#Zack will not stop laughing which does not help

[calamitysshatteredson]

@wingsdreamt

It's a little like he just can't get past how very mundane the whole thing is. How-- No, "normal" is not and never has been the word, but familiar in a way that's almost nostalgic. While also being utterly and completely out of left field, and even knowing what he does, being what he is and was, knowing it's all... real...

He's glad to be distracted from thoughts spinning wildly around each other. Not spiraling downward, at least. If anything, it's... very much an upward trajectory. He i snot in any way willing to share this idea. "Repeating 'vacation' is in itself an answer." He doesn't fully argue; in part he talks just to keep the conversation going. "One of those words I am technically aware of, comprehend the definition for, and might even manage to recall recommended destinations in regards to, but I am not personally familiar." An answer. A terrible one, but Sephiroth is aware of that much. The one time he had leaned heavily toward finally taking personal time was--

Best left alone. They both have some knowledge of it, anyway. It's the barest moment before the danger of some devastating drop in mood can take place when he notices what Zack is about to do, with his teeth no less, when everything spins again. Shifts to a different direction, a different perspective. It's truly a thing he's only ever known Zack Fair capable of doing, and it's never been completely clear if he's even aware of it.

He's not going to ask. It's enough that he can't fully stop his lips from twitching upward, as if they feel the need to return the grin. Sephiroth huffs a short, indulgent sigh instead, teeth ultimately being used regardless. Not that there's a complaint to be made, really, leaning back on outstretched arms as he watches the other man work. It's not until Zack actually starts moving and figuring out the details that he fully realizes...

Ah. Does he mind the close quarters? He prefers not to think about it. At all. It seems like a shared realization, if Zack's face is anything to go by, which makes it--

Funny? It probably isn't, shouldn't be, but the little escaped half-laugh is impossible to hold back entirely. He can feel the heat on his own cheeks, knows it has to be unmissable since his skin tone remains light, but it is amusing. Helps him not to do the math in his head, how long it's been since he's even had close contact with another person. Sleeping next to someone is a different kind of-- Intimacy?

No, that will not be confronted or addressed. "I don't mind." Does he? Did he answer too soon, too easily? Does it matter? Does thinking about it matter? To hell with this entire thought process.

"If you don't kick. Or, I suppose... flap." He's aware that he's never been one to break tension or discomfort, and definitely not with humor, but at least he hopes it's diversion enough for both of them. Moving in as if they have a strategy to begin with, it's going to be awkward enough finding a comfortable position. Hopefully just not thinking about it will take him far enough, as general exhaustion should handle the rest.

The gray storm clouds gathering over the bluffs outside Midgar’s limits feels so fresh in his memory. Years ago. He was, unequivocally, absolutely, definitely dead up until recently. For all intents and purposes, he shouldn’t be here. Zack’s gaze briefly follows the movement of Sephiroth’s hand. Up, then back down again. 

If their positions were reversed, he’d have been just as twitchy. Zack returns his attention to the matter of sleeping arrangements should Sephiroth feel the need to save face. Granted, having the opportunity to save face and feeling safe from future incidents worthy of embarrassment while in the presence of Zack Fair are not mutually exclusive. 

“Repeating the word ‘vacation’ is not a real answer,” Zack politely reminds his companion as he feels about the joining panels of the sleeping bag and pulls them apart to search for the right seam.

He mentioned cutting, but he lacks actual cutting tools. Attempting to brute force separation and failing would be plain embarrassing, especially if he royally messed up by missing the grain and tearing the fabric at a horrible angle. Not only would they be out of a sleeping bag, but there’d be fluffy stuffing floating around everywhere. More tinder for the campfire, perhaps, though he already had a plan in mind as far as ensuring they were nice and toasty.

The sleeping bag is about halfway up to his mouth when Sephiroth gestures vaguely at his wings, and Zack’s entire face lights up. 

“That is such a great idea. Why didn’t I think of that?” 

The stupid grin might suggest he did certainly think about it and that he was more titillated than anything that Sephiroth was the one to actually bring it up first.   

“Alright, let’s try this,” Zack says, his voice distorted as he clenches his incisors over a thread and snaps it with a sharp yank. The fabric splits away without exposing any stuffing. Success! Teasing the sleeping bag apart doesn’t take long after that, and soon enough they have enough surface area on the ground for both of them to sleep on with a bit of mako residue to spare. 

“Hmm…”  Zack sizes himself up, then Sephiroth, then his own wingspan. Dropping onto his stomach on one side of the spread, Zack lifts the wing opposite and tries to envision Sephiroth fitting beneath it. “Like this, maybe? Orrr…maybe on my side? I think my wing still reaches…”

More thinking, more picturing, a bit of rolling around, and Zack comes to a sudden realization. Oh, okay. They’re going to have to be real close for this to work. Maybe he hadn’t thought this through as much as he initially believed. With a little extra color on his cheeks, Zack clears his throat. 

“I mean, only if you want to.” 

The weight of an unappended ‘sir’ lingers in the silence after his last word. Perhaps it’s obvious, the way his mouth hangs open a second longer than necessary. Funny, how old habits have a life of their own.

[dark-elf-writes]

Hojo half-sibling au but cloud already been fucking gen before seph know he have a brother. Just for the lol.

It all started so simply — which, looking back at it, should have been Cloud’s first and largest red flag. Nothing in his life was ever anything other than complicated. He was “that Strife boy”, Nibelheim’s town bastard, almost an entire town’s dirty little secret.

(Not his mom’s though. Never his mom’s. She would always press a kiss to his crown of spikes that was so much like her own and tell him that he was her wonder. A gift from the gods themselves.)

But it all started so simply…

It started with a mandatory paternity test as a part of joining the SOLDIER program.

Getting to SOLDIER hadn’t been so simple. That had begun with an unlikely friendship between Zack Fair and some poor trooper with unfortunate amounts of motion sickness. Zack, upon hearing about Cloud’s dream to be in the program and his numerous failures at doing so, had thrown himself into helping Cloud train for the next exam.

“That’s what friends do, spikey!”

Hand to hand, sword work, physical conditioning, even materia… or, well, Zack had tried to teach Cloud Materia to… some success which had in turn led to the second complication.

Genesis had stumbled upon their training one day just in time to see Cloud blast Zack back with a spell that shouldn’t be able to do that yet again and had all but claimed Cloud as his own.

“Artificial materia has a different concentration of mako, dearest,” He had said, running the back of gloved fingers over Cloud’s cheek. “And your exposure to mako from living in a place so dense with it has changed you too. Try this instead.” He had slotted a new orb of materia, naturally formed and from his own collection no less, into Cloud’s borrowed bracer like he was sealing a wedding vow.

(And knowing Genesis as well as he did now, that was probably not far off the mark. The dramatic bastard had claimed to have fallen in love from the moment he first saw Cloud “knock the puppy on his ass even with those terribly mis matched materia”, and Genesis Rhapsodos was nothing if not determined when it came to getting what he wanted.

Still, Cloud couldn’t deny that it was nice to be wanted for once… just like he couldn’t deny that Genesis was a skilled teacher both on the mats and in his bedroom where he had Cloud seeing the goddess herself when he did that thing with his fingers.)

But a paternity test made sense, in a way. Cloud had said he never knew his father, and since he was now officially a SOLDIER third, he would start getting attention. Considering how much he looked like his mother, it wouldn’t be a leap to assume people might start coming out of the woodwork to make claims, and such a scandal would look bad for Shinra in the long run. It… probably also didn’t help that Cloud looked enough like Rufus and Lazard that rumors had already begun to spread of another Shirna bastard.

But the results had not been the simple answer.

Nor had they been the slightly more complicated one that, while annoying, would have made a strange sort of sense considering how he looked and proximity to the Shinra manor.

No, Cloud’s results were so complicated that the poor tech that had been running the tests had so so three times to be sure.

And then Cloud was angry. Angry that his mother had been left alone with no money to support her. Angry he had grown up hated by an entire village because some bastard couldn’t be bothered to stick around. Angry that the truth had been under his nose the whole time and he had never seen it.

He had snatched the results from the poor tech and stomped his way to the private lab in the center of the Science Department hardly noting the flustered scientists and techs trying to stop him through the red haze in his mind. The locked door didn’t stand a chance against the mastered fire materia Genesis had gifted him for making it through his training, melting straight through the lock so Cloud could kick the door inwards.

He didn’t notice the second person in the room as he hurled the file of results at a rather unimpressed face. Didn’t care.

“Nice to meet you, dad,” Cloud all but spit between clenched teeth.

Hojo didn’t do much as blink. If anything he shrugged. “Ah. The control group.”

Cloud didn’t remember trashing the lab. Didn’t remember the too familiar face at his side that helped him do it. He did however remember the aftermath with his head in his hands and the Silver General himself awkwardly patting his back as he had a complete mental breakdown.

“It’s what brothers are supposed to do… isn’t it?” Sephiroth had said like to made all the sense in the world. Like any of this made fucking sense.

Cloud Strife had gone from no father to one that saw him as an experiment in all of twenty minutes and now his childhood idol who was actually his half brother was trying to comfort him. It was too much. He needed a drink. He needed a fucking cigarette. He needed ��

“Genesis,” He murmured, all but scrambling for his PHS to send off a message. If anyone could make it all make sense it was Gen, or at least, Gen would stand beside him as he burned the world to the ground. Either way, all Cloud wanted at that moment was something that made sense.

Unfortunately, that single word had made Sephiroth recognize exactly who Cloud was other than “some new recruit” or perhaps “Zack’s friend” and his green eyes narrowed as this hands that had been awkwardly patting him tightened possessively.

“You’re the trooper that is dating Genesis.” It wasn’t a question. Sephiroth didn’t wait for an answer. “Genesis slept with my brother.”

And then Cloud Strife’s life became very complicated all at once.

[silverflqmes]

hi!! i hope this request finds you well, do you think you could write agszc with a s/o whos good with kids please 💕?

໒⦂ 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐊𝐈𝐃𝐒.

notes. hi hi anon — i wasn’t sure how to go about this so i took a little inspiration from the interactions cloud and zack have with the sector five kids and applied them to everyone a bit! went for headcanons, i hope they are to your likings<3

genre. fluff + crack

ft. sephiroth, cloud strife, zack fair, genesis rhapsodos, angeal hewley

gender neutral! reader.

➫ 𝓢𝗘𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗  i hate to break it to you anon but i gotta slap some angst in here — sephiroth finds himself a bit confused, yet curious watching you among kids. had he been raised as normal kids were, would he have received this sort of attention too..? this kindness that was given without effort or consequences?

⌗  in the beginning he just let you do your thing, hanging out with them as you did while he waited to walk you home later.. but then he was slowly urged to join- by the kids no less.

⌗  he felt awkward, out of place and unsure of how he should act — but everyone was patient with him and something oddly warm began to spread in his chest. you didn’t pressure him into anything either — which he was grateful for.

⌗  the girls would braid brush his hair, place flowers in, and when the boys marveled at his height and overall build, begging to be carried, sephiroth obliged and found himself feeling elated — at peace among them.

⌗  you always told them bedtime stories but over time, the kids began to whisper and ask you if sephiroth could because his voice was so smooth and lulled them to sleep effortlessly

⌗  one time the children found a gray, stray kitten — and didn’t want to give it away.. so it became a combined effort between you, the kids and sephiroth, too.. who felt a strange empathy for the feline. it became an everyday thing from then for all of you to take care of the cat and welcome it among your group<3

⌗  someone crying or hurt? masamune’s out and ready to take out the reason behind those tears and wails — which you have to stop seph from doing, but it’s cute how much he cares<3

➫ 𝓒𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗗 𝓢𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗘 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗  he’s um- cloud is uh.. he’s doing his best, remember?? ahem.. in other words, he is still trying to get accustomed to kids — it’s a work in progress, but you seem to be amazing with them??

⌗  bro is completely awestruck at how well you get along with them, how you have them following you around with such ease and looking all excited when you arrive. literally how is that possible?? it makes no sense..

⌗  but cloud, as stated before, is doing his best. during the times that you ask him to help out, he manages to provide a lending hand in busying them.

⌗  a lot of the kids are in awe with him and want a chance to ride on fenrir with him or learn how to wield such an impressive weapon like he does — so cloud does what he can to indulge in those requests..

⌗  not the best or worst with cooking but he does know some recipes from growing up with his mother and has shared them with you to cook together on occasion for the children<3

⌗  over time cloud does get better with them, becomes more natural and less stiff.. though he can’t help but stop at times and stare when he witnesses you with them — so serene and kind, delicate and careful. unknowingly, it brings a tint smile to his lips and thoughts of the future.

⌗  ..and then the kids call him out and he becomes a flustered, tsundere, mess — which has you stifling a laugh into your hand LMAO

➫ 𝓩𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝓕𝗔𝗜𝗥 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗  you’re good with kids?? him too!! zack is so so good with kids, they absolutely ADORE him ( can’t blame ‘em ) — he’s just so chill for an adult!

⌗  seeing you with kids literally clenches at his heart, your exchanges with them are just so so cute and you speak in such a sweet, gentle voice towards them. could honestly listen to you all day if he could😭

⌗  the kids always tease you guys about getting married and make kissy faces at you guys which has your face burning up with embarrassment meanwhile zack is like hell yeah!! ofc he’s gonna marry you, duh!!

⌗  the girls like to pick flowers for you both and do your hair all pretty<3 and zack’s too, cuz ofc he needs to look his best too!! he has little reluctance and is excited as a puppy✨

⌗  oh no a kid is crying?? zack is on the case.. had it not been for you comforting them already oops. but-! he’s on his way to find the culprit! even if it’s just a pebble or branch that happened to be in their path..

⌗  cooking? not his domain, but you seem to be good at it! especially making these cute bunny looking apple slices<3 he helps with cleaning instead ( sometimes )

⌗  now what he does do good in is bedtime stories! has the craziest things to tell and even some folklore from his hometown, gongaga! the kids eat up everything he tells them and are out cold within minutes🫡

➫ 𝓖𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗦 𝓡𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗢𝗦 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗  surprisingly, he’s very good with kids! more so the girls because they’re all heart eyes for genesis, thinking him to be some sort of a prince.. especially with the way he dresses, speaks and carries himself in general..

⌗  he often entertains their fantasies, going along with them and accepting the flowers they picked for him or the colorings they’d hand him — it was just so cute!

⌗  the boys enjoyed to see him in action more with combat, literally watching with stars in their eyes when he fights.. but they always seem to gravitate a little more towards you ahaha..

⌗  genesis has to pinch himself occasionally from staring at you, watching how loving and caring you were towards these random kids that attached themselves so easily to you because you had given them the time of day

⌗  as the kids are lining up for your cooking, so is your boyfriend — he is SO there for that food and is very much enjoying not only the meals you prepare but this overall side of you.. it’s refreshing, he feels special to see it🙁

⌗  organizes a little play for the kids to take part in — of course it’s loveless, it always has to be with him.. and the kids beg him to read it to them at night which brings tears to his eyes. finally some loveless enjoyers!! unlike his friends who make FUN of him..

⌗  always brings baskets of dumbapples to share a piece of home with the kids and even makes different deserts and pastries that he came up with personally! might not do much cooking but baking — and with his hometown’s fruit? yes he will!

➫ 𝓐𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝓗𝗘𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗬 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗  you would think he is another one of the awkward few ( seph and cloud, unfortunately im looking at you guys.. ) but he is not! angeal is really good at taking care of zack, almost as if he’s his own family.. so i believe he must be good with children too despite his stoic appearance

⌗  it was by chance one day during a mission that he had ended up helping you out with the kids you regularly took a detour to visit and hang out with, always bringing stuff from your missions — it was super cute honestly😭

⌗  he is a pretty family oriented guy tbh and totally seems like malewife material?? cooks for the kids, cleans up too, patches up them up if they get injured and tells stories to put them to sleep!! he’s doing it all, guys!

⌗  he wants to lessen your load as much as he can but you seem to have things pretty much under control and the kids are just so chill with you — it’s impressive honestly, he might need a tip or two for handling zack..

⌗  he was telling a story one time — about the buster sword, actually, and as attentive as the kids were, even you since it was your first time hearing, you’d ended up fast asleep along with the kids — it was the cutest sight seeing them curled up against you

⌗  games aside, you do try to teach the kids norms and values to keep with them and angeal also throws in a few words about dreams.. honor.. etcetera..

⌗  a few days later the kids ended up making cardboard and wooden cutouts of the buster sword and repeated his words along with the gesture — yourself included..🫣

notes. sorry for the wait, i hope these were okay and to your likings! i went in with no plan and this was the result basically.. i know it was meant to center around the reader but it shifted over to the boys ahaha.. my bad, hope you don’t mind :’)

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[rottenpumpkin13]

The firsts + Zack and Cloud are challenged for a full ballerina dance training (pointé included) how do they do

Genesis, the one who made them go: "Ballet? Darling, I mastered various dance forms from a young age. How hard could this be?" — spoken just before he attempts pointe, teaches the junior ballet class next door a new curse word, and collapses. Although he does prove to be very graceful. By the end he’s both visibly frustrated and elegant, bragging about the moves he could land and claiming that it's only a matter of practice before he's on the stage at the Midgar Ballet.

Zack and Cloud: Placing them in the same class is a mistake. They’re constantly laughing and goofing around, much to Angeal’s exasperation, who has to snap at them repeatedly to focus. Cloud is more graceful, seems to have a natural , hidden affinity for it, but he struggles to keep his attention away from Zack's distractions and jokes.

Zack treats the whole thing as a fun challenge and barely pays attention, yet somehow nails the routine perfectly when it’s showtime. Go figure.

Angeal: Takes the class seriously from the start, determined to respect ballet despite it not being what he's used to at all. He’s got the strength and balance needed but is stiff as hell due to overthinking and constantly having to turn around and tell ZACK TO STOP MAKING CLOUD LAUGH.

Sephiroth: Vanishes for the first 30 minutes, having gotten distracted by a group of dancers preparing their pointe shoes. He helps them by beating the shoes against the wall to soften them, using it for stress relief which scares the dancers.

When he finally returns, he’s eerily a natural at everything, adapting quickly and effortlessly without a fuss. Especially pointe.

Angeal: Wow, Sephiroth. How are you so good at this?

Sephiroth: The mako tank they kept me in had a small air pocket which was just enough for me to breathe if I stood on the tips of my toes.

Angeal: Forget I asked anything.

[emo-emu64]

The Princess's Favor

Knight! Zack X Princess!Reader

Isaac Foster was considered a monster by most, a threat by all. A dangerous beast of a man, cut-throat, and stone faced. A valiant soldier that quickly climbed the ranks of the palace's guards. Ruthless in his endeavors to protect the royal family. In his endeavors to protect you.

That was how everybody else saw him at least, you considered him a giant teddy bear.

"Pretty please?"

It wasn't often that you were seen without your personal guard but, his patrols along the outside of the castle walls were supposed to be an exception. 

That became more and more of a rarity, however, as you asked him more often that not to accompany him. And he never quite figured out how to say no to you.

"Princess, it's not safe. Have you even asked your father?"

He avoided your gaze as he tended to his horse, knowing that he couldn't resist the big doe eyes that seemingly granted you everything you'd ever wished for.

He didn't mind though, not really, he'd conquer every kingdom this side of the sea if you looked at him like that.

"My father trusts you, I don't have to ask him about every little adventure. Besides, it's perfectly safe as long as I have you!"

He heaved a sigh as he finally met your gaze, big eyes and a hopeful smile, "Go get your bag."

You cheered, wrapping your arms around him briefly as you thanked him, then pressing a chaste kiss to his lips, running back to the stables where you had put your belongings.

A fortunate enough thing for Zack, as he was able to briefly stifle the smile that graced his lips.

Although, he couldn't say the same for when you came sprinting back, satchel slung over your shoulder, grinning from ear to ear.

Zack helped you up into the saddle first, like a true gentleman, before sliding comfortably in place behind you. 

You leaned back into his warmth, a comforting and familiar feeling. Safe, like home.

You brace yourself as the horse takes off like a shot into the woods. Zack weaves through trees and branches with ease, and his horse keeps a steady and sure footing on the mossy and mud-caked earth.

The wind in your hair is as exhilarating as always, and you raise your arms outward, throwing your head to the sky to cheer.

Zack pretends he doesn't find immeasurable joy in your joy by lightly flicking the back of your skull, leaning down closer to you so you can hear him over the rushing wind in your ears.

"Hands on the saddle, princess, gotta bring you back in one piece if I wanna keep my job."

You laugh as you bring your arms back down to your sides, keeping a firm hold to the horn of the saddle, simply because he asked you to. No matter how much danger he thought you may be in, you knew there was never any danger of you falling. Not with his strong arms on either side of you holding the reins. You felt invincible. 

Zack slows the horse to a stop as a clearing comes into view, filled with wildflowers and ferns of all kinds. You and Zack have found a plethora of spots during his patrols, but this one was by far your favorite. 

You often convinced Zack to eat lunch here. Bringing a basket of snacks from the kitchen, which was probably more sweets and pastries than an actual meal, but who's to say?

Zack dismounted in order to help you down, gently taking your hand.

As soon as your feet met the ground you quickly searched through your bag until you found the familiar feel of a small tin, opening to pick out a single sugar cube. You flattened your palm, holding the sweet treat out to the horse.The horse in question took your offering gratefully and gently.

The horse had an ashy coat, with a tail and mane of deep ebony. He was tall and strong, obedient from years of battle. His name was Mortifer, a fitting name considering his rider, meaning death bringer. Although, enemies of the kingdom often called him Pallidus Equus. 

The Pale Horse.

"You're going to make him fat," Zack chastised. 

"Zack, this is the most physically active horse in the kingdom, he's not going to get fat."

You turned back to the horse lifting you hand to stroke his neck, and he huffed gently nudging you with his nose, "You're not fat, huh? Zack's just a big meanie." You turned back to face your guard, "See? You made him sad."

Zack smirked and rolled his eyes, leaning down to kiss you gently, "Whatever you say, princess."

Zack became so much more comfortable outside the castle walls, he was convinced that if your relationship was confirmed and brought to light, the two of you would be separated.

Of course this wasn't the truth, Zack was a hero in the eyes of the kingdom, not some lowly knight trying to quickly climb the ranks, it would be fine, encouraged even for him to marry royal. Not to mention the two of you were the worst kept secret in the kingdom. You went everywhere together, he looked at you like you were the sun, and you looked at him like he put the stars in the sky. Even the castle's head baker, a very kind but also very blind old man, could see that.

You lower yourself to the grass, leaning against the largest oak you could find, pulling out your most recent cross stitch to occupy your hands. Zack soon joins you, sharpening his numerous blades with the whetstone he keeps on hand.

After a good while of simply enjoying each other's company, you decide to break the silence with the question that's been plaguing your mind since you first heard the rumor from your father's associates.

"Zack?"

"Hm?" He looks up from his knife, twirling it in his hands. When he finds your face, his brows crease, taking in the sad look in your eyes.

You put down your project and turn to face him, hands gently settling in your lap, you look downwards as you play with a blade of grass, "Is it true that you're being sent on that campaign that my father is planning?"

Zack's lips form a thin line, and he sighs, "Figured you'd heard about that."

He feels his heart crack wide open when your face saddens, your usual cheeriness completely drained, "So you're going?"

He nods, and frowns, gently cupping your face as he sees tears form in your eyes, "It won't be long, princess, I promise."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was going to, I just... hadn't thought of how yet, I don't like seein' ya sad like this."

"You got hurt really bad on the last one Zack, I didn't know if your were going to make it."

The tears rimming your eyes fall freely down your cheeks now, and he gently wipes them away with his thumb. 

"I always make it, pretty thing, can't go leavin' ya all by yourself can I? You'll make my horse all fat and slow."

He smiles down at you as you giggle, and wrap your arms around his neck. 

"Oh!"

You jump to your bag rooting through it for your gift.

You pull out an embroidered handkerchief, pushing it into his open hands.

He opens it and grins at the stitches, its a field filled with flowers and trees, Zack thinks it looks very much like the one the two of you were currently seated in.

"You have to live, in order to bring it back to me. It's my favor."

He smiles, pressing a kiss to your forehead, "You'll have it back in no time, princess."

[strayheartless]

Okay let’s torture Zack today: ADHD PARALYSIS STYLE!

Getoutlfbedgetoutofbedgetoutofbedgetoutofbedgetupgetupgetupgetuplazazylazazylazy-

This has been going on for too long now. Why can’t he just get up, huh? Why does this have to be a fight every fucking time? Just get the fuck up dude!

He doesn’t move. Instead his thumb shifts to scroll past another video. He knows Angeals about to bang on the door and demand to know why he’s not out of bed; he knows it’s going to spark a lecture, and he knows his brain is going to feel like it’s been lit up like a firework just hearing anything other than silence. He’s not doing it on purpose. He knows he needs to move.

There’s a knock at the door, and that gets him moving. It doesn’t sound like Angeals knock, it’s too hesitant. Also nobody has walked in which means they don’t have a key…

He opens the door to Cloud who’s standing there looking a little unsure. “You good?” He gives Zack a once over, closing off a little at whatever he finds, pulling his scarf over his mouth in nervous habit.

“Yeah I’m fine why?” Zack blinks. What did he forget?

“We er, we were going to meet for lunch.” Cloud looked away from him, and Zack feels like a grade A asshole. “It’s okay if you changed your mind, it’s just- a text- I mean… a text would have- it’s fine.”

“Cloud I’m so sorry!” He cried trying to stumble around looking for clean cloths from the pile of washing that’s mixed with the dirty laundry on the chair. “I completely lost track. I’m- I- I’m reall-“

He hadn’t realised he’d started crying until Cloud makes him stop with a hand on his arm, and he takes a huge stuttering breath. Why does he keep doing this!? Why does he keep forgetting these things and then upsetting his best friend!

“Zack breath,” Cloud says, kind of commands actually.Zack stops and focuses a little more on taking some breaths.

“Good, that’s good. Just… did you forget or did that thing happen again?” Cloud asks and Zack holds up two fingers to indicate option 2.

“Okay,” Cloud sighs and tries a little smile that he only ever seems to give to Zack. “Okay, that’s fine. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have put that pressure on you. Do you want to eat here, or do you think you need to get moving to kickstart something?”

Zack took another breath and struttered “m-moving.”

“Okay, I’ll leave you to get dressed then. 300 second okay?”

“Okay.”

Once Cloud closes his door again Zack moves around the room like lightning. He shoves on a shirt that smells clean, does his belt, grabs his phone and wallet and shoves his feet in his shoes.

Outside Clouds holding Zack’s coat out already and helps him into it.

“283 seconds. New record.” He bumps his elbow into Zack’s side lightly, making the other man laugh breathily.

“Cloud I really am so-“

“Don’t. I know you are and you don’t have to apologise. I get that it’s hard for you.” Cloud cuts him off.

Zack just looks at him. How can one person hold so much acceptance in one tiny body? How can somebody who’s known him for no more than a year accept and help him in ways not even his parents could.

Cloud never makes Zack feel bad for this. he never gets mad at him, when he has every right to. All Cloud has ever done is occasionally been insecure himself and even then he changes his approach when Zack explains.

“I really love you, you know that right?” He asks, wrapping his arms around Cloud. “Like, a lot,”

Cloud blushes “shut up,” he says, leaning into the side hug.

He doesn’t say it back, but he doesn’t have to. Zack knows Cloud loves him to and that makes all the difference in the world.

[loveparqdise]

pairing: stalker!chris x fem!reader.

summary: after breaking up, you decided to move on but chris can’t so when he catches you with a date he gets jealous.

warnings: stalker, cursing, fluff, angst, not proofread.

a/n: there’s no smut as i’m not comfortable with writing it as yet so it’s completely fluff! english is not my first language

you were currently on a blind date, with some guy named Zack. he’s pretty nice, yeah, he’s making you laugh and giggle. he’s telling you some joke that got you laughing like crazy, and chris couldn’t help but feel jealous. chris’s watching you from the huge window that overlooks the city from the restaurant. he’s dressed in all black hoodie, sweatpants, everything.

hes not stalking you, no. he’s just watching you. that's all. and whys he’s doing that? he still loves you, even after you ended things with him. he’s head over heels for you and no guy could stop him from getting what he wanted. you.

Zack added to the joke which makes you laugh harder than before, and that didn’t sit well with chris. do you actually like zack? fuck it. chris walked into the restaurant and sat on a table behind yours so you couldn’t see him.

after you and zack ended dinner, you guys went for a walk and obviously chris followed you both. he couldn’t risk anything happening, he still cared about you dammit. as your date night ended, zack kissed your check and dropped you to your apartment and that triggered something inside chris. as zack left, he grabbed your arm harshly and pulled you in an alleyway.

“what the fuck, chris?” you said, caught off guard by the sudden pull. “who the fuck is that,” he gritted his teeth, it was driving him insane. “why the hell do you care?” you say as you cross your arms. “does he fuck you like i do? does he make you feel butterflies like i do? does he cuddle you like i do? does he make you feel safe like i fucking do?” you gulped, his words — they were true. sure, zack made you laugh and smile but he didn’t make you feel the things chris made you feel.

“let me go, chris.” you say, trying to avoid his gaze. he grabbed your arm harshly and pinned you to the wall. “answer the fucking question.” his jaw clenches, he needs the answer. “no he doesn’t.” your voice barely above a whisper. chris releases your arm as he steps back and runs a hand over his face.

he steps forward and grabs your chin to kiss you senseless. the kiss was passionate but hard and demanding. you poured all your love and longing while he did the same. he pulled away and pressed his forehead against yours. “i love you, y/n. don’t ever fucking leave me again i don’t think ill be able to survive.” you looked up to him, his eyes full of love and vulnerability, it's like he’s begging you for him to take you back.

you nod your head as tears flow down your cheeks, “i’m never leaving you again chris, i thought i could replace you but i can’t. i love you so damn much.”

“always?” you ask him.

“fucking always.”

[whoops-im-obsessed]

(More) Things I Noticed in UKsies: Fansie Night Edition (Act 2)

First one got too long so here is act 2!!

At Jacobi's Albert says 'why do old people talk?' Directly to Jacobi who waves him off

'Jack don't run from no fight!' '*in the highest, squeakiest voice imaginable to mock Les* Take it down short stop!!'

Katherine dances on the tables with the boys in KoNY and I'm not sure if Bronté does but Bobbie does the nerve tap!

Cup song time

Katherine and Les have such cute little interactions

Nyoom tables!!

They don't shy away from showing what they do to keep themselves safe, when the newsies grab the lamps, you can see them clip themselves on but it only serves to make you go 'something is about to go down!!'

The newsies on the ground dance around the tables and tap metal plates to the table newsies' feet

Ascension with frantic spinning, incredible

In a bit of a stark contrast, letter from the refuge is a really poignant moment

Crutchie breaks the forth wall and speaks directly to the audience, including them in his thought process

A cop watches the whole thing from the scaffolding

Crutchie is left handed

Crutchie actually starts crying at 'I'll be fine' and hearing that emotion in his voice contrasted with his trying to be optimistic - ugh, have I mentioned that I love Matthew Duckett?

Crutchie gets up and passes on his letter to Specs before being slowly helped off stage by a refuge newsie, still struggling when the next scene begins. When he got up he winced so hard someone next to me whispered 'ooh that was real'

Jack was Properly Angry in Watch What Happens reprise and his fear for Crutchie shone through

Ryan!Davey may be the king of eye-rolls but Alex!Davey is the king of raising his eyebrows in incredulation, especially to Les

'Lighten up no-one died' is said a lot subtler, like he knows how bad that sounds but doesn't know how to confront it

'HECANTTAWLKHELLCALLYABACK'

The mayor actually shows some sympathy towards the newsies but in the end doesn't act due to Synder and Pulitzer's influence

Fun fact: Jamie Golding (Wiesel/mayor/theatre worker/police/etc) has NINE costume changes during the show, he is so many people

Pulitzer grabs Katherine as she's trying to walk away at 'you can't have mine'

George Crawford (Morris Delancey) has an amazing evil laugh which he uses a lot during the show

As the printing press is being brought out, the Delancey brothers bring Jack behind the scaffolding. Although this can't be seen by most of the audience they continue to intimidate him and get really up in his space

Shout out to Zack Guest super swing who played Oscar!!

Brooklyn newsies met with the Most applause they are so cool

Brooklyn's here is broken up with a little roll call which makes the 'now them soakers' hit harder

Spot has a slight lisp

'If we disband the union..' *outrage* 'this is your union!!'

The newsies all call Jack out in various ways when they see him take the money, Spot has to be physically held back from beating him up

Something to Believe in is a little different, the Jatherine is believable but isn't really focused on much in the show, it almost feels like an afterthought. The line 'what was ours still will be' really resonates, it feels more like they had a little whirlwind mutual attraction but both think it'll end with the strike

Universal 'oooohh!!' From the audience when they kiss

Lighting for once and for all is so pretty, they have lanterns and there's a sort of orange mottled pattern like the reflection of the lamps projected across the entire theatre

Once and For All really lets the vocals shine, it isn't as high energy as the other numbers and the scaffolding doesn't move like it does in livesies, instead a giant newsies banner falls from the ceiling that they parade around the stage. The choreo isn't missed at all, the sheer wall of sound is incredible

The newsies line the theatre as Jack talks to Pulitzer and smack their fists either into their hands of onto the railings in time with the music as they hum

'The boy, Jack Kelly is here :)))'

Spot makes the 'I'm watching you' gesture at Pulitzer

As the other characters leave Jack to talk to Pulitzer, Hannah loudly says 'I love your show!!' To Medda

So many hugs when they win

Crutchie coming in with his little police hat, greeted with the biggest hug from Race and the boys

The reaction to Crutchie calling Roosevelt 'your highness'

Crutchie & Les reunion 🥺

And perfect finale and curtain call!!

The post finale choreo is incredible and was met with applause right up to the final bows

Crutchie is up on the scaffolding for much of the choreo and makes his way down for the bows. He slid down the stair rails in the same way you would slide down a ladder. Then he kept sliding. And kept sliding. And then his leg got caught. And then he kept sliding. Basically, he ended up on the floor tangled in the stairs and had to call a couple of people to help him out of the mess he got into 😅

And that was that! Post-show Q&A was pretty short but really lovely, there were mostly questions about the audition process, advice, favourite bit of the show, etc but it was really sweet how they all cared to stay and so many people did! Plus there were mega shout outs to dance captain Alex Christian who plays Butttons and is a legend!!

Honestly this show means so much to me and to be able to see it with such an enthusiastic cast and audience was incredible, see it if you can because it is in a league of its own.

[layce2015]

Supernatural (Dean Winchester x Female!Reader)

Skin

Masterlist/ Next Chapter

"Alright, I figure we’d hit Tucumcari by lunch, then head south, hit Bisbee by midnight." Dean said as we pull up to a gas station. We look over at Sam but he was to busy checking his e-mail.

"Sam?" I said to get his attention but he ignores me.

"Sam wears women’s underwear." Dean said and I began to laugh. "I’ve been listenin’, I’m just busy." He said to us.

"Busy doin’ what?" I asked him. "Reading e-mails." Sam said as Dean gets out of the car and starts to fill the tank with gas.

"E-mails from who?" I asked him.

"From my friends at Stanford." Sam replied.

"You’re kidding. You still keep in touch with your college buddies?" Dean asked.

"Why not?" Sam said, shrugging.

"Well, what exactly do you tell ‘em? You know, about where you’ve been, what you've been doin’?" I asked him. "I tell ‘em I’m on a road trip with my big brother and an old childhood friend. I tell ‘em I needed some time off after Jess." Sam replied.

"Oh, so you lie to ‘em." Dean said. "No. I just don’t tell ‘em….everything." Sam stammers.

"Yeah, that’s called lying." I said and he glares at me over his shoulder. "I mean, hey, man, I get it, tellin’ the truth is far worse." I said to him.

"So, what am I supposed to do, just cut everybody out of my life?" Sam asked us and Dean and I shrug at this. "You guys serious?" Sam asked us, disbelieving. "Look, it sucks, but in a job like this, you can’t get close to people, period." Dean said to Sam. "Yeah, it's better this way." I said.

"You guys are kind of anti-social, you know that? I mean, I didn't expect that from you, (y/n)." Sam said and I shrug as Dean said. "Yeah, whatever."

"Time changes people Sam." I said as I give him an I'm sorry look. "God…." He grumbled after he leans back in his seat and reads his e-mail.

"What?" We asked him. "In this e-mail from this girl, Rebecca Warren, one of those friends of mine." Sam replied. "Is she hot?" Dean asked and I glared over at him. "Really? That's what your biggest concern?" I asked him and he shrugs at me.

"I went to school with her, and her brother, Zack. She says Zack’s been charged with murder. He’s been arrested for killing his girlfriend. Rebecca says he didn’t do it, but it sounds like the cops have a pretty good case." Sam said as Dean and I glanced over at him.

"Dude, what kind of people are you hangin’ out with?" Dean asked him. "No, man, I know Zack. He’s no killer." Sam said, firmly. "Well, maybe you know Zack as well as he knows you." I said to him.

"They’re in St. Louis. We’re goin’." Sam said after he reads over the email, which makes Dean chuckle. "Look, sorry ‘bout your buddy, okay? But this does not sound like our kind of problem." Dean said to him.

"It is our problem. They’re my friends." said Sam.

"St. Louis is four hundred miles behind us, Sam." I exclaimed then the three of us exchange a look. And a minute later, we pull out of the gas station and start driving off.

****

Sam knocked on the door and his friend, Rebecca, answers it. Once she sees Sam, her eyes light up and she smiles. "Oh my God, Sam!" She exclaims, happily. "Well, if it isn’t little Becky." Sam teased and she rolls her eyes. "You know what you can do with that little Becky crap." She said as she smiles then they hug.

"I got your e-mail." Sam said. "I didn’t think that you would come here." She said as Dean steps forward and extends his hand. "Dean. Older brother." He introduces and she shakes his hand.

"Hi." She said.

"Hi." He said, giving a smirk.

Then I extend my hand to her. "(Y/n). An old school friend of his." I said as I nod towards Sam. "Hello." She said as she takes my hand and shakes it.

"We’re here to help. Whatever we can do." Sam said once Becky and I stopped shaking hands. "Come in." She said and we walk inside the house, and Dean shuts the door behind us. "Aw, how sweet." I teased and he smirks.

"What can I say, I'm a gentleman." He said.

"You're a lot of things, but a gentleman is not one of them." I said. "Hey! I can be!" He said and I scoff at this. "Yeah, sure." I said as we walk deeper into the house.

"Nice place." I said as I looked around the house. "It’s my parents’. I was just crashing here for the long weekend when everything happened. I decided to take the semester off. I’m gonna stay until Zack’s free." Becky said to me.

"Where are your folks?" Sam asked her. "They live in Paris for half the year, so they’re on their way home now for the trial." She replied as wr enter the kitchen.

"Do you guys want a beer or something?" She offered us and Dean smiles. "Hey—" he started to say but Sam talks over him. "No, thanks. So, tell us what happened." He said and Dean frowns a bit.

"Well, um, Zack came home, and he found Emily tied to a chair. And she was beaten up and bloody, and she wasn’t breathing." She said and she starts to cry. "So, he called 911, and the police—they showed up, and they arrested him. But, the thing is, the only way that Zack could’ve killed Emily is if he was in two places at the same time. The police—they have a video. It’s from the security tape from across the street. And it shows Zack coming home at 10:30. Now, Emily was killed just after that, but I swear, he was here with me, having a few beers until at least after midnight." She cries.

"You know, maybe we could see the crime scene. Zack’s house." Sam said. "We could." I said as Dean nods.

"Why? I mean, what could you do?" Becky asked, confused.

"Well, me, not much. But Dean and (y/n) are cops." Sam said and Dean and I chuckle. "Detectives, actually." Dean said and I nodded.

"Really?" Becky asked and we nod at her. "Where?" She asked. "Bisbee, Arizona. But we're off-duty now." I replied, quickly.

"You guys, it’s so nice to offer, but I just—I don’t know." Becky stammers. "Bec, look, I know Zack didn’t do this. Now, we have to find a way to prove that he’s innocent." Sam tries to assure her. She looks between the three of us then nods. "Okay. I’m gonna go get the keys." She said and she walks away, down the hall.

"Oh, yeah, man, you’re a real straight shooter with your friends." Dean said, sarcastically. "Look, Zack and Becky need our help." Sam said. "I just don’t think this is our kind of problem." Dean said, shrugging.

"Two places at once? We’ve looked into less, Dean." I said and he looks at me then sighs in defeat.

****

"You’re sure this is okay?" Becky asked Dean and I as we get out of the car and walk up to Zack's house. "Yeah. (Y/n) and I are officers of the law." Dean said and we walk to the house. Becky stays on the porch steps as the boys snd I enter the house and look around. The furniture and walls of the house are smeared with blood. 

"Bec, you wanna wait outside?" Sam asked her. "No. I wanna help." She said and she ducks under the police tape and enters the house. "Tell us what else the police said." I said to her.

"Well, there’s no sign of a break-in. They say that Emily let her attacker in. The lawyers—they’re already talking about plea bargain." Becky said, tearfully, as she looks around the room, crying. "Oh, God…." She cries and Sam walks up to her.

"Look, Bec, if Zack didn’t do this, it means someone else did. Any idea who?" He asked her and she shakes her head, then begins to remember something. "Um, there was something, about a week before. Somebody broke in here and stole some clothes—Zack’s clothes. The police—they don’t think it’s anything. I mean, we’re not that far from downtown. Sometimes people get robbed." She said and Sam walks away.

Dean moves to the open front door and sees a dog, barking loudly. Becky and I come up behind him. "You know, that used to be the sweetest dog." She pointed out.

"What happened?" Dean asked her.

"He just changed." She replies, shrugging.

"Do you remember when he changed?" I asked her, curiously. "I guess around the time of the murder." She said as Dean and I look at her, then at each other before we walk away and over to Sam, who was in the hallway looking a framed picture.

****

"So, the neighbor’s dog went psycho right around the time Zack’s girlfriend was killed." Dean said to him. "Animals can have a sharp sense of the paranormal." Sam said. "Yeah, maybe Fido saw somethin’." Dean said.

"So, you think maybe this is our kind of problem?" Sam asked him and Dean shakes his head. "No. Probably not." He said.

"But we should look at the security tape, you know, just to make sure." I suggested and Sam nods. "Yeah." He and Dean said as Becky walks over to us.

"So, the tape. The security footage—you think maybe your lawyers could get their hands on it, ‘cause we just don’t have that kind of jurisdiction." Dean said to her.

"I’ve already got it. I didn’t wanna say something in front of the cops." She said and Dean and I laugh. "I stole it off the lawyer’s desk. I just had to see it for myself." She said to us. "All right." Dean and I said and we leave the house.

****

Back at Becky's parents house, we sit in the living room as she shows us the security footage. "Here he comes." She said as the tape shows Zack entering his house. "22:04, that’s just after ten. You said time of death was about 10:30." Dean said to her.

"Our lawyers hired some kind of video expert. He says the tape’s authentic. It wasn’t tampered with." Becky said when Sam speaks up.

"Hey, Bec, can we take those beers now?" He asked her. "Oh, sure." She said as she gets up to go to the kitchen. "Hey." He said and she turns around. "Maybe some sandwiches, too?" He asked her.

"What do you think this is, Hooters?" She asked him but she shakes her head and smirks then leaves the room.

"I wish." Dean said as he watches her. I slapped his shoulder and he looks over at him and I give a seriously? look before I walk over to Sam.

"What is it?" I asked him as Dean comes up behind me. "Check this out." He said and be rewinds the tape, then replays it.

One of the frames shows Zack looking directly at the camera, his eyes are silver. Sampauses the tape. "Well, maybe it’s just a camera flare." Dean said.

"That’s not like any camera flare I’ve ever seen." I said and Sam nods. "Neither have I. You know, a lot of cultures believe that a photograph can catch a glimpse of the soul." said Sam.

"Right." Dean said.

"Remember that dog that was freakin’ out? Maybe he saw this thing. Maybe this is some kind of dark double of Zack’s, something that looks like him but isn’t him." I said to Dean. "Like a Doppelganger." Dean said and I nodded. "Yeah. It’d sure explain how he was two places at once." Sam said.

****

"Alright, so what are we doin’ here at 5:30 in the morning?" Dean asked Sam as we get out of the Impala and head towards Zack's house. "I realized something. The videotape shows the killer goin’ in, but not comin’ out." Sam said.

"So, he came out the back door?" I asked as Dean leans against the hood of his car. "Right. So, there should be a trail to follow. A trail the police would never pursue." Sam said. "‘Cause they think the killer never left. And they caught your friend Zack inside." I said and Sam nods.

"I still don’t know what we’re doin’ here at 5:30 in the morning." Dean groans and Sam and I look around the outside of the building, and notice blood smeared on a nearby telephone pole.

"Blood. Somebody came this way." I said. "Yeah, but the trail ends. I don’t see anything over here." Dean said when an ambulance drives past us, and the three of us exchange a look.

****

We followed the ambulance and observe the scene as an Asian man is handcuffed and is stepping into a police car. "What happened?" Dean asked a nearby woman. "He tried to kill his wife. Tied her up and beat her." The woman replied.

"Really?" I asked her. "I used to see him going to work in the morning. He’d wave, say hello. He seemed like such a nice guy." The woman said as we watch the man get taken away.

****

Sam and I were on the side of the newly arrested man's house, looking around. We looks inside two garbage cans but find nothing. We move to the front of the house, when Dean comes behind us. "Hey." Dean said as we turn around. "Remember when I said this wasn’t our kind of problem?" Dean said.

"Yeah." Sam and I said.

"Definitely our kind of problem." Dean said.

"What’d you find out?" I asked him. "Well, I just talked to the patrolman who was first on the scene, heard this guy, Alex’s story. Apparently the dude was driving home from a business trip when his wife was attacked." Dean replied.

"So, he was two places at once." Sam said and Dean nods. "Exactly. Then he sees himself in the house, police think he’s a nutjob." Dean said. "Two dark doubles attacking loved ones in exactly the same way." I said as I place a finger on my chin, thinking. "Could be the same thing doin’ it, too." Dean said and Sam looks at us.

"Shapeshifter?" He asked us and Dean shrugs. "Possibly." I said.

"Something that can make itself look like anyone?" Sam asked. "Every culture in the world has a shapeshifter lore. You know, legends of creatures who can transform themselves into animals or other men." Dean said.

"Right, skinwalkers, werewolves." Sam said. "We’ve got two attacks within blocks of each other. I’m guessin’ we’ve got a shapeshifter prowlin’ the neighborhood." I said.

"Let me ask you guys this—in all this shapeshifter lore, can any of them fly?" Sam asked Dean and I. "Not that I know of." I said as Dean shakes his head. "I picked up a trail here. Someone ran out the back of this building and headed off this way." Sam said.

"Just like your friend’s house." Dean said.

"Yeah. And, just like at Zack’s house, the trail suddenly ends. I mean, whatever it is just disappeared." Sam said. "Well, there’s another way to go—down." I said and we look down and notice a manhole.

****

Once we climbed down the manhole, we began to look around  "I bet this runs right by Zack’s house, too. The shapeshifter could be using the sewer system to get around." Sam said. "I think you’re right. Look at this." Dean said and we bend down and examine a pile of blood and skin on the ground, the three of us look at it disgusted.

"Is this from his victims?" Sam asked as Dean takes out a pocketknife and holds up some of what looks like skin. "You know, I just had a sick thought. When the shapeshifter changes shape—maybe it sheds." I said, my stomach churning as I say this outloud.

"That is sick." Sam said as Dean puts the bloody pile back on the ground.

Dean opens the trunk and takes out some weapons. "Well, one thing I learned from Dad, is that no matter what kind of shapeshifter it is, there’s one sure way to kill it." Dean said.

"Silver bullet to the heart." Sam and I said and Dean nods.

"That’s right." He said as Sam’s cell phone rings. He answers it.

"This is Sam. We’re near Zack’s, we’re just checkin’ some things out. What are you talkin’ about?" He said and Dean and I look over at him as he scoffs.

"Why would you do that?" Sam asked. "Bec---We’re tryin’ to help. Bec, I’m sorry, but—" he stammers but he has a look of disappointment as he pulls his phone away from his ear.

"I hate to say it, but that’s exactly what I’m talkin’ about. You lie to your friends because if they knew the real you, they’d be freaked. It’s just—it’d be easier if—" Dean said until Sam turns sharply to us.

"If I was like you or (y/n)." He spat.

"Sam, like it or not, we are not like other people." I said to him, calmly. "But I’ll tell you one thing. This whole gig—it ain’t without perks." Dean said as he holds up a gun and Sam takes it and puts it in the back of his jeans. Dean holds up another gun to me and I take it and we walk away and head back to the manhole.

****

After entering the sewer, we keep looking around with our flashlights and guns. "I think we’re close to its lair." I said. "Why do you say that?" Sam asked me.

"Because there’s another puke-inducing pile next to your face." I said and Sam turns and sees another pile of blood and skin on a nearby pipe. "Oh, God!" He said, disgusted and we look around the area and see a pile of clothes in a corner.

"Looks like it’s lived here for a while." Dean said. "Who knows how many murders he’s gotten away with?" Sam said then he turns. "Dean! (Y/n)!" Sam shouts and we turn around when Dean gets punched by the shapeshifter. He falls to the ground, and the shapeshifter  shoves me down then runs away.

Sam and I shoot after it a few times but miss. Sam and I move over to Dean. "Get the son of a bitch!" Dean shouts and we run away, following the shapeshifter.

****

Later, we come out of the manhole and look around. "All right, let’s split up." Sam said. "All right, I’ll meet you guys around the other side." Dean said. "All right." Sam and I said and we walk away in separate directions.

I looked around as best as I could but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. I turned a corner and almost bump into Sam, which made him jump and raise his gun but stops when he sees its me. "Oh, God. I almost shot you." He said, breathless. "Well thank God you didn't." I said when Dean comes up behind him.

"Hey. Anything?" Dean asked us. "No. He’s gone." Sam said. "All right, let’s get back to the car." Dean said and we crosses the street.

"You think he found another way underground?" I asked the boys. "Yeah, probably. You got the keys?" Dean asked and Sam stops and I look over at Sam as he has this thinking face. Then he turns to Dean.

"Hey, didn’t Dad once face a shapeshifter in San Antonio?" Sam asked him. "Oh, that was Austin. It turned out not to be a shapeshifter, it was a thought form. A psychic projection, remember?" Dean said.

"Oh, right. Here ya go." Sam said and he throws the keys to Dean then grabs my arm and pulls me to the side.

"What?" I asked him, quietly, and he gives me a worried look. "That's not Dean." He whispers to the point he was just mouthing the words.

"You sure?" I asked, also in a whisper. He nods and said. "He caught those keys with his left hand, which is injured." My eyes widen and then I look over at Dean then back to Sam and nod at him.

We walk over to the fake Dean as he opens the trunk and observes all the weapons. "Don’t move!" I shouted as Sam and I aim our gun at him. "What have you done with him?" Sam asked the shapeshifter, angrily.

"Guys, chill. It’s me, all right?" The shapeshifter said, nervously. "No, I don’t think so. Where’s Dean?" I asked him. "You’re about to shoot him. Sam...(y/n), calm down." The shapeshifter said.

"You caught those keys with your left. Your shoulder was hurt." Sam said and Dean's eyes dart back and forth. "Yeah, it’s better. What do you guys want me to do, cry?" He asked. "You’re not my brother." Sam said.

"Why don’t you and (y/n) pull the trigger, then? Hm? ‘Cause you’re not sure." The shapeshifter said as he looks between us, my hand shook slightly as I start to question it myself.

"Guys, you know me." Dean said as he walks a bit closer to us. "Don’t." I threatened. The shapeshifter pauses but before I knew it, I see a flash of movement, a pain in my head before I blackout.

[chidoroki]

182 Days of TPN - Day 81

Chapter 81: “Defend to the Death”

As terrifying as Nigel’s imagination is, I gotta admit it’s a pretty cool looking panel. The funny thing about it is how Nigel has complete faith in Zack but disregards Pepe by not mentioning him at all.

Zack is definitely on Emma’s level of recklessness. He may not be a protagonist but he definitely has some plot armor (and thank goodness he does because I love this boy).

I am so incredibly sad that the most we see of this wonderful lad is through other people’s flashbacks. Yeah he helps a bit during the GF raid but whatever panel time he has gets buried with everything else going on during those chapters. Of course I’m happy he’s part of the Seven Wall search group but that whole journey ends up gets time skipped, which is a shame because I definitely would’ve loved to see our two reckless fools interact more!

Ooohhh this boy.. he needs more love! Seriously! Look at that grin!

It’s so sweet (in a badass kinda way) how Zack will put himself in harms way just to protect his family and the confidence Oliver has in him is precious. I love everything about these boys and their relationship.

The way Nigel is trying to be so reassuring about stopping Bayon by himself only to admit seconds later that he doesn’t have an actual plan made me laugh more than it should have.

Safe to say that Zack may not be the best influence.. (but aahh that one tiny Zack with his head bleeding and him not giving a single fuck about it.)

Must all the children in this darn story be so self-sacrificial? Can’t y’all just follow plans??

It happens on many occasions, but Gillian’s pins are drawn to match her mood and it’s a little detail of Demizu’s that I adore.

Favorite panel/moment:

How Zack is completely unfazed by a broken wrist. Even Paula, who has no doubt seen this boy get countless injuries over the years, just smiles and gives a small chuckle as opposed to Nigel & Gillian who both freak out. I love the GP trio so much y’all. They’re honestly my favorite.

[atlfics]

Missing in Action- All Time Low Fanfiction

Jack doesn't act like himself on tour, to the concern of his bandmates. Word Count: 4881

TW: depression, references to suicide

More notes at the end. 

“Thank you so much Denver, be good to each other out there, and we’ll see you next time! We love you!” Alex exclaimed as the last notes of Dear Maria came blaring from the amplifiers.

Alex danced around the stage as his bandmates jammed around Rian’s drum kit, and the crowd went wild, screaming and clapping as the show came to a close. Once the jam was over, the four of them walked up to the front of the stage to throw guitar pics, setlists, and drum sticks out into the crowd.

Alex grinned from ear to ear as he watched the fans excitedly try to catch everything, then made his way offstage a few minutes later. The rest of the band followed him, Rian and Zack walked together, and Jack trailed behind them, walking slowly and looking down at the ground.

“That was a great show! I think it was one of the best of the tour so far!” Rian stated, grabbing a towel from a crew member to wipe off some sweat.

“Dude, we’ve only played, like, five shows so far, isn’t it a bit early to say that this is the best show?” Zack asked, making everyone but Jack laugh.

“Well, I guess you could say that it’s been the best show of the tour so far, we still have twenty more shows to play before we decide which one is the best of the whole tour. The show did go really well, but I can’t get used to this altitude here. We’ve played Denver almost every time we’ve toured, but the altitude kills me a little bit every single time,” Alex continued, clearing his throat.

“You still sounded good, man, but this altitude is a lot. I’m just glad that we’re going to a flatter state next,” Rian said.

“That’ll be nice, and I’m so glad we have a hotel tonight, too. I don’t hate sleeping on the bus, but a huge king bed is definitely a thousand times better, even if I have to share it with Rian,” Zack replied, making Rian roll his eyes.

“We’re basically leaving now, right?” Jack quietly said, reminding his bandmates that he’d been standing there the whole time in silence.

“Yeah, we do. I guess we should get on now, so we don’t get left behind,” Alex joked, awkwardly laughing.

He was a bit concerned about Jack; he hadn’t been acting like himself all day. Jack had been extremely quiet and to himself since the previous night, but it had gotten much worse over the course of the day. Part of him wanted to ask Jack what was going on, he wanted to make sure that his friend was okay, and help if something was wrong. Despite this, Alex also knew that Jack typically came to someone on his own when things were rough, and Alex trusted that this situation would be the same.

After everyone shared an awkward smile at Jack’s response, the four of them walked out the back door of the venue, then onto the bus. They all greeted their driver, who let them know that they’d be stopping for gas once they were out of the area of the venue, then took a seat in the front lounge. Alex was surprised that Jack had joined them, but hoped that this meant that Jack was starting to feel okay from whatever was bothering him, if something had been bothering him at all.

“Alright, well we have a little over an hour until we get to the hotel in the next city, how should we pass the time?” Alex asked his bandmates, earning shrugs in response.

“I think I’m going to go nap in my bunk, I’ll be back there if you need me,” Jack replied, awkwardly getting up and looking down at his feet as he disappeared to the bunk area.

Alex, Rian, and Zack all exchanged confused looks while they waited to make sure that Jack was out of earshot. After a couple minutes, Alex opened his mouth to speak.

“Okay, is it just me, or does he seem a bit off?”

“I was thinking the same thing. Has he talked to one of you guys about whatever’s bothering him? He hasn’t come to me, I would’ve said something if he did,” Zack continued, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

“Same here, he hasn’t said anything to me, either. I wonder what’s up with him, he normally comes to us when he’s upset over something,” Rian pointed out.

“Exactly, that’s what worries me, it’s not like him to just isolate like this. I mean, he’s normally pretty happy, and doesn’t get upset or sad, so it’s weird that he’s even down about something. I really wanted to ask him what was going on, but I’m hoping he’ll just come to me soon like he normally does. I don’t want to make him feel awkward or anything, but I want to know what’s up,” Alex explained, sighing as he grabbed a bag of chips.

“Well, hopefully he will soon. Maybe he’s waiting until we get to the hotel to talk to you about it, so it can be a bit more private,” Zack suggested, making Alex shrug his shoulders.

“Yeah, maybe that’s it. I guess I’ll find out. Hey, do you guys want to play a game on the Play Station? I kind of want to get my mind off of this,” Alex offered, getting up to turn on the console and grabbing three of the four controllers.

“Sure, we haven’t played anything in a while, but I’m still going to kick both of your asses!” Rian exclaimed, making his friends laugh.

“We’ll see about that, Dawson! Let’s play a racing game,” Zack requested, as Alex selected his profile and the game that Zack had mentioned.

Alex quickly set up the game, then they started to play. As they played, Alex tried his hardest to stop himself from worrying so much about Jack. For all he knew, Jack could be just fine, maybe he was just tired from having to readjust to life on tour. Sure, he normally didn’t have such a drastic personality shift like this on past tours, but they were getting older, maybe that’s what this was. The three of them continued to play until they felt the bus slow down as it pulled into the gas station.

“I want to get some food, or a snack, or something, I’m really hungry. Do you guys want to come with me?” Alex offered, as his friends stood up.

“Sure, that sounds really good. Should we invite Jack?” Rian suggested.

“Yeah, you guys go on in, I’ll see if he wants to go, then meet you inside,” Alex proposed, walking towards the bunks while Rian and Zack made their way off the bus.

Alex knocked on the side next to Jack’s bunk, then saw Jack barely pull back his privacy curtain.

“Are we at the hotel?” Jack asked, his voice small.

“Nah, not yet, we’re at the gas station. I just wanted to see if you wanted to come in with us and grab something while our driver gasses up the bus,” Alex offered, sympathetically smiling at his friend.

“Um, I think I’m going to stay here, I don’t really want anything. Thanks for the offer, though,”

Alex sighed, he wanted to know what was going on, Jack was acting so unlike himself that Alex didn’t even feel like he was talking to Jack, he felt like he was talking to some other person in Jack’s body.

“Okay, um, I guess I’m going to go on in, then. I’ll let you know when we’re close to the hotel. If you think of something you want in the next few minutes, text it to me, and I’ll grab it for you,”

“Thanks, Alex,”

Jack pulled his privacy curtain shut, then Alex heard him shift around in his bed for a moment before the bus was filled with silence. Trying his hardest to not worry about Jack, Alex got off the bus and went into the gas station, where he saw Rian and Zack standing by the slushie machine.

“He didn’t want to come?” Rian asked, filling a huge cup with cherry slushie.

“No, he said he didn’t want anything. I’m still going to grab some snacks for him, just in case he ends up wanting something later. Do you know how far we are from the hotel?” Alex asked, grabbing a slushie cup.

“We’re about twenty minutes out, that’s what our driver said when we saw him filling the bus. I’m so excited to sleep in a real bed tonight, I’ve missed having a real mattress,” Zack continued, making Alex laugh.

“Dude, we’ve been on tour for a week, not two months, you slept in your own bed at home less than a week ago,” Rian pointed out, making Zack shrug his shoulders.

“Hey, it’s not my fault that this bus has mattresses that are clearly from a college dorm! I swear, when we visited our friends who went to college, they had beds that were more comfortable than the ones we have now!” Zack exclaimed, as Alex filled his slushie cup.

“Maybe so, but we have a lot more touring in front of us, so you’d better get used to it! Let’s get in and out of here so we can get to the hotel before it’s insanely late,” Alex suggested, before leaving his friends to browse his snacking options.

After a few minutes of looking around, Alex decided on a couple bags of chips and some candy for himself, and the same for Jack. Once the three of them paid for everything, they got back onto the bus, and took their same seats from earlier. When they were situated, the bus began moving again, as it got back onto the main road.

“I’ll wake Jack up when we’re about five minutes from the hotel. Until then, do you guys want to play again? I think I’m owed a rematch!” Alex exclaimed, grabbing his controller.

“You’re so on, good luck beating me!” Rian replied, as Alex started a new game.

The three of them played and ate their snacks until their driver announced over the intercom system that they were just a few minutes out from the hotel.

“I’m going to go get Jack now, can you guys turn off the console and put everything away?” Alex asked, standing up.

“Sure, we can do that,” Zack replied, walking over towards the Play Station.

Alex walked over to the bunk area, then knocked on the side of Jack’s bed like he’d done earlier. He didn’t get any type of response, confusing him some.

“Jack, we’re just about to be at the hotel, you need to get up,” Alex tried, still knocking.

Alex couldn’t hear Jack at all, and the privacy curtain never moved. As much as he didn’t want to invade Jack’s privacy, he had to get Jack up so they could walk into the hotel, so Alex pulled back the curtain and immediately felt his jaw drop. Jack wasn’t there, his bunk was completely empty, except for a couple pillows and a blanket.

“Oh, shit,” Alex muttered, his mouth still open in shock as he went back out to the front lounge.

“Alex, are you okay? You look like you just shit a brick,” Rian pointed out, as Alex took a seat.

“Jack’s not back there,” Alex finally replied, watching his friends’ faces mirror his own.

“What do you mean he’s not back there? He stayed here when we went to the gas station, where else could he be? Do you think he’s in a different bunk or something? Like, maybe he’s trying to be funny,” Zack suggested, making Alex immediately shake his head.

“No, I didn’t check, but I don’t think he’s in a silly, joking mood right now. You guys can come look with me back there, but I don’t think he’s on this bus,”

The three of them quickly went back to the bunk area, both checking a few beds each with no luck. Alex quickly looked in the back lounge, and Rian checked in the bathroom, both being unsuccessful in finding their friend.

“Fuck, this isn’t good. I’m going to try calling him. Ri, can you tell the driver that we probably have to turn around and go back to that gas station?” Alex requested, pulling out his cell phone and going to Jack’s contact.

Rian walked up to where the driver was, while Zack and Alex sat back down in the front lounge as Alex called Jack. After a few rings, it went to voicemail.

“I just told the driver to turn around, did you reach him?” Rian asked, sitting back down with his friends.

“No, he didn’t answer. I should’ve just asked him earlier today if something was going on, this wouldn’t have happened if I’d just been a good friend in the first place,” Alex continued, sounding upset with himself.

“Hey now, don’t blame yourself for this, dude. You just didn’t want to be invasive, you did think that you were being a good friend. We’ll find him, don’t worry,” Zack assured, putting a supportive hand on Alex’s back.

“We’ll find him if he’s even still at that gas station, what if he’s been wandering since we left? It’s been a while since we were there, he could’ve gotten really far since then,” Alex stated, putting his head into his hands in frustration.

“Wait, I know how we can see where he is!” Rian exclaimed, pulling out his phone and unlocking it.

“What do you mean, Rian? I mean, unless you’ve got some type of chip implanted in him or something,” Alex said, rolling his eyes.

“Well, it’s not in him, it’s in his phone. I’ve never told you this because I didn’t want you to make me disable it, but I have all of your all’s locations on my phone,” Rian replied, showing Alex his screen.

Alex was looking at a map with three icons that had the first letter of his first name, along with Zack’s and Jack’s.

“Right, um, why do you have this? This is borderline creepy, dude,” Zack pointed out, to which Alex nodded in agreement.

“No, it’s extremely useful! On our last tour, there were so many times where Jack and Alex would get plastered on a night off and bar hop without telling anyone. Trying to speak on the phone with you guys would be useless, usually the signal would suck, the bar would be loud, or you’d be too fucked up to form coherent sentences. I put this on all our phones for if that were to happen again, and now I’m really glad I did. It looks like Jack is still at that gas station, sitting behind it,” Rian explained, pointing to the icon with the letter J in it.

“Shit, I guess he is. So, you’re sure that your location tracker thing is accurate, right?” Alex asked, grabbing Rian’s phone and staring at the screen.

“Well, it worked great on our last tour, so it should be. We weren’t in an area with no reception, so it should be current,” Rian replied.

“Man, I hope so. I still can’t believe this happened, I should’ve checked on him when we got back on the bus or something, like, I just feel like this could’ve been prevented had I just tried to be a better friend,” Alex continued, sighing.

“Like I said before, this isn’t your fault, Alex, so don’t blame yourself. It’s all going to be okay, we’re on the way back to him now, and we’ll figure out what’s going on, okay?” Zack assured.

“Zack’s right, this isn’t your fault, but it’ll all be okay. Let’s just try to stay calm until we get back to the gas station,” Rian added, patting Alex’s back.

The ride back to the gas station was the longest fifteen minutes of Alex’s life. Never before had he felt so desperate to be somewhere other than where he was. He knew that he’d be having a conversation with Jack now, and he felt nervous for it; sure, he’d talked Jack down before, but this seemed entirely different than all the past times. Normally, Alex went into conversations like this feeling confident that he could help, but he didn’t feel this way now. He couldn’t help but wonder why Jack didn’t come to him earlier, and why it had to turn into this situation.

Eventually, the bus stopped moving, and Alex saw the gas station from earlier out the window.

“Do you want us to go with you, or do you want to go yourself?” Zack asked, as Alex stood up.

“I think I’m good to go alone, I also don’t want him to feel ambushed or anything. Is he still in the same spot, Ri?” Alex asked, turning his attention to Rian, who was still looking at his phone.

“Yeah, it looks like he is. If you need something, just text us, we’ll be here,” Rian replied, a sad smile on his face.

“Thanks, guys, I’ll be back as soon as possible,”

Alex walked out of the lounge, and thanked the driver for stopping, before walking off the bus, and towards the back of the gas station. Jack was sitting on the ground, his back leaned up against the building, and his head in his hands. He was crying and shivering, as it was a chilly October night.

Alex quietly made his way over to his friend, not wanting to startle him while he was in such a vulnerable position. He slid down the side of the building to sit with Jack, who still didn’t know that Alex was there, then Alex put a hand on Jack’s shoulder, making him jump.

“Shit! Who’s- Alex, is that you?” Jack frantically asked, his quiet voice cracking as he spoke.

“Yeah, it’s me, dude. Sorry to startle you, I didn’t mean to sneak attack you like that,” Alex replied, trying to keep his tone even, despite his nerves.

“What’re you doing here? I figured that the bus left already,”

“Well, it did, we actually almost made it to the hotel. I went to wake you up, and you weren’t in your bunk, or any of the other bunks, or the back lounge, or the bathroom. After panicking that you were gone, we realized that you probably got off here, and came back. What’s going on, Jack? Why did you sneak off the bus to stay here, while almost giving the rest of us heart attacks?” Alex demanded, his tone more stern than he’d intended.

Jack looked back down at his lap as he cried some more. Alex scooted closer to Jack and put an arm around his shoulders, hugging him as tightly as he could while he cried. They stayed like this for what felt like hours to Alex; the uncertainty and cold air made this moment feel like time had been paused for the two of them.

Eventually, Jack’s crying began to subside, and his breathing started to become even. He used the sleeves of his hoodie to wipe his eyes, before turning back to face Alex.

“Sorry about that,” Jack finally said, sounding embarrassed.

“Don’t apologize, it’s okay. What’s going on, Jack? You’ve been distant since yesterday, and you’ve had this sad and depressed demeanor that I’ve never seen you have before. To be honest, I wanted to ask if something was up the moment you started acting different, but I didn’t want to pry, you normally come to me, or Rian, or Zack, when something’s going on. What makes this time different?” Alex asked, his tone much more sympathetic this time.

“Um, it’s kind of a lot, if I’m being honest. We can go back on the bus and get to the hotel so we can sleep, if you want,”

“No, that can all wait, I want to see what’s going on with you first, that matters way more to me right now. I don’t want to force you to talk if you’re uncomfortable doing so, but you’ve got to understand, I’m worried about you. You’ve not been yourself, and you snuck off the bus, probably hoping that we wouldn’t realize and come back for you. Please, I just want to help you feel okay again, dude,”

Alex pulled Jack closer, and rubbed circles into his back. Jack shifted around uncomfortably, then finally settled into his spot.

“Okay, I’ll talk to you, but sorry in advance, because it’s probably going to sound really dramatic and stupid,”

“I’m sure it won’t dude, and I’m not going to judge you; I want you to talk to me because you’re my best friend and I love you, and I just want you to be okay,”

Jack took one last deep breath before clearing his throat so he could speak clearly.

“Alright, well, remember how after our last tour, I was diagnosed with depression? I mean, I knew I had depression for a long time before getting that diagnosis, but it was made official then?”

“Yeah, I do. I’ve thought that you’ve been handling that really well since then, to be honest. You’ve not said much about it,”

“Right, well, it’s not really been good since I got that diagnosis. Some things have gotten better, I’ve learned real coping skills that don’t involve me drinking myself into oblivion, but some things have been worse. My thoughts have been a lot lately, um, they’ve been kind of scary, and even if I do all of my new coping skills a thousand times over, the thoughts are still there,” Jack explained, his voice wavering again.

“What thoughts have you been having, Jack?” Alex bluntly asked, still rubbing Jack’s back.

“Quite a few, but the main ones have to do with feeling unwanted. I don’t know what it is, or why I have these thoughts, or how to get them to shut the fuck up, but I’ve been waking up most days lately, feeling like a huge burden on everyone in my life. You guys, my other friends, my family, everyone. Like, I feel like everyone in my life just tolerates my existence because they have to, not because they want to, or because they like me. Sometimes, that gets a little darker and I-“

Jack cut himself off, his voice cracking as he started to cry again. Alex reached the arm that had been at his side the whole time around, so he could wrap Jack into a proper hug.

“Hey, it’s okay, you’re okay. You said it could get darker, what did you mean by that, man?”

“Um, well, I’ve never actually said this out loud to anyone before, even the therapist I was seeing prior to this tour, but, um. The thoughts I just mentioned, sometimes feeling unwanted can make you feel other things, too, things that are just as stupid sounding. There have been days lately where I don’t know if I want to be here anymore, where I don’t know if I want to wake up the next day. I’d never actually do anything to myself, I’m too scared to do anything like that, but sometimes not being here sounds nice, then I wouldn’t have to feel unwanted and like I’m a burden on other people,”

Jack’s tone was shaky and quiet, saying these thoughts out loud was clearly very difficult for him to do. Instead of crying again, Jack focused on taking deep breaths and looking down into his lap. Ever since he’d gotten off the bus earlier, he’d done a great deal of crying, he didn’t feel like he had anymore tears left, and he wanted to speak without getting emotional; he just wanted to communicate how he was feeling, and he wanted to get the thoughts he’d been having somewhere else aside from his head.

“Jack, man, I’m so sorry, I had no idea that you’ve been thinking like that recently. Why didn’t you come talk to me, or the others? We would’ve done everything we could to help you,”

“It’s hard, it’s so fucking hard to talk about, man. Like, I know that everything my mind is telling me is wrong, like, logically, I understand that. Despite understanding that, I still can’t help but think those things, and believe them to be true. Over the last couple days, I’ve been feeling so unwanted, and I wanted to talk to you about it, but I couldn’t make myself do it, it made me feel like a burden. That’s why I decided to sneak off the bus, I didn’t want to keep myself in a space where I was making myself feel unwanted, and I think part of me wanted to see you guys come back for me, to prove myself wrong,” Jack continued, still looking down at his lap.

“Well, did it work? Did you prove to yourself that me and the guys care about you?” Alex questioned, loosening his grip on Jack a bit.

“For now, yeah, it did. You guys actually came back for me, and you’ve proven that you care about me just by having this conversation with me. So, for now, I feel good, but that doesn’t mean that this feeling will last. I bet I’ll wake up tomorrow and feel the exact same way that I have the past few days. I’m not going to do something as stupid as this again, staying behind at what seems to be a pretty shady gas station, but I’ll come up with other stupid shit that I could do instead,”

Jack shifted around a bit, putting his head into his hands. Alex sighed, he hated to hear his best friend talk about himself in this way.

“Well, if you feel like this again, come talk to me, Rian, or Zack. We all love you, man, and we’re happy to listen and help in any way that we can. This band wouldn’t exist without you, and my life wouldn’t be as good as it is if you weren’t in it,”

“You’re just saying that,” Jack replied, rolling his eyes as he looked back over to Alex.

“No, I’m not. Meeting you in eighth grade was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You completely changed my life, partly due to the band, but also just because of who you are. When I met you, I was a shy, insecure kid who was afraid of his own shadow. You took me under your wing on my first day at your school, and ever since then, you’ve talked me up when I’ve needed it, and you’ve been an amazing friend all around. I’m so lucky to have you in my life, and so is everyone else that has that privilege. You’re not unwanted, or a burden, you’re my best friend, and always will be,” Alex assured, making small smiles start to appear on their faces.

“Thank you for that, it means a lot to me. I should’ve just come to you when it started getting bad, I shouldn’t have tried to handle it alone. You’ve always been really good at talking me down in times like this, I should’ve used my resources better,” Jack joked, awkwardly laughing.

“Yeah, you should’ve, but I also could’ve come to you, I could’ve asked you what was going on. I was waiting for you to approach me, I didn’t want you to feel cornered or forced to speak, and I was worried about reading into something that wasn’t even there. I’ll come to you next time I think you need it,”

“Thanks, Alex, that means a lot. Sorry about all this, I didn’t mean to cause such a scene and delay our traveling schedule. Thank you for coming back for me,”

Jack and Alex exchanged a smile as Alex pulled Jack back into a tight hug.

“You don’t have to thank me for that, dude. You’re my best friend, I’ll always be here for you, no matter what. Also, sorry to bring this back up, but the really dark thoughts you mentioned, if you think them again, please let me know. I don’t want you to think about not being here, and shit like that, okay? It’ll never be a burden, I promise,” Alex assured, sounding serious.

“I will, don’t worry. Hey, it’s really fucking cold out here, should we get back to the bus?”

“Good idea, let’s do that. Oh, I grabbed a couple bags of chips and some candy for you when we were here earlier, but if you wanted something else, I think the gas station is still open,”

“Hm, maybe we could take a quick look inside? To be honest, ice cream sounds really good right now,”

“You know what, I was thinking the same thing. Come on, let’s go,”

Alex stood up, then extended his hand to help Jack up. They exchanged one last smile before walking into the gas station together. Alex and Jack knew that this likely wouldn’t be the last conversation like this that they would share, but that was okay. They could always count on one another to be there, and that was all that mattered.

A/N: Hey guys, this was a request for zack_and_alex on AO3! I haven't written a request in a pretty long time, so I really enjoyed working on this! I have more fics in the works, and plan on posting again soon! As always, please send in requests or ideas if you have them. Also, my next fic will be my 300th, which is absolutely insane to me; thank you for the continued support, it means the world. -Liv

[welcometomy20s]

May 20, 2023

Marbles were one of my earliest interests so I have been thinking about Wintergaten for a long time, and as the cycle of algorithm continues, I found him once more.

And reading the comment section got such a kick out of me, because how virtual it was. Now, most of the time I would be weeping because ‘Wintergaten didn’t deserve this’ but looking through the videos a bit, I think(?) this is a really clever way of building an audience.

To give a recap - Wintergaten makes very complex machines that shoot marbles in order to hit various objects that, as a whole, makes fun music. He abandoned his second prototype due to having an Engineer’s Despair and now recently started his third prototype.

This process basically shifted the fandom from ‘ooh, cool concept’ to a bunch of nitpicking engineers, although I guess that’s redundant. This seems to be a problem, but going by his third prototype video, I might have a hint of a twist coming up.

Most people in the audience seem to think Wintergaten stopped his second prototype because he realized he was getting too ambitious and needed to step down a bit… and that’s partially true, but it’s not really the fact of ambition, but that his ambition outgrew the machine, and so he needs to build a more robust machine to handle his ambitions better.

And this is where the switch in audience helps Wintergaten, because he realized he didn’t need a bunch of supporters adding nonsense, when he does plenty, he needs people complain so that he can weave through and pick some good advice and have a good laugh at the horror.

He doesn’t need an audience, so he deliberately makes an audience more combative in order for them to serve as a critical mirror. Quite a lot of streamers set up their audience like this - this ensures a high level of ‘banter’ and makes sure you are tied to one’s audience. Thinking about cases like Rushia or even Axia, an overly supportive audience is much more terrifying than an overly critical audience… which is such a counterintuitive thing.

Someone who does something similar in a similar conceptual vicinity but is more honest about how he goes about this is Zack Freedman, whose eloquence constantly eludes and fascinates me and whose ingenuity and wonder fuels me a tiny bit. So I’ll end with that recommendation.

[chobit92]

House Of Wax: Homecoming Part Four

Warning: Violence, human trafficking (mentioned), Rape (mentioned).

Well this chapter got a little crazy.

(Ivan is sat sipping tea when he frowns and glances at the ceiling. Creaking can be heard.).

Ivan: I think somebody is upstairs.

(Ravi goes to head towards the stairs but Ivan holds his hand up. Ravi stops frowning.).

Ravi: What?

Ivan: Hear that?

(Someone is coming down the stairs.).

Ivan: Heels. A woman?

(Zack looks up.).

Zack: Help us! Help!

(Mara enters the kitchen and sits down opposite Ivan. She dumps her bag on the table and picks up one of the wine glasses. She sniffs it and grins at Ivan before taking a sip.).

Ivan: So...This is your wine.

Mara: It is. And you are interrupting my evening.

(Ivan chuckles.).

Ivan: Tough.

(He turns to the girls.).

Ivan: Is this the girl you saw earlier?

Chelsea: Yes.

Ivan: Hm. Where is your RV?

Mara: Who said I had one?

Ivan: Hm. I don’t know who you think you are waltzing in here like this but-

Mara: I am the woman who was about to start cooking dinner until some asshole decided to sit down at my fucking table.

Bo: Your table?

(Ivan bangs his fist onto the table. Mara doesn’t flinch. She takes another sip of wine.).

Mara: Temper, temper.

Ivan: What bought you here?

Mara: Could ask you the same thing. Ah but then I already know what bought you here.

Ivan: Oh?

Mara: Well one of your trafficked girls Natasha, had gotten a little troublesome I presume so you had to dispose of her. You thought you’d come way out here so you wouldn’t get caught. Then Bo here surprises you and you panic. A witness. Then you start to wonder what he’s doing out here. Maybe there’s more people around these parts and they might discover something so you have to tie up loose ends.

Ivan: I’m not sure how you know about that but yes...something like that. But I don’t think there’s many people here. This town is abandoned though this boy seems to think that there’s a madman running around killing people.

Mara: Five madmen. But not to worry. Pretty sure there’s only three now.

Ravi: What?

Mara: Your little friends. They’re dead.

Ivan: How do you know that?

Mara: I killed them.

(Bo and Lester are looking at Mara in confusion. Chelsea and Whitney are staring at her in a state of shock.).

Ivan: You?

Mara: Yes. Why does that surprise you? Because I’m a woman?

Zack: It was probably that madman.

Mara: What madman?

(Ivan has his phone out again and dials a number. They hear a phone ringing and Mara takes it out of her bag before holding it up. She then smiles and puts the phone on the table.).

Ravi: That’s Jay’s.

Mara: I take it you are Ivan. Which makes you Ravi and that guy that left a little while ago has gotta be Vlad.

Ravi: You fucking-

(Ravi has raised his gun but Ivan holds his hand up.).

Ivan: Interesting. You’ve certainly done your homework.

Mara: Jay told me everything.

Ravi: That fucking wet shit!

(Mara laughs and lights up a cigarette.).

Ivan: Well you know my name but I don’t know yours.

Mara: Haven’t done your homework have yah?

(She smiles. Ivan looks furious. Mara pours herself some more wine.).

Mara: How rude of me. I haven’t offered you any. Not that it was for you of course.

Ivan: Who was it for?

Mara: Mind your business.

Ivan: Well I’m making it my business.

Mara: That so?

Ivan: Who else is here?

Mara: I don’t know. I just got here this morning.

Ivan: Oh?

Mara: I was travelling. Looking for a place to settle down.

Ivan: And you chose here?

Mara: No. Just thought I’d pass through. Lucky I did or I’d have missed all this fun.

(Lester laughs. Zack suddenly lets out a terrified yell.).

Zack: He’s in here! He’s in the house!

Ravi: Shut up!

Ivan: Vlad?

Zack: No the madman. The one who killed Brady!

Mara: Your friend’s dead?

Zack: Yeah this guy killed him. I just see him by the stairs!

(Ravi walks out of the room and they hear his footsteps receding down the hall. Mara smiles.).

Mara: Looks like it’s just me and you now.

Ivan: I’m going to ask you this again. Who else is here?

Mara: Nobody alive.

(Lester laughs again. Bo frowns.).

Ivan: Stop being smart with me.

Zack: I think it’s just the guy who killed Brady.

Ivan: Who is he?

(Mara takes another sip of wine and stubs her cigarette out in the ashtray.).

Mara: You seem to assume I know him.

Ivan: Do you?

(Mara smiles.).

Ivan: What did he look like this madman?

Zack: Long black hair. Creepy mask like I said. He stabbed Brady. He just came at us I don’t know why. Gus hit him and knocked him out.

(Mara is frowning.).

Ivan: You do know him.

Mara: What?

Ivan: You had better start talking.

Mara: Or what? You gonna hit me? You know you were right earlier. I do have an RV.

(She reaches into her bag and pulls out a set of keys. She tosses them onto the table.).

Mara: Why don’t you go and have a look in the locker at the back. See what happens to men who try and take me on.

(Vlad walks back in the front door.).

Vlad: Jay’s dead.

Ivan: Yes.

Vlad: Who’s this?

Ivan: I don’t know yet.

(Ivan picks up the keys and gets up.).

Ivan: Watch her for a moment.

Vlad: Okay.

Ivan: Where is this RV parked?

Mara: Up the road behind the thicket.

(Ivan leaves the house. Mara sits staring at Vlad. She smiles.).

Vlad: I don’t know what you’re grinning about girl. Ivan’s gonna skin yah.

Mara: I don’t think so.

(She smiles again. They sit in silence for several minutes before Ivan comes back. He drags a young man into the kitchen and looks down at him. The man is only wearing boxers and he is shivering. His mouth is taped shut and his hands are zip tied.).

Ivan: So who is this?

Mara: Just another prick who thought he could play games with me. I was driving down the highway late last night and he comes running up the road waving his arms. I wasn’t going to stop, figured it was something dodgy. But I was curious so I did. He tells me that his cars broken down. Well no car in sight so seemed dodgy. I offered him a ride anyway and he said yes. So he gets in and then five minutes into the drive he pulls a knife. Tells me to pull over so I did. He then tells me to get in the back so I did. A car stops behind us, I’d seen it following us. Had quite a good little scheme going. His mate drops him off at the side of the road then pulls the car out of sight. He waits for someone to come along and flags ‘em down. If it’s a man or a group of people he asks for directions. If it’s a woman travelling alone he gives ‘em the breakdown story. He gets a ride, his mate follows in the car, then he pulls a knife gets them to pull over. Him and his mate have their way with them then disappear into the night. Only this time it didn’t work did it?

Ivan: What happened to his friend?

Mara: His car went off the road and into a ravine. Really shouldn’t have been speeding. It’s highly dangerous.

(Mara smiles.).

Ivan: Well I have to admit. You are some woman.

Mara: So...What now? I mean I do have plans this evening as you can see. I haven’t got all night for this drama. Fun as its been.

Ivan: I too tire of this. So let’s end it shall we?

(Vlad moves and Ivan sits back down at the table.).

Ivan: We’ll take the boy with us too. I think Mr. Schmidt will like him.

(Vlad smiles.).

Ivan: The girls of course will make us a lot of money. These two however...

(He looks at Bo and Lester.).

Ivan: Kill them.

(Vlad cocks his gun.).

Mara: Where’s your friend?

Ivan: What?

Mara: Your friend. Ravi was it?

Vlad: He’s probably in the shitter.

(Vlad leaves the room and goes down the hall.).

Mara: So what about me?

Ivan: You? Hmmm. It would be a shame to kill you.

Mara: Could make me an offer.

Ivan: You want to do a business deal?

Mara: I’ve got a deal for you.

Ivan: Oh?

Mara: Leave.

Ivan: Nobody is going anywhere.

(Vlad returns.).

Vlad: Ravi’s gone.

Ivan: What do you mean he’s gone?

Vlad: I mean he isn’t here. There’s a trapdoor in the office. Looks like some kind of tunnel.

Ivan: A tunnel?

Mara: The plot thickens.

Ivan: Like you don’t know what’s going on here.

Mara: I don’t. I told you I was just passing through. Then some madman kills someone apparently and some human traffickers turn up wanting to kill everyone else.

Ivan: You are going to tell me what you are hiding now.

Mara: I am hiding nothing. All I wanted was a quiet evening, some wine, some dinner. That’s it.

Ivan: Yes you’ve said. But you don’t live here. So who were you going to have dinner with?

Mara: I’ve told you that already too. None of your business.

Ivan: Enough games!

(He swipes the wine glass and plate off of the table. They smash on the floor. Mara now looks angry.).

Mara: Clean that up!

Ivan: I don’t know who you think you are. You have no idea who you are talking to!

Mara: Course I do. I’m talking to a human trafficker. A man who is used to everyone doing everything for him. Who is used to everyone being afraid of him. A bully. A prick that thinks he’s Mr big man. When really he’s just a little boy who made the mistake of coming here.

Vlad: Just kill this bitch already!

Ivan: Not yet. Besides a woman like this could fetch us a lot of money.

Mara: So you’re going to try and sell me? Good luck finding a buyer.

(Mara laughs. Ivan now looks like he’s had enough.).

Ivan: Enough of this. Vlad bring the girls with us. The boy too. We’re leaving. I’ll clean up the rest.

(Vlad bends down and grabs Chelsea. She screams and struggles with him so he slaps her across the face.).

Ivan: No marks! We don’t want them bruised up.

Vlad: Of course boss. Sorry.

Ivan: Don’t apologise. Just get the job done.

(Vlad drags Chelsea to her feet. Whitney lets out a sob.).

Whitney: No!

Chelsea: No please.

Vlad: Shut up.

(Lester watches as Mara reaches underneath her dress and pulls out a hunting knife.).

Ivan: Right, now let’s deal with you two first.

(He turns to Bo and Lester. Mara suddenly makes her move. She drives the knife through Ivan’s hand pinning it to the table. He cries out in pain. Vlad lets go of Chelsea and turns pulling his gun. Mara is faster than him however pulling a large revolver from her handbag. She shoots Vlad right between the eyes. He flies backwards and hits the fridge before sliding to the floor. Chelsea and Whitney scream.).

Zack: Oh my God!

(Mara then whacks Ivan over the head with the gun and pins his head to the table with her arm.).

Mara: Now I told you what happens when pricks decide to dick me about!

(Lester starts laughing.).

Lester: Goddamn.

(A chain has slipped out from underneath Mara’s dress. A set of dog tags sit on the end of it. Ivan looks up at them.).

Ivan: You’re military?

Mara: I was. For a while.

Ivan: What were you a cook?

(Ivan splutters out a laugh. Mara smiles.).

Mara: Marine.

Ivan: Impressive. You continue to surprise me.

Mara: Well you men have a habit of underestimating us women don’t you?

Ivan: You’ll never get away with this. My people will find you.

Mara: What people?

Ivan: I run a very big organisation.

Mara: Hm. I’m sure you do. But I highly doubt you would have told anyone else you were here. You like to be discreet and the less people that know what you get up to the better. Besides even if anymore of your little friends were to turn up here they’ll just end up dead too. I’ll be glad to get rid of a few more traffickers. Coz you’re all scum!

(She then shoots him in the back of the head. Chelsea and Whitney scream again. Zack is curled up sobbing. Mara looks down at Ivan face down on the table. She then pulls the knife out of his hand. She wipes it off on his jacket then looks down at the man lying on the floor. He lets out a whimper.).

Mara: I don’t know why I didn’t dump you at the side of the road with your friend really. Should cut your dick off after what you tried.

(The man lets out a muffled yell. Lester chuckles.).

Mara: You know what though? It’s been a long day, my feet are killing me. I need to get dinner started and I need a nice hot bath. And I need to clean up all this fucking mess! So you know what? I can’t be bothered.

(She shoots the man in the head. Chelsea and Whitney scream again.).

Zack: What the fuck?

Whitney: Who the fuck are you?

Mara: Names Mara.

Lester: Mara?

(Lester looks at her frowning.).

Mara: Yeah.

(The sound of heavy boots coming down the hall can be heard. Zack screams. A man with long black hair walks into the kitchen looking around. He is wearing a mask made of wax. Mara smiles at him.).

Mara: Hey Vinnie. Sorry about the mess. Dinners gonna be later than expected.

[rottenpumpkin13]

Out Of Context Shit Heard On The SOLDIER Floor #5

previous: 1, 2, 3, 4,

*Zack walks in with his head in a pumpkin*

Zack: Zack-o'-lantern

Genesis: do you think our menstrual cycles have synced?

Sephiroth: please stop crying. I am not equipped to deal with depression this early in the morning.

Kunsel: When I die please donate my penis to science.

Angeal: Director Lazard dresses like a gay penguin.

Sephiroth: Is fruit cake an insult? I just called someone a fruit cake and thought it was quite funny.

Kunsel: Why does Rufus sound like he went through puberty twice?

Sephiroth: I thought the Molly you spoke of was the name.

Roche: Kunsel can have a little medieval torture, as a treat.

Zack: Where were you when my hand was stuck in the toaster??

Sephiroth: I don't know what Coraline was complaining about. She had two mothers.

Lazard: One of these days I'm going to lose my shit and punch Genesis in the face.

Angeal: (on the phone): I-just-swallowed-whiteout help desk, Angeal speaking, how may I help you?

Genesis: Merry Christmas.

Zack: It's October?

Genesis: Alright shitty Christmas then.

Zack: *break dancing while Genesis sobs*

Genesis: If we're all single by age forty let's become a married throuple.

Angeal: I can't tell if that drawing you did is President Shinra or Colonel Sanders.

Roche: Fuck it. I'll just steal Sephiroth's hair. It's no big deal!

Sephiroth: I would commit unspeakable atrocities for a single piece of lasagna right now.

Cloud: Ronald McDonald would never treat me like this!

Sephiroth: I do not mean to be immature, but I will now be giggling whenever we reach the 69th floor.

Genesis: Eat this apple and tell me it doesn't taste like chicken tenders.

Angeal: Sephiroth stop laughing Genesis might be going to jail.

Zack: 🎶 Grab somebody sexy tell 'em HEY *tackles Sephiroth*

Cloud: There's a pickle in your wallet. Is that a metaphor?

Lazard: There's no need to act defensive, Roche. Lots of men have gay thoughts about Sephiroth.

Genesis: Bullying IS a healthy coping mechanism.

Lazard: Do you like my new bottle of pills?

Cloud: What if—bear with me—What if! No one cares about Loveless?

Sephiroth: I think he's the size of twelve capybaras stacked on top of each other.

Angeal: Which one of you gay clowns told upper management about—Put your hand down, Genesis, that wasn't a compliment!

Zack: *through a mouthful of cookies* HE'S A DILF!

Angeal: You can't threaten me with a butter knife.

Sephiroth: If I sniff this entire box of markers, will it put me out of my misery?

Zack: My fear is that he'll come at me with a rolling pin.

Cloud: Seph! Stop choking Genesis with that extension cord he's into that shit.

Lazard: If you keep this up, Sephiroth, I'll make you wear a shirt for a week.

Genesis: How do I look?

Angeal: With your eyes, Gen.

Roche: I personally frame all of my speeding tickets.

*Cloud walks in shaking*

Cloud: GUYS! ZACK CAN DO MATH!

Sephiroth: Somebody stole a jar of jam from my desk drawer.

[thithesandofferings]

How do they kiss you?

∆ SFW

∆ Tags:: Kissing, Emotions, GN! Reader, slight past trauma (because Cloud)

∆ a/n:: Another 3 am ramble made in the middle of the night.

Zach- wants to rush in so fast cause youre so pretty and gah hes so nervous. The first time he asks to kiss you, he blurts it out while youre asking him whats for dinner. Cant think straight when you smile and nod- because wow you want this too? He cant help it when he presses too hard too fast and knocks your teeth together. But man does it feel worthwhile to hear your giggle of "slow down silly". Come on Zack, you got this. This isnt your first rodeo. But it feels like it. Feels like hes just a teenager again with sweaty palms and shaky limbs. The boys would be devastated by the lack of manliness, he can feel it. The second time is much much smoother. Lightly holding your waist in one hand and jawbone in the other he leans in and presses delicately. A little dry, a little chapped, but you feel so warm and he just has to press harder and longer. Tilts his head to get more of you and maybe theres a little groan in there too. You have to physically push him away because now you can't breathe. Huffs a laugh into the kisses because he was really terrified for nothing. Will never not want to kiss you again and- why havent you guys done this earlier?

Cloud- kissing cloud takes time. You start off with small ones. Kissing the back of his hand when hes sitting next to you. Kissing his palm when you want to get his attention. Being able to kiss his wound when its bandaged up because you know the scar will leave externally, but will carry with him forever. Setting your lips on his shoulder when he wakes up from a nightmare, to quickly kissing him on the cheek before he leaves for a mission. It has him gaping at you and maybe the brightest color red you've seen to date- but you think it's worth it when he finally starts to kiss you back. Slowly, reciprocating the same kisses- albeit a lot more hesitant and just a tad bit harder. Like hes trying to press his memories into your very skin. Its one of the harder days when he succumbs and kisses you on the lips. Too many nightmares, too many memories that arent his own, plague him. But youre there. Kissing his shoulder until he turns around and holds your face as his quivering tear-stained lips touch yours. It anchors him in place and has him gasping and out of breath when he finally lets go. You think you see relief in his eyes, but maybe its too dark to be sure.

Sephiroth - Hes taken his time to get to you. Very sure you're the last person he wants to give himself too. Its been years, dancing around each other. With looks and stilted words, no one has moved out of their respectable spaces. The safe space. In which he doesnt have project constant uncertainty, where he doesnt feel he has to risk losing you in regards to being with him. He knows deep down that hes losing time. Pieces and memories fragmenting. Except the ones of you. He knows whats happening and that makes him want to push forward a little faster, disregarding consequences hes considered and mapped out plenty of times. He never expected you to be the one to catch him off guard. To kiss him first. But he supposes he never wouldve done it had he been pushed to. It just sets him completely frozen when you press him down a little and kiss him deeply. Giving him no room to reconsider the depths of this message. When you lift your tiptoes and your fingers up to the base of nape and sigh breathily on his firm lips, the world finally stops for a single quiet moment. You pull his at strands just a little and nibble at the corner of his mouth. Taking your time, savoring the moment. Right now this is all you have. Your patient enough to wait until he reciprocates, able to match your lips and the glides of your tongues only minutes after. His brain asking him to politely reboot so he can give all of himself too. The pinnacle of singularity has hit between you two, even if he knows that time is not his own.

Reno- He enjoys flirty innocent kisses with you. Boop and runs are his go tos. Never one for the feelings, but loves a good make out session in the back of a building during a mission. He knows that the facade wont last long because he loves kissing you. Youre warm and you fit against him so well and he just wants to stay. In whatever capacity that is. Its dangerous in his line of work. But he cant help but come back from a mission and give you a victory kiss. Or even a slow soul breaking crushing of the lips when he comes back from losing a team member. He says everything with his lips, but only through those stilted moments where words are not needed. Adores you for even indulging him in those moments where he knows he cant say how badly he hurts, regardless if there are bloody wounds or not. He knows you'll listen when he grabs you and presses a little too hard against your lips. Shakes a little when you gently brush your lips against his own when theyre bloody and cracked. Loves it a little too much when you take the time to put your foot down and care for him in the language that the both of you created.

[kirisaki-daichi-scenarios]

a discussion of jabberwock with team interaction hcs + deeper nash analysis

for anon who asked "Can we get some headcanons for jabberwock members or like headcanons when they're together? (its okay if it was jason or nash only)" and made me realise it's about time i get these guys' personalities down

note before we start: cause i didn't know their names until i wrote this

zack is the bald one, allen is the one with a headband, nick is the other white guy apart from nash.

team hcs

nick gets bullied for being under 6ft, but not by jason

nah good old jason teases all of them for being short fucks, emphasising that they’re all 5ft tall in comparison to him

he 100% lifts things out of the others' reach and then laughs for ages after when they try get them

unfortunately though, they’re all used to this and now just ignore him. either that or nash stares at him so intensely jason actually repents and hands it back

zack’s another one with a very good glare, but he’s used it too often on jason and it’s since stopped working.

also jason gives me ‘straightens his back as much as possible when getting measured so he’ll measure in as 7ft’ vibes

oh and he thinks he could wrestle a gator and win. i’ve got no explanation for that except for the fact you can't tell me it's ooc.

allen’s very protective over his white headband - it’s his lucky item - but he’d never let anyone know that

he’s confident in his abilities like the rest of them, but there’s nothing wrong with wearing a headband just in case

(nash knows anyway)

they watch nba matches together and do not shut up once throughout the entire match - lots of jeering, booing each other if someone criticises a player they like, lots of “i could do that”, lots of “get your fucking hand out of my popcorn do you want me to punch you in the face” etc

they used to all live together, but nash has since moved out. he was sick and tired of trying to make people do chores, as the only one who kept their room clean.

yeah the others’ house looks like a heap of trash but also very much “where’s my toothbrush?” “it’s in the third coke can by the orange peel behind the sink” *silence* “yeah thanks” *a minute later* “who the fuck has been using my toothbrush”

they’re all “bro your dribbling sucks why are you on this team loser” to one another, but also very protective (aka arrogant for one another) if anyone else Dared to criticise one of their teammates

then again, what kind of person would criticise jabberwock

half of the time he spends with jabberwock, nash is a Single Mother TM trying to get a bunch of man children to behave; the other half of the time, he's just as bad as the rest of them

i talk about this a lot but i get the feeling nash is an exceptionally hard worker, but at least he gets to let his hair down around his teammates sometimes

nash is also the only person jason thought was truly ‘strong’ at first sight

and nash is also the only person who can beat jason in a fight, and also the only person who can get nash to train, and also the only person who can.. [etc. you see my point].

(n.b jason calls himself the ‘almighty me’, nash says that ‘even god can’t beat me’. point made.)

you know how jason silver’s motto is “I have never thought”

imagine him proudly stating that, before zack adds with a straight face, “yeah cause nash does it for you.”

in short, the team would fall apart without nash.

although the team’s communication and coordination is very fine tuned, nash is the guy who keeps everything in order off the court to prevent what is essentially a team of aces ('main characters', if you will) from falling apart

they hang out together a lot, but do all have other friend groups that do not overlap

team bbqs

unofficial rule not to criticise anchovies on pizza because the one time nick did, nash snapped

however pineapple on pizza is fair game, even though zack quite likes it

more than once, jason has brought a girl home and nick has stolen her attention away with effortless trick shots, funky ball manoeuvring etc

more than once nick has had to trek to nash’s place (with a black eye) at midnight to have somewhere to sleep

do you see a correlation?

oh and everyone in the team has been walked in on by nash when they were naked with some girl

nash has absolutely no shame

he apologises to the girl with a charming albeit insincere tone, and then remains standing in front of the bed/couch until his teammate does what he expected of them

usually it involves not having come to practice

allen learnt a few (emphasis on ‘few’) words of japanese before they travelled to japan and was disappointed that he never got to use them

that said, one of those words was hentai

and now a quick analysis of some panels

a) so there's at least one player who wasn't underestimating vorpal swords. if i were to overanalyse, i'd add that nick's wearing a hoodie (possibly athletic wear) whilst nash has a 'fancy' shirt on; perhaps nick wasn't expecting them to be going to host clubs instead of chilling/training?

b) i know what you're thinking: "how can you say nash is a hard worker when he didn't want to practice for the match". i reckon he was still pretty high on the complete and utter success of their previous match, that plus being around girls, encouraged him to have a more 'jason-y' personality. (either that or fujimaki didn't want to add too much depth/realism into nash's character bc he's unequivocally the villain, right? and obviously this helps with the plot and the jabberwock bad geniuses gom good geniuses rhetoric.)

earlier, i mentioned how nash is the only one that could keep the team together, and is thus the undeniable head of the team; here's a clear example. you can see both jason and zack have no interest in continuing - if anything, there's disgust in their faces, kinda just saying "we spat on all of japan, now we can go home". whereas nash won't allow for the slightest of possibilities that there might exist a team stronger than them, and hence agrees to the match. the key thing here is that the others do as he says without too much fuss.

another thing to note is nash's reference to harakiri. now what can we make of that, alongside his proficiency in japanese, in relation to his character? the way i see it, he's either a weeb or possibly has some japanese lineage. (you could spin that even further and say his mother was japanese, taught him the language, then abandoned him, and hence his almost excessive hatred/mockery of the japanese people.) (is that why he wanted to do another match in japan..?)

just a quick point. "thanks to him" - jason isn't so superior as to think that he could win this match effortlessly without nash's support. links pretty nicely with my earlier idea about how nash is the only person jason has always considered 100% strong.

yet another point about how nash is the strongest of the team in pretty much every way you can think of. you know how scary/powerful you have to be to shut jason up (after he's getting real pissed from being prevented from scoring?)

i personally think this is a pretty important panel, though i've never seen anyone mention it before. did nash grow up training in a professional basketball training situation, as opposed to growing up playing streetball like i suspect the others did? well, to answer that question, imma bring in another panel.

here we see visible rage on nick, zack and jason's faces - they can't accept their loss, which is fair enough. but i'd argue that nash's face seems to depict sadness more than it does anger like to rest of them, look at how downturned his mouth is - and he's looking away from the 'camera', as if hiding his shame.

when you combine that with what he says here, i have no doubt that this is someone who has experienced some proper lows in basketball - as would be expected from someone who's played 'properly'. he's possibly not even a prodigy like the rest of them - compare jason's motto with his. "i have never thought" versus "do not suppose opportunity will knock twice at your door".

there's various lines of thinking you could design with this - he might have been trained by alex (hence, himuro having heard of jabberwock, though he should have known of a team as popular of jabberwock regardless), he might have grown up with professional basketballer parents etc. but here's my own little theory:

nash received serious basketball training from early on - maybe because his parents were living vicariously through him, or maybe he always loved the sport and wanted to be no1. so there he was training away, but, as he grew older, it started getting all a bit too much.

he didn't want to dedicate his entire life to basketball. after all, his hobby is water sports and his speciality is boxing; that's a lot of different things to be keeping up with, whereas the pipeline for promising athletes demands people focus solely on basketball. as a result, nash become bitter: stopped attending practice regularly, got in trouble for trash talk of increasing severity, etc.

result was he was kicked out of the program.

only when he was no longer playing basketball again, did he realise how much he missed it. and hence he got into streetball, where he was tremendously successful as someone with so much training, 'elite skills', and the overly confident attitude to boot.

then, one fateful day, he met jason and the rest is history.