#and is now *my* problem‚ unless i'm happy to let this guy keep viewing all my mail. which i'm not.

[aeide-thea]

lol just found out the former owner of this property has been surveilling all our mail via usps's informed delivery service, to which he still has access because he never bothered to file a change of address with them even though it's been literal years at this point, and so now i get to put 'calling the post office to get him kicked off because what the actual fuck' on my to-do list for the day!

also: i found this out because he emailed my dad an image of a piece of mail he wants us (me) to forward to him. flames on the side of my face.

[greynatomy]

probably gonna be the only selena fic i’m gonna write unless y’all have some requests/ ideas for others

wanted to write about the drama cause why not.

(i’m team selena btw. marrying your stalker is just crazy)

if you like this one, check out my other fics!

-grey

———

liked by selenafan1, haileyfan1, and 1,776 others

pagesix Just when the world thought #HaileyBieber and #SelenaGomez had waved the white flag, the pair became embroiled in another internet feud. The former #DisneyChannel star and the #RhodeSkin founder have long been pitted against each other, having both been romantically involved with #JustinBieber. 😬 A complete timeline of their ongoing drama is at the link in bio.

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selenafan2 imagine fighting over a man that wears crocs to dinner

haileyfan2 selena needs to move on…

↳ haileyfan2 and so do her fans…

↳ selenafan3 it’s not selena or her fans that’s the problem

↳ haileyfan2 she lets her fans cyber bully hailey. and she adds fuel to the fire by acting offended/hurt by her fan’s wild speculation on everything hailey

↳ selenafan4 selena has spoken out about hate plenty of times. it’s hailey adding fuel to the fire and justing for not putting it out for defending his WIFE

liked by selenafan1, haileyfan1 and 4,123 others

glamourmag “I'm too old for this.”

It all started with an Instagram story, and things quickly took a turn. Read why there's drama speculation between #SelenaGomez, #HaileyBieber, and #KylieJenner, and why Selena

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selenafan2 team selena. all day.

randomperson justin needs to speak out cause all he doing is a whole lot of nothing in defending his wife. he shows off more of his selena tattoo than his wife

haileyfan2 haileys not doing anything. y’all are reaching

↳ selenafan3 lmao ya after making all the drama herself

↳ selenafan4 this is all so crazy. justin fr married his stalker

liked by selenfan1, selenafan2 and 5,485 others

selenaupdates selena went on tiktok live to chat and at the end she said to keep a lookout on a new rare beauty video with a surprise at the end

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selenafan1 ohmygod. i cant wait for the new vid!

selenafan2 i wonder what the surprise is

↳ selenafan3 she’s dating someone. i’m calling it now

↳ selenafan4 IMAGINE

selenafan3 i wonder what the surprise is

liked by selenafan1, selenafan2 and 6,937 others

selenaupdates DID YOU GUYS SEE HER NEW VIDEO!! THAT WAS ONE HELL OF A SURPRISE

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selenafan1 “i have a hot date with some ramen noodles and a good movie.” relatable

↳ selenafan2 don’t forget the man and a child that came on “hey! don’t forget about us!”

↳ selenafan3 we all heard the little girl say mama right? that’s not just me?

↳ selenafan4 oh it’s not just you IM FREAKIBG OUT

selenafan5 selena just chose today to soft launch her FAMIKY A WHOLE ASS FAMILY

↳ selenafan6 SHES A MILF

liked by taylorswift, chrisevans and 10,374,729 others

selenagomez happy anniversary @ yourinstagram! being with you for five years, married for now three has been my greatest adventure. thank you for being the best husband to me and father to our little angel. I cannot thank you enough for sticking by this tough journey. here’s to many more anniversaries and hopefully more children!

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taylorswift happy anniversary! auntie tay needs some goddaughter snuggles from munchkin soon!

↳ selenagomez you know you can come over anytime

↳ yourinstagram you can come pick her up rn. sel and i need some mommy and daddy time

↳ selenafan2 OMG SO CUTE MOMMY AND DADDY

↳ selenafab7 HES SO HOT MILF DILF

chrisevans she needs some time with her godfather too! @ taylorswift @ selenagomez @ yourinstagram

↳ yourinstagram you got next time man!

↳ chrisevansfan1 CHRIS IS A GODFATHER

selenafan3 this better shut jb’s wife down. selena is married with a child. she ain’t gonna steal your man. she got a whole better looking upgrade.

few days later

liked by selenafan3, selenafan6 and 8,494 others

selenaupdates selena went live to answer questions about her relationship, said even though she revealed her family, she would love to still keep them private

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selenafan1 “we met at a party. i think it was the met gala after party in 2018. is that right hun?” she looked so in love talking about her husband. HUSBAND still can’t believe it

selenafan5 “he proposed at our one year anniversary and we got married five months later. when you know, you know. why wait?” she said no to justin and said yes to yn without hesitation. miss girl finally knows what real love is. thank you yn

selenafan8 “i chose taylor as godmother for obvious reasons. she’s my best friend. no one else i would’ve picked. yn chose chris cause they’re best friends. they met working for marvel. chris being captain america and yn being head of film in all of marvel.”

↳ selenafan9 we love a successful and humble family

↳ selenafan2 hailey been real quiet. she gon announce she has a secret baby too

[puff-mmd]

musings

"If I keep trying, I know I'll find that person that makes me happy; who I can make happy. I just have to keep trying."

"You hold on to such a stupid dream - who in their right mind believes in true love and mutual happiness? It' easier to just give up and take what's given to you."

"Says the guy who's never settled on a photography job if you didn't really want to do it."

"Photography and love are a little different."

"Not really - you feel love for what you capture, don't you?"

"Yes but..."

"Then you can try to understand me. Unless, the problem is that you don't want to."

"..."

"Whatever..."

--

Yakumo sat in silence, editing his latest batch of photos for a project. Usually he listened to music or some kind of audiobook, but tonight he chose silence. Not that it was a good idea at the moment - his mind kept drifting from the photos back to what he'd learned a few days ago at that job.

He had been commissioned to take photos of an event - it was a celebration of someone's anniversary, and of all the people to have been there, he was there.

Those bright blue eyes and genuine amile directed at someone else.

'The person you were looking for, right?'

He sighed, the memory of that brief interaction causing his chest to tighten.

"You two are, dating? Really?"

"Yeah."

The blonde stepped in front of his boyfriend, slightly blocking Yakumo's view of the man behind him.

"Don't you dare try anything. Your smooth talking won't work on him."

"Oh, I'm sure not now. But it did for a while, didn't it,

Kaisei?"

He slumped over the desk, placing his forehead against his arms. He knew if he lay there long enough, the sleeves would surely imprint on his face, but he didn't care.

It wasn't like there would be anyone but him seeing it.

It wasn't like there'd be anyone to point at his forehead and laugh at the lines.

It wasn't like there'd be anyone to lightly trace those red lines, saying he sure looked like an old man now with all those wrinkles.

He sat up slightly, and despite knowing full well it would only make him feel worse, he reached down and opened one of the desk drawers. The one where he kept his personal photos - the photos that he would never admit to anyone meant anything to him. Picking up the stack, he thumbed through until he found the pictures he was looking for.

Those same bright eyes and handsome smile, the memory that he once was the subject of that sweet gaze.

And yet, he pushed him away.

In his fear of losing something important to him, his actions only served to make that fear a reality.

"Everything changes, sometimes for better - like leaving that fucked up house with those fucked up parents, or signing on with the photographer's guild. Sometimes for the worse - a true friend moving away, hospital visits that get blamed on you with no sympathy from others, changing schools to find even fewer people who can stand being around your gloomy ass."

As he looked at the photos, sitting in the darkness only illuminated by the blue light of his computer screen, Yakumo felt that tightness in his chest begin to burn up into his throat, causing tears to well in his dark eyes.

"You were my only constant for so long, and the best thing that ever happened to me. I only realized all of that far too late."

He put the photo to his forehead, and closed his eyes.

For the first time in a long time, he let himself indluge in crying over someone else.

"I'm sorry."

Through the tears, he felt anger, regret; boiling up inside of him. He slammed the photos on the desk, causing the computer screen light to shake from the force. A few expletives fell from his mouth as he went over to his bedside table, grabbing the lighter and pack of cigarettes.

As he attempted to light the cigarette that he brought to his lips, he realized his eyes were still blurry from the tears, his hands still trembling from how hard he'd hit the desk.

Another curse, damning everything, and he threw the lighter on the bedwhile tearing the cigarette from his mouth.

His tired, stinging eyes blazed at the balcony beyond the dark curtains across his room. He strode across, pulled the curtains back, and stomped out into the night air.

He could hear the sounds of the city not far below and tried to block out his thoughts - only focusing on the framing of the city before him. It took a few minutes, but he sat on the concrete and took in all of the familiar sight, letting the cityscape wash over him and calm his nerves.

He realized what he needed to do.

He stood up, hesitant for a moment, before turning back into his bedroom. Grabbing the photos off his desk and his lighter, he stepped out again onto the balcony, this time sitting closer to the railing.

One by one, he lit the photos up and let them burn, leaving a pile of ash sitting in the palm of his hand

One by one, he scattered those ashes to the wind.

His thoughts raced,

"Does he know how I was your first?"

"Does he know about how we would sneak off during study hall to be together?"

"Does he know I was the first to hear you say 'I love you'?"

"Did you tell him how I was a coward who never had the courage to say it back?"

The photos flickered into ruin, taking those thoughts and regrets with them,

Until he reached one particular photo, that is.

As he held it up, striking the lighter to give it the same fate as the others, he paused.

It was of him and Kaisei on the day of their high school graduation. He hadn't actually taken the photo himself - it had been another photography club member that knew they were friends.

Kaisei had encouraged him to give his best "cool guy" pose - his one arm around Kaisei's shoulders, the other holding up a rather crude gesture with his middle and forefingers, and a view of his tongue - before it had been pierced.

In the photo, Kaisei had an arm around his waist, the other with a peace sign and that signature cheeky wink of his.

As much as it pained him to think of what he had lost because of his own insecurities, a part of him knew this photo could never be replaced.

And so, with another sigh passing his lips, he clicked the cap on his lighter and let his hands drop to his sides.

"Fine. I'll try. But only because of you. Only because you were able to find some kind of happiness in this damned world.

Maybe, if I'm lucky and I try like you did,

I can be as happy as I was with you."

--

sad boy yakumo hours :')

[n1k1tty]

kiss me ! part 1

jake was definitely head over heals for your cold personality, and he wasn't going to let anyone take you. but heres the problem: he couldn't find a single way to keep a conversation with you. despite your scary demeanour, jake decides to man up and does everything out of his will to get you.

fluff, jake x reader, (not proofread)

jake was frustrated to know that many guys have been after you the second you stepped in that classroom doing the bare minimum.

hearing ‘wanna grab lunch with me?’ here and there somehow always made him ball his fist to prevent himself from being a problem. yet again he couldn’t blame other people for wanting to ask you out either. he even sometimes wished that you had rejected him so he could move on. although of course he didn’t really mean that.

because now he was wandering around the school looking for you while he was on a “bathroom break” during his soccer practice. he knew you always liked to stay at the school rooftops admiring the view while listening to music. not like he was stalking you or anything...

you turn your head to look at the person at the door "you again? when are you going to leave me alone? pervert" you scoff, kicking the little pieces of rocks as you avoid jakes eyes. it was almost the millionth time you've seen jake this day, and it was always for the same reason, to piss you off, well more like ask you out --which still pisses you off.

you weren't one to believe in love, or maybe just not yet. because you weren't even sure if you were capable enough to love someone. even the thought of having to be so sweet and touchy with each other grossed you out, and of all people, jake especially knew that. so why was he so determined to get you to fall in love with him?

you weren't one to believe in love, or maybe just not yet. because you weren't even sure if you were capable enough to love someone. even the thought of having to be so sweet and touchy with each other grossed you out, and of all people, jake especially knew that. so why was he so determined to get you to fall in love with him?

"hmmm maybe never?" jake chuckles at the sight of you rolling your eyes "then i'll move schools --countries if that's what takes for you to leave me alone" as you turn around and face him, eyes widened at the thin space between the both of you "and maybe i'll find you"

you raise your eyebrows "well that's borderline criminal act" you wander off "now sim jaeyun i think it's best for you to leave before you add up to my anger --i mean you already are. but wouldn't that be horrible?" jake's eyes follow you as you drag your feet "not really" he states "you're hot when you're mad"

you scoff out of disbelief, hitting him hard on his arm, looking away almost immediately as you trying to hide your heated face "shut up before i'll push you off this building" letting go of the grip you once had on his collar, "alright, alright sorry ma'am. but if you're really mad for whatever reason, come with me. i'll take you to a place" he suggests, offering his hand for you to take "you should be happy. i normally wouldn't even consider letting anyone know about my spot" he shoots you a grin

you take time trying to consider his offer, but as much as you don't want to stroke his ego about convincing you to go with him, you really needed something to release your anger "as long as you shut up about this" you give him a side glance "no promises" he sends a wink your way "ugh, fine"

he gently takes your hand as he drags you out of the school "can you jump over the wall?" jake looks at your flustered face "....no..?" you answer, making a line with your lips, causing him to let out a small chuckle "okay cutie, i'll help you up" you cringe at the nickname "call me that again and i'll break your neck" you step on his knee as he tries to boost you up "yeah that's right, keep going"

but as jake looks up he couldn't help but feel flustered, looking away "i made it!" you pant, hands resting on your knees as you wait for jake to come up as well. but after a few seconds of not hearing him, you call out his name, peaking your head over the wall "jake? i swear to god if you leave me out here i'm killing you"

"n-no i didn't leave you" he stutters, trying to collect himself from being a flustered mess "then come up here! the sun is setting, you wouldn't want to miss it"

"y-yeah it's just that i uh, i saw.....your....you know?" he explains, his hands not knowing what to do "you saw my what!?" you shrieked "no no it's okay i looked away!" he reassures you "ugh, just- just come up here!" you yell, already walking ahead as you try to cool down your heating face "so pink aye?" jake jokes, catching up to you

"SIM JAEYUN!" you yell, kicking him on his ass "ow! okay sorry!"

jake was resting his head on his hands, watching as you play with the small puddle while watching the sunset, not even an hour in, jake panics as he sees the amount of missed calls from riki "oh shit! my soccer practice!"

--

the following days after that, almost everything remained the same, jake continuously teasing and flirting with you, you getting in trouble for the littlest things, never coming home until the latest of the hour. but yet again, almost everything remained the same

you were now in denial of your feelings towards sim jaeyun. it would hurt too much of your pride to actually admit it, because after all, you've always told sim jaeyun you hated him.

you groan "jake, there's a reason why i'm failing english, okay? just accept the fact that i'm the worst" you bury your head on the pages of your book, seated across jake at the back of the library "i didn't even ask for you to help me! i simply just asked for your notes that just happened to have a first grader's hand writing" he scoffs, a little taken back by your sudden insult on his hand writing "thanks? i know you didn't ask for help, i just wanted to do this with you so that you don't get detention for not knowing proper english" he explains, handing you another sheet of paper with an 54 circled on the right corner "seriously y/n? 54? come on, one last set of questions and i'll take you to the new cafe just across the street"

and almost immediately, you bring your head up, grabbing the pen and taking the set of questions. making jake giggle "y/n, just say that you like me, you know i'm not going to reject you-- ow!" you smack him on the head with the pencil "that's absolute nonsense!" you whisper with a harsh voice, digging your face on the note book as you try to cover the little smile you had on your face

i think it was safe to say you got 4 out of 10 right, causing you to almost have a mental breakdown at the library "i can't do this sim" you groan "i think you just need a break yeah? wanna head to the cafe?" jake stands up to pack your stuff, giggling at the sight of your head still buried in between the pages of the book "c'mon y/n" he kneels beside you "get up, let's go to that cafe"

you've never felt your pride hurt as much as this did, having to show jake how bad your were at english, him having to tutor you without you asking for help, and jake bringing you to the cafe even though you weren't even remotely close to getting at least 6 right

and you weren't exaggerating when when you say jake had to drag you all the way to the cafe "hi! what can i get for you today sir?" the girl says, the obvious heart eyes she has for him pissing you off even more "hi yeah i'd like to have a caramel machiatto" he responds politely, smiling at the obvious glare you held at the girl, poking out your tongue after she was called by the manager, an old lady replaces her "anything else for your girlfriend--" before you could correct her, jake immediately speaks up "she'll have (drink)"

he smiles at the old lady before paying "i'm sending you money later whether you like it or not" you roll your eyes "and i'll send it back" he holds your waist as he leads you to a table, causing your heart to beat 10 times faster "yeah? well i'll send it back to you again! i'll keep doing it until you die!" he scoffs at you "as if!"

--

even after multiple attempts of trying to make jake ask you out, the boy who you thought was so smart couldn't take a single hint at all.

but in jake's defence, you were a little bad, considering how bad you were with boys, he vividly remembers that one time when you were trying so hard to make him jealous by talking to other guys. he even laughed as you struggled to keep up with a conversation.

or that other time when you tried to hold his hand just to do something romantic just for once but ended up letting go because he wouldn't stop teasing you about it. he still took your hand, yet he never asked you out still.

"you okay darling?" your mother asks, taking a quick glance at your droopy form leaning on the counter as you wait for her to finish cooking "is it a boy?" she teases, making you perk your head up "i knew it!" she gives you an endearing smile as she gives you a plate with eggs on it, a heart shaped ketchup placed on the top of the egg "mom!" you whine

"okay fine, it is a boy. but don't tell dad" you whisper, smiling once she zips her lips "what's his name?" she asked, tilting her head as she leans on the counter in front of you "jake"

"jake?! i love jake! you should invite him over sometime" she squeals "he's a nice guy, i'm sure he wouldn't hurt you, so what's bothering you?" you sigh, taking a sip of the water "he likes me, it's like the whole world knows. but he just keeps on flirting with me and never actually tries to ask me out" you pout, aggressively taking a bit of the scrambled eggs, making your mother chuckle "oh baby, i'm sure it'll happen soon. just give him some time! unless if you're that impatient, then maybe you should try considering to be the one who makes the first move" she walks away, heading upstairs

no, as much as you hate it, that would hurt too much of your pride. so you decided to wait.

--

summer just had started and you couldn't even explain how much you hated the heat. staying under the shade 70% of the time whenever you went out with jake and his friends "guys! i have an announcement" jay yells, you were currently over at jay's house, just having a little party with just the 8 of you "my father booked us a trip to hawaii"

"WHAT?!"

part 2

— HEY 👵🏽 so i decided that this would be a multiple part story bcs i didnt want it to be too long!

i haven’t written the second part yet, but hopefully i’d have it done before tuesday

feel free to ask if you want to be tagged once the second chapter is out!

this has been n1k1tty! see ya!

[nothingbutfangirlsmut]

The Trials of Emi

Pairing: A little Minho. A sprinkle of Frypan. Gally x Emi(OC)

Summary: Emi, her twin brother Thomas, and a small group of gladers had been rescued and taken to a safe haven. Or so it seemed. It doesn't take long for Thomas to realize something is wrong. What happens next is a true trial for all of them but Emi's trials began the moment she was ripped away from a dying Gally. Watching someone you love die right before your eyes truly takes a toll.

Finally meeting the right arm could have been the end but betrayal leads to even more chaos and loss. A new mission to rescue those taken from them leads them to a city. The last city. After Emi finally comes to terms with everything that's happened something unfolds that changes everything again. She will have to not only deal with helping her brother take down WCKD and save their friend but also deal with all the new problems in her head and her heart.

Rating: As of right now it’s at most PG13. Some strong language that’s about it but it could change.

(This is the 2nd part/book to my other story "The Maze trials: A Gally Fanfiction". This will cover the events of the scorch trails and the death cure.)

Chapter Fourteen

I had fallen asleep at some point during the night. I woke up laying down in the back seat with my head laying on Newt's lap.

"Morning" he said with a smile.

I pulled myself up in a sitting position. It looked to be late morning early afternoon. Thomas had the map unfolded as he told Fry where to go.

"Did you sleep well?" Thomas asked as he folded up the map.

"It was fine" I said rolling my eyes.

By midday, we were coming up on a mandatory infection checkpoint. That's what the sign had said anyway. The sign and everything past it looked completely run down. It looked like a creepy old ghost town. Fry pulled up to the tunnel in front of us but stopped. We all climbed out to stretch our legs and get a better look at the dark road ahead of us. I had a real bad eerie feeling as I stopped to stand next to Fry.

"Want us to go in there?" Newt asked as he stopped next to me.

Thomas was looking over the map as he stopped next to Newt.

"I don't want to come across as too negative but I mean if I was a crank that's exactly where I'd be." Newt said pointing at the dark tunnel.

"I don't think we have much of a choice." Thomas said putting down the map.

"You're joking" I chuckled nervously.

Newt sighed.

"Alright, I get shotgun." Newt said then went back to the jeep.

I looked at Fry to see him gulp then turn back to the jeep as well.

"Tommy you can't be serious." I said quietly as I stepped over to my brother.

"I'm afraid I am. Come on. We'll be fine." Thomas said but he didn't look sure of his own words.

We both climbed into the back seat then Fry started to drive slowly. I took a deep breath as we entered the tunnel. I did not have a good feeling about this at all. I wasn't one to scare easy when it came to normal humans but these cranks were something out of the devil's worse nightmares.

As we entered the tunnel a little more Fry turned on the headlights as Newt stuck his flashlight out the window.

"Here we go" Fry said quietly.

"Just take it nice and slow." Newt told him.

We drove a few more feet into the darkness.

"Woah, woah, woah," Fry said quickly as he stopped the jeep.

Right in front of us stood a crank.

"It's okay, it's just one. Take it slow. Go around him. We'll be fine." Thomas said.

"Take it slow. Take it slow." Fry said nervously as he nodded.

Thomas leaned back in his seat as Newt quickly rolled up his window.

"Holy shit!" I shouted at the same time Thomas jumped practically into my lap.

A cranked out woman was standing right at Thomas' window.

"Please," she said then pulled at the door handle.

"Help me," she said then tried the handle again.

"Please," she said again.

I screamed as something slammed against my window. It was another crank.

"Fry we gotta go!" Thomas shouted looking back and forth at the two cranks.

My heart started racing. I do not want to die by cranks. I do not want to turn into a crank. Fry screamed making me jump as another one slammed against his window.

"Go right now!" Newt said frantically.

"Just floor it Fry!" Thomas shouted.

"Oh god" I groaned.

Fry slammed his foot on the gas. One crank jumped on the hood of the jeep.

"Come on Fry shake him!" Thomas shouted.

"I'm trying!" Fry shouted back.

I was holding on tightly to the back of Newt's seat as Fry started to swerve like a mad man. The crank fell to the side of the jeep but kept his hold. He hit Fry's window hard.

"Hang on!" Fry shouted then swerved so the side of the jeep would hit another vehicle.

The crank was knocked off.

"Frypan watch out!" Thomas shouted.

Fry slammed on the break as we ran into some debris in the road. The jeep went up on two wheels. It fell on it's side then rolled onto it's top. My body crashed onto the roof of the jeep. I gasped for breath as pain shot threw my entire body.

"You okay?" Thomas asked me as he coughed.

"Yea" I groaned.

Thomas pulled out his flashlight then used it to look out the window.

"Fry cover your eyes." Thomas said.

He turned around then kicked at the glass making it shatter. Thomas crawled out of the broken window headfirst. I was quick to crawl out behind him. He grabbed my arm then helped me to my feet. Fry tried to open his door but it wouldn't budge. Thomas tried to help him but it was jammed tight.

"Fry go around." Thomas told him.

We both ran to the other side as Newt got the door open. He came tumbling out onto the ground. Thomas was quick to grab him and help him stand. Thomas grabbed Newt's face making the boy look at him.

"You okay?" He asked.

"I think so." Newt said softly.

"Fry you good?" Thomas asked threw the open door.

A scream echoed threw the tunnel making my heart beat even faster. A crank came into view. My blood ran cold. We are so fucked.

"Shit" Newt said.

"Frypan, I think we gotta move!" Thomas shouted.

Fry was still in the jeep. The three of us started shouting at him to hurry as the crank started to run at us.

"Fry!" I screamed.

He came out of the jeep then turned and fired a shotgun right at the thing. I leaned over onto my knees.

"That was close." I panted.

"Nice shot Fry." Thomas said.

"Thanks" Fry panted.

More screams followed by several cranks coming out. I groaned as I stepped back.

"Go! Go!" Fry shouted as he turned to fire a few more shots.

"Fry come on let's go!" Thomas shouted.

I grabbed Fry's shirt then tugged him back. We took off running through the tunnel as fast as we could. My lungs were on fire as my heart pumped erratically. The four of us skidded to a stop as another group of cranks blocked our path. We were surrounded.

"Watch out!" Fry shouted as he stepped forward.

"Fry, you got me?" Thomas asked.

Fry continued to shoot.

"Yea!" Fry shouted at him.

The cranks were moving in. We weren't gonna make it. There's no way.

"This way! This way!" Thomas shouted.

Fry turned to shoot at the opposite group as they drew closer.

"Other way! Other way!" Thomas shouted.

Fry turned back the way he was to shoot again. His gun clicked making my heart plummet.

"I'm out!" Fry shouted.

"Shit" Thomas breathed.

I stepped back getting closer to Newt as I watched the cranks getting closer. This was it. There's no way out of this. Out of nowhere, a jeep came crashing threw the cranks then stopped right next to us.

No fucking way.

Brenda stood out of the open roof.

"Get in!" She shouted.

She started to fire back and forth as the four of us rushed to climbed into the jeep.

"Go Jorge! Go!" Thomas shouted once we were all in the jeep.

Jorge hit the gas once Brenda was back in her seat. I had never been so happy to see the light of day as we drove out of the tunnel. I fell limp against Fry as I panted. I'm never gonna get rid of the nightmares now.

"I'm impressed. You guys almost lasted a whole day." Jorge said glancing back in the mirror.

I chuckled as I continued to lean against Fry.

"You good?" Thomas asked Newt as he placed his hand under the blonde's chin.

"Yea" Newt nodded as he smiled affectionately at my brother.

Brenda turned in her seat so she could look at us. She shook her head when she looked at Thomas. He stammered for a moment before getting his words straight.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to bring you guys into this." Thomas said quickly.

Fry moved so he could lean over the seat.

"Aye, what I think he's trying to say is thanks for saving us." Fry told Brenda.

"You're welcome," Brenda said then turned back around in her seat.

Fry sat back down then put his arm over my shoulder so I could lean against him again.

"Don't get your hopes up. That checkpoint back there was the city's last defense. If that was overrun chances are the city is too." Jorge informed us.

"Yea, unless they figured out some other way to keep the cranks out." Newt said.

I turned my head to look in the same direction he was. The others did the same. Jorge slammed on the breaks stopping the jeep. Fry and I stood up in the back of the jeep as the others climbed out. There was, in fact, a huge city below but it was surrounded by a massive wall.

"Funny, I spent three years trapped behind walls trying to break out. Now we want to break back in." Newt said as he stared at the city.

"Yea, it's hilarious." Fry said sarcastically.

"Jorge, how do we get in?" Thomas asked the older man.

"Don't look at me Hermano. Those walls are new. I guess that's WCKD's answer for everything." Jorge told him.

"Well, we ain't gonna figure it out from up here. Let's go!" Brenda said then turned back to the jeep.

Fry and I sat back down as Brenda and Jorge climbed back in. Newt and Thomas stood a few feet away having a private conversation before climbing back in. I looked back out at the city we were about to try to break into. I really hope this all doesn't turn to shit.

—

[freekshow17]

Reddie Ch2 ‘The Red Carpet”

Reddie with short appearances of Benverly and The Uris’ 

Word Count 1.9K

Richie was able to convince Eddie there was no time for a shower, wiping off would have to do. Eddie compromised with extra cologne. Richie laughed as Eddie sprayed himself liberally, "You can cover up the smell all you want Kaspbrak, but unless you got make up lying around, those little love bites ain't going anywhere." Eddie's eyes shot up to the mirror he stood in front of, he was instantly aware of the perfectly circular near purple bruise dead center, he whipped around to glare at Richie who was standing tall, full of pride, with a toothy grin stretched across his face. "Are you fucking kidding me Tozier?!" Richie kept his pose, only tilting his eyes down to meet Eddie's "Curious. What's a bigger problem? You with that, or me - with these." Richie rotates his head side to side exposing all the blue and black marks that trail from ear, down his neck around to the other ear. Eddie's jaw slowly lowers as his eyes go wide "Shit." Richie lets out a deep belly laugh opening his arms to embrace Eddie "Oh Ed's. It's alright, if you want, I'll blame it on a wild girlfriend, you can... well… say Myra came back to town" as Eddie leans into Richie's chest allowing his arms to wrap around him Richie finished that statement, Eddie snaps back. "Fuck you." Richie nearly topples over from the immediate anger radiating from his new partner, catching himself on the corner of the bed frame. Richie lets himself fall to the bed rolling to his back clutching his stomach, Eddie stares at him blankly "Why? Why are you the way you are?" Richie tries to look serious but the second he looks to Eddie he starts to laugh again. "Seriously, Fuck you Rich." Eddie says as he starts to walk out of the room, kicking Richie’s leg as he walks past him.

A few minutes pass and Richie has composed himself enough to exit the room and join Eddie where he sits on the arm of the couch in the living room by the door "Ready?" Eddie asks with a hint of anger still in his tone, Richie clears his throat before replying "Yes sir… hey, you actually had make up?" Richie says as he approaches Eddie realizing his bruises are not as noticeable.  "Myra wasn't good for much but she was kind enough to forget to take all her crap from the bathroom." Eddie said as the two men make their way to Richie's car, Eddie sitting in the passenger seat, arms crossed over his chest. Richie takes the wheel and begins their journey to the premiere. With only a few minutes between them, camera crews, and more importantly, the other losers, Richie slows down to the actual speed limit instead of his normal 10 over, to give them time to talk. "Really though Ed's, if you don't want me to tell anyone it was you… I won't. But no matter what I say out there, you gotta know I don't regret what we did. Quite the opposite, actually." He turns to look at Eddie for a moment before directing his eyes back to the road, catching a slight smile peek at the corner of Eddie's mouth. That's all Richie needed; some sign, or gesture, to know Eddie wasn't regretting what they had shared. "I don't regret it either Rich… I'm… just not yet, okay?" Eddie looked up to Richie with what Richie could only interpret as uncertainty, he replied with a nod at first "You got it buddy." Richie said softly, hoping it would ease the obvious worry Eddie was feeling. He couldn't blame him, Richie had these feelings for 30 years and is just now acting on them, he can't expect it to all change at once. "It…" Eddie paused a moment, and they both went tense at the word Eddie hesitated on. Eddie quickly tried to continue "It's just, Myra and I haven't been separated long. I don't want anyone thinking… I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea." This time Richie just replied with a nod, he tried his best to forget Myra was ever apart of Eddie's life, tried to forget she got to have him in the years HE should have had Eddie. Just hearing her name would send Rich on a downward spiral. Eddie sees it but thinks it's from his proposed plan to keep the two of them quiet for now. "Also, I'm embarrassed to say I'm with trashmouth" Eddie adds to cut the mood, it makes Richie smile and a slight huff escapes him. "Understandable Kaspbrak. Here we are." He says as they pull up to a Red Carpet roped off with a small walkway for them to follow to the doors. "Are we supposed to walk together?" Eddie asks nervously. "Don't worry, we can wait a minute for everyone to get here." Richie replies as he watches his rear view mirror to see if anyone else is pulling up. "Rich." Eddie says pointing toward the doors. All the other losers are already inside just beyond the door. "Fu- wait!" Richie started and cut himself off "I knew I loved that man for some reason." Eddie turns to look behind them to see Stanley walking around to his passenger door, opening it and holding out a hand, leading Patty out of the car. "Hurry!" They say in unison as they scramble to get out of the car, cameras already flashing in their direction. "STAN! PATTY!" Richie yells to them as he puts a hand on Eddie's lower back guiding him toward their friends, he quickly moves his hand away and whispers a Sorry to Eddie "Oh, we thought we were gonna be late. I'm so happy we get to walk in with the star." Patty says as she opens her arms demanding a hug from her husband's childhood friends. They've met before and had time to get to know each other over the last couple of years, after Stan decided returning to Derry on a blood oath was not something he counted as an acceptable excuse to miss the vacation he had planned for his wife and himself. They were 40 with no kids and made damn sure their time together was memorable, introducing Patty to the horrors of his childhood were not the memorable moments Stan had in mind. However, after he got a SECOND call from Mike, saying it was all over, he decided to celebrate by bringing Patty into a world he did enjoy: The Losers Club. Now it was as if Patty was an honorary 8th member. "Congrats again Rich, we're so proud of you" Patty continued as they separated from their hug to allow Eddie to get one. "Well… more like surprised for me." smirked Stanley, offering a hand to Richie "Didn't think this trashmouth had it in him?" Richie questioned in a rhetorical sort; he knew Stan always showed his love through his sarcasm. A literal translation of what Stan had said would be more like God I love you Richie Tozier, and I am so proud of you for getting past your demons and making something of yourself. and Richie knew that, so he accepted the sarcasm. After the four friends have greeted each other they make their way up the carpet together, Richie purposefully positioning himself to the far end of the line next to Patty, with Eddie opposite Stan. Seeing the other losers inside he waves them out and they follow. "Richie! Mr. Tozier" Richie heard his name being called from multiple directions. As he stops to pose for photos, he answers a few questions Who's your date? "My best friend's wife" the crowd laughs Who are your other guest? "Oh, these people? Just a bunch a losers!" More laughter Is one of them responsible for all those hickeys? Richie looks down the line before replying making quick eye contact with Eddie but breaking before it was too noticeable "They all wish! But this neck is reserved for the finest of teeth… just ask your mom she'll tell ya." The crowd erupts and Richie thinks that's a good place to leave it be, just before entering the door they pose for one last group photo, the photographer tries to split them into two rows with the tallest man, and man of the hour centered back row, to his right stood Mike, and next to him Ben, to Richie's left was Stan. In front of Stan stood Patty making sure to reach a hand behind her grabbing the hand of her dear husband, then Eddie, Bev, and Bill. "Great guys, perfect, okay and three, two..." the photographer counted down and everyone gives their best smile. Just after the flash Patty took it upon herself to approach the photographer to be sure he had the names right and in the right order. Bev, still linked in arms with Eddie leans in close to whisper, "I never noticed just how perfect your teeth are Ed's." She says perfect with a hint of suspicion, she turns to offer Eddie a smile but that too seems pointed. Does she know Eddie panicked in his head; he goes to question the compliment as Ben steps up beside Beverly "Wow! Am I right? This is amazing." Ben says as he slides his arm around Beverly's waist, and she repositions herself against him. Beverly has had issues in the past with being touched like this, she would wince away from it, it was always out of possession, claiming her as if she were property. But that wasn't the case with Ben. Every time Ben touched her, she could feel his love illuminating from his fingertips, making her feel safe and comforted. Ben always had a way to make her feel better, even when she thought she was at her best. "I know right?!" Bev responds offering a bright smile up to Ben. "To think our Richie is getting an award for being the same knucklehead he was at 13? Priceless. Right Eddie?" Ben asked trying to bring Eddie into the conversation, Ben could tell he was in his own head somewhere. "Yeah. Yeah it's great." Eddie replied still giving Bev a confused stare. "Hey Bev-" Eddie started but was interrupted "Hey! There you all are!" Richie approaches with the rest of the losers crew in tow. "We were gonna head in, but I wanted us to all go in together." Everyone nods in agreement ready to go take their seats. "Now once we're all in there I think a couple people speak, they give me the award for 'up and coming blah blah blah' then the special starts. BEFORE you see it, I want you to all know" Richie waves a hand in front of each loser giving a thoughtful look "You're all in it, I bash all of you, it's hilarious!" He continues as a smirk creeps across his face. All the losers give him a wave of the wrist or a fake punch as the laugh their way from the lobby to their seats. Bev takes a step back from Ben and places a hand on Eddie's shoulder, leaning close to his ear "You used the wrong shade of concealer on those love bites babe, it's still pretty obvious what's under it." She pulls back glancing toward Richie and back to Eddie "Don't worry though, I'm pretty sure I'm the only one to notice. And you know I can keep a secret" she smiles widely, leaving Eddie with a wink as she turns on her heels and heads back up to Ben.

[kyouxa]

Diabolik Lovers Chaos Lineage: Ayato Sakamaki (Story 09)

I’m shocked how long this chapter took me? (^-^*)/

But here we are with our favorite troublemaker again!

Place: Orange Mansion - Ayato’s bedroom Yui: ...ngh...what..

Ayato: You're not kidding. You finally woke up

Yui: Ayato-kun! Why...!

Ayato: Why she asks, this is still my room. It’s only natural that I’m here.

Yui: (That’s right... yesterday, I was sucked here and I lost my consciousness...)

(He put me into his bed. Ayato-kun didn’t wake me up he just waited.)

Ah!

(My clothes are out of order... ! Everything is open enough to see through my chest)

(For the time being, let's try to close it so nothing can be seen by Ayato-kun)

Ayato: What are you doing. Chichinashi, you don’t need to hide them, they are tiny anyway.

Yui: You little! Don't hug me now! How dare you being so rude.

Ayato: Hehe, stop staring at me like that!

Yui: (I’m happy his memories returned, but it may be nice if he was a bit more gentle!)

Ayato: Hey, I’ve been scolded already.  Don’t you understand?

Yui: You deserved to be scold.

Ayato: Well then that’s for you.

Yui: Ughh

Ayato: Hah? What is it now.

Yui: H-Hey! What are you doing, it tickles! 

Ayato: That’s your punishment. I know you’re weak here. I won’t hold back today  

*Ayato tickles Yui* Yui: Haha, stop it... ! Stop, Ayato-kun!

(Like this, I feel like a child again... !)

Understood! Should I look at Ayato-kun? 

Ayato: Yes, that’s good. You’re finally looking at me again 

Yui: (Wow, right know I’m unbelievably happy?)

Ayato: Well, whatever.  So what should we do?

Yui: It's for now on, right? That’s right, what should we do.

Everyone's memories are missing and I don't know how to get their real memories back at all

Ayato: ... well. Do you know anything about the memory loss?

Yui: No. I don't know anything.

I tried to reflect on that day, but I was spending the day as usual at the Sakamaki mansion...

After that, I lost my memory

Ayato: The same goes for me. I’m supposed to fight against the others here

Yui: Do you remember anything about that?

Ayato: They told us『get Eve and become the king』

It’s squeezed in my head strongly. And now, I know it’s just a stupid story.

Until I got back to sanity, that was my own way to become the king.

Yui: I see, it was like that from your view

Ayato: Maybe the other guys are in the same condition

Yui: ... It isn’t normal that such things happen naturally

If someone did it on purpose, who is it and what’s their purpose... ?

*Ayato backs off*

Ayato: To be honest, I��m sure it was our father who did that

Yui: Karl Heinz-sama...?

Ayato: Absolutely! He always makes his own selfish crap!

Yui: (Ayato-kun really thinks it's Karl Heinz's doing)

(But certainly, no one else could be doing this)

Ayato: It's because he likes to play with us, I will catch him and make him pay for that! 

I will make sure to break his bones completely!

Yui: — but, how? We don’t know where Karl Heinz is hiding himself tho ...

Ayato: Ugh—! That is... if you think my idea is stupid, think about your own one!

Yui: Y-Yea. Thats right 

Choices

1) ー Is there a hint? (black) 

2) ー You should ask someone (white) ♡♡♡

— Is there a hint?

Yui: Hey, wasn't there something like a hint when your memories were weird?

Ayato: Thats what I don’t know! If we just think about a hint we‘re not getting anywhere further 

Yui: I see, that’s right 

(But if you're just thinking, you won't get an answer either...)

— You should ask someone ♡

Yui: If that’s the case, it might be better to ask someone

Ayato: That’s true but, everyone’s having strange memories would they be helpful?

It's not like I heard anything useful from those guys. 

Yui: I see, that’s right

Ayato: Well, it may be better then just waiting, though

end Choices 

Ayato: ... ugh. I thought too much and now my head hurts. 

Yui: Are you okay?

(He usually doesn’t worry that much)

...Reiji-san always solves those problems by using his head.

Ayato: That’s right. This guy really has a good working brain. Shit, why isn’t he here at such times! 

Yui: It can‘t be helped.  In is such a situation ...

....

Ayato: ....

That sucks! So, there’s my idea! To get informations we should go on a reconnaissance!

Yui: A reconnaissance!? Well, but...

Ayato: Is there any other way?

Yui: ....

(Yes, nothing will change unless we do something)

(If so, it might be better to go outside even if its dangerous)

Place: Orange Mansion — Storage

Yui: Hey, is it really okay to steal the supplies from the mansion? 

Ayato: That's fine. It’s better to be scolded by Ruki then dying hungry

Yui: (This is a weird situation, but I agree with Ayato-kun) 

(I don‘t know what will happen, that’s why I should bring some of these with me)

Ayato: Uh, this is enough.  It's almost time to leave, isn’t it? 

Yui: ... True

??? : What are you doing?

Yui: (Huh!? That’s bad, someone found us!)

Kanato: The two of you are hiding in here. Is it a new play?

Yui: Oh, Kanato-kun!

Ayato: What are you doing here?

Kanato: What are you thinking. I asked you first so you better answer me 

Ayato: Can’t help it. I can’t just let him go off and tell everyone 

Yui: What do you mean?

Ayato: I mean, I need to stop this guy. He’s definitely going to tell Ruki about that.

Yui: Maybe he is. But what will you do if he isn’t?

Kanato: Hey, what kind of consultation is that?

Ayato: Well, we can't do anything else.  If we leave him here ...

Kanato: Are you going somewhere or you came from somewhere, or are you going to go? Whatever it is, you know that Ruki won’t forgive you again?

Yui: Hmmm, I can agree to that... 

Kanato: Stop that! Why aren’t you answer my question!?

Ayato: You are so annoying! Just shut up!

*Ayato lifts Kanato*

Yui: A-Ayato-kun!

Kanato: Wait!  What are you doing!? Shut up and let me go!

Ayato: Let’s keep going

Yui: Y-Yes...

Kanato: Hey!  Don't ignore me!  Stop it!

Yui: (Can you really do something like this to Kanato?)

(But we can’t just leave him here. I'm sorry Kanato-kun!) 

Place: Outside — Forest

Kanato: For real, why do I have to get along with you?

Yui: (Kanato-kun, he’s mad ....  it’s natural that we were caught before we even knew about it)

(But we’re doing this for everyone’s memories)

Ayato: How long are you going to pout. Just give it up and accept it already 

Kanato: That’s wrong, I didn‘t come by my own intention.  Ayato has kidnapped me!

Ayato: I couldn't help it because you appeared there. It's your own fault that you came

Kanato: Oh, I’m not gonna talk anymore. Irritated asshole

Yui: Sorry, Kanato-kun. You can have those candies from the storage if you want tho?

See. I found those in the storage and if you want them you can have them 

Kanato: What?  How empty is your head.

Do you think I’m going to change my mood because of something like this? I might change it if you have cake

Yui: (Anything, but i don’t have cake)

Sorry. Because there were no other sweet thing’s then those, I hope you still take them...

Kanato: I won‘t say that I won‘t eat them.  Now hurry up and hand them over

Yui: Oh, is that so?  Well then

Kanato: For real... But please don’t misunderstand. Don’t think I‘m not mad anymore because of this.

Yui: (For the time being this will be fine .... we will walk together now)

Hey Ayato-kun, it’s nice that we got here, but where are you heading exactly?

Ayato: We will know soon. We‘re just going to walk for awhile now

Yui: What!

Ayato: It's okay, even if I don’t know the way, we‘re gaining information from just walking around

Yui: Oh, is that so... ?

(I think that theory is stupid, but he didn’t change with or without memories...)

*bushes rustling*

Yui: (Huh? Is there someone moving in the bush!?)

Ayato: ... ! Who?!

*Laito and Subaru appear*

Laito: Oh? I knew I smelled something delicious 

Subaru: Why is Eve in such a place like this

Kanato: Those guys, are violet members

Yui: Subaru-kun! Laito-kun!

Ayato: Kuku. What is it? Told you. The Information comes from right there

Yui: Y-Yeah. But it was just luck that they appeared around here

Ayato: Hey you, what are you two doing here?

Subaru: What? There is no reason to tell the enemies about that

Laito: Uhm, our big brother Carla was supposed to be here instead of us to check Eve‘s location

Subaru: Don’t say that! 

Laito: But, there is not enough information to steal Eve from you yet

Thats why Carla yelled at us to go and get some more information

So we were just on our way to reconnaissance around the Orange mansion

Subaru: After all, you are a guy who says something about our strategy to that little girl. 

Laito: Calm down~♪ It doesn't matter if you have enemies or allies, as long as we enjoy ourselves it’s fine.

Yui: (Yes that’s true. I guess Laito didn’t change)

Ayato: Ha, so that scarf dude is your big brother now. You should wake up from that strange shit! 

Are you going to keep those strange memories forever!? Remember who you are!

Laito: What is it? What do you mean?

Subaru: Tch, what’s with you?  It's annoying.  We will catch Eve and return home now.

*Subaru pulls his sword*

Yui: ....ah!

Wait, Subaru, Laito-kun! If you fight...

Ayato: That’s fine. You’re getting me fired up with your intension 

Yui: W-Wait!

(Although Laito and Subaru are both your true brothers—!)

Ayato: I’m even making you a great offer today.

If you win we‘ll obey you, if we win you‘ll obey us.

Besides, if you think about the offer, this is an unique chance

You guys are usually bashful and sloppy, so why not agreeing to it

Laito: Wait, what are you exactly telling us?

Ayato: I'm saying that I'm ashamed of you!  Come on, fight me now!

Kanato: Thats stupid, If you're going to fight, please do it on your own, I'm looking at it from here

Yui: (Hes really going to fight!? Is that okay? Those two are Ayato-kun's real brothers.) 

Subaru: Accepted. Please don‘t hesitate to cry if we destroy you completely.

Laito: That’s true. Well then, good luck, Subaru.

Subaru: Ah?  No, wait a minute. Why good luck, you’re also going to work hard.

Laito: Heh, that’s wrong.  I'm not really interested in fighting. Only those who want to fight are going to fight each other.

Subaru: Hah? What’s wrong with you!

Laito: That’s why you can enjoy that on your own.

Subaru: You‘re kidding me!

Yui: Those two really started a discussion over there.

Ayato: They‘re the same, even if they don't remember.

Yui: Yes, thats true... hehe!

(If they don't remember, they won't change completely back —!)

Hey you!  If it comes to an one-vs-one battle, why don't you fight with only your fists like real men?

(If I come up with such an idea, Subaru-kun might agree to that) 

(If it works, I may prevent them from being killed by a sword!)

Subaru: Hah?! What are you saying

Ayato: No, that’s interesting 

Yui: (... !)

Subaru: What are you saying to me! Why should this get so boring. Isn’t killing each other the interesting part?   

Yui: Instead of killing one another, why don’t we try it? It’s better to decide a fight like that.

Ayato: Certainly, it could be more fun to beat him without a weapon

— If I‘d hit your face directly with my fist it would look messed up too

What's up with you. You look like you‘re already afraid of losing against me. How pathetic.

Subaru: What was that? You’re going to regret those words

*Subaru drops sword*

Yui: (That’s good, Subaru-kun dropped his sword!)

Laito: Ahh. That was a cheap provocation.  Because Subaru is way too simple.

Ayato: Ha ha, that's it! Come on!

Subaru: Just wait you little shit!  

Yui: (Ayato-kun and Subaru-kun were always good brothers...)  

Ayato: Hey, are you already planing on losing?

Subaru: I don’t.

Ayato: Thats why, you should make sure to win against me or you two need to obey us.

Subaru: I know that and I won’t lose against you.

Laito: Hey Subaru-kun. Don't decide things on your own.

Subaru: Shut up, I can beat him! You better just watch silently!

Kanato: I wonder who will really win this.

Place: Forest — Wide area

Ayato: This Place seems good. Now, let’s start! 

Subaru: Ahhh— !

Yui: (Ayato-kun and Subaru-kun's serious battle started!)

Monologue

After those words, a conflicted battle between those two started. In front of us, we were watching the game, they were going wild like they‘d never see the sunlight again — I wonder much time passed already...

end Monologue

Laito: Hey when is this over?  

Kanato: I'm getting tired with it. Hurry up and give up already 

Ayato: Ahh... ahh...

Subaru: Agh... ahh... ugh... shit

*Subaru falls down*

Laito: Oh, so Subaru-kun lost ~

Ayato: Haha, it was obvious that I‘d win, ahh...

*Ayato falls down*

Kanato: Apparently Ayato also seems like he’s at his limit

Ayato: Ughh — shit

*Ayato collapses*

Subaru: fuck

*Subaru collapses*

Yui: Ayato-kun are you okay?!

Kanato: There is no need to panic. Those two idiots will definitely survive.

Laito: That's right.  Oh, what’s wrong?

Subaru: Shit, I was really the weaker one... you really are strong.

Ayato: That’s correct, there was no way you‘d win anyway .

Subaru: This time I’ve lost.  But, next time i‘ll beat you.

Ayato: That’s good, i‘m looking forward to it.

Subaru: So what were we fighting about again?

Ayato: Huh? What...

Yui: Huh! You forget already?!

(I wonder if he‘s done with all his energy ...?)

Laito: See, this is why I also have a hard time, Eve-chan

Yui: (... he wants sympathy) 

Place: Outside — Forest

Ayato: Hey loser, why don’t you walk a little faster.

Subaru: Stop calling me like that! I‘ll make sure to destroy you completely next time.

Yui: (He‘s so angry about losing, yet he seems to be fine with the situation)

Kanato: Please be quiet. Another noisy word and my temper will increase.

Laito: It has been like that for a while now.

Yui: (I just noticed, what’s actually up with Laito-kun?)

(We are now enemies so I don’t understand why he‘s so friendly and calm) 

Hey Laito-kun. I know that Subaru-kun lost the match, but why are you coming along?

Laito: Because, he said that not only Subaru-kun would be a servant if he’d lose the bet.

Besides, even if I'm going home to Carla, it would be hard to explain the situation, so this seems like more fun?

There are also cute girls like you here, right?

Yui: What?

Laito: I should get a taste from your blood as a reward for coming along, right?

Yui: Thats not good! Hey Laito-kun you should...

Ayato: Hey, you! What are you doing!

*Ayato pushes Laito*

Yui: Kya!

Laito: Seems like someone got triggered by my actions? I was just interested, just to let you know.

Ayato: Stay back! Or I’ll kill you

Laito:  I'm getting scared.  Don't take that too serious, it's a joke

Ayato: Shut up. Take a quick walk forward.

Yui: Ayato-kun, thank you for your help.

Ayato: You really are hopeless. Even if you think Laito is the same as always, he can’t remember anything about you.

That’s why I want you to walk besides me, he‘s so bothersome.

Yui: (He thinks so? Maybe Ayato-kun is just overreacting.)

(But this situation is way better then fighting to death against them)

Maybe, if we get closer to them all, we’ll be able to trigger their memories?

Someday, like Ayato-kun, they might get the chance to regain their memories.

Ayato: Well, it may be as you say

Until that, we will go over there.

Yui: Over there... ?

Subaru: So, where are we heading?

Ayato: The scarlet mansion.

Yui: What? Why?!

(I was wondering where we‘re heading already)

Ayato: Because, I remembered that fight I had while fighting with Subaru.

When my memories were still gone, I was shook by Shu and Reiji’s attack.

I felt that I need to thank you for saving me again. But I need to think about a strategy for Shu and Reiji.

Yui: (Yes, that means he’s going to fight Shu and Reiji-san again...)

(I‘d suggest trying to fight without weapons like he did right now but it would be difficult)

But, don’t try to fight them again like last time.

Ayato: Idiot, i‘ll be prepared this time.

Yui: ... is that so?

Ayato: The way to change this whole situation is bringing back their memories. Even if they won’t be as easy to catch as Subaru we still need to try our best. If we think about a strategy we can catch them.

Yui: (... Surely, if Reiji and Shu-san wouldn’t plan something about this situation too ...)

(Ruki-kun, talked a lot about the scarlet family, but don't remember it)

(But if there are two more brothers ... they might trigger any memory and they remember something—!)

That's right Ayato-kun! That may be a good idea.

Ayato: See? We just need a plan to knock them out and make them remember!

Yui: That’s! Can’t we try a more friendly way to make them remember without hurting them?

Laito: Hey, what exactly are they talk about?

Subaru: ... To be honest, I don’t know

Kanato: *sigh* I am already tired of this stupid bullshit

[dontbeshytoaskforhelp]

I've been cheated on in the past by my partner, and despite working through it, recent events have given me reason to distrust him - so we are in the middle of a break; some time apart, so that I may figure my thoughts out... ...or so I thought. I am no less confused than before, and if I'm honest I don't really know what I feel. I love and miss him so much, but I struggle to cope with always worrying about what he's doing, or if he's telling the truth. What am I supposed to do? -D

Cheating sucks because no matter what, those thoughts are always gonna be there. You will always remember them betraying you and your trust for them will most likely never be 100% ever again. That’s what makes me so angry about it most of the time. You go from 100% trust to, after all of the healing, maybe 80% trust. And that’s the new cap. That’s as high as the trust will go. Very few people can trust their partner 100% again after cheating. So you have to acknowledge that this will be a new thing about your relationship that will probably never go away. Can you handle that? Can you get to a place where you don’t stress about it - unless given a reason to do so? Or are the thoughts of him cheating so bothersome, that you stress about them often? If so, you don’t deserve that stress and letting go and moving on might be easier than staying with someone you can never trust again.

During this break, is he making an effort to show he has changed or that he is sorry? Is he trying to spend time with you and bring back that happiness you had before he cheated? Or have the two of you had little interaction? Has he been spending time with other girls? Has he been with someone again (even if on this break)?

I am a STRONG believer that if you’re broken up, what you do is your business -even if you get back with the person. For example, my husband and I, during the first few months of dating, broke up. During that time, I had sex with one of my guy friends. He later found out about it after we had started dating again. My husband constantly tries holding it over my head when we get into big fights - and it really pisses me off because I feel like what I did while I was single was entirely my business and also my right. We had no intention of getting back together. We broke up on pretty bad terms and expected to stay out of each other’s lives forever and never talk again - let alone date again. So I feel I did absolutely nothing wrong. However, if you and your guy are only on a break, meaning you have discussed this is temporary and you plan to reunite in the near future, then I feel he has an obligation to keep you in mind and to give you whatever space you want and need, while also taking time to enjoy himself and have fun. That doesn’t mean sleep around, but more so have fun going out with and hanging out with his friends.

If you do plan to date again, there will probably have to be rules. When my husband cheated on me during the early stages of us dating, I told him it was over. We were living together so for three days we still had to be around one another, with me driving him to work because his truck had broken down shortly before. Thankfully my husband only cheated online with someone. He didn’t physically get with someone, but cheating is cheating in my opinion and you don’t have to actually have sex with someone to cheat. Anyways... after three days I finally agreed to stay with him, but made him promise to some rules, and all of this time later, I still make him live by those rules. First rule is that he can’t have Snapchat. This is because once a message is sent, as soon as it’s viewed, it disappears. That means a girl could send him a naked picture, he looks at it, and then as soon as he closes out of it, that picture is gone forever. The other is that I get to know his phone’s password and if I wanna check his phone I can. During the first few months, I actually did it every now and then. I haven’t done it in more than a year though. Also he can’t drink if I’m not around - as even the most loyal man (or woman) can’t be trusted drunk. That rule goes same for me though. I can’t get drunk unless he’s there too. Lastly, he isn’t allowed to have private conversations with women (so no one on one conversations in Facebook messages, Instagram DMs, etc.), and he isn’t allowed to hang out with a girl one on one - or if it’s him, his friend, his friend’s girlfriend and her friend, that’s a huge no too. Basically if he’s hanging out with girls, who are single or aren’t with their man, he isn’t going unless I’m with him. He said those rules were worth having me back and they haven’t caused any problems whatever. Only made us stronger in my opinion.

[pokefanbri]

Im still fucking fighting, i keep telling myself im not gonna let go & Fuck everyone else who thinks I should. But sometimes there's the opposite, im just lost & idk what to do....hes not gonna come back...so why should I bother to keep fighting 😔 If someone asks me...

Are they worth it? Absolutely. Because theres always room for improvement & growth, & we've been doing that apart for ourselves now for 7months. Did they give u the respect and attention u deserved? Are we not more valuable than that? Hell no & hell yes lol. Look I was happy just doing that for him but yea when it came to me honestly it was like nah im good 😒 & i know how fucked up it is that id go along with his selfishness but I did. I did deserve better & he knows I did... i just didnt wanna lose him & did anything he needed me for... but I ended up losing him anyway 😔 theres a reason why u work on that kinda shit & grow together as you go so everyone is happy, its fair to say we both lost sight...I was eager to learn everything about him cuz I wanted to be closer...but I was blocked out & pushed away, he wouldn't open up & talk to me or show feelings for anything, even of me when he used to all the time...like he was scared of being too attached or didnt want to get hurt..he didnt trust me or was afraid to show his true self or show any emotion that'd be viewed as weak due to the typical be a man complex. Idk I was confused & didnt know what was needed to help fix things so yea i walked on eggshells & me showing affection of my own free will was out of the question most of the time...I couldn't touch him unless he wanted me to & rare occurrences for my own satisfaction. Its the reason why I cried all the damn time, I felt avoided & unwanted because my own attention lacked pretty badly. How tf do I love a fucknugget bobblehead like that lmao, cuz I dont give 2 flying fucks he was my man ok! & being close enough to him made me happy enough I guess, I still looked at him like he was my world even if I wanted to slap him for making me feel so lonely at the same time. I admit his needs came b4 mine, he liked it more that way & I took care of him more than I did myself. But if he had more effort to take care of my needs in turn & I were happier than I was, & us happy at the same time, then maybe I wouldn't be so hard on myself...cry all the time & smoke like a chimney 🙁

I still don't fully understand why he held back, communicating with me on a deeper level is supposed to be natural & pretty much all normal couples show an appropriate amount of affection & understanding to eachother....but it was kept burried...was he afraid id hate him, judge him, make fun? No, id love him even more! Idc how dark he may think he is or whatever past bs he's gone through or even if he was lying about anything...its okay it can't hurt u anymore dear & we can overcome it just tell me what it is thats lacking & let's fix this. Id say "sit down babe, tell me everything, whats on your mind, what can I do to help 😊" & id give him the most gentle kiss on the forehead. I'd do anything to see a smile from that face & it makes me smile too. I want to help him, he needs somebody to hold just as much as I do cuz the fact of the matter is babe, he's just as broken as I am, we both need someone to put back our pieces & become whole again...after we try doing it solo it can only go so far b4 u want that physical presence of another again to help u more so. He keeps everything bottled up & especially didnt let me see what was happening to him I had no clue, if he didnt like talking to anyone he at least had me but still kept me away from him, whatever it was festered in him & he changed his whole demeanor toward me, he became colder & shut me out for good 😔 Making me feel even more unwanted. We didnt help eachother through our problems & I really wanted to, I wanted to save us for the longest time way b4 the end. Idk maybe if he put in as much effort & we knew how to function better together instead of a Corolla with just 2 wheels then we'd probably be fine...& our suspension wouldn't be dragging on the asphalt 😂 Its not all on him for fault, I take equal amount of responsibility, we failed eachother, we didn't know wtf we were doing & 9/10 it was just friends with benefits with only 1 of us in love & attached, & the other not really caring with side pieces to chat with 🤷‍♀️

U know what 🤬 They're right, he's right, & now I'm actually starting to accept it the more I write. Maybe just maybe,HE DOESN'T DESERVE ME AT ALL. Im still upset and frustrated. To answer the question again from earlier no maybe he's not worth it. I suffered through his bs and 10fold heartbreak afterward!! If he can't own up, right his wrongs & bring us both peace then no he's not worth suffering for afterall, and ive been loving the wrong soul this whole damn time 😣 He kicked me to the curb cuz he a fucking coward! He cant admit his wrongdoings, ask for forgiveness, say im sorry or actually put the tiniest bit of effort into a relationship to make it work, but instead disposes of me so he wouldn't have to confront any of it & just continue on like nothing happened are fucking kidding me!!?? I thought u were smarter than this, its beneath you to just run away & pretend I never mattered to you when we both know I did!!!....& im crying again. Im still feeling the betrayal apparently, ill never be able to trust him fully again anyway, let alone other men now. I dont hate you, I love you very much. But I hate the evil from you that you've shown me. I should've known honestly, I was naive to see all types of disrespect but this was the worst part. I still love him but i do deserve better than that & I hope he's changed his ways. Trust a guy with a high track record of ladies & a handful of em in their hand..what u think 🤔 can trust be gained back? Can I get over the bad uncalled for lying shit he's said about me to other women to make himself look better? Idk 🤷‍♀️ I haven't been able to rest without closure for so long, but enough is enough im making my own. You're absolutely right, you'd just manipulate me further, I thought maybe we could be better than before...round 2 at some point in the future...but maybe we're not salvageable after all. Thats up to u, I did everything I could, but now if u were to ever come back idk if I'd jump into your arms or slam the door in your face, I just dont know. Its better that I try never speaking of u again, or think of you for as long as I can so that I can heal better....cuz loving you even after the fact is tearing me apart & making me lose focus on what matters more, myself. I fought valiantly as long as I could, 7 months is a long time to not shut up about u lol.. maybe you've been hearing me I wouldn't know. I have to force it or ill never be able to, ill still silently grieve but as much as it hurts, Its time. U were my rock, an asshole but a good one, the best gamer I got to know, a boss at alot of things, with the cutest lil butt, & somehow the love of my life. Other than maybe something valentines or anniv related in Feb ofcourse....Ur getting what u wanted, I have to do whats best for me now, I have to let u go. I held on for so long but Im really tired & emotionally drained, im just torturing myself when i need to stop, im defeated, nobody won anything, everyone got hurt in 2020 why should our relationship be any different, id say we gave it our all be we both know we didnt. This hurts me so much to do, like my heart is breaking again. Bye babe, I love you with all my heart. 💋💞 💟

I tried to do what I could but if he left, I just gotta try to move on. If I take him back, I gotta consider how that's gonna look like & if I really got past the damage he did....obviously theres some I still haven't 😔 Its what im telling myself while trying to move past this. Others going through the same...We're in love and they ain't. We can't control their actions but we can control our actions. Im not a toxic person..only to myself, I love with all my heart, nobody bothers to understand...they just judge

[thewolvenangel]

Random question: where do you consider yourself, politically? I'm not sure where I'm at but the stuff you and some other ppl I follow is really eye opening - like seeing discussion/critique of antifa action basically doesn't exist in my current circles. I've always felt a little iffy about the "extreme left" but any time I try to talk to my friends about it they just double down or get defensive so... anyways! Dig ur blog a lot. x3

No problem on random questions, I definitely dig them! You got any questions about me or for me feel free to ask, I am always happy to answer and discuss! :D 

Sadly, in my experience, I find that Tumblr is one of the WORST places to discuss things at all... and not just in the political sense. In many cases that I have seen and experienced is that there are no proper discussions, rather just a childish sense of: “I’m right, you’re wrong, that’s the end of it.” 

To Tumblr rhetoric is an afterthought or just completely dead; and the notion of being wrong on something (an idea, thought, opinion, etc) is considered to be sacrilegious to their very identity and being. Vis a vis, personal responsibility and the chance to grow and learn is severely damaged by this mindset. 

Communication and the open and respectable passing around of ideas and thoughts are crucial for the advancement of society and the betterment of man as a whole. 

But I digress. 

Where I stand politically is difficult to answer... Because if you ask my leftist friends they would tell you I am more right. You ask my right friends and they would tell you I am more left than them. So I suppose that makes me a centrist? 

But honestly, I avoid applying such labels to myself as I feel it “boxes” me in. If I were to say I am right-wing then that applies that I must follow every single thought and opinion of the right (let's say as an example their opinion of governing morality and freedom/property rights I do not necessarily agree with) and I don’t. Same as if I were to claim that I was leftist I don’t agree with everything they go for. (Such as anti-gun laws and abortion.) 

My line of thought is education, investigation and concluding my own thoughts and opinions from gathering information from both sides. If one side has something or is vying for something I deem morally or economically right then I agree with them. If one side is doing or saying/spreading stupid shit I call them out on it and disagree. Long story short: I just don’t take sides. 

And yes there are gray areas to both sides, and having a sort of “wishy-washy attitude” many would say is imprudent and even hindering. But I don’t feel I am back and forth because I hold steady to my opinions and I have firm ones at that. I am just willing to look and consider it from all angles, is all. And importantly, consider if I am wrong. 

I will be the first to say as well that I am not as knowledgeable as I should be in certain areas, and I - like any other person - can be and have been wrong before! But I am willing to learn, I am willing to see another side, and I am willing to the research necessary to have a cohesive and factual sense of the situation. 

With that said my opinion on Antifa is that I find them hypocritical, ignorant and self-entitled at the very LEAST. I find them and the movement entirely abhorrent. Antifa has shown time and again that they have become the very thing they claim to be fighting against. At their core, they are vying for a totalitarian regime in which there are no open discussions and that violence is acceptable against those who do not fit their line of thinking and do not follow what they deem is “correct”. (Fascism is loosely defined as “ Fascism is a form of government which is a type of one-party dictatorship. Fascists are against democracy. They work for a totalitarian one-party state.” Which all I have to say to that is: If the boot fits.)

The very worst part is they do it under the guise of having the “moral high-ground.” And while on that high-ground they do not care who they harm along the way, whose lives they destroy, and what other moral injustices they commit to obtaining what they want. Their stance on free speech is disgusting and is ideal for their totalitarian line of thinking and governing; silencing anyone who may oppose them with at the least labeling one as a “nazi” or worst resulting in physical violence or destroying livelihoods. They do not care even if one of their own has been harmed in the chaos, deeming it “par for the course” and a “small sacrifice for the greater enemy.” 

I find them as abhorrent as I would an ACTUAL white supremacist/nazi. To me, there is no difference between the two; as both are hateful, ignorant, violent, and unwilling to change or compromise and will brainwash and destroy and put down anyone and do whatever it takes to fulfill their goals and regime. 

And you wanna know the saddest part? Antifa in the last couple of years has caused MORE damage and violence than the KKK / Neo Nazis have in the last several. You wanna know why? Because every sensible and average Joe agrees that these groups are bad and DESPICABLE. These groups are the MINORITY population, and we as humans are more than willing to agree that these racist and extreme thoughts are abhorrent. And it when it comes to action we are willing to stand against it, when and if it were to occur. 

But Antifa? They use their so called moral high-ground and justice to their advantage BECAUSE majority of the population knows Nazis are disgusting. So they cut the cloth as if you are not with them, you are against them, and thus you HAVE to be a Nazi supporter by default. They use fear mongering and manipulation to paint themselves and their movement in this sparkling glitter-toned light when in actuality they are just as terrible as the people and groups they claim to oppose.

That's the basic of it, I don’t really have time right now to sit down and share more. But I want to say I am proud of you for branching out and looking for more view points, and I hope that I was able to help in some way!If you’d like more blogs to follow and look through, or more people to discuss with I would recommend my partner @earthmindheartsky who is even more politically inclined than I am. 

And I couldn’t recommend @kasaron enough as he is not only a level headed and kind man, but he is very intelligent and knowledgeable and always open for discussions! Not to mention he is a big fuckin nerd who likes/does DnD, who also does wicked cool mech and computer stuff AND sometimes even art! He also reblogs many cute kitties; seriously, half of my cat pictures come from him! He is a real cool guy, even if not for discussion I’d suggest following him anyway!

Thanks so much for the question again, and I am glad you enjoy my blog! Honestly, I just sort of fuck around on here and reblog whatever, and I do my best to keep some politics off of it because it's not something I really discuss unless asked about it. But the way things have been going the past couple of years... It's hard not to. And I feel more and more like I have an obligation to spread more information as I find it, and you are a shining example that it was indeed the right thing to do! I hope you have a stellar day, and if you happen to have any more questions or want to keep the convo going feel free! 

[woozletania]

Sanctuary (RR/GOTG slice of life)

It started one day in the most innocuous way imaginable: nothing more dramatic than an E-mail. "Hey Rock," Quill said, slumped back in the pilot's chair idly scanning the screen as he helped Rocket work on a problem with the Milano. "Got a letter from your doctor friend." "Those're always good," Rocket replied, his head and body down to the armpits inside a panel working on control connections.  "Try the upper right aileron control." Star-Lord obediently pressed a control and Rocket made a happy noise from inside the console, his ringed tail twitching in not-quite-a-wag.  Peter went on. "Weird thing is the subject line is public but the body is locked, or I'd read it to you. All I can see is 'P. Foster' and 'It's happening again'." There was a dull bang from inside the console as Rocket's tail went stiff. Peter watched curiously as a hand appeared, set down a wrench.  Rocket's voice was deadly calm. "Read that again, Pete." "'It's happening again.' That's all I can read, man." "Oh.  Okay then." The hand grabbed the wrench and Rocket worked briefly, then slid back into view.  As usual he was covered with dust and smears of grease but a spot of bloody fur over one eye showed where he'd hit his head.  "That'll hold it.  I gotta hit the can." Gamora came up the stairs just as Rocket went down and the little raccoon pushed past her with even worse manners than usual. The green-skinned assassin took one look at the open panel and discarded tools the raccoon left in his wake and came to the obvious conclusion.  "In the middle of something?  Mantis has lunch ready." "I guess.". Peter fiddled with the controls, watching the indicators as he tried the various control surfaces, thrusters and engines.  "Looks like it's all working. Figure Rocket will want to work on it more though, he doesn't leave his personal tool kit just lying where everyone can get at it unless he's in the middle of something." But Rocket didn't show up at lunch and didn't answer when Mantis knocked on his door.  Weirdly enough he'd even locked Groot out and the tree, a little taller than the raccoon now and going through early teenage crankiness, spent two minutes banging on the door until Rocket finally swore and opened it. "What? I was just doin' some stuff." Groot handed him back his tools, which got a grunt of something like 'thanks' from the raccoon, who then finally emerged and locked the door behind him. Drax happened by just then and the three made their way to the common area for a belated lunch. Peter, Gamora and Mantis were all there around the table and Mantis reached out without thinking to pet Rocket, seeing from the angle of his ears that he was in a bad mood.  Rocket was a lot more likely to let someone pet him these days but this time he flinched away and sat by himself, grabbing one of the sandwiches from the platter without a word. Seeing Rocket in a bad mood was nothing new but he was usually nicer to Mantis than this and Peter spoke up.  "Was that letter bad news, Rock?" "Oh that," Rocket grunted between bites.  "Not really. He did say he met another guy who's up on my model of cybernetics and that I should have him take a quick look next time I'm in the area.  So I wanna swing by Kopleth today, since we're between money runs." "Kopleth?  Dull place, but I guess," Peter said.  There was nothing but the sound of munching and Drax loudly slurping soup after that until Rocket finished eating. The second the door to his room closed, though, the conversation started up again. "You don't believe him, do you?" Said Gamora. "Not for a second," Quill replied. "I am Groot," said the sapling. "Yes," rumbled Drax.  "He had his weapons out and a bag of bombs half packed when I saw into his room for a moment.  Whatever he's going to Kopleth for, it is not to see a doctor." Gamora's smart pad beeped, and she read the message before turning the screen so the others could see.  It was from Nebula. 'Not supposed to tell you this, but he's in your crew.  Rocket just asked me to help him kill some people.  Something going on I should know about?' Rocket should have known that on a ship this small it was impossible to keep secrets.  Perhaps he did, because when they arrived on Kopleth and he made his way down the docking ramp, bag-full-o-guns over his shoulder, it was an expression of resignation more than anything else that crossed his face when he found his friends waiting at the bottom. "Before you say anything," he said.  "This isn't anything you want to be a part of. It's personal business." Gamora held up her smart pad once more.  'If you are reading this I am dead, on the run or in jail. The bounty on me will be huge if it's the middle one, so I'll understand if you come after me. It was something I had to do. No apologies.' Rocket groaned.  "That was supposed to be time locked until tomorrow." "Not when I know to look," Gamora said.  "And I knew something was going on." "Yes," said Nebula as she stepped off her ship.  "What is going on, fox?" "It's happening again," Rocket said a little later in the Milano's common area.  "I can't let it happen again. Never again." "What's going on, buddy?" Rocket sat with his ears down and his little clawed hands between his knees. He counted the grenades on his belt, twice, before continuing.  "Doc Foster got a job offer.  They knew he worked at Halfworld and gave him a virtual tour of the new facility.  Animal Uplift.  Cybernetic implants.  Vivisection. Euthanizing the subjects when they were done.  Somehow they had data files from the Halfworld complex. There must have been a backup elsewhere and now it's all happening again." There were no tears in the raccoon's eyes. Just determination. "If I have to spend the rest of my life in a cell to stop this, I'll do it. Every one of these bastards has to die. But research like this is legal on Kopleth. I'm going, but the rest of you oughta get out of here now. 'Cept maybe the lady who already has a giant bounty on her bald head," he said, nodding to Nebula. "You're not going, buddy," Star-Lord said.  "Not without me." "There will be heavy security, yes?" Drax asked, and Rocket nodded.  "Then I will not be left out of a good fight." "And if my sister goes, I go," said Gamora.  Nebula just smiled. "You don't get it," Rocket said.  "We spent the last year building up a reputation. This could destroy it.  If it's just me you can say I was a rogue. I'm expendable." "No," Gamora said, and everyone (except maybe Nebula) said together, "You aren't." Rocket sighed.  Not surprised, just a little sad.  Peter spoke up next.  "So you got a plan, little buddy?" "'Course I got a plan," Rocket mumbled.  "Always got a plan." "One that involves all of us, not just you?" "Told you," Rocket said with the beginning of a smile.  "I always got a plan." And that's why it was that Drax, armed with a missile launcher of Rocket's own design, Gamora with her plasma rifle and Quill with his pistols stormed the front of the complex to draw attention away from the back, while Rocket, Rocket-sized Groot and Nebula, whose cybernetics made her eerily flexible, entered via the ductwork Rocket had identified from the schematics he'd studied. Some of the vents were too small for even Nebula and so they soon separated with a whispered "Kill only when necessary," for Rocket eventually allowed himself to be reminded that not everyone they encountered would be a monster. Yet the first thing he did was drop out of an air vent onto the shoulders of a Xandarian who was cutting open a black-furred creature, dig his claws into the man's throat and rip it out. "Nod if you understand," he whispered, undoing the furry thing's restraints even as the researcher toppled over. It nodded, and Rocket slapped an emergency medical patch over the hole the "doctor" had put in the long-eared creature and gestured for it to follow him. There was a thump against the wall nearby, probably Nebula shattering some fool's skull, and a black-clad security guard popped through a door only to get a chest full of Rocket's hand-made APX - Armor Piercing Explosive - rounds. The next room had nothing but a few empty cages and bloodstained operating tables, though Rocket reflexively pocketed a handful of servo components from a table. Distant shouts and gunfire meant the other Guardians were fighting their way in and this place clearly wasn't built and staffed to withstand a major assault, which was just what you got when Gamora and Drax led an attack. "I am Groot?" The black-furred test subject jumped when a three-foot-tree man man his appearance but Rocket just smiled.  "Yeah, can you get that door?". He'd been about to blast the armored portal but Groot's strength was all out of proportion to his size and his tendrils ripped the thing from its hinges. "Jackpot!" Cages, test subjects - and a couple of guards.  Rocket got one before they recovered from the sudden disappearance of the armored door and speed and small size gave him the advantage he needed to take out the other. "Get 'em out, get 'em out!" He blew away what he recognized as a cybernetics jammer mounted just outside the row of cages and Groot ripped the door off the nearest just as a white-jacketed researcher appeared.  Rocket hesitated to shoot an unarmed man and thus made a mistake that would make him wake staring at the ceiling and shaking for years afterward. The man didn't need a gun to smash his hand into a panic button and the result was clouds of green poison gas spraying from nozzles on the ceiling. "Shit!  Hurry!" The furthest cages were already out of sight in a cloud of poison, as was the researcher, and Rocket resorted to shooting the locks off the cages he could still see.  Half shaved, cybernetic implant-studded animals of several unfamiliar species  leapt out and ran for the door and Rocket cursed as he shot the lock off a cage that held a shivering yellow-furred creature curled in a ball as far away from the bars as it could get. He had already breathed more of the green gas than he liked and all he could do was grab the thing and yank it out of the cage. Mistake.  He should have known it would panic and with an animalistic shriek the long, flexible yellow creature wrapped around him like a snake and sank sharp fangs into his neck. The spray of red told him he was in real trouble but Rocket was no stranger to pain and he grabbed a gas-added creature from another cage and staggered for the door, weighed down by two of them and passing the handheld one off to Groot as he made it through the doorway and slammed it shut. Everything still alive in that room wouldn't be that way for long and he wasn't doing so good either. The whiskery muzzle was still clamped down on the side of his neck and Groot had to help him run the few dozen yards to daylight. What he saw when he burst into the light astonished him.  Not just the Guardians but hovering Nova fighters, not to mention ground troops who had rounded up a dozen white-coated researchers and were similarly trying to keep track of at least that many research animals.  His keen ears picked up the argument going on between a Nova officer - he recognized Dey - and what must be the head researcher.  "No authority here - research animals, perfectly legal," and something about "Murderous thugs." Rocket ignored the blood running down his chest, got his fingers into the scruff of the yellow thing slowly killing him with its bite and whispered, "Listen - all of you Subjects, listen, say this -" "Rocket!" Quill came running as Rocket's vision began to gray around the edges, blood loss and gas, and Gamora right behind him. No sign of Nebula of course, she'd wisely taken a powder. Just then the yellow thing's fangs came out of his neck and it said, slowly and clearly to the nearest Nova corpsman: "In accordance with the Uniform Sapience Act -" "No!" The head researcher tried to intervene, only for Drax to clothesline him to the ground. "I request sanctuary on the basis of inhumane treatment," the yellow thing said, and the other animals repeated "Sanctuary, sanctuary," and the less Uplifted  or vocal ones spitting out the syllables the way he used to, "sanct-u-ary," And then Rocket was falling over, weighed down by the yellow thing and never so happy in his life to hear one word.  It'd all been worth it.  Live or die, it was so worth it. ***** 'So, not dead,' were Rocket's first thoughts when he woke.  His neck hurt, his chest hurt, and oddly enough his leg hurt too. And the second thing that passed through his mind when he opened his eyes was how familiar the metal ceiling looked. "Why am I not in jail," he mused, and Peter jerked upright in the chair next to the bunk, dropping the Zune headphones he'd been tinkering with. A strange animal chirp came from low down, out of his range of vision, but it hurt to turn his neck so he couldn't see what made it. "Rocket!  Hey, everybody, he's awake!" In an instant the room was crowded with the crew, and even Nebula, and Rocket realized he was in Peter's quarters on board the Milano. The captain's cabin, if you could call it that, was about fifteen percent larger than the space he had before he turned it into a lifeboat and started sleeping in his round padded bed. "I have lots of questions," Rocket said, and then there was another, because a sleek yellow head sporting long, familiar whiskers popped into view as well. He'd never gotten a good look at it but this was indisputably the creature that nearly killed him.  He was too tired and sore to hold that against her.  "I guess they all fall under 'what happened'." "Peter had an idea," Gamora said, and Mantis smiled as she gently scratched Rocket's ears.  "A good one, for a change." "Thanks Gamora," Pete said sourly.  "I called Nova Corps before we went to the compound to see if I could get them to look the other way for a little while as we took off for our new outlaw lives.  When I explained what was going on to Dey he said the following," with that he pointed at Drax. "Animal research is legal in many places," the giant intoned.  "But as far as Nova is concerned, Uplift, or at least the abuse of the resulting sapients is legal nowhere." Peter grinned. "Since Kopleth has no military to speak of they couldn't do much when a Nova troop transport and escorts showed up. Even medics who patched you up, though it was a near thing. You had nerve gas in your system, a nicked artery in your neck and a splinter from a ricochet or something in your calf below the armor." "So we're not outlaws," Rocket said wonderingly.  "What about the research subjects?" "Under Nova supervision," Gamora said.  "To be granted full sapient rights and a share of the penalty fines being assessed against the company.  And we get a share of that too." "Free money!" Pete cheered.  "A reward for just doing good things!" "What about her?" Rocket looked at the whiskery creature, seeing the bolts almost concealed by her fur where the artificial collarbones lay.  He had bolts like that, too. "Her?" Pete looked puzzled.  "You mean 96L02?" "Subject Nine-Six-Lima-Zero-Two reports as ordered, sir," the creature said, and stood up as straight as its long cylindrical body allowed. Rocket winced. "Damn it Pete, you know better than that.  That's not a name and she - yeah, you bald bodies have no noses I know but she is a she - is conditioned to respond to that number.  I don't want to hear one of you say it again. Ever." He reached over to see how she would react, careful not to touch, and webbed hands/forepaws clasped his fingers.  "Rocket," she chirped.  "So so-ree I bit you." "I woulda done the same thing," Rocket said.  "Ask Pete. He got the scars to prove it.  Now we need to get you a name." She stood bolt upright. "Subject Nine-Six-Lima-" "No!" She shrank back, her little low-set ears sinking.  "That was what they called you. You don't belong to them now.  You can have any name you want." "But I don't have a name," she chirped. Do you know the names of the researchers?" "Rocket," Peter said firmly.  "You are not naming her after guys you killed to get her out." "Hey, it worked for me.  And I only killed four anyway." "I am Groot." "That guy killed himself," Rocket said, and that brought back bad memories.  "How many got out?  Test subjects that is." "Thirteen," Gamora said, "But one died from gas exposure. Before you ask, including the one in the operating room there were twenty-six in various stages of Uplift." Rocket swore, but Peter cut him off.  "Subject-" and the yellow creature stood bolt upright, "Er, Lima told us what happened.  Rocket, I was the one who told you not to shoot people who weren't a threat. It's my fault.  And if we'd all gone in the front, which was my plan, they would have gassed them all.  Your plan got some of them out and would have got them all out if you hadn't listened to me. So blame me, not yourself." "It's all right," Rocket grunted.  "I woulda hesitated anyway.  Didn't think a guy would kill himself just to get rid of some Subjects." Lima stood bolt upright at the word. "Why is she doing that, Rock?  You don't do that when people say 89P-" Rocket let out an inarticulate growl and Pete stopped. "Oh yeah, you killed all the people who called you that." "Except Doc Foster," but then Lima was gripping his clawed hand again in her webby ones. "Why are you so angry, Rocket," she chirped, and Pete smothered a laugh. "'Cause I was made to be angry. To be a weapon.  You don't have to be like me, Lima." "I'm not," she said immediately.  "I am for linguistics, and diplomacy, and companionship. I am to be cute." And with her whiskers and ink-dark eyes she certainly was. "No! You don't gotta be what they made you.  You can be whatever you want." "I don't know what I want to be," she chirped, and Rocket smiled sadly. "Welcome to the club, lady." One by one the others wished him goodnight and left for their beds, for it was very late indeed.  He'd apparently been granted Peter's cabin until he recovered, though he protested that he didn't need anywhere near that much space. "You're in no shape to curl up to sleep," Peter said.  "You need a real bed." I've got a real bed, and it's round, Rocket thought but did not say. That brought it to mind when Lima dropped down to all fours and curled up on a wadded-up blanket. "Groot," Rocket mumbled, and then spoke up despite his sore chest. "Groot!" "I am Groot?"  Naturally, the tree had been resting right outside the door.  He wasn't going anywhere until he was sure Rocket was fully recovered. "Get my bed, please." "I am Groot?" "No, it's not for me. Pete will yell at me if he has to sleep on a bunk and I don't use the bed he's lent me. And yeah, I'm too sore to curl up.  But look," Rocket said, and gestured at Lima. "I am Groot." "Thanks, pal." A moment later the tree was back with the round, padded bed, the one embroidered with "Rocket" and the Ravager symbol. Rocket knew perfectly well it was a pet bed Pete picked up on Earth but Pete never lorded that over him (which showed he had an active survival instinct) and the thing was damn comfortable. "Lima."  The yellow creature - Rocket was sure there was a species name for her, but he had no idea what it was except that she was clearly designed for an aquatic life - popped her head up out of the nest of blankets. "Use this.  It's comfy." She slithered out of the blankets on her short web-footed legs and gave it a sniff. "It smells like you, Rocket." "Yeah, I sleep in it, but you need it more than I do right now." "Are you sure?" "Yeah." Rocket smiled as she curled up in a ball in the padded bed, just as he did.  She was long and sinuous compared to his more humanoid build, but she still fit perfectly into the thing. There was a time he and Groot shared the thing every night, but Groot was too big now.  That had taken a lot of getting used to.  For years he'd slept in leafy beds Groot grew each night, then he and mini-Groot shared various beds, and then ultimately it was just Rocket, and now it was just Lima, or whatever her name would eventually be. "Good night, Lima.  Tomorrow we'll talk about your name." And that would have been the end of it, except that later, when the ship lights were turned down to a dim glow, Rocket was woken by a familiar sound.  A nervous chattering, whining, and the sound of claws on fabric. Lima was in the midst of a nightmare.  He'd heard all these sounds before from himself, and heard them described to him. She twitched in the round bed, and whined, and he had all too good an idea of what she was dreaming about. He'd always been the one to wake screaming, or shivering. Peter had the occasional nightmare, and with good reason, but he was stronger than Rocket.  Or maybe his nightmares didn't involve being strapped down and cut open.  Rocket didn't know what Pete had nightmares about.  Ego? The Ravagers?  His mother dying?  Yondu? He did know how Pete had helped him with his own night terrors, though. Rocket winced as he sat up, and using the cabin chair as a stepping stool (not something he'd normally need) finally made it to the floor.  He was tough, he healed fast, but the nerve gas had really done a number on him.  Stapled-up wounds in neck and leg didn't hurt half as much as his chest but he dropped to all fours and padded over to the round bed an its occupant. Peter, much larger than himself, had just petted him or rubbed his back to get him to relax.  Lima was as big as he was, though, and the only way he could see to make her feel safe was to crawl into the round bed and snuggle up next to her. She moved in her sleep and soon her whiskery muzzle rested on his shoulder next to his own. Bit by bit she shifted and he moved with her until they were curled up together.  If it weren't for their dramatically different fur colors and body shapes it'd be hard to tell where one ended and the other began. By the time they were snuggled up together she had relaxed, the shivering tension gone from her muscles and her breathing slow and relaxed. 'What I should do now is wriggle out of here and bed back on the bed,' Rocket thought.  But he was tired, and sore, and there was something about lying here snuggled up with another furry creature. 'Safe,' Rocket thought as he drifted off to sleep.  'I feel safe.  I hope she does too.'

[backseat-imagines]

Fem S/o little cousin approached the guys who was talking with their partner at a family party: "I'm confused, weren't you together with a woman? You said you liked women" at this the guys s/o freeze, but later explained to the guys that it was true and she is bisexual and she is sorry for having hide this, but she is always careful with people about her sexuality. Reaction?

I hope that in the end you don’t mind that this is more neutral and refers to everyone as just “you”. Just how this one rolls and maybe opens it up to others for enjoyment too, but in any case no matter what ya got a cousin who’s outting you!

Things go awkward in a hurry and Noctis is unsure what to be saying. When your cousin asks you this, looking back and forth between the two of you, he just scratches at the back of his head going “Uh, cool, I guess?”

Seriously how does one react to something like this? He hasn’t even heard anyone he knows even going through something like this so he can’t pull from that. He looks to them for some kind of guidance when he looks at you but- you seem kind of terrified and he almost hits into a panic from that.

“I’ll just leave you two to talk this one out.” He excuses himself for a bit so you can finish up your chat with them about it.

Now when you finally go up to him and tell him what was up with that, and reveal that you’re indeed bi, he still just says “cool”. To him it’s not too big of a deal, and that may seem insensitive to hear at first. But he’s quick to correct himself and say he didn’t mean that in a bad way, he just means that doesn’t really change how he views you.

Ignis feels a little rude at first. When your cousin had came up and oh so kindly interrupted with such a statement- he was in the middle of taking a sip of his drink and ended up spitting some of it right back out as he tried to surprise a chuckle. Though to the rest of anyone else that would have seemed more like a purely surprised response rather than amused.

“Perhaps, but as of right now I happen to be their partner.” He says in a hushed tone. He knows where you all are at and is trying to not catch the attention of the others in the family- they don’t need to get involved for now. But to try and save everyone from any further embarrassment (especially since he glanced over at you and you seemed almost mortified that you’re cousin just so casually dropped this out there) he tries to change the subject over to something else.

Ignis wasn’t going to try and pry anything out of you. What information you wanted to give was entirely up to you, though he assures you that you can confide in him over anything. So you finally start to open up to him;

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to find out like this…”“No need to apologize for anything, my dear. All I can say about the matter is that it takes a lot of courage to open up about such things, and that I am proud of you. I’m grateful to have your trust in which you’d tell me this.”

Gladio cocks a brow at the cousin’s statement, “I guess I must be the lucky one then.” He lets out a jolly laugh.

But he already knows something is up. The way you’re stammering and trying something to say, trying to keep things hushed, and the way you’re tensed up. He tries to pat at your back and put an arm around you in a way to try and seem reassuring.

Despite your ploy to try and switch the subject, your cousin still seems to press on and tries to dig more. Gladio at first lets you try to handle this, trying to quiet them about it. But boy are they stubborn, and Gladio finally chimes in with a “Look, they said they didn’t want to get into it, especially right now and so out in the open. You should respect that.”

After everything is done and it’s just the two of you, things are still a little… awkward. But have no fear, Gladio is more than fine with this turn of events and is understanding as to why you’d hide this. And he’ll let you know if there is anyone who tries to give you a problem over it to just call him in and he’ll keep you safe. he might also jokingly ask you if this opens everything up for a threesome now

Feeling like he shouldn’t really be listening in on this, Prompto tries to duck down into himself and step back. He’s unsure what to do or to say and at this point he feels like he’s actually the one intruding.

However his attempt to kind of step back and excuse himself to get a drink or a snack gets thwarted when you ask both him and your cousin to step outside with you for a moment. In which you tell them both the truth but urge the both of them to please keep it a secret, you didn’t trust anyone else in knowing.

Honestly Prompto is really flattered, he knows opening up to others with such serious secrets isn’t easy. Especially when… it had to be like this… He’s happy to be able to know such a thing about you, but also worried; it’s a secret you’ve guarded for a good reason and now he’s keeping an ear out just to make sure no one else here overheard in fear that one of the others in the family might not take too well to it.

But you can always count on him to guard this secret with his life, not even hinting at it even in a joke unless it’s just the two of you. The only time he might even mention it to anyone is a day where you feel safe and are more open, and he knows he’s allowed to when around others you both can trust. Until then his lips are sealed. And he’ll flare up at anyone who dares to pick on you for it.

[backseat-imagines]

The recent imagine is amazing,but I'm not a big fan of angst..If u have time,could you make the fluff version of the imagine?

Dear anon, I said I would be back with a lighter-hearted version of this post, and I always try to stick to my word so here it is!(Forgive me or any mistakes, there are bound to be more than usual with the dizziness still kicking in off and on. Also his will be under a readmore because this is getting really long)

  It had been months since Noctis had seen them. And in this whole time there wasn’t even a faint whisper of their name being carried in the wind; not anywhere in Leide, or Accordo, and certainly not in Duscae either.  Until today.  Noctis gazed out deep into the horizon. The fog of the afternoon blanketing over and covering the scenery of the distant forests. A chilled but gentle wind kissed over his skin.  For the first time in what seemed to be forever, the world was quiet.  It had been a while since he had a moment alone to himself like this, where he could savor the quiet of town. It allows him to think- about home, about his father, his duty, Luna… and thoughts of them momentarily slip into his head.  Where did they go? Whatever became of them? Were they gone too- No, that’s not a thought he wanted to entertain.  Noctis closed his eyes. If he closed them hard enough, he could swear he heard their voice- “Noctis?”- In fact it sounded so much like they were behind him, even now… “Noctis, you’re not paying attention are you?”  Noctis’s eyes jolted open when he felt a tap at his shoulder- and in that moment he knew that this wasn’t just wishful thinking. “It’s you!” he says with excitement in his voice as he turns to face them.   Part of him wants to reach out for them and hug them, to hold them in his arms like he had before. But it’s been so long, and after the last time they probably don’t view him the same any more. Even if he’s back to being on good grounds with them since he’s found out the reason, the feeling likely wasn’t completely mutual. For now, all that matter was they were right here in his presence.  They’re tired and worn, with heavy bags under their eyes. Skin dry; cracking and splitting on their hands. Dirt spackled over them. It’s clear to Noctis that they had been stuck traveling on foot- even though they were clearly exhausted, they still seemed to hold their head up higher than before. But now wasn’t the time to bring their appearance into anything. “Speak of the devil, I was just thinking about you.”  They cocked a brow, “Nothing too bad, I hope.”  “Ah- no.” He nervously scratches at the back of his neck, “Not at all actually.”  “Good, because after our last meeting I figured opinions might not exactly be the highest.” They let out a light chuckle. “Speaking of which, you’re taking me being here a lot differently than I expected.”  “Well, if I didn’t know the why’s, I might not have been taking it so well.”  “Oh… you heard huh?”  “Well you didn’t tell me, so I had to figure it out somehow. I just wish you would have told me about that before.” The tone of Noctis’s voice sounds disappointed, almost chastising in a way. Their head tilted down; it stung.  “Yeah about that… I’m sorry I didn’t before. But at least I’m here to give the news now.”  “News?” Noctis inquired. As if his focus wasn’t on them already, his stare was now fixed and attentive; he was eager to hear, “ Is it about the Empire? What about your friends?”  “Maybe things didn’t end up the prettiest as it can get…” They began, “but at least it’s resolved in some way. Meaning that unfortunately now they might be after my head but I’m yours again if you’d have me.”  Noctis begins to nod at them. A small smile forming on his lips as the last handful of words leave their mouth.  “Alright. I might have to have a talk with the rest of the guys, but I’m willing to put my trust in you once more.”  “Good, I was hoping you’d let me back in because I have even more news for you.”  And his very first thought was an ‘uh-oh’. This time he started to brace himself, because he’s so used to bad news following up the good. “Oh?”  They took a sharp inhale of air through their nose and slowly exhale, briefly covering their face with their hands and only lowering them when they finally went to speak. “Yeah, you might just have an heir coming your way.”  Noctis’s eyes went wide with shock. “Wait? What… do you mean? Heir…?” This was a joke right? He started to nervously laugh it off but the way they looked at him… he knew they were serious. “But when?”  “Well unless the Astrals decided to come down and pull some funny business, I’d say it was probably that only night when we had snuck out of camp.”  “Yeah but-”  “Noct,” they placed a hand on their hip, “If this is a problem, I can handle it on my own.”  “Ah- no, no that’s not what I was trying to get at!” He stumbles and stammers over what to say. Almost embarrassed by his reaction and poor choice of wording- he feels like he put himself into a corner. But he relaxes as soon as they tell him it was fine, they were just trying to give him a hard time, “I’m… It’s not easy news to swallow but, I’m happy? I’m nervous too but-  “I guess I’ll have to find a safe place for you; maybe you and Gladio’s sister can look after each other over in Cape Caem for a little while. Unless you already have a safe place planned?”  “Nah, no place exactly.” They say, shaking their head, “Sounds fine with me. I could use a quiet place to settle for awhile anyways. But what about you?”  “Me? I’ll still have to keep fighting on. But when this is all over, I promise we’ll come back.”  “We’ll be waiting. But until then, or at least until you have to leave,” They extend out their hand, waiting for him to take it, “Why don’t we take a walk?”

———–

  It’s in the late of night and Ignis is laying on a hotel bed; under the sheets and starting to drift to sleep.  The bed’s not like anything he had back at home, it’s not as nice or as firm, the blankets not as light or soft. But it’s a bed, and it’s doing it’s job just fine.  The door cracks in a little, letting the light from the hall peek in. He barely opens his eyes and notices a shadow moving on the wall. He thinks perhaps it’s one of the other guys in the group and he’s expecting any moment now for one of them to start talking. But they don’t.  Instead there’s a sudden sinking in the mattress in the bed beside him. And cool arms, that are in desperate need of a warming, slither around him.  Ignis smirks, “You’re late.”  That was one line they were getting all too used to and they scoffed. “You always tell me that anymore.”  “Perhaps. But you also did come late into the night.”  “As I always do for you.” They laugh once he gives them an ‘I’ll ignore you said that’.  “But I’m sorry. I’m being worked to the bone.”  “I know you are. And hopefully we can resolve this soon. For you and all the others.”  There was a few minutes of silence, where the only that could be heard was light breathing. Ignis felt himself in the middle of dozing off again right as they spoke up again. “And the three of us.”  “The three? Who would be the third?” He said, groggily.  “I was hoping for a better time to tell you, but I guess I may be a little gungho about it.  “You remember when I had been complaining about feeling sick all those days recently right?”  “Yes, I do. I remember you also puking down my front as well.” He snarkily mused.  “Ah… I’m still sorry- but about that. Turns out it was morning sickness.”  “Morning sick-” Ignis was quickly jarred out of his sleepy haze and as he slipped from their arms he sat up, almost literally throwing the covers off of himself and turned on the lamp that sat on the bedside table, “Then you are?” He paused, thinking to himself momentarily. “Then we can no longer have you play the part of the mole for us.”  “Why not?” Quickly sitting back up, they snapped at him; not bothering to keep hushed and not caring if they disturbed anyone. Ignis shushed them. “Ignis I’m so close now!”  “Close? Do you mean-”  “Ignis just give me a short bit longer! I have some other insiders who have been willing to help me, ones who have a very similar situation to me! It won’t be too much longer before we can cut loose and get everyone out. And we can help you and the rest of the guys tear through around then too!” Ignis watched how the longer they went on the more hopeful and joyous they looked. And even he had to admit that it was contagious. Even so, this was no matter to take with a simple grain of salt- this was becoming more risky. But they already knew the risks and the caution that they would have to move with. So when they finally began to plead with him- “Please! Just give us a little more time Iggy Please?”- He couldn’t help but to crack.  “If you’re that close and you have faith this all can be done… then who am I to say otherwise? When’s the soonest do you think this plan can be put into motion?”  “Likely any time after you all rendezvous with Lady Lunafreya next. After that, all you have to do is give the word and we’ll start!” They beamed.  “And will the Empire hold off from the others until then?” He asks.  “I’ll make them.”  “Then let us not focus any longer on such grim subjects and focus on the moment now.” Ignis patted the bed. “You look tired, why don’t you remain for the night and join me in rest?”

——-

  It’s over in Old Lestallum where they all decide to take a break for the day. Much of them are tired and need the day to stretch out, lest they go too stir crazy in the cramped car.  Gladiolus takes it upon himself to scout out any information. It doesn’t matter if it’s world news, monster sightings, or just anything at all.. He just wants to know what’s going on in the world around him.  It’s as Gladio is looking around town that finds the glimmering of a trinket in a shop window that catches his eyes. Normally he pays no mind to what’s in shops (not unless it’s it looks like something Iris would want), but this time? It reminds him so much of them- after all it’s their style.  And then he gets to thinking… How long has it really been? Months? And still after all this time they’re fresh on his mind. Hell, they always are. Though he’s never admitted it, that’s been an extra reason why he seems to search the towns so hard anymore. They seemingly disappeared off of the face of Eos which was god damn concerning. And he’d hate to leave things off the way they were from the last time they even shared a room… But no word was still better than bad news- there was always at least some kind of hope, even if just a sliver of it.  Gladio finds himself going into the shop. He reaches for the trinket and gets it, serving as a reminder to himself, but at the same time if he ever did see them again then he can at least use it as a way of saying he’s sorry.  It’s when Gladio steps out the door to the shop that he sees them, or at least he thinks he does. He’s sure he did. So much of the features, from the ones he could make out, made it sure look like-  Without another thought he runs off after them.  Maybe it’s not them. Maybe his eyes played a trick on him. But if he doesn’t find out now it will forever eat at him.  Gladio gets closer and closer, almost in arm’s reach now, and his hearts starting to race. He calls out their name and finally extends out his hand, grabbing them by the shoulder and coming to a quick halt as he turns them around.  “Would you look at that, It’s really you.” He gawks at the sight. Somehow looking at them feels more like a dream than a reality. After all this time and their meeting is merely by chance, and that almost didn’t set right. “Just where have you been…” Gladio’s sentence trails off when he looks downwards. And in their arms he sees a infant swaddled in a light colored cloth. The gears are already turning in his head- this couldn’t be from after they left. Was that-  The sudden sound of their voice snapped him from thoughts, “Wait, you were actually looking for me?”  “I wouldn’t be here right now if I wasn’t.”  “You were looking for me… and you aren’t trying to murder me?” They say in disbelief, “I must be dreaming or something.”  “A pretty good dream if it has me in it I’d say.”  “I don’t know, I’m sure there’s been a fair share of nightmares… But we should head back someplace better. Follow me.” Still careful but in charge of the situation; that’s one thing he’s always liked about them.  Gladio had no arguments; he just nods and follows them. Their home was small and quaint. Not in the best shape by any means, but it had to do. They ushered him to the living-room couch as they went to the other room, and came back out without the infant in hand. Must be the child’s room, he thought.  They sauntered in front of him, taking a seat in the chair across from “So what really brings you here? I know it wasn’t just for me.”  “Maybe not initially. But it is now.”  “How sweet.” His former partner rolled their eyes. “But really, why are you here?”  Gladio slowly reaches down into his pockets. His fingertips graze over the metal of the object he had just minutes ago tucked safely away, clasping around it. “I wanted to give you this.” He says, as he extends his hand out, leaning forward just enough for them to close the rest of the distance and allow him to drop it into their hand. He leaned back, and watched them to see if he earned any kind of approval.  They cocked a half-smirk and chuckled as the trinket was gently dropped into their hands. They liked it for sure, after all they had been eyeing this for the last week or so; ever since it came in. “You never were one to give things like this, so this is a pleasant surprise. Thank you Gladio.”  “Consider it as just a small piece of my apology.” He tells them.  “For what? If you’re talking about the last time, then consider it something of the past now since you’re not here to kill me- or just kick my ass down the street.”  Gladio let out a hearty chuckle.  “I can’t bring myself to do that. Not now, since I know. Speaking of which how did that all turn out? Did they let you go?”  “Yes… just not willingly. Freeing prisoners, hostages and framing others in the empire, including a higher up, doesn’t come at a free price. At least not when they find out the truth.”   For minutes they went silent. Searching their memories and recalling everything that had happened along the way. They could remember how hard their heart beated each day. How long walks or drives became when paranoia flared and they wanted to make sure no one was following. Even if no one had known of their plans, back then they felt like at any moment someone could have been watching. Those times was one founded on fear. “I was lucky enough to get out after horrendously putting a fork in the gears and taking back everything I needed to. All before they could catch me… But showing my face is playing a dangerous game now.”  “We’ll fix that for you.”  “Yeah? Too bad I can’t be apart of that myself. At least not anymore.”  “You mean since you’ve had your child-”  “Our child, yes.” They interrupted. “Can’t exactly leave my responsibility behind to go fight.”  “You sure? Be like the warriors of old?” Gladio chuckled.  “Nah they already did that and had that experience. Traditional just… isn’t for me.” Although they didn’t laugh, they still cracked a smile over his joke. God did he miss being able to get them to do that…  “Anyways, don’t you have the guys to go back to?”  “I don’t have to be there right away.” Gladio said. “Besides, I’d kind of like to catch up. If you want to that is?”  “I suppose that couldn’t hurt. Why not spend the night?”  “Spend the night huh? This isn’t a ploy to share a bed with me again?”  “Gladiolus…” They huffed, clearly unamused, “Only in your dreams, lover boy. I might be letting you into my house but I’m not trusting you so far as to let you sleep beside me… or with me. At least not right now, so you can get used to the couch.”

———

  After the last confrontation, Prompto managed to get his love to stay. At least for the time being.  Every now and then they made hushed whisperings of plans to him. Ones where they would have to leave; Prompto would be the first to admit that he didn’t like this. But maybe they were right, maybe that would be for the best?  But the thought of that scares him.  They carry the weight of the burden on their own two shoulders and he feels like he can’t do much to help them; even though they assure him that he’s doing the best by keeping them safe. The hope doesn’t glimmer in their eyes as much as it used to, and they offer him words like “it’s okay” and “everything will be fine” and those are the words he wants to tell to them instead. Especially now since sickness began to kick in on top of it.  The moon sets high in the sky. His partner had quickly exited the tent, waking him up with movement as they had fumbled to crawl through and leaving him to chase off after them,  Prompto picked up and held back some hair to keep it out of their face as they bent over by a nearby tree and started to puke up dinner from earlier.  “Sheesh, are you alright? You’ve been doing this a lot lately and I mean a lot.” Prompto said as he soothingly rubbed and patted over their back.  “Yeah, I’m sure it’s just some sort of bug. Used to get’em a lot so I know I can deal.”  “You sure?”  “I mean, there’s worse going on. Like right now.” Words as grim reminders, and Prompto winces over what they said. “I think I can manage. But now that I’m out here, and I got you all to myself; I need to have a talk with you.”  Internally, Prompto is cringing. He’s always hated “we need to talk” or any variation of that sentence. But especially now. He knows what this is going to be about.  “Prompto, I think I am going to go ahead and leave soon.” That was exactly what he thought this was going to be about.  “But why?” He asks.  “Prompto I have to. I have family I’d like for you to meet in the future, but I can only do that if I get them back first.”  “But should you really? You’re sick.”  They sigh. They knew Prompto meant well, and his heart was in a good place. But it felt as if he was missing the picture. “Please, I’ll manage. Besides it will be better if I do this now ahead of time, while I still have the chance. At least if I go back, I can try to direct them away from you all. Even if that works only just one time it will be worth it.”  He still frowns and fidgets nervously.  Prompto’s heart it sinking and he still wants to object to all of this. But he knows he won’t sway their determination…   Even the astrals with their eyes closed could see how distraught and frightful he was…  They closed the space between themselves and Prompto, gently cupping his face into their hands and pulling him in close, pressing their forehead to his.  “It will only be a little while Prompto. I promise. I’ll be back.”  “But can’t you stay? Just one more day?”  “Alright, but no more than that.”

******  Every single day after that Prompto worried and waited. Always gazing off into the horizon and waiting to see them walking over the hills or around the building corners. Time went on and on, and on.  As much as Prompto tried to hold faith in them and hold his head up high, he could still feel hope slowly slipping from his fingers. But the day that Ignis walked back into the hotel saying “I do believe someone wants to see you” was the happiest he had been in years- they were back.  Despite the new marks and the new scars that came to tell their tale, Prompto was just excited for their return “home”.  “You’re back!” Prompto nearly shrieked, running full force at them. He pulls them into a tight hug. “What happened? Is everything okay now? Tell me everything!”  Pulling away, the two of them move to the end of the hotel bed to sit down. And as they recounted everything to Prompto, he was happily nodding away. God he missed them; the sound of their voice, their gestures, the creases and wrinkles that would appear on their face as they talked or smiled.  “One last thing though.”  “Yeah?”  “This might end up seeming overwhelming, but we may just be on the nest.” They say happily.  “On the nest? Wait- you don’t mean? You mean- and you did all that while? Is it okay?” Immediately Prompto brings his concern down to their belly, bending down and meeting it eye to eye, so to speak, patting and rubbing his hands over it. “Ahh- what are we going to do though? I can’t have you getting into danger when you’re like this!”  “We’ll find something out Prompto. But why don’t we focus on what we have right now and think about the rest later?”