#didn't have time to do Captain but I might actually come back and add him

[blimbo-buddy]

Mobilewashing Valentine's Day Special, and only [Glancing at the calendar] three days late

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Seeing Stars 1

Warnings: non/dubcon and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes

Summary: You struggle to be star struck by the world's most famous super soldiers. (grumpy!short!reader)

Note: Guess this is happening.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

The lights, the noise, the crowd, it's all a bit much. You move out of the way of another Red, or, Black Widow cosplayer only to nearly bump into a rather short but broad Thor. At least, you think you have those right. You don't know. Bonita is more into this stuff. You're more here for moral support, or more realistically, to carry her bags.

Didn't she tell you she was trying to cut down her spending? You've already tallied up more than you'd spend on groceries on a single poster and a bobblehead hero. Which one was that? The one with the metal arm…

You jostle against Bonita to keep from brushing against a stranger. You're not much for human contact as it is, but you'd rather it be here than that guy in the Spiderboy outfit doing twirls. You can respect the passion but it's all over the top. Someone's going to get hurt.

"Alright, signature time!" Bonita claps her hands and leads you over to a long queue behind a velvet cord. A man in black asks for her VIP pass. She shows it and you see the not so subtle total on the receipt; $500! That's robbery. These Stark Industries-issued heroes don't need all that.

You keep your grumbles to yourself and cross your arms to follow her. The man stops you too. You reel back and give him a glower.

"Relax, I'm carrying milady's things," you raise the bag and bobblehead. "I'm not interested in having a class photo."

"Please, sir, she's not really into any of this," Bonita adds with a cute smile. He considers her and drops his shoulders. He waves you through.

You shuffle along with the line of bodies. You lean to the side as you try to see the front. It zigzags back and forth. You're going to be here forever.

"Why couldn't Mo come with again?" You drone.

"Because he's a butthead," she whines. "Couldn't even pay me back for getting the tickets on pre-sale so he can miss out!"

"I didn't pay either," you mutter.

"Yes, but you're more fun. My brother's spoiled. He deserves it."

You nod and move with her as the queue shifts again. It's easy for her to come out and spend all this money. She still lives at home. You're not judging her but she also doesn't seem ashamed of it either. As happy as you'd been when you got out on your own, you sometimes wonder what it'd be like to have people to fall back on.

"It's going to be so cool. I got a photo with both of them! EEEEE!" Her squeal has you touching your earlobes.

"Both of them," you nod dully.

"Captain America and the Winter Soldier," she exclaims and claps her hands. "Do you think they'll like my outfit?"

You look her up and down. She wears a star-spangled corset and a red and white striped skirt. She's like an excitable flag. You shrug. "It's cute, but you must be cold in here," you peer up at the high-ceilings and the fans swirling the air around.

"Nope! Too excited," she assures you.

"Cool."

You might not be into any of this but you try to be a supportive friend. Bonita's a bit flighty but she's not a bad person. Really, you admire how into things she gets. You have your things but she's about as interested in those as you are in super soldiers.

She chatters on about the photo. Do you think they'll sign it too? Oh, she needs to put it right above her desk. Obviously, it's going to be her phone background. You nod and peer around vaguely.

She thrives in place likes these. Bright, loud, and chaotic. You'll take something warm to drink and a book. She'll join you if you throw in some face masks and the like.

It's more than hour before you're in sight of the front table. Your feet hurt from standing mostly in one spot. You stretch your neck one-way than the other as you near the head of the line. You stand right by the stanchion where the cord opens.

Someone emerges from behind the curtain and you have to quickly step out the bouncing soldier's way. Is it considered stolen valour or an homage? As you move, your elbow hits someone else and you spin to face the unexpected figure.

"Oh," the man catches your elbow as you look up at him. Dark beard, dark hair past his chin, wide shoulders, and straight posture. His blue eyes seem familiar. "Sorry, miss. I'm just trying to get back to my station."

You sidle closer to Bonita as she gasps. The man brushes his fingertips down your sleeve as he passes and heads for the table. He stops to speak with the person handing out merch then proceeds behind the curtain where the flashes have been steadily flickering behind.

"Gosh, can you believe that?"

"Believe what?" You stare after him.

"That was him. Bucky Barnes. The Winter Soldier," she exclaims. You blink at her and she scoffs.

"God, you're so lame. I can't believe you had no idea."

"I dunno," you pop your shoulders up and down. "Not my thing but that's cool."

"Oop!" She hops on her toes as the person at the table calls for the next in line, "that's me."

"Have fun," you say as you move aside with her haul.

She skips up to the table and shows her phone again. She takes the SWAG they offer her as they explain the next step and point behind the curtain. As she disappears behind it, you hear her squeal. You wonder if super soldiers have super hearing. That must've hurt.

You sway as you wait. Your name cuts through the air as you space out staring at a banner and you look over as Bonita waves from behind the curtain. You hesitantly cross the floor, expecting to be stopped.

"They want you to join!" She says.

"What?" You stop a foot away from her head as it appears to float between the curtains.

"Sure. They said why not? Since you waited in line."

"Oh, no that's… fine. I'll stay out here."

"Come on," she huffs and grabs your wrist, dragging you through. "Here she is!"

You step through and scan the space. There's the photographer patiently waiting behind the camera. Across from the lens, two large men stand with smiles that you can tell are all for show. This is a paid appearance for them.

"Hey, how about it?" The blond asks and beckons you over.

"I guess if you want me too, Bonnie," you say to your friend without acknowledge the man you know to be Captain America.

She brings you over with her and stands you between her and the brown-haired sidekick. Bucky steps closer and you wince as his hand goes to your lower back. You suppose it's normal given that you're getting photos but you want nothing more than to growl at him.

"Alright, everyone set?" The photographer looks at the camera and adjusts the lens. "Smile."

The flash goes as you refuse to follow orders. You're not much on smiling. You stand there like a mannequin as your vision speckles from the light.

"Oh, Steve, um, will you pick me up for the next one?" Bonita asks. You cringe and step away from Bucky's hand. He looms close as you squirm.

"Sure," Steve accepts breezily. He lifts her with no effort at all as you give a skeptical look.

"How about you?" Bucky touches your arm again and you draw away reflexively.

"No thanks," you curl your shoulders inward as you try to shrink down. "I'm good."

"Alright," the photographer says, "everyone together."

"Um, I think I'm going to step out, actually--"

Too late. Bucky puts his arm over your shoulders and crowds you as Bonita poses in Steve's arms. Your eyes round in horror and the camera blinds you again. She's really going to owe you for this one.

[xxchaosjojoxx]

Hi :)

I have always loved law since his first appearance in the anime.

May I ask for a law x Reader but reader is an absolute GREAT at lying. Like they lie all the time and no one would know it was a lie due to specific things that aren't exactly related to the lie but was somehow a "proof" that it was believable. It even fooled Law himself.

Reader is always so happy, like always smiling and cheerful and everything. But with a really constructed lie, a smile isn't always real.

You get what I mean?

Most lies I was talking about was:

"I ate dinner" for example.

Reader didn't actually eat but can be proven to because 1, reader could have planned to "eat" later due to "work" when in reality, they just planned to go inside the lunch room for a few moments and made sure someone saw so they'd have an alibi.

So basically, it's based on alibis and statements that make said lie true.

A/N: Thanks so much for your request. I had an idea in my mind and suddenly it went dark/angst. I hope it is still to your liking and I’m not sure if I should do a second part to add some fluff like I had originally planned.

Lies

You were the sunshine on and inside the Polar Tang. With your bright smile, you could earn a lot of happy smiles and joyful words whenever you enter a room. No one would ever think that this was a facade. That all of this would be a lie. Even your captain would call anyone crazy who would think not of a bunch of sunshine whenever you are around.

Your skills as a thief back in the day are kinda handsy. You are quick and precise when it comes to battle. With your radiant presence and this bright smile paired with those big soft eyes it was easy to gain a lot of free supplies and goodies, whenever your duty was to go shopping. You joined the Heart pirates after stealing some things from Penguin and Shachi nearly 4 months ago. Sadly you couldn’t escape the blue orb nor the teleportation as this man, now your captain, Trafalgar Law was grabbing you with a smirk on his face. You had skill, this might come in handy for sure. That was his reason to let you join his crew. The fact that you would probably lose your head was not an option back there. He was intimidating but handsome. You would be a fool to not follow an attractive man.

The life you had back there was a life you wished to erase forever.

As a foster kid some adults used you for stealing. Kids are small, they can hide better, right?

Over the years you could perfect your stealing skills and one more skill. To lie. Whenever you trembled, whenever you where crying or doing not exactly what they told you, they would hurt you, torture you. You had to learn to lie, because you needed to survive. You had to lie to yourself, that all of this wouldn’t be your whole life. That you would find something better for sure someday. Then you met the heart pirates, they all welcomed you like a family. And even though you showed them your brightest smile, your happiest face, the loudest laugh, you were still aware of them. This is not real. They will use you when they get a chance. Don’t trust them. All of this was repeating in your head every now and then. No one knew what you were hiding because no one suspected anything.

The first time Law suspected something was not too long ago. He worked a lot today and went to the kitchen, to get a snack as he passed you. “You ok, y/n-ya? You look pale? Did you eat anything?”

You were looking at him, giving him a bright smile. “Hey Captain. Of course. I ate dinner already. I just ate too much, maybe that’s why.”

He looked at you with a stern look. “Ok don’t overwork yourself.”

“Aye aye Captain.” and with that you left him. Only after he entered the kitchen and saw the dish, he knew something was off.

Law saw Shachi and Penguin sitting at the table, talking and laughing. “Was Y/N in here?”

They looked at him. “Yeah, she just left with a plate in her hand. She has too much work to do, so she wanted to eat in her room.” The red haired said and Law tilted his head in confusion. “I just saw her, and she didn’t even have a plate in her hand.”

Bepo entered the kitchen from behind. “Oh she gave me the plate earlier. Said I should eat it. She had too much earlier and put way more on the plate for her to finish.”

“I see.” With this Law grabbed a snack and returned to his office with a bad feeling.

He was reading some paperwork as he took a bite from his snack. His mind was wandering back to you. It felt off. Did you really have dinner? The fact that you filled your plate with food and the fact why you didn’t have it when he met you earlier, it all was reasonable. But something was still weird. Would you lie to him? You had no reason for it. But remembering the food, he knew that Shachi was in charge of cooking today and he also knew that Shachi used some spices especially one you didn’t even like. There was no way you wouldn’t notice it and there was also no way that you would eat it to the point you would grab another plate. He hid his face in his hands and was remembering every situation with you in it since you joined. There was never an occasion that he would feel like this. Without even realizing he went towards the storage room, knowing you were on duty today, to write down what else you would need when you dock on the next island.

You stand there with a pencil and a little book in your hands, taking notes. As you felt his presence you turned around to see your captain and smiled at him. “Hey Captain. Can I help you with something?”

“Yeah, can you give me your hand for a second please? I need to confirm something.”

With a confused look you reached your right hand towards him, his warm hands were cupping your own and you could feel a light blush on your face.

“What exactly do you confirm?” You gulped and were looking at him.

“I thought I saw something earlier.” He had not enough time to think of anything clever.

“Do you feel better now? You know because of your second plate of food today.”

He had to concentrate on your heartbeat, on your pulse.

You were looking at him even more confused. “Yes, thank you.”

He squeezed your hand a little tighter. If people lie, their heartbeat, pulse and the breath would give them away, but everything was normal. Not even a slight change. But he knew that you didn’t have another plate. You gave it to Bepo. “Didn’t you give it to Bepo?”

He was staring at you. You felt a little shiver as he was staring at you with this cold look.

"Yeah, I did. I thought I could eat more, but then I felt sick so I gave it to Bepo instead.” Again you were smiling. You didn’t even have to think long enough or even stutter. Your answer was way too perfect. Even if you were telling him the truth, you wouldn’t answer as fast as possible.

“Did you ever lie to us?”

You shook your head and your eyes were wide. “What? No, why should I?”

“Tell me the truth.”

“I do. I never lied to you or anyone else on this ship.”

You were looking at him in determination and in this moment knew, he wouldn’t get the answer out of you.

He knew something was off but he couldn’t prove it. Just his gut feeling wouldn’t be enough.

He let go of your hand. “I’m sorry. I'll let you finish your work.” Law was about to leave the room as he turned his head towards you.

“You can trust us, you know? I know that your past was hard, but you are safe now. If you wanna talk with anyone about anything, do it please.”

Law could see a small nod coming from you. “Of course I do, captain. I already trust you. Thanks for checking on me.” You showed him a big grin and Law couldn’t help but feel this bad feeling inside him to blossom. Now that he felt off he couldn’t help but wonder, if those smiles of yours and your shining personalities are fake. What about you is real? What is a lie? He was determined to find the truth from this day on.

[noperopesaredope]

So I Had a Dream the 501st Got a Dog-

This is the greatest thing I have come up with and my best contribution to this fandom.

So the 501st have just finished a battle, and unfortunately, a village was pretty much destroyed in the crossfire. They are currently helping out survivors, and Fives and Echo are looking around for people when they stumble across a big ol' dog. It’s basically an Irish Wolfhound. Actually, it straight up is an Irish Wolfhound.

The two of them decide to take it along with them and ask people if they know who it belongs to. One family says that it's their elderly neighbor's dog, but he didn't survive the fighting. So now this dog is without an owner. Fives and Echo asks if there might be anyone who can or is willing to take the dog in, and they are reminded that everyone literally just lost their homes and they have other things to worry about right now. Fives and Echo look at each other, look at the dog, and immediately sprint over to Rex with the dog in arms.

Fives: Captain, can we please keep the do-

Rex: No.

Echo: But sir-

Rex: We are not keeping the dog.

Fives: But just look at it! 

Dog: *Is adorable*

Fives: Do you have no kindness in your heart? Why would you do something so cruel to a homeless little puppy? Are you really willing to have it fend for itself in the middle of a war torn area with nobody to take care of it? Are you willing to abandon such a sweet, innocent dog?

Rex:

Rex: We'll take it back to Coruscant and find it a new home.

Fives & Echo: Yeah!

Rex: But don't get attached to it. We are not keeping it. This whole thing is temporary.

(Spoilers: It was, in fact, not temporary)

So they bring the dog onto the ship and into the barracks where Fives and Echo begin introducing it to everyone. Rex, meanwhile, is busy doing captain stuff and honestly forgets about the dog. But after they leave and are in space, he gets a call from Anakin about some reports or something. Rex suddenly realizes he completely forgot to tell Anakin about the dog or even ask him if it was okay, and begins to panic. He rushes over to the barracks and says they need to hide the dog.

Shenanigans ensue, and Anakin stumbles upon them in the middle of an attempt to hide the dog in the most ridiculous way possible.

Anakin: Um, what is going on here?

Rex: Sir, I can explain-

Fives: This is the 501st's new pet dog!

Rex: I already told you, we are not keeping the dog. We are just taking it to Coruscant to find it a new home.

Fives: General, can we keep the dog?

Rex: No, we can't-

Anakin: Sure, we can keep the dog.

Rex: *Stares into Anakin's soul*

Anakin: What? I’m technically the general, so my word is final. And I say we should keep the dog!

Rex: We’re in the military fighting in a war! We spend most of our time either on the battlefield or on this ship! How are we possibly going to be able to take care of a dog?

Anakin: We’ll figure something out!

Rex still tries to convince the others that they cannot keep the dog, but then Ahsoka comes in and immediately loves the dog.

Ahsoka: *Aggressively petting the dog* Who is this?!

Fives: We found this dog last campaign.

Ahsoka: Are we going to keep it?

Fives: You should ask the captain.

Ahsoka: *Turns to Rex with the biggest tooka eyes in existence* Rex, can we keep it?

Rex:

Rex: We can keep the dog.

...........

There's quite a bit more (and most of the funniest stuff happens after this), and I might want to post some other stuff for this, but I'll add that stuff in separate posts. Also, feel free to send me asks about it or something.

I'm probably gonna call this the "501st Pet Dog AU" and will tag it as such. Stay tuned for more!

Edit: (Guys, I added a second and third part, and will likely be adding the 4th tomorrow. Here's the link to part 3, which has links to all previous parts)

Edit 2: Link to Part 4, the final story part (unless I add more stuff)

[sirhamburrger]

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐧-𝐢𝐧

𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐞 [𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐱 𝐟!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫]

word count: 1135 || the prologue || next

as soon as the last patrons leave, mori storms over to you, grabbing the hem of your shirt. 

“tell me,” he says, his voice dangerously calm. “tell me what he said to you.”

“mori, i-” you avert your eyes, fixing your eyes on a scratch on the lacquered wooden floor. you try not to let the tears fall. just thinking about it makes you want to punch something. “i don't want to talk about it right now.”

“but if he-”

“the music was good tonight,” keiji quietly interrupts the double bassist's indignant sputtering, shutting the lid on the piano gingerly. much more gingerly than how you yank the cable out of the amp and shove it into the front pouch of your guitar case. “our music was good tonight. nothing he said tonight can take anything away from that.” 

mori releases you reluctantly, and you laugh bitterly as you pack up the rest of the equipment. the residual anger has given way to utter humiliation. your legs swing back and forth as you sit on the edge of the stage. 

rin places a warm, comforting hand on your shoulder as you pick idly at your chipped fingernails, and for a moment, you think he might actually say something wholesome or encouraging for once. 

“he’s a total douchebag.”

in all honesty, you should’ve expected that.

“a stuck-up, traditionalist snob with a stick up his ass,” you add tiredly, and he laughs. 

it’s seemingly lighthearted talk, but you can’t stop thinking about what he said to you earlier tonight. the words seem to echo endlessly in your head. you clench your fists, imagining his infuriatingly sardonic grin and the smug glint in his eyes he doesn't even try to conceal behind his glasses - those stupid, horn-rimmed glasses. it's a wonder he even has friends in the stupid orchestra.

"i'll kick him out if he gives you any trouble again," osamu reassures you abashedly as the band walks out the front door, promising that you'll have more gig opportunities in the weeks to come. you feel bad; after all, it's not his fault you didn't have the best time tonight. at least you know his patrons liked the music.

your friends, the two vice-captains of the hockey team, wait outside the entrance for you, although most of the team has already left. bokuto's eyes light up when he spots keiji, and immediately he begins to compliment the band's performance tonight. mori and rin start up a conversation with sakusa about something you can't really find yourself to care about.

the steadily growing buzz has your heartbeat thumping in your ears much too loudly. it seems that vodka shots between songs was not a very good idea. before you know it, you’ve slumped sideways onto someone - rin? bokuto? you’re not entirely sure.

someone tall, much taller than you, and he smells good, like sandalwood and jasmine. he feels warm against you in the cold night air. very pleasantly warm.

“would you mind getting off of me?” a sharp voice cuts in. 

you start, backing away and staring at him from through your eyelashes, and as he slowly comes into focus you scowl - it's him. 

it's kei tsukishima.

keiji takes a step forward beside you, as if to confront him, but you stop him in his tracks. you stare right into tsukishima's yellow eyes. they're more of a deep, rich gold, but all you want to do right now is to gouge them out.

“what are you doing here?” you bite out.

“i was just heading out from the toilet,” he retorts coldly, “so don't go thinking i'm following you or whatever. i've got better things to do.”

you swear to all you hold dear, it's taking every ounce of self-control not to sock him in the face right this moment. the tension is unpleasantly palpable now. keiji inhales sharply, gunmetal eyes trained on the taller man. 

“you-”

“nice seeing you, tsukki,” bokuto says uneasily, stepping in front of his best friend. he looks between keiji with your clenched jaw and balled fists, and tsukishima with his condescending smirk. “i think we’ll be leaving now, though. see you around.”

he grabs you both by the arm gently, leading you back to the rest of the group. keiji and mori are positively fuming, and rin… has his phone out, filming. “what?” he says innocently, surreptitiously tucking it back into the pocket of his jeans. “thought one of you might fistfight him or something.”

too tired to even be angry, you huff out a defeated breath, and he pulls you into him as your little group slowly moves off. none of you says anything much for the rest of the short walk, the mood considerably dampened by the unexpected run-in. 

at the car park, you all pile into sakusa's large honda. somehow, you end up squashed between keiji and bokuto in the backseat. you let yourself sink into the plush upholstery, closing your eyes. soft music plays over the speakers, but you're not really listening to it.

want me to throw a coin or two into that guitar case of yours? 

this isn’t even real music. 

you’re not even a real musician.

and you think that maybe he’s right. 

you've always been insecure about one thing; that you don't know a single thing about real music. the lines on any musical score seem to overlap for you, and the notes jump freely and randomly between them. you can barely even tell a minim from a crotchet.

and it's not like you haven't tried. for the longest time, you've tried to study music theory on your own. it always ends with the same outcome; you fail, quickly become demoralized, decide that playing by pure intuition is easier, and give up. you've sort of come to terms with the fact that playing by intuition isn't a bad thing. 

but somehow, tsukishima's words seem to have opened up the insecure, anxious side of you you've tried so hard to suppress for the past few years.

you've tried to stop thinking about yourself as useless, but you feel out of place in the band as it is. mori with his diploma in cello, keiji with his years and years of music education, and rin - well, rin is rin. 

you feel like a fraud. you feel stupid for letting tsukishima get to you, and upset that he's stating the truth.

all is almost forgotten as keiji plays with your hair, talking quietly with mori, but all is decidedly not forgiven. your eyelids start to grow heavier and heavier, and you can't really hear what they're talking about. you don't think you want to.

as you drift off in the backseat, you make a single, silent promise to yourself. you’re going to get kei tsukishima back for this.

author's notes:

oh wow

i was rewatching season four because i couldn't stop thinking about atsumu

and then i decided to write a fic about tsukki.

i don't know if anyone can really relate to this because i've based it off my own music learning experience

i never really bothered to learn music as a young child and only started to love it in middle school. the way my country's education system works made it very hard for me to pick it up midway, so i've gotten by on my own somehow. maybe i'll learn music proper when i'm older and retired

i just. really love the word 'douchebag'

likes, comments, follows and reblogs are greatly appreciated :) don't hesitate to correct any factual discrepancies or ask questions about this fic!

[m.list]

© sirhamburrger 2024

[sideroachblog]

Kinktober Day 6: Body Worship

I forgot to post this yesterday!! Oops. Hopefully I'll get Day 7 posted today, too.

Thanks to @nonsenseafterdark for the prompt list!!

Words: 1,885

Summary: Price needs a confidence booster. Roach is happy to help. No actual smut, I didn't get that far 😅 but the build-up is there.

TWs: The Captain is a dirty old bastard (he's not that old). No real TWs for once, surprisingly. Don't get used to that.

~~~

Price glared at the small glass case on his desk. It held a Newton’s cradle made to look like billiard balls, although Price wasn’t a physics scholar nor a pool fan. It was something his father gave him for Christmas last year without putting much thought into it. However, that rabbithole went unexplored at the moment as his attention rested on his own reflection.

Price looked more and more like his dad every day. Pushing forty wasn’t old by any means. That sentiment didn’t stick now after the last remnants of his youth slipped through his fingers when he wasn’t watching, his full, brown beard sprouting gray patches on his chin.

There were larger problems at stake. Lamenting the passage of time did no one any good. He should feel lucky to have had all these years, considering the many perilous escapades he roped himself into, but it was hard when it earned him bad memories nearly as deep as his stress lines. Price sighed, running a hand through his hair. Christ, was it starting to thin?

Someone cleared their throat standing at his desk and startled him.

Roach stood there like an apprehensive stray, gaiter down around his neck, all his other gear in the armory. A little over a decade younger than Price. Not quite pushing thirty, probably unaware of how fast the birthdays ran by. He had a full head of rich chestnut hair (his crew cut grew out a smidge too far), big brown eyes without a dark circle in sight, high cheekbones his flesh hadn’t begun to sag from yet. Not a boyish face per se, considering the sharp, scruffy jawline it sported and the myriad of scars obtained on missions. Youthful but not young.

Quite the lady-killer, in Price’s opinion; perhaps a bit of a captain-killer as well. Sure, call it unethical to have little crushes on sergeants, but don’t fault a man for preferring trained dogs that come when called and still have the energy for tricks.

Price shook himself out of it before he thought too hard about scratching Roach behind the ears as the man sat in his lap. “Jesus Christ. Would it kill you to knock?”

“I did. You didn’t respond but the door was cracked.”

“Still. Nearly gave me a heart attack.”

Roach grinned. His teeth were crooked and one of his front incisors had been knocked out on their last mission. “I know, you’re getting up there, huh? When do you have to go for your first colonoscopy?”

Price groaned, dropping his head into his hands to rub his tired eyes. “Not for at least five years.”

Might as well be a minute in the grand scheme of things.

“Everything okay?” Roach asked.

“Aye, lad. Peachy. What can I do for you?”

“Got a leave request for the holidays. I want to spend ‘em with my parents.”

He reached over the desk for the papers then leaned back in his chair, boots on the desk. “What, no girlfriend to spend them with?”

The man laughed, rubbing his upper arm awkwardly.

Price raised an eyebrow. “Or, uh, no… boyfriend? To spend them with? Which would be no problem, if you did.”

His face flushed. Price liked the sight.

“I’m not seeing anyone, at the moment. Being in the S.A.S. makes dating tough. My mum's gonna make dinner.”

“Aw, don’t tell me you’re not heading over early to help?” Price scolded.

“I’ve only requested Christmas and the day after off… I’ll help clean up!”

“Damn right you will,” Price said, sliding the papers back across the desk. “Add Christmas Eve so you can be a good boy and help your old lady. Then I’ll approve.”

Roach nodded. Price expected him to leave but, to the Captain’s surprise, he flopped down in a chair.

“Don’t you have duties to attend to, Sergeant?”

“Lunchtime. I’ll bring you chow if you pretend I’m not lollygagging.”

Price was hungry, and his sciatica had been acting up again—it shot pain down his right leg for a few minutes whenever he stood up or sat down. “Deal,” he agreed without much deliberation. Plus, it meant the eye candy stuck around a little longer.

Roach put his arms behind his head and leaned back. He carried his strength in more of a swimmer’s build rather than bulking as much as Ghost or Soap. Definitely strong, though. Well defined muscles flexed below his shirt as he stretched. Price sighed again—he’d lost much of his own definition over the years despite being just as strong. And the aches only ever got worse.

“Are you sure everything is okay?”

“Don’t worry about me, Sanderson. Having a mid-life crisis, is all.”

He flashed that gap-toothed grin. “Hey, you’re not that old!”

“I’m no spring chicken.”

“Okay, well. When you talk like that I can only assume you were born in the fifties.”

Price rolled his eyes. “Way to hit a man while he’s down.”

Roach laughed.

Price didn’t. He thinned his lips, opened his mouth to start speaking once or twice, pressed his fingertips together. Finally, he asked, “Do I act old?”

“I didn’t mean to make you feel bad! It’s fine, really.”

“Hasn’t felt fine lately. I’m greying. Gonna be balding soon, I bet. Got crows feet, smile lines, droopy skin… I’m not the heartthrob I used to be. Enjoy it while it lasts, lad.”

Roach leaned forward. “Hey, don’t be like that! Think of it this way: you’re a DILF now. Once the D turns into more of a G, you’ll just be in your silver fox era.”

“What’s a DILF?”

Roach grimaced. “I was hoping you knew what that meant already.”

Price totally did. GILF, too. But he wanted to see Roach squirm, so he tilted his head in a curious ruse.

“You know what a MILF is, right?”

He nodded.

“So you can guess what the D stands for, right?”

“Are you calling me a ‘dad you’d like to fuck?’”

He took sick joy in the way Roach covered his eyes, immediately pink from his clavicle to the tips of his ears.

Roach said, “It’s—It’s a figure of speech, Sir.”

“I get it, I get it, I’m messing around.”

Price half expected the Sergeant to leave for lunch now that he was mortified. He didn’t. Price’s stomach growled; maybe he could speed this along.

“What makes me a ‘dad you’d like to fuck?’”

“Quit saying that!”

He just laughed.

Surprisingly, Roach kept talking, sweet-talking, even. “Uh, I guess it’s the salt and pepper that does it.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. And the way you carry yourself. You’re strong and confident ‘cause you’re experienced. Well-seasoned. It implies you've been around the block once or twice, if you catch my drift.” Roach’s face only got pinker.

“So you like a man more experienced than you?”

“Captain!”

Price had to backpedal. “Just joking! Nothing wrong if you do. Or don’t.” He chuckled and sighed. “Don’t mind me, I’m a dirty old bastard. Go get lunch, and change that leave request.”

“R-right.”

Roach was out the door before Price could change his mind. Maybe he sped things up too fast.

‘Been around the block once or twice.’

‘Experienced.’

Sounded like Roach wanted to be collared, leashed, and taken for a walk.

…

About ten minutes later the Sergeant returned carrying two meals, again scaring the piss out of Price when he tossed the metal tray onto the desk and a jacket potato threatened to jump out of its designated cubby.

“Christ alive! You didn’t knock this time, either—!”

“Yes, I did! Sir!”

“No, you didn’t! At least I know you’re not a bloody vampire.”

“But I do bite.”

“Great,” Price said sarcastically. “I’ll send in an purchase request for a muzzle, then. Go on, sit.”

He enjoyed the scarlet red Roach immediately turned.

“What had you distracted this time, Captain?”

Being too old to die young anymore. Dying old and ugly and alone.

“Nothing,” Price answered. “Not a thing.”

“Still feeling old?”

“Yup. And It’s getting worse by the second. You’ll be in my shoes, one day. If you’re lucky. You’ll prune up, lose that pretty face, hunch over like a question mark. All your hair will fall out. I bet yours will start from the crown of your head rather than recede; you’ll look like a monk.”

“Don’t be so negative. It’s natural. It’s maturity. Like wine!”

Price smirked. “I don’t believe it. Don’t flatter me, kid, that’s how you become a kiss-ass. I already peaked around your age. It’s all downhill from here; been going downhill for a while.”

Roach clicked his tongue. “It’s not kissing ass if you’re the one turning away from my compliments and pulling your pants down. I can’t help if you won’t listen.”

“I’m not an auditory learner.”

“Ha-ha. You’re a physical one, right?”

“How’d you know?”

“Said it yourself. Dirty old bastard.”

He laughed. His mouth moved before his brain could filter it. “Well, if you teach me why I’m a DILF, I’ll share what I’ve learned on my adventures.”

Roach’s mouth gaped and his eyes went wide. Price nearly saw the discharge notice flying at him—then the Sergeant crossed his legs to hide a boner. Price would be lying if he claimed that didn’t make him hard as a rock.

He paused. Cocked an eyebrow. “Are we pretending I didn’t see that, Sanderson?”

Roach wouldn’t look his way.

“You’re not in trouble. Lock the door, I’ll show you a thing or two. Or leave and there’s no harm done, aye?”

Roach’s brows furrowed. He looked at his Captain, then the door, then his lunch, then repeated the circuit. “Can we eat first? I’m starving.”

He smiled. “Brilliant idea.”

…

And so they ended up locked in Price’s dark office together, the Captain in his chair as Roach straddled his lap.

“You’re so sexy,” Roach said, feeling Price’s trapezius muscles, digging in to release tension. His fingers slipped under the man’s shirt collar. “I can’t believe you don’t see it.”

Price moaned. He couldn’t help it, gripping Roach by the hips as the Sergeant trailed kisses up his stubbly neck. Next thing he knew his shirt was untucked and Roach took warm handfuls of his hairy tummy.

“Not as… toned as it used to be,” Price said sheepishly, eyes closed for reasons he couldn’t explain. It felt more comfortable that way.

“I love it. It’s perfect. And I can still feel the muscles underneath—you’re just as strong.”

“Yeah, yeah. Butter me up. It won’t get you anywhere special.”

Roach pulled away. Price leaned forward to chase kisses now withheld, peaking one eye open when an arm across his chest pinned him in place.

“Something wrong, Sanderson?”

The man stared down his nose at Price. “How long’s it been since anyone’s given you any appreciation?” He asked.

“Huh? Oh…” Price tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. “Can’t remember, so I reckon it’s been a while. Once you’re in my position you’re in charge of dishing it out to keep moral high.”

Roach hummed. “I mean in your love life.”

“The well’s run dry since I've been a Captain. Always been more of a giver, though.”

“Let me change that.”

[newtknewit]

calanthe looks pretty cool, you have more info about her?

Calanthe is a surviving basilisk adopted by Hunter and Willow in my WIP NextGen AU! Here's some quick information before I delve into that whole backstory: Name: Calanthe Species: Basilisk Pronouns: He/her Age: Roughly 14-16 Tracks: Potions and Plants primarily She was accidentally uncovered when Darius led a search party to clear out the old Emperor's Coven laboratory in search of lost information that they could record (with Hunter as a guide, since he knew where the labs were, and the basilisks were too afraid to go anywhere near the area). To everyone's surprise, Belos incubated another batch of basilisks after the first ones had escaped, but died before they could hatch. In the incubation process, without the proper care they needed, all other eggs died except for one: Calanthe. Hunter was the first to discover Calanthe, after being hit with intense memories of the lab and hallucinating. At least he thought he was hallucinating when a vision of himself appeared, turns out it was a basilisk moulding into his form. When he realised this was a physical being, he freaked out at first. Then he saw the black-rimmed blue eyes. The basilisk had imprinted on him, taking on his form as they may typically do as babies. It turned back into a small yellow python-patterned basilisk with blue eyes and light brown hair, to which Hunter and the group had taken it to the Healing Coven for inspection, and later Hunter and Willow had adopted the basilisk since 1. no one else could, and 2. it had already imprinted on them. In this AU, alongside primarily being a palisman carver, Hunter secondarily works with Darius to protect the Boiling Isles' children, creating better safety laws for all and putting more protection in place for the young ones. At the time he discovered and adopted Calanthe, Hunter would've probably been around 25 and was taking part as a student in a school that retaught important life lessons to those who didn't get to learn them. After finishing up with these classes, he transitioned to parenting schools in order to do his best for Calanthe. Willow is living the dream of leading the Emerald Entrails into constant victories, and reassures Hunter that he doesn't need to go to these schools, but he insists, as he absolutely despises the idea of becoming similar to Belos in any way. -Which Willow is actually quite proud of and inspired by.

Thanks to Willow and Hunter, Calanthe gets to live a perfectly normal and happy life, being able to embrace his basilisk side while being treated with the same love and normalcy that every child deserves. Calanthe has changed her appearance many times throughout her life, and still does till this very day, switching it up every now and then when she gets bored. Her primary/favourite appearance is taking inspiration from Willow's fringe, Hunter's face, and a mix between both of their body shapes. This is still a heavy WIP! However, some characters I am planning to add are: Luz + Amity's kids Boscha's child, possibly nonverbal Adrien Graye's neglected/forgotten daughter A Grudgby Team + Captain + Giving IV (now called Ivy) and III (now called Trip) more development and depth (the two basilisks seen in Watching and Dreaming) + King getting a MASSIVE growthspurt There will still be much more to come, once the ideas finally start to pop into my head. Hope this clears up some things! I'm happy you like her design, though it is still a WIP, such as everything else. I am still working on my Cinderkin AU too, in which I might make a 3rd AU combining these two for funsies at some point. It'd be sick to design Calanthe with Cinderkin features! :D

[legacyofafox]

I felt today randomly to write a funny little one shot. It actually ended up to write something that I had a long time as an idea. I might make a one shot series with it, I gonna see. Also might post it on Ao3.

But enough now! I give you now the one shot to read!

It's about Trafalgar D. Water Law and how he added a psychologist to his crew and she keep analysing him. And all goes not how Law wants it.

***

Being with the Heart pirates for about a month. Quickly you had learned you liked to analyse the Captain aka Trafalgar Law. And today you would get more to know about him.

You had your recording tape in your hands as you walked around the sub not knowing you would use it in the next moment.

In front of you stood Trafalgar Law and he was half naked. He was a lot half naked. Almost every time you saw him.

Taking your recording tape to speak into it "Subject, have an urge to walk half naked around the sub…often." Stopping for a moment to add. "Looks like he might have an exhibition fetish.”

Law on the other hand just stared at you in almost shock, he must have heard you. Mouth wide open for a moment before he closed it.

He opened his mouth again a moment after, to his bad you had already turned around to leave.

Leaving a speechless Trafalgar Law behind. If he didn't take fast steps to stop you. "Hey, wait!"

Turning around to face him, asking. “What is it?"

“I'm not having an exhibition fetish!” He almost shouted into your face.

Unimpressed you looked at him. It was always the same with people. First denying and in the end they accept it. “Captain, you shouldn't deny things that might be too oblivious to others.” Turning again around you let him stand there and walk to your room to take notes.

Your Captain was seriously something sometimes. And maybe a bit too much fun to analyse.

***

It was later the day as you walked into the kitchen to get some lunch. If not, voices made you stop.

"Damn Captain, she really does not fall for your charm and sexiness!" A voice said, it was probably Shachi. And another voice said, "Captain, she definitely just wants to study your mind and nothing less." Not getting about who they talk about.

The next moment everyone got silent, your Captain probably glared at them all to shut them up. A silent threat to cut them all into pieces if they didn't shut up.

You took this moment to enter the kitchen. Everyone acted like they didn't do anything. Sitting down beside Penguin, you looked around to analyse them. Your eyes stopped at your Captain. Surprisingly he stared back at you too. Weirdly enough both of you kept staring, almost like a competition.

Your Captain was the first to break. “Stop analysing me!” Kind of demanding, he said.

Somehow your mouth escaped a “Nope.” And from there all went downhill for your Captain.

Shashi started to laugh hysterically, Penguin joined and shortly after everyone else.

Your Captain couldn't hold it much longer and literally hit his fists on the Table. “Everyone shut up!” If you wouldn't know better you would almost say he was flustered.

“Captain, feeling flustered is normal.” Escaped your mouth a moment later.

It ended in your Captain standing up and walking out of the room. You shortly afterwards, because you had to record this and with the laughing of everyone you couldn't. “Subject can't accept his feelings.” Recording your new realisation. 

Moving a few steps further you walked by your Captain's room, hearing his Voice.

“This woman is gonna be the death of me.” It sounded a bit frustrating.

For a moment you got confused who he meant. “I hate that I like it.” He said a moment after.

Out of an Impulse you knocked on his door. For a moment it was silent, too silent, until you heard a grumpy “Come in.”

Opening the door you just looked with your head inside. “Is everything okay? Need someone to talk to Captain? I heard your words as I walked by.” 

It was the first time you saw him getting absolutely red as a tomato. He looked quickly down to hide his face and said nothing.

“You know Captain it's not good to not accept the feeling if they are there.”

What happened next you didn't expect. He actually made a Room and in the next moment you found yourself in your Room. Sitting on the bed absolutely confused.

After a moment and a lot of blinking you shook your head to get your head free. “The Captain truly is a fascinating Subject.” 

You definitely had a bit too much fun in analysing him.

[astridthevalkyrie]

Okay where do we start with cobra kai part 2 now that you’ve finished watching it

i'm SO glad you asked! here's my thoughts (prone to change since i just finished it last night), spoilers under the cut:

the bad:

oh my god we GET it. miguel should've been the captain. making everyone else get their ass kicked so easily just to hype him up was lame. once, sure. the "watch how it's done" scene was cool. but like three four different times? come on.

there was just so much repetitiveness in general. robby's distracted by tory. kwon is an asshole because he is. daniel and johnny argue over the same things they always argue about. zara is a mean influencer because she's a mean influencer. we get it we get it oh my god.

not specific to season 6 part 2 and far be it from me to be a superfan of miguel and johnny but oh my god johnny is so shitty to him. why the fuck are you bothering him on the place leave him ALONE. we've lost the heartfelt moments with miguel and johnny, and we've lost the plot with daniel and robby (which was one of the best relationships in the show).

sensei wolf was hot but useless, silver might as well have just been the iron dragons' "anonymous sensei" that they reveal later on. was silver waiting for daniel to find out before making himself public? like why was he hiding if he was just gonna come out and be there anyways.

they kinda have hit a snag with silver. he was a really good villain, the actor has a really good screen presence, and so they didn't wanna write him out of the show, but his arc was over. bringing him back now, again, becomes repetitive, and adds very little to the plot, even if it does make the iron dragons kinda relevant instead of just being super strong side characters.

what the actual fuck did they do to demetri. why were they trying so hard to make him unlikeable. i was rooting for him in part 1. he's hurt and lashing out at hawk, he's clearly still traumatized from his best friend breaking his arm and imo a shitty apology afterwards, but now? consistently talking about MIT, not trying hard, cheating on his girlfriend? it sucks how much he shouldn't have been part of the competition. more s6p1's fault for the dumb as fuck way they chose the team, but demetri was never a super strong fighter. so if you send him to sekai taikai, my god, at least give him a moment or two to show he's there for a good reason. character assassination at its finest. also very clearly done to make hawk look better in comparison.

carmen's appearance in this season was just another disgusting hammer in the nail of everything they've done with her this far.

stop making johnny a right wing conspiracy theorist i'm begging, stop sacrificing his character that should be mature af by now to make him say haha woke mob jokes.

while i love how mature sam has been the entire season, she has no goals right now. i don't know what it should've been, but they should have given her some stakes in the sekai taikai. her arc in season 4 and 5 also kind of concluded, without her ever beating tory and without tory ever honestly beating her. my samtory heart says i don't want them to fight, i love them fighting for each other and protecting each other (for once want tory protecting sam instead of the other way around), but my samantha larusso heart wants her to have a solid win against tory on the mat.

she was also ooc. i think she was right to call out johnny, but s4 sam would not say this!! s4 sam was johnny's student too! come on now. sam is not just miyagi do. sam has mastered both elements as much as the boys have. them deciding to switch up sam and amanda every season.

didn't want drama between miguel and sam but was hoping for a moment. ig if they're not broken up we're not supposed to care about them.

hawk's hair is tacky. hate it.

the cgi/ai mr miyagi thing was incredibly awful. why the hell did they do that it was so disrespectful.

WE SHOULD'VE HAD MORE SAM ROBBY SCENES. GIVE ME THE LEGACY KIDS GODDAMMIT.

the big thing. kwon's death (if he is dead that is). it's hmmmm. idk how i feel about it. on one hand, yes, good for everyone to finally realize this has gone way too far. absolutely fucking ADORE daniel trying to reach him and stop him. daniel lasrusso my beloved the only one who acknowledges these are kids. on the other hand, and i don't mean in this in a super mean way, who cares. right now the only thing that makes this sad is kwon's age. otherwise, his teammates didn't like him, his competitors didn't like him, the senseis didn't care about him aside from his skills. maybe this would be different if he was kim's favorite instead of yoon or if him and kreese had a relationship like tory and kreese did. or if he had a SINGLE humanizing moment. or a friend. they just did his character dirty tbh. also made him seem like a hotshot with nothing to back it up when part 1 showed him as very formidable. brandon lee is mega hot and his acting was fire he should've had more to work with it.

i also think the way it happened with him stabbing himself is dumb af. at this point it might've been better if he just stabbed axel.

and what's gonna happen now? if they continue the competition that's insane. if they don't then it's disappointing. we hyped all this up only to not have a winner? my god that sucks.

the whole brawl was just. meh. it's nothing like the high school fight they didn't even come close.

the good:

sam and axel were so fucking adorable. i really wish they hadn't gone down the he likes her and tries to kiss her route. would've been so much better if they were just friends, and kinda wanted to see a brawl of the two of them versus kwon and yoon.

KENNNYYYYYYYY. dumb as fuck that hawk and demetri didn't trust him for such dumb reasons, but oh my god they like my baby finally have a win. loved his middle finger to silver. wish there was a robby kenny scene.

sensei kim's hair down oh my gooooooood. she's so gorgeous.

i didn't wanna put kim/chozen in the bad, idk if i should put it in the good, it's just. there. lol.

tory and sam for the most part. no rivalry. just two traumatized girls knowing they need to fight each other and grimly resigning themselves to it. poor babies.

johnny's divorced wife ass voicemail. "the kids need you, i need you." the middle aged gay men have once again gotten me. silver called him a pretty boy this show is OBSESSED with calling johnny a pretty boy what the fuck.

silver also put daniel in a dog cage. no explanation as to what would've happened if daniel didn't use jesus (?) to escape. jumin han ass plan.

fight choreography was insanely good. personal fav is kenny's little flip when he's tapped in.

liked anthony and kenny's resolution.

training montage in the last or second last episode was super cute.

ADORABLE scene in the locker rooms with the whole "who are we? miyago do!" call me cringe. i loved it. i'm glad they realized this is it, they're not gonna be fighting as a team forever and they need to savor it.

miguel's maturity after he comes back to the competition was so refreshing. finally.

i know i already said brandon lee is hot but brandon lee is hot. the way they did his hair, his smirk, the way he talks, ohhhh my god.

carrying from season 4 part 1, whoever is doing peyton list's makeup makes it look like tory is constantly crying. at first it was jarring, but it really adds to the scenes and makes you feel bad for her.

hopefully in part 3 we'll get core 4 stuff. i want miguel sam robby tory hanging out. not on awkward double dates, but as friends who all like and love each other. the characters are all in a good place with each other right now. please please please.

there was probably more good? but i can't think of it right now lol. anyway watch cobra kai as a comedy and it's insanely good. take it seriously and you'll suffer. i have done both and will continue to.

[sonicasura]

I am back with some more hcs regarding the Pacific rim x Kaiju no.8 crossover:

Instead of fighting General Isao Shinomiya to prove his humanity, the Jaeger division suggested a mind meld with Kafka to access his memories and headspace to show that this is still very much the same human Kafka they know and figure out how and when exactly this transformation into Kaiju thing happened. Mind melds with Kaiju are also very dangerous, so if both parties in the mind meld finish unharmed then that would add a point to Kafka's humanity. In all honesty, what really is humanity? What makes an organism be classified as worthy of humanity? The Jaeger pilots always feel their humanity slipping bit by bit and become more mechanical as they operate their Jaeger's more and more often.

Hoshina was initially encouraged to join the Jaeger division instead of the defense troops because of his specialization in close range combat. Mina picked him up into her division one way or another.

When a coreless Kaiju is slain it's like a whale fall. While whale corpses are normal in nature and will eventually decompose (after an already long period of time), Kaiju corpses take much longer to decompose naturally unless a cored Kaiju is around to eat it so there are still Monster Sweepers for coreless Kaiju that specialize in working in the ocean. It's not a good idea to let a Kaiju corpse just float in the ocean for anyone to sea, it could end up beached.

Reno met Kafka as he was cleaning up a coreless Kaiju corpse. Kafka was helping out with the clean up. Saved Reno from a cored Kaiju instance that was trying to get a bite of the corpse that wasn't pleased with humans trying to take its free meal away. Canon with a twist ensues.

Reno is unofficially adopted by the Jaeger division, he might be part of the kn8 DF, but they got him first.

The rivalry between PR troops and kn8 troops is so strong that even first and third divisions would set aside their differences to get one over these guys. Only for Kafka to arrive with a big dumb grin on his face and call Captain Ashiro by her first name.

The rest of the Jaeger pilots took the distraction as their chance to kidnap Reno. They have been infected with Kafka's parental instincts. Reno being thrown back and forth like a hot potato. He shall never get his peace.

Kafka's size can vary, not sure if he should be a cored or a coreless Kaiju. But, if we're going for the size of coreless Kaiju being his max then he'd be more suitably coreless.

Kafka has a pseudo Core as the mosquito kaiju(who I call Tiny) heavily altered all of his body for this more different No.8. In the small canon appearance, he's a Core Kaiju but shifting into the much larger form he becomes Coreless. Due to this Kafka is the first Type Shift class.

Tiny and Ai(the consciousness for Kafka's kaiju form) definitely made the test mind meld a bit awkward. Poor pilot wasn't expecting an impromptu interview with an actual kaiju nor for the latter one to be so similar in personality to their resident himbo. While Tiny didn't disclose his origins, both do convince the Defense Corps that their only enemies are Kaiju.

Poor Reno definitely isn't ready for the hot potato game to come. Good thing he's a good mediator especially after Kafka casually addresses the Captain of the 3rd Division. (Mina didn't know what to think about learning her childhood friend being a Jaeger pilot.)

I would say being 'lost in the drift' does have mental side effects for Jaeger Pilots than becoming immersed in your partner's memory. The Defense Corps make sure to have a psychiatrist alongside a session of mental evaluations and exercises for them. Can't exactly have your fighters walk around like they are Mr. Roboto.

[cas-backwards-tie]

Chapter Three: Reroute Necessary

COD Men x Reader

Trials & Triumphs | Previous Chapter

Summary: Upon your debrief and explanation to Laswell, a shift in strategy is needed. How your fellow comrades will take that news is unbeknownst to you. Luckily for Laswell, however... you may have an idea or two up your sleeve. Now, it all comes down to a vote.

Words: 2.6k

Warnings: Disappointment, Anger, Humiliation, Embarrassment, Resentment, Passive-Aggressiveness,

Mentions of: Injury, Death, War Crimes, Government, Politics,

A/N: As I continue to delve further into the fandom I've been getting into most recently Johnny, John, and ofc Vlad so now I'm so lost! Ah... oof. Trying not to switch my original idea or add too many things to this. Anyway, this def is not gonna be all actiony every chapter. It'll change route after this for sure! So stay tuned.

"Explain it. Again," Laswell commands. Attempting to withhold the anger in her blue eyes, her fingers grip the edge of her desk a little tighter as she leans over it.

Pursing your lips together, you take a deep inhale through your nose. It's embarrassing enough you'd had to do this once, now you're just being humiliated. Though you've done your best to ignore his presence, you sneak a glance at the man sitting in the chair on your left. While you might not know Captain John Price well, you can see the empathy in his eyes from the momentary eye contact the two of you shared. A sigh tumbles past your lips as you raise your head again, confronting your superior. Starting over, once again, from the top, you explain.

"To start, we set up things together, formulating a plan..."

Things went according to that plan for the most part. The Captain can't deny that. He listens as you explain to Kate for the second time what'd transpired the other night and how, exactly, you'd let Boris Wagner get away. In truth, it wasn't exactly you who'd let him get away. Yet, it also was... wasn't it? If he's being honest with himself, if you'd had a better handle on your team this wouldn't have happened. You would've cleared the building, secured the area, gathered your spread out team and reconvened with his, coming together to flank what was clearly a trap set up by Wagner. But you didn't. Even once you found out it was a trap, he'd heard that you let that Austrian--König, if he remembers correctly--run off on his own after the Tango and try to finish the mission alone. Sure, there's no man left behind. But if you'd followed after König and radioed someone to go back in after Keegan, both things could've transpired and the mission would've been successful. But you didn't. If he'd been in charge he doesn't think this meeting would be going on. Nevertheless, can't go back and change things, can you?

After Gaz had jumped onto the tank and taken out the Tango in the AFV, he'd been able to send the necessary reinforcements in König's aide, yet it was too late. Wagner got away, and the Austrian was injured. The mission failed, and more people were hurt than needed. Whether or not useful information's come of your leading is yet to be determined. Shifting in his seat, John wiggles his jaw a bit in an attempt to bide the annoyance bubbling beneath the surface. He keeps having to remind himself how young you are. Why Kate picked you to lead the entire operation is beyond him. A team, sure, but the entire operation? She's kidding herself, right? They actually want the Party taken down. So does NATO and practically every other nation on the globe.

He'd already relayed his side. From the moment they'd dropped off, things were fine. Everything went according to plan. Once the enemy arrived, Wagner went inside, his team secured the perimeter, Ghost kept a lookout. Things were clear. It wasn't until they were bombarded by a hangar of soldiers that things went awry. Then to make matters worse, they find over a dozen hostages hidden in a compartment within the building. People were hurt, some people died, but most managed to get away unscathed. While they weren't prepared for a close up firefight, they managed to hold off until what he supposes was when your team got to the basement since things quieted down. Bravo team managed to escort the hostages away from the chaos and down toward the exfil location near where the deployment was, South side.

With Graves already there, it wasn't unreasonable that since he was free he could help out, Horangi still keeping watch. With things clear on both sides, it was only when Ghost notified them of the rogue soldier in the AFV that things began going south again. Another firefight started up. He was busy with Graves and Wilson on hostage duty while Soap, Gaz, and McKay went for the AFV and guards that'd come along with the fleeing Target. König emerged from nowhere, chasing down said Target, but it was only once Ghost informed him that he couldn't get a shot on said Target because the Austrian was too close that it was impossible to get a clear shot, that things were doomed. He should've known at that point to take over. You were nowhere to be seen or heard from and for all he knew you could've been dead.

It's not wise to go dark, and considering this was your first mission altogether as a squad it wasn't bright. Thinking back on it, John knows there are certain things he probably could've done to have adapted, recuperated, and saved the mission. He didn't. That's on him, that's his fault, and he hasn't forgiven himself for it, yet it doesn't change the fact that Laswell hasn't decided what's next.

"What do you think John?" Kate asks. Now upright, she crosses her arms over her chest as both women in the room turn to look at him with curious glances.

He hums in thought. "I... missed that. What was the question?" He speaks candidly.

"I said that 'I don't know', but what do you think about her little plan? it'd be a waiting game for sure. Might take months. You'd have to stake out the city, set up traps, lure them in, get to know these creeps, and might even have to participate in whatever they entail, but... if you think it'll work? Infiltrating the Party?" Laswell cocks a brow in his direction, curious for his thoughts and opinion on the matter.

Lips curling inward, he rubs them together in thought. That's not at all what he'd thought he'd missed! Mentally scolding himself for zoning out, as he's not the type, his gaze shifts between the two of you. He's taken too long to answer, now he looks suspicious. "I think the team needs to decide."

"Fine. We'll put it to a vote. Anonymously, of course."

____________

"We're at a crossroads, I'm afraid. So we've extended the option out to you all, putting the mission's stake up to a vote. You've all got pens and paper, and in a moment you'll either write down a 'yes' or a 'no', before I come around and you put it in the tin. Majority wins, though understandably considering circumstances if anyone insists on backing out, they'll be dismissed."

Her fingers absentmindedly tapping against the emptied cylindrical tin, Kate announces what's about to happen. Scanning around the room, you try not to read into everyone's fairly unsurprised expressions upon the news. Did they know this was coming? Did Price warn his team? Were they planning on backing out? Did... did you really fail that badly?

As questions begin to emerge and cloud your mind, you notice Kate about to step forward when a gruff voice captures everyone's attention, halting everyone's movement. "I thought NATO assigned us to this mission?" Ghost's question lingers in the air for a moment as you shift your gaze to the CIA's Liason, Laswell, in this instance. Arms crossed over your chest, you don't comment as your eyes slowly fall to the floor.

"Yes, though it's been brought to my attention that perhaps some people are more or less enthused to continue working on the mission with as it stands-" At this mention, people start looking around the room at one another. You'd overheard some whispers of people saying you'd messed up in leading the last mission, and while you don't necessarily disagree, you know you can't change what happened. Nevertheless, you're more than determined to not let them down again.

"-And, with the last mission having failed, time constraints are pushed even further, the possibility of being on deployment now extended, and the risks are only higher. While NATO is determined on getting the situation handled one way or another, the only question is whether it'll be the people in this room or not. And that brings us back to the vote."

"Can I say something first?" You ask as Kate takes a step forward, and whether she consciously or unconsciously knew it, she'd been signaling her readiness to start the vote, and you're not ready yet.

The woman glances around the room before seeming to have a brief silent conversation with Captain Price through their eyes. It's only a moment before she shrugs, offering you a casual. "I don't see why not?"

Hands coming up to run down the fronts of your thighs, you attempt to meet each of your soldier's eyes. Whatever impression they'd previously gotten from you, hopefully, it isn't permanently seared into their judgment. "First... and foremost, I think I owe you all an apology." As your eyes land on Keegan he immediately looks elsewhere, refusing to meet your gaze. Despite the sling on his shoulder over his hoodie, you know he's still holding resentment toward you. "I put the life of a teammate over the mission objective, and while I could've organized things better from the get-go, I recognize now how I let you all down." Eyes falling to the floor again, you can't help but kick the tip of your combat boots against the multicolored commercial worn-out carpeting of the debriefing room. "I realize I might not get a chance to lead you all again, but if I do... I promise you that I'll do everything in my power to not let you down again."

A deep breath replaces the sigh you let out as the next topic borders treacherous waters. "And I understand why some of you might want to back out now... but I do have to say that I can't. I won't. This is too important, not only to me, but to every single little kid outside these walls." Eyebrows furrowing, you can't help the way you begin to gesticulate with the rising emotions within. "I don't care how long it takes, but this is something that has to be dealt with, and that's why NATO hired us. They knew we could do it, and while you might not want to, and it might be the hardest thing you'll ever do... I'll be damned if I don't eradicate the Party."

Hands sliding themselves into your pockets, and with a purse of your lips, you turn your back on the team and offer Kate one last look before walking back toward the door you'd come in. Your face falls as you exit the room, unable to bear the agonizing wait that it'll take as the men deliberate not only their fate, but the fate of the team. One which you'd never even gotten around to naming.

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

You find out their decision and next steps around dinner time through email. An automatic fist pump follows as you knew your speech would manage to do some good. At least, you hope it did. Before you can really revel in the fact that your method of persuading Laswell to give you a second chance and changing approaches toward the Party, the gentle slam of a plastic tray on the metal table beside you garners your attention.

"Looks like someone finally caught up on their emails," Graves jokes, sending Olivia a playful glance as he oddly takes a seat to your left.

"Knew you wouldn't give up that easily," Olivia comments with a reassuring smile as she takes a seat across from him. "Though I do have to say I'm curious about how you're gonna pull off that plan of yours. How do you even have him as a contact for bloody hell's sake?" Her posh accent never fails to elicit a smile from you. With a shake of your head, you shrug, eyes following the movement toward the end of the table. McKay slides her tray down toward your group as she approaches.

"Surprised you're not liftin' at this time o' night," Graves comments in her direction, eyeing the muscular woman as she slings a leg over the bench and slides into her seat beside Olivia, forcing the blonde to scoot over across from you, shifting the lovers to sit diagonally from each other.

Amala only responds with a hum of acknowledgment, her eyes unamused as they set upon you. "You're not serious about this, right? Like you're actually joking. You really think Laswell, not to mention, Price is gonna go through with this?" The brunette asks, all seriousness as she leans against the table, her upper half toppled over it as she attempts to close the space between the four of you. Almost as if what you're discussing is a secret. "You think you're just gonna get information from Makarov without a hitch and that's that? We all go free?"

"I guess we'll see," you retort with a shrug. Considering today's events, you're not really in the mood for arguing, and while the proposed plan isn't exactly foolproof, it still provides a better pay off and a more timely solution than what Laswell had originally offered. "It's already scheduled, so... for now all we can do is what they're asking us to do and then we'll see when we get there. Regardless, we're changing tactics. We're shifting gears."

A huff of exasperation leaves the woman as she sits back and crosses her arms over her chest. The slight shake of her head is only amplified by the motion of the dark curls surrounding her head. "I've gotta say, I'm not lookin' forward to training with those miserable tea-drinkin' grumps over there," Graves states. A tilt of his head indicates who he's talking about, and you can't help but instinctively look.

Oh God, how you wish you hadn't. As soon as you look, you can see that Ghost staring at you, though he's sitting at the end of the table facing you, so that's excusable at least. It's not just him, though, but the addition of Gaz. The brown-eyed man had been talking to Soap who leans his upper-half on the table, his arm bent, head held up against his fist, back facing you. Gaz notices your gaze, and the sour look on his face doesn't disappear, but instead is met with a roll of his eyes before he turns his gaze toward the Captain who sits across him. From where you sit across the room it's impossible to hear what they're talking about, and while you could try and read their lips if you really wanted, you don't have the mental energy to do so. Before you turn back, Soap rotates his head and meets your eyes from where he's propped his head up; immediately turning around, you're sure Gaz had mentioned your attention. Price is surely ignoring you, then, you assume.

"I'm not always a grump!" Olivia argues, a pout on her lips as she teases Graves.

"But you love yer tea," he teases back. Apparently, you'd missed some of their conversation, but you could care less considering the nasty looks your joint TaskForce has been giving you.

"They're really mad... aren't they?" You ask, interrupting whatever stupid lovey-dovey shit your friend and her... acquaintance have going on. Silence envelopes your group for a moment, and Amala doesn't bother to meet your eye as she'd begun eating her food when the topic changed.

"Mm... yeah... I think so," Olivia finally responds, a gentle yet solemn tone to her voice as she attempts to carefully broach the subject. "That doesn't mean you can't win them back though? I think showing them what you're capable of is more than enough. Once they see what you can do, you're set. I know it," she adds on. Extending a hand across the table, the blonde places it atop yours before offering a gentle squeeze. With that, the conversation ends, the lovers going back to whatever meaningless bickering they'd been consumed with before. Meanwhile, you're still ruminating on what the forthcoming weeks will entail.

~~~~~~~~~~

acronyms:

exfil: where you're extracted, picked up in the field

forever taglist: @ohdamnadam , @safarigirlsp , @jynzandtonic , @moonlightsolo

t&t taglist: @cosychick , @konigsqueen , @cutegor3 ,

[ni-kol-koru]

8, 14, 23

For either of the Miyajis. Or both ;)

Ohhh, love this one! Thank you so much for sending the numbers! Of course, I will do both of them! To visually separate the post I will use the orange heart for Kiyoshi 🧡 and the yellow heart for Yuuya 💛

8. What's something that the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

Kiyoshi 🧡 :

Of course it has to be the fandom's need to exaggerate Kiyoshi's bad temper and tendencies to say some foul things. My man has a bad temper, yes, but the fandom is acting like he can't chill, like everything pisses him off all the time and that just makes him look like a terrible person. We've seen him relaxed when he was walking with Taisuke after the exams that day. We know he is actually pretty generous and kind, he literally gave his personal items to Shintaro because they were his lucky items. We heard how genuine and sweet he can be when he finds Shintaro and Kazunari fooling around with the piano (from the special CD). People act like he is just angry all the time and ignore his better sides and all of his other qualities, hobbies and personality traits. He is just a little moody and irritable, like all of us are sometimes. He is just a human, he experiences ups and he experiences downs, he has good and he has bad days. His foul language also has nothing to do with his actions! Has he ever thrown a pineapple on someone's head? Has he ever buried, fried, ran someone over with Shinsuke's pick up truck? I don't think so. The worst he's done was smack the back of Shintaro's head to help him regain his composure. He's all bark, no bite and I will say that a million times if I have to!

Yuuya 💛 :

People usually ignore his existence, which I obviously don't like. When they don't, which is rare, they tend to do the same thing they do to his brother. They make him out to be nothing but an angry, violent man, which I might dislike even more! Just because his brother is a little moody and irritable doesn't mean that Yuuya is, too! We've seen him throw a basketball on Kazunari's head with the signature 'I will kick you' and people decided to base his personality off that one moment. There isn't much about him, but we do know a few interesting things that his personality could be based off. We know he has a picture of Tae-Chan on his phone (which is pretty cute and wholesome if you ask me), that he becomes the captain of the Shutoku Basketball Club (which is a pretty big achievement), that his eyes are same as his brothers, that he is a Taurus (a sign that's known for being very stubborn and hard-working but also very sweet, genuine, family-oriented and honest) and that he got angry when someone humiliated his big brother on National TV (I would be pissed, too). All of that, and people choose to take the one characteristic they already took for his brother and exaggerate it. I just really wish people didn't do that.

14. Assign a fashion aesthetic to this character?

Kiyoshi 🧡 : I always thought Kiyoshi's hair looked really soft and fluffy and I would like to believe that it's something he would also love to achieve with his fashion. I think he would prefer style to comfort and that he would wear something rather classy as well. So, he would likely wear a vest and a shirt, some comfortable dress pants and dress shoes. When he's feeling cozy and comfortable he would wear a shirt underneath a stylish sweater with baggy jeans and with some comfortable sneakers, or dress shoes yet again. What would make him achieve the soft look would be pastel colors! So, imagine all of that in beige, baby blue, light orange, pink, lavender... He wouldn't add any unnecessary accessories, as he believes that keeping it simple is the best way to make a good outfit. He would not look for any attention with his fashion, and this is something that looks average enough, but still fashionable and stylish! I am not sure what that fashion aesthetic is called, but my Pinterest research says it's something like soft-boy and light academia!

Yuuya 💛 :

His hair suggests that he likes to look a little sharper and a little more dangerous than an average person. I can see him wear something rather punk and emo, something that would make him look a little unapproachable and a little scary. With that said, he would mostly wear darker and non-saturated colors, as well as rough textures like leather or denim! Considering we've seen him wear a skirt, I wouldn't be surprised if he was comfortable with wearing feminine clothes or even makeup. Jackets, vests, crop-tops, band t-shirts, baggy or tight, low-rise pants, skirts, shorts, baggy pants and ripped versions of all those items would make up 99% of his wardrobe. I can also see him adding lots of interesting accessories like rings, belts, chains, necklaces, earrings! He would absolutely kill the style if he had some extra ear or face piercings and wore something like a smeared black eyeliner! Not sure what this aesthetic is called yet again, but I hope you got the idea of what I meant!

23. Favorite picture of this character?

Picking only one is tough, so I will make categories yet again! Unfortunately, Yuuya doesn't have a lot of screenshots and almost no appearances in the Replace Plus novels, games, CDs and the movie... Still, I included everything I could find!

Kiyoshi 🧡 :

Anime screencap:

Manga panel (half of the page):

'See you next week!' card:

Replace Plus novel panel:

Cross Colors picture:

Yuuya 💛 : Anime screenshot:

Manga panel:

BONUS Replace Plus novel panel:

[klonoadreams]

From what I remember mako has already met many important characters including 2 future strawhats and a powerful straw hat ally.

Assuming that not too much changes by the time the main story starts. How would these Chracters see mako as meeting her again. Like say meeting a grown up sanji and Law along with th baroque work robin? For me I would at least think sanji and law would be like big brothers to her.

Also any spoilers on who her dad is? Or who mako would be shipped with?

Not much is really different, just that Mako has been alive and in existence for like one more year, making her a year older than what she was originally, but it's also a bit of a mess since like, idk how to tell you, but Shanks is like barely 21 when he has Mako instead of 22, so oop, some things might end up changing, but also god dang, Yassop, you barely knew your own son and now you're just taking care of this rando Shark girl with the others ahahha.

No but seriously, this just means the Red Hair Pirates have Mako longer and that means further disaster because Yassop Daddy experience only goes for like a few months and Mako is half fishman, SO WHOOPS NEW TERRITORY.

So yeah, Robin and Sanji would be ecstatic to see her again, especially since the two of them went their separate ways to pursue their dreams, since Sanji won't get good experience as a cook with Shanks, and Robin, while absolutely delighted to know she is loved and considered important, knows that she has to leave the nest because she can't do what she wants with them and try as they may, they can't help coddling her a bit because Robin mcfucking did not have a good childhood, cmere, you get a hug.

Meanwhile Law would just be happy to see his friend again after so long, to the one person that taught him, alongside Robin, that even monsters deserve to live.

Seeing her thriving and also throwing a wrench in the world government's agenda by just casual exposing cover-ups in order to let the truth shine through....yeah, he’s happy to see her. Genuinely, no joke or nothing. Especially Robin and Sanji, though how the turn tables. He would've thought Mako would've been her own captain to a crew, but nah, she's content letting Luffy do it while being the resident lifeguard cuz she can swim. And also fish. :V

Her dad isn't actually anyone we know but an OC, like a rando mako shark fishman who effectively got picked out of the bunch to pair up with a Kuja Pirate who wasn't exactly considered a good wife for a Celestial Dragon (aka, dude was sterile, or at the very least got poor kid making skills), so curiosity plus pettiness and a bet equals Mako into the mix. Which is very bad.

That said, Mako's bio dad is related to some existing characters. And I will say this, Arlong won't exactly take to well to ever seeing her, because she serves as a constant reminder in a cog to a tragedy.

(Hint: it involves Koala going home - you can figure it out there, but yeah, Mako's uncle is pretty famous :V)

(He also had a hand in how Mako's mother was able to escape and while Mama was hoping to go back to Amazon Lily, she at least was in a safe place amongst Shanks crew when she gave birth to Mako)

Originally, i didn't have romance in mind, but honestly, I'm at a whatever happens, happens, because Mako's circumstances are so unique and complicated, that her situation allows her complexity, given how 17 seems to be the age at which people are considered adults or at least allowed to drink, and being a pirate just adds to it, mixed in with being someone who has a bounty.

Romance isn't off the table for her, so keep an eye out for it. Dont expect anytjing until after the time skip tho, she’s a little like Luffy in that it's the last thing on her mind lmao.

But also she's got a storm coming her way come Whole Cake Island because Big Mom wants Shanks's daughter for connections so...

Lucky son Katakuri got picked by my friends, so that's gonna be a "bruh wtf"

Aka, we got two weddings to crash. Except Mako isn't getting killed, but she still wants out of it, nope nope nope

Anyways wedding dress mako kicking ass. :V

[kyberconfessions]

No Matter Where You Go, I Will Find You. Part 7

A/N: Wow everyone! The feed back I recieved today was crazy! I'm so glad so many people hae enjoyed my story! I didn't think anyone was really reading this, so I kept it to myself. But, you've proven me wrong! Once again, the amazing banner was made by Saradika. and, can I just say this now...the heartbreak is ALMOST done, I promise. We're are about to hit that bump. ALSO! if you would like to be added to my taglist, please send me an ask and I'll add you!

As always, this is a 18+ older fic and deals with anxiety, death, sex,  PTSD, murder, loss, found family, Order 66, and coming to terms. This is not just a fluff fic. It will very much be dealing with very dark and hard themes, so please, if that is something that can be too hard for you, don’t read.  Pairings: Rex x Reader x Cody (polyamory) I should say this is NOT a Rex x Cody fic. There will be ZERO Clonecest on this blog or story. Reader is a consensual relationship with Rex and with Cody. Yes they share, yes they will eventually have sex together, but Cody and Rex are NOT in a relationship nor will they be intimate. TW: Death, Murder, infanticide, death of the Jedi, PTSD, Loss, Anxiety, eating disorders, sleep disorders, Order 66, angst, but ends in fluff. I will add other things as I think about them

Part 7 - The Horrors of War

Obi-Wan stood across from you, a helmetless Cody at his side, the blue light of the battle plans bathing them in a ghostly pallor. Gregor stood next to you, bucket under his arm, listening intently as the General laid out the groundwork for Sarrish. You and your men in Foxtrot were going in to try and help sway the battle. It had already been a horrible, bloody fight, but the 212th Attack Battalion wasn’t going to give up so easily. “Young one, I want you and your men to flank the left side of the trench, while Cody and his men come from the east.” He gestured to different placements on the map, before zooming in towards the trench where he wanted you to go, “If we can cut them off from reinforcements, we might be able to win this battle.” You and Gregor nodded, listening intently to your Master’s orders.

“Cody, do not try to take the guns from the ground. If you look here,” again he zoomed the map out and then back in towards a towering rock face, “This is a promontory on the south side with a pathway in, that is far more dangerous and will cost an unnecessary amount of our men’s lives if you go in that way on foot. It might look appealing, but it will lead to certain death. Focus on the enemy lines here and here, with our gunships. I believe if we attack from two sides, and break their ranks, we will have a better chance of taking Sarrish back.” 

Cody studied the battle plans, nodding along to what Obi-Wan said. You all knew this was going to be much more dangerous than any battle so far. “Hey Adi’ka,” Gregor leaned in and whispered in your ear, “wanna bet Cody is going to roundhouse a few clankers and have the medbay up in arms about it...again?” You covered your face when a giggle threatened to break out. “Only if you take a bet that Master Kenobi is going to pretend that the 20 cups of caf he’s downed in the last six hours isn’t going to make him vibrate through a wall.” You and Gregor were so busy giggling and cracking jokes that you missed the annoyed look from Cody. “Captain Gregor, Commander, is there anything you would like to add to the briefing? Or are you two finished?” Cody glared at both of you, far too tired and stressed to entertain your joking attitude. Gregor stood up straighter and leaned away from you. “Uh, no. No Marshall Commander. Just, uh, just ready to get in there and break some clankers, is all.” Cody didn’t answer, only raised his eyebrow at you with a glare, detached resentment clear on his face. Though he loved you, there were times you weren't sure he actually liked you. Sometimes you wondered if he would eventually tire of you and move on. The look in his eye and slight sneer of his lip wasn't helping.

   You glanced away, biting your lip, but soon caught the gaze of your Master. “Sorry, Master.” your eyes fell away from the tired look Obi-Wan was giving you and started studying the leather ties on your shoes. “This mission is far more dangerous than what we have dealt with before, my young Padawan. I want you to be as prepared as you can be. One wrong move can cost us our lives.” If there was one thing that could get you to feel like you weren’t doing your best, it was that tone of voice from Obi-Wan Kenobi.

“Yes, Master.”

Obi-Wan and Cody went back to discussing the upcoming battle, going over every inch of the map. You swallowed thickly, trying to fight off the sting of tears in your eyes. You hated disappointing them. But lately it seemed as if that's all you did. Everything you did was wrong and you didn’t know why. You tried to do right, but you were beginning to crack and you were too afraid to ask for help. You were just tired. You just needed a break. All of Foxtrot did. Hopefully, after the campaign, you and your men could get some shore leave. Maybe then you could fix things. Maybe Cody and you could find some common ground. Maybe you wouldn't be such a disappointment to him. Maybe he'd start to like you again.  It also wouldn't hurt to see Rex once more. You missed him.

Gregor glanced at you sideways, eyes soft at your crestfallen look. He knew how much the General and Marshal Commander cared for you, but he also hated how often they forgot that you were only 18. You were just a kid.  They expected too much from you. He was the Clone Commando, not you. Very slowly, trying not to be detected, he scootched towards you, attempting to get close enough to whisper in your ear again without having to lean over. “First one to 500 clankers destroyed wins. Loser buys a round of Fried Endorian Tip-yip?” Your eyes dart to him, but he’s staring straight ahead, feigning interest in whatever Cody is arguing about for drop points. “Ye...yeah.” “Don’t let them be too hard on you Ad’ika. And don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re stronger than you know. And the next time those two make you frown like that, I’m going to call Boss and Sev. We’ll have a conversation with them.” “Thanks, Gregor.” “Of course Ad’ika. I’ll always be in your corner.”

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

“Gregor! On me! We have to get back to the ships! Fall Back! Fall Back!” There were explosions all around you, bombs throwing dark sand and shrapnel everywhere, hitting your men. You could taste the burning powder from the shots mix with blood in your mouth and feel the electric ozone dancing on your skin. The dirt and sweat burned your eyes, but still you fought, swinging your saber around, trying to volley blaster bolt after blaster bolt away from your men.  You had made the order to retreat towards the mountain range, but your men were still getting hit, still dying.You could hear the screams and cries, bodies littered across the ground, your heart hurting as you ran past them, unable to help. 

"Mayday! Mayday! This is the Jedi Commander of the 212th, I need immediate evac! West side of the trenches! We're getting killed out here!!" You were screaming into your comm, trying to get some sort of support for your men, trying to get them out. Each breath burned your lungs, making you choke on your words. Gregor caught up and stood behind you, back to back, shooting at the droids who just kept coming. 

You had never seen anything like it, so many spider droids, it was like staring out into the ocean, wave after wave of droids beating against the rocky grounds.Gregor looked over his shoulder at you with sad eyes and made his decision. He grabbed another Clone running by, by the pauldron, and shoved him towards you, “Chopper, get the Commander to the Evac ships! Go, that’s an order!” 

"No!” you screamed, eyes wide and jaw slacked, “No, no, no no! No Gregor, I'm not leaving you!" You tried to argue, he was your best man, your best friend, you were not going to leave him there to die. “Please don’t do this! Please! You have to come with us! You have to come with me! Please, Gregor! Stay with me!”

There was another explosion close to you, causing you all to flinch as dirt was thrown over you. Gregor turned and pulled your forehead to his, pressing you against the plastoid of his bucket. The dirt on your face smeared down as you sobbed, tears falling from your eyes.  You choked on your words, begging him to not leave you, begging him to keep going. 

"It's okay, Ad'ika. It's okay. I'll always be with you." 

He pulled away and pushed you towards Chopper, "Chopper, Go! Get her to safety! That's an order!" 

Then he was gone. You watched helplessly, pulled away towards the retreat, screaming and fighting to be let go so you could go after him. But Gregor ran towards the droids, commando blaster in one hand, vibroblade in the other.

Something shifted, suddenly it was hot, too hot, it ripped the air from your lungs, burning your eyes and nose. You saw them, you saw your Master standing on that ridge, saber drawn crying out to Anakin. “It’s over Anakin! I have the high ground!!....You were the Chosen One!” 

You gasped, shallow breaths unable to get air, trying to beg them to stop. You tried to scream, tried to yell out, but no sound came. Everything played out worse than you remembered, distorted in your fear. “I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!” You had to get away, you turned to run, but that angry presence just kept following you. You ran as fast as you could, but it chased you at every corner. It was so malevolent, shrouded in darkness and hatred. “I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!” You couldn’t get away, it was too fast, too vile, it was going to catch you, it was going to catch you and kill you. Your big brother was going to kill you. You looked around you, trying to find a way out, but everywhere was inky blackness, closing in to suffocate you.You tripped on something as you ran and began to fall. You kept falling, plummeting downwards as the voice got louder and closer, screaming for your demise. You couldn’t escape, you couldn’t escape, you were going to die and you couldn’t escape.

"Nnno….nng...Gre….nnoo...need….need….evac….nnnggh….fall….fallback….may….day....Gre...gor…..nnno...Capta….captains...orders….nnnnggh...Ana….nnno….Chose….chosen one…." You were slowly tossing your head back and forth, eyes squeezed shut, hands fisted in the blanket on top of you.

Rex stirred awake, hearing you call out in your sleep. He sat up a bit, watching you fight the old phantoms that still haunted your dreams. His heart clenched. He didn't catch what you said at the end, but he remembered that battle, the horrors of Sarrish, and what they did to you. Cody had called him from the medbay, panicked and distraught, while you were floating in a bacta tank, having taken heavy shrapnel to your entire torso and both legs. He was beside himself in grief, terrified at the possibility that the last thing he ever got to say to you was in irritation at the debrief. That you'd die thinking he was disappointed in you, that he was angry with you. That you'd die not knowing how much he loved you and how sorry he was for how cruel he acted. That you'd die and Cody would be all alone, left to explain to Rex how it was all his fault and that his stupidity and cold attitude killed you.

    They did almost lose you that day. You were almost gone when the evacuation team found you; a barely conscious Chopper cradling you in his arms, trying to shield the both of you from the bombs raining down. You lost all your men in that terrible campaign and were inconsolable for weeks when you finally woke up. That's when the nightmares started. At first, your Master would wake you, sensing your distress over your shared Force bond, but later Cody was always there, always waking you before Obi-Wan could get to you. When Obi-Wan noticed how much calmer you were when you saw Cody first, he would only check on you when the nightmares got to be too much to handle.

 The last time you had this nightmare with Rex, Cody was also there to hold you and wake you up with gentle whispers. He couldn't remember the exact way Cody did it, but he was going to try at least.

"Jed'ika, shhh, it's alright. You're here, you're safe. Sarrish is over. You're safe now Mesh’la. I have you. I'm not letting you go. I'm never letting you go again. You're okay. I promise." Rex ran his fingers through your hair, gently pressed at the furrow of your brow, and slowly opened your clenched fists, trying to get you to relax.

"I have you, my sweet girl. I'm never going to let anything happen to you. Never again. It's okay. It's just a nightmare. It's okay.."

He was waiting for you to shoot awake, like you always did, fear etched on your features and eyes wild. But you didn't. Slowly your breathing calmed and your fists opened up, and you seemed to leave the dream, falling back into a peaceful slumber. Rex smiled at you and kissed your head, laying back down again.

You rolled over and curled up closer to him, just like you used to when in your private quarters. Tomorrow, when the sun was shining and your nightmares were just a figment of the past, he would ask you to accompany him to Seelos. As he cuddled closer and started to fall back asleep, he couldn’t help but smile about the surprise that awaited you there. 

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

Tag list: @get-wr3ckered @imarvelatthestars

[twignotstick]

TMNT: SECOND SHOT - Arc 1, Chapter 3: Family Gathering 🐢

<- Chapter 2: Shared Hallucination 🧠

Small note: The beginning of this chapter may be a bit difficult to understand at first, but it will make sense! If the names are too confusing, (since they change from perspective to perspective), there is a key in the end notes.

Warnings (if there's anything I should add here, tell me please!): descriptions of wounds & care of said wounds, feral behavior

Words: 4,070

Summary: Desperate times call for desperate measures.

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

He watched as his biggest brother walked back and forth, deliberating on what to do in his head. His second biggest brother sat against the wall to his side, the newly formed gash in his left leg pulsing and bleeding. His littlest brother, his only little brother, was trying to comfort the second oldest through the pain.

After a moment of watching his biggest brother and thinking to himself, the scavenger chirped up. ‘We could get the humans to help.’

His biggest brother, the protector, loomed over him as he stared. ‘And bring them into our home?’ The protector lumbered over, dwarfing all of his younger brothers. ‘Our hunter cannot move. They would have to come here. How would Father react to that?’

The scavenger stayed silent, curling into himself.

‘He would be furious if he found out you were getting food from them. Can you imagine what he would do if we brought them here?’

‘I don't get it. They're nice!’ the scout trilled gleefully from his spot laying against the hunter. ‘Well, at least one of them is. Scav said there were two, right? He gave me food! Did you know that?’

‘Yes, we know, pipsqueak,’ the hunter groaned. ‘You've told us fifty times.’

The scavenger looked back at his eldest brother. ‘But… I don't know how to fix this. I don't know how to properly treat wounds. The humans do. They would help as soon as they knew-’

‘We can't risk something like that with Father, so drop it,’ The protector barked. He took a deep breath, scraping the point of his beak against the concrete. ‘Do you know where the things the humans might use are?’

‘...yes, but I doubt I could get anything beneficial out of a pharmacy dumpster-’

‘I'll tell Father you're taking another food run to make up for the hunter's absence. Find whatever you can.’

The scavenger couldn't help but scowl. He didn't like being ordered around, the protector knew that. He looked over at the other two brothers slumped against the sewer wall, only to receive two looks of concern; one blatantly obvious and another cloaked behind a cursed smile.

When the scavenger turned to head out gloomily, the scout piped up again. ‘Why does Father hate them so much? They help us! You know, the one I met gave me food. It was a bunch of bugs in a box! I love bugs!’

‘Jeez, again with the box and the bugs,’ the hunter groaned again, still holding tightly onto the scout.

‘We got along just fine without them. We can fix our hunter without them too,’ the protector growled, using his presence to drift over the scout.

‘I don't need to be fixed,’ the hunter growled back. ‘I should be back out there. It'll heal.’

‘Scout, make sure this idiot doesn't try to get up while I speak with Father.’

‘Got it, captain!’ The scout squeezed his brother closer.

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

April and CJ had deliberated on what to call the new turtle for a while. The picture of him was much better than any picture they could get of Wit, so they were actually able to figure out what type of turtle he was within a few days. It was easy to look up “turtle that looks like its smiling” and slim the options down from there. He was an African helmeted turtle. That didn't help much in terms of naming, per se.

After about an hour of tossing names back and forth, they decided on “Tiny”. Even though Tiny wasn't actually that much smaller than Wit, it was the only good name they could come up with.

The name didn't get much use, however. For almost a month, CJ kept trying to find Tiny again, but he was gone. They kept putting crickets in the lunchbox, and they kept getting eaten, so they assumed that Tiny was still with Wit. Wit even recognized Tiny when they showed him the picture. He became more and more trusting, and even offered some scraps from Murakami's for April to eat. She didn't accept, of course, but appreciated the gesture. After the encounter with Tiny, they discovered that Wit was even wittier than first anticipated; he understood basic human speech as well, and would respond appropriately and accurately.

One night, April and CJ were walking home after eating out. The place they went to was nice, but the food couldn't hold a flame to the homey-yet-intricate powers of Murakami's and Hueso's.

When April heard a growling chirp and a thunk come from the alley she had just passed, she immediately served a glance to the store she was standing by. It was a small general store/pharmacy, with an overly bright fluorescent sign glowing above the egregiously similarly lit interior. The stark contrast of the dark city streets and the eye-blinding store was almost nauseating.

Remembering what she stopped for, April shuffled backwards and looked into the alley that was the source of the noise. She was taken aback to see Wit, expression tightened in anger, haphazardly tossing terrible umbrellas and empty chip bags out of a dumpster to dig deeper inside. His tact and care for cleanliness was seemingly forgotten as whatever he was searching for mattered more.

CJ joined April's side, just as confused. “Wit?” The turtle perked up at CJ's voice. “Why are you here?”

Wit looked lost in thought for a moment, adding things together in his head. After his face scrunched even tighter, he slammed his fists into his head and jumped down from his perch on the dumpster. He turned to the humans, eyes pleading.

April's own eyes widened in realization. “You know this is a pharmacy, don't you?”

Wit chirped and nodded.

April straightened her posture and tried to recall what ASL she knew. After a moment of thinking, she signed and spoke. “Is someone hurt?” She poked her index fingers together. “Or sick?” She bent her middle fingers and put one by her head and one by her stomach.

Wit watched April slowly repeat the signs before quickly signing ‘hurt’, over and over.

“CJ,” April said calmly, pulling something out from her pocket and turning. “Take my wallet and buy some medical tape, a roll of bandages, and some disinfectant. I'll stay with Wit and try to get more answers.”

CJ nodded and rushed into the building. April walked over to Wit slowly, who was still signing ‘hurt’ and curling into himself. “We're getting things to help whoever's hurt, okay?” April soothed, kneeling and sitting a few feet from Wit. “We're going to help you. This doesn't have to be your burden.” After the turtle chirped in understanding, April continued. 

“Is the person who's hurt someone like you, or like me?” 

Wit patted his chest.

“Are their eyes open, or closed?” She signed along with the words.

Wit repeated ‘open’.

The store door opened and CJ came out, a plastic bag full of supplies in hand. He jogged over and stood next to where April was seated. He held the bag out to Wit, who stared at it.

“...all the things you need should be in there, if it's not bad like you said,” April reassured. Wit looked to the side, shaking his head the slightest bit. His eyes clenched closed quickly, before he pounced forward suddenly and grabbed CJ's arm that was holding the bag. He yanked it hard, pulling CJ deeper into the alley.

“Woah, buddy!” CJ exclaimed. “I'm not part of the deal!”

“W-wait, wait!” April grabbed Wit's clawed hand, grabbing his attention in the same action. “Do you want us to come with you?”

Wit nodded fervently.

“Well,” April smiled, laughing a bit under her breath, “lead the way!”

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

CJ was upset by the idea of sewer gunk getting on his jeans, but didn't vocalize it. April glared at him with pity and anger when he even thought of doing so. Wit was crawling along the sewer floor at a quick pace, making sure that the humans were keeping up at a speed walk by glancing over his shoulder every few seconds. They walked like that for a while, until a spine-chilling growl broke through the tunnel.

The sound was followed by smaller barks and growls. Another- familiar to CJ- softer chirping could be heard as well. Wit slowed down, making the humans abruptly adjust to his pace. After a moment of cruel hesitation, a clicking, chirping roar broke out, silencing the first two voices and halting Wit's progression.

A low rumble rolled through the tunnel, accompanied by slow, heavy footfalls. A giant shadow crawled out from the tunnel corner in front of Wit and the humans. As soon as its eyes locked onto April and CJ, it roared even louder than it had before and began pounding forward.

Wit spoke up as well, raising himself as if to intimidate the enormous beast that had shown itself.

Miraculously, the beast stopped its approach. And the two started… arguing?

(‘I TELL YOU NOT TO DO ONE THING, AND WHAT DO YOU DO?!’

‘WE HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE!’)

That was April's best guess. In reality, it was just a giant turtle and a turtle-shaped behemoth chirping and growling at each other. This new turtle monster was easily 5 times the size of Wit, maybe double the height of a full grown man, and could probably only barely fit in the tunnel if it were to stand. Its scaly skin was a very dark blue; so dark that it almost looked black in the dim light, with some white speckles scattered across. Its shell looked odd in the shadow.

(‘I should have NEVER let you keep meeting with them. I knew this would only bring us trouble.’

‘They aren't TROUBLE! They're-’

‘BOYS!’)

A different sound caused the two to stop bickering. A shrill, squeaking growl- one that any sensible New Yorker would recognize in an instant.

The scream of a rat.

It was hard to see around the giant body of the new turtle, but April swore she saw a giant pink tail whipping back and forth. The behemoth moved aside to let the new arrival through, and April's suspicions were confirmed. A rat the size of a human being started approaching, getting a quick response from Wit.

The rat didn't look young like Wit or Tiny. It looked old. The brown fur covering its body was graying at the roots, and painful sounds of popping came from its joints. And yet, the eyes of it looked just as wise as Wit's, if not wiser.

As CJ and April still stood in hesitant silence, they watched Wit and the rat have a conversation. Wit gestured to them a few times, making them flinch. The conversation rose to a peak before the rat barked in finality. With a sigh, Wit turned around and snatched the plastic bag from CJ's hand with his beak, tossing it up and catching it again to readjust his grip. Then, Wit followed the rat further down the tunnel and around the corner, where subtle sounds of happy trilling and growls could be heard.

(‘I didn't hear any heads get bit off, so that's a good sign!’

‘Yeah, maybe he just figured out how to do it quieter, pipsqueak.’)

The giant turtle let them pass with a growl, then turned and bared its gaze down on April and CJ before settling into a lower, ready-to-pounce position. April hadn't noticed how little she had been breathing until this moment, and took a moment to gasp in fresh air as she beheld the turtle's judging glare.

“...so…” CJ spoke quietly, causing the turtle to direct its gaze his way. “...do we give this one a name too?”

April gave CJ a glare almost as sharp as the turtle's (she didn't think she could actually glare more harshly than it if she tried). “Is now really a good time to ask that?”

“What about,” CJ murmured, patting his hands on his now ruined jeans and turning halfway to April, “I-unno, maybe… Old Navy?”

April squinted. “Like the store?”

“Well, yeah!” CJ stated, as though it were obvious. “He looks older than the other two, and he's- you'd never see this coming- navy.”

“But like the store? Like where I buy sweaters?”

“Hey, you're the one that wanted names that worked as codewords!” CJ shouted, finally turning fully to April. “So sue me for thinking of something clever.”

“Wouldn't just Navy work?”

“That's boring, April. We agreed that names that are just colors are lame.”

“And tacking ‘Old’ onto it magically makes that better?”

“YES! BECAUSE NOW, IT'S A REFERENCE!”

A squeaky growl came from the corner of the tunnel again, silencing the humans. The giant turtle (Old Navy??) turned his head halfway to listen to whatever the rat was relaying, then let out an exasperated huff. He served the humans one last soul crushing stare before crawling down in the tunnel to make his way behind them. His eyes stayed locked on them the whole time. Once he reached their backs, he growled and pushed his beak in the space between April's shoulders. April got the message and grabbed CJ's arm to move forward.

As they approached the rat, the happy chirping and groaning in response became louder.

(‘They really are nice! Maybe they'll have more food! You know, the one I met-’

‘BUGS! BOX! WE KNOW!’)

Rounding the corner, April and CJ could finally see the sources of both the groaning and chirping. The chirping was coming from Tiny, who started excitedly patting his claws on the floor as soon as he saw them. The groaning was coming from a new turtle entirely, who was sitting with his shell to the wall.

This new, fourth turtle was much bigger than Tiny and Wit, but also smaller than Old Navy. His size was closer to a very tall human. He was bulkier than the rest, and spikier, too. His shell had several distinct points and bends visible poking over his shoulders. His plastron had spikes as well. His head was… peculiar. Unlike the other turtles, he didn't have a normal beak (or a strange smile); instead his nose came out to a point and his head was flat. His mouth hung just under the elongated nose, and he seemed to be groaning at Tiny, who was wrapped around his side.

On this turtle's leg was the reason for concern. A slash, about 6 inches long, traced it vertically. A mass of dried blood was caked around the wound and on the floor. A few inches away, the bandages CJ had bought lied partially unwound and colored with blood, with holes and scratches in them. The bottle of disinfectant was unopened on the floor next to it, but scratch marks lined the bottle's lid. The box of medical tape lay untouched in the plastic bag a few feet away.

The old rat took a seat a few feet away from Tiny, near where Wit was already sitting. He gestured toward the medical supplies.

April approached the spiky turtle slowly, kneeling down as she walked. This one seemed much less jumpy than Wit, especially with the weight of Tiny on his side. He let out a rolling growl when she reached his side, but she continued in picking up the ruined bandages and the disinfectant. She turned to the rat.

“Do you want me to…?”

The rat nodded as Tiny filled the air with stammered chirps, pushing his head to the spiky one's plastron.

(‘She won't hurt you… she just wants to fix this…’)

April grabbed the disinfectant and a tissue out of her bag. “Okay, this might sting, buddy, but it's better than the wound getting infected, right?”

Tiny chirped something in the spiky one's ear(?), and he nodded.

“Alright,” April murmured, pouring disinfectant on the tissue, “here goes nothing…”

The spiky one roared as April applied the pressure, but Tiny was quick to react. He grabbed the spiky one's clawed arm before it could come down on April's face and wrapped it around himself. Spiky curled around Tiny in response, his roars dissolving into whimpers as he bit onto Tiny's shoulder. Tiny didn't seem to react, still maintaining a goofy smile and happily chirping.

(‘You're doing great, big guy!’

‘You said she wouldn't hurt me…’

‘She didn't! The stuff in the bottle did.’

‘...’

‘...I'm sorry, Scout…’

‘Whatever you need.’)

It took April a moment to find her lungs again as she recovered from the shock, but she continued regardless. Once enough dried blood had been wiped away and April thought the wound properly clean, she pulled the stained tissue away and grabbed the bandages. “This is gonna hurt too, and I'll have to move your leg…”

Tiny chirped more, and the spiky one growled and hugged him tighter. And yet, his leg lifted up enough for April to wrap the bandages around. He growled and barked into Tiny's shoulder, stomping his free foot and tightening his grip on both Tiny's body and his shoulder as the bandages were wrapped tightly. Out of the corner of her eye, April could see the rat, Old Navy, and Wit flinching at every movement and sound.

“And there we go!” April exclaimed, making sure the bandage wouldn't move by covering the exposed end with medical tape. “You probably shouldn't… crawl on it? For a while. That'll just make it heal slower and hurt more.”

Spiky pulled back from Tiny to look at his face.

(‘What's she saying now?’

‘You get to stay put, buddy.’)

After Tiny's chirp, Spiky groaned and Old Navy huffed, rousing a chittering laugh out of the rat. Wit snickered, too.

“I don't think he likes the sound of that,” CJ said, sighing and allowing himself to laugh along.

A sudden image flashed in April's mind. She remembered her parents, and constantly watching them get into petty arguments. They were never over anything serious, and never escalated into such. Just arguing over which football team was better, who was responsible for forgetting to bring an umbrella on a day they knew they would get rained on, who April wanted to hang out with more.

Every time, April would watch the conversation like a spectator at a tennis match. The ball would bounce effortlessly across the court, getting relayed seamlessly with the next witty rebuttal. Sometimes, she would take a side, and contribute to slandering one of her parents incredulously. But most times, she just watched the chaos unfold.

Seeing the rat sitting with Wit, laughing at the groaning and barking from the spiky one and Old Navy, reminded her of that. And, in that moment, she realized something.

This wasn't just a gathering of different beasts working together to survive. This wasn't a group of mutant monsters, ready to cut each other's throats if their needs were not met…

This was a family.

When the barking and laughing finally died down, the rat squeaked to Old Navy and walked back around the tunnel corner. Old Navy followed (not without giving April and CJ another seething stare) and left those remaining in an uncomfortable silence.

Tiny's happy chirping cut through the air once again, as he was whipping his head between the other turtles (brothers?). Wit and the spiky one seemed to be contributing to the conversation somewhat. After a moment, CJ finally knelt down next to April.

(‘So, who wants to bet that Protector won't admit he was wrong? Because I, for one, was totally-’

‘Yeah, don't let that get to your head, bud. It might grow too big for your shoulders.’)

“Tiny's even cuter in person, it's insane,” April said, gawking over the turtle. Said turtle looked at her with wide eyes in response, and started chirping even more gleefully.

(‘WHAT- SAY WHAT?!? OH, YOU DID NOT JUST SAY THAT!’

‘What? What did she say?’

‘SHE CALLED ME TINY! SCAV, HAVE THEY BEEN TALKING ABOUT ME LIKE THIS?’

‘...well……you are…’)

After a bit of joyous chirping toward April, Tiny started slamming his hand into the spiky one's plastron and headbutting it. As he moved around, April caught a glance of where Spiky had bit him. There was only a little wound, but some blood was leaking out. She quickly grabbed the disinfectant and tissues to tend to the other wound.

Tiny flinched a bit as she rounded Spiky to approach him. Oddly, a smile remained plastered on his face. “This won't hurt nearly as much as his did,” April explained. “I just need to clean it.”

Squeaking a bit, Tiny adjusted himself so April could clean the wound. She did it as softly as she could, and despite a little chirp from him upon the initial contact, Tiny relaxed into April's touch. His head lolled to the side, rubbing against April's forearm as she worked. A strange purr trilled from his throat.

“There you go, little guy.” April pulled her hand away, and Tiny's neck straightened. He turned around to smile at her again and held out his hands to grab April's. She quickly dropped the tissue she had been holding as he held her hand up to his face. His eyes closed as he took in her warmth, purring more. Suddenly, Tiny perked up, as if he had an epiphany. He grabbed onto April's elbow and yanked her across the floor, putting her between him and the spiky one against the wall.

April laughed under her breath and tried getting settled in this new position, feeling the grime of the cold sewer wall against her back. Before she could say anything to protest, Tiny trilled to Wit and leaned against her side, effectively pinning her against the spiky one. Bizarrely, Spiky leaned into her warmth as well (poking her side a bit in the process) and wrapped his arm around them both.

Whatever Tiny said to Wit, it caused Wit to wander over and grab CJ's arm like Tiny had grabbed April's and drag him to Spiky's opposite side. Wit settled against CJ similarly to how Tiny had against April, and soon all three turtles were purring in comfort.

April and CJ shared a nervous glance.

They sat there in silence for only a few minutes before the lumbering form of Old Navy returned. He looked at the new scene with an ounce of disdain; then sighed and settled down across all of their laps.

Now, they definitely couldn't move.

April was finally able to understand why Old Navy's shell looked strange. There wasn't much of a shell to begin with. The surface was rough, and had distinct ridges down the length of his back, but it was nothing like the other turtles’ carapaces. It was just leathery skin. His hands and feet looked different as well, as they didn't have claws; or proper fingers and toes.

“...I guess we're staying here tonight, huh?” CJ whispered, looking back at April around Spiky's chest.

Old Navy's purring joined the first three, sounding like a freight train barreling down tracks.

April let out a breath and rubbed Tiny's head, which had found a place to rest on her chest.

April surveyed the turtles around her for some time. They were all varying levels of dirty, and varying levels of injured: Old Navy looked the best off, but the others had nicks on their carapaces and plastrons, and some small scars on their skin. Spiky looked the worst.

Her eyes locked onto something on Tiny's leg. Around Tiny's leg. In Tiny's leg…

“Apes?”

Old Navy had made sure that he wrapped around all of their bodies. Even if he was the most vulnerable, he was their first line of defense.

Wit still had a tight posture, staying tense regardless of how much he wanted to melt into CJ's warmth.

“...April?”

Spiky still had a growl under his breath, but his scarred arms were holding tightly onto the two smaller turtles bookending the pile.

Tiny was breathing softly, nestling his arm around April's waist. He didn't seem to mind the fishing hook jutting out of his calf, with a fishing line knotted tightly around his leg.

“...they need our help, CJ.” April was tearing up now.

“...what?”

“They need us.”

CJ sat back, processing before he spoke.

“And they have us now.”

April paused, then clutched tightly onto Tiny. She let her body relax, ignoring any spikes stabbing into her side, and entered the cold embrace of sleep.

○●○●○●○

Key:

Wit = The Scavenger/Scav - Second youngest brother

Tiny = The Scout - Youngest brother

Old Navy = The Protector - Oldest brother

Spiky = The Hunter - Second oldest brother

The turtle sections are intentionally written differently, as I like to think turtle-speak doesn't translate exactly to English. If anything makes absolutely no sense, I'm happy to clarify!

Chapter 4: Tiny's First Checkup 🩺 ->

[lokiinmediasideblog]

ok so now I can rant about JiM because it's my hyperfixation lol

when I learned that they made a JiM novel I was euphoric bc I always thought the novel format was the ideal form for the story because it's a very literary comic and I also love fantasy and the Thor side of comics but I HATE superhero as a genre and I also hate superhero comics and their completely messy continuity and bonkers logic, so to me, it's like by adapting this specific run into a book it felt like they've lifted the story from it's larger context so it could exist in it's own canon bubble without having to answer to anything that came before or after these events take place. I love that the only proper superhero that appears is Captain Britain and you only hear one or another superhero be mentioned in passing so I can easily ignore that there are superheroes in this universe and pretend it's just a regular fantasy novel. I noticed that the author took some liberties with the costume descriptions (Loki wears no cowl and Leah wears a golden circlet in lieu of her bone hairpins) and I took is as a cue to disregard the imagery from the comics and reimagine everything from description in a more LOTR-like fantasy aesthetic (nothing against the talented artists that worked on the comic, but I dislike how spandexy and futuristic some asgardian outfits look in the comics)

The prose is surprinsingly good for a novelization. Novelizations usually have very dry prose, but this one is witty, evocative, and in times even poetic, which makes it feel like it was an original literary work and not an adaptation. I don't agree that it feels like a companion to the comic because in many ways, it comes off like a more complete work than the comic, with an expanded insight into the characters.

I particularly like how Loki's inner thoughts made him even funnier and more loveable than in the comic, with his little asides and daydreams, and I love how it elevates his relationships. I particularly like how it shows that, even in his good innocent form, Loki is still jealous of Thor, which is something I never got from the comics. The comics give away the impression that Kid Loki just feels pure hero worship toward his brother and any sore feelings are out of his legitimate grievances about Thor being a lousy parent figure, but the comic shows that he inherited some of his older self's pettiest feelings, which makes his relationship to Thor more nuanced and adds up to the tension that he might go evil if he lets them take over. The prose format also enhanced his chemistry with Leah. I didn't care much about their relationship in the comics because it felt too one sided on his part, but with book!Leah I had a clear sense of how much she likes him back behind the walls she puts up that I never got from comic!Leah. Loki's romantic feelings for her feel more mature in this version, in the comic is too boy pulling pigtails of the girl he likes, but here he gets to be actually earnest about his love for her, and it made the two times he loses her actually hit for me. The added scene where he gifts her books for christmas was adorable and made me ship it. Oh, and I thought making King Arthur a grumpy boomer was a nice touch of humor.

On the downside I disliked how the book does a poor job of contextualizing some stuff and introducing new characters to an impact, which is a shame because I really wanted to recommend this book to people who don't do comics so they can become addicted to JiM like myself (I'm still going to do it lol). The book has no qualms taking some liberties to make the story feel more concise, but it should have taken more liberties to make it work in its format. It also was in a serious need of an editor, because there are some continuity errors. Overall is a good book, it's well written, it honors the story and characters, and that Marvel has chosen this particular story to relaunch in a different format shows it resisted the test of time and it is a classic run.

Definitely agree that Leah and Loki's relationship was much cuter in the book (he even got her furniture), and it was heartbreaking when he had to sent her to the past just after getting her back to keep his older self from hurting her. The things I liked most are Ikol's thoughts while being a magpie, and the ominous teasing as the "teller".

I felt the book got confusing when there were changes in settings, and definitely think it needed more editing. There was a distracting typo in one of the earlier chapters (can't remember where exactly).

I think they should have recapped a little with things like Thor's resurrection for example.