#and I'm like but baby you get along with everybody and you're so polite and mannered. then I realized he likes it bc I'm his outlet

[haml3t]

I have not only a law school bestie but a law school husband who has quickly become one of my favourite people and whom I keep converting deeper into communism 💞

[rootspiral]

Agatha All Along deep dive: episode 4 part 7

(Wandavision entries: [1][2][3])

(AAA entries: ep1 [1][2][3][4] ep2 [1][2][3][4] ep3 [1][2][3] ep4 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][+1] ep5 [1][2][3][4])

THIS IS THE LAST EPISODE 4 ENTRY I SWEAR

agatha: why yes I'm listening politely because I'm being sociable, not because this story concerns me in any way shape or form

she did NOT want TO DO IT AGATHA. HE WAS HER SON TOO AGATHA. did you ever give her a chance to SAY any of THAT. damn rio is (metaphorically) fighting for her life here. waiting centuries to catch her wife with her guard down next to a random fire, and then reworking her LONG PLANNED SPEECH into bite sized easily digestible bits so that her emotionally stunted soulmate doesn't run away screaming

I was doing MY DAMN FUCKING JOB agatha

agatha looks away like whooops! wasn't listening! wasn't looking at you! no sir, not me!

that's right. acknowledge her feelings. show her that you understand but that you're hurting too. be mature. you're doing great. god the way she swallows and stares right ahead, so determined. this is such a crucial moment for her.

agatha: i'm stone cold. I'm a wall. this is not affecting me in the slightest. I'm bored, really.

lilia not missing a word of what rio's saying

lmao the neutral pronoun lasted two seconds. she's not even trying to pretend like she isn't talking about agatha. and the way she nods to herself like yes, I did the best I could with this. so, there.

"she is my scar" is going to the sapphic annals, isn't it?

LMAOOOO the unblinking cat stare. rio is like I WAS TALKING TO YOU DUM-DUM. I KNOW IT, YOU KNOW IT, EVERYONE AROUND THIS GODDAMN FIRE KNOWS IT. CAN YOU PLEASE PLEASE FUCKING TALK TO ME PLEASE DEAR GOD

and agatha doing a teeny tiny side glance and going whoooooooops not looking! I'm NOT looking! I'm not even here! and scrunching her face more and more trying to keep it blank

AND she's gone. she's so predictable lmaooo. every dang time.

awkwaaaaaard

rio with her soft smile again! with the little amused eye roll! never getting mad at agatha's antics. she's like FINE I'll come after you, you BIG BABY. the patience this woman has

lilia is so scared of rio because somehow, through her exceptional Seer abilities, she knew instinctively that this is her mortal foe. but something funny has just happened: here in front of her there's just a regular little guy, a bit odd maybe, doing her little thing, trying to talk to her ex. might it be... might it be that death isn't a monster, that it's just a thing, a strange but natural thing that happens to everybody? lilia cannot accept that quite yet. so she grabs rio and says no, no. I've seen what you are. you're scary, you're evil, you're dangerous. this is lilia's survival instincts kicking in. we are simply wired to fear death, that's just how humans are. it takes an exceptional mind and soul to see past that.

oh god, here we go, here we go. deep breaths (I'm telling this to myself tbh. i need the pep talk)

stroking her hair so gently. soft, tentative.

hey, subtitle people??? what the fuck??

rio just stands and stares. lets agatha decide what comes next, goes at her pace always

the haiR CARESSING

the HUG. the BIG SIGH. this bitch was running away screaming from rio just yesterday. and here she is. her love. her partner. she finally acknowledges rio's pain and all that they lost and all that they were (and still are tbh) to each other. THIS is what rio was looking for. she's not flirting to manipulate and deflect now, she's not being somebody else. this is agatha cracked open and bleeding love and sorrow

and they melt into each other, and they're rocking each other back and forth, with all their pain and tenderness and longing

agatha with her face buried in rio's shoulder. I'm unwell

and then agatha gently pushes rio back and strokes her hair and cradles her face like she did so many times before and leans in and here I am giving you a play-by-play and running a commentary like a totally normal and sane person would

you know what makes for a perfect onscreen kiss imo? no it's not tongue, although these two will give us plenty of that too. it's the TREMBLING. THE HESITATION. THE YEARNING.

rio and her superhuman willpower. couldn't be me.

and and and and and agatha looks at her puzzled for a second and doesn't register what's happening and dives for a kiss again she's so far gone. the feral animal noises I'm making you have no idea

THE ICY SHOWER

THE STEP BACK. THE MOST PAINED SMILE

THE REGRET

I think one big reason why agatha is always so calculated is because she's afraid her instincts will take over. she does something big and spectacular and stupid and then calls it a 'calculated risk' when it was actually a rush of fear, desire, sorrow, anger that she couldn't control. tonight rio has managed to poke a little hole into a carefully constructed dam, and now all the water is rushing out and tearing down the walls. agatha has rio in her arms and her shape, her scent, her skin are so nostalgic and familiar. her brain goes on autopilot, she's been lonely for so long, she is FAMISHED for love and connection and sex and acceptance. rio wanted her to open up, but agatha doesn't do half-measures. rio wanted her to give for a change, but agatha can only ever take.

rio HAS to put a stop to it. she puts logic before heart, one of them has to and you know agatha isn't gonna. more than anything rio wants to take this one perfect moment and run away with it, but instead she tears herself away and asks, what happens next? what happens if I have to take billy away from you? that reanimated corpse, that freak of nature who walked into your life only yesterday and took over?

billy is now part of the equation and rio cannot ignore it. she has been so gentle and careful with agatha, easing her into a reconciliation that is now in jeopardy because here comes billy maximoff like a sword of damocles! what happens if agatha takes her back only for rio to break her heart all over again? there would be no coming back from that. rio cannot help being the grim reaper just as much as agatha cannot help being a succubus, and she is almost at her breaking point here. because she is hurting too! she is sick of having to be the mature one! she's sick of always coming in second after all of agatha's issues! turns out there's a limit even to the heartbreak an impossibly old and wise being can take.

(and now I need a smoke and a future episode that is just 30 minutes of hot but soft cuddles and kisses and sweet nothings. please.)

once again a big shoutout and thank you to all the people reaching out and leaving comments, it's incredible to hear from you all @crybabyheathen @onceuponalegendbg @idkbroletssee @psychicsolanum @73chn1c0l0rr3v3l @a-tad-bit-obsessed @a-rusty-bucket-of-woes @miacheezytoon @isagrimorie @april-december @aquaaquila and I'm probably forgetting someone but I see you all and I appreciate you so much!

and now for something extra

[dokeythings]

| hey baby, i think i wanna marry you | (dokyeom)

this is PART 2! :)

"you're getting really burnt baby" dokyeom says suddenly, noticing how your arm is in direct sunlight and turning bright pink.

you shrug it off as he keeps his arm around you, placing his hand on your arm so that most of it is covered. it's hot to the touch.

"let's go inside for a bit, i'll get you some sunscreen. i think my grandma is inside anyways" he says, standing up from the bench.

you haven't met his grandmother yet, but that's the one you're most nervous about. the grandmas like a big deal, isn't it? maybe you're just thinking about it too much. you stand up and follow him into the house, staying behind him as he leads you into the kitchen. his grandma is in there making even more food, even though there's enough out there already to feed a small country. it reminds you of your grandma, and for a moment you are a little calmer.

"hi grandma!" he calls out happily, meeting her over by the sink. she turns around and sees it's him, and brings him in for a big hug. you melt at the sight, seeing how much she loves him and is happy he's here. you have that in common with her. you stand awkwardly at the end of the kitchen, rocking on your feet.

"and this pretty girl must be y/n! i've heard so much about you" she says as she looks over at you, smiling sweetly.

dokyeom turns towards you with a soft smile and holds his hand out, indicating for you to come over. you take his hand and step forward, smiling back at her. 

"well aren't you just a vision" she beams, taking you in as you shift awkwardly under all the attention. "you weren't wrong, she is absolutely stunning" she says, nudging your boyfriend. he notices your flushed cheeks and stands next to you, placing his hand lovingly on your back. 

"thank you" you say shyly, still red from the compliment. "it's so nice to meet you. i've also heard so much about you, especially your famous cooking" you say, trying to initiate the small talk. she chuckles at the compliment, and notices you extend your hand out to shake hers.

"oh i'm a hugger dear" she says, pulling you in for a hug. you smile at the gesture, looking at dokyeom as you hug her back. 

"i told you" he mouths, giggling quietly, as he had warned me a couple days ago about how she was a big hugger. 

she starts to talk about the food she's making, and you politely follow along. dokyeom stands back and watches as you happily obliging to taking the spoon in your mouth and testing the recipe. he puts his hand on your back again, rubbing gently as butterflies erupt in your stomach. as his grandma turns to get something from the fridge, you turn to him thinking he's trying to get your attention.

"yeah?" you ask him, noticing his dorky smile.

"nothing" he answers, continuing to rub your back. 

she comes back with a new ingredient and gets back to work, letting you help when you can. dokyeom has talked about you a lot to his grandma, and she knows how happy you make him. she already loved you before she even met you. he notices your bright pink arm, remembering why he brought you in here in the first place.

"hey grandma, do you have any sunscreen?" he asks. "y/n is getting burnt pretty badly out there". he gently touches my arm, showing her.

"oh poor girl!" she frowns. "yes yes it's in the cabinet above the sink in the bathroom".

he says thank you and brings you to the bathroom. the house is quiet as everybody else is outside, their voices quietly traveling through the open windows. you peek around at the living room area as you walk by, noticing that she has quite the eye for decoration, and countless pictures of the family all in beautiful picture frames. you smile as you take it all in. once you're in the bathroom he takes out the sunscreen right away, gently applying it to your arm as to not hurt you. you lean against the sink as he does so, just admiring him. he catches your eyes, smiling at you.

"how're you doing baby girl?" he asks, hoping that you're a little less nervous and having some fun.

"good, actually. everybody is so nice" you smile.

"they love you" he smiles, stating matter of factly. he leans in to peck your lips.

"i don't even think i'm being that awkward" you say honestly, surprised at yourself.

"well that makes a lot of sense, because i told you you're not awkward" he says, poking your belly and making you laugh. you laugh in response, sticking your tongue out.

"and, i'm really proud of you" he adds, holding your hand.

"thank you" you reply softly, kissing his cheek.

after he puts the sunscreen back you leave the bathroom and go back into the kitchen where his grandma tells us that everyone is getting ready to take a walk down to the lake. theres a little lake at the end of the street, one dokyeom has told many fond stories of so you are really excited to see it. you meet everybody outside and start walking, the two of you trailing behind a little. you take his hand in yours, happily swaying them back and forth as you walk. something about today feels perfect, but you can't quite put your finger on it. the temperature is the kind that feels like a warm hug, embracing you and cooling you off with a breeze just when you need it. there are no clouds in the sky, giving the sun the spotlight to shine down on everything it touches.

dokyeom thinks you couldn't possibly look more beautiful right now if you tried. the sun is getting lower in the sky, leaving a golden hue on your skin. your eyes sparkle when you look at him, the caramel brown being the prettiest color he thinks he's ever seen. he uses his free hand to subconsciously reach into his pocket and hold the ring, a habit he's developed lately when he's admiring you. he chuckles at you as you let go of his hand and run ahead quickly saying "this butterfly is so pretty!". you bend down to the height of the plant it landed on, trying to get it to land on your finger. to no avail, it flew away and vanished. 

"it flew away" you pout, turning around to look at him. 

he's stopped in the street a few feet away, smiling at your cute frustration. 

"i'm sorry cutie, maybe he'll come back" he says. 

you start to wall back towards him but he says "wait! stay right there!".

you tilt your head at him inquisitively, waiting for an explanation. he pulls out his phone and gets the camera ready, pointing it at you. he tells you to smile, so you do. he focuses the camera, cooing at the view. a rush of wind blows by right as he's about to press the button, blowing your hair back behind you. the sun is almost down now, leaving everything with a tint of darkness, but you stay bright as the sun. he's amazed by you, and that will never change. most of the others are already down at the lake, and its just in view. you hear them laughing and cheering, and then a couple loud booms. the colorful lights change the color of the sky, whizzing and cracking as they go by. you turn to the side to look at the fireworks, smiling brightly in awe at the nice surprise. dokyeom takes the picture, right as a beautiful red firework explodes in the sky, lighting up the genuine smile on your face. it's his new favorite photo of you. 

for a moment you forget he was even taking a picture as you get so caught up in the pretty display. 

"y/n" dokyeom says, smiling to himself widely as he waits for you to turn around.

this is it.

as you turn around, he drops down to his knee, watching your face the whole time. his hands get clammy, and his heart is beating a million miles a minute. you look so pretty right now, and he loves you more than he understands. you bring your hand up to your mouth, realizing what's happening. you really didn't expect this, but at the same time it is the most perfect timing. 

"theres no way of doing this without sounding cringey" he says, laughing nervously as he shakes his head momentarily, reaching his hand into his pocket. "every single day since the day i met you i have been changed for the better. you are the other half of me, an extension of me. i love you more everyday even when i think i already love you more than anyone could ever love anything. i want to do this for the rest of my life. i want to wake up next to you everyday, and eat chocolate chip pancakes and cereal for breakfast and have you yell at me saying it's too much sugar" he chuckles at the comment. 

you giggle back, realizing that tears have been streaming down your face since the second his knee touched the ground.

"you are everything that's good in this world. you have shown me what love is, what happiness is, and what life is all about" he continues, smiling ear to ear as a tear falls from his eye as well. he doesn't bother wiping it away. you cry harder at his sincerity. 

"baby, will you marry me?" he finally asks, opening the case and holding the ring out in front of him. 

you can't even speak, your lips are stuck in a smile and your cheeks are soaked with tears. you start nodding vigorously, before finally your vocal chords do their job.

"yes!! yes yes a million times yes!" you respond, not waiting another second to throw yourself at him. 

he stands up from the ground just in time to catch you, spinning you around as the fireworks continue to go off in the back. believe it or not, he didn't even know they were going to do that. perfect touch guys, he thinks. 

he places you back on the ground, keeping his arms wrapped around you tightly and proudly. he slides the ring on your finger and then cups your face, kissing you passionately. you kiss him back so hard as you are bubbling with overwhelming happiness at the thought of this being your reality for the rest of forever. 

"i love you so much" you say, placing your hands on either side of his face. 

he smiles, "god i love you so much too". he looks into your eyes for a little while, trying to comprehend the fact that he has the most perfect girl in the world as his soon to be wife. 

the homemade version of the firework finale begins, making you feel like this isn't even real life. you turn around to watch them light up the sky. dokyeom stands behind you, pulling you against his chest and wrapping his arms around your waist. you lean your head on his chest as you look up at the show, the lights dancing in your eyes. you feel his heart beating against your head, smiling at how fast it is. 

"i think this is the best day of my life" you say, tilting your head to look up at him. 

you expect him to turn his attention away from the fireworks and look down at you, but he was already looking. you blush.

"good, because it is most definitely mine" he kisses your forehead, then your nose, and then your lips. the ring looks much better on your finger than it did in his pocket, and now he thinks he has nothing to ever complain about, because everything he will ever need is right here.

[differenteagletragedy]

If youre still taking requests, id love to see more from each of the boy’s POV in the poly au- specifically how Derek and Cove fell for Baxter. Everyone’s close to the MC, and they were already friends, but in the game Cove isnt super close to Baxter and if i remember correctly Derek only meets him if you take him to the soirée, so im curious how that went down. Youre writing is amazing btw im obsessed with this and the swap au

Ok, so I always picture it like it's Cove and MC first, Derek is the bestie who moves in after Step 4 and whoops, everybody loves everybody what a miracle. Then Baxter comes along.

So Cove wasn't super fond of him when they met in Step 3, and Derek has only heard about the guy, but they both know that he hurt you with the disappearing act. They would be concerned about you running into him again during the planning of Jude and Scott's wedding, checking in a lot, trying to make sure you're ok.

You're busy up until the actual wedding -- listen though, the group chat after the late night groom's cake baking session was crazy -- but Cove and Derek are both invited, so you all catch up face to face there.

And honestly in my heart of hearts I think that Derek would go into the idea of meeting Baxter with a lot of caution but after 2.5 seconds he's like, "No, yeah, I get it."

Cove is like "Seriously?" and Derek IS serious! Baxter is beautiful, that is a fact, but he's also very gentlemanly and polite and well-mannered and that is going to tick a lot of boxes for Derek. Baxter would hold the door while everyone leaves the venue to have a little chat in the parking lot, and he's going to be all "Nice."

Plus once Derek learns the ins and outs of Baxter's emotional problems, he is gonna wanna help that baby bird learn how to fly. That's just the kind of guy he is. So Derek loves Baxter, that's easy. And Cove loves Derek, and he loves you, and if you both have/are developing feelings for that little weirdo that moved next door to him five years ago, then ok lol, whatever

So for Cove it's going to be a little more difficult. I think he'd be more protective over you, and he was the one who was there that first summer and saw firsthand how much Baxter hurt you, so he's not going to be so quick to win over. But it is going to happen, and he's going to be unaware of it for SO LONG.

Cove: Is Baxter coming over tonight?

You: ... Do you want Baxter to come over tonight?

Cove: No, it's not that, I just thought ... he usually ... shut up.

You and Derek: *fist bump behind Cove's back*

Like Cove is going to be a little overwhelmed by Baxter, not necessarily in a bad way because at this point he's a little older and a little more comfortable in his own skin. But Baxter thinks so highly of Cove, in so many ways Cove is everything he wishes he could be.

Baxter: *gentle heart eyes at Cove*

Cove: Do ... do you another slice of pizza?

You and Derek: *fist bump behind Cove's back*

One day Cove is just going to wake up one morning, going about his routine, then suddenly stop and groan and go, "Oh god, I'm in love with that dork." It's cool though, everybody already knew.

[the-light-finds-its-way]

It's that time of year again!!! The Dawning!!!!!

Einar by this time has admitted he loves Fynch, and Fynch has taken permanent residency in the house with Magnus, Einar, Cayde, Sundance, and Ace.

But Einar wants to make things special for his boyfriend. He asks Magnus if he's willing to help, and the Titan is all too thrilled to give his aid! His Ghost politely requests that, sometimes during the Dawning celebration, while Fynch is asleep, Magnus decorates the house in lights, tinsel, garlands, and the likes.

Being an insomniac, Magnus is all too happy to do this.

Einar and Fynch go to sleep in the bed one night, and immediately, the Titan gets to work. He places tons of decorations all over the place, hanging them from the ceiling and walls and porch, and he even makes a plate of Fynch's favorite cookies!

Next morning, Einar nudges his boyfriend gently and tells him to wake up.

Fynch groans, but he jumps elatedly at seeing the cookies before him! Now that he's awake, he looks up, and finds the pretty lights, decor, and everything, hanging, and is awed.

Einar encourages him to bring the cookies along, and follow him.

Excited, Fynch follows and floats down the stairs, into the living room. And there, he sees the whole family together, presents wrapped and faces full of smiles, standing before a camera.

"Happy Dawning!" everyone says to Fynch (except for Ace, who just babbles).

Fynch almost starts crying.

Magnus motions for him and Einar to come closer. "It's your first Dawning here, and we wanted you to feel at home," he says. "Cayde has Sundance and Ace, I've got both of you."

There, Einar and Fynch go to Magnus, who holds one in each arm.

Everyone looks up at the camera, and smiles as it ticks away for a few seconds. Finally, it flashes, taking the photo, and prints it out immediately from the bottom.

Fynch eagerly moves toward it. "Let me see!! Let me SEE!!!" he says.

Magnus and Cayde laugh, and pull out the photo, then hold it up.

Everyone together, the memory is now captured for all of time to come. One family. One memory, and countless more to come.

Cayde and Magnus frame the photo, then hang it on the wall. They both, along with their Ghosts, and Ace, walk to the presents, and the Titan and Hunter unwrap them all for everybody.

Ace gets lots of toys and baby Eliksni clothes. Magnus gets a new sword, and Cayde his annual all-you-can-eat ramen pass.

Einar, however, pushes one present forward toward Fynch. "Open it!" he says, looking at Magnus.

The Titan nods, and begins unwrapping it. Inside, there's a small rectangular box.

"Wait!" Fynch tells him, and he floats overhead the box. Shining a scanner ray down, he tries to analyze it for a moment. The light goes away, and he pauses. "It's... just a box."

Einar shakes in a "no" motion. "Open the top!"

Fynch floats to the box, and nudges the lid a few times. Finally, he catches it and flicks it open. There, the Ghost starts crying completely this time.

Einar nuzzles Fynch gently, and looks at the contents.

A small tuxedo, and a small dress, in black and white respectively, fit perfectly for him and Fynch, are folded neatly inside.

"For whenever you're ready," Einar tells his boyfriend. "Just know, I'm always yours."

"I... I want the dress," Fynch says.

"Oh? But I thought—I got the tuxedo for you!" Einar explains.

"But... the dress is so much more pretty!"

"I know! And you're the handsome one, so—"

"Oh, so I'm not pretty?" Fynch glares.

Einar jumps. "No! I didn't mean that!! It's just—I—"

Magnus laughs. He hugs the two Ghosts against himself, and kisses them. "You've got time to figure it out," he tells them. "No matter what you choose to wear, you'll both look amazing, handsome, and pretty. I promise."

Fynch leans against Einar, and smiles. "I love you."

Einar smiles back, leaning into Fynch. "And I love you, too."

[maneaterwithtail]

Real issue of "forced" diversity or wokeness

I'm sorry but everything about a production is to 1ﾟ or another forced. It won't naturally happen without active decision and circumstance arranged by everybody from production to operations. I think recently someone kind of clarified this for me and we have the Mario movie to thank again.

The problem isn't wokness or any political spectrum it's

Toxic- more accurately -forced positivity. If you demand that everybody has to treat your product the same way they would the political talking point you're often very shallowly engaging in or claiming that you are fighting the good fight for by simple alignment...

you are effectively demanding that the audience accept and basically give up their entertainment to become a resource for your success

Naturally people disagree on gayess. whether you think this is bad or wrong, being forced into this in the most intimate personal and vulnerable circumstances that's primarily going to take in online spaces isn't setting everybody up for reconciliation. it's setting everybody up to basically either convert or be silent

That does nothing but create resistance. it's a propaganda move plain and simple

Now even if the propaganda is preaching what you want. that can't work forever and it's going to leave to something else

c***** craftsmanship. a law can be good but if it's enforced with no care for the citizenry then it's going to become a toxic mess. More so if you can get the exact same phrase based on someone's predisposition And no possible objection in the exact same social circles that everyone's paying attention to or utilizes And no possible objection in the exact same social circles that everyone's paying attention to or utilizes

any performative diversity the point is basically to get quick social brownie points on social media. I don't even think it's for the creators. many of whom fall in these categories. it's because they're selling the audience the illusion of heroism

They either want you to passively accept everything they give or give you a bunch of easy targets to ostracize

And they can be pretty d*** sure in various online spaces that they have the right of way because almost most moderators as well as social media outlets deliberately favor their way of thinking so effectively they've given you catalyst or tools to bait someone in order to ban themselves

And this keeps happening

More importantly they don't care what they damage along the way. Franchises, community, discourse, because what they value of what they're doing is that performative social thing which they then want to repackage and sell to the audience or a new investor or customer base.

We took down the toxic scary man babies who remind you of your abusers or oppressors. They don't have thing or place any more. You like that feeling? You owe us for it give me money so we can antagonize further together. Just remember parasocial relationship I am not responsible for you or my words

Now here's the problem. much like you'll only need 1 shonen series. Baby lgbt only needs 1 maybe 2 series in order to come to terms with own sexual identity if you're discovering it.

everything after that is going to be on you.

Which leads to the other problem.

very shallow engagement. you're not after representing the lives and circumstances that someone might have after they've come to terms with they are gay. Gay parents. Gay professionals. Gay history. That gay culture and divorced or sexual libertine patriarch culture has amount of overlap. The loss of generational wealth and social staus or the game needed to access it

You want the closet case or the questioning individual which is why as it aims younger and broader. Which gets more and more creepy

Owl houses my go to for this because despite the fact that they had ample opportunity in order to normalize homosexuality or transness in its world...they decided to focus on basically shipping drama between 2 young kids.

anything that was happening with lumity would have been absolutely mocked and murdered online if it didn't involve something heterosexual. h*** if it had just involved a man.

Seriously at 1 point Amity's sexual arousal is literally played for laughs in a kid show on the Disney Channel. People still cringe at the idea of that being a feature in any manga or anime that is watched by anyone not primarily women (beware the bronies will pornify the pure and good Steven Universe fandom)

But thanks to that toxic positivity it's all good. And because they intertwined it with their own self discovery and validation so on and so forth when there's any actual moral dilemma or circumstance it'll always default to what can basically say something good or pandering to either the main character or using the main character as a proxy for the audience they're charming

Perhaps the easiest way to say this is to compare ang with korra. Aang has to learn how to learn how to synthesize and come to terms with the legacy he has inherited.

he must learn humility on multiple levels as well as duty and discipline. Kora is constantly being validated. For fand and apologists this is a featute. you can tell this by the difference of how the avatarspirit and position is treated between the 2 characters.

One is a burden and a duty that defines and runs the risk of subsuming his identity. One that he must take control of. The other is an inner goddess which validates that she doesn't have to listen to anyone because everything she says is authorities and divinely inspired.

And it's not like there hasn't been casualties for this attitude. And they revel in them too in fact it very much seems to start off a conversation about doing just that period making sure that you p*** that person off that pisses off the right people

And then they turn around and go well you shouldn't care about making sure all the critics like this are that movie or that this is a score against so-and-so that anti woke grifters are a problem. Guys they're not even so much a threat as they are what you're doing just aimed at the audience you're very obviously isolating and not serving

This is the problem with wokeness

This is also why things that could come off as woke black lightning, arcane, and so on

Why they can have a surprising amount of universal appeal. They are presented or written in such a way that they don't demand atoxic positivity but actually give you the space in order to take in the message agree or disagree or at the very least not be forced to agree in a specific way

The emphasis isn't on conversion it's on examination and struggle. It isn't on validation it's on coming to terms with what you have to do in order to achieve that validity both for yourself and success in the world around you. And sometimes you don't succeed you fail and the compromises or what comes after all that

[the-firebird69]

My husband's right they see the shop and then sees that have maintenance and then they see Chinese parts that was a big problem have to go to like a separate bike it was terrible so they're looking at the shop and they look in the parts department they're staring back there this morning is one shop is opening about 8:00 and they're 20 people staring for about 10 minutes and the guy came over I said can I help you. He started laughing a little just the evil dead or the Day of the Dead or it wasn't saying it but they're looking at everything's going I'm not saying that also they're like are those Chinese parts like real loud real fast and I said yeah those are all parts for these bikes because he almost got sick and he's been putting up for about 20 years and that's everybody and they're all kind of weird looking and they said no and they couldn't believe it and they're leaning back a little a few of their flush and that's the reaction. So slowly they walk over to the bikes and they heard my son and now my husband damn it so please don't get an erection it is just as good as I said. So they go over and they say in these photos look awesome and I think I can't stop what's happening down there so there's 20 of these guys and they heard their women arriving and they got these Woodies and they're not real big and then women came in and said what is this going on here it was rubbing up against him. They figured out something oh s*** he said it started at the park place so then he was like a building they going to look at this age one of those and it's there for a few minutes they asked gently politely passed around and they couldn't believe it there was some choking some coffee go over the bikes and then they got a little excited so they're outside fooling around with each other the guy came out so you have to do that somewhere else they're in the cars and come back in and bought a bunch of them so this is the first Chinese American baby day. So is there a laughing and said we have to consecrate the bikes and it was on there's a lot of dumb things happening but that was one of the weirdest video too then getting excited and doing things I couldn't believe it they were oppressed by it people trying to help ar oppressing them

Hera

Zues

Jesus Christ you know how it is now and everybody is looking at these shops and the parts area and sweating it looks really weird on camera and we know we're thinking but wow what a blessing this is this is going to change everything he says it's been working on it for a while and telling people along and Heras family too but really there are in front doing the stuff they see why now. So they're buying them and they're becoming part of it and they're facing the clones and the clothes want them and they say I have a bike that you want finally and they used to fight over the Chinese ones but not that much. It's going on now and this huge shops opening all over the world giant shops warehouses and they were open for a while in the '80s and early night is now they're open again selling like madness truck loans in them okay and the moving fast because those places closed down and they remember it now this is craziness okay this is crazy this we're going to start pumping them out and I mean all of trumps and DJ and all that stuff will be gone today and we're starting to pump them out it's an amazing day

Hera

Yes I got to say you need parts and you need service and people buy a lot more than than you're like left on the bike and you learn how to fix it and stuff is that not really what you should do

Zues

The same goes for Hard knock kicker 5150 there's a special company for me and Duke Nukem Blockbuster and it has a lot of history and has a lot of code, we need these out I need chops for Hard knocks and we need it now and we're doing it now and it's intense there's a lot of and a lot of people volunteering for the duty and I'm going to get it done and he's going to be famous again. It should be able to get him some funding pretty soon for the days and these people have to get major Henry especially from the Chinese American bike stuff and hard knocking 5150

Frank Castle hardcastle

Everybody's going to lock your bike that's why morlock. There's a huge demand for the Chinese American bikes it's all over the place all over the world and everyone wants one I'll tell you what the sales are going through the roof we have so many sales will never catch up and we'll never deliver them all and he was right we need to bring it to dealers so we probably should set up our dealer system we're going to send them as soon as we can and we might like a pickup place and put it in like a city area like West California Southern California have people from all the way from San Francisco pick it up down there and they will and if we have to but really the state so be good he's right that we can put a receiving station because there's no big huge company that does this type of delivery and we're moving right now

Duke Nukem Blockbuster

I will get the stuff now but wow this is great I've never seen somebody back so in my life it's a huge selection giant numbers tons of things to pick from cruisers and all sorts of things and sport bikes and dirt bikes and general dual sport adventure and a lot of small bikes for children trading wheel shok

Hera

[alexjcrowley]

Tag yourself "Ancient Rome main characters but it's just very violent personal attacks" - Augustus's principate edition:

Gaius Julius Caesar "Augustus"

if you're honestly thinking to tag yourself as him what the fuck is your problem, your self-esteem is sky rocketing, you shouldn't be on Tumblr, you should be on Tik Tok

you take the lead in group projects and do 90% of the work because you think you're the only one who can it right

everybody better treat you like royalty otherwise bold of them to presume you'd let bitches talk mad shit about you

frail health though, stay safe baby

favourite quote "I was born for politics. I have great hair, and I love lying"

calm down I'm sure you'll get that college admission letter, no need to be dramatic and start threatening you'll ki** yourself if you don't get in

Marcus Antonius

burnout gifted kid

like honestly you had your whole life planned and then oopsie everything comes crashing down

aw, you want daddy's approval? Don't we all?

you're like an only child, or the eldest child. Then some bitches came along and you were forced to share.

If that's not a mummy sorry mummy sorry mummy sorry you ain't hitting that (or daddy ;))

you love giving pep talk, reminds you of the time people used to look up to you

Gaius Cilnius Maecenas

light academia, dark academia, chaotic academia, the point is: academia

your friends are the most interesting thing about you

you surrounded yourself with artists and creative types, such a shame you aren't one of them

you're that person who'd shout "THAT'S MY BEST FRIEND" when your friend does something incredibile, but nobody will ever do that for you

so how's life standing on the sidelines?

at least you're not bitter about it (or you're very good at hiding it, let's be honest)

supportive bestie

wasn't kidding about great taste in friends, your friendships are very elite and everybody wished they were in your inner circle, make 'em wish, darlin

Publius Vergilius Maro (Vergil)

COUNTRY ROOOOOOOOADS, TAKE ME HOOOOOOOOOME

cottagecore

as a society WE NEED to retreat to the country and go back to peak of human civilization: farming

you're cooler in theory than in practice

massive introvert

you just want a cottage and some books and maybe some plants and a pet and free time, is that too much to ask?

Yes, because that shit's a fever dream, you wouldn't last a day in a real farm, get your head out of your ass

Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace)

you think you're funny. You're the only one to think that.

self deprecative humour for the win

your superpower is infodumping. Sure, everybody does it once in a while- but they way you do it. Wow.

you're a tiny gay, a petite homosexual, if you will

wittiness is one of the many qualities you believe to possess

how are you handling those five mental breakdowns a day?

Guess what, clean air, drinking water and reading outside won't cure your identity crisis

Publius Ovidius Naso (Ovid)

you listen to doja cat unironically. And no, I don't mean "I like her beat", I mean you listen to the lyrics of doja cat unironically.

you're a slut, but, if you're reading this, it mean you're on Tumblr, so probably you're more of a theoritical slut

gossip girl xoxo

when people come to ask you for dating advice you feel like an old french prostitute recalling the glorious days of your youth

you think you're incredibly more interesting than you actually are

like, face it, if you were that great people wouldn't leave you on read

God it's like two weeks in the country at you grandparents's house there's no need to start complaining to all your friends you're in "exile", the wi-fi isn't even that bad, you're just a drama queen

you once dreamed of living in London or New York or Paris, don't lie to me

I hope people are actually know what I'm referencing in this or some things might sound very weird or mean out of nowhere (they're instead mean for a reason)

[addictofsupernatural]

Displays of PDA

Katsuki Bakugo : Hand Holding

The group had decided to go watch a movie together, and though Bakugo wanted to sit away from the rest of the group to spend some alone time with you, your friends didn't let you.

You felt bad. This had been the weekend before mid terms and the point of this little get out was to relax everybody, but Bakugo only wanted to spend the day doing nothing with you.

That's why you leaned into him while watching the movie, touching his wrist as his arm was stretched out on the arm rest. You rubbed two of your fingers back and forth on his wrist.

Bakugo glanced at you before staring at your hands. You then moved three of your fingers to rub his lower palm. He opened up his hand for you and you gladly began to entwine your fingers with his, rubbing the back of his hand with your thumb.

He squeezed your hand, and a smile presented itself onto your face. You looked at your boyfriend, who was staring a little too intensely at the movie, as if not wanting to be caught staring at you or your hands.

Mina got up to use the restroom, having to pass through you all. When she stood, Bakugo released his small grip on your hand and had his hand go limp.

You felt a little hurt, but understood none the less. Bakugo was not a fan of PDA, feeling that the affection would lose its significance if there was a constant audience. He was comfortable with you specifically, and wanted to be comfortable in private.

You took your hand away and stopped leaning towards Bakugo. Though you didn't see, Bakugo furrowed his eyebrows. When Mina left he grabbed your hand from your lap, you looking over to see him glare.

He nodded toward the screen, indicating for you to look at it. Sometimes it was easier for him to convey his feelings without feeling the weight of being looked at.

He leaned into your ear, you not dating to move. He whispered, "Your hand is mine now, got it?"

You smiled at how silly and territorial that statement sounded, leaning away to look at him and nodding. You went back to looking at the movie, and he leaned back to your ear again.

"And thank you." He softly kissed just below your ear. Your face felt like it exploded, and you heard Bakugo chuckle at your reaction.

Eijiro Kirishima : Hugging

You were so excited to make this hot chocolate for your boyfriend. It was your specialty, and you loved making it in the cold weather. While you were making some, however, you felt a pair of arms warmly embrace you into a hard chest.

He snuggled into your hair, causing you to chuckle. You turned around as his arms went to your lower waist. You then gasped in realization. "You're not supposed to be in the cafeteria!"

He chuckled. "Why not?"

"Because I was gonna surprise you with some hot chocolate I made." You pouted.

He laughed, swaying you while you were in his arms. "Well that's no good, huh?" He teased, causing a smile to force its way into your lips. "Hmm, how about I wait in the common area?"

You glanced around if anyone was there, and in seeing no one else in the kitchen you gave him a soft kiss. "Yes please."

He nodded, giving you one final squeeze before leaving. You finished making the hot chocolate, carefully walking over to the couches for him. He stood up and gave you a side hug. Before you could say anything, Mina was pulling you away for you to help her with her wardrobe.

"I'll tell you how much I love it when you come back!" He called out.

"Okay!" You then rushed off with Mina.

Kaminari and Sero looked over to Kirishima and started shaking him. "What are you holding out on man?" Sero teased.

"Yeah, let us have some. It has the girlfriend magic." Kaminari added.

He laughed along with his friends. "No way! My magical girlfriend, my magical hot chocolate."

He took a gulp, and loved it. It was the best he had ever tasted, and the fact that you made it specifically for him made it so much better.

You came back, Kirishima quickly putting the cup down and running over to you. He picked you up and spun you around, you giggling. You put your hands around his neck.

"So manly." You said to him. You leaned deeper into the hug as he rocked your bodies with a big smile on his face.

When you two didn't know was that Kirishima's two friends had gulped down the hot chocolate to mess with him. When they started laughing, Kirishima ran over to the cup and looked at you in a panicked manner.

"It's fine." You said, smiling at his sigh of relief. "But now you owe a movie date."

"Deal." He went over to you, leaning forward for you to get on his back. "Hop on, I'll get my laptop."

You got on his back and snuggled into his back, giving the back of his neck little kisses.

Denki Kaminari : Cuddling

"Baby!"

Kaminari called out to you while yanking your bedroom door open, you and the girls turning towards him. His hair was still damp, having just come out of the shower, and he maneuvered around the girls to make his way over to you.

"Excuse me." He politely muttered to Mina, who was on the bed with you. He then threw himself at your side, wrapping you in his arms and snuggling into you. You made eye contact with each other and both smiled. "Hi."

You giggled. "Hi."

"What's up with him?" Jirou asked. "He's usually not this clingy to you."

"H–hey! I deserve to be like this with my girlfriend!" Blush had made its way to Kaminari's face.

"He's tired." You said as you ran your fingers through his hair, him snuggling more into you for it. "I'm sure working out with Bakugo and Kirishima is intense."

"Momo, continue what you were saying." Tsu said.

She glanced at Kaminari and looked worried. He smiled. "You don't have to worry about me, I don't gossip. Promise."

Everyone talked while you scratched his scalp, soon moving one hand to rub his neck. Kaminari felt good, but inside he felt bad. All this pampering was going to put him to sleep, and he really wanted to have some time alone with you once everybody left.

He sat up and scooted back to scoop you into his lap, wrapping his arms around you and having you seated comfortably as he would rest his cheek at the top of your head and would go to putting his head on your shoulder to give you two or three kisses, rotating positions every so often.

Once everybody left he squeezed your stomach gently, sighing. "We're alone now."

"Yup." You turned around to face him and ran your hand through his hair, Kaminari briefly closing his eyes. "Poor baby, did you stay up for me?"

He nodded as you smiled at his adorable puppy eyes. "Do I get a prize?"

You laughed lightheartedly. "You're so innocent looking when you're tired. I love it."

He smiled and buried his face in your neck. "Baby~ I want a prize from you. Can I please get some kisses or something?"

His warm hand went underneath your shirt to feel your stomach. You softly chuckled. "Or something?"

"Baby, if I wasn't so tired I'd be putting you to sleep with my dick. But I am, so maybe you can put me to sleep." He explained it hopefully.

You laughed gleefully. "Your logic is something else babe." You ran your hand through his hair. "Hmm. How about kisses now, and tomorrow I wake you up with some head."

He gave you a few kisses up your neck and right under your jaw, which he knew you were sensitive to. "Deal, but I also get to eat you out and finger you before I dick you down after, okay?"

You hummed in approval, and he brought you down for your back to hit the bed. He then hovered on top of you to give you one more deep kiss. You smiled with your eyes half lidded. "Such a generous person."

"Such a caring and beautiful specimen."

You both went under the covers and began lazily making out until falling asleep in each other's arms.

Why do I kinda want to make a spicy fic out of the next day 👀

- - -

Suggest other characters I can do these for please :)

[transcendentcacophony]

Thoughts on Worldbuilding: Storytelling with Geography: Lunar Lakes

So I've been thinking about worldbuilding for awhile, and one of the things that I like about certain worlds is that they tell a story with their geography. I think Lunar Lakes is one of these worlds.

Image: An overview of Lunar Lakes from Sims 3

All Lunar Lake images will be from here

This is going to draw from James C. Scott's The Art of Not Being Governed and the concept of Zomia

So one of the central concepts behind Zomia and The Art is the idea that not everybody wants to be a part of centralized governments or nation-states.

Traditionally, most academic fields have held that as societies centralize around agricultural centers that evolve into urban centers, they draw everybody to them through some kind of unexplained magnetism as they gradually expand. It's usually held that this is because the centralizing power of agriculture allows for population booms not supported by hunting-and-gathering. At least one philosopher <cough> Daniel Quinn <cough>1 this is a result of these populations controlling access to food. Not just surpluses of food, but access to food at all, forcing those within their borders to join the system or die.

This idea that agricultural societies are somehow fundamentally better. We see this reflected in different cultural evolution models (all of which are horribly racist but still manage to hang on in weird places, particularly developmental models). As such, the shift from hunting-and-gathering to sedentary agriculture tends to be heralded as a good thing in most history text books and is pretty much always seen as a step towards "modernization.2" But what if you don't want that? What if you have zero interest in joining the agricultural community and implied state control?3 What options do you have then?

You, then, may be interested in Zomia or one of the other extra-territorial spaces that function similarly.

Image: A village in the mountains

So what is Zomia? Zomia encompasses a large territory that ranges across Southeast Asia up into Tibet. Its primary defining feature is its rugged terrain and various populations that have no interest in different state-sponsored "civilizing" projects. While different agricultural centers expand outward to fill the lowland regions seeking to bully those they encounter along the way into joining, various people along the way say "f*ck it" and go up into the mountains. Why? Because the rugged terrain makes it harder for their valley-based neighbors to control them while providing plenty of hiding places push back against their expansion.

Image: A map of the Zomia area highlighting the Southeast Asian and Himalayan Massifs, areas encompassing the geography of Zomia itself.

Agriculture tends to lock people into place and makes them easier to control, therefore nation-states interested in keeping track of large populations have a vested interest in convincing people to farm. Buggering off into the mountains offsets this. Agriculture isn't necessarily harder in these mountainous areas4, but you do have different crops as a result of altitudinal zonation and a fair amount of people choose to engage in animal husbandry instead because the high altitudes impact calorie consumption as your body spends more energy keeping you warm.

This impacts cultures in these regions as well. People may choose to define themselves in opposition to the lowland culture they are avoiding. They may hybridize with cultures already in the mountains, create new languages, or define themselves by the fact they are there for political or semi-political reasons and expressly avoiding the control of an outside party, even if that outside party is the nation-state they are legally considered a part of. There is also a tendency of these cultures to discard literacy for orality, in part because orality is easier to carry around and in part because it marks them as Other compared to their lowland counterparts. It also gives you a since of control over your culture itself, as orality can't be shared unless you want it to whereas almost anyone can learn a writing system and open a book.

So what's this got to do with Lunar Lakes? Let's look at LL more closely, shall we?

Image: The downtown region from Lunar Lakes

The most densely developed part of Lunar Lakes is easily this "downtown" district in the lowlands region. This area contains most of the community lots for the world, and, most tellingly, City Hall and the Perigee, which we're told in the original blurb brought the (human) sims to Lunar Lakes to begin with.

Image: The Rim

There is a little bleed over of rabbitholes from the city center onto the Rim, a slightly elevated area just above it, but these are no where near as "mountainous" as the craters we'll get to in a minute.

Image: The Canals

Another defining feature of the lowland central area are these canals. As these canals do not extend to a beach or other waterway, they can't be for trade, thereby lending themselves to the idea that they are intended for agricultural uses. They could, of course, predate the colony, but that doesn't change the intent.

Image: The Crystal Mine, the Outpost, and the Depot

On the backside of the craters, we have the Crystal Mine, the Outpost, and the Depot. We're told in the original backstory blurb for the world on the Store page that the residents had to harness the crystals to to make their colony sustainable, but it feels abandoned now. Given the importance of the mine in the early days of the colony, it makes sense they'd have a transport depot here for the workers and an outpost, possibly for the military, to protect it, especially if the world was inhabited and the indigenous people wanted nothing to do with them or actively apposed them.

Image: The Craters from Lunar Lakes

Which brings us finally to the craters themselves. Here's where Zomia comes in. If Lunar Lakes was inhabited and if the native population had no interest in joining the colonists or being exploited by them, where would they go? The craters, of course! This would also hold true for anyone who didn't want to fall in line with the colonial leadership among the human sims themselves. We know the Louie family, for example, had to move to the craters after they were exiled by Patricia Cross, the current colonial leader. It therefore stands to reason that, even if the people who live here are colonists, this is where they are expected to go if they are exiled or want to get away from the political milieu of the central powers in the downtown district.

Image: Suburban Subspace lot from Lunar Lakes

And, of course, architecturally, this is where we got those distinctive mushroom houses, which again, suggests an alternative development of this region compared to the lowlands even if the people here are exiled colonists, deviants, etc.

Regardless, we end up with a setting that is rife for internal worldbuilding and storytelling based on its geography. If you add an alien population seeking to escape SimEarth colonization by fleeing to the craters, it establishes a political backdrop for stories, making the world feel more lived in and providing a ready-made backstory. This is one of the things I think is drastically missing in the Sims 4 with their itty-bitty neighborhoods and lack of connecting spaces.

Anyways, these are the things I think about when worldbuilding myself. What story does my world tell geographically? Does it have a built in backstory represented by its geography? Are the different regions/neighborhoods connected in a way that makes cohesive sense? Are their other worlds you think do a good job of storytelling with their designs?

If you build worlds, do you take into account the storytelling potential of your geography? Why or why not? If you play in worlds like Lunar Lakes, does the geography inform your storytelling? Does it help build a metadiscourse around your game? Are there other worlds that inspire your gameplay with their layouts?

Edited in response to @nornities excellent feedback.

1) This is not meant as an endorsement of all of Quinn's arguments; he's got a weird overpopulation theory built into his writing that's a little too close to Malthusian for my liking, but I'm not one to throw out the baby with the bathwater, as it were.

2) Ever notice how "modernization" and "development" are always fundamentally anchored in how Europe moved from feudalism to imperialism to democracy etc.? Yeah, that's the remnants of that "cultural evolution" model I'm talking about. "You're not successful until you look like us!" "Take these developmental loans from the World Bank or the IMF! We promise the strings attached are for your benefit too!" "What do you mean you want to skip industrialization and natural resource extraction and invest in your environment, happiness, and long-term sustainability? You'll never be like us that way! You're a failed state! Ignore the coup in the background we swear we had nothing to do with!"

3) This is the section that was edited after @nornities pointed out that it could be read to imply that non-agricultural societies don't have taxes, class warfare, epidemics, subjugation, slavery, conscription, etc. That was not the intention, although it is clearly stated in Scott's original work that he considers these and other negative societal effects to be the direct result of such "civilizing projects." It was not my intent to perpetuate that idea as these things do happen in non-agricultural societies, so I have changed the original wording. Thank you, @nornities

4) I also forgot to mention the clear exception to this: the Incan Empire. Unlike most empire models, the Inca engaged in a top-down society (literally) that was based in the mountains and expanded downward and outward over time. They were predated by two earlier Andean civilizations.

[that-bajan-kid]

Boku No Hero Academia Chapter 279 SPOILERS

(You're doing great sweeties!!!!)

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LOOK AT THEM!!!! Let's just appreciate this before jumping into the chaos.

I like how you can see Kaminari photo-bombing Todoroki and Iida. And Tamaki trying to hide his face, poor baby. Tokoyami looks so done with life.

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Ok that's enough of that. Now on to the action.

Honenuki is just finishing up using his quirk on the ground when Tokage shows up and tells him it's time to book it. Then we get a shot of the upper half of her head looking nervously at a very i-didn't-realise-just-how-massive-he-was-until-now Gigantomachia.

Everybody's got their game faces on.

So it looks like they have a bunch of Mineta's sticky balls attached to some string on the ground and Momo is making something I think.

(Edit: She's making the explosives. What a Queen. Bakugou would be proud.)

We got a flash back to Momo explaining how the drug works. Normally you would inject it but they can't really do that for obvious reasons so the or going to administer it orally. One of the canisters contains the right dosage to knock Giganto out so only one of them needs to get it in his mouth.

Mineta is asking if Midnight is ok and I think a piece of my heart just died. Mina tells him it'll be alright and I'm incline to doubt her.

I don't like the way this is framed. She's being to optimistic.

Giganto is still dragging along Mt. Lady and Kamui Woods, who is apparently unconscious(?) cause Lady yells at him to wake up. Unless she's talking about Midnight.

The trap was successful. Giganto got stuck in the liquefied earth and sticky balls. Now let's hope he stays that way.

Oh he's really stuck. Uh I can't tell if these guys are supposed to be heroes or villains.

The attack has been launched. Ibara restrains Giganto with her vines while apologising for dragging him through the mud. What a polite young lady.

We've got Sato, Kendou, and the beast kid trying to force Giganto's mouth open with the sticky ball rope see guys Mineta's quirk isn't useless

Compress tells the others that the UA kids have ambushed them. Toga does not seem please with this development.

OH NO JIROU GOT BURNT. But Shoji, Aoyama, and Ojirou are there to back her up. Kaminari's electric plate things are flying through the air rn.

Wait. What the hell just happened? Did Reiko do that? I didn't see Compress throw anything.

(Edit: She's levitating Denki with her quirk. That's why she's there. This is more for my sake then yours since you probably already figured that out.)

Ok so it was Compress. DENKI IS HURT OH NO OH NO HE'S FALLING SOMEONE HELP HIM-

Every one is making a break for Giganto's mouth and chucking there knock-out drug towards his mouth. Unfortunately for all of them Giganto decides to pull a pro-gamer move and blows them away. Literally.

Dabi's arm is smoking to the point where Toga is asking if he's ok. Like it's really bad. Dabi ignores her concern in favour of explaining why Giganto is so OP. Apparently he has a quirk that allows him to covert energy in to height and a not her quirk that blocks out pain, among other things.

Giganto starts to stand up and the kids start to panic slightly cause the can't get close enough to him because of the fire Dabi made.

My girl Momo has thought of everything. The bottom of the mudpit has explosives that just went off, causing Giganto to sink deeper into the mud. Spinner mentions that Giganto can just dig underground since he'll be faster that way, but Compress is quick to remind him that they will all most certainly suffocate to death if he does that.

Compress explains that the League is actually holding Giganto back since he can't go all out without killing them. Sceptic interrupts by saying now's not the place for chit-chat and, as if to punctuate his point, Giganto gets tackled by Mt. Lady, who I completely forgot about, and is then boarded by a bunch of heroes.

MT. LADY FORCING GIGANTO'S MOUTH OPEN AND MINA WITH HER ACID MAN!!!!

Ignoring the fact that acid is combustible and should have caught on fire just now, I they take him out. I really hope Mina doesn't get hurt in the process.

I feel like, if the hero thing doesn't pan out, Mt. Lady could probably become a comedian. Tho, that's probably just her coping mechanism.

Momo really thought this out. Not sure how they managed to pull all that off in such a short amount of time but I'm not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth.

I'm concerned for Dabi. He's obviously pushing himself too hard.now I just want him to get caught so he can't use his quirk anymore.

I have a feeling Horikoshi's gonna cut back to the Jakku ruins next Chapter cause, you know, suspense and he's always pulling this shit.

Until next time.

[xxisxxisxxis]

Gateway Drug | Part Seventy-Eight

Words: 3k

Warning(s): explicit language, violence, substance abuse

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"H-Hi." Deana tries to keep her composure upon the sight of Nikki freshly off-stage. 

He looks more pale than he was before heading to play, his sweat cloaked body shaking slightly. 

His mother, her dark hair curled and bright red lips tugging into a sappy smile as tears bubble in her eyes.

Even without probably knowing the whole story, Axl and the guys know Nikki doesn't have a relationship with his mom, and the nightmare about to take place has them slowly leaning against the wall of the hallway, quietly looking down, uncomfortable with getting caught in the middle of this. 

"What are you doing here?" Nikki asks, confused, more than likely questioning if its a hallucination from mixing too many drugs or not. 

"I made the arrangement." Doc states chipperly, stupidly thinking Nikki would be happy. "An early Christmas present." He adds. 

"I wanted to see you," She tells her son, taking a few steps closer, "I wanted to see both of you...I've already missed out on so much." She explains, looking at me. "I-I know the timing is off, but I really wanted to talk to you." 

"No, the timing isn't off--" I try to assure her. 

"--Don't waste your breath, Viv, she's just gonna ask for money and then disappear for another ten years." Nikki scoffs, brushing past her. 

"Frank--"

"--That's not my name." He snaps to her. 

"It's the name on your birth certificate, Frankie. Frank Ferana. It might not be as glamorous as 'Nikki Sixx' but--" 

"--It's Nikki. Legally. It's Sixx. Legally. It's her last name. Legally." He refers to me and she clenches her jaw. "And any kids I have are gonna have that last name. Legally. I'm not 'Frank', or 'Frankie', and I'm certainly not a fucking 'Ferana' so don't even start that shit."

"You're still my baby." She tells him, trying not to cry. "I came all this way to see you." She adds, wrapping her arms around him. 

I see the glimmer of a little boy in his eyes, for a split second, then it's quickly pushed aside and replaced with that of an angry, abused, hurt, scorned, abandoned dog. 

And he's going for the throat in a moment the second she says:

"Oh, my Frankie." 

He's shoving her off of him so hard she nearly goes to the floor. 

"That's not my fucking name!" He screams at her, throwing his bottle of Jack at the ground at her heeled-boot covered feet. 

He's storming off, Doc following after him, and Fred takes a breath and goes to Deana, to politely usher her out. 

"That's fucked." Izzy mumbles, shaking his head slightly, going to their dressing room and I walk behind them. 

"Nikki--"

"--Who the fuck do you think you are?! Huh?! Who the hell are you to bring my personal life front and center for every God damn body to see?!" 

"I didn't realize you and your mother weren't on good terms." Doc tells him, honestly. 

"You think I'm this fucked up for the hell of it?! You think I'm this way after growing up with parents who gave a shit?! Really?!" Nikki laughs humorlessly.

"Nikki, I'm sorry, alright?" 

"No, you're not, you don't give a shit and you never have, you're just another greedy fuck getting his rocks off from the money in my pocket but I'm done!" He yells, turning to walk away. "You don't know what's fucking best for me, you don't care about me, you don't care about the band, you're not my fucking father and you sure as shit aren't my manager anymore so just go get fucked, Doc, you're fucking fired!" He calls. 

"You're not fired." I assure Doc, wanting to go after him, but not able to bring myself to. 

He doesn't want to talk to me about it. 

I am surprised to see Axl rub his forehead and roll his jaw before stalking past me, Nikki's way. 

"Where you going?" I ask him. 

"I fucking hate my mom." Is all he says as he goes by. 

I didn't know what exact issue Axl had with his own mother, but I'd later find out it was because her horrible judgment in men and what abuse she'd allow him and his siblings to endure from those men, along with her forceful hand in religion that she and Axl's stepfather enforced brutally on their kids.

"Did Doc really not mean to set that up?" Steven asks me when I get into their dressing room. 

"No, he didn't." I reply. 

"Is Nikki gonna be okay?" Tansy asks quietly. 

"I don't know, Tansy." I roll my eyes and she furrows her brows, slightly. 

"Do you even care?" She asks me and I look at her. 

"Tans--" Duff starts. 

"--No, I mean, really, Vivian. Do you even care?" She cuts him off. 

"Excuse me?" I ask, practically seeing the dullness in her eyes of a mixed-drug high.

Without a doubt coke and smack.

"Of course I care, Tansy. Just because he and I are separated doesn't mean I want him to suffer."

"Way to take one for the team by sleeping with Duff, then, because surely that is the one thing that has to be done to prevent Nikki's suffering." She states. 

"What I do and who I do it with is my business, Tansy." I tell her, crossing my arms. 

"Sure doesn't sound that way when everybody on the same floor as you can hear nothing but, 'ahh, ahh, Duff, ahh!'" She mimics moaning. 

"Maybe I'm staying under Duff so much because if I don't, you'll take it as an open invitation, and there really are some people you don't have to try to sleep with mandatorily based on their wallet size, Tansy." 

"Just like there are some people you don't have to sleep with based on whether or not they're gonna be big rockstars or not." She shoots back. 

"Wanna be the pot or the kettle?" I ask. 

"I want you to stop adding fuel to the fire and then acting like your hands are clean while smiting all of us." She outbursts. 

"Smite you for adding to his problems? Offering him drugs when he's already going down hill? Letting him think screwing another woman is okay--not even screwing her, having an entire relationship with her." I correct myself. 

"Given the circumstances of your marriage, he needed an escape." She says next. 

"Given the circumstances of your new-found smack-induced courage, you act like you need my fist to knock your teeth out." 

"Viv--"

"--Then you'll really be laying on your back to get work." 

"But at least I do work. What do you do? Aside from spend Nikki's money and sleep with his friends?" 

"I'm not killing him like you and Sparkie have been with your junkie bullshit." I manage to keep myself from having an outburst, more concerned with Nikki's crisis with his mom. 

"Not yet, at least." She mumbles as I'm walking out. 

"Where you guys going?" Tommy asks as we head to leave for the bus. 

"Um… about to pack our stuff up and head out?" Izzy replies.

"No, no, no, just because Nikki's parade's been pissed on doesn't mean ours has to be." Tommy suggests to them. 

"Yeah, c'mon it's our last night hangin' out for a while." Vince points out, two groupies already under each arm. 

"I was gonna check on Sixx." Slash explains. 

"I'm fine." Nikki shows up, his hands on Slash's shoulders, tightly in an aggravating manner, making Slash chuckle as he twists away from him. 

Axl isn't far behind, he and Izzy looking at the invitation to hangout with the guys one last time on this tour, hesitantly. 

"What the hell," Izzy shrugs. 

"So glad you said that, man, because we have a special surprise." Nikki grins, beckoning them with his finger. 

"Stevie, c'mon!" Duff exclaims from behind me, Steven exiting their dressing room with Tansy behind him. 

"You good?" He asks Nikki. 

"Yeah." Nikki assures him. "I have a present." He adds, leading the guys to the double doors of what I assume is a bigger room. 

Sure enough, he opens the door, and at least ten girls are lined up, naked, asses up, thick lines of coke down their spines. 

Nausea nestles it's way into my stomach, but Tommy, Vince and Nikki look as if this is their promised land. 

Even Steven looks slightly off-put by the brazen display. 

Complete disinterest cascades off of Duff, a heavy puff of cigarette smoke leaving his nostrils with the huff of his unamused breath. 

"Who's first?" Nikki asks. 

Naturally, the guys look to their "leader," and Axl reluctantly rolls his eyes and walks over to the first girl. 

It's like he refuses to acknowledge she's naked, his main focus is the line of coke on her back. 

He snorts one-eighth of the line before deciding that's enough. 

I don't blame him--the way his fingers hold at the bridge of his nose makes me wince because I know it probably burns like a bitch. 

"Boo!" Tommy disappointedly calls to Axl as he walks out. 

He's had his party. 

Izzy follows. 

"More for us." Nikki shrugs, smirking. 

He looks at me directly in the eyes, heavy black liner sharpening the contrast of his hazel eyes as he keeps my gaze, spitefully unbuckling his belt and he starts unlacing his pants, making his way to the girl Axl was at earlier. 

He is not…

Duff's snatching me out of the room only milliseconds before Nikki enters the girl in sync with snorting the line up her skin.

That was that.

It's a bittersweet draw to an end, "thank you" and "damn, I'm gonna miss you" seeming to be on everyone's lips as hugs and high-fives go around between all the boys once we get back to L.A.

I rub my lips together and smile softly as I hand Fred my purse to put in the car, sighing softly, smiling when he looks down at me. 

"See ya later, kid." He tells me and tears swell in my eyes as I wrap hug him tightly, taking him off guard a little. "Don't kill each other...not even over that dumb shit he pulled tonight." He says, referring to the groupie cocaine platter. 

"I'll try." I mumble, wiping my eyes quickly before stepping up to say bye to the guys. 

Steven and Slash are pretty easy, but Axl just stares at me for a moment before reluctantly wrapping his arms around me and hugging me tightly. 

"I'm sorry I was an asshole this entire trip." He mumbles lowly in my ear. 

"I'm sorry I almost got you kicked off." I reply in the same low tone. 

"You're one of the reasons they took us in the first place." He states, pulling away to look at me, cupping my face in his hands, grinning. "You're gonna keep up my lie that we're siblings, right?" He asks and I chuckle. 

"You guys are gonna make it big and I need a meal ticket so of course." I shrug and his smile grows wider. "I love you." I tell him. 

"I love you, too." He assures me, kissing me on the cheek, giving me one last squeezing hug before heading to their bus. 

Izzy looks at me for a moment. 

"Izzy." I say to him. 

"Viv." He acknowledges me and steps to the bus. 

Just before Duff can tell me 'bye', arms are locking around my waist, and pulling me against the person they belong to. 

"Izzy?" I ask after a moment. 

"We're not friends." He says, pulling away to leave, leaving me and Duff. 

"Um, I'll see you later?" I offer and he rubs his lips together, his eyes over my shoulder, and I look to see Nikki and a woman that we'd picked up from the airport, getting into the car. 

I turn back to face Duff, biting my tongue to keep my tears back. 

"You can stay with me tonight." Duff offers. 

"Really?" 

He just smiles down at me. 

I inhale the familiarly comforting scent of cigarette smoke as we walk into Duff's apartment, dropping my bags and running to the bedroom, face planting into the mattress, exhausted. 

The weight of Duff's body laying on top of me making me laugh, his own chuckle further making me grin. 

"I'm so tired." I tell him.

"Me too." He replies, and I turn over underneath him, wrinkling my nose.

"You stink." I say. 

"I think I smell pretty sexy." He grins, teasingly. 

"No." I shake my head a little, scrunching my face to my shoulder when he tries to kiss my neck. "Go shower." I giggle when he tries again. 

"Come shower with me." He counters. 

"I don't feel like it and I don't stink, so--ew, Duff!" I squeal as he takes his shirt off that reeks of sweat and rubs it all over my face and hair. 

"What about now?" He asks and I pick up the pillow above my head and start hitting at him with it.

After a few hits are gotten in, he's getting off the bed, stretching. 

"You coming?" He asks when he walks to the bathroom. 

"I guess." I reply, following after him. 

Once I get out and have one of Duff's shirts on, I go to the kitchen to grab some water before bed, the quietness of the apartment allowing different thoughts to invade my mind. 

I can't help but wonder what Nikki's doing. Is he high? Is he drunk? Is he even still alive? They leave in a few days for Japan but I honestly don't believe they should go. They need help. 

I think at this moment everyone's just trying to see if they can get away with pressing at them a little more without anybody snapping. 

But by the looks of it, Nikki is pretty damn close to snapping, and Tommy anf Vince and Mick aren't far behind at all. 

Nikki. 

My heart tightens in my chest, remembering last Christmas, how he sat curled under our tree, shooting up. 

He'd get strung out, then lay underneath the tree and stare up at the lights for hours. 

"Are we gonna buy a Christmas  tree?" I ask, looking at the empty living area. 

"If you want to." He calls to me from the bedroom.

"I want to." I reply, going into the room and getting in bed while he follows. 

"Yeah?" 

"Yeah. You know, homey-ness and stuff." I add. "Especially if I'm gonna be here longer." I add and he falls beside me. 

"I'll get a tree tomorrow." He assures me, kissing me chastely before yawning and getting comfortable, and I turn off the lamp and lay down, too. 

He goes to sleep in no time, but two hours later, in the early hours of morning, I smile to myself in the dark room, Christmas lights from the street shining into the window, lighting up the room and cascading a comforting dim light over Duff's sleeping body next to me. 

Reaching over, I run my fingertips softly against his cheek, pushing blonde strands of his hair out of the way, his eyes slowly blinking open slightly before a small tug of a smile pulls his lips slightly. 

"Sorry." I whisper, not meaning to have woken him up. 

"It's okay." He says quietly, closing his eyes again. "I love you, Vivian." He adds, his eyes staying closed, but he grabs my hand that's on his cheek, and presses a kiss to my palm, holding my hand when he's done. 

I snuggle closer to him, laying still and closing my eyes, too, while I reply, "I love you, too," the way I wish I would have done to Nikki all these years. 

Years later, while on what I presumed to be his deathbed, he told me that simple moment was what made him feel sure that I was the one. I took everything he had done up to that point with stride. But thinking he was going to die, reflecting on everything that could have been between us but never got to be, and hearing him tell me, "there's a ring I got you years ago when we thought we were gonna be together, but I never gave it to you. Mandy never knew about it. Linda doesn't know about it, but it's on my closet shelf and I don't want to go without giving it to you," broke my heart more than anything he could've done up to that point.

NIKKI

I turn over, seeing the silhouette of the brunette I picked up at the airport, her sheet-covered chest rising and falling with each breath. 

A part of me feels irritated because her perfume is contaminating Vivian's side of the bed that still smells like her. 

I've been reduced to plucking Viv's clothing from drawers or from in the closet and smelling it. That makes me sound like a fucking stalking creep, but it's the truth. 

How the fuck did we get here, again? 

Oh, right, me not able to keep my dick in my pants, and the woman I didn't keep my dick in my pants for, didn't keep her mouth shut.

I sit up, walking to the bathroom to piss. When I'm done I look at myself in the mirror and feel a little impressed. 

I don't look as bad as I thought. 

Well, kinda. 

I splash water on my face, wincing at the dark circles under my eyes. 

I end up staring at myself for God knows how long, remembering how Vivian would wake up and come in here to get me back in bed if I left her for too long because she didn't like sleeping by herself. 

I smile a little, slowly closing my eyes, feeling her touch across my back, the softness of her lips pressing to the skin of my spine before her cheek presses to the same place before she sleepily mumbles out, "come back to bed." 

Opening my eyes, for a split second, I see her. Standing behind me, green eyes peering at me over my shoulder, the feeling of her holding me...it's gone in a flash. She's gone in a flash. 

My nose burns with the oncoming tears cooking up in my eyes, and I erase them quickly with another splash of water to thr face. 

[thebookwormfairy]

What if Marinette had a Retired Police Dog Part 2

I've have had so many request for more Captain, so here you go. Also I just want to say thank you to the maribat community for adopting Captain into the community. Hopefully I do him justice.

Damian really did not want to say goodbye to Marinette yet, but as the sun dipped behind the buildings Marinette had to return to her hotel

Standing in front of the doors of her hotels they said their goodbyes

Marinette: Thanks for the great time Damian. Captain and I had a blast

Damian: I'm glad to hear that and really the pleasure was all mine

Damain bend down giving a kiss the the back of Marinette's hand

Marinette felt the blush grow on her face

Marinette: Will I be able to see you again?

Damian: Of course Angel maybe we can meet again tomorrow I can bring my dog Titus.

Marinette: Sure here's my number I can text you when I have free roam

Damian: I'll be waiting Goodnight Angel, Captain

Damian gave a little salute to the german sheperd

Captain gave a bark in goodbye while Marinette gave a little wave before heading into the hotel

Damain watch her walk away with a dreamy smile on his face until he couldn't see her any more.

Turning around Damian was met with the sight of his brothers all with teasing smiles on their face

Damian now scowling: Shut up morons

Dick: We didn't say anything baby bird

Damian: Your face did

The rest of the way home was spent teasing Damian about his lady love and Dick dramatically called her

Once Marinette had settled down after their day out she settled on her bed and made a call that was meant to be made earlier in the day

Dialing the number she looked up earlier she waited for the person on the other end to answer

Receptionist: Hello thank you for calling Wayne Enterprise, this is Cheryl how can I help you?

Marinette: Hello, I'm sorry for calling you so late, but I'm going to be in the French school trip group coming to tour the building tomorrow and I just had a quick question

Cheryl who was told by Dick earlier about Damian's little girlfriend knew exactly what to do

Cheryl: No problem sugar let me transfer you over to your tour guide. He can answer any question you might have.

Cheryl put Marinette on hold before she could protest about bugging the tour guide and made a call to Dick's cell phone

Dick: Hey Cheryl what do you need

Cheryl: Hey Dick so that girl you were telling about called me, with a question

Dick: No way. Connect her

Cheryl: Right away

Dick to his brothers: Guess who's on the phone

Jason: Damien's girlfriend?

Dick: Ding ding ding we have a winner

Marinette from phone: Hello?

Dick: Yes hello this is Mr. Grayson. How can I help you?

Marinette: Hello I'm Marinette and I'm so sorry for calling so late, but I had an important question to ask.

Dick: Don't worry Marinette, what's your question

Marinette: Well you see thanks to unforeseen circumstances my dog is actually with me on the trip. He's not a service dog, but he's really well trained and well behaved, and I was wondering if I could bring him with me on the tour. If the answer is no that's totally okay

Dick *thinking*: Omg she's adorable

Dick: That's completely fine. We have employees bring their dogs to work all the time. One more dog in the building won't make any more trouble

Marinette: Really thank you so much. And again I'm soooo sorry for calling so late. Have a goodnight

Dick: You too, I look forward to seeing you and your dog tomorrow

Dick: omg Baby Bird your girlfriend is sssooo adorable she was so sweet and shy and polite. I swear if I was talking to her in person I would have squeezed the life out of her

Damian: Don't you dare. You would just freak her out and make her never want to talk to me ever again

Tim: So you want to see her again?

Jason: It's sound like our Demon Spawn has found his true love

Damian could feel his face turn red

Damian: Shut up you idiots

Marinette: Good news Captain you're going to be able to come on the tour tomorrow

Captain gave Marinette a lick on the cheek to show that he understood and was happy about it

Marinette: Goodnight Captain. Goodnight Tikki

Tikki: Goodnight Marinette. Goodnight Captain

Marinette wrapped her arms around Captain snuggling her face into his fur as Tikki laid down on top of Captain

The next day

The class all gathered down in the lobby Marinette and Captain came down last but on time

And of course since Marinette looked happy and had Captain with her Lila had to throw a hissy fit

Lila: What are you doing Marinette. They probably don't allowed dogs at Wayne Enterprise

Ms. Bustier: She's right Marinette you shouldn't bring your dog with you. Captain will have to stay here.

Marinette: But Ms. Bustier I made sure to call ahead of time to make sure it was okay. And you wouldn't want Captain to be locked into a small room all day would you

As Marinette said that Captain looked to Ms. Bustier with the biggest puppy dog eyes he could muster

Ms. Bustier looking into Captain eyes and just couldn't say no

Ms. Bustier: Fine, but he's your responsibility Marinette, and I don't want to see any funny business between either of you. If I see either of you step a toe or paw out of line Captain will be spending the rest of his time in your hotel room. Am I understood?

Marinette: Yes Ms. Bustier! Thank you so much.

Marinette gave a big smile to her teacher before heading back to the class. Standing in the back of the group little away from every one.

Marinette: Dont worry Captain we just have to get through the tour then we can go meet up with Damian again, and we get to meet his dog Titus this time.

Captain gave her another quick kiss on the cheek when he heard somebody approach them

Adrien: Marinette why do you have to cause so much trouble. Captain would have been perfectly fine in the hotel room for a day

Captain forced his body between Adrien and Marinette not wanting the rude boy near his girl

Marinette: well good morning to you too Adrien. I don't see how having Captain with me is causing any problems. He literally only interacts with me. And for your information Captain would not be okay in the hotel all day today and then have to do it again tomorrow. Yesterday I made sure to call all the places we're going to over the trip to find out of Captain could along or not. Since we're spending all day tomorrow going to different museums he won't be able to come with us it would be cruel to lock him up all day 2 days in a row

Adrien: But he's still upsetting Lila, you know could happen if she gets too upset.

Marinette: I don't think a butterfly could fly across the Pacific Ocean Adrien, much less in the time frame we'll be here

Ms. Bustier: Okay everyone let's all get on the bus

Marinette: you better go ahead Adrien. You probably want go sit with your FRIENDS

Adrien catching onto what Marinette was hinting at gave her a small glare, but still ran to catch up to Nino, Alya, and Lila

Captain pressed his head into Marinette's side and tikki did the same.

Marinette: Thanks guys I'm okay

Marinette put one hand on Captain's head and the other on top of her purse

Damian checked over him and Titus one more time to make sure they both looked good

Bruce: I don't suppose your suddened interest in how you and Titus look have anything to do with that little French girl you met the other day

Damian: Don't be ridiculous father-

Dick: It totally does! You should have seen how those two looked at eachother. It was like love at first sight

Damian: GRAYSON!

Jason: it was so ridiculously sweet and she evan has her own dog, a german sheperd

Damian: TODD!

Tim: I did a bit more research, you know to make sure she wasn't a villian in disguise, and according to the adoption records his name is Captain and he use to be a police dog

Damian: DRAKE!! Would you all just stay out of my love life!

Bruce: They just care about you Damian. Weither you like it or not. You should have seen them when Dick first brought home Cori.

Once they got to Wayne Enterprise the family went their separate ways to complete their duties

Damian and Titus hung around Dick waiting for Marinette, Captain, and her class to arrive.

Cheryl: So I heard that you met somebody special yesterday Damian

Damian: wait how do you know about Marinette? Dick???

Dick: Well I had to tell her in case Marinette called yesterday I wanted to be the one she talked to.

Damian: Do you have to share my love life with everybody you know

Cheryl: It's just because we love you Damian. Now tell me everything.

Damian was about to respond with a sarcastic comeback when the class arrived

Dick: Hello welcome to Wayne Enterprise, I'm Dick Grayson I'll be your tour guide today. And this is my little brother Damian and his dog Titus. I hope y'all don't mind but he'll be joining us on your tour today

Ms. Bustier: Not at all it's always nice to make new friends when you're some where new

Damian made his way towards the group his eyes set on Marinette who just walk in after making sure Captain did his business before the long tour, but was intercepted by Lila.

Lila: Hello I am Lila it is nice to meet you

Lila began to speak with a heavy Italian accent.

She was the worst at speaking English in the class

The rest of the class finished introducing themselves when Marinette made it to the group

Damian: It's nice to meet you all, Marinette mentioned she was here with her class.

Alya: Marinette?

Marinette: Damian?

Damian flashing a charming smile: Hey Angel, I hope you don't mind but I found out my brother giving the tour for your class and asked if I could come along.

Damian walked over to Marinette and Captain with Titus following him

Damian: Hello Captain, how are you doing buddy?

Damian slowly lowered his hand giving Captain plenty of time to move away incase Captain didn't want to get a pat from him

Captain decided he would allow it partly because he had to admit he kinda like this kid, and partly because he knew it would freak out some of her class

Kim: Ah he touched Captain

Kim sadly learned the hard way that it took a while for Captain to warm up to someone new

Marinette: And this handsome boy must be Titus

Marinette held her hand out to let Titus sniff her.

Titus being the loving goofball he is gave her hand a big lick before snuggling his head into her hand

Marinette giggling: Well he's a friendly boy huh

Alya: You two know each other?

Marinette: Yeah we met yesterday at the park and just hit it off

Lila with a strained voice: Well isn't that great that you were able to make a new friend.

Damian and Marinette noticed the strain in Lila's voice but it didn't seem like anybody else had or if they did they ignored it

Dick: Alright everybody with introductions out of the way let's get started

Damian and Marinette fell to the back of the group so the can walk side by side with their dogs

While this was going on Titus and Captain were sniffing eachother out as they walked together

Captain: Hello I'm Captain

Titus: I'm Titus. I have just met you, and I love you

Titus gave Captain a big lick on the side of his head

Captain: That's great... So he's your boy

Titus: Yep he's been my boy for years now. He acted like he didn't like me at first but I knew he loved me

Captain: Is he your first human?

Titus: Yes, his father gave me to him when I was 7 months old. What about you, is she your first human?

Captain: No, my girl didn't find me until I was 3 years old. Before her i was a police dog. My partner was my first human. He was a great man and a great police officer. He always made sure I was well fed and when it was a slow night he would take me to the park and play fetch with me...

Captain trailed off his mind going back to the night he lost his partner

Titus: What happened to your first human?

Captain snapping out of his memories: I don't like to talk about it

Titus: Well what about your girl, how do you like her?

Captain: My girl is the best. She saved me from the pound. Her parents brought her there for one of the adoption events, at the time I didn't even know if I wanted another human. I was there for a couple of months, and didn't really have much hope to find a new family. Most people just go for the puppies. So I was just sitting in a corner away from everybody else when this girl comes walking towards. She seemed so sad at the time, like me. She asked me if I wanted to be alone together with her, and i looked into her eyes and something just clicked you know? Like she was also suppose to be my person. After that life turned around for me. My girl just has so much love to give.

Titus: I know what you mean it was the same with me and my boy. Do you have any siblings or a mate?

Captain: No my girl and her family live in a small apartment, so one big dog is their limit. I wouldn't mind having a mate one day though. I do have a couple of friends in Paris and the local dog park, and there's Fang, who's crocodile

Titus: you have a crocodile as a friend cool. I have one older sister Ace, no mate myself yet. I do also have a cat and cow as a friend

Captain: Nice

During the tour Damian noticed that some of Marinette's classmates (Alya, Adrien, and Lila) kept shooting dirty looks back at his Angel

He did his best to not glare back at them, but when Adrien did it for the 10th time on the tour when Marinette wasn't doing anything but softly giggling at stuff Damian whispered in her ear Damian had enough

The next time Adrien looked back at her Damian gave him the scariest look he could muster, which is very scary

Adrien widened his eyes and turned his head around quickly not looking back for the rest of the tour

Dick seeing about half of the interaction assumed that Damian glared out of jealousy and shot him an amused looked when he caught Damian's eyes

After the tour Marinette convinced Ms. Bustier to let her go off with Damian for their free roam

Ms. Bustier let her but made sure she wore the tracking bracelet so incase something happened she would know where Marinette is at

Damian and Marinette decidind to go to a near by dog park to let the dogs roam free

On the way out Damian noticed Adrien quickly walking over to them with a determined look on his face

Not wanting to deal with the annoying blonde Damian quickly guided Marinette outside and into the car

Marinette already figuring out whi Damian really was didn't question it and just let Damian lead her into the car

Damian: I thought you'd be a little more shocked about it

Marinette: I kinda figured it out when Mr. Grayson said you were his little brother

Once they made it to the park the dogs started to run around together and seem to play a game of chase even though Captain seemed a little more reluctant to act a bit crazier like Titus

Marinette: Well it seems like they like eachother

Damian watching Titus give Captain a big lick on the side of his head before running off leaving Captain with what could only be described as disgruntled look on his face.

Damian chuckling: Yeah they sure do

The pair spent another 2 hours at the park going back and forth with sitting in the shade watching their dogs run through the nice dog park and playing fetch with a stick the dogs found

They spent the rest of the afternoon wondering around Downton Gotham Damian showing Marinette all the best sites

As sunset came Damian found himself once again standing in front of the hotel holding Marinette's hands as Captain and Titus watch the interaction

Damian blushing: I've had a great time today Marinette

Marinette: So did I

Damian: I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner with me tomorrow night, like a date?

Marinette also blushing: I would love to, but can Captain come along

Damian: Of course beside Captain is going to be stuck in your hotel room all day tomorrow it wouldn't be fair to make him stuck in a small room for even longer.

Marinette gave him a beaming smile: Thank you for understanding Damian

Damian: Of course I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7 wear whatever you like.

Marinette hugged Damian goodbye giving him a peck on the cheek as she pulled away

Marinette: I can't wait! Goodnight Damian I'll see you tomorrow

Damian in a dreamg voice: Goodnight Marinette, Captain

Once Marinette and Captain were out of site Damian jumped up and gave a whooped of joy completely forgetting that Alfred could still see him from the car.

Bonus

Alfred on the phone with Bruce: It looks like Damian just asked her put and she said yes

Bruce on the other side of the phone silently fist bumped the air mouthing yes over and over again

Bruce in a monotone voice: That's good

Dick: omg you guys I wish you were there! They spent most of the time quietly whispering to each other and Damian glared at a boy who kept glancing at Marinette it was the cutest thing.

@mikantsume @carrisarune @strudelqueen @Aloha_Posts_Stuff @shmowl @maxdark158

[yokohamabeans]

Liar Liar V1: Chapter 6

"You're so lucky, Sae-chan!"

Saeri turned to her senior questioningly, "eh?"

"Your boyfriend's handsome and nice, and rich I presume, from his modelling job," Keiko elaborated, sidestepping a passing schoolmate in the corridor towards the dance room, "does he treat you like a princess?"

When Minagawa Keiko first introduced herself to the newly established Street Dance Club's audition panel, she reminded the Vice-President of a terrier. Not in the degrading way, mind you. Her short height, baby face and bobbed black hair passed her off as 'adorable' and 'cute', but her surprisingly voluptuous body, choice of an edgy dance style, unintentionally cutting speech and sharp eyes revealed a far bigger attitude that seemingly would not hesitate to talk down anybody who displeased her. That, coupled with her seniority, Saeri found her incredibly intimidating and thus talked to her with extreme politeness (unlike Chiaki). However, Keiko proved to be extremely kind, receptive, and was perfectly fine with following the orders of a bunch of first-year brats (unlike many other seniors). She also took pride in being the 'mother' and 'big-sister' of the gang, and thus was often the first person whom people turn to whenever they needed a confidante, and Saeri was no exception.

"Yeah," she answered with a flawless smile, hands digging into her bag for a vibrating phone, "Ryouta treats me just like a—"

.

From: Kise Ryouta To: Sugiyama Saeri

(Today, 3:20pm)

Zunon has a new online poll which I need you to do. At least sixty times. Sorry, I don't really care about stuff like popularity polls, but my agent says that if I come out top, they'll increase my pay. Thanks!

.

"—princess..."

"How nice! Ah, I'm so jealous," the shorter girl sighed, "when will I find a good boyfriend, I wonder?"

"Yeah," Saeri's left eye twitched involuntarily as her mind jumped a week back in time, "Ryouta's a real good boyfriend..."

...

As if in attempt to see through her thick layer of skin and into her brazen mind, golden eyes squinted down piercingly at the brazen brunette.

"Let me get this straight and clear," Kise said, crossing his arms. "You want me to play along with our pretend relationship."

Saeri withered not under his glare, but at the complete lack of emotion in his matter-of-fact statement. "Yes."

"And do you think that I will comply?"

She gulped her dignity down her throat. "Y-Yes..."

"Sugiyama Saeri, after, one; putting me through a week of non-stop interrogation by basically everybody I have met, including myself, on a relationship I have absolutely no recognition of with a person I have barely known for a couple of days," the teen model could not stop his voice from rising and his temper from flaring, "two; refusing to come clean even after meeting my friends and me, and three; slapping my head and accusing me of being a pervert to an entire restaurant even though I have never touched even a single strand of your hair," his hands threw themselves up in an explosion of incredulity and anger, "DO YOU HONESTLY THINK THAT I WILL ACTUALLY COMPLY?!"

The girl flinched and backed up instinctively at his outburst. Bringing her hands down from her face, she once again beseeched the seething male. "K-Kise-san! Please, think it through—"

"Have you thought anything through?!"

"Being in a relationship with me has its benefits too!" She blinked in unease after spluttering out, and immediately sought to correct her appeal, "wait, that didn't come out right. I-I mean, it will be good for you if you play along as well!"

"Oh," Kise raised his eyebrows mockingly, "do explain."

Oh crap, I really didn't think it through... Wracking her brains for whatever sort of difficulties that the seemingly perfect boy might have, the brunette fought a cry of despair and decided to stake everything on her tongue, which seemed to have a life of its own that strived to torment hers. In a diplomatic tone which was clearly forced, she started her reasoning. "Kise-san, surely being both a successful model and basketball ace, you have very, very, very little time in between shootings and practices, right? And yet, you're still heckled with a queue of annoying girls as long as the distance between Kanagawa and Kyoto asking—no, demanding that you reciprocate their feelings. But you simply have no time, energy and mood for that kind of nonsense."

Despite the exaggeration, Kise found familiarity in her words. Frown lightening slightly, he ventured, "your point is?"

"I mean, think about it, amidst all the rage and despair expressed so openly and violently by your fans, didn't you realise that the words 'please be my boyfriend' have disappeared almost completely?" Saeri mentally offered her soul to both the angels and the devils for her speech to not sound like utter bull. Swallowing another culmination of nervous spit, she continued, "eventually, everybody will get over the fact that you're attached and they will finally leave you alone seeing that you already have a girlfriend. And this is the best part," she held a finger up persuasively, "you don't actually have one."

This girl is mad, this girl is insane. She is out of her mind! The blonde nailed a searing glare at her dark eyes and took a deep breath, preparing his storming self to... admit that she actually made sense.

"Come on! Being in a relationship with me is practically being in a relationship with no one!" Her smile felt like a deadlift on her facial muscles, "I live all the way in Kyoto, so we don't even have to meet, let alone send me home or bring me out on dates or any of the stuff that boyfriends do. And since we will be in a pretend relationship, we don't actually have to talk to each other or send mushy things to each other! The most that I will be is a name on your contacts list!"

His silence and softening stare did wonders to her confidence, and she found the will to shuffle closer back to him, palms raised and clasped together. "Kise-san, please agree with me! You will finally be free, your conscience will be free; you don't have to break anymore hearts! This is a great deal for you! The number of your fans might even increase, since virtually every girl is a sucker for sweet, dedicated guys, and the long-distance relationship factor will only raise your admirable devotion."

Faced with the prospect of actually being free from hankering girls, Kise could not deny the pragmatism of her request. Indeed, despite enjoying the attention and adoration of his fans, his greatest trouble (aside from beating his basketball rivals and earning acknowledgement from Kurokocchi) had always been rejecting confessions from girls he had no interest in. Sure, while most of them claimed their love solely based on his popularity and looks, there were those who seemed to genuinely feel for him, and he always felt a part of his soul chipping off whenever they imposed him with teary eyes. Could this girl and her lie actually be the escape route from it all...?

"I-I mean, I'm not a bad catch myself," Saeri mumbled, subconsciously tucking her hair behind a ear and sticking her bottom lip out slightly, "as the vice-president of my club, I'm quite a good dancer, and I am decently popular in school... My grades are quite remarkable if I do say so myself, and honestly, I-I think I'm g-good looking. If it helps, I have a nice family too." She cast her eyes onto the ground, but raised her voice for enunciation, "c-c-c-can you f-find someone with s-such a perfect c-combination?!"

He simply maintained his steely glare.

"I-I'm really sorry about slapping you and calling you a pervert just now," she squeaked, body relapsed to its apologetic form of a ducked head with raised, clasped hands. "It was the only way to get out of that situation and give me a chance to escape! I am really, really sorry about making you the scapegoat!" A dark eye peeked out, "but you have to admit that it was a pretty ingenious of me to thi—" and promptly shut tight at what is saw, "I-I'm sorry."

This was it. Her dignity had long been unsalvageable. The passing afternoon breeze took with it five full minutes of complete silence and Saeri was almost ready to drop her shoulders in defeat to think of a plausible explanation for her friends.

"My terms."

Her neck snapped up to face the scowling blonde. "H-Huh?"

"The relationship will go on my terms," Kise commanded in a severe tone, his arms still tightly crossed. "You will tell everybody the story that I want you to."

The girl could not hide her beam, which grew wider and noisier with uncontrollable squeals of joy and relief. If she had to list the best moments of her life, this would come second below her (yet unachieved) marriage into the Akashi family.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Her brown head bobbed up and down excitedly and tears threatened to spill, "Kise-san, thank you so much! Thank you so very, very much! I will do anything and everything that you ask me to! Thank you so much!"

Despite the heavy frown set on his brows and mood, a corner of his lips could not help but lift at her seemingly contagious happiness.

"Everything and anything, you say...?"

...

To his credit, Kise Ryouta was genuinely a nice person to the core of his heart and hated taking advantage of anybody despite his meteoric success in life as a celebrity. Thus, he hardly bothered Saeri with requests (the great distance helped as well), and the girl could not help but fear that this colossal amount of fortune was a loan from the Heavens that she needed to compensate with misfortune of equal proportion.

"Oh, that's right," Keiko said abruptly, meeting her junior's eyes with raised brows, "Chiaki-chan's not in school today?"

"Yes, unfortunately. She caught a rather bad cold, and Fujiko-sensei has to attend a teaching seminar," the brunette was thankful for the change of topic, but not the topic itself, for... "I'll have to take charge today."

It was not the case that Saeri dreaded authority (she was the Vice-President for goodness' sake!), but she dreaded the fear of being unable to withhold it as well as Chiaki. Her softer personality often lowered her assertiveness, and it has culminated in some inefficiency on her part and raised several questions to her legitimacy as a leader by some of the more opinionated members. Furthermore, today's practise was particularly crucial as it was for a performance as part of an opening community club's line-up the following week. Although its small weightage paled in comparison to their upcoming competition and larger acts, a performance was still a performance and thus important as any other.

"It's alright, Sae-chan. You're a great and worthy Vice-President. Just do what you have to do!"

The brunette smiled gratefully at the encouraging grin. With renewed determination to execute her job flawlessly and gain utmost respect from all of her peers, she put a hand on the room door and yanked it hard.

Only to reveal a troupe of changing ballerinas.

"Oh, sorry about this, Sugiyama," the resident teacher of the ballet club turned at the sound of a sliding door, "but we'll have to use the room today."

"Why?" Saeri inquired, brows dipping, "the room's supposed to be ours today!"

"Sorry, Sugiyama-chan," Shijima Mariko slinked up, lips smiling deviously, "Chikako can't make it to tomorrow's practise, so the Ballet and Street Dance clubs are switching days."

"Why wasn't I informed of this earlier?" the brunette felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up as a crowd of her members started to build up curiously, having arrived at the scene, "and that's your problem! You can't compromise the schedules of my dancers for this!"

"Yeah," a voice called out from behind, "I have tuition tomorrow!"

"Me too!"

"I have to attend a wedding."

A careless, apathetic shrug. "Then just cancel practise today. Give everyone a break. Fujitani-sensei and Kirishima are absent anyway."

"We have a performance next week!" Saeri struggled to level her temper before the teacher. "We can't miss anymore practises!"

"Then find another place. The gymnasium's," Mariko gave a pointed smirk, "pretty good for dancing. It's spacious and has a smooth floor."

Keiko protested, "but the Basketball Club is using it today as well!"

"I know, that's why I have already made arrangements," the Ballet teacher offered, propping her spectacles up. "Shirogane-sensei agreed to share. Your club is to use only a third of the gym, the one closest to the stage."

"But-"

"Take it or leave it, Sugiyama," Mariko spat, earning affronted glares from the street dancers.

"Lowly degenerates don't have a choice."

-

Liar, Liar

Six in the Mix

-

"I can't believe this!"

"If Chiaki was here, we would have kicked those snobs out of our room!"

"Saeri's just not strong enough."

"How dare she called us 'degenerates'!"

"I hope that those ballers won't give us any trouble. We already have enough as it is."

Saeri tried to block the redundantly whispered laments of her club members by focusing on her pre-warm-up stretch, but to little futility as her every sentence still took a sharp stab to her heart. As she pressed her cheek to a leg, she spotted an approaching reflection off the immaculately polished floor of the gymnasium.

"Don't let it affect you, Saeri," Ryousuke gave a crooked smile as she straightened her back to face him, "everyone's just angry that Shijima got one over us."

"I know, Ryou, but—"

"Just be a little firmer this practise, they'll listen, and understand why you have to be harsh."

The brunette stood up to concede a smile to her friend, deciding that it would be tedious and take too long for her to air her grievances. It was then a team of extraordinarily tall males sauntered into the hall, some with questioning expressions.

"You can start now," her fellow dancer raised his eyebrows, pursing his lips and giving her an encouraging thump on her arm.

Saeri closed her eyes and took a deep breath, expelling as much negativity as she could in a big sigh. I can do this. I'm the Vice-President of Rakuzan's Street Dance club, the best crew in Japan! Alright, I won't let you down, Chiaki! With conviction radiating off her smile and eyes, she took confident strides towards the newcomers...

...only to falter the moment their leader emerged.

"U-Um, Shirogane-sensei gave us permission," she informed in a voice with the strength of cracked glass, feeling faint under the resonant drumming of her heart as his heterochromatic eyes scrutinized her every cell. "We'll only be using a third of the gym."

"I was already notified," Akashi Seijuro replied tonelessly. If he recalled ('correctly' was not an option, but a given), this girl was the one who used her affections for him as a decoy to divert attention away from her relationship with Ryouta. Pushing frivolities aside, his jacket-clad shoulders began to turn, "don't disrupt our training."

The pretend-relationship that Saeri shared with Kise had produced an unexpected problem; due to the publicity surrounding it, she had no choice but to keep her adoration for the redhead as under wraps as possible, lest she be branded as a 'cheater'. Nonetheless, her passion only burned stronger, and she was convinced that their courtship would be able to resume once her 'break-up' with Kise was announced.

Don't get nervous, don't get nervous, the dancer chanted consolations in her mind as she felt heat rising up to her cheeks. He's just Akashi Seijuro, who I used as a decoy to divert attention away from my relationship with Ryouta. Yes, that's it, I think nothing of you, for I am the girlfriend of the most popular Zunon model, Kise Ryouta. I bet he plays better basketball than you too! GAH! She clenched her fist to stop them from clawing out her wailing brain. Who am I kidding?! This is Akashi Seijuro, undisputedly the most impressive guy on Earth, the only love of my life and my future hubby! My future happiness is on the line here, DON'T SCREW THIS UP, SUGIYAMA SAERI!

"Y-Yes," the brunette spluttered, mirroring his motion, "we won't."

As her eyes met with Ryousuke's, the handsome dancer gestured furtively, donning an invigorated expression on his face as he mouthed the words 'firm up' to her. Grasping his intended message, Saeri nodded quite uncertainly and then turned her attention to her waiting club members.

"A-Alright," she placed her hands on her hips in attempt to look important, ready to pass instructions in a smooth and impressive voice. However, her throat had different plans, and thus she squawked an 'RIGHT NOW EVERYBODY WARM-UP FOR PREPARE! AKIHITO, LEAD THE WAY!' instead.

"U-Uh," the PT Charge blinked in mild surprise and bewilderment, before sense kicked in and he began to jog on the spot, "okay, guys, ten laps around the gym first! Follow my pace!"

The Vice-President crumpled her face in despair as she caught her partner's gaze once again, who simply shook his head and shrugged helplessly before moving his feet. As Saeri trailed behind the group in the corridors around the gymnasium, she could vaguely hear the basketball captain's effortlessly commanding voice delivering controlled instructions.

-

"Nishiko! Your form isn't straight enough!"

"Oi, Yuzu! What's with those sloppy movements?"

"Eiji! Not enough emotion on your face! Man up!"

As Saeri shouted her observations and comments, she had a rising optimism that she was finally exercising her assertiveness as a leader. Those who usually had too much to say were finally quiet for once, and the routine, while not entirely perfect, went smoothly and her dancers corrected themselves quick enough. Not to mention, the choreography was impressive and alluring (credits to their coach and Chiaki), to say the least. Although she had to sit out dancing to monitor their movements, the brunette could not suppress the hope that a certain redheaded basketball captain was watching her and her crew.

"Alright, five minutes are up! We'll run through the dance again," she bent over the boombox to restart the track, "and I'll join in this time!"

"How about a longer break, Sae?" Rikiya panted, hands planted on his knees, "you've been drilling us non-stop!"

"No, no, no, Riki," she tut-tutted, striding over to her position, "the perf's just next week! Work now, rest later!"

With a turn of her head, she found herself a jolt of pleasant surprise as she noticed Akashi surveying her group instead of an on-going three-on-three half court match between his players. Initially self-conscious to an unbearable extent at the slightly suggestive moves of the routine, Saeri now saw it as a God-sent opportunity to impress her soon-to-be significant other. As the music played, she allowed her body to do its thing.

However, they had only gotten to the first chorus of the song before she was forced to fall out of the formation to attend to the approaching basketball captain.

"Y-Yes?" The Vice-President asked, stooping shortly to press the 'pause' button on the boombox.

The enigma simply surveyed the group of curious dancers with crossed arms and cold eyes, straight lips yet unopened.

Oh my God, is he going to tell me how well I—we danced? Saeri thought madly and incoherently as she waited with bated breath, trying her best to bite a smile down. Oh my God, how do I react? What should I say?

"Please leave the gymnasium, the antics of you and your group are distracting my players."

Wait... "W-What?"

"I hate to repeat myself."

Although their height difference was not devastatingly great, Akashi used it to his full advantage to render Saeri feeling as small and insignificant as possible, and it made her blood run cold in her veins. She could not believe how a simple, apathetic glare could be delivered in a manner so demeaning that she had to question her reason for even breathing, and like picked ice, her image of the perfect Akashi heir was slowly chipping at the severe weight of his words.

Miraculously, she found her voice beneath the rubble of her self-esteem. "But how? We are just minding our own business!"

"The music is playing too loudly, the public show of indecent gestures is inciting inappropriate feelings within my players," as he spoke the latter words, he directed a reprimanding stare to his teammates behind, some of whom looked away ashamedly, "and you command the respect of your subordinates far too obnoxiously. And unsuccessfully, if I may add."

He began his return to his team without waiting for her response, as though it did not matter. "You have five minutes. Enough time has been wasted already."

With swishes of his makeshift mantle, he left a gaping Saeri in his wake.

"A-Anego, let's just go!" Daichi whispered, his own eyes wide in fear at what he had witnessed.

Even the other members agreed to allow their Vice-Captain leniency this time.

"Yeah, let's go! He's not one to offend."

"That Akashi dude gives me the bad vibes. Let's leave, Saeri, it's fine."

"I heard that Akashi-kun could be very nice. How wrong! He's such a jerk!"

"Even Chiaki won't be able to deal with this."

"Come on, let's go!"

As the brunette stepped towards the dance props dazedly, a thousand different emotions swirled within the whirlpool of her heart, his unfeeling words replaying themselves repeatedly in her mind. The more his voice spoke, the more her conscience ached, and the more violently her chest stormed. Feelings spiralling out of control, she identified the most prominent and powerful emotion as...anger.

"Saeri, what are you doing?!" Ryousuke urged as his dance partner snatched a stool out of the array of props and proceeded to stalk towards the walking basketball captain.

Having sensed her approaching presence, Akashi paused and turned around expectantly. However, probably even his Emperor Eye could not have foreseen the spectacle that unfolded. Jaws, balls, bottles and towels fell to the ground as Reo, Kotaro, Eikichi and the rest of the Rakuzan High Basketball Club dropped whatever they were holding. On the other end of the gymnasium, their Street Dance counterparts gawked speechlessly.

Saeri had defied the laws of the universe. She dropped the stool right before his composed but surprised form and planted two firm feet upon it, turning the tables from before by passing her the height advantage now. Although her indignant glare was met with a defiant, impervious one from below, her emotional trajectory was not to be impeded.

The heterochromatic redhead before her was not Akashi Seijuro. He was a threat to the morale of her club-mates.

"Look, I don't care and neither do I need you to tell me that I'm not the most respected leader around, because I already knew that and have been trying my best to overcome that for the entire day, and hence my 'obnoxious' way of commanding," as it had been doing so for the past month, her heart and tongue had once again wrestled control from her brain and all rationality. But unlike the previous instances, her speech this time was clear and justified, accompanying her mimicry of his crossed arms, "and I'm sorry if our music was playing too loudly. But don't you dare call my crew disruptive. It's not our fault that your players can't keep it in. Heck, we have male dancers, are you telling me that your teammates are gay?! The boys' locker room sure has it own share of secrets, huh! If the famous basketball heroes of Rakuzan are as great as the rumours say, shouldn't they exercise better discipline?"

The scowl on Akashi's face intensified in linear correlation to the tension within the hall. However, Saeri could not stop the unbelievable words from rolling off her tongue.

"And 'indecent gestures'? My coach and my President have worked very hard to arrange the choreography. Each activity has its own form of beauty, and I'm sorry that you do not know how to appreciate the beauty of dance, much like how I cannot appreciate the beauty of... boys playing with balls," she shot a fleeting glance at the group of giants, "but don't make unnecessary insults when you know nothing of the blood and sweat that we've shed. And one more thing you've made a mistake on; they are not my subordinates. They are my crewmates whom I respect as talented dancers in their own rights. I pity your team for having such a power freak for a captain."

Sense finally grounded itself into the raging dancer's mind, presenting her weakness in the form of a horrified, wide-eyed realisation of what she had just done and said. Intercepting this opening instantly, Akashi proceeded to step up on the stool as well, allowing him to hammer the most glacial glare down onto her.

"I understood none of the incoherent drivel you've just spewed," if it was even possible, his voice was far icier. "Leave."

The close proximity of their bodies have summoned the humbler Saeri back, and losing every silver of confidence, her innate intuition demanded that she back down in the face of Wrath himself. Feet falling back onto the wooden gymnasium ground, her gaze remained helplessly and dangerously transfixed on his, akin to that of a moth to fire.

The warning he gave was absolute and not to be tested. A new fear arose within her that if she loitered here any longer, there would be consequences.

Finally mustering a blink, she stammered to her crew, "g-guys! We're leaving!"

They saved her the hazard of further stalling by greeting her with packed props. All they needed now was her affirmation to exit the crushing atmosphere. Once they had shuffled to a safe distance away, the disgraced Vice-President hung her head in shame, drawing questioning stares from the others in front.

"I'm sorry guys," she bit her lip, bottled tears finally spilling, "we hardly got anything done because I'm such a horrible, spineless leader."

"What are you talking about, anego? You were awesome back there!"

"Yeah!" She looked up to see approving smiles around, "I doubt even Fujiko-sensei could stand up to that monster! You were really brave."

"We said really mean and untrue things about you. Sorry."

"You're the best Vice-Prez ever!"

Saeri felt as though she had lost a battle but won a war. Sniffling and wiping the leaked drops from her eyes, she nodded in acknowledgement, seeking Ryousuke for confirmation. Smiling, he thumped her arm once again, "come on, let's find another place to practise."

Unbeknownst to the celebrating troupe, red and yellow eyes had followed the retreating back of its leader until it was out of sight, then trailed to the forgotten stool the basketball captain was standing upon. Feeling fearful, anticipating stares on him, the redhead stepped down with frightening composure.

"Training will resume as per normal."

[reading-hub]

Dandy And The Jet 🚀 [3] To Boobies, Baby!

- Space Dandy x reader -

[part 2]

- - - - -

The digital transmission hidden underneath your jacket that was made by Bea so it was easy to update on the mission with Admiral Perry. You were explaining the events that were leading up to today, from that one-sided crazy bar fight, being able to escape said bar fight, having the opportunity to escape with Dandy's crew inside the "Aloha Oe" to now.

“So, you’ve already made your way to his inner circle?”

You hid within the hallways, luckily nobody hadn't woken up yet. Although that little wheeled robot named QT had this obsession with cleaning early, so your not exactly in the clearing yet...

"Yes, I have. His crew was surprisingly welcoming despite them being alien hunters.." You responded, remembering your last experience with some alien hunters in the past...

"I don't care about them! What about the target, how's is he taking in your presence? Has he suspected anything about you since your arrival?" Admiral was obviously cautious about you being found out in a short time. You rolled your eyes slightly.

You sighed and answered. "Well, he was questioning my position when I took the wheel, but nothing really about me.” Admiral sighed in relief, guess that's good news?

"Very well, just keep pursuing on the target at all times, don't let him slip through your fingers. We're so close yet so far." The burning skeleton commanded. "I will, sir." You agreed, transmission ended.

"Hello miss [f/n]!" You jumped slightly, turning around to see the little robot QT and his broom. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry! Did I startle you?" QT said in a worried tone. The robot really was the sweetest.

"Don't worry, er, I was just looking around the ship..." You smiled looking at the inter-galactic gears and such.

Now that I mentioned it, this ship is pretty huge, this must've cost a fortune, maybe Dandy is a successful alien hunter after all if he was able to afford such a ship and all...

You shrugged it off and looked at QT. "So uh, you clean up around the ship when everybody's asleep?" You asked, continuing the conversation with the little robot.

"I clean up anyway, even if everyone's awake or not." Saying in their autotuned voice, which is a bit adorable. "I really like cleaning," QT said simply.

"That's one hell of a favorite thing to do. I rarely ever hear someone say that sentence, ever." You chuckled a little. "So anyway, what exactly is the schedule around here?" You asked, changing the subject.

"Schedule?" QT said confused. "Oooh!" The male robots autotune sang in harmony. "To be quite honest, there really isn't one." They shrugged, your eyes quirked a little in surprise and confusion. "The only real mundane place that Dandy likes to go to most of the time is a place called Boobies," QT answered.

"Boobies?" Your whole facade went full-on confusion with what the innocent robot said so casually. "Yeah, it's this restaurant that Dandy really likes going to a lot but the paycheck is more than what we normally have so its tough for Dandy to accept when we don't have enough to go." The robot explained.

Huffing a little in response, "Judging by the name of this restaurant, I can tell why Dandy would like going there." Both QT and You laughed right after.

"Geez, you giggling pre-teens woke me up." Looks like your quality conversation with QT is over thanks to a grumpy pompadour. Speaking of pompadour, Dandy was hiding his hair using his blanket that he dragged along the floor without a care.

"Now if you excuse me, girlies, I gotta take a shower. This hair ain't gonna fix itself!" Dandy boasted proudly as if you were gonna swoon over him right when he gets out.

"We should probably check and see if Meow is awake, though I highly doubt it," QT grumbled as we walked to the main room of the ship. "How long does it usually take for everyone to be awake by?" You asked jokingly. "I'd say around 02:00 in standard time," QT answered quickly, looking at his watch that miraculously appears out of nowhere!

"It's nine-forty." You questioned immediately. “How long does it take for Dandy to finish up in there?" The robot rolled his screen eyes thinking of Dandy's precious timing.

"I'd say two hours, one if today's a lucky day." QT hoped.

"Dang." Was all you could say to that. The guys that you use to know hated when a woman took too long getting ready and didn't really care for their hair products. Needless to say, this Dandy guy was something else and nobody you’ve met before.

-

After talking with QT for two hours or so, you both sat at the dining table, if you call it that. You can easily tell by the crew that they didn't seem the type to eat breakfast together in a table.

QT was nice enough to make you a single cup of coffee. Luckily he was able to find some coffee beans after looking up and down in the cabinets. Wasn't a lot but you could manage either way. You wondered if he was able to have any human-like food?

You both shared a few things, like past stories. QT shared a lot about the past adventures him and Dandy have been through. A booby monster, plant people, and said something about zombies but I kinda lost track since all them were just bat-shit crazy all on their own.

You on the other hand only shared ones that were pretty tame when compared to theirs. Warning the robot that your adventures aren't really exciting to tell compared to what they told.

QT seemed interested with what you told him anyway, but you also didn’t want to overshare too much.

"What are you guys talking about?" The yawning came from Meow who was shuffling his feet, he must be still tired even though he's slept longer than the rest of us combined.

"[F/n] has been telling me about her adventures.” The robot said with glee, you couldn't help but smile in embarrassment when QT showed some exciting interest in your stories. "Whoa really?" Meow was obviously interested. All you could do was shrug in embarrassment.

It has been a while since people actually listen to what I had to say...

Meow just asked upon millions of questions each time you telling more and more details of the time you able to hold your own against the likes of humanoid monsters and crazy ex’s throughout the galaxy.

"Does that mean you know some close combat?" QT asked politely. "Yeah, and a bit of gun firing as well," You replied.

"So are you like some kind of superhero?" Meow smiled and pulled out his phone. “I'm not even close to a superhero."

True, you really weren’t . You were basically the big, bad, villain's accomplice, you know the ones where they trick the good guys into thinking that she's one of them now and then double-crosses them saying how "I am not who you think I am!" And then they laugh evilly.

The sad truth is that I don't think I can laugh evil.

"Is Dandy out of the shower yet? I really need to use the restroom." You said, obviously frustrated. QT grumbled, "Eh, probably putting his hair gel right about now..." You didn’t care, You just stood up and just tell Dandy to step out real quick so that you can go!

Storming off back to the hallway where you had that transmission call with Admiral and then that talk to QT later on.

Stopping your tracks, you noticed that the bathroom door had a small crack open. You could only guess Dandy got out and is probably changing back in his room? You hoped, otherwise he's gonna think you’re peeping on him, which he'll probably find flattering, you however were not intending on that.

Slowly walking towards the steamthat was seeping through the cracked door, Lights full white, You were hoping he forgot to turn off when he left...shit!

Peering through and - goddammit! - he's there! Oh well, at least he has a towel on, even if that towel is low cut and will probably fall off easily...fuck!

He was drying up his hair with another towel. The towel was off from his head, and you got a clear view of his shaggy natural hair!

Your eyes went full surprised. He really wasn't that bad looking without the hair gel, You certainly didn’t understand why he has to hide it...

Oh well.

You felt as though you were peeping a little too long.. you just booked it outta there! Maybe you should hold your bladder until he actually leaves the bathroom next time...

-

Sprinting back to the lounge, you know what you’ll just call it that since you refuse to call it a "dining room" or a "kitchen".

Meow and QT were still hanging around where you last talked to them. "That was quick," Meow said in surprise. You took a few breaths and replied, "Yeah, turns out I didn't really need to go." You said in relief.

A few minutes later, a wild Dandy appears behind you! "You're finally out of the shower?" You said in a bored tone. "You know if you wanted to take a shower with me, you could've asked?" He suggested slyly. Sadly, he had his pompadour back, kinda wishing to see his hair down. QT decided to change the subject.

"Nevermind that, where are we going, Dandy?"

Dandy's attention was at the robot. "To boobies, baby!" He boasted proudly. "Boobies, you mean that ‘breastaurant’ that QT was telling me about?" I jumped in with air quotes.

Dandy's face freaked a little. "QT, YOU TOLD HER ABOUT BOOBIES!?"

"Don't pin it on them, since I agreed to be apart of this crew, I was probably gonna find out anyway, no use of hiding it.." You said in defense. "She's got ya there, man.” Meow commented on the sideline.

All Dandy could do was have his lips curl, pouting like a child because you had a point.

"Alright, just don't take the fun out of Boobies for me, ok?" Dandy whined slightly at me. You shrugged it off, "Don't plan on it."

"Hey QT, how much we got for Boobies?" He called out to the robot. "Hm, probably enough. But Dandy, I thought we were going to spend this money for--" QT was cut from his words by Dandy.

"Nevermind that QT, we could always just hunt for a rare alien and get double the money back!"

Something tells me that this is just gonna be one those days...you know, the ones where shit gets fucked and it could've been avoided by just listening and following the obvious from earlier.

Yeah...those...

The four of you have arrived at Boobies. You really didn’t have an expectation of what this breastrant would look like, but seeing it right in front of your very eyes, it hit the nail on head.

You weren’t one to judge. We all have our guilty pleasures in life. Some like eating a bag of chips on a slow day, some like the smell of a certain candle that keeps them at ease, and some like a ditzy waitress who dresses little to the imagination to take their order while also small talk to on a daily basis.

You took a seat between QT and Meow, Dandy sat across from you. Small tension was between you and Dandy for a full two minutes. Dandy obviously not a fan of you being at Boobies with them. You couldn’t care less what he thought about you at that time, you just wanted to eat something, pay half of the check, possibly tip the waitress, and go back to the ship.

Before it can be anymore silent—

“Hey boys, how are we doing today?” You looked up, only to see a young blonde waitress, eyes looked as if full of innocence. She was quite pretty, you admit to yourself. “Oh my, I’m sorry, and how you today, miss?” Her wide eyes immediately directed towards you. Her tone was that of surprise and joy. Possibly because of how rare it is to have female customers here, you guess.

“I’m okay, thank you though.” You replied, smiling faintly at the blonde. “Yeah, we’re good today, too.” Dandy said after, his palm holding his jaw in boredom. The blonde beamed happily. “Dandy, who is she? Is she a new friend of yours?” She egged him on. Obviously curious about who you were. You’d think that this waitress is close friends with Dandy, given how easily she’s able to hold a conversation with him.

“No Honey, me and crew met her yesterday.” He explained, smirking with confidence. “Although an initiation of the Space crew in the talks.” In talks? You could’ve sworn he agreed to you being apart of the crew the first day you two met. You looked at him sideways, just what is he trying to get at?

“An initiation? That must be so fun! When is it??” Honey looked at him with answers. Dandy slumped on the booth, smug as all hell. He’s gonna get punched so bad when we get back to the ship. “Actually, initiation starts today.” He boasted.

“It is?” Honey asked excited.

“It is?” You reiterated sarcastically, wondering where this was going.

“It is.” Dandy conceded.

Before Dandy could be anymore proud of himself of having you put in a tight situation, hook line and sinker...

“Since when did we propose for an initiation for future crew members?” QT popped up with a sudden question out of nowhere. “We didn’t have one for Meow now that I think about it...” the robot added, while Dandy’s eyes widen, nervously.

“It’s a new thing I made up!” Dandy interjected. “I forgot to tell you and Meow about..” he explained, hoping the damn robot keeps thier mouth shut. “Okaaay, what’s the first stage of initiation then?” QT asked after.

Meow looked up from his phone, seeing what was unfolding right in front of him.

Dandy could only grind his teeth, thinking of one on the top of his head and try not to look stupid. Than, a light switched on his head!

“[f/n], our lovely new recruit here has to pay for the check.” Douche. That was all that popped in your head soon after.

Well, I have space skeleton demi-god and a pimp gorilla looking over me like vultures, I’m being labeled as a last resort plan to capturing Dandy, and being apart of his crew is the only shot I can get to getting closer to finishing my mission. No pressure.

Ok Dandy, I’ll play along.

“Well, if it’s what I have to do, than so be it.” You agreed, getting a little too confident.

“Alright!” Dandy rubbed his hands together in anticipation. This was too fun for him.

The food orders were now final.

Dandy made it easier by just having you pay for the ‘Captain’s Meal’, aka Dandy and yourself. Meow just ordered for soup and a soda, QT just wanted some juice. You wondered if the robot could actually consume foods...

Your order was that of a space meat fillet that you thought looked good on the menu and your choice of two sides.

However, Dandy knew he had you by his finger and went all out. Two large chucks of meat, topped with chili, cheese, a ramen bowl, and a slushee that was most likely child size.

He looked as smug and pampered as they came at that moment. The food came in.

Meow’s and QT ‘s came first since their orders were small and simple. Your’s came second. Dandy’s was last, the meal was so huge that Honey needed another waitress to help her bring it to the table.

You rolled your eyes at how Dandy was making a big deal out of this.

-

Meow and QT were done with thier orders a long time ago. You just finished your own meal. Dandy on the other hand, still had halfway to go. I guess Dandy didn’t think though how big of an order his was compared to everyone else.

“You’re not gonna finish that.” Meow commented as he was scrolling his phone. He pouted his lip in response. “Nope, I’m not gonna give in to the temptation of losing.” Dandy replied, hiding away the worry.

“Losing what? I’m the one paying for your meal.” You said suddenly. “How about we just ask to box it for to-go.” You suggested. You honestly felt a little bad. He looked like a small boy who feels bad for not finishing his dinner. It was honestly kinda cute at this state.

Wait what?

“Fine!” He gave in, crossing his arms in the process. You perked up at the waitress who was walking past your table, and asked if they’re was a to-go box for a meal like Dandy’s.

Honey came in with the check, the total of Dandy’s meal itself was almost 300 yen, your own meal was around 30. Luckily, you secretly tapped Honey’s shoulder and gave the ditzy blonde a coupon for Boobies when Dandy wasn’t looking. You knew holding onto that coupon would benefit you one day.

The crew got their things together before heading out. Dandy begrudgingly holding onto his box that had his meal.

It was already midnight by the time you guys came out of the breastaurant. All of got into ship, one by one. All tired from eating. Seeing how exhausted you looked, Dandy took the liberty of stirring the ship with QT tonight. How nice.

Guess him being nice was just a thank you for putting up with him today at Boobies.

Before you could relax your eyes, Dandy shouted out:

“Whoops, forgot to get gas!” He nervously smiled through his teeth.

“ARGGHHH!!!” You, Meow, and QT loudly responded.

[blueriverhayes]

[2] Alone (Daryl Dixon)

This is a reminder: this is an AU, so I'm not exactly following the storyline of the show. That's why some characters are alive, others are dead, and they're still at the farm.

《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》

Eva couldn't help but feel nauseated as she followed Rick out of the forest, away from her camp, and closer to his. It had been three years since the epidemic spread, and since then Eva hadn't been able to trust anybody except for herself. She wanted to trust Rick, but she just couldn't.

"I don't think I ever caught your name," Rick said, breaking the silence.

"Evelyn. But I usually go by Eva."

"So, Eva," Rick said, smiling, "you been alone this whole time?"

Eva tried to push down the sick feeling in her stomach as memories of what happened flooded her mind.

"No. I was with my best friend at the beginning. He didn't make it."

《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》

"Eva, get ready! We have to go, now!" Shep yelled from his bedroom. He was packing a duffel bag in his room while Eva sat in the living room of his apartment, her eyes transfixed on the television. She was watching the local news channel, where they were showing live footage of a. . . well, a zombie.

"Evelyn! Now!"

Eva snapped out of her trance and grabbed her suitcase, following Shep out of his apartment building. Outside, it was nothing but widespread panic. Feeling claustrophobic, she grabbed Shep's shirt and closed her eyes, not opening them again until they reached his car.

"The majority of the people are going to try to take the highway out of here. I think we'll have better luck on the backroads, if we can get there," Shep said, maneuvering his car through the crowds of people.

Eva tried to block out the horrifying screams that filled the air, but nothing she did helped. She looked out of her window and watched the people running around, screaming, but when she saw what they were all running from, she couldn't help but let out a scream herself. Right in front of Shep's car was an elderly woman with a metal pipe sticking out of her chest. Eva watched as she stumbled around, grabbing the nearest person and taking a bite out of their arm.

"Eva," Shep said, "Eva, look at me."

Eva slowly turned away from the window and looked at her closest friend. Shep stayed focus on the road, winding in and out of traffic as they made their way closer to the less crowded backroads just outside the city.

"I know you're scared. I am, too. But we can't afford to be, not now. I love you, Eva, and I'll always have your back. But you've gotta calm down, or you'll get one of us killed."

And that's exactly what happened.

《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》

"Sorry to hear that," Rick said, coming to a stop at the edge of the trees. Eva stopped beside him and looked out into the clearing ahead. She could see a large white house with an even bigger barn beside it. The house was surrounded by huge, beautiful fields, and in the middle of one of the fields was an RV and a handful of tents. There were maybe a dozen or so people milling about, laughing amongst one another, when Eva heard something she never thought she would hear again. The sound was coming from inside the house, and Eva watched as a small lady with short hair walked out, holding something in her arms.

"Is that. . . is that a. . ." Eva started, pointing at the woman. Her eyes began to water as the sound of a baby crying continued to fill the air.

"A baby," Rick said, with so much pride in his voice that Eva knew that the baby was his. "Her name's Judith. You wanna see her?"

Eva looked back at Rick and softly nodded her head. She thought she would never see another baby again, and it was almost too much for her. She didn't know something so pure and beautiful could exist in this new world.

Hesitantly, Eva followed Rick as he made his way to the woman holding Judith. She tried to ignore all the stares and looks people were giving her, until she caught sight of Daryl looking her way. He was standing beside a small tent that was pitched away from the others. Eva subconsciously stopped walking and held Daryl's stare for a beat before Rick called.

"This is Eva," Rick whispered in Judith's ear, smiling as Eva walked up to him. The baby gurgled and waved her hands as Eva walked up to her. Rick handed the baby over and Eva hesitantly took her into her arms and began whispering little nothings into her ear.

"Hi, baby," she said, rocking Judith from side to side, "you're so beautiful. You know that? So pretty." Eva almost lost herself in Judith before a boy, maybe thirteen or so, walked up.

"Who's this?" The boy asked Rick.

"This is Eva. Eva, this is my boy, Carl. Eva's thinking about staying here."

Carl looked up at Eva and smiled. "It'll be nice to have some more help with the chores."

Eva smiled down at the boy and handed Judith back to Rick.

"Well, that's if I decide to stay. Still haven't made my mind up yet." Eva looked around the camp again and saw how happy and almost carefree everybody seemed. She missed that feeling.

"Why dont I introduce you to everybody?" Rick asked, walking towards the tents. "Everybody! I got someone I want ya'll to meet!" Within seconds, everybody formed a semi-circle around Eva, Rick, and Carl, and Eva noticed how different everybody seemed. There was that small woman who stood beside a menacing-looking Daryl, an older man with a beard and half a leg missing, an Asain kid standing awfully close to a pretty brunette, and a woman with dreads that had a sword on her back. They all looked so different, but it was obvious that they all shared a close bond.

"Eva, this is Carol, Glenn, Maggie, Beth, Hershel, Michonne, and you've already met Daryl. Everyone, this is Eva. She's considering staying with us," Rick introduced everybody, pointing out who was who, while everybody took their turn saying hello to Eva. Well, everybody except Daryl, who was already making his way back to his isolated tent.

"Nice to meet you, Eva," Carol said with a sweet smile, offering her hand for a shake.

"Nice to meet you, too," Eva took Carol's hand and noticed how calloused it was. "I've never seen a camp with so many people in it. How long have y'all been together?"

"Rick, Daryl, and I have been together since the beginning. We've lost a lot of people, but we met more along the way." Eva saw the look in Carol's eyes and decided not to ask any more questions about her past. "Here, let me help you set up. We don't have another tent, but I can fix something up for you." Carol smiled and led Eva to the RV.

"Aren't you worried?" Eva asked as Carol handed her a stack of blankets.

"Worried about what?"

"Worried that I'll kill you all in your sleep and take everything you have."

Eva was shocked when Carol looked at her and started laughing. "I'd like to see you try," she said, and Eva left it at that. "Here, nobody's claimed this spot. You can stay here for the night."

Eva looked around where her and Carol were standing. She noticed that she was right in the middle of the camp, surrounded by the RV and other tents. So far, the people hadn't given her a reason not to trust them, but she just couldn't shake the bad feeling. And like Shep taught her, better safe than sorry.

"Actually, could I set up over there?" Eva asked, pointing to an empty field that was nearly half a mile away from everybody else.

"Are you worried?" Carol asked, a knowing smile on her face.

"A little."

《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》

After Carol helped Eva set up her makeshift tent, which was just a blanket propped up on a couple sticks, a few people came by and said hello, but other than that she spent the rest of the day alone. Once the sun started going down, she built a small fire and watched as the bigger group sat around their own, sharing a meal. Eva could hear their laughter and voices from her camp, but couldn't make out what they were saying. She could imagine, though. She used to have those same conversations with Shep.

《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》

"I can't believe you ate dog food!" Eva almost couldn't breathe for how hard she was laughing.

"Listen, twenty bucks is twenty bucks. Plus, it was chicken flavor," Shep said, grinning down at Eva.

It had been nearly a month since they left Atlanta, and since then they had only encountered a handful of the dead. Even though Eva was scared out of her mind most of the time, Shep was good at making Eva forget all of it. He was good at making her laugh.

"You're an idiot," Eva sighed, laying her head on Shep's shoulder. It had to have been past midnight, and the fire they made earlier was dying out, but they both couldn't sleep.

"Eva?" Shep said, nearly a whisper, and Eva could sense the change of tone.

"Hm?"

"I'm scared."

Eva sat back up when Shep said this, turning to her side to get a better look at him. Eva knew that Shep had to be scared, but this was the first time that he admitted it since they left Atlanta.

"I'm scared, too. But we've made it this far. And we'll make it to the end. We're going to make it." Eva brushed Shep's shaggy hair out of his eyes and saw that what she said didn't make him feel better.

"Evelyn, I wasn't built for this world. If you weren't with me, I'd already be gone. And if something were to happen to you-" Shep choked on his words, bringing his hands up to cover his face.

"Sheppard!" Eva scolded, "Stop that! Nothing is happening to either of us! You can't think like that. It's just like you said - we can't afford to be scared. We're gonna be alright. We're both going to make it out of this."

《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》

The sound of a twig snapping woke Eva out of her daydream, and she turned around to see Daryl looking down at her.

"You stayin'?" He asked, not meeting her eyes.

"Dunno yet." Eva turned back and looked down at her dwindling fire. Daryl hadn't spoken a word to her since that day in the forest, so she was uneasy with him standing over her like he was. Just as she was about to politely ask him to leave, her stomach growled.

"We got food, ya know," Daryl mumbled, and Eva could sense how uncomfortable he was. She was, too.

"Yeah, I know. Rick gave me some."

"Then you should eat."

Eva just shrugged her shoulders. She didn't want to eat any of the food Rick gave her in case she decided not to stay, and she didn't feel comfortable eating with the group yet. After a few moments of awkward silence, Eva turned around to see if Daryl was still there. He was.

"Do you need anything?" Eva asked, not unkindly.

"Naw." And then he walked away.

《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》

Part 3: