#beta kids next then i'll finish

[king-k-wool]

IT CONTINUES

[monimccoythings]

The Beast Within

Sooo I was trying to write a feral!Logan but this oneshot crossed my mind and I just went along with it. I'll write the feral!logan I want to write when I finish the Wolverine's 1988 run. I think I remember mentioning back in my Retired!Logan headcanons that shall danger come for his family he would be ready and waiting. I wanted to dwell on that.

Summary: You awake only to find yourself and your daughters tied up by some unknown men that wnat to roleplay their wildest and scariest fantasies. Your only hope to survive lies on your husband; a man that gang would soon know they shouldn't have messed with.

Word count: 3087

tags: slight feral!logan, a bit of horror, gn!reader, happy ending, Logan loves his family and will kill for them. A bit ooc Wolverine.

tw: blood, death, attempted rape, non-con elements, kidnapping, swear words.

It had all happened so quickly. One moment you were entering your home with your daughters in tow, and the next, you were being knocked out by some masked men.

When you opened your eyes, you found yourself unable to move, having been tied to a chair, the cords against your wrists and ankles cutting into your blood flow. Yet you didn't fear for your life.

Desperately you looked around for Laura and your youngest child. Silently praying those assholes hadn't reached them. You nearly bursted into tears when you saw Laura tied to the couch, still knocked out like a light, but fine nevertheless; but that relief was short lived when you saw one of the men holding your youngest in his arms.

"Well, look who's finally up! I'm so glad you could join us."

You mentally counted them, There were about five burly men. All masked, to conceal their identities. A shiver ran down your spine when you saw they were all armed.

"Why are you doing this? What do you want?" Your mind went overdrive with the amount of possibilities. Where they from an anti mutant group? Have you been found out?? Logan had made sure your tracks were covered so nobody would know who and what he and the children were. Where they robbers, then?

"Hmm why would people do what they do?" The supposed leader of the group dramatically pondered. "Us humans always worry about norms, etiquette, social behavior, we repress ourselves..." you let the man rant about how our real animal natures were suppressed by society, you didn't care too much for that, too busy finding different ways to free yourself and save your kids.

"So, to answer your question. We do this for fun. Because we can. Because we aren't afraid to show who we really are." You felt the blood in your veins freeze when you felt the disgusting hand come near your crotch. These people were insane. If they were just robbers, you could just let them take whatever they wanted and wait until they left. Material things could be replaced, but his words implied something much much worse for you.

"Please, just take what you want and leave!" You knew you had to do something, anything just to keep those men away from your babies, just buy enough time for Logan to-

Logan! Yes, he would sense something was wrong, and come for you all! You just-

The man licked a long streak from your collarbone to your cheek, his hungry depraved eyes mirroring those of his accomplices.

"Oh, we are going to take it indeed." He licked his lips in anticipation, his fingers lazily undoing the buttons of your shirt. You felt the cold air in your exposed skin.

"Listen. My husband will come soon. You need to leave now that you can-"

He forcefully grabbed your chin, forcing you to look into his empty cold eyes. You didn't find any source of empathy or humanity there. His free hand started to unbutton your jeans.

"Then, he can watch."

The lights went out after that, startling the man and his crew. Some let out a few curses.

"Shut the fuck up! It's just the fucking lights!" The man bellowed towards the rest of the group. He signaled with his head towards the most dimwitted looking member. "Beta! Go check the fuse box!"

The man obediently complied with his orders. The fact that you could barely see, didn't do well for your nerves. They could strike any moment.

Minutes passed and the dude nicknamed 'Beta' hadn't returned. Which was weird, because the fusebox was in a small broom closet at the other end of the cabin, and the cabin wasn't really Charles Xavier's Mansion. You could tell that the man giving the orders was already starting to lose his patience.

"Dumb fuck, can't do shit by himself..." He mumbled. "Gamma! Go tell that stupid bitch to hurry the fuck up!" He turned towards you a terrifying smile on his face "I just can't wait to see the look in your eyes when we break you and the kids."

That was enough for you to lunge towards him, parental instincts activating like crazy. Unfortunately there was little you could do with your limited mobility. He grabbed a fistful of your hair and pulled painfully, you felt tears burning at the corner of your eyes but you refused to give him the pleasure of watching you cry.

"Listen here you little slut. Only I get to bite, only I get to kick, and when I'm done with you l, you'll be-"

"Alpha, he ain't here!" 'Gamma''s voice could be heard from the hall. That only fueled 'Alpha's' impatience.

"I ask him a simple task and he fucking gets lost! Look better or none of you are having a piece of this whore!!"

His eyes turned back to yours. A hungry, wicked look crossed them. His mouth went towards your neck, as much as you tried to resist you couldn't pull away from his strong hold in your hair. You let out a scream when he bit you, praying that he hadn't bitten hard enough to draw blood, but that only seemed to encourage him, just as his tongues was lapping at the bruising bitemark you heard someone scream from the end of the hall.

"OH FUCKING SHIT!!"

*bang*

*bang*

And then nothing. That seemed to alert the group, the leader, Alpha, immediately pulling away and releasing you from his vice grip.

"The fuck was that!?" He commanded "Beta! Gamma! Answer now!"

No answer.

With your heart in your throat you quickly took deep breaths, trying to recover a sense of calmness and normalcy that you knew was long lost. But you had to. Your kids were still unconscious you needed to protect them.

"Sigma. Get out and secure the perimeter."

'Sigma' didn't look very convinced but as long as he released your little baby girl everything would be fine. You could practically feel the hesitation in him as he lowered your daughter onto the nearest armchair and quietly exited the living room, gun in hand.

"Whatever the fuck is trying to screw with us, is going to learn this 'pack' doesn't go down easily."

Minutes passed of eery silence, each minute felt like agonizing hours. You thought it would never end until you heard a blood curling scream followed by the sound of glass breaking and something splattering against the walls.

That's when you heard it. An animalistic snarl. It was faint, but it was definitely there and filled your heart with hope like no other. This time you were surely going to cry from joy.

He had arrived.

You were saved.

Tears fell freely down your cheeks, you couldn't help the broad smile that formed in your features.

"Oh God he's here. He's here..." You repeated over and over like a mantra, as if you couldn't quite believe it.

"The fuck is this bitch talking about??" He backhanded you so roughly that you thought you saw stars, the sharp pain in your cheek was nothing compared to the huge relief you were feeling.

'Alpha' turned towards the last remaining member of his 'pack'. "What are you waiting for, dumbass?? Lock the fucking doors!"

The other guy didn't move for a few seconds, obviously scared at this dramatic turn of events. The tension between him and the leader was so thick you could cut it with a knife. You were sure he was wondering why he should risk his life for a plan that was going awry with each passing second. Maybe he was also considering shooting down 'Alpha' and be done with it.

Before he has time to live up that fantasy, he found himself looking straight at the end of 'Alpha's' Magnum. This was no longer a fun game for them. It had stopped being a game when 'Beta' hadn't returned.

"Lock. The fucking. Doors." 'Alpha's' voice was unusually quiet and full of promises of a world of pain if he disobeyed his orders. There was no other choice but to follow his lead, as always.

With trembling hands, the poor guy put the safety lock as best as he could. Once done, he breathed a sigh of relief, believing him safe.

Until a massive arm, broke through the glass of the door and grabbed him by the neck, lifting him a couple of inches off the ground. The man kicked and struggled, trying in vain to reach for his gun. When the hand released him, he hurriedly went for it before he was grabbed again but was stopped by three metal claws piercing through his skull, killing him instantly. The man fell to the ground like a ragdoll.

"Shit." 'Alpha' whispered, feeling for the first time that night true fear. "Shitshitshitshitshit!" His panic grew as he saw the killer of his 'packmate' kick the doors open as if it was nothing.

You couldn't see him, but you knew he was pissed like he had never been before.

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

'Alpha' fired bullet after bullet towards him. A single shot would have taken down a grown man. But this wasn't a normal man. Oh no, they had just gone after the family of one of the most dangerous men to ever live.

Logan slowly stepped into the moonlight and your breath caught in your throat. From his beard, to his clothes, blood was dripping, but not from the gunshotwounds, those were already healed. His sharp teeth, bared in a feral snarl were stained with blood, having used them to tear through flesh and bone. The icing on the cake were his eyes, those eyes that looked at you with so much tenderness and lust, that crinkled with happiness when they saw his little ones run towards him; they were just empty, void of any rational thought.

You shuddered at his primal display.

The man known just as 'Alpha' took a step back. For all his talk about how he didn't repress from his animal urges and how he was an alpha male, he found himself small and insignificant in the presence of a real animal. Every adamantium coated bone in Logan's body exuded dominance, power, strength; it was overwhelming. 'Alpha' knew if he didn't play his cards well he would end up like the rest of his 'pack' or worse.

Cold sweat formed on your forehead when the gun pointed towards you.

"One more step, and I'll shoot." His voice was deadly quiet, but you could hear the fear hidden behind all that bravado.

Logan stopped, a low growl building up in his throat. His eyes quickly darted towards yours and returned towards his enemy. You knew you had little time, as long as the 'Alpha' kept his eyes locked on Logan's; he wouldn't dare shoot you unless he wanted to have the slowest and most painful death there was, he just needed to think for a better plan of action, which gave you a wonderful opportunity to ponder about how you were going to get out safely, you had to act fast enough to give Logan some margin.

As quiet as you could muster, you started balancing yourself from side to side. Each second that passed increased your chances of ending up with a hole in your chest. A couple of swings more and-

"AAAAAAAAARRRGGGGHHH"

'Alpha' roared in pain when Laura out of nowhere, sunk her teeth and bone claws on his leg. Unfortunately, as a reflex, he accidentally pressed the trigger.

You would never be sure about how you got so lucky that night, as you fell sideways with the chair, the bullet barely grazed your shoulder. You had evaded death miraculously and there was a new hole in the wall.

Logan didn't waste his opportunity. Before 'Alpha' had the chance to kick Laura off his leg, he freed his claws and with a swift motion slashed his yugular vein with two clean cuts.

The blood splattered on his chest and face like a fountain. Alpha's body went limp and fell lifeless to the side. You let out a sigh in relief, as tears ran again freely down your cheeks.

The nightmare was over.

But not for Logan.

For a couple of seconds, he just stood there, breathing heavily, and coated in blood. Laura stood at his feet, looking at him apprehensively, as if sensing there was something wrong.

"Logan." You called for him reassuringly, but he didn't even look at you. You doubted he had heard you. His fists were clenching and unclenching, his knuckles were turning white. The veins in his arms bulged against the swollen muscles. His breaths came out in short puffs of air. Whatever he was feeling right now, you needed to pull him out of it.

His head turned sharply when he heard your youngest stirring. He looked at his bloodied hands and finally looked at you with a mixture of panic and dread. He didn't know what to do.

"Laura. Laura, sweetheart, untie me." She snapped out from her stupor and quickly tore through the cords, freeing you at last. You massaged your wrists, hoping to return your bloodflow back to normal. As much as you'd have loved to rest there was no time to lose.

You understood Logan's fear. It was already painful enough for him to have Laura watching him when he was like that, he didn't want the other one to go through the same trauma.

You quickly rushed towads him and he flinched back, still in shock. "It is okay, Logan. We're safe. You saved us. I'm going to take the girls to her room okay? He barely nodded, his eyes unfocused. You would deal with him later, now the kids were a top priority.

You would heal together, later.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

He had scrubbed the floors clean until he thought he was going to pass out from the chemicals. He had hidden the bodies or whatever remained of them in a place where he knew nobody would ever look for them. Not that they'd be missed, he supposed.

It scared him how good he was at this. He should have gotten used to it by now, after all, he was the best at what he did, and what he did wasn't very nice.

It had been to good to be true. A sweet dream before waking up and facing reality. He had gotten sloppy and his family had paid the price. He didn't even know what those had wanted, nor did he care. One single look through the window and all sense of rationality had left his brain leaving only the animal that deep down he knew he was.

What would you think of him now? Did you regret marrying him? Knowing what he did was one thing, but actually witnessing it was another. What had transpired tonight would surely define your relationship for the rest of your lives

And Laura? He had worked so hard to erase the violence and trauma of her earlier years, to give her a normal childhood with a family. And he had just pulled her back.

He buried his face in his hands, grabbing chunks of his hair. He was a monster, an animal, a mindless-

He jumped and turned around with a snarl on his face and his claws ready when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Logan's tense muscles visibly relaxed when he saw it was just you, but he was still restless.

"Logan, it's okay. It's just me" You knew exactly was was crossing his mind. After years of knowing each other, you knew that the legendary Wolverine, the man that would take his secrets to his grave, could be easily read like an open book if you got close enough.

"Honey, this is not your fault. You came and saved us. We're here because of you." You couldn't bear the thought of him punishing himself over something that wasn't even his fault to begin with.

"I should have been there with you. I should have arrived sooner, then you wouldn't have to go through-" His gruff voice sounded so broken, so terrified, there was nothing you wanted more than to cradle him in your arms. "I'm a monster." He quietly whispered.

"You are not a monster. You. Are. Not. Not a monster, neither an animal." You cupped his face in your hands, looking into his eyes sternly.

"I-I lost control. I saw you there tied up and I lost it. Laura saw it, and our little-"

"Shhhh... They are alright. They are okay in their bedroom. Laura knew you were protecting us, she has always known." You ran your fingers through his wild hair, marvelling at how his tufts stayed up no matter the situation.

You gently guide him back into the house. You don't look at the toppled chair, or the hole in the wall, or the mountain of cleaning products. Neither of you wanted to think about that. When you reached the bedroom, you undressed each other, taking your time, memorizing every string of clothing. Your discarded attires formed a dirty and bloody pile in the corner.

Tenderly, like treating a very vulnerable creature, you cleaned his face, chest and hands with a towel. You could feel the raw power stored in that massive torso and hands, you knew what he could do with those. But you also knew how careful and soft he was around you and the girls.

You put on your comfiest pijamas and got ready for bed, leaving the mess of that night for the next day. Before he climbed in with you, Logan stopped and takes a step back.

"What's wrong?" You asked.

"Wait here." He hurriedly exited your bedroom, leaving you alone, baffled at his behavior. The last thing you wanted was to be left alone after that night.

Your initial confusion gave way to tenderness when you saw him return holding a daugther on each of his thick arms. Laura blinked groggily at you, annoyed at having been woken up from her slumber. You quickly craddled her in your arms, kissing her forehead.

Holding your youngest baby girl to his chest he got in bed, his free arm pulling you and Laura closer, trapping you in an embrace. He kissed your head, his soft breaths along with those of your daughters were enough to lull you to sleep.

You were safe.

Nobody was going to get you.

He would make sure of that.

[wandixx]

Ghost of fries and Hero of cookies

All work words count: 14 593

Words in this part: 2 224

Summary of whole work: Duke wasn't expecting to wake up from his quick rooftop nap to some meta kid with fries. He also wasn't expecting kid to stay Or Danny asked Dani to stay safe while she was in Gotham. Where would she be safer than under the wing of local hero? And he looked like he needed bad day combo anyway

This part summary: First meeting and training discussions Beta read by @audhumla-sailor though English is second language for both of us, so proceed with this in mind. I also know all of the charaters through fics alone, so probably ooc. Stay catious if it's something you don't like

Duke was running out of fumes to run on. Last few days would be exhausting if it was just vigilante or just civilian stuff but no, he had to have it both. Because of Arkham break out he had been called in three nights in a row, not for a whole patrol but he couldn't exactly sleep it of during the day like others did, especially not in a week when every teacher decided they need to have test or quiz or what not. Naps meant he wasn't as sleep deprived as he could be but he needed far more. But he couldn't because crime in Gotham never sleeps so he had normal patrol to finish and there were about two ours left.

Would something bad happen if he just stopped for a moment and laid on a roof? Ten up to fifteen minutes. It was a slow day too...

Yeah, no, he deserved a moment to rest and if something disastrous was to happen in the meantime he would shame other Bats for not giving him enough time to sleep.

It certainly said something that he found gravel covering this roof to be quite comfortable. He set a timer for ten minutes and let himself close his eyes.

When loud screech of timer jolted him awake, he was suddenly fully aware that he wasn't alone anymore. He sat up a little too quickly.

"Oh, you're awake," white haired girl around Damian's age chimed, sitting cross legged just few feets away from him. She wore something that could only be described as an unholy mix of lab safety hazmat and skintight workout jumpsuit, white and black. When had Gotham gotten a new vigilante? "Good, I just returned from snack hunt," she added, gesturing at a big textile bag lying next to her. Duke didn't have enough brainpower to do anything more than ask.

"What?"

Girl shrugged, take out from BatBurger in her hand.

"You look like you have a bad day if not few days, so I've got you my cousin's bad day combo or at least closest thing I could. BatBurger burger isn't as good as NastyBurger but you certainly have better fries," as she spoke, second take out bag, 1 quart bottle of energy drink, juice bottle of same size and pack of convenience store brownies joined greasy paper bag sealed with a sticker.

"Is your cousin a speedster?" Excuse Duke, it was a totally valid question, he saw with his bare eyes both Wally West and Bart Allen when they visited Manor. Noone else would be able to stomach the amount of food they inhaled during their stays.

"Nah, we're not that fast or that hungry. Though I think I may get closer to speed of sound," So, clearly a meta if white hair and weir aura that let his eyes rest weren't enough indication "My cousin when he has bad few days he often forgets to eat so this combo has to help with there too. But I'll steal your fries of course."

Duke was not going to look gift horse in teeth, so he grabbed one bag and tore it open. There was classic combo with bigger fries and NightWings inside.

"Thank you..." he trailed off, hoping that girl would take a clue and introduce herself but she didn't. She just drowned her fries in ketchup and started munching. She had her own juice.

"My cousin always said that each part of this combo has different purpose," she explained instead, slightly muffled because of fries in her mouth, "This" she gestured towards fast food meal "is to sooth your stomach. This "she tapped energy drink "is to sooth your brain and kick it back online. This "she raised bottle of juice, "is to sooth your taste buds because energy drinks are war crime against them and this "she nudged brownies "is to sooth your heart because Ancients damn it, this day is awful and you deserve it. At least that's what he told me when I had day bad enough to deserve that," she shrugged, licking ketchup of her finger. Suddenly she froze "You aren't allergic, are you?

"No, I'm not," he confessed bewildered.

"Good"

For a long moment they sat in silence, devouring food the little girl brought. Duke distantly wondered if this was how night shift spent their snack breaks. It felt nice.

He was finishing his part of brownies when girl spoke up again.

"Do you feel better now?"

"Yeah" he was a little surprised to realize that it was true. He'll have to note down what she put in this 'bad day combo'. "Thank you"

"Don't mention it," she shrugged with general gesture of dismissal, "You're one of my cousin's favorite heroes because you're vaguely his age and handle Gotham alone during the day and I quote, "she did honest to God air quotes at that" 'As only hero in Amity-' which is a lie by the way, Val is doing great and even if he suddenly got problem with how she feels about his alter ego, he still has Sam and Tuck even if they're usually more of moral support. And I helped when I visited, so no, he isn't only one. Anyway as he said 'As only hero in Amity, my heart goes out for anyone who deals with this type of bullshit so Dani if you absolutely have to prank heroes, leave them out of it, especially Signal, he can't be older than Jazz, he doesn't need any more mess to handle.' All aliens and lanterns are also off limits because he is a space nerd. But you aren't space related so I'm like 80% percent sure he has celebrity crush on you," she slurped more juice, unbothered.

Duke was thankful he wasn't swallowing anything because for sure she would choke. He took split second to consider addressing... this whole situation and choose not to. He was not ready to be anyone's celebrity crush.

"Your name is Danny?" he asked instead.

"Dani" she corrected" with an I"

"Ok. It's nice to meet you Dani-with-an-I," She giggled, nodding her head slightly.

"It's nice to meet you too Signal"

Duke stood up, stretching a little. Dani joined him after hastily putting all the trash in her bag. She was a little higher than expected.

"I have to get back to my patrol"

"Cool," she drifted back a bit, making him realize that she was floating a few inches above the ground. She fixed her bag on her arm.

"Hey, can I hang out a little bit more? My cousin will go green out of jealousy when I tell him," she added with a mischievous smirk but Duke could tell there was more to it. He took a moment to consider it, which apparently made girl nervous "I can be invisible the whole time, like before," she offered, disappearing in the meantime. He could still tell where she was, because of her heat signature and other waves she excluded but for regular people she would be no different than surrounding air.

"Yeah, you can hang around and you don't have to be invisible. Just don't get in my way when I have to actually do some fighting."

She popped back to visible spectrum and pouted like Damian whenever he got benched.

"I can fight, y'know? I stopped mugging on a snack run."

It was ten god damn minutes, how could she get so much food and stop mugging in such a short time?!

Oh, right, superspeed. Still, impressive.

"I haven't seen it-" he started, channeling all Dick-trying-to-wrangle-Damian-into-socially-acceptable-activity energy he could muster "-so I don't know how you fight or even what powers do you have. If we tried to fight together we would trip over each other" It was a bare faced lie, Bat training made sure of that but he knew for fact that if he said anything else, the girl would be mad and probably did her own thing.

Was that what Bruce thought about all of them?

Oh no.

Dani still looked displeased but after a moment of consideration she nodded with a defeated sigh.

Suddenly she straightened like she got struck by lightning and whipped around.

"Wha-"

She just shushed, raising finger to her mouth. Duke did indeed quietened.

"I have enhanced hearing," she whispered "There is a mugging somewhere this way."

"Let's go then," he shot his grapple, waving his other hand at Dani to come with him before he jumped off the roof. He heard the girl giggle as she flew right after him.

"After this you'll show me the coolest gargoyles, okay? Sam asked for photos"

"Okay"

It seemed that the end of this patrol wouldn't be as bad as the start was. Hopefully.

And afterwards he was going to lock himself in his room until sky falls down or he was well rested.

Yeah, that was a good plan.

********

"Hey kid," Signal started, dropping from fire escape to cuff weirdo in clown mask who Dani just fought. He did it deliberately slowly to show her how to do it like he always did. She choose to not be to annoyed at being called kid again and noted to herself to come up with good codename later. All her previous ideas apparently weren't cutting it and she couldn't keep going by Dani because reasons.

"Yes?"

"Who gave you a combat training?" he asked getting up from a crouch and gesturing towards roof. So it's going to be longer talk, okay.

"My cousin," well, Flashes in Central taught her some stuff but it was more rescue and reassure type of deal not punch and kick, Sam tried to get her through basics of psychological warfare in activism, Tucker sweared he would teach her some programming and hacking but never got around to it, Jazz did some emotional training and Val offered to teach her Red Huntress skills when she got back, but yeah, all in all, Danny was the one to show her how to punch people. Even though it was more of 'shit we have to fight, observe maybe, idk' most of the time. She picked some tricks from Vlad too now that she thought about it, not that she planned to give him any credit for it, like, ever. "Why?"

"I have a bone to pick with him," vigilante announced, melting with the shadows. Dani sped as much as she could to beat him to the roof. She was competitive spirit like that.

Unfortunately he was first. She made another note to herself (she was so going to forget them in next five to ten minutes) to train her speed a bit more. She got tips from the guy with the title of The Fastest Man Alive for crying out loud, she shouldn't loose with the person who technically doesn't even have superspeed!

Signal sat cross legged on the gravel and tossed her a healthy granola bar. He kept doing it for some reason.

"I'm sorry to break it to you, but almost everything in your fighting technique is horrible. Your cousin did shitty job as a teacher" he started in warm slightly teasing tone. Dani felt attacked anyway.

"It's not like he has any sort of training either," she started, trying to sound nonchalant, rolling her eyes. "Cut him some slack," She bit a snack in attempt to cover her furry. It had chocolate and raspberries, was quite tasty and she was kinda hungry anyway. She wasn't sure she wanted to know how Signal knew it though "Everything he learned is from the trial and error by crashing through a few walls. Quite hard to care about 'technique'. I at least got his mistakes to learn from so don't you dare to speak about him like that!" alright, she lost it, she can admit it. But, Signal might be cool and Danny may or may not like him (she hoped he didn't, Val was much better option) but Gotham's hero had no right to say anything bad about her template. He didn't know anything. He didn't understand.

Signal looked like he was going to say something so she put her ghostly vocal cords to use and growled.

Don't-harm-family/will-fight/ protect-mine/don't-you-dare

She didn't stop to consider how unlikely it was for him to understand her. She crossed her hands on her chest, glaring.

Turned out, growl was enough of the warning. He carefully picked his next words.

"Sorry, it's not the way I should've phrase it," he started, his mouth doing the thing it did when people were embarrassed with themselves but in an uncomfortable, a bit angry way. He understood his mistake, good. She calmed her glare a bit. "I wasn't aware of you circumstances. If you want, I can show you some tricks, Batman is very throughout with his training"

"No, thank you, I'm good" she was still mad. So mad. And she was not pouting.

"Of course you're good but you can be better, more efficient."

"No." Whatever Signal would propose to her, she wouldn't agree. He said mean things about Danny not even a minute before. She couldn't let him have it on a principle!

"I'll give you a cookie after every training," he pleaded "The homemade, tasty one"

Well, that changed things. A lot of things.

"Yes please!"

He apologized anyway.

********************

Second part

I know democratic winner in poll for now is "publish all at once" and believe me, I respect democracy, especially now that I finally have rights to do things, but Tumblr wouldn't let me. Too long or something. So, it'll be in parts, sorry guys. I'll try to post all of the parts this weekend though (or one each day, I'll see).

Yes, I didn't have a name for this fic until five minutes ago, how did you know? It's quite alright though, I think. If you have better idea I may reconsider

[presidentlokis-hornyhelmet]

Cockroach!

Pavitr Prabhakar x f!reader

Summary: Reader is scared of roaches and accidentally finds one in the bathroom. Pavitr saves her + fluff <3 [used Google translate for Hindi words, sorry if it's wrong 😅] My boi has so less fics so i decided to do one myself '^_^ A/N: "N/n" means nickname

"Paviiiiiii beta!", Maya auntie calls from the kitchen. "Can you please get the door? I'm busy." 

"I got it, aunite!" 

Pavitr opens the door to none other than his best friend and partner-in-crime, Y/n. 

"Hey, N/n!", he pulls you into an embrace. You smile and return the sentiment, nuzzling his cheek before pulling away. 

You remove your shoes outside and step in, as is custom in India, greeted with a playful pinch to your cheek by Maya auntie herself. You giggle. She was like a mother to you and you loved her as such. 

"My beti, I haven't seen you in a week! How was your vacation?" 

"It wasn't great without you, auntie. We just got home and I came to see you right away!" 

"Suck up, suck up", mutters Pavitr in the background, gaining a playful slap to his head -courtesy of you. 

"Did you do your exams well? I didn't have a chance to ask you before you left." 

"I think I'll get an 'A', thanks to Pavitr's tutoring." 

You watch him perk up out of the corner of your eyes as your praise.

The boy in question puffs out his chest, showing off his biceps from where he's leaning on the kitchen door frame. "Have no fear, Pavitr is here!"

You cup your mouth, laughing at his antics as Maya auntie playfully shakes her head in exasperation. 

"Pavu can be like that sometimes", she chuckles, leaning into your ear in a stage whisper, "He missed you a lot, you know. Never shuts up about you. And, you know, beti, I keep asking him to already tell you but-" 

"AUNTIE!" 

You both blush as Pavitr hushes the old woman. She just winks at you. Of course, she knows. 

The awkwardness is too much and Pavitr takes your hand, leading you into his room. 

"Okay okay, enough talk, ladies. Y/n and I have some work to do -for a project!", he adds quickly when Maya auntie smirks at him. "I.. that-..auntie!" 

She just giggles and ruffles his hair before walking back to the kitchen, leaving you both standing awkwardly next to each other, flustered. 

Pavitr clears his throat. "She.. she was just kidding, I didn't-" 

"It's okay", you say shyly. 

You have feelings for him too but both of you are just too timid and would rather take it to your grave than admit it out loud. 

He falls onto his bed and crosses one leg over the other, resting his head on his elbows as you sit next to him. 

"So, what has my favourite person been upto in the meantime, leaving me all alone in this big, big city?" 

You playfully roll your eyes. Dramatic little shit. 

"You? Alone? Liar, the whole city is your friend." 

He pouts, trying to look offended, but gives in and laughs. 

You discuss about your project and he shows you some beta models of his brilliant ideas. You stare in awe at the young genius before you, playing with his "toys" as he explains them patiently. 

"Hey, can I use your bathroom for a sec?", you ask when he finishes. 

"Sure. Make yourself at home, N/n! I'll go sneak us some snacks", he winks, peeking from outside his door. 

You shake your head, smiling. It's not that Maya auntie would refuse you snacks, but Pavitr convinced you there was a thrill in food-stealing and you couldn't deny it. 

You shut the door, switch on the light and turn to the sink to wash your face when there it is -the thing that you most fear, the monster of your nightmares -a cockroach! 

You scream bloody murder and run out of the bathroom, colliding into a hard wall. You look up realising it's actually Pavitr. 

"You okay, N/n?" 

"R-roach! Roach!", you point at the bathroom door frantically. 

You stay in the corner as he goes in and stomps it dead, washing his hands before he comes to hug you. 

"Deep breaths, deep breaths.. now exhale.. that's it.." 

You cling onto him and follow his orders, grip loosing as your breathing slows down. His hand circle your waist, holding you firm and secure. You rest your head on his chest, calming down at the rhythmic beat of his heart. 

You only belatedly realize it: you're hugging him, your chests touching each other's. 

He seems to realizes it at the same time too, but instead of letting you go -like every other time- his hands tighten around your waist. 

Pavitr catches your eyes with his own mesmerizing brown eyes; yours unable to leave him, entranced by his orbs as he slowly, gently leans in. Without noticing, you lean in too. 

The gentle touch of soft lips spark fireworks in your body, your nerves tingling with the new feeling of his lips on yours. You could get used to this. 

You panick a little it registers what you're doing, but Pavitr chases your lips, pressing against them firmly and you instantly calm down. He cups your face, cradling your neck as he brings your lips closer. It's his way of reassuring that you have nothing to fear. 

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything." 

You guys jump back as if burned when the door suddenly flies open. Maya auntie is standing there with a guiless face and a bright smile. 

"I brought chai for you kids!", she says cheerfully and sets down the cups. "Did you hear that scream earlier? Where did it come from?" 

"It, uh, it was me, auntie", you say, quite embarresed, running a hand through your matted up hair. "There was a cockroach in the bathroom and I got scared." 

"Aww, poor child." 

Pavitr looks away, blush blooming on his cheeks yet not obvious due to his skin tone. He rocks on his heels, running a hand through his hair. You know he too can still feel your lips on his from the way his eyes never leave you. 

Maya auntie's eyes sparkle mischievously as she smiles and goes into the bathroom, finding the toy roach and throwing it into the trash can.

She smirks under her breath and washes her hands, sighing as she mutters in amusement. 

"Oh, the things an old lady gotta do.."

_________

Reblogs and comments feed my fic dragon <3

[lawva-girl]

Historically.. We don't mix. pt. 2

Law x fem!Reader, College AU

Pt. 1

Notes: Sorry i took forever, i kinda forgot i even posted this... HERES PT 2!!! let me know about any ponderances or possibly any errors... i dont have a beta reader or anything.. ALSO i could not come up with a nickname for reader..... so in the chat rooms i put "Y:" for "You". PLEASE tell me suggestions i will go back and fix it :D

WC: 2526

Back at the dorm that Law and Bepo shared, there was no chatter. Law was simply laying in bed with his laptop open to 5 tabs, one for each of the classes he was taking. He was taking all history classes this semester, since his counselor told him to. He would definitely miss the bio information but he did like history. Scrolling through each class, he breezed through all of the syllabus quizzes. Once he felt satisfied, it was onto checking his email, with one catching his attention. 

“DIRE!! MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR TEXT ME ITS EMERGENT!” The email title felt like a scam but he knew it was not, in fact it was a daily burden. The man who had sent it, his counselor and adoptive father, always communicated like this. After opening the email, he found himself irritated again, Cora had only wanted to remind him that classes start today. 

“How would I not know?” Law muttered to himself. Reading through the email, then deciding he had been too neglectful of the man Law opened up their chat.

L: I know it was the first day, I got to my first two classes on time.  C: Good!!! I miss you! <3  C: Any new friends?!  C: Do you like your professors?? I hand picked them :D  L: Hand picked? You are making me socialize on purpose.  C: Not true! Nico Robin is the smartest! She already had her masters by the time most have an associates!  L: The classes are fine. Bepo made a friend, her name is Perona. C: Oh! Mihawk’s kid! Good to know she’s here! Is his step-daughter here too? Maybe y/n?  L: Yes.  C: Oh! I heard she’s similar to you! Maybe you two can be friends or something?  L: How long did you have to think to come up with this plan of yours?  C: No idea what you are talking about…. L: Cora.  C: … C: Anyways, have you gotten all the textbooks you need?  C: I want to make sure you find them all!  C: It's my job, you know.  L: I still have two more classes to go to tomorrow, but i’ll be fine.  L: Thanks.  C: Anything for you! We should meet for lunch soon! I can make you salmon rice balls! Like when you were still a baby… remember? You loved my cooking! L: I did not. You should not be in a kitchen alone, Ill meet you on friday at 11.  L: Don’t start until i'm there. Please.  C: Okay !!!!! C: I'll see you then law! C: Cant wait ! C: Sleep tight <3<3<3 

Law closed his laptop, relaxing his shoulders. He glanced over and Bepo was already asleep. He kicked off his blanket and got up to go to the bathroom. After he finished his business, washing his hands like any good bio major, he strolled to the microwave area. He had only wanted water but he saw the picture of him holding a letter, standing next to Cora. Staring at it, he wondered why the giant had wanted him to socialize so much. It’s not like he never sees human faces, or stays inside all day everyday. He just liked being alone when he could, no one to ask him stupid questions. 

After finishing his water, Law went back to bed. 

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

The two went through the rest of the week, meeting each other an embarrassing amount of times. Neither one had any reason to talk to the other, so they didn’t. Until Wednesday rolled around, and they were back in Nico Robin’s class. 

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

“Someone has it out for me. I know it for sure” You wrote in your journal, along with the date and class name. Looking at Law, like you had these past two days, made you realize it more. 

“I have pissed off whatever god actually exists and they want me to repent. There is no way that all four of my classes are naturally shared with Trafalgar.” You finish scribbling away in your journal, just in time. 

“Okay, pass forward the paper I handed out to you. This was just a fun assignment to see what areas we, as a class, are most interested in.” She spoke smoothly, with an even tone. It was almost like she didn’t care, or like she had done this 20 times. 

You heard some of your classmates groan and while you agreed, you thought it was inappropriate to voice that. Tapping a pen on the paper of your journal idly, you waited for more instructions. Even though your classmates weren't raised well, your father had done a fine job with you. You were nice, respectful, studious. Sure you are shy but it's not like it mattered. 

Why speak to people and risk being embarrassed if they don’t want to talk to you? 

“Okay, as I said before this class is based in groups and communication. Please tell one person about what you studied for this assignment.” Robin had said before sitting at her desk with a book in hand. 

Suddenly everyone was talking but you and one other person. 

“My assignment is on the Five years war. I chose it because of a coin flip, I found the sources in the library database.” Already you were irritated. Another interaction with the man who had no manners. 

“Hello. That is how you start a conversation, who raised you? Anyways, my assignment is on the First Crusade. I chose it because it was the first war I thought of-” “Really? The first? Liar.” He interrupted you, of course a man like him would. 

You squinted at him, before responding with “Not lying, I was watching a documentary on the pope a day before class, which made me think of all the holy wars. It's not polite to interrupt people.” 

“Okay. I think we have discussed enough.” “Fine.” You scoffed at him mentally, before turning back to face the front of the room. 

“Okay now, I want someone to tell me about their partner's work! This is worth participation, as a friendly reminder.” She smiled eerily 

You did not raise your hand, in fact you looked away. If you were called on you would end up having to lie, since stupid Trafalgar didn’t tell you anything about his assignment. 

“Okay, randomly generated, we will have Mr. Trafalgar, Mr. Reyes, and Ms. Churchill. In that order please.” “My partner researched the First Crusade, she told me that she learned about the context of the war. Specifically Pope Urban the second’s motivations for launching the crusade, who was mainly following the lead of the Byzantine emperor. She also learned about the cost of the war, not only economically but also what it did for the Pope’s approval rating.” Incredible. He pulled all that from his ass? Wasn’t he a double major? How long ago did he even learn that? How was he able to say it so confidently? He is actually smart?! Hold on, he could’ve seen the same documentary you did and just so happened to remember important stuff. But even then, he didn’t even hesitate, he was so confident, even with a professor like Nico Robin. 

“Very good, point earned. Mr. Reyes?”

As he relaxed into his chair, you couldn’t help but stare. His hair was sticking out, a bit unruly from his beanie. It was white with weird black spots on it, maybe a statement about faux animal fur? Could he be vegetarian or something? Maybe he likes to hunt? His sideburns went right into his weird facial hair, “should be shaved” was scribbled into your journal, along with “spots?” and of course “T is smart?”. You saw his black hair under his beanie and thought of your father, who would never slouch like the man in front of you was. 

“Okay good to hear. This wraps up our class for today, I’ll see you all on monday.” 

You started gathering your things, excited to go back to Perona. She promised she would have your favorite food ready for you as soon as your class ended. It was a little weird, but you two always were close. 

“Are you always the last to leave?” The sudden voice pulled you from your thoughts, and made you drop your pencil case. No pencils escaped but the case clunked right under whoever had just shocked you. Law, with no expression on his face, immediately thought of his giant  adoptive father; who was extremely clumsy.  

“No. Are you stalking me? I feel like the campus police or a trusted adult should know about this.” You looked up at him, not reaching for your case at all. 

“I’m not, somehow, we have the exact same class schedule. With the exception of my online class.” “That's crazy buddy… Will you grab my case?”

“You can’t get it yourself?” He scoffed and folded his arms. 

“I think the reason why I dropped it should be the one to get it for me, no?” You thought he looked childish, folding his arms like he just got told to go to his room. 

“Fine.” He reached down, grabbing the case and placing it on your desk, “even though you were closer to the floor… I'm sorry.” He looked away as he said it. Once again you thought he was childish. 

You found yourself staring again. This time you noticed his hands, the word ‘death’ tattooed on his fingers, and the heart on the back of his hand. Shocked to say the least.

“Holy shit.” Huh? You said that outloud? Maybe you weren’t nice. 

You looked up to see Law’s face, somewhere between shock and disgust.

“Oh uh.. I meant, holy shit your tattoos are cool. They look like they hurt.” Maybe you saved it, you really did mean it in admiration. 

“It was painful, but worth it. Bearable at times.” He looked at his hand and held it up between the two of you. Shocked that he held it up for display, you raised your eyebrows. Staring at the tattoo, you were about to reach out and hold his hand closer so you could get a better look at the line work. Then your thoughts were interrupted.

“I know we aren’t on the best terms, but you heard the professor. I think it would be a good idea to bite the bullet and partner up.” He said it so matter-of-factly you almost agreed without realizing you were lost. 

“Huh? Partner?” you blinked up at him. “Of course you weren’t paying attention. The collaborative presentation that you and another student must present on the 18th?” He sounded annoyed, but his face wasn’t telling. 

“Yes! Sorry I got lost in my thoughts, we might as well partner up. I don’t have anyone else in mind, so I can stick with you.” You finished packing, finally, and stood up. Swinging your bag onto your back, you held out your hand towards him. 

“Okay… What is that for?” He nodded down to your hand. 

“Give me your phone. I’ll put my email in. We can make a google slide and share it that way.” 

He paused, with a semi frown on his face then gave up. He put his phone in your hand, and watched intently as you typed in something. Then you returned his phone, much to his delight. 

“Bye then. Just do 5 slides on the First Crusade or whatever other war the pope has started.” He put both of his hands in his pocket as he casually strolled out, leaving you to the room. 

“Hey! We should at least pretend you won't be a dick this whole time! Don’t boss me around!” You realized that you had said that just a bit too loud for the circumstances. Maybe you weren’t nice. 

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

Y: Okay! I just left class, do you have my salmon nigiri?  Y: You won't believe how good I was today. P: WHST  P: who are you?  P: The y/n i know would never ever say that.  P: Yes i do have it ready :) Y: I had to partner up with Him :/  Y: The strength  Y: Also he has finger tattoos?  Y: What the fuck.  P: You didn’t see them before?  Y: Sir traffy has been through it P: I wonder if hes like some ex-gang member? P: That is such a gang member thing to get tattooed P: Why aren’t you responding?  P: Helllllooooooo  P: y/n P: y/n P: ….

“Rona! You are literally crazy. I was walking over here, that's why I wasn’t responding.” You closed the door behind you, making sure to lock it. 

“Anyways! I’ve never seen you have such a strong reaction! To a guy no less, did he like to recite everything in the declaration of independence?” Perona called out to you while you entered and took off your shoes.

You walked over to the kitchen, where she wasdoing some dishes. Tossing your bag on the couch, then taking a seat at the bar that was connected to the kitchen. “If he did that I would’ve proposed on the spot… He just is kinda smart? It’s freaky! One second he’s brushing me off and not wanting to talk to me at all, the next he's explaining the cause of the First Crusade? Well… Kinda.” Perona turned with two plates in hand, and took a seat next to you. She placed the plate of sushi in front of you, “Well honestly i'm not surprised… Bepo says he is always studying.” 

“You talk about him with Bepo? Perona…” you made a disappointed face at her as you pulled your plate closer to you. “Noooo it’s all kosher! Bepo just offers up info about everyone he knows. I think he just doesn’t have a filter or whatever.”

“Yeah…” you took a piece of nigiri and dipped it, then ate it. As you chewed and swallowed you thought of your dad, “Do you think your dad would come visit us here?” 

“Hmmm only if your dad forced him to. I can picture it now ‘don’t you miss our girls?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Then lets go! You pay and ill bring the beer!’ ‘beer isn’t allowed on a plane shanks’ or something like that…” Perona tried her best but didn’t really get the overall attitude of your dads. You decided not to comment and just take another bite. 

“Do I get to know why you asked?” Perona said, food in her mouth.

“Traffy, as you call him, has hair as dark as Mihawk’s. It made me think of him today…”

“Sigmund Frued would have a lot to say to you right now.” “No he wouldn't, he’s dead.” 

“Not for long…” “What the fuck?” You both burst out in laughter at the same time, something you had only ever done with your sister. 

After dinner it was off to bed, except you weren’t actually sleeping. Your laptop was open on your lap, on the google slides page. The document was created, named, and shared to Traffy. It wasn’t the most well-mannered thing, but you decided that nicknames meant you’re friends. Your sister desperately wanted you to have friends, and this would make her think you had them. You didn’t like the deception, if you could call it that, but it's not like you were gonna go out and get real friends. 

You started typing away, filling out 3 slides with information and pictures before deciding to get actual sleep. 

[mayfast]

Chapter 3 WIP (Unbetaed)

Crumbs for the the TigerSeal and SeaMonkey fans. So if you've been wondering where I've been, I got diagnosed with epilepsy. So I got put on some meds that make me hella tired. Like all the time. I would sleep 15 hours a day if you let me. So it's been a struggle to get this next chapter up and rolling. But I'm close to finishing it. Afterwards I'll send it to my Beta (I feel so cool saying that), then I'll get it all posted on AO3, God bless that site.

Enjoy~

__________________________

“Jake Sully,” Somehow, he’s been expecting this all night. But he still wishes he could have another day to mentally prepare himself. He throws a casual look over his shoulder to spot Ao’nung behind him, glancing at him almost shyly.

            “Yes?” He sighs. He doesn’t want to give him the wrong impression, he’s started liking Ao’nung more. After he got over the Metkayina calling his daughter a freak, picking a fight with his kids, and almost killing Lo’ak. But hey, everyone makes mistakes, right?

            “I want to court Spider.” He’s blunt and staring Jake in the eyes. Almost like it’s a challenge, like he’s ready to fight. Jake can almost appreciate the little spitfire, but after the tongue lashing from Norm and Max earlier…he’s caught between a rock and a hard place.

            “Yeah?” He acknowledged with some gravel in his voice.

            “…Yes.” The other held some confusion in his eyes. His blue eyes wandering over Jake’s slumped form, trying to get a read on him. “I don’t know what I’m doing though.” This draws a snort out of him. Took a big man to admit when he’s lost. Maybe Ao’nung is maturing.

            “How so?” He raised an eyebrow and patted the ground beside. He had decided to take a little detour back to the center beach, where the adults are still celebrating, after laying Tuk down for bed. He was going to send Spider, Kiri and Lo’ak to sleep when he got back, but he wanted to give them a little more time with their friends. Now the current bane of his existent came and found him.

The younger man sat down on the beach as Jake observed the sky. “I… I don’t … There’s a lot.” Ao’nung breathed after a moment. His shoulders slumping, mirroring Jake’s posture.

“Well, find your first question.” He laughed, turning to watch Ao’nung roll his eyes, tail twitching as he digs his fingers through the sand.

“Is Spider old enough to be courted?” He questions after a moment. His gaze fixated on the sand below him and his ears are pinned back, distraught. Jake can almost feel pain. Dating someone younger than you can be a risky game, especially when they’re a different species with different aging practices.

“Dating.” Jake corrects him and looks up at the sky again. Finding the star that supposedly his first home orbits around. “We call it dating. And yes, he’s old enough to go on dates with you.” Norm’s going to tear him a new one. Max will stitch him up just to tear him a second one.

“It’s where you do courting practices, but you don’t mate even if you think your ready, at least not yet, he’s not old enough for sex, okay?” It feels dirty coming out of his mouth, like ash and acid. Yet, he needs to set some boundaries, some lines in the sand. He’s the only one here who understands how human teens work, kind of.

“Okay.” Ao’nung nods, good, he sounds accepting.  “How do I court the human way?”

“Why do you want to do it the human way?” Jake finds himself suspicious. Not that anything Ao’nung says doesn’t make sense, but why is he going so left field for someone’s who’s so different from him. Jake had to learn the Na’vi way, because he was on Eywa’eveng. Ao’nung doesn’t need to go out of his way to learn another culture.

“He’s ashamed to be human.” Ao’nung tells him after a moment of internal debate. He’s confident in his answer, sounds like he and Spider have already had a conversation. “I don’t want Spider to be ashamed of what he is, or who he is. So, I want to prove to him that I accept all of him. Even the parts he doesn’t like so much.”

            He’s not exactly sure how to feel about this. It’s a lot for his jar head to take in. Ao’nung trying to do this the right way. And shouldn’t Jake want the best for Spider? Someone who wants to make him happy and feel like he belongs? Still, shouldn’t that have been him? What if Spider end up with Daddy issues and acts out later in life? He could get self-destructive, well more self-destructive, or codependent on Ao’nung.

            “Humans are different from Na’vi, Ao’nung, you know this. From how they look, to how they show affection.” He grabs Ao’nung by the shoulder, needing the other to look him in the eye. “They can’t form a tsaheylu, ever. Are you okay that?” Because he doesn’t want Ao’nung to regret his decision ten years down the line and start resenting his baby. It would be unfair to both of them.

            “With him, I don’t need one.” Ao’nung clasps a hand over his forearm. The grip just as tight as his hand on the Metkayina’s shoulder. “I want him the way he is.”

            It soothes a part of his soul. Jake’s gone through most of his life without a bond. But after experiencing it, he’s not sure he could go back. It was like an addiction. The peace of mind his mate gave him. A safe space that only he and she were allowed to curl up into. Ao’nung would never have that.

            “If you’re serious about this, I need to warn you that humans don’t mature until twenty-five. That means he’s still changing a bit, figuring out who he is.” Jake retracts his hand and throws it over his bend knee. “I wouldn’t change being with Neytiri for anything, but I was twenty-two when she and I bonded. I was still figuring out my place in the world, but she helped me through it. Spider may not be the same person he is now.”

            He notices the way Ao’nung closes his eyes and smiles. “Then he is like the sea. It’s never same.”

[ghost-likes-drawing]

Just wish I knew what caused it

(Fitpac Exs to Lovers)

Ch.2 (to be named later)

Translations done with assistance from: @caracolast (Portuguese and Beta reader) @keezers and @iridescentpull (Spanish)

Previous chapter Next Chapter

This one is much shorter

Okay maybe things would not just be okay. But things were still pretty okay...

The first night got even more akward because Cellbit insisted that since the Guest house wasn't even ready like it was meant to be that Fit and Ramon should have meals with the family. Fit wanted to refuse but he also wasn't sure what else they were going to do for food and so he accepted the invitation.

Pepito was the one who collected them for dinner. He was quiet but looked at Fit and Ramon with a wide eyed excitement.

“Do you want to sit next to me? Apa usually does but he can't tonight” Pepito smiled up at Ramon.

Ramon who had always had a soft spot for young kids nodded “Of course.”

Fit hummed and ruffled Ramon's hair “looks like you're already making friends”

When they got down to the table Pepito pulled Ramon to where Pepito’s chair was set up so he could reach the table better.

On Pepito’s other side was Cellbit. On Cellbit's Other side was Richarlyson. On Richarlyson's other side was Pac. Finally between Pac and Ramon was the only chair left… great.

Fit sat down and avoided looking at Pac and hoped he did the same.

A lot of dinner was quiet. Cellbit seemed comfortable and the kids were just enjoying the food so Fit felt assured that was just how this family ate.

"Ah é, Pac, precisamos trazer mais cadeiras pra casa antes que Roier e Bobby voltem" Cellbit said almost as a reminder to himself

Pac hummed "Vou pegar emprestado da casa de hóspedes"

"Richas, você pode ajudar ele. Só pra terminar mais rápido."

Richarlyson groaned

¡Yo puedo ayudar! Si es para apa y bubba. ¿Por favor?" Pepito piped up looking at Celbit with big eyes.

“I dunno Pepitinho, the chairs can be kinda heavy” Cellbit said cautiously

“Oh let him. He’s tough enough. He's seven after all.”

“eight soon!” Pepito reminded excitedly

“oh yes eight soon” Pac nodded

Cellbit hummed "Tá bom, mas se ele se machucar-"

“Não vai. Não comigo tomando conta dele." Pac said Confidently “right Pepit?”

Pepito nodded confidently

Fit felt his heart ache a bit but pushed it down. He shouldn't care about Pac. Pac clearly moved on, he had two kids who liked him, and a husband. Fit should be moved on to. If he'd been asked about it just a few days ago he'd probably say he had moved on. It was 12 years ago and he had Ramon to look out for since then. He was over it.

But Richas was talking to Pac in Portuguese and he heard Pac laugh and Fit ached. He'd push through. He was over it.

Dinner finished and Fit insisted he do the dishes as a thank you for their hospitality and despite Cellbit’s insistence it wasn't necessary Fit won out and Ramon stayed back at the table to let Pepito keep talking.

Richarlyson ran off do do something Fit didn't pay enough attention to remember what.

Cellbit and Pac stepped outside to talk and when they came back in Pac went upstairs claiming his prosthesis was bothering him.

Cellbit walked next to Fit and spoke quietly “Thank you again for the dishes you didn't have to”

Fit shrugged “never was one to be waited on”

Cellbit nods “I uh Spoke with Pac and if Ramon’s interested he'd love to have help and teach him what he knows. He’ll be payed for his help too.”

Fit looked to Cellbit almost suprised “oh thank you-”

Cellbit interrupted “He did tell me though-” Fit’s heart fell into his stomach “-about your history. Pac says he can keep what's happened out of the now, be professional. It's been long enough. He says he's over it. I'm just here to make sure it'll be the same for you”

“of course!” Fit confirmed quickly “I would never want to psych him out or something and it was forever ago so I'm not trying to-”

Cellbit gave him a look of intrigue and Fit stoped talking.

“I'll be keeping it professional. I won't step out of line with Pac.”

“Good good” Cellbit hummed “just… if you do… I can help you get a matching set of arms” Cellbit’s face went deadly serious and as a veteran Fit knew that look meant it was the threat it sounded like. "... so be professional, queridinho"

“Understood.” Fit nodded “I will.”

Cellbit’s face lightened up “great. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast! 6 am.”

Fit nodded and gave a small salute with his hand before Cellbit turned and walked away going upstairs taking Pepito up with him for a shower.

Okay so Cellbit was a very protective husband. That's fine. Fit wouldn't give him any reason to go for the throat.

Ramon hoped on to the counter meant to seperate the kitchen from the dining room and threw his legs over the counter to dangle them in the kitchen “okay so I'm attached. Pepito is just the sweetest ever. And his Spanish is fantastic”

“Portuguese” Fit corrected “They’re Brazilian.. or Pac is anyway and Cellbit clearly is fluent in Portuguese as well, seems more confident in it then English. So I'm assuming he's Brazilian.”

Ramon paused “no Pepito was definitely speaking Spanish. Mexican Spanish at that.” Ramon stretched “I couldn't really understand Pac and Cellbit but Pepito I understood very well.”

Fit hummed. That is weird “I see. How do you know it's Mexican Spanish?”

“Spreen had taught me the differences.” Ramon had to bite his lip at the look Fit gave him to not laugh “Okay And my Spanish teacher in middle school. But Spreen did talk a lot about this Mexican guy he used to date and Pepito kinda has a similar speach pattern to the impression Spreen did.”

Fit shrugged and dropped it. If it meant not talking about Spreen he'd save this mystery for later... or never

“Alright I'm done. Get off their counter” Fit said drying off his hands “we have an early morning so let's try and get ready as quick as we can so we can rest.”

Ramon nods agreeing and hops off the counter. Ramon walks up the stairs followed by Fit after checking the house was in order. They got ready, showering, brushing teeth and such the like. When they were shuffling into bed Fit finally piped back up

“Pac says he'd take the help. Cellbit will pay for your time too.” Fit recounted while getting his arm off and putting it away safely

“Really?” Ramon sat up smiling. Although the look quickly turned calculating as he hummed

Fit nodded and saw the look “ayyyy no. No you're not going to try and get Pac to tell you what happened” Fit grabbed his son by the middle with his right arm before wrestling him down as Ramon giggled trying to escape “Cellbit already warned about what’ll happen if I get on Pac’s nerves or if I make a move. Those rules are applying to you too” Fit poked Ramon's shoulder with his nub

Ramon giggled and groaned dramatically “fine fine. I won't let me go.” Ramon started to squirm to get out of Fit’s grasp.

Fit shrugged and let go “I think I made myself clear. It's NYFB-”

“Don't shout there's still a seven year old down the hall.” Ramon reminded

“I wasn't going to do that.” Fit Sneered playfully before getting himself comfy “I'm taking out my hearing aids alright?”

“Alright Fit. Rest well.” Ramon yawned getting himself comfortable

“Goodnight Ramon.” Fit hummed taking out his hearing aids and plugging them in to charge.

Fit turned off the lights and closed his eyes glad to find that sleep came quick. He want sure he was in a place to process any of his emotions right now.

A note: My Spanish translators may not be from Mexico. So if it's wrong... oops

[crescencestudio]

๋࣭⭑ Devlog #39 | 3.27.24 ๋࣭⭑

Happy March!!

This devlog is going to be a bit shorter, but...... it's for Exciting Reasons that I will share later in the post. heh.....heh.....HEH.....

Let's jump in ^^

This month, writing was mostly dedicated to Etza's route! We have officially entered the Developmental Editing part of Etza's route, which is super exciting!!!

There were parts of Etza's route I wasn't completely satisfied with, so I spent a lot of this month tinkering, adding, fleshing out, editing, etc. for their route. I'm happier with it now compared to where it was when we entered this month, and especially with Wudgey's help, I'm excited for Etza to get the love they deserve!

I had a small, optional goal for myself to start Kuna'a's route, but honestly, I felt like between work with the Enhanced Demo, Etza's edits, and just generally feeling a bit tired after being Super Productive in January and February, I decided to give myself a break. That being said, I'm relatively confident I'll be getting started with Kuna'a's route next month, and I'm excited to dive into their route (and the Fae routes in general, teehee!).

Vui is on the very last of the BGs I need from him..... So I am in mourning.......

Kidding but not kidding. Vui has done an amazing job of putting the backgrounds for Alaris together! They're absolutely stunning, and by the time we get to the next devlog, he will have finished ALL of the BGs for Alaris! It's been about a year and a half in the making, which is kinda crazy to think we have been together for this long (and working on the full game for this long), but it's definitely A Moment.

In celebration of him reaching this milestone, I wanted to highlight some of the BGs he's made for the game! The theme is early morning; some of these BGs are in the demo, and some are in the full game hehe. You'll have to guess the context of the mysterious full game BGs :')

Sneak Peek: BG Showcase, morning strolls around the world of Alaris

I also thought it's been a while since I showcased a CG here. While I don't play on showcasing many of the full game CGs on public devlogs (I do show them on my Patreon!), I wanted to show a little snippet of this specific CG.

Why, you ask? Well, for the OGs, you might remember I showed a sketch of the CG during the Alaris Kickstarter---whenever the hell THAT THING happened.

I finished rendering it now that I got the BG for it, so I wanted to show a peek of that sketch that I showed oh-so-many-years ago.

Sneak Peek: Kayn Full Route CG I want to lick him

Generally for art progress, I've been working on CGs as well as some promotional materials, which I'll be getting to in the next section \o/

Now for the Exciting News!!!!

I have two bits of exciting news. The first is...

Sneak Peek: Selection Screen for Alpha/Beta Access (OUUUUGGGGGHHHHH)

I STARTED CODING KAYN'S ROUTE!!!! The first act is already "done" and ready for beta access. And I'm hoping to finish the other two acts within the next couple of weeks. It is crazy to finally be able to code some of the full game routes. Even if they're not at the "final version" or early access stage, it is Extremely Rewarding to finally experience the scripts I've been writing in the game!!! With the CGs.... Extended Screens..... Just seeing the script with visual assets and not just a Google Doc is SOOOOO FSEIKLFJSEILE

Sneak Peek: Chapter Character Cards (AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA)

The second piece of Exciting News is that I have a release date for the Enhanced Demo. YEEEEAAAAAA. It's finally happening!!! Please stay tuned over the next couple of days...... An Exciting Announcement is on its way...................................

I didn't do much market research this month. If I'm being honest, I actually struggled a little bit this month with like...... burnout and workaholism guilt. I wanted to take a break after getting the demo ready for public release, but I just couldn't bring myself to fully rest. It felt like there was so much to do (not just with Alaris, but also with real world/work obligations) and all these looming deadlines was starting to get to me.

I'm hoping next month because I'll actually be Releasing the demo (oops, sneak peek of general release date teehee!), I'll be able to feel like I can take a break. But it also sucks a bit that I feel like I have to Earn It. I think with Alaris being a Kickstarter project, I want to get the game in your hands as soon as possible, but of course it's not to anyone's benefit if I burn myself out in the process and end up with either a worser project or taking even longer to finish it.

I did...... start Stardew Valley again since it is the ultimate dissociation/break game for me. So far it's been working! But we'll see how it continues <3

LOOK AT MY FARM!!!

Should I marry Sebastian or Elliot.

Anyways, hope you all have a great rest of your month, and I'll talk to you Very Soon with an Exciting Announcement! <3

[bitchyfoxymama]

Angel - Pietro Maximoff x F!Powered!Reader

Warnings: fix it fic where Pietro doesn't die at the end of Age of Ultron! Medical jargon is probably incorrect.

A/n: Anyway this is for a friend of mine who asked where Wanda's brother's fics were and why I haven't written any. Heres to you 🫡

All grammatical errors are my own bc I don't have beta readers.

...

“Male, Caucasian, approximately 22-24 years of age, multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, abdomen and arms. His breathing is labored and blood pressure low.” One of my nurses says as we wheel this unknown man into the O.R.

“Alright! We need gauze, bowls and scalpels and blood! GO! GO! GO!” I yell at my team trying to save this young man’s life. I may be only 20 and one of the youngest surgeons in the world but my team knows I care about them and only yell when it’s something crucial.

“Here ma’am, everything you need.” Maria, my head nurse tells me while I walk into the room gloved and masked.

“Alright ladies and gentlemen, we are going to save this man’s life.” I say looking around the sterile room.

*6 hours later*

“Alright we did it, great job guys. Move him over to an empty recovery room and let them know their friend is fine.” I say walking out. I go and stand near the coffee machine and buy myself a cup.

“So Doc, how's the kid?” I look up and see an old friend.

“Well, Stark, how many times have I told you not to call me Doc? Reminds me of Bugs Bunny, and he’s doing fine. We managed to save him, just barely. He lost a lot of blood, had multiple breaks, what the hell were you guys fighting?!”

“Uh robots, and besides if you had come along with us like I keep suggesting and using those wonderful powers you have-“ I cut him off before he can even finish his thought.

“Stark I’ve told you before, I’m not properly trained for combat, I’m just a doctor, and I’ll tell you what I’ll go and heal all his wounds right now, that way you’ll have him back.” I say sipping the black hot liquid.

“And I told you (y/n) there’s more out there than just shitty coffee and white walls. Listen I'll pitch the idea to Fury to have you move to the compound and become an avenger, you could help a whole lot more people if you agreed” He says as he walks back down the hallway and out the door.

I threw the cup of coffee away and walked into Pietro’s room. I learned of his name after the operation. He honestly looks very peaceful just lying there sleeping. I go and close the blinds and shut and lock the door. I don't need anyone not authorized to know about my powers to come stumbling in the room.

I take off my glove and remove his blanket from his chest; I take a deep breath and lay my hands on his chest. A white light filling up the room along with the slight hum of the machines connected to him.

When I finish he begins to slowly open his eyes. “Is that an Angel I see? A beautiful angel?”

I blush slightly “No Mr. Maximoff, I can assure you that I am no Angel. I am your Doctor; my name is (y/n) (l/n).”

“So I do have an angel in front of me because only an angel would have such a beautiful name as that.” He said smiling.

“Well it’s good to see you are getting back to normal brother” a female voice came from the door.

“Well that is my que to go, I’ll be checking back on you tomorrow and if everything looks good, you should be free to go within the next few days” I say sliding out of the door.

“She seems nice” I hear his sister say as I walk back to my office. Wait, how’d she unlock the door? Did she see me use my powers? All these questions went on swimming through my head.

******

“Good morning Mr. Maximoff, how are you feeling?” I asked while walking into his hospital room, looking at his medical charts “are you eating alright?”

“Good, I've gotten my strength back and maybe that means my speed came back?” he says, getting up in his bed. 

“Wow there mr maximoff you've only just started healing and you only recently had surgery. It might take some time for your speed to get back.” I say while gently lying him back down on the bed.

“Alright but promise me once we're out of here and I'm no longer your patient we will hang out and be friends yes?” he says while smiling the dorkiest of smiles I've ever seen.

“Yes, we are already friends but when you get released we can hang out” I say while grabbing my clipboard and walking back out of the room and closing the door. I lean against the wall outside and take a deep breath, wow i can't be falling for my patient but he wont be my patient next week, no next week he’ll be my teammate. 

Just before walking into his room this morning I had gotten a call from Stark informing me I would become an official member of the team, healing them whenever necessary as well as healing those injured during missions. 

This will surely be a fun experience especially when I have a handsome man like Pietro on my team. 

[steamberrystudio]

24/08/2023

Hey everyone! Time for the bi-weekly tumblr update for WSC.

Summary

Finished all Ch7 content for Kav, Noel, Raif, And Yren

Started Chapter 8

Got a new BG with many lens flares

Some UI tweaks

Ramble

Okay, so let me jump into what I've completed on WSC. 

But first...

Life's been chaotic. SO chaotic. And it's all blurring together too, honestly. At one point recently we had a leaky pipe and the kitchen flooded. When did that happen? I do not really remember anymore. Two weeks ago? Maybe three???

Then everything imploded and was really sucky for a while. Then we finished beta testing for GS in the midst of everything being so sucky that I literally did not have the energy to release the route despite that it was finished. 

When life implodes, I usually start having weird dreams and migraines. I don't know why my body's response is "Yes, defend Earth from evil pokemon with the 10th doctor. Also, have a headache when you wake up."

But here we are. And both of my hands have been in enormous pain because...WEATHER. Because why not add that on top of everything else happening?

Then I released Yuu's route. But that happened today.

And...somehow in all of that I kept writing.  I finished up all the chapter 7 content and fleshed out the framework for the chapter 8 scenes.

So currently the game is at 373,204 words.  AKA...80% 💪

I also got a new BG and a sketch. 

Oh, and I made some small tweaks to some UI stuff (nothing major - mostly utilising already built-in Renpy features to improve gameplay.)

Screenshots:

None this time

Upcoming Weeks:

Writing! I currently have less than 100,000 words to complete the draft (well, assuming I don't go over the target word count. Which...

Who are we kidding? 

I still have a few things to wrap up for GS (art book, lore book, and some KS rewards...) so I'll be working on those too but my focus for WSC will be writing and my goal this week is to finish (or nearly) finish Chapter 8 for all the remaining characters.

So...as boring as it will be for a while...this section will say "Writing" until the writing is done!

And that is all for this week! See you next time.

~Esh

[dragonydreams]

Cake is a Love Language - BuckTommy, HenRen

Title: Cake is a Love Language Fandom: 9-1-1 Rating: General Audience Pairings/Characters: Evan "Buck" Buckley/Tommy Kinnard, Hen Wilson/Karen Wilson, Denny Wilson, Mara Driskell Additional Tags: Double Date, Cake is Love Summary: Tommy thanks Hen for introducing him to Buck, so Hen invites them over for dinner. Timeline: post 7x06 Word Count: 2,494 Disclaimer: I claim no ownership over these characters. I am merely borrowing them from Reamworks, Brad Falchuk Teley-Vision, Ryan Murphy Television, and 20th Television. Betas: Thank you to @medieshanachie for looking this over for me.

Read on AO3

The doorbell rang as Hen and Karen were getting the kids ready for school the Monday after Chimney and Maddie's wedding. Hen was a little harried as she opened the door to see a man standing there wearing a shirt with the logo for her favorite bakery.

"Andy, what are you doing here? I already picked up my order," she said, thinking of the single cupcake in the fridge decorated in the bisexual flag colors she planned on taking in for Buck.

"Hey, Hen. This isn't an order you placed, but something that was ordered to give to you," Andy said, holding out a box and envelope. 

"Who's it from?" she asked, accepting the package. 

"Can't say, but they knew what you like," Andy said, turning to go.

"Hang on, let me grab my wallet for a tip," Hen said, quickly.

"Already covered," Andy said and waved as he headed back to his car.

Hen closed the door, more curious than ever, as she carried the box and envelope to the kitchen. 

"Who was that?" Karen asked.

"Delivery," Hen said. She opened the box after setting it on the table where Denny and Mara were eating cereal. Inside were four cupcakes.

"Cupcakes!" Denny exclaimed. "Can I have one now?"

"No, finish your cereal," Hen said. "We'll have them for dessert tonight."

"Who are they from?" Karen asked, obviously sharing the same thought as her son.

Hen closed the box and put the cupcakes in the refrigerator and then opened the card. Her eyebrows rose as she held the card out for Karen to see. 

Thank you for convincing me to fly into a hurricane. - Tommy

Karen laughed as Denny asked what the card said. 

"It's from an old co-worker, Tommy," Hen said. 

"You think that's about Buck?" Karen asked, quietly.

"Oh, definitely," Hen said. "We should have them over for dinner. Soon."

"Tell Buck to let us know when Tommy's next free night is," Karen said. 

"I will," Hen said. She pulled out her phone and scrolled to find Tommy's contact info. 

You're welcome. And thank you for the cupcakes. I'm going to ask Buck, too, but Karen and I would like you to come for dinner the next time we all have a night off.

Tommy replied immediately. 

We'd love that. I'll have Evan coordinate our schedules.

"Evan, huh," Hen muttered. 

"What's that?" Karen asked.

"I texted Tommy to thank him and invite them to dinner and he said Evan would coordinate our schedules," Hen relayed. 

"Who's Evan?" Karen asked, confused.

"Buck," Hen said. "That's his real name."

"I don't think I've ever heard anyone call him that," Karen said.

"They don't. He introduced himself that way when he first started but said to call him Buck, so we do. Maddie's the only one who ever calls him Evan anymore, aside from his parents."

"Interesting," Karen mused.

"Very," Hen agreed.

~~*~~

Buck was already upstairs by the time Hen arrived at the station. She quickly changed into her uniform before heading up. She found him sitting at the table, grinning at his phone.

"I suppose this isn't much of a surprise, but I still wanted to give this to you," she said, placing the boxed cupcake in front of Buck. "Welcome to the family."

Buck's face lit up. "Maybe not, but it is very much appreciated." Then his face scrunched up in confusion. "I thought we were already family."

Hen nodded to the decoration on the cupcake. "That family."

"Oh, right," Buck said, blushing. "Um, yeah, thanks."

"I got the flag right, didn't I? I know we haven't talked about it yet. And there's no rush to label yourself," Hen rushed on, suddenly realizing she may have been presumptuous. 

"Hen, it's perfect," Buck assured her, taking her hand in his. "It's the right flag. I'm definitely bi. I still love women, but have recently come to realize that I also really like men."

"You know, I always thought you might be, but since you never talked about wanting to date men, I didn't want to make you confront something you weren't ready for," Hen admitted. 

"I probably wouldn't have believed you," Buck agreed. "I had no idea that what I was feeling for Tommy was attraction until he kissed me. I just knew I wanted to spend time with him."

"If you were confused, you could have talked to me," Hen said, a little hurt that he hadn't.

"That's just it, I wasn't confused," Buck said. "It was like everything suddenly made sense. Like that thing that I've been searching for so desperately was suddenly right there. I wasn't confused, I was at peace."

"That's beautiful," Hen said. "I'm so happy for you."

"I'm happy, too," Buck said. 

"Karen and I want to hear all about how you and Tommy got together over dinner the next time our shifts all give us a free evening. I already told Tommy when I thanked him for the cupcakes."

"He followed through with that?" Buck asked.

"He did. I assume you told him which is my favorite bakery?"

"Yeah. When he told me he wanted to send you something to thank you for introducing us I told him that cake is your love language and gave him the number to call," Buck said.

"That was very thoughtful, thank you," Hen said. "Tommy already said yes to dinner, so once you have his schedule, he said you'd coordinate on his behalf."

"I look forward to that," Buck said. 

The bell went off then, so Buck stashed his cupcake in the fridge before they both ran for the engine.

~~*~~

It took about a week for everyone's schedules to align, but soon Buck and Tommy were ringing Hen's doorbell.

Denny was hovering behind her as Hen opened the door. He and Mara had eaten earlier, but he wanted to say hello. 

"Come on in," she greeted them. "Tommy, it's so good to see you again."

"Thanks for having us," Tommy said as he followed Buck into the house.

"Hey, Buck," Denny said, coming over to give Buck a hug.

"Hey, Denny, loving the new hair," Buck said. "How'd it get so long so fast?"

"It doesn't feel like it was fast. I just haven't seen you for a while," Denny said. 

"I guess we haven't," Buck agreed.

"Who are you?" Denny asked Tommy.

"Denny, this is Tommy, he's Buck's… date?" she said, unsure of what label they might be using. "Tommy, this is my son, Denny. Tommy used to work with me at the 118, before Buck joined us. He’s the one who sent the cupcakes.”

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Denny," Tommy said, holding out his hand to shake.

Denny shook it and said, "You, too. Those cupcakes were so good."

Tommy laughed. “I’m glad you liked them.”

Hen looked over to see Mara hovering in the doorway, clutching her blanket. "That's Mara over there. She's a little shy." Raising her voice she asked, "Mara, would you like to come meet some of my friends?"

Mara shook her head and retreated from the room completely. 

"We’re going to play video games while you have your dinner," Denny said. 

"You're not joining us?" Buck asked.

"Nah, we already ate," Denny said. "I'll see you later."

They all watched him go after Mara. "Mara's our foster daughter. She's had a tough time settling in but she's been opening up to Denny. He's being the best big brother," Hen explained.

"You're very lucky," Tommy said. 

"We are," Karen said, joining them. "Sorry, I had to get dinner out of the oven before it burned."

"Tommy, you remember my wife, Karen," Hen said. 

"It's a pleasure seeing you again," Tommy said. 

"You too," Karen said. "Dinner's ready, so let's move this to the dining room."

Karen looped her arm through Buck's and led him to the table with Hen and Tommy following close behind them. 

Once the couples were seated on either side of the table, Buck said, "Ladies, you have outdone yourselves."

"Flattery will get you nowhere," Hen teased.

"Except perhaps another dinner invitation," Karen added.

"That's all I'm after," Buck said. 

"Is he always such a shameless flirt?" Tommy asked, amused.

"Always," Hen answered at the same time that Buck said, "Hardly ever!"

They all laughed and began to serve themselves. 

After they'd all had a few bites, Hen said, "Thank you again for the cupcakes. Although I don't feel like I deserved them. Chimney's the one who brought Buck and Eddie to Harbor, not me."

"Don't worry, I got Howie a nicer wedding present than was necessary in thanks. I'd never hear the end of it if I hadn't. Besides, he may have been the one to physically bring Evan into my life, but he wouldn't have been there if he hadn't anticipated you calling in air support to go after Captain Nash and Sargent Grant. We all know better than to ignore your hunches."

"You know, I had a hunch about you," Hen admitted, leaning back in her chair as she looked at Tommy.

Tommy blinked. "How? I was completely in the closet when I was at the 118."

"After Gerrard left, you stopped talking about girlfriends. If you mentioned dating at all you used gender neutral pronouns."

"I didn't think anyone noticed," Tommy admitted. 

"I'm sure most of them didn't, but I'm well familiar with that game," Hen said. 

"Anyone in our community would recognize those signs," Karen added. 

"I probably wouldn't have, but I also got caught out by trying to keep neutral pronouns," Buck said. "That's how Maddie found out about Tommy. I slipped up. Granted, it was the first conversation I'd had after our first date."

"You also came out to the team pretty quickly," Tommy pointed out.

"And what a way to come out," Karen said. "You've gotta tell me, was that planned?"

Buck and Tommy shared a look and grinned.

"Not exactly," Tommy said.

"I mean, Tommy was always going to be my date for the wedding," Buck added.

"But I hadn't exactly planned on coming straight from a fire covered in soot," Tommy continued.

"And I couldn't resist kissing him when I saw him," Buck said, blushing. 

"You didn't tell him his face was covered in your soot?" Hen asked.

Tommy laughed. "Oh, I did."

Buck was grinning. "It saved me the trouble of making some big announcement."

"True that," Hen said. She raised her wine glass. "To nonverbal announcements."

They all clinked glasses. 

"So that's how you came out, but how did you get together?" Karen pressed, leaning forward in her seat, eagerly. 

"Yeah, so do you remember when Eddie had to stay behind on light duty because he'd sprained his ankle during a basketball game?"

"You mean when you pushed him during a basketball game?" Hen clarified.

"Chim?" Buck asked, guessing that Chimney would have given his partner the play by play.

"Chim," Hen confirmed.

"After I took Eddie to urgent care and then got him settled with pain meds at home I went to talk to Evan. Eddie and I had been hanging out a lot since the rescue and I didn't want Evan to think I was trying to come between their friendship," Tommy said.

"I was kinda jealous," Buck admitted, bashfully. "But not just because Tommy was spending so much time with Eddie, but because Eddie was spending so much time with Tommy." 

"I get that," Karen said. 

"Luckily, so did Tommy," Buck said. "He understood better than I did because I didn't realize it was because I was attracted to him until he kissed me."

"Damn, Kinard," Hen said. "Way to just go for it."

"I've gotten pretty good at reading signals," Tommy admitted. "And if it didn't go the way I'd hoped, it's not like I can't take a punch."

"Eddie's the hitter, not me," Buck said.

"No, you're the pusher," Hen drawled.

"Ooh, ouch," Buck said, hand to his heart, everyone laughing.

Tommy brought a hand up to rest against the nape of Buck's neck. "Luckily, Evan didn't pull away and he agreed to a date that Saturday."

"Which I totally ruined by being an ass when Eddie and Marisol showed up at the same restaurant," Buck said, leaning into the touch.

"He did not," Karen gasped.

"Oh, he did," Tommy said, taking a sip of wine. "Their appearance sent Evan running for that closet."

"I was caught off guard," Buck said, "and I reacted badly. Very badly. After dinner, Tommy ended the date early and left me at the restaurant."

"Can't say that I blame you," Hen said, earning a slap on the arm from Karen.

"I didn't actually blame him. I understood why he'd behaved the way he had, but also I knew that Evan needed to really think about whether or not he wanted to date me," Tommy said.

"Which I did," Buck rushed to say. "Eddie talked sense into me after I told him that he'd interrupted a date and not just a dinner between friends and he convinced me to call Tommy. We met up for coffee the next day and I invited him to the wedding."

"After buying me truly disgusting coffee," Tommy said.

"I guessed at his coffee order," Buck admitted.

"Why didn't you just order him a black coffee with a handful of creamers and sugars?" Karen asked. 

"Because if I'd gotten it right he would have been impressed," Buck said.

"Do you still take it–?"

"Yes," Tommy rushed to say. "I take it the same way, which Evan hasn't figured out yet."

Hen tapped her nose and pointed at Tommy. "Gotcha."

"How many cups of bad coffee have you had to drink by not telling him?" Karen asked.

"Way too many, but I'm not giving in now," Tommy said. 

Buck turned hopeful puppy dog eyes on Hen. 

"No," she said. "You won't get it out of me. Unlike some people on our team, I can keep a secret."

"So you're going to make Tommy suffer through my guesses rather than allowing me to bring him the perfect cup of coffee?" Buck wheedled. 

Hen glanced at Tommy who shook his head. "Yep."

Buck gave an exaggerated pout and Tommy used the hand that was still on Buck's neck to pull him closer until he could kiss the pout away.

Hen saw the way that Buck melted into the kiss. She looked over to Karen who had the same soft look on her face that she knew was on her own.

Hen leaned over to whisper in her wife's ear, "I don't think I've ever seen him so relaxed and happy in a relationship before."

"He really is happy," Karen agreed. "They both are."

"Stop talking about us," Buck teased. "We're right here."

"You were a little busy," Karen pointed out.

"Our ears still work," Buck countered. 

"And yes, we are happy," Tommy said. 

Lifting her glass again, Hen made another toast. "To happiness."

The End

[jinx-on-mars-19xx]

Mixing Bad Decisions

🩸Previous Parts Here🩸

Dom x Colson (Yungblud x Machine Gun Kelly)

Warnings: ABO dynamics (knots, slick, heats, mpreg), alpha serial killer/hitman Dom, omega mob boss Kells, blood, cursing, insults, threats, guns, gun violence, mob bossery, panic, mf being her frustrating self, Collette being a badass, Tom being amazing, alpha posturing, past abuse/trauma, terrible puns, naughty reminiscing, improper wound cleaning, bickering, Dom fighting his urges, Dom failing, hints of murder, enemies to lovers 💣 Rating: mature (edge of explicit)

All ideas helped by @iamnotanearthlingmotherfucker 🖤

Dom's chest felt tight the moment they walked into the building. He didn't like being underground on the best day and while his morning might have started lovely, it went downhill fast. He kept trying to be understanding but it was difficult not to feel emotional whiplash. The second they stepped through the door his mate's shoulders squared, he stood up straighter, fixed his sunglasses close over his eyes, and squeezed his hand before letting go. The faux-Alpha walked ahead of him and his stomach felt ill. It seemed like a precursor to worse. He trailed behind like the lost puppy he was and was thankful when Collette stepped closer. She curled her arm in his again and gave him a sad smile.

“It'll take him time to realize the family he and my mate created would love him anyway. I'll never understand how he can know we save omegas but think his boys will look down on him for being one. Like I can't kick all their asses at once.” What started sad ended with Dom laughing at her words but he tried to take it in and understand his lover. Colson was under a lot of stress and he could be a good partner in crime. He just couldn't help but worry seeing the man he loved acting like all the shite he hated would mess something up. He was trying, but he was still only human. Supposedly.

“At least you get a good view?” Tom offered from deep in his borrowed hoodie on his other side. The omega was obviously nervous but still trying to help Dom settle and he'd never understand what he did to deserve his brother. The Alpha had to agree though, with Kells walking ahead of him he certainly enjoyed the sight.

Once inside the office the killer felt even worse, the table- while a welcome reminder of the day they made their baby- was also surrounded by other people he didn't really know. He knew of them all, he'd been following his omega for over a month and researching with Tom in his free time, but he didn't know them and they obviously had no clue who he or his best friend was.

“Hey! Dead man walking. Figured you were six feet under somewhere after that entrance!” One of them- Mod, was the first to shake himself free of the obvious confusion. He seemed nice enough, and a beta which was always a point in the boy's book.

Collette gave his arm a pat as she pulled away and took a seat on Col’s right, but thankfully since her son wasn't making a move to explain, she did. “Boys, and Megan-” Her voice went hard over the name and Dom fought himself not to glare. She promised she had a plan and he wouldn't interfere. Yet. “This is Dom and Tom, they're working with us now. Tom dear, Mod is our tech man here so get acquainted. Dom, you know where you go.”

He really really didn't but from behind the purple shades his mate thankfully flicked his gaze to the chair on his left. He desperately just wanted to get comfortable and move on, he hated being perceived and feeling like a kid on their first day of school was his own personal hell. As he moved to step around the table the other natural Alpha in the room finished making her espresso and slithered into the chair he was heading for. His fists clenched at his sides as she looked up at him with fake innocence, she couldn't even hold it long before she smirked. “I always sit here. You can sit next to… Tim was it?” When Dom’s hand shifted to his hip where he kept his bag Colson cleared his throat.

Their eyes met and the boy forced himself to swallow his pride. He thought for a moment about making a point and sitting directly in the wanker boss’s lap but he didn't want to fight so soon. After a long moment of Collette glaring at her son and the Alpha bitch she finally vacated hers for the next seat down and patted it in an offer. He wanted to run but instead he followed her direction and hoped he could be the right hand his lover needed. He could be out taking care of his urges instead of feeling shat on but no, this would be his life. He wanted to be good for his family. He'd failed so miserably at it before but with Cols it was different. He was a father now. He couldn't be as bad an example as his own.

As the leader stood up and leaned over the table Dom had to push down his memory but when his sight caught on the gun under his man's arm he felt his eye actually twitch. He didn't just hate the things, he hated that the barrel was so close to his whelp. Fuck.

Colson noticed the deep breath his Alpha took but he ignored it and tried to keep his mask of arrogance and machismo in place. It was harder having the psycho in the room where they first fucked but he had to do it. Too much depended on him… didn't it? “Like mom said and as you fucks can obviously see, we have some new people in the house. I'm not gonna call anyone by name- Megan- but I'm starting to think I can't trust any of you. I thought we might need a little new and maybe even… young blood in the family.” He couldn't help the toothy smirk of pride at his joke as he sat back down and even though Dom simply arched a brow, the other omega snorted. He counted it as a win, he needed Tom to like him.

“You've got to be kidding Daddy, we don't even know them! For all you know they could be… I don't know, baby eaters or psycho killers or something!” When Megan had to add her two cents it set off alarm bells in Dom's hindbrain. Did she know? Had she been the one who hired him? Maybe she thought she could take his lover's place. He didn't say anything but he watched her with almost dead eyes and filed it away to examine later.

“Cause we're fucking saints?” Mod asked. The beta was already leaning close to Tom and they were looking at something on the omega's computer. Colson couldn't help but notice but he wouldn't say anything unless the photographer seemed upset.

“We're definitely better than this. We don't hire out Daddy, we never have. Why would you start now? Especially with-”

“What? With what? You don't know shit about them!” Kells had to cut her off because he wasn't sure what she knew or what she might try to say to weave discontent among his men. He had always trusted her and he was trying to stop his worry but hell, she'd seen Dom enter his home. She might know something he didn't want outed. Damnit, he had to either forgive her or cut her out. There was no real in between.

“Neither do you, which is my point. You're too soft. You see one sad omega and you have to save them. Are you fucking this one or just giving him a pretend job?” She asked, gesturing in Tom's direction.

“You'd know pretend wouldn't you love?” Everyone was a bit surprised when Tom spoke up but he didn't seem like he was going to say more. It was enough to make Mod chuckle though and they went back to whatever they were doing.

“Are you going to let him talk to me like that? He's at most a fucking contract worker and that's disrespectful-”

Again Colson cut her off, he was truly getting tired of her shit. “No.” He growled and her smile grew as if she thought she'd won before he continued. “He's not contract, he's not a sad random I picked up off the street. They're both family now Megs and if you can't get that then you can get the fuck out!”

Everyone was silent but she finally settled down. Kells knew he had to draw a hard line in the sand but he didn't think she'd start that soon. It took him a minute to quell his rage but when no one spoke up against his statement he nodded once and sighed. Fuck he had a headache already and it wasn't even noon. “Tom is here to help us figure out what happened with our last shipment. There's supposed to be another in a couple weeks and I won't fucking stand for it getting stolen again. It makes me sick knowing we failed them all and it should make you sick too. I'm starting to worry you all forgot what we're doing here.” That was the thing, all his men found their way to him because they had been in some kind of trouble or had omega family or friends saved by what Travis had begun. He felt like he was failing the only father he'd ever known and it stuck in his heart like a thorn.

“I'm sure I'm close. Since you gave me full access to all your files I was able to follow the bank trail back to the fake company who- well… I'd rather not bore you all with the technical shite.” Tom obviously felt awkward being the center of attention for the moment but Colson noticed his friend staring at him in awe. He wasn't sure yet if it was a nerdy bro crush or what but he was happy to see at least one person trying to get along. “I'm going over your books too. I thought there might be a clue somewhere, a connection, but it may take me a little longer. There's heavy firewall.”

“I can help? I mean you're way smarter than me but two heads are better than one.” Mod shrugged.

“Your boss would know.” The omega muttered under his breath and Kells was surprised at himself when he choked on a laugh. The balls on that one. Yeah, he could see them becoming friends. “But yes, long as you don't fuck me up or slow me down.”

The boss was happy to see that problem getting solved but there was still another glaring one. “Just putting it out there guys, he's not kidding about having full access. If any of you have screwed me over it's time to say. I might be a little more lenient if you tell me and I don't have to find out the hard way.” He huffed, his gaze lingering on each person in turn. The few that were with them didn't seem too scared but when he looked finally to Megan something felt off. Everything felt off with her.

“What? You realize none of this shit went wrong until he came around. Maybe don't glare at the people you know best when you've got a pet snake in the house.” She tried to deflect and he was honestly so over it.

Colson rolled his eyes but was starting to itch for a fight. “If you don't like it, you can go.” He said calmly.

Dom was almost trembling with his need to see her insides on the outside. He was trying so hard to let his lover lead but he felt pushed to the edge of control. Every little thing that annoyed him felt overstimulating to the nth degree, the gun on his mate's ribs, the subtle noises of others breathing, the tap tap tap on a keyboard, and this bitch trying to ruin his life. When she finally stood up he did so too, the two of them facing off over the table. He watched as she headed for the door, her heels on the floor driving him mad.

“You should tell your bitch boy to heel. I can't believe you're acting like this over an Alpha Daddy, Travis must be rolling over in his grave. It's like you just can't help yourself, almost like you're a bitch in heat or something. I'll be waiting for your apology when you remember who your real family is.” She quite literally flipped her hair over her shoulder but her words were just a step too far.

“Dom. Stop.” The Machine Gun’s voice was barely above a growl as the Alpha started to stalk after her. He was close enough to see Megan smirk as she stopped at the door. The killer heard a click and he turned his head to see a barrel pointed… at him? He was so lost in a haze of red it took him a moment to realize he was standing between his lover and the man's possible target. “You don't fight my god damned battles. Sit the hell down.”

Another click and Dom knew there was another weapon pointing over his shoulder to his omega. That was not allowed. He took one step to the side to block her aim but Colson just glared at him harder.

“Move. Now. Megan, put it away or my warning shot is gonna find out if an implant can stop a fucking bullet.” What Knells knew his Alpha didn't understand was that this wasn't new. He and Megan had been fighting like this since they were kids. It just seemed to be getting worse with age.

“Looks like your guard puppy doesn't even see you as boss. Why should we?” She hissed and that did something to Colson.

The sting was immediate and the sound was deafening in the marble walled room. Dom's sensitive hearing was overwhelmed by the shot but all his senses zeroed down to the pain in his arm. A growl rumbled in his chest as he cupped his free hand over the wound and it took his brain a second to process and realize who's bullet just sliced through his arm.

“Oh you asshole! That was my favorite jacket!” The woman behind him went off and stormed out of the room and that's when it hit the boy.

“Did you jus’ bloody shoot me?” He demanded of his lover who shrugged and set the weapon on the table in the spot Dom had tossed it the day they first had sex. If that memory jog was supposed to be an apology it failed its intent. The killer was frankly quite pissed.

“You wouldn't move. I told you to move. I handled the problem. You were about to make a mess.” Col knew he should feel badly but he had to prove a point. He couldn't look weak to anyone in the room.

Collette scoffed at her son before following Megan out, she had a plan to set in action and she hoped her idiot boy hadn't just ruined it. Besides, she needed to be away from his stupidity long enough to get control of herself or she might just bend him over her knee.

“But you shot me! Ya answer to me not listening were GUNS?” Dom tried to lower his voice but he was near the edge and- “I fucking ‘ate guns!”

“I know. Don't be a pussy, I barely grazed you.” Kells shrugged. He didn't want to fight. They'd had such a good night but public was different and he had to get it through the psycho's thick skull.

“I'm bleeding you twat! I can't feel me fingers and tha’ weren't a fucking apology!”

“Yeah, bleeding like a pussy. It's not even that deep.”

“IT'S A GUNSHOT WOUND!”

“And you sliced my arm when we first met. Fairs fair.”

Tom calmly stepped closer to the Alpha with a first aid kit he was given by Mod. He'd patched his friend up plenty of times but was surprised when Dom hissed at him this time. The photographer rolled his eyes and took the box to the boss, giving Col a gentle nudge towards Dominic. “Why should I do it? He's being a baby. I've been shot in way worse places.” The man grumbled before turning to his men. “Let's call it. Go do your own shit for a while alright? I need to clean up this mess.”

Everyone but Mod and Tom left and it helped Colson relax a little. His friend didn't exactly know about him but he never felt he had to be as hard around the beta. When they were left just the four of them he stood up and stepped closer to his lover, opening the kit and rolling up Dom’s sleeve. “You fucking shot me. You didn't even wound ‘er so wha’ was the bloody point?”

“She thinks we're just being our normal asshole selves to each other and that maybe I don't trust and-or care about you all that much.” The omega explained as he leaned down and flicked his tongue over the boy's skin. The next noise out of Dom was more of a whimper than a complaint. “I'm not that fucking blonde asshole. And besides, you deserved it.”

“To borrow ya words ya twat- like fuck I did. I were protecting yas.”

“Exactly. Don't fucking do that. I didn't ask you and there's no reason.” When Dom’s gaze dropped to the omega's stomach he glared and grazed his wound with his teeth.

“Oi! Fucking ‘ell. You a right bitch.” They were angry whispering between them but the other two men were fully wrapped up in their own world. “So… so wha’? Tha’ were all a ruse?”

Kells felt his brows furrow as he looked up at his mate's grumpy confused face. He sat back after cleaning the cut and he set to work taping a bandage over it. It was still bleeding pretty heavily but it would heal up quick he was sure. Just like his lover he knew all the important points on a body, Dom would be just fine. “Yeah, a ruse. Now we just have to meet Colonel Mustard in the library with a lead pipe.” He teased, patting over the gauze a bit too hard.

Dominic scoffed as he yanked his sleeve back down and thought about just leaving the place. Would Colson even care? “Hey boss? If you're done playing nurse I think we found something.” Mod called from the other side of the table. Both men were a little glad for the interruption as they went to see what was caught.

🖤🩸🖤

A few hours later they were getting ready to leave for home. A plan was in place to meet back at the boy's flat to start moving them into their new home and go over all they'd discovered. Collette would join them eventually, she was still off putting her plans in place and the rest of the family had dispersed. Mod and Tom had gone ahead and the building felt somehow more suffocating without distraction. Dom didn't feel any better than he had, he was on edge and burning with needs his mate couldn't quench. His arm was throbbing and his head ached from keeping himself in check. On their way out two of the new guard staff stopped them to ask about the noise in the room before wandering off. Most of it the Alpha ignored until they reached the door and he heard one say something to the other about ‘what a hot piece of ass that omega was’. He didn't care if they meant his mate or his brother, he was too far gone to guess. With whatever control he had left he turned to the mob boss and asked- “I fink I left me phone on the table. Would you please check?”

Colson arched a brow but after shooting the boy he figured he could at least help him out. He nodded once and turned to head back to their conference room. His hand was on the doorknob when a sound hit his ears, a strangled choke, a thud, and a zipper being opened? He turned back just in time to see his mate pulling a blade and sinking it deep inside his guard’s throat. He knew he should move but his feet were frozen in place. Dom didn't want him to see this but he couldn't look away. The monster was out to play and Kells was far from scared of the dark.

Author's Note/Tags: @iamnotanearthlingmotherfucker @hollywoodxwhore @jaxbreaker @fenoy7 @cole-way-iero28 if anyone wants tagged let me know 🖤

So this was fun to write, I'm enjoying them trying to navigate Col's job. I can't wait to see what happens when Kells watches Dom in action, what about you? I hope you enjoyed it! 🔪🩸🖤

[discar]

HZD Terraforming Base-001 Text Communications Network

Chapter 34 | Prev chapter | Next chapter Chapter Index

ADMIN [Zo] has added [Aloy] to the group

DIVINER: Oh, thank the ancestors.

HIMBO: YOU'RE OKAY!?

MARSHAL Kotallo: What about Beta and GAIA?

Aloy: I'm okay. The Zeniths took Beta and GAIA, but they should both still be alive.

DIVINER: But what happened!?!?!?

Aloy: I'll explain everything when I get back to the base. I'm not that far.

Aloy: Too tired to deal with everything right this second, and I want to do this in person anyway.

ADMIN [Zo]: We'll be here.

----

HIMBO: OKAY, HOLD ON JUST A SECOND.

Aloy: What?

HIMBO: I'M STILL CONFUSED.

Aloy: Erend, we just spent half an hour talking about what we do next. This next part is tricky. I need to concentrate.

DIVINER: Are you fighting already??

Aloy: No, I'm sneaking up on the sunwings.

ADMIN [Zo]: Seems we finally found something you won't multitask on.

DIVINER: Ha!

HIMBO: NO, NO, I GET THE PLAN. FINISH THE TENAKTH CIVIL WAR, FORCE SYLENS TO COME TO THE TABLE BECAUSE YOU BROKE ALL HIS TOYS. I GOT THAT.

DIVINER: Don't forget saving the Tenakth!

HIMBO: THAT'S PART OF FINISHING THE CIVIL WAR.

MARSHAL Kotallo: And I do appreciate that you all agreed to help. Vengeance has waited too long already.

Aloy: Is there a point to any of this?

HIMBO: I'M STILL CONFUSED ABOUT THE ZENITH WHO RESCUED YOU.

Aloy: Tilda.

HIMBO: JUST

HIMBO: WHY?

MARSHAL Kotallo: Likely because that is her name.

HIMBO: HA HA.

Aloy: Tilda is... strange. There's a lot I don't quite understand about her.

Aloy: Before we even met face to face, I had to wander through her art collection, and she spent like an hour explaining the history and cultural significance of every single piece.

Aloy: It was interesting, sure, but it really felt like she thought the art was more important than anything else going on right now.

DIVINER: From my experience with both the Quen and the Legacy, I think that is unfortunately common among the upper classes!

DIVINER: [AngryFistShake.gif]

DIVINER: [DamnRichPeople.png]

HIMBO: YEAH, DAMN THOSE NOBLE BASTARDS!

ADMIN [Zo]: Erend, aren't you technically a Carja noble?

HIMBO: ...NO? WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT?

ADMIN [Zo]: Because you're rich and hold a prestigious position in the Carja hierarchy.

HIMBO: I'M RICH? WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?

MARSHAL Kotallo: Perhaps when you became closest friends with the ruler of the richest nation in the region.

HIMBO: WELL

HIMBO: DAMN.

Aloy: ANYWAY, she said a lot, and she claims to have developed a conscience. I'm not sure I believe her. She knew Elisabet. They used to be in a relationship, and now she's interested in seeing how I compare.

Aloy: Oh, and she's the one who gave Beta access to data outside her lessons.

DIVINER: Wait. So you're saying that your mom's ex-girlfriend, who broke up with her a THOUSAND years ago, is still holding a torch for her???

ADMIN [Zo]: And she sees Elisabet in her daughters. That never ends well.

HIMBO: LET'S BE FAIR, THIS IS A BIT MORE THAN A KID JUST LOOKING SIMILAR TO A PARENT.

ADMIN [Zo]: I do not believe that will make this better.

HIMBO: YEAH, THAT'S TRUE.

DIVINER: What about Beta?? You said you were able to get in touch with her, is she okay??

Aloy: She's hanging on. But we need to hurry.

Aloy: Which is why I need to override these machines and help the Tenakth defeat the rebels.

MARSHAL Kotallo: I'm already on my way to help Hekarro. I will meet you there.

MARSHAL Kotallo:But are you sure this will be enough?

Aloy: I promise you'll be pleasantly surprised.

HIMBO: WAIT WAIT! I ALMOST FORGOT!

[HIMBO] has changed [Aloy]'s name to [FlameHairSavior]

FlameHairSavior: Damn it.

Chapter 34 | Prev chapter | Next chapter Chapter Index

[space-mermaid-writing]

The witchling and the god [Loki x Witch!Reader] Chapter 19

Summary: The Avengers were looking for someone to help Loki fit in with the team. To become socially acceptable, so to speak. He had been given the choice of sitting in a cell in Asgard or serving some sort of community service probation on Midgard. The Avengers and Shield both felt that as long as Loki was on Earth, he should be under supervision. This is now your job. Why? Because you’re a witch. You’re not sure why this qualifies you, but here you are, giving it a shot. What could possibly go wrong?

Tags: Witch!Reader, Magic, Witches, slow burn, everybody lives in the tower, character development, Loki‘s redemption, Stephen Strange is a friend, Loki and Stephen are frenemies, Tony Stark is a good bro, kids love Loki, Tony has stupid nicknames for everybody, eventual smut

Main Masterlist | Series Masterlist | Read it on AO3 | Previous | Next

Chapter's Note: More notes at the end of the chapter. Beta by @zaria-04

Chapter 19: Loki on a mission

Despite the many events in recent years that have brought the planet into turmoil, alien threats from space, attacks from other dimensions or an attempted world domination by third parties are fortunately rather rare.

More and more often, the Avengers are also involved in cases of civil protection and disaster control. In other words, whenever extra helping hands with special skills are needed.

You had a meeting with Tony about your not-job, where you talked about how to proceed with Loki's integration into the team. The Asgardian attended the meeting - since returning from the Lunar Convergence, both of you have become almost inseparable. You were seen almost exclusively together in the compound, but that seems to surprise few. Loki is still reserved in front of the prying eyes of the others, listening rather than talking. But he slowly warms up.

The three of you agree that it’s time for Loki to go on missions with them. Preferably missions that make a good PR. Even the Asgardian no longer has any objections to this.

"By the way, how was the coven?" Tony asks you after you have discussed everything important and he has put a glass from his private supply in front of each of you. "Did you dance naked around a well?"

"Wouldn't that involve being an innocent virgin?" you ask, laughing at this cliché.

Tony tilts his head. "Normally I'd love to deepen that topic but since you came back with Loki," his eyes dart briefly to the Asgardian, who looks rather amused, "and I don't want to know his part in this, I'll pass."

"Your loss," Loki winks with a grin.

~~

Two weeks later, there's the first mission Loki will be on.

"After the hurricane yesterday, there was a landslide in southern Appalachia. Several towns are cut off, one is buried under the landslide," Steve summarizes. "The task is to recover injured people and clean up as much as possible."

All the Avengers present in the tower have been called into a short-notice meeting and are briefed by Cap.

"Sabrina is going to make us some first aid healing potions and send them later," Tony adds. He is sitting near Steve and fiddling with a hologram on his Stark Phone. It's aerial footage of the area.

You yourself are not at the meeting. Tony had called you and you immediately got to work, as the potions took a day and a half to finish. Before you left through the doorway to your cottage, you kissed Loki goodbye and wished him well.

Although the incident is a tragedy, it is the perfect opportunity for Loki to show his face in public.

Clint and Natasha are currently on the road for Shield, but the rest of the Avengers would participate.

"Let's hope we won't face too many casualties." Steve lets his eyes wander around the room. "Suit up and pack everything you need for a week. We take off in an hour."

For the others, it's routine. Most have their gear ready in case there's an impromptu emergency. Loki has everything important he needs in his pocket dimension with him, and does not need to add a lot more for the next few days.

He leaves the suite together with Thor and shortly thereafter the two are seated next to each other on the Quinjet.

"I'll be traveling home soon," Thor tells him. Contrary to his usual manner, his voice is lowered. "I could talk to Father about your exile. I think it is time for it to be lifted."

A little surprised at his words, Loki merely nodded. He remembered his mother's words at the Lunar Convergence, before they parted.

Home is wherever you decide it is. Or whoever.

When Thor had just mentioned home, Loki had not first associated it with Asgard, to his own surprise. He was used to despising his father's decisions - most recently his banishment to Midgard. No time period had been set for his exile, and Loki had assumed that should he ever be allowed to return, he would do so immediately. He had never given a thought to the possibility that he might want to stay on this planet. Voluntarily.

Should the opportunity present itself, would you accompany him? Did he even want to go back to Asgard, back under the strict eyes of his father?

He has a lot to think about. Thor seems to notice this, because perhaps for the very first time, his younger brother has nothing to say, but is silent.

He pats him on the shoulder and gets up to go to Steve.

The movement makes Loki look up. He tears himself away from his thoughts - now he wouldn't come to any solution anyway and it's better to focus them on the task at hand - and lets his eyes wander. The mood among the heroes is relaxed. In his head he still does not pronounce this word without a trace of sarcasm. The irony about the fact that he is now at their side is not lost on him.

The mission holds no real threat, it's about helping the people. To clean up and save what can be saved.

In addition to Thor and Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner is also on board, bringing the muscle of the Hulk. And then there are Tony Stark and Peter Parker. Loki notices that the boy's gaze is on him and he raises an eyebrow. Briefly, he is tempted to change his face to that of his Jötun form and scare the boy. But it's probably not a good idea to intimidate a team member.

Suddenly, Peter walks up to him. Since the boy doesn't live in the tower and is still in his training - which brings many obligations with it - Loki had only ever seen him from afar in the hallway or between meetings. They haven't spoken a word to each other yet.

Peter is changing that now.

"Hello, Mr. Loki, Sir. We haven't had a chance to introduce ourselves yet," he greets the Asgardian politely, but not at all intimidated. Rather, he seems curious.

"You are that spider boy," Loki replies curtly.

"Spider-Man. I've almost graduated from high school. You can call me Peter, though."

Loki merely nods. He's not quite sure what to do with this kid. From his perspective, he's so small, even if he doesn't give a fragile impression. He wonders why by the Norns he seems to draw in Midgardian younglings. It is a mystery to him.

"You can do magic, right? Thor told me about it," Peter continues. "Like Stephen? That's pretty cool. I swing and I’m pretty strong."

"Stephen? Do you mean the Sorcerer Supreme?" It's the one piece of info from the boy's little rant that gets Loki's attention. Peter nods.

"Ah, yes. His stage name is Doctor Strange. Met him a while ago. He got this weird cape. It's kinda alive."

He looks a little puzzled when Loki suddenly starts chuckling. "I like you, Peter."

"Thanks, Mr. Loki, Sir." The boy smiles politely, still not quite sure what the reason for the Asgardian's good mood is. But he is pleased nonetheless.

"Just Loki is fine."

"Alright. My Aunt May always tells me to be polite and not assume that I can address my teammates directly by their first names. I'm a lot younger than everyone else, after all. And Thor and you are like royals from space. Alien princes. Not as scary as the alien queen from that old movie though." Peter happily rambles.

Irritated, because the words coming out of his mouth don't seem to stop, Loki looks at his brother, who catches his glance. But the other Asgardian merely observes the two of them and nods encouragingly at Loki. Loki scolds. This is not helping. His expression only seems to amuse Thor more.

Loki turns his head back to Peter. "Do you ever shut up?" It's not an aggressive, not even an annoyed question, just a serious one. But Peter swallows the rest of what he was going to say and runs his hand through his hair. A little tic of his when he's nervous.

"... Sorry... I'll leave you alone for some Bruce Wayne time." He notices the confused look on the Asgardian's face. "Batman? Always alone and brooding, while listening to Nirvana? I... will just go." With that, the boy turns and hurries away.

Upon arrival, Steve contacts the head of disaster control to get an overview and plan further action. The sky is still dreary and cloudy and there is a light but steady drizzle.

Thor and Peter make themselves instantly useful and help clear one of the larger city streets so that emergency vehicles have better access to it. Tony has brought his Stark's Ark technology to temporarily power the area. The electricity had been knocked out by the disaster, and right now the only backup power here is from a couple of smaller generators. He wanders off to install the system and takes Bruce with him.

So Loki is on his own for the time being. He puts on his hood as a protection against the rain and also moves away from the Quinjet and looks around. Chaos reigns everywhere. The town has been buried under mud. There is too much water for the earth to hold, so there are large puddles and ponds everywhere. A creek that runs along the edge of town has swollen into a small river with a brown slurry. There is dirt and debris everywhere.

Some people are trying to get some work done with shovels, and government-supplied excavators are being unloaded.

Not a single house seems to have been spared, they all show different levels of destruction. Some have only had the first floor hit, with mud going in through the door or a broken window. Walls are crushed, roofs uncovered, trees fallen. Vehicles that were not stored in the garages are lying in the middle of the street or in former front yards, sometimes upside down. So are garden furniture, barbecues, fences. Most of it isn’t usable anymore.

Small task forces are already blazing trails into the ruins in search of survivors. The catastrophe was barely twenty-four hours ago. There is still hope. But they must proceed with caution, because some of the buildings are in danger of collapse. The water has softened the walls and floors and turned them into dangerous terrain.

Tents have been erected wherever the ground is firm enough to allow it. That's where disaster control has set up camp. People are being fed. Most of the residents have already been placed in emergency shelters in the next district. Volunteers from there have arrived to lend a hand with the work. And then there are those residents who are too stubborn to leave. When you lose everything you own, you don't necessarily want to be sent away from home, too.

Loki notices the beginning of order. But it's still not enough to lift minds. Not by a long shot. There is mourning for what has been lost, despair, resignation. Pure willpower to get through even this incident. Determination.

Loki knows these feelings, they are familiar to him. Albeit in a different way.

After only a few steps, his boots are muddy. Probably at least one person would start a discussion with Thor why he didn't prevent the hurricane. But Thor is not the god of weather. That's Freyr.

An older lady is arguing with two responders in reflective vests. Their faces are all hidden under the hoods of their rain jackets, but Loki hears their voices as he teleports onto an overturned SUV to get a better view.

"...Please, you have to get him out of there."

"We have to wait for the big machines, ma'am," one responder replies, and the other adds, "Go back to the shelters. We'll do our best."

One of the men points toward the tents and brooks no further argument. With drooping shoulders, the woman turns and leaves. She pulls her coat tighter around her shoulders. The cold and wetness eats through the clothing the longer she moves in it.

She passes near Loki and sees him standing on the car. She hesitates, but is desperate enough to try her luck.

"Excuse me," she addresses him and Loki turns, looking down at her. "Are you one of the heroes who were supposed to arrive? Please help me find my son Tyler."

"I am not..." he begins, as she raises her hands pleadingly.

"Please, I'm begging you."

It is absurd. If Loki had been in this situation five years ago, one year ago – him standing tall, a person at his feet, begging - he would have laughed and savored the moment to the last drop. It would have been his highlight of the day. And he would have thought twice about being merciful. Or if it was beneath him to even answer this prayer.

Now he merely nods and slides down to stand next to her.

"Where did you see him last?"

"He was in the house when the disaster happened. It's back there." She points down a side street that is completely flooded with mud. Disaster control hasn't gotten to it yet. "He wasn't with the rescued, so he must still be there. Please, I'm worried about him. He lives alone."

She’s an elderly woman. On a sunny, good day, she probably would have looked younger, but today the lines in her face deepen from the worry for her son.

"I'll do my best."

The Asgardian sets off. The mud is three feet high and not yet dry enough to walk on, which is why Loki climbs onto a piece of debris peeking out from the dirt and from there jumps onto the underside of a vehicle within reach that the storm has overturned. Thus he moves forward in a zig-zag pattern, teleporting a bit at a time when he can't find a suitable surface nearby.

The mud and the floods have also pushed up the sewage, and it stinks.

The house the old woman showed him has not been affected by the landslide from the mountain, but the mud has pushed a vehicle through the wall on the first floor and some windows are broken. Also, a tree in the front yard is leaning, but that's probably the least of their worries at this point.

The front door barely hangs on its hinges. Loki kicks it hard once to clear the way, and it falls over.

The mud has also found its way into the house, though not as high as outside. Some of the furniture has toppled over, including the refrigerator in the adjacent kitchen, and its contents have spread across the floor. Soon rats and raccoons will be all over it.

If the woman's son - Tyler recalls Loki his name - is smart, he had retreated to the upstairs during the flood. The Asgardian looks at the wooden staircase, which looks sodden and very unstable. He decides not to risk it and teleports.

"Tyler?" he calls as he looks around upstairs. It's not quite as much of a mess as downstairs, but parts of the roof are uncovered, letting in the rain. Loki isn't familiar with Midgard's architecture, but he doubts anything can be salvaged from this house.

In the bedroom, he finds a man lying unconscious on the floor. Above him is a hole in the roof. Either he was hit by a falling part or he tried to climb out and fell.

Loki puts two fingers to his neck and is glad to find a pulse. But the young man is far too cold. Who knows how long he has been laying here. Without further ado, Loki picks him up and looks through the cracked window over to the paramedic’s tent.

The next moment he is standing between them. The medics are startled by his sudden appearance and jump apart, and someone lets out a scream. But then they see the patient in Loki's arms and they jump into action, taking the man from Loki.

Shortly after, the relieved mother also appears in the tent, but Loki has already moved on.

He passes Peter, who lifts a fallen wall of the house, which is otherwise still almost in one piece, and pushes it over his head. It's impressive how strong the boy is. He doesn't even struggle a bit with the weight, merely with the unevenly distributed weight.

The wall cracks and a piece threatens to break. Loki raises an arm and uses magic to fix it. Together they lift the wall, leaning it against what's left of the house. Beneath it, the rubble of the front yard emerges.

"Thanks, Loki." Peter is wearing his Spider-Man suit and mask, so Loki can't see his face. He merely nods in reply and then helps the boy clear away more small pieces of debris.

The further they fight through the dirt, the more objects appear that had been washed out of the houses. Everything that merely needs to be cleaned up and is otherwise not broken is collected in a spot near the tents.

Peter and Loki probably find the most usable things of all. Peter because he goes out of his way to salvage things and Loki because he secretly fixes some things that seem important with magic.

Late in the evening, the Avengers gather at the Quinjet for a meal. The sun is setting, but thanks to Tony there is improved emergency power and outside some floodlights could be set up.

Inside the jet itself, they are supplied with everything they need. It’s warm and there are bunk beds for everyone.

"Good job so far." Steve enters the jet last. He comes straight from another meeting with the head of disaster control and has worked out a plan with him for the next few days so that everyone can be deployed to the best of their ability. "Make sure you guys get enough sleep. Tomorrow we'll start early."

Loki turns his face to his brother and Thor catches his gaze and tilts his head questioningly. Loki replies with a brief nod and the matter is settled between the two brothers. Asgardians need far less sleep than ordinary humans. As the others gradually settle down to sleep, they leave the jet and continue to work for much of the night.

There are also some humans on duty, but far fewer than during the day. Because despite the lights set up, it's dangerous. For normal mortals.

But the two gods roll up their sleeves and work their way through the chaos.

____________________________

Loki and Peter are my second favorite unexpected friendship duo in this story. Peter with his Gen Z humor and memes and Loki being confused by it.

Peter: “Mister Doctor Strange, Sir.” Strange: “Please, we saved the world New York together. No need to call me Sir.” Peter: “Okay then, Stephen.” Loki: laughing “This boy, I like him.” Strange: is having an aneurysm

Also, I started writing this story as a regular Loki/Reader story, but it became more of a story of Loki’s character development in the second half. I won’t apologize for that.

Tag List: @lokisgoodgirl @lokixryss @itsybitchylittlewitchy @yokshi-unbeliebubble @fictional-hooman @elennair @all-envy-suyu @purplekitten30 @elisadmaggiore @nothing2113 @baebeepeach @ceo-of-stfu @moonlightreader649 @ronipiamka @fluffybunnyu @ninjarose23 @ozymdias @huntress-artemiss @thedistractedagglomeration @rosaline-black @sofi786 @moonlightreader649 @paetonnn @eldriidd @r4inlov3r @eleniblue @eleniblue @maeisonline @marvel-love24 @sinsandguilt @kalinaselennespeaks @ohtellmelove @eleniblue @msrawog @hyojin-2579 @just-someone11

If you wanna be added/removed dm me, write a comment or send a raven

[chayscribbles]

chayscribbles’ monthly writing update ☆ june 2023

☆ STATISTICS.

words written: 13 022

projects worked on: Andromeda Rogue mostly but i've been swatting at Shiny New Ideas left and right with a tennis racket. also i thought about Gemini Heist really really hard and i think that counts for something

proudest accomplishment: AR1 draft 2 is done!!!!!!

books read: After Atlas by Emma Newman; Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson; Exit Strategy (Murderbot Diaries #4) by Martha Wells. all excellent reads. (sidenote two out of three of these books involve murder investigations and the third has murder in the title. i'm sensing a theme in my reading.)

☆ GENERAL COMMENTS.

i am still terrible at being consistent at writeblr-ing. i guess this is just my life now.

i'm debating using camp nano to actually hunker my ass down and get some writing done on gemini heist, but between work and apartment hunting and a possible move by the end of the month i don't know how feasible that's gonna be :') we'll see.

and no i'm not glossing over the fact that i have a finished second draft. i'm just saving my screaming for below the cut.

more specific wip-related comments + featured excerpt below.

☆ COMMENTS: ANDROMEDA ROGUE (draft 2)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(i wasn't kidding about the screaming.)

so this draft now sits at 85.7K, which is about 11.8K added from the first, and although it is still faaar from perfect it is definitely... better than the draft i finished 2 years ago. it's insane how much my writing has improved, between all the reading i've been doing and first drafting the two sequels of the trilogy.

that being said there still are a lot of things i know need to be fixed, but i'm at the point where if i try to fix them on my own i'll be stuck on them forever.

enter the betas!!! i'm planning on doing an ~official~ beta call next week but honestly if you're interested in beta-ing this book feel free to hmu right away!! ultimately i want to self-pub this thing (which is quite overwhelming to think about hhhhh) but one thing at a time :')

☆ FEATURED EXCERPT.

i really couldn't decide what snippet to post so this was admittedly chosen a bit at random lmao. this is from when the gang is approaching their destination for their expedition.

On the external display, Mohani loomed ahead, growing larger every second. The planet was almost entirely a deep blue, except for some white spots at its poles. It reminded Finneas of his final glimpse of Ghillairde when he was leaving it behind for the last time. For a disorienting second, it almost felt like he was returning to his birth planet. But soon, the ship was close enough to see the sandy outline of the continents. The blue wasn’t all ocean. Some of it was trees. He directed the ship towards the landing coordinates just as Petra arrived in the bridge, clutching several barf bags. “Good to see you’ve come prepared, Lacroye,” he commented. “You’re already looking green, and we haven’t even entered the atmosphere yet.” She grumbled something unintelligible in response as she took her place in the copilot’s chair.

one of my editing notes for draft 2 was to make Petra's starsickness worse😆

☆ TAGLISTS. let me know if you want to be added/removed to any of them.

general taglist:

@nicola-writes @dgwriteblr @the-orangeauthor @onomatopiya @quilloftheclouds @ashen-crest @writeblrfantasy @celestepens @stardustspiral @pepperdee @extra-magichours @avi-why @lefttigerobservation @chazzawrites @bardolatrycore @innocentlymacabre

andromeda trilogy taglist:

@bebewrites @nicola-writes @dgwriteblr @the-orangeauthor @onomatopiya @akindofmagictoo @quilloftheclouds @nora-theteawriter @ashen-crest @corpsepng @writeblrfantasy @toboldlywrite @celestepens @stardustspiral @pepperdee @cheerfulmelancholies @extra-magichours @writeouswriter @cilly-the-writer @lefttigerobservation @rose-bookblood @drowsy-quill @chazzawrites @cynic-and-chief @enchanted-lightning-aes @aesa @outpost51

[recurring-polynya]

Writing/Art Update 2.20.2024

Well, I had another very solid week. I hesitate to call it good, because I didn't actually enjoy it very much, but I did grind out 8,642 words last week. I finished Chapter 8 and made a solid dent in Chapter 9a. Basically, I just tried to write at least a thousand words a day, which I accomplished almost every day. Yesterday, I only did 800, but I did 2000 on Sunday, plus the 800 was the ending scene for the chapter, so I deserve a little grace there. And it was a three-day weekend for my kids!

I am at the stage of the fanfic where most of the ambiguity is gone--I know what scenes are left and I just gotta write them. It doesn't matter if I want to or not, the fanfic isn't going to be done until I write them, so I just do it. I always worry that writing in this mindset is going to produce bad, unlovable writing--like, if I don't love writing this, how is anyone going to love reading it? Historically, though, that doesn't bear out--big chunks of Call Me Back and What We Do with Our Hearts were written in this exact fugue state, and I often end up loving them after the fact, and they still contain parts that are really funny or insightful or heartfelt or whatever. I literally do not know how this is possible, it just is. Also, like: there is going to be editing. It is truly astonishing how hard it is to slap anything at all down on a page and then how easy it is to shape it up into something good later on. It is a lot like throwing flat colors down on a piece of art and then adding a little texture and shading later.

The other thing I don't like about writing in this mode is that it makes me actually insane, which I don't like. I just roll word counts and percentages around in my head 24 hours a day and I'm not really able to relax and do things that are not grinding away at my writing. I can do it for short periods of time, but I think I have too much of this story left to tough it through, plus, like, what's the point? This is the thing I allegedly do for fun, and even though I really really really want to be finished, I feel like I should actually try to enjoy the process a little, at least.

So anyway! My first goal for this week is to be less insane about my fanfic. My second goal is to finish Chapter 9a (I think I have about 3-4k to go). My third goal is to edit Chapters 7 and 8 and send them to the beta.

After that, I'll just have 9b (of which I've already written about 4k) and the epilogue to do. After that, of course, there's still more editing, a beta pass for chapters 8->the end, and then I may try to read the whole thing through again from the beginning. So, 3 weeks, maybe, give or take a little?

In the interest of trying to have a little fun, I think I'm gonna try to post some previews for the next couple weeks? In the past, people have enjoyed previews. Today's is a little long, but it's the opening to the whole thing. It's below a cut for those who'd rather wait until the whole thing comes out.

“I don’t know if they’re trying to capitalize on Boy’s Day, or what,” Rukia said, idly inching her hand toward the plate of hot, steaming gyoza sitting on the countertop next to Renji’s stove, “but they’re having some sort of Seafood Festival out in East Sixth.”

A dish towel appeared out of nowhere, the tip whipping painfully against Rukia’s hand.

“Ow!” Rukia howled.

“They’re hot! It’ll hurt worse if you jam one of those in your mouth whole like I know you were gonna,” Renji replied, stuffing the dish towel back into his obi, and juggling the pan of gyoza he was currently frying. “What about a Seafood Festival? Why the Hell is the East Sixth having a Seafood Festival?”

“It’s being put on by the Train Museum, I hear,” Rukia continued grumpily, rubbing at her hand. “I guess they’re hauling a bunch of spring fish up from the Shiranui Sea at the other end of the line. It only takes a few hours to get out to Six. There’s probably carts making the run that we could take, but I would honestly just flash-step, at least on the way out. I want to eat my own body weight in katsuo. Possibly your body weight in katsuo.”

“Mmm,” Renji replied noncommittally, dumping the rest of his gyoza onto the plate and turning off the stovetop.

“I was thinking of asking Hisagi if he wanted us to take some pictures and do a little write-up for the Bulletin,” Rukia went on. “Get us a little walking-around money.” Not that Rukia lacked for pocket money, but it was a little more expensive than their usual weekend activities, and Renji got a little cagey when she tried to treat him to things.

“That’s a bad idea.”

“Why? We had fun the last time we played reporter!”

“Grab the bowl of sauce, would you?” Renji gestured with his chin as he picked up the plate of dumplings and the teapot to carry them to the table. “Don’t you remember when they built that damn train line? Took ‘em over over thirty years, and there were three to four articles every single Bulletin about the delays, the graft, the politics, the environmental impact, whatever. People got so mad about the idea of a train inside the Seireitei that it doesn’t even go anywhere useful. I didn’t even know they used it for anything aside from twee holidays for bored nobles.”

“I heard a story from my friend, Lady Akizuki, that the old head of the Seshimo clan actually lives on the train! He hasn’t set foot outside it in fifteen years!”

Renji cocked an eyebrow at her. He looked like he desperately wanted to hear about the Train Noble, but also did not want to be a guy who cared about Train Nobles. “Anyway, don’t mention the train to Hisagi unless you got six or seven hours to kill. Preferably when I’m not there.”

Rukia picked up the big, fragrant bowl of ginger dipping sauce with both hands. “It was just an idea. So what do you think? Do you want to go?”

“When is it again?” Renji asked, frowning.

“It’s running for all of May, but the weather has been so nice lately, I thought maybe we could go next weekend,” Rukia suggested. 

Renji was quiet for a moment, but Rukia figured that maybe he was just focused on serving her dumplings, which was, in her opinion, very important. 

“Ru,” he finally said slowly, as he poured her a cup of tea. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Is it that you want to go to the Seafood Festival with me?”

Renji took a big breath through his nose and let it out again. “If things work out, I’d love to go later in the month. Next weekend’s not gonna work, though.”

“Oh.” Rukia frowned. “That’s fine. That’s no big deal.” She looked down lovingly at her gyoza and then up at Renji hopefully. “Itadakimasu?” she asked hopefully.

Renji blinked. “Huh? Oh, yeah, please help yourself. That… that wasn’t the thing I had to say.”

“Well, spit it out, already,” Rukia groused, her mouth already crammed with gyoza. “Why are you being weird?”

Renji still hadn’t touched his own food. He had circled his right wrist with the thumb and middle finger of his left hand and was rotating it back and forth. He used to make that gesture a lot when he was young, and Rukia realized that she hadn’t seen him do it in years.

“I’m having some surgery,” Renji finally said. 

Rukia froze. After a long moment, she slowly finished chewing her dumpling and swallowed it. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

“I’m getting my arm fixed.”

Rukia watched him rub his wrist for another few seconds. “Did it not heal correctly after the, um, accident?” “The accident” was when Byakuya had stabbed him through the forearm during a demonstration fight the week prior. Everyone was being very polite about it.

“Wellll…” Renji drew out. “I mean, no, that healed up fine. Very clean cut, Senbonzakura, as always. But, uh, while I was at the Fourth, the topic of my burnt-out kidou ducts came up. Captain Unohana thinks she can fix ‘em. And I’ve decided to, um, let her try.” “Oh,” said Rukia. Her chest was filling up with a lot of strange feelings. “Oh.”