#also on wattpad

[puppet-strings-and-rabbit-fur]

can I get a reader who can break the 4th wall but like kuzco form the emperors new groove no one knows they can do it not even Caine

TADC x Kuzco!Reader

a/n- sorry if i took so long!! i didnt watch the emperors new groove so this might be OOC 😭 characters- kinger, jax, pomni, zooble, Gangle. (help how do i figure out the difference between imagines and head-canons) CW- mentions of violence (?) notes- Reader is GN and has similar traits to Kuzco (i HOPE. i never watched the film) credits- the-s1lly-corner for the format!! *POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 2!!*

things you'd probably notice

like how jax's teeth arent brushed and how they have LOADS of tar-tar

ragatha's stitching in-between her limbs

zooble's body parts are different textures (smooth, rough, fluffy, slimy, glittery, etc-etc..)

how pomni's eyes spiral like a merry-go-round when shes excited

how your partner/crush glances at you every now and then. but you try to pretend you dont see it happening so they look at you more. (if you have any!)

kinger's wood texture on his skin changing every day or so. (like the texture re-renders everyday)

gangle's ribbon texture. its so mesmerizing to see all the little ridges on her.

how after episode 2 (IF you were there) you could see the stitches on ragatha's torso from when she was impaled.

jax's messy fur after he showers or wakes up. and how it makes him look so innocent and adorable.

the casts body language. your like an eagle when it comes to this. (you can tell whenever one of them is upset. its optional if you help them or not)

how jax stomps his feet whenever hes threatened, upset and/or demanding attention (just like how rabbits IRL do! even though hes technically a jackrabbit.)

misc HCs/imagines

if you had a crush (or IF you were dating any of the character) every episode you'd either point it out in third person, talk so highly of them in third person or maybe you'd doodle hearts over them in the intro. probably just to make the fangirls/fanboys jealous

you'd probably help give context in third person to the audience.

IF jax ever caught you he'd probably think you were crazy. (since your like talking to yourself in his POV.)

whenever theres drama or something crazy happens you'd 100% look into the camera and break the fourth wall

omg maybe you'd spill some tea going on BTS (behind the scenes) during a mundane moment (in third person obviously..)

i have a strong suspicion you'd try to start drama just for the fun of it.

maybe you'll collect secrets of your enemy/ rival and spill them in third person!!

only the viewers can actually see and hear it all though. so you look crazy to everyone else (IF they caught you in the act)

you'll probably be a huge hit with the drama queens/kings and the theorists.

(A/N- thank you for requesting!! i really enjoyed writing this!! so sorry if this isn't what you wanted though!!) (also my English and grammar may be choppy!!)

[sparkles-rule-4eva]

Posted this on Wattpad and AO3 a couple days ago and thought I'd share it with Tumblr as well! :3

Wachowski Family one-shots - "Going Shopping"

"Mother." Knuckles tugged on Maddie's arm, pulling her attention away from the book she'd been reading on the couch. "We have run out of grapes."

"Oh?" Maddie sat up a little, closing her book and flashing the echidna a quick smile. "Sounds like we need to hit the grocery store, then. I think we need more cereal, too."

"What has the store of groceries done to deserve our hitting it?" Knuckles demanded as she stood up and headed into the kitchen to find Tom and their other two boys.

"Figure of speech, hon." Maddie reached down and gently squeezed his shoulder. She glanced up again as she approached the kitchen and called through the doorway, "Hey, babe?"

She heard him call back, "What?" in something of a distracted tone, and walked in to find him rummaging through the cupboard, apparently searching for something. Sonic was sitting at the counter nearby, talking his ear off about his most recent baseball practice.

Tom looked over at her as she walked in, then immediately looked back at the cupboard. "I think we're running low on coffee. I can't find another bag."

"That works out, actually," Maddie replied with a grin, and he glanced back to her with a raised eyebrow. "I've been informed we're also out of grapes—" she flashed Knuckles a knowing smile— "and I know we definitely need more cereal. We up for a shopping trip? Or is it too close to dinner?"

Tom glanced at the oven clock, which read 4:02. "Nah, I think we can make it. Shouldn't take too long to just grab a couple things and go."

Sonic jumped off the stool he'd been perched on and was at Maddie's feet in an instant. He'd done this so many times now, Maddie no longer jumped when it happened. It was . . . a new normal, and one she didn't mind one bit.

"Can we pleeease get some more chili, too?" he pleaded, eyes sparkling. "Oh— and pizza! And guac?! Please please please please please!"

Maddie rolled her eyes with a laugh. "We'll see, sweetheart. For now, we're just gonna get what we actually need."

"Tails?" Tom called to the living room, startling the little fox from his fixation on the mini helicopter toy he'd been tinkering with. "We're all heading out. Make sure you put your stuff away where it's not going to get broken."

"Coming!" Tails scooped up his things and flew them upstairs to the attic, then flew back down a moment later to grab his shoes from one of the cubbies by the door (a more recent addition). Sonic had already put his shoes on, as had Knuckles.

As Tom locked the house up, the boys and Maddie headed for the car, with the trio making it a race of who could get there first. From what she could see, Sonic had definitely won, but then Tails protested something about they were supposed to touch the car door handle, not just the car, and Knuckles was demanding a rematch. With an amused smile, Maddie pressed the button on the key fob to unlock it so they could get inside.

By the time she and Tom had climbed into the drivers and passengers seats, Knuckles, Sonic, and Tails were all in their seats and buckled— Tails had to ride in a booster seat still, but he had no trouble buckling himself in. Occasionally he had trouble with unbuckling, but that was usually when he was rushing.

"Do you have, like, an actual shopping list?" Tom asked as he pulled out of their long driveway and started the five minute drive to the nearest grocery store.

"I'm pretty sure it's just those three things I mentioned." Maddie stole a glance in the rear view mirror to see their boys. Tails was fidgeting with something Sonic had left in the car from the other day, half listening to whatever Sonic was telling Knuckles. Or . . . telling himself. Knuckles was staring out the window.

It was hard to tell who Sonic was talking to at times. A lot of the time he just babbled to himself nonstop; a side effect still lingering from his prolonged isolation before he'd properly met her and Tom. It didn't seem to be harmful, so they hadn't made any attempt to stop it, but it did make them sad sometimes when they remembered the reason.

Maddie shook away those thoughts. Now wasn't the time to be thinking about that. Sonic— and the others— were okay now. She and Tom would love on them and be the parents all three of them had so desperately needed. They couldn't do much to repair the hurts in their lives from their pasts, besides try and make up for it now.

"That's good, then." Her husband's relaxed voice pulled her attention back to him. "With luck, this shouldn't take more than maybe twenty minutes."

In hindsight, they really should've known better.

Because honestly, even having the fastest kid alive, a child genius, and a warrior teen as their children, nothing ever got done fast.

It didn't help that the store they ended up at wasn't exclusively groceries. The second Tails saw the appliance and technology section, he was begging both parents to let him go have a look. And with the fox kit's big blue eyes, it was still difficult for Tom or Maddie to refuse.

(They knew they had to learn eventually. They'd never get anywhere with parenting this kid if he managed to get his way anytime he weaponized his own cuteness.)

Sonic had announced that he would find everything they needed in less than thirty seconds, but thirty seconds had long come and gone because every interesting thing on the way kept distracting him. It wasn't like he (or the other two) hadn't been to a store before, but for Tails and Knuckles, living on earth in a real family was still a new experience, and they spent most of their time treasuring every new thing they saw and felt. For Sonic, even though he'd now been living with Tom & Maddie for over a year, it still didn't feel long in comparison to the ten years he'd spent alone, watching the world from the hidden sidelines. Thus, to this day, he continued to relish every second he got to spend out in the open with no fear of being seen.

Knuckles was the only one who wasn't immediately drawn to go check out every new thing. Instead, he walked stubbornly by Maddie's side like a bodyguard (Tom had noticed he'd taken a special liking to her, as she had to him). Despite not joining his brothers, though, he still eyed them and his surroundings with a curious gaze.

Even though the presence of the otherworldly anthropomorphic children was not new to the citizens of Green Hills, neither Tom nor Maddie felt comfortable with the idea of letting one of them go off on their own. So, unable to resist the baby eyes, Tom ended up tagging along with Tails to the technology section.

Which was how Maddie found herself standing in the middle of the coffee and tea aisle with her entire family gone except for her eldest.

Knuckles peered up at her. "Would you like me to track down Sonic to ease your mind?"

"It's okay, hon." She smiled, trying not to betray the way her heart just melted at the kindness and consideration of the young echidna. "I can just call his phone real quick."

"I could call louder with my voice," Knuckles offered, but Maddie politely declined the suggestion and dialed her middle child's number.

"Hey, Mom, wassup?" Sonic's energetic voice picked up almost immediately. "You'll never believe what I found; remember that action movie series we watched a few months ago? They made a SIXTH one! Crazy, right?! Also I found a mess on the floor but I'm not sure if I should clean it up or not—"

"No, baby, don't—"

"Where are you, anyway? Oh! I was supposed to be finding the stuff we needed! What was it, again? Soup? No, cereal! Well, can cereal be a soup? Like a cold one that's sweet? Nah, that sounds like a dessert. Anyway, I'm coming!"

Maddie blinked several times at her son's rapidfire voice, and the next thing she knew, he'd already hung up.

Knuckles scowled. "He did not listen."

She shrugged with a little, knowing smile. "Your brother just isn't the best conversationalist. I think we know why."

The echidna's violet eyes softened, just for a moment. Then determination hardened them again. "I will find and bring him to you!"

"Wait, he did say he was coming—"

Maddie broke off at suddenly recognizing the voice hollering through the entire store: "MARCO!!!"

Her eyes went wide. "Oh, no—"

Then, a higher pitched voice: "POLO!!!"

A hyper giggle echoed from the direction of Sonic's voice, then he called "MARCO!" again.

Tails once again responded with an eager "POLO!" And thus their game went on.

Not sure whether to be humiliated or amused, Maddie chose to go find what they needed. She'd just grabbed the last thing when Sonic materialized at her side, giggling like a maniac, with Tails slumped over the hedgehog's head wearing an equally delirious smile of pure joy.

Tom was frantically running to catch up with them from further down the store, his eyes wide. "Not my idea," he panted as he arrived, and Maddie laughed.

"I knew that would work!" Sonic wheezed as he tilted his head and dumped Tails onto the tile floor. "Waaaayyy more effective than phones!"

Maddie narrowed her eyes, still internally battling as to whether this was acceptable behavior or not. "What, was this previously orchestrated?"

"No, no, no!" both Tails and Sonic fumbled over each other's words as they protested. Tails fell silent and nodded eagerly as Sonic quickly explained, "One of my teammates taught me that game at practice a couple nights ago! He said it was normally something that people play in pools, but his family sometimes uses it to find each other in places!" He trailed off, apparently uncertain as to whether he was in trouble or not, then quickly asked, "That's okay, right?" with just the slightest tinge of anxiety lacing his tone.

All thoughts of punishment had left Maddie's mind as he'd explained, and as she met Tom's gaze, it seemed he felt the same.

Having a family was still so exciting for Sonic. Hearing that he was trying out things with them that he'd heard other families did for fun . . . Well, something about that was just so touching.

So they didn't get back home till 6, and it wasn't a big deal. So their dinner was late and not as fresh as they'd been hoping. So what?

It didn't matter that things weren't perfectly orchestrated anymore. They'd done what they needed to do, their kids had had fun, no one had gotten hurt, and as far as they were concerned, the evening went just fine.

AO3 version

Wattpad version

[number-one-shadisper-shipper]

I was going to post a snippet for WIP Wednesday but I actually finished the chapter!

Things which happen in this chapter:

Baby Charmy

Espio suggests cannibalism

Vector makes his first dad joke

Espio discovers blogs

Baby Charmy

Vector is too tall

Vector complains about the cost of honey

Espio doesn't understand how babies work

Vector nearly decides to kill Espio

Espio and Vector argue about the five-second-rule

BABY CHARMY

[gokustormofficial22]

What if Sonic's Parents were the Chaos Emeralds? (Feat the Chaos Emeralds being sentient beings of their own)

Thankyou @birdsareblooming for letting me mess around with your idea ^^

Also here is the Wattpad version bc I have the character designs there.

[harrystylesfan2686]

Masterlist

I take requests!!

🌸= Fulff

🌩= Angst

💋= Smut

🤺= Action

MultiFandom!

MasterLists:

Harry Styles

ACOTAR

Original Short Story

———————————————————————

More coming soon!!❤

[clueless21]

Chapters: 31/? Fandom: Merlin - Fandom, Merthur - Fandom Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Merlin and Arthur, Merthur, Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin) Characters: Gwaine (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Merlin (Merlin) Additional Tags: Immortal Merlin (Merlin), there both idiots, but in love idiots, Idiots in Love, they stress me out, Also dragons for the win, the irony of reading a book about yourself Summary:

It's 2019 and Merlin has waited so long.... That he's forgotten what he was waiting for in the first place....

[harmonyverendez]

All covers for nocturnal & beyond the forest.

[violetwinterwidow01]

Civil War: Airport

Imagine: Steve needs Cevyn's help knowing she's quite stubborn.

°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°

Clint: "Cap, We need her."

Steve: "I know. But she's not easily convinced."

Wanda: "Do you want me to contact her?"

Steve: "Yes."

(Wanda calls Cevyn through her mind)

(Cevyn snaps in)

Cevyn: "Wands, that's not how I imagined you screaming my name."

(She jokes with a smirk making Wanda laugh.)

Clint: "What!?"

(Ignoring Clint, Steve speaks.)

Steve: "Cevyn, I know you're helping Tony, but we need you. We have a plan."

Cevyn: "I wasn't planning to, I just wanted to move on. But since you know I'm one to listen, convince me."

(Steve starts explaining)

Cevyn looks around at everyone questionably, then looks back at Steve

Steve: "Cevyn, are we clear?"

Cevyn: "Sorry, it's taking me a minute to process all the bull that just came out of your throat..."

Steve: "Bull -"

Cevyn: "So let me get this straight, you want me to help you get dreamy McHandsom out of here as fast as possible before they show up, right?"

(Bucky blushes)

Steve: "Yes."

Cevyn: "Making us fugitives of the law, knowing that some of us will be going to prison?"

(She walks toward him.)

Steve: "Yes. I know it's a risk, but we could use your help."

(She cups his face.)

Cevyn: "Did you take a couple of "Stupid pills" today? Because I worry about you."

(Clint, Bucky, Wanda, Scott, and Sam laugh.)

Steve: "Cev-"

Cevyn: "And why is Scott here?"

(She walks over to Scott and hugs him.)

Scott: "Hey, Cevy!"

Cevyn: "Wassup?"

Steve: "You know Lang?"

Cevyn: "I'm from Oakland. He's from San Francisco. You do the math."

Steve: "Scott?"

Cevyn: "I was looking for interesting friends, but that's beside the point. Do you know how stupid this sounds?"

Sam: "Do you have any other options?"

Cevyn: "Uh, yeah. You give him to me because I know he's innocent."

Bucky: "You do?"

Cevyn: "Yes, I have powers, plus I rewatched that news video enough to see it was a mask. I also wanna say sorry for kickin' your ass earlier."

Bucky: "It's okay. I'm Bucky."

(She's gorgeous)

Cevyn: Cevyn.

(She shakes his hand and hears his thoughts.)

Cevyn: "Thank you!"

(Bucky looks at her confused.)

Bucky: "What do you-"

Cevyn: "I can hear your thoughts."

(He blushes)

Bucky: "I'm sorry..."

Cevyn: "Oh no, you're fine. You're not too bad yourself. "

(They both blush and stare.)

Sam: "Cevyn..."

Cevyn: "Sorry, like I was saying, I can take him to Wakanda and help tell your truth. Sounds a lot better than whatever the hell that was."

Steve: "We don't have time for that. They want him now. We gotta get him out of here."

Cevyn: "Why you insist on making things harder than they have to be, I will never understand."

Steve: "Cevyn -"

Cevyn: "It's like your mind isn't there. It's out there somewhere. You can't even see it anymore. At this point, it's a speck of dirt!"

(Everyone laughs, except Steve.)

Steve: "Cev, will you please help us? Since you think this plan is terrible-"

Cevyn: "Nope, not "THINK". I know."

Steve: "Please?"

Cevyn: "I need a minute."

Sam: "We don't have time-"

Cevyn: "I need a minute."

(Silence for a second)

Steve: "What are you think -"

Cevyn: "I'm thinking you want this vein in my forehead to pop just... BE QUIET."

(More silence...)

Everyone: "Cev-"

Cevyn: "Alright, fine!"

Steve: "What?"

Cevyn: "I will help you."

Steve: "You will? You'll be on the tarmac?"

Cevyn: "Hell no, I'm helping from afar just in case this goes to shit."

Steve: "It won't."

Cevyn: "I said "just in case", but if it does, you're on your own. Okay, because I- I can't go to jail. Again."

Steve: "What do you -"

Cevyn: "It was his fault."

(pointing to Scott)

"But I mean it, if we go down, YOU are going to Feel. My. Wrath. Are we clear?"

Steve: "Yes, thank you. I know I'm an idiot and I don't deserve a friend like you."

Cevyn: "Hmm, Can't argue with that."

Steve: "But I appreciate this. Thank you."

(Steve kisses her forehead.)

Cevyn: "Mmhm... Im'a go, you guys get ready. When you're done with this, and whether or not you find Zemo, I'll send the jet some coordinates so you can find me."

Steve: "Okay."

Cevyn: "He's handsome, by the way." (towards Bucky). "You're very handsome, by the way."

Bucky: "Thank you, you're very pretty."

(Cevyn blushes)

Cevyn: "And he's gotta a good eye."

(She winks and snaps out.)

[peknie]

CAT Car (1)

Summary;

Tommy is an invisible attendant on the Cross-Atlantic Train Carriage- also know as the CAT Car. It was a train that ran across the Atlantic Ocean, making headlines before it was even built. He's only there for the money, but it seems he's not the only one. Suspicious guests aboard its first trip accidentally reveal secrets to their invisible attendant that he can't get out of his head. A detective, a thief, an actor, a billionaire, two attendants and their boss walk into a train carriage... And not all of them will walk out when the journey ends.

Playlist:

CAT Car - Spotify

Notes:

I know my drawings aren't flawless, but they sure are colorful. They just help me with how I visualize the story, ignoring them does not change the story at all!

     Thomas Innes was always one to stand out amongst a crowd. He was loud, annoying, and clingy. Not  unlike  most children, but definitely more so than his peers. Tommy had learned to cling to his mother at any moment, to laugh and yell despite how much their neighbors complained about the noise. 

     Clara Innes was a wonderful mother. She struggled to make ends meet with another mouth to feed, but that didn't matter. They had been happy.

     But good things don't last. One moment, Tommy was getting up in the morning. Next, he was in a hospital bed with a wound in his back. Doctor Nihachu told him that, while following his mom's car to a restaurant for his eighteenth birthday, somebody veered off and knocked their vehicles into one another. His mom died instantly, but he survived with a scar and newfound issues.

      Tommy doesn't like to think about it, nor about how  dull  the world had become. 

      Most of his days are filled with grueling shifts at the corner store and forming partial bonds with coworkers that don't last more than a month. 

       While walking down to the bus station, Tommy hugs his arms around himself, shivering. It was cold, the sun having set, and the buildings around him made of concrete. His only jacket had been destroyed by moths, though. Weaving through the city's constant crowd, he spared a glance to stand he normally would ignore. A paperboy waved a roll of white newspaper around, shouting something Tommy couldn't make out.

     Figuring that he didn't have much better to do (Tommy couldn't go out, and he didn't have a television- all for lack of money), he sidestepped out of the way, slyly picking up one of the papers. He cringed as he walked off without being noticed. He didn't  like  taking things, but Tommy caught the expensive watch and shoes the paperboy wore and decided he wouldn't miss it much. He must not feel bad either way, though. Tommy often 'borrowed' small items. It was a habit now, and he hated himself more each time.

     Once he turned to the subway stairs, he unfurled the paper and scanned it-  specifically  the for-hire side. Halfway through, Tommy's eyes caught by the edge of a photo on another page. He lazily flipped it, using his other hand to pass the gate.

      A photo of an extravagant, colorful train over the deep, blue ocean took up half the page. Tommy took a while to look at each cart, painted in a different color than the last. He hummed, smiling. It was about  time  trains got some flair.

     Tommy wasn't going to read the article, but he's rather good at seeing what he wants to see. He saw the word  hiring  and immediately opted to read that paragraph.

       CAT Car-  (Tommy looks up to find out it was the Cross-Atlantic-Train-Carriage, CAT Car for short)  -is said to be ready by the end of August. The engineer and architect behind it all is Sam Warden, who said, "[It's] been a difficult year, but all worth it. Unfortunately, the building crew can't act as the staff for the journey, so we're hiring maintenance and hands-on workers for the Cross Atlantic Train Carriage. After that, roughly by [the] end of August, we'll have an exclusive ride to and from Greenland."

     Tommy, struck with an idea, nearly trips as he attempts to step into the subway. It's fate that when he looks up, he sees an electronic ad for the CAT Car's hiring number. Tommy, unsure about his qualifications, jotted down the number in his newspaper. 

     Of course, he was using somebody else's pen.

     By some miracle (lying on his application and initial meeting), Tommy got past the first round of interviews. The second interview was actually  on  the CAT Car. Now, Tommy lived in New York City. He had ever since he was sixteen. The CAT Car was in Connecticut. It took a while, but Tommy made it to the station an hour early.

      He was in a formerly white button-down, now grey, and wrinkled pants. The only other person there dressed far better than he did, making Tommy flush in embarrassment. Still, he tried to ready himself. This job paid far more than his old job, so he'd need it to have any money.

     Slowly, more and more applicants entered the cool room. Tommy sighed, knowing now that this was a group interview. He wasn't going to stand out, and he knew that much. Ever since his mom died, his ability to  exist  happily, to be loud and boisterous, had gone. He had his moments, but overall, his reality had become dull. That was in stark contrast to the colors of the train cart.

     Thirty minutes before the official interview, a familiar face entered from the staff door. Sam Warden smiled at the applicants.

     A few of them freaked out, aw-ing and asking if he was the  real  Sam Warden. Tommy's eyebrow drew down. Was he supposed to be  that  excited? He noticed as Sam's eyes narrowed in the direction of the louder few. His expression shifted back to normal, but Tommy had already seen it.

      "I do commend your earliness, all of you. It's a quality I admire. That said, you have all passed your first test." A few applicants gasped, chattering as Sam ushered them into the next room. It was large and empty, except for a table with a suitcase on it. The room was dull, posters washed of most color.

      "I'm a tad unconventional in my hiring strategies," Mr. Warden started, nabbing some papers from a shelf and shuffling through them. Tommy caught sight of the edge of one- an application. He was picking out which hadn't arrived early. "You'll laugh to know that I hired engineers based on how well they built a bridge out of popsicles."

      "We did that in my elementary class," Someone said from the side. Sam looked them up and down as though noting them in his mind. "Yes, it is one of those things. Also- it came with the added benefit of picking engineers who could humor ridiculous ideas." Sam 

     Tommy bit his tongue, waiting for instruction. He probably should've spoken up more, but he was afraid he would speak out instead. Sam put the papers aside and moved onto the briefcase. "We're going to start with balance. I want each of you to balance on one foot, holding one of those bats along the back. Hold them by the bottom, straight toward the ceiling, and please do so with one hand."

      Confusedly, Tommy obeyed. A few others asked questions about the how or whys, but Tommy gathered that Sam didn't like that by the way his eyes narrowed again.

      There were confusing tasks after this, as well. The balancing act wasn't too bad- only a fifth of them were sent home. The next part was lying to Sam Warden's face. The more believable the lie would be to a clueless moron, the better Mr. Warden's reaction. Tommy lied, with a completely straight face, and told him that the sky was red. It happened once a year. That way, it could rain and replenish blood all over the Earth. He had  no  clue how he didn't crack, but Tommy was glad he didn't.

      A larger portion got sent back after that one.

      There were a few easier tasks, like serving him without saying anything and cleaning a stain.

      In the end, Sam Warden faced the remaining group. He pointed to several people, waving them to step forward. "You, all of you- you're dismissed."

      "What?" One of them was red in the face. "Why?"

      "Don't worry about the why. You haven't got the job." As they left, Tommy observed each of them. They were the ones that had spoken up or asked questions. He let out a relieved breath, glad to have noticed Mr. Warden's behavior before he also spoke up.

     "Next- I need you all to sign an NDA." Mr. Warden gave each of the remaining applicants a few papers to sign. Tommy tried to read over it but gave up when he realized he didn't know what half of the descriptors meant. Tommy sighed and signed away, potentially giving his soul to a demon. He wasn't sure what he was signing an NDA for, but it wasn't like he'd tell anybody. Who was he going to tell? His  mom ?

      That's a little dead mom joke for all of you out there. Shout out to the dead moms.

      Mr. Warden took up the NDAs with a smile on his face. Finally, he revealed what was inside the briefcase. Twelve vials of cool, blue liquid were laid out for each applicant.

      "I haven't told any of you  exactly  was your new job entails. To put it simply, you are invisible attendants." Mr. Warden smirked to himself. "The distinguished guests aboard the first Cross-Atlantic-Train ride will be under the implied impression that things float due to magnetism and advanced intelligence. This is to enhance the feeling of advanced tech." He turned a vial over in his hand. "That's why I'm left with the quietist of you all. The balancing test was really to see how quiet you can be."

      Holding out his arms for them to grab a vial each, Mr. Warden smiled. "It's not designed to make you pass through other people, though, so you'll need to watch out. You'll be able to see-  very faintly-  your coworkers. This invisibility serum is still in the testing stage, so be careful and understand that you may feel strange after taking it."

       Tommy was the one in front. He stepped up and turned a vial over in his fingers. His only thought was,  'What's the  worst  that could happen? I die?'  Tommy gave a considering grunt, uncorked it, and threw it back like a shot.

      Before he swallowed, he saw Sam Warden's face- contorted in surprise. His eyes hadn't narrowed, unlike those he had sent home, so Tommy supposed it was a good thing.

     Other applicants also took vials and drank them. Tommy waited, feeling something shift slowly. His vision blurred for a moment, returning to him with brighter colors. He felt slightly nauseous, his eyes dancing around the posters on the walls. Colors that had been dull before popped.

      Tommy's awareness skyrocketed.

     Holding his hands out, his hand faded into a glimmer. He gaped, gasping and looking down at his legs. 

     "What the  fuck ?" 

     The thought was whispered. Still shocked, he looked up and around to the others. They all faded, and aside from a glossy color overlaying them like glass, he could see  through  them, clothes included.

      The most interesting part to him was the differing colors of each of them. He suppressed a laugh. Mr. Warden nodded approvingly as the invisibility disappeared. One after another (Tommy being first), the applicants became visible. He hummed. "Wonderful, wonderful... Well, I suppose- since none of you had a bad reaction- you're hired. You can come back and fill out the paperwork tomorrow morning. On Wednesday, you'll start living in the cabins." Mr. Warden paused, glancing over them again. "Actually, since you'll be paired with a cabin-mate, I'll pair you up now.  Before  I forget which of you will probably be best together."

      There was a minute of silence, the applicants remaining impossibly still under Mr. Warden's observation. "Attending to the first train cart, I'll put...  You ," His voice dropped as he pointed to Tommy, who stepped closer. "And  you . You two will attend to cart one, and you will stay in cabin three."

      Tommy looked to his right to see his new cabin mate. Immediately, he felt his face scrunch up in distaste. He hadn't noticed the applicant before, but he was unnecessarily tall.  Unreasonably  so. He's just...

       Too  tall.

      Mr. Warden ruffled through his papers. As he did so, the other applicant looked  down  at Tommy. They awkwardly waved, but Tommy gave no reaction, so they put their hand down.

       "Ranboo Beloved and Thomas Innes," Mr. Warden introduced them to one another. "Please do your best to  get along, " His voice cut in Tommy's direction, making the teen turn his head away from Ranboo. "This is a professional environment, after all."

      Tommy nodded stiffly. Mr. Warden dismissed them and moved on to assigning cart two. As they left, Ranboo cleared his throat, "Ehm- that was... That was  something , right?"

      Tommy raised a brow. "Yeah." He stopped in his tracks. "Do you live in Connecticut?"

      "Uh... Yeah, why?"

      "Do you know any cheap motels?"

      Ranboo blanked, awkwardly fixing the black mask on their face. "Not really? I've never had to think about it. Do you have a phone?" The question was meant to have an obvious answer, but Tommy shook his head no. "You  don't ?" Ranboo's jaw dropped. "Oh, uhm, let me use mine..."

      Ranboo found a nearby motel that went for fifty a night, a little reluctant to leave after. Tommy forcefully said goodbye, hating the pity Ranboo shot at him, and walked in the direction of the motel. The only person he needed comfort from was his mom, and it was a bit late for that. Tommy sighed to himself, already ready for Wednesday. 

[romvnova]

Introduction & Chapter One: Destruction

Kerry Eurodyne. Bisexual Icon. Night City native. A rock legend world renowned.

…Yet, he is haunted by loneliness. Plagued by a trail of failed relationships weighing him down like chains of his past. From his never-was boyfriend Samurai leadman Johnny Silverhand, to his ex-wife to a slew of on again, off again boyfriends and girlfriends.

Until he meets Atlantia Bakker, of whom he hired to be his personal assistant; still trying to fill that black hole of a void ever present in his chest.

Desperate to feel anything close to resembling friendship ….at best, a business companion.

Desperate to feel anything at all.

Her friends all told her not to take the job. But you don't just turn down a job offer by Kerry Eurodyne … and you especially don't if you're a closeted Samurai fangirl.

Atlantia is given the opportunity of a lifetime but Kerry is determined to wreak havoc on the pedestal she's put him on. To show her all the sides of him: the good, the bad and the ugly.

A slow burn as to which where it'll go? Nobody truly knows.

( A shameless Wattpad link because updates will be posted on Wattpad first. )

TRIGGER WARNINGS: vulgar language, subtle hints at suicide, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sexual themes ( in later chapters ) and mentions of violence. Please read at your own discretion.

Today we mark the anniversary of the attack on Arasaka Tower and remember the lives lost in this tragedy. Carried out by rockerboy, self fashioned rebellion and terrorist Johnny Silverhand —

With a small half angry grunt, Kerry reaches for the remote and switches the channel on the TV, going back to his concoction of alcohol — a mixture of several different hard liquors, his goal to get blasted drunk and having no consideration to how awful the flavors would mix ( if it didn't burn his gold plated throat on the way down he didn't fucking want it ) — and an assortment of neon colored pills.

One for ... well, he didn't know.

Or maybe he did know but couldn't be bothered to care.

Ariel'd left them the last time he'd spent the night.

A quick study of the muddied drink, the smell strong even in his disgruntled state, lifting the glass.

"To Johnny fucking Silverhand. May the bastard rest well in cyber hell!" Kerry declares, rising the glass in toast. The clips of Samurai flash, causing nostalgia to coil tight in his stomach and his breath to stutter in his throat. "...my best friend." He murmurs; quieter still. A breathy whisper, as if he spoke it at any more of a volume the ghost of Silverhand would hear him.

He brings the glass to his lips and downs it in a one swift swig. He does not taste but the alcohol warms and then burns.

"Ah, fuck, that's disgusting." He slams the glass down on his bar, the empty house echoing his own voice above the din of the vids of Samurai's last gig crackling thru the houses' speakers.

He grabs another round of liquor bottles and pours another random and haphazard slew into his glass.

The vids pause and Kerry's concentration is broken, fingers absently curling 'round the assortment of neon colored pills as his holo feed rolls from the front gate of his house.

"Mr. Eurodyne?" A face shows up, at first distorted before she takes a few steps back. Not the voice that matches the tentativeness in her soft, lilting voice. Aphrodite pretty. No, that was too fucking cliche.

Helen of Troy pretty. Siren-esque facial features, eyeliner sharp enough to cut a man, hair a mixture of neon and pastel pink, pilled into a sloppy bun on her head.

"Eh? Wha-what? Who're you? Whaddya want?" He asks, finding that the strong mixture of alcohols — the highest proofs he could find — have muddled his thought process. If there was any sort of familiarity in her face it was heavily addled. Mixed up with the swim of the world 'round him.

It's a struggle to focus on her facial features, watching as her body posture shifts from confident to uncertain; the soft bite of her teeth on her bottom lip.

It was meant to accompany the soft furrow of confusion in her brows, a soft birdlike cant to her head, straying tendrils of her hair wound out from the bun brushing her neck in the hot north oak breeze.

But fuck if Kerry didn't feel it stir something within him. A small spark of arousal and ... something else. Something just as equally as primal.

The first time he'd felt much of ... anything ( similar or otherwise ) in so very long. It lends a moment of clarity, as brief as a hummingbird's lifespan, but enough to allow recognition to dawn as she speaks, "It's Atlantia. Atlantia Bakker. Your new personal assistant?"

His personal assistant.

Another attempt to fill the empty, echoing loneliness that haunts his every fucking moment. In this house. In Night City.

Ariel had been a whim decision too and that decision had bit him in the ass. Betrayal. Differences that could not be worked out. A good fucking riddance where ache was supposed to be.

Kerry gives a grunt in lieu of a verbal response, fingers tightening 'round the neon pills; deliberating.

"I believe you had suggested that I start today?" She offers it like a suggestion, a question; pinning it on herself instead of pointing out that he'd forgotten. He appreciates it, even if it doesn't the lessen the feeling like he was an ass.

"Right. Right. Buzzin' you in." He leans against the bar, leather Moto jeans feeling a bit too tight, fussing with the wrinkles in his white tank top; fighting the swim in his mind. His thoughts race 'round and any attempt to catch even one of them is met with a disappearing act like smoke slithering thru his fingers.

"Hey, you wanna a drink?" He asks, turning to face her as the sound of her footfalls grows louder, quickly chucking the neon pills he'd had cradled in the cup of his palm into the trashcan under the bar.

She was dressed what Kerry would've called 'office casual' in his day: black straight legged slacks and a burnt orange silk blouse and black ballet flats. Over her shoulder is a black leather strap of a small backpack which she deposits upon the right side of his couch as he gestures for her to take a seat and tells her to make herself comfortable.

The data pad she clutches to her chest as if it were her lifeline makes Kerry wonder if she was nervous.

It feeds the monster of his ego and he clears his throat as he reminds his hazy brain to keep this business and not act in any way that might give her the wrong idea.

Though she was fucking pretty. He'd have to be a utter gonk not to see it. Not to admire subtly, at the least.

She declines his drink offer politely; spurring within him the thought that Johnny would've immediately pinned her as a corporat and would've hated her prim and proper mannerisms.

"I know we've, uh, discussed starting today ... but let's make tomorrow your official start day, yeah? Today's a bit fucked." Kerry takes a seat across from her, staring at the sloshing muddied liquor in his glass; leaning forward to sit it on the coffee table between them.

His desire to down it has quickly dissipated.

"Ok," Atlantia agrees, which causes Kerry to shift uncomfortably in the leather couch. Of course she agreed with him: he was her boss. But ... that wasn't what he wanted. Not really. He yearned for companionship in a desperate attempt to fill the giant fucking crater left inside him with the death of Johnny.

"Hey, uh. I know I'm your boss but ... none of that yes, sir gonk shit, ok? Just be honest with me." Kerry watches as she nods in agreement, fighting the sinking feeling that she wasn't going to.

An awkward silence stretches and the more it yawns on, the more Kerry dreads that she's going to quit. That she'll decide that this is ... that he is so much more than she signed up for. She could've been a PR for any celebrity and yet, she'd chose to apply for to his ad.

More and more, he feels his fingers itching to down the alcohol.

"Tell me about Samurai," Atlantia says suddenly, her attention trained on the vids, still paused. She looks at him, the unnatural gold of her Kiroshi optics startling. She pauses when he doesn't reply immediately, watching as she shifts in the leather, leaning towards him slightly. "Tell me about your time in Samurai. About you. Whatever you're comfortable sharing."

The change is almost dizzying. No, it was dizzying.

Or maybe that was the copious amounts of alcohol Kerry'd already consumed prior to her arrival.

He hated everything about this fucking day and if he could drink himself to sleep before the shit hit the fan: the better.

"You can learn anything you want about me in the scream sheets." He reminds her.

"No," She offers a wiry smile; mirthless. "I want to know the real Kerry Eurodyne. Not the one the scream sheets have made up."

For a moment, Kerry feels something inside him slip; words bubbling up his gold plated throat, threatening to spill from his lips. He stops them. He does not let her honeyed words, the unyielding pierce of her gaze lure him into spilling his guts to her.

His image was perfectly and meticulously curated and he didn't know her at all. Certainly no where close enough to let his guard down.

"Ask me tomorrow. Maybe then I'll tell ya." It was a lie as it slips betwixt Kerry's lips; but to his relief it appears to have appeased her.

At least for the day, for she dutifully does not bring it up again, not even when he walks her out to the front gate, an exchange of holo numbers given and a promise that he would be in touch.

A lie too.

[call-me-cc]

I don't usually like crossover fics but I can't stop thinking about this idea for a jjk x tokyo revengers fic where an

Jjk oc/reader dated Ran in her teens but then she brakes up with him, then in present time Oc/reader is a teacher at jujutsu tech and gojo brings it up when the go to roppongi for Nobaras assessment of whatever

G- "Wasn't your ex from roppongi, what's up with him resently?"

O/R- "Oh he's an executive in a crime organization"

G- "How'd you even know that"

O/R-"We do business sometimes, their willing to give information for a price"

G- " price huh"

O/R- " I know that look it's nothing like that, besides he's already married"

G - "married? "

O/R- "yeah, he, Has a husband, seems pretty serious from what I've seen"

And it kinda hurts her that he's married cause Ran was the first person she actually loved and felt free with BUT AT THE SAME TIME SHE'S HAPPY THAT HE FOUND SOMEBODY THAT HE'S HAPPY WITH 😭😭😭😭

[khaleesidracarys]

HELLFURY : Chapter 1

Cahir knelt with his head bowed to the polished marble floor. He never really liked the castle, mainly because he heard his footsteps wherever he went and it drove him insane. He hated the constant chatter and the never-ending squawking of the seagulls near the coast. He hated it so much he was pleased to leave, he had been so unbelievably content leaving Cintra behind to hunt the little Princess. He had been chasing her through most of the continent, desperate to finally bring her home to her rightful place by her father's side.

When Tissaia de Vries entered his head a year ago, all he thought about was the polished marble floors, how they shone when droplets of blood ran in streams from wounded bodies. He thought about how the blood dampened the sound of his footfalls when he made his way through the castle searching for the Princess. Back then he had found himself longing for Cintra. He would do whatever it took to get back to the dreaded castle, he would do anything to return to the White Flame. He had not expected a warm welcome at all, he had expected to be put to death the moment he walked through the gates, but the Emperor had not yet arrived.

Cahir had breathed easier back then, knowing that Fringilla kept the order, that the elves were streaming in daily and that the elf queen would finally rally her forces and join the White Flame in the battle for the continent. He, who would save the world from the White Frost. Cahir had the utmost respect for the Emperor, and he had thought himself to be more than a pawn. He had been a Commander General, he had had power, position and a purpose-     'Cahir!' Cahir lifted his head to meet the harsh eyes of Emperor Emhyr var Emreis. The Emperor extended a hand and bid him rise.     'Yes, my Lord?' Cahir kept his eyes firmly placed on the Emperor's neck. The last time he had kept eye contact he had ended up on the outskirts of Cintra, digging graves and spending his nights tending to reeking corpses. Even Gallatin knew he'd fucked up. Cahir had betrayed his Emperor, he had failed to do the one thing that was expected of him and he had paid for it. Dearly.     'Know that it gave me no pleasure to punish you for your mistakes,' the Emperor began, and Cahir almost believed him. 'However, I have need of you now.' Cahir looked at him then, trying to keep his shock concealed. He'd expected to be punished even more, not to be given an assignment so soon.     'An assignment my Lord?' He questioned and moved his eyes back to the Emperor's neck. The Emperor didn't answer, he just walked down from the dais where he had received him and began walking back and forth in front of the tall, stained-glass windows. The sun shining through them sent cascades of rippling lights washing over the marbled floors, and the Nilfgaardian emblem of the Great Sun was bathed in soft, shimmering light.     'There is a rogue mage,' he began, balling one hand into a fist and placing it behind his back. 'She has been slaughtering and burning scouts I've been sending to Temeria. I had finally managed to convince King Foltest to think about my proposal, but my scouts never returned. Later, I was told most of them ended up in shallow graves in Aedirn, burnt to death.'     'Did some of them reach Temeria, my Lord?' Cahir asked.     'One or two, they were wounded and died within days, as of now, King Foltest is more likely to continue to support Aretuza and the elves than to ally with Nilfgaard. I need you to deal with this mage. I need you to find her, kill her and bring me her head.' The Emperor said, staring out of the window down into the courtyard. 'Anything you need will be at your disposal. I would prefer you to go alone and use your considerable tracking skills better this time. Should you need men I will send them.' Cahir noticed the stress on the word and dropped his gaze. He had failed him. If he failed him again-     'Yes, my Lord.' Cahir said and bowed his head. He was about to turn when the Emperor's hand locked around his elbow. He turned to meet the disappointed, furious gaze.     'Do not fail me again. Come back without her head and I will take yours instead,' he said softly and let go of his arm.     'Yes, my Lord.'

People had threatened to take his head so many times over the past two years he no longer thought of it as a genuine threat. The mages had tried to decapitate him, the mage he'd fought at Sodden had thrown a sword at his face, Yennefer had threatened to acquaint his severed head with the ground if he betrayed her- Cahir steeled himself, straightened his back and walked out of the throne room.     'Cahir, you leave tonight.' The Emperor's voice rang after him, clanging off of the stone walls and reverberating through his head.

He'd expected more digging, fresh corpses or perhaps guard duty. He had not expected to be needed. Definitely not to hunt a mage, and a rogue one at that. Cahir walked down the levels of the castle until he reached the second to last. The Emperor had graciously provided him with quarters above the dungeons. He had spent three weeks getting used to the never ending screaming of the tortured prisoners below. He knew he was meant to be one of them. He had been one of them at Aretuza.

He was leaving tonight, he'd rather sleep in the woods than here. Everything would be provided for him.. If he was to search through the entirety of Aedirn heavy armor was out of the question, even with a horse. Leather would do. If the mage tried to burn him too he'd at least die quickly. He thought of Sodden Hill, the screams hadn't left him for months. The sounds of his men cooking inside their armor before they were reduced to nothing but ash- the smell of charred flesh and burning horses would never leave him. A year later the entire field was barren and refused to grow even a single straw. The poets called it 'the field of fury and fire', Cahir knew better. He called it what it was; slaughter. He'd lost more men that day than in his entire tenure as commander general. He supposed he still was one, his rank had not been taken from him, only his dignity and his sense of purpose. He would not fail this time.

He walked over to the worn desk by one of the grimy windows that provided the room with the scarcest light imaginable. He shuffled away parchments, quills and books until he stared at the map of the Continent. He placed a finger on Aedirn and hummed as he sank down in a cushioned chair and dragged a hand through his hair. If the mage was in Aedirn, which he couldn't be sure of when he thought about it, how could he be sure she hadn't fled into the mountains or crossed the Yaruga river and gone south, for all he knew she could be living lavishly in Toussaint.

If the Emperor had stopped sending soldiers to die she'd stop burning them. What was she even doing? Was she keeping them from entering Temeria? Was she working for Foltest or was she doing something completely different?

Cahir's finger followed the Yaruga west. If she only burnt whoever crossed the river it would eventually lead her to Cintra. If she burnt any Nilfgaardian regardless of reason, he was fucked. She'd be able to tell in a second. If he was to kill her he needed the upper hand, she needed to believe him long enough for him to get close to her. He needed a plan. The skies outside his window darkened, the sun sank lower on the horizon with each passing hour and he had still not figured out a plan. He went over everything he knew about mages over and over in his head. Bits and pieces of information he had pried from Fringilla and Yennefer. Fire magic consumed the wielder, it fed on rage and hate. Crackling away at any lingering piece of humanity. The one who tortured the bard had said as much. If his intended target was anything like him- Cahir shuddered. Yet, she only killed Nilfgaardians, as far as he knew. Either, she had been at Sodden and watched as Yennefer decimated his armies and continued her own little path of revenge to the east, or she was just a regular mage tired of invading soldiers and employed by the King of Temeria to further foil the Emperor's plans of conquest.

The latter was most likely he decided. The King of Temeria had the biggest reason to keep a rogue mage at his side, if he had decided against the Emperor's advances. Either way, he needed to get close to her, but first he needed to find her. Cahir stood from the chair, massaged his sore neck and folded the map. He kicked open the small chest by the foot of his bed and grabbed his weapons. It was time to hunt a mage, it was time for him to finally redeem himself, time to finally prove to the Emperor that he could be trusted, and that he wouldn't fail him again.

Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Ceallach rode out through the Cintran gates as the night descended upon the Continent. He was clad in his training-leathers instead of the heavy bronze armor he usually preferred, his sword swung lazily at his side as he kicked his horse into a gallop. The road to Aedirn would take a few days, he had enough provisions until he got there, then he needed to spend coins if he needed more. The Emperor would send men if he needed them, he had said, but Cahir scoffed to himself. He was perfectly capable of dealing with a mage by himself. He had figured it out, he needed to leave his titles behind when he crossed the Aedirnian border. He needed to seem like any other wandering warrior if he found her, a bounty hunter perhaps? To raise her suspicions too soon would end his life. Whatever she was doing and whoever she was, she needed to trust him. Luckily for him, Aedirn and the neighboring Kingdoms were all crawling with monsters. He could pretend to hunt monsters for coins long enough for her to turn her back on him, if that didn't work he'd figure something else out.

Cahir rode past Hochebuz hours later. He could already smell the scorched fields of Sodden Hill despite being leagues away from the castle. The smell made his horse uneasy and when he cleared the hill his horse panicked. He clamped his legs hard into the stallions' sides and tried to keep him steady as they made their way through the browning fields, he kept the reins tight as he led the horse over charred bones and littered pieces of armor melted and twisted. It astounded him how far the fire had spread. This wasn't as bad as the Hill itself. The fields here were somewhat healthy, his horse nibbled at tiny blades of growing grass when he felt like it. Cahir knew that if the horse tired out so would he, there was no way in hell he'd walk all the way to Aedirn so he took his time. He realized when he neared Dol Angra that the fields weren't a battlefield at all, the fields were a graveyard. The rotting, burnt and mangled corpses of Nilfgaardian soldiers soiled the very earth.

He'd only seen the burning from afar. He had felt the heat and heard the screams, but he had left with his life. Only to be captured by the rectoress of Aretuza mere hours later. She was looking for Yennefer, he had understood that much. He kept his mouth shut and only screamed when she promised him deep, unending pain. He never said a thing-

Cahir was wrenched from his reminiscing when he finally saw the mountains overlooking the Yaruga, the sun was rising when his horse whinnied at the sight of the running water. Cahir just patted the black beast and slid from the saddle. He had wine, plenty of it in skins tucked into his bedroll. He assumed water would be better given the distance he still had to go. The Commander General had just bent down to drink beside his mount when an ear-splitting scream followed by a growl made him stop. He whipped his head toward the sound and saw a woman running for him, eyes filled with terror as three growling, reeking ghouls scurried out of the copse of trees and straight for him. Cahir unsheathed his sword and reached for the girl. She turned away from him the second she reached him and snapped her fingers. Cahir was bathed in light from the ball of fire flickering in her open palm. His eyes darkened and his fist clenched around the hilt of his sword. The mage..

Want more?

HERE (Ao3) HERE (Wattpad) HERE (FanFiction.net)

[sparkles-rule-4eva]

New chapter of the Wachowski Family One-shots is out!

I already posted it on AO3 and Wattpad but I'll share it here as well :3

The Wachowski Family-

"Going to the Pool"

Summer had been in full swing when Knuckles and Tails had first joined the Wachowski family, and even though it was beginning to wind down, school hadn't started yet, and the hot weather had yet to cool down. So, in an attempt to find something fun and together to do on a free weekend that both Tom and Maddie had off work, they decided to take the kids to the local pool for the entirety of Saturday.

When they'd called their trio together and announced the weekend plan, Tails had gotten excited and started cheering, saying things like "I saw kids go there for so long, it looks so fun, thank you guys so much!"

Knuckles had seemed interested, not excited per se, but interested in going. He'd smiled at his youngest brother's eager anticipation and decided that it would be beneficial to their bond as a tribe (which was what he'd taken to calling their family).

Meanwhile, Sonic had just stood there, silent for once, his eyes wide and . . . troubled?

As Tails flew back up the stairs, still happily rambling, Tom had knelt down beside the hedgehog. "Is everything okay, bud? You don't seem all that excited at all for this."

Sonic had tried to brush it off, insisting he was fine, that he'd just spaced out and was distracted by homework. He'd made it clear he didn't want to talk about whatever was bothering him, so Tom hadn't pushed too hard, but he privately informed Maddie about the odd situation later and asked her to help him keep an eye on their middle child.

Sonic was a good kid, a great kid. But he did have a lot of troubles from his past, troubles that were sometimes impossible to get him to talk about and help him with. And since they didn't want to force him into uncomfortable, possibly triggering conversations, they just let him know they were there for him and that he could come to them with any problem he had.

So here they were, 10 a.m. on a hot Saturday morning, pulling into the parking lot of the public pool. The boys didn't technically need swimming trunks, but they'd thought they looked cool, so they each had gotten their own pair. "Group of five, please," Tom informed the guy at the front. "All three under age 17. We'll be here till 4."

The guy glanced at the three alien boys, the younger two of which were bickering over whether or not zombies still biologically counted as humans, and chuckled. "I believe it."

While Tom paid for their visit, Maddie reached back and flicked both Sonic's and Tails's ears playfully. "Come on, guys, it's not that important. Don't argue."

"It's very important!" Sonic insisted. "What if we ended up in a zombie apocalypse one day? We'd have to know so that Tails could possibly make a cure! But like, if they're not human, then I don't think that'll work. Because . . . that would be like giving cold medicine to a . . . giraffe. Wait— do you think cold medicine would work on me and Tails? And Knuckles? What if—"

"We're in, boys!" Tom called back, cutting off Sonic's ramblings. "Let's-a go!"

Knuckles sighed. "Mother, he is copying the Italian construction worker again."

Maddie snickered, then nudged him and his brothers through the gate to the shower room for the men. "I'll see you guys on the other side."

Once they were all on said other side, Tails immediately made a beeline for the nearest bit of pool and jumped in with a whoop of glee. Knuckles smiled and followed him, calling, "I will make sure you stay safe, little fox!"

Maddie headed for the beach chairs, wanting to heat up in the direct sunlight before getting in the water. Tom was just about to follow his two newer boys in when he realized Sonic was still lingering back by the door, his arms pressed up to his chest, eyeing the water with a glint of . . . was that . . . fear in his eyes?

With a concerned frown, Tom stepped back out of the water and headed back to his kid. "You coming in, Sonic?"

The little hedgehog jumped at the sound of his name, his eyes somehow growing wider. "I— n-no . . . I'm . . . just gonna go sit with Mom, if that's okay," he mumbled, slinking uneasily along the side of the pool to where Maddie was reclining.

Tom watched him go, remembering the kid's first reaction to the pool announcement. For a kid who talked almost nonstop, getting to really know Sonic the way any parent should know their child was unbelievably hard. Basically, they only knew what he told them and what they managed to catch through observations. Tom tried to think back through all the time they'd had him, trying to find a clue to why he so obviously didn't want to be here. Had he said he didn't like the pool? Or didn't like swimming—

The memory hit him like a brick over the head, making him wonder why he hadn't thought of it before.

"I can't swim!!"

Gasping words, flailing limbs, when he'd once fallen asleep on a fishing trip and tipped out of their rowboat.

That was why he didn't want to join them. He couldn't.

But . . . they could teach him. Didn't he know he was safe with them? That they would never let him drown on their watch?

Maybe there was more to it than that.

Tom considered getting out and going to talk to Sonic about it, but he could see Maddie sitting up slightly, saying something to him. And based on Sonic's body language— knees tucked to his chest, half curled into his spiky ball, the position he got into whenever he didn't feel safe and the threat wasn't Robotnik— they weren't just discussing the weather.

So he decided to trust his wife to handle it, and went to join his other two boys.

-

"You're sure you don't wanna get in, hon? You look a little overheated. Especially with all your fur."

"I'm sure." Sonic's response was mumbled, almost grouchy sounding, and he wouldn't look at Maddie.

She studied him. Tom had told her a couple days prior that he'd seemed uncomfortable with the idea of the pool day, but refused to talk about it. They'd come anyway because Tails and Knuckles had wanted to do it, and Sonic hadn't asked them not to.

But now . . . he looked so miserable, and it broke Maddie's heart. With the longing way he stared at his brothers and father laughing and splashing in the water, it seemed he did want to. But for some reason he thought he couldn't.

She tried to start small and gentle with questions. "Have you ever gone swimming before? Like this, for fun?"

". . . No." His voice was muffled, words spoken into his arms and knees.

"So . . . do you know how to swim?"

He didn't say anything aloud this time, but his silence was enough of an answer.

"Because," Maddie ventured carefully, "if you don't know how, we could always teach you . . ."

"I can't—!" Sonic broke off quickly, but he'd already said enough, although Maddie wasn't sure why he thought he couldn't learn.

They sat in silence for the next minute, until she finally added, "We're not gonna force you to do anything you don't want to. We just want to help. We don't want you to be upset when everyone else is having a good time."

Again, Sonic didn't answer for a while. But after another few minutes of people-watching, he said quietly, "I don't like water."

"Yeah?"

"I really don't like water."

"Alright." He was building up to telling her something, she could tell, but she didn't ask more questions. She would let him open up in his own, comfortable timing.

"I mean, you can't run in water. Can't breathe in water."

"You're not wrong."

"And water could kill you, too. I should kno—" Again he broke off quickly, lowering his head and almost curling up completely, while Maddie slowly sat up straight.

"Hold on, sweetheart, back up." Her heart pounded in her chest, ringing in her ears in sudden anxiety. "Does that mean— have you . . . you almost drowned once?"

This round of waiting in silence was significantly more agonizing than the previous ones had been, and the fear only heightened when he finally muttered in response, "Maybe."

"W-What happened? When?" If only he knew how hard she was fighting to keep her voice calm.

At this point in the conversation, Sonic was almost completely curled into a ball, with only his nose and eyes poking out, and he was staring at nothing. His ears were flat, and his breathing sounded just a little too fast as he replied quietly, "Actually twice. Didn't make it across the ocean to the Master Emerald island. Robotnik took the Emerald and the maze collapsed. Water came in. Knuckles got pinned underwater. Tried to save him. Blacked out."

"Were you— how did you get out?"

"Knuckles."

It was . . . unlike him to be talking in such short, stunted sentences, and in such a quiet voice. It was worrying, especially when she realized he was ever so slightly trembling.

Then the worry got a whole lot worse when electric sparks started flying from his quills, and his troubled eyes started to flicker blue.

"Hey, hey, hey, honey it's okay." Maddie quickly moved just a little closer, reaching a hand towards him. "If you don't want to talk about this anymore, that's okay!"

Having noticed what was going on, Tom had scrambled to get out of the water and was hurrying towards them.

"Hey bud, what's going on?" He was trying not to sound too worried, but Maddie could hear the undertones in his voice. "Buddy? Can you talk to me?"

"I'm sorry," the boy mumbled, starting to take deep, soothing breaths the way Maddie had taught him. "I'm trying."

"We can drop the conversation, honey," Maddie reassured him. "You don't have to go in if you don't want to."

Some of the stress left Sonic's eyes as she spoke, but sparks were still flying.

"What else do you wanna talk about? Oh! Would you think vampires would count as humans?"

A tiny snort escaped him at her attempt of more fun conversation, and they counted that as a small win. "Maybe. Don't they have fangs and different blood though? Would that change them enough?"

Good, it was working. "I don't know," she laughed. "Would that mean they'd need a shot for medicine instead?"

"Probably." The blue in his eyes began to fade back to green as he relaxed. "Me and Tails should write a research paper about it later."

"Do my ears deceive me?" Tom pretended to gasp in shock. "You're saying you want to write a paper?!"

Sonic giggled a little at his father's exaggerated tone. "It'd be a fun topic. I still don't want to write papers about some politician from the 1800s who had a boring life."

"Fair." Maddie laughed, inwardly heaving a sigh of relief as the last of the sparks on him vanished.

They sat in more comfortable silence, although she was still trying to calm her racing heart at the thought of her little boy nearly drowning, not once, but twice, and not telling either of them.

Then again, that was just like him. He'd never liked to talk about the more painful parts of his life. He much preferred to live in the present, which was good and fine. They just didn't want him to be running away from his traumas instead of getting help with them.

So it was a bit of a surprise when he actually the broke the silence again a few minutes later with "How deep is the shallow part of water here?"

"It's about three feet, assuming you're not talking about the baby pool," Tom told him, and Sonic made a face at the latter half of the sentence.

"So just a little shorter than you," Maddie added.

"How can water be short?"

"Would you rather me say 'shallower than you'?"

"Ah. Yeah, no."

"Uh huh."

A pause. "So . . . maybe I could . . . try. A little."

Hope lit in Maddie's chest. At the very least she'd expected him to possibly suggest learning next time they went swimming, so it wouldn't be too fast and too much at once. It was an encouragement that he was willing to try.

Again, that was just him, the way he was. He was willing to face his fears. Just like he must've done before.

"Of course," Tom replied brightly. "Try not to worry too much. We won't let anything happen to you."

Sonic smiled sheepishly. "I know."

-

The lessons went fairly well, even though they ended up taking up the entirety of their time there. Tails and Knuckles, much to their parents' pride and relief, were thrilled to see him edging into the water and spent most of the lessons cheering him on (in their own individual ways). It wasn't that Sonic was afraid to touch the water, it was more the feeling of being submerged that made him nervous. He hesitated after wading in to about his knees, but with a constant barrage of encouragement from his parents and brothers (plus the close presence of both Tom and Maddie on either side of him) helped him take the remaining steps until he was standing on the bottom of the shallow end.

From there, they showed him how to use his hands as scoops and paddles for propelling, how to balance that with kicking, and how to float on his back (which he actually picked up really quickly). He still panicked every now and then, mainly when he slipped underwater, but Tom or Maddie were always there to pull him back up.

As they drove home that evening, Maddie nudged Tom's arm as she heard the boys talking in the backseats.

"Did ya have fun?" Tails was asking, presumably Sonic.

Smiles crossed both of their faces as he replied with breathless excitement, "Actually, yeah! I mean, it was a little scary—" He lowered his voice for that part, although both parents still heard— "but I'm actually looking forward to next time so I can learn some more. Hey, maybe we could try swimming in the lake!"

"But there's fish," Tails argued. "Plus, that water can't be sanitary."

"It's swimming, not taking a bath. It doesn't have to be sanitary."

"Eww."

"The hedgehog is right!" Knuckles' voice piped up cheerfully. "Swimming is meant to be unsanitary! Like the fun, like you told me about the mud puddles last week!"

"Hey, shush!" Sonic's voice hissed, and Maddie snorted.

"Guess we found the culprit of the muddy footprints on the back door carpet," Tom called to the back, and the three boys collectively groaned.

"It was Tails' idea," Sonic complained.

"It was not!"

"But it was the fun!"

"You mean 'it was fun.' No 'the.'"

"C'mon, Tails, don't be the grammar police. I like his funky way of talking."

"I do not speak funky!"

Tom leaned over slightly. "Successful trip, I'd say?"

Maddie nodded, smiling. "Success for sure. No one got electrocuted, and we finally got him starting swimming lessons."

And hearing the word "funky" come from Knuckles' mouth had the rest of them laughing and giggling for the remainder of the trip home.

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

It's time to FAACE YOUR FEEAARRSS

Hope y'all enjoyed!

Wattpad version

AO3 version

[frankensteinreaper]

I think you'd like this story: "Sleep Is The Cousin Of Death" by frankensteinreaper on Wattpad https://www.wattpad.com/story/197681732?utm_source=android&utm_medium=com.tumblr&utm_content=share_writing&wp_page=create&wp_uname=frankensteinreaper&wp_originator=ThDB6dClA0pXrCH%2Frf%2Fwo6VJ4EQGWVc18LW5YnsStsltFLmko%2FcaorH%2BDM7%2BlY4VUUQy79HE%2BkVXGLX4yWc89v8su%2FgIezAUeFf8%2FjX5xTxIqFavVp9dmhAQq3%2BOOF0Y

[gonelike-ach00]

Crazy Rich Idol | Doyoung

chaebol! Kim Doyoung x chaebol! Original Female Character

Author: gonelike_achoo

Summary: What truly goes on behind the lights, the stages and the performances? Kim Doyoung has lived his idol life quietly, getting ample exposure and being in a popular group. He was now fully independent and plans to continue his life in this direction.

Yet all things are easier said than done. Once his old life begins to creep up to him it was getting harder to escape and runaway. What does this humble and scandal free idol truly hide?

Genre: fluff, angst, arranged marriage, drama

Warning(s): eventual smut, violence, trauma, guns, blood

MASTERLIST

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | more

a/n: this same story has been posted in several places, rest assure that they are all posted by me :))

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main masterlist

[newyggdrasil]

Chapter 2 - Asktré

Asktré's blue eyes looked clearer with the morning light reflected in the lake that surrounds Heitrock Island. Heitrock had been the biggest mining deposits of warm rocks from all Nidavellir for a long time, but in this age was a dangerous place where beasts roam freely, searching for prey to hunt. The innkeeper's brother who they were searching had a misjudgment, this island wasn't a place for tourists.

The warrior stood up and looked for his sons, both were sleeping. He took the dead body of a Slandras that he had killed the last day. Although the back scales were poisonous as long as he made a good cut in the stomach the meat wouldn't be dangerous to eat.

When finally, he got done, decided that it was the moment to wake up Lunnec and Fenrir. First, he got close to Fenrir. The child was covered with a blanket up to his head, he couldn't put up with cold as Lunnec and Asktré. He is half-Hrimpursars, a frost Jötunn, only with this he should have been able to withstand low temperatures, but also the fire magic powers of his father should have helped him to beat better. Asktré always believed that his mother's bloodline cool down the fire powers that he should have inherited like hot water and cold water creating temperate water.

The truth is that while he wears something similar a leather kilt and a light armor protecting his trunk, Fenrir needs to keep warm with warm clothes and a wool hat. Lunnec never had this problem and he uses a thin long-sleeve T-shirt and simple pants, he doesn't need more. Although Nidavellir isn't the coldest realm, at that moment was winter, and at night temperatures were 5 Celsius degrees.

Asktré lowered the blanket and the child look into the eyes of his father with his caramel-colored eyes, which sometimes appeared that it was golden; especially when it gives him the sunlight directly. He had a way of looking that heartwarming, even his father although he didn't usually show it.

"Good morning, Dad," he said while removing the sleep.

"Breakfast ready."

"Okay, but I'm not hungry."

"You must eat something; it is important that you are well-nourished," Asktré said categorically but calmly.

"Yes, Father, " the kid said standing up and running towards the campfire where his brother was eating yet.

For Lunnec would have been embarrassing that his father had to wake up especially after the conversation about his duties, for that reason when he heard his father approaching, he prepared himself and went to breakfast.

"Do you forget anything?" Asktré asked Fenrir.

The kid looked around worried because he didn't want to disappoint his father more. But his nervousness was making it difficult for him to realize what was happening. Lunnec felt sorry for his little brother, who was looking around almost panicking.

"Your weapon, champ," Lunnec said.

Asktré gave the bow to Fenrir "When we are in the countryside you never ever must distance from your weapon, boy."

Fenrir sit down on the ground with downcast eyes and started to eat.  The tension was felt in the air at this moment. The brothers sometimes talk about some stupid things or about their last epic battle to break the silence; however, in this case, none wanted to talk. Lunnec because of a grudge, Fenrir because of shame, and Asktré because he is a man of few words.

When Lunnec finished, he stood up. "I'm ready to train, I'm going to practice with Nodric while you get done," he whistled and the sword began to sparkle and move alone. Lunnec and the sword got out of the cave. The young man touched the ground, then roots and mud covered him up like armor. "Nodric, train routine," he shouted and after he whistled, the sword started to fight with him.

Fenrir and Asktré finished eating, although the truth is that Asktré had been waiting for his youngest son for fifteen minutes at least. Fenrir put a wool hat on his head and cover up with a short fur jacket made by his father, it was old-fashioned but very warm.

"We are going to practice with your bow,"  Asktré said. Both got out of the cave, and they positioned themselves four meters from an apple tree. "Now, target practice. You will shoot at the apples."

"But father," he said nervously, "the animals could eat this apple, we mustn't destroy it."

Asktré sometimes forgot that his youngest son was grown up by a Hrimpursar, from Ragnarök their culture was based on respect natural balance, and never damage without reason. "Don't worry, these apples are called poor copper because they are so bitter that not even a dragon would eat them," his son looked at him relaxed and the training began.

After two hours was the moment to pick up the camp and continue the trip. Lunnec was sweaty and tired, he had forced too much because he wanted to prove to his father that he was something more than a boy. But in this case, it hadn't been a good idea. Asktré got close accompanied by Fenrir.

"Are you okay? You look tired," the kid said worried for his brother.

"Shut up, I'm better than you'll ever be," Lunnec replied suffocated.

"You are very tired, we will wait," his father said upset.

"I'm fine," the young man shouted.

"Okay, you are fine. There are lessons that only life can teach you, boy," Asktré said while staring into his son's eyes, "Fenrir pick up your things. We go."

His father took out a small leather sack with painted runes. He dropped the sack on the ground. Although it was small when it fell making a bang. Fenrir got into his things in the sack. The sack is bigger on the inside due to Jöntunn's magic, if you can carry it, you can keep it. Lunnec also kept his things, but he didn't look at his father because he didn't want to see his father's disapproval face.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. If you want to read more, new chapters are upload Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays on tumblr and Wattpad.