Dangerous Liaisons
Pairing: Loki Laufeyson x Female!Reader
Word Count: ~2.5k
Warnings: angst, prison!loki
Summary: You do your best to make sure the prisoners of the prison you work at get the utmost care that you can give them. The prison gets a new inmate, one that you see yourself connecting with.
Squares Filled: prison au (2021) for @lokibingo
Author’s Note: any and all comments are greatly appreciated <3
x
You leave the prisoner’s cell with a heavy sigh. Most of the time, you like your job because that means you’re healing people but not when they try and kill you, too. This American prison is one of the worst in the country because it houses the worst of the worst, the most dangerous individuals known to man. Your brother often tells you that you should quit and work in the hospital he works at, but you actually like it here as weird as it sounds.
Some of the prisoners are a menace that makes you want to quit your job, but there are other prisoners who think of prison as a rehab and try to get better. They’re still the most dangerous men due to the nature of their crimes, but at least they’re trying to become better.
You’re here to nurse anyone back to health because believe it or not, there are a lot of stabbings that happen here. You do your best to take care of the inmates as much as you can without letting the job affect you that much. Mental health is just as important.
You walk back to your station in the middle of the prison where the other nurses are gossiping. You try not to participate in the gossip especially when it comes to the other inmates, but it’s hard not to when you work so closely with one another.
“What are you two whispering about?” you ask.
“Did you hear? We’re getting another inmate.”
“Really? Aren't we at capacity?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Who is it?” you ask.
Neither women know the answer to that. All they know is that he is probably the worst of the worst, and that’s saying something. It doesn’t take long for the new inmate to get here, and you’re looking out the window for him. A herd of guards walks down the hallway with the new inmate stuck in between them. You gasp when you see the prisoner. You know who that is. You’ve seen him destroy New York while you were safe in your house in another state.
Loki’s chains connect his ankle handcuffs and wrist handcuffs, only allowing him enough room to take a small step forward. He has a metal muzzle on his face, covering just his mouth. He can use magic so they thought putting a muzzle on him was best to keep him from using it. He doesn’t look bothered about being here but maybe he’s really good at hiding his true emotions.
Loki looks at the nurse’s station and locks eyes with you. Even though there is a muzzle over his mouth, you can see the smirk on his face. His eyes are a powerful blue that gives his expressions away. A shiver rolls down your spine from how intense his gaze is. You’ve met and been with men who knew how to take your breath away, but never has someone been able to do that just by looking at you.
Plus, it doesn’t help that he’s extremely good-looking.
From what you can see, he has cuts and bruises on his face from what, you’re not sure. The guards take Loki to the most secure prison cell in the place. The place had been under construction for a while, probably getting Loki’s cell ready. The warden walks into the nurse’s station and approaches you.
“Consider him your new patient.”
“What?”
“I don’t want anyone else but you with him. You’re the best nurse I’ve got on staff, but don’t tell the others,” he jokes.
“Oh...kay,” you say slowly.
“Don’t worry about him hurting you. We have taken extra precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. There are guards in place if the chains fail, but they won’t. Tony Stark made them.”
“Do you need me to do it now?”
Preferably within the hour. We don’t want to give him an excuse to be let out.”
You go as soon as you can just so you can get this out of the way. You don’t know Loki, only what he’s done, but you know more than most that your actions don’t define who you are. Look at some of the prisoners here. They know what they did was wrong and are trying to better themselves for it even though they may never be released from prison.
You gasp when you see Loki chained up like some animal. The muzzle is still on his face and a chain is hooked to the chain connecting his arms and legs. That chain is connected to a hook on the floor so he can’t escape. Loki is a magical being that is over a thousand years old (yes, you did research on him). If he wants out of the chains, he’s getting out. Why isn’t he? Why did they let him take him? The other inmates have free roam in their cells but Loki is chained to the ground.
How is that fair?
You walk up to Loki and look into his blazing blue eyes. They’re like oceans. He looks like he’d be the quiet one even without the muzzle on.
“Hi, my name is Y/N. I’ll be your nurse. I’m here to clean you up and make sure those cuts aren’t going to get infected.” He doesn’t say anything, obviously. “I’ll be by every day to make sure your wounds aren’t infected and to check your vitals to make sure you’re not sick.”
You roll over a table and put your first aid kit on it, pulling out the things you need. You use a cotton swab to clean up the blood around the edges of the wounds before dabbing a paper towel on the wounds gently. He doesn’t seem to be in pain and if he is, he doesn't show it.
“Let me tell you a little bit about me so you’re not uncomfortable with me. I started working here about six years ago. It’s not always the best but I love what I do. My brother who is a doctor wants me to work in his hospital but I don’t think I’d ever leave here. When I’m not working here, I like to do ceramics. I have a kiln at home where I make my own bowls and other little sculptures. I don’t need the money but I like to sell them. People seem to like it.”
Loki has a twinkle in his eyes as he listens to you ramble. You do that when you’re nervous, and he really makes you nervous. You continue to ramble as you clean his wounds, finishing in just over an hour later. You leave his cell and return to the nurse’s station in thought. You did minor research on Loki when he attacked New York, and you set a reminder to do some more when you go home tonight. It doesn’t matter what anyone at this prison has done. No one should be locked up like an animal. Your coworkers don’t share the same views as you, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.
When you return to work the next day, the first prisoner you see is Loki. There are guards located outside of his cell twenty-four-seven but you don’t think Loki will escape… maybe. You walk to his cell but the guards don’t move from their spot. Each prisoner gets an hour of your time each day with the more severe cases getting an extra one. They like Loki to be last so that you can focus on everyone else and not give him special privileges, but there is no way you’re putting his health risks below others.
“Excuse me.”
“We can’t let you enter.”
“What did you just say?”
“The warden said--”
“I don’t care what the warden says. My job is to take care of prisoners with wounds, and Loki has several cuts not only to his face but upper chest. Cuts that if left untreated will get infected causing him to be sick and possibly die. Even if he didn’t have anything physically wrong with him, you have him locked up like some animal so he isn’t getting exercise. His muscles will start to atrophy. Now, do you want me to report that to the warden or do you want to step aside and let me do my damn job?”
Both guards look at each other before stepping away from the door. You lift your nose up and yank the door open before walking inside. Loki looks up when he sees you and almost smiles at the determination on your face. You roll the same first aid cart over to Loki and remove the bandages to check on his wounds.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that. What was I supposed to say to them? It’s not right how they’re treating you.” You grab more cotton swabs and wipe away the leakage that’s expected to come from the wounds. “Anyhow, aren’t Gods supposed to self-heal?” You pause. “That’s what I hear you are. You and Thor. Gods. Norse Gods, actually. Sorry, I ramble when I’m nervous. You make me nervous.”
You grab the stitches to stitch two wounds together since they are deep enough to leave a scar if not properly healed.
“I read about you when I got home last night like some stalker fangirl.” Your eyes widen. “Which I’m not, by the way. I just… I saw what you did to New York on TV. I know what you did in Germany.” His eyes grow sad. “Don’t worry, I don’t think you’re as bad as they say you are. We all make mistakes, right?”
Of course, he doesn’t answer. You take your time in stitching up the two wounds before cleaning the rest of them and putting bandages back on them. Next, you check to make sure the restraints aren’t on too tight because you’d hate if you were the one being restrained and it was uncomfortable.
“Are you uncomfortable?” you ask. He shakes his head in response. “Have they brought you any food?” Another shake. “Are you hungry?” This time, he nods. “Okay, I’ll be right back with something to eat. Any preferences?”
Your joke makes the edges of his eyes crinkle. He’s smiling underneath his muzzle. That’s a good sign, you think. You leave and head to the cafeteria to get a tray of food for him. You sneak in one or two extra items just because you’re feeling generous. The door to the kitchen slams open and the warden walks in with fire in his eyes.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“No, what do you think you’re doing? Are you keeping food from Loki? He deserves to eat.”
“A monster like him doesn’t deserve that. Plus, he’s not even human.”
“If he doesn’t eat, he’ll die,” you glare.
The warden shrugs as if that doesn’t bother him. He looks at the tray in your hands before leaving. You roll your eyes and continue filing the tray until you have more than enough for him. The guards don’t give you any trouble when you return back to Loki’s cell. He looks up and sees the food. He has to admit, he is hungry but he doesn’t think he’d accept any food if it didn’t come from you. You two have only known each other for less than two days but he feels a sort of connection with you that he has never made with a human.
You roll the first aid cart over to you and clear off the top before putting the tray there. With both hands free, you reach up and touch the clasp of the muzzle.
“I’m going to take this off now. I don’t think it’s right that they have this on you like some kind of animal.”
You remove the muzzle but Loki still doesn’t say anything. Since his hands are chained, you have to feed him but he doesn’t seem to mind. You take your time and ramble on about the different sculptures you’ve made, momentarily forgetting where you are.
“I’m not gonna put this back on,” you say about the muzzle once Loki has finished everything you brought to him. “Like I said. I don’t think it’s right.” With the muzzle off, you can see the hint of a smile on his face. Loki shifts and you look at the restraints on him. “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m going to loosen your restraints just a little. They look tight.” You use the master key and loosen his restraints, allowing him some more room to stand properly and move about. “Is that better?” He nods. “I’ll be back later with more food and to check to see how you’re doing.”
You take the empty tray and leave his cell. You spend more time checking on the other prisoners than you’d like only because two of them got into a stabbing match in the courtyard. After you get done with them, you go back to the nurse’s station to grab some snacks from your lunch box. It’s better than eating that slop in the cafeteria.
You’re the last one left in the nurse’s station since all the others have gone home for the day. You have more patients than the others because most of them request you to fix them. It doesn’t matter what someone did, you’ll treat them the same way you treat everyone else. It’s better for your conscious.
All of a sudden, the lights go out in the station only for bright red lights to replace them. Alarms echo down the hallway, and most of the prisoners become erratic from the sound. Someone has escaped. They only put those alarms out when someone has escaped from their cell. It better not be Jacobson. He has a habit of finding new ways to piss off the warden.
You continue putting food on the tray when you feel a breeze a your back. The door is open. You look up and see a figure standing behind you through the reflection on the window. That’s not Jacobson. For one, he’s a very lanky short man. The man behind you is tall… very tall. You’re frozen in fear because you have no idea who is behind you. If he wanted to, he could kill you without a second thought.
“Hello, darling.” The man steps underneath the red light and you see those piercing blue eyes. You turn to face Loki as he walks closer to you. His voice is much deeper than you thought it’d be… much more raspy. You must have loosened the restraints too much. He reaches out to you and tucks your hair behind your ear. “Don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you.”
“I’m not scared,” you say truthfully.
“Good girl,” he grins. “I wish I could stay but I have somewhere I need to be. Believe me when I say I’ll be back.”
He leans in and presses a gentle kiss to your cheek. Just like that, he’s gone. You believe him when he says he’ll be back. Funny thing is, you’re kind of looking forward to it.
x
Want to be tagged? Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)
35 notes
·
View notes
What if Dipper and Mabel Pines were in Super Smash Bros?
This is something I wrote several years ago and it's just been sitting on my drive. I posted it on Ao3, but recently became aware that Tumblr might be a better platform. So, here goes my first real post on this site.
Ever wondered what it would be like if Dipper and Mabel from Gravity Falls were playable characters in Super Smash Bros.? Well, wonder no longer, because here's my extensive idea for what their moveset would be like. Though sadly, I don't have art of this, since my digital art skills are... lacking, at best.
I also haven't 100% figured out all the nuances like how much damage every move does, so if anyone has any balancing-related suggestions (for that or anything else, really).
General Overview
Statistically speaking, the Mystery Twins would be fairly weak, with relatively low average damage and launch power, as well as being lightweight and not particularly fast. This makes sense as they are both (physically, at least) completely ordinary just-barely-teenagers with none of the inherent supernatural powers of most of the other child characters like Ness, Lucas, the Inklings, or the younger Links. Even though they are older than the younger Links (not sure about Ness/Lucas/Villager), the Links have the Triforce of Courage making them stronger and granting them the combat prowess of previous Links, Ness and Lucas have their supernatural PK abilities, etc.
The Mystery Twins make up for this statistical weakness with versatility due to their variable moveset. Many of their special moves are also able to temporarily either nerf opponents or buff themselves to even the odds. They are also significantly stronger when working together, since for most moves, they’ll attack at the same time, but even together, their raw damage wouldn’t be particularly excellent. The Mystery Twins would be a very difficult fighter to play effectively, but I’m hoping they’d also be a very fun one. I am aware that this fighter would be a nightmare to program and animate, but this is my imagination, so such paltry concerns as “budgets,” “programming,” and “animation time” mean NOTHING!
We'll start with their special gimmick, since that's key to understanding how this character works:
Gimmicks:
Mystery Twins Forever: This is basically the fact that they’re a two-part fighter, like the Ice Climbers, and work in much the same way, though with one notable difference. Using their D-Special when neither twin is KO’d will switch which twin is in front and under direct control (same as pressing [L] in Gnome Gemulets), changing most other moves.
Because of this, they essentially have two different movesets (similar to Zelda/Sheik from Melee and Brawl), meaning there’s a lot of versatility to this character, though of course it’s dependent on both twins being around. Though they are a single fighter, each twin is a separate entity and can be independently KO’d, just like the Ice Climbers. Try to avoid this, as it will both limit your move choices and make an already complex and statistically inferior fighter much weaker.
A KO’d twin respawns only after the other is also KO’d, or after using a Final Smash. If the current active twin is KO’d, you lose a stock (or point) and both respawn. KO'ing the non-active twin will not affect points or cause stock loss, but does replace the remaining twin's D-special with a different move.
On the fighter select screen, you can decide which twin will start as active, much like Pokémon Trainer can choose the starting Pokémon.
Special Moves
[B] Neutral Special (Dipper) - Growth Ray: Dipper turns the size-altering flashlight’s blue Growth Ray on himself, increasing his size for 10 seconds, with the same effect as the Super Mushroom item. Others very close to Dipper (such as Mabel) can also be affected. There is a 20% chance that Dipper fumbles the flashlight and points the growth ray forward (with the same hitbox as the normal shrink ray), not affecting him at all, but potentially growing other fighters who touch it.
Duration: 10 seconds
Backfire chance: 20% (1 in 5)
[B] Neutral Special (Mabel) - Shrink Ray: Mabel turns the size-altering flashlight’s pink Shrink Ray on enemies, creating a short-ranged cone in front of you that shrinks enemies hit by it, causing the same effect as the Poison Mushroom item for 10 seconds. There is a 10% chance that Mabel fumbles the flashlight and shrinks herself (and Dipper, if he's there) with the same hitbox as the normal Growth Ray.
Duration: 10 seconds
Backfire chance: 10% (1 in 10)
This move is of course based on the size-altering flashlight which Dipper created in s1e11: Little Dipper, though its function seemed both too powerful and too confusing to put into a single move, so I split its two options between the twins, on the grounds that Mabel also uses the flashlight in that episode, and it is her magic item in PinesQuest, in which case shrinking is the only thing it does.
Both rays have slight startup lag to take out the flashlight and aim it, so you can’t just surprise someone with a sudden growth. No other fighter can so easily buff themselves or nerf opponents, but overuse of this powerful move is inadvisable, as that gives enemies more chances to take advantage of it (though in team battles, you could also grow your teammates!), and also provides more chances for it to backfire. However, this is the main means by which the Mystery Twins’ low stats are directly compensated. The move can’t be used again (by either twin) until its current duration wears off (no matter what happened). Use it strategically!
[<B>] Side Special (Dipper) - Memory Gun: [EN] Dipper fires a short-ranged blue energy projectile (about the same range as Z-Suit Samus’s charged Stun Pistol N-Special) that deals small flinching damage. It also makes the target temporarily forget how to use their special moves, disabling them for 8 seconds. This can be reflected and also absorbed. The ray will have no effect on subsequent hits aside from the light damage until the disabling effect wears off. If the ray hits a fighter while they are performing a special move, it won't take effect until that move is over.
This move is based on Dipper’s use of the memory gun in s2e07: Society of the Blind Eye and s2e15: The Last Mabelcorn, and the fact that he evidently had it in his backpack all the way from s2e07 to s2e13: A Tale of Two Stans.
Damage: 2%
Duration: 8 seconds
[<B>] Side Special (Mabel) - Leaf Blower: [WI] Mabel uses a leaf blower to suck in objects and blow wind. Hold {B} to suck in air. The sucking grab box is visible, similar to King Dedede’s Inhale N-Special. She can’t suck in other fighters unless they've been shrunk down, but she can suck in projectiles and non-heavy items. If she sucks in a projectile, item, or shrunken fighter, the suction stops, and the object will shoot back out of the leaf blower when [B] is released, again similar to King Dedede’s Inhale, and with a similar sort of speed boost.
If Mabel doesn't suck in anything after 3 seconds or if you just tap {B}, she’ll blow wind in a cone straight out in front of her, causing a visible windbox similar to the Gust Bellows item, but smaller and weaker. Mabel can move left and right and jump once while holding the leaf blower. This move is based on Mabel shooting Jeff the gnome leader out of a leaf blower in s1e01: Tourist Trapped.
[^B] Up Special (Dipper) - Magnet Gun: Dipper fires a beam from Ford’s Magnet Gun (which he uses in s2e17: Dipper & Mabel vs. The Future) which can grapple onto ledges when used in the air. On the ground, it’s fired straight forward by default, but can be angled slightly up or down. In the air, it’s always fired at a 45° upward angle but will autocorrect toward ledges within a wide radius of the end of the beam. The magnet beam appears instantly at full length (though it will be interrupted by walls that can't be grappled onto) and can’t be reflected or blocked, but can be dodged.
If the beam hits an enemy, Dipper will either pull them toward himself as a command grab, or him towards them, depending on the difference in weight between Dipper and the target. If the enemy weighs more than him, he’s pulled toward them; if he weighs the same or more, the enemy is pulled toward him. When Mabel is present, she holds onto him and they collectively weigh twice as much for this move.
If Dipper is pulled toward another fighter, he'll automatically footstool jump off them upon contact, pushing the enemy down while gaining height himself. The same will happen if an enemy is pulled toward him while he is in the air.
If Dipper is on the ground and pulls another fighter toward himself, this special move can be canceled immediately into a grab when the enemy enters his reach, making this move potentially the longest grab in the game.
This move causes no damage.
[^B] Up Special (Mabel) - Grappling Hook!: [PH] Mabel fires her grapple gun upward, acting as a tether for recovery, which can also cause damage with decent launching ability. It’s a long tether that can grab onto ledges, basically the same as Joker’s default U-Special. On the ground, the hook is fired at a slight upward angle and has significant end lag as it retracts. In the air, it’s fired at a 60° angle by default but can be changed with directional input to 90° (straight up) or 45°. The area in which it will autocorrect to ledges is smaller than for Dipper's magnet gun. The hook can be reflected, but won’t bounce back at Mabel if it is; it just falls to the ground and must then be retracted.
Damage: 12%
Dipper’s Magnet Gun is better at horizontal recovery and can be very useful for combos, but doesn't actually deal any damage and its effects are very conditional. Mabel’s Grappling Hook is better for vertical recovery and actually deals damage, but has a lot less combo potential and more end lag. If both twins are present, they’ll hang onto each other and both be moved by either version of this move.
[vB] Down Special (both present and within reach of each other) - Tag Out: You switch which twin is under direct control. This can be used in the air (but only if the twins are within reach of each other) and is accomplished quite quickly, but does still leave you open for about a second. The newly active twin's Zodiac symbol (Dipper: blue Pine Tree, Mabel: pink Shooting Star, Stanford: red Six-Fingered Hand, Stanley: gold Mackerel) will appear on the damage counter, and will also flash in the air overhead when switching. If one twin is KO’d, this move changes (see below).
[vB] Down Special (Dipper alone) - Enter the Mindscape: [MA] Dipper casts the Mindscape projection spell from Journal 3 (seen in s1e19: Dreamscaperers, though in Smash it’s quicker, and he won’t say the words as that would give him away), causing his physical body to collapse, but entering the Mindscape as a ghostly, nearly invisible psychic avatar (inspired by what happened to him when Bill possessed his body in s2e04: Sock Opera). In this form, he can fly around freely with directional controls and pass through all parts of the stage, though speed is limited. The astral projection is intangible and immune to physical-, fire-, ice-, earth-, water-, sound-, toxic-, and wind-based damage, but not to magic-, electric-, or energy-based ones. However, Dipper’s real body is completely immobile and open to attack.
Pressing [B] again will immediately return Dipper to his real body. If you do so while overlapping an enemy fighter, that fighter will take heavy damage and become dizzy (like with a shield break; this is due to Dipper entering their mind and inflicting psychic damage). However, there is some end lag when you return, so don't get too cocky.
This attack cannot be blocked or countered. Fighters with higher damage will be stunned longer. If either Dipper’s real body or astral projection is hit, he’ll immediately return to normal (with end lag) though he’ll only be launched if the physical body is hit. You definitely need to keep an eye on Dipper’s real body when using this move, as well as watching out for attacks that can actually hit his astral projection, since they’ll deal 1.5x damage.
Dipper will be automatically returned to his real body after 12 seconds, but returning this way cannot affect enemies and will cause Dipper to become dizzy instead. If Dipper successfully hits someone or lets the move time out, there is a 20-second cooldown before he can use this move again.
If this seems a bit ruthless for Dipper, put it down to him seeking revenge for Mabel.
Duration: 12 seconds
Damage (non-launching): 25%
Immunity (x0 damage): PH, FI, WA, IC, EA, WI, SO, TO
Vulnerability (damage taken x1.5): EL, EN, MA
Cooldown: 20 seconds
[vB] Down Special (Mabel alone) - Attack Glitter: [WI] It’s pretty but it hurts! Mabel blows (or possibly coughs up?) a cloud of glitter into the air in front of her (based on the attack glitter used on Soos in s2e11: Not What He Seems). The glitter cloud floats in the air for 8 seconds, causing small, non-flinching tick damage over time and slowing down other fighters moving through it, similar to the Swirlix Pokéball summon (“I got glitter in my eye!”).
Hold {B} before releasing to gather more glitter and create a larger cloud. Though each cloud only lasts 8 seconds, there’s no cooldown (Mabel always has glitter), so she can make more than one at a time.
Damage (per tick): 1%
Normal Moves
If both twins are present, they will perform their neutral attacks at the same time, allowing you to set up “team” combos if positioned properly.
[A] Jab (Dipper): [PH, EN] A basic but quick 1-2-3 punch that can be used for jab-locking but is very weak until the third hit, which is enhanced with a glowing blast of power from the Gnome Battle Cuffs. Launches on the final hit.
This is Dipper's basic ground combo in Rumble’s Revenge, with the added power boost on the last hit being based on his charged-up attack from Gnome Gemulets.
Damage (1, 2):
Damage (3):
[A] Jab (Mabel): [PH] A one-two spammable swinging punch (similar to Villager’s Jab). It has slightly more reach than Dipper’s jab, as well as better damage per hit, but it's slower. Can launch on either hit at higher percentages. This is Mabel's basic ground combo in Rumble’s Revenge.
Damage (1, 2):
[>>, A] Dash Attack (Dipper): [PH] A fast side kick that launches diagonally upward at a slight angle. This is Dipper's dash attack in Rumble’s Revenge.
Damage:
[>>, A] Dash Attack (Mabel): [PH] A straight punch that's stronger than Dipper's kick, but launches at a lower angle and has more end lag. Same as her dash attack in Rumble's Revenge.
Damage:
Smash Attacks
When the twins are present and within reach of each other, they’ll perform a combined Smash Attack.
[<<A>>] Side Smash (Dipper): [SL] Dipper slashes downward with the Manotaurs’ bone spear (seen in s1e06: Dipper vs. Manliness, also his strength item in PinesQuest). Has less forward reach than Waddles, but a wider vertical hitbox, a sweet spot at the spear tip, and also less start and end lag. This is one of Dipper’s only moves that’s potentially stronger than Mabel’s corresponding one, if you land the sweet spot. Similar to Marth's S-smash.
Damage (min, sweetspot):
Damage (max, sweetspot):
Damage (min, normal):
Damage (max, normal):
[<<A>>] Side Smash (Mabel): [PH] Mabel sends her pet pig, Waddles, charging forward a short distance (based on Mabel's ground combo finisher in Rumble’s Revenge, which is itself based on her siccing Waddles on Robbie in s1e10: The Time Traveler’s Pig). Distance increases slightly with greater charge. Waddles moves the full distance whether you hit someone or not, before turning around and running back to Mabel for a hug. The run back is a sourspot that's much weaker. Waddles does not count as a projectile and cannot be reflected (he would never hurt Mabel).
The alternate costume of Stan (#8) uses Shanklin the Stab Possum from Lost Legends Part 4: Pines Bros. Mystery instead, to the same effect.
Damage (min, forward):
Damage (max, forward):
Damage (backward):
[<<A>>] Side Smash (Combined): Both twins perform their respective S-smash, with the active twin facing forward and the inactive twin facing backward.
[^^A] Up Smash (Dipper): [SO] Use awkwardness as a weapon! While charging, a lamb costume appears on Dipper and he performs the Lamby Dance. When released, he cuts to the end pose, causing a semicircular burst of music notes above and around himself that will damage and launch enemies. This is based on Dipper's ground combo finisher in Rumble’s Revenge, which is itself based on Dipper doing the Lamby Dance for the ghosts in s1e05: The Inconveniencing.
The hitbox is similar to Samus’s U-smash, but all at once instead of individually. Only the notes are a hitbox, but it’s pretty wide even on the sides, However, it's on the weaker side for a Smash attack.
Damage (min):
Damage (max):
[^^A] Up Smash (Mabel): [FI] Mabel fires a blast from a confetti cannon (used against zombies in s2e01: Scary-oke) directly overhead. Similar to Ivysaur’s U-smash, it can hit very slightly in front but is much better for anti-air. It’s stronger than Dipper’s embarrassing dance, but with a lot less reach.
Damage (min):
Damage (max):
[^^A] Up Smash (Combined): [FI] The twins perform both U-smashes at the same time, as Mabel gives an explosive confetti finish to Dipper's dance, combining the power of Mabel’s cannon blast with the reach of Dipper’s music notes.
[vvA] Down Smash (Dipper): [EA] Dipper casts a spell from the Journal that summons two zombie hands out of the ground on either side of himself, which can launch enemies directly upward. Similar to Megaman’s D-smash, though somewhat weaker. Based on Dipper summoning zombies during s2e01: Scary-Oke.
Damage (min):
Damage (max):
[vvA] Down Smash (Mabel): [BL] Swing a golf club in a wide-reaching attack that hits from back to front, covering nearly a complete circle around Mabel, with only directly overhead being uncovered. It doesn’t reach as far outward as Dipper’s zombie hands, but is faster and can actually launch enemies quite hard. This is one of Mabel’s only attacks that’s faster than Dipper’s corresponding one. It’s based on Mabel's mini-golf skills showcased in s2e03: The Golf War.
Damage (min):
Damage (max):
[vvA] Down Smash (Both): [EA, BL] Instead of causing damage, the zombie hands summoned by Dipper’s spell will hold enemies still, then Mabel swings her golf club to knock them out of the park, breaking the zombie hands and gaining a damage bonus as the trapped enemies can't defend themselves.
Tilts
If both twins are present, they will perform their tilts at the same time, similar to Ice Climbers.
[<A>] Side Tilt (Dipper): [PH] Two quick slices with a fireplace poker, based on Dipper's duel with Wax Sherlock Holmes in s1e03: Headhunters. This move is fast and has decent reach, but it’s not particularly strong. It’s useful in combos or as a “get off me” tool, but not for launching.
Damage (per hit):
[<A>] Side Tilt (Mabel): [PH] Swing a karaoke machine for a strong attack that can launch enemies quite well, but has both start and end lag. Based on her use of the karaoke machine as a “surprisingly good weapon” against zombies in s2e01: Scary-Oke.
Damage:
[^A] Up Tilt (Dipper): [PH, EN] Dipper jumps slightly forward with an uppercut. (This is a combination of the only time Dipper actually hits Rumble McSkirmish during their battle in s1e10: Fight Fighters, and his charged attack in Gnome Gemulets). It’s similar to Megaman’s U-tilt, having a sweet spot at the very start of the move (indicated by a flash of energy from the Gnome Battle Cuffs) and significant end lag. This is one of Dipper’s only moves with more end lag than Mabel's corresponding one. In fact, it's one of his only moves with significant end lag at all.
Damage (sweetspot):
Damage (sourspot):
[^A] Up Tilt (Mabel): [PH] Spin a stretchy sleeve overhead to multihit enemies, based on the charging-up animation for her charged attack in Gnome Gemulets.
Damage (per hit):
[vA] Down Tilt (Dipper): [PH] A very short and weak but fast and spammable kick that barely flinches enemies, much like Ness or Lucas’s D-tilt. It isn’t based on anything in particular, there’s just not that many actual times when Dipper fights things, so I’m pulling from other child characters.
Damage:
[vA] Down Tilt (Mabel): [PH] Mabel curls into a ball and rolls forward a short distance, similar to King Dedede’s D-tilt, though much weaker.
Damage:
Air Attacks
If both twins are present and within reach of each other, they’ll hold onto each other and use a combined air attack, improving both hitboxes and damage, though often at the cost of end lag.
[A] N-Air (Dipper): [BL] A basic aerial kick with a lingering whole-body hitbox, similar to Mario’s N-air (and many others). Based on the first hit of Dipper's aerial combo in Rumble’s Revenge.
Damage (initial kick):
Damage (lingering hotbox):
[A] N-Air (Mabel): [BL] A basic spinning move, similar to DK or Ness. She never does this in any medium I’m aware of, but it certainly seems like her style. Hits once but is stronger than Dipper's lingering kick.
Damage:
[A] N-Air (Combined): [BL] Mabel grabs Dipper’s arms from behind and spins him around right as he tries to use his normal kick attack, resulting in a spinning kick with greater than normal reach and a sweet spot on Dipper’s foot, though it does now have some landing lag (Dipper was not prepared for this).
Damage (middle):
Damage (sweet spot):
[A>] F-Air (Dipper): [BL] Dipper swings his hat in an arc from high to low, which somehow actually does damage. It's fast and has a wide hitbox, but is pretty weak. Based on the final hit of Dipper's air combo in Rumble’s Revenge. For alternate costumes without a hat (such as tuxedo and Gideon's suit), he’ll suddenly be holding his normal pine tree hat for this move. The Ford alts use an explorer-style pith helmet.
Damage:
[A>] F-Air (Mabel): [BL] A diagonal downward punch, similar to Little Mac’s F-air. Not as big as Dipper’s hat swing, but with more damage. Based on the first hit of Mabel's air combo in Rumble’s Revenge.
Damage:
[A>] F-air (Combined): [BL] Dipper’s hat swing carries enemies downward into Mabel’s slightly delayed punch, which becomes a sweet spot that can spike diagonally.
Each hit does the same damage as when performed individually.
[^A] U-Air (Dipper): [BL] Dipper swings the Journal overhead from front to back. It’s a wide attack, similar to some other fighters’ “headbutt” U-airs, and can be used for juggling, but isn’t very strong, at least in comparison to other U-airs with similar hitboxes like Ness's.
Damage:
[^A] U-Air (Mabel): [BL] A back-flipping kick, similar to Mario's U-air. The twins' U-airs aren't really all that different.
Damage:
[^A] U-Air (Combined): [BL] The respective air attacks collide in the center for a strong launching blow, similar to Sonic’s U-air.
Damage:
[<A] B-Air (Dipper): [BL] Dipper kicks backwards with both feet, similar to Mario’s B-air. Not based on anything, really.
Damage:
[<A] B-Air (Mabel): [BL] Whip a stretchy sleeve backward for a long, but somewhat weak attack, similar to her Z-air.
Damage:
[<A] B-Air (Combined): [BL] Dipper holds onto Mabel’s stretchy sleeve while she flings him back, creating a sweet spot as he kicks outward.
Damage (sourspot):
Damage (sweetspot):
[vA] D-Air (Dipper): [BL] A downward axe kick. Can spike enemies at the start of the move and has more reach than Mabel’s stomp, but isn’t as strong. This is the second hit of Dipper's air combo in Rumble's Revenge.
Damage:
[vA] D-Air (Mabel): [BL] Stomp downward with both feet, which has more startup lag than Dipper’s kick, but is also stronger and has a longer-lasting hitbox, kind of like a smaller version of Captain Falcon’s D-air. This is Mabel's aerial combo finisher in Rumble’s Revenge.
Damage:
[vA] D-Air (Combined): [BL] Similar to their combined F-air, Dipper performs his attack slightly ahead of Mabel and can hit foes into hers.
Damage:
[Grab] Z-Air (Mabel only): [BL] Mabel whips a stretchy sleeve forward for a decent-reaching, though weak attack. Unlike most Z-airs, this cannot grab ledges.
Damage:
Grabs and Throws
If both twins are present, the throws are changed; otherwise they are the same for either twin.
[Grab] Grab (Any): A basic short-ranged grab.
[Grab, A] Pummel (Both): Mabel ties up the enemy in her stretchy sleeves while Dipper punches them in the face (or whatever else is at his eye level).
[Grab, A] Pummel (Single): Holds the enemy with one hand and punches them in the face (or whatever) with the other. Easier to escape than most grabs. Based on grappling in Rumble’s Revenge.
[Grab, >] F-Throw (Both): [PH, EN] Mabel grips the foe with her sleeves and Dipper punches them outward (obviously making use of the Gnome Battle Cuffs), causing the foe to snap back into a second, stronger punch that knocks them out of Mabel's grip. This throw hits twice, but does take a while.
Damage (total):
[Grab, >] F-Throw (Single): [PH] Weakly toss the enemy forward. This is based on throwing enemies in Rumble’s Revenge; it's the least effective attack.
Damage:
[Grab, ^] U-Throw (Both): [PH, EN] Dipper uppercuts the tied-up enemy into the air, then Mabel whips them back into the ground. Hits twice.
Damage (total):
[Grab, ^] U-Throw (Single): [PH] A basic and weak upward toss.
Damage:
[Grab, <] B-Throw (Both): [PH, EN] Mabel spins the enemy around a full circle with her stretchy sleeves, which can hit other enemies, similar to Mario’s B-throw, while Dipper charges up the Gnome Battle Cuffs, then punches them out of Mabel’s grip and backwards over her head. This is the twins’ strongest throw in terms of launching.
Damage:
[Grab, <] B-Throw (Single): [PH] A basic and weak backward toss.
Damage:
[Grab, v] D-Throw (Both): [BL] Dipper curls into a ball on the ground, then Mabel shoves the enemy, causing them to trip over him. Leaves the enemy prone. Based on when Wendy does this to Ghost Eyes in s2e18: [Weirdmaggedon].
Damage:
[Grab, v] D-Throw (Single): [PH] A basic and weak toss onto the ground that pops the enemy upward.
Damage:
Movement
(Speed and jump height are stated as an approximate comparison to existing fighters.)
Walking, running, and jumping animations, as well as idle animations, are taken from Gnome Gemulets.
[<>] Walking: Despite being light, the Mystery Twins aren’t particularly fast. They're probably similar to Lucas and Ness.
[<<>>] Running: Still not particularly fast, but better. If both twins are present, they’ll hold hands while running.
[^] Jumps: 2, a bit below average in height.
Wall Jump: No
[v] Crouch: They kneel down.
[v, <>] Crawl: Yes
[Shield, v^] Spot dodge: There’s nothing approximating dodging in any of their games, so these will probably just have similar animations to those of the other Smash fighters that share their proportions (Ness, Lucas, Villager, Inkling).
[Shield, >] F-roll: See above
[Shield, <] B-roll: See above
[Shield, <>v in air] Air dodge: See above
Ledge roll: If both twins are present, they’ll pull each other up, though the animation takes the same amount of time no matter what.
Miscellaneous
If both twins are present, they will perform a different, unique taunt on the Up and Down Taunts. For the Side Taunt, if both are present, they’ll do both at the same time.
Up Taunt (Both): A simple high five. This is a double reference, first to their end-of-level victory high-five in Gnome Gemulets, and second to Stanley and Stanford’s “high six.”
Up Taunt (Dipper only): Pumps arms up and down in a victory celebration while saying “Yeah-ha-ha!”. This is Dipper's end-of-level victory screen in both Rumble’s Revenge and the Take Back the Falls mobile game.
Up Taunt (Mabel only): Jumps up and down in joy.
Down Taunt (Both): Awkward sibling hug (pat, pat). Seen in both s1e01: Tourist Trapped, and s2e19: Escape From Reality.
Down Taunt (Dipper only): Dipper pulls out a magnifying glass and inspects something on the ground. References both the theme song and Dipper’s general investigative nature.
Down Taunt (Mabel only): Mabel snuggles with Waddles, just like in the theme song (and plenty of other times throughout the show).
Side Taunt (Dipper): Dipper opens his journal and writes something in it. The first time this taunt is performed on [name of as-yet-undecided Gravity Falls stage], it starts a Journal Entry on whichever other player is both next after you in the player order and not on your team. These will be similar to the Palutena’s Guidance conversations, opening a text box that resembles a page from the Journal at the bottom of the screen, where Dipper reads his observations about that fighter, with commentary from Mabel and occasionally other characters as well. I’m not sure whether I’ll ever actually write these out (suggestions welcome).
Side Taunt (Mabel): Mabel takes out both a sock puppet of herself and a puppet of either another Gravity Falls character or a random other fighter currently on-screen and plays around with them. The second puppet can be any one of Dipper, Ford, Stan, Soos, Wendy, Gideon, Pacifica, Robbie, McGucket, or other fighters present on-screen. If a Pokémon Trainer is present, the puppet can be of them or any of their three Pokémon.
Idle Animation: Same as in Gnome Gemulets (I don't remember what it is).
Stage Entry: The twins fall out of a dimensional rift, like the one Mabel falls into in Lost Legends Part 3: Don't Dimension It.
Origin Symbol: The Zodiac Wheel (duh). No, it’s not too complicated. What are you, a cop?
Kirby Hat: Since there are two potential N-Specials here, there are also two Kirby hats, as Kirby only inhales the active twin.
Dipper: The Pine Tree hat (duh). (Growth Ray)
Mabel: Mabel's hairstyle, with a Shooting Star clip on the headband. (Shrink Ray)
Palette Swaps/Costumes
All of Dipper and Mabel's palette swaps are alternate outfits that they (or others) wear throughout the show.
1) Dipper and Mabel’s most iconic appearance.
Dipper: red t-shirt, dark blue vest, Pine Tree hat, gray shorts, black sneakers, holds Journal 3 (unless otherwise specified, he’s holding Journal 3 in all of these).
Mabel: purple skirt, pink headband, magenta Shooting Star sweater, black flats.
2) Fancy dress outfits from the ball in s2e10: Northwest Mansion Mystery.
Dipper: tuxedo, brown dress shoes, no hat
Mabel: fluffy pink dress (if Peach, Daisy, and Rosalina can fight in ball gowns, so can Mabel), weird hat thing, high heels, uses a feather boa instead of stretchy sleeves.
3) Mystery Shack employees/Anti Gravity AU inspired.
Dipper: Soos's dark green Question Mark t-shirt, cargo shorts, and cap.
Mabel: orange headband, white t-shirt, Wendy's green flannel jacket, boots, uses a rope lasso instead of stretchy sleeves.
4) Secondary antagonists inspired.
Dipper: Gideon's light blue suit and Pentagram cape, holds Journal 2.
Mabel: Pacifica's purple shirt, skirt, jacket, boots, and hairstyle, uses a purple scarf instead of stretchy sleeves.
5) Pool outfits from s1e15: The Deep End.
Dipper: red swim trunks, white t-shirt, whistle, sandals, red-and-white “Night Patrol” hat.
Mabel: pink one-piece swimsuit with a yellow star on the chest, flip-flops, uses a jump rope instead of stretchy sleeves.
6) Goodbyes, based on the series finale. Dipper: same as #1 but with Wendy’s trapper hat instead of his regular one, and holding the blue Pine Tree Journal.
Mabel: red birthday cupcake sweater, pink skirt and headband.
7) Outfits from s2e13: Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons; Dipper: elf costume consisting of a green tunic and cape, pointed ears, no hat, replaces S-Smash spear with a sword.
Mabel: orange Ducktective sweater and headband, blue skirt.
8) Original Mystery Twins/Relativity Falls AU. Stanley and Stanford as kids, with their appearance from s2e12: A Tale of Two Stans/Lost Legends Part 4: Pines Bros. Mystery. Ford takes Dipper’s place, Stan takes Mabel’s. They have different voice actors and lines than the younger twins (applies to #12 as well).
Ford: white t-shirt, brown jacket and shoes, dark green pants, holds Journal 1, replaces Dipper's hat with a light brown pith helmet.
Stan: red-and-white striped t-shirt, jeans, missing tooth, band-aid on face, brown shoes, uses a rope lasso instead of stretchy sleeves and Shanklin the Stab Possum replaces Waddles for the S-Smash.
Additional Alternate Costumes (just for fun)
9) Evil versions. They have different voice lines and facial expressions. Dipper: Dippy Fresh, the twisted, ‘90s-stereotype version of Dipper created by Mabeland in s2e19: Escape from Reality, has a different voice actor.
Mabel: Anti-Mabel from Lost Legends Part 3: Don't Dimension It, wearing a black sweater with an x-eyed cat face on it.
10) Outfits from Dipper vs. Manliness. Dipper: Manotaur loincloth and tattoos; Mabel: Yellow skirt and headband with black lightning bolt sweater.
11) Trick-or-treating costumes from s1e12: Summerween.
Dipper: peanut butter costume
Mabel: strawberry jelly costume, Waddles wears his brown business suit costume.
12) “Modern” Stan twins; same as #8 but wearing downsized versions of their “modern” attire.
Ford: red turtleneck, brown trench coat, black pants, shoulder bag, holds Journal 1.
Stan: black Mr. Mystery suit, red string tie, eyepatch, and Mackerel fez, uses a rope lasso instead of stretchy sleeves.
13) Outfits from the Woodstick Festival in s2e09: The Love God. Dipper: dark red v-neck shirt, vest, jeans, sunglasses on forehead, no hat, holds Journal 3.
Mabel: Rainbow-striped pride sweater, purple skirt.
14) Outfits from s1e13: Boss Mabel.
Dipper: Mystery Junior suit (similar to Stan's #12), combed hair, eyepatch, no hat.
Mabel: blue business suit and glasses, Stan’s Mackerel fez, uses a rope lasso instead of stretchy sleeves.
15) Campaign manager outfits from s2e14: The Stanchurian Candidate.
Dipper: red “Team Stan” t-shirt, no vest, yellow visor.
Mabel: red-and-white striped sweater and headband, blue star-spangled skirt.
16) Inspired by my Reunion Falls AU fanfiction One Day Reunited.
Dipper: dark brown jacket (same as #8 Ford), red t-shirt, hiking boots, cargo shorts, no hat, holds blue Pine Tree Journal
Mabel: purple “Love Yo’self” sweater, yellow skirt, purple headband.
17) Reverse Falls AU version #1. They have different facial expressions and voice lines.
Dipper: similar to #4 but also with an amulet, holds Journal 2.
Mabel: light blue dress, amulet on hair band.
18) Reverse Falls AU version #2. Dipper and Mabel are replaced with Reverse Gideon and Pacifica, respectively. They have different voice actors and lines.
Gideon: Similar to Dipper’s #1, but with a light blue shirt instead of red, plus white hair and freckles.
Pacifica: tie-dyed shirt, ripped jeans, hoop earrings, bracelets, uses a scarf instead of stretchy sleeves, replaces Waddles in S-Smash with a chicken.
19) Gravity Rises AU inspired. Dipper and Mabel switch roles, Zodiac symbols, and movesets. They have different voice lines.
Mabel: blue-and-white Pine Tree t-shirt, brown pants, orange hoodie, holds Journal 3.
Dipper: dark blue t-shirt with a yellow Star over yellow long-sleeve shirt, black shorts, no hat, band-aid on face, sleeves of his shirt stretch just like Mabel’s sweaters.
Victory 1: Lower down from the top of the screen on Mabel's grappling hook, just like when they destroyed Gideon's robot in s1e20: Gideon Rises.
Victory 2: Do the short victory dance that happens when you solve certain puzzles in Gnome Gemulets, finishing with a high five (or high six, as the case may be).
Victory 3: Awkward sibling hug (pat, pat), same as the D-taunt. Yes, even the Stan and Ford alts do this.
FINAL SMASH
Like most of their moveset, the Mystery Twins’ Final Smash changes depending on which of them is present when it’s activated, though after using any of these Final Smashes, a missing twin will respawn. This is the only way to cause a missing twin to respawn without being KO’d.
Dipper only - Quantum Destabilizer: Dipper fires a straight shot from Ford’s Quantum Destabilizer, the super weapon with which he unsuccessfully attempted to destroy Bill Cipher in s2e18: [Weirdmaggedon], though it will certainly prove effective against Smash fighters. This is very similar to Dark Pit’s Final Smash; the narrow beam travels the length of the screen and will heavily damage and launch anyone hit by it, resulting in an instant KO if it takes a fighter’s damage above 100%.
Damage:
Mabel only - Imagination Unleashed: While mounted upon the dolphin-man-hallucination-monster Aoshima and karaoke singing either “Don’t Start Unbelieving” or “Taking Over Midnight” backed up by the music of her totally-a-different-art-style dream boys Xyler and Craz, Mabel unleashes her disturbing extraordinary imagination in a glittery tidal wave of rainbows, waffle soldiers, cat faces, stickers, flying sweaters, random stuffed animals, and of course, shooting stars. This is very similar to Wii Fit Trainer’s Final Smash, and is based on Mabel’s Mystery Power attack in Rumble’s Revenge.
Damage (per hit):Both - Unite the Zodiac: A large image of the Zodiac Wheel, albeit missing the image of Bill Cipher in the center, appears around the twins. Any enemies it touches take Bill Cipher’s place in the center of the wheel. After a cinematic of the ten members of the Zodiac united around the wheel, a white pillar of cosmic energy erupts from its center, obliterating anyone inside. This is always an instant KO on anyone it catches… damage doesn't matter, no exceptions.
Since the Zodiac Wheel Prophecy was unsuccessful in the actual show, it’s unknown what would have happened had it worked, so I’m free to interpret it however I want for Smash. I don’t necessarily think this is what would have happened, but it works quite well for a Final Smash. The initial capture hitbox is a ring around the twins, and its limits are pretty obvious.
20 notes
·
View notes
Rumor Has It (8)
Masterlist
Series Masterlist
CW: Discussions of adult clubs, sexual implications, you are responsible for your own media consumption.
The base buzzed with energy as the team wound down after the mission, though the teasing about Rumor’s incident with Nikolai hadn’t let up. Gaz leaned back against the table, his smirk firmly in place.
Gaz leaned against the table, polishing his rifle, side-eyeing Rumor before casually asking, “So, Rumor… that club with Nikolai, huh? Must’ve been quite the experience.”
Rumor looked up from cleaning his Glock, catching the mischievous gleam in Gaz’s eyes. “Are we still on this?” He sighed, shaking his head.
Soap, lounging against the wall with his arms crossed, smirked. “Oh, aye. Just tryin’ tae understand the dynamics o’ the relationship, mate. For purely educational purposes.”
Rumor narrowed his eyes, feigning irritation, though he couldn’t help the faint smile pulling at his lips. “You lot have nothin’ better to do, eh?”
Ghost chimed in from where he stood near the window, his voice deadpan. “Just trying to figure out if we need to adjust your call sign to something more fitting.”
Rumor shot him a look. “Don’t even think about it, Ysbryd.”
Soap couldn’t resist. “How ‘bout ‘Sub-mission’?”
Gaz let out a loud snort, unable to hold back his laughter, while Ghost shook his head almost fondly.
Rumor groaned but shot back with, “If anyone needs a change in call sign, it’s Soap. Maybe ‘Bawbag’ suits you better.”
Soap gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. “Ach! That’s low, lad.”
Ghost, his mask hiding any expression, added dryly, “I think it fits.”
The room erupted in laughter again, but as the teasing died down, there was a quieter moment. Soap clapped Rumor on the back, still grinning. “All jokes aside, mate, we trust you. BDSM club or not.”
Gaz nodded, serious now. “You’re one of us. Doesn’t matter what happened back then.”
Rumor glanced around the room, noting the genuine camaraderie behind the teasing, and felt a wave of warmth. “Aye, well, I wouldn’t trade this lot for the world… even if you are all a pain in my ass.”
Soap’s eyes lit up at that. “Ah, so Nik’s not the only one, eh?”
Ghost groaned audibly, muttering to himself, “I regret ever asking.”
Before they could press further, Price entered the room, the unmistakable scent of his cigar trailing behind him. He raised an eyebrow, taking in the grinning faces around him. “What’s goin’ on here then?”
Soap, always quick to share, couldn’t resist. “Cap, ye missed quite the story! Our Rumor ‘ad a run-in with Nikolai at a club. But it wasn’t yer usual pint and dance night, if ye get me.”
Rumor shot Soap a sharp look, his face slightly flushed. “For Christ’s sake, Soap—!”
Price took a slow drag from his cigar, his gaze sliding to Rumor with an amused glint. “Nikolai, eh? Didn’t peg him as your type, lad.”
Rumor huffed, shaking his head. “Not exactly somethin’ I planned, Cap.”
Price’s smirk deepened as he exhaled a slow stream of smoke. “I’m sure you didn’t, son. But I reckon you held your own… or didn’t, depending on the circumstances.”
The entire room burst into laughter at that, Ghost even letting out a rare chuckle while Soap doubled over in delight. Rumor slumped back in his chair, rubbing his face in exasperation.
Soap, still grinning like a maniac, piped up again. “Oi, Cap, any guess who topped?”
Price’s eyes lingered on Rumor, his smirk softening into something more playful. “Well, if I had to put money on it, I’d say Nikolai likes to take charge, but…” He leaned in just slightly, his voice lower but teasing, “I wouldn’t mind seeing what our boy can do in the right circumstances.”
Rumor blinked, taken aback for a moment by Price’s flirtatious tone. His cheeks flushed darker, and he glanced around to see if anyone else caught it. Soap and Gaz were too busy howling with laughter to notice, but Ghost raised an eyebrow, and the corners of his eyes crinkled with a knowing smile.
Rumor cleared his throat, trying to find a response as Price clapped him on the shoulder. “Good on you, lad. Not many can say they tangled with Nik and lived to tell the tale.”
Rumor sighed, shaking his head. “Aye, Cap. I’ll make sure to add it to my CV.”
Price straightened up, a smirk still tugging at his lips. “Just make sure the next time you get into trouble, you give me a heads up. I like to know where my boys are playin’, after all.”
Rumor raised an eyebrow, catching the subtle suggestion in Price’s words. “I’ll keep that in mind… sir.”
Price winked before turning to walk away. “You do that, Rumor. I’ll be waitin’.”
As Price left the room, Soap, always the instigator, couldn’t resist one last jab. “Yer on thin ice, Rumor! Ye better watch it, or Cap’ll have ye all to himself.”
Rumor sighed dramatically, the flush still on his cheeks as he muttered under his breath, “I might not mind that…”
Soap leaned closer, grinning. “What was that?”
Rumor smirked back. “Not a bloody thing, MacTavish. Now shut it.”
——
The 141’s section of the base had finally quieted down. After all the jokes, Rumor managed to escape to the back room, hoping for a moment of peace away from Soap’s relentless jabs and Gaz’s sly comments. He leaned against the window, looking out at the darkening skyline, trying to push the lingering embarrassment from his mind.
But the silence didn’t last long.
Ghost’s heavy footsteps echoed through the room, and Rumor didn’t even need to turn to know who had joined him. “If you’re here to have a go at me too, I’ll throw myself out this window,” Rumor muttered, though there was no real threat in his tone.
Ghost’s signature dry chuckle followed. “You’d have better luck if it weren’t the ground floor.”
Rumor huffed, still staring out the window. “What do you want, Ghost?”
Ghost leaned against the wall beside him, his arms crossed. Though his skull mask covered most of his expression, Rumor could feel Ghost’s eyes on him, scrutinizing. “That story about Nikolai. You never denied it.”
Rumor glanced sideways at Ghost, narrowing his eyes. “What’s there to deny? It happened. I’ve got nothin’ to hide.”
Ghost’s posture remained casual, but his voice had that ever-present edge. “So, Nik’s the one who topped?”
Rumor groaned, rolling his eyes. “Bloody hell, mate. Is this what it’s come to now? You, too?”
Ghost shifted, moving closer, his shadowed figure looming, but his tone carried a different weight—less mocking, more curious. “Just askin’. It’s not every day we find out our newest 141 addition had a night with Nik at a BDSM club.”
Rumor straightened up, crossing his arms defensively. “Alright, alright. You really want the details? Yeah, Nik took control. Happy?”
Ghost tilted his head, his voice dropping to a softer, almost conspiratorial tone. “Doesn’t surprise me. You’re a sub, aren’t you?”
Rumor flinched but tried to cover it with a laugh. “What? You got me figured out now, Ghost?”
Ghost’s eyes glinted beneath the mask, even as his expression stayed unreadable. “Not too hard to figure out, mate. You’ve got that look about you. Submissive… but not weak.”
Rumor swallowed, feeling his heart rate spike just slightly. There was something about Ghost’s intensity that always unnerved him, but in this moment, it was mixed with something else—something more personal.
“You think you’ve got me all figured out, huh?” Rumor replied, his voice quieter now.
Ghost leaned in, just enough for his presence to be felt more intensely. “I know more than you think.”
Rumor raised an eyebrow, his bravado slipping just slightly. “And what exactly do you think you know?”
Ghost’s gloved hand tapped lightly on the table beside him, his voice low and almost teasing. “You like a strong hand. Someone to take charge. But you don’t just give in easily, do you? You make ‘em work for it. Push back, even when you’re ready to fall in line.”
Rumor felt a heat rise to his face, but he kept his voice steady. “You got that from one story?”
Ghost’s eyes never left his. “I got that from watching you, Rumor. The way you handle yourself. You might’ve followed Price back into the fold, but you’ve still got that fight in you.” He paused, his voice growing quieter. “A man like Nik knows how to break that down, doesn’t he?”
Rumor let out a shaky laugh, trying to break the tension. “And what about you, Ghost? You spendin’ your nights sizing up everyone’s kinks?”
Ghost’s gaze was intense, but his tone was playful, almost coy. “Only when they’re worth the effort.”
Rumor’s breath hitched for a moment, caught off guard by Ghost’s words. He met Ghost’s gaze, searching for any hint of a joke, but the man’s face was as unreadable as ever behind the mask. “Am I?”
Ghost was quiet for a moment, then he stepped even closer, just enough that Rumor could feel the heat of him. “Maybe.”
The air between them crackled with tension, and Rumor’s heart pounded in his chest. He wasn’t sure if it was the teasing or something more serious, but Ghost’s presence was overwhelming in a way that made it hard to think clearly.
“Don’t worry, Rumor,” Ghost said, voice dropping low again, almost a purr, “your secret’s safe with me.”
Rumor smirked, feeling the tension shift just slightly. “Sure it is. Until Soap finds out and blabs to the whole squad.”
Ghost’s chuckle was deep, almost a rumble. “Let him try. He’d be too scared of you after this.”
As Ghost stepped back, the intensity in the room cooled just a fraction, but Rumor couldn’t shake the feeling that this conversation wasn’t over. Ghost had seen something in him—something he wasn’t quite ready to face yet.
Before Ghost left, he turned, throwing a final glance over his shoulder. “By the way, Nik’s got good taste. Wouldn’t mind seeing if I could do better.”
Rumor stood there, speechless, as Ghost disappeared into the hallway, leaving him wondering just how much of himself he’d let slip—and what the hell had just happened.
20 notes
·
View notes