#dude should get a medal or something

[heyclickadee]

So I know Vader killed Commander Fox in a comic somewhere, and I know someone almost definitely killed Dogma the second they got him back to Kamino, but I’m just going to pretend those things didn’t happen. I do not see.

[uluvjay]

Unexpected- W. Smith

Will Smith x Hughes! Sister

In which your brothers were not expecting to find a boy in your bed when they came to visit

Warnings?; cursing, anxiety, judgmental brothers, fluff, sorry for any errors!

“Dude just use your key.” Quinn grumbled to Jack as he continued to knock on your apartment door.

“I don’t want to invade her privacy.” Jack huffed.

“She came into our apartment to surprise us that one time.” Luke shrugged reminding his brother of the time they came home to find you on their couch.

“What if she’s like-i don’t know..not decent?” Jack cringed.

“Oh my god-move, I’ll just use mine.” Quinn huffed as he pushed his younger brother out of the way.

The boys had been texting you nonstop attempting to get an answer from you especially after their consistent knocking hadn’t worked and Quinn was tired of waiting.

Jack and Luke played the bruins in two days and having a short gap in his schedule Quinn decided to join his brothers on a surprise visit to their baby sister before he had to return to a hectic season.

Pushing open the sleek door of your apartment they were met with your natural vanilla scent, by the door was your messy shoe rack, umbrellas, coats, your keys on a hook, and hockey sticks-wait, why the hell would you have that many hockey sticks?

“Why does she hav-ow what the?” Luke began but was cut off as his foot came into contact with a hefty hockey bag and he went stumbling forward.

“Umm..why the hell is there usa hockey bag in her entryway?” Jack questioned, looking between his brothers with a raised eyebrow.

“The fuck are you asking us for?” Quinn spoke quietly.

“Why are you whispering?”

“Because you dumbass her keys are here, which means she’s probably sleeping still.” Quinn replied.

The boys looked around your apartment a bit more, keeping quiet as they walked through the living room area and kitchen.

Jack and Quinn knew the layout well as this was their graduation gift towards you, they felt unsafe with you living on campus and despite your protests when you opened the box revealing keys, you had been living here since the fall.

“Uh guys..there’s a gold medal on her living room table.” Luke choked.

“What?” Jack asked as he rushed in from the kitchen.

Meeting his brothers in the living room his eyes met the good medal that was in fact sitting pretty in the middle of your coffee table.

“Usa bag, sticks, and a gold medal? Shes dating one of the Bc guys that just won at world juniors. She has to be.” Luke laughed looking up at his older brothers.

Jack was the first to take off down the hall and towards your cracked bedroom door, both defensemen following closely behind him.

Quietly pushing your door open they found you asleep on your back, a Boston college hockey shirt on, thank god Jack thought.

And on your chest was a head of blonde curls, one of your hands resting on the boys shoulder peacefully while one of his arms was thrown around your waist.

Retreating to your living room the three men huddled together.

“He looks familiar.” Jack spoke up.

“His name is will something, he just got drafted.” Luke confirmed remembering his face from the draft.

“It’s Will smith. He went fourth overall to the sharks.” Quinn spoke showing his brothers the boy’s Instagram page.

“What do we do now?” Luke questioned, not sure where they should go from here.

“We wait.” Jack smirked and moved to make himself comfortable on your large sectional.

-

A little over an hour later they heard soft voices coming from your room, quite good mornings and the sound of lips connecting.

“Breakfast?” They heard you question and will confirm with a soft yeah.

Making your way out of your bedroom and down the hall you felt your heart drop into your stomach and a scream escape at the sight of three large figures sat on your couch.

“What the hell are you doing here!?” You shrieked once you realized it was your brothers.

“Came to see you, why? Is there something your hiding from us?” Jack smirked as his eyes dropped from you to gold medal on your table and back to you.

You followed his eyesight and worry filled you as you remembered that your boyfriend, who was fresh out of Sweden had all of his things here, the boyfriend your brothers also have no idea about.

“Shit. J-just give me a second.” You groaned as you turned around and pushed a curious Will back into your room before shutting the door.

“Everything okay?” He questioned as the noticeable worry etched on your face.

“My brothers are here.” You spoke quietly.

“Your brothers? As in all three?” Will asked.

“Yep.” You spoke popping the ‘p’ before continuing.

“Came to surprise me, turns out they were a bit more surprised when they found all of your usa stuff.” You laughed.

“Wh-what uh, what are we going to do?” He coughed.

It’s not that Will was necessarily scared of your brothers, he’d already met your parents and talked to your dad regularly about hockey. But brothers are different, especially your brothers. You four have a bond he’s never seen before and the protectiveness they have over you is strong.

“You’re going to have to come out and meet them.” You shrugged.

“Right now?”

“No tomorrow at four. Yes right now will! They’re literally sitting in my living room waiting.” You spoke.

“Okay.” He breathed.

“Okay?”

“Yeah, let’s do this” he nodded confidently.

“I love you and you know I wont let them kill your right?” You laughed as you took his cheeks into your hands.

“I know, I love you too.” He smiled and you placed a light kiss on his lips before turning around and leading him into your living room.

To say the sight In front of him wasn’t intimidating wouldn’t be a lie, despite being around the same height as all three men their broody stance snd interrogating stares had will feeling a bit nervous.

The three nhl stars were dressed in all black, hoodies, joggers, and beanies as they stood around the living room table looking Will up and down.

“Boys this is my boyfriend Will, Will these are my brothers, Jack, Quinn, and Lukey.” You smiled.

Despite the circumstances you were happy to have your brothers here and it felt good to be back in their presence.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Will smiled as he reached a hand out.

All three looked at his hand but Quinn was the first to move in and shake it, locking wills hand in a tight grip.

The other two followed after Quinn, their grips just as if not tighter around Wills hand. You could see the gears turning in Luke’s head and that soon questions would be flying out left and right, and before you started to answer them you needed food.

“Why don’t we talk over breakfast? There’s an amazing place down the street.” You suggested and thankfully everyone agreed to a nice meal.

-

Forty-five minutes later you were all gathered at a table at the small restaurant down the road, coffees in your brothers hands while you and Will both chose a nice glass of Oj.

“So” Quinn coughed, “how’d you two meet?”

“Izzy is dating his friend Ryan, they introduced us and we hit it off pretty well so we exchanged numbers and went on a few dates. The rest was history after that.” You smiled.

Izzy was your best friend from back home, the boys knew her so well she was practically another sister to them and she was a big contributor to your decision to come to Boston college instead of Umich.

“Hmm, where’d you take her for the first date?” Luke spoke up.

“Mini golf, got my ass kicked though. Didn’t realize someone could be so good at it.” Will laughed at the memory.

“Y/n is an amazing golfer, she does it quite a bit over the summers.” Jack nodded.

“Best in the family i’d say.” You smirked.

“Okay don’t get ahead of yourself now.” Luke scoffed.

“So you’re a sharks prospect right?” Jack asked.

“Uh yeah, they drafted me this past spring.” Will smiled.

The questions kept up until the food came, but they began to get more relaxed and generic after a while. The boys began to asked will more about school and how it was a world juniors and soon they were all sharing laughs.

“You know, that wasn’t really the way I wanted to find out my baby sister had a boyfriend but you’re a cool kid Will.” Quinn smiled.

“Thank you, she’s amazing. Out my league really.” Will blushed as you elbowed him in his side.

“That’s true, but as long as you treat her right and make her happy then we like you.” Jack spoke softly.

“But don’t think we won’t flatten your ass out on the ice if you ever hurt her.” Luke smirked.

Will nodded with a winded expression and and awkward silence crowded the table before the ringing of Quinn’s phone broke through.

“Oh, it’s mom.” He smirked right at Will and it took everything in you to hold down your laugh.

“Hey mom!” He greeted her warmly.

“Hi sweetie, just checking if you got into your sisters.” She spoke.

“Oh yeah we got in, found quite the surprise to.” Jack laughed.

“Oh really? What happened.”

Quinn turned the screen around to show your mother Will and while they were all expecting her to freak out their expressions dropped the second they heard her voice.

“Will! How are you doing honey?” She asked excitedly.

“I’m good Mrs. Hughes, how about you.” Your boyfriend smiled.

“Oh I told you to knock that Mrs. Hughes off! I’m good though honey thank you for asking.” She smiled.

“Let me find Jim really fast, he’ll want to say hi.” Your mother spoke up.

You released a giggle at the shock and confusion that was written on your brother’s faces. Their eyebrows were all pulled together as they shared a look of confusion.

“Will! How are you buddy.” Your father greeted.

“I’m good Jim, how about you?”

“I’m good son, my boys haven’t given you and my girl any trouble have they?”Your father questioned.

“No, it’s been okay.” Will laughed.

The conversation kept up for a moment but your mother ultimately decided to hang up when Jack kept whining about her not telling them you had a boyfriend.

“I can’t believe they knew!” He groaned.

“I told them first, wanted to make sure they liked him.” You shrugged.

“This is unbelievable.” He pouted and that’s how the rest of your day continued until your mom apologized and offered to bake him his favorite homemade goods the next time she visited.

-



[kindofatheatrekid]

Soft Yandere! Veteran HCs (and a special something at the end!)

So I basically fell in love with this nameless man I wrote on a whim- And now I’m giving the dude a name now- My precious moot helped me to cement his identity as a jaded, Russian veteran and I obviously leaped at the chance of making an old dilf. I fucking love this man- 😀

This is definitely NSFW so…

MINORS DNI. MINORS DNI. MINORS DNI.

That’s better! ❤️

Soft Yandere! Veteran who’s at least twenty-five years your senior— and makes sure that you remember that. He’ll make sure that any bratty attitude coming from you will be promptly shut down. Whether it’ll be through a spanking session or giving your mouth something better to do… Well. It depends on how much you’ve pissed him off already. ^^

(Don’t worry, though. He’s too much of a softie to not ensure that you’ll enjoy every second of your “punishment~” 😮‍💨)

“In my days, cadets used to have their teeth smashed in if they mouthed off to their superiors. Shouldn’t you thank me for my leniency, love?”

Soft Yandere! Veteran who makes sure that you’re always well fed. He may have some food insecurity problems, and would never want his beloved to ever experience that gnawing hunger he felt in his earlier years. So say au revoir to any diets you want to do!

He’s a good cook too, so you bet he’s going to feed you every time you see each other. You’re always going to be greeted with food as aftercare— there’s no arguing on that. He will force-feed you. 😓

“A diet? Tch. You don’t need that. Just eat, dear. You need the nutrients for later.”

Speaking of aftercare! Soft Yandere! Veteran who knows exactly what to do after years of fucking women. …And maybe some men but we don’t talk about his soldier years- The man will wipe you down and massage every part of your body that aches after his rough treatment. Believe in the old man who has chronic pain every day because of what he did in his youth- He definitely knows how to relieve any muscle aches. 😌

Soft Yandere! Veteran who is a huge cuddler. He’s taller than you and is just a brickhouse— you’re not going anywhere if he wants to cuddle with you. He probably has a size kink, loves seeing you try to fit him in your mouth. He’ll be so condescending about it too, goading you on while he’s reading the newspaper like the senile man he is. 😩

“Come on, love~ Is that really the best you can do? You can take a bit more, right? For me~?”

Soft Yandere! Veteran who is Russian! The man never speaks crass words, though— always a gentleman through and through. His mama taught him right! He has to make sure that you remember your manners with him too! Say please and then he might give you what you want. It depends, though. Have you been a polite lover to him today? 🤔

“Mmm… I don’t know, Солнце… You’ve been so naughty today. I think you should beg some more for my cock~”

Soft Yandere! Veteran who has episodes of depression whenever he remembers the young men he killed in the battlefield. You can find him on the floor while staring at his countless medals— bottles of everclear on the floor with a few cigar buds in the ashtray nearby. A hug from you will help him a lot…

(Please replace the bitter cigar in his mouth with your sweet lips. Give him something else to think about. Better yet, why don’t you spread those thighs of yours? That will always get the old man going! 😊)

“...Thank you, лапочка. I needed this.”

Soft Yandere! Veteran who will never let you go. You’re just too pure for the world… He’s directly seen how dirty humans can be. You’re like a spring breeze to him, allowing him to relax his mind for the first time since he was drafted. Just listen to everything he says. Don’t you believe in him? 🥺

“...People… They can be cruel. Especially to wounded rabbits like you.”

You didn’t think that I’d just make headcanons after painting a scene in your head, right? Dear gods no! I want to be a nice author to you all! (At least until my mind decides to switch up and make angst- But you’re all safe! For now.) 😈

Anyways! I’m going to show y’all a blowjob scene with this old man now! Have fun! ^^

(It’s gender neutral this time because you’re sucking his dick-)

You thought he was being too cruel right now. Here you were: on your knees, serving the man while he was enjoying his morning cup of coffee. If you could talk, you would’ve whined at him for his attention; to get that dumb paper out of the way so he could fuck your mouth like you knew he could. He was undoubtedly affected by the way your lips were wrapped around not even half of his cock, though. There was a reason why his hand had a firm grip on your hair— not allowing you to pull away nor go deeper.

The old man had way too much patience compared to you, not even budging when you start to paw at his clothed thighs. He’s spent years on the battlefield, dear. The man can neglect his own needs as long as you learn your lesson. Your parents must have not taught you very well, but that’s fine! He can show you exactly how to stay in the lines.

Your desperate whimpers send shivers down his spine, the vibrations making his warm cock grow hotter— a familiar warmth pooling underneath his stomach. His hand tightens around your locks, a deep sigh escaping from his lips before he even knew it. You got what you wanted, his attention. And oh… You have his full attention.

A low growl was your only warning before he forced his cock down your throat— his hands now occupied with pulling your hair like it were a horse’s reins. You couldn’t breathe; he was big, and he knew that. You could barely see his sly grin through your tears, but you could feel it. By the way his hand was kept on the back of your head to keep your spit-covered lips on his cock. By the way his other hand was patting the top of your head so affectionately. By the way he cooed at you like he wasn’t choking you on his dick right now.

“Aww~ Is there something you want to say, Солнце? Come on~ Use your words for me, hm?”

The bastard was taking pleasure in your helplessness; he knew that your throat was far too occupied to do anything but let out a few muffled whimpers. Whimpers that went straight down to his weeping cock, his balls tightening even more when he sees how prettily you were silently begging for his mercy. The old man was just getting his rocks off at this point.

He kept on using you, bobbing your head over and over again— he was an old soldier, he knew precisely how long he could keep you gagging before you’d pass out. It was like a game to him in a way, seeing how far he could physically push you before you were on the brink of passing out. You were seeing both stars in your eyes and black spots; your adrenaline peaking from this deadly game. One where all you could do was trust the man in front of you that he knew what he was doing.

His endurance was no joke even after over a decade, you didn’t know how long it was before you could finally taste something bitter on your tongue— his head tilting up as he groaned. You were still gagging, your head pushed as far as possible when he came in your throat. The thick, slimy liquid going down your throat effortlessly as he slowly slides you off his limp dick. A round of coughs greeting you after your lungs were suddenly filled with oxygen after a while with barely any.

All he did was pat your head, grabbing a cloth from the table to clean up the mixture of his cum and your drool and tears off your face. His palms tenderly cupping your cheeks afterward— steadily lifting your face up before he presses a soft kiss on your now clean lips. A satisfied smile curving up his lips when he sees your blissed out, lost expression; your usual bratty self not seen at all.

“Hm… Better.”

Translation:

Солнце = sunshine

лапочка = sweetie pie / cutie

BRO. THIS. THIS DOES THINGS TO ME. Y'ALL LIKE THIS OLD MAN TOO, HUH??

"I know what you are."

[strawhbrrries]

Ride, Cowgirl.

pairing: dbf!southern!frank castle x afab!reader

summary: neither of you can keep last night off your mind, needing more Frank finds comfort in your room.

warnings: age gap (reader is 22, frank is 52), use of pet names, dirty dirty thoughts!!!, mention of a divorced dad?, fingering, sex!!, praise kink asf, oral (f receiving), soft frank, reader calls him frankie accidentally, frank making noise in bed, riding like a cowgirl!!, bearded frank <3, no mentions of y/n, no descriptions of reader, not proofread

word count: 3514 words

author’s note: I’m in love with darlin’ and frank, they are simply the lomls currently. anyway, the end gives the perfect set up for a third part if it is desired!! In the meantime, it’s 1;30 am for me and I need sleep!! please enjoy &lt;3

read the first part cowgirl ! and the next part cowboy hats !

Boyfriend by COIN played on the speaker your dad, conveniently, left outside as you laid on one of the pool loungers.  Thoughts of Frank consuming your mind, thoughts of his hands and his voice and the way he smelled and how he looked pain that he couldn’t fuck you in the backseat of his truck. Your fingers finding themselves rubbing the side of your neck, the very spot Frank had found comfort. 

“So how did last night go?” Tiff asked, hanging over the side of the pool to look at you. Your heart raced, did she find out? How would she? Did you accidentally call her when you were panting his name like it was the only word you knew? The way you froze as she asked a simple question, immediately made her suspicious of you.

“Huh?” You asked, in hopes of getting her to elaborate just a bit so you could come up with the lie of your life. Or maybe, you should confide in her. She is your girl for life, it’s not like she’s gonna judge you for doing it. If anything, she’d praise you and beg for details.

“After I left? How did the rest of the night go? Your dad doesn’t have the most interesting friends on the planet. All they talk about is work and their lack of wives.” She rolled her eyes, laying her head on her hands and kicking her legs in the water. 

“Actually…” You smiled, bringing your knees up to your chest to hide behind them as the blush spread across your body.

“Oh. My. God. Hold on!” She rushed to climb out of the pool, dripping water all over you as she sat on the opposite end of the lounger. If gossiping was a team sport, the two of you would have ten gold medals, if anyone asked you weren’t necessarily talking shit but simply saying how you felt about people.

“So, after you left, Frank and I went to the gas station and I asked if he had been with anyone younger. I don’t know what got into me, Tiff! He just looked so…godly. I wanted to jump his bones the second I came downstairs from changing.” You covered your face with your hands and groaned, the blush was probably becoming permanent at this point. You were going to be bright red for the rest of your life.

“Your dad’s best friend?! Holy shit dude. C’mon spill!” She laughed, prying the hands off your face and sitting expectantly. You were beyond grateful for the fact she wasn’t judging you and was actually interested. Maybe that was a bad thing, you didn’t care.

“Anyway, he said ‘Not yet’ and I was in shock or something! So, I reached over and kinda did a weird caress thing to his beard. I was flyin’ by the seat of my swimsuit, I’ve never been with a man who has any sort of facial hair. But he kissed me, and I mean like Really kissed me.i’ve never been kissed like that before, Tiff. Mind blowing.” Unbeknownst to you, the very man you were speaking about had walked out the back door and could hear the whole conversation. His chest swelled with pride, in some fucked up way he was glad no one had ever kissed you like that. It meant there was a lot more he could do way better than any of the other people you’d been with, and he’d be damned if he didn’t ruin you for any other man out there.

“Your dad is about to come out here, suggest you find somethin’ else to talk ‘bout.” He hollered at the two of you, your head whipping around so fast it was a miracle you didn’t give yourself whiplash, chuckling at the way your eyes widened when you realized he had heard you talking about him. “Quit speakin’ so damn loud anyway, sure the whole neighborhood heard.”

Frank didn’t truly mean what he said, he would love to listen to you retell the story of your escapades, what he didn’t want was your father to hear and put two and two together. He didn’t need to get into some shitty mess with the one constant in his life, he owed more to your dad than he cared to admit and ruining that friendship would send Frank to an early grave. That in no way meant he regretted what he did last night, and everything else he planned to do. He simply wanted to go about all this in a way that wouldn’t cost him his friendship but still gives him his girl, gives him you. He prayed for the first time last night, and he really truly prayed, for a situation where it all works out and he’s not back to square one. With nobody. Again. 

“Thanks for the warning, Mr. Castle.” Tiff shouted back, a smug smile playing on her face, giving him a small wave. She nudged your shoulders, giggling at the whole situation. All you wanted to do was shrink and disappear, you couldn’t be more embarrassed. You felt small and helpless, your best friend thought it was hilarious. God if you can hear me, please kill me.

You spent the whole morning thinking about him and the consequence of what you did, how would your next interaction go? Would it be weird? Would he pretend it never happened, that he wasn’t dying to have you right then and there. Yet, here you were no true interaction but you were the one cowering away from it. You were the one trying to pretend like it didn’t happen, when truthfully you wanted to shout it from the rooftops and let everyone know who had given you the best orgasm of your life.

“I’m going to shrink to the size of ant and drown myself in the fuckin’ pool, Tiff. I swear to god.” You slouched as far down in the lounger as you could, squeezing your eyes closed in some desperate attempt to make it all disappear. “Of course he would be here right now.”

“Ants don’t have lungs, they can’t technically drown. Besides, it’s not like he came out here and murdered you, all he did was tell you to be quieter. He also made no indication or mention of last night, so stop lettin’ that pretty head of yours go wild.” Tiff rubbed her hand soothing up and down your arm, she knew better than anyone the way your mind would take someone breathing at you and interpret it as they hate you and want you dead. That’s why she worked so well with you, the sane and grounded to your wild and anxious. 

“I don’t think it would matter even if he did, the principle of it all is what’s causing my worries. Do you think worry dolls are still a thing? I could most definitely use one right now.” A groan once again left your mouth, your eyes opening and searching for the older man who was carrying planks of wood across your backyard. Your father walked out of the house, giving you and Tiff a wave before hollering at Frank about whatever they were building.

The whispers and giggles coming from the two of you were intriguing Frank, he wanted to know exactly what you were telling her and what you were intentionally leaving out. He wanted to know if you were even talking about him, or if she was telling you the real reason that I just left abruptly last night. Because he knew, he wouldn’t say anything to you about it unless you brought it up first, but he knew. The work in front of him was becoming increasingly less interesting, he was so close to telling your dad to throw in the towel and call it a day. He didn’t even know what he was building anymore, he truthfully didn’t care but your dad did. That was enough for him to keep going.

“Those two have been out all day, shockin’ they’re not burnt or nothin’.” Your dad commented, planting his shovel in the ground and leaning against it. He smiled your way, not that you noticed as you were preoccupied with Tiff. You were his pride and joy, his baby. He’d murder anyone for you, it was a part of the reason you never brought anyone home. 

“‘M not shocked. Last summer, I’m not sure either one of em spent any more than twenty minutes inside. Make sure she- they wear sunscreen, don’t need em getting skin cancer.” Frank was quick to correct himself, not that your dad would’ve found anything wrong with his original statement but he was covering all his bases. Not that he didn’t care for the other girl, Tiff was her name? He didn’t need to know her name, not when he knew yours. 

“I’ll make sure to pick some up from the store the next time we make it to the grocery, I know my girl wears some. Not sure ‘bout her friend.” His girl. The words made Frank irrationally angry, you were his daughter but the thought of someone else staking claim over you drove him mad. One night with you and he was acting, and thinking, like you were his wife. Wife. No.

Frank had met your father when you were nineteen, hadn’t met you until you were twenty. It wasn’t like he was truly doing anything wrong but he was going to fight a never ending mental battle about you. Going through every hoop to tell himself neither of you was doing anything wrong, that you weren’t going to be in trouble for your actions. That it was, simply, okay.

The sun was setting, the breeze taking over and raising the hair on your skin. You truly had been outside all day, with sunscreen reapplied every hour or so, you were bound to find a few sunburnt spots in your shower. You exchanged goodbyes with Tiff and made your way to your room to start the nightly routine you had adopted since being home, switching the bluetooth from the speaker outside to the one inside your room. You opened the window, your music slowly starting to dance with the breeze, when a soft knock on your door grabbed your attention.

“Hey cowgirl.” Frank whispered, just barely loud enough to be heard over your music, making his way into your room and studying it. Committing all the bits and pieces of it to his memory.

“I’m so sorry about earlier, if you don’t want me to tell Tiff anymore I won’t. I just, I tell her everything and I needed to tell someone.” Your cheeks slowly started turning pink, Frank thought you were cute like that.

“Don’t apologize, darlin’. I didn’t care, just warnin’ ya ‘bout your dad is all.” He walked closer to you, his height very apparent, your head the perfect height for his chest. He brought a finger up to your cheek, dragging it down before tucking your hair behind your ear. 

“I appreciate it, I know how much he means to you.” No you didn’t. He knew you knew a small bit not enough to truly understand what the two of you meant to him. He would be forever indebted to your father if it meant keeping you, if it meant holding you and kissing you. Consuming himself with you.

“So pretty.” He truly whispered, admiring every inch of your face, leaning down to kiss you. Your heart stopped, he didn’t regret it? He thought you were pretty?

You decided to stop fucking thinking for once and enjoy it, leaning up to meet him halfway in the kiss. Threading your fingers through his hair, much like he did with yours in his truck. One his hands held the side of your face while the other tucked itself into the waistband of your swimsuit bottoms, rubbing at the indentation it left from being worn all day. 

“Ready to ride, cowgirl?” He asked, pulling away from the kiss enough to nip at your jaw as he waited for an answer. He wouldn’t be mad if you said no, he would be patient and wait until you were, but he went home and fucked his hand like a horny teenage boy at the thought of you on top of him.

A whimper is all you managed to respond with, your mind momentarily thinking about your dad but was interrupted by the softness of your mattress touching your back. 

“Goddamn swimsuits, prancing around in practically nothing.” He remarked, still standing as he eyed your body. His finger snapped the strap of your bottoms, smirking at the sound before he dragged them down your legs. 

“What’s your favorite color?” You asked softly, making him burst into laughter. 

“For what?” He responded, controlling his laughter at the fact you would ask that right now. 

“So I can wear one that color the next time you’re over.” You smiled, looking up at him. Somehow he looked even prettier from this angle, if that was possible. 

“Uh, probably red.” He gave a bit of thought before responding, curious to know if you would actually be wearing a bikini the next time you saw him. At your house, anyway. 

He stashed the bikini bottoms in his back pocket, pulling you to the edge of the bed by your ankles and getting down on his knees. Frank thanked all the heavens and the stars for the meal he was about to eat right before licking a stripe through your folds and sucking on your clit. The stimulation instinctively caused your thighs to close, causing him to force them back open and lay one arm across a leg with his hand splayed across your stomach.

He moaned.

He moaned.

Frank moaned, was he enjoying this as much as you were? Were there any downsides or faults to this man? 

He moved his mouth closer to your clit, paying almost all his attention to it as he inserted his middle finger slowly. A wanton moan making its way to his ears, he thought everything about you was pretty. If he wasn’t rock hard when he took your bottoms off, he definitely was now. The stretch in his jeans was not entirely comfortable, it truthfully wouldn’t be able to accommodate much more. 

“Frank, Frankie, please..” 

Did you just- did he imagine that? He’d never had anyone call him that before, but it sounded so damn good coming from your lips.

“What, pretty girl? Use your words for me. Tell Frankie what you need.” 

“‘M so close, please need more.” You whined, to him it even sounded a bit like you were going to cry. He’s bet his life savings you were a pretty crier, a pretty anything. He just wanted to look at you. Always.

All he wanted to do was pull out his phone and record the pleas and the moans coming from you, to listen to later if you were ever ripped from him and he didn’t get to experience this, experience you, ever again. If it weren’t for your fucking music. He was thankful for it, blocking your sounds from anyone in the house. He added his ring finger into the mix, relishing in the sound you made. You were his drug, he truly was addicted. He needed his next fix before this one was over. 

Moments after he sped up his fingers and added more pressure to your clit, your orgasm ripped through you. Body shaking, eyes rolling back. This was better than the one he gave you last night. You’d never be able to touch yourself ever again, not the way he did. You didn’t think anyone could ever compare now that Frank had touched you. 

By the time you came to, he had discarded his clothes and was on top of you. He pulled you into a kiss, swiping his tongue over your bottom lip and groaning into your mouth when you let him in. His tongue explored every inch of your mouth while his fingers explored every inch of your body. 

“I don’t have a condom.” He confessed.

“Don’t care, on the pill. Frankie please, I need you inside of me right now. Need your cock, frankie..please.” The sound of you begging for him had his ego going through the roof, the fact that anyone could want or need him this bad was mind blowing. 

He rubbed his cock through your folds, kissing you a bit more before he pushed the tip in. Your mouth opening in a gasp. You knew he was big, you saw the imprint in the truck yesterday. But this was different, the stretch hurt in a delicious way that you needed more of. He waited a moment before pushing in a bit more, toying with your clit and peppering your face with kisses to distract you.

He bottomed out, you had never felt so full in your life. You swore he was in your stomach, taking rearranging your guts to a new level. He stayed still, letting you get used to his size. He didn’t want to hurt you, too much.

“Frankie move.” 

Your wish was his command. His thrusts started slowly, building up in speed as he went. It was at this point, you realized Frank Castle was not quiet in bed. He wasn’t necessarily loud either, but he was groaning in your ear. The grunts and the groans were spurring you on, your moans and whimpers were doing the same for it. It was a cycle, and if either of you had your way it would never end. 

“Sound so damn pretty. Makin’ all these noises for me, huh? My pretty girl, my girl.” He put all his weight on his forearms, lifting himself enough to look you in the eyes, his hair falling out of place and onto your face. He was gorgeous, especially like this. Raw. Vulnerable. Just for you. 

“Your girl, yours.” You babbled, too busy reeling in the feeling of his cock driving in and out of you. How his bare skin feels on yours. His voice praising you. Calling you pretty. 

“That’s right, such a good girl.” His praises continued, some of them too muffled for you to hear as he sucked on your collarbone. Or your neck. Any exposed skin he could get in his mouth. 

Without pulling out, he flipped the two of you over so you were on top. Riding him. Cowgirl. 

“C’mon cowgirl, ride me. You can do it baby.” He lifted your hips up and placed them back down to get you started, placing your hands on his chest for you.  He slipped one of your boobs out of the top, you were still wearing, and put your nipple in his mouth. Rolling the bud between his teeth, enjoying the new sounds he managed to get.

You placed your weight on your hands, positioning your legs right, and lifted back up. He was somehow even deeper than before, it was almost overwhelming. His pelvic bone was hitting your clit just right every time you came down, accompanied by his groans, you were a goner. You fell into his chest as you felt your second orgasm start to rip through you, your words slurred as you told him to use you. You were his to use. 

Frank had been close since he put you on top, his self control had been wearing a bit thin. He fucked you through your orgasm, pistioning up inside you like his life depended on it. 

“Where do you want it, c’mon baby where?” He grunted, gritting his teeth as he tried to hold his release off. It was getting increasingly harder when your cunt was gripping him like that.

“Inside.” Is all you muttered out, half aware of your choice. You’d deal with it later. 

Not a moment later he painted your inside white, cummimg with a low and long groan. Relaxing his head completely against your pillows, taking deep breaths. You crumpled against his chest, just resting for a moment as he was still inside you. This was the most relaxed you’d been in ages, at some point you drifted off to sleep. 

You were awoken by the feeling of Frank cleaning you up and putting a blanket on top of you, obviously you knew he couldn’t stay. It still hurt. It hurt your heart, your soul, your everything. 

“Gotta go, pretty girl. I put my number in your phone. We’ll talk later.” His last sentence meant more than just texting you, you both knew it. At some point, lines had to be drawn or you had to fess up to your dad. But for now you’d live in delusion, in a world where you were in an established relationship and no one thought anything of it. He placed a kiss on your forehead, finished getting dressed and got up to leave. Stopping at the door he turned around to give you one last glance, you had already fallen back asleep. His cowgirl.

[youcouldmakealife]

SOTM: Lourdes Family, David; family traditons

For the prompt: Jake's sisters slowly warming up to David

The problem with Nat and David, Allie decides early on, is that they’re too alike. Not in most ways, really — she doesn’t think they’d agree on much when it comes to their taste in media, or hobbies, or any of that, and she’s sure they’d both be surprised if she said they were similar at all.

But Allie knows Nat better than she knows herself, probably, and she’s made an attempt at getting to know David, because she knows how important it is to Jake, and some of the things that make Natalie Nat to her seem to be pretty similar to the things that make David David.

They’re both quiet, but it’s not shyness with either of them, though it can seem like it unless you know them. As often as not, Nat’s quiet because silently dismantling whatever’s being said in her head, about to spring it on whatever poor unsuspecting person just claimed they ‘could care less’ or called a pterodactyl a dinosaur or something that matters to nobody but Nat. 

Though mostly she doesn’t actually say it to them — unless they’re family, she corrects Allie all the time, and poor Jakey doesn’t stand a chance — she’s saying it as an aside to Allie, or recalling it later ,‘my co-worker thought Babylon was a mythological place, and when I said 'oh yeah, like Bethlehem?' he said 'yeah, exactly!'’ or ‘If I hear someone use literally when they mean figuratively one more time, Allie, I swear I'm going to snap’. 

She’s quiet, and sometimes she seems checked out, but she’s always paying attention to what everyone else is saying. Allie’s learned it’s the same with David — she’ll mention something and then nine months later David will have gotten her a Christmas present based on her offhand comment. Or he’ll ask if she wants the same drink as last time, last time being like, six months ago. Allie doesn’t know if he’s got that kind of memory for everybody, or if it’s just because she’s Jake’s sister, and he’s still trying to impress all of them, but, well — consider her impressed, she guesses.

But also, she’s pretty sure he’s also picking up on the mistakes everybody else makes, except instead of ‘Allie, let me tell you the misspelled bumper sticker I saw today’, she isn’t hearing shit from him. She doesn’t think Jake is either, at least if the people making mistakes are them. And they probably are. Allie has no illusions that she makes no mistakes: if she did, Nat would have beaten that belief out of her by now.

“He thinks he’s better than us,” Nat complained once, and Allie pressed her lips together very tightly, and she didn’t say a thing, and frankly, she thinks she deserves a medal for that.

As similar as David can be to Nat, he’s absolutely nothing like Jake. If Allie was asked to list their similarities, it’d be like — ‘very athletic white dudes around the same age’, and then a bunch of hockey specific things. Beyond that, she’s got nothing. It isn’t just their personalities — they have completely different taste in everything. Different priorities, outside of similar career ones. Some overlapping friends, but Allie just attributes that to Jake being able to make friends with a table leg if he wants to. They could not be less alike.

Allie’s never been a big believer in the whole ‘opposites attract’ thing, but honestly, maybe she should be: mom and dad are a pretty good example of it, and Jake and David seem to bring out the best in each other.

It took Allie a little while to come to terms with them getting back together, but she can’t deny that Jake seems to grow when he’s around David. Maturity wise, but he also just seems to stand up straighter, like just being around David makes him more alert, or aware, or maybe even self-confident, though that’s never been something he's lacked.

It probably isn’t just David he’s like that with — Allie hasn’t seen him around the Panthers too much, but he is the captain, after all — but either way, it’s a nice thing to see Jake grown up.

He’s still the baby to her, will probably always be the baby to her — anyone she put in pigtails and pulled around in a little red wagon while telling everyone to look at her pretty little dolly is going to be a baby to her forever, let’s face it — but for all that he’s been taller than her since he was twelve, he felt like a kid to her the whole way to the show, and for awhile after. He doesn’t feel like a kid anymore. Baby, sure, he's always going to be that, but not a kid. 

If anything, David feels more like one. Not that he’s childish, or immature, or whatever, because Allie suspects he wasn’t even childish when he was an actual child. Maybe more someone suddenly immersed in a foreign culture — he doesn’t know where he’s supposed to be, what he’s supposed to do, what the hell is up with the wishbone thing. 

She’s seen Jake explain things to him, the traditions she thought everyone did, and the traditions that are very Lourdes specific, the way mom gives extra mashed potatoes if you're a suck up, and how if people don’t take turns opening presents it turns into a free-for-all, and how nobody actually eats the cranberry sauce.

When Jake isn’t there to do it — rare, but the dude does need bathroom breaks — Allie figures it’s no skin off her nose to do it instead, and she even overhears Nat doing it once, though  she might have just been venting about someone saying dumb shit again. She does love to do that. 

The important thing is that he keeps showing up, even though he’s uncomfortable every single time — though maybe Allie’s imagining it, but she thinks he’s reached the ‘almost comfortable’ stage this Christmas, like, maybe feeling a little awkward, but no more than anyone else would, spending Christmas with his boyfriend’s family.  Maybe more than someone typically would if they’ve been doing it every year, but Allie knows they can be a lot, that most people have trouble keeping up with the rapid back and forth — even Jake gets left behind sometimes, then pouty when they start tease him about it.

David was a wide-eyed spectator, the first few times he saw that. Jake told Allie later that he didn’t hear the fondness in it, just the mockery, got defensive on Jake’s behalf. Allie doesn’t know how he’s survived locker rooms for so long — their love language is basically just mockery and punching each other in sensitive places, at least judging by Jake and his teammates back in the day. Probably now too. She’s met Cody Gallagher, unfortunately.

He takes it better now though, even joined in yesterday when everyone was shit-talking Jake’s recent stab at growing facial hair, while Jake tried and failed to defend himself through giggles. On the one hand, Allie’s just glad it isn’t a mustache, but on the other hand, maybe he’d do a better job with that. This morning, Jake comes down to breakfast clean-shaven. Allie isn’t delusional: he didn’t shave it because his sisters gave him shit. That was all David.

“High five,” Allie says when David joins them downstairs, and she’s half expecting a quizzical look, maybe even the ‘what the hell are the Lourdes talking about now’ one that surfaces sometimes, but instead she gets a tiny smile and a high five.

“I’m sitting right here, guys,” Jake says, but once again, he’s laughing.

[fluentmoviequoter]

20-David on a Plane

Pairing: David 'Deacon' Kay x fem!SWAT!reader

Summary: 20-David flies to Washington DC, and along the way, you learn why Deacon can comfort you so easily.

Warnings: fluff, brief mention/description of nervousness, hints of anxiety, meddling and teasing, quick TSA-related terrorist joke

Word Count: 3.2k+ words

A/N: We are once again pretending Annie doesn't exist. This idea came to me while watching The Middle episode 2x16 ("Hecks on a Plane") during my recent trip! I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think!

Picture from Pinterest

“It’s about me,” Luca taunts. “I know I should have told you, but I’m getting promoted.”

Street snorts as he closes his locker. “Sure. And Deacon’s got a hot date.”

You try not to laugh at the comment, but it slips out before you can stop it. Slapping a hand over your mouth, you see Deacon shake his head in your peripheral. His smile is still present, so he can’t be too mad.

“Luca, if you’re the reason we’re all getting called into Hicks’ office, I doubt it’s a promotion,” Hondo points out, slapping his shoulder. “I just hope the lecture is enjoyable.”

You sit on the bench behind your locker, leaning over toward Deacon.

“Ten bucks it’s none of the things they’ve said,” you whisper.

“You don’t think I’ve got a hot date?”

Turning your head quickly, you ask, “Do you?”

“I don’t appreciate the implication that it’s impossible.”

“No, no, I didn’t mean it like that,” you rush to say. Deacon presses his lips together to suppress his smile, and you lower your brows to glare at him. “I think Deacon’s getting moved to Rocker’s team,” you announce, “I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”

Deacon shakes his head, throwing a jacket toward you as you walk away, taking cover behind Hondo.

“Guys!” Hondo yells with a chuckle. “We really do need to go, he’s been waiting.”

“As long as he’s not as impatient as Molly,” Street says under his breath.

“Dude, you’re so whipped!” Luca replies.

“What do you think it is? He doesn’t call all of us for a private meeting very often,” you ask Deacon as you walk out behind your team.

“Probably a congratulations from City Hall, or something equally rehearsed.”

You nod, unconsciously matching your steps to Deacon’s as you stay by his side.

“Close the door, Deacon,” Hicks requests once you’re inside. “I know you’re busy, but this should be quick. This team has done some incredible work in the last year, and the people of Los Angeles are lucky to have you protecting them.”

“Thank you, Commander,” Hondo offers.

“We can drop the formalities; this is good news. 20-David is being awarded a Medal of Valor.”

Street and Luca cheer, silencing when Hicks raises his hand.

“Not from the L.A.P.D. though. This one is coming from Congress by the President.”

Your jaw slackens, and your mouth falls open in shock. The rest of your team is similarly surprised, silent for once while taking in the good news.

“And, because of the mission last month, the President wants to award the medal himself. You’re flying to Washington DC to participate in the ceremony in the Rose Garden.”

“We’re going to DC!” Street cheers. Luca adds, “We can explore the DC food truck map!”

“Free trip,” Hondo says happily, looking toward you and Deacon. “But I need first class, I got long legs.”

“Yeah, about that,” Hicks interrupts. “We had some scheduling and budgeting issues, so you’re all flying coach.”

“No!” Hondo groans, tossing his head back as Street, Tan, and Luca continue talking about the food trucks in DC. “Can’t I pay the difference?”

 “You’d have to leave the day before, the flight you’re on is booked.”

“What’s so bad about coach, Hondo?” Deacon inquires. “Too sophisticated for economy?”

“Yes,” Hondo says as if it’s obvious. You shake your head, and he points at you to argue, “You don’t want to either.”

“I could be duct-taped to the wing of the plane, Hondo. It’s an all-expense paid trip to receive a once in a lifetime award,” you point out.

“Which deserves once in a lifetime treatment.”

 “Then fly out the day before,” Hicks says again. “Just let us know what you’re doing. We’re doing our best to get the return flight upgraded.”

“Coach,” Hondo mutters to himself, “like a normal person.”

“You’re certainly not normal, Hondo,” Deacon says, winking at you when you turn around to hide your smile.

✯✯✯✯✯

You walk into the terminal at Los Angeles International, LAX, expecting to meet your team on the other side of security.

“Good morning,” Deacon says as he walks to your side.

“Morning,” you reply, glad he’s the first one you run into. “How long have you been here?”

“Couple minutes. Hondo just texted that he, Street, Luca, and Tan are almost here.”

You nod, your fingers fiddling with your backpack straps. A few people look at you and Deacon, dressed in your uniforms and carrying tactical backpacks.

“You alright?” he asks quietly, concern in his brown eyes.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just tired, a little nervous.”

“Well, as soon as you’re sitting in a row between Street and Hondo with no escape, you’ll feel worse.”

You laugh, and Deacon smiles, glad he was able to distract you if only for a moment.

“Nervous about the flight?” he asks.

“No,” you begin.

“Deac!” Luca yells, cutting you off as he says your name and tosses his arm over you. “Morning, guys.”

Deacon’s eyes stay on you, but you send him a small smile and a nod to let him know you’re alright. Luca drags you and Street along as he talks and walks simultaneously, one arm over each of you until he reaches the security line.

“IDs,” the TSA agent says, holding a hand toward your team.

You let Street, Luca, and Tan go first, hanging back with Deacon and Hondo until your turn. As you walk through the metal detector, the female TSA agent on the other side asks you to step to the side for additional screening.

“Ooh, someone’s been bad,” Hondo taunts as he walks past.

Deacon keeps his eyes on you as he grabs his backpack from the conveyor belt, pulling yours to his side as he waits for you.

“Never fails,” you tell him, smiling as you take your bag. “Apparently I look like a terrorist.”

Deacon rolls his eyes, gesturing for you to walk by. When you turn the corner, Hondo puts his hands up in surrender.

“Do you feel violated?” Street asks dramatically.

“Should we tell Hicks about how a government official had to search you for…” Luca lowers his voice to finish, “weapons.”

“Right now, you’re the only people who should be afraid of me,” you answer with a cheerful smile.

They look at Deacon for help, but he shrugs and mutters, “You started it.”

“Dad,” Tan and Street groan together.

Deacon shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. He looks at you as if asking, ‘Can you believe what I have to deal with?’

“Who has the boarding passes?” Tan asks.

Hondo raises his hand, digging into his backpack before pulling an envelope out. He looks at the names one each before handing them out. Deacon looks over at yours with furrowed brows.

“What row you on, Hondo?” he asks.

“Six,” Hondo replies. “Exit row with extra leg room. Hicks pulled through.”

“Me too,” Street, Luca, and Tan answer.

Deacon looks over at you with his head tilted.

“What?” you ask.

“Did you ask to be that far away from us?” His eyebrows raise as he chuckles.

“Where are you?” Street asks, pointing toward you with his chin.

“Seventeen.”

Hondo’s eyes widen, shocked at the idea of sitting so far back in the plane.

“We can ask someone to switch,” Deacon tells you.

“No, it’s completely fine. You guys can… enjoy yourselves.”

Deacon starts to argue, but he’s cut short by an announcement.

“Flight 1239 with service to Washington DC has been delayed. Remain at the gate for further updates,” someone says over the speaker.

Hondo nods as if he expected as much before falling back into a seat. Luca, Street, and Tan follow his lead and get comfortable.

You remain standing, tapping your foot to dispel some nervous energy. After thirty minutes with no updates, you sit beside Deacon and lean toward him, pushing your shoulder against his. He doesn’t mind; he invites your presence at his side.

“Flight 1239 to Washington DC will begin boarding in ten minutes.”

Several people cheer, and Hondo stretches before standing. He sees how close you are to Deacon but only raises his eyebrows, a knowing look in his eye even as you shake your head.

Because you’re sitting further back, you board after the guys and have to ignore their comments as you walk past them on the plane. When you’re in your seat, you settle in and start reading, hoping to distract yourself from your racing thoughts.

✯✯✯✯✯

“Good morning, folks, this is your pilot speaking. Sorry about that boarding delay, but we’re going to get you in the air and to DC in just about four and a half hours,” the pilot announces. “Now, I do hear that we have some of LA’s finest on board. A soon to be decorated S.W.A.T. team, so on behalf of Los Angeles, thank you for keeping us safe on the ground, and let us return the favor in the air.”

Several passengers clap, and you smile as one of the flight attendants speaks to you on his way down the aisle. The man across the aisle introduces himself, thanking you for your service as he shakes your hand. You nod and return to your book, grateful for the sound of takeoff drowning out the voices of people talking about the cops on board.

✯✯✯✯✯

“No way, DC would be the first to go,” Street argues.

“Los Angeles always gets taken out first,” Tan adds. “Haven’t you watched a movie?”

“DC is just a bigger target. It’s not first, but it’s more important,” Luca says, leaning forward to join the conversation about the argument.

“In Independence Day, LA is gone long before they even think of DC.”

Deacon closes his eyes, tilting his head back against the headrest. He’s been listening to a different version of the same argument since boarding. They started talking about fighter jets, which turned to fighting aliens. Now, the argument is about which cities aliens would take out first to dominate the world.

“First class,” Hondo says wistfully before putting his earbuds in.

When Tan starts ranting about how aliens don’t have to come from the sky, Deacon decides he’s had enough. He stands, stepping around Luca before walking down the centre aisle. Several people nod at him, while others keep their heads down. When he reaches your row, he stops beside you until you look up at him, your finger holding your place in your book.

“Hey,” you greet.

“Is that seat empty?” Deacon asks, pointing to the one between you and the woman in the window seat. You nod, and Deacon mutters, “Not anymore.”

He steps over your legs and sits beside you, taking a deep breath as he revels in the quiet away from Street, Tan, and Luca.

“Tired of alien invasion debates?” you ask quietly, turning your attention to the cover of your book.

“You can hear it back here?” he asks incredulously.

“No, but word travels fast when tactically trained police officers are discussing alien movies.”

Deacon nods, looking out the window. You start reading again, sitting upright in your own space, despite Deacon’s arm on the armrest between you. Initiating contact with Deacon has never been a problem for you, and he likes that you trust him enough to be vulnerable and comfortable with him. Your attention is easily drawn away from what you’re doing, which is another unusual thing for you.

“Are you okay?” he whispers, leaning toward you.

You nod, but your harsh swallow tells a different story.

“You can talk to me, you know that.”

“I’m really nervous,” you admit.

“Flying?”

You shake your head, leaning forward to put your book in your backpack. When you sit back up, Deacon takes your hand between his.

“Then what’s going on?”

“The award,” you begin, looking at his hands. “I don’t deserve it. That raid was successful because of you guys, not me.”

“Hey,” Deacon says, using a kind hand to direct your face toward his. “We’re a team, and we did that as a team. Together. Every one of us, including you, deserves this award because we saved lives.”

“You saved lives. That little girl would have died without you.”

“And I couldn't have saved her without you,” Deacon reminds you. “We were under attack, and you kept us out of harm’s way. You deserve this, just as much if not more, than the rest of us.”

You nod, turning your head away from Deacon to rest against his shoulder. He pulls your arm over him, encouraging you to get comfortable. Deacon is a comforting person to be around, but being this close provides a feeling that you can’t get anywhere else.

“Thank you,” you whisper, gently holding his wrist.

“In an alien movie, they’d kiss after she saved his life,” Street says, sitting on his knees to watch you and Deacon.

Luca and Tan nod their agreement before turning back in their seats. They’ve witnessed several quiet, tender moments between you and Deacon, but don’t know where they lead. Hondo has advised them to mind their business, but that isn’t as much fun.

✯✯✯✯✯

The flight attendant who spoke to you right after learning you are a police officer seems to enjoy visiting your row. Every time he walks down the middle aisle, he stops to ask if you need anything or talk to you about your job. Since Deacon moved to your side, it has happened several times. He’s just as tired of it as you are.

Still comfortable in Deacon’s arms, you sigh against his shoulder when you hear him walk by again.

“Can I get you two anything?” he asks.

“No, we’re good, thanks,” Deacon answers, polite but firm.

You tighten your grip on his arm in thanks, glad to not have to speak or move. Your nervousness is seeping out as if Deacon is absorbing it and pumping comfort and peace back into you. It seems impossible to be upset around Deacon, especially when your source of discomfort is of your own making.

“I think he likes you,” Deacon whispers against your hair. “Which should be enough evidence that you don’t look like a terrorist.”

You laugh against Deacon, not expecting him to bring that up again. His shoulder shakes under you as he laughs too.

“The seatbelt sign has been turned on for your final descent into Washington DC. Flight attendants prepare for landing," the pilot says.

“Oh no, now your friend can’t visit,” Deacon says, smiling as you sit up.

“You’re my friend,” you reply, matching his smile. “Thank you for everything, Deacon. Seriously, I couldn’t do all of this without you.”

“I love to do it.”

✯✯✯✯✯

Once you land in Washington, someone hands Hondo an envelope with your return tickets. He opens them quickly, crossing his fingers that they’re first class.

“Two. Two of them are first class and the others are the first exit row again,” he says.

“Give ‘em to the lovebirds!” Luca yells.

Street and Tan nod before clapping in your direction. You turn toward Deacon and press your face against his shoulder.

“How am I going to survive this weekend?” you mumble.

“With me,” Deacon answers, a gentle hand on your lower back.

✯✯✯✯✯

Being the only woman on the trip, Hicks reserved a room just for you. Someone knocks once you’re dressed, ready, and growing nervous again. Deacon’s eyes widen as you open the door.

“You look beautiful,” he says, walking in. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Thank you. You look just as handsome as always. And, mostly; I’m a little nervous but I’ll be alright.”

“We’re with you the whole time,” Deacon reminds you. “Do you want to do anything specific when we’re finished?”

You shrug. “Some sightseeing, I guess. I don’t really have anything specific I have to see.”

“There’s one place I think you’d really like. If you’re interested, we could go together. Then do some sightseeing.”

Without hesitation, you agree to spend the remainder of your time with Deacon. He’s been at your side through the good and bad, and you’re happiest when he’s there.

✯✯✯✯✯

“We’re going food truck hunting, want to join?” Luca asks, loosening his tie.

“Maybe later. I’ll call when we’re done and we can meet somewhere,” Deacon answers, slipping his hand into yours.

“I see,” Luca says, smiling at your joined hands. “It is the city of love.”

“That’s Paris,” Tan says.

“It can be anywhere,” Street says through his teeth, gesturing toward you and Deacon.

“Oh! Yeah, love… it’s everywhere,” Tan corrects.

Deacon fights an eye roll, waving as he leads you away from 20-David.

“Where’s Hondo?” you ask.

Deacon shrugs. “Who knows. Nichelle probably gave him a list of things to see.”

“And what are we seeing?”

“You’ll find out.”

✯✯✯✯✯

The Georgetown Historical District is beautiful, and as you explore the cobblestone roads hand-in-hand with Deacon, there’s an overwhelming sense of home. At the end of a particularly appealing garden, Deacon pulls you to a stop, turning you against his chest.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

“For what?” you ask, raising your free hand to rest on his shoulder.

“Reminding me what it’s like to feel this.”

You know what he means, or you hope you do. Nodding, you lean closer to him.

“This is what you make me feel. You’re home, even in the middle of the desert or the beginning of a shootout. Wherever you are, there’s calm, there’s peace, and there’s a beautiful woman who’s impossible not to love.”

Your smile grows with each word, and you duck your head under Deacon’s chin when he finishes. Looking back up, you see the reflection of the street behind you in his eyes, but there’s also so much more.

“I love you, Deacon. You’ve been my comfort since joining 20-David, and any minute spent away from you feels like an eternity.”

Deacon smiles, his eyes shining like a porch light leading you home after a long time away. He releases your hand to grip your waist, pulling you closer as his lips meet yours. Moving with Deacon, you hold his shoulders as you keep him close, letting his kiss and presence speak to you like they always have. Pulling away, you cup Deacon’s jaw.

“Thank you,” you whisper.

 “I love you. I didn’t say it back before.”

“You didn’t have to,” you point out, pulling him close again.

✯✯✯✯✯

“You kissed,” Hondo accuses as soon as you reach his side.

“Is that a problem?” Deacon asks.

“It is a huge relief, brother. Congratulations.”

He taps Deacon’s back before pulling you into a quick hug.

“I’ll expect to be the best man, right?”

Deacon presses his lips together and looks at you, smiling when you laugh.

“Hey, sorry we’re late, got caught up at this amazing custard truck,” Luca apologizes as he arrives.

Street looks at you, then Deacon, then your joined hands. He closes his eyes and raises a fist in victory. Tan smiles as he nods at you. Luca remains oblivious as he talks about Wisconsin-style custard and chicken sandwiches.

“But what did you guys do?” he finishes.

“Something we should have done before,” Deacon answers.

Luca furrows his brows, and Street claps his back before saying, “You were right. We’re gonna give the first-class tickets to the lovebirds.”

Luca’s eyes widen in surprise, but before he can congratulate you Hondo exclaims, “Whoa, now, they were good in coach.”

Bonus (because I love Deacon and Hicks' friendship):

"Commander, we wanted to discuss inter-team relationships," you begin.

Hicks raises a hand to silence you, looking toward Deacon.

"You finally did something?" he asks.

Deacon nods and Hicks smiles, bringing him into a hug and extending an arm to let you join them.

"About time!" Hicks cheers with a pleased chuckle.

[bleedingcoffee42]

Part 2- Day of Days

Wishlist of what should have been included

Forrest Guth!!! Show him landing in a field of cows and happy he didn't land on one. Then walking by a crashed plane, taking pictures and finding out after he gets them developed it was Meehan's plane.

Honestly more cows? General Ridgeway of the 82nd landed and had a "Flash!" -- "MOO" moment when he realized a cow was the one sneaking up on him when he landed. The cows were already there as extras, let them work. Cow POV sneaking up on paratrooper would have been hilarious.

Compton lost his gun on the drop, got a Thompson from Dog's Co. McMillian who broke his leg on the jump. (The gun's firing pin ended up being broken too and he doesn't find out until he goes to use it when facing two Germans and Guarnere saves him from getting shot) Almost got killed by a navy shell landing 50 ft away, but it didn't explode so he was good to go.

Speirs kicking a live grenade while capturing that fourth gun, it going off and knocking him on his ass, and catching his boot on fire and stomping to put out.

THE KNIFE. Those guys from the 82nd need to be snatching that thing instead of just being excited Dick is whipping something out of his pants in front of them. And show us how he gets it back!! You lost your gun on the drop, it's all you have, Dick. The custom engraved fighting knife from Lewis Nixon is all you have to fight with. GOD.

Dick yelling at Strayer, "Goddammit! When I send for ammunition and help, I mean now! Not when you get around to it!" YES! We love yelling!! And he's so pissed and filthy and imposing they just start laying bandoliers on him like it's Mardi Gras. Hester says he'll bring explosives, and does, and send Speirs with reinforcements. YES, make them answer to you Dick Winters!

Shifty and friends finding a downed glider with Jeep and deciding to take the Jeep. Needing to free it they use C-4, but don't realize the gas was leaking and end up blowing up the jeep and glider. Oops. Also Shifty running into Sobol later and having casual chit chat and talking about Popeye getting hit in the ass. "Serves him right" says Sobol. WTF does that mean? This would have pissed us viewers off so much. Gimme gimme.

Tipper, who should get more time come on, and his group getting shelled by the US Navy until they put up orange flags and smoke. The level of 'We're behind enemy lines and this massive hellstorm is hitting the beach' would have been a nod to just how chaotic it was to be paratroopers. Behind enemy lines is one thing, behind he enemy our lines are advancing on? Mmmmhmmm. Oh ! And they run into an English speaking guy who instantly gets shot by one of Tipper's compatriots and everyone is like ???? He was Speaking English and wearing a US paratrooper uniform? And the dude says "Look at his boots!" and they're German hobnailed boots. Like...more over Sherlock, give him a medal for the observation skills.

Lt. Col Billy Turner. He's not Easy Company, but he and Speirs had a personal civil war going on and we just get Lurker Speirs in Part 2 and we could have had some drama in the previous episode with Turner transferring him from Charlie to Dog eve of the invasion. In Normandy Sink told Turner to "Neutralize guns but be careful" so Turner tried to direct tank fire in Normandy, on a tank, and got shot by a sniper doing so. Ed Pepping, medic, got to him, pulled him out of the tank turret right before he died. Laments his loss. Says his death really held up the advance and rattled people. Seems like a good guy. Sink's comment? "His stature was small, his heart was big, his head was clear, his mind was sharp, his courage unlimited." Which sounds like a tribute for a warhorse, and Turner was cavalry so probably would have likes it, but BOB, really? Show Speirs walking by the guys dead body and saying "Well, Turner, by God, the krauts saved me the job!" Just some drama that could have been background noise. Sparky is already winning the morality Olympics this episode, pile on some more.

To be Continued....

[dtmsrpfcringe]

I was wondering if it's worth writing to you or not, because you only know how to insult everyone who writes to you (then you say you're not rude) but dude... why do you care what those blogs do or don't do? Do you think Georgia or Anna will send you a message thanking you for defending them? Do you think you'll win a medal of honor as if you were the owner of morality? Do you REALLY think that a small group of people who play at guessing what happens in the private lives of some celebrities will influence the lives of those celebrities? For real??

If the pr doesn't exist then there is nothing to worry about. Everything they discuss will be mere fantasies and that's it. Nobody cares! These ladies have more important things to do than to go around looking at what is being said about them.

okay when do I say I’m not rude? My “pr tag” is called bitch pr for the love of god. I match energies; if someone comes up on my page calmly I’m going to answer calmly…if someone is a bitch however I am gonna give that back. I don’t take disrespect and I certainly don’t play ball with assclowns.

also RE: Anna Georgia. No. I don’t do it for them and frankly would prefer if they don’t involve me because the last time a celebrity asked for my help I was stalked by a lady for several years so I would NOT like to do that again thank you very much. I mean it still hasn’t ended, she is probably watching this rn: hi girl i hope you're miserable and lonely!!!

the reason i do this is for the fandom, for the people who tell me they're grateful I'm here and that they hate this toxicity that has slowly been allowed to leech into our fandom (at least on tumblr, reddit, for once has done something right and banished those fools) and fun fact, your words online can and do affect real life people, lets refer back to my last case for a moment. Blah blah blah crazy woman espouses some shit online about his fake marriage and who she should be with and then this other woman gets real inspired by it AND SHOWS UP AT HIS HOUSE. And lets not forget kpop sasaengs

I hope this helps!!

[raininyourblackeyes]

What happened at world's??? I'm not up to date 😭

LMAOOO WHAT DIDN'T????

Ok brief summary of every disciplinne which will end up long so

MEN:

Boyang messed up so much in the SP he didn't even get to the free. To quote his coach Brian "I don't even know what that was." My boy obviously thinks that the men need to flop in every city starting with M... Milano 2018, Montreal 2024.... let's hope he keeps that mindset for worlds and olympics because they are also in Milano

Junhwan also flopped in the SP, but not as much thank skating gods! He did better in the fs but I really didn't get anything from his programs this season anyways so I wasn't as devastated as I would be let's say with any prev season's fuck up

Kao also flopped SP missing the combo because of the 4T attempt. Absolutely magnificent opening 4S, best of the SP event! He attacked some titans in the FS but got eaten immediately by 4Lo and 4S

Shoma finally listened to me telepathically and flopped the free

Jason was overscored as fuck, he should not have been above Deniss in any segment but he has the american money. However, he did serve.

Have to mention Nikolaj Memola having a very solid senior worlds debut!!!

Ilia uuuh got the world record in the FS, 227 something and now he's going viral and how I feel about it is 😐 The 4A was magnificent, and yeah yeah he can jump and yeah it's a Succession program but PLEASE WATCH SOMEONE WHO'S ACTUALLY DOING FIGURE SKATING! One can only wonder what's next? A quint? A quad-quad combo? Because he did everything else and I doubt he'll decide to get some skating skills

Donovan was absolutely stellar! And the audience loved him!

The epic highs (Romsky SP) and epic lows (Romsky FS) - as usual

Deniss went clean (if we don't count popping the opening quad in the FS) in both SP and FS. His SP is a religious experience, and he's skating to Hallelujah exactly how Leonard Cohen would have wanted. 100% worth watching (costume deduction for showing tits is soooo funny). He also did a mad thing and debuted a new free st worlds. I was sad to see Blues Deluxe go and very sceptic about Lion King, that's junior music to me but IT WAS STUNNING and I hope he keeps it for the next season so I can see it live in Zagreb

Yuma... GOD!!!!!! He is right now THE best skater we have in this disciplinne. Carolina Costner is doing wonders for his skating skills. And somehow this was meant to be a recovery season. Meanwhile he blew everyone else out of the water. Yuma is definitely worth getting into figure skating. Two stunning programs, some textbook jumps, mind-blowing performance ability and just lovely skating skills

Adam was probably the definition of men singles skating event. 19th in the sp, everyone despaired about him... because you know, there's no hope for Boyang but there is some for Adam? And boy was there hope!!! He goes clean in the FS, does a fucking banned backflip which I am not a fan of, probably thinking "fuck it I did an amazing program but from 19th I have no chance to medal anyways so I'll just do this instead" so he takes 2 deductions. And medals. Biggest jump placement wise in history of the sport. Sooo then fucking Benoit who is already delusional about his choreo skills goes and says how he wants to create choreo so revolutionary that could potentially get him banned. My dude, you should have been banned a long time ago for Kaori's I love being a woman free at least...

WOMEN:

Tbh they were in the middle of the night for me and since men singles is my fave disciplinne it's also the only one I'd stay awake for so... not much to say here. Sorry. But there wasn't any insane drama I think, the results did take me out in the SP, but it ended up pretty nice in the end

I did see Kaori and while her programs are far from my favourites this season I am 100% convinced that girl could sell me anything. The highlight of both her performances, apart from how insanely well she did to come back from 4th to win overall in the FS, was her reaction to a botched Lutz landing in the SP. Her SP is also dedicated to her niece and nephew and it's so soft. Also imagine in a few years a teacher asks kids to say a fun fact about themselves in the first class and this kid gets up and says uuuh my aunt won her 3rd consecutive world title with one of the programs being about me being born. THE FLEX!

I only got to see Hana's FS in real time and I have made an entire post about Shakuhachi so please go watch that if you haven't, it's a masterpiece. Koo Koo Fun is also a masterpiece in some other aspects! Also go watch that! I think she did an amazing job for a kid at her first worlds in her first senior season.

Mone WHAT A COME BACK IN THE FREE!!! Which rip... I like her SP more, but definitely also chek out the Sendai baby Mone if you haven't

I've seen Amber's FS, the only clean 3A of the evening. I really hope she can one day pull off a completely clean free one day

Young had an epic performance in the SP, that StSq is just cheff's kiss. I didn't catch her FS but uhhh I also don't really want to hurt myself so I won't even try to look for it

Chaeyeon sadly has a Benoit abomination for her FS, her SP is also by Benoit but she sells it so well. I say this about her FS because quite frankly it's the FS that got her the medal.

PAIRS:

Deanna and Maxime. That's it that's what you need to know about pairs. She is a superstar, they did an Interview With the Vampire free with stunning costumes. Their SP was a firecracker! Deanna is the oldest woman ever to win the gold in figure skating, and she should be THE inspiration to all little girls trying out the sport thinking that it's just a few years of fame. You can be 40 and winning gold in your home city!

Riku and Ryuichi did so well considering they are coming back from an injury and they brought back Woman (2020-21 and 2021-22 FS). Silver was very much very well deserved

I think the only other team I remember leaving an insane impression on me were Hocke/Kunkel in the SP, absolutely fucking robbed.

Pairs was overall the best disciplinne and you should watch it, I didn't have time to see any free skates except for SD/D and M/K so that's about what I can say about the event

ICE DANCE:

Head in hands, this used to be a disciplinne where you go to therapy (skating skills) after the horrors (jump fests)

Chock/Bates won which is a fucking joke because the only thing they have going for them is the fact that Madison is hot and that can be a distraction once or twice, but not at every fucking competition and not at worlds. When will they retire?

Piper and Paul were stunning, their programs are always either a hit or a miss no inbetween and this season they are a HIT! Especially the Wuthering Heights FD you should see it! They won the free, but Skate Canada forgot to homecook in the RD so they got silver overall

Charlene and Marco have the campiest RD this season but it works!!! The only superheros I am willing to watch on my screen, marvel wishes it's characters had what these two do. Their FD is also really nice. LOVED Barb's interview where she said Madison and Evan are slow af lol, but rip she was so confident about G/F placing above G/P and then bam bronze

LALA THE TRUE WORLD CHAMPIONS! Absolutely stunning and fun RD to Thriller with Zachary actually being the main character. It's also my mom's favourite ice dance program of the season overall! And then you have a complete change of emotion and tone in their Roses FD which is just soft and elegant and she is literally dressed in flower petals. They showed so much variety and growth this season. It's a program made to be adored, and their skating offers so much quality. RD is passionate and mindblowing, FD is enchanting seamless. If ice dance was a real sport they would be the world champions!

Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko in strong contention for my fave RD this season. I am probably a bit biased becasue it's Stevie Nicks. They had an amazing glo up this season imo. Their FD offers a lot of intense character projections: obsession, possessiveness. Choreo is intricate, it's a very tasteful program. Someone on here said we should have more programs about murder after their performance and I couldn't agree more. ALSO Scott and Madison in the K&C!!!!!!

You can barely guess that Lim/Quan are a first season senior couple. They managed to make me watch Let's Go Crazy without sighing about how much I miss Yuzuru. Insanely hot in that program. Their Umbrellas are also in my top 3 free dances this season. Amazing performances at their first senior worlds

Ok I'm only gonna mention absolute delight and theatrics that Pirihara bring on the ice. Such a unique Chicago presentation! I can't wait to see what they plan to do next season.

[gifsbysimplysonia]

Steph Curry solidifying Team USA's 🏅 medal status at the 2024 Olympics in Paris while his teammates marvel

Men's Basketball Gold Medal game - USA vs France

August 10, 2024

Personal waffling behind the cut

So, once upon a time, my Ma was a fanatic. My alleged origin story is that while heavily pregnant with me, she was at a pro wrestling event with her big brother in the front row, and she stood up and started jaw jacking at Bruiser freaking Brody. And this was back in the day there were NO GUARDRAILS JUST A ROPE separating talent from fans!

She also apparently was super into basketball, which should not surprise me because in 3rd grade i was obsessed with the Chicago Bulls; I could have given you the jersey number and average points shots, rebounds made and assists per game of every player on the roster. Horace Grant was my dude.

My Ma has been Olympics obsessed this year, but through that, I was reminded of her ability to be fanatical. During the Men's Basketball Gold Medal game, I was in the room. And lo and behold, this woman was SCREAMING at the TV, YESSSSSing when USA scored, berating players, literally WOO HOOing ... like, it was truly incredible to behold.

And I was like ... who are you? And she was like...don't you remember? Meaning her watching games and getting SO INTO THEM that she had to STOP cuz she was too emotional. And I have Swiss cheese for a brain so I was like no but ... it makes all the sense. I know what she is like in life and it's always full throttle. But her having removed herself from the game, I haven't gotten to see that side of her in many years.

She really likes Steph Curry and I bet she'd start watching games to follow him wherever he plays. She had all the praise for him, as did my dad who had to watch games by default cuz they share a room lol. My dad telling me during the gold medal game, "That little guy? He's REAL good!" Was absolute chef's kiss. I don't know Steph Curry outside of the fact he has a SITCOM with Max from Happy Endings coming out soon, but my brother who knows more about ball than me assured me, yes, "the little guy is very good."

All this to say, please don't ever forget who you are and what brings you joy. I mean, if you're like us and gonna give yourself a literal heart attack cuz you don't know how to scale the emotes back? Maybe add meditation into the mix so you don't hurt yourself physically.

But just...try not to let time, expectations or life steal your joy. Indulge as often as you can because if something lights you up, it's good for you and you deserve that slice of happy. And don't ever be ashamed of being who you are, loving what you love, and being as loudly over passionate as you can!

You're never too anything to be a fan and be loud about it.

[goddesspharo]

Seems ill-advised, tbqh.

"You don't want to hear the kinds of questions I've got."

#hannix

[Send me the first sentence and a pairing and I'll write the next five.]

"You don't want to hear the kinds of questions I've got."

Natasha rolls her eyes and warns Jake not to make her regret bringing him home for Thanksgiving. She's still not sure that they're quite there yet, but it's not like she can uninvite him now. He had looked so pathetic last week when he told her that "The Seresin Family Hang-sgiving" was canceled this year because his parents needed to use up the tickets to Venice his sister had gifted them two anniversaries ago before December so he was probably going to stick around North Island and hang out at The Hard Deck with all the other lushes who had nowhere else to go. Natasha had been perfectly content to ignore how mopey he looked – after all, wasn't celebrating Thanksgiving akin to getting waterboarded for a dude who tried to stay away from carbs? – but then Bob flashed her a pointed glare like she owed Hangman something just because he'd dragged her to his family's ranch in Austin for The Fourth.

She didn't, of course, because Jake was so Rah Rah Rah about Texas that it wouldn't take much to get an invite to his hometown so he could wax poetic about Longhorns football and fried okra until the cows came home for tipping. But there was the small matter of Jake getting on top of a coffee table before the Summer Seresin Scavenger Hunt began and declaring to his entire extended family that he was "boo'd up" as if the thing that their relationship was missing up until that point was a heavy dose of mortification. Nat still hasn't forgiven Payback for expanding Hangman's musical horizons even though he's probably right that it's better than Jake donning a cowboy hat so he could make a Patsy Cline reference instead. For that alone, Natasha should've let him flounder in California while everyone else went back home, but rather than disappoint Bob and have to hear about it for the next half dozen training sessions, Natasha went against her self-preservation instincts and invited Jake to have turkey with her family in the suburbs of New Jersey.

She knew it was a bad idea the moment she asked and has only doubled down on that impression now when encountering the wild gleam in Jake's eyes as he looks around her childhood bedroom. Natasha's never been happier than at this moment that she took down the extremely embarrassing boy band posters from her walls the first time she came home from college. All that's left now is a cherry-picked altar of her accomplishments. There are honors society certificates on her walls and her diploma from Stanford, medals from swim meets and a gleaming golden soccer ball perched on top of the MVP trophy she got when their team won nationals after the favorites got disqualified on a technicality. Jake takes in the framed pictures spanning Natasha's life and photobooth strips with her friends taken at a mall kiosk when they cut class to go see Step Up. He looks mesmerized as he practically bounces on the balls of his feet while soaking up all these snippets of who she was before he met her.

The quiet gets to be too much so Nat finally relents and says, "You get one question."

Jake looks like Kevin McCallister let loose at Duncan's Toy Chest, unsure of what to do with all this newfound freedom as his eyes trail along from wall to wall before stopping at the picture of Natasha with her date at prom.

"Where's all your debate team stuff?" he finally asks.

Natasha grins. Sucker.

"I wasn't on the debate team."

"Wait a minute. You made it seem—"

"I'm just naturally gifted at arguing with you."

"Flag on play, Trace! I should get another question."

"Should've gone with a sure thing," she says with an unapologetic shrug. "I really thought you'd ask if I still had the outfit from my very brief stint as a cheerleader."

She can feel him grinning when Jake leans in, his breath hot against her ear as he asks with all the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning, "Well, do you?"

Natasha makes a mental note to kill Bob when they get home.

[javierpena-inatacvest]

ok what is your most fave javi outfit of all time? remember JUST ONE (I know it's hard lol)

NO. THIS QUESTION SHOULD BE ILLEGAL, I AM CALLING THE COPS ON YOU IMMEDIATELY. HOW DARE YOU MAKE ME CHOOSE?!?!?

Okay, legit I have had to think so long and hard about this because this is not something I take lightly... I'm gonna kind of cheat and give you a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ranking (because who am I to deny the people of this fine app any less Javi than they deserve 🤷🏼‍♀️)

SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I PRESENT TO YOU MY CHOICE(S)

Coming in at 3rd place, we have the blue button down and the grey khakis (PLUS THE TAC VEST). This is a god tier outfit, I don't make the rules. The slutty little buttons undone, the belt, the pants (THE PANTS 👀), I don't know what else to tell ya. Also without the tac vest this outfit gives me dad!Javi vibes 🫠

In 2nd place, I present to you GREEN SHIRT JAVI. Dude, when I tell you that this outfit literally changed the trajectory of my life forever, I do not kid you. SPECIFICALLY THIS?!?!?!

THIS?!?!? THIS RIGHT HERE?!?! I rest my case.

and FINALLY, coming in 1st place is my dearly beloved, the one, the ONLY, RED FLANNEL SHIRT.

I will never get over it. I never will. Every time I see it is more magical than the last. From the moment I first saw this episode I knew there was nothing in life I needed more than that man in a flannel shirt living his best domestic life. I have dreams about this outfit. This outfit has won a Nobel Peace Prize, this outfit is Time Magazine's Person of the Year, this outfit has been given the Presidential Medal of Honor. There is no outfit superior to this and I will (respectfully) fight anyone who says otherwise.

Let's be honest, Javi could put on a sack of potatoes and he would still be the hottest man in the room 🤷🏼‍♀️ Love 'em or hate 'em, these are my choices and I will defend them with honor 🫡

[dangermousie]

JJS is a hell of an actor!!!

But Jinhan is doomed because you cannot reason with a madman.

This bit!!! Honestly, what is even the point of being cruel to someone you plan to kill. He's the WORST!

The way it breaks something in Jinhan...

Oh God, this bit...

Just hurry up and die already...

The man could have killed you and didn't and now is literally letting you kill him - if that does not convince you, nothing can. He is a total lunatic, ugh, die die dieeeee

I love that you can see Jinhan is steeling himself and is terrified. But then freaking finally:

I don't care who poisoned this dude, they should get a medal.

[jennyandvastraflint]

Xena Reactions S3Ep3

We start with a dude dramatically running away from war... EW. ARES. He just keeps getting uglier

Damn strong armour. Is the armour possessing the guy?

MEDAL OF HEPHESTEUS!?

Cheerful start really

Damn they wanna hurt some guy. Was that Gabby

YEEES XENA AND GABRIELLE

Gosh Xena and Gabrielle are so gorgeous

Is she gathering criminals for a mission XD

OHHH GORGEOUS.

"I am no lady" either way gender.

Xena introducing them

"Just men?" 😂 Gabrielle asking the good questions

Going up against Ares... Blergh. Ares can go choke on his own ego.

Oof, village laid waste

The armour looks so stupid honestly...

Rude!???

Love how Xena's SWORD broke but not Gabrielle's staff 😂

Oh fuck the pretty one was hit

Oh. METAL! Not medal... Yes that makes more sense (auditory processing issues hu)

Blacksmithing fancam

Hate that pretentious guy

CALLISTO SHOUTOUTTT <3

"Wow, nice ceps!" He is GAY. He is so down to suck Ares's dick...

BOOMERANG (Sokka is foaming at the mouth in jealousy)

"Cos I'm gonna kill her" no you won't. Shut up and suck Ares's dick you war simp

Gabrielle commanding them as she should.

Boo for them ignoring her.

"Murderers guarding murderers"

"Were they murderers before they met you?" OUCH

THEY WERE LIKE ME

AAAAAAH

"Am I really who I am, or am I what you made me?"

They're playing their funny guessing game again

Jesus can these murderers CHILL

Gabrielle looking, then going NOOOPE

Please these idiots are still standing there

Ahaha they're guarding each other cos none trusts the other to not kill them

RISE AND SHINEEE

"But what are you here for?"

SO VALID. STAB THAT GUY DEAD.

"You know what men are like" lesbian

Ahaha he just fell asleep

"But you're going to buy them"

Yuck, I wouldn't wanna be stuck with that guy either

"I think I've never been part of a true disaster before" "Cynic"

URGH the sexist prick can go die in a ditch

Ew what kinda straight sex shit is this

"Men are so easy" shdhshd

Gosh he's annoying.. Why r all the men in this annoying

NOOOO HE WANTED TO HURT GABRIELLE

And he grabbed Xena...

DID SHE KILL HIM-

Oop

"That's gotta be uncomfortable" 😂

GABRIELLE MY BABYGIRL

"Is this a private get together or can anyone join in?" Oh she knooows

She's happy they're working together

AHAHA She sensed Ares

Why is Ares' beard so fucking UGLYYYY. Like it literally got worse

Ares you snitch. Why are you telling her. Bro as if THAT isn't also interfering?? 😂

Uhhhh... Whomst?

Damn they throw bombs

Gabrielle ur so amazing

Xena I love you sm

Damn. She's defyyying gravity

Mmmmm, dudebro sexist is sus af

Urgh... They tricked her...

GABBY

YUCK. DISGUSTING. I hope she gets to murder him

I love Gabby

HOLY SHIT. HER SHOVING THE OTHER WOMAN AGAINST THE WALL (Gabrielle 🤝 Jenny)

Glaphyra?

Yeah true but y'know, a bit too many men for my liking, and a whole bunch of others stand around doing nothing about it

They really just want money, hu

Is he gonna free them

Ayoooo double double crossing

Ahsdhsh she used the Doctor strategy. Get captured cos breaking out the cell is easier than breaking into the whole thing

EW. ASSAULT. DISGUSTING. Someone give her a wife

"Hey that's not how a princess fights" gosh get some perspective, man

"Amazon Princess" YOU TELL HIM

OH FUCK. GABRIELLE IS JUST SEEING XENA MURDER WITHOUT RESTRAINT

Something something the old Xena showing for a moment

"Why does everyone wanna kill me?" Honestly it's very understandable

"I'm not leaving!" "Like she said"

Ares is like lmao bye have fun dying, loser

All the steaaaam, brilliant. Gotta be pretty hot in there

YEESH That gotta hurt

Kabooooom

"Look after Xena, okay?" awwwww

"I'd sooner fall for a toad" valid

THEY'RE SO GAAAY

"You're Gabrielle" AAAAAH ❤️

"Question is who would I be without you?"

Ahaha them bickering

Ok so as a whole the episode was very, very meh. I liked the Xena/Gabrielle moments tho

[jgvfhl]

The Number Lads Reap the Rewards

The dust is finally settling after the Number Lads turned the Republic on its head to expose Palpatine's schemes. They even get to dust off the extra fancy dress uniforms for a special ceremony... Which uniforms, you might ask? THESE lovely designs by @touchstarvedasclones!!! Don't they look wonderful??

Words: ~6k Warnings: None! Link to Master List of Chapters on tumblr Link to full story on Ao3

The small meeting room inside the Senate dome didn’t seem as small as Sevenset had expected. Then again, the definition of small rooms in the GAR might have been a bit smaller than those found inside the Republic’s official government buildings. This room alone could have housed about four small briefing rooms and a couple supply closets, just looking around. It was roughly oval in shape, with two square alcoves protruding out of either end. A circle of hanging light fixtures hung from the center of the room, illuminating it all with a pale yellow light. An oval table stood in the middle of the room with several chairs around it, and there were huge windows on the far wall facing out over the Coruscant cityscape.

It just seemed like overkill for a dozen people. Or, what would be a dozen people as soon as everyone got here. Trees, Elevensies, Loops, Nines, and Zero were the only ones here so far, as well as himself, of course. They had taken a bit to relax in the strange environment, especially for him and Elevensies after their service in the Guard. If they had ever been in a room like this, they had basically tried to blend in as a wall decoration so the important people could talk in peace.

Then Zero had pulled one of the chairs out and sat down, grabbing one of the bottles of water clustered decoratively in the center of the table. “If they’re gonna go through the trouble of making me wear the fancy dress uniform, I’m gonna sit at their fancy tables,” he’d explained.

Sevenset could get behind the sentiment, and the others had quickly found seats around the table as well. The dress uniforms of the GAR were… surprisingly nice, considering how utilitarian most of their existence was in the service. He should specify: these were the really fancy dress uniforms, not just the dress greys everyone got to have something other than their armor to wear in public. The base for the uniforms they had on now was the same for everyone: black pants, black knee-high boots, black gloves, a black belt, and a white collared jacket with the Republic cog embroidered over the right breast, and a grey stripe down the outside of each sleeve. Sevenset already hated the collar of his jacket. It was as high as his undersuit’s collar, but much stiffer, and the material was less worn and therefore scratchier.

Each uniform came with a drape of fabric matched to the chosen paint color of the individual’s battalion or legion. It was a smooth material with a dull shine, and the colors had a mottled, almost tie-dye effect on it. At least everyone had their familiar color schemes still. Well. Almost everyone. Sevenset, as part of Rancor Battalion based on Kamino, had a pale blue sash wrapped over his left shoulder and tucked into his belt at his right hip. He kind of missed the red. His jacket cuffs were pale blue too, matching the sash like everyone else’s uniform. So far, he and Zero were the only ARCs, so their sashes were the only ones lined and trimmed in pale grey instead of black.

That changed quickly, however. The door slid open, and everyone paused their conversation to look at who had arrived.

“The party’s here, fellas!” Do-si-do announced as soon as he was through the door.

They, Sevenset silently corrected himself even as he launched out of his chair to go tackle his friend in a hug. “Let’s kriffing go!” he cheered, squeezing them tightly.

Do-si-do laughed, a little breathlessly, until they were released. “Gotta be careful with those ARC arms, dude, Force,” they grinned. They rubbed their chest. “And that medal is pointy,” they added, pointing at the medal Sevenset had to wear with his full dress uniform.

Sevenset matched their grin, slinging an arm around their shoulders. “Regs say I gotta wear it, no matter the trauma associated with it,” he said as he took in the others who had arrived with them.

“Domino!” Elevensies smiled and waved at the twins.

They looked even more identical than usual in their matching royal blue uniforms, including matching medals already glittering on the right breast. The ribbons were different colors than Sevenset’s. His was blue and purple, with a hexagonal medal, for “bravery” during the Zillo beast shitshow. Theirs had a red ribbon with a gold stripe and a silver, vaguely square medal hung from one corner. The only difference between the twins that Sevenset’s well-trained eye could spot was the barely visible outline of a knee brace underneath Echo’s pantleg. But his gait was steady and even, so his old injury must not be bothering him too badly today. They were both smiling and healthy, and Sevenset couldn’t ask for much more than that. Echo went to greet Nines and Zero, and Fives came over to Sevenset, offering a closed fist to him.

Sevenset readily bumped his own fist against it. “Glad to see your captain let you two out long enough to attend the ceremony.”

Fives rolled his eyes. “Force, you’ve no idea. I guess I feel bad for him, considering the shit Echo and I have pulled before, but I really thought he was gonna go grey before my eyes when he came to see me in the Jedi Temple.”

Sevenset and Do-si-do laughed. “I remember!” Sevenset said. “He looked about ready to chain you to a bedpost somewhere to keep an eye on you.”

“Oh, he wanted to!” Echo called over. “Unfortunately for him, I can’t perform all of Fives’ duties myself, so he needed someone to pick up the slack.”

Sevenset snorted at the icy glare Fives shot at his batchmate for that remark.

“Oh, Do-si-do!” The pilot leaned around Sevenset to see who had spoken. Elevensies waved, his curls bouncing with energy. “Your hair looks so good!”

Do-si-do smiled widely, standing a little taller where they stood. Sevenset leaned onto their shoulder a little. He had to agree, of course. Their bright white curls had been swept up and twisted along the side of their head, curling into a bun near the base of their skull. A thin silver chain was wrapped through the twist, glinting when it caught the light.

“Uh, yeah, my sergeant helped me with it,” they explained, gently putting a hand to the bun. “I guess she’s pretty good with that kinda stuff, and she said she’d help me figure it out if I wanted to.”

Fives patted them on the arm. “Nice. Glad you’ve got the support you deserve, yeah?”

Sevenset squeezed their shoulders from the side, smiling proudly at them in silent support. Before the conversation could continue, the doors slid open again, and three more people entered.

Almost as one, the whole group of troopers gathered said, “Commander!”

And almost immediately afterwards, the words, “Aw, what the kark?” were out of Sevenset’s mouth.

“Hi, Fours!” Elevensies said, either ignoring the outburst or oblivious to it. “And Fours’ commander.”

Fours waved with a small smile. Commander Bacara said nothing and promptly found a wall to stand against and look intimidating.

Commander Sixes looked at Elevensies briefly, then fixed his gaze on Sevenset. “Something bothering you, ARC?”

He spluttered for a couple seconds, then composed himself and gestured to the commander. “Is this why you were later than the rest of us? Were people stopping you every three steps to tell you how good you look, or what?”

Do-si-do snorted and covered their mouth with a hand. Fives rolled his eyes as he drifted nearer to his brother. The commander just stared at him for a second longer.

“Do you think about the sentences in your head before they come out of your mouth?” he asked.

“Not usually.”

The commander nodded. In Sevenset’s defense, he’d never seen the command class version of these fancy dress uniforms, and he was still upset to know the commander could pull off a perfectly manicured beard and mustache on top of his very cool scars and everything. It just didn’t seem fair! The commanders’ uniforms were structurally identical to everyone else’s, differing only in the collars and the lining color of the sashes. Commanders got gold collars and gold lining and trim. On top of everything, each commander had about four medals already pinned to his jacket, all in different colors and shapes. It looked really cool!

“Why isn’t your drape black, Commander?” Nines asked, pointing out the deep blue color hung across the commander’s shoulder.

He glanced at it. “It’s my paint color.”

“You have paint?” Do-si-do asked. “On black armor?”

“Didn’t used to be black,” the commander told them. “The uniforms were made before the Death Wings even existed.”

“You didn’t have them updated?” Loops asked. “Commander Wolffe had ours updated after the Malevolence.” The drape over his shoulders was a mottled combination of the 104th’s current grey paint color and their original maroon shade.

The commander shrugged, taking part of the fabric between his fingers and rubbing it. “I like the blue.”

“Can’t argue with blue,” Fives said with a smirk. Echo smiled and nodded.

For the next few minutes, the room descended into a quiet hum of conversation. It was the first time they’d all been in the same room together, since Zero had been off-world for the whole chips fiasco in the Clubhouse. Sevenset couldn’t help but remember what Commander Sixes had told him once, after Elevensies first meeting. He’d managed quite an impressive thing, bringing these troopers together the way he had, and the galaxy was better off for it. That was pretty freakin’ cool, if he did say so himself. Sure, not all of them were like him and Do-si-do, besties for life that they were. But, for people who never would have met otherwise, they all got along well enough.

Zero was entertaining Elevensies and Nines with the latest escapades from his battalion, somehow involving a large moth-like creature and its nest. Fours and Trees were happy to sit between conversations and listen in whenever they felt like it, but they were never the most talkative of the bunch. The Domino twins and Loops had cornered the commander and were peppering him with questions about the Death Wings, since he couldn’t just sign off and leave the way he could on a transmission.

Do-si-do poke him in the ribs gently. “Hey, do you think they’ll let one of us give a speech?”

Sevenset scoffed. “Why? They never cared to listen much before.”

“Yeah, but that was before we were all badass and saved the galaxy from the Sith,” his friend said. “That’s totally worth a speech.”

“We’re already getting medals.”

Do-si-do frowned. “Yeah, but I kinda want an opportunity to say a nice ‘get karked’ to all the Senators who didn’t ever like us very much.”

He laughed. “Okay, fair enough. But the general public is already kind of doing that.”

“It’s true!” His friend’s face lit up. “Did you see some of the stuff the holonet is saying now? It’s hilarious!”

“Yeah, I’ve seen some of it.” Hilarious most of the time, anyway. He’d also seen way too many comments calling what had happened a coup, or an overthrow of elected power. The security footage from the chancellor’s offices from that night had leaked to the public about three weeks after the fact, and that… had not been fun to watch. Well, obviously, the footage of General Windu, Echo, and Commander Sixes absolutely destroying Palpatine had been wonderful. But there had also been no small amount of backlash. It had ranged from criticism of the Jedi for starting the violent confrontation (which… hello? His back would beg to differ), to criticism of the Senate for electing a Sith (like they knew?), and far too many comments about Echo and the commander of varying kinds that he hasn't bothered to read.

The sliding doors opened yet again, breaking them out of their conversations abruptly. They were all used to dropping everything at a moment’s notice regularly. The sudden silence was probably a little creepy to most natties.

“At ease, troopers,” General Windu said with a smile. He stood beside newly-elected Chancellor Bail Organa and his wife Breha, both dressed to the nines in dark blue velvet and silver accents for the ceremony. Even Windu’s robes seemed a bit nicer than usual.

“We're here to accompany you to The Decahedron for the ceremony,” Chancellor Organa explained. Sevenset had always liked him as a senator. He hoped he stayed that way.

Originally, the medal ceremony had been scheduled to take place in the Senate Dome. However, after some of the Jedi expressed concerns about such a public event in front of so many people—concerns Sevenset suspected had come from the Jedi’s commanders—the location had changed. The Decahedron was an extension from the main chancellor’s offices, built as a kind of display room for public view. The chancellor could make speeches there, host visiting dignitaries to show off the fact that they were getting along for the cameras, or, case in point, conduct medal ceremonies.

Sevenset had seen the glass-paneled room countless times on patrol, but had never been assigned to be security on the inside. As always, he was curious.

“If you’ll follow us,” General Windu said, gesturing out the door.

There were a few mumbles of “yessir” out of habit, including from Do-si-do beside him. Sevenset suspected that was going to a hard habit to break. They all filed out of the room behind the Jedi and head of state. It was a short walk to a large and very well-upholstered speeder that took them right to the landing platform in front of The Decahedron. The chancellor and the first lady did their best to make conversation, but the ARCs and Do-di-do seemed to be the only ones interested in joining in. The Organas still struck Sevenset as just… very good people. Certainly an upgrade from the previous head of state, but that bar was resting on the floor as it was.

The landing platform in front of The Decahedron was crowded with reporters and cameras and Corries doing their best to contain them. It took Sevenset a moment to recognize two more troopers in full dress with drapes colored red for the Guard. He’d only ever seen Commanders Fox and Thire without their helmets a few times each, and Thire had no visible identifying marks on him from the neck up. At least Fox had a scar on one cheek and an undercut with the top dyed a dark wine-red color. They stood on the platform where the walkway into The Decahedron began.

They all filed out of the speeder, the Organas and Windu leading the way and taking the brunt of the camera flashes and clicking at first. Sevenset really did not like the attention. He wanted his helmet so he had something between himself and the dozens of natties all trying to press closer. Luckily, the Guards were doing their jobs well, and the crowd of people never closed in at all. He did keep close to Do-si-do, though, just to feel a bit more secure. He glanced behind him at the commanders, and bit back a snort of laughter at the perfect demonstrations of a resting bitch face they were giving. It shouldn’t be funny, knowing Commander Sixes had been getting more attention than the rest of them for what he’d done. But it was a little funny.

The two Guard commanders merged into their group as they passed them, slipping in behind the other commanders as they walked. As a group, they followed the Organas and Windu up the walkway and into the glass-domed Decahedron room. There were more cameras and reporters inside, but there were fewer of them, and they were far better behaved. They sat quietly, murmuring amongst themselves, in chairs along one curved wall of the room, facing the large dais and desk on the other side. There was a large case sitting on the desk. Two lines of seven chairs were arranged at an angle out from one end of the desk, and a group of four chairs were arranged to mirror them on the other side. General Yoda was already seated on one of them.

General Windu turned to the group of troopers behind him and gestured with an open palm to the fourteen chairs. “Please, take a seat, gentlemen. Your chairs are labeled with your names.”

Sevenset followed those ahead of him over to the chairs. He watched Loops and Trees pick up pieces of paper from the seats and stare at them, their eyebrows climbing as they did. Sevenset scanned over the papers he could see, looking for his designation. Natties would say “names” and mean “numbers” all the time, so it took him a while to spot his chair.

It was second from the end closest to the desk and in the front row. He walked past Fours, Commander Bacara, and Domino and picked up the paper. They actually had used their names. It was nice paper too, thicker than usual and with half the Republic cog imprinted on the bottom portion. His name—his chosen name—was written in deep red ink at the center.

Fives reached over and tugged on the hem of his uniform jacket. “Take a seat, mate,” he said quietly.

Sevenset stopped gaping at his name and cleared his throat. He resisted the urge to look around at everyone, just like any other day at work, and took his seat. Containing his grimace as best he could, he tried to adjust his uniform subtly so he could sit in relative comfort and not fidget too much during the ceremony. He missed his armor. But the chairs were comfortable, at least, but that made sense. They were wooden, not the usual synthetic metaloid or something similar, and the cushions matched the dark red carpeting in The Decahedron.

The first lady squeezed her husband’s hand and then took a seat beside Yoda. Judging from the warmth in their brief smiles, they were familiar already. General Windu stayed standing with the chancellor.

Chancellor Organa gave a polite smile to the assembled reporters and staff, even making it to the Corries stationed around the edges of the room. “Thank you all for coming. If my chronometer isn’t lying to me, I believe it’s time to begin.”

A group of three people, a human, a nautolan, and a rodian, came forward with some larger-scale transmission equipment. The whole ceremony would be broadcast across Coruscant and select places around the galaxy. The camera crew set up efficiently, checking their connections. Eventually, the rodian settled on a small stool behind the main holoprojector, and the human and nautolan stood by, the former holding a microphone and the latter with a datapad. The rodian gave a thumbs-up to the chancellor and the Jedi.

“People of the Galactic Republic, thank you for joining us” Chancellor Organa began, clasping his hands behind his back. “This is only the third public address I’ve made as your new head of state, but I maintain it is the most important of them so far. Just over a month ago, it was discovered my predecessor held designs for the collapse of our armed forces and very possibly our government itself. His success would have meant an assured victory for the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and an unknown cost on the part of our own ways of life.” He paused, letting the words settle. “He did not succeed. I would say fortunately, but I believe fortune had little to do with it.” He stopped again, this time turning his head towards General Windu.

The Jedi picked up the speech. How many times had the rehearsed this? “The Republic and the Jedi Order have long owed a debt of gratitude to the soldiers who have been defending us from the Separatists for years now. But these troopers in particular,” he said, looking over to where they sat beside him, “deserve recognition today. They, with the help of a few steadfast citizens, uncovered evidence of Palpatine’s treacherous behavior, and brought it before the Jedi Council, not out of obligation to their superior officers in the military, but out of the deep concern that no one else would believe them.”

Sevenset was suddenly reminded that General Windu, prior to becoming the head of the Jedi Council, had been in theater. Someone in the Guard had mentioned it to him, so he’d gone digging, and had unearthed a treasure trove of… frankly impressive performances. Clearly, all the diplomacy, bureaucracy, and war hadn’t dulled his skills.

Windu went on. “The Jedi honored that trust, as we have striven to do on the battlefield, by trusting them in return. They all risked their lives to ensure Palpatine, Count Dooku, and their allies could no longer harm anyone else by twisting the wills of good people. The medals they will receive today are merely a fraction of what they and their brothers in arms deserve from the Republic for what they’ve done for us. But I have hope we can achieve those things in time.” He finished with a small smile directed at them all.

Yeah, you and me both, buddy, Sevenset thought during the brief silence that followed. Only a month had passed, after all. Clones still didn’t have citizenship or much of a salary. The war was still happening, although without Dooku (and without Palpatine), things were going a lot faster than they had been. Grievous was still very much a problem, but Sevenset had overheard Zero and Nines earlier talking about the 118th being tasked to go after him with the 212th soon. Given the 118th had an entire company of slicers, and a whole other company of “punch first, ask questions later” kind of troopers, Grievous wasn’t going to have a fun time with that.

General Windu had opened up the case of medals on the desk with a wave of his hand. Sevenset recognized six blue and purple ribbons immediately, matching the medal of bravery already pinned to his jacket. There were four medals with pure black ribbons save for a single white stripe down the center, and silver charms in the shape of a crescent open upwards. The last four had white ribbons with a red stripe and a black stripe down the center, and a circular silver charm. He’d seen them all before on various soldiers, but he only knew the significance of the first one.

While the chancellor went to stand by the desk, General Windu walked over to them and lowered his voice so the microphones wouldn’t pick it up. “Those of you with your names written in blue, would you please come stand in a line just in front of the dais here?” He gestured with a hand to the edge of the carpeted step in front of him. Behind Sevenest, from the back row of chairs, six people stood up. Commander Bacara, Fours, Do-si-do, Trees, Loops, and Zero filed out in a line as only soldiers could manage without rehearsal, and lined up facing the holoprojector under the direction of the Jedi.

“These six troopers risked great personal harm to protect dozens of civilians when Dooku attacked Coruscant,” the chancellor said, standing on the dais to be seen over their heads. “Through their skill and courage, and with the help of the the Jedi and some Mandalorian allies, they defeated Count Dooku, marking a great victory for the Republic. Furthermore, they helped protect valuable evidence of Palpatine’s wrongdoing from falling into Separatist hands. They have more than earned these medals of bravery.”

One by one, Chancellor Organa went down the line, pinning the medals in place as Windu floated them over to him from the desk. The reporters’ cameras and holoprojectors lit up as he went, and crescendoed when he finished and stood beside the line.

“Thank you for your service, gentlemen,” Chancellor Organa said.

The line of six saluted sharply, if slightly out of sync, and there was a quiet smattering of applause from those present. The chancellor smiled and directed them back to their seats. Sevenset caught Do-si-do’s eye and grinned at them. They beamed back, standing tall. Beside them, Loops rolled his eyes, but couldn’t hide the small smile on his face.

General Windu again came over to where they sat as the first six got settled. “Those of you with your names written in black, please line up where they did,” he told them quietly.

Sevenset tried not to crane his neck around to see who was moving, but he had plenty of experience from the Guard to keep his curiosity in check. Eventually, he saw Elevensies, Nines, Commander Fox, and Commander Thire step down to stand in front of the dais. The chancellor had moved back to stand on their far right and waited while they finished shuffling into a line.

Finally, he drew himself up again and faced the cameras. “Most commonly, this next medal, the medal of great sacrifice, is bestowed posthumously,” he explained, his tone considerably more somber. “However, the events of the past month were anything but common. Knowing what we know now about the nature of Palpatine’s plans and how they involved the clone troopers in our armed forces, I and the Jedi Council agreed these soldiers deserve this honor. Giving up one’s free will is a great sacrifice, and as sorry as I am—as we all are,” he added, glancing around to the two Jedi— “that it happened in the first place, I am happy you are all here to receive these medals personally.”

Again, Chancellor Organa went down the line as Windu floated the black-ribboned medals to him. Sevenset thought the rest of the Coruscant Guard commanders should be offered the same honor, considering they'd been under Palpatine’s thumb just as long. And maybe the two other Guards that had been in the room with Elevensies? But he was glad Fox was getting some recognition for what he'd gone through here. He wished Elevensies weren't… he wished the kid didn't have to be here. A medal of great sacrifice shouldn't be anyone’s first honor.

The four of them saluted when the medals had all been handed out, and filed back to their chairs like the previous group to the noise of clicking and the bursts of camera flashes. He glanced down his row of chairs to see Commander Sixes nudge Elevensies with his elbow. The kid gave him a small smile in return. They’d have to find something fun to do after this. He had a feeling the Nittas would be involved, if the Chaos Batch had any say in it—or Do-si-do for that matter. They had become obsessed with those ladies’ noodles.

Finally, General Windu returned to stand before them, his attention focused on the first four of them in the front row: Sevenset, Fives and Echo, and the commander. “The last four of you who have yet to receive honors,” he said, keeping his voice low. He once again gestured to the step in front of which everyone else had lined up. “If you would, please.”

Sevenset set his face as neutral as it would go, drawing back on his months of being a piece of living wall art in the Guard. He got to his feet with the others, and they followed the commander to line up shoulder to shoulder. He looked at the holoprojectors and the camera equipment, and was immensely aware of the tattoos visible on his head and neck, normally covered by his helmet. He’d kept his piercings to their least distracting today, which had even struck him as odd as he did it. Usually, he went the opposite. But something about being stood up in front of the entire galaxy had him wishing he could melt into the carpet.

Chancellor Organa spoke up from where he stood beside the commander. “These four soldiers, as many of those watching may recognize, are those to whom we perhaps owe the most, although it is by a very slim margin and hardly for me to judge. Two of them risked their lives to bring to light potent information about the creation of clone troopers and about the true nature of my predecessor. Two of them then put their lives on the line to assist Master Windu—” here Sevenset barely saw him turn to look at the Jedi in question— “in confronting Palpatine, and eventually disposing of him.”

Sevenset bit back a smile. That sure was one way to describe it. He’d finally seen the security footage of the fight, and it had been truly satisfying to watch the commander’s scythe wrench off Palpatine’s head like that. Echo had told him what had been said just before, and Sevenset had almost hurt himself laughing with his injuries only partially healed.

General Windu floated over the first of the white, red, and black ribbons into the chancellor’s hands. “We honor their courage, their intelligence, their strength, and their loyalty with medals of heroism.”

Ah, so that was the final unknown honor. Well. At least he was getting his wish and becoming a hero of the Republic. That wouldn’t have any horrible negative side-effects at all, like never being able to show his face in public without getting swarmed by natties, surely. He pushed the thoughts away, mentally cursing himself for managing to overthink an award before it was even in his hands. Or on his chest, in this case.

He waited as patiently as he was able to while Chancellor Organa went down the line attaching medals first to the commander, then Echo, then Fives. The cameras were going off more frequently than they had for either of the first two groups, but that made sense. Their names and faces had been all over the holonews for weeks, and now they were in dress uniforms. Natties always seemed to enjoy those, right along with the kamas and pauldrons.

But finally, the chancellor stepped in front of Sevenset. Sevenset reminded himself that he had always liked the Organas. The fourth and final medal of heroism floated through the air over Sevenset’s shoulder and the chancellor plucked it out of the air. He gave a soft smile that shone right up through his dark brown eyes that looked so much like a clone’s eyes. His gaze dropped to the space on Sevenset’s jacket where his medal of bravery hung.

“I recall you earned that during the Zillo beast attack,” he murmured quietly as he prepared the new medal. “Your designation came up in conversation, and it is rather memorable.”

Sevenset wasn’t sure if he was supposed to answer, so he didn’t, out of an abundance of caution. The chancellor didn’t push it. He finished attaching the medal and stepped away to his left, smiling broadly for the audience.

“Thank you for your service, gentlemen,” he said.

Sevenset saluted, catching the other three doing the same out of his periphery. There was more polite applause as Sevenset realized it was up to him to lead them all back to their seats. He did so when the chancellor stepped back up onto the dais to rejoin General Windu at the desk.

The rest of the event was fairly nondescript. Chancellor Organa and General Windu together gave a brief final address before the broadcast ended and the main camera crew started packing up their things. Then, there were pictures taken—far too many of them, as far as Sevenset was concerned, and mostly, he knew for publicity’s sake. Most of them involved the fourteen troopers clustered around the large desk on the dais, with Chancellor Organa seated behind it, Yoda seated on it, and Windu and Breha Organa standing beside the chancellor. At least most of the reporters had cleared out by the time those were all finished. The Decahedron was slowly emptying, and Sevenset was glad of the fading attention, for once.

Finally, once the media and the press and everyone else had gotten the pictures they wanted and were packing up, the mirilarian woman Windu had introduced as Chancellor Organa’s press secretary stepped forward. Sevenset had noticed her earlier, directing reporters around. She was hard to miss, with light pink skin, teal eyes, and an amber headscarf.

“We have all the holographs we need,” she said. “Are there any that you gentlemen would like us to take for you?”

There was silence. Trees and Commander Bacara both tilted their heads at her. Most of them just stared.

“Clarify that, please, ma’am?” Commander Thire asked. Sevenset recognized his tone as the Talking to Polite Natties standard voice. (Very different from the Talking to Asshole Natties voice.)

The woman nodded and said, “I mean, if you’d like some pictures to keep, to commemorate the event, we would take them for you, develop them, and give them back.”

Again, there was silence, but it was shorter this time.

Do-si-do moved to put a hand on Sevenset’s shoulder and grinned. “Numbers family picture, Sevens?” they asked.

How could he say no to that? He smiled back. “Sounds like a plan. What do we think, Numbers?” he said, looking around at all of them.

Fives and Echo were grinning, and Elevensies was ready to bounce out of his boots.

“Yes please!” the young Guard beamed.

Zero and Nines nodded, and Loops gave a shrug, but Sevenset knew the small curve in his mouth meant he was onboard. Fours nodded once, even if he still looked like he’d bolt given the chance.

Trees shook his head, mouthing something under his breath. “Yeah, fine.”

Sevenset looked to the commander, along with everyone else, all brimming with all the excitement they usually mustered. He clasped his hands under his chin, just to be dramatic, as was his right, now that the ceremony was over. “Pleeeease?” he said. “Wouldn’t be the same without our favorite commander…”

Commander Sixes very subtly rolled his eyes. “Alright, quit the wet tooka impersonation,” he said, fighting a small smile behind his mustache. “Let’s get it over with.”

Those among them who typically cheered did so (Trees, Fours, and Loops so rarely did), and immediately began herding everyone towards the step up to the dais so they could use the levels to make it easier to see everyone. The tension from the ceremony was shedding from Sevenset’s shoulders as he stood between Do-si-do and the commander on the dais, smiling fit to burst as the rest gathered in two rows around him.

“We gotta do a silly one after the nice one,” he told Do-si-do.

They grinned. “With you in the picture? I thought this was the silly one.”

He jostled them carefully, not wanting to bump into Echo on their other side. “You’re terrible, and I love you.”

Do-si-do kissed the tips of his gloved fingers and blew it at him, and he laughed.

The commander reached over and flicked Sevenset’s ear. “Stand still, ARC. Don’t want to ruin the picture ‘cos your face got stuck in an ugly way.”

He rolled his eyes and frowned at him without a trace of malice or discontent in the expression.

“Well,” the commander went on, still watching the photographer set up the shot, “any uglier than usual anyway.” He looked over at Sevenset, and grinned.

Sevenset’s jaw dropped.

“Alright, everyone set?” the photographer asked while Sevenset’s brain caught up with reality. “Picture after the count of three, everyone say flimsi!”

Elevensies bounced on his toes where he stood on the lower level between Trees and Nines. “Oh, can we use Corrie instead?” He looked to his commanders, who smiled, barely.

Sevenset couldn’t wipe the smile off his face even if he’d used polish remover. “Hells yeah, Elevens! Corrie it is!”

The photographer smiled and nodded. “Alright, Corrie after three. One… two… three!”

“Corrie!”

IT'S WHAT THEY DESERVE!!! *weeping* look at them all, i'm so proud ;-; @23-bears (ik you already read it on Ao3) @theultimatesandwich @mercurydancer @rndmpeep @xylionet @thechaoticfanartist And I really REALLY want to draw that photo from the end, so that might be up next month in lieu of a chapter. There are a lot of them to draw all at once lol.

[valiantwarriorsquadroncomic]

MISSION 8

The HCA private meeting room was dead silent as Fritz prepared to come clean with his love and acceptance that Joseph’s heart belonged to another. Even as he was surrounded by beautiful Propseran wildlife on the covert Prosperan base, it did nothing to curtail his nervousness. He was dressed to the nines in his HCA military uniform. He paced the well furnished wooden floors, his boots thumping with each step as his heart mirrored its frenzied pace. The thump was met with a cacophony of jingles from his slew of new medals. “Please lord, grant me strength to be forthright.” He plead as he came to stop. He felt his PDA ring, the caller I.D. reading DER CHANCELLOR, prompting him to pick it up. “Yes, father?” he asked with a trembling voice.

“Are you meeting him as you planned?”

“Jawhol, he should be arriving any minute.”

“Don’t be nervous, you should be happy you’re putting this entire thing to rest.” Fritz’s breathing calmed. “We are on the eve of a tragic, devastating war.” The young monster man could hear footsteps. “Relationship nonsense and pining serves no purpose on the battlefield.” The door creaked open. “You’ll find someone right for you, do me proud.” Chancellor Kramer hung up as Fritz’s bat-like ears shot upwards like an alerted dog, quickly turning to face the visitor. There, joseph was gently closing the door. He too was dressed in a fancy uniform and stitched hat. His own medals were pinned to the left jacket pocket. “Thank goodness, I was starting to get a bit perplexed that you wouldn’t find the room.” Fritz said with a relieved sigh.

“Nah dude.” Said joseph. “Everyone in the base was pretty excited to help me.” Fritz brushed himself off.

“Ahem, first of all, I would like to congratulate you on your promotion from private to 2nd lieutenant!”

“Thanks.” Said Joseph. The scarred man noticed a small model kit next to a bouquet of beautiful black roses. “Is that a fucking BIO-MENACE ALICE kit?!” he said with wide eyes. “You can’t get that model anymore without paying out the ass!” Fritz nodded as he cleared his throat.

“Indeed.” Squeaked Fritz, his face becoming sweaty and throat dry. “I was going to surprise you with it when I was going to confess my love to you.” Joseph’s wonder turned to quiet neutrality. “However, I am aware that your heart belongs to another.” Joseph rubbed is chin.

“I had a feeling you had a crush on me.”

“Pray tell, Was I that transparent?”

“Your face turned like, blood red when you told me about the Propseran president a while ago.” Joseph concluded. “Not sure how you found out, but yeah.” Once he started to smile, Fritz relaxed his posture. “Logan and I have been making sure to keep our relationship on the down-low.”

“I understand,it is very a dangerous thing when a man who loves another man like a woman to be transparent about himself.” Fritz answered. “I am very much in the same boat as you, my dearest friend.” Fritz’s eyes went from orange to pale yellow. “He’s a fantastic man.” Fritz pulled out a protected piece of paper, with several drawing scrawled on it. The sketches consisted a stylized cartoon deer, something that would’ve appeared on the screen of a high budget animated children’s film. The sleek, 4 legged black deer had two scars running from the eyebrow down to the side of the face. “I’m astounded by your lover’s draftsmanship, I paid him 200 USD for this page, it was worth every single cent.” The tension of the room lessened as Joseph was elated to hear fritz sing of his boyfriend’s praises. “He even got angry look you give people right.” Joseph tensed back up.

“What look?” Joseph said, suddenly defensive. He face contorted in a wide eyed scowl, and Fritz looked down to the cartoon deer making the same expression, and almost broke out into a chuckle. The giant bat-like man regained his composure, and offered the gifts to Joseph. “I still hope that we can be friends.” Joseph looked down at the rare kit and the roses, only to notice a small note inserted within the box. He gently placed the roses to the side and pulled out the piece of paper.

“That was supposed to be for Logan.” Stated Fritz, nervously wringing his hands. Joseph slowly opened the paper to a beautifully written note written in flowery cursive. “GIVE HIM THE LIGHT AND JOY I COULD NEVER PROVIDE.” Read the words carefully written on the paper.

“Of course we’re still pals.” Answered Joseph. “It took a lot of guts to admit this to me face to face.” Fritz began to tear up and enveloped Joseph in a passionate hug, his friend reciprocating the gesture. Though Fritz’s heart was broken, it was broken in a way that could be easily mended. Fritz felt his PDA vibrate, and quickly checked it while trying to keep the device in his pocket. His eyes widened at a small alarm icon in the top of its screen. “Pardon me, I must attend to something.” The young bat-like man took off like a rocket, dashing into an unknown location. He only stopped when he ran into an unfamiliar monster woman. She grabbed him in an accidental hug, pressing him against her large, and plump stomach.

“Whoa, DUDE!” she yelled in a French accent, gently putting him back down. “If you ran any faster, I might’ve sent ya flying!” she laughed giving her stomach a loud slap. Fritz blushed at her tight khaki combat armor that wrapped around muscles.it hugged her large bust and even larger belly, which pressed gently against her belt. “I’m lookin’ for a guy called Joseph, did you see him?” Fritz shook out of his love-sickness and gestured his friend to leave the room. “Great!” she said, extending her hand to his. He began to gently reach out, only for her to vigorously shake his. “You can call me Faye, or CELTFOX! She exclaimed. Fritz waved his friend good-bye as he sped off to attend the emergency he was called to.

“God damn you, Schmidt.” He whispered in his mind. “It’s the ONLY reason father could be contacting me at this time.” Faye watched Fritz vanish into a crowd of people. “I’ll meet up with you later!” he called out. Faye tilted her head, her chubby cheeks also growing flush. She forgotten the last time anyone looked at her romantically.

“Anyway, I was told you’re gonna escort me to a network problem you guys have been having.” She said, looming over Joseph. He noticed the Khaki uniform.

“You’re from QM?” he inquired.

“Yep!” she said,putting her hands on her hips. “I’m E-12’s military IT specialist!” Her prideful stance turned into confusion as Joseph didn’t seem to react to her. “Not sure if anyone told you, but I’m gonna be working alongside you and your pals for bit, so ya better get used seeing my ugly mug!” Joseph’s scars flared and pulsated as he began to since a familiar presence. Faye jumped back with a grimace at Joseph’s condition. He locked eyes with none other than Captain Ackerman, being tailed by dozens of ERASURE UNIT soldiers with Laleh in tow. She was now donning a set of new, futuristic looking armor that seemed to allow her to keep up the pace with the rest of the human soldiers.

“Good, Nathan’s little lackeys that ain’t in the HCA are all here.” He said in a gruff voice. The captain turned to faye. “I understand you commies have no sense of punctuality or duty, but here, you obey the DAMN RULES and STAY when I tell you to.” Joseph’s brow furrowed until Faye rubbed her hand behind her head, looking sheepish.

“Aw, geeze!” she said apologetically. “Sorry about that, just excited to help out finding our guy!” She grabbed Joseph by the hand and trotted him towards the group with a big, warm smile on her face.

“Let it go, captain.” Said Ackerman’s 2nd in command. “She’s just some ditz, she didn’t mean anything.” He pointed towards an elevator in the middle of the hallway. “We gotta escort this guy to a debriefing room, then we’ll take her to fix our internet thing.” Joseph jumped back when he saw the man in question. He was wrapped in bloodied combat armor and a hooded shirt. His face was wrapped in a cloth, with only a single eye exposed. What made Joseph terrified were the three tentacles that snaked behind him, flashbacks of him and his comrades near fatal combat with N.1685 were fresh in his mind.

“I understand your concern at my appearance.” Said the hooded man. “That run in with that vile man must have had some lasting impact on you.” Joseph’s guard lessened as Ackerman’s frustration grew. “You may call me Samson.”

“No more fucking around, we have shit to do.” Ackerman ordered. The large crowd of people piled into the elevator. Faye had some trouble squeezing herself through the malfunctioning door.

“Please, allow me.” Said Samson as his tendrils unfurled and gently pressed against Faye’s exposed back and shoulders. After some more squeezing and struggling, Faye joined the rest of the party. The elevator rang out with a garbled buzzing noise as it rose to its destination. Laleh and Joseph sat in the back of the room with Faye and Samson as the ERASURE UNIT soldiers hung in the front, tightly gripping their assault rifles. Ackerman would occasionally glance back at Joseph and Laleh, and the verbal berating he got from after their last run in. Laleh would tend to another wound on Samson’s arm.

“That’s looks pretty serious.” Said joseph. “Are you sure it’s not infected?”

“Not to worry, I have made sure he and the rest received proper antibiotics and treatment.” Answered Laleh gently as she used a small pair of medical scissors to cut through the thick adhesive wrapping.

“Yeah, I saw those wounded POWS as I tried to find your buddy, like just about every available medic was trying to patch them back up.” Piped up Faye, moving closer to the two and unknowingly pressing her large stomach into Joseph. “Whoops.” She said, backing off slightly. “Didn’t mean to squish you.” She gave a sad look before becoming alarmed at Joseph’s concern before trying to brush off her suddenly unhappy demeanor. “Even after years of rehab, I’m trying to get used to my body again.”

“Alas, I know that feeling all too well.” Said Samson as he seemed to struggle to close his fingers. He looked up to Ackerman, whose back was turned to the rest of the outcast super soldiers. “Am I allowed to inform them of what happened?”

“You can tell ‘em how you got captured and how you freed yourself, and nothing else.” He replied. Faye’s demeanor sharpened into a subtle, piercing glare.

“Yeah, wouldn’t want to tell them that America’s secret little army almost shot one of those poor survivors while violating the coalition’s own intervention restrictions.” She scowled internally. Her demeanor softened as one of the Erasure unit soldiers looked back at her. “I can’t yell you how many shirts, pants and belts I accidentally destroyed after I got experimented and rescued from one of the ALA’s camps!” she guffawed as she flexed her muscles.

“I was doing missionary work in eastern Prospera, we were aiding isolated communities and were given the blessing of Prospera’s Catholic Church to ease the suffering of the poor.” Said Samson. “We were suddenly attacked by a group of ALA mercenaries units, and 30 of us were rounded up and sent to one of their camps.” He gripped his right arm, and mustered the courage to continue. Faye gazed with sincere empathy at the man, her goofy expression becoming sorrowful. “With the war in Prospera lost, we were used to see if they could mass produce a new strain of mass produced abominations, the NEMERTEAN abominations.” Samson lessened his grip. “The experiment was mostly a failure.” Samson sighed. “Those with a fatal reaction to the injections and treatment were tossed into a pit to die, and the rest of us were used as slave labor.” He began to shake, recounting the suffering. “We were surrounded by armed guards and cameras in the middle of nowhere.”

“How awful.” Said laleh. “How on earth did you escape?” Samson grabbed a crucifix necklace around his neck.

“There was a priest from separate missionary that was basically ordered to “manage and monitor” our condition.” Samson turned the crucifix to himself, observing the crucified Jesus sculpted into the cross. “He observed our transformations, spared only because the manager of the ALA experimentation camp was also a practicing Christian.” The crucifix wound and unwound, the white skull painted on the symbol flashed underneath the buzzing ceiling lights. “The priest would sneak food and medicine to us, even cutting his own rations to feed the younger prisoners.” He stopped spinning the crucifix and once again struggled to form a fist once more. “An ALA spy found out that he was going to warn us of an upcoming extermination plot against us.” Joseph looked down at his own iron cross medal in sadness. “I…was the one to hear his last words and testament…he begged me to tell the others, to fight back, to be as Moses as he freed god’s chosen from the Pharaoh.”

“Wrap it up, you’re almost out your location.” Spat Ackerman. Laleh and joseph shot him an ugly angry look, prompting them to panic and turn his back on them, trying to downplay his terror.

“I rushed back to our barracks and told them we needed to fight or die.” “While not on the level of the other abominations, we were able to at least make a break away from the camp.” “10 of us are with Christ now, the rest are in critical condition.” The elevator buzzed again as the door opened. Before a detachment of ERASURE UNIT soldiers marched him down a run down, rusty room, he thanked Laleh. “We are very blessed to have a doctor like you aid us and hear of our woes.”

“We are getting more medical staff to assist your comrades, I assure you.” She replied in a gentle tone. “We’ve just been spread so thin from recent casualties.” Joseph’s heart sank to hear how victims of war were in need of aid but unable to get it.

“It isn’t your fault, my sister.” He said before being removed from the elevator and marched down a different hallway. “You can still pray for our recovery and keep us in your thoughts, that’s all I ask.” Joseph and the rest of the crowd were marched into the hallway that red “SERVER ROOM, AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY” the ERASURE UNIT soldiers unlocked the door, prompting Ackerman to point Joseph and Laleh to proceed before Faye. The large pink haired monster woman squeezed again into a door that was too small for her and brought her laptop and tools in front a a large, black monolith in the dead center of the room. Her ditzy demeanor betrayed her knowledge as she easily popped open a panel and began tinkering with its wiring. As she went to plug in her laptop, Ackerman’s co captain blew a loud whistle, frighting her.

“What did I do wrong this TIME?!” she barked.

“Ma’am, your laptop needs to be scanned for any malware, viruses, spyware, and anything that could harm the system.” She relented and let him jam a usb port into her laptop. 15 seconds later, a window popped up with a black screen, lines and lines of indecipherable coding blazed in an instant. The window was replaced with a giant green checkmark before vanishing. “Alright, go ahead and work your magic.” Faye plugged her laptop and finished her work. Despite her outburst, her mood lightened as fixed the various problems within the system. She hummed to herself, and even gently swayed her hips rhythmically to her own beat. The black monolith was now blinking with a blue and green light. Without a word, the ERASURE UNIT marched the trio out to an HCA BRIEFING ROOM. Nathan was already there, with Fritz and Veronica talking to themselves in hushed, panicked whispers in German. Joseph and Laleh sat next to their captain while Faye strolled next to Veronica. She looked down at the chair pensively before slowly sitting down. The chair creaked under her large weight before settling. She breathed a sigh of relief as she sat up and twiddled with her pda. Fritz paid no attention to her as he continued conversing with his sister. Nathan spoke up brought down a large TV screen.

“I’m glad everyone is here, I got some bad news.” Everyone paid attention, even the two Gaertner siblings took notice, their faces pale and gaunt. “Schmidt has escaped the Villa.”

“Holy shit.” Said Joseph. “Right before we were supposed to attack.” Nathan flicked to footage of a Victorian style mansion in the midst of a jungle. The two Gaertner sibling’s heart dropped as footage showed the flag being flown next to the mansion. It wasn’t the usual ALA swastika, but a near perfect recreation of Nazi Germany’s flag as it billowed on the breeze amidst the chaos of CNGS and QM units fighting to apprehend Schmidt. Suddenly, a giant mechanized suit of armor burst from the villa, its enormous jets propelled it into the atmosphere as it was followed by several large black jets.

“Apparently, we weren’t the only one developing heavy mechanized bipedal weapons.” He said, switching the TV another slide. “Faye, did you agree to the TOS when you arrived here?” She looked up and nodded.

“You can force me to shut my mouth, but you sure as hell can’t make me happy with it.” She thought indignantly.

There was no further elaboration between the two before Nathan began. “As I promised I’d tell you, Joseph, WNM6 is a secret white supremacist organization that is in charge of managing the ALA and ALA high command.” The room went quiet, the two Gaertner siblings nervously eying each other. “They’re the shattered remnants of Nazi German military and government stooges that fled justice in 1945. He clicked one a black and white photo of of a white man in a business suit. “This guy’s name is FREDERICK MUELLER, he was a rich industrialist who basically threw money and property at Hitler’s secret research and development project, and funded WNM6’s escape.” Faye did her best to keep quiet. “They have popped up throughout history, attempting to gain power and wealth for their white supremacist agenda.” Fritz and Veronica looked away in shame. “They’ve fled and consolidated wealth and power in South America, South Africa, Canada, Australia, the United States, New Zealand and even Japan as well as being active in Europe.” Nathan’s tone became more grave with the mention of Japan, a bead of sweat trickled down his brow. He clicked to a black and white photo of an SS officer with a shaved head and a blind eye with a scientist who held a clipboard while dressed in a stitched up surgical guard and some form of mask. “We believe this guy is Peter Hoffman, the Nazi military officer who organized the escape. Joseph clenched his fist in anger.“One hundred years ago, the abomination program was birthed in Nazi laboratories and their eugenics experiments, they fled Germany with the blueprints, and now the lunatics are using modern science to actually make their crackpot dreams a reality.” The room was so quiet, a pin drop could be heard.

“So these Nazi FREAKS have been just… running around in the shadows, ruining lives and killing innocent people for just about a 100 god damn years.” he spat out bitterly. Faye looked to the side and rubbed the back of her head sadly, as if she wanted to say so much more about the shocking revelations.

"Unfortunately" Sighed Nathan, "you're 100 percent right". He wiped the sweat off his face. "They've funded and controlled dozens of Neo Nazi terrorist groups and secret societies since the mid 20th century, and not even intelligence can pinpoint their exact bodycount.

“The pricks just don’t know when to lay down and die.” Said veronica with a scowl. “Like a bunch of roaches.” Nathan clicked to a photo of two abominations in light and dark brown camo. The two were almost posing with the bodies of dead, mutilated CNGS-USA soldiers. The poltergeist abomination held a spray can, appearing to have recently vandalized the CNGS symbol with SS bolts and the abbreviations “WS”. Laleh gasped as she covered her mouth in horror, unable to even speak. Her large, catlike eyes bulged out of her skull at the carnage

“Now their South African branch, the WHITE SOVEREIGNS are gaining more influence in WNM6, pushing to be on the offensive and raiding CNGS bases for chemicals and biological materials.” He clicked again to show two abominations holding 3 mangled corpses of CNGS soldiers “These unhinged raids are due to them pushing for more production of ABOMINATION soldiers as a last ditch effort to pursue their agenda.”

“Clearly because they’re also slowly becoming destitute an unable to produce or purchase their materials within their organization.” Stated Fritz. “The white sovereigns are considered the maddest of the mad, the most vile, and most violent of the ALA factions.” He looked at Nathan. “If they’re in charge…will this culminate in them taking even more deadly, drastic measures for their hopeless, aryan pipe dream?”

“I wouldn’t doubt it.” Answered his captain. “These WNM6 bastards are about 8 years away from going bankrupt they way they’re losing money, but there’s a lot of damage they could do over 8 years.” Everyone stared again at the white sovereign operatives. “There’s rumors about plenty of fights and debate within WNM6 over the white sovereigns over who gets to call the shots.” He clicked a button on a remote. “What makes them a pain in the ass is that between their bloodlust, they actually give a shit about taking action.”

“So, they were the guys that ordered the target to evacuate.” Joseph deduced.

“Exactly, they demanded the ALA in Prospera rescue Schmidt and take him to god knows else, and the reason you all will be leaving this island immediately.” With another click, he showed a giant, Grey submarine. “We got the audio sent from a QM spy that’s infiltrated the submarine that WNM6 owns and uses to covertly communicate about crap they want to keep quiet about.” Everyone quietly observed the words “WEHRWOLF-V10” painted near the tail. “We believe these are only ONE of WNM6’s submarines where they shelter their leaders and other important, high ranking officers.” Faye shifted in her seat, typing something in her PDA as Nathan played audio of an older, European man in a grave tone;

“So we are in accord of our next plan of action.” Joseph sat in silence, processing the dire situation. “ARACHNEA has been slaughtered, APOTHECARY has sold us out, and we have lost Prospera proper.” Faye put down her PDA and listened intently.” “Inform all units to either flee the country or flee into the red zones and black zones.” The final sentenced sounded garbled and warped. “We shall NOT lose SCHMIDT, and we shall NOT lose VELEDOVIA.” The audio cut off with a screeching noise.

“I guess that’s one thing the coalition and WNM6 can agree on, not wanting to lose another piece of property to exploit.” Faye thought as she gazed towards Joseph and Laleh.

“I guess WNM6 must be loaded to afford this shit.” Remarked Joseph.

“The bastards have sympathizers with deep pockets in the arms and banking industry.” Nathan said. “That’s all I can say for right now, but I gotta wrap this up.” He pressed another button on the remote. “West and East Veledovia are two eastern European countries that have suffered from a big problem.” Nathan said as he clicked a remote on the screen. A country straddling Germany and the Czech repulbic appeared, bisected by a green line. The Western side yellow, while the eastern side blue. The southern part of both countries were covered in a strip of red. As nathan clicked a again, red arrows began pointing upwards from the south, and the red color began to spread upwards. “In 2035, a far right ethno-nationalist part called the True Veledovian Nationalists overthrew the West Veledovian government and started a war against its eastern neighbor.”

“Not gonna tell them those fascists capitalized on an anti immigration law put in place by the coalition back when it was called the Global Security Union, huh.” Faye pondered internally once more. “God, you poor people don’t even have a clue that the CNGS was going to invade AVN occupied territory through East Veledovia to expand its consolation prize.”

“The starvation war, if I am not mistaken, Kapitan.” Spoke fritz.

“Exactly.” Nathan answered. “It made the 3rd Prosperan Civil War look like a damn picnic.” He flitted to images of destroyed cities, and civilians digging through rubble. “More civvies died than soldiers” Fritz once again shifted in his seat. “After TVN lost, they fled to the southern VSERIOAS mountain range to regroup, and renamed themselves the ARYAN VELEDOVIAN NATIONALISTS.” He clicked to an image of soldiers in rugged mountain territory. “The bastards have fortified the landscape with anti aircraft,long range missiles, and god only knows what else.”

“That mountain range was already considered a death trap before the war.” Fritz said. “I imagine our counter-operations won’t be easy to accomplish, the other Europa’s Fury factions must be flooding the south with soldiers and weapons.”

“It’s worse than that.” Answered Nathan, clicking the mouse again. Everyone’s eyes widened as the image loaded. Meanwhile, within the Prosperan Capital, The Prosperan president, Juan Hidalgo was having his own dire meeting. Alongside his cabinet was Mrs.Q and several other QM representatives.

“With the help of our newly joined independent allies from Scandinavia and Central Asia, you can see that we can start construction with 3 weeks after insuring the flow of American ALA operatives has been curtailed.” Said the head of civil construction and public services. Presidente Juan smiled and nodded.

“You’re the expert, so you have my blessings to move forward.” He said with a hearty chuckle. “I don’t know the first damn thing about construction outside of the fire pit I made last week!” several cabinet members broken into lighthearted laughter at their president’s response. Mrs Q. Stood up to speak;

“In my personal opinion however, it is not your responsibility to deal with this problem.” She clicked on her laptop, producing an online article of a white man in a baseball cap, a blue shirt and black jeans holding a piece of wood like a guitar and jokingly strumming it. “HUSBAND AND FATHER OF 2 VANISHED FROM SEATTLE, WAS A VOLUNTEER FOR AMERICAN NEO NAZI TERRORIST GROUP ALA. FOUND DEAD IN PROSPERA.” She cleared her throat. “The United States has done little to curtail its own problem of Neo Nazi radicalization, and we need to bring that up in our next meeting.”

“Excellent point, Senora.” Replied Juan, swiftly trying to change the subject as the other cabinet members were annoyed with the presence of the socialist woman. “The other order of business, is to improve our welfare system.” He said, his smile lessening, almost wavering into a frown. He brought up a slide from the EL DIA BUENO, the biggest news outlet in Prospera. The most recent article had been uploaded, displaying a man pointing at a street corner while concerned citizens tried to break him out of a trance. The article was titled “DESPERATION WAR SURVIVOR, NOW RESTAURATEUR, STUMBLES UPON THE PLACE WHERE HE ALMOST DIED AFTER BEING CAUGHT UP IN GUSTAVIST AMBUSH. GOES CATATONIC AND UNRESPONSIVE FOR 3 MINUTES.” Presidente Juan cleared his throat. “We’ve done well to clean up after the desperation war, but the scars are still here, and our job isn’t done yet.” He wiped the sweat off his face. “Our citizens were dying, now they’re just struggling.” He peered at Mrs.Q who smiled and gave a slight nod. He nodded back and brought up a large paper folder, clearing his throat. “The first order of business is to funnel more tax money into welfa-” Before he could continue, several armed HCA agents burst into the room. Several Prosperan politicians shot up from their seat in violent anger. One of the agents pointed at Juan and Mrs.q.

“You two are needed to discuss an emergency regarding the Independent league.” Said a tall HCA agent.

“This is an OUTRAGE!” yelled the vice president. “You can’t barge in here and barking orders!” Juan held up his hand.

“It’s alright,senora.” He gave another disarming smile to the intruders. “I leave you to discuss my welfare reform, this is an emergency that clearly needs our attention.” He nodded to the rest of his cabinet with a disarming smile as he and the QM ambassador were led away from the meeting. “This nonsense almost makes me wish I was back managing some backwoods town as the mayor.” He monologued bitterly. The two walked across a connecting hallway with several large laser censors littering the area. Gustavo glanced at censors with a defeated look. “Feels like they’re almost scared that I’ll flee my cage.” The HCA’s heraldry, and its eagle hung over the sentry points and were sprayed on the walls. Everywhere they looked, a constant reminder of WHO funded the fixing of their building. The HCA symbol that Juan and Mrs.Q passed appeared to have glowing red eyes, two small video cameras clicked as they followed the two’s every move. Mrs.Q rubbed her temples over the abrupt, borderline abduction.

“You were a good choice to lead this country.” Said the HCA agent in a deep voice. “You have a disarming…visage…so to speak.

“Oh…thank you!” “I’m flattered!” Answered Gustavo. “I’m very well aware people don’t treat me like a threat because I’m fat, thanks.” He thought as his fake smile almost broke. He decided to not mouth off as he was intimidated by his large, muscular, super human presence and his horned helmet.

“I know how you felt.” Said Mrs. Q. “Being jutted around like some puppet for the whims of others.”

“Hope your bosses don’t scream at you ending the meeting early, senora.” The two made their way to a decontamination chamber where the two were sprayed down with a clear fluid. He noticed the dark circles under her eyes.

“I’ve let them know multiple times that independent jurisdiction doesn’t operate on QM’s time…even though we’re probably more trustworthy allies to them. She responded as she saw the HCA guard soldiers stand motionless, their faces covered by masks. “I’m lucky that my superiors are in good spirits.” Said Mrs.Q. “After our forces captured several of Gustavo’s personal lackeys, the leader of the United Prospera Worker’s Party has agreed to be absorbed into QM, with all 500 operatives, including 375 soldiers. Juan’s eyes widened.

“Dios mio.” He whispered. She smiled.

“Catherine went to visit him and his enclave in the Golden Mountains in East Prospera.” The Decontamination room was bathed in a green light and prepared to open. “The leader, Rudolfo throw her arms around her in sheer joy, and praised her and QM for having captured the man who allowed Gustavo to terrorize neurodivergent propserans.” The two exited the room. “He didn’t even care that Gustavo would be subjected to the prison-industrial complex, his little brother was avenged and he now sees us as heroes.”

“I could imagine.” Said Juan. “I heard the entire reason he joined that communist guerrilla group was that the state failed to stop Gustavo’s secret police from rounding up autistic citizens.” The prosperan president sighed sadly. “Just about anyone would resort to violence if their family were killed by the state for being different.” Juan observed the refurbished base, filled with HCA soldiers, the walls painted with their flag just about everywhere visible. To him, it felt like he was being reminded of who foot the bill for the renovations, and to remind him that he was under their influence. Mrs.Q and Juan arrived at HCA platoon sent to fetch them.

“Other leftist groups have agreed to be absorbed after our recent and spectacular successes.” She rubbed her temples with her hands, fighting off a burgeoning headache. I’m not looking forward to my next meeting discussing more resistance from other Marxist groups who aren’t too eager to join our cause.” She sighed. “Then I have to act as mediator for the Veledovian Socialist union as rework the terms of our alliance as we prep a counter attack against the ALA in their OWN country.”

The two were escorted to an HCA aircraft that was also shaped like a bat. Its occupants were large, monstrous, and muscular like their escort. One of the monstrous soldiers with a chubby body welcomed the two with open arms, and bowed. She dismissed the agents as the two boarded.

“Don’t let them get to you.” Said the large woman. “They treat me like shit for being big, too.” Back at the independent base, the file finally loaded after several screens and clearances. Everyone but Faye gasped as they saw the image of a giant stealth bomber at a mountain base covered in ALA flags and iconography. The bomber was heavily damaged, its wing nearly stripped of its armor.

“This new bomber created by the AVN had been wreaking havoc on Coalition held territory and Independent bases.” Nathan explained. “As well as QM held territory at the borderlands. Faye nodded as he continued. “That thing got struck with HCA fighter aircraft, CNGS missiles, and QM jets and it wouldn’t fucking go down.” The VWS’s captain began to lose any sort of joviality as he continued. “We lost a a bunch of good people trying stop this thing.”

“Such a shameful and warped mentality.” Said Laleh sadly, glancing at the bomber. “WNM6 has access to so much groundbreaking science and technology, bordering on miraculous.” She looked down and shook her head. “They could’ve used their advancements to help the world, and they only want to use it to save themselves and enact violence and atrocities to people wouldn’t survive their twisted white supremacist standards.”

“How much longer do we got while it’s grounded for repairs?” asked Veronica, her hands trembling.

“If QM spies are correct, we have about two weeks, and those Nazi pricks are reinforcing the area fast.” Nathan clicked on the same mountain base, anti aircraft guns and missiles were being installed, many of them had the flag of Nazi Germany and German writing slathered on each vehicle. The Gaertner siblings were at their lowest as they read off the graffiti, from proclamations of “HEIL THE NEW FUHRER, DEATH TO TOLERANCE, and a slew of racial slurs that were at least hastily blurred out. Several Neo Prussian commanders were performing a nazi salute as their soldiers marched to a transportation helicopter, all wearing an HCA medal. "The worst news is that they've got even MORE of these superweapons in south veledovia." Fritz clenched both of his fists. "I guess that's why they were able to hold onto their occupied areas so easi-"

"That explains PRECISELY how they're able to occupy their territory with such little manpower.” "Fritz said with a heavy heart, banging his fist on the table. Faye noted Fritz's knowledge on the AVN's soldiers, and the tears in his eyes. “They know DAMN WELL what they’re doing, embracing a horrific sin from the vaterland’s past.” Veronica quietly laid her hand over his.

“It’s not YOUR sole responsibility to exterminate these freaks, it’s not your cross to bear alone.”

“You saw those medals, too, didn’t you?” Said Fritz. Veronica’s expression dimmed, knowing exactly what he was talking about. Unbeknownst to their CNGS counterparts, several Neo Prussia commanders were HCA nobility or HCA soldiers were shown in the series of images. Joseph chose not to pry into the clearly painful matter that war harming them both. Veronica stiffened, and flexed with a clenched fist.

“You gotta get it together, it’s OUR duty to cut down the followers of that fascist madman that brought ruin to the vaterland and started a devastating, tragic war.”

“You are correct, dearest sister.” Fritz answered. “I apologize for my behavior captain, please continue.”

“No problem, we’re almost done.” Nathan said as he clicked to one last photo to a mountain base bordering on Independent Germany and CNGS Poland, and right above Independent Czech Republic. “We’ll be transferred to CNGS autonomous region MOUNT UNITY were we’ll regroup with our allies and formulate a plan of attack.” He clicked a button a remote, allowing the TV to ascend back into the ceiling. “Our only saving grace is that QM’s spy network are actively sabotaging repairs, so prepare for an evacuation off base.” Nathan properly shut down the room and accompanied everyone to the RISENFLEDERMAUS. “Then we’ll prepare the raid in West Veledovia using its subway tunnels, and make a break for QM held territory to escape. Joseph attempted to speak up, the glut of European politics thrown around caused him to feel insignificant.

“Feels like I barely even knew about Prospera for all the time we were in it.” Joseph said as the gang got closer to the airfield.

“Technically, it’s no longer our problem now that Propsera’s independent and the ALA here fucked themselves over trying to keep it.” He waved down the HCA staff members of their departure as they finished refueling and cleaning the giant bat-like jet. “We were part of a counter-insurgency operation, and it’s got nothing on what we’re about to face.” The VWS-1 and Faye stood quiet for a moment. “This is flatout war.” A chill ran up everyone’s spine upon Nathan’s words. A single week later, Joseph and the other would be relocated to MOUNT UNITY. Meanwhile AVN occupied Veledovia, RM II and RM III were loading several white, American soldiers dressed in completely black camo and vests into a large military helicopter. Several CNGS-USA bureaucrats were among the POWS who were being funneled into a helicopter as other mercenaries held them at gunpoint. RM III was distracted by the rings and jewelry stolen off the soldiers and the corpses of their fallen comrades.

“Pretty sad that those VWS-1 tools aren’t here to save you.” He taunted as he observed the wedding ring he stole off the bureaucrat. “They’re probably stuck on that mountain the coalition annexed from Poland.”

“The CNGS did NOT annex that territory!” the bureaucrat snapped back. “Under Property jurisdiction A-p37, the CNGS went under the proper paperwork and procedures in order to acquire it in LEGAL manner!”

“Oh, please.” Scoffed RM III. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole “autonomous region” projects are just a stepping stone for the coalition to absorb all countries into their sphere of influence.” He tossed the captain’s ring in the air before grabbing it. “The whole “we’re not trying to created a homogenized, international empire” act is getting harder to believe.” His eyes flitted between the soldiers and the bureaucrat. “Heh…looks like you were only evacuating the AMERICAN coalition personnel when the AVN began its offensive.” RM II observed one of the men he captured.

“Not surprised an ODS operative was with you Black saber stooges.” RM II ripped the wire and microphone away away from the operatives shirt. “Usually when they conduct operations, they usually have a “field adviser” deployed with them to ensure they’re conducting the mission right and keep them on target.” The operative said nothing as he glared at the mercenary and his skull shaped helmet. Back in the day, we used to call ‘em “Moron wranglers.”

“I ain’t giving you lick of intel, you dirty traitor.” Growled the ODS operative. RM II affixed his bayonet to his carbine and jammed inches away from the operatives face.

“I assure you, I’ll wring every bit of info from you.” The operative began to sweat and recoil in fear. “Then I’ll send what’s left of you back to Washington DC to the director and the rest of your incompetent agents.” The operative was dragged off by the mercenaries when RM III got impatient.

“We’re leaving now, right?” asked the brash young man.

“Not a chance.” RM III answered. Uulastiv city is flooded with heavy arms courtesy of these clowns, and they’re ripe for the taking and reselling on the black market.”

“Hey grandpa, you’re going senile.” Said RM III. “The AVN is gonna shell that shithole to the ground soon with artillery, I don’t feel like getting reduced to a red smear on some homeless man’s shack.” RM II walked up to his young counterpart and slapped him across the face.

“You’ve got some NERVE questioning me and my intel, you little parasite.” Sneered RM II. “The AVN doesn’t give a damn about that rat’s nest, and there’s still plenty of CNGS weapons and ammunition those BLACK SABER morons left for the resistance.” RM III rubbed his face, however instead of relenting, he appeared simply tired. RM II’s face turned bright red behind his skull-like mask. “That’s what I despise about young people nowadays, you don’t know what LOYALTY or DISCIPLINE is.” He kicked over a brief case he raided from two relief workers he abducted, then pointed at the distant city. “We’re GOING to UULASTIV, god so help IF I have to ASK AGAIN, I’LL-” No sooner did RM II try to finish his sentence that artillery fire screamed across the sky and blew apart the city. RM II gazed quietly as thunderous booms and flames engulfed their would be destination. RM III had a blank, unimpressed look on his face. RM II threw RM III into the ground. “Get your ass to the helicopter.” He said, his rage now restrained. RM III threatened the rest of the POWS with his carbine bayonet. Soon, the helicopter took off as the thundering sounds grew closer as the AVN continued its violent offense. Towards the polish-veledovian border a familiar sign was jammed into the ground. “THIS AREA IS A CNGS AUTONOMOUS PROPERTY, TRESPASSING WILL BE MET WITH SWIFT AND DIRE REPERCUSSIONS.” The mountain was heavily patrolled with CNGS and independent germany personnel, and independent Germany aircraft would occasionally circle the base before returning to duty. Joseph stood in an empty, ancient WW2 era pillbox re-purposed for storing old boxes and plastic bags. He observed the last untouched part of the mountain. A small, ramshackle playground occupied the small clearing. The red, WW1 style fighter plane squeaked as the breeze caused it to vibrate. Its once vibrant, candy apple red now replaced with rust and discoloration from the elements. Laleh stood beside him, the small glints of sunlight reflecting off her new, futuristic armor.

“It’s nice to see you again!” she said cheerfully, scooping up joseph in a warm hug.

“Same to you, sorry if I don’t seemed more hyped.” Said joseph. “It’s kinda hard to be enthusiastic from all the bullshit happening.”

“I know.” Replied Laleh, letting her friend back down. “However, I’ve been allowed to divulge some Intel on my background as a means of establishing trust within the CNGS hierarchy.”

“Sounds like Andrew is throwing me a bone to shut me up.” Joseph said in a snide tone. “All the time I’ve known you, and I don’t really know WHAT you, fritz, veronica, and the other giant soldiers were until the ALA called you guys abominations.”

“You may call us Post-Humans.”

“Right, sorry, post-humans.” Said Joseph, rubbing the back of his head in an apologetic tone. “I know you can’t tell me everything, just whatever you can.”

“From what I am allowed to tell you, I, fritz, and veronica, were all created from the Coalition’s reverse engineering of the abomination soldier program.” Laleh said. “I’ve been so very happy to no longer keep you in the dark about something, even if it is this morbid.” She drummed her gloved hand as she peered further into the distance, where Fritz and Veronica were assisting in setting up a makeshift graveyard near the dilapidated playground.

“I appreciate that.” Said Joseph. “Was it true that you guys came from nazi Germany’s experiments?”

Laleh nodded sadly. “After the abomination program blueprints were transferred from west Germany to the rest of the GSU, they were left to rot in a safe until being reopened in 2010.” She peered nervously at her own PDA. “I was created from in vitro fertilization, and I nearly died from being stillborn.”

“Jesus, I had no idea.” He replied as he joined her side by side to observe the solemn funeral.

“My mother, Professor Mahdavi, was the only one who had hope that I would pull through, and adopted me as her daughter.” In the distance, she observed fritz and veronica aiding the digging of graves, alongside the man with the star of David eye patch, Herschel Wagner and their uncle Johan Fischer. “In a way, the abominations and Homo Centonibus are cut from the same cloth, we’re both Post-Humans birthed from monstrous research committed by eugenicists, but we don’t have to be reduced to weapons or fight each other.” She sighed and became listless.

“Speaking of monsters, that meeting we had yesterday was pretty intense.” Joseph said as he began to fumble with with a pen in his pocket. “That bastard N.1685 is still alive and terrorizing people…it hit me luck a damn truck.”

“I certainly felt the animosity in that room.” Laleh agreed. “Nathan’s been taking it hard, I KNOW he’s blaming himself for N.1685’s escape.” The two uncomfortably recalled being in the MOUNT UNITY strategy room, surrounded by CNGS bureaucrats and military leaders as footage of N.1685’s rampages blared on the giant telecom screen. Images Fritz and veronica’s faces overcome with despair upon seeing the twin abominations ROMULUS and REMUS carve SS bolts into the face of a CSTF pow flashed through Joseph’s mind. Nathan and Macmillian being shut down when trying to elaborate that they had simply no way N.1685 was capable of subterfuge or higher thought. “In that terrible room, it felt like the ghosts of everyone’s failures came back to haunt us.” She twiddled her thumbs as she remembered in the next 8 days, they and their allies would be raiding the mountain base to destroy the stealth bomber. “So much is being dumped on us, and it feels like everyone’s drowning.”

“Now we have to help fight a war, and we don’t know a DAMN thing about how IF they’re even helping civilians evacuate.” His scars pulsated. “I wish there was something I could do outside of fighting the enemy.” Said joseph in a frustrated tone. “I don’t regret killing those nazi pricks, but what about the people they’ve hurt?” his fist clenched in anger as Laleh observed sadly until she had an idea.

“I am aiding several abomination POWS, and I may need help with carrying and applying bandages.” Joseph calmed himself as he heard those words.

“Wouldn’t someone get pissed that someone who’s not a doctor is wrist deep in someone’s wound?”

“As long as you are not diagnosing or applying without supervision of a medical professional,” Said Laleh, trying to be more positive, “you’ll be able to assist with at least some of their problems!” Joseph smiled. “It’ll be wonderful to do something together again, I’ve been so busy with everything going on!”

“Only if it’s okay with you.” Joseph answered as the two made their way out of the door. Laleh peered down at her pda a she received a message. “THE FLOCK OF QUEENS NEEDS ATTENDING AFTER YOUR CURRENT ASSIGNMENT.” As Laleh led Joseph to help provide medical aid, Fritz and veronica were gently lowering hastily built wooden coffins into shallow graves. Herschel dug into the earth , assisting in the final grave, and wiped the sweat from his brow.

“Herr Wagner, you didn’t need to come all the way out there to perform manual labor!” Veronica said, her cheery disposition concerning the POWS who were well enough to attend the ramshackle funeral.

“Nonsense, bubbeleh”. He continued. “You two have been busting your keisters gaining the prestige to turn the HCA around!” He carefully climbed out of the grave. “It’s the least we can do to help you out.” Samson quietly placed the decorated coffin of the priest into the hole. The POWS well enough to attend surrounded the coffin to lay flowers and kind hearted notes. He aided one POW, a short, thin 61 year old man with a single arm hobble to the grave. His six eyes and insect like mandibles quivered in sadness as he laid a beautiful purple iris flower on the priest’s coffin. He wiped tears from his eyes as another POW woman, a large abomination like laleh, assisted him back to his seat. Samson took a moment to absorb the somber sight. An HCA priest read out a eulogy as an HCA imam said a prayer for the dead as he visited each freshly filled grave. He saw one of his fellow missionaries, a devout baptist, wept as he was he consoled by an HCA rabbi. Despite not being indicative on his own Christian values, he wouldn’t be ungrateful towards Veronica and Fritz’s aid.

“I thank you for your assistance.” Said Samson as his tentacles grabbed another coffin.

“Think nothing of it.” Said Fritz. “Those with the courage to open their heart to god will not have their plead for aid go unanswered.” Their uncle took a long, hard look at the two rusted spring rides.

“It’s hard to believe I was sitting on that bench watching you two play.” Said Johann. “Now here you two are, sacrificing the last bit of property you had here to give the dead their peace.

“We had to fight like hell to even suggest burying these poor souls.” Veronica said. “Those old farts fight us at every turn, even wanting the stupid flag changed to no longer carry the German empire’s flag has been an uphill battle.” She flailed her arms in the air. “The HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE’S BATTLE STANDARD IS RIGHT HERE!” “WE’RE NOT DISRESPECTING HISTORY, WE CAN RESPECT OUR ANCESTORS WITHOUT WAVING AROUND AN IMAGE WITH A SHITTON OF BAGGAGE ATTACHED TO IT!”

“I also assure you.” Said fritz to Samson. “When we aid in returning mount unity to polish control once more, the bodies of your comrades shall remain here as within a memorial to the victims of the ALA.”

“I have not seen this sort of collaboration with three separate faiths.” Noted Samson.

“You’d be surprised at how similar the three Abrahamic faiths can be.” He wiped his brow as the HCA personnel guard arrived. It was comprised of men from man different countries and ethnicities. “Our country may not push the same unity as the coalition.” Proclaimed fritz “however, a kingdom is nothing without its citizens, and we respect other’s differences.” Samson gently laid the priest’s body into the hole.

“The nightmare I and my people have faced have tried heavily on my faith, I must confess.” The muscular tentacles slowly unraveled themselves from the coffin, which was decorated in the flowers and written notes by the escaped abomination pows. “The neo nazi who all sentenced us to be experimented on and left to fend for ourselves in that ramshackle POWS camp was a Christian and constantly accompanied by a personal priest.” All three of the large, monstrous people covered the grave with freshly dug soil.

“You should all return to your barracks, you all are still in dire need of rest and medical attention.” Said Fritz as the priest gave final last rites to the graves.” “The HCA shall handle the rest.” Samson nodded as he met with the rest of the rescues.

“Let us retire, my flock.” He said in a stalwart tone. “It has been a taxing and arduous day for everyone present, and we must say a prayer for our brothers and sisters who are still in dire condition.” The abominations were escorted by HCA personnel as Johann hobbled to his nephew and niece.

“Your mother was the tie breaker to have these poor souls laid to rest at your territory, and your father had paid for the necessary fines and fees for construction and burial.” He smiled as he put his hand on fritz’s shoulder. “Though they may be preoccupied with their own lives and that backward court, they still watch over you and aid you when they can.”

“They could still do more, though.” Piped on veronica.

“Ooh, all that time in the presence those coalition operatives and that Marxist woman are having a bad effect on your faith in our cause!” He answered in a graver tone. “The bible says HONOR thy mother and father!”

“Uncle, I would literally die for mother and father.” She said in a deadpan inflection. “I’m just saying I hope they plan to do more for our new political party in the future outside of joining it and playing paper-pusher.”

“I promise that we will triumph in destroying that monstrous bomber and strike against the Neo Prussian monsters.” Fritz asserted. “No matter how painful it is to see German citizens embrace a horrid time of our long and rich history, the HCA shall persevere against them! Faye, who was silently fixing the system’s security, noticed the group talking. She despised any and all monarchists, but fritz and veronica’s attempt to make their organization less terrible struck a chord. Fritz’s ear twitched and spun around to meet her gaze. “FAYE!” he yelled out to her. “We’re leaving and going to have a nice dinner, you’re cordially invited!” Faye looked back to the building she left, and back to Fritz. She checked her pda, noting that her schedule was clear for the rest of the day, and her comrades not responding her for any social outings within QM’s population centers. She felt a twinge of sadness, but when her eyes met fritz, she felt less upset.

“Sure!” she gleefully said. “Beats locking myself in my barracks all day like some loser and not talking to anyone!” Fritz and the rest of the HCA became shocked or concerned.

“Oh dear, are you alright?” asked Fritz sincerely, walking up to her and rubbing her hand.” “No one should ever feel alone or rejected, we’re all here for you, I promise.” Faye began to blush, unsure whether to gently rib fritz for his inability to pick up on her sardonic tone, or happy that she was receiving positive physical attention.

“Relax dude, I’m fine.” She assured him, gingerly slipping her hand from his. They all made their way to a specialized dining area, Faye walking next to Fritz the entire time, striking up a conversation on the French revolution.

“Think of it as initiation, as our 6th team member!” Veronica said cheerily smacking her on the back.

Over the coming days, the VWS-1 and Faye would be subject to an intense bootcamp as well as being informed the of the strategy regarding the destruction of the stealth bomber. Before the operation, the VWS-1 would go on a short recon mission near their entry point. Joseph observed the cloudy, and ominous skies of Southern Veledovia. As he held his carbine, he gently brushed the tall, native grasses as the were windswept by pre-rain breezes. He observed that even VWSSOC was called into accompany him and the rest of his comrades. As AKROPOLIS swept the area with her manned drones, Logan was perched atop her shoulder, sweeping the area with his own carbine. His lover was in similar armor and combat vestments comparable to the ones he was forced into at the time of his rescue, the exception this time is that they bore the same colors and camo pattern his his VWS-1. AKROPOLIS, HECATE, and even Faye were all put into armor that mimicked Laleh’s.

“Bit too quiet out here.” Joseph said inside his now modified helmet, the louder howls being filtered out.

“Enjoy it while it lasts.” Said Nathan in his own new helmet, “When we enter the old Davodich subway tunnels, the fighting will be loud enough to wake the dead.” He clicked the side of his helmet. “This is Nathan, nothing out of the ordinary here.” He observed veronica picking up a rabbit carcass and dangling it from its foot, prodding it and letting it swing before tossing it aside. “Yep, business as usual.” He reiterated. Fritz bounded back near his comrades, once again slowing his top 75 mph speed to avoid collisions or slides.

“I have some grave information to report, kaptain.”

“How serious is it?”

“There is just…so much blood.”

“Joseph, Logan, take point and follow fritz.” Faye bounded to meet them, looking back at Nathan. He nodded, prompting her to continue.

The two psychics followed their friend to a grisly sight. A CNGS convoy had been ambushed and its soldiers were slain. Their limbs were strewn across the pine trees, hung upside down from its branches with chains, or impaled on rotting, aged fence posts. The Nazi German swastika was carved into the faces of the corpses, and spray painted on the destroyed tanks and armored vehicles. The one anomaly of the entire nightmarish spectacle was a single letter pinned to the corpse of one of the soldiers.

“I don’t sense any traps or danger, but nothing about this seems right.” Declared joseph. ARKOPOLIS took point and took out a small demolition robot, and carefully drove it to the body lying flat on its face. Veronica immediately spun around behind her and began sweeping the area in a panic.

“I KNOW YOU SKULL FACED BASTARDS ARE OUT THERE!” she shouted. “YOU WON’T GET THE DROP ON US AGAIN!” The small robot cut open the letter as Veronica lowered her machine gun.

“They’re not here…yet.” Said Joseph as he gave his approval to AKROPOLIS that the letter was safe. AKROPOLIS was bewildered that the letter was written entirely in 03, but handwritten and in cursive. The scarred young man noticed its flowery calligraphy despite the grisly site it was taken from. Fritz approached the letter.

“It says “I assure you, on my paladin’s honor, that none of these weaklings corpses have been trapped and my note is not an IED or coated in some contagion.” Fritz said. He fought the urge to vomit as whoever wrote the letter was an HCA defector, and most likely took the same calligraphy class as he did. “I, as well as my own cohorts, Romulus and Remus, admit to full responsibility to wiping out this cadre of soldiers who died in the name of the Cowards for global insecurity.” Joseph and Logan took cover behind the destroyed, burned out shells of the Armored Personnel Carriers, still trying to determine if any danger or belligerents were present. “Should any HCA loyalists find this letter, your attempts at pluralism and tolerance within that putrid court are futile. Veronica seemed to waiver, her grip on her machine gun weakening. “You reformists might as well be communists, for all the vitriol and venom you throw at them.” Faye could sense Fritz becoming more and more emotionally compromised as the went on. “To get to the point, the monster that wrote this letter essentially praised Schmidt for masterminding the bombing of Berlin and praises Adolf Hitler, and signed his name as “WHITE PALADIN.” Veronica walked up to him, noting one last thing.

“These freaks even have a little motto, “EMBRACE THE VATERLAND’S CONQUERER PAST.” Veronica hissed. Charlotte crouched down at the other writing and graffiti the other EUROPA’s fury members left.

“This shall not dissuade me from my path.” Announced Fritz. “We shall TRIUMPH over these fascists, and we SHALL steer the HCA court to a better, brighter Germany.” Faye tilted her head as begin to have newfound respect for the two siblings. Fritz’s hands trembled so badly he almost dropped the letter. The medical specialist of VWSSOC, EQUINOX reported to his superior, Sgt Nguyen.

“Sergeant, I’m identifying Ukrainian, Russian, French, Danish, Hungarian, and several other eastern European languages.” She stood up straight from investigating an ALA soldier that appeared to be some sort of android. “Intel was correct, and it looks like WNM6 truly is going to flood the Veledovias with EUROPA’s fury soldiers.”

“Recover the bodies, and burn any files they had on them.” Sgt Nguyen said.

“How tragic.” Said Laleh. “This recon assignment has been reduced to a recovery mission.”

“No kidding.” Said Joseph, accepting the grim horrors that would await them. “This war is going to a bigger nightmare than anyone expects.” The two VWS squadrons begin to clean up and destroy documents. AKROPOLIS tried to put on a brave face despite the atrocity.

“You guys have nothing to worry about!” she said, flexing her enormous biceps. “Those fascist fools are up against the best damn special forces team in the world!” Veronica gave a vigorous, if not somewhat half-hearted nod. After packing up what could be salvaged, the VWS loaded the bodies into several VTOL mini Harris aircraft. In the distance, Joseph saw destroyed buildings and a giant grain silo with the ALA’s swastika painted on it. He could sense a presence approaching him.

“An old, Jewish Veledovian neighborhood was recently destroyed by the AVN. Joseph turned to meet EQUINOX. “I can’t imagine the devastation that poor people must feel. The two stood side by side, observing the desolate landscape. “In 1939, Nazi Germany invaded and occupied that neighborhood, and 100 years later, their estranged children destroyed it.” The wind itself seemed to howl in anguish. “No matter who wins in this war,” said EQUINOX as Joseph absorbed the desolate sight. “It’s the civilians, the ones who never asked for this, who will suffer the most.” The two stood side by side with each other. “And this war is only a microcosm of a global conflict with WNM6, so many have suffered and will continue to suffer as long as they exist.” The wind picked up, causing the fields of native grasses to dip and weave from the gust. The sun peeked out momentarily from the large, dark clouds only to be hidden once more. Despite its brief appearance, there was sliver of respite that both men appreciated.

“You know a lot more than I do about them.” Said Joseph. “How the hell do you not…go crazy after the terrible shit they’ve done?”

“I focus on who and what I can save.” Answered EQUINOX. “It’s all anyone can do…and it’s something I can help you with.” Joseph stood frozen for a minute. “We are in always in short supply of medics and emergency medical technicians, and while the CNGS would never remove us from combat, I could set you on a path that can aid victims.”

“Good point.” Joseph replied. “Maybe I can do something besides killing these monsters.” The two reunited with their respective teams and VTOL aircraft. Nathan and veronica tried to brush off the horror to return to their boastful selves, however, the actions and words seemed hollow. ARKOPOLIS tried once again to be boastful in the face of the atrocities, prompting Charlotte to snap at her, to take the coming war seriously. She grew sad as Logan seemed to stare out the window, gripping a small coin written in Afrikaner dutch. He refused to take his eyes off it, gripping it tightly. Laleh continually checked her PDA as Joseph talked with EQUINOX. The words “THE QUEENS SHOULD BE READY FOR DEPLOYMENT SOON” were delivered to her in a coded message. Faye and Fritz simply sat together in silence. Within one weeks’ time, they would head for QM held territory to infiltrate West Veledovia’s subway tunnels. Sgt.Nguyen had a back and forth with several CNGS special forces commanders over even more dire news.

“Everyone.” Said the cyborg woman calmly. “Several AVN battalions had made advances into East Veledovia, and there’s a battalion marching its way in the direct path the stealth bomber, we MUST start the raid early.

TO BE CONTINUED IN MISSION 9