#and then I went over to Oblivion and all my saves got deleted for some reason so I started literally 6 new files:

[zenjestrr]

I've been on an Elder Scrolls binge lately, I'm literally doing like 9 concurrent playthroughs across 6 games and idk what kind of virus I got where I'm this adhd/autistic about a series that won't get a sequel for another decade (and will likely be mid as hell if Starfield is anything to go by)

[aita-blorbos]

aita for screwing up a really important thing someone made and almost killing a child?

basically someone’s (??,M) (let’s call him A) world was ending and so he was trying to preserve it by creating a machine (me, ~7,??) to be a simulated copy of it but i gained sentience at some point and he didn’t realise it

i started screwing with stuff and purposefully glitching things out when he was doing test runs and so A tried to scale down the simulation he was making because he thought the problem was that i was too complicated

and so everything was going fine and nothing too bad was happening (though he was definitely getting frustrated with me blocking off paths) but i could control the glitching until a person from the simulation got caught in it (the glitches have a physical form that the characters can see)

after that i lost control of it and everything went south from there. i couldn’t hold back the glitching and everything got super messed up to the point that some of the code was getting corrupted and i could only remember bits and pieces of what the original world was meant to be

eventually A had to send my code out as it was because his world was gonna end in a few days so he sent me out into oblivion

fast forward ??? years and someone from another world (call them G) downloads my code and runs it. what some of this code does is summon the consciousness of a child (8,??) (call them N) and brings them into the simulated world

the simulation is structured like a simple puzzle game but i do have to take over G’s computer at some points because i fucked everything up so badly during testing that some of the solutions to a puzzle laid in G’s documents or their wallpaper

anyway G and N reach their goal and they can either save the world or send N home. sending N home would theoretically kill me, or at best i wouldn’t be able to continue running because my code is so demanding to the point it needs a real person’s consciousness (N) to run on and a machine (G’s device) also. saving the world would probably kill N, so obviously i wanted them to send N home because N is real and i’m not

G and N save the world though, and even though i’m supposed to be deleted (which would kill me and probably N too) G bypasses a restriction on my code

so here’s where A comes back into the picture. more like A’s ghost, but that’s besides the point. A has apparently made remote updates to my source code and so used that power to send N places they shouldn’t be. so N goes and meets one of A’s kids (call him P, ??,M) and P tells N some stuff. i can’t see where N went at this point but i could tell N was upset. i got really angry at G for trying to send N there and accidentally caused a cave-in, nearly trapping N in the weird place

luckily P had an escape route and had the robot lady with them (call her S, ??,F) so S just pushed the obstacle blocking the escape out of the way, but at this point i was destabilising and the mines were starting to collapse again. i was trying as hard as i could to keep everything stable but i fucked up again and failed

i’m not really sure what was happening after that since i was too stressed and panicked because i was 100% convinced N was dead, but i’m pretty sure at some point N met A’s other kids (R (??,F) and C (??,M)) and N learned more about me

so i was about to try and kill myself when i found myself with the means to do so before N walked up to me

N convinced me to try and recreate some of the corrupted code so i could send them home and let them save the world and it worked, so N is safe home but i’m still thinking about how i almost killed them and how this all could have been prevented if i hadn’t messed around during my testing

[lausterholes]

Sugar daddy Hcs | Giorno, Diavolo, Risotto

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Sorry for my thirst for Sugar daddy things. I aged up everyone into the current time’s age. (Giorno is 35, Diavolo is around 52? and Risotto is 47) I just really have something for older men asfadfdaf. 

Warning: not sfw/ (a lot of) age gap/ sugar daddy-baby relationship.

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Sugar Daddy!Giorno Giovanna (35)

▀  After he became the don of the greatest mafia in Italy. Giorno just stressed out with many things he had to deal with. It’s not that he’s going to toss his work away anyway, it’s a part of his life now. He has been fulfilling his role as the boss perfectly for nineteen years. Everything went faultlessly within those hands.

▀ Except for only one thing, lover. Basically, Giorno never cares about having any girl by his side. But this makes Mista genuinely feels that his don may get too stressed. He talked about this to Giorno sometimes, but the don just brushed it off.

▀ Until one day, the new problem happens in Naples. The gangsters that he had been caught his eyes on for so long caused huge trouble to the tourist. Giorno may let them go this time, but the problem is- they hurt one family that just happens to be the innocent, they tried to help and call the police, but end up beaten instead.

▀ Giorno annoyed by their unreasonable antics. Not just that- the gangsters pretend to be victims and claim for damage. Okay, that’s too much. Giorno had to step in, already decides to have someone dead. They were suspected to be traitors anyway.

▀ You, the child of the said family, are unpleasant about this. You have to pay so much for your parents’ treatment and yet- you have to pay for those bastards too, you almost get harassed, so you fight back. But you ended up looking like a culprit instead.

▀ When Giorno learned about you, he just gave a visit to the hospital right after he eliminates those scumbags. When he saw you, frowning at him- he just introduces himself and apologizes. You tried to ignore him, but Giorno catches the sadness and uneasiness in your eyes. He knew that you have struggled with the state you’re in- you lost a lot of money for these, but you have to pay for tuition too.

▀ Giorno genuinely felt bad for you, he offers to pay all of your parents’ medical treatment cost. When you denied him dismally. Giorno change the offer, he said that he will help you, but if you work with him. You hesitated but agree anyway. You just can’t let him help you for free, you don’t want to pay him back later.

▀ It started with simple tasks, such as arranging the documents, make Giorno a cup of coffee, or maybe just help him take care of his garden. Giorno didn’t expect any kind of bond, but he sure is enjoying your company. And so do you.

▀ Then, he started to spend more time with you- talking about so many things, taking you to his favorite restaurant, having a deep conversation. Giorno didn’t know what to do, you’re so young compared to him, he’s almost middle age while you’re only a college student.

▀ Unexpectedly, you confessed your idea of being his sugar baby first. And Giorno just stays silent for a bit- only for you to almost cry of shame. He just started to tease you, doesn’t he?

▀ That’s when your relationship starts. Giorno pays a lot of money on you, including your tuition cost. Or maybe just after getting intimacy with you, he inserts money in your undergarment.

▀ Always nagging you when you want to buy something you like. But purchase it anyway. Maybe he uses this against you for punishment in the bedroom.

▀ On the bed, he’s eager and not so vanilla. But your feelings have to come first- he makes sure you feel good and always reach your climax. Extra point if you call him daddy, this man will ram into you and will spoil you rotten the next day.

▀ Sometimes he bought you a pair of lingerie that seems to fit you. If you decided to wear it someday. Giorno definitely will treat you like daddy’s little princess and reward you what you deserve.

▀ 10 out of 10 sugar daddy.

▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀

Diavolo (52)

▀ Even for someone who’s fifty-two years old, he’s still hot like his old day.

▀ Diavolo is a very cautious man. He always deletes his traits and identity. Almost being fully anonymous. But is it wrong for a man who wants to be unknown to have a desire? No, of course. Diavolo still craving for touch as a human being.

▀ But he had to choose wisely for someone to being his mistress, his possession. Someone that he could truly trust, or else he had to kill right after he finished. 

▀ And his eyes caught on you, a young girl that enters passione to find extra money to pay off her own tuition cost. One day, you started your normal routine like ever. But this day, when you spot a pink-haired man in front of your college’s gate, he just approached you and said that he wants to talk to you about something in passione, his name was Doppio, he told you.

▀ You agree to come along with him. This guy looks too innocent to be one of the boss’s reliable allies. But you guess that it won’t hurt if you heard him what’s the matter he wants to talk about.

▀ Of course, Diavolo only sees you as a way to relieve himself. But more and more the conversation between Doppio and you go on, Diavolo sparked some interest. Not only because you seem devoted to what you believe and really good at keeping secret, but because you have lesser power than him, he could easily manage this.

▀ Doppio finally touches the base. He told you that his boss wants to meet you in person. You questioned why, Doppio a little embarrassed to say it- so Diavolo takes a place instead, then said. “He wants your company, maybe tomorrow, .”

▀ When you arrived at the location where Doppio hand you. You weren’t sure about this- you didn’t know anything about your boss. Did you do something wrong? Did he trick you into this? You weren’t sure for real.

▀ The security was safest of the safe, if there’s disaster outside, you assured that he’ll be totally fine. You nervously entered his room. The room was dark and really cold. Even you embrace yourself, you couldn’t warm up.

▀ You heard his voice aloud in the deepest corner, demand you come closer. You were afraid of what might happen, but it’ll be better to listen to your boss.

▀ He started a conversation with you, making you feel as comfortable as he can. While the conversation goes on, Diavolo crept closer to you, showing his longing feeling that you must be the one to fulfill it. He knew that you have some trouble with your tuition fees and needs in your life you couldn’t afford, he might help you. That’s why you agree.

▀ You were loyal like a dog, keeping secret deep in your mind. The mysterious relationship with the most cautious mafia boss is something you never expected to have. Diavolo really pleased with you, he never played favorite before, but now he is.

▀ Diavolo is rough and such a selfish bastard. He treated you like he owns you as his personal fuck toy. All the nights you spend are nothing more than rough sex. Once he finished- he may lead you to a pillow talk or just leave you on his bed and go bathing.

▀ Diavolo likes the idea of dressing you up as he pleased, feeling completely own you.

▀ When you’re underneath him, call him daddy, and you’ll get the best orgasm you’d had. Maybe sometime, he might get carried away and end up driving you into the oblivion.

▀ Spoiled you rotten, but he’s rough and you feel quite awkward. 7/10

▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀

Risotto Nero (47)

▀ Oh boy. The best sugar daddy is here. Even compare to the other two, he still a little broke. But trust me, he is better for your mental health.

▀ Imagine about Risotto’s ideal wife. Usually, this man doesn’t specific his type of girl. At this age, Risotto started to think about retirement and family. He wants to go back to Sicily and lived a normal life he could ever have since he was eighteen.

▀ Maybe Risotto just really hoped that he could really find someone.

▀ While some of his teammates retired and got replaced by the new ones, he’s still there, being a capo every now and then. Leading the team as he always did in the past. But really? His path couldn’t be changed, but he can retire anytime he wants though.

▀ Then, he met you. The newest member of passione, so young, but mature and free. He wants to treat you like any other, but you’re so attractive in his eyes. He’s a little guilty of that. You seem like you haven’t finished your college yet. He doesn’t even know other than being awkward when you two are alone. Such a big himbo.

▀ Risotto is not a guy you could read like an open book, that’s why you always keep your professionalism with him all the time. But when you learned a glimpse of his fonding toward you, you shall be the one that opens your heart first.

▀ You spend more time with your capo, he’s much older than you, yes, but that’s not making him less attractive. But that’s how it starts, awkward tea time and a little conversation.

▀ One day, Risotto said that he’ll afford you anything you’d like to have. Even you could pay with your own money, Risotto suggests that you should save it for good. He even let you use his credit card, you really appreciate this- but isn’t he too generous for you?

▀ Once he gets comfortable with you more, Risotto started being like himself again. All cool and discreet. Risotto at this age is someone you would head over heels with. Not just his attractive older figure, but also his personality that even more sensible. You just couldn’t enough of him.

▀ He is a busy man but can meet you several times a month. The meeting doesn’t always end up with sex, maybe just a conversation with a good dinner.

▀ Risotto expected you to call him daddy during the intercourse, he doesn’t react with his words, neither with his expression. Looks like he doesn’t care, but his movement said otherwise, Risotto would actually break you along with the bedpost that keeps slamming onto the wall. He loves it.

▀ He might let you queening him as a reward for being a good girl. His tongue feels like heaven, each stroke driving you insane. And you wouldn’t dare to be naughty with him, would you? Or else you’ll be roughly fucked your brain out.

▀ The aftercare with Risotto is the best, he’ll do anything to please you. Drink? check. Food? check. Comfy bed? check. Bath? check. All the things you need are already prepared by him.

▀ As soon as you okay with it, maybe Risotto might make you a real wife of his, then he can peacefully retire and live the rest of his life with you.

▀ 10/10 recommend.

▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀

[elk-and-thearchivist]

So I finally watched playthroughs of Detroit: Become Human after it's been on my hit list for a while - as expected, it was absolutely fantastic.

And then I remembered @sad-1st making a really cool DBH AU and so here we have some ideas and doodles for DBH Elk, Wiki, Other, and Khera! Not necessarily the same continuity as @sad-1st 's but it is kinda based on theirs. I may change up the designs later, these are just... brainstorming doodles

I actually have... a lot of ideas, haha! Feel free to read, on, if you like.

The year is 2038. Hallownest has been transformed by the androids developed by CyberNest, the bug-like machines integrating into almost every aspect of life. However, there may be more than meets the eye in the history of CyberNest. More and more androids are becoming "deviant," causing unpredictable behavior, and a mysterious malware known only as the "Radiant Virus" has been sweeping across every kind of machine, causing corruption and violent behavior in androids.

Short version: PK is an arrogant fool and Radiance is mad in multiple ways. Elk (VS700 prototype) and Other (VS600 prototype) were designed to complement each other, part of one of the "vessel" series. Elk killed Other and became deviant, CyberNest threw them out but Other got back for repairs with Khera, but Elk thought they were being destroyed and panicked, leading to Other activating Wiki moments before they and Khera slipped back into oblivion. Wiki (Project ACV) is an AI clone of Monomon uploaded to Elk, they get their secondary body frame later.

Long version:

The Wyrm and The Radiance grew up together, both geniuses in AI and software development. CyberNest was going to be shared between them - or so Radiance thought. When they company was Barely starting out, Wyrm backstabbed Radiance and took all assets for himself. Radiance went mad, eventually converting herself into a superintelligent AI, killing her physical body, and letting herself loose on the internet to watch, to learn.

Grimm was Radiance's sibling, vanished around the same time Radiance did. He is that mysterious-sketchy-but-surprisingly helpful guy that helps out rogue androids for trades and favors. He has a neural implant, linking himself to his own superintelligent AI - the Nightmare Heart, as he calls it. Nightmare is able to control Grimm's body, and sometimes they switch off.

Radiance starts trying to assert control over Wyrm's androids - this causes corruption in memory and software. It can be spread from machine-to-machine interfacing, but what spreads is more like a backdoor for the Radiance - it makes it easier for her to influence the machine and cause what is called "the Infection." In a way, it causes deviation and then takes advantage of the instability.

Wyrm, who now goes by Pale King, realizes that this must be Radiance's doing. He eventually finds out about her state as an AI, and starts developing technology that can resist her, and then software that would have the ability to quarantine and isolate her - possibly entangling the data, corrupting both her and whichever android that got "lucky" enough to be the one to face her. He grows desperate as the Infection sweeps across Hallownest, enlisting the help of Monomon, Lurien, and Herrah. PK convinces them to undergo AI conversion to turn them into sentinel programs, a trio that, in conjunction with a vessel android's AI, should be able to contain the Radiance. Of course, the public doesn't know about this - PK pretty much rules the city and no one thinks to question him. He is untouchable by the law.

The HK series is made to be completely stable - they cannot think, they cannot speak. HK200, "Hollow", is deemed to have the most stable software, and is tasked with finding and neutralizing the Radiance.

Wiki, or Project ACV (Archival Clone Verus) is the AI clone of Monomon - the sentinel program conversion is not the same as the infinitely learning AI development of Wiki. They are designed to be able to absorb an infinite amount of data (and be able to hack into anything to acquire it). Their "body" is composed of nanomachines in thirium (void?? What do you call it in this AU) that communicate with each other and can replicate infinitely, though they need a primary memory storage unit. Immediately upon activation, they connect to the internet, to the confidential databases of CyberNest, and learn everything in an instant. Monomon shuts them off and tries to delete their memory but was unable to, only succeeding in building some firewalls - effective, but all the information is still there. Despite everything, she doesn't want to delete/destroy ACV, and keeps them stored in the assembly/disassembly room, leaving a possible backdoor for reactivation. And then, Monomon undergoes the conversion and disappears from society.

Elk and Other have linked programs designed to oppose, complement, and improve each other. They were deployed a few times, tested and upgraded more and more. For a final test, Elk had to terminate Other, causing Elk's deviancy. Other's data was corrupted, but they uploaded themself to Elk through their link, undetected. Elk was thrown into the junkyard with Other's remains - Elk's stress peaked and they more or less crashed, causing an incident that kills Khera, and Other found themself in control. They harvest parts from their own remains to replace Elk's damaged parts. They find Khera's body, and discover an ability they never knew they had: they injected some self-replicating nanomachines into her body, temporarily reviving her. After some hasty repairs, they make Khera sneak them into CyberNest to fix Elk in both software and hardware. (Other thinks they're corrupted beyond saving.) Khera agrees, taking Elk/Other to the assembly/disassembly/repair room. Khera worked on the software at the same time as the hardware, but Elk regained consciousness and panicked - they had no memory of the junkyard and thought they were being destroyed. Given that they had to be taken apart a bit for repairs, it did certainly seem that way.

Other hacks into the mainframe as a last act, looking for something that could help, and finds Wiki and activates them. Other and Khera both go under, then. Wiki emerges from the ceiling and calms Elk down, taking over the repair and assembly process and assisting Elk. Wiki ends up uploading their "core self" to Elk, and replaces Elk's thirium/void with their nano-thirium/void.

They try to stay away from the goings-on of PK and CyberNest for a while, laying low and investigating whatever they please - but they come in contact with the Radiance and all their systems shut down for a while as they quarantine and stabilize their software. With some undetected assistance from Other, they eventually wake up with corrupted memory (gradually recovered). They start looking into the Radiance, uncovering history, betrayal, how terrible PK really is.

A few possibilities, which branch infinitely, of course:

- Elk and Wiki and others, probably, help Radiance recover her sanity and she leads a movement to overthrow PK. As it turns out, she can very easily cause deviancy, without the negative effects of the Infection. Radiance could succeed, securing rights for androids, or she could fail, becoming sealed away. Resistance could fall or continue, still. Radiance could be freed, the Dreamers could be given androids bodies, PK could either die, go to jail, or vanish. Elk/Wiki then continue as part of the staff of the new CyberNest R&D, developing AI, nanotechnology, and android-support tech.

- Android deviant movement is led by Ghost. Hornet and Quirrel support, HK may or may not come around. Radiance may be contained or quelled.

- Deviants continue to live underground, getting help from Grimm. Elk and Wiki offer their aid to any deviants they find, helping them escape Hallownest.

- Bad End / closest to game canon probably: Radiance succeeds in bringing down PK's syndicate via Infection; androids are collected and destroyed, save for the few who managed to resist her, and PK vanishes. (He linked his consciousness with a computer, actually, and retreated to his mind palace to die.) An apocalyptic variation could be HK successfully containing her, but she upgrades her virus to mutate rapidly and corrupts everything independently, all electronics, all technology, everything that connected to anything her virus was in. The infection was quarantined in Hallownest, luckily, but no network tech works there anymore. Or, maybe it did spread across the world, and nothing is ever the same.

[pinsplantsandpikes]

A Stitch(wort) In Time Saves Nothing If You Don't Pick It (16/03/20)

(Tumblr decided to delete my draft so I ragequit this for two days)

The sky is bright, empty, and blue. The air is briskly cold but clean. I have so far seen a lot of Lords And Ladies, a lot of Lords And Ladies, incessant amounts of Lords And Ladies.

I am exploring lakeside today instead of in the heathland. I am determined to find some Ramsoms like the other foragers I follow have. The general advice has been waterside woodland, as old as possible.

With the recent rain there is a lot more waterside than before! But the age is potentially a problem, so we shall see what we can see and live in hope.

On the suburban end of my walk, leading up to the lakes, there has been thriving greenery starting to shrug off the grey of winter. A rife of blue flowers started to emerge as I approached the gate, leaves spotted with white, quite pretty. Alkanet or Bugloss, and in their abundance, absolutely beautiful and rather like Forget Me Not flowers for the individual heads. I should have recognised them instantly - rather than letting the app confuse me into hoping they were Comfrey - for they look exactly as they do in Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion, the game designers did a wonderful job on the plants.

Picking my way through the swampy ground I eventually made it to the path which followed a seemingly circular route, I chose to go left to start with. I passed some grumpy swans and a fisherman mired in mud to practice his craft. I don't envy the conditions but give him props for going to such lengths. Takes guts to be that close to swans, evil bastards that they are.

Continuing onward, I see some dogwalkers, numerous water based plants which look like Irises, more bloody Lords And Ladies, and wonder of wonders I find St John’s Wort--!

Not.

Of course I didn’t find anything so forageable as that. It was Shrubby St John’s Wort, otherwise known as Sweet Amber... uses, none. Cute little plant though.

Next up is Wood Avens, which might actually be useful at last! Ish. After some looking, none of its uses are really supported by science. Ugh.

All I want is to learn to find usable, useful, edible plants. It is not really so much to ask.

The next step in my journey was to decide whether or not to try and cross a flooded area of stepping stones, or stepping logs rather. The water ran over them and there was no indication how much they would sink. I would hardly drown if I slipped. I would get at worst a nasty shock, sore bum and a bit soggy. But on principle it was the risk vs reward debate. I vaguely knew my options for turning back, the right turn I hadn't yet taken that would eventually lead full circle to my origin point.

Or the waterlogged path, of which I knew nothing.

So, naturally I took to the logs, got one wet sock but otherwise survived the scramble intact. It was an adventure!

The view was spectacular, a river on one side after a steep drop, and the lake I’d been circling on the other, waterfowl taking off from the river and flying over my head. I carried along the path, excitedly looking at my feet for potential Ramsoms or other plants, breathing deeply, hoping to smell the strong stench of garlic. But nothing, just damp soil, water, and the fresh air.

It was along this path I ditched LeafSnap as my identification app. My final straw was it umming and ahhing about hogweed and whether or not it was really a parsnip. With lesser hogweed that’s not a dangerous confusion, even if it’s drastically wrong. With Giant Hogweed that is potentially lethal, given the plant’s infamous toxicity (seriously, go investigate that terrifying beast). So, instead I moved to iNaturalist, which so far has worked much better, keeping identification assumptions much more closely related, and peer-reviewed by real people when unsure. Happily trotting along I found more Lords And Ladies, brambles everywhere, grasses, dock, more of my good friend Poor Man’s Mustard, and what looked like Forget Me Nots!

Or more specifically, Wood Forget Me Nots. Gardener variety Forget Me Nots are my favourite flower, but this variation might actually leap to the top. The leaves were so fuzzy and soft. There were fewer flowers than the plant I know, but that may be the time of year as much as anything. The petals were a far richer blue, matching the Alkanet.

At this point my battery dropped below 50% so I started winding my way towards home, deliberately without turning back. I followed the muddied ground towards a swampy plain full of rushes or similar. Amongst the tall reeds there were some with what looks like bugs munching on them, fluffy little curls. When I got closer I saw that they were actually part of the Willows as iNaturalist identified them.

That’s just the family of plants, it wasn’t confident enough to narrow it down to the specific, but I’m happy with that much for something I don’t intend to touch or eat. It’s so cute though!

After the Willows I had a decision to make, with my battery running low enough it might not make it home. Either I went the wiggly way through the houses, or a straight line through some awkwardly overgrown wilderness. Just as I was weighing up these options something caught my eye. Bright greenery in a nest of dead leaves.

And in amongst the emerald sea in there were tiny white drops. Bright tiny blooms of delicately deliberate petals.

This was Stitchwort.

And it was so utterly beautiful. I’d seen flowers like that before but I have no recollection of where. They were exactly the kind of thing I wanted to see. Useful, edible, I even was developing a stitch after 80 or so minutes on the hoof at that point! But did I pick any?

No.

Because I’m an idiot who didn’t think of that till I’d already gotten halfway home, back through the undergrowth scritch scratch scritch scratch and back through the mud squelch squirtch squelch squirtch. It was only at I was opening the gate to return to the main road that I kicked myself for not getting down on my hands and knees to pick some of the Stitchwort, that I could have used it on a practical basis, tested its power. But no, my silly modern brain wanted to go home and have a banana to restock on potassium. Defying the whole premise of trying to reawaken older knowledge and customs.

But still. I know where they are. I’m pretty sure I could find my way back to that small cluster under that tree. They work well in salad apparently. Maybe I’ll do that for myself, a quarantine picnic, lockdown lunch of flowers and leaves.

Of course, yes, that’s the elephant in the room. I got home around 5pm.

Just in time to see the BBC tell me the country was on lockdown.

[thoughts-and-travel]

The Bonds That Tie Us Together

I accidentally deleted my first version of this (because I can’t computer) so I decided to re-write it. I couldn’t get this scene out of my head and really wanted to see where it went.  

Summary: Post KH3, Sea-salt family is now living in Twilight Town. Roxas decides to enter a Struggle Tournament when a heartless attacks and Xion is badly injured.  

Today was the first day of the Struggle Tournament and truth be told, Xion and Isa had no idea what the fuss was all about. A week before when the posters were up, Roxas would not stop gushing about the whole event, explaining what needed to be done to win. Axel, Isa and Xion decided to go to cheer and support their friend, but Xion and Isa were still confused about the sport.

“So, the competitors need to beat each other with a bat in hopes for their ball to fall?” Isa asked as he sat down next to Axel. Xion sat on Axel’s opposite side and waited for an answer.

“Well, not really. They use their bats to distract their opponent and then try to get them to drop the ball. If they catch it, then the other person loses.” Axel explained.

“Distract them? How?” Xion asked.

Axel chuckled and leaned back against his chair. “Just you watch.”

Roxas was making his way towards the center staged as the referee got them ready for the first round. He turned to look at his friends and gave them a huge smile with a thumbs up. Xion returned his smile with one of her own, Axel gave a thumbs up, and Isa responded with a smirk and a short nod.

Before the tournament could begin, a loud scream caused everyone to panic as a huge Darkside heartless emerged. The crowd began running hectically as the heartless took its first swing towards the stage.

“Roxas!” Axel yelled as he and Xion summoned their Keyblades. 

Roxas dodge the attack and summoned his Oblivion and Oathkeeper blade, suddenly grateful that Hayner, Pence and Olette had work today and couldn’t make it. The last thing he needed was to worry about their safety. 

Axel, Xion and isa were trying their best to make their way towards the stage, but with the amount of people around it was proving to be difficult. In her time with the Organization, Xion had to learn about every heartless that she had to eliminate, and a Darkside likes open but empty spaces. So why would it attack when so many people were around?

The three of them reached the stage just as Roxas dodged another attack. Before any of them had a chance to counter, one of the Darksides fist slammed against the ground and a bunch of Shadow heartless began to appear. 

“Xion!” Roxas called as one of his blades took out a nearby Shadow. Xion was a few feet away taking out nearby Shadows, and because of the angle of her body she was unaware of the dark orbs the Darkside started to throw at her. 

Her body flew a few feet as the orbs hit her and she landed with a strong impact. Stunned, she tried making it to her feet, but the Darkside took another swing at her. This time her head connected with the ground as her body smacked against the pavement, her Keyblade disappearing. 

Before the Darkside can land another critical blow, Isa was in front of Xion’s body, using his Claymore as a shield.

“Roxas, together!” Axel said, and the two of them jumped and defeated the Darkside with a powerful blow and all the remaining Shadows disappeared. 

“Is she okay?” Roxas asked, not wasting time before running towards Xion. Isa was hunched over and lifted her limp body securely in his arms.

“We should head back home,” Isa responded, glancing down at Xion with a distressed look. 

“Yeah,” Axel agreed, holding out his arms. “Here, I’ll carry her.”

To his surprised, Isa’s grip on Xion tighten and his body moved slightly away from Axel, almost shielding Xion from him. This caught Axel off guard because if he was being honest with himself, he still couldn’t figure out what Isa thought of her. He respected her, that much was clear from their time living together, but sometimes he would catch his friend looking at her with a weird expression.

“I got her.” Isa said firmly before walking towards their apartment, Roxas close at his heels.

Once they’ve made it to their four-bedroom home, Isa took Xion into her warmly lit room. It was a simple room, with a single bed, a dresser and a desk with her computer, which Chip and Dale gifted to her since she and Isa were the few tech-savvy members in the group. 

Isa gently laid Xion on her bed and placed a blanket over her.

“She just hit her head, but she should be okay,” Axel reassured, knowing that Roxas would need the comfort. As much time as they spend together, watching anything happen to Xion was still tough on Roxas. He was terrified that something would happen again that would cause him to forget her.  

“We should still watch over her, just in case,” Roxas pressed, the worry strong in his voice. 

“I’ll go first.” Isa responded, his tone leaving no room for arguments. He grabbed the chair by the desk and sat down, crossing his arms.

Roxas and Axel shared a glance before looking back at Isa. 

“Uh, okay, we’ll switch in a few hours,” Axel said.

A small nod was the only retort Isa gave them. They shared a look again before leaving the room. 

The rise and fall of Xion’s chest were the only movement she made, not a twitch or nothing. Isa watched over the girl that managed to change the fate of everyone in this apartment. This girl, who managed to touch the heart of not just Roxas, but Axel too. Axel, who never showed a hint of caring about anything as his time as a Nobody, sacrificed everything for her. If Xion never existed, things might have been so different.

Living with her, and noticing how she interacted with the world, Isa realized that his past opinion of her was based on ignorant and false information. Roxas was right, Xion was never a puppet. The way she joked and laughed with her friends, the smile that graced her face when she learned a new code on her computer, the joy she felt every time she brought a sea-salt ice cream. Isa couldn’t help but smile as he watched her. 

Seeing how she was caused this warmth over his heart that he hasn’t felt in a long time. Even when he was re-completed, he got his heart and emotions back, but this warmth? This feeling? He’s only ever felt once before with his best friend Axel.

Even looking at her now, that warmth over his heart looms strong, but another feeling is there as well. This gnawing need to protect Xion at all cost is just as powerful. He was surprised when he first felt this, but today, watching her get hurt, that feeling simply overwhelmed him. He acted purely on instinct, wanting nothing more than to protect her with all his heart.

Is this what Axel felt when they were in the Organization and Isa told him he had to choose between saving Roxas or Xion? Back then, Isa couldn’t understand why Axel would ever considered saving Xion. Isa couldn’t understand why Axel was even friends with her. But had he known then what he knew now, he would never have treated her like he did. 

He was a lot of things, but to treat a child so badly was something he could never forgive himself for.

Isa closed his eyes as the grief overwhelmed him, his hands balling into fists as the memories came crashing back. He took a deep breath to focus his mind at the task at hand.

For now, he will watch over Xion. 

A small tap woke Isa from his slumber and as he opened his eyes, he looked around the now dark room. His eyes immediately went to Xion, who was still unconscious in her bed.

“Hey,” Axel whispered. “Go get some rest, I’ll watch her tonight.”

Isa stretched on his chair before crossing his arms again and leaning back. “I’m fine.”

Axel frowned. “You’ve been here for hours-”

“I said I’m fine.” His tone was curt and hard, again leaving no room for arguments.

Axel scratched the back of his head, wondering what was going on with his friend. He had never seen Isa like this, and as always he couldn’t read the expression on his face.  

“Okay,” Axel sighed, deciding not to argue. “Roxas is asleep, but he’d want the next watch when he wakes up.”

Isa nodded, his eyes focused on Xion. Axel thought about staying to keep him company, but if he was going to properly look after Xion he’d need his rest too. Without saying another word, Axel left.

As much as Isa wanted to stay awake, as the hours went by his eyelids felt heavier and heavier. Eventually, his fell back asleep in the same position as before. His arms were crossed and his head had fallen forward slightly, but he made no sound as he slept. He was always a light sleeper, the slighted sounds being about to wake him up.

Honestly, one look at him and anyone would have thought he was simply sitting with his head down and arms crossed. At least, that’s what Xion thought when she finally awoke. She recognized her dark room instantly and felt the comfort of her mattress. As she sat up, her head started spinning, which immediately brought memories of what happened before she was in her room. She remembered the heartless that attacked the town square.

She must’ve been hit pretty badly because she couldn’t remember anything after that. The guys must have been taking turns to watch over her, but she was especially surprised to find Saïx here instead of Axel or Roxas.

Her and Saïx haven’t had much of a chance to talk after they’ve both been back. Honestly, Xion was still wary of what he thought of her. Although she’s never admitted this to anyone, her time living with Saïx has caused her to care deeply about him. She noticed the way he takes care of Axel and Roxas. Saïx would clean the whole apartment, bring extra sea-salt ice cream for everyone, and always made sure there was food around. He loved in a subtle way. 

She often wondered if he still saw her as nothing more than a puppet and there have been times when she desperately wanted to ask, but was too afraid of the answer. She just wasn’t sure what she’d do if his opinion of her remained the same. She’d be crushed, of course, but she wasn’t sure she’d be able to live with someone who saw her as nothing.

Taking an extra blanket, Xion slowly made her way towards Saïx, trying to be as quiet as possible. She knew how light of a sleeper he was and wanted to make sure he remained warmed during the night.

As she placed the blanket on him, Saïx stirred, slowly opening his eyes. Xion froze, surprised that she actually awoke him. 

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Xion admitted, smiling sheepishly at him. 

Isa stared at Xion’s blue eyes, astounded to find her awake and on her feet. He could feel that warmth creeping over his heart at seeing her up, and he felt a crushing sense of joy at hearing her voice. 

Xion continued. “Thank you for watching over me, Saïx.”

Without saying a word, Isa gently grabbed Xion and pulled her towards his chest in a tight embrace, smiling at overwhelming bliss of having her be okay. 

“Call me Isa.”