#and THEN having to deal with the fact that his brother is half Mer

[discordiansamba]

Keith is... hesitant to show Shiro what he looks like in Mer form. It's understandable- the Mer that attacked Shiro was clearly a Galra mer, even though the one who ultimately transformed him and took control of him for so long was an Altean mer. Shiro knows that Keith is part-Mer, since he's been told as much, but his actual memories of his time under Haggar's control are... shaky at best, so he doesn't really remember what Keith actually looks like.

While Shiro is recovering, Keith visits him often. Given his injuries, Allura seemed to think it was best that Shiro stayed in Mer form while recovering, and Keith knows that being confined to his dad's old recovery pool is probably chafing at Shiro. He's not the only one who visits- Allura, Romelle, Lance, Coran, Adam and Hunk all do, and eventually, they get Pidge and Matt to come, helping the latter finally reconcile with Shiro.

The four Altean mer all sometimes join him in the recovery pool- and Keith does too, sometimes, except he always chooses to stay in human form instead. Shiro has a sneaking suspicion as to why, after Lance and Romelle let it slip that Keith is part Galra mer, along with his own hazy recollections of a large purple Mer that looks vaguely like Keith.

Shiro can understand why Keith might be worried (and he'll admit, it's surreal to think that Keith is bigger than him in Mer form), but he wants to make sure he understands that he doesn't think this is a problem. Keith is Keith, no matter what form he takes.

Besides, just think about the prank we could pull on Adam.

[2knightt]

I ain't gonna tell no man's tall tale, this is my fourth attempt of shovin' this in your ask box. I've copied and pasted drafts to google docs more than I can count, and I still edited a lot through here too. Such is the life of a garrulous writer, I reckon :')

leaps in gracefully, respectfully settles beside you.

m'kay, so, this little scenario kinda built itself from the ground up in my head yesterday, and it's a little funny because I was cleaning my bathroom and utilizing bleach, so I briefly entertained the idea that the fumes got to me and had a little ballroom get-together in my brain and boom-bada-bing, this came to be.

gettin' right into it! plot being: y'know how Pony had pride in his hair? kept it real tuff, took care of it well enough, and had near half a breakdown when johnnycakes had to not only chop it off but also bleach it.

matter of' fact: I think to some extent, every Greaser has pride in their hair. Heck, it's one of their tellin' points: if it's slathered and slicked back with grease, well – it certainly don't take a genius to tell who and what ya are.

take that and imagine a Curtis Sibling!Reader (sister, brother, what have you; albeit keep in mind I was imaginin' a sister when I thought of this) who shares that same pride for their hair—and for good reason!

because they have completely lovely hair.

luscious, smooth, healthy, on the longer side and – most of all – silky to the point of disregarding the grease altogether! they're guaranteed to garner compliments when they go out and someone happens to notice just enough, especially the kids at school. it frames their pretty lil' face just right … and for a long while, it's their pride n' joy, it's their brothers' pride and joy, and their parents' when they were still gracing the earth. overall, it just so happens to be one of their most telling and sweetest features.

they just have some really nice hair, m'kay? •ᴗ• got it? ya get it. mhm, mhm, okiedokie––

now. imagine one night, curtis jr. is out. mindin' your business, per usual having a nice stroll, circling to the park to have a quick smoke, just having a peaceful moment to yourself– away from the chaos and hustle-n-bustle of everyday life.

not much happened down in tulsa honestly, but with a house full of brothers and pseudo-brothers ... yeah. you've had your fair share of escapades and adventures.

and it ain't like you weren't fine with that! you really were. but everyone needs a breather once in a while, y'know? tonight was such a beautiful night: the weather was comfy, there were puffs of indigo-blue clouds dotted with stars, there was a slight breeze, and it was times like these that made you feel infinite.

it was going good. great, even! this was the most peace you had in what felt like weeks.

then. some socs came 'round, and judging by the way they were hootin' and hollerin' up a storm, impeding on greaser territory with wild abandon, you can tell they're up to no good.

turns out you're more of a pacifist when it comes to those kinds of things — you shared in a lot of johnny's ideals (which is probably why you both get along so well outside of him bein' the gang's 'pet' and pone's best friend) of viewing rumbles and the battle of the classes as essentially useless.

but you were a true-blue and came through every time it counted. you and your trademark cherry-oak polished switchblade, rough-and-tumble mindset, and the tuffest death glare in all of tulsa.

for being more of a placid person, you sure could deal some damage; you had a kinda rep, see (a notoriety in the west, an acclamation in the east) – for your unpredictable and adaptive nature in rumbles. one defining incident? you sent a soc home post-rumble with a scar goin' all the way from his temple to his chin, and a cleft in his left shoulder. last anyone heard, he moved to a different state and you miraculously didn't get thrown into the slammer.

(it's always the quiet kids y'all jsjsjjsj)

so, you stay cool and go on to take your merry way back home, you weren't one to go lookin' for trouble no how. these guys were in your territory, they knew that. if they tried anything ... you had slipped your blade from your pocket and held it hidden against your palm.

but, luck was not on your side tonight. a twisted turn of fate, really. those stars were beautiful, but any wishes that might've been put upon them that night probably got burned right up along the way,

because one thing led to another, you got blindsided. it was brutal. six against one. what's worse is they were all drunk.

and you got messed up … real bad. you were in a daze as you stumbled— limped, more like— back to your house, the scent of tar and red iron and alcohol clogging your senses. your head was ringing, your vision was blurred over so bad it was like someone had squeezed glue right in your eyes, your scalp was on fire and felt uncharacteristically light ...

you vomited right out on the sidewalk leading up the steps, and when you finally managed to lug yourself through the door, it only took all of five seconds or five eternities before all hell broke loose.

the serenity of that evening was such a stark contrast to the tragedy that had befallen you, it nearly made ya laugh. and you did. you were a little manic. halfway out of your mind.

; darry caught and carried you to the car, probably broke several traffic laws getting you to the hospital. he had a single-track mind, tunnel vision, and is gritting his teeth as he barks at any and all incoming and outgoing traffic – he's panicking. you, his baby sibling, you were washed up real bad. the vision of your bruised and bloodied face and near-shaven head is imprinted on the back of his eyelids every time he blinks, and he's weaving between cars and lanes as he floors it to the hospital. if it weren't for soda yelling in the back seat for him to slow down and watch out, glory's sake dare! he most definitely would've ended up in a stretcher with y'all right then and there, scramblin' like a wild animal to get you some help.

; sodapop held your torso in his lap, practically cradling your entire body. but you were squirmin' and achin' and bawlin' so much, he couldn't hold all of you the way he wanted. his eyes were full of tears as he held you close, staunching the blood leaking from your temple and – the horror of it dawns on him as he's cradling your head, the miscellaneous cuts around your scalp – with an old balled-up shirt and he's holdin' your face and stroking your cheeks, pleading and shushing with your hysterics and he looks so scared.

; ponyboy held your legs in his lap, he wasn't off no better. his own eyes were practical dinner plates, all wide and shaking with horror. he held your hands real tight, trembling at how cold they felt and combating the urge to not get sick all up in the car. he's terrified, it shows, but he's your brother – that comfort couldn't go away even if it was stripped from y'all. so he holds your hands, all the way until you get strapped to the stretcher and rolled into the ICU. only then does he allow himself to book it to the bathroom and get sick in a stall. man, what had they done to you?

you got jumped by some socs. they stripped ya of all your carry-on csh, your hair, your dignity, and darn near left you for dead right there in that park.

it was a miracle you made it home. you were still high on adrenaline, and your breakdown was the consequences of it burnin' right out. but blessedly, you were out like a light (still alive dw) once they gotcha hooked up to an IV and a heavy dose of anaesthetics.

it was ironic, really. the way they had used your very own blade to chop off your hair.

*cliffhangs this* it's nearly 1am and my eyes are bouta pop right out my skull, but hold fast darlin', i'll be back with more! i'm iffy on the formatting but ah, c'est la vie. this is long nuff anyhow. 😂❣

OH MY GOD. THE URGE TO MAKE THIS INTO A FIC WHERE THE REST OF THE GANG SEES YOU…is STRONG.

ykw….ima have it done by tomorrow zee. DONT U WORRY FR

and you’re writings legit amazing had me feeling like i got jumped and shit???

[poppet-seed]

Siren-Pirate AU Y/N

Character facts:

There isn't much info on Y/N and their past as they aren't in the records for obvious reasons. But they run on instinct and this usually makes their attraction towards the captains dangerous. They don't mean to be dangerous, but don't understand that they could kill the captains by keeping them below the surface.

Y/N has been following the Celestial Star through many months. Their intrest obsession in the captains having lead them astray from their usual hunting grounds. They haunt the ship and have been seen on few occasions by the crew, hovering around the side of the boat. After drawing too much attention they decided to observe from under the waves.

They are utterly smitten with the captains, to the point it's unhealthily. Sirens are solitary so this pull towards Sun, Moon and Eclipse is so foreign that Y/N doesn't know how to deal with it. Never having experienced romantic attraction Y/N wants to have the captains for themselves and has even gone as far as to "claim" them for their own. By "claiming" this means guarding the ship, protecting it against creatures of the deep and even fighting off other sirens that dare get too close.

Y/N is rather possessive due to lack of understanding. They've tried on few occasions to lure the boys into the sea but always seem to either get distracted or concerned for their health when moon shows sighs of pain. As for any sailors that fall overboard, they're quick to put them out of their misery as it distresses their boys to watch them drown.

Being unused to love is half the problem. The main issue is the fact that the captains are land creatures. While they themselves are a sea creature. Y/N wants nothing more than to drag all three boys into their cave. Into their home and keep them there. Safe. Loved. Protected. Only issue with this? The boys would shut down when underwater for a prolonged time. Ultimately Killing them till they resurface, which would never happen if Y/N can help it. Y/N is kinda obvious to this. They're aware that the captains dont like the sea but aren't aware they could technically drown. "Robots can't drown so there's no issue with them joining me in the sea" is their logic.

Y/N singing spell is powerful, it turns even the strongest minds completely under their control. A soft melody that no one can resist. It's powerful enough to be heard through doors and walls, though muffled it can still do the trick if one's mind is weak enough. It gives a buzz to the mind that drags sailors towards the sound. However the closer you are, the deeper into the spell you fall. Until ultimately you're tumbling into the sea.

Another other way they show affection is through gifts. Y/N has observed the Celestial Star long enough to know what goes aboard and what gets unloaded off. They don't understand why the paper is somthing their captains enjoy but they definitely understand the shiny coins being a thing they're interested in. They throw things aboard to gift to the captain/s thats awake. It started off small. A bit of sea glass, sea shells, pearls and shiny fish. But it quickly escalated. Sunken treasures, bits of ship wrecks and robot parts. Some gifts were accepted. Others were tossed back overboard. It only encourages Y/N to find something better everytime they throw an item back.

Y/N can't understand English. They've tried many times to pick it up and to communicate but they just don't understand. They have the ability to learn it if actually taught it, not by just mimicking. But that would take someone actually trying to teach them. The only way they can communicate is through clicks, coos and other sounds. They know maybe a handful of English words. Not enough to make a sentence.

How the boys see Y/N:

Eclipse is extremely suspicious and weary of Y/N. Unable to trust any mer-folk after the incident with moon. He keeps a close eye on them when they do show up but they have yet to do anything to harm him or his brothers. So he's constantly kept in an uncomfortable state of anticipation.

Sun is rather curious of Y/N. His experiences with sirens is little to none, he obviously witnessed the situation with moon but wasn't personally involved. His love for the sea is damaged but the fact this siren has been following them across the ocean for months without attempting much is rather unusual and he finds himself almost wanting to know more about them.

Moon utterly loathes Y/N. There's no doubt about it. If he had the chance to shoot them he would. Without hesitation. A siren stalking the ship is a death wish. He dosent trust that they're here just to watch. They're planning something and he'd be an idiot to assume its anything other than a way to eat them. No. He's not making the same mistake twice.

Close up below:

Their eyes turn a vibrant purple when singing to enchant sailors. They can sing both above water and below water, but the spell only works above water.

Y/N loves shiny things themselves. They have a huge collection back in their cave. They would love to show the captains one day.

If given the chance, Y/N would absolutely try to communicate with the captains that dosent involve enchanting them. Because at the end of the day. They love the boys and just want them to all be together one day.

Captain Eclipse

Captain Sun

Captain Moon

[jayeray-twst]

How He Shows You Affection: Jade Leech

Warnings: None all fluff!

He Gifts You Things

The feel of a hand on your shoulder nearly made you jump out of your skin. You’d been so focused on what you were doing that you hadn’t even registered the arrival of a new person in your proximity. However the sound of a familiar chuckle instantly made you relax.

You leaned back against the person who was standing behind you, pressing your back to their front and tilting your head up so you could peer up at him. Jade had an amused half-smile curling his lips as he looked down at you.

“How was your trip?” you asked smiling brightly at him, your own hand coming to rest overtop his on your shoulder, tangling your fingers together, “Did you find what you were looking for?”

Jade had taken another hike up into the mountains searching for mushrooms, claiming there was a certain kind that it was perfect weather to harvest them. You’d taken his word for it, as you couldn’t hope to know nearly as much about the fungi as Jade did. You just wished you could’ve gone with him. Unfortunately, you’d had too much work to do, so had dutifully stayed home.

“It was quite a fruitful day,” Jade told you, evidently really pleased, one of his rare full smiles lighting his face and the odd clicking trill to the end of his sentence enough to let you know how utterly delighted he was. It was a bit of a strange sound, something beyond the ability of human vocal cords, but one you’d come to quite enjoy hearing from your eel mer boyfriend. He only made it when he was beyond thrilled, and it was one of the few true insights into his feelings that your enigmatic boyfriend tended to keep tightly under wraps.

“Oh? Anything interesting?” you asked. Mushrooms generally weren’t what most would consider a fascinating conversation topic, but Jade always had interesting things to say about them. Plus you liked hearing your boyfriend ramble, and mushrooms were one of the few things he would do it for.

“Indeed,” he agreed, producing his other hand from where he’d been keeping it behind his back and presenting you with a flower. It was utterly beautiful and in your favorite color, stunning and perfect you’d never seen anything quite like it.

“It’s beautiful,” you told him a little awed at the pretty thing.

“It reminded me of you,” Jade informed you, gentle hands reaching out to tuck it behind your ear.

It was almost ridiculous how smoothly he could say lines like that, ones that would’ve made anyone else sound cheesy, but from him sounded utterly suave. It made your heart flutter in your chest every single time.

However you did have one small concern, your hand lingering close to the flower by your ear as you carefully asked, “It’s not poisonous is it?”

“Only if you ingest it,” he told you with a casual smile that was all teeth and amusement, eyes shining in delight. It really shouldn’t have surprised you given his fascination with mushrooms but Jade had a bit of a fascination with poisonous things.

“Really to think I would gift you something dangerous,” Jade scolded lightly, and you almost would’ve felt bad, except you remembered the whole debacle with the ghost bride quite clearly. On top of that there had been a few things at the beginning of your relationship that you’d learned a little too late were perfectly safe for merfolk but not so much for humans. It had been an honest mistake, and Jade had clearly felt bad afterwards, but it had been a little traumatizing.

“I would never deliberately gift you something dangerous,” Jade corrected, clearly reading your mind, and while Jade wasn’t one to pout, leaving such antics up to his twin, the slight downturn of his lips let you know he wasn’t entirely happy either.

“I know,” you assured him, gently squeezing the fingers that were still interlaced with yours, “And it is sweet of you to bring me gifts. I do appreciate each and every one of them, even the dangerous ones.”

It was all true, Jade was very careful to put a lot of thought into the things he gave you, even the little things. It was part of mer courtship customs apparently, and one he quite enjoyed and so did you if you were being honest. His little gifts never failed to make your heart skip a beat.

Jade chuckled, clearly appeased by this, gently tracing his fingers over your cheek before giving you a quick kiss goodbye and wandering off to sort through the bounty of mushrooms he’d brought back. You watched him go with a fond smile on your face, quietly thinking of your own gift ideas. After all, if you were dating a mer, you might as well embrace their courtship traditions. You just hoped your own gifts could make him feel just as treasured as he did for you.

He Does Little Things to Make Your Life Easier

One of the things you’d noticed about Jade Leech early on that differentiated him from his twin brother, was that he was incredibly attentive to detail. He was always watching, taking everything in, and he remembered almost everything. It was both impressive and alarming considering his penchant for blackmail.

As his significant other there was no one he observed more closely than you. It was one of the reasons the two of you had started dating in the first place, because Jade considered you one of the most interesting creatures he’d ever stumbled upon on land or sea.

All that close observation meant Jade almost always knew what you needed, sometimes even before you did. If you ate the last of your favorite snack, it would mysteriously be restocked. If you were feeling down your favorite comfort items and Jade himself would appear to help cheer you up. If something broke, or was on the verge of breaking Jade would buy a replacement or find a way to fix it.

It was all incredibly flattering, and made you feel seen in a way you never had with anyone else. Jade knew you better than you knew yourself at times, and it was both a little alarming and incredibly reassuring. Alarming because allowing anyone as close as he was to you and having them capable of predicting your actions to the degree he could was startling on a good day, but also reassuring because you knew Jade could see all of you, both the bad and the good and he wanted you anyway.

It might’ve made the relationship feel unequal at times, especially at first, but as your determination to know him the way he knew you grew, so did Jade’s willingness to let you in. These days you knew a lot of his little tells, the way he made small pleased clicking chirping sounds low in his throat when he was happy, the way his eyes crinkled slightly at the corners when he was smiling his genuine smile rather than the bland customer service smile, and the way his lips turned down at the corners when he was truly upset with something. You knew it all and took pride in the hard-won knowledge.

Still despite everything Jade still knew you better, as proved by the warm drink resting near your hand when you glanced up from the book you were reading, while waiting for him to finish his shift at Mostro Lounge. Gently touching the mug, you found it was the perfect temperature to be consumed, and there was also a little snack along with it.

Right on time your stomach grumbled, letting you know you were in fact, rather hungry. Amused as ever at your boyfriend’s ability to predict things you cradled the mug in your hands, enjoying the warmth of it in the coolness of the lounge, your eyes darting around the crowded room until they locked on your boyfriend at the bar.

As if sensing your eyes on him, he glanced up from what he was doing and met your gaze. You smiled at him, feeling warm and happy as you saluted him with your drink, mouthing your thanks at him and blowing him a kiss. You couldn’t actually hear his amused chuckle from where you were across the room, but you saw the genuine amusement in his eyes as he dipped his head in acknowledgment of your thanks before turning back to what he was doing.

With a content sigh you dug into the treat he’d brought for you, sipping your drink, and reflecting that you really were lucky. Not many got a boyfriend quite as attentive as Jade Leech, who saw to all your needs without question and without being asked. Despite what others might say about his cold and ruthless attitude to you he’d always been sweet in his own understated way. It was a privilege you vowed never to take for granted as you smiled to yourself feeling thoroughly adored.

He Makes Time for You

It had been a long, hard day, and if you were perfectly honest with yourself, all you really wanted at this point was to curl up with boyfriend and be cuddled to help shake the stress of the day away. Unfortunately, it wasn’t going to be an option, not until late as Jade had a shift at Mostro lounge and wouldn’t be back until late.

Normally, you didn’t bother your boyfriend at work, but you desperately wanted to see him, and didn’t think he’d mind too much if you surprised him there, especially since you didn’t actually want to cook yourself dinner. Settled on your course of action, and feeling a bit optimistic that you might even get to steal him away for a little bit during his break you headed for the lounge.

It was relatively busy, the same as it always was with several waiters running back and forth fetching things from the kitchens for the students. Tonight Jade wasn’t actually one of them, instead he was stationed behind the bar, which made things easier for you, especially since there was a seat free. You didn’t worry too much about distracting him, Jade was a consummate professional after all, and meticulous in all things including the work he took quite a deal of pride in.

Sliding into the seat you smiled when your boyfriend spotted you and quickly made his way over, glad to see him, even if you were separated by the bar and unable to latch on to him like a limpet and not let go the way you wanted to.

“Hey you,” you greeted affectionately.

“Hello, fawn,” Jade answered lightly, his mismatched eyes scanning you carefully, taking you in. You hoped he couldn’t see how utterly done in you were, tucking back your exhaustion as far behind your emotional walls as you could manage and smiling at the nickname which never failed to life your spirits.

It hadn’t surprised you that Jade had decided to nickname you after a type of mushroom, you were just glad he only used the cute names, instead of something terrible like toadstool. Sometimes it honestly surprised you that he hadn’t given his sense of humor. You were just glad you’d managed to find out what amanita was ahead of time and put your foot down on it, as you had no desire to be named after a fly killing mushroom.

“What brings you to the lounge?” he asked, pulling you from your thoughts about mushrooms, his hands already going through the familiar motions of making your favorite drink.

“I didn’t want to cook and decided I’d kill two birds with one stone and come to the lounge and see you,” you answered, giving him a mostly honest answer.

“I’m always glad to see you,” he told you, passing your drink, “Excuse me for a second though sweet fawn, I have something to do and then I’ll be right back.”

“Of course,” you assured him, confident that you managed to keep your irrational disappointment locked behind your cheerful façade.

You idly sipped your drink as you waited for Jade to return, quietly watching the people moving around the lounge. Luckily, it didn’t take him long to reappear, though you were surprised when he did it on your side of the bar.

“Are you on break?” you asked, delighted at the prospect, practically beaming up at him, “Want to get something to eat with me?”

“I would love to get something to eat with you,” he assured you, cupping your cheek affectionately, the tender gesture taking you by surprise, though you couldn’t help but melt into it, so much so you nearly missed his next words, “But unless you’re very hungry it will have to wait until we get home.”

“Huh?” you asked, completely inarticulate in your bewilderment.

“You heard me,” Jade scolded lightly, “Let’s get home, precious little fawn.”

“But you’re working,” you sputtered in protest, “Your shift doesn’t end until eleven you said!”

“Ah but I decided to take the rest of the night off,” he informed you casually, “As if I could do anything else when my fawn needs me.”

“Jade, I’m fine,” you tried to assure him firmly, guilt broiling in your stomach, “You can finish out your shift, it’s not a problem!”

The knowing look he gave you, made you want to backtrack, but instead you held firm. The last thing you wanted was to inconvenience him, you loved him far too much for that.

“You’re never a problem,” he informed you his tone quiet but sincere, “let’s get you home.”

You were seriously contemplating refusing him, but the option was swiftly taken away as you found yourself lifted off your feet and swung up into a princess carry, making you yelp in surprise and indignation.

“Ooh someone’s in trouble!” a familiar sing-song voice called out from behind the bar, and you leveled a look at Floyd who was apparently taking his brother’s place for the rest of the night. You made a slightly rude gesture in Floyd’s direction, but the eel only laughed, completely unbothered by it as Jade began to carry you from the lounge your boyfriend also chuckling in amusement.

“You really don’t have to do this,” you tried, one last time, wriggling slightly in his hold trying to get him to set you down, “I’m really okay Jade, you don’t have to take time off for me.”

Jade paused in his steps, and for a second you thought you might’ve gotten through to him, only to have him tell you, “You’re worth all my time, sweet fawn, and I will always make more of it for you when you have need of me, even when you don’t want to admit it.”

The sincere, surprisingly gentle words took all the wind out of your sails, as you peered up into his eyes, his face solemn without any trace of his usual teasing. You slumped in his hold and stopped fighting, which he correctly interpreted as compliance and started walking again.

You looped your arms around his neck and buried your face into his chest, breathing him in the way you’d been dying to from the minute you’d finished your day. Jade let out a soft chuckle of amusement and simply adjusted his grip so you were more comfortable, making you sigh in contentment.

“Hey, Jade?” you asked quietly against his neck, earning a hum of acknowledgment that let you know he was listening, “I love you.”

The words always seemed to take your boyfriend off guard, and this time was no exception. Still to his credit his steps only faltered for a second before he admitted, “I love you too, precious silly fawn.”

You sighed in contentment at the words, letting him carry you off back home, feeling utterly content and truly lucky to have a boyfriend like Jade Leech.

Like this or my writing in general? Feel free to drop by my ask box to make requests! Just make sure to read the rules first! I also take commissions on Ko-Fi!

[pr1ncessm00n]

for sale or wanted — jean kirstein x fem! reader

series masterlist

prev | next , part two

warnings: cursing, porco being toxic lol. dates are wrong once again sorry !!

[ playlist : love again - dua lipa ]

eight.

Half asleep and ready to go to bed, Y/N fell back into her bed. She picked up her phone, hoping to mindlessly scroll through some TikToks. Instead, she was met with two messages. Audibly gasping as she read Porco’s name, she dropped her phone, hitting herself in the face in the process. “Ow!”

Porco? Y/N thought incredulously. What the hell does he want?

Contemplating asking Ymir and Sasha for advice, Y/N then decided against it. This was her life, she couldn’t expect her friends to guide her though it. But God, was she such a coward when it came to Porco. It wasn’t like he was Prince Charming, but Y/N had an extreme loyalty complex. She couldn’t ever allow herself to let go of people. Porco used to berate her for that constantly.

Why are you so clingy? He would ask.

Who’s the clingy one now? Y/N thought bitterly. She decided to ignore Porco’s text until she could think of a reply that wasn’t along the lines of “No, fuck you.” She slid her thumb over to Jean’s message.

Great. Another text asking to talk. Why couldn’t people just send their question and save a girl the anxiety? Y/N scolded herself for allowing her egotistical ex to ruin her mood. Jean didn’t deserve her snappiness.

Jean sighed in relief. Thank God she replied. He didn’t know if he could handle the mortification if she didn’t.

Y/N pondered for a bit.

Y/N laughed quietly to herself. So Jean could in fact match her sense of humor. She exited out of their chat, mindlessly scrolling through social media. She actively avoided Porco’s message, not wanting to burden herself with the chore of responding to him. What could he possibly have to say? She headed to Twitter, hopefully finding something relatable to retweet. As Y/N scrolled, she saw a familiar face appear on her timeline.

Recommended for you from contacts, the header read. Below it was about 3 profiles of people in her contacts she had not followed yet. Among them, was Jean.

Y/N’s breath caught in her throat.

Should I? She questioned. Would she be overstepping some unspoken boundary? What if she hurt her own feelings by stalking and seeing something she wouldn’t like/had no business seeing? Maybe she should just ignore it. She doubted Jean was some internet creep… but wouldn’t it be good to know if he was? Curiosity getting the better of her, Y/N decided to invade that boundary and look at his account.

He didn’t have much content from what Y/N could see. He just retweeted fancy cars and some funny memes. She spotted Connie, Sasha’s lifelong friend and Jean’s infamous roomie. She mentally hoped Jean didn’t tweet like Connie. That would be the ultimate ick.

Y/N’s thumb stopped scrolling, hovering over a tweet. Her heart beated ten times more rapidly.

well she is pretty lol, Jean’s tweet read. Tweeted just an hour after he met Y/N.

Could it be? Y/N wondered. No way. There’s no way it’s about me. I’m just jumping to conclusions. Why would he say that about me? I’m just being self absorbed.

She brushed off her inquiries, deciding to just stop stalking his account entirely. From what she already saw, there wasn’t anything suspicious or icky enough to make her want to not interact with him. And she was already paranoid, so every tweet she saw she would begin to assume it was about her as well. She was just getting her hopes up.

Rolling over on her side, Y/N placed her phone to charge and went to sleep. It was late, which was probably what was causing her mind to become fuddled.

——

“You should’ve told me Sasha’s third roomie was Y/N,” Reiner had said to Jean in the truck. “I totally blindsided her. Top ten worst encounters of my life.”

“Uh, care to enlighten me? Do you guys have beef or something?” Jean asked, perusing the radio stations.

Reiner sighed. “She’s dating- was dating- my childhood friend, Porco.”

Jean felt his stomach drop. “Oh.”

Reiner glanced at him before stopping at a red light. “I said dating. He dumped her like a week ago. It was pretty trash.”

Jean secretly felt more at peace hearing that. Poor Y/N, but.. she could probably do better than this Porco person.

“So what does that have to do with you?” Jean asked.

Reiner shrugged. “I guess I didn’t really help. She said she felt a little betrayed. Like I agreed with Porco and my friends that she’s the crazy one.”

Jean nodded. “So you were a bystander.”

Reiner sighed again, tilting his head in an I guess motion. “It’s just hard. Porco’s like my brother, and I don’t agree with how he acted… but maybe I should have spoken up sooner.”

Jean patted his shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself, man. That was between them.”

“Yeah. I could have at least told Porco to step it up, though.” Reiner murmured.

I’m glad you didn’t. Jean snickered to himself.

“So, you think she’s cute?” Reiner shot Jean a devilish grin. Jean rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, I guess. You goin’ to Historia’s birthday?” He slyly changed the subject.

“Is it open invite?” Reiner’s eyebrows scrunched up.

Jean shrugged. “I have an invite. Maybe you can be my plus one.”

Reiner made a “Hmm” sound in response, weary at Jean’s invite. “What are you dressing as if you go?”

“I was thinking swag era Justin Bieber.” Jean replied, smiling widely.

Reiner gave him a look. “You for real?”

Jean’s smile dropped. “What?”

Reiner laughed. “I’d pay money to see how badly you embarrass yourself with that.”

“It’s a 2000’s party?” Jean was confused.

“Yeah, but everyone does like, early 2000s. Think Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.”

Jean shot him a curious look.

“What? Pop culture is my guilty pleasure.” Reiner explained himself. “And everyone knows Britney Spears.”

Jean hummed in response. “I just think you got a thing for pop girls.” He referenced the earlier Becky G mishap.

“I’m not even gonna deny it anymore.” Reiner agreed, defeated.

——

“Guys,” Y/N said the next morning. Ymir and Sasha were at the breakfast “nook” (a corner of their miniature kitchen designated for a small table that barely fit all three of them), Sasha eating cereal and Ymir chomping on an apple while scrolling on her phone. “Porco texted me last night.”

Ymir continued scrolling, unfazed. Sasha’s eyes widened and she swallowed her food before speaking. “What? Why?” Y/N glared at Ymir.

“Thanks for your interest YMIR, but as i was telling Sasha-“

“I’m Sasha.” Sasha cut in, obviously confused.

Y/N gave Sasha a look.

“Did you say something?” Ymir said, bored. She still hadn’t looked up from her phone.

“Ymir!” Sasha scolded. “Y/N’s telling us Porco texted her!”

“Who’s Porco?” Ymir replied, monotonous.

Y/N sighed in exasperation. “Are you stalking Eren again? I already told you to stop comparing your subscribers-“

“I’m not stalking Eren!” Ymir snapped defensively. “I’m…” She mumbled the next part incoherently.

“Huh?” Sasha and Y/N asked in unison.

“I SAID,” Ymir repeated, annoyed. “I’m looking up Britney Spears outfits. Historia wanted us to go as different eras of her. But I can’t find anything that matches my style.” She grumbled.

Y/N’s heart melted. It was adorable watching Ymir struggle to find a matching costume for Historia. It was like Marilyn Manson wanting to get along with a CareBear.

“Just go as JT,” Sasha said, chewing her cereal.

“One, close your mouth, and two, Historia asked for us to go as Brittney. I can’t just show up like a dude.” Ymir visibly deflated as she scrolled through countless pictures of a younger Spear’s iconic looks.

“Why don’t you try her bandanna phase? That wasn’t so over the top, and she wore mostly jeans.” Y/N suggested as she squeezed into the corner chair.

Ymir sighed. “I don’t want to wear a skirt or some bimbo shit. That’s y’alls look.”

“How do you manage to sound endearing trying to please your girlfriend while simultaneously insulting us?” Y/N wondered aloud.

“It’s a talent.” Ymir waved her off. “What did you guys get her though?”

“A giftcard to Urban Outfitters,” Sasha replied. “I got tired of searchin’. I put $50 on it. I think that should be enough for like, a shirt and a half. She better like it, too. ‘Cus I’m broke.” Sasha pointed her spoon at Ymir accusingly.

“I got her the Taylor Swift vinyl she’s been wanting. And some pink film for her camera.” Y/N added. Ymir nodded approvingly.

“I hope she likes my gift. I don’t know if I’m moving too fast though?” For the first time since Y/N mer Ymir, Y/N hadn’t ever seen her this distraught.

“Calm down,” Y/N reassured her. “You’ve been together for years now. I don’t think you can move any slower.”

Ymir rolled her eyes, leaning back im her chair with arms crossed. “It’s a small trip to Seoul. I know she’s been dying to go. It’s not like it’s anything she hasn’t seen before with her family… but I figure it’d be different with just us.” Y/N’s heart melted.

“That’s so sweet!” Sasha exclaimed, eyes watery. “I want an Ymir!”

“Well, you can’t have me!” Ymir laughed. “It’s not a big deal. The sponsorship I managed to land gave me a decent payout.” Ymir sheepishly replied, her cheeks a faint red

Y/N nudged her. “Look at you, being modest.”

Ymir waved her hand. “Shut up. How does this look?” She turned her phone to Y/N, showing a picture of Britney Spears clad in low waist jeans, a black tank top and sure enough, a yellow bandanna.

“That’s perfect.”

Ymir smirked, smug. “Just like me.”

“Y/N!” Sasha shouted. “Go back to the Porco thing!”

“Oh, yeah. What did Oinky want?” The girls turned to face Y/N, who shrank a bit back in her seat.

“That’s a new one,” Y/N chuckled. “I thought of one last night, too,” She paued for dramatic effect. “Porker!” She gasped out, giggling, hitting the table in a slight fit of laughter. Sasha and Ymir gave Y/N a blank stare, unamused at Y/N’s mediocre roast.

“Not funny, didn’t laugh.” Sasha spat.

“If your career was stand up you’d be living in a box.” Ymir deadpanned.

“Tough crowd,” Y/N sighed, wiping imaginary tears from her eyes. “But if you must know…” She purposely stalled a bit, knowing it would send an impatient, jittery Sasha over the edge and annoy Ymir even more, even if she pretended she was not interested in the relationship drama between Y/N and her disgraced ex.

“Just say it already!” Sasha begged.

“I…don’t know. I haven’t responded.” Y/N finally admitted, putting her head in her hands. “I just-“ Her words were muffled by her hands.

Ymir removed her hands from her face. “Your words, darling.” She scolded, voice oozing sarcasm.

“Ugh,” Y/N groaned. “I’m too pussy to respond. He just asked if we could talk. What could he possibly want? What if he wants the couch? It’s just too much.”

Sasha gave her a sympathetic gaze. “Just leave him on read! If he wants to talk so badly he’ll find a way to say what he needs to.”

“For once, I agree.” Ymir added.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Y/N stretched. “But it did keep me up at night wondering what he wanted.”

“Y/N, forget him! Historia’s party is soon, there’s no time to worry about ugly men!” Sasha stood up, rushing to put her bowl in the sink. “I got a lecture in a few, but you need to find your costume! We’re all going as Britney!” She said before disappearing into her room.

“Um, who’s gonna tell her we’re not all dressing as Britney?” Ymir inquired.

Y/N snorted. “Not I. I’m probably going as Suki from Fast and the Furious.”

“Niiceee,” Ymir fist pumped Y/N. “She was my sexual awakening.” Y/N choked on her muffin.

“Ymir, what’d we say about uncalled for horniness?” Y/N reprimanded. Ymir made her way to the coat rack, searching for her car keys in her leather jacket’s pocket.

“If I was gonna be chewed out for liking women I would’ve lived with my parents!” Ymir called out. “I gotta pick up Historia!”

“Will you be back?” Y/N shouted back.

“Get off my dick!” Ymir shut the door. Laughing to herself, Y/N picked up Ymir’s dish to place in the sink. She was, out of the three, the more tidier one. Ymir did the best cleaning, but she was selectively lazy.

“Bye, Y/N!” Sasha shouted before leaving in a rush. One thing Y/N had grown used to was the fairly chaotic mornings. She secretly hoped they would be like this for a long time.

Since Y/N had transferred, Ymir and Sasha had been the best roommates she could ask for. Yes, Ymir was snappy and Sasha was a bit ditzy, but it was the perfect combination and they were respectful. Y/N had transferred from Sina University purely for academic reasons, but she had not expected to fit in so well with the girls or their group of pre establish friends. She worried she would not fit in since they had already been so tight-knit, but found that wasn’t the case at all. They were open, accepting and loyal. Y/N couldn’t be happier where she was, and even though she wouldn’t admit it, she was grateful for how close they had all gotten in their short time together. Who knew randomly assigned rooming would provide her with friendship to last a lifetime?

Which is why every time she thought about Porco she kicked herself. How could she have let some… meathead ruin her freshmen year of college? She should have been having fun, interacting with Ymir and Sasha’s friends more, lived her own life. But no, she chose to become involved with a self absorbed fraternity guy of all people. Now she was semi-heartbroken, extremely humiliated, and about a year’s worth of time and effort short. She had allowed him to take advantage of her so much, that he felt he could contact her still after basically using her. The thought made her want to rip her hair out and scream.

Almost as if through divine intervention, her phone beeped with a notification.

What the actual hell? Y/N thought.

She froze for a second. What does she do? Respond? Ignore? Block?

After a few seconds of mental deliberation, Y/N finally decided. She was fed up with the lack of bravery she showed and decided to just end it once and for all. Typing out a response, she clicked send and decided to go to the mall for the retail therapy she was sure to need after whatever Porco said what he wanted to say. Turning the shower on, she braced herself for his response. What could Porco want? She couldn’t wrap her mind around it.

This better be good, Y/N thought.

taglist : @tsunderehokage @lagrimasdeglitter @snowyseungs @mukeovernetflix @bakugouswh0r3 @punicorn999 @deadlyaffairs @usernamehere91 @calumsfringe

a/n: woohoo!! long chapter. so to recap: i graduated!! i am finally free from the clutches of high school. i might do a face reveal :) bc i loved my grad dress. anywho, my fever cleared up, i have chapter 9 already completed (just need to revise + edit) and this is NOT proof read!! it’s 2 am guys i’m tired. but i hope you enjoyed this :) sorry for the weird cropping too. peace out

[nicodemuslily]

Clones note

When you’re a scientist, you can’t just say approximate figures and facts about the universe you’re building. Then, when I decided that, in my TCW AU, clones would have saved their little brothers from the purge, I had to know how many of those new ones arrived in Coruscant. I had to make math even if, as a biologist, I’m not good at it.

So, it all started with the fact that, as clones grew up twice as fast as a normal human being, Kaminoans just needed less than five months to create a newborn soldier. That way, they can create 3 generations of clones in a year (and by generation, I mean 333.333 clones to finish the year with almost a million of them).

Starting from this point, when the Senate decided to shut down the cloning program, there were already 3 generations launched on Kamino: one already born (3 month old babies), one almost ready for birth and one half-developed (less than 3 month old fetuses). From this last generation, only 1/50 of them survived enough to the purge to be brought on Coruscant. From the first and the second, 33 and 1/4 of them didn’t join the city-planet with their grown-up brothers. But the “war” wasn’t over for the second and third generation and they still had to fight to stay alive after this long journey over the Galaxy. In the end, 250.000 and 3.000 of them, respectively, survived and then joined the different battalions of the GAR (something like 1.170 per battalion, thinking that there are at least 501 of them).

That means many boys to name after. XD

Commanders discussed the subject for quite some times and decided to look after:

colors

music instrument

the most important characteristic of their brothers

Because, there is another point to know about those new ones, it’s that amongst the 3.000 highly prematured clones, 2.500 are disabled (sensory and physical disabilities, malformations, mental troubles…).  

As a result, here is what you have to remember:

Clones “colors” were dispatched in battalion of the same or approaching color (blue -> 501st, orange -> 212th, yellow -> 327th …)

There is no “Black” or “White” clones because they aren’t colors actually (black is the mix of every colors and white is the absence of them)

Most of the blind or visually impaired clones were in the 104th because Wolffe knew what that supposed to mean to be half-blind and to regain your sight after (because some of the sensory disabilities could be fixed or improved by surgery).

 And here are some new challengers:

Pink has a perfect sight but he’s in the 104th because Wolffe found that name ridiculous. Then commanders decided that he, therefore, has to deal with the consequences of it. But Pink did like his name (for him, it’s closed to “punk”) and as a brawler, he defended himself quite easily. Sehnya and him loved to fight each other. XD

Green was in the 91st and he’s colorblind. He ranted all the time about this choice of name, even if he knew that the commanders weren’t aware of his specificity at that moment.

Drum was in the 501st and he was like a tiny Fives. Very smart, he was supposed to become an ARC trooper. He liked to blackmail Rex to obtain more cookies for his brothers and him.

Dreamer was the only autistic clone and he was in the 212th. The only clones who could approach him were Cody, Boil and Hardcase. He’s afraid of rain and shower, but was fascinated by underwater environment.

Mnemos was in the 91st and he was hypermnesic. As so, Ponds and his men tried their best to give him good and sweet souvenirs, but the little one was highly curious of everything.

Clay (Clayton?) was in the 104th and he’s a sweet heart. He was part of the highly prematured clones with disability and he has less than 1/10 per eyes but not 0. He could see light and shadow and then could walk surprisingly easily in the 104th barrack. The only thing he couldn’t avoid was the mirror (because it reflects the light).

Oboe was a MER- clone with blue eyes. He was in Monnk battalion and helped unintentionally his brothers to not be dissected like guinea pigs by coworkers of the doctor who helped Fungus to understand more female anatomy (long story…).

Chord was a MER- clone with wall eyes (like Fungus) and he was in Gree battalion. He wasn’t a prematured but suffered from a split personality as he was bullied by the Kaminoans. He arrived on Coruscant with 3 different characters: a friendly one, a highly clever one and a berserker (and older) one able to protect the two others.

Corn was a MER- clone with green eyes and he was in the 327th. Easily worried boy and shy, he tried his best to not bother anyone. But Rash noticed that something was wrong with him: often sick, nauseous or in hypoglycemia. He was right because after a clinical exam, it appeared that the boy was suffering from a type 1 diabetes. Aayla offered to pay for his treatment waiting for the clones to be recognized as citizens of the Republic (and to be paid).

Azur was a highly prematured clone from the 501st. As a baby, his right hand was atrophied but mobile. When it stopped to move and to be sentient, Rex and Kix took the decision to cut it. Then Anakin offered to make a prosthesis for him. Another shy boy who spent most of his time with Echo.

Adrian(ople) and Rusty were two highly prematured boys who were part of the 91st. The first one was deaf and the second was mute, and there were inseparable. Mischievous, they loved to play some tricks to their brothers. They knew the common sign language, but has created their own one to prepare their pranks.

__

I made it short but those characters are more developed than that. This post is just a note for you to get the future posts. :)

The most important thing is that I wasn’t supposed to create clone OCs... ^^;

[queenclaudiabrown]

Ocean Eyes | III: I Must Go Down to The Sea Again

Chapter content warnings: references to events of previous chapters, light sexism/racism like in Ch. 2, untrademarked use of the name Google, mentions of a breakup and unrequited feelings/pining, mentions of an affair, more on Danny being half-Mer and Patrick’s half-brother, uncensored cussing

Word count: 3,133

     It had been three days since what Claudia had labeled ‘The Incident’.  She was still very confused and viewed the incident in a both a good and bad light.  She was grateful, of course, that she and Connor had been rescued from drowning.  But she was still struggling to wrap her head around the fact that the fairytale creatures romanticized from their man-eating origins into little girls’ fantasy fodder actually existed.

     Everything had changed, and yet nothing at all.

     Her learning about these…beings…existing didn’t change the fact that they had existed long before she knew.  Whether they were a new species or as old as humans, a freak byproduct of mutation and cross breeding or as natural as she herself, she didn’t know.  They were clearly sentient and behaved much like humans, although from what she had gleaned from the interactions she’d had on the dock not all of them liked humans.  Nick was quite friendly, but the brunet male, Stephen, had seemed terse and standoffish, and from Connor’s overexcited rambled recollection to Claudia so was Abigail.  That didn’t offend her- she wasn’t always much fond of humans herself, despite being one.

     Still, she found herself inexplicably drawn to the ocean and its newfound inhabitants.  Her mysterious savior, the man with the fish’s tail and Scottish voice, remained in her every thought, day and night.  She felt drawn to him, even though she knew nothing could come of it.  She shook her head, silently chastising herself for such thoughts.  Whoever said anything about her and him?

     Claudia had returned to work after a day of rest and trays in her room, and was now as busy as ever, cooking for her family and guests.  The Quinn brothers had returned and were somewhat subdued, with a slight air of tension between them.  Whatever- Danny and Patrick could deal with their own family drama by themselves; it wasn’t anyone’s business but their own.

     Still, she felt sorry for them.

     She felt sorry for Jenny, too.  Her sister had enjoyed the light, casual back-and-forth flirting that she and Danny had shared, but he had gone cold, leaving Jenny confused and hurt.  She’d apparently broken up with Michael a day or so ago and said as much when Danny had made a scathing remark about her flirting with other men while taken, but when she’d told him he had only said that it was none of his business and gone for a swim.  That made her want to punch him- strange, since Claudia wasn’t much of a physical fighter.

     Her thoughts were interrupted by a courtesy knock before the door opened, the twin she’d just been thinking about stepping into the room.  “Look what I found.”  She held up a familiar scarf, jacket, sweater, and pair of boots- the same items Claudia had shed in an effort to not be weighed down on that fateful day.  “They were just laying out on the dock, like someone had dumped them there.”

     Without meaning to, Claudia’s mind flashed to Nick and his kind personality.  Given Stephen’s attitude and what she had heard about Abigail, Nick seemed to be the most sociable and human-friendly of the three.  It certainly helped that she might’ve absolutely did not have a tiny crush on him.

     Claudia closed her eyes and took a breath in a fruitless attempt to push all thoughts of him to the fringes of her mind.  “Thanks for bringing them in, Jens.”  She shot her sister a smile.

     The darker-haired twin returned it.  “No problem.  By the way, that casserole you froze is almost past its sell-by date, so maybe we should thaw it out for tonight?”

     Claudia nodded.  “Sure.  I might take a walk before dinner, clear my head.”

     Jenny made a sympathetic face.  “Might do you some good.  You’ve been out of sorts since the storm.  Can’t blame you, though; the shutters all shook and we had so many branches down.  It must’ve been nightmarish trying to keep the yacht from capsizing.”

     ‘It was.  And we did anyway.  And then we were rescued by mermaids.’

     “Yeah…it was pretty intense.”

     Jenny squeezed her sister’s shoulder in farewell and slipped out of the room.  Claudia watched her go, mind automatically wandering yet again to Nick.  Realizing where her thoughts had gone again, she groaned, wishing she just couldn’t get him out of her head.  With a resigned sigh, Claudia straightened her shouldered and wrapped her newly-returned scarf back around her neck, slipping into shoes and a jacket before heading for the dock.

     She really hated that name, she despised being confused with her, she loathed having her existence kept secret, but Jennifer Lewis loved Claudia.

     Her twin had greeted her with open arms- literally- and was so sweet and understanding that Jenny couldn’t hate her, no matter what she did.  If they fought, regardless of who started it or whose fault it was, Claudia would turn up within a few hours with a variety of baked goods and soft-spoken, doe-eyed apology.  Jenny couldn’t stay mad at her for long.

     Danny, however, was another story.  She fancied him, plain and simple, but her mum- adopted, not biological- had once told her that the ones we love most hurt us the most and make us the angriest.  Jenny found herself agreeing with that more than ever.  She’d broken up with sweet, loving Michael when she finally admitted to herself she was falling for Danny and knew she couldn’t string them both along.  All she’d gotten for it was a chilly remark, utterly wounding and confusing her.

     Hence why she’d spent the last day in her room sulking avoiding him having private time.  She told herself he was too old for her anyway- he was 36 and she was 25- an eleven-year gap.  His little brother was closer to her age.

     ‘But it’s not him you want.  Her traitorous mind reminded her.  It’s his big brother.’

     This train of thought had been pretty much on a never-ending loop ever since she’d met Danny.  She was ready to tear her hair out and do unladylike things.  Normally she’d ask Claudia for advice, but Claudia clearly had her own problems at the moment, and although she knew Claudia would drop everything for her, Jenny wasn’t so selfish as to think her issues were bigger than Claudia’s.

     With a heavy sigh, Jenny left her and Claudia’s shared bathroom and set out to find Danny and set things straight between them.

     Claudia’s eyes were closed, simply enjoying the moment- the quiet noise of waves crashing, the smell of the sea, the warm sun on her face.  Despite having a purpose when she had gone to the dock, it was so lovely and peaceful that she couldn’t resist taking a moment for herself.

      “Claudia Brown.”

     Her eyes opened at the voice- the voice of the merman she’d been seeking.

     “Nick.”  She returned, unable to stop herself from smiling.  “Just who I was hoping to see.”

     His mouth smiled, but his brows furrowed in confusion. 

     He hoisted himself from the water, sitting on the dock once more, and Claudia sat down as well facing him.  “I never got to thank you for saving my life.”  She explained.  He nodded in understanding.  “So…thank you.”

     He smiled.  “Worked for me.  How are you feeling after everything that happened?”

     Her gaze flicked away from him, out to the ever-tumultuous ocean.  “I’m fine.”  She mumbled, but rubbed her aching head.

     “Are you sure?”  Nick questioned, too perceptive for anyone’s good.

     “Um, I haven’t been sleeping well.”  She confessed.  “Bad dreams.  It’s nothing.  Connor told our family, but they didn’t believe him.  I haven’t said anything yet.”

     “Why not?”

     “Because Danny is half-merman, and he and his brother are my guests and were on the yacht, and my twin sister fancies Danny.  It’s not about Connor and I.  It’s about them, and their family, and a whole other species that Danny is part of.  I don’t have the right to confirm it and discuss it with anyone, not even my family, without at least their permission.”

     Nick slowly nodded in consideration.  “I can understand that.  You’re a very kind and unselfish person, Claudia Brown.  The same can’t be said for most of your people.”

     She blushed at the praise.  “So, why were you and your friends swimming so close to shore…human civilization…when we were out?  I was only underwater a couple minutes when you saved us.”

     He hesitated, face rather frozen halfway between the old smile and an almost cringe at her question.  “I like…people.  Humans.  I like to see them, watch how they live.  But most of my kind don’t trust humans, and to be honest with you, I don’t trust them very much either.  But I like to watch from the water, out of sight.  Stephen never really lets me out of his reach, and Abigail doesn’t get to explore the oceans as much as she’d like to, so recently we’ve been letting her swim out with us.”  His cheeks colored rosily, which was the last thing she would’ve expected- a merman, blushing!  He raked a hand through his pale hair and left a wide swath of it sticking up erratically (and adorably, although she’d never admit it).  “Well, I’ve watched your boat trips, and you and your family living and working here by the ocean.  You’re different from everyone else.”

     She should’ve found it weird and stalkerish that he’d watched her, but when he continually showered her with compliments like that- and his habit had resulted in him and his friends saving the lives of her guests, her cousin, and herself- she couldn’t bring herself to be upset.

     She said as much.

     His smile outshone the sun.

     Connor Temple sat on the end of the dock, swinging his legs with his bare feet in the water.  He hoped that the white-haired beauty- Abigail- would soon return so he could see her again.  Her image and voice were imprinted in his mind, a fond memory he treasured above money.  She had been cold and harsh, but he didn’t care.  The child in him was enamored at the prospect of her, and his inner scientist was fascinated that such a wondrous being could exist.

     Becker hadn’t believed him, though, and that had stung.  Still did, if he was being frank.  Connor wasn’t much of an artist, but he knew his way around computers very well, so he’d done an alright job with digital art and Google searches to produce a pretty accurate image of what Abigail’s tail had looked like.  Even then, he’d heard words and phrases like ‘shock’, ‘head injury’, ‘hypothermia’, and ‘hallucination’ get muttered by his family.

     He’d come back to the dock every day since.

     He didn’t just come here to be away from the understandable disbelief, he also wanted to see Abigail; and he didn’t just want to see Abigail to prove that he wasn’t making her up, he did genuinely want to see her again for her.

     The quiet sound of water falling on a hard object drew his attention, and he was pleasantly surprised to see Abigail herself suddenly sitting on the dock behind him, puddles of water around and under her. 

     “Abigail!”  He greeted, breathless with both excitement and awe.  “You look beautiful today- er, not that you didn’t the other day, or that I think you normally don’t, I just- it’s today and you look beautiful.”

    Rather than please her, the awkwardly-delivered compliment only seemed to annoy her.  “Men.”  She scoffed.  “They’re all the same.  They see a girl who fits their expectations of beauty and lust takes over anything remotely reasonable in their heads.”  She glared out at the open ocean, and Connor’s heart twisted painfully in his chest at the thought of something awful happening to her.

     He opened his mouth to speak, but she has those piercing blue eyes back on him again, freezing him in place.  Somewhere in the back of his mind he tried to remember if sirens shared that ability with Medusa.  “Come on then.  Want to see what I’ve got to offer?  I’ll show you.”

     Like a snake, like a panther, she surged forward before he could react, pouncing on him and seizing him in a surprisingly strong grip for the small size of her slim hands.  With a powerful whiplike snap of her tail, she shot out of the water, her hands moving constantly on Connor as she speedily maneuvered him onto her back, pulling his arms around her waist and keeping them together and in their place with a firm squeeze of a hand.  They crashed into the water together, Connor barely able to gasp in a breath in time before they both plunged into the chilly sea.  

     Like an arrow, Abigail shot through the water, and Connor clung to her for dear life.  Seemingly at random, she would dart off to the side, or dive deeper down into the sea, then abruptly change course.  He managed to open his eyes and was dumbstruck with at the incredible sights that filled his vision.  So many shades of blue in the water, sunbeams piercing the surface and illuminating the seabed of stones and sand and seaweed, fish shooting aside to avoid being hit by the incoming mermaid and her passenger.  He’d had the typical fascination with sharks and fishing when he was little and had since moved on to things like space and computers and sci-fi, but felt his old love of the ocean reawaken.  

     Connor wished he could stay underwater with Abigail forever, but he had been holding his breath for quite a while now, and his grip loosened on her.  She seemed to recognize the problem and quickly turned upward, soaring toward the surface.  Gasping, Connor sucked in the deepest breath he could, continuing to draw deep breaths as the mermaid gently brought them to the dock and paused parallel to it so he could climb onto it from her back.  He did so and sprawled out on his own back, panting heavily with a wide smile on his face.

     Abigail hid herself mostly underwater again, her head alone peeping out from the water near the dock’s edge.

     “That was…my God, that was brilliant!”  Connor gushed, rolling over to the side of the dock to look at her again.  “That was amazin’!  I mean, you were tryin’ to scare me off, but that was the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen!  Way better than a documentary film on the telly or some grainy video on me laptop.  It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen or done in me life!”

     She arched one brown eyebrow at him ever so slightly, an equally small upward tilt to the corners of her mouth.  “Maybe I misjudged you.”  She conceded, realizing that his fascination was wholly childlike- innocent, chaste, and pure.

     His face brightened enough to rival the sun.  “Does that mean you’re not gonna drown me or eat me?”

     She chuckled, her smile widening a little.  “Yeah, that’s what it means.”

     He grinned from ear-to-ear, and she couldn’t keep a straight face against that.

     Danny was enjoying freedom from his little brother’s well-meaning nagging, all the way over by the inlet that he had sheltered them from the storm in.  Patrick had been understanding when Danny had reluctantly explained the existence of mermaids and mermen, and that he was half one.  It hadn’t bothered the human Quinn that they didn’t share the same father, or that Danny wasn’t entirely human- he was fine with that.  They were still brothers.  What had angered him was that Danny had kept it a secret for so long (twenty-three years).

     He’d punched the rock and still had a few knuckle bandages on.

     “You can’t keep treating her like that, you know.”  Patrick’s voice came from behind Danny.

     The older brother sighed deeply and closed his eyes.  “Who?”  He asked, feigning ignorance.

     “Don’t play stupid with me, Dan.  Jenny.”

     Danny looked out over the water again and shook his head.  “There can never be anything between us.”

     Patrick sighed a long-suffering sigh.  “Which one of us is the older brother here?”  Danny rolled his eyes.  “She can take it.  She broke up with her boyfriend for you.  Her sister and cousin are falling all over the other seafolk.  You’re living proof that it can happen.”

     “She doesn’t even know me!  If she wants to break up with her boyfriend, that’s her business.  I don’t want to be involved in it.”

     The younger brother tipped his head back, groaning in frustration.  “I give up.  I give up.  If you’re unhappy, it’s your own fault.  I’m done.”

     He walked off, still muttering in annoyance.  Danny shook his head and raked a hand through his hair.  He hadn’t lied to Patrick, but the words had felt like lies all the same.  He liked Jenny, very much, but he didn’t see how anything could come of it in reality.

     But God, he wished it could.

     Claudia had lost track of time, and she didn’t care.

     Nick was wonderful- sweet and pleasant in a way that most human men weren’t.  There were plenty of good men, of course- her cousins and father, to name a few- but she didn’t know a lot of them, and Emily could attest to the presence of the many unpleasant ones.  Nick made a refreshing change.

     They had talked for hours and hours, the sun arcing across the sky noticeably- well, noticeably if either of them had been paying attention.  Nick’s tail had dried into a humanoid lower half, which was apparently unhealthy to remain in for too long, so he’d taken a few dips back into the sea to remoisten himself.  Interestingly enough, the length of his legs only differed from his tail’s length by the large fins at the end, which had shrunk into proportionally-correct feet.  Even so, if he had stood, he would have only been a few inches shorter.

     A particularly strong gust of wind came up off the sea, stealing Claudia’s breath and thus cutting off her words, also whipping hair into her face.  Nick’s large hand came up and gently tucked it behind her ear, but remained resting on her cheek needlessly.  She wasn’t complaining, though, her gaze caught in his and unable to break free.

     All her sensible and responsible family members were screaming in her head that this was a bad idea, for a variety of admittedly valid reasons, but if she could’ve paid attention to what they were saying, she still would’ve ignored them.

     But before anything could else could happen, they were interrupted.

     “Claudia, would someone please tell me what the hell is going on over here?!”  Jenny’s shocked and angry voice broke the peace.

     “Oh no.”  Her twin breathed.

     Explosion imminent.

Gifs of Nick and Claudia are mine; dividers are used with permission from their creator, @animatedglittergraphics-n-more

Ocean Eyes Masterlist

[hyperfixationtimego]

Alright we’re trying this angst thing again

Diamond Brothers Angst because I said so

Both Daiya and Mondo have huge self esteem issues bc of the crash

Both think stuff along the lines of what the fuck I could have prevented that

Neither Daiya nor Mondo can sleep very well because when they hear vehicles driving past and the occasional screeching tires they’re back at the scene of the accident

They hear a semi truck rumbling past? Suddenly neither of the brothers remember how to move or breathe properly

They both survived the crash but they were both injured severely bc fuck dude that was a truck that hit them

The Crazy Diamonds witnessed the whole thing and they were Worried™️

And we all know how the Owadas hate being vulnerable

Neither of the brothers could actively ride their motorcycles for a long time after the crash because they couldn’t handle it emotionally

They played off their mental recovery time as time in the hospital

Daiya made Mondo promise not to get back on his motorcycle, much less the road, until he was 100% sure that he was prepared to handle it because what if there’s another freak accident that neither of them have control over

Mondo made Daiya promise the exact same thing because He Cares™️

Mondo has reoccurring nightmares about the crash and often sees Daiya dead in those nightmares

The gang shows up in the nightmares too and they’ve all been hit and it’s all Mondo’s fault and he couldn’t be a good leader because he wasn’t strong enough and why couldn’t he just be more like his brother god fucking dammit

Sometimes he sees Taka or Chihiro in place of Daiya and the Diamonds and that Absolutely Terrifies Him™️

Daiya has reoccurring thoughts about hijacking a truck to hit the driver who hurt him and his little brother

He wants them to feel all the same pain and more that they put the Diamond Brothers through

Daiya has breakdowns over this because even if he is a gang leader, he would not go that far

cue the Am I A Bad Person Complex™️

Mondo does not let himself stim

He doesn’t think it’s manly and it definitely doesn’t fit the Tough Guy™️ act

This leads to worsened focus and next thing you know he and Daiya are having a yelling match at home because if Mondo’s grades drop any lower he’ll be expelled soon and Daiya just wants the best for his brother but nothing works out the way it was planned

One time Mondo received a popsicle stick and paper heart from Taka

He was extremely happy

When he got back to his dorm he was that happy that he was shaking and then oh shit

Mondo broke it

He snapped the popsicle sticks in half

the note that Taka wrote,, it got ripped in the process

Mondo full on sobbed over this for an hour at the least

Like

Actual

Real

Tears

He broke something that Taka— not just his bf, but his best friend— had worked so hard on to make just for him and he fucking broke it like a shit for brains idiot

Mondo is terrified of hurting his friends

Because what if he forgets to take his adhd meds one day and his emotional dysregulation is all fucked up and he has an outburst again and actually hurts his friends

Or what if he takes 2+ doses by accident and focuses too hard and is left staring at one (1) spot and everyone hates him and what if they think he’s a creep

Mondo hates going out of his dorm at night because what if someone else is out and they have a flashlight and now they’re pointing it at him and it’s bright and those are headlights and that’s

that’s his brother

on the ground

not moving

Mondo will start shaking and he’ll break down hyperventilating or freeze on the spot

Either way, he hates being vulnerable

Whaddaya think? :D was that enough angst?

also can you tell that i kin Daiya on the dl bc i too got hit by a moving vehicle to save my young mer sibling from being hit /lh but also srs lmfo

HEY TINK??? HEY TINK????????

GodDAMN make me cry over this shit oKAY-

also sorry this took ✨forever✨ I had to gather my Thoughts™️ and my brain did not want to work today 😌

also before we get into my things, tw for trauma (obviously), unhealthy coping mechanisms, underage smoking/drug relapse/smoking as a crutch, and suicidal ideation (passive, but still there)

First of all, y e a h oh my god?? There is literally so much internalized guilt for both of them,,,,,like they rlly do have episodes sometimes where they just. Play over the events of what lead up to the crash in their heads and fixate on what they could have done differently,,,,,even though in the moment they both did their best? Like “well, I shouldn’t have taken us down this street” or “if I had acted quicker, maybe it wouldn’t have happened” and.....yeah those thoughts really fuck with them, y’know?

and 100% that unexpected/overwhelming vehicle noises and/or presences are nearly debilitating. Honestly, I imagine that Mondo can’t go hang out with Leon and Taka or whoever else if said people are hanging out in Kaz’s workshop. Owada’s only ever been in there once and immediately had to leave when he heard Kazuichi starting an engine he was working on. Not to mention being surrounded by a shit ton of vehicles, even if they were idle, had kept him on-edge the entire thirty seconds he was able to handle it.

They both deal with a lot of phantom pain, as well. Like something triggers them and suddenly, even if they’re able to remain in the moment and keep conscious of their surroundings, they somehow feel every ache, every twinge of pain, every breaking bone, or bruised patch of skin that they felt on that day. It’s a lot more prominent in Daiya than it is with Mondo, but they do both experience it!

And neither one lets the other know when they’re feeling like shit or having an episode because 😌 Daiya. wants to be strong. for his little brother. and Mondo. sees his brother basically functioning like a typical person. and figures that there’s something wrong with him. because he can’t get over what happened.

Takemichi is absolute shit with Emotions and being vulnerable or getting people to open up to him, but he’s like..........internally these bitches are Not Okay what the fuck am I supposed to do about it???? So he kind of...tries to hint to both of them that he’s worried? Without making it obvious or embarrassing them, but he’s like.......fuck these assholes.......making me be the one to make them realize they need help goddamnit........

And michi exhibiting a change in behavior is pretty 👀 because. it’s michi I mean he’s not just gonna change the way he talks in front of u for nothing, u know? So both Daiya and Mondo are actually able to pick up on it, although their reactions differ pretty greatly.

Like Daiya’s first thought is “wow, he’s worried, that’s really sweet of him. Better convince him everything’s okay.”

Meanwhile Mondo’s is “wow, he’s worried. my stupid emotional turmoil is that obvious. he must think I’m some sorta fuckin idiot for not being able to get over it. or selfish. or both. yeah, probably both.”

Also I think Daiya’s pretty perceptive in general? Like he can Tell™️ that something’s going on with his brother, but........yeah emotional conversations....vulnerability......that’s rlly neither of their strong suits. + he also figures that if it were something mondo were really really really having trouble with, he would come talk to him!

And so Daiya has absolutely no concept of just how Not Good his brother is doing right now hbbvvvv

So he settles for being like “I’m just gonna stay strong and act like the memories and intrusive thoughts aren’t affecting me in any way because I want to be a good role model” (which. is not healthy obv)

oh g o d the nightmares

they are so horrible and vivid and concentrated at times that Mondo simply.....refuses to sleep. He’s exhausted, both mentally and physically, and yet he can’t bring himself to close his eyes because he knows what he’ll see if he does.

And of course it affects him to the point that his friends start to become worried. Like Taka notices a stark increase in tardiness or general absences, and, after an initial assumption that it was simply Mondo choosing not to care about his academics again, realized that there was probably a lot more going on than he realized. He really, really wanted to bring it up and let his boyfriend know that he’ll always be there for him no matter what, but he couldn’t quite figure out how to articulate it properly. The farthest he gets is with the question, “is everything okay?”

And as much as Mondo wants to respond to him by saying that no, in fact, everything is not okay, everything sucks and everything hurts and he’s tired and he hates himself and sometimes he wishes that the crash had killed him, but that’s selfish so he should shut up- he just.....can’t bring himself to open himself up like that. Yes, he and Ishi are dating, so logically he should be able to tell him all this, but.....it’s so much. It’s too much. Too much to think, too much to feel, let alone try to explain. So he shuts himself up with a quick, curt, “Yeah.”

And....Taka knows he’s lying. He’s not sure how he knows, but he does. And it hurts to see someone he loves so much in such a state of anguish, and basically be unable to do anything about it because....how is he supposed to respond? What is he supposed to say? Navigating everyday interaction is difficult enough without having to improv something that could affect his partner’s mental health indefinitely. So....he does his best. Which isn’t enough, really, but it��s something.

“You can tell me anything.”

Mondo wants to believe him.

—

Another side of that same coin is Mondo skipping class a lot more than is typical for him. It’s almost always with Leon, but he’s also begun slipping away on his own, occasionally, as well, now.

And....y’know, at first, Leon thought it was super rad that Owada and he were skipping more! Like it used to be that Kuwata would offer for them to miss the next class, and Mondo’s usual answer would be ‘not today,’ and then Leon would keep bugging him about it until Mondo either gave in or told him to fuck off.

But....there’s just something about how it went from Leon being constantly shut down, to being told yes around the first few times the idea was brought up, to how, suddenly, Kuwata wasn’t even the one asking, anymore. It’s....depressing? Uncomfortable?

There’s also the fact that hanging out while they’re cutting just....isn’t as fun as it used to be? Leon’ll crack jokes or come up with stupid dares, and Mondo’s responses will be noncommittal at best. And Leon’s had enough experience with sleep deprivation to know it in his friends when he sees it.

He’s never been put in this situation before - usually it’s kuwata having some sort of stupid episode and usually it’s owada who’ll tell him to chill the fuck out and think rationally about things, but....Mondo acts a lot different when he’s upset than Leon does. He smokes more. Cuts himself off from everyone. Doesn’t engage with anything.

It’s different with people like Toko, or Makoto, or Kaz, because Leon knows what they need. He knows whether or not they need vulnerability, or a physical presence, or tough love, or tactile grounding, or a willing ear or shoulder to cry on, but with Mondo......he just isn’t sure.

So Leon doesn’t comment.

——-

Chihiro’s probably the one to get him to open up about it ngl.

ANYWAY-

y e a h Daiya intrusive thoughts?????? fuck yeah???? absolutely??????

god yeah I rlly feel him on that ngl hbhdbdbdbbb

and MONDO DARLING 🥺

god okay it SUCKS because????? he doesn’t judge his friends for stimming????? Like he sees his friends fidgeting or repeating phrases or rocking back and forth and he’s like???? Hell yeah you go u funky kid ilysm

But when it comes to himself????? he’s like if I do anything aside from stay perfectly still, I’m weird and bad and a failure so I simply Will Not

he’s wrong but it doesn’t change the fact that he feels that way ❤️

hhhvhvvdd I’m also a slut for daiya doing his best as a makeshift parental figure,,,,,,,like fuck dude okay,,,,,,as an older sibling who also loves and cares about their younger sibs but often finds emotionally connecting with them to be difficult,,,,,,,,,mood??? And having all of that amplified by rlly being his younger bro's only support in his home life,,,,,,,like ok mr. owada go off

he feels a lot of pressure to get it right and make sure that Mondo's doing okay, so the grades really worry him. but, of course, grades are a touchy subject with mondo regardless, so as u said it devolves into arguments and yelling and a lot of defensiveness!!

and god okay,,,,,,,the heart rlly got me,,,,,,,like that hurt. it rlly hurt man okay damn

honestly??? I think that might be the thing that gets him to break. like that might be his final straw.

because when they meet up again, Ishi asks him about it and whether or not he liked it. And Mondo just.

fucking.

breaks.

down.

He’s shaking and he’s crying and there’s snot running down his nose and this is so ugly and so not manly but he can’t stop. he can’t stop. Because there is this sweet, gentle, kind, sweet, beautiful, darling, sweet man before him who did something so nice for him, something he didn’t deserve, and he destroyed it.

Like he destroys everything.

And so when Taka panics and asks him what’s wrong (yes Ishi gets worried that he did something bad and yes ishi also gets worried that his boyfriend didn’t like the present because hdbdvdvd kin 💛) owada just. spills everything. and he doesn’t even begin with the gift??? he starts with apologies upon apologies, many of them incoherent, and many of them with Mondo not even certain what he’s apologizing for, just that he knows he needs to

and ofc Taka is like o-o because wow ok

but after his initial shock, and after Mondo has thoroughly cried himself out and explained everything he could stand to explain at that point in time, Taka just......holds him. And strokes his face, brushing away the tears that have not yet dried, simply offering his body as a weight, as something for Mondo to ground himself with. And it works.

And Taka insists that Mondo has nothing to apologize for, only that he wishes Mondo would have told him what was going on sooner. Because he wants to help. And hearing that just gets Owada’s waterworks going all over again, but he’s still got Ishi there with him. He hasn’t scared him off.

And it’s more than enough.

—

and UGH yeah????? yes absolutely absolutely okay okay so,,,,,,,,mondo comorbid adhd/depression/anxiety

like sir 🤝

got me fucked up smh

honestly he’s probably not diagnosed with the depression or anxiety, either, until something like the incident with ishi prompts him to realize oh wow I’m not okay actually

so yes he 100% does???

he constantly has all of these what if situations swirling around in his brain about what might happen if he fucks up, or does something that he doesn’t qualify as fucking up in the moment, but leads to something awful or painful or harmful for someone else, and he’s just??????? g o d

[luzarya]

Find You

Siren Au where Yuu is a siren.

summary: Yuu was sweeping, when they realized that something good had came, for once, in their life.

Their beloved had came.

ao3 link: here

warning: none

word count: 3,076

songs: this and this

part: 2/3

-> 1 (previous)

-> 3 (not out til next friday)

----

Yuu hummed a quiet melody as they swept the floor of Mostro Lounge. The lounge was empty, past its closing time.

Yuu began working not too long ago, their current contract having them work at the lounge ,and in exchange, Azul would do his best removing traces of Yuu’s presence at the beach. The local government had begun to search for the owner of the hypnotic voice before it took any lives, and had it not been for Azul’s interference, Yuu would probably have been in the government’s grasp.

And to be fair, Yuu didn’t want to be held by the government, not again.

The events that lead up to their current predicament, was truly, rather interesting.

Yuu’s voice switched from a hum to a quiet singing, as they recalled how they had to reveal their mer form to Jack, Deuce, Ace, and Grim. They all had been shocked, no doubt, but it soon quickly faded once they all realized it would play in their favor. Yet, the Leech twins had known, planning around it.

In the end, Yuu needed help from the Savanaclaw dorm, ultimately playing into their favor.

...then it landed them in another contract, not even a day after.

Yuu continued to sing, this time their voice now heard. No one was in the lounge itself, perhaps someone in the kitchen, Yuu figured, with the amount of noise they heard from that area. But they sang, and sang they did, of the song that their beloved once sang.

Yuu had promised an eternity with their beloved, yet they couldn’t fulfill their debt. Sometimes, they wished that their beloved would just magically appear, but they knew that it wouldn’t happen.

But one could hope.

They continued to mindlessly sing and sweep, thinking about their beloved, until a voice called out to them.

“Eh, Shachi-chan, why are ya always singin’ that song?” Floyd came out from the kitchen, a dish in hand. He had an almost dazed look- Yuu singing affected all, but to fellow mer, it was to a lesser degree. Nor did it take hold for too longer, either. The dazed look was already gone.

“What’s it to ya?” Yuu growled, unhappy that their singing was interrupted, although they eyed the dish. “What’s that?”

“Oh this? Just some shrimp alfredo.~”

“And you made it because…?”

“Just felt like it!~”

“I see…”

Yuu returned to sweeping, their song now a hum, as Floyd began eating his dish. It hadn’t been a minute, a freaking minute, until Floyd spoke again. At this point, Yuu was ready to strangle the mer. They just wanted to sing and hum their melody, was that too much to ask?

“Wanna taste, Shachi-chan?~”

Yuu eyed the dish, glaring at the eel mer, “What’s the catch, Leech?”

“Fufufu, answer my question, Shachi-chan.~”

Yuu let out a sigh, and placed their broomstick against the wall. They walked over and took the adjacent seat, looking at the plate. They didn’t look at Floyd, but they uttered their response.

“It’s a song from someone important.”

Floyd then wordlessly handed them their fork, not caring if they had used it earlier. Floyd only grinned as he waited for Yuu to take a bite.

Yuu grabbed a napkin, cleaning the fork before stabbing the shrimp, taking a bit. They took another, savoring the taste.

“Huh, this is pretty good, Floyd.”

“Fufu, I am pretty great, aren’t I?~”

“When you’re in the mood, that is.”

Floyd bellowed loudly, somehow finding Yuu’s statement to be funny.

Yuu looked quizzically at the eel mer, “Eh? What’s so funny, Leech?”

“Eheh, you’re pretty interesting, aren’t ya?~”

--

The selkie swam through the familiar shores, searching. It had been months since they last saw their beloved.

Too long, in fact.

However, they clung onto the hope that their beloved Yuu was alive- after all, they were alive when they left.

Even if Yuu hadn’t known.

Engel could still remember the carriage, how they tried to call out to Yuu, how something restricted their throat, unable to call for them. It was utter agony, unable to voice out their words of caution. They had saw Yuu go inside the carriage, and Engel was able to see their frightened expression as they entered. Engel wanted to help, yet the restraints didn’t allow them.

Even so, they sang their song. Their voice may not have the same power nor strength as that of Yuu’s, the ability to entrance mortals and to have their voice carry, but it didn’t matter.

They sang. Even if their words came out as a seal’s barks, honks, and growls. Even if no one understood them, they sang.

They sang for Yuu.

After all, they sang of an eternity together in this damned world, hadn’t they?

----

“Hey, Floyd?” Yuu asked, messing with the blood-filled glass bead of their seashell bracelet. Its warmth brought a sense of calm over.

“Hmm?”

“Do ya think Azul will help me bring someone on over? From my world, that is?”

Floyd titled his head, his eyes rolling upwards in ponderment, letting out a small “hmmmm”.

“Well, I’m sure you would have to ask Azul yourself, Yuu,” a familiar voice rang out.

The two mer turned their heads towards the direction of the voice. Jade simply gave a smile as he came closer, as he too, took a seat next to Yuu.

“I see…” Yuu muttered, lowering their head. They had a small hope, a small hope that they could bring their beloved to this world. They only knew that Engel was alive due to the warmth the bracelet emitted.

It was their only comfort in this foreign world.

“Fufu, do not fret, Yuu. Azul is surely bound to find an answer of some sorts, if you ask.”

“To the point of invention, Jade? After all, it was the carriage that brought me over. Can Azul even recreate such a thing?” Yuu retorted. What are the chances that they could bring over their beloved?

“Who knows,” Jade shrugged, “Speaking of which, the mirror was wrong, were they not?”

“Oh yea,” Floyd agreed, “Shachi-chan does have magic, so why’d the mirror say they’ve got none?” Floyd looked at Yuu expectedly, giving a toothy grin.

“Heck if I know,” Yuu replied, “Maybe ‘cause my magic is limited? I can only really use it for my voice and becoming mer, so-“

“Ehhhhh, you don’t use a potion?” Floyd looked shocked, his eyes wide and mouth agape. His brother shared a similar look of disbelief, although it was much more subtle. After all, they had used potions to retain their human form.

“I don’t? I’m half mer, after all,” Yuu replied. Did magic function differently here? If it did, it would explain as to why their magic went unnoticed. It would be simply that the magic mirror is only able to detect the magic native to this world, and as everyone knows, Yuu is no native.

“What’s the other half?” Jade titled his head to the side, much more curious about Yuu’s origins than before.

“Human.”

“Ehhhhh? I was convinced Shachi-chan was a full mer, fufu, now this is interesting, no?~”

----

The water above Engel became murky, radiating an odd warmth. The water was near freezing, and Engel’s body was becoming overheated. Yet, as much as Engel could, they couldn’t swim to colder waters. Something was pulling them in.

It was like magic.

Pain shot through all their body. It was nearly unbearable, that Engel almost had wished to die instead of dealing with the immense pain. It endured for the next five minutes, and soon, they found their body being forced out of the water, landing on the sand with a loud smack. Their body was sore, Engel letting out a loud painful whine.

They took a moment to adjust to their surroundings, noticing that they were on a beach, vacant and devoid of any life. However, they could faintly pick up a certain scent, one that distracted them from all their pain and inner turmoil.

And that was Yuu’s scent.

It was faint, oh so very faint, but Engel could still pick it up. The scent had sent them to overdrive, their blood pulsing faster than before.

Shifting out of their pelt, they hugged it close to ward off the cold night, as they began to track Yuu’s scent, venturing into the forest that bordered the beach.

Too many times were they nearly caught, too many times were they nearly hunted. No doubt, something knew that Engel was there, but that didn’t deter them. They’ll lose the hunter, sooner or later. It was just a matter of when.

Soon enough, they found themselves near what looked like an academy of some sorts, a gate blocking their way. Yuu’s scent here was strong however, an anxiety started to pool up in their stomach. What if they couldn’t get to Yuu? All those months of searching would go down the drain, and they would have no one to return to.

Letting out a pitiful sigh, they turned to leave, until they heard a voice call out to them.

“Who are you?”

Engel looked towards the direction of the voice, their black eyes locking with amber ones.

Engel didn’t say a word, yet the person came closer. It wasn’t until when they were directly across from them on the other side of the gate did Engel notice their features, as the moon provided little light. The person had white hair and wolf ears, and a somewhat dark complexion., They had a strong build that intimidated Engel, but judging by their relaxed pose, they knew they posed no threat. Despite that, even if they did indeed pose a threat, Engel felt confident enough of their own strength to take them down.

“I’m Engel,” the selkie finally stated, albeit reluctantly, “And you are?” Something about the beastman felt familiar, although Engel couldn’t figure out as to why.

“Jack. Tell me, why do you smell of blood?” Jack asked, his eyes now glaring at the selkie.

There was no visible trail of blood on Engel, but they did have some.

Their bracelet.

Engel raised their hand to show off their bracelet, of which had seashells and small, blood-filled glass beads. Mer often gave one another bracelets, with their scales, to their beloved. Yet, as Engel and Yuu were not the typical mer, they made do.

It was their only connection, and the only way they knew if the other lived. Engel could still feel the warmth of the bracelet, although it was beginning to grow warmer the more they came close to Yuu’s location. No doubt, Yuu was in this academy.

“The blood of my beloved. They have a similar one, although with my blood,” Engel stated, proudly.

Jack didn’t say a word, but he glanced around. “I know a way to get you inside, but you’ll have to trust me, alright?”

“You’ll do that?” Engel gasped, clutching onto their pelt with their free hand.

Jack looked at them again, and shook his head, “I’ll get you some clothes too.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Jack glanced behind Engel, and said, “We should hurry, I don’t think we have much time.”

----

“It’s time for me to leave, so I suppose I’ll be on my way,” Yuu began, as they got up from their seat.

“Leaving so soon, Shachi-chan?~” Floyd grabbed Yuu’s wrist, as the siren looked at them with great disdain. This was often why they avoided Floyd, the eel mer was too much for them to handle.

“Is there a reason why I shouldn’t, Leech?” Yuu turned to look at the other Leech brother, who was only giving them a close-eyed smile. Very helpful.

“It’s not that late, is it, Jade?~”

“It’s literally almost curfew, Sir Strangles-People.”

“Stay the night! You’re mer, you’ll fit right in.~”

“Pray tell, Leech, where would I sleep?”

At this question, Floyd let go of Yuu’s hand as they massaged the area. He seemed to actually be in thought, something of which Yuu rarely saw.

“Hm, would they sleep with us, Jade?” Floyd wondered out loud, his grin becoming bigger, showcasing all of his sharp teeth. Yuu wondered

“I’m leaving,” Yuu quickly said, already striding away from the brothers. The warmth from their bracelet grew, borderline burning them. Yuu furrowed their brows, the pain stinging yet not unbearable. Yuu didn’t stop walking, even when one of the brothers called out to them. As soon as they were out of sight, Yuu broke out in a run.

-----

Engel sighed happily as they fondled with the beads of their bracelet, its warmth growing stronger. It only ever did that after long periods of absence of the other bracelet, as the bracelets were made to function in such a way. Yuu’s mother had personally made the bracelets, carefully telling them what each sign had meant.

Warmth meant the other was alive and well. Absence of warmth meant death.

And burning, after being separated for a long time, meant the other was near.

And boy, was Engel just vibrating with a certain happiness. Months and months of searching, and finally their search bore fruit.

“Hot chocolate?”

Engel snapped out of their daydream, looking at the owner of the voice. It was Jack, whose hand was in front of her, with a mug of hot chocolate within its grasp.

“Ah, many thanks, Jack,” Engel grabbed ahold of the mug, pulling it close to their person. They adorned some ill-fitting clothing, although it was all that Jack could offer. At least, Engel mused, they had something on. Better to wear baggy clothing than to be out and about naked.

“How do you know Yuu?” Jack asked. It was still rather early to the night, for it was not for another two hours did Jack need to go to bed. It was by sheer luck that Jack had encountered Engel on his nightly jog. He could smell something, or someone, hunting the mer. He wasn’t sure what it was, but it was obvious to him that the mer was in danger.

It took some explaining to the other dorm members as to why he brought a mer, of all people, inside to Savanaclaw. Even more, it was rather obvious that Engel didn’t attend the college, as everyone, to an extent, possessed a certain aura that only one could find at Night Raven College, after staying for a while.

Although, it didn’t take long for everyone to accept Engel, either. As strength was favoured amongst the beastmen, Engel had plenty. And tenacity, to boot. No doubt, had Engel been a native of this world, they would surely have been sorted into Savanaclaw.

“Hmm,” Engel pondered out loud, “As you said earlier, I’m not from this world and neither is Yuu.”

Jack nodded, not saying a word, intently listening.

“I’ll explain a few things of which are important before I begin. Our world,” a sip from the mug, “is harsh upon its inhabitants. Non-humans are rare and few, our numbers hunted to its current state. People are encouraged to kill or kidnap us, and use us for their dirty deeds.” Engel let out a hoarse laugh, but they continued.

“Thus, we thrive in secret, away from humans. We’re isolated, and we flee at any instance of human interference. Only a few humans are taken within our communities, Yuu’s mother being one of them. Truly, the Kishimoto family have been rather unfortunate.”

Jack raised a brow at the name, never having heard Yuu’s family name before.

“We met at sea, when Yuu was exploring their mer side. They were lucky enough to meet with their father’s side of the family, as orcas are matrilineal. Although whatever attachment they had with them was soon broken, by humans.”

“What do you mean?” Jack asked, taking in all the information.

“Humans started to fish in their territory, so they left, and left me in charge of telling Yuu. Thankfully, no one was harmed, however, it was found that Miss Kishimoto was a mer’s wife, that of a siren no less.”

Engel took a sip of their hot chocolate, the beverage slowly, but surely, becoming cold.

“Miss Kishimoto fashioned us these bracelets, and a few other trinkets before she was taken. I believe we were about… I say, 13 summers old by then? Yuu was taken in by my community, so we’ve been close since then. Only about a year ago did we… ah, become one another’s beloveds.”

“I see…”

“Did that answer your question?” Engel watched Jack’s expression, as he processed the new information. It was a lot, after all, Engel basically telling all of Yuu’s life in a very condensed summary.

“I suppose it does.”

-----

Yuu ran out from the mirror, their bracelet practically glowing and humming with life. They stood, searching for Engel. Yuu could smell Engel’s scent in the area, but they didn’t know where they were in.

It wasn’t until they felt their phone buzz in their back pocket did they find out.

Savanaclaw.

As quick as one can be, Yuu hurried and teleported through the mirror once more.

----

“I’ve told Yuu that you’re here, Engel, “Jack stated, as he picked up the mugs of hot chocolate, “I’ll be right back.”

Engel didn’t say a word, still clutching onto their pelt firmly. There was never a moment when they were without their pelt, the only other person ever granted permission to even remotely touch it, was Yuu.

Engel was unsure of how they would tell Yuu of the news from their world, nor was Engel even sure that they could return. Stories of transporting to other worlds always ended the same- no return to their home.

Yet Engel had a feeling that they wouldn’t mind that.

Anything better than that damned world.

----

Yuu ran, ignoring all the curious glances and glares that were thrown their way. They tracked Engel’s scent, and at last…

They saw Engel, pleasantly conversing with Jack, their pelt in their lap, and a content face. Yuu could feel their bracelet cool down, as did Engel. The selkie turned to look at their beloved arrival, tears pricking their eyes, and a smile making its way onto their face.

“It’s been too long, Yuu.”

Yuu ran to them, surprising Jack in the process, and hugged Engel.

“Too long, my love. Too long.”

….as Jack watched, unsure of what to do. He decided it would be best to leave the lovers alone, so he quietly left. Yuu knew the way.

[scribble-blog]

Soulmate AU part 13!!

I meant to update yesterday, but between a long school/work day and going out with friends afterwards for karaoke, it didn’t quite happen. Oops! I’m gonna try to get everything edited in advance so updates hopefully get a little smoother for me to roll out. Thanks for reading!

First • Previous • Here • Next

“So, we’re all agreed?” Tim demanded. “I’ll go in with Robin, play a little good cop, bad cop with them. And once we’ve actually figured out how bad the problem is and what we’d actually be able to do to help, Bats can swoop in and offer a hand.”

“I do not see why we had to plan that,” Damian practically yawned. “It’s what we would have all done anyway if left to our personal inclinations.”

“And why aren’t I in the plan?” Dick asked, pouting like the overgrown child Damian knew him to be. “I can play good cop just as easily! Or swoop in after! I can swoop!”

“Swooping is... bad.” Tim muttered to himself. “I left you out of the plan, Dick, because while we play diplomats to a bunch of teenagers who’ve been saving a whole city near daily for four years without help or acknowledgement, crime in Gotham doesn’t actually stop. You and Jason and Cass are on actual patrol.”

Cass wasn’t there, Damian knew. She’d already left after the first time Drake had gone over his “plan” to start on her actual patrol. Todd looked seconds from taking the same exit, except that he’d wanted to be there too.

“Still say I should be the bad cop,” he grumbled, and Damian kicked the foot he had sticking out from his slump on the chair. He got a half hearted retaliatory kick attempt, which was enough to know that Todd wasn’t truly upset at any of them, just upset that he wasn’t getting to meet the new French heroes. “Kid can go hunt down some more scumbags and sleazeballs. Might even catch Riddler or someone at something tonight. I wanna scare the kids.”

“I told you, you’re too much of an asshole to expose to children without warning. Also, they’re still teenagers. It makes sense to send the two youngest of us in to talk to them.”

“And Riddler’s still locked up,” Father said from his spot, far enough away from them that he could maintain the illusion of not dealing with their squabbling but close enough to listen and chime in. “Try again.”

“Hmm. Harley, taking a swing at Scarecrow for shooting Ivy.” Todd cracked an eye in that direction.

“I’d let her,” Damian groused quietly to himself.

“Speaking of Ivy,” Father’s voice cut through the chatter. “Damian. Mind explaining what you were doing when you got caught up in the attack today?”

Damn.

Damian had honestly let himself hope that the meeting with the new heroes would eclipse what had happened earlier that day.

“I was touring the Gardens,” he said, not dishonestly. “I don’t see why it matters.”

“No, what matters is the fact that you have a girlfriend, and you didn’t tell me,” Dick sighed dramatically. “Where did I go wrong, Bruce?”

“You didn’t actually raise me.” Damian pointed out. “At best, you’ve been a morally guiding nuisance.”

“Jiminy Cricket?” Tim asked, grinning widely.

“Where did you go wrong, Bruce?” Dick corrected, sending a glare towards Tim.

“If you don’t wanna tell us why you were practically hanging off of the poor girl’s every word, you don’t have to,” Todd grinned. “But just remember that what we can imagine is probably far worse than what was actually going on.”

Damian suppressed the urge to groan. He met Drake’s eyes. Surprisingly sympathetic, but then he also hadn’t shared his soulmark with their family to Damian’s knowledge.

“Marinette,” he stressed her name very carefully, with the air of someone who entirely regretted just about everything that had led them to this part of their life, “is my soulmate.”

There was a moment of silence before all hell seemed to break loose.

“A soulmate? And you never told me!?” Dick practically wailed.

“Perhaps I should have pressed the issue more when the marks first appeared.” Bruce murmured.

“There’s no way that sweet girl was your soulmate, Demonspawn.” Todd, crass as ever, objected.

“I think you guys are forgetting that Marinette literally had me on the ground and pinned within the first second of our interaction.” Drake reminded them. “And based on that, I’m guessing she wasn’t lying when she told Gordon she took down two of the goons that came after them.”

“She definitely wasn’t,” Damian found himself saying almost wistfully. He’d found himself at several points that afternoon and evening replaying the memory in his head of Marinette bringing down the idiot who’d tried to bring them to Scarecrow. “Her form needs work, but then not everyone has had the opportunity to train to our standards. I’ll be amending it.”

He found himself met with several frankly insultingly bewildered looks. With a sniff he flattened his expression and did his best to look down on them even from his position as the not quite shortest.

“Oh my god,” Todd said. “She’s actually your soulmate?”

“Cut it out, Jason,” Drake snapped before Damian could. “Or should I say something about your soulmate?”

Damian watched as Todd scoffed but settled down, eyes narrowed at their brother. Dick’s eyes flicked rapidly between Damian and Tim, baffled concern evident. “Did I wake up in an alternate dimension? Like- suddenly Paris has heroes and villains for years that we’ve never heard of, Damian met his soulmate, Tim is defending him, and Damian is letting him?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Damian said, meeting Tim’s eyes and watching them light up as he said, “Tim and I have always been perfectly friendly.”

“Honestly, Dick,” Tim took it one step further, slinging an arm over Damian’s shoulders. “I know you were kind of bitter that he latched on to me when you were supposed to be the Batman to his Robin while Bruce was gone, but there’s no need to act out like this.” Damian, against all of his instincts to shove the intruder into his personal space away, leaned into the side hug, and even wrapped his arm around Tim’s waist to complete the picture of easy familiarity.

“You’re not going to trick me into actually checking if we’re in an alternate dimension,” Dick said, and Damian struggled not to grin as Todd sat up a bit straighter.

“And what, next you’re gonna say today isn’t actually Cass’ birthday? You know Alfred’s got the whole cake and everything waiting for after patrol.”

“It’s not-“ Dick panicked, grabbing his phone, checking his calendar. Tim gripped Damian’s shoulder just a bit tighter as he struggled not to break, and Todd’s eyes were narrow and gleeful.

Dick looked up, accusatory and betrayed. All three of them cracked.

“Oh my god,” Todd laughed, as Tim broke down nearly to tears beside him. Damian couldn’t stop himself from laughing too, at the look on Dick’s face. “‘I’m not gonna check-‘ Dick, it only took one more sentence!”

“It wouldn’t have worked if you’d said anyone but Cass,” Dick whined, throwing his grappling hook at them. Jason caught it easily, tossing it back before Dick could prepare for it, catching him in the stomach.

“If you’re all quite done,” Father stood finally. “Damian, make sure you invite Marinette around to dinner tomorrow. I’m sure we’re all equally anxious to meet her. For now, let’s go, before we miss the meeting time we set up.”

“Yes, Bruce,” came the mumbles from his brothers, as Damian nodded his acquiescence.

For now, they’d deal with the Parisian heroes and their crisis overseas. Once that was settled, hopefully Drake could spend some time looking into the oddities in his soulmate bond.

And dinner be damned, he’d try to keep Marinette from meeting these idiots for as long as he could.

TAGLIST:

@the-fusionist @rebecarojas07 @lowandco @kotaleartzu @resignedcatservant @alenee13 @mystery-5-5 @ladybug-182 @actual-disaster-human @loysydark @rumbelle18 @magic-miraculous @vixen-uchiha @athena452 @mochegato @ash-amg @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @thestressmademedoit @sassakitty @doriebell @toodaloo-kangaroo @myazael @theatreandcomicfreak @mer-mel @dahjokester @northernbluetongue @abrx2002 @area51qt @jessigurl-design @renscorpio @cici-schnee @multplelifes @redscarlet95 @razzledazzle247 @rosep16 @emotionalsupportginger @kceedraws @tired-butterfly @kuroko26 @catthhay @moonystars14 @shamefullove @shreky-boi @imanerddealwith @chaosace @captainmac6 @purple-people-eaters-productions @crazylittlemunchkin @weird-pale-blonde-person @bigpicklebananatree

[talldarkandroguesome]

25th of Hearthfire, Loredas

When Veya roused herself, she gave me a pendant as a thank you. I told her that I did not need it, that I had been forced to lose a brother in a life or death choice, so I knew how it could feel to want to see things resolved. To see some kind of justice for everything.

I left out the full details, they were hardly important. This was about Veya’s feelings, not mine.

She still insisted I take it. She told me that outside of Naryu and Ashur, I might be her closest friend. It was a vulnerable moment and I dare not refuse it on such terms, though it broke my heart that after less than a week I might be considered so close by her. Was she so naive? Or had things seemed so dreadfully hopeless to her already? I did not wish to think on it.

Veya told me she still did not understand how Brivan could be involved, he was her brother’s best friend. I told her that there was likely a lot more being offered to him for the opportunity, but that we would not know for certain until we spoke with the soldiers.

She did not seem to think it would do any good, on account of House before family. I told her I understood that, I was of a House myself, but that if even one of them were as upstanding as her brother, that they would likely seek out justice above all else. That was what Ulran had done to the end and it was enough to inspire those following such a leader.

She told me she knew a few ways to get people to talk if they did not wish to share and I reminded her that that sort of method was probably not going to win her much more than a rite of execution. She told me I was as dire as Naryu.

I told her that while I was not an assassin, I had been a spy and trained to do much the same job as Tong members like her, only under a different label. She wrinkled her nose and asked why I would follow Sithis.

I laughed and told her that I did not. I was far too optimistic and life-loving for that sort of thing. That I was more aligned with the worship that fascinated her brother than she may realize.

She seemed to want to learn more, but I told her that if we wanted to get any answers, we should get a move on. After all, was she not the one who wanted to get out there and see some action?

That brightened her, and her beaming smile showed that, despite all the talk of killing people left and right, there was still a hopeful young mer under it all. I decided that in Naryu’s absence, I would do my best to at least try to steer Veya out of the way of harm and trouble both. It would do no good having risked so much just to leave things fall apart now.

So we made our way out of the city and west to the old Chimer ruin.

Hlormaren was not as it had been described in the old tales. And yet, there it stood, still strong and proud, an example of good fortification. We set out to find signs of the Redoran soldiers. As Veya explained to me, they had been sent to track down cultists. I feared that it all may have been a death sentence or a trap, either way the plan was likely to simply kill them all and leave no witnesses behind.

I asked Veya if she knew the leader of this group, a mer named Vatola and she said that she did. He was your typical loyal soldier and devoted to Ulran. It did not surprise me. He seemed an unlikely candidate for having betrayed Ulran, making me lean towards the idea that they were mere witnesses and were being killed to clean up a trail that could get back to the House or the Council.

We soon found signs of where the soldiers had camped. Then a bit further we found a lost sword and a torn insignia for the worship of someone called Nycot, whoever that was supposed to be. And eventually even a fallen soldier. It was clear that we had the right place at least, as grizzly as the impaled body was. Verya recognized the fallen mer, but not the civilians impaled next to him. It was typical cultist style deterrents, we just had to hope some of the soldiers were still alive. 

I asked Veya if we should not wait for Naryu. After all, three of us defending against a group of cultists that could have tens of members was a lot better odds. And no one wants to be impaled in such a way as to disembowel them.

Veya brushed me off and reminded me that after what happened to the Zainab, time was of the essence. I did not disagree and warned her of the dangers of cultists and she steeled herself for the battle ahead. I knew that she would be eager since she seemed so thirsty for blood.

She did not disappoint.

We slay any who got in our way and I admired how deftly she cut down enemies, given her inexperience. It did not take us long to find a few great cages with Vatola and a sparse few of his soldiers. He recognized Veya right at the outset, too. Which was a relief since it could mean an easy exchange of information and more people to help us fight our way out if necessary.

When I asked about what had happened with Ulran, Vatola got very defensive and demanded to be let out before he would talk. I could understand a fear of being caught, but it was the resolution in his voice that felt off. Perhaps he was the type after all.

Veya immediately began to gear up for beating the information out of Vatola and it seemed to shake him. Looking between them, I knew I could not leave her alone with them. In the state she was in, she was too likely to take things too far on accident and kill one or all of them.

I decided to intercede. I told him that I would definitely get them out of there. I could pick the lock at any time, but in order to help to keep the peace, I suggested that he simply tell us the information so we could move things along. I even said I would pick the lock while he spoke.

He tried to say he was wanting to protect Veya, the wrong thing to say. She raised her voice, saying how she was going to handle more than the truth if he did not start speaking soon.

I pulled out my lock picks and told him he better hurry  and tell her and tha tI would see them free as soon as they shared what they knew.

I may have also used my birth gift to ensure that he would agree. But given the fragile situation, it was the only avenue truly left to me.

Vatola said that he was with Ulran furing the incident. That he had been the one ordered to lure the Velothi to Balmora so that Ulran might be given his loyalty test.

My stomach went cold. That same hatred that Veya was feeling spread in frozen fractals through my blood and I, too, wished for blood to be spilled.

Of course, I held that in and moved my lockpicks without actually moving any of the inner pins.

Then, to make matters worse, he told us that it was, in fact, Brivan who had given the order for the loyalty test.

Veya turned and began to run out of the fort. I turned to follow, Vatola cursing me and asking how Veya could abandon them like this.

I felt little sympathy. They had betrayed someone who trusted them and killed innocents in the process with no remorse. They deserved to be treated the same by whatever strange cultists had caught them. If they somehow managed to survive, I could deal with that myself.

Yet as I gave chase, Veya drew her own shadows to her, damn her. I could tell she was running, but with the way she was going I had to slow down to be able to track her. Even using all the means at my disposal, she was quickly gaining a lead.

I managed to track her back to Balmora. I had assumed that was where she was headed, though I had half hoped she might go to her cave to regroup and plan, though no such luck.

I understood why she was upset, but her inability to understand the consequences of her action was dangerous. When we had been talking and discussing the rules she was to abide by, she told me plainly that in this case the rules did not apply to her.

It made me wonder if she might be cut out for the Morag Tong at all. But seeing that she does have the basic skills, it makes me all the more worried. No one is more dangerous and a mer with basic  knowledge and ability. You know how to use your power, but you have not the control or wisdom to ensure that it is used properly.

Veya has clearly decided that going rogue is her prerogative. If she were not in the Morag Tong that would be one thing, but her actions do not only affect her, they reflect on Naryu. And if she manages to kill someone without a writ, not only will she be responsible, so will Naryu.

I thought I could guide Veya, to show her the way gently. But she is too hot headed to listen to reason right now. If she cannot learn to do that, then she will have herself and Naryu killed. If I can do anything at all to stop this, I will.

I should have done something more to keep her in the safe house. We have a budding friendship, I could have used my birth gift to force her to wait. She would have hated me. It may have made things worse, but at least Naryu would be there to have the chance to make the decision.

I was so relieved, when, moments after I made it into the streets of the city, Naryu ran up to me and told me in Velothis that we had a situation. I told her we did and it was probably worse than she knew and while I may be to blame, we had to deal with it all first and she could stab me afterwards.

She was already rather upset that Veya was out of the safe house and the House guard after her. I explained briefly about trying to temper Veya’s... well... temper. That we went to gather information, I figured we would be away from the city and hopefully getting some answers might bring closure. Only now she knew that Brivan was involved and was almost certainly on her way to kill him, despite my attempts to try and stop her.

Naryu said Veya was clearly n the kinhouse and we agreed she needed to be stopped. I elected to go in and find her since I had less to lose in all this and said I would use my birthgift if necessary to force her out. If not, I had a boon from our Prince that might come in handy.

Naryu said she was grabbing Ashur and that they would look for where she may have escaped to in town and we ran in separate directions. 

Inside the kinhouse was a trail of dead bodies, all of them guards. A servant was on his knees quivering, muttering that she had just been so silent and killed them all so fast. So easily. Before storming up the stairs to Brivan’s apartment.

I realized just how dangerous this entire situation had gotten. It was spiraling out of control faster than lantern on hay.

There was a note stuck to the wall with a dagger claiming to take what was loved in exchange for what was taken from her. This was going to be more than a brief rampage and I wondered how long it would be before the killing wore her down enough to rest and maybe regain her senses. There was no time to waste and I rushed upstairs.

I found Brivan’s wife, alive and well, and she told me that Veya had demanded to know about where her husband was and she had told her about a House Council meeting at the garrison north of the city.

I hurried out into the streets and found Naryu almost at once. She asked if I had found Veya and I conveyed what I had learned to her.

Naryu was shocked. Particularly about how many soldier Veya had killed in pursuit of her revenge. We agreed that once we had stopped Veya from doing anything worse, we could work on a way to manage the very real problem of the potential ramifications for Naryu, Ashur, and every other member of the Morag Tong. That was a political situation to be dealt with when time permitted.

It was good that already there seemed to be some rumor that a writ may have been purchased by House Hlaalu who had been trying to make a foothold in the city of late. I do not know if that may have been started by Ashur or Naryu, or if someone else was responsible, but I was sure that I would help that rumor along when I had the chance.

When Naryu and I arrived to the garrison, we saw that it was the Warclaws, not House soldiers who were guarding the councilors. It was very strange. Had all this been a setup where Brivan knew he could use the situation to justify mercenaries? Was someone trying to take control of the House guard by getting rid of as many of the guard as possible? Somewhere someone was going to make a lot of money.

Naryu said she thought she had an idea of how we could use this all to our advantage, but first we needed to get Veya out of there, knocking her unconscious and dragging her out if necessary.

I agreed, this was going to cause ripples throughout all of Morrowind if it was not stopped. We headed into the fray, cutting our way through the mercenaries when necessary and weaving our path to the front of the garrison without letting too many know where we were. 

Inside we split up to cover more ground. We were already playing catch up and needed to get to Veya quickly.

We joined back up at a door that was locked. Naryu said she would go through the door and I should take the back way. We agreed she had a better chance of getting through to Veya, so I headed down to the cellar since Naryu thought there might be another way around. If we could get on both sides of her, we would have a better chance at stopping this.

I had to kill a few Warclaws, but I managed to find the passage Naryu mentioned and even found Brivan. He was smarter than he looked and recognized me from before.

I told him that I was there to warn him that Veya had found out about what he did and was coming to kill him. He started insulting her age and then threatening me for killing his mercenaries. I told him that he had the blood of Ulran and an entire camp of peaceful Ashlanders on his hands so he was in no place to judge the worth of other’s lives.

He seemed to welcome the threat and said he wanted Veya to try and kill him. That he set things in motion, but was told by Councilor Eris to help prove his son’s loyalty to the House, who thought that Ulran had been corrupted by Velothi influence.

It seemed rich to me to place the blame on another person when so many of Brivan’s actions had killed so many others. That things in Vvardenfell had become so hostile.

Not that I had much time to finish the thought, for Veya appeared from behind Brivan and had her dagger in him before he had even finished talking.

Then she cursed the entire House Council and her father, swore vengeance, and before I could make a move, she vanished. I threw a web where she had been, but it was too late, she must have teleported away.

Naryu found me just after and I could feel her disappointment and her anguis about what to do. Obviously she cared greatly for Veya, but with all that had happened, there was so much more to consider. Veya had signed her and Naryu’s execution by killing Brivan without the writ. The Morag Tong would see to it.

We agreed that, whether we liked it or not, we had to save the Councilors from Veya’s murderous rampage. It was the only thing that might yet save the Morag Tong from being hunted down and eradicated from Morrowind as they had been in the past. The whole Dark Brotherhood debacle with killing the potentate and blaming it on the Morag Tong. The fetchers. It had caused a century of issues for the Morag Tong.

And knowing what I did of how the Morag Tong helps to maintain House balance, I cannot even imagine with the war on what their absence would do to the House conflicts. We had to stop this.

We made our way towards where the meeting was being held and at last came to a large metal door. It was locked tight and I went to pick it, but Naryu pushed me out of the way. The look on her face let me know that it was important that she be the one to do this. That she would be able to stop Veya. We could see through the bars, Veya, approaching her father. He apologized for everything, clearly sorry that any part of his actions had ended in Ulran’s death. He may not have been a good man, but he clearly loved his children and felt incredibly guilty about Ulran’s death.

He said how much he wished to make amends, but Veya said there were none to be made except with her blade.

Naryu cried out to her to stop, even giving her a direct order when everything else would not suffice.

Veya did not listen. She said she was not Naryu’s apprentice any longer and that she had to cleanse the corruption of her House.

And then she ran her father through. I could see his despair, his acceptance, and even a bit of the feeling that he deserved it.

It was awful to watch.

Naryu got the door open just as the councilor fell to the ground, his blood spreading across the carpet.

Veya screamed that she was not going to follow any more rules or be fooled by more secrets and she attacked us. Naryu and I fought to defend ourselves, not wanting to kill her if we could stop her. Her rage had given her so much strength and she seemed to have an unnatural strength in her strikes.

We managed to take her down together, but it was hard pressed.

High Councilor Meriath approached us and asked to speak with us. Naryu asked for a moment and said I was better suited at negotiations anyhow. She was not wrong. Especially not given all that had just transpired.

The High Councilor and I spoke of the entire affair with Ulran and how Eris had been the one responsible and the Council had allowed themselves to be convinced since it was his own son involved. She said she regretted what happened with the Ashlanders since their House was not that of butchers. They did not hire brigands to keep their hands from being bloodied, they would still be soiled.

While we had some clear differences of opinions, the High Councilor sould tell how much Naryu cared and praised her convictions. Then she offered us up a deal. While I thought she was likely laying more of the blame on those who were dead and could not defend themselves than was probably true, a deal was what we needed right now.

It was decided that the bodies be left where they were and that Veya would be made a hero, dying while trying to protect her father from the Warclaws. Though she failed, she had acted valiantly with her last breath. It was a very neat wrapping to a very messy situation, but it was the best way to solve our problem.

All that we were asked to do was to never speak of what transpired. To never let the truth see the light of day. It was a far easier bargain than any could ask for. The Council must have been desperate. Luckily, both Naryu and I follow a Prince whose sphere is rooted in secrets and it was easy enough to agree.

As soon as the High Councilor left to return to the meeting, Naryu hissed at me to come over in Velothis. She thought this was far too easy an thing, that there was clearly more going on. I told her I agreed, but our hands were tied. This was the only way to ensure that there were no repercussions.

Naryu told me there was one very big obstacle.

Veya was still alive.

Sure, the High Councilor thought we had killed her and her body was a major sticking point in all of this. Of course, if Veya was allowed to live and the Morag Tong found out about any of her actions, it was as good as our deal not having been made. And it was also clear that Veya was not cut out for this.

There was not even a way to gaurentee she would not simply return to kill the Council later.

Naryu said she had a friend in Summerset, she could send Veya to be kept safe there.

I reminded her that we needed a body and that ships work in more than one way. Besides, Veya was now notorious for breaking away and causing bloodshed when made to keep a low profile. And as much as I would not mind her killing a bunch of our Dominion enemies, there was always the chance she would return to Vvardenfell. There was not even a way to ensure that she would agree to any of it. Naryu agreed with me, she even went further into detail about how she felt as though she could not stop Veya from ever doing exactly as she pleased.

I felt a twist in my gut as the words formed in my mind. Naryu could see them forming there too. They were on her mind as well.

I looked away.

She grabbed my chin and made me face her. She told me I had to say it.

I told her that I cared for Veya but Naryu shook her head and again told me to say it.

I struggled to find the best way, but with Naryu’s blade pressed to my hip, I just spoke plainly. It was clear, Veya could not live after all she had done.

The words cut my throat like razors. I felt disgusted for saying what should have reminded in my own mind. But none of it was untrue.

I could see that Naryu agreed.

She hated it. But she agreed.

She said she knew that Veya needed to die, but it still felt wrong to her. I told her I felt the same and I placed a hand on her shoulder.

She threw it off of her as though disgusted, then grabbed my hand in hers. It was a big decision to make. So much blood was already shed. But how could we allow the chance for so much more?

Naryu told me she wanted to be the one to do it. It was her responsibility to do so. Once Veya disobeyed her order there was no other choice to regain her standing in the Morag Tong. I nodded. I knew already, but it still hurt to see Naryu have to face it.

She told me I did not have to stay, that she could do it on her own.

I shook my head. I told her we started this all together, we should finish it that way too.

Naryu gave me a slight smile, her way of thanks, for what it was worth given my failures to stop it.

I asked if she wanted a poison that would just put her into a sleep she would not wake from and Naryu nodded. I gave it to her and held her hand until she administered it.

Veya’s breathing shallowed out. Then stilled.

I could see Naryu holding herself back. Keeping her emotions back.

I led her out of the garrison, past the bodies of mercenaries. We went back to the safehouse and I pulled a bottle of good brandy from my bag.

She and I drank deeply before she started to talk. She tried to be her usual self, but the emotion was drained. I did not push it. I just took things gentle with her, even if later she may tease me for it.

Yet as I tried to offer comfort, Naryu lashed out at me. It was well deserved. I was to blame for some of it after all. But I did not rise to her anger either. I knew where it came from. It was grief.

Eventually with some more drinking and a bit of silence between us, she apologized and said she was grateful for everything. She did not want to think of how much worse it might have gone without me. I wish I could feel like I was of any real help, but if I even did one thing to ease her through the whole affair, then it was worth it. We have known each other too long not to have some compassion for one another.

Perhaps we both saw a little bit too much of ourselves in Veya and were not as objective as we should have been about her personality flaws. 

In the end, Naryu asked to have some time to herself and told me that she would be keeping the rest of the bottle. I told her that it was the least I could do, but that it meant she owed me when next she was in Morrowind.

She grabbed my wrist as I turned to go and told me she wanted me to have Veya’s dagger, something to remember her by, since she had seemed to really like me, after all, she treated me the same was as she had treated Naryu, so that had to count for something. Plus, I was there for her when Naryu could not be.

I took it and said my farewells.

Then I just went back to my room at the inn and ordered a couple bottles of fortified wine and drank until I could no longer keep open my eyes.

I need to head to Ald’ruhn, but I just hope I can find the strength

[darth-does-stuff]

its ramble time. also yeah this is gonna be p long (hence the word - rambles) and prob talking a lot about patton and janus because i havent talked about them much and i have IDEAS

(also i know i want remy to be involved somehow but i havent figured out how yet. suggestions welcome ghjghjgs)

so thomas and logan are elves, roman remus and virgil are magic users (witches warlocks wizards whatever the word is lmao), remus specializes in wind magic, roman in fire, and virgil in weather. 

the magic virgil uses is often called chaos magic and in order for something to be generally classified as chaos magic, it needs to be unusual/rare, chaotic (duh) or unpredictable, and destructive. (these classifications might change as i think on them more). wind magic is largely argued upon whether it is chaos magic or not, seeing as how it is largely unpredictable and can be seen as destructive, but it doesnt fit the bill with the first one, leading to the arguments. same with fire magic, but they said it was too common for it to be chaos magic. virgil having weather magic means that he can create storms, sandstorms, generate lightning, windstorms, and also able to control (or rather ‘bend’) rain. of course, there are drawbacks and limitations, adding to the fact that virgil has a very hard time controlling his magic and harnessing it, he is not op dw. magic is also very much tied to emotions btw

also ro re and vee have two moms and they are a lesbian couple sorry i dont make the rules

elven lore and shit time - while gold is rare in many places in the fantasy land (i still have yet to decide on a name), in the elven land (i have not decided names for each section either lmao) iron and steel are actually harder to find than gold. gold still holds its own worth, but iron and steel are generally regarded as superior in worth than gold, which is why many nobles possess the material. and ive already explained the left eye crest thing with the elves, their left eye has a shape or crest to it along with a color that glows slightly. the glow can be dimmer or brighter depending on their emotions at the time. logan has a diamond shape to his left eye and a leaf green glow to it, which also happens to be his eye color as well. thomas’ is a heart and rainbow color and glow, while his actual eye color is an almond brown. ill discuss appearances in another post btw. anyways, the elven lifestyle is the most similar to humans, having a battleschool, its system nd shit, etc. although it does differ in terms of ‘rulers’. the humans have a monarchy while the elves rule through a council of 9. (an odd number so there arent any ties) logan uses both a sword and a bow as his weapons of choice. thomas was forced to go to battleschool so he basically just dips as soon as he can after teaching logan what he knows and becomes a healer because HEALER THOMAS 

PATTON AND JANUS TIME PATTON AND JANUS TIME PATTON AND JA

 patton is one of the merfolk, who (in this au) are a species that have two forms. their mer form, where the lower half of them is the mer tail fish tail what the fuck is it called. anyways the color of pattons tail (wtf is it dude) is a desaturated light blue. he has these like ??? spikes?? is that the word? jutting out from his forearms. (at the very least pointy things) and he will not hesitate to use them as weapons. yeah he’s a feral boy. he has some spots of scales on his upper body but they are pretty scarce. in his human form, he just looks like a human i dunno what you expected lmao. in the water his eyes are a really potent blue while on land they are much duller. he can also breathe underwater regardless of the form. patton also cant really will himself to either form, if he wants to be human form he has to be on land and vice versa for the mer form.

janus is a fucking uh,, dude idk the word for it. i guess the general word for it would be dragon but he’s more humanoid than dragon. a cross between the two ig. anyways he has scales on one side of his face, scaly wings because fuck yeah, horns jutting out from his forehead, and more shit that i have forgotten but i know he has it. the scales are a golden color, with warm yellows and light oranges mixed in. left eye has a dragon pupil type thing, like a slitted pupil. fuck i hate describing things ghdgakhgask. im playing around with the idea that dragons can shapeshift but nothing is set in stone with that tbh. most dragon folk are like janus, a mix between dragon and human, and only the really powerful ones are the ones that can actually turn into dragons so thats pretty rare. but fuck descriptions its time for fucking FRIENDSHIP and FAMILY

janus has a little brother whose name is emile and they are 6 and actually pretty shy. it took them a while to warm up to patton but now he literally loves pat and everytime he sees them he bolts over and just gives him a huge hug. patton tries to act all tough but he is so soft for emile there is no denying it and they all know it. jan and emile have an agender parent and a genderfluid parent. agender parent uses xe/xem btw. 

patton has a mother and never knew his father. he and his mother have a rather,,, distant relationship i suppose. his mother is in the royal guard so she is called away often (though it does not excuse the neglect in the slightest) her and pat just mutually acknowledge that they both exist and go about their day. one day pat confessed to jan that he never really felt that they were his mom, more just a person who birthed him. one time in a particular bout of drowsiness, patton confessed that janus and his family were the ones that he truly considered family. janus got choked up and was like ‘shut up you bastard im supposed to be tough /pos’ 

the first time janus showed him how he could get rid of the dragon aspects of himself for a limited time, patton literally took one look at his human form and shouted ‘what the FUCK’ and janus was like ‘IVE SEEN YOU CHANGE FORM BEFORE WHATS YOUR DEAL’ and patton just screams ‘THIS IS FUCKIN WEIRD’ (all /lh) janus and patton get up to so many shenanigans its a wonder they havent gotten caught yet lmao

patton, once again in sleep deprivation cause thats the only fuckin time he’ll confess anything about his emotions, told janus that he was his first friend and that he was so scared to mess it up when they first became friends. he’d spent most of his life alone and always in this state of just,,, perpetual anger, bubbling right underneath the surface with no way to escape. it led to him getting in a lot of fights and just lashing out, especially at people who tried to become his friend, scaring them away. when janus came along and stayed, he said it was the best thing that ever happened to him. he finally had a friend. even when he lashed out and retreated back into himself, putting up those walls again, janus still stayed. he helped break those walls down bit by bit, helped patton with his anger issues, helped patton realize that janus was here to stay, and that he wasnt leaving.

if you cant tell, i love them sm ghdgaskgjs

[crossroadsfossil]

Fake titles!!!

"Giving matches to paper dolls"

"Making wishes out of Airplanes"

"For wheat is still wheat when mistaken for grass at a distance."

" you've got time to grow"

"Letters to myself"

"I begged god to spare you, 10yrs later he got the memo and knocked my front teeth."

-im sorry this^ title is so long-

"You and have a long walk home."

"We decided not to cry."

send me a made-up fic title and i'll tell you what i would write to go with it

"Giving matches to paper dolls"

OTGW fic. 

When Wirt was finished with high school, he decided to take a gap year, encouraged by his stepdad, who also offered to help fix up an old car. Wirt chose a moped. 

His stepfather held up a hand when Wirt wheeled the moped into the garage. Wirt stopped and waited, his stepfather massaging the bridge of his nose before turning around and entering the house. Less than three minutes later he returned with a photo album, an almost manic grin on his face. Wirt ended up learning a lot about his stepfather’s own gap year, and his moped. His stepfather suggested he go south. 

Looking back on it, Wirt realized that was probably not a great choice. He might not have ended up going through the kudzu covered wall in the rain and ending up nursing what he hoped wasn’t a broken ankle. 

The woods were dark, and oh so familiar. 

plot: return to The Beyond. World hopping Wirt and Greg. Eventual Beast Wirt. 

"Making wishes out of Airplanes"

Plot: The thing about living in large cities was that light pollution drowned out all stars. The heavens could be raining down wish bearing stars and no one in the city or its suburbs would be able to see them. 

That’s alright. Izuku was used to taking terrible situations and transmuting them into success like an alchemist of old. He did it when he was young, he would do it again. 

He just hadn’t counted on Tomura being sent back in time with him. 

"For wheat is still wheat when mistaken for grass at a distance."

Inko Midoriya could once move mountains. If you gave her enough time and a spoon, she would show you a new valley where it used to be. Marriage and the birth of her son had provided her the opportunity to retire - something she took with both hands and would refuse to give up. 

Or it had been until she had seen what Izuku was being sent into, what even the top ten couldn’t prevent from happening to her son. She was... disappointed. She had expected more of them and, well. There were few things that could prompt her into leaving retirement. Izuku was always one of them, and when he asked how to save a person, well. 

She pulled out the small black book with her cyphered contact list and began to call in favors and upon old friends. 

" you've got time to grow"

One of the first things he was told after being taken in by the commission was that he was to be called Hawks. Which was fine. He liked it. It sounded cool. It sounded badass. 

The second thing he was told was that he was being placed in a home. A pair of foster parents, carefully vetted. His mom had always told him to slow down, to not go as fast. Clearly, he didn’t listen to her. He didn’t regret it. Now, now he was forced to slow down. Bandages pulling at his back and shoulders, the echoing pain dulled by creams and medication. That wouldn’t stop him normally but the driveway that was half a kilometer to the road hindered him. The fact that the nearest town was an hour's drive beyond that was another factor. Until his wings grew back, if they grew back, he was stuck at his parent’s retirement home. 

“Hawks, honey, the farmhands are almost here.” His mother said, phone in hand. “Your mom says they picked up lunch on the way back. From the glee in her voice, I think she got several buckets. I swear.” She sighed fondly and left. Minutes later he heard the front door open, and the tromping in of several sets of feet. With a sigh, he got up and limped down to the dining area. 

At the threshold, he froze, seeing people he didn’t want to ever see again, and especially not with his mothers in the same room. 

“Hawks.” Spinner said, surprise written over his face. The heads of the rest of the league snapped hard toward him, surprise and creeping dread over everyone’s face.  

"Letters to myself"

If Phalnex could have written a letter to his past self, he would have encouraged another post. Any post. Any position would have been better than where he was currently. Yes, there were benefits but he would not consider this one of them. 

A large feline purred as he entered the hanger. It was the largest of the lions- that was what the humans were calling them. He wasn’t sure what their fascination with comparing wildlife to creatures they had on their homeworld. He saw where they drew the comparisons, but still. 

“Oh thank fuck.” A familiar voice said. His ears swiveled to pinpoint where the holder of the voice was and he spotted her held between the lion’s front two paws. 

“Vin.” He greeted. The Midoan smacked the paws until they loosened enough for her to wiggle out from between them. She offered him a sympathetic look as she sped by him. As soon as she cleared the door, he was being picked up, scruffed as if he was a kit. 

Gods, he couldn’t wait until that pilot returned. This lion was ungodly clingy without him. 

"I begged god to spare you, 10yrs later he got the memo and knocked my front teeth."-im sorry this^ title is so long-

This would actually be a series, a trilogy to be exact. Age/roleswap. 

I begged god to spare you, - 

If there was one thing Izuka was worried about, it was this year’s UA internships. Tokoyami was doing his best to reassure him, but even the antics of darkshadow (who was doing her best to imitate an overly fluffy utahraptor) weren’t easing the twisting in his stomach. Something felt wrong. He wasn’t sure what it was, but when the interns had left with his sidekicks, something trilled at him to go with them, even though Recovery Girl had assured him that between herself, Apex and Ravine, they would be fine. There was a knock and then Ochako stuck her head in. She had that look she got when dealing with Bakugo and paperwork in the same room- a mix of exhausted and simmering annoyance. 

“Guess who found trouble?” She said. Izuku groaned and let his head thump the table. 

10yrs later he got the memo - 

The two children before him were pale-haired, short, and one of them was looking at Izuku like he dared the hero to come closer. Toshi was letting Recovery Girl look over his arm, inspecting her work before moving on to Enji. The fire-user was giving a glare towards Toshi that, were his flames capable of shooting from his eyes, his classmate would be ash already. 

The smaller of the two children clung to, what Izuku assumed was his older brother. Both were too skinny, and the smaller (younger?) of the two looked several minutes away from toppling over. 

“I’m Izuku.” Midoriya greeted. The kid that bit Toshi snarled and reached out a hand, only for it to be grabbed and pulled away. 

“Shigaraki.” The smaller sibling interrupted, shooting his brother a look. A silent conversation passed between them, and Izuku let them. No one knew what their quirks were, but judging by the fact that the yakuza had them, he was sure it was powerful and dangerous. Worst case scenario, he asked for Miss Eri and got Tenko in here to provide a pep-talk. 

and knocked my front teeth. - 

“Babysitting?” Touya asked, dropping his bag and removing his shoes. Tenko nodded. Around him, there was what appeared to be the entirety of Tenko’s comic collection. One child was eagerly engrossed, chattering excitedly at his brother. The brother glared at everyone, tracking their movements. He hoped Tenko had told his boss that he wasn’t keeping the brats overnight. Being roommates with a hero-ling was one thing. Being dragged into a literary trope was another, and as much as he enjoyed his college courses on such books, he didn’t want to live one. 

Tenko got up and pulled Touya into the hallway, just far enough that they could talk but not far enough that Tenko couldn’t lean back and keep an eye on them. 

“Midoriya-san is working on placement, but well. He was of the opinion that our apartment was the safest place for him. The yakuza are after them.”

Touya snorted. Of course Tenko got dragged into this. 

“Well, Deku isn’t wrong. We’ve got what, four heroes and an almost doctor here? If Himiko can make it, we can add one spy to the list.” 

“She’s not a spy.” 

“Uh-huh. And Iguchi hasn’t adopted half his class.” Tenko opened his mouth to negate that statement but a pale-haired child peered around the corner. 

“Who’s a spy?” of course that was what interested the angry child. 

"You and I have a long walk home."

This would be a FMA fic, mostly because I want to just have shenanigans as Ed and Al get kicked off a train and have to walk back. Post the end of the series and they go through a town they’ve been through before. Very soft and very sweet. Some Teacher!Edward and alphonse getting to do a lot of things he couldn’t the first time around, like pet all the barn cats and fondle the freshly washed wool and being buried in cuddly sheep. 

"We decided not to cry."

"The tears of a mermaid.” Ginko set the small bottle on the witch’s desk. She picked it up, tilting it before leveling a skeptical glare at him. 

“These certainly aren’t.” She set the bottle down, but stopped him as he went to put them back in his pack. 

“It doesn’t mean I don’t want them. I do want the story. What happened to the real tears?” 

Ginko smiled, sitting down. The witch leaned over and lit another stick of incense. He voiced his thanks before launching into the story. 

plot: mushishi episode basically. Will contain mermaids, mer-other things, and some potential murder. 

[porvoborn]

––– i believe that is meryem zharkov née mattis,  princess  of  porvo  / duchess  of  bolton .  they  are  twenty  -  five  years  old  and  are  known  to  be  very  incisive  &  solicitous, though  they  can  also  be  very  withdrawn  & obstinate. they  remind  me  of  the  first  rays  of  morning  sun  over  the  sea, lengthy  missives  covered  in  revision  marks ,  the  thick ,  sharp  edge  of porcelain  after  it  has  broken. 

             hello my friends !  i’m  kay  &  this  is  my  sweet  ray  of  sunshine ,  meryem.  i’m  so  excited  to  be  here.  pls  just  like  this  &  i  will reach  out  to  plot !  

CHARACTER BASICS

NAME : meryem zharkov née mattis NICKNAMES : mer ,  mery ( by close associates / friends only ) OCCUPATION  / TITLE : duchess of bolton , princess of porvo GENDER : cis  female AGE:  twenty - five BIRTHPLACE:  porvo  - the capital  CURRENT RESIDENCE :  the dukedom of bolton , antegra MORAL ALIGNMENT: true good  MYER’S BRIGGS TYPE: the advocate , infj-t PERSONALITY: compassionate , charming , charismatic , withdrawn , changeable , ill-tempered , understated , austere ,  sensitive , guarded ,  reserved ,  insightful , detail-oriented , shrewd , altruistic , passionate , driven .

AFFILIATIONS

FAMILY: FATHER : hytham mattis ( deceasedr)  MOTHER : ceren matthis ( deceased )  SIBLINGS :  altan mattis ( eldest brother , king of porvo ) emir ( half brother , estranged ) , nehir mattis ( younger sister ) PARTNER : domeric zharkov, duke of bolton ( husband )  CHILDREN: none, yet. 

PHYSICAL DETAILS

PREFERRED HAND: left handed EYE COLOR: blue HAIR COLOR: dark brown SKIN TONE:  fair COMPLEXION: clear BUILD: petite HEIGHT: 5′3

PERSONAL / MISCELLANEOUS DETAIL

TBA

HEADCANONS & DEVELOPMENTS - BIO

SUNLIGHT .  the  first  word  that  one  would  associate  with   the  princess  meryem.  she  is  sunlight . born  as  the  first   rays  of  light  stretched  through  her  other’s  chambers  after  a  difficult  night ,  she  would  always  be  known  as  the  sun’s  princess .  she  was blessed,  it  was  said ,  with  the  warmth  &  light  of  the  sun.  &  so  meryem  basked  in  the  light ,  bringing  light  with  her  wherever  she  stepped . 

the  golden  coasts  of  porvo  did  not  grant  her  a   golden  childhood .  meryem  grew  ,  watching  her  father  lie  &  pretend .  watching  him  wound .  she  learned  at  a  very  early  age  to  see  past  the  masks  that  men  wear  when  they  play  their  political  games -  she  learned  to  see  people  for  who  they  truly  are .  she  distanced  herself  from  her  father ,  frightened  by  his  slithering ,  and  instead  clung  to  the  teachings  of  her  mother . 

she  took  advantage  of  what  others  sneered  at - -  the  openness of  a  porvoan  education.  she  learned  whatever  she  could -  of  the  world ,  of  history ,  whatever  interested  her  (  and  much  interested  her  ).  she  was  denied  access   to  no  subject ,  and  thus  considered  herself  a  rather  well-rounded  princess . she  was  quietly  fearless ,  endlessly  compassionate ,  and  continuously  curious . she  continued  to  carry  SUNLIGHT  in  her  touch ,  in  her  smile .  there was  always  the  sun. 

her  father  died ,  as  kings  often  do ,  and  meryem  could  not  find  tears  to  cry  for  him .  in   the  wake  of   war ,  a  match  was  arranged  for  her ,  as  is  expected  of  princesses.  altan  could  not  speak  highly  enough  of  his  comrade ,  but  the  rumors  of  the  savagery  began  to  flood  meryem’s  ears . it  was  time  to  be  brave ,  and  meryem  left  for  antegra . 

the  dukedom  of  bolton  seemed  a  place  that  the  sun  could  not  touch .  it  was  cold - - a  different world  entirely  to  anything  she  had  known .  its  lord  &  ruler  was  much  the  same -  entirely  different  to  herself.  where  she  was  softness  &  smiles ,  he  was  cold  &  secretive.  there  was  a  grief -  a  horror  to  him  that  meryem  could  not  dream  to  touch ,  but  she  found  she  was  not  afraid .  perhaps  she  should  have  been -- having  come  from  a  world  of  sunlight  to  a  damp  underworld ,  but  she  found  herself  more  CURIOUS  than  afraid.  her  husband ,  perhaps  to  his  dismay ,  intrigued  her .  she  wanted  to  know  him.  and  against  her  better  judgement ,  perhaps ,  she  hoped  that  one  day  she  might  love  him . 

silks  were  exchanged  for  furs ,  rain  &  snow  for  sea  &  sun .  the  princess became  a  duchess.   if  she  were  to  survive ,  she  would  need  to  grow  a  thicker  skin. meryem  knows  this --  she  is  still adjusting ,  but  she  refuses  to  sacrifice  her  sunlight .  nothing  can  take  that  from  her. 

TIDBITS

she has a head for history and facts, and is incredibly interested in politics — she’s a clever girl and has a lot of insight ( people just never use it why?? ).

she’s stronger than she looks, and has the tendency to keep her emotions locked away until she feels comfortable enough to reveal them.the same goes for her opinions, though she’s incredibly opinionated

she has a very witty & light sense of humor, and often uses it as a coping mechanism.

she’s genuinely?? passionate about people??

sneaky temper

knows how to keep a secret.

resident mom friend.

crippling fear of failure

will dote on any child at any time.

has a dog that she also dotes on like a child — he’s her biggest confidante.

prone to overreact a bit

once you lose her trust, it’s incredibly difficult to regain.

soft but strong ? genuinely undaunted by most things and ready to face whatever life brings her.

because of the reputation that katherynne has garnered in westeros, when moryn died, there was speculation that foul play was involved. though katherynne had no real dealings in his death , many think to pin the blame on her.

although she’s a person who generally fills the lives of others with light, she often finds it very difficult to do the same for herself. her moods are very changeable ( though she doesn’t let it show ) and she’s very prone to feeling nervous. though there isn’t really a historical  definition for it that doesn’t extremely overlook the validity of mental illness, meryem suffers from depression & anxiety, and tries to find little ways to cope with her ‘moods.’

POTENTIAL CONNECTIONS.  - descriptions tba

OLD FRIENDS PEN PALS LADIES POLITICAL ACQUAINTANCES FRENEMIES NEW ALLIANCES / FRIENDS IN ATEGRA

[odellanaise]

( anya chalotra, 23, cis female, quarter-mer ) Blimey! Is that ( ANAISE ODELL )? ( SHE ) is the ( MASTER GUNNER ) on the Cursed Serpent and has been onboard the ship for ( SIX YEARS ). Legend has it they are ( DILIGENT & DUTIFUL ), but don’t get on their bad side, because I hear they’re ( CANDID & OBSTINATE ). Aye! Stop staring! ( ANAISE ) has their ( DAGGER ) out! 

OOC

Juno, she/her, 20, GMT!

PERSONALITY (tldr;)

Healthy amount of respect for authority, but will vocally go against you if she firmly believes you are in the wrong.

Very, very good at what she does, and knows it. (But she’s scared no one else sees it that way.)

Hardworking; believes in effort over talent.

Will die on the most ridiculous of hills and cannot lose an argument.

ABOUT

Sharp-eyed and stubborn, Anaise showed up one day where the Cursed Serpent was docked at a smaller port, demanding a place amongst its crew.

Only seventeen years of age but fierce as anything, she was upfront about being partially deaf in her right ear from an accident with a cannon, but advertised herself as an excellent marksman who knew how to operate them on ships. When asked why she'd decided to join them, she'd smiled, a hard glint to her eye — "I killed a man. They’ll find me soon enough.”

After a demonstration leaving the rest of the crew impressed, they relented, though they told her she'd have to work her way up from being a powder monkey — their last one had deserted just after they got on shore. She accepted the offer immediately. 

It wasn’t until she’d saved Captain Bradway’s life during a raid that she really felt like she’d earned her place as one of them. Captain Bradway had missed the man attacking from behind and one well-aimed dagger straight to the heart had taken care of that. 

Afterwards the crew took more notice of her skill set, allowing her to shine at the position she’d long hoped to get. Eventually she got promoted to the position of gunner. 

One day during a raid turned sour, their previous Master Gunner was hit by a stray bullet and was unfit to continue in his position. As the other crew members tended to his wounds, Anaise immediately snapped into commander mode, directing the other gunners to do as she told. Stunned by her assertiveness and seeing no other option, they complied, and Anaise managed to turn what had originally been devolving into a disaster into a somewhat salvageable event.

After that their Master Gunner decided to retire from the pirate life and Anaise was appointed to her newest position, though this appointment didn’t come without controversy as some of the crew voiced that Captain Bradway had only done this out of gratitude. (If it works with the lore, maybe someone even left the crew because of her appointment.)

Anaise likes the crew, more or less, but she's always worried that they see her as a child despite the fact that she's been with them for six years and that she's more than capable. She always has a nagging feeling that she still has something to prove. That being said she occasionally fears that her young age in her position makes some of the crew dislike her — she knows her appointment to Master Gunner had been a controversial one. 

Anaise is still fairly upset about the Captain’s death. Having saved his life once before she feels responsible for not being able to do so again. She was never the closest to him, but as the man who showed her the appreciation for her skills that she thought — no, knew she deserved, Anaise respects him a great deal. She didn't have many adult figures in her childhood she could look up to and he was one of the very few she could fully put her loyalty behind. Now that he's gone, her investment into finding the Jewels is largely powered by wanting to continue his legacy.

SECRET

Her mother, a half-mer, was one of Somers' many dalliances. He always took his children with him to raise as his own.

Anaise and her six half-siblings were brought up under Somers' harsh influence, raised to integrate seamlessly as part of his crew aboard the Silver Moon and each a formidable fighter in their own right. He was quite the paranoid man and had reasoned that his own flesh and blood wouldn't dare mutiny against him. Anaise in particular was put in charge of the cannons.

Though Anaise and her siblings had always been pitted against each other, their hardships under Somers had in fact driven them closer, and on the eve of Anaise's 17th birthday, they put their plan to kill him in motion. The siblings who wanted to remain split up Somers' merchant business, and the ones who wanted out left.

She takes her last name from her eldest half-brother. 

[magdaclaire]

hiiii mer, can u pls write me a mob winteriron au with mob boss Bucky and daycare center worker tony? preferably with secret identity porn and some angst

It does not have identity porn, but it does have angst! 

Hope you enjoy it under the cut, Joanis! 

Ao3 Link

Tony clenches his jaw, leaning against the wall stubbornly and jutting his chin up at anyone who makes eye contact, though few are brave enough to even try. Even if people don’t know who he’s attached to, they do know the kid that’s huddled behind his thigh, sucking on her thumb with a cast on her arm. Tony only has to make the right expression to the right person for someone to run off and get who he’s looking for, and that’s a kind of power he never expected to have. He doesn’t even particularly want it, but it’s fine. Everything is fucking fine, after all.

Except the kid. She’s not fine, and if he doesn’t get his ass in front of Tony, begging for her forgiveness on his knees right the fuck now, Tony is going to kill James Buchanan Barnes. A few people offer him a cigarette when he has to wait more than a minute for Steve to run and go get James, but Tony declines. He doesn’t smoke, least of all in front of kids, and maybe Tony will read James that riot act after he’s done reading this one, which he just might read in front of all of his little friends.

Some might say that calling the entire mob “James’s little friends” wasn’t very good for Tony’s self preservation, but see if he gives a flying fuck. James likes him too much to have him killed, and everyone else is too afraid to even piss Tony off, let alone the man himself.

He feels like a fucking mob wife in the ‘30s and nothing pisses him off quite like that.

“Tony! Baby, what are you doin’ here? Becca? What happened to your arm, sweetheart? Are you okay?” James asks, hitting his knees in front of the pair just as he fucking should. Becca tells him the story of her sprained wrist when she lost her balance on the monkey bars, how an attendant had attempted to catch her but she had fallen too fast, how Tony had tried to call him three times before the ambulance even got there, but he never answered. James looks up at Tony with wide eyes and Tony gives him a flat look, the clench of his jaw accented by raised eyebrows. He revels in how James winces.

“Princess, how about we get you layin’ down for a nap at Aunt Peggy’s? I’ll read you a sleepy story after me and Tony have a bit of a talk,” James promises her, grinning awkwardly, but Tony shakes his head, calling Steve over with just a finger.

“How about Uncle Steve reads you a story? Me and Bucky need to talk for a bit longer than you might be able to stay awake, sugar plum, and I don’t want you to miss your whole story,” Tony advises, to which Becca nods.

“Yeah, okay. Uncle Steve, can you pick me up? My feet hurt,” Becca requests, making the gesture for up to her older brother’s best friend. Steve picks her up with a nod and doesn’t even get a confirmation from James before walking her up the stairs, out of the basement and presumably over to the house he shares with his fiance, a fierce brunette woman who holds an even higher rank than Steve himself. Tony turns his sharp eyes on James once he sees her go in the building, drumming his fingertips on his opposite bicep. James grimaces, knowing where things are going.

“Guys? Clear out. Me and Tony need the floor,” James says, to which grumbling begins as various mobsters put down their cards. Dum Dum brushes his knuckles across Tony’s shoulder as he goes out, obviously sorry for something that he couldn’t have controlled, but Tony brushes him off. He doesn’t need apologies from anyone but James, and James hasn’t even begun saying his piece. At this rate, he may never finish. Dernier is the last one to leave, bowing his head at Tony.

“Go soft on ze boss, eh? He has been doing better lately,” Dernier says, to which Tony gives a straight jawed nod. He’s not going to go easy on James, not even close, but it’s fun to think that someone wants him to. Tony sits in a seat across the table from James, one of the most direct ways to call an opponent in James’s world, but he’s okay with that. He’s not exactly looking to reassure James at the moment.

“Tones, I know you’re mad, doll -” James starts, but he knows to stop when Tony tilts his head, already madder than a fucking snake. Anything that starts with I know you’re mad is only gonna make things worse, and James knows it.

“You wanna tell me why you don’t know how to answer a fuckin’ phone, James? You been down here all afternoon? Actually, don’t fucking answer that second one, asshat. I don’t care if you’ve been down here for seventy fucking years, you still get service in this hole. So, back to the first question. How, in all of your infinite knowledge and wisdom, in the fuck did you forget how to answer a phone?” Tony asks, voice sharp as he leans his chin on his hand, carefully keeping his expression cool.

“We were…” James trails off, rubbing the back of his neck, “We were celebratin’ somethin’. Started playin’ about four hours ago. She don’ even get outta school for another hour, Tony, I - I didn’t even think about it, darlin, and I’m sorry.” He sounds almost sincere enough for Tony to want to drop it, but he remembers the fear he’s been holding in the bottom of his stomach for almost three hours, for all of the time that James hadn’t answered the phone, for all of the time that he hadn’t known where James was or what he was doing. He only knew where James was, that James was even okay because Steve answered a text.

“Honey, did you forget what you do for a living? Did you honestly forget?” Tony asks, to which James tilts his head. “You didn’t answer the phone. You didn’t answer a call, didn’t answer texts, satellite GPS on your phone doesn’t work well down here. James, I thought you were fucking dead. You don’t answer the phone, I have to assume the worst don’t I? I take care of Becca during the day. I’m the one who reminds her that it’s okay to have friends at the daycare, that she’s okay, that she’s safe. How am I supposed to tell her that she’s safe when you don’t even answer the phone when she needs you? What if it had been worse?”

He doesn’t mean to go on this rant, on the guilt tripping, awful thing that makes his throat hurt with the fact that he’s about to cry, but it’s easier. He can’t admit that he was terrified that he was about to lose the man he loves before he even got to tell him. He can’t admit to James that he’s caught feelings that feel much more permanent than their relationship. He isn’t proud of how James seems to choke on this argument, how his eyes cloud up with the first bit of tears, but it’s easier.

“Tony,” James says, choking on it, before he closes his eyes, steeling himself to continue. “I’m sorry that I made you deal with that. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there. It will never, never happen again, I promise you that. You’ll never have to deal with us again.” There’s a note of finality there that freezes even the breath in Tony’s lungs, and he feels like he’s dying.

“James, what are you saying?” he asks, freezing in his posture as well as he sits up and stays in some sort of stasis, completely caught off guard. He knows that James has a guilt complex, knows that he can take things to heart better than anyone else, but he doesn’t… he doesn’t know what James is saying.

“The daycare experiment was a bad idea. I’ll get Peggy’s friend to start teachin’ her again, and we’ll keep her within the guard. I’m sorry that I disappointed you, and I’m sorry that I wasn’t better to both you and Becca in this situation,” James says. It sounds just like one of the cuts in one of Tony’s father’s business meetings, just like the way that things end, and Tony can’t have the end, not yet. He stands from his seat and sits down on the table in front of James, just like he always does, just where he belongs. He usually feels safer here, but there is no safety in the way that James does not make eye contact with him, staring straight ahead, nor the way that James keeps his hands firmly on the arms of his chair.

“I don’t want either of you to go. I can’t - I can’t lose her,” Tony says instead of admitting that he can’t lose James, because that’s so much and so new and Tony can’t. He gets flashes of his father in his head, quiet reminders that no one will ever want him when he’s not inventing, no one will ever want him now that he’s a burnout, no one will ever want him now that he’s soft, now that he’s simple. Tony can’t lose either of them.

“Visits can be arranged if you want. I’ll have Steve organise them,” James offers, kinder than he needs to be, but Tony makes a noise that sounds like a wound has been ripped through him. James finally looks at him at about the same time that Tony is sliding into his lap, clinging onto the other man desperately. As confused as he obviously is (stone body structure, just the side of his expression out of the corner of Tony’s eye), he still puts his hands on Tony’s back, holding him with such care that it’s painful.

“I can’t lose you either, dipshit. Half the reason why I’m fucking mad and he misses it,” Tony mutters against the mobster’s throat, but he knows that James hears it for the way that arms tighten around his waist.

“I love you,” James says, just as quiet as Tony’s muttering, but Tony hears it anyway. He feels like he’s about to cry.

“I love you too,” he admits, and it doesn’t feel as much like a weakness as it did just before.