#go go prickle rangers

[silverequation]

More hedgehogs and chao

[justmightyshadows]

A Druid Walks Into a Bar with a Ranger

Was requested that I write more Jaheira smut. So here we go!

This is a post bar fight setting with some great hot ya know after. Tiny tiny bit of angst. lots of NSFW. Rated: Explicit

Getting into a bar fight was not on the top of your list after leaving Baldur’s Gate. Yet, after you beat everyone at darts, blindfolded, and Jaheira beat them at drinking games you found yourselves fighting off a couple of aggressive challengers - mad that you had ‘stolen’ their money. Your first thought had been to ignore them but once one had put his hands on you, you knew it was too late. Jaheira reacted before you could, slamming them into tables and throwing them viciously into walls until no one dared come near you both.

You walked away victorious but battered, your nose broken and your hands scraped and bloodied. Jaheira sported a small cut above her eye that was bleeding profusely. She grabbed you by the waist, pulling you close as she guided you through the crowd, up the stairs and down a small hallway to the room she had rented for the night.

Inside, the barely lit candles flickered against the wooden walls, your eyes took a second to adjust to the light. She had picked a pretty bare room but it had a bed, a chair and a random but very luxurious leather couch against the far wall.

“Sit down, little bird.” She said - her voice was thick and soaked into your ears gently. You obeyed, as usual, sat in the hard wooden chair and let her fret over your injuries, her hands cleaned the grime and blood from your wounds, taking extra care to heal the scrapes against your knuckles as well. Her body was so close to yours you could feel the heat radiating off it.

“I’ll have to set your nose. It will hurt. A lot.” She looked into your eyes as she gave the stern warning. In response you reached out to her, holding onto the back of her thighs for support and tilted your head up toward her, defiant. She grinned down at you, pressing her fingers hard against either side of the ridge until a satisfying click of bone meant she had pushed it back into place. The heat radiated like a small fire across your face, pulling tears from your ducts and down your face.

“You did well, I knew you would.” She kissed both of your cheeks softly praising you with whispers into your ear.

You didn’t even cry out. How strong you are. My little bird doesn’t even flinch at a broken nose.

She made her way toward the couch across from you, shed her shirt and poured herself a small glass of whiskey before sitting, her legs spread wide and her head leaned against the back of the seat.

If this was meant to turn you on, it did.

She smirked as she caught you gazing over her body, your eyes followed the trail of her neck down to the tip of her breasts.

You rose without thinking coming to rest on your knees between her legs, the night’s events replayed in your head as she undid your braid, shaking your hair loose until it cascaded down your back in dark sheets and massaged the base of your scalp.

“You were such a hot head tonight, aren’t you supposed to have outgrown that at your age?” You teased her as your hands found a large purple bruise on her side. She chuckled, looking down at you as you healed the wounds on her body with the little bit of magic you could muster.

“Yeah - some habits have only gotten worse in my old age. I’m more protective than ever, more jealous. Maybe I am just afraid to lose you.” She threw the drink back, placing the empty cup on the table harshly. Her hand found yours and she smiled into your wrist, her warm breath prickling against your skin before she planted a kiss. It set your skin on edge, small goosebumps rising along your body in response.

“I’m not going anywhere, Jaheira.” You said softly to her - she had been speaking about losing you so much since you were kidnapped month’s ago.

“I know, I won’t allow it.” Her eyes flashed dangerous shades of yellow and gold as she spoke. You could feel your head being guided forward to the space between her breasts, your lips meeting her skin eagerly, a hard suck earning you the softest of moans from her. She pulled you to her nipple wordlessly letting you decide how to please her. Your mouth opening around it as your tongue glided over the erect flesh, lapping it forward into a suck as you looked up into her eyes, the thin slits staring back at you showed you were on the right track. She moved you to the other one as her hands undid the buttons and ties keeping your clothing on until it hung limply from your body.

“Take this off, I want to see you bare.” She pushed you back a bit with the palm of her hand, your hands tore the clothing off easily, the thin fabric falling gracefully behind you. She unbuttoned her pants in front of your face sliding out of them slowly, revealing the silvery bush and wet center, teasing you with her closeness before going back to her place on the couch.

“You know where I want you.” She growled - the gravel catching in her voice as her hand led you between her legs by the back of your head.

“And you know where I want to be.” You whisper into her thighs. Your knees pressed into the ground as your mouth brushed against her. You inhaled - taking in the smell of her body, her want poured off of her - then you dove in. Your tongue spread her lips apart savoring the taste, you moaned into her and she dug into your shoulder affectionately with her nails. Her hand led you to every spot she wanted you, her personal toy to guide and control, until she shuddered, climaxing against your mouth, pressing you forward into her desire as she finished. She shed you to the side as she stood up and rummaged through her bag looking for what she wanted to play with next.

Her new strap was the same color as the last, fleshy, serious, just bigger - the harness end was made to fill her as well, just like she liked it. She slid it on, her mouth twitching slightly with pleasure as it entered her and headed over to you. Pulling you up by the long strands of hair she slapped your ass and ordered you to ride her.

“Put your youth to use.” She joked - you are far older than she will ever be but you smile along anyway lifting yourself to straddle her hips. You avoided her gaze as you lowered yourself onto her new favorite toy, your lips parted as you let out the faintest moan, the tense sensation of it rising into you was blissful.

Your body tensed so you glanced down to see that 3 inches or so still won’t fit.

Of course she picked this one, you thought.

Her face cracked into a grin as she smacked your ass again, your hips responded with experienced rolls, your hands shook out your hair as you showed off your body to her. Her hands met your waist and as always she tried to guide you, push you, into the positions that she thinks are best. Your body tried to sink onto it even further but your mind held you back. She watched you intently her hands pushing you down and her hips lifting upward to ease the rest inside to no avail.

“Ah - Jaheira. I’m full.” The strap wastoo big, it pressed against you roughly as she bucked her hips upward, again. She caressed your face, touching the bit of sweat that had started to bead there.

“You can take more. Here. I’ll show you.” Before you can protest she’s flipped you to be on your back, the cold leather couch a shock against your skin as she begins to work inside of you. Her hands pushed back against your legs, opening you up to her smooth, hard strokes. You feel yourself filling with it, more and more, far more than you thought you could take until her skin touched yours. Her hips flush against your thighs and ass. You both shudder at the contact - the warm feel of each other’s flesh is delightful.

“Look at you, so full. Ready for me.” She said with her head raised into the air, her hips thrust in and out with punctuated slaps of your bodies together. Your eyes fall back into your head, your mouth open and vocal to the pleasure you are feeling underneath her. You take your hands and find her nipple, the other grabbed hard against her flexed ass and she purred at you - the softest voice she has ever had falls down at your perked up ears.

“I need you to say my name.” You gasp for air and push it out of your almost useless mouth.

You know what she wants, where she this is goin.

“I’m here, Jaheira. I’m not going anywhere.” Her eyes close defensively as she slammed into you again and again - trying to make your bodies one.

You could tell she was close, but she held back, waited, brought her lips to your chest to send you over the edge, your legs shake involuntarily, flailing in the air and she moaned loud into you, closer to a roar than anything else. You both remain intertwined in ecstasy for what feels like far longer than you’d ever climaxed before. When she slid out your hole felt empty, it begged for more with gentle pulsing muscles, you pulled her onto you and kissed her deeply.

“That was..”

You don’t have the words to explain and she doesn’t try to give them to you.

Her own were unable to describe the sensation either.

It filled the space around you as you both try to catch your breath.

The sun peeked out over the horizon as she settled into you.

“We can stay here another night. I’m not finished with you yet.” She rest her hand on your entrance as she drifted off to sleep, muttering small praises in her dreams - assuring herself that you were right there with her.

[hismercytomyjustice]

Happy Wednesday-eve, my fellow Mind Flayers to-be!

Time for a(n unedited orz) sneak peek of Chapter Fifteen of my Bloodweave fic Ancient Books and Horror Stories!

We have finally escaped The Horrors™! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

Hope you enjoy!

---

By the time they made it to the entry hall, Leon, Victoria, and Gale’s staff were there waiting for them. Victoria was grinning from ear to ear and eagerly waved upon seeing him. Leon smiled fondly after her as she hurried up to him.

“I want to hug you, but you’re really messy,” she offered by way of greeting.

“Yes, well, needs must and all that.”

Her eyes darted back in the direction they’d come from. “...he’s really gone?

“He is. Permanently. Are you and your father going to the Underdark too?”

Her face lit up briefly before falling. “No… Even though I really want to. Did you know that’s where Catti-Brie’s husband used to live?”

That startled a laugh from Astarion. “I do know that actually.”

Gale gave him a sidelong look. “You would know that, wouldn’t you?” Astarion froze. “...hmm?”

Gale’s brows rose in mock surprise. “Oh? You have no idea who Catti-Brie’s husband is?”

Oh, no.

“Ah… Well…”

“His name is Drizzt!” Victoria piped up. “I can never remember his last name though…”

Wyll arched a brow. “Drizzt Do'Urden? The Drow ranger?”

“Yes! That’s him!” Victoria insisted. Oh, hells. He didn’t even have Tav’s cannibalism or Karlach’s short attention span to save him now. He felt sweat prickling at the nape of his neck. Gale watched him knowingly, an evil smile coming to his face.

[darkaviarymc]

The Evergreens Enfold the Shrine, A recursive fic of The Incandescence of a Dying Light by @quaranmine

(I meant to hit Edit Chapter but accidentally hit Publish Chapter, so you get it a day earlier than planned)

Chapter 3

"Do you think he really saw him?"  

The silence was deafening in the O.R waiting room at West Park Hospital in Cody.  Gem had to break it somehow, and Etho's ghost sighting had been prickling Gem's mind ever since Etho had asked that chilling question.  

"Did'e lay there like this?  Knowin' he's never gettin' up?  Jus' waitin' t'die?"

Beef let out a long sigh and dragged the palms of his hands down his bearded face.  "I can't say for certain if ghosts exist or not, but what Etho saw, or what Etho thinks he saw?  Nah.  I mean come on Gem, he hit his head.  He was in pain and full of adrenalin, probably on the edge of shock, with a story fresh in his head about a mustached ghost who appears to injured hikers."

"When you see hoof prints, think horses, not zebras," Gem said.  It was something she'd heard medical students she crossed paths with in some of her classes say.  It was meant to remind them that the simplest, most likely explanation for something was usually the correct one and to not try to jump to a drastic diagnosis. Even so, Gem still had her doubts.  "I still can't stop thinking about it.  The crazy part is, even the ranger thought someone else was with us.  Doesn't that make you wonder?"

"Bdubs seems like an okay dude, but did you listen to how he talked?  The guy's nuts.  Too many days in the woods psyching him out." 

Gem hummed thoughtfully.  "You might be right.  I mean, you're probably right.  Maybe the woods are psyching me out, too."

Before they could say anything else on the matter, a doctor walked into the waiting room.

"Are you two Ethos contacts?"

"Yes," they said in unison.

"How is he?" Gem asked.

"The surgery on his ancle went well," the doctor began, "and I expect it to make a full recovery.  Of course, he'll need to follow up with an orthopedic surgeon back home and set up a physical therapy schedule.  He also has several small rib fractures, mostly on the left side.  They're more like minor cracks than major breaks.  Now, about those head injuries.  The bad news is, in addition to a pretty severe concussion, he also suffered two separate skull fractures.  The good news is that they're both linear, so they shouldn't require surgery."

"All in all," the doctor concluded, "He has a lot of minor fractures, and our biggest concern is the concussion.  I expect he's going to be just fine given time to recover." 

The two friends both felt a physical weight lift from their chest.  Gem relaxed in her seat for the first time in hours, and Beef smiled and rubbed Gem's back.

"How soon can he go home?" Beef asked.

"He'll need to stay here for a few nights for observation.  A concussion like his needs to be closely monitored for 73 hours to ensure there's no preasure or fluid buildup.  He also won't be getting on any plains for least a week.  We want to see him back here on the 21st for an evaluation, and at that point the neurologist will decide weather or not he's clear to fly.  She'll meet with you all later once Etho's awake and aware to discuss that part of his case in more detail."

Beef chewed his lip; the tension was back.  He nodded slowly.  "Thank you."

"Of course," the doctor said with a smile.  "You know, it could have been much worse.  He's lucky he has quick-thinking friends like you two."

As the doctor walked away, Beef groaned loudly and covered his face with his hands.  "A week.  At least a week."

Beef's voice was muffled by his hands, but Gem still heard him clearly.  "You go," Gem said without hesitation.  "I can take care of Etho."

Beef quickly shook his head.  "Not a chance."

"Beef, this is your bachelors degree on the line!  If you don't get to your classes-"

"If I don't get to my classes, I get my degree a semester later.  I won't lie and say I'm not bummed about it, but Etho's more important.  He'd do the same for either of us."

Gem leaned across the armrest of the chair and hugged Beef.  Though the position was awkward due to the barrier, it was one of the warmest, most comforting hugs Gem had ever had.  "You're a good friend, Beef," Gem said into Beef's shoulder.

"So are you.  Just look at you, ready and willing to deal with Etho on your own.  Heaven knows that man's a handful on a good day."

Gem laughed and sat back up properly in her chair.  "Oh, I know!"

"Do you?  Because you weren't around when he signed half the campus up for 'Shady E's Super Spy Mystery game' mailing list with letters written in 'invisible ink.'  He made almost five hundred dollars selling subscriptions to blank paper before the dean caught on and almost expelled him."

"Yeah, but I was around when he tried to extort the entire campus with exuberantly priced white-label 'royal maple syrup.'" 

The two laughed at their reminiscing for a while before Beef stood up and stretched.  "Oh, how are your knees, by the way?"

"What about my knees?"

"You hit the ground pretty hard when we got down to Etho back at Owl Head."

"Oh."  Gem rubbed her knees and shrugged.  "I mean, they're a little sore and probably bruised, but I'm okay."

"That's good.  I'm gonna go call Pause.  He's probably wearing a hole in the carpet pacing the living room waiting for an update."

"Yeah, we wouldn't want them to lose their security deposit on top of having to pay American medical bills."

Beef cringed.  "Ooh, yeah, even with the travelers insurance, that's gonna be... rough."

"He might have to start another mailing list."

Beef laughed again.  He waived goodbye to Gem before leaving the room to make his phone call.

Now alone with her thoughts, Gem looked out the window next to her.  She took in the sights of the busy tourist city before letting her eyes wander out further to the mountains of Shoshone National Forest that loomed over the horizon.  It was surreal to think that just a few hours ago, she'd been out there having the time of her life with her two best friends.  Now she was here, in a hospital waiting room, waiting for one of those friends to wake up from surgery.  

How quickly life can turn your world upside down. 

And how quickly reality can hit you like a splash of ice-cold water from a snow creek. 

He could have died. 

Etho almost died. 

He probably would have, had that ranger not been on the trail when he had been.

"There wasn't a fourth person with you, was there?" 

And then there was the ghost sighting.  Had it been real?  Had Etho truly seen Mumbo back there at the base of the hill off of Owl Head Trail?  Had the ghost of Pinnacles Trail lead Bdubs to them?  Or was it all a concussion induced hallucination and an extremely lucky coincidence like Beef suggested.

Gem might never know.  But, she supposed as she sighed and watched her breath fog up the window, perhaps not knowing wasn't so bad.  She knew Etho was going to be okay.  She knew she had the best friends anyone could ever pray for.  She knew that in two weeks time, she'd be back home in her apartment in St. Johns  with a bottle of wine and her beloved internet chat rooms.  The message boards were going to love this story, Gem thought.  She used her finger to draw a heart in the condensation on the window, then wiped it clean with her sleeve.  And her sleeve was, in fact, clean, because she and Beef had thankfully had a chance to change cloths while Etho was in surgery so they didn't have to sit there caked in dried blood.  They'd even let Gem into an unoccupied patient room and allowed her shower.

But when she looked down at her hands, just for a brief second, she could still see Etho's blood coating every finger.  How long, she pondered, would it take for those mental images to go away?  They probably never would.  Sure, they would fade with time and become less brain-rattling, but Gem understood that this sort of trauma had a way of clinging to a person like smoke.

 "And what he found at the base of the mountain was the thing the rangers had been searching for for over a year: the dead body of the fallen hiker."

How long would it take for those mental images to go away for that fire lookout who found a dead hiker's year-old corpse while running for his life?

They probably never would.

Gem closed her eyes and tried to picture the view the view of the St. Johns skyline she had from her apartment.  She tried to picture her neighbor's kitten, or perhaps the bouncing logo on the screen saver of her home computer.  Anything but Etho laying unconscious on the forest floor.

"You know, it could have been much worse.  He's lucky."

That doctor probably knew better than Gem how much worse it could have been.  Being the closest hospital to Shoshone, Gem was sure this place had seen countless injuries, big and small, brought in from that forest, as well as it's fair share of tragic deaths.

But Etho's wouldn't be one of those, Gem reminded herself.  She opened her eyes and returned to the present.

Life would go on.  Soon Beef would come back and tell her about the ear-full he'd gotten from Pause, than later Etho would be awake and they could finally see him.  

Life would go on for the three friends, just as it went on for the forest after the fire that had driven that lookout up the hill, just as it did for that lookout, who Gem imagined was out there somewhere, living to the fullest.

Gem was lucky.  She was blessed.  She was safe.  She looked down at her hands.

No blood.

She gazed out the window once more at the mountains in the distance.  Although she knew his ghost probably wasn't real, she couldn't fight what compelled her to smile and whisper towards the forest.

"Thanks, Mumbo." 

[neverhangd]

@accultant , anne, and other cat-coded things 🐈‍⬛

How long’s it gonna be until someone trusts Anne well enough to explain all of the weird bullshit going on in this little adventuring party? It’s getting harder and harder to extend these weirdos the benefit of the doubt when so much evidence points so sharply in suspicious directs. Prickling sarcasm had crept back in when Anne first arrived at the scene, but—absent an explanation still—she won’t deny she feels bad for this poor little fucker in particular. They so frequently seem so overwhelmed.

At the invitation, Anne cocks her head and closes one eye, using her hand to gauge the relative height of Iago in the tree. She’d employed similarly rudimentary measures aboard the Ranger and they hadn’t steered her wrong once!

“As ye will, then. Make it another few feet down to that branch and jump—I’ll catch ye. ‘Less ye’d rather sit there in yer gown and wait ‘til I can fetch a rope.” Anne had taken to wearing trousers (and only trousers) to bed, striking a delicate balance between fending off the heat here on land (nights being cold at sea) and being able to function if called upon.

[augment-techs]

Boom!Comics, what if Drakkon had actually died at the end of Shattered Grid??

....Oh, fuck this is gonna be hard. Lemme think.

It's so hard to pull on this thread and follow a single end loosed from it. There's so much to be addressed.

Kiya would have to be given consideration, because the writers fucked up with her in ways that are still ringing out in Darkest Hour. She needed treatment for her PTSD and Survivor's Guilt and killing the Blue Emissary. So I think Trini would have to actually tap into her Yellow potential WITHOUT Drakkon's goading.

The Eltarian Invasion would have to go through a speed run, because the Omega Rangers wouldn't make the incredibly stupid decision to nick Drakkon out of the Command Center and go galivanting about the universe based on his advice--more to the point, would the Red Emissary even be caught unawares by the Orange Empyreal if he wasn't checking in on Drakkon? No.

The bullshit with Zedd and the Dome Arc would have to still be gone through, because otherwise Matt wouldn't be revealed, and Zordon would still have to be proven wrong, so the stress would be even greater because the Omegas DIDN'T defy Zordon in this timeline and leave a crack in his ego, so the punishment for Billy would have been much differently handled...I think.

Tommy and Matt's dick measuring contest would have to be forestalled by Zack and Jason being unwilling to not look at things from Matt's POV, and I should like for Billy to have actually talked out his reasoning not just with the Stone Canyon Trio--though I still want that--but with Kimberly and Tommy. They've all been stressed out and under pressure and he needs someone who isn't new or hasn't been gone that could actually understand him. And possibly call him out sooner for keeping secrets from them when THEY aren't Zordon.

I would like to think that Zartus would make an effort to turn up the charm and use a charisma check to try and get Zordon on his side, but that means he would have to come to Earth while both the Red and Yellow Emissaries are alive and thus he only has control of the one Empyreal so he has to take care about sending it to particular planets to decimate.

Which means sending the Sentry Force Four to pick up Zelya and interrupt her dating Skull so she blew him off BEFORE she and Bulk had a heart to heart. BEFORE the Dome was placed over Angel Grove.

I think, for lack of any other way into understanding, the Rangers would contact the Coinless Universe in the hopes that THEY would have some idea what the Empyreal they met actually was.

Which, fun times for all, because YES, actually, TWO people from there do.

Ranger Slayer, Coinless Bulk, Sentry Skull end up popping over to the Prime universe to lend a hand. Skull happily dragging Finster-5 along with them because they're the two.

And Coinless Jason comes along, too, much to the distress of everyone there that was under the impression that he was dead. Kim thought he could use a breath of fresh air away from their world's rebuilding process and Jason was grateful for the chance to see a version of Billy and Angel Grove still standing.

And--except for Kim--they're all wearing Colors the others weren't expecting. White for Jason, Purple for Bulk, and--much to the discomfort of the Omega Rangers--Orange for Skull.

The Orange especially leaving the Omegas with a prickling sensation in the back of their minds. A bad aftertaste from the Empyreal.

"Fun fact about those fucking things? You can get rid of them, but you have to find the corpse of the Emissary they were born from and find a Ranger with a correlating Color to punch the corpse," is Skull's first observation after Finster's creepy explanation about the origin of the Empyreals ("Yeah, there are three of them. Opposite of their Primary Color counterpart. But at least you can count on them to cut to the chase instead of pulling some metaphorical lyricist bullshit,") with a tiredness that nobody expected from one of the Coinless after they gained their world back.

It's a lot of talking, a lot of convoluted back and forth about why the Empyreal would seem like it was on a mission for job instead of fulfilling their divine purpose.

I would like to think that the Omegas would propose team-up with the Coinless until things got straightened out. With the elder Kim, Bulk, and Jason remaining on Earth in case the Empyreal came knocking and Finster-5 and Skull coming with them on the Spectrum II in the hopes of cutting off more planets being killed.

Skull takes them up on their offer without looking to the other Coinless for consideration, given that it feels like everything is an a time limit and it's not like he could have left the Command Center to visit the Juice Bar or anything, despite Bulk's protests.

"I look too much like myself. It's fine."

Finster-5 does not really have much of a choice in the matter since he's on eternal probation and will do whatever the Ranger Slayer tells him to do.

However, Slayer Kim would probably have to go back and forth between one Earth and another to keep the peace, and Coinless Zack and Trini would pop in here and there as the ball really got rolling with the Eltarians showing up, acting as if they want to forge a proper alliance with Earth JUST before Zedd raises his metaphorical finger and everything is way more out in the open than it ever had any right to be.

I want Zedd to get a proper body. I want Zordon to get his own proper body. I want Rita to get yanked back to the Eath and given to Grace Sterling because the Omegas and Skull found her Dumpster spinning through space and weren't going to take the chance that Finster-5 would do something stupid. I think Jason would trust her a little more and would want to curry favor with someone other than Zordon...just in case.

I am also going to use this as an excuse to cut out the middle man so she can't be called on by Vile and therefore bring about Dark Specter using Zordon's old body. Zordon's getting that back so he and Zedd can beat the crap out of Zartus and be MORTAL so they both have certain expectations of accountability when they fuck up.

I also want to use this as an excuse for Zordon still getting called out, but I want it to be by someone that he wasn't expecting: like Purple Ranger Bulk finding the "spare change" in the Command Center and taking Zordon to task about trust and destiny and how even if the Rangers are now soldiers, they're also children and it's really not right to mess about without consulting them.

"Because 'you said so' is not an answer."

There is still a situation where the Empyreal goes to wipe out the Hartunians, but because Skull is not Drakkon and they'd have no reason to leave him behind on the ship, age and experience would be on their side. All but 40 members of the population wouldn't have to die--Skull would merely tear out the the king's heart so the queen could either aid them or perish. Which works splendidly as during the evacuation process it becomes very clear that the Empyreal is under someone else's command, and that someone can be traced to the Celestial Shard that formed with the Blue Emissary's death from their heart.

Hartunia is still destroyed and rendered 'Anew' but the people are alive and under new rule and relocated to an unoccupied world where they can start again without weapons or the scavenging practices and under the rule of Evor Till who winds up swearing fealty to the Rangers, with the promise to aid them if ever they call.

It leaves the Omegas rather shaken that they didn't fail and actually have somewhere to turn to make things better, but it also leaves them feeling sick that there's a version of Skull--living on their ship until things pan out--that would kill someone without hesitation or even appearing remorseful.

I really, really want the home team Bulk and Skull to get at least a little consideration from either Zordon or Grace Sterling in this scenario.

....That's all I've got. I'm sorry. This was hard.

@skyland2703

[aurora-boreas-borealis]

those yellow eyes?

Okay this one is going to take some explaining!

This is based off an episode from Power Rangers Dino Charge where Chase is mind controlled by the monster of the week (his eyes glow yellow, hence the title). And, I’ve found out there is a canon divergent au where the episode left off on a worse note with Chase hurting the other rangers

So, I’m writing a oneshot based off that with the whumptober prompt ‘nightmare’

Honestly what I have is very much barebones in terms of writing, but I’ll try to add a lil snippet :]

—————

There are a pair of eyes watching him.

[Chase] can feel them on his back. They glow through the darkness, a warm yellow that feels cloying.

Staring at his back, staring into his soul.

‘Your fault,’ a voice murmurs, ‘It’s your fault,’ it’s says, louder and clearer.

Twisting and turning in his sheets with beads of sweat prickling at his forehead, he forces his eyes shut and forces his back to the shadow —and those bright eyes— with shaky breathes— begging for the staring to stop, praying for it to leave.

[silverequation]

[undercover-roomba]

(yes i wrote something about fir and antler because they are my skrunkle guys. yeah. also i thought that ferric looked similar to ant. so here we go.)

  The soft light dappled the forest floor as the fox trotted across the leaves. He ignored the screech of some various animal being snuffed out behind him. Maybe by that weird mouse. It seemed to like him. But whatever, he had a mission. He needed to find his friend, the bat. He never really knew where the little creature went, but they were closer than he’d like to admit. He had found the thing in the hellscape plain, trembling and developing heat stroke. It was even snappy back then.

  He sniffed. The notable stench of blood hit his nose, and he recoiled. But there was a.. familiar scent coming with it. He noticed the smell of those Fire corporals. He actually respected them. A canine and a flying creature? He could relate. They had actually had some meaningful conversations as well. Ranger respected him, at least a little. He heard wingbeats, and looked up. The damned bat was hanging off the tree, still righting themself.

  “Little fucker. Get down here, Fir.” The fox growled.

  The bat chuckled, then flitted down and perched on his shoulder. “Cheer up, Antler.”

  “You know I can smell the corpse. Who is it?” He went for the calm approach- his go-to. But he made sure to add a hint of aggression to get the point across.

  Fir hesitated, then went with “I can’t tell you directly. You’ll have to see.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Antler murmured, but entered the small area in which the scent of rot was strongest. 

  Instantly, he had to take a step back. The stench was coming from a horrifyingly familiar fox, clearly dead, organs ripped out and all. 

  “...Ferric?”

  The single word was uttered before Ant could stop himself. His calm demeanor melted away in the fearful panic beating through his heart and the little prickles through his skin. His cousin. His only relative in Defiance. 

  “Holy shit.” Fir let out a shocked little chuckle. “I didn’t.. I thought she would be less brutally killed than that, but it is the murder cult.”

  “Fir, this is no time for jokes. Please.” Antler’s voice was strained.

  “..I know. I’m really so sorry. I heard that she tried to desert.” Fir sounded resigned.

  “..Fir, you’re a good friend. I hope you know that. My closest friend, in fact. But I need to be left alone.” Antler gently shut Ferric’s eerie, blank eyes with a claw.

  “Okay.” And with the simple word, Fir flew away. It hesitated in the air, turning back to look at the fox, then flew off.

  Silence was in the clearing for a while. Antler was burying the body for what seemed like hours. As he finished the mound, he sat down. “...Ferric. I hope you find a soft place to rest.” Of course he didn’t say much. But he had to let her go somehow. He shook his head softly. “Goodbye.” And with that, he turned away.

  “What did you overhear?” He asked his companion softly.

  Fir chuckled. “From the combination of it? There’s a shit ton- well, not a shit ton, but a notable amount of cats living in that hellscape desert or whatever you call it. They somehow have been surviving, for a while.”

  “So what you’ve heard Rainhaze mumbling is true?” Antler responded, tilting his head.

  “Oh, yeah.” It chuckled, “Being small has its perks. I don’t think he even knew I was listening.”

  “Everyone should have a little bat buddy.” Ant commented, letting out a small laugh. “To spy on animals who shouldn’t be spied on. Like Deepdark. Or the corporals.”

  “Aw, fuck you. You keep me around for much more than that.” Fir flitted away, then returned soon after.

 “Did Ferric try to desert?” Antler asked suddenly, suddenly a bit more subdued. 

 “Yeah. I asked Hacksaw. She confirmed it, she did attempt deserting. She also said that she didn’t care that the body had been buried. Hacksaw’s honestly really fucking cool.” Fir responded.

  “Absolutely. But anyways. It’s always a bad decision to desert. She could have told me. I could have tried to help her.” He whispered, sitting down.

  Fir made sure to flit around the area, checking for any prying ears, then whispered back: “You could have gotten caught, though. They wouldn’t kill you, yeah, but the punishments…” It huffed, making a frustrated face.

  “It’s fine. I didn’t, so we don’t have to think of the consequences.” Antler said, tapping his tail twice on the ground. “Should we check the hellscape? Maybe we could catch a glimpse of those weird cats.”

  Fir’s eyes widened and it grinned maniacally. “Oh fuck yeah.”

  It was always so hot in the hellscape plain. Heatstroke was a looming threat, as the sun scorched the earth so indefinitely you never know when rain will quench the thirst of the water-starved ground. He had only seen it rain once, passing through. He had the satisfaction of killing a skinny, starved little weasel thing back then. Now, of course, Fir flitted along with him.

  “Fuckin’ hate this place. Too hot, bad memories.” Fir sniffed, fanning itself with its wings. It went from flying to perched on Antler’s head, right between their ears. It was a move it had seen Ranger and Hacksaw do, and proceeded to copy. Of course, the coyote and the hawk didn’t mind Fir being a copycat. Everyone loved the little fucking murder air mammal. Including Antler, though he would never admit it. 

  “Have you ever encountered a little blue cat out here?” Antler asked, tilting their head, trotting across the plain. A day’s travel to the edge of the territory where, depending on where you were standing, you could see the blue cat, from Antler’s experience of checking the area.

  “Once, actually! A little blue cat, like Rainhaze talked about, with some white scruff on the chest, and yellow eyes. I mean, that’s what I remember. He was stalking a field mouse or something, and you bet I swooped down and took that little guy. I flew up pretty high, and dropped the mouse, right in front of him. I swear he went ‘A bat?!’ and then I yelled ‘You're welcome! Guaranteed free food, bitch!’ and flew off.”

  “Yeah, I kind of assumed you’d do something like that.” Ant chuckled softly. “When I’m out here, I observe the territory and watch any predator animal I see. Sometimes I see the little blue cat, and he almost always notices me…” He trailed off, thinking.

  “Observant pointy animal.” Fir chuckled, then paused. “Wait. Movement over there. I hear something.”

  Antler squinted, creeping forward. In the distance, near a small patch of some sort of plant. There was some movement, but the shape was blurry from the heat striking off the ground.

  Fir huffed. “Can’t see the bitch from here. I’m goin’ over.” It shot off Antler’s head, leaving the fox making a cross face, a slight pull to the lip. He saw the little shape flit over the bigger shape, then return.

  “Sure as hell is a little blue cat. He’ll probably come over. Good thing our settlement is close to the hellscape plain.” It chuckled, flitting around and then landing between Ant’s shoulders.

  “We are really inspecting this cat. He is like a little bug to us. You know those isopods? The little rolly guys?” He sniffed, watching the little shape, which was moving towards them warily.

  “Of course I do. You literally collect them. I wake up and there are like thirty of them scattered around sometimes. I’ve seen them fully cover the floor of the den sometimes. The den is big. How are you even fucking achieving that.” The bat chuckled. It flapped its wings a couple of times, as if shaking the bugs off of it.

  “I get help. Some of the deeplings and a surprising number of general Defiance members like them and want to collect them with me.” Ant said, watching the shape come close enough to properly see the color. “That’s definitely a blue cat. You weren’t lying.”

  “..You’re saying that Defiance members, animals part of the murder cult, like little bugs enough to fill a den with them?” Fir murmured.

  But, of course, the cat was creeping over to them, so Antler ignored the bat, and gently moved towards the cat. He stared in fear at the fox, who stared back, emotionless. Fir flew around the cat, watching, silent for once. The two had a moment, then Antler broke the tense atmosphere by taking a little isopod from his neck fur and gently setting it down in front of the cat. 

  “HOW MANY OF THOSE DO YOU FUCKING HAVE?!” Fir yelled from their overhead flying. 

  Antler didn’t respond, and instead beckoned Fir down, and turned away, leaving the cat prodding confusedly at the little bug.

-

afterthoughts: literally love that i made defiance like little bugs. my 1 crowning achievement.

also plot twist fir eats them sometimes out of spite

the doc is called "live antler reaction" and i think that's funny. thanks me from 4 days ago or wheneever i wrote it

(@barrenclan for the @)

[2plottwist]

Spin Off - Chapter 1

Pairing: Astarion x Female!OC (Kynna)

Characters: Kynna, Astarion, Gale, Karlach, Shadowheart

Warnings: none

Author: Kenna:)

Word Count: 1.5k

Series Masterlist

The rain patters against the window. The small droplets highlighted by the soft lamps and fairy lights illuminating the room. A candle wafts, the smell of bergamot and rosemary, through the dimly lit room. The brightest light in the room comes from the computer, way too overheated, due to the length I’ve been playing this game. 

The Baldur’s Gate 3 video game has been out for well over a year and I’ve never stopped playing. The amount of time I’ve played this game is concerning. The line of characters I’ve made goes out the door, each race and class mix matched among themselves. My favorite so far? Kynna, a wood elf ranger, completely in tune with the nature and animals around her.

On nights like these, where the rain and wind move past my window in bursts, the darkness of the house is finally silent. My stresses and worries of work and bills slowly disappear. The anxiety that creeps into my brain as I scroll through endless “for you” and discover pages of social media platforms dissipate into nothing. My world calms when I enter this adventure-filled, magical video game. It kind of sucks that it’s fake. 

Failing a critical role after using the rest of my inspiration to re-roll, I decide to call it a night. I have to be up early tomorrow and I could easily play this game until 3 am. I bring my party back to camp, making sure to check in with all the characters and have enough camp supplies to “sleep”. 

As I bring the game to its menu, a small purple spot appears on my screen. As it grows, the glowing light fills the room, exerting white sparks that prickle my skin. I jump at the contact, What the Fuck? My stomach drops and my heart races as I forcefully press the power button of my computer. I can’t ruin another fucking computer with this game.

Fear like I’ve never known envelops my entire body. My legs go numb and my eyes burn causing tears to drop to my cheeks. Shit, Shit, Shit! My incessant pounding of the power button does nothing to lessen the increasing light and heat coming from my computer. I yelp once burn marks appear on the tops of my thighs. 

I jump out of my bed and throw the laptop on the sheets. Cowering as far away as possible, I panic, dropping my head between my knees, and wait for this nightmare to be over. My cries are drowned out by the whirring and whooshing of light racing around my room. The last thing I sense is the pounding of bright purple light behind my eyelids, then silence. 

Crickets and a crackling fire replace the silence. Tears still soak my face when I look up. A night sky, stars shine when I finally open my eyes. Goosebumps rise on my skin as a light breeze moves past my body, bringing with it an absence of the candle I’ve been burning. 

Oh my god, my computer exploded. It blasted me outside.

My thoughts race, but my body stays as still as a statue. My muscles begin to scream with the amount of tension that coils through my arms and legs. I drag my eyes from the sky to take in the rest of my surroundings. 

Thinking I would see the tan sidings of my house, my eyes widen at the fact that I’m surrounded by large trees and grass as tall as my knees. The smell of dirt and pine move through my senses as a small butterfly quietly floats across my vision. Where on Earth am I?

My body gains the strength to stand. I look down and see that my pajamas were replaced by a worn leather top and green cotton fabric. My legs are covered in leather pants and boots that reach my knees. My stomach drops, fear continuing to rack my body. I wimp my head around, nearly throwing myself off balance to see familiar tents and bed rolls circling a burning fire. 

My entire body goes numb, “Oh. My. God,” I grab my face and shake my head, “No,” I whisper. 

My fight or flight kicks in causing my feet to move without intuition, I run the opposite way of the camp. Before I can make one step, my face slams into a wall, bringing my feet out from under me and my back to the dirt. My head spins with the impact, my vision blurring but catching a glimpse of bright purple reminding me of the glowing light that I saw just moments ago. 

���Kynna?” a low voice breaks my blurring vision. The name of my character, my nickname, hits my ears and brings my body back to the present. 

I open my eyes again to see Gale? “What the fuck,” I whisper, narrowing my eyes, trying to get a better look at the figure towering in front of me. 

The figure rolls his eyes, “Language,” he sighs, extending a hand towards me. 

I flinch at the action and dig my heels into the soil, confusion racing through my head and fear still willing my legs to run in the opposite direction. 

“Kynna? Are you okay?” Gale asks, tilting his head in confusion. 

I shake my head. This isn’t real. This is a dream. 

My hand moves to my neck and I pinch, hard. Pain pricks my senses leaving me with the horrid thought that I’m not on Earth anymore. Taking in a deep breath, I rest my hand on my throat, feeling divots in the skin there. 

My eyes widen again as my fingers quickly run over the two holes gracing the skin, “No way,” I whisper as I dig my fingernails into the small scars. 

“Don’t act surprised,” Gale huffs, finally grabbing my arm and pulling my body upright, “He has you wrapped around his cold, half-dead finger,” 

My eyes are dry with the length of time they have been bulging. “W-what?” I whisper.

“Astarion,” he says quickly, “Don’t act dumb, we all know.” 

“Did I hear my name?” a sultry voice sweeps across the air. Silver hair peeks out of a red tent across the clearing. A bright smile and red eyes breaks through the darkness of the night, fangs protruding from his lips. 

Astarion. My breath hitches in my throat, and I step back, quickly tripping over a bedroll conveniently placed on the ground. My back meets the soil again, “Gods,” Gale snaps. 

“What in the hells is going on over there?” a booming voice radiates from the woods behind us. Bright red skin moves through the leaves soon bringing Karlach into focus. 

“Oh God,” I whisper rolling over on my stomach to see the large tiefling. 

“Kynna, come on,” Gale huffs again, grabbing the back of my arms. 

Fire erupts from his touch. Fear finally reaches every inch of my body bringing violent shivers and bile rising in my throat. “Don’t touch me,” I snap, pushing myself off the ground. 

Finally finding my strength, I quickly step away from the light of the fire and into the dark brush surrounding the clearing. 

“I can’t do this,” I whisper, moving vines and branches out of my way, “There’s no fucking way this is real.” 

I stop once I feel like I’ve made a safe distance between myself and the fake video game characters. I drop my hands to my knees, focusing on bringing my breathing back to normal. My head spins, thinking of the sequence of events over the past few minutes. 

Game. Spot. Purple. Heat. Gale. Astarion. Karlach. What the fuck?

Bile finally reaches my mouth and I empty the contents of my stomach. Violent shaking and whimpers overtake my body. Tears spill over my face. I drop to my knees in front of my waste, hair falling in front of my eyes. 

I take in my appearance. My hair is long and wavy, small braids scattering through the locks. My hands are gloved, except for my fingers. The green shirt is folded to reveal my forearms. My ranger clothes. 

Kynna. I remember Gale calling me. My avatar in Baldur’s Gate.

My name is Kynna. I’m a wood elf ranger from the outskirts of Baldur’s Gate. I’m in the forests of Faerun. My companions are camped out for the night after a day of adventure. I have a mind flayer parasite crawling around in my head. 

My eyes move back and forth through the dirt, trying to sort through my racing thoughts. I could feel the leech moving behind my eye. Another wave of nausea rounds my body and I heave more of my insides to the ground. 

Lifting my head and wiping my mouth, I lean my back against a tree, chest still quickly moving with each breath. What am I going to do? How did I get here?

No matter how many times I ask myself that, the answer won’t fall out of the sky. I decide there’s only one thing left to do, the one thing I know I’m the best at. Play the game until I wake up.

[savageshadows]

shdwtouch asked: Send "accident" to accidentally pull on the tail (from shade, please know she is immediately apologizing)

the chimera leapt to massive paws as pain shot up her spine. with a spin, teeth bared and ears flat, be'lakor snarled loudly. it was a reaction, quick and without thought. perhaps if she remembered that she was traveling with others, a rare occurrence, then the reaction might not have been as violent.

shade was supposed to be out and about in the town near. be'lakor didn't want to go in to trade but gave some goods to the other hoping they'll be able to replace the dirty backpack or hole filled sleeping bag. stupid! be'lakor cursed at herself for allowing to nap, to let down her guard.

as soon as the chimera breathed in the ranger's scent and took in the smaller form cowering below, there was slight embarrassment. she lowered her prickled fur around her shoulders, swishing her short fluffy tail and huffed particularly in shade's face.

maybe... that was an overreaction.

[lpmurphy]

Spring in Tchakova Park

Read on AO3

Master List

Chapter Playlist

Summary: Green was the color of the grass where he used to walk in Tchakova Park.

In which John meets a stranger in the park, Violet learns of the care and keeping of Spartans, and Cortana offers dating advice. (Complete 5/7/24)

Chapter Summary: Violet gets a glimpse into John's area of work and receives chilling instructions from Kai.

Chapter Thirty One: Incursion

Violet sat upright in bed at the sound of the second explosion. Purple-white light glowed on the walls before dissipating with the sound as quickly as it came, leaving her squinting in the darkness for the source of the noise. She could hear shouting beyond the window of the small room, but could not make out what was being said as she tossed back the blankets. The skies were still dark beyond the window panes. The only light that illuminated the base was of the too bright floodlights of the south guard tower that sat just beyond the greenhouses. She grasped around for her pad on the bed and tapped the screen awake to find a series of party hat and confetti cannon emoticons from Kai sitting underneath the date and time. The too early hour above the date announced that it was well past three in the morning on November 23rd; her 31st birthday. 

Violet rubbed her eyes and crossed the room to the door to poke her head out into the hallway. She found Meredith doing the same, the blonde’s face shadowed in the dark as she stood in her door frame. Violet looked around the darkened shared space to find the same bright colored birthday decorations they used for every celebration over the years strung up around the room. The team must have snuck out of their rooms to put them up when she returned from the greenhouses, she thought. She tried to make sense of the noises and the continued voices that cut through the night, chalking it up to another one of the team’s elaborate birthday surprises that they would bombard one another with each year. She turned to Meredith and yawned.

“Are you guys doing some dumb firework stunt again? You got in so much trouble with the Rangers when you did that on my 28th; I can’t imagine that John’s team is going to be much happier about it. Well, Kai might. Call it off before you get me in trouble and go to bed,” Violet rubbed her eyes again and started to turn back towards her room, but Meredith remained planted in her doorway.

Another loud boom rattled the windows. Both Violet and Meredith jumped and Violet gasped at the sound, her heart pounding as she wrapped her arms around herself. The thunder of gunfire followed after and took with it any exhaustion that had still lingered within her and replaced it with a roaring between her ears. Both women straightened up to listen, heads snapping to the windows over the kitchen sink. Meredith looked back to Violet, the flash of purple light illuminating her panicked face as she shook her head in response to Violet’s statement. Violet could not recall a time she had seen fear on her friend’s face as she did now. She still remembered the expression on Meredith’s face during the climbing accident that had left her scarred. Meredith hadn’t had time to be afraid as she fell, Violet could only remember a flicker of shock as she grabbed her friend’s hand. But the way Meredith stared back at her, gaunt and afraid, left Violet’s own body prickling with fright. 

“That’s not us,” Meredith breathed. 

Violet glanced back at her before turning back into her room for her shoes. Greg had warned that the insurrectionist cells that occupied the region had become active since the famine when they arrived. Violet had experienced several coordinated attacks during her time at the base, but none had ever been as close as this sounded. She assumed it was no different as she crossed back out of her room into the kitchen. Meredith followed her to the kitchen window as they looked out into the dark. Violet held her breath as she pressed her hands against the counter and leaned over the sink to watch as shadowed silhouettes darted about, her teeth gnashing at her cheek.

“What's going on?” Meredith whispered beside her.

“I don’t know,” Violet replied shakily. She watched between the greenhouses and guard towers, recognizing Greg’s stature in the dark as he barked out orders that remained unintelligible from where she stood. She had heard the tone he used enough times for it to tighten her chest and knot her stomach with worry. “I don’t think it’s anything good, though.”

Her instinct was only confirmed by the shriek of emergency alarms. Red lights flashed in the dark room. Door knobs turned behind her as the team started to emerge from their own rooms, their faces illuminated in the eerie wash of light. Jin blinked at the harsh flashes with wide eyes and covered her ears with her hands before shouting over the cry of alarms, “What’s happening? Are we under attack?”

Saul slipped out from her room behind her and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him and covering her hands with his own. He looked to where Violet stood at the windows, the team erupting into a chorus of the same repeated questions that she didn’t have the answer to, watching the same fear that dizzied her flash across the faces of her team. She watched Greg, still shouting and gesturing to teams before they would run off in different directions, gunfire still an angry pounding of light in the distance.

“I don’t know,” Violet muttered. She peered through the kitchen window as she tugged on her sneakers, searching through the chaos beyond it for the source. She took a final searching look before she turned and started towards the exit and called over her shoulder, “I’m going to go find out. Stay here. Follow incursion procedures and lock down while I’m gone.”

Meredith tugged on her shoes as well and followed, pulling her hair back as she jogged after Violet, “I’m coming with you.”

“No, stay here until I come back.” Violet shouted down the hallway, breaking through the doors in a jog. The pound of her feet against the ground sent up a cloud of rest dust that stung in her nostrils as she batted it out of her face with a cough. The same dust clung to the air and made it thick and heavy, disturbed by the motion that sprung from the base. The roar of gunfire and shouts were deafening as each shot rang through the still night air. Meredith ran out beside her and set the red into the air again. Both women blinked it out of their eyes as they scanned the chaotic scene ahead of them. 

“I told you to stay inside!” Violet shouted over the noise, pointing back at the door. 

“And let you have all the fun without me? Are you crazy?” Meredith laughed weakly and Violet noticed that her smile quivered as she looked back at her. “What are you doing, Harris? Get back inside! We should wait for someone to get us!”

Violet ignored Meredith’s request as she glanced around wildly, searching for someone who could clue her into what she needed to prepare her team for. She searched in the long shadows stretched by the flood lights that illuminated Nomad in a bright white glow and her eyes fell to where she saw Greg’s team. A familiar flash of green among them caught her eye. She saw John and started running, desperately hoping that he could tell her something.

“You can’t run out into a firefight, you fucking idiot! Get inside!” 

Meredith broke into a sprint behind her to follow her friend as Violet ran towards John. Gunfire cracked around her. Local militia rushed the barrier wall to protect against the threats that approached. A strange humming turned her eyes overhead as she kept towards John and Violet felt her blood chill at the sight of what glided above her. The strange small ships she had only ever seen in news footage and propaganda commercials circled the base and Violet knew that her hopes of insurgents were tame compared to what she knew was carried by them. Meredith shouted beside her, her words lost to the noise as they neared where the Master Chief stood.

Gold caught sight of Violet as she neared. His head snapped towards her as he turned to point back where she had come from and began to shout from where he stood with weapons drawn. Greg looked over to where the Chief pointed and Violet skidded to a halt with a shriek as the barrel of Greg’s weapon turned towards her for a moment before he identified her.

“Get inside!” The Chief roared, his voice cutting through the noise. 

Violet only continued in her run to where he stood with Meredith trailing behind her. The Chief’s repeated order did not have the chance to meet the botanist’s ears as a flash of green struck a guard tower and sent the structure up in a crack of light and debris. John grabbed Violet by the waist and pulled her to him, turning his back to where debris rained from the explosion and leaning his body over her. Violet clapped her hands over her ears and snapped her eyes shut, fear pounding through her as John closed her in his embrace. He straightened up again and Violet cracked her eyes open to find Meredith bent with arms over her head. Greg straightened up from where he had done the same and put himself between Meredith and the tower. 

“I told you to get inside, Violet. Now!” John’s voice boomed through his helmet. His hands gripped her arms as he surveyed their surroundings, watching the banshee turn overhead, “Vannak, you on that one?”

He nodded to whatever response he received. Armored hands closed over her ears to block the crack of heavy artillery from nearby, sending a blast to the ship that sent it spiraling downwards. Violet watched her surrounded in horror; gunfire cracked as it was returned to whatever was kept contained beyond the walls. People she had befriended over the years ran about. Lazy buildings she had walked past for years sprang to life around her in shouted commands. 

Violet turned to where the village would be visible once the sun rose and felt her stomach clench at the sight of the orange glow of firelight that existed where her neighbors should sit. Dread flooded into her, nauseating and thick as it settled into her gut. She held back the scream that threatened to rip through her. She had seen sights like this on the news. Had watched the digitized dramatizations in the video games that Saul and Lief played mindlessly. She had imagined them from the stories John would tell her from the safety of their living room where she could pretend that they were just stories and not the horrors he was sent out into in an attempt to hide her own fear. But she couldn’t pretend any longer as she watched the Covenant descend upon her former home and her love standing tall against them.

“Get Doctor Harris and Doctor Powell somewhere secure,” The Chief shouted to Greg. Mullins nodded as he called to Violet and waved her over, reaching out his hand to her. Meredith called for her as well. 

John let go of her arms, “I’ll find you when this is done, Goose. Go with Mullins. That’s an order.”

Violet lurched forward to grab his hand and the Chief turned. Violet found herself staring at her own reflection in the gold; tank top and sweats smeared with dust and sweat, panic wild in her eyes as she grasped his fingers. The fear, the panic, the rot settled into her bones as she looked up at him, knowing that this time she would be forced to bear witness to the horrors he took a piece of her into every time he went.

“John, wait.” 

The Chief turned back to her, his hand gripped in hers. “I have to go, Vi,” he said. Violet could hear the finality in his words through the helmet, but he squeezed her fingers gently. “I’m going to go. Every time. I need you to let me go and find somewhere safe. Please.”

Violet clung to his hand and looked to where the village burned in the distance. The dread of losing more than one home to the same force paralyzed her. Medics rushed by with stretchers, shouting to one another as they treated both villagers and soldiers alike. Violet saw a familiar face running behind a medic. A bloody gash stained the forehead of the young girl as she cried. Violet had known her since she was a toddler, played with her while her mother harvested in the greenhouses; Sophea. She had grown up tall and beautiful just like her mother in the months Violet had been gone. Sophea spotted Violet and ran to her, gripping Violet’s free hand as she cried. Violet spoke to the girl in Khmer, offering soothing words as she looked back to John, still caught in the gilded gaze.

A medic grabbed her arm as he passed and pulled her focus away from John. Sophea still gripped her hand tightly as she cried. Violet pulled the girl to her, stroking her hair and whispering words of comfort as the girl clung to her middle. 

“You speak local, right Doctor?” the medic shouted. She struggled to hear him over the noise, her ears still ringing, but she nodded. The medic pointed towards the mess hall. “They’re taking all of the wounded to the mess. Villagers and our guys- we don’t have all of our translators available. They’re going to need all the help they can get.” 

She turned her eyes back to John, his hand still gripping hers. She looked between him to the chaos around her and knew that he would always go. She would always wish he would stay, but she would never ask it of him. She looked to the need around her before she brought her eyes back to the Master Chief. 

“I love you,” she breathed. 

John touched the cool metal of the helm to her forehead, “I love you, goose.” 

She nodded and tightened her arm around Sophea. She squeezed his fingers a final time and dropped his hand, “Go.”

“I’ll find you.”

His fingers slipped from hers as he turned from her. Violet watched for a moment as he ran off towards the chaos. Sophea’s arms tighten around her. Violet leaned down and hoisted the girl up onto her hip with a final look to John. Sophea tucked her head into Violet’s shoulder as she cried and Violet brought her hand to the girl’s hair as she whispered to her, telling her to keep her eyes closed. 

“Violet,” Greg called again. “Let’s go!”

“I’m going to help,” she shouted back, starting off behind the medics as they moved towards the mess hall. “I’m not going to sit inside while you all do your part. I need to do mine.”

Greg cursed as Meredith pushed past him to follow Violet, shouting out that she was coming to. Greg followed behind the two women, shouting his disapproval, but Violet continued after the medics. They pushed through the doors of the mess and Violet stepped in after them. Meredith was beside her a moment later, both women watching in horror as they took in the space around them. Violet had shared meals in this space, had flirted with Greg over coffee in the mornings before she left. But the cafeteria-like space had succumbed to the horrors beyond the doors as medics and surgeons volleyed between cots, assessing and triaging the wounded. 

Violet had only had a handful of injuries in her lifetime; the broken leg she had suffered during her fall being the most visceral of them all. Splintered bone had jutted from her flesh, puncturing her skin in a grotesque display of blood and viscera that had made her ill. What she saw within the walls of the bustling field hospital made the break look like a paper cut. Her stomach churned as she looked over the wounded that lay on cots around her, bodies mangled and bloodied. The metallic stench of blood hung thick in the air, mingling with the nauseating reek of singed flesh. Violet swallowed down the sob that bubbled in her throat and set down Sophea as a medic passed, grabbing his arm. 

“She has a cut on her forehead,” Violet explained. “She needs stitches.”

“That’s low priority right now. I’ll get her some gauze, but we have bigger shit to deal with than a kid with a cut.”

Violet eyes returned to the wounded. She watched as a sheet was drawn up over the face of a young blonde woman, her eyes staring blankly up as she was covered. Violet recognized her; she had been stationed at Nomad the year before Violet left; Anderson. She had only been 21 when she arrived. Lief had a crush on her. Violet realized then that she had never seen a dead person before. She nodded to the medic and instructed Sophea to follow him before the man led her to where those with less pressing injuries sat. 

“We need translators,” he informed Violet. “None of us know what the fuck they’re saying.”

“We’re both fluent,” Meredith stepped past Violet. “Where do you need us?”

“We have a guy whose wife isn’t going to make it. Can one of you help the doctor break the news?”

Meredith nodded and gave Violet’s arm a squeeze as she passed, following the medic to where the surgeons had set up impromptu surgical suites. Violet watched her weave through the cots. Pained cries and weeping cutting through the beeps of medical equipment and the short. Clipped jargon she had only ever heard on medical dramas was exchanged between medical staff. Greg grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face him.

“What the fuck were you thinking running out there?” He hissed, concerned etching his features beyond the anger that laced his tone. “You know exactly what to do if the base is compromised. Have you lost your damn mind?”

Violet sputtered, eyes still darting around the room. Worry and panic settled into her as she looked beyond him to where gunfire flashed beyond them. Her thoughts swirled around John; around her friends. Around the destruction that ripped apart her home. He had told her that he would find her and she clung to the notion that this would end and she would see him again. She forced out the thoughts that crept in to fill her with the terror that kept her frozen to the spot. Greg stared back at her, his hand still gripping her shoulder, and she opened her mouth to find that only tears came. 

“I needed to see him,” she whispered, a wet hiccup bubbling from her. 

Greg’s eyes softened as she wiped her eyes, “You’re going to be fine, Sunshine. So is he. You hear me? Just don’t fucking run outside again. Stay here.”

She nodded, sniffling as she took a steadying breath. Greg squeezed her arm a final time before he turned towards the door. He paused and turned back to look at her with her name on his lips. Violet straightened up to hear what her friend had to say, but he stopped. Greg offered her a tight smile and a nod before he turned a final time and pushed through the doors. 

Violet turned back to the field hospital and took a final steadying breath before releasing herself from where she stood. A villager clung to the hand of a passing medic, pleading for her to help his son as the medic shook her head and repeated adamantly that she couldn’t understand him. Violet crossed to them and quickly began translating between the two. The man pointed towards a surgical suite where surgeons hovered over a teenager, his abdomen open and innards exposed. The medic turned to Violet and shook her head solemnly. Violet’s heart sunk as she gripped the man’s hand as he wept, knowing the motion needed no translation. 

The doors of the mess burst open again and Violet looked up, bracing herself for whatever familiar face would roll in next. She instead found a flash of turquoise as Kai entered and scanned over the room. Her eyes fell on Violet before she trudged to her. Violet straightened up as Kai neared her, her heart racing as she regarded the determined way her friend moved. She started towards her and met her halfway as Kai began to speak. 

“Arms up,” Kai instructed. Violet’s brows rose in confusion, but Kai didn’t give her a moment to consider the request before she grabbed Violet’s arms and threw them up to drop a heavy armored vest over her head. Kai strapped her in quickly, pulling straps tight and adjusting the position in which it sat on her body. 

“What are you doing?” Violet gasped out as Kai pulled it tight again.

“Chief’s orders,” Kai replied simply. “A plate carrier isn’t going to save you from a direct plasma blast, but it might keep a needle out of your heart if it comes down to it. Pull your hair out of the back.”

Violet gathered her hair in her hands and pulled it sharply out of the back of the vest. She watched Kai check over the gun she held before thrusting it into Violet’s arms. Violet recoiled at the weapon as it was shoved into her hands and Kai turned her focus to a handgun as she looked over it. 

“That’s a M7 SMG,” Kai stated. The jumble of letters meant nothing to Violet as she stared down at it. She may as well have been speaking a different language to Violet as she continued, “If anything makes it through, you point this at that door and light it up. Understood?”

“What?” She gasped. She held the gun back out to Kai and shook her head vigorously. “No. I don’t do guns, Kai. Tell him I don’t want that.”

“He figured you would say that,” She replied, the effervescence of her friend hardened as Violet looked up at the turquoise that covered her eyes. “You do today, Violet.”

“No, I can’t,” Violet repeated. “I’ve never held a gun before, much less shot one. I have no idea-.”

Kai interrupted her and thrust the gun back into her arms again. She gestured to the parts of the weapon as she instructed, “You pull this, you point it, you press this and hope like hell it hits something. If you do, make sure it’s dead.”

“Kai, I’m a botanist. I can’t-.” 

“You think that matters to them?” Violet stiffened at her tone, having never heard the blonde speak as fiercely as she did. “The Covenant doesn’t care, Violet. None of that matters today. They get through the doors and you’re dead. This is war. This is how you survive. Do you understand?”

Violet swallowed and nodded. Kai held the handgun out to her and Violet stared down at it. “This is the only way that will give you a chance,” she explained. She took Violet’s hand and placed the handgun into it. “And if it doesn’t give you a chance, it gives you an escape plan.”

“What do you mean?” Violet stared up at her friend and hoped that Kai’s words did not carry the weight she feared they did. 

“If the Covenant gets through those doors, you don’t want to find yourself as a prisoner. This is the way out of that,” Kai closed her fingers around the cool metal and pushed Violet’s hand towards her. The chilling gravity of her implication settled into Violet. She swallowed hard and nodded as Kai thrust the gun towards her again, this time more pleading than the first.

Violet looked up into the turquoise that masked the eyes of her friend and nodded, taking the gun from Kai. Kai’s voice dropped as she squeezed the botanist’s shoulder. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.” 

Kai turned back to the doors and left her standing between the cots. Meredith watched her from where she stood over a bedside, Violet recognizing the fear in the blonde’s eyes as she helped a medic bandage the arm of a soldier. 

She looked down at the weapons she held, the masses of metal foreign under her fingertips, Kai’s statement chilling her still as she looked back to the doors. Behind her someone called for a translator. Violet took a final look at the door before she turned in the direction of the call. She hoped it didn’t come to that, either. 

[baronessvonglitter]

What-- we're on Chapter 7 already? Where has the time gone???

Anyways, I'm a simple woman. I see that Lauri has updated the series, I immediately run to read it.

you never asked any questions about his marriage to your mom. You avoided the topic altogether, which suited Dave just fine. He couldn’t have told you the truth anyway. Not yet.

Whatttt is going on in the marriage? And to be fair, I wouldn't ask too many questions either if I was sharing stepdad!Dave with my mom. 😬

He gave you his heart on a string, basically – a necklace with a heart-shaped diamond, which you loved.

Blushing, giggling, screaming, coughing, throwing up, dying, reanimating, doing it all over again

“Never have I ever… used a vibrating cock ring.” "Your cock would look amazing with one wrapped around the base.”

“I wish I could walk into that party holding your hand, not hers,” Dave offered sincerely, lifting your hand to kiss each of your knuckles. “Me, too.” After a beat, you added, “Maybe someday.” Dave looked at you with such a soft, hopeful look before leaving the room, it left you with an aching, jealous heart.

stoppp! I need them together and happy, a little family with the girls and Ranger ❤️

And then, you felt it. Dave’s gaze. It burned into you with a longing so strong your skin prickled with goosebumps. You decided to stay put just so he’d keep looking at you like that. And he did. Every time you turned, you caught him looking, his soulful eyes saying everything. He checked on the girls frequently, but his eyes always found you, no matter where you were in the room.

Dave my babyyyy ugh the longing, the pining is so perfectly written!

Dare I mention that ending 👀As usual I am seated for the next part. Thank you thank you thank you for sharing such a great story with us!! ❤️❤️❤️

Under False Pretenses - Chapter Seven

Stepdad!Dave York x f!reader | wc: 3715 | masterlist

Summary: A challenging mission, whirlwind marriage, and an unexpected yet captivating stepdaughter push Dave York to the brink as secrets, feelings, and loyalties collide.

Warnings: Explicit, 18+ mdni. Stepdad trope. Unspecified age gap. Soft, sexy, and intense Dave. Domestic Dave. Good Dad kink. We like thick thighs in this house and so does Dave. Nicknames and terms of endearment. Mummy is a whole lotta bitch. No use of y/n. Lots of cursing, talk of sex toys, and a bj.

a/n: This chapter features a prompt from @yxtkiwiyxt's Never Have I Ever challenge. The prompt was Never have I ever been to an adult store. I've added a little bit of context to the beginning of this chapter so it can conceivably be read as a standalone, but just makes more sense if reading the larger story. Hope you enjoy!

Series Masterlist

Chapter Seven

Now that Dave had a taste, he was quickly becoming addicted to you. He couldn’t stay away, sneaking down to the basement to spend time with you after Lisa went to bed, coming and going from his office more often than usual, using the private entrance from the garage to enter the house rather than the main entrance. Anything and everything he did was designed to set eyes – or hands – on you more frequently.

However, in front of your mom, he still played the role of faithful, if not loving spouse. It pained him more each day to do so, but he had to be to maintain appearances. There was still too much at stake.

He didn’t miss the pained look that crossed your face sometimes when you’d come up to the kitchen in the mornings to find him seated at the table with your mom and the girls like the perfect little family. Or when Lisa would put her hands on him, trying to snuggle into his side or putting her head on his shoulder while he sat on the couch. It never lasted long, that look on your face or the touches from Lisa since he always pulled away, but the effects lingered.

It hurt Dave for you to see those things, the look on your face, when you did, tore at his heart, knowing how you felt. It was a necessary evil, though, and he convinced himself it was okay because you never asked any questions about his marriage to your mom. You avoided the topic altogether, which suited Dave just fine. He couldn’t have told you the truth anyway. Not yet.

Christmas was particularly difficult, Lisa making a big fuss over him to the point he thought she was putting on a show to make you uncomfortable. All it did was make Dave really uncomfortable. He spoiled the girls, getting them everything on their wish lists and then some. His gifts to your mom were practical and simple, much to her disappointment. He knew you heard their raised voices later that day as she reamed him for the thoughtless gifts.

Dave didn’t give a shit. His mind was focused on you, on making sure the gifts he gave you were perfect. He had two sets – one consisting of candles to give in front of Lisa and the girls and the real, special one to give you in private. He gave you his heart on a string, basically – a necklace with a heart-shaped diamond, which you loved.

Still, he felt like it wasn’t enough, not for what you meant to him, for the ever-deepening feelings he had for you.

That’s why he doted on you whenever he could, playing any silly game you insisted on while sharing a bottle of wine or mimosas on the basement couch after your mom and the girls were asleep. Tonight, for example, the two of you sat facing each other on the cushy furniture, eyes glassy with laughter and a bit of a buzz from the delicious mimosas in your hands, as you declared the latest game.

“Let’s play Never Have I Ever!”

Dave groaned, but he couldn’t deny you, not with how cute and happy you looked, sitting cross-legged on the couch, torso leaning back against the armrest with a half-full glass in your hand. You were incandescent in that moment, smile brighter than the full moon outside, and Dave could do nothing but grin back at you.

“Fine,” he caved, mind whirring for the most salacious topic he could think of. He wanted to make you squirm, but he needed a moment to come up with something. “You first.”

One finger tapping against your pretty lips, you hummed in thought. Smile widening across your face, eyebrows raising excitedly, you settled on something. “Never have I ever… gone to an adult store.”

Dave’s brow shot upwards, surprised by that confession. He had, several times, and took a sip of the bubbling citrusy cocktail, his eyes never leaving yours. Despite his surprise, your question led him to one of his own, something he was certain you wouldn’t have done. Not if you’d never even visited an adult store.

Leaning forward eagerly, you watched his throat bob as he swallowed, pupils dilating prettily. Tempted as he was to kiss you right then, Dave eyed you smugly instead, awaiting your reaction to what he was about to say. “Never have I ever… used a vibrating cock ring.”

Your mouth dropped open comically as you stared wide-eyed at him, causing Dave to chuckle darkly. Fuck, how he’d like to try one out with you. He nearly choked when you gathered yourself and took a sip of your mimosa, sending a cheeky wink at him.

“Wait, what?” His brain could not compute.

Giggling at his reaction, you shrugged. “What? I may have never set foot in an adult store, but I’ve tried a toy or two before.”

“Fuck,” Dave breathed, a surge of unexpected jealousy sweeping through him at the thought of you trying out toys with any other man.

“Color me surprised you’ve never used one,” you teased. “A man of your experience?”

A crease formed between his eyes as he pouted at you. “Are you implying that I’m old?”

Again, you giggled, the sound warming his insides. He loved making you laugh. “No! I just thought with two marriages under your belt, you’d probably done a lot, tried all the toys, or whatever.”

Dave couldn’t help the frown that made its home on his face, torn between wanting to tell you everything and nothing at all about those marriages. You softened at the sight, reaching across the space between you to caress the line between his brows. “I’m not judging, promise. I’m just surprised. Your cock would look amazing with one wrapped around the base.”

He couldn’t speak with that visual in his head, the blood flowing south stole his ability to form words, and you added in a suddenly shy voice, “Maybe we could go to the store and pick one out to try together?”

Fuck, he loved that idea. Visions of the two of you choosing sex toys together, and then going home to try them out washed over him, taking over every thought in his head. His cock, already half hard from the pleasant buzz of champagne and his proximity to you, was fully hard now, pushing against the confines of his boxer briefs.

Your eyes, wide and full of salacious thoughts of your own, darted downwards to take in the bulge in his sweatpants becoming ever more visible. The tip of your pink tongue darted out, gliding against your bottom lip as you stared, and Dave felt his cock twitch in anticipation.

The electricity between you sparked, but he wasn’t quite ready to give into it yet – the build-up was as fun as the grand finale.

“What else have you never tried?” Dave asked, his voice deep and raspy, cutting the air like lightning.

Arousal was clear in your gaze as you bit your bottom lip in thought. “I’ve always wanted to wake up to someone balls deep inside me. Like, when I’m lying on my stomach, you know?”

“Holy fuck,” Dave muttered. The need, the want, became too much and he yanked you closer until you sat in his lap. Playful conversation turned to kissing and before either of you knew it, you slid to the floor and were on your knees for him.

You gave him the blow job of a lifetime that night. He never spurted that much cum before – so much it filled your mouth and dribbled over your chin. The sight of you with his cum on your beautiful face caused two more ropes to spill from his cock, painting your chest as you leaned back to swallow and catch your breath.

He fell harder in love with you as you stared up at him all blissful and doe-eyed while still on your knees for him.

“Honey?” your mom called as she walked through the front door. The way her voice simpered, you knew she was calling for Dave, not you. She’d been switching back and forth from ignoring your presence to nagging the hell out of you lately. You preferred the former, for obvious reasons.

He grimaced, glancing at you from his spot at the breakfast bar while you helped Alice and Molly with a puzzle on the dining table. With a sigh, he called back, “Yeah?”

Entering the room with a broad smile and a card in her hand, she sidled up to her husband. “Roger and Mary invited us to a last-minute New Year’s Eve party at their house tonight.” Her long, red nails scratched down his back, catching in the fabric of his shirt and you turned away with an uncomfortable shudder. “They invited all of us, though I suspect it will be only you and me by midnight. You wouldn’t want the girls staying out that late.”

She looked at you then, flashing a knowing smirk. “Since you’re obviously not doing anything tonight, you can keep an eye on the girls at the party and bring them home early so Dave and I can enjoy ourselves.”

“Lisa,” Dave sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “That’s not necess—"

You cut him off, your hackles up from your mom’s attitude. “Excuse me?”  She wasn’t wrong, but that wasn’t the point. Of course, you would watch them, for Dave’s sake, not your mother’s. But would it kill the bitch to ask instead of assuming?

Looking at you like you were an idiot, your mom spoke slowly, obnoxiously, as she approached the table. “The girls. Alice and Molly, do you remember them?” She gestured toward the wide-eyed little girls like you weren’t sitting right fucking next to them. “You’ll make sure they don’t get into trouble at the party while Dave and I are busy socializing.”

You wanted to slap her smug face but you swallowed the violent urge and settled on irritation instead. “Right, because I clearly have no life outside of this house.”

Lisa smirked again, patting your cheek like you were a fucking child. “Glad we’re on the same page.”

Sometimes you fucking hated that woman. The things you would say if the girls weren’t sitting right there watching everything unfold.

Dave’s eyes locked onto yours, his gaze soft as he jumped in to distract your mother so you could calm down from the rage building inside you. Your mom reached for new levels of bitchiness each day.

“I doubt I’ll make it to midnight myself,” he said. “I’ll probably go home when they do.”

Your mom pouted at that, and you tuned them out as it turned into a hushed argument. In fact, you avoided your mother altogether for the rest of the day, choosing to keep the girls entertained until it was time to get ready for the party. You helped them put on the cute dresses their maternal grandparents gave them for Christmas, curling their hair and sweeping the lightest dusting of powder on their sweet faces because they wanted to look pretty like you.

“See? Just a little glow and you both look like beautiful princesses going to the ball,” you said, smiling as they admired themselves in the mirror.

“This is so cool,” Alice said, turning her head from side to side.

Molly grinned. “We look just like you.”

Warmth bloomed in your chest, and you kissed the tops of their heads, careful not to mess up their hair. Goodness, you loved these girls.

You were quick with your own preparations, adding a little curl to your hair and understated makeup to your face. Opting for simplicity, you went with the trusted little black dress that had seen you through most major events in your adulthood. You were just digging out a pair of heels to wear with it when Dave appeared in your doorway, decked out in a slate gray suit with a dark blue tie, hair swept back off his forehead and a brightness shining in his eyes at the sight of you.

“You look beautiful,” he said in a low, soft voice as he stepped into the room. One large hand brushed down the fabric of your dress, following the curves of your body, and he leaned in to press his lips to your forehead.

“You look rather dashing yourself, Mister.” Your eyelids fluttered shut at the press of his lips against your skin. A little sigh slipped past your glossy lips as you breathed in the rich scent of his cologne.

Dave’s eyes searched yours as he stepped back. “I wanted to talk to you before we head to the party.”

“Ok,” you replied, a hint of worry in your voice as you sat on the edge of your bed. Dave followed, sitting next to you and slipping a hand into your lap to tangle his fingers with yours.

“It’s nothing bad, Firecracker,” he smiled. “It’s just…”

“It’s just the first time we’ll be in public together since things… changed between us.”

His eyes softened, his hand squeezing yours a little tighter. “Exactly. We’ll need to be careful, especially in front of Roger. He’s… not a man whose attention I want on you.”

“Why is that?” you asked, brows furrowed curiously. “Is he a criminal or something? Wait, are you investigating him?”

Dave shook his head, his smile faltering a bit. “I can’t tell you that. Just stay away from him, okay? Anna – the woman from that day in the café – stay clear of her, too. Please.”

You nodded, looking away and muttering, “Of course.” A tug on your hand drew your eyes back to his, and he leaned over to softly kiss your mouth. A hint of your lip gloss lingered on his lips when he pulled back with a grin. The sight broke the tension, and you chuckled, wiping away the evidence with your thumb.

“I wish I could walk into that party holding your hand, not hers,” Dave offered sincerely, lifting your hand to kiss each of your knuckles.

“Me, too.” After a beat, you added, “Maybe someday.”

Dave looked at you with such a soft, hopeful look before leaving the room, it left you with an aching, jealous heart.

This night was going to be torture, you thought.

And it was.

Roger’s house was alive with music and laughter, champagne flutes clinking as guests milled about in glittering attire. The girls ran ahead, already excited by the sight of a variety of desserts laid out in the dining room.

Your mom wasted no time draping herself around Dave, greeting Roger and his wife with an air of effortless charm. You kept to the sidelines, watching, observing with one eye always on the girls.

Seeing your mom and Dave together like this, smiling at each other as they worked the room, his arm around her small waist, the occasional kiss to his cheek from her garishly red lips. All of it fucking sucked to watch and you questioned why you even bothered to come to this party with them in the first place.

A huge part of you ached to bolt, take the girls, and leave the party without any explanation. Observing your mom tangle her fingers in that same shock of hair at the base of Dave’s neck that you liked to play with had you taking a step toward the door.

And then, you felt it.

Dave’s gaze.

It burned into you with a longing so strong your skin prickled with goosebumps. You decided to stay put just so he’d keep looking at you like that.

And he did.

Every time you turned, you caught him looking, his soulful eyes saying everything. He checked on the girls frequently, but his eyes always found you, no matter where you were in the room.

If not for those shared glances, the subtle winks at you, and the quirk of his lips when your gazes locked, you would be dying inside.

You were getting another glass of wine from the bartender the Grants hired for the evening when you spotted a vaguely familiar face approaching your mom and Dave.

It was Anna, the woman you saw in the café with Dave. The one he told you to stay away from.

Her eyes cataloged your mom and Dave with interest, a smirk playing at her lips. She joined the small group they were talking to, stepping too close to Dave for your comfort. Fingernails dancing up his suit jacket, she leaned closer to whisper in his ear.

He froze at whatever she said, and a frown marred your brow as your gut twisted.

Torture. This night was nothing but fucking torture.

Suddenly, a presence loomed too close beside you.

“Enjoying yourself?”

You turned to find Roger, his grin lazy, beady eyes scanning you in a way that made your skin crawl.

“It’s a lovely party,” you replied politely, stepping back to create distance between you. Roger quickly closed the space.

“You must be Lisa’s daughter. We haven’t had a chance to officially meet yet. You’re always so occupied… They keep you busy over there.”

You tensed, glancing across the room, but Dave was nowhere in sight.

Roger reached for a stray lock of your hair, twirling it between his fingers. “You know, I see now why Dave keeps you hidden away. If I had someone like you around…”

You jerked back, heart pounding. You did not like where that observation was heading, but a deep, stern voice interrupted the uncomfortable moment before you could react further.

“Roger.” Dave’s voice was ice.

Roger turned, all casual charm, but the flicker of unease in his eyes met Dave’s was unmistakable. He must know what Dave was capable of. “Relax, York. We’re just making conversation. You certainly have your hands full being surrounded by such beautiful women.”

Dave’s jaw tightened as he muttered, “Find someone else to make conversation with.”

For a long moment, Roger seemed like he might push back just to be an ass. But whatever he saw in Dave’s expression made him reconsider any further remarks. With a smirk, he raised his hands in mock surrender and disappeared back into the crowd of partygoers.

Dave turned to you, his breath heavy, his eyes burning with something unreadable. “Are you okay?”

You nodded, though your hands trembled slightly. That man gave you the creeps even without Dave’s earlier warning. “I—yeah. I just…”

He exhaled, scrubbing a hand over his face. “I told you to stay away from him.”

You bristled. “I didn’t exactly seek him out, David.”

He sighed, tension rippling through his body. He reached out, hesitated as if remembering where you two were, then let his hand drop. “Just… stay close to the girls and away from everyone else, okay?”

“So, I’m just supposed to babysit and not speak to anyone?” How un-fucking-fair was that?

“Pretty much,” he replied without remorse.

You wanted to push back, to demand that he stop treating you like a fucking child, but your mom appeared before you could respond. Slipping her arm around Dave’s waist, kissing his cheek before turning to you with a sickly sweet smile. His dark eyes remained on you the whole time. “I hope you’re not causing trouble.”

Forcing a tight smile, you snapped, “Wouldn’t dream of it,” before striding away. Both of them could just fuck right off. You were so fucking sick of this party.

He tried to keep his eyes off you knowing what was at stake. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down with this crowd, so he tried. He really fucking tried. And completely failed.

You were breathtaking in that dress. The way it hugged your curves, showcasing the best parts of your body, made his heart thump heavily in his chest. You were his dream woman. How was he supposed to pretend you didn’t exist?

So, he chanced glances more often than he should have. He winked and smiled at you, knowing how hard it was to see him with his arm around your mom. He longed to be by your side instead of hers.

And that smug bastard Roger noticed the looks. Dave knew it was entirely his fault the man approached you. He practically lit a beacon drawing the man’s attention to you with each look. So much for being subtle.

You had Dave York twisted up inside and made him forget the most basic rules of subterfuge.

He intervened when he saw Roger speaking to you and kept an eye on you and the girls until you said goodnight and took them home. When he took a breather out on the patio after you said goodnight, Anna cornered him.

“Roger told me about your sweet little stepdaughter. Tell me, is she your plaything? Is that why you keep turning me down? I know it damn well isn’t your wife, so she must be the reason.”

Dave’s expression darkened. He dealt with enough of Anna’s over-the-top sex kitten act for the job, he didn’t have the patience for it tonight. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Anna smirked, twirling the glass of champagne in her hand before taking a long, drawn-out sip. “Oh, relax. I’m just saying… you must enjoy having something to grab onto. She’s a little… thick in places. Sizeable ass.”

“Anna,” Dave snapped, his voice full of warning as his hands curled into fists at his sides.

Anna merely chuckled. “Oh, don’t get your panties in a bunch, handsome. I’m just teasing.”

“Enough. Contact me when you have something business-related to talk about. Otherwise, leave me alone.” He had enough. Striding back into the house, he deposited his empty glass on a random table and left the party without saying goodbye to anyone, including Lisa. She was too busy paying court to a room full of admirers and he’d had enough of her shit tonight, too.

As Dave walked across the street and back to his home, his phone buzzed, and he hoped it was from you. When he pulled the phone from the inside pocket of his blazer, the message on the screen made his blood run cold.

Unknown Number: I know what you’re hiding.

tbc

Chapter Eight

tag list: @imdrinkingpedro @lillaydee @ppascalrain @yorksgirl @missladym1981 @baronessvonglitter @slimybeth69 @mellymbee @untamedheart81 @inept-the-magnificent @wannab-urs @thundermartini @peelieblue @harriedandharassed @mysterious-moonstruck-musings @sunnytuliptime @vie-is-punk

[twstedstoryshop]

VR AU: Savanaclaw

Your next destination led you outside your keep and into the night air. Countless stars twinkled overhead, a sight you never really got to see in the city you live outside this game. To be able to see such a sky, even if it wasn’t truly real, was a gift really. You continued on, following a pathway that soon brought you to an ancient structure. It resembled a colosseum, made entirely of sandstone that shifted between bands of dark red to pale yellow. It was far from pristine though as sizeable cracks and chunks marred its exterior. It looked more like ruins than anything, but you liked the way it looked. It gave a sense that whatever battles took place here was enough to rock this great building’s foundations.

You made your way inside. Your augmented reality made your skin physically prickle from the coolness of the shadows that were cast. You could hear the sounds of a scuffle bouncing between the stones. In the light of torches that illuminated the stands, you would lay your eyes upon the vast training grounds. Kicking up a cloud of dust, you saw a pair of figures exchanging blows. Animalistic growls and barks resounded into the night air. For any normal person, they would have mistaken it for wild beasts viciously going at each other. But you knew better. There would be breaks in the dust where you saw flashes of fierce golden eyes meeting with mirthful gray ones.

Jack Howl Moonlit Warrior Level: 45 Classes: Fighter, Paladin Jobs: Outlander, Mercenary Race: Lycanthrope (Wolf) Main Weapon: Twilight Blade

Ruggie Bucchi Smiling Glutton, Friend of Fools Level: 88 Classes: Rogue, Phantom Thief, Ranger Jobs: Charlatan, Jack-of-all-trades Race: Gnoll Main Weapon: Whispering Knives

Jack was training hard as ever, wood shield and sword in hand, standing his ground fiercely. Even in combat, the proud and stubborn wolf didn’t want to tuck tail and back away. Even to the likes of an older guild member. It was a trait in Jack that either made him great in combat or a weak link in your formations. Ahh, but that’s why you’ve been idly training him in the background. To keep grinding and hoping those level-ups will cover up for his weaknesses.

On the flipside, you glance over to Ruggie, your menace of a rogue. He didn't pull punches as he mercilessly pushed Jack further and further into a corner. Like the hyaenidae he represented, he persisted in chipping away at the larger man’s defenses as he merely bided his time in Jack’s exhaustion. Suddenly with a great leap, he jumped at Jack. The wolf brought up his shield and was nearly kicked back with Ruggie’s hyena-like legs and claws forcibly knocking against him. Ruggie smirked and cocky laughter piped from him.

“C’mon now, Jack! Ya can’t keep hiding behind that shield of yours! Sooner or later, you need to be on the offense! Or else, I’m gonna getcha!” Ruggie taunted.

Jack huffed and shook himself from that stun of a blow. “Not gonna happen!” He growled before giving a mighty swing that had Ruggie backflipping away with a slight yip. 

You couldn’t help but to chuckle slightly at the two jabbing at one another as the two continued to clash. At the sound of your quiet laughter, a pair of lion ears perked up and you instantly felt someone’s eyes on you. Immediately, you glanced up to where usually the emperor would observe the colosseum fights. There, reclined in his own lounge chaise draped in the hides of his kills, was another one of your Wings.

Leona Kingscholar Gold Wing of the Night Ravens, Prince of the Dying Sun, Plague Bringer Level: 100 Classes: Monk, Blight Druid, High Tamer Jobs: Noble Race: Leonin Main Weapon: Ancient Baobab Staff

Leona’s sharp green eyes honed in on you before slowly he shifted upright. He moved like a great big cat, taking all his time in the world to fully wake himself before glancing down to the raging battle. Suddenly, a quick but powerful roar bellowed from deep within his chest that instantly had Ruggie and Jack stop in their tracks. Wordlessly, Leona gestured to you and the others followed his lead. When they saw you, the two quickly scampered to the edge of the training grounds.

“Guild Master, I didn’t realize you were here…! Please, excuse us. We were in the middle of training,” Jack said sheepishly.

“You should have said somethin’, Guild Master. If you were watching, then I really woulda gotten serious in that fight, shihihi!”

An offended look came over Jack as a light smile curled on your lips. As always, you take a moment to admire your lovely guild members. Jack looked quite dashing in his more casual get-up outside of his full armor. Atop his sleeveless shirt and trousers was a mix of leather armor and pieces of metal armor being on his shins, boots, and his entire right arm. Resting on his right shoulder was an intimidating pauldron shaped as a wolf’s head and along his arm was a silvery gauntlet that ended in wicked claws. On his left bare shoulder was a heavy strip of wolf hide, thick with icy white fur that lightly caressed his jaw line. Then of course were his wolf features being his tall pointed ears and swishing tail that denoted his lycanthrope heritage. 

Ruggie was more evident of his features compared to Jack. Where normal humanoid legs were supposed to be were instead agile hyena legs and a tail. Ruggie’s clothing slightly sagged on his lean and slender form. His shirt hung loose on him save for the leather belt that hugged his hips, dangling with all sorts of tools and baubles for his tricks. Wraps were half-hazardly wound along his forearms before coming to a stop at his fingerless gloves that accented his clawed hands. Finally, there was his oversized hood and cloak which probably has seen better days with how battered and frayed the edges were.

You felt a familiar presence approaching your character and you turned your view over to Leona who had decided to finally join you in a gust of hot air and sand. Leona didn’t have much to hide, proudly showing off his physique by being shirtless save for the ring of black fur he wore around his shoulders, coupled with a necklace of golden teeth. In a way, it almost looked like his own take on a lion’s mane. On his forearms, leather bracers were tightly bound as bangles of gold lightly jingled on his wrists. Around his waist, pelts, claws, and teeth of fantastical beasts hung alongside cloths of intricate tribal print. Similar to Ruggie, Leona had feral features in the shape of powerful, tawny brown lion legs and a tail.

“Guild Master,” he said with a slight rise of his brow, “you know I’m handling these cubs’ training. I didn’t ask for supervision, if that’s what you’re trynna pull.”

> [Refute]

Leona crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. “Then what are you doin’ here? You actually have a mission for us or what?”

> [No]

Leona sighed heavily. “See, I knew it. You’re hovering over us like an annoying buzzard. We’re fine, so go ahead and meddle with someone else.”

A grumble escaped you at the leonin's words, but you couldn’t be too mad at Leona. After all, this was a deeply integrated part of his personality and you allowed his programming to be haughty as much as he wanted to be. Other players probably would have edited his speech patterns or just shut him up altogether, but you kept him the way he was, wanting to see him fully shine through as a character. Nevertheless, you heeded Leona’s words and soon departed from the colosseum.

> [...]

 Leona watched as your form disappeared into the distance before he leapt back to his usual napping place. Jack’s ears lowered slightly after the Guild Master left, then turned to Ruggie. “Hey, why did Leona have to chase away the Guild Master? Is he even allowed to talk like that to them?”

Ruggie blinked and began to speak in a hushed tone. “No, no, you got it all wrong, that’s the tamest Leona is ever gonna be. Compared to how he talks to others, Leona with the Guild Master is like watching a kitten mewl up at their owner. Also, between you and me, Leona only ever wants the Guild Master ‘round if they’re serious in stayin’ around compared to just quick check-ins, y’know?”

Ruggie pulled back from Jack, a smirk on his lips. “In a way, I get him. You wished the Guild Master stuck around longer too, right?”

“I guess so… I mean, I wouldn’t say no to it,” Jack mumbled shyly.

“Oi.”

Ruggie and Jack jumped at the sharp voice that growled at them and slowly they turned to see Leona glancing over his shoulder in annoyance.

“If you have time to chatter like that, then you must have time for me to add 100 laps to your training regimen…”

“Ack, no, no! We’re focusing, we’re focusing, okay! C’mon Jack, let’s keep working on that endurance of yours!”

As the two scampered off, Leona would flop back down, and his eyes fluttered shut. He didn’t like staying awake without a purpose. The only time he only felt such a drive to be functioning was when his Guild Master called for him…

[supernovadragoncat]

SDC's Tales from the SanSan Crypt

Looking for some spooky SanSan reads this Halloween?

Below are some selections from my crypt of SanSan delights sure to get your blood pumping and send those goosebumps prickling across your skin.

Happy Halloween! 🖤

Badlands Howl (Complete)

On a gray Halloween day, Sansa travels alone across South Dakota and finds herself inexplicably drawn to the Badlands for what was supposed to be a brief stop. A park ranger tells her a tale befitting All Hallows’ Eve about the Badlands rider—a restless spirit who haunts the land astride his black horse, his face half-burned from hellfire and his unearthly howl famed for the misfortune it brings.

Despite the frightening tale, Sansa finds herself enchanted and, amongst the Badlands’s haunting austerity and bewitching wonder, she encounters the Badlands rider and far more than she ever could have bargained for.

Spooky, sexy, sad, sweet, and spiritual. 

Ride (Complete)

Sansa and Sandor each have their reason for buying a one-way ticket out of town. As an early autumn storm brews, they find themselves alone together on an abandoned train platform with more in common than one might think.

But there's something strange about the train that rolls into the station and their journey comes with a dire warning--if they get on the train, they won't be getting off, at least not in this life. Then again, sometimes you have to get on to get off...

Midnight (Complete)

Into every generation a slayer is born, a chosen one.

That’s what the legend said. Sansa had heard it all before. What did the legend say about watchers then? Not much because it didn’t have to be spoken. Everyone just knew.

A slayer should never get involved with her watcher and certainly never fall for him.

A SanSan/Buffy The Vampire Slayer AU.

Origins (Complete)

No one asks to be chosen. No one seeks it out.

Home from war, Sandor Clegane wants nothing to do with the horrors he faced, least of all the black-eyed monsters that nearly took his life. He calls them demons. Others call them vampires. It doesn’t matter because he’s haunted by dreams he just can’t shake. In them, a red-haired girl fights the fiends alone.

Now letters are showing up at his door from a mysterious entity called the Watchers Council. They have a message for him—he has a calling and so does the girl in his dreams. Neither knows it, but they’ll soon find out…

…the origins of a slayer and her watcher.

A continuation of Slay—a Buffy the Vampire Slayer AU SanSan series.

Spellbound (Ongoing)

Brooklyn born and bred, NYPD homicide detective Sandor Clegane often joked that the only way he’d ever leave New York was in a body bag. His chief calls his bluff and details Sandor to some no-name town in Vermont. They need his no-bullshit approach to detective work. The real reason? He’s burnt-out, jaded, and surly.

His chief said the change of pace would do him good, but forgot to mention this sleepy town has a strange vibe. It also has Sansa Stark—hometown sweetheart and psychic who owns the metaphysical shop. Sandor doesn’t believe in that shit. What he does believe in—she has legs for days and an ass to match.

Only problem? She’s enlisted to help on a cold case. His cold case. Sandor doesn’t work well with others, least of all psychics and certainly not the most gorgeous girl in town who surely bewitched him because why else is it suddenly so hard to focus?

Opposites attract with a heavy dose of sexual tension, small town shenanigans, dirty-talking Sandor, witchy woman Sansa, sassy but well-meaning Arya, and mystical matriarch Catelyn who really thinks Sansa should go easy on the new guy in town.

Sexy. Funny. Sweet. Smutty. Hot-and-bothered SanSan pine away.

Devil Inside (Ongoing)

Orphaned at a young age, Sansa has lived a quiet life as the High Priestess in her northern village, but peace is shattered when legions of marauders led by warlord Sandor Clegane raid her village. Sandor’s brutal reputation precedes him—a warrior who some say is the devil himself—but Sansa is known to him too. Lore has spread through the Seven Kingdoms about the beautiful High Priestess of the North, a maiden ripe for the taking. Sandor’s plan is simple—kidnap Sansa and offer her to the highest bidder—but he didn’t account for how wickedly he wants her for himself. While the best laid plans of men often go awry, Sandor is no ordinary man. He may not even be mortal at all and Sansa is about to learn the cost of making a deal with the devil isn’t just her soul but her heart too. A dark Faustian romance.

[adventures-on-foster-island]

Saturday night, Ellisa began receiving emergency alerts from Hoenn. Some kind of storm, bad enough for a region-wide evacuation. "Maybe Kyogre and Groudon are at it again," she thought, "but better safe than sorry."

She gathered the staff for a meeting. "Act like there's a hurricane coming. Get all visitors and Pokémon indoors, do not let anyone leave. Pull down the plastic tarps over the garden beds and secure them well, and close the rainwater collection system so it doesn't flood. Be prepared to take in refugees. Lets also make sure our supply inventory is up to date in case we need to ration." As the island staff hurried off to help prepare for the worst, Lynn rubbed Ellisa’s shoulders from behind, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

"I need to go help on the mainland," he whispered.

"You are needed here, and I will not have you risk the lives of your Pokémon like that. They've barely had time to recover from your last trip," she reached up to squeeze his hands on her shoulders, "Walk with me to the docks?"

Lynn begrudgingly followed his partner outside, only to be hit in the face with a putrid odor. The sky was dark and stormy, wind howling in their ears, and they could see waves crashing high against the cliffs as they made their way to the docks where a few passenger ships remained. Captains and crew huddled together on the pier, looking out at the treacherous sea. One Captian stepped forward as the couple approached, "There's reports of a terrorist attack, some kind of acid rain across Hoenn and Johto. Ships are not to attempt to dock at either region."

"Well come on inside then, get warm and dry. Hopefully it will miss us," Ellisa ushered them up towards the main building, but returned to the docks again. Through the binoculars on the pier, she could see several other passenger ships approaching at great speed. "See, my love? I need you here. We've never had this many visitors at once," she turned her vision side to side and could see a wall of rain falling several miles out, and flocks of wild flying and water type Pokémon rushing to get out of it. "Oh Arceus, those poor things. Help me set up shelters please?"

Lynn grumbled but obliged, knowing he wasn't going to make it out past the storm. Their shared time at the ranger academy had given them the necessary skills to make quick work of dozens of shelters, both over the water and on land. As they finished, they began to hear shouting on the radio.

"Ellisa, you need to get back inside. The news reports... you have to see it for yourself but get back inside before you get caught in the storm, over."

The caretaker looked to her ranger and rolled her eyes, believing her staff to be over reacting. "I'm coming, I'm coming, calm down don't scare our visitors, over." The acrid scent on the wind was strong as Lynn and Ellisa made their way back towards the main building. When they arrived, the tension prickled their skin. A quiet murmur ran through the crowded building, eyes fixed on the television screens on the walls of the welcome center.

"Team Snagem leader Victoria holds the world hostage, demanding a battle circuit and Pokémon Centers for Orre. Sources say that she has captured and Shadowfied a Ho-Oh, and it's Shadow Sky is causing the acid rain. Please stay indoors, it is too late to evacuate at this time. Contact with the rain will cause severe chemical burns, and may cause death."

Things were far worse than Ellisa had imagined.

Late that night, once most guests and staff had gone to sleep, Ellisa poured over the books for the day. "At least my grant money is doing some good," she mumbled to herself. The staff had brought her a comprehensive list of every resource and every guest taking refuge on the island. Unbelievably, despite being near max capacity, they had an abundance of water and food to go around. Satisfied with her paperwork, but too anxious to sleep, Ellisa turned on the weather report to watch the storm move. "Lynn, Lynn wake up, you have to see this." She gently shook her partner's leg. After a few moments of fighting to go back to sleep, Lynn gumpily rubbed his eyes.

"What in Groudon's name could possibly be urgent enough.." he stopped talking when he saw the screen. The angry storm moved completely around Foster Island, avoiding it entirely, as if some kind of barametric force were pushing it away. "Well... at least everyone here is safe then. Please come to bed." He crawled back under the covers, pulling his partners arm as he urged her to rest.

When daylight broke, Ellisa checked the news before coming down to the main floor. Everything was awful. The death count was high, and images of the damage were unfathomable. They had to do something.

It only took a few hours to sort out who was willing and able to help and what skills they could use to their advantage. They found some seamstresses to stitch specialized raincoats for flying types, fighting types and stronger humans carried supplies, water types and their trainers filled and sealed containers with stored water, gardeners and grass types harvested fresh berries from the garden, everyone working together as one. By Monday morning, dozens of Flying types had been fashioned with protective gear and GPS trackers, and saddled with baskets of supplies, and sent off to find those in dire need.

To be continued??