#and gleefully watch her get progressively more irritated

[ethmaron]

mother almost adopted a cat named leon. leon kennedy the cat you will be missed

[amethystkarl]

Sunflower Feelings -- Sapnap x f!oc

Hi friends, mcyt fic debut here! This is a fic I am in the progress of writing for a friend, so please bear that in mind if you choose to read. Most aspects have been requested, I just also decided to upload here for feedback and funsies.

If you do read, I hope you enjoy and come back for more when I eventually have it! :D This is essentially Dream and Sapnap Get a Roommate: The Sitcom.

Friendly reminder that of course, this is both purely fictional and loosely based on content uploaded by these creators. Please respect both their and my boundaries by not sending/tagging creators.

prologue.

chapter 1.

chapter 2.

chapter 3.

chapter 4.

chapter 5.

vi. “I hold you close to me.”

“Well, well, well.” Dream smirks, and Sarah has never wanted to punch someone directly in the face more than right in this moment. Which is pretty impressive, considering she lives with two certified nimrods.

“I hate you so goddamn much.” Sarah is well aware that Nick has completely wrapped himself around her koala-style in his sleep. She is also well aware that doesn’t mind one bit.

*****

Nick and Sarah have migrated to her bed, Adventure Time playing softly on her TV in the background. They’re not watching though, not really. Sarah’s been watching Nick’s eyes flutter as he tries to stay awake. He lost that battle about 3 minutes ago, head heavier in Sarah’s lap as he falls deeper and deeper into sleep.

Sarah considers waking him up. That’s all, just considers it. What she instead decides to do is gently move a pillow under Nick’s head. She decides to turn the lights off, turn the TV down, and snuggle into her blankets like normal. And if she decides that Nick’s chest is the best place to lay down, then that’s her business.

*****

“I know who you don’t hate.” If it weren’t for sleeping Nick literally enveloping her, Sarah would’ve wiped that shit-eating grin off of Dream’s face the second he appeared in the doorway. Actually, the second he did the knock-and-then-enter-anyways, because she’s actually wanted to hit him for that for a while. A while.

“Get out,” she hisses, and Dream puts his hands up in mock surrender as he walks backwards towards the hallway.

“Damn, I was just gonna ask if you wanted McDonald’s, but never mind,” he says, sticking his tongue out as he closes her bedroom door. Sarah grits her teeth in irritation as she hears Dream laugh gleefully from the other side of her door. She can’t talk too much shit, she thinks, as she reflects back on the merciless teasing he’s endured from both her and Nick since he got together with George.

Nick’s grip begins to loosen as his eyelids drag upwards. Sarah watches as he blinks a few times, then freezes as it seems to register who he’s laying on. She’s practically sweating from the intensity of his blush, and she can almost hear the gears in his head frantically beginning to turn. So she smiles before placing her hand lightly on his cheek, beaming even wider as he leans into the touch.

“Hi,” she says softly, and he answers simply, with a small, shy kiss.

“Hi?” he says, voice still scratchy from sleep. He looks a little shocked at himself, and Sarah can’t help but giggle at the look on Nick’s face. She can’t help but giggle at a lot of things, and Nick can’t take his eyes off her.

“I’ve been wanting to kiss you since we met,” he says quietly, eyes trained on the sheets. “I didn’t even know you liked me back.” Sarah shakes her head fondly.

*****

Sarah sighs and closes her laptop, pausing to scratch Panda under his chin before standing and stretching. It’s been a long day of work and school after not a lot of sleep last night, and she frowns slightly as she recalls her irritation with Nick.

She thinks she was maybe a little too grumpy with him, and she pulls her phone back out to reexamine the texts she sent him last night. She sighs, shaking her head as she tosses her phone back on the bed. She’s not even mad, she never was. It was bound to happen, living with 2 men who livestream for a living. But, she knows that without encounters like this, it could just keep happening and drive a wedge between her friendships with them.

After brushing her teeth and washing her face, Sarah decides to grab some water before going to bed early, and opens her door to descend to the kitchen. She almost trips over the case of energy drinks in front of her door, and after she steadies herself, Sarah bends to pick up the box. Along with the economy-sized bag of KitKats, a slightly crinkled sticky note flutters to the ground as she gathers her goodies to take into the kitchen.

Sarah smiles, feeling a slight blush creep up her cheeks as she recognizes Nick’s unkempt handwriting. She smooths her thumb over the poppy scribbled over a solid fourth of the note, touched that he noticed her affinity for the red flower.

Before going downstairs, Sarah slides the note under her pillow, her guilty little secret.

*****

“Exposed,” she jokes softly, reaching under her pillow and revealing the Post-It. Nick’s eyes widen, and he looks between her and the note, bewildered.

“You kept it? I thought you were so mad at me,” he says, dropping his head in relief.

“I mean, I wasn’t thrilled with you,” she says, laughing lightly. “But if I was, like, mad, I would’ve brought it up again later.” Her tone is reassuring, and Nick looks back up to meet her eyes. Sarah thinks he kind of looks like a puppy, big dark eyes staring up at her like that.

She kisses him again, and Nick melts.

*****

“Hey guys,” Dream says, smirking mercilessly from the couch as Sarah and Nick walk downstairs together. It’s early afternoon by now, so the pair have begrudgingly extracted themselves from Sarah’s bed after Nick’s stomach protested loudly enough to startle a sleeping Poppy.

“Hey guys,” Nick says mockingly, stealing a fry from Dream’s McDonald’s bag.

“You want your McChicken or not?” Dream asks, snatching the second bag away from Nick’s outstretched arm. The blonde looks over at Sarah, smirking again. “Don’t worry, I got you nuggets even after being rudely kicked out of your room this morning.” Sarah scoffs.

“Perhaps if you waited for an answer before knocking, literally ever, I wouldn’t have to be rude,” she says, easily plucking the bag from Dream’s distracted hand. “Thanks, though.” She hands Nick’s sandwich off to him and fishes her own box out of the bag, rolling her eyes at her roommate.

“Stop stalling, what is,” Dream says, gesturing between the two of them, “. . .this? Like, tell me how much of a third wheel I’m about to be in my own house,” he jokes. Nick immediately blushes and looks at the floor, as Sarah answers easily.

“We’re together. Is that okay?” Her quiet assertiveness is blunt and reassuring, and Nick smiles gratefully at her. The word together feels so comfortable already, even though they’ve decided to take things pretty slowly since they’ve managed to blow past the moving in together conversation.

“Of course that’s okay, I’m just glad Sap’ll stop texting me the second he’s alone with you,” Dream says, dodging the sauce packet Nick immediately lobs at his head in response.

“C’mon dude.” Nick whines, as Sarah laughs and Dream retaliates with a crumpled-up napkin. Surprisingly, that’s as far as the conversation seemingly needs to go as the roomies settle into their usual banter. The only real difference being Sarah’s legs in Nick’s lap as they talk, his fingers absentmindedly tracing shapes on her bare calf.

*****

Sarah curls up in her bed with Panda, Nick’s late-night Valorant stream pulled up on her phone. Try as she might, she loses the fight to keep her eyes open. This is how Nick finds her as he opens her door slowly, quietly an hour later. He takes a moment, smiling gently as he takes in her peaceful face, her deep, even breathing calming his own pulse.

Nick turns Sarah’s phone off after exiting out of Punz’s stream he raided, pausing to let Poppy in as well. He takes his time pulling her comforter back and climbing into bed, movements small and soft as he tries his best not to wake her up. He curses silently as Poppy jumps onto the bed and starts to nest, little paws undoing all the work he just did to try and not disturb his sleeping girlfriend.

Holy shit, he thinks, realizing this is the first time he’s thought of the term casually. Granted, it’s the first day of their relationship, but Nick smiles anyway at the thought.

“Hey.” His thoughts are interrupted by Sarah’s sleep-rough voice, and he snaps out of his reverie to give her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

“Go back to sleep,” he whispers, taking the opportunity to slide his arms around her waist. She hums in response, already turning back over to rest her back against his chest. “Goodnight,” he whispers again, pressing another kiss to the back of her head. The fresh scent of her conditioner fills his nose, and Nick falls asleep smiling for the first time in a long time.

Chapter title cred: I hold you close to me by khai dreams

[ssaalexblake]

also with 12/Missy and 13/Dhawan, The Doctor Falls is a tragedy? they thought they were getting close, but as far as they know they abandoned each other, and it makes me scratch my head that people don't want to make the simple connection that along with timeless child trauma, 13 and Dhawan-Master would feel the effects of it

ikr? Like, it was a tragedy... it may not be the easiest thing to watch and it really Does hurt because it actually Is painful to see them both try and be friends again and then struck down, never to know what really happened but... It's not a flaw if the arc is Trying to be a tragedy. It's not character assassination if characters aren't happy and all friendly in the aftermath of trauma.

idk, before s12 aired i sat and watched the rather large subset of people who were convinced Missy let 12 know she had a knife with the purpose of telling him she was just off to stab junior and was gonna come back afterwards with open confusion and a live and let live attitude because hey, it hurt, might as well make it less painful with headcanons and that's what fandom is for. However, now s12 Has aired said crowd that are apparently still convinced of this and are slamming the writing of 13 and dhawan for not being canonically consistent because they're enemies again instead of u know... Accepting that actually the doctor had No Idea what Missy did are less confusing and more openly irritating.

I mean. Again, live and let live but. If 12 had felt that knife and somehow deduced Missy was off to go and off junior, do we Really think he'd have been okay with that?? I mean, i personally would have had great sympathy for that aim but uh... I'm not him. 12 didn't know.

Like, the doctor thinks the master abandoned them to die in the dirt. The doctor thinks being evil matters to the master more than them being friends. For all 12 was a bad teacher due to his own ego and arrogance, he Massively put himself out when he didn't let them kill Missy and had to stay put and behave and couldn't run away because he Promised to keep watch, and that's a Huge concession in the name of keeping the master alive just because the doctor Cares. The doctor's not omniscient, all she has to go on is what she knows happened when all this went down at the end of s10 and what she knows is that Missy went off with Simm, effectively leaving 12 a lonely death in the dirt, and then literally next time they meet (in universe time, it has only been a single year since the events on the ship) he lies and tricks her just for the fun of it, he's tries to murder her friends (and her), is casually murdering random people all over the place, is trying to exterminate humanity in general and is saying to her face that being evil is what he's made for.

13 is the doctor who spent all of s11 talking about the power of hope, and then the master strolls onto center stage and rips it all away and she doesn't say that anymore. She's not all about hope anymore. He took that from her on purpose. Irrefutable evidence 12's hope was for nothing, rubbed gleefully in her face.

Like gee. How could 13 have Possibly reacted to him negatively.

The point is it was never supposed to be a happy story, 13 and dhawan are just the natural progression of that. The timeless child trauma exacerbated it because it made the master Want the doctor to be mad at them and made him lie so she'd think the worst of him. Who knows, maybe if he'd gone to see her and Not done all the bs she'd have been less angry... But we're never going to know.

[cutesycadaver]

Pellets

And now my creepypasta parody of Cupcakes (Mlp)

Content warning/violence, torture, Cannibalism, death, twists

After their plan had blown up in their faces, Brain was ready to collapse. He was lying on their sponge bed while Pinky was messing around on a lab computer. “Brain, come look!” He called, He begrudgingly got up from their bed, feeling quite sore. “What is it Pinky?” Brain grumbled “I found this video Reading Cupcakes (creepypasta) it’s about Pinkie Pie! Though cupcakes and haunted spaghetti sounds strange.” Brain looked at the screen, the video showed a cupcake with rainbow frosting “How do you know it’s about Ms. Pie?” Brain already knew Pinky was amazed by the horse he shared a name with but the video didn’t seem to directly state anything regarding her. “Oh, She was on the front but her mane was really straight and flat and her eyes were so small, poit.” Brain was growing suspicious “Pinky don’t you believe this seems...sketchy.” “Maybe but it’s Pinkie, It’s gotta be fun fun silly willy! Let’s watch it together!” Brain was hesitant “Alright” he mainly wanted to be there to turn off if (more like when) it turned sour.

At first it seemed like Pinkie Pie came seeking Rainbow Dash wanting some help making cupcakes, but took a gruesome turn. The problem being both mice were entranced and couldn’t get themselves to stop the video before it was too late. When the video finally ended there was a minute of absolutely nothing. They had wrapped themselves tightly together, both shaking. “B-Brain?” Pinky stuttered, shattering the deafening silence. “Yes, Pinky” Both mice sounded rather dreary “I-I’m s-scared” “I know you are.” Brain couldn’t get himself to admit he was too. “We should get to bed regardless.” The smaller mouse trying to regain his typical demeanor. He broke away from the embrace quickly, standing up. “O-ok, I mean ok, narf” Pinky attempted the same though his narf was far less enthusiastic than it typically was.

The two curled up next to each other, far closer than normal. “Pinkie isn’t really like that is she?” Pinky asked genuinely “Of course not, Pinky, it was just a story. You know Ms. Pie is just like you.” Brain rubbed his companion’s arm in an attempt to comfort him. “Just like me?” “Yes.” Suddenly the fatigue he felt earlier hit him like a truck. “We should sleep Pinky” he yawned “Ok Brain” he sheepishly grinned. Brain’s eyes slipped shut, his last sight was his still quite awake cagemate, seemingly content though.

Brain awoke with a start, though the cage was still quite dark. Now that he thought about it, was he in the cage? He seemed to be suspended upright in the air by ropes tied to his wrists and ankles. His heart began to race, What was happening? Where was he? “Pinky?” He called out, concern flooding his tone. “Oh, you’re awake sleepy head!” A familiar cockney accent giggled calmly “Pinky, you’re ok! Where are we? What’s happening?” Brain couldn’t see anything but Pinky was near, that was good “This is my workshop you silly goose. And your number came up, you get to join the party!” Workshop? Number? Party? Before Brain could voice any of his inquiries the lights flickered on. His eyes couldn’t believe it. There were tables with various painted mouse skulls as centerpieces. Balloons made of livers and kidneys and stomachs were all around . Streamers of intestines lined the top of the walls of the gritty basement Brain was in. “Welcome to the Party, isn’t it fun fun silly willy that I finally get to work with a friend!” Pinky appeared in front of him, donning a fur coat made of squares of, all too familiar, whites, grays and browns. “P-Pinky cease this foolishness at once.” Because that’s all it was, an elaborate prank, a stupid joke. “But I can’t Brain, it’s my job. And a job is a job is a job and I gotta do it, troz.” “What job?” “To turn you into food pellets, Brain.” He paused “Pinky this isn’t funny!” Brain shouted struggling against the restraints. “Well cause it’s not a joke Brain.” Pinky giggled. As Brain moved trying to free himself, he caught eye of a table with various tools typically used by the surgical scientists. It wasn’t a joke.

“Pinky, I-I’m sorry. I-I’ll be better, no more bad names, we’ll play the games that you like...every other night. We’re friends, Pinky, you can’t do this.” He pleaded, whatever would make him change his mind, anything “Brain, I already told you it’s my job” no no he needed more “Pinky I...I” he needed to force the words out, his life did depend on it “Pinky I love you! I always have, please, let me go, I’ll keep quiet, I’ll love you forever. No one will know I promise.” Pinky stood in shock for a moment, then lovingly looked at him “Oh, Brain!” He swooned, he came closer. Brain crashed their lips together in a hopeful deep kiss. “Zounds, Brain! I’ve never gotten a goodbye kiss before. Oh, Thank you it was so sweet. This batch is sure to be good.” Pinky pulled away seeming giddy but Brain’s hope died as his friend spoke. “Pinky...but…” “Aren’t you a smarty Brain, I told you it’s my job, zort.” His gleefully expression drooped. “I don’t make the rules, Brain. I really wish I did but your number came up and those are the rules.” Pinky shrugged “Pinky…” Brain started not entirely sure what he would say “Wait Brain, I just remembered something.” Pinky ran off to another part of the room. Brain’s immediate thought was to think to escape but then if he did what would he do, to hide from Pinky, with the knowledge of this, to cope, with his life.

Pinky was back as soon as he left, hiding his hands behind his back. “Brain guess who’s here to see you?” Pinky asked gleefully, Brain stayed in silent confusion raising an eyebrow “Hey Brain, it’s me Snowball, let’s ditch the dummy and take over the world together.” Pinky said in a poor impression of the hamster. He waved around a skull reminiscent of Brain’s own head. Brain gasped, he and Snowball were enemies but the knowledge he was dead made him sick. “I know he didn’t have a number like everyone else” blue eyes stared into the empty sockets “but when would I be able to try hamster meat again. I remember you liked them, said they were slightly more salty. Troz” Brain remembered the taste so vividly now in utter disgust. At the time the fact that the food pellets seemed to change two days after he defeated Snowball didn’t mean anything. Now it meant everything. This dawned the revelation that he was eating mice on the regular. Nausea took over his senses, Brain wanted to pass out.

Pinky studied the look on Brain’s face, then seemed to snap his attention to the table of tools. “Oh, Brain, We’re getting behind, we should get started.” Brain swallowed hard, he wanted to voice more pleas for escape but couldn’t force the words out. Pinky picked up a scalpel “I should get your fur patch first so it does get all icky and red, narf!” The tick that usually gave Brain mild irritation or silent bliss now sent puncturing fear and disbelief through his veins. Pinky went to his back and, with the scalpel, lightly cut a heart. When he got to be about the full size of his back, he placed the scalpel where he started, pressing further into the flesh. “Nyaaaaaa!” Brain writhed, the cold blade sliced through his back. Pinky traced the heart carefully, cleanly cutting the skin. Blood started to run down from the bottom of the heart. Brain instinctively struggled against the searing pain. “Brain, stop moving, I’ll mess up the cut.” Pinky complained, Brain forced his body to comply, with the hope Pinky might spare him with mild injuries if he behaved. Taking deep breaths to try to slow his heart, even though he knew it wouldn’t do much. Pinky had completely traced his work, setting the scalpel down, he placed a hand at the top of the heart and slowly peeled the flesh from his friend’s back. Brain stiffened, eyes widened, he let out a small squeaky cry, a single tear rolling slowly down his cheek. He forced his eyes closed to prevent more tears. Pinky eyed his work, satisfied with how it came out. He walked around to face Brain and show him the pelt. “Oh Brain it’s perfect! I made yours special, it’s heart shaped. I usually make them squares.” As Brain tried to open his eyes a wave of agony washed over him as the air pushed against the open wound.

Pinky went to place the pelt somewhere else in the room. Brain steadied his breaths trying to ignore the pain. He realized just how out of control of the situation he really was. He pondered the irony of his demise. It was almost funny. Almost. “ I’m back, zort” Pinky greeted, his usual cheery tone felt foreign in Brain’s ears. The lanky mouse went over to the tools, grabbing a simple kitchen knife. “Now for your ziggy-zaggy tail.” Pinky went behind Brain, wrapping a hand directly under the first bend. The contact would be sensual if not for what Brain knew what was coming. Pinky slammed the blade down, creating a red slit at the base of his friend’s tail. Brain writhed as the agony jolted through him. Pinky took a couple more strikes. Lingering on a third to slide the knife through the cut, as he wasn’t making progress. Brain let his tears flow freely, he quite literally had nothing left to lose. Pinky struck the tail again, it did nothing. “Guess I forget to sharpen it.” Pinky dropped the knife on the table. He picked up a hack-saw “Brain, why do they call it a hack-saw, it doesn’t hack, that’s what I was doing with the knife, it’s a saw poit.” Pinky giggled, Brain quietly sobbed. Pinky grabbed the tail again “Pinky?” Brain sniffled “Yes Brain” “I want to go home.” This was pathetic, he was pathetic and he wanted to be alone. “I feel like that sometimes too but I gotta finish a job zort.” He placed the saw in the cut “Oh, Like how we do with your plans, we never really finish but we get as far as we can before we fail.” Pinky pushed the saw, cutting through the flesh. “You know, Brain, I don’t usually keep the tails, but yours is just so special I had to!” Pinky giggled but soon the sound of grinding flesh and bone was the only sound that filled Brain’s ears. Pinky sawed through the appendage until it was only attached by a bit of flesh “Hey Brain, think fast poit!” He didn’t have time to register what Pinky said before his tail was ripped away from his body peeling a long strip of skin from his back with it. Brain couldn’t handle the pain slowly passing out as it surged through him.

Brain felt a small pinch before awareness filled his head. “It’s very rude to fall asleep when your friend is hanging out with you, you know.” Pinky reprimanded “I mean what I fell asleep in the middle of a plan, ‘Sorry Brain, you’re just sooooooooooo boring.’” Brain looked up about to make his own snarky remark before noticing Pinky was chewing on something, flashing a curious look. The lanky mouse took notice. “I needed to try some so I took a sample from your leg. Want some?” Pinky shoved a small piece of meat into the shorter mouse’s mouth. Brain spit out the chunk of his own flesh. He shuddered at the fact it tasted good. “You could have just said no, it’s not like you haven’t eaten the food pellets before.” Pinky said surprisingly curtly. “Ahhhhhh!” Brain finally felt the wound on his thigh, for where the “sample” had been taken. He started to sob as he fully remembered the earlier events. Pinky started to laugh “You really should have seen this coming Brain, it says I’m insane in the intro.” Brain’s expression twisted into a scowl. “Oh you’re cute when you’re angry but for falling asleep, I’ve got a surprise.” Pinky walked away leaving Brain very confused.

He came back with a nail gun. “Pinky...what are you doing?” Brain said, faking his sternness and attempting to swallow his fear. “You’ll see!” Pinky giggled, turning on the power tool. He knelt down to be eye level with Brain feet. He struggled against the restraints once again. “Pinky!” He reprimanded, he was ignored,  the nail gun pressed against his left foot. Brain’s heart sped up, his breath hitched, his fear became known once more. “Please...don’t…” he whimpered weakly, he was ignored again, a nail shot through his foot. “Ahhhhhhhhhh!” The immediate pain of the puncture registered first but it was soon realized that the nail was burning the flesh surrounding it. He was using heated nails. Boiling blood ran off his foot and onto the rope that held it in place. Pinky went to the other foot as Brain writhed. The second nail went in, cauterizing the wound it formed. Fresh tears spilled fast and freely as another scream could be heard, Pinky giggled. He walked away, probably to go get something. Brain heard Pinky’s sadistic laughs, wondering if this really was the adorable goofball he fell in love with.

Pinky walked back towards him, heading towards something behind his tool table, a bundle of wires in hand. Brain couldn’t quite see what he was doing but Pinky appeared to be attaching the wires to something. He walked back in front of him, holding the ends of two wires. “Oh Brain I think you’ll find this next one quite shocking, narf!” he laughed “Pinky please, I’m sorry you...you don’t have to do this.” He pleaded softly, the nails still deliriously painful “You shouldn’t have been such a sleepy head Brain.” Pinky’s tone was casual “Don’t you bop me when I do something stupid?” “I-I thought you liked the bops?” “Oh I do Brain! They feel funny and make me get all…gooshy!” Pinky giggled, his eyes going half lidded and a bit of drool dripping from his mouth. “Don’t you love me, Pinky?” The mouse in question blinked out of his lovesicktrance “Well of course Brain, you’re my best friend!” Pinky hugged him, making all his wounds sting, including the one in his heart “Than why…” “Because! It’s! My! Job! And these are the rules. I know you don’t always get it when I say silly things but this isn’t silly. You tell me I gotta do my job and do it right all the time!” Pinky seemed to grow very angry on a dime, tying the wires to the nails “If you really loved me you wouldn’t do this!” Brain shouted, more pain than actual anger. Pinky walked over to where he before “You need to calm down Brain this might help.” A mischievous gleam in his eyes, he pulled a lever. Suddenly a strong electrical current coursed through Brain’s entire body. His muscles tensed, the pain unbearable and unchanging, the screaming uncontrollable and straining. Brain finally felt his body lost consciousness even though he tried to force himself through theare pain.

Another needle pinch in his abdomen before the awareness and trepidation came flooding back. “I’M SORRY! Pinky, I’m sorry.” Tears filled his eyes, wishing for mercy “Hush, It’s time for the harvest, this part’s my favorite, narf!” Pinky took a scalpel and pressed it deep into Brain’s sternum. The blood trailing down either side of his chest. He pulled the scalpel down his stomach. Pinky giggled at Brain’s screams. Peeling open the flesh to reveal the organs underneath. “Now to separate the good stuff from the bad stuff this is so fun fun silly willy! Like your plans, oh your plans. I’m sorry Brain you never got your world, didn’t you?” The sentiment sounded sincere yet demeaning “Pinky…” teary eyes looked into a sea of horrible sadistic beauty “Pinky you are my world.” Brain said in true defeat. He supposed it made sense that his world would end him. “Oh Brain, you stole my heart.” Pinky looked at his surgical work. He recklessly shoved his arm into his lover's ribs and pulled the aforementioned organ from Brain’s writhing body. “Now I stole yours ha ha ha narf!” With one last breath Brain’s eyes slipped shut.

Brain awoke a start, in bed, he was in bed. Brain was back in the cage, it was morning. He looked beside him, Pinky wasn’t there. “Pinky? PINKY!” panic filled his voice. “You’re awake! Brain? Are you ok?” “Y-you strapped me to a table! I-in a basement with dead mice everywhere! A-and you turned me into food pellets!” He spoke frantically “Brain that’s Rocket to Insanity silly.” “Huh?” “Rocket to Insanity, that’s the one where Rainbow Dash dreamed up Cupcakes and then goes to Pinkie and stabby-stabs her. Wait, you’re

not gonna stab me are you, Brain?” The smaller mouse looked at his friend in relief then processed his question. Without another moment his lips were locked with Pinky’s. “So that’s a no?” “I would never stab you, Pinky.” He stated gently “And you’re an idiot for ever thinking I would.” Brain quipped “There’s my Brain!” Pinky hugged him “I love you Pinky.” If that dream made anything clear it’s that those words needed to be said. “Really Brain?” Blue eyes gleamed hopeful “Yes, Pinky, really.” Pinky pressed their lips together. “I love you too.”

[scarjarbinks]

The Fool’s Journey: A Star Wars Story (3)

Episode Three Heaven of Alloy

Their small craft was welcomed by a crew of red, skeletal droids with a single eye. One, slightly larger than the others, beckoned the shuttle with two illuminated batons. Tam remarked how she did not need anyone to tell her how to land her ship.

Kaz was first to exit through the cargo bay. He had only been on TIL-03 once before, and though his experience was brief, it was markedly unpleasant. Wegil followed him with the remaining two soon after while the R9 unit remained inside as interim guardianship.

The four inspected the dimly lit station with scowls upon their faces: scant buildings, mostly strips of identical motels and one large dome that Kaz had claimed was a gambling hall. Near the landing bay, an administrative office was tucked aside and almost blended into the ubiquitous grey landscape.

Wegil scratched his left cheek with a long and uneven pinky nail. “I could think of three other waystations that would be more comfortable than this one, and one is Hutt controlled.”

The door to the administrative building unsealed with a hiss and revealed from within a droid of overtly feminine build. Tam tucked her brow, her mouth gaping. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

A short walk was necessary before the strange specimen could be within range to speak to the group. Unease filled Vrina as he made out a Humanoid face with a half-rusted body. Her joints creaked with each step, though artificial confidence practically exhumed from the droid. Her hips swung with every gait and she held a similarly coquettish posture as she stopped to greet them.

“Welcome to Tillo-Three, where all of your ship and crew’s needs can be met with a smile. I am Operator em-ee-nine-five.” The voice that rattled from her seemingly punctured speech modulator unnerved each of them. “Of which services do you request?”

Tam was the only one who could muster the strength to speak. “Emmy? Uh, well, our ship is damaged. Specifically—”

“Scan complete. All major systems of your ship are functioning at near capacity. All damage is surface and can be mended within a half-cycle. Would you like to use this time to take advantage of our luxury suites and top-of-the-line game hall?”

The pilot exchanged a quick shrug with her captain. Kaz said, “Sure. Are there enough rooms for each of us?”

“Yes, and at a cutthroat rate of one-hundred-and-fifty credits per night.”

The Zabrak cackled while the two Humans stressed. “I’ve got this. Consider it a gift.” He stepped forward and drew an account card from a pouch on his belt. The droid stared at the object and chirped as if thinking.

“I am unable to process cards. Credits are preferred.”

Kaz’s face flushed crimson. He blinked and tried his best to avoid turning to Tam, whose hip was cocked and arms were crossed. “I told you,” she hissed.

“I know,” he said. After a shallow exhale, he stepped forward and dismissed Wegil with a tap on the shoulder. “You wouldn’t happen to have something that’s, erm, not so luxurious?”

The femme droid clicked twice before responding. “Absolutely. Allow me to guide you to what we refer to as our ‘basic accommodations’.”

Wegil bumped Vrina with his elbow and whispered, “Why do I have a feeling this is going to be significantly less than basic?”

“I have a feeling you’re going to be right.”

A navy-blue custodian droid marched in front of a row of stout cylinders, each large enough to potentially house all four of the guests. The rattling Emmy slowed to a stop and gestured to a heavy iron door. “Your access code is zero-three-six-nine. Please register this to your memory as I am not authorized to repeat sensitive information.”

Vrina cracked a smile. “Hey. I’m so sorry, but what was that code again?” The droid crooked her neck to stare at the Mikkian, but a loud, repetitive clicking accompanied her completely still body. This pleased the Zabrak who approached the droid with curiosity painting his face.

“Seems you broke her, clown.”

He pulled back his head wrap to scratch just under where it rested on his crown.

Kaz stepped past Wegil and prodded the access pad, but each button was stiff and unresponsive. An obnoxious honk resounded from a surprisingly tiny speaker.

“Are you putting in the right code?” The shuttle’s pilot leaned in to inspect the pad.

“Yes, Tam. Let me just try again.” After another round of struggling, the same alarm blared once more. The femme droid broke from her glitch to turn to the bearded man, startling the Zabrak.

Her voice strained from the modulator and progressively lost volume as she spoke: “If you have issues entering your room, you can make your way to the main administration…”

Tam pressed the palm of her hand into her forehead. “This is among the top five worst experiences I’ve ever had. I’d rather be target practice for pirates.”

Shaking his head, the smile that settled on Kaz’s face gradually dissipated as he looked past the three and back to the landing pads. “That’s… Eerie. Tam.” He pointed his finger to two identical ships that lowered on either side of their shuttle.

She fumbled with her comlink. “Are-Nine?” It responded gleefully. “Can you scan those incoming ships? What do you mean there’s nothing to scan?”

Kaz spoke into his device as well. “Do you mean that comms are jammed?” The droid whistled back, its tone irritated. “They must have a way to scramble their signal, too. But theirs…”

“It won’t settle on another signature. It’s complete nonsense.”

Wegil thumbed his nose. “Hate to interject, but those ships are either pirates or you’ll have your first taste of the eff-ess-ess. Just one blaster?” He scratched his chest and clicked his tongue. The pilot clenched her fists.

“This could be good for us,” she said through her teeth. “After all, they have no idea who we are. They could see our ship and think it’s genuinely here for repairs.”

Vrina’s mouth parted, another strange headache seeping into his skull. He listened to the others banter for a moment before turning to the Zabrak, who bounced an expression of equal discomfort. “Wegil, did you contact anyone to tell them where you are?”

Both Humans spun to face the horned man. Tam drew her blaster, a sleek but humble DL-18. Its narrow barrel found itself locked onto the tense Zabrak. She asked, “Well? Did you?”

Kaz redirected himself to the ships yet spoke to the group in a stale tone. “That makes sense. There’s no way you were still unconscious during our escape from Coruscant. You could have hacked our hyperdrive coordinates and we would never know. We used your body to launch a crate—there’s no way you were still asleep.”

“You what?” Tam blinked and turned to acknowledge her captain. In that instant, Wegil lunged forward and struck the woman’s wrist with pointed knuckles and followed up with a push. Kaz growled and hopped forward to interject the attack but his punch was deflected with a flexed bicep.

The pilot reconstituted herself, crouched, and took aim. The Zabrak twisted his body to extend a leg with as much force as he could muster. His heel collided with the woman’s head and she yelped while crumbling backwards. Kaz shouted her name and brought up either wrist to shield himself from a series of quick attacks. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Vrina sprint to the pilot’s weapon.

Kaz’s knee rose into Wegil’s gut and the bearded man did not hesitate to detach himself to drop a heavy kick into his right ankle. After falling to the ground, a circular blue beam struck the Zabrak in the small of his back. The man thanked Vrina under his breath and rushed to his companion’s side. “Tam, are you okay?”

She opened up one eye, and then the other. Her captain helped her to her feet. Tam grimaced and felt her forehead. Wegil had managed to break skin. “He was… More of a threat than I thought. Where’s—”

The bearded man beckoned Vrina over and he obeyed after a moment of hesitation. Tam thanked him and requested her weapon’s return. “Oh, yeah.” He turned over the blaster and she slipped it back into her holster.

Tam frowned and broke from Kaz’s brace. “What do we do with him?”

After a moment of deliberation, the Mikkian spoke up. “If he’s in with the Federation, we could maybe use him as a bargaining chip?”

“We?”

He raised either hand and backed up. “I mean—you. You two can do that.”

Kaz hummed. “Vrina Hon, are you willing to work with us for the remainder of this mission?” He received a nasty glance from Tam, but he chose to ignore her. “Know that your tooka may have to go a few more hours without eating.”

He scratched the back of his neck and pouted. “He is kind of chunky…” Vrina sighed and looked up to face both. “Okay. Sure. Just tell me what to do.”

The pilot had been crouched next to the idle body of Wegil while the comedian and her companion spoke. She pulled a small device from his waistband. “This must be what he used to contact the eff-ess-ess.” Tam rotated the conical object in her hand and the two inspected it with blank stares. “Oh well.” In the next instant, her fist tightly enclosed to crush it.

Upon opening her hand, several pieces of metal fell from her palm and littered the ground next to the Zabrak’s unconscious body. Vrina asked, “Do we try to sneak our way back to the ship?”

“I’d say we just toss him off a platform and get it over with.” She grazed her forefingers over the still-bleeding scar on her forehead and seethed.

Kaz stroked his chin before speaking into the comlink. “Are-Nine, are we fit to get out of here?” It chirped back with a positive affection. “Can you try to get them out, then?” He turned to Vrina and filled him in: several maintenance droids were still on-board. The Mikkian could not prevent himself from grinning. “What’s so funny?”

He shook his head to dismiss the question and Tam pat her hands clean. She examined the somewhat distant landing bay with a careful eye. “I can spot a handful of figures from here. Whether or not they’re armed… In any case, we’re outnumbered and outgunned.” Then, to Kaz: “We’re completely banking on the fact that they don’t know who we are, what we look like, and what our business is. If Are-Nine did his job, we should look innocent enough to slip away unnoticed.”

Vrina cut the bearded man off. “They’ll notice the carbon scoring before anything else.”

“That’s what I was going to say,” Kaz nodded to the Mikkian. “Plus, there’s only one ship here. If these people truly are attempting to establish a government from the shadows, they’re not dumb. We have to be prepared to run or fight.”

“With one blaster?” He shook his head.

Tam raised the DL-18 and raised her eyebrows. “I’m a damn good shot, Vrina Hon.”

The gravelly voice of Wegil knocked each of them off-kilter. “So are they.” He kept his face pressed against the cold cement even as Tam pointed the weapon to him.

She growled, “I’m taking this thing off of stun.”

“Now, wait a moment,” Wegil insisted with a clever smirk. “They know me. You have two potentials and one almost certainly results in your death.”

Kaz shook his head when Tam readied her weapon in a ploy to execute the vigilante club owner. “I can only guess. What do you have in mind? No, stay on the ground.”

The Zabrak became still just as he motioned to push himself up from the ground. “As you wish. I’ll skip to the good part: if you three meet the officers and introduce yourself as an interested party, then we can be free to exit this station unharmed. Since you’ve already scrambled your shuttle’s signature, they won’t have a way to trace any previous routes.”

A heaviness settled onto the group as each of them considered this. Vrina reminded the pilot that she had very little time to decide and it was probably best for her to holster her weapon. “If these guys see you pointing a blaster at their contact—”

She cursed under her breath and agreed with a hasty unequip. Kaz followed through by helping Wegil to his feet, each muscle tensed in preparation to retaliate. He dusted himself off and slowly walked off in the direction of the landing bay. The droid, Emmy, trailed behind them.

With a shudder, the Mikkian said, “What is this thing doing?”

Wegil looked back and grinned. “She can’t speak, anyway. I’d wager to say it makes our plan that much more legitimate. Come now, at least pretend to be interested in what they have to say.”

The pilot asked through her teeth, “How are you even standing right now?” A breathy laugh expressed through the horned man’s nostrils. She rolled her eyes.

A short expanse of stairs connected to a wide platform housing their shuttle and two larger, much more expensive ships. Tam caught herself admiring the weaponry and cleared her throat to refocus. After a brief wave to the Federation officers, the two parties met up.

Six were present with ostensibly more still hidden in their ships. They wore similar outfits, white tunics and matching slacks—all of which were form fitting and sleek. Four of the representatives were women. Their hair was mowed into a buzzcut, exaggerating their otherwise gentle features that appeared marred by a certain experience none of them shared.

“Commander Isten,” Wegil greeted the shortest woman. “I never thought I’d see you out of your office.”

“It’s nice to stretch my legs.” Her tone was deadpan, unmalleable even as she spoke to those behind him. “This is quite a haul. Whatever you’re doing to convince people of our cause, never stop. The droid, too?”

Each turned to face the stiff and rusted Emmy. The Zabrak turned back to Isten and shook his head, a calm smile planted on his face. “The droid works here. As much as I believe I’ve done an excellent job, it may be beneficial to hear the Federation’s mission statement from its source. Care to take it away, Commander?”

She nodded once. “Our goal is to have a universal presence among each civilized planet, to establish a perfect and functional trade network without the cumbersome element of excess taxation. Each planet will know what the other has and will order accordingly. There will be no more unnecessary bureaucracy. There will be only abundance.”

Though Kaz’s throat was tight, he managed to squeeze out a question. “The difference between the Republic and the Federation is—”

“Transparency. Locals will not be permitted to join the Federation. This ensures that outside ideals will not pollute the already efficient think tank we have spent decades constructing.”

“I see. What will be the role of, say, Jedi?”

Isten’s posture did not change, but Vrina felt a spike of irritation when she raised her chin. “That’s a curious question. Since we’re exchanging curiosities, may I enquire about the damage your shuttle has taken? Small arm scoring and quite a considerable amount of it. I wasn’t aware one could make so much trouble coming from Dantooine.”

The commander waited for the group to process her question, but Wegil was quick to respond with enough confidence to at least steady his companion’s nerves. “There has been an increased presence of pirates since—”

Once again, the woman jumped to cut their speech short. “Since Exegol and the rumored revival of the Jedi. I know there is a temple on Dantooine. You,” she nodded to Kaz who felt his body freeze. “What is your name and occupation?”

He attempted to remember the disguise he chose for this mission: simple black garments, a tight belt, newer boots without much scuffing. “Kazuda Krishan,” he lied. Wegil noted how he chose to stick with his first name and hoped that the other two were just as wise. “Senior mechanic from Dantoo Town.”

Behind Isten, a man with a yellow ribbon tightly wound around his neck unveiled a palm-sized tablet from his pants pocket. She kept quiet while the man hurriedly tapped the screen. Wegil mentally weighed his options and attempted to adjust his demeanor when he felt the woman’s gaze envelope him.

The man spoke up: “No records for Kazuda Krishan. Three-hundred-seventy-four recorded entities with the surname Krishan, four-hundred-one recorded entities with the first name Kazuda.” He paused, seemingly for effect. “Zero of which resides on the planet Dantooine.”

Isten raised her eyebrows. “There appears to be some discrepancies, Mister Geun. The Federation of All Systems wish only to be involved with those who prize transparency and honesty. One down, two to go. You.”

Each nerve in Vrina’s body became lit as she felt her cold glare fall onto him.

“What is your full name and occupation?”

“Um,” he looked to both Wegil, then the beet-red Kaz. “My name is Vrina Hon, with an ‘o’, and I’m a stand-up comedian from Coruscant.”

“Where in Coruscant?”

He blinked once. “Galactic City. No need for comedians in The Works.” The group watched the woman break a smirk. Once again, the man behind her began to run calculations on his tablet. This time, the search was considerably quicker.

“This identity checks out, ma’am,” he nodded. “Photo and all.”

She hummed, pleased. “Well, then. We have one who is willing to tell the truth. Now, there are a myriad of possibilities running through my mind at the moment. You might be the ringleader of this group,” Isten paused to assess the group as a whole. Tam’s nostrils flared. “Or she may be. Name and occupation?”

The pilot rendered her teeth as an impenetrable gate. Her eyes were hard as they fought against the prodding examination of the Federation commander. After a few tense moments, Isten shrugged her right shoulder. “No matter. I have no power over any of you, so if you do not feel compelled to give us information, so be it. Wegil, I am afraid a majority of your haul will not be useful to our cause. You see,” she took in a deep breath and addressed each member one-by-one. “The Federation of All Systems is in an exciting phase where we are looking to fill many slots in our communications and engineering department.”

Tam exhaled a short, harsh breath. “This was an interview? We’re not interested.”

“None of you? Not even you, Vrina Hon with an ‘o’?” Commander Isten crossed her arms. He felt a subtle ache flit about his skull. “Where do your skills lie other than telling jokes? I can see that you are honest and full of integrity. Can you fly?”

“N-no. Pretty useless on that front. Typically, I just walk everywhere.”

Wegil stepped into the conversation with a slow swipe of the hand. “At least the news can spread organically this way. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me.”

Isten looked past the horned man and to the Mikkian. “I was not finished. Since you are an honest individual, let me try to clear up something that’s been weighing on me: what exactly happened in Gil’s Gab?”

The Zabrak choked on a hard swallow and visibly tensed. “Commander Isten, there’s no need to ask anybody but me about my club.”

“Go on, then. Explain to me why two of my captains were in your club when it was attacked by a rogue company of terrorists? Explain to me why you are with them now, still?”

Each of the five officers behind her drew their weapons: compact blaster rifles of a model nobody in the group could identify. Tam felt the impulse to reach for her blaster, but Kaz reached out to touch her arm. She understood that this would be the move that ended her life. With unshakeable confidence, he said, “My name is Kazuda Xiono, son of Hamato Xiono.”

Isten smiled. “I know. Go on.”

He creased his brow and hesitated to continue. The officers’ weapons did not waver, each of them dedicated to one member of the group—including the confused Emmy.

[mejcinta]

This was my perspective of how Kory's story would progress after the Titans season 1 finale, which I posted way before season 2 aired. My Dickkory expectations were packed, and so was my imagination about the Kory-Tamaran issue. Hopefully, we can get something like this for season 3. Read the multi-chapter story STARDUST on my a03 account MeJacinta! Enjoy!

*Kory squeezed her eyes shut and the splendor of galaxies rushed past her eyes; soft, fluorescing collisions of purple, pink, blues and lime green. She felt the air knocked out of her lungs like she were really there, flying through it all --- even catching the wind and space dust on her face.

A strange feeling it was, yet not so strange at the same time. She could compare it to sipping a different brand of tequila, the tequila always tasting the same no matter what bottle it came in.

That was space to her: a distant familiarity. Home, she thought. But there was still an awkward ring to the word. Not like when …

“Hey.” Dick was standing in the doorway, his eyebrows knitted together.

Kory sat up straighter on her bed. For how long had he been standing there, watching her zone out?

“Hey,” she responded instead.

It had barely been a week since Trigon happened. They were both tired from the toll of it all.

Dick had just started going outdoors again. His skin was gaining back its color, but his personality was still a long stretch from returning.

Kory’s situation was no different from Dick’s. She was nowhere near doing her laundry and Donna had had to lend her jeans and sweatshirts (all in some annoying shade of black) for the few days the team had spent in her two bedroom apartment, figuring out their next secret base. The war with Trigon was over, but the battle was still on.

“Anything new?” Dick said, managing to fluidly close the distance between them.

She must've looked like such a mess for him to be worried like that, Kory thought listlessly. Her arm was just close enough to brush Dick’s as he sat beside her, the closest they had ever gotten since arriving there.

“No … yes,” Kory frowned, “I don’t know.”

Dick looked confused. “What exactly?”

“The woman’s voice in the memories I told you about,” Kory explained, “I still here it.”

'We thought you were dead', the voice had once said in her memories weeks ago, outside the warehouse housing her ship.

“Who could she be?” Dick wondered.

Kory squared her shoulders more out of irritation than anxiety. “I feel like I should know but I don’t.”

“You must’ve been close,” Dick muttered.

The corners of his mouth attempted to stretch into a smile, but the effort melted away half way up. He was still struggling to be happy for her.

“Maybe,” Kory shrugged, because she couldn’t imagine knowing anyone else as closely as she knew Dick, Gar and Rachel.

But she had dreamed of knowing the people from her past given the chance. Was she a bad person for wanting to know them?

“I remembered something different last night,” Kory blurted out. “Again, coming from that voice.”

The mattress bounced as Dick turned to look at her more directly. His lips barely moved when he said, “What?”

A dull blow of guilt hit Kory’s stomach, and a lump constricted her throat at having to give Dick the agonizing answer.

“That they … my people… they were waiting for me to return. Home,” she said the last word quietly, as though doing so would reduce the suffering Dick was visibly undergoing just listening.

He swallowed. “Are those flashbacks or actual … astral-projections, like with Rachel, in real time?”

There was a dry edge to Dick’s tone. He was still mistrustful, even doubtful, of the extent of Rachel’s powers. Now he was supposed to believe that aliens from another planet could tap into Kory’s mind at will and she would oblige.

His warm, brown eyes narrowed. “Well, are they?”

Kory shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not sure, Dick.”

“So what now?”

“I need to get to my ship.”

“Obviously,” Dick grunted.

Kory drew in a long breath as she braced herself for the conclusion she had come to.

“I need to get more closure. Stick to my instincts__ not my heart.” She finally set her eyes on Dick’s, determined to make him understand, “It’s not enough to know what I am, or where I’m from. I need to feel it … see that all of it is real. ”

“Instinct, I get you.” Dick inched closer, and Kory stilled herself from flinching. He was having none of her bullshit, if there was any, in what she had just dropped at him.

“But what does your heart say?” His voice was a mere whisper now, and it did things to Kory’s feather weight heart. “What do 'you' think?”

“That all I love is here,” was Kory’s summation of what home was to her. Rachel, Gar and Dick … Puppy Dog Eyes Dick Grayson … were her home.

She was a no-nonsense woman, but now her cheeks were burning like a hundred degrees at what she had just admitted. She tried to collect her pride.

“I didn’t mean … It’s not like I meant you and I …”

Dick leaned into her so suddenly, covering her mouth with a feverish, warm kiss.

Kory eagerly responded, drinking in as much of him as she could. How she had missed this so much! He was warm, cool and tasted sweet; determined, stubborn, confused, broken.

He was like a vapor to her now. Even though their arms and mouths were tangled up, she was already feeling the distance; feeling him drift away from her. So she reached for the deepest recesses of his heart in the depths of his mouth, and Dick gleefully allowed their tongues to entwine in a long passionate tango.

“You do know the kids are right across the hall, right?” Donna was like a blaring horn when she made her entrance.

Dick huffed in frustration when Kory’s lips jerked out of reach. “Jesus, Donna, can’t you knock?” He growled.*

[capriswritingnartshenanigans]

Kadara Marketplace Shenanigans

Vetra Nyx/Fem Ryder (Darrin Ryder). Safe for work. Word count: 1,485. Catch it on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20998385

Darrin Ryder is still waiting to see any progress on Kadara with Reyes Vidal and the Collective in charge. While people watching, she sees an asari getting ganged up on by some hustlers and waits to see what happens... and is shortly joined by Vetra.

[[READ MORE]]

Darrin carefully watches a few hustlers surround a normie-looking asari (dressed in casual wear, even) while she looks on from the top of a nearby building, looking down over the marketplace.

Yeah, Kadara still hasn't changed much. She's still waiting to see more effects from putting Reyes in charge. Still waiting to see if she'll regret that decision. Always waiting for the results.

"Darrin, based on your usual moral decisions, it's odd to see you not helping the asari," SAM comments in her head, scattering her thoughts. She squishes her plum-painted lips together in response.

"Because I want to see if any guards come to help or anyone else," she replies mentally. "I have a very thin biotic barrier around them already; if the guys shoot or attack, they'll bounce off long enough for me to get down there."

"I see."

"Do you?" She can't help but poke at the logic, but then again, she'd never given much thought on how SAM looks out onto the world. And, to be honest, she wasn't in the mood to ask just now.

Mental note to ask later.

"Kadara still seems the same," Vetra says quietly from behind her, her movements quiet over the brick-like roof. Darrin turns to look at her from the corner of her eye, a warm smile pulling over her lips.

"Yeah, seems so. I'll give it more time before going after Reyes over it, though. But just a little." Vetra snorts as she crouches down beside the human Pathfinder, looking like an awkwardly haunched over bird, and the weird hissing-sneezy sound of her snort really doesn't help the image. It takes all of Darrin's will to not even giggle at the image.

"I hope it turns out, but I have my doubts. He lied to get the position of 'all-mighty overlord', and it's not really impossible that he lied about what he plans to do with it," the turian muses grimly, voicing Darrin's own worries aloud.

"I know," she nearly whispers back. Her attention is drawn back to the group from before by an outraged yell. She can see the asari's hands preparing to issue biotics, the hustlers' reaching for their guns- "Feel like getting frisky with the locals?" Darrin yells as she jumps from the rooftop, spiraling very quickly towards the group. She grins at Vetra's incredulous "what?!" and that grin only widens as SAM alerts her to Vetra jumping off, too. As she nears the ground, Darrin uses a mix of her jump jets and biotics to land neatly beside the asari, her pistol drawn and pointed in the face of one hustler that she now sees is a human under his hood.

Vetra lands a little less elegantly on the asari's other side, and it sounds like her own weapon is drawn based on the click of her loading her own weapon. "Did you have to come in so dramatically?" she asks with mock irritation, before answering herself, "oohh, wait, of course you did."

"Aww, c'mon, Vetra," she teases back, smirking as the two hustlers she can see's faces quickly begin to realize they've really bitten off more than they can chew, "a Pathfinder has to be ballsy if she expects the rest of her crew to be."

"P-Pathfinder?" the guy in front of her stutters out, his brown eyes widening further.

"Oh, yeah, boys. Pathfinder Ryder at your service." She rolls one shoulder before continuing, "so am I going to have to throw you all in a couple of jail cells, body bags, or maybe to the wilds, or do y'think you can use your brains long enough to fuck off somewhere's else?"

"Preferably before we have to waste our precious ammo on your sorry asses," Vetra chimes in, a laugh evident in her voice.

"N-no, we'll just, uh…" the guys in front and to the side of Darrin share a look before scrambling away, their large hoodies flapping unflatteringly around them. Darrin turns to see the third guy doing the same, and with a slight knee-jerk reaction, she uses her biotics to pull his pants to his knees, causing him to go tumbling forward into a heap. The marketplace erupts into roars of laughter, as does she and the asari behind her.

Vetra, however, lets out a pained noise between a laugh and a disparing sigh. "Was that necessary?"

"Hey, embarrassing him that much should keep him from doing it again," Darrin says gleefully as she reverts her pistol into its safety mode, then tucks it away against her hip. Vetra gives her a droll look before doing the same, then crosses her arms as her yellow-green eyes slide over to the asari. Darrin follows the gaze. "So, tell me, who exactly are you and why did they want you so bad?"

"Oh! I'm Tiarie B'Varsa. I… well, I wanted to see Kadara myself after all the stories I heard on the Nexus-" no surprise there- "and when I got here, I visited the bar and somehow got drawn into a big card game and ended up winning… well, enough to buy an upgraded apartment and all missing furnishings," she finishes in a lower voice with a nervous laugh. Vetra's brow plates rise as she gives a low whistle, and Darrin mirrors her.

"Yeah, you're lucky they didn't gut you before you even left the bar," Vetra assesses, then clicks her tongue thoughtfully. "Let's get you back on your shuttle and check out the driver… just in case."

"Oh, yes, please! Thank you!" The asari then leads the two towards the landing dock, where a slightly dented up Initiative shuttle waits, Cora hovering a little ways away. When she spots the group, she quickly comes forward bu careful to not draw too much attention.

"You made it safely back then, I take it, Dr. B'Varsa?" She asks anxiously. Darrin's eyebrows nearly hit her hairline as Tiarie cheerfully answers, "Oh, yes, it does seem so. Mostly thanks to these two."

"Doctor B'Varsa?" Vetra repeats. Cora nods.

"Yes, she's one of the botanists on the Nexus, here to… well, see Kadara. Did anything happen?"

"Nah, nothing too interesting," Darrin answers immediately as Vetra seems to swell as more information pours forth about the asari. When she shoots Darrin a disbelieving look, she continues, "Just a little scuffle in the marketplace. Where Vetra and I are needed, incidently," she gives Cora an overly complacent smile while grabbing Vetra's arm and dragging her towards the place once more. Vetra stumbles after her while Cora watches them out of sight.

When they reach a more secluded corner, Vetra drags Darrin over to it. "Why didn't you tell Cora what happened?"

"Because it was nothing to worry about, and if Cora knew she'd likely tell Tann or the director of hydroponics and Tairie wouldn't be allowed back off of the Nexus," she answers matter-of-factly. Vetra's nostril slits flare as much as their bony protection allows.

"Which would be safe for her! We have to keep the scientists and doctors safe, Darrin!"

"But we can't also lock them away and make it a prison for them," Darrin refutes, frowning firmly. "You can't stay locked up all the time. You'll go mad, or worse."

"Ugh, you're impossible," she huffs, leaning back on a concrete post, shaking her head.

"Oh, the most impossible," Darrin agrees with a grin. Vetra narrows her eyes.

"And the most hard-headed-"

"Oh, definitely that-"

"-and infuriating-"

"-for most people who know me, alright-"

"-and sometimes I'd like to punch you for the decisions you make."

"Hey, same," Darrin shrugs, her grin now absolutely dumb and toothy. Their banter dissolves a lot of Vetra's frustration, leaving her to try to hide her amusement, but she forgets that Darrin knows her tells too well now. She saunters towards the turian, weaving a bit, before wrapping her arms entirely around her waist and chest. "And you love every bit of my being a difficult ass."

"Yeah, I do, and you're lucky I do," she says with a long-suffering sigh, dragging a hand through her partner's long, strawberry blonde hair. "Anyone else you plan to go and save or harrass today?"

"Eeeh, only… you," Darrin says with false thoughtfulness, biting her lower lip after her last word, then laughing as Vetra snorts again.

"Forever our saving grace and my tormenter."

"Hey, you seem to like my tormenting, 'cause you keep coming back for more."

"Mmm, I guess so." She shakes her head as Darrin settles her chin on the edge of her outward curving chest armor, mind already swarming to think what Darrin is thinking up with her new, mischievous look.

"We cooould go practice our shots on some poor, unexpecting left over kett," she suggests.

"If we can find some, absolutely," Vetra agrees, stretching her claws. "I got some new weapon mods I found that I need to test out, anyway."

"Then let's get going.~"

[pokeprism]

Altered End: Chapter 2 (Almost Familiar)

This is chapter two of my Undertale AU! The raw text is below the cut!

PREVIOUS: Prologue --- NEXT: Friendly Reminders

Frisk regains consciousness shortly after their fall, but nothing feels right for them. Frisk gets themselves off the floor, then notices one thing right off the bat, particularly that they’ve seemed to have grown. Not in any metaphysical way, but that they are physically foot and a half taller. Frisk feels out their body and finds that they are still wearing their striped shirt on top of their shorts without any discomfort, and figures that their clothes magically sized up. Frisk then turns and sees what looks like a red humanoid outline standing in front of them. Frisk slightly jumps just before releasing a pathetic shriek, which ends up catching this strange outline’s attention.

“Huh?” the outline says as they glance at Frisk. “Oh. It’s you.” the outline continues.

Frisk looks at where the outline’s face would be, and notices the outline is becoming less of an outline as Frisk looks more closely at them. Frisk winds up to ask a question, but is quickly interrupted.

“Wait you can see me?!” the outline loudly asks.

“Um… I guess? Who are you?” Frisk softly replies.

“Oh right! I’ve never had the opportunity to introduce myself!” Chara realizes out loud. Chara puts their hand out for Frisk to shake. “I’m Chara! The first human to fall here! It’s nice to finally introduce myself to you!”.

Frisk mentally stumbled for a moment, but then collected them self enough to go for Chara’s outstretched hand. To Frisk’s shock, they were able to shake Chara’s ghost-like hand, and Frisk had a response ready as they pulled their hand away.

“So I’m guessing that little voice in my head for the last two runs was you?” Frisk asked.

“Yes indeed! That was me.” Chara gleefully replied. “So I guess we’re going through the Underground again?” Chara quickly added.

“Er… I guess so.” Frisk answered.

Frisk then turns toward the way to the next room and begins to walk in that direction, as Chara follows close behind them. They both make it into the next room with little issue, but then see Flowey in his usual spot. Flowey looks squarely at Frisk and marvels at their height just before he has a realization.

“Well, that’s certainly a change. I guess being in the void made you hit your growth spurt.” Flowey remarks. “There’s a thousand other things that could have happened in there you know.” he quickly adds.

“Thanks I guess. Can you let me pass now?” Frisk irritably grumbles.

“Oh golly, you think I’m going to let you go off so soon?” Flowey says with a smirk. “I may not be a god but I’m still free to do what I want!” Flowey adds.

Frisk calmly steps toward Flowey, causing Flowey’s expression to morph to one of concern.

“You’ve already wasted enough of my time.” Frisk bellows. Frisk raises their foot and thrusts it into Flowey’s face, then bluntly commands “Leave.”. After a brief silence, Flowey quickly recedes into the ground as Frisk turns to Chara.

“Shall we go on?” Frisk asks.

“Oh sure…” Chara answers. “Wait. Where is Toriel?” Chara quickly adds.

Frisk is about to answer when Toriel walks into view. Toriel scans the room, then fixes her gaze on Frisk as soon as she makes eye contact with them. After a moment of Frisk and Toriel blinking at each other with Chara awkwardly watching, Toriel calmly paces toward Frisk with an odd look on her face.

“Greetings… I’m Toriel, caretaker of the Ruins. What brought you here?” Toriel says.

Frisk verbally stumbles for a moment then says “I want to get you all out of here.”.

“Oh really? Do you need help through the ruins then?” Toriel hurriedly responds.

“Um… I’d enjoy that.” Frisk says as Chara waves a hand in front of Toriel’s face.

“Okay then…. What’s your name?” Toriel says, still oblivious to Chara’s current existence.

“I’m Frisk. Nice to meet you.” Frisk says as they put out their hand.

“Huh. That’s a fun name.” Toriel says. “Shall we continue?” Toriel quickly adds.

Frisk nods to Toriel, then begins to walk toward the next room with Toriel following Frisk’s lead. As Toriel and Frisk leave the area, Chara rouses themself from their confusion and follows after them, then immediately notices something off. Chara sees that there is no save point under the tree, resulting in Chara dashing to Frisk in a panicked state.

“Frisk!” Chara exclaims. “There’s no save point! How are we going to progress?!” Chara continues.

Frisk stops walking  and turns toward Chara as they answer “Like anyone else does?”.

“But what if you die or something?! What then?!”.

“We’ll figure something out.”.

“Um… Excuse me, but who are you talking to?” Toriel intrudes.

Frisk verbally hesitates.

Chara puts their hand on their face and shakes their head.

“It’s my imaginary friend!” Frisk blurts out.

Toriel blinks at Frisk for a moment and calmly utters “Whatever you say Frisk. Let’s keep going.”.

After Frisk recovers from being put on the spot, both Frisk and Chara begin following Toriel through the ruins. Toriel, despite Frisk’s status as not looking like a child, continues to solve puzzles like in Frisk’s previous runs, making small talk along the way, with Frisk at most smiling and nodding in response. As a result of Frisk’s newly acquired size, the first Froggit that Frisk encountered didn’t ever bother to come out of hiding. This is when Toriel, Frisk, and Chara all stop at the start of the spike path puzzle. Toriel turns to Frisk and clears her throat.

“Frisk, I’d rather you not get hurt in the following room.” Toriel states. Toriel puts her hand out as she adds “Please hold my hand.”

Frisk silently puts their hand in Toriel’s.

Chara looks around, and realizing they’ll have to go through as well, puts their hand in Frisk’s other hand. Frisk looks back at Chara and smiles, then turns back to Toriel as she begins walking. The three of them walk through the spike path just fine, with Chara being the only one to touch the spikes without lasting consequences due to their ghost-like form. Once on the other side of the spike path, Toriel lets go of Frisk’s hand and turns to face them.

“Excuse me Frisk, I have some errands to attend to. You can either wait here or go through the Ruins yourself. What would you like to do?” Toriel says.

“I will go through the Ruins myself.” Frisk answers.

“Well that was simple. Anyway, I will see you in a moment, Frisk.”

Toriel swiftly steps through the next room as Chara looks up at Frisk. Chara seems ready for a conversation, at least in Frisk’s view, resulting in Frisk shaking their head and walking on. Chara continues to follow Frisk while attempting to make conversation.

“Isn’t it weird that only you can see me?”

No response.

“How are you so chill with what’s happening right now?”

Frisk stops walking, and after a brief pause, Frisk answers “My goal is clear now. I just need to get there.”.

“Got it Frisk. Let’s keep going.” Chara uneasily states.

Chara and Frisk continue to walk through the Ruins with little issue, seeing as the monsters’ resolve to capture the human wavered with Frisk’s new appearance. Chara had attempted to start conversations during the trek, but Frisk held firm with their desire to not speak, and by the time Frisk had convinced the rock to stay on the button, Frisk felt resigned to have to talk with their partner. Frisk clears their throat as they enter the next room.

Frisk turns toward Chara as they say “So you’re a ghost?”. Chara perks up as Frisk adds “You don’t look anything like any other ghosts I’ve seen.”.

Chara nervously adds “Oh um… I have an idea, but… I’m not sure.”.

“Well you got a starting point then.” Frisk adds.

“Uh, hello?”.

Both Chara and Frisk turn toward the source of voice, who turns out to be a familiar ghost. Napstablook had been lying down for about an hour when his zone-out session had been interrupted. Upon realizing that there are two people present, Napstablook gently floats over to both of them and looks squarely at Frisk.

“Who’s your friend, human?” Blooky asks.

Frisk verbally stumbles as they look over at Chara.

“Oh! Uh… I’m no one important….” Chara utters.

“Well you seem to be a lost soul. That’s odd...” Napstablook equivocates.

“O-Oh? Could you tell me more about lost souls?” Chara sheepishly asks.

“Well…” Napstablook says, “Lost souls are usually only heard about in fairy tales, but they are the result of a human persisting long enough to get a ghostly form.”.

“You know that you’re the only one who’s seen them besides me right?” Frisk adds.

“Oh.” Napstablook adds. “Maybe that’s because I’m a ghost?”.

“Could be.” Chara replies.

Frisk clears their throat, causing Napstablook and Chara to turn in their direction, then pipes up with “On a different note, Could we go on? We need to get to Toriel’s home.”.

Napstablook realizes the length of the conversation and says “Oh sure! Sorry for keeping you for a while…” and begins to fade away.

“See ya Blooky!” Chara interjects.

Blooky’s expression snaps to surprise as he stops fading for a moment (seeing as they never asked his name), then promptly blinks out of the corridor. Frisk turns to Chara with a judgy expression on their face, and once Chara hears Frisk’s “Ahem.”, Chara turns in Frisk’s direction and cracks a nervous smile as they form their words.

“Oh well? That’s only one person we’ve weirded out. Could be worse.” Chara explains.

“You’re not wrong.” Frisk says as they put a hand to their face.

“Anyway, let’s keep going.” Chara adds.

Frisk and Chara continue their trek to Toriel’s home, retreading through the froggit room, obtaining the ribbon, getting through the hidden path room, and resolving the switch puzzle. Chara and Frisk then are at the corridor right before toriel’s house when Frisk decides to walk away and get the toy knife. Chara reluctantly follows Frisk as they get the toy knife, due to their compunctions about knives in general. As they walk back to the corridor, they both fail to notice the creeping vines following them. Frisk and Chara have just about got in front of Toriel’s tree when Frisk suddenly falls to the floor. Upon hearing the resulting crash, Chara turns back towards Frisk and quickly notices who’s there. Flowey laughs.

“You idiot! Didja think you got rid of me?! Think again!”, Flowey says, “Now I can more easily get rid of you!”.

Flowey’s vines begin to ensnare Frisk, starting with their ankles, and moving up. Realizing what’s coming, Frisk pulls out the toy knife and tries to cut themself free, but Flowey quickly stops that by essentially using vine whip on Frisk’s left arm, causing Frisk to writhe enough to drop the knife. Chara stiffens with fear, but then notices Toriel as they look through her house’s window. Flowey laughs again.

“Now that you’ve gone and done your little stunt, the option to reset is gone!”, Flowey continues after his laugh, “G-O-N-E! Meaning that if I take your soul, you’re stuck with me, even after I initiate my plan!”. Flowey lifts Frisk, now fully entangled with vines, into the air in front of him as he cackles again and says “And with the grip I have on you, you’re dead meat bud-”

A fireball hits Flowey directly in the eyes. Frisk promptly thumps onto the floor thanks to the flames from Toriel’s fireball burning away Flowey’s vines. Chara would have remarked “It seems to be Toriel’s time to shine” if they hadn’t glued their feet to the floor out of fear. After the first shot, Toriel dashes forward to get a better angle on her next volley, and unknowingly runs straight through Chara’s ghostly form, which makes Chara snap to attention and turn in the direction that Toriel ran in. Toriel quickly readies her second volley, and fires it at the retreating flower. Flowey, for his part, vanishes into the ground as Chara zips over to Frisk and checks their stats. After a moment of silence induced by Toriel making sure that the strange flower was gone, Toriel turns to Frisk, then stops as she notices someone else next to the incapacitated human. Toriel warily steps toward both of them as Chara… Is having some difficulties. For one, Chara’s CHECK ability seems to be mucked up somehow, seeing as they are only seeing a health bar with no raw numbers. On top of that, despite Frisk taking no hits from either party, Frisk is not in perfect health. Chara has a hunch for why, but then snaps back to reality by a familiar sensation.

“My child?” Toriel says with a hand on Chara’s shoulder.

Chara is startled by the sudden words in their direction and jumps back, only to realize that their adoptive mother’s gaze is squarely fixed on their face. Chara is taken aback, seeing as their memories of Toriel’s raw compassion come flooding back into view. Chara then has the thought, This is the first time she’s seen me in 15 years. What am I thinking, I know what she wants. Chara gets back on their feet, and jumps forward with arms outstretched, resulting in a long-overdue familial embrace.

“Mom, I’m sorry I couldn’t talk to you earlier.” Chara says with tears running down their face, “I’m so sorry…”

“There is no reason to be sorry Chara. I may have a lot of questions now, but you can answer them later. Let’s get Frisk to safety.”

“Agreed.”

Chara and Toriel softly put an end to their embrace, resulting in Chara’s attempt to lift Frisk, which then results in Chara levitating off the floor while holding onto Frisk’s hand. Toriel is somewhat unnerved with the way Chara is holding Frisk off the ground.

“I can carry Frisk if needed, Chara. You seem like you are struggling to hold them.” Toriel says in her slightly concerned tone.

“Oh yeah I am…” Chara says with a strained voice, “Please carry them for me.”

Chara safely hands Frisk to Toriel, and Toriel puts Frisk over her shoulder.

“Let’s get going.” Toriel says with her gaze fixed on Chara.

Chara and Toriel go through the front door, in Chara’s case quite literally, and start to get settled in. Toriel moves Frisk into the vacant bedroom as Chara floats down onto a chair at the dining room table. Toriel tucks Frisk into their bed, then comes back out into the dining room, words already prepared.

“Chara, I have several questions I’d like to ask. Would you like to answer them for me?” Toriel asks.

“Sure, we’ve got some time to kill. And a lot of explaining to do.” Chara answers.

“My child, this may be a bit of a heavy talk, so if you get emotional, I won’t blame you.”

“Got it.” Chara replies, “Hit me with your questions.”

“So, Chara, where have you been these past years? Do you know how you came back like this?”

“Well… I’ve been sort of guiding the humans that keep falling down here. Frisk was obviously different, but none of the previous humans could see me like you are right now.”

“Oh goodness…” Toriel utters, “So you were here all along?”

“I guess so.”

“I guess you were here in spirit…” Toriel says, followed by some laughter.

Chara chuckles for a moment before asking “So that’s all you wanted to know? Is there anything else you’ve wondered about?”

“Well…” Toriel unsteadily says, “I have one thing I’d like to know.”. Toriel’s breathing gets funny for a moment. “Do you know what happened to Asriel?”

Chara pauses. They know exactly what has come of him. Chara is tempted to spill the truth, but hesitates. Chara doesn’t want to give away their failed plan. “Erm…” Chara’s hands tremble.

“My child, are you fine?”

“I-I-I’m fine mom. All I know is… I haven’t seen him.”

“Oh Chara… That’s fine. I’ve missed him too.” Toriel verbally stumbles before continuing with “You both were… Best friends. I’ve known what it’s like to lose those you love, but you’ve got to know they would only want the best for you.”

Chara looks away from Toriel for a moment, attempting to hide their face. Chara’s seen what Asriel has become. They don’t want to admit that they’d like to see him restored thanks to what he’s done. And Chara, for all their ability to forgive, can’t shake the doubt from their mind. Asriel has become a soulless husk of what he used to be. And Chara can’t unsee what’s happened.

“Chara!” Toriel says, making Chara snap back to reality. “My child… Let’s get you some rest. You’ve had a long day. Would you be able to stay in bed?”

“I think I can.”

“Okay. I think you know where the bed is from here. I need some rest as well.” Toriel begins to walk toward her room, then says “Good night Chara! See you in the morning!”

Chara levitates off the chair they were in, and floats down the hall and through their bedroom’s door. Chara looks over at Frisk, who is soundly asleep, then smiles as they are reminded of Toriel’s rescue. Chara starts to think about what could have happened if Flowey succeeded, but they quickly put the thought from their mind as they descend onto their bed, and are whisked away to the domain of sleep.

[in-tua-deep]

yooo pls give me headcanons on five being an even younger child. unless you're saving them for fics ofc!!

Actual little kid Five or from the one fic idea I have where Five ends up being even younger than 13?? Regardless, I have a lot of thoughts so I’ll do both!

under the cut bc I can already tell this is gon get long

Actual baby Five - 

I already mentioned my headcanon that as a little kid when his powers were just manifesting, his powers sort of? Acted up just a little? Like he’d get little blue sparks playing across his hands constantly but without actually jumping. And, since touching the fabric of the universe is a bit tingly, Five would just chew on his hands to make the itchy feeling go away. 

Someone suggested mittens like the ones you give kids with chicken pox and I just about died so that’s 100% being added to my headcanons as well. And Five HATES those mittens with a passion and would have yelly screaming fits about them and just bash his mittened hands against the floor in outrage. Absolutely terrible.

Five could absolutely not control his powers at first. So he would just. Jump somewhere accidentally. Sometimes it was a kind of wishful thinking type thing like “hmm if i get up on the counter i can reach the cookie jar” and BAM suddenly Five is up on the counter. Other times it was more just “guess i’m gonna fall through the fabric of the universe and end up wherever lmao” and basically what I’m getting at is he gave everyone multiple heart attacks literally all the time

Sneezes. When Five sneezes he jumps by accident. Just ACHOO and a flash of blue light and he’s gone. Bye bye bitch. It’s involuntary and a nightmare when he gets sick.

Five was that little kid who LOVED to draw. Like he would just sit for hours with a crayon clenched in his chubby little baby fist drawing scribble monsters. Of course after a Certain Incident that included drawing on the walls Reginald Hargreeves banned drawing because it’s ‘childish’ or whatever. There’s a part of me that wants to say that after everything he picks up drawing again as something to occupy his hands that isn’t obsessively working and reworking equations

I’m going to go ahead and assign my own childhood bullshit to Five because why not so I headcanon that Five as a small child would DEMAND to be read to. At all hours. I’m talking literally attempting to pry the nannies eyes open and demanding that they ‘wead to [him]’ in the middle of the night. Most of the time he didn’t even actually care about being read to he just liked hearing someone talk so he was just as content just sitting with them while they chatted to someone else tbh (how did my parents not assassinate me as a kid smh)

and now i’m even sadder about him being alone in the apocalypse thanks

Would hide when he was upset. Also very good at hide and seek. Look this is a big ass house and Five can literally teleport out of a room and out from under watchful eyes I’m saying that he must have been the most stressful child in existence to watch over holy shit but yeah when upset crawls into some small space and hunkers down until he’s less upset. Start checking the cabinets you fools. Can and WILL fit into spots you think are too small for him to fit in. If there’s a larger space behind even he shouldn’t be able to squeeze in, he can jump in so don’t discount those as hiding places as well.

Cheated at tag. Cheated at tag so much. They literally have a special version of tag called ‘five tag’ designed specifically to handicap him because even when they ban using powers he still ends up being way too fucking good at tag like holy shit

okay this isn’t even much of a Five one but as little kids before Reggie decided to go on his “Vanya sucks” crusade they would team up against one another and Klaus was caught in the middle bc he was number four. Luther, Allison, and Diego would squad up (back before Luther and Diego were at each others throats I actually headcanon they were close before powers became a thing) and declare war on Five, Ben, and Vanya and then it became a game of trying to tempt Klaus onto a certain team. Klaus usually went with Five-Ben-Vanya but there were occasions that he was 100% a turncoat. Trust me I had an odd number of siblings this would have been a thing.

honestly though these nannies were dealing with seven kids under the age of four like god damn i have so much respect for them. That nursery must have been a fucking battle zone. There are no sides there is only survival. and these kids have SUPERPOWERS. Hell is empty and all the devils are looking at them with innocent eyes like the entire room isn’t completely trashed behind them. Where’s Five, kids? Where the fuck is your teleporting brother? Six put those tentacles away so help me god you will go straight into time out, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred. NUMBER ONE if you don’t put down that cabinet RIGHT NOW - 

Now i’m thinking about the first time Reginald dealt with one of the kids having a screaming meltdown in front of him. I feel like it would have gone very badly for the kid in question :(

and now for not quite a baby!Five

Extremely salty. Furious that he’s so small. Will stab you in the knees to make you get down to his level if you dare condescend to him. Probably stands on counters or tables when talking to his siblings, but has on at least one occasion hit his limit on jumps and been unable to get down without asking for help. Decides that he lives on the kitchen counter now because fuck that noise

Would rather die than be carried anywhere but if he’s the one to climb on someone then it’s okay. Prefers sitting on shoulders because a) taller, and b) they don’t have to hold him up and he can pretend that it’s entirely his decision

A sleepy bitch. Overuses his powers frequently getting to places he can’t easily reach anymore. Sleepy and grumpy. Doesn’t give two shits where he falls asleep and will sleep sprawled out across the floor, had been stepped on or had someone trip over him before and yet still refuses to stop. Honestly it’s a bit of a roulette whether he’ll wake up if they try to put him somewhere else, with just as much danger implied. Klaus produces traffic cones from god knows where and gleefully surrounds Five when he finds in which… is as good a solution as any tbh

His powers are still like,, almost on the fritz? Like when he was a little kid he couldn’t control them. He can now, but also they glitch out occasionally and his hands are all itchy again because they keep pushing at the boundary of the universe without him even thinking about it and it’s the most irritating thing in the world

His pain tolerance is back to being shit which he doesn’t appreciate. However everyone else freaks out way more than him when he accidentally slices his hand open trying to steal one of Diego’s knives, which was pretty funny

Claire comes over and immediately teams up with Five. No one saw it coming and everyone regrets it except for the tiny duo.

She asks him why he’s a kid if he’s her Uncle Five and he gives her the whole story about him growing old in the apocalypse and coming back etc. etc. and that he’s actually a grown up and he doesn’t think she’s going to understand but Claire just says “Oh, like Narnia?” and Five is like “EXACTLY LIKE NARNIA” and she is automatically his favorite

Claire literally tells Five point blank that he’s wasting his potential. How does Five not know all the tricks to being a brat and getting what you want? Puppy dog eyes first and progress into tantrums my friend. Look, Claire is Allison’s daughter and Allison was manipulative as fuck as a child and Claire has inherited at least some of that

Five’s eyes are fucking OPENED and everyone wishes they would be closed again. Five’s puppy eyes are surprisingly and devastatingly effective, especially when he tears up and lets his little lip wobble. Claire is so fucking proud of her protege

Claire rules the house with her tiny iron fist and Five readily follows her lead. Look, he never wanted to be the leader okay he was content to leave that to Luther and he’s equally happy now to leave it to Claire

The first time Patrick came to pick Claire up Five kicked him in the shins and ran off and Patrick was just very very confused about why Allison’s nephew (cover story, Klaus probably gets to pretend to be his dad again or something) has decided to hate him

Five still hides when he’s upset and now he’s tiny literally no one can find him. The first time it happens everyone freaks out and searches the entire house and after a few hours Grace just pops off and retrieves a now sleeping Five from like, the top shelf in the linen closet or something idk

On at least one occasion has had to be stopped from eating some kind of insect or spider off the floor. It’s like owning a cat or something. For the most part they hate it but one of them (Klaus) has 100% pointed out one to Five like “GET IT” but honestly this could be a headcanon for any age Five

[leviloveslemonpledge]

Ray of Sunshine (LevixOC) - Chapter 4

"Is that her?"

"Check out her hair, it must be."

"She was in Shiganshina when it fell? Why the hell would she want to join the scouts?"

"I heard she was almost eaten by a titan."

"I heard she saved a group of kids, without using any ODM gear!"

"I heard she got eaten and crawled out."

"Poor thing... Should we talk to her?"

"No way, she could be spying for the garrison."

The mess hall is buzzing like a hive with news about her experience in Shiganshina, and all Lydia can do to ignore it is revisit the horrors of that day. The titans prancing gleefully through the ravaged streets. Her father, flinging himself from building to building trying to hold their attention while the sick and injured civilians escaped. Those massive eyes filled with blind hunger. Those sharp teeth gnawing at flailing flesh. Giant hands reaching for her trembling form. Her father rushing in to save her. The sound of bones snapping and flesh tearing. His body falling, thudding onto the ground, sprawled and bloody with intestines spewing out like worms in a wriggling frenzy. His cold, dead eyes. Then nothing. A dark blur. She brings her hand to the bridge of her nose to attempt to hide the current of tears threatening to burst through at any moment. If only that old fool hadn't been so hellbent on keeping her safe. If he'd only put himself first he could have survived. She smiles. Of course not. That's never been his way. He always put the needs of others above his own, especially for her. She takes a sip of her tea, now cold, and rises to leave just as Hange plops down in the seat next to her.

"Leaving so soon?"

She wraps an arm around Lydia's shoulders and drags her back down to her seat. Levi, Moblit and Mike join them at the table in silence.

"Well, I suppose it would be rude to leave just as you all arrive. I can stay a while longer."

She smiles at the brunette as best she can, very conscious of how forced it may appear. Hange's grip tightens as she rubs her cheek against Lydia's.

"Oh, I'm so glad to see you in better spirits after... well..."

"Section Commander, you're being too callous!" Moblit whispers. Out of the corner of her eye, she notices Mike shaking his head.

"Uh, um, right!" She releases her abruptly. "How are you adjusting to your new quarters?"

Lydia shrugs and tilts her head in thought. "I've moved everything, it's just a matter now of giving all my things a proper place. I'm very grateful for the room, it's quite spacious. I haven't had the chance to thank Erwin for accepting my transfer yet..." She glances around the room, only now noticing his absence. "He's not eating?"

"Pfft, that Erwin, he'll often end up eating alone in his office when he's really wrapped up in something. Don't give it another thought." Hange pats her back in a way that's meant to be reassuring, but honestly kind of hurts.

Lydia nods, but is suddenly hit with the realization that her circle of loved ones is shrinking, and that Erwin is one of the few remaining. He's also directly in harm's way on a daily basis. Worry grips her heart like an ice cold hand. The whole table watches silently as she pales.

Levi's seen this look on countless soldiers' faces before; she's spiraling into shock. He grabs his cup of tea and brings it delicately to his lips in his usual, particular fashion. "Either that, or he's held up taking a shit." Her expression doesn't change, but she does nod and take a sip of her tea. Not what he had hoped for, but it's progress all the same.

Having finally processed the blunt remark, she is plunged back into the present and slaps her hand over her mouth to keep the tea from spouting out like a geyser. She peeks up at Levi who is quirking an eyebrow, whether in annoyance or amusement, she isn't sure. She tries to swallow, but her throat has become a powerful barricade. There's only one way for the tea to go. She frantically turns away from Levi, desperate not to spit up her tea on him. Unfortunately, she doesn't have time to turn far before it escapes her lips, and poor Hange is the one who gets hit by the blast. Hange stares at her with her mouth agape as laughter erupts from her throat.

"I can't believe you just said that, and with such a straight face!" She gasps between fits of laughter. "That's hilarious!"

Hange grabs her by the shoulders and shakes her in playful irritation as Lydia continues to laugh until her stomach hurts.

On the outside, Levi shows no change in his demeanor. On the inside, however, he feels a small spark of pride. His blunt, shitty joke actually managed to make her feel even the tiniest bit better. He finds himself making more shit jokes, especially when she's around, and is never disappointed by her amused reactions.

[dreamingoffairys]

Underworkings: Chapter 3

hello hello it is i, ever, with an update for underworkings at last

i hope this chapter is worth the wait, i struggled on it because i wanted it to be good for you guys, since you’ve been waiting for so long. hopefully, it meets your expectations. <3

please leave a reply/reblog/tags or shoot me an ask and tell me what you think! enjoy!

(and if you’d rather read it on ao3, here’s the link.)

chapter 3: with nightfall

The moment the strange projection shouts “BEGIN!”, Sabertooth takes off running up the ramp. The makeshift stairs are made of different sized wooden slats that wind upward towards the strange, spherical maze.

Rufus leads the way, holding onto his hat as his hair flies out behind him. He’s followed by a determined Yukino, her stride wide as she takes the “steps” a few at a time. Behind her, Sting and Orga run at an almost equal pace, leaving Rogue to take up the rear.

Sting knows he shouldn’t look behind him to check on Rogue, but he can’t help himself. Once Orga gets ahead, he whips his head around to glance behind him. Dread fills his stomach at the sight of Rogue clearly struggling to keep up. Shadow magic leaks off of his body, giving him a bit of a speed boost as well as making his steps softer, decreasing the amount of weight he puts on his mangled leg. Sting swears under his breath and faces front again, not wanting to lose his speed. If Rogue falls behind a bit, he’ll manage to catch up. He always does...if he doesn’t, he’ll face a much worse fate than getting separated.

“Almost there!” Orga bellows, starting to sound excited. “Let’s kick some fucking ass, Sabertooth!”

“Most certainly!” Rufus replies with a slightly maniacal laugh, dashing forward even faster. Sting bites his lip and says nothing, instead staring at the back of Yukino’s head as she keeps pace with the rest of the team. What’s her story, Sting wonders? And why has Master Jiemma chosen her to be on the team? Sure, Minerva is gone, but this girl is new… She isn’t as strong as the other members, nor has she proved herself particularly useful so far. It’s almost like her being here is a fluke. But Master Jiemma doesn’t make mistakes... Sting feels his stomach twist again. He knows Jiemma’s sick in the head, but had he possibly put her on the team because he knew she’d lose, and he’d have a chance to show off his power and authority?

No. It couldn’t be. Jiemma wouldn’t risk tarnishing Sabertooth’s name so he could have his fun, would he…?

A shout of pain behind Sting jolts him out of his thoughts, causing him to skid to a halt and look behind him. To his shock and horror, Rogue has tripped and fallen, holding onto the side of the wooden slats with the tips of his fingers. “ROGUE!” Sting screams, not even caring how emotional it sounds, and rushes forward. He quickly pulls Rogue back onto the ramp, panting and looking at him as his throat tightens. “Are you okay? Did you hurt it more?”

“St-Sting…” Rogue whispers. “The others.”

Sting’s blood runs cold. He drops Rogue’s arm and takes a step back. “Next time, get up yourself. That was pretty pathetic.”

“Pretty sure I never asked for your help,” Rogue replies cooly, but Sting can see the gratitude in his eyes. “Next time, keep going and keep your hands off of me.”

“Can you two stop bickering like children?” Rufus snaps. “We are losing our lead every second you stand here dawdling like a bunch of buffoons!”

“Right, of course,” Sting averts his eyes. “Let’s keep going!” He glances at Rogue one last time, then turns and takes off for the top.

Finally, Team Sabertooth reaches the top of the ramp. In front of them lies the massive, complicated Sky Labyrinth. Walkways, platforms, and various other path-like pieces of concrete and metal snake and wind all around in a spherical shape. The gravity changes along with the twisting flooring, adding an extra element of difficulty to their challenge. “Shit,” Sting swears, looking around at the paths before them. How are they going to manage to solve this and beat out all the other guilds? Sting feels dizzy just from looking at it. He’s no good at puzzles, and he’s sure that many of the other teams love this kind of stuff. To Sting’s relief, a smirk spreads across Rufus’ face. “No need for expletives. This ‘challenge’ is quite simple. Not much of a challenge at all, to be frank.” “Eh?!” Orga whirls on him, looking annoyed and confused. “I don’t even know which way is the right way up!” “Like I noted before, this maze is quite simple, really.” Rufus spreads his arms out a bit, chuckling under his breath. Team Sabertooth watches in stunned silence as Rufus’ smirk only grows. “Perfection. I have located every other team in the maze. I have also memorized everything around us, and will continue to do so as we progress.” “W-Wow...” Yukino breathes in amazement. “That’s amazing, Rufus-sama! So powerful!” “Do not refer to me in that childish manner,” Rufus replies cooly. Ouch. Sting can’t help but to feel a bit bad for Yukino. She hasn’t ever interacted with the top mages of the guild in the year she’s been a member. She doesn’t know all that’s expected of them. She doesn't know that here, they keep their masks on, and they stick to the script no matter what. Most of all, she doesn't yet know that the longer they each don this twisted masquerade, the farther from their true selves they fall.

“The logical way to proceed would to be finding the center of this maze,” Rufus continues. “Perhaps we can locate it by deducing the one spot where gravity is uniform...”

“But what if it’s all messed up in the middle too, just to confuse us?” Orga asks, sounding irritated. “And how do you know finding the center will help?” Sting also puts Rufus’ sudden takeover of command to the test, afraid that Yukino or Rogue would do it if he didn’t. Although Sting doesn’t doubt their negotiation skills - Rogue more than Yukino in that regard - he knows neither of them are in a good place to do so. “The exit could be on the far end of the maze.” “The center means we are equidistant from all potential points,” Rufus folds his arms across his chest.

Rogue nods in agreement, siding with Rufus. “Fair point. We’ll have a higher chance of success that way.” “We still don’t know if the gravity will be normal in the center!” Orga exclaims. “This whole thing could be a bust if that one fact isn’t right!”

Starting to get anxious about the other teams gaining on them, Sting loses his temper. “Do you have a better idea?” he snaps, deciding it’s best to side with Rogue and Rufus, as they’re the “brains” of the team. “We’re wasting time!”

Orga opens his mouth to protest, then closes it again and looks away. Rufus starts to walk along one of the walkways, his stride confident and powerful. “Follow me. I believe I have located the center.”

Orga grumbles something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like “pompous asshole” , but follows him anyways. The rest of Team Sabertooth follows suit, all keeping their eyes peeled for opposing teams. The pathways seem to wind on and on forever, nonsensical in every way. Sting feels more lost than he has in a long time without his nose to guide him, and feels very thankful for Rufus in this moment.

To Sting’s surprise, his acute hearing still works, something he finds out when he hears the sound of approaching footsteps. Rogue tenses, hearing it as well, and Rufus sighs. “Ah. We have some...unwelcome company.”

The enemy team’s eyes widen when they see Sabertooth approach them. “Oh shit! I-It’s Sabertooth!” Immediately, they all drop to their knees on the ground. Their bodies shake from head to toe, terrified of the guild towering above them. The sight makes Sting feel sick to his stomach. “J-Just go on by, Sabertooth! We d-don’t want to fight you!”

Sting swallows hard, their words cutting right through him. This is Sabertooth, striking so much fear into people that even in something that was just a game, they surrender rather than fight. Sting doesn’t blame them. He of all people knows how fucked up and relentless their guild really is. With that in mind, Sting realizes he has a sinking feeling about what is going to happen next.

Rufus and Orga approach two of the kneeling people, looming over them like fearsome beasts ready to strike down their prey. “A shame,” Rufus says, his voice laced with sadistic humor like poison. “We were hoping you would amuse us.” He looks at Sting with a smug smirk, signaling him to join them.

Completely on reflex, a blank-faced Sting steps forward with them and kicks one of the guys off of the edge. The three unknown mages scream as they plummet down through the maze, completely and totally betrayed by the almighty Sabertooth.

“N-No!” one of the others shouts, getting halfway up off of the ground and scooting backwards, trying to get away. “Y-You monsters-!”

“Trying to get away?” Orga laughs gleefully. “We’ll help you out!” He throws his arms out, his fists exploding in lightning, and pushes the other two mages off the edge to join their guildmates.

“Pathetic,” Rufus sneers as they plummet down. “Weaklings like them do not even deserve to stand on the same ground as mages from Sabertooth.”

Sting turns back to face Rogue, wanting to check on him to make sure he’s feeling better now. He feels his breath leave him at the sight of his partner’s face. Rogue’s entire body is tense, his hands curled into fists, his one visible red eye flashing with rage. Rogue doesn’t say a word, but his message is abundantly clear: No one else is here to see. That was cruel and unnecessary.

Sting looks away quickly, heart racing from guilt. Rogue is right. Once again, Sting has fallen victim to the unrelenting pull of power, falling too far into his role that is meant to only be temporary. “Let’s move on.”

The team starts to move through the maze again, following behind Rufus, who keeps two fingers touching his temple. The walk is fairly quiet from there on out, until suddenly, the face near the center makes a strange sound. Its eyes flash red, and the whole maze begins to rotate.

“Secure yourselves!” Rufus shouts, holding onto his feathered hat and planting his feet.

“Aw, shit!” Orga swears, nearly falling over.

Sting feels himself starting to fall, but keeps his mouth shut. Screaming won’t do anything. No one in this guild would pity him, and if they did, they would suffer for it.

To his relief, a strong hand grabs his wrist, saving him from what seemed like certain death. Returning the favor from earlier, Rogue stands tall above him, his feet sunk into a shadow to keep himself from falling. But unlike the way Orga and Rufus tower over their foes, Rogue stands over Sting to protect him from all harm that may come his way, his intention nothing but to help because he cares. It warms Sting’s heart, and reminds him for a brief moment that even if all hope seems gone, even if he starts to fall too far into the role written for him...Rogue will never give up on him.

Near Rogue, somehow managing to stay upright, Yukino pulls a key out of her clothes and points it up to the sky. “Open, Gate of the Scales!” The key glows with a golden light, and Yukino finishes with a flourish and a cry of, “LIBRA!”

The light flashes even brighter, and a woman appears before them. Sting takes in her strange outfit, including a veil over her face, and is puzzled by the golden scales she holds in each hand.

“Libra, switch the gravity so we’re pulled onto the platform!” Yukino says, her voice soft but still commanding. The dark-haired spirit swings her arms, and Sting feels his body fall sideways towards the platform instead of down. Rogue’s hand purposefully slips from his wrist, the Shadow Dragon Slayer pulling his feet out from shadow so the magic doesn’t push him all the way under. Beside them, Orga hits the ground with a loud “oof!”, and Rufus straightens himself back to full height.

The Memory Make Mage turns to Yukino, eyes narrowed and shoulders squared. “Why did you not mention your gravity magic from the start?” he snaps. “We need not run towards the center with that kind of power on our hands!”

Yukino’s face flushes with shame as she looks away from him, her hands shaking a bit. Sting feels a small pang of sympathy; she saved them, and received no thanks for doing so. The second that thought crosses Sting’s mind, he shoves it away again.

No one is ever thanked in Sabertooth. No one is ever kind. He turns away from her, not wanting to be the one to have to scold her for that oversight, to be the bearer of bad news about the harshness of reality. Beside him, Rogue smiles gratefully at Yukino. Sting doesn’t turn around to see if the girl returns the gesture.

The maze stops rotating after what seems like ages, and all of the Sabertooth mages breathe a sigh of relief. Wanting to waste no time, Rufus points towards the center the moment it stops. “Celestial Spirit! Direct our gravity towards the center of this contraption!”

Libra looks at Yukino for confirmation. “Does he speak your bidding?”

Yukino nods slowly, her fear and embarrassment having washed away now, replaced by a cold and unflinching expression. “Yes, Libra. For now, do as he says.”

Libra turns back to Rufus. “As you wish.” She moves her arms in a swirling motion, and a gravity field surges around the team. Everyone braces themselves, and then they plummet together down towards the center.

Sting shifts his stance in mid-air, Rogue moving alongside him. The two of them land fairly smoothly, save Rogue wobbling on his wounded leg. As the rest of the team hits the ground around them, Sting starts to survey their surroundings. The area of the maze they’re in now is a miniature, grassy piece of land dotted with buildings, ruins, and trees. A river runs through the ground, pouring down from a very artificial looking waterfall.

“I sense no one close around us,” Rufus says with a smirk. “We are currently in the lead.”

“If this is the right way…” Orga grumbles, cracking his neck.

Sting looks around and finds no clear indicator of where to go. All around them, the terrain and buildings look pretty much the same, with no patterns standing out. “Which way now?” Sting asks his team. “There doesn’t seem to be a specific path.”

“That is true,” Rufus sighs, examining the region around them as well. “I see nothing out of the ordinary.”

“It’s pretty weird that there’s a mini town inside of this damn maze, though.” Orga places his hands on his hips. “There’s even a fucking waterfall! How damn extra do these guys need to be?”

“Likely, the maze is different and intriguing to confuse us on purpose.” Rogue finally speaks up, trying to dust off his cape. He joins the others in scanning for clues, then sighs and lets his shoulders slump. “Unfortunately, I don’t smell anything out of the ordinary either.”

“Neither do I,” Sting takes a step closer to Rogue. “But maybe we could like...listen for something?”

“Listen?” Rogue frowns, raising an eyebrow at Sting from behind his bangs. “What is there to listen for?”

“I hear...water?” Sting says hopefully, only to have everyone give him a death glare. Sting groans and holds his head, “Look, I know there’s a river over there, but what I’m hearing seems bigger than just a little river. I swear I’m not fucking around, okay?!”

Rogue holds out a hand, “Silence, everyone.” He scrunches up his face in concentration and closes his eyes, listening intently. “Yes...yes, Sting’s right. There’s a bigger body of water up ahead somewhere.”

“Why’s that important?” Orga shoots the dragon slayers a sour look. “We’re acting like a bunch of cowards! We aren’t toddlers having playtime, we’re Sabertooth mages, and this is the Grand Magic Games! We can’t fuck this up!”

A chill floods through the group. There’s an underlying message in Orga’s words, more than just being determined to win. No, he’s reminding them all of their fate if they fail, how they’ll be diminished to crying children on their knees in front of a tyrant, a force too powerful and terrifying to be reckoned with, far too cruel to listen to their pleas of mercy.

Rogue, the first person to find the courage to speak up, begins to think aloud, “It’s possible they’re trying to use the water as a way to make travel more difficult. That would indeed make a challenge for mages without water magic, the ability to build bridges, or to cross in some other way.”

“Hmm...I appreciate that unique way of thinking, Rogue.” Rufus adjusts his hat on his head. “Perhaps you are right, and we must think the way the creators of this elaborate maze thought when they created this challenge.”

Before anyone else can comment, Sting starts to take off, his heart pounding. Now that the idea of failure has been implanted into his head, he feels a fire of dread planted inside of his heart, spurring him towards the finish, to victory. “Then let’s go!”

The others run after him, not willing to try and reason with Sting when he’s this resolute. Besides, at this point, Orga knows there’s no point in arguing. Everyone else agrees this is the path to take, after all. Whether that agreement was formed out of desperation and the fear of losing or formed because of deep thought and reasoning, nobody quite knows. But either way, they haveno other leads, so this isthe path they haveto follow...no matter if it leads them to a grim fate.

After running for what seems like hours, Team Sabertooth comes across a large body of water. In the center, a winding stone path snakes across the surface, leading them towards an unknown destination.

“Well...here goes nothing!” Sting cries, then barrels forward down the path before anyone can say a word. He hears his teammates swearing at him, crying out and questioning this course of action that directly contradicts their whole point in coming here. But Sting doesn’t care. That fire burns brighter in his stomach, the flames starting to grow so tall they’re licking inside his throat, heating his lungs, as if every breath he lets out he exhales smoke. If only that fire was for something good, like love, or friendship, or courage…

No. Instead it is fueled by fear clawing at his heart...the fear of having his fate sealed by a single mistake. No matter how fucked up, broken, and hellish Sabertooth is, it remains his only option. He would have no freedom outside those walls. No one would stand up for him, take him in. No, not him...not a cruel, murderous shell of a human. Not this...fictional being he has become, so absorbed into Jiemma’s world of darkness that he has become one of his demons. Sabertooth...his worst nightmare...but also his only hope.

Or perhaps...it isn’t.

His footsteps hit against the stone, the sound ringing in his ears. This is no time for intrusive thoughts, for considering that other, oddly tempting option...the idea that flicks and fades over time, but always comes back to him… The forbidden fruit…the sweet kiss of…

Death.

He could do it, right now. He could leap into the water and let himself sink. He could use his own magic to consume himself in painful, biting light. He could fall to the ground and refuse to move, and let himself fade away into nothing.

It would be so easy to die. He would finally be at peace, free from Jiemma’s iron grasp. There would be no failure and no success… Maybe this way, he could be free from the voices in his head, the crushing expectations of those around him, and his own self-loathing.

All he has to do...is give up.

“STING!"

The ringing in his ears stops, replaced by the crash of the waves against the stones, and the sound of Rogue’s labored breathing. He feels Rogue’s hand holding him by the back of his jacket, preventing him from moving any further.

“Sting...you need to stop for a moment. We need a moment to breathe...if this is the right way, we’re still winning. It’s okay. We can stop.”

“No-” Sting can hardly find his voice, the sound more of a shaky breath instead of a word.

Rogue takes Sting’s face in his hands, looking him dead in the eyes. “Sting. Breathe.”

Sting suddenly becomes aware of how damn quiet and tense the air is. Slowly he turns his head, Rogue’s hands falling back down to his sides. Rufus, Orga, and Yukino are staring at them, their gazes making Sting feel like he is burning. Rufus’ mouth, slightly open in shock. Orga’s eyebrows, lifted in confusion and surprise. Yukino’s eyes, swirling with some odd sort of sympathy.

Rage fills Sting’s chest, the fire that for a brief moment simmered down now rising back to full. He takes a step towards Rogue, his skin hot, his breathing quickening once again. “Don’t. Touch. Me.” Look what you’ve done, Rogue…! Now they’re not going to trust us. They could say something to Jiemma, and he could get the wrong idea...

Rogue’s glare pierces through Sting like ice, freezing the fire inside of him. “I will do what it takes to ensure victory, Sting Eucliffe.” He turns on his heel and starts to walk down the stone path again, his cape swishing behind him.

“...I have no idea what just happened,” Orga admits.

“It does not matter,” Rufus pushes past Sting. “We must move forward again.”

Sting watches as the team leaves him behind, walking towards their fate. He takes a deep breath, then finds the strength to move again. What was he thinking? If he left this world, if he gave into that voice in his mind...he would leave Rogue here alone, suffering in this eternal prison of nightmares. What’s to say people meet again in death, anyways? If Rogue followed him to the grave, there’s a chance all it would do is waste their lives.

Although, Sting thinks to himself, in a way our lives have already been wasted.

In front of him, the team skids to a halt. Sting looks up and notices that the sky here is clearly painted on. He’s able to see lines and clockwork amongst the clouds. He lowers his line of sight, expecting more of that strange sky, and finds instead complete and total relief.

Before them lies a wooden door encircled in rock, standing upon a platform of stone. In front of the door, the game’s mascot Mato waits to greet them, bouncing slightly in place. But perhaps the most pleasing sight of it all is the giant sign: bright green, light blue, red, orange letters placed upon a sparkling green and gold star.

Unable to help himself, Sting’s legs crumble under his own weight as he falls to his knees before the door that will lead him to salvation.

For today...he is safe.

[lemonsandstrawberries]

The Pitted Olive

fandom: Stony (Steve x Tony)

universe: Draq Queen!AU (Tony Stark as a drag queen)

summary: One of Steve’s favorite places in New York is a drag queen bar, where one day, he meets his queen.

length: 2 235 words

disclaimer: this fic is written strictly for entertainment. I am not a specialist on drag and my whole knowledge comes from mainstream media. if there is something you will find incorrect or offensive in any way, there is always an option to contact me and politely voice your thoughts instead of flaming. thanks!

a/n: the very first chapter! if you would like to read more of this fic, let me know, as this is still a work in progress. will have some references to Ru Paul’s Drag Race and the beginning is based on my very first contact with drag culture, which was a scene in Friends. hope you will enjoy the fic!

——————–

The Pitted Olive

(part 1, part 2, part 3)

It was a regular bar, with a regular bouncer standing outside, big, buffed and seemingly bored, and regular customers. From the outside, it didn't seem like anything special. A big sign with a neon and the name of the bar in a simple font embellished with a martini glass and an olive on a toothpick, flashing with purple, green and red did attract attention but wasn't anything special enough to attract the looking for adventures New Yorkers. Inside was inviting and warm, with round mahogany tables and comfortable chairs and a small lamp in the middle of every table. There were a bar and a stage with silver, glittery curtains, promising entertainment and a good time. It was a bar like many in New York. But late evenings, magic happened inside.

Steve's knee was bouncing in nervous excitement, not following the rhythm of the music seeping in the background, just pure nervousness dictating the rhythm. He had to be careful to not bash his leg on the underside of the table and cause the drinks to spill all over the red cloth. It wasn't his first visit to the bar. In fact, since the first time he stepped into The Olive, as regulars used to call it, he became a steady customer. A steady customer with a very good reason to keep coming back. A very good, embarrassing reason.

"Will you calm down?" Sam hissed, sitting at the other end of the table. The grip Steve had on an empty glass of Long Island Ice Tea was alarmingly tight and Sam began to worry that some accident involving shredded glass and blood might happen soon.

"Can't help it," Steve answered miserably, looking longingly at his wristwatch. Still, ten minutes remained. Why couldn't time go faster?

"Pathetic," Sam remarked, shaking his head at his friend's behavior. He knew Steve since forever and knew that the blond was usually better in control of his emotions. Just this place had such weird effect on him.

"Um, excuse me!" Steve called, stopping the walking past by waitress.

"Yes?"

"Is --- is she---"

The girl eyed Steve, nicely contoured lips curling into a smile. "Oh, honey, she is here. She is just getting ready for the show."

That calmed down Steve a little bit. The minutes before the show started were always killing him. "Thanks, Arrow," he answered, of course knowing the waitress' name. He knew all names of the employees of the Olive.

"Can I get you, boys, anything else?" Arrow asked, gently taking the empty glass from Steve's clutches and on putting it on the tray she was caring, a single strand of red hair slipping out of the green hood. Arrow's thing was fantasy looks. She rocked it in green cape going down to her nicely shaped butt, and a belt with big buckle was hugging her waist, bringing out the feminine shape of the body clad in a green leather suit.

"The same, please," Steve asked politely.

"And for you, sugar?"

Sam cleared his throat before answering, knocking his fist on the table. "Beer, please," he said, sounding an octave lower than usual.

Steve raised an eyebrow. He mouthed 'beer, really?' with an evilly happy smile and Sam clenched his teeth and gave a signal with his eyes to not push it. Despite being a regular like Steve was, Sam still had problems to order drinks with a straw and a small umbrella.

"Got some masculinity to prove there, pal?" Steve asked happily, just because he sometimes liked to tease his friend. Part of the being best friends deal.

"Steve," Sam warned.

"He will have the most vibrant and pink cocktail you have on the menu," Steve changed Sam's order, smiling gleefully at Arrow, who laughed in a voice deeper than she used to talk earlier.

"Hey," Arrow turned her blue eyes to Sam, deciding to jump on the torment Sam wagon. "Aren't you the one working at Mama's Little Bakery in downtown? The one with pink and frilly curtains in the windows?"

"HA!" Steve laughed, maybe a bit too loud, but the sound got lost in the already getting crowded room, and Sam's terrified look was just too priceless. Sam was someone Steve liked to call a closet baker, he could make the most amazing cakes, learning his whole life from his mom who was a master baker. It was obvious that one day he would take over the family business and continue to supply New York with delicious, homemade cupcakes and pastries.

"Beer, please," Sam repeated, his voice getting some squeakiness.

Arrow rolled her eyes and jutted her hip. "You're straight, I get it," she replied, walking away, her high heels clanking gently on the wooden floor.

"Damn straight, I am straight," Sam remarked in a low grumble, his eyes going to the bar area where Arrow was leaning and placing an order. "Straight as an uncooked spaghetti noodle…" he said, his voice losing its anger and getting a softer note that sounded a lot like longing when he watched a person behind the bar. Big, frilly dark hair, dark eye makeup, pink lips. She laughed hearing the order and started to prepare the drink for Steve first, moving smoothly and gracefully, the bright pink fur bolero and giant silver hoops in her ears, not constricting her movements in the slightest. Underneath the fur was a silver top with leopard print on spaghetti straps and knowing her, she had to wear small shorts and boots going way past her knees. Sam couldn't help but stare.

"You know, Sam, you could just go and talk to her," Steve advised gently, looking at his friend. "Under all that makeup, there is a regular person inside."

Sam turned his eyes away from the bartender and looked irritated at his friend.

"Really? You are the one to give me that kind of talk?" Sam asked, raising his eyebrows.

"I am just saying," Steve said, grinning a bit too broad, knowing that they were heading into a dangerous topic, and leaned closer, minimizing the distance between him and his friend, "the world changed, Sam. Masculinity and femininity are not that far apart anymore. And who would be better to talk about this than a drag queen?"

Did we mention earlier that The Pitted Olive was a drag queen bar?

Sam just frowned deeper and for a moment, Steve sensed the tension in the air. He almost backed away, knowing that it was better to give his friend plenty of time to process, when it was Sam who first loosened up and lowered his shoulders, seemingly accepting what he heard.

"You know what?" Sam started, no hostility in his voice. "I will go talk to Tootsie, if you go talk to your girl."

Steve blushed, hoping that it wasn't too obvious in the dim light of the bar. "That's different," he said weakly, fidgeting in his seat. It really was different.

"Well, under all that makeup there is a regular person inside," Sam smiled a bit too obvious when Steve sent him a dry look, "someone once told me that. Can't remember who. Sounds dumb anyway."

Steve laughed. Reverse psychology. How cute. The moment ended when Arrow walked over and placed their drinks on the table.

"Here you go, boys," she said, putting a fresh glass of Long Island Ice Tea in front of Steve and a mug of ale near Sam. Sam gagged a bit in panic, when in the white foam he saw a pink umbrella, standing tall and proud. At the reaction, Arrow smiled and walked away, not before winking at Steve.

"I think that's a sign," Steve hummed, sipping his drink with a satisfied smile. Sam tried to be discreet and looked in the bar area, but the girl was already occupied with serving more drinks. The show was almost starting and she had to serve everyone before, not to interrupt her sister.

"Ladies and gentleman, may I have your attention please!" came a voice from the intercom and the lights dimmed slowly, leaving a spotlight on the stage. Steve whipped around to face the stage and finally bashed his knee, but he couldn't care less about the pain, looking expectantly at the stage.

"Let's welcome the star of the evening, the sweetest and tastiest cake in town, Miss Red Velvet!"

Everyone started clapping to welcome the performer, but it was nothing in comparison to how rapidly Steve's heart started beating. Through the silver curtains showed a hand, and pushed the fabric open, letting it drape a bit over herself, and prolonging the moment. When the person walked out and to the middle of the stage accompanied by applause, Steve had to try hard to not stand up and start whistling.

She was stunning. Milky white skin, long dark silky hair flowing in a cascade down her shoulders and ending above a perfectly round rear. Steve knew that majority of the drag queens used pads to give their bodies more feminine shapes, but there was a rumor that Red Velvet wasn't one of them. She stood in the middle of the stage in a sparkly red gown hugging her hourglass figure and going down all the way to the floor, very probably hiding red heels underneath. A perfectly countered face and perfect dark eye make up showed nearly artistic skills. And those lips! Plump and red as cherries. Steve never saw Red Velvet in any other color than red, which was her trademark sign. She was absolutely gorgeous and Steve had been mesmerized since the first time he saw her on the stage.

"Hello everyone!" Red Velvet greeted the crown, smiling softly and charming. Her blue eyes scanned the crowd, which she could see perfectly thanks to the small lit lamps on every table. "I can see some new faces," she greeted the newcomers with positive energy, getting an overwhelming cheer in return as she waved and sent kisses. "And---" she continued, her eyes stopping on Steve's and Sam's table for two seconds longer than on everyone else, "--- some familiar faces."

Steve almost had a heart attack out of joy. The moment was magical, but before he could truly embrace it, Red Velvet took out the mic from the stand and began walking on the stage.

"I wrote a new song and would love to share it with you all," she said in her smooth, velvety voice, and Steve felt like melting. The crowd around him started to disappear and blend into the background. It was now only him and Red Velvet.

Red Velvet made some gesture with her hand and piano music started to seep, filling in the room and Steve's heart. Calming and soothing and sad. Red Velvet closed her eyes and started to sway her beautiful hips to the gentle music.

"This is the night I've been dreaming of forever. The mirror takes a look at my face. I'll never set foot in that rat hole again. But I'll drive to your place."

Steve watched and listened, adoring every word, every subtle gesture. The way light fell on her face and long eyelashes cast shadows on pale cheeks. Her voice was smooth and deep, but raspy on the edges, showing some masculinity. It was a beautiful mix. 

"This is a habit I'm breaking now forever, I'm weary from trying to shake it, so when I ask if you don't give me your hand I'll take it. Right now!"

Red Velvet opened her eyes and reached her hand forward. Steve wanted to take it, to hold it, to kiss it. To be there for her at every moment.

And then it hit him.

There was no her.

Red Velvet was a part of someone else. Someone else Steve didn't know and probably would never have an occasion to meet. Everything he ever imagined about Red Velvet might not be true.

"It's funny now when I don't show up on Monday, they'll go nuts, and eat their hats, well, what do you think of that?"

Steve bit his lip, his thoughts spiraling deeper and deeper. His dream woman would remain a dream. But… underneath all that makeup was a regular person. Oh, the irony. He had to listen to his own advice after all.

"He says, you're throwing life away, to move with a girl like me, he's not blind, he just don't have a mind to see…"

The song ended on a sad note and Steve was back again, together with the crowd and clapping with everyone else. His mind cooled down and he felt that he could think more rationally, yet when Red Velvet smiled gratefully at the audience, his heart did that weird flip-flop thing he heard about only from the movies.

His heart was telling him one thing, while his mind was telling him something entirely different. It was a struggle to separate the voices and try to tell dreams and reality apart.

But why try to break something that went together hand in hand? He just had to say it. For his own sanity. It was hard, but he had to, to quiet his heart and mind.

"I am going to meet with her, Sam," Steve said, his eyes not leaving the person on the stage. Time to meet his dream and face the reality. And saying that Sam's face became one of a pure shock, was an understatement.

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song lyrics - A Man Like Me from The Futurist by Robert Downey Jr, slightly altered

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next part --->

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tag list

(if you want to be tagged for updates in this series, send me an ask and I will add your username below)

@destiel-is-classic​

[silkhyung]

MESSAGE DELIVERED | pt.3

→ Pairing: Jungkook x Reader / Namjoon x Reader → Genre: fluff, smut, angst, humor → Words: 3,123 → Rated: NC-17 → Warnings: alcohol, language

→ Summary: A text message sent to the wrong number turns into a long lasting affair between two people completely opposite one another. 

→ Note: wOW 7 months later................. Just wow, I suck lmao. But here’s part 3, I hope it somehow lives up to your expectations (and that your expectations weren’t too high) and I am so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry for the HUGE, INEXCUSABLE delay!!!! Please enjoy anyway and thank you for reading! ♡ 

sidenote: this is even more late because of my hand situation and the fact our entire town had a blackout and i couldn’t charge my lap top lol. it’s currently 2am and i have to get up for work tomorrow and stuff so this is very unedited. just so you know!

Parts: 01 : interim : 02 : 03 : coming soon

cr.

Fiddling with your phone for a few seconds, you stare at the black screen before unlocking it and finding the text conversation you’ve spent too many minutes of your life smiling over.

As your professor goes on about the importance of choosing the right thesis for you upcoming essay, you keep thinking of JK and what he’s been up to lately. He’s seemed particularly busy.

━ 2:11pm Hope you’re having a nice Friday!

Or you’ve maybe just been particularly annoying?

With a slight frown, you lock your phone and throw it into your open bag, hoping its new location will make you pay attention to whatever Mr. Kim’s trying to teach you. You blush a little when you realize you’ve missed plenty and he’s just about to wrap things up.

“I expect magnificent essays in my inbox”, he smiles goofily before dismissing class with a corny quote about education by John Dewey.

Just as you’re about to gather your things and bolt out of there before Mr. Kim can grab you and question you on your essay’s progress, you hear your phone buzz inside your bag and despite your brain screaming at you not to, you can’t help but fish it out eagerly. It is only slightly embarrassing how your smile dies a little when you realize it’s not from JK.

━ Jung Hoseok 2:13pm Y/N!!! What u up to tonight????

━ 2:13pm What’s your offer?

━ Jung Hoseok 2:13pm Movie with me And Jeongyeon And Jackson

━ 2:14pm ?

━ Jung Hoseok 2:14pm …..and Namjoon

Sighing, you glare at the text messages, thinking about it even though you really shouldn’t. You do have an awful lot of writing to do. Several essays and papers and a quiz coming up first thing on Monday, not to mention the Goddamn mini fest to prepare for since you could literally lose your job if you don’t.

But movie night sounds very nice. Despite the fact Namjoon’s going to be there.

━ 2:14pm Not sure if I can make it……

━ Jung Hoseok 2:14pm Aw come on!!!! What’s more important than preggo gal gadot kicking some serious ass? I sound like jeongie don’t i?

━ 2:15pm lmao yes you do But still not sure tho I have a lot of work to do

━ Jung Hoseok 2:15pm COME ON Y/N Namjoon had a job interview today and he wanted a movie night He would LOVE IT IF YOU COULD COME SO WOULD I

━ Jung Hoseok 2:16pm I’ll bring my caramel popcorn.

Damn Jung Hoseok for knowing the way straight to your heart.

━ 2:16pm To the cinema?

━ Jung Hoseok 2:16pm I neglected to mention it’s at our place Wonder Woman around 6!

Wonder Woman and Hoseok’s famous caramel popcorn is always a hell yes. You're weak.

━ 2:16pm lol alright I’m game

━ Jung Hoseok 2:16pm I ♡ u more than I ♡ jeongie

━ 2:17pm Save it suck up

━ Jung Hoseok 2:17pm Meet me outside yoko’s at 4:30! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Snorting fondly, you lock your phone and begin gathering your things again, all the while trying not to think of the huge pile of work you’re setting yourself up to die because of when you finally decide to take care of it.

You’re just leaving campus when your phone buzzes in your pocket.

━ Jeongie 3:53pm Hoseok texted me but I can’t make it You going?

━ 3:53pm Why not? And yea i am

━ Jeongie 3:54pm Nothing important Don't break any hearts Nd Joon just had a job interview and he was really nervous about it so dont be rude to him

Frowning, you stare at her messages for a few seconds, wondering what the hell she means by that. ‘Don’t break any hearts’. As if that is something you go around doing on a daily basis just for the fun of it.

And why is everyone going on and on about Namjoon’s interview?

━ 3:54pm What’s that supposed to mean?? And I'm not rude I just don't like the guy Is that a crime all a sudden  

You see the little check mark indicating she’s read your messages, but when she doesn’t respond you squeeze the device in your palm before dropping it in your pocket. If anyone's being an asshole it's definitely her.

You feel your cheeks flush with annoyance, so you bury your face in your scarf, hoping no one will take too much notice of the burning cherry shade currently decorating your skin. Not that it should matter, but you always feel a little self-conscious when you don't wear enough makeup to cover something as trivial as blushing cheeks.

When you start to near the entrance to Yoko’s, it’s 4:28pm and you immediately spot a familiar figure leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, looking anything but happy to be there.

“I see you got the text, too”, is your semi-awkward way of making your presence known as you approach him. Saying hi wouldn’t feel right and not saying anything at all would be too rude. Even for you. Even when it involves Namjoon.

He looks up and gives you a nod in acknowledgement. “More like fifty-eight”, he huffs while stuffing his hands in the pockets of his jeans, giving your rosy cheeks a curious glance.

“Yep”, you agree, trying not to blush any more than you already have but his scrutinizing gaze is making it sort of hard. “Sounds like Hoseok.” To have something to talk about, you add; “So how’d your… thingy go?”

He looks very surprised and absolutely elated you knew of it and even thought to ask. “Really good. I think. Well, hope.”

Smiling hesitantly, you nod and kick at a rock aimlessly. “I’m sure you nailed it, Namjoon.”

While you awkwardly bury your face in your scarf again, Namjoon gives you a small smile and a look that is so hard to decipher you don’t even bother trying.

“What?” you ask instead, tilting your head to the side when his smile turns into a smug grin.

“Nothing”, he shakes his head, still looking very pleased with himself.

“You can’t look at me like that and not tell me why.”

He shrugs again, and you watch as the smug grin morphs into an unsure grimace before he sighs heavily and smiles hesitantly again, dimples on complete display, and you’re sort of just impressed with his face there for a second.

“It’s just…” He pauses for a beat or two before giving you a curious look. “How’d you know about it?”

“Hoseok told me”, you shrug, averting your gaze when you realize you’d begun to stare at him. The pebbles on the ground seem interesting enough. “He may have mentioned it when he practically forced me not to study tonight.”

You expect Namjoon to be irritated, or angry. Or maybe both. To say something about what a dumbass tattletale Hoseok can be when entrusted with secrets that are not his own to keep. Anything of that sort, really. But he doesn’t.

“You said my name”, he mumbles instead, cheeks as red as yours and you can’t tell if it is because of the cold winds or what he just said.

“Hm?”

“My name. You said it. Earlier.”

You feel your own cheeks warm when you realize what he’s getting at. “Yeah?” you ask and raise an eyebrow anyway.

“Yeah.” He takes a deep breath and you watch the vapor float around in front of his face.  “You've never actually said my name before. You've called me by my full name most of the time, or just Kim. Or my personal favorite, Kim Fucking Namjoon.” He eyes you wearily, like he’s afraid you’ll get angry. “Never only Namjoon.”

You feel the blush deepen inevitably. What an ass you’ve been. “Oh. I never realized.”

“Yeah, but I don't mind”, he smiles - dimples showing and all - and gives a little nod. “It was just… different. Took me by surprise, I guess.”

There is something you’ve come to realize recently and it’s that when Kim Namjoon smiles, it becomes very hard not to smile back at him. He has one of those dimpled little grins that make other people happy, and you’re its latest victim, it seems. Hesitantly, you offer him a small one back and when his only grows, yours inevitably does too and it’s so… weird.

Just a week ago his smile would make you gag, and now here you are, smiling back at him.

A strange silence falls between you as you stand there in the cold, smiling at one another like awkward lunatics, and you're just about to say something, anything to break the slightly uncomfortable spell when Jackson suddenly comes bumping into you, snaking an arm around your shoulders in a brief sort of half-hug before punching Namjoon’s arm lightly.

“So, what are we all gathered here for anyway?” he asks, eyeing the two of you suspiciously but does not comment on the weird tension in the air. “Couldn't we have just met up at your place like any normal group of people?”

“Probably to carpool or something”, Namjoon shrugs, finally tearing his eyes away from your face. “He’s been very into the whole environmental-”

He gets cut off when the sunshine himself bursts through the doors to Yoko’s, smiling gleefully when he spots the three of you waiting for him just like he asked you to.

“Hello, friends!” he grins, snaking an arm around your shoulders and hugging you close. “Let’s go. I can’t wait to get away from here.”

“I thought Jeongyeon was joining us?” Namjoon asks while the four of you begin walking towards the parking lot around the corner. “She got caught up or something?”

“Sort of”, Hoseok says, while fishing around in his pocket for his car keys.

“How can someone ‘sort of’ get caught up?” Jackson chuckles.

Hoseok lets go of you to continue rummaging through the pocket of his jacket until he finally reveals his key to the rest of you. “She’s just not… feeling it.”

“Oh”, you hear Namjoon mumble under his breath.

“Is she okay?” you ask, feeling a little offended she wouldn’t talk to you about whatever was bothering her.

“She didn’t want you to know about it because she knew you would make a big deal out of it, but she’s at the burger place right outside campus stalking that new burger chef-” Hoseok cuts himself off with a sigh. “No. Enough about Jeongie the traitor. She can take care of herself.” He gives you and Jackson a serious glare and holds up the key in front of your faces. “Who wants to drive?”

You want to object, to ask more questions about your best friend and the mysterious burger chef that has apparently stolen her heart, but you get distracted by the look of panic crossing Namjoon’s face at the mention of the reason for Jeongyeon’s absence.

The thought of him being into her crosses your mind briefly, but you dismiss it as quickly as it appeared. The thought of them together makes you feel… funny. In a way you don’t like, so you dismiss the whole thought and scenario altogether.

Why would you care if Kim Fucking Namjoon likes Jeongyeon? They’d be perfect for one another. Really.

“Ah, so that’s why we met up here”, Jackson nods, grabbing the keys from Hoseok and unlocks the vehicle since no one else would. “Your hate for driving during winter astounds me yet again, Jung Hoseok.”

“Shut up and get in, Wang”, Hoseok mutters, pushing him towards the driver’s side pointedly. “I call shotgun.”

Internally screaming at a certain close friend of yours, you silently slide into the back seat, followed by Namjoon who gives you a small, awkward smile when you’re both seated.

It is no surprise the drive mostly consists of Hoseok and Jackson bantering in the front seat, while you and Namjoon sit in eerily awkward silence in the back - him with his nose plastered to his phone as he fires away text messages like his life depends on it, and you silently watching out of the corner of your eye every now and then. He seems angry, which is something you’d thought Namjoon couldn’t get.

When a text message arrives in your phone with a violent buzz, all of your focus diverts to not smiling too big over the fact it’s from your stranger.

━ JK 4:43pm Do you happen to know how to best break up with a girl without hurting her feelings too bad?

With a slight snort, you begin typing, deciding against asking why he decided that question would be his greeting phrase.

━ 4:43pm Hello to you too lol Is this your way of very unsubtly breaking up with me?

Before you have the chance to second guess your message, it’s sent away and you begin to instantly panic. Was that too much? Too soon?

Too soon for what exactly? It’s not like you’re ever going to even begin thinking about-

━ JK 4:43pm As if that thought would ever even cross my mind Of course not

You can’t help but to smile like a fucking fool. Cautiously, you glance over at Namjoon who still seems too engrossed in his own phone to even pay you any attention.

━ 4:43pm Ok cool lol so what’s up?

━ JK 4:44pm A girl is being annoyingly flirty right now and she seems unable to take a damn hint I’m hiding in the bathroom right now ffs

━ 4:44pm And how is that a bad thing?

━ JK 4:44pm She’s anything but my type! An she’s apparently a friend of my friend lol Help me out pls

━ 4:44pm I’m starting to feel like you only use me for my help and advice…

━ JK 4:44pm No I happen to actually really like talking to u As you already know Getting ur help and advice is only a very nice side benefit

Your heart skips a beat or two in your chest but you completely ignore it, hiding your obnoxious smile with the back of your hand before you type back to him rapidly. You feel a little weird, a little bad for being this happy about him not wanting some random girl’s attention, but nothing about this seems rational or normal to you anyway.

━ 4:45pm Be straightforward and firm and let her know why if she asks

━ JK 4:45pm Why would she ask and what should I say if she does?

━ 4:46pm Idk isn’t that a normal thing to ask when someone tells you they don’t want u?

“Y/N”, Hoseok nearly yells, slapping your knee to get your attention. When you look up to meet his gaze, you find him scowling at you. “Did you manage to get drinks or not?”

Frowning, you answer while distractedly reading JK’s fast response.

“Uhm… Uh, no”, you mumble, typing a quick answer back.

━ JK 4:46pm Point taken So what do I say?

━ 4:46pm Don’t apologize Just say something about not having the time to date or something That’s at least what i would wanna hear

“Sorry.”

“Okay, who are you texting so much lately?” Hoseok asks, but you don’t even think to answer since JK’s familiar image pops up on your newly locked screen. “This is getting ridiculous.”

━ JK 4:46pm Oh that’s actually kinda true Thanks! brb

“Uh, no one”, you smile, locking your screen and hiding it away in your bag, out of reach. “Just school. And stuff with… Mark. Usually Jeongyeon, but she’s apparently busy right now.”

You’ve never been a particularly good liar, but the lies you spew somehow end up flying right past Hoseok as he simply accepts them and turns around with an uninterested shrug.

To your utmost discomfort, you’re not so lucky with Jackson, who eyes you suspiciously through the rearview mirror. Smiling tentatively, you decide to ignore the buzzing in your pocket for safety measures until you make it to Namjoon and Hoseok’s apartment and the movie has started.

It’s 6pm sharp when the four of you finally settle down in the couch, caramel popcorn made, drinks secured with help from Jackson’s roommate whose name is apparently Jaebum that also decided to join the party and your phone is fully charged.

When the intro starts playing, you sneakily fish the device out of your pocket and read over the messages JK sent you while you ignored him.

━ JK 4:49pm It worked lol she didn’t throw her drink in my face Thank you You seem to be a genius in more areas than just the beatles

━ JK 4:50pm This is me confessing you really impress me

━ JK 4:56pm So you help me and then disappear? Cool guess u only use me for your advice and help kink

━ JK 4:59pm that was a bad joke I’m bored pls come back

You hide your smile by sliding further down the couch, burying your face in the pillow you snatched before Hoseok could when you all fought over seats. Eyeing Namjoon who’s the only one you’re sharing the couch with, you relax when you see him too engrossed in the Amazons on the screen to care what you’re doing. Everyone else is on the floor,

━ 6:01pm Sorry lol Got a little preoccupied

You fiddle around with your phone for a few seconds, about to check your social medias when your phone buzzes with an arrived text. The smile is too hard to hide when you realize it’s JK and he’s more than eager to talk to you.

━ JK 6:02pm Welcome back lol Everything good?

━ 6:02pm Yeah ofc I just got distracted prepping for movie night

━ JK 6:03pm Oooh is it one of the good ones? Namely iron man?

Smilingly, you bite into your lip while replying, sinking further down your seat on the couch in the hopes it will hide your ridiculous expression.

━ 6:03pm Wonder woman actually

━ JK 6:03pm That’s a good one

He types for a few seconds after that, so you wait patiently for him to send another message, but when the dots still and stay still for longer than he wrote, you send him a reply just when he decided to send what he was writing earlier, followed by two more quick messages.

━  6:03pm I agree

━ JK 6:03pm But hey I’m real sorry but I g2g Another meeting lol Sort of

Your heart sinks a little, but you tell yourself you have no reason to be upset so you dismiss it completely. There is no reason for you to be sad he has to go.

━ 6:04pm Oh yeah no problem Good luck! Don’t punch people

━ JK 6:04pm Not if it’ll make you disappointed

━  6:04pm It will lol So don’t

━ JK 6:04pm Yes ma’am I really have to go tho Have a nice night Y/N!

An embarrassing blush creeps up your neck to your cheeks at the mention of your name, despite the fact it’s just written in a text and not spoken aloud.  

━ 6:04pm You too!!

━ JK 6:04pm Until we speak again

━  6:04pm Until we speak again

━ JK 6:05pm Not too far off in the future I hope :)

“One of these days I’m going to break you phone”, Hoseok mutters from where he sits on the floor in front of you, pinching your toe to show his annoyance.

You lightly nudge him in the back of the head with your foot. “Don’t worry. I’m completely focused on Gal Gadot now”, you say as you lock your phone and hide it somewhere beside you on the couch.

That’s another lie, though, because your mind keeps lingering on a certain JK even when Chris Pine makes an appearance and you try to hate yourself for it - you really do - but it’s getting harder with each buzz from your phone caused by him.  Maybe that’s the very worst part of it all.

next part

[wannawrite]

Steal My Girl

who?: Wanna One’s Kang Daniel, Ong Seongwoo genre: 🌺 type: bullet point blog navigator. • enemies to lovers AU • but you never get to love Daniel because ‘Seongwoo is one slick bih’ - Raelynn dedicated to my baby, Rae @lalisalsa , thank you for requesting this! this was an...interesting request to work on.💖 also, this is kind of crack just saying...and my Directioner ass set a 1D inspired title I’m sobbing. Also dedicated to Dain, @pinksausageduo , I binge read all of her enemies to lovers! to get inspired and understand this concept better, so thank you for fuelling me with your quality content. ILY💕

- Admin L

disclaimer: pictures do not belong to me and all credit goes to their original owners

• ‘MY NEW OTP!’ imessedupsorry

• ‘2 months and they’ll be together.’ • ‘I’ll say 5 months.’ • in reality, you had to drag a begrudging Daniel into the library while the hallways filled themselves with whispers • ‘uhh Daniel...where’s all your books and notes?’ • why did you even ask......of course, he’s never going to arrive to class with materials to work • his cheeky grin falls when you fish out your own history notebook and textbook, laying out all your writing materials including your art markers • ‘I just don’t understand,’ he huffs, crossing his arms. ‘I’m doing fine on my own. I don’t need to be tutored, I can do this.’ • you got a tip-off: if you offer Daniel jellies, he will oblige • ‘Do you want to attend today’s class?’ • ‘...no?’ • you smiled brightly, packing up your things. ‘Okay! See you tomorrow then, take care!’ • confused, he reached out and grabbed the sleeve of your uniform. ‘Seriously?’ • you nodded, not sarcastically before bidding him goodbye again and making your way off, scribbling down to bring jellies the next day • it shocked you when Daniel was the one to text you first about his tutoring classes, maybe it warmed your heart a little • so this continued on. You would meet him after school every Wednesday, Thursday and Monday. Occasionally, he would call you to meet at his place on weekends • sometimes he even texted you out of the blue and the conversations that carried on after that were certainly not about history • he was actually a sweet guy • you two greeted each other in school and sat together at times • on the day of finals, Daniel kissed your check and hugged you tight before entering the exam hall. ‘I’ll make sure you get that $15 a-and...I’ll make you proud.’ • BLUSH BLUSH BLUSHING •  your face was burning throughout the entire paper, it didn’t help that your seat was exactly opposite Daniel’s and you could view him so clearly • it was the smallest, most unnoticeable things that made your heart flutter. Like how he scrunched his nose when he came across a difficult question or when his lips pursed when he was concentrating hard • a whole man • you were pretty much on cloud nine when results were released because he ran out of the hall and right into your arms, thanking you repeatedly • unfortunately, all good things must come to an end • it was around Junior year? maybe, you can’t remember the details but you vividly recall the entire situation • there was some sort of dance coming up and you still had that stupid crush on Kang Daniel. Everyone hopes their crush would ask them to be their date • even wishing for that when it was time to cut your cake • I suppose...your wish came true? • two days before the dance and you prepared to show up alone when you found bouquet of red roses left on your desk • you had been banded into a different class for 2nd period science, explains why • on the small tag attached with gold yarn, ‘PROM?’ was scribbled in someone’s handwriting you would never forget • D a n i e l • INTERNALLY: MISSION ABORT MISSION ABORT HEART EXPLOSION IN 3...2.. • curious eyes peered at your gift as a hot blush filled your face, a dumb grin was pulled on your face the entire class • you stashed the bouquet under your desk and occasionally stroked the velvety petals • just after the bell had gone, Kang Daniel waltzed into the classroom accompanied by his best friend, Ong Seongwoo • his lips had been curled into a satisfied, almost cocky smirk, but when his gaze found yours and saw that the flowers were hidden under your table, a frown etched it’s way onto his face • meanwhile, you were there blushing, your hopes soaring high as he approached you. ‘Yes!’ you squeaked, standing up as soon as he reached your desk. ‘I’ll be your date to prom.’ • silence fell over the class before utter disbelief overcame Daniel. He ripped the flowers from your desk, horror overwhelming him. • he glared you in the eye, his heart turning into cold stone. ‘No, no, you won’t be.’ • turns out, the roses were for that popular girl in class who sat behind you and spent her science class jotting down how to break up with two people at the same time • you wouldn’t blame her, she was a bombshell in every aspect • ‘sarah, will you be my date to prom?’ Daniel asked suavely, now offering your bouquet to her and even getting down on one knee • your jaw fell to the floor and so did the rest of class’ as they finally comprehended the situation before them • sarah slowly stood up, examined Daniel’s gift and question before smiling sweetly and knocking the roses out of his grip. ‘Sorry, I don’t accept...used things. And..I already have a date.’ • her annoyingly sugary voice still rang through your head nowadays • Daniel was completely crestfallen, he tossed the roses into the corner of the classroom then stormed out • but not before exchanging a few words with you. • ‘T-this is all your fault,’ he spat, narrowing eyes unforgiving. • you knew right then and there that he was never worth your time, yet you couldn’t help but feel upset that you had lost a good friend • from then on, you ignored Daniel and never dared to go anywhere near him or his little bunch of clique members • at least Seongwoo wasn’t the world’s worst person • when Daniel tormented you, Seongwoo was there to comfort you • it wasn’t like y’all talked or texted but he was there to made sure you were all good before catching up with his clan • he even discouraged Daniel from poking fun at you • it wasn’t like you were too affected by Daniel’s annoying • but Seongwoo,,,gosh he made your heart beat faster and faster each time • now’s the time for the juicy stuff • for your final history project, your class was required to pair up with another class for group work • wow it must be Cupid or something because you ended up working in the same group as Seongwoo • however, when there’s an Ong Seongwoo, there’s a Kang Daniel • Wonderful • during class discussion, you paid no mind to Daniel, focusing your attention solely on the project • it was only during weekend discussion that Seongwoo and your classmate could not attend • and yours and Daniel’s share of the workload had suddenly been intertwined • ‘god no,’ Daniel had muttered under his breathe when your classmate suggested that the two of you meet up to discuss further about your half of the project • at that, you drop your pen, it lands with a silence piercing clatter on the table top • Everyone watches as you purse your lips and turn away from Daniel, maybe even shifting your chair a couple of inches further away • Daniel snickers and rolls his eyes but remains silent and gestures for your classmate to continue talking • after class, Seongwoo grabs your arm before you can make a mad dash for it • ‘don’t be like this,’ he says when it’s just the two of you left in the class. ‘It’s hurting you, I can tell but please don’t be hostile towards Niel, things will only get worse if you two fight.’ • You let out a frustrated sigh, glancing away • ‘hey,’ Seongwoo says softly, his right hand clasping your chin and turning your head to face him again. Your eyes meet and your breath jams in your throat. • that sounds violent oh no • ‘Look at me, okay? I’m doing this because I want to help. It isn’t healthy for both of you to be like this all the time. Calm down and...text me when you want to talk about it.’ • why can’t I just text you when I want to talk to YOU? • you manage a shaky breath, nodding. Deciding that just maybe, Seongwoo was right. He was a good friend after all, he wouldn’t do anything to harm either you or Daniel • you went home that day with a lot on your mind • and the next afternoon, you found yourself in the library, seated next to Kang Daniel, books and research papers lining the white table in front of you • originally, everyone had been present but your classmate, Semmi made an excuse to ‘buy lunch’ for everyone and Seongwoo had accompanied her to the mall • so far, all was civil. You even inquired about Daniel’s wellbeing and how his studies were fairing • laughing, he says, ‘Not the best. I suppose I could use a tutor again.’ • a tutor like me? • he stares at you long and hard for a couple of prolonged seconds. ‘Hey, maybe we can have study sessions again, like the old times. I’m...sorry for everything I put you through and we should try to get along for the sake of our studies.’ • heart: thUD THUD THUD ??? • boi what game you playing • ‘and of course, we need to take Semmi and Ong into consideration, our grade shouldn’t affect theirs.’ • was kang daniel actually apologising and offering to make up with you? How strange. Seongwoo must have really knocked some sense into him • jokingly, you agreed. There was no way he could be serious and this was just to make a joke out of you, you knew his tactics all to well by now • one thing you didn’t know was that Daniel was a huge fan of hugging you in the hallways or whenever he saw you • ....which led to everyone thinking that you two were dating • no • he was a lot sweeter to you and showed up to school with speckless decorum • Daniel also assisted you in your studies, offering his afternoons as study time with you • why was your heart racing so madly when you were with him? • then again, there was Seongwoo • Ong Seongwoo had appeared to have taken your heart with him too • he was always nice to you, and his affections never faded once. Though he never made his intentions clear • but uh I don’t think you can exactly classify someone as a friend after they walk you home, by you drinks all the time, kiss you on the cheek/forehead and offer to carry your school supplies • you laughed a lot more when you were with Seongwoo than when you hung out with Daniel • clearly, you had decisions to make • That time came sooner rather than later when Seongwoo popped the question, ‘Why aren’t we going out yet?’ • you were so STUNNED YOU DROPPED YOUR FORK - JIHOON’S EYES NEARLY POPPED OUT OF HIS SOCKETS • AND IT SLID RIGHT ACROSS TWO TABLES TO WHERE DANIEL AND MINHYUN WERE WALKING, CARRYING THEIR TRAYS TO YOUR TABLE • he paused • ‘I loaf you a lot y/n,’ he pointed to the baguette on your tray, ‘but you’re always with Daniel...and I don’t want to interfere and all...but I need to give this a try before I pasta way.’ • puns yes puns • like I said, Seongwoo made you laugh more, so maybe that was something to take into consideration • luckily, Daniel was still out of earshot when Seongwoo had boldly confessed his love • lunch carried on as if nothing had happened • you tried your best to brush off that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach • ‘give us a minute,’ Daniel instructed his friends, ushering them to go ahead. ‘It’ll only be a second.’ • he wanted to talk to you...alone • worry crossed Seongwoo’s face but regardless of his personal interests, he slipped away • Daniel took your hands in his, shocking you and your heart for the second time in a span of 20 minutes • ‘y/n, be my date to prom.’ • prom.... • dance with Daniel • or sip ciders with Seongwoo • you had to choose NOW • yet in your heart, you already knew the answer • one boy walked home with a broken yet delighted heart, glad that at least the person he adored was waltzing in the arms of his best friend • happy that at least, he still maintained a meaningful friendship you. He knew the truth and that was the most important part • the other suitor took an Uber home with you, heart racing and fighting down a red blush every time his gaze locked with yours • he was overjoyed, knowing that his efforts in pursuing you had paid off and finally, the two of you would make better memories as a couple • he was glad you accepted his admiration • Daniel chuckled when he saw Seongwoo’s new IG story, rejection never felt better when he had the knowledge that his best friend was over the moon, that his other friend was happy with the decision they made • - I’ll have a date this prom - • wow what is this whole thing even

[callunavulgari]

SCRAPBOOK 2017 - TAKE TWO

Scrapbook for the second half of 2017, because tumblr doesn’t like it when you have a million links on one post.

Italicized titles = enjoyed muchly, bold titles = love, titles with an asterisk* = OBSESSION and titles in (brackets) are re-watches/re-reads. And lastly, strikethough = DISLIKE.

Goals are: read thirty-five new books this year (yikes, way behind), finish four video games (definitely on track here), finish writing and publish the Sabriel AU (eh heh), and write something original (does coming up with the idea count?). 

MOVIES

June

Wonder Woman

(Doctor Strange)

Kiki’s Delivery Service

Bronson

Chocolat

Tristan and Isolde

(Moana)

Power Rangers

July

Spiderman: Homecoming

Mona Lisa Smile

Baby Driver

(Logan)

Ouija: Origins of Evil

(Star Wars: Rogue One)

Passengers

Atomic Blonde

King and I

Stranded

August

The Sixth Sense

(Armageddon)

Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children

9

(The Princess Diaries)

(X-Men: Apocalypse)

Legend

(Silent Hill)

BOOKS

June:

Authority | Jeff Vandermeer

July:

Authority | Jeff Vandermeer 

The Secret History | Donna Tarte

A Wrinkle In Time | Madeline L’Engle [Fin]

The Archived | Victoria Schwab [Fin]

Scythe | Neal Shusterman  [Fin]

Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo [Fin]

August

Siege and Storm | Leigh Bardugo [Fin]

Less | Andrew Sean Greer

Authority | Jeff Vandermeer

A Wind In The Door |  Madeline L’Engle [Fin]

PODCASTS

June:

The Bright Sessions Eps 31-32

Alice Isn’t Dead Eps 3-4

Welcome to Night Vale 1-3

July:

Alice Isn’t Dead Eps 4-5

EOS 10 Eps 1-3

August

N/A

TV SHOWS BY SEASON

June:

Grace and Frankie

American Gods

(Stranger Things)

How to Get Away With Murder s2

Black Sails s2

July:

Black Sails s2

Grace and Frankie

Stargate SG-1 s2, s3

Doctor Who s8

The Strain

Boku no Hero Academia 

August

Westworld

Voltron s3

Game of Thrones s7

The Strain

Yamishibai

Jerry Springer  (Vacation w/ boyfriend’s family. Brother and friends are awful.)

VIDEO GAMES

June:

LoZ: Breath of the Wild (Definitely more than 40 hrs; Fin)

Dishonored 2 (Corvo Playthrough, 7 hrs)

Witcher 3 (15 hrs?)

July:

Witcher 3 (15 hrs?)

(Final Fantasy XV, 2 hrs)

August

(Final Fantasy XV, 2 hrs)

DELIGHTFUL FIC

June:

Running on Air by eleventy7 (HP; Drarry; 75k;  Draco Malfoy has been missing for three years. Harry is assigned the cold case and finds himself slowly falling in love with the memories he collects.)

Slithering by astolat (HP; Drarry; 27k;  Draco found the nest down in the Manor’s cellars, while he was clearing them out.)

Bitter Honey, Green Night by Faith Wood (faithwood) (HP; Drarry; 14k;  An inn, an Auror, a criminal, a mystery.)

Hermione Granger's Hogwarts Crammer for Delinquents on the Run by waspabi (HP; Drarry; 93k;  'You're a wizard, Harry' is easier to hear from a half-giant when you're eleven, rather than from some kids on a tube platform when you're seventeen and late for work.)

Stately Homes of Wiltshire by waspabi (HP; Drarry; 57k; Malfoy Manor has mould, dry rot and an infestation of unusually historical poltergeists. Harry Potter is on the case.)

stranger things than polyamory by trepan (Stranger Things; Jonathon/Steve/Nancy; 3.5k;  Somebody spray-paints NANCY WHEELER HAS TWO BOYFRIENDS on a wall she walks by on her way back from school in May. There are a couple of other students watching her as she passes. Nancy gives the sign a long look, then smirks at them politely.)

the heart its own rough animal by trepan (Stranger Things; Jonathon/Nancy/Steve; 21k;  “Where���s her daemon,” says one of the boys urgently. “Guys, she doesn’t have one.”)

in the bone by patho (ghostsoldier) (Dishonored; Corvo/Outsider; 2.8k;  It all began when Corvo started kissing the Mark for luck.)

The Sea and Stars Are Yours, My Dear, But the Moon Would Not Cooperate by NeverwinterThistle (Dishonored; Corvo/Outsider; 25k; The Outsider explores the murky seas of human courtship while Corvo watches in bemusement, and in the background Emily draws, Callista takes charge, Piero sulks, and Cecelia accidentally becomes indispensable. There's also a plague, a vase of asparagus, and about a hundred singing whales who randomly showed up in the harbour one evening.The squid is still wriggling.)

apocrypha by aerynlallaboso (Dishonored; Corvo/Outsider; 95k+; WIP;  The Eighth year of the reign of Empress Emily Kaldwin, First of her Name, the second year without a whisper from the Outsider, is the year the Void chooses to mark the end of an era.)

a small soft death by patho (ghostsoldier) (Dishonored; Corvo/Outsider; 2.8k; “The finest steel,” the Outsider says, “is forged with true purpose in mind. Elements that enhance the strength of the weapon are carefully chosen, and those that make the metal brittle and weak are burned away. It is an exacting process. The most beautiful dagger will be of no use at all if the steel is not properly tempered. Do you understand?”)

in·car·nate by bygoneboy (Dishonored; Corvo/Outsider; 21k; The Void’s Chosen have loved him before.)

The Crown of the Summer Court by astolat (Merlin; Merlin/Arthur; 24k;  "The king sent me to get you," Merlin said, with a tone that implied strongly that he wasn't rolling his eyes where Arthur could see, but just wait until his back was turned. "He said you're to get changed into formal clothes and meet him in the Great Hall, there's a delegation coming from the Summer Court.")

the king of oak by saltpans (HP: FBAWTFT; Credance/Percival Graves; 38k; The first thing Percival Graves does after being released back into the world is buy a new wand.)

Hi, You Were My Husband in Another Life, Professor by littlebirdtold (Star Trek; Spirk; 48k; Um, hi. I'm Jim. Jim Kirk. You don't know me, but I know you. Well, sort of. It's a long story.)

  Bluebird by waldorph (Star Trek; Spirk; 7k; Jim whipped around so fast most of his drink ended up on Spock, who was reaching for the phaser that wasn’t there. The Enterprise crew was parting like the biblical seas before Moses, and Jim could feel the temperature dropping. “Mom,” Jim croaked.)

Misethere by astolat (Witcher 3; Geralt/Emhyr; 46k; Emhyr was looking at him for once, with a strange expression. “I have misjudged you,” he said, sounding irritated actually: how dare Geralt surprise him.“I get that a lot,” Geralt said.)

Blooded Crown by astolat (Witcher 3; Geralt/Emhyr; 24k; “You need not thank me,” Emhyr said. “I have an ulterior motive.”It annoyed Geralt to be surprised. He should’ve known from the start. “Yeah?” The words came out with a little bite. “Have another daughter you need me to track down?”“If I wished to hire you, I would hire you,” Emhyr said. “No: I want you to come to my bed.”)

Cursed by astolat (Witcher 3; Geralt/Emhyr; 8k;  Geralt was reasonably sure this was the worst damn day of the worst damn month of his life, and it hadn’t hit bottom yet.)

July:

The War of Silver and Ash by astolat (Witcher 3; Geralt/Emhyr; 15k; He hadn’t come here with a contract. He’d come here to get the faces out of his head: the bloodless dead sprawled in heaps through the streets of Beauclair, the morning after the rampage Detlaff had unleashed; the blank eyes of the boy in the orphanage tilting his head to let Orianna drink from his throat, with the lullaby she’d been singing him still hanging in the air.Wasn’t working that well so far.)

A Year In Toussaint by astolat (Witcher 3; Geralt/Emhyr; 30k; Geralt had no damn idea what to do with a vineyard when Anna Henrietta gave him Corvo Bianco, but he figured it couldn’t be that bad.)

circling by xpityx (Witcher 3; Geralt/Emhyr; 5k; Emhyr sighed, as if Geralt’s lack of immediate understanding was a fundamental failure of his character.)

Running Behind by Asidian (FFXV; Prompto/Noctis; WIP;  There's a tag hanging on his storage pod, instead of the clipboard that documents his progress. On that tag, there's a single word stamped in red: defective.)

Toys by astolat (Lucifer; Lucifer/Chloe; 2k; “You want to fuck me!” he said gleefully.)

Emblazoning by astolat (Merlin; OT4; 19k; Morgana turned away from the high, barred window and rubbed her arms, chilled and bare. Arthur was sitting in the dirty straw at the very limit of his chains, which kept him a few inches too far away to touch Merlin's limp body. Outside they were putting up the stake.)

Redemption Merry Go-Round by astolat (Lucifer; Lucifer/Dan/Chloe; 8k;  Dan was deeply sorry for whatever he’d done in his life that had landed him in this mess, and also reasonably sure that despite all the shit he’d pulled in the last couple of years, he still didn’t deserve this.)

wild peaches by notbecauseofvictories (The Labyrinth; Sarah/Goblin King; 3k;  The morning after Sarah Williams defeats the Goblin King, she gets up and makes toast.)

where the weeds take root by beenghosting (Supernatural; Destiel; 30k+;  “Are you happy? Y’know. Just—being here,” Dean says, gesturing to the yard with his beer bottle. “Being with—I mean, you used to fight in celestial wars and—and save the world. Now you’re growing vegetables and talking about chickens.”)

damnatio memoriae by temporalDecay (Witcher 3; Geralt/Emhyr; 12k;  “May I walk the estate?” Emhyr repeated, and his nose crinkled in that familiar twitch of displeasure that Geralt had always secretly delighted in causing, despite how downright suicidal it was to invoke it on purpose. “I'm not going to run away,” he added, with a slight glare. “I'm merely bored.”)

Heart and Home by lc2l (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 97k; In an alternate Paris, werewolves occupy the majority of the ruling classes, making and adjusting policy to suit their interests. The punishments for a human attacking a werewolf can be brutal, unless they have the protection of a wolf pack.How this translates to 'claim Grantaire as your mate to get him out of prison' is something Enjolras is still trying to get his head around, but he's never been one to give up on a cause even when it's sleeping on his sofa.)

August

How the Future's Done by barricadeur (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 12k;  "Grantaire," he says slowly. "What do you have in that box?")

vocal ink by sarahyyy (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 3k; “Officially, we don’t have a leader, everyone here is equal,” Courfeyrac says, keeping his voice low as Enjolras starts his speech, “but if we did, and we don’t, it would be Enjolras.” He looks over to Marius. “Do not approach him. Let him come to you, let him be the first to initiate conversation, and for the love of God, do not mention soulmates.”)

Years Since It's Been Clear by lady_ragnell (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 10k;  Grantaire really doesn't expect Enjolras to force him to move in with him when he hears how shitty Grantaire's apartment is. And he definitely doesn't expect Enjolras to want him to stay, or how easy it turns out to be, or the way Enjolras has a habit of doing his studying in the sunshine on the living room floor ...)

Tolerable (Inuyasha; Sesshomaru&Miroku; 30k; “The scent is not entirely unpleasant.”)

Silence Is the Speech of Love by lady_ragnell (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 50k; Grantaire's life has a pattern: he pays his respects to Aphrodite, he goes to work, he loves Enjolras and provokes him because he can't bring himself to do otherwise.)

The Five Year Plan by Neery (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 16k;  Enjolras loses his memory. Thankfully, nothing unexpected seems to have happened to him in the five years he can't remember. Well, except for the boyfriend. The boyfriend's kind of a surprise.)

dance this silence down (the emergency room remix) by Fahye (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 54k;  He's sitting in a car with all of his belongings in the back seat and his hands wrapped around the steering wheel, admitting to himself that a stupid, dizzy firework of a one-night-stand with a man he'd barely known is one of the only bright memories he has right now.)

World Ain't Ready by idiopathicsmile (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 185k; Enjolras presses his lips together. He already looks pained, and Grantaire hasn't even opened his mouth yet. That's got to be a record, even for them."I need a favor," he says at last)**

  The Ghost of You by luchia (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 25k; Grantaire moves into an apartment inhabited by a poltergeist. Enjolras haunts him, and Grantaire should really win an award for most complicated relationship status ever.)

box of secrets by nightswatch (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 53k;  Grantaire leaves his doodles all over the place. Enjolras collects them without knowing who drew them.)

Yes, Sir by mikkimouse (Voltron; Sheith; 8k; "Are you all ready to get started?""Yes, sir!" twenty voices answered in unison.Shiro's stomach flipped at the words. Oh, no.The soulmark on his right wrist burned, confirmation that his soulmate was one of the twenty people who'd just uttered the phrase.)

despite what you've been told by caseyvalhalla (Yuri On Ice; Yuuri/Viktor; 14k; When Victor falls, he goes down hard.)

these things take time by sonhoedesrazao (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 63k;  He’s always wary of making assumptions; even more so when Grantaire is concerned. He knows he’s not the easiest person to deal with. People either like him or can’t stand him, and it’s easy to respond to those reactions, but Grantaire—Grantaire is hostile and mocking, Grantaire scorns his beliefs, and Grantaire stays.)

In the End We Have Each Other by samyazaz (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 50k; what startles Enjolras the most is that he manages approximately half a step through the door into the back room where they all meet before Grantaire rattles his glass down on the table in the back that he's taken for his own and drawls, "Is there something you forgot to tell us, Apollo?"That silences the room, predictably enough. Everyone breaks off their conversations and swivels to stare at him. At him, and at the baby carrier that he's got hooked over one arm.)

True Colors by lady_ragnell (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 4k;  The first thing that catches Enjolras's eye when he enters the Musain Cafe for the first time is the walls. They're a dull black that it takes him a moment to realize must be chalkboard paint, because near the tables there are words and doodles, and all over, even the erased sections are stained with faint colored marks like the walls have soulmarks.)

Hit Me With Your Best Shot by tellthemstories (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantaire; 10k; Fourteen times Grantaire tried to kill Enjolras.And one time he fell in love.)

RSVP (+1) by tellthemstories (Les Mis; Enjolras/Grantire; 21k;  When Enjolras is invited to Marius and Cosette’s wedding, he fully intends to ignore the ‘plus one’ on the invite. He’s busy at work and he has a lot on - he doesn’t have time for relationships. What he doesn’t expect is for Grantaire to invite himself along and then hit it off immediately with all of his friends.)

always there to remind you by estora, taywen (Dishonored; Corvo/Daud; 8k;  Later, after he had killed a number of people for coin, but before he killed so many that he lost count, Daud was glad he had no mark. No soulmate deserved to have his words marked on their skin.)

( Watercast by Fishwrites (Voltron; Lance/Keith; 96k; WIP;  Shiro has been a Galra prisoner for over a year; with his flight feathers clipped and unable to fly. Desperate to escape, he jumps overboard while being transported to the capitol on a Galran ship. Lance is a merman who saves him from drowning. Keith thinks Shiro is about to become mermaid dinner. Hunk just wants Lance to stop going to the surface all the time, dammit!))

DELIGHTFUL FANVIDS

June:

Multifandom || Tessellate (TYS: round2)

Multifandom || Bleeding out (collab w/ KatrinDepp)

Multifandom || Is this Real?

Multifandom || Insane Like Me (TYS: round1)

Multifandom │ Warriors

July:

the beast of america | percival graves

Get You Killed || Percival Graves

Percival Graves - Hit & Run

► Graves (+Credence) | Are You Insane Like Me?

Credence Barebone/Percival Graves || And I wanna fight, But I can't contend

[FIREFLY] - She always did love to dance

[Multifandom] - Dance with me

The Last of Us || Can't Pretend

The Walking Dead || Bottom of the River

Multifandom || Do Not Go Gentle Into That Goodnight

Doctor Who (Logan Style)

Spider-Man (Peter Parker) // Everybody Loves Me

Iron Man (Tony Stark) // Gold

In The Flesh | we're gonna die, die, die

In The Flesh || We're Alone Now

Fantastic Beasts || Step into the light

Stranger Things|| Knocking On Heaven's Door

Jonathan & Nancy|| Tighten Up

Multifandom|| Stuck.Broken.Dead.

[Multifandom] - One Word

Marvel | Human

percival graves | can't hold us

August

Hela // Castle

grantaire & enjolras - help me kill the president

Game of Thrones || Blood of My Blood (for 60k)

(GoT) House Stark | The North Remembers

(GoT) Jaime Lannister | Oathbreaker

Jonathan Byers || I'm not like everybody else

Uptown Funk || Marvel Universe

MARVEL || Can't hold us

GLITTER & GOLD || Multifandom [HNY●2017]

I'M SO SORRY | Marvel Cinematic Universe

David Haller [Legion] | Dysfunctional

(Legion) It's Better When it Feels Wrong

unless you make it real [Legion]

not today [yuri on ice]

Haikyuu!! || not today

Multifandom | Tame Your Demons (w/SnowLightxx)

Six Of Crows - Trouble

marvel || battle royale

(GoT) Jon Snow | The Targaryen Wolf

Arya Stark // See What I've Become

(GoT) Jon Snow || The Wolf With Dragon's Blood

MARVEL/DC || BORN ready 

DELIGHTFUL MUSIC

June:

Johnny Hollow - Boogeyman

Sia - To Be Human feat. Labrinth

Lorde - Green Light

The National - "Don't Swallow the Cap"

The Growlers - "I'll Be Around"

The xx - I Dare You

Phantogram - Fall In Love

alt J - In Cold Blood

And I Waited All Night For You To Come, But You Never Did

Sia - The Greatest

Hopeless Fountain Kingdom - Halsey (Album)

History - Monakr

Wildcat! Wildcat! - Relentless (feat. Wynne)

Ingrid Michaelson - In the Sea

Cities in Dust Lyrics- The Everlove

Prides - Messiah

ODESZA - It's Only (feat. Zyra)

Metric - Breathing Underwater

Purity Ring - Sea Castle

Hundreds - Fighter

Labyrinth Ear - Urchin

Rasputina - Dig Ophelia

Sóley - Fight Them Soft

Soap&Skin - Boat Turns Toward The Port

CocoRosie - R.I.P. Burn Face

AURORA - Nature Boy

July:

Hamilton Soundtrack

Karen O - I Shall Rise

Miracle of Sound - Lady of Worlds 

Annie Lennox - I Put A Spell On You

Woodkid - IRON (Sara cover)

Peronal Yeezus By Chambaland (Atomic Blonde Trailer Music)

Kesha - Praying

twenty one pilots: Screen

Lemaitre - Higher

Regina Spektor-Blue Lips

Zaz - Les Passants

Katie Costello - Stranger

Arctic Monkeys - Knee Socks

Silversun Pickups - The Pit

If I Apologized - Mirrormask 

August

Les Mis - One Day More

Les Mis - Red and Black

Les Mis - Do You Hear the People Sing

Les Mis - Epilogue

Sleeping At Last - Mars

Hozier - Take Me To Church

Lynrd Skynrd - Freebird

You - Keaton Henson

Radical Face - All Is Well (It’s Only Blood)

Valerie Broussard - Trouble

Erutan - The Willow Maid

Imagine Dragons - Gold

Imagine Dragons - Thunder

Which Witch - Florence & the Machine

Paint It, Black - Ramin Djawadi

Honor For All - Dishonored

Daniel Licht - The Return

Patrick Wolf - Teignmouth 

Ballet Breakup - RvB

WRITTEN FIC

June:

it's warm, this skin i'm living in (SGA; Rodney/John; 1,170 words; When he is thirty-seven years old, John Sheppard thinks about the universe.

it's good to be in love, it really does suit you (KH; Sora/Riku/Kairi; 1,694 words; “We’ve done dangerous before.” Sora shrugs. “Getting a mortgage was dangerous, but we did it anyway.”)

a hazy shade of winter (Stranger Things; Steve/Nancy/Jonathan; 1,863 words; In November, they build a tree house.)

July:

can't deny your appetite (SGA; Rodney/John; 4,031 words; John finds out that there’s a vampire in Atlantis the day after they’ve stepped through the gate.He finds out that the vampire in question is Rodney McKay four weeks later, when they’re all hunkered down in the yawning shadow of some crumbling ruins and Rodney looks at him, his eyes eerily bright in the darkness, sees the blood on John’s face, and says, “Oh.”)

August

caught off guard by you (FFXV; Prompto/Noctis; 1,671 words;  “I just got you back,” Prompto says quietly, words muffled into the curve of Noctis’s neck.)

take me to church (Teen Wolf; Sterek; 3,129 words;  Derek scoffs. “You want to take me back to Quantico.”)

FANMIXES/GRAPHICS

June:

N/A

July:

the salt water sting:  wor·ship | noun | the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.

The Flash | Fire Fire [Vid]

August

love has no heart: A mix for those with no hearts.

i believe in you: You love him. The story still ends.

January.

February.

March.

April.

May.

June.

July.

August.

[wearehurricanes]

satellite hearts || young justice

Synopsis: Movie night at Mount Justice. Or, Wally forgets Valentine’s Day.

Word count: 1006 words

Written for @sroloc--elbisivni as part of the @yjficexchange Valentine’s Day event! Part of your prompt was team movie night so I ran with that, but with more emphasis on Wally/Artemis than the team. Hope you like it anyway :) Happy Valentine’s Day!

Read on AO3

“What are we watching?”

“The Breakfast Club.”

“Hey, that’s Artemis’ favourite movie!”

“I have not seen this particular movie, although I understand it is regarded as a classic in its genre.”

“Ooh, I’ve heard of it too; I’ve always wanted to watch it! What’s it about?” M’gann piped up from the kitchen.

“A 1985 movie in which a group of high school kids get detention and become unlikely friends.”

Everyone turned to face Connor, who looked back at them impassively.

“Huh.” Wally intoned, impressed.

“Where is Artemis?” M’gann asked; she was levitating a fresh batch of - heart-shaped? - cookies out of the oven, briefly glancing between the other four members of the team arranged in various positions throughout the living room. Movie night had been Robin’s idea. They were recovering from a particularly taxing mission regarding the Riddler - who’d escaped from Belle Reve again - and  - except for Wally and Connor - they were all nursing their respective scrapes and bruises.

“She just finished class. Some extra credit thing, I don’t know. She’ll be here soon.” Wally shrugged, a leg dangling off the back of the sofa. Dick nudged his side cheekily, which earned him a half-hearted smack and a dark look. He did know, of course. The truth was, after they’d kissed on New Year’s, he wasn't quite sure what to make of their relationship, if there was one at all. If there was, it was weird. They’d only kissed that one time, and after that, they’d never spoken of it again. Sure, she would text him out of the blue sometimes - which would often turn into conversations that lasted an entire day - and yeah, every time his phone vibrated it made his stomach flip, but a Hey. Morning. does not a relationship make.

He zipped into the kitchen and peered over M’gann’s shoulder at the cookies she was icing - pink with red and white swirls. “Hey, M’gann, not that I’m not loving the whole ‘love’ vibe you’ve got going on over here, but what’s the occasion?”

“It’s Valentine’s Day, Wally! Didn’t you know that?” She smirked. “You forgot didn't you?”

He smacked a hand to his forehead. “Today’s the 14th?” Rob’s back was towards them, but Wally heard him snickering nonetheless.

“What’s going on?” Connor asked, tearing his eyes away from the blank television screen.

“Wally forgot V-Day.” Robin said gleefully. Kaldur sent him a smile he could only read as sympathetic. Wally whimpered helplessly.

Ten minutes later, the zeta tube announced Artemis’ arrival and she strolled into the living room, a gigantic bag of potato chips under her arm. She wore jeans and a loose t-shirt. Her hair was damp; she must have just taken a shower. Everyone exchanged greetings and she proceeded to dump the bag on the coffee table and plop down next to Wally on the couch.

“Hey.” It was so brief and uncharacteristically tender, and said so quietly he wasn't sure if he was even meant to hear it, but it felt like she had just trusted him with a precious jewel - he cradled it gently in his palms.

“Hey.” He whispered back, smiling a little despite himself.

Kaldur played the movie and they all settled in. As the opening scene started he swore he heard Artemis inhale a little louder than usual, and a warm feeling unfurled in his chest. She didn't lean on him, but they sat close, and he didn't even shift his position when her hair dripped on his shirt, creating a wet patch at his elbow.

Connor and M’gann sat curled up together on the side sofa, and Wally sat in between Artemis and Kaldur, while Robin sprawled out on the floor at their feet. Kaldur reached out for the remote to start the movie.

As the movie progressed, he could barely stifle his grin as Artemis grew more and more restless beside him. Suddenly, just as the kids on the screen were released from their detention, she stood up abruptly and grabbed his arm, hauling him to the kitchen while the rest of the group shushed them - well, Wally, anyway - and darted their heads around their bodies.

She pulled him to the kitchen - all the lights had been turned off, so the light from the huge television screen haloed Artemis’ blonde hair.

“I - ” She stumbled over her words, seemingly unsure as to what she was going to ask. He waited patiently for her to collect her thoughts, stuffing his hands into his pockets so he wouldn't fidget. Her gaze was trained on a spot over his shoulder, and for a odd second, he was reminded of how sunlight made some things go see-through.

“Do you want to go out tonight?” She asked, her voice overlaid with the muffled dialogue from the movie.

He blinked at her. “What, why?” That was the exact wrong thing to say.

Artemis’ brow furrowed, a sure sign she was irritated. “What do you mean, why? Don’t you know what day today is?”

“It’s…Monday? What are you talking about?”

“You - it - guh! Idiot!” Her frustration made her incoherent, and she threw her hands up in the air before crossing them tightly at her solar plexus. She leaned against the kitchen island and glared at a spot on the floor. He couldn't help noticing that she had fading bruises on her forearm - it looked like spilt iodine.

Wally glanced over Artemis’ shoulder at the rest of their friends who were transfixed watching Claire and John flirt outside the school. He stepped forward, until he stood as close as he could, her crossed arms pressing into his stomach. She smelled like cinnamon, and the popcorn they’d been eating. He felt her breath warm the underside of his jaw, and she stared forward resolutely, her eyes refusing to meet his. His hand found her hip.

“Hey, Artemis?”

“What.” The word escaped softer than she had intended. Behind her, the characters on screen kissed.

“Happy Valentine’s Day.” He smiled and dipped his head down to meet her lips with his.