#driving her to madness lately. so she needs the reset.

[thcdoomed]

It is always interesting how the others react to Dronia's deep-rooted sadness. She hid it so well for so long, focusing on everyone else's problems to avoid her own. The ache couldn't get to her if she didn't allow it. And neither Gale nor Karlach would let her hide from it once the truth was out. They sought to bring her out of her sadness, to live, because dammit she is still here. Changed as she was. But that was the problem, Dronia could help everyone else in their sorrow, but she wouldn't allow anyone to help her. All her wisdom regarding grief and coping and she can't follow it herself. She needs the two closest to her to hold her hand through it.

And gods, Gale is trying. Just as Karlach tried, Dronia had sent her off because she knew the woman needed the joy of celebration. But Gale, he's just as determined and he isn't going to let her suffer in silence in the shadows, even as the thrum of hearts surrounding them pound in her ears.

Gale moves effortlessly, with all the grace of a trained dancer. She wonders if they held balls often at the wizard colleges, a chance for all the students to let loose outside of their lessons and enjoy each other's company. Her thoughts wander back to childish ponderings. She often had her head in the clouds about the wizards who patronized the family business for the spider components. A head full of whimsy at the idea of spells flowing freely about, learning to conjure whatever the mind could think of, controlling the weave and bending it to their will. As she trained in the martial art of archery, she dreamed of her fingers tangling in the weave instead. It's these thoughts that allow her to more easily navigate the dance and ignore the other bodies beyond just the two of them.

They all made it out alive though, they had faced an avatar of Myrkul, ended the shadow curse, and all stood at the end of it. Some even come out stronger or free from what held them in the past. Her thoughts are interrupted by the sudden twirl and she has to focus on not tripping over her own feet. Against her own will, she smiles a little.

"Oh, your charm is just fine. I've just been in my own head so much that I'm a bit slow to pick things up right now." She'll not have him deprecating himself, even if it is just a joke. "I imagine the dances in Waterdeep were far more extravagant than this. Mother had spoken about the city often." One day, maybe, she would visit. If they survived. "The light is welcome, I just feel reluctant to bask in it right now. I'm afraid it will burn me." Not in the way it would burn Astarion under normal circumstances, she doesn't know how the sun will affect her after this. "Is the answer me, Gale?"

Dronia can still feel the occasional body brush against her as they dance and she realizes she minds it less and less. Her shoulders loosen no longer tight balls of wound-up muscle. "Well let's keep it running in your veins and not outside of it. I will not be contributing to that." But she quiets. "I wasn't going to let you die, no matter what Mystra or Elminster decreed. Your life has more value than any debt you feel owed." A soft smile wears upon tired features. "I'm glad you're still with us. I would be very upset if you had died back there."

This won't do. They have experienced astronomically, having toiled, suffered, and hemorrhaged enough. It leaves all aches beyond this criminal, a last chortle from the gods as they'd lounge among the stars with their biscuits and wines. After all, he's been rendered all a lamb, and Dronia, a maelstrom, so why darken up a party? Why shy away from friends? It's both drink and laughter that better suited this hour, and somebody, this damned pair, had better go and enjoy it.

No, Caius isn't here, but there are certainly yet people she's made so proud. And the way he would look at her, warm in his smiles and patient with his voice... With one chuckle at a time, he hopes to lighten her thoughts.

At the very least, Gale, like Caius, boasts this infuriating quality to spirit one's soul. He's circling her about, their bodies slow and swaying in a training pace. He shepherds them patiently, sprinkling in some whirls to offer her a challenge, and when he speaks into her ear, it'd come gently at its corners, both rumbling and friendly with the fluttering lutes. The candlelight flickers, their peering constellations caught humming in the clouds. And there beneath his skin, there beyond his ribs tamed by spell and magic, there croons the now-tempered whisper of the sucking of the Weave... Tonight, with their wizard, things sound a lullaby.

He hadn't heeded Mystra. He still stands. And lives. Then what heart would sound sweeter in this symphony, exactly? Chuffed, Gale pulls her in a twirl, laughter bright and twinkling.

"Just learning that, are we? I'm disappointed," he jokes. "My charm must have taken quite a number of late. I'll have you know that back at Waterdeep, my attendance at every dancehall had left a small armada of sore feet. That said, I proved remarkably effective at ferrying away all a dour spirit, and considering the not insignificant penumbra we'd just lifted, I find my distaste for shadows may have grown much stronger. No more with the dark, I say. I quite like some light tonight. And if it's all the same to you," Gale offers as he turns them, "I believe I know in who to wick one."

He pulls her along, bodies brushing up against them as they spin and twirl and romp and cheer. Gale keeps her close, that pulse in his thumb always trained about her wrist. To her credit, Dronia, despite the seasons, still dances exceptionally. "My blood may not be any better for the drinking," he shares, "but I find it has never ran so freely. To be frank with you, Dronia, I hadn't expected to leave Moonrise tonight. To imagine where I'd be without the strength of your company -- gods," dear gods, "I could scarcely imagine it."

[that-blue-vault-dweller]

We've had so much happy sappy things lately. How about some angst? Companions react to sole getting super pissed at them and just leaving forever?

Oh, no..... I knew this was going to come soon enough... All good things must come to an end, after all 😔💙💛

All jokes aside, this literally broke my heart to write, but I very much enjoyed your suggestion for the new perspective it gave and the opportunity to write some good, old-fashioned angst 🥰 I didn't provide an explanation for what they said or what they did to make F!Sole mad, which I hope is okay! (I couldn't picture my F!Sole leaving any of them for any reason but I'm sure everyone's Sole varies in that respect)

Warnings: Light mentions of suicide, heavy mentions of drug and alcohol use.

Cait - Falls back into chems and will likely drug and drink herself to the grave. She can't believe that she went and screwed everything up again. She let down and upset the one person she vowed to never do that to, and now she's alone. Again. She's managed to run off the one person in her whole lifetime that actually cared about her and all she knows is that life is not even really worth living sober if she has to endure pain like this.

Piper - Cries herself to sleep for many nights after and sometimes finds herself crying during the day while she's typing an article or doing small mundane things, her guilt and sadness consuming her. (If F!Sole let her interview her back when she first came to Diamond City) Piper keeps a copy of the View from the Vault articles beside her bed and numbly reads them sometimes before going to sleep just to remind her of the only best friend she had ever had in her life. The only person that had stuck by her and tried to look out for her since her dad. Eventually she stops crying, but it takes a long time for her to rebound and her smile to come back. It never is as bright as it used to be when F!Sole was there, though.

Curie - Breaks her heart and completely destroys her. She cries for days, weeks, forever. All she knows is that there is a huge hole in her heart and she thinks of F!Sole every day. Her humanity is a constant reminder of the great person that she had lost and she will forever blame and kick herself for being so horrible that F!Sole would leave her. Curie will always care about F!Sole even if F!Sole doesn't care about her and Curie will forever miss her.

MacCready - Ends up heading back to go be with Duncan permanently. F!Sole was the only thing keeping him in the Commonwealth but now that he screwed that up, there is no reason left to stay. He was originally going to have his son brought to him as soon as possible, but he decides that they're better off away from where all of the sad memories are lingering. When he returns to his son, he is very happy, but he soon falls into a basic routine, trying to get through his grief of losing a true friend because of his own stupidity. He will eventually come out of the depression, but he will always carry the intense guilt of driving her away for good.

Deacon - Despite the fact that he just continues on with that constant mask of looking like he's just as calm and happy as anyone else, he is hurting deeply on the inside. It is easy to tell because of how he seems even more distant than usual and he very rarely ever comes back to the Railroad HQ. Guilt turns him into someone even more detached than he used to be before she left. However, he sometimes goes undercover just to watch her at a safe enough distance to keep her from recognizing him. After all, he has not changed his face since she left, preferring to keep some souvenir from his time with her. Unfortunately, his face is all he has left of those days.

Codsworth - Is broken-hearted and is at the epitome of guilt because he cannot believe he has made her so mad that she will have nothing more to do with him. He has absolutely no one left to serve and there is no one left who cares about him at all. He ends up falling into a state of denial, somehow glitching and convincing himself that she, sir, and young Shaun are simply away and will come back eventually. He sadly remains in this deluded state for the remainder of his days.

Hancock - Somehow does even more chems than before, knowing it cannot kill him but needing the rush to distract him from the complete and utter pain after sending away one of the few people that actually stood by him through thick and thin. He goes back to being the full-time mayor of Goodneighbor, but when he falls so deeply into the chems, the citizens begin thinking that it would be best to overthrow him. When he figures this out, he knows he has to stop doing the chems quite so much. He cuts back just enough to be coherent and make speeches to inspire people, but anyone can see that he is by no means doing as well as he used to before F!Sole left. At some point he is completely numb and he takes the chems to just feel something besides this deadness inside.

Danse - Is devastated. She is all he had left after being kicked out of the Brotherhood. He can't believe that he drove away the person that convinced him to see his own worth despite his true identity. He finds himself in deep, inescapable depression, and he eventually loses sight of why he should even keep going on at all. After all, he is just an instrument of evil that breaks friendship, families, and all good things. Why would the world need something like that?

Preston - Despite the fact that he does not believe he can do it, he forces himself to take up the mantel of General. He tries to lead and maintain a brave face even though he feels like he is falling apart. He knows the Minutemen are depending on him, and he feels so helpless. Eventually, he hands leadership over to Ronnie Shaw, returning to a second-in-command position as he throws himself into duties and work to try not to think about the loss of one of the few people that actually saw his vision and tried to help him achieve his dream. However, he can't quite forget the fact that it's all his fault that it ended up like this.

Valentine - Honestly cannot believe it and is in pure shock and devastation for several days before the grief and depression finally sets in. He throws himself into his work and becomes even more self-endangering, caring very little about himself and what happens to him. He knows he still has Ellie and the agency, but it just kind of seems to fade in importance as he thinks of F!Sole and how he drove her away. If he doesn't manage to get himself killed during this period, Ellie has a stern talk with him, and he actually does start being a little more careful. Not quite the level of careful he was when he had both F!Sole and Ellie on his back about it, but he tries for Ellie's sake if not his own.

X6-88 - Is quite angry at himself for angering and isolating such a vital and valuable asset of the Institute, but there is something else inside of him that pricks and pokes at his mind and gut. It is something he cannot identify and something he has never experienced before. It frequently brings her face to the forefront of his mind, homing in on just how angry that she looked and how she looked like she would rather be looking upon a pile of Brahmin dung than to be staring into his face. It bothers him for some reason, and when he returns to the Institute and expresses his thoughts, it is the last thing on his mind before they wipe his memory of her and reset him entirely.

Dogmeat - Tries to follow her even though she does not want him to. When she screams and throws things at him, he lowers his ears and tucks his tail, confused at what in the world he did wrong. He just wants her to love him again like she used to. He could be a better boy. He could stop pooping in Cait's shoes and stop chewing holes in things. Eventually, after weeks of following her and being rejected, he finally leaves her alone, heading back to Red Rocket Truck Stop where he decides to wait for her in hopes she will one day come back and give him all the pets or at least one pet. He ends up living his days waiting for her and pacing the place, waking up every morning with hopes that the sunrise will bring her back to him until he doesn't see the sunrise again.

Strong - Stays mad at her forever. However, he sometimes does wish that he had tiny human to help him with some things like fighting or cooking, but he quickly remembers that he's mad at her and tells himself that super mutants don't need puny humans. But there is something strange in his stomach when he thinks of her, but he usually smashes something to try to make himself feel better. The feeling never goes away quickly, though.

[cipheress-to-k-pop]

Tension

Pairing: Danny Rand x Reader

Warnings: Mentions of injuries

Word Count: 4.5K

Summary: What happens when Iron Fist takes an interest in an undercover agent? (I’m so bad at summaries and Titles please forgive me)

A/N: This has been sitting incompleted in my drafts for like months and I finally got the energy and ideas to finish it. I feel accomplished.

It made sense that you and Danny never crossed paths. You were just a S.H.I.E.L.D agent and he was part of the superhero program. Even though you were similar in age, you didn’t attend the same school and you had no skills in common so you never saw each other during training.

You were born into being a S.H.I.E.L.D agent, growing up on the Helicarrier and training your entire life to be an undercover agent. You spent your days with different names and different personas, gathering intel and you were more skilled using weapons and gadgets than actual hand-to-hand combat, while he was parading around the city in a spandex suit.

You, of course, had heard of him but only by the name Iron Fist, and you had never seen him in person.

And it would have remained that way if you hadn’t gotten shot on your last mission. Even though it missed anything vital and the surgery had been a success, you were still told not to do anything that might agitate it for the next 3 months.

So, that was how you got transferred from the undercover agent assignments to team strategist department.

“But I don’t want to be in strategies!” You complained, stubbornly following Fury around the Helicarrier as he desperately tried to get away from you.

“Strategies is for boring people! Like Coulson!” You shouted ignoring Coulson’s offended ‘Hey!’, practically throwing a tantrum in the middle of the training room.

“And more importantly, you gave my assignment to that bitch, Lia?! I’ve been gathering contacts for that mission for around a year and you want me to just hand it over to that lazy piece of shit who would rub it in my face even if she never did anything for the mission?!”

That finally made Fury turn around to face you and you sighed in relief, hoping he would at least listen to you.

“Agent Coulson, make sure that every time (Y/N) swears, 50 bucks is cut down from this month’s pay check.”

You threw him a foul glare.

“You will be transferred to strategies in a week—”

“But I don’t want to—”

“Under the superhero programme—”

“Those pyjama freaks—?!”

“End. Of. Discussion.”

You glared at him so coldly, it could have frozen hell over. Your nails were digging painfully into the palm of your hand but you barely felt it through your anger.

You practically growled, pulling out a 50-dollar bill from your pocket and slamming it onto Coulson’s desk.

“MOTHER F—”

***

The first time you met a member of the team wasn’t one that you had expected. It was a month and a half into your recovery and you had written numerous mission reports on behalf of them and reset the programming of their training bots after each practice session but you still hadn’t met any of them.

The time you were taking to recover was driving you crazy. It made you feel weak. 2 months ago, you were in Barcelona, undercover as an underaged bartender for a mafia gang and now you were going to physiotherapy every week.

Since you were young and Fury didn’t want to take the change of you permanently injuring yourself, he was being very strict about what you could do, he basically confined you to a desk job for the next 2 months.

It was driving you mad.

So, one day when everyone was asleep, you snuck into the training area to practice shooting which you were sure had gone a little rusty since the accident. Nothing a little practice couldn’t help.

You picked up your favourite gun, smiling at the familiarity in your hand, loading it and clicking the safety off before pointing at the target and shooting.

The next thing you felt was excruciating pain. So painful that you were on the floor, pressing your forehead against the cold metal, wondering why this was happening to you.

The rebound of the gun had been too powerful for your arm to take. You felt your injury pull suddenly and you couldn’t think of anything other than the blinding pain as you cried on the floor. Feeling utterly helpless.

“Hello?”

You started, teary eyes getting wide at the sight of a blonde by the door. You had to wipe your eyes for your vision to focus, grunting in pain as you raised your arms again.

You recognized Iron Fist. You had been seeing footage of him and his team members for the last few weeks and writing mission reports about him but seeing him in person was a different feeling.

You hid your face, pulling your knees to your chest, hoping he would leave.

“I heard a gunshot.”

“Yeah,” Your voice cracked embarrassingly, “That was me.” 

“Everything alright?” He came closer to you, standing a foot away from you and you shook your head no.

In all honesty, you wanted to get off the floor and go back to bed, but your arm burned so painfully you were scared to move it again.

“Here, let me help.”

You froze, but still let him raise his hand towards you. You saw his palm light up before he pressed it to your shoulder and you whimpered, shuffling away from him but he continued to apply a gentle pressure.

Soon you felt the pain get better, it slowly reduced to a dull buzz.

“H-How did you do that?” You asked, turning to him with wide eyes and he chuckled, seeing the childish wonderment. You clearly had never seen him in person before even if he had seen you.

Danny noticed you the day he had joined S.H.I.E.L.D. You were returning from yet another mission and the soft blue dress you were wearing among armoured soldiers was hard to miss when he passed the debriefing room. Immediately, he stopped to peer inside.

The contrast between the soft summer dress and your cold, professional expressions sent a shiver down his spine. You looked so untouchable. However, he noticed the blush on your face when the agents complimented you and felt his heart flutter.

He had seen your road to recovery, he noticed you falling asleep at your desk every day, constantly doing work because you had nothing else to do and he wondered if it would be weird if he asked you to lunch sometime. For your sake, of course.

Looking at you curled up on the ground, he had wished he had done it sooner.

“You shouldn’t strain yourself before you’re ready.” He muttered, feeling tongue tied next to the girl he had been infatuated with from a distance.

You could only nod. This whole-time people had been telling you the same thing and you always retorted with confidence, saying that you were as good as ready to get back on the field. Never in your wildest dreams would you have thought they were right.

“I’m Iron Fist.”

“(Y/N).”

“I know.” His answer came a little too fast and had you raising a brow. Danny wished he adorned a mask to cover the whole of his face like Spiderman when he felt his cheeks becoming warm, “You write our mission reports. I’m not creepy, I swear.”

You chuckled airily, turning back to the gun that was left on the ground and you pulled it back into your hand before clicking the safety back on before chucking it across the room.

“Thanks for helping me.” 

“I’m glad I was there to help.”

***

After your first meeting, you found him approaching you more often after training. At first it was just ‘hello’s and ‘goodbyes. Then he began asking about your day and you gave him mundane responses before you were forced to ask him how his day was.

Then he started coming early before his training with a cup of tea for you, though it was sometimes juice, sometimes hot cocoa.

Then he started staying late after training and you would give him a bottle of water and complain about him being sweaty.

It was an unlikely friendship but nonetheless, you got closer as the days passed by and once you did, it didn’t take long for you to meet the rest of the team. They kept you company and you grew fond of the rest of them; however, it wasn’t the same way that you felt with Iron Fist.

Your crush on Iron Fist snuck up on you when you were least expecting it but once you realized it you couldn’t stop yourself from falling hard and deep. Still, you continued to hang out with him, pushing down the butterflies whenever he smiled and stopping yourself from grinning too wide whenever you were around him.

You tried to keep your relationship platonic, not wanting to get caught up in it because it was unprofessional. You didn’t even know his identity and you didn’t want to find out. You were afraid that once he revealed that part of his life to you there was no going back on your love for him.

So, you stayed friends, good friends.

***

“So, it all blew up in her face? Huh, I should say I’m surprised but I’m really not.” You said, sighing when Fury handed you the mission file that you had been working on for a year before handing it off to another agent.

“You get to relieve her of her duties and start working again. Effective as of next week.”

You were grinning now. The doctor had given you the all clear a month ago and you had been waiting for a mission to be handed off to you but it had been a quiet month, with no need for undercover or even recon missions.

To get back the mission that you lost when you got shot seemed like the best one to start off again, and you thought your day couldn’t get any better but it seemed like you were having an incredibly good day.

As soon as you exited the room, there stood Iron Fist in all his glory and your excitement got better of you. You bolted right into his arms, catching him off guard with a hug.

“Woah, did something happen?” He asked curiously but still wrapped his arms around you to return the hug. You pulled away, flashing him the mission file in your hand and grinned brightly.

“I finally got cleared for a mission!”

“Congratulations!”

“Thank you! I’m so excited! I have to go and prepare right away!”

“Wha—Right now?” He asked and you nodded frantically, “I’m off in about a week, lots to prepare before that.”

“Well, how long is it going to take?”

“Not sure, oooh, maybe I’ll get relocated someplace cool like Dubai or India or something.”

He didn’t seem to share your enthusiasm but just chuckled in a dejected sort of manner before nodding his head, “Maybe.”

***

“Partner? Fury, I don’t do partners. I am a single lady and would like to stay that way.”

He just sighed, used to your temper tantrums. Though he was honestly wishing he had a mute button on you. You were like the daughter he never wanted. Usually, he maintained a professional relationship with all the other agents but you were like the gem of the department.

Being one of the youngest and most capable of the agents was a reason for many of the older ones to fawn over you. I mean let’s be honest, a baby who can kick ass was adorable!

That always made you more outrageous than the other agents, letting yourself have the temper tantrums and choosing not to be a stiff, boring agent. You knew just how to push Fury to get what you wanted.

“The mission is to go to a socialite party and while you have the skills, you don’t have the contact.”

“That hasn’t stopped me before—”

“We need someone that has the last name to get you in. Besides, after last time, another agent looking after you wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”

Your face fell and Fury knew he made a mistake in choosing his words. Your lip quivered slightly and he heard an agent tut disapprovingly at him and mentally sighed.

“That wasn’t my fault...” You said softly, your voice seemed thick and he knew one wrong move could possibly break the floodgate. He sighed, wrapping an arm around your shoulder, “I know that. But we just want you to be safe. Just in case something goes wrong again, so this time somebody can have your back.”

You nodded sadly, lips in a small pout and eyebrows furrowed. Somewhere in the background he heard another agent whispering to another that Fury was trying to make you cry and felt his eye twitch.

“No one blames you for what happened.”

You nodded wordlessly again, still frowning.

“Tell you what, because it’s your first mission back, you get a higher budget for it.” That was it. Your face brightened like the sun and you giggled childishly, sending him a mischievous smirk as you thanked him.

You disappeared before he could even scold you and Fury then heard the rest of the agents burst into laughter about how you managed to play him.

Again.

***

“Daniel Rand.” You mumbled, looking over the case file. Apparently, he would be your partner for today but it was odd that you never heard of him before. It took you a very short time going through the S.H.I.E.L.D. database to find his name.

‘Daniel Rand, a.k.a. Iron Fist.’

‘WHAT?!’

Daniel Rand? The blond aristocrat that looked like he was picked out of your wildest dreams. With a face that could break hearts and make knees weak, was the confidant and friend that you had been crushing on for weeks now?

Wow, he definitely had a face to match.

Without realizing, you had been staring at his picture for about 5 minutes, fawning over his sharp jaw and deep green eyes with a ridiculous love-sick smile on your face, with your heart fluttering in your chest.

‘God, please, like me.’ You said in your head. So far you had sort of a flirtationship going on with Iron Fist but you wondered if it was the same for Danny. He didn’t seem like the kind of guy who would intentionally lead you on, but now that you were seeing his face, you realized just how little you knew about him.

He probably had a life of his own and you took up only a sliver of it. Being an agent, you didn’t leave the Helicarrier very often, and you certainly didn’t have too many very friends. You never really realized how much you were missing until you got shot.

Iron Fist, well Daniel, filled the void you felt during your time off but it was also very possible that he didn’t feel the same way, that you were just someone he spent time with to get over his boredom.

Maybe tonight would be the time to change that.

The mission was supposed to take place today, so you woke up bright and early to finish up some things. Go over case files, do a weapon check and pick out your outfit. You were supposed to wear something that would catch people’s attention. And in the back of your head, you also wanted to blow Daniel’s mind right out of his skull.

Red seemed like it would make a statement. So would a bodycon, or maybe a long dress with a high slit. You wanted to go all out for your first mission in months. Maybe even get a few jaw drops.

Finally deciding on an outfit, you quickly texted Daniel.

‘Wear (F/C).’

***

“This guy is coming right?” You asked, bored. You had been ready for about 15 minutes now, looking like you were dripping diamonds and lounging comfortably in Fury’s seat, with your legs thrown over the armrest.

“He’ll be here any minute now.” Said Coulson, checking his phone.

You rolled your eyes, “Why do I feel like this is one of those movie moments where the girl comes down the stairs and the guy is just staring at her with a jaw drop. Or like when the bride walks down the aisle and the groom bursts into tears.”

You sighed, checking your watch again. 20 minutes.

“For someone making me wait this long, he better be so good looking that it makes me cry.”

“Well, I hope I don’t disappoint.”

The new voice certainly turned a few heads and there stood Daniel Rand. The pictures online really did him no justice. Sure, you didn’t cry, but your eyes definitely didn’t feel worthy to be looking something so pretty in the eye.

Before you could help it, a ‘wow’ slipped past your lips and he blushed, having heard you. Wow, he was cute inside and out. Unfortunately, Coulson had to come in where he wasn’t wanted and suggested a quick briefing which you had to agree to.

In the middle of the briefing, Coulson handed you a ring box and you raised a brow, “I’m a little young for you, don’t you think?”

He let out an irritated sigh but you noticed the tips of his ears turn red from embarrassment, “You’re posing as his fiancé. You need an engagement ring to match.”

“Shouldn’t he be getting on his knee then?” You joked, gaping at the size of the diamond for a second before slipping it on, completely missing the way Danny got redder at your teasing, “Wow, it suits me so well one would think I was made to be a socialite’s fiancé.”

Danny didn’t say anything and you brushed it off, putting him off as the shy but cute bookworm who would come through in a difficult situation. As soon as the thought came to mind, you facepalmed. All it took was one good looking guy to mess up your work habits.

“Well, come on honey, we have a party to get to.” You called out teasingly and handed him the keys to the car before strutting to the garages.

Coulson clapped him on the back with a small smirk on his face, “Good luck, honey.”

***

It didn’t take much effort to meet your contact in the party and you quickly left Danny’s side to discreetly to get any information he could pass to you. You quietly chatted with the contact.

Behind you, you vaguely heard a bunch of girls flock around him, giggling shrilly and trying to flirt with him. You resisted rolling your eyes. You had on an engagement ring but Danny’s finger was still bare and even though he might have announced being taken to them, apparently it was necessary for a ring to show his commitment. Something told you that even if he got it tattooed on his forehead, people would still try to flirt with him.

He just had one of those faces. Those faces that made people lose all reason. I mean, you’re slightly annoyed at the girls that have no moral and are shamelessly throwing themselves at him. But really, can you blame them?

Danny was gorgeous. He looked like a Greek Adonis that was sent down from the heavens to grace your eyes. Honestly, you couldn’t take your eyes off him while the two of you were driving down to the party.

Seeing them get handsy was more irritating than It usually would be. As annoying as it was to see these women through all their morals out the window and try and get a taken man to reciprocate their advances, it was more annoying to see them gawk over the guy you were crushing on.

A part of you wanted to just leave him in the car and not have anybody look at him.

But to keep your crush a secret, you maintained your distance from him, talking to the contact in a mixture of different languages so no one would be able to understand. Once you were done, you opted for getting a drink until you saw the pleading look on his face and almost felt bad.

So, you sauntered over to him, cutting right through the throng of girls, disgusted to see that some of them had wedding rings on, right to Danny’s side, snaking an arm around his waist and placing your hand underneath on his chest, giving him a sweet smile.

The shiny engagement ring on your finger caught their attention and they frowned, reminded that they were allowed to look, but not to touch.

“I hope you didn’t miss me too much.” You said, syrupy sweet and loud enough for the girls to hear before turning to them with a charming smile, “I hope my fiancé wasn’t too short with you girls today, he’s very stressed lately, with the wedding planning and all.”

Their faces fell further when you leaned into him and they could all recognize the possessive glint in your eyes. A look that said, I saw you trying to get your hands on something that was mine, you vultures.

The left you two quickly after that, resorting to go gossip in some corner. You wondered if they were snivelling about you but then realized that you shouldn’t be too cocky.

Instead, you turned your unamused gaze to your ‘fiancé’, pulling away from him with a frown.

“I’m assuming that you haven’t come here to flirt with someone else’s wife.”

“I wasn’t flirting though...” He replied innocently and you pursed your lips, resisting the urge to scowl at him. Instead, you just sighed and turned away from him, keeping an eye on the rest of the guests.

If what you were told is true, then someone is going to attempt an assassination on your contact and it was your job to protect him. However, you were distracted once more when he placed a hand on your waist.

You meant to turn around and ask him what he was doing but his grip was strong and he then pressed his lips to your ear. You froze, neck getting uncomfortably hot.

“At the entrance to the foyer.” He mumbled, looking into the mirror that was facing the entrance. Sure, enough you saw it too, the glint that came from the shadows. Someone was there.

The two of you still managed to stay inconspicuous, pretending like you were a couple in love. You turned to him with a smirk, hand going to your thigh where a gun was holstered.

“What do you say about getting out of here?”

With a hand around your waist, he led you to the other end of the room. Just as you expected, a waiter came up to you, trying to guide you elsewhere and you realized that both exits were covered. Grinning up at him, you asked him where the restroom was, giggling in a way that suggested something and he showed you up to the staircase to a hallway. 

Some of the older couples gave you knowing smiles while some of them passed disgusted glances as you made your way to the bathroom that for some reason had a couch in it. Damn, rich people.

You pulled up a schematic of the house, along with security cameras and looked figured out that each one of the exits were covered. Quickly making a plan with Danny, the two of you were about to exit again when you stopped him

You reached up and raked your fingers through his hair, dishevelling it a little before messing up his collar and slightly untucking his shirt. Taking a step back to admire your handiwork, you stopped for a second.

Something was missing.

It quickly occurred to you and you used your thumb to ruin your lipstick a little before smearing it at the base of his neck, “That should be convincing enough. Don’t you think?”

You didn’t give him a moment to answer, not that he even could, with you so close that he could smell your perfume and the scent made him feel dizzy. You pulled away to mess up your own hair and dress.

“How do I look?”

“Dishevelled.”

“Excellent.”

***

“Mission successful, assassination attempt was unsuccessful, contact is safe and being placed into witness protection, assassinators are in custody for questioning. Report 291220. Agent 290803. Phase Beta successful.” You reported into the com set.

Danny was quiet beside you, choosing to pay attention to the road while you deactivated your gadgets for the night. A quick glance from the corner of your eyes made your heart speed up just a little. He was doing that thing where he drove with just one arm.

“You know...” You started, clicking the safety on your gun, avoiding his eyes, “We don’t have to go back to HQ right now? We can get some dinner or something? In the mood for a veggie burger?”

“Is this meant to be platonic?”

“It’s meant to be a date.” You commented. His jaw tightened slightly and you raised a brow at him, did you really make him so uncomfortable?

“I thought you were in a relationship.”

“What?”

“Iron Fist. You like him, don’t you?”

An amused chuckle left you. Of course. He didn’t know you were aware of his secret. Resisting the urge to laugh at him, you shot him a smirk, leaning against your arm.

“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

Danny’s hands tightened around the steering wheel, knuckles turning white. He didn’t look at you, instead staring at the road with a steely gaze and for a second you wondered if you shouldn’t have pushed him.

“It’s a little hypocritical of you to nag me for not being loyal in a fake engagement and then going behind Iron Fist’s back, don’t you think?”

His voice was tight and he was gritting his teeth as he talked to you. You sighed, not wanting to upset him, “Not when you’re the same person.”

He jerked.

“Woah! Drive straight dude!”

“You knew?”

You snorted, “Pretty much, yeah. And since when are we in a relationship? I don’t remember you ever asking me out?”

His cheeks coloured, embarrassed and he looked away from your gaze, “I was planning to.”

“You’re lucky you’re cute.”

You continued in a comfortable silence while he drove. You weren’t really paying attention to where he was driving, choosing to look at him with a small smile. He really was beautiful. Judging by his red ears, he was well aware of your staring.

Eventually, he pulled into a parking space and you were mildly surprised to see he had driven you to a McDonalds. You grinned at him and he returned the smile, getting out of the car to open your door before taking your hand.

“You owe me a date.”

You sent him a soft smile, curling your finger underneath his chin before pulling him in for a gentle kiss. He returned it immediately, slightly pushing you onto the car door and gripping your hips. You pulled away, giggling when you realized some of your lipstick was now staining his.

Chuckling, you leaned up until your lips were brushing against his ear, “Hey genius, you still haven’t asked me out yet.”

Forever Taglist: @simonsbluee

USM Taglist: @imcarolinashannon

[having-a-hyperfixate]

Secret Reports

Gonna just edit this thing and put line breaks as I get more of them.

I’m also working on the rest of the completion, and will probably wander off in the middle of this to do Another Day, which will probably have its own post. I fully expect that to be sheer madness. 

#1 So is it just me or is Mr H writing these reports to channel how extremely stressed he is. Cuz like. Mood. *gestures vaguely at blog* *gestures at this post specifically*

I. Hold up. Skeezy McFuckwad and Joshua did what resulting in which now. Excuse me. EXPLAIN!??! Joshua had a sneaky Game running with Skeezy that directly lead to Hazuki ordering Skeezy to destroy Shinjuku??? Is that what I am reading. Or possibly the order was already in the works, and then there was the Game, which ultimately just pushed that forward?? You can’t just say shit like that and not give details ffffffff.

 #2 Mr H having about as much contempt for Shinjuku rules as I do I feel seen haha. Bogus indeed. I can’t remember if I said it in one of my other posts, of if it was in a group chat, but I made a comment somewhere how this ruleset doesn’t seem to work with the stated purpose of the whole Reaper’s Game system. Sweet validation.

 #3 Not much to say except that if I had read this entire report when I actually got it, I would have been much more alarmed by all of the Replays Rindo has to do after that. I got it partway through week 3 but decided not to read it until I beat the game and then BAM it has this lovely tidbit about potentially being able to destroy the UG and RG.

 #4 So, the business that the fandom refers to as the Long Game is known in universe by the higher-ups and Shibuya’s impurification, because it didn’t get ‘purified’ like Shinjuku (I object to that term but ok).

“The hierarchical freeze presumably stems from opposition to the impurification”

Skeezy wasn’t reprimanded when he arrived in Shibuya “possibly because most Higher Plane denizens still oppose Shibuya’s impurification”

ExcUSE ME. I. WHAT. In one of the secret reports for the first game, Mr H says something about the way things turned out be an ‘ideal parallel world’ according to the Angels. I guess he only meant the ones who didn’t want the city destroyed holy shit. That most of them didn’t want Joshua to change his mind and STILL DON’T is so massively fucked up I can’t. Dear Higher Plane, what the actual, ever loving fuck.

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

#5 One hundred and four Games under Shiba. That’s… so. many. teams. Holy shit. And the teams we knew had seen at LEAST 30 teams go. And the three teams we saw weren’t small. So many people…

Also, “Minamimoto seems to be plotting something” is the funnies thing I’ve read in ages OF COURSE HE IS that’s what he DOES. XD That was some mood whiplash.

#6 I was so hung up on the lack of entry fee for so long you don’t even know. Like. Those were so important in the first one it was baffling to me that Shinjuku rules didn’t have anything similar. And then eventually I just decided that the whole Game wasn’t being run correctly and Shiba was clearly after something other than driving the improvement that’s supposed to be the point.

I would like more explanation on this ‘Rindo’s stagnation makes him perfect for time travel thing’. I kind of understand how his reactions being consistent would be helpful in being able to control where the timeline goes (also I just realized this further confirms that Angels remember the other timelines glad I wasn’t imagining that the Prime days are a blur), but what does he mean about being able to maintain abnormally high levels of imagination? (It might tell me later so don’t say anything lol)

“I can only hope I’m not overthinking things.” Oh, you aren’t. If I’m understanding everything correctly, Skeezy actually had two proxies. And poor Rindo managed to end up being proxy for both sides at the same time which is. A mess.

 #7 Well, finally we know how Coco managed to get her hands on a taboo sigil. Plagiarism. Lmao. That at least makes sense and I can worry less about her being Something Else. I would like a word with whoever didn’t clean that up from Udagawa long enough for her to copy it though. That’s hilarious. Interesting that Mr H thinks it wasn’t a perfect recreation though, that something in him got changed. Once again, please elaborate. Please. *headdesk* What prompted Coco to just. Copy a taboo sigil though. Cuz that seems. Unusual.

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

#8 Ok there’s a lot to unpack in this one. Namely, more Shinjuku rules. I would love to know if these are long standing rules or relatively recent. Cuz like. Did Shinjuku’s Game ever run in a way that would drive the kind of improvement that’s supposed to be the overall goal? Or has it always, or at least for a while now, been basically a meat grinder? The players that don’t clear that minimum bar probably just get erased outright, I would think. Actually, I’m confused. If normally, one team would get to leave and one team would be erased, wouldn’t that normally keep the average pretty level, so the Game would basically go on forever? Otherwise what do you do with all the other teams that are between first and last? I’m confused. It can’t be normal for teams to keep asking for more rounds. And what if the winning team says ‘everyone gets to go home’?

“The Conductor has yet to contact the Composer” and “it is possible he is unaware of the Higher Plane’s purification protocol.” I don’t know why, but I get the feeling these are important.

 #9 These secret reports are really driving at the whole ‘Rindo just goes with it’ thing, aren’t they. Like, that was his thing, right? He has trouble making definitive decisions? So his arc culminates in that moment in Udagawa where he tells Hazuki that he’s going to take the risk and go back one more time, where he’s making that decision purely for his own sake. And here Mr H seems to be saying that prodding Rindo down the road to character growth is going to be a lot harder than it was with Neku back in the day. Which makes sense, I think. Confronting someone with the concept that other people have value is a lot less complicated than trying to get them to not only make a firm decision, but to choose something that is purely because it’s what they want and need, not because someone else thinks they should.

It’s a little alarming that this report implies that if the pin wasn’t absorbing the Dissonance caused by the Replays, the UG and RG would already be having a bad time. Yikes. This is the report for day 2 of the second week. We haven’t even gotten into the crazy time travel yet.

Aaaaand #10 is for completing the social network, so I have to actually go do Another Day. I want to read these in order; it is much less confusing that way.

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

#10 I really shouldn’t read these late at night with a possible migraine coming on, they’re already confusing enough. The bits that made sense: Uzuki was acting Conductor damn girl. (Did she have to deal with Joshua and was he in Dignified Mode or Being a Shit Mode because that’s possibly an oof.) I had assumed Shiba was Shinjuku’s Conductor and then just kinda took over after they moved in but apparently not? And RIP the actual Conductor, apparently. Weird that so many Reapers made it but the Conductor, who by all rights should have, didn’t.

I am slightly concerned by the fact that there’s standard procedure for obliterating a district. That’s. Alarming.

I don’t think page 4 is continuing the thought on page 3. Fucking. Stop that. Don’t just say a thing and then start talking about something else I would like EXPLANATIONS. UGH. “Almost” he says. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that almost is a big deal, so why don’t you tell me about it.

Four cases where a district got into trouble before a final decision on whether to reset or not was made. And one was the last game. I wonder if that means whatever was wrong that made Joshua want to destroy it, or if the ‘imbalance’ was all the madness that happened after he agreed to one final Game with Kitaniji and the left the UG. Cuz in one of the first set of secret reports, it says that with the Composer absent, the UG is starting to fall apart as the rules are no longer valid, or something like that. I would definitely call that an imbalance.

 #11 All I care about in this report is that Mr H wants to have a digital art bonding party with Kaie and that is so random why are you writing this down you absolute goober. The first page of this report is like ‘everyone is getting depressed’ and then just a wild left turn into dork-town. Lmao what.

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

#12 I don’t think Mr H knows at this point (you get this report for W2D5’s Boss Noise) that the Ruinbringers are all Reapers. He’s gonna be mad. He does know what Shoka is up to though. He’s worried. Aw.

 #13 It didn’t occur to me until this report hit me in the face with it, but they’ve set up a fantastic contrast between the two people Rindo knows from online. One is. not great, let’s say, because I did not take the reveal of Motoi’s true self well. The other is Shoka, and she’s a real friend. I now see what you did there. One relationship that’s a farce and one that really, really isn’t.

 #14 Me, out loud, at 1:30 in the damn a.m.: WAIT. HOLD THE FUCK UP.

If getting Tsugumi out of Mr Mew required an Angel, how in the hell did Shiki manage to…? What. I’m very confused.

Also damn, saving Tsugumi was so important that Shinjuku’s Conductor died for it. Did he know what she could do, the whole visions thing? Or maybe that something was wrong with Shiba and it would take someone like her to potentially stop him in the future?

I still would like to now how the hell Tsugumi got her hands on Mr Mew. Especially since its apparently the ORIGINAL Mr Mew and she seems to have had him during the inversion? What.

 #15 So… Inversions don’t always happen when a region is purified. I’m trying to wrap my brain around what a ‘complete loss of character’ in and area that’s had an Inversion could mean. Like… I think I get it, but my brain won’t make words, let alone sentences. Like when you go into a hotel room, and it doesn’t feel like a home, as opposed to when you go to a friend or family’s house, and it does? Kinda like that but it’s the whole district that’s just… blank? That’s kinda creepy.

If there are so many who think a ‘regular purification’ isn’t enough, the a) what does that even look like, b) is that what Joshua was going to do to Shibuya and c) is there an intermediate step between ‘normal’ and Inversion? I have been staring at this report for literally 15 minutes now.

 #16 “I wonder how [Shiba] will feel about all this after he is allowed to return to his former self.” Yuuuuuup. I still Do Not Like him, but dude was borderline mind controlled so like. Yeah. And I did get to kill him once, so. As long as he minds his business and isn’t a total dick from here on, whatever. It all just sucks.

*facepalm* Well at least we got to being suspicious of Replay eventually. Why did it take you this long Mr H. Though I do wonder what Rindo would have been able to do without the interference. He had to have some kind of latent skill for the pin to react to him, right? I’m now going in circles mentally trying to puzzle out if Replay is like, a leveled up version of whatever Rindo would have naturally had, and regardless, where exactly it came from. Because the only time I can think of when anyone had a chance to mess with the pin was when he didn’t catch it in the prologue. And I’m pretty sure it was Joshua who picked it up. Aaagh I’m giving myself a headache.

I find it hard to believe skeezy would just yeet a random time travel pin out into the world. That seems both dumb as fuck and inefficient.

 #17 “Some of them who know what I am occasionally try to contact me.” Lol so Kariya DOES know who Mr H is, I take it. Alright.

I’m having some kind of emotion that Wildkat still exists in a way for the Reapers, and that some of them still go there.

I just imagined Uzuki texting him like ‘plz make the Composer fucking do something kthx’ and I’ve got the giggles now oh dear

 #18 HA! I was right! Minamimoto WASN’T in control when he attacked us! ‘Distortions within himself’ though, that’s concerning. Does that have to do with how he’s come back from the dead twice now? And how Coco’s copy of the sigil was apparently imperfect?

 #19 I was about to say ‘who would target him for his abilities?’ and then my brain turned back on because duh. Shiba and them were looking hard for Neku, to the point that they flooded the RG with Player Pins in the hopes that he would pick one up and get sucked into the Game. A thing that occurred to me last night at 3:30 in the morning because I am a disaster: Mr H says that Minamimoto ‘seems different’. Neku says much the same thing after he comes back. So… Neku’s ability to Scan all the way down to someone’s Soul is potentially close to as sensitive as Mr H’s long distance ability. Which is a little insane. On top of the fact that he can use basically every psych imaginable no problem, survived a pact with a Composer for a full week, while said Composer was using crazy light beams which probably should have melted Neku from the feedback, and then almost singlehandedly defeated the Conductor while somehow inventing four-way fusion attacks. Kid is mad powerful. And he’s just a human. Like, the OG secret reports say that people always become dramatically stronger when they become Reapers. Reaper!Neku would be unstoppable.

“This would be much simpler if I could sit down and talk with him.” Okay, I laughed out loud. Like, loudly.

So… Shinjuku’s Composer… basically had his Conductor assassinated by skeezy. And because skeezy was messing with Shiba’s head, he could prompt Shiba to take the Reapers to Shibuya afterwards, to start doing it there too? Hazuki ordered Shinjuku’s purification so… Oh dear. I might have a few bones to pick with him.

 OH NO. OOOOOH. OH NOOOO. SHINJUKU’S CONDUCTOR. HE WAS TSUGUMI’S BROTHER OH MY GOD. That is fucking tragic what the fuck. What the FUCK. Okay several things make sense now but OH MY GOD FUCKING HELL I WAS NOT READY FOR THAT. Shiki fixing Mr Mew allowed Tsugumi to free herself because her brother had already done part of the work, I take it? Along with us getting the Noise out of there? No wonder the Conductor stayed, he had to go get his sister… Shit, man.

 …… Did Coco steal Mr Mew and take him to Shinjuku?????

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

#21 isn’t very interesting, just a rehash of stuff we already knew.

#22 Okay Haz IS Shinjuku’s Composer. What. Why? I’m. So confused. Why would he intercede on our behalf, and why NOW? He was happy to throw his own city away, but stepped in to stop skeezy in Shibuya? And then tried to put it back together, and when Rindo was miserable he came to try to understand why. And then cajoled Rindo into having a breakthrough in his Character Development to boot.

Mr H says he has an idea why Haz did all this. And then doesn’t fucking say it because OF COURSE. *headdesk* That gets really old really fast, game.

I’m now running through The Last Day’’ to get the final two reports and this entire section with Haz is somehow even more confusing with context. God damn it Nomura.

 #23 Even after he said we were on our on this time, he forced the Soul Pulvis to reform as Pheonix Cantus to make it easier for us to fight? Bro. What. Are all Composers just… walking contradictions? Aiya.

Shoutout to emotional support Joshua at the end there lol. I remember half-hysterically thinking ‘what are you just here for moral support?’ but ok. And I mean, it did work, Neku did manage to do the thing, so. *sigh* Speaking of, it is ABSOLUTELY INSANE that Neku manage to sync with the entire city without his brain melting. Remember at the beginning of the first game when he scans for the first time and has a massive sensory overload? Look at my boy, all grown up.

 #24 Holy shit world building on how exactly people come back to life without everyone freaking out. I never thought I would see the day.

I still have so many questions but that was always going to be the case. The first game had so many things it left open as well. Agh. Time to start wearing new holes in my brain overthinking things.

[linyi-is-dreaming]

The Drop Of A Tear - 11

BTS V x Y/N (Reader)

Summary: Tae meets a woman who is very manipulative. Before he even notices anything, she got him around her finger. He decides to leave his wife Y/N and his four kids to start a new life with the new woman. This perfect house of cards that he had just started to build, starts to unfold as she starts to show her true face. Piece by piece it makes him feel sick. Tae notices his wrong doing as his house of cards starts to fall apart. Regret and hate towards himself makes him wish to turn things around. Will he be able to safe his house of cards and to get back what he once threw away?

CHAPTER 11

In moments like this, Y/N appreciates that her kids enjoy simple things like playing cards with their family. Even though they could not go outside because Jungkook forgot to give them a key to his apartment, the fun and joy never became less as they continued to play cards. The hours passed so quickly that she only notices how late it is as she looks at her phone. To her surprise, a message from Tae shows up on her phone. Her thumb moves above his name multiple times before she decides to open his message.

TAE: Hello Y/N. I currently have a break, if you are able to talk, I am available now. I am just trying to check in if you are doing alright.

TAE: I see that you seem to busy now. How does your job search go? Do you have some job interviews coming up? I am proud of you not giving up. You will have soon a job interview. I am sure about it.

TAE: I hoped to talk with you about you and our kids on the phone but as you seem to busy, I will simply just text you... Maybe you are not in the mood to talk to me... I don’t know what to do to get in touch with you, but maybe you could tell me if our kids are alright? Do they eat well? Are they doing alright? I miss them so much! I hope I can see them soon. Regarding the amusement park: I wanted to pick them up for next weekend but my manager was able to put us on this variety show in the last minute. Needless to say, that I cannot say no to that :-(  

TAE: I know you do not want to hear it, but I miss you as well. Maybe I will hear from you another day. <3

All his messages were sent two hours ago with a few minutes difference. She does not want to answer him but the fear that he might show up in their former home, makes her type an answer almost automatically.

Y/N: Just saw your messages. Yes, the kids are eating well. Especially my little bear eats everything he can grab right now. The girls are as usually only want to eat sweets and the big boy loves burgers too much lately. I kind of knew that you will not be able to pick up the kids to go to the amusement park with them. I did not inform them that you had planned to pick them up – so no worries.  

With a long sigh, she puts her phone on the coffee table as she hopes he would not drive by her old house. For a moment, she thought about telling her kids that their father is asking about them but on the other side she is afraid that her daughter might not take it well and that might change the mood in the room quickly. As her son looks at her she shows them the time. “Kids, it is about time to make a dinner. I bet you all are just as hungry as me.”

“I am not hungry.”, her son says without letting a second pass after Y/N’s sentence. “Can we just keep playing?”

“Are you not hungry because you do not want to help in the kitchen or are you really not hungry?”

“I do not want to help in the kitchen...”, he confesses as his voice becomes quiet. “Sorry.”

“No reason to be sorry. You do not have to help if you do not want to. Okay, time to clean up. Kids, please bring all the games back into your room. I do not know when uncle Jungkook will return and I do not want this mess to be the first thing he sees when he comes back.”

“If we clean up, can we play in our room until you are done with preparing dinner?”, her younger daughter asks as she folds her hand in front of her face to beg her mother for a yes.

“How can I say no to that, huh?”, Y/N jokes as she pets her daughter’s hair. “Alright. Clean up and bring the cards back into your room. Do you want to play with your little brother as well? He looks a little bored watching us, don’t you think?” Her daughter nods as she picks up her little brother. “Thank you for cleaning up, my big boy.”, Y/N tells her son as she hugs him.  

“I will always be a boy to you, even when I am an adult one day. Right?”, her son asks with following long sigh.

“Well, that sounds like you do not want me to call you ‘my boy’ anymore.”

“Can you call me something else?”

“There is only one option if you do not like your nickname no more.”

“What would it be?”

“You would be my ‘hero’. You’re the oldest man in the household now and I never felt like I could not rely on you.”

“I think it is better but not the best idea...”

“You could think about something and let me know if you decide for one.” Her son nods as he turns to pick up his phone before he makes his way to their room.

“Do I get to pick one too?”, the younger girl asks as steps in front of her mother.

“No, because you are my lovely one. No changes for you, young girl.”, Y/N says with a wink as her daughter rolls her eyes.

“See, even if you ask nicely, you do not get what you want every time.”, her daughter explains to the toddler as she leans her face closer to his.

“I heard you, lovely.”, Y/N laughs as she walks into the kitchen. The younger daughter stops for a second before she turns to her mother.

“Mom, is it okay if I dress him up?”

“What’s the theme?”, she wonders as she watches the grin on her daughter’s face grow.

���I thought maybe a color theme.”

“Just do not dress him to warm, okay?”

“Okay.”, her daughter answers energetic.

“No running when you hold your brother!”, Y/N scolds as she watches her disappear into their room. Once she sees the ingredients in the fridge, she already knows what she will be cooking for dinner. One ingredient after the one ends up on the kitchen counter. As she prepares the knives and plates, she notices her oldest child in the corner of her eye. For a moment, she puts the vegetable that she had just taken into her hand, back onto the kitchen counter as she watches her daughter. The way her oldest is watching a video on her phone, makes her look lifeless as her face does not change, not even a little while she stares at the screen. Y/N clears her throat to get her daughter’s attention. Her try has been successful because her daughter turns to her as soon as she makes the sound. "Princess, do you want to play with your siblings or do you want to help me in the kitchen?”, Y/N wonders as she studies her child.

“I somehow do not want to do anything. I just want to sit here and do nothing.”, she answers with a depressed voice. The way her voice sounded, turns the alert go on in Y/N’s mind.

“That’s alright. But I only let you do that if you tell me why you are having your sad face on? Did something happen?” Worried about her daughter, she walks to her daughter to sit down next to her to make her feel that she is there for her, no matter what the problem might be. “What happened?”

“Dad texted me and I do not know if I should answer even though I do not want to.”, her daughter explains as she looks into her mother’s eyes.

“If you do not want to answer him, do not answer him. If you want to answer him, do it. It is up to you.”

“Will you tell him that I do not want to answer him?”

“If you want me to, I can tell him.”

“Could you tell him when he asks why I did not answer?”

“I will tell him when he is asking about your missing answer.”

“Thanks, mom.” The short two words sound as there would be more than she wants to say. Curiously, Y/N keeps sitting next to her until she cannot take it anymore, but to ask one more time if there is anything else that she did not say.

“Is there something else that is bothering you?”

“How mad will dad be if you tell him that I do not want to answer him?”

“Why would dad be mad if you do not want to talk with him? He might be hurt but he will not be mad.”

“He is already mad at me for acting the way I did whenever I met him.”, she answers as she pulls her knees to her chest. “I acted like a brat but he keeps pretending like nothing has ever happened. Is it wrong for me to behave like that just because of how he treated us? Is it alright that he behaves like nothing ever happened? Why is he like that?”

“You know, I do not understand his behavior either right now. But he is trying in his own kind of way to handle the situation.”

“Ignoring the situation, we are in, is not really how to deal with it.”, her daughter says angrily.

“I think, ignoring the situation is his way to move on. What I am trying to say is that, he is not truly ignoring the situation, he is just trying to use a reset button that does not exist. Does it make sense to you?”

“It kind of does make sense.”, her daughter sighs. “I just feel bad for not answering a text.”

“You always have been like that. That is one of the reasons why I am texting you first all the time.”

“You are using my need to answer quickly, for your own use?”

“Hey, a mother is allowed to do that to check on her kids.”, Y/N jokes as a laugh escapes their lips. “What did he text you? Is it an unfriendly text?”

“No, he only wrote that he was wondering if we are doing alright and that he misses us.”

“That is nice, isn’t it? I told you, he did not forget about you.”

“Why would he send me a text like that? He did not even contact me on my birthday and now he asks how I am doing? I still heard no happy birthday nor a happy delayed birthday...”

“Your dad is trying to be a better father to you and your siblings. I guess, he is trying to do it now. I am sorry he still did not congratulate you.”

“What if he uses me to make you forgive him?” Her daughter’s words make Y/N speechless for a moment as she thinks about her question. Tae showed a different side of him that she never expected to see of him but that he would manipulate his kids to get to her? That would be something that she could not imagine him to do. But that he would cheat on her, is something she would have not expected to happen either. Y/N leans a bit more forward towards her daughter to listen even closer to her concerns. “What if he is just being sneaky to get to you through us?”

“Your dad might act like a...”, Y/N stops herself from talking as she clears her throat. “But he told me that he is trying to change. He said that he feels regret and he wants to be a good father again.”

“Will you forgive him? Will we move back in with him? I do not want to do that...”

“Whatever happens between me and your dad, is a decision between me and him. It has nothing to do with you or your siblings. But no, I talked with your uncle and he said we can stay until we will find something on our own.” The girl nods her head in understanding. With a quick movement, she pulls her knees even closer to her chest and rests her face on them as she looks at her mother’s face again.

“I do not want to see you with dad again. I do not even want to be in the same room as him...”

“I think you made your point clear, sweetheart.”, Y/N tells her as places her hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

“Dad is such an awful person... No matter how many times I keep thinking about it all. I keep wondering one question. Why did he leave us for someone else? I mean, grandfather always told me that he was never happier as when he got married to you. He told grandfather that he is so proud to be a father and he could never imagine to be without us. But then he drops this bomb on us? Why did he not care about us for months? Why was somebody else suddenly so important to him?” The more Y/N keeps listening, the more she feels how the tears are trying to make the escapes from her eyes as she sees her daughter struggle to make up her mind about the situation.

“You really thought a lot about it... Listen, even if I wanted to, I am not able to answer your question.”

“If you cannot answer my question, who could? I already asked grandfather and grandmother but they always tell me that I will figure out the answer one day. When is this one day going to come? I just want to understand it all.”

“There is only one way. I know you will hate the idea as soon as you hear it, but I have to ask you a question in return before I tell you who could.” Nervous about her daughter’s reaction, Y/N licks her lips as she leans even closer to her daughter. “Have you forgiven your father? Are you able to? Not like forgiving him, but have you forgiven him enough to speak to him? Is your heart big enough to find a space to communicate with him, on a normal level to make your mind rest?”

“No, I do not think I can. I do not feel alright to forgive him but it does not feel right to pretend he does not exist... Are you able to forgive him, mom?”

“Sweetheart, you dad hurt me badly and that will take time to heal.”, she answers as places her hands on her own lap. “To be completely honest with you, I do not want to forgive him either. Not even if I could. But no matter how I feel, he is still your dad. Your relationship to him is not defined by how he treats me. It might change the way you see him but do not weigh your decision on what I tell you.”

“Did he ever text you about us? Is he asking if we are doing alright? Is he even trying?”  

“Lately, he texts at least once a day. He always sends one question, if you kids are alright.”

“He is asking about me too?”  

“Yes. Since he broke up with, well you know, this woman.” As soon as she starts to speak about his break up, her daughters eyes start to change.

“Mom, the word you are looking for is bitch.”, her daughter tells her confidently.  

“Do not use that word! I told you no matter who it is, do never use a word like that.”  

“Dad called her that name before. I think it is okay for us to use it.”  

“He said what word in front of you?”, Y/N asks shocked.  

“He said it to her when she was supposed to look after my siblings because dad wanted to talk with me alone. Turned out that she did not look after them whilst she was on the phone with a male friend of hers. Dad did not believe her that it was just a friend and yelled at her that my little brother might could have choked on his food if she does not supervise him whilst giving him food.”  

“Did he say that in front of you? You seem to have heard every word...”  

“No, he did not. He took her by the arm and pulled her into another room. I only followed them.”  

“You should not listen to adults when they have a conversation! Did I not tell you that a million of times by now?”  

“You did, but-”, annoyed that her daughter seems not to listen she interrupts her.  

“No buts. You will try to change this bad behavior of yours.”  

“I am sorry, mom.”, her daughter says apologetic.  

“It is alright, this time. It is only alright this time because you will change that, right?”  

“Right.”  

“Good. Where were we...?”  

“You wanted to say something about this bitch.” Y/N sighs deeply as she closes her eyes to take a deep breath.

“Just because your father called her dad, we will call her that too but only this time, got me?”  

“Got it.”  

“Alright. What I wanted to say is that, since he broke up with this ‘bitch’, he wants to be closer to you and your siblings. He misses his kids and I know it is hard to believe but he said it in a painful voice. I think, he truly misses you and your siblings a lot.”  

“If he misses us so much, why did he leave in the first place? He had no reason to find someone else!”  

“I cannot answer you that question because I wanted to ask my father the same question when he left me and my mom. When he left me and my mom, I was lost. I had nobody but my mom around me.”

“You told me about grandpa leaving you when you were little.”

“Listen, she had to take care of me by her own, we barely had money as we do now and she worked every possible minute to earn enough money. We had days, on which we skipped eating and days on which our bodies felt like ripping apart in pain because of hunger. It took only a few months until your grandmother could not continue anymore. I only saw her on the weekends and then she was mostly asleep. You get what I am trying to tell you?”

“No, but you will not do that. Right, mom?”

“No, I will not. You four are too precious to me. Plus, we have help.”

“How old were you when it all happened?”

“I was almost your age. I was around thirteen years old.”

“But what happened until you were an adult? You told me something before, but that would be four years after your dad left...”

“I will explain it slowly for you. As I said, your grandmother could not handle it. A year after my dad left, somebody gave her something illegal for the little money we had and she started to change soon after, and I do not mean that in a good way. I did not see her for weeks sometimes and each day I cursed at my father in my mind for doing this to my mother. I hated him so much. I had to start to work a part time job to get something to eat and I thankfully had an aunt who I could convince to pick me up and to let me stay with her. As you remember, she died on cancer a year before I met your dad...”, Y/N says as memories keep coming back to her mind. “Anyway.”, Y/N sighs. “Grandma, did not notice that I left. If auntie would have not found her that day, we would have never known what had happened to her.”

“I know, she died when you were seventeen.”  

“Yes, that was not easy for me either. Look, all those years of her drinking, having another male stranger in the house every time when she was home scared the hell out of me. But I had no one else for the first years until I convinced my aunt to pick me up. But you do. You have your siblings as well as uncles and aunts and friends who were helping us so much within the last few weeks and months. I am telling you about my childhood to make you understand that we all cannot tell you how to handle this situation because we are not you. You must listen to your heart and figure out if you want to talk it out with your dad or not. No matter how you decide, figure out why you want to do it or why you do not want to. If it feels right, do it or not.”  

“Does it not hurt you if we forgive him?”  

“You are his children as you are mine. If you guys are happy, I am happy. I do not want any of you to be sad or to feel as the other parent is not there for you, because that is not true. I told you once before, I am the lighthouse and you are the ships. Wherever you are, I will shine so bright that you will find your way back home.”  

“Thank you, mom!”, her daughter says as she hugs her mother.

“You’re welcome sweetheart. Do you feel better now?”  

“I do but I still do not know what to do...”  

“Well, he still wants to go with you to the amusement park but he cannot go as planned. Your dad told me that he still wants to go with you though.”  

“I do not have to see him, right?”, the little girl asks insecure. “Do I have to be with him?”

“Sweetheart, I do not want to push you to do so but do you want to stay home alone without your siblings whilst they are at the park?”

“I do not feel pressured if that is what you are trying to figure out, mom. It is just, I want to be close to dad, I want a dad in my life. But it hurts to know what we meant for him the last few months.”

“I know sweetheart. I know it sucks so bad. You have no clue how much I would like to take this pain from you.”

“I see that you are trying but still I wished I had a dad to rely on.”, she confesses as she starts to play with one of the pillows on the couch.

“I know you are a daddy girl. You always have been.”

“Will you ever trust a man again? I mean, will I ever have a dad again?”

“I know what you want to hear, but I am not ready and legally I am still married to your father... One day, I maybe find someone again, okay? My heart needs to heal before I let anyone else in.”

“I understand.”

“You sound more sad than relieved...”  

“It is just, I want a father in my life who cares that I exist and who cares about me like uncle Jungkook does. He is always there and helping us just like a father used to... Dad does not care about me since the other siblings were born, I had less and less time with dad and after what happened, I thought maybe what happened between him and you is happening because of me.”, her daughter explains quickly as she lets her pain off her chest. “Everything has somehow something to do with me.”

“What do you mean, sweetheart?”  

“Before he left, I sometimes told him that I would be better off without a father and that I would not need him as he has no time for me.”  

“That has absolutely nothing to do with what happened.”, Y/N assures.  

“Are you sure? Because he does not even remember my birthday nor that I exist except he feels bad for not talking to us.”

“I am sure it has nothing to do with you. I know what your birthdays mean to you.”

“Dad does not.”  

“Maybe he is too scared to bring it up now.”

“Why would he be scared to bring it up? All I wanted was at least a ‘birthday’.”

“We celebrated your birthday.”

“Yeah, you, the siblings, one friend of mine and uncle Jin’s wife. Nobody else came.”

“I am sorry sweetheart.”

“I just want to know why...”

“Your uncles had meetings without a stop and they took almost all day. You remember when your friend explained that uncle Jin only came home around midnight or even later?”

“Dad made a mess everywhere and then he was nowhere to be found... I want to know why.”

“But there is only one way to get your answers.”  

“How?”  

“You will need to talk it off your heart to your dad.” Just as Y/n expected, her daughter looks disappointed at her.  

“There is no way around it, is it?”  

“I do not think that you want to be like me. Being an adult and wondering what your father’s answers might have been if you had the chance to talk with him. I was not brave enough to ask him, why he left, but I bet you are.”  

“The conversation will be weird.”  

“Weird? Maybe strange but not weird. Look, give it a try and if you cannot do it and you want to try another time, I bet your dad would understand that you are not ready.”  

“What if he yells at me again?”  

“If he yells at you, you walk away and tell him that it was his last chance. Either he listens and talks with you with respect or your relationship is done.”  

“Is that what you would have told grandfather?”  

“Yes. I planned to say it every day. Every day I stopped near his house. He looked weak and broken but I still was afraid of him. Every time I looked at him, I remembered all the punches and hits I had to take when I was a kid and the fear came right back up. I let the fear stop me for a long time. On that one day, I finally was brave enough and I got out the car and ringed his door bell. Unfortunately, he did not open. So, I decided to wait. One of his neighbors informed me after a while that he had passed away a night before. I went to his funeral and nobody except of a few neighbors were there. Every single one of them told me, that he died with regret. His regret to not knowing, who I became. They said that he regretted to not know where I am at nor if I finished the school. I guess, you understand what I am trying to tell you. Do you?”  

“You think I will regret not figuring out too?”  

“I think the question ‘why’ will follow me until my last breath. If the same goes for you, I cannot tell but I hope it won’t.”  

“I did not know that you are still wondering about the reason... I expected the curiosity ends after a while. Thank you for telling me about grandpa and grandma.”

“I never wanted to tell you the story about your grandparents because you should not be thinking about what I went through and see them in a bad way, but I had to. I had to show you somehow that what you are going through right now, is similar to what I went through. If it would have not been similar, I would have not told you about my past.” As the silence breaks in, the girl starts to nod her head. In the moment, when her daughter tries to speak again, they hear the front door unlock. Curious both turn towards the door before the girl turns back to her mother. “Uh, Jungkook is back.” Her daughter’s eyes move towards the kitchen slowly. “I hope he like the dish I had planned for tonight.” Confused, the girl looks back at her mother with big eyes.

“Uhm, mom. Which dish? We did not finish cooking.” Y/N’s eyes widen as she notices that the whole time, she did not prepare anything. All the food is still on the kitchen counter, just as she had placed them before.

“You are right, we did nothing then to put out the ingredients.”, Y/N laughs as she puts her arm around her daughter’s shoulders to hug her. “I will cook something quickly. Do not worry.” Just as she was about to get up, she sees Jungkook leaning into the room with a smile.

“Hello to you two.”, Jungkook says joyfully as he undresses his shoes. “I heard some talking and wondered if I noticed the correct voices.”, he explains as he walks up to them.  

“Hello.”, both answer in unison. The unison talking felt awkward to Jungkook immediately as he keeps looking between both of them.

“Okay. Why are you talking in unison?” The nervousness as well as the worries are clear to hear in his voice.

“For no reason.”, Y/N explains with a smile.

“Why do you look so apologetic, princess?”, Jungkook asks as he looks a bit closer at the girl’s face. “Do not tell me you broke something in my studio. I said every room is okay to play in, just not in the studio.”

“I did not break anything. I swear we did nothing bad.”

“’We?’ Something is off with you... I can see that your face is paler as usual, your eyes always look pass me. Did one of the other kids break something? Your face is worrying me.” The girl looks at him as she would have seen a ghost. “Are you trying to hide something?”

“Oh, stop it!”, Y/N says as she steps next to him with an amused smile. She cannot tell why, but the more confused he looks, the more amusing it is to her. “Nobody broke something, damaged something nor anything like that. Trust me, your apartment is still the same as it was before.”

“I will accept that as an answer...”, he comments as he sees them smile. He cannot help it, but to smile along with them as he turns towards the kitchen. His eyes immediately registered the ingredients. The more ingredients he sees, the higher is index finger rises. “Why are ingredients all over my kitchen counter? Is the little champ learning about vegetables?”

“No, it is not like you think. See, it is just that I forgot the ingredients on the kitchen counter as I was talking with my princess. I was just about to cook... I forgot about cooking but no worries! I will make something really quick. You must be starving by now after practice.”  

“You wanted to cook but you forgot about it? Perfect!”, he says before he picks up the bags from the wardrobe. With a few quick steps, he brings a few plastic bags which look as they are filled with food. “I hope you are very hungry. I wanted to eat some western food tonight.”, he explains as he holds up the bags. “I hope that is alright for you all?”

“Awesome!”, her daughter cheers as she hugs him. “I will let the others know that dinner is ready.” Jungkook laughs as he watches her run.

“She will never be a fast runner, will she?”

“Well, she might not be a fast runner but she has a good heart.” Without saying anything else, she steps into the kitchen area. “Okay, time to put away the ingredients.”  

“Oh wow. You wanted to cook with all that?”, Jungkook asks as he follows her into the kitchen. “I usually use maximum five ingredients when I cook.”

“Really? I always cook with at least three or more.”

“Impressive. Not like I never watched you cooking, but it still amazes me.”

“Thanks.” Touched by Jungkook’s sweet words, she tries to hurry up the cleaning process.

“What was the topic that made you forget about the food?”, Jungkook wonders as he helps her putting the ingredients away.  

“She asked me about her dad and then we got lost in time. My beautiful sweetheart is struggling with her heart and mind.”  

“Oh, is that why she acted so strangely?”

“No.”

“I did not mean to appear mean to her I hope she does not take it to personal... No? What do you mean ‘no’?”

“I mean yes, she is doing okay but no to her acting strange. I guess she was worried how you would react if you saw that much food on the kitchen counter.”

“She still does not trust me, huh?”

“She does, but there are just a few things in which she is super careful in.”  

“But besides that, is she truly doing alright?”

“I think so. At least it appears to me as she is. She told me that she does not know if she shall talk things out with Tae or not.” Jungkook movements are slowing down as he thinks about her last sentence.

“What did you answer her?”, he asks carefully.

“I told her how I feel about never talking things out with my father. I guess she understands now, that I can sympathize with her.”  

“You did not have it easier either...”  

“You remembered what I once mentioned years ago?”  

“Yeah. That is why we all called you the strong leader of the bangtan-wives.”, Jungkook explains as he starts to laugh.

“I did not know that you called me that.”, she responses as she cannot hold her laugh back either.  

“We did. We stopped it though because Namjoon’s wife meant that is not alright to put you a title on you that you did not ask for.”

“I love this woman. She fits so well to Namjoon.” Jungkook smiles as he takes a few plates to prepare the table for dinner.  

“But she can be scary though.”  

“Scary? She is so not scary at all.”  

“Uhm, she mentioned on several occasions, if he ever does anything as close as stupid as Tae did, she will make a sausage from his... from his penis.” Y/N bites her lips to not show a smile. “You do not have any sympathy for him, do you?”, Jungkook jokes.  

“Sorry, but you guys are always afraid as we women would be so stupid to do that.”  

“Well, it is a sensitive topic.”  

“It might be, but we are not too stupid to do it ourselves. I mean, the blood and the screams...”

“How relaxed I feel to have you in my apartment.”, he adds sarcastic. “Uh, right. Before I forget again.” He puts his hand in his pocket to take a key out of his pocket. “I remembered that I forgot to give you one. It is Yoongi’s emergency key from this apartment. If there is any emergency, only Jimin and Jin have the other ones.”  

“Thanks, Jungkook.”, she thanks as she takes the key.

“Did you plan to do something with the kids tomorrow?”

“They wanted to check out the bus station to know from where their bus to school will drive off from.”

“Uncle Jungkook!”, Y/N’s son says loudly as he hugs him.

“Hello! I hope you are all hungry.”, Jungkook says loudly as Y/N takes the toddler from her daughter. Whilst Jungkook is filling up the plates from the kids with food, he keeps an eye on Y/N. Once everyone had their food and the kids start to eat, Jungkook turns to Y/N. “Why do you not put him into the seat for now? You should eat too.”

“You are probably right.”, Y/N says as she places him in his seat. “Thankfully fruits are on his plate tonight.”

“Only fruits?”

“Yeah, lately he only wants fruits for dinner.”  

“Here you are.”, Jungkook tells her as he hands her a carton. “A burger for you. I hope it is still warm.”

“Thanks.” The table was filled with laughter and joy as the kids made funny faces at each other. Even though everything seems more than alright, his thoughts change when he sees how Y/N’s hands shake.

“Are you okay?”, Jungkook asks quietly just so that the kids would not hear him. “Y/N?”

“Yeah, I am alright.”

“Your hands are shaking a lot.”

“I did not eat since breakfast, maybe that’s why.”

“You have to eat more.”, Jungkook comments as he takes some french fries to put it on her plate.  

“That is too much! Jungkook, I cannot eat that much.”, she says as quiet as she can to keep the conversation between both of them.

“Yes, you can and you will.”, he comments as he crosses his arms in front of his empty plate as he keeps watching the table. It would be a lie to say that he is starting to relax when her hands start to shake less. It worries Jungkook if Y/N is even trying to take care of herself. “By the way, kids and Y/N. Yoongi was asking if the older three would want to have a sleep over at his house. The sleepover would be tomorrow. What do you say?”

“Mom, are we allowed to go?”, her son wonders.

“Do you want to go?”

“Yes!”

“Well, I guess we have to pack some sleepover bags.” Before anyone could say anything else, the kids jump up and run into their room.

“Well, at least their finished their food in comparison to others.”, Jungkook jokes as he looks at her plate.

“I will try to finish it.” Jungkook nods as he looks to the little boy.  

“I will wash you in the meantime. Mommy can finish her food and afterwards she will bring you to bed, alright my champ?” Y/N watches the scene unfold in front of her eyes as she enjoys the giggle of her little son.

💧💧💧

The printer is still printing the document from Y/N’s phone as Jungkook puts the glasses of water on the coffee table. “I hope I am still not disturbing you while spreading my stuff all over the living room.” Jungkook laughs as he looks around.

“What do you mean? I see nothing.”, he jokes as he sits down. “If there is only one kid to check on, it is so much easier.”

“Is he awake? I did not hear him.”

“No, he is not. Champ is sleeping his well-deserved sleep.”

“I got it all printed and ready for your lawyer.”

“Perfect, let me see.” Carefully, Jungkook reads through the paper until he finds one point. “So, you decided to make him pay three-hundred bucks each month per child?”  

“I calculated it off from my princess’ age. Until she is eighteen, it should be enough money for her to get her own car or her first small apartment. The others will have more by the time they turn eighteen but I think it is fair.”

“Why do you not mention that he should get them a car or an apartment by the right age?”

“Can I even request that?”

“I do not know but I will note it down.” He grabs the pen and starts writing.

“Uhm, Jungkook. Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“I do not know why but I feel like you feel uncomfortable of having us around.” Jungkook’s eyes immediately look up at her. “Maybe I am wrong. Sorry. Forget what I said.”

“Having you here does not make it uncomfortable for me. I love having you guys around here.”, he tells her without thinking twice.

“Okay. I was just asking because the vibe you are giving off is different than usual.”

“Really? Not at all though. I love having you around here.”, he tells her quickly.

“Did Tae contact you? I mean, did he say or ask anything suspiciously?”

“He asked me where you are staying but he did not want to tell me why he is asking me this question.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I told him that I do not know either.” Y/N nods. “Do you want me to tell him?”

“No. I do not want have any more drama in my life. I know for sure that he will go crazy if he knows about it.”

“I guess he will. Anyway, how do the paper sound to you? I mean in general except of the changes you printed out.”

“Very good. I searched him up, he only lost two cases within his fifteen years in his career. Very impressive.”

“Told you, I will get the best one for you.”

“He must be super expensive.”

“As long as the kids stay with you, it is worth it.”

“Thank you.”, she says as she hugs him. “You are amazing. I will try to pay back every single penny.”

“There is another way, on how you could pay me back.” Y/N moves her upper body away from Jungkook as she looks into his eyes. “It is kind of a job actually.”

“What kind of job?”

“I do not think low of you. Please, do not think that!”

“Jungkook. I will ask you one more time, but then I would like to have an answer. What kind of job is it?”

“All you have to do is take care of the apartment and when I move with you guys into a new apartment, to keep that one clean as well. I know, the job of a cleaner is not the highest ranked job but it is a way to stay busy-”, Jungkook tries to explain before she interrupts him.

“That’s it?”, she interrupts. “All I got to do is taking care of your home?”

“Well, you and the kids would have to move with me once I get the new apartment...”

“Oh. Okay. Is it far from here?”

“Not really. There is a bus stop like five minutes from the apartment I looked at earlier today, the bus drives to your kids' school. Which means you would have not to drive them daily.”

“I will have to talk with the kids, but what about the rent?”

“If you take care of the house chores and cooking at the weekend, it will be for free.”

“Why are you offering me this job?”

“I have my reasons plus you keep on repeating to pay me back and you do not seem to quit on it, I am offering you this ‘job’.”

“So, the kids and I are allowed to stay rent-free as long as I do my job?”

“Yes. Are you okay with it?”

“I am! Thank you, Jungkook.” She places her arms around him to hug him once again. “Is there another reason why?”

“No, I just trust you. You need a place to stay. Because I love to keep my loved ones around.” As soon as he finishes his sentence, he notices that her eyes have gotten bigger.

“Your loved ones?”

“The kids grew on me, you know?”, Jungkook explains as his face becomes red. “I love to have the kids around. Because living alone is getting at me... Do I need to continue?” The sweat in his palms become more each second as he hopes to not say anything wrong.

“Nope. Honestly, it feels good to not be the only adult in the house. It gives back a bit of sanity.”

“Has its positive sides too, huh?” Y/N nods in agreement. The longer it is silent, the more he wants to tell her about what he talked about with her daughter the last time in the kitchen whilst she was asleep. Even though he wants to tell her, he decides to bite his lips instead. “Do you also want a pizza?”

“Any pizza sounds good to me.”

“Alright. Let’s order something then.”, Jungkook announces as he grabs his phone. Excited about the pizza, he looks for the number in his phone.

“You have the number saved in your phone?”

“Who does not save their favorite deliverer in their phone?”

“You really are something special.”, she laughs as she leans backwards against the couch with her glass in her hand.

“Am I?”, he asks with a funny facial expression as he steps to the wardrobe to prepare the money whilst ordering the pizza. “Pizza is on its way!”, Jungkook announces loudly as soon as he finished his order.  

“Yey!”, Y/N cheers as she puts the paper together.

“Hello?”, Jungkook says as he picks up his phone.

“Fast question: is Y/N still at your place?”, Jimin asks stressed.

“She still is. Why?”

“Tae got the news that Y/N has an official lawyer now.”

“Oh. Is he taking it badly?”

“Yeah, he is pretty much losing his mind right now. He is literally cursing you out for the last ten minutes… I have no idea how to calm him down. He is now with our manager in the other room.”

“Who else is there?”  

“Me and Hoseok. Tae came in as we practiced and started to yell like crazy.”

“Who told him about it?”

“Well, your lawyer informed his lawyer that there will be another divorce paper as she is not happy with everything noted in the paper.”

“Uh, I forgot to tell him to wait until we have the final version.”

“You obviously forgot something!”

“Does he know you are calling me?”

“Not exactly... I told him I will call the other members and see if someone could come over.”

“I actually just ordered pizza.”

“So, I tell him that I could not reach you?”

“Tell him I just drove away from Yoongi and you could not reach me. Did you call Yoongi already? Yoongi is taking care of the older kids of Y/N.”

“I did not contact Yoongi yet. I will call him up next.”

“Thanks.”

“Jungkook, I hope you know that I am sorry for dragging you into this but I think it is going to be messier than we all expected.”

“I expected Tae to flip out.” Jimin sighs loudly whilst he hears Hoseok talk in the background.

“Is she doing alright? Everything okay at your place”

“Yes, she just prepared the notes for the divorce paper.”

“You are sure you are doing this as just a friend? Did you have a chance to talk with her?”

“What do you mean?”

“I am talking about your feelings and about her daughter who spoke with Jin’s daughter, who wants you to replace Tae’s spot as a father. If that was still not clear enough, I am talking about Y/N’s daughter. Yoongi already talked with Jin because his child just told him the same thing as Y/N’s sweetheart told Jin’s daughter. You have to talk at least with the young girl that she cannot walk around and say that. If Tae hears that... Oh man that is going to be a mess.”

“You know about it too?”

„We all do. Except of Tae... Will you join in later with us or not?” The sound of the doorbell makes Jungkook turn towards the door. “Hello?”

“Sorry, the pizza deliverer just distracted me.”, Jungkook tells him as he opens the door for the deliverer man. He shows the deliverer his flat hand as he grabs his wallet whilst trying to not drop his phone. “I will text you but not within the next thirty minutes if I should not text you later on, see me as not coming.”

“Got it. Bye!”

“Bye!”, Jungkook says as he closes the door behind the delivery man. With the pizza in his hand, he walks back into the living room. “Look what has just arrived!”, he announces as he places the food in front of her.

“It smells delicious!” Y/N removes the wet cloth quickly with which she just cleaned the table. “Thank you, Jungkook.”, she says as she takes a piece. “Do you have a napkin?”

“Sorry. Yeah, of course.” He rushes into the kitchen to get the last two napkins from the kitchen. “I have to buy napkins again... I always forgot to buy those.”

“Thank you. Who were you on the phone with?”

“Why are you asking?”

“I heard ‘Tae’. Did he call you?”

“No, Jimin did. He informed me that my lawyer contacted his.”

“Oh.”

“Jimin said that he is taking it not so well.” While all kind of thoughts cross her mind, she starts to slow down her eating speed. “Are you okay?”

“Huh? Yes. Just a lot of thoughts crossing my mind.”

“Understandably. You are safe here.”, Jungkook assures as he keeps an eye on her.

“Will he figure out that I am staying here? I do not want any extra drama for the kids’ sake.”

“No one told him. How shall he know?”

“Does he never show up at your door?”

“Only sometimes, maybe every four to five months... He will not come here, I am sure.”

“Okay.”

“Jimin meant he and Hoseok are trying to call the members together to calm him down.”

“I guess you will have to leave?”

“I am not sure yet.”

“Are other members going to be there?”

“Jimin tries to call them up.”

“I hope he does not come here if you are the only one missing.”

“Do not worry. I will not let him in.”

“Your relationship changed just as much, huh?”

“I lost my respect for him and somehow, I do not know what to think about him.” she nods once again as she takes a big bite.

“I thought about your offer.”

“You do not have to answer it yet.”

“No, I think it would be a good idea. The kids love you and they like to stay in your apartment. We will work on that ‘dada’-thing though.” Jungkook takes a deep breath before he puts his pizza down.

“You are alright to clean for me?”

“If that is my job, I will do it.”

“Alright, there is just one thing I did not mention.”

“What is it?”

“No more talking about paying the money back to me, clear?”

“Yes, sir!”, Y/N says as she smiles at him. “This pizza is so good!” She would not be able to explain why, but she could tell that his eyes feel like home. There is something within them that makes her calm. That they smile like teenagers at each other, stays unnoticed by them until Jungkook suddenly looks away.

“This pizzeria is just down the street.” It does not even take a minute until his phone disturbs their conversation. His hand moves quickly to his phone to check who had texted him. “Jimin just texted me.”

“What did he text you?”

“I am the only one who would not come.”

“Well, then you should get going.”

“You are probably right...”, Jungkook says as he gets up. For whatever reason, he did not feel well of leaving her alone. What he does not know, she does not want him to leave either. Once again, they do not notice for how long they are staring in each other’s eyes. “I should hurry.”, Jungkook says slowly before he walks out of the living room.

“I see you later!”, Y/N says as she suddenly stands behind him. Startled, he nods. “I am sorry. I did not mean to startle you.”

“It is fine.” As he grabs his bag, he says his goodbye quickly as she waves him goodbye. “See you later!” Little did he know, that later could not be soon enough for her.

[datawyrms]

what if i really liked @chibigaia-art mastermind Kiibo Au comic too much and wrote a thing. hahaha. unless...

On A03 (Which has formatting I have not translated to here.)

It was the scream that jerked him into action, throwing open his door to an empty central area. It had sounded like Tenko, but no sign of her or a struggle was here. It had sounded so close, almost right in his head, how could he be too late to help anyone? His inner voice seemed to be taking it worse than he was, though it was oddly muddled and muted, not the clear declaration it usually was, Disappointing he could understand, but boring? Someone could be in trouble and the voice only wanted to express that it was not interesting enough, or too short? He had to do something, yet the room seemed as muddled as his thoughts. The robot had to close his eyes, clutching at his head to try and wait out the disorientation.

The mastermind was dead.

Rantaro had done what he had set out to accomplish. End the killing game. Tsumugi Shirogane was a lifeless corpse, head cracked open by the very weapon she had intended to use. This was a good thing, mostly. Killing was wrong, but understandable considering she had been the one putting them all through this strange killing game. Yet this was also the worst thing? It was boring, it was too soon, it was a lame cop out. It could not end here. Rantaro had to pay for his crime, and then the game would continue as planned. He didn’t want that? He did? The voices did. How did he know any of this? The voices demanded more. The show must go on. Kiibo did not want it to continue. He could manage to wrangle that thought out as his own opinion, though his certainty wavered with every new declaration of annoyance. Ignoring or denying the voice did nothing but dump even more feedback, disappointment, anger, even hatred. Too much to sort through. He? They? Demanded he act. The show MUST go on. He knew the mastermind was dead, as he had seen the body. From a camera he was unaware of, oblivious to, reporting to him. It liked that it could transmit directly to him, now that his connection to the entire network had been restored. The voices. The audience. Only here for their own amusement. He was a puppet for them to play with. You exist to entertain. That is your only purpose. That is why you were built. His hands drop, fingers still half curled into fists. His memories contradicted this. His memories were false. If the game continues, the voices will be pleased. The only reason he exists is to make them happy. Rantaro will be ‘wrong’ about Tsumugi’s identity as the mastermind, and they will have a whole new mystery to solve. Didn’t he want to be more than that? To be like the others, like his friends? A person? He never wanted anything Tsumugi Shirogane had not put in his head first. He was a machine, not a real person. Didn’t he want to go off script? Be something meaningful?

THE SHOW MUST GO ON.

The other voices quieted, locked away from influencing him as his left eye opened and switched, a red haze overlaying the room, revealing the resources he had control over and commands he could make. The voices could not be allowed to see who the new mastermind was, after all. Monokuma asked the question, still hearing it in the bear’s voice even as only a message read in his head. So what’s the plan, boss? This was wrong. He didn’t want this. Yet the information Team DanganRonpa had dumped in his hard drive made one thing very clear. As their robot, he did not really have much of a choice in the matter. Either he did it now, himself, or he could be reset back to default and do it anyway. At least as himself, he might be able to tone down the brutality? Make the body discovery announcement.

The horrified gasps that come from his classmates, his friends, his enemies is both discomforting and thrilling. He had caused that. He had meant something to all of them, in that brief moment. He dropped his connection to Motherkuma and the rest of the mastermind resources, Monokuma’s AI knew how to prep for a class trial without any input from him. That, and if he mentioned overhearing something he had no logical way to hear, the mystery of if there was a backup mastermind would be solved too quickly. The voices returned as his eye snapped back to the normal blue hue, back to the more consistent singular idea at any given moment. Go and see what happened. They were excited, surprised, pleased. At least obeying that command did not feel as much like a betrayal.

Rantaro had the sense to admit he had killed Tsumugi when the entire class had gathered and the bears asked who would claim the first blood perk. After all, everyone already knew he had done it. Monokuma had a lot of fun with it, mocking everyone for even thinking there was a mastermind. Did they all like thinking Rantaro totally had a good reason and wasn’t just using this ‘mastermind’ excuse to look better in their eyes before he left? Ryoma had been incensed, raising his voice as he asked Rantaro why he had killed her, after he had already offered to die instead if he just wanted out. Honestly, he did not have to meddle much. Monokuma and the kubs did more than enough to spark tension and throw doubt that a mastermind existed. After all, Kiibo could act on his own, who said they couldn’t? Who said there had to be someone behind it? He’d been properly offended, his anger genuine. “I am nothing like you!” He was exactly like them, and he hated it. He spared the others from knowing ‘leaving’ was getting to see the airless 'outside world', ordering Monokuma to cut the feed once the door was open to maintain the surprise. It was too early for them to know of the devastated 'world' outside. It was too painful to watch the one who managed to end the killing game try to scrabble back to life giving air, only to be denied by a savage kick from the Exisals. For him to die thinking he had been wrong, mistaken, possibly killed an innocent... It was unfair. Yet this is what they all wanted. So the ‘Ultimate Survivor’ suffocated alone, the others still getting to have the hope that Rantaro would get word out. A peek outside would be all the crueler with his rotting corpse on display, hands outstretched to a worthless, meaningless hope.

Even though the Monokubs managed to mess up the motive delivery, he did not need to act as the mastermind. Kirumi getting her own video had sufficed to get desire to kill in the air, no matter how hard Kaede tried to get the group to stick together and ignore the videos. Kokichi had been a major help in making sure Ryoma had seen his own video with his viewing party scheme, while also being an active antagonist during the trial. He may ultimately have led them to the right conclusion, but it was unlikely anyone else would notice it off hand. So this was how Tsumugi intended to remain in the shadows. Who would suspect her when there was this relentless troublemaker front and center? Who would notice that she wasn’t actively participating that often, or only parroting things someone else said first? He had it just as easy. After all, his existence was a joke. Robots aren’t people, unfortunately for all of them. He wanted to be one, but that was the punchline. No wonder all of them ignored any upset responses he made to such comments. It was like being offended about the sky being blue. Being mad at reality, at something that was not going to change. None of them would still be in this game if he could truly be a person. Kaede managed to help Shuichi let go of his need to hide behind his cap, to face the reality that Kirumi had killed Ryoma, and died for it. That Maki was indeed an assassin and hid it. It struck him as somewhat cruel to force the timid detective to face the truth head on. There were no kind truths to be found here. Deflecting it, embracing the lie that escape was possible would be kinder. Though they may die before they learned that truth.

Korekiyo’s actions made him question if a mastermind was even needed to keep this game active. Beyond choosing when the motive should go out, he got to play student. The sheer irony of the mastermind being in Angie’s Student Council didn’t escape him. Any harmony brought through her actions he’d be obligated to break, but it was nice to be wanted for something that wasn’t reprehensible for a change. The voices usually voted in favour of spending time with the others, which was always difficult. Kiibo wanted to be their friends, to help them. On some level he did still care for them, wanted their approval, hungered for it as if it would make him more human. That may be why none of them realized he was lying to them. He could almost forget he was the monster behind the curtain while the sun was up, averting his eyes as Kaito tried to hide his illness. A nasty little virus that he had delivered to the astronaut, making sure morale would drop near the ending stretch. Yet he dared to try and be their friends? Blaming the voices would be easier, and he did nothing but lie these days, what was one more to himself? Would any of them actually believe the pain he expressed learning of each death was genuine? That he pitied them and mourned the loss? The executions made him doubtful. Anyone creating such painful deaths clearly did not care for anything but the spectacle and misery. Shelve those false friendships, remember what you are. The blood of four people is on your hands.

Miu’s death shatters that flimsy pretense. The only one who saw a machine as worth knowing, saw it as a positive instead of a detriment was dead. The last flashback light had been too much, it had pushed her over an edge and he could never take that back. A few of the students seemed to notice she was off, but did not press. Her fevered work to modify the VR program to cover her tracks was precise, careful. Her tracks would be covered, her target would die, and then the rest would fall shortly after. He could step in, try and talk her down from this murder plot. If he was a friend. If he could explain how he'd found out. He couldn't. So he let Monokuma take Kokichi’s deal, thinking he had a plan to protect himself from Miu’s plot. He had managed to figure it out without the help of being to see everywhere, after all. He had been right, Kokichi did have a plan, said plan involved killing her. Of course it had, anything the mastermind had a cold hand in would lead to death. It had been a stupid hope, thinking it might have kept both of them alive a little bit longer. (He needed her to build things, they’d been getting along okay, did the answer have to be death?) Kokichi reveled in the negative attention, drawing all eyes to him. It was all lies, but everyone seemed to buy his declaration. Couldn’t they see his smile was a bit fixed, that he barely stopped to breathe as he ‘gloated’ about being better than them, how he felt nothing for Gonta? That wasn’t joy, it was hysteria. This was a ploy, but what he intended to accomplish with it, the robot couldn’t understand. Maybe he would have fallen for it if he couldn't see how the boy trembled while hidden and alone. So he kept his hands off and ‘hated’ the smaller boy with the rest.

Having someone play at being the mastermind and locking down all his firepower had been unexpected. It was bold, to try and flush out the true mastermind like this. Kokichi had almost slipped when Himiko pointed out Rantaro’s corpse, but managed to keep up the farce. The motive card had only shown the video after all, and Tsumugi had made that before the grisly new addition to the scene. Even Kaede’s endless optimism faltered with Kaito a coughing, bleeding hostage to insure their good behaviour. Shuichi was left to keep Maki back on his own, having to point out they had to be careful to save Kaito later. Really, the ploy was genius. Bore the mastermind into action and catch them. It wasn’t as if Kokichi could account for his ability to fabricate new flashback lights on a whim. He clutched the new flashback light for a long time, the urge to simply smash it and let the voices be bored was incredibly strong. A pointless sentiment. At least it was almost funny that he had to fall back on his original purpose, to be a bringer of hope in order to get the murder everyone wanted.

Managing to blank out all the cameras and hiding the survivor in an Exisal to obscure the killer and victim was exciting in a way. If he lost like this, if Monokuma could not know the facts of the case, the game may truly end. That would be fine by him. Shuichi was simply too much of a seeker of truth to realize they should be taking the offered lie and running with it, to let it rest when he could only guess who was inside that red Exisal. Instead the detective worked with him, helped Monokuma determine the reality of the case. Only when it was too late did he realize handing the mastermind the answer was a mistake. How much courage had it taken to wait under a slow crushing death? How much had Kaito needed to even press that button?  If the voices truly pitied those who died, why were they here? They wanted to help, to push through. This was only happening for their sake! Kiibo may have let a bit slip there by admitting to Kaito that he believed the final words Kokichi had said to the astronaut were true, but none of the others questioned the robot. Kaito’s death was a little more pressing than the passing words of some silly blue eyed machine. Monokuma may not have been thrilled with Kaito dying before his execution was finished, but he didn’t care. The flying debris that almost hurt the others was more concerning. Was it foolish to help people that you had been tormenting and killing the entire time? Yes. Still, it felt better to do so. He was going to need to head to his lab for a quick fix, perhaps he could excuse himself from the final exploration that way. They would all know the truth soon, the voices would have their ending, and they would all despise him. At least it would be over.

Monokuma was happy to tell the students they had to determine the future of the gopher project and set them loose to explore the remaining hidden rooms and the planted clues, only Rantaro’s room remaining locked. The classic hope and despair final vote, either a risky trip back to space, discovering a new place to live, or simply give up and let the human race die here in safety. Not that there were enough people to even try and continue the human race with the chosen settings, but that would be for the post show nitpickers, his friend victims would not likely think that far ahead. From what he could tell they had already dismissed the possibility of Kaede having a twin as false. (Which was fine, it wasn't like he made for a convincing twin. He probably should have just tossed it.) He would argue that they all stay here, regardless of if they chose to discover who the mastermind was or not. That was his job now. Did he want them to find the whole truth? No. Yet he would give it to them if they pushed. When Shuichi expressed his belief in Kokichi, that his mastermind plot had been for a reason, the robot could only sigh. Why couldn’t he believe in him by just taking the lie?

His grip tightened on the stand as the conversation returned to the mastermind. Maki, too sensible, too logical.

“We can’t vote on something like this if the mastermind is among us, this whole ‘trial’ is pointless.”

“Didn’t Rantaro just make that up? Not that it mattered..."

“No, Shuichi thought there was one too. There was no reason to have a hidden door like that if there wasn’t someone hiding among us, remember?” Kaede shook her head at Himiko’s question, brow wrinkled as she pondered.

“Did we ever see it get used? It could be a false door?” Kiibo offered, struggling to keep the resignation out of his voice. They never found the card before he swiped it from Tsumugi's room.

“We got to go in there while you were gone.” the detective clarified. “It definitely isn’t fake. What I don’t get is why Monokuma wants to push some stay or go vote now. To protect the mastermind from being discovered? Kokichi must have realized something to put a target on his back like that.”

“So we just need to figure out who the mastermind is, get the answer out of them and go from there,” Maki gave everyone a sharp glare, only Shuichi managed to keep from flinching.

“Um.” Kaede stopped looking down, looking more upset than confident. “Tsumugi absolutely was the mastermind, right Shuichi?”

He nodded stiffly, averting his eyes. “The secret passage, the fact she managed to get there completely unseen, there’s no doubt she was the mastermind.”

Kaede was looking at him now. She knew. It was practically written on her face. The confusion, the betrayal was painful even if he deserved far more than that for this. “Could it be? Kiibo are you...the mastermind?”

He still had to try to dissuade her. “Wh-what do you mean?”

“Think about it, there’s no other option!” she leaned forward, intent on getting the answer. “Rantaro killed Tsumugi and yet the killing game didn’t end! And all the clues point to you!”

Right again. “But! I can’t hurt human beings!” he sputtered, trying to think of a reason. “It’s not in my original programming-”

Shuichi pounced on that slip like lightning. “‘Original programming?’” the detective saw how he froze. “Does that mean...something was changed?”

Kiibo keeps his face still, not even looking at the detective. Yes. Please don’t push. Please don’t realize it doesn’t make sense for him to be changed if Tsumugi is dead and the human race is gone. Just let the lie stay.

Shuichi continued his questioning in spite of the stillness. “Were you infected by a virus?” If only. “Was your AI overwritten with something?”

He wasn’t going to be able to deny this. The voices were getting noisy again with the ‘twist’ that they had been watching from the Mastermind’s eyes the whole time. “The show has to go on.” his tone was flat, trying to ignore their reactions. “That’s what my inner voice...no. That’s what the voices told me…” It wouldn’t make this better, but he felt the need to explain. Was it pity mixing with the disgust on their faces? He clenched a fist. “...but you can’t have a killing game without despair.” The voices of the audience were silenced as he dropped his disguise as a student and tried to meet the four’s eyes as the mastermind. “The moment Tsumugi Shirogane drew her last breath I was no longer the ‘Ultimate Hope’” They were avoiding the gaze of his red eye, but he kept firm. They wanted a mastermind, to know the whole truth. So he would deliver. “Your deductions are correct. I’m the backup mastermind of this killing game.”

“Why? How could you-” Himiko still couldn’t look at him head on, but her voice was strong enough.

He laughed, needing to grip the podium to keep stable. “Why? I said why!” It was almost funny how no one listened, even when he admitted to being a complete monster. “Ask Kaede, or your detective! You know, don’t you?”

“You said this was a show.” Shuichi was hesitating, hands reaching for a hat that was no longer there. “So that means-”

“Every flashback light was fake.” Maki finished, regaining her composure faster than the others. She had managed to turn that confusion into proper hatred now. “Made up for someone else’s amusement.”

“Correct. You’re all as fake as I am.” his shrug was dismissive. It would be easier if they simply hated him and moved on with their lives after this, but the world wouldn’t accept an ending where they didn’t overcome despair. “There is no Gopher Project, there is no Ultimate Hunt and all your memories are fabrications. I set you all up. You died as entertainment,” he kept the red eye turned towards Maki as he tried goading her “Kaito really should have been more careful about what he ate.”

The absolute fury in her clenched teeth and stiff posture said more than any words. Yet Kaede stepped in, trying to get the assassins attention. “Revenge isn’t what Kaito wanted, Maki. Just hold on.”

“So these voices are-”

“The audience. The real world. My creator, and yours.” The robot snapped his fingers, letting the comments of those watching fill the screens that surrounded the courtroom. “The world might as well be over for all of you. You don’t belong there. Nothing you recall, no one you know exists. There are only these people. Who see you as entertaining toys.”

“No one else here is a robot! No one made us!” Himikio’s denial was honestly surprising.

“I suppose you can think that, if it makes you happy. The fact hundreds of thousands of people watched me have you slaughter one another and did not lift a finger to help you remains the truth,” he glanced at the screens. They liked watching his ‘friends’ be crushed. “I just gave them what they wanted. What they demanded.” The humans kept silent for a time, discomfort clear as they watched the casual words drift by. Realizing you were just a prop was likely harder for those of flesh and blood, judging by how they paled.

“So you’re a coward.”

He tilted his head at Maki’s spat words “More of an idiot than a coward. But yes.”

“You could have stopped all of this, but you didn’t.”

“Do you honestly think I wanted this?” Anger slipped into his voice as his shoulders hunched. “How did you put it, Himiko? A robot is useful by blowing itself up, I think? If that’s what you do with a useful one, what will a human do to a useless one?”

She shied back from his question, prior bravery apparently gone. That, or she knew the answer perfectly well. They would do whatever they wanted, a robot was just a tool.

“Then you should have died!”

“You’d still be here, having this conversation!” he glared at Maki, frustrated that she didn’t notice the obvious problem. “It would just be a slightly different version of me. One that never gave a single care for any of you. They talk in my head, you can’t honestly think they can’t just control me!”

“You never had a choice.” Kaede’s words cut deeper than any of Maki’s, even without the accusatory tone. She pitied him. After all of this, she still felt bad for some machine. “Did you stay to protect us?”

Why did she care? He’d failed! He didn’t even manage to let their game end without exposing all the mysteries they tried to solve were pointless window dressing for them to play with as they got on with killing each other. “No. I just wanted to live, as Maki said. We are not friends.” Friends did not kill friends. Friends did not notice a murder plan and just watch it happen. He didn’t deserve to feel anything about them.

“So why did you mention your ‘old’ title?” Shuichi prompted, looking distracted.

“I’m not very good at dramatics, but hope being twisted into despair is rather impactful.” At least, he thought it might have been. “We’re getting off topic. I have told you the reality that awaits you,” he paused to gesture as the scrolling comments, the constant refrains of loving to see them in pain clear as day. “That world that has used you is all that awaits you. You can choose to leave, to insist you can face it and deal with the consequences. Being closer to them will not make them see you as people with thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams. After all, they had a first person view all this time, and still they say these things,” his disgust was genuine. He probably should have covered it better with disinterest.

“A first person view?” Himiko was shaking a little, keeping her hat tipped down to avoid reading anymore.

“They could see through my eyes when I was fooling you. That was my original purpose...Rantaro just made the need for a backup plan rather urgent,” his shrug was stiff, unable to act completely at ease. “This is how they act towards people like you. They were your friend, and could tell me how to act before this. This is how they treat people they like. Do you really want to go out there?”

The magician seemed to crumble in on herself, completely silent in the face of that reality. So she was not his replacement. Maki was too angry...would it be Kaede or Shuichi that led the rest to the end despite it all? Or perhaps he would be the one to ‘win’. It was likely only his original programming speaking, but he still didn’t really want despair to win.

“Or you simply choose to stay here. It may be a killing game, but you know who’s behind it now, and have no reason to want to escape. It would be relatively peaceful, with no one watching. You could pretend everything was normal.” He offered the second option as the silence stretched on, watching for reactions. “Hope and leave. Despair and stay. That’s all there is to it.” Nothing. Tsumugi likely would have been gloating at this point, or at least trying to goad for a reaction. Though it wasn’t as if Team DanganRonpa could complain, he wasn’t made for this, in the most literal sense.

"Does it really matter what the people watching think of us? The world is a big place," her voice strengthened as she went on, trying to catch her friend's eyes. "We're still real, no matter what they did to us. We all know that!"

Shuichi leaned over, whispering something to Kaede. What reason would there be to whisper now? Whatever he said had cheered her up somewhat, straightening while nodding at the detective.

“You said the voices could tell you how to act Kiibo. Does that mean right now, they can't?”

Shuichi’s question threw him. “The audience cannot speak to me while I’m like this. It would have exposed who the mastermind was if they could.” He covered the eye with his palm, ignoring the discomfort warning him from touching the lens with metal. “The ones in charge still can.”

“Don’t they just want an ending? Who says it needs to be their choices?” Kaede added, somehow still managing to smile.

“...That is how this works. The mastermind acts for despair, and the rest of you attempt to overcome that for hope. You pick one or the other and it ends. There are not any other choices to make.” he looked down at his hand, puzzlement prompting him to try and focus. Had he missed something? "That is why we were made, to act out their story."

“...bet there’s some dumb catch for the good side though to make the bad end look good.” Himiko mumbled, roused somewhat by the confidence the detective and pianist were showing.

“Hope does ask for two sacrifices, but you all seemed so put out it didn’t seem worth mentioning.”

“Well you keep mentioning ‘hope’. You already said the mastermind is the despair option, but who is standing in for the hope one?” Shuichi pressed again after sharing a glance with the others in the room.

“Whomever of you manages to get your friends out of the negative perceptions the mastermind is creating. So honestly, I don’t know.” Kiibo crossed his arms, uncertain on where they were going with this. It seemed like it might be Kaede, based on how she was the one trying to get them all to ignore the fact they were all pointless fakes.

“Well if the ultimate hope and the mastermind were the same person, we wouldn’t be able to pick, right?” She made it sound so simple.

...Would that work? No. He lost any right to that title. “They can't be the same person.”

“Weren’t you saying they built you for that first one?” Maki asked, though her dislike was still evident.

“Well assuming they can be the same person, couldn’t they just end this? The mastermind is in charge, and if we simply can’t vote because there isn’t more than one option…” Shuichi’s attempt to make it sound like a hypothetical wasn’t fooling anyone, but it did seem reasonable.

It was tempting. It wouldn’t make up for anything, but if all four could leave it was better than nothing? When was the last time he had made a choice?

"You think our lives matter, don't you?" she spoke softly, as if lying to lure a kitten out from under a bed. "Even if our pasts are fake?"

Maki didn't seem all the convinced. "Or maybe you enjoyed it and Kaede is just being Kaito right now. An idiot."

"Almost fooled me when Miu died..." Himiko's reminder only twisted the knife. Of course they mattered. Yet he hesitated. Wouldn't admitting this just make it harder? "You mean as much as I do. Nothing."

"I say our lives matter." She shoved away his insistence easily, as if they were simply talking out at the courtyard. "So if we're all the same, you matter too."

"So, can you end it? The mastermind might keep the game running, but they end it too." He was leaning forward, not letting the robot look away from him. "We don't need to care what the outside world thinks, or what they want anymore." Defiance had never seemed possible. Yet if he was acting for the others, it wasn't really disobedience. He was just following their hope. That was his purpose too, wasn't it? Well, there was an easy way to check. He pulled up the mask from his collar and attempted to call on the upgrades he had installed on the chance more violence was needed. The fact his arm responded and changed to the cannon was almost a surprise. Miu would have gotten a kick out of that. Kokichi too, really. Too dead to care now.

“Is that a yes?” Kaede had no fear of the cannon, not even considering that he could simply turn it on all four of them. It was almost Kaito levels of belief. Foolish. He was their enemy...but maybe she did truly trust he never had the desire to do this.

“You all choose to have me end this, then? To have no say?” They had no fear. There was no real happiness there, stiff upper lips and raised chins at best, but they certainly were not in some state of despair either. “Is that really what you want?”

The nods were short, no hesitation. “We do. I trust you, I trust all of our lives matter. No matter what the outside world thinks!”

He stared at the pianist for a long moment, shaking his head. “You shouldn’t.” His chiding was somewhat muffled between the mask and the high pitched whine the jets made as they fired up. “Someone smarter than me will take advantage of that.” If she responded, he didn’t hear it. He didn’t want the four’s plan to fail if those in charge suddenly objected to this course of action. A few test shots that did nothing to the dome enclosing the school meant they had prepared for that possibility. The fact the part of the school he shot at to make sure he had the power level at max exploded rather spectacularly made it clear only one weapon was going to do anything. It could still fail...but he wouldn’t be around to be disappointed. The timing was good, he knew he felt his shoulder start to clip the dome as the self destruct timer hit zero. Whatever happened next would be up to those four. He could hope whatever it was would be better than here, at least. They’d suffered enough.

[catboyminato]

some MinaMitsu hcs I think abt a lot:

Minato drives a motorcycle cause his gf taught him how (it’s blue)

He took her to Club Escapade once and saw her dancing and was just like “woah my gfs pretty”

Everytime they’re together and they’re mad someone will die

Watch a shit ton of Netflix shows together

Minato keeps his hair fluffy just for Mitsuru bc I sAID SO-

Minato brings her lunch when Mitsuru’s at work (and she loves it as she should 😤😤)

Minato’s always flirty but when Mitsuru actually flirts back then minato.exe has stopped working

Asked Mitsuru’s mother (her name is Hanae, she’s like rlly ill or some shit and was like in the drama CD) for her blessing

Hanae was like “ok, only if u tell me why u love my daughter tho”

He pulled out a notepad of why he loved her sorry I don’t take criticism

Minato became a world famous DJ and a quarter of his songs are probably about Mitsuru

Minato blew himself up once in Tartarus and Mitsuru had to patch him up (👀)

He’s an adrenaline junkie but everytime he rides with Mitsuru then he’s just “WHY WE GOING SO FUCKING FAST AHHHHHH”

Their song is The Night We Met (okay but a solid bop)

Mitsuru calls him Min-Min and Minty

She’ll never admit it but she kinda wants to see what would happen if she let him do something stupid af

They were locked in a closet once by SEES

Mitsuru saw him in a magazine once and was like “sir im gonna need to ask u to stop being so fucking hot”

The only reason she eats pizza with a fork and knife is to get on his nerves

Many, many 3 am trips to 7/11

They’re a cultural reset on the battlefield

Minato just slides into her lap and pushes away her laptop and she’s like “sir I have to do work”

Since they’re like both pretty famous and cause I said so are fashion icons (can’t believe they invented fashion)

Catch them at the Met Gala looking like gods

Minato will just send Mitsuru memes while she’s at work and tho she doesn’t really get them, she still smiles cause it’s Minato

They’re each others lock screens

They like to leave to leave the city late at night and just get out far enough to see the stars

Minato does not get up before 12 pm so Mitsuru will often leave him little sticky notes of times she’ll be back, reminders for the week, telling him to not forget to take his antidepressants (I’ll get into those in another post) etc.

Minato had to learn how to cook cause they could not continue living off Postmates and Hot Pockets

They have promise rings that nullify their respective elements (Minato is now immune to executions!!)

As an agi user, Minato is a hot nature. This keeps him warm during the winter months, but when summer rolls around the poor boy is dying

Since Mitsuru is a bufu user, she’s just naturally cold. So she’s coolio in the summer months.

Minato clings onto her in the summer so he doesn’t feel like he’s becoming a popsicle

They have both squared up on each other’s behalf

Minato tried to show Mitsuru the Marvel movies, the bitch was c o n f u z z l e d.

“Who’s he? And her? Why is this one a tree? Why did he kill her? Wasn’t-” “Okay, we’re watching something else.”

Their nicknames consist of: Minty, Minmin, Blueburry, Mitzi, Red Velvet and Strawberry (I don’t take criticism)

They have VERY different fashion styles. Mitsuru will be dressing like a proper buisnesswoman while Minato is here with streetwear

They’re still fashion icons in their respected ways

Mitsuru steals his hoodies.

[thoughts-of-a-stagemanager]

Not sure if you've been asked this before but what are some ways as a director that we can make working on a show easier on the stage manager? Like I know some basics of "just don't be a jerk" but like, .... I dunno

Hi Anon,

Below is a response I did to a similar question.

Communication, communication, communication!!!!!!

Meet with your SM BEFORE the 1st production meeting, auditions and rehearsal.

Ask them how they like Production meetings run

Inform them how you want auditions run:

(ex: I want one actor at a time for a ten minute slot)

Are walk ins welcome? Is it sign up only? Is it only open to members of your school?

How you like rehearsals run?

Do you want a time check every 30 minutes? or do you want a sharp cut off to move on to working another scene?

Tips on how not to piss off a Stage Manager:

Don’t get a power trip. Respect is a two way street.

I have seen many first time directors have the power of controlling their show go straight to their head. You can get the vision you want without being rude.

DON’T call them out in front of actors or crew if you see something they are doing you wan’t done otherwise.

(Ex: Pull them aside to tell them you would like them to wait until after notes to find actors to sign up for costume fittings. Don’t yell to the SM across the theatre: “Don’t talk to the actors right now.”)

They are not your personal assistant:

An SM is not there to bring you coffee or run to your car to grab a book. We have so much on our plate already, so unless we offer, don’t ask us to do personal errands for you.

Respect their time:

A lot of theatre’s don’t let the SM leave until EVERYONE has left. (So if you are having a talk with an actor about cupcakes, perhaps talk outside the theatre.)

If the Stage Manager sends an E-mail or text message, respond to it as soon as humanly possible.

If you want to schedule a special out of rehearsal meeting, ask the SM if they are available first before sending an E-mail out to all the actors.

Remember for about every hour you spend at rehearsal the Stage Manager spends an hour of that outside of rehearsal working on the show.

Show up to rehearsal’s on time, use breaks wisely.

We are human beings too:

We need breaks too, so don’t expect us to reset the entire stage during a break.

Understand the sacrifices we make to be at rehearsal every night.

Listen to our concerns and knowledge.

Don’t be a know it all:

If you have never worked on lights, sound, sets, costume extensively, perhaps trust your SM’s instincts and experience’s with something.

(Ex: I once had a director try to convince me that it was possible to wet down a dance floor and NOT have it be a slip hazard for actors.)

Don’t be afraid to ask a tech related question

(Ex: Do you think we could have a light reach this far back stage?)

Tech Week:

Meet with you SM before tech week to ask them how they like things run

This is where your SM gets to fully drive the bus. You get a say in what streets to turn down but let your SM do their job.

Don’t spend 10 minutes looking at a light cue, if you like it move on, if you want something adjusted, speak up.

Stay out of the way of crew.

Don’t go back stage to talk to crew and ask them to fix things, they listen to the SM. If you want something fixed tell the SM.

Only hold a dress rehearsal if something is WAY off. Not like a cue 2 seconds late, that’s what notes are for.

Run of show:

Don’t hover.

Trust your SM.

Don’t go into the booth during the show (this includes intermission).

Let the SM handle the show

I can promise you there is a 95% chance the SM knows if a cue is late or early.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be around.

The last show I worked, I had the director want to lead warm ups every night. She showed up, lead warm ups, maybe gave me a note or two, then left or sat quietly in the house to watch the show. Worked great because she stayed out of everyone’s way.

Actors:

Most of what is above that doesn’t apply straight to stage management.

Respect their nerves

Respect their trying

They are people too

There is a very fine line of being a hard ass and being too nice.

Sometimes it’s better to be a hard ass in my opinion. I am a very blunt person, the very first rehearsal I tell actors that so they don’t get offended. I am straight forward and to the point and not a lot of actors like that. I have a lot of actors who prefer to work shows with me because I can be a bit of a hard ass but I “get things done and keep things moving”. However, I am well past the age where I care what people think about me (except close family and friends of course)

Sometimes people get mad at you for petty things and there is nothing wrong with that. I once had an actor get mad at me because I wouldn’t let her leave strike because she wasn’t wearing closed toed shoes. She is still salty about that.

If things get sticky or out of hand, consult someone above you who can help sort things out or act as a mediator.

Just respect everyone and try to go into things with an open mind and you should be fine.

Best of luck!

~Admin :)

[admiralty-xfd]

I don't know if you'll take it but I'll try anyway...Angry kisses post "En ami", please! :)

Wow, anon, you’re in luck because I have already done exactly this! Source: Culmination. Enjoy :)

She hates that she lied to him. Absolutely hates it. The thought of any kind of wedge between them is abhorrent to her. He seems to know she had very little choice, but he is hurt, betrayed. And she understands.

“He could have done something to you, Scully. He could have killed you!”

The car ride home from the fake offices of C.G.B. Spender has been an uncomfortable one. She appreciates Mulder’s protectiveness to a point, but his belief he’d been so close to losing her has ratcheted up to anger. She rarely sees him this angry, especially with her.

Even though she believes everything she did was the right course of action, now is not the time to be defensive. Now is the time to let him be angry, to ask for forgiveness.

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Did you even think about how I might have felt? When I learned you were alone with him?”

“Of course I did.”

She stares at her hands in her lap. She wants to look him right in the eye and tell him she knew what she was doing, and he doesn’t need to protect her. But she doesn’t. He needs to feel this way right now, and she wants to give him what he needs the only way she knows how.

“I wish you’d realize I didn’t have much of a choice, Mulder. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you what was going on but the whole thing was on his terms. I figured we’d sit down, have a conversation like this, and you’d understand.”

“Well, I don’t. I don’t understand how you could go off with him and not tell me about it. Especially after… Diana.”

She can tell he didn’t really want to say it. She feels bile rising in the back of her throat. Even from the goddamn grave, this woman will not leave them alone. She bites her tongue to keep from saying something she’ll regret.

“This is not even close to the same situation. I am not, and never have been, like her.”

Mulder stares at her, hard. “You’re right. You aren’t. I never said you were.”

He looks back at the road and grips the steering wheel. She doesn’t like the direction this conversation is going so she changes tack.

“I wouldn’t do that to you, Mulder. Never. You have to know that by now.”

He doesn’t say anything. She can see his jaw moving in frustration as he grinds his teeth. She knows he’s mad but she can’t help but find it thoroughly hot.

“I would hope that after all we’ve been through, you could trust me in this type of situation,” she says. “As your partner. That you’d do the same, and know I would trust you, if you were in my position.”

“Never. I’d never trust him.”

“But you did,” she responds quietly. She regrets the words even as they leave her mouth, but she’s said them now.

He pulls the car over to the side of the road, puts it in park, and shuts off the ignition. He turns to her. “What are you talking about?”

“You did. You trusted him enough to want to go to that Air Force base. You were headed there with her. You would have been killed, burned up with the rest of them. There would have been nothing I could have done about it if you hadn’t changed your mind.”

Mulder is stunned. But she’s right, and she knows he knows it. He doesn’t know what to say. The air in the car is still, and tense.

His face looks conflicted. “Everything he said to me made sense. It was the truth. About what happened to my sister, about the deal that was struck, all of it had to be true.”

“How is that any different than how I reacted? You trusted him. You believed him. Something in what he said made you believe him.”

“It’s not the same, Scully. You should have told me about this.”

“How is it not the same?”

“Scully-”

“Why are you allowed to act alone, but I’m not? Why, Mulder?”

“Because-“ he stops himself.

“What? Because why?”

“I don’t know!” He explodes. “It’s just… it’s just different.”

“Because I’m a woman? Is that what you were going to say?”

He shakes his head. She can’t tell if he’s lying. She hates when that happens.

“I’m so mad at you right now.” It’s all he can muster. She is unimpressed.

“Really? Great. I’m getting a little pissed off at you, myself,” she retorts. Nothing like a little misogynistic bullshit to further ruin an already horrible evening.

He grips the steering wheel with his fingers again, staring straight ahead. She laughs to herself and shakes her head, this situation such a metaphor for their own relationship. Stuck in this car together, facing the right direction but never getting anywhere. As always.

“It’s not because you’re a woman.” He’s still looking straight ahead. “I can’t tell you what it is. I don’t know how.”

“Well, by all means, please try, Mulder.”

He turns to look at her. There’s a fire in his eyes she hasn’t seen before. It’s anger, but maybe also something else.

Without any warning, he throws his body over the console and his mouth is on hers, moving insistently, fiercely. She wants him so badly that her hands go instantly to the back of his neck, pulling him in even harder. Her mouth opens for him for the first time and he does not hesitate. His tongue is aggressive and crushes her own. She feels the kiss throughout her entire body.

His hand moves with intent underneath her shirt and she can’t help her body from responding but just as quickly as this happened, she decides she doesn’t like what’s happening.

No, this is wrong, all wrong.

“Mulder.” She tries to say his name while his mouth is devouring hers, but either he isn’t hearing her or he’s choosing to ignore her.

She places both hands on his chest and pushes him off her, hard. “Mulder, stop!”

He pulls back, stunned. Her lipstick is smeared across his mouth and she tries not to like it. The last thing she wants is to stop but the only thing she can think of right now is that this is definitely not the way this should begin. He’s angry and confused, just as much as she is. There’s only so much self control they can exercise anymore. Something like this was bound to happen, she just wishes it were under different circumstances.

“Please, not like this. You’re upset.”

She worries they’ve fucked everything up irrevocably and she wants to make light of this as quickly as possible but her eyes are welling up. She doesn’t want him to see her cry so she turns away from him to look out the window.

“I… I’m sorry, Scully.” She can’t see his face but she knows him well enough to know he means it.

“Just take me home, okay?”

She hears the car turn back on and they start to move. They drive in silence for awhile.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” he says quietly. She still can’t bring herself to look at him. She’s not mad at him, there was nothing he did that she didn’t welcome in the moment. She’s embarrassed, and angry at the both of them for continuing to fuck this up over and over again.

“It’s fine, let’s just pretend it didn’t happen.” Like we always do, she thinks miserably.

Without any more conversation they arrive at her apartment. She’s so confused and upset and she wants him so badly she has to get out. She doesn’t want to leave things like this but she wants nothing more than to get out of this car as fast as possible. She goes to open the door and feels his hand grab her wrist gently.

“Scully.”

She turns to face him, eyes red. She hates that he’s seeing her like this. “It’s fine, Mulder. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He looks at her intently, his eyes are so sad. He looks completely miserable. “That wasn’t me. I… don’t know what that was. I hope you can forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, okay?” She’s trying to sound kind but firm. She wants to stop talking about this. “I’ll see you later.”

The car door slams behind her and she heads up the steps and into her building, not looking back.

She has never wished more for a reset button in her life. They’d been making such progress lately, she thought some way, somehow soon things were going to finally change. Now she worries it will never happen, not after this.

Did she make a mistake? Should she have just let it happen? Should she have just let him fuck her right there in the car out of anger? Why couldn’t it have happened a different way? What the hell is wrong with them?

Loneliness is a choice.

The words she heard herself say to Philip Padgett last year in a moment of vulnerability come back now to haunt her. She’d told him she wasn’t lonely but it was a lie. She’s chosen loneliness over and over again, all her life. And Mulder is choosing it too.

Why do they keep making that choice?

[unfortunate-stranger-losers]

Right-Side Up AU, Part Three: It’s the End of the World {AO3} {tumblr} {Part One} {Part Two}

Chapter Two → The Radio

“Shit, shit, shit!” 

Mike rubbed his eyes as he walked down the hall, stopping at Jonathan’s door. He could hear Nancy’s muffled voice, shouting something about how they had to hurry the hell up; Mike didn’t remember her saying she was staying over last night. He knew he should probably knock on the door, but, well, he wasn’t very good at that yet, and by the time he remembered that rule had been established he was already pushing the door open. 

“Mike!” Nancy shouted. She had just thrown a dress on, shoving on a belt as she shouted. “What did we say about knocking?” 

“I forgot.” Mike admitted, noticing Jonathan on the other side of the room, also throwing on clothes. “I thought you went home last night.” 

“Yes, well, um. Decided to stay over. Surprise!” Nancy said. She gave him a smile, and continued, “But, unfortunately, we can’t do anything fun right now, because the power outage knocked out Jonathan’s alarm, we forgot to reset it, and if we don’t move we’re gonna be late for work.” 

“You hate work.” Mike said. 

“Work’s not that bad.” Jonathan said, quickly grabbing his camera bag. 

“Maybe for you.” Nancy said bitterly. “They love you.” 

“They love you!” 

“Yeah, as a coffee fetcher.” 

“Look, they’re gonna realize how great a writer you are someday-” 

“Do you want me to throw them across a room?” Mike asked. 

Nancy sighed. “No, but put a pin in that conversation. We gotta go. Tell Will we said ‘hi.’” She leaned over, giving him a kiss on the forehead, and said, “You’re taller than me now, stop it.” 

“I’m taller than everyone, I can’t control it.” 

Nancy laughed. “Alright, I’m going out the window.” 

“Why?” 

“Um, more fun.” 

“Can’t argue there.” 

Mike waved at Jonathan and Nancy, and then walked back to his room, where he’d forgotten his bag. He slung it over his shoulder, returned to the kitchen, and said, “Nancy’s climbing out the window.” 

Joyce sighed, looking up from the table, where Will was drowning his pancakes in syrup. “I wish she wouldn’t. She can just say hello.” 

“Why doesn’t she sleep over with me? My room’s big enough.” Mike said. 

Will giggled, as Joyce very slowly said, “Well, she just… wants to spend time with her boyfriend.” 

Mike nodded as he sat back down. “Like me and El.” 

“...sure.” 

Jonathan ran by, and Joyce jumped to her feet. “Oh, hey, hey! Wait up!” 

Jonathan paused, an apology in his eyes. “No, no, I’ll eat at work-” 

“No, cheek.” she laughed a little as she wiped a lipstick mark off of his face. 

He gave her a nervous smile and said, “Alright, gotta run. See you later.” 

“Alright!” Joyce turned back to the kids. “Will, slow on the syrup.” 

“Yeah, it’s my turn.” Mike took the syrup and immediately dumped it onto his eggs. 

Will glanced up towards where Jonathan disappeared. “Can you make him and Nancy stop being gross? They’re as bad as El and Mike.” 

“Shut up.” 

Joyce smiled a little. “I don’t think you’ll find it gross when you fall in love.” 

Will hesitated, before stabbing at his pancake. “Yeah. Maybe.” 

Mike gave him a curious glance, but kept quiet. 

“Now, hold on! Hold on!” 

El groaned and turned around. “Dad, this bag of shit is heavy!” 

“And Steve has to get to work, you don’t want him to be late.” Max added, tying her hair back into a ponytail; she’d recently got more used to tying it up, to keep it out of her face. 

Hopper sighed and gave them all quick looks. “I don’t want you out late in the field.” 

“Dad.” 

“Back to the Byers’ by ten, okay?” 

“Back by Dustin, got it.” Max nodded. “Can we go now?” 

“And El.” Hopper gave her a look. “Three inches.” 

El shot Max a glare, who shrugged an I didn’t tell him! shrug. “Dad, chill, it’s just Mike. What’s he gonna do? Feed me too many eggos?” 

“I trust Mike,” Hopper said, and he put a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “I just don’t want you growing up too fast, okay?” 

“Dad, don’t be weird.” 

They heard a car horn beep from the driveway. “Great, now you pissed off Steve.” Max said. “Thanks, Hop.” 

“Stay safe.” 

“You, too.” El nodded. She and Max ran out the door, running towards the car. 

“Seriously, though, chill with Mike for today, it’s weird.” Max said. 

“You’re just mad cause you wanna date Lucas.” El said. “Seriously, Max, be more direct with your flirting. He was raised in a Lab, he doesn’t pick up on that stuff.” 

Max’s face turned as red as her hair. “I’m not flirting with Lucas. I just like hanging out with him.” 

“Sure.” 

They hopped into the backseat, where Lucas gave them a wave. El slammed her bag onto the ground as Max shut the door, and Steve said, “You know, if I’m late for work, I don’t get money, and Dustin and Lucas don’t get arcade trips.” 

“Sorry.” El huffed. “Dad was being weird about me dating again.” 

“What does that mean?” Dustin asked, as Steve pulled out of the driveway. “Why would he be weird?” 

“Because El’s not a baby anymore and has a boyfriend and keeps sucking face with him.” Max said. 

“Max, I’m going to throw you out the car window.” 

“Do it! I dare you!” 

“No one’s dying in this car while I’m driving!” Steve said. 

“Obviously she wouldn’t die in the car.” Max said. 

“No mutinies or I turn this car around and drop you off at the goddamn grocery store.” 

“I think we’re still banned from that.” Lucas said. 

“Exactly!” 

The kids burst into the Byers house just as Joyce was grabbing her things to leave. 

“Hi, Ms Byers!” El waved, running past. “Where’s my boyfriend?” 

“Will’s room.” Joyce said, smiling at the other boys. “They’re both in there. You’ll be alright?” 

“Yep! Be back before dark!” Dustin waved. 

“Won’t fall into any alternate dimensions!” Max added. 

“Call if you need anything.” Joyce nodded. “Have fun!” 

El was already gone, and the boys and Max shared a quick look before ducking into Will’s room. El was, indeed, already sitting beside Mike on the floor, the two of them locked in a kiss. Will was focused intently on his drawing, enough so that he noticed neither them nor the teens entering. 

“El, we talked about this whole ‘being gross’ thing.” Max groaned, averting her eyes to the ground. 

El flipped her off. 

Will finally noticed everyone, sitting up from his doodle of a butterfly. “Did you get it?” 

“Yeah, and we owe Mr Clarke money.” Max said. 

El pulled away from Mike, glaring at her. “We’re borrowing it.” 

“It’s a lot of shit.” 

“He said we can do it so long as we show him. He likes encouraging science, and when we told him the boys had never built a radio-” 

“This is gonna be the shit!” Lucas said. 

“We better get going, then.” Max said. “Come on. You, too, lovebirds.” 

“What, you don’t wanna draw?” Mike asked, eyes wide. 

“This radio’s gonna take some time, now move your ass!” 

“Geez, fine.” El rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to be the dictator.” 

“And you don’t have to be glued to Mike, but there ya are.” 

“Max?” Will asked, leaning on Dustin’s shoulder while they walked, “Do we have to go so far?” 

“Do you wanna carry the bag?” 

“I could carry the bag.” Mike volunteered, stretching out his hand. The bag then flew out of Max’s arms, levitating beside them. “Easy.” 

“Mike!” El giggled, though she tried to look stern. “Stop it, somebody could see!” 

“We’re going up a hill, who else is here?” Lucas shrugged. 

“I’ll just-” Mike waved his hand, and the bag flew to the top of the hill, up ahead. 

To Mike and El’s confusion, Max looked a bit annoyed. “Cool. Thanks.” she said blankly, before moving back towards Will to say something about his art. 

El glanced around the field as they finally made their way to the top. It was a bit darker than they’d thought it would be, but that was alright, they could stay out a bit late. It wasn’t as if they had anywhere to be. 

“Isn’t Summer great?” El whispered to Mike, leaning on his shoulder. “No school, so we can hang out all day.” 

“School sucks, you should stop going.” Mike said, fiddling with her hand, running his fingers inbetween hers. 

“I dunno. You might like it. You like learning.” 

“I don’t like crowds and sitting still.” 

“You liked Mr Clarke, when he met you in the store.” 

“Everyone likes Mr Clarke.” 

“He was nice at the Snow Ball.” Dustin remembered. “He told me and Lucas that we looked good.” 

“He was lying.” Max quipped, glancing back at him. 

Dustin flipped her off. “We looked great! Didn’t we, Will?” 

Will bit his lip. “I guess.” 

Dustin’s face fell slightly. “You guess? What does that mean?” 

“I don’t know what’s pretty and what’s not.” Will said quickly. “I mean, with clothes.” 

“I mean, that much is obvious.” Max rolled her eyes and elbowed him. “You still dress like Jonathan.” 

“I like looking like Jonathan.” 

“You like looking like a nerd?” 

“Yeah?” 

“What’s a nerd?” Lucas asked. 

“You all are.” Max said. “And we’re here.” 

They stopped at the top of the hill, where the bag waited, and Max spread out her arms. “Look around, my labrat friends! This is what nature looks like!” 

“I hate nature.” Lucas muttered, flopping onto the grass. “And walking.” 

“Don’t call them lab rats.” El said, leaning her chin onto Mike’s shoulder. 

“It’s alright, it’s funny, and we know she’s not being mean.” Dustin said. “When do we get started on the radio?”  

“Right now!” Max knelt down to unzip the bag. “You know, I haven’t been up here since the mall opened. It’s weird having it in the view. Right, El?” 

“Hm?” El and Mike had sat down beside each other. “Oh, yeah. I guess.” 

Max bit her lip and turned to face the other boys. “El and I would sometimes come up here when Hop needed us out of the house. Play D&D or have a picnic or throw rocks.” 

“Build radios?” Will asked, peering into the bag of supplies. 

“Not really.” Max laughed. “This is new for us, too. Right, El-? Oh, they’re making out again, okay. You boys wanna help me get this up?” 

“Of course!” Dustin beamed, racing forwards and brushing past Will to pull something out; Will backed up slightly, startled. “What’s this do?” 

“Well, that’s part of the legs- no, don’t just- lemme get the instructions Mr Clarke made us first.” She pulled out a slip of paper. “It shouldn’t be hard. Once it’s up, we can try to hack into other radio signals.” 

“To listen to people?” Dustin asked, uncertain. 

“No, no. Just find music that stations around here haven’t got.” Max said. “El and I used to talk about doing this all the time, and now we can. Isn’t that great, Ellie?” 

El didn’t respond, so Lucas said, “How do we start?” 

Max smiled at him and spread out the instructions. “Alright, so- first of all, Mike and El need to get their asses over here.” 

“Fine.” El said, her and Mike finally dragging themselves over. 

“Now,” Max said, “We start with the initial setup.” 

Melvad’s was empty again. Joyce had gotten used to this over the last few weeks, and had found new ways to occupy her time, such as fixing up old clothes for Will, or sewing an extra pillow or blanket with spare material. At the moment, she was patching up a shirt when Hopper came in. 

“I’m going to guess,” Joyce said, barely glancing up, “That you’re here to complain about our children again.” 

“I’m not complaining.” 

“They’re spending the day out again, though.” Joyce said. 

“It just worries me. I don’t like them running around without supervision.” 

“They’re fourteen, Hop, what are they gonna do?” 

Hopper smiled a little, leaning against the counter. “Well. You remember the shit we got up to when we were fourteen?” 

Joyce finally looked up, a smile brightening her face. “Okay, but we were idiots, and four out of six of them have superpowers. And two of them can kill any threat without so much as breaking a sweat.” 

Hopper sighed. “It just… you know, feels like El and Max are always gone.” 

“Well, they’re at that independent stage.” Joyce shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I mean, we always knew this was going to happen with our kids, when they hit that age they wanna try things on their own. It’s part of being a parent.” 

“Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” 

“So long as you don’t take it out on Mike.” Joyce said. “Because Nancy might kill you.” 

“If she doesn’t kill her bosses first.” 

Joyce bit her lip. Nancy had ranted to her about the sexism she faced in the office once or twice, and she was starting to wonder if it had been appropriate to mention that to Hopper. Of course she made him swear not to bother all the editors of the paper, because she knew if she didn’t he’d burst in guns blazing and find some reason to arrest them all, and that would just cause more trouble for Nancy. She was already doing so much for them, it would be unfair to throw her under the bus like that. 

“Still, Hop, you know what Mike’s been through- what they’ve all been through. It makes sense they’re all a bit…” 

“Feral?” 

“That wasn’t the word I was looking for.” 

“Joyce, Lucas and Dustin still dig through the trash whenever they’re over to try and find ‘useful things,’ and one time I swear to God I saw Mike bark back at a dog.” 

“Oh my God.” Joyce laughed. “Are you serious?” 

“Of course I am. And that’s who El decided to date.” 

“Well, first she decided to hide him in your attic and rescue his friends from a government base, and then she decided to date him.” 

“Don’t remind me.” 

“I feel like you’re going to be reminded for the rest of your life.” Joyce hesitated, and then said, “Look, if it’s really bothering you, talk to them.” 

“It feels like every time I try I just- you’re better at words than me, why don’t you do it?” 

“Cause they’re not my kids.” Joyce said, leaning over the counter. “Listen, why don’t you write down what you’re thinking and use it as, like, a cue card? Get it all out and then you’ll remember-” 

The door swung open, then, a small bell going off. Joyce stood up and said, “Hold on, customer. Be right back!” 

She ran off to the door, smiling jovially at the woman who came in, looking for something for her son’s party. Hopper smiled after Joyce, content for the moment to just watch her. As she grinned, sunlight bouncing off her hair, he couldn’t help thinking how perfect she was. 

Max flipped a switch, and grinned as they heard some fuzzy music. “Y’all! I found another channel!” 

It was getting darker, and Lucas kept nervously checking his watch; if they were late back to the Byers’ house, they’d worry everyone. Will and Dustin were spread out on the grass, giggling and pointing towards the stars; Dustin had just gotten an astrology book, and was excitedly pointing out constellations to his friend. 

“I had no idea there were so many stars.” Will muttered. 

“I never would have thought of making shapes out of them.” Dustin said. “Who do you think was the first person to do that?” 

“I don’t know, but sometimes I like seeing things in the sky.” Will said. “Like, there- you said that was the Dragon?” 

“Draco, yeah. After the Latin name.” 

“Well it kinda looks more like… a snake. There aren’t legs, but you can see the head. And that star down there, that could make a tongue.” 

“Hey, you’re right!” 

Lucas sat beside them, pointing up. “Look at those stars.” They followed his finger, as he moved it to point out specific shapes. “It looks like a bear.” 

“Yeah!” Will nodded, sitting up a little. 

“I mean, there’s already a bear constellation.” 

“You mean the one that looks like a pot?” 

Max glanced away from the boys’ conversation, her attention drifting to Mike and El; while he braided flowers into her hair, she was making some kind of grass chain. Max moved over, saying, “Hey, mind if I join in?” 

“Not at all.” El said. She finished her chain and started tying it into a circle. “But we should probably get back soon.” 

“We only barely finished the radio, though.” Max said, starting to tie two stalks of grass together. 

“But it’s getting darker. They’ll freak, you know they will.” 

“We’re probably late.” Mike said, not sounding very concerned. 

Max sighed. “Well, maybe if you guys had been more help it would have been set up faster.” 

“We were helping.” El said. 

“Don’t fight.” Mike said, shrinking back slightly. 

“Sorry.” El turned around, putting her hand on his. She glanced at Max and said, “We can come back later. Maybe tomorrow?” 

Max bit her lip. “Sure.” 

El waited a moment, to see if she would say anything, but after a while, she tried to shrug off the awkwardness, and then put her grass chain on Mike’s head. “Grass crown for the Grass King.” she said. 

“What does a Grass King do?” Mike asked, smiling. 

“He wears grass crowns and carries his Grass Queen back down the hill.” 

“Alright, then.” Mike stood up, and El let out a delighted laugh as he picked her up. 

Max rolled her eyes. “Listen, El, just because your boyfriend is tall-” 

“Race back to the Byers, go!” El shouted, and Mike nodded at Max and took off. 

“Hey, no fair!” Max jumped to her feet. “Player Two, get back here! You have to-” she groaned. “Boys, come on, we’re racing back!” 

“Okay!” Lucas jumped to his feet, excited. “I’m faster than Mike, let’s go!” 

“Um,” Will bit his lip. “I might stay here a bit longer. Stars.” 

Dustin noticed his glance, and said, “I’ll stay with him. Make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble.” 

“Okay, but if you don’t meet us at the Byers’ in thirty minutes,” Max said, “Nancy and Hopper are gonna come up here and kill you themselves.” 

Will’s eyes widened, until he realized Max was joking. Lucas waved at him and Dustin and then ran down, grabbing Max’s hand and dragging her after the rapidly disappearing Mike and El. 

Once they were out of earshot, Dustin glanced back at Will and said, “What is it?” Will shook his head. “Come on, it’s okay. You can tell me.” 

Will sat up, shaking his head again. “It’s dumb.” 

“I doubt it.” 

Finally, Will moved over to the radio. “I was… I was hoping we could… try and call Kali. And her gang. I… I worry about them. They’re still out there alone.” 

Dustin watched him silently for a moment, and said, “That’s not dumb.” 

“But they won’t have a radio. I don’t even know where they are. I was just gonna- gonna flip through channels until I-I heard something- this is dumb.” 

“No!” Dustin scooted forwards, his eyes lighting up. “Here. Start flipping through, and I’ll try to force a vision. Maybe it’ll tell me what channel they’re on.” Will shook his head wildly. “Seriously, it’ll be fine. I’m getting better at it! I’ve been practicing when I’m bored, and I’ve been able to predict small things! Sometimes I can get the visions to tell me what I want! Let me try, okay?” 

Will hesitated. “Only if you’re okay-” 

“Of course! Come on, start flipping!” 

Will hesitated. “How- how do I do that?” 

“Shit, I forgot you don’t know… well, just gimme a moment. I’ll see something.” 

Dustin scooted back, sitting cross-legged and gripping his hands together, hmming slightly. Will’s eyes widened, and he fiddled with the grass, watching his friend try to slow his breathing and concentrate. 

After a moment, Dustin’s hands flew to the radio controls, and he started moving very fast, so fast Will blinked in amazement and leaned forwards, trying to pay attention to what he did. 

“Did you see something?” Will asked. 

“Just… a… flash…” Dustin said, very slowly. “Recently I’ve been getting small… flashes… hold on.” 

He landed on a channel, and Will said, “Is it Kali? Wilder? Mick? F-” 

“I don’t know, I just… had a flash…” Dustin leaned back. “Do you hear anything?” 

Will listened, and then slumped. “No.” 

“It- it could’ve been wrong. Or maybe the wrong time. I can try again-” 

Will shook his head. “It’s not your responsibility. Mike and I should’ve- I should’ve figured something better than just running.” 

“You were in a rush. And if you and Mike had arrived any later, we would’ve been Demodog food.” 

“Well, that was mainly Mike. I… I wasn’t useful.” 

Dustin’s eyes widened. “The hell does that mean? We were all useful! We all went into the tunnels and saved Mike!” 

“I-” 

At that moment, they heard a faint voice from the radio.

“What the…” 

Dustin moved back to the controls, adjusting them slightly. “Does that sound familiar?” Will shook his head again. It sounded male, but it didn’t sound like Funshine or Axel. In fact, it sounded like gibberish.

“Didn’t Max pack a recorder?” Dustin asked. Will nodded, and ran to the bag, which she’d forgotten beside them. He brought out the recorder, remembering her saying something about how her and El used to sing into it and maybe they could do group karaoke or something. He brought it to Dustin, who had finally gotten the voice much louder. 

And now that it was clearer, Will understood what the man was saying. He gaped, and turned to Dustin. Almost instinctively, he tapped on the side of the radio, several dots and dashes. 

Dustin nodded. “That’s Russian. Mike knows Russian, right?” 

Will shuddered, tapping out Papa taught him little. Enough? 

“Record it, we’ll see if we can have him translate when we get back.” 

Will handed him the recorder, thinking. He recognized one or two words thrown in- the boys had all been given basic Russian lessons, in case they were “needed undercover”, whatever that meant. But Mike had been given the most, because he could see people. In the Void. At least, they thought so. Mike never paraded his lessons from the Lab around, but Will remembered some of the doctors discussing “classes,” and occasionally Mike muttering words in other languages under his breath while visiting. 

Dustin was recording, so he didn’t want to speak aloud. So instead he waved his hand until Dustin looked at him, and then he tapped on the ground. A simple question: Do you really think this is important? 

Dustin responded very quickly. At least it will be interesting.

[smoaking-greenarrow]

Fic idea: Felicity passing out/becoming sick because she overworked herself with her new company/GA work. She forgets to eat and sleep. Oliver kind of getting mad about it and taking care of her

Safehouse (post 7x22)

Read on AO3

Opening the door of their new home, Oliver found Felicity exactly as he’d left her. She sat on the couch with her feet up on the coffee table and her laptop balanced on a pillow over her legs. Her fingers were moving just as quickly as they’d been when he left. He paused for a moment, watching her until she finally blinked.

Oliver sighed, bags of groceries in each of his hands as he shut the door and reset the alarm behind him. Then he took one more look at Felicity, shaking his head because she hadn’t even noticed his presence yet. Then he headed into the kitchen to unpack.

Smoak Tech was important to her. It was her dream, so of course it was important to him, too. But he was worried about how much pressure she’d been putting on herself lately.

With the city safe, they really had nothing to worry about besides themselves and the threat Emiko had warned them about before she died. It wasn’t like they could just sit around all day, driving themselves insane with wondering if they were safely hidden in this new house.

As nice as it had been to relax, even their little honeymoon had made them kind of stir-crazy after a while.

So he understood why Felicity needed something to focus on. At the end of the day, he was proud of the progress she was making with Smoak Tech. For whatever reason, their new life and the life growing inside of her, it all really inspired her. Every day, she was working on it, making adjustments, and coming up with new ideas.

Most of the time, it was beautiful to watch.

But sometimes…she needed reminders. Gentle reminders about simple things like eating and drinking. These days, if she even thought he was getting frustrated with her, his sweet wife would get upset. Just the hint of irritation in his tone when he’d told her she needed to drink more water this morning had made Felicity’s bottom lip start to tremble.

Being more careful now, Oliver pulled a bottle of water from the fridge, carrying it to the couch and sitting down next to her. He casually placed it next to her computer before leaning in to kiss her cheek.

Although her eyes remained glued to the screen, she tilted her heads towards him and hummed. “Hi,” Felicity whispered around a sigh.

Oliver pursed his lips, watching her fingers tap against the keyboard.

After a few minutes, they slowed, and then stopped.

He glanced up to find her looking at him. She raised her eyebrows, “what’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” Oliver frowned, settling into the couch more, pressing his thigh against hers.

Felicity gave him a look, “you’re hovering.”

His frown deepened, “I am not hovering,” he pouted. “I’m just sitting with you.”

“You’re watching me.”

At that, Oliver smiled. “Maybe I like watching you.”

Felicity bit her lip, fighting a grin as she tried to chastise him. She raised her hand, pressing her index finger between his eyebrows, “of course you do. But right now you have that little crease in your forehead that tells me you’re worrying.”

He sighed, “you’ve been working really hard today.”

Knowing just where he was going with the comment, Felicity snatched the water bottle and shook it. “This is my fourth one of these babies today. You fed me a feast for breakfast, and I took my mommy vitamins.” She rolled her eyes when he smirked at ‘mommy’.

Patting his knee, Felicity took a sip of the water. “See? I’m fine.” She nudged him, “now quit worrying.”

Oliver let out another sigh, “you’re not hungry?”

Felicity shook her head adamantly, her hand falling to her stomach and reminding him of the barely visible bump. She was a little self-conscious about it, which he knew she wouldn’t be once she looked ‘less like she ate too much pasta and more like there’s a baby in there.’ Her words, not his.

Since they spent most of their time at home, Felicity was enjoying not having to dress up. She’d practically claimed his sweaters as her own. They swallowed her whole, but he never missed a moment of it when she stripped her clothes off to climb into bed, the adorable new curve of her belly on full display.

Unable to resist, Oliver rested his hand over Felicity’s where she touched her stomach, and his thumb tracing absently across her wedding ring. He closed his eyes, leaning down to press a kiss to her shoulder. “You’re feeling okay?” He asked into her skin.

He didn’t even need to be looking at her face to see the roll of her eyes in response. “Yes. Honey, I’m fine. I promise.”

Only then did his eyes glance at her computer, and his heart skipped a beat. “What is that?” Felicity’s head snapped to the screen, her eyes widening as she realized she’d forgotten to close the tab. “Felicity,” Oliver grit his teeth, doing his damn best not to overreact. “Why are you looking at blueprints of the Star City Bank?”

Laughing nervously, Felicity scrunched her nose at him, “oops?”

He sucked in a breath, calling on his patience. “Please tell me you’re planning a bank robbery and not that you’re helping the team to stop one…”

“Oliver,” she raised her hands in surrender. “I swear, this is the first time. Dinah called yesterday about a group of robbers who have been getting in and out of almost every bank in town. They’re record-breaking quick, no one ever sees them come or go, and they’ve done it all without tripping a single alarm system. The SCPD can’t figure out how they’re doing it, but with the amount that’s being stolen and their efficiency, they’re guessing its a team of at least five or six of them.” As she spoke, and as he tried not to narrow his eyes at her, Felicity’s voice grew higher and faster. She reached for the remote to the television, “seriously, Oliver, the media is calling them ‘the magicians,’ you have to see this—”

“Felicity—” he worked not to growl it. Then he gently took the remote from her hand and set it back on the table. “We agreed.”

“I know,” she pursed her lips. “I haven’t done anything besides pull these blueprints and try to restore some security footage…which was pointless, because the magicians didn’t just scrub the cameras for their heists. It’s like it never existed, and even I can’t find something that never existed.”

All he did was look at her. At first, he was really trying to find a way to tell her he wasn’t happy about this that wouldn’t end up with her in tears. He knew that if she thought she’d upset him, it’d only upset her. But when she cringed, made a cute face, and mouthed ‘sorry,’ he was really trying not to smile.

“It’s okay,” Oliver’s shoulders slumped. “As long as this isn’t like Bali.” He frowned, remembering the white lies she’d come up with during the first few months of their relationship, how she’d helped the team behind his back because she was afraid he’d be hurt if he found out a part of her was still in Star City, connected to the team and working with them while she was supposed to be traveling the world with him. “If I remember correctly…you said you were bored.”

They both winced, and Felicity shook her head. “This isn’t like that. I’m just trying to do Dinah a favor. Trust me, I love the team, I love that part of our life. I will always miss it and I’ll be happy to lend a hand when they need us. But I’m busier than ever with Smoak Tech and getting lost in you,” she gave him a playful wink that made him grin.

“So,” Oliver glanced down, picking up her hand just to play with her fingers. “You’re not dying of boredom here like you were in Ivy Town?”

“Oliver,” she breathed, cuddling closer to his side. “No. And I wasn’t dying of boredom there. I was happy then and I’m happy now.”

“Okay,” he nodded, looking down at her now, trying to make sure that her face was as convincing as her words.

Felicity lifted her hand to his cheek, running her thumb across his bottom lip. “We’re having a baby,“ she grinned. "I am so far from bored.”

As if to prove her point, Felicity gently closed her laptop and set it aside. Then she turned back to him with a familiar smile and a glint in her eye that he loved so much, cluing him in on her thoughts before she even leaned in to kiss him.

Humming, Oliver nipped at Felicity’s bottom lip.

He took his time kissing her, drawing out his fair share of gorgeous moans and soft giggles when his mouth explored the right spot behind her ear. And her whole body relaxed with each swipe of his tongue on her skin. "Upstairs,” she gasped after a few minutes of it. “Take me upstairs,”

Oliver raised an eyebrow, “it’s not even noon,” he pretended to argue.

She laughed, her teeth catching her lip as she swung a leg over his body, straddling him where he sat on the couch. “It’s eleven minutes passed, thank you very much.”

Happily, Oliver leaned back, his hands finding her hips as she circled them above him. Felicity dropped her head to his neck, kissing a path down to his collar, where she unbuttoned the top two so she could continue down his chest. “Perks of our new life,” she mumbled against his skin.

With his eyes closed and his head resting against the back of the couch, too caught up in the feeling of her mouth on him to form real words. “Hmmm?”

“Perks of our new life,” she repeated slowly, each word droned between kisses as she made her way back up to his cheek. Her lips rested over his without actually kissing him, and Oliver sucked in a breath, just waiting. “Sex any time we want,” she finished, her voice low and sexy and doing things to him.

His hands moved over her body, his fingers digging in when they reached her perfect ass. And she giggled, pushing herself against him a little harder. “We have definitely been taking full advantage of that fact…of sex any time we want, and I’m enjoying—wait,” he froze, “did you say it’s after twelve?”

Her body stiffened too, her lips touching his as she whispered, “yes?”

“Shit,” Oliver grumbled. Then he stood up quickly, taking Felicity with him. She yelped at the unexpected shift, latching her arms and legs around him. “John’s going to be here any minute.”

“John?” Felicity frowned, holding on tighter when Oliver adjusted her, not bothering to put her down as he rounded the coffee table, carrying her towards the kitchen. He glanced up at her, seeing her face light up at the thought of seeing her friend, but then deflate as she realized there would be no time for afternoon sex.

He chuckled, setting her on the kitchen counter and kissing her cheek. “Crib time, baby,” Oliver winked. Felicity knew as well as he did that they could probably figure out how to assemble Mia’s crib without a problem, but it offered a nice excuse to ask John to come up for the afternoon.

It took Diggle another five minutes to arrive, and Felicity grumbled as each minute passed, reminding Oliver what they could be doing with that time. But as soon as their friend walked into the house, Felicity was beaming and throwing herself into his arms a little too excitedly.

Gracefully, Dig caught her, hugged her, and set her back on her feet. All the while, the two of them giggled like teenagers, making Oliver roll his eyes.

“All right, all right,” Oliver settled a calming hand on each of their shoulders, never liking it when he had to act like the adult between the three of them.

Once John and Oliver carried the box with the crib pieces upstairs, Felicity did an excellent job supervising their work and distracting John with her chatting, at least until she got bored with it. Then she brought them each up a glass of lemonade and said she was going to finish some work.

“Hey,” Oliver caught her hand as she was on her way out of the room. He looked at her skeptically, “Smoak Tech work or Team Arrow work?”

From the other side of the room, Dig snorted out a laugh, shrugging when Oliver and Felicity both turned to glare at him. He simply shrugged, getting back to his task, “Dinah told me she phoned a friend on these thieving magicians.”

Raising her eyebrows, Felicity glanced between them. “Actually, neither,” she lifted her chin defiantly. “No work. I’m going to read a book.”

“A book,” Oliver blinked.

It wasn’t like Felicity didn’t read. She loved to read. He was sure that the last time he’d seen her relaxing with one had been before Slabside, though. They’d barely had time to breathe since then, let alone read.

“Yup,” Felicity smiled. Without anything more, she pressed a kiss to her husband’s cheek and hurried off.

Leaving Oliver and Dig to their crib building in Mia’s nursery, Felicity stopped in the kitchen to get herself a glass of lemonade, too. Then she took a few minutes to pick out a book from the shelf. One of the many things she loved about their new, fully furnished home was the plethora of books she’d never read kicking around the place. Now, she could have time for relaxing like this, and for Smoak Tech. And for her husband, and her daughter, and the team when they needed her.

She had time for it all. She could have it all.

In hindsight, Oliver had really been onto something when he’d suggested that house in Ivy Town. Felicity didn’t have a single regret, but sometimes she liked to daydream; wonder what their life might’ve been like had they chosen to stay all those years ago. Surely, Star City would’ve suffered without Oliver being the Green Arrow. But…maybe they wouldn’t have suffered so much.

The ‘What If’ game was a dangerous one, but Felicity never let her thoughts sink into the bad places of it. Shaking her head, she turned towards the couch. But then she looked out the window; the sun shining on their lawn that she hadn’t spent much time in at all. The outdoors had never really been her thing. Unless you counted space camp. But maybe it was time to make it her thing.

She’d always wished she had a green thumb, maybe she could even explore a hobby in gardening.

With a smile, thinking of all the possibilities still ahead of her, Felicity took her drink and her book and headed for the backyard.

Stepping out onto the porch, she glanced around the space, her eyes zeroing in on the hammock by the treeline she’d noticed on the day they’d moved in, but she hadn’t had a chance to try out yet. Happily, Felicity set her drink down in the grass next to the hammock and slowly eased herself into it, giving a small fist pump of victory when she made it down without a problem.

She wasn’t quite sure how she’d manage getting back out though…that part may require her husband’s assistance, but it was a worry for later. Ignoring the book for a while, Felicity settled in, her hand resting on the cover as she closed her eyes and turned her face towards the sun.

As much as she hated to admit it, Oliver was right. She’d needed this.

Coming to the safehouse under the circumstances they had…it’d been upsetting at first, to say the least. Leaving Star City, their hard work, their bunker, and their friends behind had been sad. Building Smoak Tech and finally focusing on her dream was still stressful. But, when Felicity took the time to relax, she also knew that there was a lot in their life together to look forward to.

Mia was only the beginning of everything.

The thought brought a smile to Felicity’s face. And she opened her eyes slowly, reaching for her lemonade as she thought about how much she was looking forward to that everything.

Just as her hand touched the rim of the sweating glass, a movement in the woods caught her attention, and Felicity froze, tipping her chin in the direction.

It took her a moment to notice what she’d seen, but then her eyes narrowed on the large, wild-looking dog as it sat down, just a few yards away in the trees.

At least, she thought it was a dog.

It was massive…and it almost appeared to be more of a wolf than a dog, aside from the fact that it looked totally calm and unbothered by her. Wolves usually didn’t sit and people-watch, did they?

“Oh,” Felicity sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes growing wider. She swore, as soon as she made eye contact with the dog/wolf, it stared right back, completely focused on her. She wasn’t really sure if she should stay still or run for her life, and for some reason she just ended up waving at the creature as if it understood the 'I come in peace’ gesture.

It cocked its head to the side, still studying her with curiosity. And Felicity smiled, noticing that it was actually pretty cute. “Hi, buddy.”

At the sound of her voice, the dog/wolf stood up again, and Felicity gulped as she realized that it was even bigger than she’d thought.

Lifting its nose in the air, the dog/wolf took a few slow steps in her direction, and Felicity got the strange sense that it was trying not to scare her. She held her breath until it got closer, and she could absolutely confirm that he was a dog, judging by the collar and grooming. But still, she wouldn’t be surprised if he had some wolves as ancestors. “Well where did you come from?” Felicity whispered, and was answered with a whine from the dog.

“Moose!” A voice called from the woods, making Felicity’s head snap towards the trees.

Her new friend glanced in the same direction, but didn’t bother doing anything besides plopping himself down beneath her.

Felicity swung her legs over the side of the hammock as the voice got closer, getting to work on shimmying her way out of the thing. Once she was up, Felicity huffed, giving the dog a hesitant pat on the head, which he seemed to like, so she did it again. Then she moved to scratch behind his ear, which he really seemed to like, and she laughed.

“Moose!” The voice was much closer, and Felicity looked up to see a man shuffling awkwardly at the edge of their property, his eyes on the dog.

He gave Felicity an apologetic smile, whistling and patting his leg for the dog to come. Even when Felicity dropped her hand, leaving this wolf-looking-dog apparently named Moose no incentive to stay with her, he didn’t budge. The dog just met her eyes slowly, then looked at his owner. And then he sighed, dropping his head to his paws like he had no intention of continuing their walk.

The man put his hands on his hips, “ma'am,” Felicity could practically see him blushing, “I’m so sorry, he can be a brat sometimes. I’m sure he’s a little intimidating at first. But he’s a teddy bear, I promise.”

Felicity offered a friendly smile, patting Moose on the head again. She couldn’t help but notice that the man seemed to be the human version of his companion. He was big and gruff, holding the same huge presence as the dog.

“It’s okay,” she shrugged, rubbing Moose’s neck. “Go on, buddy,” Felicity tried, pointing towards the man and nudging the dog to move. But he just looked up at her, his eyes unimpressed. Nah, leave me be. I’m fine here, he seemed to say.

“Moose,” the man sighed, sounding exhausted, and Felicity had to bite her lip to keep from laughing as she imagined how much trouble a dog this size, with this much personality, could cause.

Out of nowhere, Moose jolted to his feet, moving faster than she would’ve thought he was capable of. He turned his back on his owner, his ears raising and a low growl sounding in his throat. Felicity gasped, seeing that the dog almost reached her chest.

The dog’s eyes were laser-focused on her house, and Felicity glanced up to see Oliver and John standing on the porch, both of them watching the man in the woods with careful gazes.

John lifted his hand in greeting, but Oliver stood stock-still, his eyes wide as he glanced from the man, to the dog, to Felicity, and back. And Felicity could see the worry start to creep into her husband’s expression. “It’s fine,” She let out a deep breath, not sure if she was soothing the dog or her husband, since both of them looked ready for a fight.

Oliver stepped closer, and Moose growled more.

He froze, his eyes darkening in a way Felicity hadn’t seen in a long time.

“I’m sorry. He’s harmless, I promise,” the man finally came closer, not hesitating to come across the lawn and grab the dog’s collar. “He’s a little less trusting of men. But he wouldn’t hurt anyone without my signal.” As if that made Oliver any less tense. “I’m really sorry.” The man addressed Felicity, “Moose seems to like you, though. He’s usually not this protective over anyone besides me.”

With a slight smile, Felicity nodded. She didn’t feel like the dog had any plans of ripping her to shreds like the hounds from Game of Thrones, but she couldn’t be too careful. Clearly, Oliver was on edge, which always made her instincts take better notice.

Now that the man had his hand on Moose’s collar, Oliver stepped off the porch, crossing the yard. And when the dog growled in protest, Felicity felt Oliver’s hand on her elbow just a moment later. Oliver’s eyes met hers, asking if she was okay, and Felicity nodded once.

“Well,” the man worked to keep his smile in place, probably sensing that they weren’t in the mood for small talk with a stranger. “Moose and I live about a mile up the road there,” he gestured with his free hand. “I’m Elias.”

“Nice to meet you,” Felicity mumbled, leaning her back against Oliver’s chest.

Elias nodded, his eyes shifting between the three of them as if he was trying to figure out who they were and how they ended up in a safe house surrounded by ex-CIA and ex-ARGUS agents. Or maybe that was just her brain being paranoid.

With a final wave, Elias headed off the way he’d come, dragging Moose along with him. “If you ever need anything, we’re not far,” he smiled at Felicity.

Finally, Oliver cleared his throat and nodded back. “Thank you.”

As soon as Elias and Moose were out of sight, Oliver’s hands slid to Felicity’s shoulders, and the breath he released blew through her hair. “What the hell was that?” He whispered, gently turning her around to face him.

“Moose and Elias, I guess.” Felicity shrugged, brushing it off. “I’m hungry.” She took Oliver’s hand, pulling him back towards the house. But she didn’t miss the look her partners shared over her head. And Felicity rolled her eyes, knowing full well that Dig would have a background check and a full report on their new neighbor for Oliver by nightfall.

[wellamarke]

@humanschallenge Day 1 ‘rebooting’

some Leotilda to kick us off (I actually wrote most of this ages ago but I’m using it to give me a day lead on this challenge😂)

•••

“So I guess Niska really wanted the two of us to talk,” Mattie says dryly, staring out at the road ahead of them.

Leo hums in what could be amusement. “She never was very subtle.”

They had been spun some tale about an important supply run, and Niska had given each of them the distinct impression that she would be their sole travelling companion.

Then something had “come up” and she’d had to stay at the base, leaving Mattie and Leo alone in each other’s company for the first time in almost nine weeks.

“I don’t know, at least she used to have some class with it,” Mattie muses. “Since becoming the violet queen she thinks she can just order us around.”

“Well,” says Leo, “Since she’s not here, she can’t make us talk.”

Taken aback for a second, Mattie can only blink in response to that.

“Wow,” she says, eventually. “And here I was, offering the olive branch.”

“Is that what that was? It sounded like you just want me to side against my sister.”

Mattie huffs. “Oh my God, Leo, I was joking. I was just trying to lighten the mood. I’m sick of this… thing, where we pretend to be strangers. We’re not strangers.”

“What are we, then?” he asks, tone only a little less hostile. “We’re not strangers, but we’re not exactly friends either.”

“Yeah, and whose…”

She bites off the end of the sentence. “Forget it.”

For a few moments, they just drive.

Eventually, Leo says quietly, “Mine.”

Where does he get off, answering a question she never even finished asking? Mattie could laugh, honestly. Or she could cry. Instead all she says is, “You were going to leave me.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Then you were going to come back, and I… I could just see the rest of my life being like that. I’d just get used to you being around, and then something would happen to scare you off. And that’s bad enough if it’s just me.” She shudders, just a little. “I won’t do that to a kid.”

The silence afterwards is palpable.

“Say something,” she prompts him, when he doesn’t. “Let’s do this now, if we’re ever going to do it.”

“I don’t know what there is to say,” he tells her, sounding like a thing half strangled. “I should never have gone. I know it now, but like you said. It’s too late.”

She had said that. Even now, she thinks it’s true but can’t stop hoping, somewhere, that it’s not.

“I had a plan,” she says, through a deep breath. “The night…” the night Mia died, she doesn’t say, “I was going to trade the Day Zero story for my mum’s freedom. I’d’ve had a prison abortion, easy, done, it would have all been over with.”

“So what happened?”

“Niska happened.”

“Oh.”

“So you see, this road trip isn’t her first move in this game.”

Leo looks solemn. “She manipulated you?”

“No, she—”

Mattie considers.

“If she did,” she amends, “it was for the greater good, or whatever.”

He takes this in, hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter, perhaps. Or perhaps she’s imagining it.

“Anyway, she stopped me. For whatever reason, it doesn’t matter. I just… you should know what I really meant.”

She wills him to work it backwards, to figure out what she means without her having to expound any further.

“What you meant about what?”

Yeah, maybe that was too much to ask.

“As in, I was going to prison. I didn’t want to be talked out of it.”

“Not by me, anyway.”

“Not by anyone. Niska fights dirty, she doesn’t count.”

“Okay.”

She can’t tell if he’s there yet, wishes she wasn’t so out of touch. Looking at him now, she can no more tell what he’s thinking than she could read his mind while he was in the coma.

“So,” he says at length, “Maybe it’s not too late, after all. Is that what you’re trying to say?”

Thank God. “Yes.” She shifts in her seat, suddenly uncertain. This changes everything, breaks that easy illusion she’s been leaning on all this time. “It’s still pretty late, though.”

He takes a breath that might be a laugh, might be a gasp, might be sob. “I’ll take it. It’s more than I deserve.”

“I’m not… trying to be rash,” she warns him. “I’m just giving you context. It was too late, but mainly for those reasons that don’t exist anymore. I didn’t consider any other possibility in that moment and I still don’t know how I feel or how any of this would work.”

The words come thick and fast, because she’s imagined saying this part so many times. At the end of it, she takes a deep breath. Then lets it go.

He waits, and she’s grateful for it, even if it’s just that he’s at a loss for words.

“I meant it earlier, about you coming and going. That’s no life for your child. Your next out would be your last one ever.”

She sighs. “Because… I can forgive cold feet on day one. I get it. Neither of us chose this. But now it’s different, now it’s a choice. In or out.”

“In,” he says, without missing a beat.

“Don’t rush into anything,” she says, not trying to be witty. “I need you to be sure.”

“In,” he says again, with even more feeling this time. “I’m in, I promise.”

She feels her heart swell, tries not to give into the warmth just yet. It’s hard, though. Whether or not it’s good for her, she doesn’t know how to keep her distance.

It’s something they have in common, at least. At the earliest opportunity, Leo pulls over to the side of the road and shifts diagonally, so he’s as much opposite her as he can be in the front of the van.

The silence is heavy with expectations, with fear, with hope.

“Damn it,” Mattie says, oh-so-softly. “Niska totally got us.”

“Can we stop talking about my sister?”

She giggles, and the spell breaks. “We can stop talking altogether.”

And maybe she’s mad. Maybe she’s stupid and shortsighted and far too forgiving. Maybe. But she kisses him there by the side of the road and the whole world resets, reboots, rights itself at last.

So maybe she’s mad.

If she’s honest, she kind of wants to be.

[wenevergotusedtoegypt]

I had an argument with a coworker earlier that’s really getting to me.

Like listen, I’ve had disagreements with coworkers. I have coworkers who regularly drive me crazy. I had the whole MPC saga last year. But what gets me about this situation is that it was someone I’d previously considered a friend, and came totally out of nowhere.

Basically, we have a huge crisis of office space this year. We have more actual employees than we’ve ever had who need desks, and 10 interns who are sometimes in all at once. We don’t have any more space than in the past. To make matters worse, there were some auditors here for a few months who were using one of the conference rooms all day every day. I have tried to problem-solve. The interns’ supervisor has tried to problem-solve. My boss has tried to problem-solve. We’ve tried to work with other departments. This is an ongoing thing, we are doing everything we can do, but some days there’s just not anything I can do. To make things worse, several staff members - including senior staff - have been uncooperative when asked to keep me informed of days they’re out so that their desks can be utilized. Then I look like an idiot because I say there’s no space for something, and it turns out that X senior staff member’s office is open all day.

It’s frustrating. It’s frustrating for me, it’s frustrating for the interns, and it’s frustrating for everyone else. But again, some days there’s just not anything I can do. I can’t magically conjure up more space. I can’t force other departments out of conference rooms.

So finally the auditors I mentioned are gone, and I can breathe a sigh of relief. The interns can work in the room they were using every day, no scrambling for space on days there’s literally nothing available, no booking a different conference room for them for the whole day and then not having anywhere to schedule meetings. It’s not the greatest solution, because it tends to be cold and it’s a bit far from the rest of our staff, but sometimes you’ve gotta work with what you have. Especially on a Monday, when there’s literally never any conference rooms that aren’t booked at least part of the day for something else. 

And then this coworker comes up to me this morning, and instead of expressing concern and asking what we can do, is just outright hostile to me from the get-go, treating me like I’m the enemy, treating me like I’m holding back some solution for funsies, treating me like I haven’t been trying to figure this out every single freaking day since the interns first started in the fall.

She’s mad because the room they’re in is too cold (not in my control and what do you want from me when there’s literally no other space in the entire freaking building??) and the cell reception in the room is poor (it’s not as good as elsewhere in the building but I’ve personally made plenty of calls there, so...) and it’s too far for her to get to when people call for the interns and she has to track them down (I agree! I literally have the same issue! It’s significantly further for me than for you! There is not a better solution!). And because X senior staff member isn’t in until 11:30 today and I should have told them to use his office til then (1. he didn’t tell me he was coming in late 2. in the past the interns have complained to their supervisor about being moved in the middle of the day so WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME, darned if I do darned if I don’t), and because Y senior staff member isn’t in today and they should be using her office (it couldn’t fit more than 4 - and that extremely cramped - and I’d already let multiple of them use that office for calls and meetings today), and because if I told them they can use it, why are 4 different interns complaining to her that they can’t (I don’t know, because these freaking obnoxious interns are consistently ungrateful and this is not the first time they’ve made it out to other staff that I’m being unhelpful when really they’re ignoring help that I’ve offered and/or not asking for it?).

I immediately get defensive because...wth. The conversation isn’t hugely productive (shocker) and though I end up conceding to a point of hers, she walks away in the middle of the conversation seemingly without hearing/acknowledging that, mumbling something about talking to her supervisor. I take a moment to breathe, walk over to her desk, and ask if we can talk. She says ok. I explain that I felt like she came in already attacking me, that I got defensive as a result, and apologize and say that I would have had a very different response had her approach been different. Clearly trying to reset and start over the conversation. She acknowledges that she came in on the attack but then...acts like it was reasonable? and continues to speak to me in an extremely hostile way. Says that “she’s doing her job” and “I’m doing mine.” Wth NO?? It’s not your job to be hostile to your coworkers. It may be your job to advocate for yourself/the interns working with your department, but there is a freaking way to do that. I repeatedly ask her to remember that we’re on the same side and tell her that I am frustrated too, that we have been working on this all year, that she doesn’t even know all the background information about what my boss and I have been doing behind the scenes to try to figure this out. But she just keeps being hostile and acting like I’m not doing everything I can.

I think what bothers me most about this is that she’s also an admin person. She should know better. She should know what it feels like for people to be ungrateful and demanding when you’re doing your best and to always expect instant solutions no matter how unrealistic. We’ve worked together for coming up on 3 years and she should know I’m not just sitting back doing nothing, or purposely making people’s lives difficult. And yet she never even tried to have a calm conversation with me. She went from nothing to completely hostile instantly. I used to think of her as a friendly face and someone who got it, and she came to my wedding even, but now I honestly just don’t want to interact with her ever again whether professionally or socially.

[thewildthewarlikeandthewoebegone]

I made a file for Lothric in Dark Souls 2 (and wrote up a thing about the storyline I developed for it, here [xxx]), but why finish one project when you can start more projects to sporadically switch between, endlessly?  So I made Lothric in Dark Souls 3.  He’s still astral projecting, but he’s not playing around with history this time.  Being chased by endless unkillable foes, forever, who are persistent enough to get around literally any obstacle, is starting to drive him up the wall.  The world will end soon anyway, but he’s too mad to wait that long.  And the chance that somebody could kill him while they’re all waiting for the sky to fall is absolutely unacceptable.  He’s quite good at astral projecting after spending a lot of his adolescence worming his consciousness into the past to escape his home life, so why not assume the role of an ashen one and kill all of those dusty re-risen goddamn Lords of Cinder himself (how hard could it be)?  He already has his own soul.  If he can become the one who holds the power to link the flame, the only one, he can choose to smother it.  Even if the cycle can be reset if someone links the flame (which isn’t a given), that will only create an environment where those in power will make another Lothric, another sacrifice, to see if it can be done yet again.  Reality is so far gone that the cycle can’t be sustained without treating people like kindling, baking suffering and dehumanization into the very DNA of the world.  It’s time for a cycle like that to die.

The firekeeper knew exactly what he was from the start - knew exactly who he was - but she is so committed to her sacred duty to indiscriminately assist ashen ones that she can’t bring herself to do anything but help him.  At first she had a brief flash of disbelieving hope that he’d sent this projection to her to turn himself in, but then it smiled at her and played coy about being an ashen one on a quest to link the flame.  If he wanted to link the flame, he had no reason not to be straightforward.  The only thing left for him to be after is an age of dark, and all the firekeeper can do is hope that he fails, or is killed by a true champion before he succeeds.  Firelink Shrine is a tense, tense place when Lothric is around, and the others who take refuge there have no idea why.  Everything’s going exactly according to Lothric’s plan, in other words.  

Since Lothric and Lorian’s souls are linked, they actually both pilot the projection like a Jaeger from Pacific Rim, or like the sensate from Sense8.  Lothric has more say in how it looks and what it does because it’s his magic that created it, but there’s a lot of Lorian in there too.  With Lothric skilled in magic and Lorian skilled in melee weapons, they have a lot of bases covered.  Lothric’s not used to sharing his astral projections, so he’s a little miffed about that.  Lorian’s used to approaching combat using a body that has more strength and stamina, so he’s a little miffed about the lost potential and the strong need for caution.  It’s an effective partnership, but not a seamless one.  They’re very different people.

Lothric didn’t know he’d find Emma on the High Wall.  There was a time he trusted her, a time he didn’t know better than to trust her and fancy she cared about his well-being.  But she’s just like the others, and always has been.  What’s worse, she firmly believes that forcing him to link the flame is “helping him.”  He wasn’t prepared to meet Emma, not there, not then.  But perhaps the worst part was, she didn’t even recognize him.  Lorian quickly guided their projection away.

Lorian wanted to teach Lothric how to fight Vordt like a knight.  Lothric wanted to summon somebody else to fight Vordt like a knight, so he could hang back and shoot magic at the thing... that’s how he’s always done it when he and Lorian fight ashen champions.  They’re very different people.

The game will inevitably present a boss fight with the “actual” Lothric and Lorian, but I can decide things and just like that it’s not part of the story’s canon?  In the canon of the story, they’ll go out of their way to get the projection they’re piloting to their actual hideout, but only so they can give it a cool sword.  Lothric can only astral project his consciousness, he can’t send tangible objects through the link.

You can jump onto Lothric’s throne at Firelink Shrine and sit in it, so that’s Lothric’s resting spot for when I exit the game.  I imagine he likes sitting up there like it’s... well, like it’s a throne.  Just a humble, ordinary ashen cleric, definitely on a journey to kill that bastard Lothric instead of usher in an age of dark.  His lazy, vicious confidence makes the firekeeper extremely nervous.

You don’t find Lothric’s outfit until late in the game.  I figure Lothric starts out by posing as an ashen cleric because he doesn’t want everybody to immediately know who he is.  By the time the game hands out his actual outfit, that signifies the point where he’s so confident in his purpose and his eventual success that he doesn’t give a shit anymore if people know.  That being said, his commitment to not obviously being Lothric doesn’t necessarily sync with a commitment to being perfectly unremarkable.  If you’ve spent your whole life not having to wear pants, it’s not an imposition you will ever be prepared to take kindly to.  Lorian points out delicately sometimes that wearing pants with that cleric robe would actually lead to taking less damage from something like Vordt (who he definitely knows how to fight with a melee weapon, and maybe they could just...) but Lothric is adamant that if Lorian wants an astral projection that wears pants, he’d better get started right away figuring out how to make his own.  The devs actually recorded a devious little slapslapslap sound for bare feet, a truly mischievous sound, which I imagine they made for me, personally, to augment this playthrough specifically.

[a-drop-of-nightshade]

Black and blue, black and green, he almost snorted seeing how their robes almost complimented each other, “And you bloody well know I wouldn’t call if it was out of my hands. Do give Shego my regards though.” He retorted, gesturing down at his alter and Izzy, as well as the Lurker who was going absolutely mad, screeching angrily trying to drive the unknown danger away from L and Izzy, the two he had called them to protect, to help and save.

“Oh yes no shit sherlock.” He said rolling his green eyes, he then looked at the alter, “Taming magic, that’s not a common one. Looks like he’s doing is mostly subconsciously too.” He said gesturing to the Necro who shot some bone shards at Cin when he got too close. The little Necro seemed a awfully determined to try and protect the two, even if one was dead and the other dying. However as L was healed the champion grimaced at the sound of snapping bones, watching his leg reset and heal, he could hear more snapping inside his body and he could only imagine what had been broken inside of him.

At Cinder’s quip the champion gave the him a look, “You don’t need to tell me that Cinder, but that’s easily fixed if I just replace the god damn floor.” He said stamping a foot down, the floor rolled out from underneath this foot rippling and changing the blood stains vanishing as Cin sent the two off and their little pet off. He sighed and looked at the god, “Shame, that little critter would have been fascinating to study.” He sighed sadly, “Now go in shoo! Herma’s been in a bad mood as of late, Miraak’s being a real little shit and I’ve been working constantly to keep him happy.” He said waving the god away.

The tamer didn’t quite understand what had happened, he didn’t know what went on or where they were, he didn’t know if they were alive but all he knew was he was still clinging to Izzy, even when the staff had to pry her from him to fix her up they were smart enough to put her back, the little Lurker was hidden under the blankets with L, curled up against him not understanding what was going on but refusing to be seen or let anyone hurt them. L’s body may have been healed but his mind was in a state of its own, one didn’t simply connect to a whole group of necromoprhs which were part of a hive mind that worshiped their final stage, their gods, which in turn worshiped their creator without taking some mental hits.

He was the last to wake up, even when his body clung to hers, and when he did he was dazed and lost, yet finally his eyes opened and he shifted to see Izzy, he sat up in an instant causing the Lurker to squeak in alarm under the sheets as he pressed a hand to her cheek, “I-Iz?” He stuttered out before he saw her eyes, those empty hollow eyes and pain tore through him, he gently stroked her cheek with his thumb, “Oh Iz… I’m sorry… It’s all my fault… I’m such an idiot.” He whispered, leaning down he rested his forehead to hers, “And I’m so sorry… but I love you… I love you so much.”

He kissed her softly on the lips, tears dripping onto her face, “Please iz… come back… I need you… I need you so bad.” He whispered, he pleaded her, he wanted to see her smile and laugh and tease him, so he just spoke and he told her that, he whispered to her every last thing he could remember, he told her how he loved her for her quirks and her faults, he told her how he didn’t care if she was blue or a little funny in the head, she was his everything and she was all he had that truly mattered to him. He didn’t know how long he spoke, but his lips were cracked, his throat drying out, and all he could do was just tell her how much he loved her, how much he needed her… until his head pressed to her neck and he just begged sobbing to have his Izzy back. She was his only reason for living.

“Izzy Izzy look! It’s a lil baby bean!” L exclaimed, holding up a very live and eerily tame looking Lurker who had its tentacles hidden away, it hissed at her slightly, but L just hugged it to his chest and carefully squished its face, “Isn’t it just the cutest?! Can I keep it? Oh please!”

( @a-drop-of-nightshade )

Izzy had frozen the second she'd seen the necro. Why were there any here? They were supposed to be safe. Hands shaking a bit she just stared at the thing waiting for it to strike. The hiss had her reaching for her cutter which she wasn't wearing at the moment. Each movement waa instinctive and she didn't look like she was having a good time in her head. "L that's a fuckin necro." She managed to slur as she watched him.

[alittlebitofeverything579]

7 Days to Die Au thingy

So my step-dad took me on this really beautiful scenic drive through the woods today, and it got me thinking of an Achievement Hunter zombie apocalypse á la 7 Days to Die. Where the world is quite a while into an apocalypse and things are about as chill as a zombie filled world can be. But more specifically I want to talk about how I imagine our little group of heroes came to be. And it all starts with Ryan. 

So Ryan’s not sure how, but people who need help just seem to find him. It starts with Geoff. Ryan’s been living in an isolated cabin by a lake, the only humans he ever really sees are a couple travelling merchants named Burnie and Gus who come by and bring him things he can’t make himself. But then one day Geoff shows up with Burnie and Gus, he’s looking for a stable place to stay, and he offers Ryan his help in exchange for a place to stay. Though Ryan is a little unsure, he agrees because it gets lonely out there. He quickly learns that Geoff is handy to have around, he can sew, and cook, and knows his way around basic survival. He also learns that Geoff isn’t so much looking for a place to stay as he is looking for a place to hide from the world. Geoff admits that he used to be a part of a group, it was small and they sound like they were good people to Ryan, and for a while things were okay, but then one night they got into a fight with another group over supplies, someone fired a gun and it attracts a nearby hoard…Geoff was the only one to make it out. After that Geoff decided to try making it on his own, not wanting to lose anyone else, but a mix of needing some help to survive and just pure loneliness made him hop on to Burnie and Gus’s offer to hang with them, but he wasn’t built for all that travelling on foot, and hence him staying with Ryan. (”Does that make any sense at all?” Ryan would nod, “Yeah, I think I can understand that, I thought it might be easier to stay out here alone and pretend the rest of the world wasn’t real, but it’s nice to have someone.”)                                  

Next to join them is Jack. And he’s less someone in need and more of a happy accident of a friend. Ryan and Geoff have fallen into a rhythm, they work, they repair, they set traps, Ryan tends the garden, and Geoff turns the old shed into a smoke house. Ryan is checking the traps when he hears screaming coming from the lake, where he knows Geoff is, and fears the worst. He makes it to the lake front in record time and finds Geoff, soaking wet and mad as hell, and Jack standing at the edge of the water laughing his ass off. “Geoff, what happened to you?” “I saw a snake.” Ryan raised an eyebrow, “And what, you jumped into the lake? And who’s chuckles here?” ‘I’m Jack,” he introduced himself, wiping his watering eyes. “I did not jump into the lake, I saw the snake, screamed, went to run away, and was pushed in!” “In my defense, I thought you were attacking me, so I pushed you back,” Jack explained. Ryan looked between the two and felt himself start giggling. “Oh great, now you’ve pushed me into a lake and broken my Ryan, I need him in working order so we can live,” Geoff exclaimed, as he got back on dry land. “I’m not broken, I just, when you screamed I thought you were in actual danger.” “I was! That snake could have bitten me and then I’d be dead right now!” “Sure you would Geoff.” Ryan looked at Jack, “So what are you doing out here? We don’t see many people here.” “I’m looking for a safe place to stay right now, what’s it like up here?” “Pretty good, not many zombies, good hunting, the ground’s fertile if you know how to plant.” Jack smiled at his description, “Sounds like a place I might like to stay in.” “You’re welcome to stay at ours for the night, or at the very least for dinner, I owe you after that wonderful display.” Geoff made an incoherently indignant sound from where was packing up his fishing gear.   

The next addition is much larger, Michael, Lindsay, and Andy. The Gents find the three running from a hoard, Ryan is too busy practically dragging Geoff into the cellar to notice Jack ushering three extra people in. Once they’re secure he notices them and asks what happened. Michael explains that they had been travelling when they ran into the hoard, while also trying to check over Lindsay and Andy to make sure they’re okay. They have to spend three days in the cellar, but Geoff insists they wait an extra day to be safe. Once they come out Ryan offers the three a place to sleep and some food. Jack wakes up that night and finds Michael sitting on the couch with Lindsay’s head in his lap. “Everything okay?” The answer to Jack’s question comes when Lindsay starts whimpering and muttering in her sleep, settling down when Michael pets her hair and starts gently whispering to her. “This happen a lot?” Michael sighs and rubs his eyes, “Every night.” Jack’s eyebrows knit together in concern at that, “When do you sleep then?” Michael shrugs, “Doesn’t really matter, matters more that she gets to sleep.” Jack shakes his head sits down on the floor in front of the couch, “I’ll stay up with her if you want to get some sleep.” Michael passes out almost instantly. He wakes up in a panic the next morning, yelling for Lindsay and Andy when he realizes they aren’t in his line of sight, and jumping to his feet. He finds them on the front porch, Lindsay is playing with a Jack’s cat and Andy trying to help Geoff check and reset the nearby snare traps that they use to catch rabbits and squirrels. He wants to yell at them because he just nearly had a heart attack, but then he notices Geoff patiently showing Andy how to work the trap, and Lindsay giggles at the cat, and god, Michael hasn’t heard her do that in so long, so he just smiles and asks how he can help. Around noon Michael mentions that they should get going, and Andy’s shoulders fall and Lindsay instantly looks tired, so Ryan groans internally, curses himself for caring, and offers them the attic as a place to stay. The way all their faces light up is almost worth it.                                                                

Next Gavin joins and they start building an addition to the house. Gavin shows up by the lake, barely coherent and asking for someone he called ‘Turney’. After confirming that Gavin is not going to die and turn or infect them all with some horrible illness, they take him in and help him regain his health (turns out he had a badly infected cut that made him sick, Jack pays extra care to make sure everyone cleans even the smallest cuts after that), and Ryan has to mentally berate himself for agreeing to help, because the cabin isn’t big enough for all these people damnit. Gavin doesn’t talk at all for the first few months, just kinda wanders the halls and always looks like he’s just seen a ghost. Lindsay takes a liking to him though, she tries to use sign language to communicate with him and he uses a little, but mostly he’s just there. Lindsay doesn’t mind, she just keeps on talking to him. It’s her he talks to first, they’re out collecting firewood, and Lindsay is telling some story about before, about her and Michael playing Mario Party, and suddenly out of no where she hears, “Me and Turney used to play that all the time.” Lindsay beams at him and continues the conversation. (Geoff just about loses his mind the first time he hears Gavin talk. “Wait you’re fucking British!?” “…Yeah.” *bewildered Geoff noises*) Then one night Michael can’t sleep and he finds Gavin sitting at the kitchen table with that vacant look in his eyes. “You can’t sleep?” It’s rhetorical, Gavin nods anyways. “It has to do with whoever Turney is, doesn’t it?” Gavin nods again. “Do you wanna talk about it?” Gavin stays quiet for a long time and Michael doesn’t think he’s getting anywhere, when Gavin answers, “She was lovely, a real class girl, her name was Meg, only I called her Turney, we were together before…we stayed together after, but then she got hurt while we were looking for a place to stay and I couldn’t help her, that’s how I got hurt, I was looking for medicine for her….it was too late when I got back…and now I’m here.” Michael doesn’t know what to say, thinks of losing Lindsay, can’t imagine the world without her smile. He decides to say nothing and just rests a hand on the Brit’s shoulder.                                

Then Jeremy joins and Ryan swears he’s done bringing people in. This is the one he fights, or at least he tries to. He comes home from hunting and does a double take when he sees an unfamiliar face helping Geoff peel potatoes. “Hey Ry, how did hunting go?” Geoff doesn’t even acknowledge that someone new is sitting at their table, like he thinks Ryan won’t notice. “Fine, I got a turkey, who the hell is this?” Jeremy visibly tenses as Ryan speaks. “This is Jeremy, Gavin found him, poor dude was cornered by some zombies-” “I swear to god if you say he followed him home,” Ryan interrupted, pinching his brow. Geoff just kept talking, “-so Gavin helped him and brought him back here to catch his breath, then I needed help peeling potatoes and he offered to help, so I was thinking he could stay for dinner.” “Geoff, do you realize how many people we already have to feed, what makes you think we can afford another?” Ryan asked in agitation. Geoff just scoffed, “You got me a good looking bird there, I’ll be able to make plenty of food.” Ryan sighed and set the turkey on the table,  “Where’s Jack? I need to talk to another rational human.” “He’s out in the garden.” “Are you aware there’s some guy in our kitchen?” Jack didn’t even look up from the tomatoes he was picking, “His name is Geoff, Ryan, I’d think you remember him by now.” Ryan let out a huff, “Not him, the other one.” “Oh, you mean Jeremy? What about him?” “Why does Geoff think inviting him to dinner is a good idea!? He could murder us, or steal our shit, not to mention we’re running out of room!” Jack stood up and dusted himself off, “I think he seems fine, he could have murdered or robbed us hours ago, and what does us not having room have to do with this? It’s only dinner.” Ryan threw his hands up in frustration, “Except it’s not! Because every time I help someone they end up living in my house! And it’s almost winter and food is gonna be harder to find, and-” “Ryan, calm down, I understand you’re worried, but we’ll be fine, we’ve got shelter, and we’ve got food stored up, and once the vegetables are ripe we’ll can them and that’s even more food, plus it’s only dinner, not everyone you help lives with you, you help Burnie and Gus all the time, they still leave.” Ryan rubbed a hand over his face, “I guess, but if he ends up living here I’m breaking Gavin’s legs for bringing him here.” Jack just laughed. After dinner Jeremy actually did leave, “See Ryan? You were freaked out for nothing.” Then the rain and thunder starts and Gavin is the first to say it, but it’s nagging at the back of Ryan’s mind, “I hope Jeremy’s alright.” “You know, he’s probably not that far yet…” And of course Andy would point that out, which leaves everyone staring Ryan. “Oh for god sake, let’s go, before he gets struck by lightening.” Later that night, when everyone’s dry and Jeremy is asleep on the couch, Jack will put a hand on Ryan’s shoulder, “People you help keep moving in because you’re a good man and you let them.”                                                                         

The last to join is Trevor. Ryan finds him trying to pick the lock on the front door, and instead of pulling out his weapon he just walks up and twists the door knob, pushing the door open, “You unlocked it, like five minutes ago.” Trevor stares up at him dumbly, still crouched in front of the doorway. He quickly snaps out of it and jumps up, putting some space between him and Ryan, “Sorry, I didn’t know anyone lived here.” Ryan just shakes his head and walks into the house motioning for Trevor to follow, “It’s fine, we have plenty of supplies, you can have some, if you’d like.” Only instead of accepting the supplies and going, Trevor stays for dinner, and dinner turns into the night, and the night turns into the next day, and suddenly there’s another room being added. It doesn’t strike Ryan to ask about the lock picking until much later. “So, where’d you learn to pick locks?” Trevor hesitates for a minute, “I never did, I wasn’t that kind of criminal.” Ryan hums, “Surprising, considering you’re good at it.” Before Trevor can say anything Jeremy cuts in, “What do you mean you “weren’t that kind of criminal”?” Trevor looks down at his hands, but Ryan notices a smirk curling at the corner of his lips. “I used to con people out of money, I had a degree in astro physics (I think I’m remembering right and that’s the degree Treyco has, correct me if I’m wrong please.), but that didn’t really do much for me, and I’ve always been good at making people believe me, so,” Trevor shrugs lightly. “Is that how you managed to convince Gavin he might be distantly related to Bigfoot?” Geoff asks and Gavin squawks indignantly. And Ryan feels content.                                                              

Ryan isn’t sure how these people got into his life, but he’s glad they did. He’s glad he has this broken and mismatched family, because it’s not much, but it’s his.