#connections to get the job first. it's a good paying job and it's not manual labor. it's kinda tedious but honestly??

[vox-off]

job interview!!!! next week!!!!!

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

[saltygilmores]

Thoughts While Watching Gilmore Girls, Season 2, Episode 15, Part 1 (Lost and Found, Aka The One Where Rory Loses Dean's Shitty Bracelet)

It has been over two months since my last TWWGG post. What has been keeping me from moving on, you may ask? What is the immovable roadblock that keeps slowing my progress? What has kept me from my adoring public (about 5 readers) for two months? It starts with Lor and ends with Elai. We open with a scene of said Annoying Roadblock nursing her bandaged hand, an injury sustained while trying to clean her gutters. Rory suggests they should hire someone, but Lorelai scoffs at the expense. About 10 seconds earlier we learned she was itching to eat some pancakes, presumably at Luke's, a money-costing ritual she likely repeats at least twice a day or more every single day. But no money to hire someone to muck the gutters or squash her termites. Well, I guess I'll let her off on this one because she never pays Luke for her food anyway. Let it be known that my mind is a steel trap and there are certain things I never forget...and one thing I never forgot is Lorelai's reaction to the horrifying suggestion that Jess might come to her home and alleviate the burden of performing some manual labor that she clearly is unfit to do herself.

Portrait of TWWGG thinking. We first learned about Lorelai's gutter problems in A Tisket A Tasket where she was fixing on some some teenage boys to win her picnic basket so theyd take care of her gutters instead ("Cleaning her gutters" is not a sexual euphimism in this case, however it would be if it were Dean). Suffice it to say, that did not happen, so she bypassed several other options (Luke? Dean? Kirk?) and went direct to the do it yourself route.

Now what does Lorelai say a short time later in this episode when Luke offers up a teenage boy named Jess to slop the muck from her gutters?

This kid goes to school (...sometimes), works four jobs (Walmart, Diner, Gigolo, and Full Time Cutie Patooty) and he's not even good enough to slop her damn gutters. We will resume our regularly scheduled broadcast of Grown Woman Holds A Lifelong Grudge Against A 17 Year Old Boy Who Was Rude To Her Once in just a moment.

If only we were so lucky.

I looked up "is gangrene contagious" to see if there was any possiblity she could pass it on to Dean too.

Lorelai complains that Luke is missing and she'll have to endure Caesar's cooking today. Ouch. How about you be quiet and go home and make your own damn pancakes, woman. It's not rocket surgery.

Tryna get a break from you.

Bless Amy Sherman Palladino and all her creative ways of getting masturbation metaphors past the WB censors. “Looking for my supply ledger” sure Luke, sure. 👊 💧

Yes Luke, why DO you have a sock on your shoulder? WInk wink nudge nudge. This wasn't the only masturbation joke involving a sock on this show either. Lorelai What are you doing here? Luke: Just trying to crank one out into my sock here. Can I get a little privacy? Lorelai: Rory and I are starving. I need you to cook us breakfast. God, woman. How about a "pretty please"?

Let's play a game of "What Belongs to Luke and What Belongs To Jess?" Who owns the red heart boxer shorts? Random sombrero? Random alien mask? The game of Connect Four? The Connect Four must be Luke's because Jess has no friends to play board games with. According to Luke this is all of Jess' stuff Liz shipped over, but I somehow doubt Liz ever bought Jess this much stuff or actually cared enough about him to send it . I better send my son his beloved sombrero, said Liz never.

"I'll help you shower if you cook me pancakes" KITTEN SHIRT WOMAN HAS NO CHILL DAMN

Masturbation With Sock Quips on Gilmore GIrls: At Least Two Luke Says Jess Was in The Bathroom For Two Hours And Jess Claims He Was Just Doing His Hair Quips on Gilmore Girls: At Least Two Barely Disguised Masturbation Quips Of Any Variety In The Last 60 Seconds, Total: Two, three if you lump In Lorelai wanting to soap up Luke's hot naked body in exchange for pancakes You can get rid of his alien mask and Connect Four, all this poor boy wants is his own room with four walls and a door.

He knows, this is why the both of you are so cranky and sexually frustrated. Jess "huh"'s cutely and replies that he learns something new every day before walking out. To which Annoying Kitten Shirt Woman replies:

Shut up. I'm begging you. Please. I'll buy you a lifetime supply of Luke's pancakes if you shut up for two seconds. I will stuff your mouth so full of pancakes that all you can do is smile and nod and everyone will be happy. Luke tells Lorelai to go downstairs and wait for him to make the pancakes. She badgers him to tell her how long that wait will be.

Well, if you didn't come upstairs and interrupt the first time, maybe he'd be done by now. Now he's gotta get rid of you, keep you and the child out, get comfy, take his pants off, and start "looking for his ledger" all over again. Then he's gotta try thinking about naked Lorelai but all he hears in his dreams is her whining "make me pancakes" and he goes all limp and he's even more frustrated. And now he can't even find the bed and you took his damn accounting book and in my gritty Gilmore Girls reboot titled The Hollow I would make sure Luke gets some time to himself to jerk off once in a while because he works hard and he deserves it.

Luke To Lorelai After He Gives In to Her Pancake Demands: You sure you weren't pushed off your roof today? It was me, I was the pusher. I regret that I failed and she only got a cut on her hand.

LOL, you're asking what Jess is doing alone upstairs? Want him to spell it out for you with crayons or something? I guess two hours in the bathroom "fixing his hair" just wasn't enough for Jess. He's got a lot of pent up frustration, I get it. Strap in buddy, it's gonna get a lot worse.

You ever think of mindin your own bizzness, woman? #Never However her butting in is sensible enough this time and she explains to Luke that his father's office is too small for two people to be living in it, and that he should think about the fact that Jess lives there too. Right on. We know Luke has $$$$ because he's throwing loan offers at Lorelai like they're Halloween candy. Maybe he could even put Jess up in his own damn apartment, but he's too stingy and stubborn. Ah, Luke and Lorelai, two people who refuse to compromise on anything ever. A match made in heaven, truly. A marriage destined to work. KittenShirt makes a quip about how Jess could be dead under a pile of boxes and no one would know or until his rotting corpse started to smell. But enough about your fantasies, Lorelai. And now we circle back around to Luke offering Jess to Lorelai to clean her gutters to which she replies with a "Jess?" with that tone of thinly veiled disgust that Miss Gilmore is known across the land for. Almost in one breath, Luke admits he doesn't pay Jess enough to work for him AND he "hates the thought of what else he might do to get money if you don't give him the work" AND "You don't have to pay him as much as you would someone else, you save money, he keeps busy." Alright, enough. We're only 7 minutes in to this wretched episode, so let's run down the recap of just minutes 5-6: We've heard implications that: 1) Jess' uncle outright admits he doesn't pay him enough for spending most of his free time after school working for him 2) Even though his uncle doesn't pay him enough, if he takes another job doing grueling manual labor like cleaning gutters, they don't have to pay him enough either, it only matters that he "keeps busy". He's almost 18 with a driver's license, he's not a fourth grader with a lemonade stand. 3) No one would notice or care if Jess was dead until his corpse was rotting under a pile of boxes for weeks 4) the only way Jess knows how to make money is by doing illegal, unspecificed things. You just readily admitted you don't pay him enough to do work that's (borderline) legal anyway so who can blame him? 5) For some reason Lorelai doesn't think he's worthy enough to slop her gutters This is where my Gilmore Girls reboot would take a turn into horror movie territory, something like The Hollow: Mariano's Revenge. Jess goes on a killing rampage. (Rory is fine and a few other select people may be spared) Jess doesn't go to jail because the judge and jury won't convinct his innocent face and the jury understands the people of The Hollow deserved it. Rory and Jess can go on to build new lives somewhere else. A bulldozer comes through and razes the entire town. End of show. Lorelai stammers and sputters at the suggestion that Jess could clean her gutters and makes up excuses that she has other people lined up for the job and scurries out of the diner with Rory. Please, I must know the reason Jess can't clean your gutters or visit your home, it's unclear where her discomfort lies because it's nonsense. What, are you worried he's gonna steal something if he visits? What's he gonna take? The clown pillow? An box of off-brand poptarts? No, it wil just be some Quarter On A String that Dean gifted Rory and that she doesn't even care is missing.

Lorelai says a lot of things she doesn't mean. "I'll give Jess a chance", "I'll stop sleeping with Dean", "I won't keep spending our meager life savings on pancakes."

I continue to feel pity for Rory that she constantly has to defend him against this exhausting nonsense. What makes my blood pressure rise higher? Any interaction with Dean, or a long exchange between Rory and Lorelai where Lorelai is trying to explain to Rory that Jess makes her "uncomfortable"? And Rory has to convince Lorelai to give Jess a chance. Again. Honestly right now I would welcome Dean parachuting into the scene and starting some different bullshit as only he can. I hate this.

Idk about that, you seem to have an awful lot of opinions on Rory liking him too.

Only if he can call you "annoying emotionally stunted woman-child who doesn't mind her own business and has a one sided grudge with a child". I think that's only fair.

"Because I'm still 17 years old and can't move out and until then I'm stuck under the same roof as you listening to your bullshit unless TWWGG calls Child Protective Services in Connecticut and gets me put into a nice foster home with a new Mommy." Rory goes on to explain that Jess lives with Luke and they're going to have to see him every day if they want to keep eating the pancakes at the diner so it might behoove Lorelai to be nice to Jess. Which is the same exact sensible, ignored advice that Rory gave to Dean when she asked him why he hated Jess and he said "because he breathes". Which is that you can't hold grudges against people when you live in a small town. I'm sorry no one listens to you Rory. I'm listening. I'm sorry for how I used to talk about you. You are the only logical and reasonable humanoid in this wretched pod called Stars Hollow. I've said it before and I'll say it again because why not: Whenever Lorelai boycotts Luke's Diner because there's some kind of discomfort between them (which is frequently) Lorelai won't eat at any other restaurant so Rory starves. I'm getting CPS on the line right now, Rory. Hold tight. Rory explains to her mother that she and Jess are sorta-kinda-not that close friends, a horrifying prospect that shakes Lorelai to her core.

Look at this sleeping infant? How could you hate this angelbaby snugglekins. I would notice if you were pinned under an avalanche of boxes and I would get you out before you could perish. And I would pay you fair wages if you were in my employ. And you wouldn't have to do unspecifed llegal things on the mean streets of small town Connecticut to survive. I promise. We learn that Jess needs loud music to sleep, which I admit was a comment that went completely over my head for many years until I finally realized the implication of that statement. Either he needed music to drown out some awful thing that was happening to his mother or it was to drown out what was happening outside his home (street violence?) and most likely it was both. At the very least, I think it was a distraction so he could fall asleep without thinking about all the turmoil going on around him. Instead he's now suffering in a different, quieter kind of hell called Stars Hollow where some witchy bitchy woman named Lorelai and her small town minions have put a target on his back for no reason. Luke goes on a frustrated rant about the messy state of the Danes Mariano home, waking Baby from his sleep. I do delight in a good Frustrated Luke Danes rant. It's one of the few things keeping me sane while trying to get through the wretched hell that is the 2nd half of season 2. He tells Jess that tomorrow morning they're moving out and finding a new place (lies). Part 2 idk when. Maybe in another 2 months.

[afracturedfacade]

AI Seems Scary, but it Will Likely do More Good Than Bad

Just venting my personal opinions all over this post, which few if any people will see anyway. Call it organizing my thoughts I guess? AI is here to stay, and that's not a bad thing, or at least it doesn't have to be. Back in the day there were doomsayers, many of them well known and respected personalities, all over the place touting the dangers of the Internet and you know what? They weren't entirely wrong. They were also more wrong than right. So-called experts have an unfortunate tendency to make wrong predictions about the future, especially in regards to emerging and novel technologies. A couple of centuries ago, there were publications on expert opinions about how it wouldn't be possible to travel at high speed (like 50kph+) because it would lead to asphyxia.

The internet is a modern mainstay, nearly as important as electricity. Without it, much of what we count on day to day will grind to a halt. Putting aside personal devices like desktops, tablets, etc. that are usually internet-connected, there are a lot of other things that rely on it. Credit card machines are internet connected and without it our increasingly cash-less society will grind to a near halt. Many companies, especially larger ones, need to 'check in' with some central sever somewhere to function effectively. That'd be gone too. A lot of information will be lost outright, or at least isolated where it isn't terribly useful. The impact of internet on both personal and business productivity is in the trillions per year. It saves time, sometimes a lot of it, and 'time is money', as they say. This is to say nothing of how much power it puts in the hands of the average person with internet access. It can empower people to find better opportunities, and advocate for themselves. It is a jumping point for learning new skills, often for free.

I see AI as much the same. If you consider its growth and accessibility, it is a lot like the internet. At first it was used mainly by governments, corporations, and in research. Institutions, in other words. The internet back in the day was mostly used by the same groups. So at first it was mainly the people that work at these places that experienced it. Then enthusiast tech-heads started getting their hands on it for personal use, experimenting with what it can do. Then there was limited public access in the form of AI assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, Bixby, etc. Those could be sort of useful, sometimes. Now we're at the point where it's getting better, and at an increasing pace. It has 'blown up' with the introduction of Chat-GPT and the like. Sure, it's still awkward, and it can be abused, but the same is true of the internet. There will always be those that abuse useful tools to exploit others and cause harm and mayhem for either personal gain, to further their extreme goals, or just to watch the world burn. Protections will evolve to try and keep pace, though they won't be perfect, and the average person will have to learn to take some pains to protect themselves as well.

And yes, AI is going to take jobs away and that will cause a lot of people problems, and while that is unfortunate it is also perfectly normal for new technologies. With that change comes new opportunities. The tools will be there for you to use to your advantage, just like the internet.

Or maybe you'll just amuse yourself by trying to get your AI to do something lewd. Probably that.

The main problem I see in future isn't the singularity. No, I'm worried that countries will fail to make appropriate policy changes to reflect the increasing automation that AI and robotics technology together, eliminating most menial labour whether it's manual or data-processing related. We could end up with a large percentage of the population that can't find work, let alone work that pays all their bills. With the increasing productive capacity of countries it should make it very much possible to sustain the population as a whole even if a large percentage aren't producing any work. It would simply not be sane to let society proceed down a path of dystopia, as the burden of a large and dissatisfied homeless and overworked population would result in civil unrest and possible violence, and more to the point such a society would be costly. It is literally cheaper to provide a basic level of housing and resources to someone who would otherwise be homeless, than it would be to deal with a homeless population.

Similarly, I can't see a world where a large fraction of the population having no purchasing power would be good for international trade. If much of the population of every country, including the wealthy ones, have no purchasing power, trade of finished consumer goods like electronics, processed foods, media, clothing, etc. would stagnate. It seems it would be more healthy to have some surplus wealth circulating through the population to keep both the country, and international trade of goods, healthy.

I don't know, it just seems like the future will become a policy choice between 'dystopia' and 'increased free time', all because of the near elimination of unskilled and low-skilled work. Low wage and low skilled workers are already prone to being treated like garbage that doesn't deserve to make enough to live on, and unless policy changes to match the times, this will only get worse.

tl;dr - There will definitely be some growing pains with AI, but it doesn't have to end in an 'AI Destroys Humanity' scenario, and likely won't. Policy changes not being made to reflect a rapidly diminishing need for menial labour is a far more pressing concern, in my mind.

[sybilius]

Strap in lads, it’s time for a Syb Project!

So the house I currently rent is equipped with a set of very stylish shades that the dead owner (I rent from his son) clearly payed a bunch of money for ages ago, and most of them are in various stages of “slightly damaged”. Here is the only perfect one, currently living in the master bedroom:

Now the current absolute worst one is in the adjacent bedroom. Not only is the base fringe completely fucked up (and apparently an attempted repair with....gauze?), the springing mechanism completely doesn’t work either, and we’ve been hand-rolling up the thing as it falls into further disrepair:

There is it disassembled from its window (didn’t grab an un-glamor shot beforehand, but you can imagine it doesn’t look great). I figured after taking apart the roller that this would be a fool’s errand. But I am nothing if not a fool. Here are some views of the mechanism:

The basic idea is that unrolling the shade tightens up the spring, which is supposed to be tightly attached to the wooden rod. Inside the end piece there are brakes (one of them, the other side is just a metal rod that spins freely), which ideally, pulling the shade at the right angle sharply, smoothly releases:

Now for the Problems. The first issue, which I did correctly diagnose, was that the metal fitting that connects the wooden rod to the spring mechanism was Kinda Fucked:

If we observe the other, perfect drape:

Now at this point I was thinking. This looks like a lost cause. I do not think I can properly re-house the spring such that it attaches to that partially damaged wood. But I’m wandering around the hardware store and come across the variable-size hose clamps and figure. Well. what the hell:

I also put some elbow grease into the shade itself, cut off the messed up fringe, picked up a new pull from a local fabric store, and shaved off about 2.5cm off the side to accommodate the size of the hose clamp.

Button was one of my grandma’s old ones. If nothing else, this looks cute.

The good news was, the hose clamp DID in fact work to transfer the spring momentum back to the shade, such that when it was pulled down, it was successfully tensing up the rod.

The bad news, though? The braking mechanisms were completely jammed. I mean, possibly this was the compromise made by the amateur repair job that came before me (very sadly). This meant that although the curtain is working more like it used to, it doesn’t work practically speaking. I can pull it down, but I can’t roll it up, because the spring tension has completely jammed it there.

This was very saddening, of course.

After several attempts to work with the messed up metal piece, I concluded that I needed to set it back to the way it was. Some combination of the messed-up wood, the old brakes, and not really knowing how to configure/set up the initial spring tension to make this work meant that this lovely guy wasn’t going to be springing back to its former glory.

So I junked the old metal piece (which was at that point thoroughly messed up from all the hammering), and used the hose clamp to keep the spring from popping out too far. This has restored the state where the shade can be pulled down, and is possible to manually roll back up (though it doesn’t hold any “middle states” that get it past gravity particularly well).

It looks a lot nicer though, so I think I have to count that as a win.

[goldscalepaladin]

It's been nearly two months since the party arrived in Guldoon. At first, Korinna had been overjoyed to get a bit of downtime, as it had afforded her the opportunity for some much needed rest, as well as time to familiarize herself with her new surroundings & begin Cat's training. All important things that absolutely needed to happen. However, as of late, the Dragonborn has been itching to get back to work.

Not wanting to bother her compatriots until she found something truly worth their time, Korinna started out looking for odd, low difficulty jobs around town. Clearing out various pest infestations, fetching & delivering goods for some high-end shops, assisting & protecting some of the fishing boats that operated in the MASSIVE river that runs by the city, manual labor at the docks & warehouses, & even providing a little extra muscle for certain high-end locations. Though she wasn't particularly discerning when it came to the work, most of these opportunities did have some benefits besides just the pay.

Establishing a good reputation around town, for instance, was quite important. And, while their party still needed a name, Korinna knew she could get them more work if they were at least somewhat well known & well liked. Certain stores, such as Eckhart's Apothecary & Memoria's Emporia, were absolutely vital connections for aspiring adventurers (especially if they might be convinced to offer a discount). And, while she didn't fully understand what exactly went on within the incredibly lavish, chateau-esque structure that paid her quite handsomely for her security services, the Dragonborn was all too happy to toss any potential trouble-makers out on their ass if they started harassing the pretty folks inside. Though she couldn't understand why anyone would want to bother such incredibly friendly people. Or why Miss La Grande, the owner of the establishment. asked if she'd be interested in more 'intimate" work, whatever that meant...

Of course, there was also the matter of the Cult. While she & her compatriots had managed to snuff it out before it grew too large, they'd found a letter within the ruins that indicated someone else had been behind the whole thing. Someone pulling the strings from behind the scenes. While Korinna wasn't much of an investigator, she knew she could at least start by asking around town. And, while she hadn't found anything yet, she wasn't about to give up.

((Once again, thanks to @magicsugarbaby & @graspingthorn for help with world building.))

[iviarellereads]

System Collapse, Chapter 4

(Curious what I'm doing here? Read this post! For the link index and a primer on The Murderbot Diaries, read this one! Like what you see? Send me a Ko-Fi.)

In which Murderbot gets a taste of vindication.

Murderbot is pretty sure this is just from the initial terraforming engine setup. The humans are a bit disappointed, but it's not, it swears. It just keeps thinking about how it might still be connected to a pre-CR structure. Then it tells itself to keep its mind on its job.

Tarik and Iris have come down to look, though MB made Ratthi stay to control the shuttle because he's so good at finding dangerous things to poke.(1) The colonists didn't say anything about dangerous native flora or fauna, but humans tend to assume that if they know a thing, everyone else does as well. Still, colonists who aren't expecting visitors after thirty or more years alone are danger enough. When Ratthi asks how he's supposed to fight off an attack on the shuttle, MB tells him to keep the door closed and have the bot pilot fly back out to make contact with Art-prime.

Iris says they couldn't have been living this close to the engines, but Ratthi points out over the comm that people do weirder things. MB thinks it would probably try to live inside the engines, even.

The work finally pays off, and the control panel for the hatch lights up. Tarik and Art-drone have to catch MB's attention before it remembers to warn everyone back because it's its job to open it.(2) Iris tells it to be safe, and it still doesn't know how to respond to that sentiment, since it's always been its job to get hurt first.

The opening is all rather anticlimactic. MB sends the two drones not in the shuttle into the void, and finds it's a very standard cargo area with two offshoot tunnels but no signs of habitation. The hatch is opening wider, letting dirt in, and Iris asks if MB is okay with stopping it. MB sends her an affirmative instead of saying yes, and lets Tarik go cut the power again.

Then we all kind of stood there for a second. Iris looked at me and I saw her hesitate, because her hesitation looked a lot like Dr. Mensah’s hesitation. And I realized I really didn’t want to go down there.(3)

MB knows it's best suited, and someone has to go, and if it can't do this much, it can't do its job. So it tells them to wait here while it goes. Iris smiles and goes along with the pretense that nothing's wrong.

Down the manual access tube it goes, since the lift will be too much of a pain to get working. It sends its camera feed to the others, and Ratthi asks what the second tunnel is for. MB keeps Drone2 and sends Drone1 to investigate. The rail system leads into a tunnel going west toward the terraforming engines, the second tunnel goes northeast at a weird angle.

Tarik is just asking if there might be storage or admin offices down the second tunnel, when everyone notices something in Drone2's(4) video feed: faint light. MB notes that there's an obstruction, and worries about a contaminated bot, but it's just a vehicle. Just past it, the smooth sides of the Adamantine tunnel end in an opening to another space.

The building crew for the terraforming cargo installation had encountered an existing tunnel, larger, square, made of smooth gray artificial stone that was mottled just a little for what had to be aesthetic reasons. I could see that, because there was active emergency lighting, little blue flat squares of it about three meters up the tunnel walls. My risk assessment finally caught up to what was happening and hit the roof. We were looking at a Pre–Corporation Rim site. A Pre–Corporation Rim site that was drawing power.(5)

The team doesn't know what happened to the pre-CR colony that was here. They know only that they'd encountered contamination, it was severe enough to cause "compulsive construction" over their original colony site, and nobody was there when Adamantine arrived. They can't do a survey of the site, because the site got blown up, and the contamination is still under the rubble. Another redacted section goes here.(6)

MB goes on to explain that not all alien remnants are bad. There are some known as "strange synthetics" and you can get licenses to work with them in the Corporate Rim and some other polities. But, a contamination incident isn't hostile per se, there's no intention behind it, it's just something like a poison left behind.(7)

It even cites(8) a whole-assed Volume I of a series on the history of colonization and expansion by humans to explain how not all pre-CR planets are alien contaminated at all. But, sometimes a site is abandoned for good reason, and for a long time humans didn't know they needed to be careful with remnants… or they did, and they exploited them anyway.

At any rate, during planning stages of this mission, Thiago pulled some research about contaminated sites being disproportionately underground, as if perhaps someone was disposing of the contaminants by burial. MB isn't sure why that's better, but it feels better if someone wasn't just laying traps for future unsuspecting visitors.

Art-drone asks what the fuck MB is doing for its stats to drop like that, and MB admits it was thinking about alien contamination. Art-drone commands it to stop immediately. MB wishes it were that easy when it's standing in front of a pre-CR site.

So, MB tells us, this is where we started in the intro to chapter 1.(9) Iris says the colonists were right, and they have to check it out. Tarik agrees, sighing. MB says Ratthi needs to stay in the shuttle, so Iris tells him to follow them from the air. Ratthi also sighs.

They discuss whether to drive the vehicle or leave it and walk. MB thinks how, if it were still corporate property, it would absolutely be doing this alone, but the humans expect to go and it's not going to argue today.(10) They'll need to talk to anyone they encounter anyway, since MB is in no state to pretend to be human, even if they don't recognize a SecUnit on sight.

Iris records a quick check-in report for a pathfinder to fly out of the engines' interference range for Art-prime and the rest of the team, while Tarik gets the vehicle running. MB takes a seating position where it can grab Iris if she starts to fall out of the vehicle, and Art-drone takes up next to Tarik. MB knows this is a sign of Art's faith in it, that Art trusts MB with Iris's safety without question.

A bit more than forty minutes into the drive, MB tells Tarik to stop. On the camera feeds, Drone2 has found an even bigger space, which looks like an aircraft hangar. One of the platforms is occupied.

Tarik asks why the colonists thought this was a good idea. Iris suggests maybe they didn't know how dangerous it was. Ratthi says they must have known, from the style of the existing structures. MB is slightly gratified that it's not alone in finding the architecture discomforting, and it's not just because of what it went through.

MB tells Tarik and Iris to stay in the vehicle, though it's not sure that's the proper procedure.(11) Tarik says they're certified in hazard exploration, but Ratthi says so's he, and that didn't stop him from nearly getting killed on planet: MB did. MB starts to catastrophize about not being able to do its job and protect them if they won't listen to it.

That's when Iris says Tarik was once "in a corporate combat squad." MB and both its drones turn around, though MB can't see through Tarik's visor. Tarik, for his part, raises his hands palm-out and says he doesn't want to fight anyone. Ratthi makes a noise on the shuttle that MB doesn't explain. Tarik asks Iris if there's anything else about him that Iris wants to tell them, and she says yes: Tarik also hates corporates more than any of the others, because they made him kill.(12) Silence falls over the group, and Iris apologizes to Tarik, but she wanted it all out in the open so MB understands that Tarik has experience with first-contact like this, and they should work together. Though, her father(13) and Art were agreed that MB would take point on all issues related to security.

In the private feed, MB asks Art-drone if that's true, and Art-drone says of course they agreed, as if it's obvious.

MB knows it needs to say something, so aloud, it says "Okay." At least the talking gave it a chance to stop and think, and ask if it really wants to go alone, which it absolutely does not. It says they'll all go to the hangar entrance, and Iris thanks it for listening. Art-drone tells them they can have "emotional reactions and phatic communication"(14) after the vehicle's in motion.

Tarik offers that they should talk about this later, to MB specifically. MB thinks that's absolutely not going to happen. It does, however, realize that Tarik was probably Art's security specialist before MB, so MB may have taken a human's job, which would be funny under other circumstances.

MB lets the humans chat for the rest of the drive. In the private feed with Art-drone, it accuses Art-drone of knowing that about Tarik and not telling MB. Art-drone says yes, it and Seth both objected when Tarik was assigned to the team. They thought that being trained to show aggression toward humans might be something he'd revert back to under pressure, but it's all been working out… so far.

It's that last bit that leaves MB thinking. It doesn't know how Art experiences or processes emotion. Then again, it doesn't understand its own emotions, either, most of the time. But, it has a bit of jealousy toward Tarik. It asks Art-drone if Tarik was its security consultant, but--

ART-drone interrupted, He’s not a security consultant, he’s a mission specialist. He has a good knowledge of the tactics that corporates like Barish-Estranza employ. You are a security consultant. That would have been encouraging, before redacted.(15)

=====

(1) Iris is Art's Ratthi, which means Ratthi is Murderbot's Iris. As much as it can roll its eyes at Art's overprotectiveness, MB has zero shame about wanting to do the same for its humans. It's just so cute. (2) I feel so much for poor MB here, getting lost in its thoughts and anxieties. (3) After literally everything it's ever done, but particularly Network Effect, WHO CAN BLAME?! (4) I think this might be a typo, because it implies it's the drone that went down the tunnel, but it names the one MB listed as staying with it. /nitpick (5) VINDICATION! MB knew it. (6) I dunno about you, hypothetical also reading this for the first time friend, but I feel like the redacted incident is a red herring for the events of Network Effect, especially with the redacted bit in a couple pages where MB could be referring to being stuck with the contamination after being taken captive. It could be something that happened between books, but either way it had to have been fairly recent for the feelings to still be so fresh. (7) I'm thinking here of how humans can eat garlic and onions, but they're extremely toxic to cats, so humans might leave scallions laying around, and a cat could get very sick eating some with no intention on the human's part. (8) CITING SOURCES?! When was the last time Murderbot cited a source? Art is really rubbing off on it, isn't it? <3 (9) D'OH! It's so easy to forget little things like a line stating explicitly "Planets where you have to investigate the probably-not-empty, possibly-alien-contaminated Pre–Corporation Rim occupation site while wearing an environmental suit instead of armor". (10) Both "it's pointless, they'll come anyway" and "I don't want to be alone here" make perfect sense. (11) I'm sure that its trauma is the main root cause here, whatever it keeps redacting, and we know it had bad experiences in that storage area under the original colony. But, don't count out how disorienting it must be for MB to be accustomed to having dozens of inputs and feeds on the go at all times, now down to just the sensors on its three drones and the humans' suits. (12) No, how dare you give MB a reason to empathize with him when he's stalling and being a jerk? (This is me being silly, I live for the drama of it all.) (13) She doesn't specify which one, and I don't remember them distinctly enough to be able to clarify here, though it's probably Seth since he comes up in a few more pages. (14) Phatic is "relating to social connections", more or less. So, the conversations that will reinforce their social relationships in the end. (15) You keep doing this to meeeee.

[yoosetech]

How Does the Yoose Mini Electric Shaver Compare to Traditional Shavers?

Grooming is a very important aspect of every man’s life, and one of the most common grooming processes is shaving, which depends on the choice of the shaver. The Yoose Mini Electric Shaver is gradually enjoying the fame of portable and practical shaver. But how does it effectively compare to the traditional shavers? This blog will explain the concept of using Yoose mini shaver and how it differs from other shaving tools and its advantages and disadvantages. Knowing these differences would be important especially for those who already have a grooming regimen and for the first timers. Let’s get deeper into the comparison to understand whether the Yoose MINI razor will suit you.

Size and Portability

One of the most important advantages of the Yoose mini electric shaver is its size. Unlike other electric shavers that may require a lot of pocket space when travelling the Yoose mini is made in small size to fit modern-day’s travelling.

This mini shaver portable is in fact, as small as a lipstick tube. It is rather small and can be easily put into the pocket or purse and even a carry-on bag. It is therefore, ideal for use when retouching during the day or during travel.

In this case, traditional shavers are larger and heavier as compared to electric ones or the wet/dry ones. They may not be portable to wear all day or take a short vacation with you.

Accessibility and Flexibility

Because of its small size, the Yoose mini shaver is convenient to use and easy to carry around. It is just a USB mini shaver, and as such, one can charge it through any of the USB ports. This is very good, especially for traveling or for use in the office.

However, it is also very easy to navigate, and that is what makes it appealing to many people. Switching it on and beginning to shave is as simple as that. There is no need for shaving cream or water, so it can be used at any time for a quick shave wherever you are.

Manual shavers generally require more preparation. There are electric types, which require a connector to be connected or batteries to be recharged. Manual razors require shaving cream and water, so they cannot be used anywhere and at any time.

Performance and Shaving Quality

As much as the Yoose mini shaver is a grooming tool, its performance is rather decent. It is a rotary shaver that follows the facial lines to give you a close shave.

You can shave a bit closer with a manual razor or a good full-size electric shaver, but you have to pay the price for it. But for a quick wash, a minor wash, or touch-ups, this is perfect.

Other features that may be more common in traditional shavers, especially more expensive electric ones, may include multiple blades or heads and specific settings. However, they are pricier and less portable than other conventional laptop models.

Versatility

The Yoose isn’t just for shaving your face. Some models also come with an accessory to help trim the nose hair. This makes it a handy tool for general grooming purposes.

In the case of traditional shavers, one gets stuck with different shavers for different grooming purposes. This simply means more stuff to acquire, wash, and pack each time one wants to go on a trip.

Battery Life and Charging

The battery backup of Yoose mini shaver is quite high for a unit of its dimensions. In one full charge, it can offer several shaves, depending on how long it takes you to complete one shave.

Older electric shavers can also have longer battery life than the new ones, but they also take longer to charge. As for manual razors, you don’t need to charge them ever.

 

Conclusion

Yoose Mini Electric Shaver has some advantages that is convenience, performance, easy to maintain and economical over the traditional shavers. It is small and sleek and can meet the requirements of today’s grooming services. Any person looking for a good shaver, which will do a good job and will not require much maintenance should consider buying a Yoose shaver. To know more about the Yoose Mini Electric Shaver and other grooming products in the market visit Yoose Tech.

[parentingbyanshu1]

Getting Through Parenthood: Crucial Advice for Good Parenting

Introduction:

Being a parent is an arduous, rewarding, and never-ending learning experience. Although there isn't a single, comprehensive manual for raising kids, there are methods and pointers that can make parents' difficult but gratifying jobs easier. In this post, we'll look at some priceless parenting advice that may support the growth of children, promote positive connections, and keep things in balance in the middle of a hectic family life.

Prioritize Communication:

A solid parent-child connection is built on open and honest communication. Make sure your kids know they can talk to you about anything, and encourage them to share their ideas, emotions, and worries. In the same vein, be open and honest with them, laying out your expectations and boundaries and paying attention to what they have to say.

Use Positive Reinforcement:

Your child's self-esteem can be developed and positive behavior can be reinforced by giving them praise and encouragement. When they err, instead of concentrating only on berating or punishing them, highlight their accomplishments and efforts. This inspires kids to continue in the face of difficulties and cultivates a growth mindset.

Set an Example:

Youngsters are perceptive observers who frequently imitate their parents' actions. It is therefore crucial that you set an example for the morals and conduct you want children to inherit. Kindness, empathy, resilience, and healthy habits are just a few examples of the qualities you may model for your child. Your behavior speaks louder than words.

Encourage Independence:

Encouraging your children to become self-sufficient is just as vital as providing for their protection and guidance, even if it's normal to desire to do so. Promote age-appropriate independence, judgment, and problem-solving abilities. As they go, provide them with support and direction so they can grow from their experiences and mistakes.

Establish Routine and Structure:

Children do best in situations that are predictable and consistent. Creating daily schedules for tasks like eating, going to bed, and doing schoolwork contributes to a feeling of security and consistency. Furthermore, establishing boundaries and clear expectations gives kids structure and helps them grasp what's expected of them. 

Exercise Self-Care: 

Being a parent can be difficult and draining, but it's important to put your health first. Schedule self-care activities that help you refuel, such as exercising, engaging in hobbies, or just taking a moment to unwind. Keep in mind that you can better care for your children if you take care of yourself.

Accept Flexibility: 

Being adaptable and flexible is just as vital as adhering to routines and structures. Because life is unpredictable, plans won't always work out. Accept impromptu, modify your plans as needed, and be prepared to go with the flow. Being flexible promotes resilience in both you and your kids and helps lower stress.

Conclusion:

Although parenting is a trip with many ups and downs, you may handle its difficulties with more self-assurance and efficiency if you put these suggestions into practice. Recall that there isn't a parenting style that works for everyone, and it's acceptable to ask for help and advice when you need it. In the end, the love, attention, and work you provide your kids will create the foundation for their development and happiness.

For more info:-

parenting tips

family relationships

[saturnrevolution]

Understand your mercury sign ☿️

Aries Mercury ☿️

The way you think: you are quick-minded and you have a million things you want to do in your head, but because of that you might start some and never really finish them. However, that doesn't matter to you as long as you can move on to the next thing. You can connect the fast thinking mind with the physical world, so you always need to act on your ideas and thoughts to feel productive.

The way you speak: even if you might not be able to express your thoughts as good as you wish, as you can easily get distracted and feel like your words are sometimes child-like when you put them out, you have a great ability of leading through your words. Whenever you are in a good mood and you speak, there's so much enthusiasm and motivation in you that others get that energy as well. You might prefer expressing yourself through action or movement.

The way you learn: You learn best when you combine information with fun and directly through action. If you had to read a manual before crafting something, you'd rather just do the work and figure it out on the way. However, just as fast as you understand any concept you're learning, you also might forget it to make room for new things.

Taurus Mercury ☿️

The way you think: you might be thinking a lot about ways to improve yourself in terms of your job, your income or your self worth, so you always find solutions that get you closer to your goals. You might sometimes get stuck on certain ideas and you tend to not give up unless you do it your way. You think about your loved ones often and how to keep yourself and them happy.

The way you speak: you have a strong endurance when it comes to communicating, so you are able to listen clearly to others and be there for them in a practical way. When there's a subject that you highly resonate it, you can get stuck on some ideas in your head. When that happens, you have strong opinions and you speak honestly, without really caring of what others think.

The way you learn: you learn really quickly when you encounter a subject that you are passionate about. However, when you have to learn something new out of obligation you either procrastinate a lot or you learn it like a robot, then forget it all. You might sometimes feel like you process information slower than others, as you like to take your time and feeling rushed or pushed makes you close off a lot.

Gemini Mercury ☿️

The way you think: you are full of ideas and information, so there's never really a break to your brain. Sometimes you can find yourself remembering things that you did not know you ever memorized and it seems like your head has layers to it. You might also find that your way of thinking is often split into two ideas, two plans and sometimes find it difficult to choose from them.

The way you speak: you speak with a natural flow, you can speak for hours about any possible subject, as you have an infinite source of information coming and going. You might sometimes find it difficult to express your emotions as effectively as you wish in the moment, but when it comes to expressing ideas or generating solutions you are always reactive. You might be good at small talk, even if you are not a social person.

The way you learn: you are able to learn facts and to memorize information quite easily, sometimes you can surprise others with remembering the small details. You also learn really well through associating some subject to something you knew before, this helps you make complex connections. Debates are something that helps you memorize things better as well, there's nothing like a good talk on your hobbies.

Cancer Mercury ☿️

The way you think: even if you realize it or not, you often think about the other before your own, about what they need and what you can say in order to make the person feel integrated. This is because your way of thinking combines the mind with emotions and it turns thoughts into something more tangible, it connects it with feelings. That's why you might sometimes be feeling something intuitively before you actually start thinking about it.

The way you speak: you speak from a space of empathy, but you do not share all the information. You might say how you feel more easily than others, but you do it only when you feel safe enough with the person you are talking to and this gives a bit of a mystery to your speech. When you do open up and speak your emotions, they might come attached to the way you feel in that moment - with enthusiasm if excited or with tears if sad.

The way you learn: you learn best when you feel safe, you first have to make sure that you had a good meal and good sleep and that everything is all right in your life in order to be able and detach to learn something new. Your mood affects your learning abilities, but you always manage to finalize the things that are significant to you.

Leo Mercury ☿️

The way you think: you might not be stuck in your head as much, because you usually act on things quite quick. This makes you quite decisive and sometimes you can come off as dominant. Your thinking is usually quite empathic and you always try to figure out what you can do to contribute even more to your growth.

The way you speak: you likely have leadership qualities when it comes to your speech. Even if you consider yourself an introvert or not - you have this power to get the attention on you when you express your opinions. That is because you have confidence in your words and you know how to articulate them. You might sometimes go overboard and say some things that you don't mean, as this fire energy gives you an impulse to speak your mind. Self expression is important to you, so you likely communicate more by focusing on your hobbies and taking action, rather than just aimless words.

The way you learn: you learn best by yourself or within a group of people, you likely have a person to go to for whatever it is that you need and you can work together in order to reach your goals. When learning, you usually focus on the bigger picture and do not like to get lost in the details.

Virgo Mercury ☿️

The way you think: you are a deep thinker, but your thoughts are always practical, as problem solving comes naturally to you. Most of the times you think in a very logical way and you pay attention to the details in your environment - maybe so much so that you are able to anticipate other people's steps. You have a rich inner world and no one really knows how many thoughts go through your head everyday.

The way you speak: you speak honestly and directly, you are great at giving advice and that is one of the ways that you show the other person you care. This can sometimes make you seem rather critical, but in reality you are trying to help. People come to you when looking to solve a problem.

The way you learn: you learn best by writing things down, by making lists, by decluttering the place and by making sure that everything is in place whenever you work on something. The environment you are in can influence your ability to learn a lot and you usually are scared of making mistakes. You know yourself very well, so I am sure that you have in mind a way that works for you personally in terms of learning lol.

Libra Mercury ☿️

The way you think: you might be thinking a lot and most of the times your thoughts are not being expressed as much as you wish, as you always want to make sure that the other person feels appreciated by you. You have a mind that's set on fairness - understanding others behind the surface is something that keeps you thinking. This is why, you might have conflicting thoughts at times, as you would rather not choose between two things than make a choice and have it not be the right one or have it upset someone and create an imbalance.

The way you speak: you have a way with words - you are a great storyteller. You feed yourself through communication and you are great at making sweet compliments. No one does that anymore, right? You feel as if there's not enough support in the world and you want to be the one that makes a difference.

The way you learn: you again learn best through conversation - there's something about saying things out loud into a story that helps you memorize them better. Also, reading is something you might be enjoying or something that helps you while learning. Any subject that you find truly beautiful will get your attention and your engagement.

Scorpio Mercury ☿️

The way you think: you are grounded in your thinking, you enjoy being present and going about your everyday life to make sure that things are under control. You tend to overthink the things that get that spark going in you, you think about it all the time and you let it consume you and that's how you know how important it is to you. There's also a lot of feeling attached to your thinking - you may find yourself being affected by bad things happening in the world and isolate yourself. You like being by yourself though, in your thoughts.

The way you speak: there's a slight sarcasm when you communicate, but each word you say always has a hidden meaning to it, even if you realize it or not. You feel things intensely, but you do not show your feelings through your words very often, as you believe that feelings are not suppose to be spoken, but just felt.

The way you learn: when it comes to a subject you are passionate about, you become obsessed with it. You need to know all about it and you are great at research. Even for the more taboo subjects you will find information on. Sometimes people around you have no idea about some subjects that you are really passionate about.

Sagittarius Mercury ☿️

The way you think: your thinking is quite philosophical, you might be thinking about your place in this world a lot or you might be having strong morals and opinions. You are a believer and whatever that is that you believe in, you are all in it. You like seeing things from a more detached perspective and you never take everything as seriously as everyone does. You like exploring with your mind and seeing where your brain can go, but you don't analyze your behaviors all that much, you just live.

The way you speak: you speak with fire in your soul, you like debates and even heated arguments about concepts of the mind, the world, but when it comes to serious debates about yourself or another - you might feel like backing down. You think it's a waste of time to be speaking on negative emotions and you always stand up when you feel like your freedom is being attacked. You usually have a positive speech.

The way you learn: you learn through reading, you learn through experiencing things, you learn though traveling, you learn through storytelling. Anything that seems cool at the present moment will be what you decide to spend your time learning about, but you don't get too deep into details.

Capricorn Mercury ☿️

The way you think: you know your potential really well, even if you don't show it. This is why, you always think about how to reach that potential faster and how to advance in your career. You are actually quite sensitive deep down, so you might sometimes find yourself getting busy in order to ignore some emotions, but you cannot ignore thinking about them forever, so you eventually let your guard down.

The way you speak: you speak in a very thought-out and controlled way. You are the type of person that says things only when you have enough knowledge on the subject and if you feel like you need to learn more on it, you inform yourself. You like talking clearly and effectively and there's not really gossip involved in your talking, as you like focusing on yourself and don't have time for drama.

The way you learn: you learn best by making systems in your head. Firstly, you identify the time of day/modality that works best for you while learning and then you build up your own way. You are a constant learner of the things that help you get closer to your goals and that have to do with your career path. You learn well through courses, apps or any other tool you find interesting.

Aquarius Mercury ☿️

The way you think: your thinking is quite chaotic, as you might be thinking of something today and then change your mind tomorrow. You sometimes find your mind to be working differently than everyone else's, as you process information in your own unique way. Also, you tend to overthink your emotions a lot instead of just feeling them right at the moment.

The way you speak: you speak from a place of truth most of the times and if that means saying something that might be totally against the belief system of the group you are in, that's also okay, You love having a community or a group to chat to and exchange ideas, thoughts about the future and ways that you can improve yourself everyday.

The way you learn: you learn best through creativity, you probably have your own way of learning already or you will one day invent one. You either work better in a group environment or by yourself, there's no in between and sometimes when you know that the thing you learn about has a purpose and can help yourself or others in the future you give more attention to it.

Pisces Mercury ☿️

The way you think: sometimes you feel like you think so much that you create your own bubble and get disconnected with the world. For you, your mind is a place to go to when you want to escape and it's so imaginative and full of color that it sometimes feels like it's more fun than the actual world...which is true.

The way you speak: you speak poetically on a good day and you ramble on a bad day. You might have obstacles when speaking, just because you can never seem to put into words the intense emotions you feel through your brain. So, sometimes you might be wanting to say something and then when you do say it, it comes out as something else. However, there's this bubbly, sweet and supportive way of speaking to you, as you are good at being there for others through speech.

The way you learn: you learn best when you connect the words with your imagination, so let's say that you want to learn about mythology - you view yourself as being one of the characters or you imagine how their world looks like, feels like and sounds like. It's a whole painted picture when you put your mind to it.

[notsogoodangel]

Finally done: Children of Dead AU AKA an SBI Royal/Antarctic Empire AU which actually includes both Fundy and Kristin. More info under the cut

also ignore typos in the drawing, I did the text at like 2 am

The Antarctic Empire seemed to pop out of nowhere, and just as fast as it appear, it became among the most prosperous and wealthiest (and most dangerous) kingdoms in the world. The world was in shock figuring out how an adventurer, who first came into view from a pathetic death, became the ruler of such a prosperous empire. Although once meeting the royal family, one begins to understand. Emperor Philza, also known as the Angel of Death, a man later became known for his wisdom and bravery. He will always raising to the occasion, of course, if he believe in it, and destroy anything that stands in his path. The empress is Death herself, always kind to everyone who doesn’t run from her and her touch and to be feared if you ever go against her. They formed a family that almost seems too perfect for running the place the call home. The oldest son is almost perfect soldier, seemingly never loosing a battle and always knowing how to plan to their next expansion of their territory. The crown prince has a way with words that makes everyone listen, always trying to get the upper hand and his pride always seeking what’s the most optimal outcome during a meeting. The youngest of the emperor and empress children is a loud young man that is never afraid to speak his mind, fight for any occasion to protect the empire and his family, trying to improve any injustice that may ever plague the kingdom. The crown prince’s son is focused on making the empire structurally stable, always focusing on the infrastructure and improving the technology.

Secondary characters

Ranboo: 

He was taken in by Phil when he was 15, but he really seems to be adopted by Techno than by him.

Not an official prince, but under the protection of the royal family.

Still half enderman and half something else.

He is the same age as Tommy, and they get along well-enough.

Tubbo: 

He is not adopted by the royal family, but might as well be.

Even though he is a citizen of Manberg, he spends most of his time in the empire, specially hanging out with Tommy, Ranboo, and Purpled.

Son of Captain Sparklez, his uncle is Schlatt and Puffy, and Dream is his cousin.

Half goat and half sheep (that’s the couple horn).

Purpled:

An ex-child soldier, rescued and taken in by Ponk and Punz (his biological-older brother).

He was REALLY good at his job, and still continues the mercenary work, but he actually makes money out of it.

He is an alien hybrid, which is among the rarest hybrids, and has very little drawbacks.

He hangs out in the castle because he can and nobody can stop him.

Sam: 

A prince with so many brothers that is near impossible for him to become a king, so he moved to the empire and helps in the building of it with the help of Foolish.

A raccoon-creeper hybrid, and connected to Tommy very fast because of it.

He is in a relationship with Ponk, and lives with him, Purpled and Punz.

He can explode, and tries his best to control his angel... and he is scared of cats, which works out because Ponk is allergic to them.

Schlatt

Phil’s old adventure buddy (look, I love their Hexxit series, fight me)

President of Manberg, although not for long because he dies near the end of his first term. After that he haunts, Quackity, Tubbo and Phil, although mostly Quackity. 

He has the Revive Book, because his family is cursed and all males died young and he is looking for a way to stop it or extended the dying.

He is Sparklez’s and Puffy’s cousin, although he did help raise Tubbo since they travel a lot.

5up: 

Fundy’s childhood friend (and later boyfriend)

He is a nature spirit, specifically a radish. All nature spirits are connected to a plant, and this helps him to stay connect to this realm because again, he is a spirit. 

He tries to spend as much time in the empire with Fundy but the weather is hard on him, and staying in another realm can be hard.

Minor characters

Sally: A fish-hybrid that comes to the empire when the water is not frozen solid, and despite that, she is married to Wilbur and gave birth to Fundy, making her the princess of the empire.

Squid kid: A squid-hybrids that comes to the empire year-round and helps Techno keep his crops when he knows he is going away for a battle for an extended period of time. Techno only does this because he hates machines, and prefers manual labor. 

Ponk: A dreamon-hybrid (hides it) mercenary and doctor who keeps an eye in Punz and specially Purpled. Usually the middle man between any hits someone may request.

Punz: A alien-hybrid (recessive) mercenary and ex-child soldier. While he lives under Ponk and Sam’s roof, he doesn’t really listen to them as he is only there because he cares about Purpled... also he doesn’t listen to anyone unless you pay him.

Extra info: 

Tubbo, Dream, Puffy, Sparklez and Schlatt are all biologically connected. The “C” on Tubbo and Schlatt’s name stand for Captain, which is the family name. Don’t ask why is in the beginning of their names, they don’t know either. Their curse consist in that all males in the family will die young, usually tragically (Sparklez drowns in one of his travels and Schlatt dies alone from a heart attack). While the females will start to forget things if they are not consistent, for example, they will remember how to garden if they are a farmer, but they will forget they have a child if they live alone for an extended period of time.

Dream is the rules of the Greater SMP, although he hates the idea of being the face of the country since he hates people being up in his personal business, doesn’t like attention, he has personal beef with Techno and Tommy and that is not good for public relations when you hate two of the princes of one of the most powerful empires in the world; and his uncle runs a country that is not connected to his at all (aside from being to war in the past, but Schlatt wasn’t president then). So he still rules, but put Eret as a figure head as he has good personal relations with Wilbur and they actually like the attention.

There’s a small secret revolution against Wilbur going on the Antarctic Empire run by Blop and Oreli and many other of the people Wilbur used as experiment and torture during his “rebellious” phase. They mostly just want to torture and no-canonically kill him.

Hannah and George are also nature spirits. George is a mushroom spirit and Hannah is a rose one. George lives in Kinoko Kingdom with Karl (not a hybrid, but just a straight up an interdimensional being) and Sapnap, a fire-demon hybrid, and they are visited by Dream, who’s a sheep-dreamon hybrid, Quackity (a duck hybrid) and BBH (straight up demon and Sapnap’s dad). Hannah, on the other hand, lives on the Empire in a green rose, and works as a mercenary with Purpled. They sometimes work together, but most of the time they just train together.

Quackity is the vice-president during Schlatt presidency, and takes the mantle of presidency when he dies. He wants to run, but he after entering in a relationship with Karl and Sapnap he stops and moves to Kinoko. 

[pinkiepiebones]

hi yeah i made the aether board (hello this is my main blog) and i would LOVE to hear more about ur aether hcs. i have Very In Depth ones, like that quintessence ghouls can either be born ghouls and are like a random genetic mutation that happens, or they can be fallen angels turned ghouls which always results in a quintessence ghoul, of the two Aether is the latter.

anyways i wanna hear ur hcs

Your moodboard is very good and your headcanons are lovely! Mine are somewhat boring by comparison lol

In my head, ghouls are incredibly low-tier demons. They exist as nameless entities because things without names are easier to summon to Earth, and since the first days of the church ghouls have been summoned basically as manual labour. You don’t need to pay a ghoul or feed or clothe it or give it much more than a linen closet’s worth of space to “rest” in, so yeah, summon a bunch to build the church and tend the grounds so you can focus on growing the congregation or something. When the band project started it was decided that teaching some ghouls to play instruments was the more financially sound approach instead of hiring musicians.

All ghouls emerge from the same sulfurous pit of primordial hell ooze and can differ in height, width, and horns. They all have what are called “face plates;” we fans would think of them more like the masks from era 2 or 3. They all have solid black eyes. Their ears can differ in length and shape- anything from a dainty elf point to long and drooping rabbit-like ears. They all have eagle-like talons at their fingertips and, though their legs seem humanoid, their feet have cloven hooves. They all have wings that can appear bird-like or bat-like and, as ghouls possess no muscles or bones, the wings “attach” to their backs in a way that makes little structural sense. All ghouls have tails, and the tip of a ghoul’s tail denotes the element that tethers it to earth- Fire ghouls have that somewhat ‘stereotypical’ flat triangle tail tip, Air ghoul’s tails appear to end in a tuft of fur*, Water ghouls have tail tips that resemble the fins of a whale’s tail, Earth ghouls seem to have wide, flat garden spades ending their tails, and Aethers have a five-pointed star.

All ghouls can glamour their ghoulish attributes away from sight and, with practice and training, can even alter their skin texture to mimic the appearance of clothing. They cannot, sadly, contort themselves into anything ala The Genie or Beetlejuice- their glamour and shapeshifting work more like octopus camo, in a sense. The band ghouls have received lots of intense training via Special Ghoul in order to create rudimentary mouths and teeth so they can look like they’re singing.

Ghouls have no mouths by design and communicate telepathically. Their speech, however, frequently sets off whatever part of the human brain that connects to fear and dread. Since this is the case they don’t talk to clergy members much. Special Ghoul got his name and job because his speech hits the human brain just as audible speech does.

Ghouls regard certain things, like gravity, as suggestions, and may be seen walking up a wall or hanging from a high ceiling. And as they are not bound by bodies that feel fatigue, they can lift immense weight and do things that just shouldn’t be possible… this actually ties in to the next point

As ghouls are tethered to earth by elements, they occasionally need to immerse fully into their element to “recharge.” Fire ghouls will build nests and light them on fire and curl up inside, Water ghouls will sink to the bottom of the church’s moat, Air ghouls will climb the highest spires and sit for days on end with their wings outstretched or chase storms to dance in the lightning, Earth ghouls will dig pits and bury themselves, and Aether ghouls will either make a bed of gemstones or lay wherever they can get the best aura of the cosmos. It’s not uncommon to look out at the church grounds in the night and see several ghouls arranged in seemingly nonsense patterns on the ground, black eyes transfixed on the stars above.

Ghouls have their own body language that is sometimes hard to decipher, though it is widley known in the church that a ghoul rustling it’s wings against it’s body is laughter, and joy is expressed in an elemental “burst” (fire ghoul skin appears to crack open to expose bright embers underneath, Water ghouls ripple like sunlight in, well, water, air ghouls get that Studio Ghibli-esque puff up and float, Earth ghouls break out in small flowers, and Aether ghouls look like they rolled around in purple glitter)

I’m sorry this answer is so long I’ll stop now 😅

*(ghouls may appear to have hair/fur atop their heads, but it is actually very thin feathers)

[rc--chan]

Pokespe Evil Team AU Because Procrastinating Is My Job

So basically this is an au where the dexholders are leaders/admins of an evil team. This isn't an au where the dex holders join the evil teams, but one where they make the evil team. And actually do a good job...

Kanto Dex Holders: Team Myth. For the Kanto team I was thinking of an illegal fighting ring. Basically they force pokemon to fight each other with no trainer for the entertainment of others. They would have key locations in more remote locations where no one would expect. Like in the Pokémon Mansion, the Power Plant or under Pokémon Tower. Because who would think there is an illegal fighting ring under a graveyard? I named it Team Myth because no one can catch them, thus they seem like a Myth. Now onto their roles:

Red: Red is the admin found in the Power Plant. I originally wanted to make him the leader, but then I realized he isn't patient enough for it and it really doesn't fit his character. Thus he is an admin. His fighting ring would be the only one that occasionally allows trainers to battle with rented pokemon against other trainers. The fights would be to the death in this case since they are considered more advanced. You can also challenge Red to a fight and if you win he will give you a lollipop. To get to the fighting ring you need to traverse through the power plant until you reach an unnatural looking dead end. If you pull on the tail of a pikachu statue found there, a door opens.

Green: Green is the team leader. His calculative and somewhat cold nature really fits the role of a mafia boss. The main base of Team Myth would be in Pallet Town, his hometown. It would be hidden under the lab. Green being the professor's assistant is able to keep it all a secret. The entrance would be hidden under the bookshelf the the right corner. The classic, you pull a book and there is a secret staircase behind the wall. The hideout is divided in 4 parts that have the floor color coded so you know who it belongs to. To get to Green you'd have to defeat all 3 of the other admins and get a special key. Once you have all 3 keys, you can enter his section of the hideout.

Blue: Blue is the admin under the Pokémon Tower. Her whole gimmick was being a con lady so of course she is running the biggest con. People think she comes to Pokémon Tower and donates money to it out of the goodness of her heart. In reality she manages the biggest fighting ring. Her fighting ring would have more rare pokemon from other regions, like Drapion or Alolan Marowak. To get to it you need to get to the last floor of the tower and push on a brick on the wall behind the two statues. There is a secret elevator that will take you to the fighting ring.

Yellow: Yellow is in charge of the Pokémon Mansion fighting ring. She managed to transform the place into a ”sanctuary” for pokemon. The first floor has pokemon in small natural habitats, the basement is the staffroom for the people that work there and the last two floors are off limits because they house the fighting ring. People donate pokemon to the sanctuary and Yellow brings the strongest ones to the fighting ring. To get to the fighting ring you need to go to the security guard at the entrance of the stairs and pay him 1000 pokedollars to let you in as well as a special invite.

Johto Dex Holders: Team Toxicus. They are in charge of illegal experiments. They capture pokemon from the wild/steal them/have them bred and use them for experiments. This ranges from harmless ”how does this pokemon react in this situation” to testing drugs on them. They would work closely with Team Myth and sell them pokemon with perfect IVs, EVs, specific natures and abilities. Their key locations are in easy to access places or in spots with a lot of pokemon like the Daycare on Route 34, Azalea Town and Goldenrod City.  I called it Team Toxicus as a reference to their experiments.

Gold: Gold is an admin. Again, his personality doesn't really fit the leader persona to me. He owns the daycare on route 34 and the lab under it. Trainers leave their pokemon with him and he steals their egg. ”Yeah sorry, no egg this time. Your pokemon must really hate each other.” Then the eggs are taken to the lab where they are hatched, raised and send to experimentation. To enter the lab you need to get behind the counter and manually set the clock hands to 2:02. A secret trapdoor will open in the place where pokemon stay.

Crystal: Crystal is the boss. We all know that the Johtrio shares one braincell and Crystal has it 95% of the time. So she gets to be the boss. Unlike Team Myth, Team Toxicus doesn't have a ”main base”. The whole operation has 3 labs rotate pokemon between each other that are also designed like hideouts. Crystal's lab is in Violet City, next to Ilex Forest. Pokemon are captured from the forest and brought in the lab for experimentation. The lab is underneath the Poké Mart. To get in you ask the Poké Mart clerk for ”a golden pokeball” and he will take you to the back from where you can take a ladder down.

Silver: Silver is also an admin. Making papa Giovanni proud. Silver works closely with evil teams from other regions in order to obtain rare pokemon not normally found in Johto. His lab is in Goldenrod City because it's a port city and it has easy access to cargo ships. He buys/trades pokemon for ones found in other regions and takes them to the lab for experimentation. The lab is in the Magnet Train station. To get to it you need to go on the platform and search for a red tile. You take out the tile and jump into a hole that leads to the hideout.

Hoenn Dex Holders: Team Triad. They are pokemon traficants. They steal or buy pokemon from other teams and then sell them on the black market. ”You want that shiny Milotic for contests but Feebas is too hard to find? You want to be champion but breeding for perfect IVs is too much work for you? Want to defeat the battle frontier but don't want to train a new team of pokemon? Team Triad has you covered.” Team Triad has only one base, in Mauville City. It is under the closed Game Corner and to get to it you make a pokemon use Strength on one of the slot machines. It reveals a secret trapdoor underneath. I named it Team Triad for obvious reasons.

Ruby: Ruby is an admin. Team Triad is run by all 3 of its admins, so there is no boss. He is the one that works with teams from other regions to get pokemon. The hideout has three floors and Ruby has the first floor. His floor is very elegant and is specifically designed for business deals.

Sapphire: Sapphire is the one in charge of capturing pokemon so she rarely spends time at the hideout. She goes out a lot with the grunts to steal pokemon or capture them. She has the second floor, but since she is rarely at the hideout, its the least decorated.

Emerald: Emerald is the one that actually raises the pokemon and trains them. He receives newly hatched pokemon from Team Toxicus that he trains to their fullest potential. He has the last floor and its designed specifically to train pokemon. He grows berries in there, has soil from a pokemon's birthplace and a lot of training equipment.

Sinnoh Dex Holders: Team Relic. Sinnoh has a lot of history and rare relics lying around, so I decided they own a smuggling ring. They smuggle rare items like Master Balls, rare held items and relics that have a strong connection to legendary pokemon. The blue and red orb? The azure flute? Griseous orb? They have all of them. They sell these items on the black market to collectors and desperate trainers. This team also only has only one hideout but they also own a lot deposits across the region where the items are held. The hideout is in the Berlitz mansion for obvious reasons. Again I chose the name for obvious reasons.

Diamond and Pearl: They are a package deal. Both admins. They travel the regions under the disguise of being a comedy duo. They use this act in order to learn where they can find rare items that they can steal. They also work closely with the Unova team. When they aren't all over the region, they act as Platina's bodyguards.

Platina: She is the mastermind behind this whole thing. She uses the money received from the Grand Hotels all over the region to fund the whole operation. She transformed her mansion into a hideout and is the one that strikes most deals. 

Unova Dex Holders: The region that actually what gave me the idea to write this, because one night I thought to myself ”White could totally use the money she makes from the BW Agency to make an evil team and take over the region if she wanted to”. As for the name of the evil team: BW Agency. You all saw that coming. The BW Agency uses the disguise of an acting agency to hide their illegal items manufacturing. They create Master Balls, rare items and forgeries. They are the team with the most bases, having them all over the region. The most important ones are in Virbank City, Nimbasa City, Castelia City and Accumula Town.

Black: Black is an admin and White's bodyguard. He joins White during business meeting and helps her with whatever he can. When he isn't with White he spends his time at his base in Castelia City training the grunts and their pokemon. The hideout is underneath the Battle Company and to get to it you need to take a secret elevator found under the statue in the lobby.

White: White is the boss for very obvious reasons. She runs both the acting and illegal manufacturing aspects of the agency. She works closely with Team Relic and is good friends with Platina. The main base is in Virbank City, underneath Pokéstar Studios. To get to the base you need to go inside the dressing room and move the biggest painting, behind it there is a tunnel that leads to the hideout.

Lack-Two: Lack-Two is an admin and a secret spy inside the International Police. He pretends to be an officer that spies on the BW Agency when in reality he is spying on the police. A double agent basically. His base is in Nimbasa City. The hideout is underneath the Musical Theater, to get in you need to tell the owner that ”Ms. White from the BW Agency sent me to retrieve the black Prop Case” and he will take you underneath the stage where there is a secret elevator.

Whi-Two: Whi-Two is also an admin. She is in charge of the team's pokemon. She makes sure that they are fed and in top condition in case something happens. Her base is the smallest of the main 4 and in Accumula Town under the Pokemon Center. To get to it you need to go behind Nurse Joy's healing machine, if you move it there is a secret passageway.

Kalos Dex Holders: Team Z. Lame name, ik but I'm kinda running out of ideas for team names. They also do experiments but on mega evolution, they are experimenting to see if you can force a pokemon to mega evolve permanently. The team is co-run by X and Y. They are pretty efficient as they divided the tasks fifty-fifty. They have 6 small bases, 2 of which are in Lumiose and 1 big one in Anistar, that is considered the main base. If you use dive near the Sundial you can reach the secret base that is underneath it.

X: X is in charge of training the grunts and their pokemon and supervises the progress of the lab experiments. He is also the one that test if an experiment was a success by trying to battle with the pokemon.

Y: Y is the one that brings new cargo to the hideouts as well as capturing pokemon that are capable of mega evolving. She works closely with the BW Agency since they provide her with Master Balls.

Alola Dex Holders: The Delivia Company. They are a delivery company that secretly researches a way to amplify moves using Z-Crystal and illegally sells rare pokemon from Kanto, like Kantonian Persian and Vulpix. They have at least 1 base on each of the islands. Their most important ones are in Aether Paradise and Malie City.

Sun: Sun is the boss. When he couldn't get Aether Paradise back by normal means, he decided to create an evil team with strong pokemon to get it back. He succeeded and transformed the island into the main hideout of his evil team.

Moon: Moon is an admin and manages the pokemon and 85% of paperwork. She is also one of the main researchers and spends a lot of time in the lab in Malie City. The lab is underneath Malie Library, to get in you need to rotate one of the small golden statues found on the railing at the bottom of the staircase. This will open a trap door in the floor that reveals more stairs going down.

[bonktime]

Take a Breath

Ezra (Prospect) x AFAB!reader Oneshot (no use of y/n)

Masterlist

Rated: Explicit

Summary: Your ship has crashed on a planet with low oxygen. With no other options you begin a tenuous partnership with a strange prospector in need of your help fixing his pod. He’s charming but dangerous and if he finds out the whole truth about you, you’ll probably end up dead. With trouble closing in from all sides, you navigate this new connection and hope you both survive in one piece.

Warnings: Swearing, descriptions of violence, blood and death, mentions of religion, sexual harassment (just a couple comments), me having no clue what asphyxiating is actually like, Two has a clear helmet for plot reasons, smut: unprotected PinV sex (there’s no STDs in space), cunnilingus, dom/sub elements, rough sex, size kink, choking (just a little), spitting, praise kink (this one surprised me), biting, a little dirty talk (it is Ezra) - let me know if I’ve missed anything!

Note: I was totally inspired to create this by @jura-moon​ ‘s fic Nostromo which lives in my head and without it, this never would have been written. I have used some of her story beats and ideas so absolute credit goes to her for that. This is sort of a fanfic of Nostromo in many ways 💘 I’d also like to throw thanks at @absurdthirst who reawakened my love of fics, @slater-baby who awoke something in me specifically, and especially to @danniburgh who not only deals with my damn near weekly requests for softness but who also got me to stop editing at 1am whilst drinking tequila. She did us all a favour, let’s be honest.

I hope everyone enjoys this behemoth. Don’t forget to reblog!

Wordcount: 22k

~~~~~~~~

It's not the worst planet to crash on.

The thought is so ridiculous you'd laugh if it wasn't for the blaring alarms and the screaming. Instead, you wrestle into the pilot’s seat and strap in. With the engine dead you'll have to manually time releasing the parachute. It's completely insane. Too early and the parachute burns, you crash into the ground and die. Too late and the parachute doesn't catch you, you crash into the ground and die. Provided you do survive you've at least got your suit on, oxygen tank attached, you'll be able to breath. The planet's oxygen is too low to survive for longer than two hours alone but it'll aid the tank and give you two days, three if you're careful, to get more. At least it isn't poisonous.

Thoughts all over the place you wonder where the other ship will fall. Hopefully close enough you can still make use of it. Hopefully they've got a good pilot.

You've been lucky this far, now all you can do is hope your luck holds. You break atmosphere flames blurring the view of the planet and then it's rushing to meet you. You start counting, watching it come closer, closer. You see the other ship careen away from you.

“Fuck!” Someone behind you shouts “Pull the damn lever are you trying to kill us all?!”

You ignore them, don't lose count. Ok

Three… two… one…

You close your eyes and pull.

You don't open your eyes.

No. For the first time in years. You pray.

⧫⧫⧫

Pain is the first thing you register, across your chest aches like, well, like you've just crashed a ship. The next is the smell, smoke, that can't be good, it's not entirely unpleasant though. Then the noise, someone's shouting in your ear telling you to get up, to move, they swear and leave you dangling upside down, still strapped into the pilots’ seat. Oh, that's why your chest hurts, ok, you think to yourself, you’re alive. You need to move. You need to open your eyes.

You do.

Lights are flashing, disorientating you more than your current position, blood rushing to your head. You reach up and press the release on the seat belt and drop to the floor, or maybe the ceiling, head first. Didn't think that one through you chastise yourself.  The engine is on fire, filling the hull with smoke but your legs are numb so, seizing your pack where it’s fallen beside you, you crawl to the light you think is the door and to your relief, flop outside.

No one notices you. They're all looking away, throwers out and pointed into the dead trees you sit back against the ship still reeling from the crash, too slow to realise how absolutely fucked you are. They come out the trees fast, even with spears and blades, you watch as the crew falls one by one. You can't process what you're seeing, frozen in place. Blood splatters, coming down like rain around you. Too late your body reacts and you stumble to your feet and run.

You get out of sight and then you stop, panting. Every breath aches your chest.

Something's wrong. Something you're not seeing. Right before your eyes. What is it?!

It hits you, slowly like a wave, realisation and then panic. You reach up slowly and touch your head. Gloves come away wet and dark with your blood.

Your helmet is shattered.

You aren't sure if you're crying or blood is dripping into your eyes. You suspect the blood. Feeling numb you keep moving, one foot in front of the other vaguely glancing down at the dial on your arm. After the running you'll be unconscious in at best an hour and a half, dead a little after that.

The petrified forest seems to close in around you. It’s a stillness like you’ve never experienced. Trees tower above you, skeletal branches reaching up like fingers. The limbs cast dark shadows in the bright sun, crossing over the dry brush underfoot, hiding foot falls and branches to trip on.

You walk on.

⧫⧫⧫

15 minutes left.

You decide to find a place to sit, ideally somewhere with a view but you can't me picky. A fallen tree does the job and you pull off the remainder of your helmet. Trying not to think about your imminent demise you look up. The suns are low, three of them. It twinges in your chest that you'll never go home, never see that sky again. Left to rot alone, no one who knows your traditions to perform your rites. Not that you deserve them. If you're going to put the ring back on, now would be the time. Make penance, but you don't think you can. Perhaps the hundred years wait is what you deserve.

7 minutes left.

There's someone approaching. Silhouetted against the scorching red sky, the heat rising from the ground distorting them, making you wonder if you’re hallucinating. The only clue they’re real is the crunch of the ground beneath their feet, but even that seems to echo around you.

Hope is the thing with feathers and it just flaps a wing wearily in your chest. And then stutters. The sun glints off their pistol, a beautiful sparkle that dims your hope. You do what you're good at, grab your own and shoot first. His gun flies from his hand and you smile, at least your aim is true. It falls off your face as quickly as it appears though as you feel a barrel press into your skull.

Clever buggers divided and conquered.

You drop your thrower but whoever it is doesn't lower theirs. “A little creature all alone,” a low voice drawls, “No helmet? No breath? What will we do with you?”

Staring straight at the man in front as he picks up your pistol and glares at you, you respond. “If we are going to chat, can we do it wherever your pod is? I have quite a story but I'll be dead in…” you look down at your dial, the gun increases its pressure on your skull as you try to suppress the panic “In about 5 minutes” the man remains silent, his pistol staying pressed into your skull. Your mind races, trying to find a way to argue your survival and clutches at the one thing you have. “I chose not to kill your friend when I could have done. Can you at least hear me out?”

The man behind you clicks his tongue “Ok! Well, I'm certainly intrigued and I'm sure even my partner here can't disapprove of allowing you to argue your case.” The comment seems pointed like he'll definitely disagree but even as you see his mouth twist he stays silent. “On your feet creature I'm not inclined to lug you back myself.” Standing the man lowers the thrower into your back and gently pushes you forward.

Their pod is close but you're feeling dizzier by the second and don't even think to protest when, as soon as you're in and the doors shut, the man at your back ties your hands behind you.

Focusing on him as he moves in front of you and pulls off his helmet you notice he’s favouring one arm and despite his sharp brown eyes, he looks feverish and drained. Not paying it much thought, you breathe deeply feeling sharper but it only draws your attention back to the pain in your body. Kevva you're tired. The urge to lie down and rest is near overwhelming, but the one who talks is eyeing you coldly for weakness, you’re no use if you can’t even stand.

Still, you try to get your bearings. The pod is small and rectangular, they haven’t turned the lights on and the looming shadows seem to pull in the walls, making your saviours into giants, making you feel like you’re pledging your case to The Olympians. There’s a small bench with a couple chairs next to a tiny stove and sink, there’s only one cot up against the wall, opposite what could be a cupboard but your eyes can’t make it out in the dim light.

“Now then creature, it's not every day we come across such a little thing with no air on this breathless planet and certainly not one who can shoot so damn straight!” The chuckles “I am just fascinated to know how you got into this predicament.”

You nod thinking carefully about your words. “We were a prospecting crew,” that's definitely a lie, “I'm an engineer but I know how to dig.” Well that's true at least, “Our ship fell of orbit but I managed to deploy the chutes in time so we didn't die on impact but…” you close your eyes as the images of the blood flashes before you.

“Let me guess your theatrical entrance gathered a welcoming party?”

“Something like that, I didn't realise my helmet had broken right away, I managed to run… I think everyone else is dead.” In a way you hope they are, else you really are in trouble.

The man is grinning at you, showing his teeth but the calculating gaze doesn’t falter “An engineer I'll be damned! And you can dig too? This is my lucky day. We happen to be in need of an engineer. See, our little pod has seen some better days and now it is unwilling to fly. Say, if you can fix it up and help us dig a smidgen, save us some time, we'll give you a lift out when the time comes? Quid pro quo”

An unwanted thought strikes you, settling deep in your stomach like a stone. “That sounds like a great deal but I won't be able to help you, not unless you supply me with a helmet.”

With that the other man seems to reach the end of his patience. And he moves gesturing at the talker.

“Now then, it just doesn't seem right to let such a pretty little thing suffocate on this rock... Well, I can't argue with that I suppose… I do apologise, little creature, I find myself, however unwittingly, agreeing with my partner. If you can’t help us then I can find no reasonable excuse to waste our resources on you. Looks like the deals off” he sighs “This is disappointing, I had such high hopes for our association.” With a shrug he pats your shoulder in sympathy that doesn’t meet his eyes. You shouldn't have hoped, your lucks all spent.

You take a deep breath, mind racing to find a way to survive, “Untie my hands at least, I'd appreciate some dignity as I walk to meet my maker.” You glance at your pack on the floor, you won’t need it now.

He pauses for a second, seeming to size you up before nodding and turning you around to face the door. In the reflection of the glass, you see the profile of his sharp features as he looks back, “Now then two, surely you can do the creature the quick the justice of a shot rather than a slow suffocation… Right good.” He cuts your hands loose and instantly the other man is there pressing his thrower into your back. You walk together, back into the waste.

There's only one way you're getting out of this so you close your eyes for a second and pause. He shoves you, lifting his gun to the back of your head. You take a breath and act.

Bending forwards and shoving your elbow up into his arm so the shot goes over your head, you spin knocking the gun aside and grab the small switchblade concealed in your pocket. He should have searched you. You don't hesitate as you stab him in the heart, following him to the ground and wrenching his helmet off. You close your eyes as the light leaves his.

Shaking off the nausea clamouring at you, you pull out the blade blanching as it sprays blood across you. You wipe it clean before stowing it away and then swipe a hand across your face, there’s no way to tell whether the deep red that rubs off on your hand is his or yours, or someone else’s. Feelin around in your pockets for a coin, you suppose the least you can do is pay his boatman so you place the coin under his tongue. You don’t pray. The dead don’t need it.

Ezra watches as you perform this strange ritual, he had to admit that he's captivated. Perhaps his wound has rotted so much he's delirious, finally driven mad by the toxins. Perhaps that was why he agreed to free your hands, why he didn’t check you for a blade. He considers you as he watches, so determined to stay alive.

You pull off the man's suit grateful he's small, even if it'll still swamp you, and grab his helmet. Stripping your own suit quickly you ignore the bandages on your forearm and pull his on. The fit isn't bad, it still seals around your wrists and ankles but it’s loose at your neck. You've got 12 minutes before you pass out unless you fix the hole your own knife made and get a tank of oxygen.

You look at the pod, the other man is watching you. Brown eyes piercing yours as if looking into your soul. It's him or nothing. You've got to try.

You approach the pod carrying your suit. Looking through the glass in the door and you gesture a setting for your radio, there’s a click followed by his harsh breathing.

“That was not especially kind, little creature. I certainly underestimated your ferociousness”

You shrug, “It was him or me.”

“What makes your existence so exponentially more important than his d’you think?”

You frown, “I didn't decide that it did, the powers that be choose. I did bring a knife to a gunfight” He smiles slightly and lets out a little chuckle.

Ezra watches you carefully, you look so tired, so small as you lean against the door of the pod his feverish brain seems to be attempting to soften a long-hardened heart. Still, he's not an idiot. “I'm afraid letting you in may be a detriment to my state of being, creature, you are indeed viscous and I'm not inclined to trust someone that murdered my acquaintance with so little hesitation.” He watches your eyes closed and for a second you look so hopeless but when they open, they've hardened.

“I could simply pull apart your pod from the outside, make sure you suffocate with me!” The last words come out in a shout of frustration. You bang your hand against the glass window of the door.

He glares at you, his voice low and menacing “I do not take lightly to threats, creature.”

This day’s too long, too hard, you've done too much. How many deaths? You realise that you can't kill someone for, sensibly, not letting you in. You laugh “I feel like the wolf at your door,” you sigh god your head hurts “There's no point!” you gesture, “Killing you would do nothing but damn me further I won't kill you out of spite. Fuck!” You glance and the dial on your arm,

6 minutes.

You turn away and sit, suit back against the door. It's as nice a spot as any. “I will choose to die here though I think, just as a reminder that you killed me when I fall through the next time you head out”

You chuckle at the macabre thought then turn off your radio and pull off the helmet.

3 minutes.

The final sun is setting, this really is Apollo's world and it is beautiful. The orange sky outlines the forest’s hands like an oil painting waving you off. Not a bad place to go at all.

2 minutes.

At least it's quiet.

1 minute.

Black spots are filling your vision, blurring out the beauty. Rude you think to yourself and you let out a delirious giggle.

The door behind you slides open and a strong hand grabs the back of the suite as you flop back, hauling you in, snagging the helmet and sealing the door. You don’t move, staring at the ceiling for a second breathing deeply.

Ezra drops heavily down onto the cot and watches you, you're quite something up close even covered in another's blood and your own, you're beautiful. He imagines this is what a witch would look like after a ritual, all blood and magic and secrets.

You open your eyes and peer up at him. “What changed your mind?”

He grins “Call it a reckless curiosity fuelled by this festering limb of mine.” He gestures to his arm.

It’s your turn to size him up, he seems to be looking worse by the minute and now slumped against the wall, you could probably just kill him and take what you need. Maybe you would if he hadn’t let you in. “Perhaps I can patch it up, I've got steady hands and too much experience with wounds from weapons” you struggle into a seated position with a grunt as pain flashes.

“You might as well have a gander, I'm afraid if left to my own devices I'll have to saw the thing off myself or else perish” He frowns down at his twitching fingers, “I do believe this may be my lowest point, little creature. I invite in trouble and then ask it for help? I have certainly had preferable days, for instance, when the ship I was presiding upon became infested with channel rats seems superior to today.”

You hum in reply not really paying attention as he continues to talk. Reaching for your pack, you pull out a pretty well stocked surgery kit.  “I'll numb it as best I can but it's not much”

“Anything that alleviates this agony will be a blessing little creature” You raise an eyebrow at him in acknowledgment, clearly doubting it as you hand him a tablet which he swallows. He pulls off his shirt and you examine the wound trying not to stare at his strong arms and broad chest. It’s a couple days old and badly infected, you’ll have to get out the rot before you can think of sealing it.

“Lie back” you tell him

“Perhaps in another situation your choice of language would be quite desirable” he smirks at you, not succeeding in disguising the worry in his face.

You sigh at the comment “Scream all you need but don't move”

That makes him chuckle, “You're a siren luring me in to slay me, aren't you?” His jaw clenches as you start cutting away the rotted flesh. It is slow work, carefully taking as little pink away as possible. To his credit he doesn't move a muscle and you know it must be agony. He talks the entire time, telling the tale of how he got himself shot in such a long-winded way you can’t tell the truth from the fiction. It seems to give him distraction though, so you don’t ask if he’s lying. As you close the wound with foam, he smiles at you, softer than before.

“Names Ezra, by the way.” Then he passes out.

He’s rather strange you decide, but most prospectors are. You’ve got to be a bit odd to spend your days nearly isolated on hostile planets. Asleep he looks peaceful, none of the calculating gaze or darkness. That little patch of blonde is so distinctive, you find yourself almost hypnotised by his face. Frowning at yourself you move away and sit back against the other side of the pod facing the cot.

A few things left to do with him unconscious, you pull off the stolen suit and grab the patch gun from your pack, melting it closed. You pull it back on and holster your pistol. Sitting back, you take a pill from your med kit to ease the pain in your chest and let it pull you into sleep.

Unsurprisingly, you wake before him. You check he's alive then pack your stuff together. You're even, you suppose. He saved your life. You saved his (or at least his arm) and you'd rather not stay around to find out if, when less fevered, he decides to get more even with you for killing his partner. He did give you his name though and names are powerful things so you pull out your notebook and leave a note as you grab an oxygen tank.

You glance behind you as the door seals behind you but you don’t turn back. If you head towards the ship your crew had brought down yesterday, it should have an escape pod still on it. Hopefully you can fix it up if needs be. You follow your compass East.

⧫⧫⧫

Ezra wakes slowly, he hasn't slept so deeply in years, he feels comfortable if a little cold and slowly he opens his eyes. The previous day returns to him in a haze, a pretty face and bright eyes glaring through the door, a gesture to old gods, his arm…

He looks down and moves his fingers. It's good, remarkably so, still stiff and aching but whatever you’d given him seems to have hurried his healing. That stuffs expensive. Not the sort of thing a prospector would usually have and certainly not something they'd share. You were quite strange, he concludes, but fascinating. Why on earth would someone who could act so brutally for their own survival give him something so valuable? Sure, he let you in but you certainly hadn't needed to let him know you had such a thing in your possession. He supposed guilt over his partner, perhaps you were truly naïve or, bizarrely, you could have money. Which would create a more baffling question of just how you ended up here.

It doesn't occur to Ezra for a moment the other reason, until he looks around the pod to find you gone along with a portable oxygen canister leaving a bit of paper in its place. Things stolen hold less value.

The paper was clearly torn from a notebook on it, it simply said your name.

He curses pulling on his suit and following your tracks into the forest. The trail is light but visible, branches broken where you’d passed, dry brush crushed under your feet. He moves quickly, sure of his footing after spending so much time navigating the dead forest. He’s only travelled about a mile before he can hear you moving ahead.

⧫⧫⧫

You walk through the trees, one sun shining above you warming your bones. As you check your direction you pause. A twig snaps and you freeze listening carefully. There's another noise behind you and you spin tensing. You can't see anything or anyone as you peer around you, the forest is too dense.

A body crashes into you from behind flinging you into the ground, looping something around your neck. Your head ricochets off the inside of your helmet shaking your brain, opening the cut again but not breaking the glass. You try to lurch up but get nowhere so you roll into your back with them now beneath you but the cord around your neck holds you back. Choking, you catch your fingers in it so you can breathe and pull forwards, hard, rolling again and thrusting your helmet back into theirs, loosening their grip enough so you can pull the cord away, only for them to shove you head down into the ground.

The world is swimming now, wobbling around you as you try to get your body to listen to you. To get away. To fight back. Anything! But their weight on your back prevents you from moving. You try to look out of the corner of your eye to see your opponent but get nothing. It surprises you when a tear tracks down your face. You suppose you have been putting off the inevitable for days now, Kevva has called you back.

Whoever it is clicks on your radio and a familiar voice hisses, “You stupid fucking cunt, I'm bringing you to hell with-“ A shot rings out and the body slumps on top of you, you lift yourself up and shove it off sitting up on your haunches looking around for the shooter.

It's him, Ezra, gun still trained on you. He watches you halt, eyes wide.

“You took something of mine, and although usually I don't go out of my way to find trouble, which you little creature certainly are. I awoke to find myself abandoned and a little peeved to discover that you had liberated a couple of my possessions and shimmied out of part of our prior agreement.”

Your heads still spinning and with the blood trickling into your eye you find it immensely difficult to focus on what he is saying. “Prior agreement?”

“Yes indeed. You'll find you had affirmed in exchange for breath you would fix up my little ship so when the time comes, I may leave this barely liveable planet. I do not appreciate reneging”

You squeeze your eyes shut.

“On your feet creature,” he approaches, “I find myself growing impatient.” You stand and instantly stumble forward. He grabs onto your shoulder steadying you, his other hand darting out before you can relax and snagging your thrower from its holster. “I underestimated you once, I will not again. Now, your assailant seemed to know you, if I'm not mistaken, by the way they deemed to remark upon you. Pray tell me the tale?”

Looking at him you do feel a lot like prey. He's close, grip still firm on your shoulder and towering over you. A grin showing all his teeth like a wolf, all you would need is a red cloak and you’re dinner.

You glance down at the body and clench your jaw, it was Cora. Formally, a member of your crew, she had always distrusted you. Rightfully so, you think to yourself.

Steadying yourself you shrug off Ezra's grip, ignoring the gun still aimed at you and kneel down to pull off her helmet. Taking a coin from your pocket you place it under her tongue and look back up at him, the helmet still in your grasp. He's watching you curiously, seeming to be rolling words around in his mouth as if completely thrown by your behaviour.

“She was part of my crew, I was the engineer so the crash was my fault,” well that was definitely true.

Ezra chuckles darkly, “I'm not too sure I want you to repair my ship after all, creature. Your predilection for incident does appear wearisome.”

You tilt your head up at him, “See any other engineers around here?”

“I suppose you'll have to do, but I will be watching you mighty closely little bird, in case you decide to take flight again.” You frown at the new nickname but don't get a chance to argue as you both hear a horn a little way off. “Unfortunately, my shot appears to have alerted the ever-irritable locals to our location.” He grabs your arms and hauls you back to your feet pulling you along with him as he walks back the way you had come, Cora’s helmet still clasped in your hand. “Luckily the settlers are not quick on their feet, I must say.”

You can't think of a response, your head is still reeling and your feet feel like lead as you trudge after him, his hand gripping firmly onto your wrist.

You're grateful you hadn't travelled far when he tugs you into the pod. Closing the door and turning, Ezra finds you slumping down to sit on the floor ripping off your helmet and attempting to wipe the blood out of your eye. It feels a little voyeuristic as he watches you tug off the suit soaked with his partner's blood, revealing the black insulating vest and leggings beneath before flopping back eyes closed for a moment. You feel his stare and pointedly ignore it as you grab your own suit, abandoned the day before, and shimmy into it. Cora had the same suit and so her helmet will fit yours. You feel a little relief at no longer having to wear the blood of someone you'd killed, not to mention more secure in something that fits.

Glancing up at Ezra as you transfer your possessions between pockets yet again you see he's elected to tie his suit up around his waist revealing those damn arms again. He crouches down in front of you and gently grasps your chin to tilt your head up at him. “That's quite the cut you've got there little bird.”

He carefully watches your face but your head is still fuzzy so with no retort he moves away from you and picks up your med kit. He cleans your wound gently, wiping the dried blood off your face. As he does, you study him. Close up you can see the wrinkles around his eyes from when he smiles and the curved scar on his cheek. Fighting off the impulse to trace your fingers over it, you ask how he got it. He grins as he places a plaster on your head “Now that’s quite a story” but you don’t get to hear it yet, sounds outside means the settlers have found the pod.

“They'll leave provided they don't know we're here” He grumbles, tugging you into the cupboard running along the wall.

It’s slim but long inside, there are blankets on the floor, a lantern and a small stack of tattered books. “Do you sleep in a cupboard?” you have to ask but you do your best to keep the incredulity out of your tone.

“I'd rather you didn't insult my little burrow as a guest, there's only one cot in this pod and I lost the wager so I made do. I think you’ll find it’s rather cosy”

You nod, a little thrown by his change in attitude since being in the forest. As you both sit you watch his face in the golden light of the lamp. It makes him appear to glow, almost like a painting. He'd look almost relaxed if it wasn't for how his eyes were watching you carefully.

Ezra studies your features, if you hadn't been such a bringer of chaos, he'd think he'd made you up, that, or Kevva had reached into his head and plucked you out. You're just perfect, perhaps anything his own mind could come up with would have to come with chaos, there was no fun without it.

The quiet moment is disrupted by a bang on the side of the pod, you jump and Ezra tenses slightly but seems to be expecting it. “They're trying to frighten out anyone inside” he whispers, “If we stay quiet and hidden, we'll be just fine”

You nod and tilt your head back against the wall trying to block out the noise as Ezra reaches for the book at the top of his stack. You read the title ‘Perfume’, you haven't heard of it but judging by the battered pages and writing in the margins Ezra knows it intimately. He glances at you. “It is a tale of a man who gets so enraptured with the scent of a woman he endeavours to turn her essence into perfume.”

You hum in response “That sounds a little morbid.”

Reaching into your bag you pull out a similarly dog-eared copy of ‘The Power’ and do your best to ignore the man opposite you.

Ezra frowns at his book. It's not often a good read fails to pull him into its world but something about your presence has driven him to distraction. Instead, he closes the book and continues to study you, it's a nice change having a stranger in such close quarters. You're frowning at your book a little furrow in your brow he finds endearing. It's only then he notices you're shaking. He wonders if it's from the death of your friend, from the settlers’ insistent pounding on the side of the pod or from him. He supposes it's quite scary to be trapped in a small space with someone twice your size and he hasn't exactly been kind to you. Ezra frowns to himself, not that you've given him a reason to act kindly. You will be useful to each other but there's no point making friends on such rough terms.

You look up meeting his eye as he glowers at you and swiftly glance away, trying to take up as little space as possible.

“You said you came to prospect?” he murmurs to you. You look back at him, wide eyed, and nod. “Good, you can help me finish me dig, 60/40 split, since you so callously divested me of my partner.”

You nod “You ridded me of mine too. Looks like we're even again. Equal split.” He’s tempted to laugh at your boldness, negotiating with no leverage. He keeps his face stern, unwilling to let you know how much he is enjoying your spark.

“I don't think so.” he speaks lowly making you tense, “I will permit that without you my arm would be about as useful as stim gum is at staving off hunger. And at least to me my arm is equal to a partner.” He tilts his head at you, the light cutting plains across his skin, “Even so… we still aren't even. That’s twice I saved your troublesome arse. One could suggest you’re indebted to me.”

To his surprise you nod, even as your jaw clenches and he watches you swallow “I guess I'll have to make it up to you another way. Even split or I don’t dig” That breaks him, he can’t hold in his grin at your fearlessness. He strongly suspects you’ve had an abundance of practice getting what you're owed from characters more unscrupulous than himself. He frowns at that, even hardened prospectors treat him warily, there must be something else to you. He agrees though, more out of curiosity than necessity.

“Even split it is then.”

⧫⧫⧫

You both agree there's no point going out to dig with the settlers so close but after the noise has subsided Ezra looks you over and suggests you shower. You don't tell him what a gift that is but he sees how your eyes light up at the prospect of washing off the past days’ grime. He hands you a towel and as the water starts running, he distracts himself from picturing you naked by satisfying some of his inquisitiveness and going through your pack.

There's not much of interest. Your med kit, some protein bars, instant caf, ammunition but in the front pocket he finds an old ring. Round like a signet but instead of a family emblem it is simply a small coin, plated in gold. He studies it, it's roughly hewn, well-made but not particularly fine. He wonders if you stole this too, but it isn't flashy and everything else you've taken had been useful so he posits it is yours, but why don't you wear it? Frowning he puts it back as he spots a notebook, worn and well-loved but as he reaches for it the water shuts off and he leaves your pack, choosing to get nourishment for you both before you sleep.

You emerge dressed just in your leggings and vest, Ezra gestures to the seat noticing the bandage on your arm. “What did you do that your mystical little tablets cannot heal?”

You finger the material absentmindedly, “Oh it's an old wound I keep reopening, better to keep it covered to prevent infection.”

He peers at you clearly unconvinced but he doesn’t question you further, you avoid his eyes looking at the floor as he sticks some food in front of you. “Eat up little creature, we've hard work to do tomorrow and we'll need our energy.”

You take a mouthful before asking, “Where will we sleep?”

“Better we stay out of sight in case our hospitable friends return, so back into the burrow. And I'd rather keep you close in case you start to feel flighty again” You sigh but to his surprise don't argue, perhaps the settlers really did shake you.

Ezra returns to studying you as you both eat, without your suit on he can see the harsh bruises around your neck where your former friend had tried to strangle you but the gash through your eyebrow has stopped bleeding and fresh from the shower, you're quite the vision. It has been so long since he'd had another body to warm his bed and you look so soft and vulnerable without the suit and imminent danger, he finds himself picturing you under him, writhing, brow furrowed like before. His hands grabbing your arms, your hips, your neck- He shakes himself of the image. Your partnership is tenuous at best without bringing in the pleasures of the flesh and he doesn't really want to scare you off potentially leaving him alone and trapped on this world.

When you've eaten you head into Ezra's ‘burrow’ as he called it and settle opposite each other, legs stretched out in front, feet almost touching. Ezra is next to the door ensuring you can't leave without waking him but you're not inclined to try, you know your luck is running out. You're grateful he doesn't try to scare you into staying, instead curiously he picks up his book and looks at you. 

“I propose an exchange, it appears we are both almost prepared to recite our beloved tomes cover to cover, so, would you acquiesce your book for mine?”

You shrug, “I wouldn't mind something new but I'm not sure how much you'd enjoy ‘The Power’ and I have nothing else.”

He smiles his eyes crinkling with amusement, “Well then, read me the blurb and let me decide for myself. It seems only I would know what I may delight in.”

“It's about how women become the dominant gender in the world, told by a man in the future where a male dominated society seems absurd.”

Ezra grins, “I am intrigued! It'll be a joy to discuss books with another person, a pleasure I can rarely partake in”

You smile back as you swap books. A tentative exchange that leaves you both a little hopeful for the progress of your partnership.

You both read in silence until you yawn twice in a row causing Ezra to yawn too and he suggests you turn in. Or you guess he does, his choice of language seems to baffle you here and there. He wrangles a blanket out from under you and you settle in, top to tail, his feet level with your chest and yours to below his hip. You didn't realise how the adrenaline of the day had worn you out and you're asleep in seconds. 

You awake on your front, head nestled into your arm. It's pitch black and there's a weight on your ankle. Trying not to panic you wait for your eyes to adjust and peer over your shoulder to see what's grabbed you. It's Ezra.

Asleep on his back one hand on his stomach where the blankets had been shoved down and his under shirt had risen revealing a strip of tan skin glowing in the low light. You try not to focus on that. His other hand, by his side wrapping nearly all the way around your ankle. You wonder if he grabbed you awake to stop you trying to escape or if unconscious, he simply wanted to keep your warm body close, that idea makes you feel a little soft, this is easily the gentlest he's touched you apart from patching your head. You debate if you should shake him off but you don't want to wake him and his warm hand is anchoring so you just put your head back down on your arms and go back to sleep.

⧫⧫⧫

Ezra had his sleeping pattern nailed down, a necessary thing for a prospector, usually out cold for 7 hours so he's surprised when he startles awake. He doesn't usually dream. He grasps at the threads of images his mind had conjured committing them to memory. It was about you and it was enough to make him flush and now as he rouses himself, he gently detaches his hand from your ankle unsure about when he grabbed it. It's still early, he looks over you asleep on your stomach breathing slowly. He sighs adjusting himself in his pants if he can't get these images of his head, he's going to have an even more difficult time working with you than he already will. Desire is fickle like that he supposes, giving him a beautiful creature, he can't trust. One who is clearly concealing something and who certainly doesn't desire him in return. A beep tells him the suns are rising and you begin to stir

“Arise little bird, a day off struggle and fortune lays in wait.”

You grumble in return shuffling onto your back and sitting. Ezra tries not to stare as the blanket slips away revealing your body. To avoid further thoughts, he leaves his burrow taking his suit, subtly clutching it to his front so as not to alert you to his predicament, and heads for the shower to sort himself out, eternally grateful that the pod had connected to an underground lake making the water supply essentially infinite. Hopefully a brisk wash will clear his head and body of the lust.

You flop back and sigh. That damn blonde tuft and those sharp features were following you even into sleep. It had been far too long since you'd enjoyed another person and if it wasn't for the dilemma you were in, Ezra would be an easy yes. Broad and handsome and charming in a way that just spelled trouble, but your uneasy alliance, and your lies, and the fact that he could easily kill you make you especially wary of being vulnerable in the way you truly crave. Instead, you shake yourself, grab your pack, dig around for that terrible instant caf and leave the cupboard.

Ezra's shower was doing nothing for his erection. Feeling a little exasperated he grasps it harshly and tries not to picture you so vivid in his dream moaning around him. The water raining down on him acts as a lubricant as he harshly begins pumping his hand not wanting to take his time and fall into a fantasy of you. It doesn't work, he imagines how soft your hands would be, how wet you'd be, how he'd take you here up against the tiles. It's quick and dirty. He grunts, swears, then cums, the water washing the sin away leaving him panting and if anything, more frustrated than before.

You hear Ezra swear in the shower and wonder vaguely if he dropped something as you grab two mugs and start heating water for caf. The shower shuts off and you look round as he emerges with a towel wrapped around his waist. His eyes are dark and he looks furious so you turn away and try not to think about how the water droplets on his broad shoulders shimmer as he disappears back into the cupboard.

Seeing you there, making you both caf, dressed in your underclothes sparked a craving of domesticity within Ezra. For the briefest moment you weren't a reluctant partner on a hostile planet, instead you were a lover he could wrap his arms around from behind as you giggle and try to get breakfast and it aches.

When Ezra re-emerges, dressed with his hair sticking in all directions, you've put his caf on the small bench and are sitting waiting for him. He sits too and picks it up.

“There's only a couple months left in the dig” he says, “You up to it? I will be displeased if you slow us down”

You glare, so this is what he's worried about, “Don't worry I've had plenty of practice. If anything, I'd worry about your arm!”

He grins at you “No need to fret little creature, I managed to do my job with a hole in it and with your miraculous medication, it is only a little unyielding.” He carefully looks over your face, “Speaking of, I would appreciate you being candid in not only the precise location you acquired such a potion but why in Kevva you deigned see fit to give it to me?”

He watches you chew on your words, “I relieved them from a man who sought to take from me, and I gave them to you to even my debt. You saved my life if I didn't give you one, I wouldn't have been able to save your arm.”

What a strange little thing, he thinks, so worried about balance, “Did you happen to also relieve this man of his life?” You stare into your cup and don't answer “Well if he sought to take from you, I'll assume it was just.”

You sit in silence as Ezra smoothly changes the subject and grabs a bar for you, spinning quite the tale as you eat. Not stopping for breath as you pull on your suits, boots and helmets, only pointing you towards the equipment you need to grab before opening the door and leading you back into waste.

Ezra hadn't given you back your thrower which you supposed was fair although he had left you your blade which you're sure he remembered you carried. Perhaps a little act of faith to gain your trust? It didn't hurt. 

As you approach the site Ezra looks back at you, “Stay close little creature we wouldn't want you to get lost.” His voice is low and threatening and sends a shiver down your spine that isn't entirely fear. You nod slowly and he grins, wolf-like just as before, as if outside you the pod he is an entirely different beast to reckon with. 

“I'll get in the pit and do the heavy lifting, you can treat and polish on the surface, we'll go for as long as we've got light and head back. It's gonna be a long day little bird”

The dig comes as a relief, the repetitive labour clears your head and Ezra seems to be filled to the brim with stories and anecdotes, although, you don't think you're actually learning much about him. The way he talks is open yet totally guarded, as if he has the compulsion to speak but the sense not to trust you. You aren't offended, it's not like you're exactly opening up to him either. The day passes quickly like this and as the sun dips too low to see well Ezra hauls himself out of the pit, tells you to pack up and you both head back to the pod to eat and sleep. You wake with his hand around your ankle again.

⧫⧫⧫

A couple of days in, the suns seem to be burning even hotter than before. The dig is gruelling and you’re grateful Ezra so far, hadn’t let you into the pit. You aren’t sure you could bear it in this heat. By the time you finish and return to the pod, taking off your helmet is a relief. You feel hot and sticky and bone tired so you plop yourself down into the cot in the main room still in your suit. Ezra chuckles, “You must be out of practice, else you'd still find these long days easy.”

Ah, so he is bringing it up. You raise your head to look at him, “I still kept up with you, didn't I?”

“True, true, although I am not functioning at full capacity at the present time.” He gestures to his arm.

You flop back and gaze at the ceiling, “Or I just survived a crash from space a few days ago and I'm still a bit worn out.”

That makes him laugh. It's a big warm noise, that makes you giggle too at the absurdity of it all. 

“Are you confident you wish to slumber there?”

“Why? You afraid I'm going to make another break for it?”

His grin is just a little softer now, “A little. But if I were you, I'd be more concerned about the neighbours might pop by.”

“Shit, alright” you sit up and instantly yawn.

“Let's get some food in you and turn in, little bird. If I'm not careful I'll have to carry you into my burrow.”

Smiling back, you mock him a little, “With your arm? I'm not sure you'd be capable.”

At that he grins and you realise you've given him a challenge he won't back down from. Stalking up to you like a cat he seizes you under the arms and hauls you against his chest making you huff and giggle as you try to wriggle free. He carries you across the pod like you weigh nothing and plonks you down on the little work bench. Hovering too close for just a moment too long, his breath ghosting your cheek.

“Now how about you keep your smart comments to yourself, lest I have to keep proving you wrong?” he smiles at you, letting you see the crow’s feet by his eyes. 

“I'll admit defeat this time I suppose, but you really should go easy on that arm!”

Ezra turns away from you, his heart pounding a little and reluctant to leave your embrace. Instead, he ignores the feeling urging him to clasp you close and grabs your food. As you slide off the bench and into a seat, he hands you a bowl. Neither of you attempt to meet the other's eye and both of you fail to see the flushed face of your companion.

Once again sleep comes easy, the hard work making your body crave rest to heal but even so in the dark you wake. There's no rush of panic this time instead you feel warm and sleepy as you glance at Ezra at the other end of the cupboard. He's not grasping your ankle instead his side is pressed against yours, leg to leg. It's cosy and in your half-awake state you don't think about how you had gone to sleep separated, and who had sought out whom in the black.

The next day goes much the same, you bicker before you head out deciding who should be in the pit and who shouldn't. Ezra concedes that he'll do the treating of the gems today if you keep alternating so neither of you gets too worn out. You agree though you point out yet again that he needs to go easy on his arm and he points out your bruises and gash on the head as hypocrisy. It's an argument with no malice and it feels refreshing to have a go at someone without worrying they'll get angry and shoot you. Although perhaps you should be more concerned by how at ease you are. If he was to see the scar on your arm, you doubt he'd be so understanding. 

As the day ends Ezra offers you his hand to pull you out of the pit, his touch lingering in yours for just a second too long.

⧫⧫⧫

Working like this you form a sort of routine. Up early, dig till you can't see, talk, eat, sleep, press together in the night. Ezra is starting to reveal little details about himself, where he was born, how he got into prospecting, his favourite books. In a way it makes you feel guilty for staying guarded, only relinquishing the barest details about yourself, but if he notices he doesn't point it out. 

A month passes like this and as you watch Ezra hop into the pit you wonder vaguely if he'll ever run out of things to talk about. He describes an incident where an amateur prospector managed to get his arm stuck in the pit resulting in its brutal amputation but your attention fails as you wait for the next potential gem and you look into the trees behind you. 

An uneasy feeling claws at you so trusting your gut you tell Ezra to shut up and get down out of sight just as someone emerges. No one you recognise, thank Kevva, and not a settler either. They are carrying a rifle though. Bowing your head to your work so they can't see your mouth move, you quickly describe what's happening.

“I can only see one, he's armed. A prospector. You stay quiet unless I shout.”

“Right then birdie. I await your call.”

You look up at the man staying on your knees and gesture your radio setting.

“What's someone like you doing out here all alone?” You repress a shudder at his tone.

“Same as you, I expect, making my way in the universe.” He comes closer and you fight the urge to back away but you don't want to draw attention to Ezra. “I don't have much to offer you and I don't take kindly to thieves.”

“Big talk from someone unarmed.” Wishing Ezra had given back your thrower, you stand and decide an attempt to bargain will be the best option.

“What do you want then, we can trade.”

“I'm not looking to trade anymore, I'm stuck here. My team's dead.” He levels his gun at you. “If you take me to your ship, I'll let you live for a price. Protest too much and I'll shoot and have my way while you bleed out.”

You gulp and stand starting to back away. Even with the element of surprise Ezra will have to act quick and be lucky if you both want to live. Why would he though, he doesn't have much motivation to risk his life for yours, he'll just have to hitch another ride. The man keeps moving towards you as you reach the edge of the pit, eyes not leaving your face and presses the gun to your chest. You glance down for a moment, hoping he doesn't look too, and see wide brown eyes and a miniscule nod. 

At the same moment Ezra reaches up, you drop back into the pit and land heavily on your back, winded. He slices across your assailants achilles tendon and grabs onto his leg pulling him in after you. Frozen in place, you watch the tussle, for the first time properly witnessing how formidable of a foe Ezra can be. His size and strength easily overpower the other man as he rolls on top, throwing down heavy blows that fill the air with the soft thuds of impact, like a heartbeat. A yell is cut off with a gurgle as Ezra shoves his blade into the man’s neck repeatedly, using his weight to hold the man down until he stills.

There's a moment before he turns, he lowers his head trying hard to calm his harsh breathing and sighs. “I do apologise little bird,” he turns to you scowl in place, eyes dark. “For my brutality, I'd rather you didn't have to bear witness.”

His voice is low and he's watching you carefully as you sit up. You feel lost for words at how far he'd gone to defend you, you wonder how close he got to becoming the man dead in front of you. Alone and cruel. All you can do is nod in response.

Ezra curses himself at how quiet you've become. Moving the body out of the pit had taken time and once done, as he watched you place a coin in his mouth, he'd announced that to continue the dig today would be futile with adrenaline running so high and at your nod you had gathered the equipment and headed back to the pod. He watches you carefully as you pull off your suit and decides that the fact you didn't just sprint for the trees after what he did was a good sign. But you continue to surprise him.

“Thank you,” you say softly, “For not letting him…”

“Nonsense, without the pleasure of your company I don't doubt my humanity would soon become as weathered as his own.” He frowns, “It was rather like being visited by the ghost of Christmas yet to come.” You tilt your head not really sure what that means but he shrugs. “Don't fret about it.”

Then there's silence as you watch each other. Lost in thought as you make your meal and eat.

Ezra ponders on the panic he felt deep in his chest at the waver in your voice. He wonders when saving you switched from utilitarian need to something more. He knows how stupid it is to get attached, how reckless. But your bright eyes and determination to stay alive were admirable and captivating and he craves to know more, what makes you laugh, how well you'd take him. He sighs and attempts to brush the lust aside. Even if you weren't terrified of him, he just knew you were concealing something.

The silence stretches out, both unwilling to break it, as you head into the burrow. For the first time, you sleep next to each other. 

⧫⧫⧫

Ezra is wrapped around you when you wake, safe and warm and comforting. You can feel his heartbeat against your back, its steady rhythm relaxing you before your brain starts whirring. Then you feel guilty, like you're taking advantage of him. He doesn't realise how much you enjoy him holding you close and you certainly don't deserve it. The weight of your lies heavy on your shoulders you ease out of his arms, careful not to wake him, and leave the sanctuary of the burrow. 

A wonderful dream slips away from him as he stirs. His little bird's weight in his arms, grounding him, giving him something to protect. Looking round for you and finding you gone, he swears and stumbles to his feet. Kevva, he hoped you hadn't left him alone.

He almost sighs with relief when he leaves his burrow just to spot you sitting by the window watching the suns rise, notebook in hand and mug beside you. You look up, a little wary of his wide eyes but shrug. “I couldn't sleep.”

“Me neither little creature, my dreams are haunted.” He picks up your mug and takes a sip, with a grimace he says “Can you truly enjoy something so acrimonious?”

You chuckle, “Habit I guess.”

“Well, it's certainly rousing” he smiles at you “What are you scribbling there?”

“I had a look round the ship, it's all the repairs I need to do.” You hesitate, “If we swing by the other crashed ship for a couple parts, we can be gone in two days.”

Ezra's eyes darken just a little, his voice low, “You wouldn't be trying to wiggle out of our agreement now? The dig isn't done and I demand satisfaction.”

He watches your mouth twist, “It's just I think our luck's run, the longer we stay the more trouble we're going to get like yesterday.”

“That cannot be helped, little creature. I'd like to live well for a while, and so, the dig must be completed.” You think to that other ship, there's immeasurable wealth on it but you can't tell him. Then he'd know what you were. So instead, you nod and start preparing for the day.

The change in your attitude has Ezra feeling nervous. He realises if he doesn't show a little faith, you won't feel safe and he'll lose you, and possibly himself. Just before opening the door to the waste, he turns to you, “Here.”

He's holding your pistol out to you, frowning slightly, you peer up at him “What?”

“If something like yesterday happens again I'd rather you be able to look after yourself,” you nod and reach for it but he keeps it in his grip for a moment, “Don't get any ideas” his voice is low and dangerous eyes hard on you. You swallow and nod shoving it into your holster.

To your relief the dig is quiet and Ezra has returned to chatting away to you from his perch outside the pit and eventually you're able to chat back making him laugh as the day passes.

There's a change between you, him trusting you to be armed has given you a chance to breathe, but, with that a new tension has come between you. One you're trying very hard to ignore. It’s crawled into your head and planted thoughts of closeness, of more, that you can ignore during the day but not at night.

After that day you'd formed a new routine. Going to sleep next to Ezra and waking up feeling secure in his arms before the guilt hits and you leave before he wakes. Not letting him know the comfort you've found there. 

⧫⧫⧫

Apart from the locals coming to bang on your walls every few days, weeks pass incident free as you both perform this dance around each other. Ezra finds that his cold showers are doing less and less to quell his lust, and heart is another matter entirely. So, he ignores it, treats you a little coolly, tries not to scare you off, it's getting more difficult now nearly every night he dreams of you. Sometimes it's lewd, sometimes you're chatting together, the worst are when he dreams he's just holding you. He might think it was real if not for how when he wakes up you aren't there.

Until the morning he wakes first. 

He's groggy, breathing deeply and so, so comfortable. It takes a moment to get his bearings. Shifting slightly, he realises how he's curled around you, hand on the strip of skin of your stomach where your shirt has rolled up, face pressing into the back of your neck and he has to fight the urge to kiss it. When you moan quietly, he props himself up on his arm looking down at you in the low light. For a moment he thinks you're having a nightmare but you flushed, breathing shallowly and he's certain you aren't. When you whimper, he shudders, such a pretty noise. He feels tempted to stay pressed against you, to touch you, to make you make more of those noises. He fights it off, and eases away from you stepping out of the warmth of his burrow. 

He thinks, perhaps later he can talk to you, there's nothing wrong with getting some pleasure and easing some stress in each other’s arms. There isn't long left of the dig and then you'll go your separate ways, the thought stings a little. He leans back against the door. Kevva, he craves more, he wants to learn every inch of you intimately, to learn what makes you tick, to wake up with you in his arms. It aches deep in his chest, so many years spent in poor company. He hears you moan once more and groans himself, pushing off the door he trudges to the shower.

For the first time in ages, he runs it hot before stepping in and grasping his cock. He lets himself take his time, starting slow, increasing the pace till he feels like he could explode then slowing right back down again. He doesn't fight off the images of you that spring into his head now he knows what you can sound like. He imagines you making them with his tongue on you, fingers buried in you as he presses you down, how you'd whine his name, how you'd beg. Ezra grunts, staving off his orgasm once more his cock red and throbbing with his heartbeat. He pictures sinking into you, hot and wet with you pliable in his arms as he fucks you into the ground. He cums hard with a growl and a curse and then curses himself both for being loud and for allowing himself to yearn for you, then finally he begins to wash.

⧫⧫⧫

You wake with a start, panting. Your dream is vivid in your mind. Ezra grasping your hands so you couldn't move as he fucked you with his tongue moaning against you. He'd talked too, both eloquent and totally filthy as he got you exactly where he wanted you. You huff, now you were left frustrated and still pining for a man who must just see you as a utility, a way to get off this planet. Hell, he barely even knew anything about you, didn't know the most important thing. But you know you can't stay in this limbo for long now, the digs nearly done and after then what can you do. There are two options, tell him who you are and how you feel and hope for the best or just ignore it, get off the planet, take your money, and go live the quiet life you'd intended. You focus on this debate and instead of the wetness between your legs as you leave the cupboard.

You look around for Ezra and exhale as you hear the shower running, there's no way for him to know what you were dreaming of, right?

That's when you hear him, it's a low, erotic groan followed by a string of swear words and you flush as you became achingly aware of how wound tight you are. You turn away and try to ignore it, heating up water for both of your cafs as the shower stops. 

As it brews the steel door swings open and Ezra emerges wrapped in a towel and glowering, you ignore his stare and the way droplets of water slide down his chest making you want to lick him as you hand him a mug. 

Ezra watches you gnaw on your lip as you look him over and can't hold in the grin at how frustrated you seem. He can't help but tease. 

“Did you have pleasant dreams little bird? You seemed unwilling to rise this delightful morning.”

His grin widens with your eyes as you look away “Err I don't remember… did you sleep ok?”

“Like I was in the welcoming arms of a lover” He doesn't miss your little inhale of breath, and he wonders how best to broach the topic of mutual pleasure with you. Perhaps it'll quell the urge to keep you safe in his arms.

The way Ezra is teasing you makes you think perhaps he can read your mind. As he goes to dress you make a decision, after the dig you'll explain how you really got here, explain how you don't want to leave him after the dig is done. And hopefully he'll be worn out enough that, should he decide you're too much of a liability, you can out run him.

As you head out an uneasy feeling settles in your stomach, you tell Ezra as much but he just chuckles, “Perhaps you're still tired”

The morning goes smoothly, you're in the pit this time handing stuff out every so often to Ezra, his fingers brushing yours. Both of you work quickly, you puff, out of breath, as you stretch yourself up for yet another hand off. His ability to talk is once again surprising you. You laugh at his story despite the unease and the beat of the sun in your back and miss the delighted expression that crosses Ezra's face from your position in the pit.

Like a light switching, the energy shifts. You know there's trouble before Ezra mumbles through the comm “Little bird, stay down. Company approaches.”

Your blood runs cold when a voice responds, already on your frequency, a voice you know. “Greetings friend, we think you can help us out.”

Ezra eyes the pair in front of him, knowing you’d been made was adding a layer of worry to a tense situation, “I'll help if I can but, you're encroaching on my little territory you know how it is. I will be obliged to defend it”

You hear the pair step closer “Actually we're looking for someone,” your eyes slip closed as you stay stock-still, “See they greatly are responsible for our predicament. However,” the voice is clear like they already know you're here, crap, how long did they listen in? “If they were to help us find something we've lost. I can assure their punishment is… swift.”

You swallow as they step to the edge of the pit, Damon glares down at you “Hello darling, long time no see”

Ezra looks shockingly calm, still smiling as you glance at him, “Now then, that is not a polite way to address my partner.”

The other man scoffs, second in command Barlow, “Your partner? Back to your old ways I see.” He looks Ezra up and down. “You’re their type”

You think perhaps you see Ezra's jaw clench before he's grinning “It hardly seems fair for you to make off with my partner, does it? No, not without compensation which unless my ears deceive me, you can't give me without them.”

Before you can blink guns are drawn and you feel like a fish in a barrel, stuck in the pit without Ezra to pull you out.

“You don't know who we are, do you? I suppose in the suits you can't tell but I'd have thought with your… intimate relationship to our engineer you might have figured it out.”

Ezra’s gun doesn't waver for a second but his mind reels. The bandage on your arm, it couldn't be. Surely, he hadn't been so blinded by your company not to notice that. His eyes darken and he thinks, for a moment this man, Damon, realises he's going to die the split second before Ezra shoots.

Barlow’s slower, surprised at him for making the first move but despite his fumble this was a real stand-off. He meets Ezra's glare and they're frozen in time for a moment. Just as he watches the man start to squeeze the trigger and prepare to shoot, he flops sideways. Ezra swings his thrower round you see you, gun in one hand, body turned to the side, still poised from the shot neither of them had seen coming.

Ezra looks as surprised as you feel, even taking aim you hadn't been sure you should save him. But, in the second the men had forgotten about you, you'd let instinct take over and your instinct had chosen Ezra. You hoped it was correct.

Perhaps not. You watch as Ezra’s face darkens, his teeth bared as he levels his pistol at you. “Little bird” his voice makes you shiver despite the heat, “Be so kind as you toss your shooter up here. I think we will be having words.”

You can only nod, what can you do? He says he wants to talk so you'll talk, out of the pit. Where you can stand your ground. You swallow and throw your gun up to him. He gives you a curt nod picking it up and turning away. For a terrifying moment you think he's going to leave you here to die slowly but before you can beg him not to, he returns and tosses a pack down.

“Pack up your gear. We're leaving.” His tone leaves no room for argument so you pack away his equipment as quickly as you can and put it on as you wait and listen to him packing his own, wondering if the shots will draw more trouble.

After all the time spent getting used to his talking, his silence is terrifying. It allows you to think, to panic, to imagine the worst thing he can do. Probably leave you on this planet to rot or be torn to pieces by the locals. You squeeze your eyes shut at the thought.

“Come on now, your elevator awaits” You open them to see he's offering his hand down for you to grab. You do your best to ignore the pistol in the other as you grab a hold and scramble out of the hole you had been sure was going to become your grave. Ezra doesn't loosen his grip on your arm as he hauls you to your feet and strides away from the dig forcing you to trot behind him to keep up.

You stare up at him as he pulls you along trying to read his thoughts. He doesn't look at you scowling straight ahead, his grip vice like and bruising. You don't try to shake him off, you’re sure he's worked out who you are. Your former co-workers hadn't been subtle but you can't gage whether or not this is a walk to the noose.

⧫⧫⧫

Tugging you into the pod he releases your arm and turning to seal the door he finally speaks. “Take off your helmet” His tone sends goosebumps over prickling over your skin so you pull it off and go to set it down on the table. When you turn back, he's right in front of you glaring down eyes dark. It makes you feel tiny. “Show me your arm.”

His words are too concise, so abrupt you hesitate. It's like he's a different person, an enemy you aren't sure you should comply to. Ezra decides you're taking too long and seizes the top of your arms spinning you both around and pinning you against the pod's wall, knee hitched up between your legs keeping you in place. You squirm in a futile attempt to get away and gasp as he unzips the front of your suit and shoves it down to your waist. Ezra breathes heavily as he rakes his eyes up to your body to your face. Doing his best to swallow down his desire, he ignores your own heaving chest and grabs the back of your neck forcing you to look up at him.

“Little bird, take off that measly scrap of fabric and reveal the truth.” You gulp eyes wide fingering the knot of the bandage on your arm. Ezra gives you a little shake. “Do it now.”

So, you do, pulling apart the knot and unwinding it from your arm. You don't look at it, perhaps if you don't see it, it's not really there. Instead, you watch Ezra's face for his reaction, gleaning nothing as he releases your shoulder and grabs your wrist bringing it up for him to see clearly. His brow furrows as he inspects your forearm, a brand of three circles linked like a chain. Kevva, he'd hoped he'd been mistaken. You're frozen as his gaze returns to you, dark eyes furious he crowds around you, filling your senses, body pressing you against the wall. His leg shifts slightly between yours and you almost whimper.

“You've been dishonest, little bird, and I do not appreciate it.” Ezra feels at war, he's furious you lied but he understands why. He's fuming you had been running with a violent, malevolent group of pirates. He doesn't understand why you'd ran after the crash or why you'd turned to him. He wants to know what you have that your crew found so valuable. He wants to know how you're both so hard and so soft. All these thoughts rattle around in his head as he stares at you, your mouth slightly open and your lips wet, until he can only think about how good you feel pressed against him, how delicate you feel under the hand on your neck. How much, despite everything, he wants you. He doesn't notice how close he's gotten to you until he feels the puff of your breath on his face. And then you utterly surprise him.

You can almost hear him think as he stares down at you. You don't want to interrupt but his hold on you is drawing attention to his size, to how much strength and power he holds. It's like he's swirling all around you clouding your brain, filling it with him. So, you let yourself do what you want. You've got nothing to lose. Everything that's yours is in his hands and you can't bring yourself to care. He's leaning closer, bending so with his hand on your neck tilting your head up it's like you’re sharing breath. You close the gap and kiss him.

For a second, he freezes in surprise and then he's kissing you back. Harshly biting your lower lip before shoving his tongue into your mouth. It's desperate and rough and you lick into his mouth in response loving the low moan coming from deep in his chest. He releases your wrist and grasps your hip closing any distance left between you. He grinds into you, the leg between your thighs causing a delicious friction as you whimper into his mouth. He breaks the kiss and stares down at you for a second moving his hands to the bottom of your vest. At your nod he tugs it off and pounces back on you. He rubs his hands up your sides as he kisses you, loving the feeling of how big they are on your frame and how you gasp as he pinches your nipple between his thumb and forefinger. You wriggle against him trying to unfasten his suit and shove it down his arms. He obliges, stepping back he pushing it off and kicks it away leaving him in his underclothes, staring at you, pupils blown wide with lust as he takes you in. Then he's back on you, seizing your jaw and tilting your head up to look at him as his other hand tugs down the remainder of your suit taking your leggings with it.

Eyes look up and down your form, drinking it in as he reaches down to rub a finger over the wetness soaking your underwear. Your mouth drops open and Ezra seizes the opportunity to shove his thumb in your mouth, his grip adjusting to your chin. Smiling as you suck on it.

“Look at you” he coos dragging his nose into your cheek almost mockingly “On display for me, you look good enough to eat.” He punctuates this by biting your neck and pulling your thin underwear taut against your clit just enough you cry out and stand on tiptoe. He grins down at you as you bite down gently on his thumb and then pulls off your underwear letting you kick it aside before stroking his fingers across your slit so gently it makes you buck towards his hand. He moves his hand back to your hip, pinning you back to the wall as he pulls his thumb from your mouth and wraps his hand around your throat, not squeezing just resting there.

“I want you to stay still,” his voice is low and commanding so you nod. “Repeat it back to me, I want to hear you.”

You whimper, “I'll stay still” and he grins before bending to kiss and nip along your jaw above his hand as his other moves back down to your cunt. He circles your clit so gently it's like he isn't really touching you and just as he slightly increases the pressure he draws back. A needy whine falls from your throat but you stay still and he murmurs against your cheek.

“Good little bird, so wet for me. You're positively dripping,” and then just as slowly he eases a finger into. You cry out, so wound tight it's agonising, the contrast between how harshly he gripped you before against his irreverent touches now making you ache for him more than ever. “Sing for me little bird” he demands and then he's really moving, pressing his finger against that spot inside you that makes you see stars, thumb drawing circles over your clit making you moan so loudly it surprises you. 

Ezra watches the flush spread over your skin as your eyes roll back, he doesn't know how he wants you first. Just as you’re getting close, he realises. He wants you begging. 

He forces himself to pull his hand away from you and watches as you shudder with tension eyes opening to look up at him. “Ezra…” your voice is so soft he grins.

You watch him as he raises his hand to his face to lick your juice off it, sucking his finger with a pop. It's so erotic you can only whimper as he smirks down at you. You want to touch yourself, make yourself cum while he watches, but as you lower your hand down he grabs your wrist and moves it back to his shoulder. “Don't misbehave birdie, right now all your pleasure is mine.” You bite your lip.

Then he returns his hand to your pussy, this time shoving two fingers in pumping them as he rubs his thumb against your clit more firmly than before. Your body quivers but his hand against your neck keeps you in place as you moan desperately. As soon as you get close again, he slows down to a stop this time keeping you stuffed with his fingers as you try to get some friction. “Please Ezra,” the tone of your voice shocks you, you've never sounded so needy.

He moves his face away from biting your ear lobe to look at you, “Please Ezra what, little bird? You've got to be clear”

You can't stop the words tumbling out of you, “Please can I cum, please make me cum Ezra”

He smiles almost cruelly, “You sound so exquisite when you beg.” He starts working his thumb again, brushing his lips against yours. The hand on your neck finally starts to squeeze, turning you on more. “Do it again.”

You do, no power could stop you begging for him, saying his name like a prayer. And then you're cumming, your vision goes white as Ezra squeezes your throat firmly, cutting the blood from your brain dragging it out as he shoves a third finger into your wet pussy. 

Ezra swears he's never witnessed anything so magnificent. Your eyes rolling back into your head, mouth open and lips wet, unable to make a sound. How you soak his hand, how you tighten around his fingers. Now all he wants is to find out how many times, how many ways, he can break you apart.

When you begin to squirm, he reluctantly pulls away, you look up only to find he's pulling off his shirt and trousers. Your eyes widen as his cock springs free. You'd known he carried himself like he had nothing to be insecure about but Kevva… he's packing. It's huge and beautiful, slightly curved, a striking vein runner down it. You feel a little more breathless at the sight.

Ezra catches you staring and grins, pressing back against you, grabbing your arse and lifting you against him. You wrap your legs around him as he pins you up against the wall. His cock feels even bigger pressed against your stomach. Ezra grinds against you sucking marks down your neck as he notches himself at your entrance. You whine and claw his shoulders, he's barely into you and you're sure you've never felt so full. “Ezra” your voice is thready “Ezra I don't think you're going to fit.”

He coos in response thrusting shallowly getting slightly further in and making a cry out as you feel yourself drip around his cock. “Don't fret little bird,” he thrusts again getting deeper, kissing you, relishing the feeling of your heat around him, “I know you can take me.”

He thrusts decisively, bottoming out and pushing the air from your lungs. It feels like he's breaking you open, splitting you in two with his cock and you love it. Love the ache as you adjust, love how you can almost feel him in your stomach, love how he has you pinned to the wall supported by those strong hands and his body and totally at his mercy.

You can barely register he's talking as he grinds his hips against your clit. “... squeezing so tight around me. Never in all my time have I gotten so close to Nirvana.”

He waits until you've started to writhe in his arms, just add he'd imagined, begging for him to move. Then he starts long deep thrusts, interspersed by him grinding against your clit making you whimper and moan as you feel his cock drag across your walls.

“Kevva plucked you out of my head and sent you here for me. You're divine, exquisite…” you can't focus on the words, in no time at all you're cumming again. Squeezing him so tight he chokes on his words and kisses you deeply. He doesn't slow down or speed up, keeping his devastating pace until your body starts to relax. Then he nips at your jaw, hooking his arms under your knees and around your back, spreading his palms wide. He steps away from the wall and, slightly afraid he'll drop you, you grab the back of his neck, but you needn't worry. 

Now with you impaled on his cock suspended in the air by his arms, he truly begins to ruin you. Lifting you up and slamming you back he watches your cunt take him, watches how your breasts bounce, watches you throw your head back in a silent scream. He bites into your neck leaving a mark as he sets a brutal pace. Seeing you like this, feeling you like this, has stolen his vocabulary so he curses and growls as he watches, totally enraptured by how well you take him. He thinks maybe he tells you but he can't be sure.

Ezra’s still talking his sentences shorter but still as dirty, the way he praises you makes you moan and combined with his he is destroying you; you don't think you'll ever experience something this good again and then you don't think anything much at all. Just Ezra, his strength, his beautiful words, how perfectly he's fucking you.

Ezra knows he can't last much longer, not in this heaven but he's determined to make you cum again before he does just to feel it. So, he moves you slightly in his arms until he hits that bit which takes your cries even higher. He grins as you dig your nails into his shoulders, the slight pain both grounding him and making him lose his mind.

You feel so overwhelmed and overstimulated that when he adjusts his thrusting you can't help the few tears escaping as you wail. He just pulls you slightly closer and licks them up before staring down and watching how your pussy stretches to take him. You’re so close again you're sure you might explode if you don't cum, or if you do. And then you do, you can't even make a sound as your whole body goes rigid and Ezra doesn't stop pounding you. Instead, you hear him growl and curse and his thrusts get faster and shorter.

Ezra had never experienced anything hotter. The way you threw your head back and took it as he fucked you like a ragdoll. The feeling of you clenching around him. How you soaked him, the sound of your fucking would stay with him forever. And then he's cumming, he bites down on your shoulder groaning into your skin as he releases. His mind is wonderfully blank as he squeezes you against himself and fills you up with a dozen shallow thrusts.

He doesn't release you right away, just holds you to his chest as he turns to lean against the wall cock still in you. Blissful in the moments before his thoughts start buzzing again. When you can move you look up at Ezra, he meets your eyes, gaze totally unreadable. He reluctantly releases you with a groan and grabs his shirt as he kneels and begins to clean off your combined juices dripping down your legs. Seeing him on his knees taking care of you threatens to give you hope which you tamped down. He didn't know the truth yet and he had readily thrown you out once before. When he's done, he stands and tosses the shirt to the side, tugs on his soft under trousers as you pull on your own clothes. The silence feels like a giant pit between you and you glare at your feet unsure how to start this important conversation.

To your surprise Ezra gently pinches your chin and tilts your head up to look at him. “We've still got much to discuss, little bird.” At your nod he pulls your hand into his ignoring how small and delicate it feels and gently tugs you towards the burrow. He has to know the truth.

⧫⧫⧫

You sit next to each other, his back against the wall, you sitting forward nervously running your fingers over the brand on your arm. Ezra just watches you, waits for you to explain and hopes you aren't a threat he'll have to get rid of after you've shared such intimacy.

“I don't… I won't come off like a very good person or partner when I tell you this. So just listen… please?”

Ezra nods, “None of us can be considered a good person, our humanity is dependent on our survival” he sighs, “Spin your tale, I'll remain in silence until it's done and keep my judgement of our partnership till it's completion”

You swallow, “I fixed a ship, that's how this whole mess started. We were leaving a dig and something had gone wrong which would have forced us to land. But I suited up and fixed it in zero G. It was completely stupid and shouldn't have worked but it did and we made it back to the dock. It wasn't till we'd sold off all our gems and separated that I was cornered. Turns out the malfunction wasn't an accident and by fixing it I'd cost them a lot of money in what they would have stolen from us. They reckoned I owed them and… they aren't people you want to owe”

You close your eyes and Ezra watches you tense. He'd like nothing more than to pull you into his arms but as he reaches for you, he clenches his fist. He needs to hear you out.

“They went through the rest of my team to get to me…” oh, Ezra understands they'd totally isolated you. “Well, they worked out since I could fix their brakes, I could mess up the ships in ways that couldn't be fixed without an emergency landing. They branded me there and then. Didn't even tell me how long I'd have to work to balance what I owed; probably thought I'd be dead by then.” You look down at your arm and frown.

When you look back at Ezra, his eyes are sharp, watching you intensely. “That scars old, little bird, how long did you dutifully aid their robberies.” Robberies of prospectors, people like him, people who'd been like you.

You look away, jaw clenched, “Long enough for it to get easy.”

Ezra doesn't move behind you, doesn't speak. You can't look at him.

“And then I couldn't anymore, I saw what I'd become and I hated it.” Your nails dig into your arm. “No one's good out in the fringe. But I was worse. I can't make up for what I did… can't take it back, can't return lives, possessions any of that. But I could stop, bring my crew down too. We used a distress beacon to lure in the other ships and…” you laugh “This time as I boarded after dealing with the other ship. I dunno, I just snapped and blew our engine too.”

Your mouth twists at the memory, “The pilot saw and I… when I was done, I just thought one down. I didn't want to die myself, that’s the easy way out, so I did my best to pull the chutes, hoping I'd play dead and hitch a ride out. Well, you know the rest.”

You stare straight ahead as a tense silence follows not daring to see Ezra glare at you. You don't see his soft eyes looking you up and down, his mind reeling. Had he known this when you’d first met, he would have shot you without question and left you to rot, your presence nothing more than a risk to his survival. But now, you’d saved him, talked with him, he’d gotten to know you. How you drink your caf black saying you’re “sweet enough”, how you look in the morning, how you laugh, how you moan. He knows he can’t kill you now, but you are a threat. He doesn’t know what to do. “Why are they searching for you? What do you have that they want? Your friend mentioned something.”

You laugh humorlessly, “They don't know where the other ship crashed, I was in the pilot’s seat, so no one else could see it go down. Fat lot of good it'll do them wrecked here.”

There's a bang on the side of the pod, “Shite” Ezra mumbles, “Our quixotic friends have returned.”

⧫⧫⧫

The wait for them to leave seems to take hours, the silence making your heart pound and your thoughts race over what you can do now. Ezra will definitely want you gone, only a mad man would keep you around with your history. Perhaps back to the original plan, see if you can mend the other ships escape pod and get the hell off this planet.

By the time the locals have decided your pod is empty, your plan is set. You stand, not looking back at Ezra. “I'll get scarce, I know I'm a problem waiting to happen.”

You grab your bag feeling in the pocket for your ring, a memory of a home you can't return to, old gods you're no longer sure are there. You look down at it as you step out of the burrow not noticing Ezra follow. You shove it into your suit pocket.

He is stumped for words as he watches you grab your possessions that have become scattered around the pod. He sees how your lives have become enmeshed. Scraps from your notebook scattered around where you'd played hangman or left notes and reminders for each other, items of clothing he watches you fail to pack, that damn terrible caf on the workbench.

He's not sure that he'll ever get all the pieces of you out of the pod, out of himself. You're under his skin, the very smell of you making his heart beat with more determination. As you reach for your helmet, he grabs your hand and finally you look up at him.

“Don't leave, I don't want you to leave.”

It's so simple but it means so much more and he thinks you maybe realise as you look up at him tears in your eyes. “I don't want to go.”

And then he kisses you. It's slower than before but no less fierce sparking a deep need in your chest. Gently now, he pulls off your suit as if he's still persuading you to stay before running his hands up your arms and down your back and sides like he's memorising your shape. When he kisses you again it's hungry, intense, he's trying to put words he's afraid to speak into it and it totally wiped your mind as you let him pull you back into his burrow.

Then he's peeling all your clothes off you. His touch is irreverent like he's unwrapping a precious artifact. He tugs you to lie down and settles between your legs pulling off his own shirt. He balances his weight on his arm above your head to nip at your lips, you reach up to run your hands up his chest, feeling him shudder as you gently rake your nails over the skin.

His other hand is squeezing your breast and pinching your nipple before seizing your hip and pulling you flush against him. The friction of his trousers against you, combined with how he's surrounding you, invading all your senses, is overwhelming.

“You are something else entirely,” he's kissing his way down your body, sucking purple bruises as he goes, seeming determined to mark every inch of you. “I could travel the whole breadth of this hostile galaxy and never find a sight as breath-taking as you laid out before me, a divine meal worthy of gods”

His words turn you on more as his ministrations make their way down to your legs. He bites your inner thigh almost too hard, making you squeal and jerk away but he grabs your hips and pulls you back, laving his tongue over the slight indent left by his teeth. You don't know how he's done it, not hours ago he railed you into oblivion and somehow, he has wound you tight all over again. It's like he's playing an instrument, plucking your strings both hard and soft so you melt.

His eyes meet yours, dark and hungry and he holds your gaze as he licks up your slit, his tongue wide as flat. You moan softly as he smiles, “Straight from the source your essence is even more delectable.” He stares at your pussy, seemingly fascinated by how it's fluttering around nothing, totally rapt by a droplet of your arousal sliding its way down.

You whimper at him, and try to buck your hips in his grip, desperate for him to do anything other than stare. He chuckles at you, “So willing to give yourself to me,” then he spits on your cunt. You gasp, half from shock and half from how much it turned you on. He grins as you tense and dives in.

Ezra eats you out like water from a well after crossing a desert. It feels as if he's writing the words, you’re stopping him saying all over your clit as you cry his name. His eyes closed he reaches up and seizes your hands, pulling you closer and settling his elbows over your hips keeping you still and at his mercy as he moans against you. Your eyes close as you feel sparks travel up and down your spine as he shoves his tongue into you making you whine but then he pulls away. Rubbing his cheek on your thigh, his beard tickling you.

“I want you to look at me little bird.” You can't help but obey his command instantly opening your eyes to see his pupils blown wide as he smirks. “You'd do just about anything for me to let you cum, wouldn't you? Don't worry your pretty head. I want you to cum in my mouth.”

Then he's back on you, sucking your clit between his teeth, you gasp his name trying to squirm away. his eyes piercing you, his mouth on you, his hands covering yours, his arms holding you down. It fills your head with him totally overpowering you and then you cum.

You go totally rigid, you're still looking at Ezra but your vision has gone so white you can't see him, just feel him moan against your cunt as you soak his tongue. Even as you start attempting to twist away, he continues, switching between sucking and licking at you as his strong arms pin you down. You cry out at the overstimulation, shuddering from it, tears leaking from your eyes and in no time at all you're thrown over the edge again. Cumming so hard your mind is totally wiped of anything but Ezra.

This time he grants you a reprieve, sitting up he watches your chest heave as you slowly come back into your body. He's lost for words, seeing you like this is better than anything he'd ever imagined and he still wants more, wants to ring every drop of pleasure out of you. And when you smile up at him, totally blissed out and willing, he's sure he'd do almost anything to keep you.

He doesn't put it into words though. Instead, he crawls over you seizing your jaw “Open that pretty mouth little bird,” something about how you so readily obey him twists in his chest and makes his cock twitch. He ignores it and bends close spitting into your mouth. You can taste yourself in it and it sparks your desire all over again.

He can't hold in a groan as you swallow, still smiling, his head seems too empty so he kisses you. It's fiery, filled with lust as you kiss him back and wrap your legs around him reaching down to pull off his trousers, he pulls back to kick them away as his cock springs free, it's hot and red as you wrap you hand around it, not even able to meet finger and thumb and squeeze slightly making him growl and bite along your jawline. “Tell me little bird, what would you will me to do?”

You meet his gaze, “Fuck me.” he groans into your neck, “Please.”

He watches your face as he positions himself at you entrance, “Kevva,” it's like he's not really talking to you, “I've never borne witness to anything so magnificent as your perfect cunt soaking me,” he slowly pushes his way in. It makes you whimper and him growl and you watch the tension in his neck as he restrains himself from ruining you, “Fuck you're tight.” His language is getting simpler as he starts losing control. His soft eyes beg you to let him move as his jaw clenches and you can't help but give in. 

“Please Ezra, move! fuck me”

The noise he makes is inhuman as he starts drilling into you. He shoves one of your knees up over his shoulder, deepening his thrusts making you cry out as he shreds against your walls. All he can think is how hot you are, how wet, how tight, how perfectly you take him. He's shoving up against your g shot with every thrust, coarse hairs grinding on your clit, you feel totally at his mercy to do nothing but take it and it may be the best sex you've ever experienced, ever will experience.

He looks beautiful, your juices still glistening on his face, brow furrowed and eyes half lidded but so piercing you might think he was furious if not for how in-between curses he's describing you, what he thinks of you. You aren't sure he even knows he's talking and the need in his words drives you higher and higher despite how spent you feel, how much you don't think you can cum again. And then you do. Kevva the way you clamp down on him clawing his back makes him lose his mind, he shoves both your knees up to your chest bending over you to bite you lower lip. The change in angle adds more friction, his thrusts get shorter, faster. Ezra cums so hard he can't think, you watch his eyes roll into his head, the groan he makes cuts off his own speech as he shoves himself as deep into you as he can get and releases. 

Ezra’s ears are still ringing when he manages to roll himself off you. Both of you are panting, as you stare at the roof of the pod and try to muster the words. Naturally, Ezra succeeds first. “Little Bird, I didn't know experiences such as that could be bestowed upon men like me.” You can only make a little noise in reply as he takes your hand and silence falls again.

Finally, when your breath is caught and you can both think again, he pulls you to his chest and wraps his arms around you resting his chin on the top of your head.

“Little bird, I'm starting to agree our dig may be bust. Trouble is biting our ankles and I should have listened earlier. Let's pillage what we can to fix the pod and get going. The dig is almost done, even split it'll be a while before I need to pick up another job.” You feel a sting at how quickly Ezra had returned to talking business but you do your best to brush it off. There's nothing wrong with some shagging between friends and it's no reason for him to feel the same fluttering in his chest that you do in yours.

“Right then we should travel light, get everything we need and come back. The fix won't take long, we can be gone in two days.” Two days left with Ezra makes you feel a little sad, you suppose you'd just gotten used to his company.

Ezra smiles grimly, “If we're lucky.”

You turn and roll over enjoying how he follows, wrapping you in his arms, tangling your legs like he can't bear to be separate. “I do have a question for you if you don't mind?”

You shrug, “Depends what it is.”

“What is that strange ring you carry but don't put on.”

“It's… it was a gift when I left home. It's supposed to be my payment.”

Ezra's mind casts back to how you paid honour to the dead, even those he certainly didn't think deserved a boatman. Saving them from a potential purgatory. But you didn't wear yours.

“Little bird, forgive my bluntness but curiosity is driving me to ask. Why don't you wear it?”

You squeeze your eyes closed, forcing away images of your past, grounded in Ezra's warm grip. “It's,” you sigh, “It's just too heavy.”

Ezra can feel how tense you've become and fights off the heavy guilt threatening to settle in his chest. You think yourself deserving of the hundred-year wait wandering the shore, think the loneliness is just. He kisses the back of your neck. “We should let our dreams take us lest we attract more trouble. It is salient we are well rested.”

You sigh, relaxing against him despite yourself. Long since exhausted by the day and his attentions, you let yourself drift off. Faintly feeling a hand caress your cheek, but you could have imagined it.

⧫⧫⧫

Waking up with someone warm in his arms is something Ezra could get used to. He tells you as much but you brush it off, someone isn't necessarily you after all. Ezra talks as you pack but he avoids the subject of you, of you both. He didn't want to scare you off, he tells himself, his flighty little bird. But he knows he's lying to himself, just being a coward, afraid of your reaction. He avoids meeting your eye until, helmets on, you both stand by the door. Taking a moment of peace before heading into the waste. He takes your hand seeking reassurance as much as trying to give it. You meet his eyes looking a little afraid but determined. He squeezes it tight before letting go and opening the door.

The walk East is easy enough, a pretty straight shot over flat ground. The only real problem being navigating the increasingly dense petrified forest. Ezra talks continuously, but you're grateful, glad it isn't awkward between you and enjoying his descriptions of other worlds he's visited. Where instead of breathless death and grey, there's vivid greens and blues of plants and flowers. Where the beauty is just as dangerous as this blank world. And, slowly, you start to talk too. Really talk. You describe a world that, to you, had seemed to be entirely made up of a casino, and the trouble you had gotten into there.

“Too rich for my blood,” Ezra chuckles and you agree.

You don't tell him about your home, not yet. But being able to talk, to laugh about something you'd done, feels freeing. Like a weight has been lifted ever so slightly off your shoulders.

You’re both grateful the walk is uneventful but you can't relax as the looming silhouette of the other spaceship appears through the trees. It's still too early for hope.

As you approach you see that the crew had successfully pulled their parachutes, but too late. The side of the ship had caved in where it had skidded across the earth, giving you both a way in. When you stop Ezra’s looking at you, “Any chance of survivors, little bird?”

You just shrug. “I doubt it after this. They were running a skeleton crew.” You wince slightly at the double entendre, hoping you have the time to find their bodies and pay their dues.

Ezra raises an eyebrow at you. “On a ship this big? That is most peculiar.”

“I guess, I didn't get a chance to think about it at the time.”

You go over the list again, 5 items, 5 areas. All small enough to carry in your packs. To yourself you add another item, just in case you get the chance.

“We stick together, watch each other’s backs.” You nod in agreement and you both step into the ship.

⧫⧫⧫

There's a faint dripping noise, like a clock ticking. It sets off your nerves as you leave the light of the suns. Inside is cast in red, a good sign the electrics haven't been fried, but totally unsettling. It casts humanoid shadows across the grated walls seemingly flickering with every step. Ezra had gone totally silent but his presence behind you is reassuring. Together you pry open the first door.

Inside has the same red light but the weapons board flashes at you telling you it's still live which is strange. You mumble it to Ezra. “These things usually shut down first after a crash, they drain loads of power that's usually diverted out.”

He frowns at you. “Mayhaps a malfunction? It looks like a rough crash.”

“Yeah. Probably.” But it niggles at the back of your brain. All you can do right now is ignore it so you wrench the panel out from the wall to the side and stick your arm in. Feeling around, you brush your fingers up against the dotted cylinder you need. These old ships had a habit of hiding important components in baffling locations, apparently to protect them in a crash which you do suppose this has, but you suspect it's to confuse novice engineers and pillagers alike. 

Ezra is keeping a sharp eye on the door but he can't help but enjoy watching you work, grumbling about what a stupid place this was for a fuse break and how it would have been harder to wreck their engine had it actually been where all the ships power came from. He grins at you and you smile back tugging the, whatever it was, out of the wall. He tosses his pack over to you.

“I'll get this one birdie,” making you roll your eyes but you gently place it in and hand it back. 

“Take care of that.”

“I'll cradle it as if it were a new-born.” He says so sincerely you can't help but snort.

“Don't worry too much, ships like these are made hardy, they don't just fry things like your pod.” He scowls playfully at you as you head back to the corridor.

“I will not hear a negative word about her, we've been together for years.”

The ship groans around you as if it's a living creature as you head deeper in. The maze of corridors makes Ezra feel turned around but you seem to know where to go and he follows dutifully. The next stop is a storage closet smaller than his little burrow.

Inside is a collection of boxes from which you produce two tiny discs. You look at Ezra, “I doubt they'll mind me taking a spare, these things are expensive.” Still not being entirely sure what everything you're searching for is, he just shrugs,

The moment of ease sputters out when you enter comms. There's a buzzing that sets your teeth on edge, someone's been on the radio. Ezra clicks it off but the silence is suddenly oppressive. Trying hard to hear any sign of life you scan the dark corners of the space. 

“We don't know how long this has been on.” Ezra’s voice is steady but there's an edge you know too well. You agree all the same, hurrying to rip the tubing out from under the console. The blinking lights shut off with a hum as Ezra takes it from you, looping it together and shoving it into his pack. You don't argue.

Two items left, you'd saved the cockpit and the engine till last, both at the opposite end of the ship. 

The door to the cockpit is open. you look at Ezra, his jaw is set glaring into it. You head in first moving swiftly to the control panel to the side to start pulling the whole thing apart for one measly chip. He disappears into the shadows to search the room. It's too big, too many places to hide, he thinks to himself trying to picture the best place for an ambush.

He finds one body, curled in on itself as if tossed into the corner. The next is under a nav table, arms over its head. The final one is the hardest to look at, in the pilot seat, hand still grasping the parachute release. He swallows as he takes in this futile effort to survive, picturing the final moments as the ground rises to meet them, the hopelessness.

He spins when he hears your voice.

“Wait, wait!”

“You should have stayed away-“

Ezra doesn't even think, he just shoots and the man with a blade at your throat drops. He didn't even know he could draw that fast. He fights off the adrenaline, calming his breathing as he approaches you. Your eyes are wide with shock and you take a deep breath looking up at him.

“Thank you, Ezra.”

He just wants to pull you close, hold you against him, protect you with his body. With the suits and helmets, it would be uncomfortable so he grabs your hand and pulls it to his chest.

“Think nothing of it.”

“I didn't think there could be any survivors.” At that he examined the body. Shit, the suit, the emblem, the skull etched into the glass of his helmet.

“That, little bird, is because there aren't any. It appears that the locals are here.”

You squeeze his hand. “We've got to hurry.”

He nods, “Give me three coins.”

He’s found them. You'd already known they'd be dead but the confirmation sits heavily over you. You hand him the coins.

“You finish here, I'll take care of them. Don't worry.”

The kindness he's showing by doing it for you aches in your chest. You take the frustration out on the unsuspecting control panel. Tearing into it, pulling parts out, desperately trying to get a grip on your emotions and breathe a sigh of relief when you emerge, chip in hand. No one has ever extracted one so quickly you reckon. You shove it in your pack.

Heading to Ezra you take his hand, try to convey thanks through the touch alone. Thanks for saving you, thanks for not making you bear this burden solitarily, thanks for just being company after so long alone. You look up at him, he's chewing his words again but doesn't speak so you turn and lead him out.

In the engine room you seize a battery and yank it from the wall, grateful the lights stay on. Ezra takes it from you. “Don't argue birdie I'm bigger than you.”

He's cut off by a horn echoing through the ship. You swallow. 

Taking his hand again, you both creep out of the room. Every sound is too loud, you curse your boots, the rattle of your tools, your own harsh breathing. You can't fail now, you're so close. At the sound of footsteps, you pull Ezra through a door into a room with bunks, closing the door as quietly as you can, you both hold your breath. As they pass the door his grip tightens on yours so much you feel the heat of his hand through your gloves. His eyes scan your face, like he's trying to memorise what you look like. You realise you’re doing the same to him.

When they pass you glance around the room as Ezra slumps against the door his eyes shut tightly. As you let go of him you see something in the corner of your eye. No fucking way. It's a gem case, unassuming on the outside but far bigger than the one Ezra carried. Item number six.

You shove it into your bag.

⧫⧫⧫

Neither of you seem to breath for the rest of your journey through the ship. Eyes and ears too peeled to do much else. The second you see the light outside you swallow. You say a prayer to yourself as you creep towards it.

The light blinds you as you step out. Something shoves you to the side, you hit the ground hard knocking the wind out of you as you try to see what hit you. The second your eyes adjust to the light you see Ezra trying to knock back one of the locals, trying to gain space to draw. You wrestle your pistol out of your holster and aim but you can't shoot. Their dance is too close and you're afraid to hit Ezra. 

It all happens in slow motion. The stranger thrusts his spear into Ezra's stomach and pulls it out. He cries out stumbling back giving you a straight shot. You fire the same moment as the local brings his spear down on Ezra’s helmet.

You shoot too late. 

Ezra drops back against the ship sliding to sit. Shattered glass glitters over the ground around you threatening to cut your knees as you crawl to him. His helmet is shattered.

“No no no no no” you press on the wound in his stomach tugging your pack off your back to get the med kit. “We've got to go, there's going to be more of them.”

He puts a hand over yours. “Little bird, I'm afraid my adventure has come to its conclusion”

You look at his face. “No Ezra! I can close this for now, we've got time. We can make it back.” His eyes are wide and sad, wet with the threat of tears. “Don't look at me like that!” There's desperation in your voice.

“You've got to go. Relieve yourself of my burden, you can repair the vessel and get away by yourself. You don't need me.”

“Shut up! I can't just leave you here.” You push his hands away and pull out a gun of sealing foam “Don't fucking argue with me, we've got so close you can't just give up.” Ignoring his arguments, you press the nozzle through his suit and fill his wound. He lets out a groan. As quick as you can, you pull your pack back on and stand seizing Ezra's arms and heaving him to his feet. He gives a short shout of pain but doesn't protest as you hook his arm over your shoulder for support.

You start to walk like this as the suns begin to dip. Keeping your pistol in your free hand you scan around you. The dead trees provide good cover but they also give any attackers the element of surprise so you do your best to listen out whilst you support Ezra.

It's a little difficult with his talking but you can't complain, not when it means he's still alive. But he's getting heavy, putting more weight on you, you don't know how long you can hold him up. Just as you're beginning to feel truly weak his topic of conversation changes.

“Little bird, it has been an exponential honour to be enclosed within your company. To have your trust if only a little. Kevva, the chance to learn your body the way I got to was a treasure worth more than any gem I could find. I only wish I could learn your mind just as intimately, to possess the knowledge of what makes you laugh, cry, your favourite food, favourite music. I'd cherish every drop of yourself you'd let me have until I could carry a vault of you with me”

“Ezra, don't…”

“The opportunity is being stolen from me, I both resent it and I'm so grateful for the time I've had. Little bird, don't let my soliloquy deceive you. I mean every word.”

You can't stop moving, but you grab onto him a little tighter. Letting yourself squeeze your eyes closed just for a moment to fight off the tears. There's no guarantee he'll survive, no hope yet, no point admitting feelings just to let him die. It would hurt too much.

You keep walking. Reminding Ezra to breath as slow as he can. Holding yourself together just to keep him upright.

Then you see it, your pod, through the trees, dark against the burning red sky. 

There are two locals at the door. They turn.

Before you can think to react, Ezra pushes you aside as a spear careens where you'd just been stood. Drawing before you can blink, he fires twice. The locals fall. And then, so does he.

⧫⧫⧫

You aren't sure if you're saying his name out loud or just in your head. You roll him into his back and try to shake him awake. He doesn't even stir. 

Instead, you seize the straps of his pack and use them to drag him towards your pod.

Your muscles are screaming after supporting him for so long but you don't let up, drawing strength from who knows where.

How did the pod seem so close minutes ago? Now it's miles away.

You don't know when you started crying.

You don't stop moving, can't stop until you've managed to pull him inside and seal the door. You yank off your helmet, tossing it aside and falling to your knees next to him pressing your ear to his chest, desperately trying to hear his heart through his suit.

It's dead silent.

That's when you scream. Tears streaming down your face you bring your fist down on his chest as hard as you can.

“Breath you bastard! Take a fucking breath!” You're sobbing now, “You can't just leave me here, leave me all alone. Not after all this. Not when we got so close.”

You curl over him pressing your face to his, your tears dripping onto him leaving tracks through the dust and blood on his skin. “You can't leave me alone,” it's barely a whisper. “Ezra.” You say his name over and over again like a prayer.

And then his chest moves. 

You don't know whether you should laugh. You just keep bawling as you tear off his suit and grab his hand.

He doesn't wake up but it's enough, you squeeze his warm hand for another second before wiping at your face and getting your med kit. “Let's see what I can do about this wound hmm?”

⧫⧫⧫

Ezra hears someone calling his name. But they seem so far away. He tries to move towards the voice but it's like moving through syrup. He lets himself sink back.

⧫⧫⧫

The wound is deep and spurts with blood as you pull out the foam, painting your hands in the same red as the sky outside. Pursing your lips, you apologise to him, hoping he doesn’t feel the pain. Cleaning the wound takes time but as far as you can tell the spear managed to avoid all his organs so you seal it up as best you can. The lack of oxygen is what has you truly worried, who knows what damage could have been done in the time it took you to drag him to the pod. With your medication he might heal but you can’t be sure. You fight off the thoughts of what you’d have to do if he never did wake up. Would you be able to bury him?

You sleep curled to his side, a hand on his shoulder. It’s fitful, plagued by nightmares of waking up to find him cold. Every time you wake up crying, you watch his chest rise and fall and pray, he’ll make his way back to you.

⧫⧫⧫

The next thing he hears is a clang followed by a curse, then it's silent again

⧫⧫⧫

Ezra made it through the night. To distract yourself from worrying he might never wake, you wrap him up warm and begin to repair the pod. It’s slow work but its methodical movements help regulate your breathing. Until you hear a grunt. You drop whatever you were working on and swear to yourself as you kneel by him. But he’s no more present than before. Perhaps you had imagined it. Prayed so hard you’d began torturing yourself. You look over him, how could you go on without him. No one to make you laugh, or care what happens to you. It’s justice you suppose, just another thing for you to feel guilty about. You suppose you’ll go on just to keep feeling that guilt.

Again, you barely sleep.

⧫⧫⧫

And then, as if surfacing from a dive, Ezra opens his eyes. His back hurts. He works out why as, slowly, he identifies the ceiling above him. He's lying on the floor with nothing more than a pillow and a blanket that's been tucked all around him up to his neck. He wrestles his arms free, stretching them above his head and then prodding his stomach, it's tender but the wound is closed. Then he sits up with a grunt.

You're stretching up to try and pull a ration bar of the top shelf of your measly kitchen cupboard. You swear and turn to find something to climb on and then you see Ezra.

He's sitting up, grinning from ear to ear. You nearly jump a foot into the air and then you’re frozen to the spot. He chuckles to himself and clambers to his feet, it looks difficult but you aren't sure you can move to help so you stay put as he supports himself along the wall and approaches you.

“Little bird, you are the most incredible, fascinating, stubborn creature I have ever laid my eyes upon.” And then he's pulling you into his chest, wrapping you in such a grip it's a little difficult to breath but you don't mind. You just hug him back, if gently, very aware of how he'd recently been stabbed. He buries his nose in your hair. “How long was I out?”

“Three days, I managed to melt down some meds to inject you so you… well, so you actually healed. Oh, and then I fixed the pod but it didn't feel safe to take off what with you having a hole in you.”

He laughs, you can feel it rolling through his body and it makes you grin. It's so alive.

“May I also ask why I was on the floor?” That's your cue to laugh to. 

“Do you honestly think I could lift you onto the cot?”

“Frankly little bird, I didn't think you could have got me to the pod. You are certainly a force to be reckoned with and not one to be underestimated.”

You close your eyes and breath him in. “I almost didn't make it.” He just shushes you running his hands up and down your sides.

“No point wondering what could have been birdie. You saved me.” You look up at him, his eyes are wet as he smiles down at you. “What I did to deserve it may evade my knowledge forever, but it must have been spectacular.”

You feed Ezra and then force him to stay still for the day. Even as he protests you don't really think he minds, finally getting an opportunity to finish reading ‘The Power’. You sleep curled into his side.

The next day you leave.

⧫⧫⧫

Two days floating in space before the station slings back to pick you up. The sense of relief is immense. Ezra is in the seat next to you, any other person telling such a graphic tale about a flight home wrong would've sprung anyone with nerves but you just grin. You made it, you both made it.

“Even split, little bird? Although, I can't say I find the idea of us separating particularly appealing.”

You grin, “Me neither, although I do maintain the even split, you save my arse, I save yours.”

He smirks, “I'll have your arse anytime” you smack his knee with what was formerly his copy of ‘Perfume’. He scowls playfully, tossing his own book aside and tugging you into his lap.

And then looks totally bemused as your mouth drops open, “Holy shit I can't believe I forgot!” You hop off him and he grumbles at you but watches curiously wondering what you'd forgotten that was so important. You kneel to open your pack, pulling out a gem case. A huge gem case.

“Where in that abhorrent hell did you manage to acquire that?”

“I think it was why I was told to bring down that ship, I picked it up in the bunk room.”

It's locked but you happily spend the next half an hour gently taking apart one screw at a time. Ezra watches you the whole time, not even thinking about your bounty, just enjoying how you hum to yourself and smile every time a screw comes loose, batting his hands away every time he grabs at you. It's domestic.

You meet his eye as the last screw comes loose and he joins you kneeling on the floor. “Let's not get our hopes up” you say, “We've got more than enough to last a while whatever happens.” He nods and you pull the case open.

His jaw drops. “That is remarkable.”

You meet his eye and laugh. You've never seen him look so surprised. There are three gems inside, each one about the size of your head.

He lets out a huff of laughter “I’m beginning to suspect there was nefarious business afoot on that ship…”

“Ezra?”

“Mmhm?”

“I think I'd like to go somewhere with a sea.”

“Little bird, I suspect that can be arranged” Then he kisses you, pulling you against him.

You wriggle back, “Even split?” He just grins and bites at your ear.

In no time at all you’re in his lap as you pull off each other’s clothes. He rubs his beard against your bare neck to make you giggle as he nibbles it, hands roaming all over you. You nip his collar bone making him groan, it flips a switch in him and seconds later he’s grabbing your hips to position you over his cock.

He lowers you down so slowly it makes you squirm and whimper and beg him to move.

He grins at you, catlike, “We’ve got all the time in the world, little bird. And I intend to use it”

⧫⧫⧫

Hours later you wake. Ezra is snoring quietly into your neck tempting you to rouse him. You’re thirsty though, so, reluctantly, you peel his arms off you to get a glass of water. As you return your toe catches on your suit where it lies on the floor. As you reach to move it your ring drops out of the pocket, clinking quiet onto the ground.

You bend to pick it up and look at Ezra, then back at the ring. Had you not gone through all those years in that gang of pirates, you’d never have found him, never got to save his arm or his life. You both might be dead. You had been right; you couldn’t change your past. But you’d never know what else might have happened. There’s still guilt, there always will be. But you feel a little lighter.

You put on the ring and return to Ezra. He pulls you against his chest without waking.

You smile.

~~~~~~~~

Taglist: @engineeredfiction @mothandpidgeon @sleep-tight1

[mp100fanworkstranslation]

Serpent Dream

By Yodaka

This is a one-shot about the Security Guard.

I love this one so much. There’s popular fandom consensus, in the Asian fandom that this guy has a ton of Yakuza tattoos. You see artists draw this all the time. I’m sure that was initially done because it was hot, but here’s an interesting attempt to delve into the implications.

What kind of person joins the Yakuza and what might their lives be like?

.

.

.

The exchange began on the back of a receipt for beer and cigarettes.

It started after I took that security gig at that facility. I’ve been experiencing gaps in my memory on and off.

At first I thought it was strange. After I came to, I found a pack of cigarettes in my shirt pocket that I didn’t buy, along with some money of unknown origin.

Some time later, an expensive name-brand business suit appeared in my wardrobe. Something I never would have purchased on my own.

Looks at suit thinking “Was this here before?”

“This gives me a bad feeling.”

I’m not on drugs

It could be a lingering problem from that concussion I had a while ago, but I don’t have health insurance or the extra money to see a doctor. Sometimes, I’d wake up in my own bed, under the threadbare blanket, my shirt smelling of alcohol, with no memory of having gone drinking. 

Occasionally I’d find myself with small injuries here and there. 

“ughhhhh the molar is loose…. what the hell”

But even then, when all is said and done, it’s not like I have a real job.

(This shot is really REALLY nice because you can tell from the apartment that he’s not well off. Most japanese apartments will have a balcony for drying clothes, but he’s drying his indoors. Instead of an air conditioner, he has a fan.)

It’s basically waking up to find yourself with free money or new clothes.

“oh…. this is a lot.” (The top bill is 100 dollars, so if they’re all the same, that’s 400 dollars.)

“Haha…. I’m so lucky”

“The combination of all of these strange things

…gave me this strange idea

“Where did I leave that pen?”

I don’t know how to write in Kanji

“Who are you?”

-He writes on the back of the receipt in very messy katakana-

(In japan, you can get by in daily life without Kanji, but you wouldn’t be able to read very well. You can speak fine though.)

Well… to be honest, I have a hard time reading it too. I’m decent with simple addition and subtraction, but anything beyond basic math and I’m totally lost.

People always described my family as living “below the poverty line”.

-Writing on School Desk: Take your filthy ass elsewhere-

I don’t remember my dad very well. Mom was never home, always working, making ends meet. 

There was no point staying in school. Never had any clean or nice clothes, so the other kids bullied me a lot, and no one really associated with me. Couldn’t get much studying done. 

I should have given up early on….but I was stupid

I held on for a while, always lagging behind.

-Staring down at the desk with the carved insults- “What does this even say?”.

In truth, I just wanted some place to be. I was always holding out hope that I’d make some friends.

Ends weren’t meeting, so I started making money doing small errands after school. Shady types, but It helped pay the bills.

I was so happy when I accepted as a junior member of the Yakuza. I’d finally found a place I could belong. I got carried away and even got the tattoos. But in the end I was just a cog in the machine. 

I ended up having to take the fall for a higher up. A young guy with some good connections in government. Did a stint in prison, got out. 

Never finished highschool. Got a record, and tattoos, and resignation debts.

(You don’t just leave the Yakuza. You buy your way out with money or favors. Until you can settle that, you owe them.)

If I had anything going for me, it’s that I’m large, physically strong and well suited to manual labor. That’s something money cant buy.

But even if I were to look for a real job, having no stable place of residence is a problem. No one rents to people with a criminal record.

No resume worth reading, I’d have a hard time reading any paperwork. Not great with math or money either.

In the end, all I’ve ever done is be at the beck and call of others, run ragged until I’ve got nothing left. Living a normal life is an unrealistic dream now. 

(This is super interesting because it’s actually true. In Japan they are way more serious about having a criminal record than in the US.

People are basically trapped in the Yakuza because they have no job or housing options if they leave. Ex-Yakuza can’t rent homes, or cars, can’t open a bank account or have credit cards, and can’t get hired anywhere. Without any access to a real job, they mostly end up either going back, turning to crime or lapsing into homeless poverty.)

“Have you heard of that?” 

“Ive got some guys on the inside“

I didn’t quite understand how it worked. I just wanted to DO something for myself. 

But the more I struggled, the more things seemed to backfire. 

I went to some pretty extreme measures to try and change my circumstances, but in the end, I’m just an average person with no special talents. 

Claw Higher Up: Well, that fell short of expectations, but I’m impressed you survived. You’re a strong one. We might have some other duties you can take on.

Claw Higher Up: Get this cleaned up and ready the next ones. 

Looks like nothing’s really changed. 

Honestly, life is mostly luck of the draw. I don’t have many good cards. 

One day when I woke up, a piece was missing out of my ear and I had a couple of broken ribs too. There was nothing left of the facility but a pile of rubble

Not much to be done after that. It is what it is. 

He stares in shock at the slip of paper on the table. There’s writing on the paper.

“um…. what does this say?” 

In the margin of the paper, he writes “I can’t read Kanji” In messy katakana

“evil spirit” is written on the paper scrap… and on another paper scrap, “I’m borrowing your body”

“I…am…..bor....borrowing…your…body“ He sounds out the words one at a time with difficulty. 

“eh? What does that mean?”

This strange conversation….

….stumbled along on the backs of receipts.

Writing on the receipts: I don’t like these cigarettes. Also I don’t want to smoke them since you bought them.

To be honest, I dont mind this evil spirit. I generally wake up well-rested. 

“I’m in my sleeping clothes, feels clean, so that means I showered. Feels so relaxed…. maybe it’s best I didn’t think too deeply into that. 

………

Definitely picked up a girl. Or I guess it could a guy too, wouldn’t know.”

“Why would it pick me?

If it was me, I’d definitely go for someone rich, and much less scary looking.”

Money on the table, and a plastic bag with some cigarettes, beer, and a receipt. On the back of the receipt “see if you like these”

To anyone else, to be possessed, on top of my general life situation, may seem terribly unfortunate. 

He sounds out the words “see …if… you…. like… these”

“Wait, is this a magazine? I said I cant read very well.”

But… I on the other hand, for the first time in my life, I feel like a won a little lottery or something.

Note on the magazine:  Try it out. Just read whatever you can” On a second post it note:  "stick a note on the parts you don't understand, and also the parts you're interested in....."

“What kind of evil spirit is this?”

Given the way my life has gone thus far, I feel pretty good about this

(So without a bank account he’s basically limited to working cash jobs, and under the table jobs…. which is honestly what most Ex-Yakuza end up doing. Some of these jobs dont end well.)

Everybody else in my life is pretty much a bastard.

Man off screen: “Didn’t even bring a weapon? Haha Youre all talk aren’t you.”

Oh god it hurts….

it hurts so much….. dammit…. I’m going to die…. bleeding

He struggles to breathe while bleeding out on the ground.

….die…….

I DONT WANT TO DIE 

I don’t care if I cry or scream… I just want someone to help….anyone

No one will come for me

I dont want to die…. I don’t want to die like this…

not like this…. I dont….. I….

Dimple: “Idiot”

Even now, there’s no one to depend on…. no one I can think of to help. (This is still the guy thinking)

Dimple: “Hey”

Dimple: Pull yourself together.

You want to live don’t you?

A strange dream came to him from within the depth of the delirious pain….

These people are dressed like some TV show… angry shouts

I dont understand what they’re saying. I’m so hungry. everything hurts….I’ve got nothing left but regrets

Hatred… it’s all I feel now…. with every fiber of my being. It consumes me… I don’t even know why is anymore.

.......an empty sadness, and resigned loneliness. 

Status, Money, education….all the things that make a man worthy… I have none.

To be needed by no one. trusted by no one. loved by no one. No companion on your journey…. No one to laugh with…. no one to suffer with…..

If I cried,… If I screamed…. there would still be no one who understood.

(Remember how Mogami straight up says that evil spirts are borne from trauma?)

But even if that’s the case, I’ve never been one to give up easily.

I….

I….

(he switches pronouns here from a normal I to a “Your Lordship, I ” IThe one he uses as a spirit. So the implication here is that he changes fundamentally between these two lines………you know….)

consider the life I’ve led as garbage… nothing but an endless series of misfortunes. but even then…. even then……

The desire to relate to others…. to have someone walk besides you…. is that really wrong?

there’s nothing wrong with that…..is there. (This is a statement phrased as a question….it’s not a question.)

“…….ahh“

“So…. that’s how you found me….“

I… I….I’m home

Oh….Oh god It hurts…

It hurts so bad…but….

but … Im alive.

huh?

-There’s bags of groceries on the ground.-

“…..haha” -he starts to cry-

There’s a note: Be Careful. Be more picky about the types of jobs you take. Just rest up for now. Get some sleep.

“Are you really an evil spirit?”

-Sounds clattering in an alley and a person gasping-

Hey, who said you could sleep?

-the guy he’s holding struggles to breath-

Doesn’t matter if you forget this later, you’ll listen NOW and and you’ll listen WELL.

I

I have no interest in what you do and why. But the next time you dare to take me so lightly, death will only be the beginning.

(Ahhhh the way that he says this so goddamn cool. His normal speech form just fits this moment so well holy shit, why isnt english this spectacular? There’s just no way to express in english this sort of “I own you and I’ll destroy everything you love” type of regard that he constantly has.)

“you…..you monster”

Wrong…. Im an Evil Spirit

(Goddamn this is a beautiful shot. There’s a TV trope called “Roaring Rampage of Revenge” this is just a spectacular illustration of everything that trope encompasses)

The man gasps as he is dropped. Dimple dusts off his hands.

“Ah….shit. Time’s almost up. Told him I’d be back by now.” “What happened to my coat?”

-Written on the back of the receipt in very sloppy handwriting- “What is your name?”

Written on the back of the receipt: “Ekubo”

Eh? (he struggles to read E—K..Ku..bo)

“Ekubo”

“…haha”

“What an odd name” 

Oh man, I love this comic. There’s popular fandom consensus, in the Asian fandom that this guy has a ton of Yakuza tattoos. You see artists draw this all the time. I’m sure that was initially done because it was hot, but here’s an interesting attempt to delve into the implications. What kind of person joins the Yakuza and what might their lives be like?

There’s a certain badass exoticism in which we in the west view the Yakuza, But in the end, it’s a gang, and the motivations of people joining gangs are familiar ones the world over.....disenfranchisement, ostracism, and lack of other options. Then they folded it back into the story! How might somebody like that feel about this possession thing? That is really REALLY cool.

[startanewdream]

Hyacinth

Summary: Sirius takes some time to fill his godfather duties — teaching Harry how to ride a motorbike.

Part of Eyes Glistening (Jily Lives AU). It ties with Hope, but you don't need to read it first to enjoy this moment between Harry and Sirius.

Read on AO3 or below the cut:

~*~*~*~*~*~*

The street is quiet, a summer afternoon in which everyone must have decided it’s too hot to stay outside, but Sirius doesn’t breathe easily until he opens the small gate and then he is finally inside the Potter’s estate, safe under their love protection, though its days are almost over. He tries not to let this thought dismay him.

He walks towards the house, but he pauses, his attention diverted. Despite the heat, Harry is standing still near the broom shed, watching the sky thoughtfully, his hands inside the pocket of his jeans.

Alone and brooding, never a good sign.

He sighs, moving direction towards his godson. He has seen that quiet stubborn resolution on Harry’s face ever since he met him after Dumbledore’s funeral; it was a soldier’s face, a soldier with a duty that was hinted by Harry’s secret meetings with Dumbledore—the most secretive man Sirius had ever known—, and from all Sirius knows about Harry and James, that didn’t bid well.

He had a feeling Harry would leave. He was sure that James would hate it.

Sirius walks quietly, stopping a few steps behind Harry.

‘So, how it went?’

Harry jumps under the sound of his voice, turning around. Sirius holds back a frown; Harry shouldn’t be caught so off guard—he may be safe at the moment, but soon, in the real world, he will need better reactions and not trust anyone. This thought doesn’t comfort him.

‘What?’

‘You finally told James, didn’t you?’

Harry squints, uncomfortable. ‘Dad said anything you?’

‘No, I just needed to come by—I still have a few repairs to do in my motorbike.’

‘Oh.’ Harry’s gaze strays to the broom shed. ‘Don’t mind me.’

Sirius watches him for a few seconds before nodding. It’s still hot and he had planned to do this later, but he has a feeling that now it might be the best time—and he knows that pushing Harry to talk before he is ready never works. So he goes to take his motorbike, opting to work in the open instead of the broom shed. Harry hasn’t moved when he comes back, as Sirius imagined he wouldn’t, so Sirius just kneels to check the engine, careful to let the toolbox closer to Harry.

‘Pass me a screwdriver, will you?’ he asks Harry, not taking his gaze off the engine.

It’s been a while since he rode his motorbike, Sirius notes shamefully, so he needs to check if all the electrical parts of the motor are okay. It’s a tiresome job that he could ask a real mechanic to do, but he enjoys the manual work anyway, and Harry seems to relax some of his tension as he watches Sirius working, helping him whenever Sirius asks him—things that Sirius could do alone, but he understands that Harry likes to feel helpful.

‘I am leaving,’ Harry says quietly at some point, and Sirius takes care to not let any emotion show in his face.

‘I thought so,’ he says. All those meetings with Dumbledore seemed too much as some sort of passing the torch, though Sirius doubts that Dumbledore had planned for things to go sour so quickly. ‘When?’

‘As soon as I am of age.’

‘Oh. Okay.’

Harry is watching him, and Sirius knows he is just looking for some sort of disapproval—though he doesn’t know what Harry would do if he found it. That boy is Lily’s son too much not to be stubborn and he would go anyway. Well, Harry does like to suffer.

‘Dad is mad at me. I think… I think I’m letting him down somehow.’

And there is it, the reason why Harry was staring sadly at the sky, brooding under the sun as if it could atone for his sins somehow. He sees the apprehension in his godson’s green eyes, and Sirius is suddenly aware—though he shouldn’t be surprised—how apart from his eyes, Harry looks a lot like James.

‘You never disappoint James,’ Sirius tells him reasonably. ‘He is just too worried. You know him.’

‘I feel like… like if I leave him, he won’t ever understand. He’ll hate me for doing it.’

‘Hating you for doing the right thing? That can’t be.’

‘You didn’t see him. He said… he said if I cared, I wouldn’t leave anyone.’

‘Do you?’ Sirius asks softly. ‘Do you care?’

Harry looks at his house with a heavy sigh. ‘Too much.’

‘Then he will understand. You’ll be of age, Harry, and you’ve been making decisions—good even if questionable some times—for some time now.’

‘I just want… I want it over.’

‘That’s all we want.’ Sirius pauses for a moment. ‘Are you sure you’re the only one who can do this?’

Harry doesn’t hesitate this time. ‘It has to be me. But I won’t be alone.’

‘Ron and Hermione?’ Sirius guesses, smiling a little when Harry nods. He is a firm believer that with friends by his side, Harry can do anything. ‘Ginny?’

Harry sighs. ‘No, we—I broke up with her.’

‘What?’ Sirius asks, confused, but the desolation in Harry’s face is enough to show him all he needs to do about this news. ‘For her own good?’

Harry kicks a stone in the ground, his head lowered. ‘I couldn’t put her in danger and… being near me is a hazard. It’s enough I’m already putting you and Mum and Dad in so much trouble—’

‘You know we would still be even if you didn’t exist, right? In fact, we joined the Order about two years before you were even born, kid.’

Harry shrugs, clearly not agreeing with him. Sirius rolls his eyes; Harry enjoys saving people too much not to feel guilty for anything that happens, even when is only remotely connected to it.

‘If you wanna blame someone, blame Voldemort, not you,’ Sirius says, and he stands up to finish a few protective spells on the motorbike.

As he casts them, blue light shining from his wand, it occurs to Sirius that Harry will need a quick course on Defensive Spells. He already knows quite a few, always having a knack for them, and Sirius is familiar with how much Harry loves his Expelliarmus—he supposes that a wandless enemy doesn’t provide much danger—, but Harry will need to improve his list if he is to be safe during whatever he will be doing.

He thinks of a few books he has at home that helped him in his early years of the Auror training, and he is sure that he can ask Moony to come and help them with training.

Away from James’ eyes, that’s it. Sirius enjoys not being hexed by his best friend.

But Harry’s birthday is still a few weeks away and, right now, Sirius doesn’t want to give Harry homework.

‘Why are you fixing your motorbike?’ Harry asks.

‘I got the feeling it might be useful. The Order has been discussing how to get you safely away from here, you know.’ Harry frowns heavily, so Sirius rushes to add in a teasing voice: ‘I thought of suggesting to hide you inside the trunk and be done with it. Death Eaters would never guess.’

Harry laughs. ‘I don’t think I’d fit.’

‘No, we’d need to transform you into something. Too bad you never felt an attraction to turn into an animagus, if you were a hedgehog it would be easier.’

‘Why a hedgehog?’

‘They are cute. And your hair does make you look like one.’

‘Hey!’ Harry’s indignation is cut by the grin on his lips. He runs his hand through his hair in a gesture that reminds Sirius of James more than ever. ‘It’s my charm.’

‘Oh, I’d have my doubts, but then Lily did marry and procreate with your father, so what do I know?’ Sirius tosses a helmet to Harry. ‘Here, put it on.’

‘To hide my hair?’

‘No, silly, because you need a helmet to ride.’

‘Ride?’

There is a bewildered expression on Harry’s face. Sirius smiles, more certain than ever of his idea. ‘Yeah, I've never taught you how to ride a motorbike, have I? Lousy godfather I am.’

‘You’re not,’ Harry says at once, distracted. He puts on the helmet. ‘Why didn’t you ever teach me before?’

‘Lily deemed too unsafe—a little hypocrite if you ask me, brooms are much more dangerous’

Harry doesn’t look as if he agrees on that one—that boy was way too influenced by James about brooms—but he seems excited enough.

‘Now what?’

‘Now pay attention. If you fall, your mother is gonna kill me.’

Harry looks amused with Sirius' concern.

Sirius shows him how to operate the motorbike, telling him to be careful with the brake and the acceleration and to not mix the gear shifter with them. Then he helps Harry get on the bike.

‘By the left side,’ he guides, and Harry looks somehow younger as he sits on the motorbike. Sirius had a sudden vision of himself holding a Harry who wasn’t even two yet as they flew through the night.

Merlin, the time has flown. Near seventeen already and ready to kick Voldemort's arse.

‘Keep your feet on the ground to get used to. Good?’ Harry nods. ‘Okay, now try to feel the clutch.’ After several minutes, in which Sirius makes Harry repeat over and over how every part works, he picks his key. ‘I’ll start the engine now, okay?’

Harry acquiesces; his eyes are shining, overjoyed. Sirius makes sure the bike is into neutral, then indicates the “start” button for Harry.

‘Slowly let the clutch out—keep your feet on the ground, it will give you more support.’

Harry nods once more, concentrated, his attention focused on releasing the clutch—and then his grip slips and the motorbike yanks forward too quickly. Sirius jumps to hold them.

‘Hey, hey, it happens!’ he says. Harry looks only sheepishly, not very much concerned for his health. Of course not, Sirius thinks. The boy is ready to face Voldemort, what’s a bike? ‘You stalled the engine because you let it go too fast. Try again.’

He does; this time his hand leaves the clutch in the right timing, and the motorbike wrenches him forward. Harry lets out a laugh—one of those carefree sounds that Sirius has been hearing less and less lately—at the same time as Sirius turns into a dog to chase him.

The Potter estate is vast, an enormous field that goes into the woods, and it takes several minutes until Harry finally steps on the brake, having made a huge round back to the broom shed. Sirius is glad and relieved to realize Harry remembered to use the brake over the throttle.

Sirius is out of breath—age comes with problems, though he wouldn’t admit it out loud—when he helps Harry down the kickstand so he can get off the bike. Harry immediately crashes into the ground, laying over the grass with a relaxed expression as he takes out his helmet.

‘This was so much fun!’ he admits. ‘Can I fly next time?’

‘One step at a time, kid. When you are good on the ground, we’ll try for the skies.’

‘Spoilsport,’ Harry complains without any real malice in his voice. ‘Thanks, Sirius.’

‘No problem, kid.’ Sirius sits next to him. ‘Just wanted to share Hyacinth with you.’

He lifts his eyebrows. ‘Hyacinth? Your bike has a name?’

‘All the good rides should have one. Don’t mock Hyacinth.’

Harry shakes his head, amusement all over his face as he closes his eyes. He puts his arms around his head for support, so Sirius does his godfather duty once more. He turns into Padfoot, laying next to Harry to offer him a good fluffy pillow.

[rebelwrites]

Your Love Is My Drug

Clay Spenser x Reader

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This Months Writing

“Where is Y/N? I've not seen her around tonight?” Ray asked Clay as he brought a fresh round of beers over.

“She’s out with her best friend, something about a much needed catch up” Clay laughed checking his phone to see the fifth drunk selfie came through making him smile. “They are on their way here now, just a warning she is drunk judging by her texts so let’s not feed her any more alcohol”

“Let the girl live a little” Sonny smirked knowing full well he wasn’t going to listen to Clay.

“You don’t have to deal with her hungover ass tomorrow” Clay said pointing the beer bottle at Sonny “I do, and trust me she’s hard work but it’s good job she’s cute”

As Clay brought the bottle to his lips the doors to the pub slammed opened followed by fits of giggles that made his heart skip a beat, looking over he saw you on the floor, heels in hand, laughing to the point you were crying. Making his way through the crowd he made his way to you, wrapping his arms around your waist pulling you to your feet.

“Sorry Clay, she just kept knocking the shots back” Lexi laughed.

“It’s fine Lex, it’s not your fault” Clay smiled as he made sure you were steady on your feet. “She’s had a long week at work so knew she’d end up drunk”

“You got her?” She asked.

“Yeah you go enjoy the rest of the night” Clay laughed.

“Clay hiiiiiii” you slurred placing your hand on his cheek.

“Hi babygirl” he smirked “how much have you had to drink tonight?”

“Only a ikkle bit” you whispered, holding your thumb and index finger slightly apart. “Am not drunk”

“You sure about that” he whispered, kissing you softly.

“Urm Nope” you giggled as you wiggled out his arms and stumbled over to the boys. The moment you were at the table you placed your heels in the center before working out which drink was Clay’s with a puzzled look on your face.

“He finished his darling” Sonny smirked, picking up a bottle and passing it to you. “But you good friend Sonny got you, your own”

“Thanks” you grinned, taking the beer off him, bringing the bottle to your lips, pretty much downing the whole bottle within minutes until Clay took the bottle off you. “Hey I wasn’t finished” you huffed as he sat down pulling you into his knees, wrapping his arms around your waist.

“No more baby” he whispered making you pout, “I’m just thinking of the hangover you will have tomorrow, you need to sober up a bit”

“You’re no fun” you said trying to fake cry but it wasn’t happening. “Clay Spenser the buzz kill”

“You will thank me in the morning” he laughed, kissing the top of your head. Before taking his cap off, giving it you to wear. “So just soft drinks for you now”

“Clay was right” Jase laughed “you are like an excited little puppy when drunk”

“A big fluffy golden retriever” you grinned before turning to Clay “no you’re the golden retriever” you giggled tapping his nose. “A big blonde golden retriever”

“Yeah definitely now more alcohol for you babygirl” Clay laughed at the annoyed face you were pulling, you thought you looked intimidating but to him you just looked cute.

A couple of hours had passed and you weren’t sobering up, thanks to Sonny. It looked like you were just drinking lemonade when in reality it was a double vodka and lemonade. It was always the same when you went out drinking, you’d always end up back here with your boys. But this was the first time you had been completely shitfaced and Clay decided to cut your alcohol off warning the boys not to give you any more but Sonny never listened.

You were all now around the pool table, Clay and Ray were playing whilst the rest of you hung around the table. Jason currently had his arm around your waist keeping you up right as there were no chairs. Leaning back against him you watched Clay, it was like the whole room disappeared when you looked at him, no one else mattered.

Feeling your heart skip a beat as he started laughing at something you realised just how in love with him your were, he was the one, the one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with.

“Maybe I need some rehab, or maybe just need some sleep. I got a sick obsession. I'm seeing it in my dreams” you started to sing, there was no music just your drunk voice.

“Okay who’s been giving my girl alcohol” Clay laughed looking around the room. He knew you only randomly start singing without music at a certain level of drunk. Placing the pool cue down he took your drink out of your hands taking a sip before shaking his head at you laughing before looking at his best friend. “Sonny”

“Hey you try saying no to her when she gives you the puppy dog eyes” Sonny laughed.

“Yeah it’s game over when she gives you them eyes” Clay smirked, kissing the top of your head, taking the drink off you. “No more babygirl okay, I do not need you throwing up on the way home”

“I'm looking down every alley, I'm makin' those desperate calls, I'm staying up all night hoping. Hittin' my head against the wall. What you got, boy, is hard to find, I think about it all the time, I'm all strung out, my heart is fried, I just can't get you off my mind” you sang loudly as you wiggled out of Jase’s grasp to go to Clay, but you couldn’t really walk in a straight line at this point so stumbled, nearly face planting the floor of it wasn’t for Clay catching you. Wrapping your arms around his neck you had a massive grin on your face as you got lost in his blue eyes as you carried on the song. “Because your love, your love, your love is my drug. Your love, your love, your love. I said your love, your love, your love is my drug. Your love, your love, your love. Won't listen to any advice. Momma's telling me I should think twice. Better left to my own devices. I'm addicted, it's a crisis”

As much as Clay tried to be mad at his best friend letting you drink more he couldn’t stay mad for long, one look in your eyes and he was grinning like an idiot, his hands were planted on your hips as you ran your fingers across his skin.

“My friends think I've gone crazy. My judgment is getting kinda hazy. My steeze is gonna be affected. If I keep it up like a lovesick crackhead” you giggled running your hands down his solid chest, not breaking eye contact. You paused for a moment, biting your bottom lip as you tried to remember the lyrics of the song but your mind was in a drunken haze. “Oh fuck I forgot the song”

“Thank god you are making my ears bleed” Lexi laughed making you give her the middle finger.

“Wait i've got this” you slurred as you hummed the song trying to remember where you got to, but little did you know Ray was filming the whole thing ready to tease you with come the morning. “I don't care what people say. The rush is worth the price I pay, I get so high when you're with me. But crash and crave you when you leave” you giggled as your hands still roamed Clay’s upper body.

Clay knew you couldn’t remember the whole song, but he didn’t care because he knew that even with you being so drunk that you meant every word you sung badly. Moving his hands to your waist he smirked leaning your back slightly as you moved one arm around his neck and the other on his cheek as he took a step, causing him to be closer to you but still making sure you were still standing before his lips connected with yours, the kiss was full of love and passion, and made your head spin even more. One kiss left your body tingling, your heart was racing all because of one man.

Pulling away from the kiss you stared into his eyes with a massive grin on your face.

“I love you Babygirl” Clay grinned.

“I love you too” you giggled as you started stroking his beard. “Hey I like your beard”

The whole group erupted into laughter as Clay guided you to a small round table Sonny had found, in one movement Clay picked you up making you squeal before he placed you down on the table. “One more game baby then we are going home”

“Okay” you nodded as you learn back against the wall.

After about 10 minutes Ray nudged Clay making him look over in your direction to find you were now asleep resting your head against the wall.

“Well I guess that’s us out” He smiled hugging his brothers and Lexi. Carefully he wrapped his arms around you picking you up bridal style he knew that you had a hard week at work so he purposely only had a few beers and was still good to drive. The slight movement disturbed you as Clay adjusted his grip to make sure he didn’t drop you.

“Hey” you mumbled in a half asleep drunken state.

“Babygirl go back to sleep” Clay whispered looking down at you with love in his eyes. “I’ve got you”

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