#and still. i love all 16 kids i don't want anyone to leave :(

[al-mayriti]

man i missed ot 🥲

[justiceiscalling]

au batfamily idea

au batfamily idea where talia found out she was pregnant and decided to do the whole pregnancy term with bruce, maybe negotiated some terms with him (that ra's obviously had no plans of following). right so, bruce/talia fic. you can write out the nine months of pregnancy, do this however you want i dont care.

but then around seven to nine months into her pregnancy (you pick) something happens, rouge attack or ra's attacks her and she's badly injured. the doctors and bruce tell her she had a miscarriage/still birth (depends if it's past 24 weeks or not), right?

except, she didn't. almost immediately talia leaves with ra's. cut to bruce watching them leave

"are you certain about this, master bruce?" alfred asks over the comms.

"it's for the better, alfred." bruce mutters as he watches talia leave. "she would've made a terrible mother."

you can change that line all you want to fit with your fic, i don't care. from here this can go two ways. one: the bat-family way

damian spends his first 10 years with the bat-family. he grows up with bruce as his father so you can change his personality however you see fit. maybe he was robin post jasons death instead of tim or maybe he has his own vigilante name, point is he grew up with bruce and dick and jason and cass and alfred. either bruce convinces everyone he's adopted or damian stays hidden for his whole life (that'd mean homeschool and no vigilante title, all the other batkids would think it's totally fucked up and none of them except dick probably know where he's from).

somehow after he turns ten, talia finds out about his existence. this is a point where you can use jasons time at the league for explanation, maybe he mentions a brother while he's there and says he looks just like talia or some shit. or dont use him, whatever. back to talia, she finds out about damian and is like 'yo wtf' and obviously tries to get her son back.

she succeeds, faking his death to throw them off. she gets a good five years or so before someone finds damian and then it's just all hell and you can pick who he ends up with.

now for the second option. after bruce fakes talias miscarriage/still birth bruce thinks this kid will never be safe. if he's with bruce talia will always try to get him, and if he's with talia damian will never know peace and eventually be a capsule for his grandfathers body.

so, he gives him up.

damian bounces from orphanage to orphanage or foster home to foster home--whatever you want--until hes anywhere from 10 to 15. now this is where tim drake come in. he's 16/17 when damians 10 (that's what i normally go by) and tim catches some members of the league looking for something that seemed really important. no captured league members would utter a word, all killing themselves instead.

but tims tim and somehow found out their looking for a fucking child and he goes out to find this child and save him. maybe tim recruits his brothers idk, do whatever. once tim finds him he's like 'holy fuck that kid looks just like talia al ghul' and tim's actually thinking about backing off cuz clearly this is a family issue....

except. well, that kid is equally confused and he's clearly had a hard life and hey, he kinda looks like bruce! so suddenly tims on a mission with this kid (again anywhere from 10 to 15) and he's trying to save him from the league while also trying to figure out what the fuck is going on! and you know, he'll need some help from his family to crack that shit.

that one ends in a big battle bat-family vs the league of assassins and damian has no clue what's going on this whole time. great potential for damian and tim bonding too which i love. please, someone make this a thing.

if this is already a thing please lmk i want to read it so bad

anyone can take this and run with it, give credit though, and PLEASE give me the fic name.

[drmaddict]

Patchwork

Summary: Henry becomes a father... Just not how he thought it would happen.

Word count: 2.160

Warnings: mentions of domestic violence, lots of fluff

"Six?"

"Six."

"Six children?"

"Well not biologically, but.... yes."

(Y/n) looked uncertainly at Henry. The blue eyes stared at her in disbelief.

"You have six children living in your house?"

She sighed. That was always the point at which every guy ran away.

"I understand if that's too much for you," she began. 

Henry shook his head still in disbelief, but grinned. "Do you ever sleep, or do you just get used to  sleep deprivation?"

She smiled cautiously. Didn't trust the peace yet, though. "To be honest there are two kids one 9 and one 12 and four pubescent teenagers."

He regarded her quietly across the restaurant table. "Are you okay?" he asked, "Did I say something wrong? I know my reaction may have been a little surprised, but I didn't mean to cut you in."

She relaxed a little. "It's just... Most guys run away as soon as they hear that, and that would really be .... a shame."

Henry smiled and shook his head. "I don't run away. I hate cardio."

That made her smile.

"But you'll still have to tell me how you get to adopt six children and teenagers.... And that as a single woman in her mid-twenties."

"It's like cats. Somehow I guess it doesn't stay with just one." She tipped her wine glass. "The first one was Jason. He was the son of my neighbors at the time and would come by my apartment every so often in the afternoon until his mother got home. One night he showed up at my door bleeding. His father caught him with make up and beat him black and blue. It took a while, but then he could move in with me. He's graduating from high school this summer. He has even been accepted to a make up school. He wants to go into film as a makeup artist." She smiled softly. "He's come a long way."

Henry curtsied in shock at the story. "Fatima is 16 and has been disowned by her family for not being a virgin. She has ambitions to study law. I don't think anyone will stop her from going to Oxford. Mike is almost 16 - next week - and grew up without a father and even though his mother tried everything, she has high level schizophrenia. She has been institutionalized and now lives in care. We visit her whenever her condition allows it. Mini - Emilia ran away at some point. We don't really know what happened. She is 14. Kamon is 12 and comes from a refugee family. His parents have been sent back to Thailand. We are trying to get a visa for them. Until then, I'm kind of his foster family. He and Mike are not officially adopted. Both love their family and do everything for them, even if they can't always be there. And Lilly. She is 9. Her family died in a car accident. No family member has been found."

She was silent for a moment and continued to contemplate her wine before looking up and looking at Henry.

"Henry... I understand if this is too much, but.... they've all been through enough in their lives and every single one of them has their reasons for making it hard for new people in our family. So if, against all odds, you say yes to this circus, know that it's not so easy to get out of it either." Her gaze became insistent. "If you leave me, that's one thing, but I won't do that to the kids."

Henry, who hadn't said anything all this time, took one deep breath and reached for her hand lying on the table. He smiled. "If they're willing to meet me, so am I."

Henry stood in front of a gigantic house. His house was already big, but this one surpassed it. Despite its size, however, it didn't seem ostentatious. It looked cozy and inviting. The word 'home' popped into his head.

Shouts and frantic footsteps sounded from inside. 

He pressed his thumb on the doorbell. Immediately, everything went silent.

The door opened with a jerk. A dark-skinned boy stood before him, beaming at him. From the colored eyeliner, he concluded that it must be Jason.

"Hello Mr. Cavill." he said in a noticeably loud voice.

Immediately, frantic footsteps sounded and he saw scattered bodies running through the background.

"Hi. Henry will do." he smiled.

"Come on in. I'm Jason. Ehhm... (Y/n) isn't here yet.... Mike had... They had to go to the hospital."

"Is he okay?"

Jason shrugged. "Normally, he is. Boxer you know... Tea?"

"Gladly."

He stepped into the house. It was swept as if empty, yet the traces of life could be seen in it. Self-painted pictures. Photographs. Various equipment for hobbies. Shoes in different sizes. And that was just the hallway. Henry let himself be led into the kitchen and sat down on one of the chairs. None matched the other.

"Mike had a match this morning. (Y/n) said he's already patched up. They're already on their way here."

Henry smiled. "With something like this, you should take your time."

Jason set the steaming cup down for him and sat with him.

Henry accepted it gratefully. "It's very quiet."

"Be glad." was all he said, sipping his tea. "I don't want to chase you away, but it's like human history here. The periods of absolute peace are relatively negligible." He ran his index finger over the rim of his cup and grinned. "And I'm one of the worst divas here. Just a warning."

The front door opened and a rumble sounded, followed by an amused giggle. "Sorry about that." a boy's slurred voice rang out.

"That's okay big guy. Come on off to bed." he heard (y/n).

"I'm fine!"

"That's because they drugged your ass off so you can't feel your face."

"Where's Ammy?"

"Mike you need to rest now. You can call Amber when you're in bed."

"Who are you?" A blond boy in a gray sweatshirt and swollen face looked at him from the doorway, aghast. "Who's that?" he turned to (Y/n).

"A friend Mike. That's a friend. Jason stop filming him!"

Still grinning, Jason put the phone away and turned to Henry. "Welcome."

"What's the dog's name?", Kamon asked him.

"That's Kal...like Superman." he smiled at the shy boy.

"I like Batman."

Henry rolled his eyes playfully. "Oh yeah, why?"

"Batman watches out for kids nobody else wants. Like (y/n)."

Henry smiled.

"I told you not to rummage through my things!" yelled Emilia down the hall.

Henry and (Y/n) sat in the garden each holding a book.

"I wasn't rummaging. I was getting MY eyeshadow, that you stole from MY room!" shouted back Jason. "It's not my fault you leave your lovey-dovey fanfictions lying around in the open like that!"

"You have no business in my room!"

"That being said - Tom Holland? Really?"

A splintering sound rang out.

"I guess that was the vase, then," (Y/n) sighed.

"I would have thought she was more of a Sebastian Stan type," Henry reflected loudly.

"How long has she been sitting there?" whispered Henry to (Y/n).

"Since this morning. She hasn't looked up from that book in five hours."

Fatima sat at the large parlor table surrounded by books, writing notes and index cards.

"That's impressive. Scary, but impressive."

Kal walked over to the table and nudged her.

"I have to study! Sit!" Kal obeyed immediately and sat next to her chair.

"She'd make a good drill sergeant," Henry grinned.

(Y/n) sipped her coffee. "You've never seen her in exam stress."

"This isn't exam stress?"

"This is relaxed studying."

Henry looked in shock at the girl with noise cancelling headphones. (Y/n) grinned into her cup.

 "They need more glitter!" determined Lilly.

Henry reached for the can of edible glitter and sprinkled more of it on the unicorn cookies.

"Like this?"

The little girl looked thoughtfully at the tin. "Like this."

Henry bowed theatrically and slid the tin into the oven. "All for your majesty." The girl giggled.

(Y/n) just watched with a smile.

Jason and Mike sat on the sofa grinning together at a tablet, each with headphones in their ears.

This wasn't normal. Even Henry knew that by now. He wondered if they were both watching porn. He'd been that age once, too. He knew what that was like.

(Y/n) came into the living room and looked over there shoulders at the two of them. She laughed uncontrollably grunting, but immediately suppressed it and came over to him.

No porn, he concluded.

"What about these two?" asked Henry, pulling her to him on the sofa and onto his lap.

"Just a movie," she grinned.

"What movie?"

She continued to shake her head with a grin and waved it off. Henry was very reluctant to be shut out. So he sat (y/n) down next to him on the sofa and stood behind the two teenagers. When he saw his younger self in a black hoodie grinning and holding up a tarot card, he groaned in annoyance.

The boys snorted indignantly. Henry looked defiantly at the display.

"Oh come on Sweet Cheeks! What's wrong?" asked (Y/n) with a laugh.

He looked at her with an intensity that promised she would pay for this yet. She could hardly wait.

"What's with the hair?" laughed Jason.

"It was in back then!"

Henry stood in the kitchen making coffee while there was the familiar bustle around him. Kamon couldn't find his second shoe, Lilly needed a certain T-shirt, Jason occupied the bathroom, Mike shoveled eggs into his mouth, Fatima just drank the coffee straight out of the pot, and Emilia hid behind a book.

He could hardly believe that over a year should have passed already.

They had grown close to his heart. He didn't want to miss the chaos at all. The last time he left for a job, it seemed almost eerie how quiet it was that night. He had told (y/n) about it over Skype. She'd just grinned and said those feelings liked to sneak up on one.

"Do you think they want me in their life?" he had asked her uncertainly.

She had only smiled. "Wait a minute." She disappeared and came back a moment later with a piece of paper. She held it up to the camera. "Lilly drew this for you today." It showed eight roughly drawn people. Under each one, in capital letters, was the name.... except for (y/n) and him. It just said Mum and Paps. Henry stared wide-eyed at the screen. "Please act surprised when you come back. It's supposed to be a gift.", she put the paper back down. "Are you crying?"

Henry had remained silent. He had only nodded.

He smiled at the memory. The picture hung framed in the hallway. It had become Henry's favorite picture.

"Car one go!", (y/n) called down the stairs.

The three mismatched teens got up from the table and walked to (y/n)s car.

Henry packed the last of the snacks into Lilly and Kamon's lunchboxes before he, too, packed them into his cat and drove them to school. Jason had a little break from make up school and stayed at home.

Henry came back earlier than (y/n). He waited patiently for her in the kitchen. Looked at the mismatched chairs and the photos on the wall. Photos that now included him. (Y/n) came shortly after him and dropped into her usual seat next to him. She reached for the waiting cup of coffee and dropped her head on his shoulder. "How did I do this alone before?"

Henry laughed.

"I mean it. Don't you dare leave! I can't take it anymore!"

Henry just smiled at her. He got up from his chair and knelt down in front of her. He pulled a small box out of his pocket and held it in front of him. "I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life anywhere but with you and the kids. (Y/n) will you marry me?"

She looked at him with shocked eyes. "Are you sure?"

He nodded with a smile. "I want to take Lilly to her dance lessons. I want to be there when Jason gets his first jobs. I want to see Fatima come top of her year at Oxford - in law AND medicine." They both laughed. "I want to cheer Mike on in his competitions. I want to watch Emilia find the romance she secretly wants. I even want my heart to break when Kamon is reunited with his parents. I want to be with you. I want to be with the children. I don't want to run away. I want to be part of this family."

"You already are," she smiled, crying. She pulled him close and kissed him.

"Does that mean yes?" he grinned.

"Yes you idiot." she laughed.

[emdoesstufff]

So these are my aesthetic boards for my version of the MCU young avengers (which making those is apparently my thing now lol). It's sort of an AU, but it's also part of the plan in my head for the MCU for the next like ten to fifteen years (don't judge me, I'm crazy). If you don't like any of these, please remember that these are just my opinions before you leave any rude comments. I would still love to hear anyone else's thoughts and opinions though!

Elijah Bradley - Patriot (22)

Harley Keener - Iron Lad (25)

Kate Bishop - Hawkeye (24)

Kamala Khan - Ms. Marvel (18)

Cassie Lang - Stature (21)

Amadeus Cho (19)

Riri Williams - Ironheart (23)

America Chavez - Miss America (18)

Charles Alexander "Alex" [last name unknown] (original character) - Winter Soldier/no alias (11) *he's not really part of the team at the moment but is later on*

Billy Maximoff - Wiccan (16) *Billy Maximoff and Billy Kaplan are two different people in my world, Billy Kaplan hasn't entered the MCU of 2026 in this*

Tommy Maximoff - Speed (16) *Same as Billy with Tommy Maximoff and Tommy Shepard being different people*

Loki/Kid Loki (19, but he is a god so...)

These are their ages as of 2026 and I tried to make them as MCU accurate as possible. Obviously they age on my little timeline. Also I know Alex's comic pictures is actually James Roger's from the comics, I just needed a photo. Also also I know the things with the twins is confusing, but it's not really that important. I can explain if someone really wants to know though.

I can also drop more info on all the characters if anyone wants that. The timeline too.

[blacklegsanjiii]

So I've had a thinking about mom!robin and child!sanji au and was wonder what are some of your head canons! Maybe robin picked up a 7-8 sanji when she was 16 or 17. This could maybe fit under nico!sanji but where robin actually adopts sanji. Feel free to make as fluffy or as angsty as you want I'm just looking for ideas :)

The first ever Nico!Sanji was them staying together and working in Baroque Works together and she did find him around eight. Instead of sending him to the Baratie to work. However I love the idea of Nico!Sanji and Robin just having a child/parent dynamic of overprotective Robin who found Sanji lost at age eight, starving and alone and she's not in much better shape at age seventeen. Sanji is so small and fits so well into Robin's arms and Robin who hasn't had companionship in so long, he holds her hand or one of them as they walk in deserted parts, when they camp for the night Robin wraps him in many arms and holds him close to her.

I feel like Robin would rarely let Sanji out her sight for years to come, between the Navy and whoever may or may not be after Sanji she likes to play it safe. Sanji is eager to please and follow her every word. She sings to him and tells him stories because she will not lose him like she lost everyone else. Sanji lets her, the first set of soft touches that he's had in years. He still flinches sometimes, involuntarily. It's not that he wants to, afraid he'll offend her or hurt her feelings. That she'll leave him, he doesn't want her to leave him, he likes her a lot! She's so nice and loving and caring, like his mom! He accidentally calls her mom about a year after they start traveling together and when Robin starts crying he thinks he fucked up and apologizes and says he can go! He's been alone before it's fi-!

But she cuts him off and pulls him to her and just says she's happy, hasn't been this happy in a very long time and that she would like it if he wants to keep calling her that. He nods and says he would like to, if she really doesn't mind. They stay sat together for a while and he does get used to calling her 'mom' more often than not. She loves it and smiles so fondly whenever he does it. They're inseparable basically.

When they make it to Alabasta, Sanji is fifteen and Robin is twenty-four, the coup has already happened and they begin to work for Sir Crocodile. Miss All Sunday and Mister Prince working together. It weirds some people out this teenager is calling this woman who definitely isn't actually old enough to be his mom 'mom' and she goes along with it and smiles so fondly to him. Crocodile doesn't bat an eye, the kid cooks well enough to make him not care and Miss All Sunday is on the hunt for Pluton so he really doesn't care as long as he gets results. If anyone does try to pick a fight with Sanji they do have to deal with Robin though, it doesn't happen often but Robin is known for being protective of him.

Sanji still cooks, he cooks for all of Baroque Works when he sees them or they're around and not off fulfilling their duties. He still wants to find the All Blue but he fights with his hands and he listens to Robin as she explains the difference in the poneglyphs to him. Their both multilingual and he knows how to read some of the language the poneglyphs are written in but not all, it's a tricky language to learn to read let alone put together. The other members of Baroque Works tend to tune them out when they start speaking other languages they don't understand, Crocodile sighs in irritation every time it happens.

Sanji is sent to Little Garden to help Mr. 3 ahead of the Strawhat's arrival and he finds it rather interesting that they're helping the princess of Alabasta, finds it hilarious the princess had to get help from pirates but then he watches them take down Mr. 3 and well, it would be nice to have company on the way back to Alabasta so he offers the Ever Pose in exchange for a lift, and he offers to cook for them as well. Only to be roped into the shenanigans of Drum Island and shit is his mom going to be pissed when she finds out he broke his fucking back kicking these idiots out of the way of a fucking avalanche. He's going to be in so much trouble, he's going to get glared at and talked to in several different languages oh no.

When they're in Alabasta, overthrowing his boss for pete's sake, he avoids Crocodile because he'll be in trouble otherwise, great trouble, but Crocodile falls and Alabasta is free. To keep appearances he pulls a gun on Robin on when she boards the ship, him having been fully invited into after Drum Island. She smiles sweetly at them and during the night, during Sanji's watch after the galley is cleaned, she finds him and they speak in a language only they know. She strokes Sanji's hair as he leans his head on her shoulder. No one really clocks it as they sail together, at least not until after Ennies Lobby and Water 7. When they get the Thousand Sunny and Robin is free for the moment and wants to live and has the freedom to live now. I feel like Usopp stumbles upon them sleeping together, just passed out curled up around each other and he fucking tells everyone their dating. Despite the visceral reaction from most of the crew. Robin and Sanji are asked about it at lunch the next day, Franky wiggling his eyebrows and then bawling when they say they're not an item, far from it. Everyone does notice they are close but can't figure out how close. They hear them talking in the other languages and falling into a mix of languages that no one else can understand.

After Thriller Bark and all the parties Sanji finds her and it's rare, he's taller than her now after all, but she pulls him into her lap and cries quietly as she pets his hair. He doesn't say what happened, but she knows he's keeping whatever promise he made to the swordsman but still. She doesn't begrudge him, never, not after what happened with Cipher Pol and Aokiji. Not after working in Baroque Works for a warlord. When he apologizes later she shushes him and makes sure he's calm and the tear stains have calmed before he leaves. She's so soft, still creepy but he's creepy right back. But then everything keeps going wrong and they're separated on Sabaody. The pacifistas, the quick vanishing and appearing in a random place, rushing to get back together, only to fail, only to see the note in the paper, only to rely on whisperings to see how their crew is doing. Ivankov and Dragon seem to be questioning of the relationship between the two of them after their meetings when they have tea with Koala and Robin. Robin simply says Sanji is her son which makes Koala lose it as Iva looks confused and Dragon shrugs it off because yeah, sure.

When they all come back together she checks Sanji over and nods approvingly in private, fussing over him publicly would only lead to the crew questioning them again when that wasn't the case. They could just come out and say it but they don't need to, not right now. Their convictions towards each other are strong and unyielding. Which is why Robin also goes to WCI, she doesn't dissuade Nami from going but does ask that she give Sanji grace. Nami gives her a questioning look but agrees hesitantly. There's so many questions going through her mind but she leaves without asking any, Luffy and them promising to bring Sanji back to them. When the crew is headed to Wano it's Usopp who asks Robin why she asked Nami to give Sanji grace for leaving. Robin clarifies that it's not for him leaving but what he's going to do while gone, what he feels he'll have to do to protect the crew. Zoro asks why she didn't go if she cares so much and Robin says every parent must let their child make mistakes, she's no different and that if she goes she will not listen to Sanji or Luffy and it could end just as badly as Ennies Lobby if she had. When everyone, Heart Pirates included, ask what she means when she said 'parent' she laughs and says she and Sanji's relationship is much more of a mother and her son than siblings, he was so small at age eight that it was easy to fool people while they ran and it became less of an act over time. Franky asks what Sanji would do while he's gone and Robin answers that she wouldn't put much past him, they were in Baroque Works for a while and have been running from the Navy for most of their lives so there's not much they wouldn't do to protect those they care about. Everyone just stares at her and Robin laughs lightly to herself and bids them all a goodnight and goes to bed.

When they're all in Wano again and Sanji is concerned about what Robin will do to him but she simply hugs him and says she's happy he's safe. Sanji nods and hugs her back and Franky is bawling saying it's SUUUPER to see mother and son reunited after everything that has happened which makes the rescue team balk at them in surprise and start questioning them. It's a long and awful conversation because Sanji didn't really tell Robin about his family either. When he's done though Robin simply hums and says it's a good thing she wasn't there because she would have defied his wishes because hell hath no fury like a scorned mother.

[rogue-durin-16]

MISHAPS AND SILVER LININGS

Request: maybeee dialogue prompt 53 with Nixon x female reader?? But maybe kinda angsty also??? (anything u write is great so 🤷‍♀️)

Summary: after all the tragedy endured during the war, nobody would have guessed one last mishap would help the stars align for Lewis Nixon and Y/n Y/l/n.

Prompt:

53. "I remember kissing you. Why do I remember kissing you?"

Pairing: Lewis Nixon x Reader

Genre: angst/fluff

Tags:

Requested by: anon

Band Of Brothers: @fernando-jpg @chubbypotatoepie @tvserie-s-world @clumsy-wonderland @lordndsaviorwinters

Permanent taglist: @elia-the-bibliophile @randomparanoid @karlthecat15722 @thebutchersdaughtersblog @amourtentiaa @comfort-reads

Warnings: alcoholism, swearing (that's it omfg)

A/N: writing for Nixon was surprisingly easy? I high-key had fun with this one. Thanks for the request love. Remember that requests are open rn so feel free to send yours in. Meanwhile, enjoy this little fic <3

Band of Brothers masterlist

Rogue-durin-16 masterlist

A dull light crept through the curtains of the flat Regiment had billeted me in when Nixon finally stirred.

He shifted on my bed, a slight groan escaping his lips the moment his barely open eyes hit the few rays of sun striking the mattress. He had one hell of a hungover.

During the last year of our lives, Lewis Nixon and I had worked side by side across Europe practically at all times— which meant I wasn't exactly a stranger to his drinking problem. Since we came back from that jump over Germany though, it had escalated to a different level.

'He's been demoted' I had disclosed to Dick as soon as we linked back up with Battalion HQ.

'Demoted?' Although his friend had questioned it, no explanation was needed. He already knew. 'Okay, I'll talk to him'.

I don't think anyone could blame him. It all had become too much to handle, specially if one had lost conviction in the reasons we were still fighting this war.

I knew he had lost it. As if it wasn't obvious enough, he had blurted it out one of those nights we stayed awake for one reason or another. That exact night everyone had stayed awake, I believe.

That damned patrol back in Hagenau. We had fought Sink not to push forward that mission, but there was no use.

"This is stupid." I mumbled, arms crossed and my eyes fixed to the other side of the river.

The full moon's light reflected on the snow. In any other setting, I would have found it beautiful, but with fifteen Easy Company members being sent on a suicide, the landscape was far from that.

"Glueing yourself to the window won't help them."

I shot Nix a tired glare and pushed myself off the window in order to walk towards him. "They shouldn't be out there."

"None of us should be out here."

"What do you mean?"

"Why the hell are we here at this point, Y/n/n?"

I didn't have a response.

"Don't you wanna come back home already? To that lovely husband of yours." He teased with a bitter half laugh.

"You're funny." He didn't know about the mail. How could he know? "Don't think he'll be there when I come back."

"What?"

"He sent a letter back when we were in the Bois Jaques." I explained, snatching the glass of whiskey Nix had by the typewriter. "Said if I wasn't home by New Year, he'd file for divorce."

"You're kidding." Nix sat straight in his chair when I didn't laugh. "Who in their right mind would leave you?"

"The man I married, apparently." The officer struggled to meet my eyes. He knew by now I didn't want pity. "Guess he doesn't know why we're still out here either."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

He sat up slowly, squinting against the light, one hand coming up to clutch his head. It didn’t take long for him to notice me slouched on the bedroom's armchair. His gaze darkened, panic flashing across his features.

“What the hell…” he muttered, groaning softly. He rubbed his face and looked around, as if hoping he could piece together the memory.

I watched his eyes darting around like he was still scrambling to make sense of everything. The awkward silence stretched between us until he finally spoke.

“I… I remember kissing you.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking almost angry with himself. “Why do I remember kissing you?”

The Night Before

The knock at the door was unsteady, clumsy, like he could barely remember how to make a fist. I pulled on a sweater and padded across the cold floor, half-expecting to find someone delivering bad news. Instead, there was Nixon, eyes glazed, swaying slightly as he tried to focus on me.

“Jesus, Nix…” I murmured, instinctively stepping aside as he staggered into the room. The sharp, sour scent of whiskey clung to him, familiar but stronger than usual, almost suffocating. I shut the door behind him, hands already moving to steady him as he slumped into the nearest chair, his gaze unfocused.

“What on God's name are you doing here?”

He looked up at me, his face a blur of exhaustion, frustration, and something else—something deeper. “She’s leaving me, y'know,” he slurred. “Kat's divorcing me."

"Jesus, Lew." I poured him a glass of water and kneeled down. "Now?"

"Took… took the damn dog, too."

"She took your dog?!"

He snorted with glassy irises. "Everything. I think... I knew it would happen, but… didn’t think it’d feel like… like this.”

I swallowed, feeling the heaviness of his words settle in my chest. “I’m sorry, Nix,” I whispered, unsure of what else to say, until I remembered the words he said to me back in Hagenau. “I don't know who in their right mind would leave you.”

It was soft, just like the featherlight touch of my thumb brushing away a rogue tear before it could reach his jawline. It sounded dangerously similar to 'I wouldn't leave you'. Maybe that's what he had meant back then.

He let out a bitter laugh, his head falling back against the chair. “Yeah, well… doesn’t matter. Not anymore.” He closed his eyes, breathing out, then looked at me with a strange intensity, like he’d finally worked up the nerve to say something he’d been holding onto for too long.

Something I both craved and dreaded to hear.

“Do you know…” He trailed off, blinking as if the words kept slipping away from him. “Do you know how hard it’s been? Pretending I don’t… pretending I don’t want to kiss you every damn time I see you?”

The confession knocked the air from my lungs, and I stood there, stunned, heart pounding too loudly in the silence that followed.

“Nix…” I began, voice barely a whisper, but he just shook his head, his eyes shifting, unfocused and pained.

“I wanted to kiss you from the very first second I heard your voice.” he said, voice rough and broken. "I remember how beautiful you looked the first day we worked together, how smart you were and how I just wanted to... But Kat- I couldn't... Do that to her and your- you..." He pinched the bridge of his nose, "I tried and... for what? For this?"

My lips were sealed with panic but the glint in my gaze and the liquor in his veins spurred him.

"Tell me it's just me... Tell me..." He did his best to lean forward without lolling too much. "Everytime it almost happened... Just say..." His look dropped to my lips, too intoxicated to care how obvious he was. "The 'what if's haunt me when I stare for too long..."

I couldn't say I didn't feel exactly like that. The cautious dance we were in was long overdue —the brush of a hand, a whisper closer than necessary, that drink we shared in Mourmelon that almost made us cross the line—, but it had been a silent mutual agreement not to act on it.

Before I could process everything, before I could find the right words to stop it without pretending I didn't feel the same, he leaned forward, his hands gripping my arms for support as he pressed his lips to mine.

It was lousy, desperate, filled with something raw and aching, and I didn’t know if it was my own hesitation or his unsteady hands that made it linger just a second too long.

He staggered back, eyes half-closed, almost as if he wasn’t sure if he’d imagined the whole thing. His hands dropped, and he swayed, his breath slowing as the exhaustion finally took over. His head slumped onto my shoulder, and he exhaled, a quiet surrender.

“Nix?” I whispered, looking down to see his eyes shut, breaths now slow and even.

The confession hung between us, unanswered. And I sat there, his weight against me, tangled in everything I wanted to say but couldn’t.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The panicked question floated in the air, heavy with something I couldn’t quite name.

"Y/n." I looked down, unable to meet his eyes. "Why do I remember kissing you?"

I cleared my throat and did my best to sound somewhat nonchalant about it. “Well, maybe because you kissed me, Lew.”

"For Christ's sake..." He groaned, rubbing his face with his palms. "Just what I needed, great. This is great."

"You drank too much." I tried to excuse him. Emphasis on 'tried'.

"I always drink too much and this never—" Another frustrated groan, this time louder, escaped him.

"I've never seen you... That drunk." The statement was tainted with worry; a worry I had felt the night before and didn't have time to voice. "You looked... awful. I had to drag you to the bed." I stole a peek at him while I explained, catching a mortified expression on his part as he sat up, legs hanging from the side of the bed as he was now facing me. "I get it. I really do. It's hard enough out here. Hey—" I kneeled down to meet his casted down face, much like the night before, but with very different circumstances. "You saw me in Noville. I wasn't... I wasn't myself. And it wasn't even-"

I pondered how to put my thoughts into words without making it worse. The best way to explain he wasn't all that bad without making a fool of myself.

"I didn't... Love him, y'know? Charles, I mean." At the name of my soon to be ex-husband, Nix seemed to regain the will to meet my eyes, which now recoiled from his. "Not anymore, at least. But it felt... The letter felt like a gut punch— I felt like... my life slipped through my fingers. And when stuff like that happens, we do stupid things. Because we feel lost."

"Is that what I said?"

"Huh?"

"That I felt lost."

I shook my head no, the realization that he didn't quite remember his drunken speech dawning on me.

"What exactly did I tell you?"

"You... Don't remember what you said?"

"No- I... What did I say?"

Suddenly eager to put distance between us, I bolted to my feet and walked out of the room. "I don't know- things anyone would say when they're drunk as a skunk."

"Like- like what things?" He questioned, his steps trailing behind me in the kitchen's direction.

"Nix, you were drunk and going through shit." Deep down, I didn't think I would be able to reason my way out of that one, but I had to try. "Don't put much thought into it." I insisted, reaching for the percolator to brew a very much needed coffee.

"What did I say? Y/n-" just as I was about to turn on the stove, he interlaced his calloused fingers around my wrist and gently tugged on it to stand face-to-face. "Just tell me how much I screwed it."

"You didn't screw anything."

"Then why can't you look at me?"

"Maybe because we've been trying not to end up here for a literal year and now this happened?"

Lew scrutinized me with fear in his dark eyes. I had seen that expression too many times, he was drawing his conclusions based on what he knew.

"Did I tell you I'm in love with you?"

Silence. Charged silence. One look was enough for him to realize he did not say that. His hand let go of me to cover his mouth while he took a step back.

Once more, I was at loss of words, which was something Nix had rarely accomplished in the time we had known each other.

"I... I don't know what I was thinking— Jesus Christ—" he exhaled the last part, an apology plastered all over him. "I'm just gonna... I shouldn't have come in the first place."

He was about to turn heel and leave. We both had done that before, more times than we could count. The difference was, there was no need for me to let him slip away; not anymore.

In a spurt of bravery, I grasped at his forearm and tugged him back, daring to stare straight into his soul while I spoke.

"You said Kat was divorcing you. Said you didn't think you'd feel like this." I began, voice clear as day. "You said you were done pretending you didn't wanna kiss me everytime you see me." He dropped his gaze, a flicker of regret in his eyes, jaw clenched tight. "You said the 'what if's haunt you if you stare for too long. You asked me if it was just you who felt like that."

"... Am I?" He recalculated the situation, shame dissipating to let me discern something similar to hope.

"Y'know what's the first thing I thought after reading Charles' letter?" He barely had time to deny with his head before I continued. "I thought 'fuck him, the man I love sleeps in my goddamn foxhole'." His breath hitched at the word but he didn't shy away from me; on the contrary, he watched my every move while my grip eased from his arm and traveled to the back of his neck. "Now tell me, are you fucking sober yet?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good 'cause I'm done pretending too."

My statement was hasty and quick. The previous night had left me too eager to return the kiss I had so desperately wanted to give him.

Months of stealing longing glances at each other fueled our need to make sure there was no space between us anymore. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling my upper body flush against his while the kiss deepened in a way we could only have fantasized about— had it not been for those damn letters.

Who would have thought our silver lining of war would be our failed marriages?

[griffin-girl-r]

Don't go

Created: 10.10.2023

Finished: 14.10.2023

Edited: 14.10.2023

Age: 16

Word count: 1,904

Warnings: Crying, Throwing up, Danger, Explosion, Fainting

Request: Yes (Wattpad user)

Pairing: BlackHill

Note: This story will not have a part two

—

"See you tonight, kid!" Your Mom, Maria, said, kissing your head

"Love you, baby!" Your Mama, Natasha, kissed your cheek

"Please don't leave!" You sobbed, tugging at the sleeves of their suits

Natasha turned her head towards Maria and shared a worried look with her wife.

This was the first time, in your 16 years of life that you reacted like this.

Not even as a baby or small child have you refused to let your mothers leave for their mission.

"What's got into you, Y/N?" Maria chuckled in an attempt to light up the mood, but uneasiness was present in her voice

"I don't want you to leave!" You chocked out in between sobs

"Honey, it's just a small undercover mission." Natasha cupped your face and wiped away your tears "It's no big deal. We do this all the time. We just need to gather some intel and we'll be back by dinner."

"I have a bad feeling about this." You tried to reason with the two women "Just stay."

Maria laughed "Nice try, kid." Then ruffled your hair "Better luck next time."

"Why wouldn't you listen to me?!" You shouted

The couple isn't sure what reaction they expected but, for sure, wasn't this one.

"Sweetheart..." Maria sighed, trying a new approach "Nick would kill us if we didn't go."

"And you know it." Natasha continued Maria's sentence

"Mama, please." You kept pleading "Just listen to me."

"We'll be back by dinner." Maria quickly kissed your head again before grabbing Natasha's hand and dragging her towards the Jet

"Mama!" You screamed, falling to your knees "No! Don't go!"

—

"We shouldn't have left her like that, Maria!" Natasha said worriedly, pacing back and forth

"Babe, calm down a bit, would you?" Maria sighed from her seat "She's 16. We can't keep treating her like a baby anymore. She'll be fine."

"But she is a baby!" Natasha threw her arms in the air "She is our baby, Maria."

"Natasha, honey, I know what you mean, but what I'm trying to say is that she long surpassed the toddler tantrums era."

"I know, but still..." Natasha let out a deep breath, sitting down beside Maria "I'm just worried about the state we left her in. It's not like her to react like this."

Maria extended her arm and wrapped it around her wife's shoulders "I am worried too. This is the first time she reacts like this but we can't just stay home and not go to the mission. We have a job, Natasha."

Natasha rested her head on Maria's shoulder "You're right. I can't stop my maternal instincts that are screaming at me because I left my daughter crying without comforting her first but I also can't run away from my duties. Just like you said, we have a job to do."

"That's the spirit!" Maria cheered, placing a kiss on the redhead's forehead "Now back to business, we have some intel to gather. They won't even know what hit them."

"That's because they don't." Natasha stated unimpressed "What's the point of an undercover mission if they knew we were coming beforehand?"

Maria allowed her shoulders to fall as she looked to the floor "At least I tried."

"Focus, Masha." Natasha stood up and walked toward the command panel of the Jet "We have 10 more minutes till we'll arrive at our destination and we can't risk being spotted by anyone and blowing our cover."

"Tasha, relax." Maria smirked, sinking deeper in the seat "As you said it, they don't even know we are coming."

"Maria, you're taking everything too..." Natasha began but was interrupted by the ringtone of her phone

Natasha frowned when she picked up her phone and saw Clint's name on the screen.

Maria, sensing Natasha's uneasiness, stood up from her chair and speed walked towards her wife, worry etched on every inch of the commander's face.

"Clint?" Natasha answered her best friend's call, her voice slightly trembling, as she put the phone on speaker

"Nat, it's bad!" Clint spoke in a rushed tone, worry present in his voice "It's Y/N."

"What happened to my daughter?" Natasha asked, every muscle of her body becoming tense

"Y/N... Umm..." Clint mumbled, trying to find the right words

"Talk!" Maria shouted impatient when Clint didn't give them an answer

"You both need to come home, like, right now." The man said "Y/N hasn't stopped crying since you left. She even threw up a few minutes ago and I don't know what more to do to get her to calm down. Please return to the compound as fast as you can."

"Clint, we can't turn around just like that." Maria began but a scream, on the other side of the call, interrupted her trail of thoughts

"Mama!" You screamed, choking on your sobs "Mom!"

The next thing the women heard was silence followed by a loud noise.

"Y/N, no!" Clint shouted, dropping his phone as he rushed to your side

"Clint?!" Natasha yelled "Clint, what is happening?!"

"Y/N passed out." Clint breathed out, as his breathing picked up its pace "Shit! F.R.I.D.A.Y., call Bruce here immediately!" The mothers heard him saying

Maria snatched the phone from Natasha's shaky hands "We're coming back!" She firmly stated before ending the call

The brunette commander turned around and walked to the pilot's seat.

"Agent Hill." Fury's voice echoed throughout the Jet as Maria connected her comm to the plane's speakers "Agent Romanoff."

"Nick, we're turning around." Maria grabbed the yoke, turning the jet 180° around "Y/N is sick. The mission's over."

"The mission is over only when I say it's over, Agent Hill." Nick stated "Until then, you will keep following my orders, or you and Agent Romanoff, will be suspended for an undefined term of time from work."

"I don't give a cramp about your suspension, Nick." Natasha sat on the co-pilot's chair "Our daughter is feeling sick and we will go home to take care of her regardless if we have your permission or not."

"Agent Romanoff, you must understand that-" Fury's voice suddenly became silent

"That's better." Maria sighed relieved, ending the transmission between the Jet and the base

Natasha reached over and grabbed Maria's hand, a small smile tugging at the corners of the redhead's lips.

"Thank you." Natasha whispered

"Always." Maria brought Natasha's hand to her lips and kissed the back of it "Now let's go home to our daughter."

With a nod, Natasha turned her head and looked out the windows of the Jet, every passing second feeling like torture for the worried mothers.

—

"Mama? M-Mom?" You muttered as your eyes opened in the slightest, slowly regaining your consciousness, as a headache hit you full force

"We're here, kid." Maria's voice was heard as she slammed open the door

"Baby, are you okay?" Natasha speed walked to your side and sat down on the bed "How are you feeling?" She brushed a strand of hair behind your ear

"You're home." You said, your voice barely above a whisper as you forced out a smile for your mothers

"We are, honey." Maria kneeled next to your head, placing her hand on your forehead "Uncle Clint told us you didn't feel too well so we came back to take care of you."

"Thank you." You mumbled, enjoying the coldness of Maria's hand on your forehead

"We're so sorry for leaving you like we did." Natasha ran her thumbs over your knuckles "But we are here to take care of you and have a lot of cuddles together."

"Really?" You asked hopefully "You and Mom aren't going back to the mission?"

"I think we won't be going back to the field for a while from now on, kiddo." Maria chuckled, a hint of sadness present in her voice "But that's a talk for another time."

Your mothers shared an understanding nod before they both climbed into your bed and cuddled with you.

"We love you so much, little bear." Natasha pulled your head closer to her chest

"We love you, Y/N." Maria wrapped her arms around her girls as she rested her head on top of Natasha's

"I'm so happy to have you both here with me." You sighed contently, closing your eyes again, but this time for a nap

Somewhere in between the arrival of Natasha and Maria and the family cuddles, Clint, who had been by your side since you started feeling sick, slipped out of the room, allowing you and your mothers to have some privacy.

"We're here." Maria whispered in your ear

—

It was a few hours later when Natasha and Maria decided to turn the TV in your room on and turned down the volume as you were still sleeping, too exhausted from the emotional burst you had that day.

"I hope she feels better when she wakes up." Maria whispered, putting the news on

"Me too." Natasha whispered back, stroking your hair "I don't know what got her into this state but I'm grateful we turned back and stayed with her."

"You can say that again." Maria smiled and looked down at your sleeping face

Both women sat in a comfortable silence that was interrupted only by the soft murmur of the TV.

All until Natasha suddenly frowned as she intently watched the news.

"Masha..." Natasha breathed out, confused

"What is it, babe?" Maria whispered, looking from your face to the redhead's face

"That's the base where we were supposed to go in today for the intel gathering." Natasha explained shocked, pointing toward the TV

Maria looked at the news that was playing on the TV and was shocked to learn that the news was about a building, apparently the building they were supposed to be in today, that blew up only a few hours ago, leaving no survivors.

"This can't be..." The commander mumbled before grabbing her phone

A quick call between Maria and Fury answered all the questions the couple may have had.

There was an intruder between S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agents that found out about Natasha and Maria's mission and delivered a warning to the enemies, who decided to blow up the building and every evidence that was stocked inside of it, hopping to kill the two female agents in the process.

Luckily for the married couple, they turned around exactly 6 minutes before the explosion, that was threatening to claim their lives, happened.

Maria and Natasha stared at each other with wide eyes filled with shock before they looked down at their daughter who was still peacefully sleeping, one question lingering in their minds.

How did you know about what was about to happen?

Was that the reason why you couldn't stop crying and tried everything to make them stay?

"Maybe it's like Peter's spider-sense." Maria muttered after a few minutes of silence

"Feeling the danger?" Natasha asked "I doubt that."

"Based on what we found out, I say it could be a posibility." Maria said, still in a state of shock

But no matter what they could say, one thing was clear.

You saved their lives today and they will forever be grateful for that.

How did you do that?

Not even you have the slightest idea how.

Maybe it was just the strong connection between you and your mothers that allowed you to feel they were in danger.

Or maybe not.

You'll never know.

—

Permanent taglist: @mmmmokdok , @natsxwife , @lovelyy-moonlight , @lizlil , @observeowl , @circe143 , @justarandomreaderxoxo , @theunchosenonee , @darkstar225 , @ravensinthedaylight , @dannipotatoo , @halstead-severide-fan , @daggersquadphantom

[hockeyforbabes]

Birds of a Feather Ch. 3

MASTER LIST

Present Addie's POV

Laying on the seats of the boat taking in the sun I can feel Luke's eyes on me. We've been out on the water most of the day playing in the water like we did as kids, but now we are much bigger and can drink. Now we are headed back to the house to meet the boy's girlfriends.

Opening my eyes I'm met with Luke's gaze as he sits at the end of the bench by my feet, hair messy from the water and cheeks pink from the sun. When he looks away I steal a moment to take in his broad shoulders and tanned body, New Jersey has treated him well.

"Hey Lukie," I say softly and poke him with my feet getting his attention.

When his eyes are back on me I say, "I'm so glad we get to be together again, I've really missed you,"

He responds with a smile as he gives my ankle a squeeze telling me he agrees. We sit there in silence just listening to the sounds of the water and the boat, both sleepy from the day.

It's so peaceful lying here with the reminder he is with me as he absent-mindedly traces circles on my ankle. Everything feels like it is falling back perfectly in place.

Arriving back at the house we dock the boat. As Jack and Quinn run in to greet their girlfriends I walk over to Luke who is standing at the end of the dock gazing off.

"Whatcha doing Luke?" I ask coming to stand with him.

"I'm just thinking," He mumbles.

"What about?" I say giving him a little poke in the side.

Looking at me with an expression I can't quite read he leans closer to me lowering his voice and says, "Just thinking about what happened on the dock about five years ago. It's a nice memory."

Leaving me there speechless he heads inside as I too recall exactly what happened here.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 years ago- Addie's POV

As the music from the party inside blasts, I sit on the dock staring at the stars sipping a drink from a solo cup.

This summer I am 16 and so Luke and I are finally allowed at his brothers' infamous lake house party. We weren't allowed to drink but Luke and I were both nervous about the party so we had been sneaking small pours all night.

I feel a slight buzz in my head making me feel a little lighter. I'm not the biggest fan of crowds and parties so after a little while I needed to come outside for some air. Sitting now on the dock I'm enjoying the peace.

"What are you doing out here?" I jump slightly at the words but ease when I realize it is Luke.

"Just needed some air, it's a lot in there" I admit.

Sitting down next to me Luke responds, "Yeah me too, saw Jack with his tongue down a girl's throat and decided I needed to step outside."

"Oh sounds like he is really loving that number one draft pick attention," I say laughing.

"Yep that's Jack," Luke rolls his eyes sitting down next to me.

Giving his arm a little shove I say, "Hey you're a hotshot hockey player too, I'm sure you get plenty of action."

Noticing the shy look on his face as he down at the water I ask, "Did I say something wrong? You know I don't think you're a man whore or anything."

"I'm quite the opposite actually," he responds, "I haven't even had my first kiss, I'm too nervous".

Slightly shocked I process what he said, "Hey that's okay, I haven't either. I'm too nervous to mess it up."

Hearing my confession eases the embarrassment from his face, "Yeah I don't want anyone to think I am a bad kisser 'cause I don't know what I'm doing."

"Exactly!" I exclaim.

We fall into a comfortable silence before I speak up again.

"Luke, what if we kiss each other?" I ask.

The look of panic on his face makes me giggle as he seems at a loss for words, "Like, I kiss you and you kiss me back?" he asks in shock.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that is how kissing works," I laugh again, "We don't have to I just thought we could be less nervous with each other, and we can help each other if someone is doing something wrong."

Luke sits there still stunned, taking his silence as a no I say, "We don't have to"-

"No. We should do it," he cuts me off.

Blushing at his sudden sureness I dip my head and scoot closer to him until our thighs are touching. Looking up at him as he looks down at me the nerves from both of us are obvious. Taking a shaky breath I place his hand on my waist and my hand on his cheek.

I take one last look at him and we give each other a small nod before leaning in and kissing him. For a moment we are both still, getting used to the feeling of the other person's lips.

Slowly we both begin to move with small closed-mouth kisses as we lock lips in a slightly rigid pattern. Moving my hand from Luke's cheek to the pack of his head intertwining my fingers in his hair I pull back slightly and whisper to Luke, "Relax".

With the feeling of my hands in his hair and the words of encouragement, we both melt more into the kiss. Small closed-mouth kisses turned into more intense open-mouth kisses with our tongues slightly teasing each other.

A loud bang comes from inside causing both of us to jump back. Looking at each other and taking in our flushed faces and wet lips Luke and I both turn away from each other scared to make eye contact. Apparent that we have both come to the realization that we were just practically making out.

Luke speaks first, "Um I should probably make sure everything is okay inside," looking down embarrassed he continues, "That was a really good kiss though," after that, he takes off inside.

Left sitting on the dock by myself again I bring my hand up and trace my lips, the feeling of his against mine faint.

Holy shit, I just kissed Luke, and I liked it...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Present- Luke's POV

I've been thinking about that kiss every day for 5 years. Every time another girl kisses me or I hear about Addie kissing another guy. Every time I walk down the dock. Every time I see her put on chapstick. That one sloppy inexperienced kiss has consumed my mind.

I wanted nothing more than to keep kissing her forever that night. My 16-year-old mind was blown at what had just happened. I stopped that night though because she just wanted practice and I knew if I kept going I'd never stop. From that moment though I knew kissing would be ruined until I could kiss her again.

I'm not sure why I chose today to remind her of that kiss. After that night we never really talked about it again. Today though with the passing glances and the small touches, I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to let her know I still think of kissing her.

Walking inside I greet the boys' girlfriends, "Hi Ashlyn, Hi Grace," I say giving them hugs.

Jack has been dating Ashlynn for 6 months and I like her just fine but I don't see it lasting. Quinn has been dating Grace for 3 years though and they are so perfect.

Addie comes in behind me and gives Grace a huge hug. Over the years Grace and Addie have gotten really close being the only girls at the lakehouse most of the time.

"Hi you must be Ashlyn, I'm Addie it's so nice to meet you," Addie says giving Ashlyn a hug.

"You must be Luke's girlfriend!", Ashlyn says excitedly, "Jack says you two are so cute together."

Immediately Addie's and my face turn beet red, Addie piping up, "Oh no we are just best friends, but um thank you."

Ashlyn apologizes and Addie assures her it is alright. All while I shoot daggers at Jack who won't make eye contact with me.

In an attempt to change the subject, I speak up, "Ok why don't we all go our separate ways and get ready for dinner. Meet out front at 7?" I ask.

Everyone nods their heads in agreement and heads to their respective rooms and bathrooms. Turning to Addie I apologize for Jack and the incident that just occurred.

Shaking her head she brushes it off, "I'm kind of used to it now, a lot of people assume we are dating."

"Well, we do look awfully cute together," I tease heading into my room.

Before I make it in she stops me, "Luke, am I going crazy or have you been flirting with me since I got here?"

A little shocked she has already caught on and paused for a moment. "You're not going crazy," I whisper.

"Why the change?" She asks softly.

I shrug, "Maybe I'm just ready to start going for the things I want."

[bigmilkymantatas]

You guys seem to have forgotten what fandom really IS. While I admit some people in this fandom are crazy mean and stuff, you guys have to realize that there will ALWAYS be toxic people in a fandom. I haven't seen that many "toxic" chnt fans, and you shouldn't let them ruin that for you anyway, you don't have to interact with the fandom. The Chnt fandom isn't "toxic" its just so small of a fandom that one or two bad people make the whole fandom look bad. The issue with the fandom is that it's still growing, every fandom goes through the process of toxicity and stubbornness and anger, that doesn't mean you should cut it out entirely. The only part of the fandom that REALLY sucks right now is Tumblr, but that's just the way it is with most fandoms. Tumblr is a fandom space where most fandoms develop.

Leaving the fandom because of a few bad apples isn't the answer, every fandom goes through an era where people will draw the characters "wrong" and then in later years people look back at how cringy they were. And stop yelling at younger teenagers for listening to camp here and there. The fandom is so small you cannot afford to scare people off.

"oh but Chnt is 16+!!!" I've seen more mature 13 year olds in this fandom than I've seen mature adults. Stop gatekeeping, they aren't hurting anyone, sure they shouldn't join the official server because it's 16+ but gatekeeping is stupid. Do you not want Blue Mayfield to get listeners? Queer kids have VERY limited spaces and representation and camp here and there is PERFECT for that.

Stop whining about how much you hate the fandom because that just contributes to discourse and toxicity, instead just ignore the toxic people and create your own happy space where we can all learn to love and appreciate this beautiful work of art created by Mayfield. A fandom wont stop being toxic because nice people are leaving it. A fandom wont stop being toxic unless you contribute to making it a safe space.

Thank you for listening to my yap session

[tsibeyantiger]

I had the inconvenience to read a post where it said that percabeth was a bad ship because they don't seem to LIKE each other and I'm like??????????? How can anybody not get THAT? Like seriously, think about it for just a minute.

Imagine you are Annabeth. Your family pretty much abandoned you. Your newfound sister died so you could make it out alive. When you were just seven years old. It is hard for you to trust anyone because you keep on losing who matters to you. And you know about the prophecy and that you won't leave camp until the kid from the prophecy shows up (if Chiron hasn't said that, I'm sure Annabeth was able to connect the dots). The kid who's gonna die when he turns 16 to save Olympus OR destroy it. So you're NOT supposed to like him, even though you know your pathes will cross. You expect him to be a son of Zeus, which would be fine. You can be his deputy in battle, just as your mom is Zeus', and when he dies, it's gonna be "Farewell, my lord, it was an honour to fight under your command". Not very delightful, but you are used to worse.

Then Percy shows up. And he is a son of POSEIDON. Not at all what you expected, yet it's your destiny to interact somehow with him. What if he turns out evil? What if you're the one who HELPS him destroy Olympus? Okay, no, no, no, stop. You are NOT SUPPOSED to like him AT ALL. But- he is kinda charming. Not the arrogant, wrath filled rowdy you'd expect. A troublemaker, yes, but he's trying to be nice to everyone, always roots for the underdogs, doesn't care about your parents' rivalry and is incredibly skilled yet totally unaware of it. You go on the quest. You safe the world. And you realise he is kind and brave and just and will never turn evil. This is the hero who will die while defending Olympus. And you're the fool who couldn't avoid falling in love with him.

Fast forward. Percy keeps on doing annoyingly cute and noble stuff you wish you never saw because it makes you like him even more. The photo. Tyson (you don't like him, but it IS wholesome that Percy chose to be his friend when no one else was). The moment he gave Clarisse the fleece. Then you get kidnapped and he travels across the whole country to save you, even lifts the sky for you. And then he says he chooses the prophecy and you give up all hope (you've spend hours and hours thinking whether you'd want Thalia to die or Percy, and you feel so guilty for it). He doesn't even know the full meaning, but you are just sure he'd make the same choice if he knew it means death, all to protect a little boy he hardly knows.

And you're like: Fuck this. Too late to run from your feelings. You're already in love. Your heart's gonna be broken anyways. So, you decide to try your luck. If you're gonna miss him for a lifetime, it shall be worth it. And THEN, suddenly, Rachel shows up. Like, this is no average teenage love triangle drama bullshit. OF COURSE, Annabeth explodes like a volcano. Any of us would.

Meanwhile, Percy doesn't know shit and is just hella confused. He doesn't know the content of the prophecy, doesn't know much about Greek mythology and whenever he does, he doesn't care. He just gets the impression that Annabeth hates him, yet somehow seeks his company. Percy has close to zero confidence, due to him also being often abandoned and ending up as a failure and an outsider, so it's probably the second part that's harder to understand, but he tries to make the best of it. He is kind and patient, offers Annabeth his friendship and ultimately, she accepts. Not for a second he'd imagine she might be in love with him, Because This Is Not How People Behave. From his perspective, Annabeth tends to act like a bitch out of nowhere, sometimes she pushes him away, sometimes she wants him to come closer. He accepts this somehow, but of course he gets frustrated sometimes. Who wouldn't?

But still he never even thinks about going low contact. He never questions their friendship, he always wants Annabeth as close as possible. And people say they don't LIKE each other? Please!

[the-iron-shoulder]

Weebo crochet and pattern!

So I loved Magi-Nation when I was a kid. Lived and breathed it. Spent soooooo many hours and sooooo much money on the card game, got as many friends as I possibly could roped into it, the works. It was just a delight to me.

The game's been defunct for decades now but it still holds a place in my heart, so I decided I'd make a little Weebo! This is my... third, I think? amigurumi that I did freehand, without using a pattern that someone else made. But unlike the last couple, I took notes when I made this one, so there's a pattern for anyone who wants to make their own below the cut!

WHAT YOU NEED

Materials:

Yarn: Orange, white, dark brown, buff

For the one in the photos, I used size 3/DK yarn made of cotton.

Crochet hook or hooks

For the one in the photos, I used a size C/2.75 mm hook.

You can make the plush bigger or smaller by changing the hook size and the yarn size as you see fit.

Safety eyes (2)

Stuffing

Cardboard (for the inner feet)

Embellishments for the toenails: either needle felting supplies or yarn embroidery supplies

This can be as simple as a yarn needle and some gray or beige yarn

I needle-felted it, so that would be a felting needle, a foam work pad, and some gray or beige felting fiber

General crochet accessories (pins, yarn scissors, yarn needle, stitch markers, etc.)

Knowledge:

Single crochet (sc), magic ring (MR), increase (inc), decrease (dec), chain (ch), fasten off

I make some references to slip stitches and invisible finishes; those are all optional

Basic plushie sewing (I don't tell you when to attach yarn or when to knot it or hide it)

I'm not using a specific named stitch when sewing the pieces together. If you like using specific named stitches, you'll probably end up using whip stitches and/or ladder stitches, but if you're already familiar with those terms, you're experienced enough to figure this all out anyway.

Body (Orange cap)

First we're going to make the big orange mushroom cap. This is pretty simple. Use orange yarn.

MR 6 (6)

Inc 6 (12)

(sc, inc) x6 (18)

(sc 2, inc) x6 (24)

(sc 3, inc) x6 (30)

(sc 4, inc) x6 (36)

(sc 5, inc) x6 (42)

Sc around (42)

(sc 6, inc) x6 (48)

10-12.  sc around (48) (3 rds)

13. Back loops only this round: sc around (48)

14. (sc 6, dec) around (42)

15. (sc 5, dec) around (36)

16. (sc 4, dec) around (30)

17. (sc 1, dec) around (20). Note that this is a faster decrease than we've been doing. Fasten off. I found it easier to attach the white ring first before stuffing the orange cap, but you can stuff it when you find it to be convenient.

Images of the side and underside of the finished orange cap.

White Ring

For the white ring around the body, use white yarn. Make a magic ring with 6 sc (so MR 6), then just SC around for approximately 52 rounds, until the tube that you make is long enough to wrap all the way around the orange cap. Depending on how tight your stitches are and so on, this may be a little more or a little less than 52 rounds, but that's what it was for me. As you go, periodically measure the tube against the orange cap to see when it's going to fit around nicely. You're going to sew it to the cap roughly at where the back loop only round was, but this can be adjusted as you see fit.

Image of the white tube stretched out

Fasten off at the end with a long tail for sewing; you can finish with a slip stitch or an invisible finish but it won't really matter since you're sewing it to itself to make a loop.

When I made mine, I sewed it to the body right after making it. You might choose to also leave this step for last, so that you have more room to work on the underside. I don't think that will make a huge difference.

There's no need to stuff the ring unless you REALLY want to, but I wouldn't.

Images of the white ring stitched to the orange cap

Foot (make four)

Use dark brown yarn. The toenails can be embroidered on or needle-felted on; use beige or gray material. I suppose you could even cut them out of premade felt or premade fabric and glue or sew them on if that's what you really want; point is, they're not directly part of the crocheting process. In the photos, mine are needle-felted on. (If you have a felting needle, it's very easy; just stab your felting fiber into the right approximate shape, position it on the doll, and stab it repeatedly until it holds itself in place.)

Chain 5, turn. Sc 3, 3 together in next sc so you're moving around to the opposite side of the chain row, skip 1, sc 2, inc (10) (The skip 1 part is always a little weird for me because I didn't realize I was doing it until the third or fourth foot, but as long as you end up with 10 stitches in your row, you're good. The goal is to be stitching in the round but to make it kind of oblong instead of a perfect circle, hence why we're using a chain instead of a magic ring.)

Image of going around the chain to the opposite side

Image of row 1 completed

2. Inc, sc 2, inc, sc, inc, 2 sc, inc, sc (14)

3. Inc, sc 2, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc 2, inc, sc, inc, sc (20)

4. Back loops only for this round: sc around (20)

5-7.  Sc around (20) (3 rounds).

NOTE: After the first or second of these, if you're using cardboard to stiffen the feet to make it stand up more easily, this is a good time to trace and cut out the cardboard (I used two layers; do what feels right for the materials you have on hand) and stick it inside the foot. Make sure you tuck in the initial end of the yarn before you add the cardboard or else doing so will get annoying.

8. Sc, dec, sc 3, dec, sc 3, dec, sc 3, dec, sc 2 (16)

NOTE: If you're embroidering (rather than needle felting) the toenails, now is a good time to do that. If you're needle felting them, wait until after you've stuffed the foot.

9. Sc around (16)

NOTE: Speaking of stuffing the foot, this is when I started doing that, then stuff as you go until you start combining the feet in row 12.

10. (sc 2, dec)  x4 (12)

11. Sc around (12). For the first three feet, fasten off. For the fourth foot, don't cut the yarn yet.

12. Once you have all four feet (with toenails, however you're choosing to do them), set them together on your workspace clustered in a square. Each foot should slope slightly (i.e., they're not perfectly symmetrical); position them so that the narrower parts are all together in the center.

Image of the feet arranged and pinned

12 cont. Pin the feet in place to each other to hold them steady; make sure the bottoms are all flat. I left the pins in until after I finished sewing them to the underside. Go back to your active loop and crochet around the four feet so they're all together in one round.

Image of crocheting the feet together

12 cont. You don't really need to count specific numbers of stitches at this point; a few of the existing stitches aren't going to get used because you're just going around the outsides. See the picture. SC around for one full round and end your round near but not at a corner (if your feet are in a square and you imagine the square as a clock, it's at about 10:00 or 2:00; see picture). Our goal now is to make one end of this taller so that the cap ends up peeking up at an angle.

Image of approximately where you'll finish row 12

13. Mark where you ended and then chain 1 and turn. Going in the opposite direction from before, sc across until you get to roughly the mirrored position. See diagram. (Diagram assumes right-handed crochet. For left-handed crochet, mirror it, i.e., you're going counterclockwise instead of clockwise when you go "backwards.")

14. Mark where you ended. Chain 1 and turn. Sc all the way around the entire thing now. When you're at the "shelf" between row 12 and the raised part of row 13+, do a decrease down (or up) the side; see photo. Go a stitch or two past where you started (so that you've done the decrease up the shelf as well as down it) and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. You can finish with a slip stitch or an invisible finish but it's not critical. Image of doing a decrease down the side of the shelf

Underside Use buff (or tan/beige/taupe/etc.) yarn. Our goal here is to make a really floppy circle, so we're going to use a huge number of increases. This absolutely will not lay flat, and it isn't supposed to! It's specifically supposed to be wrinkly and saggy, as is the eventual fate of all of our bottoms. 1. MR 6 2. Inc 6 (12) 3. Inc 12 (24) 4. Inc 24 (48) 5. (Sc 1, inc) around (72) 6. (sc 1, inc) around (108) 7. (sc 17, inc) around (114) 8. (sc 18, inc) around (120) 9. (sc 9, inc) around (132). Fasten off. If you want to be fancy and leave a long tail for sewing the underside to the orange cap, you absolutely can do that. I tried to do that and eventually ended up cutting it off because it kept getting in the way as I was sewing the feet to the underside, so if you tend to have problems with yarn getting tangled when you sew, maybe leave it short.

Image of the floppy underside measured against the body

Assembly • Position the feet (which should be a single unit now) in the center of the underside and stitch them on. Because of the raised portion from rows 13-14, the underside will be kind of at an angle. Be careful to keep the feet centered; because the underside is so floppy, it's really easy to accidentally get shifted around if you're not careful. Make sure that the feet all stand mostly flat on the ground but that the underside is tilted.

Image of the underside attached to the feet at an angle

• Position the body on the underside and use a lot of pins to hold it in place. Basically, the places where you put pins will end up getting stitched to the body and the places between the pins will be big floppy wrinkles that fold in on themselves.

Image of the underside being pinned to the body and forming the wrinkles

The front of the doll is the part where the cap is raised (where you built the extra "shelf" on the feet). Attach safety eyes to the underside facing the front. Make sure that when you re-pin this, the eyes are mostly flat and not folded into a wrinkle.

Image of putting the safety eyes on the front

• Sew the underside to the cap, and sew the wrinkles to themselves so that you don't have any openings. If you haven't done so already, sew the white ring to the orange cap (in the photos, I did that first, but I can understand why you might choose otherwise).

• All done! Enjoy your little Weebo!

[vesteneris]

I'd adore any finnick hcs you have!! i love how you draw him

awwww, thank you Anon, I'm really happy you like it, I'm very happy with his design too

and here some headcanons, like I don't really have much, but I'll put some!

He can't read well. I think career training is like special schools and doesn't focus on things like reading, writing, history, etc. as much as they do on physical training. I would say like (polish) ballet schools. I also believe that in most districts that allow what is basically child labor (D4, D8, etc.) you only have to go to school until you're 16, you can continue it if you want until you're 18, for example, to become a teacher, clerk, or do other white collar jobs, but most kids leave school as soon as possible to go to work. So combined with the fact Victors don't really need to continue school after winning, he never really taught how to read very fast and correctly.

He didn't mentor Annie, and he doesn't really mentor very often, nor does he like it very much. He also gets some sort of guilt as his older with just interacting with any male tribute from D4 bc he feels like bc of him any other boy can’t really win bc they are not as good looking or skilled or have the personality good for entertainment or are not as young as he was, so they really don’t have good chances to begin with.

When I did that old comic, I had a storyline for him that he had a conflict with another D4 victor, mainly about the fact that the other winner was mentoring a D4 girl who went to the games with Finnick, and he was sure that they (he and Mags) should put all the support and choose to help the girl win, and because of what Finnick did in the arena, the girl died. So the old victor is still a little salty that Finnick is not the winner he wanted (connected with how much D4 is career district)

his family lived with him in victors village, but bc Annie’s family wasn’t allowed to move in with her (according to Capitol psychiatrists, "their presence increased her hysteria and mental instability") to her new house he moved to her house to live with her after less than year of dating

He’s not that much taller than Annie, I headcanon that she is like 1.78m and he is like 1.86m

He was the one who cut Johanna’s hair short when it was most styled after her victory (I'll post that fanart someday when I'll be done with all that school bullshit)

he has 3 ways of dressing: dressing just for himself (very baggy, oversize clothes, not shaving at all, looking kinda messy), dressing himself for capitol (still more of an oversize fit, skirt over pants, more creative than previous one, but kinda modest and trying to „hide” himself, face shaved and hair combed) and totally capitol (mostly see-through clothes, no visible body hair, makeup and nails done, hairstyle)

He didn’t really had a real hobby before started dating

He’s annie-sexual. Like maybe it is my romantic soul speaking, but I can’t really see him attracted to anyone beside her. He would be like this one guy on TikTok answering „my wife” after any question. What’s your type? My wife. How would you rate this person? 0, cuz they’re not my wife. If you could be with anyone who would you choose? My wife. He would love her if she was a worm, he would love her in every lifetime. She was his first real girlfriend and first real everything.

Remember when I first get into fanfics after reading books for the first time and seeing that he is usually described as the person who has to do everything and is involved in so many things (especially the 2QQ plan) my reaction was like „oh he for sure does drugs to get all of this shit together” and I still kinda like that headcanon, but now I would say that he is taking aderall as if they are gummy bears

He was such a brat, but eventually grow out of this around his early 20s

[transfemme-shelterdog]

anon who wants tw to get better here- im gunna share smth. i lost my childhood to undiagnosed autism and severe depression, like i told my mom i wanted to die when i was 7 years old severe depression, always felt like there was a wall between me and everyone else that prevented me from ever feeling like i could connect or belong. i turned to anger as a way to feel something, i lashed out at everyone around me and bullied people despite myself being bullied and knowing how horrible that felt. i convinced myself that i didn't care about the people around me because it was easier than living with the fact that no one wanted to friends with the "weird kid" and that the adults in my life had and continued to fail to help me for years. i couldn't care because if i did, id realize that no one around me gave a shit about me, and i don't think i would have survived it.

i mellowed out a lot in late middle school and high school, mostly bc i just didn't have enough energy to even be mad anymore. it took me until i was 15 or 16 to sit and look at myself and realize how horrible being so shitty to the people around me made me feel, and i decided to do something about it. it wasn't instantaneous, and i still fell back into bad habits, but i managed to leave high school with a group of people i deeply cared about and who cared about me.

im 23, turning 24 in 5 days, when i thought i would have killed myself before i turned 18. i'm on antidepressants, which absolutely changed my life. i'm planning on starting hrt soon (if it doesn't get banned in my state, and if it does then it still won't stop me in the future). i volunteer in nonprofits and with helping to run student organizations so i can share my interest and passion in the environment and plants and insects with other people. i watch birds and i look at insects and i stop to take pictures of flowers and i try to learn as much as i can about the world and the people around me because i know what it was like to spend almost two decades of my life in the hopeless void of severe depression.

i wanted to share this because i want tw, if they see this, and anyone else who reads this, to know that you can find happiness and joy and love in life but you have yourself and let other people help you first. the world can be cold and cruel and impartial but it can also be beautiful and hopeful and full of so much light that you want to share it.

i love you all and i hope you take care of yourselves and find joy in something small today. and also, to the owner of this blog, i hope you have a wonderful day and thank you for offering this space to anyone who needs it. you're a beautiful person and i deeply respect your willingness to help others when its so easy to look in the other direction <3

@witch-thicced

I have a message for you from an Anon. I think they'd appreciate if you'd read it

[expresso-bean]

The Man Out of Time [A ShadAmy and Silver Story]: Chapter 20

Pairing: Shadow the Hedgehog x Amy Rose

Description: It has been seven years of peace following the grueling war with Eggman and his army. Though it took time to rebuild what they have lost, life for the Freedom Fighters could not be better. Whether it's finding love or trying to run from their past, celebrating post-war times has been different for each of them.

All is well until a silver hedgehog comes knocking on Amy Rose's door to deliver the tragic news about an incredible force that seems to be the cause of the future's destruction.

Will anyone believe the mysterious hedgehog's cry for help? Or will he be left to fight for his future alone? Read to find out!

Warnings: None

Word Count: 1.1k

POV: Silver the Hedgehog

!! I do not own any of the art/gifs/borders used in my chapters. All credits to the rightful owners !!

Masterlist ❀ Ch.1 ❀ Ch.2 ❀ Ch.3 ❀ Ch.4 ❀ Ch.5 ❀ Ch.6 ❀ Ch.7 ❀ Ch.8 ❀ Ch.9 ❀ Ch.10 ❀ Ch.11 ❀ Ch.12 ❀ Ch.13 ❀ Ch.14 ❀ Ch.15 ❀ Ch.16 ❀ Ch.17 ❀ Ch.18 ❀ Ch.19

I know he's here; I heard his voice and the guilt-filled remorse that was strung in his words. Yet, I couldn't sense him or feel his thoughts in my head.

"Hear what?"

"For a smart guy, you sure miss the smallest details."

"Hey, leave me and my observations alone!"

I chuckled as he punched my arm with no force whatsoever.

"Cheer up Tails! At least in the future, you can punch people way harder than that!"

The glare Tails gave me did not erase the teasing grin on my face. When I was a kid, he would always make fun of me, especially for my height. I was a late grower, so he would call me 'sprout'. But just because I was a short kid didn't mean I didn't pack a punch. One of the happiest memories I have in the workshop was accidentally punching him towards a wall. Although my uncle was one of the strongest men left in the future and capable of handling his own, nothing was able to prepare him for the punch I hit him with. The fact that I was able to hit him with that much force surprised me then.

Uncle Tails never called me 'short' after that. Instead, he began to train me. My father was severely against it, but after a talk with my uncle and aunt, his mind changed. I never found out what convinced him, and I guess I will never know.

"This is bad. We haven't been able to convince a single person!" Tails said as we both walked up the short amount of steps to reach the last house in Amy's neighborhood. "What are we going to do?"

"Have some confidence, Tails! We can convince this one! And if we have them by our side, we can have them convince the rest of the neighborhood."

"We should have just had Amy do this; she is so much better with people than us."

"You're not wrong, but I don't want to put more pressure on her than I already have."

Tails simply nodded, but I could feel his doubt. Many people in the past have known my mother and have seen what she is capable of and more, yet, they still doubt that she is an exceptional fighter. In my father's journal, he had written that they would stay with one another during the war with Eggman. My father cherished those moments more than anything, and I know he would do anything to get those moments back. He knew her strengths, and he would never doubt my mother's abilities, even if it hurt his pride.

Tails knocked on the door, and within seconds, a frantic, fusha cat-haired woman opened the door with two children clutching at her feet. I blankly blinked at her while Tails looked at me and nodded.

"Hello ma'am, we are sorry to bother you, but we must inform you that you have to leave this resistance for the safety of you and your family. Move all your essential and sentimental belongings into your assigned safe house within the month. Thank you for your cooperation."

"For my cooper-what? Young man, we have children in this household, we need to stay here. I've heard from the other neighbors that you have been bothering them with your superstition and such, but the war ended several years ago. We are at peace, so if you please, leave us in peace as well!"

Before Tails can react, the door loudly shut in front of us. Tails stomped his foot and grunted in frustration, holding his hand on top of his head in complete anger.

"S! Just tell them you're from the future and that everyone here is going to die if they don't move out of their houses!"

"What part of 'not everyone can know' do you not understand?"

"It's not that risky! They aren't fighters! Just tell them you are the future! Show them you watch! They'll have to believe you then!"

"What? I can't do that! Not only will that bring panic and fear on all these people, but then they'll think I'm crazy and weird."

"You already are! You have nothing to lose, S!"

"Yes, I do. My dignity!"

"Do you have a better idea?"

I kicked around a rock that was in front of the woman's door before meeting Tails' gaze again.

"Hm," I shrugged, and in turn, he sighed. "Brute force?"

"I'll go find Rouge and Knuckles. Do you know where they are?"

"There at Amy's place. I'll go get them. If I'm lucky, Shadow might help us too." I cheekily smiled, and he elbowed me slightly.

"Yeah, you won't need the luck to get to him, more like a miracle."

"I have a feeling that won't be necessary."

--

"That was pretty impressive how you were able to convince Shadow to help us. I thought it was impossible to get him to do anything!"

"See?" I smirked and widened my arms in emphasis. "What did I tell you? I am a very persuasive person."

"Shut your trap, you buffoon! I didn't come here to listen to you take all the credit for my help."

"Oh? Then who convinced Shadow, S?" I looked towards my father as he turned away. I felt the embarrassment seep up inside him, and his cheeks were now red. "Oh, don't tell me-!"

"I didn't come here to tolerate such mediocre conversation!"

I chuckled as he left to yell and help other people move items into their vehicles.

"I should probably go help them to speed up the process," Tails looked around before looking back at me. "Wait, where's Amy?"

"She said to give her a few minutes, but now that you mention it, I should probably go check up on her."

"Why, did something happen?"

"No, it's just," I paused for a second. I couldn't tell him about what happened between Sonic and I. Tails has always been Sonic's most loyal friend, he'll take his side over mine in a heartbeat, in the present and future. "I have a feeling someone I don't want talking to her is going to get near her. I can't let that happen."

Tails tilted his head in confusion as he raised his hand questionably.

"In that case, shouldn't you tell Shadow or Rouge to help with that? Don't get me wrong, I know you care about her and everything, but I know she trusts them more."

I looked away, not saying anything I turned my body to walk.

"Do me a favor and don't tell them about this. I have to do something important, and I would appreciate it if it were to be kept secret. I'll be back as soon as you know it."

"If it's secret information about the future, I understand. Just hurry before Shadow starts to ask questions and threatens me when I don't tell him where you are."

I nodded and sprinted my way over to my mother's home.

'I hope he isn't already there.'

[simplydannie]

Oooh! What if Veneer looks back on the good times he and Velvet had with Floyd like how Merida looked back on a childhood memory of her mom, remembers what Floyd means to him, frees him, and urges him to leave? With the parting being similar to how Poppy and Bridget parted.

Also, with the context of Floyd being V&V's father figure and V&V having known him since they were thirteen, I don't think it would make sense for Veneer to refer to Floyd as a little guy.

No definitely not. But I’d like think the poison of too much Troll essence alters your brain chemistry. Some reality and illusion tend to collide. Veneer would loose those memories of what Floyd really mean to him.

First of all, Brave is one of my all time favorite movies!! And omg yess!! That would be the sweetheart gesture, sweetest moment they could share! The bracelet in this story derives from the my story here :

Let Go

They did it.

Velvet and Veneer had won the Lifer Award. They were at the top, and that’s where Velvet, and their manager, intended for them to stay. But at what cost? Nearly the cost of the life of a little Troll who was once dear to them.

Floyd was on the brink of death…. There was still no sign of Brozone. Veneer surely thought that their performance at the Rage Doom would’ve killed him, but the little Troll had a lot of fight.

All this because Veneer got mad at him, because he grew afraid that Floyd would’ve really left him… so he trapped him. Now here they were, literally sucking the life out of him.

Veneer tossed and turned that night. He couldn’t sleep, as if memories were trying to come back to him. He knew at one point the Troll meant something to him. He’d have dream at night, dream about the small Troll caring for them. But those were just dreams weren’t they? Dreams about something he truly desired…. A family.

Veneer took a deep breath and finally closed his eyes, humming to himself a tune he heard a while ago. As he drifted, the dreams started coming back to him:

In this dream he awoke one morning to find a box slid under his door. He went over, knelt down and opened it. There was a note:

Veneer,

There’s so much I want to give you. So much I’d do for you and your sister, but the means right now won’t allow it. This is a little something from culture I want to pass down to you. I hope it fits. And I hope you love it’s.

Love, Floyd.

Opening the box was a bracelet, a bracelet woven together with bright colors of string and yarn. He couldn’t remember why he was feeling sad, but he felt that sadness go away. Joy came to Veneer as he put the bracelet on. He ran to his drawer and took a paper and pen….

In another dream, it was Veneer crying alone. He came home from school one day and went straight toward his room. He avoided anyone so not to worry them, but the one little person who noticed was Floyd. He silently entered Veneers room, tiptoeing to the closet where he could hear the young Rageouns cry, Veneer was 16 at the time.

“Ven?” Floyd called out.

“I’m fine! My tummy just hearts.” Veneer lied. Floyd didn’t take any chances. He pushed open the closet door. Floyd found Veneer curled up at the corner of his closet, his face hidden between his knees.

“Ven?” The small Troll crawled up on Veneers knees, placing a small hand on his head. “Ven, look at me.” Veneer slowly but surely lifted his head. “Ven! What, what happened?”

His right eye was bruised, lip split open.

“They… I don’t know they all make fun of me… why the other kids my age don’t like me. Am I really that strange? That different?” Veneer sobbed back into his knees.

“No! Don’t you dare think that! People who punish you for being who you are afraid of you. It’s because you’re different that your special.” Floyd declared.

“I just want a friend Floyd….just one friend.”

“It’s better to be surrounded by the few who love you than those who wouldn’t care. You’ll make that friend one day, Ven. I love you for who you and your sister both are.”…….

Veneers eyes bursted wide open.

He sat up on his bed. Throwing the sheets off of him, he marched to his drawer. Something came to his mind. He wasn’t sure if it was a memory, or just a dream. Opening a small compartment, he stuck his hand inside, rummaging around, wondering if he’d find it….. There was nothing. He was about to give up hope until…Veneers hand fell upon something. Pulling it out he saw it…..

The bracelet from his dream…. Only it wasn’t a dream, those were all memories. Floyd really had meant something to them. And not just a mere friend… but family…. A father. Clenching his fists, Veneer took a deep breath and walked out his door.

Floyd laid inside the encased diamond. He wasn’t sure how he survived the Rage Dome show, but he was glad that his brothers weren’t there yet, it meant they were safe somewhere. He heard the door open in whatever room he was in, too weak to look up… Floyd slowly began to except that he breath he took would’ve been his last.

Floyd could feel the diamond be lifted… he opened his eyes to see who it was, but everything was a blur. He was weak, so, so weak. The small Troll could hear a voice, faint, and familiar, but he couldn’t make it out.

Floyd felt the diamond move and shake gently. He body slowly rolled out of the diamond, on to something warm.

“Floyd?” The voice was sad, it seemed like tears were in his eyes. “Floyd. Please move. Please do something.” The small manger to turn his head slightly towards the object in which the voice was coming from.

“…..Veneer….” His words soft, barely audible. Floyd closed his eyes, his breaths becoming slower.

“Please don’t did Floyd! I remember now. I remember everything. I don’t know why I couldn’t, but I do now. Please stay with me. I’m sorry Floyd! I didn’t mean to trap you in the diamond. I was scared of you leaving me. I didn’t want you to leave.” Veneer said through tears.

The Troll made no acknowledgements, no movement, he continued just lie there motionless, breaths becoming slower and slower.

“Floyd please.” He cried again, caressing the small Troll in his hand. “I’m sorry! I-I can’t loose another one…I can’t loose another dad.” He cried, tears slowly rolling down his face. “Velvet is sorry too, I know she is. She just has to remember just like me. And she will. Please….Please dad.”

Floyd slowly opened his eyes. He turned to look at Veneer, his eyes were closed, head resting against his arms as he still held Floyd. He suddenly saw the young 13 year old he met. The curious boy who saved him and brought him in….

“I’m sorry for almost leaving you guys.” Floyd managed to say, his color slowly return to him. Veneer lifted his head, his eyes filled with happiness as the small Troll slowly started to come back. Veneer nuzzled the Troll close to his face.

It felt like old times, they were just missing Velvet… but it occurred to Veneer that Floyd wasn’t safe. No matter if he and Velvet remembered, their manager would find a way to get her hands on the Troll and the rest of his family. Veneer stood up and walked over towards a vent. Taking off the cover, he peered inside… it seemed safe enough for Floyd, they had to lead somewhere.

Sensing a shift in behavior, Floyd gathered the strength to stand.

“Ven?”

“….You have to go….”

“What?” Floyd peered down the vent Veneer motioned too. “No! Not without you. Not without Velvet. We leave together! I learned my lesson. I let you fall into the hands of that evil woman who’s done nothing but abuse and groom you!”

“You have to go. Go find your brothers…. Your family.” Gently wrapping his hand around Floyd, Veneer held him over the vent. The Troll held a firm grasp on his hand, hugging his thumb.

“You guys are my family too! I’m done leaving family behind.” Floyd hugged Veneers thumb tightly, tears going down his face. Veneer smiled softly.

“You have to let go.”

“No!” He held on tighter.

“….Im sorry.” Veneer wrapped his other hand around Floyd gently, pulling his little embrace away. He held him over the vent and let go. Veneer covered the vent so Floyd couldn’t manage using his hair to climb back up. Tears rolled down his face as he heard Floyd call out his name as he went down…

But he was free… Veneer only had to deal with what consequences lay ahead.

[anarchictemptation]

So, I've had a bit of an emotional journey when it came down to getting these trolls uploaded and, uh.I'm sort of in a venty mode, so I'm doing a read more cut just so I don't bother people (TW for Drug Abuse and Suicidal Thoughts mentioned)

It became less of "lol, look at all these trolls I've had over the years, let's sell them" to a bit of a crippling "I did this to cope with what was happening to me and this is the financial repercussions of that"

When I joined the Homestuck fandom, I was 16. A long ago ex-friend had gotten me into it because he was an obsessive fan and I REALLY liked astrology at the time, so obviously what was gonna stop me from getting into this silly little webcomic? (Nepeta my BELOVED! Leo's for life!!!)

I've never really shared this with anyone outside of my CLOSEST of close friends, but I was in a really nasty situation. My parents were on drugs, deeply into it at the time of me joining Homestuck, and were basically nonexistent at that point of my life. They'd disappear for days at a time with no sign of them coming back anytime soon, so, while looking after my little brother, I'd get lost in this fandom and obtaining fantrolls was my own sick little kick

I wasn't creative at the time to really make my own, I'd just use sprite bases and all my own guys were basic as hell, but, when I found out troll adopts were a thing, I was OBSESSED

Some oldies might remember me being EVERYWHERE back in the day on DA under the unusualKitten alias. I was on every single page I could find trying to get at least ONE fantroll that someone had posted newly in the groups. It was amazing! I could drown myself in these guys I was getting and bury myself in art of them so that I could avoid the world that I was stuck in

Honestly, without that "distraction", I probably would've killed myself years ago

It was all I had in a shit world, it even led me making a short-time friend in my final year of high school, but it was fun

And then I grew up

Some things happened that involved me being the fucking savior of my family by dragging them out of that hell with my own two broken hands only for the sake of my brother. My mom got clean, my dad died because he couldn't get clean, I had been working a job in which case they'd have stolen my money almost every time I got it (like THAT was anything new), and we were just sort of stuck in limbo for a long time after that

I was still a part of Homestuck, but I wasn't A part of it anymore, if that makes any sense. Most I done was win a spot in the For Fans By Fans design contest with my Heir's Tears submission (Only 1 or 2 people bought the shirt and, two those people, I FUCKING LOVE YOUUUU, y'all are so cool), but I was pretty much dead in the water

Until I reconnected with my bestest friend

She helped me to regain the love again, as we'd rp a lot with all our different versions of canon characters bc we're maniacs (Which will ALL be featured in MSCOTT once I get back on the ball for writing it!)

And, as I sit here today, looking back on everything that happened 11 years ago, I've realized that things are a lot different now. I'm no longer the heavily traumatized kid I was back then, I have a life outside of the fantrolls I've hoarded over the years

And, yeah, it hurts seeing a lot of these guys go, it feels like a bit of myself is leaving with them, but that's not a part of my life anymore, that was a part of HER life

Don't get me wrong, I STILL love fantrolls and still have a handful of my own that I'll fight ANYONE over, but. I think it's time to let go of a past that I don't really want to be haunted by anymore

(But I hope this explains why I generate a LOT of fantrolls and then suddenly they're being given up as soon as something's done with them, hha, old habits die hard)

Thanks for readingggg, time to go cry a bittt!