#anyways thanks to all the Mr Goats for my life

[tornadotorrie]

[tubbypeddle]

hii, I'd like a matchup for percy jackson and one piece please! (I'm using the previous person's request as a template sorry)

I’m a 5’9 girl, have brown skin, dark brown eyes, and curly/coily, brown hair. I have an athletic/rectangle-type body. I usually wear jorts/cargos and graphic tees when I feel masc. I love to wear crop tops and shorts when I feel more feminine.

im bisexual with a preference for men

im usually an extrovert on most days, especially with people I know, but sometimes I'm more introverted. i like to push myself to be a better version of me. i love adventuring, but I also enjoy relaxing a lot. i have a creative and active mind and I talk a lot. i love listening and debating on topics I enjoy.

i dislike people who are rude just to be rude/rude because they think its cool. people who give backhanded comments or gossip. i hate feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated, or just feeling tired in general.

irrational fear of heights lol. but really, im scared of not having a good future, and everything going wrong after college.

my hobbies are, reading, traveling, sports, writing, games, and baking

i love hugs and quality time with people I love, whether that be going out or just chilling at home.

what i prefer in a partner is someone who will be there for me when I struggle and feel overwhelmed. someone willing to be there for comfort, but also someone who isn't afraid of communicating their own feelings.

i think that's it, thank you!

okay so. ignore that this took even longer than it normally would.

because.

if you mention it, I might genuinely crash out

anyway.

(author's note: credits to gif owners, I do not own them. again, I literally cannot apologize enough, I am so sorry these are taking so long.)

It's shocking news. To hear that you're a demigod. The child, of a Greek myth.

Yeah right.

But, you suppose it would explain all the strange things that happened to you in your childhood. Apparently all of those myths that Mr. Brunner told you in school were real.

Because your best friend has goat hooves for feet???

He takes you to Camp Half-Blood, which your (apparently) satyr friend says is the only place safe for demigods like you. Almost everyone is shocked to meet you, especially because you're much older

He takes you to the Hermes cabin, where you'll stay until your Godly parent claims you.

And there, you meet

Travis Stoll

Now it may not be obvious at first, but let me explain.

He's one of the two head counselors for the cabin. Him and his brother personally get you situated into Camp life.

Connor finds you fun and polite enough, but it's Travis who has a crush on you.

It's like at first sight with you.

Connor and Travis have rather different types in women they like, which is why I personally see you with Travis more than Connor.

Connor likes girls who are softer. Maybe a little more "delicate". Girls who giggle at his every joke.

Travis likes his girls a little more athletic, of which there is no shortage of in Camp Half-Blood. He likes girls who are strong. Girl where he doesn't have to worry about them being hurt when he isn't around.

At first though, he doesn't even think his crush will go anywhere. He just likes to admire you from afar.

He's much too busy as a year-round Head counselor. Let alone, the replacement head counselor of a camper gone rogue.

The day his crush on you goes somewhere is when he finds you breaking down in a corner of the Hermes cabin. Your godly parent is just taking forever to claim you. You feel unwanted. Abandoned. Alone.

Now, this is nothing new to Travis. It's like a demigod's rite of passage into Camp Half-Blood.

Doesn't make it any easier to see someone else feeling the same way he did once upon a time.

He comforts you as best he can. He lets you scream and cry, or he lets you throw things around, if that's how you handle things.

And when you're done with your crying, he offers ways to get your mind off of it. Sparring, or drawing with you. Reading whatever textbooks the Big House has.

He even tells you about his own experiences with the gods. His own quests he's been on, big or small. He tells you about how his father claimed him. He isn't afraid of being vulnerable with you, even though all of his instincts are yelling at him to be paranoid.

From there, your friendship becomes something more. You find yourself looking for him whenever either of you have free time.

Since you enjoy active activities just as much as quieter ones, it's rather lucky Travis is the one who likes you. He's the same way.

He doesn't read as much, because even though all the books in Camp Half-Blood are written in Greek, he just doesn't like reading. But he'll listen to you read. He likes listening to you read aloud. Or even if you don't want to do that, he'll probably whittle away at a piece of wood while you draw.

His main love languages are quality time and acts of service after all. This is how he shows you he likes you.

It's very lucky that neither of you enjoy gossip. Travis hates rumors and all that what have you. It's a big reason why he doesn't get along with a lot of the Aphrodite kids.

His favorite dates with you are when you two go out and do something active. Preferably when you two can leave the camp. Not far, probably not even out of Manhattan.

He just wants to take you out to do something fun, that will leave memories that the two of you can cherish for a lifetime.

Honorable mentions!

Frank Zhang

You're actually pretty close to his canon romantic interest type. At least, what I'm imagining, based on your description. He also likes quieter activities, while still enjoying more physical things, too. You two would spend a lot of your time together since you enjoy many similar things. I just felt he'd be too obvious of a choice. (and also, he's from Heroes of Olympus, technically, and I didn't know if that's what you were also looking for.)

What a lovely dive into the world of Percy Jackson!

Now, it's time to move on from the world of gods and demigods, and into the world of pirates and giants.

You're sailing the Big Blue. Whether as a pirate or military, doesn't matter.

Either way, it's

Koby

He meets you by chance. Most likely while he's infiltrating a pirate's ship.

He finds you, probably being held hostage. And he rescues you.

He's enamored by you when you two first meet. He finds himself wanting to keep in touch with you after he's rescued you from the pirates, whether or not you are a pirate yourself.

He's proved before that he doesn't care about where you stand on that front. He just wants to hold your hand.

At first, he tries to get your attention by leaving you gifts. Anonymously, of course.

Training under Garp may have given him confidence in himself, but not confidence in his courting skills.

He leaves you little things like seashells he found along the beaches he came across that reminded him of you. Little flowers he came across while patrolling a town. Chocolates, if you're into those.

(He's getting all of his ideas from romance novels)

It takes him a long time to muster the courage to tell you who's leaving you those gifts.

Should you decide to accept him, I promise you that he's a great boyfriend.

He's attentive, and kind, and gives you everything that you want whenever he's able to. (His love languages are gift giving and quality time)

He makes time in his schedule for you. All of his vacation days are used up just for your dates.

He also enjoys just listening to you talk. He enjoys debating with you, just because he likes hearing your opinions and thoughts, even if sometimes he doesn't agree.

Also, he adores your style. Honestly, what someone wears isn't the first thing that catches his attention about people he's attracted to. It's their determination and their willpower that draws him in.

But he thinks you look cute in everything you choose to wear. Whether it be your crop tops and shorts, or your tanks and cargo jeans.

Really, he's just completely enamored by you.

Out of everyone, Koby is probably the most emotionally competent. At least, in the navy, he is. It's not often that you two have arguments. You understand that he does his best to make time for you, and he's very amenable to understanding you and how you work.

So when you two do get into arguments, Koby makes it a point to never raise his voice, no matter how frustrated he gets. He listens to what you have to say and is careful to change his behavior should he find you correct in what you're saying.

Relationships are a lot of work, but it's nothing he's not willing to do.

Honorable mentions!

Luffy

It's not that I thought he was obvious, although it was an obvious choice to me. It's that I think he might not be able to sit down for too long to have those long kinds of conversations that you seem to love. He's too hyper, he has to be doing something always. (and also he'd eat all your food)

I hope you enjoyed it 🥺

[thetobiroppofan]

one piece rant #2: the best baroque works agent (and a derailing of topic)

ONE PIECE LIVE ACTION REMAKE SEASON 2 REVOLVING AROUND ARABASTA ARC!!!!! DROP MARIANNE/MISS GOLDENWEEK AND MY LIFE IS YOURSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSs

so did you guys know that outside of the Tobiroppo I'm obsessed with Marianna aka miss goldenweek from the little garden arc and also her "miss goldenweek's operation: meet baroque works" cover story? probably not this is my third overall post.

so like miss goldenweek right??? shes absolutely goated solos ur faves served ate cunty mhm yahyah

he entire power is basically so unique cause how u finna tell me this teenager has the power to manipulate emotions using her paint?? like damn bitch yas queen

id also like to mention the fact Marianne had a way more grown appearance where btw canonicallyy during her first appearance she was age 16 and in manga she looks like a 16 yr old

a bit wonky yeah I'll admit but like she looks like a teenager tbh likee u can tell by her features yeah shes a teenager shes 16 (18 post timeskip)

this girl looks like shes in highschool

Get this fuckass baby off my lawn (/j) but fr like you can tell there are some more changes for example I feel like they made her face a bit more rounder, could just be perspective, they also made her braids larger which makes her look like a kid, her pallet also appears to have changed which idk if u guys agree if u even read this but like it makes her look more childish anyways this aint Abt how the anime made her look 10 at most she still ate in both versions

Basically I think Marianne should make an appearance in one piece cause if they gave us past Mr 7 coming after Zoro they can give us miss goldenweek

"but she didn't have that much of an impact!!!!" GO FUCK YOURSELF

I DONT GIVE A SHIT IF SHE GETS ALL THE SCENES SHE HAD IN THE ANIME/MANGA OR IF SHE FUCKING POPS UP IN THE BACKGROUND FOR A SECOND I WILL NOT STAND FOR COMPLETE MISS GOLDENWEEK ERASURE SHE WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTER TO ME

ok so anyways

me core (not really but I like saying that)

we should normalize like making lists of your favorite characters here's mine but in baroque works agents

Marianne/Miss Golden Week

2. Miss All Sunday/Nico Robin

3. Mr 2/Bon Clay/Bentham

4. Crocodile

5. Miss Double Finger

6. Galdino

7. Miss Valentines Day

8. Miss Fathers Day (she sucked as a person but the outfit lowk ate)

9. the rest

10. miss merry Christmas

if my blog gets 10 likes on this post I drop a Tobiroppo ranking spoiler alert x drake is at the bottom I hate that ginger emo fuck so much how dare he betray the best villain group I may be biased but I love you Tobiroppo mwa mwa mwa

ok thanks for reading if u did I'm very normal don't sign me up for a mental asylum love u mwa

[pinespittinink]

📖 OC Name Meaning Tag 📖

thanks for the tag @awritingcaitlin! this one is pretty nifty ✨ i’m going to do this for some of the characters in TGGT (SOME, I SAY, DOING THIRTEEN FUCKING OCS)

anyway i’m tagging @baroquesse, @moondust-bard, @bloodlessheirbyjacques, @vanessaroades-author, @mr-writes, @circa-specturgia, and @muddshadow

Rules: Put down an OC or more and tell what their name means.

🧵 Morgan 🧵 Welsh origin, meaning “sea-born” or “circling sea.” I don’t know where Morgan’s name came from insofar as choice--he just sort of popped into my head one day and I landed on a random name. I did have a friend in high school named Morgan who was a stage manager in our drama department, but my Morgan isn’t based on her in the slightest. 

🐶 Zachary 🐶 Hebrew origin, meaning “God remembers.” Again, just another name that I liked the syllabic count and sound of. Though the meaning now that I look at it isn’t too off course for his character 👀

🎭 Ariel 🎭 Hebrew origin, meaning “lion of God.” Now this one was chosen intentionally, for the Shakespeare’s Ariel in The Tempest--the beginning of choosing theatrical names for a theater wip. That was the first time I came across Ariel as a masculine name; Ariel was actually male in conception, but they’ve since evolved into a nonbinary person. 

🍸 Travis 🍸 French origin, meaning “to cross” or “toll collector,” lmao. Travis came about randomly--I wanted one that wouldn’t sound too out of place in the vintage city setting he appears in.

💐 Seonghwa 💐 Korean origin, meaning “to be a star.” I didn’t know this one and it’s actually pretty fitting! Seonghwa is actually named after his faceclaim (the singular one I have in all of TGGT), who happens to be a kpop artist in Ateez, whose debut song Treasure was instrumental in the early inspiration of TGGT. 

💋 Christina 💋 Latin origin, meaning “a follower of Christ.” Christina was named after Christine Daae from The Phantom of the Opera, though their personalities are not similar in the slightest.  

🧶 Cashmere 🧶 English origin, a soft wool from the Kashmir goat. I co-opted Cashmere for use as a proper noun because I’m a ho for that, and I liked the idea of a child working in the costume department with a textile-related name. 

👑 Pippen 👑 Germanic origin, meaning “father.” Pippen is named after the musical Pippin, which I know absolutely nothing about but like the name of. He’s the defacto authority of the theater kids, so that meaning is pretty interesting. 

💤 Winnie 💤 Welsh origin, short for Winifred, meaning “fair one” or “smooth, soft, happiness,” “blessed peacemaking.” There’s a bunch it looks like. Winnie is my sweet baby girl, another vintage sounding name I liked for the time period. 

💪 Percival 💪 French and Welsh origins, meaning “pierce the vale.” Now, Percival is named entirely after a guy I used to work with a few years ago, and based off him in appearance too. I rarely base characters off of people I’ve known irl, but for some reason he stuck. Fantastic eyebrows, deep voice, hulking Hispanic guy. Some people called him Percy. 

💃 Temperpina 💃So.... I’m a dumbass it looks like..... I think I was going for Terpsichore, the Greek muse of dance and dramatic chorus. AS IT TURNS OUT, somehow I threw it into a brain blender and ended up with Temperpina instead, which is! not! a name!! whatever!!! The intent to carry on a theatrical theme was continued!!

🎶 Lottie 🎶 French origin, meaning “little and womanly.” Back on track here! Lottie was also named after Christine Daae (lmaooo), specifically her nickname Little Lottie. 

🩰 Yeseul 🩰 Korean origin, meaning “dew” or “pretty, lovely.” Yeseul is also inspired by a little girl actual real life Seonghwa interacted with once (it’s very precious), and I fell in love with the sound of it. In TGGT, Yeseul is his younger cousin. 

[furmity]

Lent

To better focus on my devotion, I will be absent from Tumblr for Lent.

Hell, Lent snuck completely up on me (should have taken a hint yesterday when the Satanic Mr Smooch said we should have pancakes). And wey- hey Lent is here. I’m unprepared, last year I had oils and ash and everything ready for Ash Wednesday.... This year I’m still recovering from a period of depression (see my law degree tag). This year will contain sweeping changes, exciting plans, and a return to the rigorous devotion I had before the September of Tears. I do need to go gently, in a way that strengthens me. I need to continue processing the grief of losing my father.

Here’s my cue to get a solid practice happening again. I’ve messed up, but I’ll start where I can. Ash Thor’s- day it is! Followed by a weekly cycle of devotion to my most beloved gods. Myths will be read, offerings left.

ᚦ- Thor’s day

Apart from hailing the thunderstorms, I haven’t interacted with Thor since St Olaf’s day. The Godgubben deserves some attention as the first Norse god who ever blessed me.

I don’t know at all if this is a common experience with Thor, but he is my main money man. When prayed and blótted to about increasing my savings and financial discipline, he comes through. This was first done years ago when I first started with Norse gods. They seemed sort of intimidating, but I knew Thor likes people. Prisa den Godgubben! I gave him a homemade hamburger and asked him to oversee some Jupiter- sygils related to finance. He helped me gather the money needed for a short- notice international trip in a time when I was very bad with money. I couldn’t help but be stunned when the best flight prices were Qatar Airways, whose oryx logo makes them the closest to a goat- pulled chariot I will ever see. I felt he was winging me there himself. I sing his praises, he really helped me out of a tough spot. He is always the one I pray to for safe travels.

Such plans are a-brewing again, and I will need to make sacrifices if I am to afford it. He will receive a Thor’s day devotion, and sacrifices of cash will be placed on his altar. Whenever I feel the old urge, I’ll give that money to Thor for safekeeping. There’s no need for the magic, I’ll focus on the discipline. At the end of Lent, a portion will be allocated for a cause in his name.

The first thing to be mindful of is not going out and buying a bunch of new candles for this purpose. I have some, they will do for now (I missed Candlemas because of the depression and recovery from The Coviiiiid). Cutting non- essential spending, by extension, means quitting smoking (tobacco and cannabis), drinking, and most things which are bad for me anyway, obscuring the mind and blocking the arteries. NO little chocolate bars for doing the shopping, I’ll be staying out of op shops and any other place where my money gets frittered away.

I vow to uphold financial discipline and save my money.

Maundy Thursday will involve something wicked. The Devil has more power until the Resurrection. Get all påskkärring until Easter. Wild water to be collected.

ᚠ- Freja’s day

I need to get into some fucking self care. Depression saps me of the urge to wash my face, comb my hair, wear my favourite clothes, eat the right things, and get it on. Let the Lenten Freja’s days be full of green- growing food, bath soaks, grooming, and emotional work. The point is a renewal of my self esteem and sensuality. Let it be sexy.

I get annoyed with people treating Freja as a Norse Aphrodite, but right now I need that aspect. I thank her for the way sheopened me to internal orgasms.  Mr Smooch and I have a long- anticipated hotel stay this Freja’s day to kick things off (we have a housemate and it is affecting our sex life). I want to dress up and go down. 

Association with the F- rune (whether historical or not) reinforces this year’s focus on wealth. No frivolous purchases of skincare, clothing, or drugs are to be made, but I’ll make use of all the lotions and potions I do have.

I vow to take care of myself and enjoy my body temple.

Good Friday the altar will be stripped and three hour’s agony observed.

ᛃ - Saturday

Veneration of Mary. She who exists alone, yet who has absorbed so many other goddesses. Interestingly, my first internal orgasm came with a vision of The Virgin!

I’m toying with the idea of Hell- Mary, as saturday is a day for the dead in the Orthodox church, and there’s the resurrection thing, and Samhain a month after Easter, and ancestral veneration hasn’t been much of a practice for me, and I’m going to Hell whatever I do.... I’ll report back.

I vow to honour the Mothers through time.

Holy Saturday will mark the end of the fast, and the Easter vigil will be observed for nine further saturdays.

ᛊ - Sun day ⊕

Dedicated to the reptiles, with prayers for their health and wellbeing. Upkeep, feeding of the Great Noodle, take him out to soak up some rays. The sun is sloooowly losing its strength, Lent will see the Autumn equinox. The Shelled One must be prepared for his winter sleep. Focus on learning more about my relationship with these creatures, what they teach me. Also, read that snake cult thesis which is burning a hole in my bookcase.

Reptile maintenance is a necessary part of the budget, no fat to be trimmed here! If anything it’s time to spend more money because Mr. Long has groooown!

I vow to incorporate the reptiles into my practice.

Laetare Sunday will stretch for the entire weekend. A new holy oil will be crafted and blessed.

Passion Sunday the icons are veiled and all prayer moves outside.

Palm Sunday will involve a forage.

Easter Sunday there will be a blessing of candles and water at dawn, at the end of the vigil.

☾ - Moon day

Day of letting up a little, instead of sunday (𐕣). No devotion unless one of the lunar quarters coincides.

Holy Monday I’ll clean the temple: body, altar, and home.

ᛏ - Tyr’s day

Last year I dedicated Lent entirely to Tyr because the dates matched the beginning of my academic year. Every new semester is already filled with oaths that “I’m doing it differently this time”, so it worked.  Lent was cutting out everything that distracted me from The Reading. Shrove Tiw- day was grand, my prayers earnest, and I had a UPG when I broke a vow that got me back on track. I’m long overdue to sit with Tyr about all that, and bring myself back around to his worship.

Tyr must receive my prayers. I’ll address the condition of my law degree. I will read my textbooks, work on my notes, and figure out that memory chaplet I was talking about. I will meditate on my new goals and purpose in this sphere, asking for guidance.

I vow to be a tool of Tyr’s will and show him what I can do.

Holy Tuesday will not have a Christian caste, in honour of my patron’s preference.

ᚨ - Odin’s day

My UPG experience of Odin is that he will accept Christian prayers, he will be conflated with Jehovah Allfather and Jesus the Crucified, as well as The Devil. I think I will build this up more as we come to Easter. Pretty juicy.

The Bible, rune poems...

I vow to take up runes.

Holy Wednesday night is full- blown påskkärring.

So....

Tonight I burn the ashes, and begin. A blend of these (undisclosed) ashes and oil will be placed on my forehead for each day this week, and each vow separately made to each god/dess.

The penance for broken Lenten vows will be nine rounds of the rosary and a charitable donation of AU$20 inspired by @graveyarddirt​​.

I’ll be out from Ash Thors- day (23rd) until after Easter. I’ve posted my queue, emptied my drafts folder. I will enjoy today as The Fattening.

Be good, many blessings, don’t burn any churches.

xx

[aqueeracademic]

morse being queer (and other commentary) pt 11:

season 3, episode 3, “Prey”:

- this episode is so insane

- i forgot it entirely tbh

- morse is so stunning in maroon 😭😭

- typically if your house is filling with smoke, you OPEN THE DOORS AND WINDOWS

- just letting thursday cough for no reason

- morse got so used to how he and jakes worked together he doesn’t know how to act anymore

- jakes used to let morse do most of the talking 🫤

- i have to respect every character ever flirting w morse because if i was an actor i would flirt w shaun evans at any given opportunity whether or not it was in the script

- i want whatever life these students are leading

- just smoking and drinking in the woods around a fire and skinny dipping

- minus the murder of course

- or i could get murdered

- that might be fine

- anyways!

- morse is so catty when he’s questioning people

- like he needs to take a deep breathe methinks

- trewlove supremacy we need to protect her at all costs 🥰🥰

- morse’s face after the scientist explains what he’s doing is so fucking funny

- i am 100% convinced that morse is in a shitty mood this episode because he misses having jakes around

- jakes and morse worked well together because they know where the other person is most valuable and useful and he doesn’t have that chemistry anywhere else

- once again, i HATE when men call women birds, but strange saying “the only birds he had any interest in were the feathered sort,” is SO DAMN FUNNY

- morse’s waist is SNATCHED ‼️

- morse also liked jakes because he never disturbed him

- he just let him be himself and that’s why morse loved him

- strange and morse r so weird together sometimes

- like strange literally taught morse how to be a good friend and yet the only person he’s incapable of being a good friend w is strange

- THE BABY???????? IS THE TIGER GONNA KILL THE BABY???????

- update the tiger did not kill the baby but the goat is MIA

- DEBRYN THANK GOD

- been needing him recently

- morse focusing on debryns eyes instead of the arm 🥰🥰

- ex-lovers quarrel in the laboratory ladies?

- like why is debryn so catty w that other doctor ?

- felt super personal

- mr craven is fine as FUCK i don’t care what anyone says

- he’s hot ‼️

- i’m gonna vouch for trewlove to wear pants and boots

- tights and skirt with little wing tips is not gonna cut it in the woods

- bright just wants a daughter i’m so sick 😭😭😭

- morse and thursday squaring the FUCK up to defend bright is something that can be so personal

- AYO MORTMAIGNE IS SO FINE

- ok let me stfu

- “perhaps you should fetch the officers some tea”

- HELLO?

- the way she’s having a complete breakdown over the death of a friend, entering a state of shock and sobbing, and he tells her to SERVE THEM??????????

- i hate men

- “have you come to pray?” “uh………. not today.”

- i know she’s probably right that brutus was just trying to play and didn’t mean to hurt her but girl 😐

- you got MAULED by a TIGER

- cant be blaming urself for all that

- thursday connecting with sam is so 😭😭😭😭😭😭

- he’s so proud of him

- and he doesn’t want him to do anything just for him

- i wish he was my dad

- oh i know for a fact trewlove lived for academic validation in school

- look at her little smile when bright complements her

- she’s just like me fr

- casual police brutality

- cant love it!

- a TIGER????????????????

- in OXFORD?

- the writers were bored when they came up w this one

- the plots where a woman is guilty are more interesting almost 100% of the time

- morse’s face when he sees the tiger

- he’s literally shitting bricks

- it’s not funny but yes it is

- this is why rich people shouldn’t be allowed to keep mazes on their property

- i’m not saying they are paralleling morse to a tiger but that’s exactly what i’m saying and i’m willing to do an entire analysis post of that!

- bright is the COLDEST motherfucker to ever do it

- how on EARTH did they get a tiger for this shit

- morse is such a victim

- props to him for acting brave in this scenario i would have had a stroke

- his face tho 😭😭

- “when it jumps you run!”

- savior complex! he has a savior complex! and i’m tired of you pretending he doesn’t!

- dear god he was so scared

- once again tho:

- BRIGHT IS THE HARDEST MOTHERFUCKER ON THE FORCE

- well that was stressful

- “carry on!”

- during the girl’s confession, bright and morse share a Moment™️ and it’s rly special to me

- also the doctor not being attracted to her because of her mauling is SO foul i hate men

- “if he understood me then maybe he could have loved me.”

- and then FOCUSING on morse during the episode he’s grappling with jakes leaving ????

- i’m gonna fucking vomit

- this episode was not gay but it was VERY camp so i fuck w it

[swampgh0stt]

Reprobation

I spent 2 days writing this & I am actually really proud of it? Anyway, if you don’t know about Harrison, info found HERE.

cw: violence ofc, character death at the end

Very heavy comic canon reliant. No beta, I’m going out like Zero thanks, & yeah it’s kinda long 

Of course it had to be a small village in the mountains. Harrison tracked Robotnik’s scent, undoubtedly trailing him there-- Some place that would recognize him. His ears pinned back, holding off from entering in favor of watching and waiting. The villagers were of no interest, but the choices they made were. Whatever had transpired prior to his arrival was a mystery, but had confidently muzzled the once boisterous Doctor. Before where he would have torn this village asunder with his badniks, Harrison found he was skittering about at the whim of each resident-- eager to please, like some young pup. 

It was a far cry from the infamous Eggman that Harrison had come to know. 

“Harrison! You’re bleeding all over my floor.” “You better not die, Harry.” “Get that hedgehog now! What kind of wolf are you, if you can’t even catch him!?” “This is why I prefer my machines, Harry!”

Harsh words fluttered through the wolf-hybrid’s mind, echoing in their cruelty. He forced them back with a shake of his head, letting his red eyes fall on such a meek version of the very same man. Was this some act of mercy from the Universe? So close, yet still hard to reach when fallen in the hands of these mountainous villagers. 

After the third day had passed, with no behavioral changes from what Robotnik had settled into, Harrison decided it was time he stopped hiding. 

All his life, he had wanted the gentle calm of love. His Mother had never extended such grace upon him, and other Mobians had made sure he knew exactly what they thought of him and his hybridization. Cisco gave him love and acceptance-- but Robotnik offered him purpose and a place of belonging when the rest of the world had violently rejected him. He would always love Cisco, but canine instinct bid him loyal to the Doctor who brought meaning to his miserable life. 

His arrival was far from well received. 

“Harrison, is it?” An older mountain goat approached with caution. Harrison recognized the signs: Apprehension, his body tense as if he could make a quick escape despite his walking stick. The subtle twitch of the goat’s ears spoke volumes all on their own. Small children took to their homes quickly, to escape the hulking form of the wolf-hybrid. 

If not for Valery’s carnage that had swept through the mountains, the terrible stories of the isolated Sitka pack were still enough to make any Mobian wary of him. And that was only if they ignored his kinship with Eggman. 

Black ears fell to the sides as Harrison paused and considered his next words very carefully. He knew that if he messed this up, it would likely spoil any chance he had at getting back to Robotnik-- at least until the man snapped out of his current stupor, if ever. (Harrison sincerely hoped he wouldn’t). “The Doctor--”

Before he could even finish whatever it was he wanted to say, the Mountain Goat cleared his throat. “Mr. Tinker--” He corrected with a sympathetic look. “He doesn’t remember anything.” Harrison felt his shoulders slump. His red eyes turned away from the goat, looking straight past him in the direction he had last seen Robotnik disappear to. “We tried everything,” the Goat continued on. “Nothing seemed to rouse his old self. We are happy to say he’s found a better life here.” 

Without me. Harrison felt damnation creeping in around him. He didn’t want to be alone again, and he knew he couldn’t just go to Cisco and the Freedom Fighters either. They wouldn’t have him-- He knew it. (Sure, he had not interacted with them recently to find out, but he would rather avoid the imminent rejection). “I don’t want any problems,” the wolf-hybrid confessed as his gaze fell to the ground. 

The Mountain Goat felt confident in that response. He spoke proudly, tilting his head high, despite Harrison towering over him: “Then don’t make any.” It felt like rejection, he was sure in the way the hybrid seemed to flinch away. But if they could offer a second chance and a better life for Robotnik? Why not extend the same to his guard dog? “I see no reason why you can’t go to him, as long as you don’t plan on trying to revive any old plans.” 

For the first time in a very long time, Harrison felt hope bubbling within him. Oftentimes, when he felt like this, he had learned to abandon the feeling-- as it was quickly snuffed out before. But this felt different… It felt real. That fluffy black and silver tail swayed lazily from side-to-side, giving away his true feelings of relief. “I never wanted to conquer Mobius anyway.” 

Finally, the collar around his neck had been removed, replaced with a loose fitting bandana.

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

[ He should have known it was too good to be true. Lazy dog days were never meant to last. 

He had grown too comfortable in the village, ignoring the threats brewing in the world around them until it manifested in the form of Rough and Tumble’s appearance. And that annoying Warp Topaz. 

Harrison had hoped to protect this newfound peace, selfishly for his own sake. 

Knowing that it had been ripped away was bad enough. But at the hands of a platypus, and two dimwitted skunks? The insult was enough to make Harrison’s fur bristle. Once he got his claws on them, he would not let them survive to repeat this mistake. And if there was anything left to salvage of Mr. Tinker, Harrison would do his best to preserve it. ]

Home away from home, was what Robotnik had called it. But Starline was less than impressed to see such a collection. Lining the shelves of his… Egg Cave? were small figures made in the likeness of so many individuals the platypus recognized, and a few that he did not. This was less exciting than a mission brief (which Starline was promised!), but he still managed to feign some interest as Robotnik showed off many of the figures. 

Shadow, Knuckles, Rouge, Sonic-- even Eggman himself. 

But next to Eggman’s miniature was someone the platypus did not recognize. Curiosity sparkling in his red eyes, Starline reached out for the odd looking creation, only for Robotnik to quickly slap his hand away. “Sir!” The startled platypus pulled his hand away, gritting his teeth at the sudden and harsh reprimand. “Who is that?” He queried, trying to ignore his wounded pride. “Or rather…” Those red eyes half-lidded. “What is it?” 

“For such a devoted fanboy--” Robotnik’s tone shifted, less excitable than before. He almost sounded disappointed, or perhaps betrayed. “--There’s still so much you don’t know.”

‘Isn’t that the point of this mentorship?’ Starline kept his comments to himself, sulking at the non-answer he was given. 

However, Eggman felt protective, even if the individual who the figure was based on wasn’t around anymore. He had tried to track the collar’s location, only to find it destroyed. “Harrison is a half-breed,” he explained as he gestured to the figure. “He’s part wolf, part elk. And while he’s not as impressive as my creations,” Robotnik rested a hand on his chest, a wicked grin pulled back under his mustache. “--He didn’t consistently let me down, unlike some of the other idiots I’ve employed. Miserable beast. Sometimes, he even did the job right.” 

Jealousy boiled in his blood as Starline listened. He didn’t miss the fondness in Robotnik’s voice, when speaking about this hybrid. But he quickly reassured himself-- had the good Doctor not said that he, himself, was his best lackey? Had Harrison ever hand-delivered all of the Chaos Emeralds to Doctor Eggman? He thought not! Because that was surely something he would have heard about. 

“Can’t be that good,” the platypus scoffed, feigning disinterest. “Honestly. Abandoning you in your time of need? How barbaric.” Starline was sure to remind Robotnik of who had restored him to his former glory. If Harrison was so good, why had he contented with wasting away in some backwater village? Eggman Empire was ripe for dominating the entire world, not settling for a child’s theme park. 

A moment of silence passed over Robotnik, his blue eyes locked on Harrison’s figure. Abandoning him? No, that didn’t feel quite right. Something in his gut told him that Harry had never turned his back on him. But, if that were true-- where was the wolf hybrid now? 

A gloved hand passed over the figure before Robotnik turned away from it. “No more about Harrison,” he ordered with a roll of his shoulders. “I owe you a mission brief, don’t I?” 

Well. That had certainly soured the joyous mood. 

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

Harrison didn’t need to hunt down the skunk brothers to find Robotnik’s location. He was privy to all Egg Base locations, and figured he still had access to them as he did before. If he really wanted to, he could find his way to some of the bigger bases and access their database-- find his way back to Robotnik by his own means. Despite what Harrison allowed others to think of his own wit, he was quite capable on his own. 

So no, he didn’t need to hunt them down at all. But he chose to, as a show of force to their Boss. It was the quickest way to send a message without accidentally upsetting Robotnik himself. He had one real target in mind; these two were just collateral. 

Tumble hit the ground hard, his white fur matted down by sweat and blood splashed across. Rough was thrown upon him next, his smaller body bouncing off and falling to the side. Black furred ears flew forward, his smaller body heaving with each labored breath. “L- listen!” The black-furred skunk exclaimed, fear dripping from his words. “We’re on the same side!”

Harrison’s low growl erupted from deep within his chest, rumbling like thunder across the sky. “We are not.” His baritone voice carried in a gravely snarl. 

Rough flinched back, relieved when his brother sat upright to accept the challenge from the monstrous hybrid. “What’s your problem?” The white furred skunk growled back, baring his teeth. “You work for Eggman too! You should be happy we brought him back!” 

Harrison’s tail hung low, dusting across the snowy ground. His boots crunched over powdery white, burying in to the ankle as he loomed dangerously over the two. He would kill them, and both brothers knew it. Out of fear and desperation, Rough decided to call upon his natural assets-- releasing a foul smell as a distraction for the canine hybrid. It was enough to force Harrison back and give the brothers an opening-- Rough jumping one way while Tumble shot out the opposite. They circled around before lunging in together, hoping to overwhelm the larger beast. 

Two highly trained mercenaries who worked together should find no real issue in taking down a singular target. But just as they found their craft carved in gore and violence, Harrison had found his calling by exploiting his own natural instincts. Their bodies danced around each other-- acrobatic skill met harshly by brute force. Despite all their abilities and best efforts, Harrison was favored by Eggman for perfectly good reasons: He was a killing machine, with a body made to endure. All muscle and antlers and teeth and claws; once more, he brought them to the ground in a much more violent heap this time. 

With a breathy laugh carried on an exhale, Harrison decided it was time to stop toying with his prey. Predatory instincts made him salivate at the idea of ripping them open on his teeth, letting their blood soak over his tongue. Their fear was palpable, making the air thick and enticing him further. If he didn’t end it now, he would follow through on what they already assumed. 

He needed them alive, for Starline to see. 

“I’d kill you, but how’s your little bitch of a Boss gonna know I’m coming for him then?” Harrison’s lips curled back, baring every metallic tooth in his mouth. “Besides, your dumbasses aren’t worth the effort.” 

Before Harrison took his leave of them, he stomped one of his boots down on Tumble’s head, grinding the heel in between the skunk’s eye. “Make sure Starline gets the message for me. Alright?” 

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

��Rough! Tumble! What happened to you?” Starline took a hesitant step back, giving space to the bloodied pair of skunks as they both fell from pain and exhaustion. Immediately, his thoughts began racing on just who was behind such blatant carnage. It obviously wasn’t like Sonic to do this. There was a high possibility that Shadow was involved, especially after what happened during the Zombot Outbreak… But no, why would Shadow let them live? Perhaps some other individual with an agenda? A desire to challenge the infamous Doctor Eggman and assert themselves as a force to be reckoned with? 

Eggman hovered nearby, hardly paying any mind to the pair of brothers bleeding out in his office. Aside from the orders given to some eggpawns nearby to clean up the mess, of course. The two skunks weren’t worth more than that, to him. 

Starline took note of his cruel disinterest. 

Rough was the one who finally spoke, his words shaking from the effort it took just to get them out. “It was that freak!” He exclaimed, blood dripping down from between his lips. Were they going to die? It was a very real fear he had not known up until now. Never before were they met with such fierce violence. Despite their reputations as brute mercenaries, what they endured felt primal. Reduced to pawns, like trembling prey in the shadow of an apex predator. The whole ordeal had ripped the rug out from under both brothers, shifting their understanding of the world. 

It was a brutally humbling experience, and they may still not have survived long enough to truly learn from it. 

At the mention of the word Freak, Robotnik was suddenly listening in. His breath held, as if to completely silence himself rather than miss whatever explanation came next. Rough wouldn’t keep them waiting long either: “The- the deer-dog thing!” 

“Harrison!” Robotnik immediately threw himself into the conversation. But it was not for their sake. Starline leaned away with a scowl when the eggcarrier floated closer, hovering nearby with interest. “You saw him!” It wasn’t a question. Pride swelled within Eggman, seeing the handiwork of his trusted guard dog. After all this time, the hybrid hadn’t lost his edge. If anything, he had only grown even more cruel with his treatment to opposition, or perhaps these two had simply brought it upon themselves in their own arrogance. “Where is he?” 

Both skunks looked betrayed at the question. It did not seem as though Eggman asked for their sake, but to find and retrieve his lost canid companion. “I don’t know…” Tumble grumbled, turning his eyes away in resignation. 

Starline let out an exaggerated sigh. “What can we do?” He did not want his position at Eggman’s side challenged by some… unworthy abomination. “He’s made himself perfectly clear. Turning his back on us-- On you, Doctor. Why else would he--”

“No, that’s not it,” Robotnik immediately cut Starline off. He wouldn’t entertain the notion that Harrison had somehow shifted allegiance, not after all this time. There was some other reason for such a drastic response. “Obviously, they antagonized him.”

“What!?” Rough couldn’t believe what he was hearing, getting blamed for the very attack he fell victim to. The skunk swatted away an eggbot, growling at it as if that would scare it away. But robots have no fear response, thus it continued on trying to fuss over the bloody mess he was making in the lab. “You’re insane.”

Starline shook his head, trying to silence their protest with a serious look on his face. 

“That monster attacked us first!” Rough found the will to get back to his feet, stomping toward Robotnik’s eggcarrier. “Your freak mixbreed with a complex-! I should have snapped his neck when I had the chance!” 

“We don’t need to do this, really,” Starline intervened. However, it was too late. Robotnik stood tall, his shadow cast over both platypus and skunk brothers. The light hit just right over his goggles, making the lenses glow against his silhouette dangerously. 

Eggman’s voice was eerily calm as opposed to his usually explosive reactions: “Harrison is worth more than all three of you put together.” His piercing glare remained locked on Rough after that threat. “And you never had the chance. He wouldn’t give one to you.” 

The platypus felt his body tense immediately. He wanted to push back and argue that if the mutt was so great, then where was he? Why was he tormenting their cannon fodder? Loyalty should have compelled him back to Eggman’s side without question, not allow him to run rampant and carelessly attack allies. 

“There was… one thing he said…” Tumble pinned his ears back, feeling ashamed. He had very nearly forgotten in his own panic. “He wanted t- to make sure you got the message, Starline.” 

“!? Me? What message?”

Rough was still glaring daggers at Eggman, feeling confident he had the upper-hand with the next revelation. “He said he was coming for our bitch of a Boss.” 

Robotnik fell back in his chair with explosive laughter, slapping one of his hands down. “Well! This just keeps getting better!”

Starline visibly deflated, glaring back at his mentor. “I fail to see how this is any better. Your jealous mutt-”

“Watch your mouth.”

Silver fur bristled as the platypus was forced to fix his statement: “Your companion feels threatened by my presence. And now he is targeting me. If I’m to be at your side, he should learn some respect for my authority.” 

But Robotnik didn’t seem the least bit bothered by it all-- Not by the skunk brothers’ misfortune, or the target on Starline’s back. His dear Harrison was still out there, proving his undying loyalty to the Doctor. As any good dog should. With his old collar destroyed, Robotnik would have to design another-- so that Harrison was gifted with it upon his return. “It sounds like a misunderstanding.” It was clear that he hadn’t heard whatever Starline uttered, turning away from the platypus. “I have work to do.”

The platypus jumped on the opportunity, feeling insecure after everything. “Can I help?”

“No,” Robotnik declined immediately. “I need to make another collar for Harry.” 

Starline was seeing red. “Well… With your permission…” He extended a hand out, flashing his Warp Topaz, as if that would restore some faith in his efforts. “I wish to locate your lost companion, and perhaps have a conversation with him about all this unnecessary violence. Should you approve, Doctor.” Red eyes stared at Robotnik expectantly, keeping his intentions vague for now. With Eggman’s careless handling of the subject, Starline knew he wouldn’t push for further details. That was the Doctor’s downfall, wasn’t it? No foresight sometimes. 

“Do whatever you want.” Robotnik waved him off, already searching for the files on Harrison’s old collar. “Don’t come crying to me if he bites you.” 

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

Harrison kept his body low, letting snow blanket over his thick fur to hide him away. His antlers could easily pass for twin dead trees to any passerby not focusing on the details. He was prepared to sit and wait for hours, stalking potential prey in his silence. But this time, he was not hunting after Starline-- at least not directly. 

His sights were set on a hedgehog, just as a means to get at Starline. Before the Zombot Outbreak, he caught wind of Silver and Sonic nearly getting blown away by the platypus at an abandoned Eggbase. He wasn’t sure how they fell for that ploy, but he needed whatever information they had on Starline. 

And so, he would wait for Silver’s arrival from Freedom HQ. 

But in a rush of blue, Harrison knew the wrong hedgehog had answered his call. All that careful preparation to deal with Silver’s telekinetic powers, wasted away! “Yo, Antlers!” And Sonic’s joyous tone gave his position away to any other Freedom Fighters that likely accompanied him. 

He stood, shaking snow from his fur with a low growl. “Sonic.” 

The blue hedgehog answered with a cheeky grin on his tan muzzle. “You didn’t really believe you could ambush--”

“--Wasn’t an ambush.” The wolf hybrid patted down his bandanna, brushing away snow and grimacing at the fact that some had melted into the fabric. “Going after Starline. Wanted info.”

Sonic wasn’t prepared for that, blinking in surprise. “Oookay?” Hold on, that didn’t make sense. “Aren’t you two on the same si--” 

Harrison was immediately in his face with a loud snarl, baring his metallic teeth in warning. “No.” As he leaned back, Sonic held his hands up in surrender, albeit tapped one of his shoes impatiently against the snow. “And as soon as I get my hands on that little bitch, I’m ripping him apart.”

“Woah, dude. Isn’t that a bit much?” Sonic tilted his head, one of his ears swiveling to the side as his hands dropped down. 

This time, when Harry said the word, it was with a gentler tone: “No.” His tail flicked away the last remainder of snow from it, letting it stand upright to voice his own agitation. “He took everything from me. I owe him some sweet payback.” 

Sonic found himself nodding along, but still didn’t understand. Did it really matter though? For now, Harrison was not his enemy. He had learned to respect the wolf-hybrid. Tails, some time ago, pointed out the likelihood that his allyship with Eggman was based mainly on rejection for his hybridization-- since the fox knew all too well how it was to be rejected for physical abnormalities. The more time he spent around Harry, the more he realized that was most likely true. 

Harrison never went in for the kill with him. He never tried to seriously injure or maim during their fights-- it was always to distract. Sometimes, he would even team up with Cisco to sabotage some of Robotnik’s more diabolical schemes, preserving Mobius in their own way. 

Sonic just wished the hybrid would remove himself from Eggman’s side. “So…” He folded his arms over his chest. “You wanna get Mr. Tinker back? I don’t think we can… do that, dude. We were lucky he even happened at all.” 

Harrison didn’t want to hear that. “Are you gonna help, or not?” Straight to the point; Sonic found he was reminded of Shadow, briefly. 

“Yeah!” The blue hedgehog couldn’t believe he said that. “Yeah-- That creepy dude, Starline’s gotta get humbled by someone. Guess you’re the guy! And while I tell you everything I knoooow!” Sonic shuffled over to Harrison’s front, a devilish smile adorning his tan muzzle again. “I can show you where he is.” 

“Hoping for round two, Blue Blur?” Starline purred, interrupting the two as he stepped through a warp-window. Attention shifted to the hybrid next, which Starline was less pleased to see. “I’ve been looking for you, Harry. I feel we have a grave misunderstanding between us! Something that could easily--”

Another snarl erupted from Harrison’s throat as he took an intentional step in front of Sonic, blocking the blue hedgehog from view. “It’s Harrison, to you.”

“--” Starline swallowed hard, feeling trepidation creep in with the chill of the wind. “--Yes, of course. My sincerest apologies, Harrison.” This filthy mutt didn’t deserve such respects, but Starline had to entertain it. At least until Robotnik saw things differently, as he should when the hybrid willingly shared company with their nemesis! “But let’s talk! We should work together for our common interest in Doctor Eggman. I am just as you: An obedient servant!” 

Yellow had begun to form in the sclera of Harrison’s eyes. His ears perked forward, something shifted in the way he held himself. “I’m going to devour you, is what we’re doing here.”

Sonic shifted gears, quickly dashing between them. “Woah, Antlers. You can’t just threaten to eat someone.” 

Starline scoffed. “You’re so drunk on revenge, and for what? Pray tell, are you jealous of my standings with the Doctor?”

“Dude--” Sonic was trying his best to keep all Hell from breaking loose. “Not now.” 

“Enraged that I found his favor in your absence? Replaced you, even?” 

A wolfish smile tugged across Harrison’s lips, letting titanium teeth peek through. “Pathetic.” Without another word, he leaped clear over Sonic’s much smaller form, lunging for the platypus instead. Or at least, he would have-- if not for that insufferable warp window he opened, letting Harry pass right through and land back where he started. 

Interesting. 

With a broad sweep of his paw, Harrison kicked up a cloud of snow to obscure their vision. Sonic bolted into action, narrowly avoiding Harrison’s body lunging for Starline again. He caught the platypus this time, the two tangling around each other while the hedgehog zipped around in an attempt to break them up. 

As another warp window opened, Sonic bounced away. The last he saw of the two was as they disappeared into it, dragged along by Robotnik’s red sleeves and white gloves. Once back in the lab, it was easier for Robotnik to tear the two frenzied Mobians apart-- with Metal Sonic’s assistance, tugging back on Harrison. “Enough!!” The human shouted, his voice booming in such a small space. “I thought you were both better than this!”

As soon as Harrison was off of him, Starline fell back, a little bloodied and roughed up from the encounter. Eggbots floated over per Robotnik’s request, helping the platypus to his feet as they escorted him out of the lab in one direction. 

Harrison, too angry for reason, looked more like a rabid dog than the companion Eggman had come to know over the last few years. “Get him out of here!” Robotnik shouted to Metal Sonic and a few other Eggbots, who struggled to pull the barking, snarling Harrison away in the opposite direction. 

After both sets of doors shut, the lab was plunged in silence. 

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

Hours passed before either of them returned. 

“Ivo…” 

That familiar, gravely voice was music to Robotnik’s ears. He whipped around, heart pounding with excitement as his eyes fell upon the large and familiar form of his beloved hybrid. Harrison was well-received by Orbot and Cubot, who hovered around him in a flurry. They were fussing over him, scanning his vitals, plucking through thick, fluffy fur to check for injuries. Harrison was used to their affections by now, paying them no mind at the moment. 

Even Metal Sonic seemed to have missed his sparring partner, rushing up with his own gleeful exclamations. 

The doors to Robotnik’s lab slid shut behind Harrison with a pressurized hiss, nearly catching that bushy tail in the process. Cubot had snatched it up quickly, draping it over his body with a bright smile. 

“Harrison!” Robotnik left the sanctuary of his eggcarrier to approach on foot, his hands held out in greeting. “How I’ve missed you! You lost your collar.”

The hybrid pinned his ears back in disappointment. Did he not remember anything of his time as Mister Tinker? Once more, an adjustment had to be made for the sake of his Master. But this time, it was much harder to swallow down-- a cruel twist of fate, granting him mercy for such a limited amount of time. If there was any hope of getting it back, he had to try and fight for it. Harrison didn’t want to be alone in this world. “You took it, remember?” His head tilted to the side, only slightly as one of his antlers caught against the ceiling. 

One of his hands reached up, gesturing to the red bandanna tied around his neck. “You gave me this, instead.”

“That!?” Robotnik sneered. Without a second thought, he snatched it away from Harrison and tossed it to the floor. The hybrid felt his heart sinking with it, watching as it fluttered down in a crumpled mess-- along with his hopes of this turning out differently. “What garbage! You didn’t really think I deserved to waste away in that honkytonk village, did you? Get a grip, Harry!” 

The doctor turned away with a scoff, hurrying to retrieve something. 

Harrison shook his head, feeling bitter hatred for Starline bubbling up once more. ‘If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll get him for this.’ “You were happy.” The words tripped over a lump forming in his throat, threatening a sob of betrayal that he bit back. “I had never seen you like that before…” 

“It was a damn shame, is what it was. Letting me stumble around like the village idiot!” Robotnik had finally found whatever it was he searched for, turning to face Harrison again with another collar in hand. “And the overalls… Really?” As if that was the most heinous part of the entire experience. Robotnik approached his canine hybrid with purpose, fully intent on snapping that collar around his neck again. 

But as he reached out to do just that, Harrison took a step back. They both caught each other’s eye, staring in a silent battle of wills-- Harry pleading that he didn’t have to do this, while Robotnik was insisting. “Don’t make me regret letting you back in here, Harry,” the Doctor sneered as he extended his hand out again. This time, the hybrid did not move away, allowing his human to snap the collar around his neck. 

The act itself brought such finality with it, hammering down that there was no going back. 

Robotnik took a step back again, reviewing the sight. The collar was exactly the same in appearance, with some minor adjustments in its functionality. Regardless, Harrison’s fur was so thick and fluffy, it hid the collar from view mostly. Someone really had to look for it to know it was there. Satisfied, the Doctor spoke again: “I saw what you did to Starline.” He scoffed, trying to mask his laugh with disappointment. “And the two idiots that came with him. It felt personal, Harry! You don’t think I’m replacing you, do you?” 

The hybrid kept his ears pinned, his head now bowed in resignation. “Of course not.” But if Robotnik wanted him to feign civility around them? Well, that was something he could not do. “Thought you’d be happy about it-- seeing how they snatched you up like that and tortured you.” 

Blue eyes rolled. “And you let them, didn’t you?” 

“...Yeah, guess I did.” No, he had fought hard. But how was he supposed to combat that Warp Topaz on his own, when the wearer was nowhere near? “That’s why I had to make up for my mistakes.” If Robotnik could turn this on him, Harry would be so bold as to use it in his favor yet. “We can’t trust someone who would turn on you like that…” 

“From the looks of it, Harry, someone could argue that you turned on me.”

“Never.” Harrison curled his lips back with a snarl. The fur along his neck and shoulders stood, as if he needed to look any bigger or more threatening. “Wiping the floor with the little bastards who took you away from me was never betrayal, no matter what those dumbfucks say.” Each word carried on a low, rumbling growl. 

“They’re here to stay, for now. That platypus has use.” But this-- was odd for Harrison. He had never seemed so genuinely upset about their alliances before. The canine-hybrid had always gone along willingly with Robotnik’s plans, even when those plans were to his detriment. There were still the traces of a blood stain on the floor from when he crawled back, half-dead, after his fight with Mogul. 

Having his concerns brushed off was not what Harrison wanted to hear either. He kept low, like a dog that was in trouble and trying to appear pathetic for sympathy. But there was nothing pathetic about Harrison’s display. He may have curled in on himself, but his growling remained ever present. “It’s humiliating, for you. Letting them hang around after treating you so horribly. They’re playing you, Doc. I know exactly what they are.”

He had smelled the other Mobian’s approach long ago, and was not surprised when another door in the lab slid open silently. He still smelled of blood, now accompanied by antibiotics. Many of the wounds left behind from their last tussle were bandaged and stitched up, meticulously cared for to prevent infection. “What is that?” Starline’s voice challenged calmly, his red eyes meeting Harrison’s own. “Go on, Harrison. Tell me. What am I?”

Before, just the fur along his neck and shoulders stood bristling. Now, it trailed down his back and to his tail. Starline could believe those fairytales in the Mountains when he looked at Harrison like this. Every Big Bad Wolf story uttered to young Mobians surely had been formed in his existence. Even the terrifying growl that erupted from him sounded like another roll of thunder, echoing in the lab as he answered: “Pest.” 

Eggman knew if he didn’t stop this now, another fight would break out between them. “Enough. We’re all working together, which means we need to get along. You can kill each other after my Eggman Empire’s established. Deal?” 

Both hybrid and platypus glared at each other in a passing moment of tense silence. Harrison considered his options, realizing knew more in this situation than Robotnik. It was hard to get past his own deep feelings of betrayal to the situation-- how life had handed him something calm and gentle, back at the village. He could waste his days away, enjoying them in the company of others, with a newly found community that didn’t seem to care about their past mistakes or his own monstrous appearance. He missed the laughter of children, the smell of pine and woodland around them. For once, Robotnik was not so high strung about everything and could enjoy his own existence without obsessing over petty grievances with a hedgehog who always bested him. 

Starline brought death to any happy life Harrison could have lived out. The platypus, for all his fanboy-ish obsession, could not be trusted and Harry knew that much. 

He would have to wait Starline out, for now. But when the time came? No, he would not hold back. “Fine,” Harrison snorted as he turned away-- Orbot, Cubot, and Metal Sonic in tow and fussing for his attention. 

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

[ He knew the day would come. Seeing Robotnik chase Starline away, firing him even, brought Harrison some catharsis. But it was not enough to heal his aching heart. That platypus had stolen everything away for his own selfish pursuits. And during all their time together, he could never quite grasp why the wolf hybrid hated him so much. He saw no fault in his actions. 

Not when he was ejected from Robotnik’s side. Not when he started taking down other bases, or making his own strategic moves against Eggman. 

Harrison bristled at the thought of the platypus sitting comfortably in Eggbase Sigma-- Now renamed Starline Base Sigma. It was an insult, and everything Harrison had warned would come to fruition. 

He resigned to waiting this out, seeing how the cards would fall. When the day came and Robotnik found himself teaming up with Sonic against Starline, Harrison knew opportunity finally came knocking. ]

As both mechs clashed with each other, Harrison moved through the crumbling base with purpose. Orbot and Cubot were the first he gathered, and they clung to his fur with imitation sobs and praise as he carried them along. Flashing neon lights stuttered along his path, destruction raining down and causing abrupt changes in course. Luckily, he knew his path, even in the face of some major directional changes. 

The next he found was Metal Sonic, looking worse for wear. But he was not alone-- and Harrison recognized Belle from back in the mountainous village. She was the handcrafted daughter of Robotnik’s persona, and Harrison had all but forgotten her in his rage. “C’mon, Squeaker,” he urged as he nudged Metal Sonic along. “And you, too.” Belle would not be left behind in this place. 

“Wait! Harry!” Belle pleaded with him. “We have to find Eggman.” 

The wolf hybrid pinned his ears back flat, but she had only voiced his own desires. His red eyes turned to the sky above, noting the lack of Robotnik’s mech he rode in on. Sonic and Tails both were preoccupied, so if the Doctor was in trouble--

“Metal Sonic can find him,” Belle pointed out, a pleading look in her artificial eyes. Harrison couldn’t deny her, nodding in agreement. 

“Alright…” He breathed out, dropping to all fours so he could be closer to their level. “C’mon, Metal. Where’s he at?” 

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

“That--” Starline breathed out heavily, landing sloppily on his feet as the rest of the mech came crashing around him in a heap. “--is what happens.. when you don’t plan for contingencies.” 

As his own base came crashing down around him, he still felt a sense of triumph within him. Badniks were still under his control; he had effectively ripped the rug out from under Robotnik, and now defeated him in battle. It wouldn’t be long before the human came crawling out, falling at his feet. Starline already decided, feeling smug, that he would listen to whatever plea was uttered before he allowed Robotnik within his ranks.

At his side, beneath him. Mobius was about to learn of the Starline Empire--

“No, Doctor.” 

The platypus tensed and stood upright, his eyes wide as some of the rubble before him began to fall away. Robotnik stood once more, a towering force before him that Starline had not anticipated. 

“You played yourself,” Robotnik sneered, eerily calm despite the destruction around him. He was self-assured, finding opportunity where his foe had failed to. “I specifically--”

Whatever monologue he had planned ended abruptly in a deep canine snarl. Harrison launched himself into the mix, tumbling back with Starline in his grip. “Father-!!!” And before Robotnik could even think of joining his companion, Belle had called out to him. Eggman turned and was met with all that Harrison had gathered-- Metal Sonic dutifully beside Belle, while Cubot and Orbot cowered behind the two. 

“You--” Robotnik breathed out his exasperation. Whatever she had to say, he decided to hear her out. Harrison could handle himself, right? 

Both Starline and Harrison tumbled down the wreckage, clawing and fighting in a tangled mess before their bodies hit a domed piece of the mech, forcing them apart. Starline scrambled to his feet quickly, at a loss without the use of his tricore to even the odds. But if he could utilize the environment around him--

Harrison was lunging for him again, narrowly missing as the platypus grabbed a sheet of thick metal and batted at him. 

He hated wolves. Their hunting methods were designed to tire out prey; strike and leap away method providing minimal risk to pack members. He had severely underestimated Harrison, hoping that elk blood would be a little more prominent with his mannerisms. But as it stood now, Harrison fell into that familiar pattern: lunge in, leap away. Then again, from another side-- and another. Finally, the pattern was broken as Harrison charged in once more, his jaws snapping shut with a metallic clink! 

Starline found an opening that he could not afford to miss. 

The platypus swung around, raising one of his legs before smashing his heel in between Harrison’s eyes. The spur sunk in, but Starline knew he only needed minimal contact for his venom’s results. 

Suddenly, Harrison leaned back with an agonized yelp. 

“Does it hurt?” Starline felt breathless as he watched the hybrid fall back and writhe. He was salivating, victory within his grasp once again. “Eggman was right, you are a miserable beast. All those predator instincts-- Did you truly believe you were superior?” 

Harrison struggled to pick himself up, but it was hard to focus through the pain. Starline didn’t miss a beat, stomping his boot down on the hybrid’s head, grinding his heel in between that large rack to force Harry back down again. “Yes, I know.. I know. I was only ever prey to you… Too wrapped up in your own emotions to respect my authority, to realize my superior intellect. You were always nothing more than a pawn, something disposable-- and not even your fleas will miss you when you’re gone.” 

Starline pulled back to stomp down again, but it was enough of an opening for Harry to lunge upright. 

Pain may cloud his vision, blinding him temporarily, but his nose didn’t lie. His titanium teeth sunk through silky fabrics with ease, cutting into flesh and minimal muscle beneath. Blood bubbled against his lips as he snarled, slamming Starline down while the platypus kicked out against his neck. 

The spurs struggled against thick fur, failing to meet their mark. So instead, Starline grabbed for Harrison’s antlers with both hands, trying to wrench himself away from that metallic jaw. 

Finally, he managed to sink his heel in again and heard the shrill cry of pain-- but did not feel the sweet relief of freedom. If nothing else, the pain seemed to make Harrison bite down harder. He writhed again, shaking Starline’s much smaller body in violent convulsions that splattered blood around them. 

And again, Starline spurred him a third time. He was released with a heavy thud against the floor, splashing in a puddle of his own blood. “You--” He felt weak, shaking in the aftermath of such carnage. In petty defiance against the canine before him, Starline raised his leg once more. “I’m going to remember your screams, Harry. They’ll lull me to sleep at ni-- agh!” 

A white gloved grabbed him by the ankle, wrenching Starline upward. He was suspended just long enough to see who his new captor was: “Eggman!” His body was swung back forcefully, then slammed into the ground beside Harrison. 

Stars exploded in his eyes before the world went dark.

Robotnik waited for a minute longer with his gaze locked on the platypus, just to be sure he wouldn’t get up again. Satisfied with his work, he turned to Harrison’s trembling form, petting his hand between the canine’s ears. 

Harrison felt the gentle reassurance, but there was little comfort when he was in such agony. He could hear Robotnik barking out orders, but they were words without meaning to him. The last thing he felt was his human’s arms slipping under him, hoisting his body off the floor. 

Then the world went black as he fell unconscious.

[thunderbottle]

Thunder's DSMP Disability Headcanons

disclaimer!!! i am sticking to physical disabilities bc honestly delving into the complexity of mental stuff is stressful and physical disabilities easier to apply to characters that like,, already exist yknow

Tubbo

Oh you KNOW this boy has messed up hearing. In my head his right ear is worse (as in he can barely hear anything with it) from the festival execution bc he turned his head away from the fireworks. The various l'manberg explosions also contributed.

I subscribe to the headcanon that being around schlatt sorta 'infected' tubbo with goat traits so bam i'm giving him joint problems in his legs from them changing so fast to be more goat-like. It makes him a bit slower than before and the snowchester cold makes them achey.

Jack

Chronic pain both before and after revival. It's different after he comes back to life, though. It's not any worse or better, just... different. It bothers him more than he lets on. He can't even find comfort in the familiar pain. sadge.

Tommy

same deal as tubbo with being a bit HOH. the repeated explosions during exile would not have treated him kindly.

also related to exile: on the way to techno's house and living in a hole in the middle of the tundra, i feel like he's missing a few fingers and one of his feet from frostbite (y'know how he lost a shoe? yeah.) He makes his own prosthetic while staying with techno but doesn't use it all the time bc it's painful. he's got a fancy crutch that sam made for him which is a lot more comfortable most of the time.

another exile one bc i feel like that whole experience (being hurt often, no real access to first aide, lack of a steady food source, etc etc) would be Not Great for a person's health. Dream dislocated one of his shoulders 'on accident' and it hasn't quite healed correctly, often re-dislocating when he's carrying heavy things or stretching it the wrong way.

Ranboo

my ranboo design has wacky kangaroo rat legs that aren't super suited to,, working correctly so he wears braces on the ankles and knees to keep them bending correctly. he also uses those coon forearm crutches like in that one fanart i did of him forever ago.

okay this isn't a hc but can i just say i'm so happy that c!ranboo is like,, canonically disabled. like ik it's bc he's enderboy but Still i love it sm. thank you mr. beloved

Awesamdude

he was born partially blind and relies a lot on sound. his redstone machine have a lot of essential parts that intentionally make extra noise so he knows they're working correctly and with the right timing.

he wears the gasmask half as a fashion statement and half bc he's got asthma and the redstone dust that typically doesn't bother other people can be dangerous to work with for him and trigger asthma attacks, especially at the quantities he works with.

Philza

caneza!!! he has trouble keeping his balance with his wings out of commission so he weathers the increased old-man-shaming in favor of being able to walk lmao

Wilbur

making this one short bc thinking abt c!wilbur makes me sad

chronic fatigue syndrome!! get some rest tall child!! like i know it doesn't really help but still!!! *wraps alivebur up in blankets like a feral, injured cat* i care you!!!!

Eret

okay i know that the herobrine eyes are bc she's related to herobrine somehow but i'm making her blind anyways. herobrine is blind too. you can't stop me.

guide ferrets... (context: eret's chat is a hoard of ferrets that follows him around it's very good)

he makes all his own buildings so that he has the floorplan memorized before even moving in. how do they turn out so pretty when he can't see them? well, he's more powerful than you could ever know and can do anything he puts his mind to so jot that down

Techno

this pig has ARTHRITIS

technocane!!!!! i love him

If you want me to expand on any of these send me an ask or in the reblogs of this post! Feel free to add on your own hcs within the wheelhouse I'd love to hear them <3

[jrueships]

ooo OKAY cool thank yall for tagging me in this! i feel so special whenever i get tagged in things like there's a secret security showing me important documents or something like 'mr president. Gay.' ANYWAYS let's get to it!!!

1. which team(s) do you root for?

I like pretty much all the teams and it's kinda contextual for me to decide which to root for at the time? Usually whoevers looking like the underdogs or got the most heartwarming/stand-out players! I'm more-so a player person than a team guy! Does that seem disloyal?? Apparently to my hometown buds 😭 whatever though, player IS in the name, after all ! Even if I don't really watch a team, I try picking one player I like/care about on that team so I can still enjoy watching em when they're on! BUT FOR TEAMS I'D DEF MAKE AN EFFORT TO ACTIVELY WATCH FOR RN ... prolly rockets, sixers okc, spurs, clippers, grizzlies, bucks? Sorry I like my men pathetic and cringe and they're funny. Would i ROOT for them all tho? Prolly not 😭 whatever happens happens !

2. what's your prediction for the 2023 finals matchup plus champions prediction?

Whatever team i didn't name probably LMAO either way warriors or lakers are going to win, you know the drill

3. what's an nba hot take you have?

Men obsessing over sports stats was a direct creation of men trying to gatekeep women from watching sports with an enlightened sense of having an actual personality beyond numbers also people that only watch for sports betting are leeches on life and need to touch grass okay sorry i was kinda kidding on both of my takes but also no

4. who are your favourite players NOT on your favourite team(s)?

how do i make it bold 😭 whatever we fuck on 😎 (i meant fight but ill leave that there tbh) SO hmmm this one is TOUGH i like a LOT of teams.. hm... OH okay actually!! Rj barrett, bones hyland, myles turner, Donovan mitchell, Demar Derozan, cam Thomas, day'ron sharpe (day-day!!), Wendell Carter Jr, Russell westbrook, Andrew wiggins, Otto Porter Jr, terry rozier, frank ntilikina

5. 3 players you would invite to taco tuesday (current or retired)

Michael Jordan because I would like to see the battle of man who lies and doesn't care (mj) and man who lies and cares (lebron). It will be a battle fought by the GOATS of gaslighting, taken place: Taco Tuesday

Lebron , like in a mirror . So it's just lebron alone sitting at a dinner table talking to his mirror while plates of tacos are scattered about untouched. I think.. something would be unearthed. Of golden value !

Jeff teague

6. what's your favourite thing about the nba?

The interconnectedness, the fact that this is an achieved dream job for the guys playing, the fact that memories are made from people making memories (fans remembering the little details from a game they attended/watched off the players just living their dreams) etc etc u know! Just people enjoyin the best part of being people! Unique but shared enjoyment !! Fuck with that heavy !!!!

7. tag however many people you want!

Whoever wants to or hasn't done it!!! This was fun so go have fun !! Tell em TED sent you ;)

[presidentstalkeyes]

A drabble (by my standards, anyway), based on my Braces!Wendy headcanon...

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mystery Shack, May 2008

  “MR. PINES! YO, MR. PINES!”

  “Huh, wha-? What’s goin’ on?!” Stan immediately rushed out of his office, hearing Soos scream like his life depended on it.

He regretted doing so seconds later, of course - knowing Soos, he probably saw a spider in the toilet bowl or something, or maybe he walked too close to the ‘real monsters’ mirror and spooked himself. That didn’t mean he could filter out that all-too-familiar sound of terror.

  Sure enough, the heavyset, acne-riddled handyman had hunkered down behind the counter in the gift shop, which had long since emptied out since the last tour group of the evening left. He slowly rose from his hiding place, shaking.

“There’s something in the freezer, Mr. Pines…”

  Stan coughed, righting his posture and rolling his eyes. “Uh-huh. What is it this time, an arctic fox? Bartholomew the Abominable Snow-boy? That hockey-mask snowball critter from that Boxmon game you keep playin’ instead’a workin’?”

“I dunno…” Soos was no less shaken, Stan’s attempts at poking fun at him going over his head (as per usual), “…I think it might be a person. I could hear distinct person-y sounds, the ‘om nom nom nom’ of ice cream sandwiches being consumed. It’s a sound I am all too familiar with…”

Stan huffed, pushing his glasses up his nose. He supposed there was no point asking why Soos hadn’t just opened the lid.

“Well, I ain’t gonna pretend to be happy that you screamed bloody murder over somethin’ so dumb, but if some punk thinks he can eat all my ice cream for free, they got another thing comin’. Get your butt back to the break room while I take care’a this.”

“Ya mean the steam closet?”

“Yeah, that’s what I said, ain’t it?”

“Of course! Thank you, Mr. Pines!” Soos suddenly stood up and went all cheery, before bounding off into the hallways like an oversized bunny rabbit.

  Stan couldn’t help but huff again. Sometimes he felt bad for that giant child, the way he always followed his every whim without question. It was welcomed most of the time, to be sure, and maybe deep down he kinda-sorta cared for him and wanted him to stay safe, but sometimes he wished the kid would talk back to him, just once. He was so used to all the rubes in town just going along with his every scheme, sometimes it felt like cheating. …Then again, perhaps after all the crap he’s been through, he’d earned it. Or the world was just setting him up for another long-overdue cruel prank.

He brushed those thoughts off; complaining about his crappy life wasn’t going to save his precious ice cream.

  Thus, he marched out onto the gift shop porch - and just as Soos had said, he could hear a sound coming from inside the freezer. There was definitely something or someone in there - he could hear rustling and shuffling as ice dust was scattered about.

He almost had a flashback to a moment in Vegas from years ago, when he had to meet a ‘business associate’ at an abattoir and heard noises exactly like this coming from one of the walk-in freezers. …He was glad he hadn’t taken the guy up on his offer, otherwise he probably would have been locked in, and now where would he be? A shattered human popsicle, no doubt.

Stan shook his head. He needed to stay in the present before his mind went down another dark path. Not like this was even a rare occurrence - he'd dealt with punks trying to steal his ice cream before, or if not that, then squirrels or birds or that dumb goat who's always hanging around the trash, or whatever other furry jerks came along. Sometimes it was Gnomes or that naked candy-eating... goblin thing (just thinking about that little weirdo made him want to take a shower), but they were all equally vulnerable to nature's snooze button.

Readying his 8-ball cane to hit that button if he needed to, he grabbed the freezer handle, and in one swift motion, swung it as wide open as possible.

  When the cloud of cold air had dissipated, and he’d wiped the fog off his glasses, he had to do a double-take at the sight. He was not expecting this.

  There was a girl in the freezer (thankfully still alive). A freckle-faced redhead with pigtails and braces so huge she had trouble closing her mouth over them. She couldn’t have been more than 12 years old, even if she seemed freakishly tall for her age - she had to bunch up just to fit in, and it seemed like she was wearing her trousers way too high, which didn’t help. She looked like a cartoon character come to life.

  More importantly, though, she was covered in ice cream wrappers, and her mouth was stained with chocolate and sticky fruit juices. Stan had caught her in mid-surreptitious-ice-cream-sandwich-bite.

  The girl didn’t even try to say anything in her defence - after the initial shock had worn off, she got to her feet (moses, she really was freakishly tall - in the freezer, she almost reached Stan’s jaw) and tried to climb out. She hadn’t banked on Stan’s reach, plus the ice cream fatigue she must be feeling right now.

  “Oh, no ya don’t!” Stan declared, holding an arm out in front of her to block her exit. She turned around and tried to flee the other direction, only for Stan to intercept her. This continued for some time.

“UGH!” the girl grunted in annoyance, “will you lemme go, old man?!”

  Stan couldn’t help but arch a brow at the tone of her voice - it sounded a little raspy and lispy, probably thanks to those braces of orthodontic overkill. He wasn’t sure whether to find it funny or worrying.

“Not until you explain’ta me what you were doin’ rollin’ around in my freezer, scarfin’ down my ice cream, like some… penguin-pig hybrid.”

…Huh. There’s an exhibit idea.

“I was hungry!” the girl answered, throwing her hands in the air, “an’ anyway, if ya didn’t want people to eat it, ya shouldn’ta left the stupid freezer outside!”

The girl melodramatically planted her fists on her hips, groaning. “Uuuuugh, what-ever, doesn’t matter, you’re just gonna tell dad I was a dumb, stupid little girl anyway an’ get me in trouble, just like every other stupid grown-up in this stupid town…”

  Wait a second… the pose, the disgruntled look, that groan that sounded far too teenager-like coming from a pigtailed brace-face…

  “Waaaait, hold up. Ain’t I seen you in this afternoon’s tour group?”

The girl seemed to shrink in on herself, rubbing her arm as her gaze fell to the bottom of the freezer. “Hmm…yeah, I guess…”

Stan snapped his fingers as it came back to him. “Yeah, I remember. You were the girl who groaned when I showed everyone the Hide-Behind.”

“Yeah, well, the Hide-Behind looks nothin’ like that!” she snapped again, suddenly regaining her energy, “ya don’t think someone woulda noticed if it was some dude in a trenchcoat holdin’ a camera?!”

“Kid, I was tryin’ta be clever! The whole point was that it hides behind ‘journalistic integrity’, it was s’posed to be a paparazzi!”

The girl couldn’t find a retort to that, instead just throwing her arms in the air again. “…I guess!”

“Ya ‘guess’ a lotta things, huh?” Stan remarked, “I’d ask if yer well-versed in lumberjack lore or somethin’, but if ya were, I ‘guess’ ya wouldn’t need to say that so much.”

“Shut up…” the girl mumbled under her breath, deflating again. “I-I mean, my dad’s a lumberjack, but…”

  That mention of her parents, however indirect, suddenly made Stan’s posture go straight and rigid, and he immediately spied the area for anyone else. Just as before, it was pretty much empty - it was nearly nighttime, who else would be here?

  “Where the heck are your folks, anyway? I don’t wanna get arrested for kidnappin’ or child endangerment.”

  The girl loudly swallowed, trying to wipe some off the ice cream smudge off her face. “They’re… they’re not here.”

Stan’s brow arched again, but his expression quickly softened; the way she said that implied there was a pretty good reason why she wasn't with her parents right now, and in Stan's mind, the fact that she hadn't just opened with that from the start implied she was being honest, and not just trying to guilt-trip him into letting her off the hook.

Feeling a little sympathy for whatever predicament she wound up in, he offered a tissue to clean up her face. She snatched it away, only murmuring a reluctant ‘thanks’ in reply and cleaned the ice cream smudge off. He didn't comment on that, right now he was busy thinking about how strangely well she was taking this.

“…Yanno, ya didn’t hafta tell me that,” Stan finally said, “I mean, I’m a weird old stranger. Not like you can trust me. Ya coulda just said yer folks were around the corner an’ I’da left you alone.”

He wanted to add ‘probably’ in case said folks were less-than-ideal, but A) he felt he was giving himself too much credit by presuming, in the face of bad parenting, he wouldn’t just run off and hide like the coward he is, and B) that wouldn’t sound good in general regardless of the circumstance.

“I don’t care,” she quickly added, finally clambering out of the freezer and onto solid ground, wiping her dirtied hands on the tissue. “My family’s being dumb. ‘Specially my dad. I don’t wanna go home. I’d rather be with a weird old stranger! ‘Least I could bite you on the arm an’ get away with it!”

Hoo, boy. Stan really hoped that hypothetical scenario wouldn’t come up in actual real non-hypothetical life so soon… still, she seemed like a real scrapper, if that comment about arm-biting was any indication. She had energy. Maybe he was underestimating her.

  “M-my name’s Wendy,” she added in, apropos of nothing, again nervously rubbing her arm. “Just… yanno, thought you’d want to know. I guess.”

“I hadn’t asked, but thanks anyway,” Stan responded, as he began to brush his chin, leaning on his cane. Suddenly, the puzzle pieces were fitting together in his head. Gawky, tall redhead, awkward family situation, has a lumberjack for a dad, obviously lived nearby if she could get here without needing a lift...

“I don’t s’pose your dad is ‘Manly’ Dan Corduroy? I’ve worked with ‘im in the past. Pretty sure he mentioned a ‘Wendy’ a couple times. Or he coulda just been talkin’ about his ‘fwendy’. I know he’s got a softer side.”

“Psh, as if,” Wendy scoffed, “he never listens to me! And he’s always forcin’ me to do crap I don’t wanna do! Like, this summer he’s gonna make me go to some stupid logging camp so I don’t ‘slack off’! My brothers are the ones who slack off all the damn time, a-and I got friends here! I have a life, too! Uggghhhh…” she groaned again, slumping down into a sitting position in front of the freezer. “I wouldn’ta told ya this, but you’re just gonna snitch on me either way, so. Whatever! Screw it!”

“Hey!” Stan suddenly felt a wave of indignation wash over him, “now, I’m a lotta things, Wendy - some more prestigious than others - but one thing I’m not is a snitch! This whole incident’s between you an’ me. Yer dad don’t need to know. That’s how we do things back East.”

  Wendy turned away from him; she didn’t seem convinced, but whatever. She didn’t need to be convinced. He already decided he wasn’t going to tell Dan what she’d done here, no matter how good their ‘business relationship’ is. She didn't need him screaming at her over ice cream.

  Stan found himself leaning against the freezer after he closed it, almost mirroring Wendy’s posture. He took his cane and started drumming his fingers on the 8-ball tip, considering the girl’s words. He and Manly Dan were on good terms, but even he could tell that he was an intense guy. Even Stan’s own father might have told him to cut back on the whole ‘manliness’ thing.

He looked back at Wendy, who was still clearly fuming - he had no doubt she’d make good on her threat to bite him on the arm if he ticked her off. He’d only known her for about five minutes, and already, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t see a bit of himself in her. Running off to go eat someone else’s ice cream when pa was giving him a hard time was exactly young Stan’s thing. He was pretty sure Poindexter would have been on board.

  He shook that thought off without a moment’s consideration. It wasn’t nighttime yet. He was still technically in Mr. Mystery mode.

  Then he lit up, as that thought made an idea pop into his head. Summer was coming up - peak tourist season - and he could really do with an extra pair of hands to handle the menial customer service drudgery… the kind where you just sit around for hours waiting for someone to walk up to you, and get righteously angry at them if they complain about your prices (as far as Stan’s concerned, whoever said ‘the customer is always right’ can go suck a lemon).

In other words, the perfect job for this girl. He’d worry about her being too young, but he’d already burned that bridge with hiring Soos as a handyman when he was 12. He'd worry that maybe he was taking advantage of her less-than-ideal family situation, but again, it worked for Soos. He wasn't planning on forcing her to do any work she didn't want to. If she wants to say 'no', she can. He's a morally-ambiguous con artist, sure, but he's not evil.

  “Say, Wendy… ya said yer father is sendin’ ya off to this loggin’ camp so ya don’t ‘slack off’ over th’summer, right?”

Wendy turned to face him - now her brow was arched up. “Um, yes?”

“Well… ya just cost me… probably a small fortune’s worth of ice cream. I’m gonna need those frozen assets back somehow. Lucky for you, yer dad an’ I enjoy a… well, I wouldn’t say an amicable business relationship, but let’s just say we traded money an’ things happened, some wild animals ended up on my property after fallin’ outta trucks registered to ‘im, total coincidence,” Stan rattled off, circling his hand. "I figure one possible way ya could repay me was if ya worked for me. Just as long as it took for me to take the damages outta yer paycheck, which would be 100% of yer paycheck 'cause you'd technically be doin' it as a chore for me. Yanno how it is with child labour laws."

"Uh-huh..." Wendy slowly stood up, scratching the back of her neck. "S'what, ya want me to become your debt slave?"

"I wouldn't put it quite like that..." Stan admitted, effectively saying 'yes' without actually saying 'yes' (trick of the trade), "think of it as more, givin' you somethin' low-risk to occupy yerself with. A taste'a the real world. It will last ya all summer, so that means ya won't be able to attend loggin' camp, an' you'll have to stay in town where all yer friends are an' all, but like I said, yer dad an' I are... some degree of friendly. I think we could work somethin’ out with minimal fuss."

The girl, for just a brief moment, impishly smirked, but hid it almost as quickly as it appeared. Stan knew that she was putting the pieces together in her head. "Riiiight... what kinda work?"

"How’dya feel about handlin’ a cash register?”

  Wendy paused, somehow managing to top her previous looks of bemusement.

  “Dude, my dad trusts me with a friggin’ axe. I can handle a stupid cash register.”

“Ha!” Stan chuckled, “then I think you an’ I would get along just swell. Yanno, as long as ya don’t steal any more ice cream …But if ya do, pro tip: just blame it on Soos.”

“Who’s Zeus?”

“My handyman. You’ll like ‘im, he’s a good listener. …Maybe a li’l too good. Ya ever need someone to yell at about random crap without feelin’ bad, Soos is yer guy.”

‘And definitely not me’, Stan thought. After all, it’s not like he’d just let her angst about her preteen issues at him and came out pretty well by the end, and she even pretty much dodged immediate punishment for eating all his ice cream…

Stan sighed again, dragging a palm down his face. He half-wondered if she hadn’t planned this. …Would that even be a bad thing?

"Fine, I'll do it. I guess," Wendy confirmed, folding her arms. "Now where's your bathroom? I need to take a dump."

Stan grimaced for a moment; he did not need to know that, but he honestly had no right to be disgusted - not like he was much more delicate when announcing his bathroom breaks.

"'S upstairs, second door on th'left. Don't panic if it floods, Soos hasn't unclogged it in about a month an' it's prob'ly accumulated bad luck; s'matter of when, not if."

At that, Wendy just made another grunty sound of indifference and wandered inside.

Stan allowed himself a little smile - he had a good feeling about this kid. Admittedly it wasn't the first time he'd hired part-time help over the summer, but they never lasted long. He'd really struck gold with Soos, happily sticking around long after he passed the age where working 'lowly' jobs became a source of personal embarassment for most people. Most people weren't like him; they saw the Shack strictly as a means to an end. He didn't expect Wendy would be any different - she'd probably only work here for as long as she needed to get away from her hyper-masculine family, then 'peace out' (do kids still say that?) without looking back when she turned 18, and that's the best-case scenario. Most of his old part-timers didn't even stick around for more than one summer. It was like they didn't trust him or something, or got squeamish because of his, uh, flexible approach to following the law.

Maybe Wendy would be different; maybe he'd strike gold twice. She didn't seem that bothered about his obvious disregard for child labour laws, after all. Or the fact that he straight-up admitted she wouldn't be getting paid, at least until she'd paid for all the ice cream she'd eaten (which, really, would only take a day, if that - not that she needed to know, it'd be a pleasant surprise when he actually paid her). But his life had taught him that too much wishful thinking is dangerous. Besides, if she quit at the first opportunity, not like he could blame her. He wouldn't even be mad.

Maybe he'd be a little disappointed, since he kinda-sorta related to her already and kinda-sorta wanted to see her grow up happy and safe.

Ugh, what was that... warm feeling in his chest? It felt too sappy and sticky and... no, not good. He needed to find Soos, maybe he'd found another reason for him to get cranky about something.

[shesasurvivor]

May 8, 2021 (fic)

It’s here at last! I’m so sorry I’m so late this year; things really got busy for me. But I could never forget my favorite girl completely. Here’s the update for May 8 this year!

Summary: Prim surprises Katniss for her birthday one year with an unexpected gift. Set pre-Games.

Read on A03

----

I open my bleary eyes only to see nothing but darkness spread out before me. I’m used to being an early riser, but somehow this seems to be pushing it. I’m not sure what time it is, but it feels too early regardless. I feel the light pressure of a small hand pressed against my back as it gently shakes me. So I didn’t imagine it.

With a start, I sit up, wondering what’s wrong that either my mother or my sister could be stirring me awake. It would have to be an emergency because that’s the only time either of them is awake before I am. I’m already halfway out of bed, using my foot to feel around in the dark for my leather boots when I make out Prim’s small shape in the darkness. 

“Prim,” I breathe. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“It’s okay, Katniss,” she says with a giggle, of all things. The sound is strange and catches me off guard. A giggle? That doesn’t add up. Then a dim light fills the room as my mother strikes a match, and I find Prim beaming at me.

“Happy birthday!” she sings out as soon as she can see me clearly. Our mother stands behind her, still in her nightshirt, smiling faintly at me as well. 

Oh. My birthday. I’d nearly forgotten about it. Not that there’s ever much to look forward to, other than the memory that I’m eligible to put my name in the Reaping a few more times in exchange for tesserae. Happy birthday to me. 

“We have a surprise for you,” Prim continues, pulling on my hand to encourage me to get out of bed. I’m still a little groggy and would rather catch a few extra minutes of sleep before I take off into the woods, but I follow Prim anyways and let her lead me into the next room, to our cramped kitchen. In the center of the room sits a small, unfinished wooden table that’s been worn down from years of use. And right in the middle sits a round cake that’s been decorated with white frosting and dotted with ornately shaped yellow blossoms.

My breath catches in my throat at the sight of it. I can feel Prim exuding pride and excitement beside me. I want to be happy for her sake, to show how much I appreciate this. Instead, my heart falls into my stomach. All I can think about is how much it must have cost us to buy this.

“Oh, Prim,” I murmur, and there’s no mistaking that I’m upset and not as touched as she wanted me to be. And immediately I wish I wish I could take it back, or could have forced myself to play along, or something to keep the crestfallen expression that’s falling across my sister’s face now. 

“You don’t like it?” Her voice is small, fragile. I crumble to pieces, then snap back together as I rush to reassure her that she hasn’t done something wrong. “It’s just… how much did something like this cost?” I’ve been by the bakery windows enough times with her to know that these cakes fall well outside of our pathetic budget. Not even my trades with the baker would catch us something like this. It would take a whole lot of squirrels to get something like a decorated cake from the window.

“Oh, is that all,” Prim looks amused now. “I just traded a wheel of cheese for it.”

“A wheel of cheese?” I repeat, not sure how to process the relief and confusion I’m feeling simultaneously. I’m beyond grateful that Prim didn’t spend anything more than that, but it doesn’t make sense. Prim’s goat cheese is outstanding, but it still doesn’t amount to the cost of one of the fancy cakes. “Mr. Mellark let you buy a cake for a wheel of cheese?” 

“Not Mr. Mellark,” Prim explains. “One of his sons. The youngest one. His name is Peeta. He gave me some of the supplies and even offered to decorate it himself. He put the flowers on because I wasn’t getting them. He’s really good. Katniss?”

I’m staring blankly at the cake, trying to make sense of all this. I know the son she’s talking about, though this is the first time I’ve heard his name. Peeta. Peeta Mellark. We don’t know each other, at least not directly. But this isn’t the first time I’ve been gifted with baked goods because of him. There was one other time, on a fateful rainy day, when I thought my luck had finally run out and the end had finally come. Peeta Mellark. Of course, the cake is covered in yellow flowers. 

“We’ll save it,” I say, shaking my head to clear out the memory. I smile down at my sister, looking up at me with relief at my lightened mood. “We’ll have it for dessert after dinner tonight.”

“Okay,” she agrees happily. She gives me a hug, then goes off to get ready for the day. 

Later, in the crowded hallways of the school, I glance up and find Peeta Mellark staring straight at me. He looks as though he’s been watching me for a while, and for a minute, I think he’s going to actually come over to say something to me. For some reason, the thought makes me embarrassed. Heat flooding my cheeks, I look away quickly. A moment later, I dare to look back, but he’s not looking at me anymore either. Instead, he’s turned and has started walking in the opposite direction down the hallway. But as the hall begins to clear out, I notice a crumpled piece of paper lying where he had been standing moments earlier. Unable to resist the curiosity, I edge over to the spot and pick it up. On the wrinkled paper is a rough pencil sketch of the very same blossoms that dot the cake back home. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” is written in clean, careful handwriting underneath.

I lift my eyes and stare for a long moment in the direction he disappeared in, trying to make sense of it. Was he about to give this to me for my birthday? We don’t really know each other. Though he would have to know it was my birthday after he helped Prim with my cake. But why? Why would he do any of that? He doesn’t owe me anything. I’m the one who owes him, who will never stop owing him, and I still haven’t managed to get out so much of a thank you to him for saving my life all those years ago. 

After a while, I give up trying to piece it together. The drawing can’t have been anything more than a practice run for the cake he decorated, with no other meaning. He was probably looking at me because he remembered my sister. There’s no further explanation for it. Besides, everyone loves Prim. I’m the forgettable one.  

I think about tossing the crumpled drawing into a trash bin as I pass by but somehow feel bad about doing so. Instead, I fold it carefully and put it in my pocket. I forget about it until that evening when the Hawthornes have come over to help me celebrate my birthday. As Gale hands me a slice of the cake, I remember the incident, and a hand slips into the pocket and fingers the paper sitting there. 

Briefly, I wonder if I should find Peeta Mellark at school tomorrow and return the drawing to him, but I push the thought away. He clearly didn’t care about it. Neither do I, I tell myself. But the picture sits safely in my pocket regardless. It will serve as a reminder of a particularly nice birthday I had one year, if nothing else. 

[beyoncesdragon]

an introduction of VICTON♥︎༄

my favorite emo punk fairies of kpop, @aixy-hpsa bub buckle up.

-`about victon´-

Victon actually means Voice to New World or some, and we, the cult-followers, are to be yelled at by the name of ALICE. They debuted 2016 and have so far produced a bunch of mindblowing, amazing, superior, beautiful, showstopping (...) bops:

-`studio albums´-

Voice : The Future is Now (2021) *scream*

-`mini albums´-

Voice To New World (2016)

Ready (2017)

Identity (2017)

From. VICTON (2017)

Nostalgia (2019)

Continuous (2020)

-`single albums´-

"Time of Sorrow" (2018)

"Mayday" (2020)

they are amaaaaazing oke. look here have my favorite songs of them. (Yes I’m forcing my love for them down your throat now I’m sorry)

♥︎ - KANG SEUNGSIK - ♥︎

♥︎ 16. April 1995 ♥︎ 🐶 ♥︎ 🇰🇷 ♥︎

Leader!

He became Victons leader after Seungwoo started participating in Produce X 101 and then officially became Victons leader when Seungwoo came back from X1.

Vocalist! VOCALIST. VOCALIST

This man is blessed with a set of insane vocal chords and we all love him for it.

congratulations to Victon for being the only group with Kang Seungsik

He’s the mom of the group :,)

Supa caring dude, cleans up the mess of OT6

Is “Health” in persona, which kinda fits doesn’t it.

Naturally gets bullied by the younger ones.

EYE SMILE GANG

Also has dimples

Great leader and we should all respect him for it and give him never ending credits, victon wouldn’t be victon without him periodt.

♥︎ - HAN SEUNGWOO - ♥︎

♥︎ December 24, 1994 ♥︎ 🦊 ♥︎ 🇰🇷 ♥︎

Lead rapper, lead dancer, lead vocalist lead everything

Except Leader.

He gave that position up after he returned from X1 (where he by the way also was voted leader)

YOOO the members missed him so much they cried when he was gone

Visuals✨

Oh boy that man...dangerous

He has the funniest laugh? Like u would never expect that laugh to be his???

He. Has. His. Own. EP. And I dare everyone to listen to „Sacrifice“. It’s a masterpiece.

Seunggu also has tattoos!! 3 in total.

This dude is ripped yet u will probably catch him imitating goats and pikachu...?

Will roast the maknae but with love

Hes so much more than just his face.

♥︎ - DO HANSE - ♥︎

♥︎ 25. Sept. 1997 ♥︎ 🐱 ♥︎ 🇰🇷 ♥︎

Hello you’re looking at the loml

Main rapper.

(Of victon and of Kpop ex.1 and ex.2)

Sese ♥︎

Puts the sweet in sweetheart and really, he only looks like he could kill

TATTOOOOOS. SO. MANY. OF. THEM.

Semicolon on his wrist; cross on his left shoulder and chest (he church boi); roses on his arm: writings on his collar bone; so many more

bestest sense of fashion hands down

Iconic lip ring

His own solo EP is on the way!!!

Somehow this man is also main dancer

MIC FLIPS OWO

Talented boy.

♥︎ - LIM SEJUN - ♥︎

♥︎ May 4, 1996 ♥︎ 🍓 ♥︎ 🇰🇷 ♥︎

You are looking at an icon here

Most coziest-est VLives in history of Vlives

Easily scared (victon does enjoy that, naturally)

Very whiny but it’s oke

Lead Vocalist, Visual, Face of the Group

Insane vocals too, here ex.1

Another member of kpops cucumbers-anti squad

He’s very much BTS fanboy (not as much as Wooyoung but that’s hard anyways)

Competitive eater (listen, the maknae said that and we will believe him)

Will never leave Subin do a Vlive in peace ever

Will Never leave Subin live in peace ever either

Clingy boy

Walking noise-machine, he goes “ouh? Oh? Eh?” Like 372892 times a day

So much love for the dimple-prince

♥︎ - HEO CHAN - ♥︎

♥︎ December 14, 1995 ♥︎ 🦖 ♥︎ 🇰🇷 ♥︎

May I introduce...SUNSHINE OF VICTON ☀️

Mood maker of the group!

Mr Main Dancer and Vocalist also has dimples

And even tho he wanted to be a dance instructor, he somehow ended up becoming an idol

He even trained with TBZ mr leader sir Sangyeon

Mans can drive!!

Like Lee Know, he once was a backup dancer. For A-Pink tho, which is pretty cool

Hes considered the uncle in our lovely family dynamic

Expensive boi be collecting sHOES

And he said he polishes them from time to time and I do think that’s adorable

He’s also allergic to cats (unless it’s Hanse. That’s okay ig)

Cutest sunny boy, will take good care of your heart always☀️💛

♥︎ - CHOI BYUNGCHAN - ♥︎

♥︎ November 12, 1997 ♥︎ 🐥 ♥︎ 🇰🇷 ♥︎

Welcome to Victon where everyone has a mandatory crush on Byung

Like he doesn’t even have to enter your biasline

You will still have a crush on him because Byungchan

Softest biaswrecker i have ever had 112/10 would recommend

Tall boi. Like really tall and really broad👀

I keep forgetting he’s maknae line tbh

Prettiest Dimples ever.

Very active on his Instagram and we love him for it

Top tier bf material

Hes the softest boy and yet only one who isn’t scared of fucking bugs (victon scaredy cats)

Try not falling too hard for the mister

He knows so many girlfroup dances

He also shows them off quite always

He’s a bit tinie liddol but clumsy sometimes

Gosh I love him

♥︎ - JUNG SUBIN - ♥︎

♥︎ April 5, 1999 ♥︎ 🐰 ♥︎ 🇰🇷 ♥︎

Vocalist, Rapper, Heart-stealer, Actor...

AND MOST LOVED MAKNAE EVER

Like I don’t know if any maknae ever received as many kisses as this one

Gets (rightfully) babied to the Max by every. Single. One. Of. Them.

24/7

He’s also a babie. Like yes he’s a grown man and he looks hella intimidating on stage but-

It’s Subin

He’s also the smolest in Victon (uwu)

At the same time, maknae on top, this man gets everything (except his own room lmao) he wants

Sometimes not so baby (ex.1)

Saiubin-bby was supposed to debut with Pentagon but he yeeted last minute (we thank)

The child himself has children too: dog Toto and 2 cats: Mimi and Jaws.

He’s close friends with my favourite, formerly pink-haired elf-twink Yeonjun of TXT

Chairman of Victon.

he has the BEST insta user: subsubey.

Best boi.

-`very valid victon-moments to begin with´-

- because its pride: 🌈

- general victon-feelsies: 🌸

- for bad mood: ☀️

- moments when you want to question their sanity: 🌻 🌼 🌺 🌹

- victon being talented on studio CHOOM

- victon being talented whilst covering kehlanis "Gangsta"

alright that was long. and yes they are exactly as loud and noisy and annoying and time consuming as they seem but they are also best boys who can bring very much happiness into ones life, so they are very much worth it

[mldrgrl]

Broken Things 20/24

by: mldrgrl Rating: varies by chapter, rated R overall  See Chapter 1 for summary and notes

The incident breeds awkwardness between them for the rest of the morning.  Katherine moves out of his arms eventually and he helps her to gather her clothes.  She keeps her eyes down as she dresses, leaving things unbuttoned and untied, and doesn’t look at him.

“I just need a few minutes to put some fresh clothes on,” she says.  “And then I’ll see to breakfast.”

“Take your time.  I’ll need to check on the boys and see if the storm did any damage.”

She nods once and then she slips out the door.  He wonders if he should go after her or say something, but he doesn’t know what to say that he hasn’t already.  He sighs and then dresses for the day.

Melvin and Trevor already have the barn open when he makes it outside.  Richard is repairing a fencepost in the hog pen.  The ground is muddy, but the sky is blue and the sun is bright.  

“How are things?” Mulder asks.

“Everyone pulled through,” Melvin answers.  “Trevor said that them sheeps were noisy little buggers.  Queenie was fit to be tied over their restlessness, but they settled once the rain let up.”

“How did George do?”

“Just fine.  We actually moved the goats into the stable before it got bad and I put ‘em in with George.  They kept good company for each other.”

“Roof held up?”

“Just fine.”

“Good, good.”

“Everything alright with you?”

“Just fine.”  Mulder rubs the back of his head and looks away from Melvin.

“Mmhm.”

With Jesse and Jimmy away, there is just too much to be done for Mulder to dwell on Katherine’s reluctance to let him in.  Whatever happened this morning, it doesn’t change the closeness they shared the night before, that he now knows is possible to have.  He’s not angry, he’s just sad for her and for them.  Whatever Jack Willis did to her, if the man wasn’t already dead, Mulder would kill him.

It takes some time to relocate the livestock back to their pens.  The hogs romp and roll in the mud, ecstatic, ignoring their slop initially in favor of getting dirty.  Katherine rings the breakfast bell as they’re mucking the stables and Mulder sends them in ahead of him.  He doesn’t have much of an appetite anyway.

Katherine jumps up from the table when he comes in and rushes to the stove.  He puts his arm around her and takes the spatula from her hand.  “Go on and sit down,” he says.  “I know how to fix a plate up.”

“The eggs might be cold.  I covered the bacon to keep it warm.”

“That’s my fault.  I��m late.”  He kisses her cheek and sends her away.

Melvin scrutinizes them the whole meal.  He can feel the older man’s eyes on him at times and he catches him looking at Katherine as well.  

“It’s already starting to dry up out there,” Mulder says.  “I think we should send the horses out to pasture today, what do you think?  Let them run off any residual nerves and they might enjoy a nice roll in the mud, though probably not as much as the hogs.”

“You want to run the curry comb through the lot of ‘em at the end of the day, go on ahead,” Melvin says.

Mulder chuckles.  “It’s Saturday.  You boys planning on heading down to the bath house tonight?  Faithful Jenny and Blondie would probably like a nice ride.  That black stallion from the postal team, he handles well with a saddle.”

“Why do you call the horse Faithful Jenny?” Katherine asks.

Richard laughs.  Mulder chuckles around a mouthful of eggs.  Trevor turns a shade of red that would make a ripe tomato jealous.  Melvin coughs into his fist.

“Have you ever heard of Old Faithful in Yellowstone?” Mulder asks.

Katherine shakes her head no.  Mulder takes another stab at his eggs and then wipes his eyes and sits back.

“Old Faithful is a geyser,” he says.  “Some members of an expedition were camped nearby and noticed that she erupted with predictability every ten minutes or so.”

Richard pounds a fist on the table and laughs so hard he doubles over off the bench.  Mulder shakes his head, but has to laugh with him.

“We got Jenny from a rancher nearby that couldn’t take it no more,” Melvin continues where Mulder left off.  “He come ‘round with her and asked if we could just buy her off him for a fair price because he was at his wits end.”

“But, she’s a lovely horse,” Katherine says.

“Oh, yes,” Mulder says.  “She’s a good old gal, she was just also foraging in the wrong places and got herself a bad case of the colic.”

“You’re not gettin’ to the best part,” Richard says.

“Why don’t you go ahead,” Mulder tells him.  “You sure do enjoy the tale.”

“The best part is that when Mr. Miles dropped her off he said, ‘I tell you what, you can set your watch by that horse’s farts, I reckon.  Probably gives Old Faithful a run for her money.’”

“Oh, my.”  Katherine’s cheeks redden for a moment and then the corners of her mouth pick up and her lips quiver like she’s trying to suppress her amusement, but she can’t hold it for long.  Her giggles almost sound like hiccups and she covers her mouth with one hand.  Her shoulders are shaking and she lets go with a full belly laugh that has the whole table roaring in no time.

“She’s on a special diet now so her, uh, troubles have passed,” Mulder says, when the laughter has died down.  “But, we got used to calling her Faithful Jenny and so the name just carries on.”

“Poor Jenny,” Katherine says.

“You’re lucky you never stood downwind of her some years ago,” Richard says.

The table breaks up into laughter once more.

↭

She’s felt anxious and embarrassed for most of the day.  The hilarity at the breakfast table eased some of her tension, but by noon dinner she had a knot in her stomach.  Her misery is self-imposed.  She knows this.  Mulder has been nothing but gentle and tender with her all day and she returns his kindness with silence.

While the men tend to the horses and get ready for their Saturday trek into town, she launders the sheets and the week’s dirty clothes.  There’s a stain on one of Mulder’s undershirts and she realizes it’s the one he used to clean her hands last night.  The thought of what they did makes her breathless.  She has to grip the side of the washtub to keep upright she feels so faint.

She wants so badly to erase the past and move forward.  She wants so badly for this new marriage she has to feel real.  Last night was as real as it could be, but she had to ruin things this morning.  Perhaps she’s mistaking Mulder’s kindness for pity, and she wouldn’t blame him for it.  She’s pathetic and weak and doesn’t deserve all the nice things he’s done for her.

She refuses to dwell on this now.  She has chores to do and meals to prepare.  It’s why she’s here.  Not to fall in love with her own husband.  She gasps and for the second time, has to grip the side of the washtub.  Is she in love?  No, she can’t be.  She hardly knows him.  She only knows that he’s kind, he’s generous, he laughs easy, he has a slight temper, but isn’t violent.  He’s patient, he’s good to his horses and the men that work for him.  He’s good to her.  

She hears the back door close and she startles at the sound and automatically jumps to start scrubbing the undershirt in her hand.  Mulder knocks softly on the side of the washroom door and smiles at her.

“The boys are heading into town,” he says.  “I told them to go ahead and set out early and I thought I’d go ahead and make supper for us tonight.”

“You can cook?”

“I’m hurt that there’s doubt in your tone.”

“I’m not doubting, I’m just…”

“Naturally skeptical, since I have not yet proven my worth to you.”

“You’ve more than proven your worth,” she says, softly, taking the teasing tone out of the conversation.

Mulder smiles at her and reaches out to cup her cheek.  She wants to believe that she is worth the trouble if he can still touch her so fondly and make her feel so cared for.

“Need help with the laundry?” he asks.

“I’m nearly done, just need to get these shirts scrubbed and hang up this last basket to dry.”

“I can do that.”  He squeezes past her to take the basket of damp clothing and then hoists it up over her head to squeeze back out.  “That pulley you had Richard install is just about the most genius thing I’ve ever seen.”

Mulder takes the laundry away and she finishes with the shirts.  She goes out to the back to pin them up and he lets her take over the line.  She gets fresh linens on the beds, does some dusting, and cleans up the washroom.  Before she’s through, she can smell the hearty aroma of meat cooking and hear the sizzle of the skillet.

“Pork chops?” she asks.

“I confess it’s about the only thing I can cook, but I do it well.”

“Should I chop anything?”

“No, Ma’am.  I’ve had potatoes baking for some time and I brought up a jar of applesauce.”

“There are a few corn fritters leftover from dinner that I wrapped.  We could heat those as well.”

“I think that sounds perfect.”

Katherine sets the table for two.  The pork chops are delicious.  He shows her how to garnish a baked potato with chopped bacon and bits of chives and cheese, which she’d never seen done before.  She tries to imagine an easy life with him and what it would have been like if only they’d met four years ago.

“Have you given any thought to what you’d like in the expansion?” he asks.

Katherine shakes her head.  “There isn’t anything in particular that I can think of.  I would like...well, I would like the porch to stay the way that it is.  Facing west.  I like watching the sunset.”

“I wouldn’t dream of changing that.  I was thinking I might convert the bunkhouse into a guest house.  And I’d like to have an office built on the other side of the kitchen.  There must be something you’d like though.  A parlor?  Sewing room?  Laboratory?”

She shakes her head at him and then laughs.  “A laboratory?”

“Some place for the science things you enjoy.”

“No, thank you.”  Her smile fades a bit as memories fall on her.  “When I was a little girl, all I used to want was my own bookcase, filled with books, but my father said that reading novels was unladylike and would rot my brain and fill it with uppity ideas.  I had a schoolteacher that did not agree, fortunately, and I did most of my reading in secret, with her help.”

“Is that the same teacher that got you interested in sciences?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a favorite novel?”

“Moby Dick always resonated with me.”

“Dense material for a young person, lady or gent.  How did it resonate?”

“The ship’s captain, Ahab, reminded me very much of my father.”  She closes her eyes for a few moments and then shakes the memories of her childhood from her head.  Her family is not a subject she wishes to think about right now.  “Do you think we could put in a magnolia tree somewhere?”

“I’ve never seen a magnolia out in these parts, but we can find out if the soil is right for it.”

“That’s all I want.”

“I’ll do my best to give it to you.”

She stands then to start clearing the dishes and to clean the kitchen.  Mulder lays a hand on her arm, very gently.

“You could have your own library,” he says.  “A room full of all your favorite books and all the ones you never got to read, but always wanted to.”

“The porch and the tree will be more than enough.”

He lets her go with a bit of reluctance and she goes on with her cleaning.  He heads out to do the evening chores in the barn and stables.  She doesn’t see him again for the rest of the evening.  She is already lying in bed when she hears him come in by the soft tread of his boots on the wood floor that she’s grown accustomed to.  She hears him open his door and there’s a long pause before he closes it.

She twists the wedding ring on her finger around and around.  When she catches herself, she shakes her hands and then starts to do her rosary, but stops that as well.  For nearly her entire life she’s been told that trusting in God and saying her prayers will bring her comfort and peace, but she’s never known it to be comforting at all.  Certainly not in the four years when she could have used it the most.  And she never knew peace until last night when she was with Mulder, so close with him, lying in his arms.

Maybe God led her here, or maybe He didn’t.  Maybe it was fate, like Mulder said.  The point is, if she wants peace, if she wants comfort, she knows where to find it.  All she has to do is get up and walk across the hallway.  Can she really ask him to do this for her though, when he’s already given her so much?  And what has she given him in return?

Katherine sighs and twists her ring again.  Finally, she kicks the sheets away and gets up from the bed.  She unties her hair and shakes it loose before she goes to her door.  It takes her some time to open it and then she stands in the dark for a few moments more before she tiptoes to his door.  The floor creaks softly under her.  She can see the lamplight shining dimly from under the bottom of his door.  It takes her another few moments and a few deep breaths, but she knocks.

Mulder opens the door.  He’s bare-chested and bare-footed.  His suspenders are slung down by his thighs and the top button of his trousers is undone.  He cocks his head in question and she drops her eyes for a few moments, but then looks back up at him.

“Could you hold me?” she asks.

He opens his mouth and then purses his lips and nods.  “Yeah, I can do that.”

[chemicalpink]

Trust Fund Baby ♡ Kim Seokjin

Pairing: Kim Seokjin x reader

Genre: Fluff + Softcore Smut with a side of Comedy

Word Count: 6.1k

Warnings: includes softcore porn, mc cries during sex bc too much feelings, fake engagement, Jin’s mum dislikes YN

Summary: Kim Seokjin is the biggest Trust Fund Baby, it is no secret but he’s almost thirty and on the line to inherit his dad’s CEO position, which makes his family set a deadline for his engagement or he loses it all.

OR

The one where Seokjin is no good with buried feelings but Y/N isn’t any better (they kinda hate each other and they have to share a bed okay, thats the cliche here)

A/N: banner made by me, whoa I finally got this bad boy finished that took quite some time, well, I hope you enjoy, these past few days haven’t been nice to me but I’m slowly working on it. Much blessing to all of you reading this first attempt at a slightly longer shot.

Seokjin has always been one to enjoy the finest things in life, traveling around the world at any given time? check. shopping without checking the price tag? check. attending a top tier university? also check. 

The thing is, one can only live so long without having to actually work for every single swipe of a black card. He is about to turn 28, youngest child of the most successful tech innovator in Korea and a former second-place Miss Universe, and he has yet to bring a girl home that provides him with some kind of secured future to the family name.

“We are not getting any younger” his mother had said the first few times the topic was brought up during their usual family Sunday brunch, but the words fell on deaf ears.

When his dad started getting involved in the matter, Seokjin knew he was over and done with.

But as much as his dad was headstrong, Jin was one himself too, he entered each blind date knowing that he would make whoever was sitting across from him, absolutely despise him after less than an hour went by, which was quite a hard task in itself, seen as he was pretty good looking and with a heavy amount of money under his name. 

See, he would have probably agreed to marry to some of the girls that his dad sent his way, but every time he sat down for dinner with each of them, they were not even trying to fake being interested in him, just his lifestyle, whether it is if his dad was about to name him CEO any time soon or how much money they could blow off in the wedding.

He could do it for the rest of his living days, scaring off his father’s candidates, that is. It was somewhat fun, earning a weirded out look when he mentioned he liked bathing in goats milk religiously, or how he allegedly liked being put to sleep like a baby, he even once went as far as admitting a fake toe kink in the most perverted way possible when one of them just wouldn’t budge.

Then again, his fun could only last so long, as his father called him up to the office to give him a 30-day ultimatum or his trust fund would be taken away for good. Now that had the gears in his head working, how on earth would any sane enough person agree to marry in a month-long time.

“I’m not saying you’re not a keeper, hyung but I honestly don’t think I can take up such a responsibility,” Namjoon laughed as they sat in one of the campus’ lounge chairs while they waited for their class to start, the elder groaned in response.

“Could you imagine having to marry THE Kim Seokjn in less than a month, but also having to meet the standards of tech genius Mr Kim and universal beauty Mrs Kim” Jungkook laughed at his friend as he patted his shoulder in pity “I don’t think anyone is willing to put themselves through it hyung”

“Could you just- I don’t know, help me out a bit? I already know I’m fucked” 

“Okay, let’s say… who could pass the scrutinising judgemental eye of the Kims?” the blond one offered, just a bit of teasing in his tone “They would have to be a girl, your father seems adamant on that one” he paused as if in thought “ A nice family name would help too”

“She would have to be good looking too, my mum says Seokjin-hyung’s mum can never be seen without looking like she is about to own a runway” 

“Well that’s about it, I will be broke for the rest of my life, I won’t be able to pay my student loans, it was nice knowing you guys, I’ll just have to work at some greasy old diner to pay for a one-bedroom apartment somewhere out of the city and we’ll never hang out again because I’ll be a disgrace of society, this handsome face will just wrinkle and spot without the high maintenance and- ugh” he buried his face in between his hands, resting on the table in an overexaggerated manner after his rant, making the youngers try to stifle a laugh

“Whoa, what is the drama queen crying about now?” Taehyung, another friend of theirs approached the table after hearing the not so subtle commotion “Hyung, if your night cream went out of stock again, you know I can get my mum to ship some to you, we’ve talked about this”

If Seokjin’s dramatic outburst from before had made them laugh, Taehyungs’ confession made them burst in a fit of laughter that had both of them holding onto their sides “You’ve- you’ve had to restock Seokjin-hyung on- on night cream before?” 

“And now he’s going to kill me, stop laughing!” he took a seat next to them “What is this about anyway?”

“His dad said he has to marry or they will completely obliterate his spending rights” 

“Oh but, how hard can it be? You’re Kim Seokjin, just ask a girl to fake marry you” 

“He’s just worried that after having a taste of Worldwide Handsome, they won’t let go ” Seokjin let out an overdramatic groan at that, continuing to fake cry, sound muffled by his arms

“Then just ask someone that doesn’t give two shits about your money or reputation to fake marry you”

“I don’t think such a person exists, hyung”

“Yah, Y/N is a good option, her family is filthy rich too” 

“But isn’t Y/N… you know, a bastard child?” Taehyung was known amongst their scene as a social butterfly, not caring about the protocol they were subdued into when they were children, so it made sense that while for them it was almost a rule to never consider an illegitimate child a friend of theirs, Taehyung would just jump over that fact.

“Which is exactly my point, if you show up to your parents’ house, saying you’re ‘oh so in love with this black sheep’ I could bet my life, they’ll let you off the hook”

 So maybe Taehyung was right, you were his best shot so far. Contrary to what most people new to the scene of Korea’s high society believe about your social status as an illegitimate child of the car emporium’s CEO and national treasure, he knows you are more of an insider, having grown up with him but… pretty much on the side. It wasn’t like you were alien to his lifestyle, but as you both grew up and he was involved more in the family business, you had grown apart, going as far as rebelling against your father once you were grown up enough to understand what being a bastard child meant for you. 

He never stopped seeing you around though, once you started going MIA on business dinners and family trips, he thought enough to see you during classes.

However, you stopped being recognisable after he attended a semester abroad, coming back home to see pigtails and pink puffy dresses long gone, in their place, ripped jeans, which were completely unacceptable for a lady, according to his mum, and driving one of your dad’s self-proclaimed archnemesis designs. 

It was a spring semester in high school, he could recall the time as if it were a precious memory, while the rest tried to pretend it had never happened in the first place; at age 27 he doesn’t have to try so hard to recall the way you burst into one of your father’s celebratory cocktails, drunk off your ass, barely managing to get a hold of some mic and screaming into it how he, and everyone else attending the party, had a stick up their asses that didn’t let them see anything but price tags before you were dragged off stage by security. He had giggled at it but his mother had scolded him, asking him to pretend as if you had never existed in the first place.

So of course, the secure way out of an arranged marriage was simple: you. 

Now, this promised to be no easy task, he knew you hated his family almost as much as you hated your own father, but he also happened to know his way into negotiating an infallible plan that would get you to rebel against the system you were so adamant on taking down. 

“Wait wait wait, so you’re telling me, asking me, to marry you” so perhaps approaching you on your way to class wasn’t the smartest way to do it, seen as you halted your hasty walk to turn to look at him, books in hand and looking like you hadn’t slept in days.

“Yeah, fake marrying me though” 

“I would still sign a contract, Jin you do know we would be legally married, right?” he just raised his shoulders as if to dismiss your statement.

“Say, hypothetically I do it, I don’t think your parents would approve of me” you resumed your walk and he found it appropriate to play dumb with a smile on his face.

“Why wouldn’t they?” 

You stopped walking again and blinked a few times his way as if debating inside your head if he really was that dense“Jin… I’m a bastard child, you know how it goes around here”

“Hmmm I’m willing to look past that, yeah” you stared at him for a few seconds before smiling in a knowing way, resisting the urge to roll your eyes at him,  not being able to see past his words to his true intentions on the matter since you two hadn’t really hung out for years “So what do you say?”

“No thank you” you weren’t about to turn around once you started to walk away once again, but out of the corner of your eyes you could see him hanging his mouth open in that drama fashion he was known for.

Days passed and each one seemed to go by faster than the last, by the time two weeks were left, he could practically hear the ticking clock inside his head, reminding him that maybe he should have gone for an easier target, perhaps some girl from the country club that seemed to always try so hard to steal a glance from him. But then again, he wouldn’t get rid of her for all he’s worth.

Seokjin tries, again and again, everytime ending up with a no from you, he starts actually trying as his days run low, peer pressure, you’d call it as he set up a huge booth full of roses just outside your dorm building, a mic held in his hand as everyone around him took videos of THE Kim Seokjin making a fool of himself for a girl, your cheeks blazing red as you walked up to him, finally fed up with him as you angrily whispered to him “You’re asking me because you don’t think I am on your level, you honestly think less of me, why? because I didn’t grow up in a golden cradle like you and your friends? because I actually have to work for what I have? You’re an asshole Kim Seokjin, but I will prove you, I can absolutely charm both of your parents, I’ll do it” Seokjin’s grin taking over his features.

The first time you officially posed as Seokjin’s girlfriend, you wouldn’t have thought it would be one of the most nerve wrecking experiences in your life, having grown in a wealthy family, after your mother decided to leave you with your biological dad and his rightful heirs, you were no stranger to their roundabouts, their lifestyle and everything in between.

“Well you cleaned up nicely, Y/N” Seokjin said in a mocking tone, body resting against his black car just outside your dorm building as he watched you close the glass door, ready to drive both of you to his family’s vacation house all the way in Jeju Island

“Why aren’t you a gentleman and help me with my stuff?” you groaned as, once again, your suitcase betrays you and tries to slip away from your grasp.

“Nah, not really my thing” he adjusted his sunglasses perched on his nose as he mockingly added “...darling”

“Kim Seokjin, I am the one doing you a favour by going with you!” you shouted back at him, in a futile attempt to get him to help you as he was already buckling himself up  inside the driver’s seat.

In all wealthy family fashion, as soon as Seokjin phoned back home to let his parents know that he was ‘finally ready to bring his girlfriend over’ his mum had gone all out and invited most of the inner Kim family for a weekend get together in one of their houses in Jeju, with just a text the night before having to leave campus as a heads up for you to get ready, currently on your way to catch a plane. 

“Wait so let me just get this straight” you said, surprised at Seokjin’s story of how the conversation with his mum went down, turning in your seat to face him more clearly “just after month of your parents trying to set you up, you just went ahead and straight up lied to your mother by saying that you’re bringing your long time girlfriend that you just somehow never mentioned before?”

“Yeah, Y/N, didn’t you hear me out the first time?”

You let out something between a laugh and a scoff as you melted into your seat “We’re so screwed”

Two hours and a lot of bickering later, you are still pushing your own suitcase forward as you and Seokjin made your way to a rented car just outside the airport.

“Listen so- these family things are kinda..”

“Stuck up?”

“I was gonna say etiquette-driven, but yeah, stuck up probably fits best” he said as you buckled your seatbelt on, him beginning to drive away and towards his family address, somewhere from the side of your eye you could see his hand trembling lightly on the steering wheel. Could it be that Kim Seokjin was nervous? The Kim Seokjin? 

“Relax Jin, I know exactly how to handle it. We grew up together, remember?” you said smiling at him as he turned your way for a second; to calm him down, but honestly it was more a thing to try and calm yourself down, having ran away from such a lifestyle, stirring things up in your family, only to end up somehow at the center of it all was sure a wild ride to be on.

“Yeah, I sometimes kinda forget you used to be so much better at this stuff than your sisters” his eyes lingered on you a second too long as you stopped at a red light, a small smile taking over his lips and the car behind you being quick to make it known that Seokjin was taking up too long to start the car going again when the light changed.

The ride was pretty much silent and kinda awkward but soon over with as the car pulled up to a familiar villa, white houses with fancy front gardens and over the top luxury cars lining up together as Jin parked on the third house on the right, just beside the one that used to be your father’s, and probably still was.

A woman was waiting by the entrance door, which you soon recognised to be Seokjin’s mum, looking just a tad older than how you remembered her from all those years ago, a bright smile on her face as she rushed to the driver’s side to greet her son.

“Ah Seokjinnie! You never visit anymore, look at you! Are you eating well? You look so thin!” she said as she placed two sonorous kisses on her son, one  on each cheek.

“Yah, eomma, we talk on the phone a lot though” 

“Wait so who’s the lucky lady you’ve brought home?” you stood kind of awkwardly on the front of the car to greet her with a small bow and a faltering smile, your heart speeding up at the memories of what your life used to be, fingers gripping your bag tighter in an attempt to not run away as soon as her eyes landed on you and her smile fell “Y/N? Seokjinnie, is Y/N really the girl you brought home?”

“Surprise?” Jin said from behind her as she not so subtly let out a huff and entered the house as you tried not to notice how your heart sinked at the sight, surely, you had always known deep down that you were quite the talk of the town amongst the families, with you being a bastard child and all, which was exactly why Seokjin had asked you to pretend to be his girlfriend, so his parents would drop the topic, very much preferring to see his son single rather than married to an out of marriage offspring, which not only made you realise that what you had promised yourself to make Seokjin down his words would never be true, you could never in a million years make his parents love you, and you didn’t calculate just how much it would hurt yourself as you tried.

“You can take the room upstairs, I’ll call you when your sister’s back so we can have dinner together” his mother said as she made her way inside without another word

“So I don’t think your mother likes me” you blurted out as soon as you closed the door to the room “Which I guess, goes exactly as you planned, after this I don’t think they’ll be pestering you to marry”

“Y/N that’s the least of our problems”

“What are you talking about?”

His eyes opened up to emphasize along with his hands dramatically pointing towards the bed “There’s only one bed and I have a bad back so I’m not about to sleep on the floor”

“Well that’s the least you could do Kim, I’m not about to share a bed with you”

“Take the couch?” he said as he pointed to a small couch that faced the window 

“Kim Seokjin I’m doing this much for your sorry ass, so unless you want me to go down and tell your mother that all of this is a set up, you take the damn couch”

“Well I never knew you looked that hot while yelling at me, Y/N”

“You’re insufferable” 

“Y/N come on, I don’t fit in that couch” he whined at you as you walked towards the bathroom to freshen up

“Do as you please Seokjin, but you’re not sleeping with me” 

As if dealing with Seokjin’s mum wasn’t enough, his sister was about to burst your head either from all the questioning or out of spite from the looks she was giving you as you sat across from her on the dinner table

“So Y/N, your sisters never mentioned you dating our Seokjin”

“Oh yeah- it was more of a very private matter, we dated for awhile just to see how it went, right Jinnie?” you said the nickname in a honey dripping voice that fitted the fake scenario you had going on

“Ahh yeah, yeah, Y/N and I, we uh- we like keeping to ourselves”

“And I haven’t seen you at your dad’s company dinners after- well, the incident”

“Seung” their oldest brother said sternly, catching up with her intentions “We’re just glad to see you again, Y/N”

“Thanks”

After dinner, Jin and you walked upstairs saying your goodbyes to the rest of his family to enter the bedroom, separately doing your night routines, you lied on one side of the bed as Seokjin prepped a few blankets and pillows in order to lie on the floor “I was just joking, you know? You could sleep on the other side of the bed” you said, feeling somewhat guilty at how he had taken your past statement as a rule

“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable” he was quick to say, already tossing at being uncomfortable lying on the floor.

“Oh so now you’re being considerate?” you scoffed- sure, Seokjin was kind of a dick, most of the time, but he wasn't half as bad as most people his age and social status, but honestly speaking, if he was so preoccupied on making you uncomfortable, he wouldn’t have even proposed to make you go through this whole ordeal “After what I just had to go through with your sister?”

“Well you kind of accepted to come” he retorted in a soft voice, one you hadn’t listened to him use before, as if over the course of the short dinner time, something had changed in your relationship “A friend doing me a favour, you know?”

“Seokjin…” you trailed off, however as far as you two went back, after news broke that you were somewhat cut off from your father’s heirship, and everyone started treating you cold as ever, you would have thought Jin had gotten the clue “We stopped being friends a long time ago”

“What are you talking about” the night was filled with silence apart from your two whispering voices in the dark as both of you laid there

“Yeah after… that time, we hadn’t talked to each other until now” Describing your relationship with Seokjin was one of the most difficult things to do, while you were still part of the official lineage of your father’s, the Kims had actually even rooted for you to marry Seokjin, whomst you were head over heels at the time, both of you were, but Jin being the good son and heir to a tech emporium, had always disliked the way you stood up against your father and the whole elite thing your families had going on; needles to say, you both completely cut off any strings attached after you proclaimed your despise to the whole wealthy ordeal and you were vanished from your dad’s will. 

“I fail to see your point” and for a second you would have loved to believe his soothing voice in the dark, to still be in friendly terms at least, with him, after all this time.

“Nevermind just- goodnight” you said as you turned on your side to cuddle the pillow in between your arms, his soft voice reaching your ears once more and for the last time in the night.

“Goodnight Y/N”

“I’m just going straight to the point here, Y/N what exactly do you plan on achieving by marrying my son?” Jin’s mother said as soon as you came down the stairs, Seokjin having left the room a while back

“Nothing ma’am, we’re just really in love” something inside you twisting at the lie that could have been truth if things were just a tiny bit different than how they were evolving at the time, the words leaving your lips sounding as the mere truth to your ears nonetheless

“I don’t buy that lovebirds facade, Y/N drop the act now” she turned to look directly at you, trying to sound menacing, which, would have worked, had it not been for you handling her for quite some time now, so you just tried your sweetest smile at her “Whatever you and Seokjin had when you were teens, your father and Seokjin’s father called it off”

“I know” you tried to conceal just how much the reminder hurted, the memories flooding into your mind, of you and Jin being engaged even before meeting each other, the good times you both spent together as friends, a few months as something more, then the lonely nights when it was all over and it had seemed like a dream that just wouldn’t ever come true.

“Just so you know, I’m keeping a close eye on you two” were her last words before leaving the kitchen, off to some other place in the house.

“Yes ma’am”

“Hey, Y/N, we’re heading to the beach you coming?” Seokjin asked as he laid his elbow on the counter, you pull him towards you, taking his hand in your smaller one as you watched his mother closing in on you two from the distance before she set her eyes elsewhere

He leaned in to you, whispering “What was that for?”

“Your mother knows something’s up” you shortly answered

“Y/N, I didn’t know you were coming” Seokjin’s father looked just as he did the last time you saw him years ago, his face contorting into an incredule one as he saw you descend from one of the cars that took you to the beach “Are you and your father on a better place now?”

“Oh no sir, I’m accompanying Seokjin” if he hadn’t believed your presence at first, he surely wasn’t believing the words leaving your mouth; Seokjin’s father had always had a soft spot for you, my hardest working tobe daughter-in-law, he had once said, and even after you and Seokjin’s engagement was called off, mainly by your father even when Jin’s mum said otherwise, his dad had offered you a place in his company’s headboard after you graduated, which you politely denied, knowing that someday, Seokjin would be CEO and you would have to work under his name directly.

“Seokjin? my son?” you nodded “What has Seokjin ever done to deserve you as his fiancee?”

“The same thing I keep repeating myself” you mutter more to yourself than for him to hear

“What was that?”

“Oh, nothing!”

The weekend with Jin’s family was as monotonous as you remembered them to be, with family dinner after a day at the beach, plus the constant scrutinising eye of his mother on you two, which made you both hold hands more than the normal amount a real couple should, only to have to spend the night at a lonely bed.

 “Jin, I’m cold” 

“Well you sure aren’t planning on also taking my blanket from me, you’ve taken my bed already” he joked from his made up bed on the floor, which in hindsight, was probably even colder for him than for you

“Jin”

“No can’t do”

“Come cuddle me then” the words had left your mouth before your brain could even complete to process them, the situation all too familiar from years before, like muscle memory, your brain had just dwelled into a common relationship between the two, too easy to slip away from.

“Ohhh you’re already falling for worldwide handsome” he joked, only you knowing the truth his words hid behind them and you felt your face heat up, somehow deciding against backing up.

“Shut up just-” torn between spilling your “new found” feeling for him that were remains from a past love or keeping it the bare minimum “I’m cold��

“Fine, I’ll be there” he paused, and you knew him all too well to know that he was wearing a stuid grin on his face, wondering if by any chance the innocent banter had a deeper meaning for him too as he added “Almost fiancee”

You could hear a shuffling  of blankets and him throwing his pillows on the bed before he literally jumped on it, whole body hovering over yours, his eyes glistening as they bore into yours as he kept his body weight on his extended hands, a familiar twist in your heart at the distance, his lips on yours in the blink of an eye for less than a second before he rolled off to the empty side of the bed

“What was that for?!” you panicked, not loud enough for anyone to hear but him

“I don’t know it felt right”

As you turned to confront him, the air suddenly didn’t feel as cold as before, a warmth enveloping you both that felt like home, like this place and time was exactly where you were supposed to be all along, your hands coming up to caress the side of his face as his larger ones tugged you closer to him effortlessly without breaking eye contact; both of your faces coming closer to each other, noses brushing against each other before your lips found his, an all too familiar setting for the both of you, everything feeling as if both of your lives had been a movie that had been unwillingly paused and someone had pressed play just as you were close like this, feeling as if all those years apart were nothing when together, his hot tongue lapping your lower lip as you granted him entrance, tongues dancing with one another as time seemed to slow down, a gasp escaping your lips as his cold hand found its way into your pajama pants “sorry, is this okay?” he whispered against your lips, to which you agreed, your own hands scurrying under his top to caress his torso, his lips finding your sweet spot under your ear all too easily, as if he had never forgotten about it, his pants straining by each passing second as you felt him grow harder against your thigh, hand going under the covers to palm him over the fabric, which made him exhale a moan in your ear, feeling yourself grow wetter at the display, all too familiar, yet not enough, you lunged yourself over him to straddle his hips, clothed core rubbing against his covered length in a futile attempt to ease the tension “ah- you’re sure about this, Y/N?” he found himself checking in with you before you both lost yourselves to pleasure “a hundred percent, Jin”.

Seokjin was quick to rid you both of your clothing, both of you grimacing at the cold and giggling about it for a second before you resumed your ways with one another, Jin’s tongue working its way down your body until he reached your folds, eating you out like a man starved, his hand finding yours to grip tight as he went down to business, lapping up your juices and working you to your first quieted orgasm of the night with a questionable experience, were you two to have never broken up in the first place; you quick to turn you both over so you were on top and ready to ride his apparently aching length as soon as he disctrated himself by kissing you post-bliss tasting yourself on his tongue, a smirk forming in his features as he reached on the bed side table to roll a condom on himself, your hands teasing him already as you muttered a “Your parents are in the next room” that was soon answered with a cocky “We shouldn’t let them hear then” before you lined him up with your entrance and slided down on him, hands gripping each other’s as you started working a pleasurable deep pace, moans tangling with the other’s, eyes fluttering shut and a lonely tear rolling down you cheek at all the emotions that you had pent up and were slowly releasing by each thrust as you buried your face on his neck, startling Jin  and making you look down on him to check on you as he noticed you crying “Y/N, are you okay?” he muttered sweetly before kissing your lips in the sweetest form, hips stilling as he was buried deep inside you, him tossing you underneath him, angling his hips better and taking over a more passionate pace, plump lips kissing away your falling tears, as if knowing that they were caused by something bigger than the both of you “God you’re so beautiful” he said as his pace became erratic “Come with me please, Y/N” whether his words or the newly found position as he pulled a leg over his shoulder, hitting all the right spots, worked you to your second orgasm, followed by him spilling in the condom, would remain a mystery as he was quick to dispose the used condom and clean both of you as you edged on sleep, his naked torso colliding with your bare back as he cuddled you.

“What are they doing here?” You muttered under your breath as Jin leaned into your frame, your right arm intertwined with his as you both rounded the corner to greet the guests that Jin’s mother had so carefully selected for the engagement party

“What? Who?” his eyes scanned the room rapidly 

“My father and- Seoyun and Junghee” his free hand rested on top of yours in an attempt to let you know he was there for you, having witnessed first hand all the history between you and your family and mentally cursing his mother for playing you so dirty

“Shit”

“Seokjin I can’t keep doing this” you turned to him, eyes panicked and wide on the verge of tears, his mind racing a hundred miles per second in search for the right words that would make you stay, he had already lost you before, and even though things didn’t quite turned out the way he had planned, he wasn’t about to let you slip away again “I can’t face them again, after all they’ve put me through, Seokjin, they took away my dreams just because I wouldn’t pace around like the rest of them,  this is your life, not mine I’m so sorry” you had ran out of his grip and out the door before his brain could even begin to process it, blinking a few too many times before he called out to you 

“Seokjinnie! What’s taking you so long?” his mother had gathered the guests in the garden for the grand entrance of the newly announced engagement, tired of being kept waiting, walking up to him

“I’m so sorry eomma, I’ll- I just- I have to go” in his mind he was already out the door looking for you, had it not been for his mother’s hand on his bicep keeping him on place and turning him to look at her

“Kim Seokjin, we get it. Your father and I will wait until you find a girl to marry, one that suits you well” Seokjin’s mother was sure a woman that could not be fooled, but this one time perhaps it was Jin that had been fooled by himself on letting himself get close to you and fall in love all over again, just the way it happened all those years ago, just the way it was supposed to be

“That’s what you don’t get mum, I’ve already found the one” 

“Y/N? Jinnie, Y/N is not part of our world, you know it” 

“Then I want to be part of hers. I don’t care if you take my trust fund, take everything, I’ll build myself up, just like she did all those years ago and all of us, we all turned our backs on her, I want to be there for her, like it should have been from the start” he would have loved to record the incredulity in his mother’s eyes as she let her arms fall to her sides defeated, the first time Kim Seokjin had fail to complied with his mother was about none other than in an engagement matter.

Truth be told, you couldn't go far, there was no possible way you could just run home all the way from Jeju Island, but somehow seeing your tear stained face as you slumped over an old set of swings that he now recalled, you two used to go to back in the day, had his heart filling up, butterflies roaming his tummy

“...Jin” you exhaled his name, his mind quickly recalling the night before, how your eyes spilled love all over, how the past days watching you go on your daily routine alongside him, had him imploding with the purest kind of love

“Y/N? Listen I-” he began, a thousand words tangled in his mind waiting to be released

“I don’t think I made it”

“Made what?”

“Your parents to like me” a smirk appeared in his features as his hand came up to caress the side of your face lovingly

“Well you certainly made me like you” he said, close enough to your lips that you could have sworn both of your breaths mixed into one

“I don’t think you ever stopped liking me” a mirroring grin traced your lips before you leaned in to kiss him, whatever the path you two were once destined to walk, it was all different now, whatever turns it may take the only sure thing was that you two would walk it down together after all those years apart. 

Plus, technically speaking, Jin’s trust fund should remain intact since he found a wife in less than a month’s time, and you could always ask his dad for that place in the company he was always talking about.

[stardust-walker]

The (Victorious) Princess Bride: Chapter 2

Summary: Scott Lang is tasked with one of his hardest missions ever. Keep a trio of kids occupied as their parents decide to go on date nights. Never one to turn down a challenge or miss the chance to impress one of his superhero idols, Scott accepts. After his usual tricks for amusing kids fall through, he falls back on one of the classics: a story. If princesses, sword fighting, pirates, Valkyries, and magic are what it takes to keep these kids from tearing the house down, then he accepts.

Infinity War/ Endgame never happens. Mentions of chaotic dad Tony Stark. Loki x Sigyn.

CHAPTER SUMMARY:  After Loki gets 'killed' by the Dread Pirate Fury, Sigyn vows to never love again. Fast forward 5 years and she's being forced to marry the Grandmaster and is suddenly in the hands of a familiar cast of characters. One of them happens to look a little too familiar.

MASTERLIST

Scott had never been more grateful for Thor loving his own stories as he tried to continue with his own. He would really have to thank him for it later, honestly.

Loki had more than enough money for marriage, but more importantly he would need approval from his father. The time came when he had to pack the few belongings he had and left the farm to seek his fortune in the war with Svart...awhata.

“You said it wrong,” The dark haired boy piped up. His brother nodded in agreement.

“Who’s telling the story here, buckaroo?” Scott furrowed his brow as he continued.

Fine. The war with...Sakaar. Still, it was a very emotional time for Sigyn. 

“I fear I’ll never see you again,” Sigyn sniffled as she clung to Loki like she truly meant her words. She wanted to never leave the spot where they stood. She knew that the war was dangerous and there was more of a chance that she would never see him again than either of them would truly like to believe.

 “Of course you will,” Loki reassured her.

“But what if something happens to you?” Sigyn wiped at her eyes as the tears began to fall in spite of herself.

 A small smile crossed Loki’s face as he wiped one of her tears away. “Hear this now. I will return for you no matter what.” Sigyn opened her mouth to interrupt him, but Loki continued. His face was more stern now, a determined look in his eye. “This is true love. You think this happens every day?”

Sigyn’s heart fluttered as she studied his face. There was no hint of trickery in his eyes or anything to make her think the words he spoke were false.

The blonde let out a weak laugh as she threw her arms around Loki’s neck. She pressed a kiss to his cheek and nuzzled her face into his neck. He might be speaking the truth, but there was no telling what the Norns had in store for them.

“Loki never reached his destination,” Scott stated solemnly. “His crew was attacked by the Dread Pirate Fury. Now the Dread Pirate Fury never kept captives alive. When Sigyn got the news that Loki had been killed…”

“Murdered by pirates?” The blond haired boy sounded shocked despite trying to come off as disinterested. 

A small noise behind him made Scott turn quickly in his seat. “Wait who got murdered by pirates?”

“Jesus,” Scott yelped as he placed a hand over his heart.

The young girl on the couch threw her arms in the air. “Peter! Come sit! Uncle Scott is telling us a story and Loki just got killed by pirates!” 

The confused look on Peter’s face seemed to grow even more quizzical as he practically tiptoed over to take a seat on the couch. “Wait as in Loki Loki?”

“Of course not,” the dark-haired boy scoffed. “He would never let himself get killed by something as easy to beat as a mortal pirate.”

“Wait Dread Pirate Fury? Is that because of the eye-”

“How did you even get inside? Aren’t I the only one on baby-sitting duty tonight?”

“Oh!” Peter grinned. “Mr. Stark gave me a key!” He produced a house key from seemingly out of nowhere. “I was in the neighborhood and I was hungry but if you’re telling a story, I’m down.”

“Where was I?” Scott frowned as he rubbed the back of his head.

“Killed by pirates,” the two young boys answered together.

Peter eyed the two of them nervously before he turned and nodded at Scott.

Anyway . When Sigyn found out that Loki had been killed, she went into her room and shut the door. For days, she didn’t eat or sleep. She swore she would never love again. After the death of his youngest son, Odin grew weaker. The war with Sakaar was eventually lost with the Grandmaster naming himself ruler over Asgard and his own country. The other prince had disappeared shortly after the war was lost. There was almost nothing left to remind her of how life was before anymore.

Five years passed, the main square of Asgard was filled as it hadn’t been in years to hear the announcement of the great Grandmaster’s bride to be.

The extravagant Grandmaster stepped out onto the balcony of the castle and raised a hand as the crowd grew silent. “Hey there, Sakaarans. I have a fantastic announcement! A month from now, our wonderful country will have its 5th anniversary of joining with the slightly less incredible country of Asgard. But look how much you’ve improved in only 5 years!” From where she stood, Sigyn rolled her eyes. “On that sundown, I shall marry a lady who was once a commoner like yourselves.”

While that may have been true, at least Loki had never called her a commoner. At least not to her face anyway. Everything about the Grandmaster made her stomach turn and her blood boil. Most of all, she hated the fact that she had been sold off like a high prized goat to the man that was the reason her true love was dead. 

“But perhaps, you will not find her common now. My people! The Queen Sigyn!” 

The blonde woman took a deep breath as she allowed herself to be led out into the blinding sunlight. She had no doubt that the fanfare would have been just as grand if Odin was still king, but still. It might have been the way that her name sounded when the Grandmaster spoke, but it felt like the world was spinning. People were bowing to her and it took everything in her not to beg them to just stand up.

She didn’t want this. She missed the farm and her horses. More importantly, she missed the way the kingdom was before. She missed Loki.

Sigyn’s emptiness consumed her. Although the law of the land gave the Grandmaster the right to choose his bride, she did not love him. Despite his reassurance that she would grow to love him, the only joy that Sigyn found was on her daily ride.

Sigyn couldn’t stop herself from smiling as the horse galloped along through the orchard. As the wind blew her hair back and she felt the fresh air in her lungs, the woman felt at peace. Her hazel eyes narrowed as she spotted figures in the distance. She grew close enough to see them clearly and pulled on the reins to slow her horse to a stop. 

“My lady!” A bald man spoke from the center of the small group. “A word.” She didn’t like this man, but still she didn’t make a move to get going. A smaller woman stood beside him with a taller blond man alongside her. Something about the blond man looked familiar. “We are but poor lost circus performers. Is there a village nearby?” 

The hair on the back of Sigyn’s neck raised as her eyes darted around quickly. “There is nothing nearby, good sir,” she replied briskly, “not for miles.”

The blond man’s relaxed expression seemed to crumble slightly as she heard something move behind her. 

“Then there will be no one around to hear you scream,” the bald man grinned at her.

Sigyn turned and her eyes widened as a bright green hand moved towards her. A startled yelp stopped halfway through as his fingers pinched her neck. She fainted. The blond man stepped forward quick enough to catch her as she swayed forward and began to fall from the back of her horse. 

“Well done, Hulk!” Skurge made a move like he was about to clap the green giant on the arm but some common sense got into him as he lowered his hand.

The dark-haired woman furrowed her brow as the blond walked over with the fainted woman in his arms. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Don’t you lot want to get back at the Grandmaster for stealing your home? And more importantly, my stuff. ”

Hulk grunted as he stomped over to rejoin the group.

“Easy there, buddy. I think you’re a bit too big for the boat, yeah?” Valkyrie raised a hand in the air.

The green monster let out a low growl of annoyance as his hands began to quiver. Before their eyes, he transformed back into a man. A much smaller, more nervous looking man than the fainted woman could probably guess. He exchanged a worried look with the blond man as Skurge went to work on a piece of cloth.

“Are you sure that this is the best way to get back at him? I mean isn’t this a little...extreme?” The nervous looking man asked.

“The best way to piss this git off is to take his stuff. Blondie here is his future bride, therefore,” he slapped the horse on its backside, “one of the most important parts of his stuff.”

Valkyrie’s eyes narrowed as he continued.

“I just placed a piece of fabric with Jotunheim’s crest on it on the lass’s horse. Everyone will think that the Jotun’s took her. Bang, boom, Bob’s your uncle. He’s got a war on his hands and we all get paid. And Val here can go back to drinking her sorrows away.”

The woman moved her hand dangerously close to her sword as Banner stepped forward. The man raised a hand slightly and she seemed to freeze. 

Her sword remained in its sheath, but her eyes narrowed a little more dangerously as he continued. 

“When he finds her body dead on the shores of Jotunheim, his suspicions about them will be totally confirmed! It’s genius!” 

“It’s murder,” Thor frowned as he glanced nervously at the warrior woman beside him. “You never said anything about killing anyone.” 

“I hired you to help me start a war, your highness . Unless you and Hulky would rather go back to fighting in the pits,” Skurge shot them a poisonous smile.

Banner let out a sigh as he turned to board the small ship with the others following behind him. “I don’t think it’s right to kill an innocent girl!”

“Oi!” Skurge shouted. Valkyrie stopped halfway through her check of the ropes on the sail. “Am I going nuts or did the word think escape your lips? No offense doctor, but I didn’t hire you . I hired the big man. You’re only here because he’s too big for the ship!”

Skurge didn’t give a damn about the other three in his crew, that much was evident.

“The sun’s getting low,” Thor said calmly as he laid Sigyn down and began to tie up her wrists.

“I agree with them, unfortunately,” Valkyrie shrugged as Banner began to pace the small deck of the ship. 

“What happens to her is none of your concern, ya got it?” Skurge rounded on her. Valkyrie stared right back. “When I found you, you were so slobbering drunk that ya couldn’t buy brandy.” 

Sigyn was beginning to stir now even as Thor continued to tie check the knots on her wrists.

“You were friendless! Wrecking havoc wherever you went,” the bald man continued his rampage as Sigyn regained consciousness. 

Thor tapped her on the hand gently as he rose to his feet to join the others. She couldn’t help but feel perplexed about the whole thing. First of all, she’d been stupid enough to let herself get kidnapped. Second of all, one of the kidnappers had been gentle with her as if she were a baby. Now what were they doing?

“That Skurge,” the woman whispered. “He can fuss.” She grunted as she pulled on one of the ropes.

“I think he likes to scream,” Thor smirked as he climbed the small ladder towards the helm, “at us.”

“Probably he means no harm,” Valkyrie snickered even as she watched their boss’s shoulders tense in frustration.

Banner chimed in. “He’s really very short on charm!”

“Enough of that! The lot of ya,” Skurge shouted.

“Bruce, are those rocks ahead?” Valkyrie called out in a sickly sweet voice.

“If there are, we’ll all be dead,” Banner deadpanned.

Thor let out a roar of laughter as Skurge fumed even more.

What the hell had Sigyn gotten herself into.

“I bet his face was really...red,” the little girl grinned.

Peter let out a small laugh, “Nice one.”

“This rhyming game sure seems like it would be a lot of fun,” the blond boy raised an eyebrow.

Realization dawned on Scott’s face. Then his expression turned to one of amused horror. “Wait a minute, guys…”

“To play this game one would have to be very wise!” The black haired boy’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

“I wonder if we would win some sort of prize”

“Parker!”

“Aw,” Peter grinned. “Cmon Scott don’t be such a….a…”

“Barker?” The girl offered.

“Martyr,” the blond boy leaned forward in his seat.

“Oh that’s a good one!” His brother nodded in agreement.

“Alright I guess you guys don’t want to hear about the screaming eels and the,” Scott let out a sigh as he paused for dramatic effect, “cliffs of Insanity.”

The two boys cheered even as Peter inched a little further away from them on the couch. At least the kids weren’t trying to burn the house down like they did with their last babysitter.

[kookie-doughs]

Y/N L/N AND THE HALFBLOODS

Percy Jackson X Reader -Y/N L/N met Percy Jackson and everything was now ruined.

CHAPTER 7: FIRST DAY OF CAMP

Word of the bathroom incident spread immediately. Wherever we went, campers pointed at us and murmured something about toilet water. Or maybe they were just staring at Annabeth, who was still pretty much dripping wet. She showed me a few more places: the metal shop (where kids were forging their own swords), the arts-and-crafts room (where satyrs were sandblasting a giant marble statue of a goat-man), and the climbing wall, which actually consisted of two facing walls that shook violently, dropped boulders, sprayed lava, and clashed together if you didn't get to the top fast enough. Finally we returned to the canoeing lake, where the trail led back to the cabins. "I've got training to do," Annabeth said flatly. "Dinner's at seven-thirty. Just follow your cabin to the mess hall." "Annabeth, I'm sorry about the toilets." "Whatever." "It wasn't my fault." She looked at us skeptically, and I realized it might've been my fault. I may have made water shoot out of the bathroom fixtures and made the ground shake. I didn't understand how. "You need to talk to the Oracle, both of you." Annabeth said. "Who?" "Not who. What. The Oracle. I'll ask Chiron." Percy stared into the lake, I rested my head on his shoulder wishing somebody would give me a straight answer for once. I wasn't expecting anybody to be looking back at me from the bottom, so my heart skipped a beat when I noticed two teenage girls sitting cross-legged at the base of the pier, about twenty feet below. They wore blue jeans and shimmering green T-shirts, and their brown hair floated loose around their shoulders as minnows darted in and out. They smiled and waved as if I were a long-lost friend. I didn't know what else to do. I waved back. "Don't encourage them," Annabeth warned. "Naiads are terrible flirts." "Naiads," Percy repeated, feeling completely overwhelmed. "That's it. I want to go home now." Annabeth frowned. "Don't you get it, Percy? You are home. This is the only safe place on earth for kids like us." "You mean, mentally disturbed kids?" "I mean not human. Not totally human, anyway. Half-human." "Half-human and half-what?" "I think you know." "God," I said. "Half-god." Annabeth nodded. "Your father isn't dead, Percy. And one of your parent isn't your parent, Y/N. You are both a child of one of the Olympians. " "That's... crazy." "Is it? What's the most common thing gods did in the old stories? They ran around falling in love with humans and having kids with them. Do you think they've changed their habits in the last few millennia?" "But those are just— But if all the kids here are half-gods—" "Demigods," Annabeth said. "That's the official term. Or half-bloods." "Then who's your dad?" Her hands tightened around the pier railing. I got the feeling we'd just trespassed on a sensitive subject. "My dad is a professor at West Point," she said. "I haven't seen him since I was very small. He teaches American history." "He's human." "What? You assume it has to be a male god who finds a human female attractive? How sexist is that?" "Who's your mom, then?" "Cabin six." "Meaning?" Annabeth straightened. "Athena. Goddess of wisdom and battle." Okay, I thought. Why not? "And who's mine?" "You grew up with both a mother and a father. So only your Olympian parent knows." "And my dad?" "Undetermined," Annabeth said, "like I told you before. Nobody knows." "Except my mother. She knew." "Maybe not, Percy. Gods don't always reveal their identities." "My dad would have. He loved her." Annabeth gave me a cautious look. She didn't want to burst my bubble. "Maybe you're right. Maybe he'll send a sign. That's the only way to know for sure: your father has to send you a sign claiming you as his son. Sometimes it happens." "You mean sometimes it doesn't?" Annabeth ran her palm along the rail. "The gods are busy. They have a lot of kids and they don't always... Well, sometimes they don't care about us, Percy. They ignore us." I thought about some of the kids I'd seen in the Hermes cabin, teenagers who looked sullen and depressed, as if they were waiting for a call that would never come. But gods should behave better. Whoever my Olympian parent better suck up and claim me or I will show him. "So I'm stuck here," Percy said. "That's it? For the rest of my life?" "It depends," Annabeth said. "Some campers only stay the summer. If you're a child of Aphrodite or Demeter, you're probably not a real powerful force. The monsters might ignore you, so you can get by with a few months of summer training and live in the mortal world the rest of the year. But for some of us, it's too dangerous to leave. We're year-rounders. In the mortal world, we attract monsters. They sense us. They come to challenge us. Most of the time, they'll ignore us until we're old enough to cause trouble—about ten or eleven years old, but after that, most demigods either make their way here, or they get killed off. A few manage to survive in the outside world and become famous. Believe me, if I told you the names, you'd know them. Some don't even realize they're demigods. But very, very few are like that." "So monsters can't get in here?" Annabeth shook her head. "Not unless they're intentionally stocked in the woods or specially summoned by somebody on the inside." "Why would anybody want to summon a monster?" "Practice fights. Practical jokes." "Practical jokes?" "The point is, the borders are sealed to keep mortals and monsters out. From the outside, mortals look into the valley and see nothing unusual, just a strawberry farm." "So... you're a year-rounder?" Annabeth nodded. From under the collar of her T-shirt she pulled a leather necklace with five clay beads of different colors. It was just like Luke's, except Annabeth's also had a big gold ring strung on it, like a college ring. "I've been here since I was seven," she said. "Every August, on the last day of summer session, you get a bead for surviving another year. I've been here longer than most of the counselors, and they're all in college." "Why did you come so young?" She twisted the ring on her necklace. "None of your business." "Oh." I stood there for a minute in uncomfortable silence. "So... I could just walk out of here right now if I wanted to?" "It would be suicide, but you could, with Mr. D's or Chiron's permission." "I've never had anything weird going on. I had a perfectly normal life." "It's because you don't give much of a half-blood scent. Even Grover didn't knew you were one of us until you came here. Even now they still don't smell you." "I just... want to go somewhere... else." I could see that Percy was guilty. "They wouldn't give permission until the end of the summer session unless..." "Unless?" "You were granted a quest. But that hardly ever happens. The last time..."

Her voice trailed off. I could tell from her tone that the last time hadn't gone well. "Back in the sick room," Percy said, "when you were feeding me that stuff—" "Ambrosia." "Yeah. You asked me something about the summer solstice." Annabeth's shoulders tensed. "So you do know something?" "Well... no. Back at my old school, I overheard Grover and Chiron talking about it. Grover mentioned the summer solstice. He said something like we didn't have much time, because of the deadline. What did that mean?" She clenched her fists. "I wish I knew. Chiron and the satyrs, they know, but they won't tell me. Something is wrong in Olympus, something pretty major. Last time I was there, everything seemed so normal." "You've been to Olympus?" "Some of us year-rounders—Luke and Clarisse and I and a few others—we took a field trip during winter solstice. That's when the gods have their big annual council." "But... how did you get there?" "The Long Island Railroad, of course. You get off at Penn Station. Empire State Building, special elevator to the six hundredth floor." She looked at us like she was sure I must know this already. "You are a New Yorker, right?" "Oh, sure." As far as I knew, there were only a hundred and two floors in the Empire State Building, but I decided not to point that out. "Right after we visited," Annabeth continued, "the weather got weird, as if the gods had started fighting. A couple of times since, I've overheard satyrs talking. The best I can figure out is that something important was stolen. And if it isn't returned by summer solstice, there's going to be trouble. When you came, I was hoping... I mean— Athena can get along with just about anybody, except for Ares. And of course she's got the rivalry with Poseidon. But, I mean, aside from that, I thought we could work together. I thought you might know something." I shook my head. I wished I could help her, but I felt too hungry and tired and mentally overloaded to ask any more questions. "I've got to get a quest," Annabeth muttered to herself. "I'm not too young. If they would just tell me the problem..." I could smell barbecue smoke coming from somewhere nearby. Annabeth must've heard my stomach growl. She told me to go on, she'd catch me later. I left her on the pier, tracing her finger across the rail as if drawing a battle plan. Back at cabin eleven, everybody was talking and horsing around, waiting for dinner. For the first time, I noticed that a lot of the campers had similar features: sharp noses, upturned eyebrows, mischievous smiles. They were the kind of kids that teachers would peg as troublemakers. Thankfully, nobody paid much attention to us as we walked in. Percy left me to settle at his spot while I sat at mine. Luke, came over. He had the Hermes family resemblance, too. It was marred by that scar on his right cheek, but his smile was intact. "I hope you settle in just fine," he said. "And here, I stole you some toiletries from the camp store." He had a very friendly and welcoming aura around him, I couldn't help but giggle, "Thanks." "No prob." Luke sat next to me. "Tough first day?" "I don't belong here," I said. "From what I've heard about other campers. I had a perfectly normal life. Nothing weird... I-I don't even believe in Gods..." "Yeah," he said. "That's how we all started. Once you start believing in them? It doesn't get any easier." The bitterness in his voice surprised me, because Luke seemed like a pretty easygoing guy. He looked like he could handle just about anything. "So your dad is Hermes?" I asked. He pulled a switchblade out of his back pocket, but he just scraped the mud off the sole of his sandal. "Yeah. Hermes." "The wing-footed messenger guy." "That's him. Messengers. Medicine. Travelers, merchants, thieves. Anybody who uses the roads. That's why you're here, enjoying cabin eleven's hospitality. Hermes isn't picky about who he sponsors." I figured Luke didn't mean to call me a nobody. He just had a lot on his mind. "You ever meet your dad?" I asked. "Once." I waited, thinking that if he wanted to tell me, he'd tell me. Apparently, he didn't. I wondered if the story had anything to do with how he got his scar. Luke looked up and managed a smile. "Don't worry about it, Y/N. The campers here, they're mostly good people. After all, we're extended family, right? We take care of each other." He seemed to understand how lost I felt, and I was grateful for that, because an older guy like him—even if he was a counselor—should've steered clear of an uncool middle-schooler like me. But Luke had welcomed me into the cabin. He'd even stolen me some toiletries, which was the nicest thing anybody had done for me all day keeping Percy's works. I decided to ask him my last big question, the one that had been bothering me all afternoon. "Clarisse, from Ares, was joking about me and Percy being 'Big Three' material. Then Annabeth... twice, she said I might be 'the one.' She said I should talk to the Oracle. What was that all about?" Luke folded his knife. "I hate prophecies." "What do you mean?" His face twitched around the scar. "Let's just say I messed things up for everybody else. The last two years, ever since my trip to the Garden of the Hesperides went sour, Chiron hasn't allowed any more quests. Annabeth's been dying to get out into the world. She pestered Chiron so much he finally told her he already knew her fate. He'd had a prophecy from the Oracle. He wouldn't tell her the whole thing, but he said Annabeth wasn't destined to go on a quest yet. She had to wait until... somebody special came to the camp." "Somebody special?" "Don't worry about it, kid," Luke said. "Annabeth wants to think every new camper who comes through here is the omen she's been waiting for." I didn't know why... but I grabbed his hand, he turned to me surprised. "I-I... Uhm, I want to get to know you better... I... I'm here if you want to talk. A-As a thank you for helping me since I got here! I-I..." He gave a warm smile and ruffled my hair. "Thank you. Now, come on, it's dinnertime." The moment he said it, a horn blew in the distance. Luke yelled, "Eleven, fall in!" The whole cabin, about twenty of us, filed into the commons yard. We lined up in order of seniority, so of course I was dead last with Percy. Campers came from the other cabins, too, except for the three empty cabins at the end, and cabin eight, which had looked normal in the daytime, but was now starting to glow silver as the sun went down. "Percy," "Hmm?" "Are you okay?" I was about to grip his sleeve when he moved away. "I'm sorry... I'll tell you after dinner." I looked at him sadly while he thought to himself. We marched up the hill to the mess hall pavilion. Satyrs joined us from the meadow. Naiads emerged from the canoeing lake. A few other girls came out of the woods— and when I say out of the woods, I mean straight out of the woods. I saw one girl, about nine or ten years old, melt from the side of a maple tree and come skipping up the hill. In all, there were maybe a hundred campers, a few dozen satyrs, and a dozen assorted wood nymphs and naiads. At the pavilion, torches blazed around the marble columns. A central fire burned in a bronze brazier the size of a bathtub. Each cabin had its own table, covered in white cloth trimmed in purple. Four of the tables were empty, but cabin eleven's was way overcrowded. I had to squeeze on to the edge of a bench with half my butt hanging off. I saw Grover sitting at table twelve with Mr. D, a few satyrs, and a couple of plump blond boys who looked just like Mr. D. Chiron stood to one side, the picnic table being way too small for a centaur. Annabeth sat at table six with a bunch of serious-looking athletic kids, all with her gray eyes and honey-blond hair. Clarisse sat behind me at Ares's table. She'd apparently gotten over being hosed down, because she was laughing and belching right alongside her friends. Finally, Chiron pounded his hoof against the marble floor of the pavilion, and everybody fell silent. He raised a glass. "To the gods!" Everybody else raised their glasses. "To the gods!" Wood nymphs came forward with platters of food: grapes, apples, strawberries, cheese, fresh bread, and yes, barbecue! Percy sat beside other kids of the Hermes cabin. My glass was empty, but Luke said, "Speak to it. Whatever you want—nonalcoholic, of course." I said, "(Favorite Drink; F/D)." The glass filled with sparkling caramel liquid. Then I had an idea. "F/C F/D." The drink turned a violent shade of F/C. I took a cautious sip. Perfect.. . . . . I drank a toast to my loved ones. They're not gone, I told myself. I felt like I was forgetting something. Like I know I will get too them all soon. "Here you go," Luke said, handing me a platter of smoked brisket. I loaded my plate and was about to take a big bite when I noticed everybody getting up, carrying their plates toward the fire in the center of the pavilion. I wondered if they were going for dessert or something. "Come on," Luke told me. As I got closer, I saw that everyone was taking a portion of their meal and dropping it into the fire, the ripest strawberry, the juiciest slice of beef, the warmest, most buttery roll. Luke murmured in my ear, "Burnt offerings for the gods. They like the smell." "You're kidding." His look warned me not to take this lightly, but I couldn't help wondering why an immortal, all-powerful being would like the smell of burning food. Luke approached the fire, bowed his head, and tossed in a cluster of fat red grapes. "Hermes." I was next. I wished I knew what god's name to say. Finally, I made a silent plea. Whoever you better claim me, or I will come for you and you won't like what I'll do. I scraped a big slice of brisket into the flames. When I caught a whiff of the smoke, I didn't gag. It smelled nothing like burning food. It smelled of hot chocolate and fresh-baked brownies, hamburgers on the grill and wildflowers, and a hundred other good things that shouldn't have gone well together, but did. I could almost believe the gods could live off that smoke. When everybody had returned to their seats and finished eating their meals, Chiron pounded his hoof again for our attention. Mr. D got up with a huge sigh. "Yes, I suppose I'd better say hello to all you brats. Well, hello. Our activities director, Chiron, says the next capture the flag is Friday. Cabin five presently holds the laurels." A bunch of ugly cheering rose from the Ares table. "Personally," Mr. D continued, "I couldn't care less, but congratulations. Also, I should tell you that we have a new campers today. Peter Johnson and (Wrong Name)." Chiron murmured something. "Er, Percy Jackson and Y/N L/N," Mr. D corrected. "That's right. Hurrah, and all that. Now run along to your silly campfire. Go on." Everybody cheered. We all headed down toward the amphitheater, where Apollo's cabin led a sing-along. We sang camp songs about the gods and ate s'mores and joked around, and the funny thing was, I didn't feel that anyone was staring at me anymore. I went up to Percy. "What's wrong?" He sighed. "I... I feel like everything... All of this," He signaled at everything, "happened because you met me. When you told Annabeth about your life and how nothing had been going wrong, while I had trouble following me every step... I couldn't help but feel guilty." I knew it... He felt at fault. Taking his hand I looked at him, "I chose to be with you at the beach. I wanted to follow you. I wanted to stay with you. Yeah, troubles came and I lost everything... I would rather have you with me through that. Please?" He rested his head on my shoulder, "Yeah..." Later in the evening, when the sparks from the campfire were curling into a starry sky, the conch horn blew again, and we all filed back to our cabins. It was late at night some were asleep, while some were screaming around. I stayed up looking out the window since Luke had warned me about going out. "Long day, how was it?" Luke greeted taking the spot beside me. "Almost had my face flushed down on smelly toilets, so real fun I guess." Luke rested his back against the window and looked at the two boys wrestling each other few feet away. "You know how you told me you wanted to get to know me more?" "Yeah... I mean it. You're the first person I met here. From what I heard you helped me after getting here." "So you feel obligated to get closer to me?" He raised a brow at me with a smirk. "No, I think you're interesting. I want us to be friends. I want to be a person you can trust." "Why?" "I... don't know. I guess I just want to. I mean yeah I also low-key kinda have a crush on you but oh well." I joked. Hearing his laugh I was relieved he was a cool guy. "I'll keep you in mind." "Really now? Okay dream of me I guess." "For a 12 year old you're a flirt." He shook his head with a smile. "It's my mom, she told me the best way to make friends is by flirting. If they're cool with you flirting they're perfect candidate for a friend, if they aren't, you'll have an awkward friendship." "I don't know about that." "I know right? Imagine teaching a 5 year old how to flirt." We laughed. We continued to chat about little things until it got quiet in the cabin. Most of them were now asleep. Percy slept as soon as he lied down, after all. "Good night." Luke smiled. "Yeah, good night." I didn't realize how exhausted I was until I collapsed on the bed. When I closed my eyes, I fell asleep instantly. That was my first day at Camp Half-Blood. I already felt like I belong. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all...

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