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plainbrunettelbl · 5 years ago

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ABO (A) Togata Mirio & (A) Midoriya Izuku x (O) Reader Broken Bones and Notebooks

Word count: 3417

Warnings: None.

ABO (A) Togata Mirio & (A) Midoriya Izuku x (O) Reader Broken Bones and Notebooks

Summary: Mirio finds himself in a hospital. Both Izuku and him start falling for the Omega doctor that takes care of him.

(Full credit to the gifs owner)

🌻🥦-Izuku had gotten a call while at his agency that his mate was at the hospital. He dropped everything he was doing and rushed over. How did this happen? His mate’s quirk was built to evade attacks so why was his Alpha laying in a hospital bed sporting multiple casts and bandages?

🌻🥦-His mate was still waiting for a private room to clear up so he was put in the ER. Izu wasted no time tearing open his mate’s curtain and rushing to his side.

🌻🥦-“Mirio! What happened?” He cried, trying to give his mate a comforting hug without injuring him any further.

🌻🥦-“It’s nothing, Zuku. I just got a little beat up is all.” The blond tried to smile despite how much pain his body was in.

🌻🥦-At that moment the curtain pulled back once again. You walked in with a tray of food, wearing a white coat. A happy smile on your face present. You set the tray down on the removable table and put your hands on your hips.

🌻🥦-“Hello, I’m Dr.L/N, I will be the one taking care of you until you are fit to go back home. I assume you are his mate?” You asked, turning towards the slightly distressed, green-haired Alpha.

🌻🥦-Izuku blinked back his teary eyes and nodded.

🌻🥦-“Yes, I’m his mate. Can you tell me how long he will be staying here? Are his injuries really severe?” Izuku frantically asked, worried how long he would have to be away from his mate at night. The thought of going home to a cold bed was already unsettling to him.

🌻🥦-“It seems he has three cracked ribs, a broken leg, a broken arm along with a few fingers. He suffered a blow to the head but his scans came back normal so we are not too worried about that.” You informed, looking at his chart that you plucked from the end of his bed.

🌻🥦-“Usually he would have to stay here for a few months in order to fully recover but since I am taking over you should be out within three weeks or so.” You hummed, eyeing his X-rays.

🌻🥦-Mirio beamed at his mate from behind all of his bandages. “See babe! I will be out here in no time.”

🌻🥦-Izuku leaned down to kiss his mates bruised cheek before turning back to you with a curious look.

🌻🥦-“How come he is going to recover faster than normal?” He questioned, smoothing a hand down his mate’s encased shoulder.

🌻🥦-“My quirk of course! I am only assigned to pro-heroes most of the time. Since your mate fits the bill, I am here to help him have a speedy recovery.” You beamed moving the tray of food on the mobile table closer to the pair.

🌻🥦-“My quirk is unique. It allows me to heal a person by feeding them the food I make. It takes a little time since the food has to digest and distribute my healing nutrients all around your body. Since you have so many injuries it will take a while but you will get there.” You revealed a small bowl of chicken broth.

🌻🥦-You had made it yourself this morning. Your quirk wouldn’t work if you didn’t make the food within twenty-four hours. So freezing your meals and giving them out to patients wouldn’t work.

🌻🥦-You were assigned to pro heroes because of this. The higher-ups thought it would be best to focus all your efforts on recovering pro heroes rather than handling multiple civilian patients.

🌻🥦-“This is it? Just chicken broth?” Mirio slightly whined, his Alpha pouting at the lack of meat.

🌻🥦-“If you can keep this chicken broth down till tomorrow evening I will see what I can do about getting you some real food for dinner.” You grinned, trying not to snicker at his pouting face.

🌻🥦-These men might be pro heroes and Alpha’s but despite their intimidating status you Omega didn’t mind their presence at all. It was like she was standing around with an old pair of friends.

🌻🥦-Maybe it was their calming scents. The blond had a warm scent that reminded you of sun rays reflecting off the ocean. The green-haired Alpha gave off a scent of wet soil and sweet sage.

🌻🥦-“Thank you so much, Doctor. I’ll be sure to watch him so he doesn’t gulp it down in one swallow. His stomach is an endless pit.” The freckled Alpha lovingly looked down at his battered mate.

🌻🥦-His Alpha felt a little calmer than when he walked in for some reason but he just assumed it was because he knew his mate was in good hands. It had nothing to do with the sweet scent of fresh bread and ripe fruit coming from the smiling doctor.

🌻🥦-He brushed it off. His Alpha was just happy his ray of sunshine was okay.

***

🌻🥦-A few days had passed and Mirio was already looking a little better. The first thing your quirk healed was his head. He was even more bright and smiley now that his headaches were gone.

🌻🥦-He had proven that he could hold down liquids so he was approved for solid foods. You were sure his Alpha was very excited about the news.

🌻🥦-You knocked before walking into his room, he had been upgraded to a private room and moved out of the ER. Izuku was sat at his mate’s side writing away in his notebook. You walked in with two trays and a happy smile.

🌻🥦-“Hello, good morning!” You hummed, setting down the two trays on in front of Miro and Izuku.

🌻🥦-“Hey, Y/N!” Mirio beamed, sending you a dazzling smile.

🌻🥦-“Morning, Y/N,” Izuku replied softly not quite looking you in the eye, still not used to talking to females even though he has been a pro hero for years now.

🌻🥦-“I brought you some pancakes and bacon. There is enough for you too Izuku.” You hummed revealing two plates to feed the Alphas. The tray was nearly overflowing with food but Alphas had big appetites so you knew they would clean the plates no problem.

🌻🥦-“O-oh you don’t have to do that Y/N. I am sure another patient needs it more than I do.” He blushed, refusing the food.

🌻🥦-“Nonsense. I know that the new mission you went on took a lot out of you. Plus I have seen you favoring your right hand. I hope you didn’t strain it too much.” You said, giving him a knowing look.

🌻🥦-He flushed and pulled the food closer to him without further complaint.

🌻🥦-“How did you get him to do that Y/N? Usually, I have to force him to rest and recover after a mission.” Mirio said, amazed you got his Alpha to comply so easily.

🌻🥦-“An Omega secret.” You winked, smiling at the two before leaving.

🌻🥦-Both Alpha’s left in a daze while they ate their breakfast.

***

🌻🥦-“Come on! We have been looking for an Omega even before the accident. We want an Omega to complete us and she could be the one. Why not ask her out and see how it goes?” Mirio asked, his blue eyes shifting around trying to meet his lover’s emerald eyes.

🌻🥦-“She is just nice to us because it’s her job. We have no reason to believe she will actually be interested in us once you are out of the hospital.” Izuku let out a small huff, his Alpha was telling him to pursue the Omega doctor but his self-doubt and nervousness were taking over.

🌻🥦-Izuku’s eyes shifted all over his notebooks page, trying to distract himself from the conversation and the warm flush creeping up his face.

🌻🥦-“We don’t know until we try. We don’t have to ask her now but just think about it, will you? This near-death experience really made me realize that I want to pursue everything my heart desires. I want to come home to my Alpha and my Omega. Maybe a few pups as well.” Mirio grinned, picturing the sweet scene in his head.

🌻🥦-His Alpha was already bouncing with joy at the idea. He was already picturing your eyes looking up at him after a long day.

🌻🥦-They had been on a few courting dates in search of a third partner but they all had ended with neither Alpha satisfied. His Alpha was telling him you were their missing piece.

🌻🥦-“I’ll think about it, Alpha. We shouldn’t rush things though. You still need to recover. No Omega is gonna want to go on courting dates with us if I have to wheel you in.” Izuku laughed, picturing him rolling in his mate, at a coffee shop, sporting two casts.

🌻🥦-“Really? I think it will add to my charm. No one can reject these baby blues when I am weak and injured.” He pouted his lips and widened his eyes at his lover.

🌻🥦-Izuku giggled before leaning over and pecking a kiss on his lips.

🌻🥦-“I guess I can agree with that.”

***

🌻🥦-“I brought lunch! It has plenty of meat so your Alpha will be quite pleased.” You grinned, opening up the door, Mirio was propped up on the bed.

🌻🥦-You smiled at the blonde before noticing the greenette was absent.

🌻🥦-“Where is Izuku? It’s odd not seeing him by your side.” You asked, setting up the tray in front of him.

🌻🥦-“He had to go to the office for a while. He has been putting off a few things to stay with me so now he has to go in for a bit and catch up.” He said, sending you a big smile, the tinge of sadness was lurking in his eyes.

🌻🥦-You couldn’t have your best patient getting sad on you.

🌻🥦-“What do you call a pig that does karate?” You asked, lifting the top of the tray.

🌻🥦-“What?” He lifted a blond eyebrow.

🌻🥦-“A pork chop.” You replied, cutting your hand through the air.

🌻🥦-You were glad your quirk had healed up his ribs or the belt of laughter really would have done a number on him. His loud chuckles was a welcomed sound, the slight sparkle in his eyes even more.

🌻🥦-“I didn’t know my doctor was also a comedian.” He breathed, clutching his chest with his uninjured arm.

🌻🥦-“I am many things.” You winked, pushing his plate towards him and setting in the chair by his bed, where Izuku usually sits.

🌻🥦-“You are staying?” His blond brow went up again, his good hand already picking up a fork.

🌻🥦-“I have to make sure you don’t eat your whole meal in two bites. I remember your mate saying something about your bottomless stomach. I can’t have my patient choking on me now.” You laughed, pulling out a small notebook from your white coat.

🌻🥦-You would work on tweaking and editing some of your recipes.

🌻🥦-Mirio’s Alpha was already purring upon hearing you were gonna stay and keep him company. His human half was delighted as well.

***

🌻🥦-He had finished his lunch and his mate was still not back. His Alpha was pouting at his other half being gone but something else was bothering him too. It had been a few days since Izuku had given him a good scrub down and his dirty hair was starting to bother him.

🌻🥦-He was known to take multiple showers a day when he was well. Now that he was injured and couldn’t exactly take as many baths as he pleased he was feeling off.

🌻🥦-“Y/N could you wash my hair? I can wait until Izuku got here if you feel uncomfortable doing it.” He said, look at the Omega sitting by his bed.

🌻🥦-“Mirio, I’m a Doctor, washing someone’s hair is the least uncomfortable thing I can do to a patient. Would Izuku be comfortable with it though? I know how territorial Alpha pairs can get.” You questioned, tilting your head.

🌻🥦-“I am sure he would understand. You don’t have to worry about him going all Alpha on you. We wouldn’t have been going on courting dates to find our third partner if either one of us was easily jealous.” He smiled, strategically letting you know they were poly.

🌻🥦-For some reason, your Omega purred happily at the news. You shoved her aside and professionally nodded your head and smiled.

🌻🥦-“Well, that is good to hear. Would you like to do it here or in the bathroom?” You asked, taking off your white coat, you didn’t want to get it wet.

🌻🥦-“The bathroom. I would like to keep my bed dry.” He grinned, reaching to grab his crutches leaning up against the bed.

🌻🥦-He had his head in the sink while you intertwined your fingers in his hair and massaged the shampoo in. You took note of is soft hair the moment your fingers threaded through it.

🌻🥦-You Omega was already sighing in bliss at the texture. Omega’s loved soft and silky things.

🌻🥦-It seems you weren’t the only one enjoying the feeling. The poor Alpha was putty in your hands. If the chair he was sitting in disappeared he would slump to the ground.

🌻🥦-You had a soft spot for the Alpha so you continued to massage his head even though the shampoo was already worked in well enough. Izuku walked in while you were doing so, he paused at the bathroom door.

🌻🥦-Mirio had told you his mate would be fine with it but that didn’t stop your Omega from letting out a tiny chirp. Izuku had been nothing but nice to you. You were a bit embarrassed at your reaction but you knew of about Alphas and their aggressiveness when it came to someone interfering with their bond.

🌻🥦-During your residency, you had treated a few cases of the unlucky ones caught flirting with a person’s Alpha.

🌻🥦-Mirio had immediately opened his eyes at the sound. He sat up fast and seemed ready to fight off whoever it was that made you chirp. You didn’t know how he was gonna do that with two casts but it made your Omega swoon.

🌻🥦-Once he saw it was just his mate he released his breath.

🌻🥦-Izuku widens his eyes in surprise and put his hands up to show you he meant no harm.

🌻🥦-“Y-you’re fine! I’m not mad! I know it is your job.” He rapidly said, taking a step back.

🌻🥦-“You sure do know how to make an entrance, Zuku.” Mirio laughed, leaning his head back in the sink bowl.

🌻🥦-“I’m sorry, Izuku. I know you wouldn’t hurt me but I have seen way too many Alpha attacks with my occupation.” You nervously bit your lip.

🌻🥦-He is a Hero and you chirped in fear at him! You felt a flush crawl up your cheeks.

🌻🥦-“It’s fine, Y/N. I understand.” He reassured, clutching a familiar notebook in his hand. “I’ll just wait by the bed.”

🌻🥦-You nodded before getting back to scrubbing Mirio’s soft hair. You rinse and conditioned his hair quickly. When you were done you wrapped a towel around his neck and lead him back to his bed.

🌻🥦-Izuku looked up from writing and gave you a small smile. You flash him one back before taking the towel around his mate’s neck and began drying his hair.

🌻🥦-The Alpha was in a state of bliss again. Izuku would be lying if he said he wasn’t a tiny bit jealous. He wanted to feel your soft hands against his hair too.

🌻🥦-“What are you always writing in that notebook of yours Izuku?” You asked, talking your eyes off the blonde for a second and giving him a curious look.

🌻🥦-“I have been asked to review a few students from UA and come up with way they could possibly improve their quirk. I am just going over the notes I made and writing down what I think could help them.” He said, lifting his notebook and showing you a sketch of a student’s quirk and small paragraphs going over their strengths and weakness.

🌻🥦-You were done drying Mirio’s hair so you walked around the bed and peered at it over his shoulder. This student had an ice quirk and could only make the ice stay frozen for a limited amount of time.

🌻🥦-Izuku had draw lumps of ice that the student was only able to manifest. They reminded you of huge hail balls. It said that the student was working on their arm strength to be able to throw them at opponents.

🌻🥦-“Mmm. What if the student could shape their ice into a morning-star ball? It would be harder for a villain to ignore if icy needles were stuck in them rather than a chunk of ice bouncing off them.” You said, tapping your chin.

🌻🥦-Izuku was star struck looking up at you. He was glad you were peering up at the ceiling in thought, not noticing the look of pure awe on his face. When he had gone out on dates with Mirio all the Omega’s seemed to only like him because of his hero status.

🌻🥦-None of them cared all to much when he started rambling about certain heroes or making notes in the tiny notebook he carried around in his pocket. They certainly didn’t engage and offer any ideas to him.

🌻🥦-They kinda just ignored him while he scribbled away and focused their attention on Mirio more.

🌻🥦-He was completely bewitched. A quick flash of him and you cuddled on the couch going over his notes in his notebook while you offer advice every now and then. You asked him about what you could do to add to your meals to help improve them, also taking notes in a small notebook.

🌻🥦-“That is a great idea, Y/N. I’ll write that down. Thank you.” He blushed, quickly scribbling down your idea.

🌻🥦-He might have been a little hesitant before but now his Alpha was howling at the idea of asking you out. He shot his mate a look and instantly knew his mate was already on board.

🌻🥦-Now they just had to find the right time to ask you out.

***

🌻🥦-It was Mirio’s final day at the hospital. You were bringing him his discharge papers. You knocked on the familiar door and walked in. Your Omega was already whining at you. She didn’t want that Alpha’s to leave.

🌻🥦-But the Alpha was as good as new. He had gotten off his casts already and the only things left on his body were a few light bruises and scratches.

🌻🥦-His mate stood by him, helping him put on a cornflower blue jacket. A black bag on the bed told you that he was already packed up and ready to go. They both turned to look at you when you walked in.

🌻🥦-Mirio was sitting on the bed with his back facing the door so he had to strain his neck to look over. You could have sworn a sparkle was present in both of their eyes when they looked at you.

🌻🥦-You didn’t want to jump to conclusions so you convinced yourself it was admiration for helping the blue-eyed Alpha get better.

🌻🥦-“It seems our time has come to an end boys. I can say that besides the corny jokes, you were one of my best patients yet.” You grinned, thinking of all the cheesy jokes he told you.

🌻🥦-He said he had to outdo your joke by making you laugh harder than he did. So far all he got out of you was a few snickers and chuckles. He made it his life’s mission to see you wheeze in laughter.

🌻🥦-“I don’t think so, Izuku and I were thinking, would you like to come out to dinner with us? We feel like it is time for us to feed you for a change.” He offered, his smile still on his face but you could see the slight nervousness on his face.

🌻🥦-This offer was clearly more than a simple thanks. Poor Izuku was fidgeting where he stood, not looking you in the eye.

🌻🥦-Your heart warmed at the two anxious Alphas.

🌻🥦-“Sure. I would love to.” You agreed, your Omega yipping with joy.

🌻🥦-You couldn’t wait to see how this turned out.

This is my first time writing for this pair so feel free to tell me how you feel about them! Thank you for the support. Please reblog and leave a like. Both really help keep me motivated to write. 💛💚

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rambling-procrastinator · 4 years ago

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Hey, so I’m no writer, but RWBY volume 8 was sooo bad, and volume 7 was so good, and I feel like there was a lot of potential that went out the for that I wanted to try my hand at rewriting it. Or rather, just tweaking a few characters so it isn’t so awful. Namely Ruby and Ironwood. I feel like if they only acted slightly different, this would have actually been an ok volume. Not great, but ok.

Let’s start with Ironwood. First change, don’t kill sleet. One complaint I have and have heard a few times is ironwood goes from nice guy to Saturday morning cartoon villain real quick, and shooting a background character really doesn’t help anyone. Instead, sleet and the other council person confront ironwood and accuse him of grossly misusing his political power. Ironwood arrests them and tells them they’re free to take him to court once atlas is safe. This shows that ironwood is actually breaking the law and why martial law is a bad thing. Like, martial law exists so the military can protect as many people as possible during emergencies like an invasion, so while it sounds scary, it’s not necessarily evil. Them accusing ironwood of corruption and him more or less agreeing paints it slightly darker but doesn’t push ironwood into maniacal laugh bad guy territory yet. It also doesn’t make winter and the ace ops look bad for blindly following a murderer. They’re supposed to be redeemed by the end, yeah?

The plot continues as normal until the cane blows up the whale. Rather than ask winter about Team ORJY and smiles at the thought of torture and blackmail, like a crazy person, he instead asks about the bomb and explosion. Learning that Salem is dead and they still have the bomb , he comes up with a plan. Remember how the amity tower plot didn’t matter and nothing came of it? Well instead, ironwood uses it for inspiration. Since they can’t get to the staff, they’ll explode the bomb under atlas to launch it to safety, just like the dust mines and amity tower. Winter or vine or someone points out that mantle is directly below atlas, so ironwood makes his announcement. Rather than give the ultimatum that penny needs to turn herself in or he’ll genocide everyone, he instead uses the announcement as a warning to mantle. It still comes down to “give me penny in an hour or I’ll blow it all up”, but he apologizes to the citizens and says that the fate of the entire human race is more important. Also, Grimm are the ones that take out the schnee rescue vehicles. This makes James look less like a genocidal crazy person and Harriet less like an idiot for going through with the genocide just because. Now she still thinks she’s saving atlas.

Next change comes soon after when marrow defects. Scene starts with winter asking ironwood if there’s any other way. Ironwood responds that Salem is regenerating as they speak and the military already lost, like, 80% of the soldiers or some other big number to hammer in how dire things are, and they need to act NOW with what little time they have. Marrow defects and the Scene plays out the same way, but instead of turning his back on the general, he draws his gun for emphasis. Winter still saves him from being blasted, but ironwood hesitates with his gun still pointed at the boy before letting them go. This highlights how on edge he is and makes winter look better for actually trying to talk James out of it, adding context to the line right before the ambush.

Everything goes the same, except when he kills Jacques it’s a bigger deal since this is the first time he’s killed unprovoked and it’s a character we know and who has a relationship with ironwood. Now he can be the big bad villain that shoots people since we’ve had a volume working up to it. Also, when he fights winter, instead of going “don’t blame me winter, I did all these good things and nobody likes me” and she goes “but you did the embargo, that thing I was cool with for four volumes and ultimately had very little negative consequences”, he goes “winter, Salem decimated our military in a matter of hours. Do you think vacuo can protect the staff? Protect our people?” To which she responds “I don’t know, but I refuse to harm those I was sworn to protect. L” Then he says something like “I swore to protect the world, even if that means killing you and ripping the staff from Ruby’s cold dead hands”. Fight happens the same, but now ironwood declared he will kill ruby and is full villain, but still thinks he’s in the right.

Last change for him would be instead of giving up after hearing checkmate, the scene instead cuts to black with a sound of a gunshot, just so we know that he didn’t give up and have it implied he was executed off screen, taking the ambiguity away from his death.

Ruby is a lot simpler to “fix”. First thing first, have her go with penny to amity tower. Have penny fly her there like Superman and Lois. The shippers will eat that up. Next while there, she and Maria fight of neo. This shows how dangerous neo is and highlights ruby beating her later in the bridge world. Also it makes more sense with the two of them fighting neo, since Maria already claimed back in volume 6 that qrow and team Rwby were better huntresses than she was back in her prime. How’s she do better than JNR? Maybe emerald can get involved this time instead of just standing there, but that’s not important. Things go the same way but ruby has to give the speech live instead of watching it on her iPhone drinking hot chocolate. Final change to that set piece is when penny falls, instead of burning up in the atmosphere(?) Ruby jumps after her. I feel this would fix a lot of plot holes like, how did penny end up at the manor despite falling miles and miles away from the city? Ruby helped guide her with her semblance. Why did Ruby go down so easily against the hound and was aura broken by a short fall? She was already banged up from saving penny. Yeah, we don’t get the Blake and ruby at the generator scene, but that scene sucked.

Final change would be in the bridge dimension. Simple fix, Weiss falls before ruby. This makes it so the team falls in reverse name order, YBWR, but also gives penny’s death more meaning, I feel, and also would soothe the FNDM’s hate for jaune. Either ruby is enraged by cinder stabbing her with her stretchy arm, so she rushes to attack and protect her best friend, or jaune keeps cinder busy so Ruby can be the one who ultimately offs her. Either way, it would be in character for Ruby.

With those small changes, I think it fixes my two biggest issues with the volume. Instead of ironwood being crazy and stupid, his decent into villainy is more gradual and paved with good intentions. And now when you ask “What did Ruby even do this volume?” Instead of the answer being “nothing really? She looked a cool grim” it’s “she saved penny from the fall and was a big part of her death”. Also the amity tower plot isn’t useless.

That’s my two cents anyway. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk

#rwby8 spoilers #Rwby #james ironwood #ruby rose #rwby rewrite #kinda?#again #not a writer

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creek4lifeman · 4 years ago

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One of those days

Here’s another Creek fic for you guys that I made art for.

Title: One Of Those Days Rating: T Pairing: Tweek X Craig Characters: Craig Tucker, Tweek Tweak, Mrs. Tweak Tags: Canon Complaint, AKA they’re in 4th grade, Craig POV, Mild Language, Mentions of Anxiety and Mental health issues, Coloring books, Fake Tattoos, Fluff, Dorks in love, One shot, Tweek’s parents are clueless, Art in fic Summary: Tweek is having a bad day and Craig goes to visit in order to be there for him. Even if that just happens to be coloring and giving each other fake tattoos.

Read below the cut

Craig knows it’s going to be one of those days when Tweek doesn’t show up to school. Craig’s used to it at this point, but it still never sits well with him whenever the desk next to him is empty. He’ll never admit it out loud, but it’s days like these that unsettle him the most and he finds himself missing the sound of his boyfriend trying his best to keep quiet or the way he can’t sit still to save his life.

It’s the consistency mostly, Craig tells himself or at least that’s the conclusion he’s come to. He’s just plain and boring Craig, who lives by schedule and likes to keep it that way. When Tweek can’t go to school, they don’t meet up at their locker in the morning so that they can hold hands to the cafeteria for breakfast and when that happens, well, Craig’s whole day is then thrown off completely.

The only constant on days like these are that if Craig doesn’t get detention, which chances of that are much higher on the days Tweek isn’t in school, then he immediately heads to his boyfriend’s house as soon as he leaves the building.

Today, it’s Mrs. Tweak that answers the door.

“Well, hello Craig. Are you here to see Tweek?”

Of course he is.

No matter how often he shows up on days like these, the Tweaks always stare at him in awe when he shows up. Almost as if they wonder why Craig would show up when Tweek is like this. Which only pisses Craig off even more at how terrible his significant other’s parents are.

“Yes, ma’m. Is he okay?” Craig manages to ask between gritted teeth. He already knows what her answer is going to be too. But if it’s the best way to get permission to enter, then Craig’s going to put in the effort.

“Oh, he’s fine honey. Tweek’s just going through one of his usual fits. Nothing to worry about,” she says with her plastic smile.

Craig clenches his fist but carries on. “He is? Then can I go up and see him?”

Mrs. Tweak hestates, like she always does. As if she’s afraid to be caught in her lie. Craig doesn’t know why Tweek’s parents act like everything is always fine, when it’s not. Maybe they are ashamed of Tweek and his bad days. He will never know and maybe he’d have been turned away if he was any other person.

But he’s Tweek’s boyfriend, and the Tweak’s absolutely adore Craig for making their only son a homosexual. As if Craig had any say in that. A gay son made Tweek more interesting and by that reasoning, made the Tweak’s more interesting. So now Tweek Bros Coffee gets more business and because of that Craig will always have special privileges, such as being invited in on a bad day

“Come on in Craig. I’m sure seeing you will make him snap right out of it.”

Mrs. Tweak opens the door wide and Craig has to pinch his leg to keep himself from snapping at her that it doesn't work that way.

Unlike the Tweaks, Craig has done his research on mental illness and while he’s come to accept that he can’t fix everything, It took him a lot of hard days to realise that as well, at least Craig knows a few techniques he can try.

Taking the steps, two at a time, Craig makes it up the stairs in no time. He reaches the room with a guinea pig poster, an anniversary gift from Craig, and knocks in a familiar song like pattern before opening the door. It their way of communicating to each other that they are visiting each other’s house. That and it prevents Tweek from panicking when the door suddenly opens.

“Nnnngh!”

His honey is bent over in concentration at his desk, a crayon in his hand sweeping across a booklet he doesn’t recognize. Tweek mutters for a moment more before screeching and tossing the yellow crayon across the room.

Wild eyes turn to face Craig and it takes the boy only a few seconds to access the situation. Tweek waits for Craig to say something, anything. Craig knows better though. Tweek doesn’t need Craig to tell him everything is going to be fine. He doesn’t speak. Instead, Craig opens up his arms and it’s so worth it when his boyfriend smiles, even shakingly, and then throws himself across the room to wrap his arms around Craig’s neck in a warm embrace.

“Hey Babe, I missed you in school today.”

“S-sorry Craig, I just couldn’t today,” Tweek groaned as he slumped further into Craig’s shoulder.

“It’s fine dude. You don’t have to apologize for that.”

It felt nice having his boyfriend in his arms. It didn’t exactly make up for missing him all day but it did come super close.

Tweek leaned back and reluctantly Craig let him go.

“It was those damn underpant gnomes man! They kept me up all night trying to explain their profit system again and I-”

“Tweek,” Craig interrupted and after saying his name twice, his honey paused mid sentence to gape at him.

“Relax. You don’t have to explain,” he assured Tweek but then remembered that sometimes talking is exactly what Tweek needs, “..unless it helps?”

“I-it does, but now it’s too much pressure to explain,” Tweek replied after taking a moment to consider Craig’s words.

Craig didn’t pressure him though. Instead, he grabbed Tweek’s hand and led him back to the desk he’d been furiously working on.

“Okay babe, then how about you explain what you were doing before I came in?”

Craig reached out towards the book spread open with different crayons littered all over it and saw that Tweek had been coloring in stars and planets.

Is this…

“A space themed coloring book?” Craig ended up saying out loud.

“Y-yeah, I was trying to color before you got here. My therapist said it could help, b-but I can’t seem to stay in the lines."

True to his word, Tweek had gone off and messed up in some areas, but Craig didn’t care. He was too entranced by the fact that Tweek had doodled them standing together on a planet while holding hands. That and well, what’s more awesome than a space themed coloring book?

“C-can I have this picture when you’re done?” Craig practically whispered but there was no denying the need in his voice. He never wanted anything more this moment.

“What!?” Tweek shrieked, “Why dude? It sucks!”

“No it doesn’t,” Craig immediately defended the piece of work. It may not be perfect to Tweek but to Craig it was. “I like it, so I want it.”

“Ngh, I don’t know man...”

Tweek reached out for the coloring book and Craig let him have it. Not wanting his selfishness to lead to a panic attack In fact, he had an idea to help him convince Tweek.

“Then how about this, I color one for you and you finish coloring this one for me?”

Tweek’s eyes widened in shock before staring back down at the coloring book and pulling it close to his chest. “Oh jesus, you really want this that bad?”

Craig rolled his eyes at being called out like that but didn’t say anything to deny it either. “Don’t act like you don’t want one of mine either.”

“F-fine!” Tweek squeaked, his cheeks turning pink and a small smile crawling up his cheeks. “But you have to cut out the page so that I can finish and so that y-you can pick out whatever you want, man.”

“Okay.” Craig easily agreed. He grabbed the pair of scissors stored in the cup full of other writing utensils before carefully cutting out Tweek’s page. They each set up a coloring station, aka Tweek at his desk while Craig took the floor, with crayons, color pencils, and snacks that were brought up by Mrs. Tweak.

Craig flipped through the pages until he got to the center and found that there was a sheet full of space themed stickers. No wait, he was wrong. These were those fake tattoos that applied to the skin with water.

So cool!

Craig cut them out for later and continued searching until he settled on an awesome rocketship shooting through the sky. Immediately he drew a version of himself and Tweek in the window. It wasn’t as great as his boyfriend’s depiction of them, but it would have to do. After that, he picked up a blue color pencil and began to fill in the area around the ship to make it look more like outer space.

After a couple of minutes, Tweek stopped what he was working on to turn to Craig.

“Thanks…”

Craig paused as well to stare at his boyfriend. Unsure of what exactly he was being thanked for. Maybe his confusion is written all over his face because Tweek continues.

“For coming over to color with me.”

Oh.

Craig tried his best not to smile.

“No problem, honey. Is it helping?”

Tweek swiveled back towards his page to avoid facing him with what Craig assumes is another blush on Tweek’s face before nodding towards the wall.

This fills Craig with joy as they spend the next couple of minutes coloring in a peaceful silence.

That is until he hears his boyfriend groaning again in distress. It starts off with a couple noises here and there but then it turns into full on frustrated growling after ten minutes.

“Babe? You okay?”

Craig looks at his boyfriend in concern, only to see him snapping a purple crayon in half.

So, not okay.

He gets up and calmly collects the broken pieces from Tweek’s hands and places his free palm against his boyfriend’s cheek.

There’s tears in those emerald eyes and it immediately makes Craig’s heart fall.

“What’s wrong honey?”

Tweek shoves the paper as far away from him, almost practically ripping it in two before glaring holes in the now bare table in front of him.

“I just can’t gah get the color to look right dammit!”

Craig frowns before using his palm to turn Tweek’s head to face him.

“Alright, then how about we take a break and come back to it later?”

Tweek blinks at him before replying.

“And do what?”

This time, Craig doesn’t hold back his smile at the adorably curious but pouty look his boyfriend gives him.

“How about we give each other Tattoos?”

Tweek screams.

“Craig! We can’t ngh give each other tattoos! We don't know how or have the right tools! What if I get ink poisoning? That’s a thing right? Or worse! Infected!”

Wait what?

Craig is at a loss of words until it hits him what Tweek is actually talking about.

Real tattoos.

He literally has to grab the tattoo sheet and show Tweek what he means in order to get him to calm down. When he finally understands that the tattoos are fake, Tweek takes a deep breath and stops shaking so hard.

“All better, babe?”

“Y-yeah.” Tweek stutters as he takes the sheet and looks over the options. “You want to wear these?”

Craig scoffs, “Uh yeah, they’re space themed. Of course, I do.”

Tweek giggles before pointing at a space helmet tattoo. “You should do this one.”

“Because I’m Spaceman Craig?”

“Yep,” Tweek nods before reaching for his scissors to cut out said tattoo. “Where do you want it?

“Hmm, how about on my face?”

“Okay!”

Tweek stands up and leads them to the bathroom so that they can wet a towel with warm water to use as a compress and make the tattoo work. As soon as they are done with Craig’s, the helmet comes out perfectly, it’s Tweek’s turn.

“Can I pick yours?”

“Uh maybe?” Tweek says sounding unsure, “What were you thinking?” Craig looks over the sheet before settling on a rocket. Just like the one Tweek keeps in his room and points at it.

“That one.”

Tweek smiles before agreeing and points to his own cheek so that Craig knows where to place it.

They go back and forth, placing fake tattoos on each other until Tweek points at a pair of stars and suggests, “We should each get one in the same place to match.”

It’s cheesy but it’s also the most romantic thing Craig’s ever heard of and he agrees without missing a heartbeat.

They both decide to wear their matching star in a place that can’t wash off so easily. This just happens to be on their upper arm.

They spend the rest of the day covered in tattoos and coloring. When Craig has to go home and shower, he makes sure to avoid rubbing off the star tattoo.

When the next day comes and he finds Tweek at school showing off the star tattoo to Token, Jimmy and Clyde, Craig can’t help but feel a swell of pride in his chest and the hope that one day in the future they can get a permanent matching one.

End

#Tweek Tweak #Craig Tucker #SP Creek #south park creek #south park #creek #creek sp

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zwritestuff · 4 years ago

Text

Some Things Are Bound To Be (Chapter Six) - Kyara

A/N: WE'RE ENTERING THE FINAL CURB FOLKS. I've decided to make this 9 chapters instead, for practicity more than anything. But also that means these two dumbasses will be hurt, a lot. That being said, this chapter sure has some feelings, I am not responsible for how you may react to them. Thanks to emerald ( @fromthenorthernskies ) for screaming aggressively beta-ing 💓

Read on AO3.

“I have good news and bad news,” Kiara starts, trying to not let the nerves show in her voice. Kyne turns to look at her, drifting her attention to the intricately designed cupcakes, cocking a brow.

“Well, that explains why you kept your hands to yourself so far,” she teases, cleaning the edges of her mouth with her index finger. Kiara absolutely doesn't follow the trail her finger makes without blinking once. “C'mon, rip the bandaid off at once and tell me the bad news first,” Kyne says, leaning back in her chair, curiously eyeing her up.

Shit. She was hoping she'd ask for the good news first.

Kiara fidgets with her rings, trying to remember the rehearsed speech she'd gone over with Rita and Tynomi before coming to Kyne's office like she always did; of course, now there was a slight change of plans. She chews the inside of her cheek, thinking.

When asking for her friends’ advice on how to bring the bad news up, Tynomi had straight up told her that she had to stop acting so awkward—why start now if she was acting perfectly fine before realizing she was head over heels for Kyne? Rita had swatted her, but by her expression Kiara could tell she somewhat agreed with her.

They both had said the same thing as Kyne, to rip the bandaid without thinking much. But over-thinking is Kiara's second nature, and all she wants to do is turn it off.

So she does the next logical thing and unceremoniously drops the bomb.

“I am appalled to inform you my mom’s birthday party is this Sunday, and she has threatened to disown me if I don't bring you,” she announces, her tone far too solemn and sorrowful for Kyne to take seriously. So she laughs. The bitch actually laughs, before she realizes Kiara is for real.

“Fuck, you’re serious, aren’t you?” she whispers, eyes blown wide as her hands tremble. “Shit, I thought it was a one-time thing?” Her voice is full of fear and concern, and Kiara can't honestly blame her. That was the deal—one time it's good enough, and then they'll figure out when they're going to break up without making it suspicious.

But they've been postponing it a lot. Kiara's not sure why, but everytime she tries to bring it up things just take a different turn; they end up watching movies with homemade popcorn at Kyne's place, talking about shitty movies over coffee on the weekends, modelling the clothes Kyne tweaked after thrifting them—one way or another they've avoided the elephant in the room. And now, three weeks after the ball, soon to be a month, they have no intention of stopping this scheme, and Kiara feels somehow guilty.

She's indulging a lot on the fakeness of it all, running her hand through Kyne's hair when she falls asleep in the middle of the movies, walking around the company with her hand firmly placed on her waist, showing Kyne off in all of her social media—Kiara would like to think it's real, that her feelings are reciprocated, but she prefers to think that the sneaky smiles and the stares are a product of her imagination.

Tynomi had told her to stop dancing around it like a moron and actually tell Kyne about her feelings, that she wants a real relationship and not just pretend. Rita had more or less agreed with Tynomi, without all the bluntness Tynomi was known for, that is.

“I thought that would be it, too, but— well, it seems that they liked you. Like, a lot,” she stammers out, cheeks blushing under Kyne’s inquisitive gaze. They’re not the only ones that like you, Kiara thinks, but she leaves it unsaid.

Kyne chews on her lower lip, fidgeting with a pen as she stares right past Kiara. She hasn’t seen her this spaced out since, well, the day before the ball in which she confided that she was scared to meet her parents. She wouldn’t be surprised if some of those nerves are still there, looming at the back of her mind.

She finally meets her gaze, and Kiara certainly doesn’t expect what comes next.

“I’m not doing it.”

She blinks repeatedly, not fully processing what Kyne just said.

“What? But—”

“I said no,” Kyne sternly cuts her off, and Kiara wants to shrink on her seat and hide away, not only from the embarrassment but also because of Kyne’s fiery gaze. It’s the first time she’s seen her this angry, but she knows she doesn’t like it. “You said it was a one-time thing, I’ve already done my part of the deal. I’m really risking my job here, y’know? I’m not sure I’d keep it if your parents find out their little girl got her heart broken by a bitchy accountant.” Her tone is cold and cutthroat, like a knife straight to Kiara’s heart.

She doesn’t know where all of this comes from—the expressionless stare and pointed glare, icy as a crude Canadian winter, where there used to be the warmth of a late summer night.

Kiara is still speechless when Kyne mumbles something she can’t quite catch. “What did you say?” She asks, tilting her head slightly. Kyne just dismisses it with a wave of her hand, saying it was nothing; but by her flustered expression Kiara can tell it’s something.

She doesn’t push for an answer. She’s already on Kyne’s bad side; the last thing she wants to do is fight with her.

“You’re right, your part of the deal is done. I’ll make up an excuse, I'm sure my mom will believe it.” Kiara shrugs, not giving much away in her expression, because she doesn't want Kyne to see how much it affects her—because it shouldn't affect her at all.

Their deal is over, for all she knows. And it's probably the thing she hates the most.

“I believe you still have good news to tell me, though,” Kyne muses quietly, meekly meeting Kiara's gaze. The anger is gone, a tinge of regret replacing it, and Kiara bites back a sigh of relief.

Then, she remembers the good news she had to tell her—good news with a lot of air commas.

She bites her lower lip, all her confidence gone out the window now that she barely avoided an argument with Kyne.

I guess Tynomi was right, she thinks, I should've done this over a nice dinner instead of our morning hangout.

Kiara barely scrambles to think of fake good news to give her, which, in the end, it's not so fake. “I succumb, we can watch Legend of Korra together next time we have movie night at your place,” she says, and the smile that blooms on Kyne's face makes her heart tug—both because she never gets tired of the sight of her eyes crinkling at the corners, and because she just threw Rita and Tynomi's motivational speeches to the trash.

Kyne chatters away about how excited she is that she finally relented, and that they'll spend all night long watching the show if it's necessary. But Kiara can only think of all of the conversations she had with her friends over the past few days, psyching her up and giving her motivation to come clean to Kyne about her feelings.

God, Tynomi sure would love to slap some sense into her if she were there.

She sighs internally; if only Kyne had chosen the good news first.

***

“I completely fucked up whatever chances I had with her,” Kiara laments, unceremoniously draping herself all over Rita's couch. “Fuck, I should have had a back-up plan instead of thinking everything would go like I thought it would. Calisse de tabarnak, j'ai fait n'importe quoi.”

“I’m not sure what you said, but it’s probably nothing lady-like,” Tynomi quips, settling on the other couch. Rita just sighs and stands on her tip-toes to grab her nice alcohol; it’s barely Wednesday, but when has that stopped them?

It’s not unusual for them to crash Rita’s place for a drink whenever they’re having a shitty day—Rita has an extensive collection of liquor (“Not because I’m an alcoholic,” she says when you ask her, “I just like to be ready in case of anything.” Then she shrugs, because it just makes sense that Rita is that kind of person) and a really cozy apartment. Rita’s place is heaven for all they know.

“No, it’s not lady-like at all,” Rita replies after a moment, fetching three glasses, “but then again, that’s not the point; Kiki, would you like to walk us through what happened?” She asks kindly, sitting cross-legged on the ground as she pours generous amounts of red wine in their glasses.

Kiara rolls over on the couch, groaning against the pillows, but she figures there's no use holding it all in. She rolls over once again, staring at the ceiling as Rita sets the glass of wine near her, but she doesn't even reach for it.

She tells them of Kyne's icy glare as she said no, putting her foot down with a tone so determined, so void of any emotion but anger—how she didn't say it, but Kiara could distinguish in the turmoil of her eyes that she thought about calling off their deal right there and then. After all, they were done, weren't they?

At some point she sits upwards, grabbing the glass and taking a big swig. Rita and Tynomi say nothing, but they're probably thinking of something useful to say—all of the other times she's come to them for advice, it had been over mundane things such as how to not choke the annoying men at work, how to make her heart stop beating like crazy whenever Kyne was around, and ultimately how to gather up the courage to confess her feelings.

Of course, this is uncharted territory and they're going in completely clueless as to how to aid their friend.

So Tynomi just reaches for the bottle, pours herself another drink, and looks at Kiara with a tired expression.

“Break up and get over her,” she says, like it's the easiest thing ever, but Kiara shakes her head right away. “I’m just saying Kyne’s right, your deal is over, and y’know, she has a point. Don’t you remember what happened with Abril?” Tynomi asks, cocking a skeptical brow.

Almost instantly a cushion flies directly to Tynomi’s face, courtesy of Rita, who doesn’t waste a second in scolding her—they’re not supposed to say her name, or talk about her, or reference her, or anything really, she says, slipping into French from time to time, and Tynomi is quick to reply, voices overlapping.

“It’s fine, whatever, I get the point you’re trying to make, Nono,” Kiara says over the noise, dismissing it with a wave of her hand, slightly annoyed at the mention of her— not ex-girlfriend precisely, but something along those lines. Well, we’re making progress, she thinks, mind going back to all the times she had either teared up or broken something at the mention of her.

Perhaps it has to do with the fact Kyne has her wrapped around her finger—yeah, that’s probably it. Which isn’t all that good in these circumstances.

“Either way,” Kiara follows, tucking her legs under her body, “I’m not sure if I want to break up with Kyne yet,” she muses quietly, lowering her voice like she’s telling them a secret.

Rita sighs, Tynomi rolls her eyes, and their gazes meet for a split second before Rita speaks again, much calmer now.

“But you won’t tell her you like her either, won’t you?” She asks, tilting her head slightly, with that careful tone she always uses when she knows she’s bound to touch a sensitive spot. Kiara huffs, but she begrudgingly replies I suppose not between gritted teeth. “Then I guess it makes no sense to drag this further, don’t you think? Kyne does have a point, like it or not.” Rita, ever the voice of reason, stares at Kiara as she takes a sip from her drink, and Kiara groans like a child that’s just been scolded, plastering her face against the cushions again.

She hates when Rita is right, because she always ends up doing whatever she suggests she does, and while Kiara does avoid many conflicts and problems by following her advice, it’s never been about relationships or feelings—well, romantic feelings; she feels like throwing her heels at every straight white man at company meetings, and Rita has to take her outside to cool down and drill into her brain that, even if it would be funny knocking out one of these men, it wouldn’t be as funny once they retrieve their economic support for her father’s projects. And then Kiara begrudgingly adjusts her heels back, counts until ten and returns. Because she knows she’s a damn smart businesswoman, capable of sealing any kind of deal.

But it seems like her ability for negotiating prices and contracts doesn’t translate well when it comes to negotiating relationships.

Kiara finally shifts her head, looks at the expectant pair, and sighs in a dramatic manner.

“I suppose I can consider it,” she gives in in a long suffering tone, and Rita chuckles alongside Tynomi.

***

On Sunday, Kiara struggles to give her mom an excuse as to why Kyne’s not there to meet the rest of their extended family, and once she finally stammers out an answer she knows for a fact her mom didn’t believe a single word. She spares her, either way, and keeps on greeting the family that keeps arriving.

Although she gets the eerie feeling that her mom spared her for the sole fact that, as soon as she settles down at the table, one of her aunts asks about her girlfriend, a faux sweet tone she’s all familiar with, and freezes for a second.

Shit, she should’ve known her parents would run their mouth.

Well, there’s nothing she can do about it now; so she just answers questions without going into the details, lies through gritted teeth when she says her girlfriend doesn’t like pictures—even though she posts dumb selfies every other minute to her close friends story. The kids ask about her girlfriend, too, mostly her nephews; they want to know if it’s true their auntie has a partner, and if she’s more forgiving when they break things around the house. Kiara just laughs, something tightening in her chest when she thinks of Kyne covering up for the kids when they break a vase or something like that in family gatherings, a wicked grin on her face as she ushers them out and tries to convince Kiara it was just a silly little accident.

And on god the image is tempting, making her insides churn and a warm feeling spread through her chest, at the same time it leaves to be replaced for a hollowness she can’t quite shake.

There’s no way to make that image come true, for Kyne would have to reciprocate her feelings first. That’s harder than actually getting the guts to tell her how she feels.

So she does the next logical thing once she’s a little tipsy; she sends Kyne the classic we have to talk text, adding a hey at the beginning and a please at the end to not seem so dry. If it works she doesn’t know, but she does get a response within a few minutes.

Kyne: i’ll come by your office tomorrow, want anything from the starbucks around the block?

Kiara half smiles, typing out her reply and hitting send before she chickens out.

She hears a loud crash coming from the hallway, and she sighs heavily when she perches one of her youngest nephews to her hip, softly scolding him before handing it to his mom without saying anything, and goes to fetch a broom and a stick to clean out the mess. The image fights its way back into her head, but Kiara tries to push it aside for all that’s holy.

#rpdr fanfiction #my fanfiction #some things are bound to be fic #fake dating au #kyara #kyne #online kyne #kiara schatzi #tynomi banks #rita baga

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radramblog · 4 years ago

Text

Top 5 Games, ever...?

This was sort of on my mind, considering the recent GOTY post I made. Come explore the hyperfixations that managed to stick around long enough to be my top 5 list.

5. Uhhhhhh

So turns out I haven’t figured out what number 5 is yet. I suppose instead I’ve got to split it among the honourable mentions, huh.

Kirby Super Star Ultra is probably the best game from the GBA/DS era of the series and is just a blast to play. It introduced Masked Dedede, and all the banging music and memes that come with it, and probably deserves a spot here just for that.

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth removes all the awkward Flash Stuff from the excellent original, and adds so, so much more content- the game’s final expansion still isn’t out yet as of writing but even now there’s just so much to unlock. While some aspects of the game can be pretty unforgiving, you probably aren’t going to be exposed to the worst of it unless you get into it pretty hardcore, and if you do, you’ll get used to it. It’s a roguelike, after all.

Speaking of roguelikes, FTL: Faster than Light is chaotic yet serene, brutal but fair, and a bunch of other pretentious dichotomies wrapped into a neat little bow. It takes some getting used to the mechanics, but once you get the hang of it, building your little ship up and up in the face of all odds is extremely satisfying. Have fun dying hopefully not too many times.

SPEAKING of permadeath, Realm of the Mad God gets a spot here just out of sheer hours I’ve spent with it. After a messy few years with a not-so-great owner lead me to dropping the game, it seems finally to have recovered and has devs and community that actually freaking care about it, which is nice. Also, it’s free, and the recent transition to unity has the game looking better and playing smoother than 12-year-old me could ever have dreamed of.

Terraria isn’t just 2D Minecraft btw, its actually more of an RPG/Metroidvania thing, you probably know at this point, but its pretty good hey. Still haven’t fully dove into 1.4 but considering I thought Red was done at 1.1 I’m not complaining with what I have played.

4. Fallout: New Vegas

(...ish??)

I’d argue that between the primitiveness of the original Fallout games (I’ve tried to get into them, but I just can’t) and how…meh… the other Bethesda ones are, New Vegas is the only one in the series to stand up strong. Obsidian’s excellent writing and tweaks to the gameplay of 3 make New Vegas feel like an actual world, rich and characterised, which was something I found lacking in previous open-world RPGs I’d played up until that point (which admittedly might just have been Skyrim). It’s a game that challenges you to make choices that actually matter for more than the mere moments of an altered dialogue tree, both in dialogue and character building, which helps make the game actually replayable. It is also the first game in a long time that really sold the idea of DLC on me, seeing as each of the game’s 4 expansions adds an entire new region of world with its own stories and unique gameplay, tying together with the main plot but standing on their own. I am excluding Gun Runner’s Arsenal from this for obvious reasons, though it isn’t like GRA is a bad DLC or anything- on the contrary, the sheer scope of modifications and munitions makes playing a repair/science-based character incredibly fulfilling- but it just isn’t at the same scope as the other 4 (Courier’s stash barely counts seeing as its just oops! All preorder bonuses).

New Vegas is one of the few games I have actually 100% completed, achievements and all, but I’m still pretty sure there are bits I’ve missed, paths I haven’t taken, characters I haven’t talked to. Despite its inhospitability, the Mojave is always a comfortable place to return to.

3. VA-11 Hall-A

(Hey look, my phone background)

Vallhalla is a masterclass in storytelling, atmosphere, and aesthetic. Like all good cyberpunk dystopias, you get themes of class and transhumanism and artificial intelligence, but they aren’t the point of Vallhalla. Through the window and lens of cyberpunk and PC98 nostalgia is focussed a surprisingly human story centred around the protagonist, Jill, which through multiple replays still hits me in the feels just so. Of course, Jill’s story is not the only one being discussed, as every single patron of the bar has their own life going on, and the glimpses we get imply a rich, often interconnected, world. Glitch City is, frankly, a shithole, and it’s not like you don’t get some assholes coming into the bar while you’re working it. The first patron you serve, in fact, is a great example of this- Donovan D. Dawson, essentially a parody of J. Jonah Jameson, is a colossal prick and knows it- but its clear he has his own system of morals and it is mentioned that he’s excellent at his job, much as he gripes about it. He’s rude and more than a little sexist, but frustratingly charismatic and authoritative, and he’s just one of many people who show up throughout the game. Vallhalla is the perfect game to sit down, grab your preferred beverage, and just relax with.

2. Total Annihilation

(This image is on the steam page for this one, despite blatantly not being from vanilla TA)

I think I actually need to explain this one. Total Annihilation was a game released in 1997 made largely by Chuck Taylor, who would later go on to produce spiritual successor Supreme Commander. It’s an RTS game featuring exclusively robotic units with a fairly chunky aesthetic, allowing the visuals to age better than some, and a fully orchestrated soundtrack by Jeremy Soule, who would later go on to do work on a whole bunch of stuff, most notably Skyrim.

Total Annihilation is an intensely nostalgic game for me, being one of the first games I ever got to play as a kid outside of edutainment stuff, and I’d argue still holds up today (especially with the excellent Escalation mod). What it lacks in story (it’s pretty basic, but functional) it makes up for being miles ahead of its time mechanically, being the first (?) RTS to function in 3 dimensions- heights of things actually matter, hills exist and certain units climb them better than others, shooting down airplanes is difficult without anti-air but possible if you aim *just* right. While appearing pretty similar and having largely analogous units, the two factions of Arm and Core are well fleshed-out in terms of aesthetic and playstyle- Arm preferring fast and cheap equivalents to Core’s slow but powerful- and the unit variety is sufficient that strategies can vary wildly based on the map. Both campaigns as well as those from the game’s expansions are challenging, but satisfying, limiting the units you can produce to force exploration of different playstyles.

Total Annihilation isn’t something I tend to binge play for hours anymore, but I’ll pick it up for a bit every so often, and I don’t see that stopping for a long time (especially due to the recent steam release).

1. Pokémon Emerald

(At the top, where it belongs)

Yeah, this was inevitable. Pokémon is my favourite series ever; Emerald is my favourite in the series. Go figure.

Emerald, being the final game for the franchise’s days on the Game Boy, reflects everything Game Freak had learned in the first 3 generations of the series’ history. The game’s balance is challenging but fair, never spiking so tough that it is insurmountable but never holding your hand either. The AI opponents are throwing odd combinations of mons and moves at you from every corner, double battles are everywhere but rarely mandatory, and the variety of available mon both before and during the postgame is excellent. The added features on top of Ruby and Sapphire are great- Battle Tents serve to replace 3 of the contest halls (they should have all been under one roof to begin with) and provide a taste of what would later be available in the Battle Frontier. The Frontier is probably the single most expansive and challenging postgame in any Pokémon game, providing the game with a longevity that is sorely needed due to the inaccessibility of Pre-DS multiplayer. The game also manages to tie together the plot of both Ruby and Sapphire into something that feels natural, and provides the series’ first ever actual cutscene, which felt a lot cooler at the time than it sounds now. The return of animated sprites gives the Pokémon a level of life far beyond the static sprites of RSFRLG, and in my eyes wouldn’t feel the same until Black and White several years later. The return of the Pokégear phone in the form of Match Call, as irritating as it is to some, makes the world feel alive in a way that Sinnoh and Kanto probably never will, in addition to making grinding a fair bit less tedious and more beneficial. It is, altogether, probably the perfect Pokémon experience, and in my opinion only one other game comes close (its Platinum).

Oh also, they got rid of the font from Ruby and Sapphire, thank fuck, that shit is atrocious.

#ramble #video games #pokemon #retro games #lists

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sarahegerton96 · 5 years ago

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Dean Karny-My King

This wasn’t requested but I’m writing it for the amazing wonderful talented @primaba11erina just to say thank you for everything you do for me, hope you enjoy bub ❤

It was the week of Y/N’s senior prom and after spending weeks of debating whether or not to go she finally decided to go, so what that she didn’t have a date who needed one to have a good time anyways, she was going to go and have good night with all her class mates.

Y/N and Autumn went dress shopping for your dress for the prom which was now only 2 days away and you were starting to get frustrated seeing as you couldn’t find a dress that stood out to you, this wasn’t the first attempt to find a dress, “Y/N why are you being so picky about you dress your never normally this picky?” Autumn said and you just shrugged your shoulders not wanting to reveal the real reason why you were being so picky.

You see you had heard from a very close friend of yours that Dean Karny, yes the very Dean that you had been obsessing over since 10th grade was going to be at the prom and you thought that if you looked incredible enough that he may finally notice you after only spending that last 2 years of being chemistry partners and always calling you by the wrong name. “Y/N come here what about this one” Autumn called you snapping you out of your daydream and ushering you over to where shes standing holding the most beautiful and breathtaking dress you’ve ever seen, “ That’s it that’s my dress” you squeal grabbing it from Autumn and making you way towards the fitting rooms to try it on. It fits like a glove hugging your curves I all the right places. “Hows does it fit” you hear Autumn ask from the other side of the curtain, “good but I think I may have to go commando, my underwear is visible” you say back as you pull the curtain to reveal yourself to your best friend. “Wow Y/N you look incredible” Autumn gushed as she saw you standing there before her. “Don’t worry bub we’ll find you a nice sexy little lacy thong to go underneath that wont be visible” Autumn winks at you as she leaves the dressing room.

*****The dress you wear******

The day of the prom finally came and to say you were excited was and understatement, you had gotten up early to shower as you had an early waxing and tan appointment you had to get to, after your appointment you headed home to have some lunch before you started to do your hair and make-up. Once you were home you made yourself a bowl of steaming hot mac and cheese, after eating you made your way to you room and started on your make up, you applied a natural make up look with a black and gold smoky eye and curled your hair in loose beachy waves, before you knew me to leave you glanced at yourself in the mirror once more happy with your appearance, grabbed your gold clutch and made your way out the door towards the waiting limo where you were greeted by Autumn.

Yous pull up to the hotel and make your way inside, it was decorated beautifully, you made your way over to the drinks table to get a drink of “punch” and made our way back over to your friends, as you cross the dance floor you spot him walking through the doors you stopped dead in your tracks and stared at him he was sporting a beautiful black tux and bow tie, he was…BREATHTAKING to say the least and you couldn’t tear your eyes off him, you made a note to thank whoever thought of using black tie as the theme for the prom, he looked up and saw you staring at him and just stared back looking you up and down biting his lip and winked at you turning away and continuing to talk with his mates you made your way back over to the table where Autumn and Dakota sat talking about random stuff. “Well if I didn’t know any better I would say I caught Mr. Karny checking you out babe” Dakota says as you return to the table “Yeah Y/N he couldn’t peel his eyes away from your ass as you walked away” Autumn says with a smirk plastered on her face, “Oh stop it you two I highly doubt that” you say blushing and trying to change the subject.

As the night drew on you started to feel the full effects of the punch you had been drinking over the past few hours, you couldn’t help but keep glancing over to where Dean was standing with his friends, one particular time when you looked over you caught him already staring hungrily over at you biting his lip, you quickly look away blushing hoping that he didn’t see you staring at him for the millionth time that night.

“Don’t look now girl but Mr. Karny is making his way over to you” Autumn says in a hushed tone sending a wink your way, just as you were about to protest and tell her to stop fucking about, Dean clears his throat causing you to snap you head in his direction almost giving yourself whiplash in the process. “Y/N may I have this dance” he asks as he held his hand out for you to take, “Y-yes” you stuttered out in complete shock and disbelief as the guy you’ve been oogling over for the past 2 years and all night knew your name and had just asked you to dance with him. You stood up and made your way to the dance floor as as slow song started to play, you felt Dean’s hands graze your ass as he brought them up to rest on you hips, yous swayed to the music and stared into his eyes, you never noticed just how incredibly beautiful his eyes were they glistened like to emeralds in the dim lighting of the room and you melted into him further, you glanced from his eyes to his lips and back up biting you lip, he slowly leaned in and connected your lips in a slow passionate kiss, his hands sliding down from your hips and landing on your ass gently squeezing you moaned into the kiss causing Dean to squeeze harder and deepen the kiss, yous eventually broke apart panting from how intense the kiss was. “Shit Y/N you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that” Dean says as he regains his composure, you just stand there staring at him not being able to speak still too entranced from what happened as you touch you lips that were s tingling from the kiss. He grabs you by the hand and pulls you out of the hall to the nearest empty room he can find, “Where are we going?” You question, “I needed to get you alone” is all he says as he pulls you into a nearby office slams the door closed and locking it behind yous.

“I can’t fucking wait until we get get out of here” he grit out, already working on my hiking my dress up. “I need to get my mouth on your cunt, and here is as good a place as any.”

I moaned at the words, goosebumps covering me when a second later he ripped my panties right off me without an iota of effort. He fell to his knees, muttering words I couldn’t really hear over the sound of my own panting.

“Shouldn’t even do this… such a fucking bad girl, such a tease in this dress. Taste so damn good.”

I ran my fingers through his hair before clenching it in response to an especially hard flick of his tongue on my clit.

“Ohhh Daddy, that’s it. Shit, I’m already so close.”

“Oh no you don’t Y/N. You don’t have permission to come yet.”

My head fell back, thudding on the desk at his words. I rarely ever held back from coming, but when I did it was an exquisite torture. I was already on edge, and I felt like with one more brush of his lips on my pussy I’d explode.

Of course, he knew that, so he moved his mouth to the insides of my thighs, giving me time to cool down a little. He nipped my sensitive skin and then kissed away the sting, moving my legs from the desk up to his shoulders. His hands fell to my ass, tilting my hips up so he could feast on me once again.

His tongue ran up one side of my lips and down the other before coming back up between them. He fucked my pussy with his tongue like I knew he was dying to do with his cock, his hands coming up and squeezing my tits through my dress.

“I fucking knew it,” he said after the first squeeze, his mouth leaving me and making me whimper in protest.“I knew the second you walked in here tonight you weren’t wearing a bra. Do you know how hard it’s been not to stare? To touch? You’re a goddamn tease, and it’s time to turn the tables.”

He spent what felt like the next three years of my life eating my pussy, backing away right when I was about to come and then nibbling on my thighs until he knew he could go back to where he really wanted to be. I was shaking, begging him to let me come when he finally pulled away, standing and stripping his clothes of quickly. I ripped my own dress off and laid back down, gripping my full tits and tweaking my nipples, constant sounds falling from my lips to tempt him to finally fuck me.

“Come on Daddy, punish me with your cock. I know you’re dying to. I can see you leaking. Don’t you want to come in me?”

“Jesus, Y/N” I breathed the words out and grabbed the base of my cock, squeezing hard to keep me from going off right then. She already knew me so well- because that was exactly what I’d been thinking, looking at her laying on the desk with swollen pussy and tits in her hands. Her makeup was smudged from sweat and probably a few tears. I hadn’t been exactly kind, edging her for probably an hour. My girl was a sensitive one, and judging by the looks of it, it never took her long to get off. So torturing her without an orgasm for an hour would leave her exactly where she was.

Messy. Pussy dripping onto the desk. Hair wild. Body shaking from the need to come. Begging words falling from those pink, plump lips.

I reached out for her, pulling her down off the desk and spinning her around. I pressed my hand into her back to let her know I wanted her laying flat against it. She followed direction without hesitation, nearly vibrating with excitement.

“Hold on to the other edge. And cross your legs at your ankles.” I gathered a handful of her hair as she did what I told her, watching the play of her muscles under her skin, the sheen of sweat that had gathered there shining on her skin as the moonlight shone in the window of the office. I pulled on her hair a little, bringing her head up so I could kiss her. I was about to fuck her hard, and I wanted to make sure she knew it and I was more than happy to give it to her.

She hummed happily as our tongues swirled around each other the kiss going from something simple to something deep and hungry. We broke apart, breaths coming even faster than before.

I palmed my cock and brushed it up and down her slit, gathering wetness on the tip and listening to her whimper, hips moving into me and nearly begging for me to plunge inside her.

“You’re so fucking wet baby. Can you feel how hard I am for you?” I thrust my hips forward and the tip of my cock bumped her hard clit, eliciting a loud groan from her.

“Yes, please…” she trailed off with a moan as I bumped her clit again.

“You’ve been such a fucking tease, and now you’re going to get exactly what you asked for. I’m going to fuck you so hard that you’re going to feel it until I fuck you again.”

She moaned loudly, and I slapped her ass when she wiggled it in invitation. “You’re a bad girl, you know that? Admit it and I’ll put my cock in this pretty pussy of yours.”

“Yes, I’m a bad girl!” Her words ended on a scream when I thrust forward and buried almost every inch in one go. Her pussy pulsed around me and I groaned, trying to hold it together with how damn good it felt.

“You’re so tight, baby. Now hold still for me, and let me fuck you like the bad little girl you are.”

“I”m ready, Daddy,” she whimpered and rocked her ass back into me again, prompting me to slap her ass once more.

“Good girl,” I rasped as I pulled out. I slowly pushed in, both of us groaning at the feeling. “You’re so tight like this baby, I’m not sure I’ll be able to fit.”

“You can fit, I know you can Daddy. I want to feel all of you inside me.” Her pussy rippled around me as I fit another couple of inches in. It took a second to get through my fogged brain to realize she was about to come, just from me sliding my cock inside her like this.

“I didn’t say you could come yet.“ I slapped her one more time, pulling her head back and turning her body into one big arch. I knew exactly what this did to her, and as I fit the last few inches of my dick in her with one last spank, she detonated around me.

"Oh, fuck Daddy! Your cock feels too good! I can’t stop from coming!” Her yelled words broke the last of my restraint, and I began to fuck her like crazy through her orgasm, sending her from one right into another. She let out a hoarse scream, clenching every muscle in her body and causing me to shout as my own orgasm struck me suddenly.

“Jesus, fuck,” I yelled as I unloaded my cum inside her body, marveling when I felt her tighten with a smaller, shorter climax than her first two. I tapped her thigh, letting her know she could uncross her legs and relax.

She shakily did so, falling against the desk in a boneless heap and letting out small little whimpers while I continued to drag my cock in and out in shallow thrusts, drawing the moment out. When we had both come down, I pulled out and watched as our mixed cum trailed down her thighs. Both of us took a weird pleasure in that part. Y/N hummed, a big smile on her face as she watched me watch her.

I helped her up from the desk, searching for something to clean her up with I found a box of tissues and used them to wipe her up, helping her back into her dress, placing a sweet chaste kiss to her lips.

“Fancy coming back to mine for round 2 babe?” he said with a smirk on his lips. I nodded eagerly.

We made our way back to the hall to get our things and tell our friends we were heading off. As I approached the table where Autumn and Dakota sat they jumped up “OMG Y/N you and Dean won prom king and queen” they said excitedly I stood there completely dumbfounded that I had won.

“Ready to go my queen” Dean said as he came up and put my crown on my head and gestured for me to link his arm so we could head back to his place. “Yep just grabbing my bag” I said as I leaned over, “You must tell us everything” Autumn and Dakota said in together, I just winked and took Deans arm and walked toward the exit with him.

And to think I wasn’t even going to come and now here I am queen of the prom with my king on my arm, who knows where this might lead ;)….

******THE END********

hope you like it bub please let me know what you think :)

#dean karny #smut #taron egerton smut #taron egerton

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aeducanka · 5 years ago

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Okay so my options so far are:

1) play through Awakening for the first time:

Pro: feeling nice, knowing that I play everything in the correct order; I won't have to avoid Awakening spoilers anymore and I'm slightly curious about the plot; it's good for conscience having it done; I can see how much Anders changed throughtout the series; I can get to know Sigrun and Velanna who are just The Coolest (Nathaniel Howe doesn't count because I will be playing as Orlesian Warden and she couldn't care less).

Contra: I will have to figure out how many Orlesian Wardens will be needed (and the answer is a lot because none of my Wardens want to stick around to rebuild Ferelden!); I will have to figure out my Orlesian Warden's name, character and appearance; I will have one more somewhat fleshed character to worry about on daily basis; it's debatable how much into DA:O I'm right now.

2) play through Dragon Age 2 for the first time:

Pro: I won't have to avoid spoilers anymore; I'm curious how all the spoilers I have gathered will play out and, of course, curious about the rest; I know that it's a very good game and I'm thrilled; if I play through it fast, I'll be able to appreciate @gremlinquisitor's amazing Sebhawke better than just with the help of Tumblr osmosis; I already have a Hawke and all I have to do is tweak her appearance a little.

Contra: I feel so guilty for not having played Awakening yet that I haven't read a single codex story and my first playthrough was 1 hour long; I'll need time to get used to the game's mechanics; the character creator and the dialogue options are The Worst; catch me worrying that my Hawke sucks and I'm Kathleen Kennedy The Younger with her army of morally decent dark blonde/light brunettes, even if I'm playing DA2 for fun and not to fulfill some great plan, and I most likely won't share my Hawke here so... it doesn't matter that much? The only lowkey similar characters are my Aeducan and Hawke anyway and it's only in terms of appearance, and it was somewhat a conscious decision because I wanted the sweet irony of "You remind me of Hero of Ferelden".

3) play through Witchhunt for the first time:

Pro: it's just a short DLC; I'll get to know Finn and Arianne; I'll get to see a snippet of my Emerald Aeducan with her BFF/adopted sister, Morrigan, even if I later strike their meeting as not belonging to my canon; no character creator needed.

Contra: it's the beginning of "Morrigan starts acting terrible and hurting the Dalish" and given how much I liked Morrigan in Origins... I'm not so thrilled to see it; I'll feel a bit awkward playing as Em because it's been a year, her being in The Witchhunt isn't canon and I'll have to finally remove her tattoo after months of ignoring the issue so that I get a few good screenshots with her so yeah.

4) finish Kallista's playthrough/my second DA:O playthrough that I started last November before the end of the year because the Landsmeet has been announced and literally all I have to do is a few leftover missions in Denerim and a few plot points so it won't take long!!!

Pro: it's the right choice and I know it; pretty much just the last part of the game and I'll know how exactly Kallista's playthrough ended; Kallista and I deserve a conclusion etc.

Contra: I have no save slots left and I'll have to delete even more of the older saves which makes me feel awful; I'm not that much in DA:O mood right now; I'll be playing the game with the knowledge that I'll have to replay Kallista sometime in the future because I changed her DA:O romance to "very awkward romance with Morrigan that didn't work out but pretty much kickstarted her long serious relationship with Leliana sometime after DA:O".

...which pretty much settles it that I should finish my second playthrough of DA:O and play through The Witchhunt first but doesn't tell me much what I should do later? Please, do something to break my "Who cares about Awakening? I'll have to play through it a few times in a row anyway, each with a brand new Orlesian Warden and I don't even like Grey Wardens!" mentality. At least I'm somewhat sure that I'm saving Leliana's Song and this one dwarven DLC that isn't The Golems of Amgarrak for later. And I know that I won't be touching The Golems of Amgarrak and the darkspawn DLC either. But I'm stuck because on one hand I want to be a good person and play through Awakening first, on the other I can't wait to play through DA2 because I need to know the plot, the characters and such.

#Aeducanka is talking #long post #I typed it straight into Tumblr's mobile application and it was a mistake #so many typos I'm crying

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maladaptive-ninja-returns · 6 years ago

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To Go

Natasha Romanoff x fem!Reader

Content: Fluff

Warnings: None

Request: Would you consider writing a Natasha Romanoff x female reader story?

Hello, for the female reader x Natasha can you do one where the reader is a barista and every time Nat orders something the reader writes a cute pickup line on the cup?

Okay, so I suck at pickup lines, to be very honest. So I tweaked it a bit and worked something with the barista setting. Hope you like it.

Word Count: I wasn’t able to meet my best friend today because health so that sucks. She’s going back and I won’t be able to see her any time soon :(

A/N: This is my first time writing for Natasha. I hope I did a decent job because I wanted to give them more than this scene. I wanted to see where they go from here. Let me know how you found it. :)

MASTERLIST

It is one thing to come by a superhero at the coffee shop you work, feeling lucky to have the universe bestow the honour upon you to serve the people who protect the city you live in. It is completely another thing to be transferred on special request by the boss- who you are sure just owns that one little cosy corner of business in the vast city- to the Avengers facility to be at the service of all those heroes. Why? Because one day Tony Stark landed in your workplace through your tiny café's window while fighting some really buff bad guys evidently using alien technology and you happened to have the vagina to get down on your knees near Iron Man and offer him your special work-shot for a bad day.

"Coffee, Mr Stark?" You had mechanically spoken. "On the house." Before putting it down on the ground next to him because you were no fool. You know that intellectual billionaire had a thing against being handed things.

Stark had given you one good look before picking up the coffee and gulping down the first shot, forcing an involuntary 'woah' out of him which, though you were quite used to, made you happy to have such effect on one of your favourite heroes. And between that day and today, someone had changed your fate with a galactic sharpie as you looked at the huge square space you were supposed to manage in the Avengers Facility's lobby. Decorating the white walls on the ground floor of the main building into a cosy corner was fun though you had your doubts if anyone from the team would actually be interested in spending time here when they practically had their own rooms-probably double the size of what you were working with- in the same building. Nonetheless, you fashioned the walls with wood wallpaper, stacked up old records for the jukebox- especially for your blue-eyed serum enhanced soldiers- set up your personal Spotify playlists for every mood for your customers, and brought in the coziest furniture you could find under the budget defined by your boss- though Stark had been more generous than that. It was just coffee, you would hear yourself say every time the realisation would dawn on you that you were miles away from home, inside the most secure grounds, putting final touches to the little abode you were about to open for the superheroes you could have only dreamt of meeting at one point in your life. . The first few days were the usual business. The enthusiasm of working right next to the Avengers diluted as the only crowd you would gather would be the staff, security guards and sometimes a visitor or two. All the orders would be to-go, that you let the new hires handle. It was nice to occasionally see Happy. He felt more of a friend than head of Stark's personal security detail. He would always compliment your custom coffee for him and often take one for the boss when he knew Tony would need it. Once Happy took a dozen orders, saying it was for the Avengers who were 'about to sit through one hell of a meeting'. Whether or not they'd liked the coffee you had made for them, you had no idea but your staff of two- a guy and a girl working under a scholarship program while interning at Stark industries- had loved to watch you work so diligently and were quite curious to know how you could know what to make and for whom. You promised to let them in on the secret but not till they had tried to do it at least once on their own. . Today had been one long day because the staff had been busy clearing off the aftermath of the latest mission the Avengers had come back from, buzzing in, out and about the grounds, the coffee pouring out like water every ten seconds for the people who were running purely on the beans now. You were into your second week and were now used to the volume that came in, working on the standard orders on the rhythm of the music of your choice. The interns had elongated their shift to help you out with the madding crowd. It had nearly been one on the clock of the deadly hour in the night when you'd forced them out and went back to cleaning up and readying the stack for the next morning. Next morning. Today. Just four more hours to go. Your apartment was basically on the other end of the grounds and it took thirty to forty minutes by foot to cover the distance between the two. A tired huff left you as you counted the time it would take you to go back, get ready for bed, get out of bed, and come back, realising you barely had any to sleep. Screw you and your coffee making skills. The windchime by the entrance clinked as someone opened the door, sending an irritating wave down your spine that you controlled before heading out. Your watch read five minutes to two. "I'm sorry th-" You stopped. So you thought did your heart. And every other thing in your vicinity. Natasha Romanoff, the world's deadliest assassin, stood in front of you in black Avengers Chibi pajamas. "Oh," a smooth yet raspy voice filled your ears, melting whatever frustrations lay in your mind, "I saw the lights on and thought you were open." The green in her eyes shone brilliantly under the golden lights; you were sure you had stopped breathing a long while ago. Before you could fully take her presence in, you saw her turn away. "No," you nearly shouted, making her turn back and giving yourself a chance to compose the elation building inside you, "not yet. What would you like to have?" You felt your ears heat up as she looked at you for a good moment before walking towards you with the grace of a ballerina and sitting down on the bar stool right in front of you. Be still, my fluttering heart. But the smirk at the end of her lips- that looked like carefully aged wine from grapes that was perfected under the scrutiny of the Gods themselves- sent all your logic through the window. "Tony said you are good at making a concoction for the moment," she cooed, almost making you let go of the reigns on your wavering breath. "I did like what you made me five days ago during our mission briefing." "You did?" You heard yourself say with a hint of pure joy, making her smile. Her smile! How could her smile leave you so week in the knees? That's it. That's how I want to die, you declared to yourself as you tried to hide the blush heating up your face by turning around and setting up the basic ingredients to start with. "So, Miss Romanoff," you announced, finally composing yourself a bit before turning back to her smaragdine eyes that were swirling with a light if their own inside them, "what is your need for the moment?" You realised the underlying meaning of your words after they left your tongue, trying your best not to give away on that. "Let's see," she put down her elbows on the counter top, her chin resting on her palm as she closed her eyes for a moment and you felt her movement send her intoxicating aroma towards you. Sweetness covered beneath a layer of something you would describe as a heavy whiff of the ocean in a storm, which itself was veiled under a citrus-y flavour. How could a scent be so complex yet so delicate to your senses? "So," the familiar coarseness brought you back to her sparkling emeralds, "I came back from a mission that drained me quite a bit. I would say I am in need of a good pick-me-up. In every sense of the word." You felt a smile creeping over your lips as you tucked back your hair behind your ears, nodded in confirmation and brought out a few more ingredients. Placing two decent pieces of dark chocolate over the kitchen board, you presented one to your guest, who gladly took it from your hands, her cold fingers sending a spark through yours on the lightest touch. "Were you the one who drew a black widow with a Halo and googly eyes on the coffee cup for me?" The knife in your hand slipped a bit, stabbing the chocolate, sending the chunk flying to the jukebox. Natasha clearly suppressed her laugh as your heated fingers tried to put rest of the chocolate back in its place. "Y-Yeah. I uh ahem tried to mark the cups for everyone." "Clint liked his Hawk with goggles by the way. I think he still has the cup lying somewhere." She took a crackling bite of her chunk between her teeth, making you steal a look at the way her flaming tresses curled at the ends and allowing your mind to pass through a dim corridor to wonder what it would feel like to explore the fiery strands between your fingers. "Would you like something to help you sleep as well?" You asked abruptly, dropping the knife- clearly not ready to handle two dangerous things at once- and moving up another board with lemon slices, mint leaves and some spices. "Not if there's good company," Natasha suggested matter-of-factly with a tilt of her head. Clearly not making this any easier, darling. "To be served or to go?" The barista in you came up when everything else was beginning to swirl inside your head. "To-go," came the quick reply, pinching you a little in your heart. You were clearly expecting her to stay till the drinks ran out. A little disappointed in yourself, you mentally stroked your sullen heart and proposed it to make the best drink she had ever had so she would come back for more. Switching on the 'Oh involuntary thought of mine' playlist and tying your hair back, you got down to business, placing two cups- one for a hot drink, one for cold. The clear spherical ice cubes adjusted themselves in the transparent cup with the lemon and mint finding their space between them and a slowly heated mixture of spices cooled to a thick consistency drizzled all around them generously before the tea came and coloured the ingredients in the nest golden hue. "Have this first while I prepare your other drink," you asserted, placing the finished part of your heart's work in front of her before turning to ready the coffee. "Two?" Natasha questioned as she picked up a straw from the holder and took a whiff of the cold drink, ending in a spontaneous smile, making the just built up wall inside your heart crumble a little. "Couldn't decide on one." I'm trying to flirt with you through my tea and coffee skills with zero ideas whether you are into someone like me, so, yeah! Couldn't decide on one! But that's not the only reason. "Oh, God!" Came a moan from behind you, inviting a smirk on your lips. That. That was the real reason. You shifted back to her, catching her with her eyes closed as she was letting the cold mix work through her entire body, the spices hitting her right where you wanted them to. Her muscles visibly easing themselves as the curing heat worked its way through her. You did this to the most lethal assassin on this planet. You made her moan, undoing her knotted muscles right in front of you. Watching her come down from the mini high she'd just felt gave you a sudden surge of confidence. "There's more where that came from," you suggested as you mixed few of the chocolate chunks into another spice blend. "What was that?" The assassin exclaimed in sheer amusement going back to taking one long sip; she did not even wait for you to answer, making you giggle at the child-like sparkle in her green tourmalines. "Can't tell you. It's a secret." You winked at her, making her cock her brow at you, her lips never leaving the straw. "You do know I can get it out of you without breaking a sweat right?" "Mhmm," you bit your lip before tilting your head, "all I can see right now is you nearly to the point of begging me for more." The straw made the slurps louder as she gulped down the last drops, her eyes not leaving yours. "You'll eventually tell me," she stated with a sly smile. "Make me," you retorted, enjoying the cheesy exchange till the ring of someone's cell phone brought both of you out of the beautiful trance. "That's my rooster's call," Natasha mentioned as she slowly got up from her seat, returning the sinking feeling in your chest. "Here," you presented her the hot beverage, ready to go, "drink it after thirty minutes. Let the cold one's magic work through you first." "Thanks," you heard her say as you switched off the music, the machine, and moved the unused, unsoiled ingredients back into their places. Natasha was already out of the café, her figure jumping under the dim ceiling lights, when you came out from the back to switch off the lights, take your jacket and lock up the place. The security personnel at the three am shift was having a hard time absorbing the Black Widow in PJs nearly making you laugh at the shock on his face. Checking the door with one final nudge, you tucked the keys in your jacket pocket and turned to go towards the entrance of the building nearly walking into Natasha. "Come on," she stated with a tilt of her head quite casually. "What?" "Come on," she said again, "you're not walking back to your place at three in the morning. You're staying over at mine." You- and definitely the guard eavesdropping into the whole conversation- stood there in shock for a moment. "I meant it when I spoke of good company." That wall that was building up somewhere again inside you just got blasted to smithereens. "Um, excuse me, ma'am," the guard brought your attention to him, "you don't have clearance for the upper levels." You were about to apologise when Natasha cut him right there. "Don't I look like clearance enough, Dawson?" She looked right into his eyes with a blank expression, not really sure to you what she was thinking at that moment. "Now, excuse me while I take her home." "Yes, ma'am," the guard responded sheepishly. "Wow, woman, buy me coffee first," erupted out of you from nowhere, your nerves heating up from head to toe. "Oh I plan on getting us dinner," she asserted, her hand coming for your arm, sending sparkles down your skin, "you clearly deserve more than just some ordinary coffee." "Huh," you heard yourself in between your unsteady heartbeat as you stepped into the elevator, "I wonder what it was that did it for you." "I'm not sure," she said, scrunching her nose and biting her lips, "I stopped evaluating after you gave that chocolate wings."

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vickypoochoices · 6 years ago

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Hold My Girl.

Author's Note: I've been gone forever! This was meant to be a short fic, because I hated the whole break up scenario and I also didn't think the London scene was realistic. I don't think you'd be able to forgive and forget in five seconds flat after a break up like that. So I've taken some of the dialogue from that chapter and done a little tweaking. Except now, I think I might have to do a part two with Big Ben. If people would want to read that?

Tagging: @zigortega4life @emerald-bijou @littlegreenmoo @krsnlove @sarzkh31

Let me know if you want to be added/removed to the tag list.

[MASTERLIST.]

Damn Abbie and her stupid phone! Damn social media! Damn Zig and his perfect smile that she missed so much! Nothing good ever came out of a little stalking session online did it? Sure, she was pretty pleased to see that gorgeous face of his again. But then she remembered, she didn’t know if she’d ever get to see that gorgeous face again. Touch that gorgeous face again. Kiss that gorgeous face again. At the very least she was relieved to see no new girlfriends or random girls. If anything, she was a little smug to see her face cropping up over and over again in older posts. Until she realised that’s exactly what they were. Old posts that meant nothing now.

Clammy fingertips slapped at her forehead in frustration, the sound vibrating off the bare walls. Launching her phone at the front door, a strangled scream of frustration followed, before the tinny echo of the radio started up. Damn it. You pick your moments. Her phone was well loved, and a little battered and bruised, constantly malfunctioning. But maybe a little music would lighten the mood?

Leaving the phone, instead she pottered into the kitchen, flicking on the kettle and humming softly in time with the pop song blaring from the floor. Steam billowed upwards as the kettle rumbled to a stop minutes later. Once the bubbling vibrations subsided, she noted the sudden change in music. I Miss You by Clean Bandit had replaced the upbeat pop song, her pulse quickening as the lyrics washed over her. Stop! “Hey Google, change stations.” Silence rang out, before the chorus of Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith jolted to life. Her fingertips flexed at her side, as her free hand concentrated on dousing the teabag in boiling water. “Hey Google, change stations.” Third times a charm right? Her phone contemplated the command, a series of vibrations buzzing against the hard floor before suddenly whirring to life once again. This time her chin wobbled and her hands clutched at the kitchen work top in a desperate bid to keep herself from collapsing, a tsunami of emotion crashing over her. Not this song. Anything but this song. Please. “Hey Google, stop. Google…Google. Heyyyy. Stop. Please.” Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol continued, taunting her as she struggled to swallow down fresh tears. She’d done so well up until this point to keep them at bay, but if anything was going to tip her over the edge, it was this song. Their song.

Hot tears trickled down her face, dripping off the tip of her nose and collecting in the crevice of her dry lips, her body racked with sobs, whimpers diminishing in defeat. An inexplicable numbness surrounded her, the lyrics seeming to penetrate through her skin and infiltrate every last one of her thoughts. Thoughts she hadn’t allowed herself to have up until now. Thoughts of Zig.

Her head jerked violently, her body still swaying to an absent song, her phone having long stopped playing. A loud, urgent knock was now insistently rapping out on the front door. Her brows knitted together closely as she wearily placed one foot in front of the other. Mentally running over all the possible people at work that had her home address she came up short, shaking her head dismissively, knowing she hadn’t struck up any real friendships in her time in London.

Using the door as a shield once she pulled it back, her head peered round the corner, only one eye daring to open and come face to face with her killer. She sagged against the frame in relief, suffering a momentary lapse of memory, before realisation set in. With his feet awkwardly shuffling over the gleaming floor of the communal hallway, and his fingertips drumming against his thigh nervously, Zig stood in the doorway, a faint, uncertain ghost of a smile fixed into place.

Her mouth flapped open and shut as she gawked at him for a full minute. “I… Uhh… Hey. What are you doing here?” She cringed inwardly at her fumbled choice of greeting. There were a million and one things she could have said, yet that was all she managed to come up with on the spot.

“I’m here for you. I can’t do this any more.”

The desperation dripped off of every single word he spoke, garnering her full attention. His wavy hair had grown in the time they’d spent apart, making her wonder if she had any influence over that decision, having always preferred it on the longer side. Or maybe this was his new style? That would explain the sudden growth of facial hair. That needs to stay! Feeling the full weight of his relentless staring, she finally caved, eyes fully locking with his. They widened in surprise at the darkened circles underneath and pools of water gathering in the corner of his eyes.

Zig’s voice wobbled, grappling with the surge of emotions stirring at the sight of her. “Can I come in?”

A rush of hot hair escaped in a brief moment of hesitancy, before she finally stood aside to let Zig in. He’d barely taken two steps before stopping in his tracks, his boot clunking against her phone and sending it skidding further along the floor.

“Shit. Sorry.” He scurried across the room, stooping to pick up the phone. As his fingers curled around it, the screen lit up revealing her background photo. A photo of them both together, complete with their cat Bella, and their dog Trix. A happy family. His eyes hurriedly met hers, a surprised look spreading over his features.

Heat rushed to her face, turning her back on him and taking a few seconds to compose herself under the guise of closing the door.

“Can I get you a drink?” Her voice took on an overly cheery tone as she pushed past the embarrassment at being caught red handed. She’d done well at hiding her feelings and pretending everything was fine, but some days she’d lose count of the amount of times she’d pull her phone out just to catch a glimpse of him. Of them. Together.

“Sure. Whatever you’re having.” Zig paused, surveying his surroundings as she flicked the kettle on once more. “Is this it then? Is it just you?” He queried, sweeping his arm around the air gesturing towards the flat.

“And my super hot room mate Jack.”

A crestfallen look slipped into place as he managed a low gasp, barely audible even to himself. “Oh.”

“Sorry. Sorry. Why am I like this? I was kidding Zig!”

“Did you really just make up a fake roomie on the spot like that?”

“Oh Jack’s a real person.” She replied flatly, head down as she seemed to handle the kettle with unnecessary caution.

“But he doesn’t live with you?”

“Not anymore.”

“What happened?”

She rubbed at the back of her head sheepishly. “Ohh that. Nothing.”

Crossing his arms across his chest and leaning his weight onto one leg, he quirked an eyebrow questioningly.

“Okay fine. He said I was a nightmare to live with, can you believe that?”

Zig’s shoulders gently shook as he struggled to contain his laughter, his teeth sinking into his bottom lip.

“Hey!” Her eyes flashed warningly.

“Alright, sorry. What was it then? The hair down the plughole? Putting the toilet roll on the holder the wrong way? Or the toothpaste you always seem to leave in the bottom of the sink?”

Her jaw slackened, her features turning stony as she looked at him aghast. “All of the above.”

“At least he didn’t notice the weird, and completely incorrect way you stack everything in the dishwasher.” Zig chuckled light heartedly, stopping himself seconds later as she pushed her lips out into an over exaggerated pout.

“That was the last thing he said to me. ZIG! Why didn’t you tell me I’m a nightmare?”

His body tensed, taking a step back and running a finger along an oak floating shelf absent-mindedly. She slowly closed the gap a moment later, shuffling forward with two steaming mugs, holding one out at arms length for Zig.

“Zig?”

“I…I don’t think you want to hear what I have to say.”

“I’m wounded enough as it is. Come on, just kick me when I’m down why don’t you, I’m giving you a free pass here!” She looked over her shoulder to give him a playful grin as she made her way over to the plush sofa, Zig trailing behind uncertainly like a lost puppy. She slowly slinked backwards, curling her legs up underneath her, carefully setting her mug down on the glass coffee table. After a few seconds Zig followed suit.

“No that’s not it. It’s just, well, I don’t think you are a nightmare to live with really.”

“Oh please. You’ve just listed off all my terrible habits!”

“And yet i’ve lived with you for how long now without mentioning them once? Because…”

She wrapped her arms around herself instinctively, hand resting on her elbow and rubbing distractedly as Zig stopped himself, both of them aware of the words he’d just swallowed down.

He let out a low whistle as his eyes wandered once more around her rented flat. “This place is nice and all but it’s so…”

“Boring.” She finished for him, noticing his reluctance to finish what he started.

The corner of his mouth tugged upwards in a wry smile. “Yep. Totally.”

“Pretty to look at, but would it kill them to add a splash of colour? Or you know, just fill it with some…stuff? Anything really! Apparently it’s in the contract that I signed that I won’t change a thing and…Eurgh I’m sorry! You didn’t just fly like four thousand miles to hear me complain about how boring my flat is.”

“If it matters to you, it matters to me.”

Reaching out for her tea, her eyes dropped to the pale liquid, suddenly engrossed as her mind raced over the potential responses she could give him now.

“Zig don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Do that.”

One eyebrow raised in indication for her to continue.

Her free hand scrubbed harshly at her face, a long drawn out breath following. “That thing where you’re cute, caring and just all around great.”

Zig’s chuckle was gentle and light. “That’s not a thing, that’s just me.”

“Stop, you’re killing me! I forgot how perfect you are. No wait, what am I saying? Of course I didn’t!” With the mug back in place, she cradled her head in her hands, a stretched out sigh simultaneously morphing into a string of giggles. “God, sorry Zig! Lucky escape huh?”

With an unreadable expression etched onto his face as he studied her, Zig found his body slowly edging closer to hers, their eyes fixed on each other. “You know that’s not what I think.”

A flicker of hesitation rippled through him, before his hands took control, taking her small hands in his, adding a gentle squeeze of reassurance. Her pulse quickened, confliction overpowering her senses, surprising herself at the feeling of her thumb brushing against Zig’s. Deep breath in, deep breath out.

An easy silence stretched out for a few minutes, both drinking in the other’s eyes with continued strokes to the hand, revelling in the feeling of being back where they belong. But the elephant in the room was only getting harder to ignore.

“What are we doing Zig?” She managed to choke out, her throat suddenly dry.

He looked up from where he’d been contently watching her thumb stroke idle circles around his own. “I know I screwed up. We should have talked about our plans for graduation months before now. In hindsight, I realise you tried to bring it up, but I assumed things would just work out because we loved each other.”

She reeled backwards, unprepared for his sudden admission, Zig’s grip only tightening around her hands. “What are you saying?”

“Why don’t we have that talk now? And this time I’ll listen. Please give me another chance.”

She found herself nodding eagerly, the ability to speak having escaped her.

“I love you and I made a huge mistake.” A shiver trailed down her spine as the words left his mouth. Zig noticed, shrugging his denim jacket off and gently laying it over her shoulders, his face stretching as he offered her a warm smile. His smell engulfed her, her eyes fluttering shut for a split second as warmth surrounded her. She wiggled a little closer to Zig on the sofa.

“I know we agreed parting ways was the best choice for both of us, that we needed to follow our own dreams. But my dreams are nothing without you.” Zig sighed, his fingers now tangling with hers, knitting and kneading together repetitively as he worked up the courage to continue. Wiggling even further, goosebumps began to surface at the sudden close proximity. Too close. There was no going back from here. She’d already made her decision, she realised.

“They need me in Tokyo by the end of August, but instead of being excited I just feel empty. I thought I wanted an adventure, but without you, Japan feels about as exciting as a trip to the dentist. I love you baby. I love you and I miss you. Please take me back.”

Salty tears spilled down her face as her mouth flailed open and shut uselessly. Pressing his forehead against hers and dipping down to her level, they swayed for a beat, the comfortable silence cut short a minute later.

"If it’s an adventure you want, you’ve come to the right place.”

Zig’s chin inclined upwards as his head quirked questioningly.

“We could go for a butchers round Camden Lock, you’d probably fit right in there. Leather is very in around those parts.”

Zig chuckled, lacing his fingers through hers once more. “I’m not sure I can even pretend to know what half of that just meant. But I’ve moved on from leather.”

“Luckily for you, denim is pretty popular round those parts too.”

His eyes softened, warmth spreading over his features as he gave a tiny nod, gesturing for her to continue.

“We could go to a pie and mash shop, complete with jellied eels of course. Or i’ll race you down the steps in Covent Garden, there’s a spiral staircase with 193 steps. We could follow the Pearly Kings and Queens and get an awesome selfie with them. Or maybe you’d prefer the standard monarchy, with a trip to The Tower Of London or…”

She flinched as a pair of lips silenced her. Soft, warm, confident lips. Lips that felt like home. She hesitated for the briefest of seconds, before melting against him.

“I don’t care what we do today, as long as I’m with you…doing this.” He swooped down for another swift kiss, catching her bottom lip between his teeth and tugging.

Her body stilled, stunned into a ramrod straight, rigid posture. Her chest heaved upwards, breathing a laborious chore all of a sudden. A warm, pink tinge coloured her cheeks and her tongue traced along the grooves of her bottom lip. She savoured the taste, a powerful concoction that was so undeniably Zig. A hint of cigarette smoke. He must have been nervous, or stressed. The only two reasons he’d ever reach for the packet of smokes. Coffee. Jetlag is a bitch right? And an underlying taste of mint. Gum, candy, toothpaste. She didn’t know which, and frankly she didn’t care either.

The sudden assault on her senses pulled down the final barrier, fully exposing her as an influx of memories catapulted towards her head on.

The first kiss. Morning kisses. Goodnight kisses. Happy kisses. Lingering kisses. Sloppy kisses. Over the top and annoyingly in your face kisses - The kind that always made Zack say ‘Okay, you two are adorable, we get it!’. Tipsy kisses. Angry kisses. Goodbye kisses. The last kiss. Except it wasn’t. Not now. Not ever. Not if she could help it.

“I can’t believe you came all this way and you haven’t made any plans at all. The Zig I know would be desperate to get out and explore and go on an adventure. Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Her tongue poked out slightly as she made light of the situation, the continuous loud thud in her ear of her heartbeat a constant reminder of the true affect Zig was having on her. That he’d always had on her.

“It’s not that I don’t have any plans. I was just kind of hoping you’d want to join me for them.

Edging backwards on the sofa, her eyes peered back at him with some skepticism as she assessed Zig. "Ah ha! I knew it. Well Ortega, that depends. I’ve been here a while now and I’ve done a lot of the touristy things already. What have you got up your sleeve that can convince me to let you take me out for the night?”

A dopey grin spread across his face, his eyes glistening eagerly. “Have you ever been inside Big Ben at night?”

#choices #zig ortega #the senior #choices: stories you play #zig x mc #choices fanfiction

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puppyluver256 · 6 years ago

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Why I Defend Video Game Remakes but NOT (most) Film Remakes

Had some thoughts about the slew of half-assed film remakes coming out within the past few years (lookin’ directly at you, Disney) and it got the gears turning further. We all know the main reason that films get so many remakes (it’s copyright retention, plain and simple), but they could at least strive to be a little less obvious in their motives. I just wish Hollywood in general were more focused on creativity than cashflow so the barrage of unnecessary remakes would end. Films do not benefit from remakes in the same way video games do: both an old version and new version will be equally viewable by most audiences.

Due to the nature of film and TV, you can release an old cult classic on new formats and it'll be fine. May look a bit weird due to aspect ratio/camerawork and the acting/effects standards may not be up to modern par, but that's down to preference. How many times have we seen old films like The Wizard of Oz or the Gene Wilder-starring Willy Wonka being re-released on dvd and bluray with digital remastering or added behind-the-scenes content? If a good movie is good, remaking it risks ruining what made it so good in the first place (a risk with all remakes, admittedly), and if a bad movie is bad, an outright remake probably isn’t going to benefit it that much. I’m not going to enjoy Citizen Kane if it’s suddenly in full color and a modern actor replaces Orson Welles. (and yes I know that film’s considered a classic, I respect what it did for film techniques but I just personally do not like the characters or plot and it doesn’t help when the plot twist at the end has been spoiled to hell and back in parodies and no i will not say what it is because i’m not an asshole who spoils endings to films regardless of my personal opinion of said film)

Video games, on the other hand, can't just be ported to a new system without at least making a few tweaks. There are MAJOR differences between consoles made by even a single developer, much less competing systems and the swath of possible PC setup combinations, so even just a slightly cleaned up remaster is going to need updated code to work with the new hardware. In some cases, like with the Pokemon franchise, there’s a strong metagame where features introduced in newer titles could be beneficial to add to older titles (like new moves, new personalization between different Pokemon of the same species, and even new types/type changes), and if those titles were released all the way back before nearly-instantaneous updates through online services, remaking the game would be the only way to bring it up to the current titles’ standards. In situations like the recently announced Persona 5 Royal (and similar cases with P4 Golden and P3 FES/Portable), you can add characters and scenarios that weren’t present in the original version and create a familiar yet simultaneously entirely new experience. And for those who want to play a game in its original state and the devs don’t want to release it on digital shops for a more reasonable price than a lot of those old rare games often end up going for, emulation may be an amazing thing, but too often is it under attack by devs who likely wouldn’t re-release those old games even with the clearly vocal group of people who would be more than willing to buy (if this had been a few years ago I would’ve used EarthBound as this example, but it’s a miracle it had both a Wii U and 3DS virtual console release outside of Japan), and sometimes it just isn't possible for certain games to be emulated at all--iirc the Saturn is notoriously difficult to emulate, meaning that if it weren’t for updated re-releases or people willing to pay exorbitant and over-inflated prices in the second-hand market no one would get to play the gems of that library outside of people who got their hands on it in the initial run.

Obviously not all video game remakes are always better than the original, and not all film remakes are worse than the original. I can’t think of any film examples at the moment (I don’t watch a lot of movies anymore ^^; ), but there’s at least five notable examples of video game remakes that were objectively (I think?) worse than or just not as great as their original counterparts, at least if you care what that dude says, I’ve only played one of the games featured in that video in either original form or remake and I personally have no qualms with that one specifically so my perspective is somewhat limited there. And even with remakes that aren’t objectively worse or better than the original, everything is down to one’s opinion, obviously. I know at least one guy didn’t care too much for ORAS over Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, and I do personally think that while they were a good pair of games and I enjoyed my run of Alpha Sapphire they weren’t quite as fleshed-out as Emerald was, kind of a symptom of keeping them as separate entities when the third part of that set tied the stories together nicely. I genuinely dread that the much-begged-for Sinnoh remakes (which are inevitable, slap a Pikachu on something and it still basically prints money) will return us to the lack of fire-types and overall slow slog that was Diamond and Pearl or just not include any of Platinum’s improvements.

But what do you guys think? No remakes? Yes game remakes? Yes film remakes? Remake all the things?

#jess rambles about random things #remakes #open the discussion floodgates

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zchaotic · 6 years ago

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Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. What is the real problem with its story?

I’m not sure if I am crazy for thinking that the Pokemon games, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have done things with its story better than Sun and Moon.

The changes to the story made sense to me, (If you read my previous posts on the matter, you will get why I think that.) I liked how the Ultra Games humanized Lusamine and made her redemption MUCH more believable. I found Lillie’s growth to still be great, the Aether Family had closure to their drama.

Hau’s growth was great, RR was out there and amazing. Guzma having a redemption arc was good and I liked the concept that a pokemon is the main villain.

It confuses me when people hate on USUM’s story for these changes, it confuses me when they state problems with the story that were never there in the first place.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t see problems with USUM’s story in comparison to SM.

I personally see two big ones.

1. The Ultra Recon Squad and how they incorporated them and Necrozma into the story of SM.

The Ultra Recon Squad are essentially people from another dimension that came to Alola to study its light and find a way to stop Necrozma from going lose and stealing light from other worlds.

They were the people that Lusamine ended up making contact with instead of delving further into her search for Mohn and gave her an excuse to focus her efforts on something meaningful. They arrived on Alola through a Solgaleo/ Lunala and I can get the reason why the Nebby plot still happened. (Lusamine went Leeroy Jenkins on the Recon Squad and blew their plans up in smoke.)

I also get why Lusamine didn’t use the Solgaleo/ Lunala the Recon Squad have or why they didn’t give it to her. If they let that pokemon of light near Necrozma and if Necrozma went nuts... it would eat their only ride back to Ultra Megaopolis and their only way to get help.

That isn’t the problem with the Ultra Recon Squad, the things they do in the background are not the things they do on screen. Where all they talk about is backstory on Necrozma, things about their world and occasionally battle you.

They show up through out the story and never really do anything drastic on screen. Sometimes they show up in places that don’t really need them and they could have been used to take on a more active role.

As for Necrozma, like most pokemon in the “Upper” game, he is the central focus. In most of those other games, they show up at the end with little build up and do their part. In Emerald, it is because Aqua and Magma woke up Kyogre and Groudon and something needed to be done. In Platinum, Giratina shows up and drags Cyrus to hell.

Necrozma’s role is slightly better than Giratina’s... because he is the main villain of the game.

The problem though is outside of that eclipse in the beginning, he himself DOES not show up until the climax of the story. The plot revolves around people trying to stop Necrozma for various reasons and Lusamine agrooing Necrozma for her own selfish goals.

It isn’t bad of a story, but the build up comes from other characters and NOT from him.

He isn’t as established as people wanted and thus is kind of disappointing compared to SM where we had a lot of build up with Lusamine.

HOWEVER! In USUM, once Lusamine agroo’s Necrozma and the thing attacks Nebby, he... was....awesome! He ate Nebby, caused everything to go crazy... from an Ultra Beast outbreak to him draining Alola of its light and giving you an urgent reason to go into Ultra Space and beat Necrozma.

It is back to you the hero needing to stop the legendary, but that payoff was worth it. In addition, once we get to Necrozma and beat him, we get to learn about him. His lore, his connection to Z power and how he is the source. How he, like Solgaleo and Lunala can manipulate Ultra Wormholes.

Why Necrozma is going after light, etc.

In addition, Ultra Necrozma is a FAR superior climax boss compared to Mother Beast Lusamine. We actually fight the fused alien monstrosity this time and he gives us the best challenge we can want in a pokemon game... compared to the Mother Beast who just uses totem boosted pokemon.

Had USUM giving Necrozma more activity... or a passive way to making himself known, (Like frequent eclipses.) no one would be complaining about the story changing for the Necrozma plot, we would have had much more weight to seeing him as the big bad.

I did like Lusamine going Leeroy Jenkins and agrooing him, but the thing I mentioned would have made things over the top in crazy much sooner.

Speaking of which.

2. The Aether Family

While I like the changes to Lusamine and the family dynamic, the biggest problem with USUM is towards Poni Island and the focus on Lillie.

In SM, her and her family story dominated the plot and in USUM most of it is still there. (Because third versions keep most of the story there.)

In SM, it was nice to spend time with Lillie and form a connection with her. In USUM, we get less of that in the main story, starting with the removal of her moment in Exeggutor Island. I get why it was removed, the general thing of what she said in her feelings towards your character was moved to the end of RR’s episode and Lusamine was humanized so Lillie’s speech about her and Lusamine’s cute moment were rendered not needed.

However, it could have been tweaked to where you and Lillie talk about something else and have that bonding moment.

The next removal that is a problem is Lillie from the climax of the games main story. She was left with Lusamine, Guzma and the URS while you go fight Necrozma. There, she has a call out moment with Lusamine and we only got to see the aftermath.

I personally would have liked if we got both, Lillie tears down at Lusamine in a manner similar to SM and seeing Lusamine sit there and take it this time. But we were busy with Necrozma and miss out on Lillie’s big moment.

I liked that Lusamine listened to Lillie, but... it could have been better instead of becoming a trade off.

Then comes the Post Game, I liked Lusamine’s slow progression in her identity crisis, her resolution, her trying to understand her kids more instead of assuming she knows everything and post RR, seeing those frozen pokemon thawed out.

That... could have been added more, where we see Lusamine do something more than waving Gladion goodbye and letting Mohn. Seeing this woman go through some struggles, BUT this is pokemon where most of our reformed baddies are reformed just by the dialogue.

This story telling is as present in SM as it is in USUM, where we are TOLD things, but not shown thing!

SM and USUM story wise are meant to be looked at and used in a compare/ contrast so we can see a bigger picture to the more hidden things in both games.

SM, due to some of the basics we know of the characters and story.

USUM, due to giving us the bigger picture that SM tried to tell us/ show us and once again, proper closure to all these characters.

If you do that instead of dismissing USUM as a ruination of SM’s story, then you realize that combined... you got something pretty good in the story department by pokemon standards.

#USUM #What was wrong with the story.

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lostinthe-pines-blog · 6 years ago

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Beginnings: Ch 3 - Chris Pt. 1

This is a set of stories about the past and events that brought everyones Hartfeld favorites together. Once all parts have been told I hope to incorporate them into a slightly altered storyline about the Hartfeld gang. Though I will not get to far ahead of myself. This first story brings us into Chris’s origins, how his parents met and how he came to be. Some names have been changed to fit with in my story line.

All character rights belong to PixelBerry and their Choices stories The Freshman, The Sophomore, The Junior and The Senior. TAG LIST: ( this is a tag list from all of my pervious Freshman related fics. Please let me know if you’d like to be added or removed)

@jared2612 @katurrade @annekebbphotography @emerald-bijou @jellybean-marshmellow @jollybouquetangel

Even the happiest marriages can come to an end; fate can grasp anyone at any time. This was something Christopher Powell, the sandy blonde born in Boston, Massachusetts in December of 1993 would learn quickly during his childhood. While the growing boy had very few examples of what love ‘should’ be he still longed for it. He longed for acceptance, affection and appreciation. And for the first 9 years of his life that is exactly what he received. Chris was born to -at the time- two gracious but unprepared parents. All they could offer this new life was a roof over his head and all the love in their hearts…

Chris’s kind mother, Barba Watson had loved the idea of men all her life, though never believed anyone could example what the “perfect” man was. But still she continued to search for him. Being born in 1975, She felt lucky to have been raised the way she was. Born to hippie parents both 25 years old at the time, her upbringing gave her a strong sense of compassion, and acceptance. Her father and mother always encouraged her to work towards her academics. To become smarter and stronger than those that came before her. In the obsession of learning and growing her mind and skills she may have lost the mental capacity for control, most certainly when it came to her sex life.

On the turn of her 18th birthday in August 1992 Barbra moved from her small life in Cherryfield, Maine to the big city sounds of Boston Massachusetts. UMASS Boston was the college of her choice and she was eager to get to work on her future. Her academics had always pushed her a head and now she would be the youngest girl in her dorm. Her two roommates Sheila, and Daisy were her only friends at the time, but they were inseparable.

Sheila was a short girl with pixie like figures and long red hair, she kept to herself except with in her friendships. When she spoke her voice was always the quietest in the room. Yet somehow at 21 years old she was the wisest, and eldest of the roommates. Daisy was the opposite, a tall bottle blonde girl from California she was rambunctious and comedic. She believed in someone before they even thought to believe in themselves. The three girls together had created a friendship that would last them though the interesting years to come.

Deep in the studies of her first semester the two girls easily convinced Barbra, a well known partier, to put down the books and pick up her Halloween costume for a night of fun. Barbra happily slid on her black pleather suit and fluffed her hair to look as similar as Michelle Pfeiffer in her famous Cat-Woman look.

Frank Powell was born in 1971 in the heart of Boston and by the fall of 1992 he was 21 years old and only a year away from graduating as a Computer and Information Sciences Major from UMASS himself. His best friend and roommate, creatively named “Rocky’ among his friend group, had dragged him downtown to celebrate Halloween. Frank didn’t mind the bars or the crowds but he’d always found more solace in his own home with a good book. He was also aware that he’d always end up the third wheel to Rocky at these events, but it didn’t stop him from taking the night off this time. He needed the change of scene.

That night in a cramped and loud bar, Barbra made her confident rounds accepting drinks from every handsome face that offered them. After a couple “thank yous” and a stolen kiss if she allowed it she’d move on to the next. Her friends marveled at the young girls ability to draw anyone to her.

“You’re a social butterfly!” Daisy explained pausing for a moment “A sexually social butterfly!” she giggled at her own joke.

“You know Barbra you just have a way with men, how do you do it?” Sheila, who at 21 had never kissed a boy, asked.

“It’s all about confidence, even if you think you can’t Shelly, you can” Barbra giggled at her sophisticated friend fluffing her hair and tweaking the white wrapping of her mummy costume. “Shelly you have always had the looks, now go use them!” Barbra shared a laugh with Daisy as they shoved Sheila toward a tall tan skinned man who’s name ironically matched his dated 1970’s Rocky costume.

It was clear Sheila was taken back by Rocky’s appearance but he wasn’t shaken by hers. Barbra watched them intently studying every moment of their body language. Frank, who was standing nearby began his typical ‘third wheel’ ritual for the evening. Once Rocky had made his “catch”, -as he would call it- Frank wouldn’t hear from him again. But Franks gaze caught the dirty blonde crossed the room who was also eyeing the respective couple. He wondered who this stunning girl could be, and why her gaze was so fixated on Rocky and his “catch”. Following his wandering intuition, he approached the girl standing near the bar.

“May I buy you a drink?” Frank asked making a failed attempt to break her stare from the couple crossed the room.

“I’m not old enough…” Barbra replied, though she had been accepting drinks from men all evening. Barbra was a good friend and she would not leave Shelly unwatched and unsafe. Especially not with someone with as big of a reputation as Rocky. Even if it meant she sacrificed the rest of her night Barbra would not let Shelly leave her sight, she’d already had her fun it was now her timid redheaded roommates turn.

However, Frank was determined to grasp the attention of the feline in front of him, following her unbreakable gaze he laughed realizing she wasn’t staring at Rocky she was staring at the girl. “So, who is she?” he asked.

Again, not turning her head to see the face of the man next to her Barbra replied. “She’s my roommate.” Her response short, flat and uninterested.

“Interesting, he’s mine.” Frank continued his attempt.

“Well, your roommate has quite the reputation…” Barbra began but was interrupted as Daisy approached her after returning from a quick trip to the restroom.

“Barb who is this?” she asked her friend quickly as if Frank wasn’t standing there. Finally, Barbra broke her gaze and looked from Daisy to Frank. Though she intended to look straight back to Shelly, her eyes were caught. ‘Lost at sea’ as she would later describe the night, the vibrant blues of Franks eyes had caught her attention in a passing moment and she wouldn’t soon look away. After their eyes silently connected for far too long, Daisy spoke up to break the silence.

“Okay… Well, I’m Daisy nice to meet you” she giggled reaching her hand between the silent pair. Frank quickly looked down to the gesture and returned the handshake.

“Frank Powell, good to meet you Daisy.” He nodded knowing that Barbra was still staring.

Daisy could feel the tension between them and was not one to get in the way of a fun night. Pulling Barbra’s focus for only a moment she offered to watch after Sheila and get her home early. Barbra was thankful for this, she’d never seen someone quite like Frank before. While she’d met multiple men around the town that night and so many others before, Frank was striking to her. Just looking at him she felt her heart skip a beat and she wasn’t sure why. She felt maybe the universe was pulling them together.

“So, I’ll ask again… May I buy you a drink?” Frank repeated the original question from only minutes before. Responding with only the nod of her head she followed him over to the bartender. The two of them shared two drinks before Frank suggested they leave the over crowded and hot confines of the downtown bar. On their long walk back toward Barbra’s apartment they spoke about simple introductory topics keeping a safe distance in body language though both of them burned to touch one another.

“So let me make sure I’m remembering everything.” Frank chuckled knowing that every piece of information was etched into his mind forever. “You’re Barbra Watson, you’re 18 years old from a small town in Maine. Your parents are hippies, you hate cooking, love reading, and your current favorite movie is Edward Scissorhands. An Interesting choice...”

“It’s not that interesting!! Edward is kind, innocent, not exposed the evils of the world. Everything he does, he does out of the goodness inside him” She spoke proud of every aspect of who she was. Pausing for a moment she now turned to him “So you are Frank Powell you’re recently 21 years old majoring in Computer and Information Sciences. You love cooking, hate parties and your favorite book is The Great Gatsby. Ironic since the entire book is basically one big party.” She teased while showing her knowledge of the literary world.

“Yes but I’m more of a Nick Carraway than a Jay Gatsby, I’m fascinated by the prospects of parties but would never hold one myself.” Frank elaborated

“So that must make Rocky your Gatsby then?” Barbra raised an eyebrow questioning again the overly flirtatious friend of Frank she’d willing handed off her friend too.

“In someways, yes. Thought his love isn’t fixated on one single, unattainable woman, and more your entire gender.” he chuckles to himself “What’s this reputation of his that you spoke of earlier.” he asked steering the conversation away from literature.

“Rocky? Everyone on campus knows him, or at least every girl does. I’m sure it’s no secret to you that he’s the ‘best bone in Boston’” Barbra snickered.

Frank’s eyes widened stopping in his tracks taken back by the blunt woman in front of him. He’d never met a woman like that before, someone so open about her sex life. But he wondered now, how she’d know that. Was it just rumor? Or had she been one of his roommates’ countless yearly conquests.

Barbra could sense the change in his demeanor, “I don’t speak from experience” she snickered catching his eye “That’s just, as I said before, the reputation he holds.”

After a few more steps hoping that awkward interaction would end she stopped off to the side of a tall hedge to attempt to remove her suffocating CatWoman mask. “Sorry” she breathed as she pulled it from her face. The plastic left behind visible deep indents in her cheekbones, her skin relieved to finally be free of it. Pulling it down her long and overly curled hair the ribbon was tangled.

“Ouch, ouch” she whispered softening her grip on the mask.

“I gotcha…” Frank spoke taking the mask from her hands leaving butterflies in her stomach as their fingers brushed each other. Frank masterfully removed the mask from her curls handing it back to her quickly as their eyes would meet again. It would have been clear to any passerby that the two of them were magnetic, but for them they still needed to navigate past the awkwardness of firsts. Following his instincts, staring at her Frank lifted his thumb brushing it against the indents under her eyes left behind by the thick black mask. The touch was soft, inviting and intoxicating. Frank was different than the stolen kisses she’d made at the bar, this was something real and she knew it. The thought of it terrified the always confident girl, how could she have been bitten by “love at first sight”.

Searching through the deep blues that the shadows of the night had turned his eyes to, Barbra and made bold choice in search of an answer she so desperately wanted. Lifting herself to her tip toes she crashed her lips onto his and to her surprise she was met with the same passion. Long moments later pulling away the awkward tension was broken and the air was breathable again. The two shared in laughter as they continued their walk stealing kisses again and again every few blocks. Eventually, almost two hours after they’d left the bar, they ended up at her door and like the gentleman he was he attempted to leave her there, phone number in hand. But her courage showed through and as he turned to leave she snagged his wrist pulling him back to her.

“Come inside” she offered with a devious smile her lips almost brushing his as they spoke.

“You sure?” Frank asked not wanting to invade her or her roommate’s privacy

Barbra only nodded biting her bottom lip gently, but it was enough to get Frank to follow.

Less than a step in the door and her lips filled the space between them and began leading him to her small college room as though the kisses were breadcrumbs left behind just for him. Slamming the door behind her, finally in private she followed his lead jumping up and looping her thighs around his waist band as he carried her to the soft bed crossed the room.

“Barbra” he spoke between deep and heated embraces, lowering her on to the unmade bed. “Barbra” he said again attempting to slow down the passionate girl, though he really didn’t want to. “I don’t have protection...” he admitted sadly.

Barbra whose deep breathing matched her partners, smiled mischievously. “I do.” She giggled pushing him off her and running to her dresser tossing a stream of condoms at him. “That enough?” she teased, But before she could continue her harassment he was pulling her waist toward him again crashing her on to her twisted bed sheets.

Around 3 AM Daisy stumbled in the door, Shelly at her side, creating a memory as roommates they’d never forget. Only a moment in the door they noticed the usually quiet and dark household in the early morning was filled with sounds of Barbra’s apparent bliss.

“Oh my god.” Shelly laughed embarrassed trying to forget the sounds of moaning and laughter in the room next to her.

“Good for her” Daisy chuckled, “Shelly you can sleep in my room tonight” she offered knowing that the wall shared between Shelly and Barbra would be too thin for the short hours of sleep they’d get.

“I don’t think i’ll ever sleep again” Shelly plugged her ears jokingly.

As the sun came up on that first November morning Barbra woke up quickly remembering the events of the evening before. She turned to see Frank Powell fast asleep next to her. She was happy to see that it hadn’t been the alcohol, completely sober now she was still astounded by his handsome physique. She smiled to herself before sneaking out of her room wrapping only a robe around her. Quickly she made her way to the kitchen where Daisy was awake working on a paper at the kitchen table.

“Oh good morning Barb” Daisy smiled deviously “Didn’t get much sleep did you?” she giggled though she was the only one laughing.

“No not really” Barbra admitted pridefully. “I don’t think any of the dreams sleep could bring me, would be as perfect as last night” she continued blushing as her friend set down her pencil.

“Barbra… you met him less than twenty-four hours ago!” Daisy chimed

“I know!” she whispered “But he’s…” speechless Barbra hid her face in her palms as Frank who dawned the same outfit as the night before wandered into the living room. Ashamed that he was an unexpected and unannounced presence in the home he was quick to acknowledge Daisy even if it shamed him.

“Daisy, good morning…” he coughed, “I’m sorry if we uh, bothered?” he pulled his hand to the back of his neck nervously. “Did Rocky treat your friend well?” he asked trying to change the subject though no party in the room was about to forget the sounds made last night.

“No bother at all.” Daisy reassured him with a smile, “You know, I think he did” she grinned “But I think Miss Shelia Davis may be his epic downfall”

“Oh really?” Frank gawked “I guess I’ll have to ask him about it.” he replied

“Happy Halloween Frank” she winked rising from the chair and walking toward her room, though she had no real reason to leave.

“I need to get going, I have a group project meeting at 9…” Frank explained hoping Barbra would understand his need to leave the comfort and scent and of her sheets.

“Of course!” Barbra smiled walking him toward the front door and as he walked out of it she felt his name catch in her voice. “Frank” she yelped.

Turning to look back at her sandy haired beauty he was caught again in her eyes. “Yes?” he asked

“Are you free later?” Barbra questioned, she was fully intoxicated by this man she’d barely known.

With the nod of his head he responded “I’ll pick you up at 6?”

Frank and Barbra would be completely inseparable after that night. Every night he would come over, or she’d go to his house. The two of them were attached like magnets. It was clear to everyone they were simply soulmates. It was almost celestial, their bond. He gave her everything she needed but even more so she gave it back. Frank was troubled, he’d never felt adequate enough in life and he often struggled with his dark thoughts. But she shed light on them and more importantly, love on them.

The winter months quickly turned to a blooming spring and as the end of the school year approached Barbra and Frank faced a new challenge; long distance.

Barbra whose entire apartment was packed away minus her large furniture had opted to spend her final night in Boston before her move home for the summer, with Frank. As the sun broke through the windows the darkness beneath her eyelids was disrupted and she woke to the same comforting blue eyes she’d long to see every day since the fall.

“Stay in Boston.” Frank said softly

“Good Morning to you too.” She giggled reaching her delicate hand to his face.

“Barbra, please stay in Boston.” He pleaded

Barbra felt the desperation in him and she longed to heal it.

See, the past months she realized that Frank, as perfect as he seemed had an intense amount of self doubt leading him in and out of patches of his dark depression. Barbra had been his perfect cure but he worried what he would become with her gone. He didn’t doubt that the relationship could make it through a distant summer, but he feared the deep places of his mind that she’d spent so long pulling him out of.

“Frank…” she began softly “What will I tell my parents? I’ve stayed behind for a boy? You do want them to like you don’t you?” she joked hoping to reassure him.

“I know, but I can’t imagine this summer without you. I’m just being selfish of course you should be with your family.” He gently offered her a smile though it took everything in him to show it. “I’ll be okay” he lied.

By the end of that day Barbra was packed up and ready to begin her drive but her heart was breaking leaving Frank behind. And after three long weeks and nightly phone calls taken from the old phone in her childhood bedroom, Barbra’s mother began to catch on to just how deep in love her daughter was.

Her mother, Kathryn, watched Barbra sit on the steps of their home with a journal, a sight she hadn’t seen from her daughter for years. She watched as Barbra sat in frustration pulling her sandy blonde curls as she always had in her stress, writing quickly but with no end in sight. After only ten minutes she’d seen enough, she’d never thought she was the perfect mother but she certainly had to try now.

“Barbra” Kathryn spoke sitting on the warm concrete steps of the front porch. “You’re miserable.” She spoke honestly.

“No! I love being home!” Barbra protested, though it was a lie she knew her mother would see right through it. Closing her journal and placing it aside she quickly laid her head on her mother’s shoulder and sighed “But I miss him.”

“You know I was about the same age when I realized I loved your father the way I did. I’d known him my whole life but suddenly something had changed. I didn’t want to spend a single moment away from him. While your father and I will be sad without you here, you should go back to Boston. Your heart is there, love.” She smiled kissing the top of her daughter’s head “If your father and I taught you one thing it’s to follow that heart.”

“But do you think Dad will want me to go?” Barbra questioned “I missed you guys too, I don’t want to disappoint him.”

Kathryn grinned as though she knew something her daughter didn’t “You should talk to your father, I think you’ll be surprised” letting the moment rest Kathryn smiled to her self “So have you told him yet?” she asked

“Told him?” Barbra questioned.

“Have you told that boy you’re in love with him?” her mother taunted causing Barbra’s face to shine as red as a ripe cherry.

Getting a head of herself Barbra packed her suitcases to return to Boston still uncertain she would be going. When she heard her father return home from work she followed him to his office.

“Dad” her voice startled him.

“Yes?” he breathed through his freighted state, “I’m sorry I didn’t see you behind me darlin’”

Barbra’s father, Mark, was slender with curly hair and a fashion sense that never seemed to leave the 70’s. He always had a dark stubble on his jaw, and his white teeth shined brightly in his smile. He was a romantic himself, felt that if anyone lead their life by love they’d find success.

“Barbra are you alright?” Mark said sitting down in his office chair nodding to his daughter who sat crossed from his desk as if they were in a meeting.

Barbra sat down fiddling with her fingers “I wondered if, maybe it’d be okay if I went back to Boston…”

“Already?” he raised his brow “you only just returned home!”

“I know… I just uhhhh, I…” Barbra was uncertain of how to speak to him now, how was she supposed to say she cared more about Frank than her own family.

“This is about that boy isn’t it?” Mark leaned forward on the desk.

“How do you know that?” Barbra questioned

“You’re on the phone for hours, I’ve started scheduling my business calls around your romantic ones.” He chuckled “So, if I’m to give up my summer with my daughter I need to know why. Tell me about him.”

“Frank, his names Frank” Barbra started and quickly felt herself babbling “He’s very smart, but not in the ways I am. He follows the logic of his head while I follow the needs of my heart. He’s funny, but he keeps to himself, he’s clean, humble and interesting. He’s an only child, and he could read a book in the sunlight for hours…” she continues biting her lip and admitting to her father something she’d only thought to her self and her mother the hours before. “He’s gentle, careful, and I think I’m falling in love with him.” Feeling the blush flood her cheeks “I just can’t shake the feeling that he needs me, Dad, I’m not sure why but I need to go back…”

“Farewell dinner tomorrow then…” Mark smiled “Follow your heart darlin’” he knew he’d made the right choice as he saw the light in her eyes. Her happiness meant everything to him.

With the blessing of her hopelessly romantic father she returned to Boston living out the rest of the summer months with Frank and Rocky who, months later had finally persuaded Shelia to be his girlfriend.

Barbra would look back at this summer and remember the entire thing spent under the soft cool covers in Frank’s wood-paneled bedroom. But the peak of their relationship came that July 1st just after her return, when Frank’s mother passed away unexpectedly. She’d been right, he did need her to return, and though she didn’t know why at the time, without her he simply wouldn’t have survived this. Frank’s blue eyes were seemed to be permanently stained with pinks and reds from tearful and sleepless nights. But she was there again, his love was there holding his hand through every moment of it. Early one morning when his darkest thoughts seemed to get the best of him he woke Barbra gently.

Barb, even threw her tired eyes could sense the emotion in her partner. Placing gentle hands on his cheeks she wiped the streaming tears. “Franklin Xavier Powell” she began “Your mother will always be with you.” She said simply, flatly reminding him of what he knew but couldn’t understand. “She has given you all of the best qualities and kindness of her soul. You will grow from this, you will learn from this, this absolute pain.” She reminded him again and again.

“I love you.” Frank spoke squeezing tight the hand of the woman reassuring his every move. The first time she’d truly heard the words from him. She’d known he’d fallen in love months ago but the pair of them never shared in out loud. Almost a year together and these two bold lovers had never mustered the courage to speak it.

“I love you too.” She responded burying her head into his shoulder. She was right, though it would take the rest of the month for him to really get back up Frank became so much stronger than he was before. Thankful every day for the kindness of his lovers heart.

It was early August when she began to notice the changes in herself, smells became repulsive, and her already chronic headaches worsened. Quickly she would discover the source of it all. She was pregnant at 18 years old. Frank was in his senior year and she couldn’t ruin that for him. Not when he was finally becoming strong once again, when he was finally himself again. All of a sudden, she feared the man she’d fallen in love with. She feared taking the happiness from him after the universe had tried so hard to not return it in the first place.

On her 19th birthday Frank had planned an entire dinner near the docs of Boston Harbor wanting to give her the world and thank her for her strength during his hardest month. He’d noticed that while his light grew brighter hers was dimming, something wasn't right with her. He hoped that this evening would change that.

What was supposed to be a happy night for her became terrifying; knowing she couldn't keep this from him anymore. Putting minimal effort into her appearance for the evening she grabbed a large pair of glasses to cover her tear stained eyes. She was overly emotional when she saw the set up he’d made only for her.

“Frank this is too much.” She began to feel water form at the lids of her eyes, though she tried her hardest to hold them in as she sat on the blanket taking in the most beautiful view.

“It’s nothing, it is the least that I could do.” Frank spoke offering his most comforting smile to her. “Barb, you haven’t been yourself lately, and you know I love every version of you but I’m asking you now…” he paused trying to figure out the best way to word his question “How can I.. nom uhh…what can I do” he stammered nervously “I miss your beautiful smile. Is there anything I can do to see it again?”

Holding back her tears now was entirely pointless she felt them begin to fall as she removed her thick glasses to reveal the water pooling from her swollen eyes. Burying her head quickly in her knees as her sobs began she felt his gentle arms wrap around her. After a few long moments she turned from her knees to his chest soaking through his shirt.

“Frank, I have to tell you something.” She breathed heavily between words attempting to calm herself but she was petrified of the words to come.

“What is it?” he inquired rubbing his hand down her soft back devastated that the girl he loved most in the world was spending her birthday in the same hysterics that had filled his July.

“I’m pregnant.” She admitted feeling a weight lift off her instantly, though she continued to hide her face in fear of his reaction. She could feel the gentle rubbing on her back stop, she’d left him in shock.

“Pregnant?” he repeated. Frank’s chest swelled with a mix of emotions, happiness, fear, love, frustration. But he knew the one she needed now because as scary as those words were for him, that were petrifying for her. She needed love and he had to be the one to offer it. He pulled her face from his chest and looked down to her. But she did not look back, she was too afraid of what she would see in his ocean blues. Reaching a hand to her cheek to wipe her tears he spoke gently holding her tightly to him.

“We can do whatever you want from here Barbra… But if you keep this child I will be there every step of the way.” He promised not knowing that years from now he would break this same promise.

The following months were hard on both of them. Frank attended school all day studying for tests between classes and in the evening, he waited tables at his small restaurant job or picked up any work he could find to earn money for his growing family. Barbra attended school though she lightened her course load to make things easier for her, in the evenings she began to teach Piano lessons to children around the area trying to earn money for the added expenses. The pair of them rarely had time for each other but they made it work. Their love was just as strong as it had been before.

Frank’s father loved Barbra though he did disapprove of her pregnancy, they never spoke of it. He was nothing but helpful along the newest bumpy path in their year. Barbra’s parents couldn’t have been more excited not giving a care in the world about the premarital child.

She felt so much support in every direction. Even Sheila and Daisy were at her side almost weekly offering assistance where they could. And in May of 1993 only days after Frank’s graduation they welcomed their sandy haired and blue-eyed blessing into the world.

Frank had picked up a decent paying job over the summer, enough that Barbra would only need to teach a few lessons a week to build up a savings for their family. In June, Christopher Powell would make his first public appearance at the wedding of Sheila and Rocky and though Sheila looked beautiful Chris really had been the center of attention during the reception.

On her 20th birthday Frank surprised Barbra again but this time with more than a picnic. On a night at home he presented her a diamond ring and she didn’t think twice about her answer. She’d taken a year off of school with the blessing of her fiancée and parents to focus on becoming a mother. The party girl she’d always been was now settling down and that following Valentine’s Day Frank and Barbra married just in time for Frank’s job to move them to Pennsylvania. A choice made mutually that removed Barbra from college, indefinitely. A choice that, at the time, she thought would never affect her.

#The Freshman #the sophomore #the junior #the senior #choices #play choices #choices fan fiction

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