#beauty supply warehouses

[carib-island-trading]

Carib Island Trading | Body & Skin Care, Hair Care, Appliances & More! We are your one-stop shop for all things.

As proud exporters to the USA, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, we offer a wide selection of premium products including body and skin care, hair care, cleaning supplies, appliances, electronics, ethnic foods, and drinks. With a commitment to competitive pricing, reliable delivery, and exceptional service, Carib Island Trading ensures your business has the best products worldwide. Partner with us today for unmatched quality and global reach! Shop now at https://caribislandtrading.com/

[phagodyke]

was really brave and asked one of the senior lab techs to help me use the stock software even tho shes shown me before but it was months ago so i forgot how..... so embarrassinggg 😭

[violettwrites]

hi!! will you please write another fic about daryl x reader

reader seeing/experiencing something traumatic and she’s shaking and tears rolling down her cheeks and daryl sits down in front of her trying to comfort her.

safe in your skin 🏹 daryl dixon

a/n: hi nonnie than you so much for this request !! ( and sorry it took so long 😭 ) i listened to the song linked while writing this and highly recommend you guys do too !! it’s beautiful and tigers jaw is one of my fave bands 🫶🏻 anyway i hope you enjoy this !! and as always, don’t forget to like/reblog if you enjoyed this and feel free to follow me to see more of my stuff !! x

i also just realised gregory is the fkn asshole from hilltop but this is NOT him i just couldn’t think of names apparently i am so sorry

as always, my ask box is open !

( intended lowercase )

summary: reader and daryl go on a supply run, but are separated from someone close to them— when they do eventually find them, they must learn to deal with the unforgiving curse that is life.

warnings: mentions of death

word count: 848

the woods were eerily quiet, the usual rustle of leaves and the distant calls of wildlife had been replaced by a thick and heavy silence. you and daryl had been split from gregory during a supply run, someone you had been through the fall with since the start. your best friend in this unforgiving world. but you had known he was smart enough to survive on his own until the two of you found him. or so you thought.

the sun was starting to breach the horizon, the soft glow casting an almost angelic light over the town daryl had led you to in search for your best friend. if it was anyone else, he probably would have told them it wasn’t worth risking their lives to look for him, but you were different.

making your way towards the warehouse you all were supposed to go to so you could find supplies, you stopped once you reached the parking lot, spotting a group of walkers, all crouched down as they feasted on something— someone.

gregory.

you knew that brown coat he had worn since the start, now covered in blood and guts— the remains of what was once your best friend. the sight was too much, causing you to drop to your knees, mouth open to speak but nothing came out.

the brutal reality hit you like a tidal wave— all at once. sure, you had lost people before. people that were close to you, but there was something so much different about losing your best friend. your confidant. the one you told everything to. just taken away from you like that. he was gone. his last moments presented to you in a gruesome way— a way he never wanted to go out.

your hand shakily came to your mouth, tears clouding your vision as they freely streamed down your cheeks, choked sobs coming from your lips as you tried to process what happened, but you couldn’t. you couldn’t get your head around the fact he was truly gone. it was a sight that was haunting, knowing it would be imprinted in your mind for the rest of your life.

daryl, ever the stoic figure he was, had been beside you, at a loss for words. he watched as you struggled to keep yourself together, but the sight of you silently breaking down next to him made his heart wrench. you didn’t deserve to see your best friend’s end like that. no one did.

he took a deep breath, crouching down slowly in front of you, fearing that any sudden moment or words might shatter you further.

“hey,” he spoke softly, his rough voice carrying a tenderness that was rarely heard. he reached out, placing his hands on your shoulder in attempt to ground you— to bring you back to this reality, as much as you didn’t want to be here.

you looked up at him, eyes red and glassy, struggling to form words. daryl didn’t push; he simply stayed there, his present a silent testament to his support. he wasn’t asking you to speak or pretend you were okay, he was just there, a steady presence in the midst of your storm.

as the minutes ticked by, daryl slowly pulled you into a gentle embrace, arms tightly wrapped around you. you rested your head against his chest, body still trembling as you tried to come to terms with the loss you had just suffered suddenly. you tried to focus on the beat of his heart, steady as you listened, a small yet significant reassurance. he stroked your hair with one hand, the other still holding you close.

“i know,” he murmured into your hair, his voice rough yet filled with emotion. “it ain’t fair, it ain’t right.” he paused for a moment, swallowing hard as he tried to find the right words. “but we gotta keep goin’. for him. for everyone we lost. we gotta keep movin’.”

you nodded against him, the closeness offering a fragile sense of comfort. you knew daryl was right, the world didn’t stop for anyone. and the dead wouldn’t stop for anything. not even your tears and cries. but the ache in your chest was still painful. yet his presence was a lifeline, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, you weren’t alone.

eventually, you pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze. there was a shared understanding in his eyes, an unspoken bond formed through loss and survival. everyone had experienced the same thing. but that didn’t mean it hurt any less.

daryl offered a small, encouraging nod, and together, you stood up, ready to face the rest of your journey— knowing it would be filled with more moments like this. as much as you wish it wasn’t— that cruel things didn’t have to happen to such kind people.

the road ahead was uncertain and filled with the echoes of loss, but with daryl by your side, you took your first step forward, carrying the memory of gregory with you— not his gruesome death, but the light he brought to your life.

[theoutcastrogue]

[From a 2014 article by John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats. He's talking about how a random spam email ended up inspiring a part of his book Wolf in White Van. Later, in 2020, the album Getting Into Knives came out, and I think it inspired its artwork too.]

"It took years for me to be able to just reflexively delete spam, or filter it so that I never see it at all. I blame the spammers for this; the quality of their work took a sharp nosedive at some point. But during whatever period of the internet’s growth you’d call the early 2000s, it seemed like you’d still get some winners: things that had been typed up by a person, sent out to a bunch of email addresses they’d bought or rented for 5 or 10 bucks from the only guy who was ever going to make any money in this particular exchange. Most of them went directly, if manually, into the trash; but once in a while, there’d be one that seemed to earn, at the very least, the minute it’d take me to read it.

The one I’m remembering here was subject-lined SUPPLY OF KNIVES. [...] The subject line opened on an all-caps email that boasted, in ornate, antiquated English appealing to the reader’s more refined sensibilities, about the high quality of the knives on offer at an external website. You shouldn’t click on links in spam email. I live my life on the razor’s edge! I clicked the link.

I want to tell you about these knives: They were beautiful. They were weird. They had elaborate designs in the handles, moons or stars of wolf heads, and special grips, and a variety of points. They were made from metals whose pedigrees were described lovingly, and had been struck — smithed? wrought? — via processes I knew absolutely nothing about, but that sounded fantastic, difficult, arcane. It’s the joy of specialized language: When you’re an outsider to it, it can’t help but sound cool.

Of course this is the whole idea of any operation like this. SUPPLY OF KNIVES could well have been, and probably was, a company in Ohio who’d stumbled across an old warehouse full of knives, and knew enough about sales to describe these things in the most exotic terms they could find. I’m pretty immune to pitches: Who likes to feel like he’s being pitched? But somebody involved with SUPPLY OF KNIVES had had just enough authorial flair — that, or true faith — to caption each knife’s mysterious, blurry accompanying JPEG with a description whose constant recourse to specialized vocabularies seemed to say, “You’re not even reading this unless you already know about this sort of thing. Let us therefore speak like the fellow travelers we are.”

It was like a trade catalog for roadside bandits in need of knives.

I can’t speak for everybody, but I know that when I was a child the life of the roadside bandit seemed like a pretty romantic way to go. I looked at all these knives and read the descriptions and was just generally delighted about the whole thing, so I saved the email in a “memorable spam” folder I used to keep that had maybe two other emails in it. A few years later, Apple came out with this robotic-arm-screen iMac you never see any more, and we were long overdue for a new computer so we got that; and then, after a while, I got myself a laptop, because I was traveling all the time, and eventually both the old iMacs ended up in the basement, and they were both asleep but alive until fairly recently, as far as I knew.

But when I went to check for the email, it was gone. The old blue iMac is dead, bricked, lifeless. Searches on the term “supply of knives” on this laptop and on good old robot-arm-screen find nothing. The backup CD for the blue iMac drive is probably in a drawer around here somewhere, but that’s like saying, “The coin I had in my swim trunks’ pocket is probably somewhere in the ocean.” There is no SUPPLY OF KNIVES. There’s only the memory."

[source]

And this is the wonderful cover art of Getting Into Knives. Back cover and promo material below. Note that "Knives International" and "Knives Wordwide" are not real companies, they appear to be a callback to that elusive spam email.

[redlilith5]

DC x PJO

Alfred Pennyworth Son of Dionysus part 2

Back when Bruce started developing his civilian and vigilante personas Alfred took it upon himself to teach theater cause yes his father is the God of Theater. He has personally used it back in his spy/agent era so he has quite the experience.

When Bruce explains the playboy persona he wants for his civilian identity Alfred finds it hard not to laugh. Bruce, the boy he has come to see as his son, has so much in common with his (adoptive) godly family. His heart filled with warmth every time he saw his ward engage with his domains. He was even more overjoyed when the little fledglings were as dramatic (or even more dramatic) than Bruce himself.

The entire family has shown signs of his domains and have proven to be as feral and chaotic as demigods tend to be. He would have thought he would miss the chaos the camp practically lived on, and for a time he did miss it. Until the bat got himself a bird and the chaos energy just kept growing through the years. The constants fights, pranks, plots and general shenanigans reminded him so much of his first home.

Just as Gothamites are considered a different kind of human bred (by the internet, the science community is still researching) some can be said of the Nature Spirits. Where a non Gothamites nature spirit walks into Gotham they would get sick instantly by the air pollution alone. But like any creature they can evolve to withstand the harsh conditions. Considering the manor has a beautiful garden and a forest nearby Alfred has become friends with the local spirits. This has the benefit of having extra magical security and people willing to snitch on his mortal family whenever they are doing anything he doesn't approve of. The children can keep thinking he's some sort of God (which is hilarious) but he's just resourceful.

The manors garden and greenhouse he uses to connect with his father's agricultural domain but he also plants medicinal and poisonous plants. Mainly used for his family but he does send his fair share of supplies to the camp. Because of how long he has been taking care of the manor's green side the plants have been influenced by his divine presence that they have in a way become sentient. In other words a magical garden as security. Unless the person comes or has the scent of one of the family members they will attack. Unfortunately this includes Thalia Al Ghul. He has made a deal with the water spirits so that any time his family ends in the water they can at least make sure they surface with their face up and they get pushed towards the nearest shore/family member. He pays them handsomely for the assistance.

Since Alfred doesn't really use his money he uses it to send supplies for the camp, set up safe houses/warehouse for demigods, donates to any group that helps nature heal (after thorough research and sends his father and siblings their favorite drinks and nice tea sets and cups. He even sends his own blend of tea, recipes and plant care instructions/advice.

When the youngest member brings home a cat and promptly names them after him he almost cries. He doesn't often ask his father for things and because of this his father has never denied him anything. His father may pretend to not care and everyone may believe it but his children know the truth. He is the God of Theater, he is just that good of an actor and his children are good at seeing when someone is acting. It does help that his request are most often than not reasonable and brings healthy amounts of chaos and amusement to his life. It may also be because he is the longest living son in two thousand years. So when his son asked him to be capable of communicating with his grandson feline he granted his son the ability to communicate with all sorts of feline without a second thought.

Alfred once subtly planned for Damian to bring a wild cat without anyone, not even Damian himself, known he orchestrated the whole thing. When Damian is caught in the act and asked if he is crazy Alfred coughs silently. He is the son of Dionysus. All his children have a little bit of madness but he's a good actor and his father always makes sure his children can control the madness. After all it is their birthright and inherited domain.

[fatehbaz]

They’ve built a “Great Wheel” on the Seattle waterfront [...].

The small timber village became a military outpost in the Puget Sound War [...], [and] soon evolved into a trade gateway, with timber tailings and other industrial trash from Henry Yesler’s mill used to fill in the marshlands [...], atop which migrant laborers raised tents and shanties [...] now working to feed raw materials into the furnaces of the Second Industrial Revolution burning in the East. [...] The first nationwide strike ripped across the country’s railways in 1877, but in Seattle the unrest took on a grim character, as thousands of unemployed white workers rioted against their Chinese counterparts [...]. Meanwhile, [...] local elites rebuilt [...] downtown [...] from scratch, hosting the tallest building on the West Coast alongside other new constructs [fueled] with money gleaned from the supply chains linking eastern capital to Alaskan gold. [...] Today the city - again rebuilt [...] - is seen as one of the primary beneficiaries of the “Fifth” Industrial Revolution in information technology, outshone only by California’s Silicon Valley. [...] The digital was increasingly thought of as somehow "immaterial," sustained by intellectual labor more than physical toil [...].

Silicon Valley myths of [...] "immaterial" labor disguise a more gruesome dynamic in which growing segments of the global labor force are being deprived even of the basic brutality of the wage, instead forced out into growing rings of slums, prisons, and global wastelands. [...]

---

Perched alongside a downtown business corridor [...], Seattle's Great Wheel seems to peer out over [...] [the] prophesied “cooperative commons,” an infotech metropolis abutting the beauty of an evergreen arcadia. But travel below Seattle’s cluster of infotech industries and the image appears much the same as that of a hundred years prior - a trade gateway, squeezing value from supply chains by selling transport and logistical support. The southern stretch of the metropolis bears little resemblance to the revitalized urban core of the city proper. Instead of the “cognitive labor” of Microsoft, it is defined instead by the cold calculation of companies like UPS, founded in Seattle when the city was one link in a colonial supply chain built first for timber, then Alaskan gold, then World War. [...]

In south Seattle, this logistics empire takes the form of faceless warehouses, food processing facilities, container trucks, rail yards, and industrial parks concentrated between two seaports, an international airport, three major interstates, and railroads traveling in all directions. Meanwhile, the poor have been priced out of the old inner city, moving southward [...]. [T]hey can be found staffing the airport and the rail yards, hauling cargo in and out of two the major seaports, loading boxes in warehouses [...]. And, beyond them, the shadow stretches out to Washington’s rural hinterlands where migrant laborers staff a new boom in agriculture and raw materials [...] - and further still into America’s long-depressed interior, where the Great Wheel meets its opposite: Memphis, the FedEx logistics city, watched over by a great black pyramid [the infamous Bass Pro Shop pyramid]. [...]

Every Seattle is capable of creating an eco-friendly, “cooperative commonwealth” tended by apps and algorithms only insofar as there is a Memphis that can provide human workers to sort the packages, a Shanghai to build the containers that carry them, and a Shenzhen to solder together the circuits of the machines that govern it all.

---

All text above by: Phil A. Neel. "The Great Wheel". Brooklyn Rail. April 2015. Published online at: brooklynrail.org/2015/04/field-notes/the-great-wheel. [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Text within brackets added by me for clarity. Presented here for commentary, teaching, personal use, criticism purposes.]

[darkbluekies]

hi hi how have you been if it's no trouble and if you are taking requests can I request your ocs with an artist reader that gives them a painted picture of themselves, If it's too difficult pls ignore this. Thanks and have a great day/night♡

(sorry if my grammar is bad)

A/N: I'm so sorry, there might have been some translation error in my brain that said that yn gave the yanderes a picture of themselves, not of yn! I'm still not 100% sure what you mean, but I wrote this. I hope you'll like it even if it's the wrong interpretation :(♡

Warnings: a bit suggestive parts in Edmund's and Silas’s

Silas:

You’re quietly coming into his office with something behind your back. Silas looks curious, asking you what you want since you never come down to his office. Youquickly give the paper over to him and attempts to run, but he lets his men lock the doors before you have the time to reach them.

“Now, now, don’t run. Let’s see what you’ve given me … wow, baby, this is magnificent. You drew me? Why haven’t you told me that you have such a talent, little thing? Now, don’t get all shy now. I really like it. I’ll keep it right here on my desk. Come here now so I can give you a kiss.”

Dr Kry:

He can tell that you’ve been drawing something for over an hour by now, but you haven’t let him see it. Everytime he comes close you pull the paper away. He’s growing curious, he can’t deny that. By lunchtime, you give him your artwork. He scans it with a small smile on his face.

“You made this of me? How sweet of you. I will cherish this dearly, I promise. Do you like to draw? Do you want me to buy you some supplies?”

King Edmund:

He has hundreds of portraits from all ages. Every year there's a new portrait of him (and you) hung in the throne room. But when you give him a messy sketch of him that you made while waiting for him to finish a meeting, he's mesmerized. You've caught something that the other painters haven't. There's something real about your sketch. Something human that has gotten erased in the official portraits.

"This is so beautiful, my jewel. You have a wonderful talent. I want you to paint my next portrait. And I'll do whatever pose you want, wearing whatever you want."

Jerry:

She likes to make some sketches too. But nothing professional. Just some doodles when she's bored. She has let you borrowed her sketchbook while she's gone in a warehouse to retrieve stuff you want nothing to do with. You draw her from memory and when she returns you hand the book back. She catches a glimpse of the small cartoonish sketch you've made of her.

"Is this supposed to be me? Why did you make my face so round? I have a jawline, you know. I'm just teasing, I know it's an art style. It's stupidly cute somehow. I'll make one of you later and then we'll keep them in our phonecases, got it?"

Hedwig:

You're not paying attention in class again. It's okay, though! Hedwig will give you her notes. You're leaning against the wall, doodling. You start to draw your girlfriend, picturing her side profile magnificently.

"Y/N, we'll work in pairs now- … oh, is that me? Wow, you're amazing! You have to show me more later, I didn't know you had such good talent! Can I keep it? Thank you, I'll hang it in my locker and get reminded of you every time I open it!"

[bittersweetcreep]

All According to Plan Red Luna! Darling x Yandere! Damian

Part 1

Author's Note: This is part 2 of my Talia Al Ghul and Red Luna post, but you can read this as a standalone.

A nice breeze rustled the tree's leaves, and sitting underneath that very tree was Luna. She was spending her free time sketching away in her sketchbook. Art was a nice way for her to relax and let her guard down. It can be so taxing to be constantly aware of her surroundings, It's nice to let go of that need to be ready for an incoming attack. That's the reason why she didn't sense a presence coming towards her. She didn't sense them sitting on the grass next to her, she didn't feel their stare.

Feeling a hand tuck her hair behind her ear was the moment she realized someone was there. Turning her head, she was met with Damian Al Ghul. He had this look of confidence and was wearing a devilish smile when he spoke his voice was filled with fondness as he greeted her. "Hello Luna."

Choosing to be polite, she signed back to him °Al Ghul. What do I owe the pleasure of seeing you this time around?° moving his fingers, he began to stroke her cheek. He seemed to be admiring her. "Don't worry your pretty little head, I'm not here to kill anyone. I'm not even an Al Ghul at the moment." She noticed he used the words 'at the moment', so he must be staying with his father at the moment but will return to Talia. Now that Luna thinks about it, who is Damian's father? After all, Talia wouldn't just procreate with anyone. It's probably best she doesn't know.

°If you're not here on a job, then why are you here?° Resting an elbow on his knee, Damian was once again wearing that devilish smile while he spoke. "I'm here for you, I wanted to spend time with the Red Luna who bested the heir of the League of Assassins and Talia Al Ghul herself." Picking himself up off the ground, he extended his hand for Luna to take. "What do you say, Luna? Will you do me the honor of showing you a good time?"

There was a moment of silence between them before Luna responded °As long as nobody gets killed, I don't see the harm.° putting her art supplies and sketchbook in her messenger bag, Luna took Damian's hand. Once being pulled to her feet, she signed one more thing before they left. °Don't make me regret this.° bring her hand up to his lips he reassured her. "I wouldn't dream of it."

He took her to a large warehouse like building that had the words Palette Paradise on it. The building was surprisingly walking distance from the park they were at. Once inside the building, they were greeted by a receptionist who opened a door for them. Damian offered his hand, giving Luna a reassuring smile. Deciding to trust him, she took his hand as he guided her inside.

The door closed shut behind them, leaving them in a pitch-black room. This put Luna on edge, but then the room lit up with millions of floating lights. Blue, pink, and yellow covered the sky around them. It truly was a beautiful sight, one where Luna couldn't look away from. Damian couldn't look away either, but it wasn't the lights that had his attention it was Luna.

Her eyes shined even brighter than those lights, and she had the biggest smile on her face. She was radiating pure joy and wonder as she stared up in awe at all of the colors in the sky. Damian swears he was falling for her all over again.

Entering the next room, they were greeted by the sound of birds chirping with a sunny sky. It had this peaceful atmosphere to it, but a sudden struck of lighting broke that atmosphere. The loud sound startled Luna, causing her to jump back into Damian's arms. Then dark and stormy clouds started to surround them both with low lighting coming from under their feet in an ashy purple tone. It suddenly started to rain too but for some reason she wasn't getting wet.

The sudden sound of laughter coming from Damian snapped the girl out of her surprise and shocked. Twirling her around, he placed his hand around her waist while clasping her other hand in his. "Follow my lead." They began to dance while staring into each others eyes. For some reason, Damian staring at her with his dominating gaze is making her feel shy, and her cheeks seem to be heating up too. Why is she feeling like this? And why is her heart racing? Can he hear the pounding her heart is making?

After exploring the other rooms, they left Palette Paradise. Damian wanted to treat her to something sweet, saying he had a place in mind. What Luna didn't know was that he was treating her to Puff Perfection, a high-end bakery that's known for their luxury desserts only the rich can afford. Tugging the back of the teen's shirt to get his attention, she informed the boy of the cost of this place °Not here, this place's desserts are costly. I know other places that are much more affordable.°

Placing a hand on her head, Damian gave a reassuring smile. "There's no need to worry about prices. You can trust me to treat you to something sweet." Trusting his words, she (with some apprehension) stepped inside of Puff Perfection. They were immediately escorted to a private table on the balcony and were given a shared menu that's filled with nothing but desserts.

Luna planned to get something cheap, but seeing all of the mouth-watering desserts that thought was thrown out the window fast and her sweet tooth took over her. There were so many tasty desserts with so many flavors. How can she choose one when her sweet tooth is telling her to eat them all. "Hey Luna, look right here." Damian pointed his finger to something called The Sweetheart Special. Reading it, the special comes with a triangular raspberry and rose essence cake covered in a pink ombré buttercream, a pink ombré macaron tower with rose Italian buttercream and hibiscus rose chocolate ganache and a rose milk tea latte.

"You wanna get that?" Giving him a thusiastic nod (which is just her nodding her head up and down super fast) Damain calls their waiter over and told them,"We'll be getting The Sweetheart Special." Luna was surprised to see the waiter back so soon as they didn't even wait for a full minute, but that thought was long gone when he served them their drinks and desserts.

Picking up her fork, she took a slice of cake into her mouth and let out a satisfied moan. Luna swore when she took that bite she bit into a slice of sweet berry paradise. Wanting to share this little slice of heaven, she took a portion of her cake and held her fork out for Damian to take. He leaned over and took a bite off of her fork.

Luna took a sip of her rose milk tea. When placing her cup back on the table, she was met with the sight of a macaron. Pressing the cookie to her lips, she took the hint and bit into the macaron. Damian took what's left of the cookie into his mouth. They took their time eating the rest of their desserts and continued feeding each other while making menial chatter.

"So you're telling me you don't have a TV or a laptop, but you have a flip phone that can only call people?"

°And a apple iPod.°

"You should come over to my place sometime. I could show you a few TV shows you might like or even a movie."

°We'll see°

Luna looked over the balcony to see the sky painted in an orange hue and the sun setting far off in the distance. This is usually the time she would be heading home to get ready, but the thought of her time with Damian coming to an end saddened her. There was a selfish part of her that wanted to skip her vigilante duties to stay with Damian a little longer, but she knew she couldn't.

°I should be going, I have something that can't be left unchecked.°

"I understand. My father is expecting me soon anyway."

Getting up from their sets, they walked past many rows of empty booths. Now that Luna thought about it, the whole place was empty when they first walked in, and the Palette Paradise was too. It didn't make sense with a place like Puff Perfection she expected the place to be jam-packed, but there wasn't a single customer in sight. Deciding not to dwell on it, she continued to follow Damain past the receptionists desk (she chose not to say anything when he didn't go to pay them) and towards the entrance were he held the door open for her to go through.

°You made today a real dream, makes me wish i could stay with you and never wake up°

"Luna." he said her name in a breathy tone as he looked at her with all the love and passion he held for her. With one hand, she continued to sign while the other reached for her phone. °We should do this again sometime. Do you mind if I get your number? I would like to schedule our next meet-up. °

Taking the flip phone from her hand, Damian started to put in his contacts. "I was thinking of taking you to the glass pebble beach to do some swimming, maybe take you jet skiing too." Finished typing in his number, the raven-haired teen handed her phone back to her °I don't have a swimsuit° she looked at her phone to see his number with the name 'Your Personal Demon❤️‍🔥' attached to it. "Don't worry, we can stop and get you one on the way there. My treat."

°Ok, then I hope to see you soon.° leaning forward, Luna placed her lips on Damian's, catching him by surprise. Pulling away, he was met with her gentle smile. Giving him a small wave, she turned around and started making the journey to her house. Leaving behind a lovestruck Damian.

Bonus Sense

Walking through the mansion's doors was a glowing Damian who had this dreamy expression on his face. He was practically floating off the ground as he made his way to his room without a care in the world. He even passed Dick without so much as giving him a glance, which freaked out the ravenette as he's never had an interaction with the kid without hostility. With a million questions Dick headed off to the man who always had the answers.

Rushing to the billionaire's office, he slammed the doors open and screamed, "Bruce! Something's wrong with the hellspawn!" Looking up from his paperwork, said man responded to the raven-haired male in a calm tone."In what way is something's wrong with Damian?" "I walked past him without being threatened, insulted, or being stabbed, and he had this weird look on his face that Damian would NEVER be caught dead wearing by anyone, let alone ME."

Looking back to his paperwork, he responded to Dick "Well Luna does have that effect on him." This confused the circus boy."I know that much, but he was out as Damian, not Robin." With a dismissive tone, the affluent man answered him. "And now she knows Damian Wayne." Running a hand through his hair Dick let out a frustrated groan. "What did he do this time?"

Without missing a beat, he asked his question, "He took her on a date, and from what you're saying, it went well." "I guess that explains why he's acting like a Disney princess, and let me guess he used the Wayne's name for this date of his?" There was a small pause before he answered with a simple "Yes." Bruce looked up to see Dick making a face. "And you allowed this because?" Letting out a deep sigh, he started explaining himself "Talia for lack for a better word 'persuaded' me and Damian promise to in his words 'play nice with the mediocre villains and your non-biological son'."

"Hmm.... for how long?" The billionaire rubbed his temples to ease the incoming headache. "Originally, he proposed 2 weeks -" "Go figure." Bruce gave a stern glare. Dick chose to shut his mouth and let the man continue. "I propose 6 weeks with the addition of providing all the resources needed for more dates with Luna." Dick cocked his head to the side. "And if he went back on his word, you'll pull back all of those resources?" "Exactly, and I have a feeling these dates with Luna will keep him on his best behavior."

[noideamyguy]

American indie rock subversive Falling James has led the Leaving Trains with a revolving lineup since the group formed in 1980. Originally in a Los Angeles punk band named the Mongrels during 1978-1979, Falling James formed the Downers in 1980 (with David Roback, later of Mazzy Star, and John Hoffs, the brother of the Bangles sisters) and then the Leaving Trains later that year, with guitarist Manfred Hofer, bassist Tom Hofer, keyboard player Sylvia Juncosa, and drummer Hillary Laddin. The band gigged around the area during the next three years, but included only the Hofer brothers by the time Leaving Trains debuted on vinyl with 1984's Well Down Blue Highway, on Bemisbrain/Enigma Records.

In contrast to Falling James' earlier material, the first album practiced a kind of restraint in short supply on the West Coast punk scene (restrained only in comparison, of course). After the group's first LP for SST, Kill Tunes, however, the Hofers were replaced with musicians of more energetic means, guitarist Mike Barnett and bassist Eric Stringer. Over the course of 1987's Fuck, the following year's Transportational D. Vices, and 1991's Sleeping Underwater Survivors, Falling James concentrated on the most vigorous, self-loathing material available to her, amplified considerably by a new guitarist even more in-tune with noise, Bobby Belltower (formerly of the Nymphs). After both bassist and drummer left the band in 1991, Falling James formed a new band, the Power of Sky, with bassist Whitey Sims.

The Power of Sky proved short-lived as well, and later that year, James returned to Leaving Trains with Sims, Belltower, and new drummer Lenny Montoya. The confusion stalled recording until 1993, when The Lump in My Forehead appeared on SST, with Sims taking vocals on several cuts. Predictably, that version of the band also disintegrated, replaced by bassist/producer Chaz Ramirez and drummer Dennis Carlin, who began recording 1994's The Big Jinx. In the span of about a year, Ramirez was killed in a warehouse accident, James finished the LP, played in a side band named Sluts for Hire, was kicked out of the group, and formed a new Leaving Trains, with keyboard player Melanie Vammen, bassist Jimmy Green, and drummer Allen Clark. Following 1997's Smoke Follows Beauty, the eighth album by the group, SST released the compilation Favorite Mood Swings.

THANK YOU @casiotone-nati0n FOR THE RECCOMENDATION!

[fictional-love-is-my-life]

I read your Mirage dad headcannon and I loved it!! Think you could do a one shot or headcannon on how Mirage would act with having a human girlfriend?? 👏🏼👏🏼

I'm glad you liked it! I decided to make this a little oneshot:

Mirage x human!female!reader

Warnings: None

Mirage never imagined one word would have so much power over him. He never expected to say one word in every sentence, resulting in him saying a single word over 50 times a day. Yet here he was.

"Mirage, where have you been?" Arcee asked. Mirage swaggered over to her, a large grin planted on his face.

"I was with my girlfriend!" He beamed. Girlfriend, it really rolled of the tongue. He loved it so much he couldn't stop saying it.

"I see. Have fun?" Arcee smiled. She was glad to see Mirage happy.

"Hell yeah! My girlfriend is the best. She's funny, beautiful, kind and smart. And the cutest human ever." Mirage expressed, his spark humming happily as he spoke of her.

"Well, you didn't miss much. Optimus says things look clear so we don't have patrol tonight."

"Great! Then I get to spend more time with my girlfriend." Mirage was going to take any free time he had to spend with her.

"Yes, you sure can." Arcee laughed.

"Oh, I have to do something. Something special, something she'll really love." Mirage pondered to himself, servo gently placed under his chin in thought. "I need Noah." He transformed and quickly drove off to his other human friend.

Noah sat in his garage, fixing a pet project he was working on. The garage door was open, allowing Mirage to drive in. Without looking Noah pressed a button beside him, the garage door closing behind Mirage. Noah had gotten used to the sound of Mirages engine so he knew it was him. Once the door was closed Mirage transformed.

"Noah, buddy. I need your help." Mirage took a seat on an old couch, making the springs screech and whine under his weight.

"What do you need?" Noah asked. He stopped what he was working on and faced the mech.

"I need to do something special for my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" Noah raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah bro, we made it official last night. It was kind of an on the fly asking and accepting, nothing fancy about it. So today I need to do something special for her!" Mirage explained.

"So what do you need me for?"

"Well, I need you to help me make it special. Y'know, get me flowers for her, or jewelry or stuff like that."

"Why me?" Noah laughed.

"I can't exactly walk into a shop and buy it can I?" Mirage pouted. He had thought Noah would be willing to help no questions asked. "C'mon man, help me out."

"Alright, I'll help. What exactly were you thinking, because you know what she likes. And jewelry and stuff doesn't help me."

The two spent an hour planning out a small event. Noah and Mirage then spent the next few hours driving around New York, Noah getting out and going into stores to purchase supplies.

"I hope you plan on paying me back for all this." Noah stated.

"Yeah I'll figure out a way." Mirage complained. He felt like time was running out and he still had to set up. While driving around Mirage radioed his girlfriend. During their dating period he had given her a radio so they could stay in contact. He stole the idea from Kris.

"Hey darling." Mirage cooed over the radio.

"Hey handsome." (Y/N) replied. Her voice filled Mirage with joy.

"I've got a free evening, and I'm setting something up. Can you be free tonight?"

"Tonight yeah, I have nothing planned. Or well, I guess my plan consists of whatever you're planning."

"You're so funny!" Mirage laughed. Noah rolled his eyes. Noah knew Mirage was smitten, but this was something else.

"I'll pick you up later tonight, wear something pretty. Well you are always pretty, but y'know where something really pretty."

"I will." (Y/N) laughed.

With that settled Mirage drove to an abandoned warehouse, the same one he took Noah to the first time they met, and on the third date he took (Y/N) to. Noah and Mirage set everything up, using all the supplies they had gotten throughout the day. Once completed, Mirage took Noah home, then drove to (Y/N)'s place.

He parked outside and honked his horn. A few minutes later she appeared, in a beautiful outfit that made Mirages engine rev. She smiled, a smile that sent shivers through his form. He opened his driver door and allowed her in.

"Ready?" He asked, strapping her in with his seatbelt.

"I am." Mirage drove off, playing a radio station that consisted of mainly love songs. He stated that his radio was broken and he couldn't change it.

"Hey, we are about 5 minutes away. Could you close your eyes?" Mirage asked.

"Sure." (Y/N) responded. She trusted Mirage completely, so she had no problem closing her eyes no questions asked. He drove into the warehouse and stopped then unbuckled the seatbelt.

"Trust me?"

"Absolutely."

Mirage very gently transformed around her. Shifting his body until he was standing and holding her in his servos. He placed her down, keeping a servo behind her back.

"You can open your eyes now." Mirage whispered.

(Y/N) opened her eyes. String lights were hung up around the the middle of the warehouse making a circle of light in the center. In the middle were a few blankets laid upon the floor and a number of pillows placed evenly on the blankets. Candles were also strategically placed a few feet away from the flammable blankets, but they were there to enhance the mood.

"Oh my, this is beautiful!" (Y/N) exclaimed. Her heart pounding in her chest.

"Shall we?" Mirage offered his servo. (Y/N) took it. They made themselves comfy among the cozy pillows. Mirage laid on his side, his helm propped up by one arm, so he could be on a similar level as (Y/N). "Oh, I also got you something."

"You didn't have to get me anything."

"Well I did." Mirage pulled out a small box, gently handing it to (Y/N). She opened it, revealing a necklace, on it was silver heart shaped pendant with a blue heart shaped jewel in the middle of it. (Y/N) gasped in surprise, and awe at its beauty.

"It's gorgeous."

"Turn it over." Turning the pendant over revealed 'Mirage' had been engraved on the back of it.

"Oh I love it so much." (Y/N) leapt up, she grabbed Mirages helm with both hands and plastered a million kisses all over his faceplates. "Thank you!"

Mirage placed his free servo behind her back, pulling her in closer. He caught her lips and the two kissed passionately. The kiss only being broken so (Y/N) could catch her breath.

"You really like it?" Mirage asked.

"I love it. And I love you so much." (Y/N) put the necklace on.

"I love you too. I wanted something special for my girlfriend."

"Well, you did amazing this is really special. I have the best boyfriend ever."

That word rang through his audio receivers like music. Boyfriend, the second best word. And as much as he said the word girlfriend, he also hoped to hear boyfriend just as much.

Bonus headcanons just because I want to:

-Will say girlfriend as much as he can.

-Gets so giddy and excited when his girlfriend is around. He does everything he can to try and impress her or make her laugh. Absolutely loves her laugh so will say so many jokes, even if they are terrible.

-Flirts all the time.

-Shows her off to everyone saying 'this is my girlfriend' even if they already know that.

-Likes PDA and wants to kiss and touch her all the time. He would make out with her in front of the others and not care at all.

-Loves to see her in cute outfits. He loves getting little fashion shows, and likes to help his girlfriend pick out outfits.

-Will carry her around, because it means he gets to hold her close.

-Late night chats. He talks with his girlfriend while she tries to sleep. And he feels so happy if she stays on the radio while she sleeps. He feels like it is a way for them to be together even if they can't be.

[greenbergwrites]

Green. I’m a starved man. I’ve been rereading your post about Steve and Etienne being feral and Bucky trying to take care of them. If you have anything in your beautiful brain about that to continue off of. I think I’d cry. Love and appreciate you for everything you do and have done <3

Real talk, the original story I’ve been trying to write all year has been a feral!Omega plot inspired by that very post. [I even kept the name Etienne for one of the minor characters 😂]

Feral!Omega is apparently my new fixation and I regret nothing. 

So yes, I will happily continue that story for you.

Original post here for anyone who needs a reminder.

–

The feral Omega can walk out of his cage under his own steam. His companion, still as quiet as ever, cannot. Along with whatever injury has him bleeding, there appears to be something wrong with his foot. 

Bucky kneels beside the boy, permitted reluctantly by his protector, pursing his lips as he looks it over. The feral Omega hovers just over his shoulder, that warning little grumble-hiss still in every breath he takes. Should Bucky do or say the wrong thing, he has no doubt the Omega will attack.

He tries to keep himself and his scent as calming as possible, but it’s not easy. The boy’s foot is bent at an unnatural angle and seeing such an injury on an Omega makes him want to rage. His anger would accomplish nothing but agitating the feral Omega and potentially scaring the silent one, so he tamps it down as best he can.

The Omega is too dirty for him to figure out of it’s an old injury that’s healed wrong or a newer one that can be more easily fixed. Either possibility is unacceptable–angled like it is, it has to be causing the Omega pain.

“We’ll get this fixed up in no time,” he murmurs to the boy, keeping his voice soft and soothing. “For now, will you permit me to carry you?”

The Omega blinks up at him with those big, blue eyes. There is an air of vulnerability to most Omegas, but it’s more intense with this one. His gaze is so open, so sad. Bucky wants to find everyone who’s responsible for that expression and hurt them slowly.

The Omega nods silently.

Carefully, Bucky scoops him up. The boy is so light, it’s almost sickening. He pauses, giving himself a moment to rest his cheek on the boy’s hair.

No one else will hurt you, he vows silently. 

He promised it aloud already, and he’s sure that neither of them believed him. He won’t fail them, though. He will make sure they’re safe.

The feral Omega vibrates with tension, as if wants to snatch his companion from Bucky’s arms and carry the boy himself. As small as the other Omega is, Bucky isn’t sure he’d succeed, though. Perhaps that’s what stops him.

“Follow me,” Bucky tells the feral one, his voice still soft. 

It doesn’t soothe this one quite like it soothes the Omega in his arms, but it doesn’t seem to hurt, either.

Outside, the rain hasn’t slowed. Most of the vehicles are gone now, as are most of the humans. Two black trucks and a single ambulance remain, all three parked near what appears to be a triage tent near the entrance to the warehouse. The Enforcer that guided Bucky inside is standing near it, holding open the flap to allow them inside.

The feral Omega darts forward, putting himself between the Enforcer and Bucky, snarling loud enough to be heard over the storm. It doesn’t seem to register to him that he’s being drowned by the rain.

Bucky sighs softly, shifting the Omega in his arms as he approaches their little bodyguard. He lets his fingers brush over the feral one’s damp arm.

“Enough,” he chides. “Get in the tent so we can all get out of the rain.”

The Omega glares at him, but after a glance to his companion, he reluctantly obeys. 

Inside, the tent is set up with a gurney, two chairs, and a rudimentary set of medical supplies. It’s also empty.

The Enforcer comes in behind them, letting the flap shut behind him.

“You said they don’t like humans,” he said, “but all the medical personnel on site are human. I have some training, but unless they’ll allow the others in, it’s all we have.”

Bucky nodded. “I think we can make do with the two of us.”

It takes quite a bit of coaxing, and more promises of safety from Bucky, but the feral Omega allows the Enforcer to help his companion. Bucky can take care of their superficial wounds, but the foot requires more training than he has. 

By the time Bucky’s found cleaned and bandaged their cuts, the Enforcer has cleaned the silent Omega’s foot and examined it. Now that the dirt is gone, Bucky can see that his foot is swollen and red, making the injury new.

He hates how relieved he is about it. The idea of an Omega being hurt at all is unthinkable, but at least they won’t have to re-break the bone to set it correctly. He isn’t sure the feral Omega would be able to stand that.

“I’m going to have to set it,” the Enforcer says apologetically, looking to the blue-eyed Omega. “It’s going to hurt, but only for a second.”

The Omega looks to Bucky, and Bucky can almost hear what he’s thinking.

You said I wouldn’t hurt anymore.

Or maybe that’s just his guilty conscience, promising something before he knew all the facts. 

Bucky touches the boy’s hair.

“If there were any other way,” he said, “we’d do that instead. But if we leave it, it’ll heal wrong and we’ll have to re-break it if you want to walk again. It’s up to you, but setting it now is better.”

Frankly, Bucky is surprised it hasn’t healed itself already. The fact that it’s still swollen and fresh is worrisome. Their kind don’t heal quite as quickly as the movies portray, but they do heal fast. It should be at least halfway there already.

The Omega looks back at the Enforcer and nods solemnly. His feral companion, though, snarls before the Enforcer can even touch him.

Bucky takes him by the arm, pulling him closer. The fact that the Omega lets him is a good sign, considering how hostile he is. He takes the feral Omega’s face in his hands, making sure the boy is looking at him.

“We have to do this,” he says firmly. “It’s what’s best for him. Hold on to me if you have to. Don’t look. Whatever it is you need, but you have to let this happen. Do you understand?”

For several long seconds, the Omega just stares at him, and Bucky worries that he doesn’t. That he’s too far gone to truly grasp what’s happening.

Then, thankfully, he nods. It’s small, and the boy’s breath is shaky, his gaze displaying fear for the first time. But still, he nods, and Bucky knows he isn’t so far gone.

“C’mere,” he says, gathering the feral Omega to him, and the boy buries his face in Bucky’s chest, his fingers gripping Bucky’s shirt tightly. 

Bucky shuffles them closer to the gurney, because he can’t allow one Omega to be comforted and leave the other bereft. He keeps one arm tightly around the feral Omega’s back and lays his other hand on the back of the silent Omega’s neck, squeezing lightly.

The silent Omega reaches up, grasping his wrist.

“Eyes on me,” Bucky orders him. When the Omega obeys, staring up at him, he tells the Enforcer, “Go on.”

It’s quick. A little jerk of the Enforcer’s hands, the snap of bone going back into place. The feral Omega jolts in his arms, trembling, and the blue-eyed Omega closes his eyes, his breath hitching almost imperceptibly. 

When it’s over, Bucky relaxes his hold on both Omegas. He sighs in relief, nuzzling first the feral Omega in his arms and then leaning down to do the same to his companion.

“Good,” he murmurs to them both. “You were both so good. I’m so proud of you.”

The blue-eyed Omega gazes up at him in wonder. He leans back until he’s resting against Bucky’s hip, pulling Bucky’s hand down to rest on his chest. He keeps holding onto it, clinging to Bucky as fiercely as his companion does.

The Enforcer reaches for something to bandage the ankle with. By the time it’s wrapped, both Omegas have calmed considerably, though neither of them have let go of Bucky yet. He doesn’t make them, either. They’ve been through hell, and whatever comfort they want, they deserve.

The Enforcer clears his throat awkwardly.

“Neither of them have a pack scent,” he says to Bucky. “Until they can tell us where they belong, the next step is to have a local pack foster them. We’ve already contacted the closest ones, their Alphas should be here soon.”

Bucky’s instinctive reaction is to protest. These Omegas are no one to him, not in any sort of way, even though it feels like the opposite.

They trusted him enough to let him get them out. They trusted him enough to allow the Enforcer into their space. They trusted him enough to allow pain, no matter how briefly, and to let him comfort them through it.

He swallows down that instinct, though, knowing that he has no right. 

Reluctantly, he nods and tries not to tighten his old on the Omegas.

“Okay,” he says, and the word tastes like ash on his tongue.

[carib-island-trading]

"Discover the Future of Global Trade with Carib Island Trading: Your Premier Partner for Health, Beauty, and FMCG Products!"

Bodycology is your go-to for affordable beauty, empowering you to feel and look your best without breaking the bank. Dive into a world of luxurious fragrances, bath, and body products that cater to every preference—whether you love experimenting with new scents, enjoy mixing and matching, or have a signature fragrance that defines you. With Bodycology, you can stay pretty and shop smart, indulging in high-quality beauty essentials that won’t strain your budget. Treat yourself to a delightful and affordable beauty experience with Bodycology!

Shop now at: https://caribislandtrading.com/collections/bodycology

[tejvirani]

(And a hornet pelting them all with packets of crisps ~) With @selinswonderland and @akhilaasthana Thanks to Dion for the header!

The warehouse was a haven, for now. Akhila had ducked inside seeking sanctuary and something sugary. It didn’t take a genius to know she was burning through calories at a higher rate. She scoured the shelves for a tin of peaches. It would do. Akhila turned on her heel, the can already torn open, syrup sloshed up and over onto her hand. Bugger. The hornets were everywhere. She scrunched her nose and drank as much of the sugar-syrup as she could stomach. Akhila, fuck, she needed something––she grappled to trade her tin for a tool and got a wrench. Adequate. It had a decent weight to it. 

“I’ve had it up to bloody here with this.” Akhila seethed, but the hornet lifted and turned, it’s staticky not-face had latched onto someone else. Not the resolution she had in mind. Akhila willed for speed or power, but as she jogged after it but there was no surge of energy. “Behind you!” She hollered.

***

Selin had no idea where to go or what to do. After a few encounters with these robot hornets, it seemed like the best option to duck into the medicenter, grab some type of supplies, something in case of injury. But while almost there she noticed a few people who were making their way out, arms loaded with stuff. No way they needed that much medical supplies! She tried to call out to them but they were moving fast, so the easiest solution was to follow. At least that way she could see what they were up to or be an extra pair of hands if there was really a big group of people in need of assistance.

Following them to the warehouse, it turned out to be a bad idea considering the amount of hornets that were buzzing around the interior. The commotion bounced off the walls and Selin followed the shouting voices to find Akhlia and another, (one of the ones she saw running from the medicenter) standing off with one of the hornets causing her to stop dead in her tracks. "Whoa, okay. Let's all just be calm. Maybe if we leave it alone it'll...go away." She said, slow and incredibly hopeful.

***

Tej spotted Ellen first. From his perch in the upper loft of the warehouse, he surreptitiously watched as she stashed boxes behind a broken furnace. Not long after, a few more followed with boxes. Doors were carelessly left open, and the horrible drones of the hornets amplified off the brick and concrete of the warehouse. 

He grabbed up a nearby can of spray paint (Rust-oleum, color "Key Lime") and popped the top off. A lighter was also picked up. Tej took the stairs down quick. 

‘Oh my god, get it–get it away from me!’ Ellen wailed in a piercing high pitch. Body turned to the side, hands balled up and held tight to a smaller box in her arms. Akhila was there, as was Selin. And the hornet, as it hovered behind Ellen one second and zipped around in front of Ellen the next.

(Incredibly engineered, Tej thought. Painstakingly created. He wanted to take the hornet apart piece by piece to see just how beautiful it was). 

Tej, agitated: “Yeah. Because being calm is really working out for Ellen. She let the damn thing in here.”

***

Really, what exactly did she think she was doing? Akhila’s gaze cast towards the doors that had been left flung open. She flinched as Ellen wailed, Selin, she was fairly certain the young woman’s name was Selin, seemed hopeful they could play ignorant. Akhila pursed her lips to answer but another voice joined the thick of it. She cast a sideways glance and it was him, backpack man.

Excellent.

Akhila tightened her grip on the wrench. “We need to lure it out of here.” This hadn’t been part of the relaxation-bargain. 

“Right, well shit.” Akhila huffed, because Ellen had spied a break in the hornet’s hovering and made a break for it. The machine-come-beast hesitated, then followed with intent after her deep into the belly of the warehouse. “That wasn’t––” Akhila stared in horror as another came with a box clutched to their chest and a hornet on their tail. She reached for Selin and pulled them both down to avoid collision. 

“Just in case.” Akhila informed her as she handed Selin the wrench. It was better than nothing. Without waiting Akhila lurched down the warehouse, one of the hornets had wedged itself up on a top shelf and was incidentally launching packets of crisps down at them to free itself. One less to worry about. “You haven’t got the ability to laser beam it with your eyes have you?” She asked the young man. Names could come later when there wasn’t giant-fucking-wasps to worry about.

***

Ellen's reaction to the hornet was anything but calm. Not that Selin could blame her for it, but after multiple run ins with these things, screaming and running seemed like the easiest way for them to give chase. Which is exactly what happened as Ellen tried to get away and only intrigued the robotic creature more. "Does that look like calm to you, Tej?" Selin pointed out at his sarcasm at her suggestion. None of them were targets yet after all.

Looking at the wrench Akhila gave her, Selin appreciated it but had a sneaking suspicion that it wouldn't be enough to take this thing out. If anything a wrench to that television head would most likely cause aggression to be turned on them. 

"I think if we want to take this thing out. We need to make every hit count." She told both of them, holding up the wrench. "This is a good distraction if we want to be a new target, but we'll need something bigger to incapacitate it. Try to break off limbs somehow."

***

He blinked once at Selin and replied dry as a bone: "Oh. What, you gonna offer to meditate with her? Do some deep breathing. Don't let me interrupt." His chin tipped up. "At this point Ellen's yelling probably called every one of those damn things over here." 

As Akhila outfitted Selin with a weapon, Tej ran over to close the mentioned doors. They at least might stand a chance against a few trapped inside, versus letting the rest of them in. 

When he returned to Selin and Akhila, they were being pelted with snacks by one of the trapped insect robots. Could he shoot laser beams from his eyes? "I only wish. You?" 

Selin and Akhila had both offered different but equally decent options against the damn hornets. He looked around them and then down the long aisle, beyond the angry wedged in thing caught in shelving.

"Look. There are some empty shelves at the end of this row. As tall as these." He gestured to the ones they stood in front of. "We lure the rest of the hornets down to the end of this aisle. The shelving isn't exactly light weight, but since they're empty I figure I can push them over. If we can trap them under the shelves, then we could actually break some limbs." A second to recognize Selin's suggestion. "Damn, killer over here. I never knew." 

And, continued. "Pretty sure I can fry some parts and pieces too." He held up the can of spray paint and lighter. 

"We need someone to lure them down there." A beat. "Where the fuck did Ellen go? Stashing more of those boxes?"

***

Akhila ducked her head to avoid the purple-foil wrapped snack. She’d pursed her lips, considering Selin’s entirely pragmatic point that the wrench wasn’t going to do that much damage. Perhaps not to these robot-hornets, but technology was fragile. She’d only needed to drop her new iPad the once to learn that lesson. “I don’t know where she’s gone…” She could hear her, the cacophony of chaos, shouts and screams. That didn’t avail them of Ellen’s current location within the warehouse. 

Good.” She mused as he held up the balm of teenage boredom.

“No laser beams…” Akhila could however, if she could kick some of that sugary energy into gear, utilise her unnatural speed. “Sorry Selin, I’ll need that wrench back.” Akhila shot off, the plan formulating piece by piece. “I think I can lure the hornets down this end.” She flexed her hand, there it was, the sluggish feeling of pulling through honey. Akhila proffered them both a wan smile. “I’ll be bait, whilst I wouldn’t normally condone this, you two get ready break limbs.” No time to be delving into the absurdity of the situation.

There wasn’t a chance in hell she was sending either of them into the hornet-nest.

“First…we really should find Ellen.” The last any of them needed was an extraneous variable. “Heaven only knows why she’s moving boxes at a time like this.”

***

"Man, now really isn't the time for your sass." Selin replied back with a sigh. "When I aggravated one by throwing rocks at it, I got stung. So to me it makes sense that if you leave it alone, it'll do the same." But the longer they left them alone, the more they would destroy. Who was to say whether they would get any replacements of items and food targeted by the hornets or if this was all some master plan to rid them of resources they got accustom to these past few weeks.

Easily, she handed the wrench back over to Akhila when she requested it. There probably wouldn't be a whole lot of damage done with it in her hands. Though the idea of anyone as bait didn't sit right with her, as cool as it was for Akhila to offer up herself with ease, Selin couldn't possibly just say yeah, go for it! especially considering what they were up against and the likeliness of injury. "Are you sure? I'll warn you, those stinger claw things they've got? Not fun. Just, be careful." An obvious statement, but Selin felt she needed to offer it up nonetheless.

She turned to Tej at his comment about her being a killer. "I'm very complex. Surprisingly, I don't like giant mechanical bugs terrorizing me and other people."

As for Ellen, Selin kept quiet about what she was doing that caused her to head this way in the first place. Now probably wasn't the time to admit she had a hunch theft was taking place. The woman's shrieks and cries through the warehouse echoed, and as Selin turned her head to the side, she watched Ellen running past their aisle still frantically shouting for help as the hornet curiously followed after her. "Found her. Think you can help me catch her?" She asked Tej, gesturing for him to come along. "Maybe we can try that meditation idea of yours."

***

Selin’s exasperation inexplicably brought a faint smile to Tej’s lips. Admitting she’d been stung wiped it all away. “I was stung too.” The burn of skin ripped open by a claw still vivid enough to bring a protective hand to his side. He wondered if Selin also saw anything. Or was it his own delirium in the moment, in the surreal grip of a horrific man-made insect? Something to bring up once they were all in a safer position. 

I’ll be bait. “The fuck?” This was the person who dove into rough seas to save the thing most precious to him, without even knowing what the hell it was. “You don’t have to do that.” A similar statement to Selin’s one that didn’t need to be said. The look of determination in Akhila’s eyes told them the decision, however baffling, had already been made. 

A brow rose to Selin’s other remark, “Never had a doubt about it.” Complex, yes, and she deserved to have the last word too. 

"Think I know what she's up to--" but before Tej could rat out Ellen, she darted nearby. "Ah. What if Ellen prefers yoga?" He took off down the aisle and gained easily. Enough to cut around the corner as Ellen approached and slip a strategically placed foot out for her to trip over. Splat. 

He leaned back to see Selin. "Tell Akhila we got her. And another hornet is down here too." He bent down to help Ellen up. "The hell do we do with this one though?"

***

Akhila had always really loathed sitting in the backseat with the world blurring by, and no control over speed, or jerky direction. One of the reasons she’d gotten herself a two-seater convertible. The motion was startlingly akin to the speed she could garner from what felt like an otherwise mundane jog. Though sickeningly sweet canned fruit had done its job, the warehouse was streaks of ruddy colour, and nary a hornet in sight. Bollocks. Akhila looped back up and around to go down a second row incase she’d missed it. Easily done when the world was nothing but a gauzy super-speed blur.

Brakes? Yeah still hadn’t quite figured that one out yet, more testing needed. Akhila skidded, knees bent to absorb the impact, and no sooner had the dust settled she doubled over the expunge the fruit. Useful, yes, an awful fairground ride experience, also yes. Akhila wiped her mouth, and moved to straighten up but behind a disconnected furnace was a stack. Boxes pile on top of each other wasn’t out of the ordinary, it was the contents. Akhila pulled one towards her, the stash of gloves that had gone missing last night, below that a defibrillator that appeared too modern comparatively.

Akhila ground her back teeth. She followed the sound of chittering voices. Selin, Tej and in the middle of them both Ellen. “Anyone have any idea who took this?” She barked, holding up the neatly portable defibrillator someone had evidently pried from The Odyssey. Ellen went ghostly mute. “Crying out loud!” Akhila half-wished she’d kept the wrench. She pushed her tongue up against her teeth, heaven almighty save her now if these were the blithering idiots she was stuck with. Tej and Selin, excluded. “You cannot be serious, have you any idea the trouble you've caused? That you could cause?”

***

Knowing the awful feeling of being stung and what she had witnessed, Selin had this look of fear and sympathy when Tej said he was also stung. She didn't wish that experience on anyone but it seems she wasn't the only unlucky one.

Neither of them seemed all that pleased with Akhila offering herself up as bait, but something had to be done, right? Selin didn't know much about Akhila's ability and what she was capable of. It wasn't laser eyes, but she still felt confident enough to lure the hornets somewhere that Tej and Selin could gang up on them. Maybe even Ellen too if she quit running around like a maniac. Luckily, she was pretty easy to knock down when they managed to catch up to her, a simple trip to send her toppling face first to the ground.

"Hey, you're gonna need to calm down and quit causing a commotion in here, ok? These things don't like being provoked and running and screaming isn't helpful, do you understand?" She asked Ellen, who feverishly nodded her understanding. Selin had the urge to scold her like a child for not thinking and acting so recklessly. But right now, Ellen was quiet and Selin ranting would get the same outcome as Ellen's screaming.

When Akhila showed up, holding up a defibrillator and asked about it in a harsh and accusatory tone, Selin's gaze gravitated over to Ellen, now avoiding eye contact. She had seen the other woman lugging the boxes from the medcenter over in this direction but she had no clue what was inside. But as much as she knew that some type of punishment was deserved, she was still concerned about the hornets. "Akhila...I think maybe we should focus on the bigger problem before anything else. What happened? You didn't already take care of the rest of the hornets did you?" The thought of Akhila dealing with those things all on her own, while impressive, sounded incredibly dangerous.

***

An odd sound was heard within the warehouse. After Akhila took off, a rush of movement traveled over to Tej and Selin. He just couldn't see Akhila. But most of his attention temporarily fell (ha) to Ellen-- who finally seemed to take Selin's advice. 

When Akhila reappeared, she had something with her. Tej's brows drew tight. "The hell did that come from..." The answer sat on the ground between them all. 

'I'm not the only one. Others took things too,' Ellen admitted with a lot of bluster despite the color that flooded her cheeks at being caught. 'You can't just blame me!'

Tej pinched the bridge of his nose with a loud exhale. But Selin was right. Take care of the immediate danger before sorting out the supply thieves. So, to Akhila. "What did you find?"

***

“No.” Her gaze cut across to Selin, and then flicked from Tej to Ellen. Latter of whom was sprouting a great deal of nonsense. Absolving herself of guilt because others had dared to be fools too. A pitifully weak excuse. “I found their stash, no hornets.” Akhila held her jaw tight and spoke through tight lips. 

There was every possibility she may have missed a hornet, owing to her bout of motion sickness. However, Akhila remained an otherwise infallible wall. “Shut up woman.” She barked at Ellen, who chewed over her silence with ruddy cheeks. 

There was no evidence of the hornets, no buzz or hum. Conceivably even the one that had wedged itself into a shelving unit had flushed itself out. “I would suggest we get out of here.” Akhila measured Ellen up, the woman owed her, owed them all for her pilfering. The adrenaline-infused stupidity on her behalf had waned, leaving Akhila bone-weary. After some hesitation. “You were right.” She poised to Selin. 

“Any other suggestions?”

***

Amidst Ellen's protesting about the things that were taken, trying to absolve herself from blame, Selin's main concern was the hornets. Ellen was certainly in the wrong here but she didn't deserve to get attacked or killed by one of these robots. At least that's what Selin thought, she wasn't sure what the other two believed. But when Akhila told them that there were no more hornets around, she didn't find anything but this stash of medical equipment, that brought her a sense of relief. It also felt kind of good to hear from Akhila of all people that her belief on how these things operated was correct. It was quite the honor, even if it was just a simple remark, it felt like praise.

"Getting out of here is a good idea. Unless you've got more medical equipment stashed away here somewhere that you'd like to tell us about?" She asked Ellen, a bit more stern, raising her eyebrow. Selin probably wasn't much of a threat, but with Tej and Akhila there as well, she'd know not to cause trouble right now. "There's no other equipment, just some bandages and pain meds..." Ellen trailed off and Selin couldn't tell if it due to embarrassment or simply withholding information of how much was taken.

"Well if it's not much I think it won't be that hard to collect it all and bring it back where it belongs. Seeing as we all saved you after all. I think we deserve a little cooperation, what do you all think?"

***

Akhila and Selin were quite the appealing team as they interrogated Ellen. All severe tones and beautifully grave faces. Hot. Ellen spilled the rest of the stolen stash. “Ah, get high. Give your heart a shock.” Tej tapped his chest with a fist twice. “Had a night in Hell’s Kitchen like that once.” Several, many, lucky to be alive. “What’s the bandages for? In case you survive the overdose and heart arrhythmia but wake up with a nasty papercut?” Tej’s contribution: mockery and mild harassment. 

Ellen wiped her nose on the sleeve of her teal shirt. Then she bolted up, shoved herself through the fine wall Selin and Akhila created, and took off running. 

He paused to see Ellen haul ass down the warehouse aisle. “I’m not chasing her again,” Tej said as flat as his expression. “But I’ll help carry the boxes those dipshits stole back to the Medicentre.” 

***

It was Selin who put herself forth to interrogate Ellen, and through a squeaked out confession Ellen, Akhila's glower deepened. Despite frustration curdling to ire Akhila found herself warming to Selin. Akhila's lips pursed, with a huff of haughty air through her nose as Tej chimed in. Only for Ellen to flee from Tej's barbed call-outs with a hard shove. 

She brushed out her sand dune scrubs, and took the time to straighten herself out. "Thank you." Akhila flipped the defibrillator case up, underneath it was stamped with '#4 TOP DECK OF THE ODYSSEY.' Perhaps it would be worth revisiting the cruise ship. "Both of you."

"She isn't worth our time." Pill poppers never were. "We should be able to move them all in one go if we can locate that dolly. Let's hope the hornets have found a honeypot to distract themselves with."

***

End!

[teddymoon06]

Close to the edge

Chapter Six: The Road Ahead

The dawn light filtered through the grimy windows of the warehouse, casting an almost ethereal glow over the space. Y/N and Yeonghu, now equipped with the supplies Alex had provided, prepared for the next leg of their journey. The weight of their recent losses still hung heavy, but there was a shared determination between them—a silent agreement that they would push on, for better or for worse.

Alex had been unusually quiet, a stark contrast to their earlier interaction. They moved with practiced efficiency, gathering gear and checking the perimeter. Y/N and Yeonghu were left to their own devices for a while, using the time to gather their thoughts and prepare mentally for the road ahead.

The warehouse, though secure, was a temporary refuge. The real test lay outside its walls, in the vast and unforgiving cityscape that stretched before them. Y/N glanced at Yeonghu, who was meticulously checking his gear. His focus was unwavering, but the lines of fatigue etched into his face betrayed his exhaustion.

"Ready?" Yeonghu asked, his voice steady.

Y/N nodded, though her heart still pounded with a mix of anxiety and resolve. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Alex finally approached them, their demeanor now more guarded than before. "We should get moving. The sooner we leave, the sooner we reach the safe house."

Yeonghu nodded, his gaze sharp and alert. "Lead the way."

Alex took the lead, guiding them through the maze of alleys and side streets. The journey was arduous, with every step laden with the unspoken dread of what might lurk around the next corner. The city was eerily silent, its once-bustling streets now desolate and overgrown. The occasional creak of a door or the distant rustle of leaves was enough to set their nerves on edge.

Despite the danger, there was an odd sort of beauty to the abandoned city. Nature had begun reclaiming the urban sprawl, vines climbing up the sides of skyscrapers, and wildflowers growing in cracks of the pavement. It was a stark reminder of how quickly the world could change, how swiftly civilization could be erased.

As they walked, Alex filled the silence with fragments of information about the city’s current state. "The safe house is in a residential area, mostly intact but well-hidden. It was used by a few others before, so it's not completely empty, but it's safer than staying out in the open."

"Have you been there recently?" Yeonghu asked.

Alex shook their head. "Not for a few weeks. Things change fast out here, and I haven’t had a reason to go back. But it should still be secure."

They moved on, and Y/N's mind raced with questions. Who had used the safe house before? What kind of people were they, and what had happened to them? The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she pushed it aside. They needed to focus on the present, on surviving the immediate threats.

As the hours passed, the cityscape began to change. The buildings grew older and more dilapidated, the streets less familiar. Alex led them with a confidence that suggested they knew this area well. Despite the growing sense of unease, Y/N found some comfort in their presence. They had been through this nightmare before and had managed to survive.

Finally, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the city, Alex halted before a nondescript house tucked away between overgrown hedges and crumbling walls. The house was small, its exterior unremarkable, but the subtle signs of recent habitation—a fresh patch of dirt, a slightly tilted flower pot—hinted at its continued use.

"This is it," Alex said, their voice low. "We’re going to enter through the back. It’s less likely to attract attention."

Yeonghu nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. "Alright. Lead the way."

Alex led them around to the back of the house, where a small, rusted door was partially hidden by a tangle of ivy. With a practiced hand, Alex pushed the door open, revealing a dimly lit room. Inside, it was clear that someone had taken care to make the space as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. There were makeshift beds, a few boxes of supplies, and even a small, functioning stove.

“Looks like someone’s been here recently,” Yeonghu said, surveying the room.

Alex nodded. “It’s not perfect, but it should do for now. We can stay here for a while and regroup.”

Y/N stepped inside, her senses adjusting to the dim light and the faint smell of wood and dust. The room was small but surprisingly organized. There was a sense of order amidst the chaos, a small comfort in the middle of their disarray.

“Thank you for bringing us here,” Y/N said, her voice sincere. “We appreciate it.”

Alex shrugged, their face partially hidden by the shadows. “Like I said, it’s not much, but it’s something. I’ll stay for a while to make sure you’re settled, but then I’ll be on my way. I don’t stick around too long.”

Yeonghu nodded. “We understand. We just need a bit of time to rest and figure out our next steps.”

As Alex settled into a corner of the room, Y/N and Yeonghu took a moment to unpack and organize their supplies. The tension of the day seemed to lift slightly as they worked together, the familiarity of routine providing a brief respite from their constant state of alert.

When they were finished, Y/N sat down on one of the makeshift beds, her body finally able to relax. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the fatigue and pain that still lingered. The day had been long and taxing, but there was a small sense of relief in having a safe place to rest, even if it was only temporary.

Yeonghu joined her, sitting down beside her with a sigh of exhaustion. “We’ve come a long way, but we’re still in this together.”

Y/N looked at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah. We are.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared experiences settling between them. Despite the danger and uncertainty that lay ahead, there was a sense of solidarity—a reminder that they were not alone in this struggle.

As the night deepened, Alex began preparing a small meal with the supplies they had brought. The simple act of cooking felt almost normal, a fleeting glimpse of the world that had once been.

Y/N and Yeonghu joined Alex at the small table, the shared meal providing a brief moment of comfort and camaraderie. The conversation was light, focused on practical matters and the plans for the coming days. For a brief time, the weight of their circumstances seemed to lift, replaced by the simple pleasure of shared company.

When the meal was finished, Y/N and Yeonghu retired to their makeshift beds. The exhaustion of the day weighed heavily on them, and sleep came quickly despite the lingering worries and fears.

As Y/N drifted off, she found solace in the small, fleeting moments of peace. The world outside was still filled with danger and uncertainty, but within these walls, there was a temporary respite. And sometimes, in the midst of all the chaos, that was enough to keep moving forward.

The next morning arrived with a muted, gray light filtering through the grimy windows of the small house. The city outside remained silent, an oppressive stillness that seemed to linger in the air. Y/N woke to the soft sound of Alex moving about, their presence a reminder of the precarious balance of safety and danger they were living in.

She stretched carefully, trying to ease the stiffness from her muscles. The pain in her leg had subsided slightly, thanks to the rest and the makeshift bandaging, but it still throbbed with every movement. Yeonghu was already up, sitting at the small table and examining a map Alex had spread out before him.

“Morning,” Y/N said, her voice still heavy with sleep.

Yeonghu looked up, offering a tired smile. “Morning. How are you feeling?”

“Better,” Y/N replied, easing herself into a sitting position. “Thanks to the rest. What’s the plan for today?”

Yeonghu nodded towards the map. “We need to figure out our next move. Alex mentioned a few potential routes to get to other safe locations, but we need to decide the best path.”

Alex, who had been quietly preparing breakfast, turned their attention to the discussion. “The routes are all marked here,” they said, pointing to several routes on the map. “There are some places that are relatively safe but require a bit of a detour. And then there are others that are more direct but more dangerous.”

Yeonghu studied the map closely, his brow furrowed in concentration. “We need to balance safety and speed. The longer we stay in one place, the higher the risk.”

Alex nodded in agreement. “That’s the general idea. If we’re looking for safety, we can take the longer route and avoid heavily populated areas. If we want to move quickly, we’ll have to navigate through riskier zones.”

Y/N took a deep breath, looking at the map and trying to make sense of the options. “What about the safe house you mentioned earlier? Is it still a viable option, or should we focus on another route?”

Alex’s expression grew serious. “The safe house is still a good option, but it’s not guaranteed to be safe forever. Things change quickly, and what’s secure today might not be tomorrow.”

Yeonghu glanced at Y/N, clearly weighing their options. “It might be worth checking out the safe house, but we need to be prepared for anything. If we find it’s compromised, we’ll have to move quickly.”

Y/N nodded in agreement. “Let’s take the safer route to get there, but stay alert. We can’t afford to let our guard down.”

With the plan in place, they finished their meal and gathered their gear. The small house, though offering temporary refuge, was not where they intended to stay for long. The outside world was waiting, and they needed to be ready.

Alex led them out of the house, the morning air cool and crisp. They moved with purpose, their steps carefully measured as they navigated the maze of abandoned streets. The city seemed almost peaceful in the early light, but the tranquility was deceptive. The dangers lurking in the shadows were ever-present, and they knew they couldn’t afford to be complacent.

As they walked, Alex shared more about the area they were traversing. “This part of the city used to be a bustling neighborhood, full of families and small businesses. Now, it’s just another part of the wasteland.”

Y/N listened intently, trying to piece together the fragments of the world that had once been. It was hard to imagine the vibrant life that had existed here, now reduced to ruins and decay. The reminders of normalcy were fleeting, but they provided a glimpse into what they had lost.

The journey was slow, but steady. The streets they walked were eerily quiet, the occasional sound of distant groans or the rustle of wind through the debris serving as constant reminders of the danger that could appear at any moment.

After several hours, they reached a small, run-down park. It was overgrown with weeds and encroaching vegetation, but it provided a brief respite from the city’s oppressive atmosphere. Alex led them to a bench that, despite its dilapidated state, offered a chance to rest.

“We’re about halfway to the safe house,” Alex said, taking a seat on the edge of the bench. “We should be able to reach it by late afternoon if we keep up this pace.”

Yeonghu sat beside Alex, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement. Y/N took a seat on the opposite end of the bench, her leg throbbing from the strain of walking.

“Do you have any idea who might have used the safe house before?” Y/N asked Alex, trying to gather as much information as possible.

Alex hesitated for a moment before replying. “It was used by a few different groups. Some were just travelers, others were locals trying to stay safe. I don’t know the specifics about who might be there now, but I’d expect it to be either empty or occupied by someone new.”

Yeonghu leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. “We should be cautious when we arrive. If there are people there, we need to make sure they’re not a threat. And if the place is empty, we need to be ready to move quickly if necessary.”

Alex nodded in agreement. “Exactly. And remember, things can change fast. We’ll need to stay on our toes.”

They took a short break, resting and rehydrating before continuing their journey. The park, though quiet, provided a momentary sense of normalcy, a brief respite from the constant vigilance they had maintained.

As they resumed their trek, the cityscape began to shift. The buildings grew older and more decrepit, the streets narrower and less navigable. The safe house was within reach, but the path to it was fraught with challenges.

By late afternoon, the sun cast long shadows across the city, and the temperature began to drop. They approached the area where the safe house was supposed to be, the tension palpable as they neared their destination.

Alex led them through a final series of alleyways, their steps cautious and measured. The safe house came into view, its unremarkable exterior blending with the surrounding ruins. It was clear that they had arrived, but the uncertainty of what awaited them inside lingered.

“Here we are,” Alex said, their voice low. “Let’s check it out.”

Yeonghu took the lead, approaching the door with caution. He pushed it open slowly, revealing a darkened interior. Y/N followed closely behind, her senses on high alert.

The inside of the safe house was surprisingly well-maintained. There were remnants of previous occupants—cans of food, medical supplies, and personal items scattered around. The place seemed to have been lived in recently, but there was no immediate sign of anyone present.

Yeonghu and Y/N carefully moved through the rooms, checking for any potential threats. The house was small but functional, with a few rooms that could be used for sleeping and storage. It was clear that it had been a refuge for others in the past, but now it was their temporary haven.

Alex settled into a corner of the main room, their eyes scanning the surroundings. “It’s not perfect, but it should be safe for now. We’ll need to keep watch, but it’s a good place to rest and regroup.”

Y/N sighed with relief, her exhaustion evident. “Thank you for bringing us here. It feels like a small victory.”

Yeonghu nodded, his expression a mix of relief and weariness. “We’ve made it this far. We just need to keep moving forward.”

As night fell, they settled into the safe house, preparing for a night of rest. The world outside remained a constant reminder of the dangers they faced, but within these walls, they found a brief respite. For now, they could focus on the small victories and the hope of finding their way through the chaos that had overtaken their world.

As Y/N lay down on the makeshift bed, she closed her eyes and let the exhaustion wash over her. The journey ahead was still uncertain, but for tonight, they had a place to rest, and that was enough.

The night in the safe house was eerily quiet, the darkness outside serving as a stark contrast to the modest sanctuary they had found. The small rooms were dimly lit by a few candles Alex had managed to find, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Despite the relative safety, Y/N couldn’t shake the underlying tension. The weight of the day’s journey and the unknowns that lay ahead kept her mind racing.

Yeonghu had set up a makeshift guard post by the window, his eyes constantly scanning the street outside. He knew the importance of staying vigilant, even in what seemed like a secure location. Alex, meanwhile, had started organizing the supplies they’d brought, setting up a small area for their provisions and checking the medical supplies to ensure everything was in order.

Y/N tried to help, but her leg was still sore from the previous day’s exertion. She opted to sit on the floor near the makeshift food area, sorting through some cans and packages. The simple task helped distract her mind, but the quiet that enveloped the safe house only served to amplify the silence.

As she worked, Alex approached, their face partially obscured by the dim light. “You’re doing well with those,” they said, their tone soft but earnest. “We should have enough to last us a while, but it’s always good to be prepared.”

“Thanks,” Y/N replied, looking up. “It’s strange, isn’t it? How something as simple as organizing food can feel like a small victory.”

Alex nodded. “In this world, it’s the little victories that keep us going. Every day is a fight, and every small achievement matters.”

Yeonghu glanced over from his post, his expression thoughtful. “We’ve made it this far, and we’ve found a temporary safe spot. That’s something.”

The night dragged on, the hours marked only by the occasional shift in the shadows and the distant sounds of the city. Y/N eventually retired to one of the small beds, her body protesting the discomfort but her mind refusing to settle. Sleep came fitfully, her dreams haunted by fragments of her past and the uncertain future.

The next morning, Y/N woke to the faint light of dawn seeping through the grimy windows. She stretched carefully, trying to ease the stiffness in her muscles. Yeonghu and Alex were already up, preparing breakfast with the supplies they had. The simple act of sharing a meal brought a brief sense of normalcy.

“We’ve got a bit of a plan for today,” Alex said as they handed Y/N a cup of coffee. “We should take stock of what we have and plan our next move.”

Yeonghu nodded, his gaze focused. “Agreed. We need to consider our options and prepare for whatever comes next.”

They gathered around the small table, discussing their plans. The safe house had provided them with a much-needed respite, but it was clear they couldn’t stay forever. The city was still fraught with danger, and their next move needed to be strategic.

Alex laid out the maps again, pointing to various locations. “There are a few potential safe zones further out. We could make our way to one of those, but we need to be careful. The routes are filled with risks.”

Yeonghu studied the maps, his finger tracing a potential route. “We should aim for a location that offers the best chance for long-term safety. If we find a secure place, we can start making more permanent plans.”

Y/N took a sip of her coffee, her thoughts racing. “What about supplies? We’re running low on some essential items.”

Alex nodded. “We can make a supply run to a nearby store. It’s a bit risky, but it’s manageable if we’re careful.”

Yeonghu looked at Alex, a sense of determination in his eyes. “Alright. We’ll need to stock up before we move out. We should plan the supply run for today, then finalize our route.”

With the plan in place, they finished their breakfast and prepared for the day’s tasks. The supply run was necessary, but it also carried its own set of risks. They needed to be cautious and strategic to avoid unnecessary dangers.

The city outside remained as desolate as ever. As they set out for the supply run, the sense of urgency was palpable. Every street and alley seemed to hold potential threats, and they moved with a heightened sense of alertness.

Alex led the way, guiding them to a nearby store that had once been a popular grocery. The building was partially collapsed, but the main entrance was still accessible. They approached cautiously, their senses on high alert for any signs of danger.

The interior of the store was in disarray, shelves overturned and items scattered. It was clear that others had been here before, but there were still usable supplies to be found. Alex led them through the aisles, checking for any intact packages and cans.

Y/N and Yeonghu split up, working efficiently to gather as much as they could. They moved quickly, aware that the longer they stayed, the greater the risk of encountering trouble. The sense of urgency pushed them to work faster, their movements tense and deliberate.

As Y/N reached a shelf of canned goods, she heard a distant noise—a faint scraping sound that made her freeze. Her heart raced as she glanced over at Yeonghu, who was also pausing to listen.

Alex, already on high alert, signaled for them to move quickly. “We need to wrap this up. Let’s get what we can and get out.”

They hurriedly gathered the remaining supplies, their movements quick but controlled. The scraping noise grew louder, closer. It was a sound they couldn’t ignore.

With their bags filled, they made their way back to the entrance. The tension was palpable as they exited the store, their senses straining to detect any signs of danger. The scraping noise had stopped, but the sense of unease remained.

Once outside, they took a moment to regroup, their breaths coming in relieved sighs. The supply run had been successful, but the danger had been a stark reminder of the risks they faced.

As they made their way back to the safe house, the weight of their situation settled heavily on them. The supplies would help, but the threat of danger was ever-present. They needed to remain vigilant and ready for whatever came next.

Back at the safe house, they unloaded the supplies and began organizing them. The small victories and the sense of accomplishment were fleeting, but they provided a brief respite from the constant struggle.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, they gathered in the safe house to discuss their next move. The plan was to rest for the night and prepare to leave the safe house in the morning. They needed to continue their journey, to find a place where they could truly feel safe.

The world outside was still filled with uncertainty, but within the walls of the safe house, they found a temporary solace. They shared a quiet meal and discussed their plans, the camaraderie and sense of purpose providing a small measure of hope.

As Y/N lay down for the night, she reflected on the journey they had undertaken. The challenges they had faced and the dangers that lay ahead were daunting, but the small victories and the support of her companions were a reminder that they were not alone.

In the darkness, as she closed her eyes and tried to find rest, Y/N clung to the hope that, despite the chaos and uncertainty, they would find a way to navigate the world they now inhabited. The road ahead was still fraught with challenges, but as long as they faced it together, there was a chance for a better tomorrow.

Next | Previous

[moonlight-tmd]

Hello! A huge Blitzbee fan and a huge fan of your work here! What about a date after one of them had an exhausting day at work, and the other went all out glamorously for the date? I’m talking roses and lights and all that. Hehe ^^

Hello and thank you! I'm glad to hear you like the stuff i make <3

I wrote a similar thing about Blitz being all lovey dovey when Bee came to a meeting exhaused on my AO3 BlitzBee week but now i'm thinking what would Bee do when Blitz came back more and more tired from the constant work Megs and Lugnut give him...

I suppose Lugnut threw his work on Blitzwing, so he was stuck organizing and carrying supplies to the magazines all days long while Lugnut praised their Lord with an excuse of "discussing strategy plans with him". Bee understood that even a strong mech like Blitzwing can get tired and worn out so he planned a little something for their next meeting...

The next time Blitzwing flew out all tired to meet up with Bee he didn't see him when he landed by the warehouse. Instead, there was a note saying "Come inside~" with a heart drawn attached to the door. So Blitz took the note and entered their hideout. It was dark, all the lights have been turned off and the windows were covered. Only a moment after he called Bee's name the light turned on- or rather all the fairy lights haging from the walls and support beams of the building, all white, pink and magenta. There was other dimly lit decor and in the middle of the room on the floor was a big spread out rest area with electric candles surrounding it, he could see and smell incense on the crates placed nearby with dark sheets on them and bowls of various snacks sitting there just waiting to be eaten.

He was far too stunned to notice Bee creep up behind him and greet his beloved. Bumblebee was all shiny and had those silky blue ribbons wrapped around his horns, neck, arms and thighs. He had that adoring look on his face. A truly beautiful sight for Blitzwing.

He said he knew Blitz was doing one heck of a tough job and wanted to make their night a bit more pleasant for him. Blitzwing though he wanted them to interface but Bee only laughed and said not everything is about interfacing. Tonight was Blitz's night to relax.

Bee grabbed his sparkmate's servo and guided him to lay on the big pile of blankets and pillows. He made Blitz use his thighs as a pillow and pet his helm while also feeding him the fancy snacks he somehow got his servos on. Then he made Blitzwing lay on his chassis and went to massage his back plates.

The amount of stress and tension he had to knead out from there was making his own servos hurt but he never said a thing, he only sat there praising his beloved while listening to his moans of pleasure and relief. Bee brought special oils to rub into Blitz's metal to help with the stress, they all smelled good so he used different ones in different areas, he left the best one for his wings since he knew how much tension got in those struts after heavy duty work.

It was amazing. Bee assumed Blitzwing must have fallen into recharge when he was caressing his back to relax after the intense part of the massage. Blitz looked so peaceful, Bee was very happy that he helped his beloved, the spa night was a success. While petting Blitz's back he leaned down and whispered the word of love to him, how much he meant to him and that he'll always be there for him no matter what. He whispered how much his life got better since they met and that he'll never leave his side. Blitz was everything to him and he would do anything to keep them both happy. Bee gave him a kiss on the helm before he carefully squeezed himself under Blitz's arm to snuggle and recharge himself...

...What he didn't know is that Blitz wasn't recharging at all and trying his best not to burst out crying while Bee said all those things. Once Bee was in recharge he started quietly crying and hugged him as close as possible. Bee really went the whole world distance and beyond to make him feel like the luckiest mech alive. He never told Bee he heard his confession but he kept it in his Spark forever.

And of course, he did make Bee scream his name in the morning. Bee prettied himself up just for Blitzwing and it truly was doing things to him the whole time he saw the scout. A relaxing night followed by a passionate morning was something he never knew he needed. Shame they both had to leave so soon, but well... they could always reapeat that when they have more time~.

[puff-cat]

LONG TIME NO JOUKAI FOLKS

But I watched Mignon again and the soundtrack is also finally out and the vibes are IMMACULATE so here comes the brainrot

Supernatural AU - werewolf!Jou, Vampire!Kaiba

The underground boxing matches happen every full moon in an abandoned warehouse; werewolves are the fighters. It helps them get out their aggression in a (usually) less bloody way, and it’s a great show for any other supernatural being who wants to come and watch. Kaiba is the medic on shift - mostly bc he’s actually a trained surgeon, and the middle of the night time is convenient. He’s been doing this for decades, it’s just a part of his routine. Never drinks any of the blood from his patients though, he would never lower himself to drink from a “street mongrel”. Lord knows where they’ve been.

Outside of that world, Kaiba works at a hospital. He takes surgery consults in the early morning or late evening, when his office can be dimmed without seeming strange. During th day, he haunts the windowless ORs, where the sun can’t touch him. And there’s always a supply of blood that can be afforded to “go missing”.

Back to the fighting-

The newest boxer on scene is a young wolf that goes by “Blondie”. He’s got beautiful golden fur and a handsome smile, but what makes Kaiba take notice of him is his eyes. Usually, when werewolves fight, their eyes are clouded by rage, bloodlust, anything that drives their instinct to win. But Blondie’s eyes are so clear, like the deepest amber. They shine with the thrill of the match when he enters the ring. He’s not the biggest wolf, or the strongest, but he’s quick and he’s clever. And he starts winning.

There’s more to this that I can’t coherently write out in notes without spoiling the entire thing lest I decide to write this as a fic, but if anyone wants to know more my inbox is always open hehe

(Also yes there is absolutely JouKai horniness with Jou in his wolf form when they eventually get together. Because I’d never pass on that opportunity)