#anyway that’s all. I will now begin to return to normal operations.

[aimeelouart]

IDK if you guys have felt my absence as much as I have for the past month-ish, but I have enough energy to update you now. TL;DR the townhouse I was renting gave my roommate mold poisoning and sent her to the hospital twice, the property managers refused to acknowledge that our (very expensive) mold report did indeed say the phrase (verbatim) “samples confirmed mold spore contamination,” and therefore we had to follow the law and issue a 7-day notice that if they didn’t remediate all problems we were terminating the lease for untenatability.

Which meant we had to find a new place and move within less than 7 days. That was thankfully accomplished last week. I’m so fucking tired and I don’t even know if we’ll be going to court yet.

[heartfullofleeches]

Silent Hearts

Yandere Mime Drabble

It's beginning of the season, and with it came new ways to entertain the changing times. Flyers posted around town, you and a small group of friends decided to partake in the festivities and take a trip to a carnival currently in the area. The day was what you'd expect at such a place. Bizarre and sugary foods, games, shows - and rides.

The rides, and their lines, took up most of the afternoon. According to a friend who had been here before, they were the best prt of the whole carnival, and they weren't wrong. After riding your personal favorites a few more times and playing a couple games, you all were getting tired and chose one last ride before you left. Despite the protest of some, there was no better way to end the day than a go on the relaxing boat ride near the back of the venue. You head towards it with the small prizes you earned, losing one as you trip over thin air. You reach over to grab it - thrown aback by what you grab.

"Where'd you come from?"

Instead of touching the slightly static body of one of your stuffed animals, your fingers make contact with soft silk. You raise the item to eye level. Its a puppet. Beady black eyes and gloves. A slightly frown formed into the line of a zipper. You can seen something bulging in its throat area, but it really wasn't any of your concern. This was obviously not yours and you need to return it to its owner. Fortunately for you, they weren't too far behind.

Rising to your feet, you nearly jump out of your skin as an outstretched hand hovers in front of you. Heart beat returning to normal, you realize the gloves the stranger wears are fairly similar to the puppet's.

"Oh, is this yours?"

The person doesn't move, or say a word. You can't read their facial expressions, because you'd have to crane your neck to do so. With their height, you imagine them to be wearing stilts or something. You also piece together they must be apart of the carnival due to their attire.

"Y/n, you coming?!"

You look around them towards your friends. "Just a sec!"

You return your attention to the silent figure. Without the proper time to question anything, you place the puppet in their palm. The speed at which their fingers closes around it surprises you given their statue like nature. They inspect the doll, cradling it to chest once the check up is complete. They lift their other hand, this balled. After waiting a few seconds to see if they'll say anything, you run on ahead to meet up with your friends. Running past them, you can make out the faint scent of flowers.

Joining back up with the group, you stand in line for the boat ride. The wait time is estimated about twenty minutes, so you just chat amongst yourselves to make the seconds go by a little quicker.

Next in line, the ride operator comes up to your group.

"How many are with you today?"

"There's five of us." A friend chimes.

"Boats are two to a seat. I got another passenger up here if one of you wants to go on with them."

You glance at the other rider. It's the mime from before. They're slightly hunched to fit under the awning better, so you can actually see their face this round and they look - sad. Their black lips droop in a long frown; bags under their eyes visible through the paint coating their skin. They turn their head towards the puppet now in their chest pocket, before looking over at you.

"I'll go."

Your friends are surprised by your declaration.

"Really?"

"Yeah. We kinda met earlier anyway."

"I... don't think that's the best idea."

"Why not?"

"I didn't want to say anything in case I sounded paranoid, but that person has been following us the whole day."

That - definitely has you rethinking your choice. You take another look at the mime. With how big they were, it seemed impossible that you wouldn't have noticed them before. They're still staring at you. They wave.

Another friend playfully smacks the shoulder of your other companion. "Aw, it's no biggie. They're a performer, its probably just a coincidence you saw them so often. Go on ahead, Y/n."

You cross the gate as the worker opens it for you. The mime stands out of the way so that you can get in first. It doesn't help your lingering uneasiness about the situation to have them on the side with the door, but you get in away. Their legs brush against yours as they squeeze into their seat. You watch as the next pair of riders are ushered to their seats, before the boat is sent off.

The ride is, relaxing. The peaceful music and talk animals lull you into a sense of security that's humbled whenever you glance out the corner of your eye to see the mime looking back. Overtime their puppet moves into their lap; hand slipping into its slit.

You're so beautiful.

"Huh?"

The mime tilts their head as your exclamation.

"Did... you say something?"

They shake their head no, running their digits over their lips and throwing away the key. The ride doesn't last much longer after that.

Climbing off, a tape on your shoulder stops you from going far. The mime pats at their breast and pants pockets for something. Locating the item, they produce two fingers clasping thin air. The mime slips the invisible ring on your finger. You can still feel the tightness of the band as they stand upright. They once again crook their head, eyes drifting from your hand up to your face in silent question.

“I.. love it?”

Ever so faintly  - they smile. You can see something behind their grin. A network of strings embedded into the back of their lips. Almost like-

"Hey, Y/n! Think we got time for one more ride if you're interested."

Your friends circle around you. When had they got off? One snaps a picture of you and the mime before you're dragged through the crowds for just one more ride. This isn't the last time you'll see that person. The invisible band around your fingers tells you as much.

The little puppet waves as you walk away.

[angel-anachronism]

OKAY IVE NEVER REQUESTED BEFORE SO IM SCARED BUT I REALLY LIKE YOUR WORK AND IM JUST WONDWRING IF YOU COULD WRITE A RICKY X FEM! READER WHERE THEY ARE LIKE STARGAZING TOGETHER OR SOMETHING?

OK, I'M BACK FROM THE DEAD! Sorry for not posting in such a long time, but life has been going downhill for me lately, and I just feel so unmotivated, so I'm very sorry for making you wait such a long time! My mom has gotten an operation to get rid of a cyst out of her vocal cords, and she's mute for some time, which has made me go through a very deep depression, and exams have made me go through it even deeper.

But now I'm a little better thanks to friends and family. I'm still very sorry for making you guys wait such a long time for me to write oneshots, but I promise that I'll try writing more!

Anyways, here's your order of a scenario Ricky stargazing together with (Y/N) <3

We also reached over 100 followers, which I still cannot believe! Thank you, guys, so much, I love you all very much!

Anyways, sorry for rambling, so here's the oneshot <3

(Tw: None!)

Rewrite the stars (Ricky x Fem!Reader)

(𝓨/𝓝)'𝓼 𝓟𝓞𝓥

My life was pretty boring until I met this boy named Ricky at school.

Ricky had always been fascinated by the stars. He would spend hours looking up at the night sky, marvelling at the beauty of the constellations and imagining what it would be like to explore the vast expanse of space.

Despite his love for stargazing, Ricky had always been a shy and introverted boy. He had developed a condition that made him unable to speak, and this had always made it difficult for him to make friends and connect with others.

But then, when we first met at choir practice, we immediately hit it off. I saw beyond his silence and understood the beauty and depth of his soul, and he understood mine too.

I'd never felt happier in my life until this boy came into it, and I'm thanking every star in the galaxy for making our meeting even become true.

Speaking about the galaxy, today is a very important and rare day for astronomical events. Today is the day when a solar eclipse occurs!

I and Ricky were very excited about this event, and so we made a plan to witness it: We were going to go to the top of Uranium's highest hill tonight and I might even confess my crush on him... That idea makes me blush.

As I stood on the hill, overlooking the vast expanse of the valley below, I couldn't help but feel my heart racing with excitement. The solar eclipse was about to begin, and I was standing here with the one person who had become so special to me over the past few months: Ricky Potts.

I glanced over at Ricky, and I could see the excitement in his eyes. Despite his inability to speak, he had a way of communicating with me that was so pure and genuine. I felt like I could understand everything he was thinking and feeling, without him ever saying a word.

As we stood there, gazing up at the sky, I noticed how the air around us had grown cooler, and a sense of calm descended over the hill. I felt like we were the only two people in the world, lost in our own private universe.

I looked through the eclipse glasses that Ricky had brought along, and I gasped as I saw the sun slowly being obscured by the moon. The bright disc of the sun was being replaced by a dark circle, and it was as if the world had been plunged into twilight.

Ricky pointed up at the sky, and I followed his gaze to see the corona of the sun blazing around the dark circle. Even though he couldn't speak, I could sense his excitement and wonder, and it made me feel so happy to be there with him.

As the eclipse continued, we stood side by side, lost in our own thoughts and feelings. I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for this moment, for being able to witness such a rare and beautiful event with someone who had become so important to me.

As the eclipse ended and the world slowly returned to its normal brightness, Ricky turned to me and smiled. I knew that even though he couldn't say the words, he was thanking me for sharing this experience with him.

"Hey Ricky...I have to admit something to you..." I said. Ricky looked confused. "I like you...And I mean like LIKE you! Wouldyoupleaseacceptmetobeyourgirlfriendprettyplease?" I said the last part faster than sonic the hedgehog could ever say, which made me blush even more.

Ricky started blushing and looking at the ground. Did I do something wrong? Before I could ask him, he signed for me to sit down next to him, and so I did.

At that moment, as I felt the whole universe revolving around us...we finally kissed.

At that moment, I felt like the luckiest person in the world, and I knew that no matter what the future held, this memory would stay with me forever.

𝑅𝑒𝒷𝓁𝑜𝑔 >> 𝐿𝒾𝓀𝑒 (𝒩𝑜𝓉 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝒸𝒾𝓃𝑔, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝐼 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝓆𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓉𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓈)

[yourbelgianthings]

our last night

a short (about 3 pages) oksamber fic by me! no content warnings, i would say it’s angst though

When the shoreside community first moved under the water, to make their permanent home in the Ethersea, the first several days were a liminal space. All that anyone had ever known was gone, but they had only the smallest beginning of a new home, and no idea of what was to come. They paused in the time between to comfort each other, to be with their grief, before they had to continue on with the task of constructing their new life. People mostly stayed on the Biggest Baby in the early days, but they did their best to find their own space within the large communal home. In any case, it was better than the shithouses on the beach at least. Amber and Oksana had found their own corner of the ship, somewhere dark and quiet with just each other. Who else would there be? They were all each other had, the only remnant of the world before and the only constant going forward into this one. One morning after a few days, Oksana was already gone by the time Amber woke up, which was out of the ordinary, and Amber didn’t usually wake up late. She wasn’t too worried though, as she would say, they were both big girls and could take care of themselves, so she went to the communal kitchen area to get some coffee (black for Oksana, with a splash of milk and a couple sugars for herself, but she didn’t let anyone else see that) and a couple danishes. When she returned, their little area was still empty. Even though it was the morning, not a lot of light reached it, and the dark did not comfort Amber right now. She was used to hanging out in dark places, but when you’re still coming to terms with the fact that you’ll never properly see the sun again, it’s much more uneasy. Amber slid down the wall, slumping onto a pillow and letting her head rest on her knees. Things weren’t what she was used to, and she couldn’t operate in her normal way. If you’re someone who pretty much just lives in the present and doesn’t usually think very far ahead, that’s not going to feel very good when the present is suddenly unknown and uncertain. You’re still present, but maybe you don’t want to be anymore. Involuntarily, teardrops rolled down her face, slowly at first but then a river, and her shoulders trembled as she sobbed silently. Even alone, Amber wouldn’t want anyone to hear her cry. When she heard Oksana’s footsteps at the end of the hallway, she quickly dried her face with her bandanna and tried to act like nothing had happened. Even though she had quite clearly been crying, Oksana gracefully ignored this fact, although she did put her arm around Amber as she sat down.

“Hey bubba, where were you?” asked Amber as she handed over the other danish and mug of coffee.

“A meeting...” Oksana trailed off as if there was more detail to be given about this but she did not offer it. She was not at all an anxious nor shy person, so Amber immediately raised an eyebrow.

“For what? Come on, don’t be a clasper! You know you can tell me anything.”

Oksana sighed. “Well, you know that our city is going to need to be defended, right? We have pretty much no idea what’s out there, but someone has to go get on the Biggest Baby and protect everyone else from it.”

Despite the seriousness of the moment, the two women giggled. It was still hard to believe that was the name of the ship, and not only that, but the name from the special renaming brainstorm committee!

“Anyway, the defense force is going to be called the Chaperones, and they want me on the team. It sounds like some pretty intense stuff, but if that’s how I can help our city, I want to do it.”

A smile spread across Amber’s face. “That’s awesome! Of course they asked you to come help kick ass, bubba. I thought something might be wrong, but that’s great news.” “Yeah, yeah it is,” Oksana replied. Her shoulders softened a little. “I think it’ll be good, not easy but good, I’m just still not used to everything down here so it all feels a little, uncertain, yknow?”

Amber nodded. They sat in silence for a while, eating their danishes. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Amber hopped up to get it, and she opened the door to a gruff man who asked, “Is Kodira here?” She shook her head and said,

“I don’t know what other guppy you’re looking for, but the only two here are me and Oksana.”

However, Kodira slowly got up and came to stand next to Amber.

“No, that’s me. I’m Kodira. Listen, I’ll explain in a minute, but what do you need?” The man had a hurried conversation with her and left as quickly as he came.

“Hey Oksana? You wanna tell me what’s going on, and who the fuck Kodira is?” snapped Amber.

“It’s okay Amber, it’s still just me,” Kodira explained. “Apparently to work for the chaperones they want to change your name to something that honors Koda, yknow, the vestiges whose body is the Biggest Baby. So, Kodira. It’s a little weird, but I think I can get used to it.”

“I would call that more than a little fuckin’ weird!” Amber stomped towards Oksana. “If you wanna go join their cult and be Kodira or whatever, fine. I knew we’d end up doing different things down here, I just didn’t expect this.”

“Hey. Back up,” Oksana commanded. Amber huffed but went to go sit down. “Listen, this is a lot for both of us right now. What they came to tell me is that I gotta leave tomorrow. And I would like this to not be the last conversation we have. So I’m gonna take a nap, and you’re gonna go for a walk, and we’ll talk again later.”

Amber generally hated being told what to do, but she respected her best friend, and silently obliged, heading out the door, down the hall, and away. She found some barrels to punch while Oksana fitfully dozed. Once Amber’s hands hurt (she was strong, but even she had limits) and the water had begun to darken, she walked back to the room. The door was unlocked, so she entered quietly to find Oksana packing her suitcase. As soon as they made eye contact, she set her things down and they approached each other, silently embracing. Oksana was the taller of the two, so Amber’s head nestled on her collarbone. Time slowed to the consistency of molasses, as they created this physical memory. Finally, Amber pulled away, her cheeks wet. Almost whispering, she said, “Well damn, bubba, you know I don’t cry or say sorry but...I’m sorry for calling the Chaperones a cult. I want you to be happy, and if that’s not with me, well, I’m a big girl.” She chuckled and gave a sad smile. Oksana held her hands and squeezed them, and then Amber helped her finish packing. They laid down next to each other, sharing a blanket, for the last time. The next morning, Amber woke up alone again, but she knew Oksana wouldn’t be coming back. The two of them wouldn’t spend another night together for more than 23 years, but neither of them knew that that morning.

[whatisreggieshortfor]

Operations Go Awry

This is a mess, but my Operation Nope fic for the @litgwritersroom prompt.

The moment Lily walked in hanging off Harry’s arm, Elladine saw her chance. Normally, she wouldn’t be this person. Never. She would’ve felt sympathy for Devyn when Harry forgot her name as he introduced the girls. But she had to admit it, at least to herself, that she was jealous of the friendship Nicky had with Devyn. Jealous of the way the two of them could share looks and understand each other when she couldn’t. It was the only issue she had with Devyn. So when Genevieve told her that she’d talked to Lily, and Nicky was her back up plan if Harry wasn’t interested- well, she wasn’t going to lose her man over Devyn’s couple. She already lost him to Devyn enough times when they went to have chats and left her alone.

So she cornered Lily on her first day, asking her if she really wanted Harry.

Lily’s eyes were narrowed as she looked Elladine over, “Why would you wanna help me? Isn’t she like the best mate of the love of your life or whatever?”

Elladine rolled her eyes as she responded, “Technically, but sometimes I feel like I can’t trust their intentions with each other. They’ve ditched me constantly to have private chats, and how much he compares her to a sister is such an overcompensation. Feels like-“

“Like he latched on to you early and fancies her now but doesn’t know how to break the news.” Lily smirked knowingly, Elladine returned it with a nod before leveling her with a scowl.

“Look, I know Nicky is your back up. So let’s just…tip the scales for Harry’s decision.” Elladine glanced around the two of them, trying to ensure there were no eavesdroppers. Seb wasn’t too far away, but he was fast asleep on the sun lounger.

Lily leaned a little closer anyway, “What did you have in mind?”

“Do you remember Operation Nope last season?”

Seb knew that Nicky sometimes felt torn between Elladine and Devyn. He couldn’t blame the guy- where Elladine was the picture of an easygoing relationship, Devyn brought out Nicky’s fun side and challenged him. Nicky had even told Seb- and only Seb- at each recoupling that he thought of picking his best mate, even though he had no idea how she’d react. But then he’d end up playing it safe and choosing the same girl since the beginning. Seb couldn’t blame Elladine for being cautious of their friendship when he knew those things, but he couldn’t believe he’d heard her plan this either.

As soon as Elladine and Lily had separated, Seb ‘woke up’, taking just a minute to act out like he was stretching out from a nap, before going off in search of Viv and Nicky.

“That’s the plan I heard.” Seb told them as he finished the story, he wasn’t sure if they’d believe him, but he needed to tell someone what was happening.

“You can’t have heard it right, mate.” Nicky shook his head, “Elladine wouldn’t-“

Viv quietly interrupted, “I don’t know, Nicks, when I told her that Lily said you were her back up plan, she looked absolutely livid. I’ve never seen her look like that. She’s always felt a little threatened by Devyn- to have someone else planning to vie for your attention might’ve-“

“Might’ve what? Pushed her over the edge?” Nicky shook his head, “No way.”

The couple speaking to him weren’t sure what to say- Viv trusted what Seb said he heard, but Nicky just couldn’t imagine the girl he was with ruining something good for his best mate like that. And then Bill chose that moment to wander over, like the secret gossip monger he was, “Bloody hell, mate, you hear Dev kissed Rafi after their date?”

All three of them went stone still as their heads jerked to the roofer, “What did you say?” Nicky’s voiced was laced with disbelief.

Bill nodded, lips pursed, “Didn’t expect her to do that to my lad so late in the game, but maybe she’s been doing just that the whole time- playing the game.”

“Who told you that?” The boys startled at the intensity in Viv’s voice. Intensity wasn’t her style, she was sweet and soft.

Bill shrugged anyway, “I was there when Elladine told Harry. Guess her and Lily were walking past and saw it happen.”

“Elladine. And Lily?” Seb’s tone could only be described as skeptical.

“Does Devyn know?” Nicky asked. He believed Seb now, because as much as he wanted to think Elladine wouldn’t do that to her, he knew Devyn wouldn’t do that to Harry.

The roofer shook his head, “Harry’s waiting for her to admit it. I keep telling him to just call her out.” Nicky shot to his feet, Seb and Viv quickly following as he hurried out of the room, leaving a confused and annoyed Bill in their wake.

When the party started, Harry was astutely avoiding Devyn, so Nicky stuck by her side. He didn’t care that he was giving Elladine the cold shoulder to do it, he wasn’t the only one- he was pretty sure sweet Genevieve was mentally thinking of all the medical ways she could hit her without leaving a mark judging by the expression on her face. The girl in question was masking her annoyance with a sad pout- or attempting to at least. Nicky couldn’t stop analyzing everything about her now that he knew she would do this. But he teamed up with Seb and Viv, and they made sure that Devyn was able to enjoy the party with DJ Timmy Smalls.

And then the tone rang out.

Everyone looked around until their gazes fell on a smirking Lily, and an annoyed looking Rafi. The blonde girl stepped forward, hand on her hip as she directed that smirk straight at Devyn. Nicky saw Genevieve’s glare intensify at it as Lily spoke, “I came here with one person in mind, and at first I thought he wasn’t going to be interested.” Her smirk grew, “But then he told me to pick him. So I’m coupling up with Harry.”

Devyn whirled around to where Harry was standing next to Bill as the boy in question started walking over to the blonde, “Wow. And you just weren’t going to tell me, yeah?”

Harry scoffed, “Like you’re one to talk after what you did.”

“Pray tell, you arse. What did I do?” Devyn’s glare was almost as threatening as Genevieve’s, and Nicky clasped a hand to her shoulder as he answered.

“There’s been a rumor, Dev.” He emphasized the word as he scowled at Elladine, who had the grace to look shocked.

“A rumor, my ass!” Harry yelled, “Ella saw her do it!”

Devyn’s glare spun around to her ‘friend’, “You saw me do what exactly?”

“Pretty sure I can fill in that blank, and clear it up while I’m at it.” Rafi shook his head, arms crossing over his chest, “Elladine told Harry that she saw you kiss me. Said you were planning to have me pick you. I know, because Lily told me about their little plan.” He turned and looked Harry right in the eye, “But that never happened. She said she only wanted one person, and that she was happy with you.”

Harry’s face paled for a second before he scowled, “Yeah, sure. Of course you’d say that.”

“You’re bloody right I would! Because it’s the truth, you absolute prat.”

Devyn huffed a humorless laugh, “You know what? Fine. Good riddance. I’ve never been sure you actually liked me, all you ever talk about is winning. If Viv hadn’t chosen better by picking Seb, you’d still be flip flopping between us.” Harry opened his mouth, but Devyn got his face, poking her finger into his chest, “I only wanted one person here, and it actually wasn’t you.” Before he could say anything, she spun around to the other Islanders, “Who actually believed I did that?”

At first no one moved, but then Tai was calling people out, “Bill, Yaz, I know you both bought into that bullshit. Miki probably did too if Bill was the one that told her.”

AJ awkwardly stepped forward herself, “I didn’t really believe it, but I wasn’t sure either because you told me you weren’t sold on Harry.”

Devyn pointed her finger at AJ, “You get a pass, I can see why you’d believe it. The rest of you that fell for it, goodbye. Do not contact me on the outside.”

“G-goodbye?” Nicky sputtered as Devyn stopped in front of him on her way out.

Devyn shrugged, “Rafi said if he couldn’t pick me, he was going to walk. He knows who I want, but I can’t have him, so with half the villa willing to believe I’d go kiss someone I wasn’t with- I’d rather just follow him out. He’ll make a good friend on the outside.”

“Who did you want?” Seb asked, and Devyn scowled at the gleam in his eye.

“Like you don’t know, you little knob.”

Seb smirked, “Well, Nicky, how you feeling about your couple?”

He scoffed, “What couple?” Elladine gasped, but Nicky ignored her, “If she was willing to do that to someone she knows I care about, then I’m not sticking around. I’ll leave with these two.”

Seb clapped his hands, “Okay. If you’re both leaving, I’m just gonna say it-“

“Don’t you dare!” Viv tried to cover his mouth with her hand while everyone watched confused, but he ducked around her.

“One of you need to confess! I’m sure Rafi knows exactly what I mean.”

The actor nodded seriously, “Honestly, at this point it needs to be out in the open. Nicky settled for Elladine, Devyn settled for Harry.”

Nicky looked at his best mate, gobsmacked, “Do- do you like me?”

Devyn rolled her eyes, scowl still stuck on her face at being put on the spot. He knew she hated that. “Obviously. But I’m a sister to you so-“

“Bloody hell- I’ve never wanted to kiss my sister this much!” Seb snorted, but Nicky ignored him. “So…their operation was technically a success, but how about we head out on a date on the outside?”

Devyn’s lip twitched upward, “Dammit, Nicks, I’m trying to be pissed here.”

He shrugged, “So be pissed with me on the outside, Dev.”

“Fine.” She finally smiled, flipping Elladine off as she turned to Seb and Viv, “You two better win this. No one deserves it more.” She gave them a hug before grabbing Nicky’s hand, he immediately interlaced their fingers. “Viv, you call me on the outside. The five of us will get lunch.”

Rafi groaned, “Great, I get to fifth wheel.”

“Naw,” She smirked, “Tai, Ciaran, and AJ get to join for not being stupid about me.” He laughed with Nicky and Devyn as they moved to pack up their bags.

Masterlist

[folliesandfolderols]

Writing prompts day 62-69 redux

From this prompt list.

So, fun fact, I wrote like 4500 words for the actual days 62-whatever, but then I had to cut them because they jumped the emotional progression too far down the line. They'll come later! (I'm talking about the words themselves, but Tim and Damian will also come later.)

From this prompt list. If you’ve read this far, I’m not sure you need any explanation, but the short version is I hadn’t written any fiction since 2019, I set a goal to write at least 150 words/day in 2024, and this list was my way to restart. Also I abruptly decided on day 2 I would write an entire Tim/Damian story connecting all the prompts, because I am Good at Judging My Limits. /sarcasm Anyway, I finished the rough draft a while ago and am now unlocking the old entries as I edit.

Read from the beginning here, or on ao3 here

Days 58-60 here

***

139. "Need a hand?"

***

Dick didn’t always have advice to give, but when he did Tim at least considered taking it, so the next day he decided to look at the evidence as soon as he got home from patrol. He was still too wired to sleep. Creating a timeline of events was one of the most important aspects of investigation, so he started by sitting down on his couch, closing his eyes, and pinning events on his mental screen.

First, Damian had approached him, saying he wanted to get rid of his virginity and that Tim was an acceptable choice while refusing any other explanation. Try as he might, Tim couldn’t remember some of the details of his expressions and body language because he’d been caught off guard. It had come out of the blue—

No, wait.

It hadn’t come out of the blue, because Damian had approached him for weeks before that on pretexts Tim had been confused by at the time. So a couple of possibilities: Damian had been trying to work up the courage to ask for what he’d wanted and had needed a few weeks to do so, or, Damian had actually . . . wanted to spend time with him?

Tim stared at that note, branching off the timeline with three flashing question marks, and moved on.

Next, they’d fucked. Damian had been an asshole at first, which was to be expected since he was nervous and absolutely hated not being the most superior person in the room. But after that, he’d turned sweet, asked if he could kiss Tim, and even agreed to spend the night. Which was another point in favor of the theory of Damian wanting to spend time with him.

After that had been the time Damian asked him if it was normal to think about a hookup for weeks afterward. Because he’d been thinking about Tim for weeks.

Hmm. Tim gave that incident a mental circle and highlighted it.

That had been closely followed by them fucking again, and Tim had dreamed about Insomnia that same night until Damian woke him up and comforted him. Next was the fight over Damian getting Tim benched because he was concerned about his sleep deprivation, then makeup sex that ended with Damian saying stuff in Arabic that probably shouldn’t have been said. And Damian had called him Timothy.

The next morning, Damian had left without incident. They hadn't spoken in person again until Damian found him at work to complain about Bruce leaving, and that was the end of things till Tim came back from space. Damian hadn’t initiated anything sexual after Tim’s return, but he had definitely taunted, incited, and harassed Tim into responding to him plenty.

Tim reviewed the timeline once he’d finished filling in the remaining dates, dumbfounded. All this seemed to indicate was that Damian liked him.

Which, okay, wasn’t impossible. But even if it wasn’t impossible, it was highly improbable, because he’d seen Jon and Damian together since middle school and the way Damian talked about Jon was the polar opposite of how he talked about Tim. Oaths of undying loyalty, indirect but sincere compliments in person, and grandiose praise when apart. A far cry from his brain’s operations are incomprehensibly juvenile. So, yeah, whatever was going on with Damian, it probably wasn’t true romantic affection, despite whichever postcoital hormones had made him say affectionate things a few times.

Then there was the issue of Tim’s own behavior. Because if he looked at it from an investigative standpoint with himself as the subject, it appeared to be an inescapable fact that he liked Damian. And that was the least disturbing option.

“What the actual fuck,” he whispered. He replayed the events back and forth, a fast-forwarded and rewound mental movie while his heart threatened to beat right out of his chest. The constant nausea and pain expanded to press at his ribs, and for a second he thought he really would throw up. Lying down on his back, he pressed his palms to his face, taking deep breaths. 

He couldn't do this. He just . . . couldn't. Pursuing Damian would be so incredibly stupid. Tim hid things as a matter of course even when it was unnecessary. The privacy of his thoughts was sacrosanct to his wellbeing. Damian never let him hide without demanding he show himself. Every day would be a new level of emotional exposure.

Ever since Bernard, the memory of Kon’s text taunted him, and for a second he grasped at something underlying the surface fear.

"Nightwing requesting assistance," Dick's voice suddenly popped into his ear. With a start, Tim realized he'd never removed his earpiece.

"Batman here, N. What's the situation?"

"Just got a phone call from Shrike in Metropolis. His communicator's been destroyed and Superman is temporarily incapacitated after a run-in with Felix Faust. They're both okay but Shrike needs a ride home because his vehicle was destroyed. I'd go get him myself but I've got work in three hours and I was kind of hoping someone else could do it this time."

Tim cursed. Fucking magic users. And what the hell was Damian doing hanging out with Jon in Metropolis on a weeknight? He was lucky Dick had carried his cell on him while on patrol—a lot of times he didn't. 

From the long pause on Bruce's end of the conversation, he had a feeling his sentiments were shared. "Understood. Let me wrap up what I was doing and —"

Tim's hand flew up to the earpiece. "Sorry, couldn't help but overhear. I got done early so I'll go get him. N, send me a location."

Another long pause, which he decided was indicative of absolutely nothing, because he couldn't handle speculating about what conclusions they were drawing. At last, Dick replied, "Will do."

A second later, Tim's phone buzzed with a pinned location and a note from Dick: He's in civvies.

Well, that made things easier. At least Tim didn't have to put his costume back on. 

This late at night, there was almost no traffic on the road, so he was able to make it to Damian's location in record time. It turned out he was waiting in a 24-hour diner, designer clothes sticking out like a sore thumb in the surrounding clientele of truckers and exhausted road-trippers when Tim stepped inside. Of course, Tim figured he probably wasn't very stealthy himself, but anyone out at this hour wasn't interested in him anyway.

"Hey, Damian," he greeted, soft-voiced, sliding in to the booth opposite him. They'd left off with Tim having inflicted more damage, and he'd taken Damian's lack of movement as he approached as a sign of displeasure. Now that he was close enough to catch microexpressions and see the untouched cup of tea in front of him, he realized Damian was hiding a great deal of pain through his immobility. A pang of worry pushed away more superficial concerns. "Are you ready to leave? Need a hand?"

Damian didn't look up from his folded hands. "Of course I don't need your help, Drake." He made to stand, only to freeze halfway through the motion and sit down with a thump that had him closing his eyes with a sharp inhalation.

Right. Tim moved to sit beside him, keeping a wary eye on Damian’s involuntary flinch as he scooted closer. "Where are you hurt?"

Without opening his eyes, Damian replied, "It's not a physical injury. Faust caught me with the edge of a magic blast and my nerves could only interpret the effect as pain. But I've experienced no wound."

Moving with caution, Tim slipped an arm around Damian's waist. Damian stayed stiff and unresponsive against his side for all of two seconds before his breath released in a sigh and he rested his cheek on the top of Tim's head.

Tim fought a smile, but he couldn't keep it entirely out of his voice. "You must be exhausted. Let's get you home."

"You must be exhausted," Damian muttered, but he leaned into the circle of Tim's arm and allowed him to help him stand.

Once they were in the Taycan, Tim pulled out a medkit and handed over a muscle relaxant and some painkillers, followed by a water bottle he'd brought from home. After Damian swallowed the pills down, Tim reached around him to draw the seatbelt across his torso and buckle him in.

Damian rolled his head on the headrest to watch. "I am not a child."

"Believe me, I'm well aware of that fact." Tim started the car and pulled away from the curb. Damian muttered something inaudible. "What'd you say?"

"I said, then why do you keep acting like I'm one still? Specifically, the one I used to be." Tim stayed silent for so long that Damian finally said, "I might have known you wouldn't give me an answer."

Tim shook his head. "Thinking about it, actually, not refusing to answer. I'm not sure I have an answer to give. It's not just because it's you. I'm very self-protective, Damian, and I don't let people in easily if at all."

"Tt. And that sets you apart from the rest of us, how? The others have grown to trust me, even Todd. A person who beat you till you were bloody more than once, stabbed you with a batarang, and with whom you share an cordial working relationship today, I might add."

The beginnings of a headache began a distant throbbing in the center of Tim's forehead. "I know. But with Jason, it’s different.”

A brief crease of confusion appeared between Damian’s eyebrows. “Because you’ve never slept together? Have you slept together?”

“Please, like he’d ever be interested with Roy right there.” Tim shook his head. “This is why I said I'm an asshole. It's like I can't stop engaging you for some reason, even though I keep telling myself I should leave you alone. I keep trying to quit and then I forget to make myself do it as soon as I see you."

"That's something I feel some kinship with." Damian's eyelids were growing heavier as Tim watched, only half his attention on the near-empty road. "I keep swearing I'll no longer let myself—" He cut himself off with a huge yawn.

Unable to endure not touching him any longer, Tim reached over and threaded their fingers together. "I don't know what to say, because it feels like every time I apologize I do something else that needs another apology right away."

Damian's fingers flexed in his grip. For a sickening moment Tim thought he was going to break free, but he merely rotated his wrist to allow an easier hold. "May I be honest?"

"Please."

"I'm glad it was you, to come get me, tonight." Another yawn. His voice fell to near-inaudible levels. "I tried to distract myself. It didn't work."

"Distract yourself how?" Tim asked, but was only answered by the deep, even breathing that meant the muscle relaxant had finally knocked Damian out.

Once they were back at the Manor, Tim got Damian into his room, stripped him of his more uncomfortable outer clothes with a whispered explanation, tucked him into the bed and stood by its side for a while, watching him settle back into sleep almost immediately. Bruce was probably still in the Cave, ignoring the fact that he had a human body that required occasional sleep. The moonlight peeking through the drawn-back curtains traced the outline of Damian's features in loving detail, highlighting his profile. Tim admired the view until a yawn of his own returned him to the reality of work in the morning, then walked across the room to pull the curtains shut.

All right, it was time to go.

He walked toward the door again, and stalled. His feet wouldn't take him past Damian's bed.

C'mon, Tim. Walk out of the room.

He gazed at the dark lump of Damian's body beneath the covers. The blankets moved with his breathing. Tim watched the rhythmic rise and fall, throat tightening. If Faust had caught him full-on with the eldritch blast, Damian could’ve died tonight. They all knew better than to dwell on could-have-beens, though. That habit tended to lead to second-guessing in situations that were life and death.

Go now. You’ve got work soon and he doesn’t really want you here.

The prospect of leaving him behind suddenly felt unbearable. 

Tim crawled onto the foot of the bed, just near enough to feel the heat from Damian's legs radiate into the front of his body as he lay down. He curled up into a ball on top of the covers, head near Damian’s feet, ready for a quick escape.

It still didn't feel close enough, so he fit one hand over Damian's ankle. Damian sighed but made no move to shake him off. The tension finally draining from his body, Tim fell asleep.

day seventy (part one) here

[the-ninja-legacy-whip]

how did olivia and the rest of the sharmy find garm anyway like i get the skeletons were helping or something but how exactly did that work? most people would just run away from the skeletons. also, how long ago was it before nya and the story

Garmadon was banished 13 years prior to the start of Book 2, so not right away but not long after that was when Garmadon commanded the Skulkin to seek recruits for the superior army he wished to amass, and to also have them prepare him a base of operations for when he returned to Ninjago in the future.

And yes, you're correct that most people would run from Skeletons, but the Shark Army is primarily made up of people who were down on their luck, with nowhere else to go, and most importantly let down by a system they disagreed with (especially a certain few who found themselves screwed over by Wu's attempted removal of the Elemental Compass, as that just helped align their outrage with Garmadon's, making them more partial to following Garmadon to begin with). Therefore, when you already have nothing left to lose and there's someone out there that sympathizes with your plight specifically (even if they're a skeleton), you're probably a little more inclined to hear them out.

And once the Skulkin sweet talked a few people and gave them a taste of power (such as magic power source to eventually be used in the Realm Rippers), those people then went around doing the recruiting instead of the Skeletons, which made amassing the army a much smoother process (and relates to why Olivia is obsessed with recruiting Elemental Masters specifically; to help even the odds against the Elemental Alliance/Order of the Ouroboros and gain Garmadon's favor).

Olivia herself was 3 or 4 (I said it before but I can't remember what I said lmao) when her father was recruited, and she came along with him, putting her in the unique situation of growing up in the Shark Army, hence why she's more passionate about it than most of the other members. Sure she likes the perks of indulging in a "normal" life when she can, and regrets what she can't fully have, but at her core she's always going to fall back on her beliefs and how she can further the agenda of "fixing the world and freeing the truth", because above all else she truly believes that is the right thing to do (warped though the perception may be).

This is one of the things I had wanted to dig deeper with in Book 2, as it will tie in with the other prominent Generals down the line too, but it's now saved for Book 3 (Season 2) where it should hopefully mesh with the narrative better! We're almost done with S1, so the wait for more answers won't be too much longer ;w;

[orangemoonxworks]

KINGDOM HEARTS: DIVERGE, VOL. 0 MARCH OF THE FOOLS, PART I — III WRITTEN BY: Naude Lucem -------------------------------------------------

The First District was the central point of Daybreak and at its heart stood a massive clock tower that rose into the clouds. If one were to reach the highest point of it, not only could they see all six of the districts surrounding it but a vast stretch of grasslands, an endless ocean to the west, and a barren wasteland far out in the distance. The clock tower, Arx ad Arbitris Tempus (“Stronghold for the Arbiters of Time”), was the base of operations for the Foretellers and the Lux Unitas. Of the seven districts that made up Daybreak, the First was naturally Ira’s jurisdiction.

As the others gradually arrived in the assembly chamber, finding their place around the long oval shaped table at the center of the room, Ira stood by the row of wall-sized windows gazing outside. Once everyone was fully present, he made his way to the head of the table. Since this was a private gathering, none of the Foretellers wore their iconic masks.

Ira cleared his throat then began. “Good. You’re all here.”

“You summoned us.” Gula snarkily replied.

“Well, I know you’re all busy – myself included. I’ll try to keep things short.”

Invi asked a question. “Is this about the Second District? Has any progress been made?”

“That happens to be one of the purposes of this meeting.” Ira replied. “We’ll be discussing what’s been happening lately concerning the scourges and the catastrophe that befell the Second District. I’m sure you’re all eager to know what’s going on, so that’s where we’ll begin.”

Ira continued. “We’re still eradicating the darkness. It hasn’t been easy, and we’ve lost some people in the process. I imagine it’ll be a long time before the district can return to any semblance of normal. Still, we’ve made some strides. We’ve managed to clear out a big portion of the district which has allowed our Guardians to advance further in. We’ve also strengthened and condensed the size of the barrier as we’ve progressed to keep the remaining darkness contained, and our mages have been hard at work cleansing the darkness and restoring the aether that once permeated the district.”

“Unfortunately, aether degradation is a serious concern. The black coats the Master provided us do well enough to stave off the darkness, but they were made specifically for us. The Master didn’t leave behind blueprints for them either, so reproducing the black coats is next to impossible. That means our Guardians and Mages are unprotected and perpetually at risk. And that’s something I can’t allow to continue. I’ve asked the Ars Magna Guild to study the coats and see if they can come up with an alternative. For now, we’ll have to lend our spares to those stationed in the district.”

Invi spoke in agreement. “That’s fine. I’m sure no one here has an issue with that.”

Aced interjected. “Tch. I don’t mind handing over the coats, but don’t go speaking for everyone.”

“It’s not as if it’s negotiable. Our Guardians and Mages need them.”

Aced replied, “Even so, our choices aren’t dictated by circumstance. We just happen to collectively agree on the matter at hand. It isn’t as cut and dry as you believe.”

Invi’s eyes narrowed. “These are trying times we’re in, Aced. You can feel however you want but we don’t have the luxury to be selfish and petulant.”

“What was that?” Aced sharply replied, arms folded against his chest.

Ira quickly interjected. “Enough, you two.”

Gula mumbled under his breath. “Looks like the meeting’s starting smoothly as always.”

Ira continued. “Anyway, let’s move on. Putting aside the Second District’s restoration, there is another important matter that must be addressed. Many lives were lost during the scourge – an estimation of 700 according to the Vitalis Registrum.”

Invi’s eyes widened. “700? That’s… so many.”

Ira went on. “An entire district of unsuspecting lives was taken. It has… been a challenge dealing with the aftermath. Understandably, people are in distress. Loved ones, friends, partners and whatnot all perished either due to fatal encounters with the shadows, or affliction of aether degradation. We’re doing what we can for those in mourning, but we can’t alleviate their sorrows.”

Ira extended the palm of his hand in Ava’s direction. “Ava and I have been preparing a grand ceremony to honor the lost. Their names will also be engraved in the Garden of Remembrance’s Wall of Memories. It is the least we can do. From this point forward, our goal – no, our mission – is to ensure something of that magnitude doesn’t happen again.”

Ira briefly paused. “That being said, although we’ve been working to the best of our abilities to pinpoint the cause of the shadow scourges, we’ve not made any significant progress other than detecting them the moment they occur. It isn’t enough time to act or prevent catastrophes. With the recent spike in scourges, our realm is in danger. We need to figure out what’s causing them and why.”

Aced chimed in. “We all have our own theories. You know where I stand, but I’m curious to know what everyone else’s thoughts are. Maybe one of us could add some insight.”

“Yes, and that’s next point of discussion.” Ira declared. “It’s why I’ve summoned you all here today. Of course, if there are other issues you’d like to bring up, they will be accepted within reason and discussed afterward. With that said, the floor is all yours. Any thoughts?”

Invi spoke first. “Hmm, well given the frequency in which they’ve been appearing, I can only assume that gaps have formed along the barrier. Even when the Master was here, it was under constant threat from the darkness. Luckily, he was able to maintain it. Without him here, the barrier likely can’t sustain this realm anymore. I believe the scourges are splinters of the darkness that’s managed to push its way in.”

Ira nodded in agreement. “Then you and I are of the same mind.”

Gula interjected. “Anyone could come to that conclusion. Since this realm’s inception, there haven’t been any run-ins with the darkness. The fact that we’re dealing with this now is reason enough to believe that.”

“Then what’s you’re take?” Invi asked.

“I don’t have one.” Gula replied while sighing, leaning back with his arms behind his head. “We don’t know jack shit and speaking on hypotheticals is a waste of time.”

“If you don’t have anything to say, then don’t speak.” Aced said, irritated.

“You don’t decide that. Gula isn’t wrong, but this is still a discussion.” Ira told him.

“That he should contribute to!” Aced angrily cut in. “He doesn’t get a pass for being a lazy prick!”

Gula grinned. “Wow. Those are some sharp words. Someone’s been studying comebacks.”

“You cheeky little bastard. Don’t make me –”

“Enough. Both of you.” Ira sternly spoke.

Ava spoke up. “If you’re both done, I’ll offer my opinion. For the sake of discussion, let’s assume that there are two truths; one where we have darkness intruding from the outside, and one where there’s someone orchestrating events from the inside. I take it that you lean toward the latter right, Aced?”

Aced responded with a nod, arms tightly folded.

Ava continued. “If there is someone causing the scourges to happen, then that means we’re likely dealing with someone who follows the path of darkness and knows how to wield its power. Darkness warps the heart, the mind, and the soul but it can’t strip away a person’s will. Whatever they decide to do is purely their own choice. The darkness only gives them a nudge.

“So? What are you getting at?” Aced asked.

Ava replied, “If we’re going to stick with that theory, then a reason has to exist.”

Aced’s face instantly scowled at her suggestion. “Tch! Does a reason matter if they’re a traitor? That should be enough for them to be dealt with.”

“Understanding their motives is important for what we’re dealing with.”

Gula responded, “Anyone who follows the path of darkness is either inadvertently or directly carrying out its will – which is to erase light from existence. We all know this from our teachings. That doesn’t help us solve the problem of who’s responsible.”

Invi agreed. “Right. We need to pinpoint a culprit.”

Ava continued, “In a general sense, you’re right Gula. But apart from the will of darkness, people have their own goals and desires that they pursue. Let’s think about it this way; if there was something you really wanted from the bottom of your heart, then you’d do whatever’s necessary to get it, right?  We should look at a potential culprit the same way; what would they want that’s worth the destroying this realm? And what if the shadow scourges aren’t just coincidences but calculated distractions?”

Ira spoke. “You’re implying the culprit is searching for something? I assume you have an idea.”

“It could be many things.” Ava replied then explained. “Our realm’s Heart crystal, the Kingdom key, the Hands of Caelum, the Cubis datums on Project Vitas Replica, or even the Book of Prophecies. These are all things that have been carefully hidden – all of which are important to the future of not only this realm, but also the continued preservation of light.”

Aced nodded. “Hmm, that makes sense. But if what you’re saying turns out to be true, then we’ll have no choice but to address the elephant in the room.”

“Being?” Ava asked.

“The only people who know they exist are the people in this room.”

A deafening silence immediately filled the room. Although Aced wasn’t fazed, the glares from Ira, Ava, and Invi were scathingly sharp enough to stab through one’s soul.

Ira spoke, his voice dark. “Aced, you…”

“I can’t believe you. Are you seriously implying that one of us is a traitor?!” Invi shouted.

“Everything Ava’s said so far falls in line with what I believe to be true. It’s almost uncanny.”

“I was just posing a hypothesis, nothing more.” Ava responded.

“Are you sure? You seem to be very interested in the matter.” Aced eyes narrowed suspiciously. “In the eight years I’ve known you, you’ve never gotten deeply involved with anything other than the Academia. Of course, that is your district so that’s to be expected. But still, it’s uncharacteristic of you. Hmph. I wonder, if what you’ve been saying this whole time is your actual thoughts, or…”

Ava’s brows and voice rose. “So, you think I’m a traitor??”

Invi furiously yelled, “No, I’m not letting that slide! Nobody in this room – including you, Aced – is a traitor! That you would even come to such a conclusion is sickening!”

“And she wasn’t nudging us to this point?!” Aced angrily shouted back. “We’re the only ones who know about those things! A traitor being in our ranks makes perfect sense! If one of us was corrupted by the darkness, then they’d have the power to bypass the barrier and allow darkness to break through!”

“For what reason would any of us need to risk the well-being of this realm?!” Invi responded. “Over the Heart crystal whose domain is protected by the World Gate and can only be opened with the Kingdom Key of which neither of us knows where it is?! The same goes for the Book of Prophecies! And not to mention the Hands of Caelum is a lost art! We’ve barely, barely scratched the surface on that! And Project Vita Replica is nothing more than a fantasy that will never be realized! Don’t you understand that?!”

Gula chuckled. “Wow, Aced. You’re on fire right now.”

“Shut your damn mouth, lazy bum!!!” Aced screamed.

Ira raised his voice. “Aced, calm yourself now!

“I won’t! I’m not backing down from this!” Aced furiously yelled back. “You say the traitor couldn’t be anyone in this room, but what of the people around us?! Anyone could be eavesdropping on us at any moment! Anyone could know about those things and gain an understanding of how to weaponize them against the realm!”

Invi jumped in. “So, what? We’re supposed to be suspicious of the entire realm?! By your logic, everyone is a traitor. The people’s trust lies with us, and ours lies with them! You’d rather we trample on all that just so you can feel some sort of vindication?!”

Aced’s large beefy fists crashed down onto the table. “I’d rather we get rid of the damn traitor so we can keep protecting this realm and the light!! You’re all too soft, naïve, and indecisive!! At some point, after everything that’s happened over the past year, it should’ve crossed your minds that there’s likely a traitor amongst us! Even that know-it-all buffoon we called our master would’ve come to that conclusion!!!”

Invi’s eyes widened and burned ferociously. She could tolerate Aced’s vitriol to a certain extent, but his disrespect for the Master was something her heart wouldn’t let slide. As the air rushed from her lungs to her mouth, the veins in her neck bulged bright red. “Don’t you dare speak about him like that!!”

Ignoring her outburst, Aced turned to their leader Ira. “And you – the man of the hour. You’ve let things spiral this far out of control to the point that the realm is on the verge of collapsing. And you’re supposed to be our leader? Tch! What a joke. I knew he made the wrong choice.”

Invi summoned her keyblade and, in a flash, appeared above Aced swinging her keyblade down on him. Aced quickly drew his own keyblade, blocking strike. The clash sent a small shockwave through the room. Despite the intensity of her strike, Aced’s raw strength easily overpowered her. He swung his keyblade. Invi leapt back, avoiding his attack, and landed on the table. She extended her arm out slightly, turning her keyblade sideways while still gripping the handle, then grabbed its tip with her other hand. Thin streams of water begin swirling in the air around her.

Aced kicked his chair back and readied himself. Suddenly, a white beam of light shot between them. It tore through the table, cutting it clean in half. Instead of piercing through the wall and leaving a gaping hole, it bounced off and traveled around the room hitting several other surfaces before returning to Ira’s keyblade. The chamber was nearly demolished – only the others stood unaffected. Invi, lying on one half of the split table on the floor, glared at him. Ira lowered his keyblade and sighed.

“I’ve had enough. This discussion doesn’t seem to be going anywhere meaningful, and I’d rather this not escalate any further. For now, the meeting will be adjourned. We’ll resume another time.”

Aced withdrew his keyblade and cast it away. “Fine by me. This was a waste of time.”

As he walked away, Gula smirked. “How about that – we actually agree on something.”

Ignoring Gula’s comment, Aced left the assembly chamber. Gula and Ava quietly followed shortly after. Invi pushed herself off the halved table then dusted off the back of her robe. Once she stepped out of the way, Ira cast a restoration art on the room, bringing it back to its former state.

“That didn’t go as well as I hoped.” Ira said.

“You should’ve expected that at this point.” Invi replied. “It was foolish of you to think that we’d all be on the same page, or even come to a collective agreement. That might’ve been true over seven years ago – before the Master disappeared, but definitely not now.”

“Maybe so. But we all took an oath to protect this realm together. As comrades, we should –”

“Look at us, Ira. Whatever comradery we had back then is long gone. Neither of us are who we used to be, and the divide between us keeps growing with each passing day.”

“I’d like to believe we can mend that.” Ira said then cast his keyblade away. “I can’t deny that it’s been difficult for everyone these past seven years. Being thrust into undertaking massive responsibilities all while shouldering the fate of an entire realm is too much for anyone to bear. Being the leader of the Lux Unitas and the overseer of this realm, trust me – I understand. You’re not alone in this.”

Ira paused, taking a short breath and briefly shutting his eyes. “To be honest with you, I find myself questioning if he made the right choice. The Master was known for his bizarre and illogical judgments but, in the end, they were always correct. I can’t help but feel this is the one time he was wrong.”

“Regardless of how things have become between us, I don’t want you to think for a second that that’s a reflection on you.” Invi said as she walked over to him, then placed a hand on his shoulder. “The Master chose you because he believed in you – just like I do. You’ve always been a leader, Ira. No matter where you go or whatever’s going on, you always manage to inspire everyone around you. You’re a light in the darkness. People see you as a symbol of hope because of how brave and selfless you are.”

She moved her hand then continued, “You go out of your way to help anyone – even to your own detriment. You’ll willingly sacrifice yourself for someone else’s sake if it means they’ll survive. And whenever the going gets tough, you never give up and never back down. You’re too stubborn for your own good. And while that does irk me sometimes, I admire that. The Master did too. That’s why, in spite of our differences, we come together whenever you need us. We trust you and you trust us. Tell me Ira, doesn’t that sound like a leader to you?”

Ira’s eyes slowly brightened and the tenseness in his body began to dissipate. All that escaped his mouth were small breaths, but subtle smile on his face was clear enough. But even so, he was still the leader of the Foretellers. Even if her words were enough to temporarily soothe his heart and mind, he had to keep up the role. And so, Ira turned away, averting her gaze, then cleared his throat. “I guess so.”

Invi’s eye lids slightly narrowed. She briefly shut her eyes, then took a small quiet breath. “Even if I think it’s futile, I’ll do what I can to help. You’re right; we may not be comrades now, but we must put our issues aside. We owe it to everyone to continue protecting the light of this realm and ensuring it thrives into the future. That was the oath we took and the promise we made to him.”

Ira’s brows nudged a bit. For some reason, his eyes dimmed.

“I’ll be looking forward to your assistance.” He replied.

“I’ll be on my way then.”

Invi said then started toward the chamber’s door. After she opened the door, she held it open with her palm pressed against it, then looked over her shoulder. “Oh, the next time you step in between me and that hot-headed grizzly bear, make sure you don’t accidentally slash my robe again. This took days to thread, you know. And this robe happens to be my favorite one.”

Ira choked then sighed. “Right, sorry about that.”

Invi closed the door behind her. Standing alone in the assembly chamber, Ira looked around the room. A ray of light broke through the clouds and shone through the thick glass windows, but it was short-lived. It was soon snuffed out by the clouds above – their shadow cast over most of the First District. Going over to the window, his gaze fell to the grounds below.

“The future, huh.” -------------------------------------------------

[atozphantomsquadron]

XV - Snake Eyes

(cw: suicide)

Our first mission with Cole wound up being related to our mission in Austria.  Since our return to the States Kitty had been going over intelligence and political scenarios regarding the president of Afghanistan, and a chilling report she presented to us and Yardley made a great deal of sense.  Afghanistan, at the time, was part of a three-nation alliance blocking the admission of a rogue nation, the kingdom of Jerzaan, from entering OPEC.  After their president and another of the leaders of the détente, a shah from Oman, were assassinated, the new interim governments were voting in favor of the kingdom’s admission, leaving one single opponent, Jordan.  Jordan was taking advantage of the body’s bylaws, which state admission of a new member requires a unanimous approval by the existing member nations, so Yardley sent us out on a mission to give covert protection to Jordan’s monarch, King Fahai.

While we waited for our mission to begin as well as our travel clearances, which also included the issuance of a HoSIP to Cole, I tried to do as Ken had asked and be a friend to my new teammate, spending time with him. We had pleasurable conversations for the most part, mainly talking about our respective pasts.  He was an Annapolis graduate, just like Ken had been, but still held respect for VMI thanks to some of his instructors being alumni.  Before he had joined us he had been a pilot, which made me slightly jealous since that was all I ever wanted out of my Navy career.  He had actually seen action over Iraq, something which I was also jealous of: combat pilots with actual wartime experience are few and far between now.

The conversation turned at one point to how I came to be in the unit.  I told him part of my story, leaving out the project and 37A, only starting when Ken found me on the street.  He seemed to have taken a neutral interest in the story as I went along.

As I reached a conclusion to my storytelling, Cole asked me an awkward question.  “Did you love him?”

I flushed slightly when he asked that.  “I guess I did.  He was the first person in a long time to show me any kindness.  I took it as a sign that he cared about me, so … yes, I guess I loved him.”

Cole sniffed at that response.  “I’m not surprised.  You’re a very nice girl, Ariel, I can see what he saw in you.  Forgive me if I’m less than enthusiastic about your relationship with him, though.  Having so little contact with my father left both me and my mother resenting him.”

“I remember him saying that was one of his regrets.”

“Good, I’m glad he felt something for us.”  His tone had turned very cold very fast.

“Cole, please, don’t resent him.  He cared about you…”

He stood up, fire flashing in his eyes.  “If he really gave two damns about us, would he have not sent any word of concern or condolence when mom died two years ago?  If he honestly loved me, would he have basically married his job and left me with this stupid role, on this stupid team, with you stupid people?”

He was nearly screaming at the end of that tirade.  His words cut me deeply.  I stood and ran out of the room, despite his pleading to me to come back, his apologies and assurances he was not angry at me.  Until we went out on the mission, I spent the rest of the waiting time curled up in my room, on my bed, trying to heal the emotional damage, pleading to God and to Ken to forgive Cole for his anger and forgive me for taking Ken away from Cole.

Shortly afterward, we received word that we would be heading to Monte Carlo, as King Fahai was attending a state function there.  Cole was issued his HoSIP and we were all given our roles for the operation.  36 hours later, I sat with Cyrus at an outside café, within sightline of the largest casino in the city, sipping a quiet cup of tea.

Cyrus sensed my apprehension as we sat there.  “Problem, my dear?”

I looked over at his camouflage body, normally-proportioned but still looking like him.  “Oh, nothing.  Not much, anyway.  Cole hates me, but what else is new?”

“Oh, I don’t think he hates you.  Sure, he has some deep-seated resentment against Ken, but I don’t think he’s transferred that to you.”

I sipped gently on my tea.  “They why is he taking it out on me?”

Cyrus reached over and took my hand in his.  It wasn’t until my mind went into fast-forward that I realized he was using that damned mind-reading spell on me again.  He smiled gently.

“I see now … you’re starting to get feelings for him.”  HoSIP Cyrus looked over at me, a twinkle in his artificially-disguised eye.

“I do not!”  I protested quickly before I realized that if Cyrus had just read it from my own mind, it must be true.  I sighed.  “Okay, maybe a little bit.”

“It’s not just because of that vision of yours, is it?”

“For God’s sake, stop reading my mind!!”  I playfully threw a sugar cube at Cyrus’s head.  “No, I’ll have you know it’s more than just the visions.”

He leaned in closer.  “Don’t fight the feelings, Ariel.  Trust me.  I’ve known love many times over my lifetime, I’ve known how it stings and I know how it heals.  This might be good for you, having Cole in your life and letting him in.”

I supported my head on my hand at that point.  “Perhaps.  Or maybe it’s the biggest mistake of my life.  Who knows but God, really?”

Cyrus got a misty, far-away look and smiled at me.  “Ariel, trust me, when love is right, it’s never a mistake.”

I nearly responded in the negative to that answer, but we were interrupted in our conversation by gunfire.  Across from where we sat, more men like the ones from Austria were swarming into the casino, weapons at the ready.  My heart went into my throat: I was worried about the mission, but more about Cole, being that he was inexperienced with the Sword and with working in a combat situation with Kitty.  Cyrus and I both dropped our HoSIP bodies and ran into the street, toward where the men were swarming.  I realized it would be faster if we flew, picked up Cyrus, and unfurled my wings to zip over to the fight.

I should tell you, fighting with Cyrus takes some experience, mainly because you need to learn how to ignore his magic blasts when they nearly burn your face off, but also because you have to watch where you’re going.  He’s powerful, but he’s also extremely short, so if you’re not careful you can trip over him and mess up both of your attacks.  This was another thing I was unsure about with Cole, once we forced our way inside through the black-clad forces.  We pushed through them, through the entrance and the lobby, through screaming gamblers and employees alike, until we found ourselves in the midst of the main gaming floor, surrounded on all sides by hostiles and reunited with Cole and Kitty.

Cole had already drawn the Sword, so the Guardsman stood at the ready, watching as we were circled and taunted by the enemy forces.  When we launched our attack, though, they seemed more than human.  They quickly dodged any physical attacks, whether it was the Sword or Kitty’s bullets.  Magic and non-standard attacks, however, seemed to work: Cyrus was picking off three at a time with spells, while I was just discovering that my human body could firecast as well, burning up more hostiles as we fought through them.

Some of the hostiles were more clever than others, however.  One of them threw a grenade into my fire stream, which detonated, the concussion knocking me backward.  I wound up slamming into the Guardsman and knocking him aside, making him drop the Sword and shrink back into Cole.  His eyes were red with battle rage.

“What the hell?!  Ariel, knock it off and get out of my way!”  He picked the Sword back up, rushing back into the fight as the armor grew around him.  He was unable to get any further into the swarm of black-clad fighters, however, and after a strong spell from Cyrus they were storming back out of the casino.

I looked around, short of breath and panicked.  “Kitty!  Where’s Kitty?!”

Cyrus came over to me and helped me to my feet.  “I think they captured her.”

Cole had sheathed the Sword.  “They wouldn’t have done it if somebody hadn’t knocked me out of the fight!”

I felt rage boiling in me.  I brought myself nose-to-nose with Cole: I felt the rumbling in that second stomach and felt smoke escaping my nostrils.  “If I had better backup when I was vulnerable, then maybe you wouldn’t have been knocked out.  Who do you think you are, you just joined this unit, you don’t know how to fight, you don’t know how to use that Sword …”

“I’m making the best of a bad situation here!  If you don’t like it, you can clear the hell out and get out of my goddamn face!”

The flames were coming.  I was very close to cooking this man I was trying to befriend, who I promised I would help.  Cyrus finally pushed his way between us.

“Kids, cut it out!  Not in front of civilians!”

We kept arguing and pushing toward each other, against Cyrus’s hands keeping us apart.  Finally both hands glowed against us.

“Concussion!”

The spell knocked both of us in opposite directions.  I shook my head to clear the cobwebs as I stood up, watching Cole do the same across the room.  Cyrus’s voice boomed at us as we recovered.

“Killing each other is not going to bring Kitty back!  Pull your damned heads out of your asses and move out!  We’re done with the mission.”

He seemed awfully emotional, more than I’d known him to be before.  Now that I think of this, combining his actions in the casino with our discussion outside should have been the first couple of clues about how he personally felt about Kitty, feelings that she would eventually reciprocate.  They turned out to be a really cute couple, and in fact last I’d heard they were expecting themselves.

(Transcriber’s note: At this point I’m probably thinking the same thing you are: is this a CIA unit or the cast of a soap opera?  There are so many different romantic interpersonal dynamics going on here that it’s hard to keep track.  I made a mental note to track down the Salems at a later date to try to get their own take on these events.—DAM)

After we ensured that King Fahai was still alive and healthy, we made our escape from Monte Carlo.  During the flight back, we were in contact with Yardley, and did our debriefing en route.  It was to our shock, then, that Yardley ordered us to remain in Langley pending further orders, rather than attempt a rescue of Kitty.

Cyrus was clearly upset by this.  “Sir, we need to get her back as soon as possible.  If it is indeed Jerzaan that has her, there’s no telling what they’re going to do with her.”

“I understand, Cyrus.  I really do.  Kitty’s like family to me.  All the same, I’m under budget watch by the GAO, so I can’t be expending materiel and manpower to send you guys out to Jerzaan on what could possibly be a wild goose chase.”

Cole crossed his arms and slumped in his chair.  “So we go home and wait for orders, huh?  That’s how this unit works?”

“It is as long as I’m here calling the shots, Cole.  Deal with it.”  Yardley disconnected.  I curled myself up into an emotional ball again, while Cole and Cyrus discussed something across the aisle from each other.  I was past the point of listening, so intently determined to do something to make people stop being angry.

That evening, as we returned to quarters, I begged off of dinner and informed Cyrus that I’d be taking a bath for most of the evening to clear my head.  When the door of the bathroom closed behind me, I turned the water on all the way to cold.  While it filled, I undressed and started looking at myself in the mirror again.  My dragonish face greeted me, half covered in my long black bangs.

Just the way Kitty had styled it.

I missed Kitty a great deal at that point, wishing that it had been me that had been captured rather than her.  My face sagged with my sadness, as I continued to lose myself in my eyes.

Isolation returned to me in a wave.  I opened the medicine cabinet behind the mirror and found two men’s razors.

I stepped into the bathtub, the cold water bracing me but not quite as much as it would have if my flesh had not made this change.  Again, it took a lot more pressure to cut through not only the dragon skin but also through the previous scar tissue, but I was able to find purchase.  Three times, lengthwise, on each wrist should do it, I thought.  The blood flowed freely once more, creating a pink tinge to the cold water which continued to flow over my body.  The tub slowly began to overflow as the lightheaded feeling came to me.  I closed my eyes and slipped my head under the surface, embracing oblivion.

I found myself in the old familiar surroundings, the dusky place between life and death.  No dragon stood there.  No knight stood there.  Nothing stood in the way of me and my final decision.  I took a step forward, moving toward the only light I could see, a gray faraway source of illumination which I could only guess was the entrance to the hereafter.  I slowly kept walking toward it, but strangely it never came closer.  I kept walking, speeding up my steps, running for it, sprinting for it, but still it never came closer.

Before I knew it, though, I had found someone else in the plain.  It was Ken.  He turned and looked at me with an expression of sincere duty on his face.

“You cannot pass.”

I burst into tears.  “Please Ken, don’t make me go back … Cole hates me, everything has gone to hell because of me … I don’t deserve to live anymore …”

“You must remain.  Cole needs you.  The love that will save a life.”

That finally stopped me short, that reminder of my past visions between life and death.  I finally decided it was time to ask.  “Is Cole that love?”

Ken motioned his head.  “Only if you let him be.”

“But how?  He’s grown so cold, so angry …”

“Reach out to him, Ariel.  Show him the care you hold in your heart, and he will return that care in kind.  Let your inhibitions go.  Let yourself love him.  You already know you want to.”

I held my hands to my heart.  It was beating nearly out of my chest.  “I do, Ken.”

Ken smiled, then faded into light.  It was then that I realized my eyes were opening.  Cole’s face was close to mine again, but this time it was an expression of horrified worry rather than anger that greeted me.  He was pulling me out of the bathtub and into his arms, trying to warm me back up.

“Come on, girl, hang in there.”  He turned his head and yelled.  “Cyrus, get the goddamn medic!  She’s really cold!”

I noticed how cold I was at that point and shivered, looking up at him pleadingly.  “Just let me go … no good to anyone …”

“No, girl, I can’t do that.  If my dad couldn’t let you die, then I won’t either.”  He clutched me gently to his chest and rocked me as we waited for Cyrus to return.  I was barely conscious of Cole and Cyrus and the medic tending to me, of Cole gently laying me in my bed, of Cyrus casting healing spells over my wrists once more.  What I was conscious of was the comfort of a soft mattress, of someone tucking in the sheets around me, of drifting off into a coma-like sleep, only roused when I felt another human lump next to my hip.

I briefly had a recollection of the last time this had happened.  Ken was tending to me, he was caring about me, he … he was loving me, loving me like a child.  He ensured that I was okay, that I would survive.  Weakly, I looked down at the lump next to me, and realized it was Cole’s entire body, outside the covers and still clothed in what he had been wearing when he rescued me.  He apparently had been trying to watch over me, only to have fatigue and sleep overcome him, so he was trying to share body warmth.

Cole was tending to me now.  Only he didn’t tend to me like a father, he tended to me like a lover.  I watched him quietly as he slept next to me, watched his peaceful expression change occasionally to a fearful one, to a concerned one, then back to peace.  His hair fell over his eyes slightly, tousling as he moved his head on the pillow.

My heart pounded again, like it had in the place between, like it had when Ken had confronted me on my feelings.  It pounded insistently, demanding I do something about the situation.  I looked back over at Cole, back at his peaceful sleeping form.  I raised a hand to stroke his cheek, and the beating of my heart accelerated to triple time.  I swallowed hard, feeling lightheaded again although it was not from blood loss this time.

The urge overcame me and guided my actions finally.  I reached my face forward and kissed him.  Not like I had kissed Ken, with the gentle peck, but the long kiss that comes with an admission of love.  I held my face to his, my lips to his, for what felt like an eternity.  My entire body felt electrified, like a battery receiving a new charge.

When I pulled back at last, his eyes were open and he was smiling.  His eyes felt relieved as they met mine.  He took a deep breath.  “Thank God, you’re alive.”

My heart jumped.  He cared about me, he truly did.  He saved me just like his father had, he had cared for me, he had helped to tend to my injuries.  Now he was tending to the last one, to my broken heart.

I rested my forehead on his, still keeping one hand on his cheek.  “Thanks to you, Cole, I’m alive.  Thank God for you.”  I was overcome with emotion again, giving in and kissing him again, this time deeper than before.  Things might have escalated, were it not for Cyrus clearing his throat as he walked in the room.

“I think she’s awake, Cyrus,” Cole said sheepishly as he sat up.

“Yes, I could tell by how far your tongue was going down her throat.”  Cyrus’s cynical answer made me chuckle gently, until he handed me another mug of his horrible medicinal cocktail.  “I know you hate this stuff, Ariel, but you need your energy.  We’re going to get Kitty back, Yardley be damned.”

(Transcriber’s note: I was able to find a record of an Admiral “Harris Yardley,” although it was an incomplete service record.  He spent time in Vietnam as a young officer before coming Stateside to attend the Naval War College.  By the time he graduated the war was already over, so he took a position as an intelligence liaison to the Naval Academy.  Apparently it was in Annapolis that he met Kenneth Sharpe, Cole’s father and the previous Guardsman, and began his relationship with what would eventually become CIBO #A13.  The records on him end shortly after he gets his second star: for all intents and purposes, he has disappeared off of the face of the earth.—DAM)

[grahamstoney]

Wife Swap

New Post has been published on https://grahamstoney.com/relationships/wife-swap-tv-review

Wife Swap

I love the TV show Wife Swap. If you haven’t seen it, the premise is that they get two families from middle America who volunteer to have their wives swap places for two weeks. During the first week, both families run by the usual rules so the “new wife” can learn how they normally operate; but in the second week, the new wife gets to make whatever rule changes they want. Each family volunteers on the basis that they agree to abide by whatever rules the new wife chooses to set.

Invariably the producers choose two families at the opposite ends of some spectrum, be it religious, political, economic, traditional/progressive, or whatever. Today’s episode featured a real estate executive who was always on the phone and had no time for her kids, swapping places with a suffocating obsessive-compulsive stay-at-home Mom who home-schooled and controlled her whole family.

I always seem to find the husband’s reactions remarkable. They must know in advance that there will be rule changes, and anyone who has watched the program would know that the new wife isn’t going to be anything like their real one; so you would think that they would realise well in advance that they are not going to like all the changes. Often they react angrily with cries of “not in my house!” or criticism of the new wife; even when the changes change the power balance in the family in their favour. But they react angrily, resort to passive aggression, name calling, and all sorts of techniques to buck the new system that they disapprove of. However, something magical also happens as the week progresses: they start to adjust to the new rules, and begin even working with the new wife to get their kids to follow the new rules. You see the men growing in ways I would never have expected, and starting to relate more positively towards both their new wives, and their existing children.

Some of the kids welcome the changes, like the girls who were allowed to date boys for the first time; while others do not, like the girl who loved school but was told she was going to be home-schooled from now on. “Oh come on”, I’m thinking, “it’s only for a week”; you’d think she was being banned from school for life by her reaction. Somehow, everyone in the family is eventually able to overcome their resentment towards the new rules and the new “Mom” as the week progresses, and they start to see some benefits. The kid who had to return his new video game to the store and used the money to go to the movies with his mom was excited about being able to spend more time with her. Previously, he was just zoned out in front of the video game all the time; and he had plenty of others anyway.

The final debriefing session is always interesting too. Sometimes the guys are defensive. It’s not all smooth-sailing. But the conflicts seem to get resolved in the end, and people who were at extremes of the spectrum both end up finding better balance closer towards the middle. I think I’m just not used to people facing conflict, getting all upset, calming down again and then being able to go away a better person having learned something profound from the experience. I thought people just got upset and the upset simply boiled down to fester and come back another day. Yet it’s fascinating to see wives go back to their family with a new outlook, and an even deeper love for their husband; and likewise, their husbands having greater appreciating for their wives. Somehow the emotional independence of the newcomer to the family and the rules of the show give everyone the ability to embrace changes that they would otherwise find virtually impossible; and even though there are plenty of tantrums thrown in the process, everyone seems to be able to go away both with their dignity intact, with mutual respect in place, and with remarkable growth of personal insight.

Yes, they get set up by the producers to get into conflict, but they also manage to resolve it, and it ends up making a positive difference in their real lives. And I think that’s why I love Wife Swap.

[cursedcola]

May i request cater, kalim, floyd and ace with reader who accidentally confesses to them and gets embarrassed and runs away, avoiding the boys? In headcanon format please!! (♡~^-^)

A/N: But of course! This is a very cute idea :) I hope you don't mind if I tweak the idea just a bit. You see, I recently had surgery to have my wisdom teeth removed. They gave me laughing gas before putting me to sleep, and it was the most wild ride. Sooo... 'what if the prefect confesses while on laughing gas, and remembers about it. Then they avoid the boys hehe'. You like? I hope so because I am rolling with it. Have fun reading!

Note! This is getting two parts!

Setting the stage:

Having no friends or family in Twisted Wonderland can be stressful. There is no one to return to while on break, no one to call when you miss home, no one to laugh with over memories - and no one to rely on in case of an emergency.

Which just so happens to be your predicament. Getting your wisdom teeth removed is no joke, and you'll be vulnerable for hours after the procedure. The nurse can't tend to your every need and Grimm is positively hopeless. The only option left is to find someone you trust enough to help.

Oh all mighty seven, please do not let anything embarrassing occur. Especially since he has volunteered to be your caretaker.

Cater Diamond

"Volunteer," perhaps is a stretch in vocabulary when it comes to Cater. He had been caught gossiping during class, and as consequence was given community service hours for the week. Specifically in the nurses office, since he couldn't be trusted anywhere with possible distractions.

He was in the loop about your surgery prior to this though. You had been anxious about it for weeks, and he is your go-to for ranting. You would help him paint the roses, and he would talk your ear off. Normally he would have to pry information out of you, but last week you had been more than willing to spill the details

Cater had already planned to pay you a visit during recovery, but now? He's posed with an ultimatum: file deskwork for hours or watch over the prefect overnight.

He picked the sleepover, obviously. One night while you're a bit loopy and drowsy is nothing compared to boring desk work.

He's there before you're put to sleep, the nurse explaining that he'll be watching over you as the laughing gas calms your nerves.

"Dr. Cay-Cay is on the case! Don't worry prefect, I promise not to put any of your hilarious outbursts on magicam!"

He is greatly tempted to start recording when the gas begins to take effect. You're mid-rant about the correct pronunciation of caramel and he's laughing his ass off as the IV-drip slowly makes you drowsier.

Before falling asleep, you look at him with a droopy grin, "I love you so so much Cay-Cay, thank you for being here with me- you're the best-est"

He giggles lightly into his fist, patting your hand and exiting the room until the operation is over.

Cater takes the confession with a grain of salt, clutching one fist to his chest as he waits in the lounge area. The other holds his phone, which is toggling to random apps in an attempt to distract him. You couldn't have meant it. It was the gas talking - he knows it.

And yet? Hearing those words made his heart stutter. If only he recorded, then he could hear them over and over again. Maybe play them back for you and gauge if there was some hint of truth?

That would be too painful, he thinks, and waits for the nurse to call him in.

Time passes, and Cater is pushing you back to Ramshackle in a wheelchair. Events from earlier are still lingering in his mind, but you're so chipper that it makes for a good distraction. You likely won't remember any of this anyways, so he takes the chance to have some fun.

Now that you're stable, he takes plenty of selfies with you. Back at the dorm he sets you up for the night and leaves you to rest in the living area, while making himself at home and enjoying the empty dorm.

Y'know, a glass of fresh juice, floral scented bubble bath, music playing through his phone speakers, and rare silence that he does not get back at Heartslabyul.

When they wake up, all effects from the anesthesia will be gone, he reminds himself. You won't remember anything, and he'll get to tease you with all the goofy photos and secrets you spilled while loopy. All he has to do is forget, because it didn't mean anything.

He wishes it did

but for your sake, he won't say anything. No matter how much he wants to.

Kalim Al' Asim

Scared to stay alone in Ramshackle, you had asked him to house you in Scarabia on for the day of your surgery.

More specifically, you had asked Jamil. Although Kalim was present and made the decision on the vice-leader's behalf. He doesn't ponder on why you asked Jamil instead of himself. The answer was obvious, with Jamil being the best caretaker out there! He would know just how to care for someone healing from surgery.

Which is why Jamil is going to teach Kalim everything there is to know about caring for a sick person. Why? Because while you are under his dorm's care, he is going to do everything in his power to make sure you are comfortable. He had agreed to helping you, not Jamil, so Kalim is going to be there every step of the way.

This includes before your surgery. He has a room prepared for you, and lets you get settled in before taking you to your appointment. He holds your hand when you're seated in the operating chair, and continues to keep you distracted as the laughing gas is administered.

He's telling you about the most recent letter from his siblings when your hand tightens around his, and his attention is all yours. He delicately squeezes back, and notes that the nurse is putting in your IV on the other arm.

"Nothing to be scared of! It's just a quick pinch and you'll be all better," he grins, wrapping his other hand around the one he is already holding.

You let out an airy chuckle, "I'm not scared. I love you too much to be scared when you're here," and his eyes widen to the size of saucers.

Kalim asks you to repeat yourself, but the IV has taken full effect and the nurse is asking him to step out until the procedure is over.

He wants to protest, but Jamil (who was in the waiting room) appears and drags the star-struck boy out.

He can't hold it in, and quickly spills everything he heard to his best friend.

You returned his affections. Kalim was convinced and Jamil could only hang his head in resignation. Unless you said otherwise, Kalim was taking your confession seriously and nothing will stop him.

After your surgery, the medications are still in effect. Kalim can't wait another second, and as you're being wheeled out is asking you if you love him.

Each time you say 'yes', his heart twirls. Jamil insists that you might not remember anything, that you're not in your right mind, yet it flies by the love-sick dorm leader.

Back at Scarabia, Kalim has you resting in his room instead of the guest room. He wouldn't dare share a bed with you, but he wants to be the first person you see when the medications wear off and you wake up.

He sleeps on the floor next to his bed, and makes sure to wake up periodically to check on you. In the morning, he goes out to get fresh flowers, brew a pot of tea, and prepare soft snacks for when you wake up.

He wants to hear it again. Say you love him, and not just because he asked this time.

Floyd Leech

“You’ll be staying with us, right little shrimpy?….right?”

The Leech twins have been extremely overprotective of you ever since Azul’s change of heart. Not only do they owe you an unspoken debt for saving their childhood friend, but you’re actually pretty interesting. Life’s never boring when the prefect is involved - something that is common knowledge among the students of Night Raven College.

Floyd in particular seems to have a much stronger and obvious attachment compared to Jade. What’s more is that he doesn’t even try to hide it. If he finds you spending too much time with other students then he gets jealous, and drags you off without asking. Crowley loading you with work? If it cuts into his prefect time, then you’re not doing it. He’ll tell the headmaster off personally if it bugs you that much. What’s he going to do, expel him? Does he dad need to get involved?

He notices instantly that you are not in class one morning. Normally that wouldn’t be weird, but your loud pet is still attending despite your absence. Other students observe in fear as a dark aura begins to surround Floyd as he glares daggers at the doorway. Jade somehow tames him to hold off interrogations until lunch, but Grimm’s luck runs out quickly-

“Oi, cat! Why isn’t my little shrimpy with you?”

Grimm tries to act tough, saying that he isn’t your babysitter and doesn’t know or care.

Unfortunately, Floyd doesn’t feel like asking twice. All he has to do is growl a bit and Grimm’s spilling the details. You’re at a consultation and having surgery tomorrow? And you didn’t tell him?

He goes to the nurse’s office, arriving just as you’re stepping out. Let’s get one thing straight - you will be staying with him tomorrow. Not in a guest room but in his dorm and where he can watch you

Why? Because he said so. You don’t need a better reason <3 Now let him squeeze you, its the least you can do after “worrying” him

he was so bored in class without you to annoy

The next day comes, and Floyd is at your front door first thing in the morning. He did not bother telling you his plans, and you instead found hum leaning against the front fence while waiting for you to come out

He teases you on the way. Nothing too serious, but enough to make your nerves act up. Floyd finds it funny how your hands tremble as the nurse guides you into the operating area. They tried to kick him out, noticing that he was the source of your distress

Did not work lol. Nice try though

He watches from the doorway as the laughing gas is administered, suddenly silent as he glares down the surgeon administering your IV. Your delirious ramblings aren’t ignored, it’s just that Floyd has no reason to play nice if you can’t focus on him anymore

Aka. You are now vulnerable and Floyd is in protective mode.

You gasp and for a moment he thinks the surgeon hurt you. Floyd’s half way off the wall when he hears it

“Floyd? Is dat you?” and he’s chill. Two big strides and he’s leaning over your head with a shark-tooth grin.

“Oh mY sEvEn iT iS i’m not hallucinating your handsomeness, right? Doctor this stuff doesn’t make you hallucinate, right?”

Oh so you think he’s handsome?

“G o o d. Listen I know that soon my mouth is going to be all bloody, but I love you so you’ll have to deal with my kisses anyways, okay?”

Oh, so you love him?

Floyd laughs loudly, planting a large kiss on your cheek as you drift off into sleep. The surgeon takes his moment of euphoria to nudge him out and he doesn’t fight back. Instead he shoves both hands into his pockets and moves to wait outside of the door.

Now that he knows you love him, all he has to do is wait and see if you remember. If you do? Cute. Prepare to be smothered. If you don’t? Watch out. He’s been itching to have some fun

Ace Trappola

After everything you have done for this twat, he better take care of you after your surgery

Ace was one of the first to find out something was wrong. The way you would clutch your mouth in pain occasionally, overkill brushing your teeth (putting Trey to shame), and constantly check in the mirror after meals? Definitely not subtle in the slightest.

Ace is also the one to make you see the nurse. He passes it off as being annoyed at your habits, but Ace is actually concerned for your health. You’re always busy looking after everyone else, so someone has to look out for you, y’know? Not that he would ever admit it.

He even offers to go with you for the consultation, but you owe him lunch. Ace is very snarky about giving up his time until he hears your name and surgery in the same sentence

He is the one who is actually scared on your behalf. Not because of the surgery, but more-so about your response to it. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that you aren’t from twisted wonderland, but for Ace it is something he thinks about every day

You’re his best friend. What if the procedures they use in TWST aren’t normal for your body? What if they hurt you?

He pushes this down, eyeing you from his peripheral vision to gauge your reaction. Good thing he did because you look like a nervous wreak

“H-hey. It’s not so bad, y’know? Everyone gets it done at some point and you’ll even get a few days off from school,” he tries to comfort you, placing a stiff hand on your shoulder and walking you home.

He doesn’t offer to stay with you. He wants to but thinks that someone more responsible like Riddle would be a better fit.

Ace can’t resist when you ask him though. He sighs casually and shrugs as if to say, “it can’t be helped,” but on the inside is panicking. He can barely take care of himself, let alone another person?

On the day of the surgery you are much more calm than he expects. He jokes around, saying things like “it’s because i’m here,” and “you can’t do nothin’ without me huh?” all while expecting you to fight back. Ace is confused when you shrug him off yet don’t deny it

“Just say if anything hurts, alright? They know what they’re doing but don’t keep anything to yourself,” he feels the panic rising again when you’re given the laughing gas and IV drip. He gently holds onto your knee, standing next to the bed as you begin to passionately rant about the hell the students and staff at NRC put you through

Panic disappears quickly, believe it. The poor surgeon is now baring witness to an all out verbal brawl between their half-conscious patient and a hotheaded idiot

“OH SHUT. UP. I wouldn’t be stuck with with half the shit I am if I wasn’t in love with you! Be f*cking grateful and let me sleep!”

…….

O_O

He is out. Ace doesn’t even wait until you are fully asleep to leave. The moment those words leave your lips he is out the door and sitting in the waiting room and whipping out his phone

Man’s sweaty ass hands can’t hit dial quick enough

“Trey please help me, what do I do-“

[bentosandbox]

some thoughts about Stultifera Navis’s armature 3 ft. Spalter op rec

Part 1 here / Part 2 here

Part 3 of my stupidity and also probably the post most people will be interested in because I accidentally translated the entirety of Spalter’s op rec before I wrote this so I will stick it somewhere...I tried to cover the skaspec dynamic as it went through the event but this is definitely not an exhaustive rundown of their interactions

Spoilers for Stultifera Navis as usual and the op rec

ok first things first There’s a parasite in my brain being like "you know your post sounded kinda ableist lol, you know it yourself that even getting through the day is already hard enough sometimes and you still want to ‘better myself’ lmao" yes yes calm down other me and anyone else I will explain

Basically I think there was a ‘mindless consooming is not good’ message but more importantly,

Recognising issues that aren’t outwardly destructive or seem minor at first glance are still issues worth trying to figure out/improve on: ie. I wish I could have read this story a good 10+ years ago instead of just being like “Well I don’t feel like jumping down a window so I’m fine! I’m fine! (is actually fucking depressed)” and only realise from some random tweet on the bird app that actually, not wanting to live can also be considered being suicidal. Wowza ok back on topic

1 Be cringe and be free

At the beginning of SN Skadi is fretting over Specter’s phasing between her different selves and asking if Gladiia really had to bring her along with them on their journey.

Sometimes when we’re dealing with someone that needs help, when we help them, we forget that they’re still their own person. And then Gladiia says this banger of a line:

BUH BUH BASED?? That’s right this was a swordfish appreciation post after all haha gotcha!! But really though, as Specter gets more and more of her memories back Gladiia is like “nice” but also says they’ll wait for her old self to come back,

And that she’s the same as them, she’s no less normal as they are.

It's not like she's completely 'fine' either; she still struggles with it as they head towards the Ship of Fools ™

o..i love abyssal hunters…. let’s get back on topic

On the boat she finally returns to her ‘old’ self, but says that she doesn’t really mind her nun-sona:

It’s not a real or fake thing, they’re both valid identities to her, she just likes one more.

And even thanks one of the deep-sea cultists for how she ended up like she is now

And outright says that being un-normal is okay!

2 Take it easy

As someone who feels compelled to always spend their time wisely and productively, stories with a ‘its ok to do useless things they're part of life’ message always hit me hard so let's dive(hehe) into Specter’s Operator Record:

In SN Specter says that Gladiia taught her how to dance from when she was small, and the op rec opens with her induction into the Abyssal Hunters

And teaches her how to dance.

It then cuts to Gran Faro after the events of SN where now Specter is teaching Skadi how to dance and then also asks her to teach herself how to sing.

They practice for a moment before Gladiia shows up and tells Skadi that Kalt’sit wants some more tests done, so she leaves for that and our swordfish and shark go for a walk.

While admiring a rocky outcropping with Gladiia, who just sees the rock as “abstract”, Specter offers an alternative; it is beautiful, because its a “coincidence created by time and nature,” as opposed to how statues in Aegir are made; rigid, troublesome, takes a lot of time and resources.

As if they momentarily switch positions of teacher and student, Specter offers Gladiia to try a kind of scale fin snack. Gladiia deems it unnecessary, which Specter agrees to, but offers again anyway.

It may not provide any practical use, but is useful in other ways.

She talks about the beauty of everyday occurrences in nature:

And then invites Gladiia for a dance with them using each other’s names instead of their titles or nicknames:

The temporary erasing of the responsibility of being Abyssal Hunters, the suspension of superior-subordinate hierarchy, a moment shared between just two regular “daughters of the ocean” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes we forget that we can enjoy the most trivial things. Sometimes that smallest useless thing can be what keeps you from falling into the abyss. I know this too personally cough

Gladiia goes back to work and Specter spots Irene heading towards the lighthouse, and follows our little birdie–

Sike surprise rant time. Nevermind the fact during the whole story till the end Specter mostly sees Irene like a little pet bird to play around with, people can ship whatever you want(ther was a really great scene towards the end of the main story too actually), but I’m so fucking tired of EN-only children and their selective reading completely missing the point that Irene basically just went back to her father figure++'s grave(Remember the cool head Inquisitor from UT? He ded) to try and connect to him again because she felt lost and Specter was like cheering her up and these people are just being like GIRLS BE FRUITY!!

Don’t get me wrong either they look cute together but that is probably the worst fucking possible moment to do this. Imagine going to someone's grave and his daughter is standing with someone pretty next to the grave mourning/talking and your reaction is haha don’t they look so gay together!

Before anyone pulls a “It’s not our fault we can’t read CN to read the entire SN to find out he died there!” They literally mention it explicitly in the op rec so you didn’t even have to read the entirety of SN in the first place:

Specter plays with her for a bit trying to cheer her up, but also imparts a very important lesson:

Perhaps I am over reacting because this part hit me the hardest out of all the entire event 😄 I kept wondering if it was wise to keep this whole thing but you know what. it’s my own blog and how can I write about being cringe and free and then do the exact opposite

Before they part, Specter reintroduces herself as the 2 different identities she has now, but it’s not the shark and the nun:

Specter and the Aegirian; her duty and destiny intertwined into one that she cannot and will not escape from, but also herself.

Conclusion: I was trying to install a dark theme on my google sheets I use for translation and this came up and i thought it was very apt so here it is

In Specter1′s second op rec(en loc called it “I, Namely I” but idk I think “I am Me” is more succinct and to the point...) she sings a song (and sings it again in SN)

When she prayed♪The stars ceased to shimmer♪

And when she wept♪The night let out a smile♪

And as she lamented♪The anguish sprawled upon her madness♪

At the end of this op rec she sings it again but puts her own spin on it

When I pray ♪The stars ascend into the night♪

When I dance♪The two moons shed their black veils♪

When I smile♪The sea will witness my joy♪

Man I love stories about coping and dealing with trauma and taking agency;

Nihilism vs Existentialism;

Nothing in life matters! (derogratory) vs Nothing in life matters! (affectionate)

If you like stories like that a very recent and very accessible exploration of this is the kino of the year; Everything Everywhere All At Once yes the whole point of this was to make people go watch it (iirc digital release is next month or so so it should be even more accessible)

My friends also know this too well but I cannot stop recommending Heike Monogatari, directed by Yamada Naoko of Liz and the Blue Bird fame, its only 11 episodes too, it was so good it made me trawl through the entire (modern translation) of the original war epic

Bonus AKA don’t take this seriously unless you want to I guess I cannot stop you

Skaspec is the jesus/judas of Arknights because my friend said so and I believe it (does not provide any evidence) Ok but it’s so funny that Skadi just kuudere’d Specter and comrade zoned her in the op rec lol..you do all that and you’re like “that was just my duty” ok orca

To be honest though I love how Skadi technically has the most ‘monster’ within her(she has the blood of the thing she killed back then within her) but she’s undeniably the most ‘human’ of the trio and to Specter; She misses the old Laurentina so much and wants her back so bad but she also comes to respect that Specter is also part of Laurentina, is also Laurentina herself.

Last but not least

[heliosynchronisity]

Defrag Protocol - Cyborg!reader x Doc Ock

#sick-fic, #comfort, #established relationship etc.

mini CyDoc sick-fic cuz im epic and was sick this past week. You could also consider this a teaser for my actual cyborg!reader x Doc Ock fic. I promise you it’s coming 🥺

(also I was gonna wait till I had proper accompanying art to post this, but it kinda sucked so... ur just getting a crop of the sketch for now. Might try again later XD that and im just rly excited about how the fic turned out ok i wanna post it!!!)

-anyway, fic under the cut:

You slowly awaken to muffled daylight assaulting your senses. Otto is already up and awake, letting you get an extra hour or two’s rest. You realize, however, that upon trying to move; your arms feel like lead, followed by your head and legs. Moving them feels like wading through molasses and as you come to your senses you feel your head begin to pound as well.

You’ve never felt like this before, are you sick? You’ve never really had a true cold or flue before. The nanobots in your blood lend to a pretty overpowered immune system. At worst you’ve had a few sniffly days during the winter. But as you groan lightly, trying to make head or tail of your body, you can tell that something is seriously wrong.

You sense Otto’s eventual return and the expected gentle shoulder touch. The whirring of his actuator’s seeming louder than usual in your weaker, more sensitive state. You let out a meek groan in return to him gently shaking you. It’s much wearier than your usual wake up refusals and this elicits a quick response from one of the actuators. Larry, you think, just from the sound, quickly rushes to your side and gives you a once over. “Are you alright, dear?” Otto asks, now circling the bed. You can merely curl yourself tighter into a ball, tucking yourself under more sheets in pain. An actuator claw gently lifts some of said sheets off of your head tho, so Otto can see your face a little more clearly. He quietly kneels down next to you. “Are you sick?” he asks, brows furrowing with worry. You merely shrug in response, you’re not entirely sure yourself.  You almost forget to respond, having gotten a little lost staring into his big brown eyes, looking up at you with gentle concern. Concern for you, makes your chest feel warm inside, or is that just the fever? “I don’t know...” You start “I’ve never been sick before... ” Thankfully, while meek, your voice sounds mostly normal, and it’s just your internal systems failing on you. “Computer virus?” He suggests, you reply with another tired shrug. Otto tilts his head dotingly before standing up, gently removing the sheets from your curled form. “Come here.” The cold of the morning air is quickly replaced by the warmth of Otto’s arms as he swiftly picks you up, bridal style. You may be a little heavier than someone of your usual height and weight class, due to all the metallic add-ons floating about your body, But Octavius continues to pick you up with ease. It’s relieving knowing that the apparent weight of your limbs is, in fact, merely in your head. You’ve gotten used to being picked up and carried around by the doctor, often preferring this method of traveling from place to place over walking... or flying. But its more often in the form of piggybacks or being coiled up in an actuator arm, even now being carried close to his chest still gives you butterflies. You don’t dislike it tho, in fact you snuggle against him more as you tuck your heavy arms against your body for warmth. Your limbs feel like you can feel every metal cable muscle strand in there for once, you really hope you’re just temporarily sick, this is really not the ideal operational status for a rogue overpowered military cyborg. You’re barely able to keep your eyes open but you sense the two of you approaching the small computer station you set up in a corner of the apartment. Otto kicks out the chair a little before sitting down and setting you in his lap. One arm still wrapped around you keeping you in place, the other reaches for the keyboard and enters the login. As the computer logs in and the multiple monitors slowly flick to life you feel the back of Otto’s hand rest against your forehead. This is met with a small ‘Hm.’ before both hands now work around you, searching the desks for some cables. You blearily exist in and out of consciousness as Otto continues to work. You gently rest you head on his shoulder and chuckle as you receive a quick forehead kiss from the man currently wrapped around you. You sleepily nuzzle into him more as you feel a hand fall onto the back of your neck. You’ve run through a few diagnostic sessions with Otto before, so with practiced precision he removes the protective plate covering the access panel on your neck, followed by the plugging in of two cables to several ports near your cervical vertebrae. You feel the usual rush of energy flow into and then out of you as data is uploaded to the machine. You must have moved a little in reaction as you feel Otto run a hand up and down your back comfortingly. You return to snuggling up against his chest as you watch streams of data appear in the corner of your vision. You’re too tired to look at any of the screens right now and just let the Doc do what he need’s to do, he’s familiar enough with your code now to decipher it. You’re jostled around lightly as Otto goes about entering commands and running diagnostics, but for the most part you remain sleepy and cozy in the arms of the scientist. “Anything interesting?” You ask after a short while, your strength seeming to come back to you slightly. The diagnostic process must be correcting some of the minor errors, but you still struggle to lift your limbs. “Mmm, it’s hard to say for sure...” He starts, his voice still a little groggy from waking up as well, it rumbles through your chest gently. “Looks like they may be some new bad sectors-” “There are plenty of redundancies,” You interrupt, with a yawn “try running a defrag protocol." Otto nods “Bad files clogging up over time causing compounding errors...” He adds on to your statement. “Yeah, something like that,” You nod back in return. “hopefully...” You add, quietly. “We’ll find out, love.” To this you get another quick kiss from him before he quickly writes in a defragging program into the terminal. ... “Have you done this before?” He asks, suddenly hesitating before hitting enter and executing the code. “Nope.” You shrug, “It’ll be fine don’t worry,” You chuckle, "I’ve done worse.” You hear a sigh escape the man before the sound of the enter key being hit. Suddenly begins the familiar tingling sensation of new code being uplinked to the computer half of your brain, then it’s quickly replaced with a new sensation. Your thoughts and memories, all for a moment get juggled around inside your brain, dancing around in your minds eye. You close your eyes so you don’t feel your eyes dart across the room as if you were in REM sleep. But as quickly as it came it starts to dissipate and your mind begins to feel clear, very clear actually. It almost feels like someone’s taken a pressure washer to the inside of you brain. You sit up a little, Otto watching over you silently and carefully. Slowly but surely you feel the strength return to your limbs and you roll out your back and shoulder muscles. You’re definitely feeling much better but it also feels like you just ran several marathons, you’re still gonna have to take the day or two to recover. “Feeling alright?” Otto asks, having watched you stare at your finally functioning limbs for several long moments. You lean your head back in his arms, now actually able to look at him in the eyes and smile. “Yeah, much better.” You say, stretching out your limbs. You hear a gentle sigh of relief from Otto who smiles back at you. “So no computer virus?” “No, no computer virus.” You laugh. “Thankfully I don’t go around plugging myself into random internet-connected computers, so it shouldn’t be too much of a threat.” You continue, gesturing to the cables coming out of the back of your neck. “But it’s good to know, even military grade cyborgs need to practice basic computer hygiene” You laugh. “Military grade prototype cyborgs.” Otto jests, gently poking the back of your left shoulder, where your tattoo reading the numbers #01 sits, currently hidden under the oversized t-shirt you slept in. You roll your eyes and click your tongue in response. You continue to wriggle and stretch in the doctors arms as you work the knots and weight out of your cybernetically enhanced limbs. Otto takes this time to terminate the data connection and gently pulls the cables out of your neck. He is much more gentle than you used to be with those, you laugh to yourself. After you’re all put back together, Otto leans back. “Time for something to eat, you think?” He asks, lifting an eyebrow. “Oh, that sounds like a very good idea!” You reply back, enthusiastically. But nary a movement is made by you. Instead you snuggle up against his chest again, looking up at him expectantly. He shakes his head and lets out a breathy chuckle before lifting you up and carrying you bridal style again. Of course, not without pretending to drop you on the way out. “Whoops!” “Hey!”

[nobodyfamousposts]

Chloe's Lament Part 2

Next part of Chloe's Lament. Chloe begins to learn of the changes to reality from her Wish.

She will not be happy about this.

____________________

When Chloe woke up, the first thing that struck her was the loud banging sounds from somewhere below her.

The second thing was pain.

“I have a headache!” She called out, laying an arm over her sleep mask-covered eyes. Her butler would hear her and respond accordingly, of course. He always did.

“And get them to stop that racket down there!” She flopped on her bed with a huff, waiting for the help to return with aid.

Really, the things she dealt with!

Normally, her butler would arrive immediately, with painkillers and fruit-infused water being presented to her within a minute.

But to her growing frustration, that minute came and passed.

Then two.

Three…

Not that Chloe was counting.

Eventually, it had been five minutes and there was still no word from the man. And to make matters worse, that damn banging from below was only getting louder and increasing her suffering.

“Ugh! Do I have to do everything myself?!”

She ripped off the sleep mask, only to wince at the level of brightness in the room. She was on the top floor with the best visibility but the windows were supposed to be tinted and covered to prevent this very thing!

Once her vision cleared, several things should have stood out as odd.

But the first thing to attract her notice was the sleep mask she had just removed—some cheapo dime-store brand. She tossed the rag away with a shriek.

“Is this a prank?!” She demanded. “That is not my personalized diamond-studded satin custom made facial mask! Jean? Jean!”

There was a ruckus from below. The sound of something being dropped. Footsteps—loud and fast and getting closer. Then the opening of a door.

“Precious! Is everything okay?”

She sneered at the sound of her father’s voice.

“No! My sleep mask was stolen, it’s too bright, my head is KILLING me and no one is getting me anything to help!”

He looked confused at that. “Are you out of Efferalgan in your bathroom cabinet?”

She gave him a look. Why would she have to get up and go to the bathroom for some painkillers when there should be someone to hand them to her?

He gave her a strange look in response. Like he was confused his daughter would expect someone to do something as simple as bringing her painkillers and water.

And water.

Preferably cherry-infused.

Was that really so much to ask? Or even require asking?

“Just…hang on a moment.” He said and left her her bathroom.

Finally.

With nothing to do but wait, she glanced around, noting that…this was not her room.

Not the one she knew, anyway.

The light that had blinded her before was from a central window overlooking the room that so obtrusively settled on her bed. In addition, there was a skylight placed above a nook set behind her bed, which brought more light into the room.

She vaguely recognized the room. Well, by its floor plan, at least. The layout and decor threw her off though. The furniture and items were clearly cheaper than her usual high end designer brands. But she saw aspects that were suited to her tastes. Minute indications of her own touch in the assortment of objects around her. Yellow and white as the themes. Black cushions and aesthetic.

It was…decent. But so beneath her it was embarrassing! These were cheap models! Practically plastic! The bedsheets were…ugh…cotton of all things! The lamps were dim! She was missing her boudoir! And her shoes! And her jewelry! She didn’t even want to imagine the nightmare that was her closet—it was practically a hole in the wall! There was no way it would fit everything!

“Here you are, dear!” Her father said, returning from her bathroom with a glass of water and a pill in hand.

She fought the grimace.

Was this tap water?

Gross!

By his expectant look, he clearly meant for her to drink it.

With her continuing headache and no better option for fast relief, Chloe reluctantly took the proffered items. She was unable to help the slightest grimace before she downed them both.

“Well, if that’s all, I’ll be getting back to setting up for the morning rush. Come downstairs to the bakery when you’re ready.” He looked almost relieved to be leaving.

Chloe barely took notice now that she had what she needed. Instead, she took to contemplating her situation and her new surroundings.

All the furniture aside, this room looked familiar. Not really well known, because Chloe was sure she had never been in such a place before. But…like she had seen it somewhere…TV maybe?

And her Daddykins was here. That meant…wherever she was, it was apparently expected for her to be here.

But where was here?

The last thing she remembered was…

She closed her eyes, straining to think past the pain.

That’s right! Hawk Moth’s offer! The Bee! She was Miracle Queen! And she had just won! She had Ladybug beaten…

Her fists clenched.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng…

It hit her.

This was just like her room!

She had only seen it a couple of times. Once for sure when Sabrina had snuck into her room per Chloe‘s instructions for blackmail material. She happened to glimpse a picture of the room here or there from other people’s phones of times that they had spent in this room—that she had really cared. It was a small and dingy room that had nothing on her glamorous abode at the hotel, which of course, was superior in every way.

She was vaguely reminded of that one show that Marinette hadn’t stopped talking about which had also apparently shown Marinette‘s room, but Chloe honestly hadn’t been bothered enough to watch it, so she didn’t have that to go on. But with what she did know, it was a safe bet to assume that this was some knockoff of Marinette‘s room.

So why was Chloe here? Why was her dad downstairs?

She… she had made the Wish, hadn’t she?

…

…

…

What…is this it?

She turned up her nose at the environment around her, completely unimpressed.

Was this dinky little room with its weird setup and tacky decor what the Wish gave her? Why would she be in any copy of Dupain-Cheng’s room layout anyway?

The Wish should have changed reality, that much was clear. There was no way she would be caught dead in Dupain-Cheng’s room otherwise—much less sleeping there like it was her own room!

…unless…it was her room?

Was it?

She had found some aspects of the room to her taste, but did that mean this was hers?

It would explain why she was there. And why her Daddy had come up. He had mentioned her bathroom earlier, then had gone through the nearby door to get a tablet and water from what she could only assume was the bathroom he had spoken of.

…he had mentioned a bakery.

Eyes wide, she stumbled out of bed and to the window. Sure enough, the school was just across the way. And there was a sign out front.

“Bourgeois Bakery”

Chloe stared.

Suddenly, it clicked. The banging from downstairs. Her Daddy talking about a ‘morning rush’. And to come down to the…

…no way!

This place was a bakery! Her Daddy was operating a bakery!

And given her location, it was the same bakery that Marinette’s parents owned originally!

This…

…wait…

…did this mean she was supposed to be Marinette?

She threw her pillow in a fury.

Stupid Wish! This wasn’t at all what she wanted!

You would think all-powerful Wish-granting artifacts would do it right!

“Where are those kwamis?!” She demanded, jumping out of the bed and looking around for anywhere she would keep such important jewels. “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind!”

She had a boudoir along with the various jewelry pieces kept there ranging among a variety of gold and diamonds—all fakes, much to her disappointment. And not a single Miraculous among them.

She slammed the final drawer in with a curse.

Nothing!

If she had the Miraculous, shouldn’t they still be with her? Do they just disappear after being used?

Ugh! Those things really were useless! Utterly useless!

It was when she stood back to full height that she noticed the monthly calendar. There were the standard holidays, but also a weekly appointment every Friday evening with some ‘Bridgette’. What was that? A spa day?

She shot a glance to her reflection in the mirror and grimaced. She definitely needed one. She could just feel all the oils on her skin!

But more to the point, there was one day circled on the calendar.

‘Start of School’

She grabbed her phone—an older, obsolete model with a glittery but fake casing—and checked the date.

That…

That was today.

It was the first day of school. A…

She checked the date again, and sure enough, it was a year ago!

Had the Wish taken her back in time?

She froze, realization hitting her.

This was the first day of school. The same day as the first akuma attack.

And when Ladybug first appeared.

That meant…she was sent back in time to the day Marinette would become Ladybug.

It was a year in the past. She wasn’t at the hotel. Her room was in a bakery. Her father was working as a baker. She was Marinette now.

That meant…

She giggled, feeling a giddiness rise within her.

Today was the day she becomes Ladybug!

It looks like the Wish did something right, after all!

Chloe grinned, spinning away from the mirror and to her closet.

She had to get ready! She had to prepare the perfect outfit! Something for the day she becomes a hero!

No. THE hero!

She knew how the Ladybug worked. Hell, she knew the akumas to come. With her prior knowledge and skills, she would know how to use the yoyo and how to use the Lucky Charm better than the old Ladybug ever did! She’d have every akuma in the bag!

Hell, maybe she could force the Ladybug kwami to tell her where the Guardian is so she can get the other Miraculous, too! That way, she could have both the Ladybug AND the Bee again.

And her Adrikens would be her partner! To support her! To stay by her side! Just as it should be!

She paused, something niggling at the back of her brain. There was something she was forgetting.

A glance around the room as she wondered

Of course, the full extent of the change and just what that meant didn’t really hit her until she went downstairs and actually saw her father.

The poor man was in the middle of retrieving a pan lined with croissants from the unbearably hot oven, his hair contained in…fishnet? Latex? Whatever the cafeteria cooks wore when she had no choice but to eat from the school’s lunchroom.

Gross! He looked like a lunch lady!

He didn’t seem to notice her, too busy dancing around the kitchen and checking over the…whatever pastries those were and just looking proud of himself.

Daddykins, no. You’re better than this! How could you be reduced to such a state?

He seemed to notice her staring. “Are you feeling better?” He asked, looking concerned.

“Er…yeah.” She replied. She wasn’t, really, but she couldn’t tell him that. He could try to have her stay home and how would she get to see the fruits of her labors from there?

“Ah good!” He said cheerfully. “It is the first day of the new school year, and you certainly want to…” He hesitated, “…start off on the right foot.”

A pause. He looked at her expectantly, but she had no idea what he was getting at.

He shook his head and turned away for a moment to grab a box before coming back and presenting it to her.

Clearly he wanted her to take it, so she sighed and took hold of the box. A peek inside revealed a number of macarons.

For her? Now this was what she was talking about!

“Oh, Daddykins! You shouldn’t have!”

“Yes,” he said with a nod. “I figured it would be a great way to start off the new year by sharing them with your classmates.”

Ugh. Seriously? All happy feelings vanished in an instant and she shot him a petulant look.

“Why should I have to share?” She demanded.

He hesitated.

She glared, tapping her foot in a clear indication of wanting an answer. Or preferably for him to just say they were all hers.

“It’s a new year and a new start.” Andre said, smiling nervously. “Maybe it’s time to just let bygones be bygones?“

It was a stupid question and she sure let him know it. She stared at him flatly, causing him to wilt.

Andre sighed.

“I know you don’t like her, but…” he hesitated. “Please, just try to get along?”

She blinked.

“Her?”

Wait.

Wait…

It suddenly struck her.

If she was Dupain-Cheng now…

That meant Marinette was in her shoes!

She grinned.

Marinette would be her bully! She’d be the rich bitch daughter of the Mayor and loathed by Paris while Chloe would be—

The one everyone rallied around.

The one Adrikens adored.

The one chosen as Ladybug!

She would have it all!

Part of her hoped the other girl would know about the previous reality…just so she could shove it in her face!

“Just take it slow,” he continued, unaware of her true thoughts. “And then you can report about it to Bridgette at your counseling session on Friday.”

Wait—counseling?

Seeing her expression, he held up his hands in a gesture of peace.

“I know you don’t like it, but it was part of the agreement. You need to make a better impression this year, sweetie.”

“What?”

“She’s the daughter of the Mayor. I’m not sure we can take another…” He trailed off before shaking his head and looking at her imploringly. “You understand, right?”

Oh.

Oh.

She got it!

“Of course, Daddykins!”

Clearly Dupain-Cheng was abusing her influence, just as she thought!

She had to hand it to the girl…a part of her hadn’t been quite convinced that she would go quite that far. But that just proof that Marinette Dupain-Cheng wasn’t so perfect and that even she would be the same as Chloe once in her position!

Chloe knew she would have to bear with the mistreatment for now. No matter how much it would grate her. It would suck to have to have to accept it for any period of time.

Still, it would be worth it! It just meant even more ammunition to use against her once Chloe was Ladybug!

She didn’t even notice the look of concern he gave her or his weak goodbye as she left the bakery with the box in hand. She was too wrapped up in her own thoughts. Particularly her plans.

And what plans they were!

So what if Maribrat had Chloe’s wealth? It wasn’t like she knew the first thing about status or being a symbol. No, Ladybug did that for her and she didn’t even use it right! Not like Chloe would.

She smirked to herself, imagining the future.

Well, as soon as she got the Miraculous, taking the pigtailed down a peg would be the first thing on her list. Maybe a dip in the Seine? Or ‘accidentally’ getting her hit by an akuma or two?

Why limit it to her personally? If Ladybug spoke out against the mayor, who would vote for him? From what she remembered of Marinette’s dad, that oaf had no business being in politics anyway! Then there was the hotel, which would no doubt be a mess with him in charge anyway.

And best of all, she thought with glee, with a word from Paris’s favorite hero, Dupain-Cheng could be implicated as an ally of Hawk Moth.

Who wouldn’t believe it? If Marinette was in Chloe’s place, that meant she had to be a brat despised by Paris. Everyone would likely jump at the excuse to run her out of the city!

It was slightly disappointing that the former Ladybug wouldn’t know why the new Ladybug was so against her or that she had even been replaced, but she didn’t deserve answers anyway.

For once, Chloe was getting everything she wanted. It was like the Universe itself was on her side! Chloe would be the hero with all the Miraculous and status just as she’d always deserved. And everyone would automatically see it and love her while they would already recognize Marinette as the selfish bitch Chloe always knew she was!

It was a win/win for Chloe and all her fans—which was the best kind of win for Chloe.

Sure, it meant she would have to suffer the loss of her basic comforts like a butler, the latest in fashion and accessories, and easy immediate access to a luxury spa for now…but it would be worth it in the long run.

…maybe not the luxury spa. She would kill for the hotel’s oils and masseuse. But she would just have to deal with, ugh, scheduling with a four star locale in the meantime.

It’s for the greatest good, she reminded herself, looking mournfully at her chipped nails.

And besides, she didn’t have to suffer for long.

Today was the first day of school, which signified the first appearance of Ladybug! This was the day she achieved her destiny! Once she became Ladybug, she would be back on top!

So what if her dad was a baker instead of a hotel owner this go around? Who said it had to stay that way? Just as she could use her position to defame the Dupain-Chengs and ruin Marinette, she could endorse the bakery for free publicity. Do special promotions and deals for money. Or even better! She could make the city pay her for her work!

After all, how much was her Miracle Cure worth, really? How much would the city be willing to pay for her to fix the damage caused by akuma fights? It was only what she was owed; the least they could do is compensate her for her time.

Really, it was Marinette’s own fault for not taking advantage while she could. She could’ve been an idol or the city’s star. She could have used the Miraculous to create an army. Hell, Hawk Moth should have been nothing against her! And instead, she just…wasted her potential. On things like loose zoo animals or out of control helicopters, no less!

Chloe wouldn’t make the same mistakes.

And now that Chloe was set to be the city’s hero…

Even if Marinette was rich (for now), it would be nothing compared to what Chloe would have. She would be Paris’s hero! The BEST hero! And unlike that has-been, she at least would use Ladybug’s power and status right!

She didn’t need to be the daughter of the Mayor! Her Mother was still THE Style Queen, Audrey Bourgeois. Adrien Agreste was still her best friend. She was still Chloe Bourgeois, the best thing to happen to Paris! And now as Ladybug, she would still be back on top and ruling Paris in no time!

And it would all start once she got to school.

“Get out of my way!” She exclaimed, shoving some old fart taking his sweet time walking, sending him to the ground and out of her way.

Move aside, peons!

Her destiny awaits!

Back at the intersection, Chloe never noticed the way the elderly gentleman cast her a judging stare from his position on the ground. Or his muttering.

“No, definitely not.”

“Are you okay?” Came a voice.

“Ah, yes!” He replied, accepting the offered hand and taking stock of the girl it belonged to. She was young. In college, likely. “Thank you, young lady!”

“Of course!” She smiled, handing him back his cane. “Do you need help getting home from here? That looked like quite a fall.”

“But don’t you have somewhere to be?” He asked.

“Just school, but I can spare a few minutes if you need…?”

“There is no need for that.” He shook his head. “I will be fine, thank you for your concern.”

Yes, he decided with a smile as he watched her go, this one will do.

_________________

Ugh, walking. Who invented such a thing? She couldn’t wait until she had a personal limo again. This was so not good for her!

Chloe continued plotting as she walked, magnanimously choosing to consider this as part of the reason for revenge instead of its own thing.

And speaking of revenge! Let’s see…

She scrunched her face, trying to remember the events of the first day of school.

There had been that fight with Marinette over her seat. ‘My seat now’, she realized with glee. ‘Which means I’ll be back next to Adrikens!’

Where she should be.

And if she and Dupain-Cheng were now supposed to be switched, that meant ‘the horrible bully Marinette’ would be picking on ‘poor sweet little Chloe’.

She couldn’t wait!

‘Let’s see how you handle being in my shoes, Dupain-Cheng!’

She giggled to herself, ignoring the weirded out looks she was getting from some passing students.

Or the way the other students in general seemed to give her a wide berth.

As they should for the real Queen Bee of this school!

She was already imagining how this was going to go. And with the classroom only a few feet ahead, her vindication was already so close she could taste it!

Except when she finally arrived at the class, it was immediately clear that something wasn’t right.

Dupain-Cheng was there as expected. With her same kiddie pigtails and her pink and grey ensemble with polka-dots—what kind of designer was she anyway?

What wasn’t expected, however, was that Cesaire was already was there as well.

Originally, Cesaire defended Dupain-Cheng and they became friends. If things played out the same, shouldn’t Cesaire be coming in late? Or standing up to Dupain-Cheng here? If anything, they already seemed to be friends.

Unless Cesaire was Dupain-Cheng’s tool like Sabrina had been for her?

It made sense that this new reality would swap more around, she reasoned.

Except…

Chloe frowned. Now that she was actually close enough to the classroom, she could see the classmates gathered into a sort of half circle around Dupain-Cheng and her follower. And as she reached the doorway, she could more clearly hear what they were saying.

“—at the Le Grand Paris.” Marinette said, gesturing to Alya with a smile.

“Wow!”

“So cool!”

“That’s awesome! So you’ve just been staying at the hotel until you can get settled in?”

Alya nodded, smiling. “Yeah. At least for a little while until we could get our own apartment. Mr. Dupain-Cheng was really accommodating. Luckily, we didn’t need it for long before Mom found something. She didn’t want to take advantage of his generosity, but it’s just really amazing that he was willing to offer us room and board just to have Mom as part of his staff!”

Chloe raised a nose in disgust.

Who ever heard of such a thing?! What hotel made any profit letting people stay for free?

“We met when I was cleaning rooms and she offered to help!” Marinette explained brightly.

Chloe nearly gagged.

Cleaned?

Marinette…actually cleaned the hotel?

Why do something that gross?

That’s what the help was for! And Sabrina.

Speaking of, where was she?

Chloe glanced around, but Sabrina was nowhere to be seen amongst the classmates.

Maybe the Wish had done more than switch her with Dupain-Cheng? Maybe Cesaire and Sabrina had been switched as well? So that meant Sabrina should be the new transfer, right?

No wait, that didn’t add up. She had just walked in on Cesaire being introduced.

Sabrina was probably just her best friend, then.

She nodded.

That was good enough, she supposed. At least if she couldn’t have her necessities from the hotel, she still had Sabrina to take care of the more mundane tasks for her.

Unaware of her thoughts, Marinette had continued talking to the others unhindered.

“—said she would be coming to Francios Dupont, and I knew I had to introduce her. She’s new, so be nice.” She instructed, giving a stare to Kim in particular. “Kim.”

The taller boy raised his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. I’ll give her a week before any challenges.”

Alya raised an eyebrow. “Challenges? Dare I ask?”

Everyone groaned.

“No dares.” Nino begged, covering his face with his hat. “Please. Kim is bad enough every year. I still can’t look at the hotel without remembering what happened last time…”

“Yeah, your dumb dare got us banned from the hotel’s pool for a month!” Alix said, pointing at Kim, who shrugged helplessly.

“Speaking of the hotel!” Marinette cut in, pulling out her tablet. “I convinced my dad to let us do this year’s work study at the hotel.” She tapped her tablet. “I have a little bit of influence over what they’ll choose as assignments, so we can try to come up with roles everyone will like.”

“Hey yeah! That sounds awesome!”

The classmates crowded the desk, chatting excitedly.

“So where will everyone go?”

“Maybe Kim and Max in security? Or Alix and Max in security, so Kim could work the pool area.”

“As a lifeguard?” Kim asked cheerfully. “I’ve done some training, after all.”

Marinette sent him a wry look and pretended to be thinking it over. “Hmm, I don’t know. Maybe as a pool cleaner?”

Kim pouted. “No fair, Mari!”

“Hey, it would do you some good to learn the cleaning process for the pools you use so much.” Mylene said, half jokingly and half pointedly, making Kim lower his head and groan.

Marinette giggled a little. “Well at any rate, I’ve set up a list of all the different jobs at the hotel so people can mark their top preferences. Between all the options, everyone is bound to find something that’ll suit them best.”

She sent Adrien a knowing look. “And of course Adrien will be in the kitchen.”

Adrien beamed at that.

Not that Chloe noticed.

“Kitchen?!” Chloe squawked. “You’re going to make my Adrikens work in a dirty old kitchen?!”

She had known Marinette would be bad, but how dare she punish Adrikens like that? She could just see it now! Her poor Adrikens, forced to slave away in a room meant for servants like…like he was a servant! Where he could get covered in grime and burn his precious skin!

Everyone frowned at her, as if she was the one being ridiculous!

The boy in question raised his hand.

“But I want to—”

“That is a flagrant abuse of power!” Chloe shouted, slamming a hand on the desk. “She’s making Adrikens work like a maid! What if his father hears about this?!”

Adrien wilted in on himself.

“The kitchen isn’t dirty or old.” Marinette said, sounding annoyingly calm with a terseness in her tone that Chloe had heard some service workers use when dealing with particularly difficult customers—though why they used it with her was beyond her. It was as if Marinette was acting like she the reasonable one dealing with an unreasonable customer or something. “They just finished the remodeling three months ago, we clean it regularly, and all of our utensils and equipment are taken good care of.”

“That’s not the point!” Chloe shouted. “How could you use my Adrikens in such a way? Gabriel Agreste would never approve when he hears about this!”

Because he would be hearing about this! Chloe would make sure of it!

“I could just explain to Mr. Agreste that this would be for good publicity.” Marinette suggested. “I’m sure he would allow it.”

She knew it! There were really no lows she wouldn’t go to!

“You’re really pushing this! And you call yourself Adrikens’ friend!” Chloe pointed at Marinette accusingly. “Just because your Daddy’s the Mayor doesn’t mean you can treat people like they’re lesser than you!”

Marinette frowned, looking uncertain as her gaze flickered between the others.

Hah! Even in Chloe’s position, Marinette still wavered easily and she couldn’t hide her insecurities to save her life. It was why she always gave in in the end! Anyone would roll over someone showing such an obvious weakness!

Hell, she may not even need to wait to see her taken down. This was a perfect opportunity to lead everyone in rising up against her tyranny.

After a few seconds, she turned back to face Chloe, no doubt to attack her for challenging her and show her true colors—

“Chloe, are you okay?”

Huh?

“My Dad just runs the Hotel. He isn’t the Mayor.”

What?!

“My Mom is. You met her at your…” She hesitated, sending the others a glance before lowering her voice, “…meeting, remember?”

She had to bite her tongue regarding the ridiculousness of Dupain-Cheng’s mother being the Mayor. Was that woman even a French citizen?

But it was the other part of Marinette’s statement that concerned her. What meeting? What was she even getting at? Why was she trying to be quiet about it.

Nevermind! She’d worry about that later!

“It doesn’t matter!” Chloe shouted, forcing Marinette to back away. “The fact is that you can’t just throw your weight around to get your way and treat people however you like! And I’m not the only one who feels that way!” She exclaimed, turning to the classmates in expectation.

…only to get a number of blank or confused stares in response.

“Um, what are you even talking about?” Alya asked incredulously.

What?

“Yeah, dude! Marinette doesn’t treat anyone that way.” Nino added.

What?

“The only one who pulls that sort of thing is you.” Said Nathaniel bitingly.

Since when does that loser talk?

And also, what?!

“And aren’t you supposed to be leaving Marinette alone?” Alix asked, giving Chloe a pointed look.

What even was that about?

“I thought that was the agreement.” Mylene said quietly.

Seriously?! Was everyone on her side?

They were supposed to be silent! Or judging the Mayor’s brat! That’s what they did with Chloe! Instead, they were jumping to her defense!

“Are you serious?” She demanded. “Like she doesn’t abuse her power and authority to push people around!”

“Of course not!” Marinette insisted. And then to Chloe’s rage, seemed to draw herself up even more, actually looking confident and self assured in a way Chloe herself had never felt in her place. “As the daughter of the mayor, I have to set a good example.”

Ex…

Example?

What even was that?

Unaware of Chloe’s short-circuiting, she continued. “And Chloe, I wouldn’t force anyone to do a role that they don’t want. That’s why I brought the list here for the class to review first.” She gestured to her tablet. “That way everyone has a chance to pick what roles they want and we can avoid the ones no one wants to do. How is that a bad thing?”

It wasn’t, admittedly. But Marinette wasn’t supposed to be the one doing it! That was the problem!

“And who put you in charge?!” Chloe demanded of Marinette. “Why are you deciding where we’ll do the work study? What, are you using the Class Rep position to flaunt your family’s hotel?”

It would make sense. Chloe had been the Class Rep for years originally. If Marinette was her…

Marinette just gave her a strange look.

“No. I’m not Class Rep, remember?”

Chloe balked.

“What?”

“Chloe, did you hit your head?” Marinette asked, sounding worried. She held a hand out in offering. “Do you need to go to the Nurse’s Office?”

Chloe jerked away from the girl’s outreached hand. Why would Dupain-Cheng still be acting…nice?

Clearly she must still be pretending!

“Nevermind that! If you aren’t the Class Rep, then who is?”

“Your benevolent dictator is here!” Came a voice. A familiar voice. The last one Chloe expected.

“Hey, Class Rep.” Marinette said, giving Chloe a pointed look while waving to the person behind her.

Chloe turned slowly. She had to force herself to move. The strain made it feel like her bones were creaking.

Behind her, Sabrina stood tall with a tablet in hand and looking…surprisingly well for a new reality as a lackey of someone other than Chloe. She almost didn’t recognize her.

Chloe stood straight, expecting the standard greeting.

To her shock, Sabrina didn’t even look at her, instead moving past her to…

“Wow, Marinette! Nice jacket!” Sabrina said first thing in greeting as she moved over to the other girl in interest.

Marinette blushed at the praise. “Thanks! My dad got me some new fabric and I was inspired to try this style!” She gave a wink. “Now this is just a test run to see how it works out.”

“It certainly looks comfortable.” Sabrina said in awe.

Were…were they ignoring her?

“I have some of the material left.” Marinette said. “I could make you your own for your birthday if you want?”

Oh gag! Why would anyone want Marinette’s tacky creations instead of the latest in season creation?

And there was Sabrina looking like that was something to be excited about!

Oh no! Without Chloe to guide her, she had lost any sense of fashion! No matter how much fuller her hair was or how she no longer looked like a strong wind could blow her away!

Clearly, her life was a tragedy without Chloe!

“And I checked like you asked.” Marinette continued, unaware of Chloe’s glare. “My Dad said we could do the work study at his hotel.”

“Thank you!” Sabrina cheered. “That’ll be one less thing to worry about.”

“Yeah, we were talking about that when you came in.” Marinette explained.

Chloe glared pointedly at the girl over the way she was blatantly ignoring that they had been in the middle of Chloe calling her out! Seriously, what was the point of getting to tell people off for their flaws if they were going to ignore you and pretend it never happened! Really! You can’t just ignore the truth like that!

“We were discussing what positions everyone wanted.” Mylene said. “Even if we can’t get the exact ones we’d like, there’ll at least be options.”

“Juleka and I can clean the ball room!” Rose exclaimed. “It will give us a chance to check the acoustics of the room. We’ve been wondering about the effects and what to expect if our band ever plays in such an area.“

Nino looked intrigued at that. “Hey, that does sound like a good idea. Maybe sign me up for that as well?” He asked, turning to Marinette before mumbling to himself about the echo effect on his beats.

Marinette gave him a nod before turning back to Rose. “I heard you guys just started, didn’t you?“

Rose nodded, beaming. “It’s so much fun!”

Marinette smiled and marked it down on her list. “Then I’ll suggest that for you.”

She paused for a moment, hesitating in clear unwillingness to continue before giving a strained smile.

“And Chloe...”

“How about trash cleanup?” Alix snarked, giving the girl a dark look.

“Excuse you?!” Chloe shouted in outrage. “Do you know who my daddy is?!”

The looks she was given were completely unimpressed.

“A baker?”

“And not even a good one.”

"Hey, his croissants are all right."

Chloe blanched, remembering that her father wasn’t the mayor in this world.

He wasn’t even rich.

He was just a baker now. A simple ordinary not even very good baker who was barely keeping his head above water trying to maintain his business and manage his teenage daughter.

And that made Chloe���

Nothing.

Her go to tactic now had no power.

But…but Sabrina! She realized in a flash that her minion was apparently the Class Rep! She could have her back her!

But when she spun around to look, the girl had actually just abandoned her and the gathering altogether to sit next to Mylene of all people! Mylene! And they were just…chatting! Since when did those two spend time together! And why wasn’t Sabrina there for her?!

“Chloe!” Came the only voice worth listening to.

Oh, Adrikens! Of course you would always be there for her!

She spun to him in expectation. Because of course her Adrikens would be on her side! Her savior! Her only ally against such cruel tyranny—

But he didn’t look happy. Or in any way amicable to her. “Don’t forget!” He whispered sharply to her. “You’re still on probation! You can’t start another commotion before the first class of the school year has even started!”

Chloe blinked.

Pro…

Probation?

…

…

…

Her?!

“How am I on—?!”

It was impossible! She had never had a criminal record! She’d never even committed a crime! Or anything that warranted getting in trouble over!

Regardless of what Ladybug said, since she clearly had it out for her.

“Just leave Marinette alone.” Adrien whispered, turning her away from the rest of the group and…her. “Please.”

She didn’t want to. There were so many questions and so many things she wanted to demand right now. She was very well inclined to make demands regardless, because she didn’t know what was going on and she needed answers.

But it was her Adrikens asking.

And she didn’t have much chance to say anything else as Bustier had chosen that time to arrive.

“Welcome back, everyone!” The woman greeted cheerfully. Her arrival cut off all other discussion as the students made their way to their desks. “I hope everyone had a good break and that we’re all ready to start the new year.”

A chorus of affirmations followed as everyone took their seats.

Everyone except Chloe, who was glancing around the room in confusion.

None of this was right.

She had expected to fight with Marinette over her seat to get to sit behind Adrien, but he was sitting at the back next to Nathaniel. And Marinette was sitting in the mid row on the other side from him, pulling Alya to sit next to her. But if she wasn’t sitting behind Adrien, what was even the point of challenging her for her seat?

…where even was Chloe’s seat?

She would have sad next to Sabrina, but that traitor hadn’t moved from her spot next to Mylene and left no room for Chloe! And nobody else was calling Chloe over—so if someone else had taken Sabrina’s place as her best friend, she had no way of even knowing who it was!

“Chloe,” Bustier called to her, ever so gently. “Your seat is up at the front, remember? As we discussed the last time we met.” She gestured to the bench at the front.

It was across the one Chloe had sat at previously, being the front desk closest to the door. And to her frustration, there was no one sitting with her! How else was she supposed to get her assignments copied? And wasn’t that the seat that loser, Nino, had been put in because he got in trouble? Chloe wasn’t in trouble though!

Adrien’s words about probation hit her, making her wince.

…was she?

She wanted to ask. She wanted to stomp her foot and demand the answers she deserved.

But Bustier was staring at her expectantly. And she could hear some giggles and snickering from behind her the longer she waited. She glanced back to Adrikens, but…he wasn’t even looking at her! He was conversing with Nathaniel over something on his sketchbook!

How could a sketchbook be more important than his best friend?!

With little other choice, Chloe slid into the front desk, blushing furiously in humiliation and trying to ignore everyone behind her.

It didn’t matter.

None of them mattered!

None of this would matter once she got the Miraculous and put Dupain-Cheng in her place! Then everyone would know SHE was the Queen Bee!

She was sure of it!

[nebulablakemurphy]

Miss American Pie

Chapter Three: Bye Bye

Warning: This series features a romantic Yelena Belova x Fem!Reader relationship.

Summary: After freeing the widows from chemical subjugation and destroying the red room, you and Yelena finally settle down.

Part 1 & Part 2

The widows welcome you, the ones you trained with and the ones you didn’t. After Dreykov was gone and you had nothing but time. Melina and Alexei go to work on replicating the antidote. Creating enough to free all chemically subjugated agents.

It’ll take time. But the more you free the more are willing to help. Some of the widows just leave once they are given freedom. Ready to wash their hands of all of this and start living. You understand that more than anything. Eventually the operation is running on such a large scale they hardly need you at all.

Natasha hasn’t reached out since you separated after the red room. Probably off with the Avengers trying to save the world again. No one blames her, for her inability to be still. Not even Yelena.

“So,” you plop down on the couch beside Yelena. “What’s the plan now?”

“I don’t know.” She admits, staring up at the ceiling. “To be honest, I didn’t think I was going to make it this far.”

“Yeah.” You tug at a loose strand of her dirty blonde hair. “That makes two of us.”

“We could pretend to be normal.” Yelena offers. “What would a normal person do?”

“Don’t know,” you shrug. “I’ve never been one.”

“Maybe...settle down.” Yelena’s eyes are far away.

“Would you have wanted to-“ You break off, trying to sort out the words. “I mean if you could…would you have a baby?”

She raises her brows, “I never thought about it.” A long pause. “I wouldn’t know how to be a mother.”

Neither would you. You’ll never be right. Whatever that is, was, or might have been. Always a little too guarded and rough around the edges. “You never waste time thinking about things you can’t have.” You sink farther into the cushions, her pinky skates over your own. Taking the invitation you twine your fingers together.

“I thought about you.” She lowers her eyes to the coffee table. “Everyday. Until I couldn’t anymore.”

“I-“

“The red room took that from me too.”

You shake your head at her. “They can never take anything from you or anyone else ever again,” you whisper. “And to be clear you can have me.”

A laugh rumbles out of her chest at the news. “I can?”

“I mean if you still want me.” You tease, “I know that the chase is half the fun for you. So I can keep on running. I’m one foot out the door-“

“I am tired of running.” Yelena murmurs, curling up against your side.

“Me too.” Your chin rests atop her head.

“Then stop doing it!” She scolds, slapping your arm playfully in retaliation.

“I will if you will.” You know why she runs. The same reason you do. Because you’re afraid. That maybe some parts of you are too broken to love.

She mulls it over for a moment. “Truce. I don’t run. You don’t run.”

“Deal.” You give her fingers a squeeze.

“Except into the face of danger.” She clarifies, only half kidding. “Then we run, straight ahead.” Yelena motions with her free hand. “But together.”

“Together.” You agree, with a soft smile.

“We could get a dog.” The tone of her voice tells you that she is invested in the idea.

“I wouldn’t mind a dog.” You prop your feet up on the coffee table.

Yelena hates anything but a straight answer. Still feeling the need to convince you, she presents the facts. “Dogs are really cool! They have special powers.”

You chuckle, “dogs do not have powers.”

“Yes!” Yelena argues, “they can predict natural disasters and judge character.”

“That’s a special power?” You quip, “I can do that too.”

She grumbles under her breath.

“I want one.” You sigh. Feeling all the tension leave her body.

“I knew you did.” She smiles, contently.

———————————————————————

Dogs might have powers, but the only thing your puppy currently seems to posses is the ability to chew up anything in her path.

“Yelena have you seen my-“ you pause, taking in the scene before you, “shoes.”

“Don’t be angry,” Yelena holds up a hand.

The tiny puppy beside her squeaks, not quite a bark yet. Your demolished sneaker tumbling to the ground.

“What happened?” You run both hands over your face.

She sweeps the dog into her arms. “I told Fanny we could go for a walk once you got out of the shower. She was excited, Y/N! She was trying to bring your shoes to you. But she got distracted, only a little.”

“A little?” You can’t help but smile.

“Look at this face,” Yelena waves Fanny’s paw at you. “You can’t be mad at this face. Tell her girl. Say, you can’t be mad at me Mom, I’m trying my best.” She brings the dog closer.

You raise a hand to pet Fanny lightly. Yelena’s right of course, there is no being mad at that face. “Let me find a pair of shoes that isn’t mangled. Then we’ll go for a walk.”

“I’ll wait with Fanny.”

“Of course you will.” You retreat to your bedroom. Rummaging through the closet in search of some sort of footwear. You’d settle for slippers at this point. Fanny joins you after a moment. Nuzzling at your ankle as she whines.

It’s not everyday that she follows you, she is Yelena’s dog and never lets you forget it. “You’re really excited aren’t you?” More whining. You scoop Fanny up. “I’m coming, I’m coming.”

You huff, finally locating a pair of sandals. Slipping them on quickly so you can return to Yelena and gloat about being Fanny’s favorite. “Hey baby, I don’t know what you did, but look.” You smile, gazing up as you present the dog…to an empty room. That’s odd. Maybe she’s waiting outside.

You grab the leash Yelena abandoned on the countertop, securing it to Fanny’s collar. “Come on girl. Let’s go find Mama. Where’s Mama?”

Fanny follows you out the door, onto the walkway.

“Yelena?”

Nothing.

You scan the area, no sign of her. “Ok…” Back into the house, you check the bathroom next.

“Yelena!” You shout, knowing you’ll feel stupid once she replies. But she doesn’t.

A buzzing from the cell phone in your back pocket draws your attention. You set Fanny down gently, accepting the call and moving the device up to your ear. “Alexei?”

“Y/N! Oh thank god!” His voice booms through the speaker.

“Are you ok?” You ask immediately. Leaning down to grab the television remote, turning to channel thirteen, still broadcasting it’s usual gameshow.

“I am alone.” He cries through the speaker. “Melina left me with her pigs.”

“What do you mean she left you?” Something is very wrong.

“She disappeared.” He says somberly, “didn’t even say goodbye. I don’t know what I did to deserve this.” The dramatic monologue continues. “I give her back rub every night and then-“

“No,” you cut him off. “Absolutely not.” Under no circumstance is he going to tell you what happens next.

“I have made mistakes, but this! This is cruel.” Alexei, clearly distraught begins cursing in Russian.

“Alexei, I know you’re upset but I need you to listen.”

“What?” He asks. “What is it?”

“Yelena is gone too.” You inform him. Your eyes flicker over the words at the bottom of your tv screen. “People disappeared all over the world.”

You fall back onto the couch, feeling all the air leave your lungs.

More hysteria on the other end of the line. “What are we going to do?”

“I’m gonna find Natasha. Maybe she knows something.” Assuming that Natasha is still here.

“What about me?”

“Come to Ohio. You can dog sit.” You offer, familiar numbness seeps into your limbs.

“I have nine pigs!” Alexei shouts back.

“We have a backyard, don’t worry.” You hang up before he has a chance to argue.

You return to the call screen. Scrolling to find a different contact. Pressing the dial button beside her name.

It rings. And rings. And rings. “Hello.”

“Natasha,” you let out the breath you’ve been holding. “What the hell happened?”

——————————————————————

The Avengers fortress isn’t exactly how you imagined. Not very homey.

You park your car in the lot. Removing your keys from the ignition and stowing them in your back pocket. The clear rectangular keychain with a picture of you and Yelena inside sticks out. Clinking when you round the vehicle to retrieve Fanny from the passenger seat. “Come on, Fanny.”

She wags her tail, waiting expectantly to be carried.

“You’re spoiled, you know.” You sigh, taking the puppy into your arms and closing the door behind you.

The front gate is open but Natasha takes a moment to locate. She cut her hair up to her shoulders, dyed it blonde. “Hello stranger.”

“You got a dog.” She says, in greeting.

“Yeah.” You reply, not in the mood for small talk. “It was Yelena’s idea.”

“I knew she’d sucker you into that.”

“It’s not like she could make me do anything I didn’t want to.” Your finger slides along the edge of the metal table Natasha’s seated behind.

She barks a laugh, “that’s a lie.”

Maybe so. “Nice place you’ve got here.”

“It’s not mine.”

“Still cool. I like the hair too,” you motion toward her blonde locks.

“That’s not really mine either, is it?” She remarks.

“Is anything ever really ours?”

“No.” She frowns. “I guess not.”

“What happened?” You ask again.

“It’s a long story,” Nat crosses both arms over her chest. “You might want to take a seat.”

You clear your throat, pulling out the chair beside her. Fanny curls up in your lap, curious eyes darting about every now and then. You tell yourself it’s because she’s in a new place, but part of you knows, she’s looking for Yelena.

Natasha stares down at her hands. “Have you ever heard of infinity stones?”

You shake your head. “Must be an avenger thing.”

“There were six of them, scattered all over the galaxy. If a person has all six they can use them in anyway they choose. Thanos, used them to eliminate half of all living creatures.”

“Are you the only one left?” You lean in.

“No.” She sniffs, blinking away tears. “There’s others.”

“So where are they?” The place looks abandoned. “Why aren’t you charging into battle?”

“Because we lost. Probably the worst we’ve ever lost.” Natasha clenches her jaw. “By the time we found Thanos again he already destroyed the stones.”

“We’ll try again.” You decide immediately. This isn’t over.

“Will we?” Natasha shakes her head with a smirk.

“If she was gone for good I would know it.” You tell her truthfully. “I would feel it, in my heart and I don’t.”

“You didn’t see it happen. I saw him snap his fingers and-“

You lay your hand over hers, squeezing tight.

“Did you see her go?” She asks, voice just above a whisper. “Yelena. Did you see her?”

“No.” You confess, “I didn’t see.”

Natasha closes her eyes. “That’s why you still have hope.”

“Look maybe you’re right.” You shrug, “even so, now seems like a really stupid time to give up.”

The corner of her mouth twitches. “What’s the dog’s name?”

“Fanny.” You inform her.

“Come on.” She rolls her blue eyes. “You’re kidding right? Tell me you didn’t actually name a dog after one of those stupid aliases Rick made me.”

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

“I guess a dog’s better than a pig.” Natasha reasons. “Are they still here?”

“Not Melina.” You break the news quickly. Like tearing off a bandage. “But Alexei and all nine of her pigs are on their way to our house in Ohio.”

“Sounds crowded.”

“Always room for one more.”

——————————————————————

You stay like that for a long time. Hopeful. Sure that this was all some nightmare that you could wake up from; fight your way out of.

And then five years passed.

Now you come to see Natasha twice a month, just to check in. Alexei and his pigs have taken up permanent residency in the home you bought with Yelena. As for you, you bounce around. Never staying in one place too long.

“Any news?” You wonder, leaning against the doorframe of Natasha’s meeting room.

“No.” She bites out. Kicking her foot up on the desk. “You should move on.”

“Is that what you call this?” You flick your wrist in her direction. “Crying into a peanut butter sandwich.”

“It’s therapeutic.” She waves the bread at you. Tears welled up in her eyes. “You should try it sometime.”

“Nah.” You take a seat, reaching across to make a sandwich of your own. “It’s not the sandwich’s fault.”

“Am I interrupting the pity party?” Steve says, announcing his presence. Captain America is as self righteous as ever.

“Didn’t you grieve for a century over a girl you kissed one time?” You arch a brow at him, licking wayward peanut butter from the pad of your thumb. “Five years is just a drop in the bucket.”

Steve purses his lips, you have a point. “It wasn’t a century.”

“Close enough.” You mumble around a mouthful of your dinner.

“Want a bite?” Natasha offers half of her sandwich to him.

“No thanks.” He takes a step closer. “I’d offer to make you a real dinner, but already look pretty miserable. Where’s your dog?”

“Visiting her granddad.” Everyone and their mother loves that damn dog.

“Oh yeah, my great adversary.” How could he ever forget. “Is he still wearing that stupid suit?”

“I’m pretty sure the suits are stowed away. But it’s been a while since I’ve been there.” Your mind wanders to the vest. The one Natasha returned to you after Yelena was gone. The one you retired because it doesn’t smell like her anymore. Nothing does.

Most things remain untouched in the Ohio house. Your pictures. Your memories. Your plans. You can’t get rid of them. Can’t stomach being around them either.

Someone, a man, alerts the security cameras, pounding on the front door. “Hello? Is anyone home? Hello! Can you hear me?”

“How old is this video?” Steve asks, cocking his head to the side.

“It’s the front gate.” Natasha breathes, enlarging the image.

“Do we know him?” You squint at the man in question.

“It’s me, Scott Lang, Antman. I met you guys at the airport in Germany a few years ago. I had a mask on, you probably wouldn’t recognize me.” He rambles on.

Natasha presses the access panel, opening the gate.

You straighten yourselves out, before he makes it down the long hallway into the common room.

Scott paces, a lot. Nervously rubbing his hands together.

“Scott.” Steve finally cut in. “Are you ok?”

“Have any of you ever studied quantum physics?”

“Only to make conversation.” Nat says, voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Ok. Alright so, five years ago. Right before Thanos. I was in the quantum realm. The quantum realm is like it’s own little microscopic universe. To get in there you have to be incredibly small. Hope, she’s my uh-“ he trails off. “She was my…she was- she was supposed to pull me out. And then Thanos happened and I got stuck in there.”

“I’m sorry that must have been a long five years.” Natasha apologies.

“That’s the thing, for me it wasn’t.” Scott replies. “It was five hours.”

“What a trip.” You snort, absently toying with your belt loop.

“The rules of time are different there. See everything is unpredictable.” He explains, getting distracted by the food in your hand. “Are you gonna finish that?”

“I guess not.” You hold it out to him.

He accepts, gratefully stuffing the bread into his mouth.

“Scott! What are you talking about?” Steve demands.

“So what I’m saying is time works differently in the quantum realm. The only problem is we don’t have a way to navigate it. But if we did, if we could somehow control the chaos; to enter the quantum realm at a certain point in time and exit at another point in time…like,” Scott locks eyes with you then. “Like before Thanos.”

You nod.

“Are you talking about a time machine?” Steve sighs, running a hand over his tense forehead.

“No. No of course not. Not like a time machine but like a…yeah.” There’s no other word for it. “Like a time machine. I know it’s crazy. But I can’t stop thinking about it! There gotta be some way.”

“Scott,” Natasha calls his attention. “I get emails from a raccoon. So nothing sounds crazy to me anymore.”

“So who do we talk to about this?” His eyes flicker between the three of you.

“Don’t look at me.” You hold both hands up. “That’s way above my pay grade.”

Part 4

Series Taglist: @3and30aresoultwins

[folliesandfolderols]

Writing prompts day 37

From this prompt list. If you've read this far, I'm not sure you need any explanation, but the short version is I hadn't written any fiction since 2019, I set a goal to write at least 150 words/day in 2024, and this list was my way to restart. Also I abruptly decided on day 2 I would write an entire Tim/Damian story connecting all the prompts, because I am Good at Judging My Limits. /sarcasm Anyway, I finished the rough draft a while ago and am now unlocking the old entries as I edit.

Read from the beginning here, or on ao3 here

Days 35-36 here

***

135. "I'll be honest; I get off to the thought of you."

***

The spaceship's sleep/wake cycle had been reset at some point while Tim was traveling, probably an automatic function of being planetside, and was completely opposite to Gotham. Tim discovered this fact as soon as sunset began to color the sky the distinct mixture of furious greens, reds, and oranges unique to his hometown. His body informed him that it was ready for a decent day's work—he'd actually caught up on sleep while the autopilot was in charge, and now he regretted it.

Jason arrived first, and Tim refused to examine the wave of relief that swamped him at the realization that he wouldn't have to be alone with Damian.

"Hey, Jason," he greeted as he swung open the door.

"What's up, Timber." Jason unlaced his boots and took them off before stepping past the foyer, unshakeable habit left over from his time in the League. "How was space?"

"You know. The usual. Food I couldn't eat, languages I couldn't speak, idiots who needed rescuing."

"That's not a very nice way to talk about Rayner," Jason said in mock reproval, heading for the couch.

Tim snorted. "He was actually really helpful this time. It's not his fault—" A knock interrupted, and he swallowed the rest of the words as something lurched in his gut.

"Whoa. You still spacesick or something?" Jason asked, raising an eyebrow. "We can reschedule. I'd rather come back later than watch you puke in a trashcan."

Tim forced a smile and headed to the door. "Nah, everything feels like it weighs fifty pounds more than normal and I'm going to be awake for the next 24 hours trying to get back on Gotham time but I'm fine."

He opened the door and nearly choked on his tongue at the sight of Damian in the flesh. Time away had mitigated his recollection so he had sort of mentally combined annoying preteen Damian with his more recent memories. That had . . . probably been an error in judgment, he was realizing, as Damian walked past him, cologne wafting over Tim like a caress, and sat in the most uncomfortable chair like he was making a point.

"Let's make this fast, Todd. I don't wish to spend any more time here than is necessary." Damian's voice was deeper than Tim had remembered. He rested one foot on the opposite knee and leaned back as if he were totally relaxed, but the set of his shoulders told a different tale.

Tim barely remembered to shut the door as Jason chastised Damian for keeping his shoes on—"who raised you, I know Ra’s wouldn't have let you fuck up his floors like this"—and drifted to sit on the couch next to Jason.

Damian raised an eyebrow at Jason's tirade but made no response, and Jason apparently gave it up as a bad job because he opened his laptop without further comment. "So here's what these assholes are up to," he began, rotating the computer so they could see the pictures on the screen.

By the time he was done showing the evidence he'd gathered, Tim had forgotten about anything but the sheer rage throbbing in his temples. "Some of the kids are practically babies. Do their parents know what happened to them? Are they part of it or would it be safe to return the kids home?"

"That's what I need your help to figure out," Jason replied. "I can't find their transfer points, take out their operation heads, root out the lieutenants, and check into the home lives of these kids without you. Hell, I'm not even sure where they're coming from exactly. I didn't take the pictures of the kids, that was one of my contacts in Tulsa, and by the time he got backup to show the kids had been moved on. He did say they weren't speaking Spanish or Portuguese, though, so even though they're coming up through the southern border they're from a place that has a different language. He just didn't recognize it."

Damian hadn't moved during the entire discussion, and anyone who didn't know him would have assumed he was unaffected by its contents, but Tim noticed how his knuckles had gone white where they gripped the arms of his chair. "I will take the job of finding their transfer points. Our previous lack of thoroughness will be remedied."

They hammered out the rest of the details without much more discussion, and then Jason stood. "I've got patrol tonight so I'm gonna head to the Cave. See you, Timmers. Damian, you heading back?"

Damian opened his mouth to answer, but sudden impulse had Tim interrupting, "I've got something for Bruce, Damian, if you can wait for a second."

Damian's gaze flew to his face in obvious surprise, an emotion which Tim completely shared. Why did he always just babble shit out when he was around Damian? This had never been a problem before they fucked, so what was the connection between his dick and his inability to just shut his mouth?

Jason, oblivious, said, "Bye, then," and slammed the door behind him.

Tim spun on his heel and headed for his bedroom, calling over his shoulder, "Be right back. I ran into this Tamaranean who said she knew Bruce while I was on one of the places I made planet-fall, and she wanted me to give him this bottle of liquor I didn't recognize, but Kyle said it was okay and almost definitely not poisonous so I've got it in my bag."

He half-expected Damian to be gone by the time he returned, but instead he was just standing next to the door, looking bored. Tim was so determined to prove to himself that this entire interaction was normal that by the time he stopped in front of Damian, he realized he'd gotten too close. Damian's cologne once again floated over to him and wrapped around his throat like a leash, yanking him still closer.

"Here." He shoved the wrapped bottle into Damian's unresistant hands. "I'll be over at the Cave tomorrow. See you."

He would have made a run for it and let Damian show himself out, but Damian's hand shot out and grabbed his elbow. Tim froze and slowly looked up, making eye contact with some nervousness. That ache in his chest was back, along with the painful cramping in his stomach. Maybe he really was spacesick.

"What's up?" he managed, when no words from Damian seemed forthcoming.

Damian tilted his head, a gleam in his eyes that looked like green ice. "Why are you behaving in this fashion? Have you suffered brain damage in your absence? Oxygen deprivation, perhaps?"

Stung, Tim tried to wrench his elbow out of Damian's grip, but Damian didn't release him. He could have exerted more finesse and broken free with ease, but it wasn't worth the effort. "I didn't know that having a normal conversation was a sign of mental incapacitation. You can go now."

Damian stepped even closer. The heat from his body radiated into Tim's front. "I'm not leaving until you explain your erratic actions. Before you left you had barely said two words to me in months unless I forced the issue. I was actually there at Colu’s demise and you still didn't bother telling me where you were going. And now you're blabbering like someone poured truth serum into your water bottle."

The words hurt, but not as much as the tiny downward twist of Damian's mouth that was a greater sign of distress than he usually allowed himself. Without his conscious approval, Tim's free hand drifted up to cover Damian's where it held his arm. "I hadn’t said two words to you in months?" He had assumed their relationship would naturally return to its previous distant cordiality once Damian no longer required his services, but he hadn't intended to freeze Damian out. He'd let the pendulum of his behavior swing way too far if that were the case.

Damian didn't answer for a long moment, still examining Tim's face like he was trying to read a text in a language he barely spoke. "No. But I supposed that was to be expected, given my childishness. What I don't understand is why you've changed the status quo now."

"You weren't—you weren't childish," Tim said, forcing the words past a lump in his throat. Damn, his body was just falling apart. He needed to never go to space again. "I only—I thought we were done? You asked me for a favor and I delivered and so after that I figured the transaction was finished. We both had a lot on our plates and I guess I thought you were going to go broaden your horizons, work your way down your team’s roster or whatever. They're a lot more age-appropriate than me, anyway."

Damian rolled his eyes and dropped his elbow, though he didn't move away. "I would honestly wonder if you know me at all, if that's what you truly thought I wanted or needed. You don't, though. You should simply admit you weren't attracted to me and took pity on a virgin who begged for help. The truth is preferable to pretending the handful of years between us is an insurmountable gap."

Tim furrowed his brows in confusion. "It's not the truth, though."

Damian scoffed and turned away toward the door. "I've heard enough. Please return to not speaking to me if all you'll do is spout nonsense."

"No, wait!" Tim lunged for him, but Damian caught him by the shoulder and spun him to face him again, slamming up against the door with force that made his shoulder blades sing with pain.

"That is enough," he growled, but his eyes had begun to glitter and his nose was red and it hurt, it hurt to look at him feeling this way. Tim needed a ten-step plan and some advice from his friends but it felt like all he had was ten seconds and his gut, which was churning worse than ever.

"I really am attracted to you," he blurted. Damian straightened, eyes narrowed in guarded skepticism, his hand slipping off Tim's shoulder. "You want the truth? I'll be honest; I get off to the thought of you."

Damian stood immobile for a long second, and Tim stepped aside so he could finally walk out, face burning with embarrassment.

Instead of leaving, though, Damian leaned down and kissed his mouth.

days thirty-eight and thirty-nine here