#but goddamnit did I get proved so so so wrong

[djarinslover]

I better start seeing lower taxes, gas prices (which he doesn’t even control anyway dumbasses) and grocery prices since these fucking clowns prioritize that shit instead of, idk, HUMAN RIGHTS

[just-a-sewer-goblin]

Butcher!Simon x gn!reader Part 4 They finally have a conversation and oh no... is that Simon falling even harder? (I feel like this isn't as good as the other parts ut I hope you enjoy it)

< Part 3 | COD Masterlist | Part 5 >

One of the perks of taking over the shop is that Simon can play his own music how often and how loud he wants now. Sure, he’s not obnoxious about it but he cares less about customer experience than his boss did (he doesn’t need to work after all, none of them do after that last mission, this is more to help him stay sane).

The only customer whose experience he cares about is you. You deserve the best experience, you deserve all the good things. So he’s gotten into the habit of having a special playlist for the days when you come in. It’s not like he spend hours selecting the right songs for that one, hoping to pleasantly surprise you.

Today you’re earlier than usually and Simon is still setting up the music, connecting his phone and selecting the playlist. He catches sight of you and watches you out of the corner of his eye. My god, you look fantastic. Simon has half a mind to get on his knees and beg for permission to cup your face, cradle you like the precious gift you are so he might stare at you up close and – fuck he misclicked.

Instead of your playlist he tapped his own and now one of his favorite songs is blasting from the speakers and shit shit shit this can’t be happening. He can’t weird you out with his music taste, he can’t have you be even more scared of him. You’re not supposed to hear that.

Suddenly his palms are all sweaty and he scrambles to change the song, fumbling with his phone like it’s a slippery bar of soap. This is so stupid, it’s just music but he can’t help it, not when it’s you and it’s important and he can’t afford to fuck up even more and –

“You like this song too?!”, your voice meets his ears and his head snaps into your direction, meeting your eyes like a deer caught in the headlights. His hands abruptly stop uselessly fondling his phone.

Your eyes are sparkling and your voice, have mercy on his poor heart, sounds adorably excited while you beam at him. He almost snorts. No way. Aint no fucking way. Not a sweet little thing like you. Not a song like this.

Your grin is so wide he can’t help it when he starts smiling too, goddamnit he wants to see you this happy all the time.

“’s one of my favorites.”, he grumbles and he swears you nearly squeal. He never would have thought you could get cuter, yet here you were, proving him wrong once again.

“Mine too!”, you exclaim and giddily fidget on your spot. “I listen to this so much in fact… that…”, you continue and Simon can’t fathom what you’re about to tell him.

You turn to your ugly beast of a dog and start swaying on the spot to the music. Simon’s knuckles turn white with the effort of holding himself back from reaching for you to sway with you. What he’d give to place his hands on your hips and feel you move with him.

And then your dog starts swaying too and Simon nearly chokes on his spit. When you start head banging and really getting into it the ugly mutt joins right in. The music increases in tempo and intensity and so do your movements and your dogs.

It looks utterly silly and happy and free and Simon can feel his chest burst open, dropping his useless bleeding heart right at your feet, thumping pathetically for your attention. Suddenly he wishes he was a different man. Someone like Johnny, who’d step out from behind the counter, snatch you up in his arms, and dance ridiculously with you.

The dog starts howling along with the lead singer and Simon thinks it can’t get any more ridiculous until you start howling back at your dog. That’s the moment he knows he’s truly a goner. A deep amused chuckle bubbles up in his throat and he can’t remember the last time he was this happy.

He wishes he could take this scene and transport it into his living room, join you and the dog just to collapse onto the couch with you afterwards and hold you close. Make sure you’ll never leave him again. He feels like all the adoration he has for you will choke him up, fill his lungs until there is no more room for any oxygen. Simon is sure he could live without it, survive on your happiness alone.

The song comes to an end and you look at him, sparkling eyes and heaving chest and he chuckles again. He never thought he’d see meek and shy little you do something like that. Promptly you blush at his chuckle.

“Yeah… that… I listen to it so much that my boy here just automatically dances with me to it. He’s quite the talented singer as well.”, you chuckle yourself. He can tell that you’re embarrassed now, wringing your fingers together and he wants to gather you in his arms and press you against him until you fuse into one.

“Quite the talent he has. Learnt from the best.”, Simon responds and wow, did he just casually joke with you?!

You grin broadly at him (he did that! He made you smile) and he smiles back, softly, hoping you can tell from the slight creases around his eyes.

“Thank you, thank you.”, you respond with mock modesty and Simon knows, what had been some silly crush broke all sort of confinement today (who is he kidding, he never had it under control).

“I love that band. Wanted to go to their concert but none of my friends share my taste in music and… well…” You look at the floor and Simon’s fingers twitch with the need to tilt your head back up at him. “I’m scared of going alone.”, you admit quietly.

He swears his gums hurt with the way he wants to sink his teeth into your soft form and drag you home with him, keeping you locked up so you'll never have to be scared again (maybe he should talk with his therapist about that).

Johnny must have possessed him and Kyle just phantom kicked him in his butt, because he responds with: “I’m planning on going to that concert, wanna join me? I’ll make sure you’re safe, sweetheart”

[pinkydee10]

How I imagine Eclipse after being saved from Mimic because goddamnit the fact that nobody has even thought “Hey maybe that isn’t Eclipse” yet

Eclipse: *on the ground*

Puppet: Eclipse! Are you-

Eclipse: Where were you?

Puppet: What?

Eclipse: Where. WERE YOU?! For once I actually needed you instead of the other way around, but you couldn’t be bothered because you were too busy being buddy buddy with the enemy!

Puppet: I’m sorry I didn’t know! *reaches out* Here let me-

Eclipse: *smacks her away* Get your fucking hands off me!

Puppet: *steps back*

Eclipse: For weeks, for weeks! None of you had any idea that that thing wasn’t me! *chuckles* You know, he may have played you but you sure know how to play a long con, don’t you Puppet?

Puppet: What are you-?

Eclipse: You actually got me to like you.

Puppet: !

Eclipse: You actually made me trust you, to open up to you. You all did. You, Foxy, Moon, Ballora, heck even Francis but he sure as heck didn’t care all powerful he and Frank claim to be. Jake’s just a kid and Andrew was threatened, but you?

Puppet: Eclipse…I swear, it wasn’t like that. I promise it wasn’t!

Eclipse: *slowly gets up* Yeah well, that’s what I get for finally being vulnerable huh? I never should’ve let you drag me here. I never should’ve even helped you to begin with! I should’ve just done what I wanted this entire time but noooo! Who the fuck cares how Eclipse feels?! You sure didn’t, otherwise you would’ve noticed something was wrong sooner!

Puppet: You-You’re right to feel that way, but please-

Eclipse: Please WHAT?! Please help you with nothing in it for me? Please be your friend again? Oh sure, I can just open myself back up to you after I was TORTURED BY MY TRAUMA FOR SO LONG I LOST TRACK OF TIME WHILE EVERYONE ELSE WAS HAVING A GRAND OL’ TIME!

Puppet:…

Eclipse: You want me to trust you again? Prove it, thats the least you all can do for me, selfish pricks. *storms off*

[heyiwrotesomethings]

DEMON SLAYER CUZ YESSSSSSSS.

shinobu x female reader

I wanna kick uzuis ass again soooooooo

Uzui is being a dick to everyone because he is in a mood and make fun of shinobu (u find the reason nth comes to mind rn) and the reader having an awful day herself kicks his ass and brings him to his wives "next time that disgrace you call a husband insults my soon to be wife again I'm gonna cut his tongue of and shove it so far up his ass it will come out of his mouth again 🙃

have a good day ladies oh and do keep him a check or I will 🙂 byeeeee"

gl finishing all of those rqst

Bad Morning

Shinobu Kochou x She/Her Reader

A/N: I don’t know what’s up with me, but this threat was a bit too descriptive for me and since this is like, at least the third time we’re beating Uzui up, this one is kind of lackluster, apologies! Hopefully I still got the message across lol. Hope you still like it! Word Count: ~1,220

Uzui Tengen woke up on the wrong side of the bed earlier that morning. Which was to say Suma had accidentally pushed Makio out of bed, which in turn lead to Makio dragging her out of said bed by the ankles in retaliation. Tengen tried his best to ignore them and focus on Hinatsuru’s cute mumblings as she turned to lay on her other side, but Makio’s growls and Suma’s cries made it downright impossible.

“Could you two keep it down, goddamnit! Why does this have to happen every morning?!”

“Maybe we should invest in a bigger bed.” Hinatsuru murmured, pressing a pillow over her head.

“Or we just make Suma sleep on the floor. She kicked me last night too and I have the bruise to prove it!” Makio pulled up the hem of her sleepware to show the bruise her thigh was sporting and Suma wailed.

“I’m sorry! Let me kiss it better! Don’t make me sleep on the floor Makio, please!”

“Nobody is sleeping on the floor!” Tengen groaned. “I’ll get a bigger bed, okay? Can I just get one more hour of sleep—“

“Caw!” Nijimaru came in through the window with flapping wings and rattling beads. A damn fine, flamboyant bird if Tengen did say so himself, but he couldn’t think of anyone he’d rather see less at the moment. “You’ll be late for the meeting if you stay in bed any longer, Uzui!”

“Damn it all, that’s today?” Tengen shot out of bed, jamming his toe against the bedside table. He cursed and limped his way to the bathroom, now even more pissed because he would have to skip his morning skin care routine if he was going to make it to Oyakata-sama’s mansion in time.

He barely had enough time to bathe and put on his makeup before heading out the door. No time to even eat breakfast. At least Suma ran him some toast at the door and jumped up to give him a quick peck on the cheek. It certainly made up for the rude awakening at least, sweet girl.

Still, all the toast and kisses in the world couldn’t make him shake off the sour mood he was in. His morning routine was sacred. When his routine was disturbed, it honestly felt like his whole day was ruined.

People have bad days. It’s normal to maybe ask for a little space, to tell people you aren’t really feeling yourself, but the moment you use your bad morning as an excuse to be shitty to other people, then expect your day to get much, much worse.

“Iguro, come on man. Can you get your scrawny ass outta my way? Shouldn’t you be sitting like a broody tree’d raccoon by now?”

“We’re talking, walk around. It’s a fucking garden.” Sanemi was quick to shoot back as Obanai glared.

“Nobody can make anything easy today, can they?” Tengen sighed loudly, bumping into Sanemi as he walked past the two fuming men.

He rested in his usual spot, hoping to maybe get a little bit more sleep in before the Master arrived. However, Mitsuri was talking up a storm with Shinobu and (Y/n) and the excitement in her voice as she spoke made it hard for Tengen to relax.

“She made me dango for helping me get her cat out of the tree! Isn’t that great? It was really good too! And then—!”

“Gods, Kanroji,” Tengen groaned, “would it kill you to take a page out of Tomioka’s book and be quite for once?”

“Hey! What the hell is your problem?” (Y/n) scowled.

“Just because you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, it doesn’t give you license to make everyone else around you feel miserable as well.” Shinobu chimed in, she put a reassuring hand on Mitsuri’s shoulder while she gave Tengen a disapproving look.

“I’m gonna kill that bastard.” Obanai growled, Kaburamaru hissed in agreement.

“Perhaps you should take a page out of Tomioka-san’s book and butt out of conversations that have nothing to do with you, hm? Contrary to what your ego may tell you, the world does not revolve around you.” Shinobu added for good measure.

“Big words for somebody so small. I could crush you like a grape between my fingers.”

“Uzui, my friend! You should stop talking before you say something you’ll really regret!” Rengoku advised.

“So disgruntled,” Shinobu tisked pityingly, “Given how out of sorts you are this morning, I doubt you could even brush me with those meaty, perpetually sweaty hands.

Tengen took a deep breath through clenched teeth, but (Y/n) spoke up before him, her voice low, warning,

“Uzui-san, I’d listen to Rengoku-san if I were you. Act like an adult and let it go. With any luck, the meeting will be over in an hour and you can sleep the rest of the day away.”

“Tch,“ Tengen sneered, “how about this, you tell your little, and I do mean shrimpy, puny, girlfriend to zip it, and then I will too.”

“I am not her keeper.” (Y/n) said through gritted teeth.

“Well if she can’t keep her mouth shut, why should I?!”

“Ah, my deepest apologies, Uzui-san,” Shinobu began, not looking very sorry at all, “(Y/n) and I had a rather late night in the lab ourselves. My mistake for trying to hold you to the same standards we hold ourselves to.”

Tengen was seeing red. He wanted to wipe that perfect little smile right off of Shinobu’s face and before he could think better of it, he had thought of something to say that would hit her where it would hurt.

“Wipe that fake-ass smile off your face, little Kanae wannabe. You want to imitate her so bad, start by acting like less of a bitch maybe.”

Well, that sure made the smile fall from Shinobu’s lips. Her expression became impassive, an eerie blankness, but no one took the time to really notice because (Y/n) was already leaping to her feet, kicking up pebbles that scattered over Tengen’s thighs as she got closer.

“The fuck did you just say?!” Sanemi growled, his head snapping towards Uzui.

“Uzui-san, I know you can be abrasive, but that kind of talk is unacceptable.” Gyomei spoke up for the first time that day and that was how Tengen knew he might have really fucked up.

“Okay, okay, you are a fucking dead man now! I don’t give a damn about you not getting your beauty sleep, you wanna play nasty, we’ll play nasty alright!”

(Y/n) knew Shinobu could take care of herself, but she also knew that Uzui had hit a nerve. Like Shinobu had said, they had a tough night, tougher than Uzui’s, she imagined. She had been helping Shinobu with her latest experiment on her journey to find a poison that could end an Upper Moon.

Despite all of the promising research, the experiment had fallen flat, or well, more accurately caused a small explosion that (Y/n) and Shinobu spent the next three hours cleaning up after. Thankfully they had been wearing the proper gear during the whole ordeal, but they still smelt overwhelmingly of wisteria.

(Y/n) got close enough to Uzui that he could smell it on her and the potency stung his nose. She grabbed him by the collar of his uniform and he engulfed her wrist with his hand—

“Oyakata-sama is coming!” Mitsuri squealed, noticing two of the Master’s children leading him around the building. It must have been one of his good days and he decided to take a stroll.

“I’m not done with you.” (Y/n) hissed, letting go of Uzui’s uniform with a shove before quickly dropping to the ground.

“You’re like a yappy little dog,” he sneered, “All I gotta say is, ‘boo!’ and you’ll be shaking in your sandals.”

“The first thing I’m gonna do is cut out your own tongue and feed it to you, asshole.”

Tengen grit his teeth together. The Master was much too close now to continue trading vulgarities.

Tengen started out the meeting boiling hot, but listening to the Master speak had its usual calming affects and before Tengen knew it, he was in a relaxed, meditative state. It was the closest thing to sleep one could have while awake. It was like magic. The Master bid them all farewell and Tengen inhaled deeply, then released a relaxed exhaled, tension leaving his shoulders. He felt so much better—

(Y/n)’s fist came sailing at him with all the force of a mantis shrimp and she decked him, making direct contact with his temple.

“Alright Uzui, how about you and me go for a little stroll?” (Y/n) grunted, heaving the hulking man to his feet was no simple task, especially now that he was having a hard time standing up himself after that vision spotting hit. She turned to look back at Shinobu with adoration and concern, “Would you like to come along, dear?”

“I suppose.” Shinobu shrugged before rising to her feet as well. Truthfully, she didn’t want to have to look at Uzui for another minute, but if (Y/n) accidentally killed him, that would be one less Hashira and they were already spread thin enough as it was.

The remaining Hashira, that cared enough to, watched on as (Y/n) pulled Tengen away from the mansion by his ear, very thankful they weren’t in his shoes at that moment.

Tengen shuffled down the path, bending with (Y/n)’s sharp pushes and pulls while the two women discussed what they should eat for lunch. Sadistic beings…

Though it was hard for his eyes to focus because of that sharp punch to his temple, he soon recognized the scenery and realized (Y/n) was taking him home, to what end, he was afraid to find out.

“Good afternoon, ladies.” He heard (Y/n)’s muffled voice through the ringing in his ears.

“Oh gods, what did he do this time?” Makio groaned.

“(Y/n)-san, I don’t know what he did, but please, be a little more gentle with him.” Hinatsuru requested hesitantly.

She was hesitant because she knew her husband had a track record of saying or doing stupid things. Even Suma, the most sympathetic of the bunch, could agree that sometimes getting slapped around a little bit was warranted when it came to their husband’s unfiltered words and uncouth actions.

“Don’t worry, I caught him off guard with the first punch, so I didn’t go any further. I probably nearly fractured his skull since he didn’t think to defend himself at all, don’t you think so, Shinobu?”

“Oh yes, given how he’s been wobbling, and that he threw up in the bushes on the way here, it’s safe to say he would have been in real trouble if you had decided to keep going.”

Makio, Hina and Suma paled, quickly taking possession of their loopy husband when (Y/n) offered him to them. It was difficult to keep all that muscle up right, so they could only imagine just how furious (Y/n) was to have been able to basically drag him all the way home.

“The next time your disgraceful, woefully un-flamboyant husband says or does anything that hurts my fiancée, intentionally or not, he may not make it back to you in one piece. Understand?”

“Yes, we’ll talk to him. I’m sorry.” Hinatsuru hung her head low.

“You have nothing to apologize for, but when your husband snaps out of it, you might suggest he start looking for ways to atone because I’m not quite so sure I could hold myself back if I see him again too soon. That single punch was not satisfying at all.”

“We’ll work on it.” Makio swore.

“We promise! Please don’t kill him!” Suma sobbed.

“I won’t kill him, too much paperwork.” (Y/n) promised, then after a pause added, “Well, I wouldn’t kill him on purpose anyway.”

“Here,” Shinobu stepped up to the three horrified looking wives and handed Hinatsuru a small paper bag, “I suspect he has a concussion. I have provided all instructions and materials needed to give him proper treatment.”

“Thank you…” the three answered in unison.

Shinobu gave them a short nod of acknowledgment before linking back up with (Y/n). The two strolled off like nothing had happened, smiling and gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes as they disappeared over the hill.

“We need that new bed stat!” Suma said with an exhausted sigh as the trio dragged Tengen into the house.

“I think our dumbass husband needs a personality check more.” Makio grunted.

[mothmanssweetsucculentass]

Jane the Killer Headcanons

Slowly but surely getting around to every character in my HC list cause that ask blog is coming goddamnit!!!

Small note, I’m going to try not to pull headcanons/inspo from either existing Jane canon. I know there’s two and I know the fandom has mixed feelings on both origins so I’m just not gonna touch either if I can help it! My Jane will be more of an original/personal interpretation.

Expect canon typical dark topics to be discussed!

In her early 20s, died when she was 21

5”10, has substantially built up muscle over the years of her…work

Who the fuck decided she was the mom friend/mother of the group

Girl has zero maternal instincts

To be all honest she actually kinda??? Hates kids???? The idea of pregnancy never appealed to her and she was never keen on interacting with kids in general, she has zero interest to do anything involving kids

So ofc that means she’s not gonna parent anyone’s ass

She’s a very independent person

Like. If she wasn’t involved in making the mess she won’t even offer to help clean up type of person

She knows her responsibilities and doesn’t like it when people try to make their problems her problems

Girl wasn’t always like this though. Learned skill (?)

When she was a teenager she was the biggest people pleaser on the planet

Not a people pleaser anymore and would rather die than have to grovel or beg or bend over backwards for someone else

People pleasing is what literally got her ass killed, she’s not making that same mistake again

Was p much your standard loner smart girl in high school. She wasn’t bullied or anything like that, but she also didn’t go out of her way to make friends

Attended the same college as Jeff, wanting to study law

Joined a sorority. Unfortunately, joined one of the really toxic ones

They walked all over her ass while she was there. She was basically the errand girl

Of course a lot of the girls forced Jane to do the volunteer work they were supposed to do. It sucked having to do so much work, but at least Jane got to do some cool volunteer stuff, like with animal shelters and shit

Hey let’s go volunteer at this haunted house in the woods by campus!

Jane had volunteered at the same haunt location Jeff worked at the night everything went to shit for a lot of people. After the incident at the haunt location, Jane, Liu, and several others were victims of the mass murder spree Jeff went on that night

Y’all remember the cult that worshipped [REDACTED] that made Eyeless Jack into what he is? Yeah the same cult fucked around and found out a way to bring them both back from the dead

Said cult thought they both died from Jack (who is still a heavily worshipped figure despite Jack wanting nothing to do with them) considering their violent injuries

Said cult was wrong, and was thus nearly wiped out by the pissed off power duo of Jane and Liu

Honestly they’re both way more pissed off at the cult that brought them back and at Slenderman than they are at Jeff

Like, sure, they don’t like the guy, he was the one who killed them after all, but there are worse things to hold grudges against

And boy does Jane hold grudges now

Having a new lease on life now means she’s got a new life outlook as well

Fuck everyone unless they prove they are not somehow out to get you

Liu is her ride or die. So much so that the two briefly dated while they were still alive, and even briefer while being partners in crime. It didn’t last, but the two are still very very close

She’s bi btw

Liu and Jane are both plagued by nightmares, hallucinations, and sometimes random possessions all thanks to the tomfuckery the cult did with their bodies

Like holy fuck the cult just constantly botches resurrections, sacrifices, and even creating a god vessel. These bitches can’t do shit fr.

Jane and Liu are equally scarred up from their deaths, but Jane makes an effort to cover/hide the scars with makeup and clothing. Liu gives zero shits and does nothing to hide his

The cult attempted to give Jane’s eyes the same treatment they did for Jack. Didn’t work, and now she’s half blind and often cries black tears uncontrollably. It’s real gross and feels as bad as it looks

Her depth perception is real shit now cause of this. She can’t see out of her left eye at all and is constantly alert and checking her blind spots

Chronic pain!!!! So much pain!!!! All the painkillers in the world could not alleviate the pain Jane and Liu are constantly in. Their existence is agony.

Because of that, they both have a massive pain tolerance compared to even the most durable mansion residents

Speaking of. Guess who solved the constantly needing funds problem for the family of fucked up freaks

Jane and Liu run a redroom on the dark web where they livestream murders and provide a hitman service

You’d be surprised how much people are willing to pay to see a tall “goth” lady beat a man to death

Jane is almost always the one in front of the camera doing the killing, Liu is the one setting shit up behind the scenes

Jane cares not for weapon choice. Whatever someone requests, she uses. If there’s no specific request, she just uses whatever she’s in the mood for

Killing someone who’s tied up in an enclosed room also makes it so much easier for her since her vision’s kinda fucked

For the hitman part of the service, Liu goes out and kidnaps the victim. If the request is to do the deed at home, Liu does it all solo. Jane appreciates the breaks

Both of them sometimes, Jane much rarer than Liu, fall under possession of spirits. Aimless souls of past victims all conglomerate on the grounds of the manor, and if all the pins fall into place, they sometimes briefly end up in Jane and Liu’s body

They (usually) don’t stick around for long, especially considering how uninhabitable their bodies are, but it’s always jarring to anyone having a conversation with either of them, and suddenly they either go silent and limp or start screaming in terror and trying to run

Jane is mildly annoyed by this and keeps as much superstitious spirit warding stuff on her person as she can

The longest a spirit has ever inhabited her body is about two hours. By the time it left she was halfway through the process of buying a bus ticket to a town she didn’t recognize

Besides having to be serious and whatnot when attending to the redroom service, Jane is pretty normal as a person.

She likes normal girly stuff, watches long multi-season shows in her free time, and often requests Liu and Nina pick her up some makeup or clothing

She’s not the most agreeable person, but she is the most reasonable and grounded

If we’re judging by sanity alone, she’s the most sane of everyone here

Is currently somewhat dating Clockwork, but it’s like a whole on and off thing

Is friends/close with: Clockwork, Nina, Liu, and EJ

Is neutral about: Masky, Hoody, Jeff, Helen, Ann, Ben, Jason, and Kagekao

Hates LJ, puppeteer, and Slenderman

Has no idea why Ann doesn’t like her, but refrains from interacting with her for the most part so she doesn’t have to worry about inevitable arguments

Feels…. odd about Sally

She can’t quite exactly explain it but there’s something weird about that kid that unnaturally draws you to her. Jane is steadfast in her displeasure with children though, so she thinks she’s immune to whatever the hell it is

She’s not gonna do anything to hurt the kid or try to alert the others, but she definitely avoids Sally

After her and Jeff talked about specifically why he murdered her and Liu, she’s not that upset with him anymore

I mean she still is upset about it, but after learning the reason why he did it (or lack there of) she decided to place her anger on the real culprit of the situation

They’re not gonna be caught hanging out anytime soon, but neither of them argue or go at each other’s throats. They mainly just avoid each other out of respect for the other’s boundaries

Her scars run deep but her hatred for Slenderman runs deeper. The only reason why her, Liu, and all the other Slender haters haven’t bolted or tried fighting back is because they can’t

The damn thing can literally read minds and has immense control over the surrounding forest. To go against its wishes is a fate worse than a death sentence. As much as Jane hates it, she grits her teeth and continues to try and find a way out of it

[disco-elysium-via-polls]

🎵 Whirling in Rags, 8 AM

3. "I'm just being up front with what I know."

TITUS HARDIE - "Right." Titus nods. "And that's mighty forthcoming of you, so let me extend you the same courtesy: she's connected. To you-know-what."

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - Organized crime -- down in Jamrock probably. He's not being *too* forthcoming -- this is not a surprise.

TITUS HARDIE - "So she *may* have access to semiautomatics. But that's a long fucking stretch of the imagination."

3. "There is a small -- 28% -- chance that shot came from *beyond* the roof."

TITUS HARDIE - "Yes, god damn it, I know what a 72% chance means. It means there's a 28% chance it *isn't* that." He thinks for a moment. "And 28% is no small chance either."

KIM KITSURAGI - "Just making sure we're on the same page." The lieutenant pretends to take a note. "It doesn't all fit. We're just sharing info -- candidly."

AUTHORITY [Medium: Sucess] - Titus doesn't reply -- probably a good sign.

4. (Show them the antique rifle.) "There are weapons like this just lying around in Martinaise."

TITUS HARDIE - "That looks antique -- a Belle-Magrave..." He takes the gun, inspects it and hands it back to you. "It's inoperable. Where'd you get it?"

"There's a cellar under the bookshop. It was hidden there -- with others just like it."

KIM KITSURAGI - "Twenty, maybe thirty rifles, Titus. Also broken -- but still, there were too many. And there must be other caches too."

EUGENE - "Goddamnit, we need to close that dump down for good."

+5 XP

TITUS HARDIE - He nods to it. "It's a god damn breechloader too -- find one that works and you got a military-grade weapon -- that shoots jacketed ammunition." He shakes his head.

LOGIC - He sees it -- this is coming together -- he *must*.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Easy: Success] - Time to really close the deal. Show them the bullet.

(Hold out the bullet) "This is the bullet that did it -- 4.46 mm. The Belle-Magrave uses the same calibre."

Let's not get dramatic.

GLEN - The blond man looks at the mushroomed deathbringer in the evidence bag and says:

"Yeah, the bitch is jacketed alright. 4 mm too..."

FAT ANGUS - "Whoaa...."

TITUS HARDIE - "Well, god damn..." His eyes follow the evidence bag back in your pocket. "It's not proof, but it's a possible murder weapon -- close to her. Too damn close."

+5 XP

He squints. "You *have* been thorough. I'll give you that."

5. "The local pawnshop sold my lost gun to a woman. Maybe it was her?" 6. "I didn't say I'd *prove* she had the murder weapon -- just that we need to find her." (Move on.)

Aside from... every other reason we have not to tell the Hardies we lost our gun, we didn't arrive here in Martinaise until after the murder was committed.

TITUS HARDIE - "All right." He nods. "Keep talking. I'm getting a bit *curious* about some things myself."

GLEN - "T, we're not seriously considering it, are we?!" He almost gets up from his seat. "Ruby wouldn't do this. Why would she do something like this?"

LOGIC - Phase III: Motive. The last component.

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - The big one. Get this and they'll give her to you. Remember, don't piss him off. That never works.

"It's not 'why did she kill him?' -- it's 'why did she organize the coverup?'."

"Klaasje told me some pretty *interesting* things about Ruby."

"Maybe it's all part of a leadership challenge? Against you, Titus."

"When Klaasje came downstairs -- Ruby appeared to *know* that something was wrong."

"Maybe she killed him because she thought it would curry favour with you?"

TITUS HARDIE - "And I suppose you have a theory on that?"

"She could have just been covering up for *herself*, Titus."

KIM KITSURAGI - "Think about it -- why go through all that effort? It was her idea, wasn't it? The hanging? You went along, but she suggested it."

SHANKY - The little man squints, eyes beady. "She had, like, a fully formed plan and shit. Right when she came back downstairs..."

EUGENE - "Really, Shanks? Klaasje wanted to talk to another girl, that's all. She was just the first one up there; *I* could've come up with that plan, if I'd been first."

LOGIC - Time for a logics demonstration.

"Eugene, let's assume you killed him…"

"Shanky, let's assume you killed him..."

"Titus, let's assume you killed him…"

EUGENE - He scoffs.

KIM KITSURAGI - "Think. You kill him. Get up there. Shoot him. Get down..."

"Would you prefer to go on trial with your friends -- as part of a lynch mob -- or alone, for committing murder?"

EUGENE - The man is silent.

SHANKY - "If she used us to cover her own shit up... well, that's a serious violation of the *Hardie code*, boss."

GLEN - "Which is why she didn't! She would never do that." The blond man waves his beer around. "Why aren't more of you defending her? This is fucking stupid, Titus."

TITUS HARDIE - "Glen." Titus looks grim. "I thought the same thing when she skipped town and left us in this shit."

LOGIC - Ooh! So he didn't rule her out completely? *And* she's skipped town. This is good.

2. "Klaasje told me some pretty *interesting* things about Ruby."

TITUS HARDIE - "Yeah? Like what?"

"She is part of the *homo-sexual underground*."

"Apparently she had a *thing* for Klaasje."

"Sex. She wanted sex from her."

"Let's not get into it, it's needless sensationalism."

TITUS HARDIE - "The *what* now?"

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - You're going to have to be way more blunt here.

"Apparently she had a *thing* for Klaasje."

TITUS HARDIE - "A thing? You mean..." He tilts his head to the side and falls silent.

FAT ANGUS - "Yeah but..." The fat man looks up from the table, oblivious. "They're both girls."

KIM KITSURAGI - "Girls like girls too, Angus," the lieutenant explains. "Sometimes. This is one of those times -- she liked Klaasje."

[agirlwithachakram]

"Am I gay?"

"Oh, sweetie, no, everyone likes prostate stimulation."

"Oh thank god I'm still straight. No, you ass, I mean not bisexual."

"Well, let's see. Spend all your time with a guy who has propositioned you at least once a week since we met, go through wives like you're trying to prove something, but you cheat on them because they're not enough, favorite hooker is taller than you, and your last girlfriend was bossy, which you liked because then you can just do what she says and it's easy to love her, and also she was basically me, who you're screwing now. You had a threesome and you complained about it. Yeah. You're gay."

"But I did love Amber."

"So you had an exception, everyone does."

"Fuck. You're right."

"You're just gonna take my word as law?"

"You make a compelling argument!"

"You need to think for yourself."

"Fine. I'm straight and I've been humoring you this whole time."

"That's so sweet of you."

"Don't people know when they're gay?"

"I know. I was inside you five minutes ago."

"Shouldn't it be about what you do like instead of what you don't? How did you know you were bi?"

"I saw a cute guy start a bar fight over Billy Joel and it gave me funny feelings in my pants, and my mommy said—"

"All right, all right. Wait, seriously?"

"Uh…yeah. Well, there was a guy in college, but we were pretty hammered. Most times."

"You've been following me around this whole time because you wanted to fuck me from the start?"

"More or less."

"But I wasn't even interested. Or, I was, but I didn't…"

"When you're in love, you do stupid stuff."

"I would've had other crushes, at least. Right?"

"You did."

"I did?"

"Yep. I can count like six dudes you got weird about."

"Like six?"

"Seven. You don't remember because you're incapable of centering your own desires."

"That's not…completely true."

"Remember when you had a mid-cancer crisis and bought a sports car you couldn't drive and ate a giant steak and all to see a woman you don't even care about? You reinvented yourself as a sitcom divorcee."

"I…like things on my own. I like theatre. That's not a guy thing."

"It is if you're gay."

"But I didn't know I was—"

"You subsume yourself and your own desires because you're still guilty about your brother to the point that you don't even know what you want. Amber told you to make your own choice and you went with her preference. I told you to pick out one thing you wanted and you got me a present. Most people know they're gay. You couldn't possibly."

"I hate when you monologue about me."

"Am I wrong?"

"No, that's what I hate about it. You're exhausting."

"You like it. We could have a guy threesome. Boys night."

"I don't even know why I care at this point, it's not like I have time to marry anyone else." Pause. "A what?"

"Dude threesome. Eiffel tower."

"No, no. They're too much work."

"Or, you think they are because you're not actually into chicks."

"I…don't know if that was why."

"I've had tons of threesomes, they're fun."

"With professionals."

"Yeah, you had one too."

"Oh goddamnit."

"Chase has good threesomes with civilians."

"I put off homosexuality for thirty years."

"Sounds like it."

"I wasted my entire sexual life."

"Not all of it."

"Fuck."

"Sure! You know I'd never deny you."

"You're ready to go again? I'm not. Hey, you said you liked it."

"Sex?"

"No, the organ, the—Don't say penis. You said you liked what it said about me."

"Uh, yeah, I liked the organ. That doesn't mean it's good for you, that means I like presents. And attention. And you."

"You're mean."

"You like mean."

"Well at least I like something."

"Where are you going? What's on the laptop?"

"I am getting us tickets to the nearest regional theater."

"Oh no."

"Looks like they're doing A Chorus Line. That's fun. I seem to remember you loving that show."

"Wilson. Plays are for making people have sex with you. Musicals are for when you're really desperate."

"And if you're desperate to have sex with me again, you know what to do."

"Fine. But you have to come cuddle now."

"I will. Once I order the tickets."

Snort.

"What?"

"Gaaaaaaaaaaaay."

(This is a complete fic but here’s the AO3 link)

[graces5169]

300 prompts, categories and character descriptions.

Leave however many prompts you want with the genre of writing and any necessary character descriptions and any extra detail needed. :) (make sure you also leave

character x reader so I know who I'm writing about)

¡Prompts! (From Pinterest)

1. Why did you leave me

2. Am I that useless to you

3. I hate you

4. I love you

5. Can you hug me

6. Do I mean anything to you

7. Please stop your hurting me

8. Don't look at me

9. You disappoint me

10. I am (so) proud of you

11. Can I sleep beside/with you tonight

12. I'm scared

13. Can I hug you

14. Please hold me

15. Your hands are shaking

16. Stay by my side it doesn't have to be forever

17. Promise you'll return alive

18. I've always hated you

19. I've always loved you

20. Your safe now I've got you

21. Your the only one I trust to do this

22. Your too good for me

23. You've got to be kidding me

24. Have you lost your damn mind

25. Please don't leave me

26. Why don't you come over here and make me

27. Are you jealous

28. I almost lost you

29. Wanna bet

30. Looks like we'll be trapped a while

31. Just once

32. Shut up

33. It's not what it looks like

34. Sometimes it's hard to keep pretending

35. And if I don't

36. I can't help but stare

37. Make me

38. Can't you pretend you love me just once

39. Is your ego really that big

40. Come dance with me

41. Just shut up for one minute

Original/ (not off Pinterest)

42. What are you afraid of

43. Just love me damnit

44. I'm broken and unfixable

45. She's mine

46. I suggest you back off

47. Fuck off mate

48. I'm not watching you mope around like a loser

49. I'm trying to break up with you

50. Did you ever care

51. I was a fucking game

52. Im not your toy

53. She's so annoying

54. Your nothing but a stupid mudblood

55. You tried to kill me

56. I could've killed her

57. Im a monster

58. I hate myself to

59. How'd you do that

60. She never smiles anymore

61. She only smiles when he's around

62. I'd rather date Sirius

63. This time your 'prank' went to far

64. Just my parents

65. You don't deserve this

66. They don't deserve you

67. You have a beautiful voice

68. She's stunning

69. I have to go I'm sorry

70. I can't do this

71. Are we just friends

72. You could never hurt me

73. Your a wolf

74. Are you serious

75. I'd never date you

76. I don't believe you darling

77. You're cheating on me

78. It's over

79. Im pretty sure I'm drunk but you're really hot

80. We can't do this

81. Im sorry

82. It's better this way

83. "Fuck you!" "When?"

84. Im going

85. Im stopping at nothing to get her back

86. Because I'm in love with you god damnit

87. It's too late for me

88. I fancy you

89. Would you fancy a date day at hogsmade this Saturday

(From Pinterest)

90. Im tired of being your secret

91. Who did this to you

92. You are not fine

93. I thought you hated me

94. Im not leaving you

95. I don't owe you an explanation

96. I thought pushing her away was for the better

97. Nobody wants me

98. I want an answer goddamnit

99. No one's ever done that to me before

100. This feels nice

101. I haven't been hugged in years

102. Im pathetic

103. Im not happy here

104. I want my best friend back

105. Go away

106. If he can't see how amazing you are that's his loss

107. What are you smiling about

108. What's in it for me

109. Do you ever stop talking

110. Isn't this what you wanted

111. She's better off

112. Can I hold your hand

113. You can't do that shit

114. You can borrow mine

115. I'll wait

116. He hit me

117. Your one of them

118. I like your scars

119. Don't fall asleep on me

120. Can I date your brother

121. Your a deatheater

122. Don't make me say something I'll regret

123. Can I braid your hair

124. Your really pretty

125. Let me help you

126. You stubborn arse

127. Your in love with her

128. Stay I need you more than you know

129. Your killing me here

130. Tell me I'm wrong

131. I'd be lying to you

132. Lie to me

133. Prove it

134. I'll never get another chance to say this

135. I never stood a chance did I

136. Tell me again

137. This is why we can't have nice things

138. Do you regret it

139. I'm not going anywhere

140. Another nightmare

141. You've thought about it haven't you

142. We need to talk about last night

143. We were drunk we can just put it behind us

144. You were my biggest mistake

145. Are you drunk

146. What happens if I do this

147. I can't have you

148. Just for tonight

149. Be mine for just one night

150. She was crying because of you

151. We're not just friends and you fucking know it

152. You could die and I couldn't care less

153. I never cared

154. Please don't cry I can't stand to see you cry

155. Walk out that door and were through

156. Yell, scream, shout, say something

157. I can't breathe

158. I hate how much I love you

159. Where do you think your going

160. I'm not letting you walk at night alone three miles back

161. I need time and space

162. Run away like you always do you fucking coward

163. You can keep pretending it didn't happen all you want but guess what it fucking did

164. Can't we just be friends again

165. Stop acting like your okay cause I know your not

166. Just talk to me

167. Bite me

168. If you insist

169. I think I'm in love with you and that scares the shit out of me

170. I think your just afraid to be happy

171. I'm afraid I'll hurt her

172. Why are you so nice to me

173. Choose me

174. Shut up and kiss me

175. Your blushing

176. Is that my shirt

177. This is awkward

178. Please come home I miss you

179. It won't happen again

180. I don't see a future with you

181. Why are you helping a monster

182. Stay the fuck back

183. Please pull the trigger

184. Leave! I don't fucking care

185. I can't save us

186. So save yourself

187. Why didn't you tell me how bad it got

188. I never said I wanted a relationship with you so why are you crying

189. I deserve more than this

190. I'm not anyones favorite person

191. I just want to be wanted I'm tired of being needed for everything

192. I know! But you didn't have to use her like that

193. We can start over, please I'll do anything

194. Everything can be perfect so please don't leave

195. I guess we just weren't meant to be

196. You're always leaving me

197. Stop lying

198. If you die I'll go out of my fucking head

199. Your cute when your mad

200. And Your adopted

201. You gave us quite a scare

202. We can work it out

203. You're overreacting

204. You're all I have left

205. I don't care what they think

206. It's me

207. You make me feel safe

208. You guys read my diary what are you five

209. I don't recognize you anymore

210. You make me sick

211. Sorry can't fix what you've done

212. Do you really have feelings for me

213. Don't look at me like that

214. Give me a break

215. It's not a party without alcohol

216. Truth or dare

217. It's six in the morning your not having anymore firewhiskey

218. Your drive me fucking crazy

219. I'm dangerous please stay back

220. Did you hit your head as a kid

221. She's not yours anymore

222. She's deaf dumbass

223. I'm sorry for my brother he's an asshole

224. Oi, fuck off please

225. "I could kiss you right now." "Do it then"

226. What are you doing to me

227. Just admit I'm right

228. He's hot

229. Your my brother I'll always care for you

230. I'm personally offended I didn't get picked to be your fake date

231. They don't love me they're not that stupid

232. We'll what can I say I'm badass

233. Do I get bonus points if I act like I care

234. Excuse me I have to go make a scene

235. I'm gonna need therapy after this

236. Do your parents realize they're living proof that two wrongs don't make a right

237. I'm going on a date

238. Will you be my girlfriend

239. Would you rather kiss me or Lilly

240. Your bloody obsessed

241. She looks so perfect

242. You look beautiful

243. I wanna become an animagus

244. Stop coming back

245. Do you love him

246. I can't love you

247. You made me better

248. You ate my leftovers

249. Just get it over with

250. Were best when we're together don't you think

251. Can I kiss you

252. If I kiss you It's gonna change everything

253. Fuck it

254. I'm pretty sure I just made a fool of myself

255. Can you stop ignoring me

256. I'm friends with a bunch of two year olds

257. Hug me

258. Oh deer

(Amortentia)

259. Chocolate, old books and rain

260. Cologne, wet dog and leather

261. Cologne, broom polish and fresh cut grass

(Pinterest)

262. Are you hitting on me

263. This was fun, we should do it again

264. You owe me

265. I swear I'm gonna slit his fucking throat

266. Did you just kiss me

267. Huh ironic isn't it I'm a lone wolf

268. You hooked up

269. You kissed her

270. Teach me

271. What are we

272. What if I do

273. I want you to be happy

274. I think your beautiful

275. Why do you have scars

276. Shut up before you wake them

277. This is why we don't listen to you

278. What do you mean maybe

279. Hey whose side are you on

280. It's okay you didn't know

281. At least my parents are still alive

282. That wasn't love it was a perfect illusion

283. She makes my heart beat at a million miles per second

284. I'm not in the mood to fight with you tonight

285. Come stay with me

286. Don't call me love

287. I always keep my promises

288. Revenge is my best work

289. Why are you up

290. He's amazing

291. She's not going with you

292. I wasn't lying when I told you I loved you

293. Why are you scared

294. Why aren't you scared of me

295. If your a monster for what you've done than I'm the fucking devil

296. You fucking traitor

297. I'll always love you

298. I will never leave you no matter what happens between us I'll always be there

299. Please stop

300. I fucking love you thats why

Genre/ type of story

Friends to lovers

Enemies to lovers

Fluff

Angst with a happy ending

Angst with a sad ending

Fluff to angst

Angst to fluff

+ more

No smut

Character x reader

Sirius black and reader

James potter and reader

Remus lupin and reader

Lilly Evans and reader

Regulus black and reader

Marlene McKinnon and reader

Characters house

Slytherin

Gryffindor

Ravenclaw

Hufflepuff

Any added features

Name?

Hair color

Eye color

Attitude/personality

Relationship status with parents and other characters

Any important details.

[avastyetwats]

"Iron Chef. Wow." It's his turn to laugh now, completely amused by this. Not meant to insult Charles. Not at all. He just... was learning so much not just about him, but about werewolves in general and how some of them really just... lived normal lives. Or tried to, anyway. They wanted to. But some didn't exactly make it so easy for them, or at all possible. "Guess I just never really imagined werewolves watching television, let alone cooking shows. Or ordering take out." It just showed how little Flint knew about their world and how much of what he knew was wrong. Or assumed. "Ramen comes in handy when you're low on groceries or just don't feel like making much. Boil some water, throw the noodles in for a few minutes. Dinner is done." He laughs, clearly a professional when it came to making ramen. The bachelor comment, however, stuck with Flint and he found himself smiling a little. A reminder that he was single. Fuck. Not that he should really care about that. But goddamnit, he did. "You really love them, I can see that." He says with a smile, glancing over at him. "And I can see why. They're great. Even the oldest one, I suppose." Flint smirked, his comment about Charlotte meant to be playful and he hoped his tone and the smile on his face conveyed that. "Maybe this good will get me into her good graces." He chuckles, but he's serious, too. Hopeful, even.

The tone of Charles's own voice changed and he could see the smile fade from his face a little, making Flint's own smile disappear. "You were forced out of your home, Charles," he reminds him, not wanting Charles to think he lost some fight. It was an ambush. A mutiny. Unfair and traitorous. "You wanted to keep your kids safe and you have. You're a damn good father." And he meant that. "They'd just... need to be careful. The human world isn't very accepting, as you know," he sighs. "And I'd hate if anything happened to them." He'd only known them a few hours but fuck, he was attached already. The thought of them getting hurt - especially by humans - not only hurt Flint, but angered him. Their secret wouldn't be easy to keep, thus making it difficult to make a life in the human world, but... Flint would try to help, if he could. Or if he was still around because he didn't know what he'd do or where he'd go after they took care of Singleton. He couldn't exactly be a hunter anymore, could he? Unless he continued Thomas's work and did what he wanted to do before he...

Flint shakes his head, not wanting to think about that right now but then Charles asked about him being a hunter and how that came to be. But it was his comment about it being lonely that really gave Flint pause, his eyes looking sad now as he moved to pull out some extra plates. "It is, I guess. A little. But, uh, I guess I'm just used to being alone." Which was sad to say, but it was true. He never really had many friends, mostly because he grew up poor and with little education yet he was climbing ranks in the military. "I joined the military to give my life purpose and to help out my grandparents. During my time in there, I encountered something... inhuman. I witnessed it slaughter some of my own and somehow, I managed to escape. I was the only one. I was sure no one would believe me, but it turns out, someone did." He pauses as he starts setting up the table. "Found out there was a branch dedicated to hunting supernatural creatures. Known to no one outside of the military, of course. And barely to anyone inside of it." He grabs himself another beer, takes of the cap and takes a drink.

"I was invited to join and after what I witnessed, I couldn't say no. I couldn't let that happen to anyone else. But then sometime later I met Thomas and we grew... close. He trusted me to the point of revealing his uncertainties about what we did and how he was trying to prove that not all were violent murderous monsters. In fact, he wanted to protect them... the ones that simply wanted to live." He smiles to himself. "I was hesitant to believe him, thought him outlandish but he..." Flint shook his head. "Just had this way of making you believe in him." He sighs and turns to look at Charles, gesturing to him. "And turns out, he was right." His eyes look sad, apologetic even, and full of guilt as he gazes at Charles. "Now I can't help but... want to continue what he started."

Charles let out a laugh. “ I guess so. “ But the idea of him being more than just that was creeping into his mind. He’d shoo it away, and then it would just return again as soon as Flint looked at him. He found himself looking over his shoulder to see if he could even catch a sideways glance.

“ Something like that. I do like the cooking channel though. Iron Chef was my favorite. “ He was peeling the potatoes easily now. He’d done it a million times over and it was all second nature. “ I just liked good tasting food and I wanted it at home so I learned how. Plus, well.. you live as a bachelor now. Typically bachelor food is ramen, take out pizza and a few beers. “ He snickered. “ Nothing wrong with that, but I wanted more. And I knew it’s come in handy when I had kids one day. “ He absolutely beamed then with his smile, slicing up a potato. “ My kids give me a reason to wake up in the morning. They are my soul and I would do anything for them. “

Then came a sad smile. “ Even walk away from being an alpha, if it meant it was for their own protection. I want them to have the best of your human world and find their own place in it. I want them to get married, have babies of their own. I want to be a grandfather a dozen times over, because I know the kind of joy children can bring. “

“ But what about you? How do you know how and.. what got you into being a hunter, anyway? Dangerous job with the highest mortality rate out there. Not many humans would want that life. I always thought .. it must be lonely. “

[hanniebvnnie]

all i need—

written by: 🥺

genre: fluff, angst

pairing: jungkook x female!reader

warnings: mentions of anxiety, crying (does that count??)

summary: sometimes, when the world becomes too much, all jungkook needs is you.

thanks to @alle-rtse for requesting this!!

you're used to jungkook coming home late from work. he's always been one to push himself far too hard, to practice the same dance over and over again until he can barely move. he's nothing short of a perfectionist, always dissatisfied, always convinced that he has to work harder—to just get that timing dead on, or that one note perfect.

he never does. nothing is ever good enough for him. it's always one more hour, one more practice, one more missed meal. which is why you're used to your boyfriend working into the early hours of the morning, coming home and sleeping for a few hours before repeating the same routine once more.

what you're not used to, however, is him seemingly forgetting about you entirely. he always makes a point to reply to your texts and wake you up just to kiss you goodnight, but that doesn't happen this time.

all of your messages are left unread, your calls unanswered. you eventually give up, moving into the bedroom and tucking yourself into bed, trying to ignore the tears forming in your eyes and the painful swelling in your chest. did you do something wrong? is he mad at you?

is he coming home at all tonight?

the sick feeling in your stomach persists until you fall asleep. but even as you stir awake at the sound of shuffling, it's still there.

"jungkook?" you whisper. you catch a glimpse of the digital alarm clock on your bedside table. it reads 3:18 AM.

in the quiet you discern the sound of sniffling, but he doesn't speak. you sit up against the pillow, watching as he pulls a spare t-shirt on with his back facing you.

"why are you home so late?"

he shrugs this time, proving that he's heard you. the anxiety ripples at this—he's definitely mad.

and then he turns around, head bowed so that his brown locks obsure his face. he climbs into bed and lays on his side, facing away from you.

you could go to sleep and leave it to the morning. you're tired, goddamnit, and if he's not going to talk to you, there's no point in trying. two years of dating him has taught you that if he doesn't want to talk about whatever's running through his head, he just won't.

but the feeling is still there, and you think that maybe it's not such a bad thing anymore, as it urges you to reach a gentle hand out and touch his shoulder.

he doesn't jerk away like you feared he would. instead, he exhales shakily.

"look at me, baby," you whisper.

he hesitates, then slowly flips onto his other side. even in the dim moonlight that pokes through the gaps in the blinds, you can recognise his swollen face and glistening eyes.

"oh, baby." you slide down next to him and run your fingers through his hair, the way that makes him shudder and melt at the same time. "talk to me. what's wrong?"

he shakes his head. briefly, you wonder if he's going to refuse, but then he says, "everything."

there's an unmistakable hitch in his voice. that one word seems to strike a nerve within him; his face scrunches up and more tears slip out of his eyes.

"everything's wrong?"

he nods and a muffled sob leaves his mouth. you pull him closer, hand moving to his nape and gently massaging the skin. shaky hands grip your waist, as if he's afraid that you might slip through his fingers if he were to loosen his hold.

"i just want to rest," he says, voice barely audible, "but i can't. i won't let myself. i just... i'm so exhausted, y/n."

something about his words makes the tears from earlier spill over. you take a deep breath, willing them away, and hold him with tender strength, now sharing the same worry that he might disappear the second you let go.

"i know, baby. i know. i'm here for you, alright?"

he only cries harder. you take his face in your hands; flushed cheeks, bloodshot eyes, damp skin. a pearly tear escapes from his eye and rolls down his cheek. you lean forward and capture it with your lips before it can reach the pillow.

jungkook giggles a little at this, the sound sweeter than any melody he could ever sing. you repeat the action, watching his eyelids flutter shut and long, dark lashes brush against his cheekbones as you kiss there, collecting the tears on your lips.

when you pull away, he's smiling. just a little, but it's a start. with a new sense of determination, you press pecks over every part of his face, then finish with a swift kiss to his lips.

"my lips are all wet now," you complain with mock annoyance.

jungkook giggles again. his eyes begin to slowly close, the smile still playing on his moist lips. "i'm sorry if i worried you. i thought i could do this by myself but i can't. i thought all i needed was me but... but all i need is you."

"that's so cheesy."

he pouts, but his sad expression quickly morphs into one of amusement. "you're so cheesy."

"i'm always here if you need me. you know that, right?"

he nods, eyes still shut. "i know."

sleep takes jungkook in a matter of seconds. you stay awake, listening to his steady breaths until you're assured that he's okay. everything he said echoes in your mind, but you try to push the worries out. words and concerns and tears can wait for later, all he needs now is you by his side.

and all you need is him.

[dxmmymxmmywrites]

What You Do to Me

Kakashi Hatake x F!reader Smut

Warnings: oral sex, suggestive themes, lots of swearing, mention of violence/death

Cheers to the first story for the horny blog. Let’s see how this goes. Plot here follows an ANBU reader that is returning home. They are referenced as female, but could be any gender in a dress. Hope you enjoy 🖤

————————————

The leadership position was an honor— one you had fought tooth and nail for, even. You stood apart in how willing you were to climb to the top, to become the best of the best. However, it had its downsides.

You struggled making genuine friendships. You could be polite, sure, but so many people didn’t seem worth the effort anymore. It was easier to catapult all of your efforts into your training and work life.

It did make the good friends you had all the more special to you, though. You loved them dearly, and time and time again they proved their loyalty to you. Thankfully it didn’t waver whenever you were away for extended timeframes.

You had been sent away for an assassination. Somewhere nearly across the map, in a remote scavenger village where trouble had been brewing for the Hidden Leaf Village politically. It had done a number on you. You could recall the screams of the warlord’s wife when she found him in his bed with his throat cut.

As you settled into the routine of being home again, you found solace in Kurenai Yuhi. She was the friend that had been with you the longest, since the academy. You witnessed each other’s growth throughout your short lives and had been there to celebrate with and uplift the other whenever needed. That being said, she had also been quick to notice the subsequent depression that fell over you after your latest mission.

“When was the last time you went out?” She asked you flippantly.

You had come over to her home for tea the moment you had turned in the paperwork to the Hokage’s office. You shook your head.

“I’m here now, aren’t I?”

She flicked your shoulder. “That’s not what I meant. Honestly! For fun. Something that doesn’t keep you holed up in your apartment. You know, with people.”

You gave half a laugh. “You’re scheming.”

“And if I am?”

You sighed. “You’ll rope me into it somehow. Just nothing too wild, please.”

She says it’s for your own good, and she’s probably right. Kurenai arranges dinner at a local bar with your peers, and the other jonin accept their invitations quickly.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. These are people you really loved and appreciated. It would be good to let loose for a bit. And then Kurenai comes to your door to get ready with you as promised, and she throws black fabric in your face immediately.

“WHAt the fuck—?” Scrambling, you take it off your head and your eyes bulge.

It’s a beautiful black dress. Nothing outrageously fancy, but simple and refined without looking like you were trying too hard. You snorted, and Kurenai called out to you from the bathroom.

“Kakashi’s coming, too!”

“Goddamnit... Kuri—“

“Just try it on! I promise it’s not itchy. And you look good in black.”

And as it turns out, you did. The dress hugged you in all the right places without suffocating you, and fell loosely just above your knees.

You and Kurenai looked at your body in the mirror almost surprised.

“Okay, I really like it a lot.” You admitted with a small smile, and she gave a playful smack to your ass.

“I told you!”

...

Everything falls into place accordingly, and as you both approach the bar, you can feel a familiar fire burning in your chest.

You were happy to have time with your friends, but you were itching to see one in particular. You hadn’t seen Kakashi since weeks before you left to execute the assassination.

God, how to describe how you felt for this man and where to begin? He was within your circle of true companions, many of whom you’d known since childhood. But Kakashi— he was different.

You’d admired him from afar as children, intrigued by his protege-level talent, until you had been roped into Gai’s shenanigans along the way. In truth, you think you shocked him by not being so intimidated by his prowess.

Ultimately, you could see he was lonely. You’d had your own losses yourself, but it was hard to imagine everything he had endured. You gained an honest respect for him, and you’d protected him beyond your time together in ANBU. But nothing could deny the pull you felt to him, or how much you wanted to be the person to put a smile on his face.

...Even if you couldn’t see it.

As you wait with your posse, your eyes find him first when he is (of course) the last to show up. You can’t help but observe him greedily when no one else notices, and you can’t help but stand a little taller when you notice his brows rise when he takes in your dress.

And from there, the night is history. You all pile into a cramped booth and order several rounds of drinks and food to last the night. Everyone has something to contribute, laughing, teasing, and bickering the night away. It warms your heart; finally,

you feel like you’re back home.

Your mentality becomes stronger too as you feel the warmth from the sake hit you. With precise aim you manage to toss a piece of sushi into Gai’s mouth from across the table and your audience applauds.

Yet despite your sport, you can’t ignore the looks Kakashi has been giving you even before you laughed in triumph. He’s been particularly quiet for some time, but you can’t tell if it’s the booze or the atmosphere getting to him.

When the waitress comes to gather your third round of empty drinks you can feel your mood shift. She’s a lovely girl,

thin and with pretty doe eyes. You can’t pick it up through the noise, but she makes a comment to Kakashi and you can make out a smug smile through his mask. He holds out cash between two pointed fingers to her, and she happily takes it and bats her eyelashes at him.

Something begins to boil in your blood. It wasn’t like you to get jealous— that couldn’t be it. But you swear you see his eyes dart to follow her hips as she leaves. And it irritates the living shit out of you.

You’d yearned after this man for what? Your entire adult life? How dare he. Disregard the fact you had never had the guts to confess to him.

Fuck him. Fuck him and his pretty eyes, and his stupid soft hair, and his feathery laugh—

God, you were in so deep. Your seething turns into pouting in your head. Sitting on the sidelines sucked.

And even still... something in your resolve is building. It could be impatience, or the fear you were nowhere near drunk enough to pull this off and forget about it if it went sour. But as the waitress eyes him from the bar, you excuse yourself to the restroom while the attention is on Asuma at the other side of the table.

With Kakashi on the outer seat, it’s easy to carefully but firmly hoist his vest into your hand so you can easily whisper in his ear.

“Outside in five, Hatake.”

...

He could easily find you when he got outside to see you weren’t directly by the entrance. You had snuck into the side alley to patiently wait, like a cat waiting for a mouse to show itself from the underbrush.

Your nerves are broiling over while you idle, and the heat in your gut is burning you alive. But just as you’re ready to talk yourself out of it, he sneaks around the corner.

“This is some rendezvous, don’t you—“

He can’t even finish before you’ve swiftly backed him against the wall. You hold his wrists firmly in place by his shoulders, though you’re aware he could quickly break your hold if he tried.

“What the hell’s wrong with you Kakashi?” You pitifully laugh. “Do you think I’m not paying attention to you?”

Your words are more vicious than the defeated sound of your voice.

He playfully arches an eyebrow. “So, you have been watching me?”

“Of course I’ve been watching you, jackass! How could you even— but I know we’re not— but still—!”

Your resolve is quickly dissipating while his expression becomes more amused. Damn him.

“I think that was a confession if I’ve ever heard one,” he calmly adds. You glare at him.

He thinks he’s won, and gets ready to leave, but you press your knee between his legs. He can’t move, and there’s not enough pressure beneath his crotch to hurt, but he then has your attention.

“Do you have any idea what you do to me, Hatake?” You dangerously whisper to him.

Now, you see him sweat. His eyes look away, and that won’t do. Not anymore.

“Every night I was away, all I could think about was you.” You breathe into his collarbone, kissing over his clothed neck until you reach his flushed ear.

“Y/N—“

“I’m tired of playing games. You know how much I want you. Only you.” You suck on the lobe of his ear and grin when you feel him inhale sharply.

Your hands fall down to his hips and grip them harshly to ground yourself. With closed eyes, you have to steady your breathing to calm yourself. “If you don’t want this, tell me. You don’t have to.”

He’s ripped out of his haze by the sincerity of your tone. In the dim light, you can see him pull his mask down with a finger to take you in fully. His smile is so breathtakingly, beautifully raw.

“I do want you, and all of this. Now kiss me already.“

And like that, your heads are tilted and your lips are locked. The fire in your belly explodes to the rest of your body and you feel it amplified every time you touch him.

He moans deeply when you begin to push against him, reveling in how this wasn’t a dream. One of his hands cradles the back of your head through your hair, and you grin when the other trails down to grope your ass.

You gently rub your knee into his crotch, and he keens while you run your hands up his toned stomach and over his tight chest. When you’re to his face, you lower your knee to push your hips together and pull his hair as you slip your tongue into his mouth.

He submits to you willingly, openly, and freely. And it drives you wild.

Your kisses become more desperate as your tongues interlock, and he feels up from your thigh to your ass when you wrap a leg around him for balance.

His grip tightens around the back of your legs. “Jump,” he says, breathlessly.

You smile. “No.”

The wild look in your eyes sends a shiver down his spine.

He goes to ask you why, but then you’re on your knees in front of him and he swears he double-takes. You pause when your hand is at his zipper and he swears he’ll scream.

“You can stop me at anytime.”

“I don’t want to! Please,” he rasps, fingers trying to find purchase at the top of your head.

His begging sends the heat within you straight to your core. So you indulge, and pull down his pants and underwear enough to let his cock bob out into the night air.

He hisses at the cold initially, but almost chokes when he feels the flat of your tongue press against his cockhead. Your eyes are dark with a sinister lust when you stare up at him, and it takes his breath away.

“Fuck, Y/N, please,” he whines, his voice catching.

You flick your pointer finger up and trail it from between his balls up his entire length, not removing it from his now fully erect shaft.

“Please what? Use your words baby.”

He bucks his hips forward trying to get close to your mouth again.

“Please Y/N, blow me,” he pants. “Fuck me with that pretty mouth of yours.”

Did you wickedly grin once more? Probably. But you close your eyes and take his entire cock down your throat at once and he nearly seizes.

You start at an agonizing pace, making him wanton and needy for you. But just as he’s tiring, you speedily lick your tongue around his shaft and deeply suck him, making him yelp in the process.

“AH!— Holy shit!” He gasps and tightens his grip on your hair.

You hum around his cock, happy with his response, and he gives you a low, drawn out groan to follow. It’s enough to distract him while your hands hook around the back of his thighs to hold him in place.

You run your nails down his thighs just as you begin to swirl your tongue over his sensitive head, and then you take him as far back into your throat as you can once more.

Kakashi’s eyes are rolling into the back of his head, completely at your mercy and enjoying every minute of it. His silver hair frames his pearlescent skin so well in the darkness, which must contrast well with the weeping cock in your mouth.

You come up for air, and give him fast, sticky pumps as you look up at him cheekily.

“How are you feeling handsome?”

“S-So good, holy fuck.” He tries to catch his air as well, but he shakes his head. “Please, let me fuck your mouth. You feel so fucking good, please let me.”

Who were you to refuse?

[oswinsdolma]

Proving all the Knights of the Round Table have magic part 3: Elyan

I've seen quite a few people headcanon Elyan with magic before, and it's definitely one of the more popular magic!knights hcs, so I apologise if I accidentally hijack anyone else's points xx

The most obvious indicator of this is the fact that Elyan leaves Camelot a year before Merlin arrives. This is about the same age Morgana's magic shows itself, so it would be natural to assume he left because he began showing signs of being a warlock, Camelot's laws being what they are.

It is also implied that Elyan left fairly abruptly, with Gwen having no idea where he went. He may have left in a hurry because somebody might have noticed him, and not told Gwen or Tom for fear of putting them in danger.

Perhaps in a darker note, he didn't say where he was going because he was ashamed of his magic and didn't think his family would accept him.

Gwen says that "[Elyan] always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time". Maybe accidents happen around him because he had trouble controlling his magic and found it increasingly difficult to cover for. This could be another indicator as to why he left.

Elyan didn't return to Camelot even for his father's funeral, and while he expresses his guilt, he doesn't give sufficient reason why: the reason? He may not be able to tell Gwen because he was still scared to return with magic.

When Gwen reveals her relationship with Arthur, Elyan is skeptical, and maybe even a little panicked. After all, would your sister falling in love with someone with the power to set you ablaze not be a terrifying concept to anyone with magic? But when Arthur comes to rescue them and proves himself to be slightly less of a prat than he may think, he tentatively agrees to return home, though I suspect this is mainly for Gwen's sake.

When the immortal army invades Camelot, Elyan manages to stay hidden and fight off some soldiers. Note that he is the only one of the group within Camelot with no Knights' training, which begs the question: how did he manage to escape? The answer could very well lie with magic.

Again, in The Darkest Hour, he is one of two knights that survived the meeting with Morgana. He is one of the more inexperienced knights as well, which suggests that he may have aided himself magically in the fight.

When faced with a seemingly unbeatable threat, Elyan says to Arthur: "tomorrow, we fight in your name, sure. For freedom and justice in this land." Now there is a lot to unpack here, but if we break it down, firstly there is the fact that Elyan places is emphasis on "your" when addressing Arthur. He has previously made a statement about the Pendragon crest, but in this moment, it seems that he cares more about Arthur than this. This is clearly indicative of the fierce bond between Arthur and the core knights, but it could be more than that: the emphasis of "your" is specific to Arthur, but perhaps more importantly, it is an exclusion of Uther. In his time, Arthur has made mistakes, but he has generally been more sympathetic towards magic than his father, and this may be Elyan's subtle way of acknowledging that.

In addition, the words: "for freedom and justice in this land" could just be in reference for Arthur's abilities as king, but this is a deep speech and one would assume it has a deeper meaning. Freedom and justice are two things that have not been afforded to those with magic for a long time. Uther's twisted "justice" involved executing anyone who disagreed with him and anyone who could be vaguely affiliated with sorcery. As for freedom, Arthur has created a fairer kingdom than his father, but magic users still live in fear. Combined with the earlier stress of "your", this is indicative that Elyan too believes that Arthur may one day come to bring peace to anyone who is born with magic.

This last point also has the implications that Elyan knows of the Once and Future King and surrounding prophecies. Though he is described as a troublemaker by Gwen before he comes to Camelot, he keeps his head relatively low upon arrival. Perhaps in the time he spent travelling, he sought help from magical communities, e.g. the druids, who helped him control his powers. This would also explain his vagueness about his whereabouts and lack of contact during the years he was missing.

I could go on about this quote but we'll leave it there for now.

Before he is overtaken by the power of the Lamia, Elyan is vocal in standing up for Merlin. This could be because he knows what it is like to be shunned by society. Magic could be a reason for that. (Also I fully believe that the only reason the Lamia didn't try and take over Merlin was because she was scared of the extent of his magic, not just because he had magic.)(and the merthur reasons when I'm in the mood)

Then Elyan falls sick, before the others begin to show symptoms. Maybe the Lamia sensed some magic and decided he was more trouble than he was worth.

Elyan was not raised by druids, and does not have the same powers as Merlin so wouldn't have sensed the power of the shrine, at least not too strongly. When he first sees the spirit though, he is genuinely sympathetic, even before the murderous intent takes hold.

In the Dark Tower, Elyan is consumed by his need to find Gwen, convinced that he is to blame for her capture. This could be survivor's guilt (and to an extent, probably is), but it is equally probable that Elyan believes that he should have used his magic to protect her.

Going off on a slight tangent here, the theme of "I have magic so it must have a purpose" within warlocks/sorcerers in the show is a) not a healthy mindset and b) uncomfortably common. Elyan may have latched onto the idea that he must use his magic to protect Gwen to convince himself to stay in Camelot, and with that conprmino, he began to fall apart. His behaviour is almost identical to Merlin's fervour regarding Arthur at this point, and it's fairly disturbing that these characters adopt this mindset that is Not Good For Their Mental Heath, Please Get Some Therapy.

Elyan dies. It's heartbreaking, and he does so trying to save his sister. But what is interesting is his funeral. When most main characters die, they are given a funeral in Camelot, e.g. Uther, Lancelot (the first time). But then Freya and Shade!Lanceot (and later Arthur) are set to rest in the Lake of Avalon. The difference between the two is that the lake funerals were arranged by Merlin, and those laid to rest there can somehow be affiliated with magic.

Now I'm not saying that Merlin knew about Elyan's magic, because sometimes he can be really not very perceptive about that (though it's always fun when fics cheerily toss that out the window because it's fun goddamnit-), but I don't believe he was entirely oblivious. Think about it: there are two of Arthur's closest friends canonically hiding magic from him and it's fairly probable that they'll pick up on Elyan's magic at some point. Even if it's just little things like his sympathies with magic or gentle arguments about the way mages are treated. There are so many avenues to explore with this it's overwhelming-

I also think Elyan may have picked up on Merlin's magic later in the series: the point of realisation was probably when Merlin rescued him during his time being possessed by the drowned druid boy, upon which he says: "you know, Merlin, you're much braver than you look." This is the first time Merlin has revealed his more BAMF side to Elyan, and in this moment, something unspoken passes between them. If not mutual understanding, it is at least Elyan realising what Merlin does beneath his carefree exterior, and despite the possession, I think he acquires a lot of new respect for his friend.

(also are we going to ignore that the lake funeral implies that it was arranged by Merlin. How close were they and what stuff did we miss out on behind the scenes for him to be trusted with this?? I need to know)

Elyan and Mordred have a friendship in series 5. If the earlier headcanon about Elyan learning to control his magic with druids is true, perhaps he may have recognised Mordred from his time there. They probably didn't acknowledge it much, but it created a bond between them.

And now for the mythological context!!

Of all the Knights of the Round Table, Elyan's backstory is perhaps the most estranged from the original legend (of course all of them are fairly disconnected *flashbacks to pope-gwaine* but Elyan's is w a c k y)

As a consequence, there is little to draw on for behind-the-scenes evidence of magic.

Elyan, or Helayn, was another Knight whose origins stem from France (the Vulgate Cycle, I think, though he could have surfaced earlier). He is said to have joined Lancelot in exile after his affair of 'courtly love' with Guinevere (go and look up this concept- it gets convoluted in the myths but is really interesting in terms of both origin and content). Anyway, his exile here could represent the time he spent out of Camelot before his appearance in s3, and relates to hiding from harsh laws, particularly if we regard Lancelot and Guinevere's relationship in the same way as we do in the Vulgate Cycle (basically keep the context with the appropriate work and it sort of makes sense)

I appreciate this seems a little like grasping at straws but that's literature I suppose ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

In the legends, Elyan is nephew to another of Arthur's knights, Sir Sagramore. This knight is less famous than some, but at one point, he embarks on a quest to find the fay. The fay are closely linked with the she, and perhaps also live on Avalon, somewhere mortals are only supposed to see moments before death. Perhaps Elyan can be associated with this magic?

In reality, there is little written of Elyan and no prose or poetry dedicated to him so it's quite hard to find stuff about him.

Also legend!Elyan is heir to the throne of Constantinople, which just goes to prove how widespread and deeply convoluted the mythos is.

[crappymixtape]

❤ prompts list

CRAPPYMIXTAPE • PROMPTS LIST

to request a prompt from me please make sure you use the following format and submit here!

•  category ( angst, fluff, kissing ) • number from the list •  character(s) you want

PROMPT CREDITS: kissing prompts from @kashimalin-fanfiction and some others above from @writings-of-a-hufflepuff

🖤 ANGST

“Love is Overrated”

“I should have told you a long time ago”

“You’re in love with her”

“I thought you were dead”

“You’re never gonna let that go, are you”

“I can explain”

“Watch me”

“I don’t believe you”

“Please look at me”

“Is she/he really just a friend”

“I’m just disappointed”

“You know I’m not like that”

“Don’t give me space that’s the last thing I want with you

“I know you still love me”

“I can’t think straight with you”

“Why are you so stubborn”

“Don’t do this here”

“Trust me on this”

“You…. you never had a problem with it before”

“I knew I shouldn’t be here”

“What do you mean by that”

“You deserve more”

“Can you kiss me? Just one last time please. That’s all I ask”

“I’m scared”

“I swear I’ll do things different this time”

“She/he’s beautiful. I hope she/he makes you happy”

“I want to believe you. I do”

“I don’t owe you an explanation. I don’t owe you anything”

“Not everyone is going to hurt you”

I’m…. I’m trying. I really am”

“I can’t sleep”

“How long will this go on for”

“Do you ever mean the things you say”

“You won’t understand”

“Am I too late”

“I want an answer goddamnit!”

“This is why we can’t have nice things”

“I can’t keep kissing strangers pretending there you”

“You could have died”

“Prove it”

“I never stood a chance did I”

“Do you regret it”

“Lie to me then”

“I feel like I can’t breath”

“I still remember the way you taste”

“You make me want things I can’t have”

“Give me a chance”

“Not you again”

“Leave me alone”

“I don’t love you anymore”

“Why do you hate me”

“I lost the baby”

“I thought you loved me”

“I don’t need you anymore”

“Don’t die on me…. please”

“I never meant to hurt you”

“Thanks for nothing”

“You’ve ruined that song for me”

“I hate you. I can finally say with every bone and nerve in my body that I hate you and never want to see you again”

“It was all a lie. I never loved you. I’m sorry”

“She/he’s not yours”

“Please don’t say those three stupid words”

“Shut up”

“I can’t believe you’d do this to me after everything I’ve done for you”

“I can’t even look at you”

“Please just let me go”

“It wasn’t meant to go this far I swear”

“You were ready to leave me for her”

“There is not us there never was”

“I was doing fine. Really. But then you waltz back and break my heart again”

“My mom asked about again”

“Please don’t cry”

“I told you not to fall in love me”

“Just get home as soon as possible okay!?”

“Y/N open the door!”

“I can’t pretend any more”

“Get the hell out”

“That sounds a lot like a good bye”

“You broke my heart”

“This isn’t you”

“Why aren’t you with her”

“I’m sorry if i gave you the wrong impression”

“The baby it’s yours”

“Please wake up. Please!”

“Don’t you ever do that again”

“Do you even love me anymore”

“Don’t try to fix me I’m not broken”

“Go back to bed before you hurt your self”

“Excuse me for freaking, I thought you were dead”

“That came out wrong”

“Things don’t always turn out the way you want them too”

“What are you afraid of”

“I moved on”

“Call me that one more time see what happens”

“Just one last hug and I’ll leave”

“All right I’ll leave you alone”

“Do you think I just forgot”

“Eventually…. you just move on”

“Don’t you dare walk away”

“Forget I even asked you”

💫 FLUFF

“Have you ever kissed anyone before”

“Can I kiss you”

“You didn’t tell me your friend was cute”

“I feel sick…..so anxious and sick and like my heart is beating out of my chest,”

“You don’t know what you do to me do you?”

“I want to feel like this forever,”

“You give me reason to do better, to be better”

“God you’re so fucking cute,”

“I love you but I need you to go away because you’re distracting and I have to pass this test tomorrow,”

“Your hair is so soft

“It’s too cold. Come back!”

“No. I’m not letting you go it’s to early to get out of bed”

“C’mere, you can sit on my lap until I’m done”

“I’m not going to stop poking you until you give me some attention”

“Shh, you’re safe. I won’t let you go”

“What. Does that feel good”

“Just pretend to be my date”

“He/she did it” “No he/she did it”

“I think I’m in love with and that terrifying”

“It’s not a double date we’re just third and fourth wheeling”

“No no— it’s alright come here”

“I’m not going to leave you. You’re never going to suffer by your self again, I promise”

“I’m in love with you”

“It’s always been you”

“Shut up and kiss me”

“I’ve waited for this for so long”

“I can’t wait any longer”

“Can I kiss you”

“Can I touch you”

“I missed you so much”

“Stay with me forever”

“I thought you didn’t want me” “I want you and only you”

“The way I feel when I’m with you…”

“I’ll always love you”

“Marry me”

“Why haven’t you kissed me yet”

“Because I love you”

“You’re the most beautiful thing I ever met”

“I can’t stay away from you”

“I’m better when I’m with you”

“You make me so happy”

“You smell really nice”

“You’re comfy”

“You are very endearing when you’re half asleep”

“But I want to hear you sing”

“We can talk over dinner”

“Will you let me rub your back”

“Star gazing was such a good idea”

“I’ll always be here for you”

“It’s okay I couldn’t sleep anyway”

“Don’t be silly I wanna stay up with you”

“You’re adorable you know that”

“I don’t like lightning”

“How about a kiss”

“She/he’s not you”

“Is there a reason why your blushing like that”

“Oh your jealous”

“Can we stay like this for ever”

“They’re so cute when they sleep”

“I think you should know that I think you’re beautiful”

“Can’t believe we’re going to be parents”

“How can I think about that when I’m next to the most beautiful girl/boy ever”

“You’re my home”

“You came back to me”

“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me”

“I’m so in love with you”

“Dance with me”

“Isn’t this amazing?”

“I wish we could stay like this forever”

“I’m pregnant”

“I need a hug”

“You’re special to me”

“I’m going to keep you safe”

“You’re cute when you’re angry”

“I’ve liked you for a while now”

“Let’s have a baby”

“We’d make such a cute couple”

“I wanna take care of you”

“Can we cuddle”

“It’s lonely here with out you”

“I can’t stand the thought of losing you”

“Are you flirting with me”

“Is that my shirt”

“How did we get here”

“You’ve been pouting ever since I went out on that what’s up?”

“Your lips are really close to mine”

“I dare you to kiss me”

“Is there a reason why you’re blushing like that”

“Are we on a date right now”

“I wish we could live together”

“I think you might be my soulmate”

“He’s so pretty I think I’m going to faint”

“Am supposed I to be scared of you”

💋 KISSING

Small kisses littered across the other’s face.

A small, fleeting kiss - which is immediately followed by a passionate, hungry kiss.

A breathy demand: “Kiss me” - and what the other person does to respond.

One person stopping a kiss to ask “Do you want to do this?”, only to have the other person answer with a deeper, more passionate kiss.

Kissing in a stairwell, giving them an artificial height difference.

A chaste kiss given to each other because they are in mixed company.

A kiss that is leading to more, but is interrupted by a third party.

A kiss that tastes of the food/dessert they are eating.

Deep kisses where they have their hands tangled in each other’s hair to pull them closer.

Wet kisses after finding refuge from the rain.

Brushing a kiss along the shell of the other person’s ear.

Kisses exchanged while one person sits on the other’s lap.

One person tracing the other’s lips with a fingertip until they can’t resist any longer, tilting their chin towards them for a kiss.

Staring at each other’s lips for a moment before moving closer, as if drawn together by some unseen force.

Weak, sweaty kisses because it’s unbearably hot.

Pulling away from a kiss, whispering words of love against each other’s lips.

A kiss so passionate, so perfect - that after they part, neither person can open their eyes for a few moments afterwards.

An unexpected kiss that shocks the one receiving it.

Kisses that start on their fingers and run up their arm, eventually ending on their lips.

An awkward kiss given after a first date.

Starting with eskimo kisses before moving on to soft kisses

Cleaning the other person’s lips with a lick and a kiss.

Whispering “I love you” before a chaste, delicate kiss.

Kissing tears from the other’s face.

A gentle kiss that quickly descends into passion, with little regard for what’s going on around them.

Kisses shared under an umbrella.

Distracting kisses from someone that are meant to stop the other person from finishing their work, and give them kisses instead.

A kiss pressed to the top of the head.

Tentative kisses given in the dark.

Kisses exchanged as they move around, hitting the edges of tables or nearly tripping over things on the floor before making it to the sofa, or bed.

A lingering kiss before a long trip apart.

A kiss paired with a tight hug, knocking the breath out of the person being hugged.

One person has to bend down in order to kiss their partner, who is standing on their tip-toes to reach their partner’s.

Short and sweet kiss after meeting up for a date

A kiss, followed by more that trail down the jaw and neck.

An accidental brush of lips followed by a pause and going back for another, on purpose.

Throwing their arms around the other person’s neck, hugging them close before kissing them passionately on the lips.

Wild, breathless kisses brought on by a heartfelt gift.

French kisses where they trace every tooth with their tongues as though trying to memorize them.

Laying a gentle kiss to the back of the other’s hand.

A kiss that lasts so long, they are sharing each other’s breaths.

A hello/good-bye kiss that is given without thinking - where neither person thinks twice about it.

Morning kisses that are exchanged before either person opens their eyes, kissing blindly until their lips meet in a blissful encounter.

Sneaking away to a hidden corner to share a secretive kiss.

Butterfly kisses against the other’s cheeks.

A kiss so desperate that the two wind around each other, refusing to let go until they are finished.

A fierce kiss that ends with a bite on the lip, soothing it with a lick.

One person pouting, only to have it removed by a kiss from the other person.

Tucking their hands beneath the other person’s shirt, just to watch them break the kiss and gasp in surprise at the sensation of cold/warm hands on their skin.

Teasing kisses where one person blows air into the other’s mouth and runs away.

[to-hell-and-beyond]

Hello! This is my prompt list, filled with prompts of all kind! You do not need one of these to request something, they are just ideas or well prompts. I hope you enjoy!

”If I could, I would kiss away all of your scars.”

“No, you can’t get up! You’re my prisoner for today.”

“You know I’m always here for you, right?”

“It’s too cold! Come back!”

“Come here...You can sit on my lap while I work.”

“I’m not going to stop poking until you give me some attention.”

“Just pretend to be my date.”

“I think I’m in love with you and I'm terrified.”

“No no-it’s alright, come here”

“I’m not going to leave you. You’re never going to have to suffer by yourself again, I promise.”

“Your hair is so soft…”

“No, I’m not letting you go... It’s too early to get out of bed.”

“I’m sorry...Can you hug me now?”

“Wanna skip this and go cuddle?”

“You wanna be in my book?”

“I’ll give you five kisses for one of your snicker bars.”

“Do you sleepwalk?”

“Wanna ride the ferris wheel just tougher and without our friends?”

“My doctor says you need cuddles and a bunch of kisses.”

“Shhh...It’s ok I’m here now.”

“What are you doing? Come back to bed.”

“You make me want to be a better person.”

“I’m so lucky to have you by my side.”

“Can you hold me?”

“Wow...You look beautiful”

“I don’t owe you anything.”

“I don’t owe you an explanation”

“I want an answer,goddamnit!”

“Tell me again.”

“You could have died!”

“Prove it.”

“Do you regret it?”

“Tell me I’m wrong.”

“Lie to me then.”

“We need to talk about what happened last night.”

“I never stood a chance, did I?”

“I feel like I can’t breath.”

“Just tell me the truth!”

“ I put all of my trust in you and this is what you do?”

“How much of that did you hear?”

“You’re my biggest regret.”

“He/her/them was never mine, but losing him broke my heart.”

“Talk to me then!”

“I screwed up.”

“Why did you leave me?”

“I’m sorry but I can’t forgive you. Not after this.”

“Leave.”

“I wish I never met you!”

“You make me sick.”

“You made me a pawn in your sick game!”

“Now if you don’t mind...we will be leaving.”

“Are you jealous?”

“I’m his/her/them s/o”

“You don’t like anything.”

“Hey, don’t undestemainte me.”

“Do you even know what a complement is?”

“You really need to sort out your priorities here buddy.”

“You never cease to amaze me.”

“Duck, you idiot!”

“Rot in hell”

“You swear more than a sailor.”

“ I have a slipper and I’m not afraid to use it.”

“H-hey It’s me! Stop it!”

“Where's your secret stash?” “You know I have a secret stash?”

“I will never underestimate you again.”

“Just run.” “What do you mean run?” “RUN!”

“It’s really not that complicated.”

“It’s three in the morning.”

“Hide here, ok?”

“We could get arrested for this.”

“Watch me.”

“Sometimes being an absolute idiot comes in handy.”

“You’re in love with them aren’t you?”

“I can explain.”

“Can you help me?”

[rwby-necro-au-archive]

Death does not do you and I part completely.

Summer has a special meeting with someone in particular.

Tick tick tick

The clocks second hand went, ticking by, counting each excruciating second that he sat in that goddamn chair.

How long had he even been sitting here? Hours? Days? Weeks? It felt like he hadn’t left his office.

Could you blame him though? It was only a few months ago that the terrifying head councilman of Vale had him pinned to a wall with an iron grip around his neck, choking out every last little bit of lifesaving air he needed in order to live.

He was too scared to leave the council building. So he stayed in his office, that now seemingly small and empty office, the one with gunmetal grey walls, giant crystal clear windows, and carpet more expensive than the man himself sitting in his equally expensive chair.

Ironwood felt like he was losing his mind. Between the constant childish insults of the anons, his inability to track a location on them, and the fact that there was a chance that the people he saw around Ozpin were those only he could see, he wanted to just close his eyes for a few days.

Sleep doesn’t come for the weary though, and he had work to do. Paperwork. Of course it’s paperwork, as if his eyes weren’t already failing him with the lack of sleep.

He sighed and began his work.

Summer floated gracefully through the building, passing by countless who she couldn’t care less about, she only had 1 person in mind.

The man himself, the man who shot her in cold blood. God, how long had it been? She had been 28 when it happened, Ozpin was only 5 years into his position as councilman.

8 years at least is what it had to have been.

8 years for Summer to finally level herself out to have this conversation.

She knew he didn’t deserve patience, but she also knew that screaming at the man wouldn’t do her any good either.

Finally, after what seemed like a short eternity, she arrived at the door. A silver plate screwed into the door stated “Ironwood” in cursive.

She fazed through the door, looking around the office before seeing the person she was looking for.

And there he was, bags under his eyes, working as always, he didn’t look a day over 25. Unsurprising considering he was revived by her.

She stood and waited silently for him to notice her presence.

Ironwood continued to slave away at the busywork, getting irritated with each passing second at the fact that he had to do this while so torturously tired. He noticed that someone was now in the room with him, but paid them no mind.

“Pursuer. Get out. I am not in mood for whatever you have to say.” He spoke through gritted teeth, irritated at the insistent presence.

Summer tilted her head “I never liked how you spoke to your subordinates. Especially your younger ones.” she spoke in a gentle tone.

Ironwood froze. Rapid fire thoughts shot through his mind all at once, all telling him there’s no way the voice he was hearing was correct.

He slowly looked up, horror splashing across his features once he had done so.

In front of him stood a desaturated, dead looking and glowing version of Summer Rose. Glowing white sclera’s without Iris’s or pupils looked back at him, and an all too familiar white glowing scar graced the center of the woman’s forehead. She wore the same white cloak she had worn before, along with the same black turtleneck and floor length skirt.

Summer laughed gently “What’s wrong general? It looks like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Y-you’re supposed to be dead.”

“I am dead. You killed me, don’t you remember that silly?”

Ironwood sat there dumbfounded, fearful, and confused. She was dead, how was she here?

“What do you want with me?!” Ironwood demanded.

“Just to chat. I wanted to see how you’re doing after all this time. I’ve checked in with my family and friends, why wouldn’t I check in with you? Although….” She tapped a desaturated red finger to her chin.

“Although….?” He spoke nervously.

“Although….I’ve seen you around…”

“Y-you have?”

“Yes…..I saw every meeting you had with Ozzy, everytime you visited him and beacon, everytime he met you in Atlas. How sad that he had to put up with your poor treatment for that long. I’m surprised he didn’t snap sooner! Ozzy was never the kind of man to be patient like that.”

Ironwood gulped nervously. He was showing more of his fear than he’d like to, but at this point he didn’t care. “Really….?” Was Said barely about a whisper.

Summer crossed her arms and scolded the man in front of her like a child, “Mhm….and I saw you threaten my daughter. Now that wasn’t very nice, was it?”

“What are you trying to get at?”

Summer simply looked at him, silence the only thing coming from her.

“What are you getting at?!” He demanded.

She continued to stay silent, staring at him.

Ironwood slammed his hands down on the desk and gritted “Why. The hell. Are you here. To taunt me?! Make fun of me like a child?!”

Summer sighed and shook her head, refusing to speak still.

“TALK TO ME GODDAMNIT”

SMASH!

Ceramic echoed through the office as it hit the wall. Being thrown hard by ironwood in the direction of Summer.

“You can’t hurt me anymore. Don’t you know that?” She said quietly.

Ironwood gripped his head in his hands “SHUT UP!”

Summer kept her quiet tone, “I wouldn’t yell so loud. Your subordinates might hear you—“

“I DON’T GIVE A SHIT WHAT THEY HEAR.”

“You seem to be the only thing I can rely on, did you know that?”

Ironwood’s gaze shot up to look at the woman, “what?”

“I can rely on you because you never change. You haven’t changed since the day I met you James. Perhaps that isn’t necessarily a good thing.”

“The fuck are you talking about?!”

“It’s why Ozpin is happy.”

“Huh?”

“Ozpin is happy because Ozpin knows how to change. He’s a tree that knows how to bend in the wind, a house that’s built to stand the tests and changes of the tide. He knows when change is needed. And although there have been many changes in his life, he appreciates them all.”

Ironwood didn’t have anything to say. He sat in his expensive chair, gripping his head in his hands, staring at the women in awe.

Summer looked sorrowfully at the man in front of her, “you, do not want to change though. A tree that doesn’t bend in the wind is a tree that will snap in half, and if there’s nobody to hear that snap and see it fall, but to only see it’s aftermath, was it ever a tree to begin with?”

“You and Ozpin will be written into history books for years to come. Ozpin will be seen as a man who despite everything being ripped from him as a child, pushed through to see the light in the world and help those less fortunate than himself. He will be seen as a hero. And you, will be seen as a man who got everything he wanted, and yet still took more from those who could never get what he took back. You will be seen as a Villain. A monster.”

Ironwood took his hands off his head and gripped his desk “No. I won’t. Atlas will write me into the history books as a hero. You’re wrong.”

“What good is a title of hero if it only serves to cover the misery that one man has caused? A false hero, is no hero at all. Humanity will always find the truth, it is in our very nature to do so.” Summer spoke.

“You’re wrong. I’ll prove you wrong. Referring back to your tree metaphor, I won’t snap in half.” Ironwood clutched the desk further, gritting his teeth.

“You will. In fact, it’s already started. There are many who will seek to be rid of you.”

“I already know about how the necromancers feel about me.”

“I’m not talking about the necromancers.”

“What?” Ironwood questioned.

Summer gave him a pitiful look and shook her head.

“ANSWER ME.” He screamed as he slammed his hands down on the desk.

Summer continued to stare sorrowfully at the man in front of her. Questioning if this was truly the man she feared so much beforehand.

He slammed his hands down on his desk again, harder, putting a crack in it “FUCKING ANSWER ME.”

She continued to stay quiet, as he continued to scream, eventually throwing things at her. None of which hitting her but rather phasing through her.

Summer turned her back to him before speaking barely above a whisper “you truly never change, James.” Before disappearing.

Ironwood stood there silently, contemplating what happened. Before he could calm down, his door was cracked open slightly.

“Sir, Are you alright?” Violet asked quietly.

“GET. OUT.” He screamed at her, slamming another fist down on his desk, putting a bigger crack in it.

She flinched before quickly closing the door and running down the hall.

Ironwood collapsed back into his expensive chair and put his head into his hands.

He sat there thinking for a while, tired, exhausted, and confused. He couldn’t even fathom what he just experienced.

Soon, he whispered something so quiet, only he, in his office, that now seemingly small and empty office, the one with gunmetal grey walls that were now dented from the objects he’d thrown, the one with crystal clear windows, and carpet more expensive than the man himself was.

“I’m losing my mind.”

[gumnut-logic]

Callisto (Part Seven - Investigation)

Prologue 1. Incident - Bit 1 | Bit 2 2. Fallout - Bit 1 | Bit 2 | Bit 3 3. Voyage - Bit 1 | Bit 2 | Bit 3 4. Arrival - Bit 1 | Bit 2 5. Orientation 6. Rescue Site 7. Investigation

Here we are again with the next three thousand odd words of this fic.

Many thanks as always to @vegetacide​ @tsarinatorment​ @scribbles97​ @janetm74​ and my wonderful science officer @onereyofstarlight​ (who spent yet more time tackling my odd questions in the last week :D). You guys are amazing and I can’t thank you enough for all your amazing readthroughs and support.

You guys totally spoilt me last week so I hope this week delivers some entertainment. ::hugs you all so much:: Thank you so much for your amazing support.

Warnings: minor whump, far too much indulgence in scenery on my part because I’m having too much fun.

I hope you enjoy this.

-o-o-o-

Alan was sent back with Gordon and one of the dragonflies, while Virgil and Scott scouted back along the tunnel for a high enough point that either a molepod or Thunderbird Three could drill down deep enough to give them easy access for Thunderbird Four.

They found it in one of the larger caverns about a kilometre back from the Crystal Cave as they had come to call it.

Having seen so much crystal in one spot, Virgil now found himself spotting more and more of it along the tunnels. On first glance he had assumed most of the sparkles in the walls were patches of ice – there was certainly enough of the stuff around to cater to the concept. But on closer examination, there were crystals of all sizes and colours dotted along their return path.

In the dry cavern there were even more. Not anywhere near as many as in the crystal cave, but enough that Virgil pulled over, climbed out and collected a couple of specimens for later examination. John definitely wanted in on that analysis. He was still hunting for the source of the interference and was at this point reaching for every straw he could grab.

But first they had lives to save.

The roof of the Dry Cavern, as it was dubbed for convenience’s sake, had a number of large crystalline formations and there was a plea from the Base’s scientific staff to avoid as much damage as possible.

As if Virgil needed that reminder. He wasn’t one for blatant destruction of anything, but in this case as he planted the homing beacon for Three, he realised they were going to lose at least one beautiful structure in the process. So, it was with some sadness, he flipped the dragonfly and attached it to the rock ceiling of Dry Cavern and attempted to uproot a crystal tree as tall and as wide as himself to take back to the base.

With the application of a laser cutter, it came away surprisingly easily and with minimal damage. The dragonfly’s two front claws held it as delicately as they could. Carefully flipping the pod back upright, Virgil lowered it down to land and clambered out to secure the crystal.

Halfway out of the pod his vision doubled and he slipped.

Callisto’s gravity was almost nothing in comparison to Earth’s but the laws of physics still held strong and without atmospheric density to slow him down in any way, his momentum threw him at the rocky floor with enough force to cause him to bounce with a painful squawk. Previously obtained bruises complained and his head throbbed enough to turn his stomach over.

He ended up on the ground, on his side, doing his best not to puke all over the inside of his helmet, his only thought being how bad things would be if he failed.

“Virgil!” Scott was suddenly beside him, hand on his arm and the ever so familiar worry in his eyes.

Virgil swallowed and attempted to keep his stomach under control while his head screamed at him.

God.

But as before, it dissipated suddenly and Virgil was left panting and wondering what the hell was going on.

What the hell had the T- Drive done to him?

“Talk to me, Virgil. What happened?”

“Was dizzy for a second. Sorry.” He waved Scott’s hand away and sat up slowly. Everything stayed stable and sane.

God, he was tired. “I’m good. Just need some rack time.”

Scott glared at him. “I’ve seen you tired. You’ve never fallen off a pod before.”

“It’s the gravity, or the lack of it. It’s throwing me off.” He pushed himself to his feet.

But he knew what was coming next.

“I’m flying. Get in the back.”

“Scott-“

“Now.”

Virgil growled at him. “I’m going to secure the crystals first. We need to get these back to base in one piece.” And he did, Scott at his elbow the entire time. The man knew how to hover.

Once that was complete, Scott marched him to the backseat and made sure he climbed in safely…like he was a little kid or something.

Damnit.

But the moment he let himself relax, his whole body made it very clear that rest was a good thing. Scott’s flying skills kept the dragonfly consistently level and despite himself, Virgil dozed in and out a good percentage of the way back to base.

Despite the headache.

Of course, all of it resulted in a blowout with both Scott and his father.

“I’m fine!”

“You fell!”

“I slipped. It happens you know. I’ve rested. I’m fine. Now can we get moving? I need to be out there to assist with Four.”

Scott opened his mouth to no doubt confine him to the base with their father and Uncle Lee.

“Virgil, you will undergo an examination by the Base medics before you do anything.” Dad’s voice held that strength of command that Scott had so inherited.

He opened his mouth to rebut.

“Now, Virgil, or I will send Lee out in your stead. You don’t mess around out here. You know that.”

Virgil flicked his glance to the engineer his father had relied on for years, who had actually worked with International Rescue early on.

Goddamnit!

“Fine! But there is nothing wrong with me.”

“Then prove it.” Scott was glaring at him, blue eyes on fire and standing strong beside their father.

Well, at least they were working together, even if it was a combined front against him.

Three had already left, so they had to rely on a Base medic. Fortunately, she agreed with Virgil. Tension headache, the voyage out there and lack of sleep was all they could come up with and since he had snoozed in the pod and his skill set was seriously needed, Scott grudgingly gave him clearance.

Virgil so did not have time for this.

-o-o-o-

Alan slipped into Three’s pilot seat with a sigh. There was something about his ‘bird that was just comforting. Familiarity, probably, but also the knowledge that he had the power to get home under his very fingertips. Pods were great and all, but Alan preferred the power of ion engines and the strength of his ‘bird’s hull.

Gordon in the co-pilot’s seat wasn’t the norm, however.

“Okay, let’s get this ‘bird off the ground.”

Alan glared at him, but poked his comms. “Callisto Base, requesting departure for local foray as filed.”

“Thunderbird Three, you have clearance. Safe journey.”

Journey? He wouldn’t call it a journey. More a nick out the back door to grab takeout, if anything.

Great, now he was hungry for pizza and the nearest pizza joint was a bazillion miles away.

So gonna have a pizza night when they got home.

“FAB, Callisto Base.”

The airlock doors above began their ponderous opening sequence like something directly out of an old sci-fi flick. All that was missing was the cinematic music.

Firing Three’s engines was like breathing again after being stifled for a long time. She lifted, rising slowly into the airlock, her length proof that everything the Base owned was smaller. He only had a handful of metres to play with at either end and he was pretty sure he was scorching their inner door.

Nonetheless, they waited and the outer doors slid open revealing Jupiter once again in all her glory.

Alan eased her out slowly making sure she was fully in the clear before tilting her towards the north and, with a twitch of a thruster, throwing her across the jagged landscape.

The moon surface was craters on craters on craters. The Asgard formation rippled outwards in all directions creating rings of hills, stark greys and silvers against the deep of the black sky. Burr Crater was a splash of bright reflected sunlight glaring enough for the filters on the windows to react and protect their eyesight.

Alan brought up the holoprojection showing exactly where Virgil wanted him to drill.

Another flick of a wrist and Three pivoted on her nose, extended her arms, and settled gently onto the surface of the moon.

“Thunderbird One, Thunderbird Three is in position.”

Comms crackled and Alan frowned.

“That doesn’t sound good.”

State the obvious, Gordon. “Thunderbird One, do you read?”

“We hear you, Thunderbird Three. Dragonfly Pod Two en route to rendezvous.” Scott’s voice cut out and Virgil’s took over. “Gordon, deploy Thunderbird Four. Crane her to the surface. Alan we will need to assemble a large gauge molepod complete with vacuum extraction, as we discussed. We’re about fifteen minutes out.”

“FAB, Dragonfly Two.” The line cut out and Alan turned to his co-pilot. “Okay, Gords, your turn.”

His brother’s face split into a grin. “See you in the sky.”

Alan groaned. “Never gonna hear the end of this, am I?”

“Nope, no time soon. Thunderbird Four is going to fly. No more being dragged around by her sisters. Gonna get her some VTOL.”

Alan clambered out of his seat and half floated, half fell to the back of the cabin. Partial gravity was always odd. “Hoverjets, Gords.”

“Tomayto, tomato, squirt. My ‘bird is gonna fly.”

“In micro-gravity.”

“I’m taking what I can get.”

Alan rolled his eyes. Insufferable.

What followed was Three craning out Four through the cargo bay doors and gently lowering her to the icy surface of the moon.

This time, instead of sleds, Brains had attached hoverjets to the body of Gordon’s submarine. Personally, Alan thought she looked like she had a really bad case of acne, her usually smooth lines interrupted by pustules that spat blue ‘fire’.

Gordon apparently couldn’t stop grinning.

Of course, that all changed once Scott and Virgil arrived on scene. Virgil was unusually curt and Scott was hovering just enough to alert Alan that something wasn’t right.

A quick check with John revealed that Virgil wasn’t feeling well and that Scott wanted him off the mission, but Virgil refused.

That just set Alan off. It was always worrisome when an older brother wasn’t right, and considering all his brothers were older, it happened far more often than Alan liked.

So it was with worried eyes that Alan watched Virgil and Scott deploy the molepod.

The plan was for Three to dig down as far as she could - which was a decent distance, if Alan could say so himself, and then lower the extra-large molepod into the hole so Virgil could complete the tunnel to break through into the cave network below.

They were far enough away from the Crystal Cave, as it was now called, to hopefully leave it unaffected by all these excavations.

Gordon was to follow them in Hoversub Number Four - apparently his fish brother was still working on the new name - navigate to the Cave and revert to Four’s original purpose of being a submarine.

Three’s drill was an oddity for a space craft, but an oddity that had saved Alan’s bacon so many times.

The thought immediately prompted hunger pangs. Bacon.

Maybe he should shove a snack down his throat.

“Alan, start drilling.” Virgil’s sharp voice on comms snapped him out of it.

If Three deployed her drill rather abruptly at that, Alan felt he wasn’t to blame.

Fortunately, she performed with her usual ease and brilliance, creating a massive hole in the side of the moon and a cloud of debris to match, rock and ice thrown up in glittering haze.

God, space was beautiful sometimes.

Once Three had gone as deep as she could, Alan shifted her to one side and acted as a crane to lower Virgil and Scott in the molepod down into the newly created tunnel.

A suspended moment and the billowing dust resumed.

“Hey, Gords, is Virgil okay?” He couldn’t help it. He was worried.

“He’s okay, Allie. Just some leftovers from the ride out here.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Don’t mention it. I don’t want to think about it.”

“Sorry.” It was raining glitter in slow motion.

“How you didn’t notice, I have no idea.”

Gordon was in Four and Alan in Three, but Alan shrugged anyway. “Dunno?” But he was distracted by the holographic image of his two eldest brothers gnawing through rock far below. Almost there. Thank goodness, Three’s grapple was almost at its full extent.

“Thunderbird Three, get ready to reel us in.” Scott’s voice was tight.

Far below the mole broke through into the cavern and began to fall in the ponderous gravity. Alan yanked a lever and pulled the cable tight, catching the pod in a pendulous dangle. “Gotcha.”

“Hold it, Thunderbird Three.” Virgil’s voice was even tighter than Scott’s and Alan wondered if the pod swinging was messing with him. A moment. “Okay, retract slightly.”

Alan did so and the pendulum slowed and eventually his brother gave the go ahead to fully haul them out of that hole.

-o-o-o-

Virgil was beginning to wonder if there was something seriously wrong with him. Digging the hole had been simple, but the moment they burst through into the cavern, his stomach tried to invert itself. It had taken everything he had to keep his insides on the inside.

But then it disappeared again! Leaving the goddamned headache that just refused to go away and was currently pounding through his head to the tune of his heartbeat.

Maybe Scott was right. Maybe there was something seriously wrong.

But he had a job to do.

Thunderbird Four was literally bouncing on the spot by the time the Mole resurfaced dangling from Three’s grapple. Virgil had piloted the pod simply because it was his speciality. Scott had accompanied him because he was worried, but he let him drive.

Such was not the case with the Dragonfly. Virgil was clearly demoted via a pair of determined eyes and exiled to the backseat.

Fine.

It gave him a chance to examine the sensor readings of the rock they had burrowed through on the way down. It was a thoroughly fascinating combination of ice and minerals, silicon in particular.

Thunderbird Four lifted smoothly off the glistening moon surface and with a very unprofessional ‘Yahoo’ slid into the entrance of their new tunnel and disappeared.

Scott was only a second behind.

Four bounced like a rubber ball off the walls, darting around the corners so nimble, Scott had to ask their fish brother to damn well slow down.

Which was just as well, because before they knew it, both Four and the Dragonfly emerged into the cavern, Four in ponderous freefall until the hoverjets could catch on the floor.

“That was awesome! Can I keep the jets, Virg? Please?” An Olympic gold medal, a WASP career and vast experience as an IR operative, and Gordon was still a kid at the candy store begging for his favourite lolly.

“Not important right now, Thunderbird Four.” Commander Tracy’s tone was sharp.

“Just asking!” But below them the bright yellow submarine had obviously latched onto the comms beacon and was moving towards the tunnel leading to the Crystal Cave.

Scott followed as closely as practical and it wasn’t long before both Four and the Dragonfly were sitting on the beach staring at the lake.

Scott and Virgil climbed out of the pod, its lights streaking twin beams across the water and lighting up the crystal walls and glass lake. Gordon hovered at the edge.

“You okay, Thunderbird Four?” Virgil was frowning.

“Pretty fine and dandy, if I may say so myself. Gonna go hover myself out into the depths I think.” His tone while flippant, was distracted. “Scans are reading a hell of a lot of that quartz and I’d rather not test Four’s hull unless I absolutely have to.” There was a grunt. “As it is, that water isn’t just water. I’m going to be cleaning my girl for week after this. It’s mineral soup.”

“Is it a concern? Did you want to abort?” Scott was predictably concerned.

“No, no. She can handle it. I may just need to rope a bro or two into maintenance.” There was a snort that no doubt would be accompanying a grin.

Virg was tired and there were people needing rescue. “Move your ass, Gordon.”

That earned him another worried set of blue eyes. But Virgil was over it and just needed to get this job done.

“FAB, Thunderbird Two.” Four started moving forward, her jets rippling the glass of the water.

Gordon hovered a fair distance out into the middle of the lake before gradually shutting down the hoverjets, letting the sub dip below the surface.

A single breath and she was gone, only circles on circles of steadily spreading ripples remained.

It was damned eerie.

Scott looked like he wanted to climb into the water after their brother.

“Wow, guys, it is amazing down here.” Typical Gordon.

Virgil would have loved to rub his temples.

“Sending visuals to Five. Johnny, you receiving?”

“Affirmative, Thunderbird Four, though I am encountering some interference. Eos, can you clear that up?”

“Guys, I’m getting some temperature variances down here.”

Scott shifted where he stood, his space suit flexing over taught muscles. “Clarify, Thunderbird Four.”

“It’s getting hotter. Not by much, but a definite increase in temperature as I go deeper.” A thoughtful mutter. “This is deeper than it appears, Scott. Readings are fluctuating. What was a hundred metres is now closer to six hundred. Damn, there’s another temperature spike!”

“Thunderbird Four, interference is increasing.” John’s voice crackled as if for emphasis. “We can’t clear it.”

Scott flicked on his wrist display, the two lifesigns pulsing under the icon of Thunderbird Four. “Do you see anything, Gordon? Any sign of what we are facing?”

Gordon muttered something that was drenched in static. “Crystal…temp..ture…rising…” The signal ended in a hiss of static that hurt Virgil’s ears.

Scott’s voice was decision sharp. “Thunderbird Four, abort mission. Return to shore.”

“Sc-“ But the signal cut out completely.

Shit!

The rock under Virgil’s feet trembled. What the-?

Ripples vibrated across the lake.

“Gordon, do you read?!”

“Thunderbird One!” John’s voice had an edge of alarm. “Registering seismic movement in your vicinity!”

“Gordon!”

“Guys! Get out of there! Now!”

“Gordon!”

Virgil grabbed Scott as a shadow grew out of the darkness and into the twin beams of light.

Oh, hell!

“Scott! Move!”

The lake had swelled into a wave, a crest rushing at the shore they were standing on.

Virgil grabbed his brother, turned and ran for the pod.

His fingertips brushed cahelium as the wave hit. Virgil was lifted off his feet, Scott was torn from his grip and he was tumbling.

A sharp pain.

And…

Nothing.

-o-o-o-

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