#ben was at least something that happened before he grew attached

[swan2swan]

There really is something terrifying and yet beautiful about how Darius's love of dinosaurs was quickly surpassed by his love for his friends and found family.

The revelation that as soon as one dinosaur killed one of his fellow campers, he was done with them? After they'd put their trust in him? Whether he was in love with them or not? That was all it took, one death? One loss? And it was Over? Even the keepsake he shared with his father was cast aside, because the thought of loving something that had brought so much harm was too much? Even with all of his knowledge, the weapon that kept his friends alive, that an animal is just doing what an animal does, he still vilified them and pushed all of that aside?

That is such beautiful, terrifying Character Growth.

[fromasgardandback]

Our Routine on Tatooine

Obi-Wan Kenobi x Reader

description: Obi-Wan and Y/N moved to Tatooine after Order 66 to protect Luke.

word count: 1.0k

warning: illusions to a fun night ;) , pure fluff (our boy needs it)

masterlist | oneshots

After Order 66 was set in place by the Imperial Army. One by one the Sith and Storm Troopers killed every last Jedi. They tried but failed to kill a few strong members. All the Jedi left went into hiding and with the birth of Padme’s children, Obi-Wan took her son to Tatooine. His father, Anakin, was born on Tatooine and had family there. Y/N went along with Obi-Wan vowing with Yoda and Senator Organa to protect Luke when the time came. She also promised to protect Leia as well as Obi-Wan. It was safer for them to reside on Tatooine knowing the terrain would keep them hidden versus being on a planet that resembles Coruscant. Y/N would have loved to be with Leia on Alderaan, but the chances of her being seen and killed were far too great. She did promise the Senator that she would try to visit as least once a year if she could. 

Obi-Wan and Y/N headed to their hut home after giving Luke over to Ben and Beru. They knew a little of the backstory but understood and took Luke without hesitation. They told the couple that they were staying in Tatooine to help take care of Luke and protect him when the time came. Although a few times they think they could take care of Luke, it was a conscious decision that he belonged with his family. Obi-Wan opened the door and Y/N walked through. It was a nice-sized home for them to share. It had the essentials they needed and was hidden from any kind of danger. His new alias would be Ben Kenobi, which she thought was a little odd because they all knew him as Kenobi and knew what he looked like. It wouldn’t be hard to put the two and two together. Y/N opted for a total name change to Ryland Mercia. 

“Hey, Obi-Wan, why’d you change your name to Ben? It’s such a common name and you didn’t change your last name.” She asked setting down their food.

“I wanted to settle on something simple. Something that if I was in danger, I could remember easily. If you get hit in the head somewhere and are in need of identity, how will you remember a name like Ryland Mercia?” He asked back looking up at her.

“It was my grandmother’s name.” She said quietly. He quickly took notice of her demeanor change. She got quiet and refused to eat after, heading directly to bed. 

Although the home was an open concept, there was a curtain to give privacy in their shared bed. Obi-Wan didn’t mean to upset her, and she would testify that it wasn’t him. He didn’t do anything but the realization set into her quickly that he is all she has now. Her family was murdered by a Sith Lord on her way to the Jedi Temple as a child. And all the family she had in the Jedi’s are all gone. She grew to fight alongside Obi-Wan, being in the same class of younglings growing up. Attachments aren’t allowed in the Jedi Code, so she hid her fantasy of being with him, but now that there are no Jedi, that door is open.

The routine that Y/N and Obi-Wan had was getting up before dawn. Sitting together in solitude and meditating. After that, they would tap into the Force to train, physically and mentally. After that, they found themselves a few jobs to keep up with their bills and themselves fed. For a few years, food was scarce and hard to find. It got harder and worse when famine swept the area, but they made do. At night they would talk, enjoy the company, and read to one another. After about a year of living on Tatooine and a drunken night, Obi-Wan was the first to make a move. She didn’t stop him, she didn’t want him to stop. Without the other's knowledge, the fantasy has been there for a while. The temptation when they moved in became greater. It shocked them both that they lasted a year without this kind of mishap happening. Obi-Wan woke up before Y/N did and noticed the position they were in. The blanket loosely lay over their naked bodies that were entangled together. He didn’t dare to move, too engrossed in her beauty. A slight ray of sunshine came through, giving her a golden hue. She stirred awake, looking up to find him looking down at her.

“Morning.” She blushed as she saw his smile.

“Morning, darling.” He chuckled.

“We uh…” She chuckled hiding her face in his neck. “We had fun last night.” He smiled, rubbing his hand gently down her back and up again.

“Yeah, we did. Felt good to be affectionate again. I haven’t told you this before, but I’ve had an undying love for you since we were teenagers. You came into the training room one day, and I was sold.” Obi-Wan confessed with a slight blush coming over his face.

“What? I’ve had a crush on you since we were kids too. I guess it was in the Force that we were meant to be.” Y/N smiled, leaving a few kisses on his jawline.

“I love you, Y/N.” He held her closer.

“I love you, Obi-Wan.” She leaned into him.

Quietly they got married a few years after with the help of Ben and Beru doing the wedding and Senator Organa arranging a sweet honeymoon. They kept it quiet as possible so no Sith or Imperial Army came after anyone. It was very kind of them to do that and with every change Obi-Wan or Y/N got they thanked them. As soon as they landed home, the call came in that Leia was in trouble and they were off to save her. A Jedi’s work is never finished, but it makes it easier knowing they could be together forever. Protecting the children of Anakin and Padme.

[raineydays411]

Trauma really does bond

The umbrella academy x teen!reader

Summary: It’s time for you to meet your siblings. But what happen when your introductions don’t exactly go as planned?

You were trembling as you walked behind Pogo and Grace. Its ironic, you’ve waited your whole life for this moment. To finally meet your siblings and expand your family. A childish hope of your siblings one day returning to the mansion and accepting you with open arms. 

But now that you actually have a chance to meet them, you’re terrified. You realized that you have no idea how to talk to people. It’s different than when you talk to Pogo or your mother. These are complete strangers. No matter how many stories you’ve been told, how many times you read Vanyas book, you truly didn’t know these people. How were you meant to be a family? How are you supposed to-

“Y/n? Dear?” 

You’re snapped from your thoughts by your mother calling you.

“Yes, momma?”

“Momma? Pogo, who’s that?”

You turn, again surprised by an unfamiliar voice. There she was. Alison Hargreeves. She’s beautiful. 

Her hair is curly and blonde, with beautiful high cheekbones and glowing brown skin. Her as were kind even as she squinted at you skeptically in confusion.

“Alison, this is Y/n Hargreeves, or Number Eight. She’s your sister.”

Grace again gives you a light nudge, and you move in front of her. It was then that you realized that you are shorter than Alison, having to glance up to meet her eyes. 

“My sister?” She looks at you in disbelief, “How come we didn’t know? This wasn’t mentioned by the press or anything...” 

“Your father decided to keep our dear Y/n a secret.” Grace said wrapping her arm around you, “ She’s been our little secret for 17 years and 4 months.” 

“A secret? But why? I mean, what was the reason?”

“Your father, believed that the world wasn’t ready for a new superhero. Nor was Y/n ready to face the world.” Pogo said with a grim face, “ He had hoped though, that one day he would be able to take her out...but it seems that for now, Y/n shall remain inside.”

You frowned, holding back tears at the thought. You didn’t know that your father had wanted to let you out, nor that he wanted to be there when you were. But, what truly upset you, was that you had to stay in the mansion. Freedom was at the tip of your fingers and you didn’t even know it.

“Stay inside? You mean she’s never been outside?” Alison said horrified.

“Well she has been out in the courtyard and such, but Mr. Hargreeves prohibited her to leave the premises. Nor was she allowed to be in contact with the citizens”

“She’s been here all alone?” Alison asks sadly, “ With no one to talk to? No one her age?” 

“I’m afraid not” Pogo says sadly, looking at you.

You didn’t understand the big deal. Of course you were lonely, and wanted to explore the world, but you knew why you had to stay. You can just hear your fathers words.

“You have a duty Number Eight. A duty to your people and to me. It may not be ideal but sacrifices are hardly ideal.”

And everytime you thought about leaving, you’d remember his words and stay put. Besides you wouldn’t dare disobey your father.

Not after the last time.

“Well,” Alison says gently, leaning down to your eye level, “ Hello Y/n, I’m Alison Hargreeves, your big sister.”

Your eyes widened at her words as your heart filled with joy. For so many years  you imagined those words. You wondered how this whole thing would play out, how meeting your siblings might be. And to hear Alison so readily accept you, it brought tears to your eyes.

“Hello, Alison” You say beaming as you carefully step forward, “ I’ve been waiting a long time to meet you, Momma says you live in California, what is it like?” 

Alison smiles at your question, your demeanor like a small child. It reminded her of Claire...

“It’s very nice, maybe when we have time I’ll be able to tell you all about it.” 

Your smile widens as you turn to your mother excitedly, she smiles back and says, “ That sounds wonderful dear, but you should go and change. You know the rules. You don’t want your father finding you in your night clothes, now would you?”

You furrow your brows,” Momma...”

“No buts now march” She says with a grin. You smile at Alison but see the worried look on her face. 

“So she did notice how weird momma acting” You think to yourself. You stay in a daze as you walk towards your room. Worrying about your mother, grieving your father, and thinking about how you’re finally meeting all your siblings. Then as you turn a corner into the hallway that leads to your room, you’re knocked to the ground as you bump into a wall of a body.

“Ow!” you squeal as you hit the ground, rubbing the back of your head and peering up at the person you bumped into.

“Uh..sorry Y/n” 

“Luther!” You shout, your pain overridden by the happiness you felt at seeing your brother, one that actually knows you exist.

He helps you up, which to him is like picking up a feather, and  before he knew it, your arms are wrapped around his midsection. Luther awkwardly pats your back, not really expecting to be hugged.

“It's great to see you Luther! I read all your mission reports, or rather the ones that Father let me read. I always wished you good night though! Pogo always caught me looking at the moon with that telescope, I hope you don’t mind that I used it. It's just that I missed you so-” Your happy ramblings cut off by a Luther clearing his throat.

“Ahem...right, um hey Y/n, I gotta go...check on something.” He says gently pushing you away, “It was nice seeing you though.”

And with that he walks away, leaving you in the hallway as you stare at his retreating form.

“oh...okay then! I’ll see...see you later.” You say, disheartened by his brief acknowledgement. You sigh, walking into your room. 

“I don’t know why I try...” You mumble to yourself. “ It’s not like he was ever happy to see me before.”

You go into your closet, trying to figure out what to wear. Usually, Grace picked out your outfits, ordered by your father, but she didn’t leave anything out for you today. So, you settled for a black turtleneck sweater, a black and white plaid skirt, black knee high socks with some mary janes. It wasn’t really your go to look, but you felt like it was appropriate given the circumstance. You let your hair loose, curls falling into your face as you let it out of the bun you quickly put it in. 

You go to walk out of the room when you’re stopped by a gleam. You see the necklace your father gave to you after the incident. You stare at it, debating on whether you should put it on or not. You sigh, deciding to wear it, it was his funeral after all. You put it on, the cold metal never truly seem to heat up, the pendant heavy on your chest. You never grew attached to it. It just served as a reminder that you’re stuck in the mansion. You can never leave. Not until he let you and now...

You shake your head. Trying not to get into your thoughts, that's when you heard it. Little scratching at your window. You turn to see Despereaux, the little mouse  you saved when you were younger. Ever since that day it was like you and him formed a bond.

You open the window excited to see your little friend.

“Hello Despereaux, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you.” You whisper as you let him climb on to your shoulder. “ you’ve missed quite a bit since I’ve last seen you. How about some cheese?”

You walk out of your room, Despereaux nestled on your shoulder. As you walk through the long hallways, you bump into another body.

“Ouch, again?” You whisper to yourself, rubbing your forehead.

“Hey watch it...teenage girl?” A male voice said in a perplexed tone. 

You look up to see a man in some rather tight clothes and kohl ringed eyes.

“Hello” You quietly mutter with a soft smile. “I’m Y/n”

“You are adorable.” The man says, “ Where has the old man been hiding you?” 

You blush looking down at your feet, you were never really complimented. Only by Grace.

“ Aww” The man squeals, squishing you to his body. He smelled like booze and sweat but the hug was nice, “ I have no idea who you are but I’m your uncle Klaus from now on.”

“You’re Klaus?” You say excitedly, “ I’m so glad to meet you!” 

You wrap your arms around him, feeling the outline of something hard and metal in the back of his pants. You ignored it though, happy to meet another one of your siblings.

“Ugh it’s so nice to be around someone who isn’t a total stick in the mud.” Klaus says letting go of you, “ Like Luther, all that rage in that big body” 

You giggle at his words and eccentric behavior. It was a stark contrast to the ridgid stoic behavior that you’re used to. Klaus’ grand gestures and silly nature was new to you.

“I’ve heard alot about you.” You say happily, “ Mama always tells me stories about how you used to steal  her shoes and skirts and Father said--”

“Father?” Klaus asked, “ You mean ol’ Reggie bought you too? Or are you like..his offspring? Eww! I don’t want to think about that, shut up Ben.”

Ben?

“Father adopted me, I was born with powers like you.” You clarify for him. 

“Huh, so he managed to create another trauma case before he croaked.” Klaus said in a light voice, “Well. I always wanted a little sister.”

You smile, glad that at least two of your siblings liked you. But what did he mean by trauma case.

“Anywho, I have some... inheritance I need to collect. I, will see you at the funeral, das Kind” 

And with a wiggle of his fingers he was off, gone as quick as when you met him. Leaving you yet again, alone. You shrug off his odd behavior when you heard two voices speaking. 

“ah no, not to my knowledge.”

“But..the spine is broken and there's notes in the margins.”

“ Yes, that would be the work of.. ah Y/n, there you are.”

You jump in surprise, although you should’ve know. You can never eavesdrop with Pogo around.

You walk down the stairs, slowly towards Pogo and.. Vanya!

Out of all the siblings, she’s the one you wanted to meet the most. She, like you was isolated in this mansion. You felt a connection to her as soon as you were able to pick up that book. Your heart raced as you made it to the final step, reaching the first flower and into the living room where Vanya and Pogo were talking. You can see that she is shocked, as all your other siblings were.

“Pogo, who is this?” 

“Go ahead dear, introduce yourself. Just like you practiced.”

You smile widely, “Hi I’m Y/n Hargreeves, I love your book. I’ve read it almost five times now.  You’re Vanya! I’ve been waiting to meet you! You look exactly like the picture on the back of the book! It really is a good book, I-”

“Y/n, take a breath. Let her get a word in.” Pogo chuckled, glad to see that you’re comfortable around Vanya. 

“Oh, right. I’m sorry, father did always say I..tend to talk to much” You say looking down at your shoes. You didn’t notice the frown on both Pogo and Vanyas face.

“You...you read my book?” Vanya asked, still trying to figure out who you are.

“Yes, multiple times. It...well, besides the stories Mama and Pogo told me, this was the only way I got to know all of you.”

“Why didn’t you just come find us?” 

“Oh well..I wasn’t really allowed outside”, you say glancing at Pogo, “ Father said the world and I weren’t ready for each other.”

“You mean, you’ve been alone...all these year?”

“No, not totally alone! I had Pogo, and Mama, and and father too. Plus there were the robots he built, although I did destroy them...and the books and and..”

“Y/n...that’s..that’s not..” Vanya stopped herself. She knew that this must be a sensitive subject for you. The way you listed everyone in your life was practiced. Like you’ve said it to yourself over and over again. And by the grim look on Pogos face, she can tell it wasn’t only you who was sensitive about this subject.

“Well, Y/n..perhaps you should go on in the kitchen and help your mother. Your siblings will be meeting here shortly, it would be nice if they had some snacks, don’t you agree?” Pogo says, forcing a smile at you.

“Oh! Okay” You beam, “ It was nice meeting you Vanya!” 

And with that you scurry off into the kitchen, leaving Vanya and Pogo behind in silence.

“She’s been alone for...” 

“For seventeen years. Yes”

“Pogo...”

“You know your father...once he made up his mind...there was little I can do.”

Vanya sighs and pats Pogo on the shoulder, “It’s good to see you Pogo.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You skip into the kitchen, seeing your mother humming at the sink. You walk up to her and notice that she’s cleaning the same plate over and over again.

“Hi momma!” you say suddenly

“Oh, hello dear. What are you doing in here?” Grace asks putting the plate in the drying rack.

Pogo said it would be nice to make snacks for my siblings” You ask, then feeling movement around your neck, “Oh and some cheese please.”

You forgot Despereaux was on your shoulder, its a wonder that no one has seen him yet.

“hmm snacks we can do.” Grace says with a smile. She goes to the fridge and pulls out some cheese.

“How about some cheese and crackers? Its simple.” she says, “ ans Despereaux here can have his fill as well”

You freeze, caught again by your mother, “ Thanks momma.” 

You both giggle, and side by side you work on cutting the cheese and presenting the crackers. You feel a sense of calm wash over you. You usually do when you’re around your mother. She makes you feel safe. 

“Ahem.” 

You both turn to see Diego in the kitchen doorway.

“Diego dear, you startled us.” Grace said with a smile, “ Come help, we’re making you kids some snacks.”

He barely spares a glance at you.

“Pogo wanted me to come tell you that the meetings starting.”

“Oh, well go on darling, run along and I’ll bring out the snacks later.”

And with that she kisses your forehead and waves you away. She turns back to the  sink and starts humming again. 

You glance back at Diego. He’s glaring at the wall and to be honest you’re surprised he even waited for you. You pick up Despereaux and put him on your shoulder again, and grab some grapes and cheese then stuff it in your skirt pocket. Then you walk up to Diego with a small smile. 

He glances at you and scoffs, then walks away. You have to jog to catch up to him.

“You uh, you walk pretty fast” You say huffing a bit. 

He doesn’t answer you, he just keeps walking in the same pace. You stay silent as well, the trip to the living room longer than you remember.

You finally make it, and you see all your siblings in the room, spread out. You take a seat next to Vanya. You smile at her and take a glance around the room. Luther is sat at the couch across from you and Vanya. Allison and Diego are sat on some chairs, and Klaus is at the bar. 

The six of you sit in an awkward silence until Luther clears his throat.

“ So I guess we should get this started.” He says standing up, “ So I figured we can have sort of a memorial service. At the courtyard at sundown, say a few words. At dad’s favorite spot.”

You nod along and hear Alison speak up, “ Dad had a favorite spot?”

“Yeh at the oak tree, we used to sit out there all the time. None of you did that?” Luther asks.

“Oh yeah, after training” you chime in, causing the adults to look at you. You heard Diego scoff again and saw Luther quickly furrow his brow then smooth out his face again.

“Will there be refreshments?” Klaus asks walking out from behind the bar, “ Tea? Scones? Cucumber sandwiches are always a winner.” 

He goes to take a seat next to you when Luther speaks up

“What? No, and put that out. You know dad didn’t allow smoking in here.”

You roll your eyes. If you had to choose one thing to hate about Luther, you’d choose his insistent need to always be on your Father's good side. He can be such a downer sometimes.

“Is that my skirt?”

You hadn’t even noticed Klaus in the skirt. If you had to be honest, it did really suit him. You let out a small laugh, hearing Klaus mention his ���bits”.

“Listen up.”

Oh boy, you’ve heard this tone before. You really forgot how stern Luther could be.

“There’s still some important things that we need to discuss alright ?”

“Um Luther” you squeak out, “ what more is there to talk about? Its not like Father had many friends we can invite. And his only family is us...”

“Yeah. The kids right, what else is there to discuss?” Diego asks.

You turn to him in surprise, this is basically the first time he acknowledged you unprompted. You send him a smile that, as expected, he ignores.

Oh well, small steps.

“ The way he died.”

“ And here we go”

You scrunch your eyebrows, “the way he died?”

Klaus sits next to you, throwing an arm around your shoulder as Vanya speaks up,

“I don’t understand, I thought they said it was a heart attack...”

“A heart attack?” You ask, realizing that no one’s really did tell you how your father died..

You’re question gained a suspicious look from Luther and confusion from the rest.

“ Y/n...you didn’t know?” Alison asked gently.

“ no one told me...” You say quietly, feeling nervous from the sudden attention.

“Well, According or to the coroner it was.” Luther continues.

“Well wouldn’t they know?”

“Theoretically..”

“Theoretically??”

You don’t understand. You don’t understand why nobody told you how your father died. You don’t understand why everyone was acting weird. And you don’t understand why Luther was bringing this up.

You feel a hand on your forearm, breaking you from your thoughts. You turn your head to see Klaus.

“ you lost in space?” He whispers playfully, “ I would be too, having to listen to Detective Daddy issues over here.”

You let out a small chuckle and whisper back, “ well technically we all have daddy issues.”

This earned you a quiet laugh and a pat on the arm. Then Klaus went to drink whatever was in his cup. And you tuned in again.

“ i’m just saying at the very least something happened. ” Luther says looking around the room, “ The last time I talk to dad he sounded strange.”

“Oh quelle surprise!” Klaus gurgles through his drink.

The rest of the adult ignored him, only sparing him a quick glance.

“Strange how?” Alison asked, continuing the conversation.

“ he sounded on edge”, Luther said, “ told me to be careful who to trust.”

He then gave you pointed look. You looked back at him perplexed, not knowing why he looked at you that way.

“Luther,” Diego chimed in, “ he was a paranoid, bitter old man who was starting to lose what was left of his marbles. ”

You frown at that statement. Sure your father was old and sort of eccentric, but his mind was sharp.

But come to think of it he was acting really weird the week before he died. He started telling you more about your siblings, about your place in the world and how you were meant to help it. He spent more time with you more than he ever has your whole life. He was, in his own way, nicer to you. Nicer in training, nicer on your free time, nicer in general. He took you out to the old oak tree more often, and just sat there with you, no lectures, no tirades, he just sat in silence.

It was almost like... like he knew he was going to die. 



“I can’t just call dad in the afterlife and be like, “ hey dad can you stop playing tennis with Hitler really quick and take a quick call?’” Klaus says exasperatedly.

Oh right you forgot, he can talk to ghosts.

“ since when? that’s your thing.” Luther asks

“ i’m not in the right... Frame of mind!!” 

“ You’re high?” Alison asks

“Yeah!” Klaus laughs, “ Who wouldn’t be listening to this nonsense. Right kiddo?”

He nudged you gently look at you for confirmation.

Your eyes widen and before you can even answer Diego cut you off,

“ Don’t bring her in this, she probably isn’t even know what being high is.”

You most certainly do. You’re not a child.

“ Look, just sober up this is important!” Luther demands , then continues on, “ and then there’s the missing monocle.”

“Who gives a shit about the missing monocle?” Diego mutters.

“ Father is missing his monocle?” You ask, getting ignored again.

“Exactly, it’s worthless.” Luther states, “ so whoever took it it must’ve been personal.”

The group starts to actually pay attention to him

“ Someone close to him, someone with a grudge.” He determines.

Wait...he’s not implying..

“Where are you going with this?” Klaus asks

“Oh, isn’t obvious Klaus?” Diego taunts, “ He thinks one of us killed dad.”

Luther grunts, but doesn’t deny his accusation.

The room goes silent as everyone tries to come to terms with what was revealed.

“ Luther...” you start sadly, feeling hurt and betrayed.

“You do?” Klaus asks in disbelief

“How could you think that?” Vanya chimes in

“ is it really that far-fetched?” Luther defends himself, “ I mean, it’s not secret how much you all hate him.”

“Luther.” Alison says sternly

“ That’s not fair accusation, there’s no evidence or anything...” you say defending your siblings, “ Besides, no one came home until today. Trust me, I’d know.”

But that just turned him on you 

“ And where were you when he died?”

Your breath hitched, “ what?”

“ You’re the one who can heal people right? So where were you? Why didn’t you heal him?” He demands, “ Or did you let him die?”

“ Luther!” Alison shouts at him

You stay silent as you can’t think of anything to say. You already felt horrible about not being able to save your father. But yo hear it from Luther...

“I..” you start to say but get choked up. You feel the walls close up around you and the heavy gaze of these adults. You quickly stand up and run out of the room sniffing.

It was then that Luther realized what he just accused you of.

“Y/n wait..” he starts but you’re already gone by the time he spoke up. He turns to the rest of his siblings, facing their glares and betrayed looks.

“ Great job Luther.” Diego says sarcastically, “ Way to lead.”

And with that he walks out the room.

“That’s..that’s not what I’m saying”

“You’re crazy man. You’re crazy.” Klaus said getting up from his spot and grabbing his things. “Crazy”

“I..I wasn’t finished”

“ Okay, sorry I’m just gonna go get Y/n and have her help me murder mom.” Klaus sneers, “ You know, after I get her to stop crying, be right back.”

“That’s not what I was saying!” Luther says, “ I didn’t—“ he cuts himself off, seeing as everyone but Alison left.

Then she gets up to leave, but says this

“ That little girl has had it rough enough growing up here, she doesn’t need anymore from you.”

Then she walks out ignoring what Luther tries to say.

Leaving him all alone.

“That went well.”



[lisa-is-writing]

Kid! Peter's is Tony's biological kid and the team found out.

thanks for the prompt! i’ve never been writing irondad & spiderson before, but i tried my best on this one. i noticed about kid!peter after I wrote the whole thing.😬 please, don't be mad, I'm a mess. hope it’s not too late to post. enjoy! 💙

Tony didn't claim to be the “father of the year” in any way. Hell, he'd become a father only two years ago – instead of a newborn baby doll, he'd got a fifteen-year-old mutant with Spider superpowers and a hypertrophied sense of justice. And somehow he managed to hide the fact that Peter was his biological son.

When Tony saw him for the first time, he immediately noticed the identical colour of his eyes and the same to his shape of the lips. There was something vaguely familiar about the shy boy that gave him an idea about him being his biological kid, but there was no time to develop it - he needed a numerical advantage over Cap, and that was why he came to Queens. Peter sometimes curled around him like a happy puppy, sometimes showed his indestructible character. Such an emotional swing drove him crazy, but it was understandable. And with each passing day, with each new voice message and meaningless photo with churro in Peter's mouth, both attachment and anxiety grew. In the end, Tony broke down and did a DNA test – he removed the hair from the suit that had so successfully caught on the fabric when Peter brought it to him for diagnostics. The positive result was expected, but still caught the billionaire off guard.

Even if he tried his best, he couldn't remember where, when, or with whom he... conceived Peter. He only knew that his parents were dead, but he couldn't find the strength to find their file. The idea that the woman with whom he had spent the night, and whom he didn't even remember, carried and gave birth to his son, and died when the boy was five, made him dizzy. Did she know it was Tony's baby? Did her husband know about this? Did anyone even know about this story other than Tony and Peter's mother? So many questions that he could only get answers to in one place.

The next time, May didn't greet him so kindly. She sighed heavily, invited them inside, and poured them a glass of good cognac. The conversation was difficult. Of course, May and Ben knew about what had happened, including Peter's father, who agreed to accept the boy as his son. They raised him in love and warmth, not even allowing him to doubt that Richard was not his biological father. And they took this secret with them to the grave. May promised she would tell Peter herself, leaving Tony blindly waiting for a few days. And when the boy flew into his studio, dishevelled, with crazy eyes and a light tremor, Tony's heart dropped. It was only at that moment he was able to fully understand the fact that this was his child, his blood, and that he already loved him to insanity. He had no idea that he was capable of such sincere, unconditional love.

They had a big fight then. Peter screamed, cried, and shooting webs uncontrollably, subconsciously trying to protect himself. Tony tried to be calm and balanced, to let the guy go through all the stages: from denial to acceptance. He himself had recently struggled with all this and was well aware of what Peter had to go through. They never came to anything that day, the conflict remained unsolved, and they spent quite a long time accepting their new roles and getting used to each other. For months, they managed to keep everything a secret even from the closest people: Pepper, Rhodey, Happy, not to mention the Avengers, with whom Tony had a strained relationship, and the public. But it was only a matter of time before everyone finally found out.

This happened two years after Peter and Tony found out the truth. Peter was about to turn seventeen, and Tony, with his only way of expressing affection through financial means, was planning a big party for him. No strippers or alcohol (not for Peter, at least), no press or strangers, just the good old Avengers, a few off-team friends, and everyone Peter wants to invite - from his hot aunt to that weird girl with an inexhaustible supply of irony that Peter hasn't stopped talking about for over a year. But his son wouldn't have been his son if he wasn't so stubborn.

“Dad, I already told you that I don't want this pomp!” Peter had only started calling him Dad a few months ago, and every time Tony heard it, his heart warmed. Even when it was said in such tone: indignant, rude, even a little hysterical. “Just buy me a cake, and that's all!”

“You deserve this party, boy. I want you to remember your seventeenth birthday for the rest of your life.”

“Maybe I prefer to forget my youth like a bad dream?”

“If you get hooked on drugs or start drinking, I'll put you in a boarding school somewhere in Missouri.”

“Don't you dare.”

“What, you say I have no right? I'm your father!”

“You don't have parental rights!”

“May will agree with me, I can assure you.”

“It's just a party! It doesn't mean anything! I don't care if it's going to be settled or not!”

“Then why are you so stubborn?”

“Because I just want to spend the holiday with my dad at least once!”

Silence fell. Tony stared at the angry Peter with wide eyes. He avoided his gaze and bit his lips. Regrets the words spoken. He's ashamed. Tony moved closer to the boy and pulled him into his arms, burying his nose in the smooth neck. Peter froze for a moment, then placed his hands hesitantly on his father's back. Hugs are quite rare in their relationship, even after so much time together. Who says that the relationship between parents and children is simpler than the Pythagorean theorem?

A polite cough sounded from the side. Tony felt hot and cold at one moment, he gently broke his embrace and looked at the intruders. Why would they start fighting in the living room? Steve stood motionless, his eyes darting across the walls, trying not to look at anyone. Natasha, with her arms crossed over her chest, looked from Tony to Peter with interest. Bucky clearly felt uncomfortable, avoiding other people's eyes, just like Cap. Sam seemed tensed, but not so that it looked like he was ready for a fight. Wanda tilted her head to one side - all she needed was a bucket of popcorn, and she would have been like a cinema spectator. And where did they all come from?

“Where did you all come from?” Tony voiced his question and stepped forward, hiding Peter behind his back. Well, isn't he a papa bear. “It's not a circus here, nothing to watch?”

”So Peter is your son,” Natasha said.

"How much did you hear?”

”Since the threat of boarding school, I guess?” Wanda shrugged and smiled wryly. “Are you really that cruel, Stark?”

"My bet was on him being your sugar baby,” Natasha's smile looked like she was going to eat them without even choking with their bones.

“Of course, I don't mind having relationships with someone younger than me, but I am not a pervert to have a boner on minors.”

"Jesus Christ,” Peter muttered behind Tony. The man could have sworn that the boy lowered his head, hiding his red cheeks, and covered his eyes with his hand.

”So he's really your son,” Steve said, “or is it just a parental instinct?”

"Him?” Sam arched an eyebrow sceptically and pointed a finger at Tony. “Having parental instinct?”

”Excuse me,” Tony took another step forward, pointing back at Sam's chest, “if there's anyone has any troubles, I will happily escort you all the hell out of here. What are you doing here anyway?”

”We came to see the film,” Wanda said. “We were just about to call you, too. But you're already here, and that's much better than the film.”

“Watch your tongue,” Natasha snapped at her. The girl raised her hands in a defensive gesture and shook her head.

Peter stepped forward with a tight smile and grabbed Tony's arm. “Enjoy your film night.”

"So there won't be any official introduction?” Natasha put her hand to her chest with a fake surprise expression on her face. “How so?”

Tony rolled his eyes and wrapped his arms around Peter's tense shoulders, holding him close. The boy just sighed and rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. The billionaire thought that he had a bad influence on the guy – he had adopted too many of his habits and gestures during this time.

"The Avengers,” he exclaimed, waving his free hand majestically in the air, “I present to you my son: Peter Benjamin Parker. If you hurt him, I'll set the entire Iron Legion on you.”

“Do you even remember that day of his conception?” Steve wasn't without rudeness, even though he looked like he was preaching. “Or you were too drunk to remember his mother's face?”

“Hey, zip it!” Peter exclaimed and bristled. “You're talking about my family, so you'd better think before you say anything.”

Natasha gave Steve a disapproving look, Sam shook his head, even Bucky threw his shaggy head up in surprise. Tony's relationship with Steve was incredibly shaky from the start, constantly balancing between dislike and friendship. Once they even almost broke into enmity, but several years have passed since then, and the conflict has exhausted itself. However, there was still some coolness, even though Tony preferred to ignore this fact. He ignored Steve himself until there was no need for cooperation, which has its consequences – almost no team spirit. However, what can be talked about if he is not even considered a person?

“I'm sorry,” Steve said apologetically. “Sincerely. Sometimes I don't have any filters.”

“We're glad there's one less secret between us now,” Wanda said happily, trying to defuse the situation. She was answered by the heavy stares of the team members. “What? I'm an optimist.”

“Peter,“ Natasha said,” so far Tony has only one way to show love – to spend a lot of money. So let him do it.”

“I'm actually standing next to you.”

“And my way of showing love is to make people dear to me spend as little money on me as possible.”

“You took a pure diamond out of a pile of shit, Stark. Don't lose it.”

Natasha winked at Peter and sat down on the sofa, followed by the others. Everyone on the team gave them a warm smile and tactfully switched their attention to the TV as if nothing had happened. As if something hadn't just changed in Tony's relationship with Peter. They stared at each other in bewilderment, until the boy literally shone with a sunny smile all over his face, infecting Tony with his joy. He squeezed his son's shoulder and smiled back, almost feeling his eyes shine.

“Well, I suggest not to interfere with our heroes and move to the workshop. We have a lot to discuss.”

“Of course, pa.”

They left the living room in silence, leaving the Avengers alone with the TV, unaware that they had seen Tony Stark and Peter Parker from a completely different angle that day. In the best of the meanings.

[mrschilly]

The unexpected - part 1

Summary: where a simple party, where it was supposed that Mason, Ben e y/n should have watched just a couple of films, becomes something more. And that more becomes a little bit complicated.

Hi, nugget. I really miss you. Do you have plans for tonight?

The message was from Ben, the person she knew the best in the world, perhaps better than herself, the person who could read her mind and who knew when to text her, the person who would do anything to make her feel better.

I miss you too, nugget. Mason invited me over to watch a film and eat some snacks; so, I’ll have a quite busy night. Will you be there, too?

y/n had known Ben since they were little. She had lived with him all his sporting career, the ups and downs, the joys and the pains. They had grown up together, and the more they grew, the stronger their friendship grew. He grew up in football and she always supported him from behind, she was always proud of everything that happened to him. The turning point was his move to Chelsea. She had always moved between London and Milton Keynes for her studies, but Ben was her first to encourage her to move there permanently. He had helped her out to get a small apartment and paid the first rents, until she found a part-time job; he had even introduced her to his close circle of friends, where she had met his teammates, Mason in particular. At first, she had never noticed him, he was not even her type of hers and he had not been able to break through her heart. But Ben understood from the start, even before Mason and y/n knew they would fall in love, that those two were meant to be together and he would do anything to make them a couple, including organizing a small funny party between the three of them with the aim of leaving them alone and helping them to sort out the best of that date.

Yep, I’ll be there with you both 😉 be ready at 5 p.m., so I drive you there 😉

Ok, be careful while driving.

I’ll be extra careful 😘

In fact, it didn’t miss so much before 5 p.m. and y/n started getting ready. The evening was very easy, and she decided to put on a pair of white sweatpants, combined with a green T-shirt and small gold earrings in the shape of a heart, a gift from Ben for her 18th birthday, to which she was very attached. Her makeup was light, a little orange on the eyelids, a little bit of eyeliner and mascara. Ben's sister always tried to help her with her makeup, but this was the best she could do. However, the fact that both Ben and Mason had complimented her on how well her makeup looked and how good she looked with it was enough for her to continue wearing it.

Ben was quick to arrive, maybe he arrived earlier than expected and rang the bell.

"I'm coming," she complained, tiptoeing toward the door.

"Wow, how beautiful you are" was the first thing Ben said, his jaw dropping fully open.

“Thank you my dear. I can say the same about you.” She kissed his cheek and placed one hand on the other cheek, giving it a quick caress. “Do you want to come in?”

“No, don’t worry. We’re kind of late, in fact.” He said, devouring her body one last time with his eyes.

He never looked at her with the eyes of an adult, because he was always seeing her as his little sister, but he could no longer deny that she was becoming a beautiful woman and was awakening something in him.

“Ok, let go then.” She smiled and closed her apartment door.

He was a little bit confused, his head being fuzzy and his eyes not being able to get away from her body.

“Are you done looking at my ass or what?” she asked nonchalantly, turning her head to look at him and bringing the same smile on her lips as when they were kids.

“H-how did you notice I was looking?” his cheeks turned red, as he blamed himself for not having at least tried to deny it. She was his best friend, at least that was what he believed up to that point and it felt so wrong to want to have sex with her. He didn’t want to have a relationship, because he didn’t have the head for that in that moment, and it was pretty obvious it would be just pure sex between the two of them. She didn’t deserve to be threatened like that. Mason liked her and she liked him, and Ben wasn’t supposed to join their couple. He was supposed to be Cupid, not Apollo.

“First, I am a woman, Ben, and I know everything that happens; second, you’re my best friend and I know you better than my pockets. Nothing can escape me.” She said, a half-smile tugging her lips. She didn’t seem mad at it or, at least, that was what she showed.

“Well, I just think you’re cute, you know?” he mumbled, opening his car door for her.

“Thank you.” She sat down on the chair and put on the belt. “I know what you’re trying to say, and I have an idea for later, so just wait.” She whispered.

His breath went heavy, while he was trying to concentrate on driving.

Seeing Mason’s house was a relief, as he was feeling the air was becoming more and more hot in the car.

“We’re here.” She observed, smiling and taking her purse and the little bag she brought with her.

“Hi, besties, how are you?” Mason greeted them on his patio, covering his eyes with the hand to protect them from the hot summer sun that shone over London.

“Hey, Mase. I’m fine and you?” she kissed his cheek and hugged him thigh.

“Pretty good after seeing this beauty in front of me.” He smiled. They had the same baby smile and both of them were still children at heart. Maybe that was why they were perfect for each other, Ben found himself thinking.

"Hey, lovebirds, can we go inside?" Ben jokingly interrupted them

"Yes, sure, wait a second, let me just compliment this pretty lady.” His cheeks flushed as he finally reached for y/n’s cheeks to kiss it.

Everything was ready in Mason’s living room and the tv was already opened on the first film of Harry Potter.

“Wow, there are a lot of snacks.” y/n’s eyes sparkled as she made herself comfortable.

“They are all for you.” Mason chuckled and sat next to her. Ben went a little farther from the couple, as he didn't want to disturb them.

Mason started the movie and it was visible on his face that he was so excited to see y/n. The more time passed and the more Mason and y/n were becoming closer to each other. He was whispering sweet nothings in her ear and she was smiling like a teenager at her first crush.

- I have to go. - Ben said out of the blue. He knew exactly what had to happen that night but he was still a bit jealous over the fact Mason would have y/n all for himself. Leaving was actually the best solution.

- Why? Please, stay. - y/n seemed pretty shoked but her hand immediatly left Mason's chest as she was running towards Ben.

- Well, I guess you both have some better plans for this evening than staying with me and watching Harry Potter. -

- In fact, I do. I'd really love to have a threesome with you both. - she blurted, covering her cheeks with the sleeves of her sweatshirt, as she seemed embarassed.

It seemed like it wasn't an agreed thing with Mason, since his jaw dropped fully open, and Ben didn't knew anything until that moment.

- I'm sorry, you don't have to do it, if you don't want ... - she spoke after a few moments of silence.

- Get on your knees, I want to fuck that pretty little mouth of yours first. -

[apictureofspace]

endless list of Star Wars AUs (7/?) - WIP -

Anakin & Padmé + Obi-Wan & Satine: FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT’S HOLY 

When the Universe was new, every angel had a job to do. For Guardians like Obi-Wan, that job was watching out for the humans and intervening when necessary. For Light-Bringers like Anakin, that job was making sure that the stars always shined.

Anakin liked being an angel. He really did. He just happened to fall in with a rather unfortunate crowd who thought that the humans were more beloved than they were, and... well, suddenly he wasn’t an angel anymore.

Being a demon wasn’t nearly as enjoyable as making the stars shine, but at least he got to talk to the humans when he bartered for their souls. Sometimes they even made him smile.

Padmé Amidala made him laugh, and the entire city block shone like stars when she did.

Padmé was a public defender, a lawyer always looking out for those who couldn’t look out for themselves, and she’d stumbled upon a particularly detrimental case. A single mother was being accused of a crime that she didn’t commit, and if the case went sideways her son would be left all alone. It broke Padmé’s heart, and she offhandedly told the attractive man sitting at the bar beside her one night that she would do anything to make sure her client stayed out of prison.

“Would you sell your soul?”

“Yes.”

She said it so quickly that it caught Anakin off-guard, and so he decided to do something that he never did. He used his celestial pull to make things work in Padmé’s favour without taking her soul in return - just this once. What he didn’t factor in was the way her happiness at her unexpected victory would make his cold heart melt, nor how he would suddenly find himself forgoing his demonic wiles to spend his evenings with her, listening to her talk about her cases and smiling all the while. 

He didn’t expect to fall in love with a human, and he certainly never expected she’d love him in return; not once she learned the truth; but she did. That’s when the problems started. That’s when he realized that, the moment she died, he would lose her; someone so pure-hearted would go straight to Heaven, the one place he couldn’t follow. So he began a desperate quest to find a way to keep her alive, to immortalize her like he used to immortalize the stars - 

- and then the twins came. Twins that should have been impossible; twins born with celestial power on a Biblical level; twins whose futures were shrouded in darkness; twins who, if not carefully monitored, could bring about the End of Everything.

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

When Anakin fell, Obi-Wan remained. He continued his service to the Council of Archangels as a Guardian, watching over countless humans. His guardianship would begin when one was born, would continue until they died, and then he would be assigned a new soul to care for. It was his job to prevent untimely death; to stop brutal acts of violence; to protect the innocent from the cruel. 

He’d watched over so many humans, commended so many souls to Heaven, but none captivated him nearly as much as Satine Kryze.

Her soul shone as bright as the constellations that the Light-Bringers preserved from the moment she was born; she was righteous and kind, and grew to be a protector in her own way. She was a social worker who specialized in children’s cases; she removed them from dangerous situations and, on more than one occasion, took said children in and cared for them until a permanent home could be found. 

But there was something else about her, as well; something unique. Something that Obi-Wan had never experienced before with any of his guardianships.

Satine spoke to him. Humans were not supposed to be able to sense when a Guardian was near, should they be lucky enough to have one, but Satine always had. She didn’t know that he was an angel - how could she? - but she’d always been able to sense his presence, gentle and warm. When she was young, her parents assumed she just had an imaginary friend; what other explanation could there be for the fact that she was always speaking to someone she called “Ben,” someone she couldn’t see?

But she never stopped speaking to him - and the longer he cared for her soul, the more attached Obi-Wan grew to her. He wasn’t just an unseen Guardian anymore, he was her Ben. And even though she couldn’t hear him, he would often respond when she spoke.

“Today was horrible, Ben.”

“It will be alright.”

“I lost a child.”

“And you’ll save one tomorrow.”

He didn’t mean to, but as Satine grew older, grew kinder, grew more fiercely good-hearted and beautiful, he fell in love with her. Obi-Wan fell in love with his charge in the way that angels were never supposed to love; he loved her possessively, not detachedly. He loved her not as a soul, but as a person.

And when a jaded, wealthy father who went to jail because of Satine’s court testimony puts out a hit on her, Obi-Wan can’t let her die. He can’t. Not that way - 

- not at all.

So he breaks one of the Guardians’ most sacred rules; he reveals himself in the dark of the alley where her death was imminent, and cuts down her attacker with his flaming sword. 

She should be terrified. Any normal human would be terrified.

Instead, she whispered, “...it’s you, isn’t it?”

She was drenched from the rain, wide-eyed and awe-stricken, and he couldn’t help it; overwhelmed by the prospect that he could have lost her, he took Satine in his arms and he kissed her.

Obi-Wan then proceeded to continue kissing her for the better part of a year, and then they did a great deal more than kiss - resulting in the forbidden birth of a Nephilim. And when the Council of Archangels orders that Obi-Wan surrender the child to be destroyed, he refuses - and then he falls.

Fallen from grace and with his beloved and an infant to protect, Obi-Wan must come to terms with being a demon and seek out much-needed help - 

- help from another demon with his own children to protect from the Council of Archangels. Together, Anakin and Obi-Wan must face the wrath of Heaven and emerge victorious, lest they lose everything they hold dear.

[something-tofightfor]

T'ad nayc or'atu (Two No More)

Pairing: The Mandalorian and his thoughts

Word count: 2759

Rating: None, really. Just very angsty. 

Summary: The Mandalorian’s got a lot of things on his mind. Some are things he’s known for years, and others ... well, they’re much more recent discoveries. 

Author’s note: This is my first attempt at writing something for a fandom that doesn’t involve a Ben Barnes character. I’ve been unable to stop thinking about The Mandalorian’s season finale since it aired ... and this is the result. I kept myself to a limited word count because I didn’t want to drag it out, but I overshot that by 700 words, so...

I have something else in the works for him, too... and I’m not limiting my word count on that one.

This takes place immediately (within a few hours) after the finale - and it contains spoilers from both seasons of The Mandalorian - so if you’re not caught up, you don’t want to read this.

Many thanks to @irishskyeomalley for pointing out that Din’s original pulse rifle wouldn’t exist at this point in the story - I appreciate you bringing that to my attention, and it’s been corrected. 

(Got the gif from a google search, but I *think* it originally came from @/bestintheparsec)

He has nothing now. 

 Nothing but the endless expanse of space, stretching out as far as he can see. 

 No ship. No purpose. No task to complete. No real reason to choose a specific destination, set the coordinates, and wait for whatever happens next, his eyes on the stars.  But most of all, nothing means no quiet coos or sighs in the dark, no tiny hands grabbing for his cape or his helmet, no need to turn his head slightly to the right, one hand reaching out for the small sphere to slowly twist it back into place atop the threaded end of the Razor Crest’s shifter. 

 For the first time in years, The Mandalorian has nothing driving him forward and urging him into action - and it’s shaken him to his core. 

His shoulders slump, though he isn’t wearing any of the armor he’s come to consider an extension of himself. His head hangs toward his chest, but it’s bare of the helmet that he’s kept on for the vast majority of his life. He can still feel those small fingers gently making contact with the skin against his jaw and cheek, though they’re replaced with his own now; bare and gloveless, as he cradles his own cheeks, as if keeping them there makes a difference. 

 It was the first time anyone - any thing had touched his face since he was a child, and the Mandalorian was barely able to keep it together while it happened on the light cruiser’s well-lit bridge. 

 Hours later? It’s impossible. He’s locked away in the cockpit of the small freighter he took from Moff Gideon’s light cruiser, hunched over in the pilot’s chair - and he is alone. 

 Cara won the argument over who got to take Gideon in; setting off toward Nevarro in the cruiser while Bo-Katan and Koska, Fennec and Fett went their separate ways. He doesn’t know - or care - who went where. The Mandalorian only concerned himself with replacing his helmet once the doors closed behind Grogu and the Jedi, the bridge as silent as could be as the man turned to face his allies - and Gideon. 

 From there, he set out to find a way off the ship, letting the others take care of the necessary arrangements. There was no reward to collect - Gideon’s capture, the destruction of the dark troopers, the seizure of a fully equipped light cruiser - all of those things should have been rewards in themselves, a bounty to turn in, credits and prestige to collect, a relief, but the Mandalorian felt nothing thinking of them, his thoughts consumed by feeling as though somehow, despite the fact that he was largely physically unharmed, he was on the losing end of the most important battle of his life.

 For as long as he can remember, he’s always had a purpose; direction leading him to his next quarry, the next location - meaning to an otherwise disjointed and difficult existence. It’s one that he knows, and knows well. 

 In fact, it’s all he knows. The creation of structure from nothing. Foundling to full-fledged member of The Tribe. No one to a feared Guild bounty hunter. It is The Way, but it’s also his way - or at least it was. 

 He has nothing now, but that wasn’t always the case. 

 The Asset. The Child. The package. The Kid. Grogu. In such a short time, the Mandalorian’s entire worldview changed; expanding from the way of life he’d known and accepted to something different, something more. 

 Something meaningful. 

 It happened slowly at first; gratitude for the help with the Mudhorn. Frustration at the way his small, wide-eyed companion was so curious about everything, slowing him down - and at the same time, hurrying him; the prospect of such a large reward motivating the Mandalorian to return to Nevarro, turn in the quarry and continue on. Simple. Routine.

 But unlike the hundreds of other assignments he was given, palm sized pucks passed over the smooth surface of the cantina tabletop, this quarry wasn’t simple. 

 He’ll never forgive himself for turning the tiny creature back over to The Client. Ever, even though he knows that he’s long been forgiven by the only person that matters. He’ll never understand how that’s possible - how, after nearly being responsible for a continued lifetime of torture and seclusion - and probably a slow and painful death -  he had a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of the Child - and, maybe in his own mind at the same time. 

 At first, he didn’t understand why he even took the chance, why he pushed his entire belief system to the side for that specific bounty and no others before it.

 Gratitude and frustration slowly changed into concern and contemplation, the Mandalorian thinking only about ensuring the large egg-shaped carrier stayed with him no matter what, or making allowances to keep the Child safe and close by at all times, even to his own detriment - and in a few cases, immense danger for the both of them. 

 Trust takes time, but when you don’t have time, what option is there? He survived for years on pure instinct - an ability to think and act exactly when necessary, to get things done, to guess what was coming and prepare for it.  Self preservation was key, but at some point, that need for self preservation shifted - the Mandalorian wasn’t only concerned for himself and his own well-being; he had to consider the Kid’s, too. 

 Mandalorians don’t have friends or attachments - at least he didn’t, but the insertion of the Child into his life changed that, too. It made the impossible seem possible, caused the silence and solitude of deep space to feel much less isolated. He wouldn’t admit it, but having a constant companion was something that the Mandalorian grew used to in the months that he cared for the Kid.

 He feels dampness on his cheeks beneath his fingers. Whether he’s currently crying or it’s remnants from earlier, he’s not sure. He knows the Armorer and the rest of the Tribe would be outraged to see him - a shell of himself, devoid of the armor and prestige that he’s earned throughout the years as a Child of the Watch and a member of the Tribe and then the Guild. In this moment, he’s nothing more than a man, one of trillions in the galaxy. 

 Has he shown anyone his face? Yes. Has anyone ever removed his helmet? Yes. Because the Mandalorian is someone - and he removed it twice himself. Once, out of necessity - the other time at the wordless request of the only thing in the galaxy he’d ever value more than his own code of honor.

 Grogu. Not the Asset. Not the Child. Not the package. Not the Kid. Grogu. His kin. 

 Even thinking the name brings on a fresh pang in his battered chest. His skin is littered in bruises from the fight with the single dark trooper; it’s a miracle his helmet wasn’t crushed from the force of the repeated blows. His body aches from dueling Gideon, the sleepy little boy awaiting the final outcome from his perch on the bench in the other room, the Mandalorian doing everything in his power to keep him safe and secure while fighting for freedom - and for both of their lives. 

 But none of it matters; the wounds will heal, the bruising and scrapes will fade. They always do. But until they’re gone, they’ll remind the Mandalorian of what he had, what he fought for, and what he lost. 

 Aliit ori'shya tal'din. Family is more than blood. 

 He thought he understood what that meant - growing up the way he did, but the Mandalorian never truly knew what a connection with someone was before Grogu. It was more than wanting to look after him; it was the need to understand him, the desire to protect him, find him someone like him, someone that understood him and what he needed to take control of his power - at any cost. Following the Creed - his personal creed - but in a way that wasn’t only about justice or brute force. 

 Or so he thought. 

 He has nothing left, but it’s about more than having no current purpose, more than not having his ship. He can still hear the Armorer’s words, telling him that he is as the Child’s father, that their destinies are no longer separate. 

 A clan of two. He sees the signet on his pauldron now as it rests on the floor of the cockpit, glinting in the low light as he stares at it through his fingers. Each day, that declaration became more real to him. The bounties, the missions, the journeys - they were all leading somewhere, and even though the Mandalorian knew his given task, he’s willing to admit that part of him never really believed he’d find the other Mandalorians, let alone Jedi … or Grogu’s kind. 

 And, finally lifting his head slightly, the Mandalorian realizes that that same part of him didn’t want to. It  goes against the Creed, it goes against his teachings, but it’s the truth - and if there’s one thing that he’s known for that has nothing to do with his reputation of never failing to bring in a bounty, it’s speaking the truth. 

 He told the truth to Greef and Cara. To Omera - even to Cobb and Peli, his voice always modulated but no less strong and certain. Only Grogu ever heard him waver, the Child teetering on the edge of sleep in the tiny compartment on the Crest as the Mandalorian prepared him for a new life with Ahsoka. 

 But the Jedi’s refusal to train him, her unwillingness to even try, despite Grogu’s obvious abilities gave the Mandalorian pause. What happened after is little more than a blur to him. 

 He remembers joking with Grogu about “Jedi things” as they climbed the Tython mountainside, remembers the fear he felt, deep in his chest at the initial glimpse of Fett’s ship, the anguish that began building with the appearance of the first assault ship and his inability to penetrate the force field that surrounded Grogu’s vulnerable body, no matter how many times he tried. 

 But none of it compared to the way it felt seeing his son clutched in the black arms of the dark troopers, speeding back up into the atmosphere. Throughout all of his years, the Mandalorian had never experienced that type of fear or devastation. By the time Mayfeld was on board with the plan, the Mandalorian was almost on autopilot; repeating that he wouldn’t be showing his face to save the boy, but knowing - deep down - that it would likely come to that. And he didn’t hesitate, lifting his helmet in the presence of other living things for the first time in decades, getting the necessary information and then enduring what came next, heart beating a thunderous rhythm behind his ribs the entire time he was exposed. Sending the message to Gideon had made him feel better, but it still wasn’t enough. Using the man’s words against him felt good to the Mandalorian - it felt right. But words aren’t actions - and so he’d done what was necessary again before setting out for the cruiser.  

 Even those thoughts weren’t as clear in his mind as things became the first time he’d seen Grogu again - handcuffed and sitting on the bench in the hold, sleepy eyed and visibly exhausted - but perking up at the sight of him. 

 The Mandalorian couldn’t ever remember feeling such relief, the emotion growing as he gently lifted him to his chest and turned toward the door. Taking Gideon down hadn’t been about winning, it was about making the man pay for the singular most important crime that he’d committed: tearing the Mandalorian’s clan apart, even for a short time. 

 The first time, their parting was the Mandalorian’s choice. The second? His fault for being too slow by just a few seconds. The third? 

 The Mandalorian’s cry of anguish fills the confined space, the man finally rising from the chair and lifting his right arm to strike the inside wall of the ship with his fist, bare knuckles instantly aching from contact with the metal. There’s no cushion from his gloves; no armor or padding on his arms to absorb any of the impact’s shock. The pain is there, adding to everything else, and it’s more than dull. 

 But he wants to feel it. He needs to feel it. Because the third separation is the one that hurts the most - and yet it’s the one that needed to happen. 

 He knows this. Knows that it was his destiny to reunite Grogu with his own kind, people that can understand him, train him, help him become stronger. They can keep him safe. That’s their way, the Jedi way. He knows this, but it doesn’t make things any easier, or cause the still-blooming ache he feels to subside. 

 The Mandalorian straightens up and inhales as deeply as he can; chest expanding without the weight and shape of the beskar restricting it. He closes his eyes and remembers the last glimpse of Grogu; huge brown eyes peeking over a black-caped shoulder as the hold doors slid shut. That’s who you belong with. 

 He said the words, staring into those eyes and willing the tiny, warm thing in his hands to understand - he wasn’t giving him up or abandoning him. He wasn’t trying to pawn off his responsibilities. He didn’t want to say goodbye. No, he was doing exactly what he’d spent many previous decades avoiding - putting the needs and interests of someone else before his own for the greater good. Doing what was best for someone he loves.

 As the Mandalorian looks through the front viewport of his temporary vessel, he takes another deep breath, letting it out in a shaky exhale. His fingers curl around the edge of the console, gripping it so tightly that his joints creak, but he doesn’t care. This is the Way. 

 Space is silent and dark. It’s endless and full of possibility. The Mandalorian knows that he knows almost nothing about the true extent of it. His bounties have limited him to the Outer Rim territories for most of his life, and it will likely stay that way. 

 If he were to tell anyone that he had nothing, they would disagree. 

 He’s got his life. He’s got his armor and weapons - beskar forged in capable hands, meant to last generations, his trusty blaster, and his newly acquired spear. He’s got people he can count on - Cara and Greef, Cobb Vanth and Fennec and Boba Fett. Peli - ornery to her core but her loyalty as certain as each day’s double sunrise on Tatooine. 

 He’s got newfound and unwanted responsibility; the hilt of the Darksaber hanging heavy at his hip. With Gideon out of the way, there’s no more running - no need to planet hop, never staying out of hyperspace for too long. He has freedom. That’s new for him, and something he hasn’t yet had the time to consider fully. 

 He’s got his memories, the feelings he let bubble to the surface during his time with Grogu unable to be shut away. The Mandalorian spent so long alone that it took time - too much time - to open up to the small creature, but now that he has? He won’t ever close himself off so wholly again. The Creed says that once a Mandalorian’s helmet is removed and his identity is no longer a secret, there’s no going back - but for this Mandalorian, that won’t be the case. 

 He can’t lie about it - and he won’t, if asked. Because the Mandalorian also has his word, and his word is his bond. The Mandalorian says what he means, and means what he says, no matter the situation. Eyes widening and lips parting, his right hand releases the console and reaches into his pocket, fingers curling around the small metal ball he carries there - the only physical remnant of the Razor Crest he has left.  

 He has nothing now, but there was a time when he had everything without ever realizing it - and that time will come again. He’s sure of it. 

 It only takes a few seconds to twist off the ridged knob on the shifter in front of the co-pilot’s seat, replacing it with the smooth, curved piece of durasteel. Glancing down at it, the Mandalorian’s lips twitch into a quick smile before his eyes close, and he gives a single nod to the empty space surrounding him. 

 “I promised.” 

 ---- 

Tagging: (a few people that I thought might be interested based on responses to earlier posts; If you want to be added to future Mando stuff, please ask!)

@the-blind-assassin-12​ @malionnes​ @its-my-little-dumpster-fire​ @pheedraws​ @alraedesigns​ @gollyderek�� @lloveyouinsecret​

[underworldobsessed]

Secrets Hanging in the Air ll An Obitine Fanfic

Title: Secrets Hanging in the Air Rating: T Ship: Obi-Wan Kenobi/Satine Kryze Characters: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Satine Kryze,  Series: ABO Obitine (Part 7 out of ???), TAS Week (Omegaverse week) (Part 4 out of 7) Summary: Written for Temples and Sabers Week. Day 4: Pregnancy ll Obi-Wan gets a panicked call over his commlink from Satine, that she requests his presence on Mandalore as soon as he can get there. He wastes no time in heading out to see her, but the news she has to share brings up a secret she had been hiding since they separated. Author’s Note: This is almost pure angst, especially towards the end. I couldn't help myself. It was right there and I needed to do it. Hope you all enjoy. Also, why can a female alpha get pregnant? Because I want her to and I’m desperately attached to Korkie Kenobi.

Read here or under the cut

He had gotten the call on his commlink, Satine’s panicked voice shaking him to the core. He never heard her sound like that before…

“Obi-Wan, please come home to Mandalore. I… need you right now.” The tone of her voice, the fear, shook him to the core, so he thought little of sneaking to take a ship to Mandalore to see Satine. He knew it would be a bit before he got there so once the autopilot was engaged and the ship was in hyperspace, he called Satine again.

When she picked up, he grew concerned all over again. Her face was pale, eyes sunken in and he immediately thought the worst.

“My darling, I’m in hyperspace right now, I should be there soon, but tell me what’s wrong?” His voice was pleading, begging to find out what was going on with his beloved. He didn’t like not knowing when she was suffering, and with the war still going on he couldn’t be there for her.

“I can’t,” She hiccuped, the tears filling her eyes again. He could see that she was going to cry and it broke his heart. “Obi, I need you here for me to tell you. This just isn’t something to be told over holo.”

He didn’t want to upset her but he didn’t entirely believe that. He wanted her to be honest, he wanted to be there with her now. There were a lot of things that he wanted that he couldn’t do. Not for the first time, he found himself cursing the fact that he was a Jedi and couldn’t be with Satine all the time, especially if she needed him. At least he could tell her life wasn’t in danger. She wouldn’t have hesitated to tell him if she needed more than just him. But her declaration that she needed him was what worried him. She had something to tell him. His hand unconsciously moved to brush against the mating mark on his neck. He wished that their connection would allow for them to tell what was wrong with the other. Alas, not even his abilities with the force could allow him that ability. He could sense her distress through the force and that terrified him.

What was he walking into?

After giving his clearance code, he was directed to land and two of Satine’s personal guards were waiting as he disembarked. This alone put him further on edge. She usually tried to greet him when he landed, but whatever was going on with her was enough to keep her from being there.

“General Kenobi,” One of the guards spoke and nodded towards him. “The Duchess asked if we could meet you down here, and bring her to her private chambers. If you would please follow us.” They started to walk, with Obi-Wan following suit. Every step closer to his beloved’s chambers was a step closer to finding out what was wrong with her, and he could feel the anxiety coiling in his gut. What if she was sick and they only had a short amount of time left? Or what if…?

His thoughts didn’t have a chance to continue that spiral, because they were now standing in front of her chambers and one of the guard members opened the door for him.

“General Kenobi, Duchess,” She announced, letting Obi-Wan in and shutting the door. There was silence for a few moments, as he struggled to spot Satine in the darkness of her bedchambers. Finally, he saw her, curled up on the bed, looking nothing like the Duchess, instead looking like a scared woman, who lifted her head when she was certain they were alone.

He wasted no time in kicking off his shoes, removing the outer layers of his clothes before moving to lay in bed with her. His lips pressed against the mark on her neck.

“Oh my darling, are you alright?” He did well in keeping the fear out of his voice despite how he was feeling. His anxieties only worsened at her silence, at the way he felt her body shake with sobs. He tried to release those anxieties out into the Force like he had done so many times before, but like almost anything else concerning Satine, it was almost impossible. They were so entwined at this point that trying to release it was not going to happen. “Satine, please, allow me to share some of the burden. Let me in, please.”

It took another few minutes before he felt her sobs quiet and she turned over to face him. He could see the tear tracks on her face, that her eyes were bloodshot from this. Whatever it was, must have seriously affected her, and the fears of her being sick again sent his thoughts spiraling. He had promised her that he would leave the jedi order after the war, and now he was worried that he wouldn’t have that long with her.

“Obi… I might be pregnant.” The words now hung in the air, the revelation of this major news caused his head to spin. It wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be possible. “I-I’m waiting on the tests from the medical team but I wanted… no I need you with me, Obi.”

“Wha- how?” Obi-Wan’s voice came out strangled, confused. How was this even possible? “Alphas can’t get pregnant. Satine, what’s going on?”

At first, she didn’t say anything, and Obi-Wan worried about what that might mean. What was going on in her mind. “I asked my healers about that, because I’ve been feeling off lately, and the symptoms are there… They said female Alphas are very rarely pregnant, especially by their male Omega. Most pregnancies result in miscarriages or just never implant…” He didn’t know if she realized she was speaking in very scientific terms, almost detached from the whole situation. “But there is a rare chance that they can be carried to term, and if they are, the pregnancy is incredibly high risk..”

He couldn’t wrap his mind around that. He always thought that when the time came for kids, it would be his job to carry the child, as it was the role of the Omega. But the fact that his alpha might be carrying their child… he couldn’t put the thoughts in his mind.

Before he could say anything, though, Satine’s commlink beeped and she reluctantly removed herself from her mate’s arms and moved to answer the call. Obi-Wan sat up and watched as she spoke, unhappy that she was avoiding letting him overhear the conversation. There was something she was hiding from him, more than just the potential child now. Something else, he could feel it, not just in her actions but in the Force as well.

She hung up the communication and moved to sit on the edge of the bed next to him. “I’m not pregnant.” He could hear the relief in her voice, and he could feel himself tense up just a little more. He should be relieved, neither of them were in the position to be parents in the middle of this war, but he could feel that voice still nagging at him that she was still hiding something from him. “They didn’t tell me what it was, but I’m not pregnant.”

“You’re hiding something from me, Satine.” He felt bad for springing it up on her, but he didn’t want their relationship to have that undercurrent of something being wrong. He saw her whole body grow tense. “What’s going on?”

He could tell he struck a nerve, but he couldn’t quite figure out why, until… until she opened her mouth.

“This isn’t the first time this has happened.” She spoke it in such a whisper that he almost didn’t hear her, but when he processed what she said, his heart dropped and nausea bubbled in his stomach. What did she mean that this happened before? “The reason I knew so much wasn’t because I asked… it’s because I’ve been pregnant before.”

“You’ve… been pregnant before? Did you… when was this?” His head spun with this new information. How did he not know? How long ago was this?

“Almost a lifetime it feels like…” Her tone of voice signaled just how much she didn’t want to talk about this. “I got the news of my pregnancy… just after you left to go back to Coruscant.”

“After I,” Oh Force she had been carrying his child. “What happened? Satine, do I have a child?”

There was silence, there was nothing. That gave Obi-Wan the answer he needed, but he knew she would still speak it regardless. He was already moving to leave the bed, searching for his clothes and picking them up.

“You have a son.” Her breath hitched as she spoke, the secret that had been haunting Satine for years finally was out in the open. “Korkie… he is your son.”

Obi-Wan couldn’t be here. He didn’t know where he needed to be but it couldn’t be here, with the woman who had been lying to him. He had a kid and Satine never told him. He was a father and he didn’t know until right now. He had met the kid. Interacted with him, never knowing that he was his father until now.

“I can’t be here, Satine.” Her name had never been spoken by him in this tone before, with this much hurt and anger. Not even at their worst moments did he feel like this towards her. He could almost say he hated her. “I need to go.”

“Ben, please.”

“No, you don’t get to call me that. Not after,” He let out a shaky breath “You lied to me, Satine. You lied to me and you hid something this big from me. I can’t… I don’t even know you, not really.” He knew his words cut through like his lightsaber, because the hurt on her face was something he could never forget. The way she looked at him… the pain on her face. “Duchess, do not contact me for a while. I… need some time.”

He didn’t even give her a chance to answer. He walked out of her chambers, heading back towards his ship. The last thing he heard from Satine was the broken sob that left her lips, and his heart snapped in two. His inner Omega begged for him to go and comfort her, apologize and beg for forgiveness but he wouldn’t, he refused. He wasn’t truly her omega, not with this big of a secret hanging over them, not with how little it seemed she trusted him.

He wasn’t sure if he ever had been.

[yes-i-have-thoughts]

Veteran AU

Basis: BATIM/RDR2 Inspiration: I played RDR2 again, from the beginning Did anyone ask for this: No Are they getting it anyway: Yes Hotel: Trivago (TW for mentions of cults, war and religion)

So. Our main cast. We’ve got Henry, the soft-spoken war veteran who tried to stay under everyone’s radar; Bendy the midgit child whom Henry saved from some demonic activity but apparently wasn’t fast enough, as there’s something a little off about the kid that only gets worse the longer you look at him; Alice the slightly-less-of-a-midgit girl who was also saved by Henry due to some religious nuts thinking she was the second or third coming of god (and she later proved they weren’t wrong but they weren’t exactly right either); and Boris the wolf. He’s a wolf. End of.

This little found family found each other in...Interesting ways. Aside from Bendy and Alice’s rescues (which wound up soaking Henry’s hands in blood and as such got him on a wanted poster), Boris was saved by Bendy after the poor woofer got caught in a trap and he followed him all the way back to their little campsite before collapsing from his wounds. Henry didn’t have the heart to let the poor bugger suffer but Bendy was already attached to him so he put him back together as well as he could, nursed him back to health, tried to release him and wound up finally relenting and adopting him when he followed him back to camp three times. Where Bendy goes, Boris goes.

There’s a horse in the equation too. Two of them. Henry’s horse is a fuckin’ massive black Shire named Großer Typ (pronounced “groser two”, German for Big Guy) and the red roan Tennessee Walker Alice and Bendy share (much to the little guy’s chagrin) has two names from both her riders: Alice calls her Jacqueline (may God protect) and Bendy calls her Empusa (named after the demon that supposedly eats travelers and has a brass leg and the leg of a donkey). She responds to neither. (Bendy wants his own horse, or even a donkey, but they have neither the money nor the space. Besides, he’s got a pet. Alice doesn’t. He has no place to bitch, let her have the horse leeway)

The trio don’t really go anywhere special, they mostly seem to just kind of muck around. Henry hunts animals for their fur to get money for them to move fuckin’ anywhere but where they are now, Alice helps out by keeping an eye on Bendy and looking after the chores, Bendy’s in charge of the resident wolf and Boris does what Boris does best: eat food. Thank god he can hunt for himself, at least.

They’ll end up with the main gang eventually, but I haven’t figured out how, why or when and I don’t know if I’ll ever touch this again so work that little detail out yourself if you’d like Anyway! Random tidbits!

- Bendy and Alice’s ages are somewhat ambiguous. Bendy’s about 6-7 years old, Alice is 10 or 12. As for Henry and Boris, they’re 57 and 2 respectively. - Henry draws. Every day. Pretty well, too, even if the drawings are a little cartoony. Alice keeps bringing up that he could sell some for money but it would also draw attention to him which is the last thing he needs right now - Bendy’s desperate to make friends his own age, but the kids never seem to like him. Poor little snot’s lonely. Boris and Alice are good company but they can only do so much, y’know? - Alice also wants friends her own age but she’s owned up to the fact she’s probably stuck maturing faster to look after her adoptive brother and the horses. - (Henry really wants to give these kids a break and let them be kids again, at least for one day) - Henry’s a war vet (hence the AU name) and hasn’t walked away from it too well, which kind of makes shooting guns a living Hell but they can’t really live off nothing but berries and herbs - Bendy wants to learn how to hunt with him. He’s probably gonna get his wish, he already knows how to handle a gun - Bendy and Alice may give Henry a bit of grief at times but they do see him as their father-more so Bendy, who was taken from his birth parents as a baby and grew up in a cult so he has no idea who they are or were. Alice remembers her birth parents but despises them since they sold her into her background’s cult - As said before, there’s something...Weird about Bendy. It’s hard to tell what at first glance, he just looks like a normal kid that just so happens to have big black eyes. Very big black eyes. His eyes are way too big. Does he have sclera, or is it just black? Does he have fangs? Is that a cowlick in his hair or does he have horns? Did his hands always look so sharp? - Bendy named himself with the first word that popped into his head. He noticed that Typ’s neck was pretty “bendy” and Henry asked for his name at the same second so that’s what he blurted out. It doesn’t stop Henry from calling him Ben or Benjamin, but he introduces himself as Bendy and corrects others if they call him anything else. - Alice came with her last name (Angel) but named herself much the same way Bendy did--line of sight naming. Whatever her name was in the past, she prefers Alice or even Allison. (Also the name Susie makes her flinch. Who knows why...) - Bendy also named Boris after a character in a book he was learning to read. He’s the nicknamer, that one, Henry’s started letting him name everything since all the names he comes up with suck - Henry was born and raised in Germany before moving to the US as a young adult. Now it seems he’s taking the reverse path; he’s aiming to get Bendy and Alice (hopefully Boris too) to Germany so they can live a more normal life. - Bendy LOVES learning German and constantly nags Henry to teach him new words. He roped Alice into it as well and after about half a year the main language in the camp was German, English only being used for Boris’ and the horses’ sake - When push comes to shove, Bendy will run to either Alice or Henry. If it goes beyond shove they both run to Henry. He’s their surrogate dad and they seem him as a kind of protector, a role he takes very seriously - Alice accidentally found out that Henry was married once and had two kids. She asked him what happened and he dodged the question, asking her how the Hell she found out in the first place. He wasn’t angry, but he was a little intense and seemed to be in a bad mood for a while after that. Alice made a mental note to find out anyway-but avoid asking him about it, since it was clearly a touchy subject...

[corpse--diem]

Snick Snack Paddy Whack | Ben & Erin

TIMING: Current PARTIES: @professorbcampbell​ & @corpse–diem SUMMARY: Erin pays a visit to an old high school acquaintance. Some crushes die hard. So do snicker-snackers. CONTENT WARNINGS: none

Morgan’s classroom was empty when she arrived, save for the few students that lingered after her afternoon lecture. Her things were still at the desk, meaning her undead friend was here somewhere, likely having stepped out for a few minutes. “You don’t know where Professor Beck went, by any chance?” Erin asked one of the girls who was leaving as she lingered in the doorway.

“I think she mentioned something about grabbing some materials from the library?” The student shrugged, nothing but nonplussed in her demeanor.

Perfect. Not that she didn’t want to see her friend but it was just enough time to slip out unnoticed. Erin nodded her thanks and set the tupperware container and note on her desk. She hadn’t planned on staying long regardless but she wasn’t about to use Morgan without at least leaving a brainy treat behind as quiet thanks (even if she didn’t know it). “Can you tell me where Professor Campbell’s classroom is?”

The young woman’s directions led her down a short walk through the campus. It was hard to tell if class was clearing out or just starting by the thin trickle of students moving in and out of the room but Erin’s eyes could only focus on one thing. Ben Campbell. Suddenly, she was fifteen again, knees weak and tongue heavy in her mouth while her brain struggled to catch up around her. This was dumb. Without much more than her job to occupy her these days, her free time was abundant and curiosity (and other things) had led her to this doorway. This was about as far as her planning had gotten her. When she realized she’d been standing in the doorway far too long, watching some of the last few students reluctantly leave themselves, she cleared her throat and slapped on what she prayed was a less awkward smile. “Ben? Ben Campbell? Is that you?”

“Alright, that about wraps it up for today. Excellent discussion, I highly recommend bringing some of the topics we discussed into your essays. Remember, drafts are due in a week and a half. Have a good one.” Ben said with a nod and a smile. A few of his more studious pupils remained and he answered their questions patiently, but as he glanced around the lecture hall, he realized there was an unexpected guest in the back of the room. A woman, somewhat familiar-- he couldn’t quite place her. As he dismissed the last few curious students, he slid his hands into the pockets of his pressed dress pants and smiled, “That I am. And,” As he neared her, Ben realized just why she looked familiar. Erin. Nichols. Of the failed funeral home. They’d been talking recently, after he’d returned from his brief break off social media. “Erin! It’s good to see you. What brings you to campus?” He asked, intrigued.

He remembered her? Erin’s expression perked up, even if she hated that she realized Ben Campbell simply acknowledging her had that effect on her. “It’s good to see you too,” she grinned, taking a few bold steps into the room. When was the last time she’d seen him properly? It was a small town, and on the occasion they inevitably bumped into one another or cast a glance at community gatherings. She became painfully aware she’d never been alone in a room with him until just now. “I was just visiting Morgan--Morgan Beck. She’s a good friend of mine. I was on my way back to work before I remembered you guys taught in the same department.” She cringed internally at herself for the thousandth time. “Figured it couldn’t hurt to pop by and say hi, if you weren’t busy.” She stiffened and glanced around at the emptying lecture hall. “You’re not busy, I hope?”

Pulling his glasses free, Ben listened to her as he tucked them back into the soft case and blinked as though the transition was a bit of a strain on his eyes. But, it was a gesture, just as most of what he did was. He didn’t need glasses, there wasn’t even a prescription on the lenses. It just helped him look the part. And that was what he was doing, after all. Playing the part. At the mention of Morgan Beck, Ben kept his expression neutral, though inside a hint of irritation boiled up. Bitchy fucking Beck. That woman was such a pain. “Ah, yes! Yes, she’s an adjunct with the department, but we’ve interacted at meetings and such. Wonderful woman, excellent teacher from what I’ve heard.” Well suited for all of those budding future writers/baristas, he thought privately. “How did you know I taught for the department, though? I don’t remember mentioning what courses I taught.” He asked, though as he watched the way she seemed to brighten up and look at him, he had a feeling he knew the answer. “Oh no, not at all. This was my last class of the day.”

Erin stared longer than what was probably socially acceptable as Ben made a small show of removing his glasses. Part of her wondered if it was intentional, and another part of her would normally be rolling her eyes, but the part of her brain that had reverted back to 2003 really didn’t care. “Oh yeah, she’s brilliant. Just don’t ask too many questions if you don’t have an hour to spare,” Erin teased lightly, crossing her arms over her chest, eyes flitting anxiously from Ben to different areas of the room. Fuck. She really should have thought this through a little more. She could plot the demise of an evil crime lord but she couldn’t fucking figure out how to talk to Benjamin Campbell. It was quiet for a moment, and she wasn’t sure if it was her anxiety clawing at the walls of her mind or actually scratching, but she moved on without much though. “I just… guessed,” she fumbled for a moment, shrugging nonchalantly. “Morgan said you worked with her so I figured you were all somewhere in the same realm.” She took a long breath and found her feet moving more confidently towards Ben. “Oh, good,” she smiled again, tilting her head. “So that means I can bother you for as long as I’d like now, right?”

Watching the way she looked from him to the room and back to him, Ben couldn’t help but smile. Oh, she must have been one of those girls in high school. He didn’t remember her much, but through a little bit of browsing on Facebook and the town’s messageboard system, he’d been able to pick up on some things. He hadn’t been lying when he mentioned that he had gone to basketball games-- he had, mostly because it had been a good place to build a good rapport with some of his classmates, get them to trust him, that sort of thing. But, he hadn’t remembered her much. She was just another face in the crowd. But, it seemed she had been one of the girls who’d been rather smitten by him and had managed to escape him before graduation. With a laugh, he nodded, “I can understand that. Get me started on Roman architecture and I can do the exact same thing.” He replied, though it pained him to even draw the most minute comparison between himself and Beck. “Well, what a lucky guess for me.” Ben said with a grin as she approached him. “By all means, bother away.” He said as he retrieved his attache case from where it sat by the lectern.

Just as he was about to turn his attention back to Erin, a flicker of motion flashed in the corner of his eye. Ben frowned, his forehead creasing as he stared at a spot in the wall of the lecture hall. He could have sworn that-- “Did you happen to see something over there?” Ben asked, pointing to the spot where he could see something moving inside the wall.

God, with everything in her, Erin prayed she didn’t look nearly as aloof as she felt right now. This trip had probably been a mistake. She should’ve waited around for Morgan to return, chat with her friend over the deviled cow brain eggs she’d made her, and went on her way rather than feed the flame to some schoolgirl crush she had over twenty years ago. She had way too much time on her hands lately, and the shy, excited grin that followed his words did nothing but prove any of that right. “Lucky for the both of us, honestly,” she agreed with a tilt of her head. She’d just rested against the side of a nearby table when his attention perked forward. God damn it. Her eyes eventually moved from the concentrated look on his face to the source of the scratching. She heard it. Saw it too, when the paint cracked along the spot of the wall. “What the--” she started, standing at alert now. “I see that, yeah,” she answered, wondering if this was a sign she should’ve just. Stayed. Home. Despite her better instincts, she was moving towards it, curiosity peaked. The scratching and rustling grew louder and louder. Something--many somethings--were rushing through the wall. The wall groaned and creaked as she timidly approached it, gesturing with a hand for him to follow. “Shit, it sounds like you have a whole herd living here. You might want to call some--” A furry brown spot whizzed by her feet and she yelped, startling backwards with little grace. “Oh fuck no. Nope. This was--I gotta go.”

As Ben continued to stare at the wall with confusion, he couldn’t help but wonder what exactly was going on here. He prided himself in knowing this university-- this town even-- like the back of his hand. It was his domain, how dare something infringe upon his space. “A herd?” He asked. For a moment, he opened his mouth to correct her. A herd was a term typically used for large, four legged creatures; this was more like a pack or perhaps a mischief. But, before he could, the aforementioned mischief made itself known by hurtling out of a crack in the wall. First one, then another, and another. Until there was suddenly a crumbling, gaping hole in the plaster. “What in the--” Ben said, jumping back with a start. He held his case tightly in his hand and smacked at one of the furry brown animals that skittered towards him. The tiny ratlike thing bounced off the side of his leather bag and hit the wall, though at least a dozen more poured out of the ever-widening gap. “Oh my Lord.” He muttered as he watched his lecture hall begin to fill with a mass of furry, squeaking rodents. “Yes, running-- running seems wise.” He said before stumbling backwards. As he moved, one of the panels in the floor gave way underneath his shoe and Ben let out a loud curse. “What are these things?”

The thunderous sound of what looked like hundreds of tiny, skittering creatures pouring into the lecture hall overwhelmed the room. Erin wanted to say rats but they didn’t fit the typical description. Rats didn’t have horns. They swarmed by her feet, despite how quickly she was trying to get away, and she found out after her high heels cracked underneath her, these things also had strong, quick teeth. Her heels were gnawed to ribbons and she abandoned the shoes completely, grumbling curses in her panic. “Are you okay?” she shouted above the noise, watching him struggle on her way towards the door. The impact of whatever the hell these things were was clear as every wooden thing they touched started to give way. The door to the lecture hall opened. The early, unsuspecting student’s eyes were glued to his phone until one of the rodents dropped from the ceiling, sending him flying back out of the room. Her jaw set tightly as they rushed by her feet, the little pricks of sharp teeth nipping at her ankles. She jumped up onto one of the metal legged tables circling the room, using what was left of her shoe to push the creatures back. It took about one swift, hard smack but they met bloody ends as easily as they came. She looked back at the stairs, the floors completely covered in a mass of moving fur, then at the desks leading back up towards the door. “Looks like we’re climbing,” she glanced back at him, squashing another one as it came towards her, blood squirting out from under her shoe from all sides.

Waving his case back and forth around him, Ben grimaced as blood splattered across the polished leather. He could handle blood on his suit, that wasn’t a problem. But this was Italian leather. Glancing up at Erin, he saw that she was handling herself just as well as he was. Other than the fact she didn’t have her foot stuck halfway through the floor. With a grunt, Ben lashed out with his case, clearing a small patch of floor for him to pull himself up. As he did so, he could feel teeth latching onto his legs, his hands, his arms. “Vermin!” He spat, shaking them off as he hurried towards the door. “Oh, I’m doing just fine.” He said over the chittering, squeaking sounds around them. When his Lord Hrvsht’ooooor rose to the earth, Ben would have to make a note of these particular nuisances. At Erin’s words, he caught her meaning. “So it would seem.” He said before jumping up on top of the desk. Blood and matted fur covered the soles of his shoes as he did his best to climb after her, his arms and legs stinging from the bite marks. “Awful, vile little cretins.” He muttered as they hurried up towards the exit. So close, but so, so far.

Erin probably should have helped him out of the hole but with no shoes and nothing really to protect herself, handsome or not, the guy was one his own. Thankfully he took her cue and followed behind her, and as she used his to steady herself, she internally grumbled about dressing up as she hiked her dress up and leapt from one row of desks to another. Whatever these things were, they weren’t rats. They weren’t anything anyone was going to find in a textbook somewhere in this university. Just another White Crest brand of things that shouldn’t exist but do, huh? As far as she could tell, these things weren’t trying to kill them. Nibbling nuisances for sure but by the sheer amount of them, they’d have been gnawed down to the bone by now if that was the case. She hoped, anyway. But there it was--the exit. The door was cracked open, enough to allow a small trickle of them to slip out and into the hallways, but it had kept them mostly inside. A river of rodents flowed through the aisle between them. The final barrier between them and their way out. She groaned loudly. “Of fucking course.” She glanced down at Ben’s shoes, tattered and bloodstained, grabbing onto his very muscular arm and pulled what was left of her heels back onto her feet. “I’m going to be sending the university a strongly worded letter after this, I hope you know,” she tried to joke but much of the humor in her laugh was pure annoyance. She raised a brow. “We’ll jump on 3?”

Jumping from desk to desk, Ben left a trail of blood and fur behind him as he continued to stomp and smack at the vicious little creatures that seemed to be hell-bent on eating their way through the room. Kicking another out of the way, he watched as the horned rat creature careened through the air and back into the writhing swarm. As he and Erin converged on the last desk, he held still for her to catch hold of his arm. Irritating, honestly, the way she was clinging to him, but he didn’t think there was anything for it. “You know, I’d be happy to sign off on that. Give some credence,” He paused, smacking another rat creature away, “what with being faculty and all.” With a nod, Ben counted, “One, two, three.” With that, he leaped forward and made a mad dash towards the door, pulling Erin along with him.

“I’ll hold you to that,” Erin nodded with a huff. Most of her attention was fixed on what path to take when they hit 3. There wasn’t a good answer there. She’d never seen an infestation like this--there was more horned rodents than carpet visible, and when they leapt, floor and bone alike crunched beneath their feet, blood splashing up at their ankles. But they’d done it--they were spilling out into the hallway and Erin slammed her shoulder up against the door with some effort, the final shrieks of those rat-like creatures meeting their end as the door shut on them. Futile, probably. They had burrowed through walls and floors alike. A door wouldn’t stop them, but it kept some distance between her and them temporarily. She didn’t stop moving, even as her lungs heaved for breath, broken shoes clacking down the empty hallway. A few still scurried by their feet, scaring off unsuspecting students and faculty. Glancing back only to see if Ben was following her, swiping at her arms and legs as if they were still crawling along her skin. “Still in one piece?” she asked, noticing his once polished demeanor was a little more moth-bitten bargain bin chic than before. Not that she had much room to talk. She shook her head, stopping only when they’d put some distance between them and the lecture hall. “What the fuck were those things?”

As soon as they were in the hallway, Ben fumbled with his key and locked the door in a futile effort to keep those things at bay. He knew it wouldn’t help, they’d emerged from the walls, for goodness sake. But it was better than having the plague of furry, ravenous beasts coming after them. Erin was already running down the hallway and he ran to catch up with her, blood squelching under his shoes and his curly hair falling in his face. Tilting his head down a corridor, he replied, “I think so. I wish I could say the same for my case.” He said, looking down at the raggedly bitten corner of his bag. “Are you alright?” He asked, remembering that he should probably pretend to care about her well being. He gave her a once over-- she seemed to be in better shape than him, less bitten if only because she hadn’t gotten stuck in the floor. “I haven’t the slightest idea. I’ve never seen anything like that before.” He said with a baffled expression on his face. “Have you?” He asked, curious. She’d reacted… rather well, all things considered.

Erin had never seen anything like that exactly, though comparatively, they were practically harmless to the more gruesome things she had gone up against. She probably should have looked more upset or bewildered than what Ben was surely expecting but she was just--pissed. It was no secret that this town or the mysteries of it were getting to her. Not that Ben was privy to any of that information, or deserved any of the anger it brought up. “No,” she shook her head, resting her back against a wall, letting the coolness of the brick calm her frustrations. Deep breaths helped too. “I mean, I’m fine. My shoes? Not so much, but otherwise--no, I’ve never seen a rat look like that before,” she answered and shook her head, shook her head, reaching down to inspect the damage. The heels had been chewed down to nubs. Great. She tossed them into the trash bin beside her once she decided they’d be more of a hindrance on her way to the car than a help. “If you’re good, I’m gonna go shower for about a thousand hours now and pray I didn’t just catch twenty new variations of rabies.” She ran a hand through her hair, pushing off the wall, debating on whether or not to stop by Morgan’s classroom again or just tuck her tail between her legs and run home. She paused for a moment in the hall, that last trickle of hope layered in with maybe a trace of teenage desperation still coursing alongside the adrenaline in her veins. “Raincheck on the whole me bothering you thing? Maybe?” She raised an eyebrow, cringing slightly even as she said it.

There was a strange expression on Erin’s face, one Ben was annoyed that he couldn’t quite read. She hadn’t reacted as poorly as some of the students he’d introduced to the darker side of this world had, and he’d always started off small. No sense in putting their fragile minds before the full might of his Lord when they could barely handle a caged brownie. Erin had reacted in a similar way to him-- attack and then flee when it became clear it was a losing battle. Wiping at a streak of blood that ran down his chin, Ben nodded and watched her toss her shoes away. “Pity about the outfit, it suited you. Before, well,” He gestured to his own ragged suit, the hem of his pants in tatters. “All of that.” With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair in an attempt to set it back in place, but brown locks hung limply against his forehead. “That sounds like an excellent idea, I’d best do the same.” Ben said. At her last words, though, he couldn’t help but smile. So she was still interested in him, hm? Intriguing. He’d love to pick her brain, see just how much she really knew. Pulling out a pen from his pocket, Ben reached for her hand gently and wrote his number on her palm. “Call me sometime. Perhaps over coffee, next time.” He said with a chuckle.

Erin froze in her spot when he came closer. Why was he coming closer? Her face flushed red when he took her hand and for a moment she completely forgot where she was--forgot they’d just run from a stampede of supernatural looking rats, or that she wasn’t even wearing shoes or that her feet and ankles were bleeding all over the university hallways. Something hideously close to a giggle erupted from her as he etched the numbers into her skin. Oh, he was definitely smooth. Her? Not so much. “Coffee, yeah.” She cleared her throat, trying to stop the frantic static waves in her brain from cutting off her ability to speak. “I’ll do that.” She managed those three words with more of a struggle than she’d ever admit. Another giggle-like laugh slipped from her throat and she wanted to stab herself in the eye with that very pen. Damn it. He knew. There was no way he didn’t. She didn’t trust herself with words anymore at this point, instead opting to give a small wave as she backtracked out of the hallway. Gave a quiet yelp and hurried apology as she nearly smacked right into a student on their way to class, before booking it the hell out of there.

[stardust-walker]

High Hopes: Chapter 9

Previous Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

word count: 2774

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It wasn't too long before everything came crashing down on her again as Rick honked his horn in front of her and Dove slammed on the brakes to keep from causing a pile up. She grumbled to herself as she reached into her bag to pull out her sunglasses, only to pull out a necklace with a small black crystal attached to it right along with it. The brunette paused for a moment before she let out an annoyed sigh, reached into the bag again, pulled the necklace over her head, and turned off the car. "What's the issue?" She called up to the group by the RV as she exited the car.

"She broke down again," Dale called back to her before her continued to speak to Rick. Dove groaned and ran a hand through her hair as she moved forward to sit in the grass across from the RV next to Carol.

"This is bullshit," Dove mumbled as she twirled the lighter in her hand.

Carol placed her hand on top of the lighter and caused her sister to stop. "He told them about it before. Now you stop it with that thing, we don't need you startin a forest fire or something on top of this." Dove hated when Carol went into 'lecture-mom' mode. It reminded her too much of when she was younger; before she pulled her shit together.

"Sorry, just nervous I guess," Dove sighed as she switched to playing with the necklace around her neck. Carol only hummed a reply as she stroked Sophia's hair. Jacqui rushed out of the RV and nearly succeeded in scaring Dove half to death as she did so. The young woman jumped to her feet as the other woman began to explain.

"It's Jim. It's real bad. I don't think he's gonna last much longer." Jacqui looked around for help. Rick, as always, jumped to help. Sophia let out a quiet whimper from behind Dove as she wrapped her arms around Carol's waist.

Dove stepped closer to the RV as Daryl walked up the few steps and stopped. She hovered by the doorway, her fingers clutched the stone around her neck as she waited for the man to come back out. It was quicker than she thought, but when Daryl descended he didn't have much of an answer. He just shook his head and mumbled. "Looks real bad. So much for givin him a chance."

Dove leaned against the side of the RV and listened as Rick and Jim spoke in the RV. He was asking them to leave him there. She had to respect him for making a decision for himself but it still hurt. It still felt like a failure because she hadn't been able to help him, not that she would have been able to help much anyway. She wiped the tears off her face as Rick came back out from the RV and spotted her. "…He wants us to leave him here."

Dove sighed. "I heard."

Rick ran a hand through his hair and shook his head, "It's what he says he wants."

Dove tapped her foot on the ground as the others joined the group to listen. It was hard for everyone to take in, no doubt about it.

Carol squinted her eyes at Rick, confused. "He's lucid and asking for this?" Dove pushed off of the RV and walked over to her sister's side. She leaned her forehead on Carol's shoulder and squeezed her eyes shut.

Dale spoke up. "Back at camp, when I said Daryl might be right, you misunderstood. I would never go along with callously killing a man! I was just gonna suggest that…we ask Jim what he wants." Dove let out a heavy sigh as she straightened up.

"I mean, I guess I kind of meant the same thing back there. I didn't think that taking a pickaxe to a man's head was the right idea but…by not giving him a choice, look how much more he's suffered for it," Dove motioned to the RV with tears in her eyes. "Because we didn't give him a chance back at camp he's suffered for longer than he had to and for what?" Her voice broke as Carol pulled her into a tight hug. Lori placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as the men continued to speak.

It was Shane who caught her attention. "I don't know if I'll be able to live with leaving a man to die on the side of the road."

Lori spoke up once again, "It's not your call. Either one of you. It's Jim's call."

That was that. It all seemed to happen so fast. Dove pulled Sophia to the side as they brought him down out of the camper. Jim had never been a big guy, but he looked like the walking definition of fragility at that moment as Shane and Rick carried him down the steps and across the road. Dove followed close behind Carol as the group made its way up the hill. She had seen so much death in the past few days that it seemed like a nightmare she was never going to wake up from.

Jacqui knelt down and stroked Jim's cheek in a comforting way and Dove turned her gaze up to the sky. Tears blurred her vision as she moved up again in the procession. Dove stood next to Glenn, she felt the gentle squeeze on her wrist as Glenn turned to move back down the hill. But Dove didn't follow the others down, instead she moved forward and dropped to her knees in front of Jim.

"I'm sorry," she choked out as she fought to keep from crying, "I'm sorry that I couldn't help you or get there faster with the guns I…"

Jim just shook his head, "Ok, Sawyer. Gonna be with my family now." He already sounded like he was so far away from the grassy hilltop. Dove nodded her head and managed a weak smile as she sucked in a deep breath and rose to her feet. She was surprised to see Daryl still stood there as she turned to walk back down the hill. With a nod to Jim, the redneck motioned for Dove to descend the hill first. She paused for a moment before she pulled the keys from her pocket and made her way back down the hill. As Dove got back to the car, she was glad that she was alone once again. At least no one could judge her for crying now.

~

The ride seemed to take forever, but when they finally came to a stop Dove couldn't find herself wanting to get out. It was only the sight of her family exiting the car in front of her that pushed her to open the door and climb out.

The smell was almost as bad as Atlanta had been, but maybe even worse considering how many bodies littered the ground. Dove gagged as she raised a hand to cover her mouth. She grabbed Sophia's hand as Carol wrapped an arm around her and led them along with the rest of the group. She just hoped there was someone alive in there and this wasn't all for nothing.

She watched as Shane attempted to push the garage doors up and shook her head. "I don't think that's gonna work with these. Odds are there's magnets and all other types of crap keeping that thing on lockdown," she hissed as the man began to pound on the door.

She turned quickly as Glenn shouted about walkers. It was taken out quickly by Daryl, but then it descended into chaos just as quickly. "You led us into a graveyard!"

Dale attempted to plead with the man, "He made a call."

Daryl just shouted right back, "He made the wrong damn call!"

Dove watched as Shane approached him and tried to get him to shut up, but that was just as aggressive. Despite Carol's protest, Dove stepped forward and shoved herself right between the two men, effectively pushing Shane back as she reasoned quietly with Daryl. "Listen, how was Rick supposed to know. He made the wrong call, it happened. Don't make it fucking worse by screaming and draw in more walkers or I will be the one to put you in a god damn choke hold," she finished with a hiss.

Shane spoke up again as the others panicked, "Fort Benning, Rick…"

Andrea finally spoke up, "On what? No food, no fuel? That's 100 miles and a suicide mission."

"125. I checked the map," Glenn corrected her.

Dove ran back over and grabbed Carol's arm, "Cmon we gotta go. Let's just take your car and go if they can't make a decision."

Carol's eyes grew wide as she shook her head, "I'm not leaving everyone else here to die."

Suddenly, Rick called back to them. "The camera! It moved."

"You imagined it," Dale shook his head.

"It moved. I saw it move! Someone's alive in there," Rick began to shout and Dove's chest began to grow tight with panic. Rick was pounding on the door and it was making way too much noise. "I know you can hear me. Please help us, we have women and children! We have no food, hardly any gas! We have nowhere else to go." Dove squeezed Carol's arm tighter as she watched Lori try to calm Rick down. "You're killing us!" Rick began to pound the door and scream over again. All of a sudden it seemed like Rick's screams had gotten through and she squinted her eyes as the bright fluorescents invaded her vision.

~

Dove could only look around the huge building with wide eyes as she took in everything. Then she heard someone load a rifle. Her attention instantly went to a man who shouted towards them, "Anyone infected?" Rick's answer about Jim seemed to satisfy the man enough. "Why are you here what do you want?"

Rick answered, plain and simple. "A chance."

"That's asking an awful lot these days," the man answered back. Dove watched the man as he glanced around, surveying the group one by one. For a moment, she thought he was going to tell them all to go to hell and throw them out. Then he spoke again and it felt like a weight lifted off her chest. "You all submit to a blood test. That's the price of admission."

Rick nodded his head. "We can do that."

"You got stuff to bring in, do it now. Once this door closes, it stays closed." The doctor explained as he approached the group.

"Glenn," Dove called over as he began to run out the door with some of the other men to get the things from the cars. "Just grab my bag from Carol's car. You can't miss it." Glenn nodded at her and she embraced him happily as she accepted her things back into her arms a few minutes later.

She wasn't as happy when she ended up sandwiched in between Carol and Daryl in the packed elevator. She held her bag tightly in front of her as she stared straight ahead at a spot on the wall above Lori's head. Daryl broke the awkward silence. "Doctors always go around packing heat like that," he questioned the doctor and Dove couldn't help herself.

She landed a well concealed punch right to his forearm as she mumbled, "fuckin jackass,"

To her surprise, the doctor answered back seriously. "There were plenty lying around. I familiarized myself with them. But you all look harmless enough." Dove rolled her eyes. "Except you," Jenner pointed to Carl and Dove could barely hold back a laugh.

Once the doors opened, Dove walked closely behind Carol and Sophia. She took in her surroundings as she walked. "We underground," Carol piped up.

"Why. You claustrophobic," the doctor questioned her.

"A little," Carol answered.

"A lot," Dove replied.

Dr. Jenner glanced over his shoulder at them, "Try not to think about it."

Dove rolled her eyes, threw a hand in the air, and mumbled to herself, "Oh wow why haven't I just thought of that before. I'm cured." She thought she heard Daryl snort somewhere behind her and she trained her focus back on her surroundings. This place looked way too sterile. So sterile that it made her skin crawl. Her hazel eyes burned as more lights turned on in the room in front of them.

"Where is everybody," Rick questioned the other man. Maybe that was what was bothering her. There were all these rooms, all these doorways but no one else was around as far as they'd seen.

"I'm it. It's just me here." Jenner answered and Dove felt a chill run down her spine. That didn't seem good at all.

"What about the person you were speaking to? VI?" Lori spoke up from the back of the group.

"VI, say hello to our guests," Jenner called out into the nothingness of the room around them. A computerized voice echoed from the speakers around them.

Dove waited in line to get her blood taken and winced as the needle was inserted into her arm. "So a blood test can really tell if we're infected? I mean, none of us have been bitten."

The doctor just smiled at her as he pulled the needle from her arm and motioned for her to get out of the chair. "Yes. A blood test can tell."

~

Of all things, Dove hadn't been expecting the CDC to have such a collection of wine and she made sure to say so about 5 times. She sat in between Carol and Jacqui, a genuine smile on her face for the first time in what felt like months. "You know," Dale explained, "In Italy, children have a little wine with their dinner."

"I think that sounds like good ol' uncle Dale has had a little too much wine with his dinner if you ask me," Dove whispered to Jacqui before she let out a snort of laughter at her own stupid joke.

"When Carl is in Italy or France, then he can have some but we're in Georgia so that's a no," Lori laughed as she placed a hand over Carl's glass.

"What's it gonna hurt. Come on," Rick chimed in.

The group all sat still as Carl took a sip, only to promptly make a sour face. Dove shook her head and raised her own glass to take a sip. "That's my boy," Lori stated as she poured the wine from Carl's glass into her own.

Dove reached across the table and grabbed the bottle of wine and poured more into her glass. "You wanna slow down there," Jacqui joked as she eyed her glass.

"Listen, I was a therapist. I could probably drink on a professional level at this point, I'm good." Dove shook her head as she placed the bottle back down on the table to more laughs.

"Better stick to soda pop there, bud," Shane laughed at Carl.

"Not you Glenn." Daryl shouted as he walked around the table. Dove turned in her chair, an arm draped over the back so she could see Glenn.

"What," Glenn grinned, his face already a little pink whether it was from the attention being on him or the alcohol.

"Keep drinking, little man. I wanna see how red your face can get," Daryl joked. Dove stopped mid-sip in an attempt to not choke on her drink. Carol patted Dove on the back.

"New rule everyone, we carry alcohol with us wherever we go," Dove raised a hand in the air.

"Why's that," Dale questioned from across the table.

Dove shrugged her shoulders. "Because it actually seems to make Daryl a little more tolerable," she laughed as she ducked her head back into her glass as the group seemed to laugh in agreement. Daryl rolled his eyes as he held out his hand for the wine bottle and actually thanked Dove when she handed it to him.

The clinking on Rick's glass brought everyone back to order for a moment. "We haven't thanked our host yet," Rick stood up.

Dove raised her glass as Dale said his thanks, followed by a loud shout of "Booyah," from Daryl.

Dove turned her head, her hazel eyes locked with Carol's for a second as the other woman actually laughed and raised her own glass. Sophia even seemed to be enjoying herself and for that, she would always be somewhat grateful to Dr. Edwin Jenner for the few hours of peace he has given her family.

_________

@crossbowking​ @momc95​ @chaotic-gary-king-stan​​

[rjnorth-writes]

“I’m gonna marry you one day.”

@seasidewriter1 - So this prompt was asked with 10 - “I’m going to marry you one day” and ended up involving 1, 2, 35, 46, 47, 63, and 64. I may have taken a page out of your book and gone a little overboard (it ended up being over 2k), but I doubt you’ll care. lol. I hope you enjoy! 

Adali supposed it wasn’t exactly how she ever thought it would happen, but then again, when did life ever really go her way? Not that this was necessarily a bad thing in this case, but it was surely unexpected and that was hard to do with the Master Jedi. Though, again she supposed, Poe Dameron did always seem to find a way to surprise her and keep things interesting. There was never a dull moment with Poe around. 

It had been years since Poe had extracted Adali off of Coruscant on General Organa’s orders and after a slightly rocky relationship in the beginning, as Poe definitely did not trust Adali as a newcomer, and Adali didn’t trust anyone for that matter. But the two slowly grew on one another like a fungus. And, to both their surprise, it seemed that Adali and Poe had become the best of friends in that time.

They were growing into something much more than just best friends too, though Adali was hesitant and petrified to admit so. She did recall, however, that her mother had said this: “The strongest marriages are formed when you marry your best friend.” Now, there certainly wasn’t any talk of marriage at this point. The two hadn’t even admitted their affections for one another. They had started flirtations and that was where the two humans stood.

It had been a hard day not in terms of danger, but in strenuous work loads. Adali had spent the early morning hours before the sun had arisen over the horizon getting ahead on her work orders before the rest of the day was spent training Rey in the humid jungle of Yavin 4. Poe Dameron had spent his day training up the new Red Squadron of x-wing pilots. The two hadn’t run into one another until Poe found Adali resting under a tree with her carving materials in hand while enjoying the orange hue of the sunset.

Poe had leaned against a nearby tree watching the young woman until the sun was nearly completely hidden over the horizon. The warm dimming light made Adali’s blue eyes almost look purple, and her hair (which was down for once instead of pulled back in some elaborate braid Poe didn’t know how to manage), looked shiny and almost strawberry blonde instead of dirty blonde.

 He would’ve been blind not to notice how absolutely stunning she looked in that moment. Not that she wasn’t always beautiful, he found, but in that moment he found it harder to breathe and his chest a fraction tighter than normal when he found himself lost gazing at the young woman. The thought of someday losing the chance to bask in her warm air, which she most likey would’ve said was her Force signature, was nearly debilitating for him to think about.

Someday the war with the First Order would be over, and he would follow General Organa or return to the New Republic and continue to fly. Or maybe he would take a page out of his father’s book and retire there to Yavin 4. It hadn’t been what he wanted as a child, but he’d seen so much death and destruction for one lifetime. As long as he could still fly, Poe didn’t really care where he went.

But Adali would most likely try to reopen the Jedi Temple to train future Jedi. Or, as Poe refused to think, would be dead by the hands of her cousin. There were even chances for either outcome, and the more favorable one still left Poe wondering if he’d ever get to see the young woman again. It was something he didn’t like to think about, and he tried not to accept that it was there. But if there was something he could do about it, he definitely would.

Adali was one of the kindest people he’d ever known despite all of the horrors that had been done to her, and everything she’d been forced to do with the war invading into every aspect of their lives. She always went out of her way to make others feel better and to help solve their problems before ever trying to fix her own even if it put her in a bad place mentally, or physically. She’d arrived from Coruscant in a very bad way, but it was cleaner now, especially to Poe as he looked at her whenever she wasn’t looking, that she was still troubled, but she was much happier than she’d arrived. That sweet girl that smiled with her eyes, and loved with ever fiber of her being was not afraid to stick up for those unable to do so for themselves, and she definitely wasn’t afraid to put people (namely Poe) in their place when they stepped out of line.

“Are you going to just stand there all night, or are you going to join me?” Adali asked without looking up from her carving. It looked like she was carving some sort of blossom, but he was no expert on plant life.

“Sometimes it still freaks me out how you do that,” Poe admitted as he made his way over to join her under the tree to enjoy the rest of the evening in the hot jungle.

“It didn’t freak you out when I was able to find you on Jakku,” Adali pointed out, glancing up through her lashes with a coy smirk on her lips before going back to her work. The Force Bond that had somehow managed to connect them together despite Poe’s lack of Force Sensitivity had perplexed them for quite some time after they’d discovered it, but it was far easier to handle now. “Nor do you seem to complain when you drew me into your dreams and tried to have s-”

Poe cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck as he interrupted the woman. “Yeah, still don’t know why you went along with those,” Poe muttered, though not regretting where his dreams often took him. After all, his dreams just gave him what he wished he had in the real world.

“I was just as confused as you were,” Adali said. “But it’s perfectly natural to dream about such things, I’m told. Dreams are perfectly normal.”

“Except for Jedi.”

“Except for Jedi,” Adali agreed.

“What else is unusual for a Jedi to do?” Poe asked.

“Depends on when you’re asking,” Adali clarified. “Are you talking about the Old Republic when the Jedi Council existed, or do you mean now with only me and Rey actively living and practicing as Jedi?”

“Let’s go with the first one?”

Adali just chuckled at his hesitance to pick. “Well, Jedi weren’t allowed to form attachments, but it was expected of us to have compassion for all living things. Relations weren’t forbidden, but many refrained from them as relations often would lead to emotions and attachment. It just made things too complicated.”

“What about now?” Poe asked. “I mean, your dad married your mother, and Leia had Han. Where do you stand?”

“Emotions and attachment are perfectly natural and normal for anybody,” Adali said. “The issue that the old ways did not understand was that fear and loss, anger, depression, and all other negative emotions are also natural. Everyone, not just Jedi, had to work through them and learn to deal with them in healthy ways. Just because you can have one doesn’t mean you’ll always have the other, but sometimes it does and that’s normal. We have to accept that pain and loss is as much a part of life as love and hope and pleasure.”

“So if you were to, I don’t know, fall in love, then you’d be willing to get married and have the whole family experience?” Poe asked.

Love. Love. Love was an emotion that was not a stranger to Adali. She supposed she may have felt too much and too deeply, but she wouldn't have it any other way. She would not change herself because love was the best feeling of all. Love was happiness, serenity, peace, and joy. All she felt she needed ever was love.

But at the same time, love still caused her grief. She loved her family, and though they were falling apart, she still loved them which many didn’t understand. Kylo Ren wasn’t just Kylo Ren, he was Ben Solo, the sweet boy that used to laugh and play with her in the flowering fields and place Force Ball with. And it wasn't just familial love either.

Romantic love was tricky. Often she found herself stammering, flustered, and utterly confused on what was going on or how she felt with the man sitting beside her. These questions were not exempt from this either. When inquiring of it personally towards her, Adali’s heart skipped a beat, and the fluttering in the pit of her stomach seemed to nauseate her. The man always threw her curveballs and she wasn’t sure how to deal with those emotions.

Usually the casual flirtations they’d fallen into were something she could easily handle now. In the beginning, however, that was a very different story. But now, she looked forward to their playful banters and sweet words. Just the thought of the man and his warm brown eyes and his goofy smile warmed her, and brought a smile to her lips. But when things got more serious, like with the question he was asking her now, Adali didn’t know what to think. Was he being serious? Was he asking for himself? Was this all just friendly and innocent, or was Poe actually interested in her. Poe was a flirt and had a reputation, but she knew he’d never intentionally hurt her. But where they really stood with one another, Adali didn’t know.

“I would,” Adali finally admitted after a long while of silence. “A husband, kids, maybe some animals around for them to play with and teach responsibility. At least two,” Adali went on to clarify. “I want my kids to have a sibling like I had with Ben. Nobody should feel alone growing up.”

“Yeah, I would’ve liked a sibling to grow up with,” Poe admitted. “Two is a good number, to start and if we decide more than all the better.”

“We?” Adali squeaked and gaped, her carving tool slipping to jab into the metal finger on her left hand. Thankfully the prosthetic was more durable and was simple scratched ever so slightly. Nothing that couldn’t just be buffed out.

“Yes, we,” Poe said, smirking at how adorable Adali looked when she was utterly flushed in the cheeks. “I’m going to marry you one day.”

“Oh, you sound very sure of this!” Adali huffed. His casual tone was hard to figure out. Either he really did believe this and was casual because he knew he’d make it happen, or because he was joking and that option did not please her one bit.

“I am. You know we’re meant to be,” he declared.

“Poe, we’re not even dating! How could you possibly know th-”

“What, you’ve never thought about us?” Poe retorted, reaching over to stop her from working more. If she was going to keep using that sharp tool with how distracted she was, she was going to end up nicking her flesh and dealing with blood right now wasn’t what he wanted. Plus, by doing this he could hold her hand, something that never happened quite enough for his taste.

“What us?” Adali asked. “Poe, you’re my friend, and sure, we may flirt some but-

“Then why is your hand sweating so much?” Poe interrupted.

This is nothing to aid in rectifying her flustered self. Pulling her hands away, Adali rubbed them against her pants in an attempt to dry them. “It’s hot and humid and we’re in a jungle, I was working so of course my hands would be sweaty! Give me one good reason. Why should we date?”

“Because we’re attracted to each other,” Poe said.

Now that was hard to deny, at least on Adali’s part. While the orange and white jumpsuits the pilots wore were highly attractive, that didn’t mean Poe was. She’d seen him on many occasions in nothing more than his underthings thanks to those forsaken dreams they shared, and the man, despite not working out, was incredibly toned and tan. It had to be all those hours of picking up and working with BB-8, she assumed. But it should’ve been illegal just how delicious that man looked.

“That’s not how you build a lasting, healthy relationship, Poe,” Adali sighed.

“How about this? You’re my best friend,” Poe said. “And just seeing you makes my heart flutter, and thinking about you makes me smile. The thought of losing you scares me more than I’ll ever admit to anybody else. And I’m not just talking about losing you in this war…”

Now those words hadn’t been expected. Those words ruined her insides, and caused her breath to catch in her throat painfully. With much caution, Adali looked up into his warm eyes as the sky really started to turn dark. The sun was gone and the beautiful colors of the temporary painting in the sky was now just a memory, but somehow that just made his words ring more true. It wasn’t just some temporary, flowery thing to say to someone to flirt with. This wasn’t just some casual, playful thing.

His words were close to the definition she had in her own heart for love. Subconsciously Adali’s flesh hand moved to her prosthetic and fiddled with the wedding ring that had belonged to her mother. She’d have to replace it with something else, something that was hanging around Poe’s neck if this were true. But while she could simply move that ring to another finger, the fact that there would still be something so meaningful there in it’s place, like how her mother and father never took their rings off until their deaths, meant so much to Adali. More than she could’ve ever put into words.

“Tell me again,” Adali whispered.

“I’m going to marry you someday,” he repeated, his eyes never leaving her’s, his face serious without a trace of a smile which just pushed his point further. “I am going to marry you.”

[agent-yolk-writes]

Friends Like You and Us - Venom!Reader - In His Eyes

AKA another .5 ‘sure, why not?’ piece to thank my AO3 readers for 100 subscribers, lost one after posting. It hurts to be this cool B).

Anyways, hi! Lost time no see, fellow tumblr-only readers. I’ve been busy getting kicked off campus and finishing my college life in the confines of my home. I bring you a gift in form of Venom’s POV from before he got zwooshed into your dimension. It was inspired by a late-night watch of Spider-Man 3, wrote most of it afterward which all happen about a...week ago? I finished this on Tuesday and slowly made my rounds posting it with this place being the final stop. I hope you enjoy reading this semi-experimental piece, because I sure did

Warning: This may contain some...dubious content? Nothing Rated R, just the implications of a toxic relationship

Visit the rest of the series here. Don’t forget to reblog!

AO3 Version Here!

He didn’t know what went wrong.

He just wanted a friend.

He saw a friend in Peter Parker.

When his meteor crashed landed onto this planet called ‘Earth’, Peter was there to the rescue. He didn’t know that, but he unknowingly provided him an opportunity to move great lengths alongside him. It allowed him to rest, heal in the crevice of the ‘apartment’ belonging to Peter.

He rested as long as he could, but he needed to bond to something, someone, soon. It was a miracle a klyntar like him was able to survive without latching onto another sentient being. As the ‘humans’ said it, his luck will run out soon.

One night, he watched Peter Parker laying in bed waiting for something for the disembodied voices to say something he wanted to hear in such a cryptic language. He seemed about something, muttering ‘Flint’ in hushed, painful groans. This poor human...he doesn’t deserve this. He’ll make him better. They shall fuse as one. This ‘Flint’ shall pay dearly for their crimes.

On that night, Venom became full again. Now that his and Peter’s minds are now one, he shared the burden of avenging Uncle Ben. He understood where he felt remorseful killing the wrong guy. Together, they shall be the ultimate being protecting New York City.

At least, that’s what the symbiote thought.

He still doesn’t know what he did wrong. He maximized Spider-Man’s abilities to its fullest potential. Together they flushed Flint Marko into fine pieces of sand. Why was Peter getting so upset about this Mary Jane and Harry Osborne? They broke Peter’s heart, they are useless in Venom’s mind. They could eat them if they wanted to, but his host didn’t want that.

When did the disagreements become more frequent?

He vaguely remembers the confrontation with Harry. The bastard couldn’t accept the fact that his own father killed himself.

Venom only did what he thought was best for Peter. He helped fuel the anger his host was harboring when that snarky freelancer tried to tarnish their name. He deserved to die right there, that pest. Make an example out of him but tearing him apart from the intestines up for everyone in the office to see. Peter thought about it, but went against it at the end. When will he agree with him?

The tipping point came when Peter asked that Gwen Stacy to a popular restaurant. It was the perfect idea to drag the now blacklisted photographer through the mud by dating the woman that recently broke up with him, and what better way to do it than in front of Peter’s own ex as well. Serves her right for running into the enemy’s arms.

The symbiote could feel the shock and shame coming from his host as he accidentally smacked her while fighting off the bodyguards. Something in their melded minds snapped in a way that made Venom uneasy. Wait...where was he going? Why are they climbing up the church?

The ringing of those old sturdy bells was the only thing that answered him.

There was a fight. Peter desperately tried to rip Venom off of him, but the klyntar refused to part. It was a rodeo act trying to avoid the bells while staying attached to his favorite host. The more bits and pieces that get torn off, his hold on the human grows weaker. The moment he tried focusing on staying put was the unexpected opportunity his host had by striking his entire body onto the bell.

Venom’s vision is getting blurry. It’s hard to tell what’s left and right anymore. Bits of his memory grew more spottier by the moment. He had no strength in him left...he needs to get all his pieces back together and...and…

His mind drew a blank as he was torn off completely. He can sense someone at the bottom. Maybe they can help him get back up there.

He doesn’t remember the part after he gets disposed of down the hole and into an unknown vortex neither he or Spider-Man realized was there until now.

~

It looks like New York City, but part of the klyntar wonders why it felt so...off.

He felt naked without a host to latch onto. Spider-Man ruined the symbiotic relationship for him. He wanted to go back to him, and he wanted to go back now.

The incident at the church left him worse for wear than he’ll ever admit. He couldn’t make it as long as he did back in...what was his name? He knew it was Spider-Man, but what was his actual name? Was it...Stan? Raimi? No, it didn’t feel like he was hitting the right ballpark here. It felt so obvious what his real name is, but why is it just as hard to remember it in the first place?

On top of his sudden spotty memory, he felt weaker. It took a lot more energy to even move to the ledge of the building to scope out the area around him. Indeed, it was still nighttime in the city that never sleeps. No church in sight, just those bright moving pictures that don’t look quite right. It’s not like he paid attention to those things anyway.

He really did push his luck going so long without a host when he arrived on this planet, didn’t he? He’s going to need to find a new host quickly. Venom couldn’t afford to be picky, so whoever’s below him is going to do.

As if fate was pitying him, his answer came in a distressed teenager cutting through the alley. He’s too high to really catch what they’re saying, but it’s not like it’ll matter when he bonds into them.

Without another word, he dropped down just to merge into their shoulder.

“What the-Did a bird just take a shit on me? Motherfu-”

He didn’t know it just yet, but the friendship Spider-Man lacked was actually in his new host all along.

[megalony]

Teacher’s pet- Part 5

Here is the next part of my dad! Ben Hardy series, there is some angst in store in this part, I hope you all like it, feedback is always appreciated.

Taglist: @lunaticspoem @butlegendsneverdie @langdonzvoid @jennyggggrrr @rogermeddow @radiob-l-a-hblah @rogertaylorsbitontheside @chlobo6 @rogertaylors-lipgloss @sj-thefan @omgitsearly @luckytrashgooprebel @scarsout @deaky-with-a-c @killer-queen-ofrhye @bluutac @vousmemanqueez @jonesyaddiction @rogahs-drowse @milanosaurus @httpfandxms @saint-hardy @7-seas-of-fat-bottomed-girls @mrsalwayswritex @rogerina-owns-me @peterquillzsblog​

Summary: Gwilym sets Ben up on a date with (Y/n) who teaches at the school Ben’s kids go to. But Ben is hesitant in the relationship, desperate not to make the same mistakes and needing to put his kids first.

Series masterlist

Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Can I ask you something?" (Y/n) rubbed her palms around the ash grey cup resting in front of her that had white flowers painted around the sides. She could feel the heat warming up her cold hands and the steam washing against her cheeks before it wafted up to try and reach the ceiling.

Her eyes focused on the cup of coffee she had been staring at for the past ten minutes, not daring to look up in case she lost the nerve to ask what had been on her mind for the past week since going out for dinner with Ben and the boys.

"Sure, what's up?" Gwilym leaned his elbows on the table, arching his back as he leaned forward and brought his own drink to his lips. His eyes locked with (Y/n)'s over the top of his cup when she finally lifted her eyes to look at him. The pair of them had decided that five-minute chats in the staff room simply wasn't enough and had decided to spend the morning together today for a catch-up.

"What's up with Finn? I've never seen a three-year-old with that much anxiety before." (Y/n) knew the question made her seem nosy and she knew she was asking the wrong person because Ben was her boyfriend and he was Finn's dad, she should be talking to him about this, but she couldn't. She knew how hard it was for Ben to open up about the boys and he struggled with that because he was so protective over all of them. All three boys had clearly had their fair share of worry and pain and Ben was just trying to save them from any more and that meant not talking about them to anyone.

But (Y/n) knew how close Ben and Gwilym were, they had been for years and so clearly, he was the next best person to ask. (Y/n) couldn't help but be a little curious because Finn was the only child that Ben wouldn't talk about. He talked to (Y/n) about his relationship with Ellie and how James was with his mum and how he was in general. He talked about how hard it was raising Carter on his own and he told (Y/n) about all of Carter's behaviours and problems over the years. But the only thing he would say about Finn was that he was anxious and needed to feel safe.

(Y/n) could see that her question had struck a nerve with Gwilym because he settled his cup down on the table and tipped his head down. He rubbed at the back of his neck as his lips pressed into a thin line that showed he was contemplating what he should say.

Gwilym didn't want to disclose anything to (Y/n) without Ben's permission because it wasn't his place to say anything. He didn't even know whether to let (Y/n) know that he knew the full story or to feign innocence and act like he knew nothing either. Finn was complicated. Rubbing his hand over his stubble, Gwilym sighed, knowing he would have to say something in the least.

"(Y/n)... it's not the nicest conversation to have and I'm not the one you should have it with." Gwilym put it nicely but his expression was dark and there was a look of pain in his eyes that made (Y/n) panic.

"I know, I know I shouldn't be asking you but I just... I'm curious and I can't help it. He's three and he won't let Ben out of his sight, he cries if Ben's one second late to pick him up and he can barely go outside without Ben by his side. That's not just attachment issues, it's something else and Ben won't say a word, I'm worried about him."

(Y/n)'s worry was nothing to do with Ben's parenting skills, that was a fact that her tone and her expression told Gwilym right away. She knew Ben was a good dad and she knew it wasn't Ben's fault Finn relied on him and was so attached to him. Ben was trying to get Finn to be independent and more outgoing and feel safer on his own but it was hard when he panicked the moment he was out of his comfort zone and was desperate to be back in safety again.

"Finn's been through a lot and all he knows is that Ben was there for him, Ben's his safe place because he protects him. Ben won't tell you what went on with Finn because it's easier to try and forget. I can't tell you anything, I'm sorry." Gwilym knew he hadn't told (Y/n) anything that would give her an insight into the situation but she needed to know that there was a reason for Finn's attachment and his anxiety. It was caused by something, it wasn't just how he was or how Ben was raising him.

He was three right now and when he grew up Gwilym knew there was a big chance he would forget most of what had happened in his early childhood and it could help to reduce his anxiety and made him feel safer and more independent.

"Is it because his mum left?" (Y/n) studied the way Gwilym's expression changed again and his silence told her she was on the right track. He couldn't say yes or no because it wasn't his place, it was Ben's and Gwilym respected that.

Taking another sip of her coffee, (Y/n) tried not to sink into deep thought as Gwilym quickly changed the subject but she couldn't help how her mind started to wander. She couldn't have been happier that Gwilym had set her and Ben up, she really was falling hard for Ben and the boys were an added bonus in her life now. (Y/n) knew that Ben was happy too about them being together, but she also knew that he was still the tiniest bit hesitant because he felt that the boys would be a lot for (Y/n) to take on and Ben had his own problems he didn't want to push onto her. (Y/n) had to find a way of telling Ben that she wanted to be with him and the boys or Ben's past were not baggage but parts of him that she would take in any shape or form.

"It's Ben." Gwilym's words confused (Y/n) and she was about to turn and look at the door before she noticed her friend holding his phone in his hand. she hadn't even heard the phone ring.

(Y/n) let herself fall into her thoughts again when Gwilym answered the phone but the moment he came off the phone, she pulled herself from her thoughts when his eyes darted to look at her. Gwilym looked worried with a sense of hesitation in his eyes that put (Y/n) on edge.

"Is everything okay?"

"Carter's having a meltdown, Ben needs me to head round and help out... would you come along?" (Y/n) felt her chest tightening at Gwilym's words because she knew from both the boys that Gwilym only went round to help if things were bad. Ben was normally able to get Carter to calm down eventually but (Y/n) had seen them both interacting and despite how much the father and son loved each other, they were too similar in terms of their tempers and views. They locked horns a lot and that meant arguments couldn't always be settled easily.

Gwilym went round to help if Carter was in a particularly bad mood because he was better at calming the eldest boy down than Ben was. He knew what to say and what to do whereas Ben found himself struggling, especially when he had James and Finn around and needed to calm them down too.

"Of course." (Y/n) grabbed her bag from the floor and slung it onto her shoulder, making sure she had everything before she followed Gwilym to the door where he grabbed his keys and his coat.

"Ben doesn't know you're here so be warned he might not be happy to see you but it's not personal, he doesn't like anyone seeing him and Carter arguing." Gwilym knew it was best to prewarn (Y/n) before they got there and she saw that Ben might not be happy she had come along. Ben had never been unhappy to see (Y/n) but when it was this case he might be. He didn't like anyone seeing Carter in a state unless it was Gwilym and he hated people seeing him and Carter fighting because he felt like he should be able to control the situation and calm his son down.

"Gwil I can just go home-"

"No, I think you'll help with James and Finn, there was a lot of shouting on the phone, it's just how Ben is around the boys." Gwilym was going to help out with Carter but he knew (Y/n) would be a good help with James and Finn, she could calm them both down and help Ben. It was only Ben's anxiety that would make him seem on edge or unhappy to see (Y/n) because the more people who saw him arguing with the boys, the worse he felt about himself and his parenting skills.

(Y/n)'s mind kept drifting to Ben when she found herself tapping a random beat against the door handle of the car like he did when he was nervous. What if Ben told her to leave? What if he truly wasn't happy to see her or got angry with her? She was only tagging along to help because Gwilym asked her to, surely Ben wouldn't be upset with her for that?

The moment the pair of them arrived at Ben's house they could hear the shouting from the doorstep. Their eyes locked for the briefest moment before Gwilym reached out and knocked on the door. Both of them were surprised to find that James was the one to open the door.

"(Y/n)! Uncle Gwil!" His tone was surprised but his expression was clearly one of worry and fear as he opened the door wider for them both to come inside.

"Hey mister, we're here to see your dad." Gwilym ruffled James' hair but his eyes were scanning around like he was expecting to see broken ornaments or things being thrown around the house or a mess to be found behind the door. But everything looked fine and in order, it was simply the raised voices that were causing the problems. Gwilym almost shuddered when he heard Ben's voice raising and he worked out that they were in the living room.

James didn't respond, he simply pointed to the living room to show where the trouble was coming from. Gwilym gave him a reassuring smile before he headed over to see what was happening and (Y/n) decided staying with James would be the best idea for now.

"Why don't you and me go and grab a drink, honey?" (Y/n) took James' hand in her own and gave it a reassuring squeeze, letting James guide her down the long hallway behind the stairs to get to the kitchen at the back of the house.

Entering the living room, Gwilym took a moment to look around and assess the situation which didn't look good. A cup had been knocked to the floor but thankfully the carpet had given it a crash landing and it hadn't broken. There were a few books thrown here and there and some toys but what made Gwilym panic was the rage on both Carter and Ben's faces. Ben had both Carter's wrists held tightly in one hand, presumably to stop Carter from trying to hit him but Ben was leaning over him with a sneering expression.

"Get off me!" Carter all but screamed, writhing his arms in Ben's grip before he tried to kick out at him but he couldn't do that properly with his arms being outstretched and held in Ben's grip.

"No!" Ben spat back, pulling on Carter's arms to further show him who had the control now before he turned his head to look at Gwilym who didn't quite know how to approach the situation.

"Ben, let him go and I'll take him out for a drive and we'll have a talk." Gwilym usually decided that going for a walk or a drive was the best option because he could talk to Carter alone without any distractions or anyone listening and it allowed the ten-year-old to open up a bit better. It was clear either Carter needed to be out of the house or James and Finn needed to be out so the situation could diffuse and Carter leaving for a while would be better so he could come back when he was calmed down.

"Take him." Ben sighed through the words, his expression showing he had had enough of shouting or even being around Carter for now. He let go of Carter's wrists and stepped out of the way so he could go over to Gwilym but he didn't move, instead he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'm not going, I don't want to." Carter stomped his foot against the ground like it would make some kind of difference but Ben wasn't having any of it.

"Yes you are, you can get out of my sight because I don't want you here when you're pissing around like this." Ben tried to slow down his breathing but it was hard when he felt like his heart was going into overdrive and he could feel his pulse all over his body. He wanted Carter out of the house because he was upsetting the boys and he was playing on Ben's last nerve.

"Carter come on, let's go for a drive and calm down, staying here and shouting isn't going to do any good." Gwilym's voice was the calm through the storm that was happening but Carter whined angrily in response, clenching his hands into fists as he felt like crying.

Lashing out, he kicked his foot into the coffee table before roughly pushing Ben further out of his way so he could storm over to Gwilym who rose a brow and took a step back out of precaution. Reaching out to his right, Ben grabbed hold of the armchair to steady himself when the back of his knee jolted into the coffee table and sent his nerves into shock and caused his body to fall backwards. The moment Ben stood upright, there was a fire burning in his eyes as he approached Carter.

He took Carter by surprise when he didn't try and grab his arms or push him or hit him for what he had done, he instead reached out and held him by the scruff of his neck. Ben bent down until he was Carter's height, keeping a grip on the back of his neck so he didn't try and lash out again like he had been doing for half an hour now.

"You're extremely lucky I won't bollock you for that, now you're going out and you're not coming back in this house again unless your attitude changes because I'm fed up of you right now. If you dare start anything with Gwil or you come back and start up again you can stay somewhere else for the next few days. Now get out of my sight." Ben let go of Carter before he pointed to the door, watching with an unchanging expression that Carter studied for a few moments before he turned around and bolted for the front door.

"I'll keep him out for an hour at least. What started it?" Gwilym stuffed his hands into his back pockets as he turned to look at Ben. He would never tell Ben how to parent but he would do his best to help where he could. He knew that Ben had to be firm and he had to sometimes he either rude or even nasty with his words because it was the only way he could get Carter to understand that if he lashed out, Ben wouldn't accept his behaviour because it had to stop.

"I don't know, he might have been unsettled or something but he tried to go for James and he shouted at Finn and you know I won't have that. He's punched me so I had to pin him down but he wouldn't stop. If he tries anything with you bring him straight back and I'll take him to my dad's."

Ben wouldn't stand for Carter trying to hit or shout at either of his brothers because it wasn't fair and when he started trying to punch Ben he had to restrain him but it didn't stop him like it normally would. On the rare occasion Carter simply wouldn't calm down Ben took him to stay with his dad who could either calm Carter down instantly or be very firm with him and Carter hated staying the night somewhere other than home so it would get him to stop acting out quickly.

"We'll be okay." Gwilym patted Ben's shoulder before he headed over to Carter and took him outside to go and get in the car.

Running a hand over his face, Ben sighed as he slowly walked into the kitchen where he knew Finn had gone to be out of the way. Surprise and confusion flooded Ben's features the moment he walked in to see (Y/n) sat at the table with the boys, all of them sat with a drink in hand as (Y/n) conversed with James and Finn sat watching intently.

"Why are you here?" Ben tried his best not to sound rude or uncaring but he couldn't help the tiniest bit of hostility to enter his tone. (Y/n) looked up at Ben, forcing a smile to try and show him that she wasn't here to cause a scene or get under his feet.

"I was with Gwil when you called. The boys were just telling me about your trip to the cinema."

"Boys, can you head upstairs for five minutes please?" Ben saw the disappointment on James' face because he wanted to sit and talk to (Y/n) some more, afraid that when he came back downstairs she would have left already. He didn't want her to go, but he sighed and hopped off his chair, mumbling 'don't go anywhere' to (Y/n) who nodded with a smile.

Finn climbed down from his seat with his beaker in his hands but he made a beeline for Ben, clinging to his jeans because he didn't want to leave him.

"I need to talk to (Y/n) buddy, you go and watch a movie or something and I promise I'll be up soon." Ben kissed the top of his head, bending down so he could hug him tightly before he patted his back and urged him to head upstairs. He wasn't going to disappear and Finn knew if he really panicked he could come back downstairs and Ben would sit with him for a while.

"I'm guessing you want me to go?" (Y/n) asked quietly when she heard Finn pattering upstairs. Her eyes locked with Ben's and he sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck because he didn't want to be rude or blunt about it.

"I- it's just not the best time right now, I need to go and stay with the boys and calm them down. If me and Carter fight Finn goes into shock and it frightens James." Ben didn't want to just push (Y/n) out but he had to sit and be with the boys because they were upset and this happened far too often for Ben's liking.

"Gwil asked me to tag along to help the boys, I can look after them or watch a movie with them if you need five minutes to yourself. I only came round to help."

"And I appreciate that I honestly do, but you can't help Finn, when he's like this he's not gonna go near anyone but me." Ben wasn't coming up with excuses here, he was being realistic. Finn hadn't said anything to (Y/n) since he met her and now he was upset he wasn't going to go near her, he hadn't even sat next to her at the table because he was wary of her and that wasn't anyone's fault.

"He doesn't go near anyone but you no matter what's happened, why don't you let me take James out somewhere for a bit? Leave you with Finn? I can look after them Ben, I am a teacher you know."

Ben's expression hardened at her first statement that made him feel unsettled, Finn had to get used to people but he would be around people he felt safe with. It wasn't anything to do with (Y/n) or anything about her that made Finn not want to be around her at the moment.

"Don't be like that. I know you want to help but right now you can't, I know how to settle them both I'll be fine and Gwil should get Carter into a better mood."

Why wouldn't he just let her help? She wasn't asking to take over and push him aside she was asking to ease the troubles from his shoulders and care for the boys just for an hour or two, not for the rest of their lives. Ben couldn't do everything but he seemed to think that he had to.

"Ben, I'm not trying to take over or get in the way. You've just let Gwil take Carter out but you won't let me near the boys, I'm trying to help because you're struggling. If you're worried about Finn then I won't try and overstep the mark or push him but I know what I'm doing-" (Y/n) stood up so she could walk over and stand in front of Ben but he shook his head repeatedly because he didn't want this. He wanted to be alone with the boys and calm them down because it was what he knew how to do and he knew how to care for Finn.

"You don't know Finn! (Y/n) I have to protect him okay, I told you when we got together that things are different with him-"

"I understand that you're protective over him, I've seen parents in your situation before Ben and I can get through to kids if I'm given the chance." Why was Ben being so defensive? He had given (Y/n) the chance of meeting Finn and trying to get through to him then but now he wasn't. Was it because he was rattled up from arguing with Carter? Did he not want (Y/n) to go near Finn at all anymore, had she done something wrong? Or was it simply because Finn was now unsettled?

"No! I... (Y/n) I can't... I've made mistakes with Finn and I can't afford to do that again. It takes time for people to get through to him and I don't know if... if..." Ben knew what he wanted to say but when it came to saying it, he felt he was being too anxious and letting his worries override his sense.

"... If you should let me get close to him?" There was pain in (Y/n)'s voice and tears welling in her eyes when she knew she was right. Ben was already in tears because it sounded horrible. He was falling for (Y/n) but he still couldn't let her all the way in due to his anxiety and the overpowering need to keep all of his boys safe and protected. Ben would die if he made the mistakes he had made before when it came to Finn, he had been hurt enough and he needed to be safe.

"I'm the only one he trusts, you don't know what that feels like, to know that he only trusts me when I've let him down before."

"I know what it's like to have a child trust you, I've had far too many kids come to me rather than to their parents for help or advice and I know that hurts. Ben, why are you so determined to make this work if you won't let me in? You've brought me to the door but you won't unlock it for me." (Y/n) knew what it felt like to have a child's trust in the palm of her hand, she knew how precious that was and how scary it was to try and keep it preserved and not crush that trust. But if Ben wasn't willing to let her get close to the boys or fully open up to her then why were they doing this?

Maybe Ben wasn't ready to date again after all?

"You want to know why I can't let you in? You want to know why I have to look after a shell shocked three-year-old?" Ben's voice rose as his hands clenched at his sides and tears fell from his eyes.

Gwilym was the only person that Ben had talked to about Finn's situation, he hadn't even told his parents the whole extent of the situation because he couldn't bear to let them know the truth but if (Y/n) wanted to know why then Ben would tell her. He would tell her why he had to keep her at arm's length, he would tell her why he had to push people away so protect those he held closest to his heart.

(Y/n) didn't know if she really wanted the answer now that she knew how badly it was affecting Ben and when she remembered what Gwilym had said to her earlier in the day. But she found herself nodding her head to his forceful questions, her head tilting back when Ben walked closer until there was almost no space between them. Allowing (Y/n) to see the full extent of the pain running through each and every vein in his body which swirled around in his pupils.

"The last person I let get close to me was Finn's mother and I trusted her with my life and with the boys. I thought she was the one, I loved her so fucking much but I had to go to court against her and get sole custody of Finn because I found out that she abused him! She abused my son and he knows it!"

[chilly-me-softly]

Part two to the Ben meeting your daughter please xx❤️❤️

Part 1 (someone requests a part 3 I’m falling in love pleeeease)

“Ben, hey listen, I got a problem”

“Can I help?”

“I hope so. Emma’s father called me and he can’t pick her up from kindergarten today and I clearly can’t right now” you sigh as you look out the window of that waiting room. Working from home has its benefits but at least once a month you had to report to the big boss in person and always made sure to book the appointment when you didn’t have Emma. Usually these meetings last for hours, to make sure there are no problems and to evaluate the work of time just spent. But your ex called, he had a problem and can’t look after Emma that day. Which also meant picking her up from kindergarten now and even if you had left that building now you doubted that with the rush hour traffic you would have been able to get there on time. “Could you go pick her up?” you bite your lip expecting an answer, it was the first one that came to mind and you didn’t think twice about calling him because it was almost your turn. And Emma was gonna be out of there soon, so you had to move fast.

“Uh… yeah, yeah, I’m coming out of practice now. But call the school and make sure it’s not a problem” a thud comes to your ears, maybe the car door closing, and you smile because in all that mess you hadn’t thought about it.

“Thanks, I’ll make it up to you” he giggles before starting the car, “Make the call”

“Do you mind if we make a little stop?” Ben turns to look at his friend as he puts his cell phone in a space above the radio and he shrugs, stretching out to find a decent station in the meantime.

Ben had come back, he had come back to your house many times. Emma seemed to have got used to the boy’s presence, she had started asking him questions - the first time the little one had gone to him without being pushed by you, his heart had almost burst with joy. A simple ‘Ben, I’m thirsty’ as you were nowhere to be seen, but he had got up to get her water as if she had asked for the moon, his hands shaking and he almost dropped everything.

Things seemed to be going well between them, he had started calling her Twinkle after her teddy bear and the little girl didn’t seem to mind. He could swear her eyes shone a different light when he did it, but they were still far from being great friends.

They had never spent any time alone though, somehow you were always around to calm her down or knowing what to do and his love for you grew day by day as he saw how you handled everything to the best of your ability.

But now he was worried, he really hoped there wasn’t a problem with school or Emma. The only thing that really frightened him about children was when they cried, he was terrified of not being able to calm them down or not knowing what to do, and he didn’t want to pass for a parent who didn’t care about his child’s well-being. It was a big thing, he knew that you were cornered in such a short time but he also knew you trusted him otherwise you would surely have found another way.

“A school?” James was confused while Ben was unbuckling his belt. “I won’t be long” the fact that his friend was with him calmed him down a lot, in short between the two of them James was the easygoing one and he loves kids, and kids love him.

He already picked Emma up from school, you and Ben were planning a day at the park. But he’d stayed in the car waiting for you to pick her up from her class, now he’s already asked the first person in front of him and has no idea where he’s going.

“Hi, I’m here to pick up Emma?” he sees the little girl scribbling something on a piece of paper and he sighs inside for getting into the right class, “The mother, (Y/N), must have called to say I was coming by” he must seem like a hopeless case because the teacher smiles at him exactly as she would at a child in her class as she calls the girl’s attention.

She looks at him confused when she sees him but smiles at him as she approaches him and wraps her tiny arms around his legs, damn that heart will explode out of his chest some day.

He lowers himself to her height and leaves a caress on her cheek, “So Twinkle, your daddy had an emergency so you’ll stay with me for a while. What do you say, are you in?” the little girl nods moving the two braids on either side of her head, a smile on the boy’s face as he tells her to get her things then.

And after making her put on her coat, the girl looks up at him reaching out her little hand and waiting for Ben to hold her in his. The little princesses’ backpack in one hand, the other wrapped around the little one’s and they can finally get out of that building.

When she sees they are approaching the car and sees another person inside it, here comes back the shy little Emma. Ben stops feeling the baby’s grip getting stronger and stronger, “Em do you mind if my friend James joins us today? He’s really good, I promise”

The little girl seems to think about it for a few minutes, looking at the car with serious eyes and he almost doesn’t burst out laughing at the situation. But then she nods hesitantly and he drops to her height again, “I know it’s difficult, but the unexpected happens sometime. And the two of us are going to have so so much fun” he presses his finger lightly on her cheek to make her smile and he succeeds, the little giggle that comes out of her lips gives him the urge to get up and take her in his arms. And the little girl does not withdraw, on the contrary she wraps her little arms around her neck and waits for him to take her to the car.

He places her on the seat carefully and puts the belt on her, then places the backpack next to her. He’s quick to get into his seat and turn towards her, “Are you all right?”

“Yes” she murmurs playing with her little hands and he smiles before turning to James.

“Nice braids” the boy smiles at the little one while Ben starts the engine and smiles seeing her cheeks turn red from the rearview mirror as she thanks him.

“Do you know what to do yet?”

“No” sighs Ben, “(Y/N) is working and hasn’t told me much else”

“Why don’t we go back to my place? Diego’s there, it might work”

He takes another look in the rearview mirror, “Twinkle do you like dogs?” at the affirmative nod of the little girl, he knows what to do.

‘Please tell me you didn’t buy her a dog’ you write after hours of silence. Emma, Ben and James had headed over to the latter’s house so, the little one always hid behind Ben’s figure. When they got inside, it hadn’t taken Diego long to run to his master and smell the new girl’s shoes.

“It’s small” she had commented when Ben had stopped to let her take off her coat and both boys had giggled.

“You can pet him if you want, it’s okay I promise” she looked Ben in the eye for a few seconds before squatting to pet the dog’s little head. She giggled at the sensation making a smile appear on Ben’s face and on James’s face enjoying the scene a few steps away. Ben had told him the whole situation, it was clear he loved the girl as much as his mother but he had no idea that he was at those levels. Now he wanted to meet you too, his friend had no excuse.

After a juice and a snack, they all moved into the living room where Diego had enjoyed the attention of the child. The two older ones had enjoyed the moment, joining in the cuddles or showing the little girl how to throw the ball and play with the little dog.

And it was at that moment that he took a picture of her to let you know that everything was going great. ‘It’s James’

‘Thank god. I could have left you for that’ a thoughtful emoticon at the end of the message that makes him giggle as he quickly writes his reply.

'Really…’

'A dog needs care. Anyway, I’ll be home by 7, I’ll get dinner’

'We’ll be home by then’ a little emoticon sending a kiss and a heart from you and the conversation’s over. Ben doesn’t have time to put the phone down that one hand rests on his knee, “Ben, tired”

“Ow sweetie” Ben picks her up as soon as her arms lift towards him and strokes her back when she snuggles up to him.

“Want me to take you upstairs? James has a nice comfortable bed if you want” but the baby squeezes closer to him and then Ben stays on the couch, rocking her as he can until he feels the grip on his shirt become less and less present.

“She’s a really lovely baby” James sighs as he looks at his friend, proud of him and what he’s doing. Raising a child is hard, especially when you don’t have a blood relation to it. And as hesitant as he was at first, he saw it now. He saw the relationship that he was trying to build with the kid and he almost didn’t believe everything he told him about her, she didn’t seem so shy around him or it showed that she was getting attached to him.

“I already love her James” he can hear the emotion in Ben’s voice as he lowers his gaze to the creature in his arms sleeping with her mouth open. “I’m scared most of the time, but I like it”

“You’re a great dad, Ben”

“For fuck’s sake Madders” Ben raises his head trying not to let down those tears that suddenly threaten to come down and James giggles. “For your good I’ll pretend I haven’t seen you… and heard you”

Ben’s car parks behind yours when you’ve just opened the front door, the baby greets you from the car and waits for Ben to unbuckle her seatbelt before running to you and greeting you. And then you go into the house, putting down the boxes with the dinner but you notice you don’t have the usual tornado around. You take a look at the door, and a smile comes across your face when you notice that Emma is waiting for Ben, who is getting her backpack, and takes his hand before going inside.

“Hey, you guys had fun I see”

“I don’t know, Twinkle, did you have fun?”

“Yesss” screams the little girl hopping around the place and making her hair move, free from her braids now. “Mom, can we get a dog?” you glance at Ben who’s laughing and you can calm the baby by sending her off to wash her hands.

“You’re so sexy in this outfit” Ben immediately takes advantage of it to wrap his arms around your waist and get close to you.

“Every time she asks me about the dog, it’s up to you to tell her no” you murmur, your forehead in contact with his and his eyes in yours.

“James is available at any time of the day” you laugh back, “but I’m serious, you’re really hot”

“Stay over tonight?” you bite your lip and he puts a thumb on it to remove it from your teeth.

“But she-”

“I know” one look and then his lips are finally on yours, another mark on your belt. One closer to building something even more serious and beautiful.

 Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

[hungrywhovianjedi]

read also on my AO3 and my FF.net read the rest here prologue chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4

Premise of the story:  Obi-Wan never took Luke to Tatooine in fact they overshot the force forsaken dustball completely and instead Luke grew up on the planet Lothal being trained to become a Jedi like his father before him. Ezra Bridger is an orphan loner who only makes an exception to his solitude for one boy. The boy who helped him out when he was seven, and that Ezra always seems to get into trouble.

thanks again to @sunflova​ for the gorgeous cover art 

Tarkin town, Luke and Ezra looked around in quiet horror all of these people ejected from their homes, and for what? 

The people watched them as they passed, a soft hopeful air around them. As they finally reached the center, Zeb declared free grub, and the town folk rushed forward, scrambling for the food. 

Zeb and the Mandalorian girl happily handed out fruit to the hungry people. Luke also took to handing out Jogans and other fruit to the gathered mass. Ezra however stood by, a look of sudden humbleness, and guilt. A man grasped Ezra’s shoulder then, the speckled eyes of the Rodian shined with gratitude. “Thank you” he said before wandering away. 

“but, I didn’t do anything” 

Luke saw the look on Ezra’s face, and walked over, handing the other boy a Jogan, “it’s not too late to change that. We can help these people” 

Ezra gave Luke a grateful smile taking the fruit, and handing it to a small child. Before long the last fruit was handed out from the crates, and the crew departed Tarkin Town. on the way back Ezra stuck close to Luke, who had been quiet since they landed back on Lothal. Ezra saw the way his eyes darted side to side, almost like he was waiting for some monster to jump out at him. 

To anyone else the boy would look happy and excited almost, but to Ezra, who knew him almost better than he knew himself could see that Luke was nervous. It was something Ezra learned, when Luke had a nervousness about him to be careful, he always did have an uncanny nack for sensing danger, hadn’t he only just experienced that today? Luke had warned him something bad was going to happen if they didn’t leave and since then the boys had three near death experiences. 

When they were following others back to the ship, Ezra purposefully fell back with Luke, until they were out of ear shot. 

“Are you okay?” 

Luke nodded, a short jerky movement that didn’t quite ring true. “Yeah, just thinking”

Thinking. Ezra had seen Luke in deep thought before, but this was a tension  deep in his shoulders he had never seen before. The change in demeanor since this morning, even since they were on the ship in actual space was concerning. Something was telling him there was something wrong with his friend. 

“Are you sure? You know you can tell me anything.” he prodded at the blonde hoping that he would open up, Luke had never been one to hide his emotions before, so it was concerning that he was now. 

Luke bit his lip, and nodded again, blue eyes looking up at him, “I’ll be better once we get back home. I got a weird feeling is all” 

Ezra could sense that wasn’t all. He didn’t know why Luke was acting strange, but he determined it was something he would have to find out the hard way.

“We’ll be home before you know it, listening to stuffy old Ben lecturing us on being reckless, probably mentioning something about something your dad did when he was your age” 

That got a small smile from Luke, “yeah, back to Ben and his stories” Luke looked at Ezra with a searching gaze and opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but then shook his head and looked ahead. “We’re almost back to the ship”

Ezra frowned, he didn’t want to let this drop, but Luke made it clear he didn’t want to talk about it anymore. “Yeah, back to the ship, why don’t you head inside, I’ll be in a little later” 

Luke gave him a concerned glance, but nodded, “I’ll see if Sabine can help me find some food, we haven’t eaten since those jogans this morning” 

Ezra smiled, “Thanks Skywalker” He didn’t ask who Sabine was, figured that was the Mandalorian’s name, he tried not to be sour that the beautiful woman had introduced herself to Luke first.  

“Don’t mention it, seems like feeding you is what I do best” Luke gave him a genuine smile then, before he mounted the ramp and went inside. 

Ezra sat down on a pile of crate lids in the long grass, looking out over Tarkin Town. He would never admit it, but the sight of all those people had struck close to home for him. Sure he might be fourteen and on his own, but at least he knew where his next meal was coming from, if he didn’t manage to steal something, old Ben always had an extra spot at his table open for him, either that or the old man somehow knew when he was coming. 

As he watched dusk cast longer and longer shadows over the town below making it seem more desolate and forgotten than it already was. He had to admit he felt it too though. The unease that Luke was putting off, something was wrong, like a lingering shadow falling over the planet. If he was being honest with himself, there had been something growing since the  empire closed its fist around Lothal, but this was worse like a smothering darkness.

As he was thinking of it, he felt or rather heard a soft humming in the air. He lifted his head, trying to find the source. It was odd, feeling almost like someone was calling his name. It was the same sort of hum that had set Luke on edge that morning. 

He rose from his spot, and looked behind him, the humming was coming from the ship. He followed it, before long he came to a locked door. He smirked, pulling out his pick and setting to work he opened it up and slipped inside. Inside was a sparsely furnished room, only your basic bunk and fresher table off to the side, and belongings chest off to the other corner, the humming however was coming from the location of the bunk. 

Ezra walked over to the bunk and sat down. It was a comfortable bed at least, better than the cot he had in his tower. 

His attention was once again grabbed by the humming in the air around him. It was drawing him to the drawer underneath him. “Weird” he whispered, his fingers finding the latch to a hidden drawer. Ezra knelt before it, and opened the drawer revealing a metal cube that seemed to have glass windows built into it, the object seemed to hum in his palm, this was what called him. He shook his head, he was imagining things clearly. “Might be worth” he turned it over, inspecting it “something?” he put it in his pocket. Then he noticed the drawer went deeper than it first appeared and pulled it out further revealing something far cooler. 

It was a cylindrical shape, appearing to be a hilt of some sort, a belt ring at the top to attach to a utility belt. It resembled what old Ben had described to him and Luke one night from his time serving in the republic army. It looked like a lightsaber. It couldn’t be though could it? The Jedi were extinct, had been since the Clone Wars. Ezra found a button on the side and pressed it. A blue beam of light erupted from it, and the force of it knocked Ezra back a little. He hadn’t expected that. It was heavy, a low hum coming from it. He could feel the heat on his face. He was in awe. He got to his feet and waved it a few times experimentally, and despite himself released a gasp of surprise at the way it gracefully sliced through the air. He brought it up into what he thought was a dueling position, and that was when the door behind him slid open. 

“Careful. You’ll cut your arm off” came a much less angry than Ezra would have expected Kanan from behind him. 

Ezra gulped and turned around, his voice hadn’t given it away but there was a cool glint to his eyes he seemed more irritated than anything, and if Ezra didn’t know any better, amused? 

He might have misread Kanan but the smug grunting of the droid was certainly telling as Chopper rolled in behind the human man. 

“Look, I know you’re not going to believe me, but it’s like this thing wanted me to take it” he started. 

Kanan had his arm crossed, and now he knew the older man was finding amusement from the situation, “you’re right, I don’t believe you. Now hand over the lightsaber” 

Ezra looked at Kanan, eyes widening. He glanced at Hera who was standing beside Kanan in the door, then back to Kanan, he was right, it was a lightsaber, but the Jedi were dead. How did this guy have a weapon from a dead religion? 

“It is a lightsaber… isn’t that the weapon of the Jedi? I thought they all died” 

“Give it to me, and get out” all sign of amusement was gone from Kanan, and his voice had a hard edge that told Ezra not to challenge him on it. 

He extinguished the lightsaber and handed it over, ignoring the pang he got in his chest at the sudden change in Kanan’s demeanor. He stepped past, trying not to notice the stern look that Hera gave him as he passed. 

He walked down the hall, following the sound of conversation from what he imagined was the galley, since he heard Luke’s voice. 

“You mean, you actually know how to cook, like real food?” The Mandalorian girl was asking. 

“Yeah, my uncle taught me, said it was important not to just live off of ration bars and jogan fruit” 

The pair stopped as Ezra entered, and Luke gave him a pointed look, one that told him he knew he had gotten into trouble again. “Five seconds Ez” he simply said, handing over a sandwich to the taller boy “try and stay out of trouble for five seconds” 

Ezra rubbed at the base of his neck and took the sandwich, but didn’t respond to Luke’s request.

“Not too good at following directions, are you?” She asked leaning back on the counter, a cup of some drink or other clutched in her hand. Her helmet was off, which didn’t seem to happen often.

Ezra gave a smile, “Not so much. You?” He ignored Lukes scoff, stepping on the blonde boy’s toes in revenge. 

Luke yelped, earning a look from the girl, who chuckled, “Not really, no. Gotta say, you two? Night and day” she gestured between them.

Ezra crossed his arms “Alright, you got us figured out our turn, who are you people, you’re not exactly thieves” 

“And I really don’t think you’re smugglers,” Luke added. 

She smirked, “We… we’re not exactly anything. We’re a crew. A team. In some ways a family” she told him.

A sudden doubt flared in his mind, a family, could he really say he had one? Luke could, he had his uncle, but Ezra was alone “What happened to your real family?” He saw Luke’s eyes widen but ignored him 

The Mandalorian girl frowned then before answering, “The Empire. What happened to yours?” her voice was soft, and he felt sympathy pass from her.

Before Ezra could respond, the door opened and Zeb came in and told her that Kanan wanted them. Then of course he threatened Ezra and Luke.  

As she was leaving, she turned around, her eyes kind as she spoke again, “It’s Sabine. My name’s Sabine” then she left.