#and this is my FIRST time mentioning about this ship

[bluetooththereptile]

The original

(Yandere batman x male reader)

( English is not my first language so I apologize for any mistakes in the following text.)

Idea from this post.

"Alfred, you never mention why the fourth bedroom is always locked" Dick commented as he helped chop vegetables, the young boy had yet to adjust to life in the large Manor and was curious about everything, the kid was too busy to notice the shoulders of the older man tensing at the mention of the locked bedroom, yet he didn't reply, maybe if he pretended to not hear what the boy had said he'd drop the question?- "I mean it's so random that a master bedroom on the second floor is locked out of nowhere" Well apparently the answer was a no.

Alfred sighed as his grip on the pan's handle tightened "You know, master Richard..." he started, his voice faltering as he looked at the sauce simmer "Sometimes we can not let go of the past" he continued, unsure how to explain this "Is it Bruce's parents bedroom?" Dick asked, now feeling rather awkward "No, it is not..." but before Dick could ask something else about the bedroom the old man quickly added "I will tell you in time"

"Thank you Alfred" You grunted softly as your trembling fingers flipped through the piles of papers before you, not turning back to see the older man put a warm cup of tea on your large desk. You sniffled, the clogged nose giving you a headache and your sore eyes throbbing as you sifted through the never-ending bank notices were no help. With a sigh you blew on your injured knuckles to soothe the ache in them, the ointment was making the wounds itch more, looking through the papers "Good lord, when will it end?" You groaned, rubbing your eyes.

"Give it some time master Y/N, you can not bear the calculations of everything when you are battling the flu right after a fight" Aflred spoke as he put his hand on your sore shoulder "Why don't you go and stay with your aunt? I'm sure master Bruce will appreciate the change of scenery, he needs it, you need it" after your parents death you two had become reclusive in your own ways, Bruce had locked himself up in his bedroom, and you had drowned yourself in work and fighting off criminals.

"I can't Alfred, not when the bank notices are pouring in, I need to save this sinking ship or we'll lose everything" Your frustration was evident as you drank the whole cup in one motion, not caring about the burn that slid down your throat "But if it helps I'll send Bruce to her, he can play with Elijah or his cousins" you waved your hand in the air, not looking back. "Master Y/N?" "Hmm?" You finally looked up to meet the butler in the eyes, taking in his worried gaze "What is it?" You asked again as you tapped your foot against the hard cold floor of the study that once belonged to your father.

"Master Bruce had the chance to ease himself by being vulnerable" the older man started "He cried and spent days in his bed holding your mother's blanket, and I can say he feels better after doing so, the initial grief has washed out of his system if only a little" "Well that is good news" your gaze went back to the papers "But what about you?" At hearing that you flinched.

"What do you mean by that?" You spoke, your hoarse sickly voice taking a sharper edge, you were more anxious these days and it didn't help that others could see your vulnerability. "You haven't been able to come to terms with your loss Master Y/N." You groaned, pinching the bridge of your nose "Alfred please-" "No, listen to me for a moment Master Y/N, for the past year you haven't been able to sit down for a moment and take everything in, you only have been on the run from your own emotions-" "Alfred!" "Your parents died when you were away for college-" "I said-" "And now you come back to an empty home with a reclusive brother and a mountain of your parents' debt and their legacy barely keeping up" "You-" "You have been doing nothing but leaving late and coming back bloodied and bruised, God knows what you do at night!-" "I said stop it!-" "You are killing yourself like this!" "STOP!"

Frustrated, you stood up from your chair, the familiar sting of tears "Just let me be" Alfred sighed as he watched you storm out of the office, following the familiar route of your bedroom, slamming the door behind yourself only to slide down behind the door, looking to the corner where the bin of your bandages sat and let out a shaky sigh "What have I done to deserve this?" You mumbled to yourself, at 19, you were not even old enough to drink, and yet they had shoved the titanic legacy of the Wayne family in your arms, with the responsibility of caring for a traumatized child, with your parents being gone, it was too much, your body ached, your skull throbbed with each heartbeat, you hoped you'd die that night, or else you'd end things by the morning, "Someone help me..."

"So...Bruce had a brother?" Dick asked as he ate his food in the kitchen as Alfred skinned the apples he'd use for the night's apple pie. It was their routine when Bruce would leave for work on the weekends and with the dining room being too large for just a boy eating on his own, Dick had come to eat by the kitchen island, plus being with Alfred wasn't that bad either.

"Yes," Alfred replied with a nod as he moved the knife against the skin of the red apples in his grip "Oh so that explains the picture of the lanky tall teenager in the family photos..." Dick paused mid-chew before he asked, "What happened to him?" "We don't know" "Did he die or flee or-" "We don't know" "Oh..." Dick knew from that glare from the old man that he was treading on thin eyes. So he sipped on his orange juice to muster up more courage as he wetted his throat "Uh...how was he like?"

"He..." Alfred trailed off as he stopped using the knife, staring at the bowl of the dough, his gaze trailing to the towel on top of the resting pastry "He was an intelligent boy" "More than Bruce?" A soft sad chuckle left the butler "Bruce was more analytical than him, he...he was more of a hands-on matter person, I can say they were geniuses in their own ways, he was an aspiring engineering student, most of the structure of the cave beneath the Manor was designed by him"  "Wow" Alfred sighed as he continued "He was rather hot-headed, and sometimes needed guidance managing his emotions, but he was a very responsible person...Master Thomas was proud of having such a son..." his voice shook a little.

"Oh..." Dick looked outside the window as the birds flew by "Did Bruce love him?" "A lot, we all did" he sighed as he went back to skinning the browning apple's flesh "He was a lively boy, in fact, Master Bruce's interest in martial arts came from interacting with him for the first years of his life" the two of them fell into a charged silence, Dick wanted to ask more but he could not.

"You have changed haven't ya?" The old man smirked as he was pinned to the wall by the powerful dark hand of the dark knight himself, blood dripped from his nose as he chuckled, his gray eyes narrowing "When we first met your punches hurt more, maybe it's because of getting older or something?" Batman didn't reply as he held up the oldest thug of the group he had just tackled, usually, he would have knocked him out with a punch and retreated to shadows as the police would come to collect them but this one, this one had struck a very raw nerve that he had thought was left untouched for a long time "Eh? Maybe you changed places or something? I remember you were taller? I mean who forget the silhouette of the asshole that sent me to change 20 years ago?" He sneered before he scoffed "What you are going to do then? Lock me up for another 10 years or something?" But before he could taunt the dark knight again he was thrown onto the ground of the dark alley as Batman heard the sound of the sirens coming, meeting his fate in the hands of the police officers.

"A taller...more aggressive Batman..." Bruce mumbled to himself as he looked down the city as the never-dying stream of cars moved beneath his feet as he stood by the gargoyl of the building he was upon, his lips tight "Batman..." he repeated "Without robin" his gaze fell to his empty gloved hand, watching as the droplets of rain fell onto the material of it and slid down "Alone...", the sound of the old gramophone in his father's  study filled his ears from the depth of his memory, Chopin, it was, he could easily remember, the form of the young man humming to himself as he tapped his ruler on the desk while he looked at the details before him "Y/N..."

"Y/N-" "GET OUT!" Your pained shout startled Bruce as Alfred pushed your dislocated shoulder into place "Master Y/N, he only wants to help-" you turned to Alfred with a scowl "If he hadn't interfered none of this would have happened! I told you to stay inside the car, I told you to not come out! He could have killed you!" You slammed your fist on the table to stop yourself from yelping in pain as Alfred put the bone back into its socket, you were sure you were drawing blood from how much pressure you were applying on your lips, the coppery taste of blood was a testament to it.

"I told you to stay inside Bruce, you pleaded with me and I let you come, you were going to lock the doors from inside and stay PUT!" You hissed "Damn this bloody idea of Robin!" He turned to Alfred "You put this idea into his mind!" Your head snapped back towards the shrinking boy behind your cape on the table "I work alone, remember that Bruce, I don't need your help! The best you can do right now is study and don't cause trouble! Fuck! Why does it hurt so much?!"

You didn't know this moment was engraved inside the young Wayne's memory, the sheer helplessness, guilt, and frustration of it all, it all engraved into his mind.

"I think the scowl runs in the family" Jason teased with a chuckle before he shrugged carelessly when Damian scowled at him "Are you making fun of my uncle?" The boy crossed his arms "No, I'm making fun of you, Bruce and your uncle" Damian was about to punch Jason in the face when Tim finally looked up from his computer "Found it!" Everyone leaned in as Tim started speaking "Weirdly, I couldn't find an article on him since he was a Wayne and the media ate up anything related to families like that..." he hummed as he tapped his chin, before looking up at everyone who were curious about this revelation.

"I shouldn't have said that" Dick groaned as he paced around, already regretting the fact that he had told everyone about Bruce's older brother, which was a very sensitive topic for both Bruce and his butler, but he couldn't help himself, not when everyone was worried about Bruce being broody every year on this particular day, everyone knew when it came to the old bat's yearly anniversary of his parents' death he'd get broody and would be alone on his patrols, but it was strange for them why he'd be like this in this day as well, and Dick had opened his wide mouth and had told them about the lost Wayne and the original Batman, DAMMIT!

"So, basically we have a taller Bruce?" Stephanie shrugged as she checked out the picture in the old magazine article "No, actually, he seems different, I mean, sure the general Wayne scowl and stuff are there but..." "He seems of bad reputation" Duke continued Tim's explaining as he read the article "Unlike the image  Bruce portrays today, you know, the careless playboy, this one had a reputation for being a "snappy brat" Duke continued "I mean I'd snap at the paparazzi if I were him too" Jason shrugged "Oof there is even an account of him being charged with assault on a person when he had literally ripped the camera off of a journalist and had broken it" Duke winced "Like uncle like nephew" Jason sang which made Damian narrow his eyes. "But it seems he at least had a very good sense in buying stocks, 60 percent of the shares Wayne Corp now has had been bought by him" Tim hummed as he typed.

"But what happened to him?" Cassandra finally spoke, "No one knows, some people say he fled to an island like most bratty rich boys do that don't like to be in the eyes of the public, some say he died of overdose, and yada yada..." "That's strange...I mean, why doesn't Bruce speak about it though?" "I don't know...."

"Don't let me go!" You pleaded urgently as you tried to hold onto the hands of the young boy who had come to help you in one of your patrols, albeit let's be honest Bruce had snuck into your vehicle wearing a dark body suit, "I'm trying!" Bruce replied as he desperately held the hand of his brother, but his grip was weak compared to the powerful suctioning wind of the blue whirlpool of energy that had opened out of nowhere when a thug had thrown an ancient vase at them.

"Bruce!" You panted as you desperately tried to move to hold onto something else before suddenly a pole that had come out of its place swung in your direction with full force "Oh shit-!" You let go of Bruce's hand to save him before the pole hit you, rendering you unconscious. Bruce's scream of despair was lost through the commotion of everything happening, watching your bloodied face for the last time as your body went into the eye of the energy field before it died down. "Nooooo!" Bruce fell to his knees, without his family, in an alleyway, for the second time. 

"So you are telling me this artifact is actually an alien portal field?" Batman tapped his finger on his arm as he heard what the Martian Hunter was explaining about the remnants of the vase he had gathered decades ago. "Where did you find this Batman?" The alien asked the dark knight but received no reply as Batman contemplated something "You know how they work?" Batman asked "Well, I do not know myself, but I know someone who knows how these work, it's a very ancient method, not so many people use it"

So there was a way!

Tags:

@presleyamos @skullcrawler

[ghost-run-free]

To me, Queer is a tragedy. It's an apology. To lovers who find themselves unsynchronized more often than they are. To self-hating addicts who dream of finding love and connection. To explain, in a series of funny and dark humored stories and unfortunate events, how hard it is to live in a daze and not knowing yourself. Your identity. Your sexuality. How you feel about all of it. To explain wanting to be vulnerable and pliant but also wanting to assure dominance and command, symbolized by a pistola on your hip. To describe how hard it is to look into a mirror. Really, really look. Until you think that there's no escape for you except in someone else. To try, and try, and try again. To go into the depths of the jungle and leaving your entire life behind to find the answer. Finally finding a mirror, an escape to look into only to find yourself looking at a shell. A ghost. Just as vacant as you are, or even more so. It is not so simple a love story. It is the mention of Joan Vollmer in the introduction, and the fact that it was absent before the official version is a testament to Bill trying to make a point and emphasizing what he wants the reader to know as soon as they open the book. Bill writing the entirety of Queer while awaiting trial for Joan's murder. Joan Vollmer haunts Queer. She's lurking in every corner of the Ship Ahoy. Every shot glass is a call back to the tragic William Tell act. It's tragic and bleak and hopeful and funny and apologetic and unapologetic in the way it apologizes. My first time reading the book truly felt like rubbing salt in the wound times and times over.

But of course I don't mind at all the way Luca interpreted it as a love story the way he did. "A new love story by Luca Guadagnino" in the trailer makes for a reasonable distinction between the book and his adaptation. He's putting his own true, original meaning into it. Getting the rights for a book you've always wanted to make for the cinema since you were seventeen and getting to weave in your favorite art pieces and interpretations is a dream many would kill to have. I'm forever thankful that dream came to the visionary that is Luca Guadagnino. I get emotional every time I get to talking about Queer, the book and the movie. I want to live in it forever.

[vibratingskull]

Hello, I had an idea for fic but it's a bit different to what you typically write so I understand if you wouldn't want to write it.

Imagine some rebels...maybe members of ghost crew intercepts some of Thrawns correspondence thinking that it's really important intel only to find it's some sweet back and forth between him and his SO.

They would be so surprised to find the big bad Grand Admiral being all cute in his messages. 👀

Interesting idea, let's see what it looks like!

⁺ 　 . ✦ Thrawn x F!reader ✦ . 　⁺

Tags: Kallus POV, pregnancy mention, Thrawn and reader are secretly married

Kallus types on the keys, eyes fixed on the screen. 

Everyone is asleep in the Ghost but Kallus cannot sleep. They have been hunted mercilessly and now they are exhausted, Hera found a hideout and everyone fell face first in their pillows. 

But Kallus is obsessed with a thought, something he did not have time to investigate while he was still a mole in the Empire. 

He still needs to prove himself to his new rebel companions and he hopes that lead could be his ticket! Back when he was under the Empire he noticed ghost communications emanating from Grand Admiral Thrawn’s personal comms and terminals and while he found them suspicious they were not coded as orders that he needed to dig for the rebellion. 

But now those communications shine in a very suspect light and he wants to get to the bottom of it. 

He is no master hacker and Thrawn evidently changed all the codes of his ship to prevent Kallus from recovering them now that he is a rebel, but Thrawn cannot decide how to modify such encryptions, it obeys a very specific bureaucratic imperial logic. 

Logic Kallus grew accostumed to. 

For 4 weeks he tried to break the code, spending sleepless nights on this forsaken screen destroying his eyes in the dark and tonight he finally got it! 

This is a one-time thing, knowing Thrawn as he does he will realize someone broke his security and stole his secrets.  

And considering the encryptions on those communications, he will be absolutely furious and the hunt will get worse. 

Kallus knows it 

He enters, gathers a maximum of information, eliminates as many proofs of his presence, and runs to wake up Hera to change hideouts immediately! 

He thought he would discover a one-way channel through which Thrawn transferred his plans to the Imperial palace to the Navy’s siege or even Lord Vader or the Emperor...  

But he noticed those data left the Chimaera to return straight back to it... 

Internal ship discussions do not use the triads to be sent and use an intranet and a computer to communicate informations. But Thrawn decided to muddy his trail by sending the data to a triad that recodes it again before sending the data back to the Chimaera. 

With whom was he communicating and about what!? 

He finishes typing his command and a new window pops up before his eye 

A Discussion 

To a certain “Ch’acah” 

He never encountered that word. Is that a title? Nobody on the Chimaera is named Ch’acah. 

... 

What the hell...? 

Ch’acah: ”How was your day, Thrawn?” 

Thrawn: “Uneventful. My planning brought us to victory again and we are gaining in the rebels. Only Konstantine remains a wild card.” 

Ch’acah: “Again? When will he learn that we need his cooperation for the plans to work as intended? He can’t allow himself to do what he wants like that!” 

Thrawn: “I agree.” 

Ch’acah: “I will try to have a word with him.” 

Thrawn: “Thank you for your concern Ch’acah, but I would prefer you refrain. It will only had to your stress, and you do not need stress right now.” 

Ch’acah: “I am pregnant, not dying, silly.” 

Thrawn: “I prefer to be safe than sorry.” 

... 

Kallus blinks and reread all of that. 

Pregnancy? Daring to call Thranw ‘silly’? 

What did he stumble across? 

He keeps reading 

Thrawn: “I would never forgive myself if something happened to our baby.” 

Ch’acah: “Nothing is going to happen to me or the baby, especially when I am with you on the Chimaera. I know you will do your best to protect us.” 

Thrawn: “I am doing my best. Nothing will ever reach you two while I am alive, I swear it Ch’acah.” 

Ch’acah: “Hihi, I know my love, I know.” 

Thrawn: “I miss you daily even though we see each other every day. Hiding ourselves from the world tear my heart to pieces.” 

Ch’acah: “You can reenact your marriage proposal on the bridge before everyone else if you want! <3” 

Thrawn: “ (Y/n)... You know I cannot.” 

Kallus almost spat out his caff 

YOU? 

You and... Thrawn are together? A couple? And you are pregnant?! 

He remembers chatting with you from time to time and honestly praising your performance when he was still loyal to the Empire, when he turned to the rebellion he started avoiding you, judging you as a danger to his cover. 

He always found you competent and intelligent, and visibly Thrawn thought the same and got seduced. 

He would have never guessed Thrawn would get his heart stolen! And by you? 

You were more dangerous than he first judged! 

Thrawn: “If we are revealed you would become a target. The rebels and the Empire will try to get to you, to the baby, to reach me.” 

Ch’acah: “I know... I was joking. Me too I would prefer to be free to hug you whenever I want...” 

Thrawn: “Soon, Ch’acah, soon... When my true plans will succeed, when I know everyone in the galaxy is safe from that exterior threat, we will be together and free. I love you, ch’eo Ch’acah, more than anything.” 

Ch’acah: “Me too, my love, more than anything.” 

Kallus takes a minute 

This is not what he expected 

Not at all even 

He feels like he walked in on something he should have never seen... 

He never suspected that... softer... side of the Grand Admiral Thrawn. 

He doesn’t know if that humanizes him in his eyes or gives him the creeps. 

Thrawn is deadly and Kallus doesn’t really want to discover how he is when someone were to stand between him and you... 

Between him and his baby... 

Kallus thinks, does he even have it in himself to target a pregnant woman? 

Would it not be what an Imperial would do? A rebel would probably have more morals than that... 

Kallus contemplates the messages, the love that was hidden even to his eyes. He remembers you as a diligent and loyal officer to Thrawn and the Chiss showed respect to your person and gave a lot of consideration to your opinions on his tactics and plans in retrospect. 

Now that Kallus has those informations, a lot of things click in his mind, about you and Thrawn’s behaviors in the presence of the other. 

A secret couple 

A hidden pregnancy 

Thrawn is right about one thing, the Emperor will certainly try to get that baby, the offspring of his most prized tactician 

This is literally a death sentence for you, it is only a matter of time. No rebel will even need to intervene: if Thrawn does nothing, the Emperor will get to him himself. 

Kallus decides to exit the conversation 

Destroys as much proof of his visit as he can 

And stand up to wake up Hera and flee somewhere safe. 

Thrawn will never allow such secret to spread and will do his best to hunt the intruder until he slits his throat 

But somehow 

For some reason 

Kallus sympathizes with his new enemy, he would not want to be in his position 

Never. 

@bluechiss @justanothersadperson93 @thrawnspetgoose @thrawnalani @twilekchiss @dance-like-russia-isnt-watching @obbicrystaleo @elise2174@davesrightshoe @holylonelyponyeatingmacaroni @princesslunamoon19 @janjtje @helrose8

[these-detestable-hands]

It's been a bit since I've interacted with octopath so my stuff on these ships may be a little rusty but I'll argue for them anyway.

Castitio (Castti x Partitio)

Before the game even came out, I thought they'd be a silly couple. Lady who doesn't remember and guy bursting at the seems with kindness. I think they're got a neat dynamic, with Castti teasing him a bit but they get along and are friends. Some post canon hcs I have are that Partitio would help Castti set up an organization that produces medicine and teaches about it cause he loves her and he's got the funding anyway. Also I do think being exposed to the poison rain twice did stuff to Castti so I like to hc she's disabled post canon, being a wheelchair user due to muscle weakness, having very little lung capacity and CPTSD. Also not a disability but she has eczema-like purple splotches on her body. Sorry I needed an excuse to quickly mention my disabled Castti headcanons. While they're engaged, Partitio and Floyd work on completely renovating a house to accommodate all of Castti's needs, so like low counters she can reach while on her wheelchair, only one floor, wide doorways, blackout curtains so she can sleep during the day, etc. Castti keeps insisting that she doesn't need that much help and that she's navigating normal houses just fine but then she'd see all the accommodations in their new house and bawl for hours. She'd work less and take it easy post canon. Listen I just think they'd be a really cute couple. Castti patches up your broken arm then her husband comes in and starts cracking jokes and talking about affordable public transportation. I feel like I'm also forgetting a lot of stuff but oh well. I've got a few fics for them posted on ao3, account name: BigOrangeOnion

Ophikari (Ophilia x Hikari) (I also call them The Radiance (hollow knight reference and it makes sense for an au))

OKAY SO this ship started out as an au when the ot1 travelers were added to ot2 for that update last year. Basically, post canon, Hikari visits the arena whenever he's in Montwise. This time, he goes and there's some omega powerful warriors fighting ruthlessly and with no concern for themselves. He realizes it's because they've got some kinda of curse, similar to him with the shadow (I THINK that's what it was called).

So Hikari starts working on figuring out how to free them because their current existence seems miserable. The first he manages to free is Ophilia, by using light magic near her. The light magic makes her briefly remember who she was but it's enough for her to snap out of the mind control that she's been put under. She talks to Hikari and explains that her and her friends were mind controlled by a very weak but not quite dead Galdera, in attempts to conquer and gain more power so he could heal himself faster. So the two of them start working on freeing the other travelers together.

Along the way, they ofc fall in love. I don't remember an awful lot about them unfortunately but I implore anyone reading this to write stuff for them :]

Here's a little drawing I did of them together. I'd include Castitio drawings if I had any but I am not big on drawing ship art unfortunately.

H'aanit x Cyrus x Castti (in a QPR!!! :3)

So this is probably the one I've explored the least purely because I never really shared it with anyone. I keep it to myself because of the amount of hyper specific and sad headcanons. But basically it was an au where I'd just mix and match travelers n stuff. Like just putting different travelers in different continents with weird team compositions cause I'm a big fan of aus and crossovers.

One of the ones I liked the most is where Castti leaves Solistia by herself to explore post canon because she's not very close with the other travelers and self isolates a little. This au starts out kinda sad cause of the focus on my hcs for various characters' mental illnesses. H'aanit is initially traveling alone but Castti joins her and they're a relatively quiet but very effective and productive duo. Later, Cyrus, Olberic, Primrose and Ophilia join. They all have their problems to work through and get through them together.

Castti has to deal with self worth and realizing that she's more than just the team healer.

H'aanit has always had anxiety around losing Z'aanta, which is really bad throughout the entire story so Castti often ends up calming her down during panic attacks and they get really close because of the mutual trust there.

Idk exactly how to describe Cyrus' problems but he's really jumpy and nervous and a little bit angry all the time because of being accused of, y' know, sleeping with a student. Yeah no I never understood why Cyrus wasn't that angry about it, even when I first played the game at age 10.

I think Cyrus is just dealing with the new found rage he constantly has. He had anger management issues as a kid but worked through them and they're just now coming back cause he's been thrown out of his home and people he used to be friends with think the worst of him and he's got no one but this new friend group he hardly knows. You get it.

The story is the three of them (and Olberic, Ophilia and Prim, but this post is about ships so I'll talk about them another time) as they deal with their mental health issues. Through helping each other with these very personal problems, they become very close and eventually decide to be in a qpr together. I think they'd just live relatively quiet lives in S'warkii cause Cyrus is too upset to return to Atlasdam and Castti isn't too keen on going back to Solistia after falling head over heels in love with two people in Osterra.

I don't remember way too much for this au unfortunately. I think they should all cuddle and finally get a good night's sleep for once cause no way a single one of those bitches sleeps well with the crap they see and have experienced.

Sorry I wrote so much. Here is a little drawing based on an Olberic chapter 2 travel banter and the most important H'aanit fact.

I miss octopath yapping with people so uh yknow what! We’re gonna play a game!!

Explain in the notes what y’all’s favorite ships are and why you like them!!!

Only rules are

1) do not explain why everyone should think your ship is canon, as that is not the point of this post 2) do not put any other ships down bc that is also not the point of this post 3) ALL games are included (yes including cotc) 4) ANY SHIPS ARE ALLOWED!!! GO NUTS!!!!

[true-blue-sonic]

*pointing at Sonic* I need to know more about how this man expresses love

because I just realised that I my writing is 100% physical touches in my ships, but Sonic does not do that. At least, not as overtly as I tend to write it. I honestly struggle to remember a time wherein he was the one initiating physical contact that can be taken as romantic, haha! He's not averse to touches and stuff: he shakes Blaze's hand no problem in Rush, he holds and hugs Elise and also strokes her shoulder when she is upset... but it not at all overt, either. Tails comes bursting in after thinking Sonic was dead for 6 months and Sonic's hug is literally restrained to just holding him by his sides for a bit; not to mention he looks quite startled by Elise hugging him the first time and doesn't/didn't always seem so eager about getting glomped by Amy. So Sonic's clearly not much of a hugger, and thus I can't imagine him being a cuddler either!

So then, how would Sonic express love to someone he's in a relationship with? Sonic's shtick is kind of that he runs off a lot and likes doing things on his own, though he's also always happy to spend time with friends and share his adventures with them. So... quality time or something? Maybe words of affirmation, since he's the living embodiment of "My Friends Are Cool And Awesome"? I'm looking into this for a Sonilver fic, and I'm struggling a bit with seeing how they would bond into a relationship🤔

[natsusleftbootyhole]

In half broken japanese, i wrote to you

ft. 2nd yr bakugo x 2nd yr gn-reader, (+ small hints of izuku, ochaco, mina + kiri)

summary: an attempt to make your ex katsuki jealous, the attempt backfires. (small hints of crack/unhingedness)

warnings: TOXIC EXES, deadass they cannot stop being petty, swearing obvi, bakugo being desperate, mention of ships : Mini x kirishima + ochaco x toga (however if you dont like these ships, imagine they're really good friends instead :P)

translations: 愛してる oh 愛して: I love you oh i love you.

w.c: (how many words in the ff)

authors note: HEYY, first fanfic in a while, i hope you like it ≽^•⩊•^≼, also izuku is implied to be questioning his sexuality in the story, but to make it clear he does NOT have a crush on reader. hes just a good pal

"愛してる oh 愛してる"

Katsuki Bakugo wasn't a man who tended to show affection, he often acted indifferent to your acts of love.

Take last years valentines day for example, your first (and only) valentines together. You saw all your other friends get teddy bears and flowers from their lovers, the thought of receiving flowers and chocolates from kats made your heart swell. 8 pm. The only message he sent you that day, your smile widened as you hurried to get ready in your date night attire, doing your hair just right to match the outfit. Only to be crushed when he showed up, empty handed and confused at your attire.

"what the fuck are you wearing" he scoffed. You looked down and saw him in his usual gym wear, an old vest and basketball shorts.

"you said to be ready by 8... im confused, dont you have something planned for valentines?"

there was a beat of silence before katsuki finally spoke up again, only for him to burst out laughing.

"you're joking right? why would i waste my time on valentines, its pointless anyways - just there to spend money on useless shit, i told you to be ready by 8 for the gym. now come on, we're sparing today"

...

`are you fucking serious`, you thought. Your face fell as bakugo turned to the door of your dorm and started walking away, not even looking behind him to see if you were following.

The door slammed shut as the memories of what happened ran through your head.

you grabbed your phone, eyes stinging from the tears brimming your eyes, clicking on katsukis contact.

You pressed the block button. He's gone. It's for the best, you repeat over and over again.

it's for the best.

at least thats what you told yourself, you were distraught. Although katsuki didn't express his love as often as you would like him to or the fact that he got exceptionally jealous when you were around any man, or the fact that he still kept you at arms length, even after months of dating. He still had his moments, like when he would remember the tiniest details about your stories, or the way he always stared lovingly at you, when he thought you weren't looking.

This is gonna be a difficult few months, how could you get over him?

The 10 months since your split has gone by relatively fast, for you anyway. you were devastated for the first 4 months, until you found out katsuki had been messaging a girl from another school, her name was camie? cassie?, you didn't care. after that you lost all sadness for the blond bastard. Instead, you didn't care for the name bakugo katsuki. instead, you started to warm up to the "extras", one being izuku, you could even say that the two of you became very good friends.

Katsuki knew he messed up, he knew he messed up when his mother tore him apart for "losing such a nice S/O", he knew he messed up trying to be petty, messaging camie when he didn't even like her to get a reaction out of you. he knew he messed up when he saw you slowly get over him, the long lasting looks you shared with deku. out of everyone, why did it have to be fucking deku.

14th December 2024

As a way to thank the students for their continual hard work, the school implemented a few seasonal balls a year, only 2 months away was the valentines ball. and you were dreading it.

All of your girl friends had their lovers, ochako had her "secret" villain girlfriend and mina had kirishima, a few of the other class mates had each other as well. it felt depressing, but its not like katsuki would even take you to the ball if you were still dating... would he?

who cares, that chapter is closed, its time to officially move on.

The next day at school, you were sitting around the lunch table with mina and ochako, ranting to them about how you needed to offically get over Katsuki.

"-AND he would never send me good morning or goodnight messages, he would barely even message me at all, let alone talk to me in school. Its like he was embarrassed of me. That i was too weak to be seen with him. Maybe thats why he was messaging that girl cassie or whatever her name was." you paused to breath, and take a sip of your drink. "...i need to get over him."

"girl, you only just realised that. Hm but i dont know, eijiro told me that he hasnt been dealing with the breakup all that well either" mina interrupted before going back to her ramen.

before you could question mina about what she meant uraraka buted in.

"ohhh, i have a plan..you`ll get over bakugo in your own time, but while you heal.. why dont you be a little petty. pay him back from the whole camie situation" She smirked before going back on her phone.

"Girl, i swear toga is rubbing her evilness on you.... it is a good plan tho" mina smirked. they both turned to look at you, with smirks on their faces.

You looked back and forth between the girls before sighing.

"what did you have in mind".

1 month to go to the ball. and the girls and you have slowly setting you plan into action, even including eijiro in your little plan. all you had to do was finally ask.

you could feel yourself shaking as you walked the short walk to izukus room, trying to control your breathing. `what is he says no, what if he thinks this is rude and disrespectful, what if he tells kats your plan??!`

the voices stopped as you finally reached izukus room, its now or never.

KNOCK KNOCK

the sound echoed before the green haired cutie opened his door and welcomed you inside. This wasn't the first time you`ve been in izukus room alone before, at first you thought izuku had a crush on you and thats why he would often stare at you or get very shy around you, turns out he was incredibly fascinated with your quirk but was too shy to talk you you about it. When he finally came up to you to explain the situation, you actually laughed so hard you ended up on the floor cry laughing. and you've been best friends ever since. nothing more.

"i need you're help" you start.

"okayyy..."

"its to do with katsuki"

The room fell silent has his expression changed from confusion to smirking.

"what with..." he sounded cheeky, like he knew something that you didnt. you gave him a weird look and carried on.

"soo, me and the girls were talking. Would it be okay if we pretend to be a couple for the ball. we wont have to kiss or anything like that, just be matching and stay close to each other for the whole evening. i realised that i officially needed to get over katsuki. but while im doing that i wanted to get back at him for the whole camie thing. will you help me out, i know you're one of the people he doesn't like and you're such a good friend that i thought it wouldn't be weird to ask you, right.." You were rambling, you know that but hopefully he understands your point and agrees.

A shocked but smirking izuku greats you when you finally look up from your lap.

"Fuck yea i will, anything to annoy kacchan"

You both burst out laughing and get to planning straight away.

over the next few months, you and izuku became inseparable, from walking to class, going to lunch together and hanging out in each others rooms every week. in all honestly, in pissed katsuki off. What was going on, why were you spending so much time with him of all people. why should he care, you're over. he should move on. but he cant. He was so in-love with you... is he still? he doesn't know.

One night, he decided to call eijiro. he needed to talk to someone, the thoughts of you have been fogging his mind, the way you changed your hair, it complemented you more. you started embracing your hobbies more, taking more photos and posting more. you seemed happier, like how you seemed when you were together. He hates not being apart of your happiness.

"eijiro, im fucked man.. i cant stop thinking of Y/N"

"dude, i heard they're going to the ball thing with izuku, try talk to them after the ball"

Fuck. He knows that you two were close but, going to a valentines dance together?

"eh i dont know, i dont think i could see them wrapped around his all, all lovey dovey and shit"

"well im going so, if you wanna come at-least youll have some company".

Valentines day, 2025

3 shots down, music blaring, and now after 3 hours, you were finally ready and prepared for the ball. grabbing your phone and taking one last vodka shot with mina, you hastily make your way down the dorm stairs and out into the chilly air of valentines night.

Leaning against the brick wall of the dorm building, you stare up into the sky. 'Would it be better if I was going with katsuki.. maybe.. would he change. who knows.'

Hearing the dorm building door open, you see a slightly tipsy izuku stumbling before catching your eye and speed walking over to you.

"Y/N, omg, you look so gorgeous.. I might even be falling for you." He gave you a long teasing smirk before you both burst out laughing.

Out of the corner of your eye, you spot a certain blonde stare down izuku. He looked like he wanted to grab his neck and blow his head off. If it wasn't for kirishima physically holding bakugo back, he would've done it.

"When is our Uber getting here to take us to the ball?! I'm fucking freezing"

izuku checks his phone, and a few seconds later, a sleek, black car pulls into the driveway.

"it's here," he takes your hand and walks you to the car before opening your door for you.

The scowl that marked bakugos' face was deadly. He was plotting his plan of action tonight. He needs to win you back. He craves you.

Throughout the night, you and katsuki kept making eye contact. much to your displeasure. regardless of the constant reminding of his existence. You dance the night away(mostly dancing and grinding with izuku, in hopes to make katsuki jealous) drinking spiked coke and laughing as hard as you had in the last year, you hadn't laughed this hard without katsuki. Fuck, He looks so good in that all black suit.

You miss him, and you miss him a lot. and you need to throw up.

Begrudgingly, you made your way towards the balcony to catch some fresh air, leaning against the beautiful concrete railing, staring out against the night sky.

"....Y/N"

you recognise that voice.

whipping your head around, your hands gripping on to the railing to steady yourself.

"katsuki.." He looks desperate... has he been crying?!

"fuck. I'm so mad at you, I love you. I love you so fucking much. the day you left me was the worst day of my life. you were my sunshine, my reason to keep fighting. I know I fucked up with you, I took you for granted, please trust me when I say that I've changed. the whole thing with camie was so stupid that I should never have done that. I know that now. I never wanted her. i need you back with me, I need to be yours. you look so good today, and watching deku parade you around like you were his made me so fucking mad. I know you don't want him, eijiro told me your plan, I understand why you did it. and your plan fucking worked. it made me realise I didn't want any other man to have the privilege of calling such a perfect person their lover. please, I'll be better Y/N. I'm begging you"

You were shocked, you froze. The burning of your eyes and the feeling of tears streaming down your cheeks. You broke into a full blown sob, running into katsukis arms and crying into his very expensive suit.

"woah! woah! are you okay?!" He grabbed you by the shoulders and pulled you back to observe your face.

"Please tell me you're not messing with me.." The sound of you forcing out words throughout sobs broke katsukis' heart. he had hurt you, so bad. But he's going to fix it. He needs to.

"Y/N i promise, if you take me back i promise I will grow and talk and love you the way you deserve to be loved."

"... you're going to have to gain my trust again.. I want to try again, so bad, but you need to understand how badly you treated me and how you hurt me. I still love you, I never stopped loving you. I don't think I ever could."

He nodded and pulled you into his chest. The faint noise of a slow dance played from inside the closed balcony doors. he grabbed your hand in his, and held your waist with his other hand. swaying to the sound of the music.

You both smile softly at each other, resting your foreheads on each other's.

"You still owe me two years' worth of valentines celebrations," you giggle, closing your eyes, still swaying.

"Trust me, you're getting spoilt.."

a beat of silence fell upon the crisp night air, before katsuki spoke up whispering in your ear.

..愛して..

[slytherin-pen]

Through His Eyes

The Intervention: Rewritten

pairing: Lucien Vanserra x Nesta Archeron

word count: 2.7k

a/n: when i said i would upload minutes before midnight if i had to i did not imagine it would be so literal, but alas, that is exactly what happened. this was two separate fics i adjusted to fit together for @sjmromanceweek . it is for day 1: first kiss. in honor of Lucien being the first contender as Nesta’s mate, i chose them as my ship. if you can tell that i wrote half of this during a four hour drive and the other half intermittently when i could avoid socialization, no you can’t. anyways, i hope you enjoy 🫶🏻

Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Lucien wasn’t sure why he was here. He had been at the manor he shared with Jurian and Vassa when Rhysand had scraped a talon against his mind and requested his presence at the River House.

He hadn’t expected to be summoned so soon after the disastrous Solstice party months ago. Where Feyre, his old friend, didn’t seem like much of a friend anymore, and Nesta—his mate—had made it painfully clear she wanted nothing to do with him. Wanted nothing to do with that entire night. His heart clenched at the thought of her, at the mere mention of her name. But what could he do? She had needed space, and he had given it. More than understood it.

He held all his mate instincts on a tight leash when he saw her walk into the house that night. She was pale, gaunt, had dark circles under her eyes, and the scent of alcohol clinging to her skin. He had smelled the other males, too. He hadn’t judged her for it—only worried. She had been through too much. Murdered and turned into Fae against her will, then thrown into a war where she and her sisters had been targeted. And after all of that, she had found out she was bound for eternity to him—a Fae male, the very thing she had been raised to fear.

Lucien had never resented her for keeping her distance. He had struggled with the bond, too. After Jesminda… he had thought he would never love another. For so long he had believed they were mates. Learning otherwise had shattered something in him. It had left him lost. Even now, he was still trying to grasp the truth that Nesta Archeron was his. And he had no intention of rushing into something she so clearly did not want. She needed time. Needed to heal. He only hoped that the Inner Circle was doing their part to ensure she was cared for.

His golden eye whirred as he glanced around the study. Everyone had gathered—except for Elain, Azriel, Morrigan, Nesta, and Cassian. Rhysand, dressed in his usual black, leaned against the mantel with crossed arms. Feyre and Amren sat together on the couch facing the hearth. Lucien, uneasy about this entire ordeal, took the armchair by the window, deliberately keeping his distance.

Clearing his throat, he finally asked, “May I ask why I have been summoned?”

Rhysand’s violet eyes snapped to him, as if only now remembering Lucien was there. A moment later, his expression smoothed back into boredom. “We have important matters to discuss. They should be here any moment.”

“And who is they—” Before he could finish, Cassian strode in, Nesta at his side.

Lucien went still.

She was bundled in a worn blue coat, her stained shoes barely making a sound against the rug, her wrinkled gray dress hanging looser on her than it should. And now that she was in the room, he could feel the simmering rage pulsing down the bond that tied them together.

He schooled his features, keeping his expression unreadable.

Feyre straightened in her seat, offering a soft smile. “I heard you had quite the night.”

Nesta’s silver eyes swept the room, pausing on him for the briefest of moments before settling on her sister. Chin high, back straight, she walked past him to claim the only empty chair left. It was near the couch and had clearly been moved there on purpose.

Cassian shut the door with a quiet click, then leaned against it, arms crossed.

Amren was the first to break the silence. “You look atrocious.”

Lucien’s eyes snapped to her, brow twitching in irritation. He didn’t miss the way Nesta’s shoulders tensed, nor the way her jaw locked.

“Though I bet it’s hard to look good,” Amren went on, “when you’re out until the darkest hours of the night, drinking yourself stupid and fucking anything that comes your way.”

Lucien barely managed to suppress a growl.

Nesta said smoothly, “I wasn’t aware my activities were under your jurisdiction.”

Amren challenged, “They are when you spend that much of our gold on wine.”

Lucien frowned. Our gold? What about Nesta’s gold? She had fought in the war and even helped them before the war. Surely she had been compensated. Had she truly burned through it all already?

Nesta’s glare found her sister and Feyre winced. “So you really did make me come all the way here for a scolding?”

“No, it’s not a scolding.” Feyre cut a sharp glance at Rhysand, who was still eerily silent, and then at Amren, who merely sat seething. “Think of this as a discussion.”

Nesta shot to her feet. “My life is not your concern, or up for any sort of discussion.”

“Sit down,” Rhysand snarled.

Lucien stiffened, his hands curling into fists. But Nesta did not back down. She remained standing, steel in her spine and fire in her eyes.

Rhysand said, “You are going to stay. You are going to listen.”

Nesta let out a low laugh. “You’re not my High Lord. You don’t give me orders.”

Lucien smelt it then. The fear permeating the air. Despite Nesta’s exterior, she was afraid.

Rhysand’s mouth curled into a cruel smile. “You want to go head-to-head, Nesta Archeron?” he purred. He gestured to the lawn seen from the window. “We’ve got plenty of space out there for a brawl.”

“That’s enough,” Feyre snapped at Rhysand. “I told you to keep out of it.”

Nesta took that chance to sit back down.

Feyre angled her head toward Rhysand, her nostrils flaring. “You can either leave, or you can stay and keep your mouth shut.”

Rhysand merely crossed his arms.

"You too," Feyre spat to Amen. The female harrumphed and nestled further into the couch.

Feyre twisted to face Nesta. “We need to make some changes,” she said hoarsely. “You do—and we do.”

"I'll take the blame," Feyre went on, "for allowing things to get this far, and this bad. After the war with Hybern, with everything else that was going on, it... You... I should have been there to help you, but I wasn't, and I am ready to admit that this is partially my fault."

“That what is your fault?” Nesta hissed.

“You,” Cassian answered. “This bullshit behavior.”

Lucien’s head jerked toward him, fury surging at the way he dared to speak to her.

"Look," Cassian went on, holding up his hands, "it's not some moral failing, but—"

"I understand how you're feeling," Feyre cut in.

"You know nothing about how I'm feeling."

Feyre plowed ahead. "It's time for some changes. Starting now."

"Keep your self-righteous do-gooder nonsense out of my life,” Nesta snapped.

"You don't have a life," Feyre retorted. "And I'm not going to sit by for another moment and watch you destroy yourself." She put a tattooed hand on her heart. "I decided after the war to give you time, but it seems that was wrong. I was wrong."

"Oh?" The word was a dagger thrown between them.

Rhysand tensed at the sneer, but still said nothing.

"You're done," Feyre breathed, voice shaking. "This behavior, that apartment, all of it— you are done, Nesta."

"And where," Nesta said, her tone mercifully icy, "am I supposed to go?"

Feyre looked to Cassian.

For once, Cassian wasn't grinning. "You're coming with me," he said. "To train."

Lucien was practically vibrating. A kettle of tea about to boil over.

“What?” Nesta demanded.

"As of this meeting," Feyre clarified, "you're moving into the House of Wind." She nodded eastward, toward the palace carved into the mountains at the far end of the city. "Rhys and I have decided that each morning, you will train with Cassian in Windhaven, in the Illyrian Mountains. After lunch, for the rest of the afternoon, you will be assigned work in the library beneath the House of Wind. But the apartment, the seedy taverns—all of that is over, Nesta."

Nesta’s knuckles went white against the chair’s arms. “I’m not moving to the House of Wind. And I’m not training with him.”

“It’s not up for negotiation,” Amren said.

“That’s enough,” Lucien cut in, voice sharp, lethal.

Every head turned.

Rhysand’s face darkened. “Lucien—this doesn’t concern you.”

“The hell it doesn’t,” Lucien snarled, moving to Nesta’s side. His hand hovered at her shoulder, a silent offer of support. “It’s why you asked me to come isn’t it?” he asked mockingly. “Nesta is my mate, accepted or not. And I won’t sit here while you treat her like some problem to be managed.”

Cassian shifted, uneasy. Amren merely rose a singular brow.

“She needs help,” Feyre said, frustration tightening her voice. “We’re giving her a chance—”

“A chance?” Lucien let out a bitter laugh. “Belittling and forcing someone against their will isn’t help, Feyre. It’s control. You should know better than this, considering you still hold Tamlin’s actions against me.”

Rhysand growled, low and menacing, but Lucien ignored him.

Lucien turned to Nesta then, his russet eye softening as it met hers. “Nesta,” he murmured, his voice a stark contrast to the rage he had just unleashed. “You don’t have to stay here. If you want to leave, come with me.” He reached out his hand, palm up, and waited.

He watched as something in her wavered. Something fragile, something that had been held together by sheer force of will alone. She searched his face, and Lucien let her. Let her look for the pity, the judgment she had come to expect. He knew she wouldn’t find it. All he had to offer was unwavering support.

And then, without a word, she rose from her chair and placed her hand in his.

Feyre surged to her feet, panic flickering in her eyes. “Nesta, wait—”

But Nesta didn’t. She didn’t look back.

Lucien’s grip on her tightened just slightly, steadying, anchoring. Then his flames swirled around them as they winnowed away. The last thing he saw before the world blurred was Feyre’s tear-streaked face.

And then they were gone.

The human lands were a nice reprieve from the madness they just fled. The rolling hills and dense forests stretched endlessly before them, so different from the glittering sprawl of Velaris.

The Band of Exiles Manor was large but modest, nestled near the edge of a sprawling forest. They had barely stepped onto the path leading to the house when Vassa ran to meet them, her fiery hair flowing behind her.

“What happened?” she demanded, her sharp gaze flicking between them.

Lucien’s hand remained grasped in Nesta’s. “It was an ambush. They were going to force her to go Windhaven with that overbearing bat,” he said darkly. “I wasn’t about to let them treat her like that.”

Vassa’s expression softened as she turned to Nesta. “You’re safe here,” she said, her voice gentler than Lucien had ever heard. “No one’s going to force you into anything you don’t want to do. Not on my watch.”

The firebird linked arms with Nesta, two queens in their own right walking toward the house together. Lucien knew Vassa was telling Nesta about her curse from the their heads were dipped down. About how she knows exactly what it’s like to be forced against your will.

Jurian stepped into the doorway, arms crossed, his usual smugness tempered by something more genuine. “Well, this will certainly make things interesting.”

Lucien shot him a look, but to his surprise, Nesta let out a quiet snort. And that—that—felt like the first real sign of life he had seen from her in too long.

The days passed slowly, quietly. Jurian and Vassa even tried to remain on their best behavior. Mostly.

There were no expectations here, no demands. Nesta wasn’t forced to train, to behave a certain way, to be anything other than herself. And Lucien was careful with her. He never pushed her to talk, never filled the silence with meaningless words. He simply was. A quiet presence beside her, a steady warmth at her side.

She unraveled slowly, like a thread being loosened from a tightly wound spool.

Lucien noticed the change in small ways—the way her shoulders lost their perpetual tension, the way she didn’t always stiffen when someone entered the room. The way she began to move through the house like she belonged there.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, he found her curled in front of the fireplace. The fireplace he used his magic to light after Nesta’s first reaction to the popping.

She sat with her legs tucked beneath her and one of Vassa’s romance books in her lap, but it remained closed. Lucien settled beside her without a word, close enough for his warmth to seep into her skin, but not touching.

Nesta’s voice was hesitant when she spoke. “You don’t have to sit with me.”

Lucien turned to her, studying the way she kept her gaze fixed on the fire as if she were afraid to look at him.

“I want to stay,” he said simply. “With you.”

She swallowed hard, her throat working against the weight of her own emotions. “I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve you.”

Lucien exhaled softly, then reached for her hand. He moved slowly, giving her the chance to pull away. But she didn’t.

His fingers brushed over her knuckles, warm and steady. “You deserve everything, Nesta,” he murmured. “Especially love.”

She closed her eyes, her breath hitching. When she opened them again, they glistened with unshed tears. But she didn’t pull away.

“What you have been through,” Lucien cleared his throat, “it is unfathomable. Not just as a human, but even as a Fae… to go through so much in such a short amount of time. I’m so sorry you were not treated with more kindness afterward.”

“I don’t need to be coddled,” Nesta bit out.

His lips twitched. “No, of course not. You, Nesta Archeron, are made of steel. Unbreakable and unyielding. But some experiences should be handled carefully. Your heart, no matter how strong you are, should be treated as if it is the most fragile thing in the world. And you should be loved ceaselessly. No conditions, no ultimatums. Just loved, because you are you, and there is so much to love about you.”

Nesta stared at him in that assessing way of hers. Searching for any lies, any traps. There were none, and he knew she came to that conclusion when tears trailed down her cheeks.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered.

“What is there to understand?”

“Why? Because I am your mate?”

“No, not just because you are my mate,” Lucien chuckled softly. “Because you simply deserve love, Nesta. You are easy to love. Your sharp tongue does not make you unlovable, in fact, I find it endearing. And while I admire your claws and teeth, I hope that one day you will not feel like you need them. I know what it is like to be on guard at all times and it is exhausting. You must be so exhausted. I do not expect anything from you. This bond, while I have no qualms about, is not a priority right now. You are. You feeling safe, loved, and cared for is my priority.”

“Lucien..” she whispered, her voice cracking.

He wiped her tears with his knuckles, smiling sadly. “We both have some healing to do. The world has not been kind to us, and everyone has their ways of dealing with it. I do not hold those methods against you. You are not defined by those things. You are not defined by your past. The only person who can decide who Nesta Archeron is is you. And I cannot wait to meet her.”

Lucien froze as Nesta’s fingers brushed over his cheek, her thumb tracing the scar across his eye with a touch so gentle it sent a shiver down his spine. Then, before he could even process it, she kissed him. It was soft, barely more than a whisper of contact, but he felt it ripple through him like a spark igniting from head to toe.

“Thank you, Lucien,” she murmured. “I look forward to meeting you too.” Then she stood, poised as ever, and went up the stairs, but not before pausing to give him one last glance.

Lucien watched her go and pressed his fingers to his lips. It was then he knew—his heart belonged to Nesta Archeron.

[merlucide]

THE MIYA SIBLINGS…

Oh your absolutely insufferable, stupid, annoying brothers (..that you guess.. you kinda love..) drive you freakin’ bonkers! Life as a first-year with two obnoxious third-year brothers isn’t easy, and yet, somehow, every day is its own brand of chaos. So, what does an average day in the Miya household look like? Well… here’s a glimpse.

pairings: Miya twins x youngersister!reader (NOT SHIP)

type: Headcannons/blurbs + SMAU (texts, twt)

genre: crack, fluff, comfort

key: y/n = your name n/n = nickname

warnings: cursing, the twins embarrassing reader, reader has no friends lmao, shit/piss mentions, the twins being pervs (yk that tho)

—————————————————————————

Everyone at Inarizaki knew the Miya twins. And then they found out about the Miya siblings.

When you first came to Inarizaki, walking around with their man (aka Atsumu and Osamu), the Miya fangirls immediately took notice. At first, they thought you were a girlfriend—until they learned the shocking truth: the Miya twins have a younger sister?!

That’s when the befriending attempts began. They’d wait outside your classroom, invite you to lunch, and you honestly thought they ?? just really wanted?? To be friends you?? It felt really nice!

But the moment they opened their mouths, it was all, “Eeeeeek! Your brothers are soooo hot!!!”

And you were just like, ‘oh’ ‘🧍‍♀️😑’

 Yeah those ‘friendships’ did not last very long… 

—-And obviously you were popular with amongst the boys. The Miya curse I fear. Samu did nawt approve of your new popularity lol. Tsumu was jealous that people were talking about YOU and not HIM lmao— tho tsumu LOVES bragging about you/showing you off. He’s like ‘oh yeah my baby sister can do this!—‘ ‘welll MYYY sister can do that better than YOURRR sister’

Anywho the twins love having you at the same school!!! Atsumu always stops by your class during breaks either to talk to you or just piss you off lmao. Osamu ends up being your unofficial walking schedule lol (not that surprising tbh) ‘Ain’t ya supposed to be in the library?’ ‘Didn’t ya say ya had a quiz today?’ ‘Why are ya here? Don’t ya got PE?’ He flicks your forehead (affectionate) and is like ‘get to class’ 🙄+😐

(You got him his bowl)

When it comes to typical overprotective older sibling behavior, Osamu takes the crown. He’ll literally insert himself into any conversation you have with a guy—every. single. time. It’s actually the worst. He will embarrass you and terrify the guy. One time a guy came over, all confident trying to talk to you. Before you could even react, Osamu literally stepped in front of you, staring the guy down like he was an inconvenience to his entire existence.

Then with the most uninterested, deadpan expression ever, he just like ‘no’

He won’t let anything start 😒 you def ignore him after he pulls shit like that. He dgaf tho lmao

Atsumu, on the other hand, is like your wingman, sorta.. He hypes up your crushes, encourages the flirting… but the second things actually start progressing (ex:lovey-dovey texts, potential boyfriend territory, lingering touches), he’s suddenly all up in your business—and the poor guy’s too. He’ll casually throw an arm around both you and the guy, all smiles, and go, ‘So, how’s it goin’?😁’

you’re glaring daggers at him your eyes screaming ‘Tsumu, istg I’m gonna kill you’ and the guy’s practically slithering away while you whisper-scream at Atsumu while he acts all innocent. Oooooor he’ll just shriek and yank you away saying how ‘yer too little for boys’, while glaring at said guy.

But if you ever wanna hang out with anyone he’ll try to set smth up for ya!! (As long as he approves of who)

Osamu is nawt good at trying to show his love 🧍‍♀️ his love languages are quality time, acts of service, and physical touch (sorta, he’s not rlly good at it but wants to be close yk?). Like he won’t initiate (most the time) but if you hug him he’ll hug you back. He just like asks if you want him to take you somewhere or smth. He shows his care for ya n tsumu by making food all the time, it’s what he’s good at and loves, and loves that you both love it. He also always wants to be there for ya. Samu is great emotional support, he doesn’t say a lot but says EXACTLY what you need to hear. Will just sit with you and let you get what you need off your chest. He’ll put his arm around you and rub up and down. 

Atsumu is very unique at showing his love 🧍‍♀️ his love languages are physical touch, words of affirmation, and quality time. When you were little Atsumu and Osamu would both hold your hand when you would walk around, and when you got older and wouldn’t hold his hand anymore he was so sad 😭🙏 he’s a hugger, but he’s still your older brother, so he’ll like mess your hair up then hug you lmao. Always asks if you wanna practice with him, he always feels cool teaching you something new :)

Atsumu is also your number one hype man like if you ever feel like you can’t do smth tsumu has a whole list of just exactly why/how you can. He’s not even trying to make you feel better it’s what he genuinely believes :)

Oh and they are both way too invested in any drama you’re involved in/even just aware of. The second you run into the room and announce, “I’ve got tea,”they’re already locked in, heads propped on their hands, eyes wide like you’re about to deliver the most important news of their lives.

‘Spill NOW’

—————————————————————————

tags: @sharkissm @someprettyname @fishii28 @shrii-kk

well this is all I have for Miya siblings rn 😔😔 tumblr will only let me upload 30 images, I had more 🧍‍♀️🙏

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I do!! I love Miya siblings so much ughhhh I wish they were my older brothers sooo bad it HURTs

lemme know what you think!!!! I LOVE FEEDBACK!!

—————————————————————————

made February 11th 2025

[sagesparrow394]

Finally decided to watch the Tales from the Black Rose oneshot only (checks notes) seventy episodes into Riptide and here are my thoughts collected as I go

I don’t know what I expected Finn Tidestrider’s voice to sound like, but it wasn’t this. And yet it’s perfect. It feels like there’s just a hint of Gillion’s voice in there while still being unique and I love that

It’s also just generally really interesting to hear the differences between Bizly and Condi’s original voices for Arlin and Drey and how Grizzly plays them in the main campaign. It’s a unique experience compared to Prime Defenders where Charlie, Grizzly and Condi continued to voice Ms G, Harlem and Jason (except that one time Bizly played Ms G)

Grizzly playing young Chip with a voice that is almost identical to the one he uses for Ollie….. gonna go cry for a bit brb

And the parallel of Arlin and Chip doing the hot sauce in a drink prank on Finn, and Chip and Ollie later doing a similar prank on Gillion, I’m unwell-

GILLION MENTION!! But hold up “you may or maybe not recall the name of, you’ve seen him here and there, he’s attended some of your seminars” Is… Is Finn not aware Gillion is his grandson??? Bro someone tell him???

Chip’s name coming from him mispronouncing ship as a kid is so fucking precious ;-;

“He is the sexiest man you’ve ever seen before” “my god” Drey🏳️‍🌈?????

“I have a feeling deep down that Chip is okay, and I look directly into the camera” lmaooooo

RIP the sexiest man Drey has ever seen

Bizly’s reaction to the ending is so real. Man, it must’ve been so cool to see this when it first came out and not know anything about how Riptide would go. Like, I know where Drey ends up, but to experience that oneshot completely clueless? The tension going into the main campaign would be crazy

Also honourable mention to Grizzly’s midroll song, it goes hard

[drafthorsemath]

Tech Remembers

Written for Pheebruary!

Prompt: First Kisses

Warnings: Mention of Tech’s fall, but Tech lives! Includes CX-Tech, amnesia, and the beginnings of recovery. SFW. A continuation from my first Pheebruary prompt here.

Word Count: About 1,350

Phee held her breath as she watched the holovid from Tech’s goggles and Omega and Wrecker slowly fell from view. Only they weren’t falling. He was. Watching this scene was no easier on any of his family who, by this point, were gathered round and trying to get any and all information he left using the codes in Mel. No one needed to worry that the trail went cold once Hemlock found Tech’s goggles. Although his mind had been played with, CX-2 managed to remember Tech’s encrypted channel well enough to try to reach them even if it was for no discernable reason. It was a message sent while he was off on a mission for Hemlock; as if he was remembering that he needed to contact someone in his past but was on autopilot.

“Havoc 4. Do you read me?” was all he could say.

It sounded like Tech and yet not. He was distant.

“Disregard.”

Apparently, he didn’t remember enough to know why he was trying to contact Echo and at that point he probably didn’t even remember who Echo was. The brothers felt a punch to the gut thinking they’d unknowingly left their brother on Tantiss.

No new information existed on any of the hardware except for a recent time stamp on another message; this time only one standard rotation ago.

“Havoc 4, this is Havoc 2. I am…. We are….. nearing the forest moon of Endor. I am not sure where I should…..”

Again, it sounded like Tech, but distant. He sounded confused and agitated. He was clearly lost.

“Who is ‘we’?” Omega asked the group. She was only met by shrugs and Crosshair standing up.

“He’s alive,” Hunter answered.

“That’s all that matters,” Crosshair added; already headed for Phee’s ship and clearly determined to get his brother back.

They flew in silence with the hope that they could at least find a clue to his next steps, if not find Tech himself.

They landed near the coordinates from the comm message.  A pirate ship was left nearby; which Phee recognized. She had to laugh to herself a little as the group hid behind some trees. When she told him not to run off with pirates, she didn’t foresee that he’d actually do it. She rolled her eyes when a familiar voice started talking about profitability.

“You know them?” Echo asked.

“Hondo,” Phee replied. “He’s one of a kind.”

“Think they’ll give us any trouble?” Wrecker inquired while Crosshair stood on his shoulders for a boost to climb a tree and get a better view.

“Doubt it,” she answered. “He’s a big talker, so leave it to me.”

“There,” Crosshair whispered with a nod. He climbed back down with a smile, finally getting to see his brother. “Tech’s arguing with someone near the front of the ship.”

“What’s the plan?” Omega asked.

Hunter took a breath and looked from one person to another while forming his thoughts.

“From what we know, Tech doesn’t seem to remember much. Phee knows these guys so she should definitely approach, but I’m thinking maybe it’s best if only one of us goes with Phee, so we don’t overwhelm him and if backup is needed, the rest of us step in.”

“Right,” Omega replied. “So who should go with Phee?”

“Echo,” Phee answered.

“You sure?” he asked.

“He kept comm’ing Havoc 4,” Crosshair said. “He remembered that much.”

Everyone nodded. The two approached.

“Hondo Ohnaka,” Phee said, wasting no time and clearly announcing their entrance so as not to get shot sneaking.

“Phee! All the way out here,” he replied. “And what brings you this way? Hopefully you didn’t come this far for another one of your trinkets.”

“No,” she said.  “As a matter of fact, we’re here for him.”

She pointed at Tech who stood frozen.

“Ha... Havoc 4?” Tech ventured.

Echo nodded and smiled.

“Fantastic,” Tech said. “Goodbye Hondo.”

“Wait wait wait wait wait,” Hondo interjected, trying to get between the lost clone and his destination. “You promised me you would be my new pilot.”

“And I was,” Tech curtly replied. “Now I am not.”

Phee offered, “I thought you could fly anything, Hondo.”

“Of course I can! I may simply be expanding business and in need of some good men.”

“And have you paid this man for his time and skills?” Echo asked with a grin.

“Not exactly,” Hondo answered. “Not for this trip at any rate, but that is because we are not done.”

“You haven’t paid him and you still have the rest of your crew and a way to get home,” Phee surmised.

She couldn’t help noticing Tech staring at her almost helplessly and confused, but she stayed focused.

“Then you’re out nothing,” Echo added, taking a few steps toward Tech.

Echo put his hand on his shoulder. Tech nodded; the friendly touch grounding him. They both walked toward the Providence with Phee following and keeping an eye on Hondo.

“You can’t just walk away from me,” Hondo shouted.

“Bye Hondo!” Phee shouted back.

They walked as fast as they could and before long the ship was in sight.

“Everyone else is on the ship,” Echo told Tech as they got closer. “Hunter, Wrecker, Omega, and Crosshair.”

“Crosshair?” Tech asked.

“Yeah,” Echo replied. “Long story, but we’re all here.”

They walked onto the ship and Phee got into the pilot seat with Mel parked at her side. She would have her moment later. For now, they needed to get back to Pabu.

The family reunion was more than a little awkward.

“I don’t remember everything,” Tech admitted, “but I know your faces.”

Omega reached for Tech. She hugged his waist and he instinctively returned the hug.

“I’m sorry,” was all he could say. He felt he had let her down.

“We missed you, Tech!” She looked up at him with tears in her eyes and while Tech searched his memory, he knew he needed her to feel safe now. He squatted down and held her.

“Does Tech give hugs now?” Wrecker asked as quietly as he could, bumping Hunter with his elbow. The oldest brother shrugged and smiled.

The flight home was quiet, but filled with Tech putting pieces together using his old datapad and goggles. Crosshair had brought them along, hoping it would speed up his recovery process. He sat next to him and they discussed what Tech could remember about Hemlock and Tantiss. Between the chemicals Hemlock loved to use and the CX indoctrination, it was a wonder Tech was still mentally as okay as he was. Phee overheard the conversation and wiped tears away. Mel inquisitively beeped at her.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Phee replied to her trusty droid. “I’m glad he’s back.”

Once on Pabu, she landed the ship and the group discussed logistics. A routine would go a long way in helping Tech adjust.

“Why don’t you wander around the island with an expert?” Hunter suggested to him, nodding toward Phee.

“Very well.”

Tech watched a lurca hound run up to Crosshair and Omega and smiled to himself. He was certain that was new.

“We didn’t have one of those before, correct?” he asked Phee.

“Correct,” she answered with a smile.

They stood as Tech took in the scene around him, barely believing he was even there. He started walking next to Phee as she took him to familiar places. The Archium, the tree, the spot where they had their first dinner together just the two of them, and the balcony where she showed him Pabu’s sunset for the first time.

“I’m remembering more,” Tech said quietly. “It will take time. Not recalling what I know to be basic facts is incredibly frustrating.”

“I know,” she replied. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.” 

He turned to her and looked into her eyes as the sun began to set.

She paused and cautiously asked, “Do you remember me, Tech?”

He tentatively reached for her hand and said, “I remember that I love you.”

She held his hand up and kissed his wrist, eyes fixed on his. Her heart burst as Tech tenderly leaned in and kissed her lips for the first time and only pulled away to say, “Phee.”

[laritamiauu]

LARITA

WHAT DID I DO TO YOU HOLY PEANUTS

I just got on Tumblr and saw my favorite rare pair yaoi

Do you want/have some headcannons for Blindspeed?(Their other ship name that I made up!!) - 🍦

i don't have a lot in mind since i haven't had the time to think about them

tho i did think about their meeting and a bit about their dynamic together-

so hermes works in the underworld as like a guide for the souls, we know that, so I figure that he must have met Tiresias before but because he is blind he didn't realize that he was meeting an actual god, also like their first meeting was very brief so there wasn't a lot of conversation between them

I imagine that even if Tiresias can't see, he can sense the presence of the people around them, and gods and divinity's have a really strong presence so he would know that he was near a god but wouldn't know who

So they probably met briefly and something about Tiresias past and abilities caught Hermes attention and idk, so he began to very slightly stalk him a bit, watch him from afar and stuff.

He didn't know why but there was something about this ROTTING GHOST that caught his attention, so everytime he could he would stop by just to look at him because he is a FREAK

And there's this very interesting dynamic with Tiresias that, he can't see right? But (in my design) he has these two snakes that can talk and LOVE to torment him, and they obviously can see too👀

So even if Tiresias is blind, he is still very aware of his surroundings because those snakes won't stop gossiping about everything that happens around them lol

So imagine the snakes notice Hermes stalking Tiresias and start to mention it like:

-Omg babe that twink is watching us again

-No way really?! What a freak

Lmao and that's how Tiresias finds out, then one day he just hears the snakes gossiping about that again and just yells out loud "show yourself" and Hermes being like the only other person in there just yells "HOW DID YOU KNOW I WAS HERE" and then Tiresias just says more calmly "I can see you" (this is just me quoting warrior of the mind atp lol) "...but you can't" "trust me I CAN" referring to the snakes lmao

But yeah that's what I imagine for their meeting lol

Also apart from being a bit cute they're soOOOO FREAKY in every shape and form, like the second Hermes finds out Tiresias can still change sex by beating up the snakes (this is just my hc lol) he would be SOOO INTO THAT, he is a freak, a freaky and greedy bisexual if you will.

And Tiresias too like he is a bit of an asshole so it would take a while for him to soften up, like i feel like he would be pretty touchy, his love language would probably be physical interaction, AND since he can't see him, not even with his prophecy abilities, he would have to get to know him by using his other senses, that's freaky-

Anyways I love them, they're boyfriends and they're freaks, but they're happy

[petrichal]

Role-reversal as a concept is really simple imo BUT things like change of environment and plot-related stuff personally makes this fic so fun for me to write :)

So I ended up writing a bunch for what was supposed to be a simple concept, wanted to compile my word vomit so far and, hey, maybe this might be enjoyable for people to read too, who knows (ᵕ,—ᴗ—,).

(⚠️ long post ahead!)

Timeline:

10 y.o - Ace swaps with Sabo before he sails off to sea, while Sabo goes back to Dadan's. The day after the explosion, Ace is found drifting on a piece of wood near Shimotsuki village by Marco who had been around the area with some members of the crew.

15 y.o - Ace eats his devil fruit on his "birthday" (the day the WB found him).

17 y.o - Sabo sets off to become a Revolutionary. 

18 y.o - [2 years before canon/Luffy sets out.] Ace gets his first bounty. It's been 1 year since Sabo entered the RA, and it's also when he finds out about Ace. (<- we are here) 

※ Some time when Sabo was 14-15 years old, he became aware of the Revolutionary Army when he first heard Garp mention his son in relation to it during one of his drinking sessions with Dadan. He went to a library in Goa's Town Center after the fact, saw some information and connected the dots, then confronted Garp about it when he visited next.

※ Garp doesn't know that Ace is alive prior to his wanted poster, but had heard a rumor of a kid on board Whitebeard's ship. The rumor came later than when he first heard of Ace's incident in Goa though (both did not seem connected), and it isn't rare for Whitebeard to pick up a stray, so he hadn't pressed on anything. He will later confront Whitebeard on Ace's whereabouts in the future.  

※ Ace isn't allowed to be off the ship when he was younger in case of any danger from enemy pirates but made a habit of sneaking off on his own without any of the crew knowing sometimes. He'd spend his time in the mountains or making friends with the forest animals (for reasons unknown to him) after getting bored of being in towns. The crew had been lax about the rule until an incident when he was fifteen, resulting in Marco forbidding him from getting in fights for a while. 

※ Sabo met the Revolutionary Army by tracking them down. Word of mouth by the marines made the job easier, and he found himself joining after getting involved in a coup of a kingdom in East Blue. 

※ Sabo is not the Chief of Staff, nor is he anywhere close to being one at this point in the story. He initially judged Dragon for not being present for Luffy but understands that the risk of being connected directly to the leader of the RA would be dangerous. He'd share letters and drawings from Luffy with him at times, where Dragon would keep them in a drawer despite Sabo's playful insistence that he should pin them to his board. 

** This is a personal headcanon but I believe that (in canon) Ace still felt some guilt for not taking Sabo with them instead of letting Outlook drag Sabo back to High Town resulting in Sabo running away and getting blown up by the Celestial Dragon, and that Ace would have resorted to unhealthy coping mechanisms because of it- except, Ace is a fire logia, and he can’t get drunk because he’d just burn all the alcohol away. 

In this fanfic I kinda took that headcanon for Sabo and because he’s not a fire logia, he has an easy time drowning himself in his own misery. This gets progressively worse especially after he sails off on his own, when Luffy's not there with him.

(Everything below this was made before I started chapter 2, and they’re all just how I put together my thoughts so I could write ch. 2 & 3)

The Plot (up to ch.3):

Summary; In which I provide you with sea routes?? because why not:

(Kind of a bastardized version of this from One Piece Novel A, where the boss of an island under WB’s territory gets outed for being involved in slave trades.)

** “Feltor” is an island I made up and carried over from the original version of the story, but the region I specified in chapter 2 “Las Camp” is canon and was said to be one of Whitebeards’ territories. “Port Marina” is also made up, except it’s kind of a nod to Port Chibaralta.

Rumour says Feltor has been used by slave traders as a rendezvous point between ships.

Logbook received by the RA from Sabaody confirms that a “merchant ship” from Feltor frequently docks in the shipyard before being sighted near Sabaody’s lawless zone (Human Shop location).

Sabo & Koala go to Feltor to steal their logbook. The logbook records should tell them about the location (slave trader's base / Port Marina) the first ship came from before they transport passengers over to the "merchant ship".

I actually didn’t realize how stupid the route was (like wouldn't it be easier for all of this to be in the Grand Line instead??? ugh) and was too stubborn to change anything, but I got rid of the discrepancies and end up a happy writer because of it yippee ;_;

Of course this isn't all there is to it. I haven't written up the rest so the notes for Port Marina stays in their notes.

(This part is genuinely super self-indulgent. I need to have it make sense in canon worldbuilding and that’s why I write at a snail’s pace orz Moving on - )

Emotional Process??:

Chapter 2 was hard for me to write because I couldn’t keep track of how Ace and Sabo feel towards certain things (their main conflicts, what they wanted to do, what they feared or hoped, etc.), so I made a mindmap of their thoughts about stuff like that:

I tried putting this into text but how I put it [above] was easier to understand 😵‍💫 There’s a bit of dialogue that’s for the next chapter but don’t worry about that lol. If you can read through my atrocious handwriting then all the power to you :’)

This is genuinely not supposed to be a long fic and was supposed to be 4 chapters long, but that didn't go as planned lmao ⚰️ My target for now is 6 chapters (2 chapters + an epilogue, hopefully).

(If you've reached this far, here's an experimental draft of Chapter 1 that didn’t go anywhere, but I still consider it part of the story): 

Eight years have passed since Ace was shot at the age of ten, when he gripped Sabo by his shoulders and told him to be free.  It’s been eight years since he had worn Sabo’s clothes to act as a lousy decoy and sailed under his pirate flag - “Just the letter S on some crossbones? Come on, Sabo,” - and it’s been eight years since Sabo’s brother died because of it. Growing up without Ace had been a challenge he didn’t think he’d face. They saw his ghost sometimes, young minds longing for a voice gone too early, and it existed in the forest they used to hunt in and the room Dadan had for the three of them, now two. They seldom stayed in the treehouse anymore- too many precious memories they didn’t dare disturb- but Sabo’s heart was stronger because of it.  Colder, sure, but there was something about seeing bent nails hammered clumsily into the treehouse’s flooring and childish drawings on the battered wall that served as a reminder for what Ace had left, and before long, it hurt too much to bear. So Sabo stayed at Dadan’s, and after a while, Luffy followed him too.  It got easier to breathe as Sabo got older. Holding on to Ace’s memories and Luffy’s permanence by his side gave him some sliver of strength to continue, and if it wasn’t for them then it was his rage for the world above all else.  So he joined the Revolutionary Army at seventeen, and it’s been one year since then and eight years since he’s known hate like he was born out of it. 

.

The second truth came close to the first; That the world was rotten to its core, and it was why his brother was dead in the first place.  Because Ace's death made no sense. He was someone whose dreams were greater than anyone Sabo's ever met, someone who would stand tall and grin in the face of danger, someone who was destined for the world beyond Goa and the East Blue.  Ace whispered wishes in his ears, Sabo remembers, to be someone greater than his father. Maybe he can be his mother's pride, too, someone she won't regret giving up her life for.  Ten years of living, five years of wishing. A life cut too short.  (From Ace’s demise stands Sabo, this turncoat noble, the boy who was handed everything on a silver platter from a young age just so he could shove it all away, and, what, his dream is to write a book? That's all?) Luffy was the one to bring what was left of him back around, in the end.  It had been a week since they'd heard the news about Ace, and Sabo had spent most of his time in the forest to think, as he called it.  Sunlight pierced through the canopy of leaves above him where he swung his pipe against Luffy's outstretched punch. It made the boy stumble, and soon enough, his arm snapped back and made him fall to the ground.  “14 - 0,” Sabo exhaled. The metal pipe felt rough underneath his grip. He was distracted; His mind was elsewhere. “Luffy, this isn't really-” “No!” Came the petulant reply. Luffy got back up as fast as he went down and resumed his stance. “Next round!”  And maybe it was frustration, or maybe it was something more harsh, because Sabo could remember throwing his pipe down and sitting cross on the ground instead of parrying Luffy's attack. Sabo ignored how the punch missed him by a whole two inches and how Luffy tumbled forward in surprise because of it. He mussed up his curls instead, and he didn't really get what was making him feel this trapped, this suffocated, but all he knew was that he just wanted everything to stop so he could think.  “Sabo?”  But he couldn't really ignore Luffy completely, could he? Slowly, the blonde lifted his head up, and through the beaming sun rays piercing through the canopy, Luffy's frown fixed itself like a picture on his face.  “What's wrong?” Everything, Sabo wanted to say, but Luffy knew that already.  “Just tired,” he said instead before burying his head between his knees. “Oh.” He could feel Luffy settling down on the grass next to him and the boy leaned on Sabo's shoulder like he was worth relying on.  “I'm sad about Ace, too,” Luffy said after a beat. The mere mention of their other brother felt like ice nowadays. It froze Sabo, and maybe this was what he feared, this talk with Luffy.  “.... I don't think we'll ever stop feeling sad about Ace.” His little brother had nothing to say to that. He only pushed himself more on Sabo’s side. The morning was still young with birds chirping in their homes, and it filled the silence that lapsed in between them like some kind of healing balm. But that wasn’t enough. Sabo knew his wounds, and this one in particular was heavy and deep, something that couldn’t possibly be reconciled in just a week after losing Ace. (And the second truth, really, was that it was unfair of him to blame the world for Ace’s death, when he was the one who led Ace down that path to begin with.)  “Don’t you blame me at all?” Sabo found himself asking after the quiet started to feel unbearable. “If I hadn’t tried to leave, he would still….” “Sabo’s stupid,” Luffy said instead, and before Sabo could react in any way to that, “Ace saved you so you can be happy. Why would I get angry about that?”

Aaaand that's it! I really like thinking about this fic! Sorry it's a bit much but thank you for reading until the end!

[legacygirlingreen]

"Spitfire" (A flashback) || Captain Rex x OFC Mae || Clone x OC Week 2025 Event

Pairing: Captain Rex x OFC Mae Killough (Bio HERE)

Word Count: 4.9k

Rating: SFW

Warnings: Medical related touching over armor (seriously nothing kinky about it but clone men's mind may have wandered); slightly suggestive comment; mentions of clone rights (or the lack there of); mentions of deaths on Ryloth

Author's Note: Hi there! I am really excited to participate in the first day of @clonexocweek with a little flashback for my OC Mae! Thank you so much for organizing this event and making all the banners! This was a silly idea that came to me, wondering what if Rex and Mae had crossed paths previously without realizing it. So this is a technical 'first meeting' to provide a bit more weight to the actual first time they interact, found HERE. I also thought it would be fun to write from Cody’s POV because… well we need more of the Commander as far as I’m concerned. I hope you all enjoy, and as a reminder, this ship exists within a larger AU by @leenathegreengirl. If you haven't seen her work, seriously go check it out. It's got Clone x OCs all over it with so many original characters! ~ M

Mae & Rex Masterlist || Chronological Next Work || Masterlist

Fire and brimstone is what Cody would have described it as. He couldn’t recall ever having encountered a civilian so furious—at least, not one who wasn’t a military officer. The Jedi didn’t get angry. His brothers, too, typically kept their emotions in check, controlled by discipline and experience. It was only the occasional politician or separatist who displayed their anger so openly, and even then, it was often driven by pride or ideology.

But the small woman in front of him? Her fury was unlike anything he had ever witnessed. She hobbled forward, her movements sharp and determined, though it was clear that every step caused her pain. Despite his recommendation to let him carry her bag—one she clutched tightly, almost desperately—she insisted on managing it herself. And that’s when it hit him. He realized, for the first time, that he had never truly known what real, raw anger looked like—at least not from someone like her. Anger that burned hot and fierce, yet controlled and purposeful. 

When Cody had been sent to the transport ship in the hangar upon its arrival with the fleet, he hadn’t expected to be tasked with retrieving a civilian. He’d assumed it would be another officer, or perhaps someone of higher importance. But General Kenobi had given him clear instructions: find the civilian and bring her to the bridge.

The moment his eyes fell upon her, however, all thoughts of formalities disappeared. The unmistakable markings of the RAR uniform were marred with the signs of a long, grueling journey. The weariness in her eyes, the sheer exhaustion etched into her face, told him everything he needed to know. This woman had likely faced horrors beyond comprehension, and yet here she was—alive. A miracle, really.

Her chest was tightly wrapped in surgical dressing, and her arm was bound to her torso by a makeshift sling, but despite the injury, she moved with a sense of urgency, as if time was slipping away from her. There was no hesitation in her step, only resolve.

She hardly spared him more than a glance and brief exchange of plesantries, rushing to push past him and make her way toward the leaders, the need to speak with them evident in her every movement. When he reached for her bag to assist her, she slapped his hand away with a sharp motion. The action was swift and unyielding, and a small part of Cody understood why. She didn’t want to appear weak or helpless. She wanted to prove she could handle herself, even in her condition.

It wasn’t a battle worth having, so Cody backed off. He wasn’t about to argue with someone clearly determined to maintain control over what little she had left. Besides, if her resolve was anything like the fury in her eyes, he knew better than to push her.

As he walked alongside her, occasionally calling out directions as they navigated the twisting corridors, Cody couldn’t help but notice how her hair unraveled from the bun that had struggled to contain its chaos. Strands of bright red tumbled free, a striking contrast to the sharp anger burning in her eyes. The color, vivid and bold, mirrored the fiery intensity of her emotions—a fury that seemed to consume her from the inside out.

Cody had heard word that the 501st would soon be joining their fleet. It was all part of some reckless scheme cooked up by Master Skywalker and his padawan, an ill-conceived plan to push their main ship through the blockade by sheer force. Cody could already feel the tension in the air, the impending chaos that would follow.

A part of him longed to be down in the hangar with his brothers-in-arms, to be facing that challenge alongside them. But instead, here he was, walking beside a woman who seemed ready to tear his head off at any moment. Her anger was palpable, radiating from her like a storm waiting to break. Maybe, just maybe, he'd catch up with Rex later—after Skywalker had barreled through the blockade, of course, and before his own men would be sent to the surface to deal with the aftermath.

Cody could already sense how intense the invasion was going to be. The Twi’lek had endured horrors that were almost beyond comprehension. The stories of Master Di’s fate, along with the remnants of the Republic's forces, painted a grim picture. Yet, somehow, this woman—this survivor—was still standing. It was a miracle in itself. If anyone could withstand such brutality and emerge on the other side, it was someone like her.

“We can slow down. There's no need to rush—”

“I’m fine,” she snapped, her voice cold and resolute. Her eyes remained fixed ahead, her breath labored, but she pushed forward without faltering. Cody didn’t press the issue. If she was stubborn enough to ignore the pain of her injury, who was he to challenge it?

They continued down the hallway, and soon they arrived at the door to the bridge. Cody braced himself for what he anticipated would be a tense confrontation—an explosive exchange with the sole survivor of the last deployment to Ryloth. He understood her anger. Waking up to find yourself discarded, abandoned off-world—it wasn’t a feeling he would wish on anyone. Still, part of him was curious: what made a natural-born, someone with a choice, willing to join this cause? He and his brothers had been bred for war, for duty. She, however, had chosen it.

The door slid open, and Cody spoke just as they entered, his voice steady.

“Generals—”

The woman remained silent at his side as they approached the holotable, where the strategy for the upcoming invasion was already unfolding.

“Cody, right on schedule.” General Kenobi acknowledged him, turning back to his data with a nod. “We’ll need to start preparing the men for deployment soon. Skywalker’s forces managed to breach the blockade, and they’re routing here now. Once they arrive, they’ll establish a protective command perimeter around the planet for the invasion.” Kenobi paused, his expression shifting as he turned toward the woman. With a brief gesture toward another officer, he resumed his transmission with the leadership on Coruscant.

Cody watched as several Jedi joined the conversation via hologram. Master Yoda’s image appeared, and the wise, ancient figure’s gaze landed on the woman standing beside him.

“Arrived, to provide intel on locating the Twi’lek survivors on Ryloth, I see.” Yoda’s voice, raspy but commanding, filled the room.

Cody saw the woman’s nostrils flare, the faintest sign of irritation. Yet, with a controlled breath, she nodded her acknowledgment.

“I can only provide information from before my...unwanted departure from the planet,” she began, but was swiftly cut off by Master Windu’s firm voice.

“The intel you offer will be sufficient, citizen. Any information you can provide might aid our forces in locating Cham’s fighters, especially since the final stand of the 303 was unsuccessful. Tragic, but unfortunately, that sentiment is becoming all too common in this conflict,” Windu continued, his tone flat and dismissive.

At that moment, Cody could feel the woman’s restraint snap, and he knew an eruption was imminent.

“Tragic? That’s all you have to say about it?” Her voice was sharp, laced with a fury that Cody could feel emanating from her. “I thought the Jedi were supposed to be compassionate?” She hissed, the words like a venomous strike. With a swift motion, she dropped her bag onto the durasteel floor of the bridge, the loud thud reverberating through the room, even reaching the transmission coms.

“We are,” Windu replied, seemingly unbothered. “As I was saying—”

“Your definition of compassion and mine are very different,” she cut him off, standing taller, her posture rigid. “What happened to those men—those brave men whom you left to die, I might add—was more than tragic. It was unimaginable.” The words were sharp, every syllable laced with grief and anger. Cody could see the tension in her shoulders, her jaw clenched as if she were holding back more than she could afford.

Mace Windu’s voice came again, but his words only fueled the fire. “Well, it’s a good thing we’re now working to bring freedom to Ryloth.”

“So now, this invasion is worth your attention.” she spat, her voice cold and full of contempt. “Not the countless rotations we spent pleading for reinforcements?” She slammed her palm down on the edge of the table, her eyes now locked on Kenobi as if seeking a Jedi with more understanding than Windu or the others on the Council. From Cody’s experience, Kenobi was certainly more empathetic, more willing to listen—but he doubted even his leader could calm the fury that radiated from this woman.

Kenobi’s tone softened, his voice steady and measured. “What happened on Ryloth was unfortunate, and I understand that what you and your forces endured was deeply upsetting. My condolences for the RAR forces you lost. Perhaps, by helping us locate the Twi’lek freedom fighters, their sacrifices may not have been in vain.”

The woman seemed to pause, her gaze lingering on Kenobi, as if weighing his words. For a brief moment, she appeared to consider his compassionate approach—but it wasn’t enough to quell her anger.

“Kenobi, isn’t it?” she asked, her voice tight but curious. Cody watched as Kenobi nodded. “When was the last time you actually spoke to your men?” she continued, her tone sharp. “I’m not talking about battle plans or troop logistics. I mean, when was the last time you took the time to ask how they’re doing? I know you Jedi have...a sense of things, and I don’t pretend to understand it. But I’m a doctor. I know when people are hurting, when they need more than just orders and missions. And I see that the Jedi could be doing more for the men who fight these battles for you. The RAR may be disbanded, and those of us like me cast aside, but the disregard your order has for these men—it’s obvious. And it angers me.”

Her words were like a punch to the gut, and Cody felt the weight of her anger and her pain. The raw emotion she carried in her voice made it clear: this wasn’t just about the battle, or the cause. It was about the men who fought, and the people who had been forgotten. She wasn’t angry at him, Cody realized. She was angry for him.

For a moment, silence settled over the room, as Kenobi and the others absorbed her words. Cody stood in stunned disbelief. He never imagined he would witness Obi-Wan—of all people—being the target of such a verbal barrage, let alone one that left his leader looking uncomfortably guilty. The transmission from Master Windu cut off abruptly, as if something in her words had struck a chord with the Jedi Master.

That’s a first, Cody thought to himself.

Next came the transmission from the Jedi at the temple. Master Yoda’s solemn image appeared, his expression heavy with thought. “Much to discuss, we shall have. Concerns for the clone army—an important notion. Hear them, you will, Obi-Wan,” he said, his voice calm yet grave, before disappearing from the feed as well.

Cody glanced around the bridge. It felt as though time had frozen, everyone holding their breath, waiting for Kenobi’s response. He knew exactly why. His brothers, like him, were curious to hear how their Jedi leader would address the woman’s accusations.

It wasn’t that Cody felt neglected—overall, he knew that most of the Jedi respected their ideas and military strategies. But, in some ways, she wasn’t wrong in her assessment. It was difficult to express these feelings without coming across as ungrateful. The Jedi, for all their wisdom and kindness, weren’t always attentive to the needs of the clones. They were kinder than the Kaminoans, certainly, but that didn’t mean they truly understood or took the time to listen to the men who fought and bled for them.

“Go on,” Obi-Wan said, carefully choosing his words to avoid provoking another outburst.

“Commander Cody, may I see your helmet?” she asked, turning toward him. Without hesitation, he nodded and passed the helmet to her, his fingers brushing the cool surface as her delicate hand circled the rim.

“Have you ever wondered how the armor these men wear truly functions? Or how impractical it can be?” she asked, holding the helmet out toward the Jedi. Cody was taken aback by her understanding. She seemed to grasp the very complaints he often muttered under his breath to the new troopers—that over time, they would adapt to the constricting armor and the limited visibility through the viewport.

All eyes turned to Kenobi as he took the helmet in his hands, turning it over thoughtfully before peering inside. He paused for a moment, then, without a word, slipped it over his head. Cody’s chest tightened. He couldn’t help but watch, his breath catching as Obi-Wan’s shoulders sagged for an instant. The Jedi’s head tilted slightly to the right before he slowly removed the helmet, a solemn expression on his face.

“Excuse me, Sir,” she said, turning toward his Lieutenant. “What’s your name, Trooper?” Her voice, to Cody’s surprise, was calm—soothing even—something he had not expected from her given the way she’d stormed aboard the ship ready to reign hell.

“Uh, Waxer, Ma’am,” came the stammered response, as Cody watched Waxer blush bright red, his helmet tucked awkwardly under his arm. The trooper stood straighter, visibly flustered by her attention.

“Waxer, would you mind if I demonstrated some of the challenges I’ve noticed with the standard armor, from a medical perspective?” Her tone was respectful, almost measured. Cody’s brow furrowed. He’d never experienced anyone openly seeking consent before touching his men. Even the rare doctors who weren’t his brothers in arms simply did what they had to without question. Not that he minded—their intent was always to help—but there was something about the way she asked that felt different, more deliberate, and somehow more considerate.

Waxer nodded, his face still flushed but giving a stiff acknowledgment. All around them, the rest of the troopers on the bridge seemed to lean in, their attention drawn to the unexpected display.

With quiet confidence, she reached forward and gently lifted Waxer’s arm, showing the Jedi where the armor's design created limitations in movement.

“Now, as you can see here,” she continued, her voice unwavering, “the gap between the codpiece and the thigh armor is so minimal that if you try to move your leg too far, you risk cutting off circulation or causing discomfort. It’s a design flaw that’s hard to overlook.”

She then lifted his leg with one hand, her fingers careful around the back of his knee, and Waxer’s eyes widened. Cody, who had been watching intently, had to suppress a laugh. He could see the poor trooper’s discomfort—this close to his manhood, and she, so composed, going about her demonstration like it was nothing.

Cody could barely contain himself, but he knew better than to let the laughter slip. Instead, he focused on her point, silently agreeing with the doctor. She was showing, not just telling, and doing so in a way that drew every eye on the bridge. There was no mistaking that her expertise was being absorbed by every man in the room, even if her demonstration was a little...uncomfortable for the trooper involved. The men had limited experiences with women, especially one this pretty. Cody internally realized this was going to be the talk of their platoon for ages. 

“Waxer, could you explain how physically taxing the armor becomes during extended periods of wear, particularly when sitting down?” she asked, gently lowering his leg. Obi-Wan’s gaze shifted toward his trooper, and Cody couldn’t help but watch in anticipation. It wasn’t quite an interrogation, but he knew the woman’s intentions were for the benefit of the men. Despite understanding that, he was grateful she hadn’t singled him out, instead choosing to address his Lieutenant.

“It’s not unbearable, Ma’am,” Waxer replied, his voice awkward, his hand reaching to the back of his neck as though uncomfortable with the attention.

“But the strain becomes tiresome, doesn’t it? Surely something lighter would improve your functionality,” she pressed, her eyes encouraging him to speak freely, to be honest.

“It does get heavy, especially at the end of a long day. Sitting is painful, yes,” Waxer admitted quietly, the weariness in his voice unmistakable.

Obi-Wan’s expression remained unreadable, though Cody could tell he was considering her words with an intensity he rarely showed. The woman’s pace slowed, the point seemingly made. She turned toward Obi-Wan, her tone becoming more solemn.

“I know the Senate views this army as little more than a tool, a collection of military assets,” she said, her voice steady but laced with a deep sadness. “But they are men. They deserve respect. They deserve someone who will listen to their concerns without the threat of decommissioning. I’ve spent enough time with them to understand that they rarely voice complaints, and certainly not to the Jedi.” Her words trailed off, her thoughts seemingly taking her to a darker place for a moment.

Cody hadn’t met the clones she’d served with, but he’d heard whispers of their final stand. The conditions on Ryloth had been so dire that the Senate had ordered all RAR workers off the field, dissolving their contracts with frightening swiftness. He didn’t want to dwell on the horrors she’d been forced to endure, but a part of him felt a warmth in his chest at the concern she expressed. She might have been removed from the conflict, but something in her wanted to ensure that, in the end, something good was done for the men she had served alongside. He could respect that, perhaps even understand it better than he’d like to admit.

“Doctor,” Obi-Wan said, his voice calm, waiting for her to properly introduce herself as she repositioned herself beside Cody at the table.

“Killough,” she replied, her voice cool. “Though I’ve neglected that surname for so long to avoid unwanted associations… You may call me Mae.” Her words hung in the air, a subtle hint of something deeper beneath the surface. Cody recalled the name she’d given him in the hangar. It wasn’t the same name, he was certain of it. For a moment, he couldn’t place where he’d heard it before, but the look on the General’s face told him it was significant. There was an unspoken conversation that passed between Mae and Obi-Wan, something quiet yet powerful, before the tension seemed to dissipate as quickly as it had come.

“I see,” Obi-Wan said thoughtfully, his gaze unwavering. “The Jedi do not hold attachment to their origins, only to who we become. A sentiment we share.” He paused, stroking his beard for a moment before continuing. “Well, Mae, if you prepare a report, I’d be more than willing to share it with the Council—and perhaps with a contact of mine in the Senate. We’ll see what can be done.”

Mae said nothing at first, her eyes scanning the holographic map displayed before them, detailing the planet’s surface. She seemed deep in thought, her mind focused. Finally, she spoke again, her voice measured. “Cham’s forces were fleeing through the canyons, hoping to reach a set of caves to hide from the Separatists. They were traveling with women and children. I wasn’t told the exact location, but…” She zoomed in on a quadrant, her finger tracing a specific area. “I believe they were near this sector.”

Obi-Wan nodded slowly. “Thank you. Compassion is in rare supply these days. Your concerns will be passed along, Doctor.” He hesitated for a moment, his words softening. “And, I offer my condolences for the loss of your comrades. May this mission we are about to undertake bring honor to their sacrifice.”

Mae—Cody would need to adjust to that name now—bent down, retrieving something from her small bag. She set it gently on the table in front of them. “My personal reports,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact. “If that is all, I’ll be on my way. I believe the transport I arrived on will soon be departing for Coruscant. Seeing as my services are no longer required…” Her voice held a trace of irritation now, the faintest venom creeping into her words at the implication of being dismissed.

“Cody, would you ensure the doctor makes it to the shuttle?” Kenobi asked, his attention quickly drawn to a communication officer who had resumed his work after receiving transmissions from Skywalker's fleet.

Cody nodded, and this time, as he bent down to grab the woman’s bag, she made no move to stop him. They walked in silence toward the lift, the hum of the station echoing around them. As the door slid shut, Cody adjusted the weight of the helmet under his arm.

"Thank you," he said quietly after a moment. It wasn’t much, but the weight of what she’d done lingered in the air between them. She had openly criticized both the Jedi and the Senate on behalf of the clone army. It was the kind of conversation Cody had heard whispered in the barracks or out on the planet's surface with his brothers, but never voiced to those who could actually bring about change. The briefing he’d received before heading to fetch her had made it clear that she was a senior officer in the now disbanded organization. A voice like hers carried weight, and to wield that power in their favor was a debt Cody knew he could never repay.

“No need, Commander,” she replied with a soft shake of her head. “You and your men do more than anyone could ask. A simple conversation from me won’t change that fact, but…” She paused, her gaze dropping to the floor as she drew in a labored breath. “If I can make it any easier, it’s a privilege.”

“Not many Natborns would say that,” he remarked after a moment, his voice thoughtful.

“Well, I think that’s because the Republic has done its best to keep us apart,” she said, her tone tinged with frustration. “It’s easier to dehumanize clones into just military assets when the citizens only see you at a distance.” Her eyes met his, and Cody could tell she didn’t share that perspective herself, though she understood it all too well.

“I suppose,” he said quietly, his voice tinged with the resignation he’d grown so familiar with. “But this is what we were created for. I guess it’s understandable why people might assume that’s all we are.”

“I still believe,” she said softly, her voice steady but firm, “just as your Jedi believes, that we possess an element of choice. Our origins do not define us. That’s true for anyone who lives, breathes, and has a beating heart—like you and me.” Her words lingered between them as the lift doors opened, and they stepped out into the quiet, sterile hallway. Together, they walked in silence, the soft echo of their footsteps the only sound as they made their way toward the hangar.

The hum of activity in the hangar grew louder as they approached. Inside, the air was thick with the rush of preparation: transports lined up in rows, engines warming, the buzz of soldiers and mechanics alike moving in swift, practiced coordination. And then there was the unmistakable presence of blue and white plastoid armor, troopers milling about, readying for the battle ahead. General Skywalker’s forces had arrived, and the wheels of the invasion were beginning to turn.

Cody paused for a moment as they entered the hangar, his eyes scanning the bustling scene. It was clear that the next phase of their mission was about to begin—the invasion of Ryloth was imminent. Yet, amidst the whirlwind of activity, this brief, unexpected reprieve felt like a stolen moment, fragile and fleeting.

There was something about the chaos around him, the tension of the impending battle, that made this silence between him and Mae feel even more significant. For a moment, it was as if time had slowed, and the weight of her words settled in.

As they approached the transport heading back to the capital, Mae reached out a hand for the bag slung over his shoulder. Without a word, Cody passed it to her, the exchange quiet and familiar.

“Well, Commander,” she said, standing at the bottom of the ramp, her gaze meeting his. “I wish you well with your invasion.”

“Thank you,” Cody replied, his voice low. He hesitated, his curiosity getting the better of him. “If you don’t mind me asking, what are your plans now?”

He knew she no longer had a contract with the military, and without steady employment, life in the heart of the Republic would surely be difficult. The expense of it all—well, he couldn’t imagine what it would take to navigate that world. But then again, that kind of resourcefulness was something that still felt like a foreign concept to him.

Mae took a moment to adjust the strap of her bag, her eyes momentarily distant. “I might try to find some backwater planet, somewhere far from the conflict.” She sighed, a soft, almost melancholic sound. “I don’t regret helping in this war, not for a second, but...” She paused, her words trailing off for a moment before continuing, her voice quieter. “It would be nice to return to my original purpose—to heal. I think I’ve seen enough bloodshed to last a lifetime.”

There was an unmistakable heaviness in her tone, a quiet resignation that spoke volumes about the toll the war had taken on her. Cody couldn’t help but sense the depth of her weariness, as though the weight of all she had witnessed had become too much to carry any longer.

“I think that sounds like a good idea, Doctor. Take care of yourself,” Cody said, his gaze following Mae as she nodded and began walking up the ramp. She didn’t speak another word on the matter, and before long, she disappeared into the transport. For a brief moment, Cody let the events of the past few hours linger in his mind, reflecting on her words, her actions, and the unspoken understanding that had passed between them.

Before he could gather his thoughts, a sharp knock on his shoulder armor broke his reverie. He turned to find Rex standing beside him, a grin spreading across his face.

“Who was that?” Rex asked, his voice laced with curiosity, his head catching the light of the hanger in his short blond hair as he nodded his head in her direction. “And what’s all this comm chatter saying Kenobi and Windu got yelled at by a civvie? Was that the woman the boys won’t stop talking about?”

Cody should have known Rex would be nearby, especially with the arrival of his men. The camaraderie between them ran deep, forged in the heat of countless battles, but the closeness they shared was also born from years of working side by side. Rex had a way of sensing when something was up, and today was no different.

“Yes, she was the one,” Cody replied, his voice thoughtful as he watched Rex’s mischievous brown eyes study him closely. He knew his friend would want a full debrief at some point, but right now wasn’t the time. So instead, Cody decided to give him a taste of the story, without diving too deep. “But, it was… well, it was like nothing I’ve ever seen. An absolute spitfire, that woman.”

Rex raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Oh? Does the Commander have a little crush?” Before Cody could respond, Rex gave him a playful shove, his laughter echoing around them.

Cody rolled his eyes, feeling the familiar weight of Rex’s teasing. “Not likely. We all know you’re the one with a thing for redheads,” he shot back with a smirk, his tone just as playful.

Rex shrugged nonchalantly, unfazed. “Didn’t get a good enough look at her. Now, spill,” he demanded, nudging Cody with his elbow as they started walking back toward the bridge. “What happened? You’re holding out on me.”

Cody sighed, but there was a faint smile tugging at his lips. He knew better than to resist Rex’s curiosity. “Fine,” he relented, his voice lowering slightly. “She spoke up for us, Rex. For the clones. In front of Kenobi and the other Jedi. She—” He paused, considering how to describe Mae’s presence, the impact she’d had in such a short time. “She didn’t hold back. She said things none of us ever would. Or could.”

Rex’s eyes widened a little, though his grin never faltered. “A civilian? Getting in their faces like that?” He shook his head in disbelief, clearly impressed. “I gotta meet this woman.”

As they walked, the noise of the hangar and the looming preparations for war seemed to fade into the background. The weight of the upcoming battle would soon return, but for now, Cody allowed himself a moment of quiet gratitude.

For all the pain and chaos they’d been through, there had been something almost... refreshing about Mae. She’d spoken on their behalf—spoken truths that were often ignored. In the midst of the war machine, she’d reminded him that there were still those who saw them as something more than just soldiers. He’d never forget that.

“Maybe you will,” Cody said, his voice quieter now as they neared the bridge. “Maybe you will, Vod.”

[vegathenorthstar]

i am slightly scared bc this post is getting a surprising amount of traction and also bc i've been thinking about almost exclusively atla for the past twenty-four hours straight and my opinions on this have changed slightly??

i still don't tolerate maiko *slander* bc i disapprove of almost all slander. the exceptions are like if it's against elon musk or something.

and i've always kinda understood basically all criticism of maiko?? like my thoughts on that were like "yeah you're totally right they wouldn't work together but they're super funny so idc." but now i feel like i get the criticism just a little more, like no they really wouldn't work together.

there were two main things ppl said that made me reconsider how i view them. the first was just someone pointing out that in the flashback in zuko alone mai is the one who has a crush on zuko, and he doesn't really have one on her. i think i just kinda forgot that but to me it emphasizes that mai was always more interested in zuko than her was in her. tbf he did seem to enjoy spending time w her in the first half of season 3, and and opened up to her abt how confused he felt and how he wasn't really happy, but it's still pretty clear that she cared about him far more (like... at the end of boiling rock he kinda just goes "oh wow okay" and then promptly forgets about her lol).

the other thing was someone mentioned how a big part of zuko's arc in season 2 was being a beggar, and a refugee, and a customer service worker in ba sing se, and learning to do manual labor and empathize with the common people and that he wasn't innately superior to them, and that shows when he gets back to the fire nation and he's uncomfortable being waited on, and wants to walk to mai's house instead of taking the palanquin. but when mai is trying to cheer him up, she suggests they can order some servants around, or take a palanquin ride "double-time," and making that connection made me be like "ohhhh she really doesn't get him does she?"

ppl talk a lot about her fearing azula coming out of nowhere, but i still don't have a problem w that. i think the idea that mai and ty lee were secretly afraid of azula, to some degree, and that they were trapped in this toxic, controlling friendship that they always felt compelled to play along with and pretend they were having a great time in––and, perhaps, that they did still enjoy azula's company, just not all the time/with reservations, and that they also cared about each other, and both decided to stick around for the other's sake––actually fits kinda perfectly with how they're portrayed throughout the show and is very compelling. (there are certainly plenty of moments where azula treats the two of them awfully, especially ty lee––like when she mocks her for opening up in ember island––and there's that moment in the drill episode where azula tells mai and ty lee to go after katara and sokka, and ty lee is SO insistent that they do it, because azula said so––almost like she's afraid of azula's wrath.)

lowkey now i ship mai and ty lee lmaooo

but i would like to reiterate that i do still like maiko, even though i acknowledge that their ship doesn't work, bc their dynamic is so fricken hilarious to watch. a large part of why i adore "ember island" so much is because of them. it's actually a little insane bc before season 3, i knew they were a thing but could not for the life of me imagine what them interacting would possible look like––i was like "wow this is going to be the worst ship in the universe... they have nothing in common... i genuinely cannot envision them making it through a single conversation on anything remotely interesting ever..."

and then they did interact and it was perfection and every time they were on screen together i was in STITCHES bc they're incredible omg

i also just liked that zuko had someone who was even a little bit in his corner while he was stuck in the fire nation having an existential crisis.

i honestly think they would work equally well as friends? i'm not against the romance, which is why i'll still go "yeah i like maiko," but especially since i do also feel that them in a relationship doesn't work long-term i think i need more maiko friendship/best-friendship––as long as they're interacting with one another, because i NEED more of them so badly. even when they're being dysfunctional/acting cruel towards each other, i'm just like "omg peak comedy. also. pookies :D"

(i also said in a post last week that they give me gay-best-friends vibes, and i still stand by that. and yes, i do also ship zutara... pls don't ask me how that works i don't know okay it's all just ~vibes~. idk maybe everyone is bi or something. i am kinda sorta genuinely convinced mai is a lesbian tho)

so. in conclusion i guess. my stance on maiko has recently landed firmly on the side of they do not work together, romantically. but i still love them bc they're silly and toxic and stupid and very very dear to me. but i don't really ship them and i like zutara far more. but if you do ship them i'm fine w that! but maybe. i just see them as friends? and also i ship mai w ty lee (... do they have a ship name) as of like ten minutes ago?? but maiko romance doesn't bother me! i kinda like it! sometimes!

in conclusion take two. maiko (romantic or platonic) are Peak

do NOT slander maiko in my presence they r so dear to me

[l0ganberry]

@newgin-clever-title-goes-here

*Technically

[clouvu]

Save me french yuri... Save me