#everyone involved has to put in the work for it to be safe

[callmebrycelee]

9-1-1: FLASHBACK

I want to talk about an episode that isn’t particularly popular but it’s one of my favorite episodes because of how touching it is. So, today I will be reacting to the season three, sixteenth episode “The One That Got Away” which originally aired on April 27, 2020 on FOX. The episode was written by David Fury and directed by Millicent Shelton. So, hold on tight and don’t let this episode get away!

Recap

In typical 9-1-1 fashion, we begin with an emergency. A fire, to be more specific. I will admit, one of the things I found lacking about this show on my initial binge is the lack of actual fires being put out. Then an acquaintance of mine, a former first responder, explained to me that nowadays firefighters aren’t just fighting fires. They’re dealing with traffic accidents, rescues, medical emergencies, and hazardous chemical situations. Now that I understand that, it makes the moments where we do get an emergency involving a structure being on fire even more special. So, as I said, we have a fire. There’s a residential building on fire and we see the 118 working to both put out the fire and rescue occupants trapped inside. Hen tends to an elderly man named Anton (played by) who tells her he’s been experiencing nausea for several days. He tells her he’s been taking a lot of antacid. Hen believes Anton may have an excess of calcium in his blood, most likely due to an undiagnosed thyroid condition. Anton asks about someone named Gladys and Hen assures him she has her best boys looking for Gladys. Speaking of best boys, Buck and Eddie are looking for Gladys who is a deaf woman. They go up to the roof of a neighboring building and jump over to the building currently on fire. Buck repels down the side of the building and crashes through the window of her apartment. He gets her out of harm’s way and as they’re both repelling down the side of the building to safety, there’s an explosion. The explosion catches their line on fire and thankfully they land on the inflatable airbag below. Everyone is safe. Gladys and Anton are reunited. It’s such a sweet moment. Meanwhile, Hen and Chimney transport Anton to the hospital. A group of doctors and nurses on standby greet them at the door and Hen tells them about Anton’s potential thyroid condition.

Back at the station, Buck is in a celebratory mood and wants to go out. Unfortunately, the others all have an excuse not to join him. Buck is dejected but decided to go out anyway. He ends up at a local watering hole frequented by firefighters and strikes up a conversation with a retired firefighter named Red Delacroix (played by Jack McGee). Red reminiscences about the good ole’ days and says to Buck the only time he and his old unit get together is for funerals. Buck then learns Red never got around to starting a family because he was too consumed with the firehouse, being the best, and saving lives. Meanwhile, over at Bobby and Athena’s, the two enjoy a quiet, kid-free evening when Hen shows up unannounced. Hen tells Bobby she heard on the radio there was a fatality from the residential fire. She tells him the person who died was Anton. Bobby says he thought Anton was fine and Hen says he should have been. She tells Bobby that she gave the nurse at the hospital a full rundown on what was going on with Anton and suggested they do an EKG. Bobby tells her he will make a call. After making the call, Bobby says the official cause of Anton’s death was cardiac arrest. Hen is shocked by the news and tells Bobby she told the hospital staff that Anton might have hypercalcemia. Bobby suggests maybe they missed it because they were dealing with other patients from the fire. Hen is upset because she did her job, but the hospital didn’t do theirs.  

Buck, being an absolute gentleman, walks Red back to his apartment. Buck sees a photo of Red’s old house – the Fighting 134 – hanging on the wall. Buck also learns that Red is the man’s nickname, and it was given to him because he was a bit of a hothead – much like Buck. The similarities continue when Buck notices a photo of a young Red with a woman. When he asks Red about the lady in the picture, Red tells him that’s the one that got away. Red says they were going to get married but she got tired of competing with the job. Red asks Buck if he has anybody and he says no. Red provides Buck with some sage advice. He says, “You can be the hero, save lives, but don’t neglect having your own. Last thing you want is to be at the end holding nothing but regrets.” Red’s words hit Buck like a ton of bricks. The next day, at the station, Buck tells the others about meeting Red. He tells them that all the guys from Red’s unit don’t talk anymore. Hen says that life gets busy and it’s easy for people to lose touch. Buck wonders if that will happen to the 118 and the others assure him it won’t. Eddie asks Hen and Chimney if they keep in touch with the old 118. Chimney says he spoke to Tommy the previous year. Eddie, again, assures Buck that they won’t fall out of touch, even if they retire or move to another firehouse.

We get an emergency involving a father and son. The two are riding a motorized scooter when a drone crashes in front of them causing them to get thrown from the scooter. Thankfully they are okay although the dad may have a broken arm. Athena arrives on the scene and speaks with the owner of the drone. He tells Athena the drone got away from him. A woman asks the owner, whose name is Jeffrey Hudson (played by Noah Bean) why he was flying the drone over her house. Athena tells Jeffrey it is illegal for him to fly a drone over private property. He tells Athena he’s a realtor and he was only trying to get aerial views of the home he is trying to sell. The woman tells Athena she knows almost everyone in the neighborhood, and she hasn’t heard of anyone selling. Jeffrey says the home hasn’t gone up on the MLS (multiple listing service) yet. Athena tells him that if he is using the drone for his job, it should be registered with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). She asks Jeffrey to see his remote pilot’s license which he doesn’t have. Athena has Jeffrey arrested for operating a drone without a license, trespassing and destruction of private property.

Over at the LAPD, Athena escorts Jeffrey into custody and turns over the broken drone to an officer. Meanwhile, Buck shows up at Red’s apartment telling him he found Cindy, the one that got away. Buck says Cindy is widowed. Buck throws Red’s words about not having regrets back at him and convinces him to go see Cindy. Red agrees to go visit her. When they arrive at Cindy’s home, Buck gives Red two tickets to the Dodgers-Mets series. They go to the door and Cindy’s caretaker Doris (played by Loren Escandon) answers. Cindy also comes to the door and appears to recognize Red. She invites him and Buck inside. Doris serves tea while Red catches up with Cindy. As the conversation progresses, it becomes quite evident that Cindy has some sort of dementia which is crushing for Red. She panics and starts asking about her husband. Buck and Red make a hasty retreat and the latter tells Buck they never should have come. The one lasting memory he had is now ruined. He tells Buck to stay away because he’s not sure he can survive with his help anymore.

Back at LAPD, the officer who Athena handed the drone off to reports finding something disturbing. Apparently, Jeffrey is a Peeping Tom and was using the drone to spy on women. Athena then learns Jeffrey has been released from custody by the Feds. Meanwhile, Buck speaks with Maddie about Red. Maddie asks if the situation with Red is reminding Buck of his own romantic life – or lack thereof. Buck thinks she’s being ridiculous. He then asks Maddie if she thinks he’s lonely. She tells him he stopped trying after Abby. She tells him she understands but he’s quick to remind her it’s him who always gets left behind – not her. In fact, Maddie is the one who always leaves. Buck assures Maddie he’s not mad. He tells her she doesn’t know what it’s like when people walk away.

We have another emergency. We see two chefs competing in a reality TV cooking competition a la Chopped. Chef Maurice (played by Jeff Blim) shakes a can of nitrous whipped cream, and it explodes. The spout the whipped cream is dispensed through gets lodged in Chef Maurice’s chest splattering whipped cream and blood all over the kitchen set. The 118 arrive and Hen and Chimney tend to Chef Maurice. Chimney says the whipped cream spout is millimeters from the chef’s heart. Bobby radios to the hospital to have surgeons on standby. During transport, Hen performs a thoracotomy much to Chimney disapproval. She puts her finger in his chest and keeps it there all the way to the hospital. When the ambulance arrives, a doctor (played by Joe Gillette) scolds Hen for performing the procedure. Hen accompanies the doctor and nurses into the operating room. Another doctor, Dr. Imelda Royce (played by Jessica Tuck) commends Hen for breaking the rules to save the chef’s life. The surgery is a success.

Meanwhile, Buck gets a call from Red who is in the hospital. Buck learns that Red has cancer. Buck, learning from his earlier mistake, simply asks if there’s anything he can do. Red asks if Buck can sit with him. Buck takes a seat and asks Red to tell him a story about his old house. The next day at the station, Hen sees a doctor’s coat hanging over her turnout gear. The others commend her for saving the life of the chef. Bobby congratulates her too and tells her never to do that again. Back at the hospital, Buck arranges for several firefighters to help him escort Red out of the hospital after he is discharged. It’s such a touching scene watching Buck help Red into the firetruck. Red is deeply touched by the gesture. As the firetruck drives off, Red salutes Buck. We then learn from Buck that Red dies. Maddie tells her brother he was a good friend to Red. She then says that Buck is nothing like Red. His life is not Buck’s life. His life is not Buck’s future. Maddie tells Buck the difference between he and Red is that Red didn’t have a sister. She says that she knows she left him behind twice but she came back. She pinky promises to never leave him behind.

In the final scene of the episode, Athena and Detective Lou Ransone (played by Sasha Roiz) go to Jeffrey Hudson’s home. Jeffrey has flown the coop but has left a lot of evidence behind. An officer finds a video of Jeffrey attacking a woman in her woman in her home. Turns out, Jeffrey Hudson isn’t just a Peeping Tom. He’s a serial rapist.

Observations

After the apartment fire, Buck wants to go out and celebrate. Everyone has an excuse as to why they cannot hangout; however, Eddie tells Buck he can come over and help him chaperone Christopher’s sleepover. I know I always have my foot on the neck of Buddie shippers, but I find this moment funny because at times it seems that Buck is only useful to Eddie when it comes to helping him raise his son.

The whole point of this episode is that Buck’s life doesn’t have to end up like Red’s. However, the two share a LOT of similarities. They both go by their nicknames (Buck and Red) instead of their actual names (Evan and John). They’re both adventurous and love being firefighters. They can fly off the handle at times. They both fell in love with red heads.

Speaking of Red Delacroix, this is not the first time I’ve seen his actor Jack McGee play a firefighter. I remember him from the FX show Rescue Me starring Denis Leary.  

Buck is a great active listener.

I love any time Athena and Bobby dance.

Chimney mentions that he keeps in touch with Tommy, further proof that Tommy Kinard has always been around. Also, there’s no malice in the mentioning of his name which tells me that even though Hen and Chimney don’t check in with Tommy regularly, they have no ill-will towards him.

Bobby using the chainsaw made me so nervous especially since we can’t see the dad’s head.

Whenever Buck is really having a hard time, he typically goes to the women in his life. I love how candid he is with Maddie. It was important that he let her know that her abandoning him really affected him. I love their pinkie promise at the end of the episode. It’s not the last time we will see it.

Chef Maurice looks an awful lot like Chef Marcel Vigneron on Bravo’s hit cooking competition show Top Chef

The scene where Buck wheels Red out of the hospital always makes me cry. Seeing all those first responders, past and present, standing at attention is so beautiful. Buck is a good guy. Period. You can never make me hate him. Also, I love how the 118 showed up for Buck as well.

911 Lore

This episode marks the first appearance of Detective Lou Ransone played by Sasha Roiz.

This episode marks the first appearance of Jeffrey Hudson played by Noah Bean.

Hen’s medical intervention could’ve resulted in her being fired. Instead, it inspires a new career path.

Maddie left Buck twice – she left him when she left home for the first time and she left him again when she married Doug.

Now I hope you understand why this rarely talked about episode holds a special place in my heart. I love the friendship between Buck and Red. I wish they’d met sooner. I would’ve enjoyed seeing Buck explore a non-romantic relationship with a character outside of the 118 bubble. This episode, for me, is proof of why Buck is one of the best characters in the show. When he messed up, bringing Red to see Cindy, he did his best to atone for his actions. I love the sendoff he organized for Buck. It truly shows how caring he is towards those he cares about. I also love Hen’s story within the episode. Hen did cross the line helping the chef, but she ended up saving his life. I loved that the female doctor defended her actions. Her story is just a reminder of how female, most specifically Black women, are often ignored by their white male counterparts. Thankfully her 118 family is supportive of her. Lastly, Athena’s story is a setup for what will happen in the last few episodes of the season. I love that in this episode, which is very poignant, we get the origin story of perhaps one of the best villains of this show. Overall, this episode is top notch in my book. If I had to rank the episodes of this season, this one would definitely be in the top half. As for what episode I will be reacting to next. I haven’t decided. I guess you’ll just have to wait and see what happens on 911: Flashback. Until next time …

[thatevilenby]

Every time I see a "there's a shortage of tops/doms" post I have to wonder, is there really a top/dom shortage or do you just treat people who top/dom like shit? Is there really a shortage or do you just have unrealistic expectations that no top/dom could reasonably meet? Is there really a shortage or do you just take no steps to put yourself out there or actively talk to people who you want to top/dom you?

Essentially, is there really a shortage or do you just refuse to put the work in on your end?

[talentforlying]

♠ — IF YOU WERE A DEITY, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DOMAIN?

WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. you are the divine guardian of truths both knowable and unknowable, of all words and languages spoken and unspoken. much like Death itself, you are perhaps one of the least understood of all deities, and yet the secrets you hold are highly sought after by scientists, philosophers, and theologians alike.

the origin of all innovation, your realm is the source of crucial advances in architecture, agriculture, political governance, and military strategy which have allowed many civilizations to become a dominant force in the mortal realm. your domain may also include the forces of magic and mysticism, and many cautionary tales exist among mortals of those who have unwittingly destroyed themselves or lost their minds in the reckless pursuit of mysteries and technology far beyond their comprehension.

your mythological equivalents are greece’s athena, egypt’s thoth, mesopotamia’s enki, and india’s ganesha.

tagged by: @eladead thank you!! tagging: @asteritm, @n1cap, @normaltothemax (any muse), @agentharkness, @demidritch, @whcwashe, @compatiissante, @devilscheck, @h3xappeal + @1carri0n (any muse), @outlawiism, @handgiven (any muse), and you!

[tarrynightss]

what happens when sukuna’s precious little jewel actually does get pregnant ???

I’m so glad you asked Anon hehe

Concubine!reader x Sukuna thoughts part 1 here

Tags; Pregnancy, Concubine!fem!Reader, smut below cut, breeding kink, size difference, bit of lactation kink

Sukuna is not surprised when it happens after all the hard work you both put into realizing his dream. He notices a subtle change in your smell, in the energy that pulsates around you when he caresses his hand over your body. A wide grin splits on his face as he lays his hand over your lower stomach, his chest sturdy against your back. He can’t help but nuzzle his face against the side of your head, inhaling more of your intoxicating smell. “It took.”. Those simple words have your eyes widening and your heart pounding in your chest, looking back at him to ensure you understood correctly. “You’re with child.”

He’s overjoyed with the prospect of having a baby, an heir of his own. He’s more affectionate than he ever was, taking time to settle you close against him, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the growing bump on your stomach. He even caresses your hair and kisses you in an attempt to comfort you when you feel pain, all of it shockingly gentle for Sukuna. In his mind there’s a simple explanation. You did as he wanted, and you continue to do your duty well, ensuring his child is safe and growing strong inside you even when it hurts you, so you should be rewarded for it.

Sukuna has always been wary of others, but with the pregnancy he turns outright paranoid. With the amount of enemies he has he worries that one might now lash out and target you and your baby. He focuses more on maintaining barriers around the house, has someone sample your food in front of him before it’s allowed to be served to you, and you never sleep alone anymore, him always curled protectively against your side. He also decides to dismiss a large portion of his harem, not trusting them to have your best interest in mind. He knows how jealous humans can get, had seen women scratch each others eyes out just to get ahead of the other, and so the only other concubines allowed to stay are the ones you claim are your friends. He still keeps a careful eye on them, only truly allowing it because he knows that when the time comes, you will need women to aid you through it, and he doesn’t trust random midwives more than he trusts them.

Sukuna will spoil you more than ever, making sure you are comfortable in whatever way he can offer. The pregnancy is clearly taking a toll on you, your stomach having grown large and heavy, and he almost worries the size difference between you that excited him so might become the death of you. He carries you basically everywhere the last two months, wrapping you up in his strong arms and doing anything you need of him. It’s quite ironic; you used to be the one helping him get dressed, fawning over your master, and now he does the opposite for you. Though you know it’s out of necessity, it still makes your heart flutter.

That Sukuna is stressed out when you finally give birth is putting it lightly. He waits outside as customary, trying to appear stoic but panicking on the inside at your pained screams. As soon as he hears a baby cry, he barges in, watching as another concubine places the child against your bare chest. He quickly finds himself on his knees beside you, brushing one large hand over your sweaty forehead to comfort you as the other joins you in holding your baby. It’s a daughter, but she’s healthy and strong, screaming her lungs out for a minute more before calming down. You laugh, and he breathes in deeply, knowing you both made it. Relieve makes him bend forward and press a kiss to your forehead, leaning back just in time to see the child’s eyes open. Four in total, just like her father, but with the scarlet stare replaced by the lovely color of your eyes.

It surprises everyone, including you, how much of an involved father he is, holding his baby as often as he can, a large finger prodding at her pouty lips till she smiles and coos. When you apologize to him for not giving him a son, he stares at you blankly, gesturing for you to rise from where you kneel before him, putting one hand on your cheek as two others still cradle your baby. “I don’t need your apology. The child is healthy, and you will give me a son next time.” The surprise is evident on your face as your eyes snap to his. Not only is he being benevolent, but he also just said he wants another child with you. You were afraid he would discard you like a broken toy after this, no longer interesting enough to him, but it seems you still manage to hold your position as his favorite, bringing a smile to your face.

It has to be said that Sukuna can’t take his eyes off of you from the moment that tiny bump appears on your stomach. There’s something about it, about you, that makes every fiber of his being crave touching you. Maybe it’s that famous pregnancy glow, or maybe it’s the fact that he knows he’s the one who fucked a baby into you. You’re his, more clearly now than ever, and it excites him beyond his own comprehension.

Luckily for Sukuna, the hormones coursing through your body have you seeking him out desperately throughout most of your pregnancy. The first few months he fucks you like he wants to ruin you, rutting into you like an addict, but as soon as you really start showing he becomes more gentle. He wouldn’t risk seriously hurting you or his child, often seating you in his lap as he thrusts into you, his mouth lapping at your sweet neck. You still mewl so sweetly for him, so eagerly, and he already knows he might want to do this all over again after you’ve given him his first child.

Sukuna takes such good care of his little jewel, even massaging your poor sore breasts, teasing your aching nipples with his tongue. The changes to your body have him drooling all over you, his hands constantly on your growing breasts or belly. It becomes a guilty pleasure of his to touch you there, enjoying just having you on his lap as he rolls your nipples between his fingers, loving the way you squirm against him.

You find some of the changes quite embarrassing, especially when your breasts start leaking milk as you enter your third trimester. He only grins wolfishly when he notices the wet patches on the fabric covering your breasts, tutting as he pulls you to his chambers. “You need to relieve the pressure, little one.” And of course your benevolent master knows just how to do it, massaging your breasts till more drops come out, making sure he’s right there to help you through it all. This definitely gets far worse after you’ve given birth and your milk fully comes in, aching painfully to be released, Sukuna hot on your heels after ensuring your baby is fed to ‘help’ you.

[confused-wanderer]

Plot twist: Superman having the most insane workout routine for the wrong reasons. A workout so intense the justice league struggles to even comprehend, let alone do it.

It all started with Green Lantern boasting about his workout routine when he was in the military. Which led to Martian Manhunter complaining that it was nothing to brag about, which led to green arrow talking about his workout, and after having enough of Batman’s sarcastic glare (trust the league, you can tell the glares’ sassy) they all start doing each others routines to prove which one is the hardest.

But when they get to Superman, barely any of them last ten minutes. Because you see, while the rest of the league has a strength building workout, Superman’s consists of strength reducing routines. And it’s hard enough to make them call it quits.

Growing up as a farmboy, Kent always had more leniency in how he used his strength, but had been strictly forbidden from ever assissting the livestock until he was properly trained. Why? Because no matter how gentle he was being, he always underestimated his strength. If he wasn’t being 100% focused on all his movements at all time, his sudden movements would create strong gusts of wind, and a single tap to the wood would make the house crack. He refused to go near anything that looked fragile because he was so so scared of hurting it.

So naturally, when he became superman, and had to deal with carrying people, holding up towers and just overall being surrounded by people with the aim to protect, he had to learn to be extremely gentle in caring for them. So naturally, he took several courses for expecting mothers and learnt to handle them as carefully as a newborn. No jostling too much, not too tight, always being aware of how much pressure he’s putting, handling distress and being firm without being overbearing.

One of his routines involved trying to figure out a safe way to catch two heavily cracked eggs while being launched into the sky, while the other included a booby trapped room trigged by sound so he would learn to keep his volume at a certain level without deafening the entire vicinity. And for context: the trigger level is the sound of a feather hitting the ground.

The only person who can relate is Wonder Woman, who also remains the one person Suoerman doesn’t have to worry about hurting.

Green lantern has yet to throw in the towel but he’s been crying for the past ten minutes and everyone else is exhausted. Batman however, is working very hard on trying to implement some of these in his routine. Clark doesn’t know if he should feel happy or worried about that.

[gloomwitchwrites]

Dog with No Teeth // Chapter Ten

Simon "Ghost" Riley x Female Reader

Chapter Specific Warnings (MDNI): post-apocalypse au, swearing, mild suggestive themes, mentions of war

Word Count: 4.4k

Under Simon’s watchful eye, Kyle and Johnny keep you occupied during the singles social. Simon has a frank conversation with you.

Chapter Nine // Chapter Eleven

ao3 // main masterlist // dog with no teeth masterlist

“Looking to crack some teeth, Lt?” asks Johnny as he peers into his empty cup.

“More like cracking a few skulls,” replies Simon with a growl.

Across the room, you chat with a man Simon doesn’t recognize. The sizzle beneath his skin becomes a raging boil, threatening to bubble over into action. The fucking wanker shouldn’t be standing that close or smiling at you like he can’t wait to get you under him.

Johnny clucks his tongue in disappointment. “Talking about your jaw.”

Fucking hell.

“What about my jaw?”

“It’s clenched.” Simon promptly relaxes his jaw. “That’s a good lad,” croons Johnny.

“Shut the fuck up, Soap.”

Soft classical musical plays from hidden speakers in the ceiling. The lighting is warm, casting the room in an intimate glow. Simon hates these events. Fucking loathes them. When he first arrived at this Safe Zone after the whole of Task Force 141 was transferred, he met with a family planner just as you did. But because of his position in the military and the importance of his work, they never put up a fuss when he refused their every suggestion. He avoided the socials they told him to attend and ignored each summons to their office.

For a while, Simon was free, unbeholden to everyone except his superior officer. He kept busy, picking up every mission and every job Captain Price brought to him or the team. And when he needed his cock sucked, it was never difficult to find a willing mouth. They left him alone, and Simon forgot all about the pillars and the mandates and the other stupid fucking rules and regulations civilians are forced to follow.

Unhappy is the word Captain Price used. Unhappy with his refusal to propagate.

“They might force my hand, Simon,” Price had said. “I don’t want to lose you.”

Punishment. Rescinding his rank. Forced leave. Price listed off all the possibilities if Simon couldn’t get his shit together and pretend to be involved.

Johnny lightly taps Simon’s upper arm with his empty drink cup. “Need a damn refill.”

“Not stopping you, Johnny,” replies Simon dryly.

As you shift on your feet, popping your right hip, the man you’re talking with glances over your shoulder and makes direct eye contact with Simon. Like a knife to the jugular, the man’s face pales. Good. The bloody wanker gives you a half-hearted smile before turning tail.

Johnny whistles lowly. “Still got it, Lt.”

“Never lost it,” chuckles Simon.

Victory is sweet brilliance—an infinite bath of joy that can only occur when you’ve taken another step toward the thing you want most. Simon could soak in this feeling all damn day.

It’s a temporary exaltation. Fleeting. A momentary triumph.

Like a copperhead lurking in the leaves to bite the wayward hiker, Sergeant Noah Fields strikes. Emerging from nowhere to take the previous man’s place, Fields smoothly slides into conversation, lightly touching your elbow for a stirring of your attention. As you turn toward him, Fields adapts a smile that would fool anyone if they didn’t know him well enough. And you, unknowing of Fields’ transgressions, greet him.

Anger is not the correct word. Red may be the color, but it is not the tangible malice that culminates in his limbs, urging Simon to succumb to poor decisions. It is sharper. Feral. It is bloodthirst and violence.

Johnny notices. And he reacts.

Before Simon can take a step toward Fields, Johnny drapes his arm across Simon’s shoulders, halting his forward momentum. Bringing him in close, Johnny whispers to him. “A drink, Ghost. You need it.”

“Another and I might start swinging.”

Johnny shakes his head. “Ya need a drink. A strong one.” He sighs. “Maybe a fucking walk.”

Fields leans in like he’s about to tell you a secret. You turn your head to give him your ear. The inhale is small, but Simon notices—and he seethes. Fields’ nostrils flare, eyelids growing heavy as he takes a whiff of you. With a slowness that borders on maliciousness, Fields’ heavy-lidded gaze intensifies, flicking upward. Calculated with cold execution, Fields smiles over your shoulder in challenge.

Come and take her, Lieutenant.

Simon tastes metal. If he’s bitten his tongue, he feels no pain. There is only focus, and a great, heaving need to take Fields out in the street for a fucking curb stomp.

“Simon,” warns Johnny through clenched teeth.

His arm around Simon’s shoulders tightens. The empty cup in his hand is quickly discarded as he presses his palm to Simon’s chest. Johnny is just a barrier, one that Simon can easily push aside if the determination is there. And it fucking is. Fields shouldn’t be anywhere near you and why the fuck are you even entertaining him? Simon told you to stay away. It’s infuriating how you listen to him but don’t out of sheer stubbornness and spite.

His dick would be hard and throbbing for you if he weren’t so bloody mad.

“Handle this, Johnny,” growls Simon. “Or I will.”

“Be civil, Lt,” murmurs Johnny, his gaze sweeping outward to observe the surrounding area. “Don’t draw unwanted attention.”

Without breaking eye contact with Fields, Simon speaks out the corner of his mouth. “You and Kyle said you’d keep her occupied.”

“We did,” affirms Johnny.

“Then go occupy her time.”

Johnny squeezes Simon’s shoulder, putting on one of his best smiles. “Can’t be suspicious. Everyone will think I’m desperate.”

“You are desperate. That’s why Kyle’s chatting up the blonde in the corner. Need a wingman to get your dick wet.”

Johnny nods at two men from another unit as they walk past. “You won’t share,” drawls Johnny, giving Simon a pat on the back that’s more forceful than necessary.

“I won’t share her.”

With another squeeze of Simon’s shoulder, Johnny saunters over to where you and Fields chat. The man isn’t in your space like he was before, but the fact that he’s in your vicinity at all pisses Simon off. Every man that looks your way is a threat and Simon’s instinct is to lash out—to push in and shove them away. His interest is the only one that matters.

“Noah!” booms Johnny, extending his arms outward like the two are old friends.

The easy smile on Fields’ face becomes a grimace as Johnny embraces him with overt enthusiasm. Simon would laugh at the spectacle if he weren’t irritated with it all. Johnny deplores Fields just as much as Simon does. Everyone knows this.

The hug is intentional. Johnny places himself between you and Fields, creating a clear separation. From where Simon stands, he can see Johnny’s lips moving, but the distance obscures the words. Fields, to his credit, keeps that forced smile. They’re both pretending—faking it for the sake of control. Johnny aggressively pats Fields’ back before grasping his shoulders. The façade begins to crack, annoyance slipping in between the fractures. The man is about to snap, and it’s exactly where Simon wants him.

Make an ass of yourself, Fields. Go on.

Fields attempts to step away from Johnny, to create space where there is none, but Johnny is a menace, completely obstructing you from Fields.

“Atta boy,” murmurs Simon.

Kyle appears to your right, gently touching your arm to bring your attention to him. You turn, and Kyle gives you a stunning smile. His charm is the perfect distraction, and it takes Kyle no effort at all to herd you away, striking up an easy conversation with you like he’s known you for ages. Fields doesn’t even notice that you’ve disappeared. He’s too focused on Johnny. With a scowl, Fields storms away, heading for the bar. Johnny pivots on his heel, winking at Simon as he makes for the blonde that Kyle was schmoozing minutes ago.

Another hour of this and Simon can take you home. The two of you need alone time. He needs you to listen, to understand that this isn’t a game. On the surface, this entire process might appear trivial—Simon thought so when he first arrived—but eventually, as all authoritative powers do, they sink their teeth in, shaking you around in their maw like a dog toy. Wombs are precious, which is why they’re already shoving this down your throat, forcing you to eat the mandate of genetic contribution all while telling you how good it tastes.

The only choice you’ll have is who. Simon intends for it to be him.

Walking the perimeter of the room, Simon keeps tabs on you. Pretending is the hardest part—faking his disinterest because someone behind a desk wants you to “shop around.” Every glance your way, every step, every word from another man is a threat. From the moment you were brought before him, Simon knew.

You are an opportunity. A way to not feel so alone anymore. He seized it. Cornered you. Staked a claim. From that possession came longing—deep and sharp and bloodied. For Simon, every intimate interaction has been transactional. But with you, he can picture a different future, a path where he has an actual partner and not someone looking for a handout.

Not that he blames any of the women that tried to baby trap him, or the ones that never told their husbands that they cheated. Danger is thrilling for the ones stuck in monotony. They seek escape with him. Others want to ensnare him, bring him to heel simply for their own ends. Simon knows. He understands. Which is why he takes every precaution. It’s why he has a reputation.

Safe Zones bleed with rumor. Civilians eat that shit up, devouring it as quickly as they devour resources. Simon hears what people say about him. It’s no mystery. When women flock to him to seek his bed, it’s easy to sus out who wants a quick fuck and who is looking to get knocked up. Simon always indulged the sex but never took it farther. They never wanted him. They never wanted Simon.

“See the new military ordinance?” Kyle saddles up to Simon’s left side, taking a sip from his cup.

“You’re not with her,” observers Simon.

Kyle inclines his head. “Price is with her.”

Frowning, Simon glances around the room, seeking you. It takes a few sweeps before he locates you near the far wall in animated conversation. The tension in his shoulders dissipates some. In terms of rank, Captain Price is one of the highest in the room. That authority alone will deter anyone from cutting in.

“Surprised he’s here,” replies Simon.

The middle of Kyle’s brow furrows. “The old man isn’t married.”

“No,” says Simon slowly. “But he donates.”

Kyle bursts out laughing. “No shit?” He shakes his head. “Wanking on the weekends.”

“Don’t we all,” comments Simon which only makes Kyle laugh harder.

“Wonder how many little buggers are running around with Captain’s genes.”

“Probably more than we think,” muses Simon with a chuckle. Glancing away from you and Price in deep conversation, Simon changes topics. “What’s this about a military ordinance?”

Kyle’s humor dissipates, replaced by exasperation. “Excessive force.”

“What about it?”

“Use of force must match level of threat,” says Kyle as if he’s reading from a script.

Simon snorts. “That’s nothing new.”

“Use of excessive force against civilians or essential infrastructure is now considered a war crime.”

Simon clucks his tongue. “Sounds like one of the zones was behaving badly.”

Kyle nods. “Bad enough that every zone has to establish a civilian oversight committee.”

“Fucking hell,” growls Simon. “We taking orders from civilians now?”

Kyle shrugs and downs the rest of his drink. “Talked to Price about it. Says military personnel are included in the ordinance. But we’re not the problem.”

“Then who is?” asks Simon. Kyle arches a single eyebrow. Simon scoffs. “Fucking police. Always on a goddamn power trip.”

“Bunch of gits who couldn’t pass basic,” mutters Kyle. “Don’t know the details but Price said it wasn’t good.”

“People died,” states Simon because it isn’t a question.

“Enough that it fired up the Continuity Council.” Kyle takes a slow, lingering look around the room. Leaning in, he lowers his voice until it’s a whisper. “And upped the minimum number of births across all zones.”

“Price confirmed this?”

Kyle gives a quick nod of his head. “Said he’d debrief us in a few days. We might be heading elsewhere for a bit.”

No. No.

You’ll be left unattended. Vulnerable. Up for the taking. Anyone can step in and make themselves at home. Simon won’t be able to stop them.

“Sounds like tyranny,” growls Simon.

“Stinks of it,” mutters Kyle, his mouth curled downward in disgust.

A trio of women saunter by, their gazes lingering on Simon and Kyle in lecherous interest. Kyle sends a flirty wink in their direction, eliciting a few girlish giggles and a fluttering of eyelashes. Simon remains unmoving, expression neutral. They don’t interest him. The only woman he wants is you.

But that future might be slipping away.

“How many days are left?” asks Kyle.

“A few,” answers Simon. “Then she’s on her own.”

Kyle inhales deeply. The exhale is slow—almost a sigh. “You need to talk to her. Make a move before it’s too late.”

“I know,” mumbles Simon, his gaze growing soft as he watches you in animated conversation with Captain Price.

You’re a strong, stubborn thing with a touch of sweetness. There are moments when Simon lingers in memory, when the two of you slept beside each other in that bunk on base. He draws up the desperation on your face, the vulnerability of loss, of how you begged for him to make you feel anything other than the pain you felt in your heart. You were beautiful and soft. Simon hungered to devour every bit of yourself you were willing to give.

If only Johnny hadn’t interrupted. You’d be his right now, and the two of you wouldn’t have to navigate this ridiculous function. There would be no threats, no potential suitors.

Simon checks his watch. “Fucking finally,” he grumbles.

“It’ll work out,” affirms Kyle as Simon heads in your direction.

When you notice him, there is no malice or fear. Your smile widens in pleasure, a clear sign that you’re happy to see him. Hope renews itself, pushing down on Simon’s worry. There is every possibility that things might not go his way, but you continue to gravitate toward him. You will choose him. Simon only needs to make you understand.

“Time to go,” he murmurs, placing his hand on the small of your back.

You melt into him, leaning into Simon’s touch as you gaze into his face. Pride blooms in his chest at how quickly and easily you respond to him. There is no asking—no commanding. You are drawn to him, effortlessly seeking him when he’s close.

“Finally,” you sigh, your gorgeous smile softening. “Thought you’d never rescue me.”

Captain Price inclines his head, a knowing glint in his eye. “Have a good evening.”

When Price is out of earshot, Simon leans in, drawing you closer to him. “Ready?”

“Yes. Please, Lieutenant.”

The way you say his title pleases him. Even when you’re angry, even when you say it with venom, Simon adores it. He wants to bottle up the tone of your voice and bathe in it.

With a gentle push at your back, Simon shepherds you away from the noise and drudgery of societal expectation. There is only the two of you walking in quiet contemplation, simply enjoying the mutual company. While you don’t hold his hand, you stroll along the pavement close to him, your arm occasionally brushing his.

It's not until the two of you enter your temporary flat that Simon drums up the courage to push the issue.

“How was it?” he asks, shutting the door behind him.

Simon steps up to you, helping you out of your coat. “Fine,” you reply. “Better than I thought it would be.”

“Not a social butterfly?” teases Simon.

“No,” you laugh. “Not when it’s forced and with people I don’t know.”

“That’s fair,” murmurs Simon, hanging your coat on a hook near the door. “Family planner will want to hear about it.” The annoyed groan that bursts from you makes Simon chuckle.

“Joann can go fuck herself.” You rub at the back of your neck, rolling it back and forth. “She’s pushy.”

“That’s her job,” replies Simon dryly. You turn, narrowing your eyes in annoyance. “Not justifying it, dove.”

You drop your hand. “Probation isn’t over and she’s up my ass about finding a partner. I don’t even know where I’ll be living once it’s up. And I just started work.”

Kyle’s words from earlier creep in. Enough that it fired up the Continuity Council and upped the minimum number of births across all zones.

It’s no surprise the family planner is being pushy. If the United Nations Continuity Council is upping the minimum number of births across all zones, the family planners and localized governments will do anything to incentivize women to increase their numbers to meet the new standard. You’re an untapped resource they intend to seize.

“Contributing to the genetic pool is the first pillar,” states Simon. “It’s expected from everyone.”

“Is it?” you counter. “Or is it only truly expected from those with a working womb?”

You don’t understand the significance of what you’re saying. There are much larger powers at play that don’t entirely care about your opinion on the matter.

“This isn’t a game,” growls Simon.

“Didn’t think it was,” you retort. “But I will not be forced to choose.”

No. You truly are ignorant to how it works.

Simon slides into a calmer tone. “You’ll have to make a choice.” He takes a step toward you. “They will push. Talk around your options. But you will choose.”

“Will I?” you counter. “How long have you lived here, Lieutenant? Did they ever force you to make a choice?”

Simon draws back from the blow. “No.”

“That’s exactly my point,” you hiss, stepping into his space, staring up at him in challenge. “You’re a man. They would never.”

“That’s not entirely true, dove,” murmurs Simon. “They might covet those with viable wombs, but they need healthy, strong donors to fill them.”

The fire in your eyes fades a bit, your gaze hiding nothing from him. Simon picks up on it, glimpsing the hesitation as you process his words. This place is a stranger to you. Isolation has numbed you to the reality of the world and how it functions in the aftermath of so much death.

You lick your lips, glancing away from him for the first time. It’s not a sign of submission. It’s a consideration.

“It’s not the same,” you murmur.

“No. It’s not.”

A few brief seconds pass before you look up into his eyes. “I don’t want to choose.”

“I know,” he answers softly. “But it doesn’t matter what you want.”

It’s far too blunt, but it needs to be said. If Kyle is right, and they might be leaving shortly for a new mission, Simon needs to have this conversation with you. Bringing you gifts and asking to kiss you might be small steps toward his goal, but they won’t be enough if he leaves for an extended period.

“The fact I have to choose at all is ridiculous.” Your voice breaks, and it hurts him to hear it. “The pillars preach autonomy but contradict it in the next breath.”

Desperation clings to you—holding on like a sickness that just won’t clear the system. Simon understands your frustration, he accepts your anger with it all, but some battles are not achieved alone. Sometimes, you must mold what you have and make it work.

“Picking someone is better than fighting.”

“It’s not a choice, Lieutenant! It’s an illusion.” Your outburst softens into a murmur. “I shouldn’t have to.”

You’re not drawing back from him—not fleeing. Taking a chance, Simon shifts closer, fingers itching to touch you, to feel your skin against his.

“That’s the reality, dove.” You scoff, turning away. Simon reaches out, grasping the back of your neck, forcing you to look him in the eye. “But as long as you pick, they’ll think you’re trying. They’ll leave you alone for a while.”

Even now, your eyes water. Tears are threatening to fall. Simon longs to chase them away.

“And what happens when there is no baby?” you counter. “What happens then?”

Simon’s answer is immediate and laced with finality. “There will be.”

“Really?” you guffaw, clear disbelief in the way you snort. “With who?”

With me.

Simon remains silent. You’ll figure it out.

The deep creases in the middle of your brow start to smooth as your facial muscles relax, shifting from disdain and stubbornness to surprise.

“With you?” you whisper. Your lips part, eyes darting across his face as they seek any hint of confirmation.

“I told you I’d protect you. Provide for you. Keep you safe.”

Your head shakes slightly in abject refusal. “I—I don’t—”

“When they make you choose,” continues Simon. “Who will you be safer with?”

“Don’t, Lieutenant.”

“Who do you think will be patient?” he pushes.

“Stop.”

“Me? Sergeant Fields?” He pauses. “A stranger?”

You attempt to pull away, to remove yourself from this conversation. Simon stays steady, his grip on your neck firm and unmoving.

“I’m done talking about this,” you say, nearly begging.

“But the family planner will ask,” murmurs Simon. “Joann will want to talk.”

Genetic contribution, the rebuilding of society, are veins sunk deep in the very fabric of this new world. Genocide and war will do that. Near erasure of an entire people cripples everyone. There is a reason there are so many rules and regulations now. There is reason in the spreading of cultures across the globe, equally divided among Safe Zones. Isolationism and puritanical eugenics brought the world to a precipice. Then it pushed everyone into the abyss. Even the ones that believed these ideals would save them suffered.

There were no winners. Just carnage and scorched earth. And the remains of civilization.

“Just go home, Lieutenant. Just—go.”

Your voice is breathy, tinged with grief. You’ve right to be angry with him, to blame him for ripping you away from everything you know. It was selfish. Simon won’t deny that. To pursue you after is pure greed.

“Look at me,” he urges, coaxing you with gentle timbre. You shake your head, refusing. “Look at me, dove.” With the lightest touch, Simon taps your jaw with his thumb. It’s brief, a ghost of a thing, but you respond to him. “You’d be safe with me.”

Your mouth forms a sad smile, and it’s an answer unto itself. A revelation. An epiphany toward revealing what you’re truly thought all this time.

“But can you make me happy?” you ask. Your stare is piercing—seeking answers and reassurance.

Simon doesn’t lie. Not to you. But sometimes he twists the truth.

“In time,” he sighs, tilting your mouth toward his.

Maybe you believe him. Maybe you don’t. The only concrete reaction Simon can gleam is your refusal to choose, that in the end, you will have an option. For now, you do have the option, an opportunity to select the man who will father your children. But if you keep denying—keep pushing the decision off—someone will be assigned to you. And if Simon is gone, if he’s away at another zone, it won’t be him.

“It’s not enough.” You place your hands on his chest like you’re going to shove him away. But there is no pressure. Just your palms against his pectorals.

He needs to frame this differently, to give you reason to pick him over anyone else. The truth of the situation isn’t working. For whatever reason, you’re denying it, believing that all will be fine, and your autonomy is intact. When it comes to life in the Safe Zones, this is true. But genetic contribution is their top priority. It is the one thing they won’t budge on.

Drawing you close, he drapes his arm around your lower back, his hand splaying wide across your hip. The way you surrender to him, how you melt and form to him with gentle comfort, should be enough to persuade you. How the fuck do you not see it?

“Then why do you indulge me?” he asks softly, bringing his face closer. You sigh with contentment, eyelids closing, head tilting to welcome him. It takes all but a single kiss. You fully collapse into him, your splayed hands moving upward to hook behind his neck. “You like this,” he rasps against your lips.

“It’s—it’s just a bit of—” Simon’s hand falls to your ass. Squeezing, he nips at your bottom lip. “—comfort,” you manage to gasp out.

Simon nuzzles the side of your face, lips brushing your cheekbone. His hands roam, and with each exploration, you press into his touch, little moans of pleasure falling from your lips.

“You begged for me once,” he murmurs. “Spread your legs and welcomed me.” Simon’s hands slip beneath the hem of your blouse, fingertips caressing bare skin. “You tasted so good,” he continues, licking his lips in remembrance.

Blood rushes downward, hardness becoming an intense, throbbing need. You shiver as his fingertips trace an upward path, and then moan when he palms your breast, thumb brushing over the nipple, bringing it to stiffness.

“Do you want safety with me? Security?” Simon palms your other breast. “Pleasure?”

You whimper, hips flexing as if to grind against him. Words mean nothing in the face of action. Denial dripping from your lips are empty, hollow shells when you surrender to him like this. How close he is to making you his.

Mine.

Always mine.

Simon’s hands descend—retreating. In the haze of lust, you drift upward, emerging as if from a dream. Deep in the recesses of his mind, Simon captures this, storing it away. When you’re bare and riddled with post-orgasm euphoria, is this what you’ll look like?

“I can’t,” you breathe. “I won’t choose until I’m ready.”

Stubborn as ever.

There are no more kisses, no yearning touches. Simon gently cradles your cheek and lightly presses his lips to your forehead. The ticking of the clock on the far wall is an incessant reminder.

Time is fleeting. And it is not his ally.

[shotosjupiter]

BACK TO THE KITTY 'CAUSE SHE'S KINDA PRETTY!

— jjk men and what kind of pet cat they'd have. fluffy and gn! reader <3 this audio was stuck in my head so i decided to make it the title </3

𖤐 GOJO spoils his little tuxedo cat horrendously. this man has money and he ensures that half of it is going to his lavish cat's lifestyle and the other half to you. he loooves his cat dearly and he makes you come with him to go shopping for her! he values your opinion deeply from the food choices down to what new cat tower he should get.

a silly thing he enjoys is matching outfits! he'll have his cat wearing a bandana that is the same color as his shirt. he'll ask you to do a subtle matching couples outfit - the same color scheme and once you're all dressed he'll insist on taking many pictures together. "it's a family photo, angel! we're all matching, isn't that cute?" (he ends up making it his lockscreen for his phone for ages).

𖤐 CHOSO's orange cat balances his energy out perfectly. for someone whose more on the calm and collected side, his cat brings out the more outgoing and silly side of him. his cat is constantly doing something that has choso running out of his seat to go save his precious cat. once it was preventing his kitty from diving straight into a cup of matcha and another time it was prying his cat off the ceiling fan.

a big sign in your relationship is when he invites you to his apartment and introduces you to his cat! he loves his pet dearly and knowing that his cat approves of you means the world to him. when he sees his cat purring and rubbing it's head on your legs, choso smiles and feels his heart melt. he knows you're the one.

𖤐 NANAMI would have a distinguished little tabby cat. she's more of an elderly cat but nanami doesn't mind because it means peaceful mornings for everyone involved. one time, when you were sleeping over at his place early in your relationship, you woke up to a thump and a weight on your chest. what is it? it's nanami's cat sat right on your stomach, all comfortable like it's her birth right. she's kneading into your skin and purring in approval.

nanami, coming from the kitchen, visibly softens at the sight of you in his bed all warm, and his cat cuddling into you. he kisses your forehead in greeting, whispering good morning. he feels his heart race as he realizes, this is a sight he wants to see for the rest of his life.

𖤐 GETO had originally gotten a cat because nanako and mimiko had begged for one. he was definitely one of those people that insisted that he didn't want a cat and had put up a big fight against. cut to five months later and here he is spoon feeding his pretty tortoiseshell cat tuna treats.

for him, when he sees you interact with the girls and sees how gentle you are he's already smitten with you. on top of it, when he sees you gently petting the family cat, he all but melts into the floor. he adores the way you treat his family and it's the biggest green flag to him. he immediately wants to make you a part of his family.

𖤐 TOJI did not mean to adopt a cat. he really didn't, he has enough on his plate! the stray cat just followed me home, or so he says. he has a nonchalant attitude about his boy cat, as if he couldn't care less but really you'll find him in the pet store aisles reading through ingredients to make sure the food he's buying really is safe and healthy.

he'll laugh and laugh when you come over and you get jumped by his black cat as it tries to play with you. his cat is definitely a bit of a biter, so beware of that. regardless, toji will watch as you play with his stray-not-stray cat and feel a sense of home unfurl in his chest. he won't say anything but he'll have a wide smile on his face and he'll take the both of you in his arms, peppering kisses everywhere he can.

© shotosjupiter. do not repost, translate, or copy my work.

[dodgeballstuckonthegymceiling]

I have poppy playtime brain rot and wrote this to clear my thoughts. This is also my first time writing anything for poppy playtime. If you have any constructive criticism, please let me know!

If you like my work, please consider commissioning me or leaving a tip on Ko-fi (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶))

Fluffy Doey head canons because he deserved better!

★ Sometimes, when he's lonely or just needs to relax, he draws on the walls. His drawings often attract the smaller toys to join in. He likes picking them up so that the higher places are in reach. He can even be a staircase if a lot of people want to join! the more the merrier!

★ He would put everyone above himself, even Poppy. Despite everything that has happened, she is still his family. All the toys in safe haven are. Each and every one of them. They mean the world to him.

★ Kissy and him have sleepovers! they share a tent together and he makes up happy stories to pass the time. It's good for them both because Kissy sleeps better when someone she trusts is close to her. And Doey loves sleepovers because it reminds him of his old life. It makes him feel normal.

★ He can sew. It helps him cope, whether it's patching up old rips and tears or creating new pillows and stuffed animals. If they were to ask, he would teach the other toys basic sewing skills.

★ He willingly takes on extra tasks and responsibilities to lighten the load for the other toys. Whether it's cleaning, organizing, or running errands, he is always the first to volunteer. He doesn't know it, but it's earned him a lot of goodwill.

★ As mentioned above, Doey has a talent for storytelling. He often gathers the toys around for bedtime stories. It brings a sense of comfort and routine to the Safe Haven and allows everyone to feel involved.

★ When Kissy isn't feeling her best Doey guides Kissy through mindful breathing exercises, helping her feel more grounded. Doey's calm demeanor and reassuring voice helps Kissy feel more centered. They are certified besties!

[keferon]

Ooo Prowl deciding to snoop or bug the mecha scientists about how various ones work so that he can better figure out how to keep pilots from getting killed in the field, and Tarantulas being one of the only to actually show him the work plus talk possibilities once the mad scientist realizes that Prowl’s actually listening and genuinely paying attention.

Cue an increasing back and forth of Prowl coming by with new ideas for ways mecha abilities could be advanced for safety or protection, with Tarantulas consistently being the only one to figure out how to do the impossible work needed with their Earth materials (and scavenged Quintesson materials?).

Which then gets pushed even farther as Prowl gets more and more desperate with every death and puts himself front and center for Tarantulas to use as a test subject for their new ideas. Tarantulas’ questionable morals not seeing any problems with potentially dangerous or unstable upgrades bc the science is simply fascinating + Prowl really wants to do this clearly so who is he to refuse. Like Tarantulas is gonna make sure Prowl doesn’t die from such things, he likes having him around too much, but if the side effects are within a certain (dubiously safe) threshold then he’s not gonna exactly mitigate them all that much. (Upgrades for other mecha & pilots might be. A bit less safe comparatively. Tarantulas has a soft spot for Prowl and Prowl alone of course)

Eventually Tarantulas is bringing even more wild and dangerous ideas to the table, and bc of years of results and… companionship, one could say, between the two, Prowl is almost completely trusting with whatever Tarantulas brings to the table after only a quick (and maybe not entirely honest sometimes) rundown.

Which obviously has lead to an increasingly questionable state of Prowl’s general health. Not that Prowl would care as long as he’s able to pilot his mecha and do his job.

As well as increased isolation from many others somewhat encouraged by Tarantulas as Prowl focuses only on his pilot work and being around Tarantulas for brainstorming sessions or upgrades. Withdrawing from many around the base as a defensive measure so he doesn’t get overwhelmed if something goes horribly wrong out in the field- grief could get in the way of directing or helping others to safer situations after all. And this being the way things are for a long while.

Until a certain visored bot crashes into the tactician’s life.

OH MAN IMAGINE

Jazz doesn't want everyone to know that he is secretly tiny because he is shady and sneaky like that. But also his armor is too big to fit in corridors so he can't really follow Prowl everywhere. Including the labs~

So one day he decides that "fuck it I wanna know more" and hacks into security system to look though cameras footages right. And he finds the ones that placed in the labs and discovers the fucking HORROR that regularly happens there.

Bonus points if he doesn't realize that the reason Prowl does all this is kind of. him. Jazz.

He looks at Tarantulas and thinks there must be some kind of shady scheme involved. He thinks that Tarantulas is somehow forcing Prowl to go through this shit.

While the real reason is just. Prowl lost his previous partners. He doesn't want to lose the new one. He is afraid he wouldn't be good enough to keep Jazz alive and Tarantulas is very conveniently here reaching his hand and promising that "You can be better at protecting him and keeping him alive. Sure thing you can save him you just need to let me do a couple of tweaks and upgrades~"

[filmbyjy]

XO (Only If You Say Yes)

PAIRING: lee heeseung x fem!reader

SYPNOSIS: both you and heeseung have been friends for a long time. when the both of you were younger, people always told you that being friends of the opposite gender would be hard. feelings would definitely be involved. at first, you'd deny it but after a such a long time. feelings definitely bloomed and heeseung had to agree.

WARNING(s): none! though, idk if i should consider jokingly threatening to m*rder someone a warning. a small peck warning(?) it's all fluff and comedy so like yeah, we safe.

WORD COUNT: 2.5K words

a/n: yay more content. i finally have a drabble for heeseung in his masterlist. which btw, just send an ask for a request if you have any! i'll write it as soon as possible!! oh and again, this work is not stolen. it is a reposted work from my wattpad (markxdino). i don't post on there anymore but i do have some books on there like the ateez imagines book and enhypen imagines book which is currently getting revamped.

Sometimes life just puts you down and when that happens, you're lucky to have your best friends by your side. The universe decided to pair you with 7 adorable dorks. All very unique in their own way.

"Come on (name). It will be fun to go to the amusement park! The rides aren't scary!" Jake says. It's almost like he wasn't scared of the rides too. You looked over to Jay, he does gestures for you not to agree but you'd like him to suffer so...

"Alright alright. Let's go. But you're paying for the tickets mister rich boy." You say. Jake smiles.

"Well I invited you so I'll pay for your tickets. The others can pay on their own." Jake says as he turns to look at the other boys. Which earns a few whines.

"You invited us too but why you just paying for (name)'s tickets, that isn't fair!" Sunoo whines.

"Fine fine. I'll pay for all your tickets except for." There was a pause in his words. "Jay you think you could pay on your own?"

Jay almost looked too offended. "I'm sorry? You are paying for my suffering so you pay. I never agreed to go to an amusement park. You guys just wanna see me suffer." Jay huffs. Jake only shakes his head.

"Says the son of a CEO." Jake fires. Jay's eyes widened.

"Alright, fine I'll pay by myself since you're being such a bitch." Jay says. Jake smirks. He clearly got Jay good.

"Thanks Jay, pay for yourself alright?" Jake skips off to the classroom. Jay's jaw drops when he realised what he has done.

"Come on buddy, you should get to class. Me and Heeseung are going." You pat Jay's shoulder. Sunghoon shakes his head.

"I'll drag him to class. We have classes together right now. I'm going to hear an earful from him later." Sunghoon sighs. Both you and Heeseung made it to class on time. The teacher starts the class and teaches everything needed for this apparent surprise test.

It ain't a surprise test when you spoiled it already and causing students to stress the hell out. The fact that the teacher also never told the date so they could just randomly say 'oh today we are doing the test' and students would just be crapping themselves cause they never studied. However, that's not for you and heeseung though. The both of you top this class all the time. Both you and heeseung already made a point to study a topic earlier with your tutor so it would be easier for you guys to do well and yes you two have the same tutor so they taught the both of you the same time.

"Here notes that Mr.Blake gave us during that tutor session." Heeseung says. You smiled.

"Thanks Heeseung. You made a photocopy right?"

"Oh please we live next to each other. I can climb into your bedroom window."

"Well then, I should lock it shut so you don't just randomly scare me at 12am while I'm watching a horror movie about serial killers."

"Who watches horror movies at night anyways?" He folds his arms.

"Me and everyone who likes horror movies."

"Well you are weird."

"Well you're just a baby."

"Please Jay is a bigger baby than me." Heeseung says.

"Well that's true." You say. You remember last Halloween everyone planned to scare Jay but he ran out the house when he saw your black cat come out of your room. It was also dressed up as a spider hence he ran out of the house. "That poor boy." You say. Heeseung chuckles softly.

After the class, heeseung drags you to the usual table. I would say this was the boy's territory or table. To you though, it's just a table they always use because it's in the middle and nobody wants to sit here for some odd reason. Maybe cause you'd feel like a caged animal being stared at by thousands of students.

Honestly, everyone in your school practically knew this was the boys' table. 7 of them and their one girl friend all sitting together. Everyone just kinda left that table alone for the 8 of you. Maybe it's because the boys were pretty famous, every grade no matter what it was just found them attractive. As for you? Many guys would love to date you but clearly you had your eyes on someone. You were super close with Heeseung and everyone knows that, they already had no chance to ask either one of you out because of how close you two were.

"So today's lunch, whatever alien thing that crawled out of the sewer." Sunoo says as he brought his tray of food. The tray falls right onto the table and it definitely did not look appetising. You look at the food in disgust.

"What the heck is that supposed to be?" You asked. Sunoo sighs. He grabs a spoon and scoops up some of the contents.

"Apparently, it's supposed to be mushroom soup but I don't think it's supposed to be that colour." Sunoo says. Ni-Ki looks at the food, he turns away to gag.

"Please throw that out or eat somewhere else." He says still facing away from the soup.

"Don't worry, I'm feeding it to the trash can later on. Anyone want to visit the snack shop with me or like the vending machine?" Sunoo says. Everyone raises their hands. "Alright how about we split so no one steals our stuff and the table."

"Alright, then who is way more hungrier and can't bare to wait until the others come back?" Jungwon says. Ni-Ki, Sunoo, Jake and Sunghoon raised their hands.

"Alright you four go first. Me, Jay hyung, (name) and Heeseung hyung will stay here." Jay nudges Jungwon and whispers something. "A-Ah, I'm suddenly getting hungry. My stomach is grumbling really badly. Jay hyung you can stay here with the both of them."

"No no, I'm seriously hungry too. I'll go with you." Jay says. They push the others out. You tilt your head confused by the sudden action. Heeseung sighs clearly knowing what they were doing.

"I don't know whether to be concerned or confused." You say.

"Just be confused. Anyways, got any plans for the weekends?"

"Didn't we just plan out an amusement park journey with the others?" You say. Heeseung facepalms.

"Forgot."

"Seems like you have a goldfish brain."

"I'll have you know goldfishes are pretty smart!"

"Okay heeseung." You tease. Heeseung opens his mouth to say something but then a guy walks up to the table. He holds out a pink letter to you, the poor boy was shaking because he was nervous.

"H-Here is my confession l-letter." He shyly says while stuttering. You smiled.

"You are so adorable. It was brave for you to confess but I don't want to lead you on into thinking if I read this letter, it means I like you or something. You seem like a sweet boy, but I think you'd be better off with someone else. We can be best friends though if you'd like?" You explain to the boy. He bites his lips nervously, he knew he just got rejected but he couldn't feel sad about the rejection.

You rejected him in the nicest way possible and even offered to be his friend instead. He nods while blushing.

"S-Sure."

"I'll keep this letter though. Unless of course, you want it back." You teased. He shakes his hands.

"N-No it's fine. It was for you anyways. U-Umm thank you for letting me down gently. No girl I confessed to has done that to me."

"Aww poor you but I do hope you find someone who can accept your feelings." You motion for him to get closer and when he does you whisper to him. "I'm sorry to hurt you but I already have a crush on someone."

"No no it's fine. I think I know who it is." You smiled. "I have to go now."

"Ah, my phone number if you want to chat with me." You wrote it down for him. He thanked you and went with his own way. You turned around to find Heeseung still sitting there probably hearing almost everything. He folded his arms.

"Wow, someone confessed to you and you rejected them. You're cruel."

"Oh shut up, I'm not looking to date anyone right now."

"Really? Haven't you been complaining about being single for 19 years of your life."

"Shut up, Heeseung." you whined. The 6 other boys came back.

"Turns out, the vending machine is completely out of snacks." Jungwon says.

"After you guys emptied the whole damn thing?" You say pointing to the snacks they were all carrying. They awkwardly laugh.

"Yeah but hey we have a lifetime supply of snacks now." Sunoo says.

"Lifetime? You guys will finish this in 2 days." You say.

"Oh come on don't need to be grouchy. Here, we got you your favourite snack from the vending machine." Jay says. He hands you your snack, you opened it and happily chowed down on it.

[Time Skip]

It was finally the weekends, you dressed up in the most simplest outfit you could think of. Light purple t-shirt and jeans, if it was hot, you have your bucket hat to save your head from burning. You met up with the boys at the entrance of the amusement park, Jake waves his hand so you knew where he and the others were.

"So, idiots what are we going to do?" You had questioned them.

"First off, let's take the scary rides-"

Jay cuts off Jake, "Oh hell no. If you start with that, I'm leaving right now. I don't even have my ticket yet."

"Jay, your dad could buy the amusement park if he'd like. You can literally just walk in and say 'oh I'm a son of this specific CEO, let me in' so casually and they will do just that." Sunghoon says.

"They aren't going to let me in if I say that."

"Test it out." Sunghoon says. Jay huffs, he goes to the gate and straight up tells the lady as she asks for the ticket. Her eyes widened before she slides her card and lets him in. Jay turns back to the rest of you with his jaw dropped. You could see him just walk in slowly, trying to process what had just happened. "Told him he could do that."

The 7 of you caught up to Jay who was still baffled that he just did that. He had opened his mouth to say something but closes it back after he didn't know what to say.

"The privilege of having a CEO dad." Sunghoon says patting Jay's shoulder.

"I really should do this more often. I have the power!"

"And here I thought you said you'd rather work hard instead of using the CEO's son title." You say folding your arms. Jay opens his mouth to say something but he couldn't, he knew you were right. He pouts.

"Okay fine, I'll stick to my words. I'll work hard and not use my title...unless it's for something important." Jay says. You rolled your eyes. The 8 of you went over to the boat ride.

"Any of you seasick?" You asked. All of them shook their head.

"Seems like we need to split up, 4 people can only ride one boat."

"I just realised. Is this going to make us wet? I'm pretty sure it ain't a normal boat ride." Ni-ki says.

"You only live once." You say as you dragged heeseung into the chair so he'd sit next to you.

"Alright, who wants to sit in front of the couple?" Jake says. You were about to protest.

"We can go first. Younger ones first." Sunoo sticks out his tongue before dragging Ni-ki into the seat in front. Ni-ki could already feel that the seat was wet, he sighs.

"I was so right. We are going to get wet. Should have worn those water resistant pants." Ni-ki says.

"Oh come on Ni-ki don't be bummed out. We can get food later on. My treat." You say. The younger boy's eyes sparkled.

The boat starts moving. It was a slow ride at first until it decides to go up.

"HUH WAIT THIS ISNT WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN." You panicked. Heeseung holds your hands to comfort you.

"I'm here don't worry." While that comforted you because you liked him but you still felt terrified. Once it reaches the point at the top, it rushes down. You hugged heeseung tightly as you feel the water splashing across your face. Sunoo yells, Ni-ki closes his eyes and heeseung held you tight.

The ride gets to a normal slow pace like what you hoped for but no that boat went on another slope. The four of you got off the boat to wait for the others. You were still holding onto Heeseung's hand like it was a casual thing.

"Hey, let's go grab cotton candy over there." He says trying to distract you. You turned to the sweet cotton candy and smiled.

"Let's go." You left sunoo and Ni-ki to wait for the others and yes you two sneaked away. Heeseung pays for the cotton candy and you happily peeled off a piece.

"You got cotton candy on your lips." Heeseung says. You tried to wipe it. "Here let me help." You felt his lips on yours, a small sweet peck. Your eyes widened. Once he pulls back, he smiles.

"What the heck was that for heeseung." You say flustered as fuck. He chuckles.

"I've always wanted to do that. Guess my confidence just sparked there, huh." He shyly says. You were just baffled.

"So you like me, huh?" You say. He simply smiles.

"Well I wouldn't just kiss a random girl who had cotton candy on her lips." Heeseung says.

"Alright but still, you can't just kiss me out of nowhere. It makes my heart beat quickly." You say. Heeseung chuckles even more.

"(name), I like you. It did get me a little jealous when someone confessed to you like a few days back but I know there was no way you'd like someone else."

"Well, how did you find out?" You fold your arms. Heeseung points to Jay. You gasp.

"THAT CEO'S SON, I'M GOING TO MURDER THAT BI-" Heeseung holds you back.

"Calm down. You can kill him later by making him ride a rollercoaster. For now, would you say yes to being my girlfriend?"

"Do you think I'm crazy for not saying yes? Obviously, I'll say yes heeseung." You hugged him. He smiles.

"Oh, that's where you two went." Jay smirks. As soon as you heard his voice, you glared at the boy. His smirk slowly disappears.

"PARK JONGSEONG, I'M GOING TO MURDER YOU." His eyes widened. He prepares himself to run. You had let go of the hug from Heeseung and started chasing after Jay.

Poor boy was screaming out loud as you chased him.

taglist[perm]: @ja4hyvn @ahnneyong @milklix @kar0ki @sugarsunoo @http-gyu @simpforniki @vatterie @victoriazynui @myu3ki @jhopesucker @dimplewonie @chwlogy @ilovewonyo @xiaoderrrr @uwuheeseungie @miercerise @liikno @hxney-luga @tiktaktiki @ajayke-reads @yizhoutv @s00buwu @ilovehanni1 @starrpt2 @mystarryseas @moonliaworld @in-somnias-world @luvyev @engeneeee-168 @babyy-bambii @kimipxl @namau @gxwesn @kristynaaah @jiiyen @nshmrarki @addictedtohobi @starvyeol1512 @alexisdalmatian

[aurumalatus]

𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 [𝟒]

pairing. kinich x fem!reader

word count. 3.4k

genre/warnings. childhood friends to lovers, slow burn, fluff and angst, drabble collection, cursing, mentions of abuse/alcoholism, mentions of broken bones

summary.

in which kinich learns the value of all things: lives, friendship, and, of course, you. or, in which kinich realizes that you are the only priceless thing in this world.

author's note. i've been SO busy this week, but i hope this chapter still meets everyone's expectations ;-;. unedited for now, but please enjoy and pls pls lmk what you think! reblogs/interaction highly appreciated!

↢ 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 | 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 | 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 ↣

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚'𝗦 𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘

Kinich breaks his arm when he’s eleven.

It had, admittedly, been stupid of him. He’s always been partial to extreme sports, as many members of his tribe are, but he’d gone a bit too far that day with his grappling, and it all came crashing down in an unceremonious heap. He more than anyone knows how unforgiving the ground can be, so it’d been a foolish endeavor in the first place.

Dizzy, he tries to push himself to his knees before crying out in pain—it’s his right arm. He can’t put any pressure on it all, at least unless he gets used to the shooting pain that overwhelms his senses. He leans on it again, testingly, before wincing.

No, there’s no getting used to a pain like that.

Surveying the land nearby, he notes the sharp, menacing rocks that dot the riverbed—he’d been lucky to land where he did. He decides he won’t fill you in on that detail. After all, you’ll be mad enough as it is.

As far as he knows, you’re still at home at this time, but you’ll be out delivering medicines later as a courier—the village apothecary trusts you with the work, and there are few others willing to do it. Plus, you learn a few things along the way. Kinich notices that you’re becoming quite skilled in certain remedies.

In general, the work the two of you participate in is rarely safe—safe work doesn’t make Mora, and it’s hard to feed two mouths without coin. Kinich himself usually takes jobs that see more combat, involving Saurians or any other odd tasks. So it’s not uncommon that he comes home with injuries, but it’s never been this bad. Something like this spells out a lack of work for at least several weeks, maybe more.

He sighs, briefly considering whether or not he should hide it.

But you seem to have a sixth sense for these things, and he’s truly lousy at lying when it comes to you, so he decides against it. Instead, he rises to his feet, groaning at the feeling of his pants sticking to his skin, still soaked.

The journey home feels three times as long.

He hadn’t risked grappling again with one arm, so he had walked, the hot sun beating down on his skin. When he thinks about it, he can’t really remember how he had put up with having to walk everywhere—grappling truly saves him so much time out of his day. The small building at the foot of the mountain enters his sight after what feels like an eternity, an even smaller form standing just outside of it.

“Kinich!”

As he grows closer, a certain affection seeps into his chest at the sight of your grin, toothy and bright. You’re carrying a wicker basket on your hip, filled to the brim with fruits and vegetables—dinner for tonight, most likely. 

He never quite gets used to your excitement whenever he returns to the small house you share. It’s as if every day is your first day seeing him, or like he’s just returned home from a year-long journey. At most, he’d been gone a few hours.

“Hey,” he says, smiling faintly. For a moment, he almost forgets he has something to tell you, simply satisfied with your presence. It’s only when you scamper to his side that he becomes hyper-aware of his arm.

“Wait!” he hisses, just as you reach for him. You stop in your tracks, lips barely parted in an ‘o’ shape. He takes a cursory step away from you, blood freezing in his veins when your face drops at the distance.

“I broke my arm,” he quickly admits. Your brows knit together as you give him a once-over.

“What?!” you half-yell, nearly dropping the goods in your hands—Kinich has to catch the basket with his good hand, wincing at the volume.

“I was grappling, and I messed up, and I…I landed in the river.”

The whole thing sounds ridiculous as soon as it leaves his lips. You seem to think so too, based on the way you blankly look between him and his arm. You’re thinking, hard.

“And you’re sure it’s broken?” He nods, sighing. “I’m sure.”

Truly, he’s never experienced pain like that in his life—at least not the physical kind. His father’s beatings usually ended in bruises, but he was always able to escape out the door before they got to this point. But the way his arm hangs uselessly at his side is certainly unfamiliar.

Fingers pressed thoughtfully to your chin, you look toward the house.

“Well, I have the materials to make a splint, but that means you won’t be able to use that arm for a while.”

Kinich frowns. A while could be a long time, and time he isn’t working is time that Mora isn’t being made. The two of you could survive decently on your farming and hunting alone, but it would be hard labor for you. He’s unsure how much help he can be with only one usable arm.

“But—”

“—and I already know,” you interrupt smoothly, “that you’re not going to argue about that. Because that would make me really annoyed, right? Because your arm is clearly broken, right?”

Kinich presses his lips together tightly. It’s probably not the best idea to fight you on this. So he merely sighs, walking toward the front door.

“Fine.”

“Good!” you cheer, hoisting the basket to your side again, following closely in his wake. “Then I’ll make dinner for us, and you try not to make trouble for me!”

He rolls his eyes; he never makes trouble for you the way you do for him.

/

If there’s one thing that truly bothers Kinich, it’s being unproductive.

He’s not unreasonable about it, per say; after all, breaks can be productive too if they improve your work. But it’s to the point that there’s rarely moments where he truly isn’t doing anything. He’d grown up that way, always on the move, always doing something for the sake of survival.

That apparently includes moments when his arm is broken, set firmly at his side in a splint.

You’re preparing vegetables for dinner when Kinich plops into the chair at your side, quietly asking what he can help with.

You send him an incredulous look, still cautious about your fingers under the shadow of the knife.

“Your arm is broken, Kin.”

And you’re right, but the notion irritates him a bit—the idea of doing absolutely nothing while you prepare all the food. He folds his arms on the table, resting his chin atop with a scowl. His golden eyes passively watch each cut of the potato, the neat chunks gathering on one side of the cutting board.

“So? I can still help.”

A heated exchange occurs—you stare at him questioningly, and he stares right back, determined. Within the past few years, the two of you have reached the point of nonverbal communication. Sometimes, he truly feels like you can read his mind.

“Fine,” you relent, gently placing your knife down. You slide the basket of vegetables to him, gesturing towards it with your chin. “Pick out the good ones and give them to me.”

Kinich looks unamused, unsatisfied with the difficulty of his task, and his mouth opens like he’s about to say more when you shake your head.

“Please?”

And he really can’t take that look you give him, when your eyes widen and your lip juts out, so he merely sighs, pulling the basket closer to himself.

“Alright, alright.”

The room grows comfortably quiet, save for the even thuds of your knife against the cutting board. Kinich listens to your sonorous hum as you smile and sway to the sound of your own music. He takes his job seriously, too—he squeezes at each potato, feeling for the right ripeness.

“Is that a good one?” you ask, nodding toward the vegetable in his hand.

He frowns. “It’s okay.”

Kinich tends to be a bit strict about his vegetables—he gets it from his mother. Rarely is he ever truly satisfied with a harvest. Based on your impatient stare, you’re probably realizing this isn’t the best job for him after all.

“It’s probably good enough,” you say. Kinich looks at the potato thoughtfully for a moment before setting it down before you.

He still has trouble accepting the idea of being good enough.

You engage in a bit of small chatter, discussing your plans for the next few days and funny things that have occurred recently. Kinich enjoys these moments the most, the feeling of belonging, of caring—the way your eyes sparkle genuinely as he recounts his day, or the way you giggle hearing about the gossip overhead in the village.

“I’m gonna head to the market tomorrow, so let me know if you need anything.”

Your lip curls in disapproval, gaze drifting to his arm.

“I can go this time,” you say, concern written over your face. Then, you add teasingly, “since I know you hate having to get along with all those people in town.”

Kinich glares at you, sour.

“I know how to get along with people.”

You smile, and Kinich remembers when you told him that you like when he acts a bit childish, a bit more like you. It reminds you that you are the same age after all. It’s a bit difficult to realize in your daily life, when he’s always nagging and protecting and working. 

“Is that why all the others run away at the sight of you? Ever since we went to school, they’ve been avoiding you.”

And Kinich can admit that he isn’t the easiest person to get along with, but the kids at the village school aren’t the kind of people he wants to get along with anyway—the one day he spent in class made that much clear. They don’t understand the realities of living the way he does, the way you do. 

Really, he considers it a success that they seem to steer clear of him now.

“What about you?” he counters. “You’re not exactly a social butterfly, living out here in the woods. The most social interaction you get is in the market, just like me.”

It’s your turn to be offended, a pout crossing your lips.

“I’ll have you know they like me in the market.”

Kinich quirks a brow, handing you another potato.

“They like you because you take whatever price they offer,” he replies flatly. “I really need to teach you to barter.”

Everyone knows how notorious Kinich is in the market—he’s a menace with Mora in hand, even at your age. It’s one of the reasons that he’s so insistent that he be the one to do your shopping, besides the fact that he doesn’t like you traveling alone.

“I can barter,” you defend, pouting. “I just feel bad. What if they need that extra Mora?”

“You know we also need that Mora, right?”

Kinich flicks at your forehead with his good hand, faintly smirking when you sulk in response. Brushing off your hands, you lift the cutting board toward the pot on the stove. He lets his gaze follow you, curious.

“Enough about me,” you declare, glaring playfully. “If you want to eat, help me start cooking these.”

When Kinich eats that night, a simple meal of curry and rice, he thinks it might just be the most delicious food he’s ever had.

/

A few weeks later, Kinich finds himself lying side by side with you in your bed, staring at the ceiling.

You’d been telling him about something amusing you saw on one of your deliveries, and he makes a point to listen to all your stories, no matter how small they are. The moon is peeking over the horizon by the time that you finish, and Kinich glances over at his own bed across the room.

He’s not really sleepy yet, he reasons. You don’t seem to be either, based on the way you stare at his side profile.

“Your hair is getting long,” you murmur, taking a lock between your index and thumb. It’s a bit rough to touch—Kinich doesn’t tend to be gentle when he washes up. Neither of you really are, not when the river water is as chilly as it is.

He sighs, blowing his bangs out of his face. It’s a perpetual messiness that you think suits him, in a way.

“I know, it got in my eyes when I was grappling and I couldn’t see. That’s how I fell.” He glances at you, deadpan. “Should I just shave it off?”

The idea leaves you giggling—the image of it is certainly vivid. 

“I don’t think you should go that far, but I do think we have to do something. Otherwise, you might snap all your bones at this rate.”

He huffs, immediately defensive. “I would not—”

“I’m joking,” you soothe, chuckling. You card your fingers through his hair absentmindedly, humming—Kinich has to keep himself from melting into your touch. The room grows a tad warmer by the time your voice echoes again, barely a squeak from your throat.

“Can I try something?”

Kinich snorts. “You’ll have to be more specific, because last time you said that, it didn’t end well.”

Sitting up, you scoff. “I mean with your hair. Just to see if we can get a bit of it out of your face.”

You pat at the space in front of you, urging him up—he moves begrudgingly, already comfortable in his spot. Clambering to your knees, you peek at him over the top of his head. 

“Which part gives you trouble? This long part?”

Kinich hums thoughtfully, thumbing at some of the strands framing his face.

“Yeah, I guess. Some of the longer strands behind my bangs get annoying because they won’t stay.”

You nod. “Okay, let me try this then. Just sit still.”

Kinich follows along, hands neatly gathered in his lap. It’s a bit puppy-like, and you smile at the notion.

You don’t speak as you plait his hair, gently easing each strand between your fingers. It’s a certain kind of calm that tends toward the unfamiliar. Kinich feels a bit conflicted over the heat that spreads through the rest of his form at the contact.

He’s still trying to get used to a lot of things about you, despite how long he’s spent at your side—even now, the gentleness and kindness with which you treat him leaves him speechless sometimes.

“Your hair is pretty,” you state softly, looping a tie over the end of the braid. “So unique.”

He thinks that you’re the first person to have told him as much. There had been times when he caught his mother staring at the blond streaks of his hair, frowning—they likely reminded her too much of his father. A part of him is glad that he at least inherited the majority of his genes from her. 

“Thanks,” is all he breathes, staring down at his hands.

Your fingers brush over his ear, and a blush crawls over his cheeks.

“You’re welcome,” you yawn, stretching, “I’ll try to figure out something else to keep your bangs out of your eyes.”

That night, listening to your soft snores, Kinich watches the moon just outside the window. 

His hair doesn’t bother him anymore, he realizes.

/

A resounding crash rouses you from sleep.

When your eyelids split open, body pulsing with shock, the sun hits you first. Harsh rays slip through the curtains, pools of gold falling between your bedsheets. You’re quick to throw the blankets off, sitting up quickly. 

In the opposite corner of the room, Kinich’s bed lies empty, cooling with the morning dew. But he shouldn’t be gone, at least not yet—with his arm out of commission, he’s been taking time off work.

Your heart drops.

In a panic, you cover the space from your bed to the door in a mere two steps, and then you’re throwing it open, chest heaving.

The sight that greets you leaves you frozen where you stand.

Kinich stands in the kitchen, equally as flabbergasted as you are, surrounded by a shower of crystalline shards. His good hand is still raised, evidence of his own shock.

“Sorry,” he utters, hasty. He looks more disturbed by the situation than you do. 

You take a cursory step toward him. “W—what happened?”

He looks at the floor, then back at you.

“I was trying to wash the dishes,” he explains, sheepish. You peer over at the sink, bursting with soapy water. It would’ve been hard to do with one arm.

He’s still standing among the slivers of ceramic, sharp edges too close for comfort. You suck in a breath.

“Just…don’t move, okay?”

You snatch the broom from the closet—when you glance over your shoulder, Kinich is standing obediently still, a statue in your kitchen. Carefully, you sweep the shards away from his feet, before neatly depositing them in the trash.

Kinich lets out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. He’d wanted to wake up early and clean up a bit so you could relax, but even that had ended in disaster. 

He glares down at his arm.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

It takes a bit of arguing to get him to take a seat away from the sink—Kinich finds something ugly curling around his heart at the idea. He’s heard enough arguing in this kitchen, and the memories aren’t friendly. So he takes a seat at the table despite his hesitation, unwilling to meet your stare as you check the floor for stray fragments.

You don’t seem to be angry about the broken dish—in fact, you seem to be angrier that he woke up early to do any of this at all. He doesn’t really get it. Though he’s becoming familiar with your habits, he finds that he sometimes falls short in terms of truly understanding you.

The cupboard falls shut—Kinich flinches at the sound, and then you’re padding over to him with a cup of water.

“Drink.”

The order barely leaves your tongue by the time you’re back at the sink, starting to clean at the rest of the dishes. You’d been upset moments ago, but you’re already back to being concerned about his hydration.

He stares at the drink, too long. If you notice his unrest, you don’t comment on it. 

A few minutes pass that way.

“Sorry that I broke my arm,” he finally mumbles, tracing the rim of his cup. A drop of condensation glides down the side, slow. He watches it pool on the table, seeping into the wood. 

“Why are you sorry?” you wonder aloud, scrubbing at a plate. “Did you hit the ground on purpose?”

He eyes your back. You’re so happy in everything you do, Kinich notes. Even something as simple as washing dishes, you do with your best effort—it’s admirable. You glance back at him when he doesn’t answer, and your gazes meet momentarily. He’s first to break the contact. 

“You’ve had to work way harder for weeks,” he replies, regret pouring from his words. “Because I fell from that stupid tree.”

A seed of fear plants itself in his heart. Despite your cheery disposition, he’s always wondered what you truly think of him. Typically, he’s satisfied with just being useful to you, being able to provide for the home that you share. But when he’s like this, he wonders if that standard will change.

Like this, he’s just a burden to you.

To his surprise, you merely shrug. “I had to work way harder than this when I was alone. And now, I get to work hard with someone by my side. I think that’s a better deal, isn’t it?”

Your words permeate the air, and Kinich sucks them in greedily—they fill his lungs, slow. He wonders if this house has ever seen such warmth before. Then, he wonders if you know the way your comment fills his heart, pulsing.

You crane your neck to look at him, another smile gracing your lips. Light pulls through the gauzy curtains over the kitchen window, a halo.

“Don’t you think that kind of relationship is priceless?”

At that moment, the blazing sun rises in Kinich’s chest.

[donvampiro]

Hi hope it’s not to late to request would it be ok if I request Luffy , Nami and Sanji with a reporter darling who tends to get in trouble a lot with the marines please 🙏 (if possible can the reader be female if not gn is fine ^^) hope your doing ok and drinking plenty of water ! ❤️

hey @ladydoe8 ! hope you're doing good :D don't worry, it's not too late! that's a cute and fun idea hehehe >:) thanks for your request. hope you'll like these hcs; stay hydrated as well! Love <3

MASTERLIST - Welcome

***

'Newsflash'

Luffy, Nami & Sanji x (reporter) gn!reader

Monkey D. Luffy

Luffy considers your job great because the pictures you take (more than the information you add to them) seem like souvenirs to him. (he also hopes that you’ll take a picture of him and his crew when he becomes King of pirates). he’s not really into reading the papers but might start buying them just to see your articles, or even cut out the pictures you take if he or his crew are in them.

that being said, no matter what your job is, Luffy is quite protective of you. he’s more discreet than his crewmates about it though, in that he prefers to focus on the main fight to keep everyone safe, like any good captain would do. but he’ll always be there for you.

even if you’re the type to get into trouble, he won’t blame you. he’ll always arrive just in time to help you — because whatever happens, even hidden behind his nonchalance and innocent smile, Luffy always keeps an eye on you. and he sets very few (if any) limits when it comes to your safety.

he’ll never shame you for your clumsiness or whatever. the most important thing for him is that you’re safe, that you’re alive. he’ll probably never tell you about this, but Luffy never wants to lose people he cares about again. and for that, he’s willing to save you from any situation that exists.

‘Sorry, Luffy, i messed up again…’

— ‘Naahh, don’t worry, (y/n)! it’s always fun to beat up some bad guys!’

Nami

Nami LOVES that you’re a reporter and, depending on what newspaper you work for, wouldn’t mind you doing an article or two about her… ;) apart from that, she thinks it’s an impressive job and probably very enriching. she reads the newspaper you work for, but simply keeps the issues that she thinks highlight your work.

she brags a lot about what you accomplish at work, while often (deliberately) forgetting to mention the fact that, to get all this information… well, you don’t hesitate to put yourself in danger quite a lot.

Nami isn’t the type to stop you from going out into the field; still she couldn’t help but feel a kind of tension whenever she sees you leaving the team to go take photos or gather information, because she always has this (right) intuition that you’re going to get into trouble.

if you have a problem, she will always come to your rescue. no one has the right to hurt you >:( however, once you guys are back on the ship and safe, she would come and talk to you privately to remind you to stop putting yourself in such dangerous situations. Nami doesn’t mince her words and what she would say could sometimes come across as harsh reprimands, but she’s just worried about you.

‘it was stupid of you to go there! be more careful next time…’

Vinsmoke Sanji

he finds your job admirable and necessary — but above all because it’s you who does it. the most important thing for him is that you’re blooming in your job. Sanji religiously buys and reads the newspaper you work for, he might even cut out your articles and put them in a small album. he doesn’t hesitate to compliment you on your writing and would give you ideas when you’re lacking inspiration.

Sanji looks up to your work for the risk-taking and creativity it entails. these are concepts that resonate with him, to a lesser extent. however, he still feels a bit nervous from time to time because he knows that your job sometimes involves putting yourself in perilous situations — which is something that often happens to you quite… naturally.

far from being the type to scold you or whatever, Sanji would never miss an opportunity to save you like a knight flying to the aid of his partner in distress. he would do it in a somewhat dramatic manner so as not to worry you as well as to hide his own anguish (in the heat of the moment at least).

he’ll never blame or shame you. however, once you’re both together, in private, in a safe and quiet place, Sanji will share his concerns with you. please listen to him, he really needs to get things off his chest. but no matter what, be assured he’ll always protect you.

‘hey, (y/n)... about earlier…’

[mm-lurking]

Emperor Blade AU brainrot

I'm struggling to finish my Blade wips so have this for today. Inspired by my interest in historical Chinese dramas (forgive me for my limited knowledge), Im writing this at 12am please don't mind me with the grammar mistakes etc thank you WC: 1000 ish Warnings: blade x fem! reader, NOT proofread! --- Emperor Blade who picks you during the wife selection stage. You, a middle-class woman with a clan that is neither too powerful nor weak, just ok. You, who compared to the many beauties with influence and high political power, are just average. But that doesn't matter to him as he calmly picks you from the list of candidates, dumbfounding his advisors and court members. Emperor Blade who only picked a wife because of the pressure his court was putting on him. In his thundering dominant reign of purging corruption and enemies, he had never considered being married even once. Marriage to him was an inconvenience and an unnecessary contract to sign.

Emperor Blade who keeps you at an arm's length, treating you just right so it's not controversial yet keeping you so distant that your only companion is your right handmaid. He doesn't speak much to you, and your conversations are short and out of formality. You barely see much of him as he spends most of his day running the nation and the times he is free he rarely visits you.

Emperor Blade who frankly doesn't care what you do or say, as long as you let him be and don't cause trouble. You're merely a pawn in his eyes, a pawn to get everyone to shut up and let him reign however he wants without interfering, that is -until you're pulled into the games of politics.

Emperor Blade whose eyes are raging with a fire his court members have never seen when a faction decides to take advantage of the awkwardness of your marriage and hurt you. He has never liked innocent people being involved in the deception and web of lies of politics. The anger in his voice followed by the withdrawal of his sword makes everyone present cower with fear as they rush to cease his anger so they can save their own heads.

Emperor Blade who works tirelessly at night to figure out who had dared to poison you so shamelessly without any consequences, his jawline clenched and knuckles white as he looks through all his reports to find the mole within the palace walls. Despite saying he doesn't have time for you before, he finds a way to visit you when you're unconscious in your bed, holding your hand as he looks over your peaceful face. Your touch is comforting yet foreign and despite his initial reservations, he finds himself wanting more.

Emperor Blade who rushes over to your chambers when he's informed that you're awake so he can see you for himself and breathe a sigh of relief. There is a twinkle in his eyes that you have never seen before but in your weak state, you shrug it off as your imagination. He swears to find the ones who have hurt you and promises to keep you safe. The tiny smile he shows you has you flabbergasted for the rest of the day.

Emperor Blade who does not hesitate to execute the perpetrators publicly as a warning for everyone to see, to fear the consequences of what would happen if anyone even thought about hurting his wife, his empress. He makes sure you're not watching so he doesn't subject you to the brutality of his role as the emperor. To him, he does not find the need to scare you with his powers. He does not want you to fear him.

Emperor Blade who is slowly but surely falling in love with you. You find yourself welcoming him into your chambers more and more as he drinks tea and chit chats about his interests with you, something you were confused by at first but now have become accustomed to. He loves how you eagerly listen to him and offer your opinions if asked while making sure he's comfortable in your space.

Emperor Blade, who swore to never fall in love, has his heart beating faster and faster whenever he sees you, his breath hitching in his throat when you pass by him in the halls wearing your beautiful gowns. Your scent is intoxicating and he finds himself addicted to you, unable to get enough of you.

Emperor Blade who asks you to accompany him to the pavilion to admire the moon one day. He asks you to wear your favourite gown and says nothing more, leaving you confused but curious. You comply as you meet him in front of your palace, shyly smiling as he admires you.

Emperor Blade who takes your hand into his own, causing you to gasp as the public display of affection. His grip is firm and unwavering, a sign that he doesn't plan to let go. He dismisses his guards and your maids, leaving only you two alone as you both walk to the pavilion and stare at the night sky. The moon is bright and beautiful today with stars that twinkle in the sky like jewels.

Emperor Blade who pulls you into his arms, lifting ur chin with one hand as he looks into your eyes. "You're beautiful", he murmurs causing you to blush. The faint redness of your cheek makes him chuckle as he draws closer. Your noses are touching and your hearts thumping.

Emperor Blade who before only viewed you as a pawn, an inconvenience and a waste of time, now looks at you endlessly as he flicks his gaze back and forth between your lips and your eyes, asking for silent permission as his grip on your waist tightens and the gap between you two closes.

Emperor Blade who asked you to keep your distance from him now closes the distance between you both with a kiss, a kiss that washes away every painful thing he had said to you before. The winds of the night embrace the both of you at this moment as if it were a sign of acceptance from nature itself, a thumbs up almost.

Emperor Blade, a man of fear, blood and formidable reign had now become a man of affection, love and security. A man who swore to never love and never be married is now a man who is deeply in love with you. As the night continues and the moon illuminates your figures, he promises to cherish you and be your man for the rest of your life. A man whose tenderness, warmth and devotion are reserved for you and only you to see. ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ ©mm-lurking 2024 do not copy, steal or reuse my work.

[astroyongie]

🍃🪐 What Chiron Says About You 🪐🍃

-> Hey guys <3 a little astro post today! I haven't added the houses because I admit I felt a little lazy, hopefully you can forgive me <3 Please enjoy! this is my personal opinion too :))

⚷ Aries: If you have this placement (well we are together in this), our wounds are often rooted in our self identity as most of our life we had a feeling like we have to prove ourselves we exist or are "good enough." maybe some of us had early experiences that made us doubt our ability to be brave or take initiative (eg, however has this in a 9th house It can translate as trying to succeed in studies, 10th house in career, ect) . This often has ended up in inner anger, and some of us may have struggled (and still struggle) with it. it's okay to stand up for ourselves. However we also have gifts provided by Chiron. we have the capacity to teach others how to believe in themselves, take initiative, and be courageous.

⚷ Taurus: People with this placement often have to deal with wounds related with feeling insecure about self-worth and feeling like they aren't enough (eg. 1st house, 12th house), material security (eg. 2nd house, 10th house), body image which can often come from heavy wounds related to self image (eg. 1st house, 5th house, 6th house) or safety (eg. 4th house, 8th house). Despite all of that, they are the ones who are always helping others finding stability in their life and relationships. They have the right words to help others value themselves, and create abundance rooted in peace, work or any other area depending on the other person.

⚷ Gemini: Their wound is so deep, and often it comes from the constant feeling of being misunderstood by everyone around them which also is linked with the feeling of being unheard and silenced, or not smart enough. Depending on the house, this can translate a lot with carrying secrets in the family, suffering things and never telling anyone, or often being seeing as a liar or as someone who isn't honest. As their grow, people with Chiron in Gemini become a master communicator for others and they are often in careers related with teaching, writing, speaking and connecting with people across the world in general.

⚷ Cancer: I have noticed that often, people with a cancer in their Chiron have deep emotional wounds from their family, from childhood or like being abandon or have abandonment issues, or not feeling nurtured enough. This can often be empathized for people with that placement in their 4th, 5th and 8th houses. Having it in a 10th house for example could be translated as the family putting a lot of pressure in the studies or choosing their children path for them. Because of that, they are often people who have the capacity of healing emotional bodies, they are amazing therapists and doctors. they are capable of creating safe spaces, nurturing others, and teaching emotional security.

⚷ Leo: They bear wounds that often people don't understand simply because they are linked with the fear of not being seen, loved, or recognized for their true self. And yet they suffer a lot due to people not being genuine, because they seek love in places that bring only wounds and hurt. they are known to be lust over and not loved which is deep to deal with. their healing gift however, is the fact that the are able to inspire others to shine, perform, create, and love themselves fiercely which they after try to project on others since they have a hard time to grasp it themselves.

⚷ Virgo: Virgo's are often known to be strong facades and yet, Chiron virgo has deep wounds, and when they feel broken it's such with a depth because it involves feelings of being and feeling imperfect, never "good enough" no matter how hard they try and obsessing over their flaws. Depending on people and the house placements it can be translated in their appearance, in their job, in their selves as partners, parents, children, ect. Yet they are capable of teaching others self-acceptance through Chiron's energy. to others they also teach practical healing (they are good doctors), mind body connection, and sacred services for others and ourselves.

⚷ Libra: It's not an easy placement because most of people with a Libra Chiron will always have to bear wounds related to pain around relationships either they are romantic, family or social/friendships, but also they struggle with fairness and balance, often feeling betrayed, unseen, or unchosen by others. Chiron provides them with the healing gift of being able to guide others into healthy relationships, teaching fairness, diplomacy, and true connection. They make good lawyers, teachers and mediators.

⚷ Scorpio: They have such a deep fear of betrayal and depending on other placements some of these people can have never experienced betrayal in their childhood back ground and yet it's an unconscious hint to it. They also have wounds and fears around feelings of abandonment, they have deep emotional trauma often related with loss, issues around trust and radical changes. some people with a 4th or 8th house placement can experience harsh divorces of their parents or the loss of a parent when young. Despite that, they are able to become a powerful emotional healer for others, guiding people through shadow work, rebirth, and deep intimacy.

⚷ Sagittarius: They struggle with life in a general basis to be honest, but I also have notices that their wounds is often linked with a feeling of being disconnected from truth or betrayed by belief systems (many of these have issues with religion, spirituality or traditional settings in their family and culture). Because of that many of them develop wounds and pains by being stuck in a cultural or a philosophical confusion because of their roots. They have the healing gift of leading others to find their own personal truth, expanding horizons through adventure, faith, and exploration which is basically the core energy of Sagittarius.

⚷ Capricorn: Many people who have a Capricorn in their Chiron are really fighters in my eyes. they often have to deal with wounds of feeling unsupported by the people they love the most while also being burdened by responsibilities (eg. in the 4th house some of you had to grow up too quickly or become the parents. in the 7th house, you often are the caregiver of your partner). Because of that they often feel unworthy of success, or afraid of authority. Yet they have the power of teaching others how to build real success based on their talents, how to be patient, disciplined, and create structures that support dreams and ambitions

⚷ Aquarius: One thing I have noticed is that most people with this placement often struggle with the feeling of being like an outsider in their own home, their own country or their own selves which often can be troublesome or connected with some deep emotional trauma. Aquarius Chrison does not fitting in, in the traditional expectations, and they are usually rejected for being different or visionary. Many of them might have been bullied or kicked out of their homes or example. Their healing gift is the capacity of showing others how to embrace their uniqueness. many of these people create communities to find their own, and dream up of better futures.

⚷ Pisces: Finally we reached the Chiron pisces and of course their wounds are often so carved in their psych that it's hard to heal them. they often had to deal with feelings of being abandoned by the universe like they weren't supposed to be here to being with. they are feeling disconnected from the source and overwhelmed by collective suffering. Their empathy often make them create wounds that aren't even theirs and are transgenerational. Yet their capacity of becoming a bridge to unconditional love is just the most precious thing ever. they are good spiritual healers, they are artistic, and have transcendent compassion.

[creekfiend]

I wanted to make a bonsai kitten recovery post that outlines some of the stuff that I've been doing. Because I don't think that you need to ✨see a therapist✨ to start dealing with a lot of this stuff and I get really frustrated when that is the answer that everyone is constantly giving. Firstly a disclaimer, because I know what website I am on: this is a guide for things that have worked for me! I am not everyone and if there are things on here that do not work for you or even that you think are stupid, that is fine, but please do not make it my problem. If you are reading it and you're like "that sounds like it would actually be detrimental to my specific mental health because of my specific issues" then please disregard it. Use your critical thinking skills and do what you think is right for you!

My second disclaimer is that I didn't make any of this up myself; most of these are collected from various places either in therapeutic guide books or various websites about emotional regulation etc. Some of it is stuff that I have extrapolated from those places based on experience with what works for me or does not work for me. A lot of the way that I treat myself when I need to get my body and brain into a place where I can think about stuff productively is actually directly from gentle parenting guides, because frankly cptsd recovery stuff is very often like parenting a toddler. And the toddler is you. ALL THAT SAID,

The first skill that I had to get good at, that many of the other skills depend on, is to learn how to understand when I am Reacting to something. If I am Reacting it is extremely likely that that's going to only escalate the situation and make it much worse. I HAVE to be able to tell if I am Reacting emotionally to something in a way that is coming from a place of fear and panic. This is important because it involves not being prescriptive about your emotions. You could be Reacting to something that you do not logically feel is at all justified in making you feel that way and that doesn't matter! You can't be doing math equations to try to come to the answer of how you SHOULD be feeling; you have to be observing your mind and body to see how you factually ARE feeling and then respond to THAT. This can be really hard to learn how to do especially if you were abused as a child. (If you cannot think of yourself as someone who is abused as a child perhaps it would help to think of yourself as someone who simply was not taught various emotional regulation skills for mysterious reasons that have nothing to do with your parents' inadequacies.) I need to be able to glance inward and see what the physiological reaction that I'm having is and identify whether or not I feel like this is the biggest emergency in the world that needs to be addressed right now immediately! That is a sure sign that Mr Fight and Mr Flight are in the building and it is bad to make declarative statements or important decisions when that is the case. So, I have to work on dismissing them first. That is literally the first step to any of this. One of my friends calls this "fire mittens," which is to say, if you are wearing mittens that are on fire and you try to touch stuff, the stuff will also become on fire. You have to put the fire out first before you can touch other things.

Once I have determined that I am indeed Reacting and in a physiological state of fear, I have a document in my notes app that is a "what to do when you are in fight or flight mode" guide and it has several helpful things that I will try to outline here.

Firstly, the really important thing for me for trying to get back into an emotional state where I'm capable of making decisions and being thoughtful is to feel safe and comfortable. So I actually have some stuff in my document that is straight up just like "go in the blankie nest. put on this specific music album. light this specific scented candle." etc. You might want to have a specific food or drink that is comforting to you or some other sort of stim toy that helps you regulate. If there's any calming medication or supplements for anxiety that you take as needed, now is also the time to do that. Physical sensory grounding is really important for this. This is probably especially true if, like me, you are neurodivergent, but I think it is also true for everyone because we are animals! And you can't just think about it, you have to actually do it. Which sounds obvious but is the thing that has often tripped me up in the past. Once you start getting into the habit of actually physically doing this it DOES become easier though.

One of my rules is that if I want to respond to something but I am in fight or flight mode, I don't get to respond to it for at least 24 hours. I'm only allowed to respond once I've gotten myself out of fear mode. If it is some kind of comment on Facebook that has set me off, often this means that 24 hours later I realize that I actually don't want to get into it to begin with, which is great. If it's something that is pretty serious and interpersonal with a friend, sometimes that means I have to communicate to them that I'm going to take a while to process it and then get back to them. IMPORTANT: You CANNOT do this passive aggressively or else it undermines the whole thing. You can't phrase it in a way that will make your friends think that you are guilt tripping them for "making" you feel a way. It is VERY tempting to do this when you are in the first stages of trying to form this habit and you simply need to resist the urge because it will render this step worthless. I know. It sucks.

If I am feeling fearful and insecure about friends or loved ones, I also usually try to spend some time thinking about the people that I love and care about. Because often this stuff manifest for me as insecurity that the people that I care about do not care about me, or that they think that I'm being annoying, or that they are secretly thinking mean things about me. It's obviously not good for me to constantly be imagining that the people in my life who I care about are actually avatars of my own insecurity who are here to tell me that I'm secretly fundamentally unlovable! But crucially also it's ALSO not fair to those people to imagine them as that. They are not that guy, they are their own complex human beings with their own lives and experiences and interiority. So sometimes I do thought exercises where I will imagine my friends or loved ones doing things in their everyday lives and I will think about them as people and I will think about the things that they like to do and the things that they say and the places that they go, and I will try to imagine them fondly in those circumstances. This helps to remind me that they are just people and that the scary puppet wearing their faces is not real. To this end I sometimes will have a document of screenshots of things that they have said to me that I can use to reality check myself. I personally find reality checks to be essential for a lot of this. Things can feel true when they are not true at all. Things can feel wrong when they are actually true. The point of most of these exercises is to gently remind myself that those feelings are normal for me to be having, but that I do not need to let them dictate my responses.

It is crucial throughout all of this that you are nice to yourself. You can't talk to yourself in a mean way while you're doing this, or you will not get to a point where you are feeling safe enough to react from a place of not-fear. You can't make yourself feel ashamed or defensive for your emotional reactions. This is the particular area where I find gentle parenting protocols helpful. You HAVE to be patient with yourself.

Ok that's all for now bc I ran out of steam but I will try to think of more to add on another day maybe. Godspeed everyone

[cloversnstrawberries]

this may sound very weird and everything but could you do a platonic yandere ada wong and leon kennedy parent duo sorta thing. like ada and leon are readers parents

platonic!yandere!parents!ada w. + leon k & gn!teen!reader [headcanons] ! !

masterlist !

additional notes; hello!! this isn't weird at all :]] thank you so much for requesting this,, i've been wanting to do parent duo sort of requests for a while, but got nervous because. i have... experienced things, being in fandom for a while... oh god the shipping wars. but i feel much better knowing that someone would actually read/want something like this :D i hope i did it justice ^^ i'm also sick, so my brain is cooking in my skull. i apologize if this is worse quality that usual </3

warnings; overprotectiveness, (slight) possessive behavior, soft yandere, mentions of Leon & Ada's jobs/what comes along with it, temporary imprisonment, manipulation, gaslighting, love-bombing, distrust, and if there's anything else i missed, please let me know!! I forget stuff the second i write it down :(((

w/c; 1.7k

Whether not you're biologically their kid, adopted as a baby, or adopted later; they'd treat you all the same. The difference comes with the way you react/how quickly you accept and adapt to their behaviors.

With their jobs, they're usually away for long periods of time. When you were younger (like, younger than 13), they would try their best to alternate their gigs-- sometimes it wasn't possible for one of them to stay with you, and when that happened, you'd stay with either Claire or Jill for a while.

It was just how it was, and you were fine with it-- you thought they'd give that up when you got older, that they'd trust you to take care of yourself.

That was never the concern with it, though-- it wasn't that you couldn't take care of yourself,

They were afraid that being their kid would put a target on your back. The older you got, the more missions they went on-- the more scum-of-the-earth they met, the more careful they got with you.

Leon is extremely protective, and while Ada seems to be more lenient; I'd actually argue she's the worse one to have worried. She absolutely pulls in favors to 'keep an eye on you', and does her best to keep tabs on where and what you're doing whenever possible.

Ada is extremely charismatic, and definitely uses that to her advantage. Meanwhile, Leon is so painfully and genuinely kind, that people can't help but trust him more often than not.

Because of that, it'd be hard for you to convince anyone, maybe even yourself, that they're absolutely insane when it comes to you. At some point, it goes beyond just wanting to keep their kid safe for their own good.

Neither are particularly selfish in general, especially not Leon. Ada has her own goals, but she has a moral code and has been known to go out of her way to help others from time to time.

However, when you get involved, that changes entirely. For Leon, he wants to keep you safe because he doesn't want to lose you; he's already lost too many people he cared for, and he'd be devastated if you were added to that list.

On the other hand, Ada's motivations are a bit harder to place. She cares for you a lot, something she isn't used to letting herself do because of her line of work; she's far more used to isolating herself rather than throwing herself full force into any type of relationship.

You were that one exception-- even with Leon, she tried that routine of keeping herself detached to try and minimize the chance of 'gaining a new weakness'.

Eventually she gave in and stopped doing that, and while that doesn't happen with everyone, it's happened before as well. Ever since she became a spy/mercenary, she hasn't allowed herself to attach to someone as quickly as she did with you.

It's on principle that she doesn't want you hurt because of it. You're the once exception, the one person to have ever gotten her to let her guard down immediately. There's no way she's letting you go because of it, and she'd rather let herself get into tight situations if it meant keeping you safe.

Both Ada and Leon share one thing in common with their attitude towards you, though. And to you, it's probably the most annoying thing about your parents, and nothing could top it.

If they feel the need to, they'll literally just go against your wishes. They won't listen if they get even an inkling that something could go wrong-- and when you were younger, they could easily convince you that it was all for your own good.

Neither Leon or Ada actually enjoy manipulating you, far from it-- Ada is more accepting of it, but Leon had a lot of hang-ups about it at first. Ada was eventually able to convince him that it was okay,

In that way, Leon is worse than Ada in this regard. Ada will only manipulate you as a last resort (though, her definition of 'last resort' can be pretty loose in of itself),

But Leon? You better bet he's pulling it out every opportunity-- because he feels like there's nothing wrong with it. Ada is at least able to recognize that it's not the best thing to do, gaslighting your kid into missing out on friends birthday parties just because of a 'feeling'--

Leon however, is extremely deluded. Partly Ada's fault, and partly not. Yes, Ada nudged him towards believing that it was okay, but it was ultimately Leon who took the leap. It was his reasoning with himself that actually convinced him that it was a good idea.

Don't get me wrong, it's not like they isolate you completely! Ada actually encourages you to go out to events, and make new friends.

Though, maybe that has something to do with the fact that when she encourages you, there's always a feeling someone is watching you that accompanies you throughout the entire event.

When you get older, you start considering sneaking out. Your parents actually didn't expect this-- you'd been doing well with how they've been treating you, and they assume you won't rebel.

You've always seemed accepting of it, but maybe it's on them-- that they don't realize the slight distrust that starts showing up in your eyes. They don't feel a need to look into it any further, if they do notice it.

Maybe you were able to sneak out a couple times before you were caught, or maybe you were never able to successfully pull it off. You don't know about your mom's actual job-- they'd worked hard together to keep that a well-hidden secret from you--, so you don't have any advantage over them.

If anything, you have a massive disadvantage. Considering your parents are a government agent and a spy/mercenary, you probably never even stood a chance.

After you get caught, either dragged back home from wherever you snuck off to-- or hauled out of the open window you'd been halfway through hopping over-- you don't get a scolding like you think you will.

Instead, you get dragged down to the 'guest bedroom' in the basement and locked in there for a little bit. You knew of it's existence, but it never made any sense to you. The house you live in is large, and while your parents don't get a lot of guests, it's happened before.

But with a whopping 4 above-ground guest bedrooms, there was no reason to build a 5th one down in the basement. The fourth above-ground one never got used anyways, it just never made sense to you.

But now, it really, really does. It was never a guest bedroom as much as it was a holding cell. You should've known, considering they put it together when you were around 12/13. A preemptive measure, you realize now.

They didn't think they'd actually use it, but they were glad they'd done it regardless. You've never been in it, but you remember when they were getting the furniture and items to put in it, and when you were barred from entering the basement for a little while the contractors were down there--

You'd seen it from the outside, too. It looked normal enough-- if you ignored the deadlock on the outside, which you absolutely did not notice. It was weird, the addition to the house-- but it wasn't weird enough to look any further than a glance every once in a while, when you were down in the basement doing your laundry and whatnot.

Surprisingly, they don't keep you down there for very long. It's not a permanent thing right now, is what they told you.

That, however, left the very terrifying idea that it could become a permanent thing if you weren't careful. Ada called it 'just punishment', and Leon, ever the dork, called it 'time out on steroids'.

He'd been trying to cheer you up when he said that, and you just barely kept yourself from cracking a smile at it-- you were supposed to be mad, after all.

For the punishment to have worked, you'd have to have been on some kind of break. So, let's say it was spring break they decided to put you in the 'guest bedroom' (holding cell, is what you were internally regarding it as)--

They let you out the night before school started up again, and your first dinner back in the actual house was tense-- to you, it was. But to your parents, they were treating it like every other day.

It pissed you off, to say the least. And for a few days after, you avoided your parents the best you could; but it was a hard thing to do on multiple fronts, even if you were genuinely angry at them.

A part of you wanted to tell people about it, about how they'd trapped you in the basement-- but that was a surefire way of getting the cops involved,

And you weren't really afraid of being taken away or anything,

Instead, you were deathly afraid of how your parents would react to the possibility of you being taken away from them-- Best case scenario, they'd succeed in weaseling their way out of it via Ada's silver tongue or Leon's influence--

...Worst case scenario, your parents would be on the CIAs most wanted list and flea to some remote part of Europe; and you'd probably never see the light of day again, without both of their full attention and supervision. Or not at all, maybe.

Safe to say, you're keeping quiet about your time in the '5th guestroom' down in the basement. That doesn't mean you forget about it, or ever fully forgive your parents for it. You aren't sure if they realize it or not, that you're still mad at them for it.

It's not like you forget about it-- you don't necessarily move on either. You just... focus on other things, is what you tell yourself. You try your hardest to hold onto the anger, but eventually it fizzles away; sometimes it flares up, but only for a few seconds before being cast aside. And only when you're already mad about something else.

It's hard to stay mad at your parents, especially when they try to hard to make up for it. That was their plan-- spoil you with attention and gifts so you stop zoning in on the 'time out on steroids'.