#can you see the teeny tiny shape in stars one eye

[man-me--a-sand]

Rictor and Boom Boom meet a strange kid in Central Park.

this is a scene from close encounters of the mutant kind by @kermit-coded, which everyone should go read,, go read all their fics actually.

versions w text under the cut bc I couldn't make up my mind

[serve-corps]

Riri x fem reader

FUCK. see, you've recently been struggling because some loser company figured out that you're even more of a loser than them because your love life is drier than the Sahara desert. they took great offence because they want to be the biggest losers so they sent someone to fix it.

more like some thing... this baked bean looking creature with a witch hat and a stick with a sparkly star on top which you presumed was a wand was just floating in front of your face with a little smile on its face.

"Riri.... what do you want?...." you groaned out, turning to flop on your bed, muffling your words with a pillow.

this little fuc- i mean shi- AHEM i mean wizard was assigned to you of all people to help you find a romantic partner, a lover, a mate, whatever you want to call it, this thing was trying to get you one.

despite trying their hardest, you managed to make all the "possible" love interests Riri set up for you to get your life in gear to actually either friendzone you and you not giving a shit or lose feelings fast because you purposefully changed your personality and looks to not suit their tastes.

it might be a sociopathic and manipulative move but you don't want to get into romance. you've got a handful of extremely close friends and you've bore witness to the heartbreak just one person can do to someone. just watching it break someone like how it broke them...

yeah. you said fuck that.

Your friends always tell you how wonderful love is; in retrospect, you have had crushes before. but you fizzed them away, concluding it to only be attraction or stupid teenage hormones.

we're going to completely ignore the fact you bully the shit out of Riri on the basis of whenever you saw them, watching them suffer as their efforts are in vain. but you hate to see them sad for some gut-hurling and wrenching reason, you usually make them a little something. YES YES, I KNOW why the fuck would you make something for a baked bean-shaped magic dildo-looking wizard? well, it just felt right.

when you saw Riri sitting on the edge of your desk with their head down, swinging their feet; you swore you saw a teeny tiny mushroom trying to peek out of its hat, you actually felt sorry for them.

here's the thing. you knew Ansu very closely, you played games with her as a kid, still dabble now and again but Ansu always asks you to make cat stuff for her. specifically clothes.

you searched some tutorials online and made these clothes with great skill and somehow good quality. your father inherited a very very high quality, multipurpose sewing machine that was great at its job.

making Riri something couldn't be too hard, right?

you were actually working on it days ago but you made something similar to a cat bed, it was pastel yellow and pink, it had a fluffy base and stuffed with memory foam, you made this shit good.

wanna know why you were so proud of yourself? you made a detachable dome that could be buttoned on! it even had a button-up door! if Riri wanted privacy while taking a cat nap!

thinking of it made you let out an accidental "awweee" which made Riri turn to face you, their legs still swinging and a crocodile tear in their eye, a single one fell making you let out a snort.

"HEY! You need to stop making this so difficult! You know you're the reason I'm in trouble at work! right?! *ugly sob* I'm gonna get so fired!" they flopped down backward onto the wooden desk with a slam, you winced at the sound, showing concern. a red bump was forming on the back of their head from that one.

as they were wallowing in pity, you decided to get your project out of the box you hid it in. Riri was rolling around on the desk at this point, whinging and whining about how, in a politer term, dealing with your love life was bullshit. you kinda agreed but you softly placed the small bed that was about the size of both your hands cupped together in the corner of the desk, where the lights were the softest.

walking to where Riri was laying down, hopelessly looking at the ceiling with a miserable expression, you crouched down to be face to face with them.

"i have a 'I'm sorry for being such a fuck up' gift? will that make you feel better?"

the way they sat up so fast and stared at you with sparkles in their eyes was gobsmacking. they went from crying to jumping up and down on your desk like an excited little puppy. cute.

"PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE-" was all you heard which made you want to pave your head in but you just sighed, pinching the top of their hat and lifting it off their head.

"promise to trust me though? And no flying or Peter panning away?" you said with a stern look, still trying to let them know they didn't have to if they didn't want to.

the sweat dropped at this, thinking it was a bit weird to ask but robotically nodded, "I guess?- AH!-" You scooped your hands under Riri who was surprisingly a warm little thing that felt soft and squishy.

they just accepted their fate at this point as they relaxed in your warm hand, they felt almost as soft as you thought Riri felt, you couldn't see because they're yellow but they were blushing in their wizard way.

you started to walk to the gift and asked them to close their eyes, they complied with little hesitance, usually they're used to getting a good beating from ansu in these types of situations but they for some reason felt so much trust in you.

your warm hands left their body and they fell for less than a second, snapping their eyes open but before they could react, they fell on something really soft and comfortable. almost as comfortable as your hands. it was a little bed!

"woaaahhhhhhhh did you get this for me?!" they said with happiness as they jumped on the bed a little, "no I didn't, I made it! it's got more! wanna see?" you said with pride, this was the hardest thing you've ever made after all.

they looked at the gift in awe as you attached the dome to the base of the bed, unbuttoning the entrance and gesturing them to go in, and you bet your ass they did, they dived in snuggling the thing. you buttoned it back up letting it be darker, but slight light managed to go through the fabric which was very little light anyway.

you said to the Riri who was embracing the new gift, "again, I'm sorry I'm so difficult to work with, I've just, never been one for love, this is the best I can do....for you at least." you mumbled at the end, looking at the time, 12am. ansu would 100% be asleep by now so it's best you do too.

walking to the light switch you turn it off, then laying in bed, feeling content that not only they liked it- no loved it, they were sleeping in the same room as you tonight.

little did you know, Riri was sitting in their dome, furiously blushing at the implication that you could even possibly love them. their- 'heart'? so to speak was thumping loudly in their chest.

they peeked out of their dome, seeing you asleep. they carried their bed to your pillow, quietly and got back in. They were unsure if they should button it up so they couldn't see you, or keep it undone to gaze at you throughout the night...

before they could decide, your hand reached in and held the side of the bed, that was a decision maker.

you awoke to soft, cute? snores? hold up, what?

your eyes opened to the light of the sun filling your room, fuck off sun.

Riri was next to your hand with the dome off completely, resting their head on your hand and their body on their bed, huh.

WAIT WHAT?

for some reason, you turned red at the sight. no way...your heart beating fast, your face is flushed, palms sweaty, thoughts racing, scenarios happening in your mind, feeling bubbly? the shit?! you better not be in love with a baked bean?!

you carefully got out of bed, not waking them. you started pacing, fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck okok just, just take a walk! yeah! that'll stop this madness! hahahaha please god help me.

You got changed, noticing that when you flicked your eyes back to Riri, they seemed a bit orange, not as yellow as normal. huh. wait...COLOUR THEORY. PINK + YELLOW = ORANGE! THEYRE BLUSHING! That mother fucker peeped. huffing, there was nothing you could do about it now.

"Riri, wanna come on a walk with me?" if you actually had intelligence, you would make a clone of yourself and beat the shit out of yourself. turn it into a version of the Hunger Games but a clone edition. how fucking dumb are you? this was your escape from them. down the drain that goes!

they sat up slowly, still slightly orange, looking away from you they nodded. That is out of character. you furrowed your brows and tried to move past it.

they waved their wand and suddenly there was a rip-off Kagamine Rin in your room! she had slightly pink cheeks and you could damn near say this is a very pretty girl. why do blondes do this to you?

"R-Riri?...that you dude?"

"who else would it be dummy?" they said with sarcasm. but somehow pulled a cute face with a peace sigh with their hand.

you picked up a random gummy bear from a packet you were eating and threw it at her head in annoyance, she caught it in her mouth and started chewing on it, giving you a grin.

little shit. you glared with such sharpness, you could cut her hair.

this led you to be walking around a quiet park with Riri, you watched her analyse the couples around us, giggling, holding hands, kissing even. just don't look. it'll never be you anyways.

you were kind of depressed knowing you were hopeless at getting someone to like you let alone date someone. Riri was straight up staring at them, you low key thought it was creepy.

sighing through your nose, you reached and grabbed Riri's hand, intertwining your fingers. "see? it's not all that great..." you ate your own words after you said them because holding her hand for some reason made your heart flutter.

she wasn't any better, she was a flustered mess, she never felt this before, was it okay for a wizard to be in love with a human? wait, what? did she accidentally admit that to herself?

she glanced at you, who was looking at a very fluffy-looking dog that you tried to hide a smile as you looked at it's cuteness. lips pressed together and nose scrunched as you resisted to urge to run to it and bury your face in its fur.

Riri unconsciously had a smile sneak its way onto her face.

maybe she didn't need to analyse couples after all, she could just analyse the two of you!

the dog strutted away from you, as though it knew it was cute. you pouted and turned back to Riri, still expecting her to be analysing the couples around you, you did a double take when she was just gazing at you with a soft smile, unlike her usual idol rip-off smile.

that...that caught you off guard. "Riri? are you okay?" you muttered softly as she widened her smile back to its normal idol self and a sharp nod sent your way.

you're hands were disconnected for a while as you were admiring the dog not long ago, you missed the warmth as it was a cold morning. yeah. that's why. But that was short-lived as after the girl returned to her spirits, your hand got snatched into her own like it owed her money. The grip was firm but it seemed you were the only one who had a reaction to it, it just made her smile wider while it made you try to tug out of it in shock, you were weirded out and showing proudly on your face.

all hope of escape was abandoned when she let go, only to wrap an arm around yours. walking in large steps towards the lake most people come to the park to see. you felt like it was a kidnapping when she sat you down on the bench furthest from everyone.

you sighed, "Riri...what are you doing?" you asked tiredly as the girl for now was swinging her legs back and forth, holding on to your hand for dear life.

"helping you figure out how love scenes should play out! without you friend zoning them." she said with a glare and tight smile at the end. so she saw all of the times you've ruined her attempts then...oops.

"Riri, I know how they play out, I've just never wanted it to play out." you said as you rolled your head back in boredom. to you, a heart feels heavy, its a burden after all. on the contrary, thats never stopped anyone.

Riri looked puzzled and looked intently at the lake, slowly forgetting she was holding your hand. "why wouldn't you want that? don't all girls?"

you snapped your neck to look at her in a dumbfound state, is this what that loser company had been teaching the wizards?

"no! NONONO! absolutely not! not every girl wants to be stuck in some shitty romcom where the girl has a harem of boys thirsting for her love! some just want... a gradual emotional development. a genuine one." you started to rant, your tone becoming more stressed.

"Riri...this 'love'...that you think is true isn't! its just not right. love isn't about looks. about personality. they're key factors, yes. but are they what makes love? fuck no!"

you grabbed both of her hands and made her face you. She was the one in shock, there was no romantic book that she's researched that ever had a scene like this...and what you're saying....is it not true?...

"if these wizards just taught you love was something about looks or personality, then they don't know their shit. those are called crushes, but they're no long-term." you calm yourself down as Riri stays silent throughout all of this, just holding your hands in return and a slight pink dusting her cheeks.

"Love is about the companionship, the trust, the emotional connection, a gradual thing. nobody can fall for someone in less than a week. its about hardships and blessings. unfortunate situations being dominated by closeness. That's how it forms..." the way you were looking into Riri's eyes almost made you recoil as you realised, you were describing how you fell in love. COUGH what? hm? I didn't hear anything.

you looked back at the lake after letting go of her hands, your fingers twitching every now and again as you came to realise how passionate and hopeful you sounded, it sounded like you knew what you were talking about; like you knew what love was.

flicking your eyes back at Riri for less than a second, you saw she was just...staring....mouth slightly parted but there was...pink on her cheeks? was she flattered by this? or...flustered? nooo. she can't...wait...maybe?

you snorted into your hand at her face and she realised how pathetic this was.

"What are you laughing for! this isn't fair! i haven't done anything funny!" she whined as she writhed back and forth in a worm-like way while she was still sitting on the bench.

"that reaction's pretty damn funny if you ask me" you said with a giggle, patting her shoulder softly as you stood up and brushed yourself off.

"now can we finish-" you cut yourself off by waving your arms around, gesturing to all of the things around you "all of 'this'?" you finish.

The poor blonde sighed with her head down, slowly dragging her feet on the trek back to your home. Little giggles left your throat the entire time, yet you did feel embarrassed about that little tangent about love and its deep meaning. but eh, what's done is done.

getting back to the house and flopping on your bed and sighing, you heard Riri looking around again when a though crossed your mind, "how on earth did you turn into a girl??" you propped yourself up on your elbows to look at her in confusion, only for her to pull out her wand and tap it against her head with a cheeky grin,

"Trade secret my precious little (y/n)!" suddenly her body slowly morphed into a taller form and looked more masculine.

"NOW A DUDE?!- SHIT ARE YOU GENDER FLUID?! AH FRICK I HAVENT ASKED YOU WHAT YOUR PREFFERED PRONOUNS ARE-"

your voice came out panicked before Riri sweat dropped and covered your mouth with his hand. "its not that serious-"

as he spoke, he forgot where his hand was, your face slowly warmed up as he was extremely close to your face and his hand was the only thing between your lips in all fairness.

Your eyes flickered from his eyes to his lips, and your face continued to get painted in a vibrant red.

Only after your long silence did he realize that your proximity may not have been the most appropriate and he also pulled away with a blush and frantic hands all over the place.

The silence in the room was deafening as you both sat and stood in awkward quietness. Well, that was shattered when Riri spoke up.

"Y'know at the park? Does that mean you HAVE fallen in love?" his hands were fiddling together as he asked the question, and an unusual emotion for him to feel was brewing, nervousness.

All that question squeezed out of you was a sharp nod and a quick moment of eye contact.

"for me?" his voice came out small, sounding almost fragile as his face reddened, sparkles flying around him and you coughed harshly into your hand looking away. The avoidance was getting harder as he got closer and closer to your face. The over grown human version of puppy eyes we slightly working.

Screwing your eyes tightly shut, but if you kept them open, you would have noticed his puppy eyes face was leaning closer and closer, coaxing you to tell him. You gathered every ounce of courage your body had to offer and turned your face to his, making the close distance between the two of you non-existent as the boy squeaked and your face bloomed a scarlet.

Wouldn't have happened if he didn't get so close.

both of you slowly calmed down yet the kiss never broke, you opened your eyes to see his face only to see a soft gaze looking at you for approval to continue, this was the final push you needed to hold his cheek and put pressure into the kiss, so it was a real kiss.

you slowly leaned back and saw a vibrant red kageme len sitting in front of you, a hand rushing up to cover his lips and a tiny feminine squeal left his mouth.

"take that as a yes you baked bean." you gruffed out, crossing your arms and leaning away.

Your attempt was futile as he jumped and glomped on you laughing like a maniac and burying his face in the crook of your neck, nuzzling almost as he made you nearly fall on the floor. Your hands rested and steadied themselves on his waist.

He leaned back from his overpowering hug and, softly, with the utmost care, grabbed your chin and smiled before gently pressing his lips to yours. You felt dizzy as you let him. Every time you pulled away, he'd let you take a breath, and then he'd dig back in for more.

From every moment you two were together, you had to be touching. Riri's orders were so you complied. As time went on with Riri's company pestering them about your love life, they replied with "work in progress." However, when it came to getting a bonus, they normally held hands with you, sending them a photo of their progress.

Normally you giggle at this and jump onto their back, making them carry you to get you a snack from your kitchen.

[borrowedtimeandspace]

A Hard Day's Night

Honey

From this list of g/t prompts

Part 2 of 2. [Part 1]

AU: The Donna Trilogy side story; set during the interlude, 'If I Could Turn Back Time'

Note: I think I've decided this will be added to Tales from the Vortex, since this doesn't directly affect the events of IICTBT. It features a character that will be introduced in that story, but I think adding it to the interlude will interrupt the flow. I do love it though and it's canon to the story!

~~~

Not wanting to stare, Dan set about re-stacking the cans remaining on the shelf so they wouldn't tumble like that again. He could practically feel that tiny, intense stare as he casually moved things that must have been incredibly heavy to the much smaller man.

Dan did a double take when he removed the last few cans and found something in the gap behind them. Leaning in for a closer look, it looked rather like a tiny knapsack. Though, to the man who Dan reckoned to be about five inches tall, he supposed it was rather big. Wide set and half full, with a packet of honey strapped to the back of it like campers’ equipment.

Cutting his eyes back over, the man’s posture had completely tensed up now that Dan had found what must be his belongings.

Dan held his breath as he reached for the bag and pinched the corner of the honey packet. It was tied down tightly enough to take the bag with it when he lifted it up. 

“Oi!”

“Just bringin’ it to ya,'' Dan murmured, awed to find that the little pack was hardly any heavier than the honey would be on its own. It really put the world from this man's point of view in perspective for Dan. He could only imagine how long that honey would last for someone so small.

He gently carried it over to the man, who sent him a suspicious look but snatched the pack out of his fingers. Dan took his hand back and returned to what he was doing, shelving cans and checking the ones that fell for dents. As he did, he watched the bloke out of the corner of his eye. He turned over the knapsack to inspect it for damage or disturbance before carefully sliding it under his knee to take pressure off his injury.

Soon enough the cans were no longer a distraction from all the questions Dan had about this fella. Anybody would be curious about him, where he came from, what exactly he was if not an alien, why he was so small, how he could heal from injuries so fast. They might pester him about such things while he was laid up, unable to evade the interrogation very easily.

Not Dan Lewis.

“Low on food, are ya?” he quietly prodded.

The way those tiny shoulders stiffened and the man continued to avoid eye contact told Dan he'd hit the nail on the head. Dan gave a small smile anyway.

“You're in the right place if you are. Plenty of food here that'll last ya a while. Y'know, I think we've got some pastina that just came in, should be perfect for ya. Hang on.” 

With that, Dan pushed himself up to stand, and did his best to ignore the stomach-sinking feeling of completely looming over the bloke who definitely had wide eyes on him now. He strode quickly to the shelf he'd been stocking to find what he'd promised. The box was small enough to find easily among the other pastas, so it didn't take very long at all to find. Dan peered through the little viewing window in the box to see the teeny-tiny star shapes of the pasta within, and nodded to himself.

He was surprised to make his way back to the little fella to find that he'd managed to stand. His weight wasn't quite on his injured leg yet as he leaned against the nearby can, but he seemed to have tracked Dan's movements since he walked away. That was a guess on Dan's part, considering the way those cobalt eyes were glued to him. 

Taking a knee by the shelf once again, Dan carefully opened the box and angled it in such a way that the pasta was carefully shifted to just meet the short end. Then he held the box against the shelf's edge so the man could inspect the offered food.

After more suspicious glances between the pasta and Dan, he gently insisted, “Well, go on. Y’don’t have to take it, but it won't bite youse.”

The man puffed up a bit at the implication that he was scared, and so limped the few steps toward the box. One tiny hand reached in to scoop up a fistful of the pastina to look at it more closely. Indignation seemed to melt into bafflement as he pinched one miniscule star shape between his fingers. It was just about the size of his eye, which was quite small indeed.

“The hell…?” he muttered.

Thinking it might be something new for the fella, Dan explained, “It's pasta. It's all hard and tough now, but it softens up when ya boil–,”

“I know what pasta is,” snapped the man, but his tone wasn't quite as sharp as before. “Just never seen any like this before.”

Dan blinked and did his best to hide the amusement he could feel tugging at his features. He rather liked the wee fella’s attitude, now that he was seeing more of it.

“If you want it, take as much as ya like,” he offered. “It'll keep for ages. I think it's good in soups if you can cook it down in some broth. Add whatever ya like to it, then…”

He trailed off awkwardly, finding himself once again locked in a sidelong stare from the bloke. Less wary than the others, though, Dan noticed. This time, he looked bemused.

Before Dan could read any further into it, the guy shook his little head and tossed his handful of pasta back in the box, muttering something too quiet for Dan to hear. He untied something from his belt and rolled it out to reveal a drawstring sack about the size of his torso. Still grumbling, he held the sack near the box and swiftly scooped up enough pastina to fill it.

Dan moved the box out of the way once he seemed to be done, hefting the miniature bag to rest on the shelf as he cinched and tied it securely shut.

“Name's Dan, by the way,” he finally introduced himself. Or tried to, since the most acknowledgement he got was a flat glance from the man as he turned to pack the full pouch into his knapsack. Dan noticed his limp had nearly gone, and he didn't seem to have any trouble crouching with weight on both of his legs. That had to be a good sign!

“Alright in there, Dan?”

Wilma's voice calling in through the door sent a jolt through both men. The smaller one jumped to his feet, knapsack still in hand. Once again he was tense from head to toe, and it didn't take a genius to guess why. He'd been wary enough with just Dan around, but to add another human into the mix would make anyone so small feel completely outmatched.

The desperate, almost pleading look sent Dan's way sealed the deal. He gave the fella a subtle nod, then rose to his feet.

“Alright,” Dan replied to Wilma, stepping away from the shelf and toward the open door where his resigned associate was turning the corner. “Didn't get very much unpacked, though. Whatever whoppers ya had in here before us stacked some cans all creatively, been cleaning up after ‘em.

The look of resignation that carried over from the conversation Wilma had been having over the phone melted into an amused smile. “Kids these days gotta have their art,” she shrugged.

Dan grinned and made his way back to the food left to unpack, glancing between the shelves toward one in particular. Only the cans were left, with no trace at all that a tiny man had been standing there moments ago.

“Finally taking something home, are we, Daniel?” Wilma prodded.

He blinked at her, but his “Eh?” caught in his throat when he realized he was still holding the opened box of pastina. Thinking quick, he nodded.

“Seen a few recipes for this stuff, thought I might give it a go,” he said sheepishly.

Wilma gave a resolute nod and stepped past him to pluck something from a different shelf. “That'll go nicely with this chicken broth. Catch.”

She tossed the container his way, and he just managed to snag it out of the air while keeping his grip on the pastina box.

“I expect to hear all about this tasty meal of yours next time I see ya,” she asserted with a look that was kind yet brooked no argument.

Dan decided it was best to simply nod and accept it. Ever since he started volunteering, Wilma tried to get him to put aside his pride and bring home something for his own admittedly-bare pantry. His cover-up for the strange encounter he'd just had seemed to give her the green light to encourage him even more strongly.

“Alright, Wilma,” he sighed, his way of thanks. “I'll take these home.”

[beetleskeleton]

Remember the original species I was talking about?

Yeah I made another one

Stuff under the cut cuz gorl is long

Snail cats! These little creatures live in little colonies with their own respective environments. There are three main species of Snail cats; Garden snail cats, Sea snail cats, and Mountain Snail cats. I will go over each one in detail.

The first one that I'll be talking about are the Garden Snail cats. They are the smallest out of the three, and reside in more woodland areas. Their colonies range from about 12-16 snail cats at a time and have a more optimistic personality than the other two species. They have round shells that have intricate patterns as well as having a short fur length.

The colors seen with them are more soft brown colors with some other alternatives. Though another note is that the color of their shell is the color of their eyes.

Here are some alternative color examples. The colors on the right are the main fur colors and the ones on the left are the shell colors.

Next are the Sea snail cats! sea snail cats live in tide pools and beaches, and are on the taller side out of the three species. They have more pointy fur and their tails flop down like how a sheep's tail does. They have the most variety in shell shapes and colors, while they have little fangs that stick out of their mouth.

These snail cats have a more down-to-Earth personality and serve well as peace keepers. Their colonies average to about 12-14 snail cats although it is worth mentioning that different colonies of this species do tend to live close-by to one another for easier communication and transport.

Much like the Garden snail cats, the colors on their shells are also their eye colors. And the same thing goes for the alternative color examples on the Garden snail cats for this; Fur colors on the right, shell colors on the left.

Last but not least are the Mountain snail cats. These snail cats take on a more slug like appearance (yes I know the difference) and are the more secluded of the three. They tend to live in much smaller groups, with an average of 6-8 snail cats at a time. Their antennae flop over their faces and they have much fluffier fur thanks to their residence in rocky areas.

While they're not much for small talk, they do know when to help lead a fellow snail cat colony out of a chaotic situation. However, an interesting thing about these snail cats is that, without shells, what about their eye colors? The answer is the outside is the lightest color of their fur, with the two colors inside the iris like part are the two darker colors (As you can see with the example provided).

Their color palettes reside mostly with more gray or musty brown colors though there can be other colors as well.

Here are some alternative color examples for them as well :)

---

Extra notes:

-Snail cats are small. Teeny tiny. They are about half the size of a 12 fluid ounce soda can in length. Though they are also pretty soft like the texture of a lamb's ear (the plant).

-They do have fangs, though they aren't as sharp as a regular cat's teeth. Think the dull points of candy corn, although they do have enough jaw strength to bite through things like leaves. Speaking of, they are omnivores. Their diets mostly consist of plants like leaves, berries, flowers and roots. But they also need protein so they eat small insects like ants.

-To add onto that, where the snail cat lives will typically determine its diet. Garden snail cats tend to lean towards more plant-based diets while Mountain snail cats tend to lean towards eating more insects and tend to hunt slightly larger bugs. Sea snail cats are a bit of a different story but they typically eat small sea stars in tide pools or seaweed that washes up on the beaches.

-They can reproduce both sexually and asexually. As in they can have a partner but it's not required. They can be single parents if they want. Snail cats can spawn off about 2-4 kits at a time usually.

-Mixed species can exist.

-Bug villages bug villages bug villages bug villages (I will provide concepts later.)

-The main predators of snail cats are small birds of prey and snakes. Though of course there are others like coyotes, magpies, or carnivorous fish.

-Snail cats have no specified gender, which again adds onto being able to reproduce both ways.

-They have an average life span of 3-4 years. Not very long.

---

I believe that's all I have to say about them for now. Again, I will be providing more and likely making my own characters with this.

Also! These are open species! Meaning that you can make your own snail cat! I'd love to see them :)

Anyways, I hope you enjoy these little creatures and have a good rest of your day/night friends!

[osaemu]

lipstick stains with actor gojo…….. formal event where his collar is unbuttoned, tie undone, hair disheveled…………. stupid grin on his face when the press asks where those red lipstick marks came from……………….. smiles and says something about not kissing and telling………………………..

GOJO SATORU: LIPSTICK, KISSES, AND AWARD SHOWS

✩ ‧ ˚. synopsis: it's an hour before you and satoru have to be at an award show, and it looks like he'll be looking.. less than professional when you arrive. (actor!au)

contents: fem!reader. very suggestive.. and very self-indulgent. call me vegas the way i added a teeny tiny plot twist at the end.. that will lead to maybe-angst in the future. side-note, i love you guys and thanks for being patient with me lately :,) 850 words.

"make sure you wash it off before you go out," you remind satoru, holding your phone up for him to use as a mirror. he peers into the camera and studies his face, which happens to be adorned with dark red lipstick stains from the hundreds of kisses you've been leaving on him for the past couple minutes.

you swipe back your phone and rub your thumb underneath your lips in an attempt to fix your smudged lipstick. you don't get far before satoru's thumb takes its place and turns your face towards him, giving you a chance to admire your work in all its glory.

there's a flurry of auburn kiss marks trailing down his jaw and all over his pale neck, and the dark veins underneath his skin stand out far more in the dim lighting. satoru's eyes glint as he helps you fix your lipstick, a little smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "nah, i don't mind. the whole world could see me like this and i wouldn't care one bit."

your eyes widen into a doe-like shape as satoru taps his index finger against his lips, cocking an eyebrow mischievously. "oh, and i think you missed a spot."

without hesitating, you lean in and press your freshly-painted lips to his mouth, mumbling something about how the red carpet could wait. satoru's only too welcoming when your lips press against his, and somehow his hands wrap around your waist and pull you down onto his bed.

"satoru, you're gonna mess up my hair," you protest, pawing at his chest. "and my makeup, and my dress, 'cause we both know how messy you are, so—"

"baby, i love your voice, but shhh," he coos, cutting you off by pressing his index finger to your lips. "i'll do the talking, you just lie there n' look pretty for me, 'kay?" when you don't reply, he smiles and adds, "good girl."

satoru reaches up and loosens his tie with one hand, making quick work of his collar next. it's concerning, really—it's almost like he's too eager to get his white shirt stained red with your lips, but the state of his appearance is the last thing on your mind as satoru dips his head and kisses you again.

it's rare that satoru kisses you with his eyes open, but when he does, it feels as if he can see right through you and your clothes. "satoru, we have somewhere to be," you whisper, words muffled by his lips on yours. as expected, he ignores your weak protests, but honestly, you could care less about the award show. "satoru—"

"i'm already holding myself back from— fuck, why do you have to make this so hard?" satoru groans, breaking away from the kiss to gaze at your heated face. "damn it, do we have to be there?"

"yeah, it's kinda important," you reply, a touch of playful sarcasm in your words. this award ceremony is one that could change the rest of your career, and as tempting as it is to stay underneath your co-star, it isn't really a viable option. satoru nods in begrudging agreement, muttering something about hating his schedule as he pushes himself off of you.

"c'mon, let's go," he grumbles, ruffling his hair in the floor-length mirror and examining his reflection. you comb your fingers through your hair in a futile attempt to smoothen it out and hop off his bed, joining satoru in front of the mirror.

"are you really gonna go out like that?" you tease, adjusting the strap of your dress in the mirror and eyeing satoru's lipstick-adorned face.

satoru meets your eyes in the dimly-lit mirror, lips twitching with the beginnings of a smile. "why not?"

when you two arrive at the ceremony venue, you get swept away by one crowd while satoru gets ushered to the forefront of the red carpet by another. as you wait for your turn in front of the cameras, you can almost feel the crowd going wild when satoru casually poses for the paparazzi with his collar undone, tie loosened, and face covered in your kisses.

"was that you?" the well-known actress next to you, shoko ieiri, whispers, short auburn hair glinting in the chandelier's glow. you grin and shrug in response, turning your attention back to the interviewer chatting with satoru.

"well, you certainly came in with a bang, didn't you?" the interviewer asks coyly, looking satoru up and down. she raises an eyebrow with interest when she sees how the lipstick marks go down below his unbuttoned shirt collar. "tell us, who's the lucky girl?"

satoru laughs good-naturedly, running his hand through his hair as he replies, "sweetheart, i'd love to say, but i don't make it a habit to kiss and tell."

looks like your little on-again, off-again charade will continue, for now. rumors are still circling all over the internet about you and satoru from the stunt the two of you pulled before the oscars, and nobody can quite discern if you and satoru are dating or not.

including you.

[deniigi]

Please have some Skywalker Babies + Uncle Rex.

----

Title: skittles

Summary: Padme dies, but Anakin doesn't turn and as a result ends up with two little ones who are, naturally, adopted by the 501st--well, Leia is. Luke keeps getting stolen by a filthy thief.

------

Rex has the twins for now. He has never felt terror like this before. He can’t stop checking over his shoulders for threats to their teeny tiny persons.

In his humble opinion, it should be illegal for humans to be born this small. He ran it past Ahsoka recently and she agreed, but she also provided intelligence that the twins’ size was not necessarily average for their species, either.

The other brothers helped him investigate this. They all gathered round and put the holonet searches on the projector so that they didn’t have to smash buckets over a datapad screen to be educated. Their search for ‘newborn natborn human baby’ was rewarded with images upon images of reddened tubies with big, round bellies and curled up limbs.

They did a new search for ‘2 weeks, natborn human baby’ and were rewarded with even more pictures, to which they held the twins up next to and found them wanting. The twins’ proportions were all wrong, their limbs were too skinny, their faces pinched. The babies on the holonet didn’t have hair, but their baby girl did.

The conclusion was that the research was inconclusive. Further, it was interrupted by the resident thief coming in to take his chances. Cody told them later, upon returning their baby boy, that they were better than this. Kenobi wasn’t slick. They needed to stop letting their guards now.

He said all this while ignoring the way the baby boy burrowed into the side of his throat and made smacking noises.

Such a strong man, that Cody. He is, unfortunately, not available now even though Rex has both twins and a heart attack waiting to happen.

The Thief is nearby. Rex can sense him. He heads back the way he came.

 --

The baby girl, who has a name, but Anakin is too heartbroken to speak it, fists her hands at Rex and shakes them as if to threaten him into compliance. He does not know how to help her understand that he has not taken the blanket off her face out of malice, but rather to keep her from suffocating. She is angry with him regardless. She is often angry with him and endlessly crying when he does not put her exactly where she wants to be exactly when she wants it.

The thief calls her a princess, and so everyone else has started doing the same in lieu of her name. The child is bound to grow up thinking her name itself is ‘Princess’ at this rate. Ahsoka has been trying out different titles for her, but she doesn’t respond to them in the same way.

For all that the princess is royalty through and through, the baby boy is thoroughly a commoner. Catching him awake is a miracle. Part of that is because his waking hours are spent with the Thief, since Kenobi has decided, for some mysterious reason, that this child is his favorite of all in existence. He will not be separated from this child and when he is, he gets crafty in his attempts to get him back.

The princess does not like Kenobi. At all, period. He touches her and she screams and reaches her stubby hands for Rex. If Rex is not available to be screamed for, she will wail until her father comes to stuff her in his tunic.

Anakin is fine to hold the princess, but he cannot look upon the baby boy, even to feed him. He looks so much like his mother. It is a struggle for everyone—except Kenobi. Rex wonders aloud to Ahsoka if Kenobi will raise the boy on his own and a moment of silence fills the canteen.

Ahsoka throws herself from the room and goes sprinting for the masters’ quarters.

 --

 The twins are tested for Force Sensitivity and it becomes abundantly clear why Kenobi continues hoard the baby boy against all sense and wisdom. He is described by the jedi as a ‘sun’ in the Force. The princess too, but her presence in the Force blends in with her father’s until she is gazed upon in Rex’s Force-empty grip.

Only then is she, too, declared a star.

Twin stars, they are called.

‘Kenobi, put that down,’ the boy is named. ‘Kenobi, give that back,’ is his middle one.

The first time Rex sees the baby boy awake, he is startled by how blue his eyes are. His sister’s are dark, but his are light like water at the base of a waterfall. He makes a little sound and turns his heavy head to the side to blink at Rex’s forearm.

He is the older of the two, but the Princess is already overtaking him in weight. Kenobi has been scolded for this. In return, he locks everyone out of his quarters.

 --

 The twins are two months old when they stop being blinky-maggots and turn into smiley ones. Anakin cannot put the princess down or she will scream until she is blue in the face. As such their dedicated General can be found with his arms full, slowly banging his head against the nearest hard object.

He calls her ‘Leia.’ Princess Leia.

The baby boy is ‘Luke.’ Just Luke.

Anakin spends his time these days bouncing Leia and on the hunt for his son. He walks like a zombie towards Kenobi’s door and plasters his back against it. He slides down and tries desperately not to fall asleep at the bottom.

He will not let Rex take the princess when he’s in this state. He wants only for Kenobi to open the door so that he can fall back onto his floor and demand his son. Kenobi never gives him his son back. There is no longer any question that baby Luke is Kenobi’s child. The fact that he’s been produced by Anakin and Padme is a footnote in the broader history being made here.

Kenobi will, however, take Princess Leia, too, if left unsupervised. She still hates him—more than ever, really, but he doesn’t mind. He likes to lay the twins out together so that Leia’s jerky fussing will ruin Luke’s sleep cycles.

Kenobi is a man with no respect for the law in these parts. More jedi masters have to step in to get him under control. Master Koon takes the most pity on Anakin and gives him both of his children. The masters and the clones watch him stagger up with both babies and drunkenly return to their quarters.

A note is made to check on all three of them in fifteen minutes.

 --

 The twins, at 6 months old, have developed even more distinct personalities and hair. So much hair. Ahsoka puts Leia’s hair in pigtails and Leia will scream if anyone tries to adjust them or if she feels that they are falling out of shape.

Rex’s hands were once clumsy around ring-sized rubber bands. He is now an expert. He is such an expert that he can even make the occasional one stay in Luke’s slippery hair, which, of course, invokes an expression of betrayal in Luke that is so comical, Rex can’t see it without being brought to tears.

Luke hates him for this. He whimpers for his father—no, not that one. The good one.

These days, Kenobi is a cat who has gotten the cream.

The boy called him ‘dada’ before he gave the name to Anakin, and Kenobi nearly lost his life for it. He regrets nothing. He is technically barred from being around Luke, both by the other jedi and by Anakin specifically, but rules are things for other people in Kenobi’s world.

Anakin threatens him with bodily harm at every opportunity that he is not holding his daughter upside down.

She enjoys this. This is not just a daddy-thing to her either; she expects everyone to carry her like this. If not feet-to-the-sky, then at least draped over an arm, face-down like a sack of flour. She hums the way a cat would purr.

 --

 At nine months the babes are mobile and it is the worst thing that has happened to Anakin besides Padme’s death. They are not effectively mobile, but they are professionals at grabbing things and hauling themselves up to their chubby feet. Leia holds onto the fingers of anyone she can get and makes every brother who passes her walk her on their feet to her chosen destination.

Luke is a little slower.

He can get to his feet, but what he wants is to bounce there. If anyone tries to hold his hands, he clams up and falls down and doesn’t get up.

Anakin has begun negotiating with Leia to be more like her brother. She laughs at his face in great peels when he does this. She finds his serious expressions hilarious and wants to cuddle him anytime they appear which is great for domestic time and not so great for council or state meetings. Anakin has taken to appearing before these people with Leia latched around his ankle. Only her, though. Luke can’t bear being in the presence of so many bodies at once. He becomes overwhelmed and handles the pressure by going to sleep. Or crying.

For Kenobi, of course.

And when Kenobi is not around, they all may as well go start digging their own graves before the guilt propels them to do it anyways.

Luke is not a big crier. Anakin can’t understand him. They’ve had many conversations about telling adults when he needs things, all of which Luke elects to ignore in favor of trying to eat bugs and dig in sand.

The latter is the greatest sin that Anakin can dream of.

--

I just think that, given the opportunity, Obi-Wan would be the best grandpa ever and by best, I mean he would see his chance to have a baby and Anakin would end up chasing him around going ‘he’s MY mistake and MY responsibility, you crusty old fucker, give him back’ while Obi-Wan talks to Ahsoka about how nice the weather is.

[nimsajlove]

Brother Wolf

Some things about Ahsoka and Wolffe between the passing of time.

Brothers-AU         Ao3

Edit: What the actual hell did tumblr do to my teeny tiny stars? Or is this just me?

*~*

„Hey, who does this cadet belong to?“, a voice rang through the hangar, Jedi General Plo Koon and Commander Wolffe interrupted their conversation to raise their heads. A clone in gleaming white armor made its way through the men seated on the ground. He had grabbed a young girl by the wrist. She watched with amazement as hundreds of soldiers covered their armor with paint. Then she grinned broadly at her, obviously involuntary, companion and tried to pull her hand away from him. „I can manage on my own.“, she protested and Woffe was tempted to roll his eyes, when the general's low chuckle threw him a bit off. „Thank you very much, I will take over from here.“, assured General Koon and held out his big hand to the girl. Wolffe was fascinated, he had never really seen a togruta and he had not expected that the color of the lekku could darken that quickly!

„Sir.“, the man in white armor responded to the command and released the girl from his grasp. Hastily she reached out and clasped General Koon's fingers in hers. When she smiled, the snow-white markings on her cheekbones lifted with it. „‘Soka, how long did it take you to get here?“, asked the General and the girl grinned even wider, if possible. „It took me 10 minutes.“, she boasted. Oh dear, Wolffe only had needed 5 on his first day on Coruscant. But he also swallowed the thought, later when he was alone he would allow himself to grin a little. But not now, not in front of his Jedi.

General Koon did seem to be smiling, however. „Commander Wolffe, may I introduce you jedi youngling Ahsoka?“ She pouted! She didn't seem to like the addition of youngling at all... „‘Soka, that's Commander Wolffe.“ Wolffe bowed his head in greeting and the girl, Ahsoka, looked at him with slightly narrowed eyes. Was she studying his helmet? „Are that supposed to be ... teeth?“, she asked critically and General Koon seemed to smile again, where had Wolffe got into? A jedi cadet who eyed him with a predatory look and a jedi general who seemed to be having a lot of fun. If he told Fox that, it might even make his brother laugh.

Before Wolffe could answer, the General's comlink blinked. „Ah… Commander, I'll leave little Ahsoka with you. I'll be right back.“ Great. Wolffe looked after the General for a moment, would it be beneath his dignity to just send the kid home? Sighing softly, he turned his gaze back to Ahsoka and when he watched how she already followed Boost every step of the way, grinning broadly and with amazed eyes, he actually had to smile.

*

Wolffe was tired, so infinitely tired. But grumpy too, and that was exactly what he needed to mask his exhaustion as best he could. Still, he couldn't find the energy to get up when the ship jumped into hyperspace. His stomach was sure, however, that General Koon hadn't been behind the wheel! Rex spoke well of Skywalker, but Wolffe was very happy to serve under another jedi at moments like these.

Soft snoring made him open one eye, Boost and Sinker leaned together slumped against the wall opposite him and slept leaning against each other. They were still in a pretty good shape... What would become of them now? It only seemed logical to split Boost and Sinker among other battalions and assign him, Wolffe, to another unit as well. That would mean less paperwork, right? Kark! This wasn't fair! But he would pull himself together for his last two men. And for the General.

Soft steps made Wolffe blink again, when did he close his eyes again? Ahsoka crept cautiously through the ship, armed with a couple of blankets. One more reason to pull himself together. Rex's tiny Commander-sibling didn't have to see any more suffering than she already would see in this war. Why hadn't General Koon spoken out against her being a padawan? She was a child! Just a little girl who, just a few months ago, had stood in his hangar with wide eyes. And now? Now there was that sad look she gave Boost and Sinker.

Ahsoka gently wrapped two blankets around the two men before she straightened up and padded over to Wolffe with the last one. Wonderful, now the little thing had to take care of him! „It's okay, I'll be fine.“, he growled and got up a little, Ahsoka looked at him. Her gaze was far too serious for her small, round face. Then she clicked her tongue miserably and threw the blanket over the clone anyway. „I'm sorry.“, she muttered and when Wolffe rolled his eyes it was just a reason for her to crawl closer to him. Finally she sat on the floor too, pressed close to his side. That wasn't so bad... „Cody asked about you. And Rex too“, Ahsoka mumbled softly and Wolffe rolled his eyes again, but leaned back against the escape pod again, puffing. „Of course they did...“, he muttered softly and the girl laughed softly into his uniform. „I told them you are fine...“, she added and then fell silent. No, she shouldn't worry her tiny head over all of this. „We will be.“, Wolffe assured her quietly. Ahsoka cuddled closer to him and even if he neither hugged her nor wrapped the blanket around her, she felt his head sag a little in her direction.

*

Rex hadn't returned yet... Cody next to Wolffe glanced at the door again, the mood of the two commanders had clearly sagged. And not just theirs, Wolffe could see some of Rex's men in a corner. Their heads were huddled together and they were whispering to one another. The ARC, Fives, had its arms crossed and leaned against a brother's hand. Cody looked at the door again. „Kriff, that is no longer bearable. I'll go and look for them.“, Wolffe grumbled and got up.

Cody didn't try to stop him, just nodded and got to his feet as well. Well, they seemed to agree this time! With great strides Wolffe made his way outside, if Ahsoka was really there again she would never stay outside that long. Or would she? After all, she belonged to the family... Oh, all of this sucked! Really, the whole thing was just completly unfair! He had believed Rex. Ahsoka Tano would never kill clones, not with those big eyes and grin. But she had been together with Ventress and what should he think of that?! He would have shot the witch on the spot, if Ahsoka hadn't been standing in front of him. She had defended the enemy.

But at the same time she had tried to protect him and the men. Wanted to talk! He should have just stunned her right then and she would never have gotten even close to that damn warehouse.

The evening air was cold and cleared the many thoughts from Wolffe's head. That was all behind them, Ahsoka was alive. She was innocent. That counted. He had reached his goal and had brought her home when Rex and Skywalker were unable to. Even if he had expected more ... backbone from General Plo. But he didn't owe Plo an apology, they all owed it to Ahsoka. Hardly thought through, he discovered two huddled figures. So that's where Rex had been! The Captain sat leaning against the wall of the barrack in the darkness and that on his lap was a violently trembling Ahsoka. Kriff, maybe Cody should have gone looking for them after all? Too late now, Rex looked up and caught Wolffe's gaze. All right, going back was no longer an option. So he came closer with careful steps. Ahsoka had turned her back on him, he could see as she tensed when he came within earshot. Rex had an arm wrapped around her, his free hand gently rubbing her back. A low growl escaped the girl and while Rex looked worried, Wolffe had to smile against his will. What a cute attempt to chase him away again. But she had mastert the art to ignore his grumbling, so he would return the favor.

Also, he had come here on a mission and he still had to apologize. That would be difficult enough... „Your men are getting annoying in there.“, Wolffe muttered and Rex snorted, of course his little brother knew immediately which men were meant! „Fine. Ahsoka, I'll go and talk to the others. I'll be right back, okay?“, he muttered and the girl shuddered before she nodded and slipped off Rex's lap. When he got up, he gave Wolffe a questioning look. „I'm staying.“, confirmed Wolffe.

That seemed to move Rex to give Wolffe another sharp look. Hey! He didn't even have a blaster on hand and he was sure that Ahsoka would bite off his hand anyway before he could draw a single blaster. She certainly could. Rex went back inside and Wolffe sat on the floor next to Ahsoka. There was a low growl and she shrugged her shoulders protectively. „No reason to be rude.“, he grumbled and Ahsoka's head jerked up, with tear-stained eyes and bared teeth she looked at him. „I trusted you!“, she spat, ouch. That ... maybe he deserved that. But that's not how things would work here, he already felt guilty and she wasn't going to talk it any bigger! „And I trusted you too. And yet you were with Ventress.“, he replied chilled, quietly. Then her lower lip started trembling. Kriff.

Ahsoka angrily wiped her face with her hands and hastily tried her body to get herself back under control. She wanted to be mad! She wanted to bite and scratch. But there was just that deep fear inside of her. The back of a hand on her shoulder almost made her jump in the air. Then she tried to avoid the touch. No chance, Wolffe's hand stayed on her shoulder. Like glued on. „I hate you.“, she sniffed tired and angry and sad. This was too much for one day, just too much. Wolffe watched her make a face and then carefully turned his hand, now he gripped her shoulder tightly. „I'm sorry. It wasn't fair.“, he admitted quietly and Ahsoka slumped, she just nodded. „I never believed you could have done any of this. But Fox and the others couldn't be talked into anything diffrent. I wanted to bring you back home.“ She nodded again and Wolffe took a deep breath, he had said what had to be said. It wouldn't hurt to go back inside now and get Rex! He was just getting up again when Ahsoka suddenly slumped to one side. With a thump, her head landed on his shoulder and he froze. It had been ages since she'd gotten that close to him. „I'm sorry I hit you.“, she muttered and Wolffe could feel her shaking again. Kriff. Slowly he raised a hand and squeezed her shoulder. „It's okay, it's been a strange day.“, he muttered and she nodded. Tears still shone on her face. There were dark circles under her eyes and she trembled violently with every breath. Were she cold? „You should get back into the warmth.“, Wolffe decided and got up, with one hand he pulled her to her feet and supported her. She looked pathetic, absolutely drained. And like she needed a hug.

He didn’t hug her. Instead he led them slowly back into the building, across the hallway to the 501st quarters. Inside, voices could be heard. What were these laser brains arguing about this time? Sighing, Wolffe knocked on the door and the voices fell silent. Then the door opened and several hands grabbed Ahsoka. The girl sagged weakly against her other brothers and Wolffe withdrew a tiny bit when she suddenly grabbed him. „I forgive you, it wasn't your fault.“, she mumbled and the others froze again, Wolffe smiled. „And not yours either. It will be okay.“

*

„It will be okay.“, Ahsoka mumbled softly to the wriggling bundle in her arms. Little fingers reached out to her face and grabbed the tips of her lekku. The little girl was beautiful. The fact that Padme could already be seen in Leia after a few months only intensified the effect. But maybe that was just Ahsoka perspective...

No one had protested when she had come into the creche and picked up Leia. No one had stopped her when she had went out with the child and just stopped at the steps of the temple. Even the remaining guards avoided them. Leia patted Ahsoka's cheek with one hand and she blinked hastily, her cheeks were wet. But today was supposed to be a good day! Today Master Plo would come back. And even if she could do without a meeting with her father figure, she just didn't want to miss her brother! Since the battle in the temple, Plo Koon had been out with his men to track down Tamboa. Something Ahsoka would have liked to do herself, but the healers and her brothers found her to be too unstable. Pah...

Before her frustration could swell further and mix with her depressed mood, Leia turned her little head and Ahsoka followed her gaze, Plo Koons presence could already be felt before the speeder stopped and two figures emerged from it. The Jedi Master led the way, Wolffe followed. As they climbed the steps, Ahsoka cocked her head a little, they looked tired. Nevertheless, she decided her meeting with Wolffe would not be able to wait, and waited until the two of them had reached the top. „Ahsoka.“, Plo greeted with clear reluctance. Briefly he reached out his fingers to her arm, Ahsoka winced as he brushed her skin and Plo withdrew hastily. „Good evening Master.“, Ahsoka muttered and quickly averted her gaze, she didn't want to give her old friend a reason to linger any longer. He sighed. „I'll see you tomorrow, Wolffe.“, he said his goodbye. „Good night, General Plo.“, Wolffe replied and when Ahsoka looked up the clone was already looking at her. „You look tired.“, he stated and Ahsoka's lips curled into a small smile. „Have you ever looked in a mirror?“, she asked and Wolffe grinned. He seemed happy, his presence so much easier to take than the jedi. All clones were more welcome to Ahsoka than the Order at the time. The twins were the only exception.

The twins, whom Wolffe and many others of Ahsoka's brothers had never met! As if on command, Leia held out her hand, gurgling, and clenched a fist in Wolffe's direction. Hel eyed the little girl with a raised eyebrow. „I wanted to introduce you to Leia.“, Ahsoka smiled and Wolffe rolled his eyes, it was almost a loving gesture. „The girl from Skywalker?“, he asked quietly and hesitantly held out his hand, Leia immediately grabbed his index finger and cooed with satisfaction. A tiny smile appeared on his face and Ahsoka breathed a sigh of relief. The two seemed to be able to develop a positive bond, untroubled by the actions of the children's father. „Yes.“, Ahsoka grinned and held out Leia to Wolffe. „Oh no, keep it!“ „Don't be scared like that.“, she teased and gave the child to Wolffe. He held her a little clumsily and looked as if he was afraid of crushing her. And then suddenly she laughed. The little thing with the dark hair and open eyes looked at Wolffe and laughed. „She will be so much trouble.“, Wolffe muttered, but his grin belied him.

*

„Give it back!" Ahsoka grinned and turned her gaze forward, just fast enough to avoid a laughing Clone Commander. Rex was less fortunate, Cody practically ran him over. Leia threw herself at the two clones without hesitation, Luke next to Ahsoka hastily made a few steps of space between himself and the scramble on the ground. „Children, does this have to be in the hallway?“, Cutup teased, Jesse and Droidbait laughed softly when Rex threw them a less nice gesture. „Why don't we just go on, we have a hunt to prepare after all.“, Jesse grinned and Luke's eyes lit up, he nodded eagerly. „We can kidnap your padawan for now, right vod'ika?“, asked Droidbait and Ahsoka grinned and pushed her shoulder against his, she was a tiny bit taller than her brothers and had it not been for the first gray hairs, she would have been greatly amused. „Off with you, I'll see where Wolffe is. He will be able to save our brother.“

Satisfied, the others left and Ahsoka quickly left the curses in the hallway behind. She didn't have to look far, Wolffe came up one corridor to meet her. Like the other clones in the temple, he was civilly dressed, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his trousers. He didn't seem in a hurry. „Do you know why Leia is trying to kill her favorite brother?“, Ahsoka asked and Wolffe grinned broadly, he looked like he had just received the greates gift of all. „Cody snatched her belt while sparring.“ Oh dear. „The gray one?“, Ahsoka asked, she knew exactly which belt was talked about. Finely woven, light gray and embroidered with a wolf's head at the ends. Who would have thought that Boost had that much talent! Leia loved this belt, almost as much as the wolfpack and the 212th.

„Then maybe we should save Cody and Rex, because I still need my brother and Obi Wan comes back in-„ A quick look at the crono. „-three hours again. He's going to want Cody back in one piece and I'm not going to be the one covering up a murder for his padawan.“ Wolffe laughed, but quickened his pace. „We both know that you would be the first to cover up the murder.“, he grinned and set off to separate his siblings from each other.

[dapandapod]

”May I offer you a glass of black water?” The vampire in front of him asks, gesturing towards a shelf with dusty old bottles. Geralt sits stiffly by the table, hands in his lap and swords on his back.

“It is so old they say you can taste the stars.” The vampire makes a circling motion with his bony fingers, before choosing a bottle and putting it on the set table. Opposite of Geralt sits Jaskier, his back rigid and his eyes glued to the table.

The vampire takes out two perfectly folded napkin in the shape of a swan from the crystal glasses in front of them. He opens the cork, sniffs it and gives a delighted sigh.

“I’m so glad you both could join me for this-“ the vampire waves his hands around again, searching for a word that suits him. “-dark lunch, if you will.”

The liquid he pours into the bottle is nothing like Geralt have ever seen before. It’s black, but when it sits there in the glass, he sees that is not entirely true. Somehow the drink appears to be cold, bordering on freezing as dewdrops freezes over to rim frost on the glass. When he looks into it, leaning forward just an inch, it is indeed like looking at a night sky. Down at a night sky. There swirls pink, blue purple in the darkness, speckled with small lights.

”Don’t drink it Jaskier.” Geralt warns him quietly, and the vampire gives a happy, tinkling sound of a laugh.

“Don’t drink it, bardling.” He says, mock cheer in his voice. “All I’m offering is a taste of midnight water, a taste of the night sky. A poet as yourself sure can see the benefit in that?”

The vampire walks around the table, circling them both and putting his hands in their chairs as he pass.

“Don’t.” Geralt repeats, increasingly worried.

“Tell me Witcher. Why do you think I invited you to sit down with me tonight, on this special occasion, instead of just tearing you into teeny tiny pieces?”

“Invited.” Jaskier mutters under his breath and if Geralt could kick him under the table he would.

“Yes, invited.” The vampire continues undeterred. “Manners are very important in this day and age.”

Geralt could make a comment on how body control spells are indeed very polite, but it would not change their situation.

“Eternity gets lonely after a while, you know.” The vampire stands behind a empty chair and leans on his hands over it, towards them.

“You if anyone must know this, Witcher, outliving your loved ones with decades, at least!”

Jaskiers eyes meet his, and Geralt does not like the look in them. They have had this conversation before. It is not on the table.

Well. It seems to be now.

“I offer a bargain, Witcher. Eternity with your bard for a... small favor.”

“No.” Geralt says immediately, but the vampire only gives a smirk. All his teeth, his fangs showing.

“Yes, Witcher. You will listen to what I have to say, or the bardlings journey ends tonight.”

When neither of them make further protests, he nods approvingly.

“Good! Thank you. Now, before you is a marvelous piece of magic, as I’m sure you already have figured out. A piece of eternity. All I ask in exchange is company.”

“No.” Geralt says again, but Jaskier speaks over him.

“What kind of company are we talking?”

“Now that is a man of my taste!” The vampire exclaims, clapping his hands together. Very flamboyant this one, almost worse than Jaskier himself.

“Sorry, vampire joke. Sometimes I can’t just seem to help myself.”

“All I ask is for a century of your time, spent here with me. This castle is big, and there is only so much I can take of the emptiness.”

“And if we don’t take the bargain?” Geralt asks, knowing the answer already.

“Why, then Witcher, I also happen to be very hungry. So. Which will it be?”

[sophi-s]

Cost of Kindness

Chapter III: Between joy and sorrow

By: sophi-s

Fandom: Darksiders video games

Words: 7,405

Characters: Raphael, Darksiders OC

Warnings: None

Summary:

After a crazy adventure outside of Haven, Nicola finally is in shape to try and find her way back. As sad as she is about it, she bids her farewells to her new angel friend. However, it seems Raphael isn't quite ready to say goodbye just yet. And so the fearful human finds herself in the company of an archangel stuck to her like glue.

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Until the sun peered shyly from behind the horizon to announce the arrival of another dawn, Nicola slept like a log. Literally. She hadn't stirred throughout the whole time of her dreamless, magically induced sleep. Were it not for her steady breathing, because as pale and motionless as she was, some might have thought her dead, not sleeping. After long hours, she finally opened her eyes as the remnants of the arcane haze fell and left her mind unshackled. The fog receded from her sight and she was fully expecting the ceiling of the room she occupied in Haven to greet her. Only to be met with disappointment when the dark interior of an underground tunnel filled her vision instead.

For a couple of seconds she was absolutely stunned, unsure where she was or why. The shock of waking up in a strange place had her frozen while her brain was trying to process what in the actual Hell was happening like when she awoke after her first night spent in the Maker Tree. Slowly, the memories of the recent events creeped back into her head. Raphael. Kitten. Demons. My leg… Right… She did feel much better than before but still a little woozy, possibly because half of her brain wasn't fully awake just yet. Massaging her eyelids to rub away the vestiges of sleep, Nicola sat up and scrutinized her surroundings blinking groggily. The same, damp sewer, the same cold darkness. Yawn, which followed, was so wide one might think Nicola intended to swallow everything in this "room".

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the aforementioned angel sitting a couple of feet away, supporting his head on his hand, elbow on his knee while a small cat slept in the rumpled fabric of his green waistcoat. His hood concealed his features as his wings rested against his back and shoulders which steadily moved up and down in the rhythm of a calm breathing. For a moment it might have seemed Raphael was dozing as well but at the quietest move Nicola made, his wary eyes open to look at her without any traces of sleep in them, glimmering like two bright stars from the shadow the hood was casting over his face. It was so abrupt that it made her jump a little.

"Oh! H- hi! Good morning. If it is morning, I mean.."

At her greeting, the cat perked its head up with a "mrowf" noise and shot her a dirty look for daring to interrupt its rest before yawning almost as widely as she did. Raphael answered her with a nod and a small, affirmative sound in the back of his throat but otherwise remained quiet, content with watching her in silence when Nicola leaned down to inspect her thigh and determine whether or not she was in shape for walking anywhere. And to her not unpleasant surprise, the wound was almost fully healed and moving her leg wasn't painful anymore. She did feel the recently present damage to her muscle but she wouldn't call it "pain". More like strain. And that was in like seventy percent of her body from the previous day, even if not as intense as she expected it to be. She really did over exert herself quite a bit. Still, with all certainty she could say Raphael did an unbelievably good job. If only human doctors were in possession of even a teeny tiny part of the healing abilities he had, the world would've been a much safer place.

Though, she couldn't really decide whether the fact that her leg seemed to be perfectly fine was a good thing or not. On the one hand it would mean that nothing hindered her any longer. If the sun is really up then she should wait no longer and set out to make sure the nightfall doesn't catch her again and look for a way back home. Home… In spite of herself she smiled sadly. How quickly she started to refer to Haven as her second home. Her own was irreversibly lost after all.. Reduced to nothing but a grim rubble with all her childhood memories buried underneath. Nicholas died so that she may get out of there alive. He would love it in Haven if he had a chance to see it… In this last safe sanctum for her kind, other survivors, makers.. They were her new family. She could only imagine how they're feeling right now. She should've been back ages ago. She has to return as quickly as possible. The idea of asking Vulgrim for help wasn't completely off the table. She could probably promise him something in return for taking her to the Tree and give it to him later. Nicola can be pretty convincing if she has to but she wouldn't put that past Vulgrim to deny her still. She'd have to play it smart should she fail to find the way back herself. He doesn't trade in favors in exchange for promises after all. No matter. One way or another, she will get back to Haven. That, or she can say goodbye to her wretched life.

But on the other hand… Glancing up at Raphael, who was half-busying himself with petting the very content cat and half-watching her, she realised with a twinge that she'll have to leave him. In those few short hours he'd done so much for her.. so many things she was grateful for… And on top of that, with how sad and lonely he was, Nicola couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor man. She'd never met an angel before and hadn't come to know one well but those she'd seen when this nightmare started didn't make a good impression on her. Raphael was so much different from his kin. She still wasn't sure why he decided to help her even though he didn't have to. And that made her feel empathetic towards him, especially every time he gave her this suffering look which told her a long story of pain and misery. Nicola may have known him for barely a couple hours, if not less, but somehow the thought of leaving him here possibly never to see him again was making her heart sink. Because of the apocalypse, she was running really low on friends and so no one could blame her for wanting to keep every single one she had left or recently made. And honestly, after the angel saved her life and treated her wounds she would lie if she said he wasn't on the right path into the alarmingly small circle of people she held dear to her. Such experiences have a way of bringing people closer to one another, despite the differences they may possess. And besides, what would leaving him here be if not cruelty?

"You seem… troubled."

Raphael stated, making Nicola look at him again. Even after only a few hours spent with her, he sensed her current mood without a mistake. He was pretty insightful. Not that Nicola was trying overly hard to hide it but still. Maybe that's just something the angels do. She sighed in response. I really am.. She thought. It wasn't as though she didn't have a lot to be grim about but this particular thought at the forefront of her brain bothered her the most at this given moment. She didn't want to go just like that but she knew she had to. If only to make sure other guys are alright. But honestly she doubted that Ulthane would ever let her out of his sight again after the stunt she pulled, no matter what she tells him afterwards. In turn, this might be the last time she sees the kind and selfless, not all there angel. Whether she likes it or not, it was time to bid farewell.

"I… I wanted to thank you again for what you did for me."

She started as she stood up - still a bit wobbly from all the crazy stuff that happened so recently - looking around in search of her backpack and shotgun. Both were resting under a wall not far from where she was laid down before, right next to the place where the mummified Goreclaw used to be. Raphael must've moved it further down the sewer where the rest of the corpses were when she was sleeping. Sooner or later it would start attracting pesky flies and other nasty vermin if not things far worse, not to mention the smell of decomposing meat. A little reluctantly, she flung the backpack over her shoulder and picked up her gun before turning to face Raphael. An increasingly unsettled Raphael who seemed to have taken the hint what she intended to do.

"Really, thanks. It's been very nice to meet you. But I have to go now."

"Go? Where to?"

The barely audible note of fear in his voice and the look he gave her made Nicola feel even worse for having to part ways with him.

"I'm going.. home."

Nicola to some extent knew how to read certain people but the blank stare of the angel before her was giving her a really hard time.

"Look, I can't stay here and I'm sorry but I have to go.."

She said hesitantly and turned towards the exit from the tunnel to leave for the surface, quietly wishing she didn't suck at saying her goodbyes. This was one of her greater weaknesses, right after small animals. Especially cats.

"Goodbye. And good luck! I hope we'll meet again.."

With that short farewell, Nicola turned away to walk off into the sewer and begin her search for Haven. But a firm grip on her shoulder stopped her from taking more steps and made her glance back in bewilderment. Somehow, Raphael shifted from a sitting position to standing and closed the distance between himself and Nicola in one beat without producing a single sound. Not going to lie, it was quite scary and Nicola couldn't help a startled squeak that escaped her. But even though he spooked her yet again, the distressed face he pulled made Nicola bite her lower lip. And the hesitant plea leaving his mouth made it even worse.

"Stay…"

"I- I can't! I really need to go!"

"Please…?"

Raphael quietly begged her. His flared and bristled wings were quivering anxiously and his face bore the most pitiful pleading look she'd ever seen. God, why do you have to make this so difficult? It was strange. He'd been doing fine without Nicola for who knows how long. Well… fine might not be the right word to use in this case but whatever. Though, now that she thinks about it, it makes sense that he wouldn't want to be left alone again. Especially because loneliness doesn't serve healthy people well and Raphael looked like someone who could use the help of a specialist. Still, Nicola found herself asking.

"Why do you want me to stay?"

Instead of answering, Raphael glanced down from her face, looking at the point on her chest, just below her collarbone. Nicola awkwardly cleared her throat to get his attention once she felt like his gaze was going right through her mortal shell and piercing into her very core.

"Uhh.. What exactly are you thinking about?"

Not bothered by it, Raphael squinted and lifted his forefinger, extending it to the place he was looking at. And seriously, for a second Nicola was considering batting his hand away since it could without a doubt be viewed as invasion of personal space when the pad of his finger connected with her chest where it ended and her neck began. And in this moment white flash passed through Nicola's eyes, followed by a deathly chill somewhere inside, tearing into her heart from within with icy claws like a vicious beast. As though someone had poured freezing cold water into her body. And amidst this coldness was a tiny wisp of warmth pressed against her ribcage, as if it was trying to get out. To get as close to Raphael as possible. She gasped in shock and fear and from the unexpected and not physical pain - so intense it made her feel sick - which wasn't really… her own. She felt it, experienced it but she knew it wasn't hers. Somehow Nicola knew that it belonged to someone else. And this someone was standing right in front of her.

Slowly but surely, it was starting to make sense. Why Raphael was constantly so shaky, so easily frightened, so… wrong. It all lasted barely a fraction of a second before both she and Raphael abruptly backed away with astonishment painted across their faces. Neither of them was entirely sure what on God's green earth just happened or why it happened. Whatever it was, neither of them would say it felt pleasant. Nicola was fairing better than the angel however. While she was only mildly frightened and befuddled, he immediately retreated into the corner and curled up on the floor, wrapping himself up in a feathery cocoon of his wings, trembling like a leaf on a gale.

"Raphael..?"

She huffed trying to steady her own breathing as she cautiously approached him just when he started to mutter obscene nonsense again. This time Nicola couldn't even determine what exactly he was saying. He spoke way too quickly and he was only able to pick up single words like "torment", "soul" or "help". This odd sensation, this pain she felt was undoubtedly in him. All. The time. Every day of his existence. It became clear. Nicola could imagine that even she would sooner or later go absolutely mad if the suffering he's experiencing without a moment of rest was hers. It was nothing short of a miracle that he retained at least some small semblance of who he used to be. Ever since she came to him, he did start to make more sense than before, possibly because she could at least partially distract him from this pain. But if he needed distraction, why would he leave his White City behind? Angels may have been mean to her race but surely they would help out their brother in need, right?

All questions Nicola had most likely could be answered by a story of his past which he wasn't ready to reveal just yet. Perhaps, if she's careful enough, one day he will open up and tell her about it. But until then, she remained in darkness of uncertainty. Still, she couldn't help but wonder.. Carefully, she crouched and laid her hand on Raphael's shaking shoulder, making his head snap up with a fearful look to his round, empty glowing eyes.

"Who… who did this to you?"

The angel opened his mouth as if to answer her but no words came out. Only a soft huff. Tears welled up in Nicola's eyes when his face scrunched up in something between anguish and misery. And that was enough for her to snap. In spite of herself, Nicola reached around the angel's neck and pulled him into a tight hug burying her face into the side of his green hood which despite the stench surrounding everything here still held a barely noticeable scent of something that brought to mind clean cotton with a tint of vanilla. His entire body went rigid as she did but only for a moment. Merely seconds later, he relaxed, his breathing evened out and he moved his own arms around her back to return the embrace that brought a tiny bit of comfort that could at least partially fill the emptiness he felt within for so long he couldn't even remember how it is to not feel it.

"Don't leave me alone…"

He breathed against her ear, clinging to her desperately as if letting go of her would mean his inevitable end. Up this close, Nicola could feel his heart - much bigger and more powerful than her human one - hammering uneasily against his ribcage. Similar, but completely different. And for some reason, her own heart suddenly skipped and beat once alongside his in the exact same rhythm before everything returned to normal. Or maybe she was just imagining things? Possibly…

This warm and tight embrace, even though it was meant to comfort him, still gave Nicola an odd feeling of safety. All of the sudden Raphael seemed to her not like a stranger she met by chance not even a day ago but like a good, old friend she knew she can trust no matter what. The decision of leaving Raphael behind was difficult enough before but now… her heart fell to pieces. It was next to impossible. She couldn't just leave him like this. He doesn't deserve to be abandoned again. No one does.

What do I do? Nicola knew she could neither stay with him, nor can she return to Haven without risking that her conscience would make her feel shitty for the rest of her goddamned days and that a thought that she doomed some poor soul to descend into utter insanity would make her share his fate. But there has to be something she can do.. Anything.. Then, an epiphany struck her.

"Wait.."

She said once Raphael let her go and she could look him in the eye as he gave her a questioning yet hopeful stare.

"You could come with me!"

"Come with you..?"

"Yeah! The Tree is much safer than here and there's a lot of useful stuff there. Also, it doesn't stink that much…"

Not only that. Other survivors, even as skeptical as they are towards angels, surely wouldn't mind Raphael poking around. Having a skilled healer on their side would certainly change their mind even if they weren't eager to let him stay. Ulthane, Elanya and Yarin can be persuaded if they don't agree at first. After all, if Raphael's presence will mean that "wee uns' " are even safer, then Nicola couldn't think of a reason why they shouldn't relent. Not to mention that Raphael can fly. It would make it a child's play to find the Tree. Back in Haven she could also get the poor angel patched up and cleaned up a bit, since he himself is in a rather sorry state. That's the least she could do for him in return. Only one thing was left to do, considering how uncertain Raphael looked. Convince him.

"What is this… Tree?"

"This is a safe place for us, humans, and it's… kinda our new home now."

Before, Nicola was absolutely certain Raphael's eyes couldn't turn bigger and rounder but he was very quick to prove her wrong. Not to lie, it was quite impressive. He blinked a couple of times as if to make sure he heard it right.

" 'Us' ? There is… more of you out there..?"

Nicola nods enthusiastically once she realises she's on the right path.

"Yeah! Ulthane made us a safe place to-"

"Ulthane?"

He interrupted with confusion on his face, making Nicola stop in mid sentence to look at him questioningly.

"Ulthane… the Black Hammer?"

"Yes, he's a-.. Wait… you know him?"

Humming thoughtfully, Raphael drummed his fingers against the cold floor. His answer didn't clarify much however.

"No.. Azrael does.."

"Who?"

An angel most likely. Probably one of Raphael's former acquaintances. Mentioning this "Azrael" seemed to have brought some memories back, very fond ones at that since for the first time today, a ghost of a smile passed across Raphael's face and an absent look in his eyes turned warmer and not so frightened anymore.

"Friend.."

Seriously, for a moment Nicola wanted to say that she's sorry because she just assumed that Raphael's friend could be dead but she bit her tongue before she could tell him that when she realised he actually used the present tense and not past. Which indicates that Azrael, whoever he is, is still out there somewhere. Instead, she wanted to tell him more about Haven but he once again interrupted her.

"The Balance is upset.. the Third Kingdom is vital to it… Humans. Humans live still? Not everything is lost then.."

Oh boy, here we go again. Unwittingly, Nicola pulled an annoyed face. For the umpteenth time, Raphael unintentionally made her feel like an uneducated imbecile. Why is the Universe even more complicated than we initially thought?

"Yes, he does the right thing.. They need a protector."

Nicola decided to patiently wait until Raphael is finished thinking out loud, even though she once again had no clue what he's saying. What Balance? Third Kingdom? The what?

"The Horsemen cannot do this alone… It is the duty of us all… to- to uphold the Balance."

The WHO??? Nicola could only imagine how stupid she looked with that dumb face she just made. What. The actual fuck. The Horsemen? As in… the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? They are real too? So it is a legit end of the world like the one in the Bible! How lovely! It's honestly a miracle that anyone has lived if that's the case. What else? Maybe it will suddenly turn out that snow is warm, sun is cold and skunks don't stink. Though with all the chaos going on around, Nicola would hardly be surprised if dogs suddenly started chirping and birds barking. She really just wished for the things to calm down already.. Returning to normal seemed to be off the table unfortunately but for God's sake, can the demons at least just go home or something? But… Now that she thinks about it… Could the mysterious warrior clad in crimson be one of the infamous Four? He didn't look like an angel, even though he bore quite a few similarities to Heaven's denizens, nor did he seem purely demonic in nature. And he was there when the Apocalypse began.. Curious. Especially because if it wasn't for his interference, Nicola would have probably been dead by now. All he did was stop for just a second to tear the bus door out once he saw her struggling to open it from the inside. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't, who knows? Eventually, Raphael glanced at her with a more certain look on his face.

"You don't stand a chance. Not against the Destroyer."

Yeah, no shit, Sherlock.. Nicola thought, still having the clear image of the flaming dragon standing barely fifteen feet away from where she was hiding in her head as if it happened yesterday. He was terrifying, no one is taking this away from him, but screw that! That's one gigantic motherfucker. Nicola was pretty sure she could comfortably live in a room that was the size of his goddamned head. If he tried to eat her, she'd probably get stuck between his teeth at best. And so far that's the last place she wanted to find herself in. She really didn't need help in figuring out that a bunch of humans still shitting their pants at the sight of a single Wicked could stand up to the bloody Destroyer. What are they, the legendary dragon-slaying knights or something? Not to be pessimistic or anything.. but Nicola wouldn't be surprised if that thing could kill her by so much as breathing in her direction. He does breathe fire after all. It goes without saying that he also has a huge horde of ugly assholes under his whim, jumping at the tiniest flick of his tail. So yeah. Chances for success in an open confrontation are pretty miniscule. Fortunately, what Raphael said next made her sigh with relief.

"You need all the help you can get… I will come. If this is your wish…"

Victory! Now that was the solid dose of serotonin Nicola had been missing for quite some time. Not only can she return home and assure her strange little family that she's alright but also she doesn't have to leave her newfound friend behind. Her conscience will stay clean, Raphael will be safe in Haven, maybe even recover to some extent, and the humans will have a powerful angel healer on their side. To her it was a win-win.

"You will?! That's awesome, thanks!"

Nicola was quick to gather her humble possessions and waited for Raphael to get up and take whatever he needed. But surprisingly, all he took was the kitten which he held against his chest since it wasn't really pleased about being manhandled but the angel simply ran his finger through the fur on its head to put it back to sleep again before depositing it to a small knapsack he had on his belt where it could rest safely. Apparently, he wasn't attached to anything he stored in his hideout over the time he spent here. Well, there weren't many useful things to take anyway. At least that's what Nicola thought before, because Raphael leaned over one of the bigger crates and reached for something apparently hidden behind it. And oh boy, the thing he pulled out… An ornate, gilded staff, as tall as Nicola is. The centerpiece was flanked by two slender serpents coiling around it in a beautiful, symmetrical way to the very top crowned by a pair of wings and a ring between them.

"Whoa…"

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hide her amazement. That was some sick looking staff. The design seemed to ring a bell but she couldn't quite tell where exactly. Unlike Raphael himself, the staff was well kept, clean and undamaged, even if a bit tarnished. Apparently in his solitude, the angel cared for it well and often. For this last piece of home he has, Nicola realised with a pang of sadness. Even in his fond expression she could see the attachment to this one small part of his past. Okay, maybe not that small… Once Raphael was ready and glanced at Nicola to confirm it, she nodded and walked off into the dark tunnel with the angel trailing after her like a duckling.

"Oh, and by the way…"

Considering what Nicola had seen before, she figured it would be best to warn Raphael about some of Haven's denizens. Well.. by some she specifically meant Vulgrim. Despite his queer way of being and shiftiness, Nicola still somewhat liked him. The demon merchant was hardly a good material for a friend but so far he proved only two things to her. That he can be cunning and annoying. And that he's unbelievably helpful. And in truth, Nicola couldn't help but grow a little fond of her exceptional neighbour. Especially because Vulgrim was the only demon so far that didn't try to kill her where she stood but instead engaged in a conversation. That might be because he's just scared of Ulthane but he seemed rather harmless. Hell, he even sometimes provided useful resources if Haven could afford a trade with him. In a way, he too was helping humans survive. But if he suddenly jumped out of that Serpent Hole of his… Nicola could already see Raphael blasting the demon into Oblivion without a second thought. And that was something she didn't want to happen. Better safe than sorry.

"There's this… guy sometimes swinging by to say hello to us.."

Even as she spoke, she didn't stop walking and the quiet tapping of the end of the staff against the floor told her that Raphael kept following. How do I explain to an angel that a demon means no harm?

"The name's Vulgrim. He's a little… Ugh, how do I put it?"

"A demon… Crafty fiend, far more powerful than he lets on. Yet, so… deceivingly docile.."

Nicola halts as though she's just come face first into an invisible barrier once she heard Raphael grumble distastefully to himself. Turning around, she gawked at him with non hidden shock. And while she expected anger or at least disgust, Raphael looked rather… resigned for the lack of a better term. And only ever so slightly annoyed.

"You know Vulgrim?"

That literally came out of nowhere. The description of Vulgrim Raphael just gave was so unbelievably accurate. Nicola already suspected that the demon is much more dangerous than he seems but simply refuses to put his power to use and do something constructive with it. And now she got a confirmation. From a very unlikely source but still. Raphael was quick to offer a clarification and answered her question with his own.

"Who doesn't?"

"Ah, that's fair.."

She chuckled. Vulgrim is that kind of a "person", who seems to know everyone and has been to pretty much everywhere. He offers his merchandise to every creature that can afford it and it shouldn't be that surprising that some people, even angels like Raphael know him, or at least know of him. She suspected the latter part in this case. This makes it much easier to explain to Raphael that he's a friend.

"He's cool though! He's helping us keep it together and doesn't really bother anyone in the Tree. Vulgrim is really helpful if he wants to."

To this, Raphael answered with a doubtfully raised eyebrow and a thoughtful hum. He didn't seem convinced but what he said fully satisfied Nicola.

"Hmmmm… so I was told.."

Before they even noticed, they were right below the well lid which was Nicola's original entrance to the sewer. And honestly? She was so glad that she decided to come down here. Otherwise, she wouldn't have met Raphael. Some part of her still dreads to wonder what would happen to him if she didn't find him. He was already at the brink of losing it but now it didn't seem as bad as before. In a way, Nicola saved him too, it seems. Before, he was barely registering what was happening around. Now he was more or less capable of a relatively normal conversation. Sure, he tended to talk to himself quite a lot but she supposed that the solitude and whatever nightmares he'd been through have taken their toll. Climbing up the ladder, Nicola pushed the lid out of the pavement and immediately the golden light of the new day spilled through it, banishing the darkness and ouch, it hurt her poor eyes.

Even though Nicola wasn't in utter blackness all the time thanks to the arcane wisp of light that followed Raphael everywhere whenever he needed it, the bright pillar of sunlight struck her like a physical force, leaving her mostly blind for a good ten seconds. Still, another breath of fresh air tasted like ambrosia to her. No stench of the sewer and rotting meat. Thank God.. It took only a few seconds afterwards for her sight to get used to the brightness but still she needed a moment to wipe the tears from her eyes. Before she exited the sewer however, a quiet hiss behind her made her stop.

Looking over her shoulder, she saw Raphael recoiling from the light with his eyes squeezed tightly shut and a grimace on his face, shielding himself from the radiance with his left wing. Right.. How long he'd spent down there, Nicola could only guess but she could understand how dizzy it might've made him and how much it burned his darkness-adjusted eyes. More than that, to him the sunlight probably felt like it does to a goddamn vampire.

"Raphael? You okay?"

The angel didn't answer her, simply kept still, slowly lowering his wing to look at the light flowing through the opened way out, blinking rapidly so that his eyes adjusted to it quicker. And once they did.. Without a word, he hesitantly reached out towards the bright sun rays and put his bandaged hand right through the border where the light and dark clashed with one another. And immediately, once the warm glow caressed his skin, his face brightened in mute fascination. The fact that he hadn't seen the daylight for way too long became ever so apparent to Nicola and made something twist inside of her sadly.

"The sun…"

Raphael breathed and let his mouth form a wide grin once he fully entered the illuminated area and turned his face up with his eyes closed to soak it in.

"Blessed Creator, I missed it.. oh how I missed it…"

It took less than a second for Nicola to decide that she's going to let him have that moment. They were in a rush, true, but she simply didn't have it in her to tell him to hurry. She didn't want to interrupt him because even with all the dust and grime on his emaciated face, for the first time since she'd met him, Raphael looked so unbelievably happy. Truly happy. Just because he could feel the warm light of the sun upon his skin. And with a full smile he underwent a sudden change. All fear left him, his features softened and Nicola would dare say that even as broken, mad and defeated, in this short moment he looked… beautiful. As an angel, which humans often imagined, should. Under all that dirt something was glistening from the surface of his skin under his eyes, on his cheeks and forehead, the sunlight painted warm streaks on his long, white hair that fluttered on the cool breeze from above. In spite of herself she smiled too. This look to him suited him far better than a sorrowful, troubled frown. She could already tell, she will be always trying her best to save this precious smile.

With a deep breath of fresh air, Raphael opened his eyes to look out at the clear sky in shades of delicate blue and… in a flash of gold accompanied by a quiet whizz disappeared. Nicola's jaw fell open. Her human mind will never stop getting surprised over the stuff like that. And even if it will, it's going to take a long time. Before she could even start wondering where the angel vanished to, a large silhouette blocked out the sun. Still a bit surprised, Nicola looked up right at Raphael's kind face and his outstretched hand as he offered her help in getting out of the stinking well. So he can teleport. Lucky bugger. To be frank, Nicola felt a small sting of jealousy. And while she expected him to simply let her hold onto him as she pulled herself out, he hoisted her up in one fluid motion and set her on the pavement beside him the moment she took his hand.

The odd angel kept surprising her. Despite his thin frame, he was quite strong. For human standards that is, she didn't know how his physical strength was viewed among his brethren. During the initial armageddon she caught glimpses of much more sturdy-looking angels after all. The memory actually made her wonder if Raphael knew that one angel she saw talking to the warrior in red. The one who got… brutally squashed by that gigantic fuck-off demon that nearly made her heart refuse to keep fighting out of pure horror before she booked it. At least she could only assume that he got squashed because as soon as she saw the hand shoot out from the pit of boiling magma below she averted her eyes not to look at it and all she remembered now was a female voice desperately crying out a name she couldn't quite recall right now.

I'll ask him another time. She thought as he was pulling her out into the outside world. Still, the caution he did it with… Sighing inwardly, Nicola realised that Raphael already has something in common with her other bizarre friends. He too handled her as though one uncareful move could harm her and treated her as though she was made of porcelain. For quite some time Ulthane was afraid to even touch any of them not to break something and there were very few people in Haven who could resist poking a little fun at the maker. Oh well. Looks like it's a privilege that last members of the human race get. Everything is either super gentle with you or is trying to ruthlessly murder you. Nothing in between so far. Only Vulgrim seemed to be mostly neutral towards them but that was one exception.

Outside of the sewer the day was unusually warm. The sun was shining down at the crumbling Earth from a clear sky, no clouds hindered its rays and the air movement was a bare minimum. Nicola didn't wait long before unzipping her vest. Cooking inside of it was the last thing she fancied right now. Judging by how high the sun already was, she'd say it was far past the morning hours. Actually, maybe even somewhere around midday. Looking down at her watch confirmed that she guessed it right since it showed the exact time of

11:56 A.M.

Now's the high time she started looking for a way back. She walked over to one of the tallest buildings nearby to search for a suitable vantage point - careful this time, not to get jumped by some asshole again - and glanced back to see if Raphael was still following her. And in agreement to what he'd accidentally shared with her back in his hideout, Nicola has taken a note that he's.. limping. He was leaning on his ornate staff heavily and his eyebrows were furrowing with each step he took but his eyes were quickly shifting between all directions of his surroundings, always on watch for a threat. Still, there was an ever-present weariness to his pace. To put it simply, Raphael looked tired and moved with difficulty, as though he was in constant pain. In a way, he was.. But somehow Nicola knew it wasn't really the same pain one feels when getting injured or ill. This was something… else.

Nicola decided maybe she will ask him about it later, once they're safe. Maybe. They had to find Haven before the sun sets after all. No time to waste. Though… she didn't really know how to approach the matter. Raphael had done so much for her already. Asking him for help and a lift made Nicola feel incredibly awkward. Especially because she wasn't quite sure if asking an angel to fly her somewhere was considered rude by his people. But it had to be done. Otherwise, they might not make it on time.

"Hey.. Raphael? I forgot to say that but… there's a little problem.."

"A problem..?"

Raphael cocked his head to the side as he looked down at the small human woman wringing her hands nervously. Why was she nervous? The archangel could no longer sense or even see fear in her, yet something was still wrong. For some reason she was feeling uncomfortable, whether it was his presence or something she was about to say.

Why should she ever trust you? Your kind destroyed her life!

And that was unfortunately the truth. Half of it at least. Demons too had their part in it. Raphael knew he holds no ill intentions towards her or her kin hiding from the Apocalypse in the Tree she kept talking about but something told him that Nicola is still afraid of him. She just doesn't know it yet.

"I'm not entirely sure where we need to go.. I got… a little lost..?"

Ah. So that's the problem. Honestly, Raphael was half-expecting something truly horrendous but if being lost is the only problem they have - for now that is - then there's nothing to worry about. The directions to the safe place are surely buried in her mind somewhere, accessible and possible to dig out. All she needed was a gentle nudge in the right direction. And if that doesn't work, Raphael can always try to search through her memories himself if she won't have a problem with that. Though, considering how fragile humans are, both physically and mentally, Raphael didn't want to risk irreparably damaging her mind that way. This was the last resort. Instead, he reached out to her and laid his hand on her shoulder, summoning his magic to take both of them to the top of the crumbling block of flats looming over them.

"Wh- whoa! Hoo.. lee!"

Nicola loudly exclaimed to make her astonishment apparent once they reappeared on the rooftop high above the destroyed city. Raphael could only imagine how odd teleportation must feel to a human who's absolutely devoid of any magical abilities and not used to it being used around them.

"Will this help?"

Shrugging off the surprise, the human walked up to the ledge, so close it made Raphael feel mildly uncomfortable, and looked out at her ruined home bathed in daylight. Squinting at the sun and shielding her eyes from its shine, Nicola looked around, murmuring under her breath

"Gimme a second.. The cathedral is there, the shopping mall there… So the Tree should be somewhere around-…"

She tapped her chin thoughtfully for a moment before she turned to her left and her face immediately brightened as she pointed into the distance.

"There! Look!"

Glancing towards the place Nicola was pointing out, Raphael could barely make out a massive shape between ruined buildings. It really did look like a grand tree. An enormous shadow standing tall above the ground. And Nicola was pretty much vibrating with ecstasy and shifting on her feet like a small child impatiently waiting for something amazing to happen and beaming.

"It's right there! We did it!"

She squealed like an excited child as well. But Raphael knew it might be too early for celebration. That was quite a long way… How she even got from there to here anyway, he may never find out. What's more important, if Nicola wanted to make it all the way back there, it might take her a whole day if not longer and each minute spent out in the open means that demons have a bigger chance of discovering her and putting an end to her existence. And that Raphael couldn't allow. Every human that survived counts. He could see why she asked him to come with her and he decided he won't fail her. He won't fail anyone ever again. The faster they leave, the better. Turning to the excited woman standing beside him, the archangel unfolded his arms and crouched.

"Hold on to me…"

Nicola's mood shifted instantly. Sometimes it was kind of disturbing how humans can turn from happy to sad, angry to calm, excited to apprehensive and vice versa in the matter of seconds. Her eyebrows wandered up as she eyed him cautiously.

"Huh? You want to-..."

In response, Raphael gave her the most reassuring smile he was capable of despite the coldness of his tattered soul feeling especially troublesome today after he unwittingly created some sort of a link with Nicola. Or maybe not as much with her, as with the bright, heavenly spark inside of her. By all means, the flash of blinding pain, as intense as the day he tore out the first fragment of his being and multiplied by the amount of times he repeated this, was not a pleasant experience. The memory still lingered at the back of his head but he tried anyway.

"Trust.."

He simply said, making Nicola swallow and smile nervously, half-heartedly joking

"O- okay. Just don't drop me, alright?"

“Of course..”

She uncertainly conceded and wrapped her arms around Raphael's neck for the second time this day, holding on so tightly that for a human it would surely be excruciating. No wonder. A human doesn't need to fall from a very high place to get themself killed or at least crippled for the rest of their life. But Raphael had no intention of letting her fall. Putting his free arm around her, holding her securely against his chest, the archangel unfolded his grand wings. The soft breeze rolling above the city immediately caught in his feathers, calling and beckoning him into the vast skies. It's been way too long since his last flight. Luckily, it's an ability that once learned is never forgotten.

Raphael shot up into the air just as Nicola tightened her grip even more, holding on no worse than a koala bear. Not wasting any more time, he swept over the human city turned into a dreary graveyard, heading towards the Maker Tree and gladly leaving the sewers behind in favor of the brighter future opening up before him for the first time in centuries.

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

Listen, Raphael needs and deserves a hug, okay? For being a precious guy <3

Send over all the hugs for him 💓

EDIT: Gonna upload it on AO3 tomorrow

[idk-mlb-is-reals-cute44]

A Miraculously Wonderful Wedding Day

Requested by @crazyfanatic97 (Dress design also by @crazyfanatic97 )

Summary: When Marinette's wedding day is interrupted by an akuma attack, she thinks her luck couldn't be worse. Little does she know, this unfortunate turn of events is about to lead to what might be the most miraculous revelation she's ever had. (AO3) 

*****

Marinette usually considered herself a pretty relaxed person. After coming into her own in the fashion world, finally asking Adrien out, and successfully upholding her responsibilities as Ladybug for almost ten years and counting, she had faced enough “this is gonna be the end of the world” to figure out how to keep her cool in stressful situations. On particularly bad days, she might get a little “loud, angry fashion designer.” On a rare, worse day, she might feel like she was fourteen years old again. 

Today she was at full out teenage-Chloe-levels of stressed. 

For one, it was her wedding day. The week had already been busy. But starting at seven a.m., it had been an endless parade of “how do you want your makeup” and “let me mess with your hair” and “are these flowers ok?” and Marinette wanted to scream. 

But on top of all of that, the fussing and worrying and getting ready, there was an akuma. 

An akuma. On her wedding day. 

To say Marinette was pissed was an understatement. Marinette was experiencing full-on “let’s murder Hawkmoth” levels of rage. 

The ceremony was starting in two hours. There were a million tiny, but also somehow unimaginably important, tasks to complete and details to check. The caterer was late. There was no time left over to deal with a battle. 

But Marinette had been Ladybug for long enough that she didn’t hesitate to clear out the room, citing “wanting some alone time on this special day,” and other such excuses that rolled off the tongue. (She was practiced at this--she knew what she was doing.) 

“This is so unfair,” Marinette complained to Tikki. 

“I know! It sucks!” said Tikki, in companionable indignance. She trusted her chosen not to need any convincing to do her job. 

Marinette gave herself a minute to push down the worries and anger and stress. Paris needed their hero, their Ladybug, right now. Not a stressed out bridezilla. 

(Marinette, in usual fashion, was not giving herself enough credit. To deal with all this, she was a saint.) 

“Tikki, spots on!” 

*****

Ladybug arrived on the scene, to find Chat Noir already there. She smiled at him. Even though the timing was just so inconvenient it had to be cosmically planned, she always loved to see her kitty. 

“Hello, Bugaboo!” Chat called out as she landed on the roof side beside him. 

“Hello, kitty,” Ladybug returned, “It’s always a pleasure to see you, as you know, but I’m hoping we can make this quick? I have a big day.” 

“Same,” he nodded, “I’m short on time as well.” Here he let a big grin loose, and said, as if he couldn’t contain himself in his joy, “I’m getting married.” 

Ladybug gasped. 

“You’re kidding!”

He shook his head. 

“That’s insane. I am too!” she continued, bumping him lightly with her hip. 

Chat snickered. 

“I’m the ying to your yang, right? We’re on the same wavelength!” 

Ladybug laughed. 

An explosion boomed from the north of them. 

“Let’s get to it, hmm?” said Ladybug, slinging her yoyo in the direction of whatever today’s brand of catastrophe would be. 

“Right behind you,” Chat said, taking a running leap. 

****** 

Hawkmoth was apparently bringing out all the stops today. Who knows how much time had passed as Ladybug and Chat Noir faced off against the overpowered, claustrophobia-themed akuma he’d sent out. 

It didn’t help that the longer the two spent struggling, the more their banter and confident energy drained. The time constraint only served to raise the stakes, which didn’t exactly translate to “the superheroes at their best.”

Angoisse, who wore the grossest (bright yellow and somber grey) bodysuit Ladybug had ever seen, had the power to trap people in tiny opaque boxes. Pretty standard akuma. The formula tended to be “something bad happens = does that bad thing to other people.” Hawkmoth was getting bored, it seemed, after all these years. He rarely got too creative. 

Still, the infamous super villain had managed to create a serious challenge this time around, formula or not. 

So, one thing led to another. 

That is to say… Ladybug and Chat Noir got trapped in a teeny, tiny box together. No way out, and hardly any wiggle room. 

Both their timers were running out, so they stood with their eyes closed, waiting for the telltale sparkly, ultra-shiny glow of detransformation. 

What they hadn’t expected was Marinette’s wedding dress. With the poofiest bell shaped skirt to ever exist (or, as close to that as Marinette could reasonably achieve), it was about four or so feet in diameter. It suddenly sprang into existence, and shoved Chat back towards the opposite wall. 

A few things happened, in quick succession. 

Both Marinette and Chat’s eyes involuntarily opened in momentary shock. 

Before Marinette could squeeze her eyes shut, Chat lost his skin tight super suit, in favor of a tuxedo (designed by none other than Marinette). 

A few moments pause, for shock. Here we find lots of rapid blinking, and loss of words. 

“Holy sh-” Adrien started. 

“You’re not supposed to see the dress!” Marinette suddenly squealed, lunging for Adrien. 

She covered his eyes, and he burst out laughing. 

“It’s you!” he almost yelled, his smile so supernova it was probably visible from Mars and rivaled the sun. 

She let out some panicked giggles, which soon became full out cackling. Uncovering his eyes, she grabbed his arms and tucked her face into his neck, shaking with mirth. 

“It’s you…” she returned, then let out one last snort. “I think we might miss our wedding, dear.” 

He enveloped her in a hug. 

“Ehh,” he shrugged, “We’ll elope.” 

Marinette let out a mock shriek. 

“Not on your life, Adrien Agreste!” she pulled back to give him her best imitation of her mother’s sternest face. “What will the families say?!” 

He slowly shook his head, staring at her in earnest wonder. 

“I can’t believe you’re Ladybug,” he said, “The love of my life and my best friend are the same person.” 

“I can’t believe you’re Chat Noir,” Marinette cried, “You’re like, my two favorite people! In one!” 

The two stared at each other, dumbstruck, for a few moments. 

“This is so surreal,” Marinette finally said, “...But also it somehow makes sense? Of course you’re Chat Noir. No one else makes puns as bad as you two-I mean, as you do.” 

“I feel kind of dumb for not realizing sooner,” he said, “We’re total idiots, right?” 

“Total idiots,” she agreed, “Total idiots who are in loooove!” 

“We’re getting married!” Adrien exclaimed. 

“Today! And we’re all dressed up!” Marinette said, “I can’t believe I’m marrying Chat Noir. You! Adrien! Adrien Noir! Chat Agreste!” 

“I’m marrying Ladybug,” Adrien smirked, making the resemblances to his alter ego even more striking, “Fourteen year old me would be over the moon. And you’re Marinette! I’ve got to be the luckiest guy in the world.” 

Marinette leapt forward, kissing him. He let out a surprised gasp, before returning it.  

 “I hope we don’t miss the cake,” she breathed, pulling back. 

“At our own wedding?” Adrien chuckled, a little breathless himself. “I think they’ll wait for us before they get into the cake, sweetie.” 

“You might miss the cake if we don’t bust out of here!” Plagg suddenly interrupted. “I’ve given you like… five minutes for your disgusting love fest. Now you’ve gotta bust us out!” 

“Plagg’s right,” Tikki sighed, sounded disappointed, “Can this be postponed?”

Marinette nodded, digging macarons out of the pockets she’d been very adamant about sewing into her dress. 

“I hope this is alright,” she said to Plagg, “I don't know what you normally eat.” 

Within seconds the dynamic duo was back in costume. 

“Ready, dear wife?” Chat asked, pressing a quick kiss to his lady’s mouth. 

“Not your wife yet, kitty,” Ladybug winked. “I’m ready. Let’s do this!” 

Chat destroyed the box with his signature Cataclysm! 

Spirits were definitely lifted, and the second part of the fight went much quicker than the first. Within ten, twenty minutes Ladybug had purified the akuma and restored the city to its previous, un-rampaged, glory. 

“We’re so late,” Ladybug said, fistbumping her partner. 

“We are!” Chat said. “I’m kind of too happy right now to care.” 

“Me too!” 

They beamed at each other for a moment. 

“Race you,” Ladybug finally said, wiggling her eyebrows. 

“You’re on!” 

***** 

Alya and Sabine were understandably a little mad at Marinette, who had turned up only ten minutes before the ceremony was set to begin. 

Still, she had Supreme Bride Privilege, so all was quickly forgiven. They touched up her Miraculously unruined hair and makeup, and sent her to wait with Tom as the bridal chorus quietly began. 

Marinette’s dress, the instigator of the happy revelation earlier that evening, had delicate off-the-shoulder sleeves. The dress was white, but cut short to reveal the blue underskirt that matched her eyes. Gold trim lined the bodice and waistline, and sparkly star-shaped details peppered the whole affair. Designing her own wedding dress had been possibly the most challenging, and most rewarding, creative process of Marinette’s life. 

Usually, when wearing a design she was proud of, Marinette was hyper aware of everyone’s reaction. Today, as her voluminous skirt swished along the aisle, her hand tucked into her father’s arm, she had eyes only for Adrien. 

They had already seen each other that day, but it had been in the excitement of battle, and the shock of discovering each other’s identities had superseded any other observations. Now, as Marinette milked the walk for all it was worth, moving at almost a snail’s pace, she really took a moment to take in her groom. 

His golden hair was tousled, almost sparkling in the bright mid-afternoon light streaming through the windows. His black tuxedo (with gold and blue accents, to match her own dress) fit him perfectly, and the almost imperceivable dusting of blush and mascara Chloe had insisted upon meant he looked almost too handsome for words. 

But, in all honesty, Marinette couldn't care less about any of that. 

She stared into his bright green eyes, crinkled from his dopey smile, and Marinette felt like she was coming home. She knew he felt the same way. Just like she knew she and her partner would always be an unstoppable team, just like she knew the sun would rise and the moon would set. Adrien was Chat Noir, her kitty, her best friend, the love of her life and her ultimate inspiration. She had hardly known so for even thirty minutes, but she had never known something so fully and completely as she did now. 

As she finally stepped up to the dais, she shot him a quick wink, before turning to the priest. 

Vows were exchanged. They both said their “I do”s. They gave their first kiss as a married couple. 

Later, as they sat, feet near-blistered from dancing and eyes sparkling with happiness, sharing a piece of cake, they had their second kiss. And their third. And their forth. 

“My kitty.” Marinette giggled. 

“Today was perfect, wasn’t it my lady?” 

And despite the stress, and the battle, and almost being late to her own special day, Marinette was completely sincere when she said, “Yes. Yes it was.” 

[nevervalentines]

If u did the dare me kind it will make me very happy, i love your writing and i love them sooo

a teeny tiny snippet of a dare me wip, half gallon of milk and all 

Addy sees her again for the first time in six years in the aisle of the grocery store.

Beth is cradling a half-gallon jug of milk under one arm, hip propping open a glass freezer door.

This is a fantasy Addy has toyed with for so long. She has played her thoughts over its potential again and again until it felt nearly like a memory. For the vivid colors of everything she had imagined, the moment it actually happens is ghostly, translucent. She can feel the instant passing even as it unspools out in front of her.  

It’s a twilight zone. Addy’s carefully spun fictions splitting and streaming around the reality.

They don’t meet again on the mats, or in the dim lighting of a party, or rain soaked on her front stoop, but here – at the lip of aisle 7, Beth juggling a plastic jug while she considers endless stacks of Styrofoam egg cartons.

Beth still doesn’t see her. Her lips are moving, like she’s reading the packaging to herself, silently. She looks older. Her cheeks fuller, her hair lighter, the way it gets when she’s spent a whole summer in the sun.

Baggy sweatpants sit low on her hips, her crewneck pullover a dreamy blue. She isn’t wearing makeup and it feels like a novelty to see her here, like this, face bare. Beautiful. Addy can see the creases at the corner of her smile. If she didn’t know better, she would mistake them for laugh lines.

Addy is frozen beside a wire rack of chips. Tinkling muzak pipes through the speakers, filtering down through watery, fluorescent lighting.

Beth deliberates. Decides. Withdraws a dozen eggs in a cardboard carton. As she moves, her sleeve slips up her arm, revealing an expanse of her pale, narrow wrist.

At the sight of it, of her skin, an intimate battleground she used to know better than anything, Addy takes a reflexive step back. The beginning of a retreat. Her leg jars the shelving, just barely, but the hollow metallic echo is enough to draw Beth’s attention.

Beth looks up, eyes fixing on Addy. There is a beat of silence. Addy can tell the exact moment Beth sees her, really sees her. Her face flickers through a sickening slideshow, like a stream of light ghosting from the mouth of a projector.

First, surprise. Her fairytale lips fall into a perfect ‘o.’ Her knuckles whiten around the handle of the milk jug.

Next, hurt. Just a breath of it, enough that if Addy hadn’t spent years studying this landscape, she would miss it.

Then, worst of all, interest. Keen. Familiar.

Beth smiles.

She takes a step forward. The freezer door swings shut.

“Addy Hanlon. Of all the gin joints –” She shifts the weight of the milk to her hip, the eggs tucked under one arm. One hand stretches out. Addy realizes, belatedly, it’s meant for her to take.

“Beth,” Addy says. Then. “What are you doing here?”

Beth withdraws her hand, and her mouth twists. “Same as you, I would assume.” She shrugs. “Late night grocery run. Is that a problem?”

Addy is embarrassed to find herself already stumbling. Six years. A lifetime for a 23-year-old. And in thirty seconds, Beth Cassidy already has her on her back foot.

She feels at once completely and utterly 17. She can’t remember what to do with her hands.

“No, of course not. I was just –” she trails off, searching, “Surprised.”  

“Same small town,” Beth says. She shrugs. “We always used to come here. Only a matter of time, I guess.”

Addy almost loses the train of conversation, too busy trying to re-remember the shape of Beth’s collarbones. A hint of them peaks above the scoop of her collar.

Flatly, she says, “I guess.” Too busy with: the ridge of her knuckles, the arch of her brow, her weight shifting from foot to foot, like the milk is getting heavy.

“It’s been—” Addy starts.

Beth cuts her off. “Yeah.”

The sight of Beth haloed by linoleum and fluorescence smash-cuts Addy back to high school. Beth driving them to the townie grocery store on the edge town, jeep tires spraying gravel in the parking lot, a little stoned. They would raid the aisles for Little Debbie snacks and pork rinds to spit back up later. Would buy Smirnoff Ice at the register with the clerk who never carded if they flashed cleavage and big smiles.

Beth, then, tilting her head at Addy at the mouth of the dairy aisle, smiling her just-for-Addy-smile.

Beth, now, waving a hand in front of her face.  

“Hanlon? Anybody home?”

Addy jars back to present, finds her palms clammy. “Sorry?”

A little amused now, eggs swapped to the other hand. “I just asked if you were back all summer?”

“Just for July,” Addy says. “Trying to keep Faith happy.” She looks around, like she’s seeing the store for the first time. “It’s my first time home in months.”

It feels so pedestrian to talk like this. A casual catch-up conversation, like you would with anyone you fell out of touch with after high school. Something about it feels dirty, almost taboo.

“How about you?”

“Same,” Beth says. She turns now, starts to walk. Without thinking, Addy follows, falling into step a pace behind. “I have a month before my masters program starts up, then it’s back to school.”

Reflexively, Addy reaches out to take the half gallon jug of milk from Beth’s arms, just to relieve her of the weight. Beth’s eyes flash wide, but she says nothing. This close, Addy can smell a hint of her perfume. Like she didn’t wash yesterday’s floral blush from her pulse points, from the side of her neck.

They steer toward the register, already in step.

“Grad school. Wow. Congrats, Beth.”

Addy finds she means it. Beth flashes her a smile, a little shy, cheeks dimpling. “Thanks. I heard you weren’t doing too bad yourself.”

“Who said?” Addy has been careful not to ask after Beth, and only comes back to Sutton Grove when its necessary, too scared to peel back the scab of old wounds.

That sly Beth grin, eyes shifting. “I have my sources.”

Steps echo off the tile floor as they dodge through the aisles. Just past 10 p.m., the grocery is all but empty, humid night air crowding the floor-to-ceiling windows of the storefront, reflections warped and watery in the glass.

They play at small talk, the rhythm of it unreal in the ghost town of empty aisles.

Only the sign above register three is lit, the decal peeling off the plastic, yellow light flickering. A lone employee stands at the till, flicking through his phone, blue light throwing his cheekbones into sharp relief.

Beth rests the eggs on the conveyor belt and Addy crowds in behind her to set the milk next to it. Their hips bump. Beth smells exactly the same. It’s such a mind-fuck that the simple, incidental press of warm hip on warm hip is enough to send her reeling.

Addy is suddenly certain she is going to die in a fucking Save-A-Lot outlet on the edge of town.

White teeth digging into a full bottom lip, Beth looks up at her through her lashes. Addy burrows her hands deep in the pocket of her hoodie, nods toward the register.

“You gonna pay?”

A hum. Beth produces a wrinkled bill from the waistband of her sweatpants. A pale flash of skin, the divot of her navel. “Always in a hurry.”

When she turns to the lone employee, Addy thinks she catches her wink.  

Addy trails her to the parking lot, to an unfamiliar car. Beth pops the trunk, old-fashioned style, key-in-lock, and dumps the lone plastic bag into it.

With their mission completed, silence falls over them. They turn to one another under the pooled light of the lot’s sole floodlight. They shuffle their feet in the gravel. Beth seems so small like this. Her sleeve falls over her fingertips, and she pushes it back absently with one hand.

Addy looks hard at her forearm, stops herself from reaching out to touch.

She has a terrible idea and speaks before she can stop herself.

“So Riri is throwing a party. Kind of a reunion?” Addy’s voice tilts up into a question. They don’t need to mention that this used to be the kind of thing Beth would never need an invite to, let alone need to be told about it. “Nothing crazy, just drinking wine and talking about,” Addy flaps a hand, “the good old days.”

The cliché feels stale on her tongue and she immediately regrets it.

Beth looks at her evenly, silent.

Addy shrugs, fixes her gaze on the edge of the lot, where the shadows around the dumpster are deep, scrubby grass poking through asphalt.

“You could come, if you wanted.” She makes the mistake of looking back into Beth’s cold eyes. “It could be like old times.”

“Wine, huh?” Beth’s voice is pitched, low, grating into the air between them. “That’s a change from trying to shotgun a watermelon Four Loko in the 7/11 parking lot at 1 a.m.”

Addy laughs before she can stop herself, remembering the night. “I think that’s the closest I’ve ever come to dying,” she says. A lie. “I think I saw God that night.” Possibly true. She can remember the world turning topsy-turvy, street lights glinting like stars against a murky, smog filled sky.

“Oh yeah?” Beth is smiling now, too. “What did she look like?”

Addy crinkles her nose. “A little like you actually.”

Beth snakes out a hand – that pale, pale wrist flashing in the dark – and sneaks Addy’s phone out of her pocket. She adds a contact, lightning fast, extends the phone. Addy takes it, heart stuttering, fluttering.

“Text me when. I’ll be there.”

Beth climbs into her car without looking back. Pauses to fix her hair in the rearview mirror before she starts the ignition.

Addy watches Beth peel out of the lot, driving fast, rear lights flaring like the embers of a cigarette on an inhale.

She plunges her hand into her pocket for her keys and hears a rustle. Pulling out a paper, she looks down at her grocery list. She didn’t buy a goddamn thing.

[lenawritesjojos]

Can I request a Jotaro x fem reader where they meet for the first time in Singapore and at first they hate each other because Jotaro was rude to her so she decides to take revenge on him using her stand but she doesn't know about Star Platinum so they end up fighting and in the end Jotaro is impressed that Reader's stand is almost as strong his? Maybe Anne is in there too and is a little jealous of Reader?

Hello! I was surprised at first because this is pretty much the prompt of the first chapters in one of my Jotaro fics in AO3 hahhaha. Here you have a scenario! I got a bit carried away whoops.

Stand fight gone weird

Pairing: Jotaro x Fem!Reader

Word count: 882

The streets of Singapore were full of life at that time of the day, both tourists and local people milling around and minding their own business. You were among them, walking distractedly and taking your time in watching the many street vendors and the cute trinkets they sold. The climate was warm, but a slight breeze caressed your cheeks, and you couldn’t help but to close your eyes for a moment and relish the feeling.

It was a mistake.

“Oi, woman, watch where the fuck you’re going!”

Shocked both by the sudden impact and the harsh words, you stepped back hesitantly, taking in the huge figure of the man that had just bumped into you. He was tall and broad, wore all black and had a piercing gaze semi-hidden by his equally black hat, along with a deep scowl.

“I-I… sorry.” You apologized a bit weakly, intimidated by him.

It didn’t seem to be enough, because he just grunted one last time and stormed past you, black coat billowing after his fast stride.

What a jerk, was your first thought.

Bothered by the rudeness of that stranger, you decided that the best way to get even was to use your stand. You knew it wasn’t fair to use stands in unsuspecting people, especially if they couldn’t see them, but where was the harm in a little fun? He had been the one to cross you by being unnecessarily rude for a small mistake.

Also, it wasn’t like there was anyone near to judge you, right?

With a smirk on your face, you started to follow him inconspicuously, the semi-transparent shape of your stand beginning to materialize by your side, at the ready. Only a small prank would suffice, you thought, but the less people around the better, so you waited until he entered a way less crowded area to put your plan in motion.

You silently willed your stand to get a bit ahead of you, almost to its range limit, and then, in a swift motion, its arm came in contact with the man’s leg, full intent on making him trip.

Except he didn’t.

A purple, ethereal arm-like shape had suddenly appeared before him, grabbing your stand’s arm forcefully and making it return to you quickly. Just your luck, you groaned internally, that rude-ass man had to be a stand user too.

He turned around to face you, and there was no other choice but to run. You were fairly confident in your stand’s ability, but a place with people around wasn’t just the ideal scenario for the fight that was just about to go down. That’s why you led him towards an empty plaza, stand at the ready.

“Are you one of DIO’s servants?” He inquired, his stand now fully out for you to see. A muscular, purple godlike figure that stared right at your stand with cold eyes.

It would be a hard fight.

“Who the fuck is DIO?” You shot back.

He didn’t look very convinced, however, and his stand swiftly lunged forward, punching your stand’s chest with a loud ‘ora!’.

“Star Platinum!” He shouted.

You were ready for it, though, and so your stand attacked back, both sending punches flying through the air as their respective stand users gritted their teeth to try and ignore the pain. Every punch your stand received, you felt it in your skin, but you resisted and endured the prolongating fight. The scowling man seemed somewhat surprised, probably because he thought his stand was way stronger than yours.

It was only a teeny tiny bit stronger.

The fight was finally decided when Star Platinum grabbed your stand by the neck, applying enough amount of pressure so that you fell on your knees, defeated.

“Okay, okay, I surrender!” You gasped out.

You felt the grip lessen and took a sharp breath, looking down at the ground in shock. Not only your stand had been defeated, but the rude stranger had gotten his victory once again over you, and that was the worst part of everything.

A big, calloused hand appeared right in front of your eyes, and you took it without looking at him in the eye as he hoisted you up.

“Nice fight.” He grumbled out.

About to retort something snappy, you raised your head with a swift movement, but your words were cut off by someone else’s.

“Jotaro! Where were you?!”

It was a girl’s voice, much younger than you, judging by the pitch. When you turned around, your guess was proven correct, as a dark-haired girl was running towards the two of you with a red-haired young man close behind.

Jotaro didn’t answer, his gaze still fixated in you. It was then when you noticed that you were still holding his hand, and that it felt very warm and comfortable. Almost as if your two hands belonged together.

“Who’s this?” The girl questioned, her gaze turning into a glare as she took notice of your joined hands. You quickly separated yours from his, not wanting to endure the blatant jealousy of a small child. Things were already uncomfortable enough.

After a small pause, in which the redhead joined the three of you, Jotaro spoke, his turquoise eyes meeting yours directly.

“Your stand is strong. Would you like to join us?”

[minijenn]

Universe Falls Chapter 79

Ayyyyyy its here fam, the chapter right before RMD is finally done which means I’m ALMOST ALMOST THERE AHAHAHHAHAHAH IM SO FUCKIN HYPE! But for now, enjoy this fucking preliminary angstfest, which I also really like even if it is a teeny tiny lil chapter. Just as well since RMD are all boutta be fucking monsters in terms of length. Anyway enjoy!

Previous: https://minijenn.tumblr.com/post/618035050504732672/universe-falls-chapter-78

***

Chapter 79: Alone on the Lake

TN XBAVUSA SUL ZUSALLZF GSL ZLZBKX IFK AJUWLK DPNZ BWMSL LUZ OACM HV YW KLKHXJ GGBZ EKBIJK?

“Ok, Lapis, we’re almost there!”

“I think I’m starting to guess the surprise, you two,” Lapis noted with a small smile, still keeping her aquatic wings wrapped over her eyes as she followed Steven and Mabel’s enthusiastic lead. 

“Your eyes are supposed to be closed!” Steven reminded brightly. 

“Sorry,” Lapis chuckled, following his instructions this time as the pair continued to guide her onward. “Are you still back there, Dipper?” she called, glancing over her shoulder behind her, though keeping her eyes shut all the while. 

“Hm?” Dipper looked up, his hands shoved away in his pockets as he kept pace quite a bit behind the trio as they traveled down the dock. “Oh, uh, yeah, I’m here.”

“Mind telling me where we’re going?” the blue Gem continued addressing him with a small, playful smile. “I have an idea, but these two aren’t giving me any hints.”

“Cause that would be cheating!” Mabel pointed out, resolute. “And it would ruin the surprise.”

“Speaking of surprises, wait here just a second.” Steven and Mabel both relinquished their holds on Lapis’ hands, running over to join Greg and Stan near the edge of the dock before unveiling what they had in store for the day. “Surprise!”

Lapis let her wings retract, opening her eyes to see something that she didn’t really know what to make of at first. The wide lay of Lake Gravity Falls spread out before the group from the small dock they were all on, its murky waters dully glistening in the mid-morning sun. And resting on that lake, tethered to a post, was a moderately large boat, one that looked rather fancy and modern, aside from the bizarre, out of place skull and crossbone flags draping from its sides and hanging from its flagpole. 

“We bought a boat!” Steven proclaimed excitedly. 

“Correction, we rented a boat,” Greg chimed in. “I may be rich, but buying a boat would be going a bit… overboard!”

“Ugh, please someone make him stop,” Stan groaned insincerely. “He’s been making lame boat puns ever since we picked this thing up from the rental place. I’d fire him for them… if he still worked for me.”

“What can I say, Mr. Pines?” Greg let out a small chuckle. “I just keep reeling ‘em in!”

Steven and Mabel were quick to join in on the former rock star’s amused laughter, and though it took Stan a moment, he ultimately folded with a bit of a wry smirk himself. “Uh… what’s with the pirate theme?” Dipper spoke up as he looked over the boat. 

“Er, the rental place was out of the “Family Friendly Day On the Lake” boat package,” Greg explained. “All they had left was the “A Pirate’s Life for Me” package, which is really just those flags. Oh, and I think there’s a stuffed parrot and a set of decorative swords on board.”

“There’s also a bunch of peg legs, pirate hats, and eye patches stored under one of the seats,” Stan added dryly. “So, ya know, you kids can knock yourselves out with those.”

“Ooo!” Steven mused, intrigued. 

“I call the eye patch!” Mabel quipped, raising her hand.

“Oh no, ya don’t,” Stan pulled said eye patch out of his pocket and slipped it on. “I already beat ya to it, pumpkin.”

“Aw, dang it! Not again!”

“Steven, Dipper, Mabel,” Lapis spoke up, glancing over at Stan and Greg, somewhat confused. “Who are these people?”

“Ah, Greg Universe,” Greg introduced himself, holding out a hand for her to shake. “You, uh, busted up my van trying to use the lake to fly back to your homeworld?”

“Lapis Lazuli,” the blue Gem offered him a somewhat awkward smile though she didn’t return his handshake. “Nice to meet you.”

“And Lapis, you remember Grunkle Stan, right?” Mabel asked as she came to stand alongside the conman. 

“Oh right!” Lapis nodded. “You’re the guy who looks like Ford, but isn’t Ford.”

“Ugh, if I had a nickel for every time I heard that one when I was a kid...” Stan rolled his eyes, disgruntled. 

“That’s ‘cause Grunkle Stan and Grunkle Ford are twins,” Mabel informed the blue Gem with a smile as she suddenly pulled Dipper close beside her. “Just like me and Dipper!”

“Ugh, Mabel! Knock it off!” Dipper huffed in annoyance as he quickly pulled away from her. He paid no mind to the curious looks the others were sending his way as a result of his sudden harshness as he instead went to take a seat at the far edge of the dock instead. 

“Aw, c’mon, bro-bro, I was just… aw, ok…” Mabel sighed in quiet defeat as she watched him sullenly walk away.

“Yeesh, he’s acting even more Dippery than usual,” Stan remarked bluntly before oblivious moving on. “Anyway, we’d better get a move on. The ice in that treasure chest-shaped cooler on deck is only gonna keep those sandwiches cold for so long.”

“Good point,” Greg agreed, trailing after the conman. “Let’s get the boat started.”

As the pair headed aboard the rented vessel, everyone else hung back on the dock for a bit, particularly Lapis as she hardly even seemed to be focused on the boat at all. “What’s going on with Dipper?” she asked Steven and Mabel with newfound concern. “He seems… upset about something.”

“I don’t know…” Steven frowned. “Yesterday he seemed so excited about our plans to bring you out here to spend the day with you, Lapis, but now…”

“I-I think I might know what’s up,” Mabel said, glancing down apprehensively. “Last night I overheard him talking in his sleep--which he only really does when he’s having a nightmare--a-and it must have been a pretty bad one cause he said something about… a-about you know who…”

“No,” Lapis shook her head, confused. “Who?”

“Oooh…” Steven immediately understood, however, his expression quickly turning grave. “Again? I thought he stopped having those kinds of nightmares after we put up the unicorn shield around the shack.”

“The what?” the blue Gem tried interjecting once more, completely out of the loop.

“Yeah, well… you know Bill,” Mabel said, her tone and expression both taking on an air of disdain. “He never quits, even when he really should. And if he can’t mess with us for real anymore, I guess dreams are the next best thing for him.”

“Wait, slow down,” Lapis said, putting her hands up. “What are you guys talking about? Who’s this Bill person? Someone who’s been messing with Dipper?”

“Messing with all of us, actually…” Steven rubbed his arm. “He’s this really powerful, really mean demon who we’ve been fighting against all summer. We’ve been up against him a bunch of times, but the worst was when he-” The young Gem stopped short at this, particularly as he met the sight of Mabel silently shaking her head, her lips pressed in a thin line and her eyes wide with worry. Steven was quick to understand her intent, however, when he happened to glance between Lapis, who was looking to him with expectant curiosity, and Dipper, who was still sitting alone, forlorn as he stared into the lake from the edge of the dock. “Uh… h-he, um…” Steven stammered, unsure of how to explain exactly what had happened what felt like ages ago now. Especially to Lapis, of all Gems, who cared so much for Dipper and had, at least in some way, been the very driving force for him striking the dangerous deal with the dream demon that he had back then. A deal that was clearly still leaving it’s heavy, painful mark on him, even long after it had ended. 

“L-long story short,” Mabel cut in just in time with a brief, largely safe explanation. “Bill tricked Dipper into making a deal with him that went pretty sour pretty fast and it, uh… m-may or may not almost got him, um… k-killed,” she winced, a familiar pang of guilt filling her as she so much as said the dreadful word. 

“W-what?!” Lapis exclaimed, aptly alarmed. 

“O-oh, but don’t worry! It didn’t actually, o-of course,” Steven rushed to interject. “A-and my healing powers helped patch up everything else‒eventually. So, everything’s fine now! W-well… almost everything…” The young Gem frowned as he looked in Dipper’s direction himself, wishing there was more he could do to help heal what was an entirely different kind of wound now. 

“B-but, I don’t understand,” Lapis shook her head, her expression awash in immense worry. “Why would Dipper make a deal like that anyway? Even if he was tricked, I know he’s smarter than to fall for something like that.”

Steven and Mabel exchanged an uncertain glance at this, knowing that the last thing Lapis needed was to know exactly why Dipper had taken a chance on such a risky bargain in the first place. “Uh… w-who can say?” Mabel shrugged, forcing out a harsh, fake chuckle. “It doesn’t really matter anymore anyway since it’s all said and done and we can forget about it and move on with our lives! S-so instead of talking about all that depressing junk, let’s talk about something way more fun instead! Like this boat! What do you think about it, Lapis?”

“Oh, uh… it’s… nice,” Lapis said somewhat absently as she finally pulled her gaze away from Dipper. “But... I don’t know…”

“Look, Lapis,” Steven took a deep, steadying breath, noticing the hesitation in the blue Gem as she turned her attention to the lake in particular. “We know you spent a really long time fused with Jasper at the bottom of the lake, but… you’re not Malachite anymore. And water is part of who you are. You can’t let one bad experience take that away from you!”

“It was more than one…” Lapis sighed, crossing her arms. 

“Well… maybe we can turn all those bad times around and make a brand-new good time instead!” Mabel encouraged warmly. “We promise that this is gonna be the most fun you’ve ever had!”

“Thank you, but I… I don’t deserve this…” Lapis shook her head fretfully. 

“Of course you do!” Steven insisted. “We even named her Lil’ Lappy!” He nodded over to the boat, where Stan and Greg were attempting to tape a banner with this new name to the side of the boat, only for it to slightly slip off to reveal the vessel’s true title: the S.S. Misery”. 

Despite this, Lapis was unable to hold back a snort of an amused laugh at such a ridiculous sight, one that told just how hard the kids were working to put all this together for her. “Ok, I’ll give it a chance. But just one.”

“That’s the spirit!” Mabel beamed. “Now c’mon! We better get on board before Grunkle Stan hogs the rest of that super cool pirate gear to himself!”

“Too late!” Stan called from on deck, clad in the eyepatch, captain’s hat, and fake peg leg alike. 

Even so, Mabel and Steven hurried on ahead to climb aboard, though Lapis stayed behind, largely so she could go over to join Dipper as he remained at the edge of the dock. Along the way, she couldn’t help but let her thoughts wander, both to the deepest concern for the boy himself, and quiet, yet fledgling fury for the mysterious demon who had apparently put him through so much lingering distress. “H-Hey,” she greeted him as casually as she could manage, despite all this. “Aren’t you coming along?”

“Oh! Y-yeah,” Dipper was quick to stand, though he made no move to go over to the boat as he offered Lapis a concerned glance instead. “Are… are you sure you’re ok with this? I tried telling them that taking you out on the lake might not be… the best idea, considering… well…”

“N-no, it’s ok,” Lapis assured him with a small smile. “I think it’s really… sweet that you guys went to all the trouble to put all this together for me. Even if it might be a bit… too much.”

“It’s always too much when Steven and Mabel are involved,” Dipper finally let out a small chuckle, one that set Lapis’ worries to ease as she hoped that maybe he wasn’t as upset as he seemed. At least for now. 

“Need a lift?” she asked, summoning her wings as she extended a hand out to him. 

“Sure.” With this, Lapis easily swept Dipper up off the dock, giving him an easy landing on board the boat alongside Steven and Mabel before she came down to join them herself. 

“How do I say it again, Mr. Pines?” Greg’s voice echoed from the ship’s intercom on the bridge. “Mighties?”

“It’s ‘maties’, Greg,” Stan deadpanned, not realizing the mic was already on either. 

“Got it; maties,” Greg actually turned to the intercom so he could properly address the group on deck. “Uh, ahoy, maties! Are ya scurvy land-lovers-”

“Landlubbers,” Stan corrected once more. 

“...What the hey is a lubber?”

“Ugh, gimme that!” the conman promptly took over the intercom at this. “What he’s trying to say is, are you all ready to take off or not?” 

“Aye, aye, captain!” Mabel and Steven proclaimed in unison, both of them presenting dramatic salutes. 

“...Yes,” Lapis said simply as Dipper nodded his agreement as well. 

“Good,” Stan said simply, hanging up the intercom line. “You do know how to work this tub, don’t you, Greg?”

“Uh… w-well… It can’t be that tricky…” Greg looked over the ship’s rather complicated control deck, though he did manage to find its starting clutch. “Aha! Full speed ahea-” The former rock star was abruptly cut off as the entire boat jolted hard as it began to take off, knocking everyone on board about. However, as it did, the force of the vessel’s abrupt movement suddenly ripped the post it was tethered to, one that neither Greg nor Stan had thought to untie it from before climbing aboard. “Aw, geez…” Greg shuddered upon glancing back to see the post skimming behind the boat as it ventured out onto the open lake. “You think anyone will notice?”

“You better hope no one does,” Stan remarked. “Trust me, Greg, you do not want a run-in with lake police. I learned that the hard way…”

Despite the pleasant, late summer weather, not too many other boats were out on the water, meaning the group largely had the lake all to themselves. As soon as the boat had settled into a more relaxed pace out near the center of the water, Lapis and the kids went to join Greg and Stan up in the bridge, largely to inquire about the wooden post still lagging behind the ship. 

“Yeah, I-I think I did a number on that deck,” Greg scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “Maybe someone else should take a shot at being captain instead…”

“Ya think?” Stan deadpanned. 

“What do you say-” Greg grinned as he took his captain’s hat off and turned it over to Lapis instead. “Captain Lazuli?”

“I-I shouldn’t…” Lapis winced fretfully. 

“Go for it, Lapis!” Steven encouraged. 

“Yeah! You’ll make a great captain!” Mabel chimed in enthusiastically. “You can even use this spare eyepatch I stole from Grunkle Stan when he wasn’t looking!”

“Wha-” Stan took pause, reaching near his eye to find that his eye patch wasn’t covering it anymore. “When did you-”

“Don’t put me in charge!” Lapis suddenly snapped, agitated. She drew in a small, anxious gasp as she realized just how intense her refusal had been, to the point that all three of the kids were sending concerned looks her way. 

“Lapis…?” Dipper spoke up, by far the most worried of the already very worried trio. And as soon as Lapis caught his concerned gaze, she made a very rushed effort at righting herself, more for his sake than anyone else’s. 

“Oh, uh… s-sorry,” the blue Gem shook her head to clear it. “I mean… y-you shouldn’t trust me with the boat.”

“Uh, that’s ok,” Steven said, trying to brighten the tense mood once more. “Don’t worry about it. We can all be first mates, so there’s no pressure. Only fun stuff today!”

Lapis nodded, allayed by this plan, even if she was still discreetly trying not to pay too much mind to the wide lay of the lake all around them. “Lapis, you can still wear the hat if you want,” Greg held said hat out to her again. 

“Thanks,” Lapis smiled. “But I’m not putting that on my body.”

“What about the eye patch?” Mabel asked, eagerly offering it to the blue Gem until Stan intercepted it instead. 

“Give me that!” he swiped the patch, proudly placing it over his eye once more. “Ah, now that’s better.”

“Ok, everyone,” Greg grinned, putting the captain’s hat back on as he took the boat’s wheel once again. “Let’s set a course for fun!”

Though Lake Gravity Falls was quite sizable, it was still a rather small lake compared to the boat itself, which was why there really weren’t too many places it could go upon it. Still, that hardly stopped the small group aboard from enjoying themselves in whatever ways they could. They snacked on their small stash of cold cut sandwiches alongside a bottle of sparkling orange juice served in fancy glasses (a ritual Lapis didn’t quite understand and didn’t really know how to indulge in even as everyone else did). Still, Lapis watched on the sidelines as Steven and Mabel engaged in a pretend “pirate duel” with the decorative swords on deck (a duel Greg was quick to put a nervous stop to when he realized the swords, however dull they might have been, were still made of actual metal). After that, they all took a break to lounge out on the boat’s open deck, soaking in the rays of the warm summer sun, though most of the while, though Lapis found herself preoccupied with two other completely different sights instead. The first was the lake, its calm, quiet, cerulean waters practically taunting her with thoughts of the dark, empty prison she knew lay just beneath them. But then there was Dipper, who was hardly engaging in the activities Mabel and Steven had planned as he instead leaned against the boat’s railing to stare out at the lake himself. Lapis took a break from “sunbathing” to join him, hoping to ask him more about what Steven and Mabel had only hinted at before. And yet, before she could get as much as a hello out, the aforementioned pair rushed over to pull them both back into more of the “fun” they had in store. 

That next bout of fun was up on the bridge, namely in the form of the ship’s pull horn. Though Lapis didn’t understand the appeal at first, she quickly did upon giving it a small, experimental tug, only for the horn to loudly blare out, echoing across the entire lake. The blue Gem couldn’t help but be completely charmed by the rather grating noise, letting out a full, genuine laugh as she pulled on the horn over and over again, much to the kids’ delight and Stan and Greg’s chagrin. Even Dipper couldn’t help but muster a small, warm chuckle upon seeing just how much Lapis seemed to be enjoying herself through something so simple, even if it wasn’t the easiest on the ears.

After about an hour or so, the nearly-nonstop bellowing of the horn finally fell silent, a relieving change of pace for Stan and Greg in particular as they continued fishing off the far side of the boat. “Oh thank god, they finally stopped,” the conman let out a sigh of relief as he uncovered his ears. “I thought I was gonna go deaf. Well, even more deaf,” he said, tapping his hearing aid. 

Greg let out an amused laugh at this, though as he did, he happened to notice Lapis and the kids coming down from the bridge to join them. “Oh, hey, you guys!” he greeted them with a smile. “Finally get enough of that horn?”

“...WHAT?!” Steven shouted obliviously, his ears still still blaring with the lingering noise of the horn. 

“What are you doing?” Lapis asked, curiously eyeing the pairs’ fishing rods.

“Catching fish,” Greg explained, casting his line out into the water once more. 

“Or at least we’re trying to,” Stan grumbled, boredly leaning against the railing. “Those suckers just aren’t biting today…”

“Oh, maybe I can help!” Lapis volunteered, her tone surprisingly eager. Taking in a deep breath, she easily connected with the body of water before her, calling upon a massive swath of it just below the surface. Everyone else watched in apt awe as she easily pulled that swath up, an immense mass of water rising up into the air just above them, one that encased more fish than they could have ever hoped to catch swimming inside. 

“Whoa…” Dipper said, quite impressed. “Lapis, that’s amazing!”

The blue Gem practically beamed upon hearing this, more than happy to meet the bright smile he was sending her way. A smile that she unquestionably treasured, yet unfortunately hadn’t seen enough of today, as much as she wished she had. 

“That’s a pretty… uh, fancy way of catching fish…” Greg noted with a bit of a nervous chuckle. 

“Fancy?” Stan scoffed. “Pfft, some might call it overkill.”

“Grunkle Stan!” Mabel chastised, hoping that the conman’s rather callous remark didn’t offend the blue Gem. 

“That’s ‘cause Lapis is supa strong!” Steven proclaimed with a dramatic flex. 

“Well, uh… I appreciate the gesture,” Greg said, trying to be as tactful as he could. “But I-I think it would be safer to stick to the old-fashioned way of doing it…”

“Oh, uh… sure.” Flustered, Lapis was quick to pull her “catch” back down into the lake itself, creating a sizable wave in the process, one that shook the entire boat before the water settled itself back down. “So… how do you fish the old-fashioned way?”

“Oh, it’s pretty simple,” Greg reeled his line back in so he could demonstrate. “You start with a rod, and you put a hook at the end of your line. And then, when you feel a nibble, you reel it in. And there it is; you’ve caught yourself a fish to eat!”

“Or to sell if you manage to catch a peppermint angelfish or a freshwater polka dot stingray,” Stan piped up. “Those kinda puppies will land you the big bucks, whether you’re sellin’ em legally or not‒n-not that I would know.”

“But why would a fish ever bite a hook?” Lapis asked, confused. 

“You got to bait it,” Greg said, reaching into his nearby tackle box. “Put something on it you know it wants, like a worm or a $20 bill.”

“Now that’s my kind of bait!” Stan grinned greedily. 

“We’ll keep that in mind the next time we need to fish you out of a lake, Mr. Pines,” Greg chuckled alongside Steven and Mabel. At the same time, he cast his baited line out into the lake to properly show Lapis how fishing was usually done.

And like how fishing usually went, the group ended up waiting quite some time for even a nibble to become apparent. Stan had all but fallen asleep in his sunchair, his own fishing pole completely forgotten as Greg minded them both instead. Lapis and the kids lazily leaned against the boat’s railing, keeping an eye on the water, even if there was no sign of any sort of underlying fish to be found. 

“So when does the fish part happen?” Lapis asked boredly. 

“Well, sometimes it isn’t about the fish you keep, but the company you catch,” Greg said with a sly wink, though none of the others really caught his drift. At that exact moment, however, a sharp, sudden pull on his fishing pole caught the former rock star’s attention instead. “Whoa! I got a bite!” Greg tightened his grip on the fishing rod as whatever it had caught began to pull aggressively against it. “Lapis, here! Give it a try!” he offered the blue Gem the pole, and though she had her reservations, she took it. 

“Like this?” she asked, starting to reel the line in. 

“You got it!” Greg grinned as the kids crowded close to watch. “Looks like it’s a big one!”

Lapis set her focus on her rod as she continued to steadily reel it in, though whatever was on the hook quickly tugged hard on the line, abruptly yanking the blue Gem forward along with it. Lapis stumbled forward, but fortunately everyone else was quick to respond, calling out to her in concern as they hurried to help hold her steady so she could keep the struggle going. 

“Y-You got this, Lapis!” Steven encouraged with a loud grunt as he and Mabel clung onto the straining blue Gem. “Reel it in!”

“It’s… pulling… so hard!” Lapis shouted, pulling back against the unseen fish or force that she was so, so close to landing. So very close to the surface, yet still so far away. 

Just as Malachite had been all that time. 

Lapis gasped just as the fishing rod suddenly snapped under the immense pressure completely. Its other half flew into the water as whatever it had caught got away, leaving everyone to run to the side of the boat to see if they could catch so much as even a glimpse of it. Lapis in particular kept a close eye on the lake as it calmed once more, her sudden panic starting to die down as she realized the only reflection she saw on the water was her own. 

“Dang it, Greg!” Stan fussed as he finally awakened from his brief nap. “We weren’t supposed to break any of these!”

“Yeah…” Greg winced as he looked over the broken rod. “Looks like this pole rental just turned into a pole purchase. But, you did a great job tangling with that beast, Lapis.”

“Yeah! I totally thought you had it!” Mabel added, hands on her hips. 

“B-but don’t worry about the one that got away,” Steven encouraged with a small smile. 

Lapis simply returned their praise with a terse, unreadable nod as she realized that their party was now one short for some reason. Mostly since that missing one among them had quietly slipped away long before her fight against that unknown catch had even begun. 

“Welp, that’s my adventure quota for the day,” Greg concluded as he began putting the tackle box away. “I’ll be at the controls. Holler if you need me.”

“And I’ll be raiding that cooler to see if there’s any of that fancy orange juice left,” Stan said as he also began to head out. “Fishing’s thirsty work; it’s got me parched.”

“But Grunkle Stan, you were just napping most of the time,” Mabel pointed out. 

“Yeah, well napping’s thirsty work too.” 

With the adults heading off to their own devices, Mabel and Steven were more than ready to keep their excitable plans for the day going, even if fishing had gone somewhat awry. “Ok, Lapis, what do you…” Steven trailed off as they both realized the blue Gem had also stepped away at some point. “Lapis?”

For her part, Lapis had returned to the main deck, where it didn’t take her very long to find Dipper. He sat on one of the lounge chairs, his chin perched against his hands as he silently watched the dark clouds that were starting to roll in over the lake. And as the blue Gem slowly came to take a seat alongside him, she noticed just how tense and apprehensive his expression really was. She had every reason to suspect why that was, and couldn’t help but feel guilty that she hadn’t done more to try and change that. Though still, she figured now was better late than never.

“Dipper?” Lapis spoke up, finally breaking him out of whatever thoughts he had been distracted by. 

“Oh! Lapis!” he started, quickly turning to her as he put on a clearly fake smile. “H-how’d fishing go?”

“It… went…” the blue Gem glanced down. “Why’d you leave?”

“Ah, I-I… just wanted a little peace and quiet, is all,” Dipper said, offering an excuse Lapis could see right through the moment he said it.

“Oh,” she replied, though this time, she refused to simply leave it there. “Dipper, a-are… are you all right?”

“What?” Dipper blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Y-yeah, of course I’m all right. Why wouldn’t I be? Are you all right, Lapis?”

Lapis flinched, not wanting to face such an inquiry, especially as she accidentally stole another small glance toward the lake once more. “I-I… l-let’s focus on you instead,” she countered as evenly as she could. “You’ve been so quiet all day. I know something’s wrong-” she hesitated, not wanting to give specifics about how or what she knew just yet. “So… if you want to tell me about it, then I-”

“No!” Dipper said, a bit too fast and a bit too forcefully. “I-I… I mean, it’s… seriously nothing, Lapis. You don’t have to worry about it. It’s really not important.”

“It’s important to me,” Lapis said earnestly, knowing, practically feeling that he was lying to her. “If something’s bothering you, then… maybe there’s some I can help somehow. I want to help.”

For a moment, the most Dipper could do was look to her in disbelief before he shook his head almost bitterly. “Lapis, I-I appreciate it, but really, I don’t need any help. Besides, today isn’t supposed to be about me; this whole lake trip was supposed to be to help you.”

“B-but I don’t deserve help!” Lapis argued far more fiercely than she had meant to. “Everyone’s so worried about making me feel better, but we should be worrying about you! Especially after what you went through!”

“After what I-” Dipper stopped short at this, confused. “Lapis, what are you talking about?”

The blue Gem faltered at this, knowing that the last thing she wanted to do was openly bring up what was obviously such a painful memory, but she couldn’t help herself. He needed to know just how much he needed this. “T-the deal, Dipper! I’m talking about the deal you made with t-that… that Bill guy that almost got you killed!”

Dipper froze, completely taken aback, upon hearing Lapis mention that terrible deal. A deal he’d done all he could to keep her from finding out about ever since she returned, for more reasons than one. “W-what… h-how do you know about-”

Before he could even get another stunned word out, the entire boat was suddenly rocked as something seemed to crash hard into the side of it below the surface of the water. Just as the ship seemed to settle once more, it took another heavy hit, one that nearly knocked Dipper and Lapis off their feet completely as they wondered to themselves about what was happening. 

Mabel and Steven wondered the same thing as they took a detour on their way back to the main deck to stop by the bride to check in with Stan and Greg. “I-is everything ok, First Mate Dad?” Steven asked, concerned. 

“Shh!” Greg quieted, glancing up from the boat manual he’d been pouring over. “You hear that?”

The group paused to listen for any further disruption below the boat, but strangely, they were only met with silence on all sides. “Uh… no?” Mabel frowned, confused. 

“Maybe whatever it was is gone now,” Steven theorized. 

“Well, at least that’s one good thing,” Greg sighed. “I think something’s wrong with the boat.”

“Augh!” Stan growled, trying his hardest to move the boat’s otherwise stiff wheel. “Nope, something’s definitely wrong with the boat. The rudder won’t move for anything. Something down there must be throwing it off.”

Mabel let out a sharp, dramatic gasp at this. “Maybe it’s the Gobblewonker!”

“Or Mr. McGucket’s Gobblewonker robot!” Steven added just as zealously. 

“Would you two pipe down?” Stan rolled his eyes as he began fiddling with the ship’s control panel. “It’s not a robot or some stupid lake monster. We probably just hit a rock or something. What’s that manual of yours have to say, Greg?”

“I-it’s really not any help,” the former rock star frowned as he flipped through the book. “It’s mostly just advice on sun tanning and what crackers go with caviar!”

“Well, what crackers go with caviar?” Steven asked. 

“Water crackers!”

“Ayyyy!” the pair exclaimed, exchanging a set of wry, playful grins. The levity was immediately broken, however as the boat violently shook once more, this time accompanied by a small, yet prominent explosion from somewhere inside the ship itself. The group wasted no time in rushing down to the boat’s small engine room, though as soon as Greg pried open the hatch, thick, dark smoke immediately started pouring out from it. 

“Oh, crud! The engine!” Greg exclaimed, distraught. “I-I don’t know anything about fixing an engine! Do you, Mr. Pines?”

“Er… I can take a swing at trying, but I can’t make any promises,” Stan said as he began looking over the busted engine. “But either way, we’re gonna be out here for a while…”

Mabel and Steven exchanged a fretful glance upon hearing this, but all the same, they left the pair to work on the engine so they could relay the unfortunate message to the boat’s other two passengers. In the aftermath of the explosion and how it shook but the boat once again, Lapis was in the midst of helping Dipper back up onto his feet, checking over him to make sure he was unharmed as Steven and Mabel arrived. 

“Uh, guys?” the young Gem spoke up. “We have some… not-so-great news. There’s trouble with the engine and… it looks like we’re stuck out here for now…”

“Great…” Dipper muttered as Lapis let out a low, disappointed sigh. “As if anything else could go wrong today…”

“W-well, let’s try to look on the bright side!” Mabel chimed in. “At least it’s not raining!” Almost at that exact moment, however, raindrops began sprinkling down from the dark, dreary skies above, growing more steady with each passing second. “...How did I do that…?” Mabel wondered, amazed by her apt timing. 

“I-I’m sorry!” Steven professed to Lapis in particular. “This whole thing is our fault! We just wanted you to have fun, but everything’s turned into a mess. We shouldn’t have made you come on this trip…”

“No,” Lapis spoke up, her tone cold as she turned to face the side of the ship. “It’s my fault. I’m the one to blame.”

“What?” the young Gem shook his head. “No, it’s not-”

“I’m really trying to enjoy it out here, but… I can’t stop thinking about being fused as Malachite,” Lapis confessed, not even noticing Dipper tense up beside her at the mere mention of the twisted fusion. “How I used all my strength to hold her down in the lake, and how I was always battling against Jasper to keep her bound to me…”

“Lapis…” Steven began, though Dipper was quick to interject before he could say anything else. 

“W-what does any of that even matter anymore?!” he countered harshly, clearly agitated by the mere discussion alone. “That’s all over now! Malachite’s gone. You don’t have to be with Jasper ever again!”

“T-that’s not it…” Lapis said quietly, shame filling her expression as she finally glanced back at the kids behind her to reveal the horrible truth. “I… I miss her…”

“What?!” All three of the kids exclaimed, shocked by the very thought. 

“W-we were fused for so long…” the blue Gem practically whispered, shaken as she wrapped her arms around herself tightly. 

“But… she’s terrible!” Steven protested anxiously. 

“I’m terrible!” Lapis argued, fully turning to the trio. “I did horrible things! I left Ford behind on Homeworld! I stole the lake! Go on! Tell me I’m wrong!”

Steven and Mabel were more than prepared to try and do exactly that, but once again, Dipper beat them both to the chase on a seemingly different tangent entirely. “You miss her…” he began, letting out a bitter scoff as he did. “Even after everything she put you through, after everything she did?! After everything I did to try to help you?!”

“Dipper-” Lapis tried to counter, though he was far too incensed to back down now. 

“I know what you went through was awful, I get that. But you have no idea what I put myself through to just to get you back!” he practically shouted, outraged that she’d make light of all the sacrifices he’d made by so much as hinting that she wanted to go back to what he’d only barely managed to help rescue her from. “I was ready to do nothing else but sit on the shore for the rest of the summer waiting for you! I stayed awake for nights on end trying to figure out a way to help you! I risked my life several times against Malachite and you did basically nothing to stop her! And worst of all, you asked me about that deal I made with Bill earlier? Well, you wanna know why I even did that in the first place?”

“Dipper, stop-” Mabel tried to interject, especially as she noticed the growing, fearful alarm in Lapis’ eyes brought on by his outburst. Yet even so, he kept going with the truth he could no longer keep buried under the surface, even for as horrible as it was. 

“For you, Lapis!” he finished, tears starting to brim in his eyes even against his immense fury. “I nearly lost my body, my life‒all because I wanted to save you! And what do you want, even after all that? To go back to being with Jasper, back to being Malachite, like the rest of us‒like I don’t even matter!” 

For a moment, the most Lapis could do in response to such a harsh accusation was remorsefully accept it, largely because she had no idea how to argue against it. Because really, if all that was indeed true, if Dipper really had almost lost so much in a last-ditch effort to help her, then that was just another reason--perhaps the very worst of all--on the already substantial list as to why she didn’t deserve any sort of kindness or support at all after every terrible thing she’d done. 

Once again, Steven and Mabel wanted to speak up to try and ease the heavily palpable tension between the pair, yet before they could, that tension was broken altogether by the boat heavily jolting once more. This time, however, the steady tremors didn’t stop as something heavy latched onto the ship’s anchor chain, lurching the entire vessel to the side as something, or rather someone, began to climb up it. For a few breathless, uncertain seconds, the group on board glanced around frantically, unsure of what was happening. That is, until that someone finally reached the deck itself, the last Gem any of them could have expected--or wanted--to see: Jasper. 

The orange Gem easily heaved herself onto the boat, ignoring the shared gasps of shock from everyone else as she rose to properly stand, a wide, almost demented grin spread across her face as she set her sights on Lapis in particular. “Finally,” she said, a burst of heavy thunder crashing over the lake at the exact same time. “I thought I’d never catch up to you!”

“J-Jasper…” Lapis barely managed to choke, though at the same time, she instinctively held a protective arm in front of the trio of kids behind her. “You… you’ve been following us?”

“I’ve been following you,” Jasper’s menacing grin deepened as she took a bold step forward.

Lapis flinched back in apt fear at this, though Steven was the first to step forward, his shield already formed over his arm. “Stay back!” he shouted bravely as he came to stand between the two Gems. Likewise, Mabel brazenly joined him, even without her grappling hook (which she hadn’t brought along on the trip) in hand. Dipper, on the other hand, hung back behind Lapis, taking a small step backward as he watched the frightening situation unfold carefully, quietly. Just out of Jasper’s notice all the while.

For her part, Jasper let out a twisted, amused laugh as she glanced down at the young pair before her haughtily. “This dulled-down version of Rose Quartz works for you now? Along with one of her dumb human pets?” she sneered callously as she nodded back up to Lapis. “You’re pointing that shield the wrong way. She’s the one you should be afraid of.”

“T-that’s not true,” Lapis tried to protest, though there was no conviction behind her words. 

“You can’t lie to me,” Jasper asserted. “I’ve seen what you’re capable of. I thought I was a brute, but you… you’re a monster.”

Lapis froze, terror filling her entire form, though it was hardly aimed at Jasper. Instead, it was fear reserved solely for herself, for what she knew she could do, what she had done. Fear that what the orange Gem had just said was true; that she really was a monster after all. “I-I…”  she trailed off, unsure of how to argue against that blatant truth. Even if Steven and Mabel were more than ready to do that for her. 

“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Mabel defended, resolute. 

“Yeah! Lapis doesn’t want anything to do with you!” Steven added just as firmly as he held his shield steady.

Jasper let out a severe, aggravated growl at this show of resistance, one that she didn’t hesitate to remove from her path through sheer force alone. “This is between US!” she shouted, brutally lashing out at the pair. Fortunately, Steven’s shield took the brunt of the heavy blow, but it was still enough to send them both flying across the deck, resulting in them roughly landing quite a ways behind the orange Gem. 

“Steven! Mabel!” Lapis anxiously called, aptly alarmed. Likewise, Dipper nearly made his first move to join the confrontation, though he stopped short upon seeing that Steven and Mabel were largely fine, if not a bit disoriented from the attack. 

At the same time, Jasper stopped Lapis in her tracks, tightly grabbing her by the wrist with both hands as she fell to her knees before the blue Gem. And then, she looked up to her manically, almost desperately even as she made her horrific proposal. “Let’s be Malachite again!”

Needless to say, Lapis was completely caught off guard by such a bizarre, demented request as she practically felt the orange Gem’s obvious madness from the tightness of her clinging grip alone. “Why… why would you want that?!” she dared to ask, unable to imagine why anyone would willingly, eagerly desire to go back to being chained down and trapped like Jasper had been with her. 

“I was wrong about fusion!” the orange Gem professed with an unhinged smile. “You made me understand! Malachite was bigger and stronger than both of us! We could fly!”

“L-Lapis!” Steven shouted as he began to help Mabel back up. “Don’t listen to her!”

“Stay out of this!” Jasper barked back at him as she stood once more. 

At the same time, Lapis shook her head incredulously, her thoughts racing far too fast for her to even try to keep up with any of them. “I… I was terrible to you…” she began, her voice shaking just as much as her entire body was. “I liked taking everything out on you. I needed to‒I hated you! Malachite hated existing so much! It was bad!”

“I-it’ll be better this time!” Jasper argued, taking her hands once more, even as she tried to pull them away. “I’ve changed! You’ve changed me! I’m the only one who can handle your kind of power! Together, we’ll be unstoppable!”

Somewhere in the distance, thunder echoed off the lake once more, though Lapis barely heard it as she let Jasper take her hands once more. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as everything else grew hazy and distant, save for the orange Gem and what she was trying to promise her, what she was trying to get from her. And for the briefest of moments, that offer, that plea, almost sounded tantalizing. Because if Jasper was right about anything, it was that Malachite was powerful, that she had felt powerful while they were together. That, for the first time in centuries of being trapped and lost and alone, she had felt strong, she had felt like she had actually been in control of something, even if that something was a twisted, self-loathing mess of a fusion. It was an appeasing kind of control, even if it came at the expense of someone else and even herself. And for the briefest, tiniest of moments, she honestly considered taking that control for herself once more. 

And yet…

“And what do you want, even after all that?” Dipper had asked her just moments ago, tears in his eyes and anger in his voice. Anger that made complete and perfect sense, all things considered. “To go back to being with Jasper, back to being Malachite, like the rest of us‒like I don’t even matter!” 

 Is that what she wanted? Did she really want to tear herself away from people who she genuinely cared about, who cared about her in return‒people like Dipper and Mabel and Steven‒just to go back to someone she unquestionably, deeply hated like Jasper? Was whatever kind of demented control she had as Malachite really worth it to betray their trust, to turn away from their kindness, to do the very thing Dipper had accused her of by making his own sacrifices for her completely meaningless in the end?

All it took was the smallest of glances at Steven and Mabel far ahead of her, and perhaps most importantly of all, the most discreet look at Dipper still standing behind her, for Lapis to make the choice she knew she’d always stand by from here on out. Because she knew, above all else, what truly mattered to  her most of all. 

“No!” she exclaimed firmly, tearing her hands out of Jasper’s as she glared up at her bravely. 

“What?” Jasper hissed, narrowing her eyes down at the blue Gem. 

“What we had wasn’t healthy!” Lapis said, resolved and unshaken. “I never want to feel like I felt with you. Never again! So just go!”

“But Lapis!” Jasper tried to argue, though she didn’t get very far before someone else stepped in between her and the blue Gem instead. 

“She said no,” Dipper began coldly, sending a relentless glare up at the much larger orange Gem as he came to stand protectively in front of Lapis. “So leave her alone!”

“Dipper… I…” Lapis trailed off, unsure of what to say. Yet even so, Dipper briefly glanced back at her with a small, assuring smile, one that carried the promise that he was on her side, no matter what happened.

Briefly, genuine surprise filled Jasper’s expression at this intrusion, until sharp, sweeping rage rushed in to take the place of that surprise instead. “You again…” she growled hatefully, recognizing the continually interloping human before her immediately. “You always have to come to her rescue, don’t you? You may have ruined Malachite for me before, but I’m not about to let you take her away from me this time!”

In an instant, Jasper latched out, though this time, it wasn’t toward Lapis. Instead, she abruptly grabbed Dipper by the arm and roughly yanked him toward her, pulling him out of Lapis’ reach even as she made a panicked, yet failed attempt at saving him. Of course, from the very moment Jasper latched onto him, Dipper began struggling against her heavy hold, though all his attempts to pull away and free himself did little against the orange Gem’s immense strength as she found a way to turn the tables on Lapis completely. “Listen, Lapis, you “care” about this human, right?” she asked, sending a disgusted, disgruntled nod down at Dipper as he beat against her arm with his free hand as hard as he could. An effort that she easily ignored, despite how desperate it was. 

“L-leave him alone!” Lapis begged, her hands held up in tight, shaking fists as she looked between Dipper and Jasper anxiously. “Please, Jasper, this is just between you and me. He isn’t part of this. Let him go!” 

“I’d say he is part of this since he’s the reason you even agreed to fuse with me in the first place! And he’s gonna be the reason why we fuse again,” Jasper retorted, tightening her grip on Dipper’s arm to the point that it felt like it was going to snap right in two. Lapis winced as she heard him let out a small, involuntary cry of pain, one that shook her to her very core, especially as Jasper continued her cruel demands. “Either you form Malachite with me right here, right now, or…”

“O-or what?” Lapis practically whispered, her eyes wide with terror all the while.

“Or I take your precious human here somewhere you’ll never be able to find him,” Jasper finished, her tone deadly serious. 

“Dipper!” Steven and Mabel both exclaimed, aptly horrified upon hearing this. Without hesitation, they both acted on the same beat, joining hands as they prepared to form Maven so they could take Jasper head-on and save him. And yet, just before they could, Dipper managed to glance back at them, the fear in his expression obvious, though something else was there too. A certain sort of steadiness that came paired with him putting a silent hand up to stop them, almost as if he was sending them the unspoken message that he had a plan. Which, by all accounts, he did, especially as he noticed one of the decorative swords that had fallen by the wayside earlier lying on the ground just a few feet away from him. 

“I… you… you can’t do that to him!” Lapis shouted at Jasper, furious yet deeply afraid all at the same time. 

“I can, and I will,” Jasper coldly assured. “It’s either gonna be you, Lapis, or your human. Your choice.”

By this point, Lapis was nearly on the verge of tears as she glanced down mournfully. Because without even thinking twice, she knew what she had to do. She had already made the choice against becoming Malachite again on her own volition, out of her own desire to. But if it was for Dipper, if it could keep him safe now just as she had once thought it had before, then she would gladly, readily make that choice to give up her freedom again for him. For him, she’d do just about anything.

“O-ok…” Lapis whispered softly, sadly, as she prepared to return to the prison she’d hoped she’d never see again. “I… I’ll fuse with you.”

“Perfect,” Jasper said with a beaming, leering grin. Lapis simply closed her eyes as Jasper extended her free hand out to her once more, and yet just before it could reach the blue Gem, her approach was brought to a literal swift stop. 

It happened in an instant so quick that Jasper didn’t even catch it until after it happened. A blade that was otherwise completely dull came down on her hand with such a great amount of force behind it that it sliced through her wrist completely. Her hand instantly vanished into particles of the light her form was composed of, and as she let out a startled gasp by the unexpected amputation, her other hand just so happened to release its firm hold on her captive that had done this to her in the first place. 

Jasper only briefly paid any attention to her now stub of a wrist as she instead noticed Dipper, now free and armed with one of the decorative swords, taking his place between her and Lapis once more. The orange Gem glared daggers down at him, but Dipper met her ire evenly with his blade in hand, ready to use it in an instant if need be. “You will never, ever fuse with Lapis again,” he told her, his tone icy and unyielding. “Not as long as I’m around to help her.”

Jasper let out a loud, infuriated shout at this, her helmet forming over her head as she easily reformed her missing hand. “Then I guess that means it’s time to get rid of you ONCE AND FOR ALL!” she yelled, raising her head to bring down a vicious attack. Yet it was one that never landed, even though Dipper was brazely ready to face. For instead, at that very moment, Lapis reacted to rush to his rescue instead, throwing her hand up swiftly into the air. Along with the movement, a massive, powerful fist of water also burst through the boat itself, breaking through the boards just under the orange Gem’s feet before striking her hard. The incredible force of the blow was more than enough to send Jasper flying, not just off of the boat, but away from the lake entirely as she was helplessly flung far away into the surrounding forest. Her threatening presence gone for now, but hardly forgotten. 

In the immediate, newfound peace that followed, Dipper let out the breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding in as he lowered his sword and turned to Lapis with a small, relieved smile. “Lapis, that was-”

She immediately cut him off as she swiftly pulled him into a tight, protective embrace, her form still trembling with remnant terror as she rushed to check over him. “Are you ok? Did she hurt you?” she asked him frantically, holding his face in her hands so she could inspect it for any sort of injuries. 

“N-no, I… I’m fine,” he assured her, placing a comforting hand against her arm. Lapis responded by loosening her grip on him, letting out a small, tired sigh though she hardly returned his allayed smile. 

“Dipper!” Almost out of nowhere, the pair was caught off guard as Mabel suddenly crashed into Dipper, wrapping him up in a tight, elated hug. “What you just did was totally awesome! I mean, cutting off Jasper’s hand? That was like the most metal thing I think you’ve ever done, bro-bro!”

“Heh, thanks,” Dipper chuckled somewhat bashfully. 

“And Lapis, you were amazing too!” Steven chimed in brightly, beaming at the blue Gem. “The way you stood up to Jasper was so brave! Not to mention how you sent her packing at the end there.”

“Yeah…” Lapis frowned, glancing away in shame. “Brave…”

“I-is everyone all right?!” Greg called as he and Stan turned the corner to arrive on the main deck. They were quickly met with a surprising sight, however, as they noticed the gaping hole in the center of the vessel, one that was quickly causing it to sink lower and lower into the water with each passing second. 

“Geez, I probably could have fixed the engine in like, an hour or two,” Stan remarked, hands on his hips. “You kids didn’t have to go and just trash the thing like this.”

“W-wha… what happened?” Greg asked, aptly distraught by the irreparable damage. 

“Uh… It’s… kind of a long story,” Steven said, leading the way to the highest edge of the boat. Lapis was quick to create another large hand of solid water, one that most everyone was easily able to fit on for the ride back to shore. The blue Gem stopped Dipper short of hopping on it however, as she instead silently offered him a different mode of transportation as she summoned her aquatic wings instead. He took the hint and climbed on her back, holding on as she took flight and guided the watery hand she’d made for the others across the lake, leaving the now abandoned, defunct vessel behind as it sunk into the water entirely. 

“I guess I bought a boat after all,” Greg sighed as he watched the boat disappear below the depths. 

“Yeah, one you can’t even use,” Stan remarked. “What a ripoff! Oh well, at least I managed to snag the treasure chest-shaped cooler on our way out.” He grinned, holding up said cooler for everyone to see. 

“Ooo, well that’s better than nothing, right, Dad?” Steven said with a small grin. 

“Yeah… I guess it is,” Greg agreed, fondly ruffling his son’s hair. 

It didn’t take long for Lapis to get everyone safely back to the dock they’d started from, though instead of landing upon it herself, she instead took flight once more with Dipper in tow. “Huh, I wonder where they’re going,” Mabel said as she watched them take to the skies. “Maybe we should follow them? Just to make sure they’re ok?”

“...I think they’ll be fine,” Steven assured, keeping his sights set on the pair as well. “Looks like they just need some time to themselves.”

At the same time, Dipper couldn’t help but glance back at the dock they were leaving behind from his spot on Lapis’ back. Instead, she seemed to be taking him up toward the falls above the lake, something that couldn’t help but confuse him given her relative silence since the boat had sunk. “Lapis, what’s going on? Where are we going?” he finally asked her a moment later. 

“...We need to talk,” was all the blue Gem said as she kept going, not even bothering to so much as even look back at him. The rest of the flight was steeped in silence on both sides, even as they arrived at the top of the waterfall cliff. Yet almost as soon as Lapis set Dipper down on solid ground, that silence swiftly, suddenly came to an end. 

The moment Lapis landed, she was quick to turn to face him, her manner and tone quite severe, even though the underlying hints of fear and worry were clear in both as she spoke adamantly. “What in the world were you thinking, Dipper?” she asked. “What you did back there… Standing up to Jasper like that… you could have gotten yourself killed!”

“W-what was I thinking?” Dipper countered in disbelief at such a question. “I was thinking about how I was willing to do whatever I had to to keep you from fusing with her again! You’d already told her no, but then, when she threatened me, it was like suddenly none of that even mattered anymore!”

“It didn’t matter!” Lapis shot back fiercely. “Why don’t you understand that all that matters to me is keeping you safe?! Why else do you think I even fused with her in the first place?!”

“Oh, so what Jasper said is true, then?” he countered angrily. “The only reason you became Malachite to begin with was because of me, right?!”

“Ye--no!” she quickly corrected herself. “No, of course that’s not true! I… I just…” she sighed, bitterly. “I fused with Jasper because I thought it was the only way I could keep her as far away from you as possible. That’s why I was ready to do the same thing again today. I… I don’t want you to get hurt; I never wanted that…”

“Well, it’s way too late for that,” he scoffed coldly, crossing his arms as he turned away from. “When you fused with her, when you trapped yourself at the bottom of the lake, it did hurt me…” He paused, shaking his head remorsefully as he tried his hardest to fight back tears. “It hurt me so, so much because I knew, right from the very beginning, that it was all my fault. You were gone, a-and I missed you, and you were just down there suffering non-stop and… and I couldn’t do anything to help you. A-and every time I tried… I… things always just got even worse…”

For what seemed like ages, Lapis was silent as she watched Dipper take a solemn seat on the edge of the cliff. Not knowing what else to do, she joined him, waiting an hesitant moment or two before posing a question she knew she shouldn’t even ask. “W-what actually happened?” she began slowly. “W-with that Bill guy, I mean. Steven and Mabel told me a little, a-about how he tricked you into making a deal to help me, but… I don’t know much else outside of that.”

Dipper let out a long, weary sigh, placing his face in his hands as he finally decided to come clean. “It was stupid…” he muttered crossly. “I was stupid. He promised he’d help me figure out a way to save you in exchange for a puppet. But what he didn’t tell me was that I was actually the puppet he had in mind. So he stole my body, took it for a joy ride, intentionally hurt it--practically killed it, and nearly did the same to Mabel and Steven too until they barely managed to kick him out of it so I could take it back. But even then, i-it’s taken me a really long time to recover, both inside and out. Sometimes I wonder if I ever really will at all” 

Lapis didn’t initially say a word in response to this tale of incredible woe as she let it sink in, along with the heavy wave of guilt that came along with it. “Y-you… went through all of that… because of me…” she said, her voice barely a whisper, though it was heavy with shame all the same. 

“N-no, Lapis, I… I shouldn’t have said that earlier,” Dipper quickly countered. “I-I didn’t mean it, I was just upset-”

“And you have every right to be!” Lapis interrupted sharply. “You were right, Dipper; you did so much to try and help me, a-and what did I do? I nearly went and fused with Jasper all over again like it was nothing!”

“But you were going to do it for me,” he retorted firmly. “And that’s not nothing.” Unsure of what else to say, he sighed once more, lying back to lay in the grass as his feet dangled over the edge of the cliff. It didn’t take Lapis to join him, and for a long, quiet, almost peaceful moment, the pair rested in silence, watching as the stormy clouds above began to clear out for sunny skies once more. “Isn’t that messed up?” Dipper finally said with a small, yet bittersweet laugh. “How we both put ourselves through something so terrible just so we could try to help each other?”

“Yeah…” Lapis muttered fretfully. “It is…”

“Maybe… maybe that’s not how this is supposed to be,” Dipper continued, his tone sincere. “There’s gotta be better ways to protect your friends out there than losing your body to a psychotic demon or trapping yourself in an unstable fusion deep below a lake.”

“Well, if there is, I’d love to hear it,” the blue Gem remarked as she rested her hands behind her head.

“...Sword fighting was what helped me,” Dipper said as he sat up once more. “It gave me a better way to keep the people I care about safe, a-and best of all, it finally helped me feel safe again when I wasn’t sure if I ever world. So… maybe we just need to find something like that for you too.”

“We could always start with fishing,” Lapis joked, eliciting a small, warm laugh from Dipper that she couldn’t help but join in on. Once the beat of much-needed levity passed, however, there were still hints of worry lingering in the air between them. 

“Lapis…” Dipper began earnestly. “Are you alright after… well, everything?”

“Yeah,” the blue Gem nodded as she properly sat up herself. “I think I’ll be ok. What about you? Steven and Mabel mentioned something about you having… ‘nightmares’?”

“Oh, those…” Dipper frowned, wishing that the pair hadn’t been so presumptive, even if they were correct. “They’re just… I-I… I don’t know where they’re coming from. I mean, Bill is a dream demon so I guess it makes sense that he keeps showing up in my dreams, but, it’s not like he can really do anything since Grunkle Ford and I put that barrier up to keep him from getting into the shack. Still, I-I don’t know, it’s just… weird. Nobody’s even heard anything from Bill in a really long time and now suddenly, right out of nowhere, he keeps popping up in my nightmares again when he hasn’t in weeks? I know I’m probably wrong‒I hope I’m wrong, but… I can’t help but feel like something really… bad is about to happen soon…”

“Well, if this ‘Bill Cipher’ does show up trying to hurt you again,” Lapis began with a hint of firm resolve in her tone. “Then you better believe I’ll make sure he never gets the chance to again. He won’t mess with you again, not as long as I’m around.”

Dipper couldn’t help but smile upon hearing this, knowing that this comforting promise essentially echoed his own to the blue Gem. And perhaps, if the need ever arose again, then they could both find better ways to keep those promises than they had before, in the hopes that they would never need to be so cruelly separated as they’d been before ever again. 

A beat of gentle, contented silence passed between the pair just as the late afternoon sun started to set beyond the distant cliffs. It cast a bright, almost golden glow upon the waters of the lake far below them, a lake that had once been a place of such strife for them both, but now, only seemed to radiate peace and tranquility instead. “You know,” Dipper said with a soft, easy smile as he enjoyed the view. “The lake really is beautiful from up here.”

“Yeah,” Lapis earnestly agreed as she gently, affectionately ruffled his hair. She had no doubts she’d always treasure moments like these, because even if they’d been so hard fought for by sacrifices and guilt and grief on both of their ends, they were moments they’d finally managed to somehow win at long, long last. “It is.”

Next:

[arabellaaaas]

Favourite Worst Nightmare

Part 4: Mad Sounds

|An Alexander Turner x Arabella Davis fanfiction series |

Description: When two broken hearted meet, they try and hide their past. A story about two young adults whose pasts won't let them find happiness again in each other's arms right away.

A/N: As always, Credits to the owner of this gif!! Let me know if you all want to be tagged in here ❤

Taggs: @imagine-that-100

What do you mean you are going to meet up with him today?!" a loud voice could be heard through the phone. It was, of course, Bree who was shocked at what her friend was telling her. What bothered her more was the fact that Arabella did not even try to let her know DAYS AGO about this. She was one hundred percent approving him by any sort, she noticed from the start that he was Arabella's type and she was clearly into him. "And you did not even bother to tell me?" she whined like a little child while running around her flat. "I am so so sorry, Bree! I-" she stopped mid-sentence to catch her breath before unlocking the grey door in her place. "I literally forgot to tell you when I came over. I am really sorry, please forgive me!" she apologetically said, throwing her bag somewhere around her couch. She ran from work because she was going to be late for her meet-up with Alexander. She could have taken her car that morning, but she forgot she had plans and did not think, not even for a second, that her work program won't align with her plans and she was risking running late.

"We spent almost two days together, Arabella!" she snapped back right off to her friend that was heavily breathing, almost chocking on the last quantity of air she could breathe. "We were high for almost two fucking days, Bree!" she reacted with her last drop of energy leaving her body.

Bree mumbled something for herself, probably some curse words for Arabella she couldn't say over the phone because it was unfair to curse her when she was actually right. Arabella put her phone on speaker after she texted Alex her address so he can come to pick her up at the time they set. Then, the chaos has begun. "Can you please yell at me later and help me think about what I should wear?" she begged for her friend's help since she was completely lost. She was looking at her wardrobe and it was like the clothes looked back at her, not knowing what to do. Bree began to explain the weather to her to help her out a bit. It was not cold considering that it was the middle of the warmest season, but at night there's still a little cold because of the breeze.

"Did he tell you where he will take you?" she asked, the answer coming right away not helping at all. "He told me he wants to surprise me" Bree could hold back her giggle. Arabella was on the edge of a crisis, but Bree's dirty mind could not chill for a second. "BREE, WE ARE NOT GOING TO HIS PLACE TO HAVE SEX, COME TO YOUR MIND".

"Okay, okay... Damn, you said you were not going to catch feelings for ~a boy you met at a random bar~, ain't it? What about your black jeans? They really make your legs look good." she was really testing Arabella's nerves, especially pointing out her body AND saying a lot of pointless things. She wasn't catching feeling, neither was she looking forward to doing it. She was just stressing out so much because it was the first time in months she was going to hang out with someone new, who was not one of Bree's lover boys. Plus, they were going to be alone God knows where. Also, she did not want to look like a complete tosser in front of a lush man. "I am not catching feelings for anyone. And what should I wear with those jeans?" That's how their conversations go all the time. They are most likely to talk about multiple things at the same time, chiefly if one of them is in a hurry. They chatted for a little bit more and Arabella finally chose something to wear, matching a sheer top with the jeans Bree was talking about.

She was going to bring one of her black jean jackets because that sheer top wasn't going to keep her warm at all. She brushed her hair and went ran her hands through it to give it a bit of shape, painted her lips with a bit of burgundy lipstick. Her makeup was already done since she did it in the morning. Even if it was a bit smudgy, she couldn't care less. When her phone indicated that she received a new text message, she told her friend in haste that she had to go and hung up the call. She took her perfume out of the bag she threw earlier and on her way to the door, she sprayed some onto her neck. She put it back in the bag, grabbed her jacket and ran out the door, after locking the door.

Alexander was waiting for her in front of the building she described through the phone. He had his glasses on, as usual, looking around him at people passing by his car trying to figure if he knows anyone. In about five minutes, he glanced at his right and saw her walk over to his car through his window. A small grin found it's way to his lips, altering into a real smile when she opened the door. "Hello, darlin'!" his greeting makes her smile bit. She looked like she ran for a marathon but still managed to look fit.

"Someone's feeling good tonight, I see" without even saying Hi, she started teasing him for smiling. She found it really cute for Mr. Mysterious to smile right away when he was always trying to keep on a straight face to impress. "It's a special occasion, take advantage of it" he softly laughs, driving toward the location he was talking about. "You look brilliant tonight" he adds, looking away from her.

She giggles, making herself comfortable in her seat right next to him. She could sense the strong scent of musk from his probably expensive cologne. It was something about men wearing cologne, or just taking care of themselves in general. It was truly odd to be attracted to the way someone is smelling, but for some reason, men really know what cologne to wear in order to attract women. "Your smile looks beautiful tonight". He gave her a short look, then rolling back his eyes. They were both really comfortable around each other as if it wasn't their first time going out all by themselves.

After about ten minutes of small talks and humming together along with the music that was playing on the radio that night, Arabella decided to ask where they were heading to, but unfortunately, he refused to answer. She noticed that they were on the road that leads to the outskirts of the town. She hasn't been on that side of the town for a long time. She didn't even know what could be so special about the place they were going to that made Turner shut his mouth about it.

"Oh. come on! Why won't you just tell me? If it is somewhere eccentric, you could at least tell me so I know what to expect" she whined, looking out her window at the sun as it was slowly disappearing into the green hills that could be seen in the distance. "Have you never experienced a surprise in your life, Arabella?" His tone hinted at the joke he tried to make, and she understood it. She never actually encountered a real surprise, but she was happy to do it now. She decided not to say anything about it and just start singing, smiling at him. It was still warm outside, maybe around 73 degrees.

As they were going uphill to a look-out place Alex knew about, they could see their city slowly lighting up. It was a big, busy city that actually never slept as the myths say. Seeing how the day-life was switching for he night-life felt like they were teenagers again and they would just now go out with their mates. Faster than she thought, Alex stopped the car in the middle of nowhere.

She turned over to face him and he had a smirk on his smile, gesturing with his head that they had to get out of the car. She did as he suggested and studied everything she was seeing with the two green eyes she had. Alex grabbed her by the arm and pulled her with him to the spot he already knew it was best. He had a few things in his other hand, he came prepared. He let go of her arm and as she was admiring the view, he sat down on the grass, handing out a can of soda to the woman next to him.

She was so impressed by the view that she did not even notice Alex's hand. He snapped his fingers, bringing her back to the world they lived in. "I suppose you relish it here?" he was anxious she would just put it up front. "I love it here!" she cheerfully exclaimed as she sat down right next to him, grabbing her soda. "What made you bring me up here?" the question made him think for a little. He did not really think in particular of a reason to bring her up here, he just felt like that was the best place for them to hang out.

To offer her an answer, he also asked "Don't you ever want to escape and run away? I guess this was in my mind. It is peaceful up here. I often come here to cool my mind when everything seems too stressful. So I wanted to bring you with me." She was really pleased with what he was saying, also flattered.

He was indeed hiding a lot, and for her to be able to discover a teeny-tiny was really something she was looking forward and she clearly did not expect it to happen so soon. She appreciated the vulnerable side of the people surrounding her. Well, that once surrounded her. As she distanced herself from them, she didn't really saw that side of them anymore. The only one she keeps seeing is obviously Bree, and she would not trade her for the world.

"To be honest with you, I always think about running away. But I cannot leave my life behind. I worked too hard on this crap to just let it get lost" Bringing a cigarette out of one of her pockets, she brought her knees closer to her chest, admiring the wonderful view in front of her. He was starring at her eyes and he compared them to a galaxy. The lights from the city could be seen in her eyes, making them sparkle. She handed her pack over to him, leaving him with a confused look on his pretty face.

"Didn't you say you wanted to try these?". When they spoke over the phone in the middle of a night, he mentioned those organic cigarettes that she keeps smoking. He laughed and grabbed one with his lips as his hands were busy opening the can. They both lighted them, sitting in silence for a moment before Alex could go on with the conversation.

"Why would you be so scared to leave this damn place? It's filthy in here" as if he actually meant it, he looked directly in her eyes, analyzing her eyeful face. "You know, I would have said this too a year ago, and I thought I might want to say it now again. But I have the minimum I need to survive. Even more than that. I am free to do what I want, to hang out with who I want and I have the best human by my side. I think the only thing I want to escape now is my feelings."

"Do you think it is good for your mental health to just run away from your feelings?" he asks right away, and Arabella answers just as fast saying "But do you think it is healthy for you to run away from everything? It's pure death" Alex just nodded, trying not to think about it so much.

In order not to make the rest of the night a bit awkward, he started asking a lot of questions so he can get to know her better. He asked her about her work and about her past workplaces, then they started to talk about the future. Probably these were the best questions to ask someone in pursuance of getting to know him\her better. People tend to answer these questions sincerely, nut trying to lie about things they would want to do or pursue. When Arabella noticed how she was the only one answering questions, she returned Alex's inquiry. "How do you want to spend the rest of your life, Alexander?" The way she spelled his name sounded like music to his years.

"I just want to settle down, work from home, but not at some big company. Or maybe the big company could be one of the options, but only if I don't have to spend the whole day working. I want to live without fear or regret. To have my own house, that I designed myself, and I want to share it with someone special. Until then, I want to live as if I am 18 again. I just want to drink when I want, run for no reason, laugh all the time, tell stories, create my own, work on music, smoke, go out, traveling... All of that stuff, you know what I am talking about. " He sighed, lighting another cigarette, this time one of his own. He moved his eyes back to the view that sat still in front of him, waiting for a reaction of some sort. Maybe he seemed crazy, opening up to someone this fast, but he felt like she was not going to tell anyone anything.

"Mind if I join your life adventures?"

[edgythought]

Strangers in the Bar III

Part I  |  Part II

Alex Turner x OC (I guess??)

Description: Two lonely people observe each other in a bar. It leads to something nice.  Word count: 3,297

Warning: swearing, alcohol consumption, smoking, non-explicit mentions of sex, physical harassment.

A/N: I hope you enjoy the last bit for this. Please, let me know what you think about it. Thank you for reading, it means the world to me!

The sky was deep blue as I walked out of the bar and looked around for a spot to inhale some nicotine. I was kinda worried and a little embarrassed of rushing away from the Dancing Dude. Sweetie, you have to accept you are stupid, I told myself while I lit my cigarette and took a long drag, exhaling thick smoke into the breezy air. It was difficult to process what happened inside a couple of minutes ago, but I tried my best taking drag after drag. It's weird though, his disappearance. I did not expect that. But I shall be silent, because it's also me who ran away from a cocktail and a proper introduction.

Few stars were already present, shining discreetly on the velvet background of the spring LA sky. I enjoyed the view immensely, I was always fascinated by space and everything about it. Being so complicated and far, I always found space interesting enough to spend much of my free time researching information and staring at the sky. Nothing particularly changed since middle school.

Suddenly my stream of consciousness was interrupted by a familiar voice and my heart skipped a beat. The Dancing Dude was walking towards me across the road, sly smile oh his lips. "Waiting for me, eh?" - he asked, when he reached me. "I was just staring at the sky and smoking, don't take too much on yourself" - I said, taking out another cigarette out of the pack and searching for a lighter in a small bag of mine. He couldn't manage to watch me struggling to find a lighter and offered his, that I had to accept, because the bag was both ridiculously small and really big to fit a handful of stuff inside. I smiled to myself a little and looked at him. He was busy lighting his own cig and running his fingers through his half-wet, half-gelled hair. He looked so mysterious to me, everything I wanted in that moment was to get into his head. And he smelled great. -We seemed to have quite a nice time there, why did you rush away? - he was looking me straight in the eyes, his hand on his waist, a cloud of smoke twisting behind his left ear. -Oh… Sorry about that, I felt a little dizzy. Didn't want to ruin your bomb look with my puke. - I did not expect him bringing it up and I had to come up with a simple lie to cover up my growing anxiety. He took another drag from his cigarette, exhaling smoke to his left so it won't get into my face. -How are you feeling now? Is everything okay? - he touched my shoulder to get my full attention. - Yeah, don't worry, I am totally fine - I shrugged and took my last drag. He seemed a little bit spaced out, standing in front of me smoking. I found him smoking pretty sexy combined with his hair and overall rockstar vibe. He finished his cigarette and turned to me - Wanna get outta 'ere? - Sure. Any ideas? -Not really, but I think it'd be nice to get some fresh air, eh?

The night was still young when we paid the bill and got out of the bar. He grabbed my hand and routed to the sound of waves crashing at the beach. His palm was warm and dry, while mine was cold and it was an immense pleasure for me to warm myself up a little. I was watching him slightly while we were walking in silence. His most distinctive feature was his nose: big and straight, the tip teeny tiny bit crooked down. His big warm eyes didn't suit his demeanor at all, but I suppose, he's a lot more than he wants people to see.

Suddenly I realized I didn't even know his name. We never got to introduce ourselves. Dumbasses, nothing more to say. I sighed a little and grabbed his hand a little tighter to catch his attention. -Hey, what's your name? - I asked him, pulling his hand a little more to make him turn to me. He stopped and for a second I thought he was surprised? Am I supposed to know who he was? Oh my god… -You can call me Alexander, Al for short. Alexander is my official name and you know, my mom used to call me like that while whooping my ass. - he smiled softly, - And what is your name, love? Instead of just telling him my name I decided to show off a little bit. I let go of his hand and fished one of my business cards out of my purse. Before giving it to him I made sure it wasn't anything else, since my purse (of any size) is always a dump. -I'm impressed! - he chuckled as he examined the card carefully. - Well, that will do for now, miss, but I am interested to know more. - he pushed me to the side playfully with his hip and I smiled at him. -Anything for you, Mr Alexander. -Anything? How about some stargazing on the beach then? A little bit of oversharing probably? - he let out a small chuckle.

He surprised me once again and I realized we were right across the road from the beach. I didn't pay attention to the route we took because I spaced out watching Al. Wow, girl, you need to concentrate. Alcohol is not helping though, it always makes me dizzy and starry-eyed when it comes down to a charismatic stranger. The breeze was pleasantly cool, so I let my hair down out of the light knot I rocked in a crowded pub. It was a blessing and Alex graciously admired me tossing hair to give it a little bit of shape. -Stop teasing me, baby, you look gorgeous. - he told me, placing his hand on the middle part of my back. I shivered to his touch, still not used to it. -That was not my intention, but glad you like it. - I smiled slightly, reaching to touch his own hair. It was not as slick as it was when we met, but those little strands framed his face so beautifully I couldn't take my eyes off him. He winked at me and turned to watch the waves hit the shore. The sound was ASMRish and I felt a lot less tense. I almost lost myself to the breeze and calm noise the water made, Al's hand still on my back. I closed my eyes. It felt so right, there's no other place I'd rather be today. -Whatcha thinking about, babe? - Al asked, as we were sitting on the pavement and watching the sky and the ocean collide in the dark. -Nothing in particular, really. The vibe is quite melancholic, I should say. Maybe the whole LA thing has something to do with it. -Elaborate. -Well, I feel a lot more lonely here than anywhere else. Like I am heartbroken for whatever reason and, like in a movie, I am watching myself almost from the side, as if I am not quite myself anymore. Does it make any sense? -It does, yeah. LA is a cruel place, you see, love. It's not easy here, probably, anywhere is easier than here. This feeling of loneliness and distortion never left me since I moved here a couple of years ago. -Oh, from where? -Small town on the other side of the planet. Doesn't matter, really, I am living here now. -It hasn't grown on you yet, as I can see. -Not really, yeah, but you get used to it eventually. I wrote some great songs here, though… -You're a songwriter? -Yeah, a musician, a singer, something like that. Does it matter? -Yeah! I don't know, I wouldn't be happy to go stargazing with a drug dealer - I chuckled and hit him lightly on the shoulder. -There are a lot of drug dealers here, love, you can't even imagine… - he smiled at me and placed his hand on mine. His presence in such proximity was both overwhelming and disturbing. I didn't know what to think and tried to relax again, but failed miserably, listening to my own heartbeat go crazy and feeling my intestines twirl unpleasantly.

It took us a while to stop stargazing, but as the time flew fast we agreed on having something to eat. Dancing was rad and we were tired, so a bit of fuel wouldn't hurt. We got up and Al took my hand in his as we walked down the cobbled path to the road to call a taxi. - I know a nice place not far from my house. They serve delicious tacos there. You like tacos? - he asked me. -Oh, I've never tried them, although I really enjoy a nice home made guacamole. - I laughed a bit. - Pardon me, how long have you been here for? - Two weeks, I guess? - And you never managed to get yourself some tacos? Oh my, you're a disaster! - he threw his other hand in the air in a dramatic gesture. I laughed, he was pretty cute doing all the theatrical stuff both on the dance floor and now. Still, although his gestures felt natural and genuine, I couldn't stop worrying for no apparent reason.

Al's Uber appeared soon enough to interrupt his subtle efforts to kiss me and I was glad he did not succeed. I couldn't pinpoint what exactly was wrong, but it was. I enjoyed Alexander's company though. He was not the nicest man out there, but he was hilarious in his own way and I happened to appreciate that. Our taxi ride was mostly silent, as I was staring out of the window all the time, not paying much attention to a man sitting beside me or his hand sliding up and down my thigh quite erotically. This whole LA aesthetics with neon signs, blue and orange street lights and wide streets somehow crippled to the back of my mind. I wasn't sure if I ever could forget this city, a real living organism, merciless and unforgiving. I felt small and weak in that car, in Los Angeles. I was out of the place, spacing out each time I had an opportunity to. Quite an unpleasant situation, to be honest. Alexander did not make it any better. He was all right, but I was on the verge of a panic attack near him, which was totally surprising, since dancing with him was an amazing experience. Perhaps, it is not always a good idea to get to know a person you've danced in a bar with. He can turn out to be something completely different from what you've expected. I was fascinated by everything in that particular moment during the drive, alcohol in my blood made me feel like yet again I was in a movie about my life instead of reality and I gave up to this feeling. I turned to watch Al. He looked alien to those surroundings, like he was inserted by someone in Photoshop. Still, he was very handsome and I took my time to admire him in the neon light passing by quite often. He side-eyed me and smiled softly when he realized he was being watched. -Is there summat on me face, love? - he asked me, smiling and stroking my hair. -No, I was just admiring your beauty, mystery man. I will continue, if you don't mind. -Whatever pleases you, baby girl - he responded and turned to the window on my right, so I could see his face a little better. I smiled at myself, my heart was racing uncontrollably and it was way too hot in the car. Again, his proximity was too much to handle, being both exciting and worrying.

Finally, we arrived to the destination point, the taqueria Al liked so much. It was a nice neighbourhood, as I managed to notice during the ride, and several men were standing outside the 24/7 coffee shop next to the taqueria, laughing loudly. It took me a while to get out of the car, because my door was blocked and I had to wait until Al comes out to follow him. He graciously helped me out and I couldn't help but admit he was a gentleman. We decided to have a smoke before food, Al started talking about his musical aspirations. I didn't listen to him attentively, because I was watching him talk. He had a very expressive face and I loved that about him, really. Still, I didn't trust him at all, he was way too much to be sincere. We finished our cigarettes and headed to the cafe, as one of the guys coming out there in front of us, stopped in his tracks and went "Wooo, girl, you are one sexy lady! Dump this skinny ass of a dude and come with me". I looked him dead in the eye and told him to go fuck himself. He proceeded to give me a mean smile, while he was moving towards me out of the cafe. Alexander stood behind me, his hand in my waist, but he had to let go as I started going inside. Then, the dude slapped me on the ass, real hard. At the sound of a slap Al turned and grabbed him by the collar. I didn't see his face, but his back was tense enough to understand what's going on. -Oh, fuck off, you piece of shit! - I cried in anger, turning to slap the bitch, but he was too far from me to reach. - Al, let him go. - He still looked enraged when the dude was strolling down the street, turning at us several times and giving us the finger. Al did the same and we finally got inside. -Wanker. -What? - I laughed. - Don't be angry, man, let's eat our troubles away. -Fine, but what the fuck just happened… - he brushed his hair with his fingers. - What shall we eat? - he asked, looking at me with a mixed expression. -Whatever, you choose. You see, I haven't tried tacos, I have no opinion on the topic… - I smirked at him and went to a small table by the wall to sit down. Al went to the counter and asked the guy for beef tacos, salsa, guacamole with chips and some french fries. He looked at me questioningly and I just nodded in approval. In 10 minutes our food was ready and I was excited to eat because I suddenly felt exhausted. -Try it. -As your Highness commands. - I said and bit the taco Al offered me. - Mm, delicious! -Told you, they are amazing. You shouldn't be such a prude, by the way. I bet, these tacos are the best thing that happened to you today - he smirked and put the whole taco in his mouth. -Ew, gross. Haven't your mother taught you some manners, Alexander? - I teased him as he was chewing. -Fuck right off, okay? -Suck a bag of giant black cocks - I responded with a shit-eating grin. -Sounds like a tongue-twister  - Al looked at me and smiled. -I was always good with them at school, you know. I speak 3 languages. My tongue does miracles. -Oh really? Care to demonstrate? I smiled mysteriously at Al. I had no intention to show my skills right off, if you know what I mean. Not that I was comfortable with him to go past second base today, but teasing is not illegal. Plus, I enjoyed flirting with him. We finished our food and realized we didn't order any beverages to sustain the water balance, so Al went to the counter once again and bought us two cans of soda. It was refreshing enough to pull me out of the chair. -So, what shall we do next? -My place, maybe? I can play you some of my songs. -Sounds nice, but I don't think it's appropriate. - I told him as we were leaving the taqueria and walking down the street. -I insist. - I looked at him and our eyes met. He looked intimidating, in a semi-sexy way. I was confused, my mind paced from one stupid decision to another. - There's no limit to the length of the dickheads we can be. - he stated as he walked past me. -Is it far? -No, come 'ere. - He took my hand in his and looked at me. His other hand was at the back of my neck as he reached out to me and kissed without warning. He tasted like soda and cigarettes and smelled so good I lost myself a bit. Wowza woo. Oh, how the tables have turned. Al grabbed my hair and pulled a bit to break the kiss. I blinked a couple of times to gather myself. -Shall we go a bit faster?

It really wasn't far from the taqueria, so in around 10 minutes Al was already opening the front door of his house for me. The walk happened to be not interesting, since we were waggling our tongues in each other's mouths most of the time. I liked it, but it still didn't feel safe at all. That probably was the main trigger for my absolute failure in keeping my arousal to myself. You go, girl! Keep it up! Anyway, I was inside his house already, I suppose I have to finish what I'd started, right? -You okay, darling? - he asked, touching my shoulder softly. -Yeah, sure… You promised to play me some of your songs earlier, where shall we do that? - I ruffled my hair nervously as I replied and looked at him. He noticed I wasn't quite fine, but didn't say a word about it. Weird? -Oh, change of plans.- he took both my hands in his and pulled me closer. - I think we should have some fun first. - he added and went full on me, kissing hard and grabbing my ass painfully. I squeaked a little, but he didn't pay attention to it at all. He kept pulling me closer and closer, as he kept pushing us towards something behind my back, which I couldn't see. I wasn't afraid, I was curious how everything will turn out. I was nervous. He was all over me, I couldn't escape his embrace, even if I was physically able to. He held me tight, biting my neck, tracing wet lines between my ears, lips and collarbones. And then I lost it.

He was too much and not enough. Mysterious, unexpected… Dangerous. His teasing was a heavenly torture. I forgot myself. He was cruel, angry, violent even. My senses were overloaded by him doing what he had in that twisted mind of his. Nasty shit, kinky, gross and overly expressive, explosive. He moved like a predator, he watched me die in his arms time after time, he never let me breathe deep enough to form a coherent thought. I grasped for air, panted, cried and screamed with him. Dirty. Ugly. Cosmic. Pure. I slowly opened my eyes. The sun was way too bright for my liking, shining through a huge wall window. The sky was pinkish orange, with a slight silhouette of the moon still visible, marking it was early morning outside. It was inexplicably hard to gather the thoughts. Was it even necessary at this point? I guess not. I blinked several times to brush away the sleepiness. Suddenly, a soft voice somewhere behind me asked: -Is it everything you've come to expect, baby girl?

[badacts]

eyes on me (pt.4)

This fic is about Gotham’s revenant problem.

(part one) (part two) (part three)

Gotham is a stinking, ratshit city sulking in a sickly combination of sea fog and smoke. Goddamn, Jason missed it.

Things he didn’t miss so much: being in the same locale as his own headstone. 

He’s aiming for the grave of Marc Rand, recently undeceased, but his feet move of their own accord to a spot on the northern side of the cemetery. He’s been here once before - it was raining, and he’d been sick when his boots stirred the smell of wet soil underfoot, spent the night shaking and sleepless in the dingy studio apartment he’d been squatting in.

Now, his helmet filters that out. He takes in the smooth white marble of the twin headstones, one for Catherine and one for him. A memento to his old life, still bedecked with a bouquet of white carnations. 

He’s not sure what possesses him to look closer at the flowers. They’re fresh white, unstained by smog and age so far, with a card on the tie binding the stems. He’s expecting the name of one of Bruce’s society pals, looking to make nice by dropping flowers on some dead Crime Alley kid’s grave, or maybe some stalker Wayne fan. 

Instead, the card says: I am the soft stars that shine at night.

“I am not there,” Jason murmurs, words falling like stones into the silence, “I do not sleep.” 

He always loved that poem. It’s either a particularly on-the-nose joke on Bruce’s part, or something else entirely. And he knows it’s Bruce - even in the florist’s typography, the ‘- B’ is instantly recognisable to a child who grew up in Wayne Manor.

So that’s why he follows Tim back to the Cave from the hospital. That, and the fact that his replacement may or may not fall off his bike on the way without supervision.

Of course, Timmy doesn’t seem particularly pleased to have his help. If looks could kill, Jason would be dead for the second time right about now.

“Just sit there and don’t touch anything,” he tells Jason, pressing an ice pack to the back of his head with his left hand while typing at the computer with his right. He sounds grumpy. Not angry, as such, but still low-key pissed that Jason dared give him a teeny, tiny concussion.

Really, he should have caught himself. Jason is good, but so is Red Robin, and Red Robin can’t afford to be taken out by an (admittedly ably assisted) tumble on a rooftop.

Jason is going to keep putting down the fact that Tim did get him in a chokehold to his brief moment of mistaken sympathy. He’s going to have a bruise in the shape of Robin’s shinguard on his throat to remind him of that, too.

“Here,” Tim says, files folding out across the largest screen. “This is everything I have on Rand. I’d read it to you, but I’m still seeing double.” Because he’s dramatic as hell.

“I didn’t grow up on the same street as you, but I can still fucking read,” Jason snaps, waiting for Tim to vacate his personal space before he steps closer to the computer. There’s a discarded batarang there, gleaming black against the table, and Jason can’t resist picking it up to feel the familiar weight. Tim isn’t watching, and what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Probably.

Of course, before Jason can start the aforementioned reading, the Batmobile pulls into its spot, its familiar snarl cutting to silence. 

It’s not like Jason didn’t know there was a decent chance of running into Bruce when he came here. It’s just that he’s never as prepared for it when it actually happens as he thinks he will be beforehand.

Batman is hard to read in the cowl, but Jason can tell he isn’t surprised to find the two of them here. His attention jumps to Tim, still holding the ice pack, and he demands, “What happened?”

“Hit my head,” Tim replies, surly, with another of those killer looks at Jason. “It’s fine. We’re going over the Rand case.”

“Let me look,” Bruce replies, pulling back the cowl and letting it hang down his back. Tim, sighing, allows it with bad grace. “Were you knocked out?”

“No. It’s a mild concussion.” 

“They just don’t make Robins like they used to,” Jason says lightly, because he doesn’t want to watch this - the Bat clucking over his newest chick.

“I’m not the one that died,” Tim points out. He’s a shithead, and any regret Jason might have felt over giving him a head injury evaporates.

“Not yet,” he says, and even he isn’t sure whether it’s a threat or not.

Bruce pulls away from Tim, pressing the ice pack in Tim’s hand back into place. “We’ll get Leslie to check you.”

“I’m fine!” Tim exclaims, waving his free hand in exasperation. 

“We don’t take risks with head injuries,” Bruce says, like it’s a lesson learned by rote, right before he turns his gaze onto Jason. “Did you do this?”

Jason shrugs. “I maintain he did it to himself. Turns out he’s clumsy as hell.”

“Fuck you,” Tim mutters at him. Jason would have gotten a double swear jar penalty for that one, but Tim doesn’t even get a look.

“You injured him. Again.”

Tim rolls his eyes. “It was an accident, Bruce. I’m fine.”

“This,” Bruce points at Tim, like he’s pointing at a little cuddly bunny rabbit, and not a buck-sixty of highly-trained muscle and creepy, canny brain, “Cannot happen again.”

Jason leans back against the desk, casual. “Well, that’s it, Timmers. You had a good run, but Dad says no head injuries ever again. Time you retired.”

Bruce is scowling. “That’s not-”

“Or I can lend you a helmet,” Jason cuts him off, smiling. “The colour’s right and everything.”

“This isn’t a joking matter,” Bruce snaps. “You nearly killed him.”

It’s an atomic bomb of a comment. Just like he meant it to be. Tim looks surprised, but he shouldn’t. Or maybe Bats doesn’t talk to him that way, saves it all up special for Jason.

“Yeah,” Jason says, stripped bare of anything but the truth - no attitude, no humour, nothing, “I did. I hurt him. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to kill you.”

There’s plenty he doesn’t regret. Plenty of blood on his hands he’d happily get all over again. But there are also things he would take back, starting with the sick bite of a chainsaw between the vertebrae of drug pushers and ending with his bullet in Tim Drake’s shoulder. 

Doing what he does is a necessity. He believes that to the core. The taste for violence, the pleasure in it, the crack and wavering of his control - that’s dangerous for him. It’s an addiction that he needs to kick. 

He’s not sure if his words are offering that up as supplication, or just rubbing what he’s done in Bruce’s face. Bruce doesn’t give anything away. He never really does; not for free.

“And every time you did, you took yourself further and further from what that represents,” he says, and points at the thing Jason has been trying to ignore this whole time.

His old uniform, enshrined and adorned with the worst inscription Jason has ever fucking seen. It’s certainly no do not stand at my grave and weep.

Because Jason isn’t dead, but the kid he was? The kid that Bruce claimed as his own, the one he claimed to love? That kid is. And this is the grave.

A good soldier. A good fucking soldier.

“Bruce,” Tim says, and he sounds tentative. He’s watching Jason’s hand, while Bruce is looking him dead in the eye.

“Every time you do, you prove me wrong for ever letting you wear it,” Bruce continues.

“Fuck you,” Jason rasps, and throws.

It’s a direct hit. The glass cracks and falls in a cacophony, echoing in a roll across the cave to the point it compounds on itself. The batarang lodges directly into the armour over where Jason’s fifteen-year-old heart would have been.

“Fuck you,” Jason’s mouth says. “I was never your soldier.” His brain, that part of him that has been getting quieter and quieter since he left this place, the useless part that screams you replaced me over and over, is deafening. All he can hear is that, and the insistent thrum of his own heart.

There are hands in the front of his jacket. He and Bruce are eye-to-eye, and it gives Jason a great view of his rage. In that moment, Jason has never been surer that he’s about to be hit, and that’s saying something, considering his entire life.

He’s holding the front of Batman’s uniform so tight that his nails are breaking on the kevlar weave. 

“Stop.” That’s Tim, probably not for the first time either. But this time he prises himself into the space between them, unignorable. 

Bruce leans back immediately, letting Jason go. Unfortunately, Jason can’t quite convince his hands to release, or his brain to stop screaming.

Tim is holding his wrists, face very series. He whispers, “Breathe.” Jason wants to break him in half, but he doesn’t, and he doesn’t, and he doesn’t.

His fingers relax.

“Gentlemen. What on earth is the meaning of this?”

It’s Alfred. He looks furious.

All three of them freeze. Then Tim lets go of Jason like he’s on fire. It would be funny, if it weren’t for Alfred’s gimlet gaze bearing down on them. Or if the entire preceding five minutes hadn’t happened.

“Master Tim,” Alfred says after a long moment where none of them move, “I believe you have some homework to finish.”

Tim opens his mouth like he’s going to protest, and then sees the escape route for what it is and takes it like the scuttling schoolboy he is. 

Once he’s gone, Alfred turns. “Master Bruce.”

There’s a very long silence. Then Bruce says, “Hrn,” and turns away in the direction of the showers.

That just leaves Jason, still taut with adrenaline to the point his hands shake, standing below, and Alfred like an avenging angel above him, and a pile of glittering glass shards in the corner.

“Master Jason,” Alfred says, and then smiles. “Welcome home.”