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mizunetzu · 4 years ago

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ok ok so my request 👉🏻👈🏻

it’s the most obvious thing but i have a full crush on bakugou, so can you please write about him x male reader, where the reader is like.. having nightmares or almost doesn’t sleep because of his quirk (idk like maybe he can hear something special or predict anything bad, doesn’t really matter) but feels safe around bakugou so he always falls asleep around him or even oN him and katsuki is like “😡(❤️)shit whatever” and the reader is kinda shy about that but totally ok with their friends being like “wow bro that’s kinda gay :> ” because he is comfortable with “oh that’s because i aM the gay✌🏻” and his classmates love him and everything and would never mock.. but one time someone from another class was really really rude bcs of that or said that katsuki hates it so the reader starts to avoid bakugou and bakugou geTS MAD about it because reader is just his and no one else’s >:0 maybe a little confession from him in the end, maybe some.. *gay coughing* angy k*ss from him

please make it angsty but with a fluffy ending please please and thank you very much in advance💙 sorry if it’s too big i can’t explain my thoughts properly thaha

Bruh I just realized how long this request is 💀💀 also look at me, writing it like decades after you requested it 😭 pls enjoy I’m actually quite proud of it (also isn’t that gif perfect hahah get it bc the prompt was abt like sleeping and bakugou’s sleeping and-yeah I’ll let u read now)

——————

Bakugou x reader - Angry Insomniacs

⚠️Warnings - mild arguing, it’s not that bad

Pronouns - male, he/him

——————

“Why are you always fuckin’ sleeping on me?”

It first started during the Sports Festival. The chicken race and cavalry battle really took a toll on (Y/n), and he was suffering harsh quirk drawbacks. That, being drowsiness.

Somewhere on the stands, (y/n’s) eyes grew heavier and heavier until he realized he had fallen asleep. He also didn’t realized until he woke up that no one disturbed him when he was near Bakugou. Be it fear, or just plain respect, (Y/n) seemed to get the best rest when he was with Bakugou. Not even Iida dared to wake him up when he dosed off on Bakugous shoulder.

He always made it a point to be in Bakugous vicinity when ever he could, taking naps with his head buried in his arms next to Bakugou at lunch, or having his head resting on his shoulder in the dorms.

“Oi! Don’t drift off on me!”

“Mm? Sorry, Bakugou.”

(Y/n) rubbed his eyes as he weakly pushed off the common room couch, stretching and yawning as he did so. “Can I sleep in your room tonight?”

“N-no, dumbass! Fuck kinda question is that, shit-for-brains?!”

“I’ll see you there later then, Bakugou.” (Y/n) gave a slight nod, Bakugou practically foaming at the mouth already, before trotting off the continue his nap in his own room.

Before heading to his room though, he walked into the kitchen to grab a post-nap time snack. Tsuyu, who was already digging in the fridge, stepped back so (Y/n) could grab whatever he wanted.

Tsu eyed (Y/n’s) slightly tousled hair. “Did you take another nap on bakugou-chan? Kero.”

(Y/n) hummed out a “yes.” Tsu hummed back in acknowledgment. Kaminari and Kirishima, unintentionally, started listening in from their place in the kitchen after hearing Bakugou being mentioned.

Tsuyu put a finger to her lip. “Ne, (Y/n)-chan, why do you always take naps on Bakugou-chan? It’s always him, kero, and you go out of your way to make sure it’s only him.”

“Why?” (Y/n) pulled off the carton of milk stubbornly hanging on to the fridge. “Because I like Bakugou. Duh. And I sleep better near people I like.

Kaminari gasped comically while Kirishima sputtered and choked on his words. Not just listening anymore, Kaminari but in. “L-like? Like, ‘like’-like?!”

Kaminari and Kirishima joined Tsuyu and (Y/n) near the fridge. (Y/n) nodded out an “mm-hm.”, whilst grabbing a cup from the cabinet.

“So you’re like...” Kirishima made wild, indecipherable, gestures with his hand. Eventually, after realizing no one was taking the hint, brought his voice down to a whisper.

“...like...gay..?”

“Yeah. Pretty much.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell us?!” Kaminari grasped at his blond hair. (Y/n) thought for a moment, poured himself a glass of milk, and shrugged.

��I don’t know. You never asked.”

“And you’re so comfortable just telling us now? Why, kero-kero?”

“Because I’m gay as fuuuuuck.” (Y/n) took a swig of milk like it was a shot of whiskey. “And it’s not like it was a secret or anything.”

“Though I don’t think Bakugou knows. He’s too angry about me sleepin’ on him all the time to actually care about me.”

(Y/n) polished off his glass of milk. He set the cup down gently into the sink. “Eh, it’s not like I actually care for what he thinks about me.”

“See ya, I’m gonna finish my nap.”

“Uh-bye”

“Bye-bye.”

“Bye, kero.”

———

(Y/n) yawned as his head lolled off of Bakugou’s shoulder. He hissed, dusting off his shoulder angrily.

“Go sleep somewhere else!”

“I’m just goin’ to the bathroom, Bakugou, I’ll be back. Keep your shoulder warm for me.”

(Y/n) weakly stood up from his chair, and sluggishly walked out of the cafeteria. Damn, his feet felt heavy. Maybe if he hurried to the bathroom, he’d get back in time to catch a few more minutes of sleep before Bakugou exploded on him or lunch ended.

(Y/n’s) shoulder accidentally caught on someone else’s, making him stumble back and rub his shoulder. Monoma tilted his chin up in a mocking fashion.

“Ara? Is that (L/n) (Y/n) from class 1-A I see?”

(Y/n) nodded, only half processing his words as he continued on his way to the bathroom. Monoma followed somewhat behind, spewing words and one-liners that went in one ear and out the other. That is, until,

“Honestly, you would’ve thought that angry blond kid would’ve told you by now”.

(Y/n’s) ear perked up. He halted to a stop, Monoma following suit and shoving his hands smugly in his pockets. “What’s this about Bakugou?”

“Oh? He really didn’t tell you, huh? That’s...” Monoma stifled a condescending snicker. “...surprising.”

(Y/n) stepped closer. “C’mon man, tell me what?”

Monoma sighed. “Well,”

“I heard that Mr. Blasty, matter-o-factly,” Monoma jabbed his pointer finger into (Y/n’s) chest. “Really, really hates it when you sleep on, or near him. Actually,”

“I think he just hates you in general.”

(Y/n) furrowed his brows. He’s lying. He’s lying. He likes him, doesn’t he? Bakugou likes him, or else he wouldn’t have lead him on for so long, right?

Because he wouldn’t let just anyone sleep on his shoulder...right?

“You’re lying.”

“Well, believe what you want, honestly,” Monoma made a show of crossing his arms dramatically. “But you should see the way he shit-talks and glares at you in you’re sleep. It’s not like he can push you off though, you’re ‘just so persistent you’ll never leave him the fuck alone’.”

(Y/n) shoved his hands in his pockets. Monoma raised his hands in defense. “His words, not mine.”

(Y/n) turned on his heel and began to speed walk to the bathroom. Monoma yelled out from his spot in the empty hallway.

“Oh? You don’t want to hear what he thinks about your little crush on him?”

(Y/n) froze. He was under the assumption that everyone but him knew, could he be wrong? He pressed his lips into a fine line, turning around as composedly as he could. Though, he couldn’t mask the fearful curiosity in his eyes.

Monoma grinned. It was an unpleasant, sarcastic grin, one that didn’t look peaceful or pleasing at all.

“Well, I doubt that there’s anything to to say at all, so does it really ma-“

“What...what does he say about me?” (Y/n’s) voice quivered. He knew he was falling into Monoma’s trap, that he was just trying to provoke him, that he was looking for any kind of reaction, but his curiosity got the best of him. It really did, because Monoma’s words stabbed spears into (Y/n’s) heart, word by word.

“Blasty thinks it’s fucking disgusting how you like him, like, as another dude. Like honestly, he thinks you take him for an idiot for thinking he actually didn’t know! And the fact you sleep so close to him know full well you want to get in his pants?! He thinks you’re a pervert! A lazy shit! A fag! Ahahaha!”

Monoma loud cackles were cut short when he suddenly slumped over. He sunk to the ground, revealing Kendo, holding one big hand up and the other to her waist. She most likely knocked Monoma out once she heard his condescending retorts from the cafeteria.

Kendo sighed, bending down the haul Monoma’s arm over her shoulder. Her heavy glare softened once she caught sight of (Y/n’s) buggy eyed face starting at the ground where Monoma was.

“Sorry...he didn’t say anything too harsh, right?” Kendo’s words were gentle, but they sounded practically inaudible to (Y/n’s) traumatized ears.

He wordlessly staggered past her, heading back into the cafeteria to grab his lunch and sit elsewhere. He supposed he wouldn’t bother Bakugou anymore. Since he’s so damn ‘persistent’, he figured he’d stop bothering him for the rest of the day.

He wished he wasn’t so curious about what Bakugou thought of him. Like people say, ignorance is bliss. He could’ve gone his whole high school career without knowing Bakugou hated his every being. How was he going to face him in class knowing every pointer glare, every scoff, every insult was genuine?

(Y/n) felt his throat tighten. For the first time in years, (L/n) (Y/n) was fully awake.

——

It was the first time in many months that (Y/n) didn’t sit in the seat next to Bakugou, napping in his presence. He’d done it every day no fail, that is until this week. Actually, this is the 6th consecutive day he didn’t take a nap at all.

(Y/n) sat placid in his assigned seat, eyes wide and trying to keep awake. He couldn’t sleep without thinking of Bakugou, and every time he did it was always him scoffing and turning his back on him.

Every few seconds, (Y/n) would jolt harshly in his seat, rocking back and forth like a drug addict in withdrawal. He stared at his desk with eyes that could kill someone, and he dug his hands into his forearms to keep himself somewhat awake.

He didn’t hear Kirishima calling his name until he snapped his fingers infront of his face. The snap rang like a gunshot, surprising (Y/n) from his trance so badly he jolted back like he got electrocuted. Kirishima raised an eyebrow.

“You...ok man...?”

(Y/n’s) dry eyes landed fixed onto Kirishima. He relaxed, and let out a breath he didn’t know he was taking. “M’fine...”

His voice cracked like it hadn’t been used for days. (Y/n) let his eyes drift back forward, hunching back over and huddling his body like he was trying to squeeze himself to death. When Kirishima gave him a skeptical glare and crossed his arms, (Y/n) let out a small “m’ just tired, that’s all...” and gave the most pathetic smile known to man.

“If you’re so tired,” Mina, rested her arms on the back of (Y/n’s) chair. “Why don’t you sleep on Bakugou like you do every morn-“

“NO! I-I can’t do that!” (Y/n) whipped his head back, gripping the back of his chair so hard his hand turned white. Mina and Kirishima flinched, noticeably caught off guard with his sudden outburst. “I...can’t...I can’t do that...”

(Y/n) suddenly looked very awake, contrasting the way he looked like he was struggling to keep his eyes open the whole time they were in class.

(Y/n’s) breath steadied as he shut his mouth awkwardly. “M’sorry...for yelling...didn’t mean to...”

(Y/n) scrubbed at his eyes. The rush of adrenaline was already wearing off. Mina set her dainty pink hand on (Y/n’s) hunched form. “Why not...?”

“I just can’t.”

(Y/n) said nothing more. He went back to his occasional jolts awake and scrubbing his heavy eyes every 2 minutes. Kirishima sighed, shaking his head towards Bakugou, before shrugging his shoulders then forming an ‘X’ with his hands.

Bakugou clicked his tongue angrily, turning and facing back forward in his seat.

——

(Y/n) was practically seeing stars by the end of hero’s class.

It was a relatively simple assignment, 1 on 1 sparring, but it caused a lot of quirk use.

He fought both his tired eyes and Midoryia, but ultimately failing due to his harsh quirk drawbacks. Midoryia barely had to break a sweat to have (Y/n) come toppling down.

(Y/n) was ushered back into the horde of students murmuring “don’t mind” and “you did great!”, but he just slithered past and stood a few feet away from them, all the way in the back of the field.

All might was explaining something (Y/n) couldn’t quite hear. Not only because he was standing so far away, but because his hearing had been considerably wonky, not to mention the hissing, ringing sound irritating his eardrums.

“Oi.”

And even if the ringing had stopped and he could hear, his brain was too tuckered out to remember anything past five seconds ago.

“Oi!”

Gosh, speaking of his brain-

“OI! SHIT-FOR-BRAINS! YOU GONNA KEEP IGNORING ME OR YOU GONNA TELL ME WHY YOU’VE BEEN AVOIDIN’ ME?!”

Bakugou set off a small explosion. The blast wasn’t nearly as loud or powerful as in combat, but to a tired mans ears, it sounded like nukes. The ringing in (Y/n’s) ears spiked, and he cupped his ears tightly.

“B-Bakugou, nows not-“

“OH, YOU TRYNA TUNE ME OUT BY COVERIN’ YOUR EARS NOW?!” Another explosion. Bakugou’s gauntlets had been out for repairs since his last hero training, so (Y/n) could clearly see the glowing red and yellow spark from his fist. The ringing spiked again. His vision burned with sparks.

(Y/n) winced, saying nothing, and brought his hands to rub at his eyes. Bakugou eyebrow twitched.

“STOP IGNORING ME!”

Bakugou brought his hand out, his gloved hand starting to glow red with his next explosion. (Y/n) couldn’t take it anymore.

He stumbled forward, and grabbed Bakugou’s wrist. He shoved it out of the way, but his hand still ignited and set off a blast that propelled them straight to the ground.

“G-get off-a me!” Bakugou tried pushing (Y/n) off with his free hand.

(Y/n) pinned Bakugou’s glowing right hand by the wrist, using his other to hold down his other shoulder. (Y/n) would’ve never done something as ballsy and stupid as this, but he was too tired, too done, too much in pain to care.

“What are you actually trying to say!? All that stupid extra yelling and petty insults, they get you fucking nowhere! Spit it out! Or does trying to intimidate every single fucking person you meet just self-satisfaction?!”

Bakugou growled. He grabbed at (Y/n’s) shoulders, pushing off of him and pinning (Y/n) to the ground in his place.

“Then what about you, huh?!” Bakugou was angrily spitting at (Y/n’s) face. “Why the fuck did you stop getting enough sleep for your quirk?! Are you just that dumb that you stay up at night?!”

“I don’t wanna hear it from a stupid fucker like you, who can’t even take care of himself!”

(Y/n) hissed. He freed his dominant hand from Bakugou’s vice grip and pushed at Bakugou’s face, grabbing a fistful of his hair. “All you ever do is shit talk! Shut up! No one thinks it’s fucking cool!”

“What the hell are you even talking about?!”

The two wrestled on the ground, angrily grabbing and tugging at each other, and rolling around on the floor. There were shouts of “get Aizawa-no, get midnight-sensei!” and “All might, stop them!”, but the two were so caught up in their fight they couldn’t hear anything.

“Can’t you ever learn to mind your fucking Business?!”

“What the fuck does that even have to do with this!”

(Y/n) flipped Bakugou over one more time. He pushed him down by the forehead, pushing his head down into the ground while Bakugou flailed and kicked from underneath him.

“SHUT UP! WHY DO YOU EVEN FUCKIN’ CARE, BAKUGOU?! WHY DO...w-why do...wh...”

A sweet, sweet smell flooded (Y/n’s) senses. It smelt relaxing, tantalizing, it smelled like sleep. It smelled like sleep. He wanted to sleep. He wanted to sleep so bad. Maybe he could just...

(Y/n) slowly sank from his spot on top of Bakugou, flopping on top of his body and going completely slack. Bakugou’s eyes widened, and he covered his nose.

Midnight strutted from above the two, waving away a few stray wisps of her mist. Bakugou hacked out a new breath, while (Y/n) laid on top of him, peacefully asleep for the first time in days.

“Well, it seems like you two already know without me saying it.” Midnight motioned over to two small robots carrying a stretcher. “I’ll just take him to recovery girl and he should wake up in-“

Bakugou pursed his lips and wrapped his arms around (Y/n’s) sleeping figure when Midnight extended her arm towards them. He tightened his arms around (Y/n).

“I’ll do it. S-since this piece of shit attacked me first and...I’ll just do it-!”

Midnight eyed him knowingly, before waving him off and mumbling something about ‘youth’.

——

(Y/n’s) eyes fluttered open. His body felt like it was broken in every way possible. It was so sore, it hurt even thinking about moving. (Y/n) laid there, with his eyes half open, contemplating whether or not he should close them again.

Would he be able to sleep, though? Even if he’d started sleeping near Bakugou as a ‘don’t-wake-me-up’ measure, it slowly stopped being just that and more a matter of he felt safe and comfortable around him. In a way, he’s become a bit dependent on him, which is probably a bad thing, but he didn’t care.

Sleeping with Bakugou felt best. But that wasn’t an option, now was it?

(Y/n) pursed his lips, an involuntary groan rumbling from his tired vocal cords. He continued staring at the blinding nurse office lights, staring until he saw spots in his vision.

“Stop doing that-do you wanna go fuckin’ blind?”

(Y/n) flinched. He hated the way that familiar, aggravated voice still stirred butterflies into his stomach. He glanced to his side, as if to make sure he wasn’t just hearing things.

He met eyes with Bakugou.

“Bout’ time you fuckin’ woke up. Been waitin’ forever, shit-for-brains.”

(Y/n) averted his eyes back up to the blinding floodlights. Bakugou scowled. “Oi! Don’t ignore m-“

“How long were you here for?”

Bakugou went silent. It was his turn to avert his eyes, albeit more angrily.

“...I was here since you fuckin’ fainted in class, idiot. I even carried your stupid body here from the dumbass carrier bots.”

(Y/n’s) eyes softened, unlike Bakugou’s, who glared at the floor just beside the chair he was sitting in. (Y/n) checked the big black clock mounted on top of Recovery Girl’s desk.

It was 6:00 pm.

If Bakugou was telling the truth, he’d been sitting there waiting for him to wake up for 4 hours straight.

“Bakugou-its been hours since class ended-you should be at the dorms by now-! Why did you-“

“Well if you told me why you suddenly started avoiding me we wouldn’t be here right now!”

(Y/n) let his mouth fall closed. Bakugou scoffed. “Well?!”

(Y/n) opened his mouth, but it clamped shut when Monoma’s words echoed in his mind. Bakugou looked at him with an expectant face.

“I can’t tell you.”

“WH-“ Bakugou sputtered angrily. “COURSE YOU CAN! THE FUCKS STOPPING YOU!”

“Nothing I-I just can’t!”

“WHY!? WHY NOT?!”

“BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!”

“OK AND?! I LOVE YOU TOO!”

“THEN WHATS THE PROBLEM HERE!” (Y/n) shouted, before he cupped his mouth in realization. Bakugou’s eyes went wide aswell. “Wait I didn’t mean that-“

“YEAH! WHATS THE FUCKIN PROBLEM HERE?!” Bakugou recovered from his initial shock, already back to yelling. (Y/n) furrowed his brows with a blush.

“Wh..wait so-“

“I LIKE YOU, YOU LIKE ME, SO WHY THE FUCK DID YOU STOP SLEEPING ON ME?!”

“Wait but...” (Y/n’s) voice was barely above a whisper. “Don’t you, y’know...not like it...when I do that-?”

“DUMBASS! WHERE’D YOU GET THAT FROM?!” It seemed like Bakugou got angrier and angrier each passing second. It was hard to tell what (Y/n) found so attractive about him.

“From...from Monoma...?”

Bakugou looked angrier than ever. (Y/n) raised an eyebrow. “YOU-I CAN’T BELIEVE-! I-! FUCK IT!”

Bakugou snarled and practically shoved his face onto (Y/n’s), angrily stealing his breath away with a kiss. The kiss, surprisingly, was soft and gentle, despite Bakugou’s previous intensity. It seemed to calm Bakugou down, and cheer (Y/n) up.

The two slowly parted for air. It was quiet for a second, something that rarely happened near Bakugou.

“I thought you hated me...”

“W-why the fuck would I hate you...dumbass.” Bakugou rested his forehead on (Y/n’s) shoulder. His spiky tufts of blond hair tickling (Y/n’s) face.

“Because Monoma said so...?”

“I’m gonna kill that bastard.” Bakugou snarled, climbing into the cot (Y/n) was in. He pushed (Y/n) back down into the pillow, pulling up the white blanket and laying down next to him. He guided (Y/n’s) head-a tad bit forcefully-to his chest. “...after we sleep.”

Bakugou shut his eyes, half irritated and half embarrassed, while (Y/n) chuckled tiredly. He nuzzled his head into Bakugou’s chest.

“Goodnight, Bakugou.”

——

Extra:

Monoma walked into class 1-B the next morning. He yawned, still a bit tired, when he ran straight into someone.

“Hey, copycat fucker.”

Monoma looked up. The class was empty, with no one but Bakugou standing infront of him.

Fuck.

Needless to say, Bakugou got another 3 days of house arrest.

——————

Bru this was so long ong

#bakugou katsuki #mha bakugou #bnha bakugou #bakugou imagine #bakugou x reader #katsuki bakugo x reader #bakugo #bakusquad #bakugou x male reader #bakugo x male reader #bakugou angst #bakugou x y/n #mha #mha fic #bnha #bnha fic #bnha x male reader #mha x male reader #mr scifijiz

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mickstart · 4 years ago

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what do you think are some iconic/memorable schumi moments? i just got into f1 and would like to know more about him bc somehow i can’t really find anything like that about him.... just stats which are incredibly impressive but i can’t find anything about how he behaved or just anything about his personality..... thanks <3

:) Hi anon, thank you for unleashing the beast.

Ok I love you for asking me this thank you SO MUCH. Welcome to the circus I’m glad you’re here! Also yeah, Schumi is often talked about in terms of statistics and not as a human, Which is a shame bc like! Schumi is fascinating and the dynamics on the grid in late 90s F1 is so much fun! Also, this is mainly going to be late 90s -> early 2010s stuff bc I was born in 98 so uhhh I didn’t properly witness ANY 90s stuff and had to learn about it.

OK so I got super carried away but I’ve divided this into 3 sections: Drives/races that I think showcase some of his talents, human moments we need to talk about more, and Chaotic Little Bitch moments. The key thing to remember w/ Schumi is that he personally tends to be nice but as soon as you put him in a competition, Bastard Mode activates like a cat’s pupils going wide.

I am so sorry for the following short essay. Also some crashes are briefly mentioned but only ones with absolutely no injuries and there’s no details.

Chaotic Little Bitch Moments

Schumi debuted as a SUBSTITUTE driver for Jordan when one of their drivers was in police custody (yes. really.) The highest a Jordan had qualified all year was 10th and in his DEBUT at SPA, one of the toughest tracks, in the middle of the season, Schumi qualified that Jordan 7th! THEN his clutch failed before the first lap was even complete, but Benetton and Jordan WENT TO COURT to fight each other to sign him for their team before the next race in Monza. He couldn’t debut normally he HAD to cause a scene and set the tone.

The Red Strings of Fate: He qualified 7th, his iconic 7 starred helmet, his first victory next year was ALSO at Spa - his first complete race would be at Monza, Ferrari Holy Ground, and he finished 5th which 👀 1) he was immediately racing with The Greats. 2) Mr 5 Championships With Ferrari.

Winning a race by taking a stop and go penalty on the last lap, crossing the finish line in the pits, and making such a complicated argument about said penalty that in a hearing that was SUPPOSED to be Mclaren protesting the race result the stewards scrapped the entire penalty and the 3 who awarded it handed in their licenses??? Iconic.

Austria 2002 where Rubens was ordered to give the win to Michael. And then Michael fucking made him stand on the top step on the podium like “oh no no no RUBENS deserves this” and made a big SHOW out of it and its like “Michael stop you’re not making it heartwarming you’re making it WORSE Michael STOP” The Tension of germany 2010 podium VS the theatricality of THIS podium.

Team orders were banned because of this which also makes this indirectly responsible for Fernando Is Faster Than You having to be a coded message. You can’t escape him,

Blocking Alonso in Monaco qualifying and then, years later in 2010, overtaking Alonso technically illegally at Monaco (the race was ending under safety car, but the safety car doesn’t lead them over the line it pits and they’d crossed the safety car line and the regulations were NOT specific about the rules) and getting a 20 second penalty bc Damon Hill was a steward. Haunting FERNANDO specifically at Monaco like the ghost of christmas past? Getting a harsh penalty because ANOTHER driver he’d fucked over was a steward? Forcing the FIA to rewrite the rulebook to account for his nonsense when he was in his FOURTIES? I don’t know another chaos king.

Winning the 1995 championship by crashing into Damon Hill, getting AWAY with it for some reason, and then trying to do the same thing in 1997 to Villeneuve, failing to do so and simply rebounding off of him harmlessly, almost COMICALLY, and beaching his own car in a gravel trap at which point the FIA said “I have had ENOUGH of you Wacky Races Man!” and disqualified him from the entire championship

Forcing Mika off the track so bad at Spa 2000 that Mika realized the only way he was gonna be able to get past him was to re-invent the overtake and go for it whilst they were passing a backmarker. (The overtake itself is at 2:05 in the video but the build up to it is Important bc the key part it’s not just badass, it only happened bc Mika knew who he was dealing with.)

Spa 1998 was a Ridiculously Chaotic race it truly was the Mugello 2020 of its year, and after a crash at the start that took out almost the entire grid Schumi accidentally collided with Coulthard later in the race. (The teams used to have a spare car at every race then, so the race was able to continue after a restart.) This wasn’t a racing thing, Coulthard was getting lapped. So something in Schumi SNAPS, and he storms down the pitlane and tries to fight Coulthard while the mclaren and ferrari mechanics both hold him back and finally drag him away. He projected into the future, saw Coulthard was gonna talk non-stop shit about Seb, and acted accordingly.

Monaco 2012 Pole don’t talk to me about this I still can’t believe the audacity of this man to get the only pole of his comeback, at MONACO, at the ONE RACE where he had a 5 place grid penalty to take!!

In general, I know Cheating Bad but. I HAVE to admire the brainpower it must take to have the rulebook so memorized that whilst driving an F1 car Schumi could spot a loophole the size of the eye of a needle and then dance through it, forcing the FIA to add ANOTHER page to the rule book specially for him bc nobody else even REALISED that loophole existed.

Human Moments

A quick rant about Mika and Schumi’s entire friendship. After Spa 2000 Mika goes up to Michael, says something like “Don’t ever do that again” then they’re friends again. They had this mutual understanding that Racing was not Reality. This goes all the way back to their F3 days they were rivals AND friends for their entire career. They truly were the Sewis of the era if Sebastian was like 50% more evil. Their entire dynamic is “You’re the only motherfucker in this pit lane who can handle me”. Schumi would do some bullshit and every other driver would throw up their hands in frustration and Mika would just go “Okay” and drive better to put him in his place bc he was the only one who could keep up, and Schumi very visibly LOVED that he’s grinning after Mika owns his entire ass with that overtake at Spa. They were unstoppable force meets immovable object and I’m so sad their rivalry isn’t more talked about bc the way Mika is the only driver who can get him to behave like a normal human being is SO entertaining.

This is a sad one so I won’t link it but he started crying in the 2000 Monza press-conference with his brother and Mika when he equaled one of Senna’s records. The press kept trying to ask questions about it and Mika just has this death grip on his shoulder and tries to get them to stop or let them take a break and it’s so sad but also important to know about.

Once said he didn’t want Mick to race in F1 bc the pressure of his name would put Mick under so much stress and he wanted his son to be happy. (He fully supported Mick in his endeavors! But only after making absolutely sure it was what Mick wanted, and making sure he knew he could just race for fun if he wanted and it didn’t have to be F1)

This whole interview just after Mick was born with the Schumacher family. Special shout out to Gina on his head the entire video and also Corinna talking to the press while Michael is captivated by Mick. Me too Michael.

Once allegedly pleaded to take a stray kitten home from the track?

I reblogged this yesterday but. Sticking like glue to Sebastian at an F1 test and immediately being like “This is my new son he’s gonna go far”. There’s a lot of pictures out there also of Michael being a guest at the karting races Seb went to as a kid and baby Seb visibly losing his fucking mind at being given a trophy by his idol. Every day of my life I think about him trying to ruffle Seb’s hair through his helmet at Brazil 2012

WInning the championship in 2000. Him thanking the entire team individually and pausing mid-celebration to kiss his wife Corinna so tenderly it’s in the F1 opening. Also, the way it literally cuts from the rest of McLaren looking like they’re attending a funeral to Mika grinning at him and hugging him fucking SENDSSSSS me.

Schumi was a little shit in all the 2010-12 press conferences like, lowering Lewis’ chair, playing with a microphone wire, but ESPECIALLY corrupting baby Seb and getting him to mess with Nico Rosberg.

He’s just GOOFY! Like I refuse to let him be remembered as a terrifying force of nature he was so goofy kind of similarly to Seb. PLEASE watch this incredibly awkward interview he did with Coulthard on a golf buggy where they both had to pretend they hadn’t thought about murdering each other at least once. I think Sky F1 should force Brocedes to do this when covid’s over. “Do you mind if I drive?” “Yes.”

EDIT: I CANNOT BELIEVE I forgot the 1999 Canada press conference where Eddie Irvine and Mika Hakkinen get into a water fight and Schumi immediately grabs a towel and hides behind it and is like “I had NOTHING to do with it” 🥺 adorable, actually

A lot of people at Ferrari, including Rob Smedley (who was on the other side of the garage with Felipe Massa so not in his inner circle) have said that a lot of the success of the team came from Schumi’s LEADERSHIP more than anything, that he’d make the team get together to bond all the time. When Schumi moved to Ferrari in 1996 they were NOT dominant. He did the same thing Lewis did - went to a team that everybody said would be a huge mistake and helped build them up behind the scenes.

THIS bit of the Canada 2011 Rewind where his engineer gives him the strategy and he’s like “... OkaAaAaAay?” and then when it turns out to be the wrong strategy he cheerfully tells them it’s too late. Little shit.

Speaking of Mercedes I also wanna say that like. They were a MESS in 2012 and his car DNF’d because of a failing on their part MULTIPLE times. (In Canada qualifying his DRS was stuck open and they couldn’t close it.) He did not say a single bad word about them EVER even though the press used this to attack him non-stop as washed-up and bad without Ferrari to cheat for him. At Ferrari he was the exact same with the team, any bastard antics Schumi had for his rivals did not extend to the engineers and crew.

OK this one is soured bc Top Gear is trash BUT if you were like, a kid in England who followed motorsports? Schumi’s fake reveal as The Stig on Top Gear was like the coolest, sickest thing,

Please view this image of Schumi and Mika when they were young and stupid

Iconic Races

ok so I have limited myself to a few races that show off some of his key strengths!

Hungary 1998 / France 2004 - STRATEGY/SPEED - Schumi switched to a 3 stop strategy in 98 and a FOUR STOP strategy in 04 and won both races. In order for the strategy call to work he’d have to basically make every single lap a qualifying style ‘flying lap’ and you best fucking believe he DID THAT. God I fucking miss when Ferrari was the king of strategy.

Argentina 1998 - has it all. Talent, battling Mika, pit lane mind games with mclaren, and bullying coulthard xxx

Spain 1996 / a majority of the wet races - RAIN - One of Schumi’s nicknames was Rain Master bc he was so fucking good in the wet. If it started raining and you were a Schumi stan you were cackling evilly before the red lights even went out. I single out 1996 bc it was his first win for Ferrari and it was unexpected but in most wet races, even Canada 2011 post comeback, you can see Schumi thriving.

Malaysia 1999 - Schumi missed pretty much the entire second half of the season with a broken leg, came back for the last 2 races with everybody murmuring about whether he would struggle, and immediately put the Ferrari on pole. Also worth noting is that he was the number 2 driver for these 2 races bc his teammate Irvine was fighting Mika for the championship and he went along with that without complaint, allowing Ferrari to win the constructor’s championship if not the driver’s.

Monza 2002, 03, 04, or 06 just because it has the energy of the tifosi kneeling at the feet of an idol to their red god.

Brazil 2006 - Fuck All Y’all - Schumi’s last race for Ferrari. He got a puncture and ended up almost lapped, and then drove his way back from that to 4th bc he couldn’t go out without reminding us he’s a bad bitch.

Monza 2012 - Defending - Don’t tell F1 Twitter that there’s actual footage of Lewis and Michael having a genuine lengthy battle on track but DO watch Michael defending like a motherfucker and Lewis breathing down his neck for half the race we need to talk about this more.

Valencia 2012 - This isn’t necessarily anything special but I cried in my living room over the only podium of his comeback so it goes on here. It doesn’t have the same impact if you haven’t been watching him struggle with the car for years, DNF-ing from car failure most of 2012, and having BBC F1 telling you he’s washed up every single weekend, but you can just enjoy one of the best drives of FERNANDO’S entire career as he DRAGS that Ferrari by its hair to a home grand prix win and then watch the crowds embrace him like jesus and also Schumi being happy on the podium. Also, the very start of this clip from the press conference: him forgetting what language he’s supposed to be speaking

Basically, Schumi was a hyper-competitive ambitious bitch who turned into a goofball as soon as he switched the engine off. This is by NO MEANS everything if I was making an exhaustive best races guide I’d do more research and another post but I hope this is what you were looking for?? THANK YOU SO MUCH for letting me go MAXIMUM SPECIAL INTEREST and I apologize.

#asks #Schumi #Mika #Alonso #long post #god I'm so fucking sorry #Anonymous #This is not comprehensive bc I didn't want to accidentally turn this into a whole research project especially if you're new to it!

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vanchlo · 4 years ago

Text

The Partner / Chapter Four, “Telling”

Word Count: 11.6k words / Story Masterlist / Read The Assistant / Read on Wattpad / Song: Combat by Hazel English (click to listen)

“Now is now. Are you going to be here or not?”

- Ram Dass

The trill of the ringtone brought my eyes open, but as soon as I do and the sun blinds me, I wish that I hadn’t. He was always the one to close the blinds after I’d opened them, something I’d forgotten to do already.

“Hello?” I say, blindly answering the phone, retreating to under the covers.

“Hi, bug. I hope ‘m not interruptin’ anythin’ important at work, but ‘m on me lunch and wanted t’ call. I miss my fiance.”

A smile is already brewing on my lips, beginning the first second I heard Harry’s voice. It had only been hours since I’d heard it last, but somehow, it was always too long.

“Oh, hi,” I reply, clearing my throat, knowing my sleep-ridden voice gives it away already. “Um, I’m actually at home.”

“Oh, ya are? ‘s ev’rythin’ okay with you, Becks? God, yer not sick, are you? Of all times fer that t’ happen and ‘s when ‘m gone on a case,” his voice is heavy, laden with displaced guilt that makes my insides roil. Luckily, it’s not in the same way they’ve been doing lately.

“Yeah. I woke up at 5 this morning and got sick.”

“God, ‘m so sorry, bug, that ‘m not there t’ take care o’ you. Sounds like I woke you from a nap, ‘m-,” I cut him off before the unnecessary grief can weigh either of us down all the more.

“It’s okay, Harry. I probably just ate something that was off, leftovers that weren’t good anymore. I feel fine now.”

“Good, ‘m glad t’ hear yer feelin’ better already. ‘ll be home on Thursday, ‘m jus’ sorry ‘s not any sooner.”

The first hints of a laugh fall from my lips, “Stop apologizing. It’s fine, I’m fine. I can manage a little throw up, Harry, you don’t need to say that. Believe me, I’m just glad you’re not here to see it.”

“You stop it, li’l one. We’re gettin’ married, Becks, fer better or fer worse, rememba?”

“Of course, but I’m okay. I only threw up this morning and . . “

He doesn’t give me the chance to finish, “Threw up mo’ than once? Becks honey, yer sure yer okay?”

“Yes, Harry, I’m okay,” it comes out accompanied by a laugh, making me miss his. “I’ll manage on my own for the next two days until you’re back. Thanks though, it’s cute how you worry.”

“‘s what a husband does, love, what any person does fer tha person they love.”

“I miss you,” it’s a soft murmur, holding more words than I’d know how to say. “I know we’ve done this once or twice before, you having to travel for a case, but it’s hard.”

“I know, babe, it ‘s fer me too, makes me miss you so much,” the honey is there and so is the molasses, more decadent than ever. A little too much for me to handle, making me press that button. “Hey, what’re you doin’?”

It’s only a few moments until I’m squinting through the afternoon sunshine, feeling my sullen lips turn up into my cheeks.

“Hey, there’s my buggie.”

Perhaps, his smile couldn’t be bigger when I see it fill the screen of my phone. Harry’s one-hundred watt smile shines back at me, only growing as the seconds tick along. He’d started calling me that recently, a new spin on an old nickname. I think it was coming to be my favourite, although nothing could ever top ‘Becks.’

“Hi, babe. Don’t you look cute. What in the world are you doing?” my head falls back against the pillow as I move to lie on my side.

“‘m in me car, duh. Told you I was on me lunch. I jus’ had it, went t’ a restaurant here. Had their turkey BLT and it was incredible,” he says it as if I should know this, but he does it with a curl to his lips. One that hasn’t left yet. “I reckon you look cuter tho’, babe.”

“Thanks, but I think you need your eyes checked.”

Shaking his head, Harry doesn’t say anything. He props his elbow on the door of his Rover, sitting his chin in his hand. Today, he couldn’t look more handsome, and I’m sure that I couldn’t miss him more. I wanted to run my hands along the silky smooth lapels of his muted violet blazer, a new one.

I know it was the first thing I saw him wear, suits, but he still dazzled me when he wore a new one. Sometimes, after a long day or a few hours that felt like a day, and I saw him around the firm, it felt like the first time. The color brought out the warm green of his eyes, ones that sparkle while he cards a hand covered with rings through his curls. I never could figure out why he touched them so much, or messed with them, besides assigning it to nerves.

“How’d your morning go in court?”

The words come out in a huff, one that seizes his body with evident exhaustion, “Eh, alright. Not sure yet where ‘s headed, too early t’ tell, but ‘ll jus’ be glad t’ be done soon. This one’s been a real doozy.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I can’t wait for you to come home.”

“Same here, bug. ‘ve been sleepin’ so bad here, tha bed’s too firm at tha hotel and ‘m never tha right temp. ‘m either too cold or too hot, ‘cos I don’t have me li’l heater ‘round,” he hummed with a tilt to his head, a seemingly permanent one to his lips. “I can’t wait t’ come home, then ev’rythin’ will be better.”

I missed him, more than I’d let myself tell him, or maybe even myself, too. The very words repeated in my head that night when my dinner came back up, shouting it in my skull the next morning when I hung over the toilet. Spent with tears, I ached with a longing for Harry. It lessened after my stomach had recovered, but lying in an empty bed or staring down the firm’s hallway at his closed door, it felt worse than all of the other times I had missed him. At my worst, I wanted him, and nothing else. It felt silly to miss him so much when he was only gone trying a case for four days, but I didn’t sleep well either, waking up to remnants of his smell that woke me with lies. Little did I know how much I could ever miss a person, let alone my favorite one.

Returning to work hadn’t been as difficult as I feared it would be, but at times, it was worse. Rose and I were just finishing up a case before I was set to work with Harry again after he finished his upcoming one, something I was hardly able to wait to do. Luckily, I was still able to be there with Rose to help present the case in court, seeing as I only called in the one day. I couldn’t really otherwise, and the long sessions in court were catching up with me. I hadn’t been able to keep much food down, and even when I did, I was so tired from the poor sleep I was getting. Yesterday and the day before, I had snuck in a nap on my sofa, and that’s what was next on my agenda. I could hardly wait.

Ripping open the door to my office, something causes me to stop in my footsteps. Afterwards, I wouldn’t be able to put my finger on it, if somebody had asked. It was just that feeling again, and maybe not being able to remember if the light was on even though I’d turned it off. Or, maybe the other way around. Regardless, my eyes began a scan of the room, but they didn’t get very far.

“Hi, my buggie girl.”

“Harry,” it’s the only syllable I can get out, astonishment stealing all of the others from my lips. That and my forgetting speaking altogether when I dash across the room, giving him enough time to stand up before I collide with him.

The sound of an exhale accompanies the surprise in his voice, “Oh, hi, baby. Did I surprise ya?”

His giggle adds to the concoction of him that pours the word ‘calm’ over me, starting with his safe arms around me. His smell. The sound of his wheezy laugh against my head.

“Yeah, you’re good at that.”

“Reckon I am. I got done early and found an earlier flight,” he remarks, humorous pride in his deep drawl. Molasses found althroughout. “How’re you doin’ t’day, love? ‘m sorry we didn’t get t’ talk on tha phone this mornin,’ bloody phone tag ‘s t’ blame. I hope yer hearin’ t’day went well.”

“It’s okay. I’m just so glad you’re here now,” honesty weighs heavy in my words, and in my eyes when I meet his greens. A color I didn’t know that I could miss, but I did, all those years ago. Those dimples too that fall into his cheeks before my eyes.

“Couldn’t be happier t’ be home . . even if I lost me case, but ya win some and you lose some,” Harry hums, thumbing at the divot in my own cheek. “Missed you so much.”

I feel like I can finally take a breath again when he hugs me against his front, sponging kisses along the top of my head. I felt like me again with him home, welcoming him with kisses and later, a night between the sheets.

Yet, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep lying to myself about that, knowing that my feeling of mine told me otherwise.

The day after he came home was no different, but little did I know how it would undoubtedly pass any expectations I could ever have. Any possibilities whatsoever.

I woke with a start, and a rock in my stomach, just like yesterday, and all of the times before. I knew what was going to happen before I even moved, that the second I did it would be a race to the bathroom. Thankfully, I hadn’t missed and hit the floor yet, but I felt like I was going to each and every time. It was just a matter of when.

He wasn’t up yet, and I wished for the past when I could turn over and cuddle with him to wake up, not by throwing up. But, I was thankful that he wasn’t awake because he thought I didn’t see it, but I did. I saw the way his face fell when I told him that I’d gotten sick again, despite his lawyer expertise concerning those blessed features of his.

This time, I made it too, wretching into the toilet. I thanked God, if there was one, that my side of the bed was closer to the bathroom. I also thanked him that Harry didn’t wake up and walk in until after I was done, or I hoped so.

“Oh, no. Not again, bubs,” he sighs in his raspy drawl thick with leftover sleep. I’m void of a response, head in my arm propped over the toilet bowl.

The swirl of soiled water disappears before me, having flushed it the second I heard his footsteps. We’d been through heaven and hell together, and yet there were still some things that were embarrassing. Throwing up was one of them. The first signs of relief begin to wash over me like cold water on a scorching day from a wet rag he swipes over my cheek.

“I dunno, Becks, this ‘sn’t seemin’ t’ let up. ‘s been a few days now, maybe you should go t’ tha doctor, love.”

“It’s okay, Harry. What could they do anyway for a stomach bug?” my sigh comes, the words muffled against my arm when I lay my head down, grimacing at the smell that’s stained the inside of my mouth. I feel like taking the rag I hold against my head and scrubbing my tongue until I can’t taste it anymore. It seemed to always be there off to the side like a threatening storm, the last couple of days since this had started.

“I dunno, ya don’t know ‘til ya try,” he comments, feet making soft noises on the floor. I don’t hear the run of the tap like I did a moment ago, instead the unscrewing and screwing of something before the sloshing of liquid. “I jus’ dunno what it could be, a stomach bug doesn’t last this long, does it?”

A mumbled reply lacking answers graces my lips after he places a cup in my hand. Lifting my aching head, I find purple mouthwash sitting in the tiny cup we use for brushing our teeth.

“Have you ever had somethin’ like this befo’, bug?”

Taking my time swishing the minty liquid around in my mouth, I almost sigh at the welcomed taste, willing the previous one away. After shaking my head at him, I nearly choke gargling on the peppermint tasting liquid when I hear his next comment.

“Let’s jus’ hope yer not pregnant, dunno how you would be tho,’” Harry titters, humor threaded throughout his tired words. “Well, we certainly do know how babies are made, we sure do loads o’ it-.”

“Stop, Harry, it’s not funny,” I don’t intend for it to come out in a near retort, but I can’t stop myself.

“Why not? It wouldn’t be bad if ya were, we’ve always wanted babies.”

My response comes, short and to the point, “You know why. We’re getting married in August, Harry.”

“Things can be moved ‘round, Becks, a baby can’t.”

“Stop talking about this like I’m pregnant, because I’m not,” I say, feeling my head fill with another wave of dull pain when I get to my feet. His hand catches my elbow when I begin to sway, legs feeling like Jello.

“Didn’t say you were, bug, ‘m sure ‘s jus’ a stomach thing. They pass afta a few days, so you should be right as rain again soon,” Harry assures me, stepping to the side to face me. Despite his angering comment, a cooling sense of relief comes when his lips touch my clammy forehead. “Maybe you should stay home again, sleep it off.”

“I’m okay, I feel a little better now. My stomach goes hard, I throw up, and then it’s done. Like clockwork.”

“‘Kay, but if ‘s not gone in two days, I want you t’ go in and be seen . . ‘m gonna hop in tha shower if you wanna join me,” Harry rasps, cocking his head to the side as the corners of his lips lift, honey dripping from them. I always loved the way he looked in the mornings. The disheveled hair that sometimes stuck up in all directions, sunshine glazing over in his eyes, and how those lazy lips always held a smile for me. This time, it was dripping with mischief, a look that I knew all too well.

“Yeah, and we both know what that’s going to lead to, Harry. Not a lot of actual showering.”

That M word grows on those watermelon pink lips of his, ones I could just eat up. “Ya, we could practice makin’ a baby, if you like. Y’know, again.”

“Stop,” it’s the closest I’ve come to giggling this morning, or any affability I’ve harbored towards this topic. “But, no. I’m sorry, I don’t really feel up to it.”

“Fine, we’ll jus’ shower fer real this time, love. ‘ll even wash you up, since yer not feelin’ good. I bet it’d help t’ feel all clean aftawards.”

“Okay,” I sigh, relishing the satisfaction gracing his cheeks masked by new stubble the color of chocolate.

“I don’t like my baby bein’ all sick,” Harry hums with his lips against my temple, the smell of vanilla and sandalwood lulling my eyes closed. It felt as if there were few times when knots didn’t riddle my insides lately, but right now, in his arms, I was free.

It had been bothering me all day, ever since Harry’s comment. If I was telling myself the truth, it had been gnawing away at the insides of my brain for longer than that. There was so much inside of me telling me that his suspicion was right when all I wanted was for it to be wrong. If I was doing that truth thing again, of course, there was a remaining part of me that wanted it to be right, but it was miniscule at best. No more was said about it after that, but that fact in itself only made it harder to forget. Even if I had wanted to speak to him about it, he had been in partner meetings all day. I knew he was due for lunch here soon, and that’s what led me to run a quick errand before then, nabbing the car keys from his right drawer where he always left them.

I certainly didn’t think that this was how it would be happening, at Harry’s firm of all places. Our firm? Guilt seeped under my skin the second I had put my plan into action, well aware that he had no idea what I was doing. Tears had been close all day long, since the time those joking words had left his lips. Sure, the blame went to him on that, but I couldn’t have known what it would lead to, either. We both could deserve the blame for this entire thing.

The second it’s done, I find that I can’t get myself to follow through. The closest thing I’ve felt to relief all day comes when I see my watch reads one o’clock. It feels like every person I pass knows my secret, despite that being an impossibility and more. The only person who could have the smallest inkling is the person whose door I stop in front of, because I’m not sure how I can do this. Or, that I can. I’ve surprised myself by getting this far in my plan.

When the door opens for me, I can’t decide if I feel lucky that he made the next decision for me. “Hi, bug. How’s yer mornin’ been? ‘ve missed you, y’know. Oh, whatcha got there? Did ya get me lunch?” his words couldn’t be sweeter. Neither could his hand that brushes against my cheek, sliding down my arm next. Alarms blare inside of me, yelling at me to tell him while others repeat the opposite. I don’t know why, but doubt floods me within milliseconds. I know that he wouldn’t be upset, but then how come I worry that he would be? “Ev’rythin’ okay, Becks?”

“I-I . . ,” I try and my failure is almost immediate. The only thing that I succeed at is pushing him back into his office, and closing the door.

“Becks, what’s wrong?” urgency shines through in his voice. It’s the last thing that I can find, in my hand or my lips. My name graces my ears a few times more as I stare at the floor, not knowing how I could ever say this. Not just that, unsure of how I can make the next move, knowing that it very well may change my life from this moment on.

“I-I can’t do it, Harry.”

“You can’t do what, bug? Ge’mme lunch?” his words are carried with that breathy laugh of his. I had been doing a good job so far today, far too good of a job. That ends when the first tear greets my cheek, and my lips begin to wobble. “Becks, what’s tha matter? Yer worryin’ me, buggie.” It shows all over him, even in the way his hand comes to cradle my cheek, wiping away the tears. Worry.

My attempt at a deep breath is futile at best, and with a sigh marked by tears, I throw caution to the wind. I do it.

“Can you, please? Because, I can’t, Harry. I can’t look at it, I’m too scared,” my words have been wicked away, the moisture in my throat too. All of it. Then, the breath in my lungs grows when I lift my hand. Any composure he had had is gone in a blink.

“Becks . . ,” now, his words are kidnapped from him, too. Come on, one of us has got to do it, and it won’t be me. “Honey, I was only jokin’ this mornin.’ You didn’t hafta take one . . Wait, yer serious, arentchu, Becks?”

“Y-Yeah. I-I missed that pill what, like two weeks ago when I lost my pack, a-and, I still took it but it might have been too late,” the words are thick on my lips, caught between the sobs that paint my cheeks with tears. They’re soon shed onto his button up when he presses me against his front.

“Oh, Becks. ‘m sure ‘s fine. Ya still took it, that’s all that matters, honey.”

I can’t remember the last time I couldn’t swallow like this, or when my heart felt like it was going to jump from my chest. It doesn’t help that my chest shakes with each new sob dealt by my lips. How do I even say it? I still can’t say the word, and how is that going to fucking work if it’s true?

“I-I was supposed to get my period last week, Harry, and I didn’t. I checked after you said that this morning and- I’m so sorry,” breaths fill my lungs hastily, but the confession doesn’t tell my heart it’s okay to stop racing a nonexistent opponent. Neither does the long sigh that leaves my fiance’s lips.

“Becks, honey, you have nothin’ t’ be sorry ‘bout. Promise,” the sensation of his warm breath against my ear distracts me, but only for a mere moment.

The devil and angel inside of my head continue to scream at me to get it over with. One insists so that then I can take the biggest breath of relief while the other cackles that my life is never going to be the same. Somehow, I find the courage to step away and to find his eyes that have grown glassy. One corner of his mouth lifts to send some sunshine my way, but I feel nothing but the mid November cold outside his window.

“It may very well be negative, y’know,” he assures me, reaching his other hand out to cradle my cheek once again. His thumb swipes back and forth on the skin, wiping away the tears like the contraption on a car’s windshield.

“And if it’s not?” my voice is sheepish and nothing else, framed by sniffling.

“Then, it’ll be okay too, promise. We spoke ‘bout if somethin’ like this were t’ happen, befo’ we even started havin’ sex. So, we were prepared. We’d keep it, of course, and we’re gettin’ married soon anyway, bug. Babies were always in tha plan, maybe we’ll get our wish a tad early, ‘s all. If so, we can reschedule tha wedding t’ be early or later on. Promise you it’ll be okay, my Rebecca Ann,” I’m not sure of the last time I had heard his voice dripping with so much sweetness. This time, I can’t tell if it does anything to fill the cracks . . to fix it. “I wantchu t’ know that befo’ I turn it over and read it. And, that I love you.”

“I love you too, Harry . . so much,” I whimper, my lips soon stilled with a kiss from his. “You’re not mad?”

“No, ‘course not, bug. Why in tha world would I be mad? We’ll be okay no matter what it says, and ‘ll be happy either way. Reckon ‘ll be over tha bloody moon if it turns out one way,” his grin couldn’t possibly reach any higher. Another chunk inside of me is filled with the sourness of guilt, because everything has drained out of me, including any happiness I could find. “I know you would be too- or would you? Ya really don’t seem okay, Becks.”

“I dunno,” my shoulders rise and fall with the two parts to my sentence. “Just scared . . We had this big, perfect plan and . . “

“I know, buggie, but nothin’ ‘bout our entire relationship has ever been traditional or somethin’ close t’ normal, but we’ve turned out okay. Much better than okay, ‘d say. We’ll be okay afta this too, we always are. ‘ll always take care o’ you, Becks, and our babies one day too,” he only reminds me once again of his talent of words and choosing the right ones. I suffice my absence for them with a hand lacing with his, and squeezing it. It just so happened to be my left one, and he lifts it to press a kiss to my engagement ring.

The closest I can manage to a swallow is when his lips press below my eye, and I hear his words, “We’ll be alright.”

“I know,” at first, I’m not sure if he had heard me. When he nods, I know. But do I really believe it?

“Ready?” my favorite voice in the entire world says. I’m not, but my heart can’t go on any longer with this suspense, and so my head answers for me. “Alrighty, then,” Harry murmurs, giving my clammy hand a squeeze. Unable to decide where to look, I can’t take my eyes away, despite being uncertain how fast I’ll get the answer then.

When I think back on it later, I’d never be able to conclude whether I wish he had kept his lawyer composure or not. The way I told the story was that the second Harry turned the pregnancy test over and his eyes found it, they lit up like a Christmas tree. There couldn’t be another ray of light inside of them, and I knew.

“We’re gonna be parents, Becks,” he says in a voice choked with emotion, it too appearing in his eyes that echo mine.

“Really?” it’s as if I had been socked in the gut, because the air whooses out of me in that instant. His nodding is emphatic as he turns it around to face me. If I hadn’t believed him before, my denial is renounced when I see the word that had been a question in my mind all morning.

“We’re havin’ a baby,” Harry wheezes with wet words, dropping his arm. I don’t remember his coming around me in a hug, or replying to him, echoing those same words.

It’s all a blur, his words of excitement about becoming a father, my obligatory remarks likened to his. Moments later, I sit there on his sofa wondering what the hell just happened. Turning over the oblong plastic thing in my hands, the one word goes in and out of focus before the tears that flood my eyes.

Pregnant

I’m going to be a mum.

How?

I don’t even know how to be one. I don’t know the first thing about changing nappies. I try to eat healthy, but it never works. I hardly get enough sleep and drink enough water, as it is. Sure, I thought I’d have kids by 25, and I’m newly 28, but I still feel so young. I most definitely don’t feel ready to become a mother.

No, we’re supposed to get married this summer. I already picked out the dress. It’s perfect, and I won’t be able to fit into that with a watermelon in there, and fucking grapefruits on my chest. Wait, how far along would I be at the wedding?

Shit, I’d be ready to pop by then, if not having done so already. Fuck.

“No,” it flies from my lips. I don’t stop it as my head tips into my hands, spilling loud sobs there. The sound of my crying is the only thing that I hear. No, there are no words from Harry or consolation, because the Dad To Be couldn’t have jumped higher from the news. He’s next door telling Myles, and I couldn’t feel lower.

How can this be? We were so careful. I took my pill every day at dinnertime, but I thought still taking the one after almost missing it entirely was fine. The package said so, and I had had some spotting not long after, a few days of it. The pill had made my periods lighter and easier, so I just assumed it was my period. I went through all of the typical stuff - breakouts, sore boobs, the cramps.

“Goddammit,” I mutter under my breath, embracing the sting of my fingernails digging into my scalp. “They’re fucking pregnancy symptoms too.”

And then, there was the vomiting. It wasn’t just in the mornings, but it had been sporadic the last few days. I thought that I had come down with a bug of some sort, but no. There was a baby growing inside of me, that’s why. It was the explanation for everything - my achy boobs, the cramping, the spotting, and the throwing up.

Harry’s baby.

Our baby.

Holy fucking shit.

As the clock in Harry’s office announces every passing second, my trip on the Guilt Express only carries on, because the Happiness Train was only moving farther away from me. Instead, the stops on my ticket are Unplanned, It’s Too Soon, What About The Wedding, We Just Got Engaged, We’re Fucking Moving Houses So Where Would A Baby Go, and This Is All A Dream, Right?

The sights of Harry’s office swim into view, but their familiarity does nothing to calm me. My heart still thrashes inside of my chest, and I’m afraid it may make a run for it. Suddenly, the announcement blares inside of my head again. Harry and I are having a baby in nine months. With a sniffle, my lips wobble as my head slowly falls. Dropping the pregnancy test on my lap, my hand inches towards my body.

It’s no different when I feel it, my hand caressing my flat stomach. Nor does it look anything but how it has for as long as I can remember. I’d be lying to myself if I said it didn’t feel any different inside of me, because it does. I can’t see it, or feel it, but the words appear inside of my head momentarily.

There’s a baby in there, in my belly. My baby. I’m its mum, and Harry is its dad. They’re ours. They could be a boy or a girl. They may not be bigger than my fingernail, I suppose, but God, they’re ours. The sourness builds upon each other, and I can’t hold it back anymore, soon finding refuge in Harry’s trash bin. Whimpers leave my lips as the contents of my stomach do too.

For one of the few times, I thank God that Harry wasn’t there. I busy myself with wrapping up the bag, replacing it with a new one, and lightning some candles. It’s not enough to remove the thoughts that I’m unsure I’ll ever escape, now. My head spins when I sit down again holding it, feeling my body shake as shouts fill my mind.

Why am I not happy? I have wanted to be a mum my entire life, and now that I am, I . . I wish that I wasn’t.

Why can’t I be like Harry? He doesn’t even have to try, and he’s happy about it. The tears only come faster when I realize that I don’t think I’ve ever seen him as happy as this, rivaling the night I told him I’d marry him.

“Alright, bug?”

Speak of the Devil, and he shall appear. Clearing my throat, I hurriedly wipe at my face whilst looking towards the window, wishing I could be anywhere else but here. That I could be anybody else but me.

“Y-Yeah,” my reply is mumbled. The tightness in my gut that appeared when I saw that look of happiness on his face fights on when his hand touches my shoulder.

“We should get some lunch in that belly o’ yers, Mummy. What’s sounding good t’ you?”

My insistence that I couldn’t feel worse is eradicated by his words washing over me. The specific ones that he chose to say, because it can get worse.

“I’m not very hungry.”

“Oh, stomach still queasy afta this mornin’, bub?” he questions. Without looking, I can tell that he’s taken a seat beside me, worry claiming his face. “Maybe somethin’ easy, then. Yogurt, a banana, rice, or some chicken noodle soup. Ya still gotta eat, love, ‘specially now with tha baby. They need t’ eat, too.”

Nodding my head up and down only makes it hurt worse. All I want to do is cry, and not in front of him. I want to be in our bed, without him there. What is happening to me? Since when do I wish he wasn’t around?

I don’t want to have to be thinking about how I haven’t had anything to eat today, and how that’s not good for our growing baby. The baby that relies on me to take care of it, and that in nine short months will need Harry and I every second to do that too. I hadn’t even completed my mentorship with him, or been at the firm for two years. We hadn’t even been together for two years. For God’s sake, we aren’t even married, yet.

“Becks?” for a lawyer, he does a poor job of hiding the urgency in his voice. The worry and doubt. The very feeling that I can’t walk away from, even though I don’t have it in me to try. “Any o’ that sound good t’ you . . and tha baby, love?”

There it is, again. The baby. I hate myself more and more when I get angry at him for saying it like that, reminding me of this newfound responsibility that I have. One that I didn’t ask for. I know that he doesn’t mean to add to the guilt o’meter, but he does. With every second that happiness escapes me, I do it without knowing, too.

“You can get Chinese, if you want. I’ll just have some broth and rice. I’ll try it, anyways.”

“‘Kay, good. Thanks, bug,” his words are punctuated with a kiss to the top of my head. I know that it’s coming, and that it’s the most overdue I’ve ever been for a question from him. His hand leaving stripes up and down my back doesn’t do much to help the impending doom. “Sure yer alright, Becks?”

I can’t do it. After all of the times that I did, I can’t this time. No, not about this. Wouldn’t it be easier to, though? To lie? Because, how in the fuck do I tell my fiancée, the love of my life, and my best friend in the entire world that I’m scared out of my mind that we’re having a baby? What words do I even choose to relay to the man who I’d always wanted to be the father of my children, that now we’re having a baby together, I can’t figure out how to be happy about it? I have to tell him, don’t I?

Harry is good at loads of things. Rather, there’s very few things that he’s not good at, and reading me isn’t one of them. Taking the last step that’s not there has been something I knew from the start he excelled at. When I need it the most, he does it. I feel the comforting weight of his body around mine, and sobs are flying from my lips again.

“I’m scared, Harry. I don’t know what to do, or how we’re going to do this. I don’t know how to be a mum, let alone a good one,” I couldn’t remember a time that my heart hadn’t been pounding beneath my ribs. Without asking, I wondered if the baby could hear it. It was so sudden, the way it had weaved its way into my thoughts, because all of a sudden, it was there too. The baby. Our baby. It had been there, growing inside of me for how many days now and we didn’t know.

“We’ll be okay, Becks. I promise you. I promise you. Ev’rythin’s gonna be alright, my love. ‘m gonna take care o’ you . . tha both o’ you. You, and our son or daughter. ‘ve known fer so long, well befo’ we got t’gether that you’d make a wonderful mum. Ya take care o’ me so well, and yer so good with Harper and Ollie. ‘m rather nervous too, they’ll be so tiny and helpless. I dunno tha first thing ‘bout breastfeedin,’ which dummy t’ choose, or what a baby wants when they’re cryin’ but, Becks, I know we’ll figure it out t’gether. We’re such a great team, love, and ‘m positive that we can take this on too,” my nodding into his chest is instantaneous, and so are the tendrils of relief when his fingers begin to comb through my hair. “'ve dreamt so long o’ havin’ babies with you, Becks. We’re gonna make tha cutest ones, I jus’ know it . . We’ll learn all o’ this t’gether, babe. We’ll be alright.”

“I love you, Harry,” still, the tears haven’t signalled a retreat. Neither has the sadness that weighs on my shoulders.

“I love you too, Rebecca Styles, mo’ than anythin’ in this entire world. Dunno how ‘ll come t’ love another quite like you, but already know I love our li’l baby loads. They’re gonna have tha best mum ever.”

I wish he could know that he mistakes my coming sobs for happiness when I don’t even know what the hell they are. I can’t figure out why they came when he talked about already loving our baby, and that I’ll be the best mum. Until I do, because I try to say something that affirms that I feel the same things too.

I can’t, because I don’t. I hope that eventually, I may.

It was difficult for me to remember the last time it had been like this, when all I had wanted was to feel okay again. Each time I questioned why I couldn’t, I only felt all the worse. It didn’t come when I had taken the second pregnancy test in the bathroom once Harry had gone back to his meeting. The same word showed up on this one too, although I’m not sure why I had thought it would be any different. I wasn’t sure if I could be swimming in any more guilt, realizing that I had begged and pleaded for it to say something else so all of this could go away.

I had dreamt of this day ever since I was a little girl. This wasn’t how it went. My tears were for another reason entirely, and for a while after Harry left again, I couldn’t get them to stop. I could hardly breathe. Just when I thought I’d caught my breath, the devil inside of me reminded me that I should be happy and that I’m not. The rug was pulled out from under me again and again, and so was my breath.

I’d seen him only twice this morning since we had gotten to work, seeing how he was in meetings all day long. No, now he was checking on me every hour, making excuses for bathroom breaks that were spent visiting me. By now, the tears had dried out and that was the least of my worries. As if this all wasn’t too much already, I’d never felt more numb.

It had been twenty minutes of ignorant bliss that he interrupted when he walked into my office again. The moment our eyes connect, it all comes rushing back to me. I remember it. The baby.

“Hey, love. How’s it goin’ in here?” Harry asks, looking a little too nonchalant as he strides into my office, hands in his trousers.

“You don’t have to check up on me. I’m fine, Harry,” my words take on a blunt edge that I intended, I can’t lie.

“But I want t.’ I dunno how t’ do all o’ this, ‘ve never been a Dad befo.’ I jus’ can’t stop thinkin’ ‘bout you, tha two o’ you,” he coos, arriving behind me and draping his arms around my neck. They lay there loosely, cupping my shoulders on either side. I thank God that he can’t see my face, especially when his hand wanders to my stomach that he rubs. “How ya feelin’? Did what ya had at lunch help settle yer stomach at all?”

Gritting my teeth, I ready my answer, forgetting the flow that I had found in writing up this statement for my case. “No,” I answer, swallowing afterwards, still able to taste it in my mouth despite the sticks of gum I’d chewed.

“Oh, ‘m sorry. Did-.”

“Yeah, I threw up again. But I’m fine, I had a cup of ginger tea and that seemed to help. I’ve been able to keep that down, plus a banana and a few slices of toast. I guess I was really hungry,” I respond, unsure of whether to take one of his hands, or not. This is all so unprecedented, and I really have no idea what I’m doing. I have a feeling of what I should be doing, like telling him that I’d already thrown up three times today, but I don’t know how to.

“God, ‘m sorry, love. ‘s it normal t’ be gettin’ sick so much like that? It can’t be good fer you or tha baby, but ‘m glad you were able t’ eat some mo.’ I hope that stuff stays down now, ‘s no wonder you were starvin’ since there was nothin’ left in there,” my eyes fall shut when his nose nudges at my temple in between kisses. “Ya sure I can’t get you anythin’? Y’know, there’s a whole case of ginger ales in me office, if ya want. I can’t believe I forgot they were there, I know they help settle yer stomach too.”

“Thanks. I might grab one a little later, or something. You should get back to your meeting, Harry, it’s important.”

“I know, jus’ wanted t’ make sure you were okay, buggie. Y’know, if ya need t’ at any time, you can go home if yer really not feelin’ well. ‘ll jus’ get a ride from Myles or somethin.’ ‘d come with, o’course, but I can’t miss these meetings,” blinking hard, his words find a crack inside of me, but there’s too many to choose from. He really is the best, only reminding me that I somehow found the perfect man to be the father to my children. I wish happiness bloomed inside of me at that realization, but sadness only comes again to overwhelm any happiness that brought me. Breathing in, my throat feels scratchy. Silently, I tell him to leave before it starts again. “If ya need anythin’ jus’ text me and ‘ll see it on me watch, ‘ll be checkin.’ I hope you have a good rest o’ yer day and that you continue t’ feel better. Love you.”

My pause continues for seconds and seconds more. Longer than I had meant before I can speak without giving it away, “I love you too.” I force a small smile at him when he walks away, wondering why I can’t have all of that sunshine inside of me like he always does. The door closes softly behind him, and my returning sobs are even quieter. Darkness is all I see when I bury my face into my knees, hugging them against my chest. Seconds later, I think of the baby, and loosen my grip.

This is what it’s going to be like for the next nine months, isn’t it? The rest of my life? I’m going to catch myself thinking about them first.

Once it starts, I can’t stop. Have I had a drink in the last few weeks? No, thank God, no. Have I been eating healthy? Kind of. Have I been sleeping well? Hardly. Wait, does sex hurt the baby? Because Harry and I had been doing a lot of that. Well, no duh, Becky, that’s what got you here in the first place. Had I been lying on my stomach too much, and would that hurt it? Had I been around secondhand smoke? Shit, did I miss my vitamin this morning?

With each new tear and question, my cheeks become slick with them. The air disappears from my lungs and I fight for it, shocked again to remember that it’s not just me anymore. I’m not just living for me anymore, or Harry, but our baby, too.

“Hey, Becks, one mo’ thing. Di- Bug, what’s wrong? Are you alright?”

Shit. I had just wanted to be alone with my thoughts. And our baby. But, did I really want that?

“No, how could I be? I can’t stop thinking about it. If I’ve been eating good, if I had a drink lately, if sex hurts it- Harry,” sobbing his name had never hurt as much as so many other times. Missing him afar hurt but not as much as that night we broke up. God, why am I thinking about that stuff when I’m supposed to be happy? The reminder doesn’t will the tears anyway, it only makes me feel worse.

“Oh, Becks. C’mere,” his voice is molasses all over again, but it hasn’t strayed very far from it since he told me that we were going to be Mum and Dad. That we were going to have a baby. I still can’t even say it, and I don’t think that I have. Even then, I don’t think it’d be real. No, saying it would make it too real. I know it. “Shh, ‘s okay.”

“It’s not, Harry, I’m so scared. What about the wedding and my mentorship here with you, and-,” my words are choppy and drowning under tears, but he hears them. He hears me, like he always has. His soft touch pulling me to my feet and over to my sofa doesn’t stop the incessant thoughts being thrown around in my head.

I’ll have to stop working, won’t I? What about Harry? He can’t, he owns the firm with Myles, and together with Rose, they’re in charge of all of the nitty gritty. Hiring. Helping with payroll. All of the menial stuff assigned to keeping the lights and water running. Licenses. Meetings upon meetings. Then, there’s still being a lawyer. It won’t just stop if we have a baby, but how would that work, I-

“I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, Becks, but it will be. Promise. ‘s okay that yer scared, ‘s a lot t’ wrap yer head ‘round. I keep catchin’ myself thinking, ‘Hey, ‘m gonna be a dad with a bloody kid. ‘ll be changin’ nappies, makin’ bottles, and my whole life will revolve ‘round this tiny person all o’ a sudden.’ ‘ve only jus’ started t’ talk t’ me own dad again, so I dunno how t’ be one meself, but I know ‘ll figure it out. We have nine months t’ prepare, Becks, and we’ll learn as we go. T’gether. Please, don’t worry ‘bout tha weddin’, we can move it ‘round or do a civil ceremony at first, if we want. We’ll figure it out, and it’ll still be perfect. Nothin’ less fer me girl.”

Harry’s words do everything but comfort me. Instead, they do the very opposite, and I’m struggling for breaths. Sitting on his lap, pressed against his front, I couldn’t be closer to him. My thoughts only make me feel further away from him, because of what he said. I don’t even have a mum. No, not really, so how in the fuck can I be one? Mine was horrible to me, and set the worst example of what a good mum is. So, how will I know what to do? How can I be a good mother to our baby one day soon, then?

“Yer already a good mum t’ our baby, Rebecca, I can’t say that enough. You eat good and make sure I do, drink far mo’ water than I ever do, yer always careful, never f’get t’ take yer vitamins unlike me, and sex doesn’t hurt ‘em, bug. You take such good care o’ me, you have from tha beginnin’, and I know you will with our baby too. We’ll figure somethin’ out, if you wanna stay home with ‘em once they come, or if my Mum moved up and took care o’ em. ‘ll be home too loads, I bet I could even work from home most o’ tha time. Hey, will you look at me, please?” Obliging, my head heavy with multitudes of questions lifts. Blinking, more tears join the others as his face sharpens before me. “I wouldn’t have wanted kids with you if I knew you wouldn’t be a good mum. Buggie, I want loads o’ em with you, so if that tells you anythin’ ‘bout how wondaful o’ a mum I know you’ll be t’ our kids . . We’re gonna have a baby, and we’ll be alright. ‘Kay?”

“We’re . . ,” the same sentence begins on my lips, but it falters. His own urges me to breathe, and I focus on that while his fingers card through my hair. The green in his eyes is molten heaven when I look back. I hope that they have his eyes. “We’re gonna . . have a baby, Harry.”

“Ya, we are, Becks. Tha cutest baby in all tha world, and sweetest too,” he grins, his sunshine warming my face.

“And we’ll be alright.”

“Yes, we will, my love. ‘ll make sure o’ it,” he concludes, smushing his lips against my forehead where he sponges a kiss. A zing spreads from his lips, and with those words, I start to breathe again.

Maybe, we will be okay.

“And then what happened, Mum?” her almond shaped blue eyes stare up at me, hanging onto my every word.

Swallowing, the words I know I’ll have to say wad into a ball in my throat. She knew, she’d heard bits of this story at times, but I wonder how much she remembered.

“Spoiler alert, things weren’t okay.”

“How come?” the way a wrinkle forms between her dark eyebrows reminds me of somebody all too well.

“Are you sure you want to hear this, love? It gets kind of sad,” I warn her, combing her dark chocolate curls off of her face. They’re just like his. Only when she nods with confidence in her actions do I continue, despite wishing he was here to help me tell this part.

It wasn’t okay. No, it was the very opposite. I had wished things would get better, that this nightmare would turn out to be a dream come true, but it wasn’t. Not yet, anyways.

I wish that I knew how to talk to him. There had never been a time when I was afraid to speak to Harry, or when I didn’t know how to. No, not for a very long time, at least. It was impossible to count the number of times I had put my head in my hands from the litany of thoughts raging inside of it, or just from the aches it held for other related reasons. I didn’t know what to do, and I wish that I did. Tense couldn’t even cover it, how it felt between us the last few days since the news hit. I seriously considered driving separately to work today to avoid it, until realizing it probably would only stir the pot, inciting another row between Harry and me. With how much my head already throbbed from likely dehydration and my pounds of destructive thoughts, I opted out of that one.

Staring at my cell phone sitting beside my laptop, my chin falls into my hand with a huff. The dark screen stares back at me as I will it to ring, to ding, or just to do anything because of him.

No, not anything, Becky. If you wished that, you’d end up getting another one of his annoying texts asking if you’d tried eating again. How much water were you drinking? If you wanted anything from the break room, if he were there. No, you just wanted a hug from him. Becky, you wanted a text from him that was about anything other than the baby. Him sending you a song he thought you’d like, a funny meme, a recipe the both of you should try, or just a sweet text.

I thought my hard work had paid off when I hear the chiming of a ringtone, even if it was my office’s. Still holding out hope, I pick it up, chirping my usual greeting, “This is Becky.”

“Hi, love! It’s about time I got ahold of you,” at the sound of the voice, my heart plummets into my stomach. My hand in my hair turns into a claw, my scalp soon singing with mild pain.

My lips wobble, unknowing of what words to say, and what tone to take, “H-Hi, Mum.”

“That’s all you have to say?”

“I’m sorry, I-,” my beginning is rough, rooted in my tendency to people-please, just like I had always done with her. The phone begins to slip from my fingers clammy with a nervous sweat. Already. “Why are you calling me at work?” I almost say that same name again, the one word I’d always called her. It never felt real, like she was my mum, so why should I call her that? It never stopped being true though, that was just her name. No matter how much I hated her and that name, I could never stop it from being true.

“Because you weren’t answering your phone, silly! How have you been, Ree?” there’s a lift to her voice, the same one that drills an emptiness into my bones. It’s the one that she used to hide it all, in front of teachers, my friends’ parents, and anybody that she needed to use it with. It was the calm before the storm, the show she was trying to put on. The last thing I needed right now was another storm to come colliding with the one already raging a war inside of me. Through my life.

Closing my eyes, my thumb presses against my temple. No, you don’t get to call me that, M- Kate. I had been conflicted about wanting him all day long, but now, I needed him. How good he was at saving me.

“I can’t talk right now, I’m working. Can-.”

“You stand Robbie and me up the other day, and I have to hear from somebody else that you got engaged! I think that the least you can do, Rebecca, is to talk to your mother for a few goddamn minutes,” her retort finds the gap in the door I hadn’t been able to close ever since I saw that word on that test. That was when my world had gotten turned upside down, something I hadn’t been able to fix just yet. I realized that was even further away now when her words send my teeth down into my bottom lip, the taste of iron overpowering on my lips.

It had taken him so long to bring that name back, to drag it out of the closet and to dust it off, polishing it back up. Within seconds, she had broken it again, and I wished he could be there to fix it up. Because no, he was in court right now, I realized, and for the first time today, I told myself the truth about needing him. But he was angry with me, the one person I couldn’t stand being mad at me.

“You don’t get to call me that, or talk to me like that, I-,” my bravery is short-lived, but the blame isn’t dealt to me, it sits in her hands instead.

“No, Rebecca Ann Holte, you don’t get to talk to me, your mother, like that. You should be ashamed of yourself, I have wanted nothing more than to reconnect with my only daughter, and she can’t even return a message of mine,” her sigh is louder than mine, because that had always been the theme, hadn’t it? She always had been worse off than me, so I had no room to talk, she’d say. When she lost her job or my dad left her. It was always about her. “I hope to God you don’t become a mother one day, you are one of the rudest and ugliest people I know, so I can’t imagine how your kids would turn out. I mean it, you have one of the ugliest hearts, Rebecca. I can’t believe you’re my daughter. I have tried how many times with you to fix things, and you never give me the chance.”

That smell came, the one that fills you when the wetness floods your eyes. I smell them, painting my palm, most likely ruining my lazy attempt at makeup today. I thought I had felt empty before, but it shrinks in comparison to the hollowness that swims throughout me.

Climbing my throat, the arguments and refusals neared, despite not knowing if I believed them. I wish I did as I spoke them, “No, I will be a good mum one day, even if I never had one myself, because I would never treat my children the way you have always treated me, Kate. I don’t care anymore what you think of me, or my heart, because you speak from an ugly one yourself. I have never wanted to fix things with you, because you never change, can’t you see that?” they’re picking apart my voice now, weighing on close to every word, but I know I have a few more until they consume me all entirely. “You are not my mother, and I don’t want to ever see you again or speak to you for as long as I live. I don’t know how many times I’ve tried to tell you that and you don’t get it. This is the last time you ever will, because if you contact me again, or God forbid, my fiance, I promise that you will regret it because I’m a fucking lawyer and my soon to be husband is one as well, not to mention one of the most powerful ones in Britain. And my name is Rebecca Styles.”

It echoes, the clank of the phone hitting the holder after I slammed it down, ending the call. I don’t hear it for long, because the floodgates have opened, again. My lungs burn from lack of air, something I can’t seem to find as my entire body seizes with a sob, one word repeating over and over in my head. Lies. Lies. Lies. Ones that I tell myself, because I can’t help but believe her. Am I really sure that I could ever be a good mum? Then another starts, a new word incessantly filling my head.

“Harry.”

It was the furthest from okay, continuing with how I couldn’t stop throwing up, quite literally, and the way it made Harry sick himself with worry. Consequently, this could only lead to one thing, and that was me losing my patience, or lack thereof with him despite his good intentions.

“I think ya need t’ go and see yer doctor ‘bout this.”

“I don’t, Harry, morning sickness is normal,” I insist, plucking a K-Cup from the drawer. Suddenly, I remember and shove it back into the box, for the third time today. The jury was still out on whether or not to drink coffee while pregnant. More importantly, whether Daddy Harry who was doing all of the research and therefore breathing over my shoulder was okay with it. Not that I could keep it down, anyways, which was the ultimate winner. It still hadn’t gotten any easier, trying to figure out this new life of mine, and it was only Day 4 of it. I had wondered, time and time again just how long they had already been with us and we just didn’t know it.

“Ya, but this isn’t, Becks, and I think y’know it.”

“It’s fine, Harry. I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” shoving a mug onto the little stand, I avoid his gaze whilst watching the hot water spurt out of the machine.

“Ya never wanna talk ‘bout it when I bring it up lately. Not when we were at tha shops yest’day and I suggested lookin’ at baby clothes. Not when I asked ya when we should tell our families.” I don’t know how to respond, and so I play my favorite card, just like I’ve been doing lately. It’s called the Silence card, and Harry really hated that one, even more than the Only Nodding one. “You’ve hardly been able t’ keep any food down, love. Yer livin’ on crackers and ginger tea, that can’t be good fer you and tha baby.”

I didn’t mean to, but I still blinked hard when he said it, as if I needed a reminder it was there. A baby growing inside of me, the reason for all of this. Our baby.

“I’m fine, Harry.”

“I thought we were done lyin’ t’ each other, Becks. We’re gettin’ married soon, and now, we’re . . we’re startin’ a family,” he wasn’t a lawyer for no reason, and sometimes, I hated it. He used it to his advantage, his way with words and snappy comebacks. He knew where to hit and his aim was always spot on, but I didn’t like how he used it with me, too.

He was right, I wasn’t fine. I couldn’t be in the kitchen while he cooked without running to the loo to relieve myself. If I’m honest, I was getting sick of my diet of ginger ale and soda crackers. It was a party when some chicken broth or a bite of a banana would stay down, even though they never sounded good to me. Nothing did, not even the churros from Pedro’s, or our favorite muffin. Believe me, Harry had tried. It had grown old quickly how he had come to watch me eat, arguing with me to take just one more bite or another spoonful, even though we both knew that I would throw it up later.

It wasn’t just that. I was so exhausted, which I figured was mostly due to the lack of food thing. The only thing I was good at lately was sleeping. I could hardly stay awake past 7:30 pm anymore, and negotiated every extra minute of sleep in the morning that I could from Harry. Well, that was until I woke up at the ass crack of dawn to hang out with the toilet, again. Plus, my boobs hurt something fierce and Harry found out when he went to play with them the other day. Let’s just say, he’s not going to try that again after I almost bit his head off. Whoops.

“I am fine, and I don’t need to go and see a doctor, Harry. Let’s just give it a few more days, okay?” I sigh at last, removing the steaming mug from underneath the spout. Gulping, I dip the tea bag into the water, watching how spots of the water grow dark in places from it.

“Fine,” he retorts, leaving his spot beside me, slamming the door to the break room behind him.

Despite watching him do it, I jump in place. Forgetting the tea, it was too hot anyways, I follow him after a few moments. Doing my best to avoid prying eyes, I take a different way to his office, hoping I can try to calm down during the extra time. Arriving at his door, I found it was a blunder all entirely, because I can’t hold back the next words once I step into his office.

“Why are you being like this?”

“Why am I?” Harry spits back from behind his desk, lifting his head to look at me. He was wearing one of my favorite outfits of his today, the brown cheetah print shirt and tight black slacks, but it didn’t do anything to help our predicament. “Why are you, Becks? Huh? This ‘s s’posed t’ be tha happiest time o’ our lives, and yer bein’ like this.”

There it is again, his way with words, the stabbing ones. My sights on him falters, eyes falling to the floor before I look back to him. “How am I being then?”

“Yer bein’ selfish,” he almost shouts, but he doesn’t need to. He’s never had to, because he can achieve all of the disdain and hurt without the added volume. “We’re having a baby, Becks, we’ve always spoken ‘bout wantin’ kids. Now, we are, and yer actin’ like . . like you don’t want our baby.”

“I never said that,” my voice is quiet, and unconvincing. The both of us know it, despite my half-lie. The one I had been so afraid for him to find out, and suddenly, I feel sick all over again.

“You didn’t need t’, I know it,” it works for him, the soft voice. You’d think that tone would be reserved for gentleness, but no, it’s not. I hate that about him, how he can turn like a whip, but can’t we all? “And God, Becks, ya won’t shut up ‘bout tha wedding. Why can’t we jus’ have a bloody civil ceremony first? Tha whole thing ‘s t’ get married - exchange vows and become husband and wife. We don’t need all tha fancy dresses, food, and a party at first. It can wait, Becks, until after tha baby ‘s here. Or we can whip up somethin’ t’ have this Winter . . but yer already shakin’ yer head ‘cos you hate that idea. Fuck, can I do anythin’ right fer you lately?”

“Harry,” I begin in a tone leaking with an apology that I don’t know how to say. “I’m going through a lot right now.”

“I know, love, we both are. Our lives have changed already in tha last few days ‘cos o’ this, but ‘s jus’ a wedding, Becks. I wanna marry you, but right now I don’t care ‘bout a cake, tuxes, and what fuckin’ song we walk down tha aisle t.’ All I care ‘bout right now is tha fact we’re havin’ a baby and ‘m so excited . . . but I wish you were too. They’re gonna be here in nine months whether we like it or not, and I think you need t’ learn how to like it. I jus’-,” he cuts himself off with a hand pressed to his mouth, cutting eye contact.

“What? You were going to say something else,” I continue, but he won’t, refusing to with a shake of his head. “Say it, Harry.”

“I jus’ can’t believe you, yer like a completely different person since we found out ‘bout tha baby.”

“I’m a different person, huh? I take it you mean that in a bad way, am I right?” I don’t know where it comes from, but bravery finds me, and the words come spilling out. “I just found out that I’m pregnant, Harry, that I’m growing a human being inside of me. I have to share my body, and make sure that I’m making the right choices every second. I have to protect it, feed it, get enough sleep, take the right vitamins, eat the right foods, and try not to be too stressed out. But, hey, I already messed up on that one. I didn’t ask for this and I’m scared, so yeah, maybe I’m a different person. You know what? So are you, and I don’t like it. I’m trying my best, and I hate how it’s never enough for you, this new you . . Forget about going out to dinner tonight, I don’t want to be around you right now, you’re- ugh, you’re so overwhelming, Harry.”

It was a question I couldn’t answer - whether I had been honest with myself lately, or lied to myself more than ever before. It was clear as day and I couldn’t lie about this one, the look on his face when I blinked and saw it all register with him.

“Fine. Forgive me fer fuckin’ carin’ ‘bout you and our unborn baby, Becks. ‘m rather sick o’ bein’ ‘round you too when yer like this, so go and have a good night. Lemme know when yer done bein’ selfish, and when yer ready t’ be a family t’gether. I have t’ go t’ court now,” if there were words of Harry’s that I’d always remember, somehow these had become some of them. They rang in my ears long after he had stormed out of his office, and I had escaped to mine with tears already staining my cheeks.

What in the fuck have I done now?

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eris-builds-a-world · 3 years ago

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OC-tober Day 3: Duel

Prompt list by @oc-growth-and-development

Duel between Ever (she/her) and Kori (he/him). They’re both about 17 years old. Futuristic setting, where they are part of an elite mission on a distant planet.

Warnings for violence against both characters, swearing, and use of weapons.

***

“Fight me!” Ever screamed, making another lunge at the boy in front of her.

Kori backed away, panic rising in his circuits. Ever clearly wasn’t giving up on this. The girl had worked herself into a frenzy, and despite his best efforts, Kori couldn’t think of a way to talk her down.

“What is that going to prove?” he asked, his volume rising louder than intended. He dodged another of her blows, but she responded with a quick kick to his chestplate. “Either you win, and my siblings--” he rocketed back several feet, avoiding a kick to his face “--aren’t very good at designing protective casings. Or I win, because I have literal iron bars for bones! I don’t want to hurt you!”

The girl didn’t let up at his warnings, but raced toward him for another punch.

“Coward!” she hollered, her voice cracking. “Cheater!” A flurry of punches, and then her foot slammed down on his boot, sinking him slightly into the ground. Although the air was thick, the sand around them was billowing up from Kori’s earlier propulsion.

This close, Kori could see pure hatred in Ever’s eyes. Pink and blue strands of hair stuck to the sweat on her forehead, and Kori tried not to look at the spit forming around her mouth.

“You cheat death and leave the rest of us to starve!” Kori thought her shouting was unnecessary, as they were standing face to face, but she continued, her contempt lifting up to the skies. “You will never be a person, you’re nothing but scrap metal. You should have stayed six feet under like you belong!”

As gingerly as he could, Kori caught her hands in his own, keeping her from throwing more blows. She yanked back, but his grip held firm. He thought about lifting her by her hands and flying them back to base as they were. The purple bruises around her wrists gave him second thoughts, though. He worried her earlier punches may have caused broken bones, and lifting her like this might lead to more damage.

His indecision gave her the opening she needed. With all her might she kicked at his knee, trying to bend it backwards. Kori stumbled, releasing his grip, and in the time it took to blink, the girl had pulled a knife out of who-knows-where and was jabbing it at his face.

Kori threw a hand up in defense and soon found it punctured, the end of the knife sticking through his hand. He was sure he saw Ever’s lips curl in satisfaction. A quick assessment told him the hydraulics in his hand would need to be repaired.

The next minute was a flurry of sand and dirt, Ever continuing her attacks and Kori deflecting. When Kori had Ever soundly knocked to the ground, he flew into the air, getting more distance between them. But when the dust settled, she was no longer lying in the sand as he expected.

A flash of blue hair ducked behind their dune buggy, and Kori dodged away before a taser blast made impact with his midsection. He cautiously descended so he wouldn’t have to shout as loud.

“This is pointless,” he told her. “Isn’t it good? Shouldn’t families be reunited if they can? I’m not a machine. Or...I mean, I am, but I’m not replacing a person. I just have...prosthetics.” He gestured to her and the empty supply route they had been traveling along. “You’re just angry at everything, and you’re getting yourself hurt.”

Several taser blasts shot toward him. He had to admire her aim, because despite his trajectory tracking, she managed to clip his hip. For a moment, his world went dark and he plummeted to meet the ground. When he regained his sight, Ever was standing on his wrists, her rifle pointed at his head.

“Reunited?” The word dripped like poison. “Like anyone cares about reuniting families if there’s no money in it. I think I have a right to be angry!” Now the rifle was at his throat. “No one seemed to care about reuniting families when they decided my land was expendable! Where were all the medical teams and body upgrades for us? News flash, there are still actual people planet-side, trying to survive wars.”

Some quick math told him yes, he could flip Ever off of him before she took her next shot. Her rant continued, and he waited for the best timing.

“But you?! You beef it and everyone rushes to mop you up and turn you into a machine. No one deserves to be immortal, least of all some pampered satellite bastard like you!”

Kori stiffened at that. The idea that his life had any correlation to the word pampered was laughable. He hadn’t known what her life was like on Earth, so yeah, he didn’t blame her for going ballistic. But she clearly had no idea what his life was like either. He figured blowing off some steam wasn’t a bad idea after all.

“Fine, you want to do this?” he snarled back, trying his best to make his face plates look aggressive. “No one’s here to stop us. If you’re that angry, hit me like you mean it.” And he flung her into the air.

Her rifle shot went wide, but she kept a tight grip on the firearm while she landed unsteadily on her feet.

Kori (mostly) no longer held back, trading blow for blow, and trying to knock the rifle from her arms when he had the chance. Her knife made a comeback, and he wasn’t even sure where she was keeping that! In a matter of minutes, scorch marks spattered the ground. Kori propelled into the air just to get a break from her rage, but she latched on, and soon they were both several stories in the air. Shit, he didn’t want to accidentally drop her and kill her.

But she didn’t seem phased by the risk of falling, and the close proximity only fueled her on, giving her a chance to try to stab her knife under his shoulder blade.

As the two came crashing down to the ground, Kori made a mental note to apologize to her later for the likelihood of giving her more broken bones. The fall only mildly slowed her frenzy, and she was back on him in a flash. She was pulling at ears and joints, anything she could find purchase on. Kori was certain if she found a way inside his casing, she would dismantle him then and there.

So he punched her. Really punched her, and she fell several feet back. The sand dug into her limbs and face, but when they locked eyes, Kori saw her grinning wildly. Like, an actual smile. Which would have been amazing if it wasn’t so terrifying.

Ever lunging back at her opponent, and Kori found his shoulder trapped in a hold as Ever twisted his arm around her own arm and leg. In her pained state, she put all her strength into pulling his shoulder apart; which she was quickly succeeding at. Kori could feel the metal arm separating from its socket, wires stretched to their limit and fraying. He was going to lose his arm, not to an alien invasion, but to an upset teammate.

“Okay, ow. Ow!” Kori scrambled to push her off from him, but she wasn’t relenting. “Stop already! Ow!” Kori squealed.

And then she let go.

They sat on the ground staring at each other. Kori counted 11 agonizing seconds. Ever’s sweat had turned the sand on her body into mud, which was caked on her clothes and certainly getting trapped in the open wounds she had received. Kori’s hand was leaking an undisclosed fluid.

“That really hurt? You weren’t just faking?” Ever asked. Kori noticed her arm was shaking, though her fist tightened its grip on her knife.

“Duh, you were trying to rip my arm off!”

Ever huffed. “Nearly succeeded too, if you weren’t such a baby.” She was quiet for a beat. Then she let out a war cry loud enough Kori was certain homebase could hear it. As her voice quieted, Kori thought she was actually laughing.

“Thanks, bolts-for-brains. I needed that. You would think if you’re supposed to be some superweapon, they would make you out of thicker stuff. Remind me not to depend on you for life-and-death situations.”

For awhile, the only sound was her labored breathing and a metallic grinding, like gears out of synch.

“I guess we should...head back to camp?” Kori suggested. Ever nodded. He noted that the girl made no attempt to stand up.

“If you need, I could carry you,” he offered.

“Hell no.” She climbed to her feet, trying and failing to hide a grimace. “Though I guess if you use your rocket boots, I won’t try to stab you if we...hold onto each other and fly back. It might make you actually useful for once.”

“About that,” Kori countered. “You cut the fuel line when you were stabbing my leg. Rocket engines are out of commission.”

“Ha!” Ever shouted. “I’m proved right once again! You heard it here, sand scum, robots are completely useless!”

And so they began the tedious journey back. Kori eyed his human companion. Her hands were...well, “mangled” was the best description Kori could find. He was sure the team would put her in double casts for the foreseeable future. And Kori didn’t even want to think about what Zed would do when he saw Kori’s shoulder...and fuel line...and shielding...and hand.

Stealing another glance at Ever, he was pretty sure she walked with a proud swagger after the damage she had done to him. Or maybe that was just a limp.

#ocs #my stuff #oc-tober #oc-tober 2021 #my writing #writers on tumblr #scifi #futurists #ever #kori #android #robots

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factual-fantasy · 4 years ago

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20 more asks! ♡٩(●ᴗ●)۶♡

Well.. I don’t know, there’s plenty of kinds of candy that I’ve never liked.

I don’t like butterfingers, I don’t like snickers, jelly beans or most licorice.. But if I had to come out and say one specifically, I really don’t like butter fingers. The taste is fine, its the nasty texture that gets to me. ( >﹏<;)

I asked around to a few family members and got 9s and 10s out of 10. I myself think I go above and beyond to imagine and build up every little tiny detail to my stories so.. 10/10 I suppose? <:D

Hmm.. I think I’m going to put this ask into 3 category's.

1. Who likes candy corn?

U.M.Dragster

Jeepy

White Truck

Green Truck

2. Who would eat some of it if it was given to them, but would not buy it with their own money?

Brown Suburban

Beluga

Ranger

Miata

Escort

Vega

3. Doesn’t like candy corn.

Red Van

A.T.Dragster

Suburban

Honda

Unique category's.

Volvo doesn’t eat candy and has never tried it. But he would like it if he did.

Bash Buggy also doesn’t eat candy. But if he tried it he probably wouldn’t like it too much.. He’d eat some of it if someone offered it to him though.

1. I’ve watched all the Bayverse movies and the Bumblebee movie. I liked them a lot. :} However I am not into, nor have I seen any other adaptions other than Prime..

2. Hoo boy, here we go. XD

Suburban is a literal beast in the snow. The best of the best. The snow is no trouble at all and the cold never bothered him anyway. He may not like the snow all that much because it makes him wet and a little cold.. but he certainly doesn’t hate it and will play in it with the kids if they want him too. He also never passes up the opportunity to have a snowball fight or build a snowman.

Miata really struggles with handling the cold physically, because she’s so small, light, and rear wheel drive.. but she really does enjoy it. She likes to help the kids build giant snow men and loves making snow angels, she doesn’t mind the cold or snow at all.

Escort? Uhg. The cold isn’t enough to shut him down, but it sure darn FEELS like it. I mean sure, okay, he’s front wheel drive so actually driving in the snow and cold is fine.. buuut, if he stops moving? Its game over. He’ll start shaking and sputtering and pretty soon he’ll shut down. He does like to hang out with the kids sometimes, although normally the cold nips at him enough that he doesn’t go outside.

Brown Suburban isn’t a big fan of snow because his body struggles to start up enough already, having the cold on top of it makes it just that much harder. But honestly its not too bad. He’s heavy enough that he can drive through snow decently so that’s a plus. However, his starting up issues with snow aside, he does actually like snowball fights. One time, it was Jeepy, Wheeljack, Suburban and Bulkhead vs Brown Suburban. Brown Suburban won. The goal was to knock your opponent down.

U.M.Dragster and his sister H A T E the cold with a burning passion... heh, burning, anyway. They just.. cant handle it at all. Like, not at all. Their joints lock up and they just shut down. One time, they both sat at the entrance of the base huddled up together and watching everyone else.. When A.T suddenly froze up and just fell over. They’re sad that they cant join everyone else. But they’re just too thin, the cold gets right under their plating and freezes their cores. <:{

Green Truck struggles with cold and snow, he really does. He’s old and has a bad shivering problem. His alt form is also a truck, meaning he’s light and doesn't get good traction in the snow and ice. Now if the kiddos want him to, he’ll go out and play with them. But otherwise he really isn’t a fan and would rather be cooped up in the base where its warm and dry.

Vega? Heck nah he don’t like the cold or snow! You kidding?? Vega is a total base hermit. Because of his age, his body really doesn't handle cold well at all, despite the size of his engine. He normally doesn’t leave the base when its cold. But in all honesty? He’s a big ol’ softie when it comes to kids. If they catch him in a decent mood he’ll go outside and endure the conditions to hang out with them.

Red Van would usually be pretty good all around when it comes to handling the cold and snow.. if it wasn't for her knees. Because of the damage they have sustained, she cant really go out in the snow all that much. The internal wiring in her knees is mostly exposed and it doesn’t react to cold well, making her sore and achy. She usually just spends her time huddled up in the base with heated straps wrapped around her legs.. <:{

White Truck is, well, a not-so-strong truck. So driving in the snow is pretty difficult. He’s decent with handling the cold and doesn’t mind goofing around with the kiddos in the cold, but I don't think he’d really want to go out on his own in it.

Beluga is pretty good at handling both and likes to goof around in the snow with the kids. She doesn't mind the cold or the wetness so honestly the winter months are no problem for her. She actually probably enjoys the winter months more than any of the others do.

Honda is mostly fine handling the cold and snow, but she’s not exactly a fan. She’ll goof around in the snow if the kids want her too, but she won’t go out on her own.

Ranger can handle the cold just fine, but being a truck an all.. driving through the snow is a little difficult at times. She’s a softie at her core but is usually not persuaded to go outside and play unless a lot of older bots are out there too. She doesn’t like to go out in the snow but she likes to keep an eye on her team when a lot of them are out in cold conditions.

Volvo can handle the cold very well because he’s so dense. His arms, legs, chest, back and every where else has many, many layers of metal. That doesn’t mean he likes it though. Driving wise he’s fine and temperature wise he’s fine, but he just doesn't like getting wet. He also has no time for “snowball fights” and “building snowmen” and what not. He’s a base hermit when it snow comes to that’s for sure.

The cold nips at Jeepy a little bit, but boy is the snow fun. Drivin, slidin, ridin, all of it is just a blast for him. He doesn’t mind the cold one bit while he’s ripping around and having fun.

Bash Buggy might just be the worst in the snow. Bash is basically 100% blind because snow screws up all 3 of his vision modes. Everything and everyone is cold and wet, so thermal doesn’t work. Grid cant latch on to the shapes around him because everything is round and the same color. And then Night vision doesn't work in the day time anyway, but the snow makes it worse none the less. His body is so severely stripped of his armor and insulation, that the cold just... uhhg, it just eats him up. His body tries so hard to keep him warm that he looses all of his energy being in it. He hates this. All of it. He just wants to be outside and hang out with his buddies, but.. he just cant. It’d probably kill him to be out there too long, so he’s stuck just being a base hermit all winter. <:{

♡♡Winterrrr~~~~♡♡ mmmm snooooowww ♡♡~~~ ♡(*´ o `*)♡ The season I was born in~~♡♡

Sadly it doesn’t snow much where I live, and when it does its only around for like 3 days. ╥﹏╥

And yes it makes me happy! I love getting asks, of all kinds! (excluding mean ones of course XD)

I like Alfred Pennyworth more, but Batman is cool too. :}

WHEEZE I-- BRuH, this is the best thing ever! XD I don’t know how quickly Doritos burst into flames but lets just pretend its pretty fast.

Escort and Vega are huddled up in a corner of the base in front of the only tiny space heater they have. They’re both shivering and quietly chatting when, I feel like Jeepy, comes up to them with this giant box.

“Is that heater helping at all?“ Jeepy asks genuinely and worried.

They pause for a moment, but then Vega shrugs and Escort makes a face and shakes his head. Jeepy then grins from ear to ear.

“WELL!“ He says kicking the heater aside and pouring out the contents of the box into the floor in front of them. Out of the box came several hundred bags of Dorito chips.

“What are..“ Escort starts. But Jeepy is already grabbing a blowtorch out of no where and attempting to light the Doritos on fire. The Doritos quickly burst into flames, causing immediate panic.

Escort quickly pulls Vega up from the ground and they dip. Ratchet and the other medics start freaking out. Everyone scatters and are scrambling to find the kids and a way to put out the fire. Brown suburban scoops up Jeepy and gets him away from the fire while other bots manage to find all three kids.

Someone manages to stomp out the fire, maybe Ranger. After assuring no one was hurt and everyone is okay, they just look at Jeepy like?? WhY did you do that?? Jeepy’s like a clueless kid and was like, “Well they were cold and I heard these things were flammable soo...?”

Sigh, Jeepy’s got a few screws loose but they love him anyway. XD

Replace “Blue Suburban’s” with “my” and you just quoted Suburban.

Hmmm... Well lets see.. maybe like, if they wore clothes, what you be their iconic clothing of choice? Hmm..

Miata would have a lanyard of some kind, not sure what design it would have but I think it would be black and grey.

Escort would probably have a thin black jacket that doesn’t have a zipper. He’d wear all the time, even in summer. Its just enough to keep the chill off of him but not enough to make him overheat.

Brown Suburban would have a poorly made bracelet made of pony beads that he wears everywhere. He never talks about it and no one knows where he got it. As far as anyone knows, he doesn’t have any children..

U.M.Dragster and his sister would probably have bracelets too. Mostly likely matching ones that are souvenirs from the races.

Vega would have an old black leather baseball cap that he wears everywhere.

White Truck would have a pair of black flip flops that he wears all the time.

Beluga wouldn’t have an article of clothing, she’d have a galaxy print backpack that she takes with her when ever she has the chance.

Honda doesn’t have an article of clothing that she wears all year round. But she does have a scarf that she wears every day of winter and fall

Jeepy would have some kind of beanie that he wears all year round.

Bash Buggy might have some really small article of clothing. Like a small piece of torn fabric that he keeps in his wallet. It would be a piece of a shirt or something that he had a sentimental connection to before it was destroyed. He keeps it with him at all times, its his way of coping with the past and keeping a piece of his memories with him.

I’m not sure about the rest of them. They may have something too but I cant really think of anything..

Cat people?

Escort Brown Suburban A.T.Dragster Honda Beluga

Dog People?

Green Truck Suburban U.M.Dragster Red Van White Truck Bash Buggy Jeepy

Doesn’t like animals?

Volvo Vega

Bird people?

Miata.

Fish people?

Ranger

It would probably be Suburban. He’s very gentle with humans and would be very careful if he picked me up.

I’d probably freak out a little being that high up in the air, but I know that Suburban would keep me safe.

For some reason, that felt super weird to type out.

Hmm.. lets say you said you loved him romantically.

If you managed to convince him, he’d go pretty quiet. Just looking from side to side and thinking.. He’d be fidgeting with his hands and look like he’s trying to say something but cant form the words.

“D-Do you really?“ He’d ask. If you said yes with certainty.. he’d begin to tear up.

“..Y-You can do better.. you c-can so much better than me..”

He’d probably begin to cry. “You d-deserve so much better than me..”

Hmm... a certain funny or weird ask?.. Hm.. Well, I’m not sure about funny or weird, but this ask? 👇

Was very well worded and S T U N G. I’ve been thinking about it recently. I really need to replace those windows, Suburban didn’t deserve that.

Yeah, they’ve both lost a lot and unfortunately relate to each other in that regard. Miata has a big heart, and seeing someone so sad and alone just really made her sad. She wanted to talk to him to try and make him feel better, but she ended up actually becoming good friends with him. He’s even her mentor now actually. :}

You missed it? :} Its about time I backed away from the red and eased my way into the blue~

I figure I should probably clear this up real quick. Miata is single too, but I said she isn’t because she just got out of a relationship with the Decepticon Zippy. So she’s not looking for love at the moment.

As for Volvo, good luck. Legit, even I don’t know what it would take to woo him, and I MADE him for crying out loud!!

Ah my name, Factual Fantasy. I was wondering when I’d get this question. Fair warning, long explanation pending.

So you see, I have this thing I like to do with my drawings and stories. I like to incorporate truths and facts into them. I like things to function realistically, and have an explanation for everything. I’ll give you some examples.

Lets say there’s this show, and due to the storyline there's a polar bear guy that spends most of his time in warm water and in the sun. The show never addresses the fact that this would kill the polar bear due to his blubber and two layers of fur making him overheat and die.

So, how can I make this work? How can a polar bear survive comfortably in warm climates? How about this, he shaves his fur down as short as he can possibly go. So that way his winter coat is thinned out greatly and he can at least decently handle most warm weather? That’s a good explanation for something that doesn't make sense.

How about another example?

I want Gaster to be Sans and Papyrus’s dad in my AU, but there’s a lot that needs explaining. Why does Sans and Papyrus look so extremely different in so many different ways if they’re brothers? How could they have been born if there are no other skeletons to speak of in the game? Well, how about this.

Gaster wanted kids, but no longer had his wife. So he turned to science and cut a hole out of his left hand to take its DNA. He does lots of experiments on the bone piece and manages to make Sans from it. Unfortunately a lot of mistakes happened along the way which messed up Sans’s body pretty bad. Sans’s growth was messed up and he stopped growing at age 15. His magic is unstable and comes out in strong bursts when he attempts to use it.

After Sans was successful he tried again with the other hand and made Papyrus. Papyrus was made with way fewer mistakes and thus, Papyrus grew up normally and resembles his father.

This would explain where they came from and how Gaster could be their dad without the presence of a mom. This would explain why Sans looks so different from Paps and Gaster as well. It could also be the reason why Sans never usually uses his powers much. Not just because he’s lazy, but because its dangerous too.

How about one more example.. just in case..

Okay. Lets say I want to make an AU where Stanley has Bills powers but doesn't know it. How can I make that make sense? How can Stan have powers but not know it?

So I think okay, first, the powers. I want him to have Bills powers but I want Bill to be dead, So, Instead of Bill being erased, I make it that the memory gun shattered him. Making Bill dead, but his pieces remain. Giving Stanley his powers. That’s reasonable, that makes sense.

Now, how can he not know that he has these powers? Well, perhaps he only has some of Bills pieces. Maybe Bill was shattered so severely that most of him is just dust, while some of his pieces remain mostly intact. So this could mean his powers aren’t as strong and don’t really show up. So if he cant really see or feel his powers, he wouldn't know he has them.

Okay. Now of course, sooner or later Stan is going to accidentally use them right? How can he still not know he has them after he uses them? Well what if Bills activated powers + Stanley’s Human mind = black outs? Like, his mind cant handle the power so the power just takes over him, making him black out. So he uses his power, blacks out and then comes back to himself and doesn't remember anything.

Well what about Ford? Ford would surly be around Stan when he uses his powers and remember them right? Well, what if the only times that Stan’s power has flared up strong enough to become visible was when Ford has been attacked and knocked unconscious? That way, both twins black out when the powers are used and neither of them remember it. Simple!

I took a crazy unreasonable world and made it all makes sense. It all has an explanation, an answer, facts that connect it to a realistic build. I always build my worlds on facts and reasons. Another good example is my Transformer OCs. Nearly everything about them is something related to the real cars, just shifted a little bit. Vega’s overheating, Red Vans knees, Escorts heart attack, Green Trucks leg, Bash Buggy’s blindness, the Dragsters being siblings, etc, etc, etc.

Do you get the picture..? I like to explain things. Put facts into my fiction. Make things and characters feel more real and connected to reality on a different level.

I like to, and always have, added reasoning and facts to my fantasies.

Factual, Fantasy.

#my response #transformers #transformers prime #transformer ocs

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sams-sass · 4 years ago

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Cursed Pt. 6-Final

GIF not mine

Hello!!!! Here is the final part to Cursed. Thank you so much for all the love for this series. I loved writing it. Let me know if you want an epilogue.

Read Parts One through Five here:

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Summary: Wedding bells are ringing

Characters: You, Sam, Dean, Cas, Jodi, Donna, Claire, Alex

Parings: Sam x Reader

Warnings: Language, Foreplay (kinda), Fluff, Fluff, Fluff

Y/D/N: Your daughters name

Y/S/C: Your skin color

Y/H/C: Your hair color

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

18 Months Later

“Will you just sit still!” Claire said as she brushed blush across your cheek. You smiled and leaned back into the chair, closing your eyes and letting her take over. Your Backstreet Boys greatest hits CD was playing in your bedroom's background that you, Claire, Alex, Donna, and Jodi were all getting ready in. Your hair was rolled into curlers, a glass of champagne sat next to you on the dresser, and all of your dresses were hanging in the closet. Alex was in a chair on your left; her delicate hands painted your nails, she sang along to the music softly. Jodi and Donna were already on their third glass of champagne; they were laughing about god knows what behind you.

“Are you nervous?” Alex asked you, looking up at you. You took a deep inhale and smiled a small and soft smile.

“I mean, yeah…” You started. “I’m nervous because this is big, like huge, and it’s just a lot to process, but I love Sam so fucking much. I am in no way nervous about marrying Sam.” Alex gave your fingers a squeeze and got up to put her dress on.

“Open your mouth slightly,” Claire instructed; you parted your lips instantly. She ran the red lip stain over your lips, holding your chin slightly. She leaned back at the same time you opened your eyes; her face was scrunched slightly.

“What? Is it bad?” You asked, turning to look in the mirror and stopped in your tracks. Claire had added just enough to highlight your natural features while still making you look different than you did every other day. You turned to her and nodded in approval. She gave you a small smile and went to put her dress on. Alex stood behind you and began to remove the curlers from your hair. You all jumped at the bang from the door opening.

“Not yet!” You heard Cas say as he fell through the doorway, his arms flailing. Your daughter busted into the room; she ran in circles around Cas while he tried desperately to catch her. You heard Claire snicker next to you, and then you all fell into laughter at the scene before you.

“Mommy!” She screamed as she raced towards you. You lifted her up onto your lap, and she immediately wrapped her little arms around your neck.

“Hey, buggy.” You said, kissing her temple and running your hand down her hair. She looked at you and gave you a smile, showing off her dimples. She had Y/S/C and Y/H/C hair that fell in loose curls down her back. Her almond-shaped eyes were the same ever-changing hazel shade as Sam’s; they sat above her high cheekbones. She was a perfect mix of you and Sam, and it melted your heart.

“I’m sorry, Y/N, she woke from her nap and just took off.” Cas apologized, walking towards you.

“No problem, Cas, we should probably get our dresses on. Thanks for watching her.” You smiled at him as you spoke; his shoulders fell as relief flooded him.

“Right, well, I will leave you to it.” He said, walking towards the door; he paused and turned back to you. “You look beautiful. You all do.” He said, turning the knob and stepping into the hallway, closing the door behind him. You looked at your daughter and placed her on the floor; you stood up and grabbed a snack for her from on top of the dresser.

“Here, baby, have this while mommy gets dressed, and then we will get you dressed.” She grabbed the snack and sat down on the floor to eat. You sat back down in the chair, and Alex got back to work taking out the curlers. She pulled out the sections and ran her fingers through them to fold the curls into each other. Then she gathered the top half, pulled it back into a mess of curls, and secured it with a flower pin. You stood and turned to take off your robe. Jodi stood in front of you with your dress open for you to step into. Donna zipped the back and ran her hands over the fabric to make sure it laid flat across your skin. You turned and looked in the mirror. Your heart rate picked up slightly as you looked at this gorgeous bride looking back at you.

“You look amazing,” Jodi said, placing a hand on your shoulder.

“Thank you. Thank you all so much.” You smiled at all of them as you turned around. Alex stepped over to Y/D/N and wiped her hands and face with a cloth before helping her remove her clothes. You picked up her dressed and unzipped it before you crouched down in front of her. “Here, buggy, let's get you dressed.” You helped her into her dress and zipped up the back.

“Pwincess!” She said, grabbing the sides of her dress and twisting back and forth.

“Yes, you are the most beautiful princess in all the land! And every princess needs a crown.” You said, grabbing a flower crown off the dresser and placing it on her head, pinning it with bobby pins. She smiled at you and giggled, touching the crown slightly. You stood and took her small hand in yours, grabbing your bouquet with your other hand. There was a knock on the door, and you knew it was time.

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

Sam ran his hands through his hair again as he paced back and forth.

“Dude, sit still. You're making me nervous,” Dean said, grabbing hold of his brother's shoulders and looking into his eyes.

“Sorry, right, yeah. I just…well, I’m just so fucking happy. I love Y/N so much, and we have made this beautiful little life together, and now…well, now I’m going to marry her. I am going to be her husband; I’m going to get to call her my wife. I’m just so happy, and I have all this nervous energy in me because this is big like this is a big moment, and I don’t know what to do with all of it, hence the pacing.” The words tumbled out of Sam’s mouth; his breath was coming in large and heavy breaths. His dimples were showing from when he smiled in between words, and his eyes were swimming with amazement. Dean let a small breath, and then his features softened as a smile broke across his face.

“You deserve this. Sammy. You two deserve to have a family and a life; you deserve happiness. You almost lost her, and I saw you do whatever you could; I watched you take care of her like she was the most important person on this planet. You two deserve all of this, you guys are perfect together, and I am so happy for you. Also, thank you for giving me the most beautiful niece in the world that I can spoil rotten when you guys don’t know.” Dean laughed lightly. He was horrible, letting her eat whole candy bars, sleep in his bed when you were practically begging her to sleep in her own bed, throw her veggies on the floor at dinner.

“We always know.” Sam cracked back, the two of them falling into a fit of laughter. They heard a bang and then some talking and laughing before Cas opened the door; he looked out of breath. He leaned slightly against the door and took a deep breath.

“Y/D/N.” He said as an explanation.

“Ah.” Sam and Dean said in unison, knowing fully what he meant.

“It's time,” Cas said, nodding at Sam. Sam nodded back and grabbed Dean’s shoulder, and pulled him into a tight hug.

“See you out there,” Dean said as they pulled away. Sam and Cas went outside and walked into the woods. They took the path to the pond and came upon the scene of your wedding. There were a few chairs for the hunters attending, most of them already there and seated. Sam got caught in the decorations for a moment, his pace slowing. The trees were lined with white mesh fabric that wrapped around the tops of hanging lights, creating a whimsical look in the forest. An archway sat in the grass right before the pond; it was wooden and had flowers placed all over it. Across from the pond was a small field where Dean, Cas, and Sam had put up a tent and built a dance floor. Dean had set up a bar, and Claire and Alex had hung more lights from the posts. There were candles everywhere, on the dance floor, leading up the aisle, in the archway, across the bar. It was beautiful. Sam and Cas took their respective places at the archway and waited. Jodi and Donna were the last to join the crowd, taking their seats and holding back their unshed tears. The music started, Claire and Alex followed Y/D/N down the aisle. She was practically running with her basket and throwing flowers in every direction, giggling happily.

“Daddy!” She screamed when she saw Sam, and the crowd gave a collective laugh. Claire lifted her into her arms and placed her on her lap as they took their seats. Dusk was beginning to descend upon the woods making the diffused sun rays come through the branches. The sky was painted with pink, orange, and purple watercolors against the stark contrast of the dark trees. You walked into view, and Sam thought he might faint. All the air left his lungs, and his chest tightened. He swallowed and licked his lips, feeling all the moisture leave his mouth and everything faded around him. He couldn’t see anything else but you, couldn’t hear anything else but your laugh, you were perfect. Sam had to collect himself for a moment and wipe the sweat from his forehead. He finally was able to breathe again, and he touched his chest, feeling his heart stop.

Your hand was folded into Dean’s elbow as you started to walk. The decorations were amazing; you were distracted for a moment until you saw him. The moment his hazel eyes connected with yours, everything else fell away. You couldn’t hear the music, couldn’t see anyone else but him. Your breath came out as a shaky laugh as you and Dean approached the archway. Dean pulled you into a hug, kissing your temple before he took his place next to Sam. His hands took yours; his skin was so soft and warm against yours, it helped pull you back into the present. You licked your lips, finding your mouth suddenly dry as your heart was pounding in your chest. You were drawn out of your daze by Cas saying your name.

“Y/N, repeat after me.” You repeated the vows after Cas said them, never taking your eyes off Sam. You two exchanged rings and immediately grabbed each other’s hands again. “I now pronounce you husband and wife; you may kiss the bride,” Cas said with a smile. You practically jumped on Sam, your arms flying around his neck. He pulled you to him and lifted you off the ground slightly. You laughed against his mouth, his hand coming to twist in your hair. It was then you heard the clapping and cheering coming from around you. Sam placed you down on the ground, and you turned to face your family and friends. Y/D/N ran over to the two of you, and Sam lifted her into his arms, cuddling her against his chest.

“I love you.” He said, turning to you and wrapping one arm around your shoulders.

“I love you too.” You said, looking up at him.

“I give you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Winchester!” Cas said behind you, and the applause ramped up again as you and Sam walked down the aisle and over to the tent. Everyone followed you to the tent, Sam handed your daughter to Dean, and you two took the floor. Your song started, and Sam wrapped you into him; you gladly let your body melt into his. The two of you swayed to the music, getting lost in each other again. Slowly people started to join; Dean and Donna were first. Then Cas took your daughter onto the dance floor, spinning her around. As soon as the song ended, the party started. Drinks were poured, music was danced to, games were played. It was perfect. You were sitting at a table, resting your feet for a moment, when you felt hands on your shoulders. You looked up to see Sam; he smiled down at you and handed you a glass of champagne. You sipped on it as he took a seat across from you.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” Sam ran his hand under your dress, squeezing your thigh.

“You can tell me as many times as you want.” You joked, taking another sip.

“You look ravishing.” Sam leaned toward you, his eyes never leaving yours; you put your glass down and leaned forward too. He took your chin between his forefinger and thumb, pulling your face towards his. He pressed his lips against yours, swiping his tongue along your bottom lip. You softened into the kiss, his fingers spanning across your face. Suddenly, you heard the sound of glasses clinking. You and Sam pulled away to see your guests pointing at you and hitting their silverware against their glasses. You both started laughing, and you pressed your face into his shoulder. Claire walked over to you with your daughter on her chest.

“I’m going to put her down.” She said, stroking her back slightly.

“We can do it.” You offered.

“No, it's ok. You guys enjoy.” She smiled and walked into the bunker to get Y/D/N to bed; you stared at them, walking away. Sam wrapped his hands around your waist, leaning his chin on your shoulder. He kissed your neck, running his nose into your hair.

“I want another one.” You said, still staring at Claire and your daughter.

“Really?” Sam said, standing up as you turned to face him.

“Yeah, I do.” You said, placing your hands on Sam’s chest.

“I do too.” He smiled at you and kissed your forehead. “And I want them close in age.” He said against your skin.

“Well, we better get going then.” You said.

“I guess so.” He smiled at you. You loved the silent conversations you and Sam were always able to have just by looking at each other. Right now, he was letting you know to look forward to a night of passion in the near future.

The rest of the night passed with smiles, dancing, and running out of alcohol. You and Sam stumbled into your bedroom, giggling the whole time. He helped you out of your dress while you tried to get the pins out of your hair. You ran to the bathroom and showered together, grabbing each other like teenagers the whole time.

“Hair wash for my wife?” Sam asked you with a horrible British accent.

“Why yes, please, husband.” You were laughing so hard Sam had to almost hold you up. Sam’s fingers worked the shampoo into your hair and then ran the rest of the way down your body. He spun you and tilted your head back into the water. His hands were on either side of your face; he took a step towards you. His body was pressed against yours under the stream of water. He lowered his head so his mouth was inches above yours; his fingers traced the outline of your lips before he kissed you. His mouth overtook yours as he took your breath away.

You knew this was forever. He was forever. You had made a family together, and there was nothing the two of you couldn’t do. Your life with Sam Winchester already had a few chapters, but this felt like a whole new book. You were bound to each other by more than just a piece of paper, you were his, and he was yours, for the rest of your lives. As you started down this new path, you were so lucky to have such an amazing man to call your own. He was everything you needed, and you balanced each other perfectly. When he held you, you were at peace. You were safe. You were home.

Tags: @supernatural3002

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soldiermom1973 · 4 years ago

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N7 Month Day 12 - Green

In which Javik watches as Allie and her team clean their gear & the discussion turns to biotics.

You can also read it on AO3. . . . . . . One of the things Allie missed on the SR-1 was the bonding she and her crew had when they cleaned their weapons and gear after a mission. Now she was so damn busy, Cortez or Vega usually took care of her gear for her. She was pretty sure Kaidan still took care of his own stuff, as did Garrus. Today, though, the mission wasn't so bad and only a few magazines had been fired, so her gear wasn't too dirty. She sat on the floor in the shuttle bay in a loose circle with Kaidan, Garrus, and James while Javik leaned on some crates to watch. “In my cycle,” he intoned, “our commanding officers did not clean their gear. It was a task that fell to others. We believed it to be beneath them because of their rank.” “Yeah, well, we aren't in your cycle, are we, Buggy?” James muttered under his breath. Allie nudged his leg and answered Javik. “Most of the time, Lt. Cortez does this for me. My doing this now, though serves two purposes – one, I don't ask my people to do anything I won't do myself, and two, this is a good morale booster and give me a chance to talk to my crew and see how things are going.” “The Reapers are winning. That is how things are going,” Javik sniffed. “You should be strategizing with our allies, Commander. Leave this menial work to your lessers.” Allie had to bite back a laugh when she saw James and Kaidan shoot a dirty look in Javik's direction. Judging from the way Garrus's mandibles were twitching, he was either amused or ticked, Allie wasn't sure which. “So, Javik, your biotics,” Allie cleared her throat and tried to change the subject. “Yes? What of them?” “Why are they green?” Each one of Javik's eyes slowly blinked, seemingly incredulous she'd ask such a thing. “Why are yours blue?” he spoke slowly, as though he were talking to a child. “Aren't they all?” she shrugged. “Mine are, Kaidan's are, the asari all are. Every biotic I've ever known has a blue aura when they use their powers except you. Is it because you're Prothean?” “Perhaps,” Javik said, not moving from his spot. “Perhaps? You mean you don't know?” James was incredulous. “Javik, the last of a superior race, who doesn't know why his biotics are weird?” “I am not a scientist. I did not study the evolution of our species,” Javik retorted, glaring at James. “I exist for one purpose only – to destroy the Reapers. If I am successful, what does the color of my biotics matter?” The group sat in silence for a bit, the quiet punctuated by metal clacking together and the murmurs of someone asking for oil or cloths. Allie was almost at a loss – she was trying to help Javik fit in with the rest of the crew and he was rarely accommodating about it. Still, she knew what it was like to be an outsider and regardless of what Javik said or did, she couldn't help but think he was lonely. “Unrefined eezo is blue,” she finally said. “Maybe it's got something to do with that. But that wouldn't explain why yours would be green.” Javik shifted on his feet and crossed his arms over his stomach, shifting his attention back to James and Kaidan cleaning their weapons but didn't answer. “Or maybe it's your body reacting with how eezo has changed,” Allie surmised again. “It's an element, Shepard, it doesn't 'change',” Garrus chimed in. “Well, how it's processed, then,” Allie argued. “We can't be using the same methods to refine that they used over 50,000 years ago.” “It could be the abilities he uses,” Kaidan guessed. “They aren't all green.” “So you noticed that, too,” Allie said. Honestly, she didn't give Javik's biotics much thought outside of combat and even then, it was more a passing curiosity. His biotics weren't even blue all the time – a couple of the powers he unleashed bathed him in blue instead of green. “I'm glad it wasn't just me. But then why aren't any of ours different colors? Our Reave is blue, Aria can Lash and that's blue...” “She's also an asari. Might be green if she did that biotic field thing he does. What do you call it, Javik?” Garrus asked. “Dark Channel,” came the curt reply. “This discussion is pointless and does nothing to help us win this war.” “But it might,” Allie said, running through her check to make sure she reassembled her rifle properly. “Maybe if you taught Kaidan or me some of the skills you have, we'd have a larger skill set on the battlefield. That, in turn, could help figure out why you glow green sometimes and we glow blue all the time.” The Prothean let out a heavy sigh beside her. “Your point is valid. If you wish to learn a new skill, I will consider your request. However, I still do not see the purpose in discovering why our abilities manifest in different colors.” Javik pushed himself off the crates and strode off to the elevator, ending his part in the discussion. James whistled low when the elevator hissed shut. “You'd better be careful with that one, Lola. Seems like you pissed him off.” “You mean there are times he isn't pissed off?” Kaidan asked. Allie smacked Kaidan's leg. “Be nice. How would you feel if you were the last of your species? If every single thing you knew and cared about was practically wiped from history? He said before the Reapers had been there for a century when he was born. He doesn't know life without war. I was just trying to make small talk to help him feel included.” “I don't think he cares about that,” Garrus replied, pulling himself to his feet. “Still, it would be interesting to find out why there's such a difference in your biotic auras.” “Oh, maybe instead of Buggy, I should call him the Jolly Green Giant!” James exclaimed, then frowned. “Nah, that's too cumbersome. Oh, I know. Maybe Verde. Or just Grumpy.” “Or you could just be nice,” Allie admonished. She stowed her gear in her locker and made her way to the elevator, fully intent on having Javik teach her Dark Channel, curious about whether or not she would glow green, too.

#N7month #N7 month 2020 #green #1000 Years #shenko #kaidan alenko #allie shepard #javik #garrus vakarian #james vega

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harvestheart · 5 years ago

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THE MIRACLE OF THE T-BONES AND THE UN-NAMED STRANGER

Life sure is interesting. And, at times, it is downright odd. But not always a bad odd. At times the kindness of strangers is totally unexpected and downright remarkable.

I had to run up to Fry's because I needed a bag of pet food. As is my custom, I travel through the produce section first in search for what I can spot on special that will work into a fine meal. I snagged a bag of russet potatoes in the red mesh bags for a buck, a package of mushrooms for $1.49, a bag of Asian stir-fry mix for $1.99. They all had those yellow stickers on them showing they are reduced. So long as you cook that day or the next, you can save money while eating very well.

My next move was to run over to the meat section to pick up the chicken. I thought that should make a quick dinner for when I was done weed-eating in the backyard for the day. (I have to tackle these manual jobs a little at a time these days. The backyard is truly overgrown from our rains. I did manage a pretty good start on the weeds and overrun bermuda grass today.)

Anyway, back to this story. I have such interesting grocery trips.

So as I was headed to check out the price on chicken, I saw T-bones were on sale. I picked up a package and it was marked $35.00 but on sale, reduced to $15.27. Even on sale, I just don't want to pay that much. But the disappointment must have shown on my face. Maybe I looked sad or sighed, or both because this very nicely-dressed elderly man -- older than me if you can imagine -- said "You should get it."

I told him even on sale, I can only look at them.

He asked me if I wanted to split a package?

I told him, no, that was okay, I would really be okay with chicken, but thank you all the same.

So then he says, "Let me get it for you."

My immediate response was shock. I said, really, that was okay, I am okay, This is too much. (I meant your offer is too much, not that the cost was too much.)

He says, "I want to get it for you."

"No, no, really, it's fine. Just that you offered is so kind."

I have to say I was taken aback because I am not used to strange men offering to be so generous without a reason. Sure, when I was 20 or 30, men offered plenty. But they definitely had a reason. My alert system was now kicking in. But I figured we are in a public place and other people are around, so everything really is fine. I told him that was such a kind gesture, but I will just make up this stir-fry for dinner, gesturing to my bag of clearance stir-fry. It will be just fine.

Then it hit me, I had three clearance items in the cart and half a pudding cake. Maybe he thinks I am destitute. Maybe he thinks I can only afford half a cake.

So I told him, "It's fine, I have money."

At this point, I did a quick mental check on myself. Yes, I was dressed decently and appropriately, had jewelry on, was clean, hair was combed. I was carrying an expensive purse and wearing good shoes. Okay, I didn't look like a homeless person.

Then I thought maybe I remind him of someone from his past that he needed to make amends to. Or maybe he hit the lottery and is just sharing his good luck. Maybe he's just lonely. Maybe he wanted to feel good about himself for whatever reason. Maybe he had dementia and thought I was someone else. Maybe.Maybe.Maybe. My mind was racing.

So I got my package of chicken and started talking to another woman to sort of diffuse the situation. She had scoped out a great deal on pork loin but she wasn't sure it could be that cheap. What was normally a $10 pork loin roll was on sale for $2. She said, "Can this be right?" I looked at it and it was marked as she said, and I did tell her pork does go on sale about this time of year, before Easter. I offered that maybe they overbought and sometimes they do Manager's Specials, and had to move it or lose it. Maybe they were just trying to re-coop their costs.

She pulled six of the loins and she said, "I have a freezer. These will be great on the grill." She looked like she had stolen the crown jewels. She was so happy. I ended up getting two myself and put them in my basket. (Pork loin this week, folks.)

I parked my buggy and went down the pet food isle and got my bag of Kit-n-Kaboodles. When I got back to the cart, there was the man again holding the package of T-bones.

I thought, "What do I do now?"

The man said, "Please, let me do this." He handed me the package and underneath the package were three five-dollar bills, to cover the cost. Before I could say any more, he was walking away,

I only managed to get out a, "Thank you," and he was gone.

So that's how I ended up having T-bones tonight rather than my chicken stir-fry, which will be on the menu for tomorrow night.

Aren't people just amazing? Who am I to deprive him of his paying it forward, keeping him from exercising his act of kindness? I actually was deeply touched. It is the oddest times that your faith in humanity is revived.

I must say, I enjoyed a good steak, baked potato with mushroom and shallot gravy from the un-named stranger all the while thinking what a wonderful act of kindness he bestowed upon me this day.

I vow to do this for someone else one day when I am particularly flush.

Thank you wherever you are. Thank you whoever you are.

SHARE KINDNESS - PEACE AND GRACE

#person to person #life #kindness #Arizona #grocery store #social interaction #generosity #payitfoward #FOOD

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m39 · 4 years ago

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History of the Creed - Part 1: Assassin’s Creed 2

So… I’ve decided to do a marathon of my favorite game series, Assassin’s Creed (minus [probably] the first one) because Valhalla (which I’ll not buy until one year after its release) and some part of me decided that I should review them.

But wait a minute… I hear one you saying. Don’t you have over 250 Doom WADs to check?

Well, yes. But then again we kind of like to pile on new idea after another to do when there’s an opportunity. There is still the Galaxia WAD in make for one of you who liked my WAD reviews but I believe that the AC reviews will take a lead for now.

Also the reason that I’m not reviewing Assassin’s Creed 1 is because now when I think about it, it doesn’t sound that good as it was.

You are having a PTSD attack over flags, Templars and “side missions”.

Okay, let’s talk about something else. What I’ve decided to do is to play these games in a semi-completionist style, in other words: if there are some side activities in missions, I am not expecting to replay them to get it all 100% because I would go nuts restarting the mission/control point every time I failed this one, specific side activity. But the rest as in: all collectibles, side missions and places to clear? I’ll do my best to do them all… Even Odyssey…

…

I’m fucked.

But enough of that. Let’s talk about the game that is proclaimed to be the best game in this series.

ASSASSIN’S CREED 2 (The original PC release in Europe: March 5, 2010)

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PLOT

It is Italy in the early Renaissance times. You are Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a young lad from a family of nobles who’s head of the family, Giovanni, is an Assassin. One day you find it out when your father and brothers are imprisoned and the next day they end up executed so you swear revenge on those Templar MoFoes for what they did.

Ah, revenge, the good, old plot device that never gets boring when it’s done right. And by being done right I mean when it has a nicely written characters. And that character is Ezio. I mean, who doesn’t like him? This motherfucker oozes with charm and personality. And Roger Craig Smith only solidifies it. He even gets a good character development. Example: When Ezio kills the guy who betrayed his family, his next goal is to run away to Spain with his mother and sister. After living two years in his uncle Super Mario’s villa, training under his eye and reading about Assassins and Templars, while still wanting to escape Italy, he’s now having a doubts about this plan and not until the harsh talk with his uncle decides that he’ll help destroy the Spaniard’s band of goons and get a revenge on him.

The secondary characters are fine but that’s it. They are perfectly okay with few of them standing out like Leonardo da Vinci (seriously, your best friend is Leonardo. Fucking. Da Vinci.). The villains are also just okay. Some of them have a personality of a Saturday cartoon villain, some of them are more dimensional. Rodrigo Borgia however goes to the former group. I mean, I don’t find him terrible at all, it just I wish he were better. But props to Manuel Tadros for playing him. He did a very good.

Oh yeah there is also some stuff in the modern times. It’s not bad but it basically exists only to move the plot forward and give us a reason why you can see the stuff from the past. But hey, the Desmond Saga is still better than this Initiate bullshit of the modern days plot.

GAMEPLAY

Assassin’s Creed 2 is basically the first game on steroids. You assassinate targets, you sometimes run using your parkour skills and sometimes fight with the enemies. There are some new stuff when you care this to Assassin’s Creed 1 like: Being able to use two hidden blades at once, healing yourself with medicine, shooting enemies with your loud hidden pistol, using smoke bombs, throwing money on the ground (LEAVE ME ALONE YOU BARD HYENAS!) and poisoning people, making them go apeshit (which I used only once in this run, in 13th sequence to be exact). Asides from the regular guards and archers there are three new types of enemies: Brutes, the heavy armored fatsoes, Agiles that can dodge your regular attacks and Seekers, who have a long ranged weapon and can easily find you in a haystack. You can also buy new, better weapon/armor and a bigger sacks for your knifes/medicine/poison. There is also a notoriety meter. When you fill it to 100% the guards will automatically be suspicious when you are in their line of sight. You can decrease it by ripping off posters, paying off heralds and killing the witnesses.

However, in spite of all of this crap that was added, this game feels easier than the first one. It’s not like it’s somewhat major con for me (I would rather play the game that is too easy than too hard) but I can understand some of you have a big problem with that. Imagine this: in theory, when you are spotted, you must use your abilities to run away from the enemies and use combat only as the last resort. But then I ask: why should you do that?! You are so powerful, you can destroy the entire Venetian army in 10 minutes! You are getting more durable and powerful with each sequence! Agiles can die by one counter attack! You can steal Brute’s/Seeker’s weapon, then one-shot them and then use their weapon to one-shot another fool who’s stupid enough to attack you! The fights are that easily! Sure it’s kind of tougher than I remember but still! Even if you don’t want to fight, smoke bombs helps you tremendously in both running away and fighting. Not to mention the enemies being stupid and that they couldn’t catch you most of the time.

Changing slightly the subject, you can also hire mercenaries/courtesans/thieves to help you distract guards. They are pretty helpful in missions, both the main ones and the side ones but outside of them they are rather useless because... well... I already explained you that.

Remember how in the first game you couldn’t swim? Well, now you can do this and use gondolas. Personally, however, I felt like I was faster on my own than on a venetian mini-boat.

ACTIVITIES

There is many stuff to do in this game. Like much more than you think. You can for instance buy paintings, collect money from chests/codex pages/feathers, find glyphs and solve their riddles, (like in previous game) you can climb on viewpoints to reveal a huge chunk of map, deliver letters, race to beat the best time of members of the guild of thieves, beat up unfaithful husbands, collect 6 seals to get Altair’s armor and fund for renovations of many buildings in Monteriggioni. Most of this stuff gives you more and more money every 20 in-game minutes by increasing the town’s status (which you have to withdraw from your villa).

In other words, the predecessor of your typical, modern, Ubiconic game. Personally I enjoyed doing these stuff but be warned; if you want to go after feathers, check a guide on their locations (same with Monteriggioni’s roman gods’ statues). I know at least one guy who went insane after trying to find the last one in Tuscany.

Liquid Bogan (in the background): F̴e̸a̴t̸h̶e̵r̵e̵s̷ ̶a̴r̷e̵ ̵l̴i̸f̵e̶,̴ ̶b̶r̸o̷t̷h̸e̸r̶.̸ ̶W̷e̵ ̶m̵u̵s̴t̴ ̸c̷o̸l̴l̴e̴c̸t̵ ̷a̸l̸l̷ ̸f̸e̸a̶t̷h̴e̶r̴e̵s̵,̶ ̷y̵i̵s̵?̶

He’s definitely fine.

THE GRAPHICS AND SOUND

This is where it turns into mixed-bag. While the sound effect are still very good, the graphics however, didn’t age well. Sure, the landmarks still look awesome and I love some of the details like the fact that some dust from buildings comes off when you climb but the character models… I don’t think they survived the time after the game’s release. The textures look sometimes blurry as shit, facial animation looks from time to time wonky, it looks especially bad in cutscenes. Then again, I don’t think people liked how they looked even in 2009 since I remember watching a review from my native country and the reviewer said that the character models lack polish when you take a closer look.

The soundtrack though… Jesus. Like, what can be said about it after so many people said earlier? There is a reason why people are calling it one of the best soundtracks in video games of all times. I would choose you three of those worth a listening but asides from the first three in the official soundtrack (for obvious reasons) there is too much to choose. So, here’s the whole bloody soundtrack.

STABILITY

Even though I played the PC version (and I heard that the PC version was a mess at the beginning) I didn’t really had many problems. Framerate was constantly smooth and I didn’t notice any drop in it. There were however 2 nasty bugs. The first one crashed the game when you have to choose if you want to play the memory or not; it happened at least 3 times. The second was when trying to assassinate Antonio Maffei and that monk fucker decided to noclip himself into the tower. Like- What the- WHAT THE FU-

Technical Difficulties.

Maybe it was because I paid the nearby herald. I don’t know.

SUMMARY

Despite its graphics getting somewhat dated and the game being kind of buggy, Assassin’s Creed 2 is still a fantastic game and I fully recommend it to you. Check it for yourself (if you haven’t already) and while at it, tell me your opinion about this game.

Thank you all for reading this long-ass review and I’ll see you next time.

Bye!

#history of the creed #assassin's creed #review #assassin's creed 2

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thegeminisage · 4 years ago

Note

Do you have switch game recs?

YES do i ever!!! ty so much for asking

play undertale/deltarune (oldschool rpg/bullet hell) even if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t normally like games like that. i know hype aversion and the fandom has put some people off but i don’t know of a single person who got to the true ending of undertale who didn’t love it to pieces. this is probably the best bang for your buck on switch unless you find one of these other titles on sale

okami is on switch and if you like adventure games it is BALLER. some misogyny included but it’s largely ignorable and fun as fuck. it was heavily inspired by zelda so if you like zelda you’ll almost certainly like okami

animal crossing is an amazing time sink if you haven’t tried it already. i’d tell you what it’s about but i’m pretty sure everyone on god’s green earth is sick of hearing about it by now. similar to that one is stardew valley (a farming sim, eerily addictive, played it when i had bronchitis and thought i was about to die to forget the 4-hour wait for medical care)

breath of the wild (open world/exploration) is in my top 5 zelda games and definitely one of the best games on the switch. hundreds of hours easily. worth every dime. link’s awakening is also an exploring/adventure game and the remake is soooo charming and cute, the world will suck you right in

cadence of hyrule is another zelda game, it’s a rhythm game with a light amount of music-based combat. i finished it in like 3 days so it’s kinda pricey for that playtime but i was head-bopping the whole time

i don’t have the mario classics yet but i got my switch for smash bros, which everyone loves, and i got mario kart 8 as a gift. if you’ve never played either series and like fighting/racing games you’ll probably enjoy yourself!

shovel knight is a cute little single player platformer. i had a lot of fun with it and really enjoyed the quirky story but it is HARD as fuck so just be warned going in. they counts your deaths in the credits and mine was in the like 200s

puzzle games: tetris 99 is free, but you can buy a single player mode. lumines was also a large portion of my childhood and teenhood

i played pac-man championship edition on xbox when it came out and it fucking rules

i have not played untitled goose game (i don’t know what genre this is, meme??) or ori and the blind forest (metroidvania platformer) myself yet, but i watched playthrus and wanna try them soo bad i’m like 99% sure they rule

spryo the dragon is on switch and i had a blast with the original version. i’m sure the remake is even better. ditto for skyrim, though i am told the switch port is buggy...but all elder scroll games are buggy; it’s part of the charm. if you like open world and all you have is a switch, better skyrim on the switch than no skyrim at all.

there are a number of final fanasties on switch. i absolutely love final fantasy ix! i have not personally played final fantasy vii but it is beloved the world over. final fantasy x and x-2 are also on switch and though i haven’t played them myself either i loved the story a LOT.

buy yourself a switch online membership if you can. for $20 you get access to the snes/nes library for a year and i can’t tell you how many gems there are in there. a link to the past, kirby superstar saga, dr. mario, the original legend of zelda, super mario brothers...it’s a really good fucking value actually

VERY IMPORTANT: in the nintendo e-shop there’s a section called “great deals.” i found a little shooter there called super bit blaster that i’ve wasted like ten hours on so far and it only cost me nine cents. it’s not deep and it’s not the best game i’ve ever played but it cost me NINE. CENTS. i paid like a penny for every hour i’ve whiled away on that thing. if it’s in the great deals section and it’s either free or under a dollar you have very little to lose by trying it out!

#liz answers asks #anonymous #nintendo switch #ty very much for asking i love talking about video games #mario odyssey and paper mario origami king are supposedly v good #but i can't vouch for them personally #if you like indie games there are also a bunch on switch i haven't played but have heard good things about #cuphead celeste etc #and if you like rpgs pokemon will probably suit you as well. it depends on your genre really!#i hope you get good use out of your switch!!!!

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h0esvck · 6 years ago

Text

BTS reacting to you wanting to do roleplay in the bedroom.

These are long sksks

Namjoon

Honestly, 100% into it. He actually suggested the idea as a joke to you at the beginning of your relationship even though he meant it 100%. So when you pulled out a school teacher outfit and a pair of glasses for him Namjoon was more than excited. "So uh, what's the theme?" He'd ask with an excited grin on his face. This made you giggle and stroke his chest lustfully. "Well, let's just say I've been a bad girl and I need punishment." Your hand slowly made its way up to his hair and Namjoon's eyes glinted with desire. "Ah, I see." He tried to act cooly about it but when he jerked away and began to put his outfit out you burst into laughter at his anticipation. "Calm down, I'll be in in a minute." You help up your bag with your school girl outfit in it. "I need some of that energy to be into pounding my ass." You winked and Namjoon moaned on the spot. "Oh you're perfect for me baby, " "I know~"

Seokjin

"You want to do what?" He asked with a chuckle as he chopped up vegetables in the kitchen for dinner. You groaned in annoyance, "Roleplay? Like... Let's say you're a policeman and I'm a criminal or the other way around..." You said and Seokjin raised his eyebrow as he cooked. "You sure do have many surprises for me don't you?" He asked as he stirred the vegetables in the pan of sauce. You smiled and nodded as he sighed, "So what do you want to be dear?" He asked turning the stove off and walking to your side of the counter to grab something. "Hmmm, well I was thinking- eek!" You yelped when you felt him slide his hand underneath your short skirt to finger you from behind. "Like you could be my slut, and I could be your pimp?" He asked and you gulped as he rubbed against your lips through your thin panties. "M-maybe, " you said breathlessly and Seokjin hummed into your ear before nodding. "That's what I thought." He said as he pulled his ha d form underneath your skirt. Your heart beat fast and you panted heavily, Seokjin never did shit like that, he was always sweet and genuine, he wasn't into shit like that. "W-who taught you that?" You asked as he set the food on the table before blushing wildly at your question. "N-Namjoon did, " he confessed "Oh my God, " you blushed and he winced, "Was it that obvious?"

Yoongi

Yoongi would snort and look at you with a small teasing grin. "A doctor?" He asked and you nodded your hands together in a praying motion to beg. "Please Yoongi, " you stuck out your bottom lip and he chuckled and rolled his eyes taking the doctors coat from you and draping it over his shoulders. "So what do you want me to do? Examine you and see if everything is working properly?" He said in a voice that made fun of your sexual desire. "Yes, " you said and Yoongi nearly choked. "In fact, Dr. Min, I've been having trouble between my legs..." You began as you grabbed his hand and led you to the bed where you sat down. "I-it feels so weird whenever I'm around you and I get so wet and tingly..." You looked at Yoongi with fake worry and he swallowed hard before speaking up. "W-well, just lat back and spread your legs and I'll see what the problem is..." He bit his bottom lip as he watched you nod and lay back lifting your skirt and spreading your legs. His breath hitched seeing that you were going commando, you really had wanted this. So he slid his hand up your inner thigh to have you shivering before he pressed his fingers against your wet core. And damn it was wet, you began to lightly hum and moan as he rubbed his skilled fingers around till he found your clit with his wet fingers. "Doctor right there!" You said and Yoongi looked at your red face. "Please right there, " you grabbed this wrist tightly and Yoongi groaned. "I'm sorry but I can't do this, " he said pulling his hand away and you looked at him in disappointment falling out of character. "Yoongi is everything alright?" You watched as he took off the jacket, "it's fine, " he knelt down in front of you, "I just need to do an oral examination." He said and your eyes widened when he pulled your hips to the edge of the bed where he began to pleas you with his mouth. "Oh Dr. Min~"

Hoseok

"I'm so excited!" Hoseok would be grabbing several outfits to buy for your roleplaying you had suggested to him. "Hobi-" you blushed terribly seeing at the scantily clad outfits he was throwing into the buggy to buy. "Oh I can't wait to rip every one of these off of you baby, " he teased kissing the side of your face roughly making you giggle and push him away with a blush. "What about you?" You asked and he grinned. "You're right, " so you chose outfits for him and headed home. You looked at the racecar driving outfit and giggled before handing it to Hoseok, "You get changed into this, and then I'll come out with my outfit." You promised and Hoseok smiled and rubbed his nose against yours in a happy giddy way, "Alright, I'll be waiting..." As you walked to the bathroom Hoseok made vroom vroom nooses making you laugh. While he changed into his professional racing get up, you changed into a pair of boots, and black bra and a mini skirt with black garters that Hoseok always found really cute and sexy. So when you walked out Hoseok's eyes blew wide at your outfit. You smiled and began to cheer him on his fake race. "Oh Hobi, I'm rooting for you, I even have a prize for when you win, " you winked and flashed him under your black mini skirt to show off that you weren't wearing any panties. Hoseok blushed and got really excited. "Damn right I'm gonna win!" He nodded and wrapped his arm around your waist pulling you into a sensual kiss. "I'm gonna go so fast you won't even see it coming baby, " he whispered promises of the evening to come into your ear huskily to have you shivering as you imagined his hips positioning back and forth between your legs so fast to have you coming hard beneath him. The thought made you moan, "Fuck, yes Hoseok,"

Jimin

"Roleplay?" He seemed intrigued with that sly grin on his face as he walked around you slowly. "Like the kind that..." He stopped and ran his hand up your arm and to your bare neck and he stroked and gave you goosebumps. "Where we dress up in some meaningless clothes, " he began to pull at your shirt. "And talk bullshit before we fuck each other into the mattress?" He asked and you shivered as his hand gently groped at your breast through your shirt. "Hmm, is that what you want? Do you want to dress up and then have me fuck you into our mattress babe?" He asked kissing at your neck making you sigh in pleasure. Then suddenly you gripped his hand tightly, "Actually..." You pulled him in front of you and pushed him down on the bed. "I was planning it to be the other way around..." You crawled over his lap and Jimin's eyes widened, "How would you feel being my little sex slave? Hmm?" You asked before grinding your hips down on his own making him gasp and grip your thighs tightly. "How would you like me using your body for my own pleasure?" You asked knowing he would love nothing more. "F-fuck, " Jimin sputtered, "Please use me, " he begged and you grinned and crawled off of him, "Then get dressed, " you handed him his outfit which was really only leather straps. "And call me master, " you winked and Jimin gulped.

Taehyung

You were really excited. Taehyung had promised to fulfill your sexual request tonight. So you were ecstatic, so when you entered the house you called out his name. "Taehyung!~" you said happily before gasping noticing all the candles. They led you down the hall and up the stairs to the bedroom where you found a letter sealed with a skull wax stamp. You blushed and opened it reading it in a low whisper. "I am your angel of music, " you whispered before you heard low music start. Then you heard Taehyung's deep voice. "The Phantom of the Opera is here, " he said and you turned and saw him in the Phantom's outfit, the mask on, the suit, the cape with red lining. Your breath caught in your throat and Taehyung grinned. Taehyung instantly came over to you and gripped your chin with his left hand, his right wrapped around your waist. "Shall I teach you how to reach the highest notes, my dear?" He asked his voice still so incredibly deep and you almost melted on his arm. "Y-yes..." You gripped his shoulder with one hand and his bicep tightly with the other. He chuckled and threw his cape off and your heart beat fast, he leaned in and kissed you deeply, his tongue immediately exploring your mouth as he pressed your body flush against his own making you whimper. He pulled away and laid you down on the bed slowly. "The Phantom of the Opera is here, inside your mind, " he said in a raspy voice as he caressed your head of hair before he grinned and ran his hand down your body, "And in between your legs, " after he said that he pressed his fingers inside of you making you gasp and arch your back.

Jungkook

"Damn you look like a slut, " Jungkook said in a teasing voice as he looked you up and down drinking in your outfit. You gasped in mock offense, "hey! I wouldn't be saying that to your girlfriend if I were you, " you said checking out your slutty, prisoner outfit out in the mirror. Jungkook chuckled with a grin, "What can you do about it, your under my custody Ms. (L/N)." He grabbed your hips and spun you around so you were facing him in all his cop outfit glory. You gulped and blushed, "What if I don't listen to you, I am a criminal after all.." You said pressing your breasts against his chest. "Well, then I'll have to get out my baton, and teach you a lesson." He threatened, "Your correctional stick?" You scoffed and Jungkook grit his teeth, spun you and pushed you against the wall making you gasp. He grinned and smacked your ass hard making a small moan leave your mouth. "Don't test me, " he warned massaging the bare flesh of your ass as he looked at your black thong on under your skirt. "Now get on your knees and suck your police officer off,"

Requests are open!

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tiny-opal-essence · 5 years ago

Text

Pocket Paladin Chpt 14

Lost and Found

“I can’t believe they actually decided to go through the sector,” Axha said in disbelief.

“Yeah, I would’ve thought they’d go around it,” Ezor added.

“They know the risk they’re taking.” Zethrid shrugged.

“It doesn’t look like much is happening,” Ezor said as Narti flipped through the different camera feeds. “He’s just flying down the hallway. When is something interesting going to happen?”

“Ezor,” Lotor started to say.

“Yeah, I know. ‘Patience.’ You’ve only told me that a million times.”

“And you have yet to take it to heart.”

“Doesn’t look like you’ll have to be patient for long, look.” Axha pointed at the feed. “They’re about to go through a solar flare.”

“Narti, are there any other cameras near him?” Lotor asked.

Kova *meowed* on Narti’s shoulder as she brought up the cameras in the hallway and the ones in nearby rooms.

“So that one’s not working?” Zethrid pointed at the feed for the storage room.

“So it would seem. That one is closest to him, so let’s get it working, if only for a moment. Let his friends see what happens when they become careless.” Lotor used his powers to do just that.

A moment was all they needed as they saw the tray throw their target into the storage room towards the open box. That was the moment the feed cut out, a side effect from tampering with its quintessence.

“Given his angle and speed, he hit the lid of the box.” Axha calculated.

The feed popped back up and they saw that the box was now shut. The sound was staticky, but they could hear him calling for help.

“Would you look at that? We didn’t even have to lift a finger.” Lotor commented.

“And all of his friends are on the upper floors. This is the chance we’ve been waiting for! Let’s go take him!” Zethrid exclaimed.

“Let’s see what his friends plan to do first.” Axha cautioned. “They could start looking for him right away.”

As they listened to the feed, they heard that wasn’t the case.

“At their pace of searching the floors, how long until they get to his?” Ezor asked.

“Probably a varga, give or take.”

“We can still get him in that time.” Zethrid was all too eager.

Kova *meowed* again as Narti pointed out their distance from the castleship.

“Narti’s right,” Axha said. “Even if both of our ships were going full speed towards each other, they would get to him before we’d get close. And since their ship is going to be stationary while they check everything out, we wouldn’t make it in time.”

“We should continue making preparations planet-side. We need to make sure our plan runs smoothly.” Lotor declared.

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“This floor’s good,” Keith said through the helmet comms as he finished checking another floor for any issues from the solar flare. Thus far, no one had reported any issues. They’d been checking the floors for nearly a varga.

“Excellent work Keith,” Allura responded.

“Have any of you heard from Lance yet?” Hunk asked.

“Umm no,” Coran replied.

“He would usually be complaining by now,” Pidge commented.

“He could have decided to actually do the work without complaining,” Shiro suggested.

“I’ve known Lance most of my life. He’ll do the work, but he almost always complains. He usually doesn’t really mean the complaints, they’re just a way to pass the time.” Hunk explained.

“Let’s check the tracker.” Pidge pulled up the information. “It looks like he’s on the same floor he was a varga ago. He hasn’t moved an inch.”

“Could the solar flare have done something to the floating tray? Or to his helmet?” Keith asked as he stepped out of the elevator.

“It could have.” Hunk answered.

“Shiro, you’re the closest to Lance’s position. Would you be able to go down and check on him?” Allura asked.

“Sure. We should let him know someone’s coming to help on the castle-wide comms, just in case he can’t hear the helmet ones.” Shiro responded.

“I’ll do it,” Keith said. “I’m right by one of the intercoms.”

“Sounds good,” Pidge commented.

“The rest of us will keep checking the other floors. Let us know if you need us, Shiro.” Coran said.

“Will do,” Shiro replied.

Keith had walked over to the intercom in that time.

“Lance, Shiro’s coming to check on you and make sure everything’s ok. He should be there in a few quintants.”

Keith started checking his current floor. Everything seemed to be as it should. There were a few things that had been knocked over, but those were quick fixes. He couldn’t stop his mind from wandering to Lance.

Hopefully he’s ok. Who am I kidding, of course he’s ok. If the tray was affected, then the force field would protect him. He’s good at adapting to new situations. He might have just decided to get some beauty sleep until someone checks on him. He’s ok.

Keith wondered why he was so worried about Lance. He just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Those fears were confirmed when Shiro’s voice came through the comms.

“Everybody stop what you’re doing!”

“What is it, Shiro?” Allura asked.

“I found the floating tray, but Lance isn’t on it.”

“But the computer says he’s on there,” Pidge argued.

“He isn’t, but his helmet is.”

“We’re on our way, Shiro,” Keith said.

“Make sure to watch your step!” Hunk cautioned. “Lance might have tried to get to another floor to get our attention!”

“But he wouldn’t even be able to reach the elevator buttons.” Pidge pointed out.

“True, but the space mice have shown him some of their tunnels throughout the ship. He might have used one of those.” Coran pointed out.

“Either way, keep your eyes open. We have to find Lance before something bad happens to him!” Keith raced towards Lance’s last known location.

He has to be ok. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to him.

“Lance, if you can hear this, we’re looking for you now,” Coran said over the castle-wide comms. “We’re going to start looking near your floating tray, so, wherever you are, try to meet us there.”

It only took a few quintants for everyone to reach the floating tray.

“Why is it floating when Lance isn’t on it?” Allura asked.

“I don’t know. It could be from the solar flare.” Hunk suggested.

“Let’s see if his helmet recorded anything.” Pidge reached for the helmet but brought her hand away with a *yelp* “The force field is working. Ow.”

“But where’s Lance?” Keith asked.

“That’s the million dollar question,” Shiro replied.

“Wait a tic. There’s a camera right there!” Allura pointed up at the ceiling. “Can you pull up the feed, Pidge?”

“Of course. Let’s see...” Pidge rewound the feed on her laptop.

“There! There’s Lance!” Hunk pointed at the screen.

Pidge started playing the video.

“*gasp* He wasn’t wearing his helmet.” Coran softly commented.

“That must be why he was so many floors below us. He didn’t want us to know.” Allura added on.

As they continued watching, they saw when the solar flare hit and how it caused the tray to knock Lance off of it and towards the doors to the storage room. That was as far as the camera’s viewing angle showed them.

“Is there a camera in the storage room that might have picked up something?” Shiro asked.

“Yes, but it’s a bit buggy. I don’t know if it would have picked up anything with the solar flare happening, but let’s check it.”

Pidge pulled up the feed. She brought it back to the time that Lance would have been on it. She pushed play. The video was staticky, but they saw that Lance made it into the room without hitting the doors. The feed cut off after that.

“He’s in the storage room.”

“What are we waiting for? Let’s find him!”

Keith opened the door. He was unprepared for just how large and disorganized the storage room was.

“Lance! Where are you?” he called out. He heard nothing in response.

“Everyone, pick an area to search,” Allura said as she knelt down and brought the space mice off her shoulder and down on the floor so they could help look as well.

“I’m going to try and figure out the angle of his fall. Then I can find out where he would have landed and try to trace his path from there.” Hunk said as he rewound the feed.

Everyone else started sifting through all the odds and ends in the room, being careful in case Lance was there. A few minutes passed.

“I’ve got it!” Hunk exclaimed. “It looks like he would have fallen on this table right here behind this box.” He pointed to the spot on the table.

“But where would he have gone? He wouldn’t survive falling off the edge.” Pidge pointed out as she and the others walked over to Hunk.

“Wait, look here.” Shiro pointed at the paused video feed. “That box was open when Lance was thrown in here. Do you think…?”

“Maybe. Does anyone have a flashlight?” Hunk asked.

“I’ve got my phone,” Pidge answered.

“Try shining it in the keyhole to see if you can see Lance in there.”

Pidge tried to do that, but “The key hole’s too small for me to get a good look. I can’t shine the light and see in.”

Chulatt let out a *squeak.*

“Chulatt says that he can look through the hole while you shine the light.” Allura translated as she lifted up the space mice to the table.

“Alright.”

Chulatt let out another *squeak* as he looked in.

“*gasp* Lance is in there, but he’s not moving,” Allura said.

“Is he breathing?” Keith asked.

*squeak*

“Chulatt can’t see enough to know for sure.”

Hunk tried to open the lid.

“It’s locked. Coran, do you have the key?”

“No, I’ve been looking for the key to that box for over a movement.”

“Well, then let’s break it open!” Keith pulled out his bayard and turned it into a sword. He started bringing it down to open the box but was stopped by Hunk.

“No, Keith! If we shake the box too much, it could injure Lance more than he might already be.”

“But then what can we do? He could be bleeding out! We need to get him out of there now!” Panic was evident in Keith’s voice as his eyes flickered yellow for a millisecond.

“I might have a solution,” Allura said. “I believe I can use my magic to undo the lock.”

“Doesn’t your magic tend to blow up in your face?” Pidge asked.

“Yes, but I’ve been getting better at controlling it. I should be able to do this without shaking the box. We don’t have any other options if we wish to get Lance out now.”

“Is there anything we can do to help you, Allura?” Shiro asked.

“I just need you to be quiet so I can concentrate.”

Allura closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She held out her right hand towards the jewelry box and a soft pink glow appeared in the keyhole and around her hand. In the silence, everyone could hear the muted *clicks* of the different tumblers sliding into place. They held their breath as the glow dissipated and Allura opened her eyes and reached for the lid.

It opened.

The space mice quickly jumped into the box to check on Lance. Given his height, they were the only ones who could see if he was breathing and feel for a pulse. They *squeaked* to Allura.

“He’s unconscious, but breathing and he has a pulse. It doesn’t seem like he’s bleeding, but we should put him in a healing pod just to be on the safe side.”

“I’ll take him.” Hunk said as he reached into the box and gently picked up Lance so as not to hurt him.

“We’ll come too,” Pidge said.

“No.” Hunk decisively stated. “If we’re all crowded around him, it might be overwhelming when he wakes up. Coran, can you go ahead and get a pod ready?”

“Of course.”

“You should bring the space mice with you,” Keith suggested. “If Lance still gets overwhelmed, they’ll be able to calm him down.”

“And they can keep us updated on his condition through Allura,” Shiro added on.

“Good idea.” Hunk lowered his hands once more so the space mice could crawl on. They sat down next to Lance and made sure he didn’t get shaken around too much as Hunk headed towards the med bay.

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Lance’s eyes were blinded by white light as he opened them, causing him to wince before mumbling out “Guess I did die. *sigh* It’s better this way.”

At least I got into Heaven. That means I get to see Abuelo again!

Lance vaguely heard a small *squeak* before he was pulled into a hug.

Does everyone in Heaven get a hug when they first get here? Cause this is really nice.

“Lance?” He heard a deep voice say.

“God?”

“No, it’s Hunk.”

“Wait, so I’m not dead?”

“Far from it, my boy, though you did give us all quite a scare,” Coran answered.

As Lance’s eyes adjusted to the brightness, he saw that the bright white light was from the overhead lights in the med bay, not the pearly gates. The space mice were the ones hugging him as he sat up on one of the beds. He looked around but didn’t see anyone else.

“Where are the others?”

‘Clearly, they don’t care about what happened to you. They probably didn’t even miss you.’

“We thought having everyone crowded around you when you woke up would be overwhelming, so we told them to go away.” Hunk said.

“The space mice are keeping them updated through Allura,” Coran explained.

See, they do care!

“How long was I…” Lance couldn’t find the words to describe how terrified he had been while he was trapped.

“You were in there for about a varga.” Hunk answered the unspoken question.

“Hunk was explaining your claustrophobia to me, but I was wondering if you would be able to describe it in more detail. Perhaps there’s something we can do to help you overcome it.” Coran proposed.

“…Maybe another time.” The fear was still fresh in his mind. He didn’t want to dwell on it.

“Of course. Take all the time you need.”

“How did you guys find me anyways?”

“Well, we didn’t think anything was wrong at first.” Hunk began to explain. “Since both your helmet’s tracker and the one on the floating tray were saying they were in the same place, we just assumed you were on it. We didn’t check again for nearly a varga, and that’s when we saw the trackers hadn’t moved. We assumed that the flare maybe disabled the floating tray and your helmet, so Shiro went down to check on you only to find that you weren’t there. Pidge was able to see most of what happened with the cameras, but the one in the storage room cut out before we could see where you landed.”

“So how did you figure out I was in the jewelry box?”

“That was all Hunk. He figured out the angle you were falling at and Shiro pointed out that the box had been open at that time.” Coran answered before Hunk continued.

“As soon as we figured that out, we realized we couldn’t find the key. Keith was ready to smash open the box with his bayard and I swear his eyes turned yellow for a moment. Luckily, Allura was able to undo the lock with her magic without causing any unintentional harm to you.”

Why is it always around me that Keith’s eyes turn yellow? Does he not like me? I thought we had been getting closer. Maybe I’m just thinking about this wrong? He was so upset earlier when he almost…yeah. I’m probably just overthinking. He doesn’t hate me, right?

“When we saw you just lying there, we thought you were dead.” Hunk said.

“If you had hit anything else besides the cushions on the lid of the box that would have been the case,” Coran commented.

Lance would prefer not to think about that, please.

“Are you feeling up to seeing everyone else, Lance? Just so they can see you’re doing ok.”

“Yeah.”

No, but I don’t want to look so…weak.

‘Good luck with that.’

“Can we maybe keep the claustrophobia between us?”

“Of course,” Coran said.

Lance hoped that the space mice hadn’t told Allura already.

They probably already did, little gossips. But even if they did tell, I don’t think it’s in a mean way.

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(other perspective, this takes place slightly before and during previous section, [ ] mean not heard by Allura, [italics] mean not shared with Allura or the other space mice)

Chulatt and the other space mice all caught Lance as he fell forward out of the healing pod. He was still fast asleep in their arms.

“Let’s put him on one of the beds until he wakes up,” Coran said as Hunk brought a hand down for the space mice to climb on with Lance in tow.

Hunk brought them over to a pillow on one of the beds. The mice were very careful as they laid Lance down.

“He looks so small. I mean, I know he’s small cause he got shrunk, but he looks smaller now.” Hunk commented as he looked down at his best friend.

“Just you wait. In a few quintants, he should be back to his boisterous self.” Coran commented.

��I hope you’re right. Being trapped in there for that long, I can only imagine what it was like for him. It’s worse for him than if it were any of the rest of us.”

“What do you mean, Hunk?”

“Oh, he’s probably going to hate me for telling you, but Lance has claustrophobia. Has for his whole life.”

“What is claustrophobia?” Coran and the space mice were listening attentively, none of them looking at Lance.

“It’s a fear of small spaces. It had gotten a lot better before we came out here, but after he was almost sucked out into space through the airlock, it got bad again. He told me that Blue helped him a lot when he was having a bad time. She let him see through her eyes so he wouldn’t feel trapped in the cockpit.”

“He has a strong connection with her, then. Being able to see through your lion’s eyes is something that can take even the greatest of paladins phoebs to truly master.”

Chulatt was the only one to hear Lance stirring. The others were all focused on the conversation between Hunk and Coran. Because he was the only one paying attention to Lance, he was also the only one to hear Lance mumble out “Guess I did die. *sigh* It’s better this way.”

[Lance, no. Don’t think like that!]

“Lance is awake!” Chulatt let the other space mice and Allura know.

[Should I tell the others what Lance said? No. Lance swore me to secrecy and promised he would talk about these things with the others when he’s ready. I’m not going to break my promise.]

Chulatt and the others hugged Lance as he started to realize that he was still alive. They could feel him shaking.

[We have to hug the sad out of him!] Platt stated as he and the others continued to hug Lance while Coran and Hunk explained how they had found him.

[Do you think we should tell Allura about Lance’s claustrophobia?] Platt asked. [It could help them avoid putting him in any similar situations.]

[True, but remember what happened the last time we told her something about Lance?] Plachule asked. [She blew it out of proportion and told everyone.]

[And what happens when Lance finds out? He’s going to think that we never supported him in the first place.] Chuchule pointed out.

[Us trying to help Lance has only hurt him. The best thing would be to say nothing at all. At least for now. We can let him know that we’re here for him. Who better to understand what it’s like at this height than us?] Chulatt said.

[If he gets put in a bad situation that triggers his claustrophobia again, I’m going to tell Allura.] Platt stated.

[I would hope if that were the case all of us would.] Chuchule responded.

[We don’t want Lance to go through that again.] Plachule confirmed.

“Lance is ready to see everyone now. Just, be gentle. He’s still recovering.”

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“We’re all glad to see you’re doing alright, Lance,” Allura stated.

“It takes more than getting stuck in a box to get rid of me.” Lance hoped no one tried to look past his confident grin as he sat in Hunk’s hands with the space mice.

“Since we’re all here, there are some things we should discuss.” Shiro started to say before Keith jumped in.

“Why weren’t you wearing your helmet, Lance?”

Keith looks angry but worried, though I guess having a teammate almost die twice in one day is a lot to handle.

“I just wanted to feel the wind in my hair. I figured the force field would stop anything from hurting me. Guess I was wrong.” He sheepishly admitted.

“You’re lucky it was a jewelry box that you landed in,” Pidge mentioned.

“Or that there was something to cushion your fall at all,” Keith added on.

“Yeah, I learned my lesson and I promise I’ll wear my helmet from now on, ok?”

“You already promised that you would before, but you didn’t.” Allura pointed out.

“Well, now I have a reason to.”

“You shouldn’t have to almost die to realize that you should wear your helmet,” Shiro stated with a *sigh*.

Shiro uses ‘I’m not mad, just disappointed.’ It’s super effective.

“Let’s add wearing your helmet as a rule. Do you have the list, Pidge?” Hunk asked.

“Right here. Give me just a sec to open it.” Pidge tapped away on her computer. “Got it. Lance must wear his helmet at all times while on the floating tray.”

“While you have that up, we should bring back one rule,” Shiro stated.

Bring one back? What rule was taken away? Oh yeah…

“Given what happened, one of the 6 of us needs to be with Lance at all times even when he’s on the floating tray.”

“But what happened wasn’t even my fault!” Lance exclaimed as he stood up in Hunk’s hand.

“Yes, but that just goes to show that there are some things that are out of our control. That’s why someone needs to be with you.” Allura said.

“I promised I’d wear my helmet, isn’t that enough? I can easily call for help if I need it.”

“Your helmet could get damaged and leave you with no way to call for help. It’s better to have someone there with you in case that happens.” Pidge pointed out.

I know they’re right, but I want my independence. Why is it every time I feel like I can do something on my own, they say that I can’t?

‘Simple. They don’t believe in you, and why would they? You’re absolutely helpless like this. If that camera in the storage room hadn’t worked at all, they wouldn’t have found you. The only reason you’re still alive is sheer dumb luck.’

“Are you going to have someone follow me in the bathroom too?” sarcasm was evident in his voice.

“Lance, will you take this seriously for one second?!” Shiro asked.

Lance flinched slightly at his outburst.

Ok. Space-dad is angry now.

“Back off, Shiro. Lance has been through enough today.” Keith stepped between them with his back to Lance. Everyone could feel the tension in the air.

“Alright everyone,” Coran said. “Let’s calm down a bit. I’m sure we can figure out something that we all can agree on.”

The space mice *squeaked* in agreement, which gave Keith an idea.

“What if we just had one of the space mice with Lance?”

“What do you mean, Keith?” Allura asked.

“The space mice should be able to keep an eye on Lance without one of us.”

“But they don’t have helmets. How would they let us know if something went wrong?” Shiro asked.

“They have the mental link with Allura.”

“Keith’s right. If something goes wrong with Lance’s helmet, then there’s a good chance something could go wrong with someone else’s as well.” Pidge pointed out. “The mice could let Allura know something was wrong through the mental link. The mice would only be limited by distance from Allura.”

“And they’re also the ones most used to life at that height. Who better to get Lance out of a tight spot?” Hunk added on.

The space mice nodded their heads eagerly next to Lance.

“Very well. The space mice will suffice. But if anything happens, you need to tell me so we can help.” Allura said.

The space mice *squeaked* out a promise to do just that.

Lance’s stomach decided to make its presence known.

“How about we grab something to eat?” Hunk suggested.

“Sounds good,” Lance responded as everyone made their way towards the kitchen.

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“You know, there’s one thing I’m going to miss about being this height,” Lance said from his seat on the workbench.

“What’s that?” Hunk looked up from the floating tray he was working on.

“How huge food is. I mean, I could eat the same pastelito every meal for a week and still have leftovers.”

“Is this your way of asking me to make more pastelitos for you?” Hunk had a knowing smile on his face.

“Is it working?”

“Yes. I can make some tomorrow.”

“Woohoo!” Lance continued to watch Hunk work. “What are you doing?”

“I’m adding chairs and seat belts for you and the space mice on the tray. That way you won’t get thrown off if there’s another solar flare.”

“I thought Pidge put in more stabilizers to prevent that?”

“True, she did add more safeguards in the code, but even those could fail. This is just an extra precaution.”

“Did Pidge purposely have the chairs look like the ones from Star Trek?”

“Hey, if you could grow furniture out of plants with a fancy circlet, wouldn’t you do the same?”

“Touché. Where is Pidge anyways?”

“Oh, she’s helping Coran work on the engines. Make them go faster and run more smoothly.”

“Cool.”

The doors to the lab opened.

“Oh, hey Pidge. We were just talking about you.” Hunk said.

“What about me?” She asked as she walked over to the workbench.

“Just how cool it is that you’re helping Coran upgrade the engines,” Lance answered.

“I am pretty cool.”

“And modest too.” Hunk laughed slightly and Pidge playfully punched him in the shoulder.

“Ha ha, laugh it up. Coran sent me up here to get an impact driver. I swear he remembers every tool except that one.”

“That’s our crazy space uncle,” Lance commented with a smile.

“I also wanted to apologize to you, Lance.” Pidge turned towards him.

“What for?”

“I’ve been a bit of a jerk to you. More than a bit. I’m sorry that I’ve been talking down to you so much.”

“Well, you can’t exactly talk up to me while I’m like this,” Lance responded with a smile.

“That’s what I said! But, I’m still sorry. I got carried away with not being the shortest member of the team. As the previously shortest paladin, I know better than anyone what it’s like to be treated differently because of height.”

“Don’t worry, Pidge. We’re cool.”

“Good. Shiro’s been on my case about that. Now, where’s that impact driver?”

“Over on the shelf there.” Hunk pointed.

“Thanks. See you guys later.”

“See ya.” They chorused.

Hunk went back to working while Lance slipped into his thoughts.

I’m glad Pidge apologized.

‘She only apologized because Shiro told her to.’

She seemed like she meant it.

‘Did she, though?’

She apologized when Shiro wasn’t even here. I think she meant it.

‘But she still has another witness who could tell him that she did apologize.’

Shut up.

Lance focused back on what Hunk was doing. He had put the finishing touches on the tray and had started working on something else.

“What are you working on now?”

“Your mind meld helmet. I’ve been meaning to work on it for a while, but things kept coming up. Hopefully, once this is finished, you’ll be able to train with us again.”

“Cool. So that’s what all those parts from Olkarion are for.”

“Mhmm. It’s pretty delicate work. Do you want to help me build it?”

“Sure. Just tell me what to do.”

Hunk explained what each part was and how to put them together. He also explained that there were other potential parts that could work in a pinch, but it’s better to have the right tools for the job. Lance was happy to help out. It was one of the few times he had actually felt useful while he was stuck like this.

20 minutes later, the helmet was done.

“Now, we just have to let the glue set overnight and they’ll be good to go.” Hunk said.

“I’m surprised they don’t have quick-drying glue. Alteans are an advanced civilization, you think they’d have that.”

“Guess they can’t be advanced at everything.” Hunk shrugged.

Lance tried to hide a *yawn* but failed.

“Sounds like you’re ready for bed.”

“It’s been a long day.”

“I’ll give you a lift to Keith’s room.” Hunk put his hand down in front of Lance. “The floating tray should be ready for you after breakfast tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Hunk,” Lance said as he climbed onto Hunk’s hand.

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Realities without Lance: 120 (+14)

Previous Next Masterpost

#pocket paladin #voltron #VLD #klance #g/t #g/t klance #g/t writing #Shrinking #shrunk #Giant/tiny #stories #writing #keith #Lance

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justheretobreakthings · 6 years ago

Text

Welcome to the Family - Chapter 5

(Previous Chapter)

Word Count: 2,723 (Total Word Count: 11,961) Read on AO3

Story Summary: Lance had been excited about his family taking in a foster kid, eager to get to meet his brand new little brother or sister, who would surely adore and idolize their super cool Big Brother Lance. What he got instead was a sullen, quiet, temperamental teenage housemate with a criminal record and a disastrous haircut.

Pidge: How would you like to play some terrible Xbox games Hunk and I picked up at the flea market for 50 cents each?

Lance: im not sure i would like that at all

Pidge: Too late.

The doorbell rang mere seconds after Lance received the last text, and he groaned at prospect of having to move from his comfortable bed, but managed to suck it up and drag himself down the stairs and open the door to see Pidge and Hunk at the front stoop, the familiar car of Pidge’s older brother Matt already backing out of the driveway. “Whatever happened to you letting me know you’re on your way before you actually arrive?” Lance asked.

“It was a spur of the moment thing,” Pidge said with a shrug. “Besides, I went to all that trouble to rig up the backwards compatibility on your Xbox, of course I’m gonna use it.” She held up the little stack of games in her hand.

Lance stepped aside and allowed the two of them in. “Why were you shopping for video games at a flea market, of all places?”

“We weren’t,” Hunk answered. “Matt took us to go hunting for parts for that new battlebot Pidge and I have been working on, and we just stumbled across them.”

“And we thought, well, we should get Lance in on the fun,” Pidge finished as she set the games on the coffee table. “Feel flattered. Go ahead, you pick one to start.”

Lance tilted his head to look over the low-res images and strangely-drawn cover art of the games, all with titles he had never heard of - Dreadnite, Rise of Vengeance, Snowboard Havoc, Moonrace, Dark Alert. “These all look terrible,” he said.

“Well, duh,” Pidge said. “You don’t buy a video game for fifty cents and expect quality.”

“Fair point. Okay, I pick…” Lance closed his eyes, twirled his finger in the air, and jabbed one of the games at random. “Moonrace. What is this, a racing game?”

“I dunno, maybe?” Pidge said.

“I’ll set it up!” Hunk said, snatching the game from the table.

Pidge kicked her shoes off and flopped down onto the couch. “All right, now that we’ve got that taken care of, time for the burning question: where is he?”

“Where is who?” Lance asked.

“Waldo,” Pidge replied, rolling her eyes. “Who do you think? Where’s Keith? I wanna meet your new emo brother.”

Lance raised a brow. “Oh, is that why you guys decided to drop by? Just to see Keith? And here I thought you actually wanted to spend time with me. I’m hurt.”

“Quit hiding him, McClain.”

Lance plopped himself down onto the couch beside her. “Sorry to disappoint, but he’s not here right now.”

“Aw, what?” said Hunk, looking up from where he was kneeling by the console in front of the TV. “So we came all this way for nothing?”

“My feelings. They’re wounded.”

“Yeah, yeah, we’re thrilled to be graced by your awesome presence too, Lance,” Pidge said. “Seriously, though, we wanna meet him.”

“Mamá took him to the school to get his schedule figured out or something,” said Lance. “And then I think she was gonna take him back-to-school shopping too.” He shrugged. “They’ve been gone for a few hours now already. Don’t know how much longer they’re gonna be.”

“Well, at least we’ve got something to do while we wait,” Hunk said as the opening menu appeared on the TV screen and he stood up. The game menu displayed an option of either one- or two-player mode, and Hunk turned to the others, one controller in each hand. “Looks like two players max for this one. Who wants the other one?”

“Dibs,” said Pidge. “Toss it here.”

“Excuse you,” Lance snapped. “This is my house.”

“But it’s my game.”

“Or you could both take one and I’ll sit out this round,” Hunk suggested.

“What, like mature adults?” Pidge said. “Sounds boring, but okay. Toss it here.”

Hunk passed a controller to each of them and plunked down to sit cross-legged in front of the couch and watch. Pidge sank down into couch cushions, bringing her legs around to drape over Hunk’s shoulders as if he were her personal ottoman.

It turned out that Lance’s assumption was correct: it was a racing game, and a buggy one at that. Three races in, Lance ended up having to set his controller down and wait for Pidge and the other computer players to finish the race without him, as his own Mooncar had somehow morphed through a rock wall and gotten irretrievably stuck during the first lap. “So,” he said, nudging Hunk in his decision to make conversation to pass the time. “Battlebot?”

“For robotics club at school,” Hunk said. “Pidge and I want to get a head start on ours.”

“I didn’t realize you actually got to make the robots fight!” Lance said. “I thought they just, like, did chores or something.”

“We don’t make them fight,” Pidge said, not taking her eyes from the game. “They do things like throw discs and walk on balance beams and stuff.”

“Oh,” Lance said, shoulders deflated. “That’s… less cool. The ‘battlebot’ name was misleading.”

“That’s not what they’re officially called,” said Hunk. “That’s just what Pidge calls them.”

“You would know this if you actually joined the club,” Pidge said. “We need more underclassmen.”

Lance shook his head. “Told you already, schedule conflict with swimming.”

“I call bullshit,” Pidge said. “Matt’s president this year and he’s still got time for soccer.”

“Soccer and swim have different schedules,” Lance said. “Sorry, Pidge, you’re not getting me into your club.”

“You’re going to regret that decision once the robots turn on humanity and you don’t know how to deprogram them.”

“Hunk will protect me, right, Hunk?” Lance asked.

“If I must,” Hunk said. “Maybe we can try and convince Keith to join robotics when he gets back.”

Pidge perked up. “There we go, that’s an idea! We’ll get to him before any other clubs get a chance!”

“Eh, I wouldn’t get your hopes up,” Lance said. “Keith doesn’t really seem like the club-joining type.”

Hunk raised a brow. “How come?”

“Because he’s not exactly social,” Lance answered. “In the time he’s been here he only ever comes downstairs for meals and barely says a word to any of the rest of us during them. The rest of the time, he’s just holed up in his room, quiet as a mouse.”

Hunk shrugged. “He only showed up, what, two days ago? Probably just still being shy.”

“Hunk, there’s shy, and then there’s straight-up asocial. I mean, you’re not exactly the most outgoing guy in the world, but if you moved in with a group of people, you would hold an actual conversation with them by day two, right?”

“I wouldn’t,” Pidge said.

“Yes you would,” Lance huffed. “And it’s not like we haven’t made an effort, you know? We try to chat with him and stuff, but he just stares at his food and mumbles little one-word answers and shuts us out.” He sighed. “Of all the foster brothers Mamá could have picked for me, she goes with the one who doesn’t even want to be here.”

“Still bitter about not getting the happy hyper eight-year-old you dreamed of, huh?” Pidge muttered.

“I’m not bitter,” Lance said.

“You are so bitter,” Pidge said. “Besides, it’s not like your parents just picked him out of a catalogue or anything. I’m pretty sure when you apply to become a foster parent, if you don’t already have a specific kid you’re planning to foster in mind, the state gets to pick one for you. Or, something like that, anyway. And what are your parents gonna do, go ‘oh, no thanks, this one’s too quiet, we’ll pass’? Dick move.”

“I’m not saying I wanted them to do that or anything. I’m just - I dunno, frustrated, I guess.”

“Eh, give it time,” Hunk said. “You’re a lot to get used to, and it’s only been a couple of days. Patience is a virtue.”

“Since when did I care about being virtuous?” Lance said.

“Don’t know what you mean, you’ve always seemed like a pillar of virtue to me,” Pidge said flatly. She picked up Lance’s controller and dropped it back into hands. “Okay, next race is up. Try to not hit every single crater this time, it’s no fun playing with a player two if you don’t put up an actual challenge.”

“It’s not me who sucks, it’s the game,” Lance said.

“It’s a poor craftsman who blames his tools, Lance,” said Hunk.

“I am this close to kicking you both out of my house,” Lance muttered before settling back into couch and moving his concentration to the TV screen.

They passed the next race mostly in peace and quiet, and went another round before getting bored and switching to Dark Alert, which turned out to be a fairly generic side scrolling beat-’em-up game. It was about ten minutes into the game, with Hunk at the controller, that the knob of the front door finally turned to welcome Lance’s mother and new brother back into the house.

Lance lifted his hand in greeting as they entered, his mother carrying two shopping bags in each hand and Keith hugging a new backpack to his chest. His mom smiled back, but Keith didn’t even look his way, instead staring at Hunk before darting his eyes toward Pidge. He stepped back, brow furrowed.

“This is Hunk and Pidge,” Lance said, answering Keith’s unspoken question and gesturing to each of them in turn. “Friends from school.”

“Oh, you’ll have to get used to seeing those two around,” his mother said to Keith. “They and Lance are something of a package deal. Good to see you guys.”

“You too, Señora McClain,” Pidge said, although her eyes were fixed firmly on Keith. Hunk paused the video game and turned in their direction as well. “So,” Pidge continued. “You must be the famous Keith that Lance has told us so much about?”

“Pidge,” Lance groaned as Keith narrowed his eyes toward Lance in suspicion. “It’s not like I was gossiping about you or anything,” he assured Keith. “Just, you know, telling them I had a new foster brother who moved in. Nothing bad.” Okay, that was a bit of a white lie, but what Keith didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

Keith must have accepted it, though, because he nodded slowly and mumbled a hasty “hi” to Pidge. Hunk, in his turn, smiled widely at him and waved. “If you’re not busy, you wanna come join us? We’re running through some new games. Well, they’re old games, actually, but they’re new to us. Still have three here we haven’t touched yet, you can be the first to give it a go. Oh, I probably should have asked first, you like video games?”

Keith stared at him for a couple of seconds before shrugging, and Lance raised a brow at Hunk. If they had been doubting at all that Keith was as untalkative as he had claimed, here was the supporting evidence. Hunk must have at least started to pick up on Keith’s stony vibe already, though, because he’d babbled a bit just then. Hunk always babbled when he felt awkward.

“So is that a yes or no to joining us?” Pidge asked.

“No thank you,” Keith said.

Pidge shrugged. “Probably for the best. These games kinda suck. I’ll ask again when we bring over something decent.”

“You two ready for the school year?” Lance’s mother asked. Pidge and Hunk both nodded and made sounds of assent before she turned back to Keith and said, “They’re both going to be sophomores as well, so you guys might be having some classes together. I’m sure they’ll be happy to help you out with anything you need to help get settled into your new school, same as Lance. Isn’t that right?”

“Of course, Señora McClain!” Hunk said with an enthusiastic nod at the same time as Pidge responded with a flat, “Sure.”

“There you have it,” she said with a satisfied nod. “By the way, Lance, whatever happened to those old clothes of Marco’s I gave you to go through and pick out? I wanted to let Keith have a look at the ones you didn’t pick, see if there’s anything he likes. Lord knows, he barely brought along enough clothes to last him a week.” Keith tightened his grip on his backpack and dropped his gaze to his feet.

“I put them back in the attic,” Lance answered. “Marco has terrible taste in clothes. Keith can have all of them.”

“You didn’t want any of them?” his mother asked. “With all the money you spend on clothes, you really didn’t want any new outfits for free?”

“Hey, it’s not like I’m blowing my allowance on designer labels or anything,” Lance said. “I just don’t want to be seen in public in the sad remains of Marco’s grunge phase.”

His mother shook her head. “Well, at least they’re not going to waste now. Come on, Keith, I’ll show you the clothes. I promise, they’re perfectly fine; Lance is just picky.”

Keith nodded and hurried to follow, and the two of them made their way upstairs and out of sight. Lance watched them go before turning back and nudging Hunk. “Okay, you can unpause it now.”

“Well, I don’t know what you were complaining about,” Pidge said. “He seemed great.”

“What are you talking about?” Lance asked. “He barely said two words to you.”

“Yeah, that’s why he seemed great. Breath of fresh air after years with you.” Lance picked up one of the couch pillows and smacked her on the head with it.

“He wasn’t really emo, was he,” Hunk said. “I mean, he had the dark colors, but I think emo involves more accessorizing.”

“Okay, yeah, I kinda meant emo more as a vibe, you know?” said Lance. “Like, introverted and angry-sad. And he’s got the hair for it, and the face.”

“What, ‘cause of the scar or something?” Pidge asked.

“I meant, like, the facial expressions,” Lance said. “But, sure, that too.”

“No wonder you’re not crazy about him,” Pidge continued, smirking. “New kid in school, broody and mysterious, good-looking and with a face scar to boot? He’s gonna be stealing all your dates.”

“What are you on about?”

“That was one of the things you were worried about, right? New foster brother taking all the dateable people for himself?”

Lance rolled his eyes. “First of all, a face scar would make a person less likely to attract admirers, not more.”

“Actually, I’m with Pidge on that one,” Hunk said. “Apparently people go nuts for face scars.”

“Yeah, like, Matt’s friend Shiro?” Pidge said. “Guys are falling all over themselves for him, and let’s not pretend the scar’s not at least a factor.”

“Okay, but that’s a special case. Shiro’s - ”

“And apparently people just swoon over the Phantom of the Opera,” Hunk added.

“And there’s Prince Zuko,” said Pidge.

“Inigo Montoya.”

“Harry Potter.”

“Deathstroke.”

“That lion from The Lion King 2.”

“You’re reaching,” Lance groaned. “And bottom line, he is not going to steal my dates. Hell, for all we know, maybe he doesn’t even date at all. Maybe he’s another Pidge.”

Pidge perked up, eyes suddenly bright with curiosity. “You think? That’d be awesome!”

“Should we ask?” said Hunk.

“No, Hunk,” Lance sighed. “Leave it.”

Pidge huffed out a laugh before slumping back into her previous posture on the couch. “Well, whatever the case. He didn’t seem so bad. Just quiet. I say give it time. I was quiet too when I first moved up to your grade, and look at me now.”

“Ah, the good old days,” Lance said wistfully. “Yes, I remember.”

“It’s like you want me to punch you,” Pidge huffed, giving him a shove. “But seriously, my money’s on it being nerves. I’m sure he’s not so bad.”

“Give it time,” Hunk said with a nod. “Patience.”

“Whatever,” Lance said, shrugging. He folded his arms and turned his eyes back to the game on the screen. “So when we switching controllers again, huh? I haven’t had a turn in like half an hour.”

“Patience, Lance,” Pidge said sagely.

“You guys suck.”

#vldgen #lance #keith #vld fic #voltron fic #my writing #fic: welcome to the family

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burnouts3s3 · 6 years ago

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Anthem, a review

(Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit unprofessional blog post written by an unprofessional blog poster. All purported facts and statement are little more than the subjective, biased opinion of said blog poster. In other words, don’t take anything I say too seriously.) Just the facts 'Cause you're in a Hurry! Publisher: Electronic Arts Developer: Bioware Platform Required: Origin Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): 59.99 USD How much I paid: 14.99 USD for Origin Premiere Access, a subscription service for Electronic Arts Rated: Not Rated as of the writing of this review. Can I play offline: No. Anthem requires a constant online connection to play. Controller Support: Yes. It was compatible with my Rock-Candy Xbox 360 controller. Keyboard and Mouse controls are also available. How long I played: 16 Hours to complete the main story mode on Easy mode while watching the (skippable) cutscenes. Microtransactions: An in-game Store to purchase skins, individual paint jobs or emotes for various Javelins, suits in the game. Purchases can cost up to 20 USD. What I played on: My PC. Performance Issues: I would use many words to describe Anthem, but "optimized" is not one of them. With V-Sync turned on, the Framerate dips wildly between 30-60 FPS. Several instances of clipping and pop-in textures. 3 Game crashes requiring me to restart the game. One instance of the game not loading the forge yet and me walking into the bottom pit while the forge spawed up ahead and I got stuck so I had to reset the game. But hey, the facial animations are pretty passable this time around. My Personal Biases: I am a Biodrone/Bioware apologist. I’ve played every Bioware game since Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. However, I’ve been having doubts on the company since the buggy release of Mass Effect: Andromeda. My Verdict: Less like a complete game and more like a prologue to hook early adopters in, Anthem feels like the first time in a long time that doesn't have Bioware's roleplaying there. With no romance options, very few conversations with side characters with limited choices and a ho-hum story, Anthem feels sorely lacking in several areas. Wait until Bioware puts in more content and a price cut before picking this one up. Anthem, a review

And so it's finally here. After years of Development, Bioware finally releases its new IP: Anthem. After the critical and financial flop that was Mass Effect: Andromeda from even hardcore Bioware fans, will the developer be able to get back into the good graces of their fanbase? Let's find out. This is a review of "Anthem". You are a Freelancer. Riding around in your mechanical jet suit, a Javelin, you adventure outside the world collecting artifacts of, what else, the remains of an ancient and mysterious race of creators that shaped the world through the Anthem. Alongside your friends, a veteran Javelin pilot Haluk and a Cypher (psychics who can listen and understand the Anthem), Faye, you adventure into the Heart of Rage, a dangerous location where even the most hardened of veterans fall. But when the expedition goes horribly wrong and most of the other Freelancers have been killed, you pull Haluk out of the Heart of Rage and retreat to Fort Tarsis. While I can safely say that Anthem isn't nearly the disaster Mass Effect: Andromeda was, it leaves a lot to be desired. It's less of a full game than it is a prologue to something else. Then again, in the age of the ongoing dumpster fire that is Fallout 76, I suppose a less than optimized game isn't nearly as terrible as a continuing PR disaster. Two years pass and you are finding any sort of work given to you. People have begun to lose faith in Freelancers and you and your new friend, Owen, try to make ends meet. However, Tassyn, an informant from the Capital, comes with you with a job offer. However, as you continue your adventure, you meet up with the enemy faction, the Dominion (those who believe they can control the Anthem and reshape the world) as well as its bloodthirsty leader, Monitor. In order to defeat the Monitor, you'll have to reunite with your estranged friends, Haluk and Faye, improve your Javelin, pass trials and re-enter the Heart of Rage. Can you finish the mission you ran away from two years ago? Anthem is a third-person shooter in which you complete quests to earn gear. As you level up and do more difficult missions, you'll receive better gear. This is where Anthem shines: the level of customizing your Javeline is immense and there's a lot of room for originality. There are 4 classes of Javelins: the Ranger, an all-around, versatile mech, the Interceptor, a light mech focusing on Melee attacks, the Storm, a mage type class that can fire elemental attacks and the Colossus, the tank class capable of soaking up damage. While each of the 4 Javelins can equip any weapon, specific Javelins are limited to certain parts. You'll gather and accumliate parts and salvage the parts to get components. You can use components to craft new parts ranging from Common to Uncommon to Rare to Legendary. If you earn a blueprint, you can craft some Legendary gear. Earning items can be done by playing story missions, doing side-quests, participating in Strongholds (this game's version of Dungeons) or going into Freeplay, an open world element in which you fly around the vast world and look for 'World Events' random missions that have specific objectives and reward a treasure chest full of loot. Flying around in the mech is a highlight. Being able to soar through the air and water while watching for overheating is probably the best we'll get to an Iron Man experience. Combat and mission objectives aren't quite as compelling. It's mostly doing the same thing over and over again: defeat waves of enemies, collect echos or fragments, wait until the Signal is decrypted, etc. And while the Javelins have different playstyles, abilities and Ultimate attacks, it does little to change defeating wave after wave of enemies for the umpteeth time. While Customizing your Javelin is vast, customizing your player avatar is sorely lacking. There's no character creator as the game only gives you preset faces to pick from. Worst yet, the majority of the game while in Fort Tarsis is set in first-person, meaning you'll almost never see your character for the majority of the game. The lack of roleplaying bleeds out into Fort Tarsis. Frankly, compared to the vast world to explore in Anthem, Fort Tarsis is claustrophobic. It makes Dragon Age 2's Kirkwall seem big by comparison. There's very little to explore and not helping matters is the snail's pace you're forced to walk while traveling around it. For Tarsis is filled up with NPC's in which you can have conversations. To advance certain conversations, you'll either have to do missions or enter freeplay. Unfortunately, your dialogue options are VERY limited. The infamous Bioware Dialogue Wheel is nowhere to be found and you'll be left with two choices to respond. Not helping matters is that most of these conversations go nowhere and do very little to define your character. (Though there are some exceptions. For example, I liked listening to Zoe talk about her son and why her motherly instincts lead her to take extra care of Javelins or helping an old woman who confuses you for her dead child). While the results may differ depending on what choices you choose, all the major stuff is being done off-screen. It's one thing to have a veteran Javelin pilot reminisce about the old days but when other characters are having adventures and bringing you up to speed on taking your advice, you can't help but feel a disconnect. The main story doesn't really help either. You don't even get to pick dialogue choices at all and you watch as your Player Character does all the acting. It truly feels like the first time the game is on-rails and you're not voicing any input at all on how to react. Worst yet, certain points in the main questline FORCES you to do tedious grinding to advance. When Faye asks you to do trials, they can only be accomplished by doing in-game achievements (i.e. Kill X enemies with a Melee Attack or Revive X players). It feels needlessly tedious and only bogs the game down. This is (and I'm speculating here) only there to extend the playtime so that gamers who payed for the 10 hour trial do not blitz through the main storyline.

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After that, you need to craft the Dawn Sheild and must help either Matthias, an Archanist who might be seeing triple or Sentinel Dax, a princess turned guard who's recklessness might get you killed, in order to do so. Worst yet, even after helping one of them, the game insists you help the other one to lower the crafting cost of the shield. The main questline is short and full of cliches. Not helping matters is that the Monitor is a completely generic big bad with no real personality and idiotic reasons for wanting to access the Anthem. I know Bioware is hardly the arbiter of original characters, but the Monitor is woefully lacking after the specific threats that were Mass Effect's Saren and Dragon Age's Loghain. And after it's done, the game 'teases' you with an after-credits scene that only exists so that Bioware can state "Don't worry; we have more content coming soon". Even after you complete the story and unlock the two other Strongholds, there's a woeful lack of content. You can repeat missions and do quests on higher difficulty levels to gain better gear, but it quickly becomes repetitive. Who is the audience for this game? In a world where Warframe is free to play, Borderlands 2 has a healthy player population and Destiny 2 has had its price cut, Anthem feels like a latecomer to the genre. But, even loyal Bioware fans (i.e. the people who bought Mass Effect: Andromeda on the first day and still defend said purchase), aren’t feeling this game. In fact, one of the Youtube creators I follow quit the game after he received a bug in which after unlocking his second Javelin, he was unable to access the account.

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Why would Bioware change its formula now? And it's not as if Anthem is a priority for Electronic Arts, either. With Apex Legends continuing to dominate Twitch ratings and Playerbase, Anthem will probably be pushed to the sidelines. The game requires constant online connection and has an in-game store. Fortunately, said microtransactions are purely cosmetic and do not feature loot boxes plaguing the industry. And while it isn't as rediculous and allows you, the player, to buy the items with in-game currency, it's still a bad precedent. But I could even forgive the game as a service model as long as I got to roleplay. For example, (and I’m aware this is a very subjective opinion that is not shared by other people), I really like Star Wars: The Old Republic. Even though many gamers criticized the game of being a World of Warcraft rip-off (and rightly so, I might add), there was a sense of roleplaying and seeing my character on screen. Plus, it was cool seeing how different the class stories differed from one another. I could tell you how my Twi'lek smuggler who romanced Akaavi differed from my Pureblood Sith Inquistor who romanced Ashara. If you asked me what differentiated my Male Javelin Pilot from my Female one, I couldn't possibly tell you. (I suspect that the game will inevitably follow the footsteps of Star Wars: The Old Republic, go free to play when the playerbase dwindles while walling off things such as Strongholds for subscribers). And it's very telling how developers and animators were pulled from Mass Effect: Andromeda to help work on Anthem. CAVEAT: As a developer, Bioware has always put things like inclusion and diversity first and foremost, even at the cost of things such as quality assurance or facial animations. "Strong Alone, Stronger Together," says Haluk. And for a lot of consumers, myself included, they feel conflicted on criticizing something they view as a positive force for the games industry. But whatever the consumer is, whomever they love, whatever the color of their skin or what they identify themselves as, Electronic Arts is pulling out scummy tactics to milk them out of their money. There’s still an ongoing debate of where things like representation, inclusion, exclusion, diversity and egalitarianism have in the industry. But wherever you find yourself on the culture war, the one thing we can agree on is that the last thing required are for giant publishers co-opting those social issues in order to scam its customers out of their money. Verdict: Wait for a sale or Rental.

#bioware #ea #Electronic Arts #origin #freelancer #haluk #faye #owen #tassyn #dominion #sentinel #dax #matthias #colossus #interceptor #storm #ranger

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