#a little early but neccessary

[laurapetrie]

Of all the great women of Hollywood's golden age, Carole Lombard is the most unjustly neglected. While her contemporaries Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck and Jean Harlow continue to be eulogised and commemorated, Lombard's star seems to be fading. These women were all, in their ways, worthy of admiration and even of emulation. But Lombard was incomparable. When she died in 1942 at the age of only 33 in a plane crash while selling war bonds, director Wesley Ruggles, who'd worked with her for years, said that however tragic Jean Harlow's death had been, "somehow you knew you'd adjust. But we couldn't comprehend losing Carole, and we never adjusted to it, either. She was irreplaceable, and we just kept on missing her." - SARAH CHURCHWELL, "Oh, Carole!"

[jessjad]

Unexpected

Chapter 6

Summary: After a Halloweenparty Y/N actually didn't want to got to, her life seems to be turned around. The reason is a very stubborn Supe that seems to have her in his visier. Is it just a coincidance or more?

Pairing: Soldier Boy/Ben x Reader

Word Count: 2943

Warnings: some language, sex mentioned, tense and dangerous situations, aaaand a cliffhanger...

A/N: So, work was like hell and the flu stayed longer then I hoped she would. But, what can you do. I hope you still like it. All mistakes are mine. Enjoy and let me know! :)

My Masterlist Series Masterlist

"This is not enough!" Victoria Newman laid her hand onto her forehead in frustration as she spoke on her phone outside her office. "Johnson, you promised me results and answers! Why can you and your men not find him, while random people see them walking around in New York?"

"We can not even be sure that it was really Soldier Boy and his... girlfriend...." The man on the other side of the phone answered but it only angered Newman more.

"There are pictures of both of them online! They came out of a privat club around 3 in the morning. TODAY!"

The silence that followed was meaningful.

"Johnson, you told me, that it was your speciality to track down people who are hard to find. And Soldier Boy IS hard to find. So, live up to your promise or else I have to find someone else to do it."

And without waiting for a response she hung up the phone. This was not going as she had hoped for. But nontheless, it was neccessary that she found the former american hero before anyone else. Especially before Homelander, or else they would all be in trouble. After all, he was the only one who had a chance against Homelander and when he got a hold of Soldier Boy first, nobody would know how this would play out.

"So, Victoria..."

Speaking of the devil, she thought, took a short breath in and turned around to face the blonde supe.

"Ashley told me that you are looking for Soldier Boy." John said and crossed his arms behind his back as he walked slowly towards Victoria.

"Of course I am." Victoria replied confident, not trying to show him that he still intimidated her. "I still work with the FBSA after all. We always try to find a rouge supe."

"Interessting. You had any succsses yet?"

He got closer and closer, but Victoria kept her ground. She even held her head up a little higher, but Homelander just grinned.

"Unfortunatly, no. It's like he vanished from earth."

"And how about his girlfriend? Do you know who she is by now?"

"We have her name, but everything else seems like it got deleted. There is no more information about her."

"Hmm... to bad." Homelander looked at the woman infront of him appraisingly, but she did not cower back.

"And what about Soldier Boy? What kind of information do you have on him?"

"What do you mean? All there is to know about him is in the files at Vought."

"Nooo, that's not what I meant." The look in his eyes gave her a shiver down her spine. "I mean information about his time in Russia... and what they did to him."

"I... " this was even more worse than Victoria thought it would be. "I don't know if there even are any files left..."

"Then you should start to look into that, don't you think?"

With another weird grin, Homelander started to walk away again. But he turned around one more time.

"Oh, and let me know what you'll find out about him. Don't think that, just because you made your daughter into a supe, that I can't hurt her."

Another week went by without any changes. The only change happend between Y/N and Ben. After their little dangerous and exciting fun in that club, he and Paul brought her home safe in the early morning hours. But it took not long after they arrieved at home that Ben wanted to do a second round. Y/N had already been asleep when she stirred up by a hot feeling between her legs, just to find the supe's head at her core, playing her like a violin.

And after that the mood had shifted. Ben was not so aggravated anymore and did not try to fight with Marvin again. However, both men kept a good distance to eachother, just to be sure. On M.M.'s face though, Y/N could see that he did not like the new developements that he got to witness.

Also, Ben did not hold back on touching her, or showing general PDA, whenever he could. Y/N felt a little uncomfortable at first, especially with the looks she got from the others. Annie in particular seemed to be very worried, but Y/N could asure her that it was not forced or anything in that matter. Not in the slightest. She actually enjoyed this change and liked all the attention Ben gave her. And the man was not restless. The marks on her body confirmed that.

She felt like she got closer to him, the more time they spend together. He still did not really talk to her about deep or important things, but there was not complete silence anymore. Althought four days ago she thought he would shut her out again. Over something stupid of course.

It was in the middle of the night. Ben had already gone to bed and seemed to sleep, when Y/N came in the bedroom too. She disappeared under the covers and tried to fall asleep too, but Ben's voice interrupted her.

"Took you long enough to come to bed, doll."

He started to use that pet name shortly after they started to sleep with eachother again. Y/N did not really like that old-ass word, but it was definitly better than 'broad' or 'gal'. So, she went with it.

"Annie and I were watching a couple of old movies and we forgot the time. It was really fun."

"Hm-mh." was Ben's only response.

After that Y/N thought that he wanted to sleep again, but she thought wrong. The supe shifted towards her and a few seconds later his hand started to roam her body. She had to grin to herself. Now she knew why he was still awake. It did not take long until they kissed and touched the other, but as soon as Ben had his hand in her panties on his way to her already wet folds he stopped.

When she looked up to him, Ben frowned down to her and it seemed like he was a little angry even.

"What's wrong?" she asked but wasn't sure if she really wanted to know it.

"What is this?" was all he said and now Y/N looked at him questioningly. "What the fuck did you do?"

Still not quite sure what he meant, Y/N needed a moment un til she realized what really bother him.

"I... I shaved... this morning."

"Why the fuck did you do that?" he grumpled and let go of her completely.

"I... because it was time. I needed to shave. You know? Like, all the important parts of my body." she explained and sat up in her bed.

"But when we fucked on Halloween you weren't shaved."

"Oh god..." Y/N hid her face in her hands before she answered again. "That was because I did not think that I would be having... sex... anytime soon."

"And when we fucked again in the club you also weren't shaved."

"I KNOW! But that was just because I did not think, that we would be... having sex again."

Ben did not seemed to be convinced and Y/N couldn't believe that he actually was angry about her being shaved.

"Are you really upset about this?"

"There was no fucking need for you to shave. I like your bush."

"Ben..." she closed her eyes. "Can you... not..." but he didn't stop.

"It's not like I'm kissing a Afghan Hound. It's just right."

"I can not believe we're really talking about this." Y/N said to herself and shook her head.

"Let it grow back."

"What? NO!" the woman protested.

"You have to. I don't wanna feel like I'm licking the cunt of Shirley Temple."

"But...Ben, listen... we... we need to find a compromise here."

And after a long discussion that felt more like bickering, they agreed and made up again. But inside Y/N was puzzled. This grumpy ol' man always found a way to surprise her.

It was on a thursday, when Mallory finally called. After the ruckus that happend in the shop it had been clear that the next outing of Soldier Boy and his girlfriend needed to be better planed out and executed more safely. Y/N did not fully understand the intention Grace had with this charade, but they were already so far into it, that there was no going back now.

They picked a place near the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie. It was far off from the hot spots of New York and noone would probably expect them to show up there. It was supposed to be a normal date night with dinner. The restaurant was already on observation and Malloy had stationed many men.

Annie's network of followers who believed her had been growing pretty strong and they depated if it would be better to get the crowd involved too. But at the end they decided against this idea. If Homelander or any other enemy of Ben would be able to get to them, it would just put all the civilians into danger. But still Mallory thought it would be good to let the people know that Ben is still out there and having a good time.

A day later it was time. While Ben was still in the bathroom, Y/N went out into the living room where M.M. controlled the tv. It looked like, he was searching for something specific.

"What are you looking for?" Y/N asked interessted.

"I just... wanted to show you something..." Marvin answered and after a moment he found what he was looking for. "This. Just wanted to see if you know this by now."

On the screen appeared Ben in some kind of red tinched set with a woman on his side. It was a music video. A caribbean melody started to play and Ben began to sing. At first she had to smlie because he sounded so weird with this fake semi-black accent, but that smile faded very quickly. The song was pure misogyny at its finest.

Her brows started to furrow while she kept watching the video and she missed the satisfied grin on M.M.'s face.

"What's going on here?" Ben asked as he came out of the bathroom.

But it did not take long for him to catch up. He immediatly recognized his song and knew right away that M.M. had put it on on purpose. So, he looked at Y/N. She was watching the video too, but he could not read her face. So, he tuned in onto her thoughts, but what he found was not reassuring.

Wth every stupid lyric that came out of his mouth he saw that she thought of herself and she compared herself to the words he sang. It did not seem as if she was angry, it was more like her selfdoubt grew and he did not like that at all.

Yeah, it was true, that the song represented some of his own thoughts and beliefs, but since he came back, it started to change in a way. And Y/N played a part in that change. Eventhough he would never admit it.

All of a sudden Y/N turned around and disappeared into the bedroom. It left Ben behind a little helpless. Should he go talk to her? But he was not a fucking pussy. He did not talk about fucking feelings. Still, this whole situation did not sit right with him. Finally, after a few minutes, he groaned loudly and then followed her into the bedroom.

Y/N was standing infront of her bed and had her face towards the window. Again, Ben did not really know what to do. Her face was unreadable and her thoughts did not give away much more.

"Are you ready?" He asked, not really knowing what to do else.

But Y/N didn't answer right away. "What are we doing here?" she asked a counter queston.

That took him by surprise, because Y/N knew what was going to happen next. They talked about it long and in detail. But she gave him the answer right away.

"We don't even know eachother. I know absolutly nothing about you and you know barely anything about me. So... how are we supposed to play the lovey dovey couple, when there is nothing to build on?"

That was not what he'd expected. "Well, I'm a fucking good actor, sweatheart. You don't need to worry your pretty little head about it."

"But I do! Once people know we're there, they will take pictures and videos of us!"

"Don't think about it! Let me take care of this." said Ben a little upset. " Why are women always like that? It's my job to think about this."

"So, I'm not allowed to worry about this whole thing?" she now responded a little upset. "Oh, yeah, I forgot. Of course I'm not allowed to think about this. It would probably be the best for me to never think anything again, right? So that I don't give you any kind of trouble!" She refered to the song she just heared some minutes ago.

"Christ on a cross!"

"Hey, guys! You ready?" Annie poked her head through the door and gave Y/N the best opportunity to get out of this conversation.

Sometimes it was just so frustating to talk to the supe who had invaded her life on such a big and drastic scale. He could be nice and funny even. But those times made her forget his mindset a lot of times. She was a strong, independent woman and he would never get to change that. Especially not Soldier Boy!

About an hour later they arrived at their destination. It was a texas style Steakhouse and just across the street you could stand on the Hudson River. The restaurant was a bit out of the way on a not so busy street and it was actually a pretty place.

Mallory had arranged a privat table beforehand and as soon as they stepped inside, the employees stared to whisper with eachother. Ben and Y/N tried to be normal, not noticing anything that happend and sat down. They ordered drinks and something to eat. And after ten minutes Annie had sent Y/N a screenshot of the first pictures that were already floating around online. Clearly a waiter must've shot it.

The uneasiness whitin Y/N became more and more, so much so that even Ben started to see it in her face. So he got into acting mode and took her hand in his. And then he started to talk to her, which took her by surprise. And then he told her a little of himself. Some things about his past and the way he grew up. What he liked and didn't like.

And Y/N soaked it all up. She started to relax, began to ask him questons and told him about herself too. And whitout them realizing two hours passed. The conversation flowed naturally and even Ben liked it. He did not fully open up, but it felt good to talk to Y/N. She was really clever and compassionate.

They had finished dessert some time ago now and people had started to crowd the restaurant, but the employees held them back from the couple.

"This went more smoothly than expected." Y/N said at one point.

She did not think, that the supe would really start to share some of his story with her, but everything new she heared from him, seemed to close the distance she had felt in the last days between them. Sex or not. The emotional distance was even more clear to her after she she saw the video of Ben some hours ago.

And she started to understand why he behaved in a certain way. What made him him. She was still not fine with a lot of things he said and did, but she realized that it came down to bad parenting. And all he ever wanted was to be accepted. He just wanted to have someone who was proud of him.

Y/N smiled sympathetically at him and he gave her a genuine smile back. But then she saw the change in his eyes. The smile disappeared from his face and his gaze lost his focus.

"Ben?" Y/N asked and laid her hand softly on his arm. "Ben, what's wrong?"

And then she heared it, too. There was music playing in the backround and it was getting louder. Some kind of russian song and it made Ben stand up all of a sudden. The chair behind him fell and he started to puff his chest heavily.

"Ben? BEN!" Y/N stood up too and tried to get his attention.

The supe started to groan and his eyes shifted shortly to her. "Get out! Now!"

"Ben, whats wrong? Talk to me!" No way she was going to leave him now.

Two hands grabbed her by her shoulders. "Y/N, we have to go!" It was Annie and she started to pull her away. "Their playing the song from Mikhail Shufutinskiy. That's what the russians played while they experimented on him."

"I'm not leaving him here alone!" she protested, but Ben's chest started to glow up.

"C'mon, Y/N! We don't have time!" said Annie and finally managed to pull her away from Ben.

And while he still heared her screaming his name, Ben's vision went black and his powers blasted from his chest.

A/N: Yeah, we're going there. 🙈 Who played that song all of a sudden? And what will happen to Y/N? Until next time. 🤭

@lyarr24 @leigh70 @k-slla @deadlydivergentgirl @deans-spinster-witch

[wyvern-art-junkyard]

THE WHOLE SET

Complete.

Now for some interesting facts!

Their father is an Abyssinian who found the four of them as young foals/hatchlings and raised them as his own, teaching them that even though they're different species they are are still brothers. They all currently reside in Manehatten but dream of exploring the entirety of Equestria someday.

Cereb

- Due to being raised by Splinter and being around his brothers he learned to share love naturally and was one of the first Changelings in Equestria to unlock their true form at an early age.

- He is not at all embarrassed by his appearance and willingly goes out in public in his true form. The only time he shapeshifts is for fun, on missions or in order to protect his brothers.

- Because of Splinter's little knowledge on most species he didn't know what Cereb was and it wasn't until later on that Cereb made the discovery himself.

- His carapace has sustained multiple injuries and prefers to wear purple-painted titanium covers when in battle. He only flies if absolutely neccessary. When fighting the Shredder his covers were destroyed, his carapace was scratched and one of his wings was nearly torn.

Defty

- Defty changes his mane and tail's appearance regularly but prefers keeping it fluffy and dyeing the ends in different colors.

- Due to his horn's smaller size he tends to overwhelm himself often. It's only when he's utilizing his kusari-fundo or nunchuks that he can tap into a more hidden and stronger power.

- At some point the group leave the city to learn more about themselves. While his three brothers travel to different locations for a month to discover powers and information on themselves they weren't aware of, Defty enrolls in a particular school to better learn about his magic only to be eyed by none other than Princess Twilight.

- Due to Defty's higher affinity with magic his destiny is sealed as a future alicorn.

Floodflasher

- Flasher's feathers shine with a slick sheen that reflects light particularly well and also aids in keeping his body mostly waterproof as well as aerodynamic. He naturally loves the water but never quite knew why, thinking he was some kind of messed of Griffon.

- Upon leaving to discover more about himself he learns of his true abilities at Mount Aris and returns home to his brothers with a shard of the Pearl of Transformation to show them his new abilities as a seapony.

- During the final showdown with Shredder, Flasher gains the ability to slice portals through the air with his wings.

- After gaining these new powers his eyes and markings tend to glow more in the darkness.

Claymoore

- Clay is the largest of the four yet still has room to grow as he's only a teen.

- While not a true dragon he's what's known as a Drake, a wingless dragon, particularly with an affinity to the earth itself.

- When using his Ninpō not only can he grow to larger sizes he is also able to project a pair of wings from his back.

- After traveling to the Dragon Lands Clay finds himself incredibly out of place. It isn't until later that he discovers he's more in tune with the earth's surface than he is with the heat residing within it.

- He regularly bathes in water and sometimes sleeps in thick mud puddles.

- Despite his large stature and imposing appearance...he's very kind to ponies that need the help. He discovered a deeper kindness while visiting Ponyville.

@mylenapony11

(Bases are not mine. Dragon base belongs to Carolzilla)

[thateclecticbitch]

When I say "I want to stay inside my house and play video games and draw all day to the exclusion of everything else" I fucking mean it. Me setting aside time to do what I need to do to take care of myself and my body, especially in the day proceeding a big event that will take up more sensory spoons than normal, is not permission for you to decide that today, out of all the possible days you could choose from, is the one for me to run all the errands you didn't manage to get done this week. Yes, even the ones that are "for me." If I tell you "I do not want to go anywhere all day at all please leave me alone" you don't get to be surprised when it takes me over an hour to hype myself up to get ready to leave the house after you badger me into agreeing to leave. Yes, even if it is "only for 30 minutes." Yes, even if it is "only for two places, also let's go to 2 or 3 or 4 more while we're at it." Yes, even if it is "something for [me]." I do not care. I do not have to have literally expended my entire energy reserve for the statement "I do not have the energy to do anything else." To be justified. I do not want to nor am I always even capable of explaining every little mechanism of my inner life that motivates the decisions I make. Me needing an entire day cooped up in my house vegging out immediately prior and/or immediately following attending a very large overstimulating event for several hours isn't like... for funzies. It's actually extremely neccessary in order for me to be a functional human who doesn't go home early from work for the next two weeks and doesn't have uncontrolable meltdowns and rages in public. The errands could have waited. They all could have waited until tomorrow. Now only 2 of them are done and the rest will have to wait until monday bc instead of have enough energy reserves for work and chores and errands and event I only have energy for work and event, and if I had saved up energy for tomorrow I might have only had to spend Saturday morning vegging out.

[sivavakkiyar]

For a number of reasons music tends to be a place where Great Mannish conceptions still hold a lot of sway, but it’s not neccessary and I do like (read: get admittedly romantic about) the sheer fact—like in any field—-that it can’t practically be maintained. In the NYPL I found a book that contained the letter and response Bartok wrote to Cowell, asking for his ‘permission’ to use the tone cluster technique that Cowell had used and wrote about in his book. And it was touching and a little shocking to see Cowell say ‘well, of course, but I didn’t invent it—-I’m just describing it. It has a long history that lead to it; I’m surprised you’re asking because I see relevant qualities in your early work’. (Obvious paraphrase) Interesting stuff

[violentviolette]

do you think it’s possible to become overly empathetic (based off cognitive empathy) due to feeling little affective empathy? i feel like that’s the case for me - i was told from an early age i was too cold and i’m so burnt out at this point like. deep inside me i often just don’t care but i have this voice inside me telling me to act empathetic even when it burns me out. i go too much out of my way to help people even when it hurts me cuz i’m exhausted

i think thats probably more likely a trauma response in that case than directly because of having little to no affective empathy. it's not uncommon for abuse victims, especially childhood abuse victims, to become overly attentive to others even and especially at the expense to oneself as a conditioned response to abuse

which can also sometimes be the cause of the lack of affective empathy. children who have their empathy overtaxed, exploited, and used against them can end up in a situation where they dont actually feel any emotional empathy because their brain has shut that off in an attempt to protect them while simultaniously creating the anxious apeasment habit of performing empathetic actions in order to soothe those around them because they learned through abuse conditioning that that was neccessary to avoid further mistreatment or harm

which can be why performing that kind of empathy is so especially draining. it isnt coming from a genuine place of care because it cant, and it's using a ton of spoons and emotional processing because it associates performing that with avoiding abuse and therefore can be extreamly emotionally overwhelming and taxing

[fleetinglotus]

Future AU verse

Do note that Mahtab did not exist up until her brother turned 14.

Names: Mahtab (girl) & Shahin (boy)

Age: 15-16 range. (default age, current timeline)

6 years old (Shahin exclusive, if requesting to early days)

Faceclaim: Saria & Elva (Hortensia Saga)

Significance: 'Moonlight' - 'Falcon' (names meaning basically)

Parents: Michihiko and Lumine

Others: Tulaytullah (Aunt), Nahida (Aunt), Sumeru crew (Allies), Paimon (Aunt), Aether (Uncle)

Weapon of choice: Mahtab utilize a specially made crossbow. Shahin utilize an handful of short knives.

Visions:

Anemo Vision for Shahin.

Miscellaneous Abilities for Mahtab. (Electro mostly)

Personality in a nutshell - Shahin is a little louder and open than his sister but very much supportive of her.

In contrast, Mahtab is quieter but both of them can be a handful, especially when the she-puppet is still learning the world.

Constellations;

Shahin - Falco Femoralis (Aplomado Falcon)

Mahtab - Magna Sphinge (Great Sphinx)

Choice Careers;

Decided on Shahin being apart of a local sandwiches shop in town but also a desert rescue operative.

As for Mahtab, she's affiliated with the Bazaar's Theater.

Overall backstory

As the AU name suggest, this is set in the Future/Post Teyvat, unless choosing Shahin only interactions.

Shahin was adopted a little time before Lumine's decision to travel a while alongside of her reunited sibling. So, Michi took all the neccessary responsibilities, between everything else to raise their kid.

Meanwhile, as for the case of Mahtab, it evidently had to be discussed thoroughly and it took a while for Michihiko alone to feel comfortable with the making of a puppet, considering what it entails in the end.

Mahtab came to be when her brother turned 14 years old and its been two years now since her creation. (they are 16 or so). Although they mostly look alike, they are not twins on the biological definition, only by physical traits.

Note: This verse is exclusive with @stelliferousduo 's Lumine. I will not use this AU with any other Lumine(s). However, any other characters are welcome to interact.

[hel-phoenyx]

Okay, I am in the mood to rant about myself so let's go (or one of the many many reasons Hel needs therapy)

I was a child prodigy. By that I mean learnt to read at 3/4, knew how to count early on, first word was a sentence child prodigy. Not a genius per say, but I was in advance from many of my peers. Something my school noticed early on and allowed me to thrive. I was a bratty child, but a happy child, only drama related to notes was me being caught cheating once in elementary school (4th grade french equivalent) because I couldn't bear not having perfect answers, but the teachers quickly got that out of me and soon I had other petty problems.

My real problems started in middle school with the ranking system and the increased importance of notations. I had 17/20 in average all middle school, and held the yearly first place all this time. My parents were encouraging that, probably thinking nothing of it, but the repeated questions for my rank and little comments like "what grade did the others get ?" when I had a slightly bad one started gnawing at my very soul.

They said only my best was wanted, but those little things accumulating sounded like my best was nothing less than the other's best. I am sure they meant well, they went through a hard af major in college that was rank-based with limited admissions (and I wanted to do the same thing), but sometimes well-meaning is not well-doing, and, like many child prodigies, when my peers started to catch up and my grades started to fall because big brain did not allow me to learn any working method, I was heavily distressed.

I'm slowly starting to let go of the idea that grades rule my very life. In fact, I am quite chill about school since I failed medecine, a lesson learned harshly but neccessary. Problem is that mentality to be the very best poisoned a lot of my hobbies, and how I view my relationships.

Now if I pick up a hobby, no matter what hobby, that involves skill and especially creative skill, I have to be the very best. Or at the very least, better. If I enter in a relationship and I see people don't need me, spend more time with others or even share more with others, I feel like they don't need me.

So when people praise others around me as the best, I always feel like I'm shit at this. Other kind of compliments don't give that effect, I'm not that poisoned in the mind, but it's always comparisons like this that hurt, because there can be only one best, and if it's not me, I failed.

Because if I'm not the best, if I'm not the first, I am not good enough.

[goronska]

Eodum x Setia drabble

Disclaimer: This little piece is one of the early Eodum's learning session on how to heal, experimenting on his volunteer, later lover, Setia. With warm hugs to @mmaurysiek and @whumpshaped CW: consensual torture, stabbing, blood, restrained movement, sinister carewhumper , intentional injury

=========================================

"Stop writhing so much!"

Easy for him to say. So far Eodum had tested breaking his bones and spraining his joints, that required a grip or a throw, not patiently waiting. Even burns were easier, because he could make it sudden. But stabs? Setia tried, but whenever he saw a sharp blade coming close to his body, even suddenly, he instictively moved away.

"S-Sorry…" "I'll have to tie for this one, I cannot let you turn a stab wound into a laceration!"

Eodum was impatient. He knew Setia was good with pain by now and would only let out small grunts through his gritting teeth. That made the whole process easier. Wound, wound, wound, heal. Wound, wound, wound, heal. Only this way he could become a more powerful deity, only when he mastered that skill. And Setia offered himself as a sacrifice on his altar.

"If it's neccessary…" "Definitely it will be quicker."

Setia was reluctant, but allowed himself to be roped to the tree, bark rough against his back. With eyes closed, fist tightened, he took the first dagger stab to his arm with but a whimper. The warmth of blood quickly spreading on his sleeve.

"Those wounds work different" observed Eodum. "You have to reverse them along with the blood loss, which usually doesn't happen in burns and fractures… More factors to control."

And then he stabbed his thigh. This time, the blonde man groaned.

"Ssssh, Set, shhh… one more and the pain will be gone. I can do this, don't worry."

Only when demigod's hand landed in a mocking gesture of care on his cheek, Setia realized the amount of cold sweat on his body, almost evaporating with the pressure of Eodum's fingertips. He was worse, he felt worse, so he could take all of this for the other. He would be able to abolish the whole slavery system in Vermillion, if he takes it like a man.

Then, the knife rapidly slipped in between his ribs, and for a split second he couldn't believe Eodum would do something like this so carelessly. That the demigod wants to get rid of him, like a broken toy, as such a wound is impossible to heal. It raptures everything inside. His scream was interrupted by a spasmatic cough, blood filling his mouth and spilling onto the grass below.

"Setia?.." the worried red eyes scanned his pale face. "Nghh…" was the only sound Setia managed to squeeze out before he coughed up more blood and fell into darkness.

Grass tickled his cheek when Setia regained consciousness. His body felt so light, but he quickly understood why when he dragged his gaze up from the ground. Eodum, half-kneeled, held his legs in the air, leaving subtle kisses across the cut on his thigh, closing the wound which in turn was sucking up the bloody mess. Nothing hurt, all was a bliss, the other's lips so hot.

"Can we do some other type of wounds, next time I'm here?" Setia asked, all limp, turning his look to the sky getting dressed all in reds and golds. "Yeah, sure. I will be ready in 10 minutes."

[stargazing-serpent]

Yessss that's the meta I read ages ago, wanted to reblog and then tumblr crashed and I couldn't find it again and I'm so happy you put the link because this is very well-written and I think you're both absolutely right.

I always thought there was a mix of several factors at play; like the anon pointed out it's dangerous for Crowley to act un-demonic and I also think the scene with Job and the scene at the mausoleum in Edinburgh combined tell us a lot about how Hell operates, too: in Edinburgh, Crowley isn't "at work", yet it takes Hell mere minutes to find out Crowley has done a good deed and to collect him for punishment. Which leaves us with the very creepy, eerie sense of unease instilled by knowing that Hell is always watching (no wonder Crowley's entire existence is coloured by paranoia and anxiety). And if that's the level of attention they're paying when Crowley is not at work, we can only imagine the surveillance he must have been under during the Job flashback when officially at work. And the level of compassion and bravery it takes to still go direcly against his orders. He isn't posing for the humans, he's posing for Hell. I think that always plays a huge part in his entire "I'm not nice/good/kind" demeanour, which is a lot harsher before Armageddidn't (in S1 and in the S2 flashbacks) and afterward becomes more of a reflex, half-hearted, an automatic response but uttered like he doesn't really care anymore if people see that he's good and kind. There's definitely a part of "I'm grumpy and cool and definitely not soft" he wants to keep up as part of his vibe but he knows he's kind, so it's nothing but a little bit of a show. He's one to begrudgingly offer hot chocolate to an enemy because he feels a little bad for almost making him jump out of a window, so he's not really trying to hide his kindness. I wonder whether it still makes him anxious, nauseous, all these little acts of kindness he doesn't have to veil and disguise any longer. I bet it does.

What I've been wondering, apart from that, is whether time is playing another crucial part in his exchange with Job and Sitis. When they're in the basement with the children and the storm starts, Crowley says "They've started early" which implies that there is some kind of schedule in place - did Crowley worry he might run out of time, be too late to save the children? I can't tell how much time passes between his talk to Sitis and Job and the start of the storm, but it seems to have been a while, by the way the scenes were cut. Hard to tell.

Lastly, I want to pick up on something you already mentioned, which is that Crowley thinks it's unfair God still has these humans' faith even if They play a cruel game with them, cruelty not even veiled as something neccessary like with the Flood and probably Gomorrah, but openly pointless cruelty at that. There's the moment when Crowley tells Job, "You must be furious", trying to coax him into admitting his fury at God. Testing him. But not to destruction, because when it matters, when it's on and Sitis is about to curse God in front of a flock of not just angels but archangels, too, Crowley jumps in, interrupting and thus saving her which, considering the bet this was all about, might be even more dangerous for him than saving the goats and the children.

And to circle back to Edinburgh, I don't think Crowley was that high on laudanum. I think he was exaggerating the drug's influence on him to make it more convincing he was just "off my head on laudanum", because when Aziraphale tells him he just did a very good deed indeed, he seems pretty sober and not dizzy at all anymore when he tells him exactly that: "not responsible for my actions", and with a lot of very serious vehemence as well. Makes me wonder whether the moment in S1 before the Wall Slam, when Aziraphale is about to tell Crowley how nice he actually is, is giving Crowley flashbacks to the last time Aziraphale told him that, triggering his sudden vehement reaction (though that one's rather obvious; what I wonder about is the extent of it). It wasn't aggressive or threatening because we all know and already knew that at this point in S1, but something else that runs deeper than just a theatrical for-show moment. And that, in return, makes me wonder whether it was Aziraphale who accidentally ratted Crowley out. Whether it wasn't Hell's surveillance at all but Aziraphale's words to Crowley, "you just did a very good deed indeed" that alerted Hell to Crowley's good deed. Which would explain his pre-Armageddidn't vehement reactions to being called good/nice/kind even better.

Hello! What do you mean that Crowley is cold in the flashback with Job? Like, in a mean way? I always found he acts a little cool and demonic to keep up the charade knowing him acting demonic and uncaring will better veil the fact that he didn't kill the goats and doesn't intend to harm the kids since we know he'll be in big trouble if anyone finds out. And he knows everything will be fine, and that the kids won't get hurt and that the animals are safe as well so I figure that's a big factor in him seeming so cool/lacking compassion in the scene with Sitis. It reminded me a little of the scene in S1 where he turns the paintball guns into real ones and acts all cool and careless about it until begrudgingly admitting that nobody gets shot 🤔

Oh! And I forgot to add: the cool, rather uncaring demeanour Crowley has with Sitis is the same he first has with Aziraphale when he "kills" the goats and when he tells him he longs to destroy Job's blameless children. Until he realizes Aziraphale isn't on Heaven's side with this. Anyways, sorry for the ramble and I love reading your meta!

(re: this post)

Hi there! Never any need to apologize for rambling to me, discussions like this are fun, and you are drawing some very good points. And it gives me an excuse to put more thought into this!

To clarify, by "cold" I'm not saying Crowley's being mean, but he's definitely not being nice. Crowley is a "kind but not nice" big picture kinda guy, and he's got a lot of plates to be juggling here.

This is the one real time we see Crowley "at work." Like you said, acting as a demon. But not the bwahaha type of demon Aziraphale keeps bringing up with his 'avaunt!' and 'I bring a warning!' over-the-top angel shtick.

Crowley's got a wall up, by necessity. He comes across sort of... aloof and impatient, verging on condescending at points. He's steering this interaction by his plan and can't be stopped by how these people are suffering in the meantime.

And yet he's doing all he is with Job's family because he cares. Crowley thinks it's not fair that Job's being put through this, that God still has Sitis's faith even now. How much of that is the specific situation in front of him, and how much is him projecting his own trauma isn't exactly clear and I think kind of irrelevant. They're both at play. Crowley I'm sure would love to pretend he doesn't care about either.

But these humans are simultaneously A) in his way and B) not at fault. Crowley is a big picture guy: He does his best work on a large scale, he's fond of humans in general but they're often too much for him one on one. He'll support sacrificing one life to save the whole world (And yet, he won't personally pull the trigger) (But he will get frustrated when Aziraphale won't either)

Basically, Crowley can be frustrated by individuals enough to not be comforting while they're upset, to turn them into newts, etc. while also able to see on the broader scale that being annoying to him personally isn't reason enough to deserve truly awful things. Also there's some element of not wanting to let himself get attached because if he cares he will care.

That's a fascinating character trait, especially when you contrast him with Aziraphale who also has a big heart, but often gets distracted by that big picture of how things Should be.

I have more to say about your second message, because I actually think there's an important difference in his attitude with Sitis & Job vs how he's confronting Aziraphale there. But I've been turning this part over for long enough, so I'll release it into the wild.

[piedpiperworld]

Vinegar Production Technology

New functional object found under 'Small Appliances'.

It costs 120$, and it can be placed almost everywhere.

When you purchase the barrel and place it, the first interaction you'll see is to 'Purchase Mycoderma' (aka Vinegar 'Mother'). This is one time thing, even if you buy multiple barrels, you'll need to do it only once (on one barrel). It costs 20$ and your Sim needs to wait 1 day before another interaction pops up (in real life vinegar takes up to 3 months to be created, so I added a little long waiting time as a sort of simulation).

After 24 hours your Sim will see another interaction - 'Prepare Vinegar', it will show you a recipe menu, with 5 possible vinegar options. You can produce Wine, Malt, Rice, Balsamic or Apple Cider Vinegar.

Each vinegar costs 30$, but if you have the neccessary ingredients, it will be free.

This is an immadiate interaction, so yourt Sim will collect the product immediatiely.

You can then open the vinegar bottle (contains 5 cups), and use it in cooking (it's SCCO comaptible and responds to ANY vinegar tag in recipies).

Or you can sell the bottle to a Grocery Store, for a little income.

DOWNLOAD (Early Access)

Public Release: 8th of October 2022

@maxismatchccworld @sssvitlanz

[caracalclaws]

So... are Mint and Neo still friends at all? since they used to share a blog?

Somewhere in the Mystic Ruins, sometime ago.

"... Hey, Neo. I kinda need to tell you something..."

Mint steps carefully into the base; she has long gotten used to how dark it is in this place. Neo briefly turns his head in acknowledgement, away from the holo-screen he's always glued to-- she can never figure out what he's studying on that thing.

"You're early." Is all that the robot says. "You told me your shift ended at midnight. I would have come to the station if you had called."

"Y- Yeah, I know. I know you hate me walking allll the way here in the dark..."

"Hm." She can't really tell if that 'hm' is in annoyance or dismissal of the topic. He continues; "what is it you need to inform me of?"

The caracal swallows, thickly. She can already begin to feel her heart pound in her chest at the very idea of confrontation-- Hell, she's almost as nervous as she first began her G.U.N training. Or the first time she broke into this base and discovered him-- that Neo Metal Sonic was still alive & sustaining themselves here in the first place.

... Something that the Commanders are still very much unaware of, as per their agreement.

"... Soooo.... G.U.N want to take me on full-time, now. As of today, I've... I've finished all my neccessary training. I'm... I'm officially a Rookie." She tries to announce as confidently as she can muster. "So... Basically, you're not gonna be seeing me as often, now... huh."

Neo pauses his typing on the giant keyboard before the holographic screen, as if in thought. He soon begins tapping away shortly after. "That's great news. Good for you."

"Y-Yeah, but--"

"You do not sound pleased. Is this not a cause for celebration? I'm not familiar with this sort of thing."

"Well--"

"Well, what?"

"Would you let me finish!" She eventually huffs. Her ears fold back a little- she can hear the softest of chuckles. "This is important. I'm-- I'm telling you this because-- I'm... I'm not going to be... working in Station Square now."

The silence seems to go on forever. They both seem to be frozen, before eventually Mint sighs, dumping her backpack onto the floor in a heap. She fidgets, mouth opening and closing a few times, before her eyes squeeze shut and she just blurts it out.

"I'm- I'm moving out! I... I'm gonna be looking at apartments in Metropolis, later this week..." Ugh, suddenly her throat feels all tight. Why is this so hard?! It's not like this abandoned old place is a very nice place to live, and she always tells herself Neo's company sucks but its better than nothing. "The headquarters are in Metropolis, and... that's where I'll be working, now..."

"... So. You're leaving."

If she knew better, she might have said he sounded... Disappointed? No, sad? Neo was still exceptionally hard to read, and his constant-blank facial expression did little to elaborate on what he was thinking or feeling. She feels her eyes begin to well up a little.

But she forces them back. As much as possible, anyway. In the lowlight, its very easier to see her eyes are shiny with wetness.

"I-- I would've told you sooner, that-- that my training was coming to an end... But... I thought it wouldve been alright, y'know? I didn't think I'd end up stationed so- so far away... and..."

"Don't cry."

"I'm not crying, stupid!" Sniff. She very unsubtley wipes her face into her arm. "I'm just-- I'm just overwhelmed..."

She knows Neo isn't... The most empathetic of individuals. Which is why its so God damn embarrassing to be all welled up infront of him. Her bottom lip trembles, but she sighs again, a little shaky, however she begins to regain her composure.

"I'll... I'll start boxing up all my stuff in the morning." She mumbles out.

Neo's head tilts to one side. "I can help you with moving."

"Please. Its not like I can get a moving van all the way out here."

Neo lets out an amused hum. He makes a motion for her to come closer, turning himself towards the screen once again. Mint hesitates, but she does eventually begin to drag her feet over towards the robot...

"Don't get upset about this. This is your career; our... Affiliation put that on the line, as it was." Neo begins. She knows 'affiliation' does actually mean 'friendship', but she doesn't bother correcting him. "Its not as if you will not see me again."

Mint pauses to think about that for a second, her head lifting from how its hung like a sad puppy. But he continues.

"You will always know where to find me. Just make sure you don't get into any trouble."

She manages a small laugh at that. "W- When do I ever get into trouble?"

"Always. All the time. Constantly, actually." ... As condescending as he was, he did have a sense of humour.

"...I'll miss you, Neo."

There was another break of silence. But Neo eventually shrugs. "Your... Lack of presence here will not go unnoticed."

It was going to be hard. Alone.

Grand Metropolis, present.

... One day, I'll see you again.

@neometalmadness

[snowfuls]

she doesn't need to be coddled. not now, not ever. but brutus does so all the same... on occasion. moving to grip the back of her head, urging the younger victor forward so, he can press a quick kiss to her temple before pissing off back to the mentor's lounge, winking as he goes. aligned as the contrasting pair from two are, in their outlook on life as well as on the games currently taking place, with ambrosia now in the arena, enobaria finds herself mourning the loss of his company as the quell begins. had things gone her way, she'd be going with him. she'd have been going with him for years now but the reality is all the more bleaker. a hall of "winners" who would rather be anywhere else, it seemed. it's useless and thankless and makes her feel more like a prop than any amount of promotion or pandering ever has.

still, there's familiar faces abound. not many enobaria has taken any particular interest in over the years, absorbed as she often is in district two and its prospects each year but with this being an "extra special" quell, there's more to consider. thought coming to mind as she watches the newly formed career pack grace the images projected before annie cresta — the members of which include cadence's pseudo-father and annie's very real one. these aren't coincidences that go unnoticed by enobaria but ever the lone wolf, fangs and all, she can't help but wonder what it's like to be tied to somebody in such an indelible way. helpless, she imagines. in situations such as this, where it's life or death, unique and largely unfathomable as it is to most who surround them. it's almost enough to make her feel better off for orphanhood. almost.

❛ but neccessary. ❜ she calls, coming to lean against a table nearby, stormy brown hues taking in the supposed "mad girl". they'd only won their games five years apart from one another but appeared to represent the full spectrum of winning methods. or rather, both ends of said spectrum. proactivity and passivity. for no matter which way you spun it, annie cresta was a pawn knocked off the board early. one the victor from two had scarcely glimpsed in the years following her games. it makes the girl who swum to victory somewhat of a spectacle in her own right. so much so that the acts of brutality being committed by enobaria's tribute of choice fade to background noise. pride swells in her chest in spite of that. they can't bet, of course but as far as enobaria is concerned, these were ambrosia's games to win. and she continues to make little secret of that fact, hurt feelings over doomed loved ones be damned. ❛ looks as though ours are teaming up though. i'm sure fletcher will live longer with her by his side. ❜ or not. it's not as if enobaria had set the best example when it came to allies.

where: either a coffee shop nearby the hotel she's residing in or the victor's lounge. ( take your pick ! )

who: anyone who isn't currently in the arena.

this isn't the first time annie has been within these four walls. seat is comfortable enough, she might make this her temporary residence while the seventy-fifth hunger games is underway. sure, she could watch within the comfort of her hotel room, but the bustle of other life here might be a welcomed distraction compared to the silence of her lodging. her main focus is fletcher, who seems to be linked with the career pack. during her own games, the district four tributes were not in alliance with one and two. that should buy him some time. but his score is higher than what annie's was and he has academy training ... maybe he'll make it out.

mind wanders elsewhere too. hazelle is katniss everdeen's aunt. chandler is friends with peeta's brother. ezra is a dear friend of thea's though annie suspected it was more. lavender had been kind to her ; every caesar interview made it so evidently clear that people had someone waiting for them at home. while annie does believe that the yearly slaughter of children is worse than an entirely adult arena kids are innocent of the doings of those before them it doesn't prevent the situation from being terrible and morbid.

but thought is broken as ambrosia from two strikes down zephyr and wendy. it's one right after the other. knives fly through the air with such precision. it's a span of like a minute. the holographics make it seem like you're watching it all just a short distance from the true acts. it's bloody and cannons boom. eyes shut for a few moments as she bites the inside of her cheek. the woman from two looked so proud. once she opens her eyes again, she simply acknowledges, " that was brutal. " guess the odds weren't in five's favor.

[thisisgonnafuxkinkillme]

Bloody Hell

Warnings:

 Mentions of chronic illness, blood

Pairing: Yagi Toshinori x gn!reader

You hid behind the staff room’s door, trying your absolute hardest to contain all the giggles. It was gonna go something like this: You pop out and startle Toshinori and you both have a cute little laugh before actually starting the day. Yagi always prides himself on coming into work a little too early, sometimes even having to wait a moment for the front door of the campus to be unlocked. To him, twenty five minutes early is five minutes late.

However, you made sure to wake up a bit earlier than usual in order to be the first teacher to arrive at UA, and suprise him a little bit.

As soon as seven o clock rolled around, Toshi entered the already open door. He flipped on the light. 

You waited a moment or two before making your move, popping out from behind the door and yelling “Boo!”

He was, in fact, startled, just like you’d expected.

However, the laughing didn’t exactly happen. He coughed red, fresh blood, digging in his suit pocket for a tissue.

“Oh my God! Do I need to get the nurse? I’m so sorry, let me help you,” you stammered, panic setting in as he continued to hack and wheeze. He shook his head, waving one hand around, signaling you to not bother her. 

Plus, she wasn’t even in yet, anyways.

“I’m- I’m fine,” he managed to sputter out between coughs. You patted him on the back firmly.

“No, you’re not fine. What should I do?” you asked, partly to yourself but partly to him. He just kept waving his hand at you. 

After a few minutes, he calmed down, and his breathing returned back to normal.

“I hope I didn’t scare you too much,” he sighed, patting at the still wet, red stains on his breast.

“What do you mean? You didn’t scare me, but that looks really, really bad, Toshinori. We need to get you to Recovery Girl-”

“No, that won’t be neccessary. This is normal.”

“It is not normal! Listen, that could be something really serious, and I’m not going to give up until you go get something done about that!” you argued. 

“I’m serious. This is normal for me,” he began. Still while in the silent, completely empty staff room, he motioned for you to get comfy. He had a lot to explain to you.

“And that’s why I...well, you know,” he finished, sipping his coffee. 

“I’m...I’m so sorry. I didn’t know,” you apologized.

“No. Don’t be sorry. Thank you for caring about me. It means more than you’ll ever know.”

[minidigidestined]

Antlion and Seung

A oneshot I started like a year ago and finished the other day. it is the meeting of two of my OCs, Antlion and Seung. Just something short, simple and fun... I may rework it and turn it into its own series!

XXX

"Alright, Bonk, let's get out of here. I think we've got about all we can carry." Auburn hair tied into twin tails with string fluttered in the spring breeze as a stout woman screwed the cap back on the last of the many canteens hanging from the belt at her waist, slipping a morel mushroom into the straps on her back. She wiped the sweat from her brow with the hem of her dress, squinting at the fading sun. "Plus it's getting late. Owls will be out." Each movement--down to the most minute--efficient, sure and almost mechanical. A round toad, pale white and studded with cheerfully ruddy warts, stared back at her with scarlet eyes. He stood about an inch or two taller than his possibly human companion--well, if you didn't count her absolutely diminutive stature or slitted eyes, along with a few other uncanny features.   Bonk cocked his head, looking concerned and almost as uncanny as the girl with his wide mouth and unwavering stare.   His throat swelled with a chirp of warning, but the tiny woman was preoccupied with situating the plump morel among her gear. "This'll be some great eating! Mix it up with some roasted crickets back at the hollow and we'll definitely be good to hole up for a coup--" The ground rumbled with the slightest of vibrations, but silence hung heavy in the air--with even the cicada choir gone quiet, that definitely meant there was some sneaky predator around.   "Bonk, go!" Without a second thought, the tiny lady swung atop her warty steed, grasping onto his parotid glands for purchase. The albino toad lurched forward with a mighty hop, abandoning their puddle of rainwater and shooting toward the trail leading to their burrow in the gnarled roots of an old oak... ...And slammed straight into an open palm. "Hm. I'm sorry." The voice that rumbled above them was thoughtful, quiet, calculating. And yet no less terrifying. A human this far in the woods couldn't mean anything good. Bonk fell backwards, chirping desperately as he sprung up to cover his friend with his heavy-set body, flattening down on top of her. Terrified, she pressed her face into the soft bumpy skin of his belly, mind rushing to think of the old Nature Queens her mother had taught her about when she was young. Something to pray to. To cry to. And quite possibly to curse at. She had never once been this foolish and oblivious before, but she had just been so tired and hungry... She and Bonk both had lost so much weight during the barren winter, but she thought with the recent rain their luck was changing at last. She got too excited, a rookie mistake when out foraging. "Stupid..." She grit her teeth together, willing her tears away as she felt Bonk's rapid heartbeat thrum against her face.   "An albino--how rare and pretty." The once-before dreary voice now seemed to hold a bit of sparkle. "Let me get a good look at you...you're a big guy for being so bright out here. Figured you would have been eaten by now. Lucky one." Long fingers gently curled around Bonk's abdomen, lifting the little toad right on up despite his now outraged wriggling. "Piss rocket, Bonk! Piss on him!" The girl grit between her teeth.   She knew the human would see her any second now--and once he did, it was all over. Bonk began to squirm wildly, spraying a certain kind of liquid artillery as his tiny feet grasped for his friend's hands. His red eyes shone with terror, the woman's own black eyes reflecting pure rage. The human lifted Bonk completely into the air after getting a firm grasp on his back legs, turning the amphibian with a sure hand to face their visage head-on. The tiny woman finally got a good look at them--tall and rail thin, pale eyes and hair brushed away from their brow and tied in a high ponytail. Everything about them seemed pointed and grim,  fragile like glass, a stark contrast to both the woman and Bonk's soft, rounded and much sturdier looking shapes. "Such bright colors." The human mused, flipping Bonk over to inspect his belly. "I just can't get over it. How did such a garish little thing like you survive so long?"   The woman eyed a strange contraption hanging around the human's neck, a circular lens catching the last of the fading sun. Bonk smacked the human with his front feet and swelled his throat, all out of pee and struggling to escape. I can't let this go on, The woman thought. Who cares about the elf courts? The rules? No one's here to listen in now. No nobles have ever helped me, and I refuse to let a damn thing happen to Bonk! The tiny lass, no more  than a few inches tall, whisked her blade from the strap at her hip--be it but a sewing needle, she knew it could still draw blood if neccessary. She slipped the morel from her back to use as a, uh... Club? Shield? She wasn't quite sure at this point, vision going red with rage and brain dizzy with fear. He's all I have left. "Put him down!" She cried at the top of her little lungs. "Or else my Deathweaver will have a taste of you, human!" The human seemed to startle for a moment, flinching inward and glancing around almost sheepishly. Then their gaze flicked down, jaw going slack. I'm all he has. Anything but leaving him behind, She reminded herself as her blood turned to ice.   She tried to imagine herself as a human would--being tiny was shocking enough she was sure, but her long ears, mottled white and tan skin, black spots, slitted eyes, whip tail and her hands covered in setae? She had seen how humans reacted before... Knowing some kind of earth magic would be great right about now... Anything more than a knitting needle to keep from getting stepped on. Oh, how she wished she had been as talented as the rest of her family! "...You look like a House Gecko. Mediterranean." The human blinked. "But a person. At the same time. Huh." She blinked back, then sneered. "I am Antlion." The woman gripped her needle, growling. "And you will unhand my friend at once!"   She was shaking uncontrollably. The human continued to stare, Bonk himself going still and cocking his head as if confused by the sudden stand-off.   "Well, I'm Seung." The human said, plainly. "I need to get a look at you." "Excuse me?! I'll poke out your--" Her war cry became a squeal when the human reached forward with his free hand. She rolled out of the way--just how Honey-Lavender taught me--but it still wasn't enough. The human's fingers caught the strap across her back, lifting her right off the ground. Antlion snarled, kicking her legs and thrusting her needle upwards. She laughed when it raced across the human's palm, making them wince. "Bring me to your face, Seung!" She hissed out mockingly. "Let's see you look at me with no eyes!" Seung's lips twisted in a wry smile. "What a shame that would be." "Eeugh?" Antlion felt heat rise to her cheeks before baring her teeth. "Let my friend go or your nose is mine!" She pointed the needle right at their face, wincing inwardly when she noticed something more along the lines of a paper cut rather than the grievous wound she had been aiming for on her foe's wrist. "You've got attitude. Usually house geckos are runners. How interesting. You do have the markings though. Does your tail drop?" Antlion stared straight forward, her black and silver eyes locked into his own. The clear blue of a frozen lake. An early morning sky before frost. Delicate as glass. She burned. She'd do anything to melt that ice into nothing. The little woman cursed her diminutive size. "Hm. I could see why you'd be frustrated." They seemed to snap out of a fog. "I guess that was rude. I've just never seen anything like you. And your companion is an albino american toad? With your...aggression, I suppose I know how he's survived so long despite his color." Bonk croaked indignantly. Antlion's eyes narrowed, her sword arm unwavering. "We grew up together, I raised him from a tadpole. I'd do anything to keep him safe--even slay a giant like you." "There's no need for any slaying." Seung said dryly, the edge of their mouth curling into something like a smile. "Let me prove it to you." Carefully, they lowered both of their hands to the earth, placing each of his tiny charges back on the ground. "There." Antlion's heart was in her throat, even as Bonk pressed his face into her shoulders, his body loose with relief. "What are you doing, human?" "I would just like to talk. Ask some questions." Seung said delicately. "I'm studying herpetology right now, and I'm the president of the photography club. The only member of it, actually." "I do not know what your silly words mean." Antlion's eyes became angry slits, the human's shadow encompassing her. "That's okay, we'll get there." Seung nodded, as if this were all completely natural to them. "What do you mean?" Antlion demanded, eying them warily as she sheathed her Deathweaver. "We are friends now, are we not? I have a bit of cheese and crackers I'm willing to spare. Let us sit and talk awhile." The little gecko woman blinked. This human was...different. Intriguing and unflinching. She held tight to her anger. Anger kept you safe. But it had been so very long since she had cheese... So even though she was breaking about thirty seven different laws...in their shadow they remained. "I will speak in exchange for cheese." Antlion huffed. "But we are not friends. You giants are my enemy!" Seung smirked softly, reaching into their bag for the snacks. "Of course. So, why don't we start with what in the world you are, then?" Antlion sucked in a deep breath. Bonk nudged her arm, looking just as curious and hungry as she did. She had been lonely for such a long time. Quiet for even longer. And this human...odd as they were, they were also kind. Gentle. Even after she had threatened and spit and spat at them. Perhaps they could be useful to a beast elf like her. After all, there were no law keepers to punish her for simply...using the resources around her, now was there? So she let go for the first time in many years, and began to speak.

Patreon: https://href.li/?https://www.patreon.com/toadwarts?fan_landing=true

Ko-fi:    ko-fi.com/toadwarts

A03: https://archiveofourown.org/users/ToadWarts

[boizandgurlzinthehouse]

𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 ♡

in his eyes, you are the best 

really, and you are the coolest woman girl uwu he ever met.

make you travel into various countries to sneak information or work together with the local resistance, giving and receiving advices about the occasion of the war.

japanese, german, italian –you speak so many languages, especially of the axis powers, but god, you are so brilliant and outstanding.

once before he got to talk with you, he caught you speak italian, perhaps getting the most capital reports and instructions from the original italian army itself, while they just ate your jazz speech, you gagged them so easily.

when the two of you spoke first, you helped to spiers with leading his company (they searched for another captain in the whole usa, but with your rank, you were able to do this).

of course between you and sobel was a little tension, but this was the first thing you and winters canned talk about –ranting about him, the company, the whole fucking war.

he realized that you can almost read his mind, but for you, his calmy, collected mind was so spectacular and admirable –needless to say, you often had anxiety about the too much stress with your work, but there, in toccoa was everything so good, especially talking at night, before the last stack of papers or in the early morning, before the whole tiring day.

he was so frightened to call you for a date, because you were a bright, gifted goddess, while he was just a simple man who fought for his homeland –but there was the judicial incident, where only you were able to help. and this good, perfect man could never be out of the battalion, unlike sobel.

so you help him, since you always appreciated his (richard’s of course) loyalty and perseverance about the company, so damn you sobel

after your help, he hesitantly stumbles into your room, while you read again the papers you had written. “thank you so much for all the help, y/n. really, what you do is… so amazing, and i’m just… i thought that I would thank you with a nice dinner, or something, yeah. i bet you haven’t eaten a nice meal or pie.” you look up, smiling a little bit, lighting a cigarette. “that sounds very nice, mr. winters.” “richard, uhm... just call me richard.” and with that, he leaves you, but each of you screams inside of his heart from the bliss.

after the date, you and him have a hasty kiss on the before-night of his jump and your trip to russia, your bags already on the train –”take care of yourself, rich, i love you so much, please...” you grab his collar, burying your head in his chest. “i love you too, darling. either way, we’ll meet on the other side. wait for me, okay?” okay.

the two of you always keep up the contact using letters. sometimes novel-long ones, sometimes just a couple lines, but never leaving the other alone with his insecurities about the worries. he can get shot or killed on the battlefield anytime, and you... well, you can get arrested and cut out anytime. 

the other guys in the company hear about you, and start making gossips about that you’re one of the best spies, and on the matriculation, you need to swim across the hudson-river, or you needed to escape from the woods with only a spud and a potato –but lewis knew only that the two of you were a thing. 

sometimes he teased winters about it with almost-saying your biggest secret, making winters super-annoyed –”write to y/n that i wish her some survive too, okay? don’t miss this!” “’course, sure...” 

the two of you meet again in paris, on his 48-hour pass, you got a week off too, rushing to the station –the next 48 hour is the best time you two had in a while, and he never gonna admit it in front of anybody but you, but he needs to touch you in this so little time. hugging you while sleep to protect you from everything, holding your hand, holding the back of your head while kissing, making love softly while brushing your soft skin with his tender hands jsdhshdj

your relationship only got stronger and tighter, you work so much harder to help ending the war, always reading the newspaper or the military reports, even the classified ones, just to know that he’s alive. 

the third time you met in berchtesgaden, you never need to leave him again –you and the whole society of the secret service turn off the gestapo, that’s why all the 600 thousand soldier and officer capitulate. he heard it in the morning during his breakfast, like “did you hear that the secret society snatched all the gestapo and ss? so fucking awsome, like the war ends here, isn’t it?” it is, winter thinks, hoping that nobody died in the process, especially you, but knowing you, never giving up, he’s a little bit eased by the words. 

in the moment when he goes back to the office, speirs standing next to nixon, who’s holding the phone, smirking a little bit when he sees his good old friend –”somebody’s searching after you, dick. go and get he- it.” 

you jabber that you’re just a couple streets away from him, your cars arrive now to sign some agreement, but it’s mostly your boss, but you are almost there and you can’t wait to reunion with him, again and forever now

you jump into his arms behind the truck, sobbing from the too much emotion you got immediately –all the worries suck up, your anxiety disappears, happiness, his handsome scent and love fills up your lungs. you missed him so much, you never gonna be able to tell to him. but now, it’s isn’t so neccessary. 

at midnight, you dare to beetle into his room, snuggling up to him under the blanket. the two of you stare at each other’s face for a ciuple of monents, then he bring up his hand to palm your angelic face, pressing a devoted, warm-hearted and i-missed-you-so-much-my-love kiss.

“you are so brave, richie. you are my hero, the company’s hero, and the best man i’ve ever met.” you whisper, laying your head on his chest. 

“and you are the most powerful, gentle woman i’ve ever known. you’re the nation’s pride. you’re my pride. and i, i promise i’ll never leave you again.”

“i promise you, too.” you answer, smiling as he laces your fingers together, now truly, totally together. 

“i’ll never leave.” you whimper on the edge of the most beautiful dreams with him by your side.

i’ll never leave, love. never ever in a million times.

𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚘 𝚞𝚠𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈) 𝚒 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚝!!