draxum had told them. But the organization had never truly gone away; it was just funded through underground means now. Miscellaneous defense funding. Anonymous donations. Private benefactors.

Originally it had been founded to defend Earth against aliens. But when no alien threat appeared, they moved on to a new mission: defending the United States against yokai.

"Even though we were here first," Draxum had said testily. "Typical Americans."

Raph hadn't liked anything Draxum had to tell them about the EPF. That they weren't bound by any of the laws the rest of the military was. That the yokai they had managed to capture were never seen again. That Draxum had had a very brief run-in with them once, decades ago, and he doubted they had ever forgotten it.

Really, though, all he'd needed to know was that they had his brother.

It's the middle of the morning, so their stealth options are limited. Still, they aren't ninja for nothing; they use the forest and the snowy terrain to their advantage and sneak their way into the compound. Raph has to admit, he was a little worried about Draxum on the trip over, but the old goat does a pretty good job keeping up.

It takes them a bit of time to work out which building to enter. They rule out a mess hall, a medical ward, the barracks, and some kind of training center first. Then, toward the furthest reaches of the compound, they find a building that looks particularly suspicious, with a guard gate on the path leading to it and more armed guards on the roof.

"That has to be it," says Raph. No one disagrees.

They use a passing supply truck to slip past the guard gate, then sneak around the back and use a fire ladder to get to the roof. They dispatch the guards on top quickly and easily, then find a ventilation shaft leading inside. Mikey, Donnie, April, and Splinter fit easily enough, but Raph and Draxum are too big to wiggle through.

"Find out where we're going. Radio us as soon as you find something," Raph says. Then he gives Mikey, April, and Donnie's shoulders each a squeeze in turn. "And be careful."

"Take care of Red," their dad says to Draxum just before he follows the others inside.

"He's safe with me," Draxum promises.

"You're safe with Raph," Raph feels the need to say. Splinter chuckles before disappearing into the shaft after his siblings.

Waiting outside becomes nerve-wracking quickly. Raph starts to pace the length of the roof, back and forth, glancing at the unconscious guards from time to time to make sure they're still unconscious.

"You're going to wear a rut on the roof," Draxum admonishes him. Raph keeps going anyway.

-----

Finally, after what feels like ages but is only about ten minutes, his radio crackles. Raph freezes, pulling his wrist close, where Donnie's tech is hidden under his wraps.

"Hey." It's April's voice. She sounds out of breath, but not distressed. "Come to the back of the building. Should be a door."

"On our way," says Raph, waving at Draxum to follow before dropping off the roof.

The door is easy enough to find, the snow around it trampled down. He gives the metal a rap with his knuckles when he gets there, and the door swings open, April grinning, her bat perched against her shoulder. Behind her is another unconscious guard.

"Nice, April," says Raph, hustling inside. He kicks the last of the snow off his feet once he's on the cold linoleum floor, Draxum following suit. April lets the door swing shut again. "Where's everyone else?"

"We found some kinda security room. Leo's gear was in there." She pushes by and starts to lead them down the hall, voice low, eyes watching for anyone rounding the corner. "Donnie's poking through the camera footage. Didn't look like anyone much was in this hall, so I came to get you."

"And Leonardo?" asks Draxum.

April gives a shake of her head. "Haven't found him yet, but he's gotta be here. There's not much more of the building to search, so we're close."

Raph peeks in open doors and through windows as they walk, taking in the space. It looks like an ordinary office building inside; nothing nefarious, except for the fact that the people working here are kidnapping scum who have done something so terrible to his little brother it made him scream out in anguish and fury. But if he hadn't known that coming in, he wouldn't have expected anything. It all looks very...

Raph comes to a sudden stop. Through the sliver of window in a door, he sees the first occupied room since he's entered the building. Only one person is inside, wearing a white lab coat and tapping away at a computer.

But what's more interesting is the door on the other side of the room: solid metal with no window, and a sign that reads "Inmate Observation - Authorized Access Only".

Raph grabs April by the shoulder before she can get too far ahead, pointing at the window. "Do you know what's in there?"

She turns back and takes a peek. "...No. I don't think we went through there yet."

So they haven't ruled this part of the building out yet. And it's the only one so far with anyone inside.

Inmate Observation.

"Raph, wait, I think we should-" April starts, but Raph doesn't listen. Raph can't stop himself.

His little brother is in here. He knows he is. The one who was taken from them. The one who cried out to them in fear, begging to be saved.

He's not making Leo wait a moment longer.

Raph throws open the door and marches inside.

"...Okay," April says behind him. "I guess we're doing it this way.

-----

The scientist or whoever they are tries to radio for help. Raph picks the radio up and crushes it in his hand. They turn and run, and that takes care of that.

April calls the others on her radio. Raph doesn't listen to the conversation. His eyes are locked on the door.

Inmate Observation.

He reaches out and throws the door back with a bang.

He's ready for the gunshots before they come, and his ninpo is already active, forming a protective bubble around himself and shielding Draxum and April. He's expecting bullets, but instead it's darts; they embed themselves harmlessly in the arms of his projection. Raph waits until the volley stops, then drops the projection, and the darts fall harmlessly to the floor.

He steps into the room and clocks one of the guards on the head before they can reload, watching as they fall to the ground. April wallops the other one, then kicks their fallen gun under a desk. She brandishes her bat at the other occupants of the room: two more scientists in lab coats, and one steely faced man in a suit.

The scientists seem intimidated. The suited man does not.

"Ah," he says. "So you've finally made it here, Draxum."

"Bishop." Draxum sounds equally unimpressed. "I thought you died in the nineties."

"So does most of the world. It's convenient for my work."

"You guys know each other?" April asks, looking between them.

"We know of each other." Draxum sneers. "If my plans had gone as I intended, he would truly be dead by now."

Raph narrows his eyes at the man. "Are you the one who's been keeping my brother here?"

To his credit, Bishop still looks unphased, even though Raph is tall enough to hulk over him. "I am the director of this facility."

It's enough of a yes.

Raph rushes Bishop, slamming him into the wall behind his back. Raph keeps him pinned, one hand on his neck, the other arm pressed against his chest, and Raph presses until he feels something start to crack.

Bishop hisses but does not cry out.

"Where are you keeping him?" Raph demands.

"He's in there," says Bishop, wheezing only slightly from the constriction on his lungs, his voice firm otherwise.

Raph tosses a look where Bishop indicates, seeing a large window. It's looking into a seemingly empty room; white walls and no furniture other than a toilet in the corner.

"Raph don't see him," he growls.

"He hides under the window." Bishop's eyes flicker to one of the scientists. "Pointless, really," he says, giving the man in the lab coat a nod. "Show them."

The scientist looks uneasy, but he turns and clicks a few buttons on a desktop. A screen pops up, but it doesn't show anything other than static.

"...Something is wrong with our camera signals, sir," the scientist reports.

"Ah." Bishop's eyes glint, and then flick back to Raph's face. "So there are more of you."

Raph doesn't answer that. He gives Bishop a rough shake. "What have you done to him?"

"Your brother?" Bishop clarifies. "Nothing."

Another shake. "Don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying." Bishop's eyes are steely, even as his wheezing picks up the more Raph leans into his chest. "Other than as was necessary to move him, we have not touched him."

Raph doesn't move an inch. "I don't believe that."

"Then see for yourself." Bishop looks at the other scientist now, giving a small nod of his head. "Dr. Keller, open the door for this brute so he'll stop assaulting me."

Raph scowls, staying exactly where he is while the other scientist scurries to the metal door by the window and inputs a code into a keypad. There's a beep, and a clipped, artificial voice says, "Inmates clear the door. Security personnel entering. Stay still and you will not be harmed."

Finally, Raph lets Bishop go, and approaches the door.

-----

When Raph imagined one of them getting kidnapped by a shady, quasi-governmental agency intent on imprisoning mutants, he always pictured something... different.

He thought they would be in cages, not tall enough to stand in. That they would be fed from dog bowls or water drippers. That handlers would patrol the room with cattle prods, ready to shock anyone who stepped out of line.

But there is no cage, and no cattle prods. Leo is just in a room.

The first thing Raph notices about the room is the cold. The rest of the building is hardly stifling, but even then, the blast of air that comes through the open door feels like Raph is stepping into a freezer.

As he saw from outside, there's no furniture. Or he doesn't think there is, until he looks down, under the window, and finds a cot.

And what's on the cot makes his heart stop.

Raph can barely remember the last time he saw Leo pull himself fully into his shell for anything other than shell bowling. He complained that it was too small, that the hot and cramped space made him feel claustrophobic.

Now he's completely pulled inside, still and silent in a way Leo should never be.

For an eternity, Raph thinks he's too late. They came all the way here only to save Leo's corpse.

"Leo...?"

He kneels by the cot, reaching out and putting a hand on Leo's shell. He's cold to the touch, and it unsettles Raph even further. He shouldn't be this cold.

Raph keeps his hand where it is and stays very still and very quiet. And he waits.

And then he hears it, so faint he almost misses it: a terrified, whimpering chirp.

Leo is alive.

Raph feels tears spring to his eyes. He puts his other hand on Leo's shell, rubbing in big, soothing motions.

"Leo! Leo, it's me! We're here, we're getting you out! It's all going to be okay, just trust Big Raphie, alright?"

So saying, Raph straightens back up, and grabs Leo's shell in his hands to carry him out, to take his little brother home.

A hand shoots out of the shell, stick thin. Though it's clearly weak, it grabs on to Raph's arm with a desperate ferocity, clawing at the skin there.

Raph freezes, not putting Leo down but not lifting him any further, either. He peers into the gap in Leo's shell, and sees eyes peering back at him, glassy and wide and full of terror. A cornered animal fighting for his life.

Raph takes a deep breath. He summons all the love he has for Leo, all the relief he feels at finding him alive, all the happiness he has from having his little brother in his arms again, and he pours it into a genuine smile, no matter the danger outside.

"Hey, Leo," he says, voice soft. "It's just me. Raph came to get ya. Everything's okay now."

A second passes, then five, then twenty. April starts to come in, but Raph waves a finger at her to tell her to go back before she startles Leo. He keeps the smile on his face, his eyes locked on Leo's, his hold secure but non-threatening.

And then, slowly, Leo pokes his head out.

"Raph?" he asks, in a voice that is exhausted and hoarse and warbling and absolutely beautiful.

"Yeah," says Raph, blinking tears back. "Hey, buddy."

Steadily, Leo unfurls the rest of himself, one limb emerging at a time. He looks terrible. His cheeks are sunken and gaunt, his skin is an unhealthy color, his eyes are ringed by dark black circles showing off how little he's slept.

Raph is so happy to see him. He so wishes this wasn't the state he was finding Leo in. If he could turn back time and make it so Leo never suffered, he would in a heartbeat. But he's so happy to have Leo back that the tears keep flowing.

The grip Leo has on his arm shifts. No longer trying to claw himself free, but grabbing on, holding still, with all the same desperation as before. His eyes search Raph's face, over and over until it seems he's finally satisfied.

"Raph," he repeats, and it's not a question this time.

"Yeah," Raph says anyway. "I'm here."

He lifts Leo the rest of the way, cradling Leo against his chest. Leo's so much lighter than he should be, and Raph feels a sharp pain in his heart over it.

It's okay. They'll leave. They'll take care of him. And then Leo will be all better again.

Leo shifts himself, reaching one arm up and hooking it around Raph's neck. Just that much movement seems to sap a lot of energy, and he slumps his head against Raph, giving up on holding it upright. It reminds Raph of when they were little and he would carry Leo to bed, before Leo started insisting he's too old for that.

"Am I dreaming?" Leo whispers.

Raph's heart breaks, but he doesn't lose his smile. "Nope. You're wide awake."

"Then..." Leo nuzzles closer. "Can we go home?"

"Yeah." Raph sniffles, shifting his grip so he can get a hand free without disturbing Leo. "We can go home."

Leo doesn't say anything more, just hums quietly against Raph's neck. Raph wipes his tears away, then turns and carries Leo out of the room.

-----

Bishop is still against the wall; it's Draxum's vines holding him there now.

When Leo sees him, he shrinks into himself, crossing the arm not hooked around Raph over his chest. Raph turns his body so Leo is shielded from view, glaring hard at Bishop as he does.

"Didn't do anything to him, huh?" he asks, voice icy.

"He is unharmed," says Bishop, equally cold. Raph wants to kill him.

"That's enough out of you," says Draxum, and a new vine wraps around Bishop's mouth. That shuts him up.

April's eyes are wide, her hand over her mouth as she looks at Leo, but she quickly pulls herself together, her expression turning to one of hard steel. She comes closer, only softening when Leo's eyes lock on her.

"Hey, Leo," she says, reaching up and giving his arm a pat. "How're you feelin'?"

"Happy to see you," Leo rasps, and it's so sincere that Raph feels tears spring to his eyes again. April has to blink hard behind her glasses.

"We're really happy to see you, too."

"Yes, everyone is happy now," says Draxum, though his eyes are worried as they look Leo over. "But we still need to get out of here."

"Right." April opens the door back into the offices, letting Raph through, before she pulls up her wrist to talk into her Donnie tech. "Guys, you there?"

"We're here, April," comes Donnie's voice. "We've extracted the information and we're on our way to meet you."

"Great." She smiles up at Raph. "We got Leo."

"Leo!" Mikey's voice comes booming through the radio, loud enough that April cringes and leans back. Raph can hear Donnie make a noise of protest in the background. "Is he okay!? Can I talk to him!? Did he miss me!?"

April raises her wrist so the tech is in front of Leo's mouth. He tilts his head towards it, saying, "Course I missed you."

"LEO!" screams Mikey even louder, and Raph thinks he hears the shout from somewhere in the building, too.

"-key, give me back my arm-" comes Donnie's voice, then there's an exaggerated throat clearing before he's saying, "We'll be there in one minute. Be ready to move."

"We're ready," Raph assures him. They move to the door and watch for the others to appear.

-----

Days of stress seem to fall off his brothers and Splinter when they see Leo.

Raph wishes they could have all the hugs and reassurances he knows they all need, but there's just no time; they're still in enemy territory, and the man who hurt his brother the most is just behind two doors, only being held by Draxum's vines. There's time only for brief shoulder touches and for Splinter to jump up on Raph's shoulder and give Leo's forehead a quick, relieved kiss.

Raph gives the rest of his family a quick glance over. Mikey is carrying Leo's gear, the katana sheathed across his shell and the rest of it slung over his shoulder. They haven't gotten any injuries, as far as he can tell. Everyone looks good to go.

"How do we get out of here?" asks Raph. Donnie pulls up his wrist tech.

"It may be inevitable that we'll face resistance on our way out... But the closest door is this way." He points down the hall, back the way Raph, Draxum, and April came from.

There's a weak thump against Raph's shoulder. "Gunners on the roof," Leo rasps once he has Raph's attention.

Raph wonders how he knows that, but there's no time to ask.

"We took care of 'em," he says instead. "You just relax, okay? We're getting out of here."

Leo lets his head fall against Raph's shoulder again, and Raph takes that as the okay to move.

It takes less time to get out than it did to get in. No need for stealth now that the director knows they're here, after all.

They run down the hallways, through doors, past the still unconscious guard April took care of earlier. Draxum takes the lead through the door, and they all crash as a group outside.

Where a ring of soldiers are waiting for them, guns trained their direction. And Raph isn't sure they're loaded with darts this time.

Leo shudders in his arms, and Raph curls protectively around him, already summoning his ninpo to shield them. His family forms their own protective barrier around the two of them, readying their weapons and squaring off against the soldiers.

Behind them, the door opens.

"This doesn't have to end in anyone getting hurt," says Bishop as he walks out.

Raph doesn't turn towards him, keeping the shivering Leo out of his sight. "What, like you didn't hurt my brother?"

"I've already told you, I didn't touch him." Bishop sounds only mildly put out. "He can attest to that himself."

"It's cute that you think any of us care what you have to say," snaps April, rounding on him and pointing her bat his direction.

"You should care what I have to say." Bishop nods at Raph. "Your comrade needs medical attention. Care that I can provide, if you lower your weapons and surrender."

"Care he only needs 'cause you jerks kidnapped him!" yells Mikey.

"Mikey," whispers Leo. Raph glances down at him, but Leo isn't looking his way.

"I gave Inmate 24365 plenty of chances to cooperate in exchange for more comfortable living conditions. That he declined was his choice. But I have no wish to see him dead. We were going to transfer him to the medical unit just as you arrived and interrupted us; surrender, and we'll take him there now."

"No," snaps Splinter, stepping toward Bishop. "You will come nowhere near my sons ever again."

"Mikey," Leo hisses with more urgency.

"These turtles are your sons? Really?" Bishop sounds disbelieving. Raph still doesn't turn his direction. "What am I supposed to believe next? That humans can give birth to birds?"

"They are my sons!" Splinter asserts. "Come near them again, and you are dead!"

"Perhaps we should kill him now, Lou Jitsu, and be done with it," Draxum suggests.

"Mikey," says Leo, kicking one emaciated foot. Mikey finally looks their way, confused. "Gimme... swords."

He doesn't have to explain. But Raph feels uneasy. He exchanges a glance with Donnie, who seems similarly concerned. "Nardo, I don't think-"

"Hey," says Leo, and even though his vocal chords sound tired and out of use, they can all hear him, their confident face-man of a brother, with a big ego and a cocky tone, shining through. "Trust me, I got this."

Mikey gives him the katana.

"The American government have allowed the yokai to live peacefully within our borders up until now," says Bishop. "If you kill me, that peace will be ruined."

"This war was started when you kidnapped my child!" cries Splinter, snapping his tail.

"You threaten the Hidden Cities as though you know anything about them," says Draxum. "They do not fear you."

"We know more about them than you think."

"You expect me to listen to this blathering?"

"Is it a chance you're willing to take, Draxum?"

Draxum falls silent. The lack of answer makes Raph feel even more on edge. But Leo is holding his katana now.

"You'll threaten the yokai no matter what we do today," says Splinter, voice dark. "No. We will not hand Leonardo over to you. You will not lay a single finger on him."

"So you're saying you won't surrender." Bishop pauses. Leo takes a deep breath. "You agree, Draxum?"

"...Leonardo is my creation. My son." Draxum sounds resolute. "No. I will not surrender."

Bishop scoffs. "Your son... this animal."

It's only the fact that he's holding Leo, fragile and shaking in his arms, that keeps Raph from turning around and killing Bishop right then.

But he doesn't, and Bishop raises his voice.

"Baron Draxum is a known yokai terrorist, who has threatened mass murder on the civilian human population of the United States and the rest of the earth. These five yokai are co-conspirators, and this woman with them a sympathizer and accomplice. They are attacking this base with the intent to harm those inside, and so anything we do now is self defense."

There's a smile in his tone as he says it.

"Fire at will."

Around them, triggers are pulled, and gunshots sound off.

But the flash of blue under their feet is faster.

For the first time since coming outside, Raph chances a look over his shoulder at Bishop, just as he's falling through the portal. Bullets whiz overhead, and one hits home.

The last thing Raph sees as he disappears into the blue light is blood blooming across Bishop's suit.

-----

They fall out of the portal somewhere outside the fence. Raph's not sure exactly where. He's not even sure Leo was aiming, beyond getting them away.

He lets out a relieved laugh, looking around at everyone, in one piece and notably not shot. They still have to get back to the tank, but they made it. They're safe.

"Leo! You did it!" He whoops, looking down at his little brother. "I can't believe you really- ...Leo?"

That's when he realizes that Leo isn't moving.

He's slumped over in Raph's hold, no longer holding himself up. His katana slip out of his lax grip and fall into the snow with a soft whump.

"L-leo!? LEO!"

Part 1 | Part 2 (here) | Part 3 | Part 4 Part A |

[purinfelix]

If you are accepting requests for Haikyuu could I please request Kuroo (or Kenma) with this prompt "Are you really jealous of my cat?" Of course you don't have to but if you do take as long as needed!❤️

third wheel - kuroo tetsuro ⋆₊˚⊹♡

w/c: 587 a/n: i can't believe i'm writing haikyuu x reader in the year of our lord and saviour 2025 .... 2020 me would be so proud HAHAHA anyways thanks for the req anon i hope u like this! (it ended up being a lot longer than i had planned but i've always loved kuroo so i couldn't help it)

The question lingers in the air for a couple seconds after leaving his mouth - partially because you're stumped for an answer, but mostly because you're ashamed at being so plainly called out.

"Wh- no?" you scoff, trying to brush it off, rolling over on his bed so that he can't see the look on your face, "Why on earth would I be jealous of him?"

As students, studying together had become a common routine for you and Kuroo, ever since you had started dating a couple months ago. With your chemistry final inching closer, he had insisted on helping you out with some private tutoring at his place - an offer that had sounded too selfless for you not to accept.

Little did you know that, in reality, it involved you spending hours upon hours of going through practice questions and only getting short breaks when your boyfriend would look over your hastily scribbled, and most incorrect, answers. And to make matters worse, your 'private session' was currently being interrupted by Kuroo's calico cat and your sworn enemy, Leo - though if there was anyone third-wheeling you were sure it was you.

To set the story straight, you had been Kuroo's first love, at least before that cat had stolen him away from you - a stray he had taken in just a little over a month ago, but had since taken over his life. Already he had rushed the both of you back to his place just to feed it, cutting whatever night out you had planned short. At first, it had been endearing, the sight of Kuroo being so gentle with an, admittedly very cute, creature - but the more time you spent around it the more you came to resent the tiny ball of fur.

You were fully aware of how immature you were being - after all, you were his girlfriend and Leo was his pet cat. This was exactly why you had stuck yourself on the edge of his bed, watching with a furrowed brow as he read over your work - spinning a pen in one hand and petting Leo's head with the other.

"C'mon, admit it, you're totally jealous!" Kuroo's teasing tone snaps you back to the present, and to the fact that he's shamelessly confronting you.

"Don't flatter that tiny thing, we all know who you'd pick first," you scoff, though you should've known that your boyfriend's observance would be able to see right through your facade. Before you can think of another defensive quip he's standing up from his desk chair, making Leo leap off his lap with a high-pitched mewl.

He throws himself down beside where you're perched on his bed, gazing up at you with an expression that's equal parts amused and endeared.

"Don't deny it," he hums, "it's a little cute."

"It's ridiculous! I am not jealous," you continue your defence as you lean back on your elbows, but can slowly feel it slipping as he wraps an arm around your waist.

"Cute," he repeats through a smile, though this time it's more to himself than anything.

"Whatever," you sigh, trying to cross your arms but he's already pulling himself up to press soft kisses along your jawline, and you can't help but break into a reluctant smile. Once he sees you give in, you can feel his own mouth curving into a smile against your skin as you run your fingers through his hair with a soft laugh.

"Though your understanding of Avogadro's law could use some work."

"Shut up."

[liryquin]

Alan Mido as your older brother :3

platonic!Alan Mido x gn!reader

summary: a drabble? on your relationship with him as his little sibling

cw: milddd angst if you squint, reader is not mc/pc, ooc character/s, lapslock, canon divirgence, everyone is sane and nothing bad happens

word count: ≈ 800

a/n: you know you're real whimsical and based when you write platonic content for an OTOME game. also pleeeease send me asks / prompts for platonic tkdb characters... I'm STARVING

proofread ✔️

๑｡‿♡⁠˖༚⑅ ever since the very first time Alan saw you, he knew that his new goal in life would be to become the best older sibling anyone could ask for – one look at your tiny face, your eyelashes fluttering sleepily, coddled in a thick blanket, was enough for him to be instantly enamored, once and for all.

being constantly present by your side as you grew, he wanted to spend every free minute of his time with you, living for how your eyes would practically sparkle with amusement when your cool older bro would teach you to play cool games that only big kids know.

or whenever someone even as much as tried to pick up on you or make a joke about some aspect of your appearance, he would immediately jump in to protect you! not being afraid of getting a bloody nose and bruises after. because in his perspective, no matter how Independent and capable you claim to be, you still are just a kid, puffing up their chest after solving a tough problem on their quiz.

he used to be very physically affectionate, whether it be hugging you, picking you up, or patting you on the head or your back all the time. you were to expect a pat of approval after you clean your room, eat your breakfast, put out the laundry, and just whenever he felt like it, to be fair. sometimes it got really annoying with how no matter how old you grew he still treated you like a little child! you'd furrow your brows and pout your lips, dodging his hand whenever he reached out to you, and Alan would playfully chase you around the house, giggling. little did you know that you'll grow to miss those times.

since the whole pact-dante-darckwick thing happened, physical contact with him became nonexistent.

being convinced that he's a monster he distanced himself from you, all in the name of protecting you and your wellbeing from his own self. he feared that you might have grown to be disgusted by him, or even worse, be afraid of him – these thoughts would linger somewhere in the back of his head, like a bothersome fly that he can't just swat away.

... but before you know it, whenever there is a chance, you are already standing in front of the ice cream vending machine at the shimbashi station, ready to prove him wrong.

despite how much older you both grew, your relationship remained unchanged at all the main points. walking you through the dorm that he'd become the captain of, he once announced to you, pride swirling inside of him, like water lapping at the borders of the glass at your amazement, (sigh), just like when you were kids – he couldn't really keep up his gruff and cold facade around, being perfectly aware of how Leo won't miss the opportunity to tease him into oblivion about it later, he ranted about the most mundane things that have happened lately.

well, at least as much as Alan Mido can rant, being a man of very (emphasis) few words, he can sound pretty awkward. if you're willing to listen, he'd be happy to tell you all about the missions he went on, with one condition – only the lowest ranking ones and only in family friendly details. he doesn't want to rid his lovely little sibling of sleep with all the gore and filth that he has had to witness, duh! all is worth it for you to look at him with the same admiration as in the past... he might tear up just a bit at the thought. he gets nostalgic really often.

being a darckwick student has steeled his mind and hardened his heart, so he might not be as affectionate and frank, but he still likes spending time with you. whether it's you lounging on his bed with your phone while he gets ready for the day in the morning, sitting around in the garage while he's tinkering the guts of some car – you might not understand a single bit of what he's doing so you're just yapping about something the he half-listens to, or joining him for his evening jog, trailing somewhere beside him, trying to keep up – he appreciates your presence in his daily life. it's so peaceful like this, that he just might get back to his responsible older brother role and find himself (lovingly) nagging you about having three proper meals a day, going to bed on time, moving around more to stay healthy, etcetera etcetera.

even when he's not around to nag you in person, he would still show that he cares by shooting you a text saying only two words – "stay safe". he even learns how to use emojis! specifically to send a little smiley face after as a signoff... ˖⑅~๑‿｡ ⁠.̮⁠ ｡`

[tiny-fren]

⋆｡°✩ Good Night ⋆｡°✩

Caregiver Future!Leo & Little!Casey Jr

Word Count: 1.2K

Summary: Leon tries to help CJ get through firework season

A/N: For my littles and anyone else who can't handle fireworks. It's okay to be scared,everything will be okay.

     He was terrified of fireworks. The thousands of colors bursting into hundreds of different shapes were mesmerizing, but he hated the ear-shattering explosions before each one. They were too loud and they reminded him too much of the old days, back when it was just him and the resistance hiding from the kraang’s storm of weaponry. He knows things are different now but he just can’t help the globby tears that roll down his face once the first crack reaches his ears.

     Leon is a bit better when it comes to handling all the noise. His heart jumps from the surprise but with a few deep breaths, he can settle back into whatever he had been up to beforehand. It doesn’t stop him from flinching once in a while, but he can stand the drawn-out celebrations from afar. The fact makes him feel even more guilty whenever he has to coax his surrogate son out from under the bed with soft promises. “Everything’s going to be okay" He swears. But the poor thing never believes him until it's all over. It's hard on both of them,so he decides to find a solution.

   After enough time in this world, he's able to make a rough estimate of when they usually start. He takes the hours beforehand to put his plan into motion.

"It's getting late, Case. Don't you want to go to bed?"

   He's too busy coloring the lovingly drawn picture of his new family to give him an answer in words. Instead, he shakes his head with a little hum.

   Leon figured he wouldn't go down so easily, not when he was already hard at work surrounded by all the crayons Mikey gifted him. Looks like he'd have to bring out the secret weapon.

    He brings out his favorite stuffie, a sea turtle that somehow always managed to smell like his sensei even after thousands of swims in the laundry machine. It's the one thing that made him look up from his masterpiece.

"Your little guy looks pretty tired, don't you want him to get ready for bed?"

  And of course, Casey nods. He may be little but he treats the plush turtle as if it was his baby. He doesn't mind taking a break from playtime for him.

  It's the perfect trick to get him to the bathroom. While brushing his stuffed teeth with a toy toothbrush, Casey notices his sensei grabbing his. 

"I'm already here, might as well brush mine too, right?" 

  The timing is a complete coincidence, as was the strawberry-flavored toothpaste right next to him. Casey already admired his sensei when he was big,when he regressed he's a total copycat. Naturally, he decides to put his stuffie's toothbrush down for a moment to grab his. 

   Leon makes sure to finish a bit earlier than him so he can brush any nasty tangles out of his hair. The strokes from the character-themed hairbrush April bought him are calming, his sensei carefully tying his hair into one long braid even more soothing. He's relaxed, but definitely not sleepy. 

  Next was getting him out of his play clothes. He's used to falling asleep in his baggy sweater and overalls, so this step would be a bit tricky. It's a good thing Leon just so happened to have his special pajamas on hand,the ones he wears when he feels very little. 

"I washed them while you were taking a nap. I even used the detergent you liked, the one that smells like vanilla"

The tiny gasp almost makes the slider let out a sigh of relief. 

   He helps him into an extra baggy sweater - a hand-me-down from Raph - and the fluffy turtle-patterned socks he chose for his birthday all on his own. Seeing Casey smile and stim from the simple joy of his favorite clothes nearly makes him forget why he was putting him to bed so early. All he wanted was to protect his little's smile.

   As a reward, Leon lets Casey choose his pajamas for him. As expected, he ends up in the sweater Casey loves to bury his face in when he wakes up from a particularly scary dream. The memories of the soft fabric pressed right over his sensei's heart outweigh the ones of whatever made him toddle to Leon's side. 

  He reminds Casey how lonely he feels whenever he has to take a nap without a hug from his sensei, so it would probably help his stuffie sleep better if he joined the sea turtle under the covers. And Casey understands completely. Without question, he crawls under the sheets and gets comfy. The blanket is extra cozy thanks to Donnie, the soft shell working his tail off until he was 1000% sure it wouldn't overheat and hurt their tiny.

The warmth is soothing, fatigue slowly overtaking him.

Leon yawns into his hand. Looks like the routine was getting to him too.

"Why don't I read a story to your stuffie while you hold him?" Leon asks "Hugs make everyone sleepy, maybe it'll help him too"

  It makes sense to Casey, hugs always made him very,very sleepy. Plus he needed to get back to his drawing before he forgot what shade of blue he needed to finish his magnum opus.

    Leon pulls out his favorite storybook, Goodnight Moon, and reads aloud. He uses the same soft, gentle voice he always does, the one that never fails to soothe him after a rough day. His stuffie must be getting sleepy too. He wouldn't notice if he closed his eyes for a few seconds.

  Casey's eyelids fluttered shut. The cover's fluff kissed his cheeks goodnight. He curled into a ball to fully enjoy the snuggle.

  Just a few seconds and then he'd get right back to work. He just needed a few more seconds wrapped in the blanket's comforting hug.

   Leon watched as he began to drift off. Honestly,he didn't even need to look at the pages anymore to recite the full story. He let his voice grow softer and softer until it was barely a whisper. The story only ended once his Casey's face was half-buried in the pillow, breaths steady as he lay still.

Leon smiled, a fond look in his eye. They were almost finished.

   He set the book back on the side table before reaching for Casey's butterfly pacifier. He brought it to his lips, Casey accepting it in his sleep.

One last step. 

   Leon laid back down and pulled the covers over his shoulders. Carefully he brought Casey into his arms. He laid his head over his sensei's heart, each soft thump easing him into sweet dreams.

Perfect

  His little boy was safe from the terrifying explosions an hour away, nestled in his hold and fast asleep. Everything was going to be okay. Finally, Leon let himself rest. 

   He knew what they'd both wake up the next morning. Everyone in the lair still marveling over the fireworks that painted the night sky in every color. He didn't doubt their beauty,but truthfully? This moment of peace gave him more joy than they ever could. 

[tiredassmage]

Does your OC have a type? Have they ever been surprised by their feelings for someone who doesn't fit this?

For any one who speaks up!

[ A Short Ask List About Love ]

Ohhh, I absolutely have to use this one to drag Tyr a little /affectionate.

Because I don't think Tyr would say he has a type - physically, at least. And I, for the longest time, also wouldn't have accused him of such things, but there is definitely a kind of hilarious wrench in that idea that one of my friends pointed out once in our blorbo shipping enterprise /lh, and frankly if I don't give Tyr shit for at least quarterly, like... c'mon. The guy's really good at a lot of things. I gotta take the silly passes that I can on the guy to keep him humble, lmao.

Because if I put Shara Jenn, Alucren Ellery, Jonas Balkar, and say... at least two of my friend's (@shadowsofdread) blorbos on a line, namely Hyroh and Taizi... And I mean. coughs. Cecil. Sorry, Taizi.

Ya might notice that this is a crowd with dark hair. /lh. And also that Tyr has apparently inherited my weakness for beautiful eye colors. Oops.

And, y'know, I can't give the guy too much shit for it. Because he's certainly got taste. 😔 And if I stretch the definition from that crowd mostly being black hair, arguably a lot of the people I'd consider on this man's partner list fall under 'darker' hair colors more broadly.

And there is also arguably that time he flirted with Leo in a cantina once, even if it was just to convince the guy to go home and sleep off being clearly intoxicated so someone didn't steal his rent's worth of credits more than to actually do anything with the guy. Chivalry isn't entirely dead etc etc.

But really I think it's just kind of a hilarious accident. Specifically still a hilarious one, for sure. Tyr's not really a guy to be looking for something based on physical attraction alone - because his heart's got a habit of just kind of leaking out of him even when he's not actively consciously choosing to lead with it. I mean, I could also tease him that he's got a weak spot for anyone that's also in the intelligence business or kind of an adjacent role. No matter how bad for his own interest it could possibly be, Tyr kinda can't help but stick his nose in that one with the kind of curiosity to test how alike or different in views they might be - because he can't live with just standing by and not offering a hand to help someone that might just need a reminder they're not alone in these systems that don't quite have places for people in... his kind of work.

So, generally, I... don't think he's surprised necessarily by the kind of people he ends up feeling... drawn to. I mean, to an extent he is, and he isn't. Hyroh's a Jedi, which is perhaps the galaxy's idea of an unlikely pair when you look at the two of them, and Taizi's a Sith - and arguably a quite prominent one, at least for a time, and Tyr's had a lifetime of mistrusting the bastards (generalized), so... in those ways? It's just been... unlikely.

But if there's any surprise, it's short-lived, replaced quickly by curiosity. Few and far between, generally, are the people that pause long enough to ask him who are you? to mean something more than... Cipher Nine. And Nine's a convenient answer for most of his life - one he goes back to and keeps pieces of even to this day, even with many of the people he's close to, because Nine's familiar. Nine has his uses still, even to Tyr.

He's lucky enough that largely, he seems to have been a pretty sound judge of character thus far on who to let get close and stay in his life. There's an AU or two here or there that we don't heavily work with where sometimes Tyr gets his hesitance to be involved with someone like a Sith Lord proven right, and Tyr will choose leaving rather than entirely breaking himself and his ideals just to stay with someone who can't respect when he sets boundaries at those ideals. And that's just a tiny bit of a shame, because I don't often otherwise really articulate that Tyr is someone that will leave, even though he's loyal enough that he's shattered bone and hollowed out his marrow to protect others. He's got a lot of heart, and he's willing to put a lot into someone when they give him a safe place to slough off some of his burdens for a while, but... he's still someone who can't tolerate if that's at the cost of others - if that has collateral damage. If the grip becomes hurtful instead of protective.

Tyr's someone who... everyone he's ever respected or loved..? They've hurt him, somehow. Some of them in ways that a lot of people might consider unforgivable, that Tyr stuck through anyway. That didn't make Tyr change his opinion of them, really. So, it's... that alone doesn't make anything particularly special. But there's still a line of intent there. Usually, people who cross it meaningfully, with the intent to leave scars... They don't last very long, or at least Tyr doesn't stick around to see it.

[mushroompollution]

The Past

With Lottie and Doug guiding the way, the group is able to navigate the halls of the Baskerville estate much more easily. Together, they all race outside, where they find two simultaneous battles.

Glen trades blows with the Cheshire Cat, his sword against the Cat's powerful claws.

Behind them, unable to see the intruders in this time and space, the Glen of the past fights for his life against Jack and the distorted, agonized form of the Bloody Black Rabbit at his side.

A shout from the group brings one fight to a pause, just in time for all to witness the harrowing scene of Oswald's final moments at Jack's hand.

The distorted form of the B-Rabbit wails in agony at what he's done as Oswald's body is torn apart by his vicious chains.

But where is Alice?

Inside his soul, Leo cries.

None of this had been what he expected when he had stepped down and handed control to Oswald. He had trusted the previous Glen to fix things. Oswald had seemed so certain back then, chastising Leo and taking over like he had known exactly what to do.

Beside him, Levi howls with laughter. Even as they watch Oswald's body ripped to pieces. Even as they watch Jack throw his arms out, spinning gleefully in the blood red rain of his own best friend. Even as they see the distorted and corrupted form of the B-Rabbit crying in agony.

"what the hell... do you find so funny about this?!" Leo can't take it anymore. "how can you laugh like that?!"

"Because I'm having fun, isn't it obvious?" Levi answers with a grin. "Anything will do, as long as it distracts me from my boredom. And these two are a hoot AND a holler!!"

Levi's merriment makes him feel sick. Leo clenches a fist.

"are you kidding me?!" Leo shouts. "you're the one who created the Will of the Abyss! you're responsible for all of this in the first place!!"

Levi drops down to squat in front of him and yanks Leo toward himself by the front of his shirt. "Do you really think you have any room to talk about responsibility?" his voice is a sinister growl, but that smile is what sends a chill down Leo's spine. "You only took on the role of Glen out of desperation, and you handed control right over to Oswald when your idealistic little peace plan didn't work out. Now and then, you've put up a fight, but you haven't really asserted yourself."

Leo tugs away from him with a gasp. "he said-- i can't stand again--"

Levi tilts his head to the side. "And you just accepted that without question, didn't you?" he hums. "You're a lot like him, you know."

The younger Glen shrinks back, frowning at the comparison.

"Don't you think it's time you make up your mind about what it is you really want?" Levi asks, resting his chin on his hand, elbow propped on his knee. He watches Leo with amusement. And Leo stares back at him, starry eyes searching Levi's face for some clue. Any tiny hint at what he should do. What he could possibly do?

Suddenly, Leo swings that fist he's been holding, knuckles connecting hard with his own cheek. A look of dumbfounded surprise finally wipes the smile off Levi's face. Had the kid lost it?

"shut. up."

Again and again, Leo throws his fist at himself, until blood joins the tears staining his face.

"what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Leo shouts at himself. "the world is in danger and you're just gonna sit there and sulk?! because some guy said you don't know what you're doing?! guess what, dumbass!!! no one knows what they're doing!!!! that guy is obviously phoning it in too, and his plan fucking sucks!!! you nearly killed a guy for touching your hair, but NOW you want to act timid?!! don't make me laugh!!!!"

If Elliot isn't there to give him one of those signature rants, then fine. He'll just have to do it himself.

"you told him to knock your lights out after this, but if he could see you now, you'd be lucky to escape with your life!!!!"

As if he'd been summoned, Elliot's loud, brash voice reaches Leo deep inside his soul, calling his name. Vincent's voice joins his little brother, calling for his Master.

Levi and Leo both look forward, towards the scene out there.

Glen and the Cat trade blows as the group of others race toward them. Cheshire leaps aside as Oz swings his scythe.

Another voice calls out from the group behind them as Lottie pleads with her own master Glen to stop.

If even Vincent had decided to live, if even Glen's own followers could defy him, then Leo knows. He can't allow this world to disappear.

"i don't care if this Story is hated by some," Leo says as he watches. "i don't care if there could be a less tragic past. this world, this present, and whatever future we have left are all precious to me."

He slams his palm down into that shallow, black water and suddenly shoves himself to his feet. He narrows his eyes at Oswald and declares,

"i will not allow you to change the past!!"

[m-ayo-o]

Hiii, this is my first time making a request lol. So my sign is Leo and my pronouns are she/her, they/them. Uh I am abnormally tall (184 cm) for girls my age which is kinda dumb to be insecure about but I've been looking for a fanfic with gojo and tall reader fluff or smut and also because he's a Sagittarius and our zodiac match :D the scenario is that once they find out and look through their zodiacs, gojo gets disgustingly flirty lmao. But previously, reader was very insecure abt smtg (preferably the tall height but your wish) and gojo flirting with them kinda makes the reader feel better. And while they're reading about their zodiac signs (I've read that Leo and Sagittarius have a really steamy dynamic), it somehow leads to some bedroom action :D

i t s ⋆ w r i t t e n ⋆ i n ⋆ t h e ⋆ s t a r s ⋆

zodiac event

♌︎ TALL GIRL LEO reader x SAGITTARIUS SATORU GOJO ♐︎

genre: cute / suggestive <3 wc: 1.7k note: abnormally *beautifully tall. love this rq!! apart from this one, no physical traits :p stsg ship mention, kinda college au :) 18+

*knock knock knock knock knock*

The incessant and rapid knocking at your door indicates that there could be only one person standing outside.

*knock knock knock* *ding, ding, ding*

Your phone chimes along with the barrage.

"Jesus-! I'm coming!!"

You yell through the door.

"I just had a shower, can you wait a second!!"

"I don't care~~ open up!"

He sings back and you end up caving, stepping towards the source of the noise with your hair dripping wet in nothing but a tiny towel.

You pull the handle and open the door, being greeted by him. A wolf whistle sounds from his lips and he steps into your apartment.

He does this sometimes.

Just shows up. Unannounced. Uninvited.

But who lets him in every time?

You can't help it. You can't deny he's addicting to be around.

"Party tonight at Suguru's. You're coming."

He tells you, striding through your home and making himself comfortable, slouching on your sofa and kicking his feet up on the coffee table.

"Are you going to get dressed?"

He asks, taking off his black glasses and raising an eyebrow in your direction.

You huff and roll your eyes in return.

"I mean, I don't mind~" he adds with a wink. You stick a finger up his direction and turn back to your room to get ready.

You close the door, feeling a little anxious all of a sudden. Sure, you like parties. But you've been feeling kind of insecure lately, and you're not sure if all the crowds of people will really help. You can just imagine all of those wide eyes looking up at you and asking the most stupid questions... how tall are you, and is it difficult to date at your height, being some of your least favourites.

Then it comes to picking your outfit.

It took you ages to find this perfect dress... for your body. The cutest dresses just never fit. They're awkward on the legs, barely covering you or leaving your panties on show, the torso, the shoulders, the waist. Just nothing is in the right place. It gets infuriating. Saddening. The amount of times you've looked in the mirror in a goddamn fitting room and welled up with tears is starting to stack up.

But you feel more comfortable today. At ease, even.

You look in the mirror in this pretty, perfectly fitting dress and you smile. It looks so fucking cute. You look cute.

And you have to admit... he helps.

He helps you to no end. And you don't even thank him for it? He makes you feel comfortable in your own body.

When you enter a room with him you can feel totally confident. All the attention is on him. His legs are longer, he's bigger... he stands out more. And he thrives on it. There's such an aura of power and confidence about him that makes you feel so relaxed. He can handle anything.

He works his magic, his charm, making you feel totally... beautiful. He comforts you without even trying, his arm linked with yours, dragging you around. But you can keep up, since your legs are nearly as long and your laughter is nearly as loud. Which is all you ever do with him; laugh, smile, banter, often crossing the glassy boundary into flirting.

You step out of your bedroom to find Satoru waiting impatiently on your sofa, fiddling with his black shades.

When his eyes catch your frame he almost drops them and you swear you hear a little gasp escape his mouth.

You ask him what he thinks and when you only receive a gaping mouth in reply you giggle and step back into your room.

"I'll just be a minute, going to do my makeup," you explain, but he rises from the sofa and follows like he's tethered to you.

He steps in and starts rifling through your things; picking up trinkets and teddies, telling you which colour lipstick looks best on you and finding the bookshelf in the corner of your room.

It's tall and fully stacked, but he has no problem reaching the top shelf and picking out a sparkly book that caught his eye.

"THE MYSTERIES OF ZODIAC: EXPLAINED"

"Hm," he hasn't really thought about any of this before, but flicking through the pages sure makes him curious.

"Your birthday's _____ right? Which makes you..."

"A Leo." You finish for him, while applying your mascara.

"Huh, ok, makes sense." He gives your page a once over then looks for his own.

"December... 7th..."

He skims the pages, finding the centaur with his bow and arrow.

"Haha, nice, he's nearly as ripped as me!"

Sagittarius. Of course.

He reads through the personality section, which only points out the obvious, then flops on your bed and turns the page.

"Oh."

You finish up with your makeup and perch next to him, looking down at where the book is spread open.

"Romantically, Sagittarius are best paired with another fire sign," he gives you a cheeky smile before continuing, "such as Aries or... Leo."

He pauses for a moment, finding the love chart under the text.

"Oh- oh my god!"

He almost shouts with excitement and drags you down on the bed to take a closer look.

"Why did you never tell me this!!??"

"Tell you- what? Satoru! It's not like I've read this thing cover to cover!"

You didn't even know his sign.

"Look..."

You see his expression turn from curious to excited in seconds. His eyes open wide and his smile grows till you can see his pointy canines gleaming.

"Satoru, they're just our star signs!" You moan, not wanting him to put too much stock in this.

"Surely you must believe some of this stuff, though, right? You're the one with the book."

He gives you a glance before he points at the row of your sign.

You admit it's kind of shocking.

He reads further into it, and you're getting a little invested now, hearing how your signs are apparantly so perfectly paired in friendship and romance.

"It's a fact. We're meant to be together!"

He proclaims and goes to shut the book, as if the case is closed and no further investigation is required.

"Um," but you stop him, slipping your fingers between the pages and pointing to the compatibility chart, "what about this sign; aquarius."

"Ugh- a water sign! How lame!"

"Aquarius is an air sign, dummy! You have a near perfect match with them, and I happen to know a certain someone whose birthday is..." you flick to the aquarius sign, "February 3rd!"

"Yes, I know that's when his birthday is. But ours is perfect."

You know it's true. Him and Suguru didn't work out.

"And here.. look," he flicks back to his page, finding the romance section under the leo and sagittarius pairing title. His long finger skims over a few sentences that make your cheeks heat up.

"The best thing about their sex life is probably the passion and intensity that they share. Heat radiates from both of them which results in a steamy sexual experience. While one ignites the fire, the other fiercely fans it to expand the fire making their sexual experiences a dance in the realm of fiery pleasure. Leo and Sagittarius sexual compatibility can be considered as one of the best out there."

When you finish reading you suddenly realise how close you are to your Sagittarius man. He sits up next to you, invading your personal space completely with a curious smile on his face.

"Maybe we should test it out?"

"Satoru!" You chide, as if the suggestion is totally ridiculous. But you know it's not. You like how he makes you feel. Everything just slots into place with him and it feels so natural.

"We should at least kiss... just to, you know, see if this star sign stuff is actually true or not."

"Like an experiment?" You cock an eyebrow, not shying away from his intense closeness.

"Uh huh," he nods and nudges his nose against yours.

You focus on his lips, pink and plump, resting in that perfect smile, with his crystal irises uncovered, his hair tousled, looking beautiful as ever. How could you refuse?

"Yeah, we should try it," you agree and his snowy lashes bat with excitement as he leans into you.

"Mm-" he presses his warm, soft lips to yours and you feel him smiling, with the book slipping from his fingers and landing somewhere on your carpeted floor.

The way he kisses is hot and... tender, giving you undeniable butterflies when he sucks on your lip.

"S- Satoru, my lipstick-"

"I don't care," he husks and wraps a hand around the back of your neck, getting as close to you as physically possible before claiming your lips again.

"Satoru -" you don't want him to stop but you need to breathe.

"It felt amazing, didn't it? Let me have one more."

He insists and kisses you till your lipstick is smeared all over his mouth. You giggle and wipe his face clean with your thumb.

"Come here," but he keeps going, pulling you into him and opening your mouth with his tongue, until your soft giggles turn into little moans.

"That sounds good, fuck, you sound so good-"

You silence him with another hot kiss.

"Don't stop then," you tell him, making him bite his lip and push you down on the bed.

He gets between your legs and presses your hands above your head, lacing his longer fingers between yours. He holds you there, kissing you deep, getting you hot in all the right places. You start moving your hips and his hands move down your body, dipping under the hem of your dress to feel your legs.

Your hands find his hair and you pull him closer, and just as the book said, it's getting intense. His fingers are starting to tease at your panties, tugging them down, until a noise makes you both jump-

"Ah-!"

"Fuck-" you were so wrapped up in each other that you didn't realise the time.

"It's Suguru." You sigh and look at your phone.

You daren't answer. You know you're in for a telling off now.

Your white haired Sagittarius steals a few more fiery kisses and lifts you off the bed. He watches you reapply your lipstick that he's going to kiss off again later, and takes you to Suguru's with his hand in yours.

"You think the book was right then?" He asks with a cheeky smile as you head inside.

You don't answer, but you're sure you'll tell him later when you get him to yourself again.

satoru | m.list | zodiac event

paraphrased quotes from Astrotalk !

[hojiteaversion]

Why I Think RC Has Trouble Sticking Their Landings

(Or, a pantser talks about structure and DLS for like 8 paragraphs)

My short answer: Because these stories are first drafts

Longer answer: ⬇️

1) (Lack of) Developmental editing

RC's model has its authors write long stories 2-4 chapters at a time. As much as the authors might perfect these chapters, they have no way to change something later on if they realize a scene no longer matches the big picture. An author may revise and make a batch of 4 flawless chapters, but it still doesn't mean they will fit the story seamlessly.

Developmental editing, according to this article, "involves feedback on the big picture of a […] writing piece. A developmental editor will critique structural elements like the plot, characters, theme, and organization of ideas." They also say that this kind of editing is recommended after the first or second draft.

So this type of revision would help an author make sure every character has its place (too many LIs and uneven LI screentime could be fixed), that characterization is consistent, that the plot is clear and moving at a good pacing, etc.

In DLS, for example, things that might be revised after a developmental editing: Leo's introduction scenes not matching his characterization later on, the Leo/Vlad rivalry that seems a bit strange in hindsight, more prominent role and scenes for Sandra, a more consistent progression in Noe/Laia and Ezel/Laia routes, fairer distribution of LI scenes (🫠), Laia's character motivations, the plot mysteries might be revealed to the reader a bit earlier, etc.

But these stories are arguably first drafts that will never be revised holistically (like Choices stories are/used to be, as far as I'm aware), so problems that only become clear once you're further along might not be fixed satisfactorily (or at all).

What sort of problems? Well...

2) Structure, part I

So the visual novel medium is fairly recent, right? Choose Your Own Adventure stories have existed for a while, but, I'm pretty sure, not in the scale of RC stories. 3 seasons demand a lot of story. And the thing is, I'm not sure there is a lot of guidance out there regarding story structure for interactive stories? Not that I've found, at least.

This is a problem, I think, because even if these authors follow the existing material on story structure (Save the Cat, Hero's Journey, Classic 3 Act, Seven-Point Structure, etc.), they will have to do the work of adapting it for a visual novel that A) has 3 seasons as a default, and B) 3 seasons of more or less equal length.

Look, it absolutely can be done! But my point is, I think it's generally uncharted territory and requires a lot of problem-solving. It's not just figuring what must happen in this story for it to be satisfying, it's also deciding when each thing must happen in a way that fits the requirements of three seasons and their finales, which must all fit together, but also be individually exciting and balance setup and payoff. And there is no way to go back and fix it if you realize you messed up the pacing somewhere! Not to mention…

3) Structure, part II: Routes

Not only do they have to figure out plot and structure (without being able to revise the finished story as a whole), but they also need to figure out and balance at least 4 different dynamics. As in, when it gets established, how to keep those dynamics fresh even after they get together, and how to synchronize MC's development with that relationship and its milestones. And again, it's not like there is a manual or a right answer. You have to write and fix afterwards — except they can't 😀. So if an author realizes later on that x couple needed a scene earlier on, or that they rushed things, or any other problem, there is nothing to be done except maybe add more scenes that might stand out from whatever they're trying to correct.

A tiny example of this problem in DLS would be Leo and Laia telling Derya that they're dating, which is clearly a correction of the scene in 4x02 where Laia called him "a friend" because "[she] thought it went against local customs to make a show of pre-marital relationships". In 2019 Istanbul. It would just make more sense if she had just called him her boyfriend in the first place.

4) Authors

I'll admit I'm least informed about this one, but based on a few interviews I've read with the authors, it seems some of them have never written fiction or visual novels before…? I could be wrong! But! Imagine being new to this medium and having to figure all of that ⬆️ out, with the limitations that RC's model brings. I'm not sure how much training and/or assistance they get in this entire process. It just seems a lot for one person.

And I have no answers for any of this, by the way! I don't work there, I don't know how the company works or how it doesn't. This is just my tentative opinion based on my limited experience with writing. It's extremely hard, and I genuinely cannot imagine trying to do any of that ⬆️ in the first place, but especially if I had to get it right on the first try.

Every writing advice on Earth recommends multiple drafts on longform writing because it's impossible to make your story the best it can be on the first attempt. So I think the RC endings often being unsatisfying might be, mainly, a consequence of that.

[twoidiotwriters1]

Almighty (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: I say this a lot and I love saying it: Things get much worse starting now -Danny Words: 1,310 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

XXX: I'm Joining the Orcas at War

"Tots," Calypso suggests quietly when the song ends.

Apollo helps her feed the griffins while Ara keeps Aphrodite's blessing going, soothing the animals into a caring atmosphere. "Well done," Lit claps behind her. "You found a perfect place to die."

Ara withdraws the blessing and turns, grabbing the compass in her pocket and drawing it out in sword mode. "It's all yours."

"Ara, you shouldn't exert yourself at the moment," Lester warns her anxiously.  "Your brain is rarely at its best, but right now is way below average."

The girl flashes a resentful glare at him. "On second thought, I might let you kill Lester first before I kill you."

"I second that motion," Calypso says, shielding the griffins with her body.

"Oh, look at you, bantering like you have a future," Lit mocks them. "It must be hard for former immortals and the daughter of Olympus to accept that death is real. Me, I've died. Let me tell you, it's no fun."

"And yet you chase it like a starved dog," Ara adopts a fighting stance, glancing at the control panel above Lit's head.

"You're the son of King Midas," Lester intervenes. "You came back to the mortal world when the Doors of Death were open?"

"We came through the Doors of Death, all right. Then my idiot father promptly got himself killed again, thanks to a run-in with this girl and her crew. I survived only because I was turned into a gold statue and covered with a blanket of sorts."

"I saved your life?" Ara's shoulders fall like it's the worst news ever.

"And for that, you may die quickly," he smirks. "The Triumvirate offered me work. They recognized the worth of Lityerses, Reaper of Men!"

"Impressive title," Lester concedes.

 "I earned it, believe me. My friends call me Lit, but my enemies call me Death!"

"I call you Goldy Locks," Ara taunts him, preparing to pounce on him. 

"I'll call you Lit. Though you don't strike me as very lit," Lester pulls Ara to stand behind him. "You know, your father and I used to be great friends. Once, I even gave him ass's ears."

The boy laughs. "Yes, I grew up hearing about that music contest you made my dad judge. Gave him donkey ears because he declared your opponent the winner? Heh. My father hated you so much for that, I was almost tempted to like you. But I don't." He moves his sword in an arch motion. "It'll be a pleasure to kill you."

"Hold on! What about all that take them alive business?"

"I changed my mind. First, that roof collapsed on me. Then my bodyguards got swallowed by a stand of bamboo. I don't suppose you know anything about that?" Lester and Ara share a look but say nothing. "Right. Well, General, I think I'll keep you alive long enough to kill you in front of Valdez. That'll be fun. But these former gods here... I'll just have to tell the emperor they resisted arrest."

The buzzing comes back all of a sudden, making her wince and bend. In the noise, she hears something, like a small voice coming through a weak radio signal. Ara speaks but she can't hear her own voice, nothing but the awful high-pitched racket. Lit takes advantage of her state and attacks, but when the sword moves down to slice Lester, a tiny form lands ahead and pushes the sword back with two golden blades. 

"Meg!" Lester gasps.

"I wondered if threatening this idiot god would smoke you out of hiding. You've signed your death warrant."

Meg keeps her stance. "Nope."

"You dropped that ivy-covered roof on me—You made the bamboo attack my men."

"Yep. You're stupid." She looks over her shoulder at the teens. "Get out of here."

Lester stiffens, fighting the order. "But, Meg, you just arrived. We must—"

"Go. Take the griffins and get out. I'll hold off stupid-head."

"I've heard you're a decent sword fighter, McCaffrey , but no child can match the Reaper of Men. Demeter is my mother, too, her children make the best swordsmen. We understand the need to reap. It's just the flipside of sowing, isn't it, little sister? Let's see what you know about reaping lives!"

"She won't fight alone," Ara grunts, standing straight and pushing Lester aside. 

Lit smirks. "Ah, yes. I suppose this is how it works, right? You fight in pairs."

"I wasn't talking about me." She looks at Meg and nods.

The girl understands, somehow, and pounces on Lit. As the group splits, Lester and Calypso climb on the griffins' backs and Ara runs towards the control panel, pocketing Almighty back in compass mode. She climbs the wall as quickly as ever, jumping over and facing the panel.

"Take those griffins and you'll only suffer more!" Lit screams. "All the emperor's prisoners will die slowly, especially the little girl!"

"Hey, Lit?" Ara calls, pressing several buttons without looking while her body glows orange. "Go kiss an ostrich."

The enclosures deactivate all at once and the animals are set free, the chaos bringing back memories of her, Annabeth, Grover, and Percy running away from baby chickens, she and Percy running out of the aquarium with Frank tailing them, and then many other of her and her friends running away from monsters, wild animals, and buildings on fire. She feels perfectly safe in the chaos now, with no need to run.

Lit falls when the ostriches run past him along with five other different kinds of creatures. Ara shouts. "Take Meg! I'll handle Lit!"

"No!" Meg yells back.

Ara jumps over the ledge and lands on an armored ostrich's back. "Meg!" Apollo squeals and Ara sees him lift Meg and secure her on Abelard's back, her eyes jump to the net that keeps them trapped there. Ara reigns back her ostrich and turns Almighty into an axe. She throws it at the net at the same time Calypso stretches out her hands and screams, a wave of power coming out of her and expanding everywhere. Almighty's sharp blade makes it to the net and the roof bursts open in an explosion of energy.

Ara reels her ostrich toward the exit and allows it to follow the rest of the animals to their freedom.

"Run!" She encourages the animals. "And eat the rich!"

Something is amiss.

When Calypso started singing Zeus's song things got weird, but after that, Ara's body tweaked and faltered like an outdated automaton. Now, while riding out of the Zoo on her ostrich, slashing Germani and using her blessings one after another, her mind feels like it's boiling at a low temperature. Actually, her entire body is heating up.

Ara heaves, moving her hair out of the way, gathering it in a low ponytail with the hair tie Leo made for her. She can feel her cheeks getting hotter and wonders if she ate too much ambrosia, that high-pitched noise coming back and making her whimper.

Ara closes her eyes tightly and hits her forehead. "Stop, stop, stop!" Ara charmspeaks and the animal halts. Birds tend to like Ara, her mother's sacred animal is a bird, after all. "Good chicken..." She hops off and stumbles sideways, her forehead dripping with sweat. "Ye gods," she pants, looking at the clouds and snow around her. "Why is it so hot out here?"

She nears an alley hoping that's the way back to the Waystation, as she walks she takes off her ripped sweatshirt and throws it into a dumpster, one look at her arms and Ara freezes in panic, she's glowing from the inside out as if someone's holding a lamp against her skin.

The girl leans against the nearest wall. "Help," she croaks out, not knowing whom she's talking to. Her understanding of the world is turning upside down. "Help!" Ara closes her eyes, and the buzzing turns deafening.

"Dei santo! Nico, why can't you just accept that I'm a mediocre mechanic?"

Her conscience zeroes in the voice and she feels herself fall, slipping out of the real world as she sinks into her dreams.

Next Chapter –>

Taglist.

@siriuslysirius1107 @ask-giggles1303 @im-planning-something-look @bandshirts-andbooks @coolninjapaper @thewaterlily @whenisthefall @1randomcomic @you-bloody-shank @sunflowergraves @owlalex44 @taylordaughter @typicalsolangelolover @writingmia @espressopatronum454 @slytherinnqueen @orbitingpolaris @obxstiles @ellipsisspelled @thepixiechicksh @ebony-reine-vibes

[dluebirb]

Obituary of Our Own ⛧ Chapter One

So. I made another AU. What are you gonna do!

Huge props to @3mutantsinatrenchcoat, @justletmereadmycomics, and @bigmoneysniffler for being my wonderful beta readers and editors! I literally can't thank you enough askdljsdewfe

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

In Leo’s humble opinion, the week's villains were getting pretty shelling pathetic.

“Afternoon, boys! Ritual, huh? How’s that working out for you?”

With a grunt, Leo caught the two robed figures he was facing with a kick to the chest, and they fell onto the mostly completed ritual in the shape of a pentagram, with candles adorning the star tips.

Honestly, it was a wonder they could get this organized.

“Sayonara, SUCKERS!”

Across the way, the moron who was the self-appointed leader (as far as Leo could tell) pointed at another duo and shouted, “Finish it, now! Quickly!”

One of the two lit the last candle, and a sizzling portal appeared. Leo had to fight the gut reaction to cover his face against a steel mech's spearing tentacle or sharp hand that would never come.

“Oh, crud!” Mikey exclaimed and held his nunchaku defensively.

“Man, get another gimmick! That’s my thing!” Leo called and launched a sword at the portal, which curved around it in an arc. In the blink of an eye, he was in midair, holding both swords again. Leo created his portal with his other sword, encompassing the red one before they both fizzled out of existence. A small… something tugged at his gut.

“Alright, Mike, say it with me: You’ve been portal-chopped!”

After a moment, he looked at his younger brother. “You didn’t say it.”

“Sorry!”

As Leo called them in his head, one of the Weirdo Wizards healed their hands out and, true to their name, began to presumably cast a spell.

However, they were still a Weirdo Wizard. The “spell” did nothing at all, rather dissappointingly.

“BOO!” Mikey exclaimed. “BAD SHOW!”

Leo’s communicator clicked on, and Donnie’s monotone could be heard over the slight static. “April’s headed your way! She got chucked!”

“Ten-four, good buddy!” Turning up to Mikey, still, at the edge of the small crater Leo was fighting in, Leo cupped a hand around his beak. “MIKE! ANY SIGN OF APRIL?”

Mikey squinted and used his hands to block the light from the streetlamps so he could see better. “YEP! OVER THERE!”

Leo followed Mikey’s pointed finger and spotted April’s tiny frame hurtling through the air.

"Yeesh," He winced. "I got her!" He swung a sword, and a portal nabbed April right out of the sky.

“Done and done,” Leo said into the comm. He thought it odd that she hadn’t reappeared, but who was he to judge his portals? Besides, if Donnie did record everything, they could find her in a pinch.

Someone yelled, and they both turned to the sound. Raph was standing over a robbed figure, their hood down. It was a middle-aged blonde woman with and sharp glasses, the type you’d see in a spy movie.

“DAMN IT! AGENT ONE!” she shouted, and the same guy that had cast the ‘spell’ whipped out a gun, and shot the ground by Raph, who jumped to avoid it with a squeak.

“Diversion!” Leo shouted, cupping his hand around his mouth.

“On it! Bringing the razzmatazz!”

Leo watched with tentative concern as Mikey used his mystic hands as he flipped over ‘Agent One,’ and his orange magic poured into the air.

At least his hands weren’t cracking, Leo reminded himself.

But before he could do much of anything with the aforementioned powers, the blonde sent a sharp kick to Mikey’s shell, and he crumpled forward, his hands going to cover his face on instinct.

A sharp scream reminded Leo with a piercing shock that Mikey’s powers had been activated. He swore, and ran towards his younger brother. He faintly registered Donnie striking the woman down with his staff, and Raph let out a second yell, this one more fearful and angry.

Leo tugged Mikey across the ground, and pried Mikey’s arms away from his face. Yellow-ish orange circles of magic tugged across the right side of his face, where his hands had made contact.

“Okay, this is fine, you’re good! You’re good, you’re fine,” Leo muttered, and dragged his sword through the air as Raph gently lifted Mikey. “We’ll meet you back at the Lair,” he explained, and Raph nodded, giving a reassuring smile as he stepped through the portal and it snapped closed behind him.

Leo turned back to Donnie, and saw his purple brother dodge a blast from a large gun that he would have invented. Leo wondered if he was bitter that these clowns had beaten him to the punch as he dodged a blast of plasma.

“Dude! How come you got to fight the cool guy?”

“You fought him too, if you remember…”

“Yeah, but then he was just waggling his fingers like one of those cosplay wizards April hates!”

“Tch. Skill issue.”

Leo swept under one of them, and used his sword to force the blaster up, and it ricocheted into the air, taking out a street light.

“Would you stay still?!” The man spat, and Leo shrugged.

“Never really been my forte, you know?”

Donnie smacked the gun out of the woman’s hand, and as she pulled out a knife, snarling, the blaster went off, heading straight for a nearby support beam.

“Oh, pecans… LEO!”

“On it!”

Using more effort than he could take comfort in, Leo sliced open two portals: One to catch the blast, and the other to redirect it.

Turning to Donnie, he called: “Time for us to go!”

“See you never!”

As Leo sliced open another portal, Donnie running backwards toward it, the blast touched down, and they were both shot backwards, all four of them letting out a yell.

The last thing Leo saw before the darkness kicked in was the blinding light, and the agents throwing themselves to the side.

A/N: I haven't written fanfic in a hot second, so I'm just getting back into the groove here, I hope it was enjoyed! More chapters are on the way!

[kitty-baby36]

"Four Turtles & A Baby"

(TMNT BAYVERSE)

🐢 Chapter Six 🐢

For the first few weeks, Thora learning how to talk had been cute and sweet, but soon it became obvious that she was intent on using her new talent for evil.

Or at least, that's how Leonardo and Donatello looked at it...

They were currently in the midst of a stand-off. One small human girl against two oversized mutant turtles. And the human was winning.

"No no, Dee...no bed!"

"Come on, half-pint, you've got to get some sleep. You can play more tomorrow."

Thora responded by throwing one of her books and pouting. "No! No bed!"

"Hey now," Leo said softly, "we don't throw tantrums, little missy."

Thora scowled at him, looking very much like Raphael in that moment. "NO!"

"Can't believe you two meatheads are being bested by a toddler," Raphael said from his weight bench above them.

"Alright, Mr Smart-Guy," Leo chided, "why don't you try?"

Raphael shrugged, jumping down to the lower level and walking towards them. "Bedtime, sweetpea. Let's go."

Thora perked up, her scowl fading. "I sweep wif Raffa?"

"Nah-uh," Donnie said softly. "You have your own bed, remember?" He'd been immensely proud when he'd presented her with her very own bedroom, complete with a bed he'd built himself, twinkle lights, and quite a bit of pink.

"No! I sweep wif Raffa!"

"Thora, thats enough..." Leo scolded, "you sleep in your room and in your bed!"

The little girl's eyes glossed over and her pouting turned into full-blown sobbing, and it's Raphael's turn to scowl at his brothers. Thora held one hand up to Raphael, her other hand clutching tightly to her beloved stuffed rabbit.

"Raaaffffffaaaaa..." She whined, tears coming from her blue eyes.

"Really, Leo? Why you gonna go and make her cry like that for?" He scooped her up in his arms, and she quieted almost immediately. He began to coddle her, carrying her in the direction of his room: "It's okay, Sunshine, you don't worry your pretty little head. Raffa's gonna tuck you in all nice and snug in his bed and we gonna have a slumber party, yes we are!" He shot a particularly nasty look at his brothers while Thora giggled.

"Oh suuure...." Leo muttered, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. "We're the meatheads...."

"You can't exactly blame him, though," Donnie offered. "She's had him wrapped around her finger since day one, and she knows it. Mikey too."

"Oh trust me, Donnie, I know. Just imagine how much worse it's going to be when she's older."

..

Ever-so-slowly, Raphael's large hands tucked the little girl into his bed. Thora let out a low 'churrup' type sound, but didn't cry anymore.

"Better now?" Raphael whispered to her, as she absentmindedly played with the tails of his mask.

"Raffa..."

He smiled. "Yes?"

"I wuv you."

He'd heard it at least a hundred times already (hell, they all had) but it still made his chest ache every time she spoke those words to him. For years, he had never considered himself worthy of love from anyone...but this little girl...she adored him, she accepted him, she didn't see him as a freak or a monster... With a contented sigh, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"I love you too, sweetness."

She snuggled down into the pillows and was asleep within minutes.

...

The next week, Leonardo and Donatello were gone on a supply run. Michelangelo and Raphael stayed behind to guard the lair and watch over Thora. The two brothers were sitting at the kitchen table, arguing over superhero movies, while Thora was on her knees, playing with her toys. A soccer ball was several feet away from where she was sitting and at first the pair didn't notice when she leaned forward and pushed off the ground, clumsily getting to her feet, wobbling as she stood upright for the first time.

"Mike-mike," she called, glancing up at them, one tiny hand gripping the edge of the couch as she steadied herself, the other hand making grabby motions towards the ball.

Mikey didn't hear her at first, too caught up in his defense of why Batman wasn't really a superhero and therefore didn't belong in the Justice League.

"Look, dude....Batman has no powers, no super strength...he's not like Superman who has freakin' heat vision or the ability to fly..."

"Mike-mike!" she called again. With a determined huff, she pushed off the couch, taking her first tentative step.

This time, Mikey heard her, and when he turned his head to respond, his jaw nearly hit the floor. He stood up from his chair so fast that he jostled the table, sending comic books and cheez-its sliding in different directions.

"Oh my god! Raph, are you seeing this? Where's my phone?? Where the hell is my phone!?"

Raphael turned to see what had his younger brother so worked up, and then it was his turn to jump out of his chair. “Holy fuck! She’s really doing it!” he shouted, his voice a mix of disbelief and pride.

Michaelangelo recorded on his phone, a huge grin spreading across his face. “Go, Pookie! You’re a superstar!” he cheered, his voice filled with encouragement.

She stumbled, teetering on the edge of balance, but a bright smile lit up her face. They watched as Thora took half a dozen awkward steps and then plopped back down on her butt.

Raph volted over the railing, swept her up, and put her on his shoulders, parading her around the room. "HELL YEAH! MY GIRL!"

"Her first steps!" Mikey exclaimed, barely containing his excitement. "Oh my god oh my god, this is amazing!"

Thora beamed, her tiny face glowing with happiness.

..

The sun was close to rising, and the excitement was palpable in the cozy living room where Raphael and Michaelangelo were replaying the moment on Mikey’s phone, eager to share the news with their other brothers.

Leo and Donatello appeared an hour later, the eldest carrying groceries and the other lugging several bundles of scrap parts from the junkyard. Their faces lit up with a mix of curiosity and concern when they saw the video.

“Wait, wait! Is that Thora?” Leo exclaimed, leaning closer to the screen. “She’s walking!”

Donatello adjusted his glasses, his analytical mind already processing the scene. “That’s amazing! I mean....she's a little behind on the general timeline for human toddlers to start walking... but that's still great news!"

“Guys, you should’ve seen it! She took her first steps all by herself!” Michaelangelo said.

Leo’s expression shifted, noticing Raphael holding Thora high on his shoulders, the little girl laughing as she rubbed his head. “You didn’t let her keep walking? You’ve been carrying her this whole time?”

Raphael, grinning from ear to ear, shrugged and said, “She was just so cute up there, I didn't have the heart to put her down. My little champion!"

“Raph,” Donatello said, his tone firm but caring, “she’s not gonna develop any strength in her legs if you don’t put her down. You need to let her practice!”

Raphael lifted Thora off his shoulders, her tiny arms waving in the air. She squealed with joy as Raphael bounced her gently on his knee. “I’m not worried about that! She’ll get plenty of practice. Just look how proud she is!” He gestured at the screen.

Leo sighed, a smile creeping onto his face despite the reprimanding tone. “You’re going to spoil her, you know that, right?”

“So? Let me spoil her!” Raphael shot back, his voice playful. “She just walked! That’s a big fucking deal!"

Michaelangelo chimed in, “Shell yeah! We should celebrate! Ice cream for everybody!"

Leo and Donatello exchanged glances.

“Alright, just don’t forget to let her walk again, okay?” Leo said, half-serious, half-amused.

“Yeah, yeah,” Raphael replied, still grinning. “Hey, Thora, why don't you show Ee-oh and Dee your new trick?"

💠

[mermaidsirennikita]

What are your favorite Lisa Kleypas books? Besides Devil in Winter and Dreaming of you of curse haha

Oh, good question!

I read both Then Came You and Again the Magic this year, and I really loved both of them. AtM is a beloved dark horse in her backlist, from what I've seen (I feel like a lot of her newer, i.e. largely Ravenels readers don't pick it up, which is probably for the best as McKenna is kind of metal compared to her more recent heroes). It's so fucking good. I love high angst, and I also think she did a great job with the secondary romance. ALTHOUGH... I'd be lying if I said I didn't think the book might be a teeeeeny bit better if the secondary romance was a companion novella versus being folded into Aline and McKenna's story.

Then Came You seems controversial because the hero calls the heroine a bitch or a slut or both, and I'll be completely honest... If I'm IN IT with a book that shit does not super bother me. If you have not sold me to the point where I can see the hero or heroine or both cross a line and still love the book, I probably wasn't that into the book anyway. The party scene where she shows up in a faux transparent dress like Eve with the snake and he's like "FUCK. MY. LIFE." is one of my favorite things. The scene where he beats her at cards and then hauls her upstairs to fuck her while baby Derek Craven is all "SORRY LUV THEM'S THE BREAKS"? Derek Craven: The Early Years in general where he's trying so hard to work on his accent and also angstily standing behind curtains?

(Also: Kleypas at her best just fucks so hard. After I finished this book I read the first chapter of DoY to see how well they flow one after the other, and omg the consistency of Derek being older and actually having gotten his accent down pretty good, but not being able to carry it when Sara first meets him because he just got his face slashed and also just watched a tiny hot chick shoot a man dead in front of him??? After all that work trying to impress people when he finally meets the love of his life he's basically coming back from a near death experience so he can't maintain the facade??? MY. BABY. BOY. MY. PRECIOUS. INFANT. BABY. HOT MAN. HE WAS BORN IN A DRAINPIPE!!!!)

But also, with Then Came You... the bear scene. I find the bear scene to be the kind of thing I just love in romance... typified.

Seduce Me at Sunrise is a fucking banger and I love it so much. I will always have an issue with how Kleypas portrayed Cam and Kev's Roma heritage (though I will say, I think it's not quite as bothersome to me with Kev because Cam, much as I enjoy him, is very "that is my defining character trait" whereas Kev is like... a guy, and it feels more like he's a human and not a walking stereotype) but this book dude. It's Wuthering Heights if they were both fundamentally decent people with good families (I mean, she has a solid home life) and it's GREAT. I love the controversial thing Kev does that everyone hates so much lol. It's one of the most human things I've ever read a romance hero do and I was like "YES. LET HER DOWN BECAUSE YOU ARE A FLAWED SELF LOATHING PERSON AND THAT'S WHAT Y'ALL DO." It's great writing.

I also really loved Married by Morning. Definitely not as much as Seduce, but a lot. I personally feel incredibly strongly that Leo Hathaway is what all these West Ravenel stans THINK West is, except Leo actually fucks hard, tells her to tell him to touch her pussy (fundamental) and has a legit personality. West has plenty of personality as a shithead! Once he "reforms" which happens before his fucking book lmao (what is the point) he has the personality of a cabbage. Leo is introduced as a total wastrel who like. Legit tells Kev (I think it was Kev) don't be like me or you'll just wake up every morning covered by your own tears and cum. Which is. One of the most ludicrously pathetic things I've ever read. And also was when I went "I need him". But after he shapes up, he's still funny??? He's snarky? A rapscallion? A slut, perhaps? And Catherine just has zero time for it. No patience for shenanigans. As she should not. I love that she's basically his employee. I love that after they kiss he's like "huh" and then just decides to doggedly pursue her. It has serious shit going on, but it is more of a romcom than a lot of Kleypas books I read.

Oh, It Happened One Autumn, of course. Controversial but brave and also true: even if you think you love Devil in Winter, I promise you don't love DiW as much as you think you do if you haven't read Autumn. I think they are basically companion novels, lol. Do they work alone? Obviously. But DiW was a solid 4 outta 5 for me (not a 4.25, not a 4.5/, not a 4.75, a solid 4) and then I read Autumn and reread it and it became a 5. And I'm so glad I did, because Autumn is also so great. Autumn is hilarious, and it's one of my favorite book for Wallflower interactions, aside from Evie who I think is stuck in like a basement the entire time, only to pop up at the last minute to proposition St. Vincent. (Also: a little wild that the other girls would basically be like "Godspeed, hope that bitch is good" when she was gone for long stretches with like ominous letters.) But the perfume scene??? Annabelle being like "I shall test this aphrodisiac perfume" only to show up with like dark circles underneath her eyes from getting railed within an inch of her life by Simon the entire night all "it was a mistake"? One of the funniest things Kleypas has ever written. Westcliff's entire existence in this novel? One of the funniest things she's ever written. The scene where he fingerbangs Lillian in the butterfly garden and is all "well damn Lillian if I got that far with you imagine what would happen if a man like St. Vincent, who actually gets bitches, did it???" High comedy.

Of her new era, Marrying Winterborne is the only one I'd consider a favorite favorite. It's really simple, but super well-written. Like, I honestly don't think the PLOOOOT is the strongest thing (I found Helen's internal conflict to be something that should've been revealed earlier in the story, for sure) but the character beats and love story are really good. It has a lot of great small moments--Helen getting frisky because of headache powder, the general department store stuff (Rhys Winterborne: the most powerful owner of a Kohl's you've ever met, the man is swimming in Kohl's Cash, SWIMMING), obviously "five fucking minutes". It's super good.

[callmelyc]

#2023Julance

Week 2: childhood

When lance was born the only thing that would soothe him were the waves. Mama McClain found herself walking down to the shoreline at least once a day with a tiny lance in her arms. The closer her steps fell towards the sea the more relaxed he'd become.

So it's to no one's surprise that they'll find him standing out at the beach with every worry he holds in his tiny shoulders.

"What's the matter Leandro?" Veronica ask gently taking her spot next to a ten year old lance pouting out at the ocean.

He curls in on himself more at the question just about hiding his face away yet his eyes never leave the waves. Lance mumbles something gaining a huff from his sister.

"You have to speak up or I can't tell what you say"

He huffs "am....I really that stupid?"

She frowns "wha-"

"the other kids said I was stupid vera-" lance sniffles a bit "t-they said my dream to go to space was stupid..."

Veronica slides in closer the moment his sniffles start hugging him close to her in an attempt at comfort "you aren't stupid lance, going to space is a very Tangible dream!"

"But what if it isn't" he says through the voice cracks and it breaks her heart "what if the garrison won't take me- what if I'm too stupid to get in!"

Her arms wrap around him even tighter "I need you to listen to me Leandro, ok? You are smart, I promise you are more than capable to get into that fancy space school and go to space so don't you dare let others words be the reason you give up your dream"

Veronica combs her fingers thru his air soothingly "it's like mami always says Leo, you are made for greater things, don't let anyone stop you from reaching for them."

She knows she's gotten through when her little brothers arms are reaching to hug her back "and above all else never give up. Ok?"

She hears a few more sniffles before getting a quiet "ok" in response. She smiles "now what do you say We head home, Mami made ur favorite"

Lance is 14 when he's on the shore again, toes in the sand and eyes once again caught on the waves. This time it's Luis that finds him standing next to lance silently waiting for him to decide to speak up.

"I don't wanna go...." Lance says softly after a few minutes but even the words don't sound so sure.

Luis looks at lance "you don't wanna go? To the school you worked your ass off to get into? The one your about to leave to get a placement in?"

He watches lance kick at the sand halfheartedly "I won't have this anymore if I go-"

"Lance-"

"I'll be all alone...." He finished quietly almost inaudible with how soft he says it.

Luis watches his little brother and for the first time notices just how small he is. He's so young and yet he's the first to leave.

Lance shivers a bit at the breeze and that's when Luis has an idea. He shrugs off his own jacket the one he's become known for wearing, the one he rarely takes off.

His favorite.

And drops it on lances shoulders. Lance, for the first time, flinchs and his eyes meet Luis in surprise "lu-"

"If you take my jacket then I’ll be with you everyday. Take care of it for me, yeah?”

Lance hugs Luis so tightly after that, that Luis knows he did the right thing.

It became a known thing that if Lance held a worry he would go to the beach, stand and look out at the shore. His eyes never once leaving the waves

He did it throughout all his childhood so it was to no one’s surprise when, during his visit with Keith, he leaves the house in the middle of the night.

This time it’s Keith that finds him watching those waves. He stands quietly next to Lance knowing that if anything needed to be said it would be. He knew Lance like the back of his own hand after all.

“I’ve missed this place” Lance says wistfully into the night.

Keith hums, taking lances hand i his own for comfort.

“I think the last time I stood here was between breaks at the garrison I was….maybe 16? And Marco had to come tell me to stop panicking about not being good enough for the program.” Lance chuckles at the memory “I could’ve really used this place out there in space….”

Keith squeezes his hand “tell me about it…”

Lance turns to look at Keith “About what?”

“The ocean.” Keith provides easily “it’s your anchor isn’t it? So…tell me about it.”

And that’s how the McClain family finds Lance this time. Sitting on the shore head leaning on Keith’s shoulder, words soft and relaxed between the two

And they know Lance has found his new shore to come home to.

[angelmichelangelo]

12leo makes the best teas & matchas. his brothers claim they prefer coffee/juice/whatever, but when leo knows they're upset and wordlessly makes their drinks in the especially specific way he knows they like, they can't hide their gratitude.

do with that what you will :)

x

There’s the beginnings of a headache blossoming right behind his eyes, growing there and wiggling around his skull like some hungry parasite. 

The data that is rolling across his computer screen in long lines of jumbled words and numbers all starts to kind of… blur together at some point.

He squeezes his eyes shut like it might just magically make it clear again, but all it does is spur on his growing migraine, kicking it into action, he groans, pulling himself up from his desk, he’s fairly certain he can see the projection of his computer screen still behind his eyes with each blink.

It’s late, so technically there shouldn’t be anybody in the kitchen. Not with the soft sounds of Raphael’s snoring coming from behind his door, or Mikey’s nightlight spilling from beneath his.

Yet, he’s no surprise to see Leonardo already perched at their makeshift dinner table, hands curled around a steaming mug, his face lacks its usual mask, showcasing the dark circles that are ringed beneath his eyes.

“Did you even attempt to make it to bed?” He asks him, eyes following him around the room as he sluggishly makes his way to their coffee machine. (He says their like it’s a shared possession but Donnie is the only coffee fiend in this house. Raph gets his buzz from energy drinks like the disgusting teenage boy he is, and Mikey took one sip once and said it tasted like dirt. This here machine was his and his alone.)

He jabs a finger at the button, letting it work its magic. He turns and rests a hip against the counter, looking towards his elder brother.

“For like, a minute, yeah.”

Leo scoffs, though, there’s nothing venomous towards it. Many a night since their childhood had this been their rendezvous point, here in this tiny, dank little kitchen. Whilst Donnie’s own insomnia might have been entirely self inflicted ever since he’d built his own home computer, Leo’s wasn’t exactly staying up late on purpose.

Donnie makes his coffee and slides over towards his spot at the table, watching as his brother's beak crinkles up in detest as he brings the mug to his lip.

“That stuff is so gross,” he says, voice low, mindful of their still sleeping siblings just down the hall. “I don’t know how you drink that sludge, Dee.”

Hot coffee slides down his throat, warming his belly. It won’t do much for his headache but at least it’ll stop him from passing out at his desk any time soon.

Donnie sighs. He looks towards Leo’s own mug — it’s one of Sensei’s, chipped at the edges and clearer steam curls from the top. There’s the faint aroma of something sweet, and without having to look, Donnie would guess that the contents inside were probably a rather pale green color.

“I could say the same,” he comments, nodding towards the beverage.

Leo’s lips twitch. “Yeah but this is actually supposed to help you sleep,” he tells him rather pointedly. He even pitches himself forward on his seat a little. “I wish you wouldn’t force yourself awake on that stuff.”

There’s a fleeting look of worry dashing across his brother's face; brows knitted together, his mouth drawn in a straight line. His eyes go a little dark under the dim light of the overhead bulb that needs changing.

Donnie sighs again. The ache in his head now webs itself around his temples, throbbing there like a cylinder drum. He rubs the heel of his hand against his eyes, like it might stave off some of the hurt, but it refuses, pulsating like his brain was about to explode.

“Don?” Leo’s voice is gentle, but he stands, and his chair makes a sick groaning sound against concrete and it bounces off his skull walls. He ducks his head down to draw a sharp breath. He hears Leo approach him.

“Don’t worry,” he grits. He reaches blindly for his drink. “Just a headache from looking at my computer for too long.” He presses his hand harder, swirls of muted color dance around behind his lids.

There’s a tentative hand on his shoulder, and the sound of his mug dragging across the table.

“C’mon,” Leo whispers. “I got something for that.”

He ends up with two little pulls pressed into his palm and what was left of his coffee splashed into the sink in sad rivets of brown. Looking at it like this, it did appear pretty grim.

Leo is quiet as he busies himself beside the stove, his own tea left abandoned, Donnie watches as the steam starts to disperse into nothing in the air, and once it’s all gone, does Leo turn back around to face him.

“Here,” he tells him, handing out one of Sensei’s cups. It feels like sacrilege to take it from him — he’d never indulged their father on those afternoon tea breaks like Leo had done so many times, tucked away in the dojo just to two of them, but holding the hot mug now between his palms, he suddenly wishes he very much did instead.

“I had some leftover ginger tea when I made Mikey some the other week. Try it. It’s good for migraines.”

Don feels his brows knit together. “You had tea with Mikey?” He rasps. “Mikey doesn’t drink tea.”

Leo drops back into his seat, a smug grin creeps over his face. “You’d be surprised.” His smile falters a little. “He uh, he wasn’t sleeping so well. Nightmares. After…” his voice trails out, like the steam, into nothing. He steels himself, rounding out his shoulders before he continues. “So I got him on it. He said it tasted like gingerbread men, so. Whatever works.”

Donnie’s chest goes a little airy. He hadn’t known about that. 

He hesitates as he tries to draw in whatever information he can about what else he was missing from his brothers in this strange, brief period in their times when Leo must read it all perfectly across his face.

He clears his throat. “Drink it. I didn’t let mine go cold for nothing.”

And Donnie supposes he can’t argue with that.

He takes a sip and—

For one, Mikey was wrong. It didn’t taste like gingerbread men but… it wasn’t half bad.

And Leo reads him like a damn book again because he’s smirking again as he takes a mouthful of his own lukewarm drink.

“Told you.”

Donnie scoffs. But not before he takes another mouthful. It goes down way easier than coffee ever did. He scowls, not even realizing that the tightness behind his eyes was already starting to fade, he just rolls his eyes and tells him in a low, tired voice,

“Whatever.”

[mushroompollution]

From Saintworks:

[PRESS THIS BUTTON WITH YOUR BRIGHTNESS AT MAX]

>Doing so would cause little, blocky flurries of light to appear over the phone or laptop screen, tiny pixels turning to atoms, and forming a complex object right there in the air, out of data and light. It's a sleek, carbon-fiber black pocket watch, on a black chain, at least from the outside. It fits in the palm of the hand, and is engraved with the image of a pair of hands, grasping each other for dear life, as if one was pulling the other from danger.

>Inside the device is an actual fake watch face, keeping the time with a razor-thin digital clock that turns analog arms, but flipping that up reveals a small, rectangular port, and a screen. The port is covered by a sliding door, which opens automatically to reveal a pair of little jewel-like stones at each end. The little round screen is extremely low resolution, and as it turns on, a pixelated compass arrow spins a full circle across it, before the words "Insert trace sample" scroll across it.

Elliot freezes at the sudden popup, his thumbs paused over his phone screen. There's been so much information, so many conversations and offers being thrown at him, and his head aches.

But with no winks or nudges or deals or Contracts mentioned, he had rather blindly agreed to this one. And really... It couldn't hurt to try, right?

If it could save Leo, then

you i needs to save him.

hurry!

While deliberating, he must have tapped the screen by accident. His blue eyes widen as the pixels knit together, materializing before them. And the result is breathtaking. Hesitation be damned, he gently takes the pocket watch, turning it over between his nimble fingers. If nothing else, it's instantly become his new favorite timepiece.

But then the watch face flips open, and he feels his nerves creep in again. Right. The hair. Leo's hair. The hair from Leo's hairbrush--

Elliot walks into his adjacent bathroom, only to stare down at his own brush, sitting perfectly in its assigned spot on the marble counter.

Wait.

But Leo doesn't brush his hair in the bathroom, because Leo doesn't do mirrors. Those nerves start to prick the hairs on his neck as he thinks.

Leo leaves that thing all over both their rooms. And then he uses it as an excuse not to brush it! Seriously! This is why Elliot's always telling him to make a habit of leaving it on the dresser. "Well, okay, Leo. Where did you--"

Suddenly, he freezes.

"have it last...."

His heart sinks.

Oh.

Oh no.

He turns quickly on his heel, heart pounding as he returns to his bedroom. He picks up every single object on his dresser, his nightstand, his desk, his tv stand, his bookshelf. He drops to the ground, searching beneath his bed, his sofa--

Then he races into Leo's small, adjoining room to do the same.

No no no no no.

His fist slams hard against the paneled wall in agonizing frustration as he's forced to accept the realization.

The last place Leo had his brush was in that townhouse. The one that had burned to the ground the night his father had been murdered and Leo had---

You I can't just give up.

Not after someone had gone so far to send him this gift.

He tears his sofa apart, hoping to find so much a toenail. He checks the trash, their pillows, the shower drain, anything. Anything!!

But it's been two weeks, and the Nightray family only employs the most thorough maids.

He feels his heart sink and his legs go out.