#and I can’t remember the last time I ate so I am v shaky and NOT coordinated enough to do that rn lmao

[bondagebimbo]

my custom jewelry set I ordered months ago came in today and I swapped everything out and I love it all tbh 🥹🥹🥹

[plaidbooks]

Cursed

A/N: So! I was rereading Warmth on a Cold Day, and I noticed all the asks for a part two/proposal scene. And I thought, “well, why the hell not?” And then I thought, “I wanna torture this poor bastard.” So, here we are. This is a Rafael Barba x reader fic, and a part two to Warmth on a Cold Day (but could be read as a standalone).

Tags: mentions/implied smut, some fluff, mentions of a broken arm, angst with a happy ending

Words: 2k+

Taglist: @the-baby-bookworm​ @beccabarba​ @thatesqcrush​ @itsjustmyfantasyroom​ @stardust-fray​ @permanentlydizzy​ @averyhotchner​ @mrsrafaelbarba​

Tonight was the night…the night. Rafael kept repeating that to himself, over and over again, his hand subtly brushing against the ring box in his coat pocket—to make sure it was there, he told himself. Though he could feel it pressing against his breast with every movement he made. His heart was beating rapidly, and his stomach was doing flips. He hadn’t been this nervous since he was cramming for the bar exam, and even that didn’t compare to what he was feeling now. But, he was able to keep his face calm, collected, as he sat next to you in the booth, tucked in the corner of the cozy restaurant—the same place he had taken you on your first date. You were leaning against his side, his arm wrapped arm your shoulder, his fingertips ghosting over your arm absentmindedly. Rafael had absolutely no idea how you didn’t hear his heart thundering in his chest as his free hand felt the ring box in his pocket once more.

“Tonight’s been lovely,” you murmured, turning your head to place a soft kiss against his cheek, the light stubble he got by the end of the day tickling your lips. “Thank you.”

Rafael smiled at you, kissing your forehead gently. “Thank you, mi amor. I’m glad we were able to come out tonight, work’s been…” he trailed off, letting the sentence die in his throat. He wanted to say something profound, to really express how much you meant to him, how much he adored you, loved you. Bringing up his work—with all the rape, trafficking, and pedophilia—was not the way to do that. “You know…I—”

“Dessert?” the waiter asked, appearing out of nowhere and cutting Rafael off.

“Oh, I’m good, thanks. Raf?” you looked to him.

He was a little annoyed at being cut off, but he shook it off, replying, “no thank you.” The waiter passed him the bill, then scooped up your empty dishes before retreating. He cleared his throat, trying to remember what he was going to say before his train of thought was destroyed.

“Are you working tomorrow?” you asked, scratching his back lovingly. You leaned your chin on his shoulder, breathing in his expensive cologne—your favorite one, the one you had bought him.

He huffed out a humorless laugh. “’Course. When am I not at work?” He didn’t mean for the words to come out as rude as they did, but he was miffed that the moment was ruined. Maybe he could finagle a walk in the park with you after you left the restaurant…propose under the stars…he knew you’d like that, too.

You gave him a sympathetic look, not at all offended by his tone; you knew Rafael well enough to know it wasn’t directed at you. You gave him a grin. “You work too hard.” Bringing your lips close to his ear, you whispered, “run away with me, Raf…let’s go somewhere quiet, away from the city…just us.”

His cock twitched in his pants from your voice. God was that a tempting thought. “I…I can’t, cariño…you know I couldn’t leave the courthouse for that long.”

Your hot breath danced across his skin, and he felt goosebumps, the hairs on his neck standing up. “Not even for a week? Think about it, Rafi,” you put your hand on his thigh and he tensed. “Just you…me…and no one else.”

Rafael let out a shaky breath. At this rate, he wasn’t making it to a park with you. Hell, he’d be lucky if he made it out of the restaurant without bending you over the table. He vaguely felt the ring box in his pocket, pressed against his chest. But your hand on his thigh was slowly taking all of his attention.

He cleared his throat. “M-maybe one day…I’ll have to put in for it well in advance….”

“You know what else you can put in?” you raised an eyebrow suggestively at him, and he chuckled nervously.

“Let me pay first, then we can get out of here,” he murmured, waving down a waiter and handing them his card.

“Mmm…” you mused. “Think there’s enough room in the back of your car?”

 ******************************

Okay, tonight was definitely the night. It had been over a month since the dinner where Rafael had failed to propose to you. But he was feeling optimistic about tonight. He had booked you both a couple’s massage, ending in a walk through the park under the stars. He was right the first night; you loved walking under the stars, and there was one spot in Brooklyn Bridge Park that he had taken you before—where you had shared your first kiss, which had led to one of the most magical evenings of either of your lives.

The massage was amazing—and much needed—and had left you both feeling light and relaxed. You walked hand-in-hand into the park, comfortable in each other’s presence. Wandering the paths, you looked up at the stars, letting Rafael guide you, keep you from walking into trees or into a ditch. He glanced into your face, smiling at your reaction, the stars reflected in your eyes.

Eventually, you had meandered to the spot, and you turned to Rafael, grinning, eyes bright. You pulled him close to you, giving him a sweet kiss, remembering that night when he had nervously asked to kiss you, almost two years ago now. He pulled back, a small smile on his lips.

“[Y/N]…I love you so much…. If I had a thousand years to tell you how much I loved you, it still wouldn’t be enough time,” Rafael murmured. You felt tears in your eyes and Rafael opened his coat, reaching for his inner pocket—

A cell phone rang out in the silence. You both froze, then Rafael groaned as he realized it was his phone ringing. The hand reaching for his jacket pocket went to his pants pocket, pulling out his phone. Glancing at the screen, he answered, “Rafael Barba.” He listened for a moment, his face falling. “Yeah, Liv, I can be there in 20 minutes. You owe me.” He hung up angrily, shoving his phone back in his pocket and giving you a sad look. “I’m so sorry—”

“It’s fine, Raf. Let’s get you back to civilization.”

 *******************************

It was a full three months later that Rafael was ready to propose again. Mostly because trying to coordinate time off was next to impossible. But also, because he was still incredibly pissed off about last time, even though you weren’t mad that he got called in. He wasn’t sure if you knew his intentions yet or not, but he was starting to feel antsy carrying the ring around everywhere, terrified that he was going to lose it.

This time, though, it was going to be perfect. Rafael had pulled McCoy, his boss, aside and demanded that he be granted time off—he had over a year’s worth of vacation time saved as it was. Once approved, he called Olivia and told her to lose his number for a week. Then, he called your boss, told them his plan, and got you approved off for that week, too. And the final piece to his plan, he packed a bag for you and for himself—checking, double checking, and triple checking that he had the ring— and putting them in his car early in the morning. He came back to the bedroom, waking you with a gentle kiss on the cheek, before you turned and captured his lips in a lazy kiss.

“Get up, mi amor. We gotta go,” he murmured.

“Hmm?” you asked sleepily, rolling over.

“Come on, baby. We’re going to a cabin in Vermont. You can sleep in the car; I’m driving.”

“V-Vermont? What?” you asked, slowly waking up. You sat up, your still-asleep mind trying to work through what Rafael was saying.

“Remember? You asked for a week away from the city. Just us. Well, I got the time off, and I already talked to your boss; you’re off too,” he grinned at you.

Now you were awake, hurrying to get dressed. “You’re serious?”

Rafael nodded. “You. Me. No one else.”

 **************************

You were buzzing in the seat next to Rafael, excited to have a week to yourselves. He had a small smile the whole drive, obviously just as thrilled as you to be leaving the city behind. He also assured you that he had talked to the detectives at SVU, telling them not to disturb him all week. You verbally double-checked what he had packed, making sure you had all your essentials—plus extra “necessities,” such as lube, condoms, toys, batteries, and other fun things. You had Rafael alone for a full week, and you planned to take advantage of every single second.

Rafael pulled into the driveway of the cabin, putting the car in park and hurrying around the car to open your door for you. You giggled as he held his hand out to you, tugging you into his arms and kissing you deeply.

“We can get the bags later,” he murmured, picking you up and carrying you inside, his lips never leaving yours.

 *************************

You were sitting on the couch, wearing only panties and one of Rafael’s shirts, a blanket around your shoulders. You were on day four out of seven of your vacation, your body a good kind of sore, hickeys and marks covering your body. Rafael was in the kitchen, making dinner for the night, and you were vaguely watching the Mets/Yankees game, just waiting for him to come back. You both ate quickly, feeding each other little bites and stealing kisses and touches throughout the meal, desperate to be all over each other again. Once done, you were pulling him to you, your tongue in his mouth, tasting the food and him in an intoxicating mixture.

“Don’t you want to digest a little?” Rafael chuckled, pulling you onto his lap.

“No; I was actually thinking about eating some dessert,” you purred at him, rolling your hips against him. Growling, Rafael stood with you, carrying you towards the bedroom, his mouth searching for new skin to leave marks on. You thrusted against his hips again, making him groan against your neck.

“Mmm…fuck me hard, Guapo,” you moaned into his ear. His cock twitched between your bodies and you both rocked into each other roughly, both turned on. But the motion threw Rafael off balance. He stumbled backwards and twisted, trying to regain his balance. His instincts taking over as he started to fall, he clutched onto you tighter, and you both hit the wall. You yelped in pain, hearing—and feeling—a snap in your arm before crashing to the ground in a heap. You gripped your arm, laying uselessly on the floor.

“Fuck, [Y/N], are you okay?” Rafael asked, concerned, his hands all over you.

“I-I think my arm is broken,” you huffed through gritted teeth.

 *************************

You were laying in a hospital bed, a brand-new cast on your arm and your cheeks still burning from explaining to the doctor and nurses what had happened. Though, with the marks all over your body, you were pretty sure they could come to their own conclusions. Rafael sat in the chair next to your bed, his face in his hands, looking as miserable as you felt. But you wanted to lighten the mood, to make him feel better; you knew he blamed himself.

“Leave it to us to finally have a week to ourselves, and we still can’t even do that right,” you joked.

He dropped his hands from his face, looking at you with such sadness, it wiped the smirk off your face and tears threatened to form. “This is all my fault…I’m fucking cursed.” He lowered his eyes, staring at the bed.

You reached out, taking one of his hands in yours. “You’re cursed? I’m the one with the broken arm, baby.” You gave him a soft smile, waiting until he looked at you again. “Besides, we had four amazing days of alone time…plus pretty fucking great sex.”

This got his lips to twitch upward for a moment, before his frown returned. “T-that’s not what I meant.” You raised an eyebrow at him, confused. Rafael sighed. “I was going to…I’ve been trying now, for months, to set up the perfect timing for this….”

“For what, baby?” you asked, squeezing his hand.

He looked deeply into your eyes, his normally bright, minty green eyes dimmed with sadness. He sighed once more before he took his hand back from you, opening his jacket and reaching into his inner pocket, pulling out a small ring box. He fiddled with it for a moment between his long fingers while your eyes widened.

“Is…is that what I think it is?” you breathed out, voice low.

Rafael swallowed. “Yes, it is…I’ve been trying to propose to you, in the perfect way, with the perfect words. But every time I try, I get interrupted by waiters, or work, or…broken arms,” he gave you a small smile. “That’s what I meant when I said I was cursed; I think I’m just…not meant to have you.” The silence stretched on for a long time before you replied to him, your voice firm.

“Rafael Barba, that’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever said.”

He whipped his eyes up to look at you, stunned. You gave him a stern look before continuing, “we’ve been dating for over two years now. You should know by now that I don’t need any kind of fancy or extravagant display for a proposal. I just need you.” You gave him a soft smile, putting all your love and affection into your expression. “I love you, Raf; always have, always will. Of course, you were meant to have me. Because I’m meant to have you.”

There were tears in your eyes by the time you finished talking, and you saw them start to well in his, too, making the green brighter. “I-I love you, too [Y/N].” Rafael looked down to the ring box he was still fidgeting with, as if he had forgotten he was holding it. He opened it, showing his abuelita’s ring to you. It was a thin, silver band, a small ruby in the center. It wasn’t flashy, which is exactly why you loved it—plus, it was coming from the love of your life.

“Will you marry me?” Rafael asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

You breathed out, feeling your heart in your throat. “Yes, of course I will,” you breathed back, eyes glittering in the fluorescent lights. A grin broke out across his face as he got out of the hospital chair. He leaned over you, giving you a gentle kiss, all the love you felt for each other in the simple touch. You were both like that for a long time, your lips bruised by the time he pulled back from you, sitting down once more. “Though, I did break my left arm, so you’ll have to hold onto that ring for a little while longer.”

Rafael chuckled, shaking his head. “See? I’m cursed.”

[doctorgerth]

Writing Contest Winner (5th Place)

winner: @laws-yellow-submarine​

prize choice: HCs for any one character

description: Zoro’s reaction to his fem crush getting injured after pushing him out of the way of an attack 

warnings: dark/heavy themes, light blood/gore, sad boi hours

note: idk if these are really considered HCs but y’all know how I can be sometimes lmao I also got pretty carried away with this and made it way more dramatic than I believe you intended - hope it’s ok!! 

t h e   p a i n   c a m e   i n   w a v e s

first wave - shock/denial

- seeing her unconscious body lying before him, streams of red staining the snowy ground, Zoro completely froze. cold and stiff as the barren trees that canopied above them. he crawled over, the deafening screech of the enemy’s attack rang in his ears like a gunshot. his hands were stained as well as he tried to shake her awake, attempting to stop the flow of blood trickling from her wounds. yet her eyes never opened, and he could feel the frost beginning to take affect on her body.

-  the enemy was suddenly slain with ease. the same kind of ease that should have presented itself earlier. the ease that could have prevented any of this. it didn’t matter now. Zoro couldn’t even enjoy it as he was too hurried to rush (Name) back to the Sunny. he carried her limp body bridal style and ran full force, praying that his sense of direction wouldn’t fail him right now. 

- It’s just a small wound. she’s just in shock. she’ll wake up. Chopper will have her healed in no time. everything will be okay, Zoro. everything will be okay.

second wave - anger/blame

- her. when (Name) didn’t wake the next day, when Chopper closed off the infirmary from any visitors, the anger started to settle within him. he tried his hardest to not be angry with Chopper, to not be so impatient, but as days passed he couldn’t swallow it any longer. he didn’t want to be angry with her, but he was no longer in control of his emotions. this is all her fault. if she would have just let me take the hit, she would be safe right now. I could’ve taken it. what kind of weakling does she take me for? 

- himself. it wasn’t enough that Zoro mentally punished himself. it wasn’t enough that he couldn’t fall asleep at night because the nightmares reminded him of his moment of weakness, over and over and over again. no punishment was good enough. what felt the worst was how the entire crew attempted to console him, make him believe that it wasn’t his fault. that hurt the worst because he wanted to believe it, he wanted to believe his friends, but his haunted mind wouldn’t allow it. he believed he deserved the worst for allowing this to happen. if I can’t protect the ones I love, then what am I even good for? it should be me in that hospital bed, not her! 

third wave - bargaining/vulnerability

- rain, snow, or hurricane, Zoro stayed put right outside the door. he didn’t eat a single bite during the week of her absence. if she couldn’t eat because of him, then there was no reason for him to enjoy food. he hadn’t even trained as he felt he couldn’t enjoy anything until she was back, healthy and safe.

- Zoro’s not good with feelings. he knows that. he knows it’s hard for him to open up when life is difficult. he shuts down, shuts out, shuts off. if (Name) were awake, she’d know just what to say. he’d give anything to hear some advice from her, hell, to hear anything. Zoro wasn’t the religious type, but he made lots of weeping prayers to anyone who would listen, right outside the infirmary door, every single night.

- he grew tired of the void, of not hearing anything call back to him. he grew tired of pushing everyone out. he was so emotionally drained by the end of the week, he knew it was time to open up. the crew was happy to see Zoro back, despite him not at his full self yet. he could finally stomach some food and Chopper made sure to reassure him that the surgeries and medications were proving fruitful. the crew was lively as ever, because they knew (Name) would be okay. and they were finally helping Zoro to believe so too. 

t h e n ,   t h e   s t o r m   c l e a r e d

fourth wave - forgiveness

- it came flooding over him the day (Name) opened her eyes. one last wave: relief. a baptism of consolation. he was right there when she opened them. Zoro felt her stir and couldn’t contain the emotions that poured forth as she caressed his hand weakly. he collapsed onto her, weeping silently as he held her gently in his arms. he focused on her warmth, the way her heart beat rapidly in her chest. she was alive. she was okay.

- the crew couldn’t help but flood in moments after, and Zoro would have been angry any other time. but the warm smile that graced her lips as she was welcomed with pure love from the crew was enough to make the past agonizing week a distant memory. all the pain was gone. the sun had returned.

- when he got her alone once more, he chatted casually with her while she ate some soup Sanji had prepared for her. to his dismay, she remembered everything that had happened. and as he watched her struggle to eat due to the pain, all of the blame, anger, and misery was beginning to bubble up again. but she was quick to assure him that she was okay. Zoro remained by her side for the next few days, helping her eat and taking her mind off of the pain. 

- she was normal. she didn’t express any regret for what she did nor any anger towards Zoro for letting her get hurt. he was surprised to say the least, but he was thankful. if she could forgive him, he could learn to forgive himself. 

fifth wave - confession

- it came out accidentally. a rather frustrated proclamation of love as he confessed to her. she had grown irritated at his slightly overbearing care after a few days. this wasn’t like Zoro. he knew what she was capable of and she didn’t like being treated as weak, especially by him. why was he treating her like a weak child? the two ended up getting into an argument, butting heads for the first time since she recovered. he didn’t intend to, but if she wanted to know why so badly, then he’d tell her.

- “because I love you and I’m never going to let you get hurt again! now shut up and just let me take care of you, baka!”

- he had planned on telling her for a while now. he had fallen for her way back when she first joined the crew. that’s why her getting hurt of all people pained him most. in any other setting, he probably would have been utterly embarrassed at his confession. but spending a week not knowing if she would get to hear his confession, not knowing if she would ever even wake up, was far more terrifying. 

- he never expected an answer from her. he understood that it was probably too much to take in. but her silent stare was a little heart-breaking. he eyed her as she shuffled towards him. her shaky arms wrapped around him in a weak hug and she cried into his chest.  

- “I love you too, baka. why else would I have taken that attack for you? I can’t watch you get hurt, I-”

- he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, trying desperately to hold back his own tears, “thank you for saving me, (Name).” it was the first time he thanked her since she awoke. he didn’t want to believe that he needed saving, but he needed her to know her actions weren’t in vain. he was truly grateful for her and to know she did so because she loved him was all the more heart-warming, “but no more sacrifices, because I can’t bear the possibility of losing you again. deal?”

- she smiled up at him and that’s when he vowed to get stronger in order to keep that precious smile on her face forever, “deal.” 

[residentanchor]

Pretty by default

Done and done, here it is!

I realized this was mentioned as lamp first, but most of the stuff I saw was for analogical, so I stuck with that. Celery: Thanks to @sockpansy once again for submitting something to the “You’re famous?” au! :D I like this as analogical actually!!

Model Logan

Logan knew his name was known by many, being a famous model it was to be expected, but that didn't mean he would actively seek out attention.

Quite the opposite in fact.

Logan did enjoy his job, he did! But he was never…satisfied when he saw finished works of him. There was always something that never sat right with him, but he knew the pictures were fine, and they would be published after he gave the ‘okay.’

Then he met Virgil. Virgil who wore the same hoodie every day, that he hand made himself no less, and would randomly pull out snacks from the pockets. Virgil, who dyed his hair purple because his friend Patton wanted to dye his blue, but was nervous to go along with it by himself. Virgil, who probably lived on caffeine more than Logan.

Logan looked forward to seeing him so much.

They had met in an online debate website, which logan used when he was overworked and stressed and needed to calm down (spending hours looking for links to prove you are right is calming for him) and he came across someone he enjoyed debating with.

xXstormCL0UDXx was quickly his favorite person to engage in witty combat with. It took some convincing, but they agreed to meet up for coffee one day. Logan had been worried Virgil might recognize him. But when Virgil just laughed at his hat that said 'cognitive cap’ he knew there was no way. They ended up trading numbers and met up multiple times to just talk or do something in each others presence.

Then came the coffee incident.

Due to logan’s work schedule, and…whatever it is that Virgil does, they sometimes couldn't meet up, so they had a scheduled coffee trip weekly. It was always marked as 'important business’ on the schedule, so no one questioned it, and Logan always had 1-2 hours to have coffee and just sit with Virgil.

Logan had gotten a refill and was returning to his booth when he slipped on the newly mopped floor. His coffee landed on Virgil, who jumped up with cries of 'hot hot hot!’ And stripped his jacket off.

The coffee had managed to quickly get to his band t-shirt underneath, and Virgil held the hem away from his body to keep the hot liquid away.

Logan quickly stood and sat the mostly empty cup down.“Virgil, I sincerely apologize, I did not mean to do that.” Logan grabbed napkins from the table and dabbed at Virgil's shirt, getting what coffee he could off. Really, it had to be the day Virgil wore a gray band shirt instead of black. It was for sure going to stain. Logan pouted and looked at Virgil.

“Hey, specs, its fine, just some split coffee, no big deal.” He gave a reassuring smile and helped Logan attempt to dry his shirt.

Logan wasn't convinced. “Let me buy you a new shirt, just for today.”

Virgil's eyes widened. “What? Yeah no, that is not happening.”

Logan stood, back straight. “Your hoodie is soaked with coffee, and your shirt will be stained, no doubt, I am at fault for this, accident or not, and I wish to buy you something so you do not get cold, I will not debate this.”

Virgil knew Logan. Meaning he knew this was one of the few points he can’t argue.

“Fine, there is a Wal-Mart nearby, just a shirt ok?”

Logan broke into a smile and agreed, carrying Virgil's hoodie as he leads the way to Wal-Mart.

_____

Logan was most-likely 17 the last time he was in a Wal-Mart. His clothes all came from designer shops or sponsors, and his food he got from…better quality areas than Wal-Mart. Or he ordered it.

But here he was, in the men's section of Walmart clothing, with Virgil obviously wanting a sweater but thinking 15 dollars was too much. Virgil went to grab a random t-shirt for $5 when Logan stopped him.

“You want the sweater correct? I will get it for you.” Virgil looked at him. Then the sweater.

“Nah, 15 bucks is too much for split coffee.”

“Virgil, $15 is nothing, I'm getting you the sweater.” Logan crossed his arms as if that was the end of the conversation.

Virgil has different plans. “Dude, I'm not letting you waste that much on me.”

“It is only $15, I can afford that.”

“And your coffee cost what? $3.50? And I can use a laundromat for a few quarters, that does not equal a $15 sweater.”

“I am getting it for you anyways.” And as if to make a point, Logan picked a sweater off the rack.

Virgil grabbed another one and held it out to him. “You get me one, I get you one. We either match or no one gets a sweater.” Virgil looked like he just won a trophy.

Logan looked at the sweater in Virgil's hands, it was a simple black sweater with navy blue and purple strips. Logan took the sweater from Virgil and hung it back up. Virgil had a moment to look smug before Logan grabbed a different one.

“This is my size, should we go try them on?”

Needless to say, Virgil did not win that day.

Logan walked out of Wal-Mart in the sweater. It was slightly itchy around the collar, and was incredibly low quality, especially compared to what logan usually wore. He glanced over at Virgil, who was carrying his hoodie now but looked delighted in the matching sweater. Logan decided this was his favorite article of clothing he owned.

_____

They were matching. They should have expected it, but that didn't mean they were.

It had been a kid. Kids are always the ones to say what they see, so when a kid on the street pointed at Virgil and Logan, saying “Mommy mommy, look! They match like you and mama do! They must be married!” Logan nearly died on the spot.

Virgil let out a snort, hiding his face from Logan. “Kids, I swear, they jump to the weirdest conclusions.”

Virgil’s ears were turning red, Logan was sure they were. He knew they are matching, but Logan didn’t think about how couples outfits often matched.

“Would it be that bad?v logan’s hands covered his mouth quickly as Virgil's head shot to face him.

Oh, Virgil's ears were red for sure, as was his entire face.

"Would what be…bad? What are you…?” His question trailed off.

Logan moved his hands in order to talk, fighting off his blushing and failing.

“Well..perhaps not the��marriage in total but…matching is often times…its uh…linked to couples. I didn't think about that before until the kid mentioned it and..uh..yeah.” Logan was at a lost for words, something he would not admit happens around Virgil a lot.

Virgil on the other hand, had managed to scrabble enough letters together to ask, “is this your way of asking me out?”

Logan let out a shaky laugh, looking at the sweater-clad Virgil in front of him. “I..i would..supose so?”

Virgil only became a darker red as he broke into a smile. He took one of Logan’s hands, interlacing their fingers.

“Well… it’s about time.”

This was definitely Logan’s favorite sweater.

_____

Dating Virgil was just like being friends with Virgil, only with kisses and cuddles and 'dates’ instead of hangouts and 'i love you’ is said.

Logan loved it.

But there was an… issue. After a date to the planetarium, Virgil and Logan had been looking for a place to eat, not realizing how late it was. Virgil saw a McDonald’s ahead and suggested it.

Logan couldn't remember the last time he had fast food. Virgil looked like he won the lottery as he walked in.

“I'm going to get soooo many chicken nuggets.”

Logan gave him a nod, as he read the menu. He squinted his eyes as he read it, it was like looking at the same thing over and over again.

“Hey, nerd, what you want?” Virgil’s voice broke logan from his trance.

“Oh uh..." he glanced up quickly. ”…number 2…meal?“

Which was how Logan was now sitting with a cheeseburger and fries in front of him. Virgil was shoving chicken nuggets in his mouth as promised.

Logan looked at his burger and unwrapped it, hesitantly taking a bite.

You know that Squidward meme? The episode where he ate a Krabby Patty and suddenly couldn’t stop?

Logan was Squidward.

"This is the greasiest, most vile thing I have ever tasted.” Virgil looked up as Logan shoved another bite into his mouth. Swallowing his chicken nugget, he asked,

“Then why are you still eating it?”

Logan took another bite. “I can’t stop.”

Virgil laughed.

______

“Wait you're a what?!” Logan could feel the panic rising. He was trying to keep calm but this was very surprising.

Virgil looked at logan confused. “A photographer. Well, sometimes. It's not my main thing, but it does pay well. And I'm just taking a few wedding photos for a few hours.”

Logan tried to calm himself. Virgil couldn’t know he was a model…right?

“Do you..do shoots often? Or for like..company things?” Logan had never seen Virgil at one of his shoots, but if he happened to see Logan or take photos for his company he might know.

“Nah, not really. I normally take scenery shots, but I do get commissions for things like this. It pays well, and I normally get to leave with cake.”

Logan relaxed a bit. He probably didn’t know who he was.

“Ah well, perhaps I could see the shots when you are finished? I think id like to see your work.” He smiled.

Virgil shrugged. “I mean, it's not that impressive, normally I get hired by people on a budget 'cause I’m cheaper than a professional.”

“Nonsense, no matter how much you cost, I'm sure your works are amazing.”

Virgil smiled at Logan. “Well…if you want, you could come with me? You’d mostly just be watching but…it would be…” Virgil glanced away blushing. “..nice to have you there.”

Logan found himself agreeing.

Logan also found out, on the day of pictures, that Virgil will go to extreme lengths to get the perfect shot.

Virgil was up a tree at the moment, hold his camera at the couple. He frowned and gave a few instructions of how the couple should pose. Logan walked over and gently tapped the bride. “It would be much better if you moved your arm here.”

“Logan, what are you doing?” Logan looked up at the tree.

“Oh, my apologies, I only wished to help.” He nods to Virgil in the tree, who stared Dr the couple.

“Ya know..thats actually not bad…keep doing that Logan.”

Logan helped to pose the couple for the 2 hours Virgil took pictures. Virgil got into increasingly weird angles and dragged other people in to help with the shots.

Logan watched over Virgil's shoulders as he flipped through the photos. To say he was impressed was an understatement, some of these were even better than professionals he has worked with!

“Hey, why did you delete that one? It was good…” Logan frowned as Virgil looked back at him.

"The lighting was wrong, and the bride’s dress was folded at the bottom, I can do better.”

By the end, Virgil had narrowed down the pictures and spent a while helping the couple pick out the pictures they liked best. Virgil was paid ahead of time, but he was still given a tip from the couple in thanks.

Oh, and cake.

_____

Virgil had been wanting to take pictures of the scenery because, and quote 'i have some sudden motivation and I need future inspiration and who knows when I'll have it again’ so he was going on a walk.

Logan had joined him on it. Walks with Virgil were always peaceful.

Virgil was taking pictures of the landscape when he looked over at Logan, who was looking out at the park in thought. He wasn't really thinking, just letting his mind wander.

He turned his head as he heard the sound of a shutter closer than before.

Virgil popped his head out from behind his camera and grinned. “You're my subject now.”

Logan couldn't help the smile he gave at Virgil. “Alright.”

And he posed. He knew exactly what he was doing, and even in his bulky glasses, and thrift store clothes (thrift shopping with Virgil was the best, you can find so many weird things, and the 'fashion’ shows are hilarious) he took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair.

Virgil was… Fucking stunned. Logan looked…he looked…fuck he looked hot. He quickly went to take his picture as Logan gave him different poses. Virgil made sure to take time to aim and focus and get good angles. At one point he noticed Logan didn't smile in the pictures. Virgil pouted and looked at him.

“Hey, Logan?”

Logan looked at him.“yes Virgil?”

Virgil decided to quote a text post he saw on Tumblr. “I love classical literature….an Edgar Allen hoe if you would.”

Logan stared at Virgil for a second, before he burst out laughing, going as far as to hold his sides.

“That was horrible,” Logan laughed as Virgil smiled and took pictures.

Virgil found different ways to make logan laugh, going as far as to point at a nearby bird and just say 'daddy’ before the bird flew at him angrily.  Once Virgil was bird safe, Logan didn't stop laughing at that any time soon.

It got to the point that Virgil didn't have to make logan laugh. He was smiling in all the pictures, relaxing more. His poses weren't perfect but they managed to leave Virgil even more floored than before.

As they sat on a bench and looked at the photos together, Logan found that he enjoyed the pictures Virgil took of him the best.

_____

“Everyone take five!” Roman shouted. Logan slouched on the stool and sighed. This was the tenth break today, and he knew it was his fault.

Roman, the one in charge, walked over. “Logan, normally this goes by without a hitch, but today you're just…" he made a vague jester. "Not You. And it is interfering with the work…I gotta ask…whats wrong buddy?”

Roman and Logan had known each other since Logan started working as a model, they were actually rather good friends but held a professional relationship during work.

They totally got into a rap battle on a break though, so…

“I'm doing what I always do. I don't get what’s wrong.” Logan crossed his arms.

Roman put his hands on his hips. “It's like someone forgot to oil you, tin man! Everything seems…more robotic than usual…”

Logan suddenly had an understanding of what was wrong with his photos now.  He had gotten used to posing for Virgil, relaxed and enjoying himself. He still knew how to pose for magazines, and whatever else they wanted his picture for, but he felt it was more a routine than fun.

He had been thinking about Virgil and trying to pose for the magazine, but those are two different things to him.

“I…think I realized the problem…”

Roman clapped.“great! Then let's fix it and get back to work.”

“It isn't that easy…” Logan let out a sigh. “My boyfriend..he is a photographer, its..different when he takes pictures of me…but he doesn't know I’m…well…me…” Logan gestured to himself as if making a point.

Roman looked offended.

“You got yourself a boyfriend and didn't tell me?” Of course, that is what Roman focuses on. Logan rolled his eyes.

“Yes, I do, now back to the problem at hand.”

“Solution, tell him who you are.”

“But I don't want him to know, that's the point!”

“And if he finds out on his own?”

Logan looked for an argument. Coming up with none. It was inevitable that Virgil will one day find out who Logan was. Logan wasn't too sure how Virgil would react if he found out on his own, telling him would be the best course of action.

Changing the subject, Logan asked, “so how would telling him to help me?”

Roman broke into a grin.“simple, I hire him to take your photo and if you are right, then you won't have a problem with the shoot.”

Which was how Logan found himself waiting for Virgil at the coffee shop. When Virgil sat down, he was wearing the sweater logan bought him. Logan nearly swooned on the spot.

Focus! Logan smiled at Virgil, tapping his coffee cup. “Virgil I..have a job offer for you.”

Virgil raised an eyebrow. “What kind of job? You've never offered me one before.”

Logan sipped his coffee, giving himself an excuse to gulp his nerves down.

“Well, it is…a photography job…would you be willing to take my photo for a magazine…professionally?”

The look on Virgil's face was proof enough that he didn't believe that, but planned to humor him.

Logan could work with humor.

“Yeah sure, pocket protector, when?”

Logan checked his phone. “We can leave now.”

Logan was a lot more relaxed, even if somehow Virgil still believed this was a joke or a prank. He goofed off behind the camera, made Logan laugh and smile, but Roman watched as the pictures were downloaded onto a computer as they were taken, and he was impressed.

The photos were finished and Virgil was told, to come in tomorrow for his paycheck. Logan led him out and Virgil stretched,

“If you wanted your picture taken, You can just ask you know.”

Logan couldn't help the smile he gave, “I know,”

Logan had been taking with roman when Virgil walked in, Patton following behind him.

Roman whistled. “Please tell me puffball there is single?”

Logan rolled his eyes and took the check from Roman, walking to Virgil. He held it out to him.

“Your payment.”

Virgil looked downright confused as he took the check and glanced at it. Then stared at it.

“Those zeros are on..the left side of the decimal point?”

“Yes, they are.”

“..and those zeros are also..on the right of the other number?”

“Correct again.”

“This is in dollars?”

Logan couldn't fight the smile, never could around Virgil.

“Yes, it is.”

“…holy shit, you really are a model…” Virgil looked at Logan.

Logan laughed. “It took a check for you to realize that?”

Virgil actually laughed back. “Oh, wow…everything makes sense now…hey, where did Patton go? He tagged along and now he’s gone…"Logan glanced around before looked at Virgil unamused,

"Your friend and my boss are making out in the corner.”

Virgil gave a nod of 'yeah, that's expected’ before holding hi the check grinning.

“So mister model….shall I treat thee to a meal at McDonald’s?”

Logan laughed and took his hand. Intertwining his fingers. He gave Virgil a quick kiss before nodding.

“You better.”

[vanilla107]

The Best Present Ever (Dadvid)

Heyyyyy everyone!

Long time no see! I watched the Camp Camp season three finale and I just HAD TO WRITE SOME FANFICTION. Don't worry as there's no spoilers in this fanfic so if you haven't watched season three yet, it's all good! I adore how much effort the creators are putting into Camp Camp and I really do hope they make a fourth season! Dadvid is honestly one of my favourite things so I hope you all enjoy reading this and have a good day! Remember that likes and comments are always welcome! (But seriously if you leave a comment I will simultaneously combust with happiness).

Stay healthy! vanilla107 xoxo

Summary: It's been a year since David adopted Max and now it's David's birthday. Max wants to make it one David will never forget and with the help of Gwen, he opens up.

Relationship/s: Dadvid and Gwenvid

Read on A03

No M/a/x/v/i/d shippers tagging this as M/a/x/v/i/d please.

*********************************************************************

Max was a nervous wreck and he was sweaty as hell. It was David's birthday and everyone he knew was here: Nikki, Neil, Gwen, Space Kid, Quartermaster- every single camper from Camp Campbell. David’s house was decorated with streamers, balloons and confetti strewn on every surface.

David had adopted Max round about a year ago after his parents never came to fetch him from camp. It was a tortuous journey for Max, going through deep depression to uncontrollable rage and bursts of tears over the next few days. David knew that Max couldn’t possible stay at camp forever and there had to be a solution. Gwen was the one who suggested temporarily caring for Max until his parents came round but David didn’t want to foster care Max. David wanted to make sure Max was in a permanent place of love and if that meant adoption for a short time, then fine.

The hardest part was asking the then ten year old to let David temporarily adopt him. David was shaky and he knew Max would hate him for suggesting it but the camp didn’t run during school terms. When David asked Max, Max said yes without even thinking. In his mind, anything was better than his good for nothing parents.

It took a lot of time to get the paperwork in order and an even longer time for the authorities to double check if Max’s parents were never coming back and they finally give in to David adopting Max. The first couple months were rough, Max’s mood swings were off the rail and David almost lost his temper more than once. David knew that the adoption wasn’t supposed to last for so long but Max’s parents never came and after three months, Max stopped hoping that his parents would come and decided the he didn’t care anymore.

He needed to care about what was happening right in front of him.

As the two began to form a routine and get into the habit of living with each other, it got better. Max was still the same sarcastic kid who swore a lot but he smiled more and complemented David when he was feeling up to it. David felt like he knew Max better than before and the moments when they would watch tv and Max would fall asleep next to him, were the ones he treasured most.

Max took a deep breath in and tried to center his thoughts. He grabbed a chocolate cupcake off the table and shoved it into his mouth to try and ease his nerves. The music was an upbeat guitar instrumental and David had really gone all out with food. He had spent the entire day in the kitchen making cakes and finger foods and all of his hard work had really paid off. Everyone was mingling with each other and Max knew that the minutes were ticking down to the moment he was waiting nervously for.

"Max?"

He snapped out of his daydream and looked up and saw Gwen, who looked worried.

Gwen and David had been dating for a while and sometimes Max confided in Gwen when he felt like he couldn’t talk to David. Since Gwen had a degree in Psychology, it was easy for him to talk to her about certain issues that he knew David would not be able to handle.

"Max I know you’re tense but...if you feel that this is too...much...you don't have to do it now."

Max took a deep breath. "I know...but I want to do this. You have the camera?"

Gwen grinned and produced a Polaroid camera.

"I got you, Max. Now, let's go and mingle. I can't have you sweating in a corner for the whole party."

She took his hand and walked outside where David and all the other campers were. He had a glass of juice in his one hand and a chocolate eclair in the other. He popped the eclair into his mouth and nodded at something Nerris was saying. He was talking to Nerris and Ered but when he saw Max his whole face lit up with happiness.

"Max!" David smiled and excused himself from Ered and Nerris. He walked over to the eleven year old and knelt down.

"I was getting worried since you walked into the house and you didn't come back for a while...is everything alright?" David asked his brow furrowed in concern.

Max rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile on his face.

"Psh David, I just needed to get your present in order."

David gasped.

"You got me a present!?"

"Uh, yes? Isn't that what people usually do for birthdays?"

David beamed with happiness and clapped his hands together.

"Well then let's not waste another minute!"

"Wait David- we don't have to open the presents right now!" Max said in a panic.

Gwen came to his rescue and made up an excuse.

"David wait! We first have to sing happy birthday and cut the cake!"

"Oh! I almost forgot!" David exclaimed and skipped happily to the kitchen.

"Thanks Gwen," Max said softly and he breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Don't mention it. Let's go have cake and try to not be so on edge okay?"

*****************

"Dang, David makes a good cake!" Nikki smiled and patted her stomach.

"I'm happy David had the sense to make two cakes...Nikki nearly ate more than half of the first one." Neil laughed and Nikki stuck her tongue out at him.

Max stuck his fork in his cake and nodded and tried to keep the nervousness down. David was already done and looked very excited to open presents.

Everyone gathered round as David opened his presents. A watch from Neil, pinetree scented room spray from Nikki, dumbbells from Nurf, a helmet and knee pads from Ered, a framed painting of all all the campers from Dolph, a ‘magical’ wooden amulet from Nerris, a gift card for improv acting lessons from Preston, a cactus from Harrison, a book with 100 new campfire songs from Space Kid (everyone groaned when they saw the gift but David was ecstatic), a baseball bat from Quartermaster and a new 1# Counselor mug from Gwen since the last one had broke.

Max's present was last and Max could hear his heartbeat in his ears. Gwen put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and have him a supportive look.

David eyed the green package and grinned at Max.

The first gift was a knitted green beanie that Max had knitted himself. The second was David's favourite chocolates.

"Oh...I need to read this out loud?" David asked as he pulled out a thick envelope and looked at the first note.

Max nodded and watched David open the rest of his present. Max’s stomach was churning and he felt sick as David pulled out a stack of papers and read the note on top.

"David, happy birthday! You're one year older. Congratulations. This present is probably hands down the best present you'll ever get."

This brought a few laughs and David raised his eyes at Max who smirked. He felt the nervousness slip away and watched David as he began to read.

"Last year, a week after your birthday, you adopted me and all the paperwork was done. I finally got to go home with you."

Max was holding his breath and he could feel everyone's eyes on him and David.

"The adoption process was long and tiring but I'm happy I'm with someone who cares about me."

David's voice wavered and Max swallowed a ball of of uneasiness.

“I know I wasn’t the easiest kid. I’m still not the easiest kid but you somehow manage to still make me feel a little more happy everyday that goes by.”

David paused and took a deep shaky breath in.

“I want you to know that even though I have my really bad days, you still make me happy. I know it may not always seem like it, but I am. I remember how often we didn’t meet eye to eye at first but now we hardly have disagreements. I finally feel part of a family.”

Max’s stomach was coiled tightly in a knot as David read the final lines on his note.

"Which is why..." David trailed off and stared at the page. He then held the page in one hand and the thick stack of paper in the other. The thick stack was stapled together and David’s eyes flicked through all the pages.

David was quiet and he looked at Max.

"Are...are you serious?" his voice was laced with emotion and his eyes was welling up with tears.

When the adoption papers had been signed a year ago, Max made it known quickly that he never considered David as a parental figure. Max had done a lot of thinking since that day and he felt that today was the right time.

Max slowly walked over to him and looked up at David.

"I...I want to be part of this weird family thing...I know that I’m asking a lot and I know that once this form is signed there’s no going back but-”

“You...you know that you’re giving me the full rights and responsibilities towards you as if you were my own child...?”

“Yes David, I know! I’ve read the fine print and thought a lot about this and I’m fucking sure! Now can you please for the love of God just say yes?” Max exclaimed.

David was silent and for a minute Max thought he was going to reject his offer. After a pause David looked at the boy with a smile and tears of happiness dripping down his cheeks.

“The answer is yes, Max. You...you can officially take my surname and I will officially adopt you as my own.”

David opened his arms for a hug and Max’s and his vision became blurry. Without a second thought he hugged David, the scent of pine feeling all too familiar and comforting.

Cheers filled the air and Max was pretty sure Gwen was crying and taking pictures at the same time.

“Yes! Way to go Max!” Nikki yelled and grabbed Neil and began dancing with him. Neil was too happy to protest and tried to match Nikki’s steps.

“Now that’s hella cool,” Ered nodded and Nerris grinned as she whispered, “Family obtained. Leveled up.”

Everyone was happy for the family and the party was in full swing. Max had fun but that didn’t stop him from causing a little mischief by setting off fireworks.

Once the party had ended and everyone had left, Max had fallen asleep on the couch while David and Gwen cleaned up. David smiled at the sleeping boy and Gwen nudged him.

“Go on. Tuck him into bed and I’ll clean up the rest down here.”

David smiled and looked at the boy he could now call his son and picked him up and took him to his bedroom.

David tucked Max into bed and gently kissed him on the forehead.

“Goodnight Max...I love you.”

David felt a little vulnerable saying those words to Max since the whole feeling of being his actual parent was real and solid now...but he meant it.

As David walked out of the room he heard a muffled voice from behind him freeze.

“Goodnight David. I...I love you too.”

David couldn't help a few tears leave his eyes as he walked out of the room with his heart full of love. When Gwen saw him downstairs, she hugged him.

“Max has been planning this for a while now,” Gwen whispered.

“He has?” David asked, his voice getting wobbly again.

“Remember what he said David. He may have his bad days but you make him happy. You make him feel part of a family,” Gwen said and kissed his temple lightly.

David buried his head into Gwen’s shoulder and sobbed, the emotion too much for him and she gently rubbed his back.

Upstairs, Max fell asleep finally feeling that he was part of a family that cared and loved him. He wanted David to just propose to Gwen already but everything has a time and a place. David was now his official guardian and no one could take that away from him.

[reifromrfa]

MC reacts to Unrequited love with Zen, Jumin and Saeyoung

Hi there! I had to vary the scenarios a bit so they wouldn’t be repetitive but I hope you like it! 😃  Sorry I only wrote for these guys! But I hope you still like them! 😃

Time for some angst~

Zen

He calls you and says he had another fight with his girlfriend

And he’ll be over in 5 minutes

Which barely gave you time to get the place tidied up

But then the doorbell was ringing and Zen’s sad face is right in front of you

And you hate how you can’t throw your arms around him and tell him everything will be fine

Or how you can’t kiss his cheek and soothe him with your touch

Because it’s not your touch he’s longing for

He brought dinner and beer and when the two of you are seated, he tells you all about their latest spat

And you feel obliged to reply, to comment on their relationship and reassure him that things will look up, that she’ll understand and forgive him eventually

But you were dying inside

That’s when he notices your teary eyes

“Babe, are you okay?”

No I am not, Zen.

I wish you would stop calling me babe

I wish you would stop caring about me

I wish you would stop looking at me like you’re actually worried about me

Because it makes me think you love me

Like we have a chance together

You swallow the lump in your throat and give him a shaky smile

And nod

And give him the advice he wanted from you

From his best friend

“Go get her, tiger.”

And you could only watch as he smiles and kisses your cheek

And bounds to the door to go to his girlfriend

While you’re left there

Alone

With nothing but the cans of beer to soothe the dull ache in your heart

Saeyoung

You sit across him and smile as you take a sip from your milkshake

He’s making silly jokes and your heart is melting at how adorable he is

But it’s also breaking your heart because there’s a hand wrapped around his arm

An arm that’s attached to the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen

It’s her that he’s trying to impress

It’s her laugh that he wants to hear

Not yours

It would’ve been okay if his girlfriend was mean or cruel

It would’ve been easier to hate her

But she wasn’t

In fact, she was the nicest person ever

She even offered to help you move out of Rika’s apartment

If only you knew why I was moving out

The truth was, you couldn’t stand being watched by Saeyoung anymore

Couldn’t stand him calling you every time he saw you walk out to the hallway with red-rimmed eyes

“Oh, I just saw the saddest movie ever.”

“I had a bad dream.”

“I ate something spicy."

You were running out of excuses to tell him

And you knew Saeyoung didn’t believe any of your excuses

But how could you tell him the truth?

I love you, Saeyoung

In my dreams you promised to marry me at the space station

But I’m not the one you want to share your galaxy with

And I could hear the sound of my own heart breaking across the universe

But I’m happy for you

After everything you’ve been through…

…You deserve to be happy with someone as wonderful as her

And when Saeyoung places a hand around her shoulders and pulls her close to him, you clear your throat and tell him you have to leave

“But MC, you just got here!” Saeyoung protests

“Ah, I just remembered I had to arrange something with the moving vans for tomorrow.”

“Do you want me to—”

“Nono, it’s alright! You two stay and have fun!” you tell them with a cheery expression, leaving behind a few bills for your milkshake

Saeyoung shakes his head and puts the bills back in your hand and you feel a bolt of electricity pass through your entire body when your fingers touch

“I wish you could stay, MC,” he tells you sadly

Something flashes in his eyes and for a moment, you think you see him mirroring your emotions

Love?

In an instant it’s gone and he pulls his hand back

You force out a smile and wave goodbye to them

The moment you turn away, your expression breaks

You manage to stop your shoulders from shaking

But you don’t stop the tears that flow down your face

Be happy, Saeyoung

Jumin

Aside from V, he trusted you the most

He always asked for your thoughts, your opinions

Your ideas mattered to him and it made you feel special

Like you mattered to him

And to be honest, the way he looks at you sometimes makes you feel…

Like he cares for you

Like he loves you

But those are foolish notions

…Because Jumin, the man who captivated you, stole your heart…

He’s standing at the altar with the woman of his dreams by his side

And you have to put a smile on your face

For him

Because why wouldn’t you be happy for him?

He has found love

You see him smiling at her, giving her one of his genuine smiles

His hand is squeezing hers

And as he’s saying his vows to her, you feel a tear slipping down your cheek

You can’t do this

How can you sit still and watch the love of your life profess his love to another woman?

Jaehee sniffs beside you and you turn away from her, covering your mouth to stifle your cries

“It’s so beautiful, isn’t it, MC?”

You can only nod as you take a shuddering breath, forcing yourself to shut down

To block the pain

To drown out your broken cries

Jaehee hands you a handkerchief and you take it gratefully, wiping away your tears

You manage to stand and clap as they are announced as husband and wife

You manage to smile for the photos

You manage to stay calm

Composed

Dead

You played the part of his best friend

Telling people how happy you are for him

“They’re perfect together.”

“I wouldn’t want anybody else for him.”

You’re sitting alone in the RFA table at his reception, staring at everybody dancing around you

Celebrating their love

But you weren’t in the mood

All you wanted to do was crawl into bed and cry

As you’re taking a sip of your wine, a shadow looms over you and you look up

And your breath catches

Because there he is

Standing in front of you

Your perfect man

“MC, may I have this dance?” he asks, smiling at you

“But, your wife—”

“Ah, I will have a lifetime to dance with her. But I’d like to have at least one dance with another important lady in my life.”

You swallow your tears and force out a smile

“I would be honored, Jumin Han.”

You take his hand and he leads you to the dance floor, placing a hand on your waist

And he sweeps you across the dance floor as the orchestra plays a soft song

“I will leave my heart at the door”

Tonight, I’m baring my soul for you, Jumin Han

“I won’t say a word”

There are so many things I want to tell you!

“They’ve all been said before you know”

No, you don’t know! I couldn’t even tell you how I feel...

“So why don’t we just play pretend”

I’ve been pretending for so long, Jumin

“Like we’re not scared of what is coming next”

I am terrified

“Or scared of having nothing left”

I am afraid of a future without you by my side

“Look, don’t get me wrong”

I know my place though

“I know there is no tomorrow”

I know you will never love me

“All I ask is if this is my last night with you”

Please, just for tonight...

“Hold me like I’m more than just a friend”

Let me pretend

“Give me a memory I can use”

Let me engrave this in my memory

“Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do”

He laughs as he twirls you around and resumes dancing with you

“It matters how this ends”

No, don’t let this end, please

“Cause what if I never love again?"

He releases you when the song ends and he bows to you

"Let this be our lesson in love”

And you take a step back —from him, from the sound of your own heart breaking into a million pieces

"Let this be the way we remember us”

Jumin grins and you smile back, committing the smile that captured your heart to your memory

"I don't wanna be cruel or vicious”

I can’t let you choose, Jumin…I can’t do this to you

I love you too much

So I hope…

I hope you let me go

"And I ain't asking for forgiveness”

I’m sorry I never told you

I’m sorry for what I’m about to do

But don’t feel bad

Don’t apologize

In fact…

Don’t ever forgive me

"All I ask is if this is my last night with you”

Gathering courage, you reach out and stroke his cheek

“Hold me like I’m more than just a friend”

You stand on tiptoe and brush your lips lightly across his cheek

“Give me a memory I can use”

You stand back and watch the confused expression on his handsome face

“Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do”

You pull back your hand

“It matters how this ends”

And you let him go

“MC…?”

You shake your head and back away

“I wish you all the happiness in the world, Jumin.”

He reaches out for you but his wife hugs him tight from behind and he looks away, distracted

He turns back —and you’re nowhere to be found

“Cause what if I never love again?"

And because I know you guys would want an ending… ;)

BONUS:

Zen

He closes the door to your apartment and the smile on his face immediately disappears

He lays a hand on your door as his heart breaks into a million pieces

If only he could tell you

If only he had realized his feelings for you before he got his girlfriend pregnant

You didn’t know the girl was pregnant

He couldn’t bear to tell you

Because he couldn’t bear to face the reality that a future with you now seemed so bleak

He would be a father soon

It wasn’t fair to you or his girlfriend

Or his unborn child

This love that he felt for you —he had to forget about it

Deny it

Deny himself the one thing he wanted more than anything else in the world

You

God, how he wished he had met you sooner

A sad smile graces the silver-haired actor’s face as a tear rolls down his cheek

This is the hardest role he has to play

The

“I love you, MC.”

He pulls his hand away and slips his hands into his pockets, walking away from the only lady he ever wanted to share his stage with

Jumin

“No, I want you to keep looking.”

“I don’t care if you’ve looked there. Look again.”

Jumin sighs and places his phone on the table, hiding his face in his hands

Where are you?

He could feel his emotions threatening to overwhelm him

He tried looking for you after his wedding

Tried calling you the moment he got into the car that would take him and his wife to the airport

He couldn’t stay still in the airport and he would have cancelled their honeymoon but his wife started screaming at him

“MC again? Jumin, don’t you think you’re overreacting? She may have gone home with the other guys! She might be doing God knows what with someone she met at the reception!”

“Stop focusing on her and focus on me!”

“How can you be thinking of another woman when your wife is standing right in front of you?!”

Never in all his life had Jumin wanted to yell at a woman as much as he did that moment

But he held his tongue

Because she was right

He chose to marry her

For business reasons

He never told the RFA because he didn’t want them to worry

He never told you because he knew you would protest

You would want him to marry for love

But you didn’t love him

So he chose to move on because he knew you could never love him the way he loves you

You could never love him, period.

You only saw Jumin Han as a friend

And he was fine with that

Really, he was

Who the hell was he kidding?

He still loved you

He will always love you

But where were you, MC?

Where did you go?

Please, don’t leave me

Come back, MC

Jumin grips his hair in his hands as he recalled that dance at his wedding

It was the happiest he’s ever been in his entire life

And the saddest

Because he got to hold you in his arms for the first time

But he also knew it would be the last time he would be able to hold you like that

But when he saw the way you looked at him

The way you kissed his cheek

Your sad smile

He couldn’t explain the dread that settled in his stomach

He didn’t want to let you go

He tried reaching for you

But when he looked back, you were gone

It’s been a week since he last saw you

He cut his honeymoon short when Assistant Kang reported that they still haven’t found you

He didn’t care that his wife was angry at him

All she wanted was his money

So he left her in Hawaii and came home alone

But it’s been 4 days and still no word from you

Even Saeyoung was avoiding him

And Jumin knew the hacker knows your location

Come back, MC

Please, come back

I was a fool to think I could ever live without you by my side

I was a fool for not fighting for us

I could have made you happy

I could have been happy

I just want you back

The RFA needs you

I need you

Please…

Please

Come home, MC.

Saeyoung

He watches you walk away

The cheerful expression on his face gone

The woman beside him untangling herself from Saeyoung’s side

“I hope that worked, Agent 707.”

He doesn’t even look at her

His eyes are watching you walk away

Watching you walk away from him forever

“It’s funny though. I searched out archives for that woman but there’s no record of her anywhere. It’s like she doesn’t exist. She may be an agent too, Seven. Be careful.”

She doesn’t show up in the records because she doesn’t belong to this world

She doesn’t belong to our world

She belongs in the real world

Because we…

We’re just codes

And I can’t keep you here anymore, MC

MC isn’t even your real name…

Saeyoung feels a tear slipping down his cheek but he doesn’t make a move to stop it

The agent beside him is saying something but he can’t hear her through the sound of his own anguish

I prayed every night for you, my MC

My 606

I still want to take you to the space station

But you have to go home now

Please, forget about me and live your life

But when everything gets too hard

I’ll always be here waiting for you

I will always be here

Saeyoung takes out his phone and accesses your phone

Where he finds the Messenger app

His finger hovers over the delete button

He looks at you one last time

One. Last. Time.

I love you

Then he clicks the button

And he is plunged into nothingness

…I never said it was going to be a happy ending though ;;;

EDIT: Lol putting this here so it doesn’t get lost :)

You wake up and realize you’re not in Rika’s apartment anymore. You’re back in your old apartment, the one you stayed at before getting involved with the RFA.

Weird.

Why were you back here?

You check your phone for messages –Yoosung usually greeted you with a text every morning and Zen would call to check up on you and tell you about his day. Jumin would send a text, when he can, and Jaehee would either call or be present at the chatroom.

And Saeyoung…

Saeyoung.

Tears spring to your eyes when you remember leaving him at the restaurant yesterday with his girlfriend.

But then your heart stops.

Because you can’t remember anything else after that.

Panicking, you search your phone for the Messenger, desperate to talk to someone about this.

But it’s no longer on your phone.

You’ve never been more afraid in your entire life.

“No. No, please. This can’t be happening!”

You search the store for the app again, knowing it was useless. He would have deleted it by now. Saeyoung would have secured the chatrooms once more.

And your entire body shakes as it’s wracked with heart-wrenching sobs.

No.

Please.

Don’t do this me.

Don’t take them away.

I remember everything.

Please.

PLEASE.

But you will never find your way back to the chatrooms again.

Game Over.

There are no happy endings for this one ;A;

Lol I couldn’t resist the 4th wall thing with Saeyoung’s :)) There is no way these guys will love anyone else other than MC! Haha it’s interesting to look at things from MC’s perspective though! So thank you for the request! :D <3

The song from Jumin’s part is “All I Ask” by Adele :)

Check out my other Mysme writings here!

Mango Shake/Ko-fi is always very much appreciated (ᵔᴥᵔ)

I’d be honored to write your story <3

Get extra content by becoming a Patron! :)

[verdigrisprowl]

June 18 Dancitron Movie Night - Alien Resurrection

Both Tarantulas and Soundwave were there, so Prowl spent the whole movie night nervous that one of them was going to Say Something and startling every time he was touched. But he still managed to have an interesting discussion about what efforts ought to be taken to save endangered persons with a low probability of survival. (Prowl’s answer: barring extenuating circumstances, all efforts. Soundwave’s answer: maybe a lot of effort, but like, not if they’ve got a really low chance of survival, and/or their death would be particularly unpleasant.)

Thus far, even though they’ve now both got permission to talk about their relationships with Prowl, it seems like both Tarantulas and Soundwave are content to continue keeping it secret. That suits Prowl just fine.

Today Swoop ((I wasn't gonna come but then I saw what was up tonight and yes, we're gonna 90s this shit up)) ItsyBitsySpyers ((yooooooo!)) Swoop ((how you been?)) ItsyBitsySpyers ((pretty good! unpacking, drawing, settling in, etc)) Swoop ((that middle one sounds nice!)) ItsyBitsySpyers ((i'll show you some later!)) Swoop ((please do!)) VProwl *appears* ItsyBitsySpyers *Soundwave settles in for the night, more than ready to see this supposed fourth film.* Swoop *full on goofy ptero-scampers in* Prowl *arrives just after Swoop* Swoop Bird? :V VProwl *the room's filling up earlier than usual. disappointing.* ItsyBitsySpyers *Having spotted Prowl - and listened to his great big philosophical set of reasons for morals and saving people - Soundwave is just about ready to get up and scoop Prowl into one hell of an embrace. Maybe with some nibbles.*

*...Unfortunately, just as he stands up, two more mechs appear, which means it looks like he rose to greet them all. Soundwave just sort of awkwardly nods at everyone before sitting down on the couch, mildly revved up and with no outlet. And it'll probably get worse. Interesting night.* Swoop *scampers around, jumping on the occasional table in his pursuit of Bird* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Bird is - er. Laserbeak is... sulking. She's had some displeasing news.]] Prowl *it's ok, Soundwave, Prowl didn't see him move* ItsyBitsySpyers ((LMAO)) Swoop :V ??? VProwl *sits in his usual spot. with a little more space than usual.* Swoop What news??? *literally could not care less about the news* *just wants to BIrd* Tarantulas (( we forgive you for not themeing the music, cro (( WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS Smokescreen /Smokescreen's coming in to eggs. Yep! This is the right place!/ ItsyBitsySpyers ((alien movie! eggs)) Smokescreen Hey Eggwave! ItsyBitsySpyers *Immeeeeediately notices.*

@P: [[...Has he done something wrong?]]

[[Ah. Nothing you need concern yourself with at the moment.]] Smokescreen Soundegg! ItsyBitsySpyers @SP: [[Tonight will be Alien: Resurrection.]] Swoop Me Swoop want to Bird : < Us not hang out in foreeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVVVVEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Prowl @SW: Thank you. Smokescreen /Wait, wait, Swoop's here? He's waving at Swoop, before sitting down in his usual spot near Round Prowl!/ ItsyBitsySpyers [[He is certain she will want to be here next week. There will be an Earth rodent with an appreciation of food only she can parallel.]] Prowl *will check to see if there's any audio description available while everyone else gets settled in* ItsyBitsySpyers ((FIFTEEN MINUTES grab your drinks and food and all that)) Smokescreen Wait, are we watching Ratatoing next week? Prowl You're showing a movie about Earth food next week? ItsyBitsySpyers [[What? No. No. It is a movie about a spider. And a pig. But the movie is not named for the pig.]] Swoop *flops with EVERY BIT OF DRAMA he has in his thin body, splaying his wings and legs out like the distraught rug that he is* Smokescreen OHHH oohh I know that one! Based on a book, right? Swoop *look how upset he is* Smokescreen ... Hey Swoop, want a cake? Swoop *everyone needs to appreciate how much he wants to see Bird RIGHT NOW* Prowl Ah. Swoop ... Her Bird like cake Smokescreen ... Maybe if I give you cake, bird will come? /He's offering a cake to Swoop!/ Smokescreen /Fresh from his subspace./ ItsyBitsySpyers [[Oh, no. He can guarantee you that she will not come down tonight. But she will eat the cake when everyone is gone.]] Swoop *transforms so he can hold the cake* *takes it and just holds it* Smokescreen ... It's okay for you to eat that cake if you want! Tarantulas *will tarantulas arriving help with swoop's mood a little too? let's see. in comes the spidermech, it's been a while* VProwl *he was so tense he missed the question* @S «What? No. Why?» *oh, and now Tarantulas is here, and Prowl's even more tense.* Swoop *digs his claws in a little bit and grins* Cake pretty weak thing. Look. *he holds it up and scratches the side* It in ..... tiers! Kehehhehehehh Smokescreen /Is about to wave excitedly at Messy, but stops himself- maybe Messy wants to stick with Prowl tonight?/ ItsyBitsySpyers *Soundwave taps the space between himself and Prowl and glances over at him. That's wh-- oh. Okay, he'll just make room for Tarantulas. Maybe that's why there's space.* *Soundwave huffs at the tiers joke.* [[Not bad, Swoop.]] VProwl ((cro why are you torturing us)) Tarantulas (( srsly ItsyBitsySpyers ((to prepare you for the real horror ahead)) Smokescreen //this is like dinner and 2 shows Swoop *perks up and then preens at the compliment* *still has cake hands* Smokescreen ... /He's going to offer Swoop another cake, this time a different flavor. Maybe he's picky!/ Swoop *takes whatever is offered to him but doesn't do anything with it* Smokescreen ... Are you feeling okay, Swoop? If you like a different flavor, just let me know! Tarantulas *yup, smokey's right, tara's a little focused on vprowl, gonna settle right in with him as soon as possible. how much semi-subtle touching can he get away with, hm?* Swoop Me Swoop am FEELING *squishes some cake between his fingers* good! *absolute shiteating grin* Tarantulas *...narrowed visor at soundwave. why this* Why hello to you too, Soundwave. Smokescreen ... I'm glad! You should eat cake with your mouth, though. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Greetings. It has been a while.]]

*Places a smiley on his screen. Just saying hello, dear spide.*

[[Please. Do not squash cake everywhere. We have enough to clean after weekends.]] Prowl ...is this meant to be a lesson in futility? Swoop *looks back and forth between Smokescreen and Soundwave* Smokescreen I think it's like, a reference to this ancient greek myth humans have about this guy who has to roll this ball up a hill every day, and start over again! Probably! ItsyBitsySpyers [[That depends. Have you lost all hope?]] Swoop *isn't totally clear on what the consensus is here* *just wants to give cake to Bird* ........ *wipes his hand off on his chest, problem solved* Prowl What purpose did rolling the ball up the hill serve? ItsyBitsySpyers [[Put the cake on the bar and go clean your hands in the si--...... Fine.]] Smokescreen I'm not really sure! Maybe doing it, like, kept the Earth moving or something? That's what a lot of those early myths are like. Like, I think this one guy got like, executed for giving everyone fire and opening this box of misfortune. Prowl ((OMG CRO ((BANNED ItsyBitsySpyers ((I AIN'T SORRY BOUT NOTHIN)) Tarantulas (( o m f g Swoop ((jesus christ XDD)) Prowl ((YOU SHOULD BE SORRY Smokescreen ((cro is a treasure Swoop *has no idea what's going on, focused instead on putting the two pieces of cake from Smokescreen on top of each other for maximum cake* ItsyBitsySpyers ((all right that's enough of that)) Prowl Hm. ItsyBitsySpyers ((we're just waiting for one person to get back and then we'll start)) Swoop Soundwave! *holds up the double cake* Where can cake for Her BIRD? ItsyBitsySpyers [[On the bar, where he told you. She will not come down today, which he also told you.]] Swoop :< Smokescreen /He's going to quietly ping Messy before he goes over to the bar to try to help himself./ ItsyBitsySpyers ((WARNINGS: OKAY. This is basically the completely incorrectly done Alien movie that should've had the tagline A Squick For Every Moviegoer. It has all the pointless edge that late 90s/early 00s movies loved. If you already can't stand a regular Alien movie, you'll probably want to sit this one out. More specific warnings more or less in order with some throughout: Weird organic tissue intro, visible surgery with internal contents, flashing lights (really bad after the flamethrower incident and in the water and one other time I forget), frankly unnecessary blood and gore/violence/death, incidents of ableism and/or dehumanizing talk, sexist or misogynist talk, incidents of mostly-nudity, foul language, body horror, hypodermic-like imagery, weird alien pregnancy, grotesque final alien scene, super shaky camera.)) Swoop *goes and puts the cake on the bar, wiping his hands off on himself one last time for good measure* VProwl *tarantulas can get away with semi-subtle touching only up to the point where it's firm enough that Prowl can feel it. at which point he startles almost out of his seat.* ItsyBitsySpyers [[The SINK, Swoop.]] Swoop Sink? *cocks his head, why would you put cake in the sink....?* OH! For -- *he holds up his hands* Smokescreen ... /Trying to sneak a bite of the bar cake now while he's here!/ ItsyBitsySpyers @P: [[...Before we begin. He promised that he would be careful not to show anything with... that, for two weeks. He does not know if you remember that the xenomorph organics tend to puncture skulls with their inner jaws as a fatal blow. Will this trouble you, or should he proceed as planned?]] VProwl @S «Oh—that's fine. Head trauma is fine.» *were they reading the brains they ate? no. ... probably. ... no. they definitely weren't.* ItsyBitsySpyers ((rabbit can you PLEASE not have five thousand pop-ups)) Swoop *actually uses the sink like a person who has been indoors before, everyone thank Ratchet for making this great day possible* ItsyBitsySpyers *Nods and commands the projector to start playing. Leaves the smiley on his visor.* Swoop *scampers over to the seats before immediately stopping, unsure of what to do with himself* Tarantulas *nope, touching is definitely heavy enough to be felt. when prowl startles, tarantulas startles right back* Prowl? ItsyBitsySpyers [[...This is the most disgusting introduction.]] VProwl *pings alternate, video feed* What? What. Nothing. Smokescreen ... Is it really that bad? It just looked slimy. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Same thing, most times.]] Swoop *stands still - legs shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent - and looks at the space in front of him, waiting for something to prompt him* Smokescreen You're not a fan of Slime, Slimewave? ItsyBitsySpyers [[Swoop. Take a seat.]] Swoop *plops down exactly where he was standing* Tarantulas May I...? *clearly ready to cuddle prowl again* *also pings smokey back* Swoop *scoots on his butt closer to everyone else* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Precious.]] Smokescreen /This time sends two pings back!/ Smokescreen Is that how humans- you know- Swoop *scoot scoot* Tarantulas *three pings to smokey then* Smokescreen /this time, he does 5! 3 + 2!/ Smokescreen ((DANGIT i had a drink for this and this fly just comes swooping in to get in my drink 😧 )) ItsyBitsySpyers ((BAD FLY)) VProwl *tries to look at Tarantulas without looking away from the screen, so his alternate can keep watching.* ... What? Smokescreen ((drunk fly now)) ItsyBitsySpyers *Nudges Tarantulas.* [[Number eight.]] Swoop *finally is close enough to someone or something to rest his helm on it and watch the screen* ZAP Tarantulas Eight? Swoop Why Them zap face? ItsyBitsySpyers [[To make her let the doctor go.]] Swoop WHy Smokescreen That human sounded kinda like Ratchet vaguely for a klik! ItsyBitsySpyers [[So he would not die.]] Swoop Why ItsyBitsySpyers [[He does not know.]] *Perks. Majesty?* Tarantulas *ahh, eight, he sees* Blaster -what did he walk in on?- Swoop It wet Blaster Oh....wow ItsyBitsySpyers *Tiny vent. What fabulous design.* Tarantulas *to prowl* May I touch? ItsyBitsySpyers *He wonders how much battering damage the crest can take in battle.* Swoop *slooowly slides down to lay on the floor on his belly* *wings ouuuuuuutttt* *watch your feet* VProwl ... Sure. Yes. ItsyBitsySpyers ((fun fact: in a deleted scene they say walmart bought weyland yutani out)) Smokescreen ... How much do you bet they're all gonna go offline again? VProwl ((omg)) Smokescreen ((canon Swoop ((oh man I forgot about that, too good)) Blaster -well, he's in the room now, and kinda curious about this- ItsyBitsySpyers [[...."Urban pacification".]] [[So they mean to loose the organics on citizens who do not--]] *HUFF* [[Tame them. How amusing.]] [[On citizens who do not comply, likely for good reason.]] Blaster ....this isn't going to end well, is it? Prowl Ugh. Smokescreen Man- I kinda hope they all get their just desserts with those kinda ideas Swoop *IMMEDIATELY FLAILS WITH EXCITEMENT and spins around to sit on his heels with a gigantic grin* THAT! THAT! Tarantulas *promptly slips his hand in prowl's and wraps half of his arms around him, settling in* Swoop YOU SEE, you see FALLEN KINGDOM trailer???? : > VProwl *TENSENESS INTENSIFIES* Swoop *bounces* You Soundwave see? It THAT! *points* What You said! ItsyBitsySpyers [[What?]] Swoop NEW Jurassic World movie!!!!!! Me Swoop want to see! Us DINOBOTS want to SEE! Blaster -he's gonna sit somewhere out of the way of the flailing- ItsyBitsySpyers [[Another one? If the twins have their way, you will. Eventually.]] [[Greetings, Blaster.]] Swoop *hops and chirps* Blaster Ah. Hello, Soundwave. Tarantulas *omg prowl relax, this isn't much more touching than usual is it* Swoop Jurassic World! Jurassic World! Jurassic World! VProwl *it's different now* Tarantulas *...fair* Swoop *keeps bouncing around and chirping about Jurassic World, it's going to take a lot to stop him* ItsyBitsySpyers *What about a feeler wrapped around his mouth.* Swoop *immediately starts to CHOMP but has enough of his birdy brain about him not to go through with it (completely)* Smokescreen /Smokescreen's wincing at the feeler coming out. Ew ew ew./ Blaster -WELL then, that's one way to silence a Dinobot- Wait.... ItsyBitsySpyers *C a r e f u l l y extricates his feeler from Swoop's mouth. Ugh.* Blaster Are those other humans? ItsyBitsySpyers [[They are.]] [[Welcome to government military projects.]] Blaster Wait Tarantulas *snorts at the "project"* Blaster No Swoop *bleehh* *one slobbery feeler for soundwave* Smokescreen I wanna play that game! Blaster They purposefully... ItsyBitsySpyers *Huffing at her mocking him. She continues to be a favorite human, even as a partially inhuman clone.* Swoop KAH! Her hit! ItsyBitsySpyers [[And yes, they did.]] [[The creatures require external hosts for part of the process.]] Blaster ....yikes Smokescreen I wanna DO that kinda move! Swoop *hasn't been paying much attention but he perks up when he hears that whistle, he knows that "get over here" whistle* Prowl It's not that difficult. ItsyBitsySpyers ((fun fact 2: sigourney actually performed that shot herself)) Tarantulas Corrosive...? Hm. Smokescreen I guess! But it looks cool! ... what's with the feet thing don't like that Blaster Was her blood eating through the metal? ItsyBitsySpyers [[It was.]] VProwl ((how many tries did it take her)) Swoop *pays the tiniest bit more attention since he knows that condescending noise* Smokescreen ((can you imagine the bloopers Swoop *probably everyone with a beastmode does tbh* Blaster Either that's really weak metal, or her blood isn't human ItsyBitsySpyers ((i believe they gave her six total to try it in herself and she hit it on the last one)) ((the crew burst into immediate applause, which is why there was a cut right there)) Swoop ((Yeah I want to say I remember them saying they were going to fake it but she went for it one last time and BOOM)) *pats at the nearest person to him* What happen? In movie. ItsyBitsySpyers *Look at them. Look at them sleeping curled up.* Tarantulas (( wHAT ItsyBitsySpyers [[Hah.]] Swoop *pat pat pat* Prowl *congrats, it's Prowl, who pulls out of Swoop's reach quickly* They cloned the Ripley human from the other documentaries in order to extract the alien from her. She appears to be more than human. ItsyBitsySpyers *Has an idea or two why.* Prowl And the military started a breeding program. Foolishly. Swoop *has no idea what any of that means but scoots closer to Prowl, still sitting on the floor* Why them in room? With button. Prowl To torture the alien into listening to them. They think it can be trained. Smokescreen I think the lesson is that all militaries are fragged. Swoop Why listen? :s Tarantulas *internal screm at "baby"* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Trained to hate them, perhaps. As it should. Keeping perfection locked away - hmph.]] Swoop *leans on Prowl's leg* Blaster .............. Prowl *pulls leg away* Don't do that. Swoop Do what Prowl Don't touch me. You can sit where you are. Swoop Why ItsyBitsySpyers [[Ah... so that transferred, too.]] Prowl Because I asked you not to. Swoop Why Blaster -what's wrong with lab-grown- Prowl *sighs* Because. That is the only answer I need to give you. Swoop ............. *reaches out and touches the very tip of Prowl's ped with the very very tip of his claw* Smokescreen Swoop, bad. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Swoop, do not touch the other guests if they have told you not to touch them.]] Prowl *pulls away* Stop. Smokescreen If you keep touching, Bird won't come out for sure. ItsyBitsySpyers *Pings Prowl. Did you see that shot.* Swoop Him Soundwave say no Bird AT ALL tonight VProwl *STARTS* @S «What?» Smokescreen But Bird especially won't show up if you keep touching Prowl. Swoop Why Smokescreen because ItsyBitsySpyers @P: [[The human performed an excellent ricochet shot to shoot the one behind him.]] Swoop Keheh! Because WHY Blaster .............. VProwl @S «Oh. Yes. I saw.» ItsyBitsySpyers [[A noble sacrifice.]] Blaster -slowly hides face- Smokescreen Because because! Keep your servos off of Prowl or else- uhh- you'll get grounded. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Because you have been ordered not to touch them, and if you disobey, he will bridge you home. Again.]] [[And you will not see any of the fighting.]] Swoop *fluffs up his armor and flairs his wings at Smokescreen's very poorly worded threat* Smokescreen Yeah, that too. You'll miss all the good bits! Prowl *scoffs* ItsyBitsySpyers [[So clever.]] Swoop You Smokescreen not STRONG enough to GROUND Me Swoop! Blaster Yikes Smokescreen I mean- Sounds is the one that'll ground you. I'm just saying that it'll happen! Just don't touch Prowl and there won't be any problems! I'll even give you a snack. Swoop NO ONE ground Me Swoop! *flaps his wings once at Smokescreen for emphasis* ItsyBitsySpyers [[He will.]] Smokescreen ... Not that kinda ground. Ground like- no fun stuff ever. Swoop *vents RATHER warm air* ItsyBitsySpyers *Trying to hide that he's shaking. Clever AND opportunistic.* *If unfortunate.* ((this is so goddamn unnecessary)) Swoop *leans in towards Smokescreen, wings still flared* Try! Prowl *Prowl's going to move to another seat away from Swoop before she considers putting Swoop in stasis cuffs* Blaster -STILL covering face- -he doesn't like this movie- Swoop ((While there is a lot to criticize in this movie, I gotta say that I love the set design. There is something about this ship that is charming to me. Just matches the douchey atmosphere lol)) *would absolutely flip shit if someone put cuffs on him* Smokescreen /Smokescreen's pushing Swoop's face away/ Come on, Swoop! You made Prowl move. Be good. Prowl ((it's a good design, creepy and efficient Swoop *locks his joints and digs his toes into the flooring so that Smokescreen's attempts are completely ineffective at moving him an inch* Me Swoop NOT good. Me DINOBOT. Smokescreen ... /In that case, he's pulling his servo away, and then turning on the phase shifter, reaching to just put a servo in Swoop's arm, if possible./ Be a Dinobot that acts good, then! Blaster -uncovers face- ....what just...actually no, I don't wanna know ItsyBitsySpyers *Soundwave leans forward to look around Tarantulas and bobs his helm at Prowl.*

[[Surely with all the organics that Cybertronians of your world encountered, you've run into situations similar to these? Or run calculations on potential scenarios.]] Swoop *goes from looming to owlishly blinking in cartoon curiosity in an instant* What THAT? 😮 VProwl Define "similar to these." Smokescreen What? This? /He's pulling his servo away again/ This is my arm! Swoop ((this movie is so gay)) You a ghost! 😮 ItsyBitsySpyers [[Beings capable of at least picking off Cybertronians, if not outright slaughtering them, breaking into or infesting a base.]] Smokescreen I am! You got me! Tarantulas *curious about sw's question* Swoop Cool! *plops back with his legs kicked out in front of him, full toddler style* VProwl Yes. We commonly called them "soldiers." ... Because they were soldiers. Smokescreen Isn't it? Watch this! /He's adjusting the phase shifter just a bit more, to start to go through the couch./ ItsyBitsySpyers [[Not Decepticons. Aliens of some type.]] VProwl I'm talking about aliens. Swoop Whoooooaaa! ItsyBitsySpyers [[Oh?]] Swoop *claps* VProwl If I was talking about Decepticons, I'd have said "Decepticons." Smokescreen /Grinning like a dork, slowly sliding down. His legs are probably wiggling about if there's a floor below them!/ Swoop *reaches out and tries to poke Smokescreen with his toe* VProwl We didn't cross paths with aliens that via their natural endowments were easily capable of infiltrating and annihilating Cybertronians, because when we saw ones with that potential, we did what these humans did not: left their planets alone. Smokescreen /Swoop's just going to go through Smokescreen! But Smokescreen does laugh at the feeling./ Swoop *squawks* Awesome! You Smokescreen do ghost stuff for fight?? ItsyBitsySpyers [[...Given the estimate you once told him, there must not have been many of those.]] *Briefly forgets his question, staring at the tubes* Blaster Yikes.... Smokescreen I do! I once escaped the Decepticons with my ghost powers! And ended up getting them to take each other out! Swoop You can rip out GUTS with ghost stuff? 😮 VProwl We went to the planets the Decepticons went to. And the Decepticons went to the planets with the organics that scared them: highly intelligent, highly civilized, highly organized, highly technologically advanced. Tarantulas Are they preserved or alive...? ItsyBitsySpyers [[THAT one is alive.]] Tarantulas Well, clearly. Blaster I don't....holy.... Smokescreen I've never tried that! But I caaaaan do this! /He's pulling himself up again, and is starting to pull a small cube of energon out of his chest!/ Swoop *hears a familiar noise and looks at the screen with excitement* ItsyBitsySpyers *Shakes his helm. At least the clone gave her predecessor that much.* Swoop *is distracted from Smokescreen by the fact fire exists* *sorry, buddy, fire wins* VProwl *squints at the fire* Blaster -face covered again- Smokescreen /That's fair! He's putting the cube back in for later/ Swoop Her BURN tank :V Tarantulas *snrk* I suppose if they were alive, the matter is moot now. Swoop Her burn HIM kehehhehh Blaster -too much fire- Swoop Aww.... *disappointed* Kehehe Smokescreen This movie's getting pretty hot! VProwl ((cmon. you managed to write a funny line and then you immediately fucked it up.)) Swoop Her have fire in a gun Dinobots have fire in FACE kehehh ItsyBitsySpyers ((a round of applause for early whedon everyone)) ((i say sarcastically)) Swoop (🚢) ItsyBitsySpyers [[What was he...]]

[[Ah. What he was going to ask: How would you handle all of this? Do you believe the chances of survival-- Primus, this is brighter than Ravage said.]] Smokescreen Hey, Swoop, wanna see a neat trick? Swoop Yes! Smokescreen /He's settled on the couch again, and this time is ready to just pull a cube of energon out of his own chest!/ ItsyBitsySpyers [[Why didn't they turn the light on to start with.]] *Irritable buzz.* [[Do you believe the chances of survival are high enough to warrant trying anything at all, or would it be better to spare everyone their more gruesome deaths and terminate them?]] Smokescreen ... Is that what everyone does? Just sniff each other? Swoop Kahahah! That good trick! Next time, you pull SWORD! Smokescreen Is that what you're supposed to do with a nose? Haha- I need a sword first! Whiiiich- Omicron ((*omie peers in*)) ItsyBitsySpyers ((yo)) Smokescreen Swoop look there's fire on the screen! VProwl I don't know the layout of this facility, but I'd say their odds of survival are somewhere under twenty percent. If they kill themselves, their odds of survival are zero percent. Omicron ((Icy may not show up, but I'm derping around) Swoop Me can fire on SWOOP ekhehehh ItsyBitsySpyers *Is abruptly reminded of the metrotitan limerick. Flashes bright, hunches over to hide it, and trembles.* Smokescreen Just- look over there, Swoop! Swoop *looks* Smokescreen /He's quickly taking a practice sword out of his subspace and is sticking it in his chest, wincing- this is not pleasant for his spark at all!/ Swoop *looks back* *ERUPTS in laughter* ItsyBitsySpyers [[SMOKESCREEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING]] Smokescreen ... Nothing? Swoop You Smokescreen look DEAD Smokescreen /He's shifting and pretending he didn't just do that./ ItsyBitsySpyers *Getting to his feet* [[PUT THAT SWORD AWAY AT ONCE]] Smokescreen It is away! It's inside me- Swoop *CACKLES* Omicron ((you will make make icy show up in her feral state doing that smokey, nuu .0.)) Smokescreen ... Wait, yeah, frag, I forgot. Sorry, Sounds. Tarantulas They swim so well! ItsyBitsySpyers *Is distracted by them swimming. They swim? Of course they swim. There's nothing they can't do but fly, is there? And maybe even that, if they get the right host.* [[They do everything well.]] Smokescreen /He's pulling the sword out of him and is putting it back in his subspace. That is waaaay less painful, thank Primus./ Swoop *literally ROLLS on the floor laughing at Smokescreen's trick* ItsyBitsySpyers *Soundwave turns back to watch Smokescreen for a second to make sure that sword isn't coming back out, then sits down.* Smokescreen /He's smiling now- hey, he got Swoop laughing!/ Tarantulas But I do wonder how exactly they adapted for swimming? Ah.... *snrks* Smokescreen /He is never doing that trick again./ ItsyBitsySpyers [[Superior lung capacity, no doubt.]] Tarantulas No, I mean - how they managed to evolve the capacity. VProwl They're modified based on their hosts' bodies, aren't they? Humans can swim. Tarantulas Not that well, honestly. Swoop *eventually rolls to a stop and watches the screen just in time* ItsyBitsySpyers [[So many interruptions. Twenty percent, twenty percent. Would you continue to assist them down to the one percent? What if you knew the percentage had dropped to zero at last? How would you handle matters then?]] Swoop KAH! EXPLODE! VProwl It hasn't dropped to zero percent until they're dead. Blaster -so much no- Smokescreen /He's finally turning off the phase shifter, lying down on the couch. He's really exhausted from all that!/ VProwl There's no advantage to giving up on survival before you're dead. Unless you've got something more important to do than try to survive. These people don't. Swoop *pushes himself up into a sitting position using his wings* Swoop Keheh Him bad at aim OH Explode :V Tarantulas *SNORTS* Swoop *thrashes with laughter and looks at Tarantulas* Him shoot LITTLE spider ItsyBitsySpyers [[...You are much more - hmm. Optimistic? Determined?]] *Taps a finger, thinking.* [[...Selfless. Than him, he thinks.]] [[He has much to learn.]] Tarantulas He was awfully mean about it. That spider did nothing to him, other than be in the wrong place at the wrong time. VProwl Am I? I just see no rational reason to give up on them. Swoop *grins* Maybe it RIDE bullet PCHOOOO! Smokescreen There needs to be more spider-loving movies Tarantulas There do. There certainly do. Swoop Spiderman movie like spiders Smokescreen ooh- Spidey's fun! I love Spidey VProwl *oh, a robot. finally, a character worth investing in.* Smokescreen Why is this Ripley so... not ripley ItsyBitsySpyers @P: [[...Do cables into arm ports count?]] Smokescreen like I know she's a clone but VProwl @S «... She's in control.» *yes. it counts.* Swoop *doesn't have any reaction at all to Call being able to plug stuff into her arm, may be a little young to fully digest biological differences between species* ItsyBitsySpyers ((i was considering it like basic plug n play but it occurs to me that it looks like a needle)) ((god damn it)) VProwl ((the robot was in control, crisis very narrowly averted.)) Blaster -is it safe now?- ItsyBitsySpyers ((IF THERE IS A *SINGLE.* *NEEDLE.* IN CHARLOTTE'S WEB I AM THROWING HOLLYWOOD INTO A BIN)) Swoop *rolls back onto his belly* VProwl *... but it's enough to make the back of his neck very slightly prickle.* Tarantulas ...If she clears a path to the Betty, won't that mean the remaining aliens are more than capable of following the path as well? Swoop *kicks his feet slowly* Them in space Them just *throws his arms open and makes a whooshing noise* NO more people in ship Dead *rests his cheek on the floor* That boring. Them caaaaaaaan *grins* Mortal Kombat VProwl *ugh. a robot that thinks being a robot is disgusting and wants to be organic. never mind.* Smokescreen Hey! What's so great about being human anyway? Swoop Her Carly is human 😆 Tarantulas They're incredibly egotistical and apparently anything created by them shares that characteristic. Smokescreen Humans are good, but there's nothing worse about not being one Blaster -peers between digits- VProwl They programmed them that way. Swoop ego-tis-tickle tissssssssssssstickle kehehh Smokescreen ... why are humans so awful to mecha anyway Swoop eggo tis tickle ItsyBitsySpyers [[He was never one to assist most mechs to the very end. Deployers, perhaps. Those to whom he's sworn his loyalty or his spark. The rest... rarely below ten percent. Almost never under five.]]

[[Your earlier answer to that greyface makes him wonder what percent he is obligated to assist at now.]] Tarantulas *pings sw, the queen, eh?* Blaster -hides face again- ItsyBitsySpyers *And now he's leaning way off the couch to see.* *Pings Tarantulas back with an affirmative.* Swoop *holds his own feet* Soundwave When fighting movie? VProwl Well, I've got a /recommended/ number. But my answer isn't yours. I don't know what your philosophical outlook is. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Unclear, these days.]] *Pause.* [[He'd take notes and think on them if you had more lectures.]] Swoop :V VProwl Hm. I said more in that reply then I generally like to say in a week. Swoop *laughs his ass off at this guy getting his faces smashed* *laughs so hard he ends up squeaking* ItsyBitsySpyers *Points.* [[That was a valiant death.]] VProwl It was. Tarantulas *oh dear. oh. dear* ItsyBitsySpyers *....Slow head tilt.* Blaster -keeping face covered- ItsyBitsySpyers [[And that's. New.]] Swoop *is not even remotely getting what is happening here, just playing with his toes between fight scenes* Omicron ((aaaand this is why aliens of all kinds are scared of how humans give birth)) Smokescreen w what is this ItsyBitsySpyers [[........What is THAT?]] Prowl *this movie is going to make Prowl think human reproduction is even worse than it actually is* ItsyBitsySpyers *Fascinated. Not quite as much as he is by the xenomorphs. But it's an interesting... mutation? Is that what it is?* Tarantulas *sad noises* ItsyBitsySpyers *Manages not to say anything aloud. If Tarantulas is touching him, though, he'll get a wave of shock and sadness.* Swoop *has not even remotely been payign enough attention for this but he chirps back when the baby does* It bite! ItsyBitsySpyers *And then concern.*

@T: [[Tell him you are not at risk for any of - of that.]] VProwl ((well his son DID almost kill him)) Tarantulas *startles, then almost laughs aloud* @SW: ::Primus - Primus no.:: VProwl *startles when Tarantulas startles.* Tarantulas *soothes prowl with pets* Blaster -peers at screen again- VProwl *startles again* Swoop *starts slowly rolling around the floor again, he's a baby bird on a mission, not clear what the mission is but BY GOD is he going to roll for it* Smokescreen ... /Looking over and pinging Tarantulas again when he hears sad spider sounds./ Tarantulas *more pets, that totally works right* VProwl *now that he knows to expect them he just holds very still.* Blaster -COVERS face again- ItsyBitsySpyers *Well, at least he knows how to terrify this Blaster if it ever comes to that.* @T: [[Are you *certain?*]] Blaster -that's mean Soundwave- Swoop *bumps into a chair* Tarantulas *pings smokey reassurance, then back to sw* @SW: ::I'm quite certain, yes.:: ItsyBitsySpyers [[It really must be more careful with its toys.]] Blaster -isn't going to check this time- ItsyBitsySpyers [[Though he must say he does not care for the changes the excess human genetic material brings. It's less... clean looking. Even the hive material changed. Like flesh instead of shell.]] Smokescreen Man- that xenomorph looks WAY creepier VProwl "Clean looking"? Swoop *laughs cause he can guess what is coming* Tarantulas *oh poor thing, tarantulas feels awful for the look it gave her* VProwl The typical ones are made of drool. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Perhaps. But it is drool on a smooth and segmented surface.]] Swoop Ewwww!! *is DELIGHTED* ItsyBitsySpyers [[....How terrible.]] Swoop KAHAHA CHUNKS! Smokescreen ... Man, they really draw out the really upset noises Tarantulas At least it didn't last too terribly long. Swoop Dead! VProwl ((WOW that was a lot worse than i was expecting it to be)) ItsyBitsySpyers ((are you ok???)) VProwl ((yeah im ok)) Swoop ((that is one of the gnarliest on screen deaths ever imo)) Prowl *Prowl opted to not ask for visuals tonight and feels like she made the right choice* Blaster -peers at screen again- Swoop *is absolutely all grins and sunshine after that level of gore* VProwl ((oh, prowl offered her a feed at the start of the movie)) ItsyBitsySpyers [[....Poor creature.]] Omicron ((it was bad x.x)) VProwl ((i guess we'll say it wasn't accepted??)) Smokescreen Why do humans make this kinda thing so much? Swoop What thing? Prowl ((go for it, i must have missed it since I have 8 million tabs open atm ItsyBitsySpyers [[Even if it was a strange alternative to its predecessors.]] Smokescreen All this gory slag. Swoop Gore is AWESOME It BEST thing :V Smokescreen I mean, I'd be pretty good if I didn't have to see if for another million years! Tarantulas Yes, it didn't quite deserve that sort of death. And to be betrayed by one it thought its mother... Blaster ...not like I needed to recharge tonight.... ItsyBitsySpyers [[You'll get more work done, Blaster. Cheer up.]] [[...Well, it shouldn't have terminated the one who WAS its mother.]] Smokescreen Sounds- I'm still pretty exhausted, can I recharge on your couch? Blaster -huffs- Prowl There was a great deal of unnecessary termination in this film. ItsyBitsySpyers [[No recharging on his couch. If you require a space to rest, there are inns in New Praxus.]] Swoop *pulls out a datapad from subspace and pokes here, there, and everywhere until he finds some pictures of what happens when you don't respect the coffin corner and get your goddamn wings ripped off* *holds up the datapad in front of Smokescreen's face* Smokescreen . . . I don't think I can get up, Soounds, that's the problem. Prowl Are you all right? ItsyBitsySpyers [[...........Did you phase yourself into his couch.]]

((mark time: 10: 15)) Smokescreen I'm fine! I'm fine! Just kinda drained. ... Only a little. I can phase myself out after I rest for a bit. Swoop *hears screaming on screen just in time to catch the chicken going at the guy and LOSES IT* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Just. Just take the couch with you.]] Prowl I can cut him out of it. Smokescreen sounds I don't even I can get up with the couch prowl nooooo Swoop *gasps* Me Swoop can help! *flexes claws* Blaster .... Smokescreen /Smokescreen's turning the phase shifter on, and is starting to sink into the couch./ Smokescreen /Draining his energon a bit more, but he told Swoop he's a ghost, and he's sticking to it./ VProwl *mumbles* Don't give away your furniture. Swoop ((this baby is literally swoop)) ((people screaming no, him rockking back and forth to do the thing)) Tarantulas (( at least he KINDA did listen ItsyBitsySpyers *Looks at Prowl and just makes a frustrated hand motion at Smokescreen.* [[What is he supposed to do, let the mech stay here overnight?]] Swoop Me Swoop can get. Me Swoop can DROP outside! SMASH. Then Smokescreen fall out : > Smokescreen No, no no no, Swoop. It'll be fine. Look! VProwl He said he'd pull himself out. Omicron ((send him to dreaded wings and give smokey a shock?)) Smokescreen /With the phase shifter on, he's rolling himself out, just kinda lying on the floor. He's not stuck, though!/ Prowl Hm. Swoop *snickers and scampers around Smokescreen on all fours* Smokescreen swooooop please Swoop Hi : > Smokescreen Hiiii Swoop- you want candy again? ItsyBitsySpyers *Looks from Prowl to Smokescreen and back.*

[[How did any of the Autobots deal with yours. Please. Any hints at all.]] Swoop Her Bird like candy! Blaster ....was that a chicken? ItsyBitsySpyers [[No, that's a sheep.]] VProwl Ours isn't anything like that. Smokescreen ... pfpff Blaster ow ItsyBitsySpyers [[In that case, is there a way to officially take your Soundwave's place.]] VProwl Last I heard he was on Earth trying to lead the Decepticons with Galvatron. I wouldn't recommend it. Swoop *places both of his palms squarely on the floor and rolls himself up into a handstand* *straightens up and grins* *ta da* Swoop ((look its' swoop)) Blaster ...I'm....going to go now Smokescreen /He's honestly starting to fall into recharge on the floor. Using the phase shifter does drain him after a while!/ ItsyBitsySpyers [[We can send that one away. He'll change his paint job and tell everyone the med bay ran out of replacement armor after a battle.]] *Polite applause for Swoop.* VProwl *huff* Have fun working with humans. Swoop *curls up enough to spring up and flip onto his feet* *DRAMATIC bow* ItsyBitsySpyers *Shudders.* [[He'll take Smokescreen.]] Prowl ((i assume she won Swoop *is less than impressed by the audience he has here* ...... *griiiiiiiiiiiins* Blaster G'night -up and leaving- Swoop *DASHES over to smack Tara's shoulder but doesn't stick around, SPRINTING for the door instead* Blaster ((thanks for the stream and nightmares ItsyBitsySpyers ((you're welcome. try to sleep well, for real)) *Manages to catch Swoop with a bridge anyway. How d'you like them apples.* Tarantulas *looks infinitely offended by this assault, almost enough to get up and run after swoop, but thinks better of it and just curses for a moment* Smokescreen /Smokescreen would clap, but he really did doze off. It might work to just throw Smokescreen into a bridge./ Swoop *A VALIANT EFFORT WAS MADE and he shrieks with laughter all the way out* Prowl I think I'll be leaving now. Good night... everyone. ItsyBitsySpyers *He's in a mood because of the queen's fate, so Smokescreen gets a bridge. And so does his own Prowl, because why not.* Prowl *...well, that saved her a drive* VProwl Good n— *... and then she's gone.* Smokescreen /He'll have to thank Soundwave for the bridge later!/ Prowl *her mood's been down since the Swoop incident earlier, so getting back to Praxus quicker is probably for the best* VProwl ... What did she do to deserve that? ItsyBitsySpyers [[Nothing. He thought she might not want to run into Swoop if he came back.]] *Tap tap.* [[That, and he prefers to keep her on her toes.]] Omicron ((*waves* I'm gonna duck out, the end of the movie was fun 😊 have to try and work on icy's first plot thing on the blog)) VProwl ((*waves* good luck with plot)) Tarantulas Rude, but helpful. Omicron ((thank you! anyone is welcome to pop over for it)) ItsyBitsySpyers ((thank you for being here! good luck!!)) Prowl ((good luck! Smokescreen ((hope plot goes well : o! Tarantulas *is clinging to prowl a little more now that there aren't so many people there, if it's permitted* VProwl *it's permitted.* *... relaxes marginally.* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Congratulations on officially dating, by the way.]] VProwl *stiffly* Thanks. Tarantulas *huffs, strangely awkward* I - thank you, I suppose? It seems like an odd thing to give congratulations for. ItsyBitsySpyers *...Wow. Prowl really IS nervous about having to be the one to tell others, isn't he.*

[[He doesn't see why.]] VProwl It's not something you talk about in polite company. ... Wasn't, anyway. I suppose that's more... lax, now. ItsyBitsySpyers [[He hasn't been polite company for roughly twelve and a half million years.]] *Soft huffing.* ItsyBitsySpyers [[In any case, we all know of our mutual interests, and have acted on them in the past. He isn't going to be scandalized by it. Or tell others, if that is what either of you think. That is your business. And you two already know about yourselves.]] VProwl I know, I know. It just... sounds like a threat. ItsyBitsySpyers [[He assures you it isn't.]] [[We as a species have come close to death. It is a wonder there are enough of us to find anyone we consider compatible, and pleasing that the both of you have.]] VProwl I know it's not. But it sounds like one. Tarantulas *did u hear that. sw thinks they're compatible, tarantulas is so pleased* VProwl *soundwave thinks they think they're compatible.* ItsyBitsySpyers *Actually, he said 'consider compatible', which is another ball game. He's worried that they're going to burn each other up. But that's what waiting and watching and being ready to either accept or murder is for.* Tarantulas *please don't murder the spide* ItsyBitsySpyers [[How would you have preferred he say it? And do not say that you prefer he didn't. He has, and he would again, if only to the both of you.]] *Head tilt. Genuinely curious.* VProwl ... You can't ask a question and then rule out the answer. Tarantulas *soft snort* ItsyBitsySpyers [[He can if he is interested in a wording change and not one of intent.]] VProwl *annoyed huff.* I'm not answering on the grounds that it would come across as a recommendation rather than an admission that one particular bit of wording is a lesser evil. I don't want a smaller negative willfully misconstrued as a positive. Tarantulas *considering prowl, then sw* It's... also difficult to reword something that by its very nature is perceived as a threat to mention, one should think. ItsyBitsySpyers [[As you wish, then.]]

*Looks to Tarantulas.* [[He does not think so. Plenty of mechs think hearing that he will be waiting for them later that night is a threat. He's reworded it successfully several times in his personal life.]] *A poor attempt to lighten the mood some, but an attempt nonetheless.* VProwl *huff* Tarantulas *snrk* It does depend on the context. ItsyBitsySpyers *Well. At least he got a small laugh out of them.* Tarantulas *tarantulas doesn't mind the congrats, but if it discomfits prowl, he's not going to go against prowl's arguments, naturally* *...nuzzles at prowl* VProwl *permits it, but doesn't relax into it.* Tarantulas *slightly sad visor* VProwl *now he feels uncomfortable AND guilty* Tarantulas *nooooo* ...Is there something on your mind, Prowl? *just in case it's not the dating thing* VProwl Other than this? No. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Would it help if he turned his attention elsewhere for a short while?]] VProwl ... No? Tarantulas Nono, do stay here. *lightly grabs onto whatever he's nearest* VProwl *why would that help* ItsyBitsySpyers *Head to the other side. Doesn't quite understand. If being seen by someone else brings tension, and his words have brought more, then wouldn't a temporary shift of focus free them from the public eye, so to speak?* VProwl *no, the public eye is everywhere all around them, and soundwave looking away for a moment isn't going to change the fact that prowl's now naked and he's just waiting for all of cybertron to notice* ItsyBitsySpyers *Lets Tarantulas grab his arm. Mostly because he didn't even feel it. Arms need more pressure than that to register on more than one or two sensors.* [[Then perhaps a subject change?]] VProwl Very well. Why did you think I have a percentage for where I'd stop trying to save a life? *that's been bugging him* Tarantulas *hm, is curious about this too* ItsyBitsySpyers *He's /almost/ sorry they said not to move. This music is infectious and his every wire sings with wanting to move. But he's sat still through worse.*

[[In the scenario proposed? The result waiting at the end of that particular potential failure. A simple problem of a ship about to crash is one thing. Being burst apart from inside the... what do humans call their...]]

*Draws stripes over his chest with his fingers for a second, thinking.*

[[Rib kennel. It seems more merciful.]] [[Below a certain percentage, at least.]] VProwl Hm. VProwl If THEY asked for a quicker, more painless death—below a certain percentage, I would consider helping them arrange that. If they were still fighting—if they still WANTED to fight—I would have no right to take that from them. Tarantulas *snicker* Chest. Generally referred to as chest. VProwl Unless it was to kill one infected to save the others. But that's not the scenario you presented. ItsyBitsySpyers *Glance at Tarantulas.* [[The internal supports, not the meat.]] Tarantulas Ribcage, then. VProwl *tarantulas is so smart. just listen to him.* ItsyBitsySpyers *Takes a moment to think about that. Then shakes his head.* [[No, no. Cages are where you keep dangerous things that must not get loose. Kennels are where important things that must be protected are kept.]] VProwl I'd trust the expertise of the mech who reformatted his alt-mode into an earthling. Tarantulas Don't argue with me how it ought to be named - I wasn't the one who decided their terminology, hyeh. ItsyBitsySpyers [[His chosen earthling has no bones.]] Tarantulas I'm glad you do know THAT, though. Some humans don't even know that much. ItsyBitsySpyers [[He isn't surprised.]] ItsyBitsySpyers [[Where were we. Percentages, rights...]] *Rewind memory.* [[Killing the infected. Then you would have terminated the one with the spawn in him?]] Tarantulas They DID think of a plan to preserve his life without ending theirs, though. VProwl Not immediately. I would have gotten an estimate from the expert on how long it would take to emerge, and kill him either if we got too close to that deadline or found that there was a vanishingly low probability that we'd be able to get him to somebody who would actually extract the alien and keep him alive. Not as a mercy killing, but to protect everyone else—Earth included. ItsyBitsySpyers *Privately, Soundwave does not believe he'd take that risk. Not for anyone but eight of the mechs in the building.*

*...After Tarantulas' point and Prowl's decision, he's not sure he should mention that.* Tarantulas *tarantulas wouldn't mind tbh* VProwl ... He'd probably have to die, though. ItsyBitsySpyers [[He did do that.]] [[And far more bravely than any of those without.]] VProwl No, I meant—I'd probably have calculated that, yes, he should be terminated before the alien finished developing. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Ah.]]

*...You know what, he's going to say it. Prowl knows who he is. If after all this time he expects Soundwave to think exactly like him, he has another think coming. Tarantulas, he's still not sure what to believe. Probably that Tarantulas would keep the human alive just to get the xenomorph out and start the breeding experiments over again.*

[[...Were there an equivalent creature for our kind, he would have had that Cybertronian terminated on the spot.]] Tarantulas *mutters something about not having to have killed him if he were around because he could have operated on him there on the spot* VProwl Mm. Less optimistic, but... given these things' record, not imprudent.

*nudges tara. ur right, but that's not part of the game.* Tarantulas *nudges him back, shh* ItsyBitsySpyers [[They were already outnumbered. And frightened beings make poor decisions. They get separated. The instant that host disappears from sight, for however long, they are effectively another enemy waiting to be discovered. Slaughtering them would preserve the chances we already had and be sure to reduce the maximum number of opponents.]] [[But... he admits that his thoughts are colored by lessons he was forced to learn against his will.]] *Namely, the arena.* VProwl Hmm. As I said: not imprudent. Tarantulas Not unwise, yes. With so many unknown variables, I do think the choice is a debatable one, instead of a fixed yes or no. Awfully subjective. ItsyBitsySpyers *Nods. He wanted to be sure Prowl knew WHY, and not just... internally react to that concept like your average Autobot.* VProwl *oh, he knew why: the same reason he'd consider the same option.* ItsyBitsySpyers *Just because you understand something doesn't mean you don't revile it, after all. Right, Prowl?* VProwl *detests calling it "subjective," but it's not worth arguing semantics.* Tarantulas *fair fair* ItsyBitsySpyers *Settles back into the couch and folds his hands on his lap. Stares at the wall.*

[[...The Queen did not have to perish, though. That was nothing but ingratitude and fantasy. As if such a being would consider a human a superior organic.]] VProwl Sure she had to perish. She was as much a threat to the humans as any of the other aliens. More of a threat, even, because she has the means to produce more. Tarantulas It was a first test-run - of course it was faulty and unpredictable. Unfortunate that it did kill the queen, but... VProwl ... Oh. We've stopped talking about saving the humans. Got it. ItsyBitsySpyers [[The ship was going to crash regardless, and her spawn had no reason to slaughter her. They might have lived in the nest until such time as the ship hit the planet. Instead, it followed the humans, killed more of them, and suffered.]] ItsyBitsySpyers *Thinks that IS talking about saving the humans.* VProwl *it's drifted out of the realm of controllable actions the humans and/or allies could have affected* ItsyBitsySpyers *Okay, yes, it's done that. But what do you want from him. He admires what he admires.* [[...He wonders if the mechs who reproduce via gestation chamber instead of other methods suffer from the same problems.]] Tarantulas Which same problems? VProwl I haven't /heard/ of any of them being nearly killed by their offspring. And I'd think they'd be less pleased to reproduce if that were a known risk. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Well, you wouldn't, would you? They'd be too dead to tell you.]] VProwl I said "nearly." As in the ones that survived to tell the tale. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Oh. Oh, yes.]] *Looks at Tarantulas and nods his head at Prowl. Those problems.* [[Plenty of Earth animals perish after reproducing. Octopuses, for example. No reason other fleshlings or some mechs wouldn't.]] [[Though he thinks it's a waste of good octopuses. A design flaw of some sort. One of their only ones.]] Tarantulas Hm. I've heard of mecha being offlined by complications while carrying, but not by being intentionally murdered by their sparkling. And the complications certainly aren't common. VProwl What sort of complications? ItsyBitsySpyers *Listening attentively to the answer to that question* Tarantulas Undue strain on the carrier's spark, sometimes because they're carrying more than one sparkling, or other times when they've not consumed enough to support both their life and the sparkling's, or... well. Those sorts of things. OH. Oh. You said - gestation tanks. What am I thinking. Well, it's similar, anyhow. ItsyBitsySpyers *Alarm* [[What do you mean, consumed enough to support both?]] [[How much does it require?]] Tarantulas More than the usual amount of matter, certainly. It depends on the health of the carrier and the sparktypes of both carrier and offspring. Tarantulas ...Among other things, of course. ItsyBitsySpyers *Great. Now he's gotta intensify his concerns about energon shortages on planets where that's the main or only way left to revive Cybertron. Because that problem wasn't difficult enough.* Tarantulas Ah! *sad noises* I - I ought to go. As much as I'd adore continuing this conversation, I do have business to attend to, sooner rather than later, preferably. *snuggles prowl close* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Yes. Yes, of course. He did not intend to keep you from it.]] VProwl *... attempts very poorly to reciprocate the snuggle. does a bad job of it.* *awkward waist pat.* Tarantulas *at least he tried* *he gets a smooch before tarantulas gets up tho* I'll see the two of you soon, I'm sure. ItsyBitsySpyers [[He looks forward to it.]] VProwl *that sounds like a threat.* Tarantulas *everything tara & sw say could probably be perceived as a threat if you look at it the right way, tbh* VProwl *more of a threat than usual* Tarantulas *it's not, tara promises* VProwl *he'll take it on faith* Tarantulas *good, thanks prowl. but now tara's off - gnight!* VProwl *watches him go.* *... doesn't scoot closer to soundwave once he's gone.* ItsyBitsySpyers *Looks in the space between them, then up. The mental voice is on the gentler, quieter side. More of a murmur in the back of the mind than a voice chattering in the front of it.*

[[...If you do not want to touch him, you need not do so. But he will always do his best to ensure no mech harms you as long as he is with you, and he...]]

[[What he told Tarantulas two years ago is true.]] [[If you would prefer to be in your own home, he understands and does not mind. If you prefer to be here, but separated, he will enjoy simply sharing a space. If you wish to be here and touching somehow, he will enjoy that as well.]] VProwl *... puzzled look.* You told Tarantulas that two years ago? *Soundwave and Tarantulas weren't friendly two years ago.*

Tarantulas *will tarantulas arriving help with swoop's mood a little too? let's see. in comes the spidermech, it's been a while* VProwl *he was so tense he missed the question* @S «What? No. Why?» *oh, and now Tarantulas is here, and Prowl's even more tense.* Swoop *digs his claws in a little bit and grins* Cake pretty weak thing. Look. *he holds it up and scratches the side* It in ..... tiers! Kehehhehehehh Smokescreen /Is about to wave excitedly at Messy, but stops himself- maybe Messy wants to stick with Prowl tonight?/ ItsyBitsySpyers *Soundwave taps the space between himself and Prowl and glances over at him. That's wh-- oh. Okay, he'll just make room for Tarantulas. Maybe that's why there's space.* *Soundwave huffs at the tiers joke.* [[Not bad, Swoop.]] VProwl ((cro why are you torturing us)) Tarantulas (( srsly ItsyBitsySpyers ((to prepare you for the real horror ahead)) Smokescreen //this is like dinner and 2 shows Swoop *perks up and then preens at the compliment* *still has cake hands* Smokescreen ... /He's going to offer Swoop another cake, this time a different flavor. Maybe he's picky!/ Swoop *takes whatever is offered to him but doesn't do anything with it* Smokescreen ... Are you feeling okay, Swoop? If you like a different flavor, just let me know! Tarantulas *yup, smokey's right, tara's a little focused on vprowl, gonna settle right in with him as soon as possible. how much semi-subtle touching can he get away with, hm?* Swoop Me Swoop am FEELING *squishes some cake between his fingers* good! *absolute shiteating grin* Tarantulas *...narrowed visor at soundwave. why this* Why hello to you too, Soundwave. Smokescreen ... I'm glad! You should eat cake with your mouth, though. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Greetings. It has been a while.]]

*Places a smiley on his screen. Just saying hello, dear spide.*

[[Please. Do not squash cake everywhere. We have enough to clean after weekends.]] Prowl ...is this meant to be a lesson in futility? Swoop *looks back and forth between Smokescreen and Soundwave* Smokescreen I think it's like, a reference to this ancient greek myth humans have about this guy who has to roll this ball up a hill every day, and start over again! Probably! ItsyBitsySpyers [[That depends. Have you lost all hope?]] Swoop *isn't totally clear on what the consensus is here* *just wants to give cake to Bird* ........ *wipes his hand off on his chest, problem solved* Prowl What purpose did rolling the ball up the hill serve? ItsyBitsySpyers [[Put the cake on the bar and go clean your hands in the si--...... Fine.]] Smokescreen I'm not really sure! Maybe doing it, like, kept the Earth moving or something? That's what a lot of those early myths are like. Like, I think this one guy got like, executed for giving everyone fire and opening this box of misfortune. Prowl ((OMG CRO ((BANNED ItsyBitsySpyers ((I AIN'T SORRY BOUT NOTHIN)) Tarantulas (( o m f g Swoop ((jesus christ XDD)) Prowl ((YOU SHOULD BE SORRY Smokescreen ((cro is a treasure Swoop *has no idea what's going on, focused instead on putting the two pieces of cake from Smokescreen on top of each other for maximum cake* ItsyBitsySpyers ((all right that's enough of that)) Prowl Hm. ItsyBitsySpyers ((we're just waiting for one person to get back and then we'll start)) Swoop Soundwave! *holds up the double cake* Where can cake for Her BIRD? ItsyBitsySpyers [[On the bar, where he told you. She will not come down today, which he also told you.]] Swoop :< Smokescreen /He's going to quietly ping Messy before he goes over to the bar to try to help himself./ ItsyBitsySpyers ((WARNINGS: OKAY. This is basically the completely incorrectly done Alien movie that should've had the tagline A Squick For Every Moviegoer. It has all the pointless edge that late 90s/early 00s movies loved. If you already can't stand a regular Alien movie, you'll probably want to sit this one out. More specific warnings more or less in order with some throughout: Weird organic tissue intro, visible surgery with internal contents, flashing lights (really bad after the flamethrower incident and in the water and one other time I forget), frankly unnecessary blood and gore/violence/death, incidents of ableism and/or dehumanizing talk, sexist or misogynist talk, incidents of mostly-nudity, foul language, body horror, hypodermic-like imagery, weird alien pregnancy, grotesque final alien scene, super shaky camera.)) Swoop *goes and puts the cake on the bar, wiping his hands off on himself one last time for good measure* VProwl *tarantulas can get away with semi-subtle touching only up to the point where it's firm enough that Prowl can feel it. at which point he startles almost out of his seat.* ItsyBitsySpyers [[The SINK, Swoop.]] Swoop Sink? *cocks his head, why would you put cake in the sink....?* OH! For -- *he holds up his hands* Smokescreen ... /Trying to sneak a bite of the bar cake now while he's here!/ ItsyBitsySpyers @P: [[...Before we begin. He promised that he would be careful not to show anything with... that, for two weeks. He does not know if you remember that the xenomorph organics tend to puncture skulls with their inner jaws as a fatal blow. Will this trouble you, or should he proceed as planned?]] VProwl @S «Oh—that's fine. Head trauma is fine.» *were they reading the brains they ate? no. ... probably. ... no. they definitely weren't.* ItsyBitsySpyers ((rabbit can you PLEASE not have five thousand pop-ups)) Swoop *actually uses the sink like a person who has been indoors before, everyone thank Ratchet for making this great day possible* ItsyBitsySpyers *Nods and commands the projector to start playing. Leaves the smiley on his visor.* Swoop *scampers over to the seats before immediately stopping, unsure of what to do with himself* Tarantulas *nope, touching is definitely heavy enough to be felt. when prowl startles, tarantulas startles right back* Prowl? ItsyBitsySpyers [[...This is the most disgusting introduction.]] VProwl *pings alternate, video feed* What? What. Nothing. Smokescreen ... Is it really that bad? It just looked slimy. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Same thing, most times.]] Swoop *stands still - legs shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent - and looks at the space in front of him, waiting for something to prompt him* Smokescreen You're not a fan of Slime, Slimewave? ItsyBitsySpyers [[Swoop. Take a seat.]] Swoop *plops down exactly where he was standing* Tarantulas May I...? *clearly ready to cuddle prowl again* *also pings smokey back* Swoop *scoots on his butt closer to everyone else* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Precious.]] Smokescreen /This time sends two pings back!/ Smokescreen Is that how humans- you know- Swoop *scoot scoot* Tarantulas *three pings to smokey then* Smokescreen /this time, he does 5! 3 + 2!/ Smokescreen ((DANGIT i had a drink for this and this fly just comes swooping in to get in my drink 😧 )) ItsyBitsySpyers ((BAD FLY)) VProwl *tries to look at Tarantulas without looking away from the screen, so his alternate can keep watching.* ... What? Smokescreen ((drunk fly now)) ItsyBitsySpyers *Nudges Tarantulas.* [[Number eight.]] Swoop *finally is close enough to someone or something to rest his helm on it and watch the screen* ZAP Tarantulas Eight? Swoop Why Them zap face? ItsyBitsySpyers [[To make her let the doctor go.]] Swoop WHy Smokescreen That human sounded kinda like Ratchet vaguely for a klik! ItsyBitsySpyers [[So he would not die.]] Swoop Why ItsyBitsySpyers [[He does not know.]] *Perks. Majesty?* Tarantulas *ahh, eight, he sees* Blaster -what did he walk in on?- Swoop It wet Blaster Oh....wow ItsyBitsySpyers *Tiny vent. What fabulous design.* Tarantulas *to prowl* May I touch? ItsyBitsySpyers *He wonders how much battering damage the crest can take in battle.* Swoop *slooowly slides down to lay on the floor on his belly* *wings ouuuuuuutttt* *watch your feet* VProwl ... Sure. Yes. ItsyBitsySpyers ((fun fact: in a deleted scene they say walmart bought weyland yutani out)) Smokescreen ... How much do you bet they're all gonna go offline again? VProwl ((omg)) Smokescreen ((canon Swoop ((oh man I forgot about that, too good)) Blaster -well, he's in the room now, and kinda curious about this- ItsyBitsySpyers [[...."Urban pacification".]] [[So they mean to loose the organics on citizens who do not--]] *HUFF* [[Tame them. How amusing.]] [[On citizens who do not comply, likely for good reason.]] Blaster ....this isn't going to end well, is it? Prowl Ugh. Smokescreen Man- I kinda hope they all get their just desserts with those kinda ideas Swoop *IMMEDIATELY FLAILS WITH EXCITEMENT and spins around to sit on his heels with a gigantic grin* THAT! THAT! Tarantulas *promptly slips his hand in prowl's and wraps half of his arms around him, settling in* Swoop YOU SEE, you see FALLEN KINGDOM trailer???? : > VProwl *TENSENESS INTENSIFIES* Swoop *bounces* You Soundwave see? It THAT! *points* What You said! ItsyBitsySpyers [[What?]] Swoop NEW Jurassic World movie!!!!!! Me Swoop want to see! Us DINOBOTS want to SEE! Blaster -he's gonna sit somewhere out of the way of the flailing- ItsyBitsySpyers [[Another one? If the twins have their way, you will. Eventually.]] [[Greetings, Blaster.]] Swoop *hops and chirps* Blaster Ah. Hello, Soundwave. Tarantulas *omg prowl relax, this isn't much more touching than usual is it* Swoop Jurassic World! Jurassic World! Jurassic World! VProwl *it's different now* Tarantulas *...fair* Swoop *keeps bouncing around and chirping about Jurassic World, it's going to take a lot to stop him* ItsyBitsySpyers *What about a feeler wrapped around his mouth.* Swoop *immediately starts to CHOMP but has enough of his birdy brain about him not to go through with it (completely)* Smokescreen /Smokescreen's wincing at the feeler coming out. Ew ew ew./ Blaster -WELL then, that's one way to silence a Dinobot- Wait.... ItsyBitsySpyers *C a r e f u l l y extricates his feeler from Swoop's mouth. Ugh.* Blaster Are those other humans? ItsyBitsySpyers [[They are.]] [[Welcome to government military projects.]] Blaster Wait Tarantulas *snorts at the "project"* Blaster No Swoop *bleehh* *one slobbery feeler for soundwave* Smokescreen I wanna play that game! Blaster They purposefully... ItsyBitsySpyers *Huffing at her mocking him. She continues to be a favorite human, even as a partially inhuman clone.* Swoop KAH! Her hit! ItsyBitsySpyers [[And yes, they did.]] [[The creatures require external hosts for part of the process.]] Blaster ....yikes Smokescreen I wanna DO that kinda move! Swoop *hasn't been paying much attention but he perks up when he hears that whistle, he knows that "get over here" whistle* Prowl It's not that difficult. ItsyBitsySpyers ((fun fact 2: sigourney actually performed that shot herself)) Tarantulas Corrosive...? Hm. Smokescreen I guess! But it looks cool! ... what's with the feet thing don't like that Blaster Was her blood eating through the metal? ItsyBitsySpyers [[It was.]] VProwl ((how many tries did it take her)) Swoop *pays the tiniest bit more attention since he knows that condescending noise* Smokescreen ((can you imagine the bloopers Swoop *probably everyone with a beastmode does tbh* Blaster Either that's really weak metal, or her blood isn't human ItsyBitsySpyers ((i believe they gave her six total to try it in herself and she hit it on the last one)) ((the crew burst into immediate applause, which is why there was a cut right there)) Swoop ((Yeah I want to say I remember them saying they were going to fake it but she went for it one last time and BOOM)) *pats at the nearest person to him* What happen? In movie. ItsyBitsySpyers *Look at them. Look at them sleeping curled up.* Tarantulas (( wHAT ItsyBitsySpyers [[Hah.]] Swoop *pat pat pat* Prowl *congrats, it's Prowl, who pulls out of Swoop's reach quickly* They cloned the Ripley human from the other documentaries in order to extract the alien from her. She appears to be more than human. ItsyBitsySpyers *Has an idea or two why.* Prowl And the military started a breeding program. Foolishly. Swoop *has no idea what any of that means but scoots closer to Prowl, still sitting on the floor* Why them in room? With button. Prowl To torture the alien into listening to them. They think it can be trained. Smokescreen I think the lesson is that all militaries are fragged. Swoop Why listen? :s Tarantulas *internal screm at "baby"* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Trained to hate them, perhaps. As it should. Keeping perfection locked away - hmph.]] Swoop *leans on Prowl's leg* Blaster .............. Prowl *pulls leg away* Don't do that. Swoop Do what Prowl Don't touch me. You can sit where you are. Swoop Why ItsyBitsySpyers [[Ah... so that transferred, too.]] Prowl Because I asked you not to. Swoop Why Blaster -what's wrong with lab-grown- Prowl *sighs* Because. That is the only answer I need to give you. Swoop ............. *reaches out and touches the very tip of Prowl's ped with the very very tip of his claw* Smokescreen Swoop, bad. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Swoop, do not touch the other guests if they have told you not to touch them.]] Prowl *pulls away* Stop. Smokescreen If you keep touching, Bird won't come out for sure. ItsyBitsySpyers *Pings Prowl. Did you see that shot.* Swoop Him Soundwave say no Bird AT ALL tonight VProwl *STARTS* @S «What?» Smokescreen But Bird especially won't show up if you keep touching Prowl. Swoop Why Smokescreen because ItsyBitsySpyers @P: [[The human performed an excellent ricochet shot to shoot the one behind him.]] Swoop Keheh! Because WHY Blaster .............. VProwl @S «Oh. Yes. I saw.» ItsyBitsySpyers [[A noble sacrifice.]] Blaster -slowly hides face- Smokescreen Because because! Keep your servos off of Prowl or else- uhh- you'll get grounded. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Because you have been ordered not to touch them, and if you disobey, he will bridge you home. Again.]] [[And you will not see any of the fighting.]] Swoop *fluffs up his armor and flairs his wings at Smokescreen's very poorly worded threat* Smokescreen Yeah, that too. You'll miss all the good bits! Prowl *scoffs* ItsyBitsySpyers [[So clever.]] Swoop You Smokescreen not STRONG enough to GROUND Me Swoop! Blaster Yikes Smokescreen I mean- Sounds is the one that'll ground you. I'm just saying that it'll happen! Just don't touch Prowl and there won't be any problems! I'll even give you a snack. Swoop NO ONE ground Me Swoop! *flaps his wings once at Smokescreen for emphasis* ItsyBitsySpyers [[He will.]] Smokescreen ... Not that kinda ground. Ground like- no fun stuff ever. Swoop *vents RATHER warm air* ItsyBitsySpyers *Trying to hide that he's shaking. Clever AND opportunistic.* *If unfortunate.* ((this is so goddamn unnecessary)) Swoop *leans in towards Smokescreen, wings still flared* Try! Prowl *Prowl's going to move to another seat away from Swoop before she considers putting Swoop in stasis cuffs* Blaster -STILL covering face- -he doesn't like this movie- Swoop ((While there is a lot to criticize in this movie, I gotta say that I love the set design. There is something about this ship that is charming to me. Just matches the douchey atmosphere lol)) *would absolutely flip shit if someone put cuffs on him* Smokescreen /Smokescreen's pushing Swoop's face away/ Come on, Swoop! You made Prowl move. Be good. Prowl ((it's a good design, creepy and efficient Swoop *locks his joints and digs his toes into the flooring so that Smokescreen's attempts are completely ineffective at moving him an inch* Me Swoop NOT good. Me DINOBOT. Smokescreen ... /In that case, he's pulling his servo away, and then turning on the phase shifter, reaching to just put a servo in Swoop's arm, if possible./ Be a Dinobot that acts good, then! Blaster -uncovers face- ....what just...actually no, I don't wanna know ItsyBitsySpyers *Soundwave leans forward to look around Tarantulas and bobs his helm at Prowl.*

[[Surely with all the organics that Cybertronians of your world encountered, you've run into situations similar to these? Or run calculations on potential scenarios.]] Swoop *goes from looming to owlishly blinking in cartoon curiosity in an instant* What THAT? 😮 VProwl Define "similar to these." Smokescreen What? This? /He's pulling his servo away again/ This is my arm! Swoop ((this movie is so gay)) You a ghost! 😮 ItsyBitsySpyers [[Beings capable of at least picking off Cybertronians, if not outright slaughtering them, breaking into or infesting a base.]] Smokescreen I am! You got me! Tarantulas *curious about sw's question* Swoop Cool! *plops back with his legs kicked out in front of him, full toddler style* VProwl Yes. We commonly called them "soldiers." ... Because they were soldiers. Smokescreen Isn't it? Watch this! /He's adjusting the phase shifter just a bit more, to start to go through the couch./ ItsyBitsySpyers [[Not Decepticons. Aliens of some type.]] VProwl I'm talking about aliens. Swoop Whoooooaaa! ItsyBitsySpyers [[Oh?]] Swoop *claps* VProwl If I was talking about Decepticons, I'd have said "Decepticons." Smokescreen /Grinning like a dork, slowly sliding down. His legs are probably wiggling about if there's a floor below them!/ Swoop *reaches out and tries to poke Smokescreen with his toe* VProwl We didn't cross paths with aliens that via their natural endowments were easily capable of infiltrating and annihilating Cybertronians, because when we saw ones with that potential, we did what these humans did not: left their planets alone. Smokescreen /Swoop's just going to go through Smokescreen! But Smokescreen does laugh at the feeling./ Swoop *squawks* Awesome! You Smokescreen do ghost stuff for fight?? ItsyBitsySpyers [[...Given the estimate you once told him, there must not have been many of those.]] *Briefly forgets his question, staring at the tubes* Blaster Yikes.... Smokescreen I do! I once escaped the Decepticons with my ghost powers! And ended up getting them to take each other out! Swoop You can rip out GUTS with ghost stuff? 😮 VProwl We went to the planets the Decepticons went to. And the Decepticons went to the planets with the organics that scared them: highly intelligent, highly civilized, highly organized, highly technologically advanced. Tarantulas Are they preserved or alive...? ItsyBitsySpyers [[THAT one is alive.]] Tarantulas Well, clearly. Blaster I don't....holy.... Smokescreen I've never tried that! But I caaaaan do this! /He's pulling himself up again, and is starting to pull a small cube of energon out of his chest!/ Swoop *hears a familiar noise and looks at the screen with excitement* ItsyBitsySpyers *Shakes his helm. At least the clone gave her predecessor that much.* Swoop *is distracted from Smokescreen by the fact fire exists* *sorry, buddy, fire wins* VProwl *squints at the fire* Blaster -face covered again- Smokescreen /That's fair! He's putting the cube back in for later/ Swoop Her BURN tank :V Tarantulas *snrk* I suppose if they were alive, the matter is moot now. Swoop Her burn HIM kehehhehh Blaster -too much fire- Swoop Aww.... *disappointed* Kehehe Smokescreen This movie's getting pretty hot! VProwl ((cmon. you managed to write a funny line and then you immediately fucked it up.)) Swoop Her have fire in a gun Dinobots have fire in FACE kehehh ItsyBitsySpyers ((a round of applause for early whedon everyone)) ((i say sarcastically)) Swoop (🚢) ItsyBitsySpyers [[What was he...]]

[[Ah. What he was going to ask: How would you handle all of this? Do you believe the chances of survival-- Primus, this is brighter than Ravage said.]] Smokescreen Hey, Swoop, wanna see a neat trick? Swoop Yes! Smokescreen /He's settled on the couch again, and this time is ready to just pull a cube of energon out of his own chest!/ ItsyBitsySpyers [[Why didn't they turn the light on to start with.]] *Irritable buzz.* [[Do you believe the chances of survival are high enough to warrant trying anything at all, or would it be better to spare everyone their more gruesome deaths and terminate them?]] Smokescreen ... Is that what everyone does? Just sniff each other? Swoop Kahahah! That good trick! Next time, you pull SWORD! Smokescreen Is that what you're supposed to do with a nose? Haha- I need a sword first! Whiiiich- Omicron ((*omie peers in*)) ItsyBitsySpyers ((yo)) Smokescreen Swoop look there's fire on the screen! VProwl I don't know the layout of this facility, but I'd say their odds of survival are somewhere under twenty percent. If they kill themselves, their odds of survival are zero percent. Omicron ((Icy may not show up, but I'm derping around) Swoop Me can fire on SWOOP ekhehehh ItsyBitsySpyers *Is abruptly reminded of the metrotitan limerick. Flashes bright, hunches over to hide it, and trembles.* Smokescreen Just- look over there, Swoop! Swoop *looks* Smokescreen /He's quickly taking a practice sword out of his subspace and is sticking it in his chest, wincing- this is not pleasant for his spark at all!/ Swoop *looks back* *ERUPTS in laughter* ItsyBitsySpyers [[SMOKESCREEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING]] Smokescreen ... Nothing? Swoop You Smokescreen look DEAD Smokescreen /He's shifting and pretending he didn't just do that./ ItsyBitsySpyers *Getting to his feet* [[PUT THAT SWORD AWAY AT ONCE]] Smokescreen It is away! It's inside me- Swoop *CACKLES* Omicron ((you will make make icy show up in her feral state doing that smokey, nuu .0.)) Smokescreen ... Wait, yeah, frag, I forgot. Sorry, Sounds. Tarantulas They swim so well! ItsyBitsySpyers *Is distracted by them swimming. They swim? Of course they swim. There's nothing they can't do but fly, is there? And maybe even that, if they get the right host.* [[They do everything well.]] Smokescreen /He's pulling the sword out of him and is putting it back in his subspace. That is waaaay less painful, thank Primus./ Swoop *literally ROLLS on the floor laughing at Smokescreen's trick* ItsyBitsySpyers *Soundwave turns back to watch Smokescreen for a second to make sure that sword isn't coming back out, then sits down.* Smokescreen /He's smiling now- hey, he got Swoop laughing!/ Tarantulas But I do wonder how exactly they adapted for swimming? Ah.... *snrks* Smokescreen /He is never doing that trick again./ ItsyBitsySpyers [[Superior lung capacity, no doubt.]] Tarantulas No, I mean - how they managed to evolve the capacity. VProwl They're modified based on their hosts' bodies, aren't they? Humans can swim. Tarantulas Not that well, honestly. Swoop *eventually rolls to a stop and watches the screen just in time* ItsyBitsySpyers [[So many interruptions. Twenty percent, twenty percent. Would you continue to assist them down to the one percent? What if you knew the percentage had dropped to zero at last? How would you handle matters then?]] Swoop KAH! EXPLODE! VProwl It hasn't dropped to zero percent until they're dead. Blaster -so much no- Smokescreen /He's finally turning off the phase shifter, lying down on the couch. He's really exhausted from all that!/ VProwl There's no advantage to giving up on survival before you're dead. Unless you've got something more important to do than try to survive. These people don't. Swoop *pushes himself up into a sitting position using his wings* Swoop Keheh Him bad at aim OH Explode :V Tarantulas *SNORTS* Swoop *thrashes with laughter and looks at Tarantulas* Him shoot LITTLE spider ItsyBitsySpyers [[...You are much more - hmm. Optimistic? Determined?]] *Taps a finger, thinking.* [[...Selfless. Than him, he thinks.]] [[He has much to learn.]] Tarantulas He was awfully mean about it. That spider did nothing to him, other than be in the wrong place at the wrong time. VProwl Am I? I just see no rational reason to give up on them. Swoop *grins* Maybe it RIDE bullet PCHOOOO! Smokescreen There needs to be more spider-loving movies Tarantulas There do. There certainly do. Swoop Spiderman movie like spiders Smokescreen ooh- Spidey's fun! I love Spidey VProwl *oh, a robot. finally, a character worth investing in.* Smokescreen Why is this Ripley so... not ripley ItsyBitsySpyers @P: [[...Do cables into arm ports count?]] Smokescreen like I know she's a clone but VProwl @S «... She's in control.» *yes. it counts.* Swoop *doesn't have any reaction at all to Call being able to plug stuff into her arm, may be a little young to fully digest biological differences between species* ItsyBitsySpyers ((i was considering it like basic plug n play but it occurs to me that it looks like a needle)) ((god damn it)) VProwl ((the robot was in control, crisis very narrowly averted.)) Blaster -is it safe now?- ItsyBitsySpyers ((IF THERE IS A *SINGLE.* *NEEDLE.* IN CHARLOTTE'S WEB I AM THROWING HOLLYWOOD INTO A BIN)) Swoop *rolls back onto his belly* VProwl *... but it's enough to make the back of his neck very slightly prickle.* Tarantulas ...If she clears a path to the Betty, won't that mean the remaining aliens are more than capable of following the path as well? Swoop *kicks his feet slowly* Them in space Them just *throws his arms open and makes a whooshing noise* NO more people in ship Dead *rests his cheek on the floor* That boring. Them caaaaaaaan *grins* Mortal Kombat VProwl *ugh. a robot that thinks being a robot is disgusting and wants to be organic. never mind.* Smokescreen Hey! What's so great about being human anyway? Swoop Her Carly is human 😆 Tarantulas They're incredibly egotistical and apparently anything created by them shares that characteristic. Smokescreen Humans are good, but there's nothing worse about not being one Blaster -peers between digits- VProwl They programmed them that way. Swoop ego-tis-tickle tissssssssssssstickle kehehh Smokescreen ... why are humans so awful to mecha anyway Swoop eggo tis tickle ItsyBitsySpyers [[He was never one to assist most mechs to the very end. Deployers, perhaps. Those to whom he's sworn his loyalty or his spark. The rest... rarely below ten percent. Almost never under five.]]

[[Your earlier answer to that greyface makes him wonder what percent he is obligated to assist at now.]] Tarantulas *pings sw, the queen, eh?* Blaster -hides face again- ItsyBitsySpyers *And now he's leaning way off the couch to see.* *Pings Tarantulas back with an affirmative.* Swoop *holds his own feet* Soundwave When fighting movie? VProwl Well, I've got a /recommended/ number. But my answer isn't yours. I don't know what your philosophical outlook is. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Unclear, these days.]] *Pause.* [[He'd take notes and think on them if you had more lectures.]] Swoop :V VProwl Hm. I said more in that reply then I generally like to say in a week. Swoop *laughs his ass off at this guy getting his faces smashed* *laughs so hard he ends up squeaking* ItsyBitsySpyers *Points.* [[That was a valiant death.]] VProwl It was. Tarantulas *oh dear. oh. dear* ItsyBitsySpyers *....Slow head tilt.* Blaster -keeping face covered- ItsyBitsySpyers [[And that's. New.]] Swoop *is not even remotely getting what is happening here, just playing with his toes between fight scenes* Omicron ((aaaand this is why aliens of all kinds are scared of how humans give birth)) Smokescreen w what is this ItsyBitsySpyers [[........What is THAT?]] Prowl *this movie is going to make Prowl think human reproduction is even worse than it actually is* ItsyBitsySpyers *Fascinated. Not quite as much as he is by the xenomorphs. But it's an interesting... mutation? Is that what it is?* Tarantulas *sad noises* ItsyBitsySpyers *Manages not to say anything aloud. If Tarantulas is touching him, though, he'll get a wave of shock and sadness.* Swoop *has not even remotely been payign enough attention for this but he chirps back when the baby does* It bite! ItsyBitsySpyers *And then concern.*

@T: [[Tell him you are not at risk for any of - of that.]] VProwl ((well his son DID almost kill him)) Tarantulas *startles, then almost laughs aloud* @SW: ::Primus - Primus no.:: VProwl *startles when Tarantulas startles.* Tarantulas *soothes prowl with pets* Blaster -peers at screen again- VProwl *startles again* Swoop *starts slowly rolling around the floor again, he's a baby bird on a mission, not clear what the mission is but BY GOD is he going to roll for it* Smokescreen ... /Looking over and pinging Tarantulas again when he hears sad spider sounds./ Tarantulas *more pets, that totally works right* VProwl *now that he knows to expect them he just holds very still.* Blaster -COVERS face again- ItsyBitsySpyers *Well, at least he knows how to terrify this Blaster if it ever comes to that.* @T: [[Are you *certain?*]] Blaster -that's mean Soundwave- Swoop *bumps into a chair* Tarantulas *pings smokey reassurance, then back to sw* @SW: ::I'm quite certain, yes.:: ItsyBitsySpyers [[It really must be more careful with its toys.]] Blaster -isn't going to check this time- ItsyBitsySpyers [[Though he must say he does not care for the changes the excess human genetic material brings. It's less... clean looking. Even the hive material changed. Like flesh instead of shell.]] Smokescreen Man- that xenomorph looks WAY creepier VProwl "Clean looking"? Swoop *laughs cause he can guess what is coming* Tarantulas *oh poor thing, tarantulas feels awful for the look it gave her* VProwl The typical ones are made of drool. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Perhaps. But it is drool on a smooth and segmented surface.]] Swoop Ewwww!! *is DELIGHTED* ItsyBitsySpyers [[....How terrible.]] Swoop KAHAHA CHUNKS! Smokescreen ... Man, they really draw out the really upset noises Tarantulas At least it didn't last too terribly long. Swoop Dead! VProwl ((WOW that was a lot worse than i was expecting it to be)) ItsyBitsySpyers ((are you ok???)) VProwl ((yeah im ok)) Swoop ((that is one of the gnarliest on screen deaths ever imo)) Prowl *Prowl opted to not ask for visuals tonight and feels like she made the right choice* Blaster -peers at screen again- Swoop *is absolutely all grins and sunshine after that level of gore* VProwl ((oh, prowl offered her a feed at the start of the movie)) ItsyBitsySpyers [[....Poor creature.]] Omicron ((it was bad x.x)) VProwl ((i guess we'll say it wasn't accepted??)) Smokescreen Why do humans make this kinda thing so much? Swoop What thing? Prowl ((go for it, i must have missed it since I have 8 million tabs open atm ItsyBitsySpyers [[Even if it was a strange alternative to its predecessors.]] Smokescreen All this gory slag. Swoop Gore is AWESOME It BEST thing :V Smokescreen I mean, I'd be pretty good if I didn't have to see if for another million years! Tarantulas Yes, it didn't quite deserve that sort of death. And to be betrayed by one it thought its mother... Blaster ...not like I needed to recharge tonight.... ItsyBitsySpyers [[You'll get more work done, Blaster. Cheer up.]] [[...Well, it shouldn't have terminated the one who WAS its mother.]] Smokescreen Sounds- I'm still pretty exhausted, can I recharge on your couch? Blaster -huffs- Prowl There was a great deal of unnecessary termination in this film. ItsyBitsySpyers [[No recharging on his couch. If you require a space to rest, there are inns in New Praxus.]] Swoop *pulls out a datapad from subspace and pokes here, there, and everywhere until he finds some pictures of what happens when you don't respect the coffin corner and get your goddamn wings ripped off* *holds up the datapad in front of Smokescreen's face* Smokescreen . . . I don't think I can get up, Soounds, that's the problem. Prowl Are you all right? ItsyBitsySpyers [[...........Did you phase yourself into his couch.]]

((mark time: 10: 15)) Smokescreen I'm fine! I'm fine! Just kinda drained. ... Only a little. I can phase myself out after I rest for a bit. Swoop *hears screaming on screen just in time to catch the chicken going at the guy and LOSES IT* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Just. Just take the couch with you.]] Prowl I can cut him out of it. Smokescreen sounds I don't even I can get up with the couch prowl nooooo Swoop *gasps* Me Swoop can help! *flexes claws* Blaster .... Smokescreen /Smokescreen's turning the phase shifter on, and is starting to sink into the couch./ Smokescreen /Draining his energon a bit more, but he told Swoop he's a ghost, and he's sticking to it./ VProwl *mumbles* Don't give away your furniture. Swoop ((this baby is literally swoop)) ((people screaming no, him rockking back and forth to do the thing)) Tarantulas (( at least he KINDA did listen ItsyBitsySpyers *Looks at Prowl and just makes a frustrated hand motion at Smokescreen.* [[What is he supposed to do, let the mech stay here overnight?]] Swoop Me Swoop can get. Me Swoop can DROP outside! SMASH. Then Smokescreen fall out : > Smokescreen No, no no no, Swoop. It'll be fine. Look! VProwl He said he'd pull himself out. Omicron ((send him to dreaded wings and give smokey a shock?)) Smokescreen /With the phase shifter on, he's rolling himself out, just kinda lying on the floor. He's not stuck, though!/ Prowl Hm. Swoop *snickers and scampers around Smokescreen on all fours* Smokescreen swooooop please Swoop Hi : > Smokescreen Hiiii Swoop- you want candy again? ItsyBitsySpyers *Looks from Prowl to Smokescreen and back.*

[[How did any of the Autobots deal with yours. Please. Any hints at all.]] Swoop Her Bird like candy! Blaster ....was that a chicken? ItsyBitsySpyers [[No, that's a sheep.]] VProwl Ours isn't anything like that. Smokescreen ... pfpff Blaster ow ItsyBitsySpyers [[In that case, is there a way to officially take your Soundwave's place.]] VProwl Last I heard he was on Earth trying to lead the Decepticons with Galvatron. I wouldn't recommend it. Swoop *places both of his palms squarely on the floor and rolls himself up into a handstand* *straightens up and grins* *ta da* Swoop ((look its' swoop)) Blaster ...I'm....going to go now Smokescreen /He's honestly starting to fall into recharge on the floor. Using the phase shifter does drain him after a while!/ ItsyBitsySpyers [[We can send that one away. He'll change his paint job and tell everyone the med bay ran out of replacement armor after a battle.]] *Polite applause for Swoop.* VProwl *huff* Have fun working with humans. Swoop *curls up enough to spring up and flip onto his feet* *DRAMATIC bow* ItsyBitsySpyers *Shudders.* [[He'll take Smokescreen.]] Prowl ((i assume she won Swoop *is less than impressed by the audience he has here* ...... *griiiiiiiiiiiins* Blaster G'night -up and leaving- Swoop *DASHES over to smack Tara's shoulder but doesn't stick around, SPRINTING for the door instead* Blaster ((thanks for the stream and nightmares ItsyBitsySpyers ((you're welcome. try to sleep well, for real)) *Manages to catch Swoop with a bridge anyway. How d'you like them apples.* Tarantulas *looks infinitely offended by this assault, almost enough to get up and run after swoop, but thinks better of it and just curses for a moment* Smokescreen /Smokescreen would clap, but he really did doze off. It might work to just throw Smokescreen into a bridge./ Swoop *A VALIANT EFFORT WAS MADE and he shrieks with laughter all the way out* Prowl I think I'll be leaving now. Good night... everyone. ItsyBitsySpyers *He's in a mood because of the queen's fate, so Smokescreen gets a bridge. And so does his own Prowl, because why not.* Prowl *...well, that saved her a drive* VProwl Good n— *... and then she's gone.* Smokescreen /He'll have to thank Soundwave for the bridge later!/ Prowl *her mood's been down since the Swoop incident earlier, so getting back to Praxus quicker is probably for the best* VProwl ... What did she do to deserve that? ItsyBitsySpyers [[Nothing. He thought she might not want to run into Swoop if he came back.]] *Tap tap.* [[That, and he prefers to keep her on her toes.]] Omicron ((*waves* I'm gonna duck out, the end of the movie was fun 😊 have to try and work on icy's first plot thing on the blog)) VProwl ((*waves* good luck with plot)) Tarantulas Rude, but helpful. Omicron ((thank you! anyone is welcome to pop over for it)) ItsyBitsySpyers ((thank you for being here! good luck!!)) Prowl ((good luck! Smokescreen ((hope plot goes well : o! Tarantulas *is clinging to prowl a little more now that there aren't so many people there, if it's permitted* VProwl *it's permitted.* *... relaxes marginally.* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Congratulations on officially dating, by the way.]] VProwl *stiffly* Thanks. Tarantulas *huffs, strangely awkward* I - thank you, I suppose? It seems like an odd thing to give congratulations for. ItsyBitsySpyers *...Wow. Prowl really IS nervous about having to be the one to tell others, isn't he.*

[[He doesn't see why.]] VProwl It's not something you talk about in polite company. ... Wasn't, anyway. I suppose that's more... lax, now. ItsyBitsySpyers [[He hasn't been polite company for roughly twelve and a half million years.]] *Soft huffing.* ItsyBitsySpyers [[In any case, we all know of our mutual interests, and have acted on them in the past. He isn't going to be scandalized by it. Or tell others, if that is what either of you think. That is your business. And you two already know about yourselves.]] VProwl I know, I know. It just... sounds like a threat. ItsyBitsySpyers [[He assures you it isn't.]] [[We as a species have come close to death. It is a wonder there are enough of us to find anyone we consider compatible, and pleasing that the both of you have.]] VProwl I know it's not. But it sounds like one. Tarantulas *did u hear that. sw thinks they're compatible, tarantulas is so pleased* VProwl *soundwave thinks they think they're compatible.* ItsyBitsySpyers *Actually, he said 'consider compatible', which is another ball game. He's worried that they're going to burn each other up. But that's what waiting and watching and being ready to either accept or murder is for.* Tarantulas *please don't murder the spide* ItsyBitsySpyers [[How would you have preferred he say it? And do not say that you prefer he didn't. He has, and he would again, if only to the both of you.]] *Head tilt. Genuinely curious.* VProwl ... You can't ask a question and then rule out the answer. Tarantulas *soft snort* ItsyBitsySpyers [[He can if he is interested in a wording change and not one of intent.]] VProwl *annoyed huff.* I'm not answering on the grounds that it would come across as a recommendation rather than an admission that one particular bit of wording is a lesser evil. I don't want a smaller negative willfully misconstrued as a positive. Tarantulas *considering prowl, then sw* It's... also difficult to reword something that by its very nature is perceived as a threat to mention, one should think. ItsyBitsySpyers [[As you wish, then.]]

*Looks to Tarantulas.* [[He does not think so. Plenty of mechs think hearing that he will be waiting for them later that night is a threat. He's reworded it successfully several times in his personal life.]] *A poor attempt to lighten the mood some, but an attempt nonetheless.* VProwl *huff* Tarantulas *snrk* It does depend on the context. ItsyBitsySpyers *Well. At least he got a small laugh out of them.* Tarantulas *tarantulas doesn't mind the congrats, but if it discomfits prowl, he's not going to go against prowl's arguments, naturally* *...nuzzles at prowl* VProwl *permits it, but doesn't relax into it.* Tarantulas *slightly sad visor* VProwl *now he feels uncomfortable AND guilty* Tarantulas *nooooo* ...Is there something on your mind, Prowl? *just in case it's not the dating thing* VProwl Other than this? No. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Would it help if he turned his attention elsewhere for a short while?]] VProwl ... No? Tarantulas Nono, do stay here. *lightly grabs onto whatever he's nearest* VProwl *why would that help* ItsyBitsySpyers *Head to the other side. Doesn't quite understand. If being seen by someone else brings tension, and his words have brought more, then wouldn't a temporary shift of focus free them from the public eye, so to speak?* VProwl *no, the public eye is everywhere all around them, and soundwave looking away for a moment isn't going to change the fact that prowl's now naked and he's just waiting for all of cybertron to notice* ItsyBitsySpyers *Lets Tarantulas grab his arm. Mostly because he didn't even feel it. Arms need more pressure than that to register on more than one or two sensors.* [[Then perhaps a subject change?]] VProwl Very well. Why did you think I have a percentage for where I'd stop trying to save a life? *that's been bugging him* Tarantulas *hm, is curious about this too* ItsyBitsySpyers *He's /almost/ sorry they said not to move. This music is infectious and his every wire sings with wanting to move. But he's sat still through worse.*

[[In the scenario proposed? The result waiting at the end of that particular potential failure. A simple problem of a ship about to crash is one thing. Being burst apart from inside the... what do humans call their...]]

*Draws stripes over his chest with his fingers for a second, thinking.*

[[Rib kennel. It seems more merciful.]] [[Below a certain percentage, at least.]] VProwl Hm. VProwl If THEY asked for a quicker, more painless death—below a certain percentage, I would consider helping them arrange that. If they were still fighting—if they still WANTED to fight—I would have no right to take that from them. Tarantulas *snicker* Chest. Generally referred to as chest. VProwl Unless it was to kill one infected to save the others. But that's not the scenario you presented. ItsyBitsySpyers *Glance at Tarantulas.* [[The internal supports, not the meat.]] Tarantulas Ribcage, then. VProwl *tarantulas is so smart. just listen to him.* ItsyBitsySpyers *Takes a moment to think about that. Then shakes his head.* [[No, no. Cages are where you keep dangerous things that must not get loose. Kennels are where important things that must be protected are kept.]] VProwl I'd trust the expertise of the mech who reformatted his alt-mode into an earthling. Tarantulas Don't argue with me how it ought to be named - I wasn't the one who decided their terminology, hyeh. ItsyBitsySpyers [[His chosen earthling has no bones.]] Tarantulas I'm glad you do know THAT, though. Some humans don't even know that much. ItsyBitsySpyers [[He isn't surprised.]] ItsyBitsySpyers [[Where were we. Percentages, rights...]] *Rewind memory.* [[Killing the infected. Then you would have terminated the one with the spawn in him?]] Tarantulas They DID think of a plan to preserve his life without ending theirs, though. VProwl Not immediately. I would have gotten an estimate from the expert on how long it would take to emerge, and kill him either if we got too close to that deadline or found that there was a vanishingly low probability that we'd be able to get him to somebody who would actually extract the alien and keep him alive. Not as a mercy killing, but to protect everyone else—Earth included. ItsyBitsySpyers *Privately, Soundwave does not believe he'd take that risk. Not for anyone but eight of the mechs in the building.*

*...After Tarantulas' point and Prowl's decision, he's not sure he should mention that.* Tarantulas *tarantulas wouldn't mind tbh* VProwl ... He'd probably have to die, though. ItsyBitsySpyers [[He did do that.]] [[And far more bravely than any of those without.]] VProwl No, I meant—I'd probably have calculated that, yes, he should be terminated before the alien finished developing. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Ah.]]

*...You know what, he's going to say it. Prowl knows who he is. If after all this time he expects Soundwave to think exactly like him, he has another think coming. Tarantulas, he's still not sure what to believe. Probably that Tarantulas would keep the human alive just to get the xenomorph out and start the breeding experiments over again.*

[[...Were there an equivalent creature for our kind, he would have had that Cybertronian terminated on the spot.]] Tarantulas *mutters something about not having to have killed him if he were around because he could have operated on him there on the spot* VProwl Mm. Less optimistic, but... given these things' record, not imprudent.

*nudges tara. ur right, but that's not part of the game.* Tarantulas *nudges him back, shh* ItsyBitsySpyers [[They were already outnumbered. And frightened beings make poor decisions. They get separated. The instant that host disappears from sight, for however long, they are effectively another enemy waiting to be discovered. Slaughtering them would preserve the chances we already had and be sure to reduce the maximum number of opponents.]] [[But... he admits that his thoughts are colored by lessons he was forced to learn against his will.]] *Namely, the arena.* VProwl Hmm. As I said: not imprudent. Tarantulas Not unwise, yes. With so many unknown variables, I do think the choice is a debatable one, instead of a fixed yes or no. Awfully subjective. ItsyBitsySpyers *Nods. He wanted to be sure Prowl knew WHY, and not just... internally react to that concept like your average Autobot.* VProwl *oh, he knew why: the same reason he'd consider the same option.* ItsyBitsySpyers *Just because you understand something doesn't mean you don't revile it, after all. Right, Prowl?* VProwl *detests calling it "subjective," but it's not worth arguing semantics.* Tarantulas *fair fair* ItsyBitsySpyers *Settles back into the couch and folds his hands on his lap. Stares at the wall.*

[[...The Queen did not have to perish, though. That was nothing but ingratitude and fantasy. As if such a being would consider a human a superior organic.]] VProwl Sure she had to perish. She was as much a threat to the humans as any of the other aliens. More of a threat, even, because she has the means to produce more. Tarantulas It was a first test-run - of course it was faulty and unpredictable. Unfortunate that it did kill the queen, but... VProwl ... Oh. We've stopped talking about saving the humans. Got it. ItsyBitsySpyers [[The ship was going to crash regardless, and her spawn had no reason to slaughter her. They might have lived in the nest until such time as the ship hit the planet. Instead, it followed the humans, killed more of them, and suffered.]] ItsyBitsySpyers *Thinks that IS talking about saving the humans.* VProwl *it's drifted out of the realm of controllable actions the humans and/or allies could have affected* ItsyBitsySpyers *Okay, yes, it's done that. But what do you want from him. He admires what he admires.* [[...He wonders if the mechs who reproduce via gestation chamber instead of other methods suffer from the same problems.]] Tarantulas Which same problems? VProwl I haven't /heard/ of any of them being nearly killed by their offspring. And I'd think they'd be less pleased to reproduce if that were a known risk. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Well, you wouldn't, would you? They'd be too dead to tell you.]] VProwl I said "nearly." As in the ones that survived to tell the tale. ItsyBitsySpyers [[Oh. Oh, yes.]] *Looks at Tarantulas and nods his head at Prowl. Those problems.* [[Plenty of Earth animals perish after reproducing. Octopuses, for example. No reason other fleshlings or some mechs wouldn't.]] [[Though he thinks it's a waste of good octopuses. A design flaw of some sort. One of their only ones.]] Tarantulas Hm. I've heard of mecha being offlined by complications while carrying, but not by being intentionally murdered by their sparkling. And the complications certainly aren't common. VProwl What sort of complications? ItsyBitsySpyers *Listening attentively to the answer to that question* Tarantulas Undue strain on the carrier's spark, sometimes because they're carrying more than one sparkling, or other times when they've not consumed enough to support both their life and the sparkling's, or... well. Those sorts of things. OH. Oh. You said - gestation tanks. What am I thinking. Well, it's similar, anyhow. ItsyBitsySpyers *Alarm* [[What do you mean, consumed enough to support both?]] [[How much does it require?]] Tarantulas More than the usual amount of matter, certainly. It depends on the health of the carrier and the sparktypes of both carrier and offspring. Tarantulas ...Among other things, of course. ItsyBitsySpyers *Great. Now he's gotta intensify his concerns about energon shortages on planets where that's the main or only way left to revive Cybertron. Because that problem wasn't difficult enough.* Tarantulas Ah! *sad noises* I - I ought to go. As much as I'd adore continuing this conversation, I do have business to attend to, sooner rather than later, preferably. *snuggles prowl close* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Yes. Yes, of course. He did not intend to keep you from it.]] VProwl *... attempts very poorly to reciprocate the snuggle. does a bad job of it.* *awkward waist pat.* Tarantulas *at least he tried* *he gets a smooch before tarantulas gets up tho* I'll see the two of you soon, I'm sure. ItsyBitsySpyers [[He looks forward to it.]] VProwl *that sounds like a threat.* Tarantulas *everything tara & sw say could probably be perceived as a threat if you look at it the right way, tbh* VProwl *more of a threat than usual* Tarantulas *it's not, tara promises* VProwl *he'll take it on faith* Tarantulas *good, thanks prowl. but now tara's off - gnight!* VProwl *watches him go.* *... doesn't scoot closer to soundwave once he's gone.* ItsyBitsySpyers *Looks in the space between them, then up. The mental voice is on the gentler, quieter side. More of a murmur in the back of the mind than a voice chattering in the front of it.*

[[...If you do not want to touch him, you need not do so. But he will always do his best to ensure no mech harms you as long as he is with you, and he...]]

[[What he told Tarantulas two years ago is true.]] [[If you would prefer to be in your own home, he understands and does not mind. If you prefer to be here, but separated, he will enjoy simply sharing a space. If you wish to be here and touching somehow, he will enjoy that as well.]] VProwl *... puzzled look.* You told Tarantulas that two years ago? *Soundwave and Tarantulas weren't friendly two years ago.* ItsyBitsySpyers [[Told him what?]]

*Puzzled look. He didn't define anything.* VProwl The whole be-in-your-own-home thing. Yesterday ItsyBitsySpyers *Stares even more blankly than is normal for him and his featureless mask, then leans back against the couch arm and bobs like a cork on a fishing line.*

[[No, no.]]

*Soundwave searches his files for the exact text. Where is...* ItsyBitsySpyers *Up pop a bunch of glyphs in what he considers a soothing blue.*

(txt): Soundwave trusts Prowl saves Soundwave’s life, if Soundwave’s life not least valuable option. ItsyBitsySpyers [[And he doubts this will come up anywhere that he wouldn't also agree that he was the least valuable option.]] VProwl *HUFF. that's an interesting "if."* ItsyBitsySpyers *It's an honest one. Prowl's going to do what's for the greatest good. If that means someone or something else gets to live, fine. And that will suit Soundwave's goal, too. If not, he doesn't believe Prowl will leave him hanging.* VProwl *... scoots a little closer. not touching-closer, but closer. still no relaxing.* ItsyBitsySpyers *Affection ping. Settles down into his seat and lets his frame hum with contentment. He's fine to stay that way if Prowl wants.* ItsyBitsySpyers *Though it means he has free mental space to devote to scheming.... but never mind that right now.*

[ficsforfangirls]

A Carry On Dictionary: Letter C

Letter A     |     Letter B     |      Letter C     |      Letter D     |     Letter E

Letter F (Rated: M)     |     Letter G     |     Letter H     |     Letter I     |     Letter J

Letter K     |      Letter L     |     Letter M     |     Letter N     |     Letter O

Letter P     |     Letter Q     |     Letter R     |     Letter S     |     Letter T    

Letter U     |      Letter V     |     Letter W (Trigger Warnings)     |      Letter X

Letter Y     |     Letter Z

AO3 with the whole collection <3

Caricature, {kar-i-kuh-cher};

 a picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things

  I didn’t like the idea. There’s enough about my appearance that I find issue with as it is, let alone enhancing that internalized fear of judgment with a ‘therapy’ activity designed to make us see our flaws as art. Baz, of course, loved it. So I had to agree to try it out. I had to.

 Right?

 Maybe I’m just a bit soft for giving Baz everything he could want and need. During our years at Watford, it was no secret that my self-esteem was shaky at best. Everyone knew I doubted myself. It was different for Baz. He oozed confidence, defined poise, and reeked of arrogance. Not only was he hiding the doubt that ate away at him because he was secretly a vampire, but he was hiding the fact that he was gay, too. Baz suffered so greatly inside that all I wanted for him was happiness.

 If this ridiculous caricature activity was supposed to a therapy tactic, then fine. I’ll do it. Besides, I already know what Baz is going to draw: wings and a tail. How badly can it hurt? Certainly not anymore than it already hurts.

 “Are you ready?” Baz barges into my bedroom with a smile spread across his face. I’ve been studying him the last few days. Sometimes, you look at someone for so long that you don’t always remember every single feature. I’d forgotten how narrow Baz’s face was, and how large of a hook his nose had, and especially how his figure is angular. Pointy shoulders, hips drawing an arrow to his feet that always sport neatly polished dress shoes.

 The thing that always stands out to me, though, is his long hair. Despite being a vampire with a stereotypical appearance, Baz certainly doesn’t look it. He has this long hair, darker than night, and it’s just there. Sometimes he wears it loose but other times he wears it in a bun at the back of his head. I’ve even seen him wear half of his hair up in a ponytail or a bun too. Baz looks modern compared to the archaic appearance of most vampires.

 I’m not sure when I decided to accentuate Baz’s hair length and his legs but I must’ve made that choice because as we’re sitting with this video playing in the background, guiding us on moving our sharpies smoothly over the page and not worrying greatly about mistakes. Just draw what we ‘see’ in the other person.

 I really hope Baz didn’t pay for this video because it’s kind of trash.

 “What are you drawing?” I dare to ask him, wondering what it is he sees in me more than everything else. I know it’s my wings and my tail. I know it. Asking him does nothing but show him that I’m nervous. I don’t want to be nervous but I am.

 Baz makes me feel that way all the time. The way he laughs at my question is no exception. And then he shoots my thoughts down easily with a breath. “Not what you would expect, I’m sure.”

 “You?” He says after a quick pause. “Well, let’s say that you don’t look like a vampire in this one.”

 Baz must’ve been worried about me focusing on his vampire...ness? He hid it for so long; he’s still a monster to most people. Why wouldn’t he be concerned about it? I hate to admit that I’m starting to see why people do this and how it can be so effective.

 Time moves differently when you’re doing art. I kind of like it. It makes sense that so many people would want to do it. Baz finishes some time after I do, so I take this time to eat my fill of muffins and scones – which are always in good stock in Baz’s kitchen. He doesn’t need the kitchen but he wanted it ready for the nights when I stay over. I’m convinced that I don’t deserve him, honestly.

 “Done!” He shouts unexpectedly. I guess I thought he’d go on all day, making his masterpiece and proving himself this fabulous artiste. When we reveal, though, I see that he was just being a supreme smart ass. “Pointillism!”

 “This was fucking caricature, you sod!” Simon shouts in protest. His eyes fall over his cartoony figure that is dark and tall with hair spilling over the ‘floor’ of the page looking as shiny as drawn hair can look. Then there’s this dotted out picture of Simon. Tan dots everywhere but with an absurd number of black dots everywhere that his bare skin would be showing. “You can’t be serious.”

 “You have so many freckles,” Baz smiles, “and I think it’s great but also it’s the only thing I see when I look at you. Simon Snow and all of his freckles! I didn’t know that polka dots could be so sexy.”

 Simon groans. Maybe he’s mad. Maybe he’s trying not to laugh. Maybe he’s feeling sentimental. And also maybe, just maybe, he was to snog Baz for being such a horny dork. Either way, he gestures at his own piece of work and scoffs. “Well, I think you’re just long. A long person with long hair.”

 “You don’t even know yet,” Baz snarks with a curling smirk over his lips. Rolling my eyes is all I can do to not smack him for his absurdly absurd.

[kbstories]

I wanted to write a little something for Valentine’s Day so here it is! I hope y’all enjoy, happy V-Day c:

“So, got any plans for Valentine's Day?”

Kaz's hand stops on its way to his duffle bag. He glances up at Pequod, who looks more and more nervous, shuffling from foot to foot where he waits for Kaz to exit the chopper as well.

“Uh, 'cause you gave me the 14th off this year and since you and the Boss are all official now I was wondering–“

Going for nonchalant, Kaz shrugs, “Thought you'd like to spent it with your wife, is all”, and grabs his bag decisively. “Or am I wrong?”

He joins his pilot on the landing zone – finally back on home ground, something inside him chants – and, after a moment of pause to give Pequod the chance to run away, Kaz makes his way towards the mess hall. Always the courageous one, Pequod tags along despite his expression of mild regret at the topic he chose.

“Oh. Yeah, of course.” Pequod smiles, matching Kaz's slightly shorter strides. “Thank you, Comm–“

“Felix. We talked about this.”

“–Miller. Just Miller, got it.”

They arrive and Kaz is pleased to notice Pequod lets him handle the door. There's only one person Kaz accepts this kind of chivalrous gestures from; every Diamond Dog who tried has learned this the hard way.

It's a while later, after they've each gotten their meals – burger and fries for Kaz, lentil stew for Pequod – and sat down at their usual table, that Kaz casually says: “I do, in fact, have plans for Valentine's. Got something I was meaning to show him for a while now.”

If he waits for the exact moment Pequod decides to brave a sip of his too-hot stew, only to see him snort and spill most of it with muttered curses, it's nobody's business but his own.

“That's good to hear”, Pequod manages between dabs of his napkin before he sighs and gives up on his stained shirt. “What is it?”

Kaz makes sure the other's eyes are on him when he takes a bite off one of his fries, smirking deviously for just a second, just enough to plant an idea – and Pequod's face flushes a bright red, doubtlessly reliving one of the many times he's caught them red-handed. Then–

“Get your mind out the gutter”, he quips, “I don't kiss and tell... much. Try again next time.”

Kaz then munches the rest of his fries happily but not without offering Pequod some. He's not an animal, after all.

*

Valentine's Day falls on Venom's day off and thus, it starts with the usual: Get up, fetch the dogs, go for a run, come back in time to wake up Kaz–

Only this time, Venom finds the bed empty and, after listening for the sound of a running shower, concludes Kaz must've gone... somewhere. In his stead there's a box placed on the neatly-made covers. Try it on and meet me outside, it says on the Diamond Dogs-branded post-it stuck to the lid.

Inside, there's a tuxedo – classic black, complete with a deep red bowtie and dress shoes in his size – and, after shaking his head at the expensive feel of the fabric, Venom showers, trims his beard and goes through the tedious motions of putting it on.

The tux fits like a glove. But then again, Venom muses on his way out, it's chosen by Kazuhira Miller. Of course it does. As promised, said man is waiting on the helicopter pad outside, wearing a similar outfit, long hair undone. Behind him, one of their civil helicopters is standing by. The pilot salutes, Venom nods. It's not Pequod.

“Took you long enough”, Kaz grumbles when he joins him, to which Venom replies, “Good to see you too”, just to earn himself a huff and a fleeting smile. They kiss, their usual good morning peck, before Kaz gets back to business.

“So, what do you think?”

The question is directed more at the lapels of Venom's tux than himself as Kaz examines the fit, then fixes Venom's bowtie. Venom takes the time to appreciate how Kaz's blue one compliments his eyes, for once left uncovered by his aviators; reaching for his cheek, Venom's bionic thumb brushes the delicate skin underneath, red contrasting blue. “Perfect.”

Kaz rolls his eyes, “I meant your tux”, even if he looks pleased all the same. “I know you're not a big fan of all this fancy stuff.“

“I like it”, Venom says simply. With a nod to the chopper he says, “What's this?”, and smiles teasingly. “Taking me out on a date?”

Kaz shrugs. “Something like that. C'mon, we can't be late. I made, uh, reservations.”

And if he notices Kaz's expression is a little too innocent to be 100% genuine, well, Snake is willing to wait and see what all this fuss is really about.

*

The destination of their little trip is a restaurant on the mainland, nestled between other food places but its distinctly American style makes it stick out, even if it looks to be currently closed.

“Kaz, are you sure–?”

But Kaz waves away his concerns, “Yeah, yeah, it's the place”, he says distractedly as he fishes for what turns out to be the keys for the entrance door. “Come on in, we have it to ourselves.”

Walking inside, Venom lets out an appreciative whistle. Even though the place is clearly meant for cheaper food – a fast food joint, maybe? – the regular tables have been moved aside for a big wooden one, readily laid above a pristine white cloth. A lit candle flickers at the center. “Damn, Kaz.”

Arms crossed, Kaz chuckles. He motions for Venom to take off his jacket while he pulls out his chair for him. “Too much?”

Venom shakes his head and sits down, blinking at the myriad of plates and silverware in front of him; he can't remember the last time he ate anything else than field rations and food from the mess hall yet there's no time to worry about which side to start with – out of nowhere, a waiter appears, greeting them cheerily but toning it down at Kaz's near-instant glare.

The menu they're handed is predefined, as is the red wine they're served with a nervous smile. By the time the first course comes around, an elaborately decorated salad with walnuts and avocado, Venom is thoroughly impressed. Kaz truly spared no efforts, a fact he's visibly proud of every time Snake mentions it even if he predictably plays it down.

“Okay, what's the catch?”, Venom asks eventually, after they spent the bigger part of the second course subtly fighting over the last of the excellent salmon ceviche, a dish he recognizes from the days Hungry Falcon is in charge of Mother Base's kitchens.

Kaz blinks as if surprised, raising his hands and, conveniently, giving Venom an opening to claim the final bit for himself. “No catch.” At Venom's disbelieving snort, Kaz sighs. “C'mon, V. Just wanted to spend some time together, be the romantic one for once, y'know?”

And if the uncharacteristic niceties didn't tip him off, it's the use of the word 'romantic'. Kazuhira Miller doesn't do romance. Not explicitly.

Determined to get to the bottom of this, Venom plays along for now, taking a sip of his wine. Ever observant, the waiter comes along to refill it, and now that Venom's paying attention, his face seems somehow familiar, he just can't pinpoint why... then he darts away to bring the next dish and the game begins anew.

*

Needless to say, Kaz's plan is going swimmingly.

Relaxed by good food and the fact they have each other for themselves right now, they talk throughout the third and fourth course like they haven't in a long time. Venom hasn't asked further suspicious questions and for that, Kaz is glad – instead, he seems a little tipsy from the wine, something that's so rare Kaz wishes for Venom's camera to be able to immortalize it.

More reasonably, he gestures for the waiter to slow down on the wine. Kaz wants Venom sober enough for what's to follow; Stone Mastodon nods, thankfully less flustered than how he started his mission with, and scurries to get the dessert at Kaz's determined nod.

It consists of different chocolate-covered fruits, which, after a short moment of consideration, Venom insists to feed Kaz with. Maybe it's Kaz's own buzz but he doesn't really mind it, laughing as Venom kisses away any wayward bits of chocolate left on his mouth.

A shy cough interrupts any further activities. Awkwardly, Mastodon lets them know he'll be in the back now, making a gesture that's half-way to a salute until he remembers himself and waves instead.

Venom looks at Mastodon's retreating back for a second. Then he shrugs, “The guy's kinda nervous, isn't he?”, and turns back to Kaz–

The satin box Kaz is cradling in his hand feels too small to him yet he knows, despite his anxious heart pounding away in his chest, that he made the right call when the first thing out of Venom's mouth is “Kaz?” in that impossibly small voice Kaz's heard only once before, when Kaz told him he loved him for the first time.

“V”, Kaz answers as calmly as he can, “I...”, but the words he carefully prepared won't quite make it out of his mouth. Kaz breathes deep, knuckles white with how hard he's gripping the box to stop his fingers from trembling.

Venom's hand is warm when it wraps around his, his eye a little wet as it meets Kaz's.

“I'm here”, is all he says, and somehow it's enough to save Kaz from drowning in his own speechlessness.

“I love you”, Kaz whispers, then chuckles at his own shaky voice. “There goes my speech but... To hell with it. To hell with everything else, V. All I know is that I want you to have something of mine when I'm away, and I want something of yours, and since rings are... difficult”, a helpless shrug with his right shoulder, where his bionic hangs heavy, “I thought...”

Venom's thumb rubs the back of his hand. Kaz opens the box.

A quiet moment passes while Venom reaches inside, carefully inspecting what he finds there.

“Diamonds?”

“Earrings”, Kaz corrects softly. “One for you, one for me.” He pauses. “If you want. It's unusual but–“

“They're perfect, Kaz.”

Venom's smile is gentle, a delicate thing on his rough, rough face. With all the care in the world, he places them back and closes the box, pressing a kiss to it.

In that moment, when Venom takes what Kaz has to give, and gives back, Kaz feels light-headed, weak, feverishly warm – then he realizes that their bond isn't a cage, but relief, and happiness, and love all wrapped in one.