#doesn't help that a ten year old is already almost as tall as him

[baskeigh-ball]

Red's clothes are Mud Dogs thing, a Big Mama thing or a Red thing? (like, why does he wear clothes)

Oh it's a Mud Dogs thing, 100% lol

They couldn't let one of their crew walk around with zero drip

Raph is just happy to be twinning even more with his bestest pal

[lost-girl-2021]

Imagine part of why Neytiri is so insistent on Spider 'being with his own kind' is because Spider almost died in her arms when he was younger and it scared her so much that she closed herself off from him entirely. ik this doesn't super make sense canon-wise, but . . . idk, deal w it y'all.

Spider was maybe six or seven, barely old enough to go outside with the smallest size mask they had. He was with Lo'ak, Kiri, and Neteyam by the creek, Neytiri supervising from the treeline as she foraged. He was finally getting used to this whole outdoors thing, taking to it all quickly. His spare mask was glinting in the sunlight from the branch he'd hung it off of before joining his friends in the water. It was knee-deep for them, but nearly to his waist. Even though he was the oldest, the other three had already outgrown him.

It didn't feel like they were much bigger, though. After months spent together in the forest, it felt like the Na'vi kids had nearly forgotten he was human. Kiri had started helping him paint stripes on himself and Neteyam had promised to show him how to use a bow for his birthday that year. After a lifetime surrounded by adults in the lab, he was happy to be with his friends.

And then, he fell.

Neteyam had faked a lunge towards him and he'd tripped over a log in the water, falling head over heels into the currant. It wasn't bad at all standing up, but he was disoriented and the water was murky from all the mud they'd kicked up in their playing. His body was being sent further down the creek and it was suddenly too deep and Spider couldn't stand up and he didn't know how to swim. His mask hit something hard and came flying off, whisked away into the water. The sting of whatever hit his head was enough to make him gasp and then he was maskless and underwater—

It only took twenty seconds for a human to pass out in Pandoran air. Four minutes to die. That was for a grown-up and Spider was small for his age, Norm said so just the other day.

So, he shouldn't have been surprised when black dots filled his vision and he was just . . . gone.

—

Neytiri's children had been playing in the creek with the Sky People boy all morning. She was foraging for a specific herb, at her mother's request, and all four children were blessedly entertained splashing each other. She'd agreed to take Spider with them when she left the village that morning, Norm and Max looking beyond tired. Apparently, the boy had been staying up late to stargaze, meaning that they had to stay up late making sure he didn't decide to play with any of the lab equipment (again).

She looked over at the four of them, smiling softly as Lo'ak tried to climb up his big brother, slipping and sliding all over. A glint of yellow flashed in her peripheral and she turned away from them, smiling when she found the herb she'd been looking for all morning. It was perfect timing, too, right before they would head back to the village for lunch. She'd settle Lo'ak down for a nap, but Kiri and Neteyam would probably insist on trying to help her prepare their midday meal. She'd have to leave out some seasonings if she was going to feed Spider, but—

Kiri screamed. It wasn't the high-pitched squealing thing she'd been doing a few minutes before, when Spider and Neteyam had splashed her simultaneously. It was one of fear.

She whipped around, looking for an animal or injury or something. Her three children seemed uninjured, but they were splashing around wildly, looking for something.

For someone.

She was in the water before she could think, practically diving downstream. The water reached her knees at it's deeper point, too tall for the Sky Child. She should've known the current would pull him, that he was too small still, too young.

She caught a flash of pink skin and blond hair and reached down, pulling the limp boy from the water. His lips were turning blue and his mask was gone. She must've shouted for Neteyam to grab the spare hanging from the tree, because in the ten steps in took her to get back to her children, he'd climbed up and grabbed it, flipping switches on the battery back she didn't know he knew how to use.

She didn't let him go as she reached for the mask, able to hold him in one arm as she pressed the device to his face.

Please, please, she silently begged, praying. Her children were watching, the boy was . . . he was too fragile to be in such a place. She was foolish to bring him out of the safety of the lab.

Spider took in a sudden choking gasp of air, turning on his side. He coughed once, twice, water and spit hitting the inside of hie mask. He grimaced, before sinking into Neytiri's arms, falling back asleep instantly. She let out a sigh of relief, rocking back on his heels.

"He's alright, he's alright." She promised, looking at each of her children. Kiri was crying and her boys didn't look far behind.

She led the home without complaint from anyone, something that would be unusual under other circumstances. She went straight to the shack, meeting Norm inside the airlock. She handed him over easily, clenching her fists to hide how her hands shook.

She remembered Jake, nearly dying in his human body. Frail and desperate for air. Spider was a child, barely more than a baby. She could barely stand watching her mate suffer through humanity. It would be cruel to make her children grow up along someone bound to die painfully. (It would be unbearable for her to take in the human as her own, like Jake had been hinting at for years now, if she would just lose him).

Idk what this is, it's like 4 am and I had an idea. Please forgive any typos, I'm too tired to proofread atm.

[ghostshipernr1]

16-year-old Dewdrop doesn't have it easy.What he would like most in the world is to bury his nose in books and never leave the room. Unfortunately, his family thinks otherwise and forces him to marry a stranger. Who will save him from such a terrible fate?

otherwise:

My favorite ship but its Vampire Middle ages Universe!!!

Human Dewdrop x Vampire Aether

Warnings: Panic attack, broken arm, a lot of crying

Witch-hunt

chapter 2

Dewdrop ran forward as fast as his aching legs and the tight corset around his body would allow him to. Behind him, he could hear shouts and the sounds of footsteps of those trying to catch him. When Dew ran into the forest, he immediately felt a shiver run down his spine, but he had to ignore it and continue running so that no one would find him.

After ten minutes of intense running and turning into the narrowest corners, it seemed that he had managed to lose the pursuit. Unfortunately, he had the impression that he had also lost his bearings, as the thick fog and darkness of the night made it impossible for him to see anything. Dewdrop decided not to wait any longer and headed deeper into the forest to hide and think about his next steps.

Making his way through tall trees and thorny bushes, Dewdrop finally found a relatively safe place. It was a large ditch with rocks surrounding it and a fallen tree in front for cover.

Dewdrop smoothed the ground clean it with his hand and sat down to think about his situation. It was only when the adrenaline of today had died down then Dew realized how bad of a situation he was in. Alone in the middle of a huge forest with even more wild animals waiting to tear him apart. And on top of that, the damn fog was so humid that Dewdrop had to catch every breath with difficulty. With every passing second it seemed to get colder and the anxiety wouldn't leave his head. How could he be so damn stupid?

Suddenly, Dew felt fear starting to settle in his bones. Fear filled his head and disrupted rational thinking. What if he got lost and stayed in this fucking forest forever? If he lost his parents so easily, it would be even easier to lose himself. Boy put his hand on his chest only to discover that his heartbeat had suddenly accelerated. He was so damn scared. He had everything at home, a warm bed, running water, a healthy meal. What had gotten into his head to run away! His parents will be so fucking angry.

Dew had no idea if it was because of the humidity or because of himself, but breathing became very difficult, it was even like suffocating. Maybe a short walk would help?

Dewdrop tried to get up from the stones, but because of his numb legs, he slipped and fell hard. A shiver of almost agonizing pain went through his whole body and Dew, unable to hold it in, screamed out loud. Tears flowed freely down his face as he lay with a broken arm on the dirty ground in a musty ditch that was supposed to be his coffin.

The feeling of weakness haunted him as he tried to crawl out of the death trap, but all his attempts were in vain. Despite the fact that the ditch was quite large, the blond felt claustrophobic. All he could do was curl up into a ball and sob over his miserable fate.

He had been free for less than an hour and had already proven how dependent he was on his family. Dewdrop felt that he should have listened to them from the very beginning.

The energy was leaving his body faster and faster, Dewdrop felt that he would soon fall asleep and probably never wake up again. But who cares? His parents had probably already given up and found someone else in his place. Someone better.

Dew's eyes were slowly getting dark and his ears started ringing. But before the night could completely cover him, he managed to notice a black nightmare from the corner of his eye, like a shadow emerging from behind the fog.

During the endless journey, Dewdrop would occasionally regain consciousness but would lose it after a second. The blond knew that he was being carried. He was also aware of the pain in his arm and chest. Dewdrop tried to open his eyes but for the life of him they would not cooperate. The only sense he had left was hearing, which was not doing so well anyway.

And Dew was so damn tired. A short nap in the stranger's arms, in his mind drunk with pain, did not seem so bad.

Just a short rest.

Darkness fell again

__________________________________

Suddenly Dew found himself in his room again. He looked at his shelves with handmade books, his desk was covered with parchments and stained with drops of lost ink. Everything seemed familiar but it was still so... different. Something here definitely didn't fit. Dew slowly turned his gaze to what used to be windows but now bars driven into the stone. Shocked, he looked at the room again and indeed now it turned into a stone and cold cell. Once his broken arm was now whole but chained to one of the walls. Panic took hold of Dew again.

He suddenly moved to another place again, only this time he was sitting at the table, opposite to his parents. They were staring at him. Their faces were cold and the looks with which they were clearly trying to kill him, unusually empty. "You have to do it Dew, that's the only way to guarantee yourself a save future" When his father said those words his face became even more gloomy. His mother who was sitting with her arms folded just nodded

"I won't marry someone I don't know" Dew replied. Still, deep down he knew what was best for him.

His parents' previously boring faces suddenly took on a sinister look. Dewdrop put his hand over his mouth only to feel his lips being sewn together with iron thread. The blond abruptly stood up from the chair which immediately fell to the ground. He frantically tried to say something but his attempts always ended in failure.

Feeling the warm liquid on his fingers he realized that they were covered in blood and he was trying to scratch his lips out. When he finally succeeded, he screamed as loudly as he could.

__________________________________

Dewdrop woke up with a silent scream. He quickly put his hands to his face to make sure everything was okay. He breathed a sigh of relief when it turned out that everything was in place. Dew quickly realized that he was lying in a bed. And worst of all, not his own bed. He looked around the room frantically, searching for any information that would help him identify where he was.

Dewdrop noticed that a fireplace was burning in the corner of the room. Thanks to the light from the fire, he was able to see that the room was made of dark bricks. Despite such a cold material, the whole thing seemed very cozy. Everywhere he looked there was either some nice piece of furniture or an interesting painting in warm colors.

Dewdrop tried to sit up in bed, quickly realizing that the hand that had been chained in the dream was now wrapped in a bandage. Only now, when he was fully seated on the mattress, did he have time to wonder. After all, it wasn't often that he fainted in the forest and then woke up in someone's room. Glancing at the window, Dewdrop noticed that it was still dark outside. Turning his head to the table that stood by the bedside, he could see a makeshift first aid kit.

Holding his bandaged hand, Dew tried to stand up this time. He succeeded and immediately started sightseeing. At first, he set his sights on paintings that he hadn't had time to look at properly before. Most of them depicted cheerful scenes from the lives of some strange couple. From time to time, other people appeared there, but the pair of lovers always remained in the foreground. Strange

The next thing Dew found interesting was a large wardrobe at the very end. He opened it, revealing a multitude of beautiful dresses inside. Despite everything, something didn't add up again. Light colors of clothing were very popular now, but these dresses, all of them were black, sometimes with red, less often dark purple accents on them. They looked intriguing.

Then Dewdrop wanted to see the view outside the window, unfortunately, before he could even approach his planned destination, the door to the room opened.

"Where are you flying off to, little bird? I just brought you here." The stranger said, standing in the door frame. Dewdrop stopped abruptly, still looking out the window, not daring to move even a millimeter. The man sighed and closed the door behind him as he entered the room. He went to the fireplace, added some wood and the room became much brighter. This time the blond man found courage and turned around to see who he was dealing with.

Despite the darkness Dewdrop could easily see the pale complexion that stranger had. They gave the impression of contrast with the thick, black short hair on the stranger's head. He was definitely tall with a well-built posture and everything was perfectly complemented by well-chosen dark purple elegant clothes. Although Dewdrop did not want to admit it, the man was damn hot.

"Have you watched it yet darling?, or you need a moment?" He asked in a mocking voice approachin smaller one.

Dew blushed immediately, he did not know what to say. Only when he was only a few steps away from him he notice the wine-red eyes staring into the depths of his soul.

"You're probably confused, maybe we should sit down first and I'll explain everything to you?" The taller one said and as if expecting obedience, he sat down on the bed waiting for the other to join him. On trembling legs Dewdrop settled himself next to the stranger and looked him in the eye.

At that moment bat meet bird.

"My name is Aether and whats yours my love?" He said with a smile on his lips as if it was completely normal for him to call strangers such endearments.

"My name is Dewdrop and I warn you that I am not your love" The shorter one replied sarcastically putting on a malicious mask. "Will you kindly tell me where I am and what I am doing here?"

"You are currently in the guest room where I live with my family. You are here because I would prefer such a beauty not to become food for wild animals" Aether said. This time he was the one wearing a malicious smile.

"Well... that explains a lot" Dew said glancing at his bare feet. At that moment he realized how badly his dress was ruined.

Damn it, his mother would kill him

Oh yeah... He can't go home.

Such a failure as he was.

It's a shame Aether didn't leave him alone in the forest.

And even if he did come back?

He would never see even a shadow of freedom again.

If Dewdrop was a bird, then one with cut wings.

"Remember to breathe Dewy"

Dewdrop realized with surprise that he was panicking again. Aether must have known this perfectly well because he put on a calm tone of voice and tried to help him by leading him through breathing exercises.

"Inhale and exhale little bird, I'm here for you."

"This will pass, we'll get through this together"

"Everything's okay canary, you're safe here"

"I know it's hard but you'll manage, you're so brave"

"Remember to breathe"

"You're not alone..."

It was those last words that allowed him to calm the storm in his body. Dewdrop felt like he was 5 years old again and his grandmother was helping him control his panic. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks at this memory. Aether immediately pulled him to his chest and hugged him.

"Shhhhh everything will be fine. You can cry as much as you need"

Dew experienced a comfort he hadn't felt in a very long time. The man's stable embrace finally allowed him to rest. Dewdrop felt as emotions subsided and, fir god sake he was so tired. To make matters worse, the circles massaging his back didn't help. He knows he shouldn't but eventually Dewdrop fall asleep in the stranger's hug

Has the canary finally found its wings?

[moobloom-mention]

They Don't Call Him the "Great Sage" for Nothing

Summary: MK isn't new to being frustrated when it comes to learning "Mystic Monkey" abilities. But of all things, he never thought shrinking would take four hours to finally learn.

...now he just has to learn how to return to sweet, tall, 5'9" MK before Macaque comes to bother Monkey King. That should be easy enough, right?

(Yeah, no. It's not.)

Warning(s): Peril, Fear of death, Cursing

Word Count: 3560

Blame finally made me write a G/t prompt for Lego Monkie Kid (And may have helped me with writing it).

----------

MK isn't...new to being frustrated.

"Mystic Monkey Business" is difficult, and MK understands that- he really does! It hadn't taken Monkey King centuries to master his abilities for no reason; if anything, MK should be grateful it'd only taken him a few months to understand the basic teachings of Buddhism compared to the usual year.

The slight advantage still doesn't make failing any less disappointing.

Three hours. He'd spent three hours chanting phrases and attempting to put himself "in the perspective of the little guy" and he's still the same old, 5'9" MK. If he wasn't already at his wits end with the exercise, he might've laughed over spending so much time trying to become something so small.

MK growls as his latest attempt to shrink even just one inch fails once more, flopping unceremoniously onto the ground. His hands unclench, small crescents indented within his palm from where his nails had pressed a little too hard.

There's a crunch before a familiar face of auburn fur pops into view, the crumbs of a peach chip falling from Monkey King's hand. His mentor almost looks guilty staring at MK's limp body and it takes everything for MK to stop himself from commenting that he doesn't find the expression fitting. "C'mon bud, don't give up so early."

"Early," MK echoes. His arms flail, useless. "It's been three hours!"

He should've gotten this down after the second time Monkey King excused himself to grab another bag of chips, the monkey clearly bored with the uneventful training session. MK would've rather preferred a sparring match- or hell, getting beaten into the ground by some demon terrorizing the city in comparison to this torture.

A sigh tugs from between his gritted teeth. "It's just not working!"

"I mean, it's not magic, bud."

MK's eyebrows raises because oh, totally. Monkeys and humans are just naturally able to fly and lift nine tons so they can pick up some stupid staff.

Monkey King blinks, as if coming to the same realization himself.

"Okay, okay. Maybe it is sorta kinda magic, but that's not important! Point is, you can't just shrink 'cause you want to or because you said the right stuff; it takes practice. But you've got this, I believe in you."

MK can only stare, trying his hardest to combat his mentor's puppy-dog eyes with his own ten-mile stare of exhaustion and utter despair. He doesn't even want to get the ability down anymore; he just wants to relax on the ground, surrounded by pebbles and rock. It's comfortable down here, the dirt's coldness much more forgiving than the frozen wasteland of failure.

"...we could grab lunch after this next attempt. Take our mind off everything, yeah?"

...

Okay, maybe that does sound nice.

"Fine."

MK ignores the giddy expression on his mentor's face for "winning" the conversation, forcing himself back onto his feet and into a comfortable pose. His eyes close, welcoming the calming dark green scenery once he finds his posture is to his satisfaction.

Even in such a relaxed state, it's difficult to ignore the way his lungs squeal over each deep breath he forces through his nose, as though anxiety had begun to overtake MK's initial frustration. At least the tightness in his chest was kinder than thinking about the three hours he'd wasted on this dumb exercise.

Nope. Nope. No negative thoughts.

Brand new ability. Brand new attempt.

...a giant lunch would be the coolest thing, though. If he could shrink on a whim, he wouldn't have to bother Pigsy for a second bowl of noodles, a single helping almost too much for his small body. It'd be the greatest thing ever, leftovers for weeks.

Heavens above, MK would even be able to swim in that delicious broth. Ooo, and a carrot stick would be the perfect diving board, half of an egg transformed into a flotation device. Who knew swimming in a pool you could drink would be enticing?

"I can see you drooling."

Monkey King's playful jab is enough to break through MK's daydream, the envisioned pool of noodles nothing more than a shattered wish.

"Sorry, sorry." Right, brand new attempt. Focus on shrinking.

One inch at a time.

5'8".

5'7".

5'6".

All the way until he's just as short as the other monkeys on Flower Fruit Mountain. Until he's shorter than a peach.

MK gasps when it feels as though the ground he'd once sought comfort within rises up to meet him, his arms flailing if only to keep him from face-planting. He chokes, because he's pretty sure he forgot to breathe the whole time he'd been "focusing".

"Look at you, bud!"

Y'know, MK likes to think he's not someone that's easily scared. He's faced demons far more comfortable with their own powers without blinking an eye, boldly faced scoldings from both Monkey King and Pigsy that'd have the average person digging their own grave.

MK doesn't scare easy.

But he'd be lying if he wasn't utterly terrified at the way Monkey King's voice seemed to make the air rumble. MK whirls to face his mentor before he freezes, unable to combat the recognizable bout of fear short-circuiting his brain.

Monkey King looms from where MK sits, that familiar prideful and suddenly massive face upholding an uncanny resemblance to the thousands of "Great Sage" billboards across Megapolis. Scratch that, the monkey's more like a living skyscraper- taller than any MK had bared witness to. Now capable of being Flower Fruit Mountain rather than just living on it.

He doesn't know whether to accept the unspoken praise for MK's achievement or run.

Monkey king never mentioned anything about how scary it is being so small. The pebble MK had once been able to squeeze between his fingertips is now the size of a boulder, one that could be used as camouflage against this unwinnable battle should his mentor use this moment to test MK's reflexes.

He feels crushable, vulnerable from his rapidly thumping heart to a butterfly soaring across the sky like a jet.

"So?" Monkey King grins, taking up most if not all of MK's peripheral vision just by leaning forward. "How do you feel?"

Is that a trick question? MK feels like that's a trick question because there's no way he'll admit he feels like his own mentor is about to flick him away, forgotten like a piece of dust that'd clung to Monkey King's fur.

MK shakes the thought from his head, forcing a stuttered laugh from his throat like his lungs aren't squeezing in panic. "Uh, tiny."

Monkey King physically waves aside the comment, an action that totally doesn't make the now significantly smaller flinch. "Meh, you'll get used to it. I say we snag lunch anyway; on me. I'm starving!"

Faintly MK registers a pang of disappointment hidden beneath his unbridled fear- "on me" could only mean one thing and one thing alone.

He's not getting that five-course bowl from Pigsy's Noodles as he'd originally hoped. Nope. His fate had been sealed to drown in a bowl of peaches.

"Is that alright with you, bud?"

MK's nod is mindless, his sleeve wiping a bead of sweat from his eyebrows. He can't tell if it's from the rush of adrenaline still coursing through his veins or because it'd taken so much energy to shrink in the first place.

...

"Uh, how exactly do I grow?"

Monkey King only blinks, a response that isn't what MK had been praying for.

"You can't do it yourself?"

MK stares, certain his silence is enough of an answer. No he can't just grow. It'd taken him nearly four hours to shrink, only Heaven knows how long it'll take for him to learn how to return to normal size.

"Eh, you'll figure it out eventually. In the meantime..."

MK barely has time to formulate a thought before four meteors crash beside him, the ground rumbling as one lands a little too close to MK for his liking. As much as he wants to curl in on himself- rolly-pollys are making a lot more sense nowadays -he forces his head to lift and make sense of the situation, eyes wide at the scene.

Monkey King remains knelt before the ground, rough palms calloused with millennia of fighting pressed firmly to the ground beside MK. Screw the idea of his mentor being the size of a skyscraper, this is like watching the sun hover above Earth.

His fear barely subsides enough for familiarity to scrape at MK's brain, uncertain why the pose strikes a sense of...comfort?

Oh, wait, no he's seen this play out before. Well, he's never been a participant, but he knows how this goes.

Monkey King did this whenever the little monkeys of Flower Fruit Mountain wanted to climb aboard their king, tiny hands scaling the marigold-colored sleeves with ease. It'd kept the little ones from disrupting training exercises, while also opening the door amidst moments of peace for Monkey King to bask beneath tiny hands that combed through his fur.

A far-too-warm breeze ruffles his hair and MK startles, hands grasping desperately at his bandana to keep it from flying away.

He's barely given reprieve before Monkey King taps a finger, the dirt beneath MK's shoes bouncing. Impatient much. How is this even supposed to work?

Surely MK isn't expected to climb up his arm-

Oh, who is he kidding? Of course that's what his mentor wants.

The cuffs of the sleeve hover awkwardly over MK, large enough for a single fold to encase his entire body like some odd blanket. He can see how convenient the offer of an arm is for monkeys that have claws and experience scrambling up trees. It's just a shame that it's not so useful for a three-inch tall MK.

"I don't have all day, bud."

He knows Monkey King is just teasing. Knows his mentor always makes comments like that.

But it's terrifying now that MK could be swatted like a fly, or left on his own if his mentor decided to get lunch without having to share with his shrunk successor.

Now that thought spurs him to leap up and grab onto the sleeve. It's almost uncomfortable how bulky the fabric is, almost two thick to grab onto securely enough.

But he got it! And now is...currently dangling a good two inches off the ground unable to do anything else.

"A little h-help, please?"

MK doesn't know if the amused look that's broadcasted is good or bad. He wants to say good because that means no more monkey mischief.

But nothing could've prepared him for the feeling of being yanked into the air, an action that happens so quickly he nearly loses his grip on the sleeve. His vision swims and he can only curse vertigo for making it seem as if he had lost his grasp.

And then MK nearly does let go. His arms feel like jelly as he gazes at the growing distance between him and the ground, no safety net provided in the circumstance he falls. The ground feels miles below, and as comforting the fact he's invincible is, he doesn't want to learn what falling from that height and surviving feels like.

MK clenches his eyes shut as the fabric bunched within his arms suddenly pulls taut, his fingers slipping from the thread. And then he really is falling.

The howl of wind tears aside his screams, chest heaving as he lands on something soft only a beat later. He scrambles to figure out where he is before tripping forward as the ground beneath him moves. He might've hated being so exposed on dirt, but at least that stayed still.

MK's arms flail, desperate to make contact with the nearest stable object. What he doesn't expect is said object to be a soft bundle of what suspiciously looks like Monkey King's fur.

Before the dots can connect, the sky darkens as a shadow moves over him, the sleeve MK had previously been clinging to disappearing from view.

...he's on Monkey King's head.

Okay, okay. He can do this. He's ridden Monkey King's cloud for Heaven's sake, soared hundreds of miles above the actual unaltered ground. Who's to say this won't be just like that?

With fur bundled tightly within his grasp, MK forces his eyes shut. He doesn't want to look at the fall that still awaits him.

You're invincible. You're invincible. Monkey King made you invincible-

Monkey King takes a step and MK can't do this.

"STOP!"

MK's designated mode of transportation leaps a solid foot in the air and MK screams, terrified. His strangled grasp on Monkey King's fur may offer safety from the ground, but it's useless in preventing whiplash.

"Sheesh bud," Monkey King scolds, like it's MK's fault that the giant moved too fast. "You're gonna destroy my eardrums at this rate!"

"S-Slower-!" MK pleads, voice much softer if only to appease the one person responsible for his safety. "Just go slower!"

He can practically feel his mentor's pouting about being told to go slower. Still, the giant complies. The only issue is that while his mentor might be going slower, the footsteps are certainly heavier. He's nearly thrown against a flicking ear as the giant makes his way back into the hut, but at least MK isn't thrown off.

Okay, yeah, yeah. MK can do this.

"Uh, Monkey King?"

The head below his feet bobs and MK curses his mentor's naturally exaggerated reactions.

"Hm?"

"I'm not hurting you, right?"

"Pfft," the giant shrugs and oh wow, that should not feel like an earthquake. "Just like havin' a couple fleas in your fur."

That's fun. Everyone likes being compared to a flea.

"Of course of all people, you'd know."

Monkey King's head snaps to greet the new voice, and MK's scream is very manly, thank you.

"Not you," his mentor groans. As if said moment of surprise hadn't almost just caused MK to fall.

"Uh, yes me," Macaque's grin is vicious and smug as per usual. MK nearly flinches at the fangs at least double his size being displayed, a nervous chant falling from his throat that the daggers aren't meant for him. Like a switch the demon's grin falls, eyes narrowing onto MK's best attempt at cowering behind Monkey King's tangled fur.

It didn't take a genius to understand the situation at hand. Still, Macaque dares to ask.

"Wukong." It's spoken cautiously, far too gentle in comparison to how Macaque usually speaks. It's terrifying.

"Macaque." Harsher, with a rumble in it that shakes MK's core.

Nevermind, that's more terrifying.

"Why's the kid sitting in your fur?"

"Bonding time."

A weak excuse, MK thinks miserably.

"Bonding time?"

"And uh, y'know, protection! He's the safest when he's with me!"

There are a lot of ways to describe MK's state of mind. "Safe" is not one of them. His hands have long abandoned their hold on Monkey King's fur, now clasped at his ears in the hopes to get rid of the booming voices.

Macaque makes an odd hissing noise, not unlike that of an angry cat. Or a spider. And there better be neither. "Stop yelling."

The head beneath MK's shoes jostles once before it falls unnaturally still, patches of fur not far from his position dented as large, tan fingers hold it still. "You're gonna destroy both of our eardrums."

For a moment, MK sits mesmerized by the piece of sun that'd managed to sneak into his mentor's house, a bright yellow orb lifting from Monkey King's forehead to greet him. Ah, nope, nope, nope.

That's Macaque's eye. "H-Holy shit-"

"Sorry, kiddo," the shadow murmurs, totally unapologetic with the smirk in his voice. "How'd you get yourself into this one?"

Weakly, "Mystic Monkey B-Business?"

"Shoulda known," Macaque mutters, rolling his eyes. "Classic Wukong, can't teach for the life of him."

"Hey!" Monkey King protests, albeit much quieter than before. MK can't help but sigh with relief. "I'm perfect at teaching."

"...maybe we could work on that a little bit?"

Much to MK's terror, Monkey King's head rears back.

He can barely hear his mentor's iconic "psh" as MK scrambles to grab onto literally anything to keep himself from falling. A hand grabs at fur while the other pinches at skin, a gasp jolting through his chest when it feels like gravity will finally win and throw him to the ground.

Suddenly, the ground beneath him levels out and he lands on his stomach hard enough for his lungs to heave with how heavily he exhales. And then the mountain he stands on drops.

"Do not do that," Macaque growls, a warning that MK swears both he and his mentor will listen to. MK's limbs tremble as he looks up to see the shadow had forced Monkey King to sit down, hands on the giant's shoulders to keep him on the couch. "You will hurt him if you do something careless like that again."

"He's fine."

There's a long moment of silence until Macaque sits down as well, crossing his arms before pretending to feign interest in his claws.

Monkey King bristles, the fur around MK suddenly puffing out. "What are you doing?"

"Ensuring you don't traumatize your successor."

MK can't help but sigh in relief at the promise of someone capable of keeping Monkey King in one spot sticking around. He offers a gentle pat against his mentor's skull, one he's almost certain has barely any weight behind it. "Wh-What's one more 'mentor'?"

"...fine."

Oh thank the Heavens-

"But do you really have to hover the whole time?"

"Duh," Macaque snarks. "Least till MK's back to normal."

Monkey King’s head moves once more, presumably to glare at Macaque making himself cozy on the opposite end of the couch. “Overprotective,” his mentor mutters.

Even from atop his mentor's head MK barely picks up on the uttered comment, praying that Macaque had been far enough away to not pick up on the taunt. He really needs all the help he can get right now and two angry, giant monkeys would not be ideal.

Much to MK's panic, it seems Macaque did hear it, the demon's ears flicking toward monkey King before they flatten against his head in clear disdain. Yeah, he definitely heard that one.

But Macaque doesn't move to tear the other's throat out. A small win for a small MK.

"Well, if you're hoping to be a storm cloud raining on my day," Monkey King huffs. "How about a little bit of grooming, bud?"

It takes a moment for MK to realize that he was the implied party to start grooming. Red rushes to his face, embarrassed because why on earth did he think Monkey King would ask Macaque for help?

He glances at the dark-furred monkey, uncertainty a stone in his stomach over the curious expression that greets him. In an instant MK can already tell that Macaque understands his plight. "Wha'? Don't know how to groom, kid?"

MK quickly shakes his head. "No! I-I mean yes, of course I know how to groom!"

He just never thought a flea itself could do it. But...he can do this. It can't be that hard, right? He already had experienced grabbing onto clumped fur from today's "adventure", surely he can maneuver it enough to methodically groom.

He slowly manages to make his way through the sea of auburn, stopping only whenever he sees a knot he can untangle. The task's actually quite calming, if he's being honest. Who knew small hands would finally be helpful in something; if not climbing sleeves then in appeasing Monkey King through grooming. It only takes about five minutes to untangle the knot before he's moving onto another bundle of fur.

Okay, yeah, MK could get used to this. Piece of cake.

That is, until Monkey King growls. It's a scary thing, a loud rumble that vibrates the fur MK had been combing his hands through. If the sound weren't so paralyzing, he might've laughed over his mentor getting angry, probably over something small Macaque did.

At least until the body beneath him moves. It's not a violent jostle, like how a shake of the head had felt or how a careless shrug of shoulders could toss MK like a ragdoll. It feels more like he'd just sat down in a massage chair.

Macaque's voice acts like a balm to his panic; collected and a fraction louder than Monkey King's rumble. MK still frowns; either Macaque had gotten suspiciously good at ignoring the other's growl or he didn't feel threatened whilst a hostage was in the room.

"Relax, kiddo. What's the hold-up?"

"Why-" MK shrinks at how small his voice sounds. "Why is Monkey King growling?"

Macaque blinks, eyebrows furrowed in what MK can assume is confusion. A wave of bewilderment over something flickers in those yellow eyes before it warps into pure amusement.

"Wukong's not growling. He's purring."

Right, right. That makes total sense; no big deal or anything. Monkey King's just...purring.

"What?"

Monkeys aren't supposed to purr! Er, they aren't really supposed to talk either, but MK can't even fathom the possibility that their vocal cords are capable of producing such a sound in the first place.

Celestial primates work a touch different than normal primates, sure, but purring? Purring?

"Macaque?"

"Hm?"

"...do you also-?"

"Don't push it, bud."

[ryuzakemo128]

Cosmic Embrace

Chapter One: Marianna's Past

Cosmic Volume 1 - Previous Chapters: LINK

Next Chapter ->

Author's Note: This chapter takes place in the past. Long before the events of Stranger Things take place.

Trigger Warning(s):

Graphic, Intense Violence and gore

Coarse Language (Swearing)

One of the ways to determine how well she was doing would be the results of her monthly examination. It was inevitable that the other test would have to be taken, and she had no choice but to choose how to feel about it.

All of them had to do both tests and they had to fight both Demogorgons and each other in the second test. Those that were left could continue to get advanced training. The deceased were cremated and buried in unmarked graves. Not even their parents would have been able to find them even if they wanted to. Most of them were eight years old during this second test, and they had to rely on what they had already learned to pass.

In spite of all that, she had seen her mother's face and it looked so much like her own. It was almost as if she could remember her and touch her, but the hand just slipped straight through and she could not recall anything about her.

The mother took some blood from her and proceeded to run further tests that were needed after the blood sample was taken. Her mother sighed as she administered vitamins to her system. "This will make the next test easier and you should be able to pass with flying colours." Her mother said to her.

"Eloise, Doctor Katarina, we need you in room ten right now." Said the other doctor to Katarina.

"Could you take care of the rest of this one?" Katarina asked Eloise.

"Yeah, I'll finish up for you. Just make sure you get to room ten in time." Eloise replied continuing with Marianna's examination.

On the same team she was placed on, there was a tall man named Kenny, as well as a slightly shorter guy named Carver. In spite of the fact that they had already passed the test years ago, they were deemed capable of passing the test again. Morgan, Gray, and Leo were added to the same team as her as soon as they ran out of space on every other team.

Kenny stands six feet five inches tall. He is almost nineteen years old. He is one of those guys who could swing you around like a weapon without breaking a sweat.

There is a three-inch difference in height between Carver and him, but he has an intense need to tell others what to do and how to do it. It doesn't matter if he doesn't know what to do for himself. It's a situation that is made clear to the rest of them when they notice him yelling and screaming. He was also a year older than Kenny.

Marianna didn't get to know the others on her team. As they were being ushered out to begin the second test, she didn't really have the chance to get to know them as well.

As the second test has been dragging on for a week now, Carver has already started to irritate Kenny and Marianna. "The longer this shit carries on, the more likely it is that I will lose my mind." Marianna whispered to him.

"Glad you are on our side." Kenny said to her.

"Me too, Kenny, I still think you're cool though." Marianna said to him.

"It makes you wonder when the real stuff is going to happen," Gray said to them.

"Real stuff? It couldn't get more real even if it tried." Carver replied slapping the back of his head, clipping one of Gray's ears.

"I think he meant the Demogorgons. He is wondering when they will let them in with us." Marianna replies to Carver, the squad's leader.

"I don't care what he means, what I care about is keeping us alive for as long as possible." Carver says to the squad. "Marianna, you can scout ahead. While Kenny, Morgan, and Leo prepare for camp. I'll make sure no one finds this spot."

Marianna walked around the camping area, looking for resources and other useful items that could help them stay alive. "This is going to be a really long night," she thought to herself.

As a result of a big fight between several squads, Morgan got shot not once, but twice. But four times, it was as if they were picking them off one by one. Kenny dragged Morgan into an empty room a few meters away as Gray, Leo and Marianna picked them off as Kenny got Morgan away from heavy fire.

Carver however, conveniently snuck away right as they needed his help the most.

"Why the fuck are you leaving?" Marianna yelled at him. "Get back here."

"How can I be an effective leader if I'm dead?" Carver replied.

"Shoot your gun, you inconsiderate moronic bastard." Gray said to him as he was tempted to cut out his own team leader's kneecaps.

It took them at least an hour and a half to kill each person on the opposing teams. Marianna rushed into the decrepit room, picked him up, and sat him on a bed that looked as if sneezing on it would cause it to collapse.

Marianna is now just starting to patch up Morgan. His blood has practically soaked into her lower arms at this point. "Fucking hell, how much more time are you willing to waste on this?" Carver asked her.

Marianna snaps at him with a snarl, "It's really up to you how much of a jackass you want to be. Morgan is dying over here and you're worried about wasting your time. Shut the hell up and do your useless work somewhere else."

"As the team leader, you must follow what I say and do what I tell you." Carver growled, which caused Kenny to grab him by his shoulders and drag him towards the door.

"Fuck off Carver" Kenny says to him before shoving him out of the building. "Go do something useful for once, other than swinging your dick around like you own the place. Go do something constructive."

"We should be used to the fact that Carver is never useful when it comes to these things. We should be used to it by now," Marianna says to Kenny as she looks at him.

"You're going to have to kill me Mara." Morgan said to her. "I can't help you in my current state and the longer you guys stay here, the greater the chance that you get yourselves killed."

"Then I'll stay and die with you." Marianna replied slightly agitated.

"No. You're not going to, Carver won't let you and I don't think they'd live long without one of us there." Morgan replied.

"I'll never forgive you for making me kill you. I hope you know that Morgan." Marianna says to him.

"I can live with that" Morgan replied laughing a bit. "Go ahead, do it. Before Carver steps in and forces you."

There was a moment of hesitation as Marianna attempted to thrust her combat knife into the middle of his skull. Her mantra, I hate you, was the only thing that got her through.

Carver didn't have to rush her, he didn't have to be in the room and he still got into her face to tell her how to do her job. Moments after Morgan was declared dead, she walked over to Carver and proceeded to push him, asking, "Are you happy? I mean you get to tell me how I do my job and dictate how long it takes at the same time. If you hadn't done that. He wouldn't be dead you fucking asshole."

"Just wait and see how long you live without our help." Carver replied taunting her.

"It is not wise for you to stay here," Marianna responded. "If you were a better leader, Morgan wouldn't have died in the first place." Marianna added, "I hope you are buried here. I hope you stay here and die here knowing that Morgan's death could have been prevented if you had been a better leader. As if your death was a preventable death, if you had been a better leader, it would have been prevented as a result."

"I'm the one who makes the tough calls; I don't think you could understand because you're an emotional woman and all that. You know, given your emotional state." Carver replied making Kenny sigh as he knew what kind of a response he would get from her.

Kenny prevented Marianna from lunging a knife into Carver's throat. "Killing him won't bring him back, killing him won't help you either."

"Kenny let me go," Marianna replied gripping her knife tighter and tighter.

"You're no killer, Mara. We both know that you don't have the willpower to do that." Carver says to her while gripping her face tightly in both his hands. He tells her that he could kill her right now. No one will miss you at all. Not even your own mother.

"Carver, I am trying to get her not to kill you as a result of your actions. You are certainly not helping." Kenny shouted at him.

"I am determined to make the death of you as painful as I can make it," Marianna says through gritted teeth as she begins to speak.

"Well, that's it. I'm just about to let her kill you." Kenny says as he just lets her go, as he has seen in a matter of minutes how the girl has basically turned feral.

Marianna used the end of her gun to hit him over and over again. She had no concern about the fact that Carver was taller than her and she had no concern about anything else other than eliminating him. The only thing that mattered to her was killing her leader because he was everything but a leader to her. Everything else was secondary, but killing her leader was her primary concern.

Kenny strung the bloodied Carved around a tree, hoping the Demogorgons would munch on him and give them enough time to run away. 

Kenny strung the bloodied leader, Carver around a tree, hoping the Demogorgons would munch on him and give them enough time to run away. Marianna followed in silence and proceeded to wash the blood off her lower arms.

"How long do you think we have until one of them gets here?" Gray asked Kenny.

"About an hour and a half, but maybe a bit longer depending on where it is." Kenny explained.

"Where's Carver?" Leo asked Kenny and Marianna.

"He's no longer part of this team," Kenny explained. 

The rest of the exam was completed by the end of the month. No one questioned them, no one asked where Carver had disappeared and no one really cared. If you died during the test, it was because that was how the test was conducted. Your name would be lost, your grave wouldn't be found and your parents would continue looking for you as if you were still alive.

Three months later, another test was about to begin in the month coming up. Marianna and Kenny didn't want a repeat of what happened last time. As they both took the role of leader, just so one person would have to carry the responsibility by themselves. 

A few new squad members arrived after a few minutes, some looking at Kenny and then leaving straight afterwards. Mainly out of intimidation. Kenny started talking to the ones that remained about what the test would be like and the experience the team had three months prior.

"Things got more complicated after Morgan died.” Kenny told the new members of the squad. “One of you better start learning how to patch someone up faster than you had before.”  

"If we die, you need to patch yourself up. Otherwise, those things will kill you that much faster.” Marianna explained to them. “They’ll end up smelling your blood and eating you alive.”

"That's how Carver died right? He was missing and you found the rest of him that way?” one of them asked her. 

"That's one way to put it. But yeah, there wasn’t much left of the body. He was indeed one for dramatics, so he thought it would have been “better off” for him to venture out there alone.” Marianna explained to the young girl.

“My name is Mariya, and I'm determined to be the most skilled medic ever.” Mariya tells Kenny and Marianna.

“I didn't sign up to have my heart broken,” Kenny tells Marianna.  

"Technically, we have never signed up for any of this. But I certainly hope we get another one. I'll be a mess if she dies too." Marianna replied.

"Grayson, reporting for duty as your fully qualified second medic." Grayson announces.

"Gray, it's just us. Don't be so formal." Kenny told him.

"Gray will do anything to bother someone else. By the way, I'm back on the team." Leo said to Kenny.

"Is it just me, or is this team much larger?" Mariya asked.

According to Marianna, "it's still relatively small compared to other teams."

"Don't be shy guys, it's just me here to make sure you guys survive this mess." Vanya told them.

"We don't need your help. We have two medics and one assassin. We have all the help we need." Marianna says to him.

In response to Kenny's question, "When did he get here?" Kenny finally paid attention to his new teammate, or in this case, someone who was known for his antics. It turned out that one of them was playing on a different team after being on the same one twice.

"Marianna, you are the definition of naivety," Vanya hugged her. Kenny always suspected that Kenny's obsession was more than just random coincidence on his part.

[pollyna]

For the sake of the argument; Q's name is Thomas in this one. And warning: Thomas' dad is not a nice guy.

Wip, but I intend to write the end of this one. Complete fic here.

The very first memory Thomas has of his dad is loud. Most of his memories about his dad will be loud. He is three years old and he's crying, asking his mom to take him away and his dad is screaming. What he's screaming he will never know, but it has to do with being his birthday and Thomas refusing to spend time with him even on that day. At the time, his parents were separated and his dad's house had a beautiful garden with this tall tall apricot tree that used to be the sweetest apricot in the entire world. They used to hang a swing at the beginning of March and take it down in September. Still, Thomas' dad is screaming, he's crying and his mom doesn't know what to say or to do.

He doesn't have a second memory as precise as the first one, but in a series of them, where is dad is the guy who takes him home after school and smiles at his teachers during the October meeting, taking him to the science fair and helps him building his last invention. His dad is the guy who comes back home when he's seven and a whole year and a half later, he's still there and Thomas has a little sister now, who cries, smiles and he wants to hug her all the time because she's so small, precious and delicate and his dad isn't as loud as he was before. But then Thomas is eight and half and his dad is loud all over again, if not even more than before: it's about taxes, money, the mortgage, his grandparents and he doesn't understand most of it, but he stands as tall as he can in front of his mom and protects her. His dad goes on and on for hours but Thomas doesn't move. Sometimes his mom says something, but most of the time she doesn't. And she always lets him have something sweet after, while she is choosing what videotape they're going to see that evening. His little sister sleeps and he feels relieved. He's almost nine and he's already promised, his little hand over his heart, he's going to protect her until his last breath. Even from their dad. Especially from their dad.

Then he's ten, twelve, sixteen and eighteen and his dad is still the guy who drives him everywhere and he always has something to say to help him and hugs him when he does something extraordinary, and from fourteen to seventeen Thomas is continuously doing extraordinary things. His dad is still the guy who takes him to his chess competition and screams against the referee because he's dead wrong. What a fucking asshole and he's loud. Everyone is looking at him and his dad doesn't stop screaming even after the end of the match and it should have been a great day because his aunt is there too and he wants to cry, hide and maybe disappear once and for all.

(He used to ask, when he was ten, God if they could please help them. Him, his mom and his little sister. If they were so magnanimous as everyone else is, why couldn't they be with them? At seventeen, he learned that God had no business for human matters and even less interest in matters of small numbers as they were.) 

He's twenty-three and MI6 just offered him the job of a lifetime and the possibility to finally leave home behind. He took it and took every other proposition they had that would send him far far away from the house his mom called home. It's London at first and then Glasgow and, for just six months, it's Dublin too. His dad is still loud but he's miles and miles away and his voice doesn't concern him anymore. And the whole thing is a lie because Thomas, who is a forgettable alphabetic letter to his superior, who calls him the kid or three because his station is the third one from the window, calls home every two days and spends a weekend every month there, even if he sweats he wouldn't. His little sister isn't little anymore and talks about the world and her university and living away from their parents and he asks himself how can she kiss their dad's cheek like he wasn't loud or his mouth full of bad things to say to their mother every time the occasion arises. He asks himself but never because he learned his lesson a long time ago and he's honestly too tired to even just listen to his dad.

(He was twenty-one and did something wrong and his mum said something at the wrong moment. Everything resulted in him sitting at the dinner table, trying not to cry while eating dinner. He doesn't remember what he did or what his mum said but he can remember most of what his dad screamed.)

He's twenty-nine now, twenty-six and sitting near  someone who should be the scariest man he ever met and simply smiling at him like you do with a coworker, twenty-seven and fighting. The circular code is so beautiful, he could cry, twenty-eight and hearing someone say that he should be scared because he's going to die and laughing back at him because, seriously, this is the best you can do? and almost immediately thinking of his dad, his loud voice and the infinite stretch of silence after a fight, about staying put and almost not breathing because it was safer, and James just raised his voice for the first time. Thomas, now Q, flinches away when James starts moving his hand in the air to prove a point he can't remember. He can't have this, James loosing it and screaming, as regular thing, not when they're at home.  

[corysmiles]

Could you believe I actually am back with some Runnaway Experiment WRITING??? :D

This takes place very early on in the story, and gives some more insight into Tommy's life before they escaped (in the comics). Enjoy :D

-------

The experiment was growing years after years, to everyone’s delight. It seemed the first laboratorial human had a decent enough lifespan so that it could be studied in the long run. And so, 14 years, it has been since T0M saw the light of day, and it acted in a similar fashion a 14 year old human would. .

Of course, the many researchers failed to take in consideration an alteration of the most cumbersome. T0M looked human, could understand the english language, followed orders and didn’t complain, asked some questions but the specimen…. was big.

Too big to fit in a human bed.

Too big to fit comfortably in a room.

It went in spurts, which was terrifying the first time. It kept on growing and growing, as scientists hoped it wouldn't take long for it to stop, otherwise, it might lead to a lot of problems. But for the past 2 years, no noticeable change really occurred, which was a relief when the thing was already 25 ft tall. It never seemed to be challenging personality wise, which was a relief, but they still needed to keep him in line.

Hopefully, the Doctor Soot, as well as Doctor Puff took part in daily check ups and made sure he didn’t rebel.

So, every 2 day, they took turns to visit T0M in the room accustomed to its needs.

And both’s reports were excellent! T0M learned more while being as obedient and compliant as ever. Phil couldn’t be more happy with those results.

However, as time went on…. Wilbur failed to mention another kind of teaching he had going on with the subject for the past months.

“And this is called ‘Sadness’.” He held an A3 size paper with a moody smiley drawn on it, the word being written below. “It’s that feeling when our sessions are over and I have to go and you say ‘oh noooo’ in that voice.”

T0M was sitting on his knees in front of him, paying the utmost attention to what Wilbur was showing and saying.

“I hate that one.” He pouted.

“I know,” Wilbur chuckled. “No one likes to feel sad. But it’s a part of life.”

A single hum. Wilbur’s smile turned more sympathetic.

“Do you remember the other ones?” He stood up from his place and put the sheet in one of the dark grey metallic drawers.

T0M nodded, excitedly. He took his hand and poked his fingers as he counted. “ there’s “Happiness”, it’s the good one. And “Disgust”, it’s when I have to eat the weird green stuff.”

“Brocoli”

“That. And then there’s excitement, it’s when I smile real big because you come early.”

Wilbur clapped “Wonderful!” T0M’s eyes were shining stars at every approval from Doctor Soot. Even though T0M’s enjoyment was very appreciated and contagious, but it could be a bit… much, to handle at times.

“Since you understand the basics, I think it’s time for us to start a whole new lesson.” He clapped.

T0M gasped and cheered from the top of his lungs “YEAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!”, throwing his arms in the air and effectively making the room shake from the sheer volume of his voice. When he looked back at the scientist, his eyebrows were pinched and the brunette was covering his ears and curled up, almost in pain.

“...Doctor?” He brought his head close to the man who, after making eye contact, scrambled back until he hit the same drawer he put the papers in earlier. T0M looked at him confused, face still too big in Wilbur’s peripheral.

“I… Tom, I appreciate your enthusiasm when we do our lessons, but if you could prevent yourself from screaming, it would be nice.” He tried in the most gentle voice he could muster without it shaking.

“What’s screaming?” T0M asked, crouched so his face was almost on the ground at eye level with him. He brought a hand closer to the doctor who was still breathing heavily. When his head shot to look at the hand, his body on alert, he froze before saying.

“... Is it a moment when I can’t touch you?”

Wilbur’s eyes were locked on the now frozen hand for a good second before returning to T0M, nodding. “Uh, yeah.”

“... Okay.”

The hand retracted in the following seconds, and soon, he was back in his initial position.

The doctor thanked before regaining his composure. He looked back at T0M, and his expression held remorse. A guilt twisted Wilbur's guts at the view. Thing is, as T0M grew up, people quickly realised he was the equivalent of clingy. He would constantly grab people into hugs and had a hard time keeping his voice down which resulted in a large noise blocker investment. And so they had a rule. T0M couldn’t make any sort of physical contact with anyone without being given explicit permission first. Obviously, most workers considered T0M as a test subject and therefore, wouldn’t give him that pleasure.

Wilbur, though, was not in the same vein. Once he realised how empathic and emotional and human T0M was, he started teaching him things a human teen should need, and started giving him a sort of affection a human teen should have. Which included some sort of physical affection.

When T0M was sad, he would sit next to him or pat his back. It quickly evolved as Wilbur accepted being held by the boy and brought to eye level as long as he was careful when doing so, and ever later, they would hug and wilbur would try to brush his hair at times.

Still, that didn’t make him immune to any of T0M’s carelessness which’s consequences were amplified ten fold due to his scale.

“Did I do something wrong?” he asked pitifully.

“I- no, it’s not your fault. It can just be a bit overwhelming is all.” Wilbur explained.

“... what does that mean?”

“It means… when something is ‘too much’. Like when you want to bring Techno very close, but he keeps reminding you about the rule.”

“Oh.” T0M let his head fall. “... I don’t like that.” Wilbur scratched his head. “I want to be so close and show that I’m very happy and it’s all inside and I can’t let it out.”

“Well, here, it’s a bit more of the opposite. When outside, there is a lot and you’re incapable of letting it in.”

“... I’m sorry Wilbur” he mumbled.

“It’s okay, I’m not angry.” reassured the brunette. “I just have sensitive ears.”

“...Everyone has sensitive ears.”

“Well, when you’re a small guy like me, you’re sensitive on pretty much all fronts.”

“... It’s not fair.”

“What’s that?” Wilbur perked.

“When I stop getting big and strong, I want to hug you with all of my will. Like you do with me. It feels nice. I want you to feel nice just like that. I want you to be overwhelmed with happiness. I want to hug you so, so bad but I can't and it's shit. I don't want to be strong, I hurt you if I’m strong. I want to hug you."

Tommy vented, more to himself, and when he looked at Wilbur, his eyes shined, not with joy.

"Oh Tommy…."

It ached. It ached Wilbur to his core that something as simple as a hug was something he craved and still couldn't get. Because he knew. He knew all of the things T0M was missing out on. All the life he could have lived if he was granted freedom. How much he could live and appreciate. It kept him awake at night.

But he was here. Trapped. In a room barely tall enough to contain him, treated like a circus monster. And the worst thing was, T0M wasn't aware of it. Of all the life he wasn't living. How his life was no life and how he thinks this absence of everything is what life should be.

Plato would probably laugh in his grave.

"I promise you. One day, you will be able to do that. I promise you that I'll find a way for you to hug me just like you are a small man too. I promise you that I'll make you discover all of those joys of life, Tom. I Promise you. I will help you. And I'm sorry for not being able to provide it sooner. And I'll apologize for all the years it took for me to get it."

They stared at each other, and Tommy nodded, throat tight and eyes wet.

"And a promise makes sure that it's gonna happen." T0M croaked.

"Exactly, tom." Wilbur smiled. "You are going to live many more things."

The bell rang, and both faces fell a bit.

"I'll see you in 4 days, Tom. We're gonna have a little recap over the emotions you learned and then I'll teach you about relationships."

"Oohh, that sounds nice! What is it?"

As Wilbur packed his little bag, he looked at T0M and simply replied "it's all around you. But I'm not gonna spoil the next session. On that note, I wish you a nice week, Tom."

"Have a nice week, Wilbur! " T0M waved with a smile. "It's nice talking to you."

"It is my absolute pleasure, Tom."

And thus, they parted. As Wilbur walked down the immense corridor (just tall enough Tom could run through them.) He wore a satisfied smile. His small steps resonated, the only sound in the room, yet peaceful enough for his ears to listen to them as carefully as silence. Halfway through, the sound was doubled.

"Helloooo."

"Oh, hey techno! How are you?"

"Doing fine. You seem very happy."

"I am. I made some good progress with T-he subject. I feel like he's learning well. The next tests should have fabulous results."

"Ahh, wonderful. Let's make sure it doesn't learn too much though." He joked.

And at that, Wilbur chuckled, his hand on the man's shoulder. "Oh don't you worry about that, my friend. I can assure you that'll never happen"

"Amazing" techno replied, deadpan. Both nodded their conversation away and walked the rest of their ways.

As he got further away, the doctor's smile turned to an amused grin. His steps resonated, so much smaller than what could be, in a corridor in which the boy just next door should walk through.

"Don't you worry about a single thing."

MEL YES I ADORE THIS AU SO MUCH ITS SO GOOD!!!!!!!!

Poor Tommy but at least Wilbur is helping him :”]

[catzula]

a/n: I just love Suna so much *screams*

honorable mentions: crackfic-like? The handsome-stranger-you-meet-at-the-airport au, swearing, 1.2k

It's a night flight.

Suna always preferred night flights, anyway.

Suna doesn't like flying. Sitting in a cramped seat for hours can't be anyone's favorite hobby, but he hates flying with a passion. For starters- it's unhygienic. The air has a strange smell to itself, as well, and it never fails to give him goosebumps and an urge to stop inhaling altogether.

He hates the tasteless coffee they serve, and the little packets of nuts remind him of the day he had discovered his nut allergy in a flight like this. The leather seats making him feel sticky with sweat, but the air conditioning brings him on the brink of hypothermia.

If there was an injection of sorts he could take that would put him in a coma during the flight, Suna wouldn't think twice before taking it, and based on all this, it's fair to say he can get a little cranky in airports.

As someone with not too much energy to spare, airports are exhausting for him. He already doesn't like running, but Kita is a little too punctual to let him rest or buy a coffee from Starbucks. The twins' fighting about something new every other minute never already driving him mad, but being surrounded by overly stressed people doesn't help, either.

"I will jump out of the window if I have to sit next to Atsumu on the flight." Suna had told the captain months before, the exact moment he had heard he would have to fly with the team.

That was the very reason the middle blockers seat was all the way in the back, located next to the window and a stranger. Suna can't be happier- all he wants is some peace and quiet, anyway, to wear his sleep mask and headphones and cut ties with reality as much as he can.

"You good there?" Suna barely hears Atsumu's irritating voice through his headphones, lips curling in annoyedly as he turns to the boy to send a glare- but to his surprise, the fake blond isn't looking at Suna.

"Oh, I- ah fuck- yeah!" He hears a voice, and it takes him a second to notice you who stands before the seats, arms reaching up for the overhead cabins and successfully blocking Suna from his seat. You must be the stranger he'll have to spend the next eight hours with, he supposes.

The tired gaze looks you up and down, you who is fighting a bag half your size- shouldn't that be under the plane?- and trying to push it into the overhead cabins. It's apparent you're struggling, arms shaking with the heaviness of the bag, biting your lip to muffle the sounds of your wrestling.

Despite your words, anyone who has eyes could tell you are, in fact, not fine.

In desperate need of a pair of longer arms, you peek at the tall brunette standing next to you; he's huge, broad shoulders and a height that makes you wonder if he hit his head on the way here. He looks familiar- if you weren't in as much of a pinch- you might've let out an audible gasp when you realized why he looked so familiar.

He's the stranger you'd seen earlier that day, standing in the line across of you, looking tired and black-painted nails scrolling down his phone. The all-black fit he has only adds to the mysterious aura surrounding him, arms slumped forward nonchalantly. You remember thinking if you'd ever see him or anyone as handsome ever again, making scenarios in your mind as to what kind of a man he is. You never thought you'd ever meet him again, though.

Suna notices the silent cry of help you have in your eyes, even when you avert your gaze away from him and mask your desperation- but he's no fool, he can tell when someone lookshim with an open need of help.

Well.

Suna admits he's no saint, either.

He can help you out, and you both can sit your seats, but he doesn't really care, nor has the energy to help you. All he wants to do is to sit down already -even though it would suffice if he just pushed the bag with his fingertips, but Atsumu beside you smiling at you does look a little more eager to help than he does, anyway. There you go, a prince charming ready to help.

Suna seems unfazed by the glare you send his way -any scenario you've created falling in disappointment, too, really? He wouldn't even offer to help?- as he bends in half to slip through the triangle-shaped gap you've created with your arms, slipping underneath them to get to his seat and-

A shriek outs your lips as you watch the bright blue bag slide from your fingertips, it's almost like slow motion, watching the object fall right on top of the boys' head.

"Ah! What the-" Suna groans in pain right after hearing a loud thump caused by the crash of the luggage and his skull. "What the fuck?"

Fox-like eyes are quick to find you, going between your panic-stricken and slightly amused face and the bag resting before your feet. "I-I'm so sorry!" You exclaim, but your strained voice sounds more like you're holding back a laugh instead of guilty.

Well. Karma is a bitch.

"Here, let me help." Atsumu offers maybe a little too late as he lifts your bag off the ground -Atsumu hopes he managed to hide how much he struggled, too. Honestly? What do you have in there?- and places it in the cupboard. "Thank you." You at least have the decency to look grateful at the blonde, giving him a pretty smile. "I'm so sorry," you repeat, turning your focus back to the brunette, who is rubbing his head in pain. "It just slipped out of my hand!"

To your dismay, Suna doesn't even spare you a glance as he mutters a "Whatever." Frowning and finally plopping himself down on his seat.

You narrow your eyes but stay silent as you do the same, too, settling in the seat, accidentally elbowing him one too many times as you try to get your damn jacket off.

You can feel his dissatisfied glare as the flight attendant brings the man sitting beside you a packet of ice, and you ignore the "tch!" sound he makes as he places the ice on the crown of his head.

"Bye, Suna!" The blonde you've seen earlier waves a goodbye at the stranger sitting next to you- Suna, you think, a pretty name for a man as cross as him.

"Are you okay?" You mutter under your breath, raising your gaze to take a better look at him. His face contorted in pain- he's the type of handsome you only get to meet in an airport. It's unfair how good-looking the man is, his shapely lip rolled between his teeth, deep-brown locks tousled and messy, and he has the prettiest eyes you've ever seen in your life.

Suna doesn't answer your question, but he makes it clear he's heard you with a scoff, eyes rolling in annoyance, averting his gaze to his phone. It makes you feel angry- being ignored as if you're a six-year-old kid.

"I'm not sorry, actually. You had it coming." You huff pettily, lips pursing when he keeps his silence.

"Okay, I'm a little sorry." You mutter after a few awkwardly silent seconds, suddenly feeling guilty. You did drop a heavy ass bag on his head, after all. "But not much."

You turn your eyes away from him when he sighs, annoyance evident in the sound. "And?" He hums, voice monotone and deep. "Which answer I give will make you stop talking to me?"

Suna knows that was unnecessary as hurt and embarrassment flash across your face- he notices that's the first time he even looked at you that night. Well, he can get unreasonable at airports, he agrees.

"That was rude." Suna comments after a few awkward seconds.

"It was." You agree. "But I was rude, as well."

"You kind of were."

To his answer, you can't hold back a lighthearted chuckle, the oddness of the situation dawning on the both of you. "This might be in the top 10 strangest ways I met someone." You chuckle, he does, too, but with a sarcastic quirk of his brow.

He has a pretty smile, plump lips curving just enough to show you a glimpse of his white teeth, enhancing the sharp features of his face. "Only top ten? That's a shame."

You don't speak as Suna closes the sleeping mask over his eyes -it has a cat print on it too, how cute- as a smile still lingers on his lips. "Good thing I have eight hours to at least make it into top five."

[theluminoussunflower]

the friendship of pitts jr and stephanie meeks

pittsie and stephanie have known each other since they were kids

after stephen meeks' death, pitts sr felt he owed the meeks family some help grieving their loss, in hopes it would help him grieve as well

william meeks, stephen's younger brother, appreciated this

they remained close

so, when pitts sr's wife and william's wife had children due on the same day, it was basically destiny that these kids would be best friends

stephanie was born and a week later, pitts jr was born

stephanie always holds that over pittsie's head

"i'm older!"

"i'm taller!"

pittsie often calls her 'stephie' which she hates

almost as much as pittsie hates it when she calls him 'gerry', which was designated for his family only

anyway, growing up, these two were HUGE nerds

it started when stephanie's mom (also a huge nerd) brought them to see Star Wars in theaters when they were about five years old

and instantly they assigned themselves as luke and leia

they both got really into space and astronomy, and even astrology which stephanie doesn't believe in but pittsie definitely does

"my personality cannot be based on the stars in the sky"

"that's such a leo thing to say"

"you're also a leo, dumbass!"

"right, not that you believe in any of that"

"... i hate you"

pittsie was gifted a telescope when he was ten, and those two spent hours looking at the stars and planets in the night sky

they loved talking about stars

but stephanie was especially fond of the moon

"isn't it so nice that there's just a rock in the sky?"

they also loved the same type of music

they were born a couple of years after the beatles broke up, but both of their moms were beatlemaniacs to be sure

(mrs pitts was a george girl and mrs meeks was a paul girl)

so both of them grew up on that sort of stuff

they got into tom petty, elo, elvis, chuck berry, buddy holly, queen, the works

they'd spend hours listening to those albums on vinyl, of which the pitts' had an expansive collection

speaking of the pitts', pittsie has four sisters that stephanie got along with

stephanie knows many things about the pitts girls that no one else knows

whenever mr pitts has appointments or surgeries, they almost always have stephanie come over to do girl stuff with the younger ones

stephanie has two younger brothers who are absolute rascals

but somehow pittsie can keep up with them

anyway

stephanie and pittsie are very fond of each other

but they've never expressed romantic feelings for the other

it would just be... weird

"she's like my sister"

"he's like my brother"

they could never imagine dating or anything like that

so just to get THAT out of the way

they've always got each other's backs

stephanie always warns pittsie when he's about to hit his head on a doorframe or ceiling or whatever

(bc pittsie, like his dad, is like seven feet tall)

after stephanie complained of paper cuts from opening letters, pittsie got her a letter opener for her birthday

"you've saved me so much neosporin!"

they're allowed to make fun of each other, but no one, and i mean no one is allowed to make fun of their best friend

one day, pittsie had to wear one of his sister's dress shirts to school because all of his were still in the wash

"haha you look like a girl" stephanie said when she saw him later that day (this was when she was still at henley)

"yeah what the hell is that shirt?" evan said in the same vain

immediately stephanie is up in evan's face "THAT IS MY BEST FRIEND AND HIS SHIRT IS AMAZING!!!"

speaking of evan, talk about third wheel of the goddamn century

it's always two v one when it comes to those three

when welton and henley integrated and they knew they'd be attending school together, they were bouncing off the walls

"we're gonna see each other every day!!!"

"you guys see each other every day already?" evan said

"evan shut the fuck up"

what else?

pitts sr really liked stephanie

he thought she was intelligent, funny, kind

he thought his only son had a great influence

little did he know that those two could cause a disturbance like no other

one time, stephanie wore a skirt that was a little too short, and she was forced to change (even though it was like??? fine??? it was past her fingertips, she just hiked it up too much)

and pittsie was PISSED

so he recruited evan and richie, and together, they wore lovely plaid skirts to school the next day instead of trousers

(in the welton handbook, there is no rule that states boys can't wear skirts instead of trousers)

naturally, they were called into the headmaster's office and asked what they were doing

"proving that you're a sexist PIG"

they were let off after knox overstreet, #1 lawyer in the state of vermont, argued that his son not being in class was more disruptive of his learning than what he was wearing

and pitts sr was just pissed that he had to come all the way there because welton wasn't a handicapped-accessible school, and with his cane, it took forever to go up and down stairs

lowkey stephanie was grateful that pittsie stood up for her like that

neither of them had particularly hard home lives

stephanie's parents were hard on her to do well in school, but they didn't like hit her or anything

they wanted her to go into medicine

she wanted to be an astronomer

"they're both sciences!!!"

pittsie loved his dad more than anything, but it was tiring to help him around the house

being the second biggest pitts family member, he had a lot of responsibilities

and frankly, with how reserved and quiet his dad was, pittsie behaved more like a dad to his younger sisters than mr pitts did

but still

they always liked hanging out because it got them away from that for a while

they could tell each other anything

anything

~

taglist!!! (please lmk if you want to be added or removed)

@chloe-octavia

@aedan-mills

@regina-della-poesia

@justarandompjofan

@sapphicnoel

@iguanamuppet

@maisietheweltoncow

@finding-an-angle

@srj901

[impala1967dwinchester]

Dean Winchester: Change is due

*Credit to gif owner*

Pairing: Dean W. x Reader

Pov: Reader

Warning: Fighting, Swearing, fluff, angst, Dean being a douchebag, guilt.

Summary: What about talking instead of fighting.

Word Count: 1.8k

A/n- This is for band-pyschos 1.5 followers bingo writing challenge. This makes me sad, but whatever.

Square- "Stay with me"

Dean Winchester Master List

Main Master List

Tag list: @akshi8278 @deanswaywardgirl @wonderfulworldofwinchester @doctorlilo @hit-meup69 @fofisstilinski

The drive to the bunker was quiet. The rev of the engine. The downright scariness of the way that all I could hear was the passing of other vehicles on the road. That sound too eventually stopped as the driver back to the bunker was much longer than originally anticipated.

Dean had a temper like nobody's business. The temper of a wild dog, or maybe it was a wild bear. Regardless Dean's temper was downright scary most times. But then again most times that temper of his was never directed towards me.

Yes between miniature fights, and getting annoyed with each other fights did occur, but nothing too bad. You see, three years into hunting and now living with the famous Winchesters. I had fallen deeply for Dean Winchester.

Falling for someone is an already dangerous game, but falling in love with a Winchester. The most hunted after, hunters of them all that was a dangerous game to start playing.

I played the game regardless. Can you imagine falling for someone so much that your worlds just connect so well? Like amazing jigsaw puzzle pieces. Or maybe falling in love was like finally figuring out the correct word in a crossword puzzle.

Like Forrest says "Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you're going to get." I would have never been able to tell you that when I was a little girl playing in my room running around in the pure white dress that I would one day grow up kill the monster that haunts this earth, and fall for the most righteous man, the fallen soldier, the best hunter I had ever met.

Could you imagine a six-year-old, coming up to their parent and saying that one day they'd fight monsters, and fall in love with the greatest monster hunter of them all. In your dreams.

Life with the Winchesters was most of the time pandemonium. Life with them was like living in the thunder dome. Like driving on the icy roads and hoping that you don't fall off the cliff. But life was calm sometimes, being able to have a half-assed normal life was good for all of us.

Sam was the best brother a person could ask for. The best friend a person could ask for. I think the moment I met the Winchesters, Dean and I were like magnets dragging each other together. Slated to be together for the rest of our lives, soul mates if you will.

This last hunt was nothing like we had ever dealt with before. So many children had been killed. I had put myself in the way, getting hurt instead of letting more children get hurt. A natural mother... or maybe just a natural instinct of a woman.

Dean, of course, was anger like normal, but usually, his anger would blow over and we'd either make-up or like the band, AC/DC says "You shook me all night long".

this night was different though. Something was off, something felt wrong. Yes, the drive was long and very fucking quiet but something in the air felt wrong. I'd like to think that I'm a tough cookie, a queen disguised as a princess.

I always think that Dean forgets that the reason he and I get along so well is that we are almost alike, in almost every way. We act the same way, love the same things, react the same way. Two peas in a pod if you will.

Dean tends to forget that when he gets angry, but comes to his sense rather quickly after, he either gets blown off, or the subject gets changed, something that he does often to Sam or me. In the situation where he knows he has no control, or where he is uncomfortable, feeling like he's being pushed into the corner.

I used to let Dean act like a douchebag. I let Dean get mad, yell, throw things, get in my face. But recently. Dean's anger has been out of this world, too much to bare, too much to handle. he almost turns into the hulk. It's like he forgets his normal manners and just wants to hulk smash literally everything around him.

How do you make someone realize what they are doing? How do you show someone how they are acting is affecting you?

Finally after what felt like days, but was really just hours of driving we pulled into the garage, the sound of the engine bouncing off of the cinderblock walls. During said drive Dean and I made eye contact once, his green ember eyes staring deep at me through the rear-view mirror. My own eyes making sure to stare at him with just the same amount of deep soul searching Dean was.

Sam steered in his sleep, the coldness of the garage and the car smell waking him from his sleep. Not a single word was said. Sam was the first one out of the car, opening the impalas back, grabbing his bags, and making a rather quick exit of the garage.

Neither of us moving from our spots. We sat in silence. A silence that's a funny word if you think about it. It the most screamed word when you're being told to be quiet. But it weighs heavy between two people.

Fighting was and has never been my style with Dean. Dean wants to yell and be an idiot then I'll let him be, but I won't go without saying my peace. I'll get up and leave if I want to. There's nothing holding me to the man, an argument is just a battle of words.

Finally, Dean moves, moves to look in the back seat. His eye passes over my figure like always. Passing by over my crisscrossed shins up to my jean-covered thighs, over my hips, up my t-shirt and flannel covered belly, up to my tall shoulders, and to my face.

The little light that was streaming into the impala's backseat. "Why?" Was all Dean said, staring at me. I chewed my lip thinking of anything to say. "Stop chewing on your lip. It's finally started to heal." Dean said.

Still, my body stuck in my crisscrossed position. I heard the creak of the impala, as I saw Dean shift from the front seat to the back seat. "I'm pretty sure that I just told you to stop doing that." He said bringing his thumb up to my lips, gently pulling down releasing my bottom lip from my teeth.

"What were you thinking?" Dean asked picking once again at the issue at hand. "I was thinking about the children," I said looking at the man next to me. It was quiet for a moment, then a heavy sigh filled the air.

"The children?" Dean said questioning me. A cocked-eyed eyebrow raised in confusion to my answer. Sometimes it's like my answer is either not good enough, or isn't the right one. "Yes, the children," I stated calmly.

"I'm getting confused here Y/n," Dean said shifting causing the smallest of creak from the old impala. "I stepped in front of the children," I said.

"Yeah, I kind of figured that but why?" He asked. This firstly is going calm, and Dean's asking questions just before assuming shit, but why does this seem odd, kinda like all of the sudden protecting the young kids isn't enough to get a few scrapes and bruises.

"Did the great Dean Winchester just ask me that?" I said now turning the tables and questioning him. "Yeah, I did." He said so cut and dry-like. "You really wanna know why?" I asked

We were still sitting in the back of his precious car. I had rested my head on the headrest, closing my eyes. Dean was just staring, it had become a bad habit of his after we got together.

"Because Dean those kids didn't deserve whatever that monster did to them. Hell, I just pulled ten kids out, you and sam pulled at ten each. Can you even imagine that, because I can. Being so scared that I can't even protect myself." I said.

Taking a deep breath in and sighing loudly.

"What are you talking about Y/n?" Dean asked, looking at me now with more intent. Wanting yearning to get to the bottom jar of worms we had so carefully opened.

"You know what ignore me, it doesn't make any difference," I said uncrossing my legs and turning to unlock the back door. I was stopped before my fingertips even grabbed onto the cold metal on the handle.

"Do you remember that promise you made me? All those years ago." Dean said, pulling me into his warm touch. His scent of bourbon and wood fell down around us. "No, I don't Dean," I said honestly confused about what I had promised.

"You promise me that whatever was on your mind you would come to me and talk about it. I know six years is a long time, but that day you promised that you've never broken that promise." Dean said while he drew small circles into my lower back.

"Tonight though right now, you're breaking that promise. You don't have to give me every single detail but just don't go walking in front of a monster because you don't know what else to do. You know that you can talk to your boyfriend right?" He said questioning me towards the end.

I only shook my head in response Dean took that as his sign to continue talking. "I just, I'm fearing that you're starting to drift away, and honestly Y/n. Honest;y Y/n I don't think I would know what to do without you." Dean said.

This is different, new, and odd. This Dean is someone who only comes out when the world is ending or the tears are about to be shed for the umpteen amount of time. This Dean, this is the Dean I fell in love with. "So make me this promise now, stay with me," Dean asked.

"Stay with you?" I asked, "Of course stay with you, I guess I just have to learn to be able to ask for help, right Dean." I said hugging him from the awkward position we had fallen into when he pulled me away from the back door.

"No more running, no more fighting alone. We do everything together now." Dean said, cupping my slightly tears stained cheek." Bumping our foreheads together in a sign of good faith you could say. I hummed and returned the favor.

Moments like this the calm, and the quiet. These were those times where I felt at home. I've realized with this job, hunting home isn't a place with four walls and a roof over your head it's about the people in your life. Make a home with the people who care about you. Make a home with the people you would fight anything to hurt, Make home able to be anywhere.

And when you can do that finally you can make home turn into love, and love into strength. Having all three makes you happier I'd like to think in the long run of things. So just "stay with me" that's all I'm asking of you, the rest we can do together.

Completed on: 05/06/2021

*Happy Throwback Thursday*

[nyxation]

SBI + Witch-Hybrid Reader

C OR CC: Character

WHO: Sbi

PRONOUNS: They/Them

WARNINGS: Swearing | Character Death [Mentions]

Okay, so I imagine the reader has vitiligo-type skin, like patches of the grey witch skin ya' know?

Like it's grey and makes them look sick in some places

Reader could probably have one dull purple eye

Also, cats would probably be very attracted to them, like reader just come home one day with 50 cats and Phil doesn't even question it anymore because 'For fuck sake [Y/N] it's the fifth time this week and it's only Tuesday'

Also, reader can trade with villagers easier, they get the good stuff for less money (Techno using this to his advantage and getting items for insanely good prices) this armor is seven gold? nevermind one coal will do

Reader being a master at potion-making and enchanting, trying to teach sbi how to enchant, and just

none of them being very good at it

first off, Wilbur's just shit, okay he got bane of arthropods seven different times. Bitch what?

Tommy's next, he's also shit but not as bad as Wil, he only messed up five or six times, but he was like ten when you showed him so, you can't really blame him for being bad

Wilbur though he was like 16/17-ish so he has no excuse

Techno was okay, a lot better than Wil and Tommy, he got the enchanting down very fast, it was bane of arthropods but he got flame on his next try so reader didn't have to help him too much.

Phil was fine, he struggled with the inscribing but overall he did well (he already knew how to enchant but he wanted to support you and your passion)

Also reader with one of the big mumza hats with the veil on it, just, 6-year-old [Y/N] with a massive hat that they stole from their goddess mom, and it's way too big and keeps falling in front of their face

it probably still does, and the veil is so long it drags along the floor like a train, Tommy would probably steal it from you {like a raccoon}

[Y/N] being the cool aunt/uncle/Auncle/(other name for 'sibling-of-my-parent'), to Fundy and Micheal and taking care of them when Wil and Sally/Tubbo and Ranboo were away

or ftm![Y/N] giving Fundy their old binder (or sewing some for him), helping him bind, setting timers, giving him some of their hoodies, and just being there for him when/if he gets dysphoric

Okay so onto the lore,

If Reader joined L'manberg, they would probably be put in a safe, isolated area, not too far from the center but still pretty far

I doubt Wilbur would have told them about the war, so how did Reader find out?

Maybe it was when you intercepted a letter from Dream, a declaration of war, now that surprised you

Or was it when you little brother showed up at your house rambling a mile a minute about Dream, War, L'manberg

Wait did he just say he died?

You sit him down and start cleaning and healing his wounds while he re-starts his story, starting at the creation of L'manberg and ending with his death moments prior

"So Dream-"

"Shot me, yeah"

"And Wilbur-"

"Did nothing to protect me, no"

"... What the fuck"

You might just take a cannon life, you had always been a more peaceful soul, never really enjoyed the fighting Techno did, or at least not in the way Techno did.

You never thought it was very fun that was about to change

If Tommy hadn't stopped you, you might have just destroyed Dream, and every other person there, family or not.

Onto the election, mainly the results

I doubt Schlatt would banish you, especially since your a witch, he would need potions (which are like alcohol I guess)

So you'd probably leave a join Pogtopia, there would probably be a massive fight between you and the cabinet just so you could leave

They'd probably put you on house arrest, despite not fighting very often you were strong and your potions made it harder to get to you

So you were a pretty well rounded fighter

And they were definitely wary because of you relation to Techno

You breaking out and immediately going to Pogtopia

Wilbur being so relieved that his little sibling is okay

He puts you straight to work, helping ready the weapons

Forgetting that your now a wanted person

Okay, onto Wilbur's death

That fucked you up

Your dad just stabbed your brother and it hurt

Sure the explosion was a little far but killing him?!

Why

You really didn't know and didn't want to stay and find out

So you left, you ran far away into the deepest caves cuz who tf would find you here?

Ranboo

Ranboo found you

Somehow, this bitch is like 8 feet tall how did he fit in the cave

Anyway, he told Tubbo and Tubbo brought the (newly made) Butcher Army to your house, and since you were a criminal

You were supposed to be executed

You escaped before reaching L'manberg and ran to Techno's house

He had told you about Phil through an earlier conversation, he tried to help you

But you lead the army to his house, you also met Ghostbur for the first time

"Is that Wilbur?"

"Ghostbur actually"

"But is he Wilbur? "

"I guess, he's part of brother, like his soul almost"

"Does that mean Wil's with momma now?"

This definitely wasn't what the army expected to hear

"Your siblings?!"

"Yes!" "No"

"Don't deny it big brother, I'm amazing"

Maybe hitting the blood god whole you couldn't run wasn't the best idea you've had

But it certainly wasn't the worst

Ya' know what was the worst?

Breaking off the presidents horn during your escape

Now you were a criminal and a bad person

You and Phil made up and you hung out with Ghostbur

You were happy, Dream was finally put in prison and you didn't have to worry anymore

Your family was back - Broken and no longer the kids you once were - but back

Until Ghostbur dissappears during his visit to Dream

[chaislatt]

WAYV AS HOGWARTS STUDENTS

QIAN KUN

ravenclaw , head boy, muggleborn

excels in every class he takes

when he first discovered he was magic, he flipped out

he had a matilda episode in his room one night

he was staring intently at his toy planes, wondering how it would be like to fly one someday

then suddenly it just?? levitated??

as an eight year old, he did the only thing he could do in such situations—scream bloody murder

first year : in his newly pressed robes and neatly gelled hair, sat at an empty compartment and started reading his textbooks

until the compartment door opened and a cat just walked over him

“oh sorry, leon doesn’t behave very well” says ten who he did not think would stick around but guess what? his cats liked him

being sorted into ravenclaw, he quickly became famous for being the smartest and wittiest most sensible? wizard of his year

he was especially great at charms got so surprised that there was an incantation to make things float, since all he has been doing is just think it (flitwick got a shock at his first year doing wandless magic)

as he grew older, almost everyone depended on him for help in everything

he couldn’t go a day walking in the corridors without someone asking to meet up at the library or thanking him because they aced their tests

but of course, this little ravenclaw had a limit

he didn’t mean to, but one day he just snapped at a poor gryffindor who kept bugging him to meet at the courtyard to practice spells (everyone finally left him alone, too scared to face the wrath of a wizard who knows all the spells for duelling)

OWLS year—the most memorable year for him, as he and ten spent nights in the library (and sometimes in the kitchen but if anyone asks only ten was in there) studying their bums off

that summer, ten just received a holler from him (surprise! he got all o’s)

naturally, he had been picked for prefect and head boy

the first years LOVED him

he taught them all the secrets to their tower and even handed them a parchment full of riddle answers, because let’s be real, even though you’re a ravenclaw doesn’t necessarily mean you want to use your head all the time

eats at the hufflepuff table because they have better breakfast items

adopted a whole assortment of kids with ten (winwin kinda just sticked around because yangyang was his buddy)

would be the boys’ go to— from pesky spells, ink blotts on their robes, th right grams for mandrake powder, they all depended on him for it

hendery was once asked why he wasn’t scared of him (knowing what happened before)

“he’s not dumb enough to duel someone because they’re bugging him. that’s why he’s in ravenclaw”

overall 9/10. minus one point because he still feels the need to get the last remark in everything.

LI YONGQIN

hufflepuff, pureblood

loves hanging out at the common room

doesn't really care much for grades, but does his best when studying

his housemates call him a sloth

moves so slow, especially in the mornings

likes taking walks along the corridors because it's fun to see other students rush and run to their classes while he walks a leisurely pace

always has his tie loosened

sometimes, he doesn't even tie it, he just wraps it around his collar and hope no one notices everyone does

has a talent for transfiguration

will turn anything into cat snacks

he once turned his homework in kibble and his excuse was "my cat ate it"

befriends all the cats in hogwarts

sometimes he lays down at the courtyard and they all just gather around him

one legendary moment (as lucas likes to call it) was when he was walking down the corrider and a train of cats just followed behind him in a single file

sweet wizard boy, befriends humans as well

he's so likeable, everyone just feels drawn to him

has this laidback energy that feels like a breath of fresh air when things get hectic in the castle

speaking of fresh air

he likes to stroll around outside, most of the time dragging yangyang and winwin out with him

"winwin could use the fresh air and your voice doesn't echo" - ten to yangyang

his sister is friends with yangyang's sister, so growing up he kind of babysat the three whenever their families would be together

he didn't imagine that it would continue during school, but poor winwin looked like he just wanted to get his head bitten off

despite having a lot of friends, he sticks with kun most of the time because he's not as chatty when he's focused (and kun is focused all the time so)

his favourite thing to do anywhere is lay down on his back and play with his wand, sending wisps of magic swirling around in the air, creating beautiful artwork

received pencils and a notebook from kun so he could just draw because "your magic might hit someone and i do not want to be involved with any of that"

doodles all the time

he likes to draw butterflies and magic them off of the paper and makes them follow his friends around

doesn't really say much when no one's talking to him, but will keep the conversation going casually

wanted to become a prefect so he could have his own bathroom

would patrol around at night with his cats (hendery jokes how he looks like filch and now he takes his filch impersonation seriously)

when catching students, he makes obvious remarks like "oh wow good to know that there aren't any gryffindors in this corridor! it would be an awful hassle to report them. good thing everyone's in their chambers!"

very lenient on students he doesn't know, but will threaten those he does and ask for something in return

accidentally gave yangyang the idea of becoming a prefect so he needn't have to worry at night

also accidentally gives yangyang dare ideas to give to hendery

he doesn't mean it! most of the time

overall 10/10. everything is cancelled out by the fact that he goes around the castle with atleast 2 cats following him around.

DONG SICHENG

slytherin, pureblood

mr frowns-a-lot, mr don’t-talk-to-me, mr i-want-to-go-back-to-my-dorm

the most stereotyped slytherin

first years believe that slytherins are scary because of him (but they immediately get debunked by hendery “you’re scared of a tall dude who gets tired from talking and likes to eat chocolate? yeah okay”)

but yes this not so little bean finds talking draining

it’s not that he doesn’t want to, but why would he have to talk about his day when as far as he knows, everyone just did the same thing he did??

you can barely get a sentence out of him

will reply with nods or shrugs and just point or look at things

only talks during class when the professors ask him questions

yangyang bugs him the most

when he got assigned to take care of this chatty, full of energy first year he almost cried

ended up just following him around and yanking the back of his robes to stop him from getting into trouble

because of this, yangyang’s friend are his friends

first got introduced to xiaojun, lucas, and hendery

ended up becoming a babysitter for four

when he met ten, he almost cried again, but now out of happiness  because he got yangyang to shut up

met kun last, and immediately took a liking to him for no reason at all

no one knows how, but suddenly mr-i-dont-want-to-do-anything started getting more mischievous and talkative

the whole hall got surprised when he laughed at lucas’ lame joke

this may be an exaggeration but the boy doesn’t even smile

after this incident, lucas just kept talking to him and he just kept replying, and pretty soon the four little troublemakers would joke around with him and he’d just sit back with kun and ten when he got too tired

this made him attractive

but unlike lucas who got confessed to everyday, there was no one who confessed to him

he didn’t really talk to anyone else and just minded his own business when he was alone, so everyone was too scared to confess to him

which is a huge relief to him because the not so little bean is actually very awkward

proven when hendery accepted yangyang’s dare of going right up in winwin’s face omygod when i tell you his whole face turned red

he avoided hendery for a week until he realized it was too hard since they have most of their classes together??

speaking of classes, it’s a miracle how he just passes everything since no one actually ever sees him studying or doing homework

it’s like everything he does is magic well

overall 7/10. doesn’t really try that much and will only voluntarily hang out with kun.

HUANG XUXI

hufflepuff, halfblood

was tiny, like a little bug

no one knows when he got so tall (summer of second year, he had to buy new robes for third year because they were already too short)

spends breakfast half awake, focusing on eating his meal and listening to yangyang complain about how hard his transfiguration classes yesterday were

he’s never around for dinner because he’s always at the pitch and no one has the energy to talk to yangyang in the mornings so he’s the poor guy

everyone loves him, no one can find a single thing to hate about him even if they tried

loves care for magical creatures with hagrid (he measures his height with the half-giant)

other classes? not so much

sure he tried a little bit, but why would he need to transfigure something into a pen when he could just look for one, and why would he need to concoct a drowsiness potion if he can just will himself to sleep

speaking of sleep, he does that a lot

he likes to wait for xiaojun during fourth period because they had arithmancy next, and he would lean against the corridor and sleep

learned how to sleep hunched over so it looked like he was focusing on class (begs whoever he’s sitting with to wake him up)

why does he do this?

“i’m saving up my energy for later”

he’s a quidditch beast

part of the quidditch team, originally tried out for seeker but they realized he couldn’t go fast enough without loosing his balance on his broom

he switched to being a beater, which the team found out he was very good at aha great power comes with great biceps

everyone falls in love with him when he’s on the pitch

he looks big and scary and ultra focused

and they realized after 3 games that he focuses so much because he aims the bludger to hit the player’s upper thigh only (this prevents player from taking a fall and just bruise, not break a bone)

once he accidentally sent his bludger flying too hard and knocked the chaser off, but he was faster than the seeker and caught them (followed the poor chaser for a week saying sorry and giving them semi burnt cookies he made with xiaojun)

gets confessed to every other day and just says “thanks”

but why don’t you ever reject them? 

why deny that i’m handsome?

that makes no sense

as with rejecting them! 

but truly is an angel

he even got winwin to actually converse with him

he makes everyone feel comfortable, talks to everyone and just hangs around when they don’t want to, offering company

overall 10/10. his cockiness about his looks just makes him endearing since everyone knows he can’t break someone’s heart.

XIAO DEJUN

ravenclaw, halfblood

kun’s reincarnation

but there’s one problem

he’s still immature

you would think he’s the prime example of a ravenclaw

practices his passions all the time

likes doing brain-productive things

reads about anything he finds interesting

goes in and out of their tower because he thinks solving the riddles is fun

but ho ho ho oh oh no

he’s a little devil

makes snarky comebacks under his breath that takes a little bit for you to understand

makes things harder on purpose just for fun and because he’ll be the only one able to do it

has a joke for EVERYTHING and never repeats them so i guess he can get away with that

he’s a little menace to the society but he can get away with it because it’s all just minor inconveniences

but we all know minor inconveniences are the most annoying things

likes to annoy kun the most because he understands and reacts immediately

doesn’t like to annoy the hufflepuffs because they just smile at him in confusion

despite that, he’s also a little sweetheart

remembers everything his friends say, so he’s always there to remind them

reminds kun about a test he has to retake, ten about his changing patrolling schedule, winwin’s meeting with a professor, lucas’ need to polish his broom after dinner, hendery’s homework, and yangyang about that incoming howler from his parents

when he realized he’s such a great asset, he became a bit nosy too

likes to meddle with all of his friends’ business

so if someone wants to find any of the six, he can tell you a vague description where they are

because of course he’s not gonna tell you lucas is by the lake practicing his swinging, he’s gonna tell you he’s brushing up on his quidditch skills so you’d go running to the pitch

this way he’s not technically doing anything wrong to both parties

one day, kun asks why he likes doing this

“it makes me feel like a king maker. feeding things into their tiny brains and knowing exactly what they’ll be doing”

“that’s not exactly what a king maker does”

“yeah but does it look like i want them to be more powerful than me?”

co-parents a dog with lucas

aka lucas asked him to take care of bella while he’s in practice but he forgot to take her back with him for 2 days so now bella thinks she lives in the ravenclaw tower too

does random errands for his friends as a way of apologizing (but really just as a leverage so he can cause more trouble)

his ultimate goal was to brainwash everyone so they couldn’t live without him and he succeeded????

now they’re the receiving end of all the sermons his professors give him (you wouldn’t expect it, but he causes quite a ruckus in class)

but still, at the end of the day, they choose to sit next to him at the ravenclaw table during dinner

overall 7/10. he’s annoying, but he’s good at everything he does and helps his friends out in different ways. which makes him more annoying because why? why not

HUANG GUANHENG

gryffindor, muggleborn

does not understand magic. like at all

the only reason he’s still managing is because he refuses to be beaten by xiaojun

he doesn’t know why he’s in gryffindor but anyone who’s ever met him can vouch for the sorting hat

he’s courageous in the way he faces learning magic (it won’t hurt me, i’m magic) he's brave to speak up to anyone and ask for help when he needs it, and most of all, he has the nerve to get right into winwin’s face

surprisingly good at harder spells than that of his year level, so he’s in a few higher level classes

the reason being he wants to save face when with upperclassmen so he actually focuses real hard and actually understands 

because when he’s with his friends, his mind goes wandering and he can’t focus his magic 

a very strange wizard indeed

imagine getting help from xiaojun to levitate a piece of parchment but can explain to ten how to brew an advanced potion

he’s very confident in his abilities

why would he be nervous to stay after curfew??

if filch catches you

then don’t i just have to avoid him??

but has realistic fears

will not go near a broom

yeah okay the broom can fly, but can he?? he can’t even levitate a piece of parchment, how can he levitate himself?

also very practical

lucas kept struggling since he kept spilling his ink pot so he handed him a pen

“dude i forgot these existed!” “who writes with feathers??”

the most laid back yet extra ordinary wizard ever

you can start a conversation with him and he can keep it going for hours on end

very friendly, will talk to anyone but the downside to this is that he talks to everyone like they’re his friends asdkjshjkd even mcgonagall

overall 7/10. uses magic to solve trivial muggle things and still makes bets with yangyang up to this day.

LIU YANGYANG

slytherin, pureblood

a force to be reckoned with

spend a day with him and your ears will bleed

why?? does?? he?? talk?? so?? much??

his friends always complain but everyone else in the castle can’t see why

in the eyes of a stranger, he’s actually cold and reserved, hard to approach

but if you actually knew him

oh boy you’d want to not

can talk for hours

he and hendery wanted to know just how long he could talk

so they timed it

talked for 9 hours straight, no one knows how they managed

good thing this talking is actually useful

he likes to recite during class, always has a lengthy explanation for his answers

people aren’t the only one he talks to

he talks to the ghosts and to the paintings, greeting them a lovely day or whatever

besides talking, he also has another passion–quidditch

he plays as chaser for his house, often times taking his time to freshen up, so he goes back at about midnight during thursdays

good thing ten patrols during thursdays

speaking of ten, he’s been a brother figure for him all his life

so when he was introduced to winwin, he got so excited because he had another brother

by the end of the night, fourth year winwin knew everything about first year yangyang

he loooves his buddy

tries to do everything with winwin but he doesn’t let him

despite being too much to handle, winwin actually likes him too (but don’t let yangyang know)

likes to do dumb dares with hendery

isn’t really into pranking and getting all up into other’s business, so they manage their mischief between the two of them

and the whole of hogwarts just enjoys and guesses which of the two would be the one running around the great hall in their pajamas

yangyang actually encourages his fellow slytherins to stop sticking among themselves

mostly because he’s tired of them bugging him to “go ask your gryffindor friend if there’s homework on-”

at the end of the day, all his slytherin friends have been adopted by ten, took a liking to kun, and watches lucas, xiaojun and hendery fool around for entertainment

that being said, he loves his friends

thankful that he has classes with at least one of them for all his classes

all his professors have learned to sit him next to them, otherwise he’ll just slack off and stare into oblivion

he’s actually more productive when he has someone to remind him to be

okay maybe sitting him next to hendery wouldn’t result to school productivity

overall 9/10. it would be an 8 but he actually does acknowledge he talks too much.

[author-a-holmes]

Underwing Challenge Day 3

"Who is your main cast? Describe as many of your OCs as you can cram into one post."

(Event Link) - (Day One) - (Day Two)

As many as I can cram into one post? Whooo-boy, you have no idea what you've asked for <3

Because Stolen is a Fantasy Romance, it's written in Third Person Close/Limited from the points of view of Stella Korazon and Reilly Mosswolf.

Stella Korazon

"Loving someone forever is the easy part, so long as you actually love them in the first place." - Stella

At the start of Stolen, Stella is a young but very talented thief. She was raised by her Da', Colm Korazon in a wagon that they used to travel the East Coast caravan route of Moryann.

Her greatest skills include being able to read a persons body language, and her pick-pocketing. She was taught how to fight, but her preferred reaction is to evade, dodge, run, or a mixture of the three.

Physically she's small. Short, and very slim, and with long blonde hair to her waist/hips and large blue eyes that make her look younger than she is, a look that she often uses to her advantage.

Stella's also a very good mimic, she can copy people's patterns of speech and behaviors as long as she's given sufficient time to study them.

Her biggest disadvantage is innocence. While Stella isn't naive to the dangers of Moryann, or the darker sides of the world she lives in, her Da' always encouraged social isolation. Teaching her to trust him, herself, and no one else. This makes for a strange dichotomy to her character that I enjoy playing with where she might be able to flirt with a mark and fluster them enough to rifle through their pockets unnoticed, but blush and stumble when being on the receiving end of genuine thanks or kindness.

Reilly Mosswolf

"You're in trouble, and I can help. Do I need more of a reason than that?" - Reilly

Reilly's parents were murdered when he was very young. He's elven, so very young for him was around 22 years, the developmental equivalent to mid-teens.

After his parents death, Reilly had his younger sister to look after, so he took to stealing. He was rather bad at it, and was caught. Luckily, for him, but the Guild Master of the Antillune Thieves Guild, Aldune Lamuird.

Instead of turning Reilly over to the guard, he took Reilly and his sister into the guild and looked after them, training both siblings himself when they expressed a desire to learn the trade.

At the start of Stolen, Reilly is 252 years old, and the current guild master having inherited his position from Aldune. Despite that he, and the guild, are in trouble.

For the previous year or two, there has been a rival guild from the Western side of Moryann beginning to encroach on the Antillune Guild's territory and while it hasn't yet escalated to an all out war, tensions are building.

Not least because around 6 months prior, Reilly's sister was found dead, having been clearly tortured. While Reilly is sure that the rival guild are responsible, he has no evidence and won't put the thieves under his protection at risk for a personal vendetta.

Physically, Reilly has the black eyes and sun-burnished skin of his mother's Desert Elf heritage. He also has black hair that he keeps shoulder length, and a scruff of a beard that helps give a messy edge to a face that would otherwise stand out in a crowd. He also has the traditional Forest Elf tattoo's that span from shoulder to wrist along his left arm; His family history written in elven.

His strengths are his experience, and his willingness to listen to opinions and advice other than his own. Reilly is a strong fighter, and Aldune taught him to carefully balance the racial specific talents of both his parents bloodlines, and to use them to his advantage. He has the powerful blows that belong to the forest clans, but the speed of the desert elves, making him a formidable opponent before he even picks up a blade.

Reilly's biggest disadvantage is his fear of losing people. Over the years, Reilly has lost almost everyone he's ever loved or cared for. His parents, Aldune, his sister Eryn, even a lover or two. He has an inner circle of people he relies on within the guild, six people he trusts above all others, but his best friend and the only one truly able to get through to him is Dara Brookor.

Reilly uses nicknames and pet-names to distance himself from his guild members, giving the illusion of closeness, but using the affectionate names to distance himself, and make sure he can't put a real name to a face should one of the people under his protection turn up dead.

It's when Reilly begins to use a person's real name, that they've truly begun to worm their way under his armor.

***

Stella and Reilly are surrounded by a small supporting cast, each of whom has a very important part to play in either the main characters lives, or the main plot, although that may not come to fruition within the first book...

Dara Brookor

"So you're trying to tell me that, when you realised you were developing a meaningful connection to a person you have known for less than a decade, you didn't panic, pull back, and avoid them like a complete moron?" - Dara

Dara runs most of the administrative side of the Antillune Thieves Guild. She handles all the records, job allocations and thief payments, and is also responsible for pairing up thieves whose skills will compliment each other.

She's also the best friend to Reilly Mosswolf. She met Reilly, and his sister Eryn, when they were attempting to steal from one of her clients. Before joining the guild, Dara ran a brothel in Antillune, and when Eryn Mosswolf tried to disguise herself as an employee to get close to her target, Dara interfered in an attempt to protect her staff.

Once the situation was explained, she ended up helping Eryn and Reilly with their job, and occasionally passing along information on good targets if a client tried to skip out on their bill.

Dara is over six feet tall, and almost half as broad, which is the only sign of her part ogre heritage. She has honey-blonde curls that she keeps cut to her jaw, and dark blue-green eyes.

She made good use of her imposing form to keep her staff protected and her clients in line, but eventually her establishment was set on fire by a competitor, which is when Reilly asked her to work for him instead, in the administrative side of the guild.

The fact that it meant Reilly got out of most of the paperwork was, he swears, simply a bonus.

Dara's strength is her ability to connect with people. While she isn't a thief, her long history in Antillune has given her a network on contacts across the city that feed her a steady supply of information, and Dara can quickly utilise those contacts to seek out any specific leads she or the guild needs.

Her weakness is that she doesn't want to think badly of anyone, and it can cloud her judgement. She doesn't automatically look for deceit and deception, which has often led to her finding herself in dangerous situations.

Thankfully, Dara strikes an intimidating form, can curse like an Antillune sailor, and knows how to wield blades well enough to back up her threats.

Myris Orinan

"I am not the youngest graduate from the college of Wizardry in nearly two centuries for nothing." - Myris

Myris Orinan is, simply put, a genius.

A forest elf in possession of extremely powerful elemental magic, Myris is one of only 3-4 people in Moryann who can control all four branches of elemental magic and manipulate them simultaneously to access the rare Kurro or Healing magic.

He completed his training at the College of Wizardry in less than 100 years, making him one of the youngest graduates to ever complete the training and he is also passable-to-fluent in over ten languages.

Myris is also entirely mute.

Married to Tanar Orinan, the pair met when Tanar had been hired to steal something from the library in the College of Wizardry. Myris discovered the thief, mid-job, because he'd been working late into the night and bound Tanar before demanding an explanation for his presence.

Tanar agreed to surrender the book, and forfeit the contract, in exchange for being allowed to court Myris and the pair were quickly inseparable.

Due to this close association with the Antillune Guild, however, Myris was attacked, kidnapped, and tortured for information on the guild, and on Reilly Mosswolf in particular.

Even though, at the time, he had no knowledge to give, his attackers punished him for withholding information by forcing an alchemical mixture into him that burnt away his vocal chords, effectively rending his magic useless as it's commonly accepted that without the ability to speak a spell, spellcasters and wizards are rendered powerless.

Myris proved everyone's theories on elemental magic wrong however by slowly developing his own language using hand positioning and finger shapes to communicate words and phrases, and with practice and strength of will he gradually taught himself how to cast spells with a non-verbal trigger, instead of a spoken one.

While Myris has physically recovered as well as he can from the experience, and his magic is as strong as ever, despite requiring more effort to cast non-verbally, Myris has been left with a powerful hatred of Vine, and an ever encroaching fear that such an attack will happen again.

After his recovery, and several assessments by the College to prove that he could continue to retain his Wizard title, Myris moved to the Antillune Thieves guild to work as their wizard in residence, providing wards and magical services to the guild in exchange for a modest fee and even working to create unique items to help the guild function better and to keep its members safer.

Myris does not leave the Guild grounds without Tanar by his side, and even then only in exceptional circumstances. If he is required to leave the guild for any reason, it also tends to leave him with nightmares for several weeks.

Honorable Mentions

I had some others I was going to do but this is so long already, and I'm already 7 hours into Day Four that I'm pushing them into an honorable mentions section instead.

Tanar Sotor Orinan, Indre Larieth, Lurall Penrith and Nilion Kurez are all additional members of the guilds Inner Circle.

Tanar is half plains elf and half human, and is married to Myris. He used to be the thief partner to Eryn Mosswolf after Reilly was made guild master.

Indre Larieth is a half-elf who was recruited by Nilion Kurez, but has remained steadfastly loyal to Reilly for many years. Due to her Snow Elf heritage she can appear stand-offish and cold, but she cares deeply for her chosen few, and will go to extraordinary lengths to do whatever she thinks is nessecary to protect them.

Lurall Penrith was once trained by the Ikhari guild of assassins. It wasn't a path he chose, but instead of running her decided to become good enough that the guild would have no choice but to allow him to leave. After he met Reilly, he leveraged the backing of another guild to convince the Ikhari to let him walk away. Lurall now runs the Guild Outpost in the Western Desert, but frequently visits Reilly in Antillune.

Nilion Kurez is a Forest Elf, and has been a member of the Antillune thieves guild since Aldune Lamuird founded it. He helped write many of the guilds laws, and has known Reilly most of his life, having watched him grow up inside the guild, and in many cases been one of Reilly's teachers.

Hawk Denill is the face of Vine in Book One, and the person who hires Stella to break into the guild and steal from Reilly Mosswolf. He is a dark character who I intend to be a thorn in Stella and Reilly's side for at least the first three books. Once a member of Reilly's own guild, Hawk was banished when the guild discovered he was responsible for a series of grisly murders in Antillune. Hawk has returned to the city only recently, confident with the backing of a new guild.

Liandra 'Andy' Jenkin is a bright but brash young thief who Dara partners with Stella once she settles into the guild. Andy is Human, but makes up for the disadvantages this gives her in speed and strength by sheer enthusiasm, and stubborn determination. Andy has a grudge of her own against Vine, since their people laid an ambush on her last job that injured her and killed her previous partner.

Colm Korazon is Stella's Da'. While Colm is also a thief, he's not a particularly good one. He raised Stella in a travelling caravan, using it as a base to sell all sorts of false herbal remedies, imitation magical items, and any other junk he could con people into purchasing. All the while training Stella to do what he could not. By the time she was old enough to blend in with the crowds that gathered around his stall, the items he attempted to sell were merely a distraction to allow Stella to silently search through pockets.

[lunarsaga]

EPISODE 1: Here Comes Trouble

[[HERE WE GO, BITCHES! Fanfic and Fanart combine to make some unholy mix of Time Consumption that will not leave me alone.

THE LUNAR SAGA, EPISODE 1, START!

Note: the text in the panels doesn't match the actual written portion of the fic ^^; I tried my best but I didn't wanna redraw all of this... ]]

===============

Kagome had been gone longer than she usually was, and Inuyasha was getting impatient.

They’d finally gotten their first lead on Naraku since his disappearance—that he was heading in the direction of the Ox and Tiger (Kagome called it “noh-rth-eest”?)—this was no time for her to be going back to her world! He tried to tell her that when she left, but she insisted that she was going home to bring back something that would help them.

She’d been gone for almost ten days now! What could possibly be taking so long?!

The half demon sat beside the well, seething as he waited for something to happen. He’d been at this pretty much constantly since the day after she left. He had half a mind to follow her down the well to her world and drag her back here; he’d done it before, he could do it again.

“Don’t you dare follow me!” Kagome had said before she left, “I might be gone a while, but I promise it’ll be worth it!”

“Ain’t worth it if we lose track of Naraku because you’re taking so long,” he growled to no one in particular. Obviously, he got no response from the dry well, so he stood up and raised his voice: “HURRY THE HELL UP, KAGOME!”

“Inuyasha?”

Inuyasha jumped from surprise when he saw Kagome hop up out of the well. She sat on the edge, smiling just softly. A little embarrassed that he was yelling at the well, Inuyasha folded his arms and cleared his throat.

“It’s about time you got back, Kagome,” he said. “What took you so damn long?!”

Kagome sighed, still smiling as she set her feet on the ground and stepped closer to him. “I told you, I had to get something. It took a second, but I said it’d be worth it, didn’t I?”

“I hope you’re right,” he snorted, “Because if Naraku gets away cos you took too long over there—”

He didn’t get to finish his thought. He hadn’t been paying attention to the well at all; usually, he wouldn’t have needed to. This time, he would definitely regret it. From the depths of the well came a voice he’d never heard before:

“HEADS UP!”

He didn’t even have time to wonder who the hell’s voice it was. Seconds later, something heavy flew out of the well and smacked him square in the face.

“WHAT THE HELL?!”

Kagome laughed nervously, holding her hands up, “Uh… that would be her.”

Anger boiling and holding his freshly bruised nose, Inuyasha shouted back at her: “WHO?!”

“Keep your pants on!” Came that same voice again. Inuyasha turned his attention back to the well as someone he’d never seen before pushed herself out of the well.

She dressed strangely—that was a given, she seemed to be from Kagome’s time—and carried a large, oddly-shaped bag on her back. She had thick waves of black hair, much longer than Kagome’s, but pretty much the same shade of jet black. Not only that, she seemed to resemble Kagome in a lot of ways, even if she looked much older. They had the same shape of face, the same nose, and the same round, brown eyes—although, if he looked close enough, he could see a strange pattern in this girl’s irises: little flecks of pale gold, asymmetrically surrounding her pupils.

Inuyasha was immediately on edge, his hand going instinctively for his sword hilt. Kagome saw, and shook her head, setting her hand on his arm.

“Relax, Inuyasha,” She said, “This is who I went back to get.”

“Sorry, did my bag getcha?” The girl asked as she hopped out of the well.

“Inuyasha,” Kagome continued, gesturing to the older girl, “Allow me to introduce you to my older sister. This is Luna.”

For a second, it didn’t set in. Inuyasha blinked once… twice… “Your… sister? You have a sister?!”

“She sure does,” the girl—Luna—stood tall, grinning and holding out her hand. As she did, she said something he didn’t understand. It sounded like weird gibberish. When she saw his face, she laughed and smacked her palm to her forehead. “Right, sorry. Still getting used to speaking Japanese more than I do English.”

Once again confused, Inuyasha just stared at her. “In-glesh?”

Luna nodded. “It’s the common language where I live.”

“Inuyasha, Luna lives in a different place than the rest of our family,” Kagome explained, “She lives in a country that’s across the ocean, called America.”

“A-mare-i-kah…” Inuyasha tried to say. “Sounds weird.”

“Oh it is, definitely.” Luna laughed, going to pick up her bag.

“Is that what took you so long?” Inuyasha asked Kagome, “You had to wait for her to travel across the ocean?”

“Didn’t take as long as you’d think, had to visit mom and gramps and Sota, too.” It was weird how casual this girl was about everything. “But I can explain why I’m here and where I’m from once we get to where we’re going, right?”

“Right,” Kagome agreed, smiling as she led her sister back toward Kaede’s village. “You gotta meet everyone else, too!”

“Looking forward to it.”

Inuyasha wasn’t sure how to process what the hell just happened. It was a lot of information in a very short amount of time, most of which he didn’t understand, and all of which he didn’t really like. He wasn’t sure how to feel about a new person joining their group, nevermind that he never knew Kagome had more family than the ones he’d met before. And the fact that she threw a heavy bag at his face certainly didn’t help. (Well… it was an accident, but still. It hurt.)

Well… at least Kagome was back, and the most important thing was that they could get on with their search for Naraku.

~ ~ ~

Alright, time to back up a little bit.

Now, there may have been a reason why Kagome didn’t really mention her sister. Part of it might have been that it would be hard to explain that her sister lived on another continent, but another part might have been that it would be even harder to explain why. And the reason it would be so hard to explain—for Kagome specifically—would be because of their father.

Now, the Higurashi family had quite a long history of shrine keepers, priests, and priestesses, dating back several hundred years. Along with that lineage came a propensity for spiritual magic and a connection to the supernatural, as well as the metaphysical, and Keiichirou Higarashi—father to Kagome, Luna, and Sota— was no exception. However, he had bigger dreams than shrine-keeping.

A bit of a rebel, Keiichirou spent some time in America during High School as a part of an exchange program. It was there, through the family that hosted him, that he found a world that he never would have imagined.

The underground world of Supernatural Monster Hunters.

He spent his high school years in America learning all about it: how to fight and protect people against different monsters, some of them like the ones his father told him stories of growing up. When he returned home, he declared that he’d found his calling, and when he could finally afford to, he would move to America to follow it.

His father worried about the fate of the Higurashi Shrine if his only child were to abandon their family’s legacy. Keiichirou wouldn’t back down, but found when he returned home, that the Hunting world extended even to Japan—not quite to the extent that it was in the States, but he could still find a middle ground between what he wanted and what his father did.

And in the interim, he fell in love and married a wonderful woman named Mei, who accepted his weird, secret world wholeheartedly.

The Higurashis’ first child was born on the first day of November, during a very full Harvest Moon. When she opened her eyes for the first time, the doctor immediately diagnosed her with partial Heterochromia; her hazel-brown eyes were speckled with gold just around her irises, making it look like she had little crescent moons in her eyes. Keiichirou chose her name for these reasons; he’d heard it when he was in America, a name that meant “moon”. Luna.

It was seven years until their next child came into the world: Kagome, named for the eight-pointed star Mei saw on her chest after she was born. Keiichirou was excited when he heard about that; he said that both of his girls had special gifts, and hoped they would one day do amazing things with them.

But another six years passed… and things weren’t so happy in the Higurashi house. Keiichirou had already started teaching Luna about the Supernatural world, where Mei thought she was too young. Keiichirou had grown weary over the years, still longing to go back to America, where the Hunter culture was strongest.

When Luna was thirteen, Kagome six, and Sota only a newborn, their parents separated.

Luna was old enough at that point, that her parents let her decide where she wanted to be. Enthralled by the idea of being a Hunter, she wanted to follow her father, even if it meant leaving the rest of her family.

Travel between the two countries was difficult; Luna was lucky if she saw her little sister and brother once a year. But they kept in touch as much as they could: by letter, by email, and a phone call every once in a while.

Then, just four years after he and Luna left Japan, Keiichirou passed away very suddenly of an illness. Despite her family’s insistence that she come back and live in Japan, Luna remained in her father’s house. She knew, by then, that she was too far into the Hunter world to leave; not to mention that she had Alice (an old family friend, let’s say for now), who had been helping take care of her anyway. So she stayed in America, as five more years went by.

She hadn’t talked to her sister in months, when she got a call from her out of the blue:

“Hey Luna, um… So, I’ve got quite the story to tell you…”

~ ~ ~

So here she was, Luna Higurashi, a 22-year-old American Monster Hunter, standing 500-ish years in the past, explaining herself to a half-dog-demon, a kitsune, a nekomata, a Demon Slayer, and a Buddhist Monk. All of whom were extremely surprised to find that Kagome had a sister.

“Nice to get to meet you all,” She said, “Kagome told me all about your adventures. She brought me here to help you get rid of that Naraku guy.”

“Kagome never told us she had a sister!” The little kitsune—Shippo—piped up first.

“So I’ve heard,” Luna chuckled, crossing her arms.

Sango, the Demon Slayer, looked rather interested in the guitar case Luna was carrying on her back. “You mentioned you were a Slayer too? That must be an impressive weapon you’re carrying.”

“Huh? Oh, no,” Luna shook her head, tugging on the strap. “This is just my guitar. It’s a musical instrument—all my weapons are in my duffel bag.”

While her attention was on Sango, Luna failed to notice the monk approaching her until he took her hand in his. “A demon slayer and a musician! To think Kagome never told us she had such a beautiful and accomplished sister.”

Luna just stared at him, but she could feel the tension rising from the Slayer next to her. It was like standing next to a crackling thunderstorm with lightning bolts ready to strike. But she had nothing to worry about, Luna wasn’t about to fall for it.

“Never did mention me, huh?” She reversed the gentle grip Miroku had on her hand, grabbed his wrist, and twisted it sideways; a warning. “But she did tell me about you. And if you value your hands, you’ll keep them to yourself.”

Miroku laughed nervously, “Ahahaha—ow! Th-there’s no need to be rash! I meant nothing by it!”

The thunderstorm was gone. Sango was smirking as Luna let the monk go. “Oh, I like her.”

Kagome sighed, shook her head and smiled. “Welcome to the group, sis.”

[fantasykidofkpop]

My Super Girlfriend pt 1

Nct Taeil x reader (ft. Johnny)

Nerd! Artist!Taeil x Super!reader

Superhero au Strong Woman Do Bongsoon au

Description: Every superhero saves the day and rescues a girl. But what if a girl with super inhuman abilities, saves the day and rescues her nerdy lover.

Quote: With great power, comes great responsibility

Taeil asks himself everyday whenever he comes home from his date

"How did I, a low life, an outcast, a nerd, get the most adorable and the most beautiful girl in all of Seoul."

Taeil and Y/N were together ever since senior year of High School

You been together for 3 years and Taeil could have been any happier with his lovely girl

But was he didn't know.... that his girlfriend has a secret

3 years ago, senior year, in high school

Taeil was always getting picked on and was always the bully's target

Especially, for Johnny Seo, the school's heartthrob, captain of the basket ball team

Johnny and some of his team members (Taeyong, Jaehyun and Ten) would always pick on Taeil and sometimes beat the crap out of him if he didn't or refuses to do their assignments

Taeil sometimes come home with bruises, a black eye and a busted lip

Whenever his parents ask about his wounds, he would lie by saying

"Oh, I bumped into a lamp post" "I tripped on the side walk" etc

Taeil knew if he told his parents, they would have move and transfer him to a different school

He wanted to stay, only to study Art

Sometimes, at night, he lays on his bed, stares at the ceiling, and wishes for tomorrow to be better day

"Please, let tomorrow be a brand new day"

The moment he fell into deep slumber

His wish came true

The next day, this morning was the same

Taeil walked to his locker, when he opened it, fake spiders came out of his locker

Even though they're fake, but he has a phobia of spiders

Taeil shrieks

Loud laughter came from behind

Johnny and friends were laughing really hard

Everyone laughed with them

"Same old scared little Taeil" Johnny says

"Oh wait, he's still little!" Ten shouts

Everyone laughs while Taeil looks at his feet in embarrasment

"See you later Short Stack!" Johnny yells and high fives his friends and leaves

I knew it, he thought

"Hey bro, you okay?" His bestfriend Mark asks while helping him

Him and Mark have been best friends since the were in middle school

"Yeah, I'm fine" he says

They both walk to their first period class

"Hey I heard there is a new student coming to our school" Mark points out

"Oh really?" Taeil asks

"Yeah, they say the new student is a girl, but I havent seen her yet"

"Oh okay" he says a little nervously

"I hope she'll treat you right" Mark reasures

They both entered the class and sat down in their assigned seats

While everyone was waiting for the teacher, Taeil kept thinking about what the new student would be like

His thoughts were interrupted by the teacher mr. Choi (SuJu Choi Siwon)

"Good morning class, before we begin our lesson, we have a new student joining us today, she new around her, make her feel welcome." He say while pointing at all of us

Mr.Choi gestures the new student to come in

The moment she walked in, Taeil's world stopped

His eyes widen and mouth parted in awe

Everything was in slow motion

Your hair flow a little behind and the sun reflected your soft hair

There stood before him, was a smiling beauty

You looked ethereal to him, like aphrodite the goddess of love and beauty

Taeil's heart beated fast like it was going to burst out of his chest by now

Mr.Choi gestures you to introduce herself

"Annyonghasaeyo, my name is Dong Y/n, im from Shanghai, China, please take care of me." You smile brightly showing your pearly whites

Your voice, was so beautiful, sounded like an angel's voice and it felt smooth like whipped cream

All of the guys were swoon by your smile

While some of the girls were jealous of your beauty and your figure

Taeil was lost in his thoughts that he didn't noticed that he called by the teacher

He got startled by his yell

"I said, Taeil raise your hand" Mr.Choi says sternly

He shakely raise his hand

When your meet his, you gave him another beautiful smile

His heart was beating at a fast rate when you came towards him

When you sat down next to him, Taeil was freaking out on the inside

"Hello, Taeil" you smiled at him and took your hand for him to shake

He froze again and came back to reality when you greeted him

"H-h-hi" he says while timidly taking his hand out to shake your hand

"H-how do you know my name?" He says shyly and awkwardly

His heart flutterd when he heard your giggle

"The teacher called on you, silly" you said while giggling

His cheeks started to heat up and looked away in embarassment

Through out the class period, Taeil could hardly pay attention to the lesson

He couldn't help but stare at your face

You have flawless skin, cute button nose, soft rosy cheeks, pink plump lips

And MOST of all, your big bright blue eyes

Honestly for Taeil, he's never seen anyone with bright blue eyes before

Blue is actually his favorite color

He uses blue colors for when he's painting the ocean or a lake

Yours eyes were like the color of the ocean

They reminded him of his paintings of the ocean

He was so lost in your beauty, that the bell rang, ending first period

"Dude, class ended, didn't you hear the bell?" Mark calls out

Taeil came back to reality "h-huh what?"

"Are you okay, your face is really red and are you sweating?" Mark asks

He checks himself, and starts feeling embarased

"It's just so hot in this room" he lies

"You sure it was from Y/N?" Mark says with a smirk

"I don't know what you mean, lets go!" He says quickly

And speed walks out of the classroom

2nd period, Taeil's scariest period

PE

Exercising is not the problem

His worst nightmare has the same class with him

JOHNNY SUH

Its scary when Mark doesn't have 2nd period with Taeil

Everyone was already dressed in their gym wear and so is Taeil

While everyone was stretching and waiting for the teacher

The girl's dressing room door opens

Taeil looks up and his eyes widens and his jaw drops in awe

You looked so stunning in your black sports bra and sweats

You such an amazing hourglass body

All of the boys were drooling, especially Johnny and his friends

Taeil couldn't look away, its like he was hypnotized by your body

When your eyes meet his, you smiled sweetly and started walking towards him

The way your ponytail bounced

The way your hips swayed

It was driving him crazy

Taeil suddenly felt himself being pushed to the ground

"Out of my way!" Johnny yells

Yup, he pushed him 😑

"Hey, beautiful, we haven't been properly introduced, the names Johnny" he says with a flirty smile and kisses your hand

Taeil felt anger and jealousy rushing through his body

"Nice to meet you too, Johnny" you said in a gentle voice ignoring his flirting

"What should I call you, Im guessing your name is gorgeous goddess?" He flirts again

"Thanks for the compliment, the names Y/N Dong Y/N"

"Wait, Dong Y/N, like as in, Dong Sicheng?" Johnny asks in a surprised voice

"Yes, he's my little brother" you said with a small smile

Everyone especially Taeil were shocked

Nobody knew that Dong Sicheng

A.K.A. Winwin, Student Council President

Has an older sister

"Anyway, there are a bunch of nut jobs in this school, especially him" he points at Taeil

"But don't worry, I'll always be there to protect you, sweet heart" he winks

He looks down and waits for you to laugh at Johnny's insult

"I don't think so, he seems sweet" you said the honest truth

That made Taeil go red as a tomato

Jaehyun, Taeyong and Ten snickered

Johnny scoffs

"Yeah, right. Well anyway, beautiful, if you want or need after school physical education, come to me. I promise to keep that gorgeous body in shape" he says by using his hands to motion your body

"Ok, I'll think about it" you said with a gentle smile

Before Johnny could speak, PE teacher mr.Lee (Lee Dong-hae SuJu) came in and blew his whistle

"Alright everyone, today is Friday, I have a surprise in store for you guys" he smirks

Taeil was not liking this feeling

"Today, were doing, drum roll please" he points at Ten

Ten pats the bleacher to resemble a drum

"Wrestling!" He shouts

Everybody were shouting in excitement, especially Johnny and his friends

Taeil felt he's going to pee himself any second now

"Alright, who wants to go?" He's says in anticipation

"Me mr.Lee!" Johnny shouts

"Yes, my tall handsome star student, get up here!" He smiles

He runs up to the center onto the gymnastic matt

"Pick your opponent"

He playfully looks around and spots Taeil

Johnny evilly smirks and points at him

"Moon Taeil !"

Taeil was beyond mortified

Everyone ooohed and silently laughs, except you

He shakely stands up and walks to the center

"You can do this Taeil !" You shouted

Taeil felt his fear wash away from your cheers

Until

Whistle blows

Taeil gets punched in the stomach

"One point to Johnny!" Mr.Lee shouts

Everyone except you claps

"Round 2!"

Taeil tries to push Johnny down, but he wasn't strong enough

Johnny and the students started laughing at his lack of strength

You, on the other hand, were cheering for Taeil

"Come on Taeil, you can do it!"

Taeil was suddenly punched in the face and got kneed in the stomach

He fell to the ground, breathing heavily

"Winner! Johnny" mr.Lee shouts and raises Johnny's arm

Everyone claps and chants out Johnny's name

You ran to Taeil and helped him up

"Are you okay?" You asked softly

He looks up and sees your beautiful face

"Am I in Heaven?" He asks almost in a conscious state

"No, your on the floor, lets get you back on the bleachers, silly" you said while giggling

You helped him back on the bleachers

"Who wants to go up against, Johnny?" Mr.Lee asks in anticipation

Nobody answers until...

"I will !" You shouted and raised your hand

Everyone, including the coach, Johnny and Taeil gasped

"W-w-well a-are you sure?" Coach asks

You nodded while gently smiling

You walk up to the center and stood 2 feet in front of Johnny

Taeil was really worried, if you get hurt, it felt like it be his fault for putting yourself on his spot

"Ready!" Blows the whistle

"I'll take it easy on you, beautiful" he says with a flirty smile and winks

Before he finish his sentence

In a blink of an eye

You got him in a choke hold and took him down with a loud thud

Everyone was shooked, including Taeil and coach

"How did she do that!" He thought

"Uh-uh one point to Y/N" coach stutters

Before Taeil could process anything, he saw something really strange

Your eyes

They were blue earlier, but when you took down Johnny, your eye color turned RED

And he had no idea that a sweet and innocent girl like you

Be that strong to take down a 6 foot tall basket ball player

"Final round!" Blows whistle

Johnny strikes a punch

But, you dodged his punch and swiftly flipped over Johnny

Everyone's jaws dropped and eyes widened

Nobody has ever beaten Johnny at wrestling

Not even his team mates

Nobody, except Taeil, notice your eyes change back to their original color

"What is she?!" He screams internally

You looked at everyone with an innocent look

"Um, did I go too far?" You asked in a small gentle voice

Everyone jumps out of there seats and claps while cheering you

Taeil, couldn't process what just happened and just stared at you in amazement

Johnny, on the other hand, couldn't believe what just happened

He sits up looks at you in shock

A girl, a beautiful, innocent girl, just took down a 9 time basket ball champion

His teams mates helped him up

"Bro, that was INSANE!" Ten exclaims

"She must've worked a lot" Jaehyun guesses

"Yeah, but I gotta admit, that's MY kind of woman" Johnny looks at you with a smirk while wipping the sweat off him

You thanked everyone for giving you compliments, then coach blew his and told everyone sit back down

Everyone had 10 minutes left of class, so coach Lee let everyone have free time

Taeil calms himself down and drinks his bottle of water

"Taeil !" You called him

He looks up and sees you jogging up to him with a gentle smile

He was infactuated by you

They way your hair moves when you jog

Sweat dripping

Then his eyes accidentally when down your chest

The way your breast bounce lightly

To be honest, for Taeil, you breast were like the perfect size

Like they were sculpted, like the greek goddesses

He hasn't realize that you're in front of him and he's beet red

"Hey Taeil, are you alright ?" You asked worriedly

"I think I'm in love" he says faintly

"What?" You asked

He broke out of his thoughts, and looks at you and starts stuttering

"Oh uh, I mean that, I think I'm in love with your fighting techniques?" He lies

You giggled

"Thank you," you said with a smile

"How did you do that, no one has ever beaten Johnny at wrestling" he asks in astonishment

"Oh, my father taught me some of his greatest martial art skills" you said

"That's amazing, I'd like to meet him one day" he says in excitement

Then, you looked down in sadness

"Actually, my father passed away when I was 8" you said sadly

Taeil felt guilty for asking that question

"Don't be, its alright" you said gently

"Oh oka-" before he finishes his sentence

How did you know he was feeling guilty

"How did you know that I felt guilty?" He asks supiciously To be continued

[renee-writer]

Room and Board Chapter 4 Family

“So, tell me about your family?” They both sit in front of the fire. Claire sits with her legs stretched out across the couch. Jamie sits on the end and manly resist rubbing her feet.

“Well, how far would you like me to go back?”

“Your immediate family will do. Any sibs besides Jenny?”

“No. Just us. She is two and a half years older and never lets me forget it. “ She laughs and it is the sound of angels in his mind. He swallows hard and continues. “ Our parents were Ellen and Brian. Mam was strong willed. Ye always ken’d when you were on her bad side with just a look. But, she also was the most loving woman. Her hugs could heal all the world's policies, or so it would seem. Da, he was her calm center, her steady place. Ours too. When in his presence, naught could touch us.”

“What happened to them?” She has sat up and moved a bit closer. Not touching him but close enough to.

“With mam, it was an accident. She was shopping in Edinburgh. Crossing the street at a crosswalk. The car, it's breaks went out. The poor chap pressed on the break so hard he tore his Achilles tendon. But, he couldn’t stop. She passed instantly.”

“How old were you?”

“Ten with Jenny just twelve. She took over as the lady of the house. From then on, it was her looks I feared. My da, he passed three years ago. Was working in the field. Just collapsed. Twas' a stroke. He also passed instantly.”

“I am sorry Jamie. I am not sure which is worse, to really know them and lose them or only have vague memories.”

“What do you recall of your parents?” He asks as he gets up to place another piece of wood on the fire.

“I recall my mum smelled of roses. That I have her eyes. My dad, he was tall. Almost as tall as you. When he lifted me up, I felt like I was flying.”

“Good memories all.” He rejoins her and she nods.

“Yes. I makes me smile to think of them. I wonder whether it is better to have just a few good memories or none at all.”

“The bairn.” He looks at her bump and sees the movement. Her hand drifts over but doesn't touch it.

“Yes. If I keep it, will I be able to provide good memories? If not, will the child wonder about me, wonder why I didn’t want him or her?”

“The fact you are already thinking about those things shows you will be a good mam. I understand that it is complex. I canna nor wilna pretend to completely understand but, I can tell ye are a strong woman. If ye choose to keep the bairn, ye will provide good memories for him or her.”

“Thank you. I validate between knowing I can not keep him or her and not imagine not.”

“That makes sense.”

“It is my child. My blood. But also his. I don't even know what race he was. His eye or hair color. I do know he is sick and evil. How much of that will this baby inherit? That is my biggest fear.”

He moves a bit closer. “Claire, may I?” He gestures towards her bump.

“Sure.”

He lays his hand over where the baby moves. The child moves up and meets his hand. He grins.

“I am not saying this child is a blank slate but, there is a lot that the child becomes is based on their raising. He or she has over half of you. I say over half because the bastard that sired him or her, will have no part in the raising. Either you will by raising him or her or by helping to choose those who will.”

“I hadn't thought of that.” Her hand rests beside his, their hands almost touching. “You have given me more to think about.”

“Well, you have time.”

“Yes.” They both sit for a moment and feel her child moving under their hand.