#also. these things should only be confirmations and not Fortune Tellings

[devotioncrater]

Got any advice on getting into astrology and numerology and all that? It sounds so complicated!

you just gotta dive in. start by looking up your own natal chart and go from there. if youre seein synchronicities numerically, google what those numbers mean (for ex. 222, 1010, 111) and let your curiosity/experiences/intuition guide you

[midnight1nk]

EPISODE CONCEPT #3

What if... SMG3 had the courage to confess his feelings for SMG4?

[more below cut]

No context this time, the only thing I will say is that it will be a long one ;)

"Before it may be too late."

SMG3 stared at the ceiling, his fingers fidgeting with the trim of his bed sheets. Those words haven't stopped bothering him for hours. An answer to his question. Not of "would've" or "should've", but "could've".

SMG4. No, Four.

But it'll never be your Four.

It was already a mess when he realized he had feelings for the blue idiot, and now, of all things, he wanted to confess.

If he doesn't reciprocate, will it leave things awkward between us?

He turned to his side and patted Eggdog, who was sleeping peacefully, letting out a defeated sigh. What was he supposed to think? The way they talked, the slightest touch of their hands. It should mean something, right?

What if it's too good to be true?

Three looked over to the shelf that stood on the other side of his room, to a familiar picture frame. Terrence. His first son, first friend. He cared for him so much, and he had to say goodbye. To save the world.

And since when did a villain deserve love?

Months, years have passed. He earned a fresh start, a new home. Eggdog. His role in the Crew, his role as Meme Guardian. And...

Once a villain, always a villain.

...Right. Eggman just had to come in and remind him that Three was a villain. Admittedly, it did feel good to create some havoc. That was until he was tasked to kill Four. And... Four may have believed him when he said he might've thought about the idea itself. Of course, it wasn't true but...

What makes you think he could ever love you after what you did to him?

Well, hey, if the ping-pong game inside his head would let him sleep, that would be great, thank you very much. Not that he could shove it back in his mind again as he thought back to his past. There was indeed one moment; the one he prided himself on when he was a villain and the same one he would rather forget now.

The Youtube Remote.

Oof, it was something alright. It was when he was taken seriously, when he was an actual threat. Perhaps if the Crew failed to take him down, he would've gotten what he wanted. Heh, if only his past self could see him now. Three wouldn't care, he found out what he actually needed. Even so, he's still SMG3.

As he dozes off, one person comes to mind. The one who saw how he grown from his past, who gave him advice earlier today.

.・-: ✧ :--: ✧ :-・.

Three was going around the near-empty cafe, a small tray in hand. Just as he set a cup down, Four called out to him. Four waves and said his farewell, thanking him for the latte. Three did the same before he accidentally bumped against the table close by. Fortunately, nothing spilled. But Three did earn a giggle from Four. If only Four knew how much his presence lights up Three's world. His shooting star.

Four was long gone but Three's eyes were still glued to where he once was.

Melony: "Are you okay, SMG3?"

Well, it seems he wasn't that good at hiding his crush. Also because Melony was sitting at the table Three just bumped into. Three reassured her that he was fine.

Oh boy, the Crew. They suspected that he had a crush on someone. And ever since "Girls' Night", he might've slipped up a confirmation to the girls, only referring to Four as "That Person". I mean, could you even blame him? The girls were so kind to invite him to one of their exclusive sleepovers, welcoming him with open arms. He felt strangely comfortable sharing this with them. And they didn't judge, promising to not tell a word to the other boys. Melony was there too.

Three looked down at her table to see her Axol plush sitting nearby. Indeed, he felt bad for her after Axol was gone, they weren't able to have the relationship they could've wanted. That loss, he understood it well with what happened to Terrence. But he was impressed by how strong Melony was in handling it all. You could almost say he was proud.

Melony: "It's about 'Them', right?" SMG3: "Well, no. I mean..." [*sighs*] "...yeah." Melony: "Do you love them?" SMG3: "I've literally risked my life for them. Of course, I do. But... I know they don't feel the same." [*picks up an empty plate from the table*] Melony: "How do you know?" SMG3: [*stops, flabbergasted*] "Wha...? It isn't that easy, Mel, I can risk my life all I want for them but I'm not going to risk... this. Besides, I'm sure someone better would come along and treat them well, more than I can offer. I'm content with what we have now, and that's enough for me."

A pause. They were lucky to be the only ones in the cafe but it only made the silence almost unbearable.

SMG3, defeated: "Here's your receipt. Enjoy your drink." [*turns to leave*] Melony: "Whenever Axol and I hung out..." [*SMG3 stops*] "I felt like we understood each other, even though we haven't said anything about it. I cared for him as much as he cared for me. I felt safe, loved. But then... that happened. Maybe we could've dated if we had the time. Sooner if we just talked." [*SMG3 turns to see Melony's bittersweet smile*] "Don't make the same mistake as we did. Tell SMG4 how you feel before it may be too late." SMG3: [*shocked*] "How did...?" Melony: [*giggles*] "It takes one to know one. And if it doesn't work out either way, know that your friends are still here for you."

.・-: ✧ :--: ✧ :-・.

His phone alarm goes off, stirring him awake. Any doubt he had before, it somehow vanished overnight. "Before it may be too late." Melony was right. Who knows what could happen tomorrow. He faced worse things before, they fought off eldritch monsters for memes' sake. He could handle this. Eggdog nuzzled his hand, prompting Three to give his son head scratches.

SMG3: "It's now or never, Eggdog... Could you stay by me, just in case?"

Eggdog lets two encouraging barks, giving Three a bit of comfort.

Just as he does every morning, Three sets up the tables and chairs. The coffee maker set, the clean dishes are ready to go. Finally, Three stands behind the counter, looking at the second hand on the clock.

4...3...2...1...

Right on cue, Four comes in with his laptop.

SMG4: "'Morning SMG3, the usual for me please." [*head over to his favorite table*] SMG3: [*taking out the milk*] "And when are you going to pick something different?" SMG4: "Oh, c'mon, I'm not getting special treatment for being your most loyal customer anymore?" SMG3: "Hmph, and a little bluejay told me you didn't like coffee way before I opened my cafe." SMG4: [*shrugs*] "What can I say? I like the way you make them."

SMG3 shakes his head fondly as he prepares the order, one he memorized by heart: one Cyanide Supreme Latte with ten shots of expresso and five spoons of sugar. All in the usual blue mug with constellation decals. Oh, and not to forget the latte art. It was what Four always ordered and it was the reason why Three started doing latte art in the first place.

That blue meme lord was always curious about what new art he made, and that fact never failed to warm Three's heart. While working on the order, they did their usual talk: memes, streaming, and video editing. A bit of banter here and there.

SMG4 usually works in the Castle but there were moments when Four brought his work here in the cafe. At least, he isn't in his room all day and Three could remind him to take breaks off the screen. Three brought the warm cup to Four's table. Taking his eyes off his work, Four looked at the latte art his purple guardian partner did.

SMG4: "Oh, that's a good-looking rose! A lot better than last time." SMG3: "Hey, that was my first time doing it. Give me a break."

That is true. But also because it was his first attempt to drop a hint to Four that he had romantic feelings for him, he was so nervous that his hand was shaking. It failed miserably either way due to Four being completely oblivious to his "hints". Not this time though.

SMG4: "Anyway, thanks, SMG3." [*takes a sip*] "Mhm, just what I needed, great as always, dude." [*goes back to his work*] SMG3: [*glances at the door, at Eggdog, before inhaling some courage*] "SM... No. Four, I need to talk to you about something." SMG4: [*looks at Three, puzzled*] "Uh, sure. What's up?" SMG3: "I... I don't know if there's going to be another tomorrow, but I need to tell you this. Either that, or I going to start regretting doing this and use the memory wiper on you again." [*and yeah, he muttered that last part*] SMG4: "SMG3?" SMG3: "Four... I'm in love with you."

Silence. ...please, don't go.

SMG3, averting his eyes: "I...I have for some time. I don't know when it all started but I guess it was back in the 'perfect' incident when I realized I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. And... those feelings have grown much more after that. I didn't say anything because I value our friendship, I do. I was willing to do whatever it takes to keep it that way. But, you have no idea how much I wanted to get it off my chest, to tell you this. I know this may be something out of the blue for you, all I ask is for you to take what I say as true. However you respond to this, I can take it. I understand if you want us to continue as friends. Or not, if that's what you wish..."

More silence. Please, say something. Anything.

Three has been avoiding seeing Four's face, terrified. If he took one look, his world would surely crumble. To heartbreak, to hope. It'd be best if he didn't know. He just wants Four to believe him.

SMG4: "...So the 'that person' everyone else was talking about, that was me all along?"

SMG3 slowly nods.

SMG4: "Heh, I thought I was the only one."

Three dares to finally look at SMG4. Four was smiling. Surprised, sure. But smiling.

SMG4: "I'm not sure when it started for me either. The 'perfect' incident, WOTFI 2023. But spending time with you made me realize a lot of things. That I enjoy it, that I wanted to be with you. Just being... us." [*takes Three's hands into his own*] "I... love you too. To be honest, I was also scared that you might not feel the same way." SMG3: "This... isn't a dream, is it?" SMG4: "No. It's not, I promise."

The two stared at each other for a moment, lost in the other's loving eyes, before they slowly closed the gap they had. A soft kiss they shared, and it was all Three needed to believe Four.

It didn't take them long for them to become a couple. In the weeks that followed, they planned out so many dates. Picnics, carnival days, movie nights. Watching sunsets, seeing stars. Just enjoying each other's company.

Being them.

And, of course, they tell the Crew about their relationship. "We knew" was what they responded. And then something about everyone owing Mario money from a bet. Three would roll his eyes at this but he couldn't care less. This was the happiest Three has ever been.

Four. His shooting star, his sweet prince. His boyfriend.

It felt wonderful and no one could take that from him.

.・-: ✧ :--: ✧ :-・.

Well, at least, that's what he thought.

If only he knew that he wasn't at home, in the Showgrounds. But rather, in a dark isolating room. Away from the rest of the world. With his limbs tangled in wires, he laid on a table. Unmoved, asleep. In the corner sat Mr Puzzles, looking through a monitor.

For a former villain, Puzzles expected Three to act on his wishes to be back to his past glory. Three said it himself, "I'm the best villain". So, he figured Three should be given a "chance". Puzzles kidnapped him on the night Three was debating on his final decision and put him in the simulation Puzzles created.

He figured that the simulation would be the push Three needed to be a villain again, destroy the Crew for Puzzles. Why put in the effort when they could do it to themselves? Besides, he's curious to see Three's face when his villainy phase fades away and realizes what he has done. Well, Puzzles would've.

Instead, he got.... this. Not exactly what he expected, but it was also risky to pull Three out of the simulation without creating suspicion. If SMG3 found out he was behind this... No, he couldn't let this happen. He'll just have to add something into the simulation to really push Three over the edge. Hmm, perhaps he could made the digital SMG4 hate him. Or better yet, kill him right off.

A flashing red light interrupts his thoughts, warning Puzzles of intruders entering his hideout. It was them. How...?

On the other side of the room, a tired Eggdog let out a hopeful bark from his cage. He knew Beeg4 must've found the message he left behind before he was caught by Mr Puzzles.

Augh, no matter, Mr Puzzles will just have to deal with them.

Outside, the Crew busted down the gate and built a buddy system to cover more ground. SMG4, the real one, turned on his flashlight.

SMG4: "Hang tight, Three. We'll get you home, I promise."

.・-: ✧ :--: ✧ :-・.

Mhm, what more could he ask from this?

Three looked down at Four, whose head was resting on his lap. Four kept his eyes closed as instructed by Three, he needed to relax away from his screen. Three was passing a hand through Four's hair. It was nice to just be the two of them here in the game room.

SMG3: "Can I go now?" SMG4: "Nope, you're stuck with me forever." SMG3: [*laughs, before going dramatic*] "Oh no, whatever should I do. Hmm, I guess that's what I get..." [*his hand stops*] SMG4: [*opens his right eye*] "Is something on your mind?" SMG3: "I just... I still can't believe you're my boyfriend." SMG4: [*opens both eyes*] "Well, no regrets on confessing?" SMG3: "I wouldn't change a thing." [*gives a kiss on his partner's forehead, continuing what he was doing*] "I'm glad you stayed." SMG4: "It's because of you I did."

Three hummed. Yep, he decided. He's definitely going to marry Four.

SMG3: "But, for real, can I get up? I want to grab something from the kitchen." SMG4: "Aw, party pooper." [*sits up, letting Three get off from the couch.*] SMG3: "Want anything?" SMG4: "Nah, I'm good."

SMG3 proceeded to head for the door but as soon as he went to grab the knob...

???: "SMG3! Can you hear me?" SMG3: "...Tari?"

Suddenly, the door was glitching, its shape distorting to an extreme.

SMG3: "What the...What's happening?"

The room followed suit, bits and pieces being replaced with a white void. Deleting itself.

SMG3: "Four, c'mon, we gotta get out of..."

When he turned around, he saw his partner calmly standing before him, unfazed by the chaos surrounding them. As if he was expecting this.

SMG3: "Four?" SMG4?: [*slowly taking Three's hand*] "No, Three. I'm not..." [*sighs*] "Remember back when you asked if this was a dream? I promised you then that it's not and I promise the same thing to you now. This isn't a dream. It's a simulation, created by the person who kidnapped you and put you here."

A beat. But the world waited for no one. Not even them.

SMG3: "...Who? Why?" SMG4?: "I don't have access to that information. I wish I could." [*looks at the growing cracks that peeked into the white void*] "Looks like your friends have found you and are taking you out of here."

SMG3 looks back at him, conflicted. He yearned for this life for so long, only for it to be a complete lie. Whoever placed him here was playing some kind of sick joke on him. Perhaps, it was too good to be true...

The two look down at their hands, only to see Four's hand fading away.

SMG4?, his voice starting to distort: "I'm just sorry it had to be this way. That you had to be part of it at all. But I will tell you this: a simulation can't be made out of nothing. Me, the Crew, everything, it's an exact copy of the real thing. What I'm trying to say is, don't let this bring you down. You've been through so much, Three. You deserve to love and to be loved. Your SMG4, the real one, does feel the same as you do. I would know." SMG3: "...What if it doesn't work out?" SMG4?: "Who knows? It happened once, it could happen again. Besides, remember what Melony said, you won't be alone. Your friends will still be there. And I'm sure he'll still be there too."

SMG3 pulls Four into a hug, leaving Four taken back by this. Sure, they've been dating for weeks, if you can even call it that, but usually when people find out this is a simulation, they would leave. They try to forget. Four smiles and hugs back. He should've known better with SMG3. In the middle of the hurricane of deleting pixels and code, there they were with tears silently falling down their cheeks.

SMG4?: "Promise me something: Don't lose the same courage you had when you confessed your feelings to me." SMG3, nods: "I promise." SMG4?: "Goodbye, Three..."

.・-: ✧ :--: ✧ :-・.

SMG3 let out a gasp, his lungs searching for air, as if he was swimming underwater for a long time. He covered his face with his arm, his eyes unable to stand the bright lights.

"SMG3!" "Thank gosh, you're okay!" "Guys, quiet down, he just got out of the simulation."

He could feel several hands helping him sit up from what seemed like a table. He wanted to speak but instead let out a harsh cough, his tongue feeling like sandpaper.

"Woah woah, take it easy. It's okay, you're safe."

He knew that voice. A familiar hand grabbed his, a thumb rubbing his knuckles in comfort.

"He looks so pale." "Dude, it's been weeks." "We should get him to the hospital." "Who did this to him?" "Whoever it was, they got away."

Slowly, Three's senses were coming back, and he immediately turned to the one who comforted him. Four. Three wanted to reach out, be in Four's arms. To let Four kiss him. Let Four tell him "I'm here". But he stopped himself.

It's the real SMG4, not his Four.

Melony took Eggdog out of his cage and handed him to Three, who comforted his son with a tight hug.

Mario: "SMG3, are you okay?" SMG3, his voice dry: "Yeah, I'm fine. Really." SMG4: "Then, why are you crying? Did something happen in the simulation?"

Three reached to touch his face. Four wasn't wrong about that. He swiped the tears away with his gloved hand.

SMG3: "Nothing. Nothing at all."

The Crew looked at each other, unsure of how to respond. Four didn't either, but he gave Three's hand a squeeze.

SMG4: "C'mon, let's go home."

SMG3 could only nod. With a bit of help, SMG4 and Mario carried Three with their arms while the Crew followed behind. Three looked over his shoulder, seeing the simulation contraption completely destroyed, before leaving the hideout for good.

Goodbye, Four.

Part Two

[arc852]

Not Just A Drunken Dream

Summary: Jimmy goes to class with Joel and Grian, but as the humans are running late, they are a bit less careful and Jimmy ends up on the floor of the busy hallway.

Fortunately, he is found and picked up before he can be crushed.

Unfortunately, it wasn't by Grian or Joel.

Warnings: fear, anxiety, stress, very minor injuries, and dangerous situations

Word Count: 6909

AO3 Link

If you click to read this on AO3 do not read the character tags or you will be spoiled on who the third main side character is. Just giving you guys some warning if you wanted to be surprised while reading it.

This thing was a monster to edit because I wrote it four months ago and it was really bad but it's all done and great now! I'm really proud of how this turned out and I'm excited for you all to finally know who the third main side character is! I hope you all enjoy!

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

 Jimmy decided he wanted to go to class with Joel and Grian again. At this point in time he had gone with them to class plenty of times before. It wasn’t all the time by any means, he didn’t want them constantly worried about him, after all. And also it could get pretty overwhelming for him too sometimes. But, he thought today would be a nice day to go out.

 He had learned that, while biology was definitely not for him, some of Joel and Grian’s other classes were a lot more interesting and easier to understand. Like Joel’s history class. He loved learning about human history, it was always so interesting to learn all about what humans had done. It was a bit terrifying at times though. The things some humans did…and to each other no less…

 Jimmy shook his head. Despite all that, he really did enjoy it and he was looking forward to sitting in on another class.

 “Sure, let me just grab my hoodie.” Joel said after Jimmy asked if he could go with them. Joel rummaged through his dresser while Jimmy waited patiently on the nightstand and watched as Joel put on a cream-colored hoodie.

 Grian was already at the door, impatient. “Come on, we’re already running a little late.” Grian said as he glanced down at his phone clock. Joel rolled his eyes but went over to Jimmy and scooped him up, gently maneuvering him into the front pocket. Jimmy slid off Joel’s hand as soon as he was fully in the pocket and watched the hand leave as he settled comfortably, leaning against the wall that was Joel’s stomach.

 “All set?” Joel asked, though Jimmy could already hear, and feel, him putting on his bag.

 “Yep!” Jimmy yelled and when they were given his confirmation they finally left the dorm room. Jimmy hearing the click of the door as they left.

 Due to running a bit late, Grian and Joel ended up walking a bit faster than usual, which Jimmy could tell from being jostled around a bit more. It wasn’t uncomfortable or anything like that, the hoodie pocket had always been pretty stable even with harsher movements, but it was noticeable enough. Jimmy didn’t mind it though and knew him being a bit jostled around was needed for them to get to class on time.

 They entered the outside and quickly made their way down the path and toward a nearby building. Thankfully for both of them, Grian and Joel had their classes in the same building today, which meant if they continued at their current pace they should be able to make it on time still. That also meant they wouldn’t separate until they were already inside the building and if Jimmy remembered correctly, Joel’s classroom was first.

 Jimmy knew as soon as they had entered the building because, once again, same as always,  Jimmy got hit by how loud it was. Except this time it seemed a lot louder than usual. They hadn’t even entered the classroom yet and already Jimmy felt like he needed to cover his ears. Jimmy could only assume that because Grian and Joel were late that they hadn’t managed to beat the crowd of students coming and going and bustling around the halls.

 This meant that the halls were quite crowded and combined with the fact that Joel was still rushing toward his classroom, it shouldn’t have been surprising that Joel would run into someone. But with Jimmy unable to see and in a pretty vulnerable spot, especially since Joel didn’t have his hands in the pocket with Jimmy at all, Jimmy was more than just surprised by the powerful weight suddenly slamming into the side of Joel’s body. 

 Jimmy couldn’t help himself as he let out a scream, one that was drowned out by all the other loud noises in the hall. He was moved violently towards one of the openings in the pocket. He tried gripping the fabric around him but the suddenness of the hit had given him no time to prepare and he was never able to get a good grip on the fabric. Instead, his screaming continued as Jimmy found himself rocketed out of the pocket.. 

 “Hey! Watch it!” He thought he heard Joel shout but it was quickly drowned out by the pain of slamming into the floor.

 Jimmy groaned, the pain of landing on his back was bad and part of him just wanted to lie there until the pain subsided. But then he realized where exactly he was right now, in the middle of the hallways, with what had to be hundreds of humans walking through it. He forced himself up, ignoring the pain in his back, and nearly screamed again as a shoe slammed down next to him. He quickly scooted back from it but then had to jump out of the way of yet another shoe. 

 Jimmy breathing picked up, the pain in his back all but forgotten due to the panic. This was bad. Where were Grian and Joel? Surely they had noticed he was no longer with them, right? They had to be looking for him right now, right? It was hard to tell from this angle though. Right now, all humans were just legs and shoes, all with the capacity to crush him without even knowing.

 That thought alone nearly made Jimmy’s heart stop.

 Another shoe came at him and Jimmy dove out of the way but he wasn’t quite fast enough. He made it but not without the shoe grazing him just a bit and causing him to wheeze as he harshly hit the floor again. He took in some fast breaths as he scrambled up again, knowing any amount of sitting still would kill him. He needed to get away from here. He needed to find cover.

 Before he was able to do that, however, another shadow fell over him. Jimmy tried diving out of the way again, thinking it was another shoe but the shadow seemed to follow him. He looked up only to freeze as he realized the shadow belonged to a hand. Jimmy was helpless as the hand descended upon him from the crowd of shoes and legs and wrapped around him completely. Jimmy couldn’t help but feel panicked, because what if this wasn’t Grian or Joel? What if some random human had just picked him up?

 But then he was quickly lifted and placed in a hoodie pocket, a red one, and Jimmy found himself relaxing. The red was familiar and the grip around him gentle. There was no doubt that it was Grian who had found him. Jimmy felt himself go completely limp and he let out a relieved sigh. The panic that had been building was finally mellowing out and Jimmy did his best to get his breathing back under control.

 He brushed his hand over Grian’s thumb and there was a slight bit of hesitation before the thumb brushed along his side back. Jimmy hummed and settled against the warm hold. Though as he settled, he could still feel that Grian was moving faster than normal.

 The noise of humans quickly died down but Jimmy knew it wasn’t because they had entered the classroom. They were back outside. He could only assume they were headed back to the dorm after what had happened. It made Jimmy feel a bit bad that they were missing class because of him. But the scare from it all also made him glad they were going back in order to make sure he was okay.

 Jimmy could tell when they entered the dorm building, it was always a different kind of quiet than outside. Jimmy waited as he listened for the sound of keys in a lock and it didn’t take long for him to hear it. Before he knew it, a door was shutting behind them.

 The hand still loosely wrapped around his body solidified into more of a stable grip and pulled him out of the pocket. The hand then opened, allowing him to sit up and on the open palm, his back only protesting a little as he did so. “Thank goodness you guys were able to find me.” Jimmy said, his words filled with relief. “I don’t even want to think about what would have happened if I--if…” Jimmy’s words trailed off as he finally looked up.

 That was not Grian.

 And it wasn’t Joel either.

 And suddenly Jimmy couldn’t breathe.

 “You’re actually real.” The human said in awe. And then he grinned. “I knew it. I knew you weren’t just a dream.”

 Jimmy could barely breathe, barely think, but even he was confused by the statement. A dream? What was he-?

 And then it hit him. 

 “Y-You’re…You’re him. The drunk guy that saw me.” Jimmy managed to stutter out, tears pricking the corner of his eyes. He wanted out of here, he wanted off this hand.

 He wanted Grian and Joel.

 The human winced at his words and used his free hand, the one not holding Jimmy, to rub the back of his neck sheepishly. “Ah, right, right. That was uh…” He bit his lip. “You remember that, do ya?”

 Jimmy sputtered, mouth agape. “Do I-? How do you remember?! I-I made sure you didn’t! At least, I-I thought I made sure…” Jimmy looked down at his hands, his eyes wide with panic. All this time, he thought he had been fine. He thought the drunk human that had seen him some two years ago now had been too intoxicated to even remember. But apparently, he had. And now, Jimmy was in his hands.

 “I, well, it took a while to remember it if I’m being honest. And then I actually did think it was a dream for a while. But it just felt so real and…” He shrugged. “I don’t know, something in me just told me it couldn’t have just been a dream.”

 Jimmy clenched his hands into fists as he grit his teeth. So the human hadn’t remembered while Jimmy had been watching but…then gained his memory back later on? Jimmy hadn’t even thought of that as a possibility. 

 “Uh, what did you mean by you made sure?” The human asked, breaking him from his thoughts and causing Jimmy to look up at him again. He flinched a bit as their eyes met.

 “I…I stayed for a while after you saw me, watching, just to make sure you had forgotten.” He warily admitted. “I-I figured two days had been enough time, and drunk humans usually never remember anything anyway so I really thought-” His breath hitched. “Guess…Guess I didn’t watch for long enough.” He said through a choked up sob, tears starting to roll down his cheeks. This was it for him, it had to be, caught by the one human that had kept him up for countless nights in the past.

 “Whoa! Hey, it’s okay.” The human said, panic making its way onto his features and through his tone. His eyebrows pinched together in concern as he saw the little guy crying. “Please don’t cry little buddy, I’m not going to hurt you or-or anything else that might be running through that little head of yours.”

 The human looked around the room, head turning a bit too fast in all directions before his gaze fell on his nightstand. “Here, I’ll put you down. I’m sure being in my sweaty hands isn’t fun.” He nervously joked as he finally moved away from the door and over to his nightstand. He then placed his palm down on it, allowing Jimmy to get off on his own.

 Jimmy immediately took the opportunity and hopped off, glad to be on solid ground again. The hand lifted and went back to the human’s side and Jimmy was both relieved…and confused. He wiped at the tears still on his face, trying to stop himself from crying anymore as he warily looked up at the human as he backed up a few steps.

 “There we go. Is that better?” The human asked and when Jimmy didn’t say anything, the human looked panicked again. “Ah, oh, um…Oh! Maybe some introductions are in order? Yeah, yeah, um, I’m Tango! It’s nice to finally meet you.” Tango gave him a smile, though it was one full of nerves. “What’s your name?”

 “...Jimmy.” He said hesitantly, still worried about what was going to happen but slowly calming down a bit.

 “Well, like I said, it’s nice to meet you Jimmy.” Tango said, his smile gentler now. “I promise I don’t have any, uh, evil plans or anything like that.” Tango said with a little wave of his fingers at the word evil. “I just, I saw you and I didn’t want to see you hurt or-or worse.”

 Jimmy bit his lip. That’s right, he had been so caught up in everything that he had almost forgotten but Tango really had saved him. If not for him, he might have actually been crushed before anyone else even had a chance to pick him up.

 And, well…this was going a lot better than Jimmy would have ever expected. Tango had even put him down when he saw how distressed Jimmy was. He asked for his name, he promised no ill intent…

 Tango was really reminding him a lot of Grian and Joel.

 There was just one thing he had to be sure of.

 “So…you’re not planning on, uh, keeping me? Right?” Jimmy asked, eyes pleading that the answer was no.

 Tango’s eyes went wide. “Of course not! That’s included in the whole ‘no evil plans’ thing!” Tango answered. So not only was it a no, but a resounding no. Good to know. Jimmy then watched as Tango knelt down, so the human was more eye level with Jimmy now. “You’re a person, Jimmy. And I make it a habit to not kidnap, trap, and hurt my fellow persons.” Tango sent him another kind smile and this time, Jimmy returned it, even if his was a bit shakier than Tango’s.

 “Thank you, Tango. That actually really means a lot.” Jimmy said. He supposed there really were more good humans out there. Still, a borrower could never be too careful, but it’s nice to see that Tango was one of them.

 “Hey, no need to thank me for doing the basic human thing.” Tango said with a shrug.

 Jimmy shook his head. “No, really. Because not a lot of humans would…would be as nice as you.” The ‘basic human thing’ in regards to borrowers was not kindness. At least, if all the stories Jimmy had ever heard was anything to go by. And even if Jimmy currently had a 3 out of 3 track record for finding the good ones.

 “Oh.” Tango said. “Oh.” He said again as realization hit him. Right, he supposed Jimmy had a point. A three-inch tall person falling into the wrong hands…the things his mind came up with made him shudder. “Right, yeah, um…sorry you gotta, uh, sorry you gotta watch out for stuff like that.” Tango said, not really knowing what else to say. “I wish humans could be kinder.”

 Jimmy smiled softly and it was then that he knew, fully, that Tango was good.

 “You’re kind though. And that’s really all that matters right now.” Jimmy said, his small smile turning into a small grin.

 Tango’s cheeks flushed and he rubbed the back of his head, laughing nervously. “Just, uh, just doing what I know is right.”

 Jimmy giggled at the human’s flustered expression. Jimmy found himself feeling a lot more comfortable around Tango. The fact that Tango had proven to be kind mixed with the way Jimmy was somewhat used to humans now, it was surprisingly easy for Jimmy to relax. “Mind if I ask you a question.” Jimmy asked.

 Tango let his nervous laughter die off and as he met Jimmy’s eyes again. “Yeah, of course. Ask away.”

 “How did you…how did you see me in that crowd of people anyway?” Now that Jimmy’s mind was free of panic, it was actually something that baffled him. He could understand if it was someone who was actively looking for him, like Grian or Joel, but the fact Tango managed to see him in that mess had to have been a miracle.

 Tango’s nervous laughter returned. “Heh, um, well. Funny story that, I uh, I’ve…kind of made it a habit to look down a lot. You know, just in case…I saw you again. Or another little person. I didn’t want to accidentally hurt you or anything.” Tango released a breath. “I’m actually really glad I did that now, or else you might’ve…ya know…” Tango didn’t elaborate, but they both knew what he meant.

 “Huh, yeah, that’s…yeah. I’m really glad you made that a habit too, actually.” Jimmy agreed, pushing any thoughts of what could have happened far from his mind.

 “Can I ask you a question too?” Tango asked and Jimmy, though not expecting Tango to want to ask his own question, nodded. Tango’s eyebrows furrowed as he thought about his question and how to ask it. “Why were you on the ground, in the middle of the hallway, in the first place?”

 Jimmy blinked, realizing that was a fair question to have, actually. “Oh, I fell out of my friend’s…pocket…” Jimmy slowly trailed off, realization hitting him. His eyes widened, his body tensing up again. “Oh my word! They’re probably still out there looking for me! I gotta-I have to-!”

 Tango’s own eyes widened at Jimmy’s sudden panic. “Whoa! Whoa! Slow down, what’s going on?”

 “I was on the ground because I was with my friends and some guy knocked into one of them and it knocked me onto the floor! They’re probably worried sick!” Jimmy tried his best to explain. He had to assume his friends had noticed he was missing by now and were probably scrambling around trying to find him.

 Tango blinked. “You’re…friends?” He thought for a moment. “Wait, do you mean…your friends are human?”

 Jimmy nodded, his body still tense and raring to get back to them. “Yeah, Grian and Joel. They found me a few months ago and ever since then we’ve been best friends. But they still think I’m missing or…or worse.” Jimmy ran his hands down his face. He was probably causing them so much worry. The thought was stressing Jimmy out.

 “Wait, did you say Grian and Joel? As in the Grian who constantly wears red sweaters and causes mischief, the Joel who has a green streak in his hair and also plays along with said mischief? That Grian and Joel?" Tango asked and Jimmy looked up at him with wide eyes.

 “Uh, yeah? W-Why?” Jimmy asked, wondering how the heck Tango seemed to know so much about Grian and Joel.

 “Because Grian and Joel are good buddies of mine.” Tango revealed and Jimmy’s brain short-circuited for a moment.

 “...Wait, they have friends?” It was not meant to be a dig at them but Tango laughed and Jimmy realized how bad that had sounded. He tried to backtrack. “I didn’t mean that in a bad way! I just, genuinely thought they were each other’s only friends.” Jimmy shrugged helplessly. “They’ve never mentioned other friends before, anyway.”

 Tango nodded along, his laughter dying down as he placed a hand on his chin in thought. “Yeah, that makes sense actually. Grian and Joel have sort of stopped hanging out with me and the guys outside of class.” He looked down at Jimmy. “Though I can see why now.”

 Jimmy frowned. He didn’t want to be the reason Grian and Joel had stopped hanging out with their other friends. He was perfectly fine being left alone for a few hours if they wanted to hang out somewhere else. He didn’t have to always be around them.

 He would need to talk to them about that later.

 “I need to get back to them.” Jimmy said, getting them back on track. “I can’t begin to imagine how worried they are.” Well, that was a lie. He definitely could imagine it and he hated it. He really needed to let them know that he was okay.

 Tango nodded. “Yeah, of course. Uh, where do you think they would be, if they realized you were missing?” The question gave Jimmy pause and he had to think about it.

 “Well…” He started, thinking out loud. “They probably would have retraced their steps when Joel realized I wasn’t in his pocket. Meaning…if they didn’t find me in the hallways or outside…they’re probably back in their dorm room.” Jimmy worked out.

 “That’s as good as any place to start.” Tango said with a nod. “If they aren’t there, we’ll just head back to the building. We’re sure to run into them at some point at least.” Tango said and Jimmy nodded in agreement with him. Whether Jimmy was right or not, they would get him back to them. 

 Tango looked down at Jimmy and paused, realizing he would have to pick up Jimmy again for this. “Uh, how do you, ya know, want to do…this.” Tango stuttered out, waving at the both of them.

 Jimmy looked at him confused. “What do you mean? You’ve already picked me up before, you can just do it again.”

 “I know I have! But that was, you know there was a lot of panicy panic and not a lot of thinkificating involved.” When he saw Jimmy in danger, it was more of an act now and ask questions later sort of thing. “Besides, I feel weird just grabbing you.”

 Jimmy tilted his head, puzzled. A human feeling weird about grabbing him? That was certainly a new one to Jimmy. Grian and Joel never seemed to have any conflicted feelings about grabbing him or picking him up. “Joel and Grian do it all the time, so I’m pretty used to it.”

 Tango hummed at that, not knowing what to think. “Well…I would prefer you had some say in being picked up. So…” Tango placed a hand down next to Jimmy, palm up and flat. “...Hop on?”

 Jimmy looked down at the hand, hesitant. It’s not like he had never been offered a hand before, he remembers vividly when that was all Grian and Joel did for a while after they first met, but it was such a rare thing nowadays that Jimmy wasn’t used to it. The difference between just being grabbed and being offered a hand was that, when it was offered, Jimmy was the one putting himself in that position. He was really and purposefully giving his entire self and safety to the human offering him the hand.

 He supposed, when he was just being grabbed, it was easier to just let it happen. 

 And not only that, but this wasn’t Grian or Joel offering him a hand. It was Tango. Someone who he had just met and despite proving himself to be like Grian and Joel, it was still nerve-wracking to put himself in his hands. Especially when Tango was making him make that choice himself.

 But he needed to get back to Grian and Joel, and Tango was the quickest way there, so he took a deep breath and stepped onto the hand. He moved toward the center and, feeling weird standing, he quickly took a seat. Jimmy then looked up at Tango and gave him a hesitant thumbs up.

 “There we go, okay.” Tango said and Jimmy could just feel how nervous he was. It was kind of sweet, in all honesty. Even Grian and Joel had never been this nervous to handle him. “I’m going to put you in my pocket now, okay?” Tango said and when Jimmy nodded Tango lowered him to his hoodie pocket and let Jimmy inside. Jimmy slid off the hand and watched as Tango pulled his hand away but kept it at the very edge of the pocket, just in case.

 “Ready?” Tango asked, still nervous.

 “Ready!” Jimmy yelled back and then settled in as he heard the door open and Tango start to walk the dorm halls.

 It wasn’t very long at all before Tango had stopped, making Jimmy wonder just how close Tango really was to Grian and Joel’s dorm. A sharp knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts though and he tuned back in, hoping Grian and Joel were there.

 Tango heard a series of harsh whispers coming from inside the room but he couldn’t make out what they were saying. At least he knew they were in there. It took a long moment, long enough where Tango thought about knocking again, but the door opened before he could, revealing Joel.

 He looked awful, honestly. Tango couldn’t help but wince at just how distressed he looked. And when Grian came from behind to see who was at the door, Tango noticed he didn’t look much better. He knew they would be worried about Jimmy but actually seeing them like this almost broke Tango’s heart. At least he knew Jimmy was in good hands, if their amount of worry was anything to go by. “Um, hey guys.” Tango said with a little wave.

 Joel blinked. “Tango?” He had not been expecting him, though really he hadn’t been expecting anyone. “What are you-? Ah, nevermind, we don't really have time to chat or hang out right now, so maybe another-” As he spoke, he was already in the process of closing the door but Tango cut him off.

 “I found Jimmy.” Tango said, not beating around the bush.

 Both friends froze and slowly, Joel opened back up the door and both him and Grian looked at Tango with wide, incredulous eyes. “I…I’m sorry, what?” Joel asked, not sure if he had heard that right.

 Tango gently patted his hoodie pocket with the hand not still in there. “I found Jimmy.” He repeated and then pointed to the inside of the room. “I think it might be best if I come in?”

 They stared at him for a moment longer before nodding slowly and moving out of the way for Tango to come inside. Tango did and the door was shut behind him.

 “Alright Tango, you better explain yourself.” Joel said, his arms crossed as he tried to appear threatening. However, his disheveled appearance and his worry were still showing through too much for it to actually work. 

 Grian, on the other hand, did a very good job at burying his emotions in order to stare daggers at him.

 “Right, right, hold your horses.” Tango said, and then reached into his pocket since he figured showing them Jimmy was the best explanation he could give at the moment. He felt Jimmy crawl into his palm and he made sure to get a solid grip on him before pulling his hand back out, being very slow and careful just in case. He then lifted his hand to chest level and held it out towards Grian and Joel, revealing Jimmy sitting in the center.

 “Jimmy!” They both shouted almost at the same time, voices overlapping each other. Before Tango could even react, Joel took a step forward and snatched Jimmy off his hand, moving to cradle him between two cupped hands. “Are you alright? What on earth happened? Where did you go?” Joel asked question after question in worried relief.

 “And how did you end up with Tango?” Grian chimed in, close to Joel in order to look over Jimmy as well and make sure he was okay. But his gaze was locked onto Tango as he asked the question, Tango backing up a bit with his hands up at the intensity in Grian’s gaze. He had never seen Grian act like this before and, well, Tango could admit that Grian was scary when he wanted to be.

 Jimmy, despite the too many questions, was just happy to be back with Grian and Joel. “I’m okay.” He decided to start with, since that seemed to be the most important thing to clarify. “I’m not hurt or anything.” He explained, even as Joel was using a gentle thumb to feel around his body for any injuries.

 “That’s good.” Joel said with a sigh of relief, though he didn’t take his thumb back. Instead, using it to rub Jimmy’s back comfortingly. “But what happened? I got to class and put my hand in my pocket and you were just…you were just gone.” Joel’s voice cracked at the last word and Jimmy winced. He really had worried them.

 “When you ran into that person in the hallway, I…I fell out and onto the floor.” Jimmy revealed, knowing the reactions weren’t going to be good.

 He was right.

 “On…on the floor. Of the hallway.” Grian said through gritted teeth and with wide eyes. “In the middle of that crowd! Jimmy, how…” how are you not dead, went unsaid but Jimmy still picked up on it. He was good at that since Grian and Joel never really liked bringing up what could have happened to Jimmy in certain situations. At least, not in any detail.

 “It was…terrifying. But I was picked up only a minute or so later.” Jimmy looked over at Tango. “I thought it was you at first, Grian, since I was put in the pocket of a red hoodie but it turned out to be Tango.”

 Both Grian and Joel looked over at Tango. Joel seemed to only just remember that he was there while Grian continued to look at him with barely hidden wariness.

 “So you…saved him.” Grian said. Tango just shrugged and Jimmy frowned at that, answering before Tango could.

 “He did! He saw me down there and grabbed me to save me!” Jimmy exclaimed.

 Grian’s eyes finally softened, his wariness still there but much less prominent and he could already feel himself relaxing. “If that’s the case then thank you, Tango.”

 “Of course.” Tango said, feeling better with Grian not looking at him all scary like anymore.

 Joel though, still holding Jimmy close to his chest, still looked confused. “Okay, that is great and all and we do really appreciate it.” Joel started, but his tone became more wary as he continued. “But how are you not freaking out at Jimmy existing? You’re being pretty calm about all this.”

 And Joel’s words, Grian’s wariness came back tenfold and he looked at Tango with much the same gaze as before.

 Tango gulped at that but held out his hands. “Well, you see, I-” He cut himself off when he saw Jimmy run a hand along his neck, telling him to stop and not say anything. Tango really didn’t know why, but he followed along anyway. “I…uh, got all of my freak out when I talked with Jimmy at my dorm?”

 Joel raised an eyebrow. “Why was that said as a question, Tango? What are you hiding?” Joel still seemed a bit untrusting toward Tango, despite Tango bringing Jimmy back to them.

 “I’m not hiding anything! I, well…” Tango glanced down at Jimmy for help. Grian and Joel noticed and followed his gaze and now all three were looking down at Jimmy.

 “Jimmy? Do you have something you want to tell us?” Grian asked, his brow slightly raised. 

 Jimmy looked at the three of them before he couldn’t help but duck his head a little. He was used to being around Grian and Joel, of course. But Tango being added to the mix…that was three humans surrounding him from all sides, staring down at him with their full attention, and it was just a little intimidating if he was being honest. 

 Jimmy bit his lip, knowing that if he told them the truth of how Tango knew about him, they would freak out. Probably on both him and Tango. But he also knew that at this point, Grian and Joel weren’t going to let it go. He either told them now with little fuss or spend an hour arguing about it and then end up telling them anyway.

 He really didn’t feel like getting into a big thing right now. He was starting to feel exhausted from this whole day. So, he sighed and decided to reveal it. “Tango isn’t really freaking out because…he already kind of knew about me.”

 Grian and Joel’s eyes widened and Tango bit his lip as he watched closely at their reaction.

 “...Okay, but how?” Joel asked and Jimmy knew he wasn’t just going to let him leave it at that.

 “Um…remember when I told you about that time, when you two were celebrating the end of your first semester with some beer? About, how uh, I almost got caught by that drunk guy?” Jimmy asked with a nervous smile.

 It clicked right away for the two of them.

 “Tango was the drunk guy that saw you?!” Grian shouted as Joel’s jaw went slack. Jimmy winced a little at Grian’s volume and their reaction. Tango also found himself wincing, his body tense as he prepared to run if he had to.

 “I thought you said he didn’t remember seeing you?” Joel asked, getting over his shock enough to speak. Jimmy huffed a little and looked down.

 “I thought he didn't, but according to Tango…” He trailed off and looked at Tango, who took the hint to finish for him.

 “I started remembering a few days later. At first I thought it had been a dream but I just…I had this feeling it couldn’t have been.” Tango repeated what he had told Jimmy earlier.

 “Well that’s…hmm.” Grian started, only to stop talking and hum to himself, unsure.

 “I guess I am glad it was you and not some total stranger.” Joel admitted. “That could have been really bad.”

 “Yeah, imagine my surprise when Tango told me he knew the two of you. Why have you never mentioned him or any of your other friends before?” Jimmy asked, looking between Grian and Joel.

 Joel blinked and then shrugged. “It just…never got brought up? And besides, we never thought you were ever going to meet any of them.” He looked at Tango. “Turns out you two met long before us.”

 Jimmy supposed that was actually kind of true. It had been at least a couple of years before he met Grian and Joel that he had had that close encounter with Tango. That was honestly weird to think about.

 “Oh shoot, is that the time?” Tango suddenly said, catching a glance at Grian’s alarm clock. How words pulled Jimmy out of his thoughts “I gotta catch a class in about 10 minutes, so I should probably head out.”

 Grian nodded but as Tango made to leave, Grian stepped forward. “Wait.” Tango froze at the seriousness in Grian's voice and looked at him nervously. “You’re not going to tell anyone else about Jimmy, right?”

 Tango’s eyes widened. “No! Of course not! I would never ever.” He said and then paused, thinking something over. “But, I mean…you know, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for you guys to tell the others.”

 Grian’s eyes narrowed. “Tango…”

 Tango put his hands up. “I’m not going to say anything! You don’t have to worry about that. But…you know the guys. You know Impulse and Etho and the others. Do you really think they can’t be trusted to know about Jimmy?”

 Joel rolled his eyes. “It’s not about trust! It’s about not having so many people knowing about Jimmy. The more who know, the more likely it could spread.”

 “But only if someone spills the secret.” Tango said with a raised eyebrow. “And I really don’t think anyone would. But, anyway, it’s not really up to the two of you, is it?”

 Grian and Joel blinked. “What do you mean?” Joel asked with a huff.

 “It’s up to Jimmy.” Tango said. Grian and Joel paused and looked down at the borrower and Tango couldn’t help but hum. “It’s his decision whether he wants more people to know about him or not.” It was important he reminded his fellow humans that Jimmy should be making the ultimate decision on anything that involved the borrower himself. And something like this definitely fell into that category.

 Tango then crouched down so he was eye level with Jimmy and smiled at him. “They can tell you more about our other friends later, but I wouldn’t be suggesting this if I didn’t think everything would be okay.” He explained a bit more. “Besides, I think you would get along great with the rest of our group.”

 Jimmy blinked wide-eyed at Tango, taken aback by that last statement. “You really think so?”

 Tango nodded. “I do. Think about it?” Tango asked with a slight head tilt.

 Jimmy hesitated for a moment before he nodded. “I will. Think about it, that is.”

 “Great.” Tango said and then slapped his knees as he straightened up before heading toward the door. He looked back behind him. “Hopefully we can see each other again soon! Bye Jimmy!” He waved and Jimmy waved back with a smile. “And bye to you guys too, I guess.” He joked as he also waved to Grian and Joel.

 And with that, Tango was gone. 

 And since he was gone, that meant all attention was now back on Jimmy. He was finally brought away from Joel’s chest and held between the two humans. “You are okay, right?” Grian asked softly, wanting to make sure.

 Jimmy took in a shakier breath than he had intended but nodded. Despite everything, he really was okay. Tango seemed like a really nice guy and even promised to keep his existence a secret. His mind, however, couldn’t help but replay the terrifying parts of the day. Jimmy did his best to not think about it though and shove it into the back of his head. “I’m okay. Just a bit shaken up, I guess.” Jimmy said, allowing himself to be a bit more vulnerable with Tango no longer around.

 “I bet.” Joel said and Jimmy realized his tone was no longer bordering on defensive. “You fell out of my pocket, onto the floor, and ended up meeting another human today. I’d be exhausted too.” He said and then sighed and looked away. “Stupid of me to not have my hand in there with you.” He mumbled to himself, so quiet Jimmy only caught a few words. But before he could ask about it, the conversation moved on.

 “You’re back with us now though.” Grian said, not only to them but to himself as well. “That’s all that matters.”

 “Yeah, and maybe no more trips to classes for a little bit.” Joel recommended and Jimmy nodded. He had no desire to leave the dorm room for a long time after what happened today.

 “I second that.” Grian said and then walked over to his bed to collapse in it. Joel, who Jimmy expected was going to be holding him for at least the rest of the night, sat down on his own bed and seemed to finally relax.

 “By the way.” Jimmy said after a few moments of silence. Joel looked down at him and Grian sat up a little to do the same. “What, uh…what are your other friends like?”

 He looked to Joel first, who was frowning. “You can’t seriously be thinking about meeting them, right? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

 Grian sat all the way up and rubbed the back of his head, sighing. “Joel, I hate to admit it, but Tango is right. That’s not our decision to make for Jimmy.”

 Joel sputtered. “It’s-I mean-Jimmy, you were the one who didn’t want more humans knowing about you in the first place!”

 “I know, I know.” Jimmy looked down. Meeting Tango had been nerve-wracking for sure but maybe it was only because of the way he had met him? Sure, he would probably still be nervous meeting the others despite knowing what he was getting into with them. But…maybe Jimmy wanted to try. Maybe he wanted more friends. Not that Grian and Joel weren’t good enough but more friends, more people to talk to, seemed…nice.

 Besides, if the others knew about him, he would no longer be stopping Grian and Joel from hanging out with them. They could all hang out together!

 Still…Jimmy couldn’t take making this decision lightly. He needed to think about it and calculate if the risks were worth it. But, honestly, if the others were anything like Grian and Joel, or even Tango, he figured he would be just fine.

 “I’m not sure about it yet. But…I am thinking about it.” Jimmy admitted and looked between the two to gauge their reactions. They both looked worried, which Jimmy thought was fair. “I would like to know more about the others though, in order to…reach that decision.” Jimmy continued.

 Grian and Joel were silent for a moment before Joel sighed. “Well…I guess we can start with Impulse. He’s Tango’s roommate.” Joel started and Jimmy was a bit surprised they were willing to do this right now but thankful all the same.

 The rest of that night he spent in Joel’s hands, listening to Grian and Joel talking about their friends.

 And once they had all laid down to finally go to sleep, after learning so much about these people, these friends of his friends, Jimmy couldn’t help but think about how much he wanted to meet them.

[k-dokja]

Eli fluff pleaseeeee ❤️‍🩹

Kisses cuddles or something and I'll be at your feet 🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️

No… get up… don’t stay down there…

It’s pretty—very suggestive. Read at your own peril.

You try to not come by the store often. It’s better to give people the idea that Eli is single, because it’s good for business. You’ve been firm about that idea, no matter how often he pouts. Now that you’re back together again, Eli has grown far more confident about his affection for you more than ever. It’s cute… at times, it reminds you that even with everything, Eli remains a boy. Not yet a man.

He always pretends to be older than he is, more responsible, taking up more and more so others wouldn’t have to. Seeing Eli shedding some of that insane need for compensation is a delightful thing… if only he doesn’t redirect the new excess energy towards you.

Being able to send Yenna to the kindergarten also frees up a lot of his schedule, making him hover around you whenever he gets the chance. You have half the mind to tell him to get a hobby, but with the hours he works at the store then taking care of Yenna when the kindergarten hours is over, you think he deserves to have some graces.

”You’re just begging for an accident to happen,” you drawl, pausing your dicing of the vegetables to prove a point, but Eli only nuzzles further into your neck. A pleased hum emits from the base of his throat.

“Just a little more,” he murmurs into your skin before burying his nose into your hair and inhaling the scent of your shampoo. To his credit, he actually releases you and attends to other ingredients. Eli seems to glow with happiness in these recent days, you guess you have some contributions to that.

It is one of the reasons why you can’t say you miss the days when he was so shy about his affection, it was painful to watch him. However, nothing can stop you from teasing him. “Somebody’s affectionate these days.” You nudge his side with your elbow, making him nearly drop the bottle of seasoning.

Eli flushes at your comment, biting down at his bottom lip. “Is that a bad thing?” He says it in a way that you know a single confirmation from you would revert everything to the old way. Fortunately for him, you are compelled by mercy today.

“Not really, I’m simply not accustomed to it,” you admit with a shrug that you hope would soften the blow. “I guess affection in general is new, I don’t hate it but I don’t know how to respond to it.”

“You don’t have to do anything,” Eli is quick to answer, but he won’t meet your eyes, “I can dial it down if you want, but if we’re both being honest, it’s not easy for my self-control to be around you.”

You give him a pointed look, “Should I be worried?”

“No,” Eli meets your eyes with panic in his own, “never, don’t even think that.”

“You’re not exactly the paragon of safe sex, you know,” you needle, unwilling to drop the matter now that he has brought it up.

Eli groans, dropping the food to pull you into a hug. He sets his chin on the top of your head, inhaling deeply before continuing. “Nothing will happen unless you want it to, I’m only saying that I have urges,” he tightens his hold around your waist, pressing a familiar kiss on your forehead, “urges inspired by you. But I will wait, and I will be prepared, if you ever wanted me.”

“If?” You smirk, glancing up at him. Guess not all of him has changed.

Eli meets your eyes again with a gentle smile of his own. “I’m not presumptuous enough to believe that you’d want me… at least, not at the level where I want you.”

“Hm.”

“Hm.”

You see his gaze softens and decide to ask, “What’s on your mind?”

“You,” his confession is breathless as he closes the distance between the two of you, little by little, “your eyes, your lips, your smell, your everything… but mostly, how much I want to kiss you.”

A soft laugh escapes you, “Then why aren’t you?”

That question alone is enough to spur him forward, pressing his lips against yours in a kiss with every bit as sweet as the boy you’re kissing.

[fuck-customers]

I’m close friends with 2 of my coworkers, but we have a coworker, I’ll call her J, likes to think she’s “one of us”. We’re obviously grown adults so we try not to let her behavior affect us, but she’s seriously insufferable. She’s not only a lazy and nosy employee, but just hanging out with her is hard. Her body odor is strong and her hair looks like it hasn’t been washed in weeks despite her saying she bathes often, and this makes me uncomfortable because she likes to hug us. Her clothes have a gross smell despite her saying she does laundry weekly. The smell of her clothes sometimes permeates into my clothes when her clothes are near mine and it’s usually a combination of weed, dampness, and sourness. She overshares and is loud so she’ll have a conversation with her boyfriend at her desk that she thinks no one heard and then will tell us about the phone afterwards or will randomly share her sex life with us even though we never asked. And on that topic, she doesn’t understand personal space as she thinks what’s mine is hers. If you left her borrow something even once, she’ll go through your things to get it again because we’re “friends”. It’s exhausting being around her so we all find ways to encourage her to take time off or leave early just so we can spend less time with her. Anything to not have to be around her because it’s so draining. Today my 2 coworkers and I were talking about getting coffee and J (who already has her own cup of coffee) inserts herself and says we should order from ⭐️💲because there’s a drink she likes. We all declined, but I mostly declined because I just knew she’d have one of us order for her since she’s always tight on money but somehow always spending it on something useless. That bothered her so she kept trying to pressure us to order from there as if she wouldn’t be able to order unless we also ordered, and that confirmed my theory. Then she started to get passive aggressive and said to the other 2 that if they weren’t around, she would’ve been able to pressure me into ordering. Aka she would’ve been able to get me to buy her a drink. That pissed me off because I didn’t like how she acted like she knew me. I told her I’ve long since deleted that app and I don’t even remember my password so she’s wrong. This set her off more and she started sulking the whole day. She became more upset when she discovered one of the other 2 coworkers wanted to take the same day off as her. So J reluctantly switched her day off to another day even though no one asked her to and then continued to sulk about it. I don’t understand this behavior and it makes the work environment more toxic than it needs to be. I can’t tell our manager because he’s close with J and defends her all the time. I think it’s because their personalities are similar. In the past, I tried to subtly warn him about J and how she’s skewing his numbers, but he went behind my back and snitched on me. He told her I was backstabbing her but fortunately I was able to convince her that he misunderstood what I was saying and the issue was resolved. However since then I never tell him anything.

Posted by admin Rodney

[littlemissdulce]

I don’t exactly have a title ready for this but I wanted to post my very first chapter so I hope you enjoy. Feedback would very much be appreciated

Tw: (never done one of these so here goes) teen pregnancy, allusion to sex but no actual details, allusions to non-con but no actual details, mild violence, mentions of miscarriage (I think that’s everything let me know if I missed something)

Chapter 1

You remember when life wasn’t so complicated. Days spent learning to read and write, to mend clothes, to clean and cook. While other children got to play outside, you spent your time studying mother’s medical journals, taking notes, following her around and assisting her as she tended to patients.

She taught you about plants. How to tell them apart, which ones could be made into medicines and which ones could be made into poisons. How both could be used to alleviate or aggravate illness and injury alike.

Mother was the only female apothecary in the town you grew up in. Many preferred her knowledge and discretion as opposed to doctors who would charge a small fortune for their services. Her patients ranged from villagers, courtesans, lords and ladies, she even paid a visit to the home of Duke Leto Atreides once. You suppose that was how you were able to get the job you have now.

You were the maid to the Duke’s son, Paul Atreides. At the age of twelve your job as his maid was to tend to the young lord’s needs. Your duties included cooking his meals whenever he did not dine with his parents, cleaning his room and study, minding his health and reporting anything that seemed out of the ordinary to his mother, Lady Jessica.

It was strange to refer to him as young lord considering you were both the same age. But that also might have been what made it possible for both of you to get close and even become friends. Two lonely children who only had one another to confide in. It made sense how you came to be in your current state.

Having worked for Paul for three years it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that your friendship would progress. After all, both he and you noticed how your respective bodies began to change. Curiosity is a dangerous thing, and now you were left to deal with the consequences of your actions.

It had occurred after his father’s birthday celebration, Paul had managed to sneak a bottle of wine into his room and offered to share it with you. Though you initially tried to refuse, you gave in after he begged you to not let him drink alone. You should have known that Caladan wine was strong, but you never could have guessed it would lead to this.

Two months late on your cycle, walking with a heavy heart to Lady Jessica’s chambers. Cradling your stomach, already feeling protective of the life growing inside you.

Standing outside her door, you waited for her to allow you to come in. She had to have known why you were there. After all, that morning you could have very well lost your child had you simply drunk the tea that was prepared for you. You drank tea every morning, but on that day you recognized the smell of this specific tea as it was one your mother taught the courtesans to make to prevent pregnancy or induce a miscarriage. No, nothing happened in the castle without her knowledge.

“Come in (Y/N), take a seat. Have some tea.” She said as she poured you both a cup.

So you complied. Sitting down, hesitating to even touch the cup before you. Afraid that it too was meant to harm your child.

“This tea is safe.” She said drinking from her own cup and confirming your suspicions that she had been the one who sent the previous cup of tea. Tentatively you lifted the cup to your lips, took a small sip and quickly set it back down. After a moment of silence she spoke again. “Have you told Paul about your… predicament?”

“…No my lady.” you replied, with your head bowed afraid to meet her eyes.

“Have you spoken to anyone about… this?” She asked again while motioning to your abdomen.

“…no.” You replied with a quieter voice. Scared of what could happen if you offended her any more than you already had. Shaking, you lifted the cup back to your lip hoping that as long as you drank your tea the conversation would not progress.After a long pause she waited for you to finish your tea before she continued.

“Good.” Was her only reply.

Suddenly you felt a wave of fatigue wash over you, dropping your cup when you tried to stand to run away only to fall to the floor and hurting your right arm. The last thing you remembered was guards dragging you away as the world went dark.

When you next woke up you noticed you were laying in a cage in a dark and cold room.Shackles binding your hands and feet. Hearing voices approaching, you pretended to still be asleep.

“I can’t believe I was able to find such a fine specimen.” Stated the first voice, a man by the sound of it

“Lady Jessica’s instructions were quite clear my lord. We are to dispose of the girl and make sure her child is never found.” Replied the second voice, this one sounding meeker by comparison.

“Yes I know John I’m not an idiot!” The first voice exclaimed “ She didn’t say I couldn’t play with her.I won’t hurt her…much. At least until the child is born then I’ll dispose of her however I please.” This made your blood run cold. Immediately a timer was set for your death and if your calculations were correct you only had seven months left until your execution.

“My Lord Lorne, I would never think that of you. I simply worry for the ramifications if we do not follow Lady Jessica’s wishes. You are already in a precarious situation with the Baron Harkonnen.” John spoke, fear evident in his voice at the mere mention of the Baron.

Lord Lorne scoffed “That fat headed pig doesn’t know anything! And unless you want to loose your head it better stay that way, now unchain the girl and have her brought to my room, I wish to test out my new toy.”

You could hear as the man named John called to have guards carry you while he undid your chains but before they could get to you a new voice appeared.

“That fat headed pig knows about everything Lorne, he knows you’ve been stealing spice and selling it behind his back”

“Na-Baron p-please this is all a misunderstanding,” Lorne bumbled out. “I can explain please give me a chance to explain.”

Opening your eyes, your gaze landed on the owner of who you presumed to be the third voice. He was tall, with pale white skin and light blue eyes. He had no hair but even then you almost thought he might look beautiful. Except you knew the reputation of the one they called Na-Baron Feyd Rautha, every child on Caladan was told of the monsters the Harkonnen were especially him.

The Na-Baron’s eyes zeroed in on you and you instantly felt like you couldn’t move or even breathe. It felt as though he was studying you taking you apart piece by piece and you could do nothing to stop him.

Lorne noticing your awareness and how you had caught the Na-Barons eye chose that moment to speak. “Please if you spare me you can have the girl she’s quite beautiful and I’m sure she can be usefu-” Lorne’s rambling was cut off by the dagger that had slit his throat. Try as he might to apply pressure to his wound all he did was smear the blood that was running down his neck. He fell to the ground dead in seconds.

The Na-Baron turned to his men. “Leave no survivors” he ordered. You watched in horror as three of his men advanced on you and John. One quickly dispatched of John, braking his neck and letting him crumble to the floor while the other two stalked towards you. Fear paralyzed you, how were you going to get yourself and your child out of this, how were you going to protect your baby if you would soon be dead. One of the men was already wrapping his hands around your throat as you were looking around and spotted a short blade at his waist. Tears welled up in your eyes as a wave of calm and fury took you over.

In a split second decision, fueled by adrenaline, a you dove for the knife and used it to slice the man’s carotid artery, using the black blood spilling from his neck you slipped out of his hold and used your momentum to stab the other guard in his femoral artery. Both Harkonnen soldiers bleed out in minutes. Standing there with a dagger in your hand against so many Harkonnen, you could feel the adrenaline wearing off and the effects of the tea still in your body making you tired. As more soldiers advanced towards you you heard the Na-Baron’s voice.

“Capture her but do not harm her. I need a new toy.”

With the fear of imminent death evaded a new fear unlocked itself. The fear of what the Na-Baron wanted from you, to do to you. Slipping back into unconsciousness you fell expecting to hit the ground, but were surprised when you felt arms around you instead. In your last second of awareness you saw he face of the man who wanted to take you alive.

When you next awoke you were on a soft bed, in clean clothes, having been cleaned yourself while you were asleep. The room you were in looked too luxurious for you to be in. Your gown, white, thin and made of silk, hugged you body and accentuated your breasts leaving little to the imagination. Your uneasiness started rising as you saw a small table full of food near one of the corners of the room. Slowly approaching the table you decided to eat an apple that did not look tampered with. While eating it you decided to slowly walk around the room, discovering a bathroom attached to the room and a door that would not open. The closet was full of revealing dresses you could never hope to wear, all either black or white. As you continued exploring you failed to notice the previously locked door opening and someone walking through.

“Whose is it?”

The voice startled you. Making you turn around to face the Na-Baron. “Whose’s what my lord?” You tried to feign ignorance hoping against all odds he would believe you.

“Maybe if I cut the thing out you’ll give me an answer?” He grinned as he took slow steps towards you while holding a knife. “I had the coctors examine you when you came in and they told m some interesting news. Now I am not a man who normally gives second chances so I’ll ask again whose is that thing growing in your womb?”

Too scared to risk lying again you answered truthfully. “The baby’s father is Paul Atreides my lord.” That response stopped the Na-Baron in his tracks, his grin changing into maniacal laughter. This scared you so you spoke again.

“Please my lord I’ll do anything you want just…don’t hurt my child.” You begged on your hands and knees. Had bowed afraid of what his response might be. He stopped laughing and grabbed you by your hair retching your head back, causing you to sit up as your hands went to you belly to protect a baby that was nearly the size of a kidney bean.

��Anything?” He questioned. So close to your face you could smell his rotting breath.

“…yes” you answered shakily. He let your hair go causing you to fall forward, throwing your hands to catch yourself before you could meet the stone cold floor. Sitting oh the bed he spoke again.

“Be mine”

“What does being yours mean my lord?”you questioned looking up at him from your spot on the floor.

“I’ll claim that bastard as my own, providing and protecting you and it from anyone who would do you harm. In return you’ll do what ask when I ask, never deny me, and you will be loyal to me. Do you understand?”

“…yes my lord” you whispered.Left with no other option but to agree to his demands.

Satisfied with your response he began getting into the same bed you had just been in. “It’s getting late and a mother needs a lot of rest, get in.”

Hesitantly you got up from the floor and slowly made your way to the bed. As you got under the covers you felt him wrap his arm around your waist and pulling you towards him. The lights dimmed and before you could fall asleep from the days stressful events you heard him whisper in your ear.

“When we are alone you will call me Feyd.” He ordered hand tightening around your waist waiting for your response.

“yes Feyd.”

[swagbonkoperaweasel]

SONIC 3 POST CREDITS THOUGHTS

Spoilers obviously…

So as we now know, Metal and Amy are confirmed for Sonic 4. As an Amy fan, I am thrilled that we FINALLY get to have her in the movies, albeit rather late into the movie franchise. I wanted to talk a little bit about what we are seeing in this scene, as well as some of my hopes for Amy Rose’s movie portrayal.

As we can see, Amy’s combat seems like it will be different from her game self. Whereas game Amy uses her hammer and relies on her physical strength to defeat enemies, it seems like movie Amy will have some extra abilities with her hammer. In a way it seems to work like Thor’s hammer, where she can use it as a projectile against multiple enemies and summon it back.

Amy’s origin is that she uses her tarot cards and they basically tell her she will meet Sonic. This was something about her that had kind of been forgotten with Sega, up until recently. In Frontiers, Sonic make a few references to Amy and her fortune cards, and Amy actually uses them in the DLC. Some of her attacks also involve the cards.

It seems like in her portrayal, she will probably have some sort of magic, as we can see she appears to be able to float (or maybe she just jumped but it looks like floating to me). She very clearly has some combat experience and it’s interesting that the first time we see her, it’s a lot like Tails where it seems like she’s specifically trying to find Sonic. My prediction is that she will probably explain that she used her cards to find him, which is a nod to Sonic CD.

In terms of her seemingly having some sort of magical powers, I kind of have mixed feelings on that. I feel like part of what made Amy special is that she never really had special abilities the way others in the main cast do, but yet she’s still able to hold her own and be a hero in her own way. She’s also extroverted and kind hearted, which is why she’s able to so easily make friends and connect with others. I’m honestly scared that they’ll tone down those parts of her character just to make her more visibly “flashy.”

Her design is kind of perfect imo. At least, her face and hammer is. Im hoping she’ll have a similar outfit to her modern one under the cloak. It looks like they actually took a lot of Amy fans headcanons about her appearing in the cloak and decided to actually make that a reality. I’m sure the original fan who came up with that is gonna freak out when they see this.

As happy as I am for her appearance, I can’t help but feel very nervous for how her personality will be, especially when she has a reputation of being butchered. I really hope they don’t go the route of “girl character is stronger than the boy characters,” as that imo is actually more offensive than progressive. I am a woman btw so I think I’m allowed to have this opinion lol. A female character doesn’t have to be this overpowered character that is stronger than her male counterparts to be strong. I feel suggesting otherwise only implies that girls/women can only be alongside boys/men if they can prove to be better than them. That is simply not true. They can be equals. They can be strong in their own way. Amy does not have to prove anything to the Wachowski boys or to the audience. She is canonically strong and can fight. She is bubbly, she is kind, she is a romantic, she can be hotheaded, she is girly, and she is STRONG. All those things can and SHOULD coexist in her character. I don’t need her to be mellowed out into a stereotypical “I’m a girlboss who doesn’t need help from men” character. Amy’s crush on Sonic is important to her character because it shows that love is not a weakness, it can be a strength just as much as anything else.

My biggest ask for her character is to just LET AMY ROSE BE AMY ROSE.

[telomeke]

4 MINUTES EPISODE 5 – FLASHBACKS, WATCHALONGS AND AN OMINOUS CULTURAL TOUCHPOINT

They're doing a great job with this show and I'm now a newly-minted fan of Director Ning Bhanbhassa Dhubthien, whose confident hand has been assuredly steering the proceedings in 4 Minutes. 🤩

Ep.5 has irrefutably confirmed that the 4 Minutes of the title really is a reference to the four-minute limbo after the heart stops beating (4 Minutes Sultrier Version Ep.5 timestamp 42:20).

So the layers are now being slowly peeled back and more was revealed to us, shedding flashes of light on the convoluted storyline. All is still not clear yet, but some ideas are starting to take shape.

OK, this is mostly guesswork but anyway–

It's quite firmly implanted in my mind now that we're seeing a lot of Great's four minutes of brain activity post cardiac arrest. But what's been percolating in my mind since the last episode is that that we might also be seeing Tyme's four-minute post-death flashback, especially since we also saw him getting shot in the opening sequence of Episode 1.

And so those scenes and sequences shown from Tyme's point of view may also be him re-living his own past experiences (concurrently with Great's?) even as his own heart has stopped.

This thought was triggered by Ep.4's revelation that people who find themselves in the Four-Minute Zone get to enter some sort of common waiting room, and they get to meet others in there too:

And the vibes I got watching this scene reminded me so much of Great and Tyme's conversation at their lakeside glamping in the trailer, which we got to see fully in Episode 5:

I don't think this is Great and Tyme on a romantic date in the real world. Serene, other-worldly and seemingly divorced from reality – this locale has them talking about how beautiful it all is, and Great even says "I wanna stay here forever" before admitting "But we probably can't."

It really looks like this is Great and Tyme finding each other in the four-minute post-death netherworld, with the art gallery meeting room switched up for a more romantic getaway instead (that Great got to choose). And with the clock ticking ominously down to 11:04...

There's also this little snippet from the trailer:

Tyme is locked out of a room, and he calls out for Great even as his surroundings are all sepia-toned and soft-focused.

I think this is 4 Minutes showing us that Tyme's four minutes will be up before Great's are, and Tyme will swept back to the real world – or away to another world – while Great is left behind. (Or maybe it's the other way around?)

Ominously, we are not shown Great's rapture and release from four-minute limbo – as much as I want a Happily Ever After for the two newest pretty boys who have won my heart, 4 Minutes is making no such promises. So I suppose we should prepare ourselves for the possibility that while Great (or Tyme) may well be waking up from a four-minute hiatus and returning to the world of the living at 11:04 – it's not a guarantee that the other will rejoin him there when his own four minutes tick down. 😬💔😭

‌

Anyway, I've refrained from commenting on the numeral 4 as a symbol of death, because this is more a thing in Chinese culture rather than Thai (and up until Ep.5 Thai-Chinese references were at most only faintly present in 4 Minutes).

Well that certainly changed, at 4 Minutes Sultrier Version Ep.5 timestamp 34:50:

The temple where Ep.1 accident victim Khun Manee goes to hire a hitman is unmistakably Chinese. The mafia don she engages with also speaks in Teochew Chinese (I think) at timestamp 36:25.

And so when her siam si/เซียมซี fortune stick shows up with the numeral 4, the link with death is all but confirmed (the word for death in many Chinese dialects like Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese and Hakka sounds similar to the word for the numeral 4, although there are tonal differences). No surprises then, that the Chinese don tells Manee "Someone's probably going to die."

This had a Thai parallel in Ep.1, when the clock in Khun Manee's hospital room showed us it was thirteen minutes past 1 o'clock in the afternoon:

As portentous as this might appear to occidental minds, it's not just the Western superstition surrounding the number 13 that's threading darker undertones into the fabric of this scene.

In Thai culture (where belief in the supernatural abounds), the numeral 13 is also sometimes considered ill-omened because it looks rather like the Thai word for ghost – ผี – flipped onto its side, adding to the general sense of foreboding in Ep.1.

And for me, this was not meant to foreshadow all the deaths taking place in subsequent scenes and episodes, although it isn't inappropriate as a device.

We have been seeing ghosts in this series – Great, Lukwa, possibly Tyme, and whoever else who found themselves caught in the spectral dimension that exists between life and death in the universe of 4 Minutes.

‌And this may be just my fevered 4 Minutes obsessed brain overthinking things again, but in this light – the paired thirteen (13:13) is likely a reference to the ghostly half-lives of our protagonist couple Great and Tyme, getting to share a precious (final?) four minutes together in that twilight zone between the world of the living and the great beyond.

But it seems more than likely that they will be yanked apart when their four minutes are up. 😧 So will that separation be forever? I wait on tenterhooks to see.

P.S. Links to my own fan theory as to what it all might possibly mean:

And some more supporting information, embedded in the show:

‌

[mymoodwriting]

Request for Anon (Yandere Android Sunwoo) 4.2k, yandere, androids, abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, assault, fighting, prejudice, manipulation, detroit become human au (@starillusion13)

“Are you alright?”

It always pained you to see an android being mistreated in public. The laws that were put in place to give androids freedom and rights didn’t stop people from being rude and aggressive towards them. If anything it seems like it made matters worse. As you were heading home from grocery shopping you saw a handful of people crowding around another. It was hard to tell whether or not someone was an android as they blended in perfectly, but one good hit could disrupt the outer skin and reveal the white plastic underneath, even if only for a moment. Regardless, you couldn’t just walk away from someone in need.

You shoved yourself in between the troublemakers and the person being assaulted. This wasn’t the first time you had been in this situation, so getting a slap across the face was expected. It confirmed to those bastards you were human, and they weren’t gonna hurt you further because of that. Of course they just changed their tactic and started calling you names, and saying you were a pathetic android lover. You didn’t care for any of it, to you androids were living beings just like humans and deserved respect. You ignored the yelling and helped the other get away from the scene and into a more crowded area. Once you were in a better place you checked on them, examining them for any injuries.

“They didn’t hurt you too bad, did they?”

The android didn’t say anything, just stared at you with wide eyes and disbelief. They slowly reached up to touch your cheek, making you wince a bit from the sting.

“Why did you do that? You got hurt…”

“It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

“Used to it? How come?”

“I see your people getting hurt too often and I can’t just ignore it.”

“You’re very kind.”

“Are you alright though, really? I don’t know much about androids but-”

“I’m okay. I can take a hit.”

“You shouldn’t.”

“Neither should you.”

“I suppose so. I didn’t catch your name?”

“Sunwoo. What about you?”

“Y/n.”

“It’s beautiful. I need to repay you for today.”

“No, no, you don’t-”

“I insist.” Without asking Sunwoo took your grocery bags, giving you a smile. “Where are we going?”

“It’s okay you don’t have to do this.”

“I want to, please.”

“Alright. I’m just heading home.”

“Then lead the way.”

Sunwoo walked with you back to your apartment building, making conversation. You talked about your job, which was part time as you were also a student at the nearby university. You were fortunate enough to be on scholarship and had some money from your parents that helped you with the apartment. All the other living costs were on you. As for Sunwoo, he was in and out of work, which you knew was common for many androids. They had to identify themselves in order to work, and people still held onto prejudice. 

“Thank you very much. You can set the bags on the kitchen table.”

Sunwoo insisted on helping you to the very end, so you let him into your apartment. He set down your groceries and curiously looked around, saying that your place was cozy. He kept talking with you as you were in your room, unpacking your things.

“Do you live alone?”

“Yeah. This place is really only meant for one, and I’m fortunate that I can afford it.”

“Doesn’t it get lonely?”

“At times, but I’m alright.”

“Can I ask… I know you said something about this earlier…” Sunwoo came over to the room. “But… why do you help out other androids? Most humans hate us…”

“It’s honestly so unfair and stupid. You’ve done nothing wrong.  To me there’s not much of a difference between humans and androids. We all just want to live our lives, don’t we?”

“Yeah. It’s really nice to know that there are some good humans around.”

“Believe me, there are.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Being yourself.”

“Huh? What does that-”

As you turned around you found Sunwoo standing before you, startling you. Although you couldn’t ponder too much as a white hand was reaching for your face, and then your world cut to black.

🖤

You whimpered and rolled over in bed, hearing some faint knocking. You thought maybe you were imagining things, but the knocking persisted. You sighed and got up, stretching your arms and getting out of bed. As you opened the door you were rubbing the sleep from your eyes.

“Morning, Eric…” You smiled. “What are you doing here so early?”

“I was trying to call you. We were supposed to go out for breakfast this morning, remember?”

“Were we?”

“Y/n, is it gonna be breakfast for two?”

You looked back to see Sunwoo peeking out from the kitchen, holding a spatula. He waved at Eric with a smile.

“Hello.”

“Who’s that?” Eric questioned.

“That’s Sunwoo, my roommate.”

“What? Since when do you have a roommate?”

“It’s been a while now.”

“What do you mean? I was here like yesterday, and you’ve told me that you’re alright financially.”

“Oh I don’t help with money.” Sunwoo chimed in, coming over to the door. “I help with apartment maintenance and other stuff to make things easier for y/n.”

“Other…? Wait, are you… an android?”

“Yup.”

“Y/n, what the fuck!?”

“Excuse me?” You questioned. “Eric, you-”

“Why is there an android here?”

Eric made his way inside the apartment, shoving the android away from you. The last thing you wanted was a fight so you quickly got in between them, placing your hands on Eric’s chest and making him step back

“Eric, what is your problem? I didn’t think you had an issue with androids.”

“I don’t.”

“Then why are you acting like this?”

“Can we talk?” Eric glared at the android. “In private.”

“Yeah, yeah, just give me a second.”

Eric stepped out of the apartment and you closed the door, taking a moment to catch your breath. You turned back to Sunwoo, giving him an apologetic smile.

“I’m so sorry about that, I had no idea he would act that way.”

“It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

“Still. I’m gonna talk to him. So I’ll be right back.”

“Do you have to?”

“Hm?”

“If he was like that to me… I don’t want you to be alone with him.”

“Eric is usually a sweet guy. I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?”

“I’ll only be a couple of minutes.”

Sunwoo still didn’t like the idea, but he couldn’t convince you otherwise. You quickly went to change into some more proper clothes and stepped out into the hall to meet Eric. Before you could say anything he grabbed your arm and dragged you down the hall towards the stairwell.

“Eric, stop, you said you wanted to talk.”

“Away from that android.”

“Eric!”

You pulled yourself free and stayed where you were, right in the middle of the stairs. Thankfully it was early in the day, and you probably wouldn’t be disturbing anyone.

“What is going on with you?”

“Why do you have an android living with you?”

“What’s the problem with that? Not to mention the way you treated him was unacceptable.”

“Why do you have an android?”

“Why does it matter?”

“Cause it does! If you needed a roommate I could have moved in.” Eric sighed. “Look, I know you care about androids, but you can’t just have one living with you.”

“Why? Since when are you some sort of expert on human-android relations?”

“I’m not, but you know a lot of people don’t like androids. If you have one close to you like that, they’re gonna get the wrong idea.”

“Like you?”

“Y/n, please.”

“What do you want here?”

“I want that android to leave.”

“You’re being ridiculous. Sunwoo’s not gonna hurt me or anything.”

“Y/n, I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone with an android.”

“I’m fine. Besides, I like the company…”

“Then I’ll move in.”

“You’re a full time student, and moving here would create a long commute. I’m also not accepting roommates.”

“But you’ll take in an android? How did you two even meet?”

“I just ran into him one day and-”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“He was being harassed by some people so I stepped in.”

“Y/n!”

“I’m fine.”

“Bullshit. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I said I’m fine.”

“This is exactly why I don’t want an android staying with you. You’re too kind, and they’re taking advantage of that.”

“No he’s not. I offered to have him stay with me.”

“Y/n-”

“I don’t want to hear anymore about this.” You stated. “I don’t even wanna see you right now, so just go.”

“But-”

“Think about your attitude today, and let me know when you’re ready to apologize.”

You didn’t let Eric say anything more as you made your way back to your apartment. Eric still couldn’t believe what had happened, but he certainly needed to take a new approach.

“It’s Eric, right?”

As Eric stepped out of the building he heard someone call his name. He turned back to see the android from your apartment leaning against the wall by the entrance.

“What the fuck do you want?”

“I just wanted to tell you not to show up unannounced.”

“And why’s that?” Eric walked up to the android. “You got a problem with me?”

“No. I just want to be able to properly accommodate you when you come by, and I can’t do that if you show up randomly.”

“What are your intentions here?”

“Me?”

“Why did you move in with y/n?”

“Does it bother you?”

“Yes, and I’d prefer it if you moved out.”

“Well I prefer to be in the presence of someone like her. Someone who doesn’t care that my blood is blue. She’s kind, and I want her to be happy.”

“She won’t be as long as you’re around her.”

“We’ll see.”

🖤

When you got back to your apartment you took a breath. That was a very exciting way to wake up. You went over to your room, throwing yourself onto the bed. You closed your eyes for a moment, trying to move past what just happened. A while later you heard a knock on your door. You peeked your eyes open seeing Sunwoo walking in.

“Did you fall back asleep?”

“Hm… I think so…”

“Well, do you want breakfast, or should I save it for later?”

“No, no, no, I’m coming.”

“Alright then, let me help you.”

Sunwoo helped you sit up, smiling at you cutely. He was quite adorable, and you smiled back. Although it faltered a bit as you remembered how Eric treated him.

“Sorry… about my friend…”

“You mean Eric?”

“Yeah… he’s just worried.”

“I understand. It really wasn’t that long ago that my people were on the streets protesting.”

“But that’s in the past, and you aren’t looking for trouble. Humans and androids have coexisted for a long time, and now we’re equals, as it should be. That shouldn’t cause tension between us.”

“You’re really extraordinary.”

“No, I’m just an average girl.”

“A wonderful one.”

You had no trouble getting along with Suwoo, appreciating all the things he did for you. He walked with you to uni, and was there to escort you to your part-time job as well. You rarely walk alone anymore. Besides you there was a lot for Sunwoo to discover. He was in between jobs at the moment, but he was very eager to learn more about the world. He knew many things but there were still a lot of unknowns to him. One of the things he was very interested in was film and TV. The stories that would be told, and the messages to convey. You were more than happy to sit with him and indulge, sharing your favorite shows and movies.

There was so much else you wanted him to see, but there was some difficulty. Many places didn’t like having androids around. Sometimes you could get away with it since you were human and the assumption is that your partner is too. Of course that didn’t always work and you’d get strange looks thrown your way. Sunwoo never let any of that upset him, but he was certainly ready to swing if he thought someone posed a threat to you. That was rarely the case, and either way, you didn’t want him getting into a fight. If he got hurt you’d have to take care of him and you weren’t sure you knew how to help an android.

For the most part things were good between you and Sunwoo, and you grew close. He was an amazing friend and roommate. You felt that you could trust him with a lot of things, and he was always open to help you in any way he could. There was a lot he wanted to learn from you, and so he kept you busy. Because of that you had completely forgotten about Eric’s behavior that day, and the fact you hadn’t heard from him since. It seemed like you may have lost him as a friend, but you were mistaken. As you were heading off campus with Sunwoo someone suddenly came up from behind and shoved him to the ground.

“What the- Eric! What are you doing?”

“Has it touched you?”

“Huh? What?”

“Do you know what type of android that is?”

“Eric, you’re not making any sense.”

You wanted to help Sunwoo to his feet, make sure he was alright, but Eric held you back. He tried to pull you away from the scene but you stayed put.

“Eric!”

“He’s a fucken sex android!”

“What?”

“That’s an HR400 model, a sex android. No wonder it latched onto you.”

“What does that have to do with anything? And what does it matter what type of android he is? You’ve been so fucken hostile since you met him.”

“Androids hate us just as much as we do, so it’s with you for some ulterior motive!”

“Sunwoo is not like that! We met randomly and got along, you think he planned this out?”

“Maybe, and you’re just the one who took the bait.”

“My gosh, Eric, do you even hear yourself? You’re talking crazy.”

“Just listen to me.”

“No, I’ve heard enough of your ramblings. Just stay away from me.”

“Y/n, I-”

Before Eric could say anything more Sunwoo had gotten to his feet and threw a punch. Eric collapsed to the floor, spitting out some blood. Your eyes went wide, looking over to Sunwoo who merely grabbed your arm and started dragging you along. You tried to get yourself free, but his grip was a lot stronger.

“Sunwoo, stop! You can’t just-”

“He was gonna hurt you.”

“That’s not true, now let go!”

“We need to go home.”

“Sunwoo!”

“Ya!”

Eric ran over and tackled Sunwoo to the ground, the two starting to fight. You screamed at them to stop, but neither was listening. They attracted attention, and ultimately some police officers came to break up the fight. Of course the crowd that had gathered was well aware of the blood blue staining Sunwoo’s injuries. The officers asked if either of the two were gonna press charges, and you begged them not to. They ultimately agreed, and as soon as they were released Sunwoo grabbed you and started pulling you along.

“Sunwoo, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“There’s blood… don’t you need to go to a hospital or something?”

“I know where to go in order to repair myself.”

“Good. Let’s go there and talk.”

“No, you need to go home.”

“What?”

“That’s the only place I know you’ll be safe.”

“Safe? Sunwoo, I’m alright there’s-”

“I don’t trust that Eric guy not to hurt you.”

“He didn’t hurt me.”

“And do you think his rambling is gonna stop? I have to protect you from people like him?”

“Like him? What does that mean?”

“Humans who don’t like androids. You shouldn’t associate with them.”

“Sunwoo, he’s not-”

“Look at me.”

Sunwoo stopped and turned around to face you. His sudden actions startled you and you took a step back. Red or blue, you didn’t like seeing blood on his face. Unlike humans, you could see a different type of vulnerability when an android was injured. The places that were injured revealed the white plastic underneath, making it very obvious he was hurt. You gently reached up to touch his cheek, seeing how bits of his outer skin glitched around the wound, especially when you touched it. Sunwoo’s eyes softened, the previous anger subsiding. The last thing he wanted to do was upset you.

“I’m sorry…”

“Eric may get on your nerves, but that’s not a good enough reason to hit him.”

“He was going to hurt you.”

“But you don’t know that, not really.”

“I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“I can take care of myself, you don’t have to protect me. I should be the one protecting you.”

“That’s gonna change. Things are gonna get better, I promise.”

“I’m sure they will.” You smiled. “Let’s go get you fixed up.”

“I can go by myself. I want you at home.”

“Sunwoo-”

“I don’t want you to see me… like that…”

“Okay. I understand.”

You walked with Sunwoo back to the apartment. You insisted on cleaning him up a bit, hoping he wouldn’t draw attention to himself as he would be out alone.

“How long will you be gone?”

“Not long, I promise.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t go anywhere.”

“I’ll stay right here at home.”

“Good. When I get back, there’s somewhere I want to take you.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

You placed a bandaid over the cut on Sunwoo’s cheek and then grabbed the dirty rags to wash them off at the kitchen sink. You heard Sunwoo get up, figuring he’d be heading out now.

“I’ll see you in a bit.”

You felt a presence behind you, and then there were arms around your waist. You yelled, meeting Sunwoo’s smiling face with your surprised one.

“Sunwoo…”

“Thank you.”

He leaned forward to place a kiss on your cheek. You immediately felt your face burning, suddenly embarrassed and shy. His smile didn’t change though.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Oh… okay…”

“Get some sleep.”

“Huh?”

You felt one of Sunwoo’s hands come up to your neck. A shiver went down your spine, feeling his cold fingers before your world suddenly faded to black.

🖤

Eric was far from happy with how things went down. That fucken android was seriously starting to piss him off. It would have been better if they both had gone to the station, but he didn’t want to upset you further. You were a good person, so he just needed to sit down and talk to you. After what happened you’d be more willing to hear him out anyway. Once the fight was over he noticed Sunwoo drag you away from the crowd, but he couldn’t just follow. He knew where you’d go so he made his way to your apartment.

As he approached the building he stopped and hid out of view. He saw that Sunwoo android leaving, wondering where he was headed too. It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to follow him, but he would rather talk to you as it seems you’d be alone. Once he was sure the android was gone he made his way inside, going to your apartment. He knocked on the door, waiting for you to answer, but you didn’t. He tried again but there was no response. You might have guessed who was at the door and were avoiding him, but he wasn’t gonna waste this chance. He knew you hid a spare key along the top of the door so he grabbed it and let himself in, calling out to you.

“Y/n… it’s me, Eric. I just wanna talk. I’m really sorry about earlier, I know things got out of hand, so I came to explain myself.”

He got no answer. It was possible you were avoiding him, but the apartment was too quiet for that. It was possible he was wrong and you weren’t here, but he wasn’t so sure you would have gone to your job after what happened. Then again Sunwoo had left the building, so maybe you really weren’t here. That seemed to be the case so he figured he’d leave a note in your room and come by later. Although when he stepped in he saw you were tucked in bed, sleeping.

“Y/n.”

He went over to you and started shaking you, but you didn’t wake. He never knew you to be a deep sleeper.

“Y/n, wake up.”

This was frustrating him so he reached over to gently slap your face, noticing an LED on your head.

“What the…”

Without thinking he reached for it and took it off of you. It was just like the LED androids used to wear, except you weren’t an android. For a moment there was doubt in his mind, but then he reminded himself that he had known you way before androids were even a thing, and he had watched you grow. He was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard you groan, turning over in bed and slowly opening your eyes.

“Eric…? What are you doing here…”

“I wanted to talk.”

“Hm… wait… but how… did you get in…”

“Sorry, I used your spare key.”

“Rude…”

“Look, let’s get out of here and go talk somewhere.”

“Why…”

“Cause I don’t trust this place anymore, or that android.”

“Again with this… just go… you’ve done enough…”

“Y/n, get up.”

Eric grabbed your arm and pulled you to sit up. He was trying to get you out of bed but you sleepily pushed him away.

“Eric, I really can’t with you anymore.”

“Listen to me, I’m right, something is off.”

“Eric-”

“What is this?” He held up the LED. “I couldn’t get you to wake up until I took this off of you.”

“Huh?”

“Tell me what this is.”

“I… I don’t know…”

“Exactly.”

“Eric, that doesn’t mean anything.” 

“Then let’s go find out, I know a guy.”

Despite your wishes Eric pulled you out of bed. You stumbled along behind him, heading towards the door. You tried to get him to let go, although you both suddenly came to a stop as the door opened and Sunwoo walked in.

“What’s going on here?” Sunwoo questioned. “Who let you in?”

“We’re gonna talk, so don’t mind us.” Eric stated.

“But I do mind. I’m not gonna leave y/n alone with you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Let her go and get out.”

“This isn’t your place.”

“It is. Now leave.”

“Don’t fight again.” You pleaded. “I don’t want you to hurt each other.”

“I don’t trust him.” Eric said. “Not with you.”

“He’s done nothing wrong.”

“You sure?”

Eric threw the LED at Sunwoo’s feet. Sunwoo looked down at it and then picked it up. His expression gave nothing away, but there was something in his eyes when he looked at Eric.

“I knew you broke in.”

“What is that? Why was-”

“I didn’t want it to come to this, but I don’t mind at all.”

Sunwoo charged at Eric, tackling him to the ground. You moved aside, stumbling in your steps and falling to your hands and knees.

“Stop it!”

Sunwoo threw a few punches, landing right on Eric’s face. Neither was fully recovered from the previous fight. Those few hits really messed up Eric, so Sunwoo got up and came over to you.

“Are you okay?”

“Why are you fighting? There’s no reason-”

“I don’t like him. He’s no friend of ours.”

“Sunwoo.”

“It’s gonna be okay. I’m going to take you to a place where we can live in peace.”

“What?”

“You trust me, don’t you?”

“Sunwoo… I…”

“It’s okay, I’ll take care of everything. I’m gonna take care of you.”

“Sunwoo.”

Eric groaned and got up on his elbows, looking over at you and Sunwoo. His vision was a bit blurry, but he could see as Sunwoo reached over to caress your cheek. Then his hand turned white and reached behind your back. For a moment your eyes went wide before you passed out. Sunwoo caught you and gently laid you down.

“What… what did you do… to her…”

“Just a precaution.” Sunwoo admitted, his fingers gliding over your cheeks. “She may not be like me, but I still have to take care of her.”

“So I was right…”

“Hardly. Good people like her deserve better.”

Sunwoo placed that LED back on your head, pulling out his phone afterwards and making a call. He walked over to Eric and placed his foot on his chest, keeping him pinned.

“Hey, it’s me, change of plans. I need to head out tonight, can you get it ready?”

“The hell…”

“Good, I’ll see you then.” Sunwoo hung up the call and looked down at Eric. “You could be saved. You’re not one of the irredeemable ones. I’ll put in a good word for you, but you have to do the rest.”

Sunwoo went over to pick you up in his arms, smiling as you subconsciously snuggled against him.

“I’ll find you.” Eric spat. “I swear it.”

“You won’t.”

[inbarfink]

In regards to Silias Mann, I'm not comprehensively versed in tf2 lore. But in this comic, zephaniah tells Elizabeth to care for his son, which she asks "don't you mean sons?". He clarifies only one brother will be the champion and the other one basically forgotten in a grave outside. So if he considers himself an only son, that tracks with the Mann family's fratricide tradition. Silas might be his brother, who lost.

I mean, I've heard a few variants of the "Silas Mann is Zepheniah's brother who he 'disposed' of already and therefore refuses to acknowledge his existence' theory but they don't click right with me for two reasons:

Silas' only canonical not-Horsemann appearance is at the rightmost portion in the Mann Family Photograph

A photograph which is apparently a Real Physical Canonical Object as of "The Days Have Worn Away"

(We know/assume this is Silas because that rightmost part of the picture was first revealed during the Scream Fortress Horsemann update, when you press on Silas' name on the gravestone)

This picture depicts Silas as a living aged man (or Mann, as the case may be) during Zepheniah's twilight years (with the Administrator already in his service and the twins already adults). So Silas having been killed before the First Administrator Flashback Scene really doesn't make any sense as, like, a basic timeline thing.

(And if we're to assume that this is a ghostly apparition rather than a confirmation Silas was still alive during the mid 1800's... why would he appear so old? If he was Zepheniah's brother that he killed before even meeting the Administrator, he should be a young man?)

2. But more importantly....Sure, Zepheniah will only acknowledge the Mann who will dispose of his brother as his true son but... he does also acknowledge the existence of the 'unworthy' siblings his father and grandfather got rid of on their way to the top. They are not totally forgotten, at least as achievements of the 'True Heirs'

Zepheniah clearly sees the concept of killing your own sibling to farther yourself in life as an inherently noble one, something to brag about and remember. After all, that's why he says it's 'sad' that he was an only son. He wishes he had a sibling to kill as a way to prove himself.

So the idea that he did have a brother and that he had already 'disposed' of him by the time of this scene, and instead of bragging about it in legally non-incriminating terms he decided to outright wipe all traces of this event from living memory.... Well, to me that just feels flat-out Out of Character with the way Zepheniah is characterized in "The Days Have Worn Away"

And, well, something being OOC is a lot more damning to a theory than just lore/timeline inconsistencies in a story whose whole point is "The Lore and Overarching Plot were ultimately meaningless, what truly matters are the characters"

I thought about it for a bit, I think the only explanation that makes sense to me right now is that Silas Mann was not Zepheniah's brother, but instead a distant cousin. The surviving son or grandson of the one of the siblings of Ebenezer or Ezekiel (or maybe even related from someone farther up the family tree?). Since he's more distantly related, he had much less claim over the Mann fortune and Zepheniah might have not been initially aware of him and/or acknowledged him as a threat.... well, at least at first.

(Since he did get buried in the Traditional 'Loser' Mann style according to the Halloween Update and he is the Horseless Headless Horsemann I assume he did not die of natural causes and Zepheniah was probably to blame. It just happened later.)

[syndrossi]

resonant ch32 dvd commentary

This chapter I rushed to get out on Thursday as I juggled Thanksgiving preparations (four pies! bad idea! remind me not to do this again!) and obligations. I wasn't entirely pleased with it--I didn't having pacing concerns like I did the previous chapter, there were just some rough patches in terms of prose/transitions.

Fortunately, I was able to give it a smoothing pass today and I'm much happier now, so let the DVD commentary commence!

Favorite line(s):

There is a man whose honor lives between his legs, Jon thought, and some of the sentiment must have made its way onto his face, because Cole’s smile turned narrow-eyed frown when they crossed gazes.

Jon throwing shade/judgment is always a joy, and I love the phrasing of his contempt here. 😂 He really just said "man thinks with his dick" but in a fancy way, and...that's Cole in a nutshell (pun intended).

The inside of the sept was hazy with burning incense, the light of the sun hitting the crystals of the windows and then scattering into the faint smoke above, turning it bright with beams of color.

As much as Jon dislikes the sept (and as rough as it is on Rhaegar being there), it's such a striking building to write about. There's some commentary to be had, perhaps, on how evoking a feeling of awe goes into designing a place of worship, and you can't deny the Faith is good at that much!

Favorite Details

Crown Prince Rhaegar

Jon’s sole source of amusement that afternoon was the way every visiting lord and petitioner mistook Rhaegar for the king’s eldest son, rather than the bored, constantly whispering Aegon. The king did not bother to correct them, and Jon could see the growing clench in Hightower’s jaw.

IDK the hilarity of Viserys just going "well, don't mind if they do." It's a good thing Daemon wasn't there, or he'd be just as outraged as Otto, albeit for very different reasons. (How dare anyone compare his son to one of the Hightower spawn? How dare Viserys pretend that Rhaegar is his son?)

I didn't want to zoom in too deep for this comedic bit, but you can imagine Aegon being the most bored child of all time, wanting to be anywhere else, while Rhaegar listens attentively to each petitioner/lord, mentally quizzing himself on what they seek / their house alliances/interests, guessing the king's response, guessing Otto's response, thinking about how he would have responded, and then judging the final package. This was excellent enrichment for Rhaegar, who is usually quite bored in their morning lessons!

If Jon hadn't been so cranky about Rhaegar's manuevering, he probably would have found at least some of the petitions interesting!

Crown Prince Rhaegar pt2

Rhaegar giving Jon a tiny taste of how unpleasant it can be to make yourself his enemy. He knows exactly what leverage to apply, which pieces to move into play this time to thwart Jon's extracurricular activities. Jon's paranoia is well-founded: it was pretty much 100% his interference.

But just as Jon's secrecy is about protecting Rhaegar, this is also more about Rhaegar trying to force Jon's hand so that he does tell him. It's just...very subtle. If Rhaegar confronted Jon directly, that might actually be more effective. But he keeps dancing around it, partly because he fears to learn why Jon won't tell him--that it's because Jon doesn't trust him or doesn't think he's capable of being an asset and is only a liability.

So instead Rhaegar's playing 4D chess while Jon's playing checkers, and they just keep playing around one another. And of course the final ploy backfires on Rhaegar and his worst fears are confirmed.

Lord Commander Jon Targaryen

Rhaegar's not the only hypercompetent person this chapter, of course! Jon Little Lord Commanders the shit out of a solid chunk of the harbor records, and because Daemon thinks this shit is normal and Laenor isn't around to remind him that holy fuck Daemon an eight-year-old should be doodling in the margins of papers not producing an indexed summary of his findings after spending two hours sifting through poorly sanitized data, he just goes "aww, my little master of whisperers, so much better than Reyne 🥰."

(I mean, I'm sure Daemon thinks it's a little unusual, but again, his brain generally goes "well, my sons being supremely gifted is only logical," with a side of "they grew up trying to please that fucker Allard, and applied themselves too hard scholastically" and maybe even a dash of "they are like my father and uncle, who I never knew as children so presumably they were just like this.")

Dynamics

Rhaegar and his family

This little bean is going through a lot this chapter, and coping with it by going full crown prince, as mentioned earlier. He's hyperanalyzing Daemon, doing a thousand small tests to figure out how much influence he's under, how subtle the signs are, etc. Both times with the map, he's fishing to see if Daemon feels the pull in any particular direction, given how eagerly he dragged Rhaegar to Caraxes in ch31. He's building up his powerbase as quickly as he can behind the scenes, hoping to have the influence he needs to protect his family.

And with Jon, it's a mess. As I said, his greatest fear is that Jon doesn't trust him, doesn't view him as a peer, but as a burden. He views the bracelet Jon gave him for their name day as a sacred promise: we are in this together, your fight is my fight, we face our battles together. And what he keeps getting back from Jon is silence, deflection, stubborn determination not to tell him anything. He's not even given a chance to plead his case, or prove that he can be an asset! Jon has effectively written him off.

And Rhaegar lets himself believe that maybe it's the candle's influence, that it's distancing Jon from him, but at the very end of the chapter, that bubble is burst and it is as he feared: Jon doesn't trust him.

Jon and his trust issues

It's a doozy! You can even argue some of it is merited or at least reinforced by recent events. He was forced to trust Daemon to handle getting rid of the candle, and Daemon was ensnared by it, turned from the one adult they can trust to the one they can must question and protect. He relied on Viserys (and Daemon) to guard the candle, and it was left within easy reach and stolen. He has to beg Viserys to do things that seem obvious courses of action to Jon, like assigning a guard to protect Daemon. His Valyrian maester is useless. Cole is a petty bitch. Ser Steffon is negligence personified.

All of which reinforces to Jon that the one person he can truly rely on is himself. And his distrust of Rhaegar, such as it is, is more born of fear than actual distrust. Yes, there is the possibility that Rhaegar could become compromised like Daemon, but it hasn't happened yet. But Jon was so convinced that he was an aura of ultimate protection, only for Daemon's ensorcellment and his and Rhaegar's nightmares to shatter that illusion. (Is it a fair expectation that individuals with trauma like their family's won't have natural nightmares? Probably not, you can't guard against brain chemistry, Jon.)

And he's lost so much and so many people, especially siblings and father figures. And who is most at risk here? His brother and his father.

So it's all as perfectly understandable as it is frustrating to see Jon starting down along Viserys's path of deciding he knows what's best for everyone and is most qualified to handle matters, and that secrets must be kept from those who aren't qualified to know them.

Jon and Jon

Jon's barriers between himself and Jon Redfort have taken a beating in all the stress and trauma, and we've seen several signs of it over the past few chapters. Whereas before it was usually Jon Redfort's emotions heightening Jon's, this time Jon is actually experiencing Jon Redfort's emotions, even when they are unlike his. And whereas before, Jon had almost no memories of his childhood, several have been trickling into conscious thought recently.

What the end result will be, who can say...

(I wanted to do an Alicent section too, but I'm running out of steam! This is quite long already. 😅)

Quick hitters

As I've crowed before, we've had the biggest time passage since ch11: five whole days!

There was quite a bit of subtle setup this chapter that we'll see come into play later...

I have way too much fun figuring out how secret doorways might be constructed. I didn't do any research here, I just sort of put on my DM hat and sketched a few things until I had something I liked. I don't know if the prose makes it entirely clear how the panel doorway works, but I thought it was clever at least! 😂

There's one thread that people sort of picked up last chapter but less so this chapter (tho tbf I think only 2-3 people are avidly trying to puzzle out the candle business and willing to present their theories to me); it was subtler this time, but it's the Big Clue about how the candle's most diabolical influence works and is ITSELF a clue for something else. Sorry, sorry, this is vague as shit, I know.

Why hasn't Daemon let the boys swing Dark Sister before now? I think it's a combination of injuries, being distracted, and the initial sword trauma when he nearly bisected Rhaegar at Castle Cox.

Jon using puppy training tactics on Shadow 🥺. The ham treats, the yelping upon being bit...

This is the first time the boys have actually been alone in the Red Keep outer grounds. (I don't count the times in the holdfast, or when they were wandering the secret tunnels.) Daemon would 100% have a meltdown if he knew.

I had a lot of fun with the Valyrian children's book, at least coming up with one of the stories, because it involves thinking about what morals/lessons the dragonlords of Valyria would want to instill in their children. In a society where dragon bloodlines were just as important/guarded, stealing a dragon egg must have been a heavily punished crime, so that's reflected in the story. (The boy tries it, the boy dies.) We'll see what other stories show up there!

Writing Jaehaerys and Daemon subtly butting heads, even in mere recollection, never gets old

[jerzwriter]

Thank you, Anon for this ask from this list! I kept it under 1,000 words and I'm SO proud of myself! :)

Story: Wake the Dead Trope: There's only one bed... Characters: Troy Hasan & Eli Sipes Rating: Teen Words: 790 Summary: When Troy delays their return to Olympus, Eli finds them a place to spend the night, but not without some mishaps.

Participating in @julychallenge - Friendship and Fun. This is also based on @creativepromptsforwriting's "There's one bed" prompts. The prompt requests are bolded below.

Great!” Eli threw his hands up in disgust. “Just freaking great.”

Troy, running about five meters behind, panted as he neared the top of the hill. Peering over his friend's shoulder, he shrugged. “Yep, there was a bridge there. Was.”

Eli tried to control his temper. He had promised Zoe he would be ‘good’, though she never made him define what good meant. “The bridge might still be there if we had gotten here before high tide,” Eli growled. “But no... you just had to waste our time going back to that store that I told you had already been picked over.”

“Watch your mouth!” Troy defended. “Are you saying this isn’t a treasure?” He held up a small plastic replica of Rocket Raccoon.

An impish grin came to Troy's lips, but Eli didn’t miss the gulp or the fear in Troy’s eyes. “It’s OK,” Troy smirked. “Rocket will protect us.”

Eli shook his head. “That’s nice, we’ll write that on your grave.”

“So... how do we survive a night of camping out in the woods?” Troy asked nervously.

Eli’s eyes locked on his, his expression flat. “We don’t.” He pulled out a compass and pointed to a clearing in the woods. “Fortunately for you, an old trading partner of mine lives not far from here. If we can get to his place before nightfall, I’m sure he’d put us up for the night.”

“Well, then I say we get walking.”

They arrived at the nondescript storefront that served as home for Eli’s acquaintance, Horace, just before sunset. Though he didn’t have much to offer, he was happy to share what he had.

“There’s a room upstairs, it’s not much and hasn't been used in ages, but you’re welcome to it,” the toothless old man offered.

“As long as no drones are waiting to make us dinner, we’ll take it,” Troy grinned.

“Ah, you’re safe from them here,” Horace said with confidence.

“That’s a fact,” Eli confirmed. “Horace taught me all about setting traps. Just make sure you relieve yourself for the night before going to sleep. If you get up to pee during the night, the zombies won’t get you – but one of his booby traps might.”

“For some reason, that makes me feel better already!”

The two men climbed the rickety old staircase that led to a small room that was once used for storage. When the door creaked open, a layer of dust fell from its rim, distracting Troy momentarily as Eli mumbled under his breath.

“Well, it’s not the Ritz-Carlton,” Troy joked. “But it will do.”

“Sure,” Eli shrugged, pointing to a weathered mattress on the floor. “Look, one bed is one thing, but only one pillow and one blanket?”

Troy playfully tossed his arm over Eli’s shoulder. “Aw, now I can honestly tell Zoe I kept you safe and warm all night.”

Eli pushed him off with a reluctant chuckle, and the two of them did their best to find comfortable positions to sleep in.

“Maybe we should just take turns sleeping,” Troy suggested.

“Fine, you want first shift? Because I can barely keep my eyes open.”

“On second thought...”

“That’s what I figured,” Eli smiled, quickly drifting off to sleep.

When he woke up the next morning, Troy was seated on a chair looking out the window, an unusual look of disdain. Eli yawned through a stretch and rose to his feet. “What’s the matter with you? Didn’t get enough rest, Sleeping Beauty?”

“How could I?” Troy insisted. “I don’t know how Zoe sleeps with you! You snore, you pushed me off the mattress at least twice, and then you stole my blanket and fought me for it!”

“Your blanket?” Eli asked with a raised brow. “Last night, that was our blanket, sweetheart.”

“I hate you right now,” Troy groaned. But his mood lifted when a delicious aroma wafted up through the floorboards. “What’s that?”

“Horace said he’d be making breakfast. Did I mention he was a gourmet chef before the outbreak? Prepare to eat well before we head out.”

“Nice,” Troy grinned.

“So, not only did I keep your ass safe last night, I’m giving you a post-apocalyptic bed and breakfast experience to boot. Do you still hate me?”

“Of course not,” Troy winked. “And when we get back to Olympus, I'm telling Zoe, we're officially engaged!”

@choicesficwriterscreations

Tagging others separately.

[frodo-with-glasses]

More Reading Thoughts: A Long-Expected Party

There’s something so incredibly endearing about the slow, meandering beginning of LotR.

Even today—in a day and age when every author tries to grab you by the eyeballs in the first five words—Tolkien’s writing still has that gentle, irresistible draw that takes you by the hand and leads you slowly but surely into adventure. Something about a “birthday party of special magnificence” just appeals to all our inner children, I think; and the tiny mysteries, and the joy of a world of fantastical creatures living in peace and comfort, just adds to that. You want to go to Middle Earth, and you want to get lost in it. It’s like a lazy river at a water park; you wade in, get settled, and relax, and the next thing you know you’re far away from where you started.

All of that to say, Tolkien’s writing is goals and I aspire to be even a fraction of what this man was someday.

Anyway. To the bullet points!

Isn’t it hilarious how quick people are to begrudge one another their good fortune?? If Bilbo had been poor and died in a timely manner his neighbors would probably have liked him just fine, but he gets a lot of wealth and lives a long time and all the hobbits go >:-(

They’re not wrong to be suspicious, of course, but it’s still a biting social commentary. And very funny!

“As Mr. Baggins was generous with his money, most people were willing to forgive him his oddities and his good fortune.” 🤣

“You should come live with me so we can celebrate our birthday parties more comfortably together” belongs in the same category as C. S. Lewis’ “and they got so used to arguing that they married each other to keep doing it more conveniently”

“And suddenly, all the old people found that everyone actually WANTED to hear their rambling stories!”

GAFFER GAMGEE MY BELOVED

Hobbits are all so terribly prejudiced. What endearing morons.

Ooh, confirmation that Bilbo and Frodo look similar!

“There never was much to tell of him! … Till he was drownded.” “DROWNDED??”

I love that the only things we know about Drogo Baggins are that he was unremarkable and fat and married a strange woman

The Gaffer: “Thank goodness Mr. Bilbo saved young Mr. Frodo from those strange, dastardly Bucklanders…”

Meanwhile, Merry feels his eye Twitch and doesn’t know why 🤣

The spelling of jewels as “jools” is adorable for reasons I can’t describe

Tiny Gaffer Gamgee saw Bilbo come home from his Adventure!!

The Gaffer’s words are strangely prophetic. Sam did indeed land in trouble that was bigger than him—and thank goodness he did.

The Gaffer basically says here “if generosity is being strange, we could do with a lot more strangeness!” and honestly that’s a motto I want to live by

I love that Sam is most likely the one who started the rumor about the fireworks X-D

I wish we’d gotten to see the Dwarves visiting Bag End in the movies. It’s a shame they were cut. Imagine what cool costumes they could have had!

“G for grand!” and Gandalf’s smile. Ugh, my heart 🥹

Pity that September 22nd fell on a Friday this year. We were so close to it being a Thursday, like in the book! Oh well. Try again another year, I guess X-D

Are small business owners grumbling about your purchases from foreign parts?? Here’s an easy solution! Just BUY OUT THE STOCK OF EVERYONE FOR MILES AROUND IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS

Also the fact that the post offices are absolutely flooded 🤣 Bilbo, you madlad

“Old Gaffer Gamgee stopped even pretending to work on his garden” LOL

The brief paragraph of NOOO BAD WEATHER THE DAY BEFORE THE PARTY is honestly spectacular. It’s so nerve-wracking for just a second there—which is hilarious in light of the war and death and GIANT SPIDERS we’re going to read about. I think it has a flavor of Tolkien’s beliefs on eucatastrophe hidden in there—it’s not out of Bilbo’s own effort that the weather cleared up just in time for his party, it was just happy providence—but I’m too tired to write an essay about it right now.

“Half the Shire’s been invited…and the rest of them are turning up anyway!”

The hobbits who came through the gate again to get a second present 🤣🤣🤣

“The hobbit-children were so excited that for a while they almost forgot about eating.” That’s impressive!!

I love that some of the toys are dwarven-made. That’s such a cool detail that makes the world seem both fantastical (because dwarves!) and real (because you can Amazon order toys from them!) at the same time.

The names of the fireworks!! Especially the ones that are onomatopoeia, like “backarappers”! It just makes brain go ✨✨✨

Pfffft, yellow rain

There’s the express train reference!

Notable difference here: in the movies, the big dragon firework was set off ahead of schedule by Merry and Pippin, and all the hobbits freak out. In the book, the big dragon firework is set off right on time to signal supper, and all the hobbits freak out (but are immediately pacified by food).

Small detail I’d like to see in more fanfics: “Bilbo had been specializing in food for many years, and his table had a high reputation.” Yes, the idea of Bilbo and Frodo eating like the bachelors they are is hilarious, BUT! We have textual evidence to the contrary! I don’t know if this line means that Bilbo was a magnificent cook himself or simply hired magnificent cooks, but either way, it’s canon that the Bag End bachelors ate like kings!

“The feast was so incredible that everyone was incredibly full and took home leftovers and no one bought any new groceries for weeks. The good news is that Bilbo had bought out all the grocery stores anyway, so it was fine.”

Why is the detail about the golden buttons on Bilbo’s waistcoat so enchanting to me?? I really think this chapter just activates the Inner Child Mode in my brain, and suddenly even something as simple as shiny buttons becomes beautiful and magical. Also it’s just a lovely way to paint a vivid picture in my mind.

I’m so glad they kept so many of the jokes in Bilbo’s speech for the movies 🤣 “PROUDFEET!!”

And now here we see Tolkien, author of the fantasy epic that has defined the genre for a century and counting, unironically using caps lock. Folks, you can’t make this crap up.

The sneaky way Tolkien says Bilbo vanished before he mentions the flash of light is Very Good and hints at the fact that there’s something else at work here

Rory Brandybuck is the G.O.A.T.

“But at the same time he felt deeply troubled: he realized suddenly that he loved the old hobbit dearly.” Aww, Frodo…

Incredible that the debate between Bilbo and Gandalf over the Ring takes up almost four pages, but it doesn’t feel like it. Excellent suspense.

I wonder where Gandalf is going “to bed”. It doesn’t look like he’s staying in Bag End, so did he get a room at an inn somewhere? Is he sleeping in his cart??

Also it’s implied later in the book that Gandalf the White doesn’t sleep. Inconsistency?? A slight untruth?? Secret powerup to Gandalf the White that we’ve overlooked??

“The sun rose. The hobbits rose rather later.” Pffft

The SHADE in all the presents oh my WORD

Except for the ones for the poorer hobbits. Bilbo’s gift for the Gaffer is so simple in its contents, and yet so generous and thoughtful 🥹

MERRY MY LAD

MY FAVORITE HOBBIT (don’t tell the others)

How old would Merry have been here?? Like nineteen?? Incredible that he was already such a logistics guy that Frodo trusted him to keep an eye on the house while all the chaos is happening.

“Do you hear that, Merry? That was an insult, if you like.” “It was a compliment, and so, of course, not true.” HAHAHAHA DRAG HIM MERRY

“IF YOU DON’T LET ME IN, FRODO, I SHALL BLOW YOUR DOOR RIGHT DOWN YOUR HOLE AND OUT THROUGH THE HILL” 🤣🤣🤣

Frodo: “I’m so sorry, I thought you were Lobelia!” Gandalf: “Understandable, have a nice day”

“I would give them Bag End and everything else, if I could get Bilbo back and go off tramping in the country with him.” N’aww, Frodoooo 😭

“Look out for me, especially at unlikely times!” Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.…

“Frodo did not see him again for a long time.” Ooh, ominous.

[darlingpoppet]

What We Had Waited For

Hades Video Game | Megaera/Zagreus/Thanatos | E | Threesome | First time | Love confessions | 3.9k

Summary: After successfully romancing both Megaera and Thanatos, Zagreus finds that he and Than are tentative about establishing a physically intimate relationship. Luckily Meg, with whom Zagreus already has a sexual history, is willing to help.

I was happy to participate in @thehadeslounge’s annual holiday gift exchange again this year, because I had the opportunity to complete my first fic featuring MZT, a ship I’ve been wanting to explore for a while! My giftee this year was the lovely @tayasigerson, yet another member of the community I was very honored to write for <3 I’m grateful that they enjoyed this sweet & spicy little story and I hope all of you do, too <3

Excerpt:

Already resigned to returning to his room alone for now, Zagreus makes his way to the east wing of the house. However, he stops short at the entrance of the lounge when he suddenly spots not only Than, but also Meg—both of them sitting together at a circular table on the far-end. They see him as well, and they wave him over, and for this Zagreus thinks he should be grateful, at least. Before these particular interpersonal breakthroughs, there have been more occasions than he would like to admit, even in the recent past, in which he had thought to join them for a drink, only to be spurned.

As Zagreus sits down, he gets the impression that they have been expecting him—from the looks on their faces to, perhaps even more tellingly, a bottle of nectar already sitting there for him in front of the last vacant seat. He sits.

“What’s all this?” Zagreus asks, twisting open the stopper on his drink.

Megaera watches him take a sip, chin resting primly on an overturned palm, showing off pink-painted fingers. She smiles.

“It is perhaps a good stroke of fortune that you would appear just now,” she says. Her manner here is formal; her tone the one she uses when discussing matters of duty.

“Oh? Why is that?”

“Than and I were in conversation just now… he has come to me to receive counsel.”

“About what?”

“About you.”

“Me?”

Given recent developments, Zagreus assumes that Meg knows about him and Than by now. He had been fairly certain that she wouldn’t have a problem with it, but on the other hand, despite his insistence to her that his business is his own, he wonders if perhaps they should’ve discussed it beforehand, even if his concurrent relationships with both of them have evolved rather quickly. Yet he and Meg have only just managed to patch things up between one another, after admittedly a rather acrimonious break-up. It wouldn’t do to spoil their tentative reconciliation so soon, especially when Zagreus has only just remembered how incredible the sex is between the two of them—er, not that it’s the only good quality about their relationship, or Meg as a whole.

Zagreus glances towards Thanatos. Often taciturn even in the best of circumstances, he remains quiet, acting as if extremely interested in the carvings of the wooden table in front of them.

“Thanatos tells me that the two of you have become lovers,” Megaera says, confirming Zagreus’ suspicions right away.

“I see. And he is… what, exactly? Asking for your blessing?”

Meg chuckles into her drink at this. She continues to hum with amusement as she holds onto a mouthful, savoring it for a moment before swallowing.

“Do you think he needs my permission, Zag?”

“Not really. But if this is something you have a problem with, best we get it out in the open to discuss it, shouldn’t we?”

“Your personal matters don’t concern me, Zagreus. At least, insofar that I’m not here to evaluate your choices in romantic partners.”

“Oh. Then what’s all this about?”

Megaera does not answer right away, silently regarding Zagreus for a long while. She is still smiling, but Zagreus knows there could very well be something else more sinister lurking behind one of her sly smiles.

“I think you are quite lucky, Zag. Forgive me if remarking upon this fairly plain observation comes off as condescending, but Thanatos cares for you quite a lot.”

Zagreus’ eyes flicker to Thanatos. “Yes, I suppose he does,” he says evenly, not exactly sure yet where this is going.

Thanatos meets his gaze. His manner is stiffly formal, even though Zagreus can see the golden glow from the ichor rising on his cheeks.

“I wanted to speak with Megaera because… I thought perhaps she could impart her wisdom on matters she has experience in, unlike myself. I thought perhaps she could offer some reassurances… as you and I—” he pauses, swallows. “—as we reassess the bounds of our relationship.”

He is not any more specific than this, but Zagreus understands what he means anyway. Though it is true that he and Thanatos have taken each other as lovers, they are still in the process of figuring out what such a thing means for the two of them, and what boundaries, if any, might still exist. Zagreus has never shied away from the fact that he has a certain penchant for physical pleasure and coupling. Despite Thanatos’ relative disregard of such things, whether from inexperience or disinterest (likely one in the same), Zagreus had assumed, perhaps naively, that the two of them would easily fall into sync together, simply by the virtue of their life-long intimate friendship. And yet Zagreus found himself fumbling, suddenly shy because he wanted to please Thanatos, and realized he had no idea how. Thanatos is his dearest friend—the significance of this had stymied his courage. There had been gentle kisses and touches with the promise of more, but neither of them were apparently willing just yet to take that next step to deepen their intimacy… in whatever form it may ultimately take.

Apparently Thanatos was of the same mind.

“I asked her about what might please you,” he admits, the words coming slightly bolder now, his anxieties precisely echoing Zagreus’ own. “I presumed she is already much more knowledgeable than I in that regard.”

“Perhaps I am,” Megaera cuts in. “But also, dare I say the relationship between the two of you is rather different than the one between Zagreus and myself. I’m not sure that behaving as I would in a given situation would come naturally to Gentle Death, and doubtless inappropriate in any case.”

Thanatos looks solemn, if not a bit disappointed.

“I suppose that’s true,” he says. “I’m not sure if Zagreus’ proclivities match my own strengths, as it were. Not that I wanted to do things as you would… I suppose I just wished for a bit of additional insight.” Thanatos eyes Zagreus, addressing him as he hurries to say: “From an outside perspective, I mean. I was going to discuss it with you too, of course—”

“I don’t think you need to worry about it too much, Than,” Meg says. “I believe our Zagreus to be actually quite undiscriminating in matters of pleasure. And I mean that as a compliment.” She turns, nodding to Zagreus. “I think it is a virtue of his to be able to take joy in almost whatever life has to offer. And as I recently discovered, it turns out he has quite a knack for being able to bestow such an outlook onto others, as well. Our prince is perhaps much wiser than I often gave him credit for.” Megaera’s arms are now crossed, looking between them with a subdued, yet knowing expression. “In any case… I believe we have exhausted our ability to deal with this matter over drinks. Come, let us move our conference elsewhere.”

“Where are we going?” Zagreus asks, quickly draining his bottle before he has to abandon it.

“Your room.”

Read the rest on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/62309176

[officerkotohime]

AND YOU SHOULD!

You can find the complete english translation of all the PC98 games at the bottom of this page! That's right! Highly Responsive to Prayers, Story of Eastern Wonderland, Phantasmagoria of Dim Dream, Lotus Land Story, and Mystic Square, in English for the low low price of nothing! There are very detailed instructions located in the files for setting this up, it took me about an hour total to get to the start screen of HRtP, but it can certainly be done in less if you don't make dumb mistakes like tumblr user officerkotohime did. One thing you may run into is needing Microsoft Applocale, which does not exist anymore (thanks microsoft) fortunately someone has made an open source version called locale emulator. The emulator is easy to set up, but you'll need the pictures, because it's in Japanese. (unless you aren't a filthy monolingual like me) Only thing I can't tell you is how to get the actual hdi files for the games, because of legal reasons.

Want to play any of the windows games???? But you also don't speak Japanese??? Good news! There's a self updating piece of software for just that! it's called THCRAP (has most of the games, do check on the thcrap website to confirm which ones are translated into your language) and you can find it with a very easy search. And it is way easier to do than what I talked about above here. Every single Touhou game from 9 on is available on steam. (A note that some of the older ones can be a little funny to play on a modern pc, but there's community software for that too, same place as THCRAP) But officerkotohime! I can't find the games on steam because the titles are in Japanese! GOOD NEWS! Just visit hakureishrine.org, it links directly to a steam playlist of all the touhou games! If you are after Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, Perfect Cherry Blossom, Immaterial and Missing Power, or Imperishable Night... that is admittedly a more difficult affair, and I won't get into that now.

[mikhailwrites]

Soaring Ever Higher 5 - Ghoap/Ace Combat 7 crossover

Previous chapter | This Chapter on AO3

Maybe you should manage your expectations befor the one-night stand? Yeah... someone should probably tell Ghost...

AN: I've put together a companion post with some explanations and whatnot so if you're getting a little lost, you can give it a shot, might help you.

 They lay in bed, side by side. For a long moment, they don’t speak. Then Ghost asks what he considers an easy question. “So, what’s with those three strikes on your plane’s tail?”

“What’s with the skull mask?” John retaliates. Apparently, Ghost’s question was much less innocent than he thought. Fair enough.

“Touché,” Ghost smiles without elaborating further. However, he does change the topic. “How about your jet? You said you rescued that thing. Why?”

“Actually… I needed it. I had a mission that required stealth beyond the usual means. Americans were willing to lend us a Raptor, but it didn’t cut it, especially since I also required something faster, with greater range but capable of carrying heavy payload. The YF-23 was the only thing in existence that fit the bill.”

“The hell did you do?” Ghost turns his head, clearly interested.

“Classified,” Trigger shrugs, then gives a sly grin and elaborates a little, “but it included a submarine.”

“Wait a second… you’re… not serious. That was you? The madman that sank the nuclear sub with a jet? Singlehandedly prevented another World War?” Simon’s brown eyes are wide as he stares at John. Shit, he had no idea.

“I can’t neither confirm nor deny…,” John’s smile is confirmation enough.

“Alright, you needed that thing then. How about now? Is it even safe to fly it?” he did hear the mechanic back on the base. Now, Ghost might not be all that knowledgeable about fighter jets, but he does have some experience with using prototypes. They’re very rarely reliable.

“It can be… challenging. It’s still a prototype, it has its issues, and the maintenance costs a fortune, especially since there’s only a handful of engineers familiar with it. Still, I happen to have the best engineer on the base,” Trigger confirms much of what Ghost suspected.

“Right. Well,” Simon gets up and starts to gather his clothes, “be careful out there. Would be a shame to lose you.”

“Shame for RAF or yourself?” Trigger smirks, stretching on the bed, and displaying all that impressive physique.

Ghost smiles as he shakes his head. “Why not both?”

“Where are you going, anyway? Have somewhere better to be?” John frowns as he watches Ghost dress.

“Look, this has been nice and everything, but I know how it goes. Don’t wanna wait around for things to get awkward,” Ghost says casually, putting his boxer briefs and socks on.

John looks at him momentarily like he’s some puzzle waiting to be figured out. Then, snorts in barely contained amusement. “We’ve seen each other naked; I think we’re way past the awkward point, Simon. Stay if you want to. Or I can go if you want to spend the night since you paid for the room.”

“You okay with me staying?” Simon cocks his eyebrow, pausing with a tee in hand.

“Nah, I’m just the sort of lad that does things he’s uncomfortable with. Get back here, you English cunt,” he outstretches both his arms in open invitation.

Ghost looks at him with feigned offence, but he climbs back onto the bed and pretty much tackles MacTavish with his sheer bulk.

They stay the night. Curled around each other, shagging once more in the wee hours of the morning. It’s a slower and gentler affair the second time around, and the touches and kisses afterwards make something in Simon’s chest resonate in a manner that has him concerned. He doesn’t panic; such a thing was trained out of him. Instead, he pauses his thoughts and inspects the feeling and the whole situation. It doesn’t look too good.

He doesn’t really know Trigger; what he does know damn well is that he cannot form this sort of attachment. Especially since they’re both military, most especially after one bloody night together, that would be just stupid. So, Ghost doesn’t. He acknowledges the feeling before he wills it away. His mind is clear and focused as he falls asleep again, with John’s arms around him, his hot breath on his neck, and the faintest smell of campfire and cologne that’s too nice for men like them hanging in the air.

#

Trigger returns to the base and earns some wolf whistles as he walks on the tarmac. He’s got a reputation and staying in the city overnight means he scored some. Which, to be fair, he did, it’s just that the lads haven’t got the faintest idea.

John walks into the hangar, not in the least surprised that the lights are already on and there’s a clicking and clanging of a mechanic doing their job.

“Did you even sleep?” Trigger asks when she puts away the welding gun. He recognises the part she’s working on: it’s a wing flap.

Avril straightens where she stands, taking him in. “Sure, but I like to start early, you know that. All the tools are still in place, so I can pick and choose. But… I get a feeling I should be asking you the same.  Are you gonna enlighten me? Who is he?”

Trigger is suddenly very occupied with checking the non-existent scratch on the stealth coating. “Who is who?” he feigns ignorance.

“Oh don’t play dumb with me! Who’s Mr. Six-foot-two?”

“Just an acquaintance, we met briefly on the last mission. I helped him out, he promised to buy me a drink as a thanks, so he did,” John shrugs.

“Well, seems like that’s what he did... thanked you. Properly, not just with a drink,” she chuckles and dodges a dirty rag Trigger tosses at her.

“Christ, what’re ye, twelve?” John shakes his head and fastens a bolt that really doesn’t need it.

“Look me in the eye, John MacTavish, and tell me you did not, in fact, fucked him. Then I’ll rest my case,” Avril puts her hands on her hips and looks at him expectantly.

“Och what are ye on aboot? Cannae the lad go for a drink?”

“Did you, or did you not?”

“Well..,” he pauses. It’s not worth lying to his friend. “Kinda.”

“What? What do you mean, you muppet? Kinda?”

“We... och hell’s bells... we... aye, we did.”

Avril’s face blooms into a shit-eating grin. “I knew it! Damn, he looked like a good lay. You gonna see him again?”

“I dinnae ken, maybe? He’s SAS, not exactly an everyday occurrence his sort working with us.”

Avril whistles. “SAS? Damn, so... was he a good lay?” she nags at him, all smiles and winks.

“Yer not gonna leave it, will ye? Okay, fine. Aye, he was good. Better than, actually. Happy?” John rolls his eyes, feeling the slight heat as blush creeps on his face.

“Yeah, I’m happy now. And you’re, too, that’s what I like to see. Does the SAS man have a name?”

“He does, but... I can’t tell you, it’s not common knowledge. But his callsign is Ghost, and aye, I’m serious. Couldnae make that shit up if I tried.”

Avril looks at the landing gear cover, at the Gray Ghost. “Funny,” she says, but the tone of her voice is thoughtful when she returns back to her work. “Got a feeling it wasn’t just a one-night stand.”

Trigger doesn’t deign that with an answer. But truth be told, he has the same feeling.