#am just not looking forward to it. obviously

[zeroseuniverse]

please give haneul's dad a love life 😔🙏 he's miserable, I can hear him sighing all day and night and I don't even live nearby. please help a young nurse be well fed with fluffy warm pancakes in the morning 🥹🥞

please make a silly old anonymous reader happy by writing a part 2 of "My Dad is Single!" ☝️

You ask and you shall receive my darling Asks are my number 1 priority so I typically try to only take 2-3 days in writing them, I enjoy providing what my readers want so I hope this came out in a timely manner for you!

My Dad Is Single II

S.Coups had no idea how he ended up here.

One moment, he was just a devoted single dad trying to survive his six-year-old's chaotic antics. The next, he was standing in his kitchen, flipping pancakes while Nurse Pretty—sat at his dining table, chatting with Haneul like they were old friends.

Haneul had orchestrated this whole thing, obviously. After her legendary text message, she had laughed it off but agreed to come over—"just for pancakes," she had said. But from the way she kept smiling at him over her coffee, he knew she was enjoying his flustered state way too much.

"So, Haneul," she said, resting her chin on her hand. "Tell me—why are you so determined to find your dad a girlfriend?"

Haneul sighed dramatically, like this was a burden only she could bear. "Because Appa is so lonely."

S.Coups groaned from the stove. "I am not—"

"He sighs all the time," Haneul interrupted. "Like, so much. And he watches sad movies at night."

She smirked. "Ah, the sighing. You told me about that before."

"Right?!" Haneul threw her hands up. "It’s a problem."

S.Coups turned around, pointing a spatula at his daughter. "You’re making me sound like a tragic drama lead."

"You are a tragic drama lead," Haneul said, dead serious. "But don’t worry! This is the episode where you find love again."

She burst out laughing while S.Coups slumped against the counter, defeated.

"Unbelievable," he muttered for what felt like the hundredth time.

"You say that a lot," She teased, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Because this keeps happening!" He gestured at Haneul, who was happily munching on a pancake like she hadn’t just thrown him under the bus.

She just smiled. "Well, I have to admit—this is probably the most unique way I’ve ever been asked out."

S.Coups nearly dropped the plate he was holding. "Wait—was this… an ask out?"

she tilted her head, pretending to think. "Well, I was invited to your house. You cooked for me. There’s a cute child who’s very invested in our future. Sounds like a date to me."

S.Coups blinked, completely thrown. "I—uh—what—"

Haneul leaned forward and stage-whispered to her , "He’s shy."

she grinned. "It’s cute."

S.Coups groaned again. "I am not shy!"

"You’re blushing," Haneul pointed out.

He pressed a hand to his face. Oh my God, I am.

She reached for a pancake, her smile softening. "Relax, S.Coups. I’m just teasing. But… I wouldn’t mind getting to know you better. If that’s something you’d be open to."

S.Coups stared at her, completely caught off guard. He hadn’t expected this. At all. And yet, with Haneul beaming up at him and her looking at him with those warm, patient eyes, he found himself… considering it.

Slowly, a small smile crept onto his face. "I guess… I wouldn’t mind either."

Haneul exploded into cheers, nearly knocking over her juice. "YES! Finally!"

she laughed, and S.Coups couldn’t help but chuckle too, shaking his head.

"Unbelievable," he muttered one last time—but this time, it felt different. Lighter. Like maybe, just maybe, his little drama lead moment was turning into a rom-com after all.

[shimmernspice]

Contraindicated

pairing: college dealer Vi x college student reader

Description: Vi knows better than to get involved with customers - especially the pretty ones who get her tongue-tied and nervous.

Warnings: 18+, drugs (weed)

The party was already in full swing by the time Vi arrived, her shoulders tense beneath her as she weaved through the crowd. Vi hated these things. She wouldn't have shown up if it weren't for Jinx and Ekko dragging her out of their apartment.

These things were too loud with too many people - but it was also good for business. Quick deals in dim hallways, maybe saying hi to familiar faces, and then she would leave.

That was the plan anyways.

You leaned against the wooden railing of the porch, enjoying the way the smoke from your blunt curled into the dark. The back door creaked open and shut. You didn't bother looking up from your spot - just another person needing a break from the party. But when the new person made herself comfortable against the railing you finally glanced over.

She was tall, broad-shouldered, and wearing a tight jacket that did nothing to hide her muscles underneath. She exhaled slowly and rolled her shoulders like she was trying to shake something off.

You studied her for a moment, your gaze lingering a little too long on her face. Her eyes met yours before you could look away and a blush spread across your cheeks. So embarrassing you thought to yourself. Holding out your blunt, "Want a hit?"

She snorted, shaking her head. "Nah I'm good. Appreciate it though."

You gave her a small grin, "Trying to quit or something?"

"More like I've got better shit at home." Shooting you an amused but cautious look, "I deal."

That caught your attention. You hummed, weighing the information before taking another hit. "Good to know."

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head before replying. "You say that like you're gonna actually remember." You grin.

"I've been looking for a new dealer anyway. My guy has been upcharging me since I said no to a date."

Vi hesitated and against her judgment, held out her hand to you. "Vi," she said, introducing herself. Vi hated selling to people who weren't introduced by her customers, the risk of getting caught made her nervous. Hell, she had only known you for a couple of minutes and she was willing to throw her caution to the wind.

But Vi always had a weakness for pretty girls. And staring at you in the dim glow of the porch light shut her brain down.

She reaches into her pocket, pulls her phone out and offers it to you to put your number in. What am I doing? Stepping closer, she presses it into your free hand.

You come forward, taking the phone from her. Her fingers are rough against yours. You try to convince yourself that the electricity you felt was because you took one too many hits and not because of how nervous the hot redhead is making you feel. You slip your hand away from hers and Vi almost chases it. Gods, what Vi would do to feel your hand it hers again.

"Don't make me regret that," she murmured, low and serious.

Something in her tone sent a thrill down your spine. Not a warning exactly. But maybe a challange.

You smirked, typing your number into the phone. You hand her back the phone, leaning in closer than you already were. "No promises."

Before anything else could happen, Jinx burst through the door. A knowing and mischievous smile graces her face. "Don't let me ruin the moment guys." Her voice cuts the obviously thick tension between the two of you.

You offer Vi a smile before you disappear back into the house, the door clicking shut behind you.

Vi sighed, staring down at the phone that was in her grip.

The screen lit up. New Contact: Trouble❤️

Her jaw clenched. A chuckle escaped her lips as she turned off the phone and put it back in her pocket.

Yeah. She was in for it.

[peppermint-toads]

based off that one song from that one musical here’s my comeback

“simon, no! why have you turned?”

you huffed, slumping back into your seat and turning yourself towards the window. you watched the rain pelt against the window. course it’s raining.

“it’s faster this way.”

and of course that’s all he’s got to say about it.

“but she lives on—”

“i know where she lives. it’s faster this way.”

his mood started before the car ride, believe it or not. it started at the shops while you were looking for a bottle of wine to bring to your cousin’s dinner party. simon had wandered off as usual, returning with a case of beer and plopping it in the cart.

you frowned. “si, we can’t bring beer tonight.”

why not? beer was good enough for soap and price, why wouldn’t it be good enough for your cousin?

“it’s just—she’s a bit of a snob, okay? and i want to make a good impression is all. you know, she got that new sous position and everything. we just have to look good.”

“so you're embarrassed, then.”

you could strangle him. why does he have to make things so difficult when they really don’t have to be.

“simon, i am obviously not embarrassed of the man i chose to bring to this dinner.”

you thought that might be enough to convince him, but he makes no move to retrieve his beer from the cart. okay, maybe your cousin will find it… charming?

you are worried about how simon will come off, though. he isn’t exactly the friendliest face. you tried to warn your cousin as subtly as you could without scaring her, and by the way simon is acting right now, you’ve a feeling things won’t go as planned.

you’re certainly going to be late. all you can see ahead of you is the blinding red of taillights.

“we’re going to be late,” you grumble.

simon just exhales, continuing staring down the endless row of cars in front of him. his head whips over though, when he hears the click of the passenger door opening.

in a blink you’re out on the sidewalk, grocery bag in hand. “i’ll walk from here.”

the last thing you heard was simon’s palm thudding against the steering wheel and the slamming of your door.

but simon is on you in an instant, insisting you get back in the car.

“you’re being ridiculous. you’re going to catch a cold, c’mon.”

you ignore him, crossing your arms and marching forward. simon follows, leaving the car in the middle of traffic with the driver's side door flung open. traffic moves up a foot, and the honking ensues.

your ears are ringing from the rain, simon’s yelling, the blaring horns. and you halt.

“just stop, simon, honestly! jesus, my shoes are fucking drowning and my hair is a mess, please just—”

“will you marry me?”

[multi-fandom-imagine]

Your last George blurb with the nightmare was really good, would you consider writing a part two where they actually have lunch together?

Much love ♡

A/n: Thank you 🥹 The Weasley twins deserve all the happiness.

George can still feel the nightmare clinging to him, his mind in that daze, that fog. His breath still uneven and his chest still heaving as he gripped the sheets tightly. His heart pounded against his ribs, and his skin felt clammy, the echoes of his nightmare still gripping his mind like a vice. You were gone. Fred was gone. He was alone.

It wasn’t real.

Something in the back of his mind telling him that.

It wasn’t real.

“George?” Your soft, sleepy voice broke through the haze of panic, and he turned his head toward you, his eyes wide and glassy. He blinked a few times as if making sure you were actually there and not just a cruel trick of his mind.

Without a word, he pulled you into his arms, holding you so tightly it nearly knocked the breath out of you. You didn’t complain, simply rubbing soothing circles on his back, whispering reassurances in his ear.

“I’m here, love,” you murmured, pressing a kiss to his temple. “I’m right here.”

He swallowed thickly, his grip on you unrelenting. “I had a nightmare,” he admitted hoarsely. “You and Fred… you were gone. Both of you. And I—” His voice broke, and you felt his shoulders tremble.

He was alone....so utterly alone.

You cupped his face, forcing him to look at you. “We’re here, Georgie. Me and Fred. We’re not going anywhere.”

It took a few minutes, but eventually, George’s breathing evened out. Still, you could see the lingering fear in his eyes, the weight of the what-ifs pressing down on him.

An idea formed in your mind. Placing a kiss to the top of his head. "Go back to sleep and when we wake up we'll go out."

Glancing down, George nodded his head lying hack down pulling you close. Sleep didn't come easy but at least the nightmare didn't return.

It was hours later when he woke up, a smile on your face. “Come on, let’s go out,” you said, brushing his hair back gently.

He furrowed his brows. “Go out?”

“Yeah,” you said brightly. “A lunch date. Just you and me. You need a reminder that we’re here, and that life’s still good.”

George hesitated, his mind still in a hog, he remembered you mentioning that after he woke from his nightmare and while normally he’d be the one to drag you out for an impromptu adventure, but the nightmare had rattled him more than he wanted to admit. Still, when you flashed him that determined look—the one he could never say no to—he sighed in defeat.

“Alright,” he said, a small smile playing on his lips. “But only if you let me pay.”

“Deal.” Giving him a wink you bent down kissing the top of his head.

The little café you picked was cozy, with warm wooden tables and the scent of fresh bread filling the air. You sat across from George, reaching for his hand as you both sipped on butterbeer.

“You seem better,” you noted, squeezing his fingers gently.

George exhaled, rubbing his thumb over your knuckles then across your wedding band. “I think I just needed to see you, hold you. It sounds ridiculous, but when I woke up, it felt so real.” He looked at you, vulnerability in his eyes. “I don’t think I could bear losing you.”

"George what we went through...no one comes out with not losing a piece of themselves." You leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “You're not going to lose me, you're stuck with me Weasley. For life.”

His grin was back, more genuine this time. “Lucky me.”

“Obviously,” you teased, making him chuckle.

Just as you were finishing your meal, a familiar voice interrupted, “Oi, am I invited to this secret lunch date, or do I have to crash it?”

You both turned to see Fred standing there, hands on his hips, a smirk on his face.

George rolled his eyes. “It’s a date, Freddie. As in, me and my gorgeous spouse. Alone.”

Fred scoffed, plopping down next to you anyway. “Pfft. Like I’d let you two have all the fun. What are we eating?”

You laughed, shaking your head, while George groaned. But as he looked at you, then at his twin—both very much alive, very much here—he realized just how lucky he was.

Maybe the nightmare had been a cruel reminder of how fragile life was. But right now, he had everything he needed.

And he wasn’t letting go.

[paigesbasketball]

Echos of The Fallen

Chapter 3: Crimson Heist Shadow the Hedgehog x Reader Warnings: A little firting but thats it

September 30th - 7:45 AM - G.U.N. Headquarters

The remnants of the explosion still hung in the air, the scent of charred metal and burnt rubber clinging to Shadow’s uniform as he stepped into the war room. The monitors on the walls flickered with the latest updates—feeds from the wreckage site, reports from analysts trying to piece together what little information they had. The entire building seemed to hum with tension, the weight of last night’s failure pressing down on everyone inside.

Rouge was already seated at the long metal table, idly examining her nails as she waited for him. Omega stood nearby, his mechanical frame motionless save for the occasional whir of servos adjusting his position. The moment Shadow entered, Rouge glanced up, arching a perfectly sculpted brow.

“Well, well,” she mused, tilting her head. “You look like hell.”

Shadow ignored her, dropping into the chair across from her and flicking open the latest intel file. “We lost her.” His voice was clipped, edged with irritation.

“No kidding.” Rouge smirked, leaning forward. “You let a woman get the best of you. Now that’s a first.”

Shadow’s crimson eyes narrowed. “She was ten steps ahead. The explosion was a diversion, and we took the bait.” His fingers drummed against the table, betraying his frustration. “She’s not just some rogue mercenary. She knows how we operate.”

Omega’s monotone voice rumbled to life. “RECOMMENDATION: TERMINATION OF TARGET UPON IDENTIFICATION.”

Rouge scoffed. “So dramatic. We don’t even know who she really is yet. ‘Danny’s wife’ doesn’t exactly lead us anywhere.”

Shadow turned the file toward her. “She’s connected to Cipher. That’s all we need to know.”

Rouge’s expression darkened slightly at the mention of the name. “So, Cipher’s making moves again. Last time he popped up, it took half of G.U.N.’s intelligence division to track down just one of his hideouts. If she’s working with him, she’s dangerous.”

“Obviously.” Shadow’s voice was tight. “The question is why. What does Cipher want with G.U.N.’s classified weapons project?”

Rouge shrugged, leaning back in her chair. “Power? Leverage? Or maybe he’s just bored. But something tells me your little rooftop admirer is more than just an errand girl.”

Shadow frowned. “What do you mean?”

Rouge’s smirk returned, playful and knowing. “She could’ve killed you last night, but she didn’t.”

Shadow remained silent, his jaw tightening. He had considered that already. The explosion had been designed to wound, to scatter forces, not to kill. If she had truly wanted him dead, she wouldn’t have left it to chance.

Omega interrupted the thought. “QUERY: NEXT COURSE OF ACTION?”

Shadow pushed the file toward the center of the table. “We find her. We stop her. No more games.”

September 30th - 10:12 PM - Underground Safehouse

The glow of multiple monitors bathed the dimly lit room in a soft blue hue, casting flickering shadows against the exposed concrete walls. The safehouse was tucked beneath the remnants of an abandoned subway station, far from prying eyes.

I sat in front of the main screen, scanning through lines of encrypted data as Zero worked his magic on the G.U.N. servers. The room was filled with the soft clacking of keys, the occasional beeping of software processes running in the background. Scar stood near the entrance, arms crossed, her gaze flicking between me and the screens.

“G.U.N. is scrambling,” Zero announced, his fingers flying across the keyboard. “They’ve got teams sweeping the city, but they’re running in circles.”

Scar smirked. “Shadow must be pissed.”

I didn’t react, my eyes still focused on the data. “Let him be. It won’t change anything.”

Zero’s hands stilled for a moment, his brow furrowing. “Hold up... This is new.”

I leaned forward. “What?”

He pulled up a series of documents, most of them redacted, but one detail stood out. A shipment manifest. Destination: G.U.N. Research Facility - Grid Sector Seven. Contents: Prototype X-09.

Scar whistled lowly. “Well, that sounds interesting.”

I exhaled slowly, my mind racing. “That’s what Carson was talking about.”

Zero nodded. “Whatever X-09 is, they’re keeping it locked down tight. I can't seem to find information on it. If G.U.N. wants it then that just makes it automatically bad.”

I tapped my fingers against my arm, calculating the next steps. “Then we move first. we break into the G.U.N. bank and steal some of their assets so they will be unable to fund this project anymore"

Scar raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that? If we intercept, we’ll be putting ourselves directly in Shadow’s path.”

A part of me hesitated, just for a fraction of a second. Then I pushed the thought aside. “Let him come. this time he won't know I know his turf.”

Zero cracked his knuckles, already preparing the next phase of the operation. “Then let’s get to work.”

Viper stood up, stretching her arms. "Alright, I’m grabbing food. Try not to blow anything up while I’m gone."

She slammed the door behind her, making the walls shake slightly. Nova immediately huffed, turning toward the door with an irritated glare. "Can you not? I’m working on an experiment!"

Viper’s voice called from the hallway, "Oh, I’m sorry, Princess! Didn’t mean to disrupt your evil genius time."

Nova scoffed. "At least I actually use my brain."

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. "Guys, let’s be real. Unless you’re both on your period, let’s not bicker like this."

Nova shot me a glare, and Viper's laughter echoed from down the hall. "You wish, sweetheart!"

I smirked but turned back to the screens, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. The banter was familiar, almost comforting, but the weight of our situation pressed heavy on my mind. G.U.N. was moving fast, and we didn’t have time to waste.

Zero leaned back in his chair, exhaling sharply. "You really think we can pull this off?"

I didn’t answer right away, my eyes scanning over the shipment details. The security routes, the escort patterns—it was tight, but not impenetrable.

"We don’t have a choice," I finally said. "I do not trust them to have that weapon"

Scar crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "And what happens when Shadow shows up?"

A beat of silence filled the room. That was the real problem. Shadow wasn’t like the grunts G.U.N. usually sent after us. He didn’t make mistakes. He didn’t let people slip through his fingers twice.

I exhaled. "Then we adapt."

The tension settled in the air, thick and unspoken. This wasn’t just another job—this was a battle waiting to happen.

The door creaked open again, and Viper strolled back in, holding a bag of takeout. "Alright, nerds, eat up. If we’re gonna risk our lives in forty-eight hours, you might as well not do it on an empty stomach."

Nova snatched the bag from her hands. "Finally, you’re useful for something."

Viper smirked. "Careful, Princess. Keep talking like that, and I might ‘accidentally’ forget your order next time."

As they bickered, I stared at the screens, the blueprint of the G.U.N. transport route flashing in front of me. This was it. The moment we made our move, there was no turning back.

I clenched my jaw, determination settling in.

We had forty-eight hours to pull off the impossible.

And failure wasn’t an option.

1:45 AM – G.U.N. Financial Holdings, Downtown

Everything had been going smoothly—too smoothly. Scar and I had just finished loading the last of the stolen assets into our bags when a sharp, high-pitched beep cut through the silence.

"Tell me that wasn’t you," Scar muttered.

I looked down at my wrist device, where a flashing red warning glowed across the screen. Silent alarm triggered.

"Shit," I hissed. "We need to move—now."

We bolted for the exit, weaving through the dimly lit corridors of the underground vault. But as we reached the stairwell, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the space. Heavy. Coordinated. Armed.

Scar gritted her teeth. "They’re fast."

"They’re G.U.N.," I shot back. "Of course they are."

We reached the main hall just as the security doors slammed shut behind us. A single figure stepped through the haze of flashing red lights. Black and red. Sharp crimson eyes locked onto mine.

Shadow.

Behind him, his team—Rouge and Omega—stood ready, blocking the only other exit.

"You really thought you could just waltz in and take what you wanted?" Shadow’s voice was low, measured, but there was an edge of irritation in it. "You’re getting sloppy."

Scar and I exchanged glances before moving in opposite directions. Shadow’s eyes flicked between us, assessing. Calculating.

"Take them," he ordered.

Rouge lunged for Scar while Omega charged forward, aiming straight for me. I dodged, ducking behind a pillar as his massive arm smashed through it like it was paper.

As Omega charged toward me, I tried to dodge his powerful swing again, but this time I had a better idea.

"Geez, Omega, you ever think about toning it down?" I taunted, hoping to get under his circuits. He growled in response, tightening his grip.

"NEGATIVE," Omega boomed, his voice full of pure mechanical rage. "FULL DESTRUCTION MODE ENGAGED."

I couldn’t avoid his next hit in time, so I took a deep breath, waiting for the right moment. Omega swung harder, and this time, his fist collided with a wall near Rouge, sending debris flying everywhere.

A vulnerable moment.

Before he could adjust, I whipped out a small device from my belt. With a quick motion, I slapped it onto Omega's back. The device activated with a small electric buzz, sending a surge of energy into his system, causing his circuits to short-circuit and his movements to freeze.

Omega's massive frame shuddered, and his body froze in place. The once-booming voice became erratic. "ERROR. SYSTEM MALFUNCTION..."

I gave a sly grin. "Guess I’ll have to remind you how to play nice."

I turned just in time to see Shadow coming for me. Fast. I barely managed to block his first strike, but the sheer force sent me skidding back. He was relentless, each blow more precise than the last.

He feinted left before sweeping my legs out from under me. Before I could react, I was flat on my back, Shadow pinning me down, one knee pressing into my ribs, his hand gripping my wrist.

I struggled, but he didn’t budge. "Give it up," he said. "You’re done."

My mind raced. I needed a distraction. Something to throw him off—just for a second.

I locked eyes with him, smirking. "You gonna kiss me or something, handsome?"

Shadow’s expression flickered. Just for a second. A flash of confusion.

That was all I needed.

I drove my knee into his stomach, making him grunt in surprise. Using the momentum, I twisted us around, grabbing a pair of cuffs from my belt. Before he could recover, I snapped them around his wrist and slammed the other end to a reinforced pipe. The cuffs magnetized instantly, locking him in place.

His eyes widened slightly as he tested the restraints.

I grinned. "Gotta say, I didn’t expect you to be so easy to trap."

Shadow glared at me, but there was the faintest trace of pink on his face.

Scar broke free from Rouge’s grip, sprinting toward me. "We need to go!"

I pulled a smoke bomb from my belt, slamming it against the ground. Thick clouds engulfed the room, obscuring everything.

"See you around, handsome," I teased, before grabbing Scar’s wrist and making a break for the exit.

We darted through the emergency hatch we had scoped out earlier, leaving chaos in our wake. The sound of Shadow yanking at the cuffs and Omega’s booming voice echoed behind us, but we were already gone, disappearing into the night.

2:30 AM – Warehouse Hideout

We crashed through the doors, breathless, adrenaline still surging through our veins.

Zero looked up from his laptop. "I take it things didn’t go as planned?"

Scar dropped her bag onto the table, grinning. "Oh, it went great. Got the goods, fought Shadow, and someone got a little flirty mid-fight."

I rolled my eyes, slumping into a chair. "It was a tactical distraction."

Scar snorted. "Sure it was."

Viper raised an eyebrow. "Wait—you flirted with Shadow?"

Nova nearly choked on her drink. "Hold on, back up. Shadow the Hedgehog?"

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "I’m going to regret this later."

Scar smirked, kicking her feet up onto the table. "Maybe. But for now? Totally worth it."

3:00 AM – G.U.N. Financial Holdings, Downtown

Shadow's POV

The smoke was thick, the echoes of their escape still ringing in my ears. I yanked futilely at the cuffs, feeling the cold metal dig into my wrist. They were designed to hold even the strongest, and for once, it seemed they might have me. But I didn’t have time to waste on my restraints. I had a bigger problem on my hands.

Omega was down, his system glitching from whatever trick that woman had pulled on him. He was muttering about malfunctions as Rouge approached me, her footsteps sharp and mocking.

“Well, that was quite the show, Shadow,” she said, her voice dripping with amusement.

I narrowed my eyes at her, trying to ignore the frustration bubbling inside me. “Save it, Rouge.”

She leaned in closer, her lips curling into a playful smirk. “Not so tough when you're distracted, huh? You got all flustered with her little stunt. Was that... flirtation? You know, I’ve seen you fight harder. Looks like someone’s got a soft spot.”

I could feel my pulse spike, irritation mixing with something I couldn’t quite place. "This isn't the time for your games."

Rouge raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Oh, I’m not joking. You practically let her tie you up. Seems like you let your guard down for something more than just the mission."

I grit my teeth, pushing back the surge of heat in my chest. “She got lucky. That’s all.”

But Rouge wasn’t done. “Sure, sure. I mean, she’s pretty good, I’ll give her that. Had to be quick thinking to get you like that.” Her eyes twinkled as she surveyed the room, her gaze shifting from me to Omega’s malfunctioning state. "But the real question is—how did she even know how to get past all the security systems? Couldn’t have been just luck."

A thought clicked into place, something I hadn’t fully processed in the heat of the moment. The woman’s movements, the way she seemed to be one step ahead, even the tech on her person—it all seemed too familiar. My mind whirred.

“Wait...” I muttered, looking toward Rouge. “She... she knew too much about our systems. She moved like someone who’d been trained to break into places like this.”

Rouge leaned against a wall, watching me. “You think she was G.U.N. trained?” she asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly amused.

“Impossible,” I muttered under my breath, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Her style, her tactics—everything about her reeked of G.U.N. precision, just twisted in a way I hadn’t expected.

“I don’t know, Shadow,” Rouge said, her voice softer now, more serious. “Maybe we should start asking the right questions. Why would someone like her target a G.U.N. facility... and why are we just now seeing her face?”

I clenched my fists, the truth dawning on me. “We’re missing something. Whoever she is, she’s connected to G.U.N. in ways we don’t understand yet.”

Rouge gave me a knowing look, her smirk fading into something more thoughtful. “You think this is the beginning of something bigger?”

I nodded, my gaze shifting back to where Scar and the woman had vanished. “It’s more than just a heist. It’s personal now.”

Guys be honest im trying to find a good length for the chapters i believe this is fine but please let me know

- Caty

[magiclwritings]

It felt like drums were going off in his head the more Iggy spoke. Not because he didn't want to hear what he was saying but because he already knew what it was going to be. That feeling that was radiating off of the other couldn't be denied. Hell, he wasn't sure the gods would allow it to be even if he'd entertain that idea. What Julius had now come to understand about all of this was very plainly in front of him then and it hurt to hear but at least there were a base of understanding. Where he stood at least. His juror was still out on the man next to him. He couldn't blame him for the feelings he harbored towards him. The older he got, the less sparkly the throne had begun to seem to him. But that wasn't a truth he was ever willing to admit to anyone other than in his own thoughts.

"So am I safe to assume that you don't like me?" Julius asked quite plainly. He didn't need to be liked. If there was anything he'd be thankful to his father for it was that. And that wasn't to say they had a bad relationship but he understood that being king or in any position of power did not automatically grant you favor as many thought it had. Julius was now sitting face to face with that lesson. He never thought it'd be so blatant or that it'd be from his wizard but even the gods had a funny sense of humor from time to time. What he was curious about was when he'd said he wouldn't commit to an opinion but he already had. Clearly.

Julius didn't give him a chance to answer but instead pushed off the fountain. The closeness of Iggy was something he'd have to get used to. All that weight that came with him and, well, the feelings too. The prince craved to know more about the bond but it seemed every time he'd made an inquiry about the wizard's magic, his anger came back broiling. Which, now that he knew some of what would happen, it made sense. Julius never dreamt he'd wield magic or find himself in a position to. Everyone else around him always warned of it's need and how crucial it was. And he could see their well meaning intentions. Not everyone thought as he had and perhaps that would be the downfall of this kingdom and maybe it wouldn't. Maybe it could be a different way forward. Not an outside thought.

"What would you be doing right now?" He asked, looking back at Iggy over his shoulder. He had to admit the way the sun highlighted his hair and shone in his eyes was something. The prince drew in a deep breath, feeling that ache return to his chest and stomach alike. If this was just the beginning of their feelings for each other, he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep to himself forever. Perhaps he'll feel gracious enough to explain that little morsel of information. "I mean if you weren't here obviously." He turned a bit more, taking in more of Iggy and his felt his very chest start to rise in answer, like he was his breath. Fuck. "What would you be doing that you wanted to do?"

“Would you be happy if you were in my situation?” He didn’t believe anyone could be happy to work for their soulmate, to devote their life to a stranger. Maybe it was that Iggy's entire life changed once the mark showed up. He had to spend hours studying royal protocols and be trained to be a suitable spouse for the prince. And this magic, the one thing about his identity that was his, would soon belong to the prince. People thought he should be over the moon about it. He would have shelter, wealth, and anything he wanted, but this life had been forced upon him, and he hadn’t chosen it. “If you were a child and were ripped away from your family to attend training because you’ll be given to a prince not only to work for him but to be everything to him? And you don’t have a say in the matter.”

As he sat next to the prince and listened to him, Iggy wasn’t sure how to feel. He didn’t want to give Julius a chance to sway him or even captivate him. He wanted to try and keep the prince at arm’s length for as long as he possibly could. But Julius was asking him questions; he was curious about his opinions; he was allowing Iggy to keep the secrets he had and did not press him. It was something Iggy hadn’t anticipated from a royal. 

He turned to look at the prince, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth and mulling over the question. “I came here thinking you would be a thoughtless royal puppet, selfish and pampered after growing in such luxury your entire life. I thought you would be drooling over the fact that you have a wizard under your thumb, but you don’t seem swayed by that type of power yet. I’ll admit I didn’t think you would be curious about our bond, nor would you ask me to share the details with you. I’ll be honest: I think many of my predetermined opinions about you may change as we get to know each other.” 

Iggy glanced away from the prince, studying the castle in the distance. “I can’t commit to any opinion on you until after the ceremony for our bond. Power changes people. That is a fact of life. You might seem sweet and caring now, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be corrupted later. You’re a prince now; soon, you’ll be King. That changes a person. You’ll be new to your rule and have an astronomical burden on your shoulders to impress your council and subjects. Only then will I be able to decide who you are. You can sit here and tell me beautiful things about yourself and what we will be, but I’m not looking for words, Julius. I’m only looking for actions that prove it.” 

[immortalsins]

group project time 😭😢

[bogslob]

WOTTG SPOILERS

(Not trying to attack anyone, I really enjoy reading everyone opinions so I’m just sharing mine)

Okay so I’ve just finished it and honestly I don’t see what everyone is complaining about. Ive seen people saying Annabeth thinks Percy is dumb but all she said was she doesn’t give him enough credit, you can think someone is smart and still be surprised by their solutions. I think we need to acknowledge that Percy is an unreliable narrator, he is an insecure teenaged boy and his inner dialogue does not accurately represent the thoughts and feelings of the people around him.

I also see people saying that Percy doesnt like being called seaweed brain, and have been saying that it shows their relationship in a negative light. But Percy only complains about being called seaweed brain when its by the eels, we already know from his reaction to Thalia calling him this nickname in ttc that he is only okay with Annabeth using it. The only thing that could imply that He doesn’t like it from Annabeth is when he says “seaweed brain is bad enough” which 100% reads as sarcasm.

I don’t know I feel like, some people have gotten so used to seeing them in fanon that they have forgotten what cannons like, some people are just looking for things to complain about because it no longer feels the same as it did when reading the original series, and some people are simply seeing things differently than when we read these books as kids.

That having been said there were definitely a lot of issues with this book I just feel like people are obsessing over the ship when for me at least it was a highlight.

[idontmindifuforgetme]

I think there’s something to be said for the fact that I used to dread presentations when I was younger but now plan to go out of my way to sign myself up for them so I can improve my public speaking. Me from not even two years ago would’ve never. But now ?? The more the merrier let me at them

[12th-shavie]

[100 hours in]

Up next, the long-awaited follow-up to Osvald and Partitio's crossed path ! I was really looking forward to this one

Coffee, huh... of course that would be their stances on coffee, I can't imagine Partitio drinking it too bitter, that sweetie

Aww they're using the coffee bit when threatening thugs ! They're such good buddies

And now they're keeping it going as they threaten the loan shark before mugging him, how adorable~

Partitio, my boy, do you not know of the Moon ???

And here comes the ominous night-time that shouldn't possibly be... and the end of the quest. Obviously. I can't get to the juicy bits just yet I guess

Oh well, that's just more of a reason to move on the chapter I kept as the last one : Temenos' fourth (I hope he kicks the evil god's ass or gets closer to doing so)

Oh we doing genocide flashbacks now ? Okay...

Ort I mean to put this in the nicest way possible but maybe you should've doubted your boss before she reached the spooky cave and started being nefarious about it

Kaldena has the same kind of shadow energy as Harvey... evil.

But her boss sprite ? Oh her boss sprite is looking fine~

And it even gets better... Kaldena of the Night is a banger design (the sprite work in this game gets me every time)

That fight was over quickly... but that's just the Osvald nuke setup for ya, he's allowed all the spotlight he wants <3

The end artwork is in front of Crick's grave... T^T (Temenos looks incredibly baby on it tho)

I found and did Ort's next chapter pretty quickly after that and the bit about the lost hair ornament bugs me so much, wasn't Mindt just shown to have lost hers ?? How involved is she actually ? And why do I not get any extra info about anything extra suspicious lately...

Oh well, fine, game, Laila's next chapter it is then

Hermes sure loves her fishies, but I wish she would've just kicked this guy's ass then and there... a girl can dream

As for Veronica's next chapter, I found the right npc at last after trying my luck with every Dolcinaea-related location (it didn't really take all that long)

I can still see the scene after that and picture the metaphorical game looking me in the eye telling me Veronica and Dolcinaea should kiss (screenshots were taken)

Anyway, time for the Throné and Temenos follow-up !

That's looking like a new murder myster- oh Alpates is the victim, so much for asking her about last time

I love how Temenos won't knock the guard out himself but completely endorse Throné doing it (and stealing from dead bodies but that's the gameplay integration for ya)

Onward to the mysterious cave of time shenanigans !

Oh shit is getting real detective mode is back ON !!

I love how Throné casually welcomes Temenos back from detective mode, she's so chill about it

So the treasure is the full mirror... and something about those who hope for the dawn... what were you hiding Alpates...

And that's the ominous cutoff point, obviously

Guess I'll try and finish every last side story before seeing what that "Extra story" is all about, it sounds like a grand finale to me

I found a next chapter for Shirlutto, who I definitely hadn't completely forgot the name of, and he wanted a bunch of stuff I had from my inventory (because I am a nosy player who can and will investigate everything !)

Oh that was the story for the guard in Lostseed !

And that's baby's first desire for revenge, I guess ?

Not gonna lie, that wasn't my favourite quest, the beastling speech patterns got to me pretty quick and they're not my jam

Alpione's next chapter had a fun twist on the hunter premise, she got to do something good for the creature this time around

For Mikka's next chapter, let me see... we have more Benkei being here and a good bean, and Mikka and Pala flirting. A lot. I can almost hear the metaphorical game breathing down my neck and whispering "gay gay homosexual gay" and yuri-ing away or something

Since I was around, I also got to finishing the tower (I had found and started it previously, up to the third floor) thanks to the wondrous Osvald nuke team

And lo and behold ! A final support class ! I first gave it to Partitio since I had him on hand and he had the JP for those juicy support skills (in this household we love a Partitio with plenty of SP and skills that half its consumption are good) but then decided to give it to Castti to consolidate her supporting capabilities (and she looks cute in it) (and I really like cleric Partitio as a versatile support that can heal a solid amount)

While going about my sidequest log I got back to the one for stage actors in Tropu'hopu and coerced the guy to see if I got more info on what he wanted, and let's just say that "Temenos the Diviner" entertained me a fair bit

But since I had a save right before it and Osvald to try and mug the guy, I reloaded the save and let's just say that I didn't know I needed "Osvald the Thieving Gentlemage" until it was right before me

I'm curious as to what skits happen for Hikari and Ochette, but I think I'll look that up eventually, as a treat

And with that, my quest backlog was done... except for a teeny tiny insignificant one in the spooky island with the gates to a cryptic name and the (dying ? or just in really bad shape ?) guy who wanted to translate the book "From the Far Reaches of Hell", so definitely nothing important that I should devote lots of attention to...

Instead I scavenged for more cleric, scholar and apothecary licenses and I'm not afraid to say that the manor ruins being completely silent started stressing me out at some point while hunting for the big deers

And with the 100-hours mark approaching, I knew what I wanted to do : prepare my endgame teams for the true final stretch !

After lots of thinking on synergies and break coverage, I decided on splitting up the party with thief Agnea, cleric Partitio, conjurer Castti and arcanist Osvald for the magical nuke setup with good physical damage from Agnea on top, and inventor Ochette, merchant Throné, scholar Temenos and armsmaster Hikari for a more physically-oriented team with disguised Throné to double up on scholars if need be and extra versatility out of the learned skills/monsters

I got through a lot of equipment management to come up with builds I liked but I am pretty proud of myself for coming up with these

Of course, this has nothing to do with the sidequest boss from hell that requires to split the travelers in two teams and certainly not the fact that it wiped the floor with me when I showed up unprepared

Anyway, up next should be the final chapter, although I don't know what to expect !

Octopath Traveler II delayed playthrough blogging

[10 hours in]

Contains light spoilers of some early chapters I guess

I started the journey with Agnea because she looked like a sweetie (and she is) and she really has the most jrpg "leave of this small village to see the big wide world to make your dream come true" beginning

I got her to allure a villager that replenishes SP with every dancer skill she uses and she's been the cornerstone to most battles ever since

The second traveler I got was Partitio and he's a funny lad, I love his vibe, hat, jacket, and speech ! Also, the atmosphere of his storyline was a nice dramatic change of pace after the cozy first one I got

I headcanon that Roque's betrayal was in fact very much a divorce with Partitio's dad and I cannot wait to see how that applies to future chapters (I do hope it ages like fine wine rather than milk)

Partitio's combat performance was pretty solid despite a lack of AoE but the weapon variety for breaking was the early highlight

I ignored the fork in the road that lead to Hikari in favor of recruiting Castti because I wanted a healer and I feel slightly guilty (but also not at all)

Castti is literally so nice to people I can't wait to see if she really has an extremely shady past that will torment her for at least 1 chapter before she decides that she's going to be a good noddle in spite of all

Her concocting is pretty fun but I wish I had more diffusing serum (I can make do with latent power for now but it'd more fun to let her do some fun nuking)

Castti is also extremely tanky (she's the only one I have with over 1k HP so far) so she was a very welcome addition to the party

The next step in the journey was recruiting Osvald (I wanted to start with him but the 2 forced chapters made me decide to instead make him the reward for reaching the eastern continent) after I ignored the boat that lead to Ochette and wandered around until I stumbled upon a boat that lead really close to Osvald on the map and eventually found him face-down in the snow (which makes my decision to no start with him even better)

His first two chapters cemented him as one of my favorites beyond the visual vibes I got from the first selecting menu, and his skillset was a cherry on top

AoE magic nuking when I already have some buffing and BP donating in my party ? I'm sold. Free weakpoint reveals every battle ? Even better ! Osvaldo battle voicelines ? Yes please !

After that I found the scholar license and decided that Agnea should also learn to buff spell intensity to make my Osvaldo nuking engine even stronger (she's been doing great and I'm very proud of her)

Since it was on the way to Agnea's second chapter for which she was at the recommended level, I went on to recruit Temenos and he did not disappoint ! He really gave me an impression of being a seemingly upstanding fellow who is in fact not only shady but just the right blend of ambiguous tease with genuine words thrown in (props to his voice acting that really sells it)

His detective moment was also pretty cool, especially after seeing the duality of his abilities to get people to follow him without risk of failure and his (very shady) coercing to get more intel

I considered replacing Castti with him as my party healer but he is very squishy compared to her, and she also has weapon diversity and more consistent debuffing over him so for the time being he's just chilling at the tavern waiting for a party composition that makes him shine

On my way to the big city I found the inventor license and could simply not resist giving it to Partitio it simply fit him too well (and more weapons to break with is very nice), although I'm thinking of changing it later to try a Temenos build that would allow him to break even more and coerce better

Now onto the big city to recruit Throné and let Agnea's story unfold further !

[sysig]

Portal 2 replay review: Hrmnnngggngmngm 💕💖💝💞✨❤️💗

[sae-something]

got this idea in my head of wanting to visualize the whirlpool of wanting yearning needing longing missing

[pigeonclaw]

Idk man. Not a fan of the theory / headcanon about Moonpaw hearing the voice of the sibling she absorbed in utero. That gets a little too close to "fetuses have souls" for me to feel comfortable around and I seriously hope that's not what's gonna happen. Chimerism doesn't make you into two people. It's not conjoined twins. She's just one cat made with two sets of genes. We don't have to get too weird about how bodies just naturally turn out sometimes. Idk.

[statementlou]

Oh god what now?

I watched this HORRIBLE video (all the tws, plus it's the daily mail sorry I didn't even realize that was the op until just now so actually fuck it I'm not linking; it's details of the time leading up to Liam's death and a person being gross and insensitive about it, will describe below, skip the rest if you don't want to be as upset as I now am)... ...showing an American who was also a guest at the hotel saying that Liam was in the lobby of the hotel multiple times in the time leading up to his death causing a scene and they just kept escorting him back up to his room. They show pictures the guest took of him while all this was happening, including one from something that happened according to this man just before he died, which is that he was in the lobby looking at his laptop and passed out and was convulsing (he took a fucking picture of him passed out) and they woke him up and took him upstairs and put him in the room alone again; that's when they called the police but 5 minutes later he was dead.

[paigesbasketball]

Echos of The Fallen

Chapter 2: A game of shadows Shadow the hedgehog x reader Warnings: None!

September 29th - 10:00 AM - G.U.N. Headquarters

The walls of the briefing room seemed to close in around Shadow as he paced restlessly. The rhythmic sound of his boots on the cold floor was interrupted only by the flickering hum of the projector coming to life. The screen illuminated with the image of the woman from last night—the mysterious infiltrator—her face half-obscured in the surveillance footage, but unmistakably calculating in her movements.

“This is the only clear footage we recovered before someone wiped the system clean,” a technician reported, nervously adjusting his glasses as he stared at his screen. “She entered under a fabricated identity—‘Danny’s wife’—and vanished into the shadows.”

Shadow’s eyes narrowed in frustration. He could feel the pressure building in his chest. “She made sure to be seen, just enough to cause a distraction,” he muttered, his voice low and intense.

Sonic, casually leaning against the table with his arms folded, gave a smirk. “Guess she played you, huh?” His grin widened, obviously enjoying the rare moment of seeing Shadow out of his element.

Shadow’s gaze shot daggers at him. “Enough jokes, Sonic,” he growled. His tone carried a warning.

The door to the briefing room opened, and the G.U.N. Commander entered, a man known for his stoic demeanor and rigid control over operations. He tossed a thick file onto the table, its contents spilling slightly over the edges.

“You wanted answers, Shadow?” The Commander’s voice was authoritative. “Here’s your next assignment.”

Shadow flipped open the file, scanning its contents. There, in bold black letters, was the name he dreaded to see: Cipher.

“She's connected to Cipher?” Shadow’s voice was cold, an edge of disbelief lingering in his words. His fingers ran across the file, flipping through pages that were filled with diagrams, surveillance photos, and cryptic reports.

“Possibly. Cipher’s been building a network—recruiting individuals with specific skills for an operation of unknown scope. We believe this woman is either working for him or with him. Either way, she's a significant threat,” the Commander explained, his tone stern. “Your mission is to uncover her identity, determine what she knows, and figure out how deep she is in.”

Shadow leaned back slightly in his chair, considering the implications. “And if she’s not working for him?”

“Then she knows something critical. And we need her.”

Sonic, sensing the weight of the situation, leaned forward. “So what’s the plan, Shadow? How do we track her down?”

Shadow closed the file with a sharp snap, his expression unreadable. “Simple. We track her down.”

The Commander paused, his sharp gaze falling on Shadow. “One more thing. This operation is off the books. No reports, no records. If this leaks, there will be more trouble than just Cipher.”

The room went silent. Shadow nodded once, his resolve hardening.

Meanwhile, somewhere far from G.U.N. Headquarters, an entirely different scene was unfolding...

September 29th - 9:33PM - The Warehouse - Unknown Location

The warehouse was dark, its only illumination the faint glow from a lone hanging bulb that swayed slightly in the damp air. A distant drip of water echoed through the silence. Carson Palo sat slumped in a chair, unconscious, a thin line of blood trailing from his temple. His arms were bound tightly, and his chest rose and fell slowly, unaware of the danger that loomed around him.

Scar, ever the quiet observer, leaned against a brick wall, arms crossed, eyes locked onto Carson as she waited for instructions. Her sharp eyes tracked every movement in the room, every sound, calculating the next step. Zero, meanwhile, sat comfortably on a nearby table, typing away furiously at his laptop, eyes fixed on the screen as he monitored their surroundings.

“Security systems are offline,” Zero reported without looking up. “No heat signatures nearby. We’re clear for now.”

I stood in front of Carson, my fingers drumming on the edge of the table. I hadn’t taken my eyes off him since we brought him in. It was time to wake him up. The information he held was too important to wait any longer.

Viper, always the one to get her hands dirty, stepped forward. She took a bottle of water from the nearby shelf and splashed it over Carson’s face. His eyes snapped open immediately, panic flickering in his gaze as he tried to process his surroundings.

“Good morning, sunshine,” I said, crouching down in front of him. “Hope you got some rest, because we’ve got a lot to talk about.”

Carson gasped, his breath shallow and frantic. “What do you want from me?”

“Oh, I’m not interested in torture,” I answered, my tone calm, almost indifferent. “It’s too messy. But I do want information. You see, I know G.U.N. is working on something big. Something... high-value. And I know they don’t want the world to know about it.”

Carson’s eyes flickered, betraying his attempt to hide his fear. I leaned in closer. “Tell me about it, Carson.”

He clenched his jaw, looking away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he mumbled, but the tremble in his voice betrayed him.

I smirked, sensing victory. “You flinched. That means you do.”

The pressure of the situation began to crush him. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he realized he couldn’t hide the truth any longer. He opened his mouth, but I cut him off before he could speak.

“You have two choices, Carson,” I said, my voice cold. “You tell me what I need to know, and we let you walk out of here. Or... you don’t. And then, I hand you over to Scar.”

Scar grinned, cracking her knuckles as she stepped forward. Her gaze never left Carson’s face, enjoying the fear in his eyes. “I really hope you pick option two.”

Carson swallowed hard, his voice shaking as he gave in. “Fine. Fine! G.U.N. is developing something... something dangerous. It’s some kind of advanced tech. A weapon, I think, but I don’t know exactly what it does. They’re keeping it locked down tight.”

I raised an eyebrow, pressing further. “Who’s leading the project?”

Carson hesitated, then his eyes flickered. “I... I don’t know. But they’re dangerous. More dangerous than you think.”

I clenched my fist, frustration boiling under my skin. “Names, Carson. Give me names.”

He sighed in resignation. “One name. That’s all I’ve got.”

I leaned in, eyes narrowing, waiting for the revelation.

“…Commander Sammuels.”

My heart skipped a beat, the weight of the name settling in. No. This couldn’t be right.

Scar’s face laced with confusion before speaking "there's a commander Leroy?—”

Before she could finish, a loud bang echoed through the warehouse, followed by a tremor that shook the floor. The lights flickered, and a deafening explosion rattled the building, debris crashing down from the ceiling.

“Move!” I barked into my earpiece. “Get out now!”

Gunfire erupted outside, and red and blue lights flashed through the gaps in the boarded-up windows. The sound of boots pounding against the concrete made my stomach drop. We were running out of time.

Scar looked at me, eyes narrowed. “We’re caught.”

Carson’s face lit up, his moment of hope shining through as he believed rescue had come. I turned, my expression stone-cold. “Thanks for your cooperation.”

Without another word, I nodded to Scar, and in a heartbeat, the sound of a single shot pierced the air. Carson slumped forward, lifeless, his final breath slipping away before he could say another word.

Scar smirked, tucking her gun away as she casually wiped her hands. “Leaving a message?”

I pulled a folded note from my pocket, carefully slipping it into Carson’s jacket. The ink was dark, the letters bold and clear. For Leroy. See you soon.

With sirens wailing and G.U.N. forces closing in, I exhaled, tension coursing through me. “Time to go.”

I pressed a finger to my earpiece. “Zero, Diversion 6. Send two to the right and three to the left.”

A voice crackled back immediately. “Copy that.”

Outside, the roar of engines shattered the silence as five black cars—hacked and remotely controlled by Zero—sped off in different directions. The chaos was immediate. G.U.N. agents scrambled, chasing after the decoys, their confusion working in our favor.

We slipped out the back entrance, vanishing into the shadows just as planned.

September 29th - 10:00PM - Abandoned Parking Lot

Shadow’s POV

We were closing in. G.U.N. had dispatched their agents to pursue the vehicles, their efforts futile in the face of the diversion. As I followed one of the fleeing cars, my pulse quickened. Something felt wrong. The car came to an abrupt stop in an empty parking lot, and my instincts screamed at me to be cautious.

I approached the vehicle slowly, weapon drawn. Every step was measured, every sound amplified in my heightened state of awareness. Something wasn’t right.

My fingers brushed against the door handle, but I froze when I saw a faint, familiar flashing icon on the window—Zero’s hacker signature.

“Damn it,” I cursed under my breath, taking a step back.

The faint beeping sound from inside the car only confirmed my worst fear.

It’s a bomb.

Without thinking, I sprinted away from the car, diving behind cover just as the vehicle erupted in a deafening explosion. Heat and force radiated from the blast, and I could feel the shockwave ripple through the air as debris flew past me.

Smoke billowed in the aftermath, and the blaring sirens of approaching G.U.N. reinforcements filled the air. My chest tightened with the weight of the situation.

She was gone.

But she wouldn’t be for long. I wouldn’t let her slip through my fingers again.

September 29th - 10:06PM - Random Rooftop

I stood at the edge of a rooftop, looking down at the explosion below. The bright flames lit up the night sky, sending chunks of debris flying in all directions. The car was no more than a twisted heap of metal, burning fiercely as the sirens screamed in the distance.

Better than fireworks, I thought, a smirk tugging at my lips as I watched the chaos unfold.

I could hear Scar behind me, her footsteps quiet on the rooftop before she stopped just a few paces away. The stillness stretched between us for a moment before she spoke up, her voice a little softer than usual.

“You know, Avia,” she began, her tone knowing, “for what it’s worth, call it a hunch, but I see how you look at him.”

I froze, my hand gripping the edge of the building. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt my chest tighten. I slowly turned to look at her, unable to mask the shock that flashed in my eyes. “Wait, the agent?” I asked, my voice laced with disbelief. “You’re not serious. I met him once.”

Scar paused for a second, her eyes narrowing as she looked me over, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of her lips. “So, you don’t think he’s cute? Or even handsome?” she prodded, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

I rolled my eyes, refusing to entertain this line of thought. “He works for G.U.N. There is nothing attractive or special about him,” I snapped, trying to shut down the conversation.

But Scar wasn’t done. She leaned back against the wall of the rooftop, crossing her arms with a thoughtful expression. “Then why are you looking at him right now? You’ve never looked at our explosions like that,” she said, her voice sharp, almost teasing.

I didn’t answer her. I refused to. The question caught me off guard, and a small pang of embarrassment crept up my spine. I had no answer. I wasn’t looking at Shadow like that, was I? I couldn’t be. I didn���t care for relationships—never had, never would. Dating, hookups… none of it ever appealed to me.

As uncomfortable as the thought made me, I had to admit something to myself—I had never felt the need to change my stance on that, not even with him.

I glanced at Scar again, trying to hide the shift in my expression. “Listen, even though I’m a virgin at my grown-ass age...?” I said, almost as if to justify my refusal to go down that path. “I’ve never felt the need to change that.”

Scar’s gaze softened, but only slightly, as she gave a knowing look. “Well, it’s not like I’m pressuring you, it just also wouldn't hurt to see you romantically happy” she said, shrugging with her usual nonchalance. “maybe i you got dick you would be less uptight sometimes” She says jokingly.

I exhaled sharply and roll my eyes, my heart still pounding a little faster than normal. “I’m not staring at him, Scar,” I muttered under my breath, refusing to meet her eye. “Let’s just get moving.”

And with that, I turned away, focusing on the mission ahead and not the weird, unexpected stirrings inside me. There was too much at stake to get distracted by anything else—least of all a G.U.N. agent. Especially not Shadow.

[pokimoko]

Listening to instrumentals from the silly doo-wee-ooo show is actually something that can be so painful.